Jon Sienkiewicz Blog

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Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Jun 27, 2019  |  0 comments

In the late 1980s Canon introduced a 135mm f/2.8 autofocus lens that featured selectable softfocus. In addition to delivering dreamy out-of-focus images on demand, it’s also tack-sharp and extrapolates up to the equivalent of a 216mm f/2.8 when used on a crop-frame Canon.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Jun 20, 2019  |  0 comments

Laowa’s newly introduced 100mm macro lens offers 2:1 reproduction ratio and a fast f/2.8 aperture. The specifications for this manual focus lens are impressive—but does it deliver, and does it deserve its $449 price tag? We put a sample (in Nikon mount) through the paces and made a couple interesting discoveries.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Jun 13, 2019  |  0 comments

Polarizers reduce glare, let you see under the water and darken blue skies. We all know this because we’ve read those weary descriptions hundreds of times. Those benefits are just low-hanging fruit. The real benefits of a polarizing filter are…

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Jun 11, 2019  |  0 comments

Nikon recently announced the Coolpix B600, a superzoom with a 24-1440mm equivalent range, highly effective image stabilization, 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and a lens that’s sharper than kittens’ teeth. Priced at just $299, this easy-to-use point-and-shoot spent nearly two months in our hands, and here is what we learned.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Jun 09, 2019  |  0 comments

For the legions of photographers who used film cameras in the past, a screw-in type photo filter is as normal as fingerprints on an iPhone. But for those who started their photographic journey with a digital, even the word filter can be confusing. Does it plug into Photoshop or screw into a lens? Are they like the AA filter that covers an imaging sensor, or do they fit in a Mister Coffee? If you don’t own any filters, you’re missing some fun. Here’s a quick guide to buying one for your DSLR camera.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Jun 05, 2019  |  0 comments

DxO just announced a major upgrade for the popular Nik plug-in suite. Named the Nik Collection 2, the additions include 42 new presets, a bundle version of DxO PhotoLab 2.3 Raw format processor and more. We had a chance to try out a pre-release copy. Take a look at what we cooked up, starting with the image above.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  May 30, 2019  |  0 comments

Peak Design just launched a Kickstarter campaign for a travel tripod. Packed with innovative features, this extremely compact marvel is available in aluminum alloy or carbon fiber, supports a payload of up to 20 pounds and is not much bigger than a Philly cheese steak sandwich—or the footlong hot dog shown above—when folded up (3.1 x 15.5 inches). We had a chance to put an early sample through the paces; here’s our hands-on report.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  May 23, 2019  |  0 comments

What fits in your shirt pocket, delivers perfect white balance and accurate color from your camera, assures the same color from all of your cameras and is a snap to use? It’s the ColorChecker Passport Photo 2 from X-Rite, a hardware-software combination that creates color profiles with just a couple mouse clicks. If you thought creating a color profile was difficult or overly technical, think again. Now there’s no excuse to not get the colors right – or should I say X-Rite?

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  May 16, 2019  |  0 comments

Ricoh recently announced the latest in their series of high quality, ultra-portable digital cameras, the GR III. Smaller than its predecessor, this new Ricoh compact camera has a 24-megapixel APS-C format CMOS image sensor, 28mm (equivalent) prime lens and a host of features normally found on professional DSLRs. 

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  May 08, 2019  |  0 comments

B&H Photo’s newest product is a Time Machine that rolls back everyone’s calendar to 2018, to the mail-order-friendly days before it became mandatory to pay sales tax on out-of-state purchases. B&H properly collects and remits the appropriate sales tax but instantly rebates the same amount to the purchaser who uses their new Payboo store credit card.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  May 02, 2019  |  0 comments

Even if you don’t snorkel, ski or engage in any outdoor activities that can be unfriendly toward cameras, you need a ruggedized, waterproof, compact zoom that can stay in your pocket through cloudbursts, snowball fights and a capsized canoe without fret or falter. They are the SUVs of the camera world, and they’re great for younger kids, too. (And if you’re looking for a Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Graduation gift, these cameras…

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Apr 25, 2019  |  0 comments

Use your inkjet printer to create 3D toys, stunning calendars, scrapbook pages, holiday cards, hanging decorations, reproductions of famous artwork and much, much more. Canon’s Creative Park offers an outstanding collection of templates and activities—complete with detailed instructions—and no, you don’t have to own a Canon brand printer. With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Proms and Graduations rapidly approaching, here’s your chance to create personalized cards and gifts using your shareable digital images.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Apr 18, 2019  |  1 comments

What photographers don’t know can cost them big time, and bad information is more hazardous than none at all. Today more than ever, photographers need a reliable Surge Protection Device.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Apr 11, 2019  |  0 comments

Answer quickly—what is the brand and capacity of the memory card that’s in your primary camera right this minute? Don’t know? Read this and you might want to switch to a card made by Delkin Devices.

Jon Sienkiewicz  |  Apr 04, 2019  |  0 comments

It’s Macro SmackDown! If the cost were the same, which Olympus macro lens would you buy for your Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera, the 60mm f/2.8 or the 30mm f/3.5? We shot with both and came to a conclusion that might surprise you.

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