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09 February 2010, Tuesday
You people know who you are:
Leica M7 Edition Hermès. Vergrößern.
The Leica Man knows what he wants.
If you want an M7 Edition Hermès en orange, OC Camera in Orange County, California, (949) 347-1276, just got one in stock.
There are only 100 of these in the entire world, so go get it.
It is a speciual edition of the LEICA M7 and the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35mm f/1.4, for people for whom the common versions just won't do.
08 February 2010, Monday
Canon T2i.
NEW: Canon T2i.
Canon also announced four new PowerShots today: the PowerShot SX210 IS, the PowerShot SD3500 IS, the PowerShot SD1400 IS and the PowerShot SD1300 IS.
Here's the news direct from Canon:
CANON U.S.A. UNVEILS FOUR NEW ADDITIONS TO AWARD-WINNING POWERSHOT DIGITAL CAMERA LINEUP
New PowerShot SX210 IS and ELPH Cameras Offer Improved Features For Increased Image Capture Control
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 8, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the addition of four new PowerShot Digital cameras, the PowerShot SX210 IS, PowerShot SD3500 IS, PowerShot SD1400 IS and PowerShot SD1300 IS, offering today’s photographer a compelling blend of cutting-edge photo capture technology and superior styling. The new PowerShot cameras offer increased shooting flexibility in a number of settings through advancements to the Smart Auto mode while offering greater photo personalization and enhanced creativity with new Scene Modes and Image effects. The addition of Fish-eye and Miniature Effect modes help photographers add a creative element or lend a humorous look and feel when capturing images of their favorite household pet or landscape scene.
From untimely blinks and awkward smirks to hard to shoot back-lit situations, the compact PowerShot SX210 IS, PowerShot SD3500 IS and PowerShot SD1400 IS cameras offer a variety of technologies to secure the best pictures under the most challenging conditions. In addition to the Face Detection self-timer, the new Smart Shutter scene mode now has Smile and Wink self-timers where the camera looks for a wink or smile which will act as the trigger and release the camera’s shutter.
The advances to Canon’s Smart Auto mode increases the number of shooting scenarios where each PowerShot camera can automatically adjust to different lighting or movement levels to obtain the best image possible. In addition, Canon’s Smart FE (Flash Exposure) function improves image quality by automatically adding the optimum level of flash illumination, aperture, ISO and shutter speed while the Low Light Mode features a wide ISO range (up to 6400), allowing more light to be captured creating sharper more vivid images and further enhancing the overall quality.
“The new Canon PowerShot Digital cameras are designed for consumers seeking a blend of eye-catching style and advanced image capture technology in a compact, easy-to-use form,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “Offering a unique blend of features and functionality including new Scene Modes, Smart FE and Smart Shutter, Canon once again brings image-taking and personal photography expression to new levels.”
For users interested in expanding beyond still images, three of the four new PowerShot cameras announced today have the ability to shoot 720p High Definition (HD) video offering extraordinary resolution and clarity when capturing moments such as a child’s dance recital or the latest trip to the local zoo. Also, the built-in HDMI mini-connector allows play-back of video and photos on an HDTV. With the camera tethered to a computer and the included software, movies can be uploaded directly to YouTube via the Camera Window. To further enhance a users ability to capture images and video, all of the new Canon PowerShot Digital cameras will support the high-spec SDXC memory cards with a maximum storage capacity of two terabytes (TB) in SDA standard.
Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Digital Camera
The Canon PowerShot SX210 IS is designed for the photographer seeking HD video and brilliant image quality in a stylish, compact camera. Featuring a 28mm wide-angle lens with 14x Optical Zoom and Optical Image Stabilization, the PowerShot SX210 IS allows users to capture dramatic close-ups or broad landscapes with ease, while the 14.1-Megapixel resolution ensures stunning image quality. Available in three bold color variations, black, purple and gold, additional features include a 3.0-inch wide LCD screen for improved visibility and glare reduction with enhanced Control Dial with Hints and Tips. For shooting video, the PowerShot SX210 IS has the ability to zoom optically, shoot in stereo sound and has Dynamic Mode Image Stabilization for improved image clarity. Users embracing the freedom of wireless data transfer can connect directly to PCs through Eye-Fi memory cards1. The PowerShot SX210 IS is scheduled to be available in late March for an estimated retail price of $349.99.
Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS Digital Camera
The Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the ELPH series through the combination of superior image capture functionality and Canon’s touch screen technology. The camera’s large 3.5-inch wide LCD touch screen enables intuitive operation as users can customize their photo settings by simply dragging icons to their preferred on-screen location, then utilizing “tap” operations to switch between images during playback. A 24mm ultra-wide angle lens with 5x Optical Zoom gets more in your shot, like that family vacation at the Grand Canyon or the Empire State Building while Optical Image Stabilization ensure blur free images at full telephoto. The 14.1-Megapixel resolution delivers stunning images and the HD quality video further adds to the overall allure of this new PowerShot Digital camera. Available in three elegant color variations, black, silver and pink, the PowerShot SD3500 IS is also compatible with Eye-Fi memory cards for wireless transfer of video and photo files to PCs1. The PowerShot SD3500 IS is scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $329.99.
Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS Digital Camera
The Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS is the ideal choice for the on-the-go, spontaneous photographer seeking outstanding performance in a super-slim camera. Measuring less than one inch in thickness, the sleek PowerShot SD1400 IS features a 28mm wide-angle lens with 4x Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilization and 14.1-Megapixel resolution for outstanding photo and HD video quality. Available in four vibrant color variations, pink, orange, silver and black, the PowerShot SD1400 IS is scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $249.99.
Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS Digital Camera
The Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS delivers outstanding value for the consumer seeking a stylish, highly functional digital camera. The PowerShot SD1300 IS features a 28mm wide angle lens with 4x Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilization, 12.1-Megapixel resolution, and enlarged 2.7 -inch PureColor System LCD screen offering superior visibility. Available in five color variations, silver, pink, green, blue and brown, the PowerShot SD1300 IS is scheduled to be available in late February for an estimated retail price of $199.99.
05 February 2010, Friday
I Love Amazon
You have to hand it to Amazon.
I found some breakfast cereal I liked in a small market in Lee Vining the other week. I can't find that cereal at Price Club, so I made a note to myself to go to the grocery store to buy some.
Me? Retail? I don't think so. It costs me at least an hour of time to run to a store, and in that hour, I could be reviewing something else for you or playing with my kid instead.
So as I was eating my Frosted Mini Wheats on Wednesday morning with baby Katie, I pulled my brilliant iPod Touch out of my pocket, lit up Amazon.com via free wi-fi, found the cereal I wanted for 2/3 the price of retail, and wouldn't you know: Amazon gave me a deeper discount if I signed up for automatic restocking.
I kid you not. Today I got a 6-pound, one-cubic-foot UPS second-day-air package with my 4 boxes of shredded wheat, and it cost me only $13.23.
That's $13.23 total, including shipping, for four boxes of cereal. I don't know that I could ship something that big that way for for that little, much less get the cereal, which runs $5 a box a retail.
I get free rush 2nd day shipping since I subscribe to Amazon Prime, and get another 15% off for signing up for automatic restocking.
Automatic restocking, which Amazon calls "Subscribe & Save," means they keep sending it automatically as I requested, until I modify or cancel the subscription.
Lo and behold, today shows up my cereal!
It's not that the price is $13.23 delivered to my door instead of $20 for the same four boxes of the same cereal at retail.
The key point is that I never had to leave the house and waste an hour running an errand, and maybe finding it in stock, and maybe not. The boxes just showed up, and all I had to do was wave my finger around on my iPod.
The Internet has arrived.
iPad: so?
Now I know why Apple never pitched the iPod Touch as the world's most brilliant portable computer, which it is.
The iPad.
Apple is pitching the iPad as the world's greatest, but the iPad is just a bigger iPod Touch. The iPod is always in my pocket where I need it. If I'm willing to lug an iPad, I may as well take a real MacBook Pro with Firewire 800 and the abilty to do some serious work.
The thinking is clear: by keeping secret the lifetime free (wi-fi) internet capability of the iPod Touch, it kept the market open for the iPad, and also pushes people into the clunky iPhone instead. Why would people want an iPhone if they knew that the iPod Touch gets better, faster wi-fi internet, for free, forever?
I'm serious. The iPod Touch sniffs out free wi-fi anyplace it can. Walking down the streets of Manhattan last month, I found it anyplace I lit up the iPod Touch since so many people have it in their apartments.
No, you can't get wi-fi while you're driving, but you can't use it there, either. When you're standing most anyplace civilized, there is almost always a free wi-fi connection available.
The phone company doesn't want you to know that free wi-fi is a zillion times faster than the slow-as-molasses 3G and 4G networks for which they charge.
So anyway, I have no idea why I'd want to lug an iPad to do the same thing I do with my iPod Touch.
If I want to work on this site, I still need a computer, but I do use my iPod Touch for note taking and a zillion other things while in the feild.
By the way - the desktop Mac on which I create this site is now well over 4 years old, and running better then the day I got it. That's Apple for you. A 4-year old Mac is just entering the prime of its life, while most Windows machines are virus-paralyzed before they reach age 2.
The Pot Gets Sweeter
Adorama just bumped up the card they include in their $2,500 Canon 5D Mark II kit to the top-of-the-line SanDisk 16GB Extreme Pro CF card, which sells for about $215 by itself. That kit also includes a Slinger bag, all for the same price everyone else charges for just the body, and shipping is included.
How good is the 5D Mark II? As I demonstrated a year ago, even an old Canon 5D gives better image quality than a brand-new Nikon D700 or D3, and the 5D Mark II takes it up a couple of more notches from there.
Since the old Canon 5D, replaced over a year ago, swamps every DSLR Nikon has ever made with the sole exception of the D3X, that leads us to ask:
Nikon D700x Watch
The D700x is due. The x-models follow about 1 to 1.5 years behind the mother models, and the D700 was announced in August 2008.
If the D700x is go for the spring selling season, I'd expect it will be announced on or before Saturday, 20 February 2010.
Nikon should already have had the D700x designed and complete at the same time the D700 was designed. In this case, its a matter of market segmentation and timing to determine the most profitable time to introduce the D700x as not to cannibalize D3X sales. Once the D700x hits, the D3X becomes irrelevant.
Route 66 Trip!
Roy's, Route 66.
I suspect that we may have an opening in our new Barstow-to-Kingman Route 66 Photo Tour, which runs late Sunday through Wednesday morning, 14-17 February 2010, if you'd like to join us.
Our other, older and more well-known annual Route 66 trip has been sold out for months; this new one going to Arizona has had a space available.
This shot of Roy's is from last year's first running of this new trip.
Photos from both of last year's trips.
On these trips, we're out all day and night shooting, with only minimal time spent indoors talking about it. You can get all the one-on-one instruction you'd like, and the important thing is that we maximize our shooting time instead of piddling around in a hotel.
Questions? Email Dave Wyman, or phone him at (323) 377-7565 in Los Angeles. I don't organize or register people; I come to instruct each year.
04 February 2010, Thursday
NEW: Think Tank Hydrophobia 70-200 Rain Cover.
This is one tough professional cover if you shoot in the thick of it.
02 February 2010, Tuesday
NEU: LEICA 50mm f/2 SUMMICRON-M Review.
NEU: Comparison Table of all LEICA 50mm f/2 SUMMICRON Lenses.
The world's standards for lens performance.
02 February 2010, Tuesday
Baby Party Busted!
Ryan and Katie singing and dancing! (23MB .MOV video file.)
AHA!
I just went downstairs to have lunch, and I caught the babies in the act with the video mode of the Canon S90, which is always in my pocket.
It's trivial to pop this video into my iPod Touch. In Quicktime player, hit Export, chose Move to iPod, save it to the desktop, than drag that to the library in iTunes. Done.
Save the Date
The Rockwell Skunkworks has just received intel that Los Angeles Times Photojournalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Don Bartletti will be speaking to our photo club at 7PM on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at MoPA.
News
Magnum cleared out its closets and sold all its old prints to the guy who founded Dell computers.
It's not a big deal to photographers, since Magnum only sold a slew of old prints, not the images themselves nor any of the rights.
Since Magnum has the film originals, as well as already has scans of the images that matter, it helps Magnum make some money on what would have been thrown away as unnecessary for its business, and bring in some cash from collectors who dig these original old prints. Dell paid over $100 million for the lot, which filled up two trucks.
Magnum hasn't used any of these prints since 1998, from which time everything has gone out as digital files. These old press prints are the worn prints that physically circulated to publications so that they could be screened and printed.
Everyone wins. Yay!
Observed
Richard Shute with a 40x60" print — from a D40. bigger.
As I dropped off my film at North Coast Photo yesterday, motorsports photographer of the year Richard Shute called me over to look at this huge 40 x 60" (100 x 150cm) print he had just made and mounted.
It's awesome. It's a whole lot more awesome in person.
Richard has been shooting cars for a living for a long time. He shoots and has shot with just about anything. He took my tip about the D40 having 1/500 sync, which he uses when shooting sports with fill flash.
He shot this with the D40, and it looks great! Richard really knows what he's doing. 6MP is more than enough for mural-sized prints if you know how to shoot (and even gigapans look awful if you don't).
Of course it's always about the photographer, and to some extent the lens, but never about the camera. Richard shot this with a Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR, which is 100% compatible with the D40. That might seem like a expensive lens ($5,000) to shoot on a $400 camera, but no! In five years, a $5,000 lens will be worth $5,500, but a $5,000 digital camera like a D2H is now worth only about $500. The smart money always goes to lenses.
He also owns North Coast Photo. When a top photographer owns the lab, you know we're all going to get great results. He makes these huge prints right there for anyone, and they are real chemically-processed prints on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, not smeary inkjet imitations that will fade. These huge prints are new, so they're not on the online price lists yet. Phone them at (760) 931-6809 if you need more information.
01 February 2010, Monday
Video: Marc Silber's interview with Rock Photography legend Michael Zagaris
What Was New in Past Years (archive)
Help me help you top
I support my growing family through this website, as crazy as it might seem.
If you find this as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.
If you've gotten your gear through one of my links or helped otherwise, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time. Thanks!
If you haven't helped yet, please do, and consider helping me with a gift of $5.00.
The biggest help is to use these links to Adorama, Amazon, Calumet, Ritz, J&R and when you get your goodies. It costs you nothing and is a huge help to me. eBay is always a gamble, but all the other places have the best prices and service, which is why I've used them since before this website existed. I recommend them all personally.
Thanks for reading!
Ken
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