Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Photoshop Becoming More User-Friendly?

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CNet is reporting on the development process for Adobe Photoshop – it’s gonna get better at interacting with you and me:

A new user interface will help Photoshop become “everything you need, nothing you don’t,” said Photoshop product manager John Nack, describing aspirations for the Photoshop overhaul on his blog Monday.

“We must make Photoshop dramatically more configurable,” Nack said. “Presenting the same user experience to a photographer as we do to a radiologist, as to a Web designer, as to a prepress guy, is kind of absurd…With the power of customizability, we can present solutions via task-oriented workspaces,” Nack said. (Read more. . .)

Photoshop functioning as seamless as Lightroom? I like where this is going.

[tags]photoshop, adobe, lightroom, interface, news[/tags]

 

PMA 2008 Report

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PMA is the world’s largest annual photo trade show and it’s scheduled to take place January 31 – February 2, 2008. With over 650 exhibitors, it’s always full of the biggest announcements of the year. (You can see this year’s exhibitors here.)

After a rocking series of announcements this fall from Nikon (the D3 and D300), Canon (the 40D and 1Ds Mk III), Sony (the a700) and Olympus (the E-3), what more can we expect from major camera manufacturers at PMA 2008?


Below is the rundown of the latest developments from PMA. Please note that I will continue to update this page with the latest announcements throughout PMA (hence, I’ll delete rumors and speculations and replace it with news as the information becomes available).

Canon

Replacing the EOS Rebel XTi / 400D, Canon has announced the EOS Rebel XSi / 450D, which is a 12.2 megapixel DSLR. Along with the Rebel XSi, Canon announced the availability of the EF-S 55-250mm IS lens for US customers. This lens was announced in August 2007, however, it was previously unavailable in the US.

On the “pro” gear side of things, Canon launched the previously announced EF 200mm f/2L IS USM and EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lenses, priced at $6,000 and $12,000, respectively.

In the point & shoot realm, Canon announced the PowerShot A590 IS, A580 and A470 to update the popular “A” series digital cameras. Additionally, Canon updated the PowerShot SD1000 IS Digital ELPH camera with the PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital ELPH camera.

For details on all of these new products from Canon, please click on the respective links above to go to Photography Bay’s in-depth coverage.

Nikon

Nikon announced the new 10.2 megapixel Nikon D60 on January 29, 2007. Rather than creating an entirely new DSLR that’s a true “step up” from the Nikon D40x, Nikon settled on the solid 10.2 megapixel sensor that has made the D40x such a great camera and “upgraded” the rest of the camera to include next generation features like built-in sensor cleaning, built-in filter effects, Active D-Lighting (featured in the Nikon D3/D300) and 3D Color Matrix Metering II (also from the D3/D300). For more info, check out the reviews, resources and other info on the Nikon D60 page.

What most people were expecting before the Nikon D60 rumors got to full steam was a successor to the Nikon D80.  The D80 was introduced by Nikon in August 2006, which would have made PMA 2008 the proper timeframe for the typical 18-month product life cycle that we’ve grown accustomed to in consumer/prosumer DSLRs. Additionally, the D80 is sadly behind on the technology curve in light of the current offerings from Nikon and other DSLR manufacturers. The D80 remains the little brother of the D200. The introduction of the Nikon D60 seems to convey the message that Nikon has consolidate their line with only one entry-level DSLR.  However, you can find any further developments/rumors/etc. on the Nikon D90 page.

In addition, Nikon has added some new lenses for its DSLR lineup, which are as follows:

Finally, Nikon added a number of point and shoot cameras to its stable:

For details on all of these new products from Nikon, please click on the respective links above to go to Photography Bay’s in-depth coverage.

Sony

Sony is expected to fully roll out all the details on their flagship DSLR, believed to be called the a900. The a900 will be a step up over the a700, which is now available.

Additionally, Sony rolled out their next iteration of the Alpha a100 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier in January – the A200. Just prior to PMA, Sony announced the Sony A300 and A350, which share the consumer-oriented body of the A200 and weigh in at 10.2 and 14.2 megapixels respectively. Both cameras will be available 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.

Sony has also announced several new point & shoot models, which include the following:

For details on all of these new products from Sony, please click on the respective links above to go to Photography Bay’s in-depth coverage.

Olympus

Olympus doesn’t really have much more to show us as far as DSLR bodies are concerned. We saw the introduction of the E-410 and E-510 last Spring, and the E-3 was introduced just last month. Their entire line is new. We could see updates for the E-410 and E-510 at Photokina next fall, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on any new bodies from Olympus at PMA ’08. Olypmus could (and should) continue to introduce lenses to beef up their 4/3 System. Their new Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) lenses really boost focus speed, especially when coupled with the new E-3. Expect to see more of these, hopefully at PMA ’08.

Pentax

Pentax has replaced the K10D and K100D with new models – the K20D and K200D, respectively. The K20D has 14.6 megapixels and the K200D gets 10.2 megapixels and they are priced at $1299 and$799, respectively.

Additionally, Pentax has announced a number of new smc lenses to couple the with new K20D and K200D DSLRs. Details on the new lenses can be found on the K20D and K200D page as well. The lens pricing and shipping dates are as follows:

  • smc PENTAX DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED (IF) SDM will ship in March 2008 for $1099.95
  • smc PENTAX DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM will ship in May 2008 for $1299.95
  • smc PENTAX DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED will ship in May 2008 for $399.95
  • smc PENTAX DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited will ship in April 2008 for $599.95
  • smc PENTAX DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II will ship as a kit lens with PENTAX K200D in March 2008 (value $199.95)

Finally, Pentax announced a four new Optio series cameras – the Optio M50, Optio S12, Optio E50 & Optio A40.

For details on all of these new products from Pentax, please click on the respective links above to go to Photography Bay’s in-depth coverage.

Samsung

Samsung has announced the new GX-20, the fraternal twin of the Pentax K20D, both of which tout nearly identical features but come in a different body, some display variations and other subtle differences. For further details, visit on the Samsung GX-20 page.

Sigma, Tamron & Tokina

We’re interested in what everyone’s favorite step-children are doing with their lens offerings. Sigma has rolled out more HSM lenses to go along with the Nikon D40(x) and D60.  Tamron has already announced a few internal focusing lenses that are compatible with Nikon’s consumer grade DSLRs (see below).  Now we’re just waiting on Tokina to jump on board.

Also, image stabilization is becoming more and more essential (and marketable) for Canon and Nikon cameras. This is due in part to the push we’ve seen from Sony, Olympus and Pentax to incorporate IS in the body of DSLRs. Sigma has a few lenses that offer Optical Stabilization, as Sigma calls it, including their new 18-200mm OS lens. Tamron’s got the superzoom 28-300mm VC (vibration compensation). Expect more of this feature as these companies introduce new lenses.

New Tamron Products 

New Sigma Products (via DPReview.com)

Stay tuned and I’ll keep you posted with the latest rumblings on the latest gear as it surfaces at PMA and elsewhere on the web.

More PMA Reports

PhotographyBLOG

DPReview.com

[tags]pma, nikon, canon, sony, olympus, sigma, tamron, tokina, 2008[/tags]

Canon USA/Europe Issues Statement re: EOS 1D Mark III Focusing Fix

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The information can be found in the FAQ section of the Canon Europe Self-Service site. [UPDATE: Canon USA has issued a formal statement as well.] More information on the history of this issue can be found on this page. The following information is from Canon Europe:

Title

Why do I experience inconsistent Auto Focus (AF) behaviour with my EOS-1D Mark III?

Case Id: 72525

Applicable models

EOS-1D Mark III

Solutions

Phenomenon:

The focus or AF tracking is inconsistent when using the Artificial Intelligent (AI) servo continuous shooting mode under high temperatures in particular.

Cause:

In the digital SLR camera, EOS-1D Mark III that was launched in May this year, Canon has found that some cameras have an adjustment problem with the mirror for AF. The adjustment problem means for the affected products that the focus is not stable or that the Auto Focus tracking is not right when using the AI servo continuous shooting under high temperatures in particular.

Affected products:

The products that could have this problem can be identified as explained below. If the serial number on the bottom of the camera is between 501001 and 546561, it could contain one of the AF mirrors with the adjustment problem.

Support:

For customers who have affected products and are experiencing these problems, we are making preparations to offer free of charge repairs planned to start from late November. We will announce additional details about the repair process on our Web site as soon as they become available.

In case you have questions about this or other issues, please contact Technical Support using the button at the end of this message. Alternatively you can also call our Helpdesk. Please click here for the phone number.

We offer our most sincere apologies to all affected customers who have been inconvenienced by this issue.

Last modified date: 01-Nov-07

[tags]canon, 1d, mark iii, focus, fix, problem, recall[/tags]

An Open Letter to Hasselblad Photographers

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For you medium-format photographers our there, I received the following email from Hasselblad today:

There have been several announcements from Hasselblad over the past several weeks, and I wanted to take a moment to write to our photographers and partners to make sure each of you are aware of all of them.

The New H3DII DSLR Family
In the past few weeks, we have been busy around the world launching our 4th generation medium format DSLR, the new H3DII family. Following in the footsteps of the H1D, the H2D, and the H3D; the H3DII is the continuation of a product line that is one of the most successful in Hasselblad history. In addition, we have this week announced our newest camera, the H3DII-39MS a multi-shot version of the H3DII-39. [Read more…]

Olympus E-3 Press Release

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Olympus Breaks The AF Speed Barrier With The World’s Fastest Autofocus Technology In New Digital SLR Camera And Lens

E-3 Digital SLR Combined with Zuiko Digital Specific SWD 12-60mm (24-120mm Equivalent) Lens Delivers Fastest AutoFocus Technology to Photographers

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., October 16, 2007 — Olympus today announces the new Olympus E-3, which is the flagship of its Digital SLR line and provides the high-precision performance demanded by professional and enthusiastic photographers. It combines speed and weatherproof durability for capturing exceptional images in any situation. Olympus pioneered Full Time Live View and Dust Reduction technologies for digital SLR cameras, leading where others have followed. Now, the new E-3 enhances those technical innovations and raises the performance bar with the fastest autofocus in the world. Body-Integrated Mechanical Image Stabilization to stabilize every lens, a 10-megapixel Live MOS image sensor to capture beautiful images, and a magnesium alloy body for dust-proof and splash-proof durability join the impressive innovations developed for the E-3, including:

Speed: When coupled with three new ZUIKO DIGITAL Supersonic Wave Drive™ Lenses (SWD) announced today, like the ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 (24-120mm equivalent), the E-3 offers unmatched AF speeds, and the fastest AF speed in the world with that lens. It employs a newly-developed high speed 11-point biaxial cross type AF system, 5 frames-per-second continuous shooting, and 1/8000 second top shutter speed for the quickness required in any shooting situation.

Superior Image Quality: In-Body Mechanical Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive technology ensures blur-free images for all lenses attached to the E-3, so now even low-light telephoto shots are clear and sharp when holding the camera in shaky hands. Its 10-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor delivers high-resolution images for large format print sizes, and TruePic III™ digital processing engine ensures high-speed image processing, accurate color and improved detail with low noise. The camera’s interior components combined with digital-specific lenses offer the edge-to-edge crystal clarity that only 100 percent digital optics can provide.

Swivel Live View LCD: A dual-axis swivel 2.5-inch Live View LCD covers all the viewing angles from low to high and side to side, to assure accurate composition. Real-time image monitoring of white balance and exposure enables greater creative control of settings to secure the best possible photograph.

Reliability: The E-3’s large optical viewfinder provides a 100 percent accurate view and its 1.15x magnification makes it one of the largest and most accurate viewfinders for reliable composition. The proven effective built-in Dust Reduction System with the Supersonic Wave Filter eliminates spots from photos. A durable shutter mechanism with the lifespan of 150,000 exposures meets the demands of serious photographers. Also, the E-3’s sealed magnesium alloy chassis is completely splash-proof and dust-proof for use with pro lenses on expeditions to the most extreme environments on the planet. [Read more…]