Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

 

Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia 70-200 Rain Cover

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Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia 70-200 Rain Cover

Think Tank Photo has released the Hydrophobia 70-200 rain cover for DSLRs with smaller lenses attached than the previously released 300-600 version. The new Hydrophobia 70-200 comes in two models, one with the flash tower and one without the flash tower.

The version with the flash tower runs $145, while the one without the flash tower is $139.

The Hydrophobia 70-200 is one of the items that Photography Bay readers can purchase and qualify for a free bag from Think Tank Photo.  Essentially, spend $50 or more on gear from Think Tank Photo, and during checkout, their system will automatically let you select a free camera bag (e.g., Lens Changer 50) along with your order.  Go to Think Tank Photo using this link and follow the on-screen instructions to get a free bag.

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

Tamron Announces First Photo Contest of Its 2010 Dusk Till Dawn Series

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Tamron Dusk Till Dawn

This year, Tamron is holding four photo contests centered around the Dusk till Dawn theme.  Today, Tamron announced the first contest with entries due March 31, 2010, which gives contestants the chance to win their choice of one of the following four lenses:

Tamron SP AF60mm F2 Di-II 1:1 Macro

Tamron SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di-II

Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 Di-II VC

Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC

You can enter on Tamron’s website.

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

Canon Patent Application Shows Sensor-Based Image Stabilization

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Canon Sensor Stabilization

In addition to the dual image viewfinder system in the recently-published Canon patent applications, the Canon applications also reveal a mechanism for sensor-based image stabilization in a DSLR.  Again, the application numbers are 12/495,813 and 12/495,814, and were each filed on July 1, 2009 and published by the USPTO on January 7, 2010.

The relevant description in the patent notes the following:

“The camera performs an image capturing operation.  In this state, an image stabilization mechanism, which is connected to the stabilization control circuit, can shift and rotate the image sensor in a predetermined direction to cancel the blur of an image.  Thus, the image stabilization mechanism can prevent the image from shifting undesirably and lowering the resolution.” – USPTO App. No. 12/495,813 at ¶ [0049]

Again, these patent applications specifically deal with the functionality of a dual image viewfinder system.  This portion of the patent claims was mentioned almost in passing and does not appear to be a material part of these patent applications.

Given Canon’s past marketing claims concerning the superiority of lens-based stabilization systems, however, I found this mention in Canon’s patent worth noting separately.

As I have said before though, this does not necessarily mean that Canon is producing a camera with a sensor-based stabilization system.

For more reading on these patent applications, see the previous post: Canon DSLR Dual Image Viewfinder

Canon DSLR Dual Image Viewfinder

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Canon DSLR Dual Viewfinder

A pair of recently published Canon patents reveal a new viewfinder system for Canon DSLRs that will allow photographers to “chimp” their shots without ever taking their eye off the viewfinder.  The patent applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) under application numbers 12/495,813 and 12/495,814 were each filed on July 1, 2009 and published by the USPTO on January 7, 2010.

The essence of the technology claimed under the patents is an advanced viewfinder system that uses a small backlit LCD or OLED inside of the finder to project previously captured images onto a mirror in the pentaprism, which in turn, is reflected toward the eye of the photographer.  As a result, the photographer sees two images in the viewfinder – the live optical image and the previously-captured image from the LCD.

The purpose of this invention, as stated in the patent, is to help the photographer be more efficient by keeping his or her eye in the viewfinder and not having to pull away from the action in order to check exposure, white balance, focus and so on. [Read more…]

Impact EX100A Monolight Kit Review

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Impact EX100A Monolight

The Impact EX100A is a basic 100 watt monolight that’s available from B&H Photo.  The EX100A is also available in a 2 monolight kit with 24″ softboxes, an umbrella, light stands and a carry case.

The EX100A 2-light kit was my first experience with using monolights, and for the $200 I spent on it, I have been pretty pleased.  Sure, it’s not AlienBees, Elinchrom or anything fancy, but not everyone needs (or can afford) those brands. [Read more…]

Canon 1D Mark IV Firmware Version 1.0.6 Coming Soon

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Canon 1D Mark IV

Canon Europe has announced a new firmware update that will be coming soon for the EOS 1D Mark IV.  The firmware version 1.0.6 will address the following issues:

AF performance has been enhanced for receding subjects and for subjects that are approaching at a low speed.

Stay tuned for more details on the availability of the firmware update.

[via Canon Europe]

CNA Introduces Tailored Insurance Coverages for Photographers and Videographers

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CNA, a large commercial insurance writer, has introduced a line of insurance products that are specifically tailored to photographers and videographers, including errors and omissions coverage related to client dissatisfaction, events that can damage reputations and legal expenses.

Details on the coverages are slim at the moment on CNA’s website, and look to be custom designed coverage based on the individual photographer’s needs.  You can get an overview of the new line of products offered by CNA in their press release below.  If it’s something that interests you, your best bet would be picking up the phone and talking over the details with a CNA agent. [Read more…]