EPIC Indeed.

 I could talk about the newly announced “SCARLET” and “EPIC” photo/cinema systems from Red Digital for a very long time I’m sure. I won’t though. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so instead of wasting all that time on writing what I think about the mass of information and photos that they just dumped into our proverbial lap, you should just head over HERE and see it for yourself. You probably wouldn’t believe the full description I’d have to give it anyway…just go look…trust me.

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It’s not just a cheapo budget faux DSLR that you will quickly grow out of either

• 6 megapixel, same as D70s
• Same processing engine as D200
• 2.5fps, same as D50
• 2.5″ LCD as opposed to D50 2″
• SD card slot, same as D50, plus SDHC
• USB 2 (D70s is USB 1 I believe)
• 18-55mm DX kit lens

The main “low” points are stuff that a beginner wouldn’t consider anyway such as no ISO 100 and only 3 area AF. The high points make it a very attractive camera. Makes me wonder if there is any point to the D50 now …

See the press release at Nikon USA

Technorati Tags: nikon, d40, dslr, photography, news

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Seems most of the assumptions were right, some slightly off. It has 14mp Foveon X3 sensor with a 1.7 crop factor (as compared to Canon APS-C 1.6 and Nikon 1.5). As is the fashion it has dust
protection but apparently SD cameras always have.

Biggest news seems to be about its colour capture ability. Enough to steer folks from Canon and Nikon … you decide.

Technorati Tags: sigma, sd14, dslr, camera, news, photography

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The system is constructed by the Pileus Umbrella and the Pileus WebService. User can see and take a photo and video with the PileusUmbrella. User can hand on own experience in rainy day to next user with an umbrella type photoset. User Connects the Grip with the Screen, then the Grip reads the Screen’s ID and login to own Pileus Account. When user takes photos or videos, Pileus WebService evaluates media-type of data and uploads it to Flickr or YouTube, and then set a tag by screen ID. In addition, user twists the grip, it searches contents at Flickr and YouTube by tag of screen ID, and displays contents in order.

Source:Boing Boing

Technorati Tags: flickr, umbrella, projector, camera, photography, news

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Please be aware that there has been a fraudulent online promotional offer suggesting that Canon digital camera products can be purchased for unreasonably low prices directly from Canon. This may include the Canon logo, company name and/or product images. This is in no way associated with Canon Inc. or any Canon Group companies

They don’t offer any other details so just be wary folks!

Technorati Tags: canon, camera, offers, photography, news

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Some of Canon’s competitors have chosen to use in-body image stabilization. The technique involves moving the image sensor in a controlled fashion, based on signals from movement detecting sensors in the camera body. The obvious advantage of this system is that users have some sort of stabilization available with almost any lens they connect to the body. Short focal length lenses require smaller sensor deflections; 24 or 28 mm lenses might need only 1 mm or so. Longer lenses necessitate much greater movement; 300 mm lenses would have to move the sensor about 5.5 mm (nearly 1/4”) to achieve the correction Canon gets with its IS system at the same focal length. This degree of sensor movement is beyond the range of current technology. Short and “normal” focal length lenses need stabilization much less often than long lenses, so the lenses that need the most help get the least.

There is probably equal amounts of truth and spin going on here, I imagine Sony’s system for some scenarios works better and for others Canons provides the best results. It seems though Canon and Nikon are going to provide the greater quality where it counts for me. I see no great need for image stabilisation for normal shots outside of long focal lengths. Perhaps macro photography would benefit, I don’t do much of that. Low light/long exposure photographs suffer as much from motion blur than camera shake in my experience.

I actually believe in future we will see software playing a much greater part with algorithms able to remove camera shake and perhaps even motion blur if required.

Technorati Tags: canon, nikon, sony, dslr, image, stabilization, lenses, camera, news, photography

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Canon still holds on to the top spot but only barely beating Nikon into second place. Should be real interesting to see these giants jostle for position once all three consumer-level cameras are out in the marketplace.

Vendor	July	June
Canon	33.3%	51.6%
Nikon	27.4%	32.6%
Sony	21.6%	2.3%
Pentax	14.0%	7.6%
Olympus	2.8%	4.8%
Matsushita	0.8%	0.1%

Data from Bloomberg.com.

Technorati Tags: sony, canon, nikon, dslr, sales, camera, news

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This is the teaser for the new Sigma SD14 DSLR. All we know is it will be announced September 26th at Photokina. From the small amount of text in the intro it seems it will be incorporating a sensor able to capture more colour data. Sensors such as the Foveon X3, used in their previous DSLR, are sensitive to all three primary colours per pixel as apposed to standard sensors that only capture one primary colour per pixel. Rumour has it the camera will have a 14mp equivalent resolution.

Technorati Tags: sigma, sd14, dslr, camera, news

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A thread over on Fred Miranda appears to contain convincingly genuine details regarding a “Canon EOS 3D”, said to be launched in around three weeks. The timing seems right, and photographers are drooling in anticipation with their wallets in hand, ready to buy. Rumored Canon 3D features:

• High performance AF system with 27 AF points, 11 of which are cross–type sensors up to f/4, with the center point cross–type up to f/5.6 and capable of AF up to f11. This performance is comparable or even better than the 1D series.
• ECF: Eye–controlled focus. A unique feature carried over from the Elan 7NE.
• 13.3 megapixel APS-H (1.3x) sensor with DIGIC III, capable of ISO 50 and 3200 plus ISO 25 and 6400 as expanded options.
• 6 frames per second continuous shooting speed, up to 40 JPGs or 18 RAW files.

Personally I was expecting an update to the 5D or a new DSLR in the 1D line. We will see …

Technorati Tags: canon, rumours, 3d, 1d, 5d, dslr, camera, news

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The release of the Nikon D80 in Japan is pushed back from September 1st to September 15th, due to “orders which exceed expectation.” (note: the link is in Japanese and we are relying on machine translation)

Well, it’s only a couple of weeks and anything good is worth waiting for right? You could always buy a 400D instead, or get a great deal on a D70s …

Technorati Tags: nikon, d80, dslr, delays, camera, photography, news

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