dSLR Dad

Let’s face it, we can’t all have one room devoted to an entire photo studio. However, you can make a bedroom, office, or other spare room serve up as double duty for your photographic interests.  Photographer James Burger does just that in the following video:

Some key points that came to me while watching this: (more…)

Photozone has published their test of the Nikon AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED Lens:

The AF-S 60 Micro Nikkor is a worthy successor to a highly regarded lens. It is able to deliver very sharp images (allthough, given Nikon’s recent lens track record, some probably had hoped for even higher resolution figures), the bokeh in general is smooth, vignetting is no issue on a DX camera and the AF is as fast as you’d expect an AF-S drive to be. So except the relatively high CA values and the potentially challenging hood design (for close-up work) there’s nothing really to complain about. Given its moderate price tag, you can’t go wrong with this lens if you’re looking for a decent macro lens that doubles as a moderate and relatively fast tele on your DX camera.

You can read the entire lens test at Photozone.

Imaging Resource has published their review of the Sony SAL-100M28 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens:

When mounted on the A700, the Sony 100mm ƒ/2.8 macro provided excellent results almost across the board; the only possible objection would be that it wasn’t tack-sharp at ƒ/2.8, but at 1.5 blur units, to ask for more would be very demanding. The 24-megapixel sensor of the A900 taxes the optics of the 100mm macro quite heavily, requiring some level of stopping-down to get the best results (our optimum setting being at least ƒ/5.6, if not ƒ/8 for the absolute sharpest).

Otherwise, distortion is non-existent, chromatic aberration is well handled, and there is virtually no light falloff. Focus handling options are very good, making the lens an excellent platform for macro work.

You can read the entire review at SLR Gear.

"Mother and Child" by Julie Falk

Popular Photography Magazine has an article by Julie Falk on how to photograph snowflakes:

Shooting snowflakes is easy — just follow these tips:

Get in as close as the camera will let you — usually about 2 inches. Hold the camera steady, and shoot from as many angles as possible.

Aim for snowflakes that are on surfaces with clean lines and that are positioned at an angle so early morning or late afternoon sunlight can bring out details. And, Falk adds, “It also helps to find flakes in the ‘twilight zone’ areas of the snow — not in full sun nor quite full shadow — so the background of the sunlit flake is the cobalt blue shadow that snow has on sunny days.”

Large, soft flakes photograph better than small, bright ones. Falk has found them at diameters up to 5mm. “You need to have a lot of moisture in the air,” she says, “and it needs to be bitter cold.”

Nearly windless days are ideal for snowflake hunting, to up the likelihood of finding crystals intact. Colder temperatures help “to keep their little arms from melting off before you can get to them.”

You can read the entire article over at PopPhoto.com.  You can also view more of Julie Falk’s photography at flickr.

digital Photography School has posted eleven very creative photographs involving Lego characters from Flickr.

Have you ever met a Lego enthusiast? They can be a lot of fun to talk to and will open up a whole world (or perhaps ‘culture’ is a better word) for you around the little colorful bricks that many of us stop playing with as kids. Many Lego lovers are also keen photographers who love to document their work, fun, humor and creativity. Here’s just a quick sample of some of the hundreds of thousands of Lego Photos on Flickr.

You can view the rest of the photos here.

Photozone has released another in-depth lens test. This time, they are focusing closely on Sony’s Macro Alpha Lens, the 100mm f/2.8 Macro (available now at Amazon and B&H Photo).

The Sony 100mm f/2.8 macro is able to produce very sharp results combined with a negligible amount of distortions, vignetting and lateral CAs. However, longitudinal (axial) chromatic aberrations can be quite a problem in out-focus areas (f/2.8-f/5.6) resulting in a magenta to greenish tint in some situations – this is not unusual but unfortunate nonetheless. The build quality of the lens is fine although it doesn’t win any crown when looking towards the competition a la Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR or the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Same goes for the AF speed which does still rely on the slotted drive screw rather than Sony’s faster SSM (ultrasonic AF drive). The biggest problem of the Sony 100mm f/2.8 macro is probably its price tag – at around 600US$ it is substantially more expensive than the third-party alternatives without offering much if anything on top.

Regarding the third party alternatives referenced above. For around $200 less, a Sony dSLR Dad looking for value should check out the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens. You can read the entire review over at Photozone here.

Nikon has unveiled a few new lenses for PMA 2008. The first is their new 60mm AF-S Micro(Macro or close-up for all of you non-Nikon dSLR Dads) lens. This is an interesting market reponse to Canon’s excellent EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM dSLR-only Lens, since it can be used on both full frame and APS-C sized dSLR cameras.

The following is an unedited press release: (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…)

The following is part eight of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

Everybody wants to try Macro photography, but not everyone can purchase a separate macro lens. Especially if you’re new to macro photography and are not sure exactly what you would need. Well here is the perfect solution, the Canon 500D Close Up Lens(77mm at Amazon or B&H Photo). This is a two-element, precision optic that screws on to the front of your lens like a typical filter. It then reduces your lens’ focal length, so you can get close to your subject and fill the frame. It’s so good that I know Nikon professionals who swear by it. (more…)

Tokina has also announced a second high-performance APS-C dSLR lens. The AT-X M35 PRO DX, 35mm F/2.8 Macro lens is a first in the industry. Tokina is offering dSLR Dads a 50mm film-equivalent, Pro-grade Macro lens with a short 140mm focus range. Expect shipments to retailers in late December 2007 for Canon and Nikon mounts. Pricing should be under $680. (more…)