Canon and Sony News for Apr 2014 (Page 3)

From Nikon:

Updates included with this release, 1.1

• An issue that resulted in deviation in the timing of movie video and sound has been resolved.
• An issue that caused latitude and longitude information displayed with Data imprint to be incorrect has been resolved.
• An issue that, in some rare cases, caused the camera to freeze while shooting with acquisition of GPS position information has been resolved.

Download the Nikon COOLPIX AW110 Firmware 1.1.

The COOLPIX AW110 has been replaced by the Nikon COOLPIX AW120 Waterproof Camera.

From Nikon:

IMPORTANT

• If you have a Lexar 400x or 1000x CompactFlash memory card, please click this link for information regarding compatibility with your camera.
• The firmware cannot be upgraded when Network > Network connection in the Setup menu is set to ON. Be sure to set Network connection to OFF before attempting to upgrade the firmware.
• Please be sure to use a FULLY charged EN-EL18 battery or EH-6 AC Adapter with EP-6 Power connector to perform this update

Updates included with this release C:1.01 - dated April 22, 2014

• When Custom Setting f1 (Multi selector center button) > Playback mode was set to View histograms, the histogram was not displayed correctly for the image played back in the monitor, even when the center button on the multi selector was pressed, when the following conditions were met. This issue has been resolved.

• Image quality was set to NEF (RAW) + JPEG fine, NEF (RAW) + JPEG normal, or NEF (RAW) + JPEG basic.
• An option other than "Overview data" or "RGB histogram" was selected for photo information displayed with full-frame image playback.

• With full-frame image playback with "Highlights" or "RGB histogram" display selected, image chroma (saturation) changed with flashing of highlights. This issue has been resolved.
• When images captured with Color space set to Adobe RGB were enlarged with playback in the monitor, image chroma (saturation) changed. This issue has been resolved.
• When Rotate tall in the playback menu was set to On, and an image captured in "tall" (portrait) orientation was enlarged slightly (playback zoom-in button pressed once or twice) with monitor playback, the image did not appear to be very sharp or clear. This issue has been resolved.
• With capture of a Compressed RAW image, followed by a Lossless compressed RAW image, with Image quality set to NEF (RAW), the camera was sometimes unable to correctly record the second RAW image. This issue has been resolved.

Download the Nikon D4S Firmware C:1.01

B&H carries the Nikon D4s DSLR Camera.

Just posted: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens Review

With excellent image quality and great design, this lens becomes the easy 50mm AF lens choice. AF consistency remains this lens' biggest weakness.

With the demand this lens is seeing right now, I suspect that the 50 Art is going to be hard to get for some time. Preorder the Sigma 50 Art Lens now at B&H for earliest access.

From Karl Taylor YouTube Channel:

To perfectly illuminate some materials can be very challenging!

In this latest video, Urs Recher and Karl Taylor look at the techniques for capturing extremely shiny objects like chrome and silver.

They show you an expert dual flash technique to reveal perfect contrast, illumination and form.

B&H carries Broncolor products.

From SLIK:

The SLIK SHB-808 has the strong, sturdy, and easy to use underpinnings of the original PRO Ball Head 800 but ads new features such as panoramic markings so it’s now much easier to take multiple pictures and stitch them together later to form long, continuous panorama photos. To assist in this SLIK has added a separate pan lock knob to the SHB-808 so that the cameras can be turned (panned) horizontally without loosening he ball that is locking the camera in place. This makes perfectly level panning a breeze.

Using the same quick release system as the PRO 700 DX tripod head, the Ball Head 800 has one of the fasted and easiest quick release plates in the industry. SLIK made a circular quick release plate that can secure the camera to the tripod pointing in any direction, making attaching your camera (once the SLIK quick release plate is attached) more intuitive than most other heads that have squared off or angled plates. Tension on the lock for the circular quick release plate is adjustable.

Precision machining, polishing of all moving parts and an over-sized, easy grip release knob for fine tension adjustments combine for smooth accurate operation.

Specifications:

Capacity: TBA
Platform Diameter: 2.2 in (55mm)
Bottom Diameter: 2.2 in (55mm)
Height: 5.1 in (130mm)
Weight: 26.50 oz. (751g)
Camera mounting screw: U1/4 (U3/8 Quick Release plate available as an additional accessory)
Tripod Mounting Thread: U1/4 or U3/8
Controls: Ball Lock/Release, Pan Lock/Release, Ball Tension Control
Warranty: 3 Years

B&H carries SLIK products.

From LensRentals:

Meet Lenscap and Lenscap+

The Lenscap protection plans are optional add-ons that limit your liability in the case of a covered event causing damage or total loss of products on your rental.

Simply, if a covered event occurs to equipment protected by a Lenscap plan, your liability is limited to the lesser of the cost to repair the equipment or 10% of the replacement cost.

What is Covered by the Standard Lenscap Plan?

Effectively, the standard Lenscap protection plan replaces the pre-existing Lensrentals Damage Waiver program and covers accidental damage to our equipment as long as you can return it to us. It even covers bear attacks. In the case of damage, your liability will never exceed 10% of the replacement cost of the damaged equipment, no matter how expensive the repair actually is.

What is Covered by the Lenscap+ Plan?

Lenscap+ offers the same protection as the standard plan for accidental damage to the equipment, but additionally protects you against certain situations that make it impossible to return the equipment that you rented.

Was the equipment stolen? You’re covered. Is it at the bottom of the ocean after it fell overboard? You’re covered. Did it get sucked up in a tornado? You’re covered. Did it fall off an aircraft (seriously)? You’re covered.

Just like with the standard Lenscap plan, your liability is limited to 10% of the replacement value of the covered equipment.

Coverage Recap

* Liability limited to maximum of $100,000. Amounts in excess of $100,000 are 100% liable.

For full information on both plans, please view our FAQs and Rental Agreement.

To support this site, click on the appropriate product review and then click the button beside the camera/lens you want to rent.

From Profoto:

Join Profoto and renowned wedding and lifestyle photographer Jared Platt as we head out into the Arizona desert. The desert is an uncommon shooting location, for sure. But the tips and tricks Jared will share are useful for any photographer wanting to create a beautiful light in harsh conditions.

“If you can light it in the Arizona desert, you can light it anywhere,” says Jared.

The webinar will take place on April 23 at 7PM CET (April 23 at 10AM Los Angeles, 1PM New York, 6PM London, 7PM Paris / April 24 at 1AM Beijing, 2AM Tokyo, 3AM Sydney).

Sign Up Now

B&H carries Profoto products.

From Toshiba:

First compliant with the high-speed UHS-II interface standard

TOKYO—Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced that it will launch the world's fastest microSD memory cards, compliant with UHS-II, the ultra high speed serial bus interface defined in SD Memory Card Standard Ver. 4.20. Sample shipments for set manufacturers of smartphones and other mobile devices, and for chipset vendors, start today.

The new microSD memory cards will be available in 32GB and 64GB capacities. The maximum read speed of 260 MB per second and the maximum write speed of 240MB per second in the 32 GB cards and the maximum read speed of 145MB per second and the maximum write speed of 130MB per second in the 64 GB cards, are all the fastest transfer rates in the industry.

Compared to Toshiba's current 32GB microSD UHS-I cards, the write speed is improved approximately 8 times, while the read speed is improved approximately 2.7 times. The faster transfer speeds can contribute to shortening the time it takes to download large data movie and music files to smartphones and tablets. It will also allow camera users to shoot digital still images continuously at high speed.

In recent years, with the development of high-function smartphones and tablets, the trend is towards higher resolution photos and movies, and multi-function applications, leading to demand for larger external memory and faster transfer speeds. Looking to the future, Toshiba will continue to meet market demands by enhancing its line-up of UHS-II compliant microSD memory cards.

Outline of New Products

Key Specifications

B&H carries Toshiba memory cards.

Samyang dropped a not-so-subtle hint about some product announcements scheduled for April 28. The picture above was posted to the Samyang Europe Facebook page about 3 hours ago.

If the picture is any indication, maybe we can expect a cinema lens or two?

B&H carries Samyang lenses.

From Sigma:

Sigma Releases Optimization Pro v1.2.0 Update

Thank you for purchasing and using our products.

We are pleased to announce the availability of the new “SIGMA Optimization Pro Ver1.2.0 for Windows” and “SIGMA Optimization Pro Ver1.2.0 for Macintosh”, the dedicated software for the SIGMA USB DOCK which allows customers to update the lens firmware of new product lines, as well as to customize settings such as AF and focusing position.

This download service is for SIGMA USB DOCK Users who are using our interchangeable lenses from 3 product lines (Contemporary, Art, Sports). As a SIGMA USB DOCK user, please be sure to update to SIGMA Optimization Pro Ver1.2.0, before carrying out any lens firmware updates.

Benefits of the SIGMA Optimization Pro software update:

SIGMA Optimization Pro Ver1.2.0 for Windows & Macintosh

• New switch feature for Full-time MF setting.

* This customization of Full-time MF function is only available for the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A014.
* The Full-time MF function will be available after the SIGMA USB DOCK firmware is updated to Ver1.01 or above.
* The function limits will vary from on the camera you use.

Download: SIGMA Optimization Pro Ver1.2.0

SIGMA USB DOCK Firmware Update

Thank you for purchasing and using our products.

We are pleased to inform you the SIGMA USB DOCK Firmware Update is now available.

This firmware update allows you to use the SIGMA USB DOCK with the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A014. If you have the products mentioned below, please start up SIGMA Optimization Pro and then operate lens firmware update.

Benefits of this firmware update

• It will be compatible with SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A014.

Applicable products

• SIGMA USB DOCK SIGMA
• SIGMA USB DOCK CANON
• SIGMA USB DOCK NIKON

* Please update SIGMA Optimization Pro to Ver1.2.0 in addition to updating the SIGMA USB DOCK Firmware to Ver1.01 before using it with SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM.

In order to update the USB Dock firmware, please connect the device to your computer using the USB cable and then open Sigma Optimization Pro.

B&H carries the Sigma USB Dock and has the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens available for preorder.

From Nikon Europe:

Get ready for summer. If there's any camera that can capture your summer adventures just as they ought to be - it's the Nikon 1 AW1!

Waterproof to 15 m, shockproof from heights up to 2 m, freeze-proof and dustproof, the amazingly resilient Nikon 1 AW1 is the one for you. From epic adventures to everyday action, the Nikon 1 AW1 will capture your summer adventures exactly as it should be captured.

Music: 'Welcome home' by Radical Face

B&H carries the Nikon 1 AW 1 Waterproof Camera.

From Canon Australia:

Welcome to the amazing life of #CanonMaster Darren Jew: underwater nature photographer. Find out more:
http://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/Professional-Imaging/Masters/Darren-Jew

Darren Jew has photographed the planet's landscapes and wildlife from Antarctica to Zambia over his incredible 30-year photography career - on mountain peaks, desert plains and beneath the ocean's surface.

Darren's particular passion for photographing whales brings him back to Tonga year after year, where Untitled Filmworks' Abraham Joffe joined him in 2013 to capture his journey.

Darren shoots on the Canon EOS-1DX, with lenses EF 16-35 f/2.8L II and EF 8-15mm f/4L fisheye, plus Nauticam underwater housings.

Video shot on:
Canon EOS-1DC Cameras in 4K resolution.
Canon lenses 14mm 2.8 L, 16-35mm 2.8 L II, 24mm 1.4 L, 24-70mm 2.8 L II and 70-200mm 2.8 L II.

B&H carries the EOS 1D X and EF 16-35 f/2.8L II and EF 8-15mm f/4L fisheye lenses.

From Eyefi:

Newly captured photos now instantly available on smartphone, tablet, PC or smart TV

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 17, 2014 – Eyefi, the global leader in digital camera connectivity, today unveiled Eyefi Cloud, a private photo-centric cloud service that makes newly captured photos instantly available on a smartphone, tablet, PC or smart TV. Eyefi Cloud was designed for photo enthusiasts who require the superior image quality provided by digital cameras but are frustrated with the time-consuming processes required to enjoy those photos on multiple devices. Eyefi Cloud, along with the Eyefi Mobi wireless SD card and Eyefi Mobi apps, makes every picture taken organized and instantly accessible, anytime anywhere—to enjoy, curate and share securely and privately.

In June 2013, Eyefi pioneered simple, instant image transfer from digital cameras to mobile devices with the launch of Eyefi Mobi wireless SD memory card. Now Eyefi adds a new cloud service, Eyefi Cloud, as well as all new mobile apps for iOS and Android based smartphones and tablets. When used together, Eyefi's product line-up combines camera quality and mobile convenience with the power of the cloud for the over 500 million digital camera owners throughout the world. Until now, digital camera owners had to manually transfer photos to see them on their smartphone or tablet. With Eyefi, the highest quality images are as accessible as photos captured using a smartphone and can be shared and enjoyed on the preferred viewing device.

"Photo lovers know that life's most important moments should be captured using a digital camera but it's difficult to access those shots until long after the images are taken," said Matt DiMaria, chief executive officer of Eyefi. "Eyefi Cloud makes those highest-quality shots available within seconds of them being captured, so photographers can immediately enjoy quality images on the beautiful displays of their smartphone, tablet, PC or smart TV."

The Eyefi Mobi SD memory card begins the image transfer process within milliseconds of a photo being captured on a digital camera. Images are automatically and securely transferred to Eyefi's new mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. Eyefi apps intelligently organize and transfer the images, in full-resolution, to Eyefi Cloud. Now, any device with the Eyefi apps or with a browser-enabled device can be used to view, share and manage the entire photo collection.

The new Eyefi offerings include a full range of photo related services including:

• Transfer – Add wireless functionality to any digital camera, and easily send images from camera to mobile device or desktop.
• Organize – Sort and tag images as they are taken, so they are easy to find later – for sharing, printing, and all the other wonderful ways photos are used.
• Sync – Automatically synchronize photos to all devices so that users can view, edit, and manipulate photos both on and offline, anytime, anywhere.
• Share – Invite friends and family to view photos and albums without requiring registration. Photo collections are "live", so any additions to an existing collection will generate a notice to recipients that new images have been added.

For photographers with multiple cameras, Eyefi Cloud automatically merges their photos into a single, well-organized collection where they can be enjoyed together and further curated. The entire collection is then available on all the user's devices.

For customers that do not wish to transfer images over the Internet, Eyefi also introduced Eyefi Desktop Transfer apps for the PC and Mac platforms. Eyefi Desktop transfer sends images directly from a digital camera equipped with Eyefi Mobi SD memory card to a PC or Mac without the need for a physical cable. Transferred images are stored on the user's PC or Mac in a file location of their choice where they can be enjoyed, edited or archived.

Along with Eyefi Cloud, the company today unveils a new logo, aligned to the sleek simplicity of its products.

Eyefi Mobi wireless SD memory card pricing begins at $49 for the 8GB edition. Customers will find the new Eyefi Mobi apps in the Apple app store, Google Play app store and Amazon Kindle app store. Included with the new apps, is a three-month membership to the Eyefi Cloud once they activate a new account. Existing Eyefi Mobi card customers can simply download the new apps and will also receive a three-month membership. Twelve-month memberships start at $49 for an unlimited number of photos.

B&H carries Eyefi wireless memory cards.

From Canon Professional Network:

Canon France, in association with Images-Evidence, has announced that the 14th annual Canon Female Photojournalist Award is open until 26 May 2014 for submissions from female photojournalists of any age and nationality.

This year, for the first time, the award is supported by Elle Magazine and Canon France will grant the winning female photojournalist €8,000 to help her to continue and complete a photojournalistic project on a social, economic, political or cultural subject.

A jury made up of top photography and press professionals will select the winner in June. Entrants will be judged both upon the presentation of their project and their previous work. Among the selection criteria are the quality of the photographs, the journalistic thought processes and relevance of the chosen subject.

The award will be presented to the winner during the Professional Week (1-7 September 2014) of the 2014 Visa pour l’Image international festival of photojournalism in Perpignan, France, and the winning photojournalist will then continue with a project which will lead to an exhibition or screening at the Visa pour l’Image festival in 2015.

An exhibition of the work of the 2013 award winner – US photojournalist Mary F. Calvert (Zuma Press) – showing images from her project on sexual violence in the US military will feature as part of the exhibition programme of the 2014 Visa pour l’Image festival.

The other previous winners of the Canon Female Photojournalist Award were:

2012 – Sarah Caron
2011 – Ilvy Njiokiktjien
2010 – Martina Bacigalupo
2009 – Justyna Mielnikiewicz
2008 – Brenda Anne Kenneally
2007 – Axelle de Russé
2006 – Veronique de Viguerie
2005 – Claudia Guadarrama
2004 – Kristen Ashburn
2003 – Ami Vitale
2002 – Sophia Evans
2001 – Magali Delporte

To find out more about the 2014 Canon Female Photojournalist Award and download the rules and an application form to enter, please click here.

Please note: the final deadline for entries is 26 May 2014.

Do you want a huge focal range with a wide, f/2.8 constant maximum aperture? Don't feel like spending $25,999.00 on a new lens?

Well, you're in luck! LensAuthority (the outlet for LensRentals' used inventory) has a used Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Lens for Canon (affectionately named "Sigzilla") available for more than $11,000 off the retail price – now just $14,995.00.

The condition of the 34.54 lb behemoth is rated at 9.5 out of 10. The LensRentals logo has been removed since this product photo was taken.