Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Canon issued a product advisory for the new EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens. The AF may stop working when enough pressure is applied to the lens barrel while attached to a camera.
The current fix is to remove the lens and reattach it. A firmware update should be available soon to fix the problem altogether.
I haven’t experienced this problem yet.
You can read the full product advisory below. [Read more…]
Check out the above behind-the-scenes video of Annie Leibovitz’s work on the new Disney campaign featuring loads of famous actors portraying also-famous Disney characters.
On more with Russell Brand as Captain Hook below.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujy6HTOjeQE&w=640&h=360]
The Sony NEX line is already knocking it out of the park, so this news comes as icing on the cake. SonyAlphaRumors.com has good word that the upcoming Sony NEX-5R (which will replace the NEX-5N) will sport a new 16MP CMOS sensor with phase detection AF sensors built as pixels directly on the sensor.
For those unfamiliar with the tech, phase detection AF is what’s used in all DSLRs; however, most mirrorless cameras to date have featured a contrast detection AF method. The contrast AF system has gotten better in recent years – with Sony, Panasonic and Olympus doing a bang-up job of making it much faster in the latest models. However, if you’ve used both a DSLR and a mirrorless camera, then you know that DSLRs just focus faster . . . and that’s due to phase detection AF.
The recently announced Canon EOS M features a phase detection AF method at the pixel level as well. And, Canon even introduced the feature into the Canon Rebel T4i. While the Rebel T4i certainly does a better job at AF than other traditional DSLRs, it still has a ways to go based on my early testing with the camera for full time AF during video. Hopefully, the EOS M performs much better than the Rebel T4i’s AF.
But Sony is really sneaking up on Canon and Nikon. Frankly, I think Sony is the manufacturer to beat at this point in the mirrorless market. If the new NEX-5R steps up the game with an even better AF system than exists in current NEX models, then it’s going to be hard for others to really push past.
Not only does this video win the cheesy award, but the advice it gives to the target audience (apparently those with drastically reduced IQs) flags warning signs for things both pro and amateur photographers do on a daily basis.
Not really what we need the government telling us right now given the current attitude of law enforcement to photographers in public spaces.
[via Chase Jarvis]
If anybody is going to do it, it would be Sony.
The same company that jumped out in front with the NEX-VG10, then the FS100, and then the high frame rate FS700 that shook everything up could be stirring another big pot with a full frame camera that shoots 120 fps at 1080p.
Moreover, SonyAlphaRumors.com reports on potential specifications that include 1080p video at 50Mbps at 4:2:2 sampling, among other highly sought after video specs noted below.
That reads more like a wish list than an actual spec sheet for a DSLR-style camera. But if anyone would drop this in a sub-$5k DSLR, Sony would. Expect lots more noise from Sony in the lead-up to Photokina 2012.
As an update to the Canon Rebel T4i service notice last month, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall for certain serial numbers of the Canon Rebel T4i. Also note that Canon has just issued an update to its previous service notice for additional serial numbers that were not initially reported as affected units. [Read more…]
Photo Mechanic 5 is finally available as a full release. Photo Mechanic has been the industry standard for image management in the photo journalist world for years. Version 5 adds “significantly improved metadata handing capabilities” with all major IPTC fields supported.
Additionally, Camera Bits claims that it has made Photo Mechanic even faster, which sounds amazing given just how fast the prior version of Photo Mechanic is.
Photo Mechanic 5 is available for new users for $150. Existing users can snag the upgrade for $90. Additional sale prices are available at launch through August 20, 2012. More details on Photo Mechanic’s website.
Panasonic has announced the new AG-AC90 AVCCAM HD camcorder, which features 3-MOS image sensors capturing HD video at 1080/60p, 60i, 30p and 24p.
The pro camcorder features a stabilized 12x optical zoom lens (29.8-357.6mm equivalent) and three independent adjustable rings for zoom, focus and iris. The AC90 records to two SD card slots with support for SDXC and UHS-1. Data rates measure 28Mbps for 60p only and 21Mbps average for other 1080 frame rates. Lower data rates are available for extended recording times.
The AC90 also includes dual XLR inputs and a built-in stereo mic. The camera has both an eye-piece viewfinder and a 3.5-inch LCD monitor at 1.15MP resolution.
The Pansonic AG-AC90 will be available in late fall 2012 at a targeted $2250 retail price. Check for availability at B&H Photo.
Adorama has a limited quantity of Nikon D800 in stock. Also, the Nikon D4 is in stock and shipping from Adorama.
onOne has a new collection of Lightroom 4 presets that are available for free download. You just have to give your name and email and onOne will send you a link to the free download. Check them out here at onOne’s website.