From Tamron:
Tamron Co., Ltd. (Morio Ono, President & CEO) announced today that it had established a new wholly owned subsidiary in India aimed at expanding sales organization to achieve higher sales volumes and improving every facet of the customer service.
Objective
India, being one of the major markets in the world that has posted significant growths in recent years, has been served by local distributors. In 2009, Tamron established a representative office in India to collect market information and initiated extensive research activities thereafter. To take it to the next phase, Tamron decided to establish a subsidiary to be prepared for further expansion of the market relating to interchangeable lenses for DSLR/mirror-less cameras, and optics for security/surveillance cameras. This is a major strategic move of the company to solidify its foothold in one of the fast growing markets in the world by broadening the customer base as well as enhancing the brand recognition.
Specifics of the plan
Company name | TAMRON INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED |
Address | Gurgaon (Suburbs of Delhi), Haryana, India |
Representative | Nitin Goel, President & CEO |
Principal Business | Marketing and service of optical products |
Capital | 28 Million Indian Rupee |
Share Ratio | 99.6% by Tamron Co., Ltd., 0.4% by Tamron Europe GmbH. |
Date of establishment | March 15, 2013 |
Employees | 5 (starting) |
Start of Operation | June, 2013 (projected) |
B&H carries Tamron lenses.
Update: Firmware upgrades for the Nikon D7000 and D3200 have been added.
From Nikon:
Nikon D600
This is the D600 C: 1.01 firmware upgrade download - Please review the information provided, and click the appropriate download link below.
Modifications enabled with this upgrade of firmware, release date April 2, 2013
Download the D600 C: 1.01 Firmware Upgrade: Windows | Macintosh
Installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
Nikon D800/D800E
This is the D800/D800E A:1.01 / B:1.02 firmware upgrade download - Please review the information provided, and click the appropriate download link below.
Modifications enabled with this upgrade of firmware, release date April 2, 2012
Download the D800 A:1.01 / B:1.02 Firmware Upgrade: Windows | Macintosh
Installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
Download the D800E A:1.01 / B:1.02 Firmware Upgrade: Windows | Macintosh
Installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
Nikon D4
This is the D4 A:1.05 / B:1.03 firmware upgrade download - Please review the information provided, and click the appropriate download link below.
Modifications enabled with this upgrade of firmware, release date April 2, 2013
Download the D4 A:1.05 / B:1.03 Firmware Upgrade: Windows | Macintosh
Installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
Nikon D3 / D3X / D3S / D7000
This is the D3 A:2.03 / B:2.03, D3X A:1.01 / B:1.02, D3S A:1.02 / B:1.02, and D7000 A:1.03 / B:1.04 firmware upgrade download - Please review the information provided, and click the appropriate download link below.
Modifications enabled with this upgrade of firmware, release date April 2, 2012
Download the D3 A:2.03 / B:2.03 Firmware Upgrade: Windows | Macintosh
Installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
Download the D3X A:1.01 / B:1.02 Firmware Upgrade: Windows | Macintosh
Installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
Download the D3S A:1.02 / B:1.02 Firmware Upgrade: Windows | Macintosh
Installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
Download the D7000 A:1.03 / B:1.04 Firmware Upgrade: Windows | Macintosh
Installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
Nikon D3200
This is the D3200 C:1.01 firmware upgrade download - Please review the information provided, and click the appropriate download link below.
Modifications enabled with this upgrade of firmware, release date April 2, 2012
Download the D3200 C:1.01 Firmware Upgrade: Windows | Macintosh
Installation instructions (English, PDF): Windows | Macintosh
B&H carries the Nikon D600, D800/D800E, D4, D3x, D7000, and D3200 DSLR cameras.
From Canon:
Canon U.S.A Redefines Ease of Use for Left-Handed Digital SLR Photographers with the EOS 7D L
Lake Success, N.Y., April 1, 2013 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced a revolutionary new camera that finally addresses the needs of left-handed photographers worldwide: the Canon EOS 7D L Digital SLR camera. Based on the highly successful EOS 7D, the EOS 7D L features a reversed ergonomic design which left-handed photographers will fall in love with. Whether it's shooting at eight frames per second (fps), focusing with Zone AF mode or recording 24p Full HD video, the EOS 7D L DSLR camera satisfies the most rigorous professional requirements with durability, flexibility, customizable controls and impressive image quality.
To support production of the EOS 7D L, state-of-the-art manufacturing lines developed for the classic EOS 7D were reproduced in mirrored orientation.
“Canon has been a world leader in innovation for over 65 years - and the EOS 7D L is another innovative product that we are proud to have associated with that heritage,” says Yuchira Izukio, executive vice president, CMOS Imaging Development, Canon U.S.A.
Canon EOS 7D L Features:
Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS 7D L Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers at the end of May, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,499.00*. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1,769.00*.
* Pricing subject to change at any time. Actual prices are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
Preorder Opportunities:
Canon EOS 7D L DSLR Camera (Body): B&H | Adorama | Amazon
Canon EOS 7D L DSLR Camera with EF-S 15-85mm IS USM Lens Kit: B&H | Adorama | Amazon
I know this is a bit off-topic for a photography website, but it's no secret that I [Sean] love my Roku box. I use it every day to watch Netflix streaming, see a slideshow of Flickr's most interesting photos of the day, watch or listen to media content stored on my desktop computer (via Plex Media Server software), or simply relax to Pandora being played through my home entertainment system.
With this announcement, I can't help but wonder how Roku's latest technology might be adapted for use by photographers:
From Roku:
Roku Streaming Shades were designed with the on-the-move TV watcher in mind. Comfortable, silicone nose pads keep the lightweight frame securely in place on even the smallest-featured of faces. Our industrial designers worked side-by-side with fashion designers to create a frame that looks smart wherever you want to watch a movie secretly, whether it’s a dull work presentation or your child’s piano recital.
Simple voice commands put you in control of Roku Streaming Shades. “OK, shades, play next Breaking Bad on Netflix” will start the next episode of the gritty, award-winning drama on the built-in glass prism display (a mere 3 cm from your eyes).
Roku Streaming Shades will support over 100 Roku channels at launch, with more to be added. Video is the star. Our research shows that users don’t want to use head-mounted displays to send text messages to people 10 feet away, learn the length of the Brooklyn Bridge or creep friends out by live casting a party. They want to veg out to marathon sessions of Homeland.
Two models of Roku Streaming Shades will be available:
Both models support voice commands via a built-in microphone and audio output with speakers and a stereo headphone mini-jack. A mini bluetooth Roku remote makes it simple to skip songs on Pandora when you don’t want to appear to be talking to yourself. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 10 hours of video streaming bliss.
An accelerometer and a three-axis gyroscope make it possible to play Roku games with natural head motions – just keep an eye out for curbs and oncoming traffic. Both models come with Angry Birds Star Wars free.
Use your Streaming Shades with the recently announced Roku 3 player for seamless video viewing. If you walk in the door halfway through an episode of Game of Thrones on your Streaming Shades, simply command “Okay, shades, send show to TV” to finish up on your Roku 3.
Roku Streaming Shades ($399.99) and Roku Streaming Shades XS ($499.99) will be available on Roku.com, Amazon.com and other major online retailers beginning April 31.
For those of you who live, breathe and eat technology, Roku Streaming Shades are the new way to ensure that nature, social events and family don’t get in the way of watching your favorite shows 24/7. It’s TV time. Anytime and ANYWHERE.
If the Roku Streaming Shades are out of your budget range, then you may want to look at their newly released Roku 3 Streaming Player that sells for less than $100.00.
From Kenko Tokina USA:
Company Name Change
APRIL 1, 2013
THK Photo Products, Inc based in Huntington Beach, CA will formally change it's corporate name to Kenko Tokina USA, Inc effective April 01, 2013.
THK Photo Products, Inc is the USA authorized importer and distributor of Tokina lenses, Hoya filters, Slik tripods and Kenko photo accessories. The company is also a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenko Tokina Co, Ltd of Tokyo Japan. THK Photo Products, Inc is executing this official name change to align itself with the parent company's global marketing strategy.
Mr. Yasumi Suga, president of THK Photo products comments, "We have seen tremendous growth in our core brands over the last 37 years. We are excited about the name change to Kenko Tokina USA because it best reflects our company's identity. As we continue to grow our brands moving forward, this name change will allow our customers to easily identify our company and the brands we distribute.”
Operating as Kenko Tokina USA, Inc, the company will continue to promote, distribute and service it's core brands of products in the USA.
Note: By all accounts, this appears to be a legitimate news story today.
From LensRentals Blog:
Using Energy to Detect Color
I [Roger Cicala] was able to talk with Dr. Eno Lirpa, one of the optical physicists on the Baceolus team, about their new sensors.
“When looked at from a physics point of view, current sensor technology is just a foolish design”, Lirpa says. “You give away so much resolution just to detect color. It’s just not necessary. Every photon already carries a color message.”
Every first-year physics student learns the simple formula E = hc/ ? where E equals photon energy and ? it’s wavelength. If you know a photon’s energy it’s simple to calculate wavelength and therefore determine the photon’s color.
For example, blue light, with a wavelength of 400nm has an energy of 3 electron volts per photon, while 700nm wavelength red light has an energy level of 1.77 electron volts, and green light 2.43.
“It’s a fairly simple engineering matter to measure a photon’s energy as it strikes the camera sensor, but everyone has been so focused on cramming more megapixels onto the chip,” Lirpa continues. “There hasn’t been much interest in adding additional technologies to the chip.”
There is no Bayer array over a Baceolus sensor. Other manufacturers have used new back-illuminated sensor technology to move the wiring behind the actual photosensor, rather than in front of the sensor.
Baceolus goes one step further. They’ve taken advantage of a back illuminated sensor to place energy sensing circuitry in front of each photo well. A simple calculation converts energy level to wavelength, determining that photon’s color
Read the entire fascinating article on the LensRentals Blog.
From RØDE:
RØDE has announced the i16, a surround sound microphone for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch that combines sixteen discrete microphone capsules to capture the user’s surrounding audio environment in broadcast quality.
RØDE’s iXY stereo microphone for iOS devices was released in January, and has already gained critical praise from both musical and mainstream media, including a recent Red Dot product award.
The company is quickly emerging as the leader in microphones for Apple’s portable devices, and the i16 aims to consolidate this reputation.
RØDE’s founder and president, Peter Freedman, explains: “When developing the iXY we were focussed on providing the ultimate in stereo audio capture for iOS devices. But during the project it became that there was a large proportion of the market who wanted to record in complete surround. We’ve taken that seriously and produced the i16.”
The new microphone uses RØDE’s own field recording app, RØDE Rec, to record the sixteen tracks simultaneously at quality up to 24-bit/96kHz.
At the heart of the i16 is an incredible sixteen individual gold-sputtered cardioid condenser capsules, which allows the user a high amount of freedom to record in either surround, stereo, mono, or anywhere in between.
“Once the user records the surrounding environment, software processing inside RØDE Rec will allow them to cancel background noise through phase manipulation of the other channels, working much in the same way as noise-cancelling headphones.” explained Mr Freedman. “In this way the i16 is even more effective at recording dialogue than a traditional shotgun microphone.”
Once the user records the surrounding environment they can then use that track to phase cancel any background noise, very much like noise-cancelling headphones. This results in highly intelligible dialogue and crystal-clear audio.
The i16 is available with both Apple Lightning (iPhone 5, iPad mini) and 30-pin connections. Both are shipping now, with a MSRP of US$399.
B&H carries RØDE products.
Do you want to experience that "new camera smell" but don't have the budget for an upgrade right now? Well, you're in luck!
From Google:
The new scentsation in search
Coming to your senses: go beyond type, talk, and touch for a new notation of sensation.
Your internet sommelier: expertly curated Knowledge Panels pair images, descriptions, and aromas.
Take a whiff: the Google Aromabase - 15M+ scentibytes.
Don't ask, don't smell: For when you're wary of your query - SafeSearch included.
See the Google Nose Homepage for more information. (thanks Hope)
From YouTube:
Published on Mar 31, 2013
Thanks for all your great entries.
YouTube finally has enough videos to begin selecting a winner.
What do you think is the #bestvideo on YouTube?
We've been thrilled with all of the diverse, creative entries we've seen so far, and we can't wait to begin the process of selecting the best video. We'll be announcing the winner in 10 years.
Vote for your favorite video here.