Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Electronic Flash’

Nikon GP 1 GPS Unit for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Correlation between pictures and maps is supported by GPS function in conjunction with ViewNX version 1.2 software (no-charge download available Autumn 2008) and my Picturetown. Manual advance and rewind Double exposure capability Center-weight metering helps you select the proper aperture and shutter speed Integrated Hot-Shoe for adding any manual electronic flash Manual ISO selection from ISO 25 to 3200 Uses All Nikkor or compatible lenses Manual exposure and manual focus Includes Battery, Case and Strap Uses 2 SR44 or LR44 batteries

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars Functional Geotagging – at a Price!
I bought my Nikon D-90 camera 8 months ago as my first digital SLR purchase. I was thrilled when the GP-1 attachment was released, and soon purchased it for geotagging fun. On the very first trip we took it on, we ended up spending 45 minutes sitting outside a cafe waiting for it to pick up a satellite signal. Keep in mind that this was an open plaza on a sunny day. Finally we gave up and started walking around taking pictures. About three blocks away it finally picked up a signal, so we walked back along our route taking duplicate pictures with the GPS data.

Annoying, but not insurmountable. Fast forward to our most recent trip, when we took the D-90 and GP-1 out of our carry-on bag only to find that the D-90 would no longer recognize or power the GP-1. A diagnosis revealed that the GP-1 cable which stuck out at a 90 degree angle had gotten jostled and damaged the GPS port on my camera. Many phone calls to Nikon later, I was told that any repairs to the GPS port on our camera would not be covered under warranty. My local camera repair shop is now charging $285 (more than the original purchase price of the GP-1) to repair the GPS port in my D-90 that was damaged by the GP-1 cable. This is extremely poor design on Nikon’s part, and needs to be recalled or included in the warranty coverage.

I do enjoy geotagging the pictures from my D-90, but will try to find a brace to prevent tugs on the GP-1 cable from damaging the D-90’s port. Failing that, I can expect to pay further installments of $285 as the price of using the GP-1.

1 Star Major Disappointment
This product simply did not function. I used the GPS-1 on a 15 day motorcycle trip around the NW United States and the unit found the location only once. The unit was used in extremely open areas and was given 30 minutes to register the location with no success. I would not recommend the product. Matter of fact, I have return my unit for a refund.

5 Stars Nikon GPS
Like most Nikon gear this unit is built well and works great. I have had two other cheaper off brand GPSs fail on my D300. With the Nikon name this GPS is a bit overpriced, but will last forever.

4 Stars Rugged GPS for Nikon cameras
I’ve owned two other GPS units for my D300, and although it has a few issues, the Nikon GP1 is far and away the best.

First and foremost, it’s rugged and high quality. I don’t think I’m rough on my equipment, but I went through two other (non-Nikon) units in under a year. So far the Nikon is holding up well.

The GP-1 does take a while to acquire satellites…I’d say for me it’s typically around 15 seconds. Sometimes it works indoors, sometimes it doesn’t. I don’t notice a big difference in this regard between the Nikon and other brands I’ve tried. But unlike one of my other (non-Nikon) GPS units, I never get false signals – if the coordinates are recorded, they are correct.

I tend to keep the GP-1 mounted to my camera strap (I like the Crumpler – the GPS fits on it well) and I tend to leave it connected all the time. I tend not to turn the camera on and off between shots, and as others have pointed out, it does drain the battery at a good clip. I use the MB-D10 battery grip with my D300…it has a larger battery and this helps a lot. I tend to get about 1200 pictures per charge with the GPS on (but the flash typically off).

Only other complaint is that the GP-1 creates a little contention for the 10-pin port on the camera. Sometimes I use a Nikon MC-36 (remote control) whilch also requires the 10-pin connector, and it would be nice if there were a built-in way to chain the devices together. Yes, I’ve seen various “Y” adapters, but I haven’t had luck with them – they tend to create an unwieldy tangle of wires that I’m always catching things on. I guess I’m also wondering why Nikon doesn’t just build GPS into the camera itself, as they do with one of their point-and-shoots. Hopefully the next design.

Recommended.

4 Stars Typical of previous ratings
As most reviews have previously stated, slow sync at start-up, doesn’t work well in covered areas – including trees. But once connected to satellites, works like a charm.

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Olympus Evolt E520 10MP Digital SLR Camera with Image Stabilization w 14 42mm f 3 5 5 6 Zuiko Lens

Ready to upgrade to a digital camera? Get the Olympus E-520. Your life is full of priceless, fleeting moments that you want to keep just the way you see and feel them. Preserve each moment with the E-520. With the E-520’s Live View, you can shoot your subject while viewing it on the LCD monitor, so it’s just like shooting with a compact camera. In addition to phase-difference detection AF, the E-520 incorporates a high speed Imager AF that offers easy 11-point multi-area autofocusing with Live View simply by half-pressing the shutter button. Face Detection AF automatically detects up to 8 faces at a time and adjusts focus appropriately. Accurate composition is assured by the monitor’s 100% field of view. The E-520 is equipped with a 2.7″ HyperCrystal II LCD monitor with high-definition 230,000-dot resolution, improved contrast ratio, and enhanced color reproduction capability. While shooting with Live View, framing-assist patterns or a histogram can be displayed on the LCD monitor to improve your picture composition and check exposure condition. The E-520 incorporates a Live MOS sensor with 10-Megapixels, Olympus’ original TruePic III image processing engine delivers improved imaging, gradation expression and color reproduction capabilities as well as minimized noise at high ISO setting. Olympus’ highly acclaimed dust reduction system employs a Supersonic Wave Filter in front of the image sensor, which vibrates at such high speed and with such great power that it removes even the most stubborn dust; dust that cannot be removed by just shaking the image sensor or by discharging the static electricity. CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot) Memory Card Slot 3.5 frames per seconds sequential shooting speed, up to 8 frames in RAW mode Built-in Electronic-Flash – If you decide to try your hand at advanced lighting techniques, the E-520 is ready to meet the challenge. The E-520 is compatible

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Olympus service rocks!
I absolutely love the E-520. I have bought five lenses for it so far; my favorite for sharpness is the 50mm f/2 prime lens, but for extra wide, I like the 9-18mm. I have the 70-300mm as well, and it can shoot a bird at 200 feet and put it right in your face.

I am also very impressed with the kit lenses. I do a lot of manual focusing and shooting, and these lenses are sharp… truly unbelievable for the price, and they stand up well against some very expensive glass by other manufacturers. Over the years, I have spent a LOT more money for lenses that turned out to be inferior to these.

Olympus makes some of the top lenses in the world.

The menu on the E-520 was easy for me to understand from the start, but I’ve been shooting with SLRs for over 40 years. Even though the E-520 is called an “entry level” SLR, it might prove daunting for a beginning photographer. Nonetheless, if you are mildly familiar with f-stops, apertures, shutter speed and film speed (or equivalent), I think you’ll find this an easy camera to operate.

I have spent hours at [...] comparing studio photos and resolution charts as shot by various cameras. Olympus measures very well against the big money cameras in the studio shots. In the resolution charts, though, Olympus falls behind. So, if you need the absolute best digital image money can buy and you can afford [...], buy the new Nikon; or, shell out [...] for a Canon Mark II or III. All these cameras will give you better resolution than any Olympus camera.

BUT… Although the price of those cameras is many times higher than your E-520, the quality of their pictures is not much higher. And, by the way, in my opinion the E-520 shoots better pictures than the E-30 or the E-3.

I don’t do magazine layouts or commercial photography; however, on occasion, I do like to blow a picture up to 16×20 or larger, and the E-520 gives very satisfying results.

Moreover, Olympus has given me GREAT service. I have had to return two lenses for various reasons. In one case, Olympus shipped me a brand new lens; in the other case, they repaired the lens and had it back to me within the week; no questions, no hassle.

5 Stars New to DSLR’s…
This is my first DSLR. I saw it on promo at a local electronics store with the extra lens – It was the best deal I saw on a DSLR. So, I went and read the reviews on this camera and decided to take the plunge.

I take loads of pictures of my dogs (show dogs) and thought this camera would give me more definition and clarity…and it does not disappoint.

I simply LOVE this camera. The pictures are awesome and for a newby to the DSLR world, it is fairly easy to learn (although there is loads more for me to learn and I intend on doing my homework). This camera makes you want to learn cause the pictures are so awesome and if it’s doing such a great job on automatic, I just can’t imagine all the things it’ll do once I learn a bit more.

My friend went and bought a 14 mp Sony and although it is nice, the pictures are no better and the price tag was much heftier…and without the extra lens. Nope…I made the RIGHT DECISION.

I’m starting to invest in some accessories. I really want the 300mm lens, but just can’t afford it right now (any hints on a good alternative?). I bought a 500/1000 lens for long shots…now I need a monopod cause that lens makes my camera shake (too long to keep your hand steady). I’m also looking at the LOWEPRO 350 which will take both the camera and accessories as well as my 17″ laptop – think that will be my next purchase!

BUY THIS CAMERA – it’s simply AWESOME!!!

5 Stars A pleasant buy
Just went by the reviews on Amazon and the more expensive model of the same lineage. I am quite pleased with the speed and quality of pictures. Hunts a bit in low light, but the colors in the picture are quite good. Overall, a good buy for the money and an easy picture taker.

4 Stars The best beginner DSLR in the market!
I started my DSLR experience with the E-510, while this was a quirky little camera that needed cajoling to perform well, the E-520 is nothing like that. After a year with the E-510, I ended up replacing it with the E-520 and what an improvement this camera is! A lot of quirks that the E-510 had (blown highlights, excessive contrast, bad LCD, underexposed mid-tones in JPEG) had been remedied in the E-520 and to add to that a bunch of newer features had been added as well. The most notable ones (for me) are:

1. Imager AF in live-view with face detection.

2. IS mode 3 for vertical panning.

3. Bigger and brighter and a more accurate LCD.

4. And by far the best addition, remote flash triggering for up to 3 groups!

It’s amazing that Olympus could offer so much in a so-called “beginner” level camera and to think Nikon doesn’t even offer live-view view! This is one of the biggest reasons for me to stick to Olympus as they don’t skimp on features even in lower-level bodies.

I have no hesitation in recommending this camera for the first time DSLR buyer as well as a pro looking for a back up body for the E-3. Although compact, it’s very nicely built and has a superior and much better build quality than the E-500 as well as similar Canon offerings.

I had the two kit lenses but sold the 14-42mm lens and kept the 40-150mm lens. I’m simply amazed with this lens as it offers an effective 300mm focal length in the smallest package currently in the market. I took the E-520 along with this lens to a recent U2 concert and the guards didn’t even stop me as they couldn’t tell what this lens was capable of by looking at its size! I ended up getting some stunning images with this camera and lens combo.

Last, but not the least, I would like to talk about IQ; Olympus has sorted out the tone curve in the E-520 and its MUCH better than the E-510 and allows amazing pictures straight out of the camera. I have no qualms using this camera all the way up to ISO 800, although at ISO 1600 the noise is higher than average and in some cases one will also notice banding in the shadows. I normally switch to B&W for ISO 1600 and that makes all the difference. However, in a pinch you can get some excellent ISO 1600 colour images as well if you’re willing to shoot RAW and carefully process. This is about the only “minus” in this camera that I can think of.

Overall, this is an excellent camera and gives an excellent bang for the buck and I highly recommend it!

5 Stars Awesome Camera
I have been an Olympus Camera user since I bought my OM-1 over 30 years ago. My first digital camera was the C-3030 camera which provided great use for over 8 years while living aboard my sailboat in the Caribbean. It was a natural choice to move up to the e-520 as I have a large collection of OM lens and wanted to use them on the new DSLR. The camera has a feel very similar to the C3030 in both menu and general feel. After receiving the camera I was really impressed with the quality of the images, both vibrant and great resolution. Although the original OM lens won’t give me auto-focus, this has proved to be a minor problem as I am used to the full manual functions of the OM-1. The quality of the pictures using the OM lens has been extraordinary. If you are looking for a camera that gives you a lot of bang for the buck I would highly recommend you consider it.

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