Granted, this is a bit of a stretch for a "photography gear" website, but I thought we might have some readers who are interested in purchasing Google's newly announced Chromecast.
On that note, Best Buy has the Chromecast in stock with free shipping and 3 months of free Netflix streaming (according to the product page). I preordered mine on Amazon a week ago, but there's still no estimated shipping date for the order (out of stock). [Sean]
Update: It looks like the Chromecast is on backorder now - 1 to 2 weeks.
From DxO:
07/31/2013 - 233 new lens / camera combinations have been added to the DxO Optics Modules library, providing support for Canon, Pentax, Samsung, Nikkor, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina lenses for Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung and Sony cameras.
To see supported and planned combinations, click on the link below then select the second tab.
Supported or planned combinations
Canon | Fujifilm | Nikon | Olympus | Panasonic | Pentax | Samsung | Sony
Adorama carries DxO Optics Pro.
Photoshelter recently interviewed Brad Smith, Director of Photography at Sports Illustrated, for their Growing Your Sports Photography Business Guide.
During the interview, Smith provides some insight into what he looks for when hiring photographers for Sports Illustrated. The article contains great information for anyone hoping to catch the eyes of a national publication.
From the Photoshelter Blog:
"What makes a good freelance hire for Sports Illustrated?I have three major needs. First, and most importantly, I look for somebody who has really good, unique, and visually interesting content that shows they have a relationship with the subject. I want to know that a photographer has a knack for photography, that it’s not all about technique and post-production. Photographers fall into that trap. They rely on certain technology, cameras, lighting or Photoshop, etc. That’s all-important, but you have to have some kind of a relationship with a subject to show something a little more organic."
See the rest of the interview at the Photoshelter Blog.
From Adobe:
New Offer Makes it Even Easier to Purchase and Deploy Creative Cloud
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Aug. 1, 2013 - Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced a new version of Adobe® Creative Cloud™ that enables creative teams to purchase membership of a single desktop application like Photoshop® CC, Illustrator® CC, InDesign® CC or any other of the entire collection of CC desktop applications. With this new move, Adobe now offers two team plans for Creative Cloud: the complete option that delivers 14 Adobe desktop applications and sophisticated, cross-device collaboration and publishing capabilities; or the new single app plan that includes access to one desktop application along with 20GB of storage and the ability to showcase work on Behance®, the world’s leading creative community.
Both plans for Creative Cloud for teams radically simplify license management and deployment for IT departments. An intuitive, easy-to-use web portal, the Admin Console, lets administrators centrally purchase, deploy and manage all seats across an organization - whether single app or complete - under one membership agreement.
The new single app plan for teams delivers many of the benefits of full Creative Cloud for teams membership. Customers will receive updates to their favorite desktop CC application as new features become available. Creatives can share files with colleagues, whether inside or outside the organization; and cloud-based storage of 20GB can be used to view, edit, store and share a larger set of files across the team. Designers can also publish a customized online portfolio with Behance ProSite, and solicit feedback from the worldwide creative community. Over 1.6 million creatives globally are part of the Behance network.
Adobe CC Desktop Applications At Core of New Team Offer
This new version of Creative Cloud enables creative teams to purchase membership for one of Adobe’s just-launched CC family of desktop applications, including Adobe Photoshop CC, InDesign CC, Illustrator CC, Dreamweaver® CC, Premiere® Pro CC and more.
Hundreds of new features are included in these latest versions of Adobe’s industry-defining desktop tools. Innovations include:
Membership Plans and Availability
The new single app plan of Adobe Creative Cloud for teams is available for a suggested retail price of $29.99 (US) per user per month. Existing customers with CS3 or later are eligible for single app membership at a suggested retail price of $19.99 (US) per user per month. Customers can pre-order beginning today, with product availability expected August 15. Both the complete and single app plans are available via reseller partners worldwide. The complete plan is also available directly from adobe.com. For more information visit http://www.adobe.com/products/creativecloud/teams.html.
From Sigma:
RONKONKOMA, N.Y., - Aug. 1, 2013 - Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced a revolutionary new, fee-based service that will enable the company’s Global Vision lens owners to change their lens mounts for use on different camera systems.
Starting Sept. 2, Global Vision lens owners can request the Mount Conversion Service to convert their current Sport, Contemporary or Art DSLR lenses to their choice of a Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Nikon or Canon mount. Global Vision category lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MILCs) can be updated to either a micro four thirds (MFT) or Sony E- mount.
In addition to the announcement of the industry’s first Mount Conversion Service, Sigma is also extending the warranty on all of its products - including cameras, lenses and flashes purchased on or after July 1, 2013 - to four years. Previously, warranties varied by product. This enhanced product protection provides Sigma’s customers with more consistency and improved service.
“Professionals and amateurs alike are taking advantage of the many affordable camera options in today’s market; they’re updating their camera bags and exploring new systems and brands,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “When photographers purchase a lens, it’s often a significant, financial and artistic commitment - and we believe that investment should last a lifetime. Our new Mount Conversion Service and extended warranty are intended to help Sigma users get more enjoyment from our products, regardless of how their approach to photography changes overtime.”
The Mount Conversion Service is limited to all of Sigma’s Global Vision lenses. Current, applicable full-frame lenses include the 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS Sport and 35mm F1.4 DG Art; APS-C crop sensor lenses include the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Art, 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC OS Macro Contemporary and 18-35mm F1.8 DC Art; and MILC lenses include the 19mm F2.8 DN Art, 30mm F2.8 DN Art and 60mm F2.8 DN Art. Lenses can be converted to any mount of a photographer’s choosing, as long as Sigma has released that product in the requested mount.
Cost of the conversion will range between $80 to $250, plus shipping costs, depending on the focal length of the lens. All lenses will be shipped to Sigma’s US subsidiary in New York, and updated, calibrated and optimized for the new camera system at Sigma’s factory in Aizu, Japan. All lenses that undergo the Mount Conversion Service will be covered under warranty for six months following the update. Teleconverters, USB Docks and other accessories are not eligible for the service.
To request the Mount Conversion Service, please visit your local Sigma subsidiary. Customers in the United States should visit www.sigmaphoto.com.
Check out applicable Sigma products at Adorama: