Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Site Update

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Photography Bay is now on its new server, which will hopefully lead to better stability and faster load times.

We lost some comments from today and last night, but shouldn’t have a problem going forward.  Sorry to those of you whose comments ended up in the cybertrash somewhere.

We’re still chasing some gremlins, and will be making some cosmetic updates over the next day or two.  If you see anything that looks way out of place for too long, let me know via a comment or the contact form.

Have a happy and safe New Year!

 

“Idiot With a Tripod” Deserving of Oscar says Ebert, Shot With Canon 7D

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During the snow storm in NYC a few days ago, Jamie Stuart grabbed his Canon 7D, a tripod and a heavy coat, then headed out into the elements to capture what Roger Ebert says “deserves to win the Academy Award for best live-action short subject. (1) Because of its wonderful quality. (2) Because of its role as homage. It is directly inspired by Dziga Vertov’s 1929 silent classic “Man With a Movie Camera.” (3) Because it represents an almost unbelievable technical proficiency.”

Worldwide License for Your Twitter Photos Shot Down by Federal Judge

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Twitter Logo

This is a follow-up to the previous post that looked at the potential dangers of sharing/licensing photos on Twitter.  And, since I’m talking about legal issues, let me go ahead and get my disclaimer out of the way…

While I am a lawyer, I am not your lawyer and this is an editorial commentary on newsworthy issues rather than legal advice.  Remember that one too – unless you’re paying a lawyer, you aren’t really getting legal advice, and what you are getting on blogs, forums and, for that matter, Twitter is worth just what you paid for it.  Seriously, remember that the next time you want to rely on someone’s advice on a forum.  The judge won’t be too keen on a printout of a blog post when you hand it to him as “evidence.”

Can a News Agency Use Photos You Share on Twitter?

The last time around, we talked about whether sharing your photos on Twitter gave Twitter a license to use your photos however it sees fit.  This time, we’re talking about a third-party news agency using photos shared on Twitter and one photographer who jumped right into the thick of it. [Read more…]

Olympus E-PL2 Rumored for CES 2011

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With CES 2011 coming up next week, the rumor mill is picking up for new camera models to be released at or around the show.  Near the top of the rumor list is an Olympus E-PL2 with a new high-res display, sensitivity up to ISO 6400 and a direct video record button.

If the above image is the real deal, it looks quite similar (if not a little sleeker) to the popular Olympus E-PL1, for which this new camera should serve as a direct replacement.  Let’s hope they add in a peppier autofocus too…

[via Photo Rumors]

Canon 7D vs. ARRI Alexa: You Get What You Pay For…

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In still image files shot with the Canon 7D and other DSLRs, we have the luxury of using RAW format to capture each frame and get a tremendous amount of latitude (exposure and color range in over/under-exposed shots) out of those files in post production.  Unfortunately, when it comes to video capture, DSLRs like the Canon 7D spit out a highly compressed file that has nowhere near the amount of latitude you get from a RAW still image file.

While the below video comparison may seem silly in some respects for comparing a $1500 camera to a $65,000+ (depending on the configuration) camera, it is also very useful to those new to HDSLR video – as a way to demonstrate (1) just how limited these cameras are when it comes to capturing video, and (2) just how much more important a perfect exposure is when recording video. [Read more…]

Samsung NX11 Announced

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The Samsung NX11 is a follow-up to the Samsung’s first NX-series camera, the NX10.  The new NX11 features a 14.6MP CMOS sensor, a 3-inch AMOLED screen, and can capture 720p HD video.

The NX11 also features the new i-Function, which was introduced in the recent, more compact NX100 model.  The NX11 is packaged with an 18-55mm i-Function kit lens.

Alongside the NX11, Samsung is introducing two new i-Functions lenses:  a 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens and a 20mm f/2.8 prime.

The Samsung NX11 kit carries an initial retail price of $649 and should be available in February 2011.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

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

Samsung WB700 Announced

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The Samsung WB700 is a new superzoom camera with an 18x optical zoom and a 1.3x “Smart Zoom” (as Samsung calls it).  The WB700 sports a 16MP sensor and can record 1080p HD video in H.264 format.

The WB700 will be available in April 2011 for an initial retail price of $299.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

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

Free Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 30 Still Up for Grabs

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We’re getting close to the end, but you still have a chance to get a Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 30 camera bag for free from Photography Bay.

If you want in on the action, click here for details.

Once we give this camera bag away, there’s another, bigger prize that will be up for grabs.  So, after you enter to win (or if you’ve already done so), encourage your photography pals to do the same.

Speedliter’s Handbook Now Shipping

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I just got a tip that the Syl Arena’s Speedliter’s Handbook is now shipping from Amazon.

If you aren’t familiar with it, this book is all about learning to shoot with Canon’s E-TTL flash system.  In Syl’s words, “It’s almost 400 pages, includes 800 photos, 100 diagrams, and 39 shoots detailed on 2-page spreads. If you shoot small flash (any brand), then 70% will be of interest. If you shoot Canon Speedlites, then 110% of the book will be of interest.”

The Speedliter’s Handbook retails for $49.99, but it’s currently up for grabs on Amazon for $31.49.