Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Reader Question: Wide Angle Digital Cameras?

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Here’s a reader question that asks for recommendations for wide angle digital cameras suitable for real estate appraisers.  Do you have some advice to offer this experienced real estate appraiser to help him get better images?

I’ve been a real estate appraiser for twenty years. Finding a true wide angle camera with a decent zoom capability, is very difficult. Most appraisers and real estate agents need a well made camera that will shoot interiors and exteriors and produce a quality photo.

Optical view finders have been replaced by LCD screens that are impossible to see in the bright sun light.  I’ve tried the dual lens camera and the latest wide angle camera are not as wide as needed. I have a number of cameras but the one I use more than others, is a Kodak DC5000 with a 28mm lens.

There must be a good market for a wide angle camera of this type. I would like to hear from some folks with a similar problem and some good ideas that will resolve this dilemma. Helpful ideas?

I’m going to start off with a recommendation to visit the Photography for Real Estate Blog and browse around for useful tips and techniques.

Now, the spotlight is on Photography Bay readers.  I’ll let you guys handle the camera recommendations. What are architecture and real estate shooters using out there?  Based on his question and current gear, let’s think about mostly point and shoot solutions and perhaps some useful suggestions on low-end DSLRs.

Fire away with your advice, recommendations and thoughts in the comments below.

 

Nikon D60 Replacement Has a Flip Screen LCD?

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UPDATE 4/14/09:  The Nikon D5000 is official and, yes, it has a flip-screen LCD.  Details here.

According to this forums post (you’ll have to look past the pop-up ads), someone nabbed this shot of what appears to be a Nikon D60-sized DSLR with a flip screen LCD.  You can even seen the Nikon label upside down on the panel’s LCD.

Something Awful forum member indyjb got the shot and claims that it comes from a commercial shoot “somewhere in Eastern Europe.”  indyjb also claims to have plenty more pics of the mystery-DSLR as well.  He says:

Correct me if I’m wrong, but as far as I know there is not a Nikon DSLR with a flip screen.

I have more and better pictures if people are interested.

We’re interested. Please, do share.

[Thanks to the eagle-eyed reader that sent this in.]

Nikon D400 Coming April 14th-ish?

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Several dates have recently surfaced regarding the release of the Nikon D400, which everyone thought would appear at PMA.  With Canon’s announcement of the Rebel T1i out of the way, many expect Nikon’s D400 news to be imminent.  The consensus appears to be April 14th as the date Nikon has invited certain publications to a press conferences.

Additional speculation suggests that it may not be the D400 that arrives, but rather a D40/D60 line of camera that is introduced.  Of course, Nikon could drop a couple of new models like they did with the D3/D300 combo.

Nikon Rumors put together a translated version of a press invite, which suggests multiple products released on April 14.

Nikon Launches New Products in Spring!

Dear xxxxx,

Nikon is pleased to offer you its exclusive new product highlights to be able to imagine.
On this occasion, Nikon Austria you would like to cordially invite a press breakfast.
In good tradition, the breakfast at the Hotel Sacher again instead.

Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2009
in: Hotel Sacher
1010 Vienna, Philharmonikerstrasse 4
at: 09:30 clock

Following the presentation is available from Nikon happy to take questions from you and looks forward to a stimulating exchange of information.
We look forward to your visit and ask for your response to Mr. xxxxx,
Yours sincerely,
xxxxx

[via nikonrumors]

For the latest news and rumors, stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Nikon D400 page. Also, keep up with the Nikon D65 rumors.

Casio Exilim EX-FC100 Review at Cruchgear

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Crunchgear has posted a review of the Casio Exilim EX-FC100.

This is easily the most versatile camera on the market, and $350 is a price I’d pay myself for these capabilities. This camera carries the highest recommendation I can give (until its successor comes out), not only to regular picture takers who want a camera that does cool stuff, but also to serious photographers with DSLRs that want to have a pocket camera but don’t want to give up the ability to get that perfect shot.

Additionally, check out Photography Bay’s Casio FC100 Hands-On Review.

Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 Review at DP Interface

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DP Interface has posted a review of the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000.

The Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 is one of the more hardy rugged cameras in the current market. This little 12 megapixel camera is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof. So you can definitely bring the Stylus Tough 8000 on your next visit to Alaska or sit down and have lunch without having to pull the camera out of your back pocket first.

Think Tank Streetwalker HardDrive Winner

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The winner of the Think Tank Streetwalker HardDrive backpack giveaway was Alan Gornstein.  I asked Alan to share a little bit about himself as a photographer.  His reply follows:

I’m an old Nikon and Kodachrome hand. Love the technical end and used to develope my own slides and make Cibachrome Pro prints. Even mixed my own chemicals. After my kids talked me into a point and shoot, the Nikons were put in the display case, and I never looked back! The timing of this win couldn’t be better-I just got a G1 with the 15-45 and 45-200 lenses, and don’t have anything to put them in.

Thanks to everyone that took time to enter.  Also, a big thanks to Think Tank Photo for sponsoring the contest.

If you read the Streetwalker HardDrive review and are wanting to pick up some gear from Think Tank, remember that you can get extra gear for free if you spend more than $50 and order through this link for Photography Bay readers.

The current freebies include the following choices:

All the Other Stuff ($34.95)

Lens Changer 50 ($27.95)

Lens Drop In ($34.95)

Lightning Fast ($35.00)

Ritz Camera Store Closings

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Ritz Camera Centers, Inc. (the brick and mortar stores, not the online stores) is going to start liquidating stores on Saturday, April 4, 2009 as part of its reorganization process. Over 300 stores across the nation will be closing. As a result, you may be able to find some deals in the coming weeks.

See the press release below for more details. Additionally, a complete list of store locations that are closing is listed below. [Read more…]

Canon EOS 50D Review at DP Interface

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DP Interface has posted a review of the Canon 50D.

The camera offers a lot of functionality for photo enthusiasts and professionals, yet still has a small handful of scene modes and Creative Auto mode which appeal to users who want to enter and test the waters of the digital SLR world (if they’re daring enough to start out with this camera).

For the latest news and reviews, check out Photography Bay’s Canon 50D Reviews and Resources.