Donald Scarinci

Whitney Museum Photography Takes Center Stage at 2019 Whitney Biennial

July 8, 2019 Donald Scarinci

New York City’s Whitney Museum of American Art is holding its Biennial now through September 22, 2019. While the 2019 Whitney Biennial features modern art from all genres, the photography exhibits are among its most impressive. The 2019 Whitney Biennial also features more photography than in years past. As detailed by Collector Daily, below are the 15 artists that incorporated photographic images into their work displayed during the Whitney Biennial: Alexandra Bell: installation comprising 20 photolithography-and-silkscreen prints on paper, 2019Lucas Blalock: 1 billboard with augmented reality app, 2019; 3 color inkjet prints mounted on aluminum, dated between 2017 and 2019John Edmonds:…

Camera & Lenses Leica Q2 Boasts Impressive New Features

June 10, 2019 Donald Scarinci

Leica recently unveiled the Q2, the sequel to its popular compact full-frame Q camera and it is a winner. The revamped model features a number of new features, including a 47.3MP sensor, 4K video, and weather-sealing. Leica released the original Q in 2014. The latest iteration incorporates Leica’s latest technology, while preserving the compact footprint of the Q. To start, the Q2’s newly developed 47.3 megapixel full frame sensor delivers the highest resolution in its class. The Q2 features three cropped capture modes, which provide fields of view equivalent to 35mm, 50mm and 75mm in excess of lens’ optical focal length…

Lenses Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens Now Available

April 3, 2019 Donald Scarinci

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens that we have written about in the winter is now finally in stock and available for shipping. Based on the reviews of those lucky enough to receive one, it appears that the lens is everything Nikon promised. Coming in at 9.2 inches and 3.2 pounds, the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens is significantly smaller than most full-frame 500mm lenses. The reason is the incorporation of a Phase Fresnel lens element. Featured in the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, which was released in January 2015, the Phase Fresnel (PF) lens element…

Camera & Lenses Sigma Introduces 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens

March 4, 2019 Donald Scarinci

Sigma unveiled five new lenses at Photokina. One of the most highly-anticipated is the Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens, which is the world’s first 10x optical zoom telephoto lens with a tele end of 600mm. Not surprisingly, sports and wildlife are eager to test it out. Image courtesy of www.bhphotovideo.com Sigma’s new mega-zoom lens features 25 elements in 19 groups, with three FLD (low dispersion) and one SLD (special low dispersion) element to control chromatic aberration. According to Sigma, the Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens is equipped with an “intelligent” OS featuring the latest algorithm, which…

Gear Apple’s new iPhones Feature Upgraded Cameras

February 5, 2019 Donald Scarinci

Apple, Inc. recently unveiled three new iPhones — the iPhone XS, iPhone XSMax, and iPhone XR. As with prior models, one of the most impressive upgrades is the camera. The iPhone XS and XS Max feature a dual camera, including 12-megapixel wide and telephoto lenses. They also come equipped with the TrueDepth front-facing camera system. This is the same setup as the iPhone X. However, Apple promises that its new A12 Bionic chip makes all the difference. To start, the new sensor is twice as fast. Smart HDR creates photos with more highlights and shadow detail. Larger and deeper pixels improve image fidelity and low-light…

Lenses Nikon Releases Three Lenses for New Nikon Z

December 31, 2018 Donald Scarinci

In conjunction with the release of its highly-anticipated mirrorless camera, Nikon also released new Nikkor lenses. Early adopters of Nikon’s new Z mount will have three lens options — the standard zoom Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, the wide-angle prime Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S, and the standard prime Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S. Amid the hype around the Nikon Z, the lenses aren’t getting as much coverage. However, they are still impressive. As Nikon describes, “the NIKKOR Z lenses pursue a new dimension in optical performance, by taking advantage of the superior design flexibility made possible by the combination…

Film Kodak Testing Ektachrome Ahead of Revival

December 17, 2018 Donald Scarinci

Ektachrome Kodak Ektachrome appears nearly ready for its comeback. Beta testers have been trying out the latest iteration of the iconic film. First launched in 1946, Ektachrome was one of the most popular color slide films, known for its color accuracy, fine grain, and rich tones. It became a popular choice among photographers in large part due the extensive use of slide film by the National Geographic Magazine over several decades. Ektachrome is unique because it creates a positive image that can be viewed or projected once it is exposed and processed. The film is popular with cinematographers and works well for high-resolution projection or…

Camera & Lenses Nikon Mirrorless Camera Might Signal Significant Product Shift

December 3, 2018 Donald Scarinci

Nikon has released its first mirrorless cameras to somewhat mixed reviews. However, whether people like them or not, the mirrorless camera is the most significant shift in Nikon’s product line since auto focus and some speculate that it is the future of Nikon’s product line. Digital Trends Just like when Nikon introduced auto focus several decades ago, Nikon lenses are eternal. Fortunately, an F-Mount adapter enables the use of just about the entire line of Nikon’s F-Mount NIKKOR lenses with the new camera. Notwithstanding what would appear to be an inevitable shift in the product line…

Gear My Passport Wireless SSD for Backup on the Go

November 19, 2018 Donald Scarinci

Technology continues to deliver cheaper and easier ways to back up photos and other data. The My Passport Wireless SSD, which was recently unveiled at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show, is one of the latest advances. Photo Courtesy of Western Digita Western Digital’s latest portable solid-state drive (SSD) makes it easy to quickly back up photos and videos from an SD card without carrying around a laptop or other device. The My Passport Wireless SSD features a one-touch copy button, and the built-in SD 3.0 card reader delivers up to 65MB/s read speeds. For photographers, it…

Exhibitions Don’t Miss NYC Fall Art Shows: “Eugene Richards: The Run-On of Time”

November 5, 2018 Donald Scarinci

With cooler temperatures and fewer tourists, fall is a great time to explore New York City’s art scene. Starting September 27, 2018, the International Center of Photography (ICP) will be hosting the first museum retrospective dedicated to photographer Eugene Richards. Larry D. Moore [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons“Eugene Richards: The Run-On of Time” features 140 photographs and short films produced by Richards over his 50-year career. Part artist and part social activist, Richards’ work has documented the strife of sharecroppers living in the Arkansas Delta (Few Comforts or Surprises: The…