UK minister aims to reassure photographers The UK Policing and Crime Minister has reasserted that anti-terrorism should not be used to stop photographers and photojournalists. In a meeting with a Parliamentary photography group and journalists, David Hanson MP said the Sections 44 and 58A of the 2000 Terrorist Act should not be 'used to stop ordinary people taking photos or to curtail legitimate journalistic activity'. He also said guidance to that effect has been provided to the UK police forces, advising that these powers should not be used to stop innocent members of the public, tourists and journalists.
Pentax unveils 40MP 645D medium format DSLR Five years after announcing its development, and following a month-long online campaign trailing the launch, Pentax has finally unveiled its much anticipated 645D medium format digital camera. The first digital version of the company's 645 medium format camera system, it features a 40MP, 44 x 33 CCD sensor, 921k dot 3.0" LCD and is compatible with the existing 645 system lenses. The camera will initially be available only in the Japanese market at a suggested retail price of ¥850,000 (~ US $9,400) from May 2010.
Pentax announces D FA 645 55mm F2.8 lens In conjunction with its announcement of the 645D medium format camera, Pentax has announced the smc D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL[IF] SDM AW lens. First in the D FA 645 lens series, this weather-resistant prime lens features a Supersonic Direct-drive Motor (SDM) autofocus drive and Quick-Shift for instant AF/MF switching. It is also the company's first 645 system lens to incorporates a rounded diaphragm.The 55mm lens will be available alongside the 645D camera at a suggested retail price of ¥100,000 (~ US $1,100).
Tamron develops SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD lens Tamron has announced the development of a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 zoom lens featuring image stabilization and an ultrasonic auto-focus drive. The SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD is the company's first lens to feature its latest Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) autofocus motor, with full-time manual focus override. The optical design includes an element made from Extra-Low Dispersion (XLD) glass, said to have optical properties similar to fluorite. Designed for both full-frame and APS-C digital SLRs, the lens will be initially available in Nikon mount followed by Canon and Sony versions.
Mamiya announces DM40 medium format camera Mamiya has announced the price and availability of its new DM40 medium format camera and a digital back of the same name. Priced at $21,990 for the camera and 80mm f/2.8 lens D series lens, and $19,990 for the digital back, they will start shipping from this month onwards. Both incorporate 40MP, 44 x 33 mm sensors and feature true 16 bit/channel RAW capture, ISO range of 80-800 and capture images at 0.8 seconds per frame. The DM40 digital back can be used with compatible medium or large format cameras via an adapter.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 announced and previewed Focus on Imaging 2010: Eighteen months after unveiling the worlds first Micro Four Thirds camera, Panasonic has introduced its successor- the Lumix DMC-G2, with touch control shooting. Built around the same body design as the G1, it records 720p HD videos in AVCHD Lite format and features a touch sensitive 460K dot 3.0" LCD. Its advanced touch features allows shooting by just tapping the subject on the LCD. Other features include AF tracking, a dedicated movie mode and a faster Venus Engine HD II processor. We've had a pre-production example in the office and have put together a hands-on preview.
Panasonic unveils DMC-G10 Micro Four Thirds camera Focus on Imaging 2010: Panasonic has released what it calls 'the world's lightest interchangeable lens camera with a viewfinder' in the shape of Lumix DMC-G10. It features the same 12.1MP Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine HD II as the DMC-G2, also announced today. It also comes with a 460K dot 3" LCD but without the tilt/swivel and touch options of the G2 and gets a lower resolution viewfinder. The G10 can record 720p HD movie in Motion JPEG format. Both cameras can accept the high-capacity SDXC format cards and are offered with a new 14-42mm kit lens.
Panasonic releases 14-42mm lens for G Micro system Focus on Imaging 2010: Alongside the Lumix DMC-G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras, Panasonic has also released the Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega O.I.S. image stabilized lens. Offering an equivalent zoom range of 28-84mm, the lens is a new optical design but offers a similar specification to the original 14-45mm G System zoom. The new lens, known as the H-FS014042, loses the image stabilization on/off switch and metal mount of its predecessor and comes in a slightly larger body.
UK embraces Micro Four Thirds cameras The UK has embraced the Micro Four Thirds camera format, making up over 10% of interchangeable lens camera sales (by volume) in December 2009. According to figures from market research company GfK Retail and Technology, around 6,600 Micro Four Thirds cameras were sold in the UK, accounting for more than half of the system's sales volumes in 11 major Western European countries.
Olympus posts firmware update for E-P1 Olympus has released a firmware update for its E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera. Version 1.3 resolves the issue where the camera's Level Gauge display did not move when focusing manually. The firmware update can be downloaded via the Olympus Master or Studio software.
Just posted - Ricoh GXR A12 50mm F2.5 in-depth review Just posted! Our in-depth review of the Ricoh GXR with the A12 50mm F2.5 lens module. The GXR's concept of interchangeable lens modules is unique in today's digital camera world and generated a lot of interest when it was first announced four months ago. This review covers the GXR with the A12 50mm f2.5 equiv (12MP APS-C sensor) module (the S10 24-70mm module will follow soon). Find out how Ricoh's new flagship performed in our comprehensive review after the link...
Wacom unveils Cintiq 21UX interactive pen display Wacom has released the Cintiq 21UX, an interactive pen display that combines with the company's pressure sensitive Grip Pen to offer 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity. The 21UX comes with a tilting, rotating stand that lets users to view it from varied angles and features customizable menu options. It comes along with basic image editing software and also supports advanced programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Priced at $1999 USD, the Cintiq 21UX will start shipping from late March 2010.
Canon announces firmware update for EOS 5D Mark II Canon has announced that the long awaited, video-related firmware for its EOS 5D Mark II will be available from mid-March. Firmware version 2.0.3 enables full 1080p HD video recording at 24, 25 and 29.97fps to match the PAL and NTSC broadcast standards. It also adds a new histogram display while shooting movies and allows users to manually control sound recording levels. Audio sampling frequency has also been increased to match broadcast material standards.
Topaz releases Adjust 4 plug-in for Photoshop Software maker Topaz Labs has released version 4 of its color management plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. The latest version features a redesigned interface, new presets and upgraded image processing algorithms. It is available as a free upgrade for existing users or $49.99 for first-time buyers.
Sony sheds light on recent sensors Sony Semiconductor's latest online newsletter gives an in-depth explanation of its 10.34MP 1/2.3" type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. The IMX050CQK is designed for low-light photography and has been incorporated in many of the company's recent CMOS sensor equipped cameras including the Cyber-shot TX5, HX5 and the Ricoh CX3 compacts. Another paper in the issue talks about how its supporting processor can offer high speed videos, full HD video recording and decreased power consumption.
Noktor introduces HyperPrime 50mm f/0.95 lens After a brief online campaign, US-based company Noktor has announced its first product: the HyperPrime 50mm f/0.95 lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. This ultra-fast manual focus lens with manual aperture control bears an uncanny resemblance to the Senko 50mm f/0.95 C-mount CCTV lens and shares almost all of its vital specifications. The company, that appears to be registered to a residential property in Canton, Georgia will start shipping the lens from April 15, 2010 at a retail price of $750.
Canon updates DPP and other camera software Canon has posted updates for several camera software programs including the 'Digital Photo Professional' Raw conversion software. The latest version of DPP extends support to the recently released EOS T2i/550D DSLR and comes with a new image rotation tool. The updated versions of the other pieces of software including EOS Utility and Picture Style Editor also extend support to the EOS 550D DSLR. The updates can be downloaded from the DSLR support pages of individual cameras from Canon's website.
Sigma launches interactive website with lens finder Sigma US has revamped its website with new interactive features. It now includes a Lens Finder section that is aimed at guiding users to select the right lens according to their camera system, price and skill level. Other features include a photo share gallery, blog and social media tools.
Sanho releases HyperDrive Album with RAW preview Storage device manufacturer Sanho has announced the HyperDrive Album, a portable backup device that can preview RAW files from digital cameras. It's claimed to offer UDMA transfer speeds of 40MB/s, backing up 2GB of data in a minute. Featuring a 4.8" WVGA preview LCD and CF/SD memory card slots, it also includes built-in data recovery tools and a longer-lasting battery that promises up to 200GB of backups per battery charge. The HyperDrive Album is available in 640GB, 500GB, 320GB, 250GB and 160 GB storage capacities - or you can buy the device on its own and install your own hard disk.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8 VR II review Just posted! Our lens review featuring Nikon's re-mastered version of its professional workhorse fast telezoom, the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8 G ED VR II. When we reviewed its predecessor a couple of years ago we were mightily impressed by its performance on DX cameras, but rather less so on the then-new FX format. On its release Nikon claimed the new version was designed to address such concerns, and give 'excellent edge to corner quality on today’s FX format cameras' - so does the lens live up to its billing?
UK Photo competition offers chance to win EOS DSLR The UK government funded Science: [So what? So everything] campaign has announced a photo competition with a chance to win a Canon EOS 500D digital SLR and lenses worth £1150. To enter the Living Science competition, UK residents above 18 years of age are required to submit a photograph accompanied by a brief description to illustrate the 'life-changing impact of medical science'. The competition will run until March 11, 2010.
Apple releases Aperture v3.0.1 Two weeks after releasing Aperture 3, Apple has released an update to its raw-conversion and photo management software. Version 3.0.1 improves overall stability and fixes a number of bugs. The update can be accessed via the Software Update feature or is available for immediate download from Apple's website. The company has also posted a Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update v3.1, extending RAW support to additional cameras including the Panasonic DMC-GF1 and Olympus E-P2.
Pentax unveils Optio W90 rugged compact camera Pentax has released the Optio W90 rugged compact sporting a tougher body than its predecessor, the W80. It is designed to be dustproof, waterproof up to 6 meters, coldproof down to -10°C (14°F) and shock-resistant for drops of up to 1.2 meters. An interesting Digital Microscope mode claims to deliver magnified images of tiny objects aided by three LED lights in front of the lens barrel. The camera features 12MP sensor, 28-140mm equivalent lens, 2.7" LCD and includes HD video recording and pet detection that apparently 'makes it simple and effortless to capture the delightful faces of active pets.'
Pentax releases X90 digital superzoom Pentax has released the X90 superzoom with 26x optical zoom lens. Featuring the same 12MP image stabilized sensor inherited from the previously released X70, it offers a slightly longer zoom range at 26-676mm equivalent, an electronic viewfinder with dioptre adjustment and a longer lasting battery. Rest of the features mirror the X70 including the 2.7 inch LCD, P/A/S/M exposure modes and HD video recording.
Samsung Digital Imaging to merge with Electronics Samsung Electronics has confirmed its planned merger with Samsung Digital Imaging, which will bring the Korean conglomerate's camera division under the same roof as its other consumer electronics businesses such as mobile phones and printers. From April 1, 2010, the camera business will become part of Samsung Electronics with an objective 'to increase management efficiency of the digital camera business and to maximize synergy between businesses'. A year ago the imaging division spun-out from the company's affiliated machinery division, Samsung Techwin, to form an independent camera and optical devices company. Since then it's released a series of ambitious new products, including the mirrorless interchangeable-lens NX system and the enthusiast-orientated TL500/EX1 recently unveiled at PMA.
Novoflex shows adapters for Samsung NX PMA 2010: Novoflex has unveiled a series of mount adapters for Samsung's NX mirrorless cameras. The German manufacturer is showing nine adapters to various lens mounts, including Sony Alpha, Pentax K, Olympus OM and Leica R. There is also a Nikon F mount adapter featuring the aperture control ring the company includes on its Micro Four Thirds to Nikon F adapter. So far there are no details on price or availability.
Samsung wants to 'own' mirrorless market Samsung wants to 'own' the mirrorless camera sector, according to Seung Soo Park, Samsung’s Vice President, Strategy Marketing and Digital Media. This will include enhanced communication with customers and firmware updates for its cameras based on their requests, he said, in an exclusive interview with dpreview.com.
Nikon will provide 'better balance' of ISO and resolution Future Nikon models will provide a better balance between resolution and high ISO image quality than in the recently launched D3S, according to Nobuaki Sasagaki, General Manager of the Marketing Department of Nikons Imaging Division, speaking in an exclusive interview with dpreview.com.
Olympus still committed to Four Thirds DSLRs Olympus is still committed to the Four Thirds DSLR standard and will continue to develop it in tandem with its Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, says the company's US DSLR product manager. In response to press speculation, John Knaur told dpreview.com: 'We still plan to develop full size DSLRs and both, side-by-side.'
Ricoh develops two more lens units for GXR PMA 2010: Ricoh has announced the development of two more lens modules for its GXR interchangeable unit camera system. First comes the image-stabilized P10 28-300mm equivalent F3.5-5.6 VC zoom unit, with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor and features such as RAW capture and 120 fps high-speed continuous shooting. The company has also said it will create the A12 28 mm equivalent F2.5 prime lens unit, with 12MP APS-C CMOS sensor, a faster 'GR Engine III' processor and manual focus ring.
Hot Photography Tips from Digital Photography School Over at our sister digital photography site Digital Photography School we've just published our most popular photography tips of all time. I thought it might be worth sharing them here also. Wedding Photography - 21 Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers - a guide to wedding photography for those just getting into it. How to Make an Inexpensive Light Tent - a cool DIY photography hack to help you get some great product shots. 4 Easy Photoshop Techniques to Make Your...
Nikon Unveil New Coolpix Range Nikon today have announced a range of 7 new digital cameras. They range from the budget through to more expensive and feature rich models. Nikon Coolpix P90 - a super-zoom camera with a 24x optical zoom. Nikon Coolpix L100 (another super-zoom camera). Nikon Coolpix S630 - 12MP with a 7x optical zoom. Nikon Coolpix S620 - 12MP, 4x optical zoom. Nikon Coolpix S230 - 10MP with a 3x optical zoom lens. Nikon Coolpix S220 - 10MP with 3x optical zoom....
Canon Powershot A480, Sony Cybershot DSC-G3, Olympus SP-590UZ: New Cameras Over the last few weeks we've started to see a range of new cameras released. We're updating many of those that capture our interest at the Digital Camera and Gear blog at Digital Photography School. Here are a few new ones to hit the market: Canon Powershot A480 - 10MP, 3.3x Optical Zoom Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-G3 - 10.1MP, 4x Optical Zoom and with WiFi Olympus SP-590UZ - 12MP and with a 26x Optical Zoom Pentax Optio E70 and P70 -...
Canon EOS 50D The Canon EOS 50D builds upon the success of the great 40D and takes it up a level with a 15.1 megapixel sensor, ISO range of 100-6400 (extendable up to a whopping 12800), 3.0 inch LCD (920,000 pixels) with Live View for framing images in the LCD, a shutter speed of 30-1/8000 second, Digic IV processor, integrated cleaning system and continuous shooting at 6.3 frames per second. The Canon EOS 50D is already available for ordering at Amazon in...
Nikon D90 The Nikon D90 builds on the success of previous Nikon DSLRs and breaks a little ground of its own as the first DSLR to incorporate video. Using Auto Exposure and Auto Focus that is featured in Nikon's pro model DSLRs the Nikon D90 has a 12.3 megapixel sensor, ISO range of between 100 to 6400, 3 inch LCD screen (920,000 pixels with 170 degree viewing), Live View mode (for framing shots with the LCD) and a lot of other...
Nikon SB-900 Speedlight This week Nikon have announced the Nikon SB-900 Speedlight to go with their new Nikon D700 DSLR . It is a top of the range flash and will be available in August 2008 with a retail price of $499.95 USD. Learn more about the Nikon SB-900 Speedlight in the promotional material from Nikon below. Nikon SB-900 Speedlight News Release New Nikon SB-900 Speedlight Advances Flash Technology At The Speed Of Light With Expansive Zoom And Intelligent Features Nikon’s Newest Flagship...
Nikon D700 DSLR The Nikon D700 is a 12.1 megapixel full frame (FX), professional DSLR. It's bundled up in a body that is virtually the same as the Nikon D300. In essence it's the Nikon D3 feature wise (with a few modifications) in a smaller magnesium alloy body. The Nikon D700 features five frames per second shooting, image sensor cleaning (vibration cleaning) and the first professional DSLR to come with an in built flash. It has an ISO range of 200-6400 (boostable up...
Casio Exilim EX-S10 Review at TrustedReviews Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Casio Exilim EX-S10 where they write - 'As a small snapshooter the Casio may not suit everyone, even though it offers something for everyone. The handling is down to taste and personal physiology, so we can't expect the perfect camera, but the small form is quite fiddly. In terms of images the camera is also hit and miss, with reasonable but not great results. A stand out feature is the dynamic range...
Kodak EasyShare M893 IS Review at Pocketlint Pocket Lint reviews the Kodak EasyShare M893 IS and writes - 'The Kodak EasyShare M893 IS provides nice features within a tidy, pocketable design but image noise and sluggish performance don’t do it any favours. If you are after a reasonable snapper and you’ll print images at modest sizes you’ll be happy, but don’t buy this camera if it is 30 x 40-inch prints you’ll be wanting on a regular basis, as it might just leaving feeling disappointed.' Read more...
Canon PowerShot A470 Review at Imaging Resource Imaging Resource reviews the Canon PowerShot A470 and writes - 'Overall, the Canon PowerShot A470 is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It comes in fun colors, is easy to operate, yet offers a handful of more advanced features for more experienced users. It's small, pocketable, and has minimal controls to fiddle with. Add to this the Canon A470's great exposure and color handling, and a very low price and you have a classic bargain digital camera. What more could...
Nikon Coolpix S700 Review of Imaging Resource Imaging Resource reviews the Nikon Coolpix S700 and writes - "Small, compact, and very capable, the Nikon Coolpix S700 will please many consumers with its good color, exposure, and resolution. The Nikon S700 captures great images under a variety of conditions, thanks to its range of preset Scene modes and useful tools such as D-Lighting and Distortion Control. Face-Priority AF technology helps get the best focus on portraits, even of large groups. The 12.1-megapixel CCD captures excellent resolution and detail...
Sony DSC T300 Review at DP Review DP review has posted their review of the Sony DSC T300 and gives it a rating of 'above average'. They write - 'The question this camera raises is: if the extra megapixels added are too mushed-up by noise reduction to allow for large prints or cropping-in on images, then what are they good for? It's a question that we believe a lot of new cameras will have to answer, and needs to be considered by a potential T300 buyer.' Read...
Nikon D60 Review at Digital Photography Review DP Review has posted a review of the Nikon D60 and writes - 'In reality the biggest challenge the D60 faces is the competition; there's been an explosion of small, affordable entry-level SLRs in the 18 month or so since the D40 first appeared, and though I've never actually used live view outside the studio there's no denying it's a strong selling point at this end of the market, as is in-body stabilization. Cameras such as the Olympus E-410 (and...
Panasonic DMC-LS80 The Panasonic DMC-LS80 is an 8.1 megapixel point and shoot camera with a 3x optical zoom lens. It features a Lumix DC Vario branded 3x optical zoom lens with maximum aperture range of f/2.8 - f/5.1 as well as a 2.5 inch LCD with 230,000 pixel resolution. The Panasonic DMC-LS80 has 24 megabytes of internal memory, will take up to 270 shots with oxyride batteries and includes a similar array of features as other cameras announced by Panasonic today...
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 is an 8.1 megapixel point and shoot camera with a 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD. It features face detection technology, image stabilization, intelligent scene selection, intelligent ISO, megabytes of internal memory and much more. The FS3 comes in blue, pink, green, silver and black. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 will have a retail price of $199.95 when it becomes available in February....
Pentax 645D launch finally gets Japan green light Pentax has this morning confirmed the upcoming Japanese launch of its long-awaited 645D medium format digital camera five years this month since a mocked-up version was first unveiled.
Panasonic Lumix G2 debuts at UK's Focus show Enthusiast and advanced DSLR users are the target for a new HD video-equipped Micro Four Thirds camera from Panasonic called the Lumix G2.
Che Guevara fishing photo smashes Cuba auction valuation A candid photograph of iconic Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara on a fishing trip fetched more than three times its asking price at auction today. Picture credit: Copyright Alberto Korda
Amateur photographer' triumphs in RHS photo contest The winner of a nationwide garden photography competition that was open to professionals is an amateur who only took up photography seriously a few years ago, it has emerged. Picture credit: Linda Wride
Crunch time for photography copyright debate A government bill some fear will adversely affect photography copyright when it becomes law has reached a crucial stage in the House of Lords.
Pentax X90 UK price, launch date confirmed Pentax has confirmed the upcoming launch of the X90, a new digital compact camera sporting a 26-676mm' (35mm viewing angle) equivalent optical zoom lens.
Photographer in deleted photos' terror search Police have launched an investigation after an amateur photographer was stopped on suspicion of being a terrorist while on a 'trip to buy fish and chips'.
Olympus statement on Mirrorless E system cameras Olympus has issued an official statement to confirm that the company will continue to produce Four Thirds cameras alongside it new Micro Four Thirds range. Apparently in response to an interview given to Amateur Photographer magazine by Olympus USA DSLR product manager Richard S. Pelkowski, in which he predicted that the company's E system Four Thirds cameras would not be using a mirror viewfinder system in two years time, the statement emphasises the company's commitment to the two formats.
Olympus mirrorless E system AP clarification AP would like to clarify that the news story relating to an interview with Olympus USA DSLR product manager Richard S. Pelkowski in no way suggested that the company's E system of Four Thirds cameras will not continue in the future.
Canon's extensive range of small and stylish IXUS cameras shows no sign of flagging, with the IXUS 105 joining the family for 2010. Also known as the PowerShot SD1300 IS, the 105 is an affordable model that stays true to the core values of simplicity and classic good looks. The IXUS 105 marries a 12 megapixel sensor to a 4x wide-angle lens and is available in no less than five different pastel colours. Gavin Stoker takes an in-depth look at the Canon Digital IXUS 105.
Experienced photographer and tour leader Clive Minnitt explains how and why you should learn to see a photograph, rather than just looking at the scene in front of you, in our latest Techniques article.
Canon had a fleet of branded Mini Coopers at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver - and our reader Jerry was there to take a few high-quality images of them.
Jobo AG, a German company founded in 1923 and today best known for its digital photo frames, card readers and storage devices, has been declared insolvent.
The UK Policing and Crime Minister has reasserted that anti-terrorism should not be used to stop photographers and photojournalists. In a meeting with a Parliamentary photography group and journalists, David Hanson MP said the Sections 44 and 58A of the 2000 Terrorist Act should not be 'used to stop ordinary people taking photos or to curtail legitimate journalistic activity'. He also said guidance to that effect has been provided to the UK police forces, advising that these powers should not be used to stop innocent members of the public, tourists and journalists.
Five years after announcing its development, and following a month-long online campaign trailing the launch, Pentax has finally unveiled its much anticipated 645D medium format digital camera. The first digital version of the company's 645 medium format camera system, it features a 40MP, 44 x 33 CCD sensor, 921k dot 3.0" LCD and is compatible with the existing 645 system lenses. The camera will initially be available only in the Japanese market at a suggested retail price of ¥850,000 (~ US $9,400) from May 2010.
In conjunction with its announcement of the 645D medium format camera, Pentax has announced the smc D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL[IF] SDM AW lens. First in the D FA 645 lens series, this weather-resistant prime lens features a Supersonic Direct-drive Motor (SDM) autofocus drive and Quick-Shift for instant AF/MF switching. It is also the company's first 645 system lens to incorporates a rounded diaphragm.The 55mm lens will be available alongside the 645D camera at a suggested retail price of ¥100,000 (~ US $1,100).
Tamron has announced the development of a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 zoom lens featuring image stabilization and an ultrasonic auto-focus drive. The SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD is the company's first lens to feature its latest Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) autofocus motor, with full-time manual focus override. The optical design includes an element made from Extra-Low Dispersion (XLD) glass, said to have optical properties similar to fluorite. Designed for both full-frame and APS-C digital SLRs, the lens will be initially available in Nikon mount followed by Canon and Sony versions.
Mamiya has announced the price and availability of its new DM40 medium format camera and a digital back of the same name. Priced at $21,990 for the camera and 80mm f/2.8 lens D series lens, and $19,990 for the digital back, they will start shipping from this month onwards. Both incorporate 40MP, 44 x 33 mm sensors and feature true 16 bit/channel RAW capture, ISO range of 80-800 and capture images at 0.8 seconds per frame. The DM40 digital back can be used with compatible medium or large format cameras via an adapter.
Focus on Imaging 2010: Eighteen months after unveiling the worlds first Micro Four Thirds camera, Panasonic has introduced its successor- the Lumix DMC-G2, with touch control shooting. Built around the same body design as the G1, it records 720p HD videos in AVCHD Lite format and features a touch sensitive 460K dot 3.0" LCD. Its advanced touch features allows shooting by just tapping the subject on the LCD. Other features include AF tracking, a dedicated movie mode and a faster Venus Engine HD II processor. We've had a pre-production example in the office and have put together a hands-on preview.
Focus on Imaging 2010: Panasonic has released what it calls 'the world's lightest interchangeable lens camera with a viewfinder' in the shape of Lumix DMC-G10. It features the same 12.1MP Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine HD II as the DMC-G2, also announced today. It also comes with a 460K dot 3" LCD but without the tilt/swivel and touch options of the G2 and gets a lower resolution viewfinder. The G10 can record 720p HD movie in Motion JPEG format. Both cameras can accept the high-capacity SDXC format cards and are offered with a new 14-42mm kit lens.
Focus on Imaging 2010: Alongside the Lumix DMC-G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras, Panasonic has also released the Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega O.I.S. image stabilized lens. Offering an equivalent zoom range of 28-84mm, the lens is a new optical design but offers a similar specification to the original 14-45mm G System zoom. The new lens, known as the H-FS014042, loses the image stabilization on/off switch and metal mount of its predecessor and comes in a slightly larger body.
The UK has embraced the Micro Four Thirds camera format, making up over 10% of interchangeable lens camera sales (by volume) in December 2009. According to figures from market research company GfK Retail and Technology, around 6,600 Micro Four Thirds cameras were sold in the UK, accounting for more than half of the system's sales volumes in 11 major Western European countries.
Olympus has released a firmware update for its E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera. Version 1.3 resolves the issue where the camera's Level Gauge display did not move when focusing manually. The firmware update can be downloaded via the Olympus Master or Studio software.
Just posted! Our in-depth review of the Ricoh GXR with the A12 50mm F2.5 lens module. The GXR's concept of interchangeable lens modules is unique in today's digital camera world and generated a lot of interest when it was first announced four months ago. This review covers the GXR with the A12 50mm f2.5 equiv (12MP APS-C sensor) module (the S10 24-70mm module will follow soon). Find out how Ricoh's new flagship performed in our comprehensive review after the link...
Wacom has released the Cintiq 21UX, an interactive pen display that combines with the company's pressure sensitive Grip Pen to offer 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity. The 21UX comes with a tilting, rotating stand that lets users to view it from varied angles and features customizable menu options. It comes along with basic image editing software and also supports advanced programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Priced at $1999 USD, the Cintiq 21UX will start shipping from late March 2010.
Canon has announced that the long awaited, video-related firmware for its EOS 5D Mark II will be available from mid-March. Firmware version 2.0.3 enables full 1080p HD video recording at 24, 25 and 29.97fps to match the PAL and NTSC broadcast standards. It also adds a new histogram display while shooting movies and allows users to manually control sound recording levels. Audio sampling frequency has also been increased to match broadcast material standards.
Software maker Topaz Labs has released version 4 of its color management plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. The latest version features a redesigned interface, new presets and upgraded image processing algorithms. It is available as a free upgrade for existing users or $49.99 for first-time buyers.
Sony Semiconductor's latest online newsletter gives an in-depth explanation of its 10.34MP 1/2.3" type back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. The IMX050CQK is designed for low-light photography and has been incorporated in many of the company's recent CMOS sensor equipped cameras including the Cyber-shot TX5, HX5 and the Ricoh CX3 compacts. Another paper in the issue talks about how its supporting processor can offer high speed videos, full HD video recording and decreased power consumption.
After a brief online campaign, US-based company Noktor has announced its first product: the HyperPrime 50mm f/0.95 lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. This ultra-fast manual focus lens with manual aperture control bears an uncanny resemblance to the Senko 50mm f/0.95 C-mount CCTV lens and shares almost all of its vital specifications. The company, that appears to be registered to a residential property in Canton, Georgia will start shipping the lens from April 15, 2010 at a retail price of $750.
Canon has posted updates for several camera software programs including the 'Digital Photo Professional' Raw conversion software. The latest version of DPP extends support to the recently released EOS T2i/550D DSLR and comes with a new image rotation tool. The updated versions of the other pieces of software including EOS Utility and Picture Style Editor also extend support to the EOS 550D DSLR. The updates can be downloaded from the DSLR support pages of individual cameras from Canon's website.
Sigma US has revamped its website with new interactive features. It now includes a Lens Finder section that is aimed at guiding users to select the right lens according to their camera system, price and skill level. Other features include a photo share gallery, blog and social media tools.
Storage device manufacturer Sanho has announced the HyperDrive Album, a portable backup device that can preview RAW files from digital cameras. It's claimed to offer UDMA transfer speeds of 40MB/s, backing up 2GB of data in a minute. Featuring a 4.8" WVGA preview LCD and CF/SD memory card slots, it also includes built-in data recovery tools and a longer-lasting battery that promises up to 200GB of backups per battery charge. The HyperDrive Album is available in 640GB, 500GB, 320GB, 250GB and 160 GB storage capacities - or you can buy the device on its own and install your own hard disk.
Just posted! Our lens review featuring Nikon's re-mastered version of its professional workhorse fast telezoom, the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8 G ED VR II. When we reviewed its predecessor a couple of years ago we were mightily impressed by its performance on DX cameras, but rather less so on the then-new FX format. On its release Nikon claimed the new version was designed to address such concerns, and give 'excellent edge to corner quality on today’s FX format cameras' - so does the lens live up to its billing?
The UK government funded Science: [So what? So everything] campaign has announced a photo competition with a chance to win a Canon EOS 500D digital SLR and lenses worth £1150. To enter the Living Science competition, UK residents above 18 years of age are required to submit a photograph accompanied by a brief description to illustrate the 'life-changing impact of medical science'. The competition will run until March 11, 2010.
Two weeks after releasing Aperture 3, Apple has released an update to its raw-conversion and photo management software. Version 3.0.1 improves overall stability and fixes a number of bugs. The update can be accessed via the Software Update feature or is available for immediate download from Apple's website. The company has also posted a Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update v3.1, extending RAW support to additional cameras including the Panasonic DMC-GF1 and Olympus E-P2.
Pentax has released the Optio W90 rugged compact sporting a tougher body than its predecessor, the W80. It is designed to be dustproof, waterproof up to 6 meters, coldproof down to -10°C (14°F) and shock-resistant for drops of up to 1.2 meters. An interesting Digital Microscope mode claims to deliver magnified images of tiny objects aided by three LED lights in front of the lens barrel. The camera features 12MP sensor, 28-140mm equivalent lens, 2.7" LCD and includes HD video recording and pet detection that apparently 'makes it simple and effortless to capture the delightful faces of active pets.'
Pentax has released the X90 superzoom with 26x optical zoom lens. Featuring the same 12MP image stabilized sensor inherited from the previously released X70, it offers a slightly longer zoom range at 26-676mm equivalent, an electronic viewfinder with dioptre adjustment and a longer lasting battery. Rest of the features mirror the X70 including the 2.7 inch LCD, P/A/S/M exposure modes and HD video recording.
Samsung Electronics has confirmed its planned merger with Samsung Digital Imaging, which will bring the Korean conglomerate's camera division under the same roof as its other consumer electronics businesses such as mobile phones and printers. From April 1, 2010, the camera business will become part of Samsung Electronics with an objective 'to increase management efficiency of the digital camera business and to maximize synergy between businesses'. A year ago the imaging division spun-out from the company's affiliated machinery division, Samsung Techwin, to form an independent camera and optical devices company. Since then it's released a series of ambitious new products, including the mirrorless interchangeable-lens NX system and the enthusiast-orientated TL500/EX1 recently unveiled at PMA.
PMA 2010: Novoflex has unveiled a series of mount adapters for Samsung's NX mirrorless cameras. The German manufacturer is showing nine adapters to various lens mounts, including Sony Alpha, Pentax K, Olympus OM and Leica R. There is also a Nikon F mount adapter featuring the aperture control ring the company includes on its Micro Four Thirds to Nikon F adapter. So far there are no details on price or availability.
Samsung wants to 'own' the mirrorless camera sector, according to Seung Soo Park, Samsung’s Vice President, Strategy Marketing and Digital Media. This will include enhanced communication with customers and firmware updates for its cameras based on their requests, he said, in an exclusive interview with dpreview.com.
Future Nikon models will provide a better balance between resolution and high ISO image quality than in the recently launched D3S, according to Nobuaki Sasagaki, General Manager of the Marketing Department of Nikons Imaging Division, speaking in an exclusive interview with dpreview.com.
Olympus is still committed to the Four Thirds DSLR standard and will continue to develop it in tandem with its Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, says the company's US DSLR product manager. In response to press speculation, John Knaur told dpreview.com: 'We still plan to develop full size DSLRs and both, side-by-side.'
