Blog
Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI-s vintage lens review
08 Jul 2024 Gordon LaingThe 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!
How to photograph fireworks
04 Jul 2024 Gordon LaingFirework displays can be spectacular but present a number of challenges to capture in-camera. In my simple guide I'll share my tips and techniques for photographing fireworks!
Canon EOS 300D Rebel retro review
01 Jul 2024 Gordon LaingCanon'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
29 Apr 2024 Gordon LaingLaunched 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
08 Apr 2024 Gordon LaingBack 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
02 Feb 2024 Gordon LaingBack 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!
Black Friday best camera deals 2023
22 Nov 2023 Gordon LaingIt's that time of year when we're bombarded by bargain offers, so I've sifted through the deals to find the best buys on Canon gear!
Canon EOS D30 RETRO review
30 Oct 2023 Gordon LaingThe 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
16 Oct 2023 Gordon LaingThe 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!
Solar Eclipse Photography
02 Oct 2023 Gordon LaingA Total Solar Eclipse is one of nature's most spectacular sights: as the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun it gradually obscures the disc until the faint wispy Coronal atmosphere is revealed! I've photographed three Total Solar Eclipses and in my guide will explain everything I've learned!
Sony Cyber-shot F707 RETRO review
07 Aug 2023 Gordon LaingThe 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
13 Mar 2023 Gordon LaingBack 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
02 Mar 2023 Gordon LaingThe 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
23 Feb 2023 Gordon LaingSony'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
14 Oct 2022 Gordon LaingBack 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
30 Aug 2022 Gordon LaingIn 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
02 Aug 2022 Gordon LaingIn 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?
10 May 2022 Gordon LaingJoin 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
04 May 2022 Gordon LaingThis 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
30 Mar 2022 Gordon LaingIn 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
02 Feb 2022 Gordon LaingThe 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
08 Jan 2022 Gordon LaingThe 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
30 Nov 2021 Gordon LaingCanon’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
07 Nov 2021 Gordon LaingLaunched 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!
