Review of Coolpix 8400 Posted

Phil Askey has posted a review of the 8 megapixel compact Coolpix 8400 camera. In my opinion, this camera may be a good upgrade for 5050/5060 shooters looking for more megapixels.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp8400/

It's 24-85mm lens is the widest of any consumer camera - this is an ideal range, IMO.

Cheers

James

Also see 8800.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp8800/

Featuring

# New 10x optical zoom lens (35 - 350 mm equiv.; F2.6 - F4.9)

# Vibration Reduction stabilization system

Guys,

One thing you have to rememeber when recommending any mid-range (as in NOT a dSLR) is that the surface focal range ain't necessarily going to be the range achieved underwater.

Almost all of these cameras have only FLAT PORT housings available so you have to using fuzzy math I read in another Wetpixel post take the 24-85mm CoolPix 8400, or Olympus 8080 or my current mid-range Canon G6 (35-140mm) and multiply times 1.2X to get your "real" underwater range.

I first was against this as Ikelite and other mfrs. migrated to FLAT PORTS but have recently "discovered" that shooting behind a flat port I have FULL ZOOM RANGE.

If I want a wider view I add an accessory wide lens (Sea and Sea .56X, NON 100 or 130 degree or Ikelite dome for Olympus wide converter)on the outside of a housing. This arrangement allows me to still zoom the complete range, Although zooming into your telephoto range through a flat port, then back out through a wide angle optic sometimes don't look so good Overall it's a really neat capability!

Just be sure people understand the wide angle range quoted for any mid-range camera won't equal that underwater.....Except for a few housings available with optional dome ports.....Then you also can't usually zoom full range as the lens can only focus on the apparent "dome port" image....I've found maybe from hte widest to about 3/4 of the maximum....

YMMV, but food for thought.

David Haas

davidhaas@sbcglobal.net

www.pbase.com/dhaas

www.ikelite.com "What's New" link