Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Scott Kelby has posted his review of the Nikon D300 and really thinks that it kicks butt.
Nitpicking above aside, the D300 is a much better, more fully featured update to the D200 than I had ever imagined it would be. How much so? Well, needless to say, I’m selling my D200 (through the EquipmentLady.com), but I guess what I’m most shocked about is that I’m going to sell my Nikon D2Xs now, too.
Get more news and reviews for the Nikon D300 on this page.
[tags]nikon, d300, review[/tags]
Since Kodak announced its plans to discontinue HIE-135 film . . .
KODAK is preannouncing the discontinuance of several smaller running families of Professional film – EPR, EPN and High Speed Infrared (HIE) effective end of December 2007. Demand for these products has been declining significantly in recent years, and it is no longer practical to continue to manufacture given the low volume, the age of the product formulations and the complexity of the processes involved.
We will continue to ship product through the end of this year. (Kodak.com)
. . . James C. Williams has started a jihad to save it.
Important to this cause is the fact that Kodak is listening:
Below I have copied an email I just sent to Patrick Hamilton, Public Relations Director, Kodak CDG EAMER: patrick.hamilton@kodak.com
Mr. Hamilton has encouraged me to write Kodak and is aware that I am attempting to start an email campaign to save HIE-135. He has assured me that he will get the messages to the appropriate people.
You can see James’ email to Kodak, along with emails from others, on this thread over at Photo.net.
If you shoot film or have been thinking about shooting film, consider picking up a roll of HIE-135 from B&H Photo or Calumet, a couple of the few places that I’ve been able to find it online. Thirteen bucks isn’t much for a good deed this time of year (I’ve ordered a roll from B&H for myself). Also, send an email to Patrick Hamilton at Kodak if you like the stuff.
UPDATE: Kodak has heard the voices of many and still refuses to keep HIE-135 alive. Amatuer Photographer published a portion of Kodak’s statement on the matter:
While we very much appreciate the correspondence we’ve received from some photographers – who use our infrared film and would like to be able to purchase it in 2008 and beyond – the fact is the decline in the use of infrared film has been so substantial over the years that it is no longer practical for Kodak to continue to manufacture the film given the extremely low demand and volume, the age of the product formulations and the complexity of the processes involved.
The Canon EF-S f/2.8 60mm Macro USM is a portrait-length lens designed for Canon APS-C sized DSLRs like the Canon Rebel XTi and Canon 40D. This lens has an angle of view is equivalent to a 96mm lens on a 35mm camera, with a floating optical system that can focus down to full life-size (1:1) magnification. Inner focusing, driven by a silent and powerful ring-type USM, means the lens’ overall length never changes during focus. It has frequently been heralded as L-quality glass by reviewers and in photography forums around the web. [Read more…]
Popular Photography has put the Nikon D300 through the ringer and is very pleased with the results.
A major factor in the D300’s stellar image quality is the new Sony-made 12.3MP (effective) CMOS sensor that captures RAW data with up to 14 bits of color per red, green, and blue channels. Most other DSLRs in this class only provide 12 bits per channel. This gives the D300 an advantage in reproducing fine color gradations, shadow details, and wider dynamic range. But it also increases the file size of images recorded in the 14-bit mode (selectable over normal 12-bit RAW). (Read more)
Popular Photography also named the Nikon D300 its “Camera of the Year,” beating out competitors like the Olympus E-3, Canon’s 40D and Sony’s A700.
You can follow all of the Nikon D300 news and reviews on this page. (Thanks for the tip Jeff.)
Are you looking for magazines that might publish your photos? This article gives you some good hints which mag might be the best for you.
Phil Holland has posted his extensive review of the Canon 1Ds Mark III:
After shooting with the camera with a few days under numerous conditions I can confidently say the Canon 1Ds Mark III is easily the most versatile full frame digital SLR currently available. Currently the only thing similar on the market is the camera it’s replacing. The 1Ds Mark II. In terms of pure image resolution the only cameras that come close are digital medium format bodies and backs. I’ve used a range of PhaseOne backs now and I know they can squeeze out more detail. That said you lose a lot of flexibility for that gain in resolution and in price point.
You can follow the latest reviews of the Canon 1Ds Mark III on this page.
[tags]canon, eos, 1ds mark iii, review[/tags]
2StepSteve has posted a couple of comparisons of his new Canon 18-55mm IS lens and is older 18-55mm kit lens in a gallery on his SmugMug page. Click on the above image for a closer view of the compelling differences between the two lenses. That’s quite a difference for a lens under $200.
Thanks for posting this Steve and for enabling sharing on SmugMug.
[tags]canon, ef-s, 18-55mm is, lens, review, comparison[/tags]
Originally uploaded by azpix2007
Shot with a Canon 40D, 580EX and 2 Vivitar 285s.
[tags]photo of the day, christmas card, baby, santa suit, flash, canon, 40d, 580ex, vivitar, 285[/tags]
Best Price Cameras is attempting to capitalize on the Canon 5D Mark II rumors even though there has been no official word that this camera will ever exist. According to the product page, the Canon 5D Mark II is a 16MP camera.
Hold your horses though before you try to buy something from these yahoos. [Read more…]
The Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens is a wide-to-tele zoom lens designed for Canon APS-C sized DSLRs like the Canon Rebel XTi and Canon 40D. It has the 35mm focal length equivalent of 28-135mm. It has Canon’s Image Stabilization system, allowing safe hand-holding at speeds up to three stops slower than otherwise possible. A ring-type USM means both fast and silent AF, as well as full-time manual focus when in the AF mode. It also has a non-rotating front element and the lens length does not change during zooming. [Read more…]