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Visit often to stay up-to-date on what's happening in the world of photography. I'll keep you posted on the latest news from the top manufacturers in the photography industry, including product releases, updates and my commentary.
Earlier this week, Nik Software introduced a new version of its Sharpener Pro software for Adobe Photoshop and Apple Aperture. Highlight features include the addition of U-Point technology, smart filter support, and the ability to save output presets. Perhaps one of the most promising features is the addition of Sharpening Soft-Proofing, a feature that is sure to help save lots of time and test prints.
Sharpener Pro 3.0 will be available this month directly from Nik, and starting in October from your local camera dealer for $199.95. Previous owners of Sharpener Pro 1.0 or 2.0 can upgrade for $99.99. If you're undecided, you can also download a 15-day trial directly from Nik.
Nikon has introduced the D90, its newest midrange DSLR. The camera has a slew of upgrades from the D80 including a new 12.3 MP CMOS sensor, 3-inch LCD screen, Live View, 4.5fps, a broader ISO range (200-3200, expandable to ISO 100 and 6400), and new in-camera editing functionality. Perhaps the most interesting feature about the D90 is that it's the world's first DSLR with the ability to capture video, including 720p HD video.
The D90 will be available starting this September for $999.99 body only or $1299.99 with the new AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. The AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens will also be available this September alone for $399.99.
Canon USA has announced the EOS 50D, the latest in its advanced amateur line of DSLRs. Highlight features include a 15.1MP sensor, new ISO range of 100-3200 (expandable up to 6400 and 12800), improved noise reduction, 6.3 fps, a high-resolution 3-inch LCD, and the introduction of the DIGIC 4 processor. Other changes include UDMA support, improved live view, and an HDMI output. The EOS 50D should be available this October with an estimated selling price of $1,399.99 body only, and $1,599.99 with the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM.
Also announced was a lens that has been requested by many Canon shooters: the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. Giving a convenient 29-320mm 35mm equivalent focal range and 4-stop IS, this lens should be ideal for those vacations where multiple lenses might be a hassle. The EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS will be available this October with an estimated selling price of $699.99.
Think Tank Photo is having their first sale. From now until October 3rd, you can save 30% off the Airport Acceleration or Airport Ultralight backpacks. I personally use the Airport Acceleration, and it's one of my absolute favorite bags. It's a very well thought out bag and holds a ridiculous amount of gear for the size. The Airport Ultralight is a little smaller but is able to fit into a hard case such as a Pelican or Storm Case. You can see pictures of both bags after the jump.
Lowepro has released four new bags and a new series to their lineup. The PrimusMinimus AW, CompuPrimus AW, Slingshot 350 and Flipside 400 are extensions of the existing Lowepro lineup while the Terraclime series is a new eco-friendly line of shoulder bags. You can find more details and pictures of the bags after the jump.
After a few months of a Public Beta, Adobe has announced the release of Lightroom 2. Available immediately, Lightroom will sell for $299.99 for users while existing users can upgrade for $99.99. You can read more on the press release after the jump.
The results are in from the Click June 2008 Photography Contest! The Pineapple Cocktail image I entered placed third in the Spectra Category (Best Capture). You can view all the winners here. Congratulations to all of the winners and all the participants, and thank you to everyone who voted for me.
Canon USA has announced the latest addition to its Rebel line of cameras, the EOS Rebel XS. Announced last month internationally as the EOS 1000D, the 10.1 Megapixel camera will serve as the entry point to the Canon DSLR lineup. Features include a 2.5 inch LCD screen with Live View capabilities, self-cleaning sensor, DIGIC III processor, 7-point AF system, and bursts of up the 3 frames per second. The Rebel XS will be available this August with the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS in black or silver with an estimated price of $699.99.
Also announced is the new 430EX II Speedlight, the replacement to the 430EX. New features include a 20 percent faster recycle time, quick lock attachment, and the ability to control flash function directly from the camera on the latest Canon DSLRs. The flash should be available around the same time as the Rebel XS and sell for about $329.99.
After weeks of speculation, Nikon has officially announced the D700 FX-format DSLR. Essentially a D3 sensor in a D300 body, the D700 offers the same 12.1 megapixel low-noise CMOS FX-format sensor, and 51-point autofocus system found in the D3. It also features a frame rate of up to five frames per second out of the box, or up to eight frames per second with the MB-D10 battery grip it shares with the D300. Surprisingly, the D700 will be available late July with an estimated selling price of $2999.95 for the body only.
The second part of today's announcements is the new flagship SB-900 speedlight. Fully compatible with Nikon's existing Creative Lighting System (CLS), the SB-900 offers a host of new features including a 17-200mm zoom range (which adapts to FX or DX equivalent focal lengths, three "light pattern" modes, an "intelligent gel" mode that automatically compensates when color correction gels are added, and a recycle time 25% faster than the SB-800. The SB-900 also becomes the first Nikon speedlight with the ability to receive firmware updates via the D3 or D700. The SB-900 will be available starting this August for $499.95
Nikon has announced the release of two new PC Micro Nikkors: the PC-E Micro Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D ED. With development originally announced at this years PMA, these two new lenses will join the new PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED as part of Nikon's updated line of PC lenses. Both lenses feature a 1:2 macro reproduction as well as some of the latest Nikkor technology including Nano Crystal Coat and an electronically controlled aperture (when used on a Nikon D3, D300, and D700. The PC-E Micro Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D ED should be available starting in August for around $1799.95 and $1739.95 respectively.
Are you a Nikon Adobe Lightroom user looking for a better starting point than Adobe Camera RAW provides? In that case, OneThirdStop might be the website you're looking for. OneThirdStop provides Lightroom develop presets that mimic some of the Nikon Capture NX NEF conversions. While these don't necessarily provide an exact match to Capture NX, they are a very good starting point and worth giving a try. Currently there are conversions available for the Nikon D200, D300 and D2Xs, but they hope to offer more presets for other camera manufacturers in the future. I've included a few comparison shots after the jump.
Similarly to what they did for the launch of the first Lightroom, Adobe has introduced a beta program for Lightroom 2.0. The beta is designed to give photographers an early look at the program in its development process in order to get feedback for the final release. New features include localized corrections, dual monitor support, new printing functionality, and 64-bit support.
The beta will be available for 30 days for new Lightroom users while existing users can use the beta through the end of August by entering their Lightroom serial number. Existing users also have the ability to send invites to new users to enjoy the program for the duration of the beta. More information and a link to the download is available after the jump.
Tired of having to use velcro or lanyards to attach your Pocket Wizard to a strobe or stand? Hildozine has introduced a Remote Transceiver Caddy designed just for you. The Caddy screws into the back of your Pocket Wizard and uses elastic cord to safely secure it to a light stand or flash head.
I've added another article to my series on photography and marketing on Squidoo. This time, I discuss the importance of quality product photography for catalogs, e-commerce sites, etc.
Think Tank Photo has introduced a new series of bags for their modular belt system called the Skin collection. These skin bags are similar to the existing modulus component system but feature no padding which makes them lighter weight, and more flexible. They also feature a new "silencer flap" to avoid attention and pockets for small accessories. All of the components are compatible with the existing Speed Belts or the all new Skin Belt.
For anyone interested in marketing small businesses and the importance of quality photography in doing so, I've created a "lens" on Squidoo called "Image is Everything: Quality Photography for Successful Marketing."
Another PMA has come and gone, but we are left with plenty of new products to anticipate in the coming year. Here is a rundown of what we at Photography Savvy think will be the most important and innovative products of 2008.
Tamron has announced the development of a new lens, the update of three lenses for Nikon mount cameras, and the launch of a lens from last year's PMA. First is a new ultra-wide angle lens for APS-C format sensors, the SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical (IF). The lens improves in both range and aperture from the existing SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) while keeping a relatively compact size. The lens is being developed for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and Sony mounts but no release information is available at this time.
Nikon has introduced three new Nikkor lenses just in time for PMA 2008. The first is a new Perspective Control (PC) lens, the PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED. The second is an updated Micro Nikkor lens, the AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED. Last is an all new DX "walk around" lens, the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR.
Nikon has introduced the D60, their latest compact D-series camera. The 10.2 megapixel D60 shares a lot of similarities with last year's D40X, but now utilizes some of the technology seen in the D3/D300 including the EXPEED processor and Active D-Lighting. The camera also features a new take on dust reduction: a sensor shake dust reduction system, and the new Airflow Control System that blows dust away from the sensor with every shot. The D60 will come paired with the relatively new AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55 f/3.5-5.6G VR, and should hit shelves this February. Pricing is not yet available.
Perhaps just in time for the Superbowl, Think Tank Photo has introduced the Hydrophobia 300-600. This new rain cover is designed to fit any large telephoto lens (300mm f/2.8 to 600mm f/4) and mounts on the end of the lens, staying out of the way until it starts raining. Once the bad weather appears, the rain cover rolls back on to the lens and body quickly and securely. It also has two sleeves which allows access to all of the camera and lens controls. The Hydrophobia 300 - 600 is available now directly from Think Tank or any of their retailers for $150 plus $35 for the eyepiece corresponding to your camera.
Canon has introduced two new super telephoto lenses for PMA 2008. The first is the EF200mm f/2L IS USM. Being a full stop faster than the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, this lens should prove to be very popular among sports and portrait photographers. The second is the longest EF lens to feature Image Stabilization, the EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM. While it's physically longer than the current 600mm f/4L IS USM, it actually weighs two pounds less. This should be a hit for wildlife and nature photographers always looking for more reach.
The lenses will cost an estimated $5,999.00 and $11,999.00 respectively, and should be available this spring.
Canon has introduced the EOS Digital Rebel XSi, the latest in their entry level line of digital SLRs. The Rebel XSi has a variety of upgrades from its predecessor, the Rebel XTi including an all new 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion, Live View Functionality, a 3-inch LCD monitor, and (finally) spot metering. The Rebel XSi also includes an improved autofocus system, faster 3.5 fps burst rate, and switch to Canon's DIGIC III processor. The camera also has an all new battery grip (BG-E5), battery (LP-E5), and (surprisingly) has switched from CF Cards to SD/SD-HC cards.
The Rebel XSi will be available in April 2008 body only for $799.99 or with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS for $899.99.
"The leading international conference and trade show, PMA 08 hosts retail entrepreneurial memory makers from around the world, encouraging the discovery of more opportunities, professional development, and the inspiration to act on emerging trends. PMA members help people everywhere create, keep, display and share memories through pictures."
- Photographic Marketing Association
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