Weekend Recap at The-Digital-Picture.com https://www.the-digital-picture.com Weekend Recap at The-Digital-Picture.com en-us Weekend Recap at The-Digital-Picture.com https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Images/Logo-RSS.gif https://www.the-digital-picture.com Info@The-Digital-Picture.com (Bryan Carnathan) 2003-2024 The-Digital-Picture.com Weekend Recap for November 17 - 23, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8382&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-November-17-23-2013

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending November 23rd, 2013.

In the news...

On Wednesday, Sigma released firmware updates for all of its Global Vision lenses. The updates were necessary to allow Sigma’s Nikon-mount lenses to work properly with the newly announced Nikon D5300 camera. If you have a D5300 on pre-order, be sure to update your Global Vision lens’s firmware for full compatibility.

Also on Wednesday, Nikon announced that it was the official camera of Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. The agreement means that there will now be Nikon branded picture spots throughout Disney’s properties.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted his Canon Super Telephoto Lens Shootout from Shenandoah National Park. In the article, Bryan gave his thoughts on using the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS and the 500 and 600mm f/4L IS II lenses for photographing wildlife. Check out his post for more details.

On Thursday, Bryan posted the Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S Lens test results to the site. Lens tests added include image quality, flare, light fall-off and distortion. Lens specifications and measurements were also added.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Wednesday, we posted a great deal from Adobe where you can now get the Photoshop Photography Membership Program on Creative Cloud – that’s Photoshop CC and Lightroom 5 – for only $9.99 per month with no previous Photoshop ownership required. Previously, a version of Photoshop CS3 or later was required to qualify for this pricing.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8382&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-November-17-23-2013 Sun, 24 Nov 2013 16:13:47 EDT
Weekend Recap for Nov. 3 - 9, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8268&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-Nov--3-9-2013
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending November 9th, 2013.

In the news...

On Tuesday, Nikon finally announced their retro-styled full-frame camera – the 16.2 megapixel Df, along with a redesigned 50mm f/1.8 special edition lens. The Df combines design elements inspired by Nikon’s classic “F” series with modern technology borrowed from the D4. The camera features a robust design with mechanical dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. The Df will hit the shelves later this month with an MSRP of $2,749.95 (body only) or right at three grand for the camera & 50mm f/1.8 SE lens kit.

Also on Tuesday, Profoto announced their TTL enabled, battery-powered and completely cordless off-camera flash – the B1. The B1’s battery will give you up to 220 full-power (500 watt-second) flashes from a single charge and recycles in less than 2 seconds. The B1 will be available in December for a suggested retail price of $1,995.00.

On Thursday, Tamron announced the development of its SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. The lens features an optical construction of 20 elements in 13 groups with 3 Low Dispersion glass elements, a compact design, and a redesigned tripod mount. Unfortunately, the release date and price are as of yet, unknown.

On Friday, we posted a screenshot of Canon Korea’s teaser page and asked – what do you think it is? So far, most people believe the soon-to-be-announced camera is a white Rebel-series camera. We probably won’t have to wait much longer to find out…

In site news and reviews...

On Wednesday, we asked for your most challenging shot stories. We want to know what challenges you faced when capturing your toughest shot.

Our first visitor-submitted challenging shot story was posted the following day and involved the complexities of shooting a Tesla machine and theatre performance.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Friday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens for $769.00. That’s a $130.00 savings off the normal retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8268&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-Nov--3-9-2013 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 17:45:33 EDT
Weekend Recap for Oct. 27 - Nov. 2, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8211&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-Oct--27-Nov--2-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending November 2nd, 2013.

In the news...

On Tuesday, Google added Analog Efex Pro to its NIK software bundle. The Analog Efex Pro plug-in was designed to allow users to replicate the look and feel of classic, vintage cameras. The plug-in features Classic Camera, Vintage, Wet Plate and Toy Camera presets, as well as the ability to customize each one.

Unfortunately, the Analog Efex update – automatically pushed by Google – caused crash issues for some users in Photoshop CS 6. See our post for a possible remedy to the situation.

On Wednesday, we reported on Canon USA’s plans to start packaging EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lenses with 5D Mark IIIs. Many regard this as a hint of Canon’s plans to abandon the long-offered EF 24-105mm L in camera kits. Canon USA has stipulated – at least for the near future – that both lens kits will be available.

The 5D Mark III with 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is available now for preorder.

Also on Wednesday, we found out that Adobe’s security breach was more serious than first thought. Instead of affecting approximately 3 million user accounts as first reported at the beginning of October, Adobe now says that 38 million user accounts were compromised. According to an Adobe spokesperson, the investigation is still on-going.

In site news and reviews...

On Thursday, we gave a first-hand account of Sigma USA’s Repair Service. Even though turnaround was relatively fast and our overall experience good, we were a bit concerned with Sigma’s lack of communication regarding the repair. Hopefully Sigma’s dedication to revamping their service department will bring better communication in the future.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Saturday, we published an eBay deal from BuyDig where you could get a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro lens for $749.00 with free shipping after $150.00 mail-in rebate. That’s a $150.00 savings off the normal after-rebate price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8211&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-Oct--27-Nov--2-2013 Sun, 03 Nov 2013 14:27:59 EDT
Weekend Recap for October 13 - 19, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8091&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-October-13-19-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending October 19th, 2013.

In the news...

On Monday, Sigma led off the week by accidentally adding their unannounced 24-105 f/4 DG OS HSM ‘Art’ lens to their website. Those keeping up with the news section got a sneak peak at the lens – and its specs – before Sigma removed the new lens from their website.

On Wednesday, Sigma finally announced their newest addition to the ‘Art’ line. The 24-105mm DG OS HSM features 19 elements in 4 groups, an 82 mm filter thread and 9 rounded aperture blades. Considering the success of recent global vision releases, there is certainly some interest in this new offering from Sigma. Unfortunately, the press release failed to mention a manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the lens. The interest could certainly grow – or fade – depending on its debut price. We’ll keep you posted once the final piece of the puzzle falls into place.

On Thursday, Nikon announced the 24.2-megapixel D5300. Succeeding the D5200, the D5300 features WiFi and GPS, a larger 3.2 inch LCD screen, and like other recent cameras by Nikon, ships without an optical low-pass filter. The camera will be available before the end of this month.

Also on Thursday, Nikon announced the AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G lens. Nikon designed this lens with the ‘elite’ shooters in mind – promising edge-to-edge sharpness, high peripheral illumination, and exceptional resolving power. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G will be available by the end of this month and will carry a premium price tag of around $1,700.00.

In site news and reviews...

On Friday, Bryan posted the results from our first poll, “How many DSLR Cameras do you currently have?” Bryan provided his own (highly subjective) analysis to the data. Check out the post to see what your DSLR ownership likely means about you.

Also on Friday, Bryan posted about his experience photographing waterfalls in Ricketts Glen State Park. Featuring 22 named falls and hundreds of smaller falls, Ricketts Glen is a haven for waterfall photographers. Bryan used a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift lens, a circular polarizer and a precariously positioned tripod to capture the image posted of Oneida Falls.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Wednesday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens for$1,699.00 after $300.00 mail-in rebate. That was a $300.00 savings off the normal after-rebate price [deal has expired].

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8091&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-October-13-19-2013 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 15:41:35 EDT
Weekend Recap for October 6 - 12, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8041&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-October-6-12-2013

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending October 12th, 2013.

In the news...

On Monday, Zeiss introduced the Otus 55mm f/1.4 lens. Zeiss promises that this premium lens was designed without compromise, producing excellently sharp images free of color fringing and distortion. The Otus 55mm f/1.4 will hit the shelves at the end of this month for suggested retail price of $3,999.00.

Also on Monday, Canon announced their plans for a new Customer Support Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 33,000 square-foot facility will house Support Specialists dedicated to small office and consumer imaging products including digital cameras, camcorders, and printers. The center will also support professional printing and cinema customers once operations begin in April of next year.

Canon also issued a Service Advisory on Monday for their LP-E6 rechargeable battery packs. The product advisory warns that in certain cases, an LP-E6 may fail to charge when inserted into the LC-E6 battery charger. If the LED blinks orange rapidly after inserting your LP-E6 battery, follow the steps on our post to reset the charger.

On Tuesday, Nikon announced an incremental update to their D600 DSLR camera – the D610. Compared to the D600, the D610 features a new shutter mechanism that allows for faster continuous shooting and a new quiet continuous mode. The D610 also features an improved white balance system. Check out our post for more details.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted his full review of the Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro FX lens. In short, the lens performs quite well at 16mm – but gets moderately soft at the longer focal lengths. The lens features good build quality, but a somewhat quirky focus ring clutch for manual focusing. See Bryan’s full review for more details.

On Wednesday, Bryan posted his full review of the Tokina 17-35mm f/4 AT-X Pro FX lens. Bryan found the Tokina 17-35mm lens produced image quality slightly worse than its wider aperture cousin, the Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 – but the f/4’s lower price, lower weight, and lower cost will certainly be enough to sway some consumer purchases. Check out Bryan’s full review for all the important details.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Wednesday, we posted a deal from BuyDig.com where you could get a Canon EOS 6D, PIXMA PRO-100 Printer, and Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 11 for only $1,599.00 after a $400.00 mail-in rebate. That’s almost a $300.00 savings off of the normal 6D – without bundled accessories – price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=8041&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-October-6-12-2013 Sun, 13 Oct 2013 18:11:14 EDT
Weekend Recap for September 29 - October 5, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7975&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-September-29-October-5-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending October 5th, 2013.

In the news...

On Wednesday, we posted the news that Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 was being bundled Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIs and 6Ds in the European market. Unfortunately, the promotion is limited to the European region – meaning USA customers will not be receiving Lightroom 5 with their camera purchases.

On Thursday, we posted about an economical, Do-It-Yourself method for controlling your Canon DSLR over Wi-Fi. Using a rooted Android media stick and the DSLR Controller and DSLR Controller Wi-Fi Stick apps, we were successfully able to remotely control a Canon 7D using an Google Nexus 7. Check out our post for more information.

On Friday, we covered a serious Adobe security breach. Adobe admits that it was recently hacked and sensitive data pertaining to 2.9 million user accounts was compromised. Unfortunately, that’s not all. Unauthorized parties were also able to gain access to source code for several Adobe products. This may eventually lead to problems for end users as the hackers learn how to exploit security issues that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

In site news and reviews...

This week, Bryan celebrated “Filter Week” by updating various filter and filter accessory reviews. Bryan updated reviews for UV/clear filters, circular polarizers, neutral density filters, step up rings, and filter wrenches. Check out our filter review page for all the latest information.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Thursday, we posted an eBay deal from Adorama Camera where you could get a Refurbished Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens for $192.00 with free shipping [auction has ended]. That’s 60% savings off the normal, new retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7975&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-September-29-October-5-2013 Sun, 06 Oct 2013 14:33:26 EDT
Weekend Recap for September 22 - 28 [Text-Only Version] https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7902&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-September-22-28-[Text-Only-Version]

Due to travel this weekend, I won't be able to create the YouTube version of the Weekend Recap this week. However, here's the abridged text-only version:

In the news...

On Tuesday, Adobe took the wraps off of Photoshop Elements 12 and Premiere Elements 12. Photoshop Elements 12 now features Content-Aware Move, a Straighten Tool, and Guided Edits, while Premiere Elements 12 added Motion Tracking, music scores and new sound effects.

In Site News and Reviews...

On Monday, Bryan added 40 additional sample pictures to the site. The gear used for the sample images is as diverse as the subject matter. Check out the image captions for helpful hints.

On Wednesday, Bryan published his first looks at the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens image quality results. The good news? The lens seems to be performing significantly better than its predecessor on the long end of the focal length range.

And for our Deal of the Week...

On Monday, we posted an eBay deal from BigValueInc where you could get a Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR camera for only $2,549.99 [auction has ended]. That's a $949.00 off the normal, retail price.

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7902&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-September-22-28-[Text-Only-Version] Sun, 29 Sep 2013 19:26:48 EDT
Weekend Recap for September 15 - 21, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7851&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-September-15-21-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending Sept. 21st, 2013.

In the news...

On Tuesday, the Photoshop Photography Membership Program went live on Creative Cloud. Those with a valid serial number for Photoshop CS3 or later can now register for Photoshop CC , Lightroom and Bridge CC for only $9.99 per month. See our post for the signup directions.

On Thursday, Nikon announced the world’s first waterproof and shockproof interchangeable lens camera, the Nikon 1 AW1 (I accidentally said "A1" instead of "AW1" in the narration), and two new waterproof lenses, the AW 11-27.5mm zoom and 10mm f/2.8 prime. The AW1 and lenses are scheduled to be available in October.

On Friday, Sigma released a new version of its Optimization Pro software as well as firmware updates for its 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM and 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lenses. The firmware updates allow for quieter autofocus and, in the zoom’s case, improved optical stabilization. The lenses can be updated using Sigma’s USB dock. If you own one of Sigma’s global vision lenses, getting the USB dock is highly recommended.

In site news and reviews...

This week, Bryan added sample pictures for the Canon SL1 and EOS M cameras, three Sigma lenses (35mm f/1.4, 18-35mm f/1.8, 120-300mm f/2.8) and the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC.

On Friday, Bryan also posted a photo of the moon taken at 1680mm. Bryan used the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II, a 2x Extender and a 1.4x Extender to capture the moon with an unexpected, yet certainly welcomed, airplane silhouette.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Monday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 and Premiere Elements 11 for $84.99 with free shipping. That’s a $45.00 savings off the normal, retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7851&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-September-15-21-2013 Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:35:14 EDT
Weekend Recap for September 8 - 14, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7794&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-September-8-14-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending September 14th, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, LensRentals announced they were opening a new office in Brentwood near Nashville, TN. If you live in the Nashville area, you will have the opportunity to pick up and drop off your rentals in person to avoid shipping charges.

On Tuesday, Canon Professional Services USA notified CPS members of upcoming program changes. Some of the changes include getting rid of paper vouchers for maintenance cleanings, shortening evaluation loan times, and modifying repair discounts for Gold and Platinum members.

In site news and reviews...

On Tuesday, Bryan published his full review of the Canon EOS 70D. Bryan was very impressed by the 70D’s responsive, full-featured autofocus system and image quality that seemed “just right.” For all the details, check out 70D’s full review.

On Wednesday, yours truly published a full review on the Spiffy Gear Light Blaster. The Light Blaster allows you to use items you probably already own – a flash and a DSLR lens – to project transparent slides onto any surface. You can use the Light Blaster to easily transform a drab background into something more intriguing. Check out the Light Blaster review for more information.

On Thursday, Bryan published a tutorial on how to create natural-looking HDR photos using any image editing program that allows you to create layers and masks. Want to keep the detail in your shadows without blowing the highlights in your next landscape photo? Check out Bryan’s tutorial to see how.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Wednesday, we posted a deal from BuyDig.com where you could get a Canon 5D Mark III, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS, PIXMA PRO-100 printer, photo paper and an Adobe software bundle for $3,499.00 after rebate. Considering that a 5D Mark III sells for that retail price all by itself, the bundle was an especially good deal.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7794&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-September-8-14-2013 Sun, 15 Sep 2013 16:32:21 EDT
Weekend (Monday?) Recap for September 1 - September 7, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7744&Title=Weekend-Monday-Recap-for-September-1-September-7-2013
Please excuse my delay in posting the Weekend Recap this week!

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending Sept. 7th, 2013

In the news...

In a time when lens prices seem to go up, up and away, it’s very nice to see some prices drop. On Tuesday, we reported on five lenses that have dropped significantly in price – the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS, the 28mm f/2.8 IS, the 35mm f/2 IS, and two popular EF-S lenses, the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and ultra wide angle 10-22mm USM lens. We don’t know if these price drops will be permanent, so take advantage of the reduced prices while you can.

This week, both Canon and Zeiss announced new cinema lenses. On Wednesday, Canon announced the CN-E35mm T1.5 L F lens. The 35mm lens is Canon’s sixth prime lens in its cinema series, and should hit the shelves in December for a little north of $5,000.00. On Thursday, Zeiss announced its own cinema lens, the CZ.2 15-30mm T2.9. This cinema zoom is scheduled to be available in April 2014 for a price “under” €20,000.

Also on Thursday, Nikon announced two new COOLPIX cameras – the P7800 and S02 – as well as the LD-1000 LED movie light. For more information on these new products, check out Thursday’s news post.

And for probably the biggest news of the week (for most of our audience, at least), Adobe announced a Photoshop Photography Program for Creative Cloud. The new program offers Photoshop CC and Adobe Lightroom 5 for an affordable $9.99 per month, but there’s a catch. In order to qualify for the program, you must already own Adobe Photoshop CS3 or later. We’re quite saddened by that stipulation as it will preclude many anxious customers from taking advantage of this seemingly fair offer. The Photoshop Photography Membership Program will start September 17th.

In site news and reviews...

On Wednesday, Bryan published the ISO noise comparisons for the Canon EOS 70D. Judging by the results, it looks like Canon was able to increase resolution – from 18 to 20 megapixels – without increasing ISO noise. It looks like Canon did a good job designing their Dual-Pixel sensors.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Thursday, we posted an eBay deal from RytherCamera where you could get a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens for $650.00 with free shipping. Unfortunately, the price rose to $679.99 shortly after posting. However, that’s still a very good deal compared to the normal, retail price of $1,149.00.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7744&Title=Weekend-Monday-Recap-for-September-1-September-7-2013 Mon, 09 Sep 2013 08:55:25 EDT
Weekend Recap for August 25 - August 31, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7695&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-August-25-August-31-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 31st, 2013

In the news...

On Tuesday, PocketWizard announced the availability of their Hot Shoe to Miniphone Cable. Dave Schmidt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for PocketWizard noted, 'This cable has been long overdue in our line. There are several flashes on the market that skipped the basic PC port making this cable a necessity and the PC port is not known for its reliability. This high-quality cable will provide the connectivity and reliability photographers expect from PocketWizard.'

On Wednesday, Adorama announced its new Glow series light modifiers from Flashpoint. The Glow series includes budget-friendly softboxes and octaboxes made for studio strobes and shoe-mount flashes. Check out the Glow series at Adorama for all the products offered.

In site news and reviews...

On Thursday, Bryan published image quality test results from the Canon EOS 70D. The camera seems to produce results that are a great balance between the 60D’s and T4i’s sharpness levels. Bryan also posted an MP3 of the 70D’s frame burst - sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

And just a reminder, signing up for the site’s newsletter will give you a chance to win a Think Tank Photo StreetWalker Harddrive Camera Backpack. Just enter your email address in the appropriate textbox above the site’s menu bar.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Thursday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get a Zacuto Z-Finder Jr Optical Viewfinder for only $56.75 with free shipping. That’s a savings of $100.00 off the normal retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7695&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-August-25-August-31-2013 Mon, 02 Sep 2013 08:42:04 EDT
Weekend Recap for August 18 - August 24, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7645&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-August-18-August-24-2013

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 24th, 2013

In the news...

On Tuesday, we posted about the 5D Mark IIIs with Magic Lantern pre-installed available for rent from LensRentals. The cameras ships with a 1000x memory card and enable users to capture amazingly clear RAW video.

On Thursday, Canon announced four new PowerShot cameras - the G16, S120, SX510 HS & SX170 IS - and a special edition Facebook-ready PowerShot N. Canon’s new top-of-the-line PowerShot, the G16, has been updated with a DIGIC 6 processor, improved AF, shorter lag, and built-in WiFi connectivity.

Also on Thursday, Canon announced the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens. Building on the popularity of the previous 55-250mm consumer zoom, the new lens features an improved AF system, reduced chromatic aberrations, and Canon’s stepping motor for reduced AF noise in video mode.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted an atypical review for the site - the Toshiba KIRAbook 13. In short, Bryan liked the laptop’s cutting-edge speed, dense screen resolution and out-of-the-box color calibration. Check out Bryan’s review for more information.

Also this week, Bryan sent out the site’s inaugural newsletter and announced a giveaway. Anyone who signs up for the newsletter, or is already on the distribution list, will automatically be entered to win a Think Tank Photo StreetWalker HardDrive Camera Backpack.

The newsletter will include review updates, new product announcements, prize giveaways, picture explanations, and exclusive deals. If you’re interested in getting the newsletter, or want to enter the camera backpack giveaway, look for the signup box located above the menu bar on the site.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Tuesday, we posted an eBay deal from 47th Street Photo where you could get a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens for $779.00 with free shipping [deal has expired]. That’s a $120.00 savings off the normal retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!'

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7645&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-August-18-August-24-2013 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 12:37:20 EDT
Weekend Recap for August 11 - August 17, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7584&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-August-11-August-17-2013

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 17th, 2013

In the news...

On Wednesday, Tamron announced a 3-business day turnaround for lens repair services. Tamron recently expanded their service and support staff at Tamron USA, leading to the announcement. Tamron USA’s president said, “By speeding up the repair turnaround time, we can alleviate our customers’ anxiety about repairs and thereby increase their satisfaction of and confidence in Tamron products.” We’re hoping other manufacturers follow suit.

On Thursday, the European Imaging and Sound Association announced their Photo category winners. Top honors in various segments included the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS, Rebel SL1 and EOS 6D, the Nikon D7100, and the Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC and 90mm f/2.8 Di VC Macro lenses.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted his full review of the “groundbreaking” Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM “Art” lens. In short, Bryan was quite impressed with the lens’s image quality, reassuring build quality, and consistent autofocus. It looks like Sigma will continue its success in the Global Vision line with the release of its uniquely wide-aperture zoom lens.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Monday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get a Timbuk2 Snoop camera backpack for $49.95 with free shipping [deal is no longer available]. That’s more than half off the normal retail price of $99.95.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7584&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-August-11-August-17-2013 Sun, 18 Aug 2013 12:03:13 EDT
Weekend Recap for August 4-10, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7534&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-August-4-10-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 10th, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, Nikon announced several new products. Along with a couple of PowerShot cameras, Nikon announced the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens and the compact, lightweight SB-300 AF Speedlight. Both products are scheduled to be available at the end of this month.

On Thursday, we posted a video from National Geographic’s YouTube channel demonstrating how photographer Nick Nichols and videographer Nathan Williamson used robots and aerial drones to capture dramatic images of Serengeti lions that appear in this month’s issue of National Geographic.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Tuesday, we posted an eBay auction hosted by Adorama where you could get a Refurbished Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens for $279.99 with free shipping. That’s a 60% savings off the normal, new retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7534&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-August-4-10-2013 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 12:47:01 EDT
Weekend Recap for July 28 - August 3, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7480&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-July-28-August-3-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 3rd, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, Canon released firmware updates for three 1-series bodies - the 1D III, 1Ds III, and the 1D Mark IV. While the firmware updates fixed relatively minor issues, their release sheds light on Canon’s long-term commitment to supporting pro-grade bodies well after they’ve been discontinued.

On Thursday, Sigma announced a lens mount conversion service. The new service allows current owners of Sigma’s global vision lenses to return their lenses to Sigma’s service department to have the mounts changed to any other supported camera mount. The service will cost anywhere from $80.00 to $250.00, depending on the lens.

In site news and reviews...

On Tuesday, Bryan published the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM lens image quality test results. Featuring a wide, constant f/1.8 maximum aperture, solid build quality, and good image quality, Bryan noted, “This lens is looking like another Sigma hit to me.”

And, for our deal of the week…

On Tuesday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could use a promotion code to get the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM "Sports" lens for $300.00 off - or $3,299.00 with free shipping.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7480&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-July-28-August-3-2013 Sun, 04 Aug 2013 15:05:22 EDT
Weekend Recap for July 21-27, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7427&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-July-21-27-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending July 27th, 2013

In the news...

On Tuesday, Corel announced Painter X3. With the newest version of Painter, Corel introduced new tools such as Jitter Brushes, Crosshair Cloning, Perspective Guides, Smart Brush Controls, and Multi-Layer Transformations. Painter X3 will start shipping in early August.

Also on Tuesday, NASA released images taken by the Cassini spacecraft as it passed near Saturn’s rings on the previous Friday. The images show a small, pale-blue Earth set against the vastness of space below Saturn’s brilliantly illuminated rings. It is truly a humbling sight. Check out NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory page for more information.

In site news and reviews...

On Thursday, Bryan published his full review of the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM “Sports” lens. In short, the lens proved to be a significant upgrade over its predecessor - in both image quality and overall versatility. Bryan was so impressed with the lens that it now has a permanent home in his lens arsenal. For more information, check out Bryan’s full review.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Monday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera for $1,629.00. That’s more than a $350.00 off the normal retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7427&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-July-21-27-2013 Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:24:41 EDT
Weekend Recap for July 14-20, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7380&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-July-14-20-2013

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending July 20th, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, we reported on Canon USA’s updated warranty policy regarding refurbished gear. The warranty on refurbished DSLR cameras, lenses, flashes and camcorders increased from 90 days to a full year. According to a representative I spoke with at Canon USA, the 1-year warranty applies to all eligible refurbished gear purchases made after June 24th.

On Tuesday, we posted a news piece on LensTag - a new website devoted to protecting photographers from purchasing stolen gear and aiding in recovery. The service is free and highly recommended. Check out the news post for more details.

On Friday, Canon celebrated the official grand opening for its new Canon USA headquarters in Melville, NY. The 500 million dollar, five-story facility covers 700,000 square feet and will house well over 2,000 employees once operating at full capacity. And one more interesting fact - it’s located only about a mile from Nikon’s own USA headquarters.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted his full review of the Sigma USB Dock and asked, “Why wasn’t this product introduced a long time ago?” For owners of Sigma’s new global vision lenses, the dock proves to be a valuable tool in ensuring your lenses works optimally now and provides insurance that the lenses will play well with future bodies.

On Wednesday, Bryan posted his review of the Canon EOS Rebel T5i - but it came with a caveat. As the T5i shares so many similarities with its predecessor, Bryan simply adapted the T4i’s review to cover the essential changes between the two cameras. Check out Bryan’s review for more details.

On Thursday, Bryan posed the question, “What is going on with the EOS M camera and EF-M lens line?” First, the new EF-M 11-22mm lens was never announced by Canon USA - meaning it’s not scheduled to be available in the US market (at least not yet). Then the price of the EOS M camera plummeted. As inventory was depleted, the camera was listed as “discontinued” by several retailers. However, a Canon representative told us adamantly, “The EOS M is not a discontinued product…”

Does this strange line of events mean a new EOS M camera is on the horizon? We don’t know - but it’s fun to speculate. I mean, a new EOS M with the 70D’s Dual Pixal AF system sounds like a match made in mirrorless heaven. Just a thought…

And, for our deal of the week…

On Friday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get a Refurbished Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera for $1,599.95 with free shipping. That’s nearly a $400.00 savings off the normal, new retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7380&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-July-14-20-2013 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 12:30:38 EDT
Weekend Recap for July 7-13, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7328&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-July-7-13-2013

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending July 13th, 2013

In the news...

On Thursday, Nikon introduced its interactive Facebook experience called “My Nikon World,” a photographic community with features such as photo challenges, leader boards, and competition badges. Check out Nikon’s Facebook page for more information.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted the image quality comparison tests for the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM “Sports” Lens. In short, the new lens is proving to be a little bit better than its predecessor. Check the image quality tests for more comparisons.

On Thursday, Bryan posted his full review for the Canon EOS Rebel SL1. The tiny camera (in DSLR terms, at least), provides pro-grade image quality that stacks up well against all of Canon’s recent APS-C sensor cameras. Its small size and intuitive controls make it an excellent travel camera. Check out Bryan’s full-review for more details.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Monday, we posted a deal from BuyDig.com where you could get a Canon Rebel T5i with 18-55mm IS STM lens, Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 11, 32GB SD card, Canon PIXMA PRO-100 Professional Inkjet Printer, a pack of Canon photo paper, and two 4GB flash drives for $749.00 with free shipping (after $400.00 mail-in rebate). When you consider that the body alone retails for the same price, the package provides one heck of a deal.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7328&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-July-7-13-2013 Sun, 14 Jul 2013 17:49:55 EDT
Weekend Recap for June 30 - July 6, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7287&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-30-July-6-2013

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending July 6th, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, Nikon published an updated “Lens Vibration Reduction Performance Chart” to coincide with newly introduced CIPA standards. The new standards established by the CIPA mean that Vibration Reduction performance values advertised before July 1, 2013 may be inaccurate.

Also on Monday, Canon North America celebrated one million views on YouTube. This milestone came less than 4 months after Canon celebrated a similar milestone – 1 million minutes watched on its YouTube channel.

On Tuesday, Canon announced the EOS 70D. The new camera features an all-new 20.2 megapixel sensor, a DIGIC 5 processor, built-in WiFi, intelligent viewfinder and a 7 frames-per-second burst rate. And speaking of the sensor, the 70D is the first camera to feature Canon’s Dual Pixel AF system. The new AF system allows for instant, precise, continuous focusing in live view and movie recording. The new technology is touted as being a “game changer” by Canon; we certainly look forward to putting it through its paces first hand.

And, we have a three-way tie for our deal of the week…

On Wednesday, we posted two deals from Adorama where you could get a Canon EOS M with 22mm f/2 STM lens for $299.00, or an EOS M with the 18-55mm IS STM lens for $349.00 – both with free shipping and 2% Rewards. For perspective, the EOS M with the 22mm lens originally debuted for $799.00.

And on Thursday, we posted another deal from Adorama where you could get the Canon EOS 6D plus EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens kit with the PIXMA PRO-100 Printer and Photo Paper for $1,999.51 after $400.00 mail in rebate. At that price, it’s like buying the camera and getting the lens, printer, and paper – for free.

Note: Deals have expired.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7287&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-30-July-6-2013 Sun, 07 Jul 2013 15:29:13 EDT
Weekend Recap for June 23-29, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7243&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-23-29-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 29th, 2013

In the news...

On Wednesday, Canon released a significant firmware update for the EOS M mirrorless camera. Announced at the beginning of June, the updated firmware significantly increases autofocus performance in One-Shot mode. If you have an EOS M camera, installing the firmware update is highly recommended.

On Friday, we reported the availability of Manfrotto’s new Acra-Swiss compatible quick-release mounts and plates. As Bryan noted in the announcement, “Manfrotto makes great gear and gives you a lot for your money. I found the lack of Arca-Swiss compatibility to be a drawback. That drawback has now been erased.”

On Saturday, we reported on Carl Zeiss’s rebranding announcement. Joining the likes of Madonna and Bono, “Carl Zeiss” lenses will now be known by the single word – “ZEISS.” The company decided to drop “Carl” from their lens branding because of the strength and global recognition of the ZEISS name and to create greater consistency among its product markets.

In site news and reviews…

On Monday, Bryan posted his full review of the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lens. The best word to describe the lens – impressive. In versatility, image quality, and investment required. Check out Bryan’s full review for all the details.

On Thursday, Bryan posted his full review of the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. In short, the lens is a significant upgrade to its predecessor. Canon’s new kit lens features an improved AF motor, better manual focusing ring, and a front element that doesn’t rotate with focusing. The lens is an especially good value when purchased in a camera kit.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Tuesday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Sekonic Lightmaster Pro L-478DR Touch-Screen Light Meter for $359.00. That’s more than a 23% savings off the normal retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7243&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-23-29-2013 Sun, 30 Jun 2013 12:31:19 EDT
Weekend Recap for June 16-22, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7182&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-16-22-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 22nd, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, Canon announced a service notice for its 1D X and 1D C DSLR cameras. Canon warns that insufficient lubrication within the cameras’ drive mechanism may lead to its inability to autofocus correctly. Check out the service notice to see if your camera is affected and steps for resolving the issue.

Also on Monday, Adobe announced a major update to Creative Cloud. Among other things, the update added new features to Photoshop CC like Camera Shake Reduction and an all-new Smart Sharpen tool. Adobe Creative Cloud is available now through Adobe and authorized retailers.

On Wednesday, Spider Holster announced the newest addition to its product lineup – the Large Lens Pouch. The pouch features a built-in solution for tethering a rear lens cap, a removable pouch lid, and the ability to add additional accessories through the Spider Holster clip system.

On Thursday, Nikon released an apology regarding “Image Space” account issues. Apparently, a technical glitch led to 43 user accounts being accessible by two people – the original user and one additional person. To remedy the situation, Nikon says they have fixed the technical glitch and emailed affected users with a personal apology and directions on how to proceed with their accounts.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Tuesday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for $369.00. That’s a $280.00 savings off the normal retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7182&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-16-22-2013 Sun, 23 Jun 2013 12:51:33 EDT
Weekend Recap for June 9-15, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7128&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-9-15-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 15th, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, Adobe announced the availability of Photoshop Lightroom 5. New features include an advanced healing brush, upright tool, radial gradients, and extended sharing and publishing capabilities.

On Thursday, Nikon announced the production of its 80 millionth NIKKOR lens. Nikon has been producing NIKKOR lenses since 1959.

Also on Thursday, Adobe addressed various issues regarding its release of Lightroom 5. One thing to note – if you’ve purchased Lightroom 4 recently, you may qualify for a free upgrade to Lightroom 5. Check the press release for more information.

On Friday, Tokina announced its AT-X 12-28mm f/4 Pro Lens for crop-sensor cameras. The lens features a new optical design featuring aspherical elements with super-low dispersion glass as well as a quieter autofocus motor. The new lens is expected to hit retailers later this month.

Also on Friday, Sigma announced pricing and availability for its 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Lens. The big news? The lens will carry an MSRP of only $799.00. That’s an impressive price point for this uniquely wide zoom lens. It’s expected to hit retailers at the end of July.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted the image quality results for the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens and asked, ‘Is This the World's Sharpest DSLR Zoom Lens?’ Take a look for yourself to see how the 200-400 stacks up against the venerable 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and the 24-70mm f/2.8L II.

On Tuesday, we introduced a new feature on the site – the Camera Specifications Tool. The new tool allows you to see cameras side-by-side to compare feature sets within an organized, standard layout. Check out the Camera Specifications Tool for more information.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Saturday, we posted a deal from B&H Photo where you could get a refurbished Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 18-200mm DX VR II lens for $529.00 with free shipping. The “new-model” retail lens sells $846.95.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7128&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-9-15-2013 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:08:21 EDT
Weekend Recap for June 2-8, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7067&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-2-8-2013
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 8th, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, Eye-Fi announced its new Mobi card. The Mobi card allows images taken with a digital camera to be instantly available on a smartphone or tablet using Eye-Fi’s free mobile app.

On Tuesday, we announced the availability of Sigma’s USB Dock for EF mount lenses. We have one in-house and have already used it to update the firmware on a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 using Sigma’s Optimization Pro software. So far, everything has worked just as expected.

On Thursday, Canon announced the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens. The new wide-angle lens becomes only the third EF-M lens to be added to Canon’s mirrorless lineup, the others, of course, being the 18-55 and 22mm STM lenses.

Along with the announcement of the 11-22mm lens, Canon also announced an upcoming firmware update for the EOS-M Mirrorless camera. The new firmware update, expected at the end of this month, is purported to more than double autofocus performance.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted his full review of the Samyang 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC Tilt-Shift Lens. Overall, Bryan was dissatisfied with the lens’s image quality performance compared to its Canon counterpart which is sharper wide open than the Samyang is at any aperture. Read Bryan’s full review for more information.

On Friday, Bryan published the Spring 2013 Canon Big White L Lens Family Picture. Just a word of caution – staring at this image too long may result in an increased investment in “L” glass. Beautiful, aren’t they?

In other news, we received two Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lenses this week. So far, the results have been very impressive. Stay tuned for more information coming soon.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Saturday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get a Nikon D90 DSLR Camera Kit for only $599.00 with free shipping and 2% rewards. That’s a $350.00 off the normal going rate. [Note: Deal has expired.]

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=7067&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-June-2-8-2013 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 15:25:49 EDT
Weekend Recap for May 26 - June 1, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=5023&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-May-26-June-1-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 1st, 2013

In the news...

It was an unprecedented week for Canon firmware updates. First off, Canon released firmware updates for the 1D Mark IV, 1Ds Mark III, and 1D Mark III – all firmware updates enabled the center AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with the EF 200-400mm F4L USM lens when used with the internal Extender and an external 1.4x Extender.

Second, Canon released a 1D X firmware update that incorporated several bug fixes including slow autofocus when using a speedlite’s AF assist beam.

Third, Canon announced a firmware update for the 1D C. Along with a few bug fixes, the new firmware provides support for 25p (PAL format) video recording in 4K resolution. Owners will have to send their cameras into Canon Service in order to update their 1D C’s firmware.

And fourth, Canon released an updated firmware for the WFT-E7A Wireless File Transmitter that corrected a couple of issues from previous versions.

On Wednesday, Canon celebrated a manufacturing milestone – the production of its 90-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras. And, just in case you’re curious, the 90-millionth lens produced by Canon was a 24-70mm f/2.8L II.

On Friday, B&H and Adorama started shipping the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with built-in Extender. We have one headed our way and look forward to putting it through its paces.

On Saturday, we posted Adobe’s response to questions regarding Creative Cloud. Adobe notes that many photographers desire a more-tailored program specific to their needs. Adobe is currently exploring photography-specific options. They are also formulating solutions that will allow Creative Cloud customers to access their existing files even after their subscription lapses. Expect more announcements from Adobe soon.

In site news and reviews...

On Thursday, Bryan posted the image quality results for the Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD Lens and added the lens’s information to the Lens Specifications Tool on the site.

On Friday, Bryan tentatively announced a new feature to the site – star ratings for gear reviews. Keep in mind, we realize it’s very difficult to represent all aspects of a lens – image quality, build quality, AF speed, etc. – with a single rating. However, it is a work in progress so please bear with us.

On Saturday, Bryan added product images for several lenses to the site’s Lens Product Image Comparison Tool. Check out the tool found in the site’s menu bar for all the site’s lens comparison images.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Saturday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens for $369.00 – more than a 32% savings off the normal retail price of $549.00.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=5023&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-May-26-June-1-2013 Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:52:30 EDT
Weekend Recap for May 19 - May 25, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4958&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-May-19-May-25-2013

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending May 25th, 2013

In the news...

On Tuesday, Nikon published firmware updates for the D700, D300 and D300s DSLR cameras. The firmware updates added support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens.

Also on Tuesday, we commented on the extensive changes to Flickr and asked – is it better than it was before? In a nutshell, Flickr overhauled their photostream layout, restructured their accounts, and released an updated Android app.

While some of the changes are certainly good – like 1 terabyte of free storage for free user accounts, we noted some issues with the new photostream layout that we’d like to see addressed to achieve an improved user experience.

On Thursday, Canon launched PIXMA Comix, an interactive application found its Canon U.S.A. Facebook page that allows users to create personalized photo comic strips for printing and sharing. While the idea is novel, I found the layout program to be a bit awkward to use when I tested out it out earlier this week. Hopefully your experience will be better than mine…

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan published the ISO image quality samples and vignetting test results for the Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS STM lens. Distortion results were added later that day. Check the lens’s review page for full details and links.

On Thursday, Bryan posted an update to the site’s Canon Lens Date Code Chart. Unfortunately, 2013 has been a challenging year for predicting Canon’s lens manufacturing dates. The Date Code Chart is still a work in progress. Site visitors are encouraged to let us know if they suspect any discrepancies in the date code chart when examining serial numbers or date codes on newly acquired lenses by emailing us at info@the-digital-picture.com.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Friday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera for $1,679.00 – more than a $300.00 savings off the market’s going-rate.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4958&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-May-19-May-25-2013 Sun, 26 May 2013 09:42:09 EDT
Weekend Recap for May 12 - 18, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4899&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-May-12-18-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending May 18th, 2013

In the news...

On Tuesday, Nikon announced their fastest mirrorless lens yet – the 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2. The new lens features a silent wave motor (SWM) and a manual focus ring, a first for 1-series mirrorless lens. The lens is scheduled to be available in June.

Also on Tuesday, Canon announced the development of a new picture style called “Video Camera X-series Look.” The new picture style is aimed at video shooters and captures video with lower contrast for easier color grading in post.

And to wrap up Tuesday’s news, Canon officially announced the long-awaited Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with built-in 1.4x Extender. When the lens hits the shelves later this month, it will carry an MSRP of $11,799.00. We have one on pre-order and are anxious to see how it performs.

On Thursday, Think Tank Photo announced the Logistics Manager 30 rolling camera bag. The Logistics Manager 30 features over 3,500 cubic inches of storage, robust carry handles, and lockable security zippers. And, if you’re interested in one of Think Tank Photo’s high-quality camera bags (including the Logistics Manager 30), use the links on our site to receive a free gift with your purchase of $50.00 or more.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted his review of the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens. The publication of this review was significantly delayed because of the difficulties involved in obtaining an optimal copy of the lens. However, once a good copy was obtained, the lens produced results with impressive image quality. As the Tamron 24-70mm VC is unique in this focal range with built-in stabilization, it will certainly prove useful to those who are successful in obtaining the best of what Tamron has to offer.

Also this week, we’ve added drop-down menus to the site’s menu bar to allow for faster access to the site’s most popular content. We hope you enjoy the small change.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Saturday, we posted a deal from DigitalRev where you could get a Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM Lens for $379.00. That’s more than a 40% savings off the normal retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4899&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-May-12-18-2013 Sun, 19 May 2013 13:50:36 EDT
Weekend Recap for May 5 - May 11, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4857&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-May-5-May-11-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending May 11th, 2013

In the news...

On Wednesday, Canon made their EOS Solutions Disk available for download. The Solutions Disk download contains Canon’s Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, and Picture Style Editor. The software, which comes packaged with Canon digital SLR cameras, should prove useful for those who need to reinstall their software but have managed to misplace their original OEM disk.

On Thursday, we posted a link to a LensRentals Blog post where Roger warns photographers to leave their camera gear at home when attending Color Run races. The powered dye thrown at such races can severely damage even weather-sealed DSLR lenses.

On Friday, Think Tank Photo released their Mirrorless Mover camera bags. The new collection was designed specifically for mirrorless cameras and includes the Mirrorless Mover 5, 10, 20, and 30i. Use the links from our site and receive a free gift with your purchase of $50.00 or more.

Throughout the week, though, Adobe made the biggest headlines with its various Creative Cloud announcements. In particular, Adobe announced new Photoshop CC goodies such as Camera Shake Reduction, Smart sharpen with reduced noise and halos, intelligent upsampling, and Camera Raw 8.

However, Adobe’s focus on Creative Cloud, and its shift away from perpetual licensing, has left many photographers concerned about the future of their software editing. It should be interesting to see if, and how, Adobe addresses those concerns.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted the image quality test results for the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM lens. Bryan noted that while the build quality has significantly improved compared to its predecessor, image quality remains relatively unchanged.

On Wednesday, Bryan posted the image quality results for the highly-anticipated Samyang 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC Tilt-Shift lens. In short, the significantly cheaper lens doesn’t compete with the sharpness delivered by the venerable Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Tilt Shift lens. However, at half the price, it performs well enough at narrow apertures to garner consideration.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Tuesday, we posted a deal from B&H where you could get a Canon PIXMA PRO-100 with free photo paper for $89.00 after a $300.00 mail-in rebate. The rebate offer ends soon, so if you need a high-quality printer, don’t wait to take advantage of this exceptional deal.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4857&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-May-5-May-11-2013 Sun, 12 May 2013 08:06:07 EDT
Weekend Recap for April 28 - May 4, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4811&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-April-28-May-4-2013
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending May 4th, 2013

In the news...

On Tuesday, Canon released a long anticipated firmware update for the Canon 5D Mark III. Along with various bug fixes, firmware version 1.2.1 enables uncompressed HDMI output and center-point autofocus with lens + extender combinations with an f/8 maximum aperture.

On Friday, Adorama began shipping the 24mm Tilt-Shift lens from Samyang. We have one headed our way and will be running it through our standardized testing in the not-so-distant future – so, stay tuned.

Also on Friday, we posted a news article about photographer William Bennett’s step-by-step guide for creating an inexpensive wireless tethering solution for the Canon 1D X. If you already own an external power source like William, you can enable wireless tethering for substantially less than $100.00. Also check out our tip for possibly avoiding the costly external power source.

In site news and reviews...

Bryan posted a pair of 70-200mm f/2.8 lens reviews this week.

On Monday, Bryan posted his review of the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di VC USD Lens. Bryan praised the Tamron for having overall great image quality at a moderate price.

On Wednesday, Bryan posted his review of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens. Bryan was less enthusiastic about the Sigma’s image quality – especially at f/2.8 – where it trails the Canon and Tamron lenses in sharpness and contrast.

Check Bryan’s reviews for full details on these lenses.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Monday, we posted a deal on from Adorama where you could get a Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for $439.00 with free shipping and 6% rewards. That’s a $140.00 savings compared to the normal going rate.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4811&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-April-28-May-4-2013 Sun, 05 May 2013 17:15:12 EDT
Weekend Recap for April 21-27, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4756&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-April-21-27-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending April 27th, 2013.

In the news...

On Monday, Canon announced that its EOS line of interchangeable-lens digital cameras had consistently ranked number one in volume sales for the last 10 years running. Canon first gained the leading position after its introduction of the Digital Rebel a decade ago.

Also on Monday, we posted a YouTube video featuring Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield’s tips for photographing from the International Space Station. Chris’s advice? Be patient, look for lines and textures, and use the small “sun glint” angle of reflection window for striking water scenes.

On Wednesday, Sigma announced pricing and availability for its 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM lens and USB Dock. The lens will retail for $3,599.00 while the USB dock will retail for $59.00. Note: I forgot to mention - the lens is expected to be available May 15 while the dock is expected to be available May 18.

And speaking of the USB Dock, Sigma posted a demo video of its Optimization Pro software. Using the new USB Dock, the software allows you to update a compatible lens’s firmware and perform independent microfocus adjustments based on focal range and focus distance.

On Thursday, Canon announced the “Project Imaginat10n” film contest. Canon invites filmmakers of all skill-levels to create films inspired by ten crowdsourced photos and based on ten storytelling themes: Character, Mood, Goal, Backstory, Setting, Obstacle, Relationship, The Unknown, Time and Discovery.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Friday, we posted a deal from Adorama where you could get a Zoom H2N Handy Digital Audio Recorder for $50.00 off – or $129.99 with free shipping. This audio recorder should come in handy when you’re making your “Project Imaginat10n” film.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4756&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-April-21-27-2013 Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:07:23 EDT
Weekend Recap for April 14-20, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4703&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-April-14-20-2013
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending April 20th, 2013.

In the news...

On Monday, Adobe announced the availability of Photoshop Lightroom 5 Beta. New features include an advanced healing brush, the ability to straighten images with a single click, radial gradient tool, video slideshow editing, and improved photo book creation.

On Tuesday, Nikon published several firmware updates all addressing the same battery charging issue. In all, fifteen COOLPIX cameras were affected and require the firmware update to correct the issue.

On Thursday, Sigma dropped a bombshell when it announced its 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM lens – the newest addition to its “Art” lineup. Designed for APS-C sensor digital cameras, the lens features 17 elements in 12 groups, 9 rounded aperture blades, and a constant f/1.8 maximum aperture throughout its zoom range – a unique feature that grabbed a lot of attention this week. Unfortunately, a release date and price has yet to be determined.

In site news and reviews...

Also on Thursday, Bryan introduced a new, more useful homepage for the site. The new homepage was designed to make it easier to access the site’s reviews, tools, tips, and recommendations. Check out the new homepage at The-Digital-Picture.com and let us know what you think on Facebook, Google +, or Twitter!

And, for our deal of the week…

On Monday, we posted an eBay deal where you could get the Canon EOS M Mirrorless camera with the 18-55mm IS STM lens for $399.99 with free shipping. That’s nearly a 30% savings off the normal retail price. Note: Price on auction has changed since publication of post.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4703&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-April-14-20-2013 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:37:05 EDT
Weekend Recap for April 7-13, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4641&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-April-7-13-2013
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending April 13th, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, Canon released a firmware update for the Canon 6D. The new firmware addresses a bug that would cause the 6D to spontaneously request confirmation of the date and time settings even after the settings were already configured.

Also on Monday, Red Rock Micro announced its newest product – the One Mane Crew. The One Man Crew is a slide system that runs automatically keeping the subject in focus thanks to its parabolic track. The device promises to deliver cinematic results with minimal resources.

On Wednesday, PocketWizard announced its beta firmware release plan update. PocketWizard plans to update the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 for compatibility with the Nikon D600, D5200, D3200, the Canon 6D and T4i, and provide HyperSync Improvements for both systems.

On Friday, we posted a news announcement about newly purchased Canon lenses arriving with the Mark II center-pinch lens caps. Long-time Canon customers will surely be happy with this change.

In site news and reviews...

Bryan continued to highlight his updated lens recommendation pages this week. Bryan highlighted his lens recommendations for weddings, outdoor sports, indoor sports, macro subjects, wildlife, and landscapes. And on Saturday, Bryan also highlighted what he considers to be “bargain buys” in the lens world.

On Monday, Bryan posted an update regarding his Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC lens standardized testing. In the end, the lens provided very impressive image quality results – but the difficulty in obtaining a trouble-free copy of the lens indicates Tamron may have some quality control issues to address.

On Thursday, Bryan responded to questions as to whether or not the Canon 85 f/1.2 L’s autofocus was acceptable for sports use. In short, when paired with a very capable body like the 1D X, the lens provides decent results even in moderately challenging conditions.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Friday, we posted promotional deals from Adorama where you could get several popular items at significant savings. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM was an especially good deal – only $1,949.00 with free shipping, 2% Rewards, and a free Red Giant Production software bundle.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4641&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-April-7-13-2013 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:34:43 EDT
Weekend Recap for March 31 - April 6, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4564&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-31-April-6-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending April 6th, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, we had great fun publishing the announcement of Canon’s newest DSLR designed specifically for left-handed photographers, the EOS 7D L. The 7D L featured a reversed ergonomic design and Canon’s red “L” branding signifying its status as an elite item. Unfortunately for left-handed photographers everywhere, the EOS 7D L announcement was, of course, an April Fool’s gag. We hope you enjoyed our little humor…

On Tuesday, Nikon released firmware updates for nine of its DSLR cameras. Among various bug fixes and improvements, the new firmware updates added support for Nikon’s new AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens.

Also on Tuesday, Tamron announced the creation of an Indian subsidiary, Tamron India Private Limited. The subsidiary was established in order to prepare for anticipated continuing growth in the DSLR lens market in the region.

On Wednesday, Canon announced the development of its new 35mm Cinema Prime lens. The new lens will join Canon’s growing lineup of cinema prime lenses that already includes the 14, 24, 50, 85, and 135mm prime lenses.

And on Thursday, Canon announced the opening of a new service center in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey to provide comprehensive product repair and maintenance services to its ever expanding professional imaging market. The facility is available exclusively for Platinum and Gold level members of Canon's Professional Services (CPS) program.

In site news and reviews...

Starting on Wednesday and continuing into the next week, Bryan is highlighting updates to his Canon lens recommendation pages. So far, he’s featured recommendation pages on general purpose lenses, telephoto lenses, and wide angle lenses. To see all of Bryan’s updated recommendation pages, click on the link labeled “Learn about Canon Lenses” found on the site’s homepage.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Tuesday, we reported that you could get a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens for $325.00 with free shipping. That’s more than an 18% savings off the normal retail price of $399.00.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]> https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4564&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-31-April-6-2013 Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:07:48 EDT Weekend Recap for March 24-30, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4513&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-24-30-2013
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 30th, 2013.

In the news...

On Monday, Profoto announced the release of a new product – the AcuteB Two-Head Split Cable. As the product’s name implies, the cable allows you to connect two flash heads to a single battery pack. The product manager at Profoto noted, “This is admittedly an uncomplicated product, but sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.”

On Tuesday, we reported on a 16 Gigapixel panoramic image of Machu Picchu, an Incan-built site nestled in the mountains of Peru. Using a Canon 7D, EF 100-400mm lens, and a Gigapan camera mount, photographer Jeff Cremer captured 1,920 images to create the world’s highest resolution image of the historic landmark. If you’re a fan of the “Where’s Waldo” games, then see if you can find the photographer within the 16 gigapixel image.

On Wednesday, Sigma announced a delay in the release of its 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM lens as well as its USB Dock. Apparently, a delay in procuring manufacturing parts led to release dates being pushed back.

On Thursday, we linked to a Gizmodo article explaining Panasonic’s new filter technology that could revolutionize low-light photography. Instead of using red, green, and blue filters over every pixel, the new technology uses vertically aligned color splitters. Color splitters have proven to be significantly more efficient in allowing light to hit the sensor – and more light hitting the sensor ultimately leads to better image quality in low-light conditions.

In site news and reviews...

On Monday, Bryan added a new gallery to the site containing images from his recent Hawaii trip. The gallery contains 30 images with subjects ranging from bamboo to green sand beaches, and just about everything else in-between. Be sure to check out the captions on each image where Bryan left helpful tips for those planning a photographic paradise getaway.

On Tuesday, Bryan posed a question for site visitors – “Should we complete a full T5i review?” To voice your opinion, check out the site’s Facebook page and leave a comment.

On Wednesday, Bryan recounted the story of his lost Canon T4i – and how it had a happy ending. The bottom line is – be sure to include contact information in your camera bag. If you’re lucky, an honest stranger will contact you if they find your misplaced gear.

On Thursday, Bryan announced that most lenses have now been tested with the Canon 60D and are available on the site’s ISO Resolution Chart Comparison Tool. Bryan also noted that there are now 25,344 crops from 8,448 test images available for review on the site.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Wednesday, we reported that you could get a Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Lens for $319.00 with free shipping. That’s more than a 20% savings off the normal retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4513&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-24-30-2013 Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:29:07 EDT
Weekend Recap for March 17-23, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4469&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-17-23-2013

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 23rd, 2013.

In the news...

On Thursday, Canon announced the EOS Rebel SL1 and T5i DSLR cameras, the EF-S 18-55mm IS STM lens and the PowerShot SX280 HS and SX270 HS digital cameras.

Arguably, Canon’s biggest announcement was the Rebel SL1, the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR camera. The new camera weighs less than a pound yet features an 18 megapixel sensor, 3” LCD touchscreen, 9 point center-cross point AF system, a 4 frames per second burst rate, and continuous autofocus in movie recording.

The T5i seems to be an incremental update over its predecessor with new features such as an updated exterior finish, 360 degree mode dial, digital zooming during movie recording, and lighter weight. The biggest update, however, comes in the form of a new kit lens, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. The introduction of Canon’s third STM lens should prove popular for those using their DSLR cameras for video recording.

And lastly, Canon’s announcement of the PowerShot SX280 HS and SX270 HS digital cameras brought a small surprise – the introduction of [Canon’s] new DIGIC 6 image processor. According to Canon, the new DIGIC 6 processor allows for even greater image quality in low light conditions and the encoding of MP4 movie files during video recording.

Along with the DIGIC 6 image processor, the new PowerShot cameras feature a 25mm lens with 20x zoom, full HD video recording, manual, AV and TV modes, an intelligent IS system, and in the SX280’s case, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS.

In other news, Adobe announced on Wednesday that their Creative Cloud subscriber base had hit half a million subscribers in less than a year. Free and trial memberships exceed 2 million over the same period.

On Thursday, Nikon announced the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Laos to reinforce its digital SLR camera manufacturing organization and reduce costs. The new facility is scheduled to commence production in October 2013 and employ 800 people.

In reviews...

On Saturday, Bryan added a camera size comparison tool to the website. Now visitors can compare the size difference for cameras from the top, back or side views.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Friday, we posted a deal where you could get a Refurbished Canon EOS 60D DSLR camera from Adorama for only $599.00. That’s a $150.00 savings off the price of a new item.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4469&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-17-23-2013 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:13:37 EDT
Weekend Recap for March 10-16, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4414&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-10-16-2013

Because of weekend travel arrangements, the Weekend Update's publication had to be postponed until Monday.

"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 16th, 2013.

In the news...

On Monday, Spider Camera Holster announced the Spider Monkey accessory holster. The Spider Monkey allows photographers to affix commonly needed accessories - like flashes, light meters, or external battery packs - to any belt for fast and easy access.

On Tuesday, we reported on Canon’s 1 Million Minutes Watched video posted to YouTube. Canon created the video to celebrate 1 Million Minutes watched on its YouTube channel.

On Thursday, Nikon posted firmware updates for its UT-1 Communication Unit and WR-RT10 Remote Controller Transceiver. Both firmware updates provide support for the D7100 and, in the case of the WR-RT10, provide a few additional features when paired with the WR-1.

In reviews...

On Monday, Bryan posted a review of a backpack with a not-so-obvious pronunciation – the Bataflae 32L from Gura Gear. Bryan reviewed the bag after putting it through its paces during a photographic journey through 'The Aloha State.'

Bryan gave the Bataflae 32L high regards because of its convenient size, high quality materials, durable construction, side tripod storage, and comfortable fit.

On Tuesday, Bryan posted some notes regarding his experiences using the 5D Mark III camera while in Hawaii. Bryan applauded the 5D III’s lack of sensor dust, built-in horizon level, weather sealing, and high-ISO performance – all of which proved very beneficial while on his trip.

And on Wednesday, Bryan added Helicopter Aerial Photography Tips to the website. If you’re planning on photographing Hawaii from the air, be sure to check out Bryan’s helpful hints and find out which aerial charter he personally recommends.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Saturday, we posted a deal where you could get a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens for $764.99. That’s more than a $280.00 savings over the standard retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!"

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4414&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-10-16-2013 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:05:46 EDT
Weekend Recap for March 3-9, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4367&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-3-9-2013
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending March 9nd, 2013.

In the news...On Sunday, both Canon and Nikon extended previously running rebate programs while Canon created additional programs for the EOS 5D Mark III, 6D, 7D, 60D, and EOS M cameras. Rebate programs from both companies are scheduled to end March 30th.

On Monday, Nikon announced three new COOLPIX cameras – the S3500, P330, and most notably, the COOLPIX A. The S3500 features a 20 megapixel sensor with image stabilization and 720p video recording, while the P330 features a 12 megapixel sensor with image stabilization, full 1080p HD video recording, Wi-fi compatibility with the WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter, and built-in GPS.

The standout, however, was the announcement of Nikon’s first COOLPIX with a DX-sized sensor, the COOLPIX A. Sporting the same sensor found in their consumer grade DSLRs with an 18.5mm f/2.8 prime lens, the COOLPIX A promises DSLR-like performance from its 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, full manual controls, and RAW output.

Also on Monday, Nikon announced the AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens. Although the lens is designed for full-frame bodies, DX-format bodies will enjoy an equivalent focal range of 120-600mm. The new NIKKOR 80-400mm lens should be available in April with a suggested price slightly under $2,700.00.

On Wednesday, we posted an announcement regarding the availability of white lens hoods at B&H. The novel white lens hoods, made by Vello, are available to fit various Canon EF 70-200mm L zoom lenses.

On Friday, Sigma announced pricing for its updated 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Lens. The lens will have a suggested retail price of $499.00.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Sunday, we posted a deal from the Canon Store where you could get a Refurbished 5D Mark III DSLR Camera for 15% off, or $2,379.33 plus tax. Compare that to a new model going for $2,949.00.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4367&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-March-3-9-2013 Sun, 10 Mar 2013 09:25:33 EDT
Weekend Recap for Feb 24 - Mar 2, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4309&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-Feb-24-Mar-2-2013

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!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4309&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-Feb-24-Mar-2-2013 Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:22:43 EDT
Weekend Recap for February 17-23, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4256&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-February-17-23-2013
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending February 23rd, 2013

In the news...

On Sunday, both Canon and Nikon announced big savings with DSLR camera and lens rebates. Nikon rebates like these haven’t been seen in several years and are scheduled to run two weeks, ending on March 2nd. Canon rebates are scheduled to last a little longer - until March 30th.

On Tuesday, Canon announced a new address for its Americas headquarters, One Canon Park, Melville, NY. The 700,000 square foot facility will serve all North and South American countries and will be one of three Canon worldwide headquarters – the other two located in London and Japan.

Also on Tuesday, Canon released an official product advisory regarding slow autofocus performance when using a Speedlite’s AF assist beam with Canon EOS-1D X and 5D Mark III digital cameras. Firmware fixes are being developed for both cameras with the 5D III firmware scheduled to arrive in late April and the 1D X firmware scheduled to arrive in late May.

On Wednesday, Nikon announced the D7100 DSLR camera. The D7100 features a 24.1 megapixel DX sensor, a new 51-Point AF system, 3.2” LCD screen, and a burst rate of 6 frames per second. One of the most notable features of the D7100 is an omission – it is designed without an optical low-pass filter.

Also on Wednesday, Nikon issued an official advisory regarding sensor dust in the D600 DSLR camera. Nikon advises manually cleaning the sensor with a sensor bulb and, if that doesn’t work, consulting your nearest Nikon service center for a cleaning.

On Friday, we published a news article on the creation of the world’s largest panoramic photo – a 320-gigapixel image of London, England, captured with Canon equipment. The panoramic image was created using more than 48,000 individual images and would be 98 meters long if printed.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Tuesday, we published a deal from BuyDig.com where you could get a free copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 11 bundled with several popular Canon DSLR lenses. As the software normally sells just north of $100.00, this was an especially good deal when packaged with moderately priced lenses.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4256&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-February-17-23-2013 Sun, 24 Feb 2013 11:21:49 EDT
Weekend Recap for February 10-16, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4215&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-February-10-16-2013
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending February 16th, 2013

In the news...

On Monday, we published a reference to a blog post by The Landingfield where you could see microscopic images of a CMOS sensor. Even though the CMOS sensor belonged to a decade old Nikon D2H, the macro images and commentary regarding various design elements made it worthwhile reading for camera enthusiasts.

On Tuesday, we reported that Jessops’ website will be re-launching soon. Jessops fell into administration after falling £80 million behind in creditor payments. Of that total, Canon was owed £16.4 million while Nikon was owed £3.3 million.

On Wednesday, we reported Nikon’s establishment of a sales and service subsidiary in Indonesia. According to Nikon, P.T. Nikon Indonesia was created to help fortify sales of imaging products and facilitate a more efficient service and support system for the region.

In reviews…

On Thursday, Bryan published his full review of the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens. The lens proved to be a good performer, but not overwhelming so compared to other recent “L” lens releases. The lens’s most notable feature is its impressive macro mode which changes the lens’s maximum magnification value from .21x to .7x – a magnification value unprecedented for a zoom lens in Canon’s lineup.

Even considering its value as a general purpose and macro lens replacement, at its current price point, it may find difficulty getting traction in the marketplace until the very reasonably priced 24-105mm f/4L IS is discontinued.

And, for our deal of the week…

On Wednesday, we published a deal from BuyDig.com where you could get a Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 manual focus fish-eye lens for crop sensor cameras for $225.00 after a promotion code was applied. The deal was made even sweeter when the price was reduced resulting in a final price of $190.95. That was a savings of $74.00 off an already reduced price elsewhere. Note: Deal has expired.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4215&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-February-10-16-2013 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:44:43 EDT
Weekend Recap for February 3-9, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4172&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-February-3-9-2013
This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending February 9th, 2013

In the news...

Sigma started this week with a brand new, redesigned website. The site now features an all-new product finder, redesigned photo galleries, a comparison tool, and an expanded Sigma lounge.

On Monday, Sports Illustrated published a Gigapan image captured during the first quarter of Super Bowl 47. The overall Gigapan image is made up of 220 individual images and is roughly 3,800 megapixels in total size.

On Wednesday, we reported that Canon confirmed a firmware fix is in the works for the 1D X and 5D Mark III DSLR cameras. The firmware fix will address slow autofocus performance when using the AF assist beam feature of a shoe-mounted Canon Speedlight.

In reviews…

On Thursday, Bryan published a set of standard-thickness, 82mm circular polarizer test results to the site’s vignetting comparison tool. Using the comparison tool, visitors can now see the how much “mechanical vignetting” to expect when using a circular polarizer with lenses such as the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens.

On Friday, lens distortion and vignetting test results were added for the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM lens, while vignetting test results were added for three other Sigma lenses.

And, for our deal of the week…

Also on Friday, we published a deal from BuyDig.com where you could get a Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM lens for $144.00 with free shipping – that’s a $55.00 savings off the normal retail price.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4172&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-February-3-9-2013 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 10:45:05 EDT
Weekend Recap for Jan 27 - Feb 2, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4113&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-Jan-27-Feb-2-2013

This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending February 2nd, 2013

In the news...

On Tuesday, Nikon announced two new Nikkor full-frame lenses, the AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED and the AF-S 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens. The 800mm lens is especially interesting as it ships with its own teleconverter which will extend the lens’s focal length to 1000mm.

Nikon also announced seven new COOLPIX digital cameras. Notable announcements included the P520 with its 42x optical zoom and built-in GPS and the AW110 that is waterproof to a depth of 59 feet and shoots up to 8 frames per second.

Canon had a few announcements of its own, introducing three new PowerShot cameras: the ELPH 330 HS, ELPH 115 IS, and the A2500. In particular, the ELPH 330 HS gains advanced wireless capabilities such as connectivity with iOS and Android devices, Facebook upload integration, and the ability to comment on uploaded photos directly from the camera.

Sigma announced the redesign of its 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM lens for APS-C sensor cameras. Now a part of the “Art Line,” the updated lens features a new optical configuration of nine elements in eight groups, rounded aperture blades, and design cues taken from its popular full-frame big brother, the 35mm f/1.4.

In reviews…

On Wednesday, Bryan posted his comparison notes regarding the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM and the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM lens. In short, at f/2 the Sigma lens produced noticeably better center sharpness than the Canon, while the Canon lens performs better in the full frame corner. Past f/2.8, both lenses are excellently sharp in the center while the Canon holds a slight lead in corner sharpness.

On Friday, The-Digital-Picture.com announced free usage of its product images for personal and non-competing commercial websites, social media, and personal eBay auctions. For full details, click on the “Free Use of Product Images” link in the site’s help menu.

And, for our deal of the week…

We published a deal for our UK visitors – a Canon 7D for less than 690 pounds at DigitalRev. That’s a savings of more than 350 pounds over most UK retailers.

This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4113&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-Jan-27-Feb-2-2013 Sun, 03 Feb 2013 11:14:22 EDT
Weekend Recap for January 20-26, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4064&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-January-20-26-2013

The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending January 26, 2013:

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4064&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-January-20-26-2013 Sun, 27 Jan 2013 10:38:50 EDT
Weekend Recap for January 13-19, 2013 https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4011&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-January-13-19-2013

Please enjoy our new, weekly feature - the Weekend Recap.

]]>
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=4011&Title=Weekend-Recap-for-January-13-19-2013 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 08:07:26 EDT