Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Strobist Photo Trade Secrets Vol. 1 & 2 – Book Review

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The Strobist Photo Trade Secrets books are quick-hit lighting books, featuring stunning flash photography from a variety of individual photographers.  Both volumes are edited by Zeke Kamm and published by Peachpit Press.

Essentially, the books each contain a collection of a couple dozen great images.  Each image covers a full page with a diagram and description of how the image was made on the back of the page.  Consequently, the photos suck you in to try to reverse-engineer the lighting setup in your head before you turn the page. [Read more…]

 

Nikon D7000 Sample Video

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While working on the Nikon D7000 review, I put together this little video of some high ISO clips at a local aquarium.  I believe all of these clips were at either ISO 3200 or ISO 6400.

As you’ll learn in the coming review, the D7000 is a little more cumbersome than its Canon counterparts for video work due to the funky aperture controls; however, it still fares quite well in the final output video.  For now, check out the video below. [Read more…]

New HDSLR Hub from Shane Hurlbut and B&H Photo

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Cinematographer Shane Hurlbut has teamed up with B&H Photo to create the new HDSLR Hub, which is anchored by a series of educational of videos beginning on February 28, 2011. There are six episodes in this series, which runs through April 4, 2011, and aim to cover gear, workflow and more.

If you want to take your video-capable DSLR seriously, this would be a good place to start.  You can find the teaser video above, while the series will launch next Monday at HDSLRhub.com.

Associated Press Sees Canon 5D Mark II as a “Game Changer”

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In the above video from Beet.TV, Vice President & Director of Associated Press Broadcasting News, Kevin Roach, talks about writers taking on video projects and photographers adding the 5D Mark II to their arsenal in order to tell a story beyond a single frame.

No doubt the 5D Mark II is a game changer; however, Roach’s commentary on the AP’s approach to news gathering and what this new era of DSLRs has done for the AP is interesting nonetheless.

Canon UK Backs Out of Focus on Imaging 2011 at Last Minute

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Canon at Focus on Imaging

Focus on Imaging is the largest annual trade show in Europe and is scheduled for March 6-9, 2011.  Focus on Imaging is a place where Canon has had a massive presence in past years.  This year, however, Canon won’t be there.  Moreover, Canon’s decision to not participate was only made public today. [Read more…]

2011 Samsung NX Series Lens Line Up Unveiled

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Samsung has unveiled its plans for five new lenses for its NX system to be available later this year.  All of the new lenses will be i-Function lenses and will be staggered in their release beginning in May.  The new lenses are as follows:

  • 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 ED OIS (available in May)
  • 16mm f/2.4 (available in July)
  • 60mm f/2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA (available in August)
  • 85mm f/1.4 ED SSA (available in October)
  • 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 OIS (available in December)

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

New Canon DSLR and Lens Rebates

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Canon USA has launched a new instant rebate program for the Canon 60D, 7D and a number of lenses.  Additionally, the lens rebates are doubled when purchased with a Canon 1D Mark IV, 1Ds Mark III, 5D Mark II, 7D or 60D (see example below).  These rebates are valid through March 19, 2011. [Read more…]

Editorial Images Now Available at iStockphoto

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iStockphoto has now made “editorial use only” images available for purchase.  Unlike the millions of other pre-existing royalty-free images on iStockphoto, the new editorial collection of images are strictly for non-commercial use and “are intended for use by news outlets, publishers, magazines, bloggers and presenters as a descriptive visual reference to a product, place, event or concept.”

Additionally, contributing photographers will generally not be required to submit a model release for editorial images, nor is there a need to remove trademarks or other branding from editorial images.

More details on the new editorial image collection in iStock’s press release below. [Read more…]