Weekend Recap (Page 2)
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 22nd, 2013In the news...
On Monday, Canon announced a service notice for its 1D X and 1D C DSLR cameras. Canon warns that insufficient lubrication within the cameras’ drive mechanism may lead to its inability to autofocus correctly. Check out the service notice to see if your camera is affected and steps for resolving the issue.
Also on Monday, Adobe announced a major update to Creative Cloud. Among other things, the update added new features to Photoshop CC like Camera Shake Reduction and an all-new Smart Sharpen tool. Adobe Creative Cloud is available now through Adobe and authorized retailers.
On Wednesday, Spider Holster announced the newest addition to its product lineup – the Large Lens Pouch. The pouch features a built-in solution for tethering a rear lens cap, a removable pouch lid, and the ability to add additional accessories through the Spider Holster clip system.
On Thursday, Nikon released an apology regarding “Image Space” account issues. Apparently, a technical glitch led to 43 user accounts being accessible by two people – the original user and one additional person. To remedy the situation, Nikon says they have fixed the technical glitch and emailed affected users with a personal apology and directions on how to proceed with their accounts.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Tuesday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for $369.00. That’s a $280.00 savings off the normal retail price.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 15th, 2013In the news...
On Monday, Adobe announced the availability of Photoshop Lightroom 5. New features include an advanced healing brush, upright tool, radial gradients, and extended sharing and publishing capabilities.
On Thursday, Nikon announced the production of its 80 millionth NIKKOR lens. Nikon has been producing NIKKOR lenses since 1959.
Also on Thursday, Adobe addressed various issues regarding its release of Lightroom 5. One thing to note – if you’ve purchased Lightroom 4 recently, you may qualify for a free upgrade to Lightroom 5. Check the press release for more information.
On Friday, Tokina announced its AT-X 12-28mm f/4 Pro Lens for crop-sensor cameras. The lens features a new optical design featuring aspherical elements with super-low dispersion glass as well as a quieter autofocus motor. The new lens is expected to hit retailers later this month.
Also on Friday, Sigma announced pricing and availability for its 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Lens. The big news? The lens will carry an MSRP of only $799.00. That’s an impressive price point for this uniquely wide zoom lens. It’s expected to hit retailers at the end of July.
In site news and reviews...
On Monday, Bryan posted the image quality results for the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens and asked, ‘Is This the World's Sharpest DSLR Zoom Lens?’ Take a look for yourself to see how the 200-400 stacks up against the venerable 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and the 24-70mm f/2.8L II.
On Tuesday, we introduced a new feature on the site – the Camera Specifications Tool. The new tool allows you to see cameras side-by-side to compare feature sets within an organized, standard layout. Check out the Camera Specifications Tool for more information.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Saturday, we posted a deal from B&H Photo where you could get a refurbished Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 18-200mm DX VR II lens for $529.00 with free shipping. The “new-model” retail lens sells $846.95.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 8th, 2013In the news...
On Monday, Eye-Fi announced its new Mobi card. The Mobi card allows images taken with a digital camera to be instantly available on a smartphone or tablet using Eye-Fi’s free mobile app.
On Tuesday, we announced the availability of Sigma’s USB Dock for EF mount lenses. We have one in-house and have already used it to update the firmware on a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 using Sigma’s Optimization Pro software. So far, everything has worked just as expected.
On Thursday, Canon announced the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens. The new wide-angle lens becomes only the third EF-M lens to be added to Canon’s mirrorless lineup, the others, of course, being the 18-55 and 22mm STM lenses.
Along with the announcement of the 11-22mm lens, Canon also announced an upcoming firmware update for the EOS-M Mirrorless camera. The new firmware update, expected at the end of this month, is purported to more than double autofocus performance.
In site news and reviews...
On Monday, Bryan posted his full review of the Samyang 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC Tilt-Shift Lens. Overall, Bryan was dissatisfied with the lens’s image quality performance compared to its Canon counterpart which is sharper wide open than the Samyang is at any aperture. Read Bryan’s full review for more information.
On Friday, Bryan published the Spring 2013 Canon Big White L Lens Family Picture. Just a word of caution – staring at this image too long may result in an increased investment in “L” glass. Beautiful, aren’t they?
In other news, we received two Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lenses this week. So far, the results have been very impressive. Stay tuned for more information coming soon.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Saturday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get a Nikon D90 DSLR Camera Kit for only $599.00 with free shipping and 2% rewards. That’s a $350.00 off the normal going rate. [Note: Deal has expired.]
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 1st, 2013In the news...
It was an unprecedented week for Canon firmware updates. First off, Canon released firmware updates for the 1D Mark IV, 1Ds Mark III, and 1D Mark III – all firmware updates enabled the center AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with the EF 200-400mm F4L USM lens when used with the internal Extender and an external 1.4x Extender.
Second, Canon released a 1D X firmware update that incorporated several bug fixes including slow autofocus when using a speedlite’s AF assist beam.
Third, Canon announced a firmware update for the 1D C. Along with a few bug fixes, the new firmware provides support for 25p (PAL format) video recording in 4K resolution. Owners will have to send their cameras into Canon Service in order to update their 1D C’s firmware.
And fourth, Canon released an updated firmware for the WFT-E7A Wireless File Transmitter that corrected a couple of issues from previous versions.
On Wednesday, Canon celebrated a manufacturing milestone – the production of its 90-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras. And, just in case you’re curious, the 90-millionth lens produced by Canon was a 24-70mm f/2.8L II.
On Friday, B&H and Adorama started shipping the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with built-in Extender. We have one headed our way and look forward to putting it through its paces.
On Saturday, we posted Adobe’s response to questions regarding Creative Cloud. Adobe notes that many photographers desire a more-tailored program specific to their needs. Adobe is currently exploring photography-specific options. They are also formulating solutions that will allow Creative Cloud customers to access their existing files even after their subscription lapses. Expect more announcements from Adobe soon.
In site news and reviews...
On Thursday, Bryan posted the image quality results for the Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD Lens and added the lens’s information to the Lens Specifications Tool on the site.
On Friday, Bryan tentatively announced a new feature to the site – star ratings for gear reviews. Keep in mind, we realize it’s very difficult to represent all aspects of a lens – image quality, build quality, AF speed, etc. – with a single rating. However, it is a work in progress so please bear with us.
On Saturday, Bryan added product images for several lenses to the site’s Lens Product Image Comparison Tool. Check out the tool found in the site’s menu bar for all the site’s lens comparison images.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Saturday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens for $369.00 – more than a 32% savings off the normal retail price of $549.00.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending May 25th, 2013In the news...
On Tuesday, Nikon published firmware updates for the D700, D300 and D300s DSLR cameras. The firmware updates added support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens.
Also on Tuesday, we commented on the extensive changes to Flickr and asked – is it better than it was before? In a nutshell, Flickr overhauled their photostream layout, restructured their accounts, and released an updated Android app.
While some of the changes are certainly good – like 1 terabyte of free storage for free user accounts, we noted some issues with the new photostream layout that we’d like to see addressed to achieve an improved user experience.
On Thursday, Canon launched PIXMA Comix, an interactive application found its Canon U.S.A. Facebook page that allows users to create personalized photo comic strips for printing and sharing. While the idea is novel, I found the layout program to be a bit awkward to use when I tested out it out earlier this week. Hopefully your experience will be better than mine…
In site news and reviews...
On Monday, Bryan published the ISO image quality samples and vignetting test results for the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS STM lens. Distortion results were added later that day. Check the lens’s review page for full details and links.
On Thursday, Bryan posted an update to the site’s Canon Lens Date Code Chart. Unfortunately, 2013 has been a challenging year for predicting Canon’s lens manufacturing dates. The Date Code Chart is still a work in progress. Site visitors are encouraged to let us know if they suspect any discrepancies in the date code chart when examining serial numbers or date codes on newly acquired lenses by emailing us at info@the-digital-picture.com.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Friday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera for $1,679.00 – more than a $300.00 savings off the market’s going-rate.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending May 18th, 2013In the news...
On Tuesday, Nikon announced their fastest mirrorless lens yet – the 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2. The new lens features a silent wave motor (SWM) and a manual focus ring, a first for 1-series mirrorless lens. The lens is scheduled to be available in June.
Also on Tuesday, Canon announced the development of a new picture style called “Video Camera X-series Look.” The new picture style is aimed at video shooters and captures video with lower contrast for easier color grading in post.
And to wrap up Tuesday’s news, Canon officially announced the long-awaited Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with built-in 1.4x Extender. When the lens hits the shelves later this month, it will carry an MSRP of $11,799.00. We have one on pre-order and are anxious to see how it performs.
On Thursday, Think Tank Photo announced the Logistics Manager 30 rolling camera bag. The Logistics Manager 30 features over 3,500 cubic inches of storage, robust carry handles, and lockable security zippers. And, if you’re interested in one of Think Tank Photo’s high-quality camera bags (including the Logistics Manager 30), use the links on our site to receive a free gift with your purchase of $50.00 or more.
In site news and reviews...
On Monday, Bryan posted his review of the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens. The publication of this review was significantly delayed because of the difficulties involved in obtaining an optimal copy of the lens. However, once a good copy was obtained, the lens produced results with impressive image quality. As the Tamron 24-70mm VC is unique in this focal range with built-in stabilization, it will certainly prove useful to those who are successful in obtaining the best of what Tamron has to offer.
Also this week, we’ve added drop-down menus to the site’s menu bar to allow for faster access to the site’s most popular content. We hope you enjoy the small change.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Saturday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM Lens for $379.00. That’s more than a 40% savings off the normal retail price.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending May 11th, 2013In the news...
On Wednesday, Canon made their EOS Solutions Disk available for download. The Solutions Disk download contains Canon’s Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, and Picture Style Editor. The software, which comes packaged with Canon digital SLR cameras, should prove useful for those who need to reinstall their software but have managed to misplace their original OEM disk.
On Thursday, we posted a link to a LensRentals Blog post where Roger warns photographers to leave their camera gear at home when attending Color Run races. The powered dye thrown at such races can severely damage even weather-sealed DSLR lenses.
On Friday, Think Tank Photo released their Mirrorless Mover camera bags. The new collection was designed specifically for mirrorless cameras and includes the Mirrorless Mover 5, 10, 20, and 30i. Use the links from our site and receive a free gift with your purchase of $50.00 or more.
Throughout the week, though, Adobe made the biggest headlines with its various Creative Cloud announcements. In particular, Adobe announced new Photoshop CC goodies such as Camera Shake Reduction, Smart sharpen with reduced noise and halos, intelligent upsampling, and Camera Raw 8.
However, Adobe’s focus on Creative Cloud, and its shift away from perpetual licensing, has left many photographers concerned about the future of their software editing. It should be interesting to see if, and how, Adobe addresses those concerns.
In site news and reviews...
On Monday, Bryan posted the image quality test results for the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM lens. Bryan noted that while the build quality has significantly improved compared to its predecessor, image quality remains relatively unchanged.
On Wednesday, Bryan posted the image quality results for the highly-anticipated Samyang 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC Tilt-Shift lens. In short, the significantly cheaper lens doesn’t compete with the sharpness delivered by the venerable Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt Shift lens. However, at half the price, it performs well enough at narrow apertures to garner consideration.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Tuesday, we posted a deal from B&H where you could get a Canon PIXMA PRO-100 with free photo paper for $89.00 after a $300.00 mail-in rebate. The rebate offer ends soon, so if you need a high-quality printer, don’t wait to take advantage of this exceptional deal.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending May 4th, 2013In the news...
On Tuesday, Canon released a long anticipated firmware update for the Canon 5D Mark III. Along with various bug fixes, firmware version 1.2.1 enables uncompressed HDMI output and center-point autofocus with lens + extender combinations with an f/8 maximum aperture.
On Friday, Adorama began shipping the 24mm Tilt-Shift lens from Samyang. We have one headed our way and will be running it through our standardized testing in the not-so-distant future – so, stay tuned.
Also on Friday, we posted a news article about photographer William Bennett’s step-by-step guide for creating an inexpensive wireless tethering solution for the Canon 1D X. If you already own an external power source like William, you can enable wireless tethering for substantially less than $100.00. Also check out our tip for possibly avoiding the costly external power source.
In site news and reviews...
Bryan posted a pair of 70-200mm f/2.8 lens reviews this week.
On Monday, Bryan posted his review of the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di VC USD Lens. Bryan praised the Tamron for having overall great image quality at a moderate price.
On Wednesday, Bryan posted his review of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens. Bryan was less enthusiastic about the Sigma’s image quality – especially at f/2.8 – where it trails the Canon and Tamron lenses in sharpness and contrast.
Check Bryan’s reviews for full details on these lenses.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Monday, we posted a deal on from Adorama where you could get a Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for $439.00 with free shipping and 6% rewards. That’s a $140.00 savings compared to the normal going rate.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending April 27th, 2013.In the news...
On Monday, Canon announced that its EOS line of interchangeable-lens digital cameras had consistently ranked number one in volume sales for the last 10 years running. Canon first gained the leading position after its introduction of the Digital Rebel a decade ago.
Also on Monday, we posted a YouTube video featuring Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield’s tips for photographing from the International Space Station. Chris’s advice? Be patient, look for lines and textures, and use the small “sun glint” angle of reflection window for striking water scenes.
On Wednesday, Sigma announced pricing and availability for its 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM lens and USB Dock. The lens will retail for $3,599.00 while the USB dock will retail for $59.00. Note: I forgot to mention - the lens is expected to be available May 15 while the dock is expected to be available May 18.
And speaking of the USB Dock, Sigma posted a demo video of its Optimization Pro software. Using the new USB Dock, the software allows you to update a compatible lens’s firmware and perform independent microfocus adjustments based on focal range and focus distance.
On Thursday, Canon announced the “Project Imaginat10n” film contest. Canon invites filmmakers of all skill-levels to create films inspired by ten crowdsourced photos and based on ten storytelling themes: Character, Mood, Goal, Backstory, Setting, Obstacle, Relationship, The Unknown, Time and Discovery.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Friday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get a Zoom H2N Handy Digital Audio Recorder for $50.00 off – or $129.99 with free shipping. This audio recorder should come in handy when you’re making your “Project Imaginat10n” film.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending April 20th, 2013.In the news...
On Monday, Adobe announced the availability of Photoshop Lightroom 5 Beta. New features include an advanced healing brush, the ability to straighten images with a single click, radial gradient tool, video slideshow editing, and improved photo book creation.
On Tuesday, Nikon published several firmware updates all addressing the same battery charging issue. In all, fifteen COOLPIX cameras were affected and require the firmware update to correct the issue.
On Thursday, Sigma dropped a bombshell when it announced its 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM lens – the newest addition to its “Art” lineup. Designed for APS-C sensor digital cameras, the lens features 17 elements in 12 groups, 9 rounded aperture blades, and a constant f/1.8 maximum aperture throughout its zoom range – a unique feature that grabbed a lot of attention this week. Unfortunately, a release date and price has yet to be determined.
In site news and reviews...
Also on Thursday, Bryan introduced a new, more useful homepage for the site. The new homepage was designed to make it easier to access the site’s reviews, tools, tips, and recommendations. Check out the new homepage at The-Digital-Picture.com and let us know what you think on Facebook, Google +, or Twitter!
And, for our deal of the week…
On Monday, we posted an eBay deal where you could get the Canon EOS M Mirrorless camera with the 18-55mm IS STM lens for $399.99 with free shipping. That’s nearly a 30% savings off the normal retail price. Note: Price on auction has changed since publication of post.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending April 13th, 2013In the news...
On Monday, Canon released a firmware update for the Canon 6D. The new firmware addresses a bug that would cause the 6D to spontaneously request confirmation of the date and time settings even after the settings were already configured.
Also on Monday, Red Rock Micro announced its newest product – the One Mane Crew. The One Man Crew is a slide system that runs automatically keeping the subject in focus thanks to its parabolic track. The device promises to deliver cinematic results with minimal resources.
On Wednesday, PocketWizard announced its beta firmware release plan update. PocketWizard plans to update the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 for compatibility with the Nikon D600, D5200, D3200, the Canon 6D and T4i, and provide HyperSync Improvements for both systems.
On Friday, we posted a news announcement about newly purchased Canon lenses arriving with the Mark II center-pinch lens caps. Long-time Canon customers will surely be happy with this change.
In site news and reviews...
Bryan continued to highlight his updated lens recommendation pages this week. Bryan highlighted his lens recommendations for weddings, outdoor sports, indoor sports, macro subjects, wildlife, and landscapes. And on Saturday, Bryan also highlighted what he considers to be “bargain buys” in the lens world.
On Monday, Bryan posted an update regarding his Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC lens standardized testing. In the end, the lens provided very impressive image quality results – but the difficulty in obtaining a trouble-free copy of the lens indicates Tamron may have some quality control issues to address.
On Thursday, Bryan responded to questions as to whether or not the Canon 85 f/1.2 L’s autofocus was acceptable for sports use. In short, when paired with a very capable body like the 1D X, the lens provides decent results even in moderately challenging conditions.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Friday, we posted promotional deals from Adorama where you could get several popular items at significant savings. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM was an especially good deal – only $1,949.00 with free shipping, 2% Rewards, and a free Red Giant Production software bundle.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending April 6th, 2013In the news...
On Monday, we had great fun publishing the announcement of Canon’s newest DSLR designed specifically for left-handed photographers, the EOS 7D L. The 7D L featured a reversed ergonomic design and Canon’s red “L” branding signifying its status as an elite item. Unfortunately for left-handed photographers everywhere, the EOS 7D L announcement was, of course, an April Fool’s gag. We hope you enjoyed our little humor…
On Tuesday, Nikon released firmware updates for nine of its DSLR cameras. Among various bug fixes and improvements, the new firmware updates added support for Nikon’s new AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens.
Also on Tuesday, Tamron announced the creation of an Indian subsidiary, Tamron India Private Limited. The subsidiary was established in order to prepare for anticipated continuing growth in the DSLR lens market in the region.
On Wednesday, Canon announced the development of its new 35mm Cinema Prime lens. The new lens will join Canon’s growing lineup of cinema prime lenses that already includes the 14, 24, 50, 85, and 135mm prime lenses.
And on Thursday, Canon announced the opening of a new service center in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey to provide comprehensive product repair and maintenance services to its ever expanding professional imaging market. The facility is available exclusively for Platinum and Gold level members of Canon's Professional Services (CPS) program.
In site news and reviews...
Starting on Wednesday and continuing into the next week, Bryan is highlighting updates to his Canon lens recommendation pages. So far, he’s featured recommendation pages on general purpose lenses, telephoto lenses, and wide angle lenses. To see all of Bryan’s updated recommendation pages, click on the link labeled “Learn about Canon Lenses” found on the site’s homepage.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Tuesday, we reported that you could get a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens for $325.00 with free shipping. That’s more than an 18% savings off the normal retail price of $399.00.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 30th, 2013.In the news...
On Monday, Profoto announced the release of a new product – the AcuteB Two-Head Split Cable. As the product’s name implies, the cable allows you to connect two flash heads to a single battery pack. The product manager at Profoto noted, “This is admittedly an uncomplicated product, but sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.”
On Tuesday, we reported on a 16 Gigapixel panoramic image of Machu Picchu, an Incan-built site nestled in the mountains of Peru. Using a Canon 7D, EF 100-400mm lens, and a Gigapan camera mount, photographer Jeff Cremer captured 1,920 images to create the world’s highest resolution image of the historic landmark. If you’re a fan of the “Where’s Waldo” games, then see if you can find the photographer within the 16 gigapixel image.
On Wednesday, Sigma announced a delay in the release of its 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM lens as well as its USB Dock. Apparently, a delay in procuring manufacturing parts led to release dates being pushed back.
On Thursday, we linked to a Gizmodo article explaining Panasonic’s new filter technology that could revolutionize low-light photography. Instead of using red, green, and blue filters over every pixel, the new technology uses vertically aligned color splitters. Color splitters have proven to be significantly more efficient in allowing light to hit the sensor – and more light hitting the sensor ultimately leads to better image quality in low-light conditions.
In site news and reviews...
On Monday, Bryan added a new gallery to the site containing images from his recent Hawaii trip. The gallery contains 30 images with subjects ranging from bamboo to green sand beaches, and just about everything else in-between. Be sure to check out the captions on each image where Bryan left helpful tips for those planning a photographic paradise getaway.
On Tuesday, Bryan posed a question for site visitors – “Should we complete a full T5i review?” To voice your opinion, check out the site’s Facebook page and leave a comment.
On Wednesday, Bryan recounted the story of his lost Canon T4i – and how it had a happy ending. The bottom line is – be sure to include contact information in your camera bag. If you’re lucky, an honest stranger will contact you if they find your misplaced gear.
On Thursday, Bryan announced that most lenses have now been tested with the Canon 60D and are available on the site’s ISO Resolution Chart Comparison Tool. Bryan also noted that there are now 25,344 crops from 8,448 test images available for review on the site.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Wednesday, we reported that you could get a Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Lens for $319.00 with free shipping. That’s more than a 20% savings off the normal retail price.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 23rd, 2013.In the news...
On Thursday, Canon announced the EOS Rebel SL1 and T5i DSLR cameras, the EF-S 18-55mm IS STM lens and the PowerShot SX280 HS and SX270 HS digital cameras.
Arguably, Canon’s biggest announcement was the Rebel SL1, the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR camera. The new camera weighs less than a pound yet features an 18 megapixel sensor, 3” LCD touchscreen, 9 point center-cross point AF system, a 4 frames per second burst rate, and continuous autofocus in movie recording.
The T5i seems to be an incremental update over its predecessor with new features such as an updated exterior finish, 360 degree mode dial, digital zooming during movie recording, and lighter weight. The biggest update, however, comes in the form of a new kit lens, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. The introduction of Canon’s third STM lens should prove popular for those using their DSLR cameras for video recording.
And lastly, Canon’s announcement of the PowerShot SX280 HS and SX270 HS digital cameras brought a small surprise – the introduction of [Canon’s] new DIGIC 6 image processor. According to Canon, the new DIGIC 6 processor allows for even greater image quality in low light conditions and the encoding of MP4 movie files during video recording.
Along with the DIGIC 6 image processor, the new PowerShot cameras feature a 25mm lens with 20x zoom, full HD video recording, manual, AV and TV modes, an intelligent IS system, and in the SX280’s case, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS.
In other news, Adobe announced on Wednesday that their Creative Cloud subscriber base had hit half a million subscribers in less than a year. Free and trial memberships exceed 2 million over the same period.
On Thursday, Nikon announced the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Laos to reinforce its digital SLR camera manufacturing organization and reduce costs. The new facility is scheduled to commence production in October 2013 and employ 800 people.
In reviews...
On Saturday, Bryan added a camera size comparison tool to the website. Now visitors can compare the size difference for cameras from the top, back or side views.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Friday, we posted a deal where you could get a Refurbished Canon EOS 60D DSLR camera from Adorama for only $599.00. That’s a $150.00 savings off the price of a new item.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
Because of weekend travel arrangements, the Weekend Update's publication had to be postponed until Monday.
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 16th, 2013.In the news...
On Monday, Spider Camera Holster announced the Spider Monkey accessory holster. The Spider Monkey allows photographers to affix commonly needed accessories - like flashes, light meters, or external battery packs - to any belt for fast and easy access.
On Tuesday, we reported on Canon’s 1 Million Minutes Watched video posted to YouTube. Canon created the video to celebrate 1 Million Minutes watched on its YouTube channel.
On Thursday, Nikon posted firmware updates for its UT-1 Communication Unit and WR-RT10 Remote Controller Transceiver. Both firmware updates provide support for the D7100 and, in the case of the WR-RT10, provide a few additional features when paired with the WR-1.
In reviews...
On Monday, Bryan posted a review of a backpack with a not-so-obvious pronunciation – the Bataflae 32L from Gura Gear. Bryan reviewed the bag after putting it through its paces during a photographic journey through 'The Aloha State.'
Bryan gave the Bataflae 32L high regards because of its convenient size, high quality materials, durable construction, side tripod storage, and comfortable fit.
On Tuesday, Bryan posted some notes regarding his experiences using the 5D Mark III camera while in Hawaii. Bryan applauded the 5D III’s lack of sensor dust, built-in horizon level, weather sealing, and high-ISO performance – all of which proved very beneficial while on his trip.
And on Wednesday, Bryan added Helicopter Aerial Photography Tips to the website. If you’re planning on photographing Hawaii from the air, be sure to check out Bryan’s helpful hints and find out which aerial charter he personally recommends.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Saturday, we posted a deal where you could get a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens for $764.99. That’s more than a $280.00 savings over the standard retail price.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 9nd, 2013.In the news...On Sunday, both Canon and Nikon extended previously running rebate programs while Canon created additional programs for the EOS 5D Mark III, 6D, 7D, 60D, and EOS M cameras. Rebate programs from both companies are scheduled to end March 30th.
On Monday, Nikon announced three new COOLPIX cameras – the S3500, P330, and most notably, the COOLPIX A. The S3500 features a 20 megapixel sensor with image stabilization and 720p video recording, while the P330 features a 12 megapixel sensor with image stabilization, full 1080p HD video recording, Wi-fi compatibility with the WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter, and built-in GPS.
The standout, however, was the announcement of Nikon’s first COOLPIX with a DX-sized sensor, the COOLPIX A. Sporting the same sensor found in their consumer grade DSLRs with an 18.5mm f/2.8 prime lens, the COOLPIX A promises DSLR-like performance from its 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, full manual controls, and RAW output.
Also on Monday, Nikon announced the AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens. Although the lens is designed for full-frame bodies, DX-format bodies will enjoy an equivalent focal range of 120-600mm. The new NIKKOR 80-400mm lens should be available in April with a suggested price slightly under $2,700.00.
On Wednesday, we posted an announcement regarding the availability of white lens hoods at B&H. The novel white lens hoods, made by Vello, are available to fit various Canon EF 70-200mm L zoom lenses.
On Friday, Sigma announced pricing for its updated 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Lens. The lens will have a suggested retail price of $499.00.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Sunday, we posted a deal from the Canon Store where you could get a Refurbished 5D Mark III DSLR Camera for 15% off, or $2,379.33 plus tax. Compare that to a new model going for $2,949.00.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 2nd, 2013In the news...
On Sunday, the Canon Store once again ran a 20-30% off sale on select refurbished DSLR cameras and lenses. Unfortunately, the selection of in stock gear was more sparse than usual and the inventory did not get replenished before the sale ended on Wednesday.
On Monday, we reported that Canon’s new center-pinch lens caps were starting to appear in stock in various sizes. Long-time Canon shooters will appreciate the new design which makes removing the lens cap with the hood in place significantly easier.
On Wednesday, Zeiss announced plans to expand its production site in Cambridge, England. Zeiss noted that increased international demand for its products led to the need for expansion.
Also on Wednesday, Adobe announced its Photoshop Touch App would now be available on smartphones. Photoshop Touch is an advanced photo editing app that features layers, selection tools, filters, color and tonal adjustments. Until this announcement, Photoshop Touch was only available on tablet devices.
On Friday, Think Tank Photo announced two new accessories – the Low Rider Strap and the Pro DSLR Battery Holder, as well as a new, Limited Edition Pixel Pocket Rocket CF card holder. The Low Rider Strap allows you to secure your camera bag to a rolling suitcase for convenient travel, while the Pro DSLR Battery Holder is a soft, compact case for carrying two pro-size camera batteries.
Also on Friday, PocketWizard announced the PlusX Transceiver. Retailing for only $99.00, the PlusX is PocketWizard’s budget-level radio triggering device. The PlusX is not as full-featured as the Plus III, yet takes many design cues from its more expensive big brother – like rugged build quality and an internal antenna. The PlusX features 10 channels, a back-lit channel dial, auto-relay mode, and superior range.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Wednesday, we published a deal from Adorama where you could get a Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home Shoulder Bag for half off – only $49.95 with free shipping. The bag even came with a free Crumpler camera strap.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending February 23rd, 2013In the news...
On Sunday, both Canon and Nikon announced big savings with DSLR camera and lens rebates. Nikon rebates like these haven’t been seen in several years and are scheduled to run two weeks, ending on March 2nd. Canon rebates are scheduled to last a little longer - until March 30th.
On Tuesday, Canon announced a new address for its Americas headquarters, One Canon Park, Melville, NY. The 700,000 square foot facility will serve all North and South American countries and will be one of three Canon worldwide headquarters – the other two located in London and Japan.
Also on Tuesday, Canon released an official product advisory regarding slow autofocus performance when using a Speedlite’s AF assist beam with Canon EOS-1D X and 5D Mark III digital cameras. Firmware fixes are being developed for both cameras with the 5D III firmware scheduled to arrive in late April and the 1D X firmware scheduled to arrive in late May.
On Wednesday, Nikon announced the D7100 DSLR camera. The D7100 features a 24.1 megapixel DX sensor, a new 51-Point AF system, 3.2” LCD screen, and a burst rate of 6 frames per second. One of the most notable features of the D7100 is an omission – it is designed without an optical low-pass filter.
Also on Wednesday, Nikon issued an official advisory regarding sensor dust in the D600 DSLR camera. Nikon advises manually cleaning the sensor with a sensor bulb and, if that doesn’t work, consulting your nearest Nikon service center for a cleaning.
On Friday, we published a news article on the creation of the world’s largest panoramic photo – a 320-gigapixel image of London, England, captured with Canon equipment. The panoramic image was created using more than 48,000 individual images and would be 98 meters long if printed.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Tuesday, we published a deal from BuyDig.com where you could get a free copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 11 bundled with several popular Canon DSLR lenses. As the software normally sells just north of $100.00, this was an especially good deal when packaged with moderately priced lenses.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending February 16th, 2013In the news...
On Monday, we published a reference to a blog post by The Landingfield where you could see microscopic images of a CMOS sensor. Even though the CMOS sensor belonged to a decade old Nikon D2H, the macro images and commentary regarding various design elements made it worthwhile reading for camera enthusiasts.
On Tuesday, we reported that Jessops’ website will be re-launching soon. Jessops fell into administration after falling £80 million behind in creditor payments. Of that total, Canon was owed £16.4 million while Nikon was owed £3.3 million.
On Wednesday, we reported Nikon’s establishment of a sales and service subsidiary in Indonesia. According to Nikon, P.T. Nikon Indonesia was created to help fortify sales of imaging products and facilitate a more efficient service and support system for the region.
In reviews…
On Thursday, Bryan published his full review of the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens. The lens proved to be a good performer, but not overwhelming so compared to other recent “L” lens releases. The lens’s most notable feature is its impressive macro mode which changes the lens’s maximum magnification value from .21x to .7x – a magnification value unprecedented for a zoom lens in Canon’s lineup.
Even considering its value as a general purpose and macro lens replacement, at its current price point, it may find difficulty getting traction in the marketplace until the very reasonably priced 24-105mm f/4L IS is discontinued.
And, for our deal of the week…
On Wednesday, we published a deal from BuyDig.com where you could get a Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 manual focus fish-eye lens for crop sensor cameras for $225.00 after a promotion code was applied. The deal was made even sweeter when the price was reduced resulting in a final price of $190.95. That was a savings of $74.00 off an already reduced price elsewhere. Note: Deal has expired.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending February 9th, 2013In the news...
Sigma started this week with a brand new, redesigned website. The site now features an all-new product finder, redesigned photo galleries, a comparison tool, and an expanded Sigma lounge.
On Monday, Sports Illustrated published a Gigapan image captured during the first quarter of Super Bowl 47. The overall Gigapan image is made up of 220 individual images and is roughly 3,800 megapixels in total size.
On Wednesday, we reported that Canon confirmed a firmware fix is in the works for the 1D X and 5D Mark III DSLR cameras. The firmware fix will address slow autofocus performance when using the AF assist beam feature of a shoe-mounted Canon Speedlight.
In reviews…
On Thursday, Bryan published a set of standard-thickness, 82mm circular polarizer test results to the site’s vignetting comparison tool. Using the comparison tool, visitors can now see the how much “mechanical vignetting” to expect when using a circular polarizer with lenses such as the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
On Friday, lens distortion and vignetting test results were added for the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM lens, while vignetting test results were added for three other Sigma lenses.
And, for our deal of the week…
Also on Friday, we published a deal from BuyDig.com where you could get a Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM lens for $144.00 with free shipping – that’s a $55.00 savings off the normal retail price.
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!
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