Articles by Jim Fisher
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM
On paper, the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM ($899 direct) is an appealing alternative to similar full-frame zoom lenses. Available for Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Canon, and Nikon cameras, it’s roughly half the price of the Canon, Nikon, and Sony takes on the same design. Unfortunately it’s not as sharp as comparable lenses when…
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED ($749.95 direct) is a wide-angle lens with a modest aperture and zoom, intended for use with full-frame Nikon cameras. Although its zoom ratio isn’t substantial, the change in field of view is quite noticeable, as the ultra-wide field of view captured at 18mm is drastically different than the…
Fotodiox Vizelex RhinoCam for Sony NEX E-Mount Cameras
The Fotodiox Vizelex RhinoCam for Sony NEX E-Mount Cameras ($499.95 direct) is one of those out-there camera accessories that’s just weird enough to be cool, but not practical enough to be useful. It’s essentially a sliding lens board with a mount for the medium format glass of your choice on one side, and a mount…
PocketWizard PlusX
The PocketWizard Plus X ($99 list) is a wireless transceiver that allows you to trigger a remote flash, and can also perform a few other neat tricks. It automatically detects whether it’s attached to a camera or to a strobe, and with the right cable you can use it to remotely trigger certain SLRs. This…
Samsung WB800F
The Samsung WB800F ($299.99 direct) is a compact superzoom cameras with an impressively sharp 21x zoom lens. It’s also got a responsive touch screen and one of the better Wi-Fi implementations we’ve seen. But the Editors’ Choice Canon PowerShot SX280 HS takes better pictures at higher ISOs, and bests the WB800F by adding a GPS and…
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
The Canon PowerShot SX280 HS ($329.99 direct) is a pocket-size camera with a long 20x zoom lens. It packs a wealth of features into its svelte frame, including Wi-Fi and GPS. Images from the 12-megapixel CMOS sensor are sharp, although some details are smudged away at very high ISO settings. The camera doesn’t have a…
Olympus Tough TG-830 iHS
The Tough TG-830 iHS ($279.99 direct) is the mid-level entry in Olympus’ rugged camera lineup. It’s tough enough to go 33 feet underwater, survive being dropped by your average NBA center, and can operate in frigid temperatures. It packs a GPS, so your photos will be tagged with the location of where they were captured,…
Samsung 60mm f/2.8 Macro ED OIS NX
The Samsung 60mm f/2.8 Macro ED OIS NX ($599.99 direct) is the first macro lens for the NX mirrorless camera system. It delivers a field of view that is equivalent to 90mm on a full-frame camera and focuses close enough so that you can achieve 1:1 magnification—the size of the image that is projected onto…
Samsung NX300
The Samsung NX300 ($799.99 list with 18-55mm lens) is the latest midrange entry in Samsung’s mirrorless camera line. Its 20-megapixel APS-C image sensor is the same size found in consumer D-SLRs, and its image quality and performance are among the best in its class. When you add in well-executed Wi-Fi support and a tilting OLED…
Samsung 45mm f/1.8 2D/3D
The 45mm f/1.8 2D/3D ($499 list) is a unique lens in the Samsung NX system. From an optical perspective it’s identical to the 45mm f/1.8 lens, but adds an internal dual shutter system that allows you to capture 3D images and video when you pair it with the NX300 camera; it is not compatible with…