Canon 100D - Canon's tiny DSLR

It seems like almost every photography niche in the camera market is now being filled.  The new 100D is an extremely tiny DSLR that has been very significantly miniaturised.  It really doesn't seem to be much bigger than a Olympus OMD or Panasonic G3, if at all.  Obviously, because there is still a mirror box, it is still quite a bit deeper than an OM-D or G6, but width and height certainly are close.

I could see people liking this camera, especially those who value something compact, but who have already invested in Canon gear.  The other buyer group it would appeal to would be mirrorless buyers who really prefer to stick with a DSLR with an optical rather than digital view finder.

Nikon D2X with Tamron 90mm Macro

Nikon compatibility weirdness - Nikon TC-16a teleconverter

About 4 years ago I purchased a Nikon TC-16a teleconverter with a manual focus Tokina 300mm f2.8 for use with my Nikon D2X for a little bird shooting.  The TC-16a is an interesting beast, it was designed in the late 1980s as Nikon had released few AF lenses, to give AF compatibility to their then current range of MF lenses.  It doesn't have full range for AF, but in practice, it works quite well.  You manually focus to approximately where the right subject distance and let the AF take care of the critical focus that is especially difficult to achieve with fast tele manual focus lenses.

When I first got it, the TC-16a worked like a dream with the D2X.  Recently, as I hadn't used it for quite a while and as I'd sold several of my MF tele lenses, I decided to sell it.  I pulled it out, put it on the D600 for a test run and.....nothing.  It wouldn't work.  It turns out that few Nikon SLRs, digital or film, have the right software and protocols to drive the TC16a.  Interestingly the contact pins are positioned quite differently to most lenses when viewed up closely too.  It just so happened the D2X was one of the few that could drive it.  

So I put it up for sale and hoped the potential buyer's camera would be compatible.  The first buyer came, and as soon as he pulled out his D600, I knew we were going to have trouble.  And so it was, the TC-16a refused to work.  However the guy still purchased!  It turns out that these are now quite rare, and a modification can be found to open up the protocol to other cameras.  His idea was to purchase for his Nikkor 300mm f2.8 Ai-S, which he could then use much more successfully than current.

Hibiscus - Nikon D2X with Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro

Hibiscus - Nikon D2X with Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro

Hibiscus - Nikon D2X with Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro

Hibiscus - Nikon D2X with Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro

DX lenses on Full Frame

Pardon my "against the grain" theory, but I have this feeling that a DX lens could be used very successfully on full frame, providing you don't mind a bit of cropping.  As DX lenses heavily vignette on Full Frame, the photographer must then work around this.  Therefore a square or panoramic frame could work well.  Even using a program to correct vignetting that isn't totally lost, is useful.

On full frame, DX lenses operate like full frame lenses in terms of depth of field as the sensor determines this.  Just that they heavily vignette.  My theory is that a great DX lens can shoot outstanding photos on full frame, with just a bit of cropping.

I am thinking of purchasing either a Nikon 35mm f1.8 or a Sigma 30mm f1.4 to try this out.  Full frame lenses in this focal range are expensive, but I am wondering, if you are prepared to crop, will these lenses give you great performance as well.  A theory to be tested soon.

Nikon D2X, Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro

The conceptually flawed Fotodiox RhinoCam

The Fotodiox RhinoCam is a very interesting adapter than allows a mirrorless camera (in this case a Sony NEX) to move on a vertical plane so that a small image sensor camera can take many photos stitched together to equal that of a medium format camera.  A stitched together photo would thus have the resolution of a 145MP camera when using a NEX 7.  Very Impressive!

Except that it has one major flaw.  To do this, between 8 and 12 shots are needed to create one image.  Each time you have to reposition the camera, which means enough shots for one image could take 3-4 minutes.  Therefore you'd better have a very static scene.  Almost any outdoor scene would thus be close to impossible to shoot.

Once you've done your shot, then you have to stitch it all together, which flow a work flow view point, will take a lot of time for one image.  Also, you'd have to make sure you get it right on camera as every adjustment you do to one shot, you need to do precisely the same to all others.  Tedious.

The other issue is the lenses.  Medium format lenses are designed for medium format film size and sensors, so often don't respond that well on high density sensors.  So it will be interesting to see some initial photos using the RhinoCam.  The expectation of a super detailed 145MP shot may not be there.

Nikon D2X with Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro

The Art of Out of Focus Flowers #3

More out of focus flowers, this time purple dahlias that were growing in our garden.