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Archive for November, 2011

Sony NSX-32GT1 32-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LED HDTV Reviews

Post By admin November 20, 2011 - 8:38 pm Comments Off

over all I loved the idea of this TV, and thought it could replace my mothers computer since she only used it for email and internet browsing. after I got home and went through the setup process (which was painless and straightforward), I was almost ready to take this TV back because the remote was useless for my needs. The OSF(right thumb-pad) track pad was horribly unresponsive. I searched and searched but only found others who had the same similar troubles when I finally came across a post that referenced the poor quality of the included batteries and to replace them with a better quality rechargable battery 1200 mAH and up (I happened to have some 2300 mAH batteries to try). Low and behold, the track pad is now extremely responsive and everyone is happy! if you don’t have rechargeable batteries, I’m sure the better quality Energizers will do the trick.

I initially ordered the 24″ and unfortunately my WiFi did not want to play nice with it… when I went to exchange it they just happened to have recently received more of the 32″ (they were out when I purchased mine) and so I paid the difference and went with the 32″. Personally, I LOVE this television. I think if you use a color calibration DVD or even Google the settings for it (which I did) it puts off an amazing picture. I can’t comment on the gaming lag as my PS3 is set up in the living room and this is in the bedroom, but to be able to wake up and check my email, Facebook, news sites, etc all while watching the Today Show PIP before ever getting out of bed is terrific. Good only got better when the Honeycomb update was released as you can now download apps from the Android Market. If you can afford it, upgrade and go with the 32″ as it has a better picture and MUCH better speakers… I can pump Pandora while in the shower and it is loud and clear. This is a great television for a master bedroom. VERY HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE!!!

Posted in Articles, Shopping |

Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera Reviews

Post By admin November 20, 2011 - 6:30 am Comments Off

I am a photography teacher in NYC and online. (See my Amazon profile for my website.) I teach beginner and intermediate photography students every week. I’ve also been a professional photographer for the last five years with images published in The New York Times, GQ, New York Magazine, Women’s Wear Daily, The New York Observer, The Village Voice and Time Out New York.

(This review is for beginner photographers.)

If you’re a beginner, you’re most likely asking yourself: Nikon or Canon? Really, I feel confident in saying that you can’t go wrong with either. I’ve used both brand’s cameras extensively and find that they both offer amazing image quality with well-built, solid cameras that, if taken care of, will last decades. There are two differences between the cameras, though, that can be taken into consideration.

The user-interface: If cameras were computers, Nikons would be PCs and Canons would be MACs. PCs are built for people not afraid of technology whereas Macs are built for people who want things super-easy. Nikons excel at customization options which means you’ll see so many more options with the Advanced features of a Nikon than you will with a Canon. Canons, on the other hand, excel at ease-of-use for beginners. Canons offer less advanced options and can be easier to learn on. This can be frustrating down the line, though, once you’ve learned a lot about photography. At that point you may want all of the options that Nikon offers and be frustrated with your Canon. If you’re someone who really likes to delve deep into your hobbies or if you’re intent on becoming a professional photographer, I’d say a Nikon would be your best bet. If you’re someone who wants to learn the basics of photography and only imagine yourself being a hobbyist, Canon would be a better option for you.

Where Nikon excels: Flash photography. I often find myself in situations where I’m shooting event photography (weddings, movie premiers, benefits and galas) where I need to use a lot of flash. For this kind of photography, I’ll always prefer to be shooting with a Nikon. Nikon’s flash metering (how the camera magically decides how much light to fire out of the flash) is much more consistent than Canon’s. You can take a Canon and shoot the same scene three times in a row with flash and all three images will be at different brightness levels. You can do the same thing with a Nikon and all three images will be wonderfully the same. If you’re somebody who plans on shooting a lot with flash (indoor photography, event photography, etc.) you’ll want to consider going with Nikon.

Where Canon excels: Richness of colors. I’ve been in numerous situations where I’ve been on the red carpet taking the exact same picture as the photographer next to me. I’ll have a Canon and the person next to me will have a Nikon. This has provided quite a few opportunities to compare the images side-by-side. What I’ve found is that the colors on the Canon’s images look richer and make the image pop more. If I’m doing fine art photography (anything I’d like to someday hang in a gallery), I’ll always want to be shooting with a Canon for this reason.

If you’re set on Nikon, there are three cameras you should be considering and it all comes down to what your budget is:

D7000 $1,350 without lens
D5100 $750 without lens
D3100 $550 only available with lens
(current prices as of 11/16/11)

Since you’re on the D90 Amazon page, though, I’m going to guess that you’re considering the D90 which Amazon is currently selling for $897 (without lens). If you’re considering buying the D90 because you didn’t realize that Nikon has replaced the D90 with two new camera models (the D5100 and D7000), then you may want to go straight for one of those two models, depending on your budget. If you were already aware that Nikon has newer models and are still considering the D90 then here’s how the D90 stacks up to the D5100 and the D7000. (The D90 is such a great camera that, even though Nikon has newer, replacement models, they still sell the D90!)

D90 vs. D7000:

Where the D7000 excels:
-Higher resolution: The D7000 is a 16 MegaPixel camera whereas the D90 is only a 12 MegaPixel camera. This effects how big you can print your images and have them remain high quality prints. 16 MegaPixels will print as big as 24 inches by 16 inches whereas 12 MegaPixels will print as big as 21 inches by 14 inches. A higher resolution also means you can crop an image and have the remaining image still remain high quality.
-Longer battery life. The D7000’s battery will last 20% longer than the D90’s.
-Two memory card slots. This is really a cool feature. The D7000 has two memory card slots which means you’ll be less likely to find yourself standing in front of a gorgeous scene with no more memory left.
-More focus points. When using auto-focus, the D7000 will have an easier time focusing on what you want it to focus on.
-Faster continuous shooting. If you’re often shooting sports or any fast moving subject, continuous shooting allows you to capture multiple images in a single second. The D90 shoots at 4.5 frames per second whereas the D7000 shoots at six frames per second.
-Higher ISO options. The D7000 offers two more stops of ISO than the D90 does. If you don’t know what ISO means (or what a stop is) just know that this allows you to more easily shoot images in low-light situations.
-Weather sealed. This means you can shoot with the D7000 in the rain.
-Faster shutter speed. The fastest shutter speed on the D90 is 1/4000th of a second; on the D7000: 1/8000th of a second. To be honest, I can’t think of any practical reason why this would benefit you unless you’re planning on shooting some really bright scenes like directly into the sun.
-Higher quality video and continuous focus while you’re shooting video (for all your video buffs out there)
-An external mic jack. (If you’re planning on shooting video with an external mic, you’ll want the D7000 over the D90.)

Where the D90 excels:
-It’s a more affordable camera. By saving money on the D90, you’ll have more money in your budget for an awesome lens or two!

D90 vs. D5100:

Where the D5100 excels:
-The D5100 is more affordable. More money for lens(es)!
-Higher resolution: The D5100 is a 16 MegaPixel camera whereas the D90 is only a 12 MegaPixel camera. This effects how big you can print your images and have them remain high quality prints. 16 MegaPixels will print as big as 24 inches by 16 inches whereas 12 MegaPixels will print as big as 21 inches by 14 inches. A higher resolution also means you can crop an image and have the remaining image still remain high quality.
-Smaller and lighter: The D5100 is 10% smaller and 20% lighter than the D90. This is something to consider if you plan on carrying your camera around with you a lot.
-A flip out screen (handy if you want to put your camera anywhere but at your eye level and be able to see what your camera is about to capture before you shoot it.)
-Higher ISO options. The D5100 offers two more stops of ISO than the D90 does. If you don’t know what ISO means (or what a stop is) just know that this allows you to more easily shoot images in low-light situations.
-Higher quality video and continuous focus while you’re shooting video (for all your video buffs out there)
-An external mic jack. (If you’re planning on shooting video with an external mic, you’ll want the D5100 over the D90.)
-HDR feature. This is only applicable if HDR is of interest to you. If you don’t know what HDR is, I wouldn’t worry about it, especially since there are tons of great HDR software programs you can buy, for very little money, if you want to explore it later.

Where the D90 excels:
-Longer battery life. The D90’s battery will last 30% longer than the D5100’s.

To sum this all up, if you can afford the D7000 body, get the D7000 body. If you can’t afford the D7000 body, the D5100 is the way to go since it costs less than the D90 and comes with many advantages. (If you can’t afford the D5100, get the D3100. You’ll see my review of that camera on the D3100 Amazon page.)

If I can clarify any of this, please email me!

-JP Pullos, photography teacher, NYC and online (see my Amazon profile for my website)

Posted in Shopping |

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W530 14.1 MP Digital Still Camera Reviews

Post By admin November 19, 2011 - 6:43 pm Comments Off

Camera has good features very easy to use, light weight. To get good quality pictures one has to take pictures in 2 steps
1 step – press an hold the click button until auto focus ( green color box appears on the camera screen)
2 step – let go the click button and give 1/2 – 1 sec and then take the picture.
By doing this even night shots and other picture will have good clarity. the same is mention in user’s manual of the camera.

I am a SLR user and wanted a camera for my wife to play with and ask other people (who can’t handle SLR) to take our snap. From price/performance/handling perspectives, this camera is a 5*.

I know that this camera lacks some features like zooming while video recording etc., but if you are looking for simple point-shoot purpose, this is a great one for the price. I left the point-shoot realm a few years back and hence do not know how this compares with other options available though.

I never expected this camera to be so sleek. Sometimes you forget you have the camera in hand. So, handle carefully.

Spidermonitor.com

Archive for November, 2011

Sony NSX-32GT1 32-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LED HDTV Reviews

Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera Reviews

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W530 14.1 MP Digital Still Camera Reviews

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