Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

(Affordable?) Mamiya 22MP Digital Back Announced

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PRESS RELEASE:

Mamiya Introduces the First 22 Megapixel Digital Camera System for Under $10,000

Elmsford NY, June 1, 2007 – Mamiya Digital announced an exciting new product – the Mamiya ZD 645AFD II Digital System. The System consists of the Mamiya 645AFD II Medium Format Camera with 80mm f/2.8 AF lens and the newlyintroduced Mamiya ZD 22 Megapixel Digital Back. At a retail price of $9,999, the digital system marks a new era in the high-end digital market.

“Mamiya has always been a manufacturer of high quality, professional products at reasonable prices,” states Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager, “By offering this incredible system for under $10,000, we expect to see a broad range of photographers who have been waiting for the right combination of quality and price, to finally step into the medium format digital world.”

The platform for the system is the highly acclaimed Mamiya 645AFD II autofocus medium format camera with 80mm f/2.8 AF lens. With an excellent range of high quality lenses, precise auto-focusing and fast handling, the 645AFD II has become the choice of professional photographers.

The Mamiya ZD Digital Back offers all the features serious photographers demand. “Mamiya’s communication protocol MSCE (Mamiya Serial Communication for External) has optimized two-way communication between the 645AFD II and the ZD Digital Back,” says Karp, “producing an operating experience identical to using a one-piece digital camera.”

To further enhance the results of the ZD Digital Back, Mamiya is including Adobe® Photoshop® LightroomTM software with all ZD Backs. Mamiya is the first camera manufacturer to include Lightroom software with every Mamiya ZD Digital Back sold. Lightroom is an all-new digital imaging solution for serious and professional photographers. Its ease of operation and ability to read Mamiya RAW digital files makes it the perfect choice for photographers looking for a modular, task-based and streamlined program that delivers a complete photographic workflow solution.

Also introduced were two new digital lenses – the Mamiya Sekor AF 75-150mm f/4.5 D and a full-frame 28mm f/4.5 D Aspherical – that are designed to work on the 645AFD II with both film and digital backs.

You can check out all the goodness of the new Mamiya toys here.

[tags]mamiya, 22mp, digital back, medium format, news, 645, afd, system, digital camera[/tags]

 

The Mega-Pixel Push – Canon Hits 50MP

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So much for the 2MP incremental steps we’ve been so used to.

Canon has built a 50 megapixel CMOS monstrosity, which is reportedly almost twice the resolution of its nearest competition, and is prepping it as a sort of large format surveillance camera for monitoring large, busy areas such as parking lots and theme parks, along with detailed work like factory part inspections. Despite the sensor’s clear industrial-end aims, Canon has managed to build its prototype at 19 x 28mm in size, the same dimensions of the sensors in its DSLR cameras, so who knows where this tech could end up in the long run.

(via Engadget)

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III anyone?

[tags]canon, eos, 1ds, iii, mark, mk, dslr, 50, mp, megapixel, news, digital camera, cmos, sensor[/tags]

Nikon Coolpix 360

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What is it?

It’s a concept of a point and shoot camera from Nikon. Seems like they’ve got all the cool toys here lately (see last few posts).

A panoramic view is ‘an unbroken view of an entire surrounding area’. Often, this means one has to turn around 360 degrees, to receive this unbroken view. As we translate this to an image captured in print, the concept of Nikon 360 is the solution. Based on an ergonomic cylindrical form lens, the 360 is a camera that allows you take an all-round picture. An angle indicator provides a gauge on the direction of the rotating head and is also an additional detail to provide the camera with a stronger and steadier feel while in operation. A built-in inclinometer indicates the horizontality of position prior to execution. The 360 is designed with much emphasis on the user interface, with the main operating function designed as a touch sensor, thereby maintaining a flushed surface on the exterior. 360 is an innovation that captures all that meets the eye, and more. (via Yanko Design)

[tags]nikon, coolpix, 360, panoramic, panorama, design, concept, digital camera, point and shoot[/tags]

Sony Alpha Update

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Amateur Photographer has the latest on the coming additions to the Sony Alpha line. Apparently, Sony UK released some new publicity shots of the two new Alpha models yesterday. Nothing really new on the details of the cameras other than their release must be getting closer if Sony is now putting out “publicity shots” of the bodies. Get the full story over at Amateur Photographer.

[tags]sony, alpha, dslr, rumors, news, publicity shots[/tags]

Sony Alpha Pro and Semi-Pro Preview

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Back at PMA 2007, Toru Katsumoto gave the following presentation at a press conference regarding Sony’s Alpha line of DSLRs, with particular attention being given to the then newly announced Pro and Semi-Pro bodies. Mr. Katsumoto is the head of the Sony Corporation’s AMC Division in the Digital Imaging Business Group. Somewhere in the mix of all the PMA buzz, I missed this little nugget. I don’t think there’s anything truly ground breaking in here, but its still an interesting read on a slow news day. (Due to the length, rather than place it in quoted format, I’ve left it in normal font for readability.)

When Sony and Konica Minolta joined forces to create a new digital SLR camera business unit, the AMC Division was created and I have been heading the business unit since then.

Given that we were in the midst of transition last March, I would say this is the first PMA in terms of Sony’s digital SLR business.

As many of you know, we have launched our first digital SLR camera in July 2006 under the ? (Alpha) brand. The first wave of our products launched together with the “?100” camera included 21 pieces of interchangeable lenses and more than 45 pieces of accessories. Our desire to deliver the total system solution has led us to launch relatively large number of products during the first year.

The “?100” has enjoyed solid market acceptance worldwide thanks to high picture quality and in-camera image stabilization. It has received numerous Imaging industry awards, including the C-E-A’s 2007 Innovations and Design award, Popular Photography & Imaging’s “2006 Camera of the Year” and EISA “Best Product” award.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude for your support of the “?100.” As Shigeki Ishizuka mentioned earlier, we need to further solidify our market position and to do that, we must cater to varying degrees of customer requirements. Therefore, we are now working on the second wave of ? (Alpha) products in order to expand the world of ? (Alpha) and meet the demands of a broader user base.

We would like to show a glimpse of the second wave of products in this year’s PMA. Specifically, we are now developing two new products targeted at higher market segments compared with the ?100. One of the two is expected to come to the market during this calendar year. When both products are launched, we will have three products that enable us to cover wider spectrum of the market. Also, this gives our customers more options and allows them to trade up products as their skills mature.

Now, let me explain the products briefly.

The first product targets the high amateur market. It will have a higher level of performance than the ?100. The core strength of this camera is high picture quality. Sony’s vast technology and expertise, including a newly-developed image sensor and BIONZ processor, have been adopted for this product to achieve superb picture quality. Also, the ”Super SteadyShot” feature, the hallmark of? (Alpha), is included and the existing-compatible lenses can be used with this camera.In addition, we are planning to incorporate features that meet the demanding performance and specification requirements of High Amateur photographers.

The next product is set to become our flagship product. The image sensor and Bionz processor are both being developed specifically for this product. And the ”Super SteadyShot” feature is of course part of it. We position this product to be the highest-end camera that meets the demanding performance and specification requirements of even Professional photographers.

Our second wave of products is not only camera bodies, but interchangeable lenses are also being developed. Five or more lenses, including models suitable for High Amateur and Professional use, to be launched within the next 12 months.

This chart includes such lenses ranging from Large Aperture Standard Zoom lens, Telephoto Zoom lens, High Magnification Zoom and more to come.

With these new lenses added to the 21 pieces of existing portfolio, broader and more diversified system configuration will become possible. Thanks to the added choice of camera bodies according to customers’ photo lifestyles coupled with enlarged portfolio of lenses and accessories, we believe ? (Alpha) is set to spur the creativity of our customers.

By launching these new products swiftly, we would like to provide solutions with which people can fully leverage the potential of digital SLR. Therefore, the phrase which expresses our mission this year is “? (Alpha) Unlocks the Full Potential of D-SLR.”

Thank you very much.

[tags]sony, alpha, dslr, news, pma, 2007, lens, bionz, processor, super steadyshot[/tags]

New Sony Alpha Pics

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There’s some new shots of the 2 new Sony Alpha DSLRs that were announced at PMA 2007 over at PhotographyBLOG. Check out PhotographyBLOG’s take on it with some hi-res close-ups. Still looks like a pro level and a pro-sumer level camera is coming from Sony. Note the pop-up flash on the smaller of the two.

[tags]sony, alpha, dslr, digital camera, new, rumor, announcement, photos, pics[/tags]

A Picturetown, Geo-Tagging, Vista Horrors, Zero D, Flickr Censorship and More . . .

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Consider a visit to Picturetown, SC . . . just pack your Nikon D40 though.

Everybody knows once you go DSLR, you never go back.

If you like geotagging your photos in flickr, save some time and do the tagging via your hotshoe.

Thinking of upgrading to Vista? Are you ready for the full horrors?

Ever hear of a tricked out infrared camera, modified by removing the infrared filter? Me either . . . but some people really dig it.

We’ve all heard that the Nikon D40x is one bad mombo jombo. Well, you can see all (maybe not all, but a lot) of the reviews of the new killer camera over at Digital Camera Tracker. It’s one hot ticket right now!

Forget the Canon 40D, get a Canon 0D (that’s “zero” D).

Save some cash when you buy a Nikon DSLR and a point and shoot camera at the same time.

Perspective on the acquisition of DPReview.com by Amazon.

Read why flickr = censorship.

Word is Canon’s gonna make a “big” acquisition this year.

Ever wonder how Canon’s self-cleaning sensor works?

If you’re interested in getting more familiar with Adobe’s software products, consider the 200+ videos available free, online in the Adobe CS3 Video Workshop.

[tags]picturetown, dslr, geotagging, windows, vista, infrared, nikon, d40, d40x, canon, 40d, 0d, deal, digital camera, dpreview, amazon, flickr, censorship, rumor, self-cleaning, senor, adobe, cs3, photoshop, video[/tags]

Pentax to Merge with Hoya

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The story is here:

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese high-tech glass maker Hoya Corp. (7741.T: Quote, Profile, Research plans to launch a friendly tender offer bid to take control of Pentax Corp. (7750.T: Quote, Profile, Research after June 1, people involved with the deal told Reuters late on Wednesday.

The Pentax board is prepared to accept Hoya’s offer of 770 yen a share for the Japanese camera and medical equipment maker, but under some conditions such as keeping Pentax as a subsidiary and allowing most of its directors to stay on as board members.

More word here.

[tags]pentax, merger, news, hoya[/tags]

Nikon Reporting Record Sales

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Forbes has the info:

Nikon chief financial officer Ichiro Terato told a press conference: ‘High-margin single-lens reflex digital cameras and interchangeable lenses are selling well thanks to the aggressive release of new models such as the D-80, D-40 and D-40X.’

He remarked: ‘The entry into the SLR digital camera market of Sony (nyse: SNE – news – people ) and Matsushita Electric helped increase the size of the market.’

Nikon sold 2.09 mln SLR digital cameras in the last fiscal year, up from 1.34 mln the year before.

It sold 2.64 mln interchangeable lenses for SLR digital cameras, up from 2.02 mln.

‘Brisk sales of high-end digital cameras and interchangeable lenses more than offset sluggish sales of our compact digital cameras,’ Terato said.

Raise your hand if you have something to do with this.  I know I’ve enjoyed my new D40!

I think its pretty clear from these numbers that the release of the D40x over a D3 was more beneficial to Nikon’s bottom line.  We all want a D3 though… or two of’em.

[tags]nikon, sales, profits, d40, d80, d40x, slr, digital, camera, news, money, financial[/tags]