Promote Systems Promote Control, Shutter Cable CN3 for Canon Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)You shoot Canon cameras and are using the Promote system and would like to do more than three shots, you need this shutter cable. In my opinion, it is pointless to use the Promote system without this cord.

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Using a separate shutter cable with Promote Control greatly expands Promote Control flexibility. This shutter cable is compatible with the following cameras: Canon 1D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 30D, 40D, 50D.

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Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video (Body Only) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Pros:
Rugged, full weather seals. Rain, snow, or dust won't slow it down.
Compact Size with a magnesium alloy shell of stainless steel chassis.
Selection of lenses designed for the APS-C imaging sensor
Shake reduction with every lens
Ergonomics
External Mic in video mode
Very quiet shutter
Industry first Composition Adjustment and horizon level (separate features)
Cons:
Battery life in Live View/Video mode.
Not a beginners camera unless you have a strong desire to learn about photography
High ISO performance could be a bit better
What previous Pentax users will notice:
Refinement, refinement, refinement
Low light autofocus is fast and accurate (inline with the competition now)
AF-Continuous is fast, but not class leading.
Ergonomics different from previous K10d and K20d (maybe good, maybe bad depending on your position)
Insignificant change in image quality from K20d
Can disable long shutter noise reduction for shots 30 seconds or less
Excellent sensor dust removal
Who should buy the K-7? Anyone looking for a prosumer dSLR (Nikon d300, d300s, Canon 50d, etc) that they want to take anywhere. This thing is for serious adventurers, with its full weather sealing and wide array of weather sealed lenses (DA* or WR series lenses). Going on a trip to Alaska? Hiking in the back country? Canoeing down the Colorado? Or even if you just want a smaller dSLR with all the features of the big boys from Canon or Nikon. This camera steps up the competition.
What new to Pentax users should be aware of? The camera makes slight noises when you pick it up or turn it on. The sensor is free to shift in its mount due to the shake reduction system. This is totally normal, but scares some first time users where they think something might be broken.
Detailed review:
I have tested out the weather seals in a driving rain, where I shot video using my DA* 60-250mm lens. The seals held up well and the camera still works, so all is good. Having used previous Pentax cameras, I have had minimal trouble with batteries dying in the cold like some friends with Nikon's and Canon's have. I had my K20d out in -30 F weather for 1.5 hours once. The camera had frosted over.
The camera is diminutive, but feels like a little tank. It is sturdily built and feels great in the hand despite the compact size. Without the grip I only have 3 fingers on the grip, but this is the same way I held my much larger Canon 5d when I had it. The K-7 is comfortable for me to hold for long periods, I support the camera with my pinky finger.
Pentax has a stellar selection of lenses for APS-C cameras with a wide array of fixed focal length lenses (primes) for best image quality, or large aperture zooms (f/2.8), medium aperture zooms (f/4), or "consumer" zooms (f/3.5-5.6). To find a list of Pentax lenses, visit Pentax Imaging USA's Website. If you want weather sealed remember to buy WR or DA* lenses, non of the others are weather sealed.
It is important to note that shake reduction works with every lens for the Pentax system, usually around 2 or 3 f-stops, but up to 4 for those with shaky hands. This is invaluable to have a 50mm f/1.4 with shake reduction for those available light shots, just remember that shake reduction allows a slower shutter speed so it isn't ideal for moving subjects. Also remember to wait a split second for the shake reduction icon to show in the viewfinder before taking your picture at slow shutter speeds.
The ergonomics are intuitive for the K-7, but might throw some previous K20d users for a loop. Users coming from the K-2000 (K-m in foreign markets) should be able to adapt quickly, as it is very similar. One of the new design paradigms is quick access to everything through the info menu on the back. Also use the info button to disable the LCD (for those that do night shooting and get blinded by it). There is a direct ISO button now too, for those that didn't know it was hidden under the OK button before. Typical of modern electronics there are several over-loaded button functions, so it pays to sit down with the manual and read over it, but overall it is intuitive. The screen often shows you what button to press (like a little symbol of the front e-dial is shown to change a particular setting using that dial). Similar to the K20d, but slightly different too. Be sure to download the latest firmware from Pentax for better use of the AF Select mode (for selecting your own autofocus point).
The video mode is reasonably good. It uses motion JPG compression (AVI) which results in huge file sizes, but minimal artifacts while panning or during motions scenes. It records 720p at a fast 30 frames per second, most of the competition only does 24 fps. Max is 4 GB per file, which might be 8 minutes or so at max quality, or 30 minutes at a lower quality. Like all dSLR video cameras the internal mic picks up every sound the camera makes, so ideally you should use an external mic for high quality video. Only two dSLR cameras allow that at the time of this review writing, and those are the Canon 5d which is twice as expensive as the K-7, and the K-7. The soon to be released D300s will allow an external mic too, but it has a targeted price of $500 more than the K-7. This makes the K-7 one of the best bargains in dSLR video.
The refinement of this camera is stellar. The shutter is very quiet for a dSLR (if you are coming from a point and shoot it is of course much louder), but it is unobtrusive and professional sounding. No more clackety clackty whirrrrr that the older K20d made, one of those noises that turned every head in the room. It is also nice the shutter acts separately from the mirror, so mirror blackout times are minimal and the shutter can be fired multiple times without cycling the mirror, like in live view.
This camera also has an extreme degree of flexibility in configuring JPG options, you can customize several different JPG modes ranging from vibrant, muted, natural, portrait, etc. You can change the key, contrast, saturation, sharpness and more. You can also take 3 shot HDR images right in the camera with decent results. Finally, you can do a wide degree of image processing right in the camera using built in digital filters and also RAW developing.
The composition adjustment can be used to make small shifts left and right and rotationally using live view mode. These are very handy for fine tuning the composition and are equivalent to shifting on a tilt shift lens (just to a lesser degree, 1mm each direction). The level is also handy, allowing you to easily see when the camera is not perfectly straight, or it can be set to automatically level the horizon.
So, I have had a pretty glowing review so far, what are the downsides?
I have shot 2000 shots through the K-7 now, and it has performed as expected. I have charged the battery maybe 3 times, so life is reasonably good, except when using live view or video mode frequently. The camera sometimes thinks the battery is going dead when it is low and turns the camera off. You can still shoot pictures if you turn it back on, but not much video or live view. However, you can still get a lot of use from the video or live view before this becomes an issue, and if it does you might invest in a battery grip or AC adapter.
My only disappointment with the camera is I wish ISO 1600 performed half a stop better. The noise is relatively pleasing though, and will lead to good prints or black and white conversions.
This camera has an intimidating array of buttons and options. If you are a beginner, and have no intent to learn photography in terms of exposure and aperture, I would hesitate buying this camera. Pentax's entry K-2000 might be worth a look in that case.
However, this camera really brings everything to the table and if you are an advanced consumer or even a professional looking for a feature rich camera, this Pentax is definitely worth a look. This camera is an amazing price considering the competition.


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Pentax K-7 Digital SLR Camera 17811 Digital SLR Cameras

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Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro - Digital camera - SLR - 12.3 Mpix - body only - supported memory: CF, Microdrive Review

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(More customer reviews)Ive owned the D200, and controls and build aside, these are two different cameras. Surprisingly, this camera's nearest competitor isnt the Nikon D200 - it is the Canon 5D. Of course, the Canon clearly bests the s5 on resolution as it should. But that's it. The Fuji gives up little else to the Canon 5D but speed.
However, since the obvious comparison is between the s5 and D200, the s5 is clearly superior to the D200 on image quality, particularly right out of the camera. In speed of operation however, the D200 leaves the s5 in the proverbial dust.
The Nikon D200 is sure and fast, very fast. Like all the latest digital Nikon's, they will keep shooting for extended periods. However, the images demand you tweak the camera and do copious amounts of post-processing. The Fuji is more deliberate. It is fast enough to get out of its own way and get the shot and as well as the next, but not fast enough to keep shooting under demanding conditions, at which the Nikon excels. It isnt that the s5 is sluggish, it is that the Nikon is just so fast.
However, once you understand the reason for this relative slowness, you can deal with it. Again, it's all about the images.
The Fuji will produce stunning images from RAW files. It will do beautiful images straight from the camera. If you are a JPEG shooter and hate processing images on the computer, this is the camera for you.
Although the metering is very, very accurate under all but the most backlit conditions, it has a tendency to underexpose the images in anything less than sunlight, so exposure compensation is a must. The good news there, is that unlike most other cameras Ive used, where exposure compensation can be hit or miss - or thoroughly ineffective, compensation is even and responsive. This keeps me from having to fiddle with metering options trying to get the proper exposure. A seriously underrated feature of the camera.
Before the v1.06 firmware update, I was not impressed with the Automatic White Balance, having to constantly change the custom white balance, particularly with street lighting or ANY kind of flourescent lighting. Charged-gas lighting would give a nasty yellow or green cast to the images. After the update, the AWB is stunning, able to handle almost any lighting thrown at it. Since the update, I rarely touch the white balance settings. I simply dont have to. Amazing.
Also, before the update - the images would go "Blue" under strong light and deep shadows, with a deep magenta-ish cast at night. After the update, that tendency has been minimized and the images are far better balanced - giving that true Fuji color without overdoing it either way.
If you get a unit without the latest firmware, upgrade it at once. Period. This update gives me the camera I expected out of the box.
So, the good news: The images are worth every penny you pay.
The only way I can put it - standard, out of camera images often look like HDR images with unreal detail in both shadows and highlight. When you get that characteristic glossy look from a shot, you will involuntarily gasp.
More good news: For low light images, this camera is nothing short of amazing. I shoot primarily at night and in low light, and I rarely, almost never - shoot above ISO 1250. I have shot (using a f/2.8 17-55mm Nikkor) at ISO 2000 in near darkness, and the images came out as if I had studio lights with VERY little noise. And thats another thing, noise is near nonexistent on the vast majority of my images, and what there is has a nice even film-like grain, not blotchy or nasty as you would see on a D200 shooting above ISO 400.
However, all this goodness comes at a price. The high quality images are HUGE. A JPEG file set at the highest quality (FINE) takes up 5 - 7 megs. A RAW file averages 25 megs. This is why the camera doesnt feel as fast as the Nikon, as it is transferring massive amounts of data through the buffer to the card. You will start looking for large and very fast CF cards as well as upgrading your storage in short order.
The camera is expensive compared to the D200, but it is definitely worth the premium if you demand the highest quality images. To bring out the best in this camera, you need the highest quality lenses. It is also murder on sloppy camera technique, so be sure to avoid shake.
In all good conscience, I cannot rate the camera as 5 stars, but it is definitely a 4.5 - 4.75, even at the price.
If I had to choose between the D200 and S5, the S5 wins hands down. In fact, I would get a D2Xs as a speedy backup to this camera, not the D200. My wish would be if Fuji decided to put this sensor and technology into the body of a D2Xs. Then Id probably give it 5 stars.
-----------
(Edit)
So, after 5 months and 35,000 images later...
For image settings I dont fark around with the film simulation modes anymore - too unpredictable. And confusing, frankly.
I leave the DR on Auto, as the camera is pretty intelligent about when to apply it..
I leave the Color on High. Bring the tone up.
I also up the in camera sharpening, which is something I normally avoid. It helps overcome the noise reduction detail loss, and whatever sharpening algorithm they use, it definitely helps the apparent clarity of the images while keeping artifacts to a decided minimum..
White balance - except for yellow walls under energy saving bulbs and outdoor charged gas lighting, I pretty much leave it on Auto. On the latest firmware - it totally handles everything else. Amazing.
As far as camera operation, like the D200 - I find it is critical to learn how to use the AF modes - otherwise you'll sometimes want to blame the camera for focusing issues. Dont just leave it in one mode and forget it.
While shooting under intense situations, keep an eye on the "R" (remainder) number. On the D200 its easy to ignore this. On the s5, you want to keep an eye on it as it tells you the state of your buffer. The camera is fast and responsive until you fill the buffer, then it locks up until the buffer clears.
Ease up on the machine gunning when you see the "R" figure hits the "r02" level, for at "r00" it will lock.
Oh yeah! Tape down the pin caps on the body. Otherwise, you WILL lose them.
Also carried over from the D200 is the dreaded and unpredictable DBS - Dead Battery Syndrome. Sometimes in the middle of shooting, the camera will lock up and the battery indicator will flash as if its dead.
This usually happens with the SB-800 flash and some Nikon AF-S lenses.
Turning the camera on and off when this happen may alleviate, but the trick is to turn off the camera, hit the lens release button and twist the lens in the mount back and forth. That helps with the electrical contacts and keeps this behavior to an annoyance.
What else? Oh yeah - learn to navigate through the menu and know where everything is. The logic is weaker than the Nikon menus, but there is a certain logic to it. That is the main learning curve issue with this camera.
And if you buy an external flash, get into the flash menu and configure it to work properly with the flash, or you will get unpredictable flash performance.
That's all I can think of right now. Im still learning this camera myself. :)
----------
After 15 months and 130,000 shutter actuations
The v1.09 firmware update has pretty much elminated my complaints on sharpness.
I rarely shoot RAW, as the SOOC images are pretty much spot on.
There is a tendency to back focus shooting blindly, the focusing system needs a deft touch.
That said, this is still a stunningly capable camera, highly recommended for those who value image quality to a high degree.

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Kit includes: 1) NP-150 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery; 2) BC-150 Battery Charger; 3) Shoulder Strap;4) Body Cap;5) Eyepiece Cap; 6) LCD Cover; 7) USB Cable; 8) Video Cable; 9) Software CD ROMS; 10) Instruction Booklets; 11) Fuji USA Warranty;>>>Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, high performance 12.34 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera stands apart from the crowd by combining the much sought-after picture quality of Fujifilm's Super CCD SR sensor with a fully digital and durable professional metal alloy body. The Super CCD SR Pro uses a unique layout of twelve million paired photodiodes (6.17 million larger 'S' photodiodes for main image information, combined with 6.17 million smaller 'R' photodiodes for bright area information), and delivers improvements in noise, dynamic range, color and tonality. Improving the capability of the sensor, an improved low-pass filter ensures that moire and noise are kept to an absolute minimum. The Real Photo Processor Pro ensures that the information is handled in such a way to produce images that are beautifully vibrant, with color recorded as the human eye sees it. The processor's two stages of noise reduction delivers an impeccably clean image, and also permits light sensitivity up to ISO 3200 while still achieving sharp, low-noise images. Furthermore, dark noise reduction process, subtracting the residual, ambient noise on the sensor from the actual exposure, helps the camera produce smooth, clean images when long shutter speeds are used.

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Sony a55 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm zoom lens Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had a Panasonic FZ30 "bridge" camera for five years. It is the type of camera without interchangeable lenses and a small sensor. I've really enjoyed that camera as it had good ergonomics, a great 35mm to 420mm 12x zoom lens, shot video, a good set of features, and pretty good stills. However I found it limited me in three areas (there's always something right?):
1) I wanted better image quality.
2) I wanted better low light capability.
3) I wanted better video performance.
Not wanting to carry and change lenses I searched for another bridge mega-zoom type of camera but they all suffered from the same small sensors and limited low light capability. So I decided I had to make the leap to an interchangeable lens camera. I would search for one that had a sort of mega-zoom lens available so I could just have one lens.
I looked at DSLRs but they are so big, so expensive, and so heavy that I shyed away from them.
Recently several micro four-thirds size sensor cameras came on the market, all using a new set of lenses, but I wasn't impressed with them. I thought if the sensor had been the biggest problem in my FZ30 I didn't want just a step up, I wanted a large leap up in sensor size.
Then I saw Sony introduce the A33 and A55. Reading through the specification I was so excited to see it would likely meet all of my wants and then some.
I've had the A55 for just over a week and I am very happy with it. I have the one lens I wanted (sort of) which is the Sony SAL18250 with a 33mm equivalent of 27mm to 375mm, almost as much zoom as my FZ30. I do appreciate the wider 27mm and can crop on the PC to extend the zoom range. Photo quality with this camera/lens combination is a huge improvement, just what I was looking for.
This camera is small compared to most other DSLRs on the market, but it is competitive in photo quality, ahead in video quality, and has some great features not found on even much more expensive cameras.
The sensor used in the A55 is an ASP-C size used in many prosumer DSLR cameras. Sony has done a great job combining advanced features into a small and light body.
As for low light the FZ30 was limited to 400 ISO while the A55 goes up to a somewhat grainy 12,800 and can mimic 25,000 in one mode. So it far exceeds my needs for low light capability. There is little noise up to about 6,400.
The video quality is astounding at 1080i/60fps (captured at 30fps, recorded at 60fps). It is smooth, sharp, and the color is good even in low light. Check it out on youtube.com
There are lots of detailed professional reviews online so I won't go much deeper - and I'm not the one to do that anyway. I'm just an amateur photographer who wants to take good photos of my seven month old grand son, some videos of wake boarders behind our boat, and photos of family gatherings. This camera will do that and much more.
There are many complaints of low battery life but it is better than my FZ30 so I am happy. I have three batteries which should solve any low battery issues anyway. It depends a lot on your shooting conditions. Yesterday I took 700 photos with very little auto focus required; the battery level showed 75% after those 700 shots. This was just a test and the total duration was less than 15 minutes. I just offer it to say that your shooting conditions will dramatically alter battery life.
Pros:
- Light weight, small and easy to handle.
- Great photo quality
- Even better video quality than most.
- Very fast, continuous Auto Focus even during video.
- Level indicator on screen (I can't tell you how many images I've had to adjust photos on the PC for a crooked horizon)
- Fully articulated 2.9" LCD (I won't buy a camera without one of these)
- Very nice Electronic View Finder. Some see this as a "Con" if they've come from an OVF. I've only used EVF for 10 years so this is no big deal for me.
- Nice, sharp, 18-250 lens (an option I purchased separately.
- Panorama mode - take an auto-stitched sequence of photos in one quick motion. Awesome feature.
- High Dynamic Range - Take, for example, a photo indoors with a bright window in the background. HDR will properly expose both the inside of the room and the image outside the window - automatically in the camera.
- Hand Held Twilight mode - take a photo in very dark conditions. The camera will take 6 photos and combine them to achieve amazing 25,000 ISO equivalent photos.
- Night portrait - uses the flash for the person in the foreground but properly exposes the background too.
- Amazing Night View scene mode - take great city skyline photos at night.
- Built in pop-up flash
- Built in GPS records where you are in the photo data. Display on Google Earth
- Face detection
- Smile shutter
- 10 Frames Per Second - yes 10fps. You can't find that in any other camera in this price range. And it will focus during the burst!
- Sensor switches from LCD to EVF when you put your eye up to the EVF. Neat!
- I can have one lens and just leave it there. No carrying two or three lenses and having the frustration of having the wrong lens attached for a given situation. I did the three lens dance many years ago and don't ever want to do it again. With one lens there is no issue with cleaning the sensor if it gets dust on it because I'll never have the sensor exposed to the air.
Cons:
- With the 18-250 lens the camera and lens weight about 2 lbs. That is about 1/2 lb. heavier than my FZ30 and I notice it.
- Lots of shooting, especially long video with the image stabilizer on, can result in an over heat shutdown. I've only had this happen once. Most of my videos are 1-3 minutes, well inside the overheat warning.
- To me the grip is uncomfortable and too small. I have average size hands for a man. After doing some research though I've learned I've been spoiled by my Panasonic FZ30 which had a very nice grip. I've tried a number of DSLRs and it seems many of them have grips that are not as comfortable for me as the FZ30.
If you are the owner of a larger, more expensive, DSLR you may find some things of this camera to fall a little short for your needs. One big issue is the lack of an OVF, another might be battery life. You may find, though, that the Sony A55 is a good addition to your camera inventory that is much smaller and lighter as a carry-around but still has great image quality and features. For you there are a lot of great Alpha lenses available for this camera.
If you are the owner of anything less than a DSLR I suspect you'll find this to be a gem of a camera. It has a lot of features that you can take your time to learn, but it also has several auto modes so you can treat it as a point-n-shoot. My wife picked it up this morning and took several photos without ever having touched it before. She took the lens cap off, turned it on, popped up the flash and took several great photos of me with my grand son.
Don't be scared away by those that tell you Canon and Nikon are the only good digital camera manufacturers. Sony makes sensors for Nikon.

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Sony Alpha SLTA55VL DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology (Black)

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Promote Systems Promote Control, Remote Control for Digital SLR Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)From my own personal researching efforts, I think this is the only option Canon shooters have for programming Canon cameras to shoot greater than three exposures. The Promote does the job. I can configure the remote to fire off 20+ exposures on my Canon 5D Mark II. This is a huge plus for those wanting to do HDR photography. Not having to touch the camera (potential for moving the camera) during multiple exposures is a wonderful thing.
As for the actual remote, I expected a higher build quality for a $300 remote. The remote has an extreme plastic-y feeling to it and some might suggest that it has a fake knock-off feel to it. However, let me repeat myself, this camera does do what it claims to do. Also, given my propensity to over pack my camera gear and comparing it to the Canon TC-80N3, I found the Promote remote to be unnecessarily large. The Canon TC-80N3 provides a fair amount of functionality at 1/3 the size. But the Canon TC-80N3 doesn't do what the Promote can. And I understand and recognize that.
If you shoot a Canon 5D Mark II, you have to attach two separate wires/cords from the camera to the remote to get full functionality. This is a work flow killer in my opinion. Shooting in portrait mode with a L bracket on a ballhead does provide some challenges when you have to budget for two cords.
Also, if any of your "bracketed" exposures go beyond 30 seconds, there are additional programing steps involved. The shooter needs to switch to a "bulb" exposure. And you need to upgrade the firmware to enable 30+ seconds exposures.
And to conclude, the following comment is based on my experiences on shooting raw files with the Promote. To take 7+ shots with progressively long shutter times, a lot of the camera custom features (i.e. noise reduction) may need to be adjusted or turned off. If the camera needs to take more than a few moments to process the file (raw files from a 5DII are pretty darn big 25mg+), the Promote errors out. The remote, from what I can tell, doesn't adjust for the camera's need to process the image. The remote follows a strict timing sequence. If the camera needs more than what the Promote remote feels is a typical/adequate processing time, the bracketing sequence stops.
All these things are necessarily deal killers but I thought cyberspace would like to know. It took me a bit of time to figure all of this out. If you should buy one, please don't buy this product the day before a major shooting trip. These is a significant learning curve involved with this product. Oh, and the instruction manual is pretty sparse.

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Designed for serious amateurs and pros, Promote® Control is an advanced remote control for digital SLR cameras from various manufacturers. It opens new doors for your creativity with its superior automation and intuitive ease of use.It will have you taking High Dynamic Range (HDR) photographs, time-lapse sequences and much more in a flash. With the Promote Control, you can gain unprecedented, advanced control over your SLR camera in ways that will save you time, especially when taking either traditional or HDR photos.Capture the World in a Whole New Light:Among a multitude of easy-to-use features, Promote Control offers unique flexibility for exposure bracketing, which is commonly used to create High Dynamic Range images.High Dynamic Range, or HDR imaging quickly gains popularity these days, thanks to stunning detail and tone range rendition. Promote Control propels HDR imaging forward by offering unparalleled flexibility, allowing for bracketing step variability previously not possible with in-camera bracketing modes.Promote Control can also automatically put the camera into Bulb mode as appropriate when performing bracketed exposures longer than 30 seconds, requiring no further user intervention. The resulting images can be processed in a software application of choice to create a highly realistic image with a wide tonal range.One of the most useful features of the Promote Control is an advanced Time-Lapsemode normally

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Rokinon FE8M-P 8mm F3.5 Fisheye Lens for Pentax (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This lens is available under multiple brand names. I reviewed the Pentax version here: Opteka 6.5mm f/3.5 Manual Focus Aspherical Fisheye Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras. I suspect that the review that Gawain tried to include is the one from the lenstip site (dotcom). What Gawain didn't know (because this product's descriptions don't cover this) is that the Pentax lens IS NOT manual aperture (Canon and Nikon versions are, but not the Pentax) - this lens is just manual focus - the aperture can be set in camera once you set the ring to A. The problem is that the lens pictured here is probably a Canon/Nikon version. BH has the correct photo for the Pentax mount where you can see the A position.

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Rokinon 8mm F/3.5 Fisheye Lens for Pentax; Lens creates images with an expanded perspective and allows user to capture a very unique perspective; Lens Conforms to APS-C (1:1.5x) size digital imaging format; Lens Actualizes 8mm focal length and a diagonal angle of view of 180 degrees for APS-C size; Lens Corrects aberrations using a complex aspherical lens; Manual Focus;Aperture range of F/3.5 ~ 22; Built-in Petal type hood and multi-coating help control flaring and ghosting; Minimum focusing distance of 12 inches (0.3m); Includes Lens Pouch, Instruction Manual, and One Year Rokinon Warranty

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Nikon D2xs 12.4 Megapixel Digital SLR Body Review

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(More customer reviews)Nikon D2Xs 12.4 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera
The Nikon D2Xs is truly the professional (or very serious amateur) photographer's dream machine. My previous and current equipment includes Mamiya 645 Pro TL, Zenza Bonica ETRSII, Canon EOS 850 film (retired), Konica film (retired), Olympus C3030 (point and shoot donated) and various other equipment over the years. I still own and use my Nikon D70s and find it to be a wonderful tool, but the D2Xs is the ulitmate machine at this time, in my opinion.
I read many articles and reviews about professional level digital SLR cameras, and I was a little aprehensive about the D2Xs because I wasn't sure I could justify it. I find this camera is actually easier to use than other equipment I've owned. If you're an amateur stepping up to a pro body, remember there are no pre-programmed (i.e., landscape, portrait, night landscape, etc.) settings like on the D70s or the Canon. That forces you to use the M, P (most automatic settings) or aperture/shutter preferred options. I find it pretty straight forward, since the pre-programmed settings can be a little confusing in their own right.
This camera is big but feels very steady to use. Ergonomics are supreme, and the menus (not used that often since every key setting is selectable with a button) are easy to read in bright sunlight.
This is a very well done product that takes pictures capable of being blown up to poster size without a problem or loss of quality. This is a beautiful piece of gear if you can afford it. I chose it between the Canon Mark's and other options in the 12+MP range because I liked it best of all.

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The goal was straightforward; take a truly versatile professional tool to new levels of response, handling efficiency and fine control over the results. The strategy was clear; apply the feedback gained by working hand in hand with professional photographers in the field to refine the already stellar operation and performance of Nikon's flagship digital SLR camera. At the heart of the system is a proven 12.4 million-pixel image sensor, advanced image processing engine, and optimized systems that blend high levels of resolution with superb image quality, pure color rendition, and class-leading speed. The 11-area AF system is tuned to deliver even finer precision and higher performance. An improved view in High-speed Crop mode makes composition easier. The host of enhancements also includes significantly increased battery life per charge, an improved menu interface, and a new color calibrated 2.5-inch LCD with ultra-wide viewing angle. The Nikon D2Xs hits the mark - freeing photographers to explore the true nature of photography. Understanding the importance of intuitive handling and tough reliability in the field, Nikon designed every button, control and function for maximum ease of access, intuitive operation, handling efficiency and reliability. Meet the professional digital SLR solution truly equipped to extend creative freedom and business productivity; the Nikon D2Xs. Capturing the moment with exceptional image quality demands instant response, high-speed operation, precise focus and accurate exposure. Ground-up development aimed at satisfying these professional needs continues to evolve in the further refined 11-area AF system, advanced exposure metering and optimized subsystems of the Nikon D2Xs. Sharp resolution and pure color fidelity rendered with finer gradations and smoother transitions demonstrate the professional performance under the hood.

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