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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Hasselblad H5D Medium Format Camera Series Announced

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Hasselblad H5D-60

Hasselblad’s next-gen medium format H series will be the H5D series.  Full details will be unveiled at Photokina 2012, but here is what we know now.

  • New H System lens: HCD 4.8/24 mm, equivalent to 17 mm on 35 mm DSLR format
  • New Macro Converter, for superb close-up performance with wide angle lenses
  • RAW + JPEG mode for quick preview and print
  • New True Focus II provides unique, accurate focus and Immediate Focus Confirm
  • Full access to camera information and image preview on rear in tethered mode
  • The largest, brightest viewfinder image on the market
  • New larger, more ergonomic buttons and an easier to read display style
  • New sealing for improved weather proofing plus new sensor unit safety lock
  • Optional battery adapter for standalone operation of digital capture unit
  • Ultimate image quality with Hasselblad Natural Color Solution
  • A choice of software: Hasselblad Phocus 2.7 and Adobe Lightroom 4 both included

The H5D Series will be available as models with 40, 50 and 60 megapixels as well as 50 and 200 megapixel Multi-Shot versions and will start shipping in December 2012.  More details will be available next week.

 

Tamron Unveils New 1:1 Macro Lens, the SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD

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Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD

The Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di VC USD lens is a new 1:1 macro lens that will be available for Canon, Nikon and Sony Alpha mount cameras later this year.

As with the new Tamron 70-200mm lens announced today, the Canon and Nikon mount version of this 90mm macro lens will features Tamron’s Vibration Compensation, while the Sony model will not due to the presence of Sony’s sensor-based SteadyShot image stabilization system.  As such, the Sony models is designated as the Tamron SP SP 90mm F/2.8 Di USD.

Pricing for the new lens has not yet been announced. I would expect this lens to be priced in the $1000 range.  The current non-VC Tamron 90mm macro lens retails for $499 at present.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

GoPro Camera Freefalls from 12,500 Feet Without Case

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU-KvtA20v8&w=640&h=360]

This skydiver lost his GoPro after he jumped out of the plane.  As he was climbing out of the plane, he bumped his helmet attachment on the door frame, which is what he suspects caused the GoPro case to loosen.

The camera plummeted 12,500 feet without a case and landed in the drop zone.  You can catch the landing at the 2:45 mark.  While on the ground, it even managed to capture their (safe) landings.  You can see the camera being recovered by a friend on the ground at the 6:45 mark.

Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD Lens Announced

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Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD

Tamron has announced a new 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.  The new lens will be available for Canon, Nikon and Sony Alpha mounts later this year.

The Canon and Nikon mount version of the lens will features Tamron’s Vibration Compensation, while the Sony model will not due to the presence of Sony’s sensor-based SteadyShot image stabilization system.  As such, the Sony models is designated as the Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di USD lens.

Pricing for the new lens has not yet been announced.  However, I would expect this lens to be priced in the $1500-$2000 range.  The current non-VC version is quite the bargain at $769 right now.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Magic Lantern Firmware for Canon 5D Mark III Alpha Version Released

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The Magic Lantern crew have been knocking it out of the park lately.  The first public alpha build of Magic Lantern firmware is now available for the Canon 5D Mark III.

Magic Lantern 2.3 recently launched for other Canon DSLRs and delivered some impressive and stable new features.

Magic Lantern 5D Mark III Firmware

While the first alpha build of Magic Lantern for the 5D Mark III doesn’t quite offer all the features of version 2.3 on the 5D Mark II, it still presents some features that many HDSLRs want to see. [Read more…]

Nikon 18.5mm f/1.8 Lens for Mirrorless System Announced

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1 NIKKOR 18.5mm f/1.8

Along with the new Nikon D600 DSLR, Nikon unveiled a new 18.5mm f/1.8 lens for its 1 Series mirrorless cameras.

The 1 Nikkor 18.5mm f/1.8 offers a full frame effective focal length of 50mm.  Essentially, the new lens becomes a “fast fifty” when used with the Nikon J1, J2 and V1 cameras.

The new 18.5mm f/1.8 lens should be available in November for $189.95.  It will be available in black, white and silver.  You can order the lens here at B&H Photo.

Nikon D600 24MP Full Frame DSLR Officially Unveiled

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Nikon D600

Nikon has finally take the wraps off one of its worst-kept secrets – the full frame D600 DSLR.

The Nikon D600 is a bit of an entry-level to the full frame DSLR world.  While it packs a whopping 24.3MP sensor (most likely the same sensor or derivation of the one inside the new Sony A99), it also features some limitations like a max shutter speed of 1/4000s (instead of the 1/8000s shutter speed found on the Nikon D7000 and higher models).

Nonetheless, the D600 offers full frame prowess at a more affordable retail price point than ever before.  At just $2099.95, the Nikon D600 is most certainly a bargain and will likely fly off shelves for months to come.  You can order the Nikon D600 body here at B&H Photo.

The D600 is also available as kit with the Nikon AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR lens for $2699.95.  The D600 w/ 24-85mm lens kit is available here at B&H Photo.

The Nikon D600 should be in stores on September 18.

Nikon D600 Key Features

  • 24.3MP CMOS full frame sensor
  • 39-point AF system
  • 5.5 fps frame rate
  • ISO 100-6400 (ISO 50-25600 w/ expansion)
  • 3.2-inch LCD at 921k-dot res
  • 1080p at 24p/30p frame rates
  • 720p at 60p
  • Uncompressed HDMI-output
  • Shutter rated to 150k actuations
  • 1/4000s max shutter speed
  • 1/200 sync speed

Nikon has provided several full size sample images here on its website, some of which are RAW files converted to JPEG in Capture NX 2.

Along with the Nikon D600, a new WU-1b was announced, which allows you to wirelessly connect  the D600 to Android devices and share images or remotely operate the the D600’s shutter from up to 50-feet away.  The WU-1b will be available September 18, 2012 for $59.95.

[Read more…]