Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Just passing along a little public service announcement – Rob Galbraith just published an in-depth look at the action-stopping power of the new Einstein monolight from Paul C. Buff. The maker of Alien Bees monolights has really outdone himself. Just, wow.
If you are looking for a studio or sports strobe that delivers above and beyond its sub-$500 asking price, take 20 minutes or so and dig in to Galbraith’s article here.
Einstein specs and ordering info on Paul C. Buff’s site here.
Below you will find this week’s firmware updates. Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.
Sony NEX-3 / NEX-5 firmware version .02 – “3D Sweep Panorama function has been added; Improvement of ‘normal’ 2D Sweep Panorama shooting; Decreased power drain when the camera is switched off; Quicker start-up in low-light conditions.” [Sony website]
Panasonic ZS5 / ZS6 / ZR3 / TS2 firmware version 1.1 – “Optimization of Light amount for INON external flash(S-2000/D-2000/Z-240)” [Panasonic website]
Pansonic FP3 firmware version 1.1 – “Improved reaction speed of the touch operation. Improved speed of the image forwarding at the time of the reproduction.” [Panasonic website]
Olympus has launched an augmented reality demo for the E-PL1, which lets you demo the camera online with the help of your web cam. When I received the email containing Total Immersion’s press release (the guys behind the augmented reality plugin), I was scratching my head a bit. But then, I watched the below video and that better explained it (’cause it’s something you really have to see to get it – or maybe it’s just me). [Read more…]
Amazon is currently listing the Rebel T2i “In Stock.” But there are only 4 left (at the time of this post) according to the product page, and it’s just the (body only) that’s in stock. Here’s the link:
Also, Adorama currently has a number of Rebel T2i kits in stock as well. Here are those links:
It doesn’t look like B&H has any Rebel T2i kits in stock at the time of this post. Of course, that could change soon, so here’s the link to B&H’s various Rebel T2i kits that you can keep checking back on:
This camera has been tough to find since day one, so I wouldn’t wait around too long if it’s on your list – or you’ll be waiting a while longer.
I’ve been digging into Lightroom 3 for a couple of days now. I’m a big fan of the improvements – happy to see my video files, love the tethered shooting capability, as well as the improved speed. Last night, however, I decided to dig up some of my photos from the Canon 1D Mark IV and Nikon D3s ISO comparisons and take a closer look at the improved noise control that we’ve all heard so much about.
While I experienced a taste of what was to come in the Lightroom 3 beta, I was not prepared for the magnitude of improvement that I saw in the images as I wiped my Lightroom 2 adjustments and made new adjustments in Lightroom 3’s noise control panel.
I could go on and on about it, but you really need to see for yourself. [Read more…]
It was a slow week, but below you will find this week’s firmware updates. Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware. [Read more…]
iPhone photographers are getting improvements in panoramic efforts with the latest version of the AutoStitch iPhone app. You can use AutoStitch 3.0 to create iPhone panoramic images up to 20MP in size. The app will also adjust for brightness variations across a range of images. AutoStitch 3.0 also allows you to share your images on Facebook or via email from within the app.
AutoStitch 3.0 runs $2.99 and is available through the App Store in the Photography category. The full App Store name is AutoStitch Panorama.
SanDisk has introduced a Write Once, Read Many (WORM) SD card in 1GB capacity. The WORM card is geared toward users who are seeking archival and tamper-proof storage. Specifically, SanDisk is highlighting the SD WORM card’s utility to police departments, which require an unalterable chain of evidence.
Full details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Nearly two years ago, Canon changed the game (and, perhaps redefined the game) with the introduction of the 5D Mark II. (And, while the Nikon D90 was the first DSLR to hit the scene with HD video capture, few will argue that Canon’s 5D Mark II was the real game changer.) As the story goes, the addition of HD video to the 5D Mark II was almost an afterthought, which isn’t too far fetched of a story – given the rough implementation and numerous workarounds required to get a polished video out of the camera in those early firmware versions.
And then there was Reverie.
Reverie changed the way we looked at this new camera before we even knew what it was supposed to do. I’ve heard Vincent Laforet recount the almost accidental acquisition of a prototype 5D Mark II a couple of times now. He had the prototype camera in hand for roughly 72 hours and really made the most of that time. That accidental spark ignited a huge flame in demand for the 5D Mark II – as well as a demand for knowledge to learn what it takes to do the same thing with a $2700 (at the time) camera.
A new niche market was born almost overnight. [Read more…]
Interested in learning more about wildlife photography? That’s just the title of a new book from photographer Uwe Skrczypcza. Among other topics, the book addresses technical issues associated with wildlife photography workflow, and focuses on Skrzypczak’s photography in the Serengeti National Park in East Africa. Wildlife Photography retails for $39.95, but is available from Amazon.com for $26.37 at the time of this post.
More details in Rocky Nook’s press release below. [Read more…]