Nissin adds TTL wireless flash to Di622 MkII

Nissin, an independent manufacturer of portable flash units, has introduced an upgrade to the Di622 adding wireless TTL flash and a PC socket for use with Pocketwizard remotes (and the like). For more details please see the press release below.

Happy New Year!

Wishing all our loyal and dedicated readers a very Happy New Year with best wishes from all The Team.

And remember - An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. Whichever you are, have a great night!

No Hands Required: Looxcie Brings Social Video Platform to iPhone Users

Wearable Bluetooth Camcorder Frees Users to Go Back, Capture What's Happened and Share It Instantly.

Looxcie, Inc. announced today the availability of its iPhone-compatible wearable camcorder at www.bestbuy.com. Initially launched in September 2010, Looxcie™ (look-see) is the first small, light, easy-to-wear camcorder that videos everything the user sees. A Bluetooth-enabled headset, Looxcie fits comfortably on the ear and points where the user looks. Because it is always on, always videoing, users never have to worry about pressing a record button or missing a key event. When an unexpected event occurs, a press of the instant clip button captures the last 30 seconds of video and stores it as a video clip on the device. When paired with an iPhone, the phone becomes both a view-finder and an accessory that lets users share video clips by email, post to Facebook or upload to YouTube in real-time.

 

Looxcie clips can be shared in the moment, or they can be uploaded to a Mac or PC via the USB connector for archiving, viewing, editing or additional sharing. Users can also pre-program an Instant Share recipient so that when they "long-press" the instant clip button, Looxcie automatically sends the clip to the pre-determined email address. Looxcie utilizes a dual processor system for video and Bluetooth communication so the headset can operate in video mode and talk mode at the same time, or separately. Looxcie uses a mini processor for Bluetooth that includes a digital signal processing system to process and optimize the audio. The camcorder's mini video processor includes software by Looxcie that optimizes power use, 1automatically corrects for light and color, and formats video for mobile devices. These processing systems operate concurrently so users can simultaneously handle calls and capture video.

Additional Product Features & Specs:

Fully adjustable fit for comfort and view refinement
Lightweight: less than 28g (1 oz.)
Always on battery life allows up to 4 hrs of continuous video use
6+ hours of continuous talk time when the video capability is not on
Clips are time stamped and stored in a clip register as MP4 files
On-board storage of up to 4 hrs of video and hundreds of instant clips (3 hrs of clips)
Stored video drops off on FIFO basis for any material unsaved as clips
15 FPS, HVGA resolution camera
Bluetooth Class 2 (2.5mW) for up to 10 meters range
480mAh Li Po battery for extended record and talk times
ROHS compliant manufacturer
DSP optimized for clear, crisp audio

This new version works with iOS 4.2 and costs $199, and we suspect the older version (without iOS 4.2 support) to see a price drop very soon.

DropPhox For iPhone - "DropPhox, the camera replacement app with DropBox support"

DropPhox is a Camera app that automatically sends photos to Dropbox as you take them. Now this is pretty damn cool, take a look...

    •    DropPhox transfer starts as soon as you snap the camera shutter.
    •    Multiple photographs are uploaded in parallel as you take them.
    •    Photos taken offline are uploaded as soon as a 3G/WiFi connection is detected.
    •    You can also set DropPhox to Autosave photos to your device's camera roll.
    •    Supported in-camera Flash, Focus and Video
Note: You will need a Dropbox account (Free) to use this application

$1.99/Download

The Top 10 iPhone Grossing Photography Apps of 2010

Take a look at the top 10 iPhone grossing photography apps of 2010...

Camera+

★ EXCLUSIVE Touch Exposure & Focus for the ultimate control…
Set exposure separately from focus for the ultimate control of your shots… simply touch with a 2nd finger while focusing to adjust exposure until your shot is perfect. [available on iPhone 4 and 3GS on iOS4 only]
★ EXCLUSIVE Photo Flashlight to brighten up your photos…
Use the iPhone 4 LED flash as a continuous fill light to improve photo quality, especially for portrait and macro shots.
★ No more blurry shots…
Use the stabilizer to steady your camera and get the sharpest pics you can.
★ Put an end to crooked pics…
Use the grid to line up your shots and eliminate unsightly angled photos.
★ Highest quality zoom…
Camera+ has a 5× digital zoom that simply blows away the competition in terms of quality.
$0.99/Download

Panasonic offers gift pack worth £150 when pre-ordering the new GF2

Panasonic UK has announced a gift pack worth £150 for those pre-ordering the GF2 between the 1st January and the 27th January 2011. Please see below for more details.

The Top 10 Grossing iPad Photography Apps of 2010

Yes it's that time of year when we get all statistical and what a better way to show you the top grossing photography apps of 2010. Take a look at these...

ArtStudio for iPad - draw, paint and edit photo

50% off the regular price for a limited time! BUY NOW AND GET FREE UPDATES FOREVER!
ArtStudio is a professional drawing / painting application. It uses advanced mathematics to attain the highest level of quality, at the same time offering incredible performance achieved through numerous code optimizations. It still remains a fantastic tool for beginners - it contains drawing lessons showing step-by-step instruction on drawing various types of images.
$2.99/Download

Skype Video Calling for iOS over Wi-Fi and 3G Now Available

Skype released version 3.0 of its app for iOS late last night, adding long-awaited video calling to the list of features for the popular VOIP app. This feature comes on the heels of a support document discovered last week by Engadget on Skype’s site that hinted at video calling features on the iPhone. Skype first released its free iOS app in early 2009 and added the ability to make calls over 3G in its last major update over the summer.

The full list of new features and changes in version 3.0 is as follows

WWT Photo Competition 2010 regional winners are announced

Judges have selected the regional winners of the WWT Photo Competition 2010 and these will now be put forward to a panel of experts, including Chris Packham, which will decide on overall winners.
The competition attracted over 6,000 entries in the categories of Wetland Wildlife, Wetland Landscapes, People and Wildlife and Quirky, and there was also a category for entrants aged 16 and below.
Photos had to be taken at one of WWT's nine regional wetand reserves (with the exception of the Quirky category). The People's Choice winners were decided by public vote on the photo competition website.
All of the regional winners will now be invited to a Winners Day taking place at London Wetland Centre on 24 January, 2011 and are in with a chance of winning a four day trip to New York State courtesy of Continental Airlines and a £600 photography voucher from Tatra Photography, among other great prizes. We'll be publishing the overall winning pictures as soon as they've been picked. 

People's Choice regional winner - London 'Bomber Command' by Paul Neuman
Picture: Paul Neuman / WWT Photo Competition 2010 / Supplied by Geoff Robinson

Samsung out NX11 at CES

There's no word on price, but it's expected to be in the region of £599 inc VAT. From the specification sheet below, the NX11 adopts the same 14.6-megapixel resolution sensor as the NX10 (though the sensor / pipeline maybe updated slightly) and will be available in February. We're waiting for Samsung to supply images, but as it's based on the NX10, we don't expect there to be much difference visually. A 20mm pancake and a 20-50mm zoom have also been announced.

'Appy Christmas from MacPhun

For a limited time, MacPhun LLC announces a sale for its 10 top products from December 21st, 2010 till January 3nd, 2011. With some extra savings over 75%, for those who own iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, this is a good chance to pack their iDevices with some really nice photo and entertainment applications. Apps include FX Photo Studio, FX Photo Studio HD, PhotoPal, Predator Vision, Doodle Cam, iRetroscope, Real-Time Distorter, PopArt VidCam, Amazing Facts HD and ArtPuzzle HD.

Star Trails Captured in Time Lapse

YouTube user Nachtwolke captures beautiful star trails with 1262 photos taken at 30-second exposures.
Lens/aperature/camera used: Sigma 12-24mm/4.5-5.6@ 12mm f/4.5, ISO 800, Canon 20D
Take a look at this...

10 Brand New Christmas Eve iPhone Photography Apps

Oh boy, they keep on coming and we just love 'em. Here we have the latest iPhone photography apps just approved by the App Store, take a look at these...

Photo Folders

Photo Folders is an iOS application that is able to file your photo and videos using custom folders.
You can put comments on your photos and able to search and sort by the comments added.
Application description:
1. You can create custom folder within this application.
2. You can protect your folder by setting password.
3. Original date can be saved with your photo.
4. Location information can be saved with your photo.
5. You can sort your photo by original date or import date, ascending or descending.
6. You can show photo location map by your folder or single photo.
7. You can add comments to your photo and video.
8. You can perform search against your comment.
9. Easy to select your photo/video with our custom image picker.
10. Original image can be saved by setting system options.
11. Folders are always iTunes file shared. You don't need to export yourself.
Notes:
You need iOS 4.1 or later. You must enable location service while using this application.
Now on start-up sale $2.99 -> $1.99.
Download

Fuji reveal more about X100

We were one of the first sites to break the news about the Fuji X100, the innovative rangefinder-esque compact with the hybrid viewfinder, APS-C sensor and attractive but fixed 35mm f/2 equivalent lens. Details at the time of the announcement were sketchy, though, as the X100 was and is still a work in progress. However, the company's dedicated X100 micro-site launched shortly after the news of the camera continues to add details, as and when they're finalized by Japan. If you're wondering what sort of expertise Fuji have then think of their now discontinued 6x7 and 6x9 rangefinders, and the Hasselblad XPan, which was made by...yep, you guessed it, Fuji.

UNICEF Photo of the Year 2010 Winners Announced

Each year, UNICEF Germany grants the “UNICEF Photo of the Year Award” to photos and photo series that best depict the personality and living conditions of children all around the world in an outstanding manner.
“High-quality photography shows both, beauty and the things that really matter. The aim of this award is to help us increase the awareness of children’s suffering and also of their hopes and dreams“, says Dr. Jürgen Heraeus, Chairman of UNICEF Germany. “Images can tell us much better than words where children suffer and where they are neglected or exploited. They show the unique way how children experience the world, they show their tears, joys and challenges. Without much ado, they let us know why we must think of these children and how we can.”
Renowned photographers from all over the world take part in the contest. They document the living conditions of children who are in difficult circumstances such as war, material and emotional distress after natural disasters but also moments of happiness and joy of living.
Young photo journalists, above all, are being addressed with the contest. A recommendation from a renowned photography expert is a prerequisite for taking part in the competition. The award is granted annually on an international basis. A participation in the contest is not possible without a nomination. The winner receives a commission for a photo-reportage in GEO as recognition. The award is being presented in Berlin at the end of December.

First Prize - Vietnam: The legacy of war

Photograph: Ed Kashi/Agency VII/UNICEF Photo of the Year 2010
First prize: Ed Kashi, Agency VII, US
The Vietnam war ended in 1975. The US withdrew their troops and north and south Vietnam were reunited. But for the Vietnamese people the legacy of American warfare continues. US forces used the herbicide Agent Orange to destroy foliage that the north Vietnamese were using as cover. Agent Orange contains dioxins that are known to cause cancer and damage genes. The effects of the toxic substance can be seen among Vietnamese people to this day, such as cancer, immune disorders and severe deformities. According to official estimates, 1.2 million children, including nine-year-old Nguyen Thi Ly, are disabled. In rural areas, the percentage of disabled children is significantly higher than in urban areas.

'Steve Jobs - The American Dream' By Obama

US president Barack Obama cited Apple boss Steve Jobs as an example of the ‘American dream’, saying that the incentive to be rich is a ‘good thing’ and part of the free market.

“We celebrate somebody like a Steve Jobs, who has created two or three different revolutionary products. We expect that person to be rich, and that's a good thing. We want that incentive. That's part of the free market.”according to PCR today.

Man Of The Year

Meanwhile The Financial Times has given Steve Jobs their Man of the Year accolade. In particular citing the iPad as marking the moment when the ‘rebound’ in Apple’s fortunes “was complete”.

The iPad is the culmination of an approach that he has seemingly been perfecting for his entire career,” stated the Richard Waters and Joseph Menn from theFT.

NIKON UK COOLPIX SPONSORS HOLLYOAKS IN 2011

Nikon UK is pleased to announce a return to the screen with its sponsorship of the hugely popular daily Channel 4 TV show, Hollyoaks, which forms part of its wider TV advertising campaign for 2011.
 
Nikon’s sponsorship of the programme will run for one year from 1st January 2011 and will support its COOLPIX compact camera range. The COOLPIX sponsorship will be featured on the weekday show on Channel 4 and E4, as well as the weekly Saturday omnibus on E4.

The focus of the sponsorship is Nikon’s COOLPIX range, from the feature packed and very affordable COOLPIX S3000 to the more premium COOLPIX models which offer powerful performance features for creative photography.   
 
The company’s “I AM Nikon” messaging is pivotal to the sponsorship reflecting the emotions and fun of taking pictures with the COOLPIX cameras. The ident visuals will feature playful and amusing vignettes which viewers will be able to empathise with, or relate to the characters and story in the show, and which are punctuated with an emotive “I AM” message.
 

Jeremy Gilbert, Group Marketing Manager at Nikon UK says: “Nikon’s sponsorship of Hollyoaks in 2010 proved to be very successful and undoubtedly contributed to a significant rise in market share for our COOLPIX products.
 
He adds, “Hollyoaks continues to provide Nikon with access to a young, trendy audience to whom we are able to communicate the strengths of the COOLPIX range. We look forward to promoting our key COOLPIX products throughout the campaign”.
 
Hollyoaks is one of the only long running dramas to attract and sustain the lucrative 16-24 demographic. The programme sets new trends with brave direction and ground-breaking visuals.  Credited for powerful performances, award winning story-lines and beautiful people; Hollyoaks is one of the most stylish and contemporary long running drama on our screens. 

Our App of the Day - SkyFire - Bringing Flash To Your iPad

Finally on the iPad! Skyfire is the browser that not only allows you to view Flash Videos on iOS, but provides as well the best integration of social features for a quicker, more informative and most of all fun internet experience.

Features

• Play millions of Flash videos – everyday, with no limits!
• All-new ‘Skybar’ toolbar gives one-click access to video and related content
• Stay in touch: Unique Facebook and Twitter 'Quickview' allows you to see your wall and feeds with one click.
• Universal ‘Like’: Like ANY page on the internet, with one click.
• Fireplace: See only the links shared by Friends. Why? Filter what friends did from what friends shared (which is a great starting point for browsing)
• Popular: See what Friends and the Facebook community have to say about the site you are currently exploring
• Be informed: Quick access to GReader feeds
• Be social: Share via Facebook and Twitter
• Share to more services including GReader, Instapaper, Pinboard and Read It Later
• Standard browser elements: Tabs, search, sharing, bookmarks, history, etc.
• Full screen option for maximum use of screen real-estate – with scroll to top
• ‘Desktop’ option loads pages as on a desktop browser, giving more flexibility in accessing web sites
• Private Browsing option: Browse with no history and cookies left behind

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SKYFIRE

Although Skyfire is known to “bring Adobe Flash to the iPhone”, you should be aware of the following limitations:
» Flash VIDEOS are supported; Flash Games and Flash Apps are NOT supported.
» We do NOT SUPPORT ALL WEB SITES that use Flash Video. We are working hard at it, with millions of videos already supported. But we cannot guarantee that your favorite site is already on the list.
» For users and sites outside USA: Your country's TV website may not work in Skyfire as some sites do not stream to our US based servers.
» Hulu is NOT supported (they don’t allow it), but scores of other premium sites are available
» It may take 15-30 seconds for videos to load: Preparing goodness takes time…
» The application language is in English.

WHAT ELSE?

Skyfire for iPad is the best way to browse your favorite web sites, be in touch via Facebook and Twitter and enjoy millions of videos, including FLASH VIDEOS (Flash Games and Apps not supported). Access the content that matters to you: funny clips, sports and news updates, recommendations from your friends. Skyfire for iPad introduces as well the innovative ‘Fireplace’ and ‘Popular’ feature, which gives your quick access to links shared by your friends and the most popular content liked by people on the current site. Thus with Skyfire you are always in the know about what is hot – and share it easily via many means.

Skyfire’s award-winning technology enables Flash video for millions of mobile users and is finally available on the iPad. Our cloud-computing platform translates videos from Flash into an iOS-friendly format. We unlock millions of videos that otherwise would not play on your iPad. It’s a bit of engineering magic. Over 100,000 web sites presently supported, with more added every day.

How to choose a Gitzo tripod

UPDATE 26 Feb, 2012: Gitzo has dramatically updated the Systematic Tripod range, replacing all the models with a new improved body casting, and by adding a safety mechanism to the removeable top-plate. Please see here for details. This article is still relevant but please be aware that model numbers have changed slightly (the last number has changed from '1' to '2').

Gitzo tripods are owned by the same company that owns Manfrotto (formerly Bogen in the USA) and are now no longer made in France but in the Italian Manfrotto factory, just a short trip from Venice. That same company also owns Lastolite, Avenger, OConner, Vinten, Kata and Sachtler, the preeminent tripod of choice for video and movie cameras. But this isn't about the company (a British company as it happens), this feature is all about how to choose from the bewildering array of Gitzo tripods.

These tripods are amongst the best that money can buy* for stills cameras, but like any "tool" you can't really just buy one and expect it to "do everything", just like you can't buy one screwdriver and expect it to fit every screw. Buying your first Gitzo, therefore, is the most difficult decision, as you'll want to get the most use for your hard-earned cash - that's only natural, but you've got to think long-term too.

There are all ready excellent features on the net that explain why you should chose Gitzo over other makes, and I'm not going to reiterate any of that here, there's really nothing more to add. However, I'm going to suggest specific models for certain applications, along with genuine Gitzo accessories and make recommendations for third-party products.

Why am I doing this? Well, I find Gitzo's website a little perplexing and I often refer to it. I know what they're trying to achieve, but they're trying to sell all the models, obviously, and that only adds to the confusion.


Small - Gitzo Series 2 Explorer 4-section GT2541EX 

Unless you have a specific task outlined, for which you'll need to refer to the rest of the article, your first Gitzo will need, for practicality's sake, to be a good 'all-rounder'. That's to say this tripod will be the most used, for traveling, backpacking and every other time that you're not using one of the other more specialized tripods (listed later) for a specific purpose. This then will be your main tripod. The four-section Explorer GT2541EX costs a little more than the three section (GT2531EX), but it packs down another 10cm (to 54cm) and can easily accommodate a pro-DSLR with a lens up to 200mm (or up to 12kg, say Gitzo but that's not realistic). Read our review of the earlier (essentially the same) model, the Explorer GT2540EX here.

Don't choose the aluminum version, after all what you want here is the smallest and lightest. The Explorer is more versatile than the others in the range thanks to the pivoting central column. This makes it ideal for macro photography as well as landscape, architectural and the rest. The weight for the legs is 1.84kg, we'll talk heads later, pretty light considering the overall flexibility. If you simply must have the lightest, go for one of the Travellers, such as the GT-1542T, but the Explorer still offers more all-round flexibility.

Links

Adorama | B&H Photo | WEX (UK)


Medium - Gitzo Series 3 Systematic 4x section GT3542LS 

Our next Gitzo on the list is aimed users wanting something with greater load carrying capacity, while maintaining versatility. That means only one range, the Systematics. They all have a removable top-plate for a choice of columns, should you decide you need one. However, unless you intend to use it occasionally in the studio then it's not really needed. Gitzo make both geared and what they call 'rapid' (lockable sliding) columns for the Systematics, but you must buy the right size for your tripod, either series 3, 4 or 5.

Gitzo no longer make the superb (but seriously heavy) Series 5 Systematics in aluminum, unfortunately (get them now before they sell out: G1500 and G1505). They were the staple for studios, but unless you need that in particular, the material to go for is carbon-fibre - it's pricey but light, rigid and pretty durable. As you'll most likely want to use this on location, that means choosing the four-section over the equally impressive (but slightly more stable) three-section version.

Carbon Fibre absorbs vibration pretty well, but some lightweight designs are susceptible to lateral movement and flexing - that doesn't happen with the 5-series though it does with some of the 3-series - particularly the 4-section models which have thin tubing for the last (fourth) section. I've noticed a few professional photographers use the tripods partly extended from the bottom. This is not the way it should be used. To reduce vibration, always extend the legs from the top down (using the fourth, and thinnest stage, as a last resort).

The four section carbon-fibre GT3542LS (above) doesn't come with a column, that's extra, however the platform is used to mount a head directly to it. If you need to level a head, for video capture or panoramas, then the you can replace the platform with either a video bowl adaptor (designed specifically for 75mm or 100mm fluid video-heads, which feature their own built-in leveling bowl) or the leveling base for panoramas.

This is the industry standard** tripod for sports and wildlife photographers using long-lenses up to 500mm, with something like the outstanding Wimberley WH-200 Head - Version II (pictured below). The GT3542LS is the long version (stands 146cm tall at its maximum, packs down to 55cm (nearly the same as the Explorer above) and can carry a load up to 18kg. It weighs just 1.72kg. The GT3542XLS is an alternative if you want a little extra height but there's quite a price premium, and it's susceptible to some flexing at the tallest setting, when it must be used with care. This tripod stands 198cm at its maximum and closes down to 70cm, quite a jump over the LS version (and may cause issues with Airline carry-on restrictions) but still weighs just 1.97kg.


Links

Adorama | B&H Photo | WEX (UK)

Neither model is quite stable enough for the 600mm f/4 lenses though. For that you'll have to read on.

Large - Gitzo Series 5 Systematic 4x section GT5542LS

The GT5542LS (shown above) is quite a brute with much larger leg-tubes, but it's more than capable of supporting the longest lenses with pro DSLR bodies. Four leg sections make it more compact (60cm) when folded, over the GT5532S three-section version (63cm) and it's reasonably tall at 153cm as opposed to 133cm, which is rather low for most users. As well as sports and wildlife, this tripod is ideal for medium and large format cameras in the studio as well as on location.

Links

Adorama | B&H Photo | WEX (UK)

I'll be looking at different heads next.

Balancing the Wimberley Head

It goes without saying that your tripod must be leveled before you attempt this and that I would suggest removing the lens when adjusting the height of the head to achieve the correct balance - the slightest adjustment can mean the difference between the correct balance or not.

Contact


For more information on Gitzo tripods, please visit www.gitzo.us

For more information on the Wimberley head, please visit www.tripodhead.com.

Related Posts


Gitzo officially announces new Systematic tripod range

Gitzo softly launches new Systematic tripod range

We All Need 'Skattered Moments'

Skattered Moments is a cool new company that takes a favorite photograph and transforms it into spectacular artwork of almost any dimension.  
 
The innovative process uses patent pending software to turn photographs into stunning wall art, by pixelating an image using a variety of shapes and then dividing the image across any number of frames.
 
A simple 4x6 inch photo can be skattered, customized & transformed into spectacular wall art of almost any dimension for display in your home, office, or school. Frames are lightweight so hanging is a cinch!

Prices

Exclusive Holiday Special: 20% off now through December 31, 2010.

Take advantage of this incredible offer and create your own skattered masterpiece now!

To find out more about this innovative service, go here