Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

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It looks like the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM may have slipped out a bit early. The PDF manual  for this new 105-600mm equivalent has surfaced on the web.  Notable in the specs is that the zoom is a twist rather than a push-pull zoom seen on similar super-telephoto zoom lenses like the Canon EF 100-400mm L.

This could be a killer telephoto zoom when matched with the Super SteadyShot IS on Sony Alpha DSLRs.  Check out the full specs below and stay tuned to Photography Bay for the latest on digital cameras and lenses as we approach Photokina 2008.

[via DPR]

 

Nikon MX Format

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Nikon currently operates with two sensor formats in its DSLRs, DX and FX.  Practically speaking, the FX format is the same size as the old 35mm film frame.  The DX is smaller, which results in a “crop factor” of 1.5x when compared to the 35mm “full frame.”  Thus, a 50mm lens appears to have the focal length of a 75mm lens on a DX camera.  The Nikon D3 and D700 are FX format cameras.  All other Nikon DSLRs use a DX format sensor.

Recent rumblings and some pretty convincing evidence suggests that Nikon may have something bigger in store for us, much bigger. [Read more…]

Canon 7D Rumored by Image and Nature

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UPDATE: The Canon 7D has been officially announced.  Read more on Photography Bay’s Canon 7D Reviews and Resources. Check availability at Amazon.com.


Image & Nature has a summary of their current issue on this page. The image of the magazine cover, along with the article summary mentions the Canon 7D. Interestingly, it looks like the magazine pits the Canon 7D against the Nikon D90.

[via DPR]

Anyone that reads French and would care to elaborate on the contents, feel free to chime in at the comments below.

Note: One DPR commenter says that they read the magazine and it’s rumors only.

Stay tuned for more.

First Sony A900 Ad Leaked – UPDATED – Now with REAL SPECS

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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.

This is the first advertisement that I’ve seen for the Sony A900. It appears to be legit and coming from a Danish photography magazine. [via DPR]

It looks like there are bubbles in the ad featured with the A900, which are reminiscent of the Sony Foam City shoot in Miami earlier this year for images like.no.other. Perhaps Sony is extending the mileage of Foam City to the A900 as well.

[Update: Here’s Ad # 2 leaked:]

The text in the ad reads as follows:

The new a900 has arrived. A new height in the “a” revolution is now within reach. Engineered with the exclusive 24.6 Mega Pixel Full Frame Exmor CMOS sensor, an industry breakthrough from Sony, this powerhouse integrates only the best imaging technologies from the world’s leading image sensor manufacturer. A work of art for the truly discerning individual.

24.6 Mega Pixel Full Frame Exmor CMOS Sensor – Dual BIONZ Image Processing Engine – Intelligent Preview – 100% Viewfinder, 0.74x Magnification – 3.0”, 921K-out Hybrid LCD – 9-point Centre Dual-cross AF (with f2.8 sensor and wide-area 10-point assist) – 5 fps Continuous Shooting – SteadyShot INSIDE

[via xitek]

Also, Sony appears to have confirmed with some sources that there will be a new DSLR launched on September 10th. [via PC World] It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that will be the day for the A900.

Expect to see lots more A900 coverage as we approach Photokina 2008.

For more on the Sony A900 flagship DSLR, stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Sony A900 page.

Sony A900 on September 3rd?

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This is the first time we’ve heard of September 3rd as an official announcement date for the A900; however, a DPR forum poster says he’s got third hand or so info on the A900 being available in China on September 3rd.

according to retailers of Sony DSLRs in Suzhou China (which is the city next to Shanghai), the Sony Gallery shop in Shanghai should be stocking the A900 from the 3rd.

[via DPR]

I’ll note though that the most reliable-sounding info we’ve heard for the A900 unveiling was September 9-10.

Either way, it won’t be long and we’ll stay on top of the latest developments. Expect to see lots more A900 coverage as we approach Photokina 2008.

For more on the Sony A900 flagship DSLR, stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Sony A900 page.

Nikon D90 at Target

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Target already has a product page set up for the Nikon D90.  Sadly, there is no photo of the camera or lens.

The description reads:  “Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR w/ 18-105mm”

[Thanks Jeff]

For the latest news and rumors on the Nikon D90, stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Nikon D90 page.

Nikon D90 on Aug. 27 – Mark Your Calendars

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According to rock solid info from Thom Hogan, Nikon’s next press conference is set for August 27 and he’s betting the farm on the Nikon D90’s release on that date (not really the farm, but he’s pretty sure of himself).

So get your credit cards warmed up and ready for the pre-ordering race once the D90 is announced.

For the latest news and rumors on the Nikon D90, stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Nikon D90 page.

Canon 50D Rumor Update

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We are still very much in “rumor” mode with regard to the Canon 50D; however, another DPR forum member claims to have solid second-hand info.  [Ed. – Name redacted by request], a photographer for the [Ed. – Organization redacted by request] and fervent Canon 1D Mark III user, says that his dealer has tipped him off to the existence and coming release of the Canon 50D.

[Ed. – Name redacted by request] stuck his name and reputation out on the line and defended his take on the info and his source in several follow up posts, which is why it carries a little more weight with me than the usual banter you see in some forum posts.  Of course, we’ll just have to wait and see if the info turns out to be legit, but it seems to confirm a trend anyway.

On to the details…

The dealer was apparently at a Canon event in Hawaii, to which event I’ve been seeing many references lately.  Purportedly, the Canon 50D will be released in the coming days prior to Photokina 2008.

This bit of info pegs the Canon 50D at 15 megapixels, instead of the previously rumored 12 megapixels.  Additionally, the “dealer” confirmed the 50D would be weather sealed, which is quasi-consistent with prior rumors.

Finally, the dealer also said “he couldn’t remember if it was 5-6fps like 40D or maybe as high as 8fps.”  While this seems like an odd fact to mix up, the prior rumors had stated the specs were 6-8fps, depending on the grip.  I think this makes the spec a little easier to jumble up.  So again, another point for consistency here. [via DPR]

While I remain quite skeptical over a 40D replacement coming along while it is just a year old, the rumors are mounting and, as they say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire (either that or a steaming turd).  Stay tuned.

For the latest news and rumors on the Canon 50D, stay tuned to Photography Bay’s Canon 50D page.