Daily App Giveaway - Snapseed for iPad - On Our Sister Site - TheAppWhisperer.com

Theappwhisperer.com is an awesome site for all your mobile photographic app needs. Each day they have an app giveaway and today they have Snapseed for iPad codes to giveaway. Don't miss this opportunity, head over to our sister site, here and pick up this app today.

Snapseed for iPad has been number 1 in the photography charts for weeks now, and that's not surprising. This latest version of Snapseed supports RAW images transferred with the Camera Connector Kit up to 16 MP (for iPad 2). It also preserves EXIF data on saving, has visual enhancements, performance optimizations and various bug fixes and interaction tweaks.

What type of files does Snapseed Support?

JPEG, TIFF, and RAW files are compatible with Snapseed. RAW files are supported when images are transferred from the camera to the iPad using a camera connector kit.

In Snapseed, what resolution are my photos saved as?

Any photos enhanced with Snapseed will be saved at the same resolution as the original photo up to what your iPad will allow. An iPad 1 can save an image up to 6.25 megapixels and an iPad 2 can save an image up to 16 megapixels. If your image is larger then your iPad supports, the image will be downsampled to the maximum supported megapixels.

Nikon adds 40mm f/2.8G to DX range

Nikon has introduced a new 40mm (60mm equivalent) f/2.8 macro lens for their DX range of DSLRs. It focuses down to 16cm at 1:1 without the need for additional extension tubes and boasts a built-in SWM AF motor. It's supplied with a hood, and soft case and will retail at £249.99 / 290 Euros. According to Nikon, sales start in the UK from 25th August.


Press release:
RRP: £249.99 / Euro 290
Sales Start Date: 25th August 2011

London, UK, 12th July 2011: Nikon today announces a new 40mm DX-format macro lens for close-up photography. Designed to capture fine details, it boasts a 1:1 reproduction ratio for superb, life-like images. A fantastic way to shoot features that can’t be seen with the naked eye, this lens will more than satisfy enthusiasts keen to explore the power of close-up images.

Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager Lenses, Accessories & Software, Nikon Europe commented: “This specialised macro lens lets you capture intricate details that are impossible to capture with a regular kit lens. It’s an affordable way to discover the world of macro photography and is even versatile enough not to limit photographers to that particular subject.”

A closer look
The latest addition to Nikon’s growing line-up of Micro NIKKOR lenses, this 40mm DX-format lens offers a picture angle equivalent to 60mm on FX-format D-SLRs. Focusing as close as 0.163 m (from focal plain) and boasting a 1:1 reproduction ratio, it offers true macro performance for close-up photography.  With a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, subjects can be singled out against a pleasantly blurred background and sharper handheld shots are possible in low-light.

Quietly does it
Be it a detailed shot of an insect or the stamen of a flower, shooting a great close-up depends on precision. Compact, easy-to-handle and equipped with Nikon’s exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for incredibly accurate, super-quiet autofocus, this lens lets you shoot without disturbing your subject. Smooth focusing is further enhanced with the M/A focus mode that lets you override the autofocus so you can manually tune the focus just the way you want, without the need to physically switch between auto and manual focus.

Big small world
Capable of delivering images where even subtle features are faithfully reproduced, this lens captures hidden worlds of pattern, texture and details brilliantly. Enthusiasts can capture superb macro photos and it’s perfectly suited to portraits and general shots too.

Measuring approx. 68.5×64.5 mm and weighing approx. 235 g, this lens features a metal mount with rubber sealing and is supplied with a lens hood HB-61 and soft lens case CL-0915.


US readers can check the price or buy from Adorama here.
UK readers can check the price or buy from Warehouse Express here.

Kenko-Tokina buys Cokin Filters

Kenko-Tokina, the Japan based lens and filter manufacturer confirmed earlier in the week (5 July) that it has acquired Cokin, the French filter manufacturer. The new company will be called COKIN France S.A.S.U. and will stay independent, with its own manufacturing, marketing and worldwide distribution network.

Press release:

KENKO-TOKINA acquires COKIN Filters

PARIS — July 5, 2011

Kenko-Tokina Company Ltd., Japan today announced that it has acquired the famous French filter manufacturer COKIN SAS.

COKIN is the creator and leader in Square filters systems, exporting 90% of its production to more than 100 countries around the world.

Mr Toru Yamanaka (President of Kenko-Tokina Co., Ltd.) said:
“I have always been impressed with the creativity that COKIN filters and accessories offer. I admire and greatly respect the professionalism of this line of fine products which reflect the French ingenuity. We are very proud to add this filter manufacturer to our Team.”

Kenko-Tokina Co., Ltd. was established in 1957 and now has 10 factories and subsidiaries worldwide. They are a world-leader in round photographic filters and other fine optical products.

COKIN France S.A.S.U. (new company name) will stay independent, with its own manufacturing, marketing and worldwide distribution network.

Mr Marc Heintz (Director of Sales, COKIN France):
“Kenko brings to us a strong backing of finance and supply of raw materials, which will allow us to expand and bring new innovative products to the market once again.”

With this acquisition, both companies will expand their services and bring the flourishing photographic accessory market their expertise and enthusiasm for today’s exciting imaging world.

For more information please visit www.cokin.fr

Arca Swiss announce mini L-bracket

PRESS RELEASE

ARCA-SWISS presents the first X and Y variable mini L-bracket adaptable for compact cameras.

The new mini L-bracket from Arca-Swiss complements the monoball®Fix lineup perfectly and is compatible with the current monoball®Fix quick releases.

The mini L-bracket works with the range of compact cameras such as the Olym- pus E-PL1 and E-PL2, Samsung NX-100, Canon G series, and Lumix LX series.

Furthermore, the latest smaller DSLRʼs from Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony, and the Leica M8/M9 cameras, will now have an L-bracket more in line with the physical size of these cameras.

Along with the currently available monoball®Classic and monoball®Fix accesso- ries, the mini L-bracket extends the versatility of the line. It is the answer from Arca-Swiss for the specific needs of compact camera users.

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.

Phase One updates Media Pro

Phase One has issued an update to Media Pro, the image browser and photo manager recently acquired from Microsoft and known as Expression Media (and iView Media Pro before that). The update fixes a number of bugs and is free to existing Phase One Media Pro customers.

Phase One Releases Media Pro 1.0.1

COPENHAGEN, July 7, 2011 — Phase One today released Media Pro 1.0.1, a service release, and the first update since Media Pro was introduced less than two months ago.

Media Pro is a professional photo manager for finding, organizing, and sharing images and videos wherever those files are stored. Media Pro supports photo and video files from more than 100 different cameras and is built to manage large photo libraries.

This service release includes several fixes and improvements, such as the following:

-- Fixed stability issues including crash when working with large JPEGs in Slideshow and on the Light Table;
-- Fixed Renderings bugs, including no full resolution TIFFs on Mac and missing PDF thumbnails on Windows XP;
-- Fixed a issue where a catalog upgraded from Expression Media 2 could not be saved;
-- Fixed a bug causing XMP sidecars not to be moved with the media files to which they belong;
-- Fixed importer issues e.g. crash on Mac when XMP sidecars were present and problem when importing JPEGs on Window XP 32 bits;
-- Fixed a bug on Windows where sorting would not work;
-- Fixed readability issues caused by new UI color scheme;
-- Fixed a bug preventing XML data files to be created on Windows;
-- Fixed some EIP color management/rendering issues on Mac;
-- License issue on Windows appearing when Internet connection was lost.

Availability and Pricing
Media Pro 1.0.1 is free to existing Phase One Media Pro customers. For more information including product features, upgrade options and tutorials, please see: http://www.phaseone.com/en/Software/Media-Pro/Whats-new.aspx

Fujifilm to add interchangeable lens camera to range

In an interview with Reuters news agency, Takeshi Higuchi, head of Fujifilm's camera division, is quoted as saying they're considering the addition of a mirrorless camera adopting both an EVF and interchangeable lenses to rival the Sony NEX cameras.

The senior executive also adds that Fujifilm would not look to out-source production, being able to produce the camera and lenses entirely in-house.

A wholly owned subsidiary, Fujinon, builds lenses for Fujifilm stills and video cameras. Fujinon also builds the lenses for the current range of Hasselblad digital cameras.

Higuichi adds that production will take place outside of China, though he says it's not likely to be in Japan, where the hugely popular X100 is made (shown above), and was subsequently delayed due to the triple tragedy earlier in the year.

The company is looking to overtake rivals, Samsung and Nikon, to become the world's fourth largest camera maker by March next year, he adds.

Source Reuters.

Olympus PEN E-P3 and 12mm f/2.0 samples

We hope to have a the new Olympus 12mm f/2.0 in for a more formal review, but in the meantime we've posted some sample shots for our time with one at the European press launch in Vienna.

Even from our limited time with the lens it's easy to see from the results that this is highest performing lens yet from Olympus for their PEN series. All our sample shots were taken with a PEN EP-3 (there were none of the other cameras announced available at the time), but the E-P3 is the current top-of-line camera and uses the latest (TruePic VI) processor.

Most improvements in image quality lately have been made through advances in processing rather than new sensor technology. A fact perhaps underlined by the insistence of Olympus to stay with the 12-megapixel LMOS chip. However, the faster readout from the sensor has brought about a dramatic increase in AF speed.

Not only is this noticeable with the updated 14-42mm kit lens (both MSC variants) but with the completely new 12mm f/2.0 (24mm equivalent). The barrel and body is metal, and far superior in build to the 17mm f/2.8 and offerings from Panasonic (although they're not bad for what they are).

Optical quality is very impressive indeed. All of the images shown below are in-camera JPEGs with no additional processing. The price is expected to be around £700, and should be available soon (in July).

Olympus M. Zuiko Digital 12mm f/2.0 ED MSC (equivalent 24mm f/2.0)

Flowers, wide-open at f/2.

Vienna Skyline, 12mm f2 @ f/5.6

Ground level, 12mm f2 @ f/5.6

< Snapshot, 12mm f2 @/f5.6

Updated images added July 15

This is a 100-percent actual pixel crop of the top left hand image from above (taken at f/5.6) showing some slight lateral chromatic aberration on either side of the highlighted pillar.The magenta fringing is more noticeable but there's some cyan too.

This is an in-camera JPEG. Olympus Pens don't remove CA in-camera like the Lumix models either, but they do correct distortion on the fly, meaning even the image in the viewfinder and screen is corrected in real-time. In popular Raw workflow programs such as Lightroom and ApertureRaw files are corrected as well.

Fortunately, the 12mm's fringing is quite easy to remove. This is the same image with a -27 correction using the Red/Cyan CA slider in Lightroom 3.

Resistance to flare (veiling glare) is excellent (but not up to T* or Nano coat standards perhaps), there's some loss of contrast (restricted to the steeple) and ghosting patches are practically non-existant. If you take a look at the figure wearing a blue sweat there's one green patch but it's very slight.

Focusing is extremely fast on the E-P3 making the combination highly desirable for street photography. Best of all however is the image quality, the lens has superb micro-contrast, excellent gradation from highlights and shadows and a very attractive drawing style. If I get chance, I'll try demonstrate the in-camera distortion correction.

Support our site and buy from our affiliates

Olympus E-P3 pre-order at B&H Photo ($899 with a choice of 17mm f/2.8 or new 14-42mm zoom)
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.0 (24mm equivalent) pre-order at B&H Photo ($799).

Buy the 12mm f/2.0 from Adorama ($799) or UK readers can buy from Wex (£699 inc VAT).

Hoya announces sale of Pentax

Hoya Corp has announced today the transfer of shares in Pentax Imaging systems to Ricoh. Although better known for their office equipment, Ricoh are well respected for their high-end digital compact cameras such as the GR Digital series and the unique GXR, equipped with interchangeable lens/sensor units. Ricoh stopped manufacturing SLRs in the early 80's but the company will continue to market the Pentax brand. Hoya, the largest optical glass maker in Japan, merged with Pentax Imaging on 31 March, 2008, but fears about poor-profitability prompting a resale of the company have been voiced ever since.

Jonathan Martin, General Manager, Pentax Imaging Systems UK said: “Ricoh is globally renowned within the digital camera industry, having successfully brought a range of products to market since its inception in 1939.
 
“We are extremely pleased with today’s announcement and see this as the natural next step in the evolution and continued development of the Pentax brand in the UK and abroad. With Ricoh’s involvement we can continue to grow the Pentax business in the UK and ensure we maintain our commitment to provide our customers with innovative, cutting edge, high quality products to suit all camera users.”

Press release:

Notice of Sale of the PENTAX Imaging Systems Business

HOYA Corporation (“HOYA”) and Ricoh Company, Ltd. (“Ricoh”) hereby announce that pursuant to decisions by the President and CEO of HOYA and Representative Director of Ricoh, respectively, HOYA and Ricoh have executed an agreement as of today to transfer HOYA’s PENTAX Imaging Systems Business (the business of developing, manufacturing and selling optical instruments such as digital cameras and replacement lenses, digital camera accessories, security camera-related products, and binoculars) (the “PENTAX Imaging Systems Business”) to Ricoh.    

HOYA will effectuate this transfer by incorporating a new corporation (“NewCo”), cause NewCo to succeed the PENTAX Imaging Systems Business by way of a corporate split (kyushu bunkatsu) (the “Corporate Split”), and transfer all shares of NewCo to Ricoh (such split and transfer shall be referred to as the “Split/Transfer”) as of October 1, 2011 (Estimated).

Prior to the Split/Transfer, HOYA intends to transfer its interests in PENTAX VN CO., Ltd., an overseas subsidiary of HOYA in relation to the PENTAX Imaging Systems Business, to NewCo.

Please note, that since the Corporate Split is a simplified corporate split (kan-i kyushu bunkatsu), disclosure items/content have been partially abbreviated.

Further, HOYA will continue to develop its businesses assigned from PENTAX Corporation which was merged (kyushu gappei) into HOYA on March 31, 2008 other than the PENTAX Imaging Systems Business, such as its businesses regarding digital camera modules, DVD pickup lenses, endoscopes, artificial bones, and voice synthesis.

The full text of the press release can be found here.

Capture Pilot By Phase One - Updated Prof Photography App

Capture Pilot is a professional photography app from Phase One that allows you to use your iOS device to remotely view, zoom, rate, tag, and pan high resolution images while you shoot. With the 'Camera Control' in-app purchase you can use an elegant, virtual camera display on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to remotely fire your camera and control the most important capture parameters..



Capture Pilot is perfect for working with clients in the studio and allows for an amazing collaboration between photographer and client. It is possible for clients to rate and tag images on an iOS device while having full control over zooming, panning, and reviewing of images.



With Camera Control you can operate your camera in a variety of scenarios that would have been difficult or impossible before. Interact with your subjects in new ways, control the camera when it is located in a difficult to access position, or even be part of the photo yourself.


This app has just been updated, see What's New below.

This app is free and you can download it here.

The In-App Purchase of Camera Control retails for $14.99

Capture Pilot requires Capture One Pro or DB, version 6.2 or later from Phase One



Capture One Pro 6 is a professional RAW converter and image editing software. It contains all the essential tools and high-end performance in one package to enable you to capture, organize, edit, share and print images in a fast, flexible and efficient workflow. Capture One Pro 6’s powerful and intuitive toolset is used by professional and passionate photographers to achieve world-class image quality with excellent color and detail. Phase One is the world’s leader in camera systems and image editing software for professional and passionate photographers. 



You can download a trial version of Capture One Pro 6 from www.phaseone.com/downloads.


Key Features

REMOTE VIEWER


- Wirelessly view, zoom and pan high resolution DSLR and medium format RAW, JPEG and TIFF images while you shoot


- Unique and easy-to-use rating and tagging feature enables clients and colleagues in the studio or on remote locations to participate in the shoot and to provide instant feedback.



CAMERA CONTROL IN-APP PURCHASE


- Connect your camera to a Mac or Windows computer running Capture One and use your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch to remotely fire and control your Canon, Nikon, Phase One, Leaf or Mamiya camera.


- Control your camera’s most important capture parameters on a virtual camera display: ISO sensitivity, exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and more.


Camera Control Supported Cameras

Canon
1D Mark IV, 1Ds Mark III, 1D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 7D, 60D, 50D, 40D, 600D/Rebel T3i, 550D/Rebel T2i, 500D/Rebel T1i, 450D/Rebel XSi, 1100D/Rebel T3, 1000D/Rebel XS.



Nikon
D3s, D3x, D3, D700, D300, D300s, D200, D90, D80, D60, D7000, D5000, D40x, D40.



Phase One


IQ180, IQ160, IQ140, P65+, P40+, P45+, P30+, P21+, P25+, P20+, Achromatic+,
P45, P30, P25, P21, P20, H 25, H 20, H 101, H 10, H 5, LightPhase.



Leaf


Aptus-II 12R, Aptus-II 12, Aptus-II 10R, Aptus-II 10, Aptus-II 8, Aptus-II 7, Aptus-II 6, Aptus-II 5, AFi-II 12, AFi-II 10, AFi-II 7, AFi-II 6, Aptus 75S, Aptus 65S, Aptus 54S, AFi 7, AFi 6, AFi 5, Aptus 75, Aptus 65, Aptus 22, Aptus 17.



Mamiya


DM56, DM40, DM33, DM28, DM22, M31, M22, M18.

Please note that the extent of visible camera parameters will vary depending on the connected digital back or camera.

What's New

Camera Control


In-app Store


Improved Server List

Olympus PEN Mini E-PM

The new PEN Mini is the world’s smallest and lightest system camera with interchangeable lenses. It’s a beautiful camera that takes even more beautiful images and it couldn’t be any easier to use. The Mini is ideal for anyone who wants a fuss-free camera that fits in as well as at a party as it fits in their pocket. Just like a point-and-shoot, it comes in six colours but the Mini is really an SLRquality camera hiding behind the simplicity and looks of a genuine compact.

It makes high-class photography and movie-making wonderfully easy. Olympus’ Live Guide gives beginners intuitive control of key parameters like aperture and depth of field, without them needing to know how they work. Six Art Filters add fun creative effects to both Full HD movies or stills and if you don’t know what a setting in the menu is for, a window pops up to tell you. With world’s fastest* autofocus systems, great low light performance plus a superb choice of high-grade Olympus lenses and stylish accessories, it’s tough to see just what the PEN Mini can’t do. Also known as the PEN E-PM1, it’s available from early autumn 2011.

Main Features - Design

• The world’s smallest and lightest system camera with interchangeable lenses
• Super-stylish design available in six attractive colours
• Interchangeable decoration ring on supplied lens Image Quality
• Powerful TruePic VI image engine for faster recovery time and excellent image quality
• Ultra-effective in-body image stabilisation for blur-free movies and stills with any lens
• Compact M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm (28-84mm**) 1:3.5-5.6 II R fast and near-silent (Movie and Still compatible) lens
• 12.3 effective Megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor for excellent low-light performance and Full HD movie recording
• ISO 12800 sensitivity
• 1080i Full HD stereo movie recording as AVCHD or Motion JPEG

Ease of Use

• 3.0” LCD with 460,000 dot resolution
• FAST AF, world’s fastest* autofocus system. Always on, with 35 AF points, low-light AF Illuminator and out-of-picture AF Tracking
• Intuitive Live Guide in HD Movie, still and P/S/M/A mode
• Pop-up description for each menu point
• Live View in HD Movie and still mode
• Easy-to-use Live Wheel feature menu
• Fewer buttons means simpler operation

Creativity and Flexibility

• Six creative Art Filters in HD Movie and still modes
• Accessory Port 2 for compatibility with the growing family of PEN accessories
• Compatible with 20 Micro Four Thirds, 27 Four Thirds and more than 500 other lenses (via an adapter)
• 1/4000th sec. shutter speed with 5fps sequential shooting
• Multi Exposure mode for 2 RAW images
• Long-life BLS-5 Li-ion battery

Other Highlights

• External, tiltable flash supplied
• 3D still photos
• Slideshow playback
• SDXC*** card and Eye-Fi compatible
• Wireless flash control

System lenses

As a system camera, the Mini is compatible with a huge range of accessories and lenses for every possible situation. The main kit includes a first-class M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm (28-84mm**) 1:3.5-5.6 II R lens, but the Mini can also take more than 500 other lenses (some via an adapter), including Olympus’ legendary M.ZUIKO DIGITAL range of ultra-high quality optics. Thanks to the Mini’s in-body Image Stabilisation, irrespective which lens you choose, blur-free shots are virtually guaranteed. The Mini’s FAST AF has a big role to play here too. It’s one the world’s fastest* autofocus systems for cameras with interchangeable lenses.

In addition to the external flash supplied with the camera, users can attach a growing number of classic Olympus accessories via the Accessory Port 2, for example the Bluetooth®-compatible PENPAL Communication Unit that automatically reformats still photos for wireless transfer to other compatible devices and social media. For safe, stylish and inconspicuous storage, the optional sporty Street Case fits the Mini like a glove.

The PEN Mini is available in black, white, silver, dark brown, purple and silver rose from early autumn 2011.

Olympus PEN Lite - Announced

Olympus has done it again, launching a new generation of head-turning, compact PEN cameras that offer SLR creativity, simple, no-nonsense controls. For people looking to express themselves with state-of-the-art technology in an easy-to-use package, the compact and cute PEN Lite (E-PL3) is ideal.

Like the top-of-the-range E-P3, the Lite is packed with some of the very best imaging innovations around. For example, FAST AF, the world’s fastest* autofocus system for interchangeable cameras. There’s also in-body Image Stabilisation and combinable, one-touch Art Filters for adding creative flair to Full HD movies and stills. And then there’s the new tiltable LCD.

Whether you’re a serious photographer or a snap-happy amateur, a 3-inch, tiltable display makes capturing stand-out images in awkward situations as easy as taking a regular shot. The tiltable LCD is just one of the user-friendly features that places the E-PL3 streets ahead of any other camera of comparable size. The fact that ‘comparable size’ means compact speaks volumes about the E-PL3.

For a system camera with interchangeable lenses that delivers SLR quality, it’s remarkably small and chic with a premium, brushed aluminium finish. Stunning pictures from a cool camera that’s as easy to use as a point-and-shoot? Absolutely. That’s what the Lite’s all about. The Olympus E-PL3 is available from autumn 2011 with pricing to be confirmed.

Available in black, white, silver or red, the brushed metal casing and refined design details give it an unmistakeably contemporary and premium style.

Olympus PEN E-P3 - New Flagship

When Olympus launched its PEN Micro Four Thirds system cameras, it created a whole new camera category. Now it has launched a visionary new PEN flagship that defies categorisation altogether. The PEN E-P3, or simply ‘PEN’, has the fastest* auto-focus of any camera with interchangeable lenses. With its world-beating FAST AF (Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology), timeless metal design and state-of-the-art touch-sensitive OLED display, it’s a genuine alternative to bulkier and more expensive SLRs.

The TruePic VI image engine designed especially for mirror-less cameras. In addition to the new FAST AF, TruePic VI serves as the motor for ten Art Filter special effects and the large, tap-sensitive OLED display that previews and plays back in photo quality. In combination with a faster and more sensitive 12.3 Megapixel sensor, TruePic VI ensures outstanding picture quality, especially in low light. For experienced users, the PEN has more special treats in store – two dials on the back for making quick adjustments to exposure and aperture, plus in-body image stabilisation that counteracts camera shake irrespective of the attached lens. The PEN E-P3 14-42 lens kit is available from August 2011.

Pick up the new PEN and you realise you’re holding a potential style icon. The craftsmen at Olympus have managed a rare feat, drawing on the charm of the golden era of camera design some 50 years ago to create a camera that will still turn heads 50 years from today. If their vision was a timeless classic, that’s exactly what they achieved.

With its compact design, user-friendly features and first class picture quality, Olympus’ award-winning PEN system camera range is already a firm favourite with both ambitious amateur photographers and professionals looking for a practical second camera. Led by the E-P3, the new PEN generation significantly enhances that reputation. One of the PEN’s most striking – and useful – characteristics is the sheer speed and versatility of the record-breaking autofocus. Driven by the new and powerful Olympus TruePic VI processor, the FAST AF focuses quicker* than any other camera with interchangeable lenses, giving PEN owners the very best chance of capturing fast-moving shots. What’s more, it offers 35 separate focus points, spread over nearly the whole sensor, making it possible to focus on small subjects, no matter where they appear in the picture. In low light conditions, the built-in AF Illuminator compensates for potential loss of accuracy while new AF tracking technology ensures subjects stay sharp even when they move in and out of the frame. Another potentially shotsaving bonus is Full Time AF – the focus is always active so the image is always in focus and the camera doesn’t waste time focusing when the user applies pressure top the shutter release.

Unique to the flagship PEN is the three-inch, touch-sensitive OLED display. It’s not only intuitive and practical to use, but also delivers a superb, photoquality picture, regardless of ambient light conditions. Compared to similar LCD screens, an OLED display generates superior contrast, deeper blacks and a broader spectrum of colours. It is brighter, the angle of view is wider and it uses less power. The PEN’s display offers fingertip scrolling and enlarging of photos as well as control of the shutter release, AF points and the pop-up Live Guide – the celebrated PEN assistant that makes it easy for less experienced users to get crucial parameters such as aperture and depth of field exactly right. Even professionals will be glad to note that there’s now direct access to Live Guide in P, S, M and A modes, if need be.
Unlike with some of PEN’s rivals, Live Guide is available for both movies and stills.

But for most serious photographers, experimenting with settings is half the fun – and they don’t want to scroll through endless menus to make their adjustments. That’s why Olympus has incorporated two additional dials on the back of the PEN. With just their thumb, users can fine-tune aperture and exposure time in an instant – without having to switch between menu sections. The chosen settings appear bright and clear on the OLED screen, or in the optional electronic viewfinder. Fans of hands-on shooting will also love the three customisable buttons they can assign to their favourite functions. The buttons, dials and new FAST AF help users react quicker to spontaneous situations and capture fleeting scenes or fast-moving subjects before the opportunity is lost.

Main Features - Image Quality

• Powerful TruePic VI image engine for faster recovery time and excellent image quality
• Ultra-effective in-body image stabilisation for blur-free movies and stills with any lens
• 12.3 effective Megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor for excellent low-light performance and Full HD movie recording
• ISO 12800 sensitivity
• 1080i 60fps Full HD stereo movie recording as AVCHD or Motion JPEG
• Compatible with the new generation of dedicated PEN lenses Convenience
• World’s quickest* FAST AF for cameras with interchangeable lenses, always on, with 35 AF points, low-light AF Illuminator and out-of-picture AF Tracking
• Super-bright, wide-angle, touch-sensitive 3.0” OLED display with 610,000 dot resolution for photo-quality colour reproduction
• Separate dials for quick manual adjustment of aperture and exposure
• Touch-sensitive Live Guide in HD Movie, still and P/S/M/A mode
• Live View in HD Movie and still mode
• 3 customisable buttons
• Level gauge for at-a-glance appreciation of position relative to horizon
• Easy-to-use Live Wheel feature menu

Creativity and Flexibility

• Ten creative Art Filters in HD Movie and still modes
• Five effects that can be combine with Art Filters: Pinhole, Soft Focus, Frame Effect, plus new Starlight and White Edge
• Accessory Port 2 for compatibility with the growing family of PEN accessories, e.g., the VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder and PENPAL Communication Unit
• Compatible with 20 Micro Four Thirds, 27 Four Thirds and more than 500 other lenses (via an adapter)
• 1/4000th sec. shutter speed with 3fps sequential shooting
• Multi Exposure mode for 2 RAW images
• Long-life BLS-5 Li-ion battery

Other Highlights

• Timeless PEN design with interchangeable, removable grip in two sizes
• 3D still photos
• SDXC*** card and Eye-Fi compatible
• Wireless flash control

Nikon UK announces new General Manager

Nikon UK Ltd has announced the appointment of a new General manager after Simon Coleman stood down from the position late last year. John Walshe will take up the role from 5th September 2011.

New General Manager takes the helm at Nikon UK
 
Nikon UK Ltd is pleased to announce that a new General Manager has been appointed to lead the company’s Imaging Division.

John Walshe will take up the role from 5th September 2011, bringing with him a wealth of experience which spans management, sales and marketing disciplines.

The new General Manager will work closely with Michio Miwa, President of Nikon UK, and Finance Director, John Read, and will be responsible for the 70 staff employed by the UK Imaging office.

Michio Miwa comments: “We are delighted that John has accepted the position and welcome his experience as a means of strengthening the brand. John joins Nikon at a pivotal point in its history as the company seeks to grow market share in a challenging and changing market.

“The future looks very positive for Nikon UK and we are confident that we will achieve our business goals. We look forward to introducing John to key stakeholders in due course”, adds Miwa.

Having started his career on a Unilever graduate programme, Walshe quickly developed his sales skills to a European level within Mars Incorporated, the confectionery and electronics company, where he also qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant. He also worked as UK Managing Director for Tchibo, World Flowers Ltd and, more recently Sollatek as an interim General Manager.

Nikon looks forward to Walshe’s arrival in September and is confident that the company can achieve its business goal of being number 1 in the UK imaging market.

Pentax announce five Q mount lenses

In addition to the Pentax Q camera announced earlier, the company has released details of five Q mount lenses intended for the camera. In addition to the expected standard kit zoom, a 28-83mm equivalent, Pentax has announced a number of unifocal lenses, including a 47mm f1.9 equivalent standard prime. The 'High-performance' series include an internal AF motor, shutter with flash sync up to 1/2000th sec, and built-in ND filter, not unlike the lenses found on digital compact cameras.
Details of three other primes have been released including a 160-degree fish-eye, and two 100mm and 35mm equivalent 'Toy lenses', which are largely uncorrected producing a toy-like visual effect. These fixed aperture lenses feature manual focus, plastic lens mounts and lack the lens shutter of the 'high-performance' series.
The price and availability is yet to be announced, however the Q camera body is expected to ship mid-September.

Press release

Five Q mount interchangeable lenses designed for exclusive use with the PENTAX Q digital camera;
a choice of High-performance or Unique series to satisfy diversified photographic requirements

PENTAX Imaging Systems is pleased to announce the launch of five interchangeable lenses designed for exclusive use with the new PENTAX Q digital interchangeable lens system camera. Featuring the newly designed Q lens mount, these new lenses come in two distinctive series: The two models of the High-performance series offer exceptional image rendition, while the three models of the Unique series assure the effortless capturing of creative images.

The five new lenses have been developed for exclusive use with the newly launched PENTAX Q digital interchangeable lens system camera — currently the world’s smallest, lightest model in its class.* They are all designed to be super compact and ultra-lightweight, by optimizing their image circle to the size of the CMOS image sensor installed in the new Q mount camera body. This makes them the perfect partners for the pocket sized, go anywhere PENTAX Q. By providing two distinctive lens series — the High-performance series emphasizing image rendition, and Unique series with outstanding cost performance and ease of lens changeability — this new Q mount series gives PENTAX Q users a unique lens line-up that assures all the benefits of a digital interchangeable lens system camera, including the fun of creating different perspectives and visual effects through quick, effortless lens changes.

The first of the new Q mount lineup from PENTAX are the “PENTAX-01 STANDARD PRIME” unifocal standard lens and the “PENTAX-02 STANDARD ZOOM” standard zoom lens in the High-performance series; and the “PENTAX-03 FISH EYE” unifocal ultra-wide-angle lens, the “PENTAX-04 TOY LENS WIDE” unifocal wide-angle lens and the “PENTAX-05 TOY LENS TELEPHOTO” unifocal telephoto lens in the Unique series. The two TOY LENS models are designed to produce a distinctive toy-camera-like visual effect.
* The world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera, as of June 15, 2011 (based on PENTAX research).

Common features of the two High-performance series models
The High-performance series has been developed to bring out the optimum imaging power in the PENTAX Q digital camera by combining exceptional image rendition with effortless handling, while also offering a high grade finish. Featuring the state-of-the-art optics incorporating special optical glass elements and PENTAX exclusive lens coating technology, this series delivers beautifully defined, high quality images that are sharp and high contrast, even at their edges. The AF motor installed in the lens barrel assures smooth, quiet focusing operation. Thanks to the lens shutter mechanism, the PENTAX Q’s built-in auto flash can even be synchronized to the camera’s top shutter speed of 1/2000 second (or 1/250 second when using an accessory flash unit). The lenses are also equipped with a built-in ND (neutral density) filter, which comes in handy when shooting with open aperture in bright locations or when using slower shutter speeds.

47mm f/1.9 equivalent

Major features of the “PENTAX-01 STANDARD PRIME”
This unifocal standard lens has a focal length equivalent to 47mm in the 35mm format. Since it offers a natural perspective similar to that of the human eye, it can be used as a multi-purpose, daily-use standard lens for many different subjects, including landscape and portraiture. With a maximum aperture of F1.9, it not only performs superbly in dim locations, but also makes it easy to throw the background out of focus. Incorporating two high grade aspherical optical elements, this lens compensates various aberrations to a minimum and produces beautiful, high resolution images that are bright and crisp even at the edge of the image field.

27.5-83mm equivalent

Major features of the “PENTAX-02 STANDARD ZOOM”
With a focal length coverage equivalent to that of a 27.5-83.0mm zoom lens in the 35mm format, this standard zoom lens is ideal for various applications in the wide angle to medium telephoto range. Incorporating a total of four extra-low-dispersion and low-refractive aspherical optical elements in its optics, it assures exceptional image rendition while effectively reducing chromatic aberration to a minimum over the entire zoom range. It also offers a minimum focusing distance of 30 centimetres at all focal lengths to simplify close-up photography.

Common features of the three Unique series models
This series offers outstanding value against its price, and allows every photographer to produce a variety of distinctive, dramatic images simply by altering the angle of view and perspective through quick, effortless lens changes. They all feature manual focus operation, fixed aperture and plastic lens mount, and have no lens shutter unit — the main factors contributing to the massive reduction in size and weight and making them far more affordable than conventional interchangeable lenses.

Fishe-eye (160-degree)

Major features of the “PENTAX-03 FISH EYE”
This ultra-wide angle lens offers an extra wide angle of view of 160 degrees along the diagonal line of the image sensor, allowing the photographer to create a fish eye visual effect with great ease. Thanks to its distinctive ultra-wide angle characteristics, it produces unique, eye-catching images unlike those captured by the human eye, with an exaggerated perspective, distorted subjects, and a pan-focus effect that captures every element in the image field in sharp focus.

100mm equivalent

Major features of the “PENTAX-04 TOY LENS WIDE” and “PENTAX-05 TOY LENS TELEPHOTO”
With their optics designed specifically to retain various lens aberrations, these lenses produce subdued, heartwarming images like photos taken by a toy camera. The “PENTAX-04 TOY LENS WIDE” is a unifocal wide angle lens with a focal length equivalent to 35mm in the 35mm format; the “PENTAX-05 TOY LENS TELEPHOTO” is a unifocal medium telephoto lens with a focal length equivalent to 100mm in the 35 format.

35mm equivalent

Exclusive optional accessories
PENTAX-100 PL Filter
When attached to the “PENTAX-01 STANDARD PRIME” or “PENTAX-02 STANDARD ZOOM”, this 40.5mm polarizing filter minimizes reflections on the water or glass surface, which are difficult to remove during digital processing, to assure crisp, high contrast images.

MH-RA 40.5mm
A metallic, dome-shaped lens hood for exclusive use with the “PENTAX-01 STANDARD PRIME” lens

PH-SBA 40.5mm Lens
A plastic, square-shaped lens hood for exclusive use with the “PENTAX-02 STANDARD ZOOM” lens

Pentax announces new Q system

Pentax has officially announced the long-rumoured mirrorless Q camera, sporting a 1/2.3-inch type 12.4-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor (a compact-camera size sensor) complete with a range of interchangeable lenses.
Key features other than the small size include;
Magnesium alloy body with built-in IS and anti-shake,
1/8000 sec electronic shutter option,
max 5fps (JPEG),
ISO 125-6400,
3.0 inch (460k dot) screen
Full HD video (1920x 1080, 30fps).
HD video can be recorded for up to 25 minutes.
No price has been released but the camera is expected to be available mid-September.
For more information please see the press release below:

PENTAX Q
A pocket-size, go-anywhere digital interchangeable lens system camera: featuring the world’s lightest and smallest body* made possible by a brand-new PENTAX original imaging system

PENTAX Imaging Systems is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX Q digital interchangeable lens system camera. Thanks to its innovative, PENTAX developed imaging system, this new model has an astonishingly compact and lightweight body. The user can more easily and actively enjoy the high-quality images and wide range of visual effects that are only available with digital interchangeable lens cameras.

The PENTAX Q was designed and developed in response to user requests for a more compact, manoeuverable digital interchangeable-lens camera than those available in the existing PENTAX line-up — a camera that could go anywhere and be used in all kinds of occasion more easily and freely. Starting with a high-resolution back illuminated 1/2.3-inch CMOS image sensor, the PENTAX Q offers a full range of advanced features, including the newly developed, super-compact Q-mount lenses perfectly proportioned to the compact CMOS image sensor, and an innovative optical construction free of an optical finder and a mirror. These features are the key to the creation of the world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable-lens camera system.*

The camera also delivers solid, dependable performance, thanks to such features as: approximately 12.4 effective megapixels to deliver high-quality, high-resolution still images and Full HD movies; high speed continuous shooting at a maximum speed of five images per second; high sensitivity of ISO 6400; and a magnesium-alloy body. It even offers such functional, user-friendly features as a multi-mode exposure system including the Aperture-Priority AE mode and a custom image function to give the most appropriate finishing touch to each image. Just as for conventional digital SLR models, the PENTAX Q is equipped with a set of dependable devices — an in-body SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism and a DRII (Dust Removal II) anti-dust mechanism — so that even beginners can effortlessly capture beautiful, brilliant images free of blurring or spots. The PENTAX Q also offers the latest image-processing tools, including a bokeh control function to adjust the intensity of the out-of-focus effect around the subject to a desired level, and a creative Smart Effect function to produce highly artistic images with distinctive touches, like those produced by cross processing film.

By adding the new Q mount to existing K and 645 medium-format mounts, PENTAX now offers three different lens mounts to further enhance the creativity and versatility of its digital interchangeable-lens camera systems.

* The world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera, as of June 15, 2011 (based on PENTAX’s research).

Major features
1. The world’s smallest, lightest camera body, featuring newly developed Q mount system
The PENTAX Q features the newly developed Q lens mount, with an outer diameter approximately six millimetres shorter than that of the conventional K mount. This was made possible by reducing the flange back (the distance from the lens mount surface to the image sensor surface) to nearly one-fifth of that of the K mount, as well as by optimizing the size of image circle of its lenses to be proportioned to the size of the compact image sensor. The Q mount system also eliminates an optical finder, mirror box, focusing plate and AF sensor, making the PENTAX Q’s body the smallest and lightest in its class. The body has been made of magnesium-alloy, which gives an elegant, high-quality texture to the compact, lightweight camera body while improving its durability. The PENTAX Q is available in white or black.

2. Exceptional image quality delivered by digital interchangeable lens system camera
The PENTAX Q comes equipped with back illuminated 1/2.3-inch CMOS image sensor, which delivers beautiful, high-resolution images with approximately 12.4 effective megapixels. This is made possible by its high efficient light gathering optical construction that assures excellent high sensitivity and low noise characteristics and high speed readout of image data signals. The PENTAX Q also features a new generation imaging engine integrating the best of PENTAX’s state-of-the-art digital imaging technologies, developed and accumulated over many years of digital SLR camera development. By coupling this imaging engine with exclusively designed high performance Q mount lenses, the PENTAX Q delivers clear, high contrast images rich in gradation and texture, even at edges. With high sensitivity noise minimized, the photographer can use the entire sensitivity range — from ISO 125 to the highest ISO 6400 — without worrying about annoying digital noise. By taking advantage of the HDR (High Dynamic Range) function that produces one composite photo from multiple images, it’s easy to create beautiful images with an extra wide dynamic range and free of white-washed and blacked-out areas.
3. Innovative creative tool to add personal touches to images with ease
The PENTAX Q offers a totally new style of photo shooting. By coupling the new Smart Effect function offering nine distinctive visual effects via the easy access Quick-Dial positioned on the camera’s front panel, the photographer can effortlessly add a desired finishing touch to an image, while previewing the effect on the LCD monitor. The Quick-Dial has four positions, to which four favourite Smart Effect modes can be assigned in advance. The ever-popular Custom Image and Digital Filter functions have been further enhanced to provide an even greater range of image processing tools. In order to customize the PENTAX Q to accommodate specific shooting styles and user preferences, the user can also assign other options such as a custom image setting, a digital filter or an aspect ratio setting to the Quick-Dial.

<Smart Effect modes>
•    Brilliant Colour: Creates a lively effect by raising the saturation level almost to the point of colour saturation.
•    Funicular Bold: Creates an extremely high contrast image that retains one particular colour in the image.
•    Vintage Colour: Produces a toy-camera-like effect, with a choice of several different finishing touches.
•    Cross Processing: Produces a unique image with unusual colors, as if treated with the cross processing** used in film photography.
•    Warm Fade: Creates a low contrast image with the white balance slightly shifted to pink shades.
•    Tone Expansion: Produces a dramatic image with an artistic finishing touch, close to an intensified HDR (High Dynamic Range) effect.
•    Bold Monochrome: Produces a low-key, high contrast image with enhanced sharpness.
•    Water Colour: Creates a watercolour-like finishing touch.
•    Vibrant Colour Enhance: Creates a flowery atmosphere with slightly enhanced contrast.
•    USER: Used to enter a user-selected combination of custom image mode and a digital filter.

** A film development technique that uses an unconventional film developer to create a distinctive finishing touch with dramatic colours.
4. High quality, Full HD movie recording
The PENTAX Q comes equipped with a Full HD movie recording function employing the H.264 recording format, allowing the user to capture high quality, extended movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. The user can also take advantage of interchangeable Q-mount lenses to produce distinctive perspectives, or make effective use of the Smart Effect modes*** and other in-body movie editing tools to produce creative, dramatic visual effects with great ease, even during movie recording. The PENTAX Q also provides a micro-HDMI terminal (type D), which allows the user to simultaneously output both Full HD movie clips and sound to external devices via a single terminal.
*** The frame rate may vary when a selected Smart Effect mode requires non-standard image processing.
5. Effortless Bokeh control
The PENTAX Q comes equipped with newly developed bokeh control function, which allows user to capture the image with obtrusive objects in the field of view optimally defocused. With this function, the camera will automatically judge the focused subject as well as the relative distance of each object from the camera in the field of view to apply optimal defocus effect to each object to ensure stand-out of the main subject(s). This function will allow even a first-time digital photographer to easily capture the images with such effects as background defocus or foreground defocus that would otherwise require a certain degree of photographic experience.

6. SR mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The PENTAX Q incorporates the PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which automatically shifts the CMOS image sensor to offset camera shake detected by the camera’s motion sensor. As a result, the PENTAX Q produces sharp, blur-free images even under demanding conditions that are prone to camera shake, such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark without flash illumination, or capturing landscapes in the twilight.

7. Dependable features available only with digital interchangeable lens cameras
The PENTAX Q offers a host of user-friendly, functional features available only with digital interchangeable-lens cameras. Its top shutter speed of 1/2000 second freezes the decisive moment of the subject’s action. To accommodate user preferences and varying photographic applications, it also offers a choice of four different exposure modes: the user-friendly Programmed AE (P) mode that automatically selects an optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed; the Aperture-Priority AE (AV) and Shutter-Priority AE (TV) modes that allow the photographer to faithfully reproduce specific creative intentions on resulting images; and the Metered Manual (M) mode.
It even allows the photographer to instantly switch from the P mode to the AV or TV mode with a simple turn of an electronic dial.
8. Large, wide view LCD monitor
The PENTAX Q features a large, easy-to-view, high resolution 3.0-inch colour LCD monitor with approximately 460,000 dots. Its wide view design assures a clear view of the monitor from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, making it particularly useful in low and high angle shooting.

9. Dependable DRII mechanism for effective dust removal
The PENTAX Q’s DRII (Dust Removal II) mechanism effectively prevents annoying dust spots from spoiling captured images, even after the user changes lenses out in the open. Like PENTAX’s K-5 and 645D digital SLR cameras, it incorporates highly effective supersonic vibration mechanism, which vibrates the image sensor at high speed to shake the dust off its surface.

10. High speed continuous shooting at approximately five images per second
The PENTAX Q’s high speed burst shooting mode allows the photographer to record up to five images (in JPEG recording format) in a single sequence, at a maximum speed of approximately five images per second. This mode comes in handy when trying to preserve the action of fast-moving subjects in a series of images.

11. Built-in auto flash with pop-up mechanism
The PENTAX Q comes with a built-in auto flash (guide number 7 at ISO 200/m). The photographer can either use it at the default position, or raise it to the pop-up position with simple operation to widen its discharge angle to cover a 28mm angle of view (in the 35mm format).

12. Other features
1)            TTL image-sensor metering, with a choice of multi-segment, centre-weighted and spot modes
2)            Contrast-detection autofocus system, with a face recognition function and 25 selectable focus        points
3)            CTE white-balance control mode to emphasize the predominant colour of a particular scene,           such as the sunset
4)            Auto Picture mode for effortless shooting
5)            21 scene modes, including new Forest and Stage Lighting options
6)            A choice of image size (4:3, 3:2, 16:9 or 1:1) to accommodate different subjects and applications
7)            Multi-exposure mode (up to nine exposures on a single image), with an auto exposure      compensation function
8)            Interval shooting mode, convenient for recording transition of landscapes and flowers/plants          from the exact same location and angle
9)            HDR mode to produce photo with an extra wide dynamic range composite photo from three           images of               varying exposures
10)          A choice of data storage medium: SD, SDHC and the new-standard SDXC**** memory cards
11)          SILKY Developer Studio 3 for PENTAX RAW-data development software (developed by Ichikawa      Soft Laboratory) included; in-camera RAW-data development also available
**** Not compatible with UHS Speed Class transfer rate.

Optional accessories
External Viewfinder O-VF1
Launched together with the PENTAX Q, this optical viewfinder is designed for exclusive use with the new “PENTAX-01 STANDARD PRIME” unifocal standard lens. It offers a clear view of the subject even in bright sunshine. It also assures image viewing of the subject with no time lag — an important feature in snapshot and portrait photography where the timing of the shutter release is crucial.
Camera Case O-CC115
Exclusively designed for the PENTAX Q, this camera case has two strap lugs on the sides to keep the camera suspended in a level position, so that the photographer can quickly respond to unexpected shutter opportunities. With the camera inside, this high-grade case looks even more elegant, in a choice of colours: white, black and red.

Additional images

More infomation can be found at www.pentax.co.uk/photo