Photographer Coach

Review: Panasonic DMC-FZ30K / FZ30S

8 MP SLR-like Fixed-lens Digital Camera

Buy from Amazon.com

So you’re looking for a camera more sophisticated than a pocket-sized point-and-shoot, but don’t want to deal with the big bucks and big size of an SLR? This camera may be for you. The Panasonic DMC-FZ30 falls into the category of mid-sized, fixed-lens digital cameras—a bit more camera than a pocket point-and-shoot, yet smaller than an SLR. Price-wise, the FZ30 falls between the two: around $500 for the FZ30S (silver body) and $900 for the FZ30K (black body).
Read the rest

Nikon D70S
6.1MP Digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera
Buy From Amazon.com

One of the first entry-level digital SLRs available, the D70 was Nikon’s answer to Canon’s Digital Rebel (EOS 300D), the first under-$1000 consumer-grade SLR on the market. The D70 is currently a discontinued model, but the upgraded version, the D70S is still available. The D70 seies body is based on Nikon’s early professional grade DSLRs, all of which have bodies much larger than most other brand DSLRs on the market. So if you want a no-frills, high quality DSLR (and you have big hands), the D70S may be for you!

Read the rest

Olympus EVOLT E-510
10 MP Digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera

Buy from Amazon.com

The E-510 is one of several entry-level digital SLRs on the market, clocking in at under $1000 with the typical inexpensive short zoom. Olympus film SLRs have always been quirky, and their DSLRs seem to follow suit. A good analogy is driving a Subaru after years of driving other Japanese cars—the controls are oddly marked and not positioned in the standard locations. Read the rest

Holga 120CFN
Medium Format Fixed Focus Film Camera with Lens and Built-in Flash with Color Filter Wheel
Buy From Amazon.com

What’s a Holga?

A Holga is a cheap Chinese plastic medium format film camera. Essentially, a toy! Yes, I did say FILM camera! Why review this decidedly lo-tech dinosaur? Well, simply put, the Holga lets you express your creativity in ways that digital does not allow. Shoot a roll of color slide film and then have your photo processing people cross-process it as if it were negative film (For Kodak and similar films, that would be C-41 instead of the proper E-6). Check out my Holga shots here and see what you think!
Read the rest

Author: Amy Arbus
Publisher: Welcome Books
Year Published: 2006
Rating:
Buy from Amazon.com

On April 28, 2007, Amy Arbus did a lecture and book signing at the photography Gallery 339 in Philadelphia. For some lame reason, I did not attend the lecture. I did, however, go there and buy the book with the intent of getting her to sign it. Read the rest

Pentax K100D
6.1MP Digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera
Buy From Amazon.com

The low cost competitor enters the DSLR market! The obvious question: “Are we still to consider it so?” Not really, as it costs the same as its competitors in the consumer-grade DSLR market. Pentax has never had much snob appeal or cachet. However, the lenses have always been great and the (film SLR) bodies workhorses. So let’s see how the digital version measures up! Read the rest

Canon Digital Rebel XTi EOS 400D
10MP Digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera
Buy From Amazon.com

The obvious question: “Is this upgraded Rebel XTi worth $200 more than its predecessor, the XT?” The benefits are not substantial, but from where I’m sitting, they make it worth the price. My brother is a freelance newspaper photographer and aside from a few quirks, it works for him. Read the rest

Canon Digital Rebel XT EOS 350D
8MP Digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera
Buy From Amazon.com

One of several entry-level digital SLRs available, the Rebel XT was the first under-$1000 consumer-grade SLR on the market. It was also the first small body DSLR, which made it more comfortable in my hand than the (competitive) Nikon D70. Current price for the XT body with the Canon 18-55mm lens is about $500. Read the rest