Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony A560 Announced

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The Sony A560 is the successor to the popular A550 DSLR, and features a 14.2MP and HD video capture at 1080i.  The A560 also offers Multi-frame Noise Reduction, Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama and other familiar features such as Auto HDR and Quick Live View AF.

The Sony A560 should be available in October 2010 with an 18-55mm kit lens at an initial retail price of $750.  A body-only version will be available for $650.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

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

 

Sony A580 Announced (in Europe)

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The Sony A580 has been announced by Sony UK, but no word from Sony US on the camera yet.  The A580 features a 16.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor, 7fps image capture, AVCHD 1080i video capture and an articulating 3″ LCD.  Like the A560, the A580 also offers Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama and Sony’s Quick AF Live View system.

The A580 should be available in October in Europe, and is unknown whether it will be available in the US.

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

Alien Skin Announces Bokeh 2 Plug-in

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Alien Skin has announced Bokeh 2, which is the latest version of its creative focus and lens simulation plug-in.  Bokeh 2 offers 64-bit support for Photoshop CS5, as well as support for Lightroom 2 or greater.

Bokeh 2 retails for $199 and is a $99 upgrade for Bokeh 1 users.  If you purchased Bokeh 1 in April 2010 or later, then the upgrade is free.

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

Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 Digital TTL Flash

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The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 Digital is a new TTL hotshoe flash that is compatible with Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony TTL systems.  A dedicated model is available for each system.  The Metz 58 AF-2 features a metal hotshoe and a USB interface for future firmware updates.  Additional features of the 58 AF-2 include a modeling light, 24-105mm zoom head, pre-flash suppression for Canon models, high speed sync and flash bracketing.

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

Metz Mecablitz 50 AF-1 Digital TTL Flash

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The Metz Mecablitz 50 AF-1 Digital is a new mid-range TTL hotshoe flash that is compatible with Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony TTL systems.  A dedicated model is available for each system.

The 50 AF-1 features a USB interface for future firmware updates.  The 50 AF-1 is capable of being used as a slave in TTL systems and features a guide number 50 for ISO 100/21° and 105 mm.

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

Sony A560 and A580 Promo Images Leak Out

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Another day, another Sony product leak.  This time up, product images of the new Sony A560 and A580 (replacements for the A500 and A550) have surfaced – just a day after the A33 and A55 were revealed.

The Sony A560 and A580 are rumored to feature 14MP and 16MP sensors, along with the ability to capture AVCHD video at 1080i.  More images of the A560 and A580 below. [Read more…]

Nikon D3100 and New Lens Availability / Pre-Orders

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Retailers are starting to list the Nikon D3100 and the 4 new Nikon lenses for pre-order.  Below is the short list of links those product pages.

Nikon D3100 Availability

Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Availability

Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Availability

Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Availability

Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.4G Availability

Nikon D3100: 14.2MP, Full-Time Video AF and 1080p H.264 AVCHD

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It’s here.  1080p on a Nikon DSLR.

The Nikon D3100 is the first Nikon DSLR to feature 1080p video capture – and it does so at 24p with full time autofocus.

The D3100 is an entry-level DSLR with its $699.95 price tag, which includes a kit lens.  Nikon has traded up from its previous 12MP DX sensor, to a new 14.2MP CMOS sensor with Nikon’s new EXPEED 2 image processing system. [Read more…]