Saturday, July 31, 2021

DPReview TV: Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD

With smoke from nearby wildfires preventing them from taking the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 into nature, Chris and Jordan stay in Calgary to test the lens. See how this ultra-wide optic performs for both stills and video on Sony APS-C E-mount bodies.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 sample gallery from this episode



from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) https://ift.tt/3lg4XWB
via IFTTT

Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 sample gallery (DPReview TV)

Chris and Jordan from DPReview TV just wrapped up their review of the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD for Sony E-mount. Check out their sample gallery and judge image quality for yourself.

View the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 sample gallery from DPReview TV



from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) https://ift.tt/3lkPcxJ
via IFTTT

Friday, July 30, 2021

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

50 years ago this week, the Apollo 15 spacecraft launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Apollo 15 mission is significant for numerous reasons. It was the ninth crewed Apollo mission, the fourth to land on the Moon, and perhaps most importantly, the first to use the lunar roving vehicle (LRV). While rovers seem commonplace today, it was a stunning achievement for NASA in 1971. To celebrate Apollo's first LRV, we wanted to share a collection of images highlighting the development, deployment and use of NASA's famous 'moon buggy.'

The LRV was manufactured by Boeing and General Motors and featured four 0.25-horsepower series-wound DC motors in its drivetrain. While electric vehicles are a regular sight these days, the rover was ahead of its time. The vehicle, powered by a pair of silver-oxide batteries, had a 92km (57 mi) range. The moon buggy had a curb weight of 210kg (460 lbs) on Earth but weighed only 34kg (76 lbs) on the lunar surface.

Despite its stated top speed of 13 km/h (8 mph), on its final mission, Apollo 17, the rover topped out at a blistering 18 km/h (11.2 mph). The vehicle could carry a payload of 490 kg (1,080 lbs), including a pair of astronauts, various equipment and lunar samples to return to Earth. There were three LRVs taken to the Moon, where they all currently reside.

On Apollo 15, the LRV was driven by commander David Scott and pilot James Irwin. The third astronaut, command module pilot Alfred Worden, remained in orbit around the Moon. Scott and Irwin drove about 28km (17 mi) during the mission before parking the LRV a short distance from the lunar module. The LRV includes a plaque, which reads 'Man's First Wheels on the Moon, Delivered by Falcon, July 30, 1971.'


Image credit: All images in the following gallery via NASA

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

The first-ever lunar rover was parked by commander David Scott on August 3, 1971 following the completion of the Apollo 15 mission's time on the Moon. The LRV remains here today, with a small plaque commemorating the rover's contribution to the mission.

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

Astronauts Jack Lousma (driving) and Gerald Carr test a prototype of the LRV in California on August 13, 1970.

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

Eventual lunar drivers James Irwin and David Scott train in the Mojave Desert a few months before Apollo 15, on April 29, 1971.

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

James Irwin standing on the Moon behind the rover, parked beside the lunar module, 'Falcon.'

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

James Irwin works beside the LRV at the Hadley-Apennine landing site on July 31, 1971.

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

James Irwin salutes the camera while standing beside the United States flag at Apollo 15's landing site on the lunar surface. You can see the LRV Irwin's left and Hadley Delta in the background. Hadley Delta rises about 4km (13,124') above the landing site.

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

Astronauts David Scott and James Irwin explain the lunar rover to reporters at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on May 6, 1971.

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

Composite panoramic image of David Scott working at the LRV near Hadley Rile during the rover's first lunar excursion.

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

David Scott aims the LRV's high gain antenna toward Earth to allow for television transmission.

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

This is the final image captured from the lunar surface during Apollo 15. You can see the LRV in the distance through Falcon's struts.

50 years later: A look back at NASA's incredible first Lunar Rover

Apollo 15's view of Earth following its launch on July 26, 1971. At this point, the spacecraft – and the folded LRV onboard – was about 25,000-30,000 nautical miles from Earth.



from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) https://ift.tt/3BXvE8C
via IFTTT

The Absolute beginner's guide to film photography: Parts 1 - 10 - start your analog awakening here

Photo: Chia Ying Yang

Curious about film photography? Don't know where to begin? We've got you covered! Parts 1-10 of our absolute beginner's guide to film photography address all the basics of the medium, from film and camera types to advice on choosing the absolute best camera for your needs. We also cover the nuts and bolts of exposure, including the Sunny 16 Rule, as well as logistical questions, like, 'Where do I get film developed?'

We cover all the basics of the medium, from film and camera types to advice on choosing the absolute best camera for your needs

And we're not done yet – we've got even more analog beginners guides lined up for the rest of 2021 (they'll be added to this page as they go live). So whether you're just getting into film or you're revisiting an old passion, begin your analog (re)awakening right here:

Part 1 - Getting started

How do you take the plunge into analog photography? This edition of the 'Absolute beginner’s guide to film photography' will cover the bare necessities – what you need to get started.

Read more

Part 2 - What you need to know - B&W film

Today, B&W film photography remains popular both for its aesthetic appeal and its ease of use, whether you're a beginner, a dabbler or a seasoned pro. Here's everything you need to know about the medium.

Read more

Part 3 - Color print film

One of the greatest joys of experimenting with color print film is discovering the wide variety of options out there, each rendering color/grain/contrast differently than the next. Want to know more? We've got you covered in our complete beginner's guide.

Read more

Part 4 - Color slide film

Color slide film can produce images that are brighter and more vibrant than standard color print film, but with far less exposure latitude, there's little room for error. Here's everything you need to know about color slide film.

Read more

Photo: Nesster

Part 5 - The 'Sunny 16' rule or how-to expose with no meter

No light meter? No problem. With the 'Sunny 16' rule you'll never have to second-guess exposures again, regardless of whether you're shooting film or digital.

Read more

Part 6 - Seven common camera types

By our count, there are no fewer than seven common film camera types – just wait until you see our list of uncommon cameras. Here's everything you need to know about each, including availability and viability in 2021.

Read more

Part 7 - Less common camera types

From the stately twin-lens reflex to the timeless view camera, here are some of the less common film camera types still kicking around on the used market.

Read more

Photo: Chia Ying Yang

Part 8 - Which camera type is right for you?

Looking to get into film photography? Whether you're hunting for a pocket-sized companion, a camera to learn and grow with, or something capable of the best image quality possible, we've got advice for you.

Read more

Part 9 - Common film formats & types

In this edition of our beginner's guide to film photography, we'll go over the most common film types – from 35mm to large format – and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Read more

Part 10 - Less common film formats and types

We've already discussed common film types, now it's time to take a look at the oddball film formats. From the discontinued to the hard-to-find, how many of these have you shot?

Read more

Photo: Joost J. Bakker



from Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) https://ift.tt/3zS5Usp
via IFTTT