CANON EOS 60D NIKON D3100 70-300mm LENSES PHOTO QUALITY INKJET PAPER & MUCH MORE...

www.photoanswers.co.uk ISSUE 136 DECEMBER 2010 £4.99

TESTED

D-SLR KNOW-HOW

HINTS & TIPS

EASY ADVICE

LENSES

PAUL CO

RICA

Britain’s best-selling photography magazine!SUBSCRIB

E

SEE PAGE 12 FOR

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D-SLRBuy the perfect camera for you

Photoshop Filter Masterclass

Make your own Xmas cards

Master shutter speed & unlock the photo artist in you - we show you how!

Use imaging � lters the right way for more creative pics

Get it right with our expert advice

Create bespoke greetings cards with our FREE templates

D SLRMaster shutter speed & unlock the photo

TECHNIQUE SPECIAL!

NEW D-SLRsTESTED! CANON EOS 60D & NIKON D3100

WE NAME THE BEST 70-300MM LENS FOR YOU

Cover Dec 2010 poly cd etc ja KH KS.indd 1 18/10/2010 10:46

DIGITAL PHOTO 9WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK

ORIGINAL IMAGE

21

43

“ Create a totally unique card to send to your loved ones... ” You’ll � nd a variety of exciting designs to use on this month’s CD and they’re all

sized to A4 for easy printing and folding at home!

WHAT YOU NEED PHOTOSHOP OR ELEMENTSWHAT YOU’LL LEARN MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS CARDS

BLEND IT IN. In the Layers palette you’ll see that the photo (Layer 1) is sitting above the Background Layer. To make it work with the template, click where it says Normal and change its

Blending Mode to Screen. The image doesn’t quite � t yet though, so press Ctrl+T, then click and drag a corner handle to reduce its size. Hold Shift or click Constrain Proportions as you do, then click the tick.

START OPEN AN IMAGE. We used a suitable seasonal image but you can choose any pic of your own, then press Ctrl+A to select it. Follow this by pressing Ctrl+C to copy it. Now open one

of our A5 Christmas card templates from the free CD and press Ctrl+V to paste the copied image on to the template. Go to Windows � Layers to open the Layers palette.

FINISH MINI IMAGE. Click Layer � Flatten Image and then make a Selection of the picture with the Rectangular Marquee tool. Press Ctrl+C to copy it, and then Ctrl+V to paste the copy of

the image. Press Ctrl+T and then reduce it in size as in Step 2 and move it above the text on the rear of the card. Finally go to File � Save As... and save your card with a new name, so you can use the template again.

ADD YOUR NAME. Now let’s add some information to the back of the card. Select the Horizontal Type tool (T) and click on the left-hand side of the Christmas card template. In the Options bar,

choose a suitably clear font such as Arial Regular and type “Photography by”. Next, change the font to Arial Black and type your name. Click the tick in the Options bar to � nish.

MOST OF US SEND and receive a large amount of cards at Christmas time. But with so many cards jostling for space, what’s a sure� re way of making yours stand out from the crowd?

Well, there’s nothing like giving something that you have made yourself, especially on an occasion like Christmas. So why not create a totally unique Christmas card for family and friends, personalising your festive greetings?

Using Digital Photo’s unique selection of Christmas card templates you can create a card that looks classy, wacky or contemporary. The style is up to you, but the end result is sure to be warmly received!

Get started now!All the templates are sized at A4 for easy home printing, so to get started just � nd a suitably festive photo, then open one and follow the guide below...

USING THE FREE TEMPLATES

008-0011 Christmas cards ks ja KH.indd 9 19/10/2010 11:58

VIDEOLESSONS ON THEDISC

DIGITAL PHOTO8 WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK

“ Create a totally unique card to send to your loved ones... ”

18 CHRISTMAS

CARD

DESIGNS

TO TRY

MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS CARDS!

What better way to pass on your best wishes to friends & family than with a perfectly personalised Christmas card? TECHNIQUE BY GAVIN HOEY

MAKE CHRISTMAS CARDS FROM YOUR OWN PICTURES!

On your CD...

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008-0011 Christmas cards ks ja KH.indd 8 19/10/2010 11:58

WHAT YOU NEED A D-SLR & PHOTOSHOP/ELEMENTSWHAT YOU’LL LEARN USE SHUTTER SPEED FOR GREAT PICS

DIGITAL PHOTO 33WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK

Unlock the hidden power of your D-SLR and shoot amazing pictures – we show you how it’s done with your camera!

PAGE 34SHUTTER SPEEDEXPLAINEDLearn how shutter speed can be used in your shots.

COMING UP

PAGE 36SLOW SHUTTER SPEEDSShoot a stunning long exposure after dark.

PAGE 40FAST SHUTTER SPEEDSFreeze movement to create startling action shots.

PAGE 44USE FLASH WITH A SLOW SHUTTERGet a fast-and-slow look with this in-camera e� ect.

PAGE 50BLENDING SHUTTER SPEEDSUse Photoshop to combine pics from your D-SLR.

START LEARNING OVER THE PAGE

IT’S

TIME TO

MASTER

YOUR D-SLR!

FROM FAST ACTION PICS

TO CREATIVE LONG

EXPOSURES -

IT’S ALL RIGHT

HERE!

Main feature ks ja KH.indd 33 19/10/2010 18:25

DIGITAL PHOTO32 WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK

Get Creative With Shutter Speed

D-SLR TECHNIQUE SPECIAL!

EASY WAYS TO TAKE AMAZING PICS WITH YOUR CAMERA...

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR D-SLR!By taking control of your camera’s shutter speed, it’s possible to shoot amazing pictures like this stunning long exposure. We’ll make it easy for you to learn how!

Main feature ks ja KH.indd 32 19/10/2010 18:24

PHOTO ANSWERS

DIGITAL PHOTO 59WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK

immediately upgradable, and probably o  er the most sensible use of your cash. Your current focal range of 18-250mm o  ers a lot of versatility, but depending on which kind of subjects you prefer, it can de� nitely be expanded. A longer zoom, or a true wide-angle lens will open up many more avenues of shooting than upgrading your camera body and at a lower cost. A Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 (£400) and Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 (£750) are two great options to look at based on what you shoot more of.

If you’re happy with the focal range you’ve already got, you can think about upgrading to ‘faster’ lenses with wider maximum apertures than the ones you currently have. A fast telephoto

zoom, like a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II (£650),

will give you a much more shallow depth-of-� eld and it’s a great lens to use for sports, wildlife and portraits.

The � nal area you can look at is adding accessories to your

existing system. You don’t mention owning a tripod, but investing in a stable shooting platform is one of the easiest ways to improve your landscapes and still-life pics, while a dedicated external ¢ ashgun can make a huge di  erence to your portraits (see the panel above for more ideas). Happy shopping!

“ New lenses can make much more di erence than a new D-SLR... “

GET MORE GREAT ADVICE OVER THE PAGE

An SLR body’s performance is judged by the resolution of its sensor (and therefore how much detail it can record), how many frames per second it can shoot, the ISO sensitivities on o� er (and how much digital Noise is present at each setting), its ease of handling and build quality. Compare these benchmarks against your current camera and if there’s not a signi� cant rise in performance, look at Option 2 or 3.

Unless closely inspected, it’s di� cult to tell what type of camera a picture was taken on, but with lenses the di� erence is immediately obvious. Take a look through your library of images to get an idea of the focal lengths you favour – this will give you a clue as to whether you should pick a wider angle lens, something longer or with a faster maximum aperture.

Photography is all about controlling light, and it’s often simple accessories that can make a di� erence here. A bounce-and-swivel external � ashgun for instance will give you more re� ned results than your pop-up � ash when shooting indoors, while a re� ector can be used to control lighting outside. It’s also worth thinking about a battery grip – this will not only give you more shots per trip, but will also have a vertical shutter release meaning more comfortable shooting in portrait format.

New lenses will make a much more obvious di� erence to your shots.

Adding simple accessories can vastly improve the kit you have.

OPTION 1

EXPERT ADVICE

OPTION 2 OPTION 3

WHICH NEW PHOTO KITMAKES SENSE FOR YOU?

UPGRADE TO A NEW CAMERA

ADD TO YOUR RANGE OF LENSES

INVEST IN NEW ACCESSORIES

A new body should present a good rise in performance.

INVEST IN NEW ADD TO YOUR UPGRADE TO A

Non prenit om asd asdn imrest sadsaa d sad sadsad ssd dn imrest sadsaa d sad sadsad sad sadsad ssd dn imrest sadsaa d sad sadsad ssd in rae.

ORIGINAL KIT

WHAT’S WRONG WITHTHE GEAR YOU’VE GOT?The � rst step of any buying process should be about necessity. New kit is great and we all love that new camera smell, but it’s not jewellery and it has to serve a purpose that justi� es the expense! Therefore, look at the camera and lenses you already own and carefully assess in which areas their performance could be improved. This approach will quickly lead you to the right answers!

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST UPGRADE OPTION FOR YOU

058-062 Photo Answers D_SLR SPecial ja KH TWEAK PANEL!.indd 59 19/10/2010 17:04

Photo Answers is not only the name of our website, it’s also the place to come to for help if you have a photographic issue that needs sorting!

PHIL HALLTechnical Editor Phil runs DP ’s Gear section, so he knows exactly what kit you need and how to take great photos.

SUBMIT A QUESTION

MEET THE EXPERTS

VIA THE FORUMS ON WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UKJoin in the online chat where you can swap ideas, talk about gear, and help other photo enthusiasts out with photo-related queries.

BY E-MAILSend your gear, camera or imaging queries and supporting pics to: dp@bauermedia.co.uk and put ‘Answers’ in the subject box.

BY POSTWrite to us at this address:‘Photo Answers’, Digital Photo, Media House, Bauer, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA

JON ADAMSEditor Jon has a wealth of knowledge to share on all aspects of digital photography and Photoshop.

MICHAEL TOPHAMTechnical Writer Michael’s extensive camera and software skills mean he’s able to answer all your imaging queries.

DIGITAL PHOTO58 WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK

» Stop losing sleep! Solve those digital dilemmas with all the camera buying advice you need...

What new kit will improve my photos?

D-SLR SPECIAL!

Q A couple of years ago, I bought a Canon EOS 450D with EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5- 5.6 EF-S

55-250mm IS f/4-5.6 lenses. I’ve enjoyed using it, but I’ve got a burning desire for an upgrade – what are my options? Dan Clery

A This is a tough question, Dan, but rest assured you’re not alone! The need for shiny new kit can be overwhelming,

but be careful in your choice or you could end up making a costly mistake. The answer to your question actually requires you to examine what’s missing from your current set up – it’s only when you know exactly which areas are lacking that you’ll see where to upgrade. The great thing is that, as an SLR user you don’t need throw the baby out with the bath water – you can upgrade parts of your system and still see a real bene� t.

Launched in early 2008, the 450D was a great camera in its day – one of the best in its class – but though three years can seem a long time in digital photography, a quick look at the speci� cations reveals a very capable camera even by 2010 standards. Its 12.2Mp sensor might not keep pace with descendants like the 18Mp 550D, but it provides enough resolution to make large, A3 sized prints. Equally the 450D’s 3.5fps burst isn’t too far behind entry-level D-SLRs today (the 550D is only fractionally ahead at 3.7fps). The 450D does lag behind in ISO performance and a lack of HD video recording, but on the handling side you won’t notice much di� erence.

Improved performance?If a signi� cant hike in camera performance and handling is what you need, look at the EOS 60D (reviewed on page 94) or the EOS 7D, both of which o� er higher resolution, faster burst modes and an increased ISO range. Beyond those cameras you’re into Canon’s full-frame

range, like the EOS 5D MkII, a powerhouse of a camera, but one that will require

buying new lenses, too – your existing EF-S optics are

incompatible.The other

component of your camera system – the lenses – are more

D-SLR CAMERAS

buying new lenses, too – your existing EF-S optics are

incompatible.IS IT

TIME TO

UPGRADE

YOUR

D-SLR?

058-062 Photo Answers D_SLR SPecial ja KH TWEAK PANEL!.indd 58 19/10/2010 17:03

IF YOU ENJOY getting really creative with your images and like to make the most of Photoshop’s features, then

check out the Filter menu. This contains a huge range of � lters and with such a large choice, it’s easy to forget what e� ect each one o� ers.

To save having to load all the � lter dialog boxes each time, you’ll � nd 47 of the most commonly used � lters housed together in the Filter Gallery, a feature that has been part of Photoshop since the eighth (CS)

version was launched. It’s a superb tool that o� ers masses of ­ exibility with Filters. As well as o� ering a big preview to view the di� erences between each � lter, it also allows you to control each � lter setting precisely with sliders beneath the OK and Cancel buttons.

Other advantagesIf you’re unsure of which Filter to use, expand some of the Filter folders to reveal a list of thumbnails that’ll give you a visual clue to each Filter’s e� ect.

One of the best uses of the Filter Gallery is for merging and stacking � lters – much like you’re used to doing with Layers in the Layers palette. To stack Filters, you’ll need to use the New E ect Layer button found at the bottom of the dialog. There’s no limit to the amount of � lters that can be stacked and it’s possible to move Filters within the

palette and delete them if you’re not happy with the result. We’re going to look at how Filters are applied to speci� c areas in an image using Selections, and reveal how a series of Filters can be used in a stack to successfully enhance the impact of a shot. Let’s start o� by loading the start image SCIROCCO.jpg...

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WHAT YOU NEED PHOTOSHOP CS OR HIGHERWHAT YOU’LL LEARN HOW TO USE THE FILTER GALLERY

UNDERSTANDING THE FILTER GALLERY DIALOGUnfortunately, there’s no keyboard shortcut for the Filter Gallery so to load it you’ll need to click on Filter from the Menu bar and it’s found near the top of the list. On loading the dialog, the preview on the left will display your image at 100%. To � t your image to the size of the preview window, hit Ctrl+0. Study the annotations below and you’ll be ready to try out the two Filter Gallery projects over the next few pages.you’ll be ready to try out the two Filter Gallery projects over the next few pages.

DELETE BUTTONIf you’re unhappy with a Filter e� ect, select it and hit this button to delete it.

FILTER VISIBILITYTo turn a Filter on and o� , use the Filter Visibility icon.

EFFECT LAYER BUTTON To apply more than one � lter, you’ll need to click this button after you’ve applied your initial Filter.

PREVIEW Shows your image with the Filter and settings applied.

FILTER EFFECTS Click on the arrows to collapse and expand the Filter e� ects.

FILTER PALETTEIf you decide you’re going to combine several Filters together, this is where they will be stacked. Filters can be dragged above and below other � lters, too.

PREVIEW ZOOM CONTROLS You can inspect the Filter up close with these magni� cation controls.

FILTER CONTROLSEach Filter has a di� erent number of controls and they are listed below the OK and Cancel buttons.

RESET Hold Alt and click on the Cancel button to instantly reset your Filter Gallery settings.

“ It’s a superb command that gives us masses of exibility with Filters ... “

064-069 Masterclass Filter Gallery MT KH ja.indd 65 19/10/2010 13:14

DIGITAL PHOTO64 WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK

PhotoshopMasterclass

» Your expert guide to the tips, tools & techniques that really matter...

LEARN

ALL-NEW

SKILLS

Photoshop boasts an extensive range of Filters for creative e� ects. With 47 of them listed in the Filter Gallery, it’s time to explore this part of Photoshop’s armouryTECHNIQUE BY MICHAEL TOPHAM

START IMAGE

PROJECT 2 PAGE 68

PROJECT 1 PAGE 66

MASTER THE ART OF USING PHOTOSHOP’S FILTER GALLERYThis month we’ve got two projects lined up for you. In the � rst we’ll show you how � lters can be applied selectively, and in the second we’ll see how � lters can be stacked together.

VIDEOLESSONS ON THECD!

Filter GalleryAPPLY CREATIVE EFFECTS USING THE FILTER GALLERY

Filter Gallery

064-069 Masterclass Filter Gallery MT KH ja.indd 64 19/10/2010 17:39

DIGITAL PHOTO WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK 145

FINISH COFFEE TIME. Open CREASE.jpg and copy and paste as before. This time, change its Blending Mode to Color Burn and use the Move tool to position it in a corner. Now open COFFEE_

RING.jpg, add it as before, set its Blending Mode to Color Burn and position it in the corner. Now go to Layer � Flatten Image.

4ROUGH TREATMENT. Now open SCRATCHES.jpg and press Ctrl+A followed by Ctrl+C to copy the image. Go back to the template and press Ctrl+V to paste it in. In the Layers palette

(Window � Layers) set the Opacity to around 70% and change the Blending Mode from Normal to Screen to blend the Layers.

3

WHAT YOU NEED PHOTOSHOP OR ELEMENTSWHAT YOU’LL LEARN CREATE A VINTAGE EFFECT

EXPERT TIP!Stop here and print your image as a postcard, or watch the video to see how to add a background image.

160-161 TOTM Vintage KS ja KH.indd 161 19/10/2010 09:46

Technique of the Month

IF YOU’VE EVER WANTED TO TURN your pictures into timeless classics then you’ve come to the right place! It’s easy to apply a pleasingly battered and time-worn look to modern pictures using Photoshop or Elements and you’ll discover how to do it the right way in this superbly simple yet e� ective technique.

All you need to do is combine the texture e� ects as supplied on this month’s CD with one of your own pictures and you’re guaranteed a top result.

There’s even an example pic on the CD for you to practise on, so once you’ve given it a go, select one of your own shots and give that the antique treatment, too. It’s a good idea to choose an image without tell-tale signs of its age, like modern cars or satellite dishes, but once you’ve found a suitable shot, just follow the steps below and watch the video on the CD to see how it’s done. Easy!

Give your snaps the antique treatment with this quick and easy technique! TECHNIQUE BY GAVIN HOEY

Create a vintage postcard e� ect!

STEP-BY-STEP GET THE ANTIQUE LOOK

ADD TO TEMPLATE. Go to Select � Feather and use a value of 3 pixels. Press Shift+Ctrl+N followed by Shift+Ctrl+V to paste the train on a new Layer. Now press Ctrl+T and drag a handle to

resize and reposition the image so it � ts into the template. Click the tick or hit Return to � nish the transformation.

2START GO SEPIA. Open STEAM_TRAIN.jpg and then press Ctrl+U. Click the Colorize box and change the Hue to 40 and Saturation to 15. Click OK. Now press Ctrl+A followed by Ctrl+C to

copy the image. Open the template OLD_POSTCARD.jpg and choose the Magic Wand tool (W), then click on the centre of the postcard to select it.

1

About the start images Using Layers and Layer Blending Modes you’ll be able to combine the texture images above with your own photos and create a convincing vintage look that’ll work on any picture. They’re in the Start Images folder on the CD for you to use!

example pic on the CD for you to practise on, so once you’ve given it a go, select one of your own shots and give

VIDEOLESSON ON THECD!

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144

“ It’s easy to apply a pleasingly time-worn look to your digital pics... ”

CREASE.JPG OLD_POSTCARD.JPG SCRATCHES.JPG COFFEE_RING.JPG

STEAM_TRAIN.JPG

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CANON’S COMMITMENT to renewing its enthusiast range was � rst brought to our attention last August with the announcement of a new camera in the ‘X0’ or two-digit series – the EOS 60D.

Almost two years on from the launch of the DP Silver Award-winning 50D, the 60D is designed to be a direct replacement, sitting in between the EOS 550D and EOS 7D in Canon’s current line-up.

To keep the latest incarnation unique and completely separate from the EOS 7D, Canon has given the 60D the most radical overhaul of any XO series D-SLR to date.

The most drastic development is its all-new polycarbonate body that has replaced the magnesium alloy type we’re used to seeing. This, combined with its other features, has to o� er a lot if it’s going to entice new users into making a purchase, and those seeking an upgrade from older models such as the 40D and 50D.

Features & buildThe obvious di� erence between the 60D and its forerunner, the 50D, is its size. The redesigned body gives it a squat appearance and marginally smaller handgrip,

but don’t let these reasons put you o� , as it remains well-constructed and feels solid in the hand.

The 60D’s ethos is very much about ‘out with the old and in with the new’; the 15Mp APS-C chip that was used in the 50D is gone and its replacement is an 18Mp APS-C sized sensor that o� ers the same pixel count (5184x3456) as Canon’s 550D and 7D models. Producing a native � le size of 51.3MB, the sensor delivers the quality that’s required to print at A3+ size. In addition to the 3:2 standard ratio dimension, you’re also given the option of switching

the aspect ratio to 1:1, 4:3 or 16:9 if preferred. The addition of the 18Mp sensor has also made an impact on the 60D’s ISO performance. Looking back at the ISO range of 100-3200 on the 50D, it had to be expanded to shoot at ISO 6400 and 12,800. The 100-6400 ISO range on the 60D gives it a one-stop advantage over the 50D and only has to be expanded once to get to 12,800.

Other signi� cant improvements see the 60D adopt the iFCL 63-zone dual metering system that was � rst seen in the EOS 7D and there’s a much improved LCD screen at the rear. Although the screen hasn’t physically grown in size and still measures 3in from corner to corner, its sharpness and practicality have been improved. This is made possible by employing the same 1040k-dot resolution technology that was � rst put into

WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UKDIGITAL PHOTO 94

GEAR

CANON EOS 60D» £1148 (WITH 17-85MM LENS) » 18MP APS-C SENSOR » 1080p HD VIDEO » WWW.CANON.CO.UK

The 50D’s successor has arrived in the form of the 60D. With an all-new body and features taken from other successful Canon D-SLRs, how will it perform on test?TEST BY MICHAEL TOPHAM

GREAT FEATURES ON THE CANON EOS 60DKNOWLEDGE

3in Vari-angle Screen The 60D features a similar resolution screen (1040k-dot) to that found on the 550D. It o� ers pin-sharp viewing and is great for performing detailed checks, such as analysing image sharpness. With its Vari-angle design, it’s possible to � ip it out to the side and it can be tilted into almost any position – ideal for shooting from low and high angles.

Electronic Level GaugeIf you spend time getting horizons level in software, an electronic gauge built into your D-SLR is just what you need. The 60D’s levelling gauge is superb and adjusts to the slightest movement of the camera in both landscape and portrait orientations. When the camera is perfectly level it’ll display a bright green horizontal line.

Creative FiltersIf you want to add in-camera creative e� ects to your shots you can do so easily by clicking on the Quick Menu button in Playback mode. You’re given the option of four to choose from including Grain B/W, Soft Focus, Toy Camera E� ect and Miniature e� ect. The 60D will save your e� ect as a new � le so you don’t over-write your original.

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110-113 TESTED Canon 60D MT KH ja .indd 110 19/10/2010 10:59

service on the 550D. Also for the rst time in the history of an X0 series D-SLR, the 60D’s screen is the Vari-angle kind. This means it can be tilted and swivelled into the desired position when working from unusual angles.

Not everything is new with the 60D, though. It takes the same single DIGIC 4 processor from the 50D but with the larger le size, its frames-per-second rate has been reduced by 1fps, from 6.3fps on the 50D to 5.3fps on the 60D.

The AF arrangement hasn’t changed, though. We would have liked to have seen the 19-point AF system from the 7D carried across, but the 60D uses the same 9-point AF arrangement as the 50D – a diamond formation with all nine

points cross-type in format. Featuring Canon’s standard EF-S

lens mount, the 60D accepts both EF-S and EF mount lenses. Taking the 1.6x focal length multiplication into consideration, it turns Canon’s 17-65mm lens, which is available in kit form with the 60D, into a 27-136mm lens in lm terms.

Performance & handlingWith a smaller body than its predecessor, it’s no surprise that the 60D is 67g lighter than the

50D. The weight di� erence isn’t that noticeable when you pick it up, though, and in the average sized hand it remains very comfortable to hold. The handgrip is large enough to get a good, strong, solid grip and it’s nished in a rubberised coating to prevent it slipping from your hands.

At the rear your thumb is left to rest between the Quick menu and playback zoom buttons, with the AF-On button neatly positioned over to the left for double-checking subject focus before the shutter is red.

Rather than employing a traditional joypad as found on the 50D and 7D, Canon has designed an all-new four-way controller for the 60D. This is interlinked with a scroll dial that’s found around the controller’s circumference and

95 DIGITAL PHOTO WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK

CANON EOS 60D GEAR

TURN OVER FOR MORE ABOUT THE EOS 60D

“ Canon has designed an all-new four-way controller for the 60D “

Street price: £899 (body only)Resolution: 18Mp (5184x3456 pixels)Lens mount: Canon EF-SFocal length magni� cation: 1.6xView� nder: Optical, approx 96% coverageFocusing: 9-point selectableBurst rate: 5.3fps (17 RAW)Write times: 2.6secs (RAW), 1.2secs (JPEG)ISO range: 100-6400, expandable to 12,800 (at H setting)Shutter range: 30-1/8000secs, bulbFlash sync: 1/250secScreen: 3.0in , 1040k-dot TFT LCDLive View: YesVideo: 1920x1080 @ 30fpsStorage: SD/SDHC/SDXC Weight: 755gDimensions: 144.5x106x79mmVisit: www.canon.co.uk

AT A GLANCE CANON EOS 60D

The 60D no longer records onto Compact Flash cards and accepts SD/SDHC and SDXC media instead. The card slot is located on the side of the handgrip and can be quickly opened using your thumb.

110-113 TESTED Canon 60D MT KH ja .indd 111 19/10/2010 10:59

DIGITAL PHOTO 105

GEAR

WWW.PHOTOANSWERS.CO.UK

IF YOU’VE RECENTLY forked out on a D-SLR, or are perhaps thinking of buying one in the run-up to Christmas, you’re likely to get one with a standard lens that o� ers an 18-55mm focal length. As good as some kit lenses are, they do rather limit you to shooting at the wide end, And while this is great for landscapes, it’s not so good for far-o� shots where you need to get closer to the action.

Rather than cropping in on your images and losing pixels and image quality, the alternative is to make an investment in a second lens. If you think a telephoto zoom will break the bank, you may be surprised to hear that some of the best 70-300mm zooms can be picked up for around £350, and these o� er fantastic optical quality, matched with very fast AF

systems. They also have built-in image stabilisers to minimise blur caused by movement when hand-holding the camera.

Lens constructionImage quality is the key aspect of any lens. To deal with common optical � aws, such as fringeing and vignetting, you’ll � nd that most of the zooms in this test feature Super Low Dispersion (SLD) or Extra Low Dispersion (ED) lens elements.

Another important aspect is that the lens feels comfortable and operates well when carried or held in the hand. A zoom ring should o� er enough resistance to prevent it creeping to the long end when slung over your shoulder. To make the zoom and focus rings easier to locate when you’re behind the camera, they should be made to sizeable dimensions and any Autofocus or Image Stabiliser switches should be designed so that they stand proud of the barrel for faster operation. Over the page we’ll look at the construction of each lens, the image quality and the performance.

If you’re struggling to get

to the heart of the action with

your kit lens, you should look to

invest in a telephoto zoom.Here we look at � ve 70-300mm

contendersTEST BY

MICHAEL TOPHAM

70-300mmIf you’re

struggling to get

TELEPHOTOZOOM LENSES

TESTED

We’ve reviewed � ve telephoto lenses that cover the 70-300mm focal length including Sigma and Tamron variants, which are available in a number of di� erent lens mounts.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £374Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£348Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG OS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £293Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£194Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£429

WHAT WE TESTED

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to shoot hand-held at a shutter speed that’s up to 3 stops slower than you’d normally be able to do without camera shake.

Missing on the D3000, but featured on the D3100, is Live View, with its own dedicated switch. AF during Live View is via contrast-detect AF rather than phase-detect AF, and again o� ers a choice of four AF modes – Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF and subject-tracking AF. Along with Single and Manual focus options in Live View, there’s also a new full-time Servo

AF (AF-F), that o� ers continuous focus without the need to press the shutter. This feature is also handy when shooting in HD video, with the D3100 the � rst Nikon D-SLR to feature full-HD at 1080p – a better spec than both the D3S and D300S. Video can be shot at 10-minute intervals with mono audio, but there’s no external microphone socket, and no stereo sound option.

Along with Single shot, Continuous and Self-timer drive modes, there’s the inclusion of a Quiet shooting mode, where the noise of the shutter is reduced – handy when you don’t want to make your presence felt too much, such as at a wedding for instance.

Retained from the D3000 is the same 3in screen with a resolution of 230K dots, which is a little low and overshadowed by some compact cameras. There’s also the

same dual anti-dust system that was on the D3000, with stray sensor dirt shaken from the sensor, as well Nikon’s Air� ow Control System that diverts stray dust away from the chip and towards small ducts at the base of the lens mount.

The design of the D3100 is a gentle evolution of the D3000 with a couple of subtle changes. There’s now a dedicated switch/button for Live View/HD video, as well as the addition of a drive mode switch round the slightly more pronounced mode dial.

The design of the D3100 is relatively compact, but the handgrip is a respectable size that o� ers a � rm and comfortable grip - helped by the rubberised grip round the handgrip and thumbrest. The rest of the exterior � nish is predominantly plastic, but has a pleasing, lightly

mottled, matte � nish and despite its size and entry-level focus, it feels solid and compares well to the competition.

Performance & handlingThe 11-point AF system is arranged in a diamond formation, with single point selection carried out via the D-Pad at the rear of the camera. AF performance is strong, locking on to subjects quickly and only ever hunting in extreme low-contrast scenes. Single-point AF is handy to precisely select which area of the frame you want the point-of-focus to be, while Dynamic-area AF is good for fast moving action. The 3D -tracking AF mode is quite a sophisticated feature for an entry-level D-SLR, and will track your subject from point-to-point, making it ideal for moving subjects.

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TURN OVER & FIND OUT HOW THE NIKON D3100 PERFORMED

“ The D3100 D-SLR has the second highest resolution in the Nikon line-up behind the 24.5Mp D3X... ”

Street price: £499 (with 18-55mm)Resolution: 14.2Mp (4608x3072 pixels)Lens mount: Nikon F-mountFocusing: 11-point selectableBurst rate: 3fps (28 RAW & Unlimited JPEG)Write times: 1.5secs (RAW), 1sec (JPEG)ISO range: 100-3200, expandable to 12,800 (at Hi2 setting)View� nder: Optical, approx 95% coverageShutter range: 30secs-1/4000secsMonitor: 3.0in, 230k dots TFT LCD Live View: YesHD video: 1920x1080 @ 24fpsStorage: SD/SDHC/SDXC & Eye-FiWeight (body only): 505gDimensions: 124x96x74.5mmVisit: www.nikon.co.uk

AT A GLANCE NIKON D3100

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THE OUTGOING D3000 has proved incredibly popular for Nikon since its launch last year, often topping the bestseller tables, even though it wasn’t necessarily the best featured model in its sector. Though it lacked Live View capability and had a resolution that was overshadowed by its rivals, it still attracted a lot of interest, helped in part by its simple-to-get-to-grips-with interface and solid performance. With the competition not standing still and

the emergence of the Compact System Camera as a real alternative to a budget D-SLR, a refresh was needed, but any replacement to the D3000 needed not to be just as good, but to be even better. So, has the D3100 succeeded?

Features & buildOut goes the 10.2Mp CCD chip that was in the D3000 and in comes a brand-new 14.2Mp CMOS sensor, making the D3100 the second highest resolution D-SLR in the

Nikon line-up, behind the top-of-the-range 24.5Mp full-frame D3X and eclipsing the 12.3Mp D300S that sits at the top of Nikon’s APS-C D-SLR range. There’s a new image processor, EXPEED 2, while the ISO range has been improved by an extra couple of stops – the standard range is now 100-3200, but can be expanded to an impressive ISO equivalent of 12,800 at the D3100’s Hi2 setting. The reasonably conservative 5-point AF system on the D3000 has now been replaced by the same Multi-CAM 1000 11-point AF system that’s in the D90 and D5000. There’s a choice of four AF modes – single point, dynamic-area AF, auto-area and 3D-tracking which uses the D3100 Scene Recognition System to help track your subject as it moves across the AF points. There’s still

no built-in AF motor on the D3100, so AF is only possible with Nikon’s range of AF-S lenses which have a built-in AF motor (or Sigma’s HSM range as another example). Although this will limit you if you want to use older ‘screw-drive’ lenses, for most people they’ll be very well catered for by the wide selection of AF-S lenses available in the Nikon lens line-up. With the exception of one or two models, pretty much every DX lens now features AF-S, while third-party manufacturers o� er a similar solution in the majority of their lenses, too.

As with all Nikon DX-format D-SLRs, there’s a 1.5x crop factor to apply to any lenses attached, so the 18-55mm kit lens o� ers a broad coverage of 27-82.5mm, while it also features Nikon’s Vibration Technology (VR) to reduce camera shake. It allows you

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The D3000 has been an incredibly popular budget D-SLR, but will its replacement, the D3100, be able to continue that trend?TEST BY PHIL HALL

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NIKON D3100KNOWLEDGE

14.2Mp CMOS sensorWith the competition all upping the megapixel stakes, the Nikon D3100 features an all-new 14.2Mp CMOS sensor and a considerable increase in resolution from the outgoing 10.2Mp D3000. The ISO range is also very competitive, with a standard range of 100-3200, that can be expanded to an impressive ISO equivalent of 12,800.

Live View & full HD video An area that the D3000 was lacking in when compared to its rivals was Live View. The D3100 has recti� ed this and also has it’s own dedicated switch. As well as Live View, there’s also the ability to record video at full HD resolution (1080p at 24fps). While there’s a built-in mono mic, there’s no stereo o� ered nor the option to hook-up an external mic.

Built-in GUIDE modeFor newcomers upgrading to a D-SLR for the � rst time, the D3100 features a helpful GUIDE mode. While this was also feature on the D3000, it has been improved. It starts by asking you what you want to achieve with your shots, and then goes on to display a sample image to show you how certain changes will a� ect the image.

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