NEW GEAR
Nikon CoolPix W150
£149/$TBA http://www.nikon.co.uk
F
ancy a low-cost
waterproof/
underwater camera
this summer? The new
CoolPix W150 is a beginner-friendly
snapper that’s waterproof to a
depth of 10m, dustproof,
shockproof up to a 1.8m drop, and
freezeproof down to -10 degrees.
Inside it’s got the same 13.2Mp
1/3.1-inch sensor as in the existing
Coolpix W100, and the same 3x
optical zoom lens on the front.
Round the back, there’s a large,
anti-reflective LCD screen designed
for visibility underwater. You also
get a ‘Fun Variety’ menu with
interactive features, a new
Underwater Face Framing mode
will take up to four pictures each
time it sees a face, and there are
in-camera editing effects that
include a ‘little planet’ option. An
eye-catching range of body colour
options are available, including
blue, white, orange, and two pattern
finishes. You wouldn’t expect 4K
video at this price, but the CoolPix
W150 can shoot Full HD 1080p
video at up to 30fps, with stereo
sound. It’s also compatible with
Nikon’s SnapBridge wireless
connectivity system.FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The CoolPix W150 may only be an
incremental refresh of the existing
W100, but we imagine it will be a
cheap and very cheerful option if
you’re after a waterproof rugged
camera. Just don’t expect image
quality to make much of a splash.Zeiss Otus 1.4/100
£4000/$4500 http://www.zeiss.co.ukT
he F-mount Zeiss Otus
1.4/100 is an ideal
match for high-
resolution Nikons like
the D850. In fact, Zeiss says the
results this body/lens combo can
generate are on a par with some of
the best medium format cameras.
The 100mm focal length is well
suited to producing flattering
portrait shots, with ‘harmonic’
bokeh ensuring a ‘3D pop effect’
that makes sharply focused
objects stand out against blurred
backgrounds. Aspheric lenses and
special glass control distortion and
chromatic aberration, and Zeiss’s
T* anti-reflective coating is
designed to minimize stray light
and maximize contrast, even when
shooting into the light. The lens isdesigned for professional use in
rough conditions and for long-term
durability, explaining its hefty 1.3kg
weight. Focusing is manual, but the
extended focus rotation means
there’s a precise distance scale,
and you also get depth of field index
markers for the near and far depth
of field limits at different apertures.FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Zeiss Otus lenses are designed for
optical quality and engineering
above all else – including price.
If you’ve got deep pockets, and are
willing to sacrifice autofocus, we’d
wager that the Otus 1.4/100 will be
an absolute joy to use and likely to
produce exceptional sharpness.
We can’t wait to see how it
scores in our lab tests.3 Legged Thing Docz2
£50/$TBA http://www.3leggedthing.comT
he original Docz was a
foot designed to add
extra stability to a
monopod. But now
3 Legged Thing has upped the
versatility of the revised Docz2,
as it can double as a mini tripod.
This has been achieved by
swapping the 3/8in-16
mounting point for a 1/4in-20
thread that can screw straight
into your Nikon’s tripod
mounting point. An included
3/8in-16 adapter retains
compatibility with existing
monopods, while the 1/4in-20mount now allows the monopod leg
to be fitted to 3 Legged Thing’s Leo,
Punks Brian and Punks Corey
tripods. The placement and tension
of the ball mount is adjustable via
the rubber foot in the base.FIRST IMPRESSIONS
A monopod stabilizer can
give your monopod a surer
footing on rough or soft
ground, and make panning
movement smoother.
However, while it folds closed,
Docz2 will add some bulk when
you’re out and about.Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2:1 Ultra Macro APO
£TBA/$449 http://www.venuslens.net
L
aowa’s new macro
lens is suitable for FX
Nikons and gives a
higher degree of
magnification than any of its rivals.
It has a 2:1 magnification ratio,
allowing photographers to focus in
on microscopic detail. Most macros
only have 1:1 magnification, but this
new prime offers twice that. It also
focuses down to just 24.7cm, and
can focus at other distances to give
a full range of magnifications.
What’s more, thanks to its f/2.8
maximum aperture, it should also
prove useful as a portrait lens.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Lawoa has quickly built up a
reputation for producing innovative
lenses that fill gaps in the market.
While this new macro lens isn’t
quite as headline-
grabbing as the
company’s recent
24mm f/14 2X
Macro Probe
‘anteater’ lens, it’s
a more versatile
offering, and a well
priced one. We look
forward to testing
its optical quality.