Verdict: 3.5 stars The Manfrotto Pixi Evo is a larger than usual mini tripod with some interesting features, including two height settings, extendable legs and the capacity to cope with quite big cameras. But even though it works well, the build quality and finish seem pretty poor for the price. It does the job, but there’s not a lot of finesse.
Reviews
Many of my reviews are published on Digital Camera World, but here are some more that might not make it on to the larger sites. I review cameras, lenses, camera bags, tripods and photo and video accessories of all kinds.
Gitzo Center Ball Head Series 4 review
Verdict: 4 stars The Gitzo center Ball Head Series 4 (GH4383) is one serious ball head, with a massive 30kg payload and a base fatter than most tripod platforms. this three-knob design has a ball release lock, an adjustable friction knob and a fluild-damped pan axis – a nice touch. My sample has an Arca Swiss style plate with a locking lever (GH4383LR). It’s an impressive ball head, but unless you’re going to load up your tripod with a huge telephoto or a pro video rig, it’s overkill for most users.
Platypod Extreme review
Verdict 4.3 stars I can’t help giving the Platypod Extreme a great review because it does what it sets out to do brilliantly. You just have to decide if you want what the Platypod does. It’s an extremely stable support for the heaviest gear yet slim enough to dangle off your backpack. But it only makes sense if you want to shoot from really low angles, or if you can find a convenient surface to place it on.
Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 Asph. review
Verdict: 4.5 stars The Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 Asph. is cheap to buy so you may not be expecting very much, and the lightweight plastic feel doesn’t give a very good first impression. But the image quality is really very good indeed, the AF is fast, and this lens is so small and light you’ll hardly notice you’re carrying it. This lens is a real eye-opener!
Billingham Hadley Digital review
Verdict: 4.3 stars The Hadley Digital is a great shoulder bag if you like to go shooting with just one camera, a couple of lenses and a handful of accessories – and it really is surprising what you can pack in. There are no hidden gimmicks with this bag – it’s well made, well padded and quick and simple to use. It’s expensive for a small shoulder bag, but it’s just about the cheapest way to get a Billingham. It’s one of my favorite ‘day out’ bags, and I’ve tried A LOT.
Insta360 ONE RS 1-inch 360 review
Verdict: 4.8 stars The Insta360 ONE RS 1-inch 360 is a step up in quality for 360 cameras, using 1-inch sensors and cameras (co-developed with Leica) to offer better quality than regular 360 cameras. It’s easy to use but powerful and it can do some amazing things. It also feels very well made, and the companion app makes it easy to produce regular ‘flat’ videos. It’s even good value, for a 1-inch sensor 360 camera, but if you’re just trying this stuff out, the Insta360 ONE X2 is much cheaper and for novice users just as good.
Sony A7R II review
Verdict 4.5 stars This is a review of a camera launched seven years ago, but one that was until recently still on sale at crazy prices. The A7R II’s tech may be years old, but its 42MP sensor offers huge image quality, its 4K video is cropped but still useful, and its value for money – either new if you can still find it, or on the used market – is just out of this world.
Olympus PEN E-P7 review
Verdict: 4.5 stars There’s a lot to find fault with in the E-P7’s specs. It has an MFT sensor, it has no viewfinder, it doesn’t even have phase detect AF and it’s expensive for what you get. What changes your mind is using it. It’s pocket sized but handles brilliantly, its 14-42mm kit lens is compact like no other, its AF is lightning fast and Olympus’s creative color and Art Filter modes are in a league of their own. The specs don’t tell the story; this camera has real class.
3 Legged Thing Levelling Base review
Verdict: 3.5 stars The 3 Legged Thing Levelling Base sounds like it could solve a lot of problems. It’s a way of giving yourself a level base for panning shots or panoramas using a similar system to video tripods with bowl bases. But the adjustment range is limited, the pan axis in the base seems unnecessary (and isn’t levelled) and while the 3 Legged Thing Levelling Base is beautifully made, it’s also pretty expensive.
Peak Design Capture Clip V3 review
Verdict 5 stars ★★★★★: How can something so small be so useful? The Capture Clip V3 lets you carry a camera securely from any belt or strap, releases it in an instant and clamps it tight when you’ve finished shooting. It can hold up to 90kg, apparently, and the Arca-style camera plate will slide straight into […]