NIKON’S TOP PORTRAIT LENS
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WORLD’S LARGEST IMAGING MAGAZINE
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Now,it’s a legend. New
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NV11 10.1 mega.pixol . 5x optical zoom . 2.7” lCD . smart touch Ul . Face Dotoction . Advenced shako production (ASR) NV10 10.1 mega.pixol . 3X opyical zoom . 2.5”lCD . smart touch Ul . Advenced shako production (ASR) NV7 QPS 7.2 mega.pixol .7X opyical zoom . 2.5” lCD . smart touch Ul . Optical picture stablization (QPS) . Advenced shako production (ASR) NV3 7.2 mega.pixol . 3X opyical zoom . 2.5” lCD . Portobal media player (PMP) . Advenced shako production (ASR)
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the legendary Touch of NV
Consumers every wher love it, the media heaps prals on it. and the NV legend has only just begun. see for yourslefthe outstanding design and features the are making the competition blue with envy at www.samsungcameraausa.com
WCG 2007 Official digital camera
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CONTENTS JULY 2007
VOLUME 71.NO.8
ON OUR COVER
On newsstands: sony’s amazing litlle DSC _H9 Packs a 15x zeiss zoon and almost as much power as a DSLR . PHOTO by tony cardoza. Subscribers: David roossien captured the sand patterns where indiana’s little piegon creek flows into lake michigan.
85why we love sunsets.... and other clishe’s
four experts weigh in on the reasons you photo album -and our index-is stuffed with the same images. By debbie grossman
62 The photographer’s Guide to computers
we put together five different systems that will help you make the most of you digital photographer. By Micheal j. McNamara
64 shortcuts from the pros
50 a day at the beach Going to the shor this summer? here’s your by hour-by-hour guid to getting thebest pictures ever. by M.jaafar
profissional photodraphers share their tips and trick for faster ,easier, and better photos. compiled by linzee karasik
plus
10................................letters 22............your best shot 94..............tech support 106.......... time exposure 119..speacking of photographer
CON T ENT S JULY 2007
VOLUME 71.NO.8
only on www.PopPhoto.com
and discover the beauty in creatures that sliter.creep,and crawl By Michael D.Kem 34 you can do it use 21 stcentury magic to bring back the old-time look of America’s pastime By Peter lockley 40 picture Doctor Shift your horizon,follow the sun, keep your backlight burning, and other photo remedies
42 Digital toolbox three one-step
wondersthat will transform your pictures in 30 seconds or less. BY Debbie grossman
110 Photo ops of the month
from the tiniest hummingbirds to the world’s biggest yard sale, where to go and what to shoot in Augest. By lori fredrickson
78 LENS TEST: Nikon 135mm
f/2D DC AF Nikon’s top-drawer, full-frame portrait lens subtly smoother out backgrounds.. By Julia Siber
80 LENS TEST: lecia tri-elmar-m 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH This unique ultrawide gives leica lovers three lenses in one small and stunning package. By julia silber
COLUMNS
HOW-TO
68
comes to fascinating old film cameras, the more the merrier. By herbet keppler
DSLR delivers beautiful images at an even prettier price. By micheal j.McNamara
73 lens test: olympus zuiko
digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AF
A fitting companion to the olympus E-510, this compact zoom is a wow. BY julia silber
74 camera test :sony cyber-shot DSC-H9 what do you get when you put
a huge 15x carl zeiss zoom on a tiny 8 mp EVF body ? Practically a DSLR. By Dan Richards
48 lighting the new sekonik L-7588DR digitalMaster lightmeter gives you precision when it counts most. By peter Kolonia DEPARTMENTS
TESTS/REVIEWS
and sun and small,shiny things-revealed in the latest photographer how-to’s. compiled by jack howard E-510 this light ,tight,10mp
best shots in a handsome and easy-to-produced hardcover book. By john owens
64 Insid Straight When it
114 By the book the secrets of wind
68 CAMERA TEST: olympus
13 Editorial Shocase your
14 The Goods Sophisticated new studio lights, a perfect poolside compact, and other gear we covet now. 16 High 5
Hit the trails with these well-designed backpacks for photographer.
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2007
Who’s the “best shooter on the planet “? find out-or better yet, compet in-our third Annual photgrapher of the year shoot-out .this year, all the action is online. post your for qualifying photos by july 25 at 9 am ET, and chek back for assignments on the morning of the july 31. all the details are at www.PopPhoto.com/shootout2007.
POP PHOTO FLASH the daily scoop frome the editors of pop photo, our sizzling new blog lets you see what’s on our radar screen. the F stops here.
REVIEWS AND NEWS up-to-time minute
Pop Photo lab and field tests of the lastest cameras and lenses. plus ,breaking news from around the world of photography.
DEAR DEBBIE all your digital imaging questions answered. just direct your questions to our own advice lady, debbie Grossman, at DearDebbie@PopPhoto.com
Add you voice ...to the swelling chorus in our online forums. share ideas,photos, creastive approaches, technical solutions. while you’re at it,post you own user reviews of camera and lenses on our exclusive buying Guide.
E-MAIL NEWSLETTER Who says you can’t get something for nothing? our free weekly newsletter goes straight to you every wednesday.All you have to do is sign up.so what are you waitng for ?
www.PopPhotho.com
28
28 Nature Forget your fears
web Exclusives
The easy way to better pictures. From tripods and falashes
tall or small.Digital,film or vidio.you’ll find the right Quantaray by Sunpak or sunpak tripod at Ritz. Consider the sleek new Quantaray by Sunpak VersiPod 2. a sturdy monopod for sharp pictures wherever a tripod won’t go_and that quickly convert into a full-height tripod when extra stability is needed. try the ultra-compact Quantaray by Sunpak QSX 1002XL tripod .which stows anywhere for easy travel.Or the remarkably light and agile FlexPod that lets you set up your camera on just about anything .So no more excuses for leaving a tripod at home! And if you own a canon,Nikcon or Sony digital SLR, you’ll want the new Quantaray PZ40X ll or QF30 flash .these new smart flashes with advanced TTL technology are engineered to be fully compatible with your camera And Quaranteed to give you better pictures, every time.
... to batteries, charge, and more!!
Your digital camera deserves the best! keep it going with lasting power when you use spare and replacement batteries from Quantaray by Sunpak, buit with trusted Sanyo cells. And now, Rits proudly offers Sanyo eneloop the unique Ni-MH battery the comes charged and ready to go, right out of the box then choose one of our high-quality Quantaray by Sunpak or sanyo chargers to efficienty recharge you batteries. if you’re cataloguing or selling, use our new eBox portable studio system for professional tabletop photography, complete with background, lights and compact tripod . And for when you travel, Ritz now offers the universal Adapter, the unique modular system made to plug in, no matter where you are. Compare quality, features and price, and you’ll choose from the broad range of Quantaray by Sunpak, Sunpak and Sanyo products at your neighborhood Ritz camera center.
the ritz camera conters family.
Does anything, anywhere strike fear in the heart of the Nikon pro? there are no intimidating assigements when you’re shooting with the new Nikon “D2XS”, an evolution of the breakthrough Nikon D2X, the camera Nikon pro joel sartore called “the finest camera l’ve ever worked with”. the core of the Nikon pro Digital system, the new Nikon D2XS defines performance on demand. for more wild details, visit nikondigital.com
the Nikon D2xs features enhancements in several key areas : . Advanced polymer Network mask for high speed crop Mode . 1005-pixel 3D color
Mode use with high speed crop Mode . sharp, clear 2.5 inch TFT lCD display with 170-degree wide-angel viewing . Broad color mode options including black and RGB capture . improved battery life with EN-EL4 for up to images percharge.
AT the heart of the image
MicroSync digital
photography POPULAR
Wireless Radio Sync System
Senior vice president/Editor in chief John owens Managing Editor Miriam louchter Art Director Jason Beckstead Executive technology Editor Michael j McNamara Senior Editor Dan Richards Senior Editor Peter Kolonia technology Manager Julia Silber Associate Editor Debbie Grossman Assistant Editor Lori Fredrickson Assistant Editor Kathleen Davis Art/Production Assistant Linzee Karasik Contributing Editors tim Fitzharris, Russeil Hart,Peter krause, Neal Matthews, Arthur Morris, tony Nagatomo, Bryan F. Peterson www.PopPhoto.com Executive Editor, Electronics Jay DeFoore online technology Editor Jack Howard vice presdent/publisher Jeffery Roberts Associate Publsher Anthony M.ruotolo (212)767-6397
for firing Strobes and most slr cameras
Fire Strobes
vice president/senior counselor West Coast Ad Director Fir an SLR and Strobes
Herbet Keppler Lori reale (858)483-0389
Executive vice president/group publishing Director.Men’s Enthusiast Network (M.E.N)
Nicholas J. Matarazzo
Advertising sales offices Headquarters: Anthony M.Ruotolo(aruoto@hfmus.com) 1633 Broedway. 43rd floor, New york,NY 10019: (212)767-6397. west coast : lori reale (lreale@hfmus.com) 1045 turqoise street . unit A. san diego ,CA 92109: (858)483-0389: Fax (858)483-0723. Deroit: jeff lantzy (jantzy@hfmus.com) 100 west Big beaver roed .suite 655 ,troy, Mi 48084; (248) 729-2142; Fax: (248) 729-2130. Japon: shigeru kobayashi (shig-koby@ media-jac.co.jp) japon Advertising communication . inc, three star bidg , 3-10-3 Kandsjimbocto,Chiyoda-ku, tokyo 101, japon; (011) 81-3-3261-4591; Fax (011) 81-3-3261-4591;Fax (011)81-3-3261-6126. Subscription inquiries phone; (850) 682-7654: Fax (641)842-6101. Email: popphoto@ neodata.com include mailng address
Super minature size. • Avanced Rdio technology
that doesn’t require “lineof sight”
• Works with auto focus and continuous • Transmitter Battery life up to 3 years . . Accecssory cords available for most canon. Nikon and pentax DSLRs.
microsyncdigital.com
or cell : 1-800-662-0717 MicroSync is a ““
American photo
2007
popular photography & imaging is published by machette filipacchi media U.S. Gerald de roquemaurel chalman: jack kliger, president & chief Executive officer: philippe Guelton. Executive vp & chief operating officer: catherine R.flickinger, Executive vp &general counsel; Nicholas j. matarazzo, Executive vp. group publishing director , men’s Enthusiast Network; Anotoine de noyer, senior vp/chief financial officer;john Bobay ,senior vp/chief information officer. anne lattimore janas.senior vp. corporate communication; thomas Masteron. senior vp, consumer marketing.Eileen f Mullins, vp.human resources & Distribution; paul turcotte.senior vp , corporate sales and Marketing : marta wohrf, senior vp , director of digital media COPYRIGHT * 2007 . Hachette filipacchi media us . inc.prented in the united states.
Popular Photography & imaging Pop Photo, Popular Photography are registered ec teademarks of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.Inc.
editor’s choice aword
We gave them the Nikon* D80� What they gave back was stunning.
the 102 megapeixel Nikon D80 digital slr was designed to put high performance in the hands of anyone who loves taking pictures and the jaw-dropping images captured by these passionate photographers prove it .see more of their pictues and learn why the NIKON D80 is unprecedented for a digital SLR at this level . at stunningnikon.com/dslr the Nikon D80. available with an astonshing 18-135mm AF zoom-zikkor lens for just $ 1299,95*
stunningnikon.com/maggie
stunningnikon.com/giulietta At the heart of the image