Product Reviews
Welcome to the Wex Photographic recent product reviews page, where you can read independent reviews written by some of the top expert photographers and our in-house photographic experts.
"It's not a subtle bag for walking around town; from the proud, chunky rubber Camera Armor (sic) logo to the reflective strip around the top this is an action bag for the kind of folk who aren't worried so much by street crime as finding their camera downstream after rolling a canoe."
"If you have invested in a big body and bright long lens then you want it safe in transit and by your side whenever you can. They always say the best camera is the one you have with you and the right bag stops you wondering whether it's worth the hassle."
"Nikon optics are some of the best in the world. Fact. The quality of Nikon's photographic lenses is well known and appreciated by many Wex Photographic customers, but looking further afield, their sports optics are equally adored by many."
"Am I really hidden, is hiding actually really the point, isn't that fox / badger / bird looking right at me? These are questions I've asked myself for years. I recently spent a few hours in a hide that my friend had erected in a busy rookery."
"My main use of this camera is for everyday use and to take on holiday with an 18-55/55-250/50mm lens kit to cover any eventuality. For this it must be light, work quickly and have great image quality."
"Wacom are in a class of their own, literally. I can't think of a single competitor who makes a range of tablets that are as synonymous with the digital side of photography as Wacom. They are the pen and tablet."
"Combine men with any hobby (or profession) and you'll soon need 'storage solutions' to carry not only the stuff they really need but also everything they might need if something unexpected happens…"
"From the moment you pick it up the heft and workmanship makes it clear that this is a quality bit of kit. That's not to say it's quite up to the minute but it has the well machined charm of pre digital photography which the snazzy finish doesn't disguise."
"Buying so called 'non branded' products can be a bit of a no-no for some people, and I know many photographers who won't touch anything unless it's got Nikon or Canon written on it. With a whole host of less expensive non brand products on offer, should we start taking them more seriously?"
"Natural light is all the rage these days but that doesn't change the fact that sometimes you need more light than you have. Ambient light is great but it's very… ambient. Whether it's to add some fill in, open up a dark corner, or freeze action, a flash can add an extra dimension to your shooting."
"Those of you who read my previous review of the Canon SX200 will probably be wondering where I could take another camera that would be more bizarre than a hitchhike to Morocco. I came up with Blackpool. In my defence, it was Blackpool in January, for a Ballroom Dancing competition."
"Despite sounding like some kind of washing powder technology that stops your colours running and still keeps whites whiter than white, colour management is all about ensuring that what you see on your computer monitor is what you get out of your printer."
"I dubiously opened the package, half expecting to be bombarded with a box covered in buzzwords and promises to make my screen come alive with colour! Thankfully there was none of that, just a simple straight to the point statement; "Get the most from your monitor". Okay, so this is starting well, I thought."
"One of the most exciting & challenging shoots I've ever done was during my trip to Lapland, in Sweden. The trip came about when I was booked to photograph a wedding at the world famous Ice Hotel. This was roughly the same time when the Nikon D3s was launched and was the perfect opportunity to test the camera."
"It’s fitting that this little Lumix showed up for review so soon after the Olympus E-P1 paid a visit. The E-P1 is a new breed whereas the Panasonic LX3 is acknowledged as the best of an existing niche. The LX3 is also an enthusiast’s compact, with many of the features of an SLR in a much smaller package."
"The Olympus E-P1 is a beautiful piece of kit; it’s not all about the tech at all. It looks and feels like a treasured 35mm film camera from the ’60s. It’s easy to make new stuff sort-of-space-age (black plastic?) which usually works for a month or two, but capturing a timeless but nostalgic look is much tougher."
"I suppose everyone should have some New Years’ resolutions and one of mine is to write more about ‘on camera flash’. Over the last few years I just haven’t had the need to use one, but because I’m getting more and more questions and emails about them it’s high time I got to grips with them again. "
"Remote controls are a way of life these days; we either love them or hate them, not all of us understanding what every button does! However using a remote control in a dark studio makes a lot of sense, especially when you have multiple heads to operate."
"The Epson P-7000 Multimedia Storage Viewer is one of those devices that I’ve always thought was a really cool gadget and have considered buying for a number of years, but i never actually got around to it."
"One element of the design I'm firmly in favour of is the Sliplock attachment loop located on the side of the bag. This allows you to extend the bag with a lens case or pouch when a single lens isn't enough..."
"Canon has taken the developments both pre and post digital, and provided a fast, high quality camera body for both stills and video. It has improved metering, focusing and a gamut of new features that raise the stakes across the DLSR board."
"The 220 AW, as with all Lowepro bags, has an excellent, heavy-duty build quality. You feel you could throw pretty much anything at this bag, within reason, and your kit would be OK inside it."
"I reviewed the new Bowens Pro 500 and Pro 750 models a little while ago and if you read the review, you’ll know that I’m already a fan. As promised, Bowens have just released the Pro 1000 and Pro 1500 models to the market."
"The 50mm f1.4G produces spectacular images; they're sharp, full of contrast and well saturated - and so they should be - these are all qualities you expect from a 50mm prime. I found the lens to be rewardingly sharp: If your technique is spot on then it won't let you down."
"The Nikon D3000 was introduced to replace the D60 and comes in below the more costly D5000 with ‘extra’ features. The D3000 is aimed at newcomers to the DSLR world and sets out to make the experience as painless as possible. I found the Nikon D3000 to be a great camera."
"It’s funny how fast technology sometimes appears to move… while often dragging its heels. Often it simply takes time for what is affordable to catch up with what is possible. I opted for the Canon Legria HF-200 HD Camcorder because this range has had rave reviews ever since it surfaced."
" Okay, I’ll be honest. When I found out I was reviewing a bag I thought, “Hmmm, how much fun can you have with a bag?” Well, if it’s the Lowepro Magnum 650 AW, then the answer is: A lot! "
"The image quality of the D300S surpassed my expectations; the RAW files processed with Capture NX2 proved punchy & sharp using the 'Standard' picture control settings and automatic D-lighting."
"The Essential Off-Camera Flash Kit, combining three great quality accessories will certainly help you to achieve better results. So with the nights drawing in and plenty of shots to be taken inside, what are you waiting for?"
"This Advanced Kit will offer the portrait and product photographer great versatility in the choice of light shaping tools, from the brolly covering a wide area down to the Snoot for that small directional pool of light."
"2009 has been quite a year for Bowens; so far they have introduced a glittering array of new products, including the Bowens Gemini 200 and 400, a completely re-vamped Travel Pak system, the Bowens Pulsar radio trigger card, plus the superb Gemini R 250 and R 500."
"Even though they have certainly not rushed to market, Olympus have beaten the bigger players to offering a truly complete underwater SLR system by miles."
"As a diver you sometimes have to trust people with your babies as you leave the water and I'd be much happier handing this over in to the care of a 'helpful' boat skipper than my previous toys!"
" I was really excited about getting this wee camera and was delighted when I came home and found a big box sitting innocently on the stairs! Like a child at Christmas I ripped it open and found a gorgeous apparition of plastic and glass. "
" You have to hand it to Olympus, for a comparatively ‘tiny’ Japanese corporation they stream out interesting things at an impressive rate. Some smooth evolutions, some wild innovations. Now the E-620 pitches up as the world’s smallest SLR with in-body image stabilisation. "
"The Honl flashgun accessory system is based around the simply designed easy to use Speed Strap. This little device has no sticky, messy glues and leaves your flashgun in perfect condition after use. "
"Neatly wrapped up with its translucent end papers and protected with its heavy-weight cover boards, the Permajet Photobook allows you to create a good sized portfolio that speaks of quality and reflects excellent value for money."
"Essential photographic tool? Probably not. Interesting gadget for the photographer who has everything? That's more like it."
"When investing several hundred pounds on a flashgun for your Canon camera it is worth ensuring it has the features you are going to need at the same time as ensuring that you are not paying extra for features you'll never use."
"Damien Lovegrove takes a look at the Nikon D700 and Nikon D300 digital SLRs and gives us his views. In this test he uses the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens with the D700 & the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 with the D300."
" The first signs of my crush came about when I rented a body for the weekend. Really it was an unnecessary exercise, and more a manner in which to convince myself that I needed the camera, and feel a little less guilty pleasure if (when) I bought it. "
" We take Fuji's 12MP Super CCD EXR Sensor camera in to the dark blue and see how its low light sensor copes in a hostile environment. "
"...thoughtful, full-featured cameras which give a great return over what you can realistically expect to be long lifetimes. As bulletproof backup cameras they are, at present, unique."
"The Z33WP is not a tool to be lined up in a drawer with other, similar tools. It's a camera to develop a relationship with; to use, become familiar with and grow fond of. "
"I hesitantly began to test the d-movie mode; mindful of inadvertently producing an abysmal home video, starring a skippy dog tripping an elderly relative into the swimming pool (luckily I have neither a dog nor a swimming pool)."
"...If there's a zoom that's capable of doing the job of three primes, then why not? Shots can all too easily get missed whilst changing lenses, bodies, and in the old days film. It's about the ability to change your focal length in an instant."
"When choosing to have a monitor like this you will have to ask yourself “Do I really need a large colour gamut in a monitor?” ... If your output is CMYK and you live your life in soft proof mode this screen should definitely be on your short list."
We take the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS with it's 12x optical zoom on a charity hitchhike to Morocco, and along the way discover that it's able to take all the skill out of taking great photographs.
Jemma Baker takes the Sony T700 Compact Digital Camera to Pleasurewood Hills to see how it copes with two active children and a theme park, and a night out with trucks in the dark.
"We had a definite starting point we were aiming for, but the problem with The Lakes is that every time you turn a corner there's a scene begging to be photographed."
"The Nikon D60 and the Marumi ring flash were very user-friendly in this test shoot and both performed well to produce satisfying results."
" Strolling around with the Tamrac Velocity 10x is enjoyable, the weight of the photo gear mountain on your back isn't noticeable over medium distances. To extend the range or speed you can move with the Velocity 10x there is waist belt stowed away… "
"If in the market for a sensibly priced mid-to-high range DSLR then this would certainly be one of the contenders I would be looking at. If looking at it as a start-up professional, you could do far worse to get yourself up and running with this camera..."
"...a great, fun package and a camera you can use on the shallower dives which are often the most relaxed and rewarding." Rob Spray takes the D10 to Holland.
" What better way to test the Olympus Mju Tough 8000 digital camera than to give it to three miniature demolition experts and send them out in to the world (or the garden) to take photographs with it? Just how tough is Tough? Let the games begin… "
" Historically, splash-proof cameras were just that, not intended to be immersed - designed only to shed water – but now a few truly waterproof cameras have appeared. " Underwater photographer Rob Spray takes the W60 on an outing to Cornwall to see if 'waterproof' really means gimic?
" One of the biggest assets of this kit is that it is easy to set up, taking only minutes from opening the bag to having it set up in front of you. The set up is very professional and the customers are delighted with all the images produced. "
" ...I felt like throwing all my other cameras away because they were dark age dinosaurs that were denying me any hope of photographic integrity. You zoom in, and in, and in, and in… and it’s still pin sharp.... "
"Introduced in 2003, the Bowens Pulsar has remained unchanged in its basic design... However, to compliment the introduction of their new ranges, Bowens have just launched a new version of the Pulsar specifically designed to trigger their new Gemini R and Gemini Pro range. "
" ...I’d long ago gone over to the ‘back’ side so ideally I wanted nothing more than a more weatherproof version of the PhotoTrekker with maybe a bit more padding. But not too much as it would still need to look like it fitted in one of those bloody box frame things that check-in staff point you to every time you try to board a plane... "
"I always recommend investing in good lenses. It is the lens that converts the three dimensional scene into a two dimensional image. The camera just records it... This is the kind of lens that will elevate your photography to another level..."
"I’m fairly used to shooting with a fish eye lens as I have the Canon 15mm f/2.8 in my own camera bag but I have to say this Pentax lens is in a class of its own... I was struck by just how sharp this optic is."
"On first glance it looks better made than most of the kit lenses I’ve seen from other manufacturers and it certainly feels good to hold and use. The zoom range is just 3:1 and for this reason, little in the way of image quality compromise has had to be made in its design."
"To give The Viper an unbiased test Andy Rouse sent the rucksack to Danny Green and Guy Edwardes, fellow professional wildlife photographers who also carry a lot of gear around with them."
"The Pentax K200D digital SLR camera is a great image maker displaying all the right picture making attributes including low noise, accurate colour rendition and excellent sharpness. Other processing artefacts like banding are all kept well under control too."
"...the yellow interior - bit of a culture shock at first, but one that grew on me quite quickly. Seeing as most things in your bag are generally dark, a bright background makes them so much easier to find... So for now, yellow is the new black, at least on the inside of a bag..."
"I know several travel and landscape professional photographers that use top-end compact digital cameras in their work. Naturally I was keen to see what all the fuss was about so I arranged to test the Canon PowerShot G10 for a few weeks in the field."
"The first thing that you notice about the new Elinchrom BX’s is the small size and especially the low weight; just 1.85kg for the Elinchrom 250 and 2.05kg for the Elinchrom 500... If you’re a world traveller you’ll like these heads because they are multi voltage (90-270v) and can be used pretty much anywhere you take them. "
" As always rumours were rife, but on this occasion they just so happened to be pretty accurate and, at 04:00 this morning, the new Canon EOS 500D was announced... Canon have only gone and given the 500D full 1080 HD video capability!"
" In case you haven’t met a LensBaby yet, there is one simple fact to know: They’re quirky. Very quirky. Whether this created a need to select an equally odd reviewer is for me to guess, that aside lets dig in…"
" We’ve already seen the new Gemini 200 & 400 and the completely new Travel Pak system. Now we have the Gemini ‘R Type’, an all new state-of-the-art range that will replace the Esprit DX’s, a much loved range that has been used by professionals all over the world. "
" I’ve also always had a soft-spot for Fuji which dates back to my discovery of their transparency films when I was at college, but of course we’re digital now, and digital is an entirely different beast. So exactly what does the Fuji S100fs have to offer?"
"Perhaps one of the most interesting features of the Alpha 350 for me was the Live View capability, common in the lower level digital SLRs but not something I tend to use when shooting on a regular basis."
"...the Olympus E-30 only seems to be missing the weather proofing of the E-3. But how many of us stay out there when it’s teeming with rain and no cover? I certainly don’t!"
"We all need a little support, in fact some of us need a LOT of support most of the time, and because all is lost without it, getting it right is essential."
"There were many questions that I wanted to ask the Nikon D3x,...so I took the Nikon D3x on a major shoot to Canada with me to work on the beautiful snowy owl."
"the Bowens Travel Pak has been one of the most important pieces of flash equipment to be invented for many years"
"...to be honest these powers will be useful in any studio. The two new versions are just starting to roll off the production line in Clacton and I’ve just had an opportunity to have a good look at them."
"The build quality of the Nikon 18-105mm AF-S DX f3.5-5.6 G ED lens is good for lens that is so light and so capable too. It never felt like it was going to fall apart in my hand throughout my arduous weeks of testing..."
"If I had several Nikon SB-800 flash guns would I upgrade to the Nikon SB-900? No. If I had no Speedlight or just one Nikon SB-800 would I buy the Nikon SB-900? Yes; it is a perfect partner for the Nikon SB-800 and is the better unit overall. "
"...one of the questions I was recently asked was whether to buy a posing stool, a chair or posing tubs. So what is the ideal way to pose children, teenagers and adults?"
"..now that high ISO capability is as good as it is on the D90 we have four stops of in camera auto ISO adjustment to utilise... The Nikon D90 really is a great camera that produces wonderful pictures. I want one. "
"...when I put it on my office desk I still had a sceptical frown on my face. Lovely to look at, but would it work? It could be a bit like having Carmen Electra as a girlfriend."
"Sleek, robust and as clear as crystal, they presented an entirely different viewing experience to that which I am used to...."
"... on loan for the trip the Canon 1Ds Mk III, the Canon 16-35L f2.8 and Canon G10... and came away wishing I could keep the Canon G10 ... a great compact camera with full control overrides, RAW capture and complimentary to any DSLR user’s kit..."
"... The clarity of the result surprised me; a combination of the quality optics in the 18-200mm lens and the sensor in the 50D. By reviewing and enlarging this telephoto image on the screen of the Canon..."
"...the Canon IXUS 80 IS performed absolutely brilliantly. For as little as £116.00, it is brilliant value for money and did exactly what I asked of it on the trip. For such a tiny little thing, I was very impressed with the powerful photos it could kick out."
"...The 1000D is just so much neater, the body is extremely light and small and it is comfortable to use. It feels just right."
"When I opened PermaJet's box of Classic Fine Art fibre based gloss paper that I was sent, I got a very pleasant surprise..."
More Reviews
For more reviews from our experts, check under the 'Further Details' tab on product pages, or see each experts review page below.