Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

New Canon Radio Transmitting Speedlite Soon?

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Canon 600EX-RT

After the long-awaited Canon 600EX-RT was announced alongside the Canon 5D Mark III earlier this year, we knew it would only be a matter of time before Canon dropped more radio transmitting Speedlites in the lineup.  Now, Canon Rumors has word that a 430EX II replacement is inbound for possibly a Fall 2012 announcement.

For those not ready to cough up nearly $60o for the 6ooEX-RT Speedlite, a 430EX II replacement should come with a more enthusiast-friendly price tag (likely in the $300-$400 price range).  Perhaps we’ll see an unveiling of the new flash at or around Photokina 2012.

Stay tuned.

 

Nikon 1 Series J2 Mirrorless Camera Coming This Month… Along with New Accessories?

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Nikon 1 Series Concepts

Nikon Rumors is reporting that Nikon will be dropping a new J2 mirrorless camera later in August as a replacement for the Nikon 1 Series J1 model.  Additionally, Nikon is expected to release several new mirrorless accessories, including an underwater housing.

This is just one of the many rumored announcements due for Photokina 2012.

More Canon Low-End Full Frame DSLR Rumors

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Canon Full Frame 7D Mark II Rumors

Northlight Images has received some new information concerning a cheaper full frame Canon DSLR. Rumors suggest either an 18MP sensor or a 22MP sensor, which leads to further speculation of a repurposed Canon 1D X or Canon 5D Mark III sensor, respectively.

Additional specs make the new model look a lot more like a full frame iteration of the Canon 7D, as opposed to the 5D Mark III.  A smaller overall body design with a built-in flash would make it more of a prosumer design.

Other rumored features are as follows: [Read more…]

New Canon EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS Lens Coming Soon?

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Canon 100-400mm Lens

Canon Rumors recently got word that a new EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS lens could be announced around Photokina 2012.  The current 100-400mm model is getting a little long in tooth and is known as a dust sucker thanks to the push-pull zoom barrel.

The new model is rumored to carry an f/4-5.6 range – instead of the current f/4.5-5.6 aperture range.  Additional rumors have included the possibility of a twist-zoom barrel instead of the current push-pull design.

Lexar Jumps on XQD Memory Card Bandwagon

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XQD Memory Card

Lexar will begin supporting the XQD memory card format this year.  Lexar has plans to bring XQD cards to market in third quarter 2012.

Currently, the only camera supporting the XQD format is the Nikon D4 and Sony is the only XQD card manufacturer with cards on store shelves, including Sony’s second batch of new S Series 168MB/s cards that are available for pre-order.

No word on pricing, but expect Lexar to be in the same ballpark as Sony during these early months of availability – with Sony starting at $130 for a 16GB card (an H Series at 125MB/s).

Maybe Lexar has word on “future XQD-based camera models” mentioned in its press release that will increase demand for the new format.  My money is on the next Sony full frame model (the A99?) to feature at least one XQD card slot.  Expect to hear more about XQD format support (SanDisk, Kingston?) and new camera models in the coming weeks as we lead up to Photokina 2012.

Check out Lexar’s full press release on upcoming XQD card support below. [Read more…]

Nikon 800mm f/5.6 Officially Announced

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Nikon 800mm f/5.6

Nikon has announced the upcoming 800mm f/5.6 super-telephoto lens.  The lens is the longest Nikon AF lens – ahead of the 600mm f/4G VR.

The new 800mm monster will be on display at Photokina 2012.

No price or release date has been announced yet.  My estimate is that it will be in the same $14k range as the Canon 800mm f/5.6L and maybe Nikon will get more official about availability around Photokina.

Update – Here’s a closer look at the lens:

Nikon 800mm Close Up

See the full press release below. [Read more…]

New Nikon AF-S 800mm f/5.6 VR Lens Coming Soon?

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Nikon 600mm

Nikon Rumors picked up word that a new AF-S 800mm f/5.6 VR Lens should arrive in September around the time of Photokina 2012.  The longest current lens in Nikon’s line up is the 600mm f/4G ED VR AF lens.  Given that this lens is priced at $9800, I would expect to see the 800mm lens in the same $14k ballpark as Canon’s 800mm f/5.6L.

Nikon D600 Full Frame Rumors Emerge

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Nikon D600 Strap

Hot on the heels of a Nikon D400 rumor, Nikon Rumors is at it again with new rumors of a cheaper full-frame model, dubbed the Nikon D600, which would serve in a complementary role the D800 (and perhaps replace the now-lower-priced D700) .  Rumored specifications include a 24MP CMOS sensor, no internal AF motor (akin to entry-level APS-C cameras), and a price point around $1500.

Other rumored specs include:

  • The new camera will be marketed as an entry level full frame camera
  • Auto DX crop mode
  • Dual SD card slots
  • In-camera RAW editor
  • Built in time-lapse functionality
  • There will be no built-in HDR feature
  • Possible integrated GPS
  • New external battery grip

The camera is alleged to make an appearance before Photokina 2012.

Stay tuned for the latest.

Canon 5D Mark III, 7D Mark II, 3D and 4K Rumor-fest

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Canon 4K Cine DSLR

This is some kind of New Year resolution for Canon – that is, if all these rumors come to light by the end of the year.

More juice on the Canon 5D Mark III suggests further that the camera would maintain a reasonable MP-count (if not the same as the Canon 1D X).  The rumor mill also continues to churn on an announcement for the 5D Mark III in the next few months.  For the record, my money is still on an announcement in time for the 2012 NAB Show.

In addition to the 5D Mark III, rumors are swirling that the infamous Canon 3D is a live project.  No spec details other than to suggest that it is a “photographer’s camera.”  What that means, I dunno.  The simplest of guesses has me leaning toward no/minor video functionality, which would go hand-in-hand with earlier rumors of the 5D Mark III as a very video-centric camera.

Hmm? A 5D line as the video-focused line and a 3D line as the stills-focused line?  The 3D name would tend to lead to less confusion if the camera didn’t have video capture at all… [Read more…]