Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Saturday, 12 May 2012

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Saturday, 12 May 2012 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 475th Digital Photography Review newsletter. Nikon D800 reviewed Nikon's latest full-frame DSLR has caused a lot of excitement, on both sides of the Canon/Nikon divide. At 36MP, it's the highest-resolution camera we've ever tested, which has made it one of the most demanding cameras to get the best out of. So, after all the testing and weeks of shooting with the D800, what's it actually like? Read our 29-page, in-depth review to find out. Leica M-Monochrom and rangefinder musings There was a lot of anticipation for Leica's product announcements on May 10th, but very few people were expecting the M-Monochrom - a true black-and-white version of the M9 rangefinder. Indeed many people who'd heard rumours about the product had discounted the idea. There is, however, some sound logic behind the idea of making a camera that doesn't have a color filter that needs demosaicing (with all the resolution loss it brings). And, if anyone was going to do it, it makes sense for it to be a company that specialises in small-run, niche products. We were able to borrow one of the first cameras and have published a preview and samples gallery. We've also spent some time shooting with the M9 over the past few months, and have written about the experience of shooting with a camera that owes so much to the past. Olympus OM-D E-M5 user guide As part of the process of reviewing the OM-D E-M5, we learned a lot about one of the most configurable cameras in its class. It's already a very capable camera, as we demonstrated in our review, but there are a couple of settings worth playing-with to get even more out of it. With this in mind, we prepared (with the help of forum regular Timur Born), a user's guide for the Olympus OM-D. Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX200V review With help from Jeff Keller at the Digital Camera Resource Page, we've also published a review of Sony's latest superzoom - the Cyber-Shot DSC-HX200V. It's a 30x, 18MP camera with a back-lit CMOS sensor and built-in GPS. Does that make it the ultimate vacation camera? Read our review to find out. And, as usual, that's not all. As hinted-at by our publication of studio shots from the Fujifilm X-Pro1, there are several reviews still in progress that we're planning to publish in the coming weeks. Do drop by to read about all the latest goings-on at dpreview.com. Richard
News updates Article: Shooting with the Leica M9-P Published on Sunday, May 06, 2012 8:00:00 AM GMT The name Leica carries considerable cachet for many photographers, regardless of whether they've ever had a chance to shoot with one of the company's rangefinders or used one of its lenses. The fabulous cost and continued adherence to a near-obsolete, manual-focus, rangefinder design can be off-putting, making it easy to wonder whether the brand's proponents have bought into marketing or mystique. So just what is it like to shoot with an M9-P? We put the camera in the hands of four photographers with different backgrounds and shooting styles to see what the 'red dot' meant to them. Read full story → Novoflex creates adapters for Fujifilm X-Pro1 Published on Monday, May 07, 2012 5:41:57 PM GMT Novoflex has announced a range of mount adapters for the Fujifilm X-Pro1's X mount. The adapters allow the use of a wide range of non-XF lenses with the 16MP mirrorless camera. The range supports a broad cross-section of current and legacy lenses, including Canon FD, Nikon, Contax, Olympus OM and Minolta MD and AF mounts. There is also an adapter to allow use of Leica M-mount lenses, if you can't wait for the one Fujifilm said it is developing. The adapters will be available from the end of May 2012 at prices range from around €89 to €169, depending on the complexity of the adapter (there are also adapters for medium-format lenses that can cost as much as €350). (via Photoscala) Read full story → Article: Getting the most out of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Published on Monday, May 07, 2012 9:38:14 PM GMT We've prepared a user guide to the Olympus OM-D E-M5, uncovering some of the more interesting features that might not be immediately apparent to new users. As part of reviewing the camera, and detailing its menus, we found a couple of settings combinations and obscure options that we think are worth knowing about. So, if you've recently received an E-M5, or are thinking about parting with your hard-earned cash for one, we hope you'll find this article useful. Read full story → Fujifilm X-Pro1 studio samples published, including Adobe Camera Raw conversions Published on Monday, May 07, 2012 11:47:40 PM GMT We've just been given access to a beta version of Adobe Camera Raw that supports the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and have used it to process our standard test scene. The good news is that it produces similar resolution to the camera's JPEG output and that it appears to recognize the selected dynamic range extension setting. The X-Pro1 is not a camera with obvious peers, so we've presented it alongside a mixture of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. These are just our suggested comparisons - you are able (and encouraged) to choose your own. (Samples updated) Read full story → Olympus launches Tough TG-1 iHS higher-spec rugged, waterproof camera Published on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 5:00:00 AM GMT Olympus has announced the Tough TG-1 iHS, a high-end rugged, waterproof compact camera. The main selling point of the camera is its 25-100mm equivalant F2.0-4.9 zoom lens. The TG-1 is tougher than previous Tough models, being waterproof to 12m (40ft) and shockproof from a height of 2m (6.6ft) and will have optional waterproof fisheye and telephoto converter lenses available. The TG-1 iHS is built around a 1/2.3"-type 12MP back-lit CMOS sensor and a TruePic VI processor to make the most of its output. Read full story → Just Posted: In-depth Nikon D800 review Published on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 9:09:53 PM GMT We've just posted our Nikon D800 review. At 36MP, the D800 is the highest resolution camera you can buy without making the step up to medium format, it's also one of the first DSLRs to offer uncompressed video output. Despite these drastic increases in capability over the D700, Nikon's latest full-frame offering will be immediately familiar to any one who's shot with one of the company's high-end cameras. So what's the D800 like to shoot with and does all that resolution render its competition redundant? Read full story → Fujfilm announces XP170 waterproof compact with wireless image transfer Published on Tuesday, May 08, 2012 11:12:20 PM GMT Fujifilm has announced the FinePix XP170, an updated rugged, waterproof compact camera, featuring Wi-Fi to allow wireless image transfer to Android or iOS smartphones and tablets. The XP170 features a 14MP CMOS sensor that can shoot at up to 10fps, mounted behind a 5x, 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens. It is shockproof from 2m (6.5ft), and waterproof to 10m (33ft). The stand-out feature is its wireless image transfer function that allows images to be sent to smartphones and tablets, making it easy to upload to the internet. Read full story → Adobe launches release candidate of Adobe Camera Raw v7.1 Published on Thursday, May 10, 2012 5:16:38 PM GMT Adobe has announced a release candidate version of Adobe Camera Raw 7.1 and DNG Converter 7.1. The latest near-release version of the Raw processing plugin only works with Photoshop CS6 and brings support for the same 21 cameras that were added to Camera Raw 6.7 in the most recent update. This includes the Nikon D800m Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the most recent releases from Samsung. Read full story → Leica announces M-Monochrom black-and-white 18MP rangefinder Published on Thursday, May 10, 2012 7:00:00 PM GMT Leica has announced the M-Monochrom, a black-and-white version of its M9 full-frame rangefinder.  In most other respects, the M-Monochrom shares its hardware with the M9. It can add three toning colors to its monchrome output or its uncompressed DNG files can be edited using the included copy of Photoshop Lightroom. A full version of the mono processing software Silver Efex 2 is also included. It will cost around $7,950.00. Read full story → Leica unveils X2 16MP premium large-sensor compact Published on Thursday, May 10, 2012 7:00:00 PM GMT Leica has announced the X2, a 16MP APS-C compact camera with a fixed 36mm equivalent F2.8 lens. The camera is an updated version of its X1, with the biggest changes being the use of a 16.2MP CMOS sensor and the addition of an accessory socket for adding an optional 1.44M dot 'Viso-Flex' electronic viewfinder. An add-on handgrip is also available. Leica says it has improved the autofocus system (one of our biggest criticisms of the X1), but has retained the rather low-resolution 230,000 dot rear LCD. The X2 has a list price of $1,995.00. (Updated with first impressions of AF performance) Read full story → Leica offers V-Lux40 20X 14MP compact superzoom Published on Thursday, May 10, 2012 7:00:00 PM GMT Leica has released the V-Lux40, a 14MP, 20X compact superzoom camera. It is the second V-Lux model to feature GPS and appears to very closely resemble the Panasonic DMX-TZ30/ZS20. This gives it a 24-480mm equivalent zoom range and 14.1MP output (from a 15.3MP CMOS sensor). It also means it's capable of capturing 1080 video. The camera also features the highest-res screen in the Leica range - a 460k dot 3.0" LCD. Unlike the similar Panasonic, the Leica V-Lux 40 includes Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Premier Elements 10. Read full story → Just Posted: Leica M-Monochrom hands-on preview with image samples Published on Thursday, May 10, 2012 7:04:19 PM GMT We've prepared a hands-on preview of the Leica M-Monochrom 18MP black-and-white rangefinder. The M-Monochrom has no color filter array in front of the sensor, meaning it captures more of the available light but cannot perceive color. It also means there is no need for demosaicing (the process of combining color information from adjacent pixels), so higher levels of detail are retained. Our preview includes real-world samples we shot with the M-Monochrom, to show just what that means in-use. Read full story → Leica creates M9-P Hermès 18MP rangefinder special editions Published on Thursday, May 10, 2012 8:36:05 PM GMT Leica has combined with luxury fashion house Hermès to create the M9-P Edition Hermès. The camera is coated in ocre-colored calfskin leather and features a matching shoulder strap. The camera also features a redesigned, smoother top-plate and control points, designed by the automotive designer, Walter de’Silva, previously responsible for the M9 Titanium. Only 300 of the cameras will be made. A yet more exclusive series of 100 'Edition Hermès – Série Limitée Jean-Louis Dumas' kits will also be sold, in honor of the former president of Hermès. These kits will include a 28mm f/2, 50mm f/0.95 and 90mm f/2 lens, and a exclusive Hermès camera bag. The limited editions will cost $25,000 and $50,000 respectively. Read full story → Leica announces APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH normal prime Published on Thursday, May 10, 2012 9:47:04 PM GMT Leica has announced the APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. The company is making grand claims for its latest standard-focal-length prime, which uses specially developed glass to create an apochromatic design to minimize chromatic aberrations. The lens was designed to match the specifications of the existing 50mm f/2 lens - a 1979 design that is the oldest in the company's current lineup. The APO version of the lens will be available from late July 2012 at a cost of around $7,195. Read full story → Just Posted: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V review Published on Friday, May 11, 2012 8:33:24 PM GMT Just posted: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V in-depth review. The second review expanded from Jeff Keller's work at the Digital Camera Resource Page looks at Sony's latest full-size superzoom camera. The Sony HX200V combines the company's latest 18MP back-lit CMOS sensor with a 30x zoom lens giving a 27-810mm equivalent range. There's image stabilization, as you'd expect for such a long zoom range and, as indicated by the 'V' in the model name, it also has built-in GPS. So does this add up to a perfect vacation camera or an unwieldy confection? Read the full review to find out. Read full story →
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