Just renewed my subscriptions; it’s a bargain. When I first subscribed a year ago I must admit I was not sure about your claim that reading DAP and in particular the Ziess review’s I would learn a lot about photography generally in addition to the items reviewed, but I did and then some!!! Thank you!!

I am a pro photographer, among other things, and I subscribe to a number of sites. In my view, your site is the best source of accurate, deep, and unbiased photographic information out there. You don’t mind placing criticism at any company's feet either, which is refreshing. I find the writing is simple; to the point; has the required degree of precision; and is clear. Each of the lens comparisons represents a huge amount of sheer work, and the aspects considered are those that matter to me as a photographer. Much else could be said, but what I am looking for is that balance between economy and comprehensiveness, and this site hits the mark. Your site has saved me much more than it costs, for sure. Thank you. — Kit L, Australia

I am a recent subscriber, but I have already read most of the material on your wonderful site, and stand in awe at your achievement! The thoroughness and thoughtfulness of your work puts most of the rest of similar (in goal) knowledge bases to shame! — Sergey Z

I have to say, your website is my favorite when it comes to photography. I go to it almost everyday. I have the DAP and Zeiss subscriptions and read the Blog. I am interested in learning about IR so your subscription is a must. — Augustin CR

Don't know how you manage to trounce full magazine staffs each month in total output. And in terms of the quality of that writing.....it's obviously not a fair contest! — Steve G

If it was not for your site I would not have carried out these tests to evaluate my purchase and I would have ended with a bad product, and a waste of a lot money. Thanks again and again............and again. — Saad G

I appreciate your diligence in reviewing this camera. All the other reviewers went gaga over it.

I have read a few of your reviews and they are worth every cent. — Christian F, Vienna

Thanks so much. Your blog and DAP are among my most valued information sources for photo equipment & technique. I especially appreciate your balance of subjective/objective evaluation. — Johh M

Great value in your site, and I passed that information on. You have saved me several $1000 at this point! — Steven V

You ask questions and investigate like a scientist. The right side of this photo is not in focus while left side is sharp. Why? I can't get this 50mm lens to focus at infinity- why? Why,why? You are looking at problems overlooked by other photographers. Your knowledge as a computer software engineer is a big bonus. When you talk about computers I listen very carefully. In fact, you are the only person I trust in this area. I was an advertising pro in New York for years and I can tell you that a real pro tests everything- nothing is left to chance. Every question is asked. No mistakes are allowed. You make a mistake on a job with a big agency and your career is over-done. Everyone in town will know the next day, your competitions' rep will be sure they know. Zero tolerance.— James K

Your reviews of the new Nikon PC-E lenses are most informative and greatly appreciated.— David P

I really enjoy reading your what you write. The subscription fee is really nothing, you should make it $50.— Saad G

I certainly have been enjoying your recent DAP content.— Jeff L

I wish I had invested in it sooner, I would have learnt many more things faster about these aspects.— Enric C

I decided to subscribe because I was interested in some of your articles and was sufficiently impressed by the quality of your site to be persuaded your opinion was worth paying for. This does not happen often on the web.— Frank D, subscriber

I'm looking forward to looking at your work, especially the equipment reviews and the technique information. The quality of your website and particularly the pictures which I think are outstanding advertising and the reason I subscribed.— Simon W

I have to say that Mac Pro / Optimizing Photoshop Performance article ALONE is worth the subscription!.— Jonathan S [ articles now free in MPG]

Just finished reading the focus shift article—the best coverage of that topic I've ever read - I learned quite a bit. Superb. Its something I talk about on the phone a couple of times a week with customers. — Roger at LensRentals.com

OMG!!! Thank you so much! Why? 1) I wondered why I loved my 50mm f/1.2L at first and then became less
enchanted with it... 2) When I shoot outdoors with the 14mm f/2.8 mk II I sometimes shoot with a fenceline or something leading into a corner. I wondered how the corner could be so dang sharp... That's after just browsing those two articles for 5 minutes each...thank you!!!!!!!!!!— Brian S

This is to congratulate and thank you for the technical insights you gave me through DAP and your Zeiss-tests. Being a pro photographer since 25 years I always bought the best lenses available for my Nikons and never cared too much about all those technical details. Now I learned about focus-shift and other issues, which really broadens my horizon and sharpens my awareness. Thank you and continue like this! — Rainer U, subscriber

It is a distinct honor to be the first subscriber to diglloyd’s Advanced Photography (DAP). Lloyd Chambers has shown tremendous dedication in providing unbiased, timely and accurate reports on key technologies and issues in photography through his blog, free articles and Pro Reviews. Whether a beginning photographer or life-long professional, the information the site provides is critical in creating a cost effective and efficient path forward in the digital photographic era. I know I have benefited greatly from Lloyd’s insight and knowledge, and you will too.— Pete Myers, Fine Arts Photographer, Santa Fe, NM

I have been a reader of Lloyd Chambers' blog and an extremely satisfied purchaser of his Pro Reviews. I have been a photographer, as a professional since I was 14, am now 76, and I have read just about everything I could get my hands on that relates to photography. (See the Getty Museum collection of photography, ref. Crane Collection Books,) Also, I have been a subscriber to and do read almost every photo magazine that has been published in the US. Nowhere is there any source as informative and valuable, with the most up-to-date information, re digital photography as this site. The results of Lloyd Chambers' excellent analysis of his personal and technical lens and camera tests, his site and downloaded reviews have given me knowledge that is unobtainable elsewhere, and has been for me and will be for any amateur or professional a most useful mine of fabulous and necessary information for anyone who is in any way engaged in the use of a digital camera. I can without hesitation endorse this site as a MUST for every person "out there" who owns or can borrow a digital camera. And, it is so much fun to read each day! Honestly, I can say, his daily writings are like "someone is bringing me a present each day!”— Arnold Crane, Chicago/Washington: White House News Photographers Assn WHNPA (Member): Life Member ASMP & NP

Yesterday I bought your research paper “The Sharpest Image” and found it to be filled with useful information and a few surprises. The paper is an incredible value — Lawrence B, 15 May 2008

[The Sharpest Image is just one of several previous Pro reviews now included free in DAP]

Sharpness guide is really excellent. I am definitely going to get that resolution chart and test my different tripod head/legs/lens combinations. If I've learned anything from your guides so far, it's that testing on one's own equipment is the key to understanding its limitations and improving technique. — Sterling Z, 10 January 2008

I had to quit reading and hit the sack last night but I was right back at it before work this AM and things were working smoothly as I moved between articles. You are very good and I appreciate what you have accomplished. I have many of the camera/lens combinations that you work with... Your research will help me with my greatest desire, to take extraordinary images...I will gain the knowledge with the help of your info and spending time behind the camera in my studio and in the field. — BL, 24 January 2006

I meant to write you after reading your sharpness report to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It has changed the way that I shoot, and my results have improved because of it. — FR

Thanks, REALLY enjoyed your work!! — PB

Thank you once again for a quick and detailed response to my query!  The information and suggestions you make are quite helpful. I will be doing your suggested tests in the very near future. — LT, Connecticut, USA

See the concise table of contents.

Diglloyd’s Advanced Photography (DAP) is a growing collection of high quality, timely, impartial research and reports on topics of interest to professional and amateur photographers.

Please see the table of contents below by (“Contents by topic”) or by updates (“Updates”). New articles and updates to old articles are added frequently (see the Updates tab, below). The work that produces this research is funded through low-cost annual subscriptions within the reach of any photographer (more info).

A subscription enables access to all the DAP content below and any future content for the duration of the subscription (one year). Even without updates, the breadth and depth of existing content in DAP would fill several books—a tremendous value.

All content is browser-based— no downloading.

Update policy

Your subscription extends for a year into the future, giving you not only all of today’s content, but the entire next year’s worth.

A photographer’s perspective

Making real images is the focus of the vast majority of the material in DAP, with the efforts focusing on image making and the qualities that matter.

Obvious issues include resolution, noise and color rendition, but great attention is paid to issues like bokeh: how a lens draws or renders on real-world subjects.

Consistent with this approach, the number, size, and quality of images used in presenting the material is extensive and exhaustive. In a few cases deemed relevant, even RAW files are provided.

Learning not just reviews

DAP doesn’t just review cameras and lenses, it teaches along the way. Every review has areas of general photographic interest.

Some articles, like those on focus shift, are independent of brand, and focus on photography problems applicable to any brand.

Others, like the must-read The Sharpest Image, explore sharpness in ways that affect every brand, every camera, and every lens, though a small portion of the analysis is brand-specific.

Canon, Nikon and other brands

Coverage focuses on Canon EOS and Nikon, but a variety of other brands are also included; Sony, Mamiya, Hartblei, Voigtlander, Sigma, Leica and Tamron for example.

Canon 5D Mark II + 24/1.4L II

Nikon D3x + 200/2 VR

Nikon D3x