I recently went to my local wildlife park to do some final testing of the Tamron AF18-270MM F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD lens. I previously published an optical resolution review of the lens, as well as my first impressions. As I have alredy mentioned, I am being compensated by Tamron to test, review, and write about this lens. For my final review, I was hoping to do a lot of wildlife shooting [...]
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A few months ago I posted a “first impressions” review of Tamron’s 18-270mm lens. It’s taken me awhile, but here is my promised test of lens resolution. I assessed the lens against a few of the full frame lenses I have in my kit, including the incomparable Nikon 14-24mm, the Canon 24-105mm L, and the Canon 100-400mm L. These are three pro-class lenses, worthy benchmarks for any lens review. How did the Tamron [...]
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Tamron recently sent me their new AF18-270MM F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD lens for testing and review. This lightweight 15x zoom lens is perfect for travel and street photography, and for nature photographers looking for a flexible, all-in-one solution and good value for their money. I used the lens quite extensively during a recent trip to Acadia National Park in Maine, and had a chance to test it on a [...]
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Canon has just announced the upcoming release of its newest EOS digital camera: the Canon EOS-1D X. As a Canon user, to say I am excited is an understatement. We’ve been waiting for a long time for a replacement for our 1D Mark IVs, 1Ds Mark IIIs, and 5D Mark IIs. Is the 1D X the answer to our prayers? Maybe, but then again, maybe not. It appears that the new camera [...]
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Vanguard Tripods recently sent me their Alta Pro 284CT carbon fiber tripod for review. I’ve been meaning to do some extensive field testing, but have been swamped lately with travel, submissions, and work on my next series of video tutorials as well as my upcoming ebook on landscape composition. So in the meantime, I thought I’d offer some initial reactions until I get a chance to do some more extensive field testing this fall. [...]
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I’m not what one might call a big “gear-head.” In other words, my lenses and other equipment are just tools to me, and I don’t have much brand loyalty or sentimental affection for any of it. But every now and then a piece of equipment comes along that is a real pleasure to work with, doing what it is supposed to do and doing it well. Of all the gear in my kit, one piece [...]
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FYI: After writing my initial review of the Tilopa pack by F-stop Gear, I received a few comments with questions that I was unable to answer. F-stop recently sent me a note answering some of these questions, which I have added as a post script at the bottom of the review. I’ll be heading to some gnarly places with my Tilopa over the next few weeks, including the rugged Adirondack Mountains and [...]
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In July I was approached by F-Stop Gear, a manufacturer of photo packs, for a possible sponsorship deal. I said sure, provided that I got a chance to test and review their equipment first. I didn’t want to enter into a sponsorship relationship with a company that makes products I don’t like. I warned them ahead of time that I had never used a photo pack that I thought was worth a damn. [...]
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