Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony A57 Launches w/ 16MP & 1080/60p Video

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Sony A57

The Sony A57 is the latest Alpha model utilizing Translucent Mirror Technology – and it steps up the game from its predecessor, the Sony A55.

Priced at $700 for the body, the A57 piles it on in terms of features, offering a 16.1MP resolution CMOS sensor (APS-C format) and the AVCHD 2.0 progressive codec, which allows the A57 to capture 1080p video at a full 60p frame rate – a feature both Canon and Nikon HDSLR shooters have been screaming for on the high-end models (let alone entry-level cameras in the A57 price range).

Sony continues its tradition of fast live-view AF thanks to the Translucent Mirror Technology, which allows users to view the image on the rear LCD or in the electronic viewfinder – all the while maintaining the rapid and accurate AF acquisition that DSLR shooters are accustomed to.

Alongside the A57, Sony announced the HVL-LE1 continuous light for $250, which comes complete with an Alpha shoe mount and barn doors.

The Sony A57 should be available in March at an initial retail price of $700 for the body only, or $800 with the 18-55mm kit lens.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

 

Editing Video in Photoshop CS6

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD3sh6iT72Y&w=640&h=360]

Take a look at the above video, which was completely edited in Photoshop (CS6 maybe?).

Right now, you can edit videos in Photoshop CS5 Extended.  I’ve done it in the past even with plug-ins applied to video footage.  However, if I can get the look I’m after in Premiere Pro or After Effects, I’m going to do that because the process is more streamlined (for now).

However, I’m excited to see what Adobe has up its sleeve because of the following statement at the Photoshop blog from Photoshop Senior Product Manager, Bryan O’Neil Hughes: [Read more…]

Canon Cinema EOS Teaser for April 15

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Canon NAB Teaser

As expected, it looks like Canon has big plans in place for NAB 2012.  Engdaget broke news of this teaser, which takes place the night before the NAB Show exhibits open.  While the Internet is scrambling at guesses of what this “exclusive screening” will be, it seems rather clear that it will relate to the new Cinema EOS line (see prior invite below). [Read more…]

Canon 5D3, Nikon D4 and D800 Shipping/Availability Updates

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Nikon D800 Shipping Soon

Recent stock updates on major retailers suggest that the Canon 5D Mark III, Nikon D4 and Nikon D800 will all ship in March.  Those who are on some of the pre-order lists will be seeing their new cameras in the next couple of weeks.

Check ship dates and pre-order options for these cameras below.

Canon 5D Mark III (expected ship date of March 22)

Nikon D800 (expected ship date of March 20-22)

Nikon D4 (expected ship date of March 20-22)

Vello 5D Mark II and 7D Battery Grip Review

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Vello Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark II

Vello Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark II

Previously, I did a comparison review of battery grips for the Canon 5D Mark II – specifically, the Canon BG-E6 battery grip with third party grips from Zeikos (apparently, no longer available) and Vivitar.  My conclusion was that both of the third-party grips performed comparably to the more expensive Canon-branded grip.  As a supplement to that review, I’m casting the Vello BG-C2 grip for the Canon 5D Mark II and the Vello BG-C4 battery grip for the Canon 7D into the comparison. [Read more…]

Sony NEX-FS100 Serious Firmware Upgrade on March 22

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Sony FS100

DSLR News Shooter has confirmed a firmware upgrade for the Sony NEX-FS100, which will add some long-awaited features to the camera.  Among the new features:

  1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920×1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280×720 50p.
  2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
  3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
  4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
  5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
  6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
  7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
  8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
  9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real-time to image file.

I can’t express how happy I am to see that the expanded focus will get a bump from the lowly 2x that it shipped with.  Likewise, the camera profile loading from memory cards will be welcomed to those of us who hate customizing the profiles one variable at a time.  Loads of other worthwhile upgrades makes this one seem like Sony has been reading users’ wishlists.

The firmware update should hit on March 22. I’ll be sure to update as soon as I see it available.