Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Nikon Next-Gen Rumors: D4 and D800

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As we saw with the announcement of the Nikon D3s, it looks like Nikon intends to squeeze as much as possible out of that 12.1-megapixel FX format sensor . . . for good reason though, it’s an awesome sensor that has been producing great images for over 2 years now.

Rumors of succeeding models to the popular D3 (which saw a recent refresh with the D3s) and D700 bodies have been floating around for several months.  Rumors of the D800 or a D700x seemed to gain momentum after Nikon announced the top-end D3x.  Many expected to see a high-megapixel equivalent of the D700, which came roughly 9 months after after the D3.  Since its introduction, the D700 has been characterized as sort of a “Nikon D3, Jr.” [Read more…]

 

Pentax K-7 System Rebate

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Pentax is offering a $100 prepaid VISA card when customers purchase a qualifying lens with the 14.6-megapixel Pentax K-7 DSLR.

You can buy up to 5 lenses with a new Pentax K-7 and receive a total of (5) $100 prepaid VISA cards.  Obviously, you can buy more, but only 5 of them will qualify for the rebate.  This promotion is set to expire January 15, 2010.  The rebate form can be downloaded here.

The qualifying lenses are listed below. [Read more…]

Featured Reader Comment: Praise for the Canon G11

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The Canon G11 is a great little point and shoot camera, no doubt.  For those of you who may not have caught Craig King’s comment on The Rave about the Canon G11 post, I thought I would share it with you here.

The following comment feature’s Craig’s impression of the G11 and is unedited other than breaking it up into shorter paragraphs:

I’m a serious amateur photographer that started back in 1982 with the legendary Canon AE-1. I was the guy that had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the digital altar!

In 2005 I started using the Nikon D 70 and got hooked on the obvious flexibility of digital. I really love to carry my camera everywhere I go, but as you know this is a good way to damage it and DSLR’s can draw the wrong type of attention in questionable areas!

I’ve been using the G11 for three weeks now and I’m standing here in total amazement at what I’ve been able to capture with it. The design of this camera simply lets your creativity flow. I have people ask me what am I doing different? I kind of snicker and know deep down that me and the camera are flowing together in harmony and the results are outstanding. I shoot almost exclusively in manual mode and I find this little powerhouse will let me blend settings to get what I’m after.I don’t push passed 800 ISO, because the noise does appear after that.

All in all I give it thumbs up and recommend it highly for the artist that isn’t wrapped up in technical parameters. Just get one and get out there and make it happen! One warning, your DSLR will start to feel neglected!

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on the Canon G11 Craig.  Discover more about this camera on Photography Bay’s Canon G11 Reviews and Resources.

Sony Cybershot WX1 Review

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Sony Cybershot WX1

The Sony Cybershot WX1 is a 10.1-megapixel point and shoot camera – but it isn’t just another camera with a new model number and more megapixels. The WX1 provides everything that you get in your run-of-the-mill point and shoot camera, but also adds some great features like an easy panoramic mode, an effective low light mode and a powerful new imaging sensor. [Read more…]

6 Tips for Taking Better Pictures With Your Cameraphone

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The Colors of The Wind

Just because your camera doesn’t have a large sensor or a nice lens doesn’t mean that you can’t take great pictures with it. As much as I love taking my Canon 5D Mark II out with me, she (her name is Dahlia) can be a bit bulky at times in my messenger bag. On top of that, I can’t exactly fully justify the purchase of a Micro Four Thirds camera or a Leica X1 in this economy. So at times, I find myself turning to my T-Mobile G1. Here’s how to take better photos with a cameraphone.

[Read more…]

Chase Jarvis Trade Secrets

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DEVIANT

Trade Secret Cards has partnered with Chase Jarvis to produce a set of 22 cards that take killer images from Chase’s portfolio and couple them with a detailed “how-to” containing an explanation, diagrams and gear.

They’ve produced a run of 5000 sets of the 22 cards, which cost $21.95 per set.  Chase mentioned on his blog that he gets 10% of the purchase price; however, he’s elected to put that money back into the photo community and has given his community of followers the power to help decide how that money is spent.

You can order them at tradesecretcards.com.

You can keep track of Chase Jarvis at blog.chasejarvis.com.

Field Test Review: The Cotton Carrier

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The Cotton Carrier is another product that is meant to help you with carrying your cameras around just like the Spider. Designed kind of like a lightweight vest, the advertising for the product will appeal most to wildlife and landscape photographers. However, it may also have some appeal to wedding or sports photographers. I used the Cotton Carrier while shooting in Central Park and while also shooting the recent Yankee parade celebrating their win during the World Series. My findings, after the jump.

[Read more…]

Sony A850, A900 and Canon 5D Mark II – More ISO Comparisons

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For those of you interested in a little more pixel peeping with the Sony A850, A900 and Canon 5D Mark II, I’ve added several more samples taken at various noise reduction settings.

I’ve made all of these available in this forum thread, which includes 100% crops and full-res files for download and inspection.

The original ISO comparison, which did not use noise reduction, can be found here.

Get $100K for 140 Seconds of Your Time

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Here’s a cool contest with some really cool folks involved.

Nikon is giving away $100,000 for a 140 second video about your day.  The theme is “A Day through Your Lens.”  The above video is Rainn Wilson’s hilarious take on the concept.

Of course, Nikon is promoting the capabilities of its D-Movie function on several of its DSLRs like the D300s, D3s, D5000 and D90; however, the contest is open to anyone shooting with any kind of gear.  Kudos to Nikon on that.

The winner will be chosen by pioneering photographer and filmmaker Chase Jarvis actor Rainn Wilson from NBC’s The Office, internet queen and actress “iJustine” Ezarik.  Chase seems pretty stoked about this.

You can enter at NikonFestival.com.

Check out the press release below for full details. [Read more…]