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November 2006 - Monthly Archive
   Impress Watch from Japan have recently reviewed the new Pentax digital SLR sensor cleaning kit. To get rid of the dust particles, oil and any other rubbish you should press the cleaning steak with its orange lollipop-like head to the low-pass filter covering the sensor and then clean the head from the dirt with the special paper supplied with the kit. It will work with any Pentax digital SLR cameras from *istD to K10D as well as other manufacturer’s DSLRs.
Recommended price in Japan is 4,200 Yen which is about $35.
Website : Pentax digital SLR sensor cleaning kit (in Japanese)
 
 While Nikon already has an entry-level DSLR in the D50, the D40 is a lot cheaper (at an estimated price of US$599) and yet comes with a number of improvements while taking away very little in terms of features. The D40 packs in a 6-megapixel sensor and a large 2.5in LCD monitor (the D50 only had a 2in LCD) along with a new autofocus system and an all-new menu system.
So whats the catch?
Apart from the missing monochrome information display, the only other concession Nikon has made to keep the size down is to get rid of the integrated autofocus motor found on every other Nikon DSLR. Nikon has long used two methods for driving autofocus lenses — the older method was to utilise motors and a drive shaft within the camera itself, which couples with gears inside the lens to drive autofocus.
The D40 drops the body integral drive motor and instead only supports the newer method, where electronic contacts are used to communicate with a fast and virtually silent motor within the lens itself.
This means that older lenses using the gear system will only work in manual focus, although metering and shooting will be unaffected. The autofocus points of the camera has also been reduced to just three, down from the five focusing points of the D50. The D40 is slated to appear in local stores next month.
Website : Nikon’s smallest DSLR yet from TechCentral
 IDC recently released its Q3 2006 U.S. Digital Camera Market Share Review. Here are some interesting highlights:
According to the report, third quarter unit camera shipments grew 14% to 6.8 million units. Canon retained its number one market share position for the third consecutive quarter. The firm had a share of 19%. Sony was number two with a 15% share. Kodak continued its stay in third place, with a 13% share, down from a 15% share in Q2 2006. Samsung rocketed from the lower tier to fifth place with its 11% share, right behind Nikon (also a 11% share). IDC credits this rise to deals on 5MP Samsung cameras in mass merchant channels and shopping clubs. HP was sixth with a 6% share.
Website : IDC Q3 2006 U.S. Digital Camera Market Share Review
 An interesting post from dpreview forum member Kylose. I couldn’t agree more with what he said, Nikon really need to answer his loyal and long-time customers their plans for full frame camera. See this related post a while back interviewing Nikon executives on the subject…Tough questions to Nikon about their full frame camera plan.
“As you can see in my signature below, I’m a proud D200 owner and have been for almost 9 months. It has delivered in every situation I’ve thrown at it, scoffed at the bumps it’s had, and kept going without skipping a beat.
But very recently, I have been fortunate to be given an opportunity to step into professional photography full time via a studio in New Jersey and being scheduled to shoot 40 weddings next year. The whole operation uses Canon exclusively and probably 80% have 5Ds (with a few 20Ds, 30Ds, and 1DIIs mixed in). It’s been a very lonely 2 weeks as a Nikon user. Even the owner (an award-winning photographer who could perform even with a box of disposable cameras), is a professed Nikon lover. Why does he shoot Canon then? “It’s really a business decision,” he told me.
In a professional environment where versatility is crucial to delivering top-notch imagery to clients paying 10k or more for their wedding, there’s really no choice. The quality of the images in low light can make a big difference between getting usable shots and not, despite the bride’s idiotic decision to hold the ceremony after dusk.
Until recently, I never had a chance to look at a 5D’s images up close and to examine what skilled hands could do with it on a daily basis, without extensive post-processing, knowing the steps the image has gone through from sensor to print. Let me tell you, it has really destroyed my resistance to switching brands.
I love my D200 and 70-200 2.8 VR, but as soon as fiscally possible, I’m taking the plunge into what I’ve called the Dark Side. On a sentimental note, I really hope Nikon delivers big with a full frame option so they stop hemorrhaging professionals and regain the respect they deserve as a company that’s given so much to the art and industry of photography.”
Website : Canon 5D and Going Pro: A Nikon User’s Story
 ACD Systems announced a public beta software release which updates ACDSee Pro Photo Manager with additional support for the newest RAW formats. The enhancement delivers RAW format support for more than 30 new cameras from major manufacturers including:
- Sony DSLR-A100
- Nikon D80 and D2Xs
- Pentax K100D and K110D
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
The ACDSee RAW update beta also includes support for cameras from Creo Leaf, Olympus, Leica, Samsung, and Fujifilm.
Website : Complete list of supported RAW format from ACDSee
 Lowepro is adding a new model to its line of SlingShot AW sling camera bags. The new SlingShot 300 AW is designed to hold professional digital SLR camera bodies with an attached zoom lens, plus five to six additional lenses, flash units, memory cards and personal accessories. It will be available in early 2007 with a suggested list price of $124.99. With its larger size and capacity to handle more gear, the SlingShot 300 AW boasts a built-in waist belt designed to distribute the weight and reduce back strain. The 300 AW also features a quick pull handle to allow for easier rotation. Photographers can use the SlipLock attachment loops to attach additional storage accessories, thereby offering the option to customize for individual shooting preferences. Other features include silent zipper pulls for quiet access to equipment, and a mesh back pad for added carrying comfort.
Website : LowePro’s 300AW camera bag offers better weight distribution
 The following list from TheTechLounge represents 10 good reasons to buy a DSLR over a point-n-shoot digicam:
1. Creative Control: These cameras have a multitude of settings that are just begging to be adjusted. Everything from shutter speed and aperture to white balance, in-camera sharpening and contrast, white balance and white balance shift, flash synchronization, and more…
2. Superior Sensors: DSLRs typically use a sensor that is approximately the same dimensions as an APS film negative (22.7 x 15.1 mm). The larger sensor translates directly to higher image quality in terms of detail, color depth, and dynamic range.
3. Less Noise: Contrast that with your typical modern DSLR, where you can actually make acceptable prints even at some of the highest ISO settings.
4. Accessories Galore: There are lenses, filters, adapters, extension tubes, flashes, strobes, brackets, and the list goes on. Some lenses serve special functions as well, such as those with image stabilization, macro abilities, tilt-shift functionality, and soft focus.
5. No Shutter Lag: With DSLRs, there is virtually no delay between the time that you click the shutter and the image is taken.
Check out the rest of the article for reasons 6-10.Website : 10 Reasons to Buy a DSLR Camera from TheTechLounge
 Here’s the conclusion from the article from Gizmodo…“Not everyone wants to purchase an expensive DSLR camera just to take pictures of our friends’ weddings and vacations to Reno—but some still want the option of tinkering around with DSLR functionality on occasion. Here are three sub-$1000 cameras: the Sony Alpha A100, Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80. Which one’s the best for you? It depends what you want.
If you’re looking for better image quality, the Canon is the winner. If you’re looking for quicker shot to shot speed or startup to shot speed, it’s the Nikon. The Canon also had less noise and more dynamic range, but the Nikon performed better in low light. However if you’ve got troubles holding your camera still, the Sony is the winner in image stabilization. If you’re looking for which camera looks the best (subjective), they anoint the Nikon as the king.”
Website : Three Sub-$1000 DSLRs Compared
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