Recent Comments:
Leica trots out D-LUX 4, C-LUX 3 and M8.2 digital cameras {Engadget}
Sep 15th 2008 10:19AM The external finder is only necessary when using lenses wider than 24mm and longer than 90mm -- the M8 has a built-in rangefinder mechanism and bright-line viewfinder for 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm lenses. Unless you're shooting really wide or telephoto, there's no need for an external finder on the camera.
Leica trots out D-LUX 4, C-LUX 3 and M8.2 digital cameras {Engadget}
Sep 13th 2008 3:27PM It looks a lot better without an external finder -- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/Leica-01.jpg
That's the black M8 with optional grip and 35mm Summilux.
Leica trots out D-LUX 4, C-LUX 3 and M8.2 digital cameras {Engadget}
Sep 13th 2008 10:41AM For me, it's all about the viewfinder. Modern DSLRs (with the exception of the D3/D700, 1ds Mark III, and with all likelihood the A900) simply do not have viewfinders that will allow me to manually focus an image with any sort of consistent success. I'm used to the viewfinders on old film SLRs (before the days of autofocus) and medium format cameras (a *joy* to focus and compose an image with, but *heavy* and big). My DSLR is a K10D, which has a pretty decent viewfinder compared to other cameras in its range -- but I just can't use my lenses in manual focus mode without some trial and error and a lot of thrown-away shots.
The M8 has an always-bright viewfinder (it's a dedicated finder, you are not looking through a lens) with lines to mark the framing of common focal lengths -- no zoom lenses here, you are dealing with fixed focal lengths, with the exception of their 16-18-21mm Tri-Elmar. To focus the camera you have a brighter area in the center of the finder, which shows a double image (imagine being *really* drunk, seeing double, hit on the head -- whatever, this is what it's like). Line the two images up by adjusting focus on the lens. This style of focusing takes a little bit of getting used to, but once mastered is a hell of a lot faster than a traditional spit-prism focusing screen found in film SLRs or the horrid focusing screens found in modern DSLRs.
There is an advantage to rangefinder optics that allows for more compact lenses. There is no mirror box, so the film/sensor plane and the back of the lens can be really close. This makes wide-angle lens designs much easier. I have a 35mm f/1.4 lens for my M8 (figured in for a penny, in for a pound -- and glass is not something that goes down in value if I ever needed to sell the camera to pay the real bills) that is big by rangefinder standards, but much smaller than most SLR lenses. I have a 21mm f/4 (the Voigtlander -- very nice, inexpensive wide-angle option) that is super-tiny.
Hope that answers your questions. I love the aesthetics of the M8, as well as the ergonomics (when used with the optional grip) -- it's about the same size as my Pentax ME, which is a nice tiny film SLR, and I think the sensor quality is great -- especially if you are going to use it for B&W images. (ISO 1250 makes a very pleasing, to my eye, noise pattern that looks like grain on B&W images)
Samsung working up full-frame CMOS sensor for pro DSLR? {Engadget}
Apr 12th 2008 9:21AM Re: John's comments about full-frame lenses.
Samsung uses the Pentax K-mount Pentax has a few FA and DFA lenses in production right now that are designed for full-frame -- the 31mm, 43mm, and 77mm Limiteds; the DFA 100mm Macro and DFA 50mm Macro, and the FA 50mm. There are also a few consumer zooms that have yet to dry up, supply wise, although they are not actively being produced.
Additionally, the DA 40, DA 70, and (I believed) DA* 200mm will all cover a full-frame image circle on film. I know digital sensors behave differently with direct light versus angled light, so we'll take that with a grain of salt.
You can also get adapters to mount Pentax 645 and 67 (medium format) lenses on the K-mount -- which would most certainly cover a 35mm image circle.
Pentax would certainly have to bring back some older lens designs to complement this camera, but I have a feeling that there would be a lot of financial incentive from Samsung to do this -- they are going after Sony, after all.
And of course, the D3 has shown us how you can make a full frame body work with APS-C lenses.
I, for one, would love to replace the K10D with a full-frame body. I'm sure I'm not alone in that regard. I've even been holding off on the K20D upgrade to see what's coming out next.
Delicious Library 2: First Look {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Mar 10th 2008 5:31PM Sam,
I don't want to start a DVD p***ing match, but --
http://www.dvdspot.com/list.php?member=jpfisher
Haven't taken any photos recently, but I really should for the insurance.
Delicious Library 2: First Look {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Mar 10th 2008 4:49PM Buffy, Homicide, Seinfeld, AND The Wire -- very nice. :)
I know this is the Internet and all, but maybe you should reconsider the "mammoth" thing. I was expecting at least 1500 titles, including the entire Criterion Collection.
I'm a DVDSpot person myself... use to use Aficionado, but jumped ship when they rolled out 2.0. I tried Delicious for a bit, but found that it had a hard time identifying non-Region 1 discs... plus I like the web-based aspect of DVDSpot -- works great on the iPhone.
EIZO's 24-inch FlexScan for the colorblind {Engadget}
Nov 26th 2007 9:04AM Jack is correct; the color blind modes are for graphic designers. To quote from a retail sales description --
"The display is able to simulate the two common types of red-green color vision deficiency. This feature allows graphic designers who are working on maps, signage or other critical applications to see their work as a color blind person would. This is done in real time without the need for post-processing, allowing designers to quickly preview their work and ensure that it is readable by those afflicted with color blindness."
Black Friday Giveaways (part 10): iPod shuffle {Engadget}
Nov 23rd 2007 12:35PM In the words of Stuart Scott, boo-yah!
Pentax K100D Super gets reviewed -- better, faster, cheaper {Engadget}
Oct 22nd 2007 3:08PM Dual LCDs, yes -- one on the top right of the camera to indicate settings (monochrome), and a color one to review photos and menu settings.
And the comments are correct in that ISO 3200 was available in the vanilla K100D; Pentax misworded their press release on that point, and it's been a common mistake in reviews and news postings done by folks who weren't familiar with the previous version of this camera.
Ask Engadget: Pentax K10D, Nikon D80 or what? {Engadget}
Sep 7th 2007 12:05AM I'm a K10D owner (had a large library of Pentax glass prior to making the DSLR plunge), but I'll agree with the other posters who say go to the store and hold the camera in your hands before you make a purchase. As far as "feel" and on-body controls go, I find the K10D to be closer to the D200 than the D80. Also, try it with and without battery grip if possible (the grip adds weight/size, but improves balance, IMO).
If you do end up going the Pentax route, consider skipping the 18-55 kit lens and getting the DA 16-45 f/4. Very affordable (300 or so, after rebate), and it gets much higher marks in quality. I don't actually have a zoom in that range (I have 14mm and 31mm primes), the only zoom in my kit is the 50-135 f/2.8 -- but that's brand new, hard to come by, and close to a grand on its own. If you want a longer zoom, the 50-200mm is more of a consumer lens.
Pentax is suffering some growing pains right now, they have discontinued a lot of older lenses and are having some trouble getting new versions out -- at least when we're talking zooms. If you are looking for a longer telephoto zoom, you'll be looking at third party lenses at the moment. They have a 60-250mm f/4 due out next year, but we'll see how long it takes to actually get that in my hands.
