Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
The 4-channel MicroSync radio triggers let you wirelessly trigger your remote strobes or speedlights. The basic transmitter and receiver kit will only set you back $100 and you can buy the components separately from there. Depending on how you use your off-camera lighting kit, the MicroSync kit could be just the right fit. [Read more…]
A hacker sent an email to Sony Alpha Rumors alleging that it is possible to hack the Sony A55 firmware to capture 3K video at 24p and/or 1080p video at 48/60 fps.
“I have had the Sony A55v for about a week. I’m already into the firmware and from years of hacking motherboard/video-card BIOS and Pentax cameras I can tell you the APS-C sensor can shoot MJPEG at 3k resolution at 24p for at least 45 seconds. I’m more interested in 1080p at 48/60 FPS. I’ll tell right now the memory buffer systems in this camera is huge….probably 3-4 times that of the GH1. All I’ve done is break into the code. A proper hack would take months. Thousands of possible settings to adjust. Testing. But you need thousands of people and a big community to support a project like that.” –SonyAlphaRumors
While this would most likely interest a rather niche audience, if the Panasonic GH1 hack is anything to measure it by, it could also be a pretty big deal.
A couple of new stock updates for Pentax’s new cameras.
The Pentax K-r can be found in stock at Adorama.
Amazon.com is listing single Pentax K-5 in stock at the time of this update, which means: (1) it will likely be gone soon, and (2) the K-5 should be available at B&H Photo and Adorama soon too.
It’s time for our weekly break from the gear for a few minutes so we can enjoy another round of reader photos from the Photography Bay Flickr Group.
Check out the rest of the photos below. [Read more…]
Got $120,000 to spare? Then this 1200mm f/5.6L lens just might fit into your camera bag.
While I saw it under glass at B&H Photo back in January, Bryan over at The Digital Picture recently had the chance to do some shooting with it on a field trip with the guys from B&H, as seen in the video below. [Read more…]
Camera accessory manufacturer, DeluxGear, has created a thick neoprene Lens Guard that fits over the ends of lenses that helps protect from drops and other mishaps.
“The Lens Guard can be used with or without filters or lens caps. It is available for both the lens front and rear in three sizes that will fit a wide range of lenses from 2.5” to 4” in diameter. A built in tether connects the Lens Guard to your lens, camera strap or camera body.”
A single Lens Guard runs $14.99, and a two-pack is $24.99.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Photography Bay reader “Mister Le” sent in a link to the unboxing of his new Nikon D7000. I know this is a bit cruel for those of you still waiting on the D7000 to become available. But, it should arrive really soon.
Below you will find this week’s firmware updates. Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.
Canon Rebel XS / 1000D version 1.0.7 – “Fixes a rare phenomenon in which “Cannot create folder” is displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor, after which shooting is no longer possible with the SD card in your camera.” [Canon Website]
Canon SX130 IS version 1.0.1.0 – “Fixes a phenomenon in which the audio and video get recorded out of sync when shooting movies with the image quality set to high definition (1280×720 pixels).” [Canon Website]
Sony NEX-3 / Sony NEX-5 version 03 – “Autofocus is now supported when using the NEX-5/NEX-3 with 14 lenses from the full range of A-mount optics by Sony and Carl Zeiss that includes telephotos, primes and zooms. Aperture settings can be maintained during HD movie recording, and system menu operation has been streamlined alongside other usability improvements. Registered NEX-5/NEX-3 owners will be advised of the free update via email.” [Sony Website]
Nikon Rumors got a tip and photo evidence that the new Nikon D7000 is sitting in Best Buy stock rooms everywhere, but they won’t sell them to you just yet.
Word is that Best Buy will start selling them on October 17 or 18 (my money’s on the 17th because that’s when Best Buy starts it new ads for each week).
BestBuy.com lists October 17-22 as arrival dates for pre-orders, as seen in the screenshot above.
B&H Photo, Adorama and Amazon also have the Nikon D7000 listed, with some offering pre-orders, but no dates for availability yet. Check those pages out below.
Sigma has officially announced pricing for its new 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM lens. The lens can be found at a street price of $899, which is far less than the fictional retail price of $1400 assigned by Sigma.
According to Sigma’s press release, the lens should be available immediately. You check on stock status for the new lens on B&H Photo, Adorama and Amazon.com.