2008-12-24: Nikon D3x 24.4-megapixel DSLR

Review started on Dec 24, 2008 and is ongoing. 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.
Last updated Jan 05, 2009 (very early morning), more coming.

2008-12-10: Mamiya DL28 medium format 28 megapixel system

The Mamiya DL28 offers the Mamiya 645 AFD III, the new Sekor AF 80mm f/2.8D lens and the Leaf Aptus-II 6 digital back. Image quality is outstanding and the DL28 should definitely be considered by anyone looking into medium format.

2008-12-08: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM on Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is a worthy contender in the crowded 50mm area. See how it performs compared to the Canon EF 50/1.4 and EF 50/1.2L.

2008-12-06: Sony A900

The 24.6 megapixel Sony A900 digital SLR is compared with Canon’s 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 assesed, as is noise behavior.

2008-11-09: Focus shift in ~100mm Lenses

Explores focus shift in ~100mm lenses, including the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro, Zeiss ZF 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar, Nikon 105mm f/2 DC.. A full aperture series for each lens through f/8 is included, and the Nikon 105/2 DC is shown at its extreme settings as well as neutral.

2008-11-09: Focus shift in ~35mm Lenses

Explores focus shift in ~35mm lenses, including the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L, Zeiss ZF 35mm f/2 Distagon, Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-S, Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2 SL II. A full aperture series for each lens through f/8 is included.

2008-11-07: Focus shift in 135mm Lenses

Explores focus shift in 135mm lenses, including the Canon 135mm f/2L and Sony Alpha 135mm f/1.8 on the A900. A full aperture series for each lens through f/8 is included.

2008-11-05: Focus shift in 85mm Lenses — or why your fast lens is sharper than you think

Explores focus shift in ~85mm lenses, including the Zeiss ZE 85mm f/1.4 Planar, Nikon 85mm f/1.4D, Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L, Canon EF 85mm f/1.8, Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-R ASPH. A full aperture series for each lens through f/8 is included.

2008-11-03: Focus shift in 50mm Lenses — or why your fast lens is sharper than you think

Explores focus shift in 50mm lenses, including the Zeiss ZF 50mm f/1.4 Planar, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG, Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L, EF 50mm f/1.4, EF 50mm f/1.8, Nikon 50mm f/1.4D, Nikon 45mm f/2.8P, Olympus Zuiko 50mm f/1.2, Sony Alpha 50mm f/1.4, 50/2.8 macro. Explains why focus shift matters for real photos, and how to mitigate it. A full aperture series for each lens through f/8 is included.

2008-11-02: Optimizing Photoshop Performance

Explores making Photoshop CS4 run as fast as possible when the scratch disk is involved. Tests 8/12/16GB of system memory as well as 1/2/3/4/5/6 drive striped RAID scratch disks. Includes recommendations and performance settings for Photoshop CS3/CS4. Part of the Oct 24 High Performance Mac Pro series below.

2008-10-24: High Performance Mac Pro, Partitioning, RAID and Photoshop Scratch Disk

(Not just for Mac Pro users, concepts are general) Discusses buying and configuring a Mac Pro for excellent performance, including memory and hard drives. How to set up a RAID stripe for high performance and/or a RAID mirror for high reliability. Photoshop scratch disk: test results and downloadable actions for testing Photoshop performance. Also, how the diglloyd Mac Pro is configured, and recommendations for system and data storage approaches.

2008-10-12: Real-world Sharpness: Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Part 2

Compares sharpness on an outdoor scene using the Coastal Optics 60/4 APO macro, Zeiss ZF 50/1.4 Planar, 50/2 Makro-Planar, Voigtlander 58/1.4 Nokton, Nikon 60/2.8D. Striking differences are observed, using upscaling and downscaling. Includes Nikon D3 + Canon 1DsM3 RAW files from the Coastal Optics 60mm f/4 UV-VIS-IR APO macro at f/8.

2008-10-11: Real-world Sharpness: Nikon D3 vs Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

Compares sharpness on an outdoor scene using the Zeiss ZF 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar. Includes overall discussion of sharpness issues. Original files as well as print quality are evaluated, and Genuine Fractals upscaling is also evaluated.

2008-10-10: Noise with Canon’s HIghlight Tone Priority on Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

Evaluates when to use and not use Highlight Tone Priority, what happens to highlight contrast and shadow detail and noise.

2008-10-07: Comparing noise at all ISOs between the Nikon D3 and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

Evaluates noise across the ISO range for both cameras, with particular attention to ISO 3200 noise and its affects on image detail. Includes Nikon D3 + Canon 1DsM3 RAW files at ISO 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600!

2008-10-04: Nikon 35mm f/2.8 PC-Nikkor reviewed on Nikon D3 and Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

Evaluates optical performance and vignetting through the aperture range when fully shifted. San Francisco cityscape panorama.

2008-10-03: PC-E 24mm f/3.5 ED reviewed on Nikon D3

Evaluates flare, vignetting, distortion, bokeh, sharpness. Performance fully shifted, tilt and creative uses, correcting converging verticals are discussed. Tilt for front-to-back and selective sharpness examples.

2008-10-01: PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED reviewed on Nikon D3

Evaluates flare, vignetting, distortion, bokeh, sharpness. Performance fully shifted, tilt and creative uses, correcting converging verticals are discussed. Tilt for front-to-back and selective sharpness examples.

2008-09-26: SOFTWARE: DiskTester — RAID and reliability. Mac OS X only. Download

Mac OS X 10.4/10.5 only. DiskTester measures disk performance, especially RAID setups. But it can also be used for testing digital camera cards, network performance, or comparing single-drive performance with SATA, FireWire and USB. Its sophisticated testing approach offers the most consistent and reliable results available today. It also provides rigorous reliability testing.

2008-09-26: SOFTWARE: diglloydTools — memory testing. Mac OS X only. Download

Mac OS X 10.4/10.5 only. Tests memory performance and reliability by stress-testing the machine, loading all CPU cores and all memory.

2008-09-21: Olympus/Sinaron Digital Zuiko 35mm f/2.8 shift lens on Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

Evaluates optical performance, flare, vignetting through the aperture range when fully shifted. Examples from Death Valley.

2008-09-20: 28mm Shift lenses on full-frame Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II (Schneider and Nikon)

Supplement to the original 28mm Shift Lenses. Evaluates performance of the Schhneider 28mm f/2.8 PC-Super-Angulon and the Nikon 28mm f/4 PC-Nikkor on the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III.

2008-09-10: Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 Nokton SL II and 40mm f/2 Ultron SL II Aspherical

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.

2008-09-03: Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF Special Report

Evaluates performace of the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR on the Nikon D3. Comparison with the Nikon 180mm f/2.8D ED-IF.

2008-01: Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II — in depth review, details

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’s guide” as a review; even if you use this lens it’s well worth your time to read this review.

2006: The Sharpest Image — making sharp images, details

Analysis of tripod stability, handheld sharpness, vibration reduction, mirror lockup, shooting mode and technique, tripod comparisons, burst shooting, tripod collars and ballheads.

This revealing research shows just how important tripod stability can be, and offers some surprises along the way.

2006: 28mm Shift Lenses — Nikon 28/3.5 PC, 28/4 PC, Schneider PC Super Angulon, details

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.

A must-read if you’re considering the Canon or Nikon 24mm tilt/shift lenses. See also other shift lens reviews.

2006: Nikon D2x vs Canon EOS — Nikon D2x, Canon 5D, 1Ds Mark II compared, details

In-depth review on the 12MP Nikon D2x compared to the 12.8MP Canon EOS 5D and 16.7MP Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. Resolution, field shots, dynamic range, color, long exposures, depth of field, lens evaluations, ergonomics and usability.

2006: RAW-file Converters — Nine RAW converters compared, details

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.