Canon and Sony News for Jun 2011 (Page 3)

Hauppauge, N.Y., June 7, 2011 – The Tiffen Company, a leading manufacturer of award winning photo accessories, added two new Domke bags to its Classic Line. The Domke Rolling Pro Pak Models 217 and 220 feature 6 spacious pockets and lots of storage space. Need more room - just open the zipper and the bag expands an extra 2.5”.

The Domke rolling ProPaks also feature removeable padding to protect gear, plus moveable dividers that allow you to build your bag around your equipment. Leather accents, YKK zippers and heavy duty metal hardware complement the black canvas bag. The larger Domke ProPak 220 includes a storage area for a laptop plus a tripod bag that attaches.

Durable in-line skate wheels make it great for travel. If you’re going away for a weekend, put your gear in and pack your clothing in the extra space. Going for a week or more? Pack your gear and fold your Domke F-2 or F-3X into the front space so you have your shoulder bag available when you arrive at your destination.

Small: External 14” W x 10” D x 17.5” H, Interior 12.5”W x 6”D x 16”H

Large: External 14” W x 11” D x 20” H, Interior 12.5”W x 6”D x 18.5”H

Tiffen has introduced a Variable ND Filter (press release).

The Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens in Canon mount is scheduled to ship at the end of this month, according to Sigma.

Preorder the 150 OS at Adorama or Amazon.com.

In a press release issued today, Canon UK has announced the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens.

Europe-only? Canon USA has said nothing about this new lens - I'm inquiring.

Update: At this time, Canon USA has no information about the availability of this lens in the US.

I've said before that Sanyo's eneloops are my preferred battery, so I'm pleased to see Sanyo releasing updates to the already great product.

SANYO's eneloop Series Expands with New-Type Batteries

Featuring high capacity “eneloop pro” and safer “eneloop plus”!

Tokyo, June 9, 2011 – SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO), a world leader in rechargeable battery technology, is pleased to announce the new additions to line-up of the eneloop rechargeable battery series, the “eneloop pro”, the “eneloop plus” and their charger sets to be released for the Japanese market.

The new “eneloop pro” battery has a 25% higher capacity than regular eneloop batteries, making it especially suitable for gadgets with high power consumption, such as digital cameras, strobe lights and flashlights etc. The new “eneloop plus” battery, with its overheat prevention function which suppresses overheating in case of improper use, is ideal for toys.

In addition, SANYO will also launch the “Wireless Charging Carrying Case” which can wirelessly recharge eneloop batteries. The carrying case is compliant with ‘Qi*1’, a standard of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) who are working towards the international standardization of wireless recharging technologies.

The “eneloop pro” will be available from July 21, 2011 and the “eneloop pro” charger set will go on sale from September 21 in Japan only *2. The “eneloop plus” and its charger set will be available from December 1, 2011, also in Japan only *2.

SANYO, as a member of the Panasonic Group, will continue to expand the “eneloop” series throughout the world so that people can comfortably adopt a new "lifestyle that values reusing and recycling".

*1 The “Qi” mark means that a product with the mark fulfills WPC’s standards for wireless recharging. The carrying case is useable with any charging pad with the Qi mark, regardless of the maker (Excluding certain models).

*2 The products will be available in Japan only (as of the release date).

*3 No manufacturer’s suggested retail price is set for a product with an open price.

Watch for the new eneloop batteries at B&H

In a press release issued today:

Wireless flash function via software update

Servo mode software update for mecablitz 58 AF-1 and 48 AF-1

Metz is providing an exceptional software update for both predecessors of the current top-of-the-range system flash devices. For the first time, functionality of the mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital and 48 AF-1 digital models can be enhanced retrospectively. The servo function for wireless flash without a mastering camera flash, launched in 2010, can now be downloaded from www.metz.de and imported to the 58 AF-1 digital and 48 AF-1 digital quick as a flash via the integrated USB interface.

Creative lighting with wireless flash

Wireless flash is becoming increasingly popular amongst photographers. To this end, Metz's top-of-the-range system flash devices provide two different functions. The camera-specific wireless TTL remote mode comes into play with the slave function. Because not all SLR cameras with built-in camera flash devices are equipped with a master function, Metz has also developed the servo flash release which enables the flash to be used as an additional creative light source in a room, with a camera without master function. This function was previously only available for the 58 AF-2 digital and 50 AF-1 digital and can now also be retrofitted for previous models.

Canon 600 D compatibility update

In addition to the increased functionality for the 58 AF-1 digital and 48 AF-1 digital flash devices, a further software update has been made available for all Metz system flash devices equipped with a USB interface. With the help of an update, they are now compatible with the Canon EOS 600 D.

Service and tradition – Made in Germany

Metz has been consistently engineering and manufacturing flash devices at its location in Germany for almost 60 years. The Metz range of flash devices extends from the high-performance mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital system flash to professional handheld flash guns and slave flash devices such as the mecablitz 15 MS-1 digital. The company, with its long-standing tradition, provides high quality products, Made in Germany, and is the only full range supplier of flash devices worldwide.

PDF Download

Wireless flash function via software update

Metz Flashes are available at B&H.

B&H has just announced a new 30-day return policy.

"At B&H, our goal is to ensure your complete satisfaction with your purchase. If, for whatever reason, you are dissatisfied with your purchase, you can return it to B&H within 30 days of purchase date."

Adobe has posted a page outlining Adobe Photoshop Lightroom performance optimization.

Need to completely remove Nikon software from a Windows-based computer? Use Nikon Regsweeper.

"After uninstalling a Nikon software application from Microsoft Windows some associated files remain on the operating system. Running Regsweeper will completely uninstall all files installed by the Nikon software including the registry keys."

"Why use Regsweeper? In some rare cases when trying to re-install Nikon software some problems may occur. Running Regsweeper to ensure the system is completely clean of all previously installed files for that application will ensure there are no issues. User deletion of the registry files is not recommended as it may cause further problems, Regsweeper automatically removes these files cleanly."

Learn more.

BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD TAPPED AS DIRECTOR OF CANON’S “PROJECT IMAGIN8ION,” A RON HOWARD PRODUCTION

“Project Imagin8ion” is the First Hollywood Film in History Based on Eight Independently Contributed Photographs, Produced by Freestyle in Collaboration with Canon U.S.A.

NEW YORK, N.Y., June 9, 2011 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, announced today that Bryce Dallas Howard, one of Hollywood’s most versatile and dynamic young talents both on screen and behind the camera, has been invited by Canon and her father Ron Howard to direct his latest film endeavor, “Project Imagin8ion.” The initiative is the first user-generated photo contest to serve as the foundation for a Hollywood short film, which now boasts the A-list team of Bryce Dallas Howard directing and Ron Howard executive producing, in partnership with Francesca Silvestri and Kevin Chinoy of Freestyle, a full-service development and production company.

Launched on May 22nd, “Project Imagin8ion” encourages photographers of all levels to submit photos based on a series of movie themes: Setting, Time, Character, Mood, Relationship, Goal, Obstacle and the Unknown. The contest pulled in over 8,500 photo submissions on the first day alone and aims to foster dialogue between Canon and a community of photography enthusiasts, inspiring everyone to achieve new levels of creativity. Consumers can visit www.youtube.com/imagination to submit photos through June 14th and to vote on the semi-finalists through June 23rd. Throughout the promotion, Ron Howard, Bryce Dallas Howard and Freestyle, with the help of Canon experts and the Project Imagin8ion community, will narrow down the submissions and ultimately select eight winning photos – one from each movie theme category – to become the basis and inspiration for a short film shot with Canon EOS DSLR cameras and lenses.

“It is an honor for me to take part in Canon’s ‘Project Imagin8ion,’ partnering with a brand that is empowering young filmmakers and is at the forefront of technology,” said Bryce Dallas Howard. “It’s an absolutely inspired concept and I’m over the moon to not only direct this film but to work with my father, a true mentor and my personal hero. My hope is that this film will honor the creativity, passion, and artistic integrity that so many people have put into their photographs.”

“I think Bryce is a great choice to helm this film,” said Ron Howard. “She is artistic, compassionate, curious, and loves to think outside the box. There is nothing formulaic about her approach to filmmaking and I believe that she is the perfect director for Canon's creative experiment, given how original it is and how she is part of this digital generation. Bryce has the experience and wherewithal to create a memorable film.”

Script development will not begin until all eight photos are chosen, fostering a new approach to storytelling and filmmaking for the team. Production will take place during the summer and fall, a busy time for the actress/producer who will star on screen this August as “Hilly” in Tate Taylor’s film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s “The Help” and as “Rachael” opposite Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the September release of “50/50.” Also in September of this year, Howard’s producerial debut “Restless,” a film directed by Gus Van Sant will be released. The “Project Imagin8tion” short film will premiere later this year in New York City, with the contest winners in town for a red carpet event where they will have the opportunity to meet the famous father-daughter pair. “Project Imagin8ion” will mark the second time Bryce Dallas Howard has worked with Freestyle, the first being the Reel Moments short film program with Glamour magazine.

Grey New York and Alliance, the entertainment and lifestyle marketing division of Grey, are responsible for the campaign and talent negotiations.

I'm traveling right now - and my email backlog is growing rapidly. If your email is sitting in my inbox, please be patient - I'll reply as soon as I'm able to. Thanks!