Nikon APS-C DSLR plant closed

Nikon has reported that it has suspended operations at the company's sole consumer DSLR and lens plant, situated in Thailand, due to flooding. Nikon makes all their APS-C (DX) format DSLRs in Thailand from the D3100 through to the D7000 and D300s (the new Nikon 1 series are made in China). Supplies are likely to be affected (like other Japanese companies Nikon works to the 'just-in-time' manufacturing practice), helping keep inventory low across a wide-product range.

Nikon's pro DSLR factory in Japan (Sendai) was closed earlier in the year after the triple tragedy of March. That factory made the D3s/D3x and D700 (FX) models. Although production from Sendai will likely have been moved to other facilities in Japan, it looks like the availability of all FX/DX DSLR models will be restricted in the run-up to Christmas.

Notice on the damage from the flood in Thailand

October 11, 2011

Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of Nikon Corporation in the Rojana Industrial Park in Ayutthaya Province located in Central Thailand, is submerged by the flood caused by torrential rainfall since last July.
The latest situations at Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd. are as follows:

    1.    Damages The 1st floor of all buildings at the premises are presently submerged. Details of the damages are now under investigation. As for the employees, the human damage has not been reported so far. The factory is suspending its operation since October 6.

    2.    Estimated impact to our business performance We are now doing our utmost to estimate the impact of the flood to our group companies and business performance. We assure you to immediately advise the findings once it is judged there will be an important change in our forecast.

    3.    Recovery We are continuing to investigate details of the damage, but are unable to predict how soon operation will be resumed. We will set up our recovery support system and endeavor to restart its operation as early as possible. We are now requesting drainage of the industrial park to the Thai government, together with the Rojana Industrial Park authority, other companies in the Park and Japan External Trade Organization.

Arca Swiss announce L-bracket, finder shoe for Sony NEX

Arca Swiss has announced a new L-bracket for the NEX 3 and 5 models as is fully compatible with the monoball®Fix and monoball®Classic quick release systems. The bracket comes complete with a finder shoe and is priced at 159 Euros ($217 / £139), but it's not clear when it will be available.

 

PRESS RELEASE

Arca-Swiss presents the ‘Nex Kit’ for Nex 3 and Nex 5 Sony cameras.
The kit consists of an L-bracket and a viewfinder shoe for an optical finder.

Previously Arca-Swiss has released the Mini L-bracket for compact cameras such as the Olympus E-PL1, E-PL2, Panasonic Lumix GF and LX3, Samsung NX-100, Canon G10, The new smallest DSLR offerings from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony.

Today we present a new mini L-bracket. Light and small, it is specifically designed to mate specifically with the Nex 3 and Nex 5 cameras from Sony.

The Nex L-bracket is fully adaptable with our monoball®Fix and monoball®Classic quick release systems. It takes into account the compact design of the Sony Nex cameras allowing a fast change from landscape to portrait format and vise-versa. Secure handling of the cameras when hand holding is improved due to the L-bracket as well.

The design further allows free access to cable ports allowing unhindered connection to the computer without having to remove or shift the bracket.

The kit includes a shoe allowing easy attachment of an optical finder. An optical finder is a great accessory allowing the photographer to see better, yielding faster, more accurate composing and shooting in low light conditions.
ARCA-SWISS is committed to the constant evolution and innovation of its products!
price : 159 € (Taxe free)

Nikon to introduce an AF 800mm f/5.6 telephoto with VR?

According to this patent diagram* shown above, Nikon could be readying an autofocus 800mm f/5.6, presumably to be called the AF-S Nikkor 800mm f/5.6G ED VR. It comprises of no less than 16 elements in 14 groups, the last element (on the extreme right) being a drop in filter and part of the optical construction. This design doesn't show a meniscus front filter, but that could be added easily enough.

The construction shows internal focusing (IF) at G2 and VR compensating optics at G3, the latter accounting for the high number of elements in telephotos these days. It's also safe to assume that this lens will also feature a SWM and Nano Crystal coat. If we're to guess, the lens was designed with the intention of being produced in time for the 2012 Olympics, though after the events of March there might only be a handful ready by then.

The Olympics would be too good an opportunity to miss using this with the new mirrorless V1. Used together ( it would also need the announced FT1 F-mount adaptor) with the camera's 2.7x crop factor the lens would be the equivalent to a 2160mm (in AoV), and would be able to shoot at 10fps complete with AF (central AF area only). Just imagine the possibilities (and where you read it first). For stationary subjects the V1 will shoot at 60fps (it loses AF) but will only capture 30 frames (that's just half a second of shooting) before the buffer is full. Oh well.

Nikon's last 800mm f/5.6 was a manual focus AI-S lens, with 8 elements in 6 groups. The Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 IFED, shown below weighed 5450g and was produced in batches between 1986 and as late as 2005, though I can't actually believe that they made any after 2000. The AI-S 200mm f/2 IFED was shown in brochures and on Nikon websites for years after it had been removed from production.

Rival Canon pioneered the 800mm f/5.6 producing an L-series FD breachlock lens for the F1 system back in the late 70's. That particular lens was designed for tripod use only, as was the later Nikon version. However the new EF 800mm f/5.6 L for the EOS 1 series was designed to be handheld, and is around the same size and weight of the current EF 600mm f/4L (though the new version is slightly lighter and smaller still).

*Source: Egami.

Nikon's first and only manual focus AIS 800mm f/5.6 IFED model (above).

Optical construction of the rival EF 800mm f/5.6L, neatly showing the IS optics and focusing group.

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

If you haven't heard already Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc passed away today. I recommend watching this: 'How to Live before you die', The 2005 Stanford Commencement Address.

Fuji X10 available in November

Fuji's latest addition to the range, the recently announced X10 high-end compact is expected to be available now in early November, slightly later than expected according to a spokesperson for Fuji. Indeed, Amazon UK are quoting 11 November and have revised the (pre-order) price from the original retail of £549 to £499.99 (both including VAT).

Jessops pre-order at £529 (with interest free credit).

Warehouseexpress pre-order also at £529.

Adorama in the US are taking pre-orders here at $599.95 (equivalent to £450 inc VAT).

UPDATE (October 30); most of the above stores are showing stock.

Are Smartphones Changing Digital Photography?

Our sister site, Theappwhisperer.com has written an intriguing article on DPreview.com about this very subject - don't miss it - clear here to read it in full.

B&H special on Adobe Lightroom 3

B&H Photo in New York has a special offer of 50-percent off the regular price of $299.99, valid for the next 24 hours. Please click here to buy (it won't cost you anything extra).

Canon looks for best beginner in Europe

Canon announced yesterday the EOS Adventure competition. Along with a chance to win a spectacular adventure in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve with wildlife photography experts, Jonathan and Angela Scott, ‘The Big Cat People’, participants can learn tips and tricks from a number of Canon professionals.

For more information please read the press release below.

Canon searches for best beginner photographer in Europe

Once in a lifetime photography adventure prize on offer Canon links up with photography experts to create specialist photography tutorials

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland – Budding photographers from across Europe could win a once in a lifetime photography adventure at the same time as learning more about DSLR photography this Autumn, thanks to the photography experts at Canon.

The Canon EOS Adventure is a pan-European campaign created to both educate and inspire DSLR beginners to take their photography to the next level.  Keen snappers will be able to visit the EOS Adventure page on Yahoo! - Essentials of Photography - to find photography tips and tricks that will improve their photography skills.  These exclusive tutorial videos and advice put together by Canon’s professional experts include brand photographer Adam Swords, wildlife photographer Jamie Crawford, creator of popular German photo magazine KWERFELDEIN Martin Gommel and botanical photographer Rachel Warne.

Amateur photographers will be able to use the content to learn about techniques that will really improve their shooting quickly and easily.  These include basics such as aperture and depth of field, lighting and exposure. The site also gives people the opportunity to put what they’ve learnt to the test and showcase their own best results to the public via galleries on Yahoo! and Flickr.

The very best examples will be entered into a competition to win a once in a lifetime prize – the ultimate EOS Adventure.  One lucky winner will be whisked off to a Kenya, where they’ll enjoy an exclusive photography adventure with Canon’s wildlife photography experts, Jonathan and Angela Scott, ‘The Big Cat People’. The winner will  have the chance to put their new photography skills to the test and capture the sights of their safari adventure whilst touring around Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve from their base in the Governor’s Camp.

All entries will be assessed by the Canon judging panel featuring professional photographers, with a selection of smaller prizes also on offer in each category.

The Canon EOS Adventure competition is open for entries from Monday 26th September 2011 until Sunday 20th November 2011.

Visit http://www.uk.news.yahoonet/essentials-of-photography or www.canon.co.uk/eosadventure for more information.

Nik Software rolls out Color Efex 4

Announced a few days ago on the 7th September, Nik Software has today launched Color Efex Pro 4, the latest version of the popular filter effects plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture. The full version with 55 filters is available now for 199.95 Euros, or Select version with 26 filters is available for 99.95 Euros.

The upgrade from version 2.0 or 3.0 costs 99.95 Euros (unless you bought v3.0 after the 7th August then it's free to upgrade).

Sample Images

Bleach Bypass, copyright Martin Grahame-Dunn.

More information can be found here. You can download the demo here, or buy from here.

US readers preferring to buy from a reseller can buy from our affiliate retailer Adorama here.

Hasselblad Masters 2012 finalists' images showcased

Press release:

Hundreds of photographers, assistants, students and imaging creatives descended on Hasselblad’s London photo-studio last week as the prestigious international Hasselblad Masters Finalists Program 2012 was launched.

A selection of shortlisted images adorned the studio walls as Hasselblad Masters from previous years awards mingled with some of the 2012 competition finalists during ten hours of Open Day events - including ‘how to’ studio shoots with live models and an exclusive social evening where aspirational photographers joined internationally renowned experts to discuss their ambitions and the future of the industry.

Chris Russell-Fish, Hasselblad UK MD and global sales and marketing director said: “The Masters is a celebrated and highly influential photographic competition. It can change lives and careers. Claudio Napolitano, who became a Hasselblad Master in the portrait category two years ago, described his win as a ‘life changing moment – like winning a Nobel Prize’. There is no doubt that to win at this level means you have proved yourself to be a very talented, very special photographer.”

He added: “The 2012 finalists’ event was launched here in London but the international tour of finalists’ images will also visit Los Angeles, New York and Berlin this autumn.”

Sports and portraits specialist Dirk Rees, who won his Masters Award in 2009, is now also a finalist in the latest competition program.

“The fortune cookies have been with me, I guess” he said. “I just think it is very healthy to enter prestigious awards like this. Hasselblad is a huge brand name and has always had massive credibility with its groundbreaking high-quality products.”

“This awards program is right up there with the very best in the world. And of course it’s not just about winning over twenty one judges on a panel – the public gets to vote too.”

He added: “When it comes to photography I believe a single image can represent everything. It is the most powerful and most memorable rendering of movement precisely stopped in its time.”

Paul Waterworth, Hasselblad’s global photographer relations manager commented: “For these people photography is far more than a job, it is a lifestyle. Our competition, which continues to grow with entries coming in from across the globe, now runs biennially to coincide with photokina, the world’s largest imaging trade fair – at which winners’ photographs will be showcased.”

This year’s 110 finalists across eleven categories were selected from over 2,500 applications. Entries from all finalists are online and the public is encouraged to vote for their favourite images.

Voting is open until (and including) the last day of October 2011 at www.hasselblad.com/masters/masters-finalists.aspx.

Winners, whose images will be published in the next Hasselblad Masters Book, will be announced in January 2012.

Related posts

Hasselblad H4D-60 review
Hasselblad Europe offer half-price lens deal
Hasselblad announces H4x

Lowepro announce DSLR Video Fastpack AW Series

Lowepro has introduced a new series of backpacks aimed at multimedia journalists. As well as space for a laptop and camera equipment, the new Video Fastpack AW series has a second, dedicated compartment for audio equipment including headphones, field recorder and microphone. Available in three sizes, the Fastpack series are available now starting at $64.95, increasing to $124.95.

Buy from Adorama here (with free shipping). Adorama has a special on the smaller 150 AW version here at just $49.95, with free shipping.

Press release:

New from Lowepro – DSLR Video Fastpack AW Series          October 2011

A flexible, purpose-built backpack designed to help multimedia photographers protect and carry a wide range of camera, video and laptop equipment as they capture rich content.

Lowepro, the leading brand of protective gear for photography equipment and portable electronic devices, expands its top-selling and award-winning Fastpack series with the release of the DSLR Video Fastpack AW series. This flexible, dual-compartment backpack is expressly designed for fast-moving multimedia photographers who rely on a diverse set-up of equipment to help them capture and deliver rich content.

Tim Sadler, Category Manager for Lowepro said “We chose one of our most popular designs as the inspiration for the new DSLR Video Fastpack AW series. It’s built to meet the needs of today’s multimedia photographers who shoot stills and video, plus capture sound for their clients.”

The series consists of three models that fit a wide-ranging capacity of pro-sized gear, plus a laptop and accessories. Each delivers an identical and full set of premium features and provides flexible ways to customize equipment.

The lower compartment of each pack protects a pro-sized DSLR or HD video-enabled DSLR within padded and adjustable compartments. A fast-access, side-entry pocket allows the photographers to quickly get to his or her gear by rotating the pack to the front and unzipping the camera compartment.

Pro shooters and enthusiasts who carry sound accessories will appreciate the upper compartment with its storage space for headphones, a microphone, transmitter/receiver set  and other audio gear. This compartment comes outfitted with Lowepro’s removable Custom Audio Utility Pouch to aid in the neat and organized management of smaller audio accessories and cables.

A separate and padded laptop compartment keeps the multimedia photographer’s workstation within easy reach—ideal for uploading stills, video or when posting a new blog entry and keeping in touch with colleagues and clients while on a shoot or traveling to one.

Additional pro-focused features include: a Hideaway Tripod Mount™ to help secure a tripod or DSLR video rig to the side via a foldout holder and strap; hidden ID pocket for quick access to ID or business cards; patented, built-in All Weather AW Cover™ to help protect gear from the elements; stretch-mesh side pocket; grab handle; stow-away waist-belt; and durable, water-resistant outer materials.

The series is available in three sizes in black: DSLR Video Fastpack 350 AW, DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW and DSLR Video Fastpack 150 AW. For more information on this series and other products, please contact DayMen or visit www.lowepro.com

1.      Design Highlights
• Adventure-pack construction with ultra-lightweight, resilient and high-performance technical fabrics for durability.
• Patent-pending Ultra-Cinch Camera Chamber™ protects gear in a padded and secure compartment and helps prevent bouncing during extreme activity.
• Side-access pocket allows user to quickly rotate pack to front, unzip and un-cinch to access camera.
• Dedicated hydration pocket on 200 AW model provides storage for and easy access to liquid when user is on the move (hydration reservoir not included).
• Patented, built-in All Weather AW Cover™ protects camera gear and personal items from the elements.
 
2.      Dimensions and Fit
DSLR Video Fastpack 150 AW
Interior Camera Compartment: 20.5 x 12.5 x 23 cm
FITS: Pro DSLR (without grip) with attached lens (up to 17-55mm f/2.8; 1 lens; 1 flash or LED light; headphones; microphone; audio transmitter/receiver set; voice recorder; sound mixer; up to a 13” laptop; tripod or DSLR video rig.
DSLR Video Fastpack 250 AW
Interior Camera Compartment: 26 x 14 x 24.5 cm
FITS: Pro DSLR (without grip) with attached lens (up to 24-70mm f/2.8); 2 lenses; pro flash or LED light; headphones; microphone; audio transmitter/receiver set; voice recorder; sound mixer; up to a 15” laptop; tripod or DSLR video rig.
DSLR Video Fastpack 350 AW
Interior Camera Compartment: 26 x 17 x 24.5 cm
FITS: Pro DSLR with attached lens (up to 70-200mm f/2.8); 2 lenses; pro flash or LED light; headphones; microphone; audio transmitter/receiver set; voice recorder; sound mixer; up to a 17” laptop; tripod or DSLR
video rig.
 

LensCoat for $120k Canon lens

I always like to see how products are made, it helps me appreciate their value. Take a look at this video shot for LensCoat as they prepare a cover for one of the most esoteric of lenses, the Canon 1200mm f/5.6. The lens is no longer made, but I'm sure if you want to order one, Canon may reconsider. Alternatively, B&H will sell you one, pre-owned for $120K (now sold).

The making of a LensCoat for the Canon Ef 1200mm f5.6 L USM Lens from LensCoat on Vimeo.

Nikon adds new mirrorless camera system to range

After months rumours and denials, Nikon has added a new mirrorless system to the range. The two bodies, the J1 and V1 (pictured above) adopt an 10-megapixel CMOS with a 2.7x 'crop factor', when compared with a full-frame 35mm sensor. This new format, dubbed CX by Nikon is smaller in size than the Olympus/Panasonic mFT cameras (with their 2x crop factor format), allowing for smaller lenses and bodies but this will ineveitably be the expense of image quality at high ISOs for a given resolution. I'm sure it's  reasonable at 10MP but what sort of product cycle will this have? It's got to be yearly in this segment and that doesn't bode well.

Four new lenses have also been introduced, the 10mm (27mm equivalent) f/2.8 'pancake' shown above, plus three VR enabled zooms : 10-30mm, 30-110mm and 10-100mm PD (power-driven zoom). An F-mount converter, FT1 allowing AF with Nikon F mount (AF-S and AF-I) lenses has also been announced.

Pre-order from Adorama V1 c/w 10-30mm & 30-110mm kit zooms $1149.95, V1 c/w 10mm pancake & 10-30mm zoom $1149.95, or V1 c/w 10-30mm kit zoom $899.95


UK readers can pre-order from Warehouse Express here.


Press release:
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 21st September 2011: Photography will never be the same again. Nikon today introduces a revolutionary new digital camera system, Nikon 1, with the launch of two new cameras, the Nikon 1 J1 and the Nikon 1 V1. This next generation pioneers amazing photography features such as pre-post capture technology that starts before you – enabling groundbreaking new shooting modes that mean you’ll never miss a moment again. Moving subjects like children are captured with ease, and photos become ‘living’ images.
"This is Nikon's most significant announcement since we introduced the digital camera 14 years ago" said Takami Tsuchida, President, Nikon Europe, "With the launch of Nikon 1, we're unveiling two groundbreaking interchangeable lens cameras that are packed with revolutionary technology."
Jordi Brinkman, Product Manager, Nikon Europe, said: "Our engineers have managed to house an incredibly powerful processor and sensor in a sleek, minimalist Nikon 1 body design: people will be able to take shots they didn't believe were possible. These are not only the world's fastest cameras - they have features that have never been seen before: shooting modes like Motion Snapshot and Smart Photo Selector are going to let people capture images in ways they could never have imagined, and the 1 NIKKOR lenses are unique in the way they've been designed with portability and movie making in mind."
Nikon’s market-changing Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lens (A-CIL) has been specially designed to help photographers perfectly capture a moment in time, by combining images and movies. With the development of Nikon’s cutting edge technology, you’ll never miss a thing.


* Nikon 1 J1 is the world's smallest camera among competing interchangeable lens digital cameras equipped with image sensors larger than 1 inch. Nikon 1 V1 is the world's smallest and lightest camera among competing interchangeable lens digital cameras with an integral EVF. The world's shortest shooting time lag (as determined by Nikon performance tests). Measured when using the single-point AF mode and the shortest focal length of a standard zoom lens (1 NIKKOR 10-30mm). All details as of August 5, 2011.

Adobe release Photoshop Elements 10, Premiere Elements 10, bundle

Adobe has today announced Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10 for Windows and Mac. Both are available immediately priced at £79 inc VAT each, while the bundle is priced at £119.

For more information please see the press release for the bundle below:

Press release
 
Adobe Releases Photoshop Elements 10 & Adobe Premiere Elements 10 Bundle

Bringing Intelligent Photo - and Video-Editing with Intuitive Organising Power to Windows and Mac Customers
London, UK — Sept. 20, 2011 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 10 & Adobe Premiere® Elements 10 bundle for Windows® and Mac, the newest version of Adobe’s award-winning, Number. 1 selling consumer photo- and video-editing software*. This milestone release celebrates 10 years of bringing powerful, easy-to-use technology to consumers. Available as standalone products (see separate press releases) or as a single retail package, the Photoshop Elements 10 & Adobe Premiere Elements 10 bundle offers two complete solutions that redefine what it means to bring photos and videos to life.

“The Photoshop Elements 10 & Adobe Premiere Elements 10 bundle brings together all the functionality people need to easily create, perfect and share both photo and video memories,” said Winston Hendrickson, vice president of Digital Imaging Products, Adobe. “The new features expand the creative possibilities with photos and videos. And now, more than ever, people who capture photos are experimenting with video, so we’re offering new tools and technology that bring video editing to photographers in a way that is natural and easy for them.”

Make Every Photo Pop
Celebrating a milestone release and 10-year award-winning legacy, Photoshop Elements 10 features enhanced content-intelligent tools powered by the same engine that fuels Adobe Photoshop software, the industry standard for digital imaging. New Guided Edits, like Depth of Field and Picture Stack, provide step-by-step guidance to create awe-inspiring photos. Also, Facebook enthusiasts will now enjoy the ability to tag photos based on their Friends List, making the tagging and sharing process seamless.†

Photoshop Elements 10 also adds more ways to work with photos creatively, like the ability to add text that automatically follows the outline of a subject or a custom path and crop guides for the best compositions. Also, users can now apply 30 new Smart Brush effects by simply brushing over an area of the photo.

Create Amazing Videos with Ease
Adobe Premiere Elements 10 includes amazing new tools that take the work out of video editing and let users focus on making incredible home movies. From one-click tools that easily correct and enhance visual clarity for perfect colour throughout the movie, to new InstantMovie themes that intelligently build movies in seconds, turning great videos into lasting memories is now as much fun as watching them with Adobe Premiere Elements 10.
Enhanced pan and zoom capability adds drama to a story and automated options take the work out of finding faces with the pan and zoom process. Sharing finished projects is easy with options to upload directly to Facebook and YouTube® as well as export in AVCHD format allowing users to burn high quality HD movies. And for the first time, Adobe Premiere Elements offers enhanced performance for 64-bit Windows 7 users.

Quickly Organise All of Your Media
Uniting the power in Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10, the Organiser offers the ability to easily organise and manage files with precision so users spend less time searching for what they want. The new Object Search makes finding photos based on what is in them as easy as drawing a box around the object – from a landmark to a pet. Also, to keep an entire collection of photos organised and clutter free, the new ability to search for duplicate photos helps users quickly group and delete photos they don’t need.

Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10 users can purchase Adobe’s integrated online services Elements Plus, which includes 20GB of storage for automatic online backup and sharing (up to 15,000 photos or four hours of DVD-quality video), as well as access to an extensive library of how-to's, artwork, templates, movie themes and effects.‡

Connecting to a Mobile World
Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10 offer users a comprehensive set of sharing capabilities for today’s social and mobile worlds. Whether a social networking site or sharing service like Facebook, Flickr®, YouTube, Photoshop.com or a personal website, users can share creations directly from within the Elements Organiser and view them from virtually anywhere on the go.§ Photoshop Elements 10 also enables developers to create tablet and mobile applications that interact with the software via the included API, opening the possibilities for interactivity between touch devices and Photoshop Elements.

Pricing and Availability
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 & Adobe Premiere Elements 10 software for Windows and Mac is available now at www.adobe.co.uk, and will soon be available at retail outlets such as Amazon.com, Dell, and Staples. The bundle is available for a suggested retail price of £119 (including VAT). New upgrade pricing allows past Photoshop Elements & Premiere Element bundle users of any version of the Photoshop Elements & Adobe Premiere Elements bundle to purchase Photoshop Elements 10 & Adobe Premiere Elements 10 for £98 (including VAT).

Information about other language versions, as well as pricing, upgrade and support policies is available at www.adobe.com/go/psepre_bundle. For free training videos on Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere Elements, visit Adobe TV at http://tv.adobe.com.

Education pricing for students, faculty and staff in K-12 and higher education is available from Adobe Authorised Education Resellers and the Adobe Education Store at www.adobe.co.uk/education/purchasing/education_pricing.html. Visit www.adobe.co.uk/aboutadobe/volumelicensing/education for more information about education volume licensing for higher education and K-12 institutions.

For more information, visit www.adobe.co.uk. To buy from Amazon please click here (available shortly)

Canon out ultra-high sensitivity CMOS sensor

Canon develop ultra-large-scale, ultra-high-sensitivity CMOS sensor, which makes possible wide field-of-view video recording of meteors with equivalent apparent magnitude of 10.  

Canon Inc have announced an ultra-large-scale, ultra-high-sensitivity CMOS sensor which has been developed to enable the video recording across a wide 3.3° x 3.3° field of view with an equivalent apparent magnitude of 10.

The sensor has a chip size measuring 202 x 205 mm, and is the world's largest* surface area for a CMOS sensor.  It has been installed in the Schmidt telescope at the University of Tokyo's Kiso Observatory in Japan.

For more details please see here: www.canon.com/

Five Photographers shortlisted for Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2011

Press release:

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED - TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE 2011
 
For the first time ever, five photographers have been shortlisted for the £12,000 Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, the major international photography award. Firmly established as the leading showcase for new talent in portrait photography, the prize is sponsored by international law firm Taylor Wessing.
 
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2011 will showcase the work of some of the most talented emerging young photographers, alongside that of established professionals, photography students and gifted amateurs. Selected anonymously from an open competition, the diversity of styles reflects the international mix of entrants as well as the range of approaches to the portrait genre, encompassing editorial, advertising and fine art images. The judges have selected 60 portraits for the exhibition from over 6,000 submissions entered by 2,506 photographers. The exhibition will run from 10 November 2011 until 12 February 2012 at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
 
As well as the first-prize winner and four runners-up, the exhibition will feature the ELLE Commission. For the third year running, ELLE magazine will commission a photographer selected for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition to shoot a feature story. The ELLE Commission was judged by the fashion magazine’s creative director, Marissa Bourke, together with the art director, Tom Meredith, and picture editor, Flora Bathurst.
 
With its substantial prize fund and high-profile exhibition and tour, the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize continues the Gallery’s long tradition of championing the very best contemporary portrait photography. The following five photographers have been shortlisted for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2011:

Jasper Clarke for Wen

Born in the UK in 1978, Jasper Clarke studied at Edinburgh’s Napier University before moving to London to assist many high profile photographers including Nadav Kander and Liz Collins. His shortlisted portrait taken in Hackney is of Wen Wu, a Chinese artist and is from a personal project depicting artists, musicians and other creatives who live in their work spaces. Clarke says, ‘the portraits are not intended to elicit sympathy for the cash-strapped artist; they are more a celebration of people’s dedication in following a path no matter what the obstacles’. Leaving school without qualifications in 1991, Clarke began taking pictures with a camera given to him by his father. After his photographs initially being published in bike magazines he has gone on to shoot fashion campaigns for Paul Smith, Converse and Umbro.

David Knight for Andie

David Knight was born in Oxford in 1971 and currently lives in Australia with his wife and twin boys. His portrait of 15-year-old Andie Poetschka was commissioned by Loud for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to raise awareness of the condition throughout Australia. He says ‘I wanted the portraits to be positive and to convey the kids in an uplifting way. You don’t immediately notice Andie is in a wheelchair; you just see a beautiful young woman. The image doesn’t demand you look at it, but gently draws you in.’ This is the third year running that Knight’s work has been included in the exhibition and this is his first time on the shortlist. He began his career assisting advertising photographers in London and Oxford before working in Dubai on a broad range of assignments across the region, including for Saatchi & Saatchi. He currently works in Sydney for advertising clients but manages to devote time also to portraiture and people-orientated assignments.

Dona Schwartz for Christina and Mark, 14 months from the series On the Nest

Born in the US in 1955, Dona Schwartz is an Associate Professor specializing in Visual Communication at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. Her shortlisted portrait is of Christina and Mark Bigelow from Minnesota in their son’s vacated bedroom. The image is from her current series, On the Nest, documenting moments of change in parents’ lives, and this photograph explores the emotions experienced by parents as their children leave home. She says, ’the transition to life as an empty nester lacks formal ritual observance. In this case there is no finite gestation period and the new beginning it heralds may be more sobering.’ Last year, Schwartz’s portrait depicting expectant parents Andrea and Brad, 16 days was chosen for the exhibition. Since earning her PhD at the University of Pennsylvania Schwartz’s work has been the subject of five solo exhibitions, numerous international group shows and is held in several collections including Musée de l'Elysée, Switzerland and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
 
Jooney Woodward for Harriet and Gentleman Jack

Born in London in 1979, Woodward grew up in Dorset and returned to the capital to study Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Arts, specialising in photography in her final year. Her shortlisted portrait is of 13 year old Harriet Power, a steward at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, photographed in the guinea pig judging enclosure. Woodward says, ‘I found her image immediately striking with her long red hair and white stewarding coat. She is holding her own guinea pig called Gentleman Jack, named after the Jack Daniel’s whisky box in which he was given to her. Using natural light from a skylight above, I took just three frames and this image was the first. There is something unsettling about the austere background and the scratch on her hand.’ After graduation, Woodward worked in the Vogue Photographic Archive of Conde Nast Publications before pursuing a career as a freelance photographer from 2009. Her series Unhidden: Documentary Photographs of Contemporary Wales was exhibited at MOMA Wales, in 2010.

Jill Wooster for Of Lili

Born in1977 in New Haven, Connecticut, Jill Wooster has lived in New York, San Francisco and currently lives in London. Her portrait is of her friend, Lili Ledbetter and was taken at Wooster’s flat in Peckham. She says ‘Lili is a complicated character. I like the way her androgyny makes her appearance seem both guarded and relaxed at the same time, capturing both her confidence and vulnerability.' The portrait is part of a series portraying women in their forties and fifties at pivotal stages of their lives, ‘some are dealing with serious life-changing issues while others are just dealing with the the process of grower older.’ Wooster studied as an artist at Bard College, New York, and supplemented her post-college painting career by working as a photographic retoucher. She currently works as a freelance photographer specialising in highly stylised and manipulated fashion portraits. However, in her shortlisted portrait the only retouching was some selective blemish removal.

The prizes for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2011 and the winner of the ELLE Commission 2011 will be announced at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 8 November 2011 at 7pm. The Press View for the exhibition will be Wednesday 9 November from 10am until 12pm. The exhibition opens to the public on Thursday 10 November, and will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery, London until 12 February 2012.
 
The competition was judged from original prints by: Monica Allende, Picture Editor, The Sunday Times Magazine; Michael Bracewell, Writer and Novelist; Venetia Dearden, Photographer; Clare Ferguson, Consultant, Taylor Wessing; Sandy Nairne, Director, National Portrait Gallery, London (Chair), and Terence Pepper, Curator of Photographs, National Portrait Gallery, London.
 
Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, London, says: ‘Five great portraits emerged from closely argued discussion amongst the judges, and from another outstanding international submission for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. This is the competition that rightly produces much creative debate about what makes an exceptional portrait today.’
Tim Eyles, Managing Partner of international law firm Taylor Wessing says: ‘The outstanding talent and vision of this year’s entrants is as inspiring as ever and encapsulates a fascinating diversity of experience from around the globe.'

PUBLICATION
A fully illustrated book including photographs from this year’s exhibition features an essay by Michael Bracewell, Writer and Novelist, and interviews with the prize winners by Richard McClure. Price £15, 72 pages paperback. (Available from 10 November 2011).

Click here to pre-order from Amazon.
 
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2011
From 10 November 2011 until 12 February 2012
Porter Gallery
Admission £2
Supported by Taylor Wessing

X-Rite announce rebate on i1 Publish upgrade

X-Rite Announces �/85£ Rebate Promotion for i1Publish Upgrade
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 15, 2011 – X-Rite, Incorporated (NASDAQ: XRIT), the world leader in color management, measurement and communication technologies, and its wholly owned subsidiary Pantone, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced a �/85£ cash back promotion for X-Rite customers who want to upgrade their i1Match, ProfileMaker or MonacoPROFILER software to i1Publish which contains the next generation i1Profiler color management software.  i1Profiler delivers an entirely new, flexible user defined experience to generate the highest quality ICC profiles for unrivaled color accuracy.
 
Fully supporting the new Mac OS X 10.7 Lion operating system, the latest version of i1Publish is a fully-featured ICC profiling solution that includes i1Profiler software, ColorChecker Camera Calibration software, PANTONE Color Manager software and two ColorChecker targets – ColorChecker Classic and ColorChecker Proof. i1Publish quickly and easily creates custom profiles for cameras, monitors, digital projectors, and RGB, CMYK and CMYK+4 printers, ensuring color accuracy from capture to output. It also features new assurance validation and verification functions using digital standards. 
 
Users of i1Match, ProfileMaker and MonacoPROFILER users will see improved color quality thanks to a new engine that creates highly accurate profiles for the truest color all the way from capture to output. A new user interface features both basic and advanced modes to give users the flexibility they need. It’s easily customized and enables users to save and share workflows or workflow components.
 
The following enhancements are what users who upgrade to the new i1Publish can expect:
·        Improved color quality - new color engine creates highly accurate profiles for the truest color from capture to output
·        New user interface – basic and advanced modes provide the ultimate flexibility; easily customize, save and share workflows or workflow components
·        Accurately capture colors every time with included ColorChecker Camera Calibration software and target
·        Accurately view colors every time on your monitors and projectors
·        Accurately print colors every time on RGB, CMYK and CMYK+ printers
·        New Quality Assurance Tools
·        Fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 Lion operating system
 
Through October. 31, 2011, X-Rite is offering customers a �/85£ cash back rebate on the i1Publish Upgrade A or Upgrade B for European customers who have i1XTreme, i1Proof, i1XT, i1Pro OEM, i1Photo Pro, i1Photo LT, i1Photo, i1Photo SG, i1Design LT, i1Basic, i1 Basic Pro, ProfileMaker 5, MonacoPROFILER 4.
 
For more information about the i1Publish upgrade and rebate, please visit www.xrite.com.

ThinkTank Photo announce Modular, Skin system sale

ThinkTank Photo has announced a 20-percent discount currently on Modular and Skin system pouches. The US based pro gear bag maker will also throw in a free item at checkout, either Pixel Pocket Rocket, Cable Management 10, or Security tag. However, for a limited period you can also select a LARGE Lens Drop In, RU Thirsty, Whip it Out, Skin 50, Skin 75 Pop Down, Skin Double Wide, Skin Strobe, or a Skin Chimp Cage. The sale starts immediately, but it's not clear when the sale ends.

For more information, or to buy, please visit our affiliate shop* here or the site at www.thinktankphoto.com.

(* It won't cost you extra, and it will help fund the running of the site)

Tokina roll out AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX for home market

Tokina Japan has added a 'compact' AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX model to its line up. It's the second AT-X Pro FX (full-frame) lens in its range after the press-orientated 16-28mm f/2.8 released earlier in the year. It will be available in Canon mount first, with Nikon (unusually) to follow later this month. Although it's said to be compact, the lens takes unusually large (82mm diameter) filters to prevent vignetting presumably, but it still weighs 600g and measures 94.5x89mm. There's no word on price or availability from European or American distributors at the time of posting.

The second and tenth elements are aspherical (precision moulded), while the eighth and eleventh are SD (low-dispersion). The rear-most also appears to be aspherical.

These MTF charts show the 17-35mm to be a good performer., especially centrally at 17mm, though the edges drop dramatically. Better overall (average) performance can be achieved at 35mm.

Panasonic expands and updates HD lens line up

Panasonic has announced today the expansion of the HD range of lenses - those that are capable of tracking focus and operating with low noise levels during HD video capture - akin to the MSC designation of certain Olympus' PEN lenses. Seven lenses have been added retrospectively to the HD range, while four (the first four in the list below), we're assuming, require a firmware update to meet this standard (we're currently awaiting confirmation from Panasonic on this). In addition to the reduction in noise levels, Panasonic say the v 1.1 firmware update also improves OIS performance during video capture. It's also good to see Panasonic letting go of the nonsensical naming convention in favour of the tradtional method using focal length and maximum aperture.

Panasonic Announces the Expansion of HD Lens* Line-up and the Firmware Update Program for the Interchangeable Lenses of LUMIX G Micro System

 

Panasonic has set a new standard for the camera’s performance of auto focus and its silence performance for users to fully enjoy HD video recording. The following seven lenses clear this standard to be introduced as the HD Lenses.

*HD Lens is a high performance interchangeable lens that realises high quality video recording. The lens excels in the performance of tracking focus in video recording while offering silent auto focus and exposure control.

HD Lenses of LUMIX G Micro System

(1)LUMIX G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH. (H-H014)
(2)LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042)
(3)LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm / F3.5 (H-F008)
(4)LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS100300)
(5)LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm / F4.0 ASPH. (H-F007014)
(6)LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014045)
(7)LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS045200)

The lens (1)-(4) offers more comfortable HD video recording by improving the video recording performance with the firmware update.

 

Firmware Update Program Version 1.1
-Enhanced stability of O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabiliser) in video recording.
-Reduced sound of auto focusing in video recording

The firmware programs is available at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/