Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

 

How to Create Animated GIFs in Photoshop

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChSmyIZAkog&w=640&h=360]

GIFs rule the world of Internet memes. Perhaps they have a few uses beyond memes, but we all know you are going to use them for memes.

If you don’t know now to create a GIF file from still images, check out this short video on how to create them in Photoshop. Even if your files don’t align properly, you can use Photoshop’s auto-align feature to line up hand-held shots.

PhaseOne Launches IQ250 as the First CMOS Medium Format Camera

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PhaseOne IQ250

Earlier this week, Hasselblad laid claim to the world’s first medium format camera. The problem is, however, Hasselblad had no camera to show off and only announced the official launch would happen in March 2014.

Now, PhaseOne is showing off its new IQ250 with a 50MP CMOS sensor – and PhaseOne actually has working cameras to show the world. [Read more…]

Rode VideoMic GO Review

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Rode VideoMic GO-2

The Rode VideoMic GO is a latest shoe-mounted shotgun mic that is geared toward amateur and enthusiast shooters who want to add better sound quality to their video-capable compact, mirrorless and DSLR cameras.

Unlike other microphones in the VideoMic series, the VideoMic GO does not require batteries to operate and has no external controls to adjust. You don’t even have to turn the VideoMic GO on to use it. Just plug it in and, literally, go. [Read more…]

Nikon Passes 85 Million Lens Milestone

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Nikon Lenses

Earlier this month, Nikon reached a total production number of 85 millions NIKKOR and 1 NIKKOR lenses – just seven months after it hit the 80 million lens milestone.

Nikon has been making lenses for over 80 years and is clearly at the peak of the company’s lens production volume. Some of the most recent NIKKOR lenses include the:

Canon reached the 90 million lens mark in May 2013. Any day now, I expect to see an announcement from Canon that it has reach the 100 million lens milestone in less than 30 years since the EF mount was introduced in 1987. It seems that Canon is cranking out 10 million lenses every 8-9 months, while it takes Nikon about a year to do the same. While Canon clearly has the edge, it is mind-boggling to think about just how big these giants are in the world of photography.

Canon EOS-1D X Firmware Update 2.0.3

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Canon 1D X

Canon has issued a firmware update for the EOS 1D X with lots of AF impovements. Firmware version 2.0.3 incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

  1. Auto focusing performance under low-light conditions has been enhanced when performing focusing before shooting in AI Servo AF mode. The enhancement comes from the improvement in tracking capability for the first image in the low-light conditions.
  2. The number of release parameters settings for the “AI Servo AF 2nd image priority” AF function has been increased to enable improved AF tracking in low light or maintain consistent high frames rates during continuous shooting.
  3. The number of parameters for acceleration/deceleration tracking in the AF Configuration Tool will has been increased.
  4. Exposure compensation can be performed when using manual exposure and ISO Auto.
  5. The minimum shutter speed limit for ISO Auto has been increased with shutter speeds up to 1/8000.
  6. A new function to keep the exposure constant by altering the ISO or shutter speed in manual exposure, when the aperture value changes when zooming or changing lenses has been added.
  7. A new option has been added to orientation linked AF point to enable only the AF point to switch as you change orientation rather than both AF point/ AF area settings
  8. A new option to continue to use the previously manually selected AF point as the initial starting AF point when switching to 61-point automatic selection has been added.
  9. New customization of the Exposure metering and AF controls has been added for more flexibility.
  10. The number of possibilities for controls to switch between one-shot AF and AI Servo AF using custom controls has been increased.
  11. A function has been added to allow the playback and review of protected images only.
  12. A phenomenon has been fixed in which the white balance may be disturbed by the timing of the shutter release when the drive mode is single shooting and a flash (E-TTL)is used.

You can download the firmware update and get instructions on how to install it here on Canon’s website.

Canon Working on EF 85mm f/1.8, EF 100mm f/2, EF 135mm f/2.8 Lenses with Image Stabilization

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Canon 85mm 100mm and 135mm Patent Embodiments

Canon has submitted a patent application for three fast telephoto lenses with image stabilization. The patent application covers EF 85mm f/1.8 IS, 100mm f/2 IS and 135mm f/2.8 IS lenses. Canon has been adding IS to its mid-range line of lenses (like the EF 24mm f/2.8 IS and EF 28mm f/2.8 IS), along with rumors that other mid-range lenses like the 50mm f/1.4 are going to get image stabilization in a new version – perhaps as early as this year.

[via CR]

New Entry-Level Canon DSLR Coming to CP+

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Canon Rebel SL1-5

The latest rumors suggest that the next Canon DSLR coming to us will be an entry-level model situated below the Canon Rebel SL1 and will be showcased at CP+ next month.

Recall that the Rebel SL1 was announced in March 2013 and turned out to be a fantastic little camera. I liked it so much that I bought one for myself. It is a great camera to carry when paired with the EF 40mm f/2.8 ST lens.

I look forward to seeing if Canon will continue this new compact line, or if this will be more like an update to the very low-end Rebel T3.

[via CR]