Weekend Recap
"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!"
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!
"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!"
"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!"
"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!"
"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!"
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.
"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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending September 14th, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending Sept. 7th, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 31st, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 24th, 2013In 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!'
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 17th, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 10th, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending August 3rd, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending July 27th, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending July 20th, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending July 13th, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending July 6th, 2013In 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!"
"This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending June 29th, 2013In 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!"
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