Category: Shop Talk

  • First Impressions: Panasonic LX100

    First Impressions: Panasonic LX100

    I’ve got the Panasonic Lumix LX100 advanced compact in for review this week, and I’ve had a few days to play around with it so far.  The LX100 is Panasonic’s first real high end compact camera with a large sensor, packing a 16 Megapixel 4/3 sized sensor with a fast 24-75mm equivalent f/1.7-2.8 zoom lens.…

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  • Ibelux 40mm f/0.85 vs Canon FL 55mm f/1.2+Speed Booster

    Today we are pitting the brand new HandeVision Ibelux 40mm f/0.85 against an ancient lens with a modern adapter.  The Canon FL 55mm f/1.2 mounted to the Metabones Speed Booster gives us a combination resulting in a 39mm f/0.9 lens. Given the similar maximum aperture and similar focal length of these two optics, I thought…

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  • First Impressions: HandeVision Ibelux 40mm f/0.85

    First Impressions: HandeVision Ibelux 40mm f/0.85

    I just received a copy of the HandeVision Ibelux 40mm f/0.85.  This is the fastest lens in production for any system right now, and is available for most of the mirrorless mounts.  This is simply a first impressions post, from a bit of shooting today.  My full review will come sometime in the next week…

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  • Why the Right Gear, Not the Best Gear, Is Essential

    Why the Right Gear, Not the Best Gear, Is Essential

    If you’re active in discussions about photography, you may have noticed that a lot of the discussion tends to revolve around which camera is best or what lens resolves the most detail or has the nicest bokeh, etc.  These constant gear discussions can be very helpful, but often they devolve into evaluation of minute differences…

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  • Subtle Revision to the Fuji X-T1

    The Fujifilm X-T1 has been a hot topic in the photography industry the past few months.  Many photographers are drawn to the old-school control scheme in a rugged, capable body with big performance improvements over previous Fuji cameras and a gloriously large EVF.  However, one of the things that has been nearly universally criticized about…

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  • First Impressions: Rokinon (Samyang) 8mm Fisheye Version II

    First Impressions: Rokinon (Samyang) 8mm Fisheye Version II

    One of the quieter announcements from Samyang last month (whose lenses are marketed around the world under the Rokinon, Bower, Walimex and other brand names) was an update to their 8mm fisheye lens for mirrorless cameras.  I’ve owned the original 8mm f/2.8 fisheye for Fuji X mount for around a year, and I reviewed it…

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  • Fuji 10-24mm vs Fuji 14mm f/2.8 and Fuji 23mm f/1.4

    Fuji 10-24mm vs Fuji 14mm f/2.8 and Fuji 23mm f/1.4

    With the release of Fuji’s latest zoom lens, the ultra-wide angle 10-24mm f/4 R OIS, many Fuji shooters are having a difficult time deciding between this lens or a two lens combo with Fuji’s outstanding 14mm f/2.8 and 23mm f/1.4.  Since I own the two primes, and I have the 10-24mm in for review this…

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  • Olympus 25mm f/1.8 vs. Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4

    Olympus 25mm f/1.8 vs. Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4

    Another lens battle today…just a quick one.  I have the new Olympus 25mm f/1.8 in for review this week and I thought I’d put it up against the venerable and outstanding Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 DG Summilux.  These two lenses are both priced relatively similarly, given the difference in maximum aperture.  The Olympus comes in…

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