Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Camera and Lens Rebates Roundup

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Canon 60D Rebate

There have been several photo-related rebate promotions announced recently.  Below a quick roundup of all the current rebates from Canon, Nikon, Olympus and the rest courtesy of B&H Photo.

Canon Double Instant Rebate Promotion – ends January 8

Canon 60D Instant Rebate – ends November 24

Nikon DSLR and Lens Kits Instant Rebates – ends November 20

Nikon S4000 $30 Instant Savings – ends November 20

Tamron Lens Rebates – ends November 31

SanDisk Memory Card Rebates – ends January 1

Olympus E-PL1 and Lens Instant Rebates – ends January 1

Canon DSLR & Printer Rebates – ends December 31

 

Mastering the Nikon D300/D300S – New Book

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Mastering the Nikon D300/D300S is a new book from photographer Darrell Young, which goes beyond the manual and guides Nikon D300 and D300S users through the capabilities of these cameras.

Mastering the Nikon D300/D300S carries a retail price of $34.95; however, it is currently available from Amazon.com for $23.07.

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

Firmware Friday: Pentax K-5 & PocketWizards

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Camera Firmware Update

Below you will find this week’s firmware updates.  Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.

Pentax K-5 new firmware version – Increases continuous shooting in RAW format and other bug fixes [coming mid-November]

PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 version 5.200 for Canon “offers optimized compatibility with the PowerST4 Receiver for Elinchrom and the AC9 AlienBees Adapter for Paul C. Buff flashes.” [PocketWizard Website]

Panasonic GF2 Announced

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The Panasonic GF2 is a follow-up to the popular Panasonic GF1.  The GF2 packs a 12.1MP Live MOS sensor, shoots Full HD at 1920 x 1080 at 60i in AVCHD format, and covers a sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400. The new camera also adds a touch-sensitive 3″ LCD at 460k-dot resolution and a built-in stereo mic.

Like the GF1, the GF2 includes a pop-up flash, along with a hotshoe for an external flash.  The GF2 is available as a kit with either a 14mm f/2.5 or 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.

The GF2 will be available in red, black and white, and is expected to ship in January 2011. We should know the retail price next month (expect it to be in the $800-$1000 range depending on the lens).  Check availability on Amazon.com.

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

Panasonic GF2 Coming Tomorrow

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One of my favorite mirrorless cameras is the Panasonic GF1.  In terms of form-factor, controls and image quality, the GF1 delivers a great balance.

If 43rumors.com is accurate with its prediction, we should see the successor to the GF1 tomorrow.  It’s looking like the GF2 will have the same 12MP sensor as is found in the Panasonic G2, which is a solid performer.

If the Panasonic GF2 turns out to deliver better performance, while maintaining the friendly form-factor of the GF1, then we should have a real gem on our hands.

Stay tuned for the latest on the Panasonic GF2.

[via 43rumors.com]

Update:  It’s already leaked in France.  Here’s proof:

[via Photo Rumors]

Tether Tools JerkStopper Tethering Kit

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Tether Tools has launched a new line of JerkStopper cable retention devices to help you prevent cables from popping out of ports while shooting tethered.  The JerkStoppers work with any USB, FireWire or HDMI cables, along with a number of other types of cables.

Tether Tools JerkStoppers and other Tether Tools products are available at Adorama.com.

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

Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3S – Autofocus Performance [Part 4]

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Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3s

In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, I provided an introduction to this autofocus evaluation, as well as a brief overview of the Canon 1D Mark IV and Nikon D3S AF systems.  In Part 3 of this series, I looked more in-depth at images captured during basketball games with the 1D Mark IV and D3S. If you have not read the previous installments in this series, you can do so now by clicking the links below:

  1. Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3S – Autofocus Performance [Part 1]
  2. Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3S – Autofocus Performance [Part 2]
  3. Canon 1D Mark IV vs. Nikon D3S – Autofocus Performance [Part 3]

In Part 4 below, we will look more in-depth at images captured during a track and field event with the 1D Mark IV and D3S. [Read more…]

Firmware Friday: Panasonic FZ100, Ricoh GXR, Sigma DP1x

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Camera Firmware Update

Below you will find this week’s firmware updates.  Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.

Panasonic Lumix FZ100 version 1.1 – “Improvement of banding noise or shadow which may occur depending on the outdoor shooting condition” [Panasonic Website]

Ricoh GXR system multiple versions – Multiple bug fixes. [Ricoh Website]

Sigma DP1x version 1.01 – “Corrects the phenomenon that recording time is rather long. Shortens the time of turning on and off.” [Sigma Website]

Animoto Plug-in for Apple Aperture

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Apple Aperture 3

Animoto has released a free plug-in for Apple Aperture users.

Available at no charge, the plug-in lets Aperture users initiate Animoto video projects from directly within Aperture. Now, even when working in Aperture, photographers are only a few clicks away from a stunning Animoto video. –Animoto

You can download the plug-in from Animoto here.