Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Digital Slr Cameras’

Joby GP2 D1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras with Bubble Level

The Joby GP2-D1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod is designed for Digital SLR Cameras and it comes with a bubble to help you level your picture.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great travel tripod!
I love this little guy! I take it with me everywhere I take my Nikon D5000! It’s a quick way to stabilize your camera in a hurry without lugging around a full size tripod.

1 Star Make sure your camera isn’t too heavy!
We purchased this tripod for out Nikon D5000 fitted with a 18-200mm lens. The weight of the lens was too heavy for this particular tripod, causing the entire camera/tripod unit to keel over. Luckily, we tested it out on a table top at home rather than out in the field. We did not notice any weight/lens restriction in the packaging or amazon description which might have warned us about this.

5 Stars Great tripod. Make sure you choose the right one for your type of camera.
I don’t agree with the negative review about this tripod, because the wrong size was chosen by the buyer. There are different sizes of Gorillapods for different sizes of cameras and lenses. This one is specified for smaller cameras, and for that purpose it works great (at least for me it does). My advice: before you buy andy Gorillapod, check on Joby’s website which one’s right for the type of camera and lens you have, and then you can come back to buy it cheaper @ Amazon.

3 Stars Strong enough for a DLSR my ACE!!
Sorry, but this is a joke. Please don’t label something DSLR capable when it’s barely strong enough to hold a super zoom camera.

Maybe I got a poor copy, but if I didn’t, don’t expect much out of yours.

I LOVE the idea, I have other Gorillapods for standard size cameras and they are exceptional. I LOVE the quick release and the level that comes standard.

This thing can’t hold my canon 5d mark II with a tiny 50mm lens.

Sorry, but that’s disappointing!

I’m not returning it because it works well for so many other things.

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Pentax D LI50 Li Ion Rechargeable Battery for Pentax K10D and K20D Digital SLR Cameras

Battery allows approximately 500 shots per charge under normal conditions / For use with Pentax K10D DSLR camera body

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars So far so good.
I am very happy to have a second power source. Plus I am happy to get the manufacturer brand for such a good price. My local store wanted almost twice the price. I also got it in 3 days. Wow!

5 Stars battery
Great response from this company. I received this item well before the ship date stated.

5 Stars Great long lasting battery.
I got the extra battery for my BG2 battery grip on the K20D.

My wife and I take alot of pictures and with the 2 batteries being used at the same time (alternating through the pictures) these batteries seem to last forever.

5 Stars Long lasting, reliable
I bought two, but have only used one, since the battery life is very long on the K20D. (More than double what I got on the Lithiums for my *istD). It also holds a full charge for months.

5 Stars No more Out of batery messages
I haven’t had any low battery warning since I got the battery grip, I’m glad of using this original battery on my camera! ecomended to anyone!

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Nikon SB 600 Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

When used in combination with Nikon’s latest digital SLRs, the D70 or D2H, the SB-600 supports Advanced Wireless Lighting as a remote Speedlight that can be positioned as one of multiple remote flashes to significantly extend creative possibilities. To assist in such situations, the Speedlight SB-600 also has a readylight located beside the LCD on the rear panel that can be easily seen from a distance. The SB-600 can also emit an audible alert for further assistance. Easy-to-view LCD with 6 simple-to-understand backlit buttons Guide Number of 30/98 [ISO100,m/ft], 42/138 [ISO200,m/ft] (at 35mm zoom) Auto zoom of 24 to 85mm, extendable to 14mm with built-in wide-flash adapter Advanced Wireless Lighting available with D2H or D70 when used as a remote Auto FP High-Speed Sync (with D2H only); use with fast shutter speeds achieves effective blurring of out-of-focus background elements Flash Color Information – optimized white balance makes use of data from the Speedlight FV lock holds flash value, enabling recomposition prior to shooting Design consistent with those of next-generation D-SLRs, with a triangular design element on the top that complements the D-SLR motif Requires 4 AA Batteries (Alkaline or Rechargeable NiCad or NIMH) for use

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Amazing capabilities and power for the money!
The product description above, and all the other reviews below cover every detail of this flash’s capabilities, so I won’t repeat them.

I just wanted to come on here and add my statment that I simply love, love, love this easy to use yet powerful flash.

I have shot three weddings using this mounted to my camera, two on a D70s and the latest on my new D90. The brides all LOVED the photos.

The later two weddings I used the SB-600 for, I had the Sto-Fen Omnibounce mounted on the flash the whole time. I hardly ever take the Omnibounce off any more, it improves flash photos so much, and it makes fill flashing outdoors a breeze. Bride’s skin tones simply glow with the Omnibounce on the SB-600.

Yeah, I’d have loved to have had the cash to spring for the top-of-the-line, but I am glad I didn’t. The only possible reason I would ever upgrade from this was if I became a full-time pro and wanted the extra power just in case. I’d never use the multiple flash idea, I much prefer Novatron light sets for multi-light situations.

This SB-600 has done everything from snapshots of family around home, fill flash outdoors, to group get-togethers at church, to formal wedding photography with nary a hitch.

Unless you need a gamma-ray burst like the SB-800 and 900s put out, this SB-600 will satisfy you, I promise. (Y’all know I’m just kidding about the bigger flash putting out gamma-rays, right? GR’s will kill ya.)

4 Stars SB-600 Speedlight Flash
Good product; effective lighting of scenes under various difficult situations. It is a bit heavy for my Nikon D60, and I wish some prior recommendations had been published on this. It makes the camera top heavy, and difficult to carry from the shoulder strap without having to hold on to the camera.

1 Star Good Product Bad Business Practice
I just received this product last night. I ordered it using free shipping and received it within 3 workdays which was fantastic. The product is also great as are the images I’ve been able to produce with my D90.

The low score has nothing to do with the product itself but the fact that I received a USED or REFURBISHED product!

I have plenty of experience purchasing products online and electronics themselves and there are visible, obvious signs of use. The plastic wrapping is not quite pristine, the scuff marks, the miscellaneous prints on the glossy plastic parts and worse yet, strange miscellaneous gunk marks.

Nothing was sealed, there was physical folding damage to the manuals and scratches on the hot shoe. Obvious signs of use.

I normally get great service from Amazon directly, this was a severe disappointment. It may have only been used for a short while but with products like these and a set life span, it is unfair to charge me full price for something that is billed as new.

I will be returning it, hopefully for a full refund or NEW replacement.

5 Stars Changes the way I take photos
Having a bright light source off-camera instead of built in really changes the way you take photos. I use my SB-600 wirelessly in tandem with my D80 and it can improve nearly any situation.

I’d say one of the only downsides is the lack of control buttons, most of the options you have to hold down multiple buttons at once to access them.

The SB-600 itself syncs great, is reliable, and nice and bright. It rotates in 180 degrees in one direction and 90 degrees in another (do you need more?)

5 Stars Very happy
After reading the reviews for the sb-900 and how the over heat sensors were too sensitive on them I decided to go with the sb-600 for that reason. I will just have to be carefull not to burn out the flash.

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Opteka Remote Release Cord for Sony Alpha A900 A700 A350 A300 A200 and A100 Digital SLR Cameras

These new remote releases from Opteka allows the camera to be released from a distance. All electronic, just plug-in and use. Has a momentary release, as well as a locking position for time releases.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Cheap and easy to fix when it breaks
I purchased this remote one year ago and have used it many times. It works as advertised and didn’t give me any problems until about 3 months ago. The camera would still get the half press signal but wouldn’t trip the shutter. A quick removal of two screws shows how the remote works and after bending one of the contacts it started working again. Even though the remote quit working it was easy to fix and is less then 1/4th the cost of the Sony model. Even if you’re worried about reliability you’re still better of buying a couple of these than the Sony. I’d still buy it if I had to do it over again.

5 Stars cheap and it works!
Great product, and it works with my sony a350. Love it, for the price!

4 Stars Good for the Price
I got this for an animated music video project to be shot on a Sony A300. From some of the reports I’d read I was worried about it lasting long enough for our shoot, since time was of the essence and yet, of course, we didn’t have the money to spring for a more expensive model (very, very low budget music video hehe). The connection to the camera never gave us any problems at all, it fit quite well. It seemed to be quite reliable and the triggers worked perfectly for the first couple of weeks. The unit still works, but seems to not be quite as consistent now when the trigger is slid to continuous mode, it will occasionally stall for a few moments during shots. We will probably use it for more projects, but for reliabilities sake we will probably get a different model remote if we get a better paying project. Still though, for just about $12, this item saved our a**!

3 Stars Difficult to connect, but works
This cord looks like a professional, molded, product. It does work, but it is difficult to connect and doesn’t make a very good connection. For occasional use, it’s fine. If you rely on your tripod, and use a remote cable all day, spend the extra for the OEM item.

5 Stars Good value
Quick delivery and works perfectly. I did not have any issues with the fit of the connector with my A200 and it seems to be fairly well built. At a fifth of the price of the official remote this is a great product.

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Sigma 70 200mm f 2 8 DG HSM II Macro Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Enjoy improved optical performance while retaining close-up ability with the large aperture Sigma 70-200mm macro zoom lens. The lens–which offers a minimum focusing distance of 39.4 inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.5–is suitable for a variety of subjects, including portraits, landscape shots, and macro photos. The lens offers two special low-dispersion (SLD) and three extraordinary low-dispersion (ELD) glass elements, providing excellent correction for all types of aberrations and creating high-quality images throughout the entire zoom range. The super multi-layer coating, meanwhile, reduces flare and ghosting. Finally, the lens incorporates a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), which ensures a quiet and high-speed autofocus (AF) as well as full-time manual focusing ability. Other features include inner focusing and inner zooming systems, a removable tripod collar, and a 77mm filter size.

Specifications

• Focal length: 70-200mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Lens construction: 18 elements in 15 groups
• Angle of view: 34.3 to 12.3 degrees
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Minimum focusing distance: 39.4 inches
• Filter size: 77mm
• Hood: Petal type
• Corresponding AF mounts: Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Sony/Minolta, Pentax, Four Thirds
• Dimensions: 3.4 inches in diameter and 7.3 inches long
• Weight: 48.3 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Better than Sony on Sony
I have owned this lens for a year now, wanted to wait to give it a review until I got through all the sport seasons. This lens has really delivered. I didn’t like it on my Sony a200 because, quite frankly, the lens was too good for the 200. I use it on my a700 and wow….. the extra megapixels coupled with the abilities of this lens is remarkable. I had purchased the Sony 70-200mm at a significantly higher price and was less impressed. I didn’t do all my homework before purchaseing that lens and found that the Sony version did not have the seals (for dust, weather, moisture) that the Sigma has. It was a no-brainer…. the sigma is far better for the money. If you have an a200, it still is a great lens but I feel that camera can not take full advantage of the features of this lens, otherwise, get this lens, it will be the last telephoto you purchase at this range.

1 Star Back focus is an issue!
I purchased this lens after having owned the Tamron. This is a great lens except that I received mine with a significant back focus issue. I’ve read others complaining about this as well on the Nikon mount. I just don’t believe this is acceptable in a lens at this price point.

1 Star Nice while it still worked …
I have had the lens for slightly over one year – just long enough for the warranty to have expired – and the auto-focus no longer functions. When I took the lens to the local camera shop, I was told that I was the second person that day with this lens who experienced the failure of the auto focus function. When the auto focus did function, the lense was great for action (sports, etc.) shots. I’m going to use the lens with the manual focus for now – and consider buying Canon in the future. I really had not used the lens that much – and had always taken care when handling the lens (e.g. removal, storage, etc. were “by the book”). Very disappointing.

5 Stars One amazinf lens
Amazing performance, I am using this lens with Nikon D300 and love everything about it – boken, fast AF, solid feel, etc.

You have to hold this lens steady or use a tripod, but the results are very sharp and contrasty, colors are very natural.

Did I say I just love the boken

Quite impressive lens!

4 Stars Used for first wedding…very happy with it!
Overall I was very happy with this lens for my first wedding shoot. The focal length worked fine…did not need any extra zoom that I thought I might need. The wedding hall was very dark and I was a little worried but on the aperature setting with the lens wide open I got some great shots. The lens had a little bit of a problem during the dancing…especially if they were moving fast…but for slow dances worked fine. I would say about 80% of my images came out very sharp, which I thought was pretty good given such low lighting. Any outside photos I took were fantastic.

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