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…

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…

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…

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…

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….

May 22, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Sigma continues to add lenses to its highly-rated Art line. The new additions are the 14mm F1.8 DG HSM, 135mm F1.8 DG HSM, and 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM. Since launching two year ago, Sigma’s Art lenses have been making waves. The high-speed f/1.4 models have shown that they can compete with the high-grade lenses produced by Canon, Nikon and even Zeiss. As an added bonus, the Sigma lenses are generally more affordable. Most recently, DxO Mark named the Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art the best in its class. Sigma’s latest Art lenses are also expected to impress. Sigma touts the…

February 27, 2017 Donald Scarinci

The much-anticipated Sigma 85mm 1.4 DG HSM Art lens is now available for the Nikon mount.  Sigma announced the new art lens at Photokina this fall.  Most photographers consider the 85mm as a go to lens for portrait photography. Early reviews have been fabulous.  So far, everyone who has tested the new 85mm 1.4 DG HSM Art lens has been impressed, particularly with the quality optics and performance.  Some reviewers consider it as an upgrade alternative to the Nikkor 85 mm 1.4 lens. Sigma’s new lens is designed for high quality portraiture. It features a totally revamped optical design that incorporates 14…

November 14, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Sigma recently introduced the 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport. The new flagship super telephoto lens features the latest in Sigma technology. Designed for professional outdoor and wildlife photographers, the lens is rugged and durable without sacrificing function. It is constructed magnesium alloy components and includes a carbon fiber hood. The front element is water and oil resistant, which makes it possible to shoot in the rain or near water spray without worrying about damaging the lens. As with other sports lenses, the 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport also features a dust and splash proof construction. For even more…

October 31, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Novoflex recently introduced the new Nikon F Lens to Leica SL/T Camera Body Lens Adapter. The adapter could be a game changer for photographers who own a lot of Nikon lenses, but would like to try a Leica body. The Novoflex lens adapter allows photographers to use Nikon F-mount lenses on the Leica T or Leica SL camera bodies. The latest adapter is designed to extend the range of available lenses for the Leica SL to Nikon E-type NIKKOR lenses. Nikkor lenses with electronic aperture control were previously incompatible with Novoflex lens adapters. According to Novoflex, 13 Nikon E-type NIKKOR…

October 3, 2016 Donald Scarinci

Apple is keenly aware that most casual photographers would love to exclusively rely on their smartphones to take pictures. With every iPhone it introduces, the camera gets a little bit better. The iPhone 7 is no exception. The iPhone 7 touts an ƒ/1.8 aperture and a six-element lens. It also comes with optical image stabilization to combat blur caused motion and handshake. The 12MP camera also captures high-resolution video up to 4K. While not limited to its camera, the new iPhones are also waterproof, which eliminates fears about shooting near water or during inclement weather. As any iPhone user can…