Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Photo Mechanic 4.6.4 Released

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Camera Bits has updated Photo Mechanic to version 4.6.4. Features found in version 4.6.4 of Photo Mechanic are designed to increase the speed and ease with which photographers can browse, caption and manage large digital photo collections. This latest version offers even faster browsing and new support for RAW files captured by the popular Olympus E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras as well as Phase One models, and other features designed to address overall user-friendliness across both Mac and Microsoft-based platforms.

The new version is available on Camera Bits’ website.

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

 

iPhone 4 Gets 5MP Camera, 720p HD Video, and Lots More

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Apple has just announced the iPhone 4.  Among many other new features, the iPhone 4 steps up its imaging capabilities with a 5-megapixel backlit sensor, 720p HD video capture, an LED flash and video light, touch to focus operation for both still and video and a 5x digital zoom.

What’s more, you can shoot from the front or back since cameras are on both sides of the iPhone 4.  The resolution drops to VGA-quality when using the front camera; however, the front-facing camera’s primary function seems to be dedicated to FaceTime, which is Apple’s name for video calling.

You can also download a new iMovie for iPhone app for $4.99, which gives you non-linear editing capabilities for your videos captured with your iPhone.  The iMovie app includes 5 themes, which allow you to add title sequences and different transitions.  Sliding your finger along the timeline lets you scrub through footage, just like traditional NLEs.  And, you can pinch to zoom to check out footage and details up close.  Using the iPhone’s GPS features, you can let iMovie for iPhone insert your location into your titles within videos.

If you want to put your movie to a soundtrack, you can choose from built-in music that matches the themes, or you can pull music from your song library on your iPhone.  You can also drop photos into you iMovie for iPhone project and it will automatically apply the Ken Burns effect.  Once you’re project is complete, you can email, upload to YouTube, send via MMS or share on MobileMe.  Once you sync your iPhone with your computer, the Movie will transfer during the sync process.

The iPhone 4 really steps up the game on the creativity side of things.  Only considering the new camera, HD video capture and iMovie app, the iPhone 4 seems pretty amazing.  However, these new updates only scratch the surface of the iPhone 4’s new features.  To get the full scoop, check out the iPhone 4 Overview at Tech Tilt.

Rogue FlashBenders – Flexible Light Modifiers for Speedlights

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ExpoImaging has announced a new line of flash modifiers, dubbed Rogue FlashBenders.  The new FlashBenders are designed to work with speedlights and can be shaped and positioned to help get the light from your hot shoe flashes headed in the direction you want it to go.

There are currently 3 models available – a large reflector, a small reflector, and a bounce card/flag, which retail for $39.95, $34.95 and 29.95, respectively.  You can get more details about the Rogue FlashBenders on ExpoImaging’s website.

Official press release follows. [Read more…]

Digital Cameras Are in 3% of Households in India, Canon’s Trying to Change That

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DNA India has published an interesting article on Canon’s attempt to break into and, in many ways, create a digital camera market in India.  In order to get Canon cameras into the hands of Indian consumers, Canon is taking a grass roots approach by going on a 38 city tour with all sorts of Canon cameras, lenses and accessories and simply letting people try them out. [Read more…]

Functional RED EPIC in the Wild

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The EPIC was announced by RED in November 2008, with an estimated availability date of Summer/Fall 2009.  Now that we’re pushing Summer 2010, some pre-production models are finally starting to surface.  The Bui Brothers got some hands-on time with a pre-production RED EPIC at Cine Gear 2010.  Check out the short video below to see a peek at how the EPIC handles. [Read more…]

Gorillapod Focus and Ballhead X Review: Bring Out the Big Guns

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A little while back, I put a Canon 5D Mark II and a 70-200mm lens on a tiny little Gorillapod Magnetic – and it held the combo upside down using only magnets for grip.  That was a little extreme for that little tripod though.

While Joby didn’t necessarily approve of that use (nor when I stuck my camera to a car), they must have felt sorry for me and my 5D Mark II because they sent me a heavy-duty Gorillapod Focus and Ballhead X to play with . . . and abuse a bit. [Read more…]