Digital-Camera Reviews

It's a great tripod with the features. Very stable but a little heavy compare to others. If you need to carry it a lot on the move, you'll have to deal with the weight issue. To be stable, it probably needs to be a little heavy.

Pros pay $600 and more (even much more)for tripod legs and head.

The two main problems with cheaper tripods are lack of stability in the legs and "stiction" in the head movement. The lack of stability comes from lightweight, bendable legs. If you bump the tripod with your knee, or grab the handle without care, you'll see shake in the video. "Stiction" is the tendency of of the materials in the head to bind together slightly when left in a position for a few moments. The result is a visible jerk in the video when you start a pan or tilt movement. True fluid heads have a viscous fluid between the solid parts to provide smooth drag without binding.

With the VCT-870RM Sony has somehow managed to produce an inexpensive tripod that doesn't stick. My pans and tilts are as smooth with it as they are with my 40 pound Bogen-Manfrotto legs and head.

There is no getting around the fact that although well-built, the legs are lightweight. Therefore I have to take extra care to grasp the handle gently, and not to bump the tripod. But this is not hard, and it's worth it. It is so much easier to carry around the VCT-870RM than my pro tripod that it is almost always the one I grab when I'm going out for a single camera shoot. And I use it with expensive cameras--a Canon GL2 or a Sony VX2100.

The controller on the handle is a totally unique and great extra. Being able to control the zoom from the handle gives much better results with much more comfort than reaching over with the other hand for the on-camera control. There is also a record/pause switch, a power standby switch and a still photo button. It plugs into the LANC control port on the camera. As mentioned above, Sony and Canon both operate according to the LANC standard, but Panasonic does not. I don't know about JVC.

With the crank-controlled vertical column the tripod is able to attain more than enough height. I'm 6'2" and I only crank it up very little.

I like it so much that I also bought one for my school's video club, and anticipate buying another. Highly recommended.

I bought this tripod to use with my Sony HDR-HC1 high-def camcorder. For the price, this is the perfect tripod if you own a compatible camera. Pans and tilts were smooth and adjustable. The quick release mount was nice, although you have to remove the mount to change tapes. This is more of a flaw in the camera design than the tripod design. The zoom lever also gave me more control over my zoom. I looked at other tripods at my local camera shops and they wanted well over $400 for a similar tripod (without the remote controls!). The included carrying case was a nice bonus as well (I didn't even know it came with one). My only complaint is that you have to remove the control arm to store it in the case. I can recommend this tripod for pro-sumer use.

I got some very nice photos with this camera, and some very disappointing ones, too. Even not using the zoom, I ended up with some very blurry pictures. This is not my first digital camera. I am unsure as to whether or not the camera is broken. Judging from other reviewers, I am guessing I just got a defective camera.

Update: I concur on the blurring issue. It doesn't happen frequently, but sometimes, particularly on close-ups, the autofocus won't focus no matter what I do. Then the next picture is fine. Possibly a firmware issue Kodak could address with an update?

Note: only a couple of tiny issues keep this from being a 5-star review. To me, "5" means "close to perfect," and the Z612 isn't quite there--but I still love this camera! The Z612 has all the ease of an EasyShare with features found in more demanding cameras.

Pro

Nice small size for its key features: 6.1 mexapixels, 12x zoom, and image stabilization

Brilliant, huge viewfinder--by far the best in this price range

Trademark Kodak color--pop-out clear and beautiful

Buttons and switches are clearly labeled and easy to use, particularly the huge, well-placed release button

Foolproof picture-taking, but easy to access advanced features

Easy to transfer pictures, either with the USB cable or the optional dock (you don't have to get the printer dock; there's a $40 series 3 dock that just charges and transfers)

Loaded with easily-accessed scene settings, including a separate toggle for three of the most popular

Accepts regular camera batteries in addition to its rechargeable battery--though on a four-day trip where I took a lot of pictures I didn't seem to get anywhere close to exhausting the juice


Con

The rubber boot covering the USB transfer port seems a little flimsy

The manual is cryptic on some features

As with all non-manual zooms, the Z612 zoom is a bit trigger-happy

I'm not quite as impressed with close-ups such as flowers as I was with my old DX6440 EasyShare... so I thought I'd buy a close-up lens, but:

To use generic 55mm lenses, you need a special 49 to 55 mm lens adapter made just for the Z612--but this accessory isn't available yet! Come on, Kodak.

Still, a lot of camera, both for the cost and for the ease of use. Oh, and it's rather attractive, too--I took it to a conference and a lot of people commented on my "nice camera."

Overall this camera is totally worth the $400 to buy it. It takes excellent and colorful shots - both closeup and far away. The image stabilization works great, so there's little chance of blurry shots at full zoom. It's easy to use and it's super small. I bought this camera because I love my Kodak CX7430 and I didn't want to pay the money for a digital SLR like the Canon Rebel. If I had the choice to buy a zoom camera again, I'd still take this one.

PROS:
1. Crisp and vivid photos
2. Great image stabilization
3. Easy to use controls - a Kodak trademark
4. Long battery life and uses over the counter batteries or the rechargeable ones that come with it.
5. Both viewfinders give you a lot of versatility and the LCD screen is excellent.
6. Has two video sound mics for stereo sound.
7. Very small in size for a camera of this type.

CONS:
1. Video sound distorts at rock concerts.
2. Video sound fades out when zooming in and out while recording (so don't zoom while recording is my procedure, unless you're not worried about the sound).
3. Camera could be a bit faster reloading from shot to shot.

Picture quality poor compared to 5mp Pentax I had. Also have had problem with the lens cover not opening all the way when I turn it on.

I was really disappointed with this. We bought it to replace a 4yr old Olympus, mainly because it was supposed to be so good in low light situations. However, while it had more natural flesh tones than the Olympus, we didn't think the low light was much of an improvement. We tried the mode where it shoots one pic w/out a flash and then immmediately takes one with a flash, mainly doing so in rooms at night in various levels of light. Then we took shots from the same angle with the Olympus. Other than better flesh tones, we saw no real improvement over the old olympus. The pix taken without the flash were nearly always blurry, and even when not they almost always looked better w/the flash anyway.

The LCD finder was pretty cool, and the menus were fairly easy to use (the software I didn't like), and I don't want to dissuade people from buying a perfectly acceptable camera. But it is not the low light champion that some Fuji fans would have you believe.

This camera seems like it is exactly what i'm looking for. I want a small, light, sturdy, high quality camera this is made for going anywhere. I have larger cam with a 10x optical zoom which is fine for 'photography' but i want something for taking high quality quick snaps at the beach, boardwalk, pool, at the bar, or people pics at sporting events.. I see it has quick bootup and low lag but does it do well in low light conditions that you would find in bars? How well does it do with motion if the camera is moving while you snap the pic? Is this the best camera for these conditions?
Please tell me what camera you would recommend i buy.. email me greg_88888@yahoo.com
Would also like see some of your pics if you would like to attach.

An item you can't do without if you want to use the wonderful lens attachements. But it breaks easily, usually it's the spring that breaks, once it was the other plastic parts. It's best to leave it on the camera, which becomes cumbersome to carry. I have now gone through 3 of them, and I treat them VERY gently.

I had a little trouble with this at first because I'm one of those people that never reads the instructions! Once I did, it was extremely easy.

Within 5 months this product proved worthless. If I attempt to use it i enjoy a symphonic medley of 100% volume, no static; to 60% static at reduced volume; to no volume at all. Have used other ipods with it and received same result.

Doesnt help faciitate your Ipod addiction and is frustrating as all hell on those long rides.

I have gone through three of these; I purchased two and one I got as a warrantee replacement. Each failed the same way. They start out fine, then gradually start making more and more mechanical noise. Eventually the noise becomes so annoying that the unit needs to be replaced. I give it two stars only because it dies over time rather than all at once.

The Belkin cassette adapter was my 2nd attempt at a product that would allow me to play my iPod through car cassette deck. The first, non-Belkin, product (can you say Monster here?) was crap...stopped working properly after two weeks. The Belkin adapter has performed flawlessly for 2+ months now.

I shoot with a Canon 20D and have used the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens as my wide angle option. When preparing for an extended stay in Budapest, I decided it was time to invest in a faster, better quality WA lens. I reviewed the lens lineup at the Canon website and decided on the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L. As an L lens owner, I was confident this lens would be a great addition to my lens lineup.

Being an L lens, this is a serious lens meant for serious photographers. The sturdy construction consists of three aspherical elements and Canon's UD glass which largely eliminate the secondary spectrum. Weather-resistant construction at lens mount, zoom & focus rings and switch panel helps protect the lens from the elements. This lens is not compatible with the 1.4x II and 2x II extenders. The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L lens weighs in at about 1.3 lbs/600g, and accepts 77mm filters or holds gel filters. Be sure to get a good quality UV haze filter to protect the front lens element. Not only do I see this as a good practice, Canon recommends doing so on their site as well.

The focus type is the standard twist zoom, and permits for auto or manual focus depending on how the switch is set. In addition, the lens has a USM drive mechanism for optimum AF performance.

Included with this lens are the front and rear lens caps, lens hood, soft storage case, and a US one year warranty. The case is a pull string soft case (LZ1319) that can also be purchased separately. The lens hood (EW-83E) is used to reduce lens flare and can protect the front element in certain situations.

I have to admit I was disappointed by this lens while in Budapest. I found that for wide angle scenes with the focused subject at a distance, the images were soft. This is precisely the type of images I wanted to use this lens for. Just because this is a fast lens, it doesn't mean I shoot everything at f/2.8 either as some may claim. I have a good understanding of exposure and know how to use the aperture setting to my advantage. It didn't matter what aperture I used, distant subjects were soft in my eyes.

I wondered if the lens needed adjusting or calibrating after hearing all the great things people say. I lent the lens to a friend who loved the quality and sharpness while taking close up shots. I then began to wonder if I was doing something wrong. After testing the lens, I've concluded that this is not the lens for distant wide angle shots like suggested on the Canon website. When the subject matter is much closer, like the other side of a room or several feet away, this is an awesomely sharp lens.

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L lens is too different to compare to the Canon EF 28-135mm. The clarity and sharpness is incredible on close-up shots, and the auto-focus is quiet and quick. Even though this lens didn't fit my original purpose, it has found a place in my lens collection. I don't foresee this lens being one of my most used options though. The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L comes at a price, but it is worth every penny when used for its strengths.

PROS:
Incredible clarity and sharpness on close-up shots
Quiet and quick auto-focus

CONS:
Heavy and bulky (This should be expected with these types of lenses)
Distant subjects come out soft.

I got this lens because I didn't really own anything close to this range except for the kit lens (good but not great and not f/2.8). I do own a 15mm Canon Fisheye but it does distort quite a bit even on the 20D and I don't like to have to correct in Photoshop each time and I wanted a wide lens. I wanted something wider, that could capture lots of light (I do allot of ambient and low light photowork) and I wanted something versatile (on a 20D this is really a 24mm to 56mm --- great working range).

Pros:
1) With the 1.6x crop factor of my 20D this is really a 24 to 56mm lens. This makes it quite a bit less of a wide angle and more of a midrange lens. Consequently, it stays on my camera all the time and covers most of my daily needs. I bought this lens fully expecting it to be 24 to 56 as I wanted it to be multi purpose and at 24mm its still pretty wide.

2) I try to avoid flash as much as possible given the type of photography I do and at f/2.8 I can take some great ambient light pictures that I would not be able to do otherwise

3) At f/2.8, I can also blow the backgrounds and foregrounds out of focus. The out of focus areas are gorgeously buttery and the blokeh is very nice given the 7 blades of the shutter.

4) The color saturation is like nothing I've ever seen before except with my 70-200mm Canon "L". I was literally floored at some baby pictures I took where the colors were in two words "mind blowing". I knew the color would be great but "WOW!" With Photoshop CS2 I can "fake" saturation but its just not quite the same as the color that came out of this lens straight out of the box. Zero photoshop touchup needed.

5) Its sharp! This lens takes some amazingly sharp pictures into what I would classify as amazing. I've received numerous positive comments on the sharpness of this lens. I've tried looking at the edges to see if there's any CA or less sharpness and couldn't really find any. Maybe on a full size sensor you can tell more but I couldn't really on a 20D. I do notice that the plane of focus at f/2.8 is narrow (which is good) and I have to make sure that everything I want in focus is. The blokeh is very buttery at f/2.8. I like it quite a bit.

6) Its built like a tank. Black metal shell. Metal EF mount. Smooth manual focusing. Sturdy recessed switches. The red stripe catches the eye of photographers who know....easy to strike up conversations and learn.

7) It was surprisingly smaller and lighter than I thought it would be. About half the size of my 70-200mm Canon "L". I was expecting it to be bigger and am much happier that it wasn't. Its on my camera all the time and not a chore to carry around at all. Unless you're a very petite person.

8) Internal focusing. So the lens size doesn't change in size or turn when focusing. This is very useful when you put filters on or when you're focusing in close.

9) USM Motor. Its whisper quiet and it focuses super fast. Faster than my 70-200mm....something I'd expect but wow its fast and silent.

10) It focuses pretty close 12 inches or so. You can get close to your subject. Its not a macro lens but you can get some dramatic wide angle shots with its close focusing.

11) Its TTL2 so works very nice with my 580EX flash.

12) EF mount will grow with you. If you upgrade your camera body to a full frame camera with an EF mount, this lens will fit your new camera and you can continue to enjoy your lens investment.


Cons:

1) On a 1.6x frame size, it doesn't get into "amazing" wide category but that's not the fault of the lens. I'm marking this down as a Con but you can take it several ways. If you want to get ultra-wide on a small frame camera, you won't with this lens (although 24mm is pretty darn wide) and about your only Canon options are the 15mm fisheye which I own and think is a great specialty lens and the 10-22mm EFS Canon lens which I hear is very good but its EFS (and won't fit the full frame cameras - less upgradable I think) and its not an L lens although for a non-L the 10-22 I hear is exceptional. If you want the f/2.8 and are ok with something like 24-56, then you won't find better for small-sensor cameras. And, if you already have a full frame camera, you can enjoy 16mm "WOW" wide. I can only imagine the coverage I'd get on a full frame camera.

2) The hood is massive...wide but not very deep...so its a shallow hood (It has to be with the wide angle I guess). I never take it off -- it keeps stray light out and is a secondary protection for the lens. I have had zero problems with lens flare.

3) The front lens element does sink in and out inside the tube (exposed but the lens case doesn't change in size). There is no protective filter to protect that front element. I bought a UV/Haze filter ($26 from Amazon) and I highly recommend you do as well to protect your investment. With the UV/Haze filter, the lens is very self contained.

4) Oh the cost....my oh my. Expensive as heck. Cost as much as my camera body --- worth every penny. If its any consolation, these lenses are very hard to make and they keep their value. Your camera body might drop in value as new technology arrives but this lens will hold its value if you take care of it.


Differences, Notes, Things I've heard:

1) I have no experience with non canon lenses so I can't compare but this 16-35 is amazing.

2) Compared to other "L" lenses, it holds up and the quality is amazing when it comes to color, performance, lens construction.

3) I hear there is some Chromatic Aberation at the edges of these wide lenses (well more than the 70-200mm) but that's to be expected when you're gathering light from such wide angles and focusing it....that's got to be hard. Wide angles exhibit more CA than long telephotos. On my 16-35mm it wasn't visible to me. I imagine a Pro's pro might notice care. Anybody with less stringent requirements than a Pro's pro or extremely saavy person, couldn't even notice or care. Besides, CA on this lens is orders of magnitude less than almost any other lens.

4) I bought directly from Amazon. Ordered on a Monday got the lens the next day on Tuesday. Amazing service. Great store.

Well, besides a whole bucket full of money, one of them lets you take photos in lower light, okay, that's obvious. The 16-35mm is a bit heavier, but not so you'd notice, unless maybe you were carrying it around all day, without eating and you're a bit over the hill. So why pay the extra money, unless, of course, you do a lot of shooting in the early morning and late evening?

Maybe you shouldn't, because I've been doing a lot of photo taking with both, film and digital, and as one would expect from the "L" lenses, the photos are crisp and sharp. In fact I keep I the 17-40 on the camera I carry around all day, you know, the one I might leave on the table in a restaurant when I got to the restroom. It's a lot less money to lose to someone looking for a five finger discount. However, my gal pal Sara and I take a lot of early morning photos. She shoots old houses, and she never, ever goes out without the 16-35mm. She swears by it, loves it, sometimes I think better than me.

So there is a difference, I'm the kind of person that could happily live with less expensive lense, Sara is not. However they both deliver gorgeous photos. You can't go wrong if the lense has that red circle around it.

Jack Priest, Sailor Home from the Sea

bought one of these batteries from slerlingtek and unfortunately after maybe 10 charges it no longer holds a charge. If you want a short term battery get this one or if you want quality get the Canon brand one.

Bought this as a backup battery. Its pretty good so far. The bonus is it fits where 511A would fit...

We have tested these with BP511 or BP511A applications and they work great in either. The BP511 has been discontinued by Canon although 3rd parties are still making them. The BP511A or the BP511 will work as they are the same battery size. The 1400mAh is a good power battery.