Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

onOne Software Offers Free Photoshop Plug-ins

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onOne Software

onOne Software just announced the availability of free versions of its PhotoTools 2.5 and PhotoFrame 4.5 Photoshop plug-ins.  The Standard versions of each will set you back $160 each; however, the free versions are based on the standard versions, only they have less content.  These are free forever though – unlike the 30-day trial versions you see out there.

The plug-ins are compatible with Photoshop CS2, CS3 and CS4.  I don’t see any downside to this deal from onOne.  So, head on over and check them out at http://www.ononesoftware.com/free.

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

 

Sony Unveils the Alpha Ultra-Compact Menu System

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Sony Europe has released a video demonstrating the menu system of the new Alpha ultra-compact interchangeable lens camera.

This HD teaser trailer showcases the camera’s large LCD screen, intuitive menu functionality and on-screen help guide. The practicality of an ultra compact camera is combined with an APS-size sensor and AVCHD video recording, resulting in a sublimely simple photographic experience that produces stunning photos with DSLR picture quality.

[via Sony Europe]

Free Color Managed Workflow Webinar on 3/17/10

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Color Management Webinar

Manfrotto and Datacolor are putting on a free online webinar that will offer tips on controlling color accuracy and using Datacolors Spyder3 color management products.  The free webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 17th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT.

You can register for the webinar at the following link:

http://spyder.datacolor.com/manfrotto_webinar.php

They’ll also be giving away some free prizes to live listeners.  Your registration counts as your entry.

More details below. [Read more…]

Pentax 645D

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Pentax 645D

The Pentax 645D is a medium format, interchangeable lens camera.  It features a 40MP Kodak CCD image sensor measuring 44mm x 33mm, and a 14-bit A/D converter. The 645D offers a sensitivity range of ISO 200-1000, which is expandable to ISO 100 and ISO 1600.  The 645D also features an 11-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors positioned in the middle, and a 77-segment multi-pattern metering system.  The 645D’s optical viewfinder offers 98% frame coverage.  Additionally, the 645D features a 3-inch LCD with 920k dot resolution. The 645D stores images via dual SD card slots, which accept SDHC cards (but not the newer SDXC cards).

Initially, the Pentax 645D will only be available in Japan at an initial retail price of ¥850,000, which is a bit under $10,000 USD at the time of the camera’s official announcement.

[Read more…]

Olympus SP-800UZ Hands-On Review

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Olympus SP-800UZ

The Olympus SP-800UZ is a 14MP superzoom camera that features a 30x optical zoom lens.  The lens zoom range works out to a 28-840mm equivalent on a full frame camera. To help out with keeping the camera steady, the SP-800UZ offers Olympus’ Dual Image Stabilization, which combines sensor-shift stabilization with high ISO and faster shutter speeds to reduce blur.

The SP-800UZ can also capture 720p HD video, which is easy to activate thanks to a dedicated one-touch video record button on the rear in easy reach of the thumb. [Read more…]

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography – New Book

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Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography is a new book from NK Guy that, as the title implies, focuses on the Canon EOS Speedlite system.  It is intended as an authoritative resource for the Canon E-TTL Speedlite system, and includes diagrams and sample photos to demonstrate techniques.

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography carries a retail price tag of $44.95; however, it can be found for $29.67 on Amazon.com.

More details below. [Read more…]

Tamron Announces 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens

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Tamron 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD

Tamron has announced the development of a new 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD for Nikon, Canon and Sony mounts. The new lens is the first from Tamron to incorporate Ultrasonic Silent Drive AF motor for faster autofocus.  Additionally, the lens will include Tamron’s Vibration Compensation (except for Sony mount) to reduce shake-induced blur in images.

Tamron will release the Nikon mount version first, and then follow on with Canon and Sony versions.  Tamron has not announced a price for the lens at this time; however, it matches up squarely against the Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4-5.6 VR and the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, both of which are in the $500 range.

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