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Diglloyd DAP is DSLR-oriented, but also contains workflow and other topics. Much of the focus is on Canon and Nikon but also Pentax and Pentax medium format.

Special emphasis is placed on lens evaluation, focusing on Canon and Nikon and Sigma lenses, but with a few others like Rokinon/Samyang.

  • Make better images by learning how to get the best results right away.
  • Save money by choosing the right lens for your needs the first time, particularly some of the new Sigma Art lenses vs Nikon and Canon.
  • Workflow discusses image organization, raw conversion and post processing. Many examples show processing parameters for direct insight into how the image was converted.
  • Jaw-dropping image quality found nowhere else utilizing Retina-grade images up to full camera resolution, plus large crops [past 2 years or so].
  • Real world examples with insights found nowhere else. Make sharper images just by understanding lens behavior you won’t read about elsewhere.
  • Aperture series from wide open through stopped down, showing the full range of lens performance and bokeh.
  • Optical quality analysis of field curvature, focus shift, sharpness, flare, distortion, and performance in the field.

Want a preview? Click on any page below to see an excerpt as well as extensive blog coverage, for example on Nikon or on Canon or on Pentax.

Nikon DSLR

Nikon D800E

36 megapixels in a compact full-frame DSLR.

  1. Ergonomics
  2. Custom Functions
  3. Alternative ~36 Megapixel Cameras
  4. NEF Formats: 12-bit or 14-bit, Uncompressed or Compressed
  5. D800 Live View vs Other Nikon Bodies and Canon 5DM3
  6. D800 / D800E Live View Tip for Better Definition
  7. How Accurate is the Virtual Horizon Feature?
  8. Staircasing on Sharply Defined Edges
  9. Examples — Initial Miscellaneous
  10. Examples — Miscellaneous
  11. Examples — Aerial and Architecture
  12. Examples — Church Interior
  13. Examples — Portraits
  14. Examples — Sharpening Portraits
  15. Examples — Downsampling to Competing Sizes
  16. Examples — Black & White Conversion
  17. Diffraction and Optimal Aperture (Mosaic, Leica 100/2.8 APO)
  18. Examples — RAW to TIF Processing
  19. Focus Accuracy (Focus Assist with Green Dot)
  20. Autofocus AF-S Accuracy: Ad-Hoc Field Shooting
  21. Autofocus AF-S Accuracy: Nikon 85/1.4G, 85/1.8G (Mosaic)
  22. Autofocus AF-S Accuracy: Nikon 85/1.4G (Trash Can)
  23. Autofocus AF-S Accuracy and Precision: Lens Align Target
  24. AF Fine Focus Adjust (Rodin)
  25. Autofocus AF-S Accuracy: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II (Various)
  26. Autofocus AF-C Accuracy: Nikon 85/1.4G, 85/1.8G (Mosaic)
  27. Comparison to Nikon D3x (Aerial)
  28. Comparison to Leica S2 (Mosaic)
  29. ISO Series from 50 to 25600 (Flowers)
  30. ISO Series from 50 to 12800 (Mosaic)
  31. ISO Series from 50 to 25600 (Brass Doors)
  32. ISO Series: D3s vs D800 from ISO 100 to 12800 (Dolls)
  33. Resolution: D3s vs D800 from ISO 100 to 12800 (Dolls)
  34. Long Exposure (Maple)
  35. LENS Evaluations: Notes
  36. LENS: D800 + Voigtlander Color-Skopar 20mm f/3.5 SL-II
  37. LENS: D800 + AF-S 24/1.4G
  38. LENS: D800 + AF-S 35/1.4G
  39. LENS: D800 + Voigtlander Ultron 40/2 SL-II
  40. LENS: D800 + 45mm f/2.8P
  41. LENS: D800 + PC-E Micro Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED
  42. LENS: D800 + AF-S 50/1.4G and AF-S 50/1.8G
  43. LENS: D800 + Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL-II
  44. LENS: D800 + AF-S 60/2.8G Macro
  45. LENS: D800 + AF-S 85/1.4G
  46. LENS: D800 + 85/2.8D PC-Micro-Nikkor
  47. LENS: D800 + Voigtlander 90mm F/3.5 SL II APO-Lanthar
  48. LENS: D800 + AF-S 105/2.8G ED-IF VR Macro
  49. LENS: D800 + AF-D 105/2 DC
  50. LENS: D800 + AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II @ 70mm, 135mm
  51. LENS: D800 + 180/2.8D ED-IF vs AF-S 70-200/2.8G VR II @ 185mm
  52. LENS: D800 + 200/4.0D ED Micro-Nikkor
  53. LENS Evaluations: Conclusions
  54. Optimal Aperture, Depth of Field
  55. Downloads

Nikon D3x 24.4-megapixel DSLR review

Includes: D3x resolution comparisons (res chart) with Nikon D3, Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, resolution comparison on outdoor shot with Nikon D3, large examples, large wildlife examples, Nikon 200mm f/2 VR on D3x, long exposure noise ISO series, D3x sensitivity on diffraction, D3x dynamic range at ISO 100 vs ISO 50, D3x vs D3 color and noise.

Canon Mount Lenses

Canon 14mm f/2.8L II

In-depth review of the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II including flare, distortion, field curvature, resolution charts, numerous field examples and comparison to the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G. The Canon EF 14/2.8L II is a superb lens, but with some peculiarities which may enhance or degrade its appeal for different uses. The review is as much a “user guide” as a review; even if you use this lens it’s well worth your time to read this review.

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS Super Telephoto

A review of Canon’s 800m f/5.6L IS super telephoto, with high performance that demands technical mastery to use well.

Sigma DSLR Lenses

Pentax K System

Nikon Mount Lenses

Nikon AF-S 200mm f/2 VR (v1)

Ultra fast 200mm with gorgeous bokeh

180mm Lenses for the Nikon D3x

Explores options for 180mm lenses on the Nikon D3x, including the Leica 180/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R in Nikon mount, Nikon 180/2.8 ED, Nikon 70-200/2.8 VR, Nikon 70-300/4.5-5.6 VR, and Tamron 70-200/2.8. Updated: now includes the Voigtlander 180/4 APO!

Nikon Ultra Wide Zooms

Comparing Nikon 16-35mm f/4 VR, 17-35mm f/2.8, 14-24mm f/2.8, 18-35mm, 24-70mm f/2.8 along with Nikon 20mm f/3.5, 24mm f/2, 28mm f/2, 35mm f/1.4 AIS, and more.

  1. Main Page
  2. Personal Usage Notes and Reactions
  3. Specifications and pricing
  4. Understanding Lens Performance
  5. Hazy Low Contrast with Nikon 17-35 @ f/2.8
  6. Correcting Distortion in Software
  7. Distortion at 16mm
  8. Distortion at 17mm
  9. Distortion at 21mm
  10. Distortion at 24mm
  11. Distortion at 28mm
  12. Distortion at 35mm
  13. Vignetting at 16mm
  14. Vignetting at 17mm
  15. Vignetting at 21mm
  16. Vignetting at 24mm
  17. Vignetting at 28mm
  18. Vignetting at 35mm
  19. Overview of Comparisons
  20. Crops at 16mm — Focus
  21. Crops at 16mm — Top Left Corner
  22. Crops at 16mm — Right Edge
  23. Crops at 16mm — Left Edge
  24. Crops at 16mm — Bottom
  25. Crops at 17mm — Focus
  26. Crops at 17mm — Left Edge
  27. Crops at 17mm — Top Left Corner
  28. Crops at 17mm — Right Edge
  29. Crops at 17mm — Bottom Right
  30. Crops at 21mm — Focus
  31. Crops at 21mm — Left Edge
  32. Crops at 21mm — Top Right Corner
  33. Crops at 21mm — Bottom
  34. Crops at 21mm — Bottom Right Corner
  35. Crops at 24mm — Focus
  36. Crops at 24mm — Left Edge
  37. Crops at 24mm — Right Edge
  38. Crops at 24mm — Upper Left Corner
  39. Crops at 24mm — Bottom Right
  40. Crops at 28mm — Focus
  41. Crops at 28mm — Left Edge
  42. Crops at 28mm — Right Edge
  43. Crops at 28mm — Top Left Corner
  44. Crops at 28mm — Bottom Right Corner
  45. Crops at 35mm — Focus
  46. Crops at 35mm — Left Edge
  47. Crops at 35mm — Right Edge
  48. Crops at 35mm — Top Left Corner
  49. Crops at 35mm — Bottom Right Corner
  50. Conclusions on Mosaic Comparisons —
  51. Download Full Resolution Mosaic @ f/5.6
  52. Overview of Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 vs Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR
  53. Distortion of Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 vs Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR
  54. Vignetting of Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 vs Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR
  55. Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 vs Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR— Crops at 18mm
  56. Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 vs Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR— Crops at 21mm
  57. Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 vs Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR— Crops at 24mm
  58. Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 vs Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR— Crops at 28mm
  59. Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 vs Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR— Crops at 35mm
  60. Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6 vs Nikon 16-35 f/4 VR— Conclusions
  61. Conclusions

Nikon 24mm Lens Choices

Options for a 24mm lens: Nikon 14-24/2.8G, Nikon 24-70/2.8G, Nikon 24/2 AI-S, Nikon PC-E 24/3.5. Sharpness, distortion, flare, field curvature, shooting impression and ergonomics.

Tilt / Shift Lenses

28mm Shift Lenses for Nikon

[Archive] In-depth review on the Nikon D2x of the Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor, Nikon 28mm f/4 PC-Nikkor and the Schneider 28mm f/2.8 PC-Super-Angulon. Flare, distortion, color fringing, color rendition, sharpness, ergonomics, aligmnent, sample variation.

Canon DSLR

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

30 megapixel successor to the 22 megapixel Canon 5D Mark III.

Various

Historical perspective on digital technology.

The rapid evolution of digital imaging quality.

Voigtlander Lenses for Nikon (adaptable to Canon or mirrorless)

Voigtlander 20mm, 28mm, 40mm, 58mm, 90mm Lenses for Nikon and Canon

In-depth review evaluates ergonomics, flare, bokeh, vignetting, focus shift, sharpness. Includes comparisons with Zeiss ZF 35/2 Distagon, Nikon 45mm f/2.8P and NOCT-Nikkor 58/1.2. Reviewed on Nikon, but now available for Canon EOS.

DSLR Cameras

Sony A900

The 24.6 megapixel Sony A900 digital SLR is compared with Canon’ top-of-the-line 21.1MP EOS 1Ds Mark III. A field report including two comparisons with the Canon 1Ds Mark IIII, example images in color and black and white, and the Zeiss ZA 135mm f/1.8 Sonnar. Anti-Shake (SteadyShot) is assessed, as is noise behavior.

Long exposures with Nikon D3x, D3, Canon 5D Mark II

Long exposure noise performance with the Nikon D3x, D3 and Canon 5D Mark II at ISOs from 50 through 25600.

Noise ×4: Nikon D3x, Nikon D3, Canon 5D Mark II, & Canon 1Ds Mark III

Noise performance of early 2009’ premier digital SLRs. ISOs from 50 through 25600, dark area noise, noise reduction effects, noise versus resolution. Can more smaller pixels beat fewer large ones?

Archives

Focus Shift In-Depth

Focus shift assesments of a wide variety of lenses of various brands. Shows a range of apertures for each lens and the mount of focus shift, discusses how to compensate for it.

RAW-file Converters—Nine RAW converters compared, details

Archives (out of date): Analysis of the image quality from 9 different RAW-file converters. While there are newer versions of the converters in this review, the comparisons are still highly useful in evaluating the current versions. Both Canon and Nikon files are used for the review.



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