Adorama has a list of Canon rebates where you can save up to $300.
The list is a mix of mail-in and instant rebates.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Camera and Lens News and Reviews for the Week of May 25
Cameras
Panasonic HX-A500 4K 30p Wearable Camera
Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-3
Canon PowerShot N100
Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II Review
Fujifilm X-T1 Mirrorless Camera Review
Lenses
The best 50 yet? Our Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM in-depth review
Samsung 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S ED OIS
Other
Transcend Launches SDXC/SDHC UHS-I Speed Class 3 Cards to Support 4K Video Capture
Epson Adds Two New Metallic Papers
Cinevate Announces New Hedron Slider
Accessory review: FotodioX WonderPana FreeArc Filter System
New Gear: Vanguard Announces Two New Camera Bag Lines, the Sedona and Reno
Panasonic HX-A500 4K 30p Wearable Camera
Olympus STYLUS TOUGH TG-3
Canon PowerShot N100
Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II Review
Fujifilm X-T1 Mirrorless Camera Review
Lenses
The best 50 yet? Our Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM in-depth review
Samsung 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S ED OIS
Other
Transcend Launches SDXC/SDHC UHS-I Speed Class 3 Cards to Support 4K Video Capture
Epson Adds Two New Metallic Papers
Cinevate Announces New Hedron Slider
Accessory review: FotodioX WonderPana FreeArc Filter System
New Gear: Vanguard Announces Two New Camera Bag Lines, the Sedona and Reno
Thursday, May 29, 2014
A Kickstarter Project You Can't Beat with an iStick
Amateur Photographer has an online article today on the iStick Kickstarter project.
The project has already far exceeded its fundraising goal of $100,000.
The iStick is basically a USB drive that has a USB connector on one end and an Apple lightning connector on the other. This allows the drive to connect to iPhones and iPads. The ability to connect a storage device is especially useful for iPhones which lack the ability to use memory cards to extend the storage capabilities of the iPhone.
The iStick could face problems due to the price when compared to the currently available alternatives. An 8GB iStick is slated to have a retail price of $129. The 128GB model is listed at $399.
A MediaShair Wireless Media Hub or RAVPower FileHub coupled with a 128GB USB drive or SD card costs less than half that. These hubs can connect to more than one device at a time, and can connect to non-Apple phones and tablets. They also act as an external power supply if you need to recharge your device.
Using wireless connections does introduce security issues. Using the iStick would allow users to avoid these.
I'm not sure the added security features is worth the current premium. The price probably needs to be reduced to make the iStick a viable product. $129 is just way too much for 8GB of storage.
The project has already far exceeded its fundraising goal of $100,000.
The iStick is basically a USB drive that has a USB connector on one end and an Apple lightning connector on the other. This allows the drive to connect to iPhones and iPads. The ability to connect a storage device is especially useful for iPhones which lack the ability to use memory cards to extend the storage capabilities of the iPhone.
The iStick could face problems due to the price when compared to the currently available alternatives. An 8GB iStick is slated to have a retail price of $129. The 128GB model is listed at $399.
A MediaShair Wireless Media Hub or RAVPower FileHub coupled with a 128GB USB drive or SD card costs less than half that. These hubs can connect to more than one device at a time, and can connect to non-Apple phones and tablets. They also act as an external power supply if you need to recharge your device.
Using wireless connections does introduce security issues. Using the iStick would allow users to avoid these.
I'm not sure the added security features is worth the current premium. The price probably needs to be reduced to make the iStick a viable product. $129 is just way too much for 8GB of storage.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Site Update: Reworking Pages
Just a quick update.
I have adding a page to the top of the site: Stores. I have also changed the order pages are listed.
I plan to list photography/art stores with a brief description of what is offered. The honor of being the first store listed goes to Photojojo.
Pop Photo had an article on Photojojo's Engineering Print service. I decided to check the store out and found some interesting products.
My favorite might be the iPhone/Android film scanner. It turns your smartphone into a device that can scan film negatives.
Buy the iPhone and Android Film Scanner at the Photojojo Store!
I have adding a page to the top of the site: Stores. I have also changed the order pages are listed.
I plan to list photography/art stores with a brief description of what is offered. The honor of being the first store listed goes to Photojojo.
Pop Photo had an article on Photojojo's Engineering Print service. I decided to check the store out and found some interesting products.
My favorite might be the iPhone/Android film scanner. It turns your smartphone into a device that can scan film negatives.
Buy the iPhone and Android Film Scanner at the Photojojo Store!
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
The Panasonic HX-A500 4K Camera, A Privacy Nightmare?
Panasonic announced the HX-A500 4K wearable camera today.
The camera is waterproof, dust-proof with WiFi connectivity.
It's basically Panasonic's response to the GoPro.
It's also a potential privacy nightmare.
The lens portion is connected to the body via a cable. This, coupled with the small size of the lens, makes it fairly easy to conceal. Based on photographs, the lens housing appears to have a circumference similar to that of a quarter. The actual lens portion is even smaller.
It looks like a device that would be easily concealed without compromising video recording.
The camera can also be remotely controlled via tablet or smartphone with the video streamed live.
On the Internet.
It seems it would be very easy to use this camera to create hidden camera videos, and the person taking the video might not be traceable even if the camera is discovered.
The price is also low enough ($399) that abandoning it wouldn't be that big of a hit to the pocket book. While the purchase could be traced based on the information stored on the camera, there are ways a purchaser could prevent having the purchased traced back to them.
That's for a camera purchased new. One purchased used might provide no information on who purchased it at all.
Smaller, lighter cameras are great for photographers. Not so great for those concerned with privacy.
The camera is waterproof, dust-proof with WiFi connectivity.
It's basically Panasonic's response to the GoPro.
It's also a potential privacy nightmare.
The lens portion is connected to the body via a cable. This, coupled with the small size of the lens, makes it fairly easy to conceal. Based on photographs, the lens housing appears to have a circumference similar to that of a quarter. The actual lens portion is even smaller.
It looks like a device that would be easily concealed without compromising video recording.
The camera can also be remotely controlled via tablet or smartphone with the video streamed live.
On the Internet.
It seems it would be very easy to use this camera to create hidden camera videos, and the person taking the video might not be traceable even if the camera is discovered.
The price is also low enough ($399) that abandoning it wouldn't be that big of a hit to the pocket book. While the purchase could be traced based on the information stored on the camera, there are ways a purchaser could prevent having the purchased traced back to them.
That's for a camera purchased new. One purchased used might provide no information on who purchased it at all.
Smaller, lighter cameras are great for photographers. Not so great for those concerned with privacy.
Using a Network-Attached Server as a Photographer
Shutterbug posted an article today introducing the concept of using a Network-Attached Server (NAS) in a photography setting.
The article is a bit perfunctory and introduces some concepts without enough explanation for those not familiar with IT terms.
To start with, a server is a computer dedicated to providing information to other computers. The information stored on the server can be accessed by any computer capable of communicating with the server.
The information in this page is stored on a server owned by Google. It then sends that information over the Internet to anyone requesting access to this post. If someone posts a comment, that comment is stored on the same server. (Well, probably. Google actually owns thousands of servers and there is no reason that the comment couldn't be stored on another server.)
In an office setting, using a server allows anyone in the office to access a file. There is no need to place it on a portable storage device. This feature is useful when dealing with collaborative efforts.
Servers can also be configured to allow outside access. This allows employees to access files from home or at a client's location. This feature is one not mentioned in the article and could be beneficial to some photographers. (It does require additional security measures to prevent non-authorized access.)
The term "RAID" refers to the multiple hard drives used by servers. The term originally stood for "Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks." It now has come to mean "Redundant Array of Independent Disks."
The server can be configured to use the hard drives in different ways. This configuration setting is the number used after RAID.
RAID 0 results in the server splitting files up and storing them on different hard drives. Each drive only contains part of the file. The server accesses each hard drive at the same time when someone requests the file. This speeds up delivery of the file, but provides no redundancy.
The other configuration settings result in the file being stored on multiple hard drives. This varies based on which configuration is used. However, these settings always result in there being at least one back-up copy of the data being stored on the server.
RAID settings other than RAID 0 results in the server storing files in a redundant manner (hence RAID) which helps prevent loss of important files. The drawback is that storage space is reduced.
RAID 1 is the simplest setup. RAID 1 uses two hard drives and each drive stores a copy of the file. This provides redundancy, but basically halves the storage size of each drive.
RAID 5 and RAID 6 are the other settings commonly used. These split the files up between drives, but the server also stores error correction data. Servers with these setting combine the redundancy protection of RAID 1 with the ability to increase read times associated with RAID 0. These settings require the use of three or more hard drives, which increases cost.
The Wikipedia article on RAID settings includes links to articles on non-RAID servers architecture as well as non-Standard RAID settings if interested in further reading.
The article is a bit perfunctory and introduces some concepts without enough explanation for those not familiar with IT terms.
To start with, a server is a computer dedicated to providing information to other computers. The information stored on the server can be accessed by any computer capable of communicating with the server.
The information in this page is stored on a server owned by Google. It then sends that information over the Internet to anyone requesting access to this post. If someone posts a comment, that comment is stored on the same server. (Well, probably. Google actually owns thousands of servers and there is no reason that the comment couldn't be stored on another server.)
In an office setting, using a server allows anyone in the office to access a file. There is no need to place it on a portable storage device. This feature is useful when dealing with collaborative efforts.
Servers can also be configured to allow outside access. This allows employees to access files from home or at a client's location. This feature is one not mentioned in the article and could be beneficial to some photographers. (It does require additional security measures to prevent non-authorized access.)
The term "RAID" refers to the multiple hard drives used by servers. The term originally stood for "Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks." It now has come to mean "Redundant Array of Independent Disks."
The server can be configured to use the hard drives in different ways. This configuration setting is the number used after RAID.
RAID 0 results in the server splitting files up and storing them on different hard drives. Each drive only contains part of the file. The server accesses each hard drive at the same time when someone requests the file. This speeds up delivery of the file, but provides no redundancy.
The other configuration settings result in the file being stored on multiple hard drives. This varies based on which configuration is used. However, these settings always result in there being at least one back-up copy of the data being stored on the server.
RAID settings other than RAID 0 results in the server storing files in a redundant manner (hence RAID) which helps prevent loss of important files. The drawback is that storage space is reduced.
RAID 1 is the simplest setup. RAID 1 uses two hard drives and each drive stores a copy of the file. This provides redundancy, but basically halves the storage size of each drive.
RAID 5 and RAID 6 are the other settings commonly used. These split the files up between drives, but the server also stores error correction data. Servers with these setting combine the redundancy protection of RAID 1 with the ability to increase read times associated with RAID 0. These settings require the use of three or more hard drives, which increases cost.
The Wikipedia article on RAID settings includes links to articles on non-RAID servers architecture as well as non-Standard RAID settings if interested in further reading.
Camera and Lens News and Reviews for the Week of May 18
Cameras
Nikon 1 V3
Olympus TG-3: A remarkably interesting and fun waterproof point-and-shoot (UPDATED)
Samsung WB1100F Review
Samsung WB2200F Bridge Camera Review
Samsung NX mini review (preview)
Samsung NX30 Review
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II review (preview)
Leica M Edition 100 Limited Edition Kit And New Lenses
New Gear: Leica Unveils New Lenses, Adapter, Film Camera
Leica celebrates 100th anniversary with huge auction, new products including 28mm, 90mm lenses
Lenses
Fujifilm XF56mm f1.2 Lens Review
DxOMark recommends best lenses for the Nikon D800E
Samsung 85mm f/1.4 Lens Review: a great pro-level portrait prime for NX photographers
Other
Manfrotto Pro Light Bags Collection Announced
Case Logic SLRC 205 Sling Camera Bag Review
New Gear: DXO Optics Pro 9.5 Photo Editing Software Boasts Tight Lightroom Integration
DxO Optics Pro 9.5 now integrates with Adobe Lightroom
New DxO Optics Pro 9.5 Features Complete Integration with Adobe Lightroom
Corel AfterShot Pro 2 Now 30% Faster
Best ND filter: 6 top models tested and rated
Nikon 1 V3
Olympus TG-3: A remarkably interesting and fun waterproof point-and-shoot (UPDATED)
Samsung WB1100F Review
Samsung WB2200F Bridge Camera Review
Samsung NX mini review (preview)
Samsung NX30 Review
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II review (preview)
Leica M Edition 100 Limited Edition Kit And New Lenses
New Gear: Leica Unveils New Lenses, Adapter, Film Camera
Leica celebrates 100th anniversary with huge auction, new products including 28mm, 90mm lenses
Lenses
Fujifilm XF56mm f1.2 Lens Review
DxOMark recommends best lenses for the Nikon D800E
Samsung 85mm f/1.4 Lens Review: a great pro-level portrait prime for NX photographers
Other
Manfrotto Pro Light Bags Collection Announced
Case Logic SLRC 205 Sling Camera Bag Review
New Gear: DXO Optics Pro 9.5 Photo Editing Software Boasts Tight Lightroom Integration
DxO Optics Pro 9.5 now integrates with Adobe Lightroom
New DxO Optics Pro 9.5 Features Complete Integration with Adobe Lightroom
Corel AfterShot Pro 2 Now 30% Faster
Best ND filter: 6 top models tested and rated
Saturday, May 24, 2014
100 Years of Leica
Leica Camera is celebrating its 100th year.
Check out the Leica website for information on events, special anniversary products, images of historic Leica cameras as well as iconic images taken with Leica cameras.
There is also a brief video on the BBC's website on 100 years of Leica Cameras.
Check out the Leica website for information on events, special anniversary products, images of historic Leica cameras as well as iconic images taken with Leica cameras.
There is also a brief video on the BBC's website on 100 years of Leica Cameras.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Memorial Day Camera Sales
Cameta Camera and Adorama are both having Memorial Day Sales.
Cameta's best deal looks to be $250 off of a Canon T5i bundle.
Adorama is offering up to $200 on Canon EOS Rebel T5 and Sony Alpha NEX-5T bundles.
Adorama also has a deal going on Lexar memory, offering up to 62% off on CF, SD and USB memory cards.
Cameta's best deal looks to be $250 off of a Canon T5i bundle.
Adorama is offering up to $200 on Canon EOS Rebel T5 and Sony Alpha NEX-5T bundles.
Adorama also has a deal going on Lexar memory, offering up to 62% off on CF, SD and USB memory cards.
London Museum to Exhibit 170-year Old Photograph
Hat Tip: Amateur Photographer
The Museum of London Docklands will exhibit a salt print taken by Fox Talbot as part of its "Bridge" exhibit. The print is dated to around 1845.
That makes the print roughly 170 years old.
The image is extremely fragile and the museum has taken unusual measures to protect it from exposure to unnecessary light while being exhibited. (Museum patrons need to press a button to illuminate the image)
The exhibit runs June 27 to November 2.
As a side note, copies of the salt print can be purchased from the Museum of London's print store.
The Museum of London Docklands will exhibit a salt print taken by Fox Talbot as part of its "Bridge" exhibit. The print is dated to around 1845.
That makes the print roughly 170 years old.
The image is extremely fragile and the museum has taken unusual measures to protect it from exposure to unnecessary light while being exhibited. (Museum patrons need to press a button to illuminate the image)
The exhibit runs June 27 to November 2.
As a side note, copies of the salt print can be purchased from the Museum of London's print store.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Photoshop CC to Work With Touchscreen Technology
Hat Tip: Pop Photo
Adobe is working on making Photoshop compatible with touchscreen technology. This would enable using tablets and similar devices to be used to edit photos without having to use an additional keyboard or mouse. Photos could be edited on site. This could greatly benefit photographers that shoot on location instead of in a studio.
The edited photos could be sent to an editor or client while still on location as long as the device had communications capabilities.
This also has implications for in studio editing. Many of the current computer display options include touchscreen capabilities. These displays could conceivably replace art tablets. The touchscreen display could be used exactly like an art canvas. (How viable this options turns out to be is anybody's guess at this time.)
Personally, I have mixed feelings about Adobe. I'm not a fan of the Cloud Computing subscription model. The latest Abode server issue illustrates why.
At the same time, the arguably produces the best image editing software currently available. Photoshop is usually the first program to offer new features. Other companies then have to find a way to include similar features in their products.
It will be interesting to see how long it takes those other companies to offer this feature as well.
Adobe is working on making Photoshop compatible with touchscreen technology. This would enable using tablets and similar devices to be used to edit photos without having to use an additional keyboard or mouse. Photos could be edited on site. This could greatly benefit photographers that shoot on location instead of in a studio.
The edited photos could be sent to an editor or client while still on location as long as the device had communications capabilities.
This also has implications for in studio editing. Many of the current computer display options include touchscreen capabilities. These displays could conceivably replace art tablets. The touchscreen display could be used exactly like an art canvas. (How viable this options turns out to be is anybody's guess at this time.)
Personally, I have mixed feelings about Adobe. I'm not a fan of the Cloud Computing subscription model. The latest Abode server issue illustrates why.
At the same time, the arguably produces the best image editing software currently available. Photoshop is usually the first program to offer new features. Other companies then have to find a way to include similar features in their products.
It will be interesting to see how long it takes those other companies to offer this feature as well.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Weather Channel Photo Contest Now Accepting Enties
Hat Tip: DP Review
The Weather Channel and Toyota are partnering to sponsor a photo contest with a $15,000 Grand Prize. Entries should fall in one of three categories: the Living World, Adventure, or the Elements.
Visit the contest page to enter or the Weather Channel's facebook page.
Read the official rules here.
The contest is open until June 15.
The Weather Channel and Toyota are partnering to sponsor a photo contest with a $15,000 Grand Prize. Entries should fall in one of three categories: the Living World, Adventure, or the Elements.
Visit the contest page to enter or the Weather Channel's facebook page.
Read the official rules here.
The contest is open until June 15.
Website Desgined to Help Get Stolen Photography Equipment Back
Hat Tip: DP Review
Lenstag offers a free service where photographers can upload information on the equipment they own. If the gear is stolen, you can then inform Lenstag and they will post a notice online with identification information.
Lenstag recently discovered (by accident) that the database can be used to identify stolen images as well. The service matches the information in its camera database to the EXIF information contained in the image. It only works if the EXIF remains intact when uploaded online. Some sites eliminate that data when images are uploaded and it can always be removed manually by the thief.
Camera equipment can be very expensive, especially professional level equipment. While Lenstag only increases the chance of getting stolen equipment back by a small amount, it does provide a useful service. If nothing else it provides a record trail for insurance purposes.
Having a record of what equipment you own with the serial numbers stored online is very useful if you ever need to file an insurance claim, as the reason for filing a claim can also destroy the records needed to file a claim.
Lenstag offers a free service where photographers can upload information on the equipment they own. If the gear is stolen, you can then inform Lenstag and they will post a notice online with identification information.
Lenstag recently discovered (by accident) that the database can be used to identify stolen images as well. The service matches the information in its camera database to the EXIF information contained in the image. It only works if the EXIF remains intact when uploaded online. Some sites eliminate that data when images are uploaded and it can always be removed manually by the thief.
Camera equipment can be very expensive, especially professional level equipment. While Lenstag only increases the chance of getting stolen equipment back by a small amount, it does provide a useful service. If nothing else it provides a record trail for insurance purposes.
Having a record of what equipment you own with the serial numbers stored online is very useful if you ever need to file an insurance claim, as the reason for filing a claim can also destroy the records needed to file a claim.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Panasonic Lumix Camera Sweepstakes at B&H Photo
Resister for the B&H Panasonic GH4 Livestream event to be held May 27 and enter to win one of the Panasonic Lumix cameras to be given away.
Ask a question via Twitter during the event for a second entry.
Ask a question via Twitter during the event for a second entry.
Best Waterproof Tough Cameras, 2014
ePhotozine has just posted an article with their best waterproof, tough cameras.
For the most part, these are point-and-shoot cameras. The rugged, waterproof nature of these cameras make them well suited for outdoor enthusiasts. They can survive being immersed in water, dropped or striking a hard surface.
The typical camera on the list is waterproof to 10-15 meters. This enables these cameras to be used for underwater photography without utilizing an enclosure.
These are also good for active children that are interested in photography. These are "real" cameras, capable of taking high resolution pictures. They're just capable of taking a beating at the same time.
There is one camera on the list that is more suited for photography enthusiasts. That's the Nikon 1 AW 1. Unlike the others on the list, this is a interchangeable lens camera. This increases the cameras flexibility. It can be used with a variety of lenses, but only a few a specifically designed to be waterproof/shockproof.
For the most part, these are point-and-shoot cameras. The rugged, waterproof nature of these cameras make them well suited for outdoor enthusiasts. They can survive being immersed in water, dropped or striking a hard surface.
The typical camera on the list is waterproof to 10-15 meters. This enables these cameras to be used for underwater photography without utilizing an enclosure.
These are also good for active children that are interested in photography. These are "real" cameras, capable of taking high resolution pictures. They're just capable of taking a beating at the same time.
There is one camera on the list that is more suited for photography enthusiasts. That's the Nikon 1 AW 1. Unlike the others on the list, this is a interchangeable lens camera. This increases the cameras flexibility. It can be used with a variety of lenses, but only a few a specifically designed to be waterproof/shockproof.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Adidas Now Offers Ability to Customize Sneakers via Instagram
Hat Tip: Pop Photo
It started with Nike offering to match sneakers with the colors contained in Instagram images.
Adidas has now expanded the customization option to include using the image itself.
The potential ranges from brilliant to disastrous, depending on the image used.
I do need a new pair of sneakers, and I'm never happy with the appearance of those I find in stores. I might try this. I would need an Instagram account first.
And some money.
It started with Nike offering to match sneakers with the colors contained in Instagram images.
Adidas has now expanded the customization option to include using the image itself.
The potential ranges from brilliant to disastrous, depending on the image used.
I do need a new pair of sneakers, and I'm never happy with the appearance of those I find in stores. I might try this. I would need an Instagram account first.
And some money.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Camera and Lens News and Reviews for the Week of May 11
Cameras
Canon IXUS 265 HS Review
Canon USA brings white EOS Rebel SL1 to America
Canon Powershot SX700 HS Review
New Gear: Canon Rebel SL1 Goes White
Nikon Coolpix P600 review
Nikon 1 V3 Review (preview)
Nikon 1 S2 due next month; UK price confirmed
Nikon 1 S2 20fps Continuous AF Camera Announced
NIKON 1 S2 MIRRORLESS CAMERA ANNOUNCED BY NIKON
Nikon Announces New Nikon 1 S2 Mirrorless System
Affordable Nikon S2 shoots faster than a D4s
Coming to America: The Nikon J4 will go on sale here, after all!
Nikon announces J4 US pricing and waterproof accessory availability
Nikon launches S2 1-System mirrorless camera
Nikon Debuts the Entry-Level 1 S2, Brings the 1 J4 to US Shores
New Gear: Nikon 1 J4 and S2 Cameras
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 review
Leica T (Typ 701) System Full Review
PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-GH4 REVIEW (PREVIEW)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7: Lab Test Results & Comments: Still & Video
SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-HX400 REVIEW
Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 III Review - First Impressions
Sony RX100 III boasts brighter zoom, popup viewfinder, and still fits in a pocket
Sony announces Cyber-shot DSC RX100 III with EVF and F1.8-2.8 zoom
Faster glass: Sony RX100 III First Impressions Review
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III Hands-On Preview
Sony RX100 III 20.1 Megapixel Camera Announced
New Gear: Sony RX100 Mark III Advanced Compact With Built-In Electronic viewfinder
RX100M3 Is Official, Sony Adds Popup EVF and Faster Lens
Sony’s New Announcements: Pricing for the a7S, and a New Compact Camera
Sony Announces Pricing and Availability for the Low-Light Powerhouse A7s
Sony Officially Reveals the RX100 Mark III, Boasts Brighter Lens & Pop-Up Viewfinder
FUJI X-E2 | FIRST DAYS & INITIAL THOUGHTS
Lenses
Canon announce two new wide angle lenses
Canon unveils wideangle zoom lens duo
Canon announces 16-35mm F4L and 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 lenses
Canon Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lenses Launched
New Gear: Canon 16-35mm F/4L IS and EF-S 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 IS STM Zoom Lenses
Canon 16-35mm F/4L IS Officially Announced
Canon Announces New 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 IS STM
Canon Unveils New EF 16-35mm f/4L, EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 and White Rebel SL1
Canon expands ultra-wide zoom selection, preps Stormtrooper-friendly Rebel SL1
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR: Nikon’s new £10,400 super-telephoto lens
Nikon launch new 1.4x teleconverter
New Nikon 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR announced
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens Announced
NIKKOR 400MM F/2.8E LENS ANNOUNCED BY NIKON
Nikon Announces New TC-14E III Teleconverter
Nikon Announces New 400mm f/2.8 Lens
Nikon Launches 400mm F/2.8 FL ED VR Super Telephoto Lens and 1.4x Teleconverter
Updated Nikon 400mm f/2.8, 1.4x teleconverter lets pros focus on their art, not their aching backs
Nikon announces updated 400mm F2.8 telephoto and 1.4x teleconverter
Nikon Releases $12,000 AF-S 400mm f/2.8E Lens and 1.4x AF-S Teleconverter
New Gear: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm F/2.8E FL ED VR Lens and AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III
Tokina officially announces image stabilised 70-200mm F4 telezoom
Tokina Announce AT-X 70-200mm f/4 Lens
Other
Flashpoint StreakLight Portable Strobe
Gariz XS-FS2 Floating Wrist Strap Review
Booq Boa Flow Graphite bag gives roving photographers more storage, protection
Canon IXUS 265 HS Review
Canon USA brings white EOS Rebel SL1 to America
Canon Powershot SX700 HS Review
New Gear: Canon Rebel SL1 Goes White
Nikon Coolpix P600 review
Nikon 1 V3 Review (preview)
Nikon 1 S2 due next month; UK price confirmed
Nikon 1 S2 20fps Continuous AF Camera Announced
NIKON 1 S2 MIRRORLESS CAMERA ANNOUNCED BY NIKON
Nikon Announces New Nikon 1 S2 Mirrorless System
Affordable Nikon S2 shoots faster than a D4s
Coming to America: The Nikon J4 will go on sale here, after all!
Nikon announces J4 US pricing and waterproof accessory availability
Nikon launches S2 1-System mirrorless camera
Nikon Debuts the Entry-Level 1 S2, Brings the 1 J4 to US Shores
New Gear: Nikon 1 J4 and S2 Cameras
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 review
Leica T (Typ 701) System Full Review
PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-GH4 REVIEW (PREVIEW)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7: Lab Test Results & Comments: Still & Video
SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-HX400 REVIEW
Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 III Review - First Impressions
Sony RX100 III boasts brighter zoom, popup viewfinder, and still fits in a pocket
Sony announces Cyber-shot DSC RX100 III with EVF and F1.8-2.8 zoom
Faster glass: Sony RX100 III First Impressions Review
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III Hands-On Preview
Sony RX100 III 20.1 Megapixel Camera Announced
New Gear: Sony RX100 Mark III Advanced Compact With Built-In Electronic viewfinder
RX100M3 Is Official, Sony Adds Popup EVF and Faster Lens
Sony’s New Announcements: Pricing for the a7S, and a New Compact Camera
Sony Announces Pricing and Availability for the Low-Light Powerhouse A7s
Sony Officially Reveals the RX100 Mark III, Boasts Brighter Lens & Pop-Up Viewfinder
FUJI X-E2 | FIRST DAYS & INITIAL THOUGHTS
Lenses
Canon announce two new wide angle lenses
Canon unveils wideangle zoom lens duo
Canon announces 16-35mm F4L and 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 lenses
Canon Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lenses Launched
New Gear: Canon 16-35mm F/4L IS and EF-S 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 IS STM Zoom Lenses
Canon 16-35mm F/4L IS Officially Announced
Canon Announces New 10-18mm F/4.5-5.6 IS STM
Canon Unveils New EF 16-35mm f/4L, EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 and White Rebel SL1
Canon expands ultra-wide zoom selection, preps Stormtrooper-friendly Rebel SL1
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR: Nikon’s new £10,400 super-telephoto lens
Nikon launch new 1.4x teleconverter
New Nikon 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR announced
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens Announced
NIKKOR 400MM F/2.8E LENS ANNOUNCED BY NIKON
Nikon Announces New TC-14E III Teleconverter
Nikon Announces New 400mm f/2.8 Lens
Nikon Launches 400mm F/2.8 FL ED VR Super Telephoto Lens and 1.4x Teleconverter
Updated Nikon 400mm f/2.8, 1.4x teleconverter lets pros focus on their art, not their aching backs
Nikon announces updated 400mm F2.8 telephoto and 1.4x teleconverter
Nikon Releases $12,000 AF-S 400mm f/2.8E Lens and 1.4x AF-S Teleconverter
New Gear: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 400mm F/2.8E FL ED VR Lens and AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III
Tokina officially announces image stabilised 70-200mm F4 telezoom
Tokina Announce AT-X 70-200mm f/4 Lens
Other
Flashpoint StreakLight Portable Strobe
Gariz XS-FS2 Floating Wrist Strap Review
Booq Boa Flow Graphite bag gives roving photographers more storage, protection
One Thing That Makes Me Glad That I Can't Afford Photoshop
I am forced to operate on a tight budget due to limited finances. Among other things, that means no Adobe Photoshop or other expensive image editing software.
Turns out there's a huge drawback with Photoshop.
If Adobe's servers go out, you can't use your applications. A brief interruption is one thing, but the server problem has lasted nearly 24 hours. Some photographers can get around the problem by using applications offline in "trial mode."
Unfortunately, this doesn't work for everyone. Some photographers have found that their applications won't go into trial mode. The application is set so that the "Trail Period" has expired. The only way to fix this is to log into Adobe's server. You know. The one that is currently down.
Adobe already antagonized photographers by moving to the Crowd Computing model. Now it has just reinforced the idea that its CC business model is a bad idea for its customers.
I suspect that many current Photoshop users are going to start looking for viable alternatives. This is especially true for professional photographers whose livelihood depend on reliable image editing software. One that becomes unusable for 24 hours because the software company's servers go down doesn't fit that need.
Turns out there's a huge drawback with Photoshop.
If Adobe's servers go out, you can't use your applications. A brief interruption is one thing, but the server problem has lasted nearly 24 hours. Some photographers can get around the problem by using applications offline in "trial mode."
Unfortunately, this doesn't work for everyone. Some photographers have found that their applications won't go into trial mode. The application is set so that the "Trail Period" has expired. The only way to fix this is to log into Adobe's server. You know. The one that is currently down.
Adobe already antagonized photographers by moving to the Crowd Computing model. Now it has just reinforced the idea that its CC business model is a bad idea for its customers.
I suspect that many current Photoshop users are going to start looking for viable alternatives. This is especially true for professional photographers whose livelihood depend on reliable image editing software. One that becomes unusable for 24 hours because the software company's servers go down doesn't fit that need.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Zoner Photo Studio Promotion: Free Download
Hat Tip: Peta Pixel
CNet is cooperating with the creators of Zoner Photo Studio, making the 15 Pro version of the software free to download for a very short period of time.
Zoner Photo Studio is an Adobe Lightroom alternative and normally carries a $90 price tag.
The promo is for the 15 Pro version of the software. The idea is to get people interested in the software in the hopes that people will upgrade to version 16. (And to get people that like version 15 to spread the word about the program so that those that missed the promotion will buy the product.)
The price to upgrade from version 15 to version 16 is currently $35. The free download makes the latest, paid version, more affordable as well.
CNet is cooperating with the creators of Zoner Photo Studio, making the 15 Pro version of the software free to download for a very short period of time.
Zoner Photo Studio is an Adobe Lightroom alternative and normally carries a $90 price tag.
The promo is for the 15 Pro version of the software. The idea is to get people interested in the software in the hopes that people will upgrade to version 16. (And to get people that like version 15 to spread the word about the program so that those that missed the promotion will buy the product.)
The price to upgrade from version 15 to version 16 is currently $35. The free download makes the latest, paid version, more affordable as well.
Nikkor Video Touting New Lens Coating
Hat Tip: Fstoppers
Nikkor has developed a new fluorine coating for its lenses.
The ability to protect the lens from contamination is impressive. It also cuts down on reflection which increases clarity.
My guess is that the process is too expensive right now for the coating to be used on anything except the most expensive Nikon lenses. It will probably migrate to other lenses as the company refines the process.
The only drawback I can see is that the coating will basically eliminate lens flare. Lens flare can be used to create interest in an otherwise boring scene and image editing programs just don't recreate the appearance of actual lens flare.
Nikkor has developed a new fluorine coating for its lenses.
The ability to protect the lens from contamination is impressive. It also cuts down on reflection which increases clarity.
My guess is that the process is too expensive right now for the coating to be used on anything except the most expensive Nikon lenses. It will probably migrate to other lenses as the company refines the process.
The only drawback I can see is that the coating will basically eliminate lens flare. Lens flare can be used to create interest in an otherwise boring scene and image editing programs just don't recreate the appearance of actual lens flare.
Rare Camera Auction: May 29
Hat Tip: Shutterbug
The next Stan Tamarkin Rare Camera Auction is scheduled for May 29. Bidding starts 6:00 PM EST and consists of 377 lots of vintage cameras, lenses and camera related items. Many of the lots are Leica cameras or lenses. (Leica cameras are very collectible, you would expect a good camera auction to include these.)
Film cameras aren't in high demand when it comes to actual use. (Some photographers still use film so they might actually be used for taking photos.) The lenses are a different matter. Many of the lenses can be adapted for use with a DSLR camera. It may take a little work, but there are professionals that like the effect the older lenses produce.
The catalog is available online, and bidding can be done over the Internet instead of on site. You can also download a PDF version of the catalog.
Tamarkin Auctions is located in Woodbridge, Connecticut. The company will ship items at the bidder's expense.
The next Stan Tamarkin Rare Camera Auction is scheduled for May 29. Bidding starts 6:00 PM EST and consists of 377 lots of vintage cameras, lenses and camera related items. Many of the lots are Leica cameras or lenses. (Leica cameras are very collectible, you would expect a good camera auction to include these.)
Film cameras aren't in high demand when it comes to actual use. (Some photographers still use film so they might actually be used for taking photos.) The lenses are a different matter. Many of the lenses can be adapted for use with a DSLR camera. It may take a little work, but there are professionals that like the effect the older lenses produce.
The catalog is available online, and bidding can be done over the Internet instead of on site. You can also download a PDF version of the catalog.
Tamarkin Auctions is located in Woodbridge, Connecticut. The company will ship items at the bidder's expense.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Lensbaby Circular Fisheye Lens Giveaway at SLR Lounge
SLR Lounge is giving away a Lensbaby Fisheye Lens (value $300).
To enter, follow the above link and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Click on the "Log in w/ Facebook" button or the "Use Your Email button." The lens is available for Canon EF or Nikon F mounts.
The contest is open until May 27.
To enter, follow the above link and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Click on the "Log in w/ Facebook" button or the "Use Your Email button." The lens is available for Canon EF or Nikon F mounts.
The contest is open until May 27.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
National Geographic Traveller Acepting Entries Through June 15
Hat Tip: Mike's Camera (facebook page)
Somehow I missed this when it was first announced.
National Geographic Traveler is accepting entries for it's 2014 photo contest until June 30. (Link to rules.)
The Grand Prize is a National Geographic Expedition to Alaska for 2.
2nd Prize is a photo workshop for one in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
3rd is a 6 day cruise for 2 on a windjammer schooner.
Somehow I missed this when it was first announced.
National Geographic Traveler is accepting entries for it's 2014 photo contest until June 30. (Link to rules.)
The Grand Prize is a National Geographic Expedition to Alaska for 2.
2nd Prize is a photo workshop for one in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
3rd is a 6 day cruise for 2 on a windjammer schooner.
Monday, May 12, 2014
DeviantArt Page
I have started a DeviantArt page.
Some of the images uploaded will be the same as those uploaded to Fine Art America/Pixels.
I am also uploading images there that aren't part of my Fine Art America portfolio. Many of these will be available under a Creative Commons license and will be free to download and use. (Images not free to use will be marked with a DeviantArt watermark)
Why offer free images?
For starters, I like taking pictures. Sometimes the subject matter is very pedestrian. It's hard to sell these images. A picture of a dandelion may be well done, but it's still a dandelion. It's a subject matter just about anyone with a camera can take a successful picture of.
Some pictures just don't meet my standards when it comes to charging for them. Slightly out of focus image or images with noise or noticeable grain when viewed close to full size may still be useful as stock or artist reference material. (I do offer the option to buy prints of the images uploaded to DeviantArt. A slightly out-of-focus image or one with a little noise may be worth using at less than full resolution.)
Freebies also happen to be good publicity.
Extra traffic to this blog or sites I actually sell images can't hurt.
Some of the images uploaded will be the same as those uploaded to Fine Art America/Pixels.
I am also uploading images there that aren't part of my Fine Art America portfolio. Many of these will be available under a Creative Commons license and will be free to download and use. (Images not free to use will be marked with a DeviantArt watermark)
Why offer free images?
For starters, I like taking pictures. Sometimes the subject matter is very pedestrian. It's hard to sell these images. A picture of a dandelion may be well done, but it's still a dandelion. It's a subject matter just about anyone with a camera can take a successful picture of.
Some pictures just don't meet my standards when it comes to charging for them. Slightly out of focus image or images with noise or noticeable grain when viewed close to full size may still be useful as stock or artist reference material. (I do offer the option to buy prints of the images uploaded to DeviantArt. A slightly out-of-focus image or one with a little noise may be worth using at less than full resolution.)
Freebies also happen to be good publicity.
Extra traffic to this blog or sites I actually sell images can't hurt.
Chance to Win Alaska Photo Trip
Hat Tip: Shutterbug
Datacolor is giving away an expenses paid trip to Alaska's Cook Inlet to take wildlife photos with an award-winning photographer (David Cardinal).
Enter to win on Datacolor's website before May 27 for a chance to win the trip.
The trip itself starts July 8 and runs until July 16. (You'll need to be free during that period of time.) Accommodations are at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge. No camping required. The actual shooting occurs day 3-7 of the trip.
In Alaska, the length of the day during July is roughly 18 hours offering ample photography opportunity.
Datacolor is giving away an expenses paid trip to Alaska's Cook Inlet to take wildlife photos with an award-winning photographer (David Cardinal).
Enter to win on Datacolor's website before May 27 for a chance to win the trip.
The trip itself starts July 8 and runs until July 16. (You'll need to be free during that period of time.) Accommodations are at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge. No camping required. The actual shooting occurs day 3-7 of the trip.
In Alaska, the length of the day during July is roughly 18 hours offering ample photography opportunity.
Camera and Lens News and Reviews for the Week of May 4
Cameras
Review of the Olympus TG-850 ‘Tough’ Waterproof Camera
Camera Shootout: GH4 Test Demolishes Red Epic (5D3 RAW too)
Ricoh WG-4 GPS Waterproof Review
Sony A6000 Initial Review & Sample Images
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX350 Review
Nikon D5300
Nikon 1 V3 Full Review
Smaller, faster ... better? Canon G1 X Mark II review
Samsung announces NX3000 mirrorless camera
New Gear: Samsung NX3000 Camera
Samsung Going On A Camera Craze – Announces A New NX3000 Mirrorless
Samsung NX3000 primed for June launch
Samsung NX3000 mirrorless saves you money by skipping hybrid AF, touch screen
Camera Test: Fujifilm X-T1
Is the Fuji X-T1 the sharpest APS-C camera out there? You be the judge: Image comparison tables posted
What happens when the Olympus Stylus 1 meets the TCON-17? We review the 510mm f/2.8 transformation
Lenses
Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 Nokton Version II Lens Review
Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm F0.95 is an ultra-fast prime for Sony Alpha 7
Zeiss Touit 2.8/50M
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH
Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH
Pentax 20-40mm Limited HD lens review: Limited Series first zoom is sharp, well-built but pricey
Other
New Gear: Foldio Portable Pop-Up Studio From Photojojo
Best reflector for photography: 5 top models tested and rated
Review of the Olympus TG-850 ‘Tough’ Waterproof Camera
Camera Shootout: GH4 Test Demolishes Red Epic (5D3 RAW too)
Ricoh WG-4 GPS Waterproof Review
Sony A6000 Initial Review & Sample Images
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX350 Review
Nikon D5300
Nikon 1 V3 Full Review
Smaller, faster ... better? Canon G1 X Mark II review
Samsung announces NX3000 mirrorless camera
New Gear: Samsung NX3000 Camera
Samsung Going On A Camera Craze – Announces A New NX3000 Mirrorless
Samsung NX3000 primed for June launch
Samsung NX3000 mirrorless saves you money by skipping hybrid AF, touch screen
Camera Test: Fujifilm X-T1
Is the Fuji X-T1 the sharpest APS-C camera out there? You be the judge: Image comparison tables posted
What happens when the Olympus Stylus 1 meets the TCON-17? We review the 510mm f/2.8 transformation
Lenses
Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 Nokton Version II Lens Review
Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm F0.95 is an ultra-fast prime for Sony Alpha 7
Zeiss Touit 2.8/50M
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH
Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH
Pentax 20-40mm Limited HD lens review: Limited Series first zoom is sharp, well-built but pricey
Other
New Gear: Foldio Portable Pop-Up Studio From Photojojo
Best reflector for photography: 5 top models tested and rated
Friday, May 9, 2014
Camera Deals for Mother's Day
Camera Stores with Mother's Day deals
Hunt's Photo and Video Digital Days
Ritz Camera
B&H Photo
Mike's Camera
Bedford Camera & Video
Samy's Camera ("No Tax Sale", link is to image heavy .pdf. May take time to load.)
Hunt's Photo and Video Digital Days
Ritz Camera
B&H Photo
Mike's Camera
Bedford Camera & Video
Samy's Camera ("No Tax Sale", link is to image heavy .pdf. May take time to load.)
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Producing Panoramic Images Using Anamorphic Lenses
Hat Tip: PetaPixel
So what is an anamorphic lens?
It's a lens designed to "squeeze" an image horizontally. The image is then stretched when processed. The result is a panoramic image with an aspect ratio that varies greatly from the aspect ratio of the film or sensor used by the camera. (The camera may have a 3:2 or 4:3 ratio. The image may have ratio ranging from 4:1 to 9:1 depending on the anamorphic lens used.)
Basically, the lens takes this:
And turns it into this:
This approach has advantages to the alternatives typically used to create panoramic images.
The first advantage is that the images use the entire vertical capacity of the camera. To put this into perspective I've taken the above image (created using my camera's panoramic feature) and a normal image and placed them in front of a black background.
Using a camera's panoramic mode results in images with a lower resolution. The panoramic image is 4832x1280 (6.2 megapixels). The normal image is 4320x3240 (14 megapixels). That makes the resolution for the non-panoramic image more than 4 times that of the panoramic version.
(The same goes for film cameras that offer a panoramic feature. If you look at the negative they look a great deal like the above panoramic image.)
The same panoramic image produced using an anamorphic lens would be 3240 pixels tall. The original image would be 4320 wide. Correcting the "squeezing" caused by the lens would require stretching the image horizontally to over 12,000 pixels wide. The end image would have a 40 megapixel resolution.
You can produce full height panoramic images without using an anamorphic lens, but that requires taking several overlapping images with the camera being repositioned in between images. The images are then stitched together using software.
This requires more time and effort than simply taking a single image and using image editing software to stretch it horizontally.
The main drawback with using anamorphic lenses is that are primarily designed for use with video cameras.
This limits the number of lenses available and means that an adapter is necessary to use the lens with a DSLR. The lenses are about the same price as a good camera lens. A photographer that only wants to produce an occasional full height panoramic image is probably better served just taking multiple images and using software to stitch them together.
The tutorial and related information on the PetaPixel blog appear originally on Photographer Sam Hurd's website. Check the article out for examples of images actual taken with an anamorphic lens and some related videos.
So what is an anamorphic lens?
It's a lens designed to "squeeze" an image horizontally. The image is then stretched when processed. The result is a panoramic image with an aspect ratio that varies greatly from the aspect ratio of the film or sensor used by the camera. (The camera may have a 3:2 or 4:3 ratio. The image may have ratio ranging from 4:1 to 9:1 depending on the anamorphic lens used.)
Basically, the lens takes this:
And turns it into this:
This approach has advantages to the alternatives typically used to create panoramic images.
The first advantage is that the images use the entire vertical capacity of the camera. To put this into perspective I've taken the above image (created using my camera's panoramic feature) and a normal image and placed them in front of a black background.
Using a camera's panoramic mode results in images with a lower resolution. The panoramic image is 4832x1280 (6.2 megapixels). The normal image is 4320x3240 (14 megapixels). That makes the resolution for the non-panoramic image more than 4 times that of the panoramic version.
(The same goes for film cameras that offer a panoramic feature. If you look at the negative they look a great deal like the above panoramic image.)
The same panoramic image produced using an anamorphic lens would be 3240 pixels tall. The original image would be 4320 wide. Correcting the "squeezing" caused by the lens would require stretching the image horizontally to over 12,000 pixels wide. The end image would have a 40 megapixel resolution.
You can produce full height panoramic images without using an anamorphic lens, but that requires taking several overlapping images with the camera being repositioned in between images. The images are then stitched together using software.
This requires more time and effort than simply taking a single image and using image editing software to stretch it horizontally.
The main drawback with using anamorphic lenses is that are primarily designed for use with video cameras.
This limits the number of lenses available and means that an adapter is necessary to use the lens with a DSLR. The lenses are about the same price as a good camera lens. A photographer that only wants to produce an occasional full height panoramic image is probably better served just taking multiple images and using software to stitch them together.
The tutorial and related information on the PetaPixel blog appear originally on Photographer Sam Hurd's website. Check the article out for examples of images actual taken with an anamorphic lens and some related videos.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Reworking Tips and Tutorial Page
I have decided to rework my Tips and Tutorial page.
Instead of link to sites that offer tips and tutorials, I have decided to link to individual pages or articles with links sorted by category. This should vastly improve the usefulness of the links.
It shouldn't take long to build up a large number of tip and tutorial links. I usually have multiple tip or tutorial articles show up every day in the rss feeds I keep track of.
Instead of link to sites that offer tips and tutorials, I have decided to link to individual pages or articles with links sorted by category. This should vastly improve the usefulness of the links.
It shouldn't take long to build up a large number of tip and tutorial links. I usually have multiple tip or tutorial articles show up every day in the rss feeds I keep track of.
Deal Alert: $300 Off Sony Alpha A6000 with Lens at B&H
Hat Tip: SLR Lounge
B&H is currently offering $300 off of the Sony A6000 mirrorless camera with 16-70mm lens. Total price for th package $1,346.
B&H is currently offering $300 off of the Sony A6000 mirrorless camera with 16-70mm lens. Total price for th package $1,346.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Amazon Patents Studio Photography
It is now official, the bureaucrats working at the USPTO don't know what the hell they are doing.
Amazon just received a patent on a studio setup.
More accurately, they patented shooting against a seamless white background. (Using certain ISO settings, elevations, etc.)
This method has been around for almost as long as photography has existed. Some photographers have even used the exact setup described in the patent.
There is nothing new or novel being patented.
The application did not meet the requirements set out in law for receiving a patent.
Amazon just received a patent on a studio setup.
More accurately, they patented shooting against a seamless white background. (Using certain ISO settings, elevations, etc.)
This method has been around for almost as long as photography has existed. Some photographers have even used the exact setup described in the patent.
There is nothing new or novel being patented.
The application did not meet the requirements set out in law for receiving a patent.
But the Patent Office issued one.
At one time, you could find people like Albert Einstein working at the Patent Office. The people that granted this patent are no Einsteins.
(First encountered at DIY Photography, but well covered by other sites.)
7 Simple Camera Hacks
The Cooperative of Photography has uploaded a video of 7 Simple Photography Hacks.
Most of these are easy with little risk involved beyond bad photographic results.
The vaseline trick is an old one my father told me about. (That's at least two decades ago.) That one you need to be careful with. Vaseline can get everywhere if you're not careful when using it. There are few things worse than getting vaseline on your camera's lens, or worse, on the sensor.
Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after applying it to the filter. You don't want any getting on the rest of the camera. (And isolate the filter after removing it from the camera to keep it from contaminating the rest of your gear.)
A large Styrofoam cup works as an alternative to the plastic bin used as a DIY flash diffuser in the video. This trick is useful if you happen to find yourself needing a diffuser when at an event with concession stands. The cup does need to be large enough to fit over the flash unit, and preferably white.
The ND filter/welder's glass trick might depend on the type of lens hood involved. The shape of the one in the video provides a secure location for the rubber bands. A smooth lens hood won't provide as secure a connection. (The worst case here is either a ruined picture or a broken piece of welder's glass. Neither are major disasters.)
Hat Tip: Reframe
Most of these are easy with little risk involved beyond bad photographic results.
The vaseline trick is an old one my father told me about. (That's at least two decades ago.) That one you need to be careful with. Vaseline can get everywhere if you're not careful when using it. There are few things worse than getting vaseline on your camera's lens, or worse, on the sensor.
Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after applying it to the filter. You don't want any getting on the rest of the camera. (And isolate the filter after removing it from the camera to keep it from contaminating the rest of your gear.)
A large Styrofoam cup works as an alternative to the plastic bin used as a DIY flash diffuser in the video. This trick is useful if you happen to find yourself needing a diffuser when at an event with concession stands. The cup does need to be large enough to fit over the flash unit, and preferably white.
The ND filter/welder's glass trick might depend on the type of lens hood involved. The shape of the one in the video provides a secure location for the rubber bands. A smooth lens hood won't provide as secure a connection. (The worst case here is either a ruined picture or a broken piece of welder's glass. Neither are major disasters.)
Hat Tip: Reframe
Monday, May 5, 2014
Deal Alert: Up to 80% Off of PNY Memory Cards at Amazon
Hat Tip: Geeks are Sexy
Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day is up to 80% off on PNY smart cards, flash drives and smartphone powerpacks.
The "up to" is important in this case as savings actually start at 25%. (That's still a fairly good discount.)
The 80% discount is for the 16GB and 32GB flash drives. These can be useful for moving images between computers, or sharing images with clients.
Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day is up to 80% off on PNY smart cards, flash drives and smartphone powerpacks.
The "up to" is important in this case as savings actually start at 25%. (That's still a fairly good discount.)
The 80% discount is for the 16GB and 32GB flash drives. These can be useful for moving images between computers, or sharing images with clients.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Deal Alert: Vanguard Alta Pro Tripod Sale at B&H
Hat Tip: SLR Lounge
B&H Photo and Video is currently offering discounts on Vanguard Alta Pro Tripods. The savings range from $40-$100.
These are instant savings, not mail-in rebates.
Every serious photographer should have a good tripod, even serious hobbyists. Now's a chance to get one on sale.
B&H Photo and Video is currently offering discounts on Vanguard Alta Pro Tripods. The savings range from $40-$100.
These are instant savings, not mail-in rebates.
Every serious photographer should have a good tripod, even serious hobbyists. Now's a chance to get one on sale.
Tamron Lens Giveaway at Digital Photography School
Digital Photography School is giving away three Tamron lenses.
To enter, just follow the above link to the contest page. (It's in dark red, just above the list of lenses.)
The prize rules require you to visit the Tamron website and read the information on the lenses. Follow the link on the contest page right under the picture of the lenses. Websites can track link clicks so they'll be able to tell whether you click the link or not. So definitely click on the link before entering.
Entering just requires posting in the comment section on that page.
Leave a comment on why you want the lens(es) and how you'd use them.
Contest is open until March 19.
- Tamron SP 17-50 f/2.8 Di II VC – worth $599
- Tamron 18-270 f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD – worth $449
- Tamron SP 70-300 f/4-5.6 Di VC USD – Worth $449
To enter, just follow the above link to the contest page. (It's in dark red, just above the list of lenses.)
The prize rules require you to visit the Tamron website and read the information on the lenses. Follow the link on the contest page right under the picture of the lenses. Websites can track link clicks so they'll be able to tell whether you click the link or not. So definitely click on the link before entering.
Entering just requires posting in the comment section on that page.
Leave a comment on why you want the lens(es) and how you'd use them.
Contest is open until March 19.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Camera and Lens News and Reviews for the Week of April 27
Cameras
Samsung NX30 - First Shots from Samsung’s flagship
Samsung NX Mini Expert Review
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Camera Review
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 Waterproof Review
Olympus E-M10 Review: Affordable image quality and performance, truly the ‘OM-D for all.’
Pentax K-3 review: Big tech, little package. Can Ricoh’s enthusiast DSLR beat Canon and Nikon?
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 Review
Hands On With the Sony Alpha 77 II
Sony targets Alpha 77 II at serious enthusiasts
Sony announces SLT-A77 II high-end APS-C A-mount fixed-mirror DSLR
A newfound focus: Sony SLT-A77 II First Impressions Review
Sony a77 II DSLT With Built-In Wi-Fi
New Gear: Sony A77 II Camera With 79 AF Points
Sony A77II Officially Unveiled, Includes “World Record” 79 point AF System
Sony A77 II adds 79-point AF system, more speed
Sony Releases The a77 II – Will 79 AF Points, Built In Wifi Remote And Pro Movie Features Shift The Market?
Sony’s a77 II Has Arrived, and It’s Packing an AF Sensor Worth Drooling Over
Blackmagic URSA 4K Camera: $6k Professional Cinema Camera Announced
Nikon D3300 Shooter’s Reports 1 and 2: Is this affordable SLR for you?
Lenses
Samyang announces 'AE' 35mm F1.4 for Canon, and 300mm F6.3 for DSLRs
Samyang announces five news lenses, all tweaks to existing models
Lens Test: Nikon 18–140mm f/3.5–5.6g DX ED VR AF-S Zoom
Lens Review Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD
Sony Announces Zeiss FE 16-35mm f4 and FE PZ 28-135mm f4
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens Review
Other
Serif PhotoPlus X7 Digital Photo Studio
EIZO ColorEdge CX271 27inch Monitor Review
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Review
Alien Skin Software announces Exposure 6 plugin
DxO launches upgrade for Optics Pro, now supports Nokia Lumia 1020
Review: f-stop Gear’s Loka UL Backpack is Feather Light and Feature Rich
Samsung NX30 - First Shots from Samsung’s flagship
Samsung NX Mini Expert Review
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Camera Review
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 Waterproof Review
Olympus E-M10 Review: Affordable image quality and performance, truly the ‘OM-D for all.’
Pentax K-3 review: Big tech, little package. Can Ricoh’s enthusiast DSLR beat Canon and Nikon?
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400 Review
Hands On With the Sony Alpha 77 II
Sony targets Alpha 77 II at serious enthusiasts
Sony announces SLT-A77 II high-end APS-C A-mount fixed-mirror DSLR
A newfound focus: Sony SLT-A77 II First Impressions Review
Sony a77 II DSLT With Built-In Wi-Fi
New Gear: Sony A77 II Camera With 79 AF Points
Sony A77II Officially Unveiled, Includes “World Record” 79 point AF System
Sony A77 II adds 79-point AF system, more speed
Sony Releases The a77 II – Will 79 AF Points, Built In Wifi Remote And Pro Movie Features Shift The Market?
Sony’s a77 II Has Arrived, and It’s Packing an AF Sensor Worth Drooling Over
Blackmagic URSA 4K Camera: $6k Professional Cinema Camera Announced
Nikon D3300 Shooter’s Reports 1 and 2: Is this affordable SLR for you?
Lenses
Samyang announces 'AE' 35mm F1.4 for Canon, and 300mm F6.3 for DSLRs
Samyang announces five news lenses, all tweaks to existing models
Lens Test: Nikon 18–140mm f/3.5–5.6g DX ED VR AF-S Zoom
Lens Review Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD
Sony Announces Zeiss FE 16-35mm f4 and FE PZ 28-135mm f4
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens Review
Other
Serif PhotoPlus X7 Digital Photo Studio
EIZO ColorEdge CX271 27inch Monitor Review
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Review
Alien Skin Software announces Exposure 6 plugin
DxO launches upgrade for Optics Pro, now supports Nokia Lumia 1020
Review: f-stop Gear’s Loka UL Backpack is Feather Light and Feature Rich
Panasonic Takes on Onion-Ring Bokeh!
This article made me channel Homer Simpson, "Yum, Onion Rings."
So, what exactly is "onion-ring" bokeh, and why is Panasonic doing something about it? Read the Imaging Resource article to find out.
I'm not being lazy here. The author of that article put a great deal of effort into it. Even writing a brief synopses felt wrong, somehow.
So, what exactly is "onion-ring" bokeh, and why is Panasonic doing something about it? Read the Imaging Resource article to find out.
I'm not being lazy here. The author of that article put a great deal of effort into it. Even writing a brief synopses felt wrong, somehow.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Slow News Day
It's a slow news day as far as photography related news goes. I think everyone's tired after all that activity that happened after the Sony a77 II was officially announced.
Time for all the little things that go along with having a blog that don't result in blog posts.
Just a little note to let you know I'm not being lazy, even if you don't see an actually article.
Time for all the little things that go along with having a blog that don't result in blog posts.
Just a little note to let you know I'm not being lazy, even if you don't see an actually article.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Today's Buzz: Sony Announces a77 II
Sony officially announced the a77 II today, causing a great deal of buzz on photography news sites.
The suggested price is just under $1,200.
For camera specifications, check out the pre-order page at B&H.
I also list the camera and lens news and reviews articles for the last week every Sunday. That will have links to all the articles on the a77 II in my RSS feed.
Given the price and features, it looks like a camera designed to compete with the Pentax K-3. (Both sport APS-C sensors with similar price points.)
The top selling points for the a77 seem to be the advanced autofocus system coupled with 12fps shooting capabilities. That makes the camera well suited for action shots and may make it a better choice than the K-3 when shooting wildlife or sports.
The suggested price is just under $1,200.
For camera specifications, check out the pre-order page at B&H.
I also list the camera and lens news and reviews articles for the last week every Sunday. That will have links to all the articles on the a77 II in my RSS feed.
Given the price and features, it looks like a camera designed to compete with the Pentax K-3. (Both sport APS-C sensors with similar price points.)
The top selling points for the a77 seem to be the advanced autofocus system coupled with 12fps shooting capabilities. That makes the camera well suited for action shots and may make it a better choice than the K-3 when shooting wildlife or sports.
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