Donald Scarinci

Lenses Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens Ready for Prime Time

October 22, 2018 Donald Scarinci

Nikon released the latest Phase Fresnel lens with the new AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR. The fixed focal length telephoto lens was highly-anticipated and has received great reviews thanks to its light and compact design. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens According to Nikon, its latest lens is “significantly smaller and lighter than comparable predecessors.” Nikon further touts that the NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens is “small and light enough to use hand-held in a wide variety of situations where a photographer must capture unpredictable and fast-moving subjects.” The key…

Law A Monkey’s Right to Bring a Copyright Lawsuit

October 8, 2018 Donald Scarinci

The long legal battle over a monkey’s rights to a “selfie” is now over. A federal court of appeals ruled in April that the monkey lacks statutory standing to bring a copyright infringement lawsuit. British photographer David Slater traveled to Indonesia to capture the crested black macaque. While he was shooting, one of the primates hijacked his camera and took over 100 selfies. Not surprisingly, one of the photos that Naruto took of herself went viral after Slater posted it online. Wikimedia Foundation, which owns Wikipedia, posted the “selfie” in its online database of public domain images. Upon discovering the…

Lenses New Sigma Art Lens Will Not Be Available for Nikon

September 24, 2018 Donald Scarinci

As many photographers can attest, Nikon cameras and Sigma lenses generally work together seamlessly to create stunning images. However, Sigma could not get its latest lens from the highly-regarded Art line to work with Nikon mounts. So, for now, Nikon fans will be missing out. 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO Art Sigma announced the 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO Art early this year. It is the first macro lens in the Sigma Global Vision Art Line. According to Sigma, the new lens “prioritizes optical performance that defines the Sigma Art line, delivering stunning resolution and incredible clarity, while…

Exhibitions Stanley Kubrick’s Photography on Display in NYC

September 10, 2018 Donald Scarinci

Before he became a ground-breaking director, Stanley Kubrick was a photographer. His early work can be seen this summer in New York City. “Through a Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photographs” runs through October 28, 2018, at the Museum of the City of New York. By Stanley Kubrick ; cropped by Off-shell – File:KubrickForLook.jpgOriginal image: LOOK Magazine Collection, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [Reproduction number e.g., LC-L9-60-8812, frame 8], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35534727Kubrick got his first professional photography job in 1946 as an apprentice for Look Magazine. His first published photograph was entitled “A Short Story from…

Camera & Lenses Nikon Z Now Available for Pre-Order

August 27, 2018 Donald Scarinci

Nikon’s much-anticipated Z7 camera is finally here. Based on the early reviews, Nikon’s new mirrorless full-frame camera exceeds the hype. Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Digital Camera As more fully detailed in a prior article, this is Nikon’s first entry into the mirrorless camera market. The cameras are unique in that they lack the complex internal mirror system of DSLRs. As a result, there is also no optical viewfinder, which means photographers must rely on the rear screen or an electronic viewfinder. After much speculation about how Nikon would design its maiden mirrorless camera, the company did not disappoint. According to Nikon, the Z7…

Software The Uncertain Future of DxO Labs and Nik Collection

August 14, 2018 Donald Scarinci

For dedicated users of Nik Collection, the fate of the photo editing software is again uncertain. After purchasing Nik Collection from Google, DxO Labs recently announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Photo by Melinda Gimpel on Unsplash For those who aren’t familiar with Nik Collection, it is popular among photographers for its easy-to-use editing tools. The Nik Collection includes seven desktop image editing plug-ins that are popular with both professional and amateur photographers. The software suite includes color-correcting, image sharpening, and retouching tools. Silver Efex Pro is a great app for creating stunning…

Camera & Lenses Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR Lens: Good Image Quality at Affordable Price

July 30, 2018 Donald Scarinci

The Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR ultra-wide lens is a bargain at around $300. The lens, which debuted last year, is designed for DX-format F-mount DSLRs where it provides a 15-30mm equivalent focal length range. Overall, the lens performs surprisingly well given the price point. It far surpasses any kit lens. To start, it includes Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization, a feature that is often absent in lower-priced lenses and can prove invaluable when shooting handheld and in low light. The Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR also features a pulse stepping motor AF system, which benefits both video and…

Camera & Lenses Nikon Wins Big at 2018 TIPA Awards

July 16, 2018 Donald Scarinci

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) recently announced the winners of the annual TIPA WORLD AWARDS for the Best Imaging Products of 2018. When it comes to photography, Nikon won big. The Nikon D850 won for Best DSLR Professional, while the Nikon D7500 was awarded Best APS-C DSLR Expert. In addition, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4Fl ED VR was named the Best Professional Lens. Photo from bhphotovide.com Along with cameras and lenses that cover every category, from entry level to professional, the TIPA WORLD AWARD winners included a wide range of products and services…

Camera & Lenses Sigma Goes Mirrorless With 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens

July 2, 2018 Donald Scarinci

Sigma continues to expand its offering of mirrorless lenses. Its latest entry is the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens. Photo from Mirrorless Comparison The high performance prime lens is designed for APS-C Mirrorless cameras, including Sony E mount and Micro Four Thirds. On a Sony E-mount APS-C format camera, it is equivalent to 24mm, while on a Micro Four Thirds ILC it functions as a 32mm medium-wide. It also fully accommodates Sony’s Fast Hybrid AF. With a fast, bright f/1.4 aperture, the mirrorless lens excels in low-light conditions. While intended for nature and event…

Exhibitions MoMA’s New Exhibition – Being: New Photography 2018

June 19, 2018 Donald Scarinci

The Museum of Modern Art’s (MoMA) photography show Being: New Photography 2018 explores what it means to be human. The exhibition is part of MoMA’s renowned New Photography series, which highlights artists who have never been exhibited in the museum before. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art’s “Being” Exhibition New Photography is an integral part of MoMA’s contemporary program. Since 1985, the series, which occurs every two years, has debuted new work by more than 100 artists from all over the world. This year’s exhibit features an international group of 17 artists at various stages in…