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May 2017

25 May

Posted at 07:44h in Dick's Rant, Reviews by [social_share]

The bottom line in any sales consultation is the bottom line…* In this respect the new graphite Fujifilm X-Pro2 camera with the matching graphite 23mm f:2 lens have somewhat more of a bottom than the same model camera in black with a black lens. About $ 415 more. In both cases the combo is going to set you back over $ 3000. While these are the prices that have come straight off the regular CE catalogue - it is worthwhile doing a daily check of any specials that are going or promotions coming in the future. And when the Fujifilm people decide to have a little fit of the cashbacks you can benefit substantially…though it must be said that you cannot expect a hot selling item to hit the cash back list quickly. Can you spend that kind of money? Can you look at it spread over the next few years and see the benefit? I can see that benefit…because with Fujifilm the value of the devices continues long after other manufacturers have abandoned their products. You see, Fujifilm has perfected the art...

24 May

Posted at 10:19h in Dick's Rant, News by [social_share]

That is not exactly just a bad pun - I have already commented upon the DJI drone announcement in a different weblog column. But I've been asked to give a more authoritative version of it here on the Camera Electronic page - a note was sent to us by the importers of the DJI drone systems - and the details may well concern a number of the shop's customers. Here's an brief outline: DJI have sent word that they are going to introduce a new activation process for international customers ( I take that to mean everyone outside of China, where the devices are made.)  It will apply to currently-owned drones as well as ones purchased in the future. You will be required to send log-in information to the company in relation to update with a new version of DJI GO or GO4 app. This involves you having internet connection on your mobile phone or tablet to do this. The reason stated by DJI is that your drone needs to have the correct geospatial information and to be governed by geofencing bondaries and altitude limits. If you don't...

24 May

Posted at 08:08h in Dick's Rant, Reviews by [social_share]

The X-Pro series of cameras from Fujifilm have been taking pictures long enough for people to have had time to decide whether they like them or not. Of course for the photographers bound to another system or another philosophy of shooting, they may only be of peripheral interest. Nevertheless the features they carry are enough to get debates started, and perhaps to suggest to others that THEIR manufacturer of choice might be lobbied to incorporate them. I don’t know how closely the other large Japanese or German manufacturers monitor feedback from their users, but I suspect Fujifilm do keep a close eye on what is written and an open ear for the photo-talk. Well, away from speculation, here are the things I most enjoy about this new X-Pro 2 camera - remember that I own the previous model of the line: a. Gosh, it looks wonderful. You’ve read the gush two columns back so I needn’t repeat it here. b. The card slots - slots, note - are accessible from the side of the camera. Hooray and up she rises! This is a vast improvement...

23 May

Posted at 06:38h in Dick's Rant, Reviews by [social_share]

Okay - our last column praised the aesthetics of the new Fujifilm X-Pro2 in the graphite finish. The lens only got a passing mention, but as many of the readers have discovered, many cameras function better with lenses mounted on them...

22 May

Posted at 07:46h in Dick's Rant, Reviews by [social_share]

“ Just Glorious ” is not the sort of thing that you generally want to read in a photographic analysis column. Figures on sensor size and density, autofocus speeds and EVF refresh rates, MTF charts…all these are the meat and drink of the avid internet reader. “ Just Glorious “ is the sort of language that you expect from a travel writer or music reviewer. But you’re getting it here based upon several factors; the appearance and the function of this Fujifilm camera have called it forth. It’s not a fresh chassis - the Fujifilm X-Pro2 has been with us for several months now - long enough to garner the first of its Fujifilm ‘ kaizen ‘ firmware updates. I have no idea whether the camera that I got to use in the Little Studio is running on those updates or not, but I can report that it is running magnificently by all means. I’m not entirely unfamiliar with the brand, nor of the lineage - I own and use a Fujifilm X-Pro1 for lots of things. I can find my way around...

19 May

Posted at 08:58h in Dick's Rant by [social_share]

Step One: Find a suitable location. Picking a spot to take your own picture can be easy or hard - but it always reflects upon you when you show the result to others. We have all seen the pre-ball, pre-dance show, or pre-wedding selfie taken in the hallway, broom closet, or toilets. No matter how wonderful the occasion or stunning the outfit, it never looks good with a background of a mop and bucket or an open stall door. National monuments, scenic wonders, and iconic locations make for a better deal, even if you are bobbing away in the middle of a harbour while you are doing it. Step Two: Hold the camera away from yourself. If you hold it close, you may get a picture of you ( and in many cases this is really the center of attraction for you...

18 May

Posted at 08:11h in Dick's Rant, Reviews by [social_share]

Does it ever seem as if your entire existence is played out in shades of black, grey, and white? And that you find it unsatisfactory? This is not a dig at the people who are restricted by various degrees of colour vision deficiency. They live cheerfully, and I wish them well. They may even have an advantage over me in certain circumstances. What I am decrying is increasing emphasis in design for the boring choices; black, white, and grey. I recognise the elegance of it in some cases, but long for a spike of some other colour to brighten things. In fact I think I need a boost right now...

17 May

Posted at 07:28h in Dick's Rant, Reviews by [social_share]

Now I get to have my fun - I’ve got a Tamron macro lens and I’m not afraid to use it! I’ve also got a new model car and a fresh pot of coffee. The people who seek macro lenses for their Nikon and Canon bodies are well served by their respective  manufacturers. There is no denying that in each case there is a range of macro lenses and one standout lens that the shooter can purchase to go to for superb results. The standout macro lenses have focal lengths that hover around the 90-105mm mark - and for a good reason. You can get good distortion correction there and a useful stand-off distance from the subject - even when you are cranking the lens to a true 1:1 ratio. The performances and weights of these premium lenses are reflected in the prices, which are also weighty. There has always been another alternative - the Tamron 90mm macro lens. It has in the past had a much lighter mount but an extremely good optical performance. Many people who didn't want to pay the major...

16 May

Posted at 10:31h in Dick's Rant, Editorial by [social_share]

You may have noted a few irregularities in the presentation of this column in the last week or so. We apologise for any confusion. The changeover to the Wordpress system has gone largely as planned, though there have been a few inadvertent postings and one missed day due to security changes. The keyboard here at the editorial desk has also absorbed what looks to be the remains of a scone with jam on it - strawberry jam - and as a result the "e" key sometimes sticks. I note that occasionally the word "the" is rendered as " thee". While we are friendly, we have not become Friends. There will be no "thou". On an upbeat note, the graphic design department of the Weblog has acquired a new secondhand Pepin Press book of 1950's floral designs. Whenever there is no particular camera or lens to illustrate you can have a nice pattern - the featured image may well be Mamie Eisenhower's bathroom curtains....