Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Originally uploaded by michaeluyttersp
Recent news of the Microsoft bid for Yahoo has sparked a Flickr revolt. Users have banded together and formed the MICROSOFT: KEEP YOUR EVlL GRUBBY HANDS OFF OF OUR FLICKR (Pool).
This is one of the many anti-MS images in the pool.
Stephen Shankland has got more on the story over at Cnet’s Underexposed.
[tags]microsoft, yahoo, flickr[/tags]
Per RobGalbraith.com:
Starting on February 1, 2008, Canon USA began informing key photographers and key organizations using the EOS-1D Mark III that engineers at Canon in Japan have developed a new fix for the camera’s autofocus, a fix that’s in addition to the change in the sub-mirror mechanism and firmware updates introduced in 2007. (Continue reading. . .)
Here’s Photography Bay’s original post for some background on the EOS-1D Mark III AF issue. If you’ve got some time to kill, there’s a ton of information on the issue at RobGalbraith.com.
[tags]canon, 1d, mark iii, af, problem[/tags]
Industry’s First 1.4 Micron, 5 Megapixel, High-ISO CMOS Sensor Combines Two New KODAK Technologies for Better Pictures from a Smaller Sensor
ROCHESTER, N.Y. –(Business Wire)– Feb. 4, 2008 Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) is enabling a new level of performance in consumer imaging devices by redesigning the basic building blocks used to collect light and is incorporating that technology into a brand-new sensor. [Read more…]
Sunpak hasn’t necessarily had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation of their PMA announcements; however, they’ve dropped several products into their 2008 lineup at PMA. What caught my eye first was the Sunpak PZ42X shoemount flash for Canon and Nikon with E-TTL II and i-TTL support, respectively.
Here’s the details on all the new stuff from Sunpak, starting with the PZ42X flash:
Sunpak PZ42X
As noted above, it’s compatible with the latest Canon E-TTL II or Nikon i-TTL DSLR cameras. The PZ42X has many advanced features, such as automatic zoom head from 24-105mm, bounce and swivel capabilities, built in wide angle diffuser and AF assist. It’s guide number is 138 (ISO 100/feet). It also offers an LCD display and controls for manual flash output, digital or film lens coverage and zoom head settings.
Price of admission? $150.
Consider that the Canon 430EX is priced over $240 and doesn’t offer any manual controls. If you want manual output control on a new Canon flash then you’ll be spending over $350 on the Canon 580EX II. (*Update: Both Canon flashes have manual controls, the 430EX down to 1/64. This is a significant upgrade from the 420EX that the 430EX replaces. Thanks for pointing this error out labolstad.)
I’ve been using a Nikon SB-24 and SB-26 coupled with the Cactus V2s wireless triggers for my off-camera flash setup on my Canon Rebel XT. The PZ42X would be a great alternative since I could also stick it on the hotshoe and get proper metering and autoexposure. The manual controls, including the ability to adjust output down to 1/64, would also be a great addition to a wireless speedlight system for me and the other Strobist followers out there. Look for it to appear on Adorama and B&H Photo.
PRO Series Tripods and Monpod
From Sunpak:
The PRO Series carbon fiber tripods and monopod are ultra-light, full-size models that are among the lightest, most portable and affordable in their class. All leg sections are constructed of strong, durable, lightweight carbon fiber. The aluminum chassis incorporates three position leg angle adjusters for providing mid and low-angle grounder adjustment, chassis spirit level and center column tensioning adjustment. Other combined features include rubber guarded twist lock legs, leg warmers, removable center column hook, reversible anti-rotation center column, second short reversible anti-rotation center column and retractable rubber spiked feet.
The PRO 523P, 623P, 624P and 723P tripods include an aluminum 3-way pan head with quick release platform. The 723B comes with a heavy duty ball head with dual adjustable tension settings and also incorporates a quick release platform. All the PRO Series carbon fiber tripods come with a padded case with neoprene shoulder strap and include a compartment for the second short reversible anti-rotation center column.
The street prices of the PRO Series carbon fiber tripods and monopod are:
PRO 523P $199.95
PRO 623P $239.95
PRO 624P $249.95
PRO 723P $279.95
PRO 723B $304.95
PRO 724M $74.95
and all units are currently shipping. (links are to B&H Photo)
FlexPods
Sunpak also announced several new FlexPods, even one with a pan head. From Sunpak:
The Sunpak FlexPod Pro Panhead with its uniquely designed segmented legs can securely wrap around just about any suitable object to give photos a fresh new perspective when attached to one of today’s new digital SLR cameras. It can be attached to a pole, railing, chair, fence or tree branch.
The FlexPod Pro Panhead’s specially designed non-slip leg segments grip tightly and will not slip when properly wrapped around most smooth, dry surfaces. In addition, it can be used as a tabletop tripod by simply extending its legs. To make setup fast and easy the three-way panhead sets up in a snap and is perfect for today’s digital SLR cameras and camcorders.
Digital Photo Frames
Sunpak introduced a new line of Digital Photo Frames that include sizes ranging from 3.5″ to 15.1″. From Sunpak:
New features for Sunpak Digital Photo Frames in 2008 will be a built-in motion detection system for instant on when a person enters a room and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility. Also new for 2008 is the inclusion of wireless remote control functions for all models, while still retaining on frame controls for flexibility and ease of use. The Sunpak 15.1″ Digital Photo Frame will include one gig of memory allowing hundreds of images to be stored and displayed.
[tags]sunpak, pma 2008, flash, tripod, monopod, digital photo frame[/tags]
GOLDEN, Colo. –(Business Wire)– Jan. 31, 2008 PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a PENTAX Professional Services program (PPS) to support professional photographers with several services and benefits. Designed exclusively to support PENTAX products for the working pro, membership is complimentary and limited to working professional photographers. [Read more…]
This is a great example of what not to do as a professional photographer:
John and Kerri Vickers were awarded a $550,000 verdict in their case against Ted Elden and his company Elden Associates on Nov. 28 by an Ohio Circuit Court jury. John Vickers’ mother and stepfather, Jim and Connie Murray of Wheeling, also were involved in the case.
Christopher Regan, an attorney with Bordas & Bordas in Wheeling, said Elden mailed cut-up photo negatives to the Vickers and the Murrays as well as other members of their families.
“The circumstances were like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” Regan said. “The harassment would not stop. There were 18 to 20 mailings.”
(Keep reading via West Virginia Record)
Those of us in the US have been waiting for this lens since it was first announced back in August. It’s finally available for pre-order at Amazon for a $299 price of admission.
While we’ve seen and heard about them for awhile now, Sony has gotten official with the new A300 and A350. The 10.2 megapixel A300 and 14.2 megapixel A350 both feature a flip-out 2.7-inch swivel screen and live preview that retains the ability to autofocus. The A300 and A350 go up to ISO 3200 and feature burst modes of 3fps and 2.5fps, respectively. Both cameras will arrive in April – at $800 for the A300 with a 18-70mm kit lens and the A350 in a $900 kit or an $800 body-only package.
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UPDATED: The Sony A900 has been officially unveiled. See Photography Bay’s Sony A900 Announcement and Sony A900 Reviews and Resources for more info.
Tokyo, Japan – Sony Corporation today announced the development of a 35mm full size (diagonal:43.3mm/Type 2.7) 24.81 effective megapixel, ultra-high speed high image quality CMOS image sensor designed to meet the increasing requirement for rapid image capture and advanced picture quality within digital SLR cameras.
Development background
In recent years, the demand for digital SLR cameras featuring high resolution and wide graduation ranges capable of capturing every detail of the subject matter has continued to increase, particularly among high-end amateur users. Additionally, the increasing user requirement to shoot from the same focal length and angle as 35mm film cameras using interchangeable lenses has led to significant interest in the development of 35mm, full size CMOS image sensors. [Read more…]
TAMRON ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF SP AF70-200MM F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO
A Lightweight, High-Performance and Fast Tele-Zoom Realizing 37.4” (0.95m) MFD Over The Entire Zoom Range
PMA, January 31, 2008, Las Vegas, NV— Mr. Morio Ono, President of Tamron Co., Ltd., has announced the launch of SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO, a lightweight, high-performance and fast tele-zoom lens designed for DSLR cameras with 35mm full-size image sensors. The Canon mount is scheduled for spring delivery. The shipment schedule for Nikon, Pentax and Sony will be announced at a later date.
The new SP AF70-200mm Di LD (IF) MACRO (Model A001) is an F/2.8 fast tele-zoom designed for DSLRs with 35mm full-size image sensors, inheriting product concept of the existing SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di (Model A09) that is highly acclaimed as a compact and fast standard zoom lens enabling photographers to enjoy high cost performance characteristics.
While dimensional increases are confined to the absolute minimum, the new SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO zoom lens offers the best-in-class MFD (minimum focusing distance) of 37.4” (0.95m) over the entire zoom range for the maximum macro magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at f=200mm focal length, for stress-free photography, combined with the advantage of an internal focusing (IF) system. [Read more…]