A comment in one of my recent articles about DSLRs made me realise that this was a topic I hadn’t covered. I am a DSLR fan (you may have noticed) but it’s true that DSLR phase-detect autofocus, while fast and efficient, is not always as accurate as a modern mirrorless system. I’m not talking about AF tracking or AF point coverage across the frame, I’m talking about precision, and the more complex way that DSLR autofocus works.
What is
Which is better, IBIS or OIS? Myths, claims and real-world experience don’t always align
IBIS, or in-body stabilization, is considered the gold standard for image stabilisation today, and lens-based optical image stabilisers are consider old tech, or second best at least. But is that actually correct? And if OIS is so old hat, how come so many lenses still use it?
What is ‘equivalence’ in exposure theory, and why is it so important?
‘Equivalence’ is a rather dry, abstract term which doesn’t really tell you anything. What it means in photographic exposure, though, is that if you change one thing, like the shutter speed, then you have to make up for it by changing another, typically the lens aperture. Equivalence is at the heart of everything your camera’s exposure system does.
What is an internal zoom lens, and do you need one?
When Nikon launched its new Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II professional standard zoom for its Z-mount mirrorless cameras, it made a great play on its internal zoom mechanism. So what is this, and why is it so important now?
What is astrophotography? That depends on whether you’re an astronomer or a photographer…
To an astronomer, astrophotography is the photography of all kinds of celestial bodies, from star fields to constellations, clusters to galaxies. It also includes planetary bodies such as our neighbours in the solar system, and our own moon. It’s a pretty broad field encompassing a huge range of magnifications and specialized equipment and techniques. It’s a very scientific undertaking. Astrophotography for photographers is rather different.