February 23, 2010

Canon posts firmware update for Rebel TLi / EOS 500D

Canon has posted a firmware update for its Rebel TLi / EOS 500D digital SLR. Version 1.1.0 brings improvements to live view shooting and fixes bugs in the English, Arabic and Swedish language menus. The firmware is available for immediate download from Canon's website.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Canon posts firmware update for Rebel T1i / EOS 500D

Canon has posted a firmware update for its Rebel T1i / EOS 500D digital SLR. Version 1.1.0 brings improvements to live view shooting and fixes bugs in the English, Arabic and Swedish language menus. The firmware is available for immediate download from Canon's website.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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February 22, 2010

Ricoh develops two more lens units for GXR

PMA 2010: Ricoh has announced the development of two more lens modules for its GXR interchangeable unit camera system. First comes the image-stabilized P10 28-300mm F3.5-5.6 VC zoom unit, with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor and features such as RAW capture and 120 fps high-speed continuous shooting. Next comes the A12 28 mm equivalent F2.5 prime lens unit, with a 23.6 mm x 15.7 mm CMOS sensor and featuring the faster GR Engine III processor and a manual focus ring.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Tokina plans 16-28mm F2.8 for full-frame

PMA 2010: Lens maker Tokina is set to produce a 16-28mm F2.8 ultra wide angle zoom lens for full-frame DSLRs. The lens, called the SD 16-28 F2.8 (IF) FX is being shown in mockup form on the stand of US distributor THK at the PMA show in Anaheim, California. Specifications and availability are as yet unknown.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Sigma planning interchangeable lens compact

Sigma plans to make a mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera with one of its Foveon sensors, the company's Chief Operating Officer has told dpreview.com. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Kazuto Yamaki also said the company is considering producing lenses for mirrorless systems such as those from Panasonic, Olympus, Samsung and announced by Sony.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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SanDisk releases 64GB SDXC memory card

PMA 2010: SanDisk has released its first SDXC (Extended capacity) memory card in 64GB capacity. It offers Class 4 speed with maximum data transfer speed of up to 15MB/s and complements the release of the many SDXC compatible cameras released this year. The 64GB Ultra SDXC card is currently available online at a retail price of $349.99.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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CompactFlash cards to offer petabytes of storage

The CompactFlash Association has announced the availability of its new CF5.0 specification, offering greater capacities and speeds. Enabling 48-bit support (as against the current 28-bit), the new specification theoretically allows for an increase in the maximum capacity to 144 petabytes (1PB = 1000 terabytes), up from the current limitation of 137GB, as well as data transfer speeds of up to 32MB/s. Although it is primarily aimed at the camcorder market, we expect to see compatibility added to future HD-enabled DSLRs.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Just posted - Canon EOS-1D Mark IV in-depth review

Just posted! Our in-depth review of the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, successor to the Mark III and latest in a long line of sports-oriented professional DSLRs that has its roots way back in the days of film. The Mark IV's predecessor was dogged by reports of autofocus problems early in its life, and Canon is anxious to win back confidence with a complete overhaul of the focusing system. The new model also gets an inevitable megapixel boost (to 16 MP), a full HD movie mode, 921K pixel screen and Dual DIGIC 4 processors. Find out how it performed in our comprehensive review after the link…

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Phase One releases Capture One 5.1

Phase One has released an updated version of its Capture One 5, PRO and DB RAW workflow software. Version 5.1 extends RAW and tethered shooting support for additional cameras including the Nikon D3s and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. The Pro version brings in new features such as advanced noise reduction, one-click spot removal and workflow accelerators to handle large number of files. The basic version also adds a few advanced features such as selective color adjustment and an option to add metadata. The update can be accessed via Capture One's update feature for existing users or is available as a free 30 day trial.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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February 21, 2010

Sony bosses ‘pushing’ for 3D camera

PMA 2010: Sony bosses are ‘pushing’ the company to produce a 3D digital camera, according to Masashi ‘Tiger’ Imamura President of Sony’s Personal Imaging and Sound Business group.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Sony shares its digital imaging strategy

PMA 2010: Sony has decided to keep no secrets and has outlined its forthcoming plans for 2010, including an APS-C competitor for micro Four Thirds. The company has mockup images of a compact, slimline camera, plus three lenses including a currently-fashionable pancake prime. Alpha SLR enthusiasts will be heartened by a promised successor to the highly-regarded A700 that will shoot AVCHD video, shown alongside an as-yet unidentified, smaller video-capable body. Finally the high end is catered for by an upcoming Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 wideangle lens, and a 500mm F4 G telephoto in what appears to be the same silver finish as graces the 80-400mm F4-5.6.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Live blogging from the Sony press conference

PMA 2010: The show is about to start but first there's a press conference on the Sony stand. We're blogging live from the site to bring you all the latest news about their intentions. Click through and refresh the page for the latest updates.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Casio releases EX-S7 and EX-Z35 digital compacts

PMA 2010: Casio has announced the Exilim EX-S7 and EX-Z35 digital compacts. Both offer 12MP sensors, 3x (35-106mm equiv.) zoom lenses and feature direct web upload options. The EX-S7 comes with 720p HD video recording and has a slightly larger LCD size of 2.7” compared to the EX-Z35’s 2.5". They also feature a Dynamic Photo option that enables users to add graphics and create e-greetings in camera.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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February 20, 2010

Sigma launches stabilized 70-200mm F2.8 telezoom

PMA 2010: Sigma has launched into PMA with a veritable salvo of interesting new products. First up is the APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, an image-stabilised fast telezoom with ultrasonic-type silent focusing that provides a direct alternative to recent arrivals from Canon and Nikon. The all-new optical design uses two elements made of Sigma's newly-developed 'FLD' glass (plus three of SLD glass) to reduce aberrations, a 9-blade circular aperture for attractive bokeh, and features full-time manual focus override. The Optical Stabilisation system promises up to four stops benefit when hand-holding, and like other recent Sigma lenses, can be used by owners of Sony and Pentax cameras (the lens will also be available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts). Last but not least, a dedicated adapter that extends the length of the hood for APS-C users is supplied as standard.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Sigma releases 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

PMA 2010: Sigma has announced the 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM, a large-aperture short telephoto lens which is bound to pique the interest of budding portraitists. Featuring a hypersonic focus motor with full-time manual focus override, the lens uses a 9-blade diaphragm for attractive background blur, and has a minimum focus distance of 85cm. It comes with a lens hood adapter for ASP-C/DX users that extends the length of the hood to give more effective shading, and will be available in mounts for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony SLRs.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Sigma releases 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM

PMA 2010: Second on Sigma's long list of goodies is an image-stabilized fast standard zoom for APS-C DSLRs. The 17-50mm EX DC OS HSM offers a slightly wider angle of view than the company's previous models in this class, and alongside optical stabilization also adds a hypersonic autofocus motor for users of all mounts (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony). It uses two elements made from Sigma's new 'FLD glass', plus two glass mold and one hybrid aspherical elements, to reduce aberrations. The minimum focus distance is 28cm across the entire zoom range, giving a maximum magnification of 0.2x, and the 77mm filter thread does not rotate on focusing.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Sigma introduces DP2s large sensor compact

PMA 2010: Sigma has released the DP2s compact camera with a 14MP FOVEON  X3 CMOS sensor. With almost identical specifications to its predecessor, the DP2, it offers a new AF algorithm for faster autofocus, a Power Save mode and a slightly revised rear design with more visible labeling of the buttons. The camera will ship with the company's latest Photo Pro 4.0 raw processing software.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Sigma announces DP1x compact camera

PMA 2010: Sigma has announced the DP1x digital compact camera, a revised version of its DP1 large-sensor compact camera. Featuring the same sensor and wide angle lens as the DP1, it inherits the faster True II processor from the DP2 and a new AF algorithm for faster auto focus. It also shares the revised rear design of the DP2s, with a dedicated 'QS' (Quick Set) button and more visible labeling of controls.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Sigma goes ultrawide with 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC

PMA 2010: Continuing our way through Sigma's bag of goodies, we come to the widest-angle rectilinear lens yet made for APS-C DSLRs, in the shape of the 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM. Essentially an equivalent of the company's 12-24mm lens for full-frame, this features a disorientatingly-wide angle of view of 121 degrees for exaggerated perspectives. It has a built-in petal shaped hood, HSM focusing with full-time manual override, and a minimum focus of 24cm. Again, it will be available to fit Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony SLRs.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Sigma stabilizes 50-500mm ultra-telezoom

PMA 2010: Last but not least we come to Sigma's upgrade for its popular 50-500mm ultra-telephoto zoom which now incorporates Optical Stabilisation - a hugely welcome addition to such a long lens. Again Sigma claims the OS offers up to four stops benefit, and works with Sony and Pentax SLRs as well as Canon, Sigma and Nikon models, with the stabilized viewfinder image aiding in focusing and composition. The all-new optical design uses 22 elements in 16 groups, including four SLD glass elements, but the filter size has grown to a whopping 95mm.

Source: News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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