Sunday, 16 February 2014

Review Digital Camera World 02-16-2014

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Alternative camera supports: 6 top models tested and rated
Feb 16th 2014, 00:01, by jmeyer

Sometimes in our photographic pursuits using a tripod just isn’t possible. But when that happens you’ll still need something stable to help minimise the risk of camera shake. In this group test we’ve pitted 6 of the best alternative camera supports to see which offers the best value for money.

Alternative camera supports: 6 top models tested and rated

Best Alternative Camera Support: 01 Hama Table and Clamp Tripod 004003

Price: £45
This design looks simple yet effective, based on an adjustable clamp that can attach to a table-top or other surface up to 4cm thick. At the top, a ball head enables full rotation, as well as landscape- or portrait-orientation shooting.

Furthermore, a pair of additional rods slide out from the bottom of the clamp and screw into the side, acting as legs for optional free-standing support.

While the Hama is suitable for compact cameras, the head of our review sample wouldn't clamp firmly enough to support the weight of an SLR with standard zoom lens.

Verdict
What's good: Lightweight at 270g; firm clamping action for attaching to table-tops.
What's bad: No maximum load stated; it's not up to SLR use.
Our verdict: Only worth considering for compacts or small system cameras.

Score: 2/5

SEE MORE: Best ball head for heavy DSLRs: 6 top models tested and rated

Best Alternative Camera Support: 02 Fat Gecko Triple Mount

Price: £90

The meaty Fat Gecko is designed to stick to any smooth surface, via three industrial-strength suction cups. An advertising image shows a hefty DSLR outfit fixed to the outside of a car for stills or video shooting on the move, which could be something to emulate if you're feeling gung-ho.

And for when three cups is overkill, one arm and cup is easily removed for streamlined convenience.

There are six points of adjustment, including a ball head, so the contraption can be tailored to almost any position. Maximum load is rated at 5.5kg. Extras include a vibration damping rubber washer in the camera attachment.

Verdict
What's good: Well made and versatile, with a generous maximum load rating.
What's bad: Only works if you have a smooth and fairly flat surface available.
Our verdict: This high-quality mount is particularly well suited to action shooting.

Score: 3/5

Best Alternative Camera Support: 03 Joby Gorillapod SLR-Zoom and Ballhead

Price: £65

Various versions of the Gorillapod are available: this is the second-strongest with a maximum load rating of 3kg. For heavy cameras, there's also the Gorillapod Focus, with a 5kg rating.

In all cases, the premise is the same. There are three legs, each of which is constructed as a row of flexible joints.

This enables use as a table-top tripod, or for the legs to be wrapped around any convenient object to give support. A quality ball head is included.

A nice touch is that the quick-release plate has a spirit level at the rear, which you can use even when not mounted on the Gorillapod itself.

Verdict
What's good: Enormously versatile; 
quick and easy to set up; nice ball head.
What's bad: Quick-release plate requires 
a coin for fastening to a camera.
Our verdict: A top-quality support that's highly flexible, but in a good way.

Score: 5/5

SEE MORE: Photography accessories: transform your pictures for less than £100

Best Alternative Camera Support: 04 Manfrotto Pixi MTPIXI-B

Price: £25
Suitable for compact cameras and CSCs, the Pixi can also accommodate SLRs up to a weight of 1kg. The idea behind this mini-tripod is that the contoured legs fold inwards to form a comfortable handgrip.

When splayed, the legs offer firm support in table-top mode. However, there's no height adjustment as the legs only lock in their fully open position.

The built-in ball head has a sprung clamping mechanism, which is released by pushing in the Manfrotto-badged button.

The Pixi works well, but the mounting plate is spongy. This makes the support wobbly for heavier cameras in the given weight range.

Verdict
What's good: Works well as a handheld video support and basic table-top tripod.
What's bad: Mounting platform lacks rigidity for cameras approaching 1kg in weight.
Our verdict: Well-made and smartly finished, but best for lightweight cameras.

Score: 3/5

Best Alternative Camera Support: 05 Manfrotto Pocket Support Large MP3-D01

Price: £30
Folding completely flat for storage, this largest edition of Manfrotto's Pocket Support is only 81mm long and takes up little space in your bag.

The three fold-out feet rely on friction-locking rather than clamps, enabling rudimentary positional adjustments of the camera.

The range of adjustment is limited and doesn't allow for portrait-orientation shooting. Fitting an additional small ball head would add versatility.

The claimed maximum load rating is 1.5kg but, when fitting a camera of this weight to our review sample, the feet gave way due to insufficient friction.

Verdict
What's good: Extremely compact; folds flat for stowage; only weighs 70g.
What's bad: In our tests, the feet lacked sufficient friction to support a 1.5kg camera.
Our verdict: It's a neat idea, but adjustable friction mechanisms would improve usability.

Score: 3/5

Best Alternative Camera Support: 06 Pedco UltraPod II

Price: £26
Broadly similar to the Manfrotto Pixi, the UltraPod II can be used in handheld or table-top mode, thanks to its three fold-out legs.

For handholding, it's not quite as comfy as the Manfrotto, but benefits from a Velcro strap that you can tie around your hand for added security.

This also works well for attaching the support to railings or other objects.

In tripod mode, the legs give solid support but, also like the Manfrotto, the platform of the ball head is wobbly with heavier cameras.

On the plus side, the head mechanism gives a good range of adjustment, and the maximum load rating is a hefty 2.7kg.

Verdict
What's good: Generous load rating; wide-ranging adjustment; handy Velcro strap.
What's bad: Wobbly camera platform can be an issue, especially with heavier SLRs.
Our verdict: A versatile and well-made support, but the platform lacks rigidity.

Score: 3/5

READ MORE

9 secrets to using a tripod like a pro
10 things photographers can do to stop wasting pictures
Hands-free photography: 4 ways to take pictures without touching your camera
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Nikon D3300 review
Feb 15th 2014, 11:07, by jmeyer

Nikon D3300 Review: the 24.2-megapixel Nikon D3300 is 30% smaller and 25% lighter than the Nikon D3200. Find out how it performs in our Nikon D3300 review video.

Nikon D3300 review

The change in size comes largely from the Nikon D3300 18-55mm VRII kit lens, which offers a retracting barrel.

Like its other recent new DSLR launches, Nikon has removed the optical low pass filter from the Nikon D3300, which should help the camera capture finer details.

Other key features of the Nikon D3300 include a native ISO range from 100-12,800, expandable up to ISO 25,600, an EXPEED 4 processing engine, 5fps continuous shooting, an 11-point AF system with a cross-type sensor in the centre and a 420-pixel RGB metering sensor with Nikon’s Scene Recognition System.

Here, Amy Davies of our testing team finds out how this new Nikon DSLR performs in her Nikon D3300 review video

SEE MORE: Nikon D3300 vs D3200 vs D3100: which camera should you choose?

Nikon D3300 Review Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Amy Davies from Future Publishing’s photography portfolio and I’m here today to take a look at the Nikon D3300.

This camera is the newest entry-level model from Nikon, and is the second to use a monocoque construction – that is, it’s made from a single piece of material making it both stronger and lighter than the Nikon D3200.

Nikon has reduced very slightly the overall size of the Nikon D3300 compared with the Nikon D3200, but what makes the biggest difference is the new collapsible 18-55mm kit lens. If we place the two cameras next to each other, you can really see the difference.

This lens collapses down to a much smaller size than the previous version, making it easier to fit in a bag. Before you use the camera you’ll need to press this button and twist the lens outwards, making initial start-up somewhat slower than other cameras. You can of course leave the lens extended though.

SEE MORE: What camera should I buy? Pros and cons of each camera type

There are relatively few buttons on the Nikon D3300, with much of the control taking place via the screen. It’s a shame therefore that this three-inch, 921,000 dot device isn’t touch sensitive. It’s also not tilting or articulating, making it harder to use when shooting from awkward angles.

The user interface has been revamped for the Nikon D3300, giving it a cleaner look. The camera now displays three circles which represent shutter speed, aperture and sensitivity (ISO). These displays change as you alter settings using the scrolling dials or buttons, and the aperture display opens and closes as you open and close the aperture.

This dial on the back of the camera is used for altering the aperture or shutter speed, depending on the mode you’re shooting in. When in fully manual mode and you need to control both, holding down this exposure compensation button while scrolling the dial enables you to switch between the two parameters.

SEE MORE: Nikon D5200 vs D3200 – which DSLR is best for you?

A sort of quick menu is accessed on the Nikon D3300 by pressing a button labelled "i" on the back of the camera.

While holding this down, use the directional keys to travel to a setting you want to change, such as white balance, and then press OK to bring up the different options available to you. Unfortunately, this menu isn’t customisable, so if there’s something on this menu you rarely use, you’re stuck with it.

There is also a function button near the lens mount. By default, holding this down will allow you to quickly change the ISO, but you can change this to control a couple of other settings if you prefer.

Changing the AF point is very simple. All you’ll need to do is press the directional arrow keys to move around to the point you need. AF speeds when using the viewfinder are pretty quick,  but it’s worth noting that if you’re using Live View, speeds are reduced.

As the Nikon D3300 is an SLR, the viewfinder is optical and offers a 95% field of view. While it is bright and clear, not showing 100% of the scene means that there is a chance of something appearing in the final image that you didn’t notice in composition. With a large resolution though, cropping out of any of those mistakes shouldn’t lead to a major reduction in quality.

SEE MORE: Nikon lenses from A-Z – the ultimate photographer’s guide

Although the Nikon D3300 has the same pixel count as the Nikon D3200, the sensor is different and it has no optical low pass filter removed,  which we’ve found has had a positive impact on detail reproduction.

We have been impressed with the image quality straight from the camera, with bright punchy colours and excellent detail reproduction as we had hoped for. Although noise isn’t particularly problematic, the camera favours detail reproduction over noise reduction.

PAGE 1: Nikon D3300 review
PAGE 2: Our original Hands-on Nikon D3300 review
PAGE 3: Our original Nikon D3300 announcement story

READ MORE

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