dSLR Dad

This is the kind of ‘review’ I love to bring to you dSLR Dads. Michael Reichmann has posted his detailed insight into the Nikon D3 and Nikon D300 over at the Luminous Landscape. What makes this article completely different and refreshing from all of the others is the focus on how these cameras compare from the Canon perspective. He also makes it perfectly clear that this is not a typical test report with an abundance of side-by-side comparisons at ISO 3200 with 100% crops. That really doesn’t matter. What does matter is how does a photographer use these new tools for photography.

In this essay I look at the new Nikon D3 and D300 though the eyes (mine) of someone who has been shooting with Canon cameras for the past 8 years. Prior to 1999 I used Nikons, shoot film, and used them to make a living in photography for some 30 years. I also used (and still do) Hasselblads and Leicas, and as a magazine reviewer have probably tested and shot with almost every major camera system available since the mid-1960’s. But for several decades prior to the advent of digital, Nikons were my 35mm tool of choice….. (more…)

Lawrence Ripsher has posted a review of the Canon EOS 1D Mark III (Amazon, B&H Photo) on his Photo Journal Blog.

I’ve been the owner of a 1D Mk3 since early December 2007 and this review comes about a month in after many thousands of actuations. For those of you who are not familiar with my background, I have shot Canon for some time now (having transitioned over from Nikon) and shoot a variety of subjects including sports, portraiture, street and what I call narrative photography. For examples of my work, you can click on the galleries to the left (or simply follow this review).

The Canon EOS 1D Mark III has had quite a ride. Released as part of Canon’s 20 year EOS anniversary strategy it was both highly anticipated and widely applauded when it was announced. From the outset it has arguably generated more noise (of the vocal kind) than any other camera in the market today, with the possibly exception of the Nikon D3. Leading the emotionally charged opinions on the camera have been photographers from all walks – some highly respected professionals, some skilled amateurs, some hopeful hobbyists and typically, an even greater number of users who have never touched this particular camera. The 1D has been heralded as everything – from the greatest sports and photojournalism camera in the world today, to a huge disappoint and failure. Even in the already emotional and divided world of camera equipment forums, the Canon 1D Mark III has shown an extreme example of split opinion. (more…)

Bjørn Rørslett,Professional Nature Photographer, PhD. Member of NN (Norwegian Nature Photographers) and BioFoto (Association of Nature Photographers in Norway) has just posted his review of the Nikon D3 (order one at Amazon and B&H Photo).

Every one waited for Nikon to move up to the next level of digital sensor size, the “full-sized” FX or 35mm-like solution. Years went by and seemingly nothing happened. We admired Nikon’s clever ergonomic solutions and at least some of us ogled the high-ISO performance of the competition with a little envy. Then, Nikon struck back with a camera advertised to “defy the limitations” no less.

The D3 is not only a 35mm-frame camera, it is so much more and with high-ISO performance unheard and undreamt of as well. With a blazing firing rate up to 9 fps(FX)/11 fps(DX), this is a sports and action shooter’s dream camera come true. But what can it achieve for other fields of photography? In this review, I shall try to elaborate these aspects of this new Nikon DSLR. Consider this more akind to a personal travelogue written as I made myself familar with the D3 rather than a compilation of features….. (more…)

The Canon EOS 1D Mark III has been selling for quite a while now (since February 23, 2007 at Amazon). Unfortunately, the pro community have been quarrelling with Canon over the poor performance of the 1D Mark III’s servo-autofocus engine, especially at high temperatures. Rob Galbraith’s site has been out in front of this issue since the beginning (June 19 was his first update). Now Rob has released an update assessing the 1D Mark III’s sub-mirror fix and v1.1.3 firmware. (more…)

John Harrington has posted an article in which he compares both of his new purchases: A Nikon D3 (Amazon, B&H Photo) vs. the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III (Amazon, B&H Photo).

What follows is a muti-part review of both cameras. Since I own both systems, and am not endorsed by either, and in fact, have been critical of both, I think I can take an unbiased look at each camera. My most critical concern was noise, and I don’t shoot sports, so, for example, fast focus-tracking is not a top priority for me. I’d dropped $20k on a Canon system, having been a die-hard Nikon photographer, having found the noise in my D2x files at iso640 and above offensive. Couple that with Nikon’s failure to address or even acknowledge that elephant in the room was just down-right inconsiderate. (more…)

California based professional photographer Phil Holland has posted his in-depth report on the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III.

In this review I’ll go over some real world and not so real world shooting conditions. I’ll also occasionally compare the 1Ds Mark III to the 1Ds Mark II as it’s been my main body for a couple of years now. (more…)

Doug Brown, Contributor and event photographer, has posted his field report of the Sony Alpha A700 dSLR (now shipping).

The A700 is a beautifully crafted photographic instrument. In my time with it I grew quite comfortable with the camera and found it’s output to be very dependable.
It’s tough, ergonomically well designed, intuitive to use (more…)

Kevin Kitching was in Manchester, England to try out the Nikon D3 and D300 track side at a velodrome event. He has quite a few interesting statements.

First: ISO 3200 on the Nikon D300 is amazing! It’s even better on the D3 though. Several D3 bodies were at the trackside to capture action (along with various lenses including the new Nikkors).

Second (and this is going to be the whaaa? statement): Apparently, The D300 exceeds the image quality of the D2Xs – Nikon’s words, not mine! ‘12 channel data transfer from sensor & gapless microlenses reduce CA’. …………..Both cameras use the new microlens! This new design means that the microlens is closer to the sensor surface.

You can read the full post over at dPreview here.

Note: Click here to purchase an Amazon Gift Card.

OK, I know what you’re thinking, ‘come-on, a $39,000 Medium Format vs. a 2 year old $2000 DSLR with a 50% smaller sensor?’. But, while the differences can be seen and 39 Hasselblad Megapixels are certainly great for that full page print ad, the Canon EOS 5D (Amazon, B&H Photo) does show why it’s so highly regarded. Of course, you dSLR Dad’s could always do what most of the pros do, just rent the Hasselblad at $500 a day for that big project….. like for this year’s Christmas cards.

You can read the full article over at Lincoln Barbour’s blog here.

Please Note: You can click here to purchase an Amazon Gift Card.

Scott Kelby of Photoshop User fame has posted an in depth Q&A session on his recent Nikon D3 Experience. You can read more here.

Conclusion, He was really impressed by the $5000 12 Megapixel SLR Full Frame Nikon Body……

Q. Have you already placed your order?
A. Are you kidding? I’m already on the waiting list for it to ship.