Photos supposedly straight from Nikon were leaked recently revealing finally what its new 10.2 MP DSLR camera should look like. As speculation has suggested, the new designation is shown to be the D80, and is regarded as being a replacement to the aging D70 and D70s.

The camera is shown having a similar if not identical sensor as the higher end D200. With it being advertised by Nikon as a 10.2 MP camera, this would make sense. In addition, the camera is shown to have several new additions and changes to the D70 and D70s design such as a smaller, more compact body (similar to the D50), a 2.5″ LCD (an upgrade from the D70(s)’s 2″ LCD), dedicated AF and physical timer button, as well as a rearrangement of menu buttons on the back. The pictures also show the top LCD backlight activation option to be similar to the D2x and D200 via the power twist switch.

Ken Rockwell is reporting that the D80 will be priced at $899 USD, a competitive range that should offer Sony, a new comer to the DSLR game, some competition. Its specs show it to be an intermediate step, like its predecessor, with features and price placing it in between the entry level D50 and more advanced D200.

The camera should be formally announced and released on August 9th by Nikon thus confirming or disproving these pictures and specs.

Website : Upcoming Nikon D80 Camera Photos and Spec Leaked

Almost certainly a cosmetic update of the Konica Minolta 18–70mm f/3.5–5.6 released shortly before KM ceded its camera business, this 27–105mm equivalent, produced for the new Sony Alpha 100, turns in some impressive performance numbers, but hides its light under a plastic barrel—and lensmount. Here’s the conclusion of the Hands-on review from PopPhoto:

“Considering the sharpness, distortion, and macro numbers this zoom produced, we’re compelled to think that, among the catalog of Konica Minolta glass, Sony chose wisely for its first DSLR wide-angle kit zoom.

Should you wait for the expected line of Carl Zeiss lenses being designed for the Alpha? While it’s unlikely that any comparable Zeiss lens will outperform this excellent 18–70mm optically, construction quality is another question. We have trouble, for example, picturing a Zeiss zoom with a plastic lensmount.”

Website : Sony 18-70mm F/3.5-5.6 Lens Review by PopPhoto

Master photographer Stephen Johnson has been taking beautiful landscape photography for decades, and teaching others the practical art of image making since 1977. While he started out with traditional film camera techniques, Johnson is widely recognized among his peers as a pioneer of digital photography. Stephen Johnson on Digital Photography chronicles his ride on the bleeding edge of this medium’s evolution, and provides a practical in-depth introduction to digital photography that offers the latest techniques for beginning and experienced photographers alike. Johnson’s book covers everything from:

• The basics of digital photography
• Film camera techniques vs. digital
• Practical approaches of the filmless photographer
• Techniques of the digital darkroom
• A photographer ™s digital journey
• Photography, art and the future

Amazon.com : Stephen Johnson on Digital Photography Book is Shipping

SanDisk Corp., Milpitas, Calif., USA, introduced the Extreme IV line of CompactFlash cards, which the company says breaks the speed barrier for flash-memory cards. With storage capacity of up to 8GB, the cards are targeted for professional photographers who require peak performance from their medium- and high-end SLR cameras.

SanDisk also introduced the new SanDisk Extreme FireWire reader that can transfer images from the SanDisk Extreme IV cards to a computer at up to 40MB per second, for significantly improved workflow efficiency, says the company. SanDisk will also continue to offer the SanDisk Extreme III and SanDisk Ultra II lines.

For a limited time, the company will offer an introductory bundle pack that includes a 4GB SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash card and a SanDisk Extreme FireWire reader. In the United States and Europe, a free 30-day trial version of Adobe Photoshop CS2 software is bundled with each SanDisk Extreme FireWire Reader. Photoshop is the professional image-editing standard and leader of the Photoshop digital imaging line, and the software supports both Macintosh and PCs.

SanDisk Extreme IV cards are designed to withstand the industry’s widest guaranteed operating temperature range from a freezing minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 25 degrees Celsius) to 185 degrees Fahrenheit (plus 85 degrees Celsius). The cards also include RescuePRO software that allows photographers to easily recover accidentally deleted images, lost digital images or data. The included software is compatible with both Windows and Mac platforms. SanDisk Extreme IV cards also carry a lifetime-limited warranty. Photographers who purchase the cards also will have access to a dedicated toll-free number for technical support questions.

A new 10.2 megapixel DSLR camera from Nikon!! Is this the D70 replacement? Could be called D80?
Website : New Nikon Camera Coming in 20 Days!!

The new EOS 30D ($1,400 street, body only) might well be considered a “20D II” or a “20DN,” given that it uses the same 8MP CMOS sensor, processing engine, viewfinder system, chassis, and control layout of the now-discontinued 20D. But you now get a bigger LCD screen (a 2.5-incher), a spotmeter, more burst capacity, a tougher shutter mechanism, and assorted other new or upgraded features. Here’s the conclusion from the PopPhoto review:

“Given everything that this camera can do, and do well, it ranks as a near-perfect advanced amateur/semi-pro camera. Notice the “near-perfect.” In field use of the 30D, we were reintroduced to the few quirks and inconveniences of the 20D: Setting a custom white balance, for one, is unduly complex—a five-step procedure, when most other DSLRs in this class can do it in two. The 1.6X lens factor of the 30D limits wide-angle shooting, although Canon is addressing this with its extra-wide digital-only EF-S lenses, such as the 10–22mm f/3.5–4.5 EF-S zoom that we tested in our January 2006 issue. We also don’t think that the little nub of a multicontroller works all that well in switching AF points, as it tends to skip over points. And, while the 30D works with the full system of Canon E-TTL II Speedlite flash units, the pop-up flash still can’t be used as a remote trigger. (Nikon, Pentax, and the late Konica Minolta all figured out this trick some time ago.)

What’s Hot
• A big 2.5-inch screen and a real spotmeter, finally!
• Kick-butt burst mode.
• Tougher shutter.

What’s Not
• Clumsy custom WB setting.
• Eyeglass-wearers may not see full finder.
• Wireless TTL flash controller costs extra.
• “Multicontroller” nub not so handy.

Who’s This For?
• Advanced amateurs who want a durable, fast-shooting camera besides great image quality.
• EOS Rebel XT owners looking to trade up.
• Canon pro DSLR shooters looking for a lighter-weight backup.”

Website : Canon 30D Review at PopPhoto

Finally!! Adobe announced the public beta of Adobe Lightroom software for the Windows platform, a digital imaging workflow solution for professional photographers. Now available for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms, Adobe Lightroom beta allows professional photographers to import, select, develop and showcase large volumes of digital images. Windows-based photographers now have the opportunity to assist with the development of Lightroom by testing this new beta download and submitting feedback.

The Windows and Macintosh versions of Lightroom currently contain somewhat different feature sets, but the core of Lightroom remains consistent across platforms, focused on efficiency and quality from capture through output. As the beta for each platform evolves, the features will converge and the final released versions will be the same. Lightroom beta cross-platform support allows photographers to work on projects from any Windows or Macintosh computer on-location, in the studio, or in the office. When combined with the editing capabilities of Photoshop software, Lightroom provides one clear path for taking images all the way from processing to final presentation.

Lightroom beta 1.0 for Windows is available for free download from the Adobe Labs website. Recommended system requirements are Windows XP SP2, Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 768MB RAM and a 1024-by-768 resolution screen. The final shipping version for both Windows and Macintosh will be released in late 2006.

Website : Adobe Lightroom product information

Website : Adobe Lightroom general discussion forum

Download : Download a free copy of Lightroom Beta (for Windows and Mac)

Website : Adobe Lightroom Review by Kim Dudley

The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens is a well-built, well-spec’d lens with a value price. But, giving up 4mm of focal length range on the wide end results in a much more compact lens. In addition, the 28-70 is priced noticeably lower than the Sigma 24-70. Here’s the conclusion of the lens review from The-Digital-Picture:

“The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens is very soft wide open - especially in the upper half of the focal length range. I don’t consider the results useable at and above 50mm until the lens is stopped down to at least f/4 where the full frame corners are still soft. Performance at f/5.6 is better. This lens performs best at 28mm where the results are decent.  

CA (Chromatic Aberrations) are very well controlled, flare is not. Colors have a strong yellow cast to them - it is quite apparent when comparing photos from the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens and a high-end lens such as the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Lens. Moderate barrel distortion is present at the wide end and disappears by 40mm or so. Vignetting results are normal for lenses with specs similar to the 28-70 with full frame users noticing some corner darkening when shooting wide open. Like the Sigma 24-70, I find the Sigma 28-70 to overexpose by about .2 f-stops on average.

The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens is a very well built lens for a reasonable price. Primarily due to mediocre image quality, I do not intend to include this lens in my Canon General Purpose Lens Recommendations. If you consider this an f/4 or f/5.6 lens, you *might* be happy with what you get for the price.”

Website : Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens Review at The-Digital-Picture