Use promotion code 3PG14S2L at DigitalRev to get $15.00 off any DSLR camera purchase.
Note: Amount will differ depending on regional currency. To use the promotion code, click on "Received a Gift Card?" during checkout and paste the code into the textbox.
Tamron USA Announces State Park Photography Workshop Series
From Tamron:
Professional landscape and nature photographers to lead full-day workshops at eight state parks in 2013.
Commack, N.Y., March 4, 2013 - Tamron USA announced that it will host an in-the-field photographic workshop series at eight state parks in 2013. From the scenic mountains of northern Georgia to California's awe-inspiring redwood forests, America's greatest environmental gems will serve as the backdrop for workshop leaders Ed Heaton and David Akoubian, who will lend their nature and landscape photography expertise to help attendees enhance their own photography skills.
It's hard to resist the photographic allure of the country's state parks: More than 725 million people visit them annually, according to the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD). With more than 6,600 state park units at our cameras' disposal, there are seemingly endless imaging opportunities nestled into every hiking trail, mountain range, and lakeside sunset. "Tamron USA is uniquely positioned to help novice and enthusiast photographers harness the beauty of these natural resources to improve their own landscape and nature photography skills," says Stacie Errera, Tamron USA's Chief Marketing Officer. "Plus, because the state parks on this tour, as well as the other parks in the system, are so accessible and conveniently located, workshop attendees have a great venue to go back to season after season to continue honing those skills."
Photographers participating in Tamron's state park photography workshops will be able to borrow Tamron lenses to take out in the field. Workshop leaders will conduct an instructional seminar during the included lunch; optional sunset sessions may be available at some locations.
State parks currently included on the Tamron USA tour:
Unicoi State Park (Helen, GA): May 18 with David Akoubian
Hocking Hills State Park (Logan, OH): June 1 with Ed Heaton
Ricketts Glen State Park (Benton, PA): July 27 with Ed Heaton
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (Fenton, CA): August 17 with Ed Heaton
Letchworth State Park (Castile, NY): October 5 with Ed Heaton
Eldorado Canyon State Park (Golden, CO): October 12 with David Akoubian
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (Borrego Springs, CA): November 9 with David Akoubian
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park (Blue Diamond, NV): November 16* with David Akoubian (*dates to be confirmed)
For workshop registration information, go to www.tamron-usa.com/events. For directions and lodging information, as well as a full list of state parks, go to www.americasstateparks.org. Tamron organizers may be able to recommend hotel options for attendees requiring an overnight stay.
Epson Invites Photographers to “Finish Strong” in New Advertising Contest
From Epson:
LONG BEACH, Calif. – March 4, 2013 – Epson today announced a continuation of its “Finish Strong” advertising campaign, developed by M&C Saatchi Los Angeles, with a new photography contest. Photographers are invited to submit an idea for Epson’s next Finish Strong ad. The winner will receive either an opportunity to attend an actual photo shoot with world-renowned photographer Joe McNally or a $5,000 cash prize.
“Photographers have an uncanny ability to pre-visualize amazing photographs,” said Richard Day, group product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc. “This contest provides the chance for contest entrants to have their concept of a Finish Strong ad come to life. The winner will be in very good company with the likes of the photographers from previous ads, including Corinne Alavekios, Moose Peterson and Joe McNally.”
For the past three years, Epson has collaborated with some of the industry’s leading photographers to create the Finish Strong advertising campaign, which celebrates both the photograph and the photographer in their pursuit of that final defining print. The Finish Strong Campaign has captured some of the extraordinary lengths photographers will go to for the perfect shot – the intensity of a New York City fashion shoot, a portrait session waist deep in a Pacific Northwest river, air-to-air aviation over the searing heat of the Arizona desert, and underwater in the freezing conditions of the Antarctic Ocean.
“We’re constantly inspired by the passion our Finish Strong photographers bring to their projects,” said Maria Smith, associate creative director, M&C Saatchi Los Angeles. “This contest takes the Finish Strong campaign into an exciting new phase and invites photographers to let us know what inspires them.”
Epson’s contest began on March 1 and ends on April 15. Entrants can participate by submitting 200 words or less describing their idea for Epson’s next Finish Strong print ad. More information, including the submission form and previous “Finish Strong” print advertisements, can be found at www.epson.com/finishstrongcontest.
Satechi Announces Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Trigger, Wireless Timer Remote for iOS and Canon DSLR Cameras
From Satechi:
SAN DIEGO – Feb. 27, 2013 – The Satechi BT Smart Trigger, available now, is the ideal “appccessory” for prosumer photographers, allowing them to easily manage their DSLR camera directly from an iOS device. The compact and lightweight wireless timer remote fits easily into any camera bag and features Bluetooth 4.0 technology with a range of 50 feet and a battery life of up to 10 years. The BT Smart Trigger is compatible with a wide range of cameras including the latest Canon EOS 5D Mark III, ESO 6D, Rebel T4i and EOS 60D. The Smart Trigger app is compatible with iPhone 5, iPad Mini and iPad.
The BT Smart Trigger app features multiple shooting modes giving photographers the freedom to easily capture the perfect shot during travels, outdoor adventures or everyday events.
Regular Shot – This mode allows the iOS device to act as a wireless shutter. Touch the shutter control button to capture an image – ideal for a group shot where the photographer no longer needs to be left out.
Manual Shot – Manual Shot mode gives photographers the ability to take long exposures while in bulb mode. This mode includes a switch to lock the shutter open to capture photographic techniques such as star trails, capturing fireworks or light painting.
Timed Shot – For advanced photography tasks such as time-lapses, Time Shot mode turns the iOS device into an intervalometer to capture and stitch together images of cool videos of traffic, weather or blooming flowers.
The Satechi BT Smart Trigger is available for an introductory price of $44.99 at Amazon.com. The BT Smart Trigger app is available for free at the Apple App Store.
Compatibility with Android devices such as the Galaxy SIII and Galaxy Note 2 will be available March 2013.
Tether Tools Announces Local Vu & Go Vu Monitor Mounting Solutions
From Tether Tools:
Feb. 25, 2013 (Scottsdale, Ariz.) - Tether Tools introduces the Go Vu and Local Vu monitor mount brackets, designed for the creative professional who needs to easily and securely mount small- to medium-sized monitors on tripods and stands. Both the Go Vu and Local Vu streamline the workspace thanks to their integrated VESA-compliant mounting interfaces, which allow for ultimate studio or on-location versatility.
The lightweight and durable aerospace aluminum Go Vu (#GOVU, $149.95) offers a maximum weight capacity of 35 lbs (15.88kg). It also features two different ways to mount monitors – using the 1/4”-20 tripod mount as well as the Arca-style quick release tripod attachment.
Likewise, the lightweight and durable aerospace aluminum Local Vu (#LOVU, $159.95) offers a maximum weight capacity of 35 lbs (15.88kg). It also features four different mount options for monitors – the 1/4”-20 tripod/ballhead mount, 3/8 tripod mount, 5/8” (16mm) baby junior stud (found on most studio stands, rollers, arms, and clamps), and the Arca-style quick release attachment.
The Go Vu and Local Vu can be used in many situations, but are recommended for location tethering, event and wedding slideshows, client presentations and photo booths. Both of these products are made in the United States and come with the Tether Tools Lifetime Warranty.
TOKYO, March 4, 2013—Canon Inc. announced today that the company has successfully developed a high-sensitivity 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor exclusively for video recording. Delivering high-sensitivity, low-noise imaging performance, the new Canon 35 mm CMOS sensor*1 enables the capture of Full HD video even in exceptionally low-light environments.
The newly developed CMOS sensor features pixels measuring 19 microns square in size, which is more than 7.5-times the surface area of the pixels on the CMOS sensor incorporated in Canon's top-of-the-line EOS-1D X and other digital SLR cameras. In addition, the sensor's pixels and readout circuitry employ new technologies that reduce noise, which tends to increase as pixel size increases. Thanks to these technologies, the sensor facilitates the shooting of clearly visible video images even in dimly lit environments with as little as 0.03 lux of illumination, or approximately the brightness of a crescent moon—a level of brightness in which it is difficult for the naked eye to perceive objects. When recording video of astral bodies, while an electron-multiplying CCD,*2 which realizes approximately the same level of perception as the naked eye, can capture magnitude-6 stars, Canon's newly developed CMOS sensor is capable of recording faint stars with a magnitude of 8.5 and above.*3
Using a prototype camera employing the newly developed sensor, Canon successfully captured a wide range of test video,*4 such as footage recorded in a room illuminated only by the light from burning incense sticks (approximately 0.05–0.01 lux) and video of the Geminid meteor shower. The company is looking to such future applications for the new sensor as astronomical and natural observation, support for medical research, and use in surveillance and security equipment. Through the further development of innovative CMOS sensors, Canon aims to expand the world of new imaging expression.
Canon Marketing Japan Inc. will be exhibiting a prototype camera that incorporates the newly developed 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor and sample footage captured with the camera at SECURITY SHOW 2013 (www.shopbiz.jp/en/ss/), which will be held from Tuesday, March 5, to Friday, March 8, at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center in Tokyo, Japan.
*1 An imaging element (aspect ratio: 16:9) that supports the largest image circle size possible when shooting with a Canon EF lens. *2 A CCD sensor with a readout mechanism that multiplies electrons after being converted from light. Applications include nighttime surveillance and the capture of astral bodies and nighttime nature scenes. *3 The brightness of a star decreases 2.5-times with each 1 magnitude increase. *4 Recording of test video footage was made possible through cooperation from ZERO Corporation.
See a video using the newly devloped sensor here (bottom of page).
Note: Scroll down to the section labeled "Special Offers and Product Promotions" and click the "Add Both to Cart" button to get the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Lens for only $82.95 more when you use promotion code BYR86MMT at checkout. (thanks Siming)
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 2nd, 2013
In 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!
Tamron has extended their DSLR lens rebate program with one exception - the Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 DI-II VC PZD is no longer eligible for a rebate. Instead, the lens's retail price has been reduced by $200.00.
Capturing still frames from video that are equal in quality to conventionally taken photographs has long been the Holy Grail for many photographers. Has the 4K Canon EOS-1D C DSLR finally made this a reality? CPN writer Ian Farrell investigate and discusses the EOS 1D C with award-winning cinematographer Abraham Joffe.