Here is my own very personal selection of new bands and records that have been recently/will soon be released and/or that will tour and play in Coachella/Primavera spring festivals in US/Europe.
Franz Ferdinand (see my previous posting)
Yeah Yeah Yeah - new album in April (NME says YYY goes disco)
Animal Collective - new album hailed as instant classic
Beastie Boys - rumored new album first semester 09
Prodigy - new album out now (don't expect much)
Grand Duchy - new Frank Black project with his wife as a singer (expectations neutral....)
Arctic Monkeys recording with Josh Homme of Queen Stone Age in "desert Sessions" studio- expect kick ass (new songs played during NZ tour in January)
The View: new album
Art Brut: something new F. Black to produce
Jay Retard: good songs with high replay value
Alela Diane: new album - repeats previous
U2 - zzzzz
Trail of dead - new album (not sure what to expect) - always great live
Of Montreal - may not listen to their records every single day - but really fun and interesting - on its way to new American classics section (see below)
Interesting bands: Titus Andronicus, Crystal Antler, Deerhunter, Crystal Stilts, School of seven bells, Bat for lashes, Secret Machines, Wavves
Mainstream but good: Shearwater, Last shadow puppets, Glasvegas, Lykke li, Department of Eagles,
Worth checking out - but wouldn't start a hunger strike for them: The Bronx, Pain of being pure at heart, Mae Shi, Vivian girls, Gang Gang Dance, place to bury strangers, the drones,
Electro, DJs etc: Presets, the Bug, Squarepusher, Holy Fuck,
Back from the grave section
Expect the worst but may pull out a competent performance live. Of course new material sucks. Nostalgia trip for bands that never really had a huge fan base but managed to develop a influential reputation. The best recent examples are the Pixies reunion tours 2004-2006. Also the Wire new albums and tours are interesting. Best come back is for me Dinosaur Jr.
In this category: A certain ratio, Throwing Muses, the Buzzcocks, Jesus Lizzard, Throbbing Grissle, the X
Totally unknown but worth checking out: Parts and labor, horse feathers, le chat noir,
Not so hot anymore: Band of horses, Fleet Foxes, Beirut, Peter Bjorn and john,
New american classics: Bloc Party, TV on the Radio, Hold Steady, Cold War kids, King of Leon
Really good: Black Mountain, Black Angels, Decemberist, No Age,
Really suxs: Killers, white lies, Anthony and the Johnsons, the kills, Hercules love affair, Ting Ting,
Praised but don't really dig: Calexico, Connor Oberts, Fucked up, Okervil River, Bonnie Prince Billy
New manual lens from Cosina/Voigtlander, exist in Nikon AIS and Pentax KA mounts.
Cosina Japan announced recently the forthcoming release of this new lens part of the SL lenses series aimed at making available to enthusiasts quality manual lenses in various lens mount (for Nikon, Canon, Pentax).
The main characteristics of these lenses are high built quality and material used, metal hoods (provided with lens or optional), high quality glass including aspheric elements in certain cases, diaphragm with 9 blades for better out of focus background (bokeh) rendition. The most recent releases in the series (SL II) include an electronic chip which allows matrix metering and EXIF recording with more recent digital bodies.
All lenses are totally manual and are for full format cameras, but of course compatible with DX cameras - and you can actually meter with entry level bodies (D40/60). The position of the focusing (front) and aperture (back) rings is compatible with Nikon standards. Cosina finally got rid of the coupling fork - which I personally always found annoying. The lenses cannot meter with older film cameras like the Nikkormat, but probably can still be used with stop down metering.
The Skopar 20mm f3.5 has standard 52mm filter ring. A dedicated hood is also produced and available separately.
Announced Japanese price is 55.000 Yen, which correspond to 460 Eur/550$. However, street price in US should be lower possibly around 400$ or less (estimate). In Europe, comparable SL II series lenses retail at 349 Eur.
So the question is, do we need this lens? In principle you can still get a Nikon 20mm f 2.8 lens new in manual AIS or AFD version. Both lenses are optically identical and only their body construction differs, the AF being plastic to allow focusing motor operation. They have optical correction for close focusing (CRC) with minimum focus distance of 2.5 cm. Glass has normal Nikon coating. Filter is 62mm. AIS version has metal filter threat and can mount metal hood. The AFD version uses a bayonet plastic hood.
The lenses are sharp but have distortion inevitable for such a wide angle. However they retain light and compact features, weighting less than 300 gr. Both lenses can be found new for around 500$ each. The AF version is more plasticky and the AF motor is quite noisy and can be subject to focus hunting (may also depend on camera AF). Frankly for this type of lens I don't see the need for Autofocus mechanism as it has a very high Depth of Field and so it is possible to use it in hyperfocal mode most of the time. Basically, at f8 everything should be in focus from 2 meters to infinity. So the AIS version should be a better choice because it gives you a better Depth of Field scale, and no distraction from focus hunting. Also as it is built more solidly, this version may have more collectable value.
So having two lenses, the Voigtlander and the original Nikon AIS, what can be the respective advantages.
The Cosina is even more compact weighting just 200gr. It uses Nikon standard 52 mm filters. It is one stop slower which many people will consider as a negative point but which in fact allows better corrected glass in general. The fact that it also includes an aspherical element would also lead to think that on paper the Scopar should have better controlled distortion.
On DX, the lens becomes the equivalent of 30mm.
The Nikon AIS is a bit heavy, relatively speaking. You have to carry additional 62mm filters, which BTW should be the pricier slim type as the front lens is quite prominent and you risk vignetting with other filters. Hood is also wide, larger than lens barrel.
Cosina lens appears more compact as the front lens itself is of a smaller diameter which allows mounting the hood in a way that it should not exceed the lens barrel facilitating storage. These features (weight, filter, and hood) make the lens very compact and ideal for travelling. The Depth of Field scale could be more detailed but at least it exists.
For close photography, the Cosina closer focus is 0.2 m although given the CRC correction on the and wider opening on Nikon AIS, the latter would appear better suited.
So overall, this new lens is certainly welcomed and can make an interesting contribution to the serious amateur’s set of equipment. That said like often with Cosina releases of classic design lenses for SLRs (be it under Voigtlander or Zeiss brands and without touching upon the issue of Leica M compatible lenses), these lenses are well built but they don't differ significantly from Nikon's primes.
Also a criticism which is often made by reviewers is the relatively ancient conception of the lens which basically makes it a marginal improvement over classic designs. Because basically, this lens seems inspired by the classic Nikon 20mm AI which existed in f4 and then in f3.5 max aperture version.
The Nikon 3,5 version was actually a more complex design with 11 lenses in 8 groups compared to Cosina's 9 lenses/6 groups. However, Cosina comprises an aspherical element which simplifies lens design. Upgrades of the Cosina over classic 3.5 AIS are inclusion of CPU (although limited use with advanced bodies D200/300/700/3/3x where lens data can be input via menu or programmed Func button) and said Asph lens.
Question marks remain edge performance, distortion, chromatic aberration, coma, resistance to flare etc.
Following my previous posting, I am coming back to this topic as the lens has been tested by some specialized sites. Among the first to be able to put their hand on this new lens are a couple of eastern European photo sites in Czech Republic and Poland.
Here is a summary with additional comments from their preliminary results and other comments buzzing around on the net and in forums (of course I haven't had the opportunity to test the lens myself).
The release of the new Nikon 35mm lens has been received overall quite favorably, after some questions about the choice of DX format (that I share). This is one of the first prime lens that Nikon has released in a while (without taking into account the 24, 45, and 85 PC), after the recent 50mm AFS. It seems to correspond to consumers' need or want for modern and affordable prime lenses signaling also possibly the fact that they are maturing past the use of limited kit zooms and may not be interested in more sophisticated but also heavier and pricier pro-zooms.
The performances of the lenses following tests is considered satisfying in terms of image quality. The lens provides sharp images. However, the difference in quality between center and corner is noted by reviewers. Image improves by stopping the lens down to f4, with possibly the best performance at f8. Interestingly, while the lens is aimed at DX format, it can be used on full frame (FX) cameras with some (acceptable) vignetting when stopped to f11 - ok use only in desperate cases.
The lens display visible chromatic aberration, although this can be taken care of by the image processors in most recent bodies as D300, or in Photoshop.
The lens angle becomes equivalent to 50mm (52.5mm) but the depth of field remain that of a 35mm, this may be in part compensated by the DX sensor which in returns has less DoF, but nevertheless spoils a bit its use for low DoF photography with blurred backrounds. From sample pictures it appears that the 7 blades diaphragm renders quite a nice bokeh, with rounded specs of light.
Distortion remain present (can be compensated in Photoshop) but normally is much more limited (by definition) if not nonexistent in 50mm lens, the exception apparently is... the new Nikon 50 AFS.
The lens retain its plus points: AFS motor with manual focus override, 7 blades rounded diaphragm, metal bayonet with rubber sealing ring, provided with sunshade, 52mm (plastic) filter ring, resist well to flare, short minimum focus distance (30cm) compact and affordable.
However, the question remains of the advantage of such a lens compared to the existing 35mm f2 in DX format the center would be used providing possibly more uniform image quality. Also, I would like to see the lens compared to zooms such as 18-70 AFS or 16-85 AFS in 35 position. Because frankly at f/11 most lenses are good and the argument of fast aperture lens looses a bit of its relevance, also if distorsion is also taken into account.
The main advantage of the new 35mm AFS remains the possibility to be used with cameras without AF motor D40/40x/60. Then users can achieve a compact and relatively affordable package, although again I think many would have prefered a lens with a wider angle for reportage and street photography.
Nikon just released a new 50mm f1.4 also AFS/G for full frame cameras (equivalent of 75mm lens in DX).
They could have followed the same path making the new 35mm also a 1.4 aperture and 9 blades.
It is great on the D40 (that is discontinued) and D40X/D60 which are entry level cameras sold with kit lens that stays on 99% of the time.
I think I want a real f2 24, 28 and 35 mm to use on full frame cameras and occasionally with DX - and if they are not G meaning they retain proper f/ stop aperture ring they can be used with... actually all (cut) Nikon F and D bodies, not to mention Canon EOS-D bodies with a Nikon to Canon ring.
Good news
It's fast: f/1.8,
SWM motor with internal focus,
Closest focus 30cm
Filter ring is the classic 52mm and non rotating,
Diaphragm 7 rounded blades for better renditions of out of focus areas,
It's light (200g) and cheap (200$), and provided with caps and hood (plastic/bayonet).
Less impressive news: it's a G (no aperture ring) , 7 blades
The lens includes one hybrid aspherical element, whereby the asph part of the lens resin is molded on spherical glass lens.
This method simplify lens design, reduce costs and aberrations. Nikon states that it "delivers superior reproduction capability". But this is also a cost cutting measure to achieve some satisfactory results without using too much glass.
Bottom line
Was this really a priority ? I don't see D40/40x/60 owners crying for this type of lens.
That said this is a lens that may be a bit less qualitative than the 50mm 1.4 AFS/G (7 blades, plastic asph, DX, etc.) but it is also 2/3 lighter and cost nearly half of the price of its bigger brother.
I would expect, given the nature of the lens which is meant for smaller image sensor (DX) , it to be less resolving than the 50 AFS.
It also need to be compared to the regular 35 f2 AFD, which has a bit slower Auto Focus. This is not one of the most loved Nikon lens (also given frequent aperture blades oil leaks - be careful if buying second hand). It has a bit of distortion and corners are not as sharp as center - but less an issue in DX.
Rather, I would have preferred a new improved 35mm lens meant for 35mm system and possibly backward compatible. Please next time use ED glass rather than cheapo asph, and keep 52mm filters.
The main advantage of this 35 AFS is the convenience of quick and silent AF operation, with manual override and use with cameras lacking AF motors.
So we will have to see whether the results are there in term of image quality and whether a 35 f2 AFD (while still more expensive new) is not a better choice.
Nikon is going to release two new bridge cameras the P90 and the L100 in mid-march.
The P90 is the more everything (zoom, price and pixels) model and is an upgrade of the P80.
Main specs: 12.1 Mpix, x24 optical Zoom 26-624mm (35mm equiv.)
It has a tilting LCD screen, better ED lenses, proprietary lithium battery and charger. 15FPS. All this for around 400$/350Eur.
The L100 is the top of a new budget L-range. It has a bit less impressive specs but comes cheaper.
Main specs: 10 Mpix, x15 optical Zoom 28-420mm (35mm equiv.)
Fixed LCD, no ED glass, 4AA batteries. 13 FPS -Price around 279$/269Eur.
Both cameras are super-zoom bridges which offer range and speed. If you add the 4x electronic zoom, you can reach the 35mm equivalent of a 2500 mm lens on P90 and approx 1700mm on L100 (expect image degradation but still...)
They have the same 3" LCD screen and use the new Expeed image processor found on the D90 and D300.
Clearly either one of these cameras is a prime choice if you want reach, speed and compactness.
Direct competition include Canon SX1, 10 and 110, Fuji S100fd, Casio FH-20, Olympus SP-565 and the announced SP-590 models.
Interesting features
Minimum focusing distance 50cm also at max zoom range which is great for lenses reaching over 400mm. In macro mode the minimum distance is only 1cm which coupled with zoom tele range opens interesting opportunities. Although we have to seen how far the lens extends physically in max zoom tele position.
Reasonably bright lenses, P90 minimum f starts at f/2.8 and reach f/5 at 624mm. On the L100 the range is f/3.5-5.4.
With batteries and cards (SD) both cameras should weight about a pound, but then that's it you don't need anything else.
Possible concerns
Electronic viewfinder - never really a satisfying option
No RAW mode.
Possibly limited video (no zooming or sound) (tbc)
Vibration reduction on image sensor rather than on lens. The latter in principle offers one or even two additional stops.
Image quality should not be a concern at low ISO although probably given the zoom range there will be substantial distortion. However this may be partially compensated by the image processor which on Nikon top SLR does intervene to lessen distortion, vignetting and fringing.
At higher ISO, both cameras reach 1600 and even boast of higher maximum values, respectively 3200 and 6400 although these are reached only in 3 Mpix picture size, so it certainly not for everyday use.
In any case, given also the sensor size, noise may be apparent also at lower ISO values. This is a common lot for compact consumer cameras where noise reduction tend to kick in at relatively low ISO value to produce images which appear pleasant but retain less details.
Nikon while providing top high ISO performances in its professional DSLR models notably those with full frame 35mm sensors, so far has produced a score of compact consumer cameras which are much less impressive in terms of ISO performances, notably for top of the range models such as the P6000.
Ultimately, my biggest concern with these two cameras as well as with the others that constitute other brands', is whether the tele-zoom end of the lens is truly usable given that lens declining max f/ stop complicates and slows down the auto focus performances. One risks ending in perpetual focus hunting especially in low light situation where high ISO join the party to degrade image quality even further.
The announced price seems reasonable. The zoom range is impressive. So we will have to see if the flexibility offered by these compact cameras will go on par with improved image quality/better ISO performance and reactive auto-focus.
Check out FF virtua pick up (incl. built in static...)
Franz Ferdinand "Tonight":
Humm... FF trying to go mainstream.
The record took some time to be completed basically the songs were written already some time ago but FF seem to have spent some time trying to invent some sort of new direction for their sound. Probably conscious of the risk of repeating their previous songs. Possibly the intention has been to bank on their success as star indie rock band to go more in the direction of dance pop music.
They did so through the collaboration with producers which had worked with Kylie Minogue, Sugarbabes, Girlsaloud, etc. In the end it took three successive producers to complete the album. FF members themselves are credited as producers for an unspecified proportion of the album. In addition, another producer who worked more with bands like AC/DC and Metallica was brought in to mix half of the album songs.
The record is presented as a concept album about a night out and the morning after.
Reviews point that the album is very electronic and danceable. Kapranos stated that the album was aimed at the dancefloors.
Also the appearance of band like Vampire Weekend, Hotchips, MGMT has created some competion for FF dancey rock style.
However, in an attempt either to build-up buzz and expectations or simply to confuse the public, in the wake of the release of the album FF have made statements pointing in various directions.
They said the album was influenced by African music and even played a gig with some African musicians.
Then the influence of Jamaica reggae dub was quoted, but apparently all the material that has resulted from this has been put aside on the separate limited edition bonus disc which includes the dub mix of the whole album.
Ulysses
Everybody is questioning the choice of Ulysses as first single. However, I actually quite like it.
FF all seem pretty pissed in the video which seems to mean that a band touring is like Ulysses endless peregrination and that sometimes they despair returning home.
Check out 2 alternate release of the 7" single of Ulysses with different B-side tracks ("Anyone in love" and "You Never Go Out Anymore" on 7"x) and slightly different covers. The b-side on the CD version of the single is also different ("New Kind of Thrill").
The single has been remixed on a 12" vinyl disc, with (good) mixes by Beyond The Wizards, SleeveDisco Bloodbath, Mickey Moonlight and Max Tundra. The bud version of the song found on the special edition bonus disc of the album is also included. It does not include the regular version of the song. The CD version, which apparently exists in promo version only, but does include the original version.
The album is released on regular CD and limited double CD pack including a bonus disc with a dub version of the album called Blood.
A 2xLP vinyl version of the regular album was resealed at the same time.
Album is also released in special edition vinyl set where all songs are on 7" format for a total of 6 discs. The box set that goes for 50 pounds in the UK include a DVD, the album on CD plus the bonus limited CD with the dub version of the album and a booklet.
The special editions of the album are only available in Europe.
Most of the album is composed of songs which could have been used as b-sides for FF hits from their two previous albums.
The most interesting track is "Lucid Dreams" which is basically a built-in remix, with a four-minute jam crescendo which is actually the best part of it. The track is included in a different version in the soundtrack of the 2009 version of the NFL Madden videogame.
The song "No You Girls" is a sort of a parody of ballad (intentional or not) which some in fact may find chauvinistic. Alledgedly, this track uses a human skeleton for percussion.
In the end, the album while pleasing and interesting for some of the new approaches that FF have attempted, is not as captivating as the two previous albums.
Possibly FF moment has passed as the energic neo post-punk trend of the mid of the decade is overtaken by band more influenced by electro-pop and in the end more outright aimed to clubs.
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