Gear

The 14-megapixel Nikon 1 J3 mirrorless camera and 24-megapixel Nikon D5200 consumer DSLR were all announced yesterday with new lenses for the 1 system, including a 1 NIKKOR 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 VR and a 1 NIKKOR 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6 VR. Both camera systems expand options in multiple ways for the consumer photo enthusiast or beginner...

Sigma has unveiled the latest iteration of their extremely powerful compact camera series in the DP3 Merrill, a 46 megapixel monster with a 50mm f/2.8 macro lens (a focal range equivalent to 75mm on a 35mm SLR camera) and Sigma's signature Foveon X3 sensor. It includes an advanced user interface and the capability of seven-frame continuous shooting. It is designed to be paired with its DP Merrill predecessors, the DP1 and DP2, as a complete compact camera tool set.

CES started today in Las Vegas, and with it comes the announcement of pricing and availability of the two lenses we announced last year. The 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM will be available this month and the 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM will be available in February. The 17-70mm will retail for $499 and the 120-300 will retail for $3,599.

Olympus blew the doors off the camera announcing train with six cameras released at CES this week: the STYLUS SH-50 IHS, two new STYLUS TOUGH IHS cameras, the TOUGH TG-2,the STYLUS SZ-16 iHS and the STYLUS SZ-15. There is kind of a lot to take in, so let's go one by one and so we can cover what these are all about.

The new Fujifilm X100S is available for pre-order from Amazon for $1299.95. The camera features a new X-Trans sensor and hybrid phase and contrast detection autofocusing, as well as many more features. See more information about the camera here.

Well, the teaser ad from Canon France that we showed you last week was confirmed today. The PowerShot N is the compact camera that Canon is pushing of their four released cameras today. Here is a promo video they put on Youtube.

There have been a few really great lenses released in the past couple months hogging the spotlight, so it wouldn’t surprise me if the newly released upgraded Tamron 90mm f/2.8 VC Macro passed under your radar. I’ve had a few weeks with it and have mixed feelings on Tamron’s latest prime.

In addition to the PowerShot N, Canon also announced three other PowerShot cameras today: the ELPH 130 IS, the A2600, and the A1400. These cameras supposedly give consumers a simple, yet enhanced image sharing experience with Canon's built-in wireless functionality, which has evolved with new options that help make posting on social networking sites easy. It's obvious Canon is trying to mimic the ease of mobile phone cameras while maintaining higher image quality.

Canon today announced the the PowerShot N, a tiny portable camera designed to capture "life's every day moments." The 12.1- megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor is packed in an insanely small body which includes a tilt screen for tough angles. The tiny camera will retail for $300 and is expected in April.

Update 2: This update goes here because circumstances have changed. If you missed the hype, Arstechnica.com has a great explanation of what happened. The download link still works for a select few, so feel free to try, but don't be surprised if it doesn't work any more. Read on for the original post and a short explanation...

Phottix has had their BG-D800 grip for the Nikon D800/D800E on the market for a while now. However, a new BG-D800M is now available, featuring a higher-quality magnesium build. While the BG-D800M is currently listed on their site for $200, the BG-D800 (the regular one) is listed for $150, but can be had for $90 on Amazon. The BG-D800M isn't yet available on Amazon, but this post will be updated as soon as it is.

For the past few years DigitalRev has done the "Cheap Camera Challenge" with a professional photographer and a crappy little toy camera. This year's challenge consisted of Strobist's David Hobby, a 2MP Buzz Lightyear toy camera and 3 of the best named speedlights of all time, the Family Jewels FUQ 690. Kai of DigitalRev gives Hobby 5 photo tasks in 5 different locations and Hobby handles it pretty dang well considering the slight limitations. Enjoy!

Fuji's latest mirrorless systems are some of the best in their category because of their new X-Trans sensor technology that allows for sharp, moire-free images without the blurring anti-aliasing filter. Now, we have specs on the newest updates to Fuji's line, the X100s and X20, both with new, X-Trans II sensors and speedy phase-detection autofocusing...

Samsung just announced the replacement of the excellent NX210 camera with the new NX300. While the 210 was quite good as it was, the NX300 offers several features that make the camera something quite different -- in a very good way...

Whether you were excited for this lens or not, the Canon 24-70mm f/4 IS L lens from Canon is available now. I was rather baffled when I heard the news of its release last November, and I'm still scratching my head at this one. It just seemed like a money grab to me. Nevertheless, if you want it, you can pick it up starting today.

Photojournalist John D McHugh was so fed up with copyright infringement on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that he has taken drastic measures and built an iPhone app called Marksta specifically to add watermarks to images uploaded to social networks. Apparently he was really tired of people stealing his images without credit, and came up with a solution that helps him and other photogs who feel the same.

Though we are still working on our review of the Canon 6D, Gizmodo just published their Lightning Review and besides the expected nods to the high quality of the stills, the unexpected moire issues they found in video have me frowning.

2013 is shaping up to be a pretty interesting year with regards to Canon bodies, even after 2012 brought us some pretty great ones. Most sources seem pretty sure that Canon will release the 7D Mark II sometime the first half of 2013, but this image that has shown up on Canon Rumors and Northlight Images is the first real visual representation of the updated bodies, one being the 7D II and another looks to replace the 60D.

When we all first heard about the light field sensor in the Lytro camera, there was a considerable amount of excitement. Many of us really saw something great in the ability to focus our images after the fact. But when the tech actually made it to market, it turned out that though neat, it wasn't really practical yet. Now with Toshiba rumored to be developing a light field sensor for mobile phones, is it safe to say this is really catching on?

I'm originally a marketing/advertising dude, so I'm always looking at ads. I actually watch commercials intentionally to see what brands are doing to promote their product. I just stumbled across this banner, and it's baffling to me how this got past the creative director's desk. I mean, really?

Pop Photo released a great guide for all things photography (including everything from high-end DSLRs to light wands and iPad apps) that were released this year. So if you don't know what to spend your new Christmas money on, check it out. Everything is on there for a reason -- and quite a few have been reviewed and are highly recommended by Fstoppers writers...

Teasing products isn't new, but it's kind of fun to see how companies mix up their strategy. Canon France just posted a picture to their Facebook account with the caption: "Nous allons bientôt partager des infos qui vont changer la façon dont vous regardez le monde..." which translates to: "Soon, we will share information that will change the way you look at the world..."

Samyang's T-S 24mm f/3.5 ED AS USM tilt-shift lens has been delayed until March 2013, but we're coming on that date soon enough. In the meantime, pricing via Samyang Russia came in around $1,100 after the conversion, significantly cheaper than its Nikon and Canon counterparts, each roughly $2,000. All that's unknown now are the performance characteristics of the lens, but we'll know soon enough...

Do you really, REALLY love Pantone? Did you forget to send your all important retoucher a gift this holiday? Do you have some Christmas money left over that you want to blow on your beloved Pantone? Check out the new Perfect Matching Scarf. This collection of 6 scarves will leave you set for life to match any outfit you could ever wear. Also, you will look like a moron. Enjoy!

The Canon faithful were likely a little disappointed they didn't see the drastic price cuts that the Nikon D600 saw just before the holiday, but we can take slight solace in the current sale price of the Canon 6D this week on B&H and Amazon. Though not quite as steep as those D600 deals, the 6D can be grabbed for just a hair under $2000. For the Nikon shooters, two new bundles from B&H keep the deals for the D600 rolling with two new bundled kits at $700 off retail. Finally, RedRock Micro is having a big end-of-the-year sale worth looking into, rounding out these deals of the day.

In the last several years camera development has taken huge strides in giving photographic capabilities of stills to video. Non film makers now have the capability of taking cinematic quality video without needing to upgrade from their dslr. In this video, Untitled Film Works unpacks the continual merging of stills and video.

I use my iPhone camera more than any other camera I own. It is on me all the time and is so convenient to quickly share photos from. Even on photo shoots I always find myself pulling out the iPhone for a couple BTS snaps or video. I have had the iPhone 4 since it came out and it has been showing it's age. I heard of a way to get an iPhone 5 for the cost of sales tax, and so I decided to give it a shot tonight.

PhotoRumors has a lineup from the Japanese magazine Impress' annual predictions of products to be released. The predictions include educated guesses and previously discussed products that will certainly come out, including news with Fuji's X-Trans sensor, Olympus' E-5 replacement, and a new Nikon with the D4 sensor!

Ok, you're probably pretty skeptical right now reading that title alone. I hear ya, so was I. Really Right Stuff is known for extremely high quality carbon fiber tripods, not cases, and definitely not something in mobile computing. After hearing my surprise, the guys at Really Right Stuff laughed and made me think of it this way: the iPhone is the most popular camera on the market. It would be weird if they didn't support it, as they are one of the best camera support companies out there. Hearing that, I was ready to give this thing a look.

Last week we reported the possibility that Google and Apple would snatch up the Kodak patents, but news out says that instead Kodak has made the sale to Intellectual Ventures and RPX Corporation, who are to pay approximately $525 million for them. Kodak is touting the sale as building "Kodak’s momentum toward a successful emergence in the first half of 2013."

A few days ago my buddy Bryan Bowden called me and said that he was in possession of the currently unreleased Black Magic Cinema Camera. This camera could be the next big thing in videography because it's incredibly cheap ($3000) for what you get (2.5K RAW footage). I personally only got a moment to see the camera but I asked Bryan to write up something for our readers about his very short experience with the camera and release some RAW clips straight from the camera.

I started a new project recently creating portraits on 11x14 film. I have had an 11x14 back for my Deardorff for several years, but I have never shot much in that format. I decided to try a couple sheets in hopes of kick starting a new project.

Redrock Micro today announced upgrades to their support rigs for DSLRs in the microShoulderPad, tool-less microBalance QR counterweights, and improved hand grips. The new improvements now come standard on all Redrock rigs, and are available as upgrades to existing customers.

A couple weeks ago I reviewed the outstanding Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens and could not speak highly enough about its merits. In the week that followed, every single camera review site that I have read seemed to come to the same conclusion. Recently, Dx0 Mark also rated the Sigma lens, and said it was "one of the sharpest lenses, mounted on Canon, ever measured by DxOMark website."

Creative lenses have become a popular way to do things “in camera.” Sure, there are hundreds of options for numerous editing programs that can do creative effects in post, but there is something to be said about getting everything in camera as it’s happening, including tilt shift effects. Unfortunately for most of us, tilt shift lenses are just not in the budget. That’s where Lensbaby’s modular lens system comes into play.

B&H just listed four popular L glass lenses on discount when you add them to your cart. If you wanted to pick up new optics for you camera and were saving up for some L glass, you might want to take a look. On sale today, the 24-70mm f/2.8 L II, the 70-200 f/2.8 L, the 16-35 f/2.8 L, and the 50mm f/1.2/ L.

A few days ago, I went to Drobo's offices for a Q&A as well as some time with the new devices that Drobo promises are faster than ever. What I found surprised me...

Ever have a filter get stuck on the front of your lens? I personally have not, but I can imagine how irritating it can be. Travel photographer (and friend of mine) Craig Pulsifer posted the method he was instructed to use by Canon Professional Services to his blog. His warning: this is not for the faint of heart.

This is a crazy concept that is truly amazing: Directed by Emmy-award winner Patrick Moreau of stillmotion, the docu-short PULSE profiles the making of the BioBeats app, a new technology that utilizes cameras to generate custom music based on a human heart rate. The subject of this short is awesome in itself, but it's also one of the first Short films to be done on the Canon C100. Let us know what you think!

UPDATE: D800e is now showing $200 discount! If you were waiting for a great deal on a Nikon camera, perhaps waiting was actually a good decision. Tonight a D600 kit with a 24-85mm VR lens, a Lowepro bag, a monopod, an extra battery, and a 32 gig memory card is on sale for $1,995 (reduced significantly from original MSRP $2,696) and the D800 is an additional $200 off.

Last week, Facebook took Instagram preview support away from Twitter, and Twitter obviously was pretty prepared for that. Today you can download an update for Twitter that gives you a list of Instagram-like options with which to tweet till your heart's content. Yay?

Red Giant, known for its video editing tools such as Plural Eyes, which a lot of Fstoppers writers use for syncing audio and video with ease, is having a sale! They have plenty of other neat bits of software, too. So head over and check them out. Code 2012BSF40 will get you the discount here on their site.

This Do-It-Yourself equipment video by Jay P Morgan of The Slanted Lens features Cinematographer Lars Lindstrom as he shows us how easy it is to build your own camera shoulder rig. To make this rig all you'll need is some standard PVC piping and a few other items from your home-improvement store. If you're in a bind and can quite afford one of the more expensive rigs, this is a great alternative for just under $10.

If your budget is over $500, you have a heck of a lot of awesome at your disposal. Camera equipment in general is pricey, but when you've got it to spend, you can really nab some nice stuff. We've compiled the absolute cream of the crop gift ideas that will set you back a lot of dough, but will not fail to impress come Christmas morning.

Canon has just filed for a patent for a 100% coverage optical viewfinder, which wouldn't be that exciting except that this one is tiny. Instead of the traditional physical adjustment, this patent focuses on an electronically switched transmission / non-transmission of the liquid crystal. This seems to give merit to the rumors last week regarding an updated EOS M with a viewfinder, as that would likely be the only camera small enough to take advantage of this patent.

That headline basically says it all, but in case you needed confirmation: yes, today Adobe is pushing retina support to all Illustrator and Photoshop users on the Creative Cloud and perpetual customers (those using discs). Unfortunately, if you're on a PC this update does not affect you, but I think we all could have predicted that since this kind of addresses a Mac specific problem.

Today (make sure you watch this CreateNow event that you could register for last week) Adobe is unveiling a host of changes to Photoshop and the Creative Cloud. There is a good amount of new stuff, but I'm going to highlight the things I think you guys will find most useful and stuff that I found to be the most interesting as far as a a lot of power and flexibility in a program. As much as I might say, if you have the time I really suggest taking part in their live stream, as they will go into more detail than I will.

Some deals are just so good that you will drop everything you are doing (or planning) just to take advantage of some savings. Let me tell you how Lee and I both just bought Nikon D800 cameras for $2,200. Yesterday our friend Pye Jirsa published an article on SLR Lounge about how their local Staples did not honor a national coupon for 30% off all cameras purchased in store. After reading the article, Lee wondered how this coupon would hold up in our local market. Here is what we discovered

You're in a pinch and some kid who's never seen a camera before just grabbed yours, front element first, leaving a nice handprint just before your shot of the usually stern village chief lifting his kid into the air. There's no time to grab that lens cleaner in your bag, so what do you do? You open your mouth in an 'O' and breathe hot air on the front, and then rub your lens off gently with your shirt, right? Wrong.

Fewer things get me as excited and enthusiastic about gear in my studio than something reliable. I just want it to work. Part of the reason I haven’t shot much on a Nikon is that it takes too much thinking for me. Having shot on Canon for 10 years, I just like using something that my hands just understand. The same goes for tripods, lights, and most definitely applies to lenses. For me, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens just works, and might be have the best combination of speed and sharpness in and auto focus-enabled lens I have ever had the pleasure of shooting.