Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Phottix Ares Flash Trigger is Your No Frills Trigger

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Phottix Ares Flash Trigger

The Phottix Ares flash trigger is a new 8-channel transmitter and receiver units that have a range of 200m and feature a “fire-all” channel function. No advanced bells or whistles here.  Just a dumb transmitter and receiver that are aimed to be reliable and affordable.

Phottix Ares Key Features and Specs

  • 2.4GHz
  • 200+m range
  • 8 channels and Fire-All function
  • 1/250s max sync speed
  • 3.5mm sync port
  • Hot shoe
  • Triggers hot shoe flashes and studio lights
  • Rotating transmitter can be used in teh up or down position
  • Reliability digitally-encoded signals
  • Cold shoe and 1/4″ threaded insert on receiver
  • Cables and batteries included

No word on the final price yet, but since the Ares is replacing older units like the Tetra, Aster and Strato I, it’s reasonable expect a retail price point well under $100.

Check out the Phottix Online Store, Amazon or Adorama for Phottix products.

 

Phottix Mitros TTL Flash Announced for Canon, Nikon and Sony

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Phottix Mitros TTL Flash

Phottix unveiled the new Mitros TTL flash for Canon, Nikon and Sony systems.

According to Phottix, “Mitros will do everything you expect a top-of-the-line TTL flash to do. Functions include built-in IR triggering with Master and Slave modes, AF assist light, auto/manual zooming flash head, all with fast recharge times. The Phottix Mitros TTL Flash includes a USB port for firmware upgrades and a 3.5mm Sync port.”

Phottix Mitros TTL Flash Key Features

  • E-TTL, M, Multi modes
  • High Speed Sync and Rear Curtain Sync
  • Guide Number of 58
  • Auto/Manual Flash Head Zoom w/ 180° rotation and 97° tilt
  • FEC: Manual and Bracketed
  • 0.1-2.5s Recycle Times
  • IR Wireless Trigger w/ Master and Slave mode
  • Powered by 4 AA batteries
  • Port for External Battery Pack
  • 3.5mm Sync Port
  • USB Port for Updgrades

The Phottix Mitros TTL flash will be available during Q4 2012 and Q1 2013.

Check out the Phottix Online Store, Amazon or Adorama for Phottix products.

Zeiss Lenses for Sony NEX and Fuji X-Series Coming Soon

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Carl Zeiss unveiled plans at Photokina 2012 to build lenses for the Sony NEX and Fuji X-Series mirrorless cameras.

Zeiss has three prime lenses in development now – a 2.8/12, 1.8/32 and 2.8/50 macro.  What’s more is that the lenses will be AF lenses.  The Fuji X-Series versions will also feature a manual aperture setting.

Pricing is said to be similar to the Zeiss Sonnar 24mm f/1.8 for Sony Alpha cameras, which runs about $1100 USD.  Expected availability on the new Zeiss lenses is in the Spring/Summer of 2013.

Vimeo Adds Monetization with Tip Jar, Pay-to-View Coming Soon

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[vimeo http://vimeo.com/49684456 w=640&h=360]

Vimeo finally added a monetization mechanism for user videos. Vimeo’s new Tip Jar lets viewers donate funds on Vimeo Plus and Pro users’ videos.  The account holder keeps 85% of the donated tips, with the remaining 15% going to Vimeo.

The Tip Jar is already live and Plus and Pro members can activate the feature in their account now.  The Tip Jar is rolling out ahead of an upcoming pay-to-view service for Pro subscribers in 2013.  Both features could be quite a boon for indie filmmakers.

If you want to read more about it, Vincent Laforet has a great post on the new feature, as does Ryan Koo over at No Film School.

Canon 7D Has Been Cracked, Magic Lantern Firmware Finally Running On It

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Canon 7D Magic Lantern

The Canon 7D has been a tough nut to crack for the Magic Lantern firmware crew.  After 3 years in the process, they finally had a breakthrough and figured out how to run Magic Lantern as add-on software on the 7D.

Check out the video below for a demo of Magic Lantern running on the 7D.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R-teVHSdtk&w=640&h=360]

The Magic Lantern team is currently working on the debug process to get the firmware in a state for release.  You can read more and donate to the cause here at Magic Lantern’s website.

[via Planet5D]

Lexar’s New 256GB SDXC UHS-I Card is $900

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Lexar announced a new 256GB SDXC UHS-I memory card at Photokina 2012.  While Lexar get’s the claim the world’s largest SD card for a short time, the new card will retail for $900 when it arrives in stores next month.

The new card offers a minimum guaranteed read speed of 60MB/s; however, Lexar is mum on the write speed, only saying that it is slower.  Of course, the Class 10 certification means that it will handle HD video from any camera that uses SD cards, which is most likely the only real purpose for using a card this big . . . for now.

In the mean time, you can pick up a 128GB card from Lexar’s same 400X Pro line for $120.

Leica S is a 37.5MP Medium Format DSLR

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Leica S

Leica introduced the new Leica S medium format camera alongside the Leica Super-Elmar-S 24 mm f/3.5 ASPH. super-wide, the Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. and the Leica TS-APO- Elmar-S 120 mm f/5.6 ASPH. tilt/shift lens. at Photokina 2012.

The new Leica S features a medium format 37.5MP image sensor (that’s 30 x 45mm in physical size) and an improved sensitivity range over the Leica S2, now at ISO 100-1600.  When used with Leica CS lenses the Leica S offers a flash sync speed of 1/1000s

The Leica S also has an upgraded AF system with predictive AF in tracking mode, as well as built-in GPS. Additional features include a 3-inch LCD at 920k-dot res and full sRGB color space and includes Lightroom 4 for processing its RAW files.

The Leica S should be available in December 2012 for $21,950.  Check availability here at B&H Photo.