The Goods: Our 4 Favorite Photo Products of the Month

Pro Tool
Nikon’s new full-frame DSLR not only boosts the resolution into the stratosphere, it ramps up the speed and the multimedia features. The 45.7MP D850 is Nikon’s first DSLR with an FX-format (aka full frame), back-side illuminated CMOS sensor with no low-pass filter, which is designed to shoot high-quality images and video even in low light. Speaking of video, the D850 can capture 4K UHD at 24/30 frames per second (fps) that’s output at a full-frame width of 16:9, allowing widescreen 4K clips at a true field of view. The D850 is powered by the EXPEED 5 processor and can shoot up to 7 fps at full resolution, which is two frames faster than its predecessor, the D810. Add on the optional battery grip (MD-D18) and the D850 shoots at 9 fps with a 51-frame buffer for 14-bit lossless Raw images, making this camera appealing to a range of photographers, including sports shooters and photojournalists; outdoor, wildlife, and landscape photographers; and commercial and studio pros looking for an alternative to medium format. Other D850 features include a 153-point, multi-cam 20K autofocus system with 99 cross-type sensors; a wide ISO range of 64-25,600 (expandable down to ISO 32 and up to ISO 102,400); and a tilting, 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen on back. Read our full review of the Nikon D850 here.

Nikon D850
$3,299
nikonusa.com

 

Wide Ranger
We don’t often mention two products by the same company in The Goods but Nikon has been on a roll lately. We got a chance to shoot with Nikon’s new AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR lens at a New York Mets baseball game recently and came away impressed. This wide-ranging zoom lens is surprisingly compact and lightweight while not skimping on features. In fact, it’s lighter than its predecessor and boasts enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization capability. It also adds a new stepping motor designed for fast and quiet AF performance, making it Nikon’s first full-frame AF-P lens. Most importantly, it performs extremely well in the field while weighing and costing significantly less than bulky pro lenses. Read our full review of the Nikkor  70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR lens here.

Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR
$749
nikonusa.com

 

Colossal Printer
Inkjet printers don’t get much bigger than the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-6000, which, at 60-inches wide, is the largest 12-ink printer on the market today. The Canon PRO-6000 uses the Lucia Pro 11-color plus Chroma Optimizer ink system and offers Canon’s Multifunction Roll System, allowing you to load glossy media in one roll and matte media in the other, so you can print to both rolls without needing to manually switch media. The PRO-6000 is powered by the L-COA Pro processing engine, which is designed to balance fast printing speeds with high image quality. But who needs such a colossal printing device? Well, we could think of quite a few photographers who might want to consider the PRO-6000, including fine art and landscape shooters, or anyone who might be preparing for an important gallery show. Of course, they’d have to have a little money in the bank because this large format printer retails for just under $12K.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-6000
$11,995
usa.canon.com

 

Go-To Lens
Pretty much every photographer we know has, at some point, owned a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. It’s just an incredibly popular focal length-aperture combo and with good reason: it offers the speed and distance to capture most standard subject matter. If you’re in the market for this classic DSLR lens, we’d recommend the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2. As the G2 designation suggests, it’s a second-generation model from Tamron and offers a host of upgrades over its popular predecessor. The new model is built with specialized glass material for optimum resolution, sharpness, and color rendition. The high-speed zoom features 17 lens elements in 12 groups with two extra refractive index elements, three low dispersion elements, three glass-molded aspherical elements, and one hybrid aspherical element. In other words, this is some pretty premium glass in a compact lens, offering top-notch image quality with little aberration and distortion throughout the zoom range. The new Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 G2 also features an improved micro-processing unit for faster and more precise autofocus. The new processor provides enhanced vibration compensation of up to five stops. To protect the lens, there are moisture-resistant seals throughout and a fluorine coating on the front element to repel water and oil, and resist fingerprints.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A032)
$1,199
tamron-usa.com

The Goods spotlights the hottest premium photo gear out there. If you have a product you’d like considered for The Goods, e-mail images and info to editorial@shutterbug.com.

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