Review: Ricoh's Pentax K-70 - An Outdoorsman's Ideological DSLR (With Press Commentary)

Review: Ricoh's Pentax K-70 - An Outdoorsman's Ideological DSLR ( With Press Commentary)
September 2018, Carl Garrard

Hello all. So yeah, I know my last *new* DSLR review for Pentax was the K5IIs, it's been a while. Although I meant to post my  K3 and the K3II reviews, I just never ended up completing them. I passed on the KS1, and may still review the KS2, but the K70 seemed the next logical review here for a reason. Sorry, I've been a busy guy. Upon unboxing my new K70 and lenses, it was apparent to me right away that Ricoh/Pentax have been very busy on the design team since my last Pentax DSLR experience. So, before I get into my impressions on this camera, I think it's best to make a list of items I deem important about the K70 that stood out to me while reading about it. I'll do this without listing every single item like a sales brochure, but even then be warned that its going to be a long review. So without further ado, I have to say it's nice to be reviewing a Pentax DSLR again. I missed all the Pentaxians out there! You still have some voices out here that get it and care. There's even a sort of bonus section on that very subject at the end of this review.


Pentax K-70 Weather-Sealed DSLR Best Price, Body Only (Black)

Ricoh Image Sync 2 Released (Hmmmmm)

Ricoh Image Sync 2 Released (Hmmmm)
September 2018, Carl Garrard

Ricoh/Pentax have announced a new version of their Image Sync application for wireless use of their Pentax and Ricoh cameras, but so far only for Android users. In late September the app will be launched to support IOS users as well. A list of currently supported cameras is already on their app page above. The new app gives you additional features and a restructured facelift to boot.  More...

Photokina 2018- Will Be Historic, Absolutely Epic.

Photokina 2018- Will Be Historic, Absolutely Epic.
September  2018, Carl Garrard

Photokina 2018: It's hard not to get excited, but I admit that I am. I'll get right to the nitty gritty on current information. As we know, Nikon has already introduced the new Z mount system, and Canon today have leaked the new EOS R system pictures and specifications -and wow, they have blown me away. Fujifilm are going to introduce the most affordable medium format camera to date (GFX 50R), and have already leaked the X-T3 for APS-C that looks fantastic. If that doesn't blow you away this certainly will: Panasonic is rumored (highly likely) to go full frame mirrorless and join Sony, Nikon, and Canon with a brand new mount and double down on their impact on the camera market (especially video). They already have the co-developed Leica SL platform to jump off and I know for sure they will go after all of them with everything they have. That's not all!

Exclusive: I have word that Ricoh/Pentax is also going to announce "something", and I have good word on that. It's not going to be some lame announcement either, so keep your eye on this site for specifics that I'm able to give in the very near future here. Sony and Olympus still haven't shown any cards but I sincerely doubt they will remain quiet. Don't forget about all the other smaller and third party manufacturers either as there will likely be lots announcements to support the new system and products coming up.

My summation of this epic Photokina so far is this: All of the camera manufacturers sorta got together/got the memo and said "we're tired of the declining overall market, lets go all in and throw our punches, and re-ignite the industry and also combat the smart phone dominance". Just watch and see, this will be the most epic year for the industry since digital cameras have been invented.

Stay focused.

-Carl Garrard

Paypal Me if you like the site. 

Nikon Z6 and Z7 Announced Pre-Orders Available Already! (Preview)

Nikon Z6 and Z7 Announced Pre-Orders Available Already! (Preview)
August 2018, Carl Garrard

Here it is, the Nikon Z7

Nikon's Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras are out and ready to be purchased in kit forms and lens adapter too. Nikons 24.5mp Z6 is about $1995.00 USD, and 45.7 mp Z7 is $3395.00, these are body only prices. Nikon's entrance to the Mirrorless party is going to change the entire industry up, one that Sony has dominated singularly for quite some time now. Competition is fierce, and it all starts today. I'm going to be watching  intently for Canon's announcement next, and Sony's answers to them both.

Nikon Z6 FX-Format Body Only (Best Price Preorder)
Nikon Z7 FX-Format Body Only (Best Pre Order Price)

Remembering the Pentax K200D

Remembering the Pentax K200D
August 2018, Carl Garrard

It's hard to think that it has been seven years since I reviewed the Pentax K200D. Since then I cannot count how many cameras have come across my desk, or that I have bought and sold. Very recently, my local national forest suffered a huge loss because of arson. A particular area called Trabuco Canyon up near Holy Jim trail and Trabuco Road, have been devastated by this fire. It is (was) the most beautiful hiking area for locals, now burned down because of a singular self centered act. As a result, I had desired to review some images I made of Trabuco Canyon and the surrounding areas over the years, and forgot I had made many with this remarkable camera. I was stunned to see how well the raw images held up, and relived the magical quality of its 10.2mp CCD sensor. Consequently, more memories came back to me about how much I liked using it too. The K200D ended up being everything I wanted my first DSLR to be (the Sony A100), but ended up being much more than I expected.

Upcoming Sony Review? It's Been Five Years!!??

Upcoming Sony Review? It's Been Five Years!!??
July 2018, Carl Garrard

For those of you who haven't followed me from day one, I'll give you a little history. My days of doing camera reviews started way back in 2007 with a site that I took down from the internet called AlphaMountWorld.com. This website was dedicated to Sony's new DSLR system (and Konica Minolta gear), much like Dyxum.com or other Sony/Konica Minolta centric sites on the internet today. At that time there were only 3 sites globally dedicated to Sony or Konica Minolta gear (at least for the english speaking world). There, I cut my teeth in reviewing cameras, and have learned so much since then. I grew, and moved on to my own website where I could review any camera I liked, the one you are on now. For whatever reason, I haven't done a full Sony review in over five years. (There may be a prize in store for readers!)

Stay in The Zone- Leica M8, Leica M-D, Panasonic LC1, Fujifilm X20, Canon G16, Ricoh GR IV

Stay in The Zone- Leica M8, Leica M-D, Panasonic LC1, Fujifilm X20, Canon G16, Ricoh GR IV
July 2018, Carl Garrard

This article will touch on a subject that is hardly discussed in photography groups, but one that I feel is the most extremely important of all- staying in the zone. And what exactly do I mean by staying in the zone? Being in the zone to me at least, in life or in photography, is a mode in which you are in when you are at your most acutely aware, focused, and balanced. It's a moment, or series of moments in your life where you know you are at your optimum self, at your  most capable, and produce your finest works in all aspects of life. I also believe that being in the zone is a moving target, and that it takes supreme honesty and maximum effort of your cognitive skills in order to be there. The zone, to which I will refer in the rest of this article, should be a place we strive to be in as often as possible. To get yourself in the zone often requires a lot of honest self reflection, humility, and complete lack of external and internal distractions alike. You must know your true self "Nosce te ipsum", and then be your true self "Tu ipse esto", wholly, and without any reservations.

Setting Up My Leica M8 for the Leica M-D

Setting Up My Leica M8 for the Leica M-D
April 2018, Carl Garrard

My Leica M8 still gets plenty of work. It's a unique and fun Leica M, and with use over time I believe this to be even more so than my "classic" M9 in some respects. Recently, I learned how to properly adjust the M8 for a horizontal RF adjustment because its focus alignment was slightly off horizontally, and a small adjustment was  necessary. I'm an independent type, so I'd rather fix it myself rather than pay then wait a long time for it to come back from being serviced. It wasn't a difficult job, but I took my time to research it and complete it properly. Along the way I had also acquired two OEM black Leica logos, and so I also replaced my red dot on the M8 with the black dot (which I think makes it looks much better). With the focus dead on, I made sure my sensor was clean, and bingo my M8 felt like new again. Now it was time to dig into the menu system and set it up in such a way that would prepare me for a new arrival. The Leica M-D.

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 - Fifteen Glorious Years Later

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 - Fifteen Glorious Years Later
April 2018, Carl Garrard

Although the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 wasn't officially announced till PMA in 2004, its near twin, the Leica Digilux 2 was announced in late December 2013, and both were developed in that year. Only aesthetics on the exterior separate the two from being identical (black paint vs silver, grip added vs flat, minor different looking on/off switch). It's amazing to think that fifteen years has passed since this camera was announced. And it's also unthinkable (more on that later) that Panasonic and Leica haven't collaborated to make a true successor to these cameras considering how wildly popular they are with the subculture who rave about them. These two cameras have become cult status icons, because they are two of the most beautifully designed digital cameras of all time. Most owners covet them, some have bought and sold them several times, but ultimately you cannot escape the draw of the beautifully designed LC1 (and Digilux 2). And that's one reason why I took so much time to write this article.

Ricoh GR Digital IV: Ricoh's Digital GR IV Still Reigns

Ricoh GR Digital IV: Ricoh's Digital GR IV Still Reigns
April 2018, Carl Garrard

Why does this particular GR still matter? Well, it always will in the line up of GR lore because it's smaller, lighter, and has a faster lens than its bigger GR I/II successors. Ricoh's GR Digital IV is definitely a complimentary camera to the large sensor GR's with both types having distinct advantages that can give you awesome results. This camera is the reason the larger sensor GR's are as good as they are today, so remember that. Having met and worked with Ricoh under NDA with it's employees in the past, I can tell you first hand that they are all photographers that look out for our best interests in camera design, and it shows in the final products. The GR Digital IV is no different.

Natural Abstract Symmetry Project

February 2018, Carl Garrard

Hello all my photographer readers! Happy February (already) to all of you. This year is going by quickly, but so far has been a wonderful year for myself and others in many respects. In the vein of that excitement, a new project has  been born that puts my 25+ years of photographic interest and experience to light.

Poem Sharing: A Surrender to Light

A Surrender to Light

January 2018, Carl Garrard

A Sunday Drive 2018 Subaru Crosstrek and the Fujfilm X10

A Sunday Drive, the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek and Fujfilm X10
January 2018, Carl Garrard

2017 was a challenging and difficult year, both for those I love and for myself personally. I'm sure there would  be relative testimony from many of my readers about last year as well. I'm particularly glad it's behind all of us. But, although time is a man made idea, sometimes it seems a new year can bring good luck and fortune. This year, although in its beginnings, has been the best start to a year that I can recall in some time, it feels like its a year of healing after licking some wounds. And thus a good Sunday morning drive can be a great way to take some time to reflect on all the good things we have in our lives, and see some natural beauty too. That was my morning today and yesterday, whilst driving my newly acquired 2018 Subaru Crosstrek and the Fujifilm X10 as my companion.
Fujifilm X10 Current Used Prices

Fujifilm X-T1- Beauty, Handsomeness, and Incredibly Chiseled Features

Fujifilm X-T1- Beauty, Handsomeness, and Incredibly Chiseled Features
January 2018, Carl Garrard

When I unboxed Fujifilms X-T1, the first thing I thought of  was Hansel's (Owen Wilson's) line in Zoolander (yes really).  This is one beautiful and supremely well designed camera that you'll be at home with either on the street, at a modeling shoot, or even at Mount Vesuvius. There really are only two types of cameras that get photographers hearts pumping these days- beautiful looking rangefinder (styled) cameras, and the classic SLR (style) cameras. Both types imbue an adrenaline based Starbucks cocktail mixture of emotions. Those emotions include: a dose of fond personal memories, a dab of historical significance, a warmed heart, and all mixed together with a little sprinkle of lust. Wherein Leica have pretty much nailed down the most beautiful rangefinders cameras of all, Fujifilm, at least in my eyes, have taken the award for the  most beautiful SLR style digital camera of all. The Graphite version of the XT1 (or XT2), in person, is the most handsome SLR, or DSLR style camera I've ever seen. Pictures simply don't do it justice, you do really have to see it in person to believe it. For serious.

Fujifilm X-T1 Graphite Version, Best Current Price

Mystery Camera Review- Series 1

Mystery Camera Review- Series 1
December 2017, Carl Garrard

MCR #1: This review is the first in a series of a new type of camera review (we will do lenses too) wherein I'll discuss only the image quality, usability, and some key features of the camera. There will be enough information in the review that you'll probably end up being able to discern the product name eventually, but the whole point here is solely on what the image quality can look like and how much I enjoy using the camera. Images shared in this review will be screen shots only from my 1080p HD monitor (no exif peeking!). It is not a challenge to guess the type of camera, but rather to see what can be done with the camera. Today, we have so many cameras available that produce excellent image quality, it is simply time to focus on how intuitive and fun a camera can be to use. No, the reflected image isn't the camera I used in this article, the fuzzy squarish thing around it, is.

Sony Alpha A100 DSLR Review - Looking Back

Sony Alpha A100 DSLR Review - Looking Back 

December 2017, Carl Garrard

Wrapping up 2017 here is a short tribute to a camera that I was (and still am) very fond of. Back in 2006, when in my digital 'career' I decided to graduate from fixed lens cameras such as the Sony V3, F828, and Sony R1, to a DSLR platform. I had to choose if I was going to stick with the Sony brand I was familiar with  or start fresh with a completely new DSLR brand. Sony cameras had helped me kick start a very decent fine art sales income back then. I felt comfortable using the brand and was more than happy with the quality of images coming from them. So, when Sony made an exciting announcement (on the heels of a sad Konica Minolta announcement) of acquiring the Konica Minolta camera division in late 2005, it pretty much was a no brainer that I'd end up purchasing their very first DSLR.

Sony Alpha A100 BEST PRICE BODY ONLY

Fujifilm XQ2 Review- More Than A Surprise Bargain

Fujifilm XQ2 Review- More Than A Surprise Bargain
December 2017, Carl Garrard

Fujifilm XQ2 Review- Fujifilms XQ2 is a sub-compact camera for enthusiast photographers. In its small shell it houses a bright f/1.8-4.9 wide angle 25-100mm 4x zoom lens, a 12mp 2/3" sized X-Trans II sensor (with raw capture), full HD video, wireless control and image transfer, a tempered glass rear screen, and much more. It's a lot of power you can put in your pocket, and it is just slightly smaller than a deck of playing cards. For those who like to travel light, but won't compromise such options as mentioned, this is a bargain camera that you ought to take a look at. After all it's at stocking stuffer used prices these days. There is more too this camera though, as noted in my abbreviated format review.



Fujifilm XQ2 Current Best Price

A Tribute to the Light Bulb

A Tribute to the Light Bulb 
December 2017, Carl Garrard

A week ago today, the light bulb pictured here burned out. It was part of a gift I received in the Christmas of 2005 from my mother. A gift that ended up illuminating my daughters room nearly every waking day of her 6 years of being alive so far. The soft red glow of the lava lamp, has put her to ease and given her countless nights of perfect sleep. It's funny how a light bulb means so much to me now that it is extinguished. Yet the more I thought about how important it really is, the more I realized I had to pay tribute to it. This is the story of the light bulb, one that lasted almost exactly eleven years before it finally gave up.

Fujifilm X-E3 Preview

Fujifilm X-E3 Preview
November 2017, Carl Garrard

Fujifilm X-E3 Preview: If you found this article, then you probably like rangefinder cameras. Fujifilm's X-E3 offers a host of progressive upgrade of capabilities over the X-E2 series, and a couple of trade offs. If Fujifilms best image quality matters most, then likely it's going to be a camera you'll want. I'll be updating my blog with a detailed head to head comparison between the X-E2 and X-E3 in my full review, but this article is a quick but informative run down on it's design. (If you'd like to donate here you can, or check the price at Amazon below, even if you don't buy one it really helps me out!)


Fujifilm X-E3 Best Current Price

Fujifilm X-E2 Review II- Authentic Rangefinder Experience?

Fujifilm X-E2 Review II- Authentic Rangefinder Experience?
October 2017, Carl Garrard

Fujifilm X-E2 Review II: When I wrote my original review on the Fujifilm X-E2 some time ago, the review was prepared from the typical  prosumer stand point. This review will be much different. Back then, the X-E2 was also a much higher price and in higher demand, but today they can be found in like new condition or new for a steal in comparison. Lately I've been in search of cameras for my readers that are better suited for manual control photography, but more specifically one that could mimic a rangefinder shooting experience without paying for a full priced Leica M system. Sound impossible? Fujifilm's X-E2 at least on paper, seems be an ideal and affordable option for just this task (if you don't mind the 1.5x crop factor) . This review is based on using the X-E2 with the very latest firmware (v.4.01) in manual modes only for the purpose of mimicking a rangefinder system camera. If you want a general perspective on the X-E2 (prior it's comprehensive firmware update) go here: Fujifilm X-E2 review.  Spoiler alert: The new firmware has been quite a surprise and makes the X-E2 a whole new experience.

Fujifilm X-E2 Body Only (Used and New)