Digital Camera - April 2022

3

1

Image Rescue 2
4
Camera Raw helps us save
this underexposed scene

Our ‘action’ dog diving into the slider by +45 to bring out
North Sea just before sunset is enough detail and avoid
a little underexposed! In fact, introducing unwanted noise.
it’s almost silhouetted, and The sky looks washed out 3
it would be great to see a so, back in Masking, let’s use
little bit of the fur detail. Select Sky, then make it a
little richer by taking the
First, let’s deal with the Exposure slider to -50.
composition 1 . There’s a slight
lean to the horizon, and we Finally, in the Basic Tab we
could crop in a bit. We’ll do this can do a global Clarity boost
in Geometry with Rotate, then just to make sure the whole
push in on Scale to tighten it up. image is a bit crisper 4 . It’ll
darken the dog’s fur slightly,
Now we can just select the but earlier we lightened it
dog 2 via Masking and Select enough to allow for this.
Subject, lifting the Shadows

Cloud cover

What’s the best

Q way to photograph

clouds as the
main subject?

Terri May

Also known as teleconverters, extenders are I’m sure you have your own Sepia world
an affordable way to get extra focal length.
A creative vision for this – but for What’s the best
Extend the range me, it’s all about capturing the
most dramatic clouds. So I’d Q way to add a sepia
Is it OK to get a be out on stormy days, or early and late for
colour and underlighting. While you will get tone to my images
Q shorter lens and some awesome images just zooming in in Photoshop?
on cloud detail, I’d also suggest including
use an extender things like the sun or moon coming through Colin Wright
to get the range I want? clouds as a focal point, or even shooting
with a small strip of land at the bottom,
Hugh Smyth then a large sky area above for context.

If you don’t need to use the A good focal point assists the composition
when you’re capturing dramatic clouds.
A added focal length too often,
then yes, it’s a money- and There are several ways you can
space-saving option. But
extenders come with some drawbacks. A achieve the sepia look. I think
Remember it’s magnifying the actual focal the simplest is to use the Photo
length, so quality and autofocus can suffer Filter Adjustment Layer option.
as a result. But the most obvious problem You need to turn your image into a black-
with an extender is that you lose light, and-white to start with. Then, in the Layers
so you might struggle in poor lighting Panel, click the Create A New Fill Or
conditions. Personally, I’d recommend Adjustment Layer icon and select Photo
getting a lens with the focal range you Filter. Make sure Preserve Luminosity
want – but if that’s a cost too far, an is ticked, then adjust Density until you
extender is an alternative option. get the amount you want. Somewhere
between 30 and 50 usually works best.

www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2022 DIGITAL CAMERA 101

In Focus Focal point
The latest photography news from around the globe
Rounding up
what’s new
ƏȇƳ‫ژ‬ƺɴƬǣɎǣȇǕ

1 NEW SENSOR Capture One Live
The OM-1 is based add-on has arrived
around a new 20.4MP A collaboration tool for
Micro Four Thirds live shoots has been
stacked BSI Live MOS added to Capture One
sensor and a TruePic X editing software. Ideal
image processor – it for pro photographers
can shoot stills at up and their client-driven
workflows, Capture One
1 to 120fps in single AF. Live allows photoshoots
to be shared via a URL.
2 1.62M DOT www.captureone.com;
TOUCHSCREEN $9.99/mo (add-on only)

A 3-inch articulating Tenba updates its
range of Fulton bags
3 LCD touchscreen sits This collection of
3 lightweight canvas
on the rear panel; the backpacks has been
given a makeover, and a
OM-1 boasts twin SD/ new 16-litre size option.
Available in black or tan/
SDHC/SDXC, UHS-II olive colourways, Fulton
v2 bags will fit a DSLR or
slots. Connectivity mirrorless camera and
lenses, plus a laptop or
options include Wi-Fi, compact camera drone.
www.uk.tenba.com;
Bluetooth and USB-C. from £85/$109.95

3 ALL CHANGE FOR Fujifilm GFX100 & 50S
OLYMPUS II get a 3LT L-bracket
Gracy offers full access
2 The OM-1 marks the to the side ports, battery
end of an era for the door and card slots of
Olympus brand, as it these medium-format
will be the last camera bodies. Available in
to ever feature the copper or slate grey,
Olympus name – all attachment to the
future models will be camera body is made
badged ‘OM System’. by way of a ¼”-20 screw.
www.3leggedthing.com;
Olympus OM-1 launched £99.99/$119.99

The last camera that will ever bear the Olympus name is a computational
photography-focused powerhouse and it goes on sale in March

M Digital Solutions has announced the High Res Shot mode when mounted on a tripod, it
can also capture 50MP via handheld High Res Shot.
O release of the Olympus OM-1 – a “next
level” camera that can shoot bursts at The OM-1 boasts an ISO range of 200-102,400,
up to 120fps and capture 4K 60p ProRes Raw and is capable of up to eight stops of image
video. It is the world’s first camera to feature stabilisation (with compatible lenses, seven stops of
Cross Quad Pixel AF and the world’s only system compensation are standard thanks to in-body image
camera to boast IP53 weather sealing. stabilisation). Other specs include Live ND filters (a
At the heart of the Olympus OM-1 is a brand new, software-powered alternative to neutral density
stacked, backside illuminated, 20.4MP Live MOS filters), Live Composite mode and in-camera focus
sensor. The stacked construction enables extremely stacking that can process 15 images in five seconds.
fast readout speeds, enabling the camera to shoot The OM-1’s video specs are led by 4K capture up
stills at up to 120fps in single AF, and up to 50fps with to 60p at 10-bit H.265 internally, and up to 12-bit
continuous AF. While the camera doesn’t shatter the ProRes Raw externally, while 1080p can be captured
traditional 20MP ceiling of the Micro Four Thirds up to 240p. The OM-1 goes on sale in March 2022.
format, it’s not a massive issue. Not only can the www.olympus.co.uk;
OM-1 shoot 80MP images thanks to the pixel-shift £1,999.99/$2,199.99 (body only)

102 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022

Go to www.digitalcameraworld.com for the latest news, reviews & techniques In Focus

Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 New E-mount prime
from Samyang
High-end prime for mirrorless goes on sale in the Spring
ɖɎȒǔȒƬɖɀ ɮƺȸɀǣȒȇ Ȓǔ ƺɴǣɀɎǣȇǕ xI ȒȵɎǣƬ
illing a gap in the Nikkor be extended further with Nikon Z
TC-1.4x or TC-2.0x teleconverters. ens manufacturer Samyang, which retails
F line-up for a fast, super- Inside, the lens features ED, Super
telephoto prime, the Z ED and SR glass elements to L under the Rokinon name in the US, has
400mm f/2.8 TC VR S will be counter chromatic aberration, and released a new prime for Sony E-mount
a key lens for high-end wildlife there’s an integrated filter slot at cameras. The AF 135mm
and sports photographers. It’s the rear for drop-in filters. Built-in F1.8 FE is an autofocus
therefore likely to be an important optical stabilisation offers 5.5 version of Samyang’s MF
lens for Nikon, and looks to be a stops of VR, and Nikon says 135mm F2.0 and has
perfect partner for the much-fêted the Z 400mm f/2.8 offers been optimised for
Z9 pro mirrorless camera. “phenomenally fast” autofocus, astrophotography,
This lens has a focal length of subject acquisition and tracking. landscapes, portraits and
400mm, but incorporates a built-in www.nikon.co.uk; video shooting. Features
1.4x teleconverter to take the focal £13,499/$13,997 include a focus lock
length to 560mm at f/4. This can button and a custom
switch, and Samyang’s
new focus range limiter
switch. The new lens uses
a large-diameter aperture
to provide smooth
background blur, and
is also equipped with an
ultra-precision aspherical
lens to deliver natural
and refined bokeh.
www.samyanglens.com;
£798/$999

Sigma 20mm f/2 DG DN

New wide-angle for Sony E-mount and Leica L-mount

his ultra-compact, of this new Sigma optic includes Lumix GH6 Jon Devo
a signature I-Series magnetic lens
T wide-aperture prime is cap, a smooth, manual aperture March release for latest stills/video hybrid
the seventh optic to join ring and a focus ring. The 20mm
Sigma’s I Series lineup – a range of f/2 DG DN’s filter thread is 62mm. anasonic unveiled a new camera last month,
lenses that’s specifically designed www.sigma-imaging-uk.com;
to suit smaller and lighter modern £649/$699 P and as you can read over the page, it gets a big
mirrorless cameras. thumbs-up from someone who has been able
This new lens is very sleek, to spend some time with it. The GH6 is the new flagship
weighing just 370g and measuring Lumix Micro Four Thirds stills/video hybrid mirrorless,
72.4mm in length. Not only will it and follows on from the impressive and popular GH5.
be perfect for taking out with you The GH6 packs a new high-speed 25.2MP sensor and
at all times, it also costs far less newly developed Venus engine processor, and can record
than Sony’s 20mm F/1.8 G lens 4:2:2 10-bit Cinema 4K at 60p. Panasonic says the GH6
– you can save yourself almost offers “truly unlimited recording time”, plus 10-bit 4K
£300 on the RRP of the Sony 120p HFR (High Frame Rate) and VFR (Variable Frame
prime while only losing 1/3 of an Rate) recording for slow/quick motion video. Other
f-stop. The 20mm f/2 DG DN’s specs include 7.5 stops of 5-axis dual image stabilisation
optical construction comprises 13 and CFexpress type B plus SD UHS-II card slots.
elements in 11 groups, including www.panasonic.com; £2,000/$2,100 (body only)
three high-precision glass-
moulded aspherical lens elements,
one SLD element and one FLD
element. The sleek all-metal build

www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2022 DIGITAL CAMERA 103

Jon Devo

instagram.com/gadgetsjon

Jon is a professional photographer,
videographer and technology journalist.

LEFT AND BELOW: Now that it has
finally arrived, the Lumix GH6 gives
us a lens into where creative trends
could be heading, says Jon.

Jon Devo

Scanning regulation limiting recording to 29m
ahead… 59s. Technological innovations mean
that overheating issues will hopefully
Jon Devo on why the Panasonic Lumix GH6 no longer be tolerated. As far as
ǣɀ Ɏǝƺ ˡȸɀɎ ǕƏȅƺ‫ٮ‬ƬǝƏȇǕǣȇǕ ƬƏȅƺȸƏ ǣȇ ɵƺƏȸɀ compromising or trading off between
size and functionality, the GH6 proves
fter one of the longest imagine a camera manufacturer you can have effective thermal heat
releasing a top tier camera model in management in a compact body,
A delays between 2022 or beyond that has a maximum with pro-level in-body stabilisation
product 4K video resolution. Brands are and high bit-rate +4K recording
announcement and apparently deciding that 4K is the new at 60fps internally.
Full HD, and with YouTube prioritising
actual release in videos of 4K resolution, shooting at a There are many things to love about
higher resolution with the flexibility to the Lumix GH6, from Panasonic’s
recent memory, the crop in, as many of us have done with willingness to cannibalise its own
Full HD, is set to become the norm. products, to its determination to push
Panasonic Lumix GH6 is finally here. the envelope as represented by the
High resolution in-camera evolution of the GH-series. Full
It seems to have been well worth the Timelapse, HFR and VFR modes are disclosure: I was given the opportunity
being implemented in increasingly to get hands-on with the GH6
wait, at least based on its impressive accessible ways. The GH6 is designed pre-launch and shot a special unboxing
to make creating 4K/60p timelapse of the camera for the Lumix UK team,
(and extensive) specs sheet. videos as simple as setting a self-timer, so I will have lived with it for a few
while HFR and VFR modes in the GH6 weeks by the time you’re reading this.
But without prejudicing the review, I offer the greatest range of useful, high
resolution formats seen in any camera This is the first camera I’ve felt truly
wanted to take an analytical look at the anywhere near this price bracket. excited about since the Fujifilm
GFX-100, which set new standards for
whole Lumix ‘GH’ camera range. Why? People paying upwards of £2,000 digital medium format in 2018. It’s not
for a camera should not have to put hyperbole to say that this camera, the
Because I would argue that since the up with it stopping recording because GH6, sets a new benchmark for what
it got too hot or because of an arbitrary we can expect from mid-range and
Lumix GH1, Panasonic has been ahead top tier cameras.

of the curve for what independent ‫ ٹ‬ȸƏȇƳɀ Əȸƺ

creatives want and end up producing. ƏȵȵƏȸƺȇɎǼɵ

With the full details of the GH6 ƳƺƬǣƳǣȇǕ ɎǝƏɎ ‫ג‬k ǣɀ

revealed, it gives us a lens into where Ɏǝƺ ȇƺɯ IɖǼǼ R(‫ٺ‬

creative trends could be heading.

What are some of the biggest

takeaways from the GH6 release? High

resolution video exceeding 4K at 60fps

is becoming a standard. It’s hard to

104 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com

106 Leica M11 _ Traditional look and KitZone
feel, up-to-date sensor resolution
New gear, buying tips and the world’s toughest tests
109 Canon RF 16 f/2.8 STM _ 110 Best-buy DSLR lenses _ Essential
Wide-angle prime for EOS R bodies glass for shooting a range of genres

aving brought you our anytime soon, you shouldn’t view investing
in a DSLR-mount lens as a short-term move,
H best-buy budget lenses for as widely available lens adapters will extend
mirrorless cameras (issue the life of DSLR glass well into the future. So
252, page 108), it’s only fair if you find a lens in this month’s group test
that we follow this up with (page 110) that could make a real difference
our recommendations for DSLR users. We to your photography, then don’t hold back.
know that the majority of our readers shoot
with an optical viewfinder rather than an Also this month, we put the latest camera
electronic one, but the gap between the from Leica through our lab. The M11
two types of camera will narrow as Canon rangefinder offers old-school handling,
and Nikon continue to put more eggs but packs a present-day sensor resolution
in their mirrorless baskets. that almost tops the charts for full-frame
But if you are a DSLR user and have no mirrorless. Plus, we test a wide-angle prime
intention of moving over to mirrorless for Canon RF-mount cameras. Rod Lawton

The awards bestowed by the Digital Camera lab… Ratings explained

Given to the top For products Given to products Best in class All products reviewed
product in a that receive five that offer superb Excellent in KitZone are tested
group test stars overall value for money Good independently by
So-so photographers with years
Poor of experience, using lab
and real-world testing

www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2022 DIGITAL CAMERA 105

KitZone «ƏȇǕƺˡȇƳƺȸ nƺǣƬƏ x‫׏׏‬

1

There’s nothing as crude
as a ‘grip’ on the front
of a Leica M! Hold tight,
1 or use a strap.

2

Leica M lenses are
extremely expensive,
extremely small and
extremely good!

3
2

The trademark
detachable Leica M
baseplate is gone.
Instead, you get a
3 regular flip-out battery.

Leica M11

£7,500/$8,995

A classic rangefinder design – with a 60MP image sensor!

www.leica-camera.com

Specifications he Leica M11 is the Key features

Sensor: 60.3MP full-frame CMOS T latest edition in Leica’s The headline feature of the M11 is
Image processor: Maestro III long-running M-series its 60-megapixel sensor, but other
AF points: N/A rangefinder line-up. resolutions are available. Leica calls it
ISO range: 64 to 50,000 Unlike the mirrorless ‘triple-resolution’ sensor because you
Max image size: 9,528 x 6,328 Leica SL2 and SL2S, and the compact can also shoot medium-sized 36MP
Leica Q2, this is a real old-school images or smaller 18MP files, all
Metering modes: Spot, Center-Weighted, Multi-Field camera with manual focus only, full-width, and in JPEG and DNG
Video: N/A and not even a through-the-lens format. Who ever thought that
viewfinder (though it does have one day, 36 megapixels would
Viewfinder: Direct vision rangefinder type, 0.73x LCD live view if you don’t want to be ‘medium’ resolution?
magnification, parallax compensation use the direct vision viewfinder).
Leica M cameras are a breed apart, The M11’s sensor is matched up with
Memory cards: SD/SDHC/SDXC, UHS-II using a decades-old design that takes a new Leica Maestro III processor to
LCD: 2.95-inch fixed touchscreen, 2.33m dots a bit of mastering and a price that puts offer a claimed 15 stops of dynamic
them out of reach for all but the most range, and improved, more natural
Max burst: 4.5fps enthusiastic amateurs and collectors. colour thanks to a new filter array.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth But while the latest Leica M uses a
very old physical design, its digital Interestingly, Leica says that the
Size: 139 x 39 x 80mm tech is bang up to date. This latest sensor is used for exposure metering,
Weight: 530g (battery) model boasts a 60MP sensor, which even when you are using the
puts it right at the top of the tree for viewfinder, so you now get a
full frame resolution, alongside the Multi-Field metering mode.
Sony A7R IV and Sigma fp L.
Other interesting features include
a combination of mechanical and
electronic shutter – there’s a

106 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com

nƺǣƬƏ x‫« ׏׏‬ƏȇǕƺˡȇƳƺȸ

456

The LCD delivers The menu system Navigation still
startlingly rich is beautifully requires a physical
and deep colours, clear and control pad,
but tends to make straightforward although
dark tones a to use. Its strength operating it really
solid black. is in its simplicity. isn’t difficult.

46

5

9
78

7 8 9 Rod Lawton

The ISO dial can’t be turned There’s a physical shutter The power lever is around
by accident – you have speed dial on the top, the shutter release, making
to pull it up in order to but the M11 also has for a neat, uncluttered
change the setting. an electronic shutter. top plate.

hybrid mode where the camera will focal lengths. We tested the M11 with a Rod Lawton This shot typifies the dense, saturated, high-contrast Leica
switch automatically. Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.4, and this ‘look’ that we have come to expect.
angle of view is right at the limit of the
Also, Leica has at last dropped the built-in viewfinder’s angle of view. You ‘Wide open’ f/1.4 shots in bright light are made possible
removable baseplate. Now, there’s can use wider lenses, but you would by the M11’s electronic shutter.
a spring-loaded battery in the base, have to switch to Live View or get
and flipping this out also reveals the optional Leica Visoflex 2 EVF. “While the latest Leica M
the memory card slot (there’s uses a very old physical
64GB internal storage, too). Neither is ideal, so if you are a fan design, its digital tech
of extra-wide lenses, the M11 isn’t off is bang up to date”
Leica says the M11’s battery now to a great start – though with 35mm
holds 64% more power than before, or 50mm lenses, it will be right in its
and there’s a USB-C port for image sweet spot, with room to see what’s
transfer and USB charging in the base going on outside the frame.
alongside the battery. You also get a
Lightning cable for direct connection The rangefinder focusing also takes
to an iPhone or iPad, part of Leica’s some learning, but it’s worth the effort.
Apple certification, perhaps. That’s You move the focus ring/lever on the
useful for iOS users who find fixing lens to align a ‘ghost image’ or ‘patch’
up a Wi-Fi connection annoying. with your subject. When they align,
your subject is in focus.
You can get the M11 in either black
or silver, and the difference is more The viewfinder’s clarity makes
than cosmetic. The black version it easy to focus. The rangefinder’s
uses aluminium and is 20% lighter alignment with focus distances was
than the silver/brass model. spot-on in our tests, and it’s faster
to use than manual focus+magnify
Build and handling systems on mirrorless cameras.

Focusing and shooting with the Leica You can also compose and focus in
M11 is different to anything else. The Live View, but this doesn’t play to the
viewfinder is a direct vision type, which Leica’s strengths. The Live View does
offers bright line frames for different have focus peaking, but this

www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2022 DIGITAL CAMERA 107

«ƏȇǕƺˡȇƳƺȸ nƺǣƬƏ x‫׏׏‬

Lab tests

Resolution (line widths/picture height)

50

40

30

20

10

0
100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 25600

The M11 is available both in classic silver/brass Leica M11 Leica M10-R Sigma fp L
and in an aluminium black version, which is Sony A7R IV
20% lighter.
The M11 has an edge by virtue of its extra-sharp image

quality. With ‘only’ 40MP on tap, the older M10-R can’t

compete, but performs well at higher sensitivities.

doesn’t even approach the accuracy Signal to noise ratio (decibels)
of the rangefinder focusing.
60
The new baseplate design allows a
larger battery and easier card access. 50
Having the USB port on the base is a
little annoying, as you have to lie the This image was shot wide open at f/1.4, and the 40
camera on its back. While it connects rangefinder has focused the lens exactly at the
nicely to Apple hardware, you’ll have right point on the statue’s eyes. 30
to dip into the menus to switch to the
PTP protocol to connect it to a PC. focus point, but delivers an other- 20
worldy look in out of focus areas.
There’s no grip on the front of the 10
M11, so you’ll want to use a neck strap. The Multi-Field exposure system
It doesn’t exactly fit your hands like a does a great job. If anything, it leans 0 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 25600
glove, but then it’s a Leica, so maybe towards underexposure, but that’s a 100 Leica M10-R Sigma fp L
it’s your hands that should adapt to classic Leica look, perfect for editing, Leica M11
the camera, not the other way round. because it preserves highlight detail. Sony A7R IV

Performance The rangefinder’s focus accuracy Leica’s recent M-series’ images show almost the same
proved exceptional, together with its amount of noise as those from the M10-R. The Sony
The images captured by the M11 ability to clearly differentiate planes of a7R IV’s images are less noisy at lower sensitivities.
are rich, dense and very sharp. It’s focus even in relatively distant objects
possible that this latest 60MP sensor with a wide-angle lens. The focus scale Dynamic range (EV)
is finally revealing the limitations of on our lens was also spot on, with a
Leica’s M lenses, however. While our hard stop at the infinity marker. 14
Summilux 28mm proved super sharp,
it started to lose just a little definition The advantage of a manual focus 12
at the edges, and showed some corner lens like this is a much longer focus
shading and chromatic aberration too. travel with a much more accurate 10
focus distance scale and depth of field
The Summilux does, however, offer markings that make hyperfocal and 8
a distinctive and unique Leica ‘look’, zone focusing straightforward.
where it remains very sharp at the Rod Lawton 6

4

2

0
100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 25600

Leica M11 Leica M10-R Sigma fp L
Sony A7R IV

The M11 can capture a high amount of dynamic range.
It’s almost inseparable from both the M10-R and
Sigma fp L throughout this test.

Rival cameras Digital Camera verdict

4.5 Outstanding

3.0 5.0 5.0 2.0

Leica M10-R Sigma fp L Sony A7R IV Features Build & Performance Value
£7,100/$8,995 £1,999/$2,499 £3,199/$3,499 handling
The M10-R’s reign The quirky fp L has few The ‘sensible’
as the ‘best’ Leica M frills, but on the plus alternative to the Leica M rangefinders take some learning. First-timers will
was brief, but it’s still side, it offers huge M11 has the same struggle with the viewfinder, focusing and the stripped-
a great camera. 61MP resolution resolution, but a down features, but the longer you use these cameras, the
Reviewed: bit.ly/ in a tiny body. mainstream design. more they grow on you – and carry on growing. The M11 is
dcleicam10r Reviewed: issue 244 Reviewed: issue 223 a real class act that can capture very sharp images that also
have that distinct Leica ‘look’ – and this is one camera
where ‘features’ and ‘value’ hardly enter the equation.

108 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com

Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Prime lens

1 Specifications

2 Mount: Canon RF
Full-frame: Yes
3
Lens construction: Nine
Canon RF 16mm elements in seven groups
f/2.8 STM
Angle of view: 98º
£319/$299 Autofocus: Yes

Big viewing angle, small price Image stabilisation: No
Min aperture: f/22
www.canon.co.uk
Max magnification: 0.26x
Min focusing distance: 0.13m

Weather-sealed: No
Filter size: 43mm

Dimensions (L x D): 69 x 40mm
Weight: 165g

anon faced some initial criticism for its big and hefty 1 Sharpness

C RF-mount lenses, which somewhat negated the The manual focus ring Sharpness is very good across most of the image frame,
slimline advantage of mirrorless EOS R-series operates smoothly and even when shooting wide-open at f/2.8, and the edges
cameras. More recently, though, a spate of compact with good precision, and corners follow suit between f/5.6 and f/11.
and lightweight lenses have seen the pounds drop off: which is a bonus for
these include the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM and the RF 50mm astrophotography. Fringing 0.23
f/1.8 STM. The RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is the latest prime to join the
catwalk club, with slinky dimensions and a weight of just 165g, 2 Lateral chromatic aberration is very well controlled,
while delivering an ultra-wide viewing angle that’s ideal for
shooting everything from cramped architectural interiors The manual focus even with in-camera correction switched off, right
through sweeping landscapes to the starry night sky above. ring is supplemented
Optical highlights include an aspherical element to boost with a Focus/Control out to the corners of the frame.
sharpness and reduce distortion, and Super Spectra Coating switch, so you can
to minimize ghosting and flare. To help with the latter, you assign various Distortion -9.52
really also need the ‘optional’ EW-65C lens hood, which functions to the ring
Canon sells separately for around £35/$35. while using autofocus. Optically, the lens produces massive barrel distortion,
Autofocus is based on a stepping motor, which is whisper-quiet
but not completely silent, and is pretty rapid for stills yet allows 3 but it’s taken care of with in-camera correction, or
smooth autofocus transitions when shooting video. The minimum
focus distance is just 0.13m, as measured from the focal plane to There are no weather- when using Canon’s DPP processing software.
the rear of the camera body. This enables you to get in really close seals, but the standard
to subjects and make the most of the lens’s ability to exaggerate of construction Verdict
perspective between foreground and background areas. nevertheless feels
solid and robust. 4.5 Outstanding

4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0

Features Build & Performance Value
handling
Performance
The RF 16mm f/2.8 STM, like the RF 35mm, 50mm
For such an ultra-wide-angle lens, sharpness is very good on the and 85mm primes before it, makes a convincing
whole and, if you stop down to f/5.6, that remains true right out case for leaving a standard zoom lens out of the
to the extreme edges and corners of the image frame. Lateral shooting equation. Even if you do generally shoot
chromatic aberration is also very well controlled, even with with a standard zoom, the RF 16mm is an excellent
automatic in-camera correction switched off. Vignetting addition, delivering an ultra-wide viewing angle
is quite noticeable at f/2.8, but in-camera correction is with convincing image quality, from an unfeasibly
available for this, too. Matthew Richards & Dan Mold small lens. It’s a no-brainer of a purchase.

www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2022 DIGITAL CAMERA 109

KitZone

Best-buy
lenses for
DSLRs

For the DSLR faithful, these lenses will
Ǖǣɮƺ‫ژ‬ɵȒɖ‫ژ‬Ɏǝƺ ȅȒɀɎ ƫƏȇǕ ǔȒȸ ɵȒɖȸ ƫɖƬǸ

W ith all the mirrorless When it comes to great glass, we
malarkey going on all want the best we can get without
recently, it’s easy to lose spending over the odds. Sure, there
focus on DSLRs and just are some superb own-brand Canon
how great they can be. and Nikon lenses to choose from, but
they’re certainly not always the best
Recent models are buys. If you’re after truly epic ‘trinity’
wide-angle, standard and telephoto
typically fabulous in f/2.8 zooms, Sigma comes up
trumps. And for an ultra-wide-angle
terms of image quality and all-round zoom for APS-C DSLRs, Tamron’s
10-24mm is the best buy. Let’s take
performance – plus the small matter a closer look… Matthew Richards

of battery life. Naturally, though, any

camera is only as good as the lenses

you mount on it, and that’s the

subject of this month’s group test.

The contenders £129/$125
£639/$599
1 Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM £535/$597
2 Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM £1,269/$1,299
3 Nikkor AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR £1,149/$1,299
4 Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM | A £1,179/$1,499
5 Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | A £1,379/$1,999
6 Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | S £529/$499
7 Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S
8 Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD

110 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022

Best-buy DSLR lenses Group Test

Getty

KitZone Group Test Best-buy DSLR lenses

Canon Canon
EF 50mm EF 70-300mm
f/1.8 STM f/4-5.6 IS II USM

£129/$125 £639/$599

ȇ ƺɀɀƺȇɎǣƏǼ ȵȸǣȅƺ ǔȒȸ !ƏȇȒȇ (³n«ɀ Áǝƺ xƏȸǸ XX ǣɀ ȅɖƬǝ ǣȅȵȸȒɮƺƳ

Lens mount Canon EF Lens mount Canon EF

he so-called ‘nifty fifty’ is Sharpness anon’s original 70-300mm Sharpness

T one of the most popular Apart from the corners, C IS USM had a mediocre Excellent centre-sharpness
types of prime lens on the sharpness remains impressive stabiliser and a pedestrian, is maintained throughout
market, and with good even at the widest aperture. noisy autofocus system. the zoom range.
reason. You can get a much tighter The Mk II features upgraded optics,
depth of field than with a kit zoom 3,500 a new four-stop stabiliser and a 3,000
lens, for blurring the background revolutionary Nano USM autofocus
and focusing all attention on the main 3,000 system, which is very rapid for 2,500
subject. While this lens is full-frame stills, yet enables smooth focus
compatible, it gives an effective 2,500 transitions during movie capture. 2,000
80mm focal length on APS-C format Another novel feature is the LCD
bodies, perfect for portraiture. 2,000 info screen on the barrel. The adjacent
This STM edition adds a gear-type mode switch enables you to cycle
stepping motor autofocus system through display modes for focus 1,500
which is much quieter than the more distance and depth of field, effective
basic electric motor of its predecessor. 1,500 focal length on an APS-C format
Handling is also improved, as the camera, and the level of vibration.
manual focus ring no longer 1,000
rotates during autofocus. Performance
1,000
Performance The Mk II delivers much better
500 image quality than its predecessor. 500
There’s some noticeable axial (or Sharpness is impressive across the
longitudinal) chromatic aberration 0 whole frame, throughout nearly all 0 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22
when shooting wide-open at f/1.8, but f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22 of the zoom range, although corner- f/2.8
overall image quality is very pleasing. sharpness drops away at 70mm. 70mm 135mm
Centre Middle 200mm 300mm
Edge

Fringing 0.69 Fringing

There’s very little lateral Short 1.78 Long 1.39

chromatic aberration, but axial Fringing is fairly minimal at

fringing is present wide-open. both ends of the zoom range.

Distortion -1.6 Distortion

Barrel distortion is slight, and Short -1.78 Long 1.9
There’s a pretty hefty swing
can be corrected in-camera from barrel to pincushion.

with most recent Canon DSLRs.

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

Fairly small and light 4.5 Outstanding Canon’s tricked-up 4.5 Outstanding
but with good overall telephoto is compact

performance, this lens and light for a 70-

gives better all-round 300mm zoom, and

image quality and more it’s a good performer. 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.0
consistent autofocus 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 It’s a bit galling that

accuracy than Canon’s Features Build & Performance Value you have buy the Features Build & Performance Value
handling handling
pricier 50mm f/1.4. hood separately.

112 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com

Best-buy DSLR lenses Group Test

Nikkor Sigma GOLD
AF-P 70-300mm 14-24mm f/2.8 AWARD
f/4.5-5.6E ED VR DG HSM | A

£535/$597 £1,269/$1,299

ȇ ƏƬɎǣȒȇ‫ٮ‬ȵƏƬǸƺƳ ɎƺǼƺȵǝȒɎȒ ɿȒȒȅ ÈǼɎȸƏ‫ٮ‬ɯǣƳƺ ɯǣɎǝ ƏǼȅȒɀɎ ȇȒ ƳǣɀɎȒȸɎǣȒȇ

Lens mount Nikon F Lens mounts Canon EF, Nikon F

f you have a DX (APS-C) Sharpness t’s a tough choice between Sharpness

I format DSLR, you might be Our close-range lab-tests I this lens and Sigma’s even Levels of sharpness are
tempted by Nikon’s AF-P only yielded average wider 12-24mm Art zoom. superb, even wide-open at
DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G scores for sharpness. The 14-24mm’s maximum f/2.8, right across the frame.
ED VR, a solid, good-value performer. viewing angle is naturally less extreme,
If you can stretch the budget, this FX 3,000 but the faster aperture rating is a 3,000
format lens is far superior. The latest bonus. Other similarities include
in an acclaimed series of full-frame 2,500 high-tech glass with an ultra-high- 2,500
compatible 70-300mm Nikon zooms, precision moulded glass aspherical
it has stronger, weather-sealed build 2,000 front element, the 14-24mm boasting 2,000
quality and an rapid yet silent stepping three FLD (‘Fluorite’ Low Dispersion
motor-based autofocus system. 1,500 and three SLD (Special Low 1,500
Further highlights include a 4.5-stop Dispersion) elements.
VR system, which boasts Nikon’s latest 1,000 The lens is immaculately engineered. 1,000
Sport VR mode. This enables you to Handling is excellent, with a smooth
track erratically moving objects 500 and precise feel to the zoom and focus 500
more easily in the viewfinder, as rings, the latter enabling the usual
well as avoiding any slow-down 0 f/11 f/16 f/22 manual override of autofocus. 0 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22
in continuous drive rate. f/2.8 f/4.5 f/5.6 f/8 f/2.8
135mm Performance 14mm 16mm
Performance 70mm 300mm 20mm 24mm
200mm Sharpness and contrast are very
The autofocus and stabilisation impressive, even when shooting
systems work brilliantly well for sport Fringing wide-open. Sharpness towards the Fringing
and wildlife photography, and image edges and corners is particularly
quality is excellent in all respects. Short 1.46 Long 1.74 impressive for such a wide-angle zoom. Short 1.13 Long 0.5
There’s very little colour Colour fringing is practically
fringing at either end. impossible to spot.

Distortion Distortion

Short -1.34 Long 0.17 Short -4.99 Long -0.85
Barrel distortion is only Our close-range lab tests
slight at the short end. don’t tell the full story here.

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

A superb but compact 4.5 Outstanding The Sigma 14-24mm 5.0 A best-in-class product
telephoto zoom for outperforms Nikon’s

both FX and DX format pricier own-brand

DSLRs, this gives contender, and there’s

powerful reach on 4.5 4.5 5.0 no directly competing 4.5 5.0 5.0 5.0
4.5 lens from Canon.
the latter, with refined

handling and excellent Features Build & Performance Value It’s simply a fabulous Features Build & Performance Value
performance. handling piece of kit. handling

www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2022 DIGITAL CAMERA 113

KitZone Group Test Best-buy DSLR lenses

Sigma Sigma
24-70mm f/2.8 70-200mm f/2.8
DG OS HSM | A DG OS HSM | S
£1,149/$1,299 GOLD GOLD
AWARD £1,179/$1,499 AWARD

¨ȸȒ ȵƺȸǔȒȸȅƏȇƬƺً ƫƏȸǕƏǣȇ ȵȸǣƬƺ ‫ٻ‬³ȵȒȸɎɀ‫ ټ‬Ǽƺȇɀ ƫɵ ȇƏȅƺ ƏȇƳ ȇƏɎɖȸƺ

Lens mounts Canon EF, Nikon F Lens mounts Canon EF, Nikon F

igma’s 24-70mm Art Sharpness he long-running Sigma Sharpness

S goes head-to-head with Sharpness across the entire T 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS In our real-world tests, both
own-brand Canon and frame is excellent throughout HSM lens was a popular, static and panning, the Sigma
Nikon counterparts – and the whole range. budget-friendly option. delivered epic sharpness.
beats them both for sharpness, while The replacement ‘Sports’ edition is
featuring image stabilisation lacking 3,000 completely redesigned, with a new 3,000
in the Canon lens. It also massively optical path that features 24 elements
undercuts both own-brand lenses 2,500 in 22 groups, incorporating nine 2,500
for selling price. Although the Sigma FLD elements and one SLD element.
isn’t a fully weather-sealed lens, it has 2,000 There’s also a particularly well- 2,000
a rubber seal on its mounting plate rounded aperture, based on
and a fully pro-grade feel. 1,500 11 diaphragm blades. 1,500
The zoom and focus rings are silky The new optical stabiliser has
smooth in operation, and the ring-type 1,000 switchable static and panning 1,000
ultrasonic autofocus system is super- modes, the latter working in landscape,
fast and highly accurate. Better still, 500 portrait and even diagonal orientation. 500
it comes with switchable options for Two ‘Custom’ modes can be set up
regular or manual-priority override. 0 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22 via Sigma’s optional USB Dock. 0 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22
f/2.8 f/2.8
Performance 24mm 35mm Performance 70mm 100mm
50mm 70mm 135mm 200mm
Image quality is simply stunning, Sharpness and contrast are
combining superb sharpness and Fringing scintillating throughout the zoom Fringing
contrast with beautiful bokeh. range, even wide-open at f/2.8.
Colour fringing and distortions Short 3.08 Long 2.49 Autofocus is rapid, and stabilisation Short 1.31 Long 1.63
are minimal, and vignetting is low. Colour fringing can manifest; works really well when panning.
auto-correction is available. Colour fringing is very minimal

at both ends of the range.

Distortion Distortion

Short -2.12 Long 1.69 Short -0.55 Long 1.64
Barrel and pincushion Levels of distortion are low for
distortions are quite minimal. a top-grade 70-200mm lens.

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

It’s a very refined lens, 5.0 A best-in-class product Overall performance 5.0 A best-in-class product
with superb all-round and image quality
performance that’s 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 are every bit as good 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
simply perfect for as from the latest,
everyday shooting. It’s Features Build & Performance Value greatest and much Features Build & Performance Value
a much better buy than handling pricier 70-200mm handling
own-brand Canon and f/2.8 zooms from
Nikon counterparts. Canon and Nikon.

114 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com

Best-buy DSLR lenses Group Test

Sigma Tamron GOLD
AWARD

150-600mm f/5-6.3 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5
DG OS HSM | S Di II VC HLD
£1,379/$1,999 £529/$499

áƺǣǕǝɎɵً ƫɖɎ ɯȒȸɎǝ ǣɎ ƬǼƏɀɀɵ ¨³‫ !ٮ‬ɖǼɎȸƏ‫ٮ‬ɯǣƳƺ ɿȒȒȅ

Lens mounts Canon EF, Nikon F Lens mounts Canon EF-S, Nikon F DX

espite having an identical Sharpness riginally launched back in Sharpness

D zoom range and aperture Levels of sharpness are O 2008, Tamron’s 10-24mm In ‘real-world’ shooting,
rating as Sigma’s 150- highly impressive throughout zoom received a major sharpness proved excellent
the zoom range. across the frame.
600mm Contemporary revamp further down the
3,000 3,000
lens, the Sports edition is rather line. The updated optical path includes

larger and heavier. At nearly 3kg, it’s 2,500 enhanced aspherical and LD (Low 2,500

certainly not a lens to be taken lightly, Dispersion) elements. There’s

especially when it comes to long 2,000 also a new HLD (High/Low toque- 2,000

periods of handheld photography. modulated Drive) autofocus system

The control layout features 1,500 and VC (Vibration Compensation) 1,500

switchable options, including dual- 1,000 stabilisation, both of which were 1,000

mode auto/manual override priority lacking in the original lens.

for autofocus and dual-mode static/ 500 Not just faster and quieter, the 500

panning optical stabilisation. There 0 HLD autofocus refines handling as 0
f/2.8 f/2.8
are also two switchable custom setups. f/5.6-6.3 f/11 f/22 the focus ring no longer rotates f/5.6 f/11 f/22

You can engage the zoom lock switch 150mm 300mm during autofocus, while also 10mm 14mm
400mm 600mm 18mm 24mm
at any focal length on the zoom ring. enabling full-time manual override.
Fringing Fringing
Performance Performance
Short 1.99 Long 1.01 Short 2.05 Long 1.22
Making the most of its top-grade There’s very little fringing; the Shooting at very close range, the There’s much less fringing
dual FLD (‘Fluorite’ Low Dispersion) middle section is very good. Tamron delivered fairly mediocre than from Nikon’s rival.
elements, this lens delivers excellent results in our lab tests. It was an
sharpness for a super-telephoto zoom. Distortion entirely different story in our real-world Distortion
There’s no beating this Sigma tests, where sharpness proved
for all-round performance. Short 0.64 Long 0.95 excellent across the whole frame. Short -3.98 Long 1.21
There’s only negligible There’s less distortion at
pincushion distortion. typical shooting distances.

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

It’s a bit of a beast, 4.5 Outstanding Canon and Nikon both 5.0 A best-in-class product
but this Sigma is a offer low-budget

top-performer that ultra-wide-angle zooms

delivers amazing image for their APS-C format

quality. Build quality DSLRs. The Tamron 5.0 5.0 4.5 5.0
is really sturdy, with 5.0 4.5 5.0 5.0 is undeniably more

comprehensive Features Build & Performance Value expensive, but a Features Build & Performance Value
weather-seals. handling much better lens. handling

www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2022 DIGITAL CAMERA 115

KitZone Group Test Best-buy DSLR lenses

Sigma has the
holiest trinity

Áǝƺ ³ǣǕȅƏ ‫׎׎אٮ׎ו‬ȅȅ ǔٖ‫( זِא‬J
OS HSM | S is our overall winner

ur overall winner is the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art lenses make the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD
up the perfect trinity for both Canon and is a superb ultra-wide-angle zoom.
O 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Nikon DSLRs, with fabulous performance
Sports. It’s a phenomenal lens and great value across the board. For a compact, budget telephoto zoom, the
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM and
that works brilliantly well for As a low-budget no-brainer, the Canon EF Nikkor AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR are
50mm f/1.8 STM is the latest edition in a both highly capable, but the Nikkor lens edges
sport, action, wildlife and event photography, classic line of acclaimed standard primes, and ahead for performance – and adds weather-
the best. It’s simply a must-have lens whether seals. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS
and even for portraiture. It feels right at home you shoot with an APS-C or full-frame Canon HSM Sports wins out if you want to really
DSLR. Specifically for APS-C format DSLRs, supersize your telephoto reach.
on full-frame DSLRs, and works equally well

on APS-C bodies, where it gives more

generous ‘effective’ telephoto reach. Sigma’s

14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art and Sigma

How the
lenses
compare

Name Canon Canon Nikkor Sigma Sigma Sigma Sigma Tamron
EF 50mm f/1.8 EF 70-300mm AF-P 70-300mm 14-24mm f/2.8 24-70mm f/2.8 70-200mm f/2.8 150-600mm 10-24mm
Contact STM f/4-5.6 IS II USM f/4.5-5.6E ED VR DG HSM | A DG OS HSM | A DG OS HSM | S f/5-6.3 DG OS f/3.5-4.5 Di II
HSM | S VC HLD
Street price www.nikon.com £1,269/$1,299 www.tamron.
Mount options www.canon.co.uk Canon EF, Nikon www.sigma-global.com com
£535/$597 F £529/$499
Full-frame compatible £129/$125 £639/$599 Nikon F Yes £1,149/$1,299 £1,179/$1,499 £1,379/$1,999 Canon EF-S,
Elements/groups Canon EF Canon EF 17/11 Canon EF, Nikon Canon EF, Nikon Canon EF, Nikon Nikon F DX
Diaphragm Yes 9 blades F F F No
Focus type Yes Yes 18/14 Ultrasonic Yes Yes Yes 16/11
6/5 17/12 9 blades (ring type) 19/14 24/22 24/16 7 blades
AF manual override 7 blades 9 blades Stepping motor Full-time 9 blades 11 blades 9 blades Modulated
Optical stabiliser Stepping motor Ultrasonic No Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Drive AF
Min focus distance (Nano) Electronic 0.26m (ring type) (ring type) (ring type) Full-time
Max magnification Electronic Electronic 4.5-stop 0.19x Full-time Full-time Full-time 4-stop
Filter size No 4-stop 1.2m N/A 4-stop 4-stop 4-stop 0.24m
Accessories included 0.35m 1.2m 0.25x Fixed hood, soft 0.37m 1.2m 2.6m 0.19x
0.21x 0.25x 67mm case 0.21x 0.21x 0.2x 77mm
Diameter x min length 49mm 67mm Hood, pouch 96 x 135mm 82mm 82mm 105mm Hood
Weight None None 1,150g Hood, soft case Hood, soft case, Hood, soft case,
Features 81 x 146mm tripod ring tripod ring 84 x 85mm
Build & handling 69 x 39mm 80 x 146mm 680g 88 x 108mm 94 x 203mm 121 x 290mm 440g
Performance 160g 710g 1,020g 1,805g 2,860g
Value
Overall

116 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com



INTERVIEW BDaalforyulr

Daryl Balfour An interest in conservation has blossomed
into a way of life centred around wildlife
Wildlife photographer photography, as Niall Hampton discovers

Conservationist and
photographer Daryl and his
wife Sharna have produced
more than a dozen coffee-
table wildlife books, based
on their travels around Africa.
The couple tend to spend
more time in Kenya than
any other country on the
continent, due to the sheer
diversity of species and
landscapes, and the
warmth of its population.

Following a career in local
newspaper journalism, in
which one of his beats as a
reporter was conservation,
Daryl turned his focus more
towards photography while
managing a safari lodge in
Botswana in 1986. Daryl
also offers specialist photo
safaris – see his website
for more information.

One of only 13 photographers
to have had their images
published in all six of the
Remembering Wildlife books,
Daryl is also contributing to
Remembering Bears, which
is due to be published later
this year. Founded by
Margot Raggett in 2016,
Remembering Wildlife has
raised more than £848,000/
$1,100,000 for 55 local
conservation efforts across
24 African countries.

www.wildphotos
safaris.com

118 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com

Daryl Balfour

W hile the pandemic hit the Why did you get involved
in Remembering Wildlife?
African continent very To put something back into wildlife, which
has given me an interesting full-time life in the
hard, there is cautious wilderness since 1986. The background to me
getting involved was meeting Margot Raggett,
optimism that things will the project’s founder, on a flight out of
Samburu, Kenya, many years ago. She had
continue to open up after the two-year hiatus been profoundly influenced by a visit there
to see the carcass of an elephant that had
due to Covid-19. And this can’t come soon been poached for its ivory. Some months
later, she contacted me with her idea for
enough for the South Africa-based wildlife the Remembering Elephants book and asked
if I would contribute. The rest is history.
photographer and photo safari host Daryl

Balfour. Having appeared in all six of the

Remembering Wildlife books, Daryl’s work

will also feature in the seventh, Remembering

Bears. While the book is being prepared,

Digital Camera discovers more about Daryl’s

participation in this conservation initiative.

Left: After the Daryl Balfour
storm. Two young
males bask in golden
evening light atop a
termite mound in the
Maasai Mara, Kenya.

www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2022 D I G I TA L C A M E R A 119

Daryl Balfour

Daryl Balfour

Above: A white rhino cow and As one of only 13 photographers to have appeared of awareness about these species. The choice of the
calf photographed at night at a in all six books, what do you think the impact of titles, Remembering Elephants, Remembering Lions,
private game reserve in South Remembering Wildlife has been? Remembering Rhinos and so on has made people
Africa. Sadly, because of the It has been a huge honour to feature in all the aware that we’re talking about animals with a finite
scourge of poaching for their books so far. And I take my hat off to Margot for time left on our planet. I have had several people
horns, this rhino will now the journey she has undertaken – the results ask me why the books are called Remembering…
have been dehorned for that Remembering Wildlife achieved right and they have been shocked when I explain
her own protection. through this pandemic have been incredible. what is actually happening out there.

Opposite below: Black or The impact of the books has been immense, With Remembering Bears now in preparation,
hook-lipped rhinoceros in not only from the perspective of the hundreds of what do you think about the move to covering
Kenya’s Lewa Downs Wildlife thousands of dollars that have been raised and non-African animals?
Conservancy, 2010. distributed to conservation throughout Africa Remembering Great Apes did include non-African
– indeed across the world – but also the raising orangutans, so it’s not entirely unexpected. I have
discussed polar bears as well as tigers with Margot
“People have been shocked over the years, so I think we will see more non-African
ɯǝƺȇ‫ژ‬X‫ژ‬ƺɴȵǼƏǣȇ ɯǝƏɎ ǣɀ ƏƬɎɖƏǼǼɵ animals figuring in the future of this series. Tigers
ǝƏȵȵƺȇǣȇǕ‫ژ‬ȒɖɎ Ɏǝƺȸƺ‫ٺ‬ have to be coming up soon, I think.

Just as Digital Camera has to appeal to a broad
market if it is to sell copies, the same is true for the
Remembering Wildlife books. In editorial parlance,

120 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com

Daryl Balfour

Daryl Balfour

Above: “My wife and I had photographed professionally around Africa for almost 25 years, including four years working on our book
African Elephants – A Celebration of Majesty, before capturing this birth sequence in 2010. A defining moment, and truly emotional.”

Daryl’s camera setup for photographing wildlife

“I made the transition to digital setup is a pair of Nikon D850s as classic zooms including the
with the Nikon D100 and D2X – in my opinion the best camera 24-70mm f/2.8, the 70-200mm
in the early 2000s. One of my ever made – and two Nikkor f/2.8 and the 200-400mm f/4.
all-time favourite bodies is the lenses, the AF-S 24-120mm f/4G I sometimes supplement these
D3S, but I no longer own one. ED VR and the AF-S 180-400mm with a fast wide-angle prime such
f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR. I have used as the Nikkor 20mm f/1.8 and,
“Air travel carry-on limits make and owned most of the prime because it is small and compact
taking lots of camera kit more wildlife lenses – the 300mm with super-close focusing ability
and more onerous, so I have tried f/2.8, 400mm f/2.8, 500mm that’s close to a macro lens, the
to pare things down to just one f/4 and the 600mm – as well Tamron 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD.”
carry-on bag. My current go-to

all the species covered so far have been ‘sexy’ APRIL 2022 D I G I TA L C A M E R A 121
animals, and who doesn’t love cuddly bears?

Were you a committed conservationist before
becoming a wildlife photographer; and if so,
did you embrace photography to promote
your conservation work?
I grew up in a family that spent at least one school
holiday each year in a game reserve, and we counted
many senior rangers and conservationists among
family friends. My first true inkling of conservation
was spending a brief holiday with the legendary
conservationist the late Dr Ian Player, when I was
about nine or 10 years old, and being chased up
a tree by an angry rhino while on a walk with him.

From then on, I wanted to be a game ranger. But
after school and university I ended up as a newspaper
journalist in KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa,
and indeed one of my beats was conservation. Back
then, however, I was a writer, not a photographer. It
was only much later, in 1986, that I turned

www.digitalcameraworld.com

Daryl Balfour

Daryl Balfour

difficult to escape the madding crowds at certain
times of the year – during the migration season in
particular – if you’re with the right operators in the
right places, it is possible to have a unique safari.

My wife and I run a small seasonal traditional
tented safari camp in Kenya – à la Ernest Hemingway
– and try to cater to people who want to get away
from the crowds. Botswana is another country
that’s up there at the top, along with Zambia,
which is still relatively undiscovered.

Above (top): A cheetah in my focus more towards photography while managing What are the most memorable experiences
Kenya’s Maasai Mara National a safari lodge in Botswana, though my writing skills you’ve had as a wildlife photographer?
Reserve, August 2018. have always benefited the photographic side. That’s a hard one to answer… 30-40 years ago,
leopards were rarely seen or photographed in the
Above: Cheetah with cubs in If you were to recommend locations to wild, so the first time I had a good photo session with
Kenya’s Maasai Mara National prospective safari customers, where a leopard stands out. As does our first-ever polar
Reserve, August 2018. would be near the top of your list? bear sighting, the first time I saw and photographed
If you’re asking about Africa specifically, I always the ‘Great Migration’ in 1991. Visiting Antarctica back
say to people that if you have only 24 hours in in early 2001 was another highlight, and my annual
your life to spend on an African safari, it has to visits to Arctic Alaska for polar bears, photographing
be the Maasai Mara in Kenya. While it can be in -30C, have to stand out, too. Photographing
massive grizzly bears charging straight towards
me as I lie on the river bank with my camera,
knowing (or hoping!) that he’s only interested
in the salmon passing inches in front of me…

I think the bottom line is that every time I release
the shutter on my camera, I am capturing a memory.
Every picture I look at afterwards brings that moment
back to life. My wife and I are blessed to have the
memories we do have, and are very privileged
to have photographed all over this planet.

122 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com

Daryl Balfour

Daryl Balfour

“I lie on the river bank
with my camera,
knowing that he’s only
interested in the salmon

ȵƏɀɀǣȇǕ ǣȇƬǝƺɀ ǣȇ ǔȸȒȇɎ‫ٺ‬

Do you have a favourite wild animal that But they are either asleep or they are on the move, Top: A coastal brown bear or
you like to photograph? fast. I also find their cryptic colouring often makes grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) in
Elephants, because they are always up to something. it look almost as though pictures are out of focus! Brooks Falls, Katmai National
So many other species spend a lot of time asleep, but I always find them a good challenge to photograph. Park, Alaska, 2018, waiting
elephants are rarely lying asleep under a bush; and to catch salmon heading
even if they are standing taking a catnap, their feet What has been the hardest thing you’ve had to do upriver to spawn.
are in interesting positions and their babies lie cutely to capture an image you’re particularly proud of?
beneath them. I find elephant trunks fascinating Nothing about wildlife photography is really easy, Above: Grizzly bears at play
and photogenic – they are very much like human so probably the hardest things are the physical in Brooks Falls in the Katmai
appendages, hands and arms, that are always doing deprivations one has to go through – sub-zero National Park, Alaska, 2017.
something… stuffing a branch into their mouth, temperatures or 50C-plus furnaces. A few
rubbing an eye, picking up a fruit on the ground,
caressing a youngster, wrestling another elephant,
or smashing a tree out the earth. Mountain gorillas
are a close second – to look into those eyes is to
look deep into our own souls.

And conversely, which wild animals are the
most challenging to photograph?
I spend a lot of time most years photographing wild
dogs. They are fascinating, and the pups are cute.

www.digitalcameraworld.com APRIL 2022 D I G I TA L C A M E R A 123

Daryl Balfour

years ago I sat on an open boat in a river in the And with the advent of digital cameras – and modern, Above: A mountain gorilla
Pantanal, Brazil, waiting for a jaguar with tiny cubs fast AF lenses and focus-tracking – came the ability (Gorilla beringei beringei)
to show herself and her babies. We waited for nine to manipulate, rectify, correct, even create using in Volcanoes National Park,
hours in the sun at a 48C temperature, being eaten software like Lightroom, Photoshop and so on. In Rwanda, Africa, 2016.
alive by horseflies and mosquitos and running out the old days, it was all ‘what you see is what you get’.
of water before the jaguar rewarded us by settling Remembering African
on the river bank across from us. The light was fading, Now that everyone can be a photographer, and Wild Dogs and the five
the cubs were shy and I managed to get three or given the capabilities of ever-improving camera other titles in the series
four images before they disappeared from sight tech, has the lowering of the barriers to entry are on sale for £45/$65.
again. But I was totally and utterly elated. been a good thing for photographic safaris, or Remembering Bears
has it led to people just chasing the ‘money shot’ will be published in
During your years as a practitioner, what have while failing to consider the wider picture? November 2022.
been the biggest changes to wildlife photography? As with most things, there’s good and bad. Many buyremembering
Digital cameras, as well as other aspects of people who might never have picked up a camera wildlife.com
technological advances, such as autofocus, auto- 30 years ago will do so today. The ability to see their
exposure and accurate TTL light metering. Everything results immediately, either on the camera screen or
was manual when I started in wildlife photography: on a laptop when they get home on the same day, is
I learned to identify things occurring in nature that very encouraging – as is the ability to delete shots
would give an 18% grey reading for my manual and try again. I believe that the advent of camera
exposure calculations. We had to set aperture on the phones has encouraged many people to take the
lens, then dial in the shutter speed… and your ISO/ step up to a ‘real’ camera with a ‘big’ lens.
ASA setting was totally dependent on the film you
had in the camera, of course – young photographers However, there are also many people who simply sit
today won’t even know what I’m talking about! Not machine-gunning at eight, 10 or 14 frames a second,
having to travel with a lead bag of heat-sensitive film, perhaps because it sounds cool to them. If you take
arguing with airport officials in third world countries a thousand pictures of a leopard lying on a branch,
about why it couldn’t be put through the X-ray you have to get something that’s usable, right? And
machine is another thing that’s changed… there are many who don’t see the wide picture at all.
For them, animals just become subjects.

124 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com

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with Chris George What the f-stop?

How much do you really know about
photography? Test yourself to the max
every issue with our tricky trivia quiz!

7 What is the colour temperature
of a cloudy day?

A 2500K

B 4000K

C 5500K

D 7000K

Getty / Albert Pizzoli / Staff
Future
8 Which wise photographer said,
“There are no rules for good

photographs, there are only

good photographs.”

A Bill Brandt

B Ansel Adams

C Mary Ellen Mark

D Gordon Parks

9 NFTs are the latest, albeit
controversial, way for

1 Who is this Hollywood A-lister 4 Where does the rule of thirds photographers to sell their work.
holding the miniature camera? suggest we should place the
But what does the F stand for?

A Bill Pullman horizon in our seascape pictures? A Foto

B Bill Paxton A Halfway down B Focus

C Bill Nighy B A third of the way down C Fungible

D Bill Murray C A third of the way up D Framed

D Either a third of the way up or down

2 Which of these is a pioneering 5 A 2x teleconverter has 10 What are variable ND filters
manufacturer of high-resolution which characteristics? most used for?

cinema cameras? A Video making

A Ochre A Halves the focal length and reduces B Landscapes

B Crimson maximum aperture by two stops C Portraiture

C Red B Halves the focal length and enlarges D Photojournalism

D Umber maximum aperture by two stops

C Doubles the focal length and reduces

3 OM System’s first mirrorless maximum aperture by two stops How did you do?
camera is named after which
D Doubles the focal length and enlarges 10 points You’re a photo mastermind!
8-9 points Fantastic, you’re a brainiac
iconic 35mm film camera? maximum aperture by two stops 6-7 points Really good score
4-5 points Respectable, but no cigar
A Olympus Trip 2-3 points We’ll keep your score secret
0-1 points Epic fail
B Olympus OM-1 6 How many stops faster is f/1.4
than f/22
C Olympus XA

D Olympus Mju A Six

B Seven

C Eight ANSWERS 1D,2C,3B,4D,5C,6C,7D,8B,9C,10A

D Nine

132 D I G I TA L C A M E R A APRIL 2022 www.digitalcameraworld.com