Olympus E-P2

“I liked the E-P2, notwithstanding some of my complaints.”

We’ve added another Olympus E-P2 [Specs] review to our Reviews Matrix.

Luminous Landscape has published their review of the Olympus E-P2, a Digital Interchangeable Lens System camera with 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm High Speed Live MOS Sensor), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Reduction, an extra large 3.0-in. LCD (230K dots), HD Movie (1280×720 @ 30fps) with stereo sound, Intelligent AUTO (auto scene recognition), Scene Modes, AF Tracking, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, PASM modes, Shutter speed range of 60 – 1/4000 sec. plus Bulb (up to 30 min.), Continuous Shooting at 3fps, RAW file format, Digital Level, MF Assist, a hot shoe, Live View Autofocus system with real time focus, Multiple Exposure, six built-in Art Filters and ePortrait. In a welcomed change for an Olympus digital camera, the E-P1 uses the Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards. Included in the box is also a high resolution (1.44M dots) electronic Live Viewfinder.

You can read the full Olympus E-P2 Review at: Luminous Landscape.

Luminous Landscape has published a short but interesting post about the best White Balance to select for the effect you’re after.

You can read the whole article at: Luminous Landscape.

Leica M9

Michael Reichmann at Luminous Landscape has written, IMHO, the first ever honest (and courageous) Leica article [not that other Leica articles are not honest, just too unabashedly and embarassingly gushing in their praises that they overlook major weaknesses in this venerable model] casting a non-judgemental but critical look at how the next version Leica M can be improved in this digital age.

Thank you, Michael, for the courage to say that the rangefinder should probably be laid to rest. That it does not make sense to design a flat camera and then have users buy plastic add-ons for better handling. That one should not have to screw off the base plate to change battery and memory card… In other words, let common sense rule!

Read Michael Reichmann’s article at: Luminous Landscape

Read my response to the Open Letter »

Michael Reichmann at Luminous Landscape has penned his experience flying with camera gear Post Dec 25, 2009. Expect more hassle and, if flying from Canada to the US, no carryon luggage is allowed… for now.

You can read the article at: Luminous Landscape.

Sony alpha DSLR-A900

“One year later – would I do it all over again? Emphatically yes.”

Bill Caulfeild-Browne bought the Sony alpha DSLR-A900 [Specs] one year ago and looks back at what he likes and improvements he wishes in this Luminous Landscape review. The SOny A900 is a full-frame DSLR with 24.6MP resolution, in-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, and Dust Shake Technology. There’s no Live View and no video capability.

[ Read the Sony A900 Review at: Luminous Landscape ]

Continue Reading »

When the BBC announced their “In pictures: Landscape photo of the year 2009″ winners, readers were up in arms at what they perceived to be pictures that were heavily manipulated digitally using a technique known as High Dynamic Range or HDR.

HDR is a technique where the photographer takes a number of shots of the same scene at different exposures to ensure that shadows, midtones and highlights are accurately preserved. These shots are then merged together in post processing to produce one photograph with seemingly impossible dynamic range.

HDR has long been a technique reserved for professional photographers who produced incredible landscape photographs that the amateur photographer could never seem to reproduce no matter how hard they tried. And even when the secret finally came out in print, the process of manually merging these pictures in Photoshop was just too time consuming and difficult for the average user. It was not until special HDR software such as Photomatix came out that HDR exploded onto the amateur photographer scene.

Continue Reading »

Leica S2

“The Leica S2 … may well be one of the finest camera systems ever made.”

Luminous Landscape has published their Field and Studio Review of the Leica S2 [QuickPrice Check].

[ Read the Leica S2 Field and Studio Review at: Luminous Landscape ]

Canon PowerShot S90

“In terms of noise the S90 is essentially the same as the G11.”

Luminous Landscape has published their review of the Canon PowerShot S90IS [QuickPrice Check], with 10MP resolution (1/1.7-in CCD), 3.8x wide-angle optical zoom (28-105mm equiv.), optical Image Stabilization, bright f/2.0 maximum aperture, customizable Control Ring (around lens), large 3.0-in. LCD (460K dots), PASM modes, Scene Modes, RAW, High Sensitivity System (ISO 12,800), and Movie 640×480 @ 30fps.

[ Read the Canon S90 Review at: Luminous Landscape ]

Canon PowerShot G11

“For the money the G11 offers good value for many photographers.”

Luminous Landscape has posted their review of the Canon PowerShot G11 [Specs], with 10MP resolution (1/1.7-in. CCD), 5x wide-angle optical zoom (28-140mm equiv.), optical image stabilization, 2.8-in. Vari-angle LCD (461K dots), PASM modes, RAW, HDMI output, Smart AUTO, and Movie 640×480 @ 30fps.

[ Read the Canon G11 Review at: Luminous Landscape ]