Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Nikon D3 – July 25?

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Another firm date (*yawn).

There have been rumblings for some time now that the Nikon D3 will be announced in conjunction with Nikon’s 90th Anniversary at the end of July.  Uncle Vader offers support for this notion from a purported reputable source:

A source with a proven track record today has contacted our newsdesk with news of what most of the Nikon addicts out there have been waiting for and thats news of the professional range new model nikon D3 range will be announced on the 25th July !

Notably, we should “be ready for 2 new jaw dropping features said to put Nikon way above anything its rivals [Canon] currently offer.”  (source)

However, I’m sure if it doesn’t appear this month, someone will step in to vow its announcement for August.

[tags]nikon, d3, d3x, d3h, rumors, news [/tags]

 

Canon PIXMA MP470 and MP210 Photo All-In-One Printers

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CANON U.S.A. ANNOUNCES TWO PHOTO ALL-IN-ONE PRINTER MODELS WITH MODERN DESIGN AND ENHANCED PERFORMANCE

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 2, 2007 – Designed with style and packed with performance, the Canon PIXMA MP470 and MP210 Photo All-In-One (AIO) printers announced today by Canon U.S.A., Inc., deliver new ease-of-use and printing technology, boast approximately 46-second 4″ x 6″ borderless photo printing speeds,1 and offer functionality in a stylish, compact package. Perfect for the dorm room or home office, both models provide printing, scanning and copying features and require the same amount of desktop space that many single function printers occupy. [Read more…]

Canon SELPHY CP740 Compact Photo Printer Announced

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PRESS RELEASE:

A POWERFUL NEW PHOTO PRINTER THAT FITS IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

Canon U.S.A.’s SELPHY CP740 Compact Photo Printer Offers a Two-Inch Color LCD Screen and Automatic Red-Eye Reduction

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 2, 2007 – Scrapbookers and digital photographers have a new reason to celebrate: Canon U.S.A., Inc. has just announced an addition to their compact photo printer line-up that prints superb digital images that can last for years to come.

Designed to make printing images a breeze, the SELPHY CP740 Compact Photo Printer features a two-inch color LCD display, red-eye correction and multiple direct printing options that can enable anyone to make amazing prints without a computer. [Read more…]

ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm Announced

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ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm super telephoto lens: Zooming power with the Four Thirds advantage

Hamburg, 26 June 2007 – This autumn, Olympus introduces the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6. Designed for the specific demands of digital photography, this extreme telephoto lens delivers 4.28x zoom power – up to a phenomenal focal length of 300mm (600mm on a 35mm camera system). Despite such high-performance attributes, this ultra-compact model only weighs in at around half as much as its competition. This makes it the ideal travel lens to accompany any Four Thirds Standard digital SLR.

With magnification muscle extending to 300mm (600mm in 35mm equivalent terms), the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 is remarkably powerful yet remains astoundingly portable: The lens measures a mere 127mm and weighs just 620g. Naturally, being based on the Four Thirds Standard, image quality is never compromised.

Three ED lens elements are integrated to ensure razor-sharp results across the entire zoom range by minimising chromatic aberration that can otherwise occur at long focal lengths. Furthermore, multicoated lenses have also been incorporated to reduce ghosting and flaring against backlight, while a circular iris helps to achieve smooth, soft background defocusing.

Telephoto macro shots from a minimum distance of 96cm in manual mode and 1.2m in autofocus are possible across the entire breadth of the focal range, giving the photographer plenty of working space for close-ups of difficult subjects. Moreover, full-on macro shooting with maximum magnification of 0.5x (equivalent to 1x on a conventional 35mm camera system) is possible, while the zoom range gives the photographer control over framing and composition without the need to change position.

The ultra-compact, lightweight super telephoto lens is a perfect complement for the recently-launched Olympus E-510. Thanks to an image stabiliser built directly into the camera itself, it protects shots against the effects of camera shake – even at the extreme zoom levels this remarkable lens enables.

The ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 will be available from late October 2007.

ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 – main features:

• Extreme telephoto capabilities from 70-300mm (140-600mm*)

• Ultra-compact dimensions (127mm) and low weight (620g)

• Based on the Four Thirds Standard

• 3 ED lens elements

• Excellent telephoto macro performance

• Compatible with all Four Thirds Standard cameras including Olympus’ recently introduced E-510 and E-410

* 35mm camera equivalent

Nikon D3 . . . June 26?

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Engadget is reporting that they were contacted after the onslaught of rumors appeared on the web by a “photo editor at a major newspaper” with some inside info on the Nikon D3 (or whatever it will be called), state that:

[he] has tipped us on a phone call he received from Nikon in which his presence was requested at a meeting where a “new professional camera that is leaps and bounds better than anything Canon is offering” would be showcased.

Those are some pretty big words coming from a source that is presumably more reliable that what we’ve seen in the forums over the past few months.  I guess will know in a little less than two weeks.

[tags]d3, date, dslr, high-end, launch, launch date, LaunchDate, nikon, rumor, rumors, tease, teaser[/tags]

Nikon Reps and the Nikon D3 . . . the Plot Thickens

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Yet another DPReview.com forum poster, Jeffrey Anderson, has revealed more info on the Nikon D3 today.  Apparently, he was in a Ritz Camera store in Studio City when a Nikon Rep was discussing the future almost-full-frame sensor.  His account:

I spoke to the representative and asked him when we could expect the announcement and he said about 45 days. 

What I heard was that Nikon has 1.0 and 1.1 in testing.

We’ll see.

When pressed for details on the issue, the poster revealed more:

Studio City, Ritz Camera, Don’t know his name, black hair

I’m only conveying what others have heard reps or supposed reps say at the camera stores. I overheard him talking to the salesmen and then entered the conversation.

A salesman asked why 1.1 and the rep said it was because of light fall off, edge softness, etc.

And perhaps some of the most sensible info was posted in response to Mr. Anderson’s rumor:

if Nikon knew who this person is, they’d fire them. Nikon does not “leak” information through “reps” … they only announce information when they have something REAL to move into stores.

as a matter of fact, they dump different information to different groups, and when erroneous announcements are leaking, the know where it came from.

do people REALLY think Nikon allows pre-sale information to be leaked through some rep?

Interesting?  Yes.  Groundbreaking?  No.  Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, lest we go overboard like we did with the Jim Seaholm rumor from PMA.

[tags]nikon, d3, d3x, d3h, dslr, rumor, news, digital camera[/tags]

 

Nikon D300 Coming Too?

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We’ve all been busy with the Nikon D3, or whatever it’ll be called. A DPReview.com forum poster is throwing around some Nikon D300 rumors now:

I believe [the Nikon] D300 will be there sooner than some might think. Got the info trough the shop I often buy from…

A weak rumor, but a rumor nonetheless. We’ll see if the D300 starts to heat up the rumor mill in the near future…

For now, see more dirt here.

[tags]nikon, d300, d200, digital camera, dslr, rumor, news[/tags]

Underwater Photography Rocks, Olympus Rolls

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PRESS RELEASE:

Olympus Embraces Underwater, Dive Community With New Camera Housings               
Recreational Scuba Divers, Outdoor Enthusiasts and Poolside Families Enjoy Underwater Photography Thanks to Olympus

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., June 4, 2007 – Olympus gears-up for summer with new underwater housings and accessories for its digital cameras — from point-and-shoot to D-SLR (digital single lens reflex). For millions, the peak travel season of June through August means fun in the ocean, lake or pool. Weekend sun worshipers to serious divers can easily capture their adventures beneath the surface (down to depths of 40 meters / approximately 133 feet) using the new Olympus housings.

New Olympus Underwater Housings and Accessories Include: D-SLR – The new PT-E03 housing is made specifically for Olympus’ newly available, portable EVOLT E-410 D-SLR camera. Scuba divers agree that the E-410’s full-time Live View LCD makes taking photographs underwater more natural, enabling them to hold the camera away from their face and allowing them to see their vast surroundings. Most other D-SLRs only offer a traditional optical viewfinder — peering through this when wearing a dive mask is extremely cumbersome and offers very limited views. The E-410’s housing is compatible with many of the Olympus Zuiko Digital-Specific lenses and their respective underwater lens ports.

D-SLR Lenses – Wide angle and macro lenses are the most common for underwater photography. The new PPO-E05 underwater lens port is designed for the lightweight 14-42mm Zuiko Digital-Specific lens, which is the perfect complement to the portable E-410 and its underwater housing when diving. The versatile 14-42mm lens offers the most common focal lengths, including wide angle and close focusing, making it an essential tool for those recreational divers who want to capture images of their explorations. Additionally, all other Olympus PPO Series underwater lens ports (including macro) are compatible with Olympus’ E-Series underwater housings.

Digital Compact Cameras – New underwater housings have been created specifically for Olympus’ recently announced point-and-shoot cameras, including the SP-550 UZ, Stylus 770 SW, Stylus 760 and FE-230. These cameras also offer underwater scene modes, which when coupled with the underwater housings enable even the most novice photographer to take beautiful underwater images.

Underwater Flash – For the first time, Olympus is offering an underwater flash (UFL-1) for use with all new SP and Stylus camera housings introduced in 2007 as well as a majority of its preexisting digital compact camera housings. The new slave flash requires no cables and enables divers to capture stunning images even in the darkest waters.

Other Underwater Accessories – The adjustable float strap, created specifically for the Stylus SW Series, enables the camera to float at the water’s surface and provides surfers, kayakers and other active swimmers with the ability to strap the camera to their arm, freeing their hands when not taking photos. The float strap boasts a vibrant red color for high visibility.

New silicone skins are also available for the Stylus 770 SW. While the camera can reach depths of 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) without a skin or housing, the silicone skin provides a variety of stylish looks, offers improved handling in the water and is perfect for avoiding scratches on the camera’s body from rocks or other rough surfaces. The new skins are available in three trendy colors: orange, blue and clear.

The new Olympus underwater housings and accessories will be available at retailers in June 2007. The new housings — both compact and D-SLRs — are for use in depths down to 40 meters (approximately 133 feet). Comprehensive information on the complete family of Olympus’ underwater housings and accessories is available at www.olympusamerica.com/underwater.

[tags]olympus, digital camera, underwater, housing, dslr, stylus, evolt, news[/tags]