Domke add grey Limited range

Domke has announced a Limited range of bags in a rather fetching grey canvas and black trim. Just three models of the popular bags* have been selected for the new colour; the original F-2 (above), mid-size F-10 and super-compact F-3x. Prices start at £109.99, but there's no word as yet on availability.

Press release:

LIMITED OFFER GREY VERSIONS OF TRADITIONAL DOMKE BAGS

Domke the bag of choice for demanding press men and discerning enthusiasts the world over, has produced a limited production run in grey fabric with a coordinated black trim, of the three bags that built the company's legendary reputation.

The three bags to get the grey makeover are the F-10 Medium Shoulder Bag, F-3X Super Compact and the famous F-2 Original - the first bag in the Domke line some 30 years ago!

Grey is currently additional to the other fabric colours in the range and the models will continue to be available in sand, black, olive, brown, navy and wax finish Ruggedwear.

In all other respects the grey bags encompass trademark Domke features including practical design, durable fabrics and high quality fasteners and zips.

Prices for the new special limited edition bags are as follows: Model F-10 Shoulder Bag Grey £109.99, F-3X Super Compact Bag Grey £149.99, F-2 Original Bag Grey £174.99.

Commented Daniel Waite Tiffen's International Sales Manager Domke Products: "We are not sure as yet how many bags have been produced but this initiative provides an unparalleled opportunity for photographers to acquire one of Domke's iconic bags, with a unique slant.

Details of Domke select dealers or further information on the range, can be obtained by contacting the UK distributor Swains International plc on 0845 450 4242, sales@swains.co.uk or www.swains.co.uk

*Amazon UK has the Domke F-2 DOMKE'S Original Bag - Sand listed, but not the Limited models at the time of posting.

Nikon add Lens Postioning Map

Nikon has added an intriguing Lens Postioning Map, allowing users to plan their range, add new lenses and compare coverage against the optics they have already. I'm not sure how helpful it is, but as a marketing tool it works quite well to promote their range even if it masks some of the shortcomings with their older lenses. Still, to their credit, Nikon are working they way through them, one by one.

Perhaps of more help to people is the Lenses Simulator, you can use it to see just what coverage your prospective purchase will give you.

Leica unwrap new 35mm f/1.4 Summilux

Leica has announced the long-rumoured update to the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux, optimised for the digital Leica M9. The lens has been re-computed and adds a close-range correction, or 'floating', rear design for improved imaging at closer distances. According to the press release, the new lens will be available towards the end of June (2010), an will carry a ticket of £3,375 including VAT.

More information can be found here.

Lo-Fi Friday

Olympus E-PL1, processed in Aperture 3.

Olympus E-PL1, Diorama Art Filter (no additional processing).

NEX Please

Sony NEX-5 with 16mm f/2.8 (24mm - equiv).

Sony announced the rumoured NEX-5 and NEX-3 this week, but I for one can't help but feel that, like many of Sony's cameras*, they miss the mark somehow. Perhaps not by much, but enough for them to be bypassed by those who have taken to the Olympus Pens and Panasonic GF1.

Sony NEX-3 with 18-55mm(28-90mm) f/3.5-5.6

Both NEX models are 'mirrorless' and feature a 14.2-megapixel back-illuminated Exmor R, APS-C size CMOS sensor, which Sony somewhat confusingly dub 'APS-HD' format. The NEX-5 boasts a metal shell while the more affordable NEX-3 model uses a plastic outer.

Although few have picked up on it, Sony's NEX cameras have been launched with a 16mm f/2.8 (24mm equivalent), see above. That's a smart move. It's not enough mind, but it's smart. Let's hope there's more to come. Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung and Ricoh (with their GXR) each have one prime, but we would like more choice please.

Sony NEX-5 with thumping great 28-300mm equivalent zoom.

It's not rocket science, but to my mind, to appeal to photographers looking for a camera to use discretely (who'll almost certainly have a DSLR at their disposal), there must be a range of lenses in the 24/28, 35/50 and 90/100mm focal lengths, with an f/2 maximum aperture, ideally. You only need look at the Leica M range, or perhaps the discontinued Contax G system.

Contax G1 with Carl Zeiss 45mm f/2 Planar

Just how difficult can it be for Sony, or the others, to add an electronic viewfinder that apes the coupled rangefinder, at least in body design?** Lets move away from the scaled down DSLR-style bodies and viewfinder-less compacts, that's not what's needed (nor ridiculous size 28-300mm zooms). What we're crying out for is the digital equivalent of the Contax G1 (or G2) and a few choice primes, isn't it? I know I am.

For more information including the press release, please see here.

*Not all, the Alpha A900 is is right up there, IMHO. Unfortunately, Sony have no plans to do anything worthwhile with it. According to one source within the company, there are no TS-E / PC-E type lenses planned, for instance, and they insist the lower-end of the market, the so-called "Soccer Mums" is where their priorities lie. Shame.

**Seems Sony do listen, please read our editorial here.

Canon UK announces student discount on EOS 7D and 5D Mk II

New Canon Cashback:

Canon announces a new student cashback on the award winning EOS 7D and EOS 5D Mark II


Products:
Purchase the EOS 7D before 31st August 2010 and claim £75 / €85 cashback
Purchase the EOS 5D Mk II before 31st August 2010 and claim £150 / €180 cashback

Availability:
This cashback is available on the EOS 7D and EOS 5D Mark II when purchased by photographic students, lecturers or technicians from a retailer within the EOS Professional Network.

All participants must be either a student studying a recognised university photographic course, have been accepted onto a recognised university photographic course or be a lecturer/technician working on a recognised university photographic course in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
For further details on where to buy & full terms and conditions please visit www.canon.co.uk/futurephotographer or www.canon.ie/futurephotographer
For further details about the EOS Professional Network, and how to locate your nearest Centre or Stockist please visit www.canon.co.uk/eospro-network or www.canon.ie/eospro-network

Timing:
Start: 1st May 2010
End: 31st August 2010, claims must be received by 1st October 2010

Readers enquiries:
For further details on where to buy & full terms and conditions please visit www.canon.co.uk/futurephotographer or www.canon.ie/futurephotographer

For further details about the EOS Professional Network, and how to locate your nearest Centre or Stockist please visit www.canon.co.uk/eospro-network or www.canon.ie/eospro-network

Amazon UK links:

Canon Digital SLR Camera EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Arca-Swiss to add adjustable L-bracket

Arca-Swiss, the high-end camera maker and manufacturer of ball heads, is to release an adjustable L-bracket fitting a range of cameras. Currently, makers produce L-brackets for specific camera models, making it an expensive proposition for photographers wishing to frequently swap between cameras.

The price is expected to be in the region of €190 / £160 / $240, with tax.

Source.

Lo-fi Friday: Aperture 3, Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-PL1 using Diorama Art-Filter, with cross-processing in Aperture 3

Olympus E-PL1 using Diorama (Tilt-Shift) Art-Filter, original (no additional processing)

I thought I would start a new category for the weekend, Lo-fi Friday, celebrating the ease with which digital imaging allows some interesting techniques.

The first picture (top) is an out-camera Jpeg with some cross-processing applied in Aperture 3. The second below is the original Jpeg before processing in Aperture. It was shot with the delightful mFT Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus 17mm (34mm-effective) f/2.8 pancake lens, using the camera's built-in Diorama Art-Filter.

As you can just about make out the filter applies blurring with quite a sharp cut-off (based on the AF point, as far as I can tell). Saturation is bumped up quite too, but it's all automatic. You don't have to do a thing, except compose and push the button.

Nikon UK adds D90 cashback, lowers price on D5000

After the earlier announcement about the D700, Nikon UK also announced a £60/€70 cashback on the popular D90 bought between the same period (1st May 2010 to 30th June inclusive), and a price reduction on the D5000 body and 18-55mm VR kit option. The new RRP of the D5000 body is now £569.99 /€675.00, and with the kit combination is £639.99/ €758.00, although quite how that changes the street price, remains to be seen.

For more details including terms and conditions, see here.

Nikon announces promo on D700

Hot on the heels of Canon's recent rebate scheme comes the announcement of a free MB-D10 grip when you buy a Nikon D700, from participating UK dealers, between the 1st May 2010 and 30th June 2010.

For more details on the D700 grip, please see here.

Nikon announce new AF-S 200-400mm f/4 VRII

Nikon has announced the upgrade to the AF-S 200-400mm f/4 ED VR, originally launched alongside the Nikon D2H in 2003. The enhancements include four-stop VR II, Nano Crystal Coat to reduce ghosting and a new A/M mode to improve handling during AF operation.

I reviewed this lens for Digital Photographer magazine in the UK and it's outstanding, indeed it's so popular Canon is introducing a similar version to stop people switching systems to buy it. Please follow the links to buy from Adoroma ($6,999.00) in the US, or Jessops (£4,987.95 inv VAT) in the UK.


Read the full press release:

ULTIMATE VERSATILITY WITH NIKON’S NEW AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II LENS

RRP: £6249.99 / €7400.00 /$6,999
Sales start date: 28th May 2010

April 27th 2010: Nikon UK today announces a new super telephoto zoom lens – the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II. This lens replaces the highly acclaimed AF-S Zoom NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED VR and features the new generation of Vibration Reduction technology (VR II), Nano Crystal Coat and a new A/M mode, making it an ideal, versatile choice for sports and wildlife photographers.

This type of super telephoto zoom lens remains unique on the market and reflects Nikon’s continued dedication to innovation and quality in the industry. The evolution of this lens underlines Nikon’s commitment to developing a range of products tailored to photographers’ needs, and strengthens the line-up of high-performance NIKKOR lenses.

Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager Lenses, Accessories & Software, Nikon Europe says: "Rapid advancements in optical technology and Nikon’s continued dedication to provide class-leading products have resulted in recent updates of pro grade lenses. Through its additional features and improved specifications, the AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II delivers the ultimate results and enables even the most demanding of pro photographers to shoot without compromise.”

Sharper images with improved handling
The AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II features second generation built in Vibration Reduction (VRII), providing the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops slower so sharper images can be achieved.



In addition, the new A/M mode added to existing M/A and M modes enables autofocus priority even if the focus ring is being handled during shooting.

Reduced ghosting and flare
The AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II now incorporates Nikon’s exclusive anti-reflection Nano Crystal coat, which drastically reduces ghosting and flare, along with four ED glass elements to minimise internal reflections and aberrations. This delivers rich, high contrast images even under testing lighting conditions.

The new lens features an autofocus with a built-in silent wave motor to ensure fast and quiet focusing. The AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II has a tough magnesium body, incorporating weather and dust sealing and lens protective glass, to withstand the effects of dust and moisture in the toughest of shooting conditions.

Weighing in at only 3,360g, while providing great flexibility in telephoto shooting, this new lens is a practical alternative to carrying several large telephoto lenses. The lens is supplied with a high quality Ballistic, backpack style carry case, allowing for easy and safe transportation.

Leica intro new V-Lux 20

Leica has introduced a new digital compact camera. The 12.1 megapixel V-Lux 20 boasts a 12x optical zoom, the equivalent of a 25-300mm f/3.3-4.9, 3-inch 460k dot LCD and built-in GPS geo-tagging. The suggested retail price in the UK is £495 and it's expected to be available from next month (May).

More information can be found here.

As a side-note, it's always interesting to see the EXIF data from press shots. Most leave it in unintentionally. We've seen Olympus use the (Nikon) D3x recently with their E-PL1, Nikon using a Phase One P20, and now Leica using their sadly discontinued R8 with DMR digital back. At least they're using their own products...*

Canon's agency carefully strip their EXIF data, so we've no-idea what they use (Phase One, most likely), still if there's a manufacturer who'd like to know how to remove this revealing info before publication, please contact me.

* I had a spokesperson from Leica contact me today about this, and they intend to use the new S2 for future press material. However, although you can't really tell the quality from a web image like this, I can say the original files were superb quality. Times move on, but I guess, in a round-about way, I was applauding the use of the DMR.

Leica announce firmware update for S2

Leica has announced a firmware update for their ultra-high end S2 and S2P. The headline news here really is the addition of exposure correction in the viewfinder, which was an oversight, but all the other tweaks will be welcomed too.

Press release from Leica UK:

Firmware update for LEICA S2

22 April 2010: Leica Camera AG has announced a firmware update (v.1.0.0.16) for the LEICA S2 and S2-P, which will be downloadable from today under the Leica Owners’ Area on the Leica web site at:
https://owners.leica-camera.com/en/login

Below is the full list of improvements provided by this firmware update:

Extended camera functionality

· Additional HMI white balance preset added (Hydrargyrum Medium-arc Iodide lamps)
· Additional viewfinder information: exposure correction
· Custom setting for depth of field preview button
· Selectable OLED screen standby time
· Control element lock (shutter speed and aperture dials can now be locked to prevent inadvertent shifts)
· Extended user-defined button programming (the stop-down button can now also be programmed)

Improvements in existing functionality and handling

· Consistent, continuous image numbering
· Accelerated data transfer speed for computer-tethered shooting
· Increased compatibility with memory cards not formatted in the camera
· Improved handling for selection of exposure modes
· Compatibility with new Leica Summarit-S 35mm and 120mm lenses
· Improvement in JPEG image quality
· Automatic detection of interchangeable focusing screens
· Improved image viewing on the camera display
· Simplified image review selection

All new LEICA S2 and S2-P cameras will be supplied with the updated firmware.

More details are available at: http://www.s.leica-camera.com/

Lauren,

Leica S2 with Summarit 70mm f/2.5 at f/11,

processed in Aperture 3

Adobe release Lightroom 2.7

Adobe has released the final versions of Lightroom 2.7 , Photoshop Camera Raw 5.7, and DNG converter 5.7. Adding raw support for nine new cameras including the Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i / Kiss x4 Digital, Sony A450, Panasonic G2 and G10, and the Olympus E-PL1, the updates are available for immediate download here. The updates are free to Lightroom 2 customers.

More information on Lightroom can be found here.

Canon add further models to rebate scheme

After the news earlier in the day about the rebates on the popular PowerShot G11 and S90, Canon UK has announced the cash-back scheme will be applicable to more models in the range. Starting from today through to 22 June 2010, purchasing the PowerShot SX210IS, SX120 IS, SX20 IS and the SX1 IS (shown above) will attract rebates of £30/€35, £20/€25, £40/€45 and £50/€55 respectively.

See here (UK) or here (Ireland) for more details.

Canon offers rebates on S90 and G11

Starting from the 21 April, through to 22 June 2010, Canon UK has announced £30 / €35 rebates on their popular PowerShot G11 and S90 models .

Claims must be received by 26th July 2010.

For further details please visit here (UK), or here (Ireland).

Carl Zeiss announce primes for Canon video DSLRs

Not your usual common-or-garden SLR lenses, the newly announced Compact Primes from Carl Zeiss offer full-frame (35mm) coverage on video-DSLRs, notably Canon EF mount with Nikon F to follow. See here, for more details (look for Compact Primes).

Pentax 645 available for pre-order

Specialising in Japanese products for export, Japan Trend Shop, has announced the availability of the new Pentax 645D (in Japan only, at this time). It's expected to be in stock from Thursday 20th May, and is available for pre-order now at $10,450, body only. Shipping is just $25 extra.

If you want the newly announced, weather-resistant, DFA 55mm f/2.8 lens to go with it , be sure to select the box below (on their site). It will add another $1,254, but seems like good value to me when compared with the Leica S2.

Link to Japan Trend Shop.

Tiffen sponsor new Filter Forum

Press release:

TIFFEN SUBSIDIARY THE LONDON FILTER COMPANY SPONSOR ONLINE FILTER FORUM

Given the important role that filters play in photography, it is perhaps surprising that the average snapper doesn't appear to know their grads from their fogs. As an example, many DSLR users who may have 'switched codes' from film, are happy to continue employing skylight or UV filters as lens protectors. These filters have an adverse affect on a DSLR's auto white balancing systems and the only way to ensure an accurate reading is to go through the process of employing a gray scale card, which may be time consuming and inconvenient.

This is just one of the filter confusions from photographers and enthusiasts that Tiffen dedicated filter subsidiary The London Filter Company find themselves dealing with on a daily basis.

The answer to the lens protection issue, is to employ an optically pure filter from a leading brand, such as the Tiffen's ranges of Digital Ultra Clear filters, which will provide valuable protection but not require auto white balance compensation.
To provide a one stop filter knowledge base for photographers of all levels, The London Filter Company has announced that it is sponsoring the recently launched independent filter forum.

Sigma 50-500mm f/5-6.3 arrives

Sigma's new 50-500mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM has now arrived in the UK, with a suggested retail price of £1399.99. The tele-zoom is available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon fittings. Pentax and Sony will follow shortly.

Information on stockists can be found here.