Nikon D200 retro review
November 29, 2024 By Leave a Comment
The Nikon D200 was launched in 2005 to satisfy the demanding semi-pro market, delivering a step-up over consumer models and a taste of the pro bodies without their cost or heft. I bought one almost two decades later for less than $100. Find out why you might too!…
Canon PowerShot G2 retro review
September 23, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Back in 2001, Canon launched the second in its legendary PowerShot G series, the G2. It upgraded and fixed several issues, and can be bagged at a bargain price today. Find out its story 23 years later!…
Canon EOS 10D retro review
September 13, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Join me on a trip back to 2003 where we’ll visit the EOS 10D, Canon’s most affordable DSLR to date. This was the first in an hugely popular series which set the standard for Canon’s semi-pro bodies, crucially at an attainable price for many enthusiasts.…
Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI-s vintage lens review
July 8, 2024 By Leave a Comment
The Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI-s was one of the most desirable standard lenses when it came out in 1981 and an ideal choice for anyone who wants to explore vintage optics today. Find out why in my retro review, 43 years later!…
Canon EOS 300D Rebel retro review
July 1, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Canon's EOS 300D, or Digital Rebel, was the first affordable consumer DSLR. Launched in 2003, it became the first DSLR many of us bought - including myself! I revisit it 21 years later to tell its story!…
Sony Cyber-shot R1 retro review
April 29, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Launched in 2005, the Sony Cyber-shot R1 was a high-end prosumer camera packing a Carl Zeiss 5x zoom and a large 10MP APSC sensor with Live View. Find out what made it special in my retro review!…
Sony Cyber-shot F828 retro review
April 8, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Back in 2003, Sony launched the Cyber-shot F828 the fifth model in the series to use an L-shaped design with a twisting body. It built on the earlier F717 and later gained cult status for its infra-red capabilities. Find out how it performs 21 years later in my retro review!…
Sony Cyber-shot F717 retro review
February 2, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Back in 2002, Sony launched the Cyber-shot F717, the fourth model in the series to use an L-shaped design with a twisting body. It built on the earlier F707 to deliver one of the best in the series to date and gained later popularity for its infra-red capabilities. Find out how it performs 22 years later in my retro review!…
Canon EOS D30 RETRO review
October 30, 2023 By Leave a Comment
The EOS D30 was the first DSLR built entirely by Canon. Teased in the Year 2000 and sporting 3.25 Megapixels, it was ground-breakingly affordable. Find out its story and how it performs 23 years later in my latest retro review!…
Canon PowerShot Pro70 RETRO review
October 16, 2023 By Leave a Comment
The Canon Pro70 was the first PowerShot aimed at pros and enthusiasts who couldn’t stretch to the cost of DSLRs of the day. It sported 1.7MP, a 28-70 zoom, flip screen and RAW files, packed into an SLR-styled body. I took it out 25 years later for this retro review!…
Sony Cyber-shot F707 RETRO review
August 7, 2023 By Leave a Comment
The Sony Cyber-shot F707 launched in 2001 with 5 Megapixels, a 5x zoom, a distinctive L-shaped body, and it could even see in the dark. 22 years later I take it for a spin!…
Olympus CAMEDIA C-800L retro review
March 13, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Back in 1996, Olympus launched their first consumer digital cameras under the new CAMEDIA brand, including the flagship C-800L. It looked traditional but packed more pixels and memory than most rivals. Here's its story!…
Apple QuickTake 100 retro review
March 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
The Apple QuickTake 100 was arguably the first consumer digital camera, taking VGA colour photos and costing under $1000 when launched in 1994. Join me almost 30 years later as I experience the birth of consumer digital photography!…
Sony Cyber-shot DSC F505 retro review
February 23, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC F505 was one of the most innovative cameras of its day, with a twistable L-shaped body. 24 years after it was launched, I find out if it remains a favourite!…
Nikon COOLPIX 950 retro review
October 14, 2022 By Leave a Comment
Back in 1999, Nikon launched not one, but two legendary digital cameras: the D1 DSLR and the COOLPIX 950. In this retro review I try out the 950 23 years later!…
Nikon D1 retro review
August 30, 2022 By Leave a Comment
In 1999, Nikon launched the D1, the first DSLR the company entirely designed by itself. 23 years later I take this 2.7 Megapixel classic out for a retro review!…
How to backup photos
August 2, 2022 By Leave a Comment
In this article I’ll show you how I backup my photos, videos and other precious files, using a combination of portable drives and cloud storage.…
Best lens for a vintage DSLR?
May 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment
Join me as I track down an ideal lens for Nikon's first DSLR, the D1! I narrowed my choices to a pair of older 35mm models and in this article and video I compare them head-to-head!…
Nintendo GameBoy Camera retro review
May 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment
This retro review is dedicated to arguably the weirdest digital camera of the 90s, and certainly the most fun: it’s time to take a look at the Nintendo GameBoy Camera, 24 years later!…
Sony Cyber-shot P1 retro review
March 30, 2022 By Leave a Comment
In the Year 2000, Sony launched the Cyber-shot P1, an impressively compact camera with 3.3 Megapixels and a 3x zoom that neatly folded into the candy-bar-styled body. In 2022 I take it out around Brighton for my latest retro review!…
Olympus CAMEDIA C-2000 Z retro review
February 2, 2022 By Leave a Comment
The Olympus C-2000 Z was a compact from 1999, featuring a 3x zoom, 2.1 MP sensor, and fine control over exposure. 23 years later I rescued a neglected sample from an antique shop and in this post will show you why it received rave reviews back in the day!…
First 10000 photos are your worst
January 8, 2022 By Leave a Comment
The renowned photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson famously said ‘Your first 10,000 photos are your worst’. Having just gone through my first decade’s worth - over 5000 prints - I’m inclined to agree. In this post I’ll share my journey and what that quote means in the digital World.…
Canon PowerShot Pro1 retro review
November 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Canon’s PowerShot Pro1 launched in February 2004 as the pinnacle of its fixed-lens prosumer camera series, featuring 8 Megapixels, a flip-out screen, and the first PowerShot lens branded by the red ring of the flagship L-series. 18 years later I take it out for a retro review!…
Nikon COOLPIX 300 retro review
November 7, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Launched in 1996, the Nikon COOLPIX 300 was more than just a digital camera. Sure it could capture 0.3 MP images, but also let you jot notes or record voice memos. In this retro review, I tried out the COOLPIX 300, 25 years after its launch!…
Sony Mavica MVC FD5 retro review
October 4, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Back in 1997 Sony had a cunning plan: forget expensive cards, built-in memory or non-standard ports, the new Digital MAVICAs would record photos onto standard 3.5in floppies! 24 YEARS later I retro-review the first model!…
Sony Cyber-shot S70 retro review
September 17, 2021 By Leave a Comment
In early 2000, Sony launched the Cyber-shot S70, packing the latest 3 Megapixel sensor with a Carl Zeiss-branded zoom and a wealth of features at a price that undercut most rivals. It became my first digital camera and 21 years later I've powered-it up for my latest retro review!…
Canon PowerShot G1 retro review
July 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
In October 2000, Canon launched the PowerShot G1, the first in a series of hugely popular cameras aimed at enthusiasts that continues over two decades later. Find out the story behind it 21 years later!…
Nikon COOLPIX 100 retro review
July 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment
In 1996 Nikon entered the consumer digital camera market with the COOLPIX 100. It cost $500, had one third of a Megapixel and was built-into an industry-standard PCMCIA card, so you could simply slot the camera into a compatible laptop. 25 years later I review it once more!…
Canon PowerShot Pro90 IS retro review
June 11, 2021 By Leave a Comment
The Canon PowerShot Pro90 IS was a high-end super-zoom camera launched in 2001, sporting a 10x / 37-370mm equivalent range, and becoming Canon’s first digital camera to include optical image stabilisation! Find out how it performs 20 years later!…
Nikon COOLPIX 900 retro review
June 4, 2021 By Leave a Comment
The COOLPIX 900, launched in 1998, was Nikon’s third digital camera, but I’d argue their first aimed at photographers. 1.2 Megapixels, a 3x optical zoom, white balance presets and a cunning split-body, the 900 had it all! Find out why it was one of my favourites in my retro review!…