24.02.10
Photography Monthly Test Zone Awards 2009
The object of lust
Leica S2
The medium-format camera with a dslr feel. The much talked about, but ‘rare as hens’ teeth’ Leica S2 has got professional photographers asking themselves some serious questions about image quality. Do they really need the bigger file size and can they justify the cost? The S2 sytem is based on a totally new 30 x 45mm image sensor in the classic Leica ratio of 3:2, with 37.5 million pixels. Promising the ease of use of a 35mm camera with the quality of the medium format, along with a completely new range of Leica lenses, it’s easy to see why it was the clear winner of this category. Oh, and the price is £16,740 including VAT.
www.leica.com
Three legs good, two legs bad
Manfrotto 701HDV tripod with 547BK Fluid Head
this professional tripod set-up from manfrotto will change the way you look at things. The 547B video tripod and the 701HDV video head form the perfect base from which to work.
The fluid head makes light work of panning, while the upper twin-leg and the one stage construction give the tripod great rigidity, even allowing for a 15kg load. Newly designed collars guarantee maximum torsion rigidity and incredible stability. A mid-level fixed spreader and retractable spiked feet and a bag are also included with this kit. All in all, this tripod kit is a simple and user-friendly solution for still and video production needs.£290
www.manfrotto.com
The'light our life' award
The LitePanels MICRO
The lite panel could be our favourite piece of lighting kit for some time. It’s incredibly versatile: we’ve used it beneath glass for still life, on camera for reportage and handheld for portrait. The new Litepanels Micro harnesses proprietary LED technology in an ultra-lightweight, extremely compact package. Each unit features a dimmer dial to alter the light strength immediately, with minimal colour shift and a flip-down filter holder. You get 1.5 hours’ continuous output from four AA batteries, and it’s virtually heat free, so it’s easy to handle. What’s not to like? £299
www.bogenimaging.co.uk
The leap forward
Panasonic GF1
Our favourite revolutionary pocket camera. 2009 has been the year of the mini DSLR, and the releases of the E-P1 and E-P2 and the GF1 have marked the start of a small camera revolution. We reviewed the GF1 in our last issue and fell in love with it. Boasting a DSLR-size sensor, a super-fast autofocus system and the option of an outstanding 20mm f1.7 super bright pancake lens, it does everything you’d expect from a standard size DSLR, but fits in your pocket. The image quality is incredible and the overall look and build give it the feel of a lifetime classic. It’s a definite leap forward, but now we want to see what lenses Panasonic adds to the system in the coming year. £584
www.panasonic.co.uk
The Cats and Dogs
Mammut Shisha Pangma Jacket
Pro Shells are made from the most rugged, most breathable and durably waterproof and windproof fabrics.
The sexy storage award
Lacie Starck hard drive
A simple box given iconic status by the french guru of design. Who would have thought that we would ever describe a hard drive as sexy? The LaCie Starck Desktop Hard Drive and Mobile Hard Drive both have Starck’s signature design features and come with USB 2.0 interfaces, made from aluminium, which both LaCie and Starck believe ensure your data is well protected from knocks and prangs. The hard drive is available in 1TB and 2TB sizes, while the mobile drive is available in 320GB and 500GB sizes. Stylish, useful, tough and sexy, they were an obvious winner for this award. Prices start at £109.90 for the Desktop and £84.90 for the Mobile model.
www.lacie.com
The highest ISO of the year award
Nikon D3S
The Chunky king of iso. The buzzword at photographic launches this year was ‘extreme’ and the most ‘extreme extreme’ launch this year has to be the D3s. Designed for the hard knocks and professional expectations of the sports journalist and action pro. The D3s’s incredible ISO max of 102,400 pushes the opportunities to shoot in low light to the maximum, with an upgraded camera that feels like a Nikon on steroids. We sent extreme landscape photographer Colin Prior out in a helicopter over London to review it last month and it delivered the goods. £3,994 body only
www.nikon.co.uk
The pocket rocket
Ricoh GRII
The latest GR upgrade that is an instant classic. We have been big fans of the Ricoh GR series, as are many professional photographers, but the GRIII really is the best so far.The new 28mm f1.9 lens, higher-than-ever ISO and textured black matt finish make it a dream to hold and work with. But it is with the addition of the wide conversion lens and hood that it becomes a street photographer’s dream camera. Quick to respond and quiet to use, its image quality in RAW gives you everything you need from a high-end compact.£454
www.ricoh.co.uk
The take it to the limit award
Sandisk extreme Pro 64GB
The latest GR upgrade that is an instant classic. We have been big fans of the Ricoh GR series, as are many professional photographers, but the GRIII really is the best so far.The new 28mm f1.9 lens, higher-than-ever ISO and textured black matt finish make it a dream to hold and work with. But it is with the addition of the wide conversion lens and hood that it becomes a street photographer’s dream camera. Quick to respond and quiet to use, its image quality in RAW gives you everything you need from a high-end compact.£454
www.ricoh.co.uk
The brass monkey award
Rab neutrino plus down jacket
the ultimate down jacket for outdoor photographers. If you like being out in all seasons, Rab’s Neutrino range of goose down jackets will help you go that bit further in the search for the perfect shot. Loved by winter climbers and mountaineers, the outer shell of the jacket is made from a lightweight water-resistant fabric called Pertex. It is filled with 275g of superior goose down and offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. It can also be packed down small when not needed. The cut of the Neutrino Plus Jacket is a little longer in the body for better core-body insulation and the box-wall construction ensures an even coverage of insulation throughout.£250
http://us.rab.uk.com
The "what the editor wants award"
Canon 7D
The new addition to the eos stable has already found some loyal followErs. As a long-time 5D fan, I was dubious about the 7D at its recent launch, but after just one shoot, I knew that I had found another great camera to work with. Featuring an 18MP sensor, a top ISO of 12,800, an intelligent viewfinder and full HD movie capability, as well as a chunkier build quality than previous Canons at this price. The 7D is a true professional’s camera at a price that makes professional quality and capability available to the enthusiast. Why is it my choice as a must have? Because even the magnificent 5D MkII didn’t tempt me away from my 5Ds, but the 7D just might!£1,700 body only
www.canon.co.uk
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