__RETINA_INFO_STATUS__         WindInMyFace.com MacPerformanceGuide.com          Amazon OWC Wishlists Wishlists & Deals

Blog Articles Medium Format Mirrorless L-Mount DSLR Zeiss Leica Making Sharp Images BW+IR

shutter

Scroll down to see all publications and blog posts. Not all pages are curated—search.

Newest blog posts

View all 187 related blog posts...

2022-09-07 Hasselblad X2D features and commentary

2022-09-07 Announced: Hasselblad X2D-100C with 100 Megapixel Sensor, IBIS, Phase-Detect AF

2022-08-14 SDXC Card Errors on Fujifilm GFX100S + Reader Comment on Leica Failing to Report Card Errors

2022-03-22 Still No Focus Stacking Support from Sony?

2022-03-16 Frame Averaging: How it Should Work on Every Camera

2022-03-15 Fujifilm GFX100S/100: No Straightforward Frame Averaging

2022-01-20 Leica M11 Electronic Shutter: what is the Sensor Readout Transit Time?

2022-01-14 Leica M11 Lens Detection: Uncoded Lenses Hang Camera if Lens Detection = Off. Also Permanently Damages Raw Files

2021-06-01 Don’t even Think about Using the Fujifilm GFX100S for Monochrome Landscape Images — Horizontal White Stripes Make Images Unusable

2021-04-24 Fujifilm GFX100S vs Fujifilm GFX100: Which is Better, Especially Given the Backorder Situation?

Most recent pages at other diglloyd sites:

See also 1 pages at windinmyface.com

2011-11-24 The iPhone 4s as a Camera for Cycling

Bokeh and Blur

How a lens blurs when out of focus is a Big Deal..

1. Effect of Shutter Type on Bokeh vs Shutter Speed and Aperture

Blur from Camera or Support

Sharpness loss by camera or support or technique..

1. Blur by Camera Movement
2. Blur by Mirror Slap
3. Shutter Vibration / Shutter Shake vs Electronic First Curtain / EFC Shutter
4. Examples of Blur by Shutter Vibration / Shutter Shake
5. Blur Caused by Image Stabilization

Digital Sensor Technology

Digital capture technology is discrete, and not the same as film..

1. Striping from Electronic Shutter with Artificial Light
2. Future Cameras and Lenses

Frame Averaging

Maximizing dynamic range and image quality by minimizing noise via multiple exposures..

1. Frame Averaging: Shooting Tips
2. In-Camera Frame Averaging
3. Frame Averaging Case Study: Patriarch Grove Sunrise

How To Banish Blur Whether Handheld or Tripod

Using your camera’s mirror lockup, self timer, and Live View features..

1. How to Hold a Camera Steady (Mass Coupling)
2. How to Press the Shutter Release
3. Mirror Lockup and Remote Release for Sharper Photos
4. Enabling and Testing for Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFC Shutter)
5. Key Aspects of Tripod Stability
6. Step-by-step Live View for Canon
7. Canon Silent Shoot Mode for Zero Vibration
8. Using Live View With Nikon DSLRs
9. Step-by-step Live View for Nikon
10. Mirror Slap in Live View Mode on Nikon
11. Seven Things Nikon Could Fix or Improve for Sharper Images

Research — Handheld Shooting

Research into sharpness of handheld images with and without image stabilization.

1. Handheld Sharpness
2. Comparing VR “Active” and VR “Normal”
3. Handheld vs. VR Shootout
4. Handheld vs. VR Shootout — Images

Research — Tripods and Camera Technique

Stability of tripods and ballheads, controlling camera vibration, selecting equipment..

1. Mirror lockup vs Exposure Delay, focal length
2. Shutter Speed and Critical Sharpness on a Tripod
3. Sharpness on Light/Medium/Heavy Tripods
4. Sharpness with Mirror Lockup, Exposure Delay, VR
5. Shooting Technique: Steadying the Lens
6. Tripod Performance for Burst Shooting
7. Tripod Collars: Wimpy or Strong
8. General Conclusions on Tripods/Shooting

Image Quality Issues

Unique challenges of digital infrared..

1. Sharpness

Panasonic S1R

High-resolution L-mount full-frame from Panasonic..

1. Overview of Panasonic S1R

Leica SL2

47 megapixel with Multi-Shot Hi-Res mode..

1. Overview of Leica SL2
2. Leica SL2 Operational Issues

Leica SL

24-Megapixel vs mirrorless..

1. Overview of Leica SL
2. Leica SL: Ergonomics
3. Leica SL: Pattern Noise and Hot Pixels at ISO 100

Nikon D810

Improvements on the workhorse D800E..

1. D810 vs D800E: Depth of Sharpness (Decorated Bike, ISO 100/64)

Nikon D850 Monochrome Conversion by MaxMax.com

D850 with the RGB Bayer matrix removed for a true monochrome sensor..

1. Frame Averaging, Camera vs Photoshop (Moots MootoX YBB 29er)

Nikon Df

Full-frame 16 megapixel Retro Style DSLR..

1. Ergonomics

Canon EOS 1D X

18 megapixel big black brick, Canon’s top of the line DSLR..

1. Key Features of Note

Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/4 ED VR and 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II

Which speed zoom for the Nikon D800/D800E?.

1. Examples: Close Range (Forest

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..

1. Anti-Shake

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II

Ultra fast 200mm with gorgeous bokeh and high resolving power..

1. Overview of Nikon 200mm f/2G ED VR II

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..

1. Shooting Mode Issues

Landscape Photography at Wide Apertures

Escape the banale postcard look by shooting landscapes at f/1.4 or f/0.95..

1. Neutral Density Filters

Pentax K-1

36-megapixel full-frame DSLR with SuperRes Pixel Shift Mode..

1. Super Resolution Pixel Shift Mode
2. Shutter Shake Evaluated at 140mm, Siemens Target

Pentax smc PENTAX-FA 77mm f/1.8

Full frame medium telephoto..

1. Aperture Series: Mosaic (Pentax K-1 SuperRes + StdRes)

Pentax K-3 II (APS-C)

24-megapixel APS-C DSLR with SuperResolution true-color..

1. Pentax K-3 II Overview
2. Pentax K-3 II Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFC Shutter) Behavior
3. SuperResolution: Checkerboard Effect

Pentax K-3 (APS-C)

23-megapixel APS-C DSLR with an unusual feature set..

1. K3 Image Review and Deletion
2. K3 Live View and Contrast-Detect Autofocus

Canon 200-400mm f/4L IS

Canon’s versatile super telephoto..

1. Examples: Silver Canyon Bighorn Sheep
2. Field Observations on Image Stability
3. 400mm: Image Stabilization On vs Off
4. 350mm Aperture Series: Radio Antennas

Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD

Tamron’s ultra wide to medium fast zoom..

1. Image Stabilization on Tripod Destroys Sharpness (Nikon D810, Dark Rocks)

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!.

1. Transmission stop (T-stop)

Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AIS

Nikon’s classic-design manual focus moderate wide angle..

1. Aperture Series: Kitchen Counter Items (Sony A7R)

Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 200mm f/4.0D IF-ED

Nikon’s workhorse 200mm macro lens, and not just sharp at close-ups!.

1. Examples

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

Versatile image-stabilized mid-range zoom..

1. Introduction to Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.2

An ultra-fast older design still offers appeal on modern digital..

1. Aperture Series: Poppies and Pots (Sony A7R)
2. Aperture Series: Teak Bench, Pots, Grasses (Sony A7R)

Coastal Optics 60mm f/4 UV-VIS-IR APO Macro

A superlative multi-spectral lens with perfect color correction..

1. Aperture Series: Poppies and Pots (Sony A7R)
2. Aperture Series: Teak Bench, Pots, Grasses (Sony A7R)
3. Aperture Series: Metal Watering Can (Sony A7R)

Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

Relatively compact super-telephoto zoom..

1. Introduction to Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

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..

1. Image Stabilization: Not Always a Win

Medium Format Magazine

Articles written for MediumFormat.com..

1. Maximize Image Quality with Shot Discipline, Part 3: Eliminating Camera Vibration, Handheld Shooting (January 2019)
2. Maximize Image Quality with Shot Discipline, Overview with Key Tips

Fujifilm GFX100S

100 megapixels in a body the size of a 35mm DSLR!.

1. Overview of Fujifilm GFX100S
2. Fujifilm GFX100S: Configuring Shutter AF for Flexibility
3. Fujifilm GFX100S: Horizontal White Stripes with Monochrome Images aka PDAF Banding

Fujifilm GFX100

100 megapixels in a portable package!.

1. Fujifilm GFX100: Does ISO 50 offer Any Value vs ISO 100?
2. Fujifilm GFX100: Sensor Readout Transit Time for 16-bit vs 14-bit Capture

Fujifilm GFX100 Focus Stacking and FOCUS BKT

100 megapixels in a portable package!.

1. Fujifilm GFX100/GFX100S: Using the FOCUS BKT Feature for Focus Stacked Images

Fujifilm GFX 50s

Fujifilm skips full-frame to go from APS-C to to medium format..

1. Overview of Fujifilm GFX 50s
2. Specifications and Press Release
3. Shutter and Shutter Modes
4. Blur and Image Deformation with Fully Electronic Shutter

Adapting Other Lenses to Fujifilm GFX

Adapting lenses delivers degraded results in most cases..

1. Adapting Lenses to the GFX: Reader Comments

Fujifilm GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR

Slightly wide compact normal lens equivalent to 41mm f/2.9..

1. Examples: Backyard (GFX100S)

Fujifilm GF 110mm f/2 R WR

Ultra high speed telephoto equivalent to 90mm f/1.6..

1. Shootout: Fujifilm GF 110mm f/2 R WR vs Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f/5.6: Mosaic with Unstable Lens Focus (GFX100)

Fujifilm GF 120mm f/4 Macro R LM OIS WR

High performance macro photography on medium format, equivalent to 99mm f/3.3..

1. Unstable Lens Focus / Focus Shift Behavior of Fujifilm GFX + GF 120mm f/4 Macro (GFX 50S)

Hasselblad H6D-100C

How does the very best perform in the field?.

1. Introduction to Hasselblad H6D-100C

Hasselblad HC 50mm f/3.5 II

High performance moderate wide angle.

1. Introduction to Hasselblad HC 50mm f/3.5 II

Hasselblad HC Macro 120mm f/4 II

High performance all-arounder macro lens.

1. Introduction to Hasselblad HC 120mm f/4 II

Hasselblad X2D 100C

Mirrorless large format with leaf shutter lenses, 3rd generation..

1. Overview of Hasselblad X2D 100C
2. Hasselblad X2D: Usability, Operating Issues
3. Hasselblad X2D: Autofocus

Hasselblad X1D II 50C

Mirrorless large format with leaf shutter lenses, 2nd generation..

1. Usability: Autofocus, Live View, Self-Timer, Haptics, etc

Hasselblad X1D

Mirrorless large format with leaf shutter lenses..

1. Overview of Hasselblad X1D
2. X1D Exposure Behavior and Flash Support
3. X1D Operational Issues

Hasselblad XCD 35-75mm f3.5-4.5

Normal lens equivqlent to 53mm..

1. Introduction to Hasselblad XCD 35-75mm f3.5-4.5

Hasselblad XCD 38mm f/2.5 V

Normal lens equivqlent to 32mm..

1. Introduction to Hasselblad XCD 38mm f/2.5 V

Hasselblad XCD 45mm f/4 P

Moderate wide angle..

1. Introduction to Hasselblad XCD 45mm f/4 P

Hasselblad XCD 55mm f/2.5 V

Normal lens equivqlent to 45mm..

1. Introduction to Hasselblad XCD 55mm f/2.5 V

Hasselblad XCD 90mm f/2.5 V

Normal lens equivqlent to 45mm..

1. Introduction to Hasselblad XCD 90mm f/2.5 V

Pentax 645D 40-Megapixel Medium Format DSLR

A price/performance breakthrough?.

1. Ergonomics
2. Blur from the Shutter at 300mm
3. Glitches and Details

Pentax 645Z Overall

50-Megapixel Medium Format DSLR with Live View.

1. Shutter Vibration: Landscape and Portrait Orientation, 90mm

Pentax 645 Lenses (645D tests)

A variety of 645 lens tests on the 645D.

1. Pentax 67 300mm f/4 ED IF
2. Pentax-FA 400mm f/5.6 ED IF

Hasselblad H4D 50 Megapixel Medium Format DSLR

How does Hasselblad’s 3rd generation medium format entry measure up?.

1. Overview of Features
2. Ergonomics
3. Examples with HCD 28mm f/4 (Yosemite)

Rolleiflex Hy6 Mod 2 Medium Format System

Lens performance at 80 megapixels..

1. Rolleiflex Hy6 Mod2 Medium Format Camera System

Leica S2 37.5 Megapixel Medium Format DSLR

How does Leica’s medium format entry measure up in ergonomics, image quality, etc?.

1. Leica S2 Main page
2. Precision for Maximum Resolution
3. First Impressions
4. Usability: Buttons, Menus, More
5. Reader Comments

28mm f/2 Distagon

An artist’s drawing tool..

1. Examples — Environmental Portraits

Otus 55mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon Rendering Style

Rendering style, bokeh and beauty..

1. Aperture Series: Red Barn (Sony A7R)

100mm f/2 Makro-Planar

King of bokeh! Corner-to-corner sharpness, world class..

1. Comparison to Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR

Zeiss LensSpire Articles

Articles written for Lenspire.ZEISS.com..

1. Getting Started with Focus Stacking
2. Macro and Close-up Shooting, Especially Outdoors
3. Zoom Lens or Prime? Moderate Wide Angles (25mm, 28mm, 35mm)

Filters

Filter know-how and spectral transmission..

1. Neutral Density Filters (ND Filter)

Accessories: Chargers, Batteries, Bags.

Various gear..

1. Vello BG-C2 battery grip for the Canon 5D Mark II
2. Vello Wireless Shutterboss Remote With Timers

Depth of Field

[ARCHIVE, see Making Sharp Images]. Exploring depth of field..

1. Depth of field: the shorter focal-length advantage

Diffraction

The limits of resolution are governed by physics..

1. Diffraction in Consumer Digicams: When Megapixels Go Poof

Misc Reviews

Miscellaneous reviews..

1. An Hour With the Hasselblad H3D

Ask Lloyd Chambers

Questions and answers on photography and computers and more..

1. What is a “fast” lens?

Photo Tips

Photography Hints and Tips..

1. Fast Lenses—Shutter Speeds / Background Blur (Bokeh)
2. Making Sharp Photos Handheld
3. A brief glossary of photographic terms

Grab Bag

Various articles..

1. Photographic Film Really Was Not Much of a Performer

Leica S2 37.5 Medium Format DSLR

Leica S2 37.5 megapixel DSLR and its lenses..

1. Overview of the Leica S2 System

Lenses for Leica M8, Leica M9, M*

Lenses for Leica M cameras, especially the M9.

1. Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH

Infrared

Beyond deep red, seeing the invisible..

1. Leica M8 — Infrared Imaging

Nikon D200 vs D2x

Vintage 2006 comparative review of Nikon D200 vs Nikon D2x..

1. Usability
2. Noise

Canon EOS R5

Canon’s high-res mirrorless..

1. Introduction to Canon EOS R5
2. Canon EOS R5 Ergonomics

Nikon Z7 Overview, Setup, General

Setup, IBIS performance, focusing..

1. Nikon Z7 Configuration: Custom Settings Menus
2. Nikon Z7 Usage Notes

Nikon Z7 IBIS and Focusing

Setup, IBIS performance, focusing..

1. Examples, Handheld Very Slow Shutter: Lundy Canyon (Zeiss Otus 28/1.4)
2. Examples, Handheld Very Slow Shutter: Lundy Canyon, Various

Nikon Z7 Image Quality

Image quality..

1. Examples, Handheld: Mt Conness Basin East

Sony A1

Technological tour de force..

1. Introduction to Sony A1
2. Sony A1 PressRelease
3. Choosing Between Sony A1 and Sony A7R IV

Sony A1 Setup and Configuration

Menus, buttons, customization..

1. PASM Mode Dial Settings Groups for Landscape vs Sports/Action/Portraiture
2. Sony A1 Setup: Shutter Type, Silent Mode, Release w/o Lens
3. Sony A1 Setup: Focus

Sony Alpha A7R III

Attention to details: a solid upgrade over the A7R II..

1. Introduction to Sony A7R III
2. Sony A7R III: Detailed List of Settings
3. Sony A7R III: Programming Autofocus Modes

Sony Alpha A7R II

Attention to details: a big upgrade over the A7R..

1. Introduction to Sony A7R II
2. Important Settings for Sony A7R II
3. Autofocus Configuration for Sony A7R II and Siblings: Buttons and Eye AF
4. Sony A7R II Field Usage Notes
5. Limitations of Sony A7R II Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFC Shutter)
6. Electronic First Curtain Shutter Vibration Assessment

Sony Alpha A7R

Full frame compact mirrorless with interchangeable lenses..

1. Sony A7R Introduction
2. Sony A7R Impressions vs RX1R
3. Professional Use
4. Sony A7R Focal Plane Shutter

Sony Alpha A7R Shutter Vibration

Vibration from the shutter highly damaging to image sharpness..

1. Sony A7R Shutter Vibration
2. Mitigating Sony A7R Shutter Vibration
3. A7R Shutter Vibration, Reader Comments
4. Sony A7R Shutter Vibration at 55mm (Dolls)
5. Sony A7R Shutter Vibration at 50mm (Chart)
6. Sony A7R Shutter Vibration at 90mm with Mass Mitigation (Chart)
7. Sony A7R Shutter Vibration at 55mm (Wine Bottle Label)
8. A7 Shutter Vibration (none) at 280mm
9. A7R Shutter Vibration at 135mm
10. A7R Shutter Vibration at 180mm
11. A7R Shutter Vibration at 180mm, Portrait Orientation
12. A7R Shutter Vibration at 280mm

Sony Alpha A9

Blackout-free 20 fps speed demon..

1. Introduction to Sony A9

Sony Alpha A7 II

Sensor stabilized 24MP full-frame..

1. Sensor Image Stabilization in Less Stable Shooting Position (Backyard Frosty)
2. Sensor Image Stabilization at 1/8 Sec at Night, Self Timer Handheld
3. Sony A7 II @ 180mm: Focusing and Field Shooting (Leica 180/2.8 APO)

Lens adapters, tripod mounting, alternative lenses via lens adapter.

Shutter vibration (or not)..

1. Image Quality: Coastal 60mm f/4 UV-VIS-IR APO Macro (A7R, Poppies and Pots)

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 Distagon ZA

Fast and gorgeous moderate wide angle Zeiss design..

1. Examples at f/1.4, Bad Sample Lens #1, Skew/Asymmetry (Pescadero Creek, A7R)
2. Examples: Bad Sample Lens #2, Skew/Asymmetry (A7R II)
3. Aperture Series: Cascading Creek (Pescadero Creek, A7R)

Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Sonnar

Compact moderate wide angle for Sony mirrorless..

1. Aperture Series: Red Barn (Sony A7R)

Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Sonnar

Compact normal lens for full-frame Sony mirrorless..

1. Portrait Examples (low light handheld, Sony A7 II IS)
2. Aperture Series: Red Barn (Sony A7R)
3. Aperture Series: Creek Wends its Way Through Boulders (Sony A7R)

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM

Top-grade medium telephoto..

1. Ergonomics: Focusing, Aperture Ring, Lens Hood
2. Examples: Natural Light Outdoor Portraits with Eye AF

Sigma FE 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Highly corrected medium telephoto..

1. Aperture Series: White Aspen Trunks, Wide View

Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Vario-Tessar

Comapact ultra-wide zoom for Sony full frame mirrorless..

1. Introduction to Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Vario-Tessar
2. Aperture Series @ 16mm: Mosaic (Sony A7R)

Ricoh GXR with A12 Mount for Leica M Lenses.

Use Leica M lenses on a digital back designed for them..

1. Ricoh GXR with A12 Mount for Leica M Lenses

Fujifilm Finepix X100

The best compact big-sensor digital camera yet?.

1. Introduction to Fujifilm X100
2. Controls and Dials
3. Reader Comments 1
4. High Shutter Speeds Degrade Sharpness

Nikon Coolpix A

Fixed 28mm lens with APS-C sensor free of anti-aliasing blur with wonderful color..

1. Nikon Coolpix A Introduction

Ricoh GR

Razor sharp 28mm lens on APS-C sensor and outstanding usability and features..

1. Ricoh GR Size and Shape
2. Shooting Tips
3. Leaf Shutter in Lens: Shutter Speed + Flash Sync
4. Operational Assessment: Ricoh GR vs Sigma DP Merrill

Sony Cybershot DSC-RX1 / RX1R

Full frame camera in an ultra-compact body with or without anti-aliasing filter..

1. Sony RX1 and RX1R Introduction
2. Leaf Shutter Speed Limits

Sony DSC-RX10 III

Stunningly high image quality in a 20MP point and wide range zoom..

1. Sony RX10 III Ergonomics

The Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds Format

General things to know about Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds..

1. Aperture and Shutter Speed

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO

Super telephoto with superb bokeh and color correction..

1. Tips for Getting Sharp Images

Panasonic Leica Summilux 12mm f/1.4 ASPH

Fast, bright and well corrected wide angle..

1. Examples: Around the Neighborhood

Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH

Fast, bright and highly corrected medium telephoto..

1. Examples: Assessment of Overall Imaging Quality (EM1)

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Superb ergonomic design in a compact camera..

1. Introduction to the Olympus OM-D E-M5
2. ISO Series from ISO 200 - ISO 25600

Olympus E-P1 micro-4/3 camera

Great image quality, but....

1. Ergonomics and Build Quality
2. Operation

Panasonic G-1 micro-4/3 camera

Panasonic G-1 especially compared to the Olympus E-P1. Intriguing results with RAW vs in-camera JPEG. RAW file included for your own analysis..

1. Ergonomics

Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fujifilm's 24MP APS-C offering..

1. Fujifilm X-Pro2 Overview

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 APD

Apodization filter version of the 56/1.2..

1. Overview of Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 APD

Sony Alpha A6000

Value camera: 24 megapixel APS-C sensor with EVF and vibration-free shutter..

1. Introduction to Sony Alpha A6000
2. Aperture Series: Lincoln Stamp
3. Aperture Series: Old Coins 1:5

Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 for Sony NEX

Moderate wide angle for Sony NEX..

1. Examples Sony 24mm ƒ/1.8 Sonnar (Childs Stuff)

Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/2.4 Distagon

Outstanding wide angle, superb performer..

1. Examples: White Mountains Bristlecones (Sony A7R IV)

Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 Biogon

Manual focus moderate wide angle for full-frame mirrorless..

1. Loxia 35/2 Biogon vs Sony 35/2.8 Sonnar: Log Cabin Mine Main Building (Sony A7R)

Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar

Manual focus normal lens for full-frame mirrorless..

1. Aperture Series: Lee Vining Creek Morning Backlighting (Sony A7R)

Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 Distagon

Ultra wide angle lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X..

1. Examples: Portraiture (NYC Model, Sony NEX-7)

Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 Planar

Normal lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X..

1. Bokeh (Glassware, Sony NEX-7)
2. Examples: Portraiture (NYC Model, Sony NEX-7)
3. Examples: New York City (Evening on the High Line, Sony NEX-7)

Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8M

Moderate telephoto macro lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X. Useful on full frame too!.

1. Aperture Series: Green Grass (Sony A7R, 4 X 5 Crop)

Leica X Vario

Leica’s 28-70mm APS-C compact camera..

1. Field Notes

Overview of Sigma Foveon Sensor cameras

Foveon X3 true-color sensor for outstanding resolution..

1. Sigma DP Merrill Introduction

Sigma sd Quattro H

Mirrorless Sigma Quattro larger APS-H sensor with interchangeable lenses..

1. Overview of Sigma sd Quattro H

Sigma dp Quattro Cameras

Mid-2014 models with newly designed 3-layer APS-C sensor..

1. Sigma DP Quattro Introduction

Sigma DP-2 with Foveon X3 sensor

[Archive] Sigma DP-2 with the amazing Foveon X3 sensor (original, LOW RES camera, not a Merrill)..

1. Ergonomics

Leica M11

Leica M 60 Megapixels..

1. Overview of Leica M11

Leica M10-R

Leica M 40 Megapixels..

1. Overview of Leica M10-R

Leica M10 Monochrom

Leica M 40 megapixel monochrome sensor..

1. Overview of Leica M10 Monochrome

Leica M10

Leica M mount in slim body with SL-type sensor..

1. Leica M10 Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) Issues
2. Leica M10 Usability

Leica M Typ 240 Usability Issues

Specific issues affecting usability..

1. Usability: Shutter Vibration
2. Usability: Shutter Action and Feel

Leica M Monochrom (original)

Ultimate resolution in black and white..

1. Leica M Monochrom — Intro

Leica Q (Typ 116)

24-megapixel fixed lens compact full-frame..

1. Leica Q Usability Comments
2. Leica Q: Self Timer Woes

Leica M9: User’s Guide and Review

High resolution digital rangefinder.

1. Ergonomics and Usability

Ray angle and Color Shading With M Lenses

Off-center color casts, off-center sharpness..

1. Leica M Lenses on Sony A7R: The Reality of Performance

Leica 16-18-21mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH

Leica’s ultra wide angle zoom lens..

1. Aperture Series, 18mm: California Poppies and Pots (Sony A7R)

Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH (pre-2016)

Leica’s widest lens utilizing built-in frame lines..

1. Examples: Leica 28/2 (Beach, NEX-7)

Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH

High performance but flawed 50mm normal lens..

1. Aperture Series: Church Mosaic (Sony A7R)

Shooting Leica R Lenses on Leica M

General discussion of R lenses on M..

1. Mitigating Vibration Caused by the M240 Shutter

Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-R ASPH

Compact lens for portraiture or similar..

1. Aperture Series: Barcroft Blue Building (M240)
2. Aperture Series: Green Machine (M240)
3. Aperture Series: Moots Moot X YBB 29er (M240)
4. Aperture Series: Leaves on Rocks in Creek (Sony A7R)
5. Aperture Series: Barcroft Weather Box (M240)
6. Aperture Series: Barcroft Sensor Building (M240)
7. Aperture Series: White Mountains STOP Sign (M240)
8. 90/2 APO vs 100/2.8 APO-Macro: Barcroft Blue Building (M240)
9. Aperture Series: Electrical Substation (M240)
10. Aperture Series: Sunlit Grasses and Floating Leaves (M240)

Leica 100mm f/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R

Superb all-around macro and general-purpose lens..

1. Aperture Series: Green Machine (M240)

Leica 180mm f/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R

World’s best mid-range telephoto lens..

1. Aperture Series: Telephone Pole Insulators (M240)
2. Aperture Series: Wyman Cabin (M240)

Leica 280mm f/4 APO-Telyt-R

Compact and ultra high performance long telephoto..

1. Examples: White Mountains

Zeiss ZM 85mm f/4 Tele-Tessar

Compact high performance medium telephoto..

1. Aperture Series: Teak Bench at Dusk with Grass (Sony A7R)

ALLVIEW Cameras

ARCHIVAL MATERIAL. Terrific backup bodies or even primary body for M-mount lenses..

1. Ricoh GXR with A12 M Mount Unit

Blog posts, reverse chronological

2022

2022-09-07 Hasselblad X2D features and commentary

2022-09-07 Announced: Hasselblad X2D-100C with 100 Megapixel Sensor, IBIS, Phase-Detect AF

2022-08-14 SDXC Card Errors on Fujifilm GFX100S + Reader Comment on Leica Failing to Report Card Errors

2022-03-22 Still No Focus Stacking Support from Sony?

2022-03-16 Frame Averaging: How it Should Work on Every Camera

2022-03-15 Fujifilm GFX100S/100: No Straightforward Frame Averaging

2022-01-20 Leica M11 Electronic Shutter: what is the Sensor Readout Transit Time?

2022-01-14 Leica M11 Lens Detection: Uncoded Lenses Hang Camera if Lens Detection = Off. Also Permanently Damages Raw Files

2021

2021-06-01 Don’t even Think about Using the Fujifilm GFX100S for Monochrome Landscape Images — Horizontal White Stripes Make Images Unusable

2021-04-24 Fujifilm GFX100S vs Fujifilm GFX100: Which is Better, Especially Given the Backorder Situation?

2021-04-23 Fujifilm GFX100S: Some Units Have a Stuck/Jammed Shutter Problem

2021-04-22 Fujifilm GFX100S On the Way

2021-04-15 Reader Question: Super-Tele for Fujifilm GFX100S/100

2021-04-09 Reader Comments: Fujifilm GFX100S

2021-04-03 Shutter Modes for Sony A1, Sony A7R IV Could be Better Done (Less Confusing)

2021-03-28 Sony A1 has two welcome Anti-Dust Features

2021-03-09 Could a Sony 128-Megapixel Sensor with Global Shutter and Color and Monochrome Variants Give Rise to a Sony Medium Format Camera?

2021-01-26 Sony A1 Initial Impressions

2021-01-02 Leica M10 Monochrom: Bifurcated Sensor Defect, Might be Unfixable Hardware Problem (UPDATED with comments), also Affects Leica M10-R, Leica SL2

2020

2020-09-25 In Depth Study: How Shutter Speed and Aperture Mangle Bokeh with Electronic First Curtain Shutter (vs electronic shutter and mechanical shutter)

2020-07-17 Leica M10-R and Leica M10 Monochrom: 40-Megapixel Sensor, but Nil New Design Thinking —  with essay by Roy P

2020-07-09 Canon EOS R5 Ships Soon + Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM, Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM, Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM

2020-05-28 Reader Questions on Hasselblad X1D II: Leaf Shutter Vibration vs Electronic Shutter

2020-04-17 Reader Comment/Question: Image Stabilization and Sharpness, Monopod vs Tripod

2019

2019-12-04 Attention all Camera Makers: 23.5 Things To Please Your Customers

2019-09-21 Summarizing Remote Release For Exposures

2019-09-19 Frame Averaging for Ultra Low Noise with the Nikon D850 Monochrome (but works for any camera, color or monochrome): Moots MootoX YBB 29er

2019-07-29 Fujifilm GFX100 Service Advisory: “Notification Regarding Potential Loosening of FUJIFILM GFX100 Side Shutter Release “Lock” Function (Vertical grip control lock)”

2019-07-26 Fujifilm GFX100 Dynamic Range Graphs by Jim Kasson

2019-06-26 Computational Photography: PhaseOne Introduces Automated Frame Averaging

2019-05-18 Has Sony Broken Eye AF with the Latest Firmware Update?

2018

2018-12-10 Is Sony Image Quality Good Enough?

2018-10-11 Nikon Z7: Examples, Handheld with IBIS, Very Slow Shutter: Lundy Canyon (Various)

2018-10-10 Nikon Z7: Examples, Handheld with IBIS, Very Slow Shutter: Lundy Canyon (Zeiss Otus 28/1.4)

2018-10-03 Reader Comments: Nikon Z7 Focusing and IBIS vs Sony Mirrorless

2018-09-26 Leica S3 Medium Format: an Updated Dinosaur

2018-08-24 Comments on Nikon Z7 Features

2017

2017-12-27 Reader Comment: Sony Flash System

2017-12-08 First Impressions Operating the Sony A7R III

2017-10-29 Why do User Manuals for High-End Cameras Tell Nothing Useful?

2017-10-17 Reader Comment: D850 Negative Behavior with Shutter Vibration

2017-08-29 Hasselblad X1D Firmware Update Adds Electronic Shutter Option, Spot Focus Points

2017-08-26 Nikon D850: Time Lapse is a Breakthrough for Nikon DSLRs... First Solid 8K Support?

2017-08-26 Nikon D850: Silent Photography at up to 6 FPS Using Electronic Shutter

2017-08-23 Nikon Announces the D850, Commentary + Reader Comments

2017-08-10 Fujifilm GFX 50s Firmware Update Might Degrade Focusing by Stopping Down?

2017-07-21 Sony A7R II Tripod Use: IBIS Damages Image Sharpness as it Always Has

2017-05-25 Sony A9: Pattern/Banding Noise at ISO 100 (plus reader comments)

2017-05-24 Sony A9 Arriving

2017-05-03 Fujifilm GFX: Blur and Image Deformation with Fully Electronic Shutter

2017-04-30 Aurora Aperture Neutral Density Filters: 6, 12, 16 Stops with Excellent Neutrality

2017-04-25 First 3rd-Party Lenses for Fujifilm GFX are High Speed Primes from Mitakon Zhongyi

2017-04-24 Is the Fujifilm GFX Suitable as a Digital Back?

2017-04-19 Sony’s New α9 Camera Appears to Target the High-End Sport Shooter Market

2017-02-25 Button Enhancement for Sony Mirrorless Cameras

2017-01-31 Reader Comment: Medium Format vs Nikon D810 and Future Nikon

2017-01-31 Reader Comment: Hasselblad X1D “no electronic shutter” vs Fujifilm GFX Shutter Modes

2017-01-30 Reader Question: Hasselblad X1D Leaf Shutter and Fill Flash (and Ricoh GR)

2017-01-18 Fujifilm GFX 50 Megapixel Medium Format Announced: Hi-Res Display Wonder (EVF, Rear LCD, Top Panel)

2017-01-11 Hasselblad X1D-50C or Fujifilm GFX?

2017-01-07 Reader Question: Sensor Pixel Density, Oversampling

2017-01-06 Reader Comment: Sony Shutter Warning an “absurd behavior for a camera that bills itself as a professional camera”

2016

2016-12-24 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: User Interface Problems, No Choice but to Disable the TouchScreen

2016-10-18 The Sinar Leica S Mirrorless Camera

2016-09-20 Pentax to Add EFC Shutter to Pentax K1 for Single Exposures via Firmware Update

2016-09-20 Fujifilm GFX 50S: Reader Comments/Questions

2016-09-19 Thoughts on the Fujifilm GFX 50S

2016-09-19 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: Sport Shooter’s Dream?

2016-09-19 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: Major Improvements and New Features

2016-09-19 Fujifilm GFX 50S Disrupts the Medium Format (and 35mm) Marketplace

2016-08-25 Sony A7R II IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization) Destroys Sharpness on a Tripod

2016-07-01 Hasselblad X1D-50C: Reader Comments

2016-06-22 Hasselblad X1D-50C: 50-Megapixel Mirrorless Medium Format

2016-05-15 Pentax K1: Assessing Shutter Vibration

2016-04-22 Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM: Ergonomics

2016-04-05 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Powerhouse

2016-02-29 Sigma SD Quattro Mirrorless Cameras

2016-02-29 CONFIRMED: Pentax K1 DOES NOT have an Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFC Shutter)

2016-02-26 Pentax K3 II: SuperResolution Pixel Shift Mode vs StdRes: Tarnished Silver Dragonfly Pitcher

2016-02-24 Pentax K3 II: Does it Have an Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFC Shutter)? what about K1?

2016-02-18 Pentax K1 Super Resolution Pixel Shift Mode

2016-02-03 Sony A6300, and the Fujifilm X-Pro2

2016-01-03 100 Megapixels: Phase One Ships Its XF 100MP Camera System

2015

2015-11-13 FOR SALE: Leica M Lenses, Canon, Nikon, Rodenstock

2015-10-22 Leica SL Typ 601: Lacks EFC Shutter

2015-10-20 Leica SL Typ 601 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera System: the Logical Joining of DSLR and Mirrorless

2015-10-04 Sony A7R II: Field Usage

2015-09-15 Sony A7R II: Other Areas That Need Attention via Firmware Update

2015-08-11 Sony A7R II: Time for Field Shooting

2015-08-07 Sony A7R II: Assessing Shutter Vibration with the Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFC Shutter) at 280mm

2015-08-06 Reader Comment: Ricoh GR

2015-07-11 Leica Q: Autofocus Fails Permanently (well, actually a weird cross-coupling of AF to info display)

2015-07-06 Sony A7R II, Sony A7R III, Sony A7R IV with Zeiss Otus and other Lenses

2015-06-10 Announced: Sony RX10 Mark II, Sony RX100 Mark IV

2015-06-10 Announced: Sony A7R II with 42-Megapixel sensor, In-Body-Image-Stabilization, 4K Video

2015-05-18 Reader Experience and Concerns: Sony Service and Reliability

2015-04-22 Pentax K3 II: Out-Innovating Nikon and Canon

2015-03-27 Reader Comments: Sony File Format

2015-02-09 Nikon D810a ('a' for Astrophotography)

2015-02-08 Sony A7 II as an Accessory: Can it Turn a Classic 180mm f/2.8 Into a Keeper?

2015-02-06 Canon’s EOS 5DS/R: Has Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFC Shutter) for ZERO Vibration Exposures

2015-02-05 Canon’s 50 Megapixel Leap: EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R

2015-01-12 Reader Questions: Fujifilm X system, Sony A7x Discounting and 4K Video, Arca Swiss Cube Geared Head

2014

2014-11-21 Sony Image Stabilization

2014-08-13 Reader Question: Image Brightness at Full Aperture vs Stopped Down

2014-07-24 A conversation with Ming Thein on the Pentax 645Z and Nikon D810 and More

2014-07-22 Reader Comments: D810 Review, Lenses, etc

2014-07-20 Nikon D810 Image Quality

2014-07-16 Nikon D810 About to Ship

2014-07-12 Sony A7s vs A7R

2014-07-12 Pentax 645z: Shutter Vibration / Shutter Shock Analysis at 90mm

2014-06-30 Leica M Typ 240 Firmware Update

2014-06-25 Nikon D810 Leaked Specs: Improved Sensor, EFC Shutter

2014-06-25 Nikon Announces D810

2014-05-15 Pentax 645z: Hitting the Bullseye on Which Target?

2014-04-30 Sony A6000 Comments

2014-04-24 Leica T System: Quick Comments

2014-04-17 Pentax 645Z: Does Not Have EFC Shutter (Electronic First Curtain)

2014-04-16 Sony A7R: A Practical Effort to Mitigate Shutter Vibration at 90mm

2014-04-14 Sony A7R: Is Shutter Vibration an Issue at 50mm?

2014-04-14 Pentax 645Z 51-Megapixel Medium Format DSLR, 13 Pentax Lenses Now Avail in USA

2014-04-07 Reader Comment: 14.75MP True-Color Sigma DP Merrill vs 36MP Sony A7R

2014-03-31 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Now Supports Electronic First Curtain (EFC) Shutter

2014-03-28 Zeiss ZM 85mm f/4 Tele-Tessar Aperture Series: Teak Bench (Sony A7R)

2014-03-25 Sony CMOS 44 X 33mm Medium Format Sensor: Coming to a new Sony Camera?

2014-03-19 Sony Firmware Update for A7, A7R (ILCE)

2014-03-10 Trade-in an old Junker Camera for $300 at B&H Towards Sony A7/A7R

2014-03-05 Sony A7 / A7R: Light leak

2014-02-23 Does the Sony A7R have Circular Ring Artifacts?

2014-02-15 Readers Comment on the Sony A7 / A7R

2014-02-12 Sony A7 vs A7R, Shooting Satisfaction Follows with A7

2014-02-10 Sigma dp2 Quattro

2014-02-03 Guide to Leica: M240 Shutter Vibration with Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-R (used with R-Adapter M)

2014-02-02 Photographers Ask Sony to Address the A7R Shutter Vibration Issue (Update)

2014-01-23 Photographers Ask Sony to Address the A7R Shutter Vibration Issue

2014-01-22 Sony Mirrorless: Will the Concepts Carry Forward?

2014-01-21 Sony A7R Shutter Vibration: Mitigation Strategies

2014-01-16 Update on Sony A7R Shutter Vibration

2013

2013-12-24 Reader Comment on Sony A7R Shutter Vibration

2013-12-23 Sony A7R and Sorbothane Bumper with Zeiss Otus

2013-12-22 Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon on the Sony A7R: Red Barn Aperture Series

2013-12-22 Sony A7R Shutter Vibration: Does Adding Mass (weight) Help?

2013-12-21 Supporting the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon on the Sony A7R

2013-12-21 Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 Sonnar on A7R: Aperture Series “Creek Meanders Through Boulders”

2013-12-21 Sony A7R vs Sony A7

2013-12-20 Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 Sonnar on Sony A7R Aperture Series (Red Barn) and Shutter Vibration at 55mm

2013-12-20 Sony A7R Shutter Vibration: Studio Assessment with 55m f/1.8 Sonnar

2013-12-20 Sony A7R Shutter Vibration: Can it Be Mitigated by Sony via Firmware Behavioral Change?

2013-12-15 Sony A7R: Shutter Vibration at 180mm in Portrait Orientation

2013-12-11 Sony A7R: Shutter Vibration at 180mm

2013-12-11 Sony A7R: Shutter Vibration at 135mm

2013-12-11 Sony A7R vs A7: Shutter Vibration at 280mm

2013-12-06 Sony A7R: “Handheld Contradiction?”

2013-12-03 Sony A7R + 35/2.8: Arrives Tomorrow

2013-12-01 Sony A7R: Lens Support and Lens Mount Torque with Adapted Lenses (Sag, Warp Potential, Shutter Vibration)

2013-10-25 Leica M240: Shutter Vibration Appears to Damage Image Sharpness

2013-10-14 Sony Full-Frame A7 and A7r Tomorrow?

2013-09-24 The Perfect Camera for the 80% Case

2013-09-18 A Full-Frame Sony NEX Soon? And Maybe a Surprise?

2013-08-09 Determining Shutter Actuations for Digital Cameras

2013-07-19 Ricoh GR: Flash Sync and Shutter Speeds, Leaf Shutter

2013-07-19 Reader Comment on Ricoh GR: Leaf Shutter In Lens and ND Filter + Vision & Autofocus

2013-07-19 Reader Comment on Ricoh GR: Leaf Shutter In Lens and ND Filter + Vision & Autofocus

2013-07-14 Leica M Typ 240 Usability

2013-05-10 Sony NEX-7 Autofocus Insanity

2013-04-27 Optical and Electronic Viewfinders: EVF + Optical + LCD = Synergy

2013-04-09 Leica M Typ 240: Bottom Plate Design

2013-01-16 Panasonic GH3: Stymied with 1 Second Shutter Speed Limit

2012

2012-12-12 Sony RX1 24-Megapixel Ultra-Compact Full-Frame Camera

2012-10-21 Why Don’t Digital Cameras Offer a Perfect ETTR exposure with a true raw histogram too?

2012-10-06 Sony RX1 24-Megapixel Ultra-Compact Full-Frame Camera

2012-07-23 Canon EOS M APS-C Point & Shoot

2012-07-18 Panasonic Lumix G5 Micro 4/3 Camera

2012-07-03 Controlling Aperture Flicker on the Nikon D800 / D800E (and other Nikon bodies)

2012-05-10 Leica M Monochrom — 18-Megapixel Monochrome Sensor

2012-04-03 En route— Fujifilm X-Pro1 with Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2.0 R and Fujifilm XF 35/1.4 R Lenses

2012-03-25 Canon 5D Mark III First Impressions + Reader Comments

2012-02-10 My Thoughts on D800/D800E Features

2011

2011-12-21 Vello Wireless Shutter Remote for Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc

2011-06-10 Open Letter to Leica — 10 Ways To Improve the M9 Rangefinder

2011-05-19 Fuji Finepix X100 Shutter Speed And Aperture Image Degradation

2011-01-16 Pentax 645D lens tests

2010

2010-06-01 Nikon 200mm f/2 + Nikon 2X teleconverter, Canon 800mm

2008

2008-08-09 Shutterbug review of Nikon PC-E 45/2.8

2008-07-27 D700/D3 mass vs shutter speed

2008-04-23 Handheld shooting—can it be sharp at 1/4 sec?!

2006

2006-09-10 Determining shutter actuations on a digital SLR