Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Softness’

Nikon CF DC1 Semi Soft Case for Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera 25355

The Nikon CF-DC1 semi-soft case is an ever-ready style camera case made to carry a Nikon D40 digital SLR camera body and lenses up to 18-135mm Zoom Nikkor. It is an ideal way to protect your camera during travel.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars consider the cf-d80 first
I own a D60 and went with the CF-D80. It’s nice soft “pleather” and according to the reviews it can accomodate the D80/D90 with a Nikkor 18-200mm lens. I figure this should also accomodate my D60 with the same lens (which I plan on getting soon). So check out that case before deciding on this one.

5 Stars perfect for Nikon D40
It’s a perfect fit with the D40 and the 18-200mm lens. padded enough to provide protection in my sling bag. exactly what I was looking for.

2 Stars VERY soft, not semi soft
I just bought this product. I hoped the case would be a form fitting, minimalist, durable case to protect my camera from being bumped while in the case. Although the case is perhaps more aesthetic, two socks would probably accomplish the same end. Be advised that by “semi soft”, Nikon really does mean soft. There is little semi-ness about its softness.

The manufacturing quality also seems poor, with flimsy stitching on the hinge and a puny velcro latch. The lid fits on loosely to the body of the case. I don’t expect this case to last more than a few years.

On a positive note, the appearance isn’t terrible (although baggier than I hoped). The camera fits in easily, and it’s not hard to fit it with telescopic lens attached to the camera. The case can connect to the neck strap, so you needn’t hold it when you take it out.

All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this item. I would recommend you go to your local camera shop and try fitting your camera into the cases they have and buy one that you can touch and feel. I was disappointed when this arrived.

4 Stars Nikon CF-DC1
I think this product is great. I want a small case that I will be able to throw into a back pack while traveling. This fits the mold perfectly. It does have a snap so it stays attached to the strap while taking photos with is nice. My 55-200 lense fits VERY snug, but it’s not built for it. The only reason I give it a 4 is because it could use just a little more padding. I would recommend to anyone needing a holster case. We’ll see how it works on my trip to San Fran next week.

4 Stars Fits Nikon D60 well
This camera case fits the Nikon D60 well. It is a little awkward to take the camera out of, but still better than bulkier bags. It holds only teh camera and maybe an extra memory card, but not much else. It uses the camera strap itself and does not have a strap of its own.

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Olympus Zuiko 70 300mm f 4 0 5 6 ED Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras

Covering field of view to 600mm (35mm equivalent), this high mobility super-telephoto zoom lens weighs only 620 grams. Also, this lens incorporates three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens elements to offer sharper, higher-contrast imaging performance.Furthermore, 1x magnification (35mm equivalent) tele-macro photography is capable. Thanks to Four-Thirds system, the lens offers a lot of the footwork out of both super-telephoto and macro photography world.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars A good long lens
My first impression of this lens was its size and weight; it is big. At about 1.4 lbs it outweighs my E510 camera body and at 3.5″ wide and almost 6″ long with a filter it takes a lot of room in the camera bag. There is only one reason to get this lens and that is for its extended zoom range, about twice that of the 40 – 150 mm kit lens. In 35 mm equivalents this lens zooms from 140 – 600 mm. It is an ideal lens for outdoor wildlife photography. However, like all “long” lenses this is a large and heavy piece of equipment and is difficult to tote on hikes. Also, like all “long” lenses, this lens requires more thought when using than shorter lenses. Whereas image stabilization helps to minimize blurring as a result of shake, it is still best to set the camera on shutter priority and dial in a speed of at least 1/500th of a second. Then adjust the ISO and aperture as appropriate. It is better to have some noise from a high ISO or softness from a wide open aperture then have to deal with blur from shake. My E510 seems to be aware when this long lens is used and increases the speed a little, but not nearly enough to compensate for the length of the lens.

I’ve only taken about 100 pictures with the lens and so far I have been very please with the results. As expected, it is very good at distance shots. What I hadn’t expected is that it is also good at close-ups from a distance. I took a picture of a large bee on a flower from about 7′ away and the flower and pattern on the bee’s wings were crystal clear. The depth of field, as expected, was very narrow. As several other reviewers have pointed out this is not a very fast lens. It rapidly stops down from f4 to f5.6 when you zoom. Hence, my comment that the lens is best used for outdoor photography, especially in full sunlight where f5.6 is not a problem. Given the limitations noted above, I strongly recommend this lens. However, if you are a novice, to get the best results, be prepared to use settings other than AUTO and to learn something about the camera. If you are a hiker and want the capability of a long lens I would seriously consider a superzoom camera (they are about the same price as this lens). The quality may not be as good, but they are much easier to lug around.

5 Stars You can’t expect more from a long lens without paying 3X more!
I have owned this lens for about one month. During this time I have used it daily to test it’s capabilities as a long focal length lens, as a macro lens, and as a portrait lens. After learning it’s limitations I am nothing but pleased with the results that I achieve with this lens. Just be aware:

* You should be experienced at shooting with long lenses.

* You cannot expect good results in poorly lit environments.

* You cannot shoot fast moving targets at long focal distances without difficulty.

* You will normally have a higher percentage of blurry shots than with shorter lens.

* The auto focus will start to hunt if you don’t place the sensor spot directly on the subject.

* The focus speed is not as fast as with shorter lenses with a larger apertures.

I would recommend this lens to experienced photographers or novices that are willing to take the time to learn how to use it. It is a real bargain (usually priced below $350.00) and it will perform like lenses costing up to three times as much. Happy shooting!

5 Stars Good quality for the money
My first impression of this lens was its size and weight; it is big. At about 1.4 lbs it outweighs my E510 camera body and at 3.5″ wide and almost 6″ long with a filter it takes a lot of room in the camera bag. There is only one reason to get this lens and that is for its extended zoom range, about twice that of the 40 – 150 mm kit lens. In 35 mm equivalents this lens zooms from 140 – 600 mm. It is an ideal lens for outdoor wildlife photography. However, like all “long” lenses this is a large and heavy piece of equipment and is difficult to tote on hikes. Also, like all “long” lenses, this lens requires more thought when using than shorter lenses. Whereas image stabilization helps to minimize blurring as a result of shake, it is still best to set the camera on shutter priority and dial in a speed of at least 1/500th of a second. Then adjust the ISO and aperture as appropriate. It is better to have some noise from a high ISO or softness from a wide open aperture then have to deal with blur from shake. My E510 seems to be aware when this long lens is used and increases the speed a little, but not nearly enough to compensate for the length of the lens.

I’ve only taken about 100 pictures with the lens and so far I have been very please with the results. As expected, it is very good at distance shots. What I hadn’t expected is that it is also good at close-ups from a distance. I took a picture of a large bee on a flower from about 7′ away and the flower and pattern on the bee’s wings were crystal clear. The depth of field, as expected, was very narrow. As several other reviewers have pointed out this is not a very fast lens. It rapidly stops down from f4 to f5.6 when you zoom. Hence, my comment that the lens is best used for outdoor photography, especially in full sunlight where f5.6 is not a problem. Given the limitations noted above, I strongly recommend this lens. However, if you are a novice, to get the best results, be prepared to use settings other than AUTO and to learn something about the camera. If you are a hiker and want the capability of a long lens I would seriously consider a superzoom camera (they are about the same price as this lens). The quality may not be as good, but they are much easier to lug around.

5 Stars Worth every penny
I have had this lens for a month now, and couldn’t be happier. My daughter is a senior and use this lens photographing her soccer games. It is sharp and clear, focuses great, and has great reach. It is a wonderful Four-Thirds lens.

5 Stars Great
Just what the doctor ordered. Took it to Yellowstone for its first workout, am VERY pleased with the versitility and results.

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