Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Nikon Image Authentication Software Cracked, Rendered Useless

By

Image authentication doesn’t quite mean what it used to.  It was just back in November 2010 that Russian forensic software firm, ElcomSoft, cracked Canon’s image authentication software.  Now, it’s done the same to Nikon’s $500 Image Authentication Software.

Nikon states that its Image Authentication Software allows users to “Verify JPEG, TIFF and NEF (RAW) data taken using a compatible Nikon digital SLR. This secure software checks if an image has been processed or edited after taken.”

The authenticity of a photograph is of the utmost importance in court cases and other commercial and industrial applications.  The discovery of vulnerabilities in Nikon’s software adds yet another hurdle to a previously proven method of image authentication.

ElcomSoft claims that it has notified Nikon of this vulnerability; however, ElcomSoft noted that “Nikon has provided no response nor expressed any interest in the existence of the issue.”

Note that Canon Europe posted a request of users of its software to contact the company to discuss the issue.

More details on this development in Elcomsoft’s statement below. [Read more…]

 

Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G Launches, Priced at $220

By

We have been waiting for this news since Nikon posted its new AF-S 50mm lens on its website and then removed it last week.  Finally, the lens has been officially unveiled (permanently this time) and it’s got a decent price point of $220.  All I can say is that it’s about time!

The Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8 lens should be available beginning on June 16, 2011.  You can watch for availability on Amazon (update: pre-order up on Amazon), B&H Photo and Adorama.

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

Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G Lens . . . It’s About Time!

By

If there has ever been demand for a company to produce a single lens, it’s the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8 lens.  Ever since the Nikon D40 came out (with it’s lack of AF motor), Nikon users have been clamoring for something to replace the staple 50mm f/1.8D lens.  Heck, I even wrote an open letter to Nikon last year pleading for this lens with a built-in AF motor.

And, finally, it appears that they have. [Read more…]

Nikon D5100 Incoming [Updated: It’s Here]

By

With press releases already leaking out on the web, it looks like Nikon is about to lower the hammer with its new D5100 DSLR, which sports a 16.2MP sensor, 11-point AF system and 1920 x 1080/24p video capture.  Other juicy specs are a new HDR feature, video special effects and 4 fps still frame rate.

The most obvious new addition to the D5100 is a swivel LCD, which attaches to the side of the camera.  This is a bit of change up from the D5000, which sported a swivel LCD that attached to the bottom of the camera. The LCD itself is a solid 921k-dot res display that weighs in at a full 3 inches.

The D5100 offers a sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400, and is expandable to ISO 25,600.  What’s more, the D5100 sports a new “Night Vision” mode for video capture that records in low light up to ISO 102,400.

The D5100 captures both 1080p and 720p at 24p or 30p frame rates.  Notably absent is the ability to record at 60p when shooting 720p video (like the Canon 7D and 60D models).  Of course, this isn’t new to Nikon HDSLRs – with the recent Nikon D7000 locked down to the same frame rate options.  Manual exposure control is confirmed for video mode. [Update: DPReview confirms that the D5100 suffers from the same, frustrating aperture lock that cripples the D7000 when in Live View mode.  This seriously hampers the use of the D5100 as a video-centric tool.]

Those interested in using the D5100 to capture video will find the addition of a stereo mic input will be a welcomed bonus.

Speaking of mic inputs, Nikon looks to be launching the Nikon ME-1 stereo mic alongside the D5100 – although its spec sheet is hardly inspiring.  Nikon Rumors picked up word that the frequency response only covers 70Hz to 16kHz.  It will be powered by the camera and will sport a switchable low-cut filter (not sure what the low-cut boundaries are though).  Given that the ME-1 appears to be strictly intended for using on-camera and mounted in the hot shoe of a consumer-grade camera, it might be good enough.

[via Nikon Rumors]

Full Nikon Canada (replaced with US version) press release follows. [Read more…]