Digital Camera reviews - Best Reflex Camera

“Old Christine”

Carlos — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0000

"Old Christine"
© David A. Ziser

Another image from our recent Photowalk in Cincy last Saturday, and again one of my favorites. This kind of subject matter is so great to photograph. There are so many ways to explore the colors and composition. The old, rusty look of this old Plymouth made me think about the Steven King movie, "Christine" - hence the title. There are just wonderful contrasts in this image - the complementary colors of blues and reds, the rough rusty paint against the smooth chrome, the smooth curved fender lines complimenting and framing the straight lines of the grill work. All these elements lead to a final dynamic composition. There were just so many ways to shoot "Old Christine", I wish I'd had more time. Heck, maybe another visit sometime soon. Camera specs; Canon 40D fitted with 70-300mm DO IS lens at 135mm, F 11 @ 1/800 second, ISO 400. Enjoy! -David

p.s. Don't worry, I'll get back to the wedding/portrait images next week. David

[B]Business Day Thursday: Secrets To Salesroom Success - Part 1

Carlos — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:53:00 +0000

Good afternoon everybody,
Boy, I hope you got a chance to here my conversation with Master Photographer, Frank Cricchio yesterday. Frank is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. His insights and reflections on this wonderful profession of ours is an eye opening peek into the history of our craft. Thanks again Frank.

On with Business Day Thursday....
What kind of operation do you run? Does your business plan include a full time store front studio? Or a nicely appointed residential studio? Or a the dining room/spare bedroom/office (or any other room for that matter) somewhere in your home? The fact of the matter is that it really doesn't matter much as long as the client has a nice customer experience. Previously in a blog, I posted an article entitled, "20 Pointers For Running Your Business Out Of Your Home - What You Need To Know." But today, let's discuss what I call the "Salesflow Process" in your studio set up.

A good customer experience is more than just having pretty pictures on display, although that surely is part of the customer experience. But today let's discuss the client's sales experience as it pertains to your operation.

First of all, let's remember, "Selling is not a dirty word. Selling is simply finding out what the client wants and then helping them get it and having them be thrilled with the result." Selling takes patience, honesty, trust, and practice.

Having the "proper tools" for the process is a good idea, too. Those "tools" include studio (sales room) layout, software to assist in enhancing the client experience in the selection process, and a diversified set of products that are exciting to your client. We have also discussed that in the post, "24 More Ways To Add To Your Bottom Line."

But let's get back to your sales/presentation room. In my case it's a nicely appointed room in my residential studio dedicated solely to that client experience. Please watch the video - it walks you completely through my sales room.

I use certain pieces of software and hardware to do just that. Up to just recently, my software of choice was ProShots, but Kodak no longer supports the product so it was time for me to move on. My current software of choice are Lightroom and ProSelect. Neither is perfect, but I am making them work.

Here is what I like about Lightroom.
1. I can move through the images quickly with the clients and note their favorites with the ratings method - first pass; 1-star, fine tune selection; 2-stars, final album choices; 3-stars. This works pretty well except when there are several clients in my studio at one sitting. I simply run out of stars to keep track of which image was selected by which person. With this exception, it still works 95% of the time.
2. I really like the "second monitor" feature of Lightroom 2.0. I can do the "mousing" on my computer while the client only sees the image projected - see video.
3. I love the fact that I easily show the client how an image looks with a certain crop. They instantly see the improvement and that certainly helps with their decision making process.
4. I love the Presets so I can easy show them variations on any image - again, it helps in the client's decision making process.
5. I like Lightroom's easy ability to print out the client selections from it's print module. It helps us keep track of who ordered what and is essential to our smooth workflow.

What I don't like about Lightroom as a sales tool:
1. I wish I could show a slide show on the second monitor. Even when I use mirroring software like UltraMon, Lightroom's slide show fails to show up. This is a real bummer as it worked great in ProShots.
2. It's not real easy to keep tract of which individual ordered which images. Sure I can keep making up new Collections, but I need to be able to keep tract of how many 8x10's, 5x7's, etc were ordered. I played around with key-wording and the like, but the solution is not very elegant. The jury's still out to find a solution and my work around on that point.

My Wish List for perfect studio sales software.
1. It must work in a two monitor set-up. Lightroom and Proselect both do - ProSelect does a much better job of it.
2. It must have the ability to present the images easily with the added ability to zoom into a hi-res close-up. Lightroom and Proselect both get high marks here.
3. It must let me present a slide show of the images to my clients. Lightroom and Proselect both do, but ProSelect does a much better job.
4. It must be able to keep tract of who ordered what easily, smoothly, and with as few mouse clicks as possible. ProShots was the best at that. Lightroom is not elegant, ProSelect, while good, takes too many mouse clicks.
5. It must be able to show me simultaneously what others have ordered because so many client choices depend on what other family members have selected. Neither Lightroom or ProSelect allows us to do that. ProShots did by the way. Actually Lightroom does, but it's difficult. ProSelect does not - this needs to be addressed.
6. It must talk to Photoshop so I can easily show the client how the image can be enhanced with retouching efets. This again helps with the decision making process. My clients still like to see "Liquefy" work it's magic. Lightroom and Proselect both do.
7. It must be able to print out which individual ordered their selection of images - this is essential to our workflow. ProSelect does a great here.
8. It must save on each mouse click. Lightroom (and ProShots) do, ProSelect does not. That means a system crash after 2 hours meeting with a client loses all your work - this needs to be fixed ASAP.
9. It must be able to show other product lines we have available. We sell lmulti-image frames, the ability to show their selected images in frames, to show the client how the finished image will appear in the client's livingroom, hallway, over their mantle.....or any home setting. ProSelect has available all these options and does it all very well. Lightroom does not have this feature available.
10. It must help with invoicing. Again, ProSelect works well here.

Let me say at this point that both programs have features I love. ProSelect, with just a little tweaking would be the clear choice. That said, ProSelect is still the best out there even with it's slight shortcomings. ProSelect does need to resolve the "save on each mouse click" ASAP.

Well gang, that gives you a little peek into our sales flow. To have real success with your sales you need to be actively involved with the clients decision making. The bottom line is that it must be professional, effortless, practiced, and an enjoyable experience for the client. This experience depends on you and your knowledge and expertise with your sales tools.

I know I've only touched the surface here, but I spend 8 hours on sales in my Digital Master Class. This is the Cliff's notes short, short version. Next week, I've invited Michael Jonas to be my guest on Podcast Wednesday. He is a successful studio owner, ProSelect beta tester and expert on the software. He's going to give us some insights on how to use the best features of the software - be sure to tune in.

This post went way longer than I expected it, but I hope it was helpful. I'm calling it a wrap today. We are packing up for Photoshop World Las Vegas next week - I hope to see you there.
See you tomorrow for Inspiration Friday. Adios, David

Photo of The Day: Feel Alone

Dphotojournal com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:32:37 +0000

Feel Alone by Yogi Guswara

All New Nikon D90

Rick — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:13:00 +0000

Nikon Depot is reporting the D90 digital SLR has finally been announced by Nikon. "Nikon has finally announced its much anticipated D90 digital SLR. The Nikon new D90 features a movie function which offers truly cinematic results, and innovative high-performance features inherited from the Nikon D300. Furthermore, the new D90 comes with a 12.3 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor and advanced features such as Live View, Scene Recognition, Picture Control, Active D-Lighting, and an ISO...

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Creating Reflection with Photoshop

Dphotojournal com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:02:44 +0000

This tutorial will show you how to make a reflection with your Photoshop. I used Photoshop CS2 when creating this tutorial, but I guess it does not make any difference even if you do it with Photoshop CS.

Picture used on this tutorial is Australian Parliament House in Canberra, by Free-StockPhotos.com

Step1: Open your image, copy your background layer, and fill your background layer with white

(more…)

EYE-FI COLLABORATES WITH NIKON TO INTRODUCE THE ‘EYE-FI CONNECTED’ NIKON D90 DIGITAL SLR CAMERA

8e88 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:46:00 +0000

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., August 27, 2008 – Eye-Fi Inc. (www.eye.fi), makers of the world's first wireless memory card for digital cameras, today announced that it collaborated with Nikon Corporation, a world leader in digital imaging and precision optics, to deliver enhanced integration of its Eye-Fi cards with Nikon's newly announced digital SLR camera, Nikon D90. The D90 is Nikon's second "Eye-Fi Connected” camera, following the Nikon D60, which was released earlier this year. Eye-Fi Connected cameras make it easier for photographers to use their Eye-Fi cards to wirelessly upload images to their computer or favorite online photo sharing site.

While Eye-Fi cards work seamlessly with conventional SD-compatible digital cameras, the Eye-Fi Connected Nikon D90 gives users an improved out-of- box experience and more control of wireless capabilities. The camera will detect when an Eye-Fi card is inserted and manage its power settings to ensure that photos upload effortlessly for sharing and storing. In addition, the Nikon D90 will include an Eye-Fi menu that allows users to turn the wireless function on or off, giving the user more freedom to customize how and when they want to use the Eye-Fi card. For example, if a user is in a hospital or on an airplane, or anywhere else where wireless connectivity is not allowed, the user may disable the wireless function through the Eye-Fi menu.

"Working with Nikon on this Eye-Fi Connected camera allows us to provide an even better experience for our users,” said Yuval Koren, chief product officer and co-founder of Eye-Fi. "This is a great example of how a non-wireless camera can be optimized for the Eye-Fi card to create the best experience possible. Together, we continue to find ways to make taking, saving and sharing digital memories as automatic and effortless as possible.”

The Eye-fi Connected Nikon D90 will be unveiled at Photokina in Cologne, Germany on September 23, 2008.

Eye-Fi's family of products, including the Eye-Fi Home, Share and Explore cards range from $79-$129 USD, and can be purchased at major online retail locations or at Circuit City and Ritz Camera Centers nationwide. Eye-Fi has won numerous awards, including PC World's "The 100 Best Products of 2008” and Yahoo! Tech's "Last Gadget Standing 2008” at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.eye.fi.

About Eye-Fi

Founded in 2005, the company is dedicated to building products and services that help consumers navigate, nurture and share their visual memories. Eye-Fi's patent-pending technology works with Wi-Fi networks to automatically send photos from a digital camera to online, in-home and retail destinations. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., the company's investors include , LMS Capital, TransLink Capital, Opus Capital and Shasta Ventures. More information is available at www.eye.fi.

50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM II for Pentax

8e88 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:33:00 +0000

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSM compact, lightweight, large aperture telephoto zoom lens for Pentax* fittings.

This F2.8 large aperture telephoto zoom lens is designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size sensors and its compact, lightweight body provides freedom of movement and versatility. The super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting and ensures sharp images throughout the entire zoom range. The addition of the optional 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters produce a 70-210mm F4 AF tele-zoom lens and a 100-300mm F5.6 AF ultra-telephoto zoom lens respectively.

Case, Hood (LH732-01) is supplied

*If the camera body does not support HSM motor, AF will not work.

more : sigmaphoto

Nikon D90 hands on preview

8e88 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:21:00 +0000

When holding the camera, it's just another Nikon DSLR but using it is where the reasoning behind its birth and concept come to light.

As uninterested in video on cameras as I am, the D90 needs to be hailed as a ground breaker simply because it exists. For what it's worth, it seems to work quite well.

At least Nikon have had the decency of using HD to record in. The limited capacity could be a nuisance in some peoples opinion but I can't think where you'd film for more than 20 minutes at a time.

It's a nice camera and is up against the 50D which I've previewed here. Video aside, the D90 has a new D-Lighting setting and added retouching features but that's about it in terms of innovation. I'll be interested to see if the processor does what Nikon say it will in terms of noise reduction. If it's true we should see a better result than the D300 can give.

The Nikon D90 will be availble from September 2008 with the body only having an RRP of £699.99. If you want it with the 18-105mm lens then you're looking at an RRP of £849.99.

more : ephotozine

SANDISK BOOSTS SD CARD SPEED BY FIFTY PERCENT — SETS NEW SPEED RECORD FOR SD FLASH MEMORY CARDS

8e88 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:10:00 +0000

The New SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC Line Easily Supports Continuous Shooting Performance in Nikon’s New D90 Digital SLR Camera

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today set a new speed record of 30 megabytes per second1 for SD™ flash memory cards with the introduction of the SanDisk Extreme® III 30MB/s Edition line of SDHC™ Cards. The new cards, expected to be available worldwide in September in 4-gigabyte (GB)2, 8GB and 16GB capacities, are designed to deliver peak performance when used with the new digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera, Nikon D90.

The Nikon D90 is the industry’s first DSLR camera to support SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC cards at increased performance. Featuring a 50-percent speed boost from previous 20MB/s cards, the new SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC card makes it possible to record 39 images in continuous shooting mode at 4.5 frames per second with a file size of 6.0 MB JPEG L Fine per image.3 The Nikon D90 camera captures high-resolution, 12.3 megapixel still images, and it is Nikon’s first DSLR to offer movie recording capability.

With ever-increasing technology advancements in DSLR cameras, higher megapixel growth and new video capturing capabilities, SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s SDHC cards make it easy for consumers to capture and store more high-resolution images and video content. When placed in SanDisk’s new ImageMate® Multi-Card USB 2.0 Reader/Writer, still images and video can be transferred from the new SDHC card to a computer up to 30MB/s, greatly reducing the waiting time to offload large files from the card to the computer.

“The high capacities and performance of the SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC cards give users the freedom to shoot lots of high-resolution photos and video clips,” said Susan Park, director of consumer product marketing for SanDisk’s performance cards. “The combination of our new SanDisk Extreme III 30 MB/s Edition SDHC card technology and the Nikon D90 camera maximizes performance.”

According to research firm IDC, demand for DSLR cameras is growing as users replace older models with more sophisticated options. Global sales of DSLR cameras grew by 41 percent last year, which was nearly twice the growth rate of the overall digital camera market worldwide4.

“Increasingly we’re seeing more second- or third-time digital camera buyers upgrading to more technologically-advanced prosumer DSLRs because they offer richer feature sets at more affordable prices than ever before,” said Chris Chute, research manager of IDC's Worldwide Digital Imaging Solutions Group. “The new SanDisk Extreme III cards provide optimal performance levels and high-capacity points to match that latest technology innovation.”

“Whether capturing a special moment in sports, a wilderness hike, or just your toddler running across the room, life doesn’t always stop when you want to take a picture. The combination of the new Nikon D90 camera and SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC cards helps ensure that photographers capture winning action shots and experience quicker transfer of files from the camera’s memory card to a computer,” said Mr. Koichiro Kawamura, General Manager, 1st Designing Department, Imaging Company Nikon Corporation

Beyond their high capacities and performance levels, all SanDisk Extreme III cards are capable of functioning in extreme temperatures, from -13 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit or -25 to 85 degrees Celsius. The cards also carry a lifetime limited warranty.5 SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 30MB/s Edition cards, which have a Class 6 performance rating, are fully backwards-compatible; working in any camera, card reader or other device that supports SDHC cards6.

Pricing and Availability

SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 30MB/s Edition cards are expected to be available worldwide in September. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is U.S. $64.99 for the 4GB card, US $109.99 for the 8GB card, and U.S. $179.99 for the 16GB card.

About SanDisk

SanDisk Corporation, the inventor and world’s largest supplier of flash storage cards, is a global leader in flash memory – from research, manufacturing and product design to consumer branding and retail distribution. SanDisk’s product portfolio includes flash memory cards for mobile phones, digital cameras and camcorders; digital audio/video players; USB flash drives for consumers and the enterprise; embedded memory for mobile devices; and solid state drives for computers. SanDisk (www.sandisk.com/corporate) is a Silicon Valley-based S&P 500 company, with more than half its sales outside the United States.

Nikon D90 Hands-on Preview

8e88 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:50:00 +0000

Almost exactly two years after the D80 was announced comes its replacement, the rather predictably named D90. The D80 has been one of Nikon's quiet successes, and even today, despite being positively Methuselah-like in digital camera terms it continues to sell and often makes its way into our top 10 most clicked on cameras. Because it looks so similar to the D80 the D90 appears at first glance to be one of those rather subdued incremental upgrades, but dig a little deeper and you'll find there's plenty to keep Nikon fans happy.

First and foremost there's a new CMOS sensor, which Nikon claim produces D300 quality output at up to ISO 6400 and - one of several features to 'trickle down' from higher models - the same highly acclaimed 3.0-inch VGA screen as the D3/D300. Naturally it has Live View with contrast-detect AF and it would have been surprising had it not sported some form of dust removal system. More surprising is the inclusion of the world's first DSLR movie mode (720p HDTV quality, no less) and HDMI output, though as we'll see later it does come with some limitations. A lot of the core photographic spec is the same as or very similar to the D80, though there is a new shutter and an implementation of the 3D tracking AF seen on the D3/D300.

And it's not just the high end models that have lent features and technology to the D90; the user interface has been given the same user-friendly treatment as the D60, as have the retouching options. As it was explained to use the D90 is intended to appeal to the broadest audience of any Nikon SLR, from first-time 'step up' customers moving from a compact to serious amateurs wanting comprehensive photographic control without the cost and weight of a D300. Whether the D90 turns out to be a jack or a master of all trades we'll discover when we get a final production body to review, but our early impressions are overall pretty positive. Note that for the moment the D80 will continue to be sold, possibly well into 2009 - expect to see prices falling as soon as the D90 settles in.

Simon Joinson

more : dpreview

Nikon launches AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR

8e88 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:47:00 +0000

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR. The new NIKKOR lens, with a focal length between 18 and 105 mm, is a high performance and cost efficient lens with a focal length equivalent to 27 to 157.5 mm in 35 mm format that has been designed to partner with Nikon’s D90.

High Performance – High Reproduction

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR is useful in a broad range of shooting settings. The wide zoom range makes it suitable for shooting buildings and scenery while the telephoto zoom range is ideal for portraits. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR ’s built-in Vibration Reduction II system provides the equivalent of a shutter speed three stops faster than standard lenses, offering an extraordinarily high reproduction capacity. The high-performance optical system features a single ED glass element and one aspherical lens optimised for use for digital SLRs. This allows you to make high resolution, high contrast images, and minimising chromatic aberration. The ultra-compact built-in Silent Wave Motor ensures silent, fast and efficient autofocus operation, and the refined external design with leather-tone texture will appeal to Nikon users as it will match their camera bodies.

Extreme Focal Length

DX camera owners can have it all. Combined with the AF-S VR Zoom NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED; the two VR lenses cover a focal length of 18-450mm, ensuring you can capture virtually anything, from a close up object to a distant horizon.

Specifications

Focal length: 18-105 mm
Max/min aperture: f/3.5-5.6
Lens construction: 15 elements in 11 groups (with one ED glas and one hybrid aspherical lens)
Picture angle: 76° , 15°20’ (DX-format)
Minimum focus distance: 0.45 m
Max. reproduction ratio: 0.2x (1/5)
No. diaphragm blades: 7 (rounded)
Focusing: Autofocus with built-in SWM and manual focus
Filter/attachment size: 67mm
Diameter x length: Approx. ?76-89 mm
Weight: Approx. 450 g

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR is supplied with the Nikon D90 in a special kit.

Nikon’s new D90 takes you to the movies

8e88 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:41:00 +0000

Nikon UK today announces another great step forward in its mid-class DX-format D-SLR range: the D90.

As the world’s first D-SLR with movie function, this remarkable camera offers truly cinematic results, stunning image quality and innovative high-performance features inherited from Nikon’s new-generation DX-format flagship D300. The D90 will open new doors for photography enthusiasts of any level.

With 12.3 megapixels, the newly-designed DX-format CMOS image sensor and Nikon’s proprietary EXPEED image processing concept, the D90 is a quality-guarantee. Advanced features such as Live View, Scene Recognition, Active D-Lighting, Picture Control and an ISO sensitivity range of 200-3200 (ISO 6400 equivalent on Hi1 and ISO 100 equivalent on Lo1), allows creativity in almost any setting. And to ensure all these features are easy to use, they are packed in an ergonomic body with an intuitive operational layout.

Toru Uematsu, Senior Manager Product Planning at Nikon Europe B.V says: “The D90’s combines imaging technology inherited directly from our D300 and innovative features like Live View, D-Movie, Scene Recognition and Picture Control - once again confirming Nikon’s leadership in cutting edge imaging technology. Add its innovative, high-performance features such as the CMOS image sensor, and the extremely wide ISO sensitivity range, we are convinced that this new camera will appeal to all passionate photographers looking for the next step in creativity.”

Stunning image quality

The D90’s EXPEED technology has been optimised to realise the high-quality, high-speed image processing capability for which Nikon’s professional D-SLRs are renowned. The D90 delivers images with extraordinary detail and expanded enlargement capacity, thanks to its improved DX-format CMOS image sensor and an effective 12.3 megapixels. The ISO sensitivity ranges from 200-3200 (ISO 6400 equivalent on Hi1 and ISO 100 equivalent on Lo1) providing low-noise images that are rich in detail and offer tonal gradation beyond expectation. It also enhances the performance of other powerful features such as Live View and the new Face Detection System. To address the issue of lost detail in high-contrast lighting situations, Active D-Lighting adjusts the contrast between images’ light and dark areas by localising tone control as an image is captured. And for extra creativity, Picture Control allows you to customise the look and mood of your images by choosing from six settings, including new Portrait and Landscape modes.

A helping hand

First introduced on Nikon’s D3 and D300 flagship cameras, the D90’s Scene Recognition System uses a 420-pixel RGB sensor to analyse scene and colour information of the subject being photographed. Based on these readings, the camera optimises its focus, exposure and white balance just before the shutter is released. The D90 also recognises human faces to render up to five faces with newfound sharpness and accuracy and more natural skin tones in your images. In the camera’s 11-point AutoFocus mode, it uses the subject’s colour information to maintain a sharp focus as the subject moves in the frame.

Once you’ve got the composition you want, the D90 incorporates image-editing functions that make it easy to enhance images within the camera. There are several new retouch options: ‘Distortion Control’ adjusts lens aberration, ‘Straighten’ corrects the inclination of the image, whilst ‘Fisheye’ produces optical effects similar to that of a fisheye lens. There are also ample options for viewing and selecting the right shot, including 72-frame playback, calendar playback and histogram display for a magnified portion of the image.

Live and living

The D90 is the first mid-class D-SLR to offer a movie function, allowing you to capture creative movie clips in motion JPEG at superb quality levels. Compared to the average camcorder, the far larger image sensor on the D90 offers higher image quality, a shallow depth of field and exceptional ISO performance while recording in low-light conditions. NIKKOR’s wide range of lenses offers great variety from fisheye to wide-angle to super-telephoto, adding more scope for creativity and emotional impact to your movies. Movies can even be played on the camera with sound, thanks to its uniquely powerful speaker / microphone system.

The D90 has been designed with an eye-level pentaprism viewfinder, offering some 96% frame coverage. However, when looking through the viewfinder isn’t practical, simply press the D90’s Live View button and the 3-inch LCD with 170? viewing angle and approx. 920k-dot LCD support your Live View shooting with three contrast-detect AF modes: Face Priority, Wide Area and Normal Area. When you’re not sure which camera settings are appropriate, try the advanced scene modes like Active D-Lighting and Picture Control for beautiful, crisp images every time.

Get every shot

There are few things more annoying than a flat battery as you’re about to capture that winning shot, so Nikon has made the D90’s extremely efficient, allowing you to capture approximately 850 images on a single charge of the camera’s battery. Accurate exposures rely on precise shutter release, so the D90’s electronically timed shutter mechanism has been specifically engineered for long, accurate service and has undergone exhaustive 100,000 shutter-release cycle testing. For ever-ready shooting, the impressive 0.15-seconds start-up time, 65-millisecond shutter release time and its 4.5 fps means you won’t lose that crucial shot. And with a thumbnail display of up to 72 images, Pictmotion slideshows with soundtrack, the option of image tagging through geotags with GPS, instant online upload to ‘my Picturetown’ and HDMI-compatibility, sharing and organising your images has never been easier.

Carlos — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:55:00 +0000

"Simple Symmetry"
© David A. Ziser

Another image from Saturday's Photowalk - and another of my favorites. We had just crossed the bridge back into Cincinnati as we headed back to our starting point at Fountain Square . We were passing the Bengals football stadium, the sun was quite high in the sky, casting strong shadows from the handrails onto the steps. Study this image closely, then hit the "Read more..." to see the original. Now study the image again. What do you think? Camera specs; Canon 40D fitted with 70-300mm DO IS lens at 120mm, F 11 @ 1/640 second, ISO 400 Enjoy! -David

p.s. Remember to hit the "Read more..." link below to see the "before" image.

This is what I first saw as we crossed the bridge into Cincy. Alone, it's not bad, but I love the finished result. -David

Welcome To Podcast Wednesday: An Interview With Photographic Legend, Frank Cricchio

Carlos — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:52:00 +0000

I have know Frank Cricchio for nearly 30 years. I remember attending his workshops and seminars way back in my formative years as a budding photographer. Nobody, absolutely nobody taught exposure and lighting the way Frank did.

He still is the grand master in those departments. His articles on exposure techniques have been translated into as many as eight different languages. Frank Cricchio lectures around the world and throughout the United States. He has also photographed President Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and Bob Hope.

Frank and I have remained friends all these years and, I have to say, his enthusiasm for all things photography and Photoshop has never waned. If you are going to Photoshop World next week, you can catch up with him at one of his programs he'll be presenting.

Today's Podcast Topics:
10 Questions For Frank Cricchio
1. Is photography what you have always done.
2. How did you get your start in photography?
3. Is photography more exciting today than back in the film days, or is it more daunting?
4. Who in our profession have been your best teachers or influenced you significantly?
5. Can you tell us a little about your transition to "digital" ?
6. What's your biggest "turn on" within our profession today - gear, software, special projects your involved in, etc.?
7. Do you miss film?
8. What do you shoot today?
9. Who in our profession today, do you consider major influences for you and for our profession?
10. What advice would you give to the new "emerging pro" out there?

Please see the related links to references mentioned in this Podcast: everyone one is worth a look - David:

Frank Cricchio's website: [link]
Paul Linwood Gittings: [link]
Don Blair: [link]
Helen Yancy: [link]
Joyce Wilson: [link]
Terry DeGlau: [link]
Don Emmerich: [link]
Al Gilbert: [link]
Louise and Joseph Simone: [link]
Jousuf Karsh: [link]
Dye Transfer Printing: [link]

Download the MP3 for this Podcast right here.

A Few Newsbits and Tidbits For The Road

Carlos — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:45:00 +0000

I was going to wrap the posts today from "Rumor Mill Central". I was going to tell you about the rumors of the brand new Canon 50D - 15.1 mega-pixels, 6.3 fps, 920,000 dot/VGA resolution - four times the pixel count of the EOS 40D, ISO's up to 12800! But, it seems Canon let the "cat out of the bag" yesterday and announced it to everyone. Here is the press release [link].

The specs look pretty impressive to me. At first glace, the 50D looked to be the replacement for the 40D, but no, the 40D stays in the line. Hey, that's probably good news for us 40D owners, we can still sell them at a better price before they are discontinued. I'm not quite sure where this model fits in within the Canon line. Check out this Canon link right here which shows the 50D below the 5D, above the 40D at $1099, and two steps above the 30D at $1299 - I'm so confused. Rumor has it the the 50D will come in about $1500.

Wait, there's more - you know, when I was test driving the Nikon D3 and D300 - alas, I had to send them back this week - I loved their 18-200mm VR lens. It seemed the perfect zoom range for us wedding guys and girls. Well, guess what Canon just announced? You got it - their new EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, costing $700, and also availability due in October - finally.

While I'm discussing zoom ranges, did you see this one? Tamron just announced their latest greatest - get this, 18-270mm VC (vibration compensation) lens [link]. I'm guessing it will be priced about $650. I can't wait to get my hands on that one. I got to shoot with their 28-300 VC lens at my last Master Class in July and the jury was still out on that lens for me. I want to try this new puppy before I comment on the 28-300mm lens - I'll keep you posted.

So what's blatantly missing from the Canon announcement? We all know what's missing - no word of the 5D's replacement! I've found the best place for rumors about the 5D happen to be over at our fellow photo blogger's site - 1001 Noisy Cameras. Here is the link to the latest round up of Canon 5D rumors [link].

Hey everybody, that's it for me today. I'm calling it a day today a little early. Fellow Cincy blogger, Jim Talkington of ProPhotoLife.com is heading over for lunch and then an afternoon of blog tech-talk. I'm really looking forward to the visit.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for further discussions on what software to use in your studio for client presentations. Hey everybody, I'll see you tomorrow for Business Day Thursday: Secrets To Salesroom Success. See ya' then, -David

Olympus Evolt E500 8MP Digital SLR

cute girl — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:17:00 +0000

Designed to be used by photographers of any skill level, the E500's compact, durable body is packed with Olympus innovations like the exclusive Dust Reduction System for spot-free photos, 8 million pixels of detail for bright and colorful images, a TruePic Turbo Image Processor for fast response time, and an easy-to-view 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD.

Dust is all around us, and when swapping out a lens on a digital single-lens reflex camera there's a chance that a camera's electro-statically charged image sensor will attract micro dust that can ruin photos. Olympus's Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter, a patented ultrasonic technology that shakes at 35,000 vibrations a second to remove dust from in front of the camera sensor every time you turn the camera on.

The E500 is loaded with an impressive 8 million pixels of detail, for bright colorful photos. The image sensor in the Evolt E500 is a high-performance Full Frame Transfer Kodak KAF-8300CE CCD that delivers improved dynamic range, low noise to capture fine image details in the highlight and shadow areas, as well as excellent color fidelity for brilliant colors.

Olympus Stylus FE-290 7MP Digital Camera

cute girl — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:15:00 +0000

Digital photography made easy! A 4x wide-angle zoom lens, one-touch operations, preset scene modes, and an extra-large, 3-inch LCD are just a few of the features that make using the 7-megapixel FE-290 simple and fun. Prevent and correct blurry images without a computer! Digital Image Stabilization Mode freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and faster shutter speed to capture sharp images even if you or your subject is moving.

The FE-290 features an extra large 3-inch LCD screen, so composing shots and sharing images with friends and family is easier than ever thanks to the FE-Series large, high-resolution LCD screens. Additionally, the backlight boost button increases the LCD from bright to a super-bright setting, making it easier to capture and view images in challenging environments such as direct sunlight or low-light situations.

Face Detection Technology tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Even if your subjects are moving, the camera continuously tracks your subjects' faces without having to press the shutter button.

Olympus Evolt E330 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera

cute girl — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:12:00 +0000

The EVOLT E-330 is the world's first digital SLR to offer "Live" viewing through the Color LCD, making it easier to compose and capture the perfect shot. This big 2.5" LCD also features HyperCrystal technology and is designed with advanced swivel capability so you can capture one dramatic result after another from up top, down low, and everywhere in-between. With innovations like these - combined with world-class optics and our patented Dust Reduction System - the E-330 lets you shoot like no other digital interchangeable lens SLR before. Multiple-angle 2.5 HyperCrystal LCD Digital Image Stabilization Mode when shooting and capture clear pictures free from blur associated with moving subjects or camera shake 3 Color Parameters (Vibrant, Natural, or Muted) allow you to control color saturation, contrast and sharpness within each parameter individually / 5 Black-and-White monochrome modes are available to add dramatic effect to your images Direct Print enabled with PictBridge Control your flash photos with the Pop-up flash and 6 flash modes, or attach an external flash such as the FL-36 to the Hot Shoe for even more choices 4 available Recording Formats (TIFF, RAW, JPEG, RAW+JPEG) Accepts Compact Flash Card (Type I, II), Micro Drive, xD-Picture Type-H, Type-M and Standard Card (Dual Slot) Unit Size - 5.5 x 3.4 x 2.8 inches / Weighs 19 oz

Nikon D90

Roland Lim — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:11:15 +0000

Nikon has just annouced the new D90 today. Info of this camera has been leaked on the web for awhile. It seems to be the strategy of camera makers like Nikon and Canon to leak the info shortly before the official relase, whether intentional or not. Anyway, you can read about the info on this new camera from links below:-

1. Official press release

2. Imaging Resource preview

3. Dpreview preview

4. Rob Galbraith report

5. Sample video (click on D-Movie Demo button on linked page)

6. Sample video

7. Sample images

8. Sixteen page brochure

Besides a modest increase in resolution from 10 to 12MP, increase ISO range to ISO 3200 and a new 3″ VGA resolution VGA LCD display, the really new innovation is certainly the inclusion of video mode, a “first” in any DSLR.

I think the intense competition between the Nikon, Canon, Sony and other DSLR camera makers is good sign and will bring better and improved products for all end users. This is an exciting time for all DSLR users.

Canon EOS 50D

Roland Lim — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:02:15 +0000

Unless if you have been living in a cave, you would have known by now that Canon have announced the launch of the new EOS 50D yesterday. Rumours of this new camera have have spreading around the web in he last few weeks and a leak from the Canon China web-site last week have further proven the existence of the 50D. If you have not read much about this new camera, here is a list of sites for info.

1. Canon official press release

2. Rob Galbraith report

3. Dpreview.com preview

4. Digital Camera Source Page report

5. Imaging Resource preview

6. Brutus Östling blog field testing (a Swedish site with Google translation)

7. 50D page at Canon EOS Digital site

From what I have read so far, the new 50D is likely to include major advance in imaging and sensor technology from Canon with better image quality at both low and high ISO settings. It is said to be at least 1 to 1.5 stops better than the 40D for high ISO noise, even though the sensor has a much higher resolution. The sensor is a new design with gapless microlenses. The first Canon DSLR to use this new generation sensor. It is also the first Canon DSLR to use the new Digic IV processor, which promises faster image processing and autofocus and also promises to improve high ISO noise reduction. Whether the new technologies will really transform into lower noise and better image quality will remain to be seen when the production camera bcomes available fo testing.

Other significant improvements that do not directly affect image quality include VGA resolution 3″ LCD display (whether the 50D display the low resolution thumbnail image during image review or high resolution image like Nikon D3 remains to be seen), improved antidust function, HDMI output, support for UDMA CF cards.

I have contacted my sources at Canon Hong Kong, but they don’t know the exact date of shipment yet and they also have no info on pricing in Hong Kong yet. The only preliminary estimate is that it may arrive in Hong Kong some time during mid to late Sept 2008. I look forward to get my hands on a new 50D when it arrives in Hong Kong and I will try to get an early review up like the 40D review I put up last year. No promise though!

It should also be well known by now that Canon will release at least 1 or 2 new full frame DSLR soon to replace the aging EOS 5D. The sources confirmed that at least one new model will be announced soon. I will seriously consider getting one of these new full frame DSLR depending on the final release specs and pricing.

Photo of The Day: BNW0001

Dphotojournal com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:23:19 +0000

BNW0001 by fstoptwo

Adobe Unveils Photoshop Elements 7

8e88 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:18:00 +0000

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 7 software with new Photoshop.com membership, a milestone release of the No. 1 selling consumer photo-editing software*. Available for Windows®, Photoshop Elements 7 makes it quick and easy to organize, edit, create and share amazing photos with others by leveraging the editing power of Photoshop software, the professional standard for image editing. For the first time, Photoshop Elements 7 customers will have the option to sign-up for one year of membership on Photoshop.com, extending the capabilities of the software by providing helpful templates and creative tutorials delivered on a regular basis. Other benefits include: automatic online backup and storage of photos and videos, access to photos and videos from virtually anywhere, and interactive options to share memories with great impact.

In addition, Adobe today announced Adobe Premiere® Elements 7 software, a complete video-editing solution (see separate press release). Available separately or together in a single retail bundle package, Adobe Photoshop Elements & Adobe Premiere Elements bundle give photo and video enthusiasts everything they need for a complete digital imaging experience.

“With Photoshop Elements our ultimate goal is to give people the ability to tell personal and high-impact stories with their photos,” said Doug Mack, vice president and general manager of Consumer and Hosted Solutions at Adobe. “We strike a balance between editing punch and ease, so a user doesn’t have to be a pro to produce impressive results. The new Photoshop.com membership takes Photoshop Elements to the next level - extending beyond the desktop - by giving our customers access to their photos and videos from virtually anywhere, providing secure backup, delivering inspiration to fuel creativity and enabling users to keep the photos and creations they share fresh and exciting.”
Create Picture-perfect Photos with Powerful yet Intuitive Editing Tricks

Photoshop Elements makes it easy to tell amazing stories through memorable photos. The new Scene Cleaner, based on Adobe’s innovative Photomerge® technology, creates the ideal photo by letting users simply brush away unwanted subjects, such as tourists in a vacation shot who may be impacting the main subject of the photo. The new Smart Brush helps users apply incredible effects to a specific area of a photo with a single stroke, making it a snap to improve lighting and add rich textures with access to more than fifty sophisticated effects. Common editing tasks, such as whitening teeth or brightening blue skies, are a breeze to fix with the one-step Quick Fix tools. Surfaces can be softened while retaining edges and details crisp with a new filter ideal for portrait shots. Also, a new selection of Online Albums, based on Adobe Flash® technology, offers users a richer interactive experience.
New Membership on Photoshop.com Inspires Users and Keeps Them Connected

Users can push their creativity even further with Photoshop.com membership, offered in two levels, Basic1 and Plus2. For those who want fresh, creative project ideas delivered straight to the desktop, the option to purchase an annual Photoshop.com Plus membership guarantees inspiration will come on a regular basis in the form of new tutorials, seasonal artwork, themed templates and more. In addition, Photoshop.com Plus membership provides 20GB of storage - enough for 15,000 photos, four hours of DVD-quality videos or a combination of both. Online back-up keeps memories safe from computer failure or natural disaster, with access from anywhere, via a personal account linked to the software. Photoshop.com Basic membership can be experienced for free, providing 5GB of storage, access to photos and videos virtually anywhere and online photo sharing in a fun interactive environment.

Photoshop.com members also will be able to upload photos directly from a mobile phone. The addition of Photoshop.com Mobile beta, a rich Adobe Flash® based mobile application, offers camera phone users the easiest way to upload, share and access photos using their Photoshop.com account. Photoshop.com Mobile runs in the background and allows consumers to take photos, send messages and run other applications while pictures are being uploaded to their Photoshop.com account. To learn more about Photoshop.com Mobile and for a list of supported phones, visit http://www.adobe.com/products/pscom/mobile/ .

More information about Photoshop.com membership can be found at:
www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/membership/ .
Pricing and Availability

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 and Adobe Premiere Elements 7 for Windows will be available in local retail outlets such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Costco (Photoshop Elements 7 only), Office Depot, Office Max and Staples in October 2008. Consumers can pre-order the products at www.adobe.com , www.amazon.com , www.bestbuy.com and www.costco.com . The products will be available separately for US$99.99. Photoshop Elements 7 & Premiere Elements 7 bundle also will be available for US$149.99.

Photoshop.com Plus membership will be available for purchase from within the products for US$49.99 and Basic membership can be experienced for free. Information about other language versions, as well as pricing, upgrade and support policies for other countries is available at www.adobe.com/go/photoshopelements . Photoshop.com membership is available in the U.S. only.

*Source: The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service (April 2002 to April 2008) based on units sold (North America).

1. Photoshop.com Basic membership does not require the purchase of any Adobe product, including Photoshop Elements 7 and Premiere Elements 7.

2. With Photoshop.com Plus membership, annual membership terms apply.
About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com .

Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review

8e88 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:11:00 +0000

Handling
The review lens was supplied with a Canon mount and we tested it on our EOS 5D and EOS 40D camera bodies. On both cameras it was a snug fit - but nonetheless quite easy to mount and remove. Its balance was equally good with both camera bodies but it may be a tad weighty with lighter cameras.

The HSM drive was smooth and quiet and autofocusing was fast and accurate, only slowing slightly at low light levels and with subjects where contrast was very low. Manual focusing was almost as smooth, although we found a slight resistance as the focus approached infinity. You can switch from auto to manual focusing without having to move the slider on the lens, thanks to full-time manual focus override.

Performance
With each of the camera bodies we used for our tests, the review lens turned in an excellent performance, producing sharp images with accurate colours and no evidence of colour bias or coloured fringing. Backlit subjects were handled very well and shots showed little evidence of flare or ghosting.

Imatest showed the lens to be capable of high resolution, although it revealed some edge softening, particularly around the middle of the aperture range. We obtained the highest resolution figures with the EOS 5D at apertures between f/4.5 and f/11 and with the EOS 40D between f/2.8 and f/9. The graphs below show the results of our tests on each camera.

Margaret Brown

more : photoreview

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2: Review

8e88 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:59:00 +0000

If you, like many, run a PC then Lightroom 2 is the best photo workflow software available on the market. If you find working with raw nothing but time-consuming hassle, the Lightroom 2 will positively change your outlook and open up a whole world of creativity. Applying keywords and metadata, significant raw processing power and clever searchable cataloguing all happen in one place - if you shoot a lot, work on specific projects over long periods of time, then this is the ideal program to keep you deftly organised.

Anyone using a previous version of Lightroom wondering whether it's worth upgrading? In a word - yes. The localised adjustment alone warrants the £80 upgrade. The 64bit software revolution seems to be starting too, so why not get on the bandwagon and reap the full benefit of your uber-powerful computer, starting with Lightroom 2.

more : thinkcamera

Mike Lowe

Canon EOS 50D & 18-200mm hands-on previews

8e88 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:52:00 +0000

Almost exactly a year after the arrival of the EOS 40D, Canon has announced the 50D, which we're assured will be a sister-model, rather than a replacement. Recent history has seen Canon release new models every 18 months-or-so but it's been a busy year with newcomers such as the Nikon D300 getting a lot of attention in the 40D's keen amateur/professional segment. The 50D puts essentially a 40D body wrapped around a newly-developed 15 megapixel sensor that finally rectifies the situation in which Canon's x0D range trailed the company's entry-level line, in pixel terms. Canon is claiming that the new sensor's design (new manufacturing processes, redesigned photo diodes and micro lenses) mean that despite the higher resolution the noise is actually lower than the 40D, something we'll obviously be putting to the test when we get our hands on a production model.

The other big change is the inclusion of a new, high-resolution LCD screen. 920,000 dots mean that it can convey 640 x 480 RGB pixels, making it effectively a VGA standard monitor. Three anti-reflection layers built into the screen do their best to keep it useable in bright conditions, too.

There are various other changes and added features, with many of them stemming from the first appearance of the Canon's Digic 4 processor. The key differences between the 50D and 40D are detailed below.

Richard Butler, Lars Rehm and Simon Joinson

more : dpreview