Sinar has announced the 'p-slr' system that allows DSLR owners use their camera bodies as digital backs with the company's view camera system via an adapter. Currently compatible with Canon and Nikon cameras, the system gives access to a range of medium format and view camera lenses and accessories such as bellows, filters etc. An included 'Quick Clamping' adapter also allows users to easily change the orientation of the camera body from landscape to portrait and vice versa. The p-slr system comes in various combinations of mounting brackets, bellows and the Quick Clamping adapter, and a number of optional accessories. It will be available from next month at a retail price of 1980 Swiss Francs (~ €1440).
Amazon launches its new Kindle model that is packed in a 21 percent smaller and 15 percent lighter body while preserving the same 6-inch reading area. Furthermore, it offers 50 percent better contrast and delivers 20 percent faster page turns, up to one month of battery life, double the storage, and much more for only $189 (£149). On top of that it still comes - in black or white - with free 3G wireless. Amazon also introduces a new Kindle family member: the Kindle Wi-Fi-only version for $139 (£109)...
Panasonic launches the HM-TA1 HD mobile pocket camera that offers both full-HD video recording and 8 megapixel photo shooting. The camera comes with software allowing you to link directly to YouTube or Facebook, and with Apple's iFrame video format you can even load and edit videos and pictures with Mac's iMovie software. The TA1 can also be used with the Skype phone service; simply connect the camera to a PC and it becomes a webcam. You can give the TA1 a personalized skin and choose a skin from over 40 cool designs...
Samsung unveils the newST80, a 14.2 mega-pixel point and-shoot camera that a 3x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch wide touch screen, and Samsung's new Smart Crop feature. Furthermore, the camera features wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and Samsung's AllShare to sync the ST80 images to DLNA-compliant electronics such as HDTVs and digital photo frames. The ST80 also offers HD video recording at 30 frames-per-second in 720p utilizing the H.264 format. The Samsung ST80 will carry a price tag of $249.99...
Just Posted: Our review of the Sony Alpha 390. Sony's latest DSLR is a minor upgrade to the A380, but Sony has made some important ergonomic changes that should make the new model easier to get to grips with (literally). At the core of the A390 is the same 14Mp CCD sensor as the A380 and A350, from which the A390 also inherits its innovative Fast AF Live View mode. Is a new handgrip enough to make the A390 stand out from the crowd? Check out our review and sample gallery to find out...
Samsung has introduced the ST80 Wi-Fi enabled digital camera allowing users connect to wireless networks for uploading or emailing images and videos. A simpler version of the company's CL80 and CL65 Wi-Fi cameras, it has a smaller 3.0" touch-screen LCD and more limited un-stabilized 3x zoom lens with no real wide-angle capability (35-114mm equiv.) rather than the existing models' 7x and 5x stabilized zooms. Beyond this, it continues to offer 720p HD video recording with H.264 compression. The ST80 will be available from September 2010 at a suggested retail price of $249.99 in charcoal black, white, fuchsia pink and mint blue.
Panasonic announces the development of the world's first twin-lens digital interchangeable 3D lens for its LUMIX G Micro System. Until now, 3D-capable interchangeable lens system cameras have used panorama systems or a combination of two lenses and two CCDs, but these systems have drawbacks including the need for a dedicated 3D camera and the difficulties capturing moving objects. The new 3D lens features two optical systems installed within a single lens, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses...
Sinar introduces the new "p-slr" system that can be used with all Canon and Nikon SLR cameras to exploit the advantages and quality characteristics of the Sinar view cameras. Thanks to the quick locking adapter supplied with the Sinar p-slr, the format can be changed from vertical to horizontal with only a few motions and within seconds. When the single lens reflex camera is controlled by a computer, the integrated support for the cable ensures the safety and the protection of the USB / Fire Wire socket on the camera...
Pentax releases firmware version 1.10 for the K-7 dSLR. This new update add these improvements: • Added Movie editing function on playback mode. You can divide a movie into multiple segments and erase unwanted segments • Added Electronic Level indication on the Monitor • When Mode dial is set M or X and Electronic Level to display, exposure meter is in LCD panel and Viewfinder • Added [Reversal Film] mode on Custom Image mode • When using Live View, auto focus activate by pressing shutter release button halfway...
Pentax has posted a firmware update for its K-7 mid-level DSLR. Version 1.10 adds in-camera movie editing options via its playback mode, an electronic level and a Reversal Film mode to the K-7. Additionally, autofocusing in live view can now be activated by half pressing the shutter. The latest firmware is available for immediate download from Pentax's website.
Apple unveils a new 27-inch LED Cinema Display with 2560x1440 resolution, an iSight video camera with microphone and a powered USB 2.0 hub. But there's more, the new display gives you great audio too. The built-in 49-watt speaker system includes an integrated subwoofer that delivers immersive, full-range sound for music, movies, and games. The display requires a Mac - of course - with Mini DisplayPort but HDCP seems still lacking. The new LED Cinema Display will be available in September for a suggested retail price of $999...
Panasonic has announced it is developing a digital 3D interchangeable lens for the Micro Four Thirds system, to be launched by the end of the year. The lens will include two optical paths, projecting left and right image pairs onto the camera sensor. These twin images can later be combined to provide a single 3D image using the company's 3D image processing system and displayed using one of its Viera televisions. The company says it will be the first such lens for a digital system.
Sony introduces 3 new A-mount lenses. The Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM features the Carl Zeiss Distagon design and is intended for experienced photographers looking for a large-aperture wide-angle lens. The DT 35mm F1.8 SAM adds a 35mm focal length to the 'Easy Choice' series. The 85mm F2.8 SAM is another 'Easy Choice' lens, this time offering the 85mm focal length considered the standard for portraiture because of the natural perspective it provides. It is extremely compact and light, weighing just 175g...
Just posted: The star of the show amongst Sony's trio of newly announced lenses is undoubtedly the Carl Zeiss-branded Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM. We've had a pre-production sample on loan from Sony for the past couple of days, and have put together a detailed preview. We've also shot a small samples gallery, using both full frame and APS-C cameras, to give you an initial flavor of its capabilities.
Sony has released three prime lenses for its Alpha SLR system. First up is the eagerly-awaited Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM, which we saw in prototype form at PMA. Designed as a fast wideangle for full frame, it also offers a classic 35mm-equivalent field of view on APS-C. Second we have the DT 35mm F1.8 SAM, a fast normal lens for APS-C. Finally this is joined in Sony's newly-christened 'Easy Choice' range of inexpensive primes by the 85mm F2.8 SAM, a compact 'portrait' telephoto that works on both APS-C and full frame cameras. All of these lenses can also be used on the NEX mirrorless cameras via the LA-EA1 adapter, although in manual focus mode only. The 24mm and 85mm lenses will start shipping from late September at retail prices of €1,250 and €250 respectively, followed by the 35mm which will be available from mid-October at a retail price of €200. With regards to the US price and availability of the three lenses, the company says, “Announcement for US market is not being made at this time, but will be made closer to the products’ market introduction.”
Novoflex has announced the EOS/NIK-NT lens adapter for using Nikon F mount lenses without aperture rings on Canon EOS bodies. The -NT version differs from the existing EOS/NIK adapter through the addition of a lever that lets users control the aperture on Nikkor G-series lenses. The adapter provides a mechanical connection between the lens and the body but retains automatic metering for aperture priority mode and allow focusing to infinity. According to the the company's US distributer, HP Marketing it is available at retail price of $292.99.
Just posted! Our lens review starring the world's first optically-stabilized ultra-wide zoom: the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm 1:4G ED VR. Conceived as a relatively inexpensive alternative to the highly-regarded AF-S 14-24mm 1:2.8G, this lens features Nikon's latest 'VR II' stabilization unit in a high quality magnesium alloy body. We've put it through our usual battery of tests to see how it performs.
Just posted: our review of Adobe Lightroom 3. It's been more than three years since Adobe introduced the first version of Lightroom - its raw processing and workflow tool aimed specifically at photographers. In June 2010 the company released the third version which represented the biggest update the software has yet seen, including the incorporation of an entirely new raw processing engine. We've been using the latest version extensively and have prepared a eight-page review assessing its usefulness as a tool for photographers. We've also looked at its relationship with the rest of the Photoshop family and, most importantly, how its output compares to that of its rivals.
Samsung announces the PL200, a stylish 14.2 mega pixel point-and-shoot digital camera. The PL200, which measures just 3.9" x 2.3" x 0.83", sports a slim and stylish design that includes a large 3.0-inch LCD, allowing you to frame and review their images and video with ease. The PL200 incorporates a powerful 7x optical zoom lens (equiv. 31-217mm) and offers Dual Image Stabilization technology, which combines the benefits of both Optical and Digital Image Stabilization. The PL200 can record 720p HD video at 30 fps...
Samsung announces the latest additions to its 2View camera portfolio, the 14.2 Mp ST600 and ST100. The new flagship models of the Samsung 2View family each receive an upgrade to their front LCD screens, activated by a simple tap, which now measure 1.8" compared to the 1.5" front LCD monitors found on their predecessors. The Samsung 2View ST600 and ST100 are available in four stylish, mood-inspired colors, including hot pink, gold, black and purple, and are encased in a slim and sleek compact frame with a metallic finish...
