The new HD Everio GZ-HD3 follows the launch earlier this year of the high definition HD Everio GZ-HD7, which combined the pristine image quality of high definition with the convenience and high capacity of recording to a built-in hard drive. With the new GZ-HD3, JVC brings these same benefits to a wider audience in a palm-sized camcorder that’s easy to carry and offers point-and-shoot simplicity.

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It seems Pentax Japan is getting ready to unleash the lenses. According to a press release, the SMC Pentax DA* 50-135mm F2.8 will go on sale in Japan on July 27, 2007. With a production output of only 1,000 per month. The SMC Pentax DA* 16-50mm F2.8 will follow two weeks later on August 11, 2007. Again, production is just 1,000 per month. Hopefully, there'll be some left for the rest of the planet. (via DigitalCamera.jp)


Links: Pentax Japan Press Release, The DA* Lenses

This isn't exactly specific to Pentax, but it is marketed on their website to Pentax SLR and DSLR owners, so I thought it might be worth keeping tabs on. For $29.95, the circus sounding "Professor Kobré's LightScoop™" is a satisfying-looking little doohicky that you can use to bounce your pop-up flash (ie. get more diffused shadows, control light direction, etc.).


I've played around with ideas like this in the past. At one point I made a pop-up bounce out of a toilet paper roll tube, and later on tried using a white microphone foam wind cover pulled over the popped-up flash on my *ist DS. Surprisingly, both worked at diffusing alright, but I think the LightScoop looks a little more versatile if you're looking for something that won't make your subjects laugh at you and your camera. But unfortunately it doesn't dispense any Pez. (via Digital Raingefinder)


If you're looking just to diffuse light from your pop-up, a little less expensive option is to try using a transparent film jar, coffee lid, construction paper, vacuum bags, or a sliced ping pong ball. Or for a few bucks you could get the LumiQuest Soft Screen Flash Diffuser for Pop-Up Flashes. It looks...

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3

Panasonic - the company that is more than any other responsible for the renaissance and continuing success of the ‘big zoom’ bridge camera - launched the original ‘Travel Zoom’ TZ1 back in February 2006. The formula - a big zoom on a small camera - isn’t exactly new, but the combination of Leica’s lens design expertise and Panasonic’s technology (image stabilization, fast performance) made the TZ1 the first serious alternative to bigger ‘SLR-style’ super zooms. And now the TZ1 has been superceded by two models with a new 28-280mm equiv. lens, the TZ2 (6MP, slightly lower spec) and the camera on test here, the TZ3. As well as the new wide lens the TZ3 also ups the sensor resolution to 7 megapixels, increases the screen size and throws in a few new features. The big question is, has Panasonic managed to improve some of the image quality issues that dogged the otherwise superbly capable TZ1? Let’s find out, starting as usual with the headline specification:

• 7.2 million effective pixel / 8.5 million pixels total 1/2.35″ CCD
• 10x (28-280mm equiv.) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit optical zoom
• MEGA OIS image stabilization
• Larger sensor for 28mm equiv. angle of view at 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratios
• Venus III Engine processor
• Fast Linear autofocus system
• High Resolution (230,000 pixel) 3.0-inch LCD
• Movies up to 840 x 480 pixels (WVGA)

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"Poland - undiscovered land of lantern men, barrel organists and pirates…neverland for tourists appriciating adventure and a dose of fairy tale mood…" *all this said with deep voice with charming accent ; entertaining tune playing in the background*

I met Carole and Tom at a wedding I shot at the Richard Nixon Library over a year ago. I was excited when they said they were getting married at the First Methodist Church in Downtown Fullerton- it's so close to my house I hear the bells ring every hour on the hour. I love it.

Carole got ready at her friend's place:

All her girls signed her shoes with well wishes:
Tom's Dad and his two boys at the church:
Cool church, huh?
The bridal party at a pet store in Fullerton. I drive past this lime green pet store all the time to get to the freeway and have always wanted to shoot here. You should've seen Carole's face when I suggested stopping by the pet store to shoot some portraits!!! Luckily we got there right before they closed!
check out more wedding photos HERE.