Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Archives for 2008

Shooting Small

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(Shirley Owens).jpgNikon’s annual Small World Photomicrography Competition has reached the judging stage. Entrants have been narrowed down to just 20 amazing images. You can vote for the People’s Choice Award on the competition’s site until October 10. Winners will be announced on October 15.

This image was taken by Dr. Shirley Owens and is gladiola pollen under a fluorescent microscope at 2500x magnification. These images are simply stunning. While the photographic equipment necessary to create such images is fairly specialized, the subject matter seems to make the price worth it.

If you’re interested in entering next year’s competition, entries will be accepted up through April 30, 2009.

 

New Canon Professional Services (CPS) Program

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Canon U.S.A. has announced that it will be launching a new Canon Professional Services (CPS) program beginning in the first quarter of 2009. The new CPS program requires existing members to reapply.  There will be three levels of service available to qualifying photographers.  The existing program required photographers to own at least 2 pro bodies and 3 L lenses.  The CPS program is not accepting additional applications until the new program launches.  [Read more…]

Hasselblad H3DII-50

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Hasselblad has introduced three new products – the 50 megapixel H3DII-50, a new 35-90mm zoom lens and the HTS 1.5 Tilt/Shift adapter.  The new H3DII-50 features Kodak’s 50 Mpixel 36×48mm sensor, which measures, twice the physical size of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors.

Hasselblad H3DII-50 Key Features

  • Integrated 50 Mpix capture units with 3″ display
  • Ultra-Focus: integral optimization of digital lens performance
  • Hasselblad Natural Color Solution
  • Integrated CCD cooling sink for lower noise
  • Direct ISO/WB control
  • Thumbwheel control of digital menus
  • GPS accessory option
  • Full Digital APO Correction for improved image sharpness and detail

The H3DII-50 is priced at £14,750 (excluding lens).  The 60 megapixel H3DII-60 will be available in April 2009 for £18,750 (excluding lens). For more details, see the press release below. [Read more…]

Adobe, Apple, Canon, Microsoft, Nokia and Sony form Metadata Working Group

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The Metadata Working Group is a coalition between Adobe, Apple, Canon, Microsoft, Nokia and Sony, which was formed to help standardize the various methods and formats metadata is created and used among consumer electronics manufacturers.

The Metadata Working Group has porduced a set of Guidelines for Handling Metadata, which is a 42 page document describing how best to use existing standards such as Exif, IPTC, and XMP to address the key organizational metadata questions that most consumers have.

The intent of the MWG is to publish technical specifications that describe how to effectively store metadata into digital media files. These royalty-free specifications will be made available to manufacturers and service providers so that they may create products that store metadata in a consistent way, and that allow consumers to maintain control over their valuable information. Where possible, these specifications will rely on existing standards, and will aim to create a unified and cohesive approach to applying these standards.

For additional information, see the press release below.

[Read more…]

Gorillapod Focus

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San Francisco, CA – September 24, 2008 – Joby, Inc. is pleased to announce the arrival of the Gorillapod Focus™, a unique, bendable tripod engineered to support SLR cameras with larger telephoto lenses or digital video cameras. Designed with professionals and motivated amateurs in mind, the Gorillapod Focus is the biggest, strongest Gorillapod® yet and is the fifth addition to the growing and award-winning Gorillapod family.

The Gorillapod Focus provides the stability of a standard tripod at a fraction of the size and weight – only 1.1 pounds (500g). Sturdy machined aluminum sockets, debuting in an anodized gunmetal finish, offer incredible flexibility while ensuring a rock-solid hold in almost any environment. The Gorillapod Focus uses a stainless steel screw for maximum strength to support an amazing 11 pounds (5kg) of gear. It’s shipped with a 3/8” adapter screw in place and can be used with or without a professional tripod head.

Cleverly designed to help capture “hard to get” images like time-lapse, available-light, night-time or long-exposure, the Gorillapod Focus helps photographers refine their imaging skills. Wrap it around a railing, twist it around a tree branch, loop it onto a shopping cart, stand it on a table in the studio, or perch it on a rock during a hike! The possibilities for taking unique images are endless. And, it makes a great travel companion, folding up to fit in most gear bags.

At $149.95, Joby’s new Gorillapod Focus offers the same great features and functionality of all Gorillapods. The medium-sized members of the family are the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom for cameras up to 6.6 pounds (3kg) and Gorillapod SLR for cameras up to 1.75 pounds (800g). The lightweight, original Gorillapod supports compact digital cameras up to 11.5 ounces (325g). And, the Go-Go! is an original Gorillapod that comes with clips to attach cell phones, PDAs and music/video players for mobile entertainment on the go.

The Gorillapod debuted in February 2006 and now sells in over 40 countries. The Gorillapod Focus is available online at www.joby.com.

Tokina Adds AF Motors for Nikon

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Tokina has announced that it will adding in-lens autofocus motors to its Nikon-mount versions. This change will enable autofocus for the budget D40, D40x and D60 bodies. Tokina will start by adding the new motors to the AT-X Pro SD 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX wideangle lens — the new lens will have a ‘II’ tacked on the end. Tokina is exhibiting a motorized version of this lens at Photokina and will be updating other lenses in its lineup in the future.

Tokina has also announced that it will be delaying the recently announced AT-X M35 PRO DX for the Canon. The release date has been pushed back to late January because of development difficulties with the focus system. The Nikon version is unaffected and on schedule.

Nikon D90 Review at PopPhoto

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PopPhoto has reviewed the Nikon D90.

As a still camera, the D90 continues Nikon’s strong record in the midrange. While its videomaking is more than a little clunky, it’s the first (and, for now, the least expensive) DSLR with this capability. It’s a very worthy follow-up to the D80, and stacks up well against similarly priced cameras.

For the latest news and reviews, check out Photography Bay’s Nikon D90 Reviews and Resources.

Nik Software Announces “Complete Collection” of Award-Winning Digital Photographic Filters

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Complete Collection includes Photoshop® and Aperture™ versions of Dfine® 2.0, Viveza™, Color Efex Pro™ 3.0, Silver Efex Pro™, and Sharpener Pro™ 3.0

Cologne, Germany (Photokina Hall 4.1, Stand F001) – September 22, 2008 – Nik Software today announced the availability of its new Complete Collection of the company’s award-winning digital imaging software products. This new product bundle includes all of the latest versions of Nik Software’s products available at a discounted price of $599, which represents a savings of $450 if purchased separately. [Read more…]

32-Gigabyte SanDisk Extreme III CompactFlash Cards

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COLOGNE, Germany – Sep 23, 2008 The recent release of Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II DSLR camera represents an emerging trend in digital imaging: the convergence of high-megapixel still photograph and High Definition (HD) video capture in a single digital single-reflex lens (DSLR) camera and the need for large-capacity memory cards to support these added capabilities. With flickr.com now allowing users to post 90 second videos, or “long photos” as they are called, the DSLR video movement has definitely arrived. Canon’s new DSLR camera enables enthusiasts to take professional-grade photos and video, while SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK) memory cards provide the robust capacity required to store the resulting data. [Read more…]

Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM

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The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM.  This large aperture standard zoom lens covers focal lengths from 24mm and is housed in compact construction. The latest optical design provides an overall length of 94.7cm /3.7inch. It is ideal for general photography such as snapshots, portraiture and landscapes. The Super Multi Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting. ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass, two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and three aspherical lenses provide excellent correction of all types of aberrations. Superior optical performance is ensured throughout the entire zoom range. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), ensuring a quiet and high speed AF as well as full time manual focusing capability. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 38cm/15in and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5.3. The rounded 9 blades diaphragm creates an attractive blur. It is possible to attach the included petal-type hood to block out extraneous light.

FEATURES

  • Large aperture standard zoom lens
  • ELD and SLD glass provides excellent correction of all types of aberrations
  • Super Multi Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting
  • Equipped with HSM ensuring quiet and high speed AF
  • The rounded 9 blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur

THE SPECIFICATIONS (For Sigma mount)

  • Lens Construction:14 Elements 12 Groups
  • Angle of View:84.1°-34.3°
  • Number of blades:9pcs
  • Minimum Aperture:F22
  • Minimum Focusing Distance Distance:38cm/15in
  • Maximum Magnification:1?5.3
  • Filter Size:Ø82mm
  • Lens Hood:Petal-type hood
  • Dimensions:Ø88.6mm×94.7mm/3.5in×3.7in
  • Weight:TBD

Accessories

  • SIGMA DG UV 82mm
  • SIGMA DG WIDE CIRCULAR PL 82mm