Category Archives: Accessory

REVIEW: Viltrox Spark Z3 Flash

Introduction

Viltrox previously released the retro-styled manual flash Z1. Now they’ve followed up with a new flash that operates in both Manual and Auto (TTL) modes.

As I haven’t had enough time with the flash to make a full review, I’ve put together a preview with a handling section here. Later on, I’ll test the flash in the field and complete the review with my experience and sample images.

camera-icon2I tested these falshes on a Nikon Zf  and a Nikon Zfc.
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Viltrox Spark Z3 flash | TTL | 60mm | f/16
Viltrox Spark Z3 flash | 35mm | f/2.8
Viltrox Spark Z3 flash | 35mm | f/16
Viltrox Spark Z3 flash | 35mm | f/1.8
Viltrox Spark Z3 flash | 60mm | f/16

Continue reading REVIEW: Viltrox Spark Z3 Flash

Review: Pergear CFexpress Typ B 512GB

Introduction

Pergear entered the memory card market later than many of the bigger players, but in 2022 and 2023 they launched high-spec CFexpress Type B and Type A cards at far more budget-friendly prices. They’re quickly carving out a place for themselves alongside more established brands.

When they asked if I wanted to test their newest card, I agreed—mainly because I wanted to see how it stacks up against the cards I already use in my cameras. Let’s take a closer look.

camera-icon2I tested this card on a 46 Mp Nikon Z7ii
You can see this review as a YouTube video here!

Continue reading Review: Pergear CFexpress Typ B 512GB

REVIEW: FotoPro Origin Plus Travel Tripod

Introduction

Do you even need a tripod these days? To be honest, the necessity of tripods has been significantly reduced thanks to highly effective in-body image stabilisation, improved image quality at high ISOs and AI noise reduction, super-wide dynamic range of today’s digital sensors, and in-camera HDR modes.

Despite modern tech making tripods less necessary in some situations, they’re still invaluable in plenty of others. Tripods remain essential for long-exposure and astro photography, staging group photos, and focus stacking, to achieve sharp and crisp landscapes from close foreground to infinity, and especially for macro photography. Other applications where tripods are crucial include architectural photography, when you need to set up your camera with supreme precision, or when taking a series of shots with incremental panning to create panoramas. They also free up your hands for attaching or removing accessories like lens filters and microphones. Furthermore, tripods are indispensable for video work and studio photography.

So, which tripod should you choose?
Many of us know about high-end tripods like Gitzo and RRS, but are we always willing to pay a premium for that level of quality and reputation? And what about newer, lesser-known brands? one of them: the Fotopro Origin Plus Travel Tripod, a model that promises innovation and stability at a competitive price. Let’s have a look!

You can see this review as a YouTube video here!
Sample images in high resolution here.

Sample Images

Long exposure on Fotopro Origin Plus tripod
Precise architectural photography in Low light (1/6 s) on Fotopro Origin Plus tripod
Panorama made of multiple exposures on a Fotopro Origin Plus
The original panorama of the previous image
Multiple exposures on a Fotopro Origin Plus tripod
Long exposure on Fotopro Origin Plus tripod

Continue reading REVIEW: FotoPro Origin Plus Travel Tripod

Review: Walkingway Effect Filters: Black Mist, Streak, Star, Prism, and Soft Filters

Introduction

Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue star filter 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z8 Z9 Zf Z6 II

Today, you can create almost any effect in post-processing. However, there are hurdles: 1) you need a good editing program, 2) you have to master the program to get good results, 3) you have to spend some time in front of your computer to get the desired effect. Alternatively, you can invest in expensive specialty lenses to achieve a specific result. This is especially challenging, if not impossible, for achieving the effect in videos.  Given these challenges, especially in video, a simpler solution emerges – using filters. Let’s have a look!

Sample Images

Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue star filter 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z7ii ii z6 zf z8 z9
Nikon Z 7II  (DX mofd) | Nikkor Z 28/2.8 | Walkingway Retro Soft filter
Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue star filter 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z7ii ii z6 zf z8 z9
Nikkor Z 24-70 S | Walkingway Black Mist 1/2
Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue star filter 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z7ii ii z6 zf z8 z9
Nikkor 50/1.4 Ai-s | Walkingway Retro Soft filter
Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue star filter 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z7ii ii z6 zf z8 z9
Nikkor 50/1.4 A-is | Star 4 filter
Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue gold star filter prism filter kaleidoscope 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z7ii ii z6 zf z8 z9
Nikkor Z 24-70 S @70mm f/9 | Walkingway Kaleidoscope filter
Walkingway filters, Black mist soft filter streak blue star filter 4 6 8 points stars Retro soft camera photography Nikon Z z7 z7ii ii z6 zf z8 z9
Nikkor 28/2.8 | Walkingway Black Mist 1/2

Continue reading Review: Walkingway Effect Filters: Black Mist, Streak, Star, Prism, and Soft Filters

TTArtisan Leica M to E and M to Z 6-bit Adapter

Introduction

ttartisan leica m to sony e adapter 6 bit code programmable exif
Voigtlander VM 75mm 1.5 via TTArtisan M->E 6-bit adapter on Sony A7rII

Since I bought my first E-mount camera seven years ago I have been using adapted M-mount lenses. Missing Exif data have always been a nuisance though and while the “Lens Compensation” camera app was a ray of hope, it didn’t exactly work all that well.
Now TTArtisan came up with a product which I have pitched to so many manufacturers before: a semi programmable Leica-M to Sony-E/Nikon-Z adapter. Let’s have a closer look!
Update August 2024: more information on the version for Nikon Z-mount (affiliate link) added

Continue reading TTArtisan Leica M to E and M to Z 6-bit Adapter