DPReview Posts Nikon D3200 Tests

DPReview has just posted its studio test for the Nikon D3200.  As we predicted, the Nikon D3200 has identical performance to that of the Sony NEX-7.

Best Alternative to Nikon 24-70 2.8G: the Nikon 28-70 2.8D

Every Nikon shooter knows that the Nikkor 24-70 2.8G is the best standard zoom for Nikon's full frame cameras.  However, at around $1900, it's not easily affordable.  There are of course third-party standard zooms that cost far less, such as from Sigma, Tamron and Tokina, but their performance is not quite as good as that of the Nikkor 24-70.

One alternative that some newer Nikon shooters might not know about is the predecessor to the 24-70, the Nikkor 28-70 2.8D.  It is no longer being sold new, but used prices are about half the price of the 24-70.

But is the 28-70 as good as the 24-70?  In this post, I compare the 28-70 to the 24-70 and let you judge for yourself.

Nikon D600 Predictions

EDIT: Leaked photos of the D600 here.  It does indeed look pretty much like a D7000 with FX sensor.

Nikon Rumors reported a rumor about the possible release by Nikon of an entry-level full frame camera, called the Nikon D600, perhaps as early as this summer.  I'd like to give my predictions about the specs of that camera.

I predict the D600 will have the same 16-megapixel sensor as the Nikon D4.  This is logical because it would allow Nikon to recoup their investment in the development of the D4 sensor (the D4 is of course not a high volume product).  This would mean the high ISO performance is better than that of the D3 (at a higher resolution) though not quite as good as that of the D3S.

Given that this is a higher-end model than the D7000, its specs are at least as good as the D7000 in almost all (if not all) respects, therefore I expect the following:
- At least 39 AF points.
- 100% viewfinder.
- Dual memory cards.
- 1080p 30fps, like the D3200.
- pop-up flash with built-in commander

To differentiate the D600 from the D4, it would have to miss some features:
- Shutter rated at 150,000 cycles instead of 200,000 (D800) or 400,000 (D4).

- Continuous shooting speed far less than that of the D4.  Probably 4fps or less.
- Metering may be similar to the 2016-pixel RGB sensor in the D7000 instead of the 91k pixel of the D4 and D800.
- No AF-ON button.
- SD cards instead of CF cards.  Most professional cameras use CF cards.  By using SD cards, Nikon could discourage professionals from using this camera.

- No PC sync.
- No ethernet capabilities.

Essentially, it's like a D7000 with a D4 sensor.  It may also be compatible with the WU-1a wireless adapter.

As for price, it will cost $2200, the same as the D700 after the price drop (the D700 will officially be phased out).  There will be a kit lens included for around $2500, the 24-70 3.5-4.5 lens for which Nikon filed a patent.

Double Camera Strap & BlackRapid RS-5 Review

This is a review of two camera straps:
- The first is a double camera strap that's -- let's be blunt -- a knockoff of the BlackRapid RS DR-1 Double Camera Strap.  This clone is by RainbowImaging and I bought it from Amazon.
- The second is the BlackRapid RS-5.

More after the jump.

Canon EF Lenses Chat: Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Review

Canon 200mm f/2.8L II - Canon 5D Mark II

Now that I have got myself a full frame camera, I needed new lenses since my EF-S lenses can only be used on APS-C sensors. So what lenses did I choose? And why? Hit the jump to read more.

Canon 5D Mark II - AF Point Area Expansion Issue

Credit: dpreview.com

I went last week to the Egyptian countryside to spend some relaxed time with my family, away from the city and the fast-paced lifestyle. I decided to get to know my newly acquired equipment as well.

I was shooting some daylight portraits with the 5D Mark II and my currently most favorite lens, the Canon 200mm f/2.8 L II USM (expect a review soon), and as I reviewed the pictures on the camera's back LCD, I found that all of my shots were out-of-focus!!! From experience I knew that my 200mm f/2.8 focuses very quickly and accurately, and I took some wickedly sharp portraits with it, so what was the problem? More after the jump.

Comments on Nikon D3200

So the Nikon D3200 rumors turned out to be true.  See the official announcement here.  I'm very curious about the wireless capability because it allows you to use an Android (and in fall 2012, iOS) smartphone as a remote viewer and shutter, with live preview, with a 49 ft range.  Wow.  That sounds even better than having a swivel screen like that of the D5100.  DPReview says that the remote shutter can only trigger the shutter and not control the camera (unlike the D4's WT-5 wireless capability).  But I think it's still awesome.  I can think of a lot of ways I can shoot and compose with unusual angles (how about putting it on a tall lighting stand :D ).  Perhaps that's why the D5100 price dropped aggressively (or maybe there's still a D5200 on the horizon).

Refurb Nikon D5100 Under $500

Some sellers are now selling refurbished Nikon D5100 cameras (body only) for under $500 (B&H through eBay, KEH).  As you know the Nikon D5100 is no slouch and uses the same sensor as the best Nikon APS-C sensor used in the Nikon D7000.

In case you're thinking about getting a D5100, here is a brief comparison between the D5100 and D7000.  First, the similarities:

• Same kick-ass 16mp sensor with very low noise and wide dynamic range
• Same ISO range (100 to 25,600).
• 3" 921k pixel LCD screen.
• Both capable of 1080p video at 24fps.
• external microphone jack

Here are some of what you're missing with the D5100 compared to the D7000:

• D5100 has only one command dial.  D7000 has two.
• D5100 doesn't have direct access buttons for ISO, White balance or file quality (JPEG, RAW, etc.).  You need to go through the menus to change those settings.
• D5100 has only one memory card slot.  D7000 has two (the second can be used as backup or overflow or for video).
• 95% viewfinder vs. 100% viewfinder
• 11 AF points vs 39 AF points
• The D7000 has a more advanced AF module.
• 420-pixel Matrix Metering vs. 2016-pixel Matrix Metering.
• 1/200 sync speed vs 1/250 or 1/320 sync speed
• D5100 doesn't have a commander mode
• D5100 can't do HSS.
• D5100 has no built-in AF motor.  Some older lenses will not autofocus on the D5100 (although there may be focus confirmation through the electronic rangefinder).
• 4fps vs. 6fps continuous shooting
• 16 scene modes vs. 20 scene modes

On the other hand the D5100 has a few advantages over the D7000:

• Swivel/tilt LCD screen.  Can be used for unusual angles or for self-portraits.
• D5100 can do 1080p at 30fps.  D7000 maxes out at 24fps.
• HDR mode.  The D5100 can take 2 shots and automatically generate an HDR shot.

Although the D5100 is missing some features from the D7000, it is still a pretty good camera.  It's hard to beat for $500.  Note however that the price may have decreased because the D5200 could be coming soon.

Nikon D3200 ISO and dynamic range scores (possibly...)

NikonRumors.com strongly believes that the D3200 will be launched sometime April 19 (around midnight in the US) and will have a 24-megapixel sensor. There are also rumors that the 24-mp sensor will be the same as the one used in the Sony a77 and NEX-7. Like the NEX-7, the D3200 is not expected to have a semitransluscent mirror and therefore if the rumors are true, the D3200 would probably have DXOMark scores more similar to those of the NEX-7 than the Sony a77:

Sony NEX-7 - Low-light ISO: 1016. Dynamic range: 13.4 EV.

Sony a77 - Low-light ISO: 801. Dynamic range: 13.2 EV.

For comparison, here are the DXOMark scores for the 14mp D3100 and the 16mp D7000:

Nikon D3100 - Low-light ISO: 919. Dynamic range: 11.3 EV

Nikon D7000 - Low-light ISO: 1167. Dynamic range: 13.9 EV

This would mean the D3200 would have almost double the resolution of the D3100 while having less noise in high ISO and 2-stops better dynamic range.


EDIT 4/30/12: DPReview has just posted its studio test for the Nikon D3200.  As we predicted, the Nikon D3200 has identical performance to that of the Sony NEX-7.

YN-560II Syncs with Nikon CLS Without Limits

We previously posted an article showing that it is possible to sync the original YN-560 with a popup flash as commander and a Nikon SB-800.  However, there were limits to the shutter speed that could be used.

BFP reader XiaoLi Zhang tested the Yongnuo YN-560 II's ability to sync with Nikon's wireless flash and found that the YN-560II can sync with virtually no limits!  Hit the jump to see the remarkable results of XiaoLi's tests.

Nikon D3 First Impressions

This is a quick review of the Nikon D3, the first full-frame Nikon DSLR,* from the point of an amateur/hobbyist. The D3 has been around since 2007, but at around $5,000, was priced beyond the reach of most amateurs.  With the introduction of the latest generation of Nikon full-frame DSLRs, the D3 has for the first time come within reach of a greater number of hobbyists.

*Not counting the Kodak DCS-14n, which is technically the first full frame DSLR with a Nikon F-mount. :)

My First Crush: the Fuji S5 Pro

This is a hands-on review of the Fuji Finepix S5 Pro, a DSLR released back in 2007 that combines the best characteristics of negative film and DSLRs.

Included here is a dynamic range comparison between the S5, the Nikon D3 and Nikon D70.

Full Frame DSLR FAQ

Sorry to disappoint you guys, but I'm still with the dark side :)

With the release of the Canon 5D Mk III, Nikon D4, and Nikon D800, previous generation full-frame DSLRs have become available at a significant discount, putting them within the reach of photographers considering high-end crop sensor DSLRs.  Should you make the move?

This FAQ discusses the differences between full-frame DSLRs and "crop sensor" DSLRs.  It is divided into two sections: Basic and Intermediate.