Announced this morning at the opening of WPPI, was the new Echelon collection from LowePro. The Echelon collection is designed to blend form with function to create some of the best, and most stylistic bags available for photographers. Not only am I able to announce the new series, over the last few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to try these new bags out.
Back in 2013, Profoto announced the Profoto B1 Studio flash, which would go on to change the world of on location photography. With battery powered TTL, the Profoto B1 was an all in one unit, allowing up to 200+ flashes at full power. Well today, they announced it's sidekick, the B2.
Nikon announced its new flagship DX-format (APS-C) DSLR, the D7200. While these announcements are often lacking in the excitement that their big brothers command with new releases, this one has two new tricks up its sleeve. Aside from the largely expected 24-megapixel sensor, added built-in Wi-Fi, and more powerful EXPEED 4 image processor, the D7200 features TWO stops of extra low-light performance, letting in four times as much light with a native ISO of 25,600.
We have all seen the comparison from one iPhone to the next as the newest tech is announced and the previous model is shot off as outdated and useless. This time we look at the evolution of mobile shooting and the tech that brings us into a new era of photography. Looking all the way back to the first iPhone and the quality of image versus the newest flagship from Apple, the iPhone 6, it's remarkable how far we have come and it excites me to see where we can go from here.
Making generous use carbon fiber throughout the 4K cube that will be released as the Arri Alexa Mini, Arri's newest camera takes a direct stab at RED's Dragon, as both feature incredibly similar specifications — even their 2.3 kilogram weight. Of course, Arri isn't new to the game; they know enough to bring some game with the Mini.
After 13 years of being involved in academia as either a student or instructor, I stumbled upon possibly the best way to save big on photography gear: educational pricing discounts. For years I have been aware of discounts on software and other items from websites like JourneyEd and Academic Superstore, but it wasn't until very recently that I found some of the biggest brands in lighting — Profoto, Elinchrom, and Broncolor to name a few — offer great discounts for students and teachers.
I’ve been shooting stills and video alongside the rest of the crew with Clear & Cold Cinema, while working on the Michigan Ice Film. Before I departed sunny Colorado, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Mountainsmith Descent Pack, and I don’t know what I would have done without it.
I haven't had the Meike MK-DR750 Battery Grip and Wireless Remote for long, but I can already tell I'm definitely keeping it. Not only does it fit well enough and do everything as promised, but it also comes with a wireless 2.4GHz (not infrared) remote control that can trigger the Nikon D750 to which it's attached. Meanwhile, Nikon's grip costs upwards of $350, and their wired remote cable release timer clears the $150 mark. Naturally, there have to be a few caveats for a grip and remote package to come in at an astoundingly low $80, but I was hard pressed to find any at all.
Camera manufacturers are still cramming ever more pixels into their sensors. Canon has recently announced that it is releasing a 50MP full frame camera which has left many speculating about its technical limitations due to sheer physics. One solution of course is to move up to a larger medium format sensor but prices can be prohibitive for many. Olympus, in typical Olympus fashion, decides to tackle the want for more pixels in an innovative way.
As done in the past, Nikon is now offering its "lens only" instant rebate sale at the end of their fiscal year. Now is the perfect time to snag that new lens you've been drooling over. The sale is set to expire at the end of the month, so that means you've got until February 28 to pull the trigger.
Even wonder what goes on in the boardrooms of our favorite camera manufacturers? For many users over the last few years, there’s been regular questioning over decisions that the Big Two (Canon and Nikon) have made. Long term fans have been almost universal in their derision of both companies, citing lack of innovation, lack of meeting true user need, and 'interesting' pricing strategy as some of the reasons. True or not, this video showing “behind the scenes” of the DSLR video revolution and a parody of Canon exec thinking is absolutely hilarious.
Sigma's hot, new sports telephoto-zoom lens is now available for pre-order in both of its configurations, the Sport and Contemporary models. The Sport model features superior image quality along with increased weight and a heftier price tag. It comes in Nikon F, Canon EF, and Sigma SA mount options for $1,999. The Contemporary Nikon F, Canon EF, and Sigma SA options accompany a more compact size along with fewer lens elements, only one FLD coating (as opposed to two), and a couple other "sacrifices" for a very reasonable $1,089.
Sigma continues to make a splash with their line of Art lenses. The newest addition to the line, the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens was just announced on Monday, and today Sigma released the price for the lens, coming in at $849. The lens is already available for pre-order on B&H.
Nikon has officially announced the newest addition to their lineup of DSLR cameras, the D810A, designed specifically for astrophotography. The camera appears to be a modified version of the D810 camera announced last June, but with a few new features that are designed with astrophotography in mind. Soon to be the only camera of its kind on the market, the D810A will likely be the camera king of astrophotography.
