Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Canon DSLR Instant Rebates

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Canon has announced an Instant Rebate program for certain DSLR and lens combos, which runs from November 1, 2009 through November 21, 2009 – just in time for holiday shopping lists.

The camera and lens combos are listed below, along with links to product pages for each package at B&H Photo and Adorama.  Remember, this is an instant rebate, so there’s no UPC to clip and mail-in while you wait 6-8 weeks for a check to come back.  Prices should be reflected in your checkout cart.

Canon 50D Kit w/ 28-135mm IS USM lens + EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens = Save $200

Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama

Canon Rebel T1i Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens = Save $200

Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama

Canon Rebel XSi Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens = Save $200

Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama

Canon Rebel XS Kit w/ 18-55mm IS lens + EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III lens = Save $100

Package links: B&H Photo / Adorama

 

Tamron Lens Rebates Fall 2009

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Tamron is offering mail-in rebates on several lenses through the end of the year.

The lenses are listed below, along with links to product pages for each lens at Amazon, Adorama and B&H Photo.  Additionally, you’ll need the respective rebate forms (there are different forms for different lenses), which are also linked with each lens below.

SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR VC Di II LD Aspherical IF – $25 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

SP AF60mm F/2.0 Di II LD IF 1:1 Macro – $25 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

AF18-270 F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical IF – $70 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

AF18-200 F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF Macro – $60 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

SP AF11-18 F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical IF – $75 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

SP AF17-35 F/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF – $10 rebate – Amazon – (rebate form link)

SP AF28-75 F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical IF Macro – $10 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

AF28-200 F/3.8-5.6 XR Di LD Aspherical IF Macro – $50 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

AF28-300 F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF Macro – $50 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

AF55-200 F/4-5.6 Di II LD Macro – $40 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

SP AF200-500mm F/5-6.3 Di LD IF – $30 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro – $60 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

SP AF180 F/3.5 Di LD IF 1:1 Macro – $50 rebate – Amazon / B&H Photo / Adorama – (rebate form link)

Olympus E-P2

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E-P2

Rumors are stirring of a new Micro Four Thirds camera, an Olympus E-P2, which has apparently leaked out on  Olympus’ China website.  The image above is a supposed screen capture from the site.

The E-P2 bears a striking resemblance to the Olympus E-P1.  The rumored official unveiling date for the E-P2 is November 5 or 6.  No word of specs yet.

[43rumors.com via neutralday.com]

New iMacs and Macbook . . . and Some Weekend Thoughts About Apple Stuff

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Apple 27-inch iMac

No bones about it, Apple makes some nice computers.  The new iMacs offer a very sleek package and take up a tiny footprint compared to the typical desktop.  Additionally, the new MacBook adds the popular unibody design of the Macbook Pro laptops and keeps the same smidgen-under-$1000 price tag.

Photographers seem to love Macs.  Sure, there are plenty of “Windows photographers” out there, but the thought of a 27″ backlit LCD screen on the new iMac powering Photoshop Lightroom or CS4 makes us all a little giddy inside, right?  While I opted for a Windows-based computer on my last update, the recurrence of driver issues and small niggling bugs lately has prompted me to consider another Mac.  I still have my 1st-gen 17″ G5 iMac on the desk that sees occasional use; however, it’s begging for more horsepower when it comes to processing images nowadays. [Read more…]

Gigapan Epic Does 2,904 Megapixels at 2009 World Series

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Bergman 2009 World Series Gigapan

Image Credit: David Bergman (used with permission)

David Bergman took a prototype version of the Gigapan Epic to the World Series Game 1 and used it to create an enormous 2,904-megapixel image from 675 photos.

David explains the process that he used to capture this image with a Nikon D700 and 400mm focal length on his blog.  For instance, the white band in the center of the image is from rain that came and went while capturing all those shots – the process took almost an hour.  You can read about it here.

Additionally, the entire image is on MLB.com, where you can zoom in to see the faces of almost every fan and player at the stadium.  It’s pretty amazing that you can clearly make out Alec Baldwin sitting behind home plate (you know you’re going to check that out now…).

Bergman says he plans on capturing another mega-pano with the Gigapan Epic during the World Series.  Hopefully, he’ll get through it without rain next time.

Canon G11 ISO Test

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The Canon G11 is the latest in a long line of solid compact cameras.  One of the big buzz features about the G11 was Canon’s decision to drop from 14.7-megapixels in the G10 down to 10-megapixels in the G11.  It finally seems like the marketing department has listened a bit to the cries from the prosumer audience who say that more megapixels is not necessarily the answer.  Canon has embraced the growing voice of critics with the launch of the G11 stating, “You asked, and Canon not only listened, but delivered big-time.”  So, does Canon deliver big-time in the noise department with the G11? [Read more…]

Manfrotto 732CY Carbon Fiber Tripod

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The Manfrotto 732CY is the latest addition to the M-Y family of tripods.  The 732CY uses carbon fiber to reduce weight down near the two-pound threshold.

Key specs of the Manfrotto 732CY include the following:

  • 52.95″ max height
  • 16.73″ closed height
  • 2.09 lbs.
  • 7.7 lbs. max capacity

The Manfrotto 732CY carries an initial retail price of $200.

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