Nikon UK has interviewed movie stills photographer, Alex Bailey, as part of the maker's Nikon Professional Users scheme, an off-shoot of NPS (Nikon Professional Services). Please click here to read the full story.
Please help support the DJP by visiting our affiliates; Jessops, Warehouse Express, Adorama Camera and Amazon. Note; sales through these links may benefit this site.
UK dealer Jessops is taking pre-orders on the intriguing Sony NEX-7 at £998.95 (inc VAT) body only, or £1,128.95 with the 18-55mm. Delivery is free and the dealer says the camera will be arriving in three days time. Only the very best lenses will be able to get the most from this sensor. Unless you really need the kit lens, my recommendation would be the Sony 24mm f/1.8 Zeiss Sonnar T* - it's a world class performer optically.
Please click here to buy. Thank you for buying through this site's links.
Panasonic Announces the Firmware Update Program for LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS045200)
Panasonic announces the new firmware update program for the digital interchangeable lens LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS045200) of LUMIX G Micro System. The firmware is released to enhance the O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) performance of the lens.
The firmware program is available at the Panasonic LUMIX Support Site: www.panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/
Press release:
A PROFESSIONAL VIEW: NIKON CONFIRMS FOCUS ON IMAGING SHOW
Stand D40, Hall 9 &10 4- 7th March 2012
London, UK, February 2012: Nikon UK is pleased to announce it will be exhibiting its full professional line up at Europe’s biggest annual imaging show, Focus on Imaging, from 4th – 7th March.
Following a spate of recent product launches, Nikon will be showcasing its exciting new products, including the new Nikon D4 and D800 professional cameras. A range of lenses will also be available to try out with the help of a team of Nikon experts who will be on hand to assist with any technical queries.
Along with the chance to check out the new products, an exciting seminar schedule has been lined up to include well-known names such as wildlife photographer Andy Rouse, national sports photographer Mark Pain and fashion photographer John Wright, who will give some insight into his experience of shooting stills and movie with a new D800 camera. Plus, Nikon has scheduled 3 seminars every day covering the details of the new products.
For full details on Nikon’s line up of guest speakers, please click here (pdf download)
Jeremy Gilbert, Nikon’s Group Marketing Manager says: “We’ve taken a slightly different approach this year and will using the show as a platform to showcase our professional equipment; we’ve just launched two very exciting professional cameras which are likely to get a lot of attention at the show.
He added: “The Focus on Imaging show is a great opportunity for visitors to get their hands on the cameras and talk to our team of experts before they buy.”
Adorama Camera has started shipping the eargerly-awaited Canon PowerShot G1 X and have stock currently at $799.00 USD (£505.00 ex VAT).
Thank you for buying through this site's links.
Fine Art nude photographers Trevor and Faye Yerbury are hosting an exclusive day-long (10 am to 5pm) workshop for ten delegates at a rural mansion, Pipewell Hall, Northants on Sunday June 10. The workshop will cost £395 (incl.VAT) per person and includes lunch and refreshments. Interested parties can call 010501 744909 or email trevor(at)yerburystudio.com for more details.
Press release:
A Yerbury nude masterclass, a Playboy model, a seventeenth century country hall and you.
Leading art nude photographers Trevor and Faye Yerbury are planning an exclusive day-long workshop for just ten delegates at a rural mansion this summer.
Photographers will work with two of Europe’s best-known art nude models (including a European Playboy Magazine favourite), at Pipewell Hall, Northants on Sunday June 10.
Said Trevor Yerbury: “We have managed to secure two top models for this unique seminar experience. ‘Zoi’ is a regular choice at Playboy Magazine and Ella Rose is a fabulous model that we use for many of our Pre-Raphaelite – style shoots.
We are targeting both professionals and serious amateurs with this workshop and each delegate will have ample time to work 1-2-1 with both models throughout the day.”
The workshop (10 am to 5pm) will cost £395 (incl.VAT) per delegate and will include lunch and refreshments. Interested parties can call 010501 744909 or email trevor(at)yerburystudio.com for more details.
The multi-award-winning Edinburgh-based Yerbury duo has also launched a new website focussing on art nude work: www.yerburygallery.com. Platinum/Palladium prints can be bought direct from the site.
I had the opportunity to test the Sony 24mm f/1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* lens on a NEX-5n recently and despite the lack of a distance scale and depth-of-field markings the lens is a joy to use. It's also a world class performer optically*, and should perform equally well on the intriguing NEX-7. Apart from the attractive drawing style of Zeiss lenses, of particular merit for available light photography is the edge-to-edge performance at maximum aperture.
The above photograph taken at f/2.0 atop Primrose Hill, London on an overcast day, is cropped top and bottom but retains the original horizontal resolution.
This is a crop at 1:1 from the far left. Shooting cityscapes at f/2 is not recommended, this was purely for testing purposes but it reveals the imaging performance is of a very high order.
The lens has an unusually close 16cm minimum focus distance, which permits close-ups such as this small candle (it's about 3cm tall). Note the smooth differential focus (bokeh) and circular highlights (there's the slightest green tinge at the edge visible at 1:1).
*UPDATE: No lens is perfect, and this one has a propensity to produce purple fringing (common in fast primes shot at large apertures). It's also quite difficult to remove, even in Lightroom 4.1 RC2 with the new Lens Correction tools. In my estimation troublesome purple fringing was easier to remove in earlier versions of LR4 using a technique I have disclosed in a recent review of the software to be published in a forthcoming edition of the British Journal of Photography magazine.
To buy, please follow the links to Jessops (£849.95), or Adorama ($999.99 USD / £631 ex VAT ). Thank you for buying through this site's links.
Listing at $3,675.00, a rare Nikon 58mm f/1.2 Ai-S Noct-Nikkor (with unusual, most likely misspelt 'Nocf-Nikkor' engraving) is just one example from several pages of rare and esoteric lenses and cameras for sale at SH Photo on eBay. Some choice examples include:
Nikon 3.5/3.5cm Stereo Nikkor (early 3D twin-lens and mirror/prism attachment) $42,630.00
Nikon SP Black paint with S36 motordrive $36,750.00
Nikon I (Nikon's first rangefinder) $36,500.00
Zeiss (Contax) 2.8/300mm Tele-Apotessar T* $14,699.00
Zunow f (Nikon RF) 1.1/5cm black with rare vented hood $11,760.00
Zeiss (Contax) 1.2/85mm Planar T* 50th Year Edition $5,879.00
There are just too many to mention all of them, please follow the link here to browse.
Please help support the DJP by visiting our affiliates; Jessops, Warehouse Express, Adorama Camera and Amazon. Note; sales through these links may benefit this site.
NEC Display Solutions, the manufacturer and distributor of NEC display monitors for pro-image makers has announced the 4th NEC Solutions Showcase to take place on Wednesday 25th of April at The O2. To register for the event please seethe details below.
Press release:
We are delighted to announce the 4th NEC Solutions Showcase to take place on Wednesday 25th of April at The O2 and we do hope that you will be able to attend.
For anyone buying, installing or specifying an interactive display, video wall, digital signage network or projection solution, the NEC Solutions Showcase offers the opportunity to experience the solution in action and be briefed on how the solution was constructed from one of our accredited solutions partners.
This year the industry zones will be more interactive and will show how NEC and the multiple solution providers work in partnership in real life scenarios. NEC will also be previewing some of the new technology releases set to influence the display market in 2012.
Showcase 2012 zones are to include;
• Education - Classroom of the Future
• Leisure & Entertainment
• Digital out of Home
• Transportation
• Office of the Future
• Retail - Your Future Shopping Experience
In addition to the zones above we will be hosting two seminars in association with ‘The Screen Forum’ covering 'The O2 – A Digital Journey' and in the afternoon ‘Augmented Reality, The World According to 3D and Mobile Interaction’.
The Screen Forum UK is an independent group dedicated to the ongoing development of the digital signage industry. Its members include representatives from all aspects of this rapidly growing medium and its events aim to promote best practice across the industry through the sharing of expertise and thought-leadership. See website for full seminar details.
Solution partners include SMART, Scala, Nexus, AMX, U-touch, CBS, Exterity, Lifesize, TeamMate, Harp, DAS Business Furniture, Crestron, Mentor, Whitespace, Chief, Comqi and many more.
REGISTRATION: To register for this event please visit our website - www.showcase-nec.com
WHEN : Wednesday 25th April 2012, 10am – 6pm
WHERE : The O2
Peninsula Square
London
SE10 0DX
At last, after a false start last week the new Adobe Photoshop Touch app for iPad is now available for purchase in the Apple App Store. This app allows the user to combine images, apply professional effects, share results with friends and family through sites like Facebook, and more – all from the convenience of your iPad and just in time for the iPad 3 launch.
Our sister site, theappwhisperer.com looked at the Android tablet version of this app for dpreview.com, you can read that here. In the meantime take a look at the features below and view the demonstration video.
This app retails for $9.99/£6.99 and you can download it here.
• Use popular Photoshop features designed for the tablet such as layers, selection tools, adjustments, and filters to create mind-blowing images.
• Use your iPad camera to fill an area on a layer with the unique camera fill feature.
• Select part of an image to extract by scribbling with the Scribble Selection tool. With Refine Edge, use your fingertip to capture even hard-to-select image elements, like hair, with ease.
• Search and acquire images with the integrated Google Image Search.
• Share images on Facebook and view comments right within the app.
• Browse an inspirational gallery for the styles and results you'd like to achieve. Then follow step-by-step tutorials to easily learn techniques the pros use for great-looking results.
• Use AirPrint for wireless printing of Photoshop Touch projects.
• Upload projects to Adobe Creative Cloud* and open layered files from Adobe Photoshop Touch in Photoshop CS5.
• Maximum image resolution: 1600 x 1600 pixels
Canon UK has announced the much-anticipated top-of-the-range EOS-1D X will available from the end of April 2012, priced at £5,299.00/6,299.00 Euros RRP incl. VAT
UK retailers Jessops and Warehouse Express are taking pre-orders on the EOS-1D X. Please follow the links below:
The ground-breaking Canon EOS-1D X available to purchase from the end of April 2012
United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 27th February 2012 – Canon today announces that its next-generation, flagship professional Digital SLR, the EOS-1D X, will be available to buy from the end of April 2012. The culmination of 40 years’ experience in developing professional cameras, the EOS-1D X is Canon’s most advanced EOS model ever produced, offering photographers an unparalleled combination of speed, resolution and image quality to capture stunning stills and Full HD movies.
Providing class-leading versatility, the EOS-1D X is the ultimate camera for professional photographers shooting anywhere from the studio to the sports field, and is able to meet any creative challenge. The model blends a suite of first-class technologies that make it easier to capture images in outstanding quality, including a new 18.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor with an incredible 100-51200 ISO range (expandable to 204800) for shooting in extreme low-light conditions. A redesigned 61-point wide-area autofocus system offers advanced sensitivity and accuracy across the frame, while a newly-designed 100,000 pixel RGB metering sensor detects faces and colour to ensure correct exposure levels.
EOS-1D X is the first-ever camera to feature dual “DIGIC 5+” processors, which are designed to handle huge levels of image data while simultaneously reducing image noise. Combined with the sensor’s 16-channel read-out, the processors enable full-resolution continuous shooting up to 12fps while a super high-speed mode extends the shooting speed to 14fps (JPEG format only).
The film-maker’s DSLR
In addition to stills, the EOS-1D X is capable of recording Full HD (1920x1080p) movies with the full-frame sensor. An extensive range of manual settings lets users control exposure, focus and frame rate (1920 x 1080: 30 (29.97), 25, 24(23.976) frames per second, 1280 x 720: 60 (59.94), 50 fps, 640 x 480: 30 (29.97), 25 fps), while sound levels can also be displayed and adjusted on the Clear View II 8.11cm (3.2”) LCD screen, ensuring complete control over every aspect of a shoot.
Canon EOS-1DX – key features
• 18.1 MP full frame CMOS sensor
• Up to 12fps and 14fps shooting
• 100-51200 ISO, up to H:204800
• 61 point AF system
• 100,000 pixel RGB AE metering with DIGIC 4
• Full HD 1080p EOS movie
• Dual “DIGIC 5+” processors
• Clear View II 8.11cm (3.2”) 1,040k LCD
• Ethernet port
For more information on the EOS-1D X, please visit: www.canon.co.uk
Canon UK has issued a statement today announcing the new EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM lenses will be available to buy from dealers from May 2012, priced at £8,999.00/10,799.00 Euros RRP incl. VAT and £11,299.00/ 13,549.00 Euros RRP incl. VAT. It's believed the triple tragedy in Northern Japan last year is the reason for the delay, Canon's Utsonomiya lens plant is located in the region.
For more information please see the press release below, or visit www.canon.co.uk.
Jessops are showing all four of the new super-teles are available with a 'exclusive online discount' (albeit on special order):
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 IS II USM at £11,099.95
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 IS II USM at £8,449.95
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 IS II USM at £8,868.95
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM at £5,549.95
US readers can order the Canon super-teles from Adorama (on a first come, first served basis) by following these links.
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 IS II USM at $12,999.00
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 IS II USM at $10,499.00
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 IS II USM at $11,499.00
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM at $7,299.00
Thank you for buying through this site's links
Press release:
Canon lightweight, super-telephoto EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM lenses available to purchase in May 2012
United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 27th February 2012, Canon today announces that its EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm F/4L IS II USM lenses will be available to buy from May 2012.
Designed to meet the needs of the most demanding sports and wildlife photographers, both lenses offer breakthrough performance, delivering consistently high-quality images and incredible mobility.
Pricing and Availability
The EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM is available from May 2012, priced at £8,999.00/10,799.00 Euros RRP incl. VAT.
The EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM is available from May 2012, priced at £11,299.00/ 13,549.00 Euros RRP incl. VAT.
Football - Wimbledon v Manchester United - Premier League - Selhurst Park - 96/97 - 17/8/96. Manchester United's David Beckham scores his teams third goal of game from his own half. Image credit: Action Images / Tony O'Brien
In this the 20th season of the Premier League, Barclays is searching for the best photographer along with the best individual image since the inception of the league during the 1992/93 season. The awards are open to all current and former professional photographers who have covered the Premier League. Entries can be made in two categories, with the winners receiving a Barclays Award and photographic equipment. The closing date for entries is Friday 2 March 2012 with the winners announced in April 2012. For more information, including details of how to obtain an entry form, please see the press release below
Press release;
BARCLAYS LAUNCHES PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS TO CELEBRATE 20 SEASONS OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE
- Search begins for all-time top League photographer -
Barclays, title sponsor of the Barclays Premier League, today launches a special Barclays Photography Awards to find the best photographer and individual 'shot' since the inception of the league in the 1992/93 season.
The Barclays Photographer of the 20 Seasons Awards are open to all current and former professional photographers who have covered the Premier League since it began, and recognises the important role that photography has played within the game. The Awards aim to capture the iconic moments of passion, excitement and drama that have defined the competition over the past 20 seasons.
There are two categories:
· The Barclays Photographer Award of the 20 Seasons will go to the photographer who submits the best portfolio of five pictures that show high technical accomplishment as well as capturing the essence of the league at some point during, or over the course of the 20 seasons. The winner will receive a Barclays Award and £10,000 worth of photographic equipment.
· The Barclays Shot of the 20 Seasons will be given to the photographer who submits the best single iconic image. The winner will also receive a Barclays Award together with £5,000 of photographic equipment.
To get an application form, photographers should contact James Knott at jknott (at) lexisagency.com.
The closing date for entries is Friday 2 March 2012 with winners announced in April 2012.
UK dealer and affiliate Wex Photographic has a few of the new Gitzo Systematic models in stock with others showing as pre-orders. Please use this link to buy. Please also refer to this link to confirm the new models (the link opens in a new window)- as the models names are confusingly similar with the older types. The popular GT3541XLS, for instance, is now called the GT3542XLS. If the last number ends in '1', it's the older design, if it's '2' then you can be pretty sure it's the improved design (but please use this link to Gitzo to confirm).
We've had the new super compact (five section), carbon-fibre 4-series Traveller Systematic GT4552TS in for a few days and can say the new body design is a massive improvement on the previous (and well-liked) design. The Traveller Systematic is a new compact model which is ideal for travel photography as when closed measures just 48.5cm / 19 inches and weighs 2.15kg / 4.74lbs.
US readers can buy from Adorama Camera (but again please note new and old models are listed - be sure to check against this link for the new model designations).
Search B&H Photo Video
Search Amazon US (they have limited stock of popular models)
Thank you for buying through this site's links.
Gitzo Systematic from Gitzo Focus on Forever on Vimeo.
Amazon US has just eight of the new Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ in stock (sold by H and B Digital, fulfilled by Amazon). All other retailers are taking pre-orders at this time.
Pre-order the 12-50mm at Adorama Camera (US) at $499.99, UK readers can pre-order from Wex Photographic at £369.99 inc VAT.
Thank you for buying through this site's links.
UPDATED 2 March, 2012: Canon has launched the EOS 5D MkIII.
Rumours of the replacement for the EOS 5D Mk II have been circulating the internet for ages, indeed with a three year product cycle, the camera is well overdue. Nikon has launched the low-light D4 and hi-res D800, but my impression is that Canon will change-the-game with a new hi-res, low-light camera.
I've heard from various sources that we'll see a full-frame DSLR with a 22MP CMOS sensor, 61-point AF system (like that of the EOS-1D X) and 3.2-inch 1,040K dot LCD, dual SD/CF card and 5fps continuous shooting. There's no word on the video spec, but it seems unlikely not to have 1080p at 30/25/24 fps unless Canon are using that to differentiate between the EOS 1D X. I say that, as I think the new camera will have similar low light performance up to ISO 51,200 (maybe even expandable to ISO 204,800, like the 1DX). We'll know soon enough.
Lately, we've seen internet sites owned by the print publishers talk of rumours surrounding the release of new cameras when they've been in possession of, if not the cameras full spec with accompanying demo and advertising material by the maker's PR people, at the very least an invite to the press launch. It's at odds with the maker's stipulation that the invitation may not be published anywhere, so I'm guessing they're playing word games ...
It will be interesting to see if they start talking about a new Canon DSLR released at the end of this month, or maybe early next. My guess is we'll see these stories appear soon, now that the rumour sites have started the chatter. This is largely generated by retailers, and can't be quietened by the makers, because ...well they're their customers and besides it's good (viral) marketing...
The price of the Canon EOS 5D Mk II has been dropping recently, I suspect in anticipation of the new camera. Please follow the links to buy at Jesspos (UK) £1,669.95 inc VAT (was £1,799.95) and Adorama (US) at $2,399.00 after an instant $100 rebate.
Thank you for buying through this site's links.
Is this the Canon EOS 5D Mk III? Time will tell.
Please help support the DJP by visiting our affiliates; Jessops, Warehouse Express, Adorama Camera and Amazon. Note; sales through these links may benefit this site.
Sigma UK has reduced the retail price on the 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro lens to £649.99 (inc VAT) from the previous suggested price of £799.99
Please follow the link to buy at our affiliate Wex (formerly Warehouse Express, Norwich) at £599.00 inc VAT. Jessops are still showing the old price (£699.95 inc VAT), at the time of posting.
Press release:
Great savings on Sigma’s 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro lens.
Sigma UK is pleased to announce a reduction in the suggested retail price of the 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens to £649.99 including VAT. The previous suggested retail price was £799.99.
This lens has been very well received by the photo/imaging industry since its launch in August 2011 and now offers exceptional value for money. The medium telephoto macro offers Sigma’s optical stabilisation along with high speed autofocus, internal focusing, SLD glass and a 1:1 macro reproduction ratio.
For more information on these and other Sigma products, please visit www.sigma-imaging-uk.com or contact your local photographic retailer.
With CES in Las Vegas last month and and then CP+ in Yokohama, Japan earlier this month plenty of new and exciting cameras have been announced aimed at enthusiasts and professionals. I thought I would recap what's available for pre-order through Jessops for UK readers - thank you for buying through this site's links
Canon EOS-1DX - £5,299.95
Canon G1 X £699.95
Nikon D4 - £4,799.95
Nikon D800 - £2399.95
Nikon D800E (with out AA filter) - £2689.95
Olympus OM-D E-M5 - £999.95
Fuji X-Pro1 - £1429.95
UPDATE 23 Feb, 2012: The PocketWizard PLUS III Transceiver will be available from 1st April 2012 and will retail at £129.99 Inc VAT. A twin set will also be available, comprising two PLUS III units and will retail at £249.99 Inc VAT.
UPDATE: The Plus III is available to pre-order at B&H Photo at $139.00. Thank-you for buying through this site's links.
Press Release:
So. Burlington, VT – February 20, 2012 – LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products, the world leader in reliable wireless control of cameras, flash lighting and light meters, announces the new PocketWizard Plus III – a feature-packed, easy-to-use solution for remote flash and camera triggering. This new simple but powerful radio provides professional and serious amateur photographers with the most reliable triggering system which they will never outgrow and never want to be without.
“Our goals in designing the new Plus III were simple: It needed to do more, cost less and offer the same reliability and simplicity as the legendary Plus II. We believe the Plus III achieves all of this and more in its sleek new design,” said Dave Schmidt, LPA Designs VP of Marketing. “Photographers need tools that will help them create images they couldn’t before and with less hassle and lower cost. The Plus III is exactly that tool.”
The new Plus III Transceiver features 32 channels and Selective Quad-Zone Triggering that enables photographers to remotely trigger flash and/or cameras in groups or individually all wirelessly from hundreds of feet away. Performance enhancing features include Long Range Mode and Repeater Mode to help photographers tackle the most challenging shooting environments and open the door for never-attempted image ideas. All features, channels and zones can be easily set using the soft-touch keypad and are clearly displayed on the backlit LCD display. *
The versatile new PocketWizard Plus III is compatible with all other PocketWizard radios and virtually every popular flash and professional digital SLR camera system. It also communicates with all PocketWizard-enabled photo gear including select Profoto, Dynalite, Norman and Photogenic flash systems and Sekonic light meters.
The new Plus III will be demonstrated at the PocketWizard WPPI 2012 Booth #621 in Las Vegas, NV, February 20-23, 2012 as well as in the JP Distribution booth at Focus on Imaging Show in Birmingham, UK, March 4-7, 2012.
For more information please visit www.pocketwizard.com
Online retailer Wex Photographic in UK has started taking pre-orders on the controversial Sigma SD1 Merrill DSLR at £1839.00 including VAT (at 20-percent), or £1,565.11 ex VAT / $2,477.00. Please follow the link here to pre-order. Thank you for buying through this site's links.
US retailer Adorama has started taking pre-orders at $2,299.00 on the 46MP SD-1 Merrill. Please follow the link here to buy.
The 46MP SD1 Merrill was the cause of some controversy when it was announced earlier this month as the company, citing reductions in the production costs of the Foveon sensor, stated the new model would be heavily reduced in price while the original SD1model was still on sale at £5,499.00.
Sigma's new CEO, Kazuto Yamaki, was forced to make a statement defending the company's decision to revise the price of the new camera, which is essentially unchanged over the original model. The Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor in the SD1 uses technology originally developed by the late Dick Merrill (1949-2008) and the company has named the new generation sensor in his memory.
Nikon started producing technical guides, in-depth sales brochures, alongside the regular brochure as far back as 1980 for the F3 and then for every successive pro film SLR since up to the F5. The format has since changed for digital cameras, with the guides concentrating on how to maximise performance of certain features. Nikon USA has released a guide in pdf of the forthcoming D800 and D800E models with guidance on how to achieve optimal resolution from the 36MP sensor, while taking care to avoid, or correct for colour artifacts, including moire.
Please follow the link here to download.
Canon continues their discussion of the EOS-1D X on the CPN site with Ziv Koren, a photojournalist for Polaris Images. There are several sample photos taken on a pre-production camera including a couple of 100-percent crops of the 'original photos', presumably out-of-camera JPEGs (none higher than ISO1600 unfortunately, and close-ups only shown taken with Canon's better optics - 24mm f/1.4L II and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II). It's still impossible to judge the quality from these images but Koren's impressions are encouraging.
To read the article, please follow the link here.
Wex Photographic, formerly Warehouse Express, based in Norwich have both models of the Canon EOS C300 listed on their site for special order at a whisker under £12,000 inc VAT, a saving of £800 on the last listed price. The site says March for delivery.
Canon finally deliver the ergonomics that we've been looking for (it can take various add-ons) but have priced it out of the reach for most of us freelancers (it needs to be £5,000 or £6,000 at the most). However, I expect we'll see photographers at agencies such as Reuters, AP et al using these alongside their EOS-1D's.
Please follow the links below to order.
Wex Photographic UK (formerly Warehouse Express) has the recently announced trio of lenses from Canon available to pre-order. Wex are sweetening the deal by offering a free Kenko Pro1 Digital UV filter with each purchase. Please follow the links below to buy.
Canon EF 28mm f2.8 IS USM at £729.00
Canon EF 24mm f2.8 IS USM at £749.00
Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM at £2,299.00
Thank you for buying from this site's links.
Adorama has a raft of Olympus kit with instant rebates available. For example, the M.Zuiko 9-18mm (18-36mm-e) f/4-5.6 (shown above) has an instant rebate of $50, bringing the price at checkout down from $699 to $649. There are combinations on offer as well. Please follow this link to peruse and buy.
Thank you for buying though this site's links.
Although slated for a mid-March release the AF-S 85mm f/1.8 G has already started to appear on dealer's shelves (we received ours for testing only yesterday). We hope to post some example shots later in the day.
To buy from Jessops UK at £469.95, please follow the link here. US readers can buy from Adorama at $499.95, please follow the link here.
Thank you for buying from this site's links.
If your digital camera is equipped for connection to a wireless network, this new photo receiver app by FUJIFILM will make uploading images to your iOS or Android smartphones and tablets very simple. Once the shots have been uploaded you then have the facility to share them via Facebook or Twitter.
This is a free app and looks like it will prove to be very useful,
At present you're limited to the FujiFilm Finepix Z1000EXR and the Z1010EXR cameras.
1 Start FUJIFILM Photo Receiver.
2 On the camera, select playback mode and display a picture you want to upload.
3 Simultaneously tap Connect on the smartphone and on the camera.
4 When the camera locates the smartphone, its name will appear in the camera display (you can enter a new name for the smartphone in the “Name” field at any time).
5 Confirm that the name of the destination smartphone is correct and tap START SENDING on the camera.
6 To upload additional pictures, display them on the camera and tap . Up to 30 pictures can be uploaded in a single session.
7 To end the session, tap End on the smartphone or BACK on the camera.
8 To view the pictures, tap Photos (iOS) or Gallery (Android).
9 The app can be also be launched by pressing the SNS (iOS) or share button (Android).
One of the most eagerly awaited cameras of the year, the Fujifilm X-Pro1, is now available to pre-orders through Jessops. Please follow the links below to buy. Thank you for buying though this site's links.
Fuji X-Pro1 body at £1,429.95
The lenses are not showing on the site presently, though they're likely to be added shortly. Please check back later.
UK retailers Jessops and Warehouse Express are taking pre-orders on the EOS-1D X. Please follow the links below:
Jessops (£5,299.95)
Warehouse Express (£5,299.00)
Jessops are also showing all four of the new super-teles are available with a 'exclusive online discount' (albeit on special order):
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 IS II USM at £11,099.95
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 IS II USM at £8,449.95
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 IS II USM at £8,868.95
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM at £5,549.95
US readers can order the Canon super-teles from Adorama (on a first come, first served basis) by following these links.
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 IS II USM at $12,999.00
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 IS II USM at $10,499.00
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 IS II USM at $11,499.00
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM at $7,299.00
Thank you for buying through this site's links.
Sony has officially announced the long awaited 500mm f/4 at Japan's CP+ show, which was shown as a prototype at CES last year, alongside mock ups of the SLT-A77 and SLT-A33. There's no mention of the price in the press release (see below), though some sites are quoting $13,000 / 13,000 Euros.
For those that just can't wait (or afford) the Sony lens, Sigma's 500mm f/4.5 EX DG (not HSM unfortunately) could be a serious alternative at a fraction of the price, just £3,779.95 (Jessops online price).
Press release:
Closer encounters with new 500mm super-telephoto 08 February 2012
Rugged, pro-focused SAL500F40G lens from Sony for A-mount SLT and DSLR cameras
Longest-ever focal length G Lens from Sony
Bright F4.0 aperture for superior light gathering
Nano AR Coating on optical surfaces for flawless still images and HD video
Compatible with SteadyShot INSIDE featured in all α cameras
New SSM drive circuit for quick, accurate autofocus
Rugged dust- and moisture-resistant design: ideal partner for SLT-A77
Enhanced handling and operability
Serious photographers can pull distant subjects closer with a powerful new 500mm (equivalent to 750mm with APS-C camera) super-telephoto lens from Sony.
The SAL500F40G is ideal for sports, wildlife and demanding imaging applications that require extreme magnification with uncompromised optical performance.
The SAL500F40G is the longest fixed focal length G Lens from Sony to date. Whether you’re shooting detail-packed stills or Full HD video, you’ll enjoy frame-filling close-ups with flawless resolution. With a bright F4.0 maximum aperture, its excellent light gathering power allows the use of faster shutter speeds to broaden shooting opportunities.
The ruggedly-engineered SAL500F40G copes effortlessly with tough photo assignments. Focusing ring and front/rear joints are protected by interlocking seals that shrug off dust and moisture, even when you’re shooting outdoors in driving rain or arid desert conditions. This weather-resistant design makes the SAL500F40G a perfect partner for the SLT-A77 (α77) Translucent Mirror camera that offers serious photographers similarly ruggedized performance.
Like all other A-mount lenses, the SAL500F40G is compatible with the SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilisation system that’s featured in every α Translucent Mirror and DSLR camera from Sony. Depending on shooting conditions, camera model and settings, you’ll enjoy camera-shake blur compensation that’s equivalent to approximately 4.5 stops (max.) in shutter speed.
Inside, the advanced optical design of the SAL500F40G includes 11 elements in 10 groups, including three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements. It’s also the first G Lens from Sony to feature advanced new coating process that ensures crisper, clearer images. Exclusive to Sony, the ground-breaking Nano AR Coating process cuts internal reflections by up to 80% compared with previous models. Resulting images are brilliantly crisp and clear, with dramatically reduced lens flare and ghosting. Flare is reduced still further by the carbon fibre lens hood that’s lined with black velvet fibres to absorb incident light.
Razor-sharp autofocus performance makes the SAL500F40G ideal for capturing an athlete’s explosive movements or the unpredictable flutter of wild birds. The high-torque SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) features a new drive circuit, ensures rapid, responsive AF with up to 4x faster object tracking than conventional Sony lenses.
Serious enthusiasts will also welcome a strong emphasis on enhanced handling and ergonomics. Four focus hold buttons are spaced around the lens barrel for easy operation in any position. They’re complemented by a two-way DMF (Direct Manual Focus) mode button and focus range switch for positive, fumble-free operation when you’re shooting under pressure.
Built to order, the SAL500F40G super-telephoto lens from Sony is available in Europe from late March2012.
Jessops' online store has lowered the price of the 40-megapixel medium format Pentax 645D kit (with FA 55mm f/2.8) by a cool £1,000, from £9,999.95 to £8,999.95. It makes a compelling alternative to the Nikon D3X and Canon EOS 1DX models, though the new D800 / D800E may come close with the right lens choice. Please follow the link here to buy.
Thank you for buying from this site's links.
Read our review of the Pentax 645D here.
As we reported here a week ago, Gitzo has launched a new range of Systematic tripods, substantially updating the top casting and providing greater security of the removable top-plate. Please check back later for availability and prices, as we'll be updating this post throughout the day.
From the Gitzo Newsletter:
Systematic is Gitzo’s top of the range tripod family, the choice of exacting professional photographers who use long lenses and heavy cameras. Not only are Systematic Gitzo’s strongest and most stable tripods, they’re also modular, with a top casting element that opens and closes to allow each tripod to be configured with a flat disk, geared or sliding centre column, video half-ball adaptor, leveling unit or other specialized centre component.
Now, Systematic has been refined, with significant improvements across strength, stability and rigidity; safety and security; set-up speed, ease of use and ergonomics. New construction and bonding techniques have almost doubled maximum payloads by distributing weight more efficiently to the 6X carbon fibre legs, which also feature the G-Lock system for greater power and ease of leg section locking.
For further information please go to the Gitzo Systematic Collection page.
Gitzo Systematic tripods at;
We have moved to a new address. Please follow the link below and bookmark: www.digitaljournalofphotography.com Please continue t...
