Lets meet with tele-photo objective lens Rokinon 800M-B 800mm F/8.0, which is designed for T-mount ( there are adapters on it for all modern cameras’ mounts types ). It has fixed 800 mm focus and f/8.0 diaphragm; lack of automatic focusing and image stabilization and lens and mirrors optical scheme of Maksutov-Kassegrene telescope with 8 elements in 8 groups. All lens elements are made from low-disperse optical glass and are covered with protective and anti-reflective multi-coating. Field of view of lens is 3 degrees, there is ability to attach to it 105 mm optical filters, it can work with full-format 35 mm optical sensors and its minimal focusing distance is 3.35 m. Objective lens weight is 936 g, sizes are : 111 ( diameter ) x 114.3 ( length ) mm. Package contains : Rokinon 800M-B 800mm F/8.0 photo lens itself, frontal and rear caps, carrying and storage pouch and user’s guide. It is very good objective lens, which also can be used as telescope and which has adequate price. Wherein : fixed focus and diaphragm, lack of automatic focusing and image stabilization ( it can be performed by camera itself via sensor shifting ) can be inconvenient for novice photographers or for video recording, but for professional photos of long-distance land objects and astronomical objects this lens is very good.
In audio part today we will meet with IK Multimedia iRig Keys – MIDI keyboard, which is oriented on work with different devices : PC, Mac, iOS and Android. It has 37 velocity-sensitive mini-keys; pitch bend and modulation wheels; volume control knob, which can be programmed to control custom parameter; octaves control buttons, which can be programmed; 4 buttons for storing and restoring of parameters sets; and sustain or expression pedal input. MIDI keyboard is connected to devices via Core MIDI interface ( for iOS ) or via USB interface ( for PC and Mac ), it is powered from these connections. Also, it can be used with Android devices via OTG to Micro-USB adapter, which is bundled with controller. Keyboard is supplied with following software : SampleTank FREE iOS and iGrand Piano FREE for iOS ( they can be downloaded from Apple App Store ); iGrand Piano FREE and iLectric Piano FREE for Android ( they can be downloaded from Google Play or Samsung Galaxy Apps ); SampleTank 3 SE for PC and Mac ( they can be downloaded from manufacturer’s web-site after registration ); and The Grid plus 5 Beats and Elektronika virtual instruments for SampleTank 3 SE ( they are also can be downloaded from manufacturer’s web-site ). This is interesting MIDI keyboard model, which has small sizes and weight and ability to work with different devices; its minuses are : lack of drumpads, small amount of programmable buttons for DAW control and small keys size ( but this is the consequence of its compact sizes ). So, this device should be bought only if there will be no need in additional controls; but, if there is need to simply buy MIDI keyboard, then it is better to buy more functional device, which costs the same amount of money or not much more.
Lets review wide-angle photo lens Sigma 19mm f2.8 DN. It is produced in variants for Micro Four Thirds ( for Panasonic and Olympus cameras ) and Sony E mounts. Its focal length is fixed and equals to 19 mm, diaphragm can be set in f/2.8 – f/22 range with use of 7 blades. Minimal focusing distance is 0.2 m, field of view is 59.3 degrees for Sony E mounts and 1:7.4 maximal magnification. Lens supports auto focusing and internal focusing; motor, that moves optics, is quiet and lens is useful for videos recording. It has 8 lens elements in 6 groups ( 3 of them are aspherical for chromatic and geometric distortions correction ), all elements are coated with Super Multi-Layer Coating. 46 mm optical filters can be attached to it. Lens sizes are : 60.8 ( diameter ) x 45.7 ( height ) mm; weight is : 160 g. It is released in black and silver color variants. Package contains : Sigma 19mm f2.8 DN photo lens itself, frontal and rear caps, storage and carrying case and user’s guide. All in all, this is a high-quality wide-angle lens, which is useful for photos and videos recording and which has optimal price. Its minus is relatively big amount of lens elements for fixed focus lenses, but most of them have around so amount of glasses.
Lets review in audio part external studio audio interface ESI Dr. DAC prime. It has big amount of professional functions and adequate price. Card works with 192 kHz sampling rate and 24 bits precision. Digital to analogue conversion ( DAC ) is performed by TI Burr Brown PCM1796 module, which has 123 dB dynamic range ( this allows to play simultaneously silent and loud sounds and makes sound picture more complete ); next signal is processed by 3 operational amplifiers LME49860NA, which are placed on PCB in sockets and can be easily replaced with others, if needed. Reverse analogue to digital conversion ( ADC ) is performed by AKM AK5386 ADC module with 110 dB dynamic range. Audio interface can playback signal, that it receives via USB port, digital S/PDIF audio connector or from analogue inputs, 2nd and 3rd variants requre additional power from power adapter. Frontal panel of card has : power switch; sound mute switch; upsampling switch ( if input signal has sampling rate less, than 192 kHz, then card can upsample it to this value for further processing or transmitting ); input signal selector ( USB, digital input or analogue inputs ); volume control for headphones; TRS 6.3 mm ( 1/4″ ) jack and 3.5 mm ( 1/8″ ) mini-jack headphones outputs themselves; and LED indicators of card’s different functions states.
External sound card ESI Dr. DAC prime ( back panel )
Card’s back panel has : linear analogue RCA inputs and outputs; digital S/PDIF RCA input and output ( they can work with coaxial and optical signal, second variant requires special converter, which is bundled with card ); USB port; power adapter input; and analogue outputs mode switch ( fixed or variable volume level ). All RCA-slots are gold-plated, there is need to use gold-plated plugs with them, so that oxide film will not form in contacts places, which decreases connection quality. Sound card is automatically recognized by Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10 and Mac OS X operating systems; also ASIO 2.0 drivers are released for it for Windows, via which it can work with modern DAWs Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio and others with low latency. Card sizes are : 150 ( width ) x 104 ( depth ) x 38 ( height ) mm. Package contains : ESI Dr. DAC prime sound card itself, power adapter, USB cable, optical S/PDIF signal converter, optical disks with drivers and software and user’s guide.
Based on description and my experience of work with ESI devices, there is ability to say, that this is good card with adequate price, which is oriented for playback and recording of already completed signal, because it has no microphone and instrumental Hi-Z inputs and MIDI connectors. Its pluses are 192 kHz sampling rate and professional hardware, that is set in it. Wherein, it is worth purchasing, if it will be used for the purpose, for which it is designed, because there is ability to buy for the same price more universal studio audio interface, which will perform all professional functions.
Lets review objective photo lens Opteka 12mm f/7.4 HDMC Fisheye Lens for Sony E mounts. As it is seen from its name, it has 12 mm focal distance; f/7.4 fixed diaphragm, because of this it is not very light; field of view is 167 degrees; and minimal focusing distance is 0.28 m. It has 4 lens elements in 4 groups, all of them are made from optical glass and are covered with protective and anti-reflective multicoating. Objective weight is 198 g, and sizes are : 65 ( height ) x 57 ( diameter ) mm. Also, there are variations of objective lens with f/8 diaphragm and 7.5 mm ( for Nikon 1 mount ) and 9 mm ( for Micro Four Thirds mount for Panasonic and Olympus cameras ) focal distances. Package contains : Opteka 12mm f/7.4 HDMC Fisheye Lens objective photo lens itself, frontal and rear caps, carrying and storage pouch and users guide. All in all, it is a good photo lens with adequate price, low optical elements amount ( this reduces light dispersion and internal reflections on surfaces ) and variations for different mounts. Its light strength is relatively low, but it is inherent to all fish-eye lenses, because they gather light with the same input lens diameter for much larger field of view.
Lets review functional MIDI keyboard Alesis V61. It has 61 full-size keys, which react on pess velocity; octave up and down buttons; 4 programmable buttons and 4 programmable knobs; 8 drun pads, which react on presses velocity and applied force; and pitch bend and modulation wheels. All additional controls have variable back-light, which shows their activity degree. Controller is connected to computer via USB port ( through which it also receives power ) and is automatically recognized by Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, in which it can integrate with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. Alesis V61 is bundled with DAW Ableton Live Lite 9 and multifunctional instrument AIR Music Tech Xpand!2. There is also need to note compact design of MIDI keyboard and its adequate price ( 169 USD at the middle of Autumn 2015 ) in comparison with other MIDI controllers.
Photo objective lens Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S.
Today in optics section we will review compact standard objective lens Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. It is attached to camera via Micro Four Thirds mount ( it can be used with Panasonic and Olympus cameras ). Its focal distances range is 14 – 42 mm; maximal aperture : f/3.5 – f/5.6 ( for maximal and minimal focal lengths, accordingly ), minimal aperture is f/22, it is controlled with use of 7 diaphragm blades. Minimal focusing distances are : 0.2 m ( for 14 – 20 mm focal distances ) and 0.3 m ( for 21 – 42 mm focal distances ); field of view : 75 – 29 degrees ( for minimal and maximal focal distances ). Objective photo lens contains 9 lens elements in 8 groups ( this is average value for zoom lenses ), 4 are aspherical, 2 are made of ED glass; all of them are coated with protective and anti-reflective Nano Surface Coating. It supports POWER O.I.S. ( Optical Image Stabilization ) and automatic Internal Focusing. 37 mm optical filters can be attached to it, its sizes are : 61 ( diameter ) x 26.8 ( length ) mm, weight is : 95 g. Package contains : Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. photo lens itself, frontal and rear caps, carrying and storage bag and user’s guide. This is quite convenient compact and light-weight objective photo-lens, with zoomable focal distance, many automation functions and adequate price. Its minuses are : small maximal aperture ( photos in low-light scenes will be dark ) and big amount of lens elements ( they disperse light and increase internal reflections ). So, it can be recommended to novice photographers or for video recording, where its light weight and automation functions are very useful.
External sound card Roland DUO-CAPTURE EX ( front panel )
Today we will review external studio audio interface Roland DUO-CAPTURE EX. It is equipped with configurable functions and is oriented on professional work. Frontal panel of card contains : 2 combined XLR/TRS inputs with professional VS Preamps, one of which is switchable instrumental Hi-Z/Lo-Z, second is microphone input, to which phantom +48 V power can be connected; amplification levels controls for them; volume control for main analogue outputs of card and for monitor headphones; TRS 6.3 mm ( 1/4″ ) jack output for headphones themselves. Back panel of card contains : USB port for communication with computer and for powering from it; DC input ( it is not supplied with card ); MIDI input and output for instruments and other devices; 2 TRS 6.3 mm ( 1/4″ ) jack analogue balanced outputs ( they neutralize all noise signals, which are added to main signal, when it is transmitted in the cable ); sampling rate switch ( 44.1 or 48 kHz ); phantom power switch; instrumental input switch Hi-Z or Lo-Z; Direct Monitor mode switch for headphones ( mono, stereo, off ); power button; and ground contact. Card is powered via USB port, or batteries, or from electric line via power adapter; its built in power supply unit has low noise levels, which reduces unwanted signals levels in sound card’s internals.
External sound card Roland DUO-CAPTURE EX ( back panel )
It works with 24 bits precision; and supports following interfaces WDM and ASIO for Windows and Core Audio for Mac OS and iOS; through them it can work with modern DAWs : Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live and others. Audio card body is produced from aluminum, it weights 460 grams and has relatively small dimensions : 153 ( width ) x 119 ( depth ) x 47 ( height ) mm. Package contains : Roland DUO-CAPTURE EX sound card itself, USB cable, optical disks with drivers and software and user’s guide. In a whole, this is a good professional sound card : it has high quality preamplifiers for analogue inputs, balanced analogue outputs, and MIDI input and output. Its main weakness is only 48 kHz max sampling rate, but not always higher frequencies are needed, for example, if sound after recording will not be processed too much.
In optics section today we will look on photo objective lens attachment Goliton 58mm 2.0X Magnification Tele Converter Lens. When it is mounted to objective photo lens, it receives 2x magnification of image, wherein base objective photo lens should be able to focus on infinity for this attachment to work correctly. It is mounted on lens via 58 mm thread ( there is modification with 52 mm thread ); it has 62 mm thread on frontal side for optical filters. It has 4 lens elements in 2 groups, probably, it is similar to Plossl eyepiece for telescopes ( symmetrical eyepiece with 4 lens elements in 2 groups ), but there is need to look on its optical scheme in order to say precisely. Package contains : Goliton 58mm 2.0X Magnification Tele Converter Lens photo lens attachment itself, frontal and rear caps, storage and carrying pouch and user’s guide. As with all photo attachments : this is attractable solution in terms of price, but there is need to look in shop or read in Internet how it works with given photo lens; and it is desirable if base photo objective lens would have small amount of glasses in order to reduce optical surfaces amount.
Todays audio part will be dedicated to professional MIDI keyboard Novation Launchkey 49. It has 49 velocity-sensitive keys; 16 drum-pads with RGB backlight, which are also velocity-sensitive; 8 knobs; 9 sliders; pitch bend and modulation wheels; 2 octave/transpose buttons; 1 LED display; 2 Track/MIDI Channel buttons; 8 mute/solo tracks buttons; 3 InControl buttons; 2 RGB backlit buttons; 6.3 mm ( 1/4” ) TRS jack input for sustain pedal; and Kensington Lock port. Keyboard can be connected to computer via USB or MIDI port. In first case it receives power only from this connection; in the second – it requires additional power adapter input ( which is not supplied with device ). MIDI keyboard tightly integrates with DAWs Ableton Live and FL Studio, wherein it can work with other modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Steinberg Cubase, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. It is automatically set up, when connected to Windows or Mac OS based computers via Plug In and Play function. Novation Launchkey 49 package contains following software : DAW Ableton Live Lite, virtual instruments Novation Bass Station and Novation V-Station, and 1 GB of Loopmasters samples. For connection to iOS devices MIDI keyboard requires power adapter and camera connection kit, or special iOS USB camera adapter. Device sizes are : 775 ( length ) x 270 ( depth ) x 90 ( height ) mm.
