Canon, Nikon and Sony News for Jan 2011 Report News & Deals  ►

Update: Sold out. B&H just asked me to let you know that they have the Nikon D7000 with 18-105mm DX VR Lens in stock.

Just a heads up to let you know that, due to an increase in manufacturing costs, the prices for the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 ZE Distagon Lens and Zeiss 35mm f/2 ZE Distagon Lens will increase Feb 1st.
 
These are two really nice lenses. If either is on your shopping list, now would be the time to place the order.

Canon EF 1.4x III Extender Review

Phase One has released Capture One 6.1. This update includes new features and additional camera RAW formats are supported. The update is free for licensed users of Capture One 6.

Canon USA has announced the winners of the Amateur Football Photo Contest (press release).
 
More information is available on the Canon USA NFL site.

Canon has posted their financial results for 2010.
 
For a 26 page summary primarily consisting of charts and tables, download the presentation material PDF.
 
If you want to dive deeper, the full results PDF is for you.

ISO 12233 resolution chart test results for the Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Lens are now available on the site. Nice lens.

A Chipworks Nikon D7000 teardown reveals a Sony IMX071 Sensor on board. Just in case you were wondering.

Lowepro Pro Trekker 400 AW Camera Backpack Review

Nikon has posted D3100 Firmware v1.01 (Europe: Macintosh / Windows).
 
Modifications enabled with this firmware upgrade, release date January 25, 2011:
 
• A magenta tint was present at the bottom of still images captured at high sensitivities after shooting in live view mode or recording movies for an extended length of time. The occurrence of this magenta tint has been reduced.
 
• When images captured with continuous shooting in live view mode were played back, in some very rare cases, some of the images were not properly displayed. This issue has been resolved.
 
• When shooting in live view mode with AF-area mode set to Subject-tracking AF, in some very rare cases, the focus point slipped off the subject with autofocusing after the intended tracking subject had been selected. This issue has been resolved.
 
• When images edited using camera retouch functions were played back in calendar playback mode, they were assigned to dates based not on the date of capture, but rather the date on which they were edited. This issue has been resolved.
 
• When white balance for RAW images created using the camera’s image overlay function was fine tuned with Capture NX 2 or ViewNX 2, the images acquired a magenta cast. This issue has been resolved.
 
• A portion of the error message displayed when live view mode could not be initiated because the camera’s internal temperature was too high has been revised.
 
• When Noise reduction in the shooting menu is set to On, operation is as follows.
 
Processing to reduce noise is performed at all ISO sensitivity settings. Noise reduction is especially effective with shooting at high ISO sensitivities.
 
Processing to reduce noise is performed immediately after shooting in any of the situations noted below. While processing to reduce noise is performed, "Job nr" blinks in the viewfinder display. Shooting is not possible until "Job nr" is no longer displayed. The time required for noise reduction processing is roughly equal to the shutter speed used to capture the image.
 
• Shooting at shutter speeds slower than approximately 8 seconds
 
• Shooting at high ISO sensitivities when the internal temperature of the camera is high
 
• The Help information displayed for the Noise reduction item in the shooting menu has also been revised in accordance with these modifications.

David Hobby and Joe McNally have announced The Flash Bus Tour featuring small flash training in 29 cities in 6 weeks. Should be a highly entertaining tour.

I added many items to Used DSLR Cameras, Lenses and Acessories for Sale page. Let me know if you want anything.

Bibble Labs has announced the availability of Bibble 5.2 Pro & Lite.
 
"This free update for all current Bibble 5 customers adds support for 14 new RAW formats, including Nikon D3100, D7000, P7000 and Panasonic LX5, GF2 and GH2, and includes significant improvements to Bibble 5's already powerful Selective Editing capability, along with many other enhancements."
 
Check out the press release for more information.

I have uploaded some sample pictures to the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Lens Review.
 
The weather and landscape have not been very outdoor-photo-friendly here recently, but I intend to use this lens a lot more this year - including on a couple of photo trips I have planned. So, I should have more (and more varied) sample pictures to share later.
 
Be sure to check out the comments and tips for each picture.

ISO 12233 chart test results have been added to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review page.
 
Be sure to find the short, must-read commentary on the review page.