Photo of the Day- Spirit of Photography

Miss you my very good friend. Your laughter and your spirit is everywhere I explore.

Photography Tip of the Day

Automatic Coffee Mug Warmer $18.99
Or Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

Take your camera off auto today. Learn one new way to control the tool in your hands.

Photo of the Day- Sailor's Warning

 

Red sky at night, sailors delight.Red sky in morning, sailors warning.

Shot With: Olympus OM-D E-M1

Fujifilm X-PRO2 Comprehensive Review - A Hybrid Rangefinder Xperience

Fujifilm X-PRO 2 Comprehensive Review - A Hybrid Rangefinder  Xperience
December 2018, Carl Garrard

Fujifilm X-PRO2 Comprehensive Review - Rangefinder cameras are practical designs first, mostly simple, compact, and downright classy looking. For most though, the cost of a “real” digital rangefinder camera system has priced out all but the most dedicated and fortunate of photographers. Until the X-Pro series came to market. My last few reviews have been centered on finding cameras with a focus-on-photography first approach, and so naturally Fujifilms X-PRO2 is a proper next subject. My last Fujfilm review on the Fujifilm X-E2 was about finding a near rangefinder experience on a supreme budget. But as you will see, this review is about accepting the X-PRO2 as a real rangefinder camera, and much more. While I was not originally impressed with the X-PRO1, that was a long time ago and things have changed a lot since then. While some consider X-PRO2 or X-E2 questionable rangefinders, the actual definition of a rangefinder camera might prove them wrong. It's not a simple answer to a complicated camera. But Fujifilms XPRO2 seems to push the rangefinder camera definition even further, and that makes it a very unique prospect indeed.

Your Gateway to the Fujifilm X-Pro2
Automatic Coffee Mug Warmer- It's Genius!

Olympus OM-D EM10 Mark II Review

Olympus OM-D EM10 Mark II Review
December 2018, Carl Garrard

As promised, I'm diving deep into the world of the Micro Four Thirds system to bring you my opinion on cameras I feel are a real steal on the market. This review on the EM10 Mark II, is one of a few upcoming reviews on Olympus cameras and lenses that I hope to continue with (time permitting). I purchased the camera for this review brand new from Beach Camera (through Amazon), which surprisingly came with a free $15.00 coupon for any future purchases, and a 1 year extended warranty card for the camera. Both of the freebies were appreciated. Total price for the EM10 Mark II and 14-42mm II "R" lens? $399.00 (I didn't use the included lens for this review, opted for the EZ pancake!) I've read enough about the EM10 Mark II online to know it has a high value factor, and is a pretty popular choice in the m4/3 realm. So what do I think about the little EM10 Mark II?

Automatic Coffee Mug Warmer $18.99
Or Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

Canon EOS 7D Review (Bargain Camera Review)

Canon EOS 7D Review (Bargain Camera Review)
November 2018, Carl Garrard (updated October 2021)

This review series is all about finding very affordable, highly capable cameras that only exist in the discontinued camera market, and why I feel they represent an incredible value. Today's spotlight is on the Canon EOS 7D, a camera originally introduced in September of 2009, which made a huge shock wave in the DSLR realm. At the time, the EOS 7D was the front runner in crop sensor DSLRs that offered pro level features at an "affordable" price of $1,699.00. It's leading edge 19 point autofocus system, 1080p HD video capability,  weather sealing, large 1.00x and 100% accurate viewfinder, 8FPS shooting w/large buffer, 1/8000th min shutter speed, 1/250th flash sync speed, 14bit raw, 150k shutter life, and much more, made the 7D a real force to be reckoned with by other manufacturers. Today, you may be thinking those specifications sound very familiar to Canon's current DSLRs, and you'd pretty much be right. Practically speaking, the EOS 7D is still, nine years later, more than enough camera for the average photographer, and also a very decent option for beginner video enthusiasts. The camera for this review was purchased in "like new" condition for how much? $299.00, and, it came with the original box and all of the original items.
Canon EOS 7D Best Price Searched

Photographers- It's Time to Reconsider Micro Four Thirds

Photographers- It's Time to Reconsider Micro Four Thirds
November 2018, Carl Garrard

With 2018 almost out of the way, I've been paying extra close attention to the camera market lately. As many of you know, the camera market is over saturated with excellent cameras and excellent used deals. Prices on excellent cameras drop faster than a Tito Ortiz k/o over Chuck Liddell. No matter what brand/mount you are looking at, used deals can be found everywhere. With the camera market clearly shifting a large portion of it's efforts to full frame mirrorless, it's time to consider what your needs really are as a photographer. Large in part, I've always ignored m4/3 as a serious system because of its early day image quality based on the sensors they used at that time. All this changed for me when they introduced the OMD EM5 in 2012 with its 16mp sensor, but like many of you, I was already fully invested into larger sensor systems. Today I rethink it all.
OMD EM10 II Value?

Photo of the Day- Seasonal Change Sunset (Canon 50D)

Photo of the Day- Seasonal Change Sunset (Canon 50D)

Canon 80D Body Only Pre Holiday Bonus Price

This sunset signals a rapid change in our upcoming fall/winter rain season for California. Shot with the ancient but glorious Canon 50D (24mm EFS STM lens at f/2.8)

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Limited Edition Review

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Limited Edition Review
November 2018, Carl Garrard

Olympus is a name that I've not mentioned much on my blog in the past, although, there's a fair chance that's probably going to change after this review is published. There's no hate for Olympus here, in fact quite the opposite, I have still have a few of their DSLR's and m4/3 cameras in my arsenal and I've always liked the company. My very first SLR camera was an Olympus OM2 in fact, and I still have that camera to this day. Admittedly, it's an heirloom and I haven't made an image with it in quite some time. Since Olympus were kind enough to send me a camera for evaluation (a loaner) I was curious about the EM5 II (how I will refer to it hereon) especially, so that camera and the newer version 17mm f/1.8 was sent to me. First of all, I am grateful that Olympus have sent me the camera and lens so, I want to thank them foremost. Thank you Olympus. Time sure flies, and I can't believe this camera came out in 2015, three years on and it's like a new release in terms of capability.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II (BEST CURRENT PRICES)

Olympus OM-D EM5 II Limited Edition Preview Video

Olympus OM-D EM5 II Limited Edition Preview Video
November 1 2018, Carl Garrard

This is my first attempt at a preview video on Photographic-Central. I actually enjoyed the process so perhaps I'll make more. I expect to improve the quality and content much more on future videos as I come up the learning curve. Feel free to make as much fun of me as you wish! I will complete a full written review of the camera after I've had more time with it. Thanks for watching!

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Limited Edition Digital Camera (Titanium) (BEST CURRENT PRICE!)

Leica M10-D- Leica You Ruined a Beautiful Camera Design

Leica M10-D- Leica You Ruined a Beautiful Camera Design
October 2018, Carl Garrard

Today Leica announced the M10-D. And as you can tell I am not happy about it. Leica's leaking of images of the M10-D before the announcement (leaks are intentional, there are no accidents), suggested the successor of the M10-D would take the-mostly-analogue soul of the M-D, and evolve it even further by adding a level wind advance lever (or shutter re-cock in this case). The idea of having to advance each frame by hand is brilliant, and to me at least, would have furthered the focus and intensity of each shot and made the experience of photography that much more personal between the camera and photographer. But no, instead Leica created a gimmicky camera that has a faux shutter recock lever that acts as a thumb rest. How very... lame. To say I'm disappointed is just a nice way of me saying that Leica stabbed my heart today. And I had to vent here. The M-D is ruined, and this news saddens me. Nothing is real, if it is fake. Why Leica then, even bother leaving the LCD off? It's now even got an EVF port and wireless connectivity. Leica has transformed the beautifully simple MD into some please-em-all fake monstrosity. So much for purity and simplicity in design in this world, and thanks for breaking my heart Leica because I was truly sold on the fact that your company could still consider making a dignified product. For a real taste in purity and simplicity, take a look at the Leica M-D (Typ 262) because it's likely the last time we'll see an M like it.

Stay focused.

- Carl Garrard

Photo of the Day: Lake Skinner, California

Photo of the Day: Lake Skinner, California

Shot with one of my favorite cameras, the Fujifilm X-E2 and 27mm f/2.8 @ ISO 400 DR 200% 

(It's a link you can click!)

Leica Has Competition: PIXII

Leica Has Competition: PIXII
October 2018, Carl Garrard

2018- The historical, radical change year of Digital Photography, just got even more interesting with the new rangefinder from PIXII. Yep a real rangefinder, not styled, not a wannabe, but a real rangefinder from another manufacturer. This came as a big surprise to me today, and I have to say I am very excited. I had hoped Voigtlander would join Leica in the digital rangefinder category, but alas it looks like Zenit and now PIXII are the only others making digital rangefinders so far. I just found out about this news so I will read up tonight and throw in my two cents on what I think of the camera so far soon enough. For now, the specs and the site, and the pic of the camera should do :).

Remembering the Olympus E-P1 Pen

One of my very favorite and tasteful ad campaigns for a camera company ever. All about the important stuff in life, and artistically done in every way. Enjoy the memory! - Carl

Ricoh- Pentax 2019...And Beyond

Ricoh- Asahi Pentax 2019...And Beyond
October 2019, Carl Garrard

Just a quick update on next year. As some know already, next year is Asahi Pentax's 100yr anniversary. There are comments turned to "rumors" flying around based on a couple of comments by a reliable source (Asahi Man) about development currently in place at Ricoh. Quick rewind, I have commented previously that I see plenty of room in the market for a DSLR (not a mirrorless camera) that is positioned in the affordable category. I did not make those comments lightly. The comments (notice I'm not saying rumor), which are accurate, eluded to full frame cameras in two categories. I am now saying there is room in the marketplace also for a higher end DSLR, say above the K1 II, so... one above, and one below the K1 II. It is clear to me, there is space in both categories in the marketplace for Ricoh to pursue, especially after what has been seen at Photokina (mirrorless craze).

As we know, I was right about the upcoming GR III well before its pre-announcement. Keep a close eye on what I've stated about the room in the marketplace for DSLR's, because Ricoh clearly have room in their own lineup for both spaces as well. There is no coincidence about the comments made about development in two categories. And then, think about the next logical step for Ricoh in the Pentax brand, and next years 100yr anniversary. Then remember what I've said here.

Sometimes it is quietest before the storm.

Stay Focused.

-Carl

Hugh Brownstone Panasonic Interview

One of the best interviews I've seen in a very long time, and must be shared to my readers! Always liked Panasonic, they aren't the same as some other electronic giants at the highest levels. Truly looking out for photographers. I won't spoil it, but you have to watch it all. It gets better as you go on!

NEW RICOH GR III CONCEPT VIDEO

Fujifilm Reviews On Deck!

Fujifilm Reviews On Deck!
October 2018, Carl Garrard

Fujifilm fans, I haven't forgot about you. I have two very exciting reviews coming soon that I'm sure you will be very interested in. My first review up is the XF10, and trust me, whatever you've read negative about this camera is about to be wiped clean with my upcoming review. Teaser: It's not worthy of any bad reviews or press... trust me. You know I love serious compacts, so to say that much already is a very good sign. Secondly, the little 27mm f/2.8 Fujinon lens, needs more love than it gets, so I will review that lens too. So far, it's welded to my custom clad X-E2 and it is not coming off. More to follow so please stay tuned and check back soon. The XF10 review will be a very thorough and multi-page comprehensive blast of information, trust me! Please share my site, bookmark it, tell a friend, all of your help contributes to the success of the site. Thank you all for your support, I mean it!


Fujinon XF27mmF2.8 (Back in Black!) Fujifilm XF10 (Black) Current Best Link

Photo of the Day: Lenticular Clouds, Rancho Santa Margarita CA

Photo of the Day: Lenticular Clouds, Rancho Santa Margarita CA
October 1 2018, Carl Garrard

These cloud formations are extremely rare for Southern California. I've lived in RSM for over 20 years now, and this is the first formation of Lenticular Clouds I've seen above any of our local mountains. Ironically, they  formed immediately above the recent Holy Fire burn area from August of this year. If on is a believer in "mystic rhythms"at all, then they are quite extraordinary. With the remnants of hurricane Rosa on its way, to me, this was natures warning and signpost of much needed rain to come. Image made with the Pentax K70 and Tamron 17-50mm/f2.8 II. More on that lens later as I will be doing a review here. For now... (more)
Tamron17-50MM F/2.8 XR Di II Best Current Price
Pentax K-70 Weather-Sealed DSLR Best Price, Body Only (Black)

Ricoh GR Blog (Official) on the GR III (And Site Updates!)

Ricoh GR Blog (Official) on the GR III
October 1 2019, Carl Garrard

For more up to date information the upcoming GR III, you can also go here: RICOH GR BLOG in addition to getting the latest info here on Photographic Central. Also, I have made quite a few changes in the blog lately; visual changes as well as adding functionality to the site. There is a big white search bar at the top, link and subscribe buttons, translate blog functionality, a new featured post on the right side bar, contact forms, and home button added to make navigation much easier. Please share the site and subscribe, it helps more than you know. More ...

Ricoh GR