News: Photographylife.com

Just a quick news item for readers I am proud to share with you all. Photographylife.com will soon have a new contributing writer (and moderator) to their site, me! But please don't worry, I will continue this blog as usual and nothing will change here, business as usual. However going forward, I will be also putting efforts into contributing articles/content over at the wonderful Photographylife.com website as well. The folks over there (Nasim, Spencer, etal) are a class act, the articles are top rate, and they adhere to a photography/photographer-first ethical standard that I relate too heavily. I feel this is a great matchup of like-minds and I'm proud to be a new contributing author and member of the team. I will update my blog when I publish articles on the site there as they happen. I am excited, grateful, and proud to be a part of such wonderful company. More to come soon. Stay focused. -Carl

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Pentax K1 Mark III: What Ricoh Should Do Next

Pentax K1 Mark III: What Ricoh Should Do Next

March 2023, Carl Garrard

As I put the finishing touches on my K3 Mark III part IV and V articles, I wanted to take a quick break and discuss what I think should be Ricoh's next move. Slowly over the last eight years or so Ricoh has done a decent job bringing in modern optic full frame lenses for their apex full frame cameras. From ultrawide to macro to super telephoto, they have at least one Pentax branded lens representing each category with their zooms, and they also have a few choice primes being sprinkled in there as well. While modern lens lineup isn't that robust, there are many used options from the full frame film days as well. The point being, Ricoh have enough lenses to support a K1 Mark III as is, and it wouldn't take much for them to kick out a few more choice full frame modern optics either. With that said, I'm not fortune teller but if there was a way to bet in Vegas on what Ricoh are working on currently, I'd throw my money down on a K1 II successor. 

Photographic Central's Future

Photographic Central's Future

March 2023, Carl Garrard

Just shy of nine months ago a career pivot has dominated more of my personal energy and time than I had forecast, thus making for less personal time to complete review projects here on PC than I'd ultimately like. Bread on the table is my number one priority, and something of which I'm sure readers here can relate and understand completely. With that said, I want to mention that I have multiple projects started on older and newer cameras alike and they are all simultaneously in the works. Now I'd love to have nothing but free time to complete all of these projects, especially some that are most near and dear to me, but life doesn't always work out as we plan. Saving any suspense, I have no plans of shutting down my site or to stop writing reviews and articles about camera gear and photography, quite the opposite in fact.

DPReview Shutting Down: Burning A Historic Library

DPReview Shutting Down: Burning A Historic Library

March 2023, Carl Garrard

WTF. That was the first thought I had when I read the headline DPReview was shutting down, as I'm sure many others shared a similar train of thought. I don't know the real reasons for the shut down of the internets largest community of photographic related content and users. Layoffs and cutbacks are not reasons I accept in this case, I repeat, I do not accept this and neither should you. DPReview could easily be sold through crowdfunding, to a highest bidder, the list of alternatives is staggering. And yet, Amazon is just wiping 25 years of information, contribution, wisdom, sharing, you name it... right off the grid. That takes a pretty soulless decision to do something like that, its the equivalent of burning the Vatican or another historic library right to the ground. This news shocked me in a way that hit my core being, and to the point that I couldn't find the words to describe how I was feeling or what I actually wanted to say. Well a good nights sleep is good for the brain and I woke up today pissed. 

Nikon D800 Review: A Legendary Nikon DSLR

Nikon D800 Review: A Legendary Nikon DSLR

March 2023, Carl Garrard

Back in November of 2022, I wrote a small piece about my four favorite Nikon DSLR's. Some of my opinions have changed a bit since then, and some have remained. The reason for these changes is due to spending more quality time with those cameras in that article. I have also added a few more Nikon DSLR's during that time as well. So yeah, I've been busy shooting with a lot with Nikon gear in the last couple of years. And through trial and error I have also continued to fine tune my lens lineup as well. I've ironed out what I want each camera to do for my photography. Much experimentation has resulted in setting up my Nikon's DSLR's with an ideal combination of custom configurations and settings. And during that process something wonderful has happened... an increasing understanding, respect, admiration, and appreciation of the Nikon D800. As it turns out, the D800 happened to be quite a surprise all rounder- something I didn't understand it to be when I first purchased one. NIKON D800 Used Prices

News: Pentax Brand Launching A Film Camera Project (Updated Jan 1, 2023)

Now this is what I call photo industry news. Ricoh has decided to launch a Pentax Brand Film Camera Project: https://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/2022/20221220_037861.html

Film popularity has only been increasing while digital popularity has been decreasing. This is a bold and exciting move from Pentax. And while I doubt film will ever become as popular as digital, it has enough popularity and movement to be considered lucrative for the brand- and for photographers alike. Read the article, and great job Pentax!

Update: I decided to add a link to a great video on Pentax cameras, A History of Pentax. I highly recommend watching this video as it is an important sort of addendum to the new announcement from Pentax, and you will not regret time spent soaking up this great information.

A History of Pentax

Happy New Year, and here's hoping for a wonderful 2023. Stay focused.

Pentax K3 III Used and New Pricing

Coming Soon, Parts IV and V

Coming Soon, Review Parts IV and V

November 2022, Carl Garrard

I haven't forgot. Stay tuned. Stay focused.

Pentax K3 III Used and New Pricing

My Favorite Nikon DSLRS: Df, D610, D500, and D800

My Favorite Nikon DSLRS: Df, D610, D500, and D800 

November 2022, Carl Garrard

My inspiration for this article arose from the personal experiences I'vd had over the last few years with my favorite Nikon DSLR's. This article is by no means an attempt to sway anyone's opinion of, nor defend my purchases for, these four Nikon cameras. Rather, I decided that it was important to share my opinions with other photographers. Mostly it is intended for those who are newer to photography or to those photographers that are  reorganizing a new kit. Frankly, at times we can all use some experienced wisdom or insight in order to help us decide on what gear to outfit ourselves with. As such, it's important to anyone reading this to know that I have owned almost every single DSLR in Nikon's inventory (with exception to the D5/6 and D850). In addition, I own multiple camera systems from multiple companies, and for fifteen years I've been reviewing as many digital cameras and lenses on the internet as possible. This does not take into account any and all previous experience I've had prior to reviewing digital cameras online. I have been a photographer for nearly 32 years now (in one form or another). Therefore it's my hope that sharing my thoughts are then at least somewhat helpful to other photographers out there looking for an honest opinion, all whilst simultaneously trying to navigate their way through the maze of gear choices and other opinions in the internet toilet. Trust me, I know it's not easy.

Fujifilm X-PRO 1 Review: A Decade Old, Better Than Ever

Fujifilm X-PRO 1 Review: A Decade Old, Better Than Ever

June 2022, Carl Garrard

Hope you don't mind, but I think a little reminiscing is necessary before I get into the meat of this review. I think that is vital to set up the context of this article. So with that said, lets just jump in and start at the beginning. Way back in January 2012 was the first time that I used the Fujifilm X-Pro1, and I can remember that experience like it was yesterday. It was a chilly early morning in Las Vegas Nevada, I was attending the 2012 CES show after a five hour drive from Southern California. I was one of the first in line to get in the show. When the doors opened I made a beeline straight to the Fujifilm booth. Fortunate or, maybe because I hustled, I was one of the first to be able to spend a couple of productive hours of time with a group of Fujifilm folk there, learning about and testing all their new cameras. Although a couple of hours doesn't sound like a lot of time, trust me when I say that it is, especially when you are attending a packed shoulder to shoulder electronics show event. The experience that I had with the staff there at that counter was very positive, they answered so many of my questions (the best that they could) and never rushed me to give the cameras back. Most of that time was spent with the X-Pro1. Fujifilm X-Pro 1 Used and New Prices

PENTAX K5II Review: If You Had To Pick One...

PENTAX K5II Review: If You Had To Pick One...

May 2022, Carl Garrard

Pentax DSLR's have brought me so many fond memories. But the state of our camera market is such that DSLRs will likely become a rarity one day. Camera manufacturers are beset on mirrorless as the future, and that becomes more evident by the day. Only Pentax has shown a dedication to keeping a DSLR in production, but lets face it, they are a small dedicated brand with a proportionally small but equally dedicated base of photographers. I have always loved Pentax cameras, I've owned every single Pentax DSLR ever made. But the time has come to make room on my shelves. And in doing so I have decided to sell off a huge portion of my camera "collection" that I have from all manufacturers, not just Pentax. In the end, the goal was to keep only my very favorites from each manufacturer I own. 

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Review 2021 (Part 1)

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Review 2021 (Part 1)

November 2021, Carl Garrard

  

My review of the 1D Mark IV is a culmination of over two years of proud ownership and experience. Before I dive in though, I must say that it doesn't seem appropriate to write a review about the Canon 1D Mark IV without having first given a nod of  respect to the important heritage of the 1D series digital cameras. All of them have a nearly impeccable reputation amongst the most demanding photographers in their (relatively) short 21 year history. Mostly, this is due to the fact that these same photographers have worked in the most demanding of all situations and climates. Sometimes even life and death situations. And when the reliability of your gear is that important, photographers have consistently reached out for Canon's 1D DSLR's to get the job done. My own personal photography experience has never been as important as life and death, yet the expectations I have of my gear, like many other photographers, are still very high. And when I need a camera to perform better, more consistently, and with the greatest of fluidity, I find that it's nearly impossible to find better cameras than the 1D series for those demands.  Therefore it's my assessment that the numero uno in Canon's naming convention isn't just mere coincidence. It stands for something. They truly are amongst the best cameras that you will ever use.

Pentax K-01: A Marc Newson Sequel?

Pentax K-01: A Marc Newson Sequel?

October 2021, Carl Garrard

 

Of all the digital cameras that have come out in the last two decades or so, Pentax's K-01 is amongst a small and distinguished fraternity of cameras that received the most criticism upon announcement. Yup, it's right up there with the Hassleblad Lunar and HV, which take the top spots as the most repulsive camera offerings of all. But does the K-01 deserve as much criticism as it received? The short answer is equally yes and no. For every faceplant reaction and "wtf?"criticism armchair quarterbacks gave this camera, there are equally as many staunch and loyal supporters of its somewhat radical design. What I'm attempting to do with this article is to find common ground between the two extremes, because often enough the truth can usually be found somewhere in the middle. I will also go out on a limb and propose that Ricoh make a sequel to the K-01 because it had so much potential!

Pentax K3 Mk III Review Series 3

Pentax K3 Mk III Review Series 3

May 2021, Carl Garrard

 

Part III  in the K3 Mk III series, I'll go over build quality, ergonomics, and features. And I just have to take a moment to say that I'm really pleased to be doing a comprehensive review series on this camera. Ricoh's Pentax K3 Mk III is entirely new from the ground up, with every aspect of its design having been redesigned and improved compared to it's K3 predecessors (and previous Pentax DSLRs), one short review would not cut it. Quite honestly there's been more of a learning curve with the K3 Mk III than I expected. Sure it's still mostly familiar like most Pentax DSLRs, but there's a lot of new stuff here. So when I decided to do an in depth review like this, I realized that I really needed to dig into it, report its fine points, and test everything from the ground up. I think that's the only way you're really going to get to know a camera from the outside in. So far, and to my surprise, there haven't been any stick-out-like-a-sore-thumb moments with the K3 Mk III. There have been  no disappointments that reside in my personal deal breaker category.

Pentax K3 Mk III Review Series 2

Pentax K3 Mk III Review Series 2

May 2021, Carl Garrard

 

 

Ricoh's Pentax K3 Mk III is an impressive, gargantuan effort. Especially so considering that the world has been in crazy lock down mode for well over a year now. Despite that, Ricoh has been hard at work behind the scenes. From its engineers to the I.T department, to its marketing department and i's production facilities, Ricoh was on a mission to bring the K3 Mk III to the world. The depth of the effort that went into this camera's release is more apparent the more I spend time reading about it. I don't recall ever seeing so many pro photographers chiming in about a Pentax camera so soon after its release, whether that's the photographers on Ricoh's special website, or all of the others I'm seeing on the net. I'm quickly getting the impression here that the K3 Mk III represents more than just a new DSLR release, it also represents photographers who appreciate a DSLR's unique capabilities and heritage. Ricoh pushed back, and said no to conformity, and I for one, and all for it. I decided that with as much effort that Ricoh made to bring this camera to us, so too will be the effort that I make to review it properly. Feel free to skip past the Open Mic section if you don't want to hear my thoughts on the market reception of the K3 Mk III thus far.

Pentax K3 Mk III Review Series 1

Pentax K3 Mk III Review Series 1

April 2021, Carl Garrard

Pentax (Ricoh) stuck to their guns. Instead of making yet another "me too" mirrorless camera, Ricoh have decided to stick to doing what they do best- make an excellent DSLR. With this iteration of the K3, the wait was definitely worth it. True steps forward in design are under its amazingly tough and weatherproof magnesium shell. Oh you're going to love that grip and rock solid construction. It's a masterpiece. As you know, I have a full suite of Nikon and Canon DSLRS, as well as Pentax. I use whatever camera is suited best. Comparatively Pentax are the best built and most weather proof in their class compared to the other brands. It's just their brand strength, along with being backwards compatible to very old lenses (like Nikon). Pentax's weakness has always been autofocusing speed and tracking when comparing to Canon and Nikon, how will it fair?

Fujifilm's New GFX 100S

Fujifilm's New GFX 100S

February 2021, Carl Garrard 

I've been sort of out of the camera news loop lately, so I didn't see the press release of the new GFX 100S until the day it was announced. Life has been busy, in a good way. In a way I'm kind of glad I didn't catch all the "rumors" or sneak peaks of this camera before it was announced. I'm probably in the minority when I say that I prefer a good surprise to all the leaks and rumors that are so prevalent today. My reaction to the GFX 100S announcement thus was pure excitement and wonder. This wasn't the typical reaction to cameras news, I was genuinely excited and very, very curious. After reading up on the GFX 100S, going over its design with a fine tooth comb, I have to say that this camera is a very special one. I think it has true potential to radically alter the course of professional camera products in the future. In a way, it already has.

Fujifilm X-H1: Hybrid GFX/XT Inspired Excellence

Fujifilm X-H1: Hybrid GFX/XT Inspired Excellence

February 2021, Carl Garrard

When I returned my loaner X-H1 to Fujifilm back in February 2019, it didn't occur to me then that I just sent back my favorite X mount camera ever. And I certainly had no intention to wait two years to write a review about it either. For reasons I still can't explain, the timing to complete a review just didn't feel right. I guess I just wasn't ready to decide what to think about the X-H1 at that time. I knew it's design was a blend of stills and video of sorts, and I knew how Fujifilm were marketing it. Nearly two years on from the day I originally sent the X-H1 back, I know exactly what I want to say about it.

 

Nikon D810 Review Series Part I

Nikon D810 Review Series Part I 

November 2020, Carl Garrard

First, a bit of clarity. Although the title of this review implies that I may write further articles about the D810, please don't count on it. But also, don't discount it happening either. It's important to know that my impression of the D810 continues to evolve the more that I use it, thus, I may decide to have additional observations to note in the future. Consider instead that the title is a place marker. I won't rush or force myself into a writing review anymore, that time has long gone (thankfully). So my practice now is that an article happens when the time is right. After months of experience with the D810... I finally sat down this morning with a cup of black rifle coffee, motivated to condense my thoughts and experiences about the D810 into an article. I don't think I need to explain the reasoning why I'm reviewing an older camera, in my mind the point of relevancy for all interchangeable lens cameras came and went over 10 years ago, and many older cameras are just as relevant today as they were then.

The Magnificent Dozen (Updated List 2020)

The Magnificent Dozen (Updated List 2020)

October 2020, Carl Garrard

 

Since posting the Magnificent Seven article about two years ago (here), I've tested and reviewed more cameras in that time than in any two year period in the past. During which time, a few more cameras  have managed to really stand out as my favorites, so I thought I'd update my all time list to include these as well. As I stated in my first article; in order for a camera to reach my all time favorite list, it has to have several special qualities about it that make it stand out from the rest. There really is no set list of qualities it must have, rather, it must have the right combination of qualities to give it that something special- that at the end of the day makes it a camera that I never want to part with. These are also cameras that constantly beg my attention to be used for whatever subjective reason, and subsequently they are the ones I never lose interest in. Some cameras just have mojo, and it matters not what category they are in, or how expensive they are, they just have... it.