Lens reviews

“It’s such a benefit for low light and for longer focal lengths. If you want an all-in-one then this is definately the lens to go for. Great for travelling as you only need to take one lens and don’t have to worry about changing lenses in dirty conditions. Highly recommended.” — fergusmacdonald about the Nikkor 18-200 VR

The lens review database is continuing to grow and has become a great resource for anyone doing lens research. Check it out if you’re thinking of buying a new lens. And please consider contributing a review if you own one of the lenses. Your fellow photographers will thank you for your generosity.

Continue reading Lens reviews

Review: Nikkor 18-200 G f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR DX

This “do everything” 18-200 super zoom from Nikon is a much sought after lens. It’s still out of stock almost everywhere even though it was released months ago and people are paying way too much for it. With all those initials after the name it must be good, right? But my advice is wait and don’t overpay. There’s nothing magical about this (admittedly nice) lens and when Nikon gets the supply worked out there will be plenty to go around.

Continue reading Review: Nikkor 18-200 G f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR DX

Review: Nikon Capture NX, RAW processing software

This is a review of the Windows trial version of Nikon’s newest RAW processing software: Nikon Capture NX. NX is a major update to their Capture line of software. One of the nicest new features is the innovative U Point technology, but I still find NX hampered by a number of serious flaws that prevent me from using it for any of my RAW conversion needs.

Continue reading Review: Nikon Capture NX, RAW processing software

Review: Rentglass.com lens rental service

Many professional photographers rent lenses. Rather than spending huge sums on lenses (or other equipment), they rent just what they need for the job at hand. Sounds good, right? But not everyone has a decent camera shop nearby with rental service. In fact, I’d wager that you could only find lens rentals in large metro areas. Rentglass.com, an online lens rental company operating out of Florida, solves that issue by delivering lenses directly to you and at a price often cheaper than bricks and mortar stores.

Continue reading Review: Rentglass.com lens rental service

The amazing Bogen Super Clamp

Bogen Super ClampThe Bogen Super Clamp (Bogen Imaging) is a neat little piece of hardware. This simple looking device can attach itself solidly to almost any object with a width between 0.5 and 2.1 inches (1.3-5.3 cm). That includes shelves, tripod legs, light stands, doors, poles, fences, tree branches—or in my case, the neck of my daughter’s two-wheeled scooter. That’s right, Photodoto’s new unofficial slogan is, “Doing nutty stuff with expensive camera equipment so you don’t have to.”

Continue reading The amazing Bogen Super Clamp

Review of The Pod camera platform

The PodThe Pod is essentially a fancy-pants version of the classic “beanbag tripod,” a device that photographers have been using for years as a makeshift tripod. The Pod people claim that The Pod “takes the shake out” and is a “breakthrough in effortless camera set-up.” Continue reading my review to find out what I thought of it and to have a shot at winning your own Pod.

Continue reading Review of The Pod camera platform

Book review: How to Use Flickr, The Digital Photography Revolution by Richard Giles

How to Use FlickrFrom the outside, Flickr may appear to be a simple photo-sharing site. But new members are often quickly overwhelmed by the vastness of it and there are hundreds of features and hidden gems that are sometimes only discovered after weeks or months of poking around. Flickr itself doesn’t have much in the way of a user manual, preferring instead to let people learn how to use the service by providing an elegant and self-explaining user interface and through group discussions. Attempting to bridge the gap, How to Use Flickr by Richard Giles is both a reference and a how-to guide for using Flickr. It’s also something of a tour-guide, explaining Flickr’s origins and revealing, through interviews and stories, a bit about Flickr’s diverse culture.

Disclosure: I am mentioned in this book several times and it features my Flickr Toys collection but I don’t make any money from its sale and I bought my own review copy.

Continue reading Book review: How to Use Flickr, The Digital Photography Revolution by Richard Giles