From LensRentals:
A constant wish amongst our customers is cheaper shipping. Today, we're happy to announce our new subscription shipping program. This program will allow our customers to rent whatever they want, whenever they want, without having to worry about high shipping prices.
What is LensRentals HD?
LensRentals HD is a shipping discount program. By signing up, you'll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place for one year, and you'll even save 50% on all FedEx Overnight shipping.
No items are excluded from the program: if we carry it, we'll ship it free. Need a jib in Los Angeles? It's free. Need 10 tripods in Miami? Totally free.
Click here to learn more.
To support this site, click on the appropriate product review and then click the button beside the camera/lens you want to rent.
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From PetaPixel:
While messing around with the features of his Nikon V1, EOSHD forum user Javier Sobremazas discovered something pretty awesome about the $220 camera: it can shoot 4k RAW … sort of. The sort of plays in for two reasons. Firstly, it can only shoot 4K for one second at a time; and secondly, it’s actually an extension of the camera’s burst mode.
You can still find the Nikon 1 V1 mirrorless camera on eBay.
Nikon has made the following owners manuals available for download:
Nikon D7100 DLSR Camera (PDF) - English | Spanish
Nikon 1 S1 Mirrorless Camera - English | Spanish
B&H carries the Nikon D7100 and Nikon 1 S1 digital cameras.
From Nikon:
Modifications enabled with this firmware upgrade
Only the camera(s) indicated above can be used to upgrade UT-1 firmware. Firmware updates can also be perfomed for you at Nikon service centers.
Confirming the firmware version (using the D7100)
Download the Nikon UT-1 Communication Unit 1.1 firmware update: Windows | Macintosh
Firmware installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
B&H carries the Nikon UT-1 Communication Unit.
From Nikon:
Modifications enabled with this firmware upgrade
Only the camera(s) indicated above can be used to upgrade WR-R10 firmware. Firmware updates can also be perfomed for you at Nikon service centers.
Confirming the firmware version
Download the Nikon WR-R10 2.00 firmware update: Windows | Macintosh
Firmware installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
B&H carries the Nikon WR-R10 Wireless Remote Controller Transceiver.
Just added to the Photography Tips section of the site is a page about Helicopter Aerial Photography.
If you ever get the opportunity to photograph from a helicopter, the insights and experience shared on this page should be helpful to you. You may also find this page motivating your next photo trip.
B&H has let us know that they will indeed be shipping the Nikon D7100 DSRL Camera and Nikon D7100 with 18-105mm Lens Kits tomorrow, March 14.
Note: Until March 30, there is a $100.00 instant rebate available for the Nikon D7100 with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX Lens Kit. You can save even more money by purchasing a lens or flash at the same time - check out the "Buy Together and Save" link within the product page.
From Nikon:
Modifications enabled with Ver. 2.4.1
Modifications that apply to both the Windows and Macintosh versions
The following issues have been resolved:
Issues resolved with both the Windows and Macintosh versions
Additional issues resolved with the Windows version
Additional issues resolved with the Macintosh version
Download the Nikon Capture NX 2.4.1 Update: Windows | Macintosh
B&H carries Nikon Capture NX 2.
The trip to Hawaii was my first major photo trip using Canon 5D Mark III bodies.
The Canon 1Ds Mark III and Canon 5D Mark II were my primary camera bodies on prior trips. On these prior trips, I would typically need to clean each camera sensor (2 or 3 of them) every two or three days - and invariably would end up with dust in most landscape pictures. It was not unusual for me to spend days cloning dust spots out of my images after each trip.
Not this time. I took two 5D III bodies, shot intensely for over two weeks, and had no sensor dust the entire time. I hate sensor dust, I hate cleaning sensors and I find having to clean sensor dust from my images to be a waste of my time (but necessary). To me, the 5D III and other similar recent Canon DSLR cameras are worth the upgrade cost for the improved sensor self-cleaning features alone.
I also made great use of the 5D Mark III's built-in horizon level on this trip. Photographs with water against the horizon are unforgiving in revealing how level your camera was. And rotating an image to correct levelness is destructive at the pixel level. Not all of my images from this trip are perfectly level, but a much higher percentage are.
Two days into my trip, while perched on a high, narrow, very dry piece of volcanic rock to get a better angle for shooting waves, I took a major hit from a rogue wave. The wave came completely over me, the 5D III and the Canon 70-300mm L Lens I was using. A major amount of water was running off of the camera, the lens and me - like a waterfall.
I fortunately maintained my balance, but I was not pleased to see the significant amount of salt water on my gear. I quickly ran to the car and dried everything with a towel (I typically have one along when shooting in such an environment). I didn't expect to have any problems and was relieved to find the camera and lens to be working fine. That camera body and lens continued to work fine the duration of the trip - even after shooting in the rain on a few occasions. Weather sealing has definite value.
That strong wind makes sharp image capture a challenge was driven home on this trip. IS definitely helps, but ... sometimes faster shutter speeds rule. I would seldom trade high ISO noise for subject motion blur. Just sayin.
The Canon 70-300 L and Canon 24-70mm f/4L IS were my two primary lenses used on this mostly-landscape photography trip. Both performed very well.
From the Canon YouTube Channel:
Thank you to all of our Canon fans in helping us reach a new milestone of 1 million minutes watched on our channel (and counting)! We could not have reached this great landmark without your help and support. As a thank you, we've created this short video including clips of our products, tutorials, movies, explorers of light and much more! We hope you enjoy!
B&H carries Canon products.
From Nikon:
ViewNX
Modifications enabled with version 2.7.4:
Modifications that apply to both the Windows and Macintosh versions
Additional modifications to the Macintosh version
Download the ViewNX 2.7.4 Update: Windows 32-bit | Windows 64-bit | Macintosh
NEF Codec
NEF Codec is a module that makes Nikon RAW (.NEF) image files as easy to work with as JPEG and TIFF images.
Version 1.18.0:
Download the NEF Codec 1.18.0: Windows
Lowepro recently expanded their Lowepro Flipside Sport AW series by adding a larger bag to the lineup - the Flipside Sport 20L AW. This new bag features the same all-weather design as the previous 10L and 15L models, but provides even more capacity to store your gear.
The Flipside Sport 20L AW bag fits:
B&H carries the new Lowepro Flipside Sport 20L AW bag as well as the rest of the Lowepro Flipside Sport AW series.
I'm just back (and somewhat recovered) from a 2+ week photo trip to Hawaii (Maui, Big Island, Kauai & Oahu). The trip was a great experience with lots of stories to tell and photos to share - though rain, thick cloud cover and high winds left some potential great photo opportunities on the list for another trip.
First up is a review of the Gura Gear Bataflae 32L. This is an excellently-designed backpack that worked out very well on this trip.
Even if you are not in the market for a high-end backpack, you might like the Kilauea Volcano night photo - and the brief summary of shooting the 500 L II in the rain.
From Spider Camera Holster:
The Spider Monkey Offers a Unique Solution That Allows Photo Accessories to Hang from a Belt for Quick-Draw Access; Visit Booth #330 for a Hands-On Demonstration
Las Vegas, NV – WPPI EXPO 2013 (Booth #330), March 11, 2013 - Spider Holster, a company specializing in unique holster-style camera carrying solutions for photographers, today announced the launch of its newest item, the Spider Monkey Holster for photographic accessories.
Spider Monkey is a compact yet durable holster clip that easily attaches to any belt or camera bag loop allowing photographers to hang their most-used equipment for quick-draw accessibility. Combined with a series of purpose-built Spider Monkey attachments, the new line offers photographers a new level of workflow flexibility. To learn more about the Spider Monkey Accessory Holster, photographers can visit http://spiderholster.com/spider-monkey.html, and attendees of the WPPI Expo (March 11-13, 2013 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV) can visit Spider Holster in booth #330 for a hands-on demonstration.
The scalable Spider Monkey accessory system eliminates the need for photographers to carry an added shoulder bag by hanging their most oft-used tools right on their belt. The durable Spider Monkey Base clip and tab are built for long-term use, with the ability to securely hold camera accessories weighing about one pound including flashes, light meters and battery packs. The Spider Monkey Tab attaches to the accessory with a robust adhesive tab (which removes cleanly after use) and an additional Velcro attachment band for ultimate security. The Spider Monkey’s built-in lock enables the user to ensure the accessory is securely hung and ready for quick-draw retrieval, all with one hand.
“Offering the same great benefits and flexibility as our Spider Camera Holster, the Spider Monkey accessory clip completely eliminates the strain that comes with the tangle of equipment bags and swing of neck and shoulder straps by safely holstering the gear you need on your belt,” said Shai Eynav, President of Spider Holster. “By transferring the camera accessories to the waste, we add a new level of accessibility to essential gear that allows photographers to get the best image at the right time, whenever needed.”
In addition to the holster clip, adhesive tab and the Velcro attachment loop which comprise the base Spider Monkey system. Spider Holster will soon be offering several add-on purpose-built items that will further enhance the functionality of the Spider Monkey, including a water bottle pouch, modular rain cover, and lens pouches for small to medium sized lenses.
The base Spider Monkey system, with holster clip, adhesive tab and the Velcro attachment loop will carry an MSRP of $17.00. Spider Monkey will be available for purchase at Spider Holster authorized dealers.
B&H carries Spider Camera Holster products.
From B&H:
"B&H will be closed Monday, March 25th in observance of Passover and will reopen on Wednesday, April 3rd at 9:00AM EDT.Orders must be placed by 12:00PM EDT on Sunday, March 24th in order to ship before the Holiday. Orders placed after this time will ship when we reopen.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patronage."
Be sure to plan your purchases in advance to avoid delays.