Articles from November 2011

Nikon has announced the SB-910, the flagship flashgun in its Speedlight range. Replacing the SB-900, the 910 gains the simpler graphic user interface (GUI) of the less powerful SB-700. Its more advanced thermal protection system slows the flash recycle time, rather than it simply shutting down to prevent overheating. It comes with hard filters for matching fluorescent and tungsten lighting and automatically switches the camera's white balance to match the filter. Similarly it adjusts the available zoom steps to suit the body (FX or DX) that it's attached to. The SB910 will be available from mid-December, priced around $549.95.

Ricoh has added a 24-85mm equivalent zoom camera unit, based around an APS-C sized CMOS sensor, to its product roadmap. The roadmap on the company's Japanese site shows the module, scheduled for an 'Early 2012' launch, will be built around a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor. Given the company's use of 12MP Sony sensors in its A12 modules, it seems likely this zoom module will be built around a version of Sony's impressive 16MP chip that underpins several recent Sony, Nikon and Pentax models. No details are given on price or aperture range. (via DC Watch)

Samyang has updated its 8mm F3.5 fisheye lens in Nikon mount, adding a CPU to allow better-integrated operation in auto exposure modes. The Samyang AE 8mm 1:3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye CS allows for full control over exposure from the camera, enables i-TTL flash exposure control, and records lens-related data into image EXIF data. Like its predecessor, the optical design includes 10 elements in 7 groups, with one hybrid aspheric element. The lens is manual focus only, and is designed for use on DX format SLRs. It will be priced at €325 (approx $430 / £280).

We've just published our review of the Olympus E-PM1: the PEN Mini. The Mini is the least expensive, and most compact-camera-user orientated, Micro Four Thirds model yet released. It's built around the long-serving 12MP sensor but includes the latest, impressively fast AF system from the most recent PENS. In keeping with its point-and-shoot ethos, the PEN Mini features few external controls, yet has extensive customization if you want a camera to grow into. Does this result in a model with broad appeal or a camera with an identity crisis? Read our review to find out.

Wildlife photographer and tour operator Dallas Dahms explains how to choose the most appropriate photo gear when embarking on an African safari. His article shares camera lens and accessory combinations best suited to particular modes of transport and specific types of photo opportunities. He also supplies a handy tip for safely carrying your gear aboard in-country flights.

DxO Labs has announced that Optics Pro 7, the latest version of its Raw processing and optical correction software, will be available from November 30th. The company says version 7 has been extensively re-written to make it faster - up to four times faster in the case of batch processing. Version 7 also includes support for popular enthusiast cameras, such as Fujifilm's X100 and Sony's A77, as well as more than 300 additional camera/lens Optics Modules. Refinements include an improved lens softness tool that attempts to correct for inherent lens softness without interfering with bokeh in out-of-focus regions. DxO Optics Pro 7 will be available with a 33% discount until December 24th (and free to users who bought version 6 after September 1st).

Adam Koplan takes a closer look at Michael Freeman's 'The Photographer's Mind'. In this follow-up to his widely regarded book, 'The Photographer's Eye', documentary photographer Freeman has published a fascinating text that aims to help photographers to be more thoughtful in their picture-making.

Digital Outback Photo has published 'The Art and Craft of HDR Photography' by Uwe and Bettina Steinmueller. The 100 page e-book, written and published by the authors of dpreview.com's 'The Art of HDR' series of guides, can be downloaded as a printable pdf. It is available for an introductory price of $15.95, rather than the usual $19.95.

US photographic trade body PMA and dpreview.com are conducting a survey looking for the views of dedicated amateur photographers. The ten minute survey asks about your photographic use, the features you'd like to see in cameras and your use and experience of photo sharing sites and printing services (as well as helping us make dpreview a better place). It aims to get a clearer understanding of what committed non-professional photographers want from their cameras and related services and may even result in those things getting a bit better. Responses will be discussed at the forthcoming 6Sight conference. As a reward one lucky respondent will be sent a shiny new Apple iPad 2. Update: the survey has now closed. We will announce the winner of the iPad soon.

Nikon has released firmware updates for its Nikkor 1 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, 30-100mm f/3.8-5.6 and 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses. The 10-30mm and 30-100mm lenses are upgraded to firmware v1.02, which corrects a bug which causes an incorrect aperture value to be recorded. Meanwhile the 10-100mm power zoom firmware moves to v1.01 that, like the 1.01 upgrades for the other two lenses, addresses a problem by which images could 'be blurred when shot immediately after the camera was shaken or moved quickly'.

The Fujifilm X10 camera has an EXR sensor. This article is designed to help owners understand the capabilities of the sensor and use that understanding to elicit optimum performance from the camera.

Planned site maintenance will mean the site will be temporarily unavailable for a period today (Saturday November 19th). For around an hour from 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT, it will not be possible to log into the site. This will mean commenting, forums and challenges will be read-only during this period. A banner across the top of the page will make clear when this work is in progress and we hope to bring an improved user experience as a result of the work. We appreciate your patience.

Update 15:44 PT: We've completed the necessary maintenance, and site functionality has been restored. However, due to the inherent latency in DNS (Domain Name System) propagation, a very small percentage of users may be unable to post to our forums for the next 24-48 hours. If these issues persist, or if you continue to experience performance or functionality problems with other areas of the site, please feel free to send feedback via the link at the bottom of this page.

Product advice/market research website 'MyProductAdvisor' is claiming that US customers are willing to pay more for Nikon than for other camera brands. Strong consumer engagement with camera brands will come as no surprise to anyone who's spent time on camera forums, but it's interesting to see figures suggesting this translates to a willingness to spend more. The company's figures suggest Canon can command the second-largest price premium with customers showing some willingness to pay more for Olympus, Panasonic and Fujifilm. This could explain the logic behind Nikon's comparatively high pricing of its 1 System.

Just Posted: A few weeks back we spent a little time with the Pentax 645D - just long enough to grab a small gallery of 'real world' samples using the FA 645 55mm F2.8 standard lens. The 40 megapixel 645D, which took an unprecedented 5 years to progress from announcement to production, is the company's first digital medium format camera. We wanted to see how practical it was to use the 645D 'in the field' as a replacement for a smaller sensor SLR, and - aside from an aching shoulder after a day of lugging it around - we were pretty impressed with what we saw. Until we get the 645D back into the studio to complete our testing, check out our quick 24-shot gallery after the link (or click here to jump straight to the gallery page).

Canon has released updated firmware for its EOS 5D Mark II full-frame DSLR. Firmware v2.1.1 corrects a bug that meant only a single image was captured in continuous shooting mode or AE bracketing continuous mode. It also corrects some menu errors for Dutch language users. Click here to find out more and download the firmware.

Casio Japan has announced the Exilim EX-ZR200, a 16MP compact superzoom with a back-lit CMOS sensor. No details of a US or European launch have yet been given but, with its 24-300mm equivalent zoom lens and 30fps full resolution shooting and PASM modes, it's extremely likely it will replace the EX-ZR100. Like the ZR100, it can shoot 1080p30 movies with H.264 compression. It also features multi-image modes to capture ultra-wide angle shots and create background blur. (from DCWatch)

Just Posted: our review of the Sony SLT-A65. When the SLT-A65 was launched it risked being overshadowed by the flagship A77 model. However, the A65 could prove to be the more significant camera in the SLT line-up as it offers many of the A77's features at a more attainable price point. Offering 24MP capture, a 10fps continuous shooting rate, full-time live view with phase-detection AF as well as a raft of other innovative features, the A65 is unique in its market segment. On paper, it appears significantly more capable in some respects than peers such as the Canon EOS 600D / Rebel T3i and Nikon D5100. Click here to jump straight to the the review and see if it lives up to this promise.

Ricoh has announced the CX6, the latest in its line of compact superzoom cameras. It features a 10MP back-lit CMOS sensor and the familiar 10.7x 28-300mm equivalent image stabilized zoom lens. The latest model features improved processing and hardware to offer faster focusing (with claimed AF times as fast as 0.1 sec), as well as a dedicated movie shooting button. It also gains Aperture and Shutter Priority exposure modes and the Sony WhiteMagic 1.23M dot VGA LCD screen.

DxO Labs has announced FilmPack v3.1 Essentials and Expert, the latest versions of its film simulation software. The biggests changes are to the more expensive, Expert edition with the addition of 25 'Creative Renderings' that offer stylized effects rather than just simulating film. These preset renderings can be user-adjusted, exported and imported so that they can be shared, or packages of presets from DxO added. The interface has also been improved in both versions, including the addition of a full screen view and a resizable filmstrip view, as well as a handful of minor updates.

We've published a gallery of 32 JPEG images shot with the 12MP Fujifilm X10. The X10 is Fujifilm's first foray into the luxury end of the enthusiast compact camera market, and takes many of its styling cues from the APS-C format X100. Key features include a 28-112mm (equivalent) f/2-2.8 zoom lens and Fujifilm's unique 'EXR' sensor technology. Our samples were taken in a range of different environments and in a range of different modes, including the 6MP noise and dynamic-range optimized 'SN' and 'DR' EXR modes.

Accessory grip maker Richard Franiec has announced an add-on grip for the Canon PowerShot S100. The grip differs from his existing wrap-around designs to avoid blocking the port door on the side of the camera. Instead the raised, textured design mounts on the front plate of the camera, over its existing hand-grip. The accessory will be available from late November at a cost of $29.95, plus shipping.

Panasonic has announced upcoming firmware updates for its Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. pancake and Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm F4.0-5.6 Power O.I.S. Micro Four Thirds lenses. The latest firmware versions for both lenses enhance Touch Zoom operation with the recently released Lumix DMC-GX1, and improve AF performance while recording stills and videos. The update for the 45-175mm lens also improves its image stabilization function. Both will be available for download from Panasonic's website from 06:00 GMT on November 17th.

Google has launched a worldwide photography competition for student photographers. The 'Google Photography Prize' will be hosted on Google+ - the search giant's social networking service. Prizes will be awarded by a jury of photography professionals, including curators at London's Saatchi gallery. 

Apple has released a Digital Camera RAW compatibility update for Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11. Update 3.9 extends raw support to eleven additional cameras, including the Canon Powershot S100, Olympus PEN E-PL3 and E-PM1, and Sony Alpha NEX-5N, SLT-A65 and SLT-A77. The update is available for immediate download from Apple's website.

At the recent Photo Plus Expo show in New York we spoke to Jay Kelbley, Senior Marketing Manager of the Imaging Division at Samsung U.S.A. We asked Jay about the 20MP APS-C format NX200, and Samsung's new NX range of prime and zoom lenses. Jay took us through the new products, and explained why consumers should be excited by the high-resolution, 'premium'-styled NX200, and what makes Samsung's NX system unique.

Olympus's woes have deepened after the Tokyo Stock Exchange placed its shares 'under supervision' and warned of possible delisting. The news follows the admission that senior executives colluded for decades to hide investment losses from the market, and a subsequent statement from Olympus that it would not be able to submit its quarterly earnings report on schedule. The TSE has warned that the company will be delisted if the report is not submitted by 14th December, prompting a further fall in its shares which have now lost almost two-thirds of their value over the past month.

Mobile photography and app blogger Joanne Carter takes a look at the growing number of iOS and Android apps that are designed as photography tools. Whether you need to plan a sunset shoot, manage legal forms for your models, calculate flash exposure, or transfer files to your mobile device while you are shooting wirelessly, this article looks at some of the best apps currently available for both enthusiast and professional photographers.

Olympus has dismissed its executive vice president after admitting concealing losses on investments. In the most serious revelation since the departure of former chief executive Michael Woodford, the company said that funds from previous acquisitions had been used to hide losses on securities investments since the 1990s. The news saw Olympus shares fall in value by up to 30% during Tuesday's trading.

Just Posted: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 hands-on preview and video. We've spent a few days with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, the long-awaited successor to the popular GF1. The enthusiast-oriented GX1 features a 16MP sensor, touchscreen interface and an abundance of external buttons and dials. We take a closer look at Panasonic's newest Micro Four Thirds camera, including a hands-on video highlighting some of the main features.

In advance of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 announcement, we conducted a brief video interview at the PhotoPlus Expo with Darin Pepple, Sr. Product Manager for Imaging at Panasonic who showed off a pre-production version of this much anticipated camera.

Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-GX1, an enthusiast-oriented model that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Lumix DMC-GF1. The GX1 sports a 16MP 'Live MOS' sensor, a maximum ISO sensitivity setting of 12,800, a touchscreen interface and a revamped AF system. The GX1 is also the first camera compatible with Panasonic's brand new high-resolution LVF2 viewfinder, sold separately. The GX1 is available in a black or silver body with MSRP starting at $699.99 / £499.99 / €599.99 without lens.

Canon has announced it is developing a full frame EOS digital SLR that will incorporate enhanced movie recording capability. It will be able to record 4K video at a frame rate of 24P, with Motion-JPEG compression, using the central APS-H region of the sensor. No other details are yet available.