Great color. Easy to use. Manual is online. Takes crisp photos and the zoom works well. Be sure to buy Lithium Batteries and a larger SD card. You will want to keep these pictures!
Opteka FFR-900 Motorized Remote Follow Focus & Zoom Controller
List Price: $999.00
Sale Price: $399.00
Today's Bonus: 60% Off
I think I might have gotten one of the first versions of this. There were no instructions that came with it, but I didn't have any problem putting it together but someone else might. I bought it with the Black Magic Cinema Camera in mind, so when I put the BMCC on the camera mount I was a little disappointed to learn that the clamps actually rub the underside of the BMCC case, which is made out of very hard metal. The biggest problem is having to remove the camera to adjust the location of the clamp, other than that, I love the thing.
Panasonic TC-L55WT60 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz Smart 3D IPS LED HDTV
I just purchased this TV from Amazon after the long wait for Panasonic to release. I have had it a week now and am really enjoying it. I am not a videophile, just an average user, so I'll leave the more detailed reviews to the techies. I am running this on an Xfinity (Comcast) cable network. I have a Tivo Premiere, a Panasonic Blu-ray DVD player, and an Apple TV hooked up. All running seamlessly. I replaced an 8-yr old rear projection, 720p Samsung. Here are my initial observations.
This TV is crazy thin. I have it on the supplied stand, but it would easily wall mount, no thicker than a framed picture. The stand is not quite the way it appears in photos. It is actually a very strong and solid metal stand. The see through acrylic piece you see is just cosmetic and a cover that lies on top of the metal stand. That's actually a good thing, because you don't fear that the stand will crack or break. The stand is also wider (16") and deeper (14") than you might guess from the photos. So you will need to be sure your TV furniture is deep enough to accommodate the stand. What is very useful is the height of the stand (4" from bottom of the base to bottom of the bezel). Because you will likely want to use a speaker system (more on that in a minute), you may want a sound bar or center speaker in front of the TV. This is a problem with TVs like the new Samsung F8000 (a clear competitor to this set) that have a much smaller stand height. On those TVs, the height of the sound bar or center speaker is likely to cover up part of the bottom bezel. And if the bezel is thin, as is the case with most new sets, it may also cover up part of the picture. Not a problem with this set. I have a Sonos sound bar and it just fits under the bottom bezel like it was designed that way.
The back panel of the TV is sheet metal, not plastic. It looks surprisingly cheap for a TV of this price, but it is sturdy, and needless to say, you won't be looking at it. It has 3 HDMI ports on the right center of the back of the set. If you need another access port, it also has component ports. Also an optical digital port for hooking up to sound bars like the Sonos.
As for the bells and whistles, they are innovative and useful, but like cable packages, way more than you are likely to ever use. It basically doubles as a computer monitor when you are not watching TV. It has numerous apps available. You can set it so that your default screen is a combo of the TV image and the various apps (and you just press one button on the remote to call up the full screen TV image), or you can just default to the TV image. The main remote has a dedicated Netflix button, so that is easy to access. Amazon Instant Video is called up from the apps screen, so only a couple of extra steps. Both work well once set up. The swipe and share works as advertized and is a fun way to show pictures from your smart phone on the big screen for all to enjoy. I have an iPhone and after downloading the needed app, it worked well. The 2D to 3D conversion works fairly well and there are 4 pairs of glasses included with the set. But it remains gimmicky in my view and except for the occasional movie that makes good use of 3D, probably not a key feature for this set.
The TV comes with two remotes. The main remote is set up well with large dedicated buttons for the home screen, apps, inputs, and Netflix. The smaller remote has a touchpad interface, a built-in microphone for verbal commands, and volume and channel buttons. You don't need both. I actually use my Tivo remote to control everything and keep the main remote nearby for when I need access to extra features. If you were hoping to cut down on the number of remotes you have, this TV won't help!
The sound quality is adequate for this TV. The speakers are on the back of the TV. To Panasonic's credit, there are a lot of options to tweak the sound, including surround sound, to get it to your liking. But the bottom line is there is only so much you can do with rear speakers on a TV this thin. You are likely to want a separate sound system. I opted for the admittedly pricey Sonos sound bar paired with two Play 3 Sonos speakers in the back of the room to create a surround sound environment. It really enhances the experience of watching this TV.
Now for the main event: The TV image is truly remarkable. I prefer the brightness of an LED screen over a plasma screen and this screen is very bright. The blacks look black to me and in darkly-lit scenes, the details and imagery do not get lost. Sports are a joy to watch and you feel like you are there. This is the first time I have felt like the HD experience lived up to the hype. There are all of the expected tweaks available for image and sound and the menus are intuitive and easy enough to use. Initial setup was straightforward and intuitive and you don't need tech support. Because this set is so thin, and the bezel is so thin, you really get immersed in the picture. The whole TV is minimalist in design, not unlike an Apple product. The screen does reflect a lot, so if you have light coming in towards the set, you will see it. More noticeable in darker scenes. At first, I thought this would bother me, but after a week, I hardly notice anymore.
The best endorsement I can give is that when I turn this TV on, I always have the same thought: I love this set. Enjoy.
This TV is crazy thin. I have it on the supplied stand, but it would easily wall mount, no thicker than a framed picture. The stand is not quite the way it appears in photos. It is actually a very strong and solid metal stand. The see through acrylic piece you see is just cosmetic and a cover that lies on top of the metal stand. That's actually a good thing, because you don't fear that the stand will crack or break. The stand is also wider (16") and deeper (14") than you might guess from the photos. So you will need to be sure your TV furniture is deep enough to accommodate the stand. What is very useful is the height of the stand (4" from bottom of the base to bottom of the bezel). Because you will likely want to use a speaker system (more on that in a minute), you may want a sound bar or center speaker in front of the TV. This is a problem with TVs like the new Samsung F8000 (a clear competitor to this set) that have a much smaller stand height. On those TVs, the height of the sound bar or center speaker is likely to cover up part of the bottom bezel. And if the bezel is thin, as is the case with most new sets, it may also cover up part of the picture. Not a problem with this set. I have a Sonos sound bar and it just fits under the bottom bezel like it was designed that way.
The back panel of the TV is sheet metal, not plastic. It looks surprisingly cheap for a TV of this price, but it is sturdy, and needless to say, you won't be looking at it. It has 3 HDMI ports on the right center of the back of the set. If you need another access port, it also has component ports. Also an optical digital port for hooking up to sound bars like the Sonos.
As for the bells and whistles, they are innovative and useful, but like cable packages, way more than you are likely to ever use. It basically doubles as a computer monitor when you are not watching TV. It has numerous apps available. You can set it so that your default screen is a combo of the TV image and the various apps (and you just press one button on the remote to call up the full screen TV image), or you can just default to the TV image. The main remote has a dedicated Netflix button, so that is easy to access. Amazon Instant Video is called up from the apps screen, so only a couple of extra steps. Both work well once set up. The swipe and share works as advertized and is a fun way to show pictures from your smart phone on the big screen for all to enjoy. I have an iPhone and after downloading the needed app, it worked well. The 2D to 3D conversion works fairly well and there are 4 pairs of glasses included with the set. But it remains gimmicky in my view and except for the occasional movie that makes good use of 3D, probably not a key feature for this set.
The TV comes with two remotes. The main remote is set up well with large dedicated buttons for the home screen, apps, inputs, and Netflix. The smaller remote has a touchpad interface, a built-in microphone for verbal commands, and volume and channel buttons. You don't need both. I actually use my Tivo remote to control everything and keep the main remote nearby for when I need access to extra features. If you were hoping to cut down on the number of remotes you have, this TV won't help!
The sound quality is adequate for this TV. The speakers are on the back of the TV. To Panasonic's credit, there are a lot of options to tweak the sound, including surround sound, to get it to your liking. But the bottom line is there is only so much you can do with rear speakers on a TV this thin. You are likely to want a separate sound system. I opted for the admittedly pricey Sonos sound bar paired with two Play 3 Sonos speakers in the back of the room to create a surround sound environment. It really enhances the experience of watching this TV.
Now for the main event: The TV image is truly remarkable. I prefer the brightness of an LED screen over a plasma screen and this screen is very bright. The blacks look black to me and in darkly-lit scenes, the details and imagery do not get lost. Sports are a joy to watch and you feel like you are there. This is the first time I have felt like the HD experience lived up to the hype. There are all of the expected tweaks available for image and sound and the menus are intuitive and easy enough to use. Initial setup was straightforward and intuitive and you don't need tech support. Because this set is so thin, and the bezel is so thin, you really get immersed in the picture. The whole TV is minimalist in design, not unlike an Apple product. The screen does reflect a lot, so if you have light coming in towards the set, you will see it. More noticeable in darker scenes. At first, I thought this would bother me, but after a week, I hardly notice anymore.
The best endorsement I can give is that when I turn this TV on, I always have the same thought: I love this set. Enjoy.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 16 MP Micro 4/3 Compact System Camera
I own the GF1 and GH2 so I'll be comparing with those two cameras. I like the rangefinder-like body but as with using a camera, the photos and image quality comes above all. That's the reason why I use my GH2 more often than the GF1. But now with the GX1, it seems like Panasonic is finally able to put GH2 capability into a GF1 body. That's something I've been looking for.
BUILT
The GX1 construction is sturdy. It's a metal body and now comes with a new rubber grip that I like. You get a firmer hold when using heavier lens.
The GX1 is slightly slimmer than GF1. At 272g, it's 13g lighter than GF1 and 120g lighter than GH2. By the way, the LVF2 is 36g.
Buttons behind are rearranged a bit. I've read a few reviews saying the buttons are cheap and misaligned, but I don't think that's so with my set.
The new flash can now be tilted back for a bounce lighting so that's useful. But the flash films filmsy. I seldom use it even with my GF1 so it's a small issue.
The battery used here is the BMW-BLD10, also used by the GF2. That means now I have three different batteries and chargers with GF1, GX1, and GH2. I seriously think Panasonic should release new batteries only when they can double the capacity. 2 old batteries are always going to last longer than whatever new battery. Panasonic, just choose a slim battery and stick with it for 10 years.
SPEED (Autofocus and handling)
I value speed A LOT.
I'm glad to say that the autofocus speed is very comparable to GH2, which means it's almost instant.
The touchscreen is convenient for autofocus. Choosing focus points is faster with one touch, compared to several button presses on the GF1.
Everything seems breezy with the camera. Startup is fast. Moving through menus is fast. Writing to files is alright but that's dependent on the card speed. Class 10 is a good card speed. If you want really fast writing time, get a SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-1 card.
The improved speed makes it fantastic for street photography. See something interesting on the street. Power on, hold it to your eye, touch-focus and snap. It all happens very fast, as things on the street do.
IMAGE QUALITY
The 16mp sensor here is similar to the one on G3. The ISO performance has improved a lot. On the GF1, ISO 800 is my no-go zone. On GX1, I can go up to ISO 3200 and not be worried that noise becoming the subject of the photo. I think there's about 1-stop plus advantage.
Image quality is great in most situation. Colours are pleasing but I still prefer Canon colours. Everyone sees colour differently. It's subtle and you have to compare photos side by side to see the difference. The colour temperature in the GX1 seems slightly cooler.
White balance is still a problem with artificial light sometimes. WB intelligence still has some ways to go. It's a small issue that can be easily fixed in post process.
Dynamic range has improved slightly I feel. Always shoot raw to get the best possible quality to tweak later if you so desire.
Overall, the image quality seems comparable to the GH2.
VIDEO QUALITY
All Panasonic micro four thirds cameras have fantastic video quality out of the box. It gets better with good lens.
What's improved here is it can record 1080/60i movies now. It's great for those who need it. I normally shoot 720p on my GF1 and GH2, so I'll still be shooting 720p here. I like the 720p for the smaller file size which is quicker to upload online.
CONCLUSION
I'll rate the camera 5 stars in its class. However, if I include DSLRs for comparison, GX1 would probably be 4 or 4.5 stars. Image quality very good but not stellar, mostly the part on colours. I've to emphasis again that colours is quite subjective, so maybe it's just me.
It's a rather pricey camera (body only). And the new LVF2 goes for USD 299 at recommended retail price. So the total cost of camera and LVF2 can be higher than GH2 body!
I've always wanted a GH2 quality in GF1 body (and weight). The maximum ISO I reach in most situations is ISO1600 and this camera is perfectly capable of handling that, so it's a big plus for me.
The biggest reason to upgrade from GF1 would be for the improved ISO performance. If you've been missing shots because of photos being too noisy, it's a worthy upgrade.
BUT BUT BUT...if it's just the ISO performance, I might recommend, to get your money's worth, consider a good low light lens to use with the GF1. You can get the Panasonic Leica 25mm lens and still have change left! And I've used the Olympus 12mm lens with GF1 at night, shooting at 1/10s on ISO 400, and gotten a relatively sharp photo.
GH2 users have less reason to buy since image quality difference is not drastic. The more probable reason would be to get a lighter gear. It is 120g lighter. It's worth considering if you don't mind the missing viewfinder (available for a price). I see myself using the GX1 more because of the lighter weight. I don't shoot for critical events, and the GX1 can handle most of what I already do currently with the GH2. So if I start using the GH2 less, I'll be selling it away.
Last note. If you check back to reviews on the GF1 when it was first released, you'll be able to see much of the criticism have been addressed.
I still wish for that in-built EVF in the GF/X series but I don't think I'll see that from Panasonic in the near future. Well, a LVF2 is better than no alternatives.
BUILT
The GX1 construction is sturdy. It's a metal body and now comes with a new rubber grip that I like. You get a firmer hold when using heavier lens.
The GX1 is slightly slimmer than GF1. At 272g, it's 13g lighter than GF1 and 120g lighter than GH2. By the way, the LVF2 is 36g.
Buttons behind are rearranged a bit. I've read a few reviews saying the buttons are cheap and misaligned, but I don't think that's so with my set.
The new flash can now be tilted back for a bounce lighting so that's useful. But the flash films filmsy. I seldom use it even with my GF1 so it's a small issue.
The battery used here is the BMW-BLD10, also used by the GF2. That means now I have three different batteries and chargers with GF1, GX1, and GH2. I seriously think Panasonic should release new batteries only when they can double the capacity. 2 old batteries are always going to last longer than whatever new battery. Panasonic, just choose a slim battery and stick with it for 10 years.
SPEED (Autofocus and handling)
I value speed A LOT.
I'm glad to say that the autofocus speed is very comparable to GH2, which means it's almost instant.
The touchscreen is convenient for autofocus. Choosing focus points is faster with one touch, compared to several button presses on the GF1.
Everything seems breezy with the camera. Startup is fast. Moving through menus is fast. Writing to files is alright but that's dependent on the card speed. Class 10 is a good card speed. If you want really fast writing time, get a SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-1 card.
The improved speed makes it fantastic for street photography. See something interesting on the street. Power on, hold it to your eye, touch-focus and snap. It all happens very fast, as things on the street do.
IMAGE QUALITY
The 16mp sensor here is similar to the one on G3. The ISO performance has improved a lot. On the GF1, ISO 800 is my no-go zone. On GX1, I can go up to ISO 3200 and not be worried that noise becoming the subject of the photo. I think there's about 1-stop plus advantage.
Image quality is great in most situation. Colours are pleasing but I still prefer Canon colours. Everyone sees colour differently. It's subtle and you have to compare photos side by side to see the difference. The colour temperature in the GX1 seems slightly cooler.
White balance is still a problem with artificial light sometimes. WB intelligence still has some ways to go. It's a small issue that can be easily fixed in post process.
Dynamic range has improved slightly I feel. Always shoot raw to get the best possible quality to tweak later if you so desire.
Overall, the image quality seems comparable to the GH2.
VIDEO QUALITY
All Panasonic micro four thirds cameras have fantastic video quality out of the box. It gets better with good lens.
What's improved here is it can record 1080/60i movies now. It's great for those who need it. I normally shoot 720p on my GF1 and GH2, so I'll still be shooting 720p here. I like the 720p for the smaller file size which is quicker to upload online.
CONCLUSION
I'll rate the camera 5 stars in its class. However, if I include DSLRs for comparison, GX1 would probably be 4 or 4.5 stars. Image quality very good but not stellar, mostly the part on colours. I've to emphasis again that colours is quite subjective, so maybe it's just me.
It's a rather pricey camera (body only). And the new LVF2 goes for USD 299 at recommended retail price. So the total cost of camera and LVF2 can be higher than GH2 body!
I've always wanted a GH2 quality in GF1 body (and weight). The maximum ISO I reach in most situations is ISO1600 and this camera is perfectly capable of handling that, so it's a big plus for me.
The biggest reason to upgrade from GF1 would be for the improved ISO performance. If you've been missing shots because of photos being too noisy, it's a worthy upgrade.
BUT BUT BUT...if it's just the ISO performance, I might recommend, to get your money's worth, consider a good low light lens to use with the GF1. You can get the Panasonic Leica 25mm lens and still have change left! And I've used the Olympus 12mm lens with GF1 at night, shooting at 1/10s on ISO 400, and gotten a relatively sharp photo.
GH2 users have less reason to buy since image quality difference is not drastic. The more probable reason would be to get a lighter gear. It is 120g lighter. It's worth considering if you don't mind the missing viewfinder (available for a price). I see myself using the GX1 more because of the lighter weight. I don't shoot for critical events, and the GX1 can handle most of what I already do currently with the GH2. So if I start using the GH2 less, I'll be selling it away.
Last note. If you check back to reviews on the GF1 when it was first released, you'll be able to see much of the criticism have been addressed.
I still wish for that in-built EVF in the GF/X series but I don't think I'll see that from Panasonic in the near future. Well, a LVF2 is better than no alternatives.
Sony HDR-TD10 High Definition 3D Handycam Camcorder with 10x
I shot my first 3D movie in March 2010 using two Canon T2i cameras on a parallel 3D rig. Editing and rendering the footage was incredibly difficult; I used Sony Vegas to edit each view independently and Stereo Moviemaker to adjust the 3D effect. Finally, I was able to master a 3D Blu-ray using a beta version of NetBlender's DoStudio, a $10,000 program that included support for the 3D MVC codec.
Fast forward just over a year. The newly released 10.0d version of Sony Vegas natively supports the MVC codec, allowing 3D footage to be edited as easily as 2D footage. It also allows 3D Blu-rays to be burned directly from the timeline.
As for the camera itself: I was pleasantly surprised to find it exceeded my expectations. Color reproduction is exceptional, image stabailization is very good, and the glasses-free 3D display is extremely nice. Only the sound quality disappoints, but I almost never rely on built-in mics (opting instead for a Zoom H4N paired with an Audio Technica AT875R).
As an entry into the world of 3D, this camera is phenomenal. There are "prosumer" 3D cameras on the way, but for those who edit in Vegas, there's really no better or cheaper way to jump into the world of 3D shooting and editing today that with this camera.
For those without Vegas, editing a bit more difficult. Clips can be edited in-camera using some fairly simple software (you can even download music onto the camera to use as a soundtrack behind your clips). But you won't get nearly the performance you would get using dedicated editing software. And please note: Vegas is the ONLY software under $4000 currently offering the ability to manipulate MVC files. Premiere doesn't have it, nor does Final Cut Pro.
But for Vegas owners, or just those who love new tech, this camera come very highly recommended!
(I have shown this to a few colleagues unfamiliar with 3D and watched their faces light up with glee; one described it as "like traveling into the future." That's awesome.)
Fast forward just over a year. The newly released 10.0d version of Sony Vegas natively supports the MVC codec, allowing 3D footage to be edited as easily as 2D footage. It also allows 3D Blu-rays to be burned directly from the timeline.
As for the camera itself: I was pleasantly surprised to find it exceeded my expectations. Color reproduction is exceptional, image stabailization is very good, and the glasses-free 3D display is extremely nice. Only the sound quality disappoints, but I almost never rely on built-in mics (opting instead for a Zoom H4N paired with an Audio Technica AT875R).
As an entry into the world of 3D, this camera is phenomenal. There are "prosumer" 3D cameras on the way, but for those who edit in Vegas, there's really no better or cheaper way to jump into the world of 3D shooting and editing today that with this camera.
For those without Vegas, editing a bit more difficult. Clips can be edited in-camera using some fairly simple software (you can even download music onto the camera to use as a soundtrack behind your clips). But you won't get nearly the performance you would get using dedicated editing software. And please note: Vegas is the ONLY software under $4000 currently offering the ability to manipulate MVC files. Premiere doesn't have it, nor does Final Cut Pro.
But for Vegas owners, or just those who love new tech, this camera come very highly recommended!
(I have shown this to a few colleagues unfamiliar with 3D and watched their faces light up with glee; one described it as "like traveling into the future." That's awesome.)
Canon EOS T3 (1100d) DSLR Camera with 3 Canon Lens Pro Pack:
Ok, where do I start?
1. Cannon EOS T3 is an entry level DSLR that delivers great picture. It is a perfect instrument for first time users like my self. There are plenty of options on the camera that will assist you with taking great pictures, but the best way to use it is to experiment with the manual settings. This camera comes with standard Efs 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens.
2. EFS 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens This lens is standard lens that comes with the camera. It is great for wide angle pictures but also for medium range distances. I have been using this lens for most of my shoots. I really like it.
3. EFS 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS lens This is a great lens for long range pictures. I haven't experimented with this lens yet. I am sure that it will become useful once I start figuring out what style of photography I really like.
4. EF 50mm f1.8 II Autofocus lens I LOVE THIS LENS!! This lens is great for close up pictures and portraits. The few pictures that I have taken with this lens made me look like a pro. It blurs the background and focuses on the object that you are taking the picture of. This lens is a must for every photographer that is in the beginning stages of their photography career.
5. Zeikos 58mm AF 0.45X Wide Angle and Macro Lens This lens attaches to the 58mm lenses to give you a wider view. I like the idea behind it, but most of the time the pictures aren't really clear. I have used the Macro Lens and it worked well.
6. Zeikos 58mm Af 2X Telephoto Lens This lens also attaches to the 58mm lenses to bring objects closer to you. I haven't use it much. I don't see any practical use for it at this time.
Understand that all of these lenses are designed for the entry level photography. Keeping that in mind, these lenses are not the best lenses to have. However, for the price that I paid, i am super happy with them. I have done some research regarding the lenses and I found that these lenses are the cheapest on the market. For now, I am happy with them, and I believe once I improve my photography "skills" that I will advance to a better camera and more expensive lenses.
Additional Items that came in this package:
Two extra batteries
Universal charger
A small tripod
3 piece Pro Filter Kit
Carrying Bag
16GB SDHC card
SDHC card reader
Cleaning kit
1. Cannon EOS T3 is an entry level DSLR that delivers great picture. It is a perfect instrument for first time users like my self. There are plenty of options on the camera that will assist you with taking great pictures, but the best way to use it is to experiment with the manual settings. This camera comes with standard Efs 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens.
2. EFS 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens This lens is standard lens that comes with the camera. It is great for wide angle pictures but also for medium range distances. I have been using this lens for most of my shoots. I really like it.
3. EFS 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS lens This is a great lens for long range pictures. I haven't experimented with this lens yet. I am sure that it will become useful once I start figuring out what style of photography I really like.
4. EF 50mm f1.8 II Autofocus lens I LOVE THIS LENS!! This lens is great for close up pictures and portraits. The few pictures that I have taken with this lens made me look like a pro. It blurs the background and focuses on the object that you are taking the picture of. This lens is a must for every photographer that is in the beginning stages of their photography career.
5. Zeikos 58mm AF 0.45X Wide Angle and Macro Lens This lens attaches to the 58mm lenses to give you a wider view. I like the idea behind it, but most of the time the pictures aren't really clear. I have used the Macro Lens and it worked well.
6. Zeikos 58mm Af 2X Telephoto Lens This lens also attaches to the 58mm lenses to bring objects closer to you. I haven't use it much. I don't see any practical use for it at this time.
Understand that all of these lenses are designed for the entry level photography. Keeping that in mind, these lenses are not the best lenses to have. However, for the price that I paid, i am super happy with them. I have done some research regarding the lenses and I found that these lenses are the cheapest on the market. For now, I am happy with them, and I believe once I improve my photography "skills" that I will advance to a better camera and more expensive lenses.
Additional Items that came in this package:
Two extra batteries
Universal charger
A small tripod
3 piece Pro Filter Kit
Carrying Bag
16GB SDHC card
SDHC card reader
Cleaning kit
Pentax K-30 Weather-Sealed 16 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm
List Price: $749.95
Sale Price: $690.79
Today's Bonus: 8% Off
I'm just learning and many DSLR are too bulky and heavy for me , I'm only 5 feet tall so I need something compact that takes good low light images. This is the best deal you will get.
Pentax makes some of the lens!
With this camera I got some really amazing vintage lens in near flawless condition for so cheap it's unheard of!
If you can get used to using the camera in Manual and use manual focus.... get some older manual lens and you will have images that are fantastic!
Sandisk 16GB MicroSDHC Memory Card, Class 4
List Price: $108.99
Sale Price: $12.39
Today's Bonus: 89% Off
Though I wish I had waited a couple of weeks to buy this card (the price dropped 30 dollars in the past two weeks), I have nothing but good things to say about the card. Easy to load, easy to read. I managed to put about 11 gigs on here in the first three days (lots of music) and the access has been flawless. Word of caution, be careful with the card reader. My first attempt led to a corrupted card which I had to return. May have been a manufacturing defect (bought from best buy, not from Amazon. Best buy charged 99.00). I reccomend loading the card in the device before adding data rather than using the reader and then inserting loaded card.
All in all, a miracle of storage on a tiny card. I eagerly await the 32 gb in a year or two.
GoPro HERO3+: Silver Edition
List Price: $299.99
Sale Price: $299.00
Today's Bonus: $0.99 Off
Be aware when purchasing that there are some aspects to the new "improved" lens that may not be for everyone. This week it has been fairly well documented (and confirmed by GoPro) that while the new lens produces much sharper images under 4', they are blurrier at distances greater than 4'. It does NOT focus at infinity. For reasons not fully explained, they moved the focal point of the lens in close and sacrificed distance clarity.
Update at bottom.
You will get great shots under 4' and soft focus beyond that. Depending on what you want it for, this camera may not be for you and the regular H3 might be a better bet. Since this is an effect of the lens it applies to both stills and video. On the other hand, it's still a decent small action camera, and if you take a lot of video in motion you may not notice this at all. For YouTube uploads and streaming it may not matter, I haven't tested this myself. If you want better clarity in your images the 3B is a good choice. I personally will play with it this week before deciding if I should return it. (Update: it's going back.)
It boggles the mind that they have produced a camera that claims to have a better lens and ignored the fact that it is in fact worse for 90% of what you'll be filming. Great clarity on your handlebars but not so good on the scenery.
Edit: other plusesthe color is much better with the 3+ than the 3. Low light shooting is also better, although sometimes lens flare from lights is a little worse, sometimes better. No more chromatic aberration (yellow/purple fringing). Just do some reading before buying this, they made some trade-offs in the new lens.
Updated 10/17:
Well after comparing the two (3+B and 3B) this week, there are some more problems that have had me downgrade this to a 3 star. For one, the right and left sides of the images on the 3+ are smeared. I mean really distorted, and I'm not using SuperView. Additionally the contrast seems to be set too high, causing some loss of detail in the shadows and blowing out whites a bit. This at least is changeable with a firmware update if they choose to do so. The blurry edges put me over the edge and I'm returning it. It's too bad, it's almost a great camera, with some nice improvements, but the lens is a definite problem, and not necessarily an improvement... certainly not 33% sharper.
Hoya Pro1 Digital 77mm TWO Multi-Coated Glass Filters Kit
Purchased these two filters for a 24-105mm Canon EF 'L' and a 10-22 mm Canon EF-S, both of which render excellent images. Less expensive filters are readily available, but do you really want them on these lenses? I do not, as image quality means too much to sacifice for somethimg as minute as the cost of a good filter. Thus far, these have done their respective jobs well; a later trip to the South Pacific will tell the eventual tale.
TCL L40FHDF12TA 40-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD HDTV with 2-Year
I purchased this TV on sale in Dec. 2011 for under $300. It's an updated model of TCL L40FHDF11TA. It's put in a master bedroom. I'll rate each category in Amazon's system of 1 to 5 stars. My ratings are relative to how this TV stacks up against other TVs in its price range.
SETUP *** (3 stars)
The TV was well-packed in the shipping box (43.5" x 31" x 10.5") with 2 yellow nylon straps holding it together. (If your straps are missing, the shipper might have broken them while carrying and dropped the TV.) For wall mounting, you need a VESA 400x400mm compliant mount such as this, this, or this. I used the glass stand. If you're trying to fit it into a shelf, the dimensions with stand are 38.5" x 27" x 9" (without stand: 38.5" x 24.5" x 4"; note the 4" depth instead of 1.5" for an LED). The power cord doesn't have a power brick attached which is a plus. I'm using a learning universal remote which did find codes for this TV. Try 'RCA' if 'TCL' didn't work for you. I suggest using an universal remote since it's much easier to replace than to replace the original remote if you break it.
Some remote codes gathered for reference:
DirecTV: 11447
Comcast: 11447
Dish Network: 503
AT&T U-Verse: 1000
There might be a problem with the "TV powering on unexpectedly." If your 'SW Version' reads V8-0RSC801-LF1V041, you're OK. Otherwise, download the firmware update at TCL's website onto any FAT-formatted device. (I used my phone.) Remember to wait at least 10 seconds after it says "Completed" before unplugging the USB cord. (I waited 30 seconds to be safe.) I'm guessing this is where some people might have messed up and broke the TV.
PICTURE ***** (5 stars)
The LCD panel is made by Samsung with their logo visible in the back (picture posted). As with most LCD TVs these days, the screen is glossy and not matte, so you do have to watch out for glare. After powering up the TV which took about 15 seconds, I changed the preset picture setting from the default 'ECO' to 'Cinematic'. Cinematic/Movie mode is usually the setting that comes closest to a professional calibration. (If you're interested in doing your own TV calibration, check out the Disney WOW blu-ray, search "AVS HD 709" for a free one, or try my "quick picture calibration" below.) It has 5 zoom modes, with 'No Overscan' being preferred. If it isn't available, choose 'Full' for the least amount of cropping. I watched the TV from an Amazon recommended distance of about 7 to 8 feet. After hooking up my blu-ray player with HDMI (not included) and making sure it's 1080p (by pressing the 'Info' button), I tried watching some dark movies (Batman Begins and The Dark Knight) as a stress test. I didn't notice any obvious picture defects. The viewing angle is very good for an LCD. The contrast is good, with listed 4000:1 contrast ratio. I compared it to my living room LED with 10 million:1 contrast ratio. The LED has slightly better contrast with deeper blacks, though definitely not 2500 times better, so I wouldn't read too much into contrast ratios when shopping for TVs. There are a few nitpicks. There's a slight uniformity problem (light bleed) in the upper corners, noticeable in an all black picture. There's slight motion blurring due to its slightly-slow 8 ms response time (shadow trails) and 60 Hz refresh rate (jerkiness on 24 frames/sec sources). The yellow color is a little off. None of these are major problems; I've seen much worse at this price range, so no stars are deducted.
AUDIO *** (3 stars)
The two 8 watt speakers are passable for a bedroom. It has a nice equalizer menu with presets and 5 manually adjustable bars. It has Dolby Digital sound, but you definitely need to add your own speakers to take advantage of it. You can hook up your speakers via coaxial digital audio out, RCA out (white/red), or headphone out. There's no optical digital audio out (Toslink) and no ARC (audio return channel). I hooked up a Sony bookshelf system via RCA out which did improve the sound dramatically. The headphone out wasn't working on my unit, but I'm ok with it since I don't use headphones.
GAMING ***** (5 stars)
I hooked up my Xbox 360 via HDMI, changed the Xbox 'HDTV settings' to 1080p and 'Reference Levels' to Expanded, and turned off all image processing on the TV using my settings below. I tried a couple games (MW3, BF3, Skyrim, Madden 12, and Forza 4) and didn't notice any input lag. (Results should be similar with PS3 and Wii.) By the way, never hook up your gaming system with yellow composite RCA cables. LCD/LED and plasma TVs can't natively display interlaced video, so they'll need to spend time deinterlacing and therefore create additional input lag.
PC **** (4 stars)
I connected my PC with a VGA cable. I had to change my Windows monitor settings to "unhide modes that this monitor cannot display" in order to get the native resolution of 1920x1080. (This resolution is not supported for the VGA port. It might not work, so you might need to settle for 1280x720 if you have to use VGA. Or connect with DVI or HDMI for 1080p support.) For testing, I opened a Word document set to Times New Roman 6-point font and had no trouble reading it with 'Sharpness' at 0. You can use it as a big monitor as long as you don't expect it to have the clarity of a 22" monitor when viewing within 3'. (It's got the same amount of pixels spread across 3.4 times the area.) When viewed at 5' or more, clarity won't be a problem.
MEDIA *** (3 stars)
The USB port accepts pictures and music but not videos. There's no internet streaming, which I preferred. I have plenty of devices capable of streaming, so I don't want to pay extra for a feature I don't need.
RELIABILITY **** (4 stars)
The TCL FHDF11TA series has over 1000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4 stars, which is probably as good as it gets for a generic brand. I also like the fact that it has a 2 year warranty instead of 1. The only concern is that the warranty is being done by A & D Electronics (the company that TCL has outsourced for its warranty claims) which has an F rating on BBB. The poor rating is a result of, I think, a shortage of personnel. If you're lucky and catch them on a low volume of repairs, you'll get prompt service; otherwise, you might need to be patient and persistent to get your TV repaired. (FYI, their number is 877-470-7766, 9AM-5PM PST, M-F.) If all else fails, try contacting Amazon. Some people did have success even after the 30 day return period. You can also add 1 extra year of warranty by purchasing with Mastercard or AmEx. And if you have Costco membership, you can purchase SquareTrade to add 3 extra years of warranty for a total of 5 for $30 (cheaper than Amazon).
PRICE ***** (5 stars)
Free shipping, free 30 day return (save the box for this), delivered to your door in 2 days for under $300 is hard to beat. Amazon also lets you do a price adjustment if the price drops within 14 days.
OTHER TVS
Here are 2 TVs I considered before settling on the TCL:
LG 32LK330 This is a good, basic, name-brand 32" LCD TV suitable for a bedroom. It only has 64% of the TCL's viewing area though.
LG 42LK450 This 42" LCD TV has good all-around performance and is suitable as a primary TV in an apartment, albeit at a price premium.
I'd be careful about getting the LG 42LV4400 LED, despite its attractive specs and price, due to its reliability problem (and hence its low ratings). Until it's resolved, check out the LG 42LK520 instead if you want 120 Hz.
MISC QUICK PICTURE CALIBRATION
1. Change preset to 'Cinematic'. After checking out some calibration patterns, I find both the default 'Brightness' of 50 and 'Contrast' of 80 to be spot on.
2. Change 'Sharpness' to 0. With a clear HD source, you shouldn't need to artificially boost the sharpness. If words look blurry, you can play around with it.
3. Change 'Noise Reduction' to low. Similar to Sharpness, you don't need much image processing with a clear source.
4. I find the default 'Backlight' of 60 to be suitable for a dimly-lit room. With most lights on, 80 looks about right. If sunlight is present, boost it to 100. Adjust it according to your room lighting and eye comfort level.
5. (optional) For adjusting colors, you normally need to use filters with a calibration disc. I like to do it by eye using my own pictures (preferably scanned studio pictures). We should all be able to pick out the nuances of our own skin tones. Alternatively, play a familiar movie and pause when you have a clear shot of a face, then adjust. I find the default 'Color' of 40 to be satisfactory. If you can't get 'Color' to look right, try changing 'Color Temperature' by 1 and then go back to changing 'Color'.
SETUP *** (3 stars)
The TV was well-packed in the shipping box (43.5" x 31" x 10.5") with 2 yellow nylon straps holding it together. (If your straps are missing, the shipper might have broken them while carrying and dropped the TV.) For wall mounting, you need a VESA 400x400mm compliant mount such as this, this, or this. I used the glass stand. If you're trying to fit it into a shelf, the dimensions with stand are 38.5" x 27" x 9" (without stand: 38.5" x 24.5" x 4"; note the 4" depth instead of 1.5" for an LED). The power cord doesn't have a power brick attached which is a plus. I'm using a learning universal remote which did find codes for this TV. Try 'RCA' if 'TCL' didn't work for you. I suggest using an universal remote since it's much easier to replace than to replace the original remote if you break it.
Some remote codes gathered for reference:
DirecTV: 11447
Comcast: 11447
Dish Network: 503
AT&T U-Verse: 1000
There might be a problem with the "TV powering on unexpectedly." If your 'SW Version' reads V8-0RSC801-LF1V041, you're OK. Otherwise, download the firmware update at TCL's website onto any FAT-formatted device. (I used my phone.) Remember to wait at least 10 seconds after it says "Completed" before unplugging the USB cord. (I waited 30 seconds to be safe.) I'm guessing this is where some people might have messed up and broke the TV.
PICTURE ***** (5 stars)
The LCD panel is made by Samsung with their logo visible in the back (picture posted). As with most LCD TVs these days, the screen is glossy and not matte, so you do have to watch out for glare. After powering up the TV which took about 15 seconds, I changed the preset picture setting from the default 'ECO' to 'Cinematic'. Cinematic/Movie mode is usually the setting that comes closest to a professional calibration. (If you're interested in doing your own TV calibration, check out the Disney WOW blu-ray, search "AVS HD 709" for a free one, or try my "quick picture calibration" below.) It has 5 zoom modes, with 'No Overscan' being preferred. If it isn't available, choose 'Full' for the least amount of cropping. I watched the TV from an Amazon recommended distance of about 7 to 8 feet. After hooking up my blu-ray player with HDMI (not included) and making sure it's 1080p (by pressing the 'Info' button), I tried watching some dark movies (Batman Begins and The Dark Knight) as a stress test. I didn't notice any obvious picture defects. The viewing angle is very good for an LCD. The contrast is good, with listed 4000:1 contrast ratio. I compared it to my living room LED with 10 million:1 contrast ratio. The LED has slightly better contrast with deeper blacks, though definitely not 2500 times better, so I wouldn't read too much into contrast ratios when shopping for TVs. There are a few nitpicks. There's a slight uniformity problem (light bleed) in the upper corners, noticeable in an all black picture. There's slight motion blurring due to its slightly-slow 8 ms response time (shadow trails) and 60 Hz refresh rate (jerkiness on 24 frames/sec sources). The yellow color is a little off. None of these are major problems; I've seen much worse at this price range, so no stars are deducted.
AUDIO *** (3 stars)
The two 8 watt speakers are passable for a bedroom. It has a nice equalizer menu with presets and 5 manually adjustable bars. It has Dolby Digital sound, but you definitely need to add your own speakers to take advantage of it. You can hook up your speakers via coaxial digital audio out, RCA out (white/red), or headphone out. There's no optical digital audio out (Toslink) and no ARC (audio return channel). I hooked up a Sony bookshelf system via RCA out which did improve the sound dramatically. The headphone out wasn't working on my unit, but I'm ok with it since I don't use headphones.
GAMING ***** (5 stars)
I hooked up my Xbox 360 via HDMI, changed the Xbox 'HDTV settings' to 1080p and 'Reference Levels' to Expanded, and turned off all image processing on the TV using my settings below. I tried a couple games (MW3, BF3, Skyrim, Madden 12, and Forza 4) and didn't notice any input lag. (Results should be similar with PS3 and Wii.) By the way, never hook up your gaming system with yellow composite RCA cables. LCD/LED and plasma TVs can't natively display interlaced video, so they'll need to spend time deinterlacing and therefore create additional input lag.
PC **** (4 stars)
I connected my PC with a VGA cable. I had to change my Windows monitor settings to "unhide modes that this monitor cannot display" in order to get the native resolution of 1920x1080. (This resolution is not supported for the VGA port. It might not work, so you might need to settle for 1280x720 if you have to use VGA. Or connect with DVI or HDMI for 1080p support.) For testing, I opened a Word document set to Times New Roman 6-point font and had no trouble reading it with 'Sharpness' at 0. You can use it as a big monitor as long as you don't expect it to have the clarity of a 22" monitor when viewing within 3'. (It's got the same amount of pixels spread across 3.4 times the area.) When viewed at 5' or more, clarity won't be a problem.
MEDIA *** (3 stars)
The USB port accepts pictures and music but not videos. There's no internet streaming, which I preferred. I have plenty of devices capable of streaming, so I don't want to pay extra for a feature I don't need.
RELIABILITY **** (4 stars)
The TCL FHDF11TA series has over 1000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4 stars, which is probably as good as it gets for a generic brand. I also like the fact that it has a 2 year warranty instead of 1. The only concern is that the warranty is being done by A & D Electronics (the company that TCL has outsourced for its warranty claims) which has an F rating on BBB. The poor rating is a result of, I think, a shortage of personnel. If you're lucky and catch them on a low volume of repairs, you'll get prompt service; otherwise, you might need to be patient and persistent to get your TV repaired. (FYI, their number is 877-470-7766, 9AM-5PM PST, M-F.) If all else fails, try contacting Amazon. Some people did have success even after the 30 day return period. You can also add 1 extra year of warranty by purchasing with Mastercard or AmEx. And if you have Costco membership, you can purchase SquareTrade to add 3 extra years of warranty for a total of 5 for $30 (cheaper than Amazon).
PRICE ***** (5 stars)
Free shipping, free 30 day return (save the box for this), delivered to your door in 2 days for under $300 is hard to beat. Amazon also lets you do a price adjustment if the price drops within 14 days.
OTHER TVS
Here are 2 TVs I considered before settling on the TCL:
LG 32LK330 This is a good, basic, name-brand 32" LCD TV suitable for a bedroom. It only has 64% of the TCL's viewing area though.
LG 42LK450 This 42" LCD TV has good all-around performance and is suitable as a primary TV in an apartment, albeit at a price premium.
I'd be careful about getting the LG 42LV4400 LED, despite its attractive specs and price, due to its reliability problem (and hence its low ratings). Until it's resolved, check out the LG 42LK520 instead if you want 120 Hz.
MISC QUICK PICTURE CALIBRATION
1. Change preset to 'Cinematic'. After checking out some calibration patterns, I find both the default 'Brightness' of 50 and 'Contrast' of 80 to be spot on.
2. Change 'Sharpness' to 0. With a clear HD source, you shouldn't need to artificially boost the sharpness. If words look blurry, you can play around with it.
3. Change 'Noise Reduction' to low. Similar to Sharpness, you don't need much image processing with a clear source.
4. I find the default 'Backlight' of 60 to be suitable for a dimly-lit room. With most lights on, 80 looks about right. If sunlight is present, boost it to 100. Adjust it according to your room lighting and eye comfort level.
5. (optional) For adjusting colors, you normally need to use filters with a calibration disc. I like to do it by eye using my own pictures (preferably scanned studio pictures). We should all be able to pick out the nuances of our own skin tones. Alternatively, play a familiar movie and pause when you have a clear shot of a face, then adjust. I find the default 'Color' of 40 to be satisfactory. If you can't get 'Color' to look right, try changing 'Color Temperature' by 1 and then go back to changing 'Color'.
Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-inch LCD
Just learning to use it. I love it outside. I am not as pleased with it inside I usually use the 50D inside. My friend has one and she feels the same way.
Acer Aspire One AOA150-1006 8.9-Inch Netbook (1.6 GHz Intel Atom
I bought the blue version of this Acer One with 512mb ram and 8GB SSD at a local store instead of this white one because for a clumsy and lazy guy like me, it's gonna turn black in a few weeks. This thing is super small compared to the pictures. Lets say a regular piece of paper will swallow it whole. I am a windows guy because I'm used to it, but I am starting to love Linux on this netbook.
There is an "advanced" mode on this netbook to enable all the features of Linpus such as add and removing programs. To do this, open a terminal(Files > My Documents to open the File Manager. Then go to File > Terminal.) and type in "xfce-setting-show" without the quotation. Click on Desktop to get to the Desktop Preferences and click on the Behavior tab. Now check the "Show desktop menu on right click" option and close the window. Now you will see a menu every time you right click on the desktop. You can also add icons of the newly installed programs to the desktop; YouTube can help you with that.
With the netbook in advanced mode, it is so much fun to use; it's the same as a fully loaded laptop. The screen is very bright and nice, the lid is nice and glossy but can attract finger prints initially. The keyboard is definitely better than the Asus EEE PC that I've used before. However, the touchpad buttons on the sides take some time to get used to. The Speaker is on the bottom of the laptop so don't expect much out if it because it's not that loud, but i use headphones so that doesn't bother me. WiFi seems to be stable and has not disconnect since the day i bought the netbook(a week ago). The Intel Atom CPU is better than i thought, i can multitask on this netbook with no problems. Surfing, listening to music on Amarok and installing a program at the same time with ease. Linux will boot up in under 15 seconds every time, and programs open responsively very speedy little guy.
The included OpenOffice is very nice, I prefer that over MS Office any day. If space is a problem, the Acer One has a dedicated SDHC storage expansion slot to add SD/HC cards in and also a 5-1 card reader for additional SD or other cards. RAM can be upgraded to a MAX of 1.5GB using the included 512MB stick and another 1GB stick, but you don't need more than 512MB if you plan on using the included Linux OS. The only disappointing thing about this netbook is the battery life. Though not really bad, it is still short for a netbook. You get about 3 hours max on minimal usage, over 2 hours for watching a video and almost 2 hours on high performance with WiFi on. I am planning to buy a 6 cell or additional 3 cell battery later on; that will solve the battery life problem. The quality on this netbook is top notch!
Initially I planned to install windows XP, but now I don't think I will because I am having so much fun with Linux and Windows XP is just dull looking and boring. But that's just a personal preference of course. With a 3 cell battery, the Acer One Windows XP 120GB HDD will give you 2.5 hours as opposed to 3 hours on this version. If you wish to install XP, you can plug in an external USB CD drive or make a bootable flash drive(google for instructions).
Edit: To close your lid without it going into STANDBY:
Right click on "kpowersave" on the tray, click on "configure powersave" go to "general settings", click on "button events" and you can change the settings from there.
Enjoy your netbook =)
There is an "advanced" mode on this netbook to enable all the features of Linpus such as add and removing programs. To do this, open a terminal(Files > My Documents to open the File Manager. Then go to File > Terminal.) and type in "xfce-setting-show" without the quotation. Click on Desktop to get to the Desktop Preferences and click on the Behavior tab. Now check the "Show desktop menu on right click" option and close the window. Now you will see a menu every time you right click on the desktop. You can also add icons of the newly installed programs to the desktop; YouTube can help you with that.
With the netbook in advanced mode, it is so much fun to use; it's the same as a fully loaded laptop. The screen is very bright and nice, the lid is nice and glossy but can attract finger prints initially. The keyboard is definitely better than the Asus EEE PC that I've used before. However, the touchpad buttons on the sides take some time to get used to. The Speaker is on the bottom of the laptop so don't expect much out if it because it's not that loud, but i use headphones so that doesn't bother me. WiFi seems to be stable and has not disconnect since the day i bought the netbook(a week ago). The Intel Atom CPU is better than i thought, i can multitask on this netbook with no problems. Surfing, listening to music on Amarok and installing a program at the same time with ease. Linux will boot up in under 15 seconds every time, and programs open responsively very speedy little guy.
The included OpenOffice is very nice, I prefer that over MS Office any day. If space is a problem, the Acer One has a dedicated SDHC storage expansion slot to add SD/HC cards in and also a 5-1 card reader for additional SD or other cards. RAM can be upgraded to a MAX of 1.5GB using the included 512MB stick and another 1GB stick, but you don't need more than 512MB if you plan on using the included Linux OS. The only disappointing thing about this netbook is the battery life. Though not really bad, it is still short for a netbook. You get about 3 hours max on minimal usage, over 2 hours for watching a video and almost 2 hours on high performance with WiFi on. I am planning to buy a 6 cell or additional 3 cell battery later on; that will solve the battery life problem. The quality on this netbook is top notch!
Initially I planned to install windows XP, but now I don't think I will because I am having so much fun with Linux and Windows XP is just dull looking and boring. But that's just a personal preference of course. With a 3 cell battery, the Acer One Windows XP 120GB HDD will give you 2.5 hours as opposed to 3 hours on this version. If you wish to install XP, you can plug in an external USB CD drive or make a bootable flash drive(google for instructions).
Edit: To close your lid without it going into STANDBY:
Right click on "kpowersave" on the tray, click on "configure powersave" go to "general settings", click on "button events" and you can change the settings from there.
Enjoy your netbook =)
Sony BDP-S1100 Blu-ray Disc Player
The Sony BDP-S1100 is the best non-3D Blu-ray/DVD player that I have seen, anywhere near its price range. It takes 15 seconds to load Blu-ray disks, which took around 2 minutes to load in one of my earlier Panasonic players. A couple of Blu-ray disks (The King's Speech and Casino) would only load in this Panasonic player if I unplugged the Internet connection. Eventually, a firmware update came along which allowed loading of these titles, but they still loaded very slowly.
The owner's manual that came with the BDP-S1100 lists two Sony models in its title: BDP-S1100/BX110. However, the two models appear to be identical other than their different nomenclature. According to the owner's manual, the only difference between these two models is that the BX110 comes with a "High Speed HDMI Cable."
The Sony BDP-S1100/BX110 is not WiFi capable, nor is it WiFi ready. The only way to connect this player to the Internet is through the use of a LAN cable. When using a LAN cable, this player connects to the Internet quickly and produces fast and accurate streaming content. With Comcast Internet, the player quickly set itself up through the use of its Auto settings.
My previous experience with all-in-one Blu-ray players has found their Internet streaming capabilities lacking. This was not a problem for me because I have a Roku 2 XS for my Netflix and Amazon streaming videos. I assumed that this Sony player would be no exception and that its Internet streaming capabilities would not be good. But I registered the player with Netflix and Amazon just to see if it would actually play streaming video with any degree of accuracy. (By the way, the player has the ability to erase all personal data from its internal memory should ownership of the player ever be transferred.)
To my surprise, this player does an excellent job of streaming both Netflix and Amazon content. No dropouts, no stuttering and no lockups. The Sony streaming video interfaces are slightly different from those of the Roku, but they are very intuitive and easily learned. I couldn't be happier with the performance of this Sony player's streaming video performance.
This Sony player quickly loads both Blu-ray and DVD disks and when the Auto function is used, it plays both Blu-ray and DVD disks in 24p mode. The remote control system is very sensitive and the player responds quickly and accurately to all commands. The player allows faster loading of Blu-ray disks by allowing the BD Internet Connection to be shut off. I have shut off this feature because I have found nearly all BD Internet content to be a complete waste of time. There is also an optional Quick Start Mode which allows Blu-ray disks to load faster.
One of the audio settings of the Sony player was somewhat confusing to me until I did some research. The BD Audio MIX Setting when set to On produces a multi-channel PCM signal only, presumably adding alternate soundtrack information to the main audio program. When this option is set to Off, the primary soundtrack comprised of various audio types, such as Dolby Digital Plus, DTS HD and True HD are available. I set this option to Off.
A USB input on the front of the player allows the playback of MP4, MP3, WMV, JPG pictures etc., (those are the only formats that I have tried so far) and the USB device is also used to store BD data in a "buda" file, which the player can delete on demand.
My Pioneer receiver has the ability to correct lip sync problems through the use of an audio delay setting. The Sony player did not need any audio sync correction and the HDMI audio signal arrived at the receiver perfectly synchronized with the video. At least that's my assumption, because the Sony player, Samsung TV and Pioneer receiver may all be working seamlessly together. There could still be lip sync problems with other combinations of playback equipment. However, the player also has the ability to do an Audio/Video sync from 0 to 120 msec and the default setting is 0 msec.
Notes:
There is a coaxial digital audio output jack in the back of the unit -a feature that is becoming rare in entry-level Blu-ray players. I did not check the digital audio output for possible lip sync issues.
Once the Internet connection was established, the player offered to update its software version to M14.R.0093 and this update was accomplished quickly.
The player generates almost no heat and therefore does not have a cooling fan.
This Sony player has a light that indicates that the player is turned on, but it does not display any disk time or chapter information on the unit. This disk information can be displayed on screen by pressing the "DISPLAY" button on the remote while the disk is playing.
The owner's manual that came with the BDP-S1100 lists two Sony models in its title: BDP-S1100/BX110. However, the two models appear to be identical other than their different nomenclature. According to the owner's manual, the only difference between these two models is that the BX110 comes with a "High Speed HDMI Cable."
The Sony BDP-S1100/BX110 is not WiFi capable, nor is it WiFi ready. The only way to connect this player to the Internet is through the use of a LAN cable. When using a LAN cable, this player connects to the Internet quickly and produces fast and accurate streaming content. With Comcast Internet, the player quickly set itself up through the use of its Auto settings.
My previous experience with all-in-one Blu-ray players has found their Internet streaming capabilities lacking. This was not a problem for me because I have a Roku 2 XS for my Netflix and Amazon streaming videos. I assumed that this Sony player would be no exception and that its Internet streaming capabilities would not be good. But I registered the player with Netflix and Amazon just to see if it would actually play streaming video with any degree of accuracy. (By the way, the player has the ability to erase all personal data from its internal memory should ownership of the player ever be transferred.)
To my surprise, this player does an excellent job of streaming both Netflix and Amazon content. No dropouts, no stuttering and no lockups. The Sony streaming video interfaces are slightly different from those of the Roku, but they are very intuitive and easily learned. I couldn't be happier with the performance of this Sony player's streaming video performance.
This Sony player quickly loads both Blu-ray and DVD disks and when the Auto function is used, it plays both Blu-ray and DVD disks in 24p mode. The remote control system is very sensitive and the player responds quickly and accurately to all commands. The player allows faster loading of Blu-ray disks by allowing the BD Internet Connection to be shut off. I have shut off this feature because I have found nearly all BD Internet content to be a complete waste of time. There is also an optional Quick Start Mode which allows Blu-ray disks to load faster.
One of the audio settings of the Sony player was somewhat confusing to me until I did some research. The BD Audio MIX Setting when set to On produces a multi-channel PCM signal only, presumably adding alternate soundtrack information to the main audio program. When this option is set to Off, the primary soundtrack comprised of various audio types, such as Dolby Digital Plus, DTS HD and True HD are available. I set this option to Off.
A USB input on the front of the player allows the playback of MP4, MP3, WMV, JPG pictures etc., (those are the only formats that I have tried so far) and the USB device is also used to store BD data in a "buda" file, which the player can delete on demand.
My Pioneer receiver has the ability to correct lip sync problems through the use of an audio delay setting. The Sony player did not need any audio sync correction and the HDMI audio signal arrived at the receiver perfectly synchronized with the video. At least that's my assumption, because the Sony player, Samsung TV and Pioneer receiver may all be working seamlessly together. There could still be lip sync problems with other combinations of playback equipment. However, the player also has the ability to do an Audio/Video sync from 0 to 120 msec and the default setting is 0 msec.
Notes:
There is a coaxial digital audio output jack in the back of the unit -a feature that is becoming rare in entry-level Blu-ray players. I did not check the digital audio output for possible lip sync issues.
Once the Internet connection was established, the player offered to update its software version to M14.R.0093 and this update was accomplished quickly.
The player generates almost no heat and therefore does not have a cooling fan.
This Sony player has a light that indicates that the player is turned on, but it does not display any disk time or chapter information on the unit. This disk information can be displayed on screen by pressing the "DISPLAY" button on the remote while the disk is playing.
Casio EX-FH100 10.1MP High Speed Digital Camera with 10x Ultra
The Casio Exilim EX-FH100's four main draws over other cameras are it's low-light capability, its high speed burst photography, it's slow motion video, and it's loooong battery life.
The excellent low-light performance comes (mostly) from the back-illuminated CMOS sensor which allows for more light gathering than traditional sensors. The camera takes a better shot in low-light situations than similarly sized cameras (small sensor cameras) without the backlit sensor (Sony however has a similar sensor called EXMOR on some of its newest models).
The high speed features include both a high speed shutter that allows amazing action shots (30 shots at a rate of 40fps in burst mode), and high speed video filming for gorgeous slow-motion video (can slow 1 second down to 14 seconds at the max setting of 1,000fps).
The camera further leverages the above features for some neat tricks in difficult lighting situations, which are unusual abilities for this compact form-factor. The sensor and high speed shutter are used together for several preset modes that help in low light. "Lighting Mode" is suggested for situations where parts of the frame are bright and other parts are dim -it takes several high speed shots at various settings, then combines them for a more evenly lit image. There's a similar mode for night shots. The combination helps keep noise unnoticeable even at high ISOs.
The stereo mic is a nice plus over most other cameras (though also present on the only current competitor to this product, Sony's Cyber Shot DSC-HX5V). Other notable features are the wide angle lens, and the availability of a mode that combines mechanical image stabilization with the continuous shutter mode to reduce blur. There are also modes that use the continuous shutter to record both before and after the shutter is fully depressed, to allow you to choose a different moment if for example the person you are photographing closes their eyes or changes their expression.
Spec for spec, The Casio Exilim EX-FH100 and Sony's Cyber Shot DSC-HX5V are nearly identical. However, the Casio has a few advantages a larger aperture, longer battery life (520 shots vs. 310 shots), a faster continuous shutter mode (40fps vs. 10 fps), slow motion video, the option of RAW format (useful if you like to manipulate images with professional photo tools), and priority modes (aperture, shutter which are common but Sony omits them on the HX5V). On the other hand, the Sony allows use of the optical zoom while filming video (in movie mode the Casio only does digital zoom), has a panorama stitching mode, and has GPS capabilities with position & direction metadata.
While the basic functions are easy to use even switching from HD video to slow motion is just a toggle switch -I suggest reading the full manual on the accompanying CD. Certain things are not obvious, such as how to find the two particular video modes that allows switching on-the-fly from HD video to VGA slow-motion video (you don't use the Regular vs. HS video toggle switch for this because doing so stops the recording. For a seamless transition, you actually set the toggle switch to HS mode, and then choose a setting in the menu for on-the-fly transitions, which are then operated via the left & right keys).
Thankfully, Casio has eliminated the pointless video length limit they had put on the previous model, the FH10.
Note that while 30fps video can be up to 720p HD, and slow-motion video at 120fps is VGA quality, increasing the slow-motion beyond this (max is 1,000fps) results in decreasing the screen area displayed as a trade-off to maintain video quality at that data transfer rate. Worth mentioning here is that video can be output via the mini-HDMI out port. A composite A/V cable is included, but if you want mini-HDMI to regular HDMI, you'll have to buy your own cable.
For still shots in continuous shutter mode, it will take 30 shots (or fewer if you release the shutter button) at a rate that is selectable from a scale of 1fps over the duration of 30s, up to 40fps within 1s (yes, you are limited to 30 shots, but the rate goes up to 40fps).
I suggest you set the image quality to Fine and up the sharpness to +2 if you're going to be cropping or printing to large sizes. You'll also want to use a SDHC card that is rated "Class 6" or higher to ensure the memory can achieve the necessary sustained write rate to record HD video or high speed shots.
The excellent low-light performance comes (mostly) from the back-illuminated CMOS sensor which allows for more light gathering than traditional sensors. The camera takes a better shot in low-light situations than similarly sized cameras (small sensor cameras) without the backlit sensor (Sony however has a similar sensor called EXMOR on some of its newest models).
The high speed features include both a high speed shutter that allows amazing action shots (30 shots at a rate of 40fps in burst mode), and high speed video filming for gorgeous slow-motion video (can slow 1 second down to 14 seconds at the max setting of 1,000fps).
The camera further leverages the above features for some neat tricks in difficult lighting situations, which are unusual abilities for this compact form-factor. The sensor and high speed shutter are used together for several preset modes that help in low light. "Lighting Mode" is suggested for situations where parts of the frame are bright and other parts are dim -it takes several high speed shots at various settings, then combines them for a more evenly lit image. There's a similar mode for night shots. The combination helps keep noise unnoticeable even at high ISOs.
The stereo mic is a nice plus over most other cameras (though also present on the only current competitor to this product, Sony's Cyber Shot DSC-HX5V). Other notable features are the wide angle lens, and the availability of a mode that combines mechanical image stabilization with the continuous shutter mode to reduce blur. There are also modes that use the continuous shutter to record both before and after the shutter is fully depressed, to allow you to choose a different moment if for example the person you are photographing closes their eyes or changes their expression.
Spec for spec, The Casio Exilim EX-FH100 and Sony's Cyber Shot DSC-HX5V are nearly identical. However, the Casio has a few advantages a larger aperture, longer battery life (520 shots vs. 310 shots), a faster continuous shutter mode (40fps vs. 10 fps), slow motion video, the option of RAW format (useful if you like to manipulate images with professional photo tools), and priority modes (aperture, shutter which are common but Sony omits them on the HX5V). On the other hand, the Sony allows use of the optical zoom while filming video (in movie mode the Casio only does digital zoom), has a panorama stitching mode, and has GPS capabilities with position & direction metadata.
While the basic functions are easy to use even switching from HD video to slow motion is just a toggle switch -I suggest reading the full manual on the accompanying CD. Certain things are not obvious, such as how to find the two particular video modes that allows switching on-the-fly from HD video to VGA slow-motion video (you don't use the Regular vs. HS video toggle switch for this because doing so stops the recording. For a seamless transition, you actually set the toggle switch to HS mode, and then choose a setting in the menu for on-the-fly transitions, which are then operated via the left & right keys).
Thankfully, Casio has eliminated the pointless video length limit they had put on the previous model, the FH10.
Note that while 30fps video can be up to 720p HD, and slow-motion video at 120fps is VGA quality, increasing the slow-motion beyond this (max is 1,000fps) results in decreasing the screen area displayed as a trade-off to maintain video quality at that data transfer rate. Worth mentioning here is that video can be output via the mini-HDMI out port. A composite A/V cable is included, but if you want mini-HDMI to regular HDMI, you'll have to buy your own cable.
For still shots in continuous shutter mode, it will take 30 shots (or fewer if you release the shutter button) at a rate that is selectable from a scale of 1fps over the duration of 30s, up to 40fps within 1s (yes, you are limited to 30 shots, but the rate goes up to 40fps).
I suggest you set the image quality to Fine and up the sharpness to +2 if you're going to be cropping or printing to large sizes. You'll also want to use a SDHC card that is rated "Class 6" or higher to ensure the memory can achieve the necessary sustained write rate to record HD video or high speed shots.
Vanguard Skyborne 53 Digital SLR Camera & Laptop Backpack Case
List Price: $369.99
Sale Price: $289.99
Today's Bonus: 22% Off
Recent purchase of Vanguard Skyborne 53 backpack. Am amazed at how complete the unit is and how well it sits on my back. Ease of access to all items, which I also feel are very well protected. Fully waterproof and once again I believe that TIPA got it right with their award. This will now be my primary backpack and I shall have a smaller unit for shorter trips, when I do not require as much equipment. Although I have to admit that it is extraordinary to just pick and chose lenses at random, because I have them with me and they suit the situation. It has made me a more perceptive photographer and occasionally I am trying the same shot, but with different lenses to expand the potential of my Olympus E5. Incidentally another TIPA award winner. Cannot stress how wonderful it is to have my tripod with me at all times attached to my backpack. Once again it makes for a much more satisfying photographic excursion. I live on the East Coast of Vancouver Island and the photographic opportunities are endless. Thank you Vanguard for a wonderful item.
Olympus Tough TG-830 iHS (Black) + Floating Strap + Battery
This is a great camera. All the functions are the best to take a great photos in your vacations. All the accessories are so helpful. I recommend this bundle because its all you need to take the best photos.
