Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Nikon D300 Firmware Update

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Nikon has released a firmware update for the D300. The new Version 1.02 adresses “[a]n issue that, in rare cases, caused vertical bands (lines) to appear in images captured at shutter speeds slower than 8s has been resolved.” You can download the firmware update via the following pages:

D300 Firmware update 1.02 – Windows

D300 Firmware update 1.02 – Macintosh

 

Nikon D300 Review at Photo.net

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Photo.net has posted a full review of the Nikon D300, which they were very impressed with – as most reviewers have been.

The D300 is a strong successor to the D200. The D300 maintains all of the D200’s advantages as an excellent general-purpose, prosumer DSLR and improves on several key areas. For about $3000 less, the D300 offers Nikon’s current best AF module, which is also featured in their top professional model, the D3. With the Multi-CAM 3500 and the ability to capture 8 fps, the D300 also replaces the D2H and D2X as Nikon’s top DX-sensor DSLR suitable for action and sports photography. (Read the whole review.)

For the latest news and reviews, check out the Photography Bay’s Nikon D300 page.

Olympus E-430

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Rumors and photos of an alleged Olympus E-430 have surfaced on the web. The E-430 would most likely serve as a step-up to the outdated E-330. If this is true, it may be a sign of things to come for the E-410 and E-510 successors. Interestingly, the E-430 would go a long way in bridging the gap between the E-330 and E-410. Maybe Olympus has the idea of consolidating its camera line? Other than the unique body design, some of the headline features are as follows:

  • New 12MP Live MOS sensor and TruePic III processor
  • CCD-shift image stabilization
  • Live View
  • Flip-out and up 2.5″ TFT LCD monitor
  • Faster USB interface (‘real’ USB 2.0 speed)
  • Wired remote option
  • Slightly higher continuous shooting frame rate and larger raw buffer

Stay tuned to this page for the latest news and rumors on the Olympus E-430.

Updates

2/18/08: Camera Town reports that this rumor looks like a hoax.  I tend to agree.  Read the post on Camera Town for more.

Nikon P5100 Reviews

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The Nikon P5100 is the top-of-the-line COOLPIX point & shoot camera in Nikon’s lineup. It features 12.1 megapixels, a 3.5x zoom (35-123mm), a hotshoe for Nikon Speedlights and the EXPEED digital image processor. Further, the P5100 has the ability to shoot images at ISO 3200 with image files sizes at 5 megapixels. The P5100 also features Nikon’s lens-based VR (Vibration Reduction). The street price of this point & shoot digicam is about $300. [Read more…]

Apple Releases Aperture 2

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Aperture 2Earlier today Apple announced the release of Aperture 2, which is the follow-up to Apples original streamlined RAW image editor. At $100, Aperture 2 is a force to be reckoned with and could attract a few photographers that are in a coin-tossing mode between Aperture and Adobe Lightroom. The new, improved Aperture 2 has over 100 new features.  Update:  Also available for $189 from Amazon.  Some of the highlighted features are as follows:

  • Image adjustment controls such as Highlight Recovery, Definition, Vibrancy, and Vignette
  • Retouch tool with soft-edged brush to remove unwanted elements from photos.
  • Next-generation RAW image processing for highest-quality images
  • Quick Preview mode for rapid-fire photo browsing
  • Simplified user interface that maximizes screen space and provides direct access to your iPhoto library from within Aperture
  • Integration with .Mac Web Gallery to instantly publish your photos, allowing visitors to view and download images [Read more…]

45 Photo Sharing Sites

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A while back, I posted 7 Alternatives to Flickr. I asked for your thoughts on my suggested alternatives and other recommendations that you had. I got more than I bargained for in your comments. I quickly realized that I had left many great sites out of my abbreviated list. Due to all of your great suggestions, I felt that you deserved a more complete list of photo sharing sites. I’ve included my original 7, all of your suggestions and a few others that I’ve scoured the web to find. Read on for 45 ways to share your photos. [Read more…]

New DSLR for You?

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Got additional commentary? Sound off in the comments below.

Canon’s Iris Registration Mode – Biological Copyright Metadata

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Canon is using Iris watermarking to take photographer’s copyright protection to the next level.

. . . to provide an imaging apparatus that makes it possible to protect the copyright of photographic images by reliably acquiring biological information of a photographer . . .  – US Patent Application No. 2008/0025574

Stories like the recent discovery of Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir’s stolen Flickr images that surfaced on iStockphoto make all photographers cringe.  Many photographers go to great lengths to protect their images.  Past attempted solutions include watermarks on the front of images.  I can recall this practice from my childhood years with the Olan Mills studio gold embossing in the bottom corner.

More recently, in the digital age of photography, watermarking in Photoshop or other image editing software.  While visible watermarks are common among a variety of photographers, invisible watermarks (“electronic or digital watermarks“), which are embedded in the image file,  are somewhat less prevalent – but gaining ground and acceptance among photographers.  Companies like Digimarc are pressing the digital watermark cause to protect photographer’s and other author’s data.

Camera companies are pushing forward as well.  Stories like that of Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir help increase the desirability and demand for practical copyright solutions in modern digital photography. [Read more…]

New Duds for Photography Bay

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In case you didn’t notice, Photography Bay has undergone a few slight changes.  I’m still working out all the kinks – it’s been smoother than I expected (*knock on wood); however, I imagine that there are a few gremlins floating around in here.  If you notice any, I would appreciate a comment in the affected post or you can email contact@photographybay.com.

Oh yeah, what do you think about the new site design?  I’ve been working out the bugs and graphics this week and it’s been a long night so far.  Do you have any suggestions now that I’m in pre-Spring cleaning mode?  One of the main reasons I wanted to change things up was due to the narrow content area in the previous site design.  This is a “photography” site and I couldn’t even post a medium size photo.  Now, there’s plenty of room for 500px-wide images!

Also, I’ve done away with ads at the top of posts on a trial basis.  While there’s an ad at the top of the main page, you won’t see anymore ads between the title of posts and the content within.  Hopefully, this will remain a permanent practice here as long as ad revenue continues to cover costs.

Again, I’m interested in your thoughts, questions, comments or derogatory remarks.  Fire away in the comments below.