dSLR Dad

Imaging Resource has published their camera test review of the 720p HD-shooting Nikon D5000 dSLR:

Though it stands out as an oddity in naming terms when compared to the other Nikon digital SLRs in the line, the Nikon D5000 is best described as a lower-cost D90 in a D60 body, with a smaller set of available autofocus lenses. There are a few usability issues related to the articulating LCD and autofocus in Live view mode, and the D-Movie mode won’t serve to replace the basic consumer camcorder, but as I’ve said of the Canon T1i, these things don’t make or break the Nikon D5000. What clearly makes the Nikon D5000 great is its excellent overall performance as a still camera, and its excellent image quality…

You can read the entire review at Imaging Resource. You can find more dSLR Dad articles on the Nikon D5000 here.

Photography Blog has published their camera test review of the Nikon D3000 dSLR:

As with the Nikon range topping D3x, with the D3000 at the very opposite end of the scale, its manufacturer is again providing the photographer (fledgling in this case) with their own virtual ‘wingman’, delivering essential aid whilst leaving them to get on with the business of taking photos.

(more…)

It’s been quite a Summer for Nikonian dSLR Dads. First came the D5000, then the D300s, and now the youngest kid in the Nikon lineup, the 10.2-Megapixel D3000 dSLR Camera.  It may not record HD video, but as a replacement for the entry-level D40 and D60 it still has quite a few highlights:

• 10.2-Megapixel (3,872 x 2,592 pixels) DX-format 23.6 x 15.8mm CCD sensor.
• ISO sensitivity range from ISO100 to 1600 plus an ISO3200 expansion (for emergency purposes only)
• 11-point Multi-CAM1000 autofocus module. A nice upgrade over the D60.
• 3 frame-per-second continuous shooting of 12-bit NEF (RAW) files
• Images are saved to SD/SDHC cards
• 3-Inch, 230,000-pixel LCD screen
• 420 pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II with a Scene Recognition System
• Nikon Guide Mode – Intuitive controls and the on-board Guide Mode assist you every step of the way. Think of it as a manual in the camera. For more detailed information, download the manual from the recourses section below.
• Active D-Lighting – for complete control over highlight and shadow detail.
• Six Picture Control modes: Standard, Vivid, Landscape, Portrait, Neutral, and Monochrome
• Nikon’s most compact dSLR at 5.0 x  3.8 x 2.5-inches (126 x 94 64mm W/H/D).

(more…)

Nikonian dSLR Dads have a little extra spring in their step today. Nikon has introduced the D300s dSLR Camera. Taking what was already a great camera:

• 12.3-Megapixel APS DX-format (23.6 x 15.8 mm) CMOS image sensor. Photo resolution will be 4288 x 2848 pixels.
• 3-inch, 920,000 pixel LCD monitor
• 51-point MultiCAM3500FX Autofocus System (same as Nikon D3, D3x, and D700).
• 16-bit EXPEED image processing with 12 or 14 bit A/D conversion.
• extended ISO range of 100-6400.
• Active D-Lighting for complete control over highlight and shadow detail.
• HDMI video output. Although it’s now a smaller Type C port.

Nikon went ahead and added some additional features to make it better:

• 720p High-Definition video recording at a cinema-friendly 24 frames-per-second. Maximum recording length of 5-minutes.
• Motion JPEG encoding – which is a shame. Nikon really should have upgrade their processing engine to handle h.264.
• Built-in 16 bit/11.025kHz mono mic.
• External stereo sound input will capture 16 bit/44.100kHz stereo audio. A must for any dSLR Dad who also shoots with a AF-S VR lens. Even those silent waves come up loud and clear on an onboard microphone. It will capture 16 bit/44.100kHz stereo audio.
• Dual Memory Card slots – Compact Flash and SD/SDHC, living in harmony. Configuration logic is similar to the D3.
• Continuous shooting of a fantastic Seven images-per-second or Eight with the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10. Unfortunately, 14-bit RAW frames are still limited to a slow 2.5 fps. At this price, a dSLR Dad shouldn’t have to choose.

(more…)

Phil Holland has published his detailed review of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II Full-Frame dSLR:

Much like many of you I’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Canon 5D Mark II. Many things intrigued me and excited me about the camera, but the points that stood out to me personally were: Higher quality/range ISO, increase of resolution, full 1080p video support.

(more…)

Imaging Resource has published their hands-on preview of a pre-production Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i:

So it’s pretty clear, if the Beta unit’s quality holds up, that the Canon Rebel T1i’s image quality is at least as good as the Canon 50D, delivering more detail than most of the 12-megapixel cameras on the market for less money. Noise suppression is a bigger factor, but you can also turn that noise reduction down or off completely, or shoot 14-bit RAW, something we’ll explore in greater depth when we get a shipping version of the Canon T1i.

(more…)

Photographer Nick Devlin has published his field report of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II dSLR.  What follows are his impressions after a January, 2009 Expedition to the Antarctic:

The 5D Mark II is a hard camera to review. On one hand, it betters its predecessors in every respect and pushes the envelope of 35mm photography to new bounds at a relatively accessible price.  On the other hand, it is not the photographic second coming that its pre-release hype and anticipation suggested.  Given that the original 5D brought full-frame to the masses, the messianic metaphor isn’t altogether misplaced.  With this camera, Canon offers us mere mortals elevation into the exalted air of 20+ Megapixels – previously the terrain of MF backs and the über-pricey 1DsIII.  This is heady stuff, even in the era of camera-a-minute advancements and galloping Megapixel counts. (more…)

Does the Little Brother Have a Chance?

Rob Galbraith has had a chance to briefly compare the HD video feature of the new Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D versus the 5D Mark II dSLR Cameras.  He has found that:

• A shallow focus effect can definitely be achieved with the Rebel T1i.
• The Rebel T1i’s deep shadows may be less plugged than the 5D Mark II.
• For all but static scenes, the stutter of the 20fps 1080p mode in the Rebel T1i will be unwelcome.
• It’s possible to pull a usable still frame from Rebel T1i 720p video.
• While both camera models include a built-in mono mic, the sound quality from the 5D Mark II’s mic is richer and more live sounding.
• The 5D Mark II has an external stereo miniphone mic jack. The Rebel T1i doesn’t.
• The Rebel T1i has a video capture setting on its mode dial, and a record start/stop button separate from the Set button.
• The Rebel T1i has a 4GB clip length limit, the same as the 5D Mark II.

You can read the entire preview at Rob Galbraith DPI.  You can find more information about the Canon EOS Rebel T1i 500D here.

Canon USA has released the new EOS Rebel T1i Digital Camera for dSLR Dads.  The latest Rebel dSLR now wraps itself around a 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with the DIGIC 4 imaging processor that now records HD video. The Canon T1i capture’s 16:9 720p High Definition video at 30 frames-per-second.  The T1i will also record 1080p, but at 20 fps, you’ll never use video with such a slow framerate (unless you want to make your family motion sick). More importantly for dSLR Dads, the Canon T1i has also applied their latest sensor technology from the EOS 50D to improve the low-light sensitivity from ISO 100 up to ISO 3200.  There are also two high-speed settings of ISO 6400 and ISO 12800.  And with a new 3-inch LCD with 920,000-pixels, reviewing those images will be easier than ever.  Interestingly, despite the falling Yen, Canon USA has kept the MSRP of the new EOS Rebel T1i Digital Camera constant at $799 when it’s released in May.  The Canon EOS Rebel T1i kit version will use Canon’s EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens.  You can place your order now for either Camera at both Amazon and B&H Photo.

(more…)

Nikon has published the 300 page D90 dSLR user manual.  The Nikon D90 User’s Manual – Guide to Digital Photography, can be downloaded at Nikon USA.  You can also find out more about the Nikon D90 in the dSLR Dad Resource Guide.

Note:  The Nikon D90 dSLR Camera with the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR Zoom Lens is in stock and shipping from both Amazon.com and B and H Photo.