Donald Scarinci

Lenses Nikon Teleconverter TC-14E III Now Available

January 9, 2018 Donald Scarinci

The new Nikon Teleconverter TC-14E III delivers the speed, performance and lightness that far surpasses its predecessor. It is well worth upgrading the TC-14E 11 and a no-brainer upgrade if you have the original TC-14E. The Teleconverter TC-14E III increases the reach of compatible AF-S NIKKOR lenses by 40 percent with only a 1-stop loss of light. “Employing a new optical design that maximizes the optical performance of a prime lens to the limit, this teleconverter realizes superb depiction closer to that of the prime lens as well as enhanced AF accuracy,” Nikon said. Photographers generally have mixed opinions about…

Tripods & Ball Heads Really Right Stuff Tripods in Stock for the Holidays

December 4, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Last Christmas, it was almost impossible to purchase a tripod from Really Right Stuff (RRS). By the time the holidays came, the company had sold out of most of its popular products. Thankfully, the company appears to have better prepared for the holiday rush this time around. If you have a photographer on your list or are looking to buy yourself a present, all of RRS’ tripods are currently available to purchase. It’s not totally surprising that Really Right Stuff was unable to keep up with demand last holiday season. The company manufactures some of the best tripods on the…

Camera & Lenses Panasonic ZS70/TZ90 Is Leica Without the Red Dot

November 20, 2017 Donald Scarinci

The Panasonic ZS70/TZ90 is one of the best travel cameras currently on the market. Equipped with a Leica lens 30x optical zoom lens, the camera delivers stunning 4k photos and video. While using a camera with the red dot that says “Leica” is cool and high-end, this Panasonic performs just about the same and maybe better than the Leica. It just doesn’t have the red dot. Panasonic introduced its latest travel zoom camera this spring. The new features of the Lumix DC-ZS70 (TZ90 outside of North America) include a 20.3MP MOS sensor, flip-up 3-inch touchscreen display, and Panasonic’s Depth-from-Defocus AF system….

Camera & Lenses The Best Portrait Lenses for Nikon Photographers of All Levels

November 6, 2017 Donald Scarinci

As Jean-Luc Godard aptly described, “When you photograph a face, you photograph the soul behind it. What is the best lens to use for portrait photography? When shooting portraits, your lens should deliver a sharply defined subject with just the right amount of bokeh. For owners of Nikon DSLRs, there are several great options at a variety of different price points. The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to create stunning portrait photography. If you are in the market for a new portrait lens for your Nikon, below are several models to put on your…

Camera & Lenses The Nikon D850 Is the Camera You’ve Been Waiting For

October 23, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Nikon recently announced the D850. Unlike the prior upgrades from the D800/e to the D810, the D850 substantially raises the bar. So if you are looking for a new Nikon DSLR, the new and improved features may be worth the splurge. In announcing the D850 to commemorate its 100th anniversary, Nikon called its latest camera a “formidable tool for creators.” Compared to its predecessor, the D850 delivers more speed, superior low light performance, and more reliable autofocus. Its new ergonomic design also results in improved handling. According to Nikon, the most significant upgrade is the camera’s back-side illuminated (BSI) FX-format full-frame…

Uncategorized Ten Photo Blogs Worth Following

October 11, 2017 Donald Scarinci

The Internet has a wealth of resources for budding photographers. There are websites featuring everything from inspirational images to tutorials from professionals to product reviews. With so many photo blogs out there, it can be difficult to decide which ones to add to your reading list. Here are a few suggestions: PopPhoto: The blog is operated by Popular Photography, which is the world’s largest photography magazine. Popular categories on the site include its buying guide, image gallery, and how-to series. Fstoppers – The Photographer’s Community: The blog is really an online community aimed at educating and inspiring photographers, videographers, and…

Camera & Lenses Nikon Releases AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED

September 25, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Nikon recently released its latest wide-angle lens. Like Nikon’s prior Gold Ring Series lenses, the AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED delivers excellent handling and performance. It is a bright and fast lens that delivers impeccable sharpness from f/1.4 all the way through to f/16. Nikon announced the new lens in June, alongside two other new wide-angle additions —the AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED and AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR. “Whether a photographer is a novice learning the art of landscapes, an enthusiastic video creator or a working professional shooter, Nikon now makes the wide-angle perspective achievable for everyone,” Kosuke Kawaura,…

Exhibitions Protest Takes Center Stage at Whitney Museum

September 11, 2017 Donald Scarinci

The Whitney Museum could not have foreseen how relevant its latest exhibit would be. An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017 opened August 18, 2017. As the museum highlights on its website, “Since its founding in the early twentieth century, the Whitney has served as a forum for the most urgent art and ideas of the day, at times attracting protest itself.” Most recently, a white artist’s abstract painting of lynching victim Emmett Till sparked protests for being “an injustice to the black community.” In 1970, the Ad Hoc Women Artists’ Committee protested the museum every Sunday for four…

Software Luminar Offers Free Beta of Software for Windows

August 28, 2017 Donald Scarinci

MacPhun is currently allowing photographers to download the beta Windows version of Luminar for free. The photo editing software was previously only on available for macOS. According to MacPhun, it has been looking forward to supporting the Windows platform for several years. “By test-driving Luminar for Windows, you can help shape our software and make the final release a perfect fit for everyone,” the company stated in its website. As Mac users can attest, Luminar is an excellent photo editing tool that can be used as standalone software, an iPhoto extension, or as a plugin for Aperture, Lightroom or Photoshop….

Camera & Lenses Leica Announces Stunning TL2 Mirrorless Digital Camera

August 14, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Leica’s digital cameras are almost as beautiful as the images they produce. The new TL2 is a perfect example. The mirrorless digital camera is handcrafted crafted in Germany from a single block of aluminum. The sleek design is carried into the rest of the camera, with just four physical controls. As Leica’s describes its newest camera: “Speed, picture quality, and ease of handling characterize these intrinsic values and make a statement the like of which has never been seen before.” While Leica’s latest addition is stunning, the new high-tech features inside the camera are even more impressive. The Leica TL2…