Equipment Reviews
CES Photo Tech Notes
In an attempt to connect everything electronic, this year’s CES/PMA show in Las Vegas was awash in “smart” TVs, tablets, and various and sundry devices that can link to your device—be it phone, tablet, or camera—and allow you to access “image content” anywhere, anytime. There was also a rash of rough cameras, a 3D lens for still and video, new ways to customize your camera, and a major boost in USB storage and memory card speed.
Film & Film Cameras
Here’s another in our series of reports from photokina 2012. As you will have noticed we do not attempt to create a laundry list of new products and companies from the show, but prefer to report on what struck our eye and thought might be of special interest to Shutterbug readers.
SIGMA DP3 Merrill
The Sigma DP3 Merrill is the latest Sigma camera with the new Foveonsensor.
With this sensor, the camera can capture complete RGB information for every single pixel and doesn’t need to interpolate colors like all other digital cameras with Bayer pattern sensors.
Accessories, Albums & Presentation Products
While photokina could be considered a distant memory, we have a number of reports yet to run that deal with products that were new to market and caught our reporter’s eye, and that in many cases are just becoming available now. Here’s a report on useful items filed by Roger Hicks that covers interesting accessories and other products he found at the show.
Techniques
Photo History
In the annals of American photography the images made by Farm Security Administration photographers in the 1930s and 1940s are famous.
Web Profiles
Nicholas Carr, author of The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, reports that a study of online retailing in 2006 found...
Personal Project
Actor Richard Gere is best known for his roles in over 40 films, but few may be aware he is also an avid photographer and collector.
Pro's Choice
Mark Katzman has been shooting professionally for over 25 years. Originally, he studied filmmaking at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
News
“From Fleeting to Forever” E-Book
Most of us spend endless hours snapping pictures and recording video in an effort to preserve and recall the best moments in life. While smartphones and digital cameras have made it easier than ever to capture every fleeting moment, they’ve also created some unique challenges.
Pelican ProGear
Pelican Products, Inc. has introduced the Pelican ProGear™ S130 Sport Elite Laptop/Camera Divider Pack, the newest addition to its consumer products line, Pelican ProGear.
Hensel International Photo Contest
The prize is a special Hensel Expert D anniversary lighting kit including all accessories. This has a value of $5000.
Shutterbug Reader Wins TIPA Prize
TIPA would like to thank all the readers who took part in the TIPA Readers’ Survey for 2013 that was published in the members’ magazines.
Latest Additions

News
Press Release Dec 07, 2012 14 comments
The Flex Lens Shade is a flexible lens shade that can be easily attached to any lens to block unwanted light from the lens. This large (7 x 11"/17.78 x 27.94 cm) lens shade attaches to a lens or lens hood using the included touch-tab strap, and can be bent into whatever shape you need to prevent lens flare--the shade keeps the shape you bend it into.
Image Tech
George Schaub Dec 06, 2012 0 comments
The Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS is a rugged camera that is waterproof (maximum depth: approx. 40 feet) and shockproof. The camera offers a 16MP sensor and a 5x zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle and 140mm tele settings (35mm film equivalent). It is the follower of the WG-1 and shows some improvements in image resolution and configuration. Its unique body design is indicative of the “tough camera” class and is designed for use by photographers who want to dive or use this camera for downhill mountain biking or other “adrenaline sports.”
News
Press Release Dec 06, 2012 3 comments
Founder of enlight photo, James Madelin, launches ioShutter for Nikon, a simple-to-use and versatile shutter release accessory for SLRs, ioShutter connects your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad direct to your SLR. The ioShutter app then offers extensive shutter control features. ioShutter makes pin-sharp long exposures, stunning light trails, timelapse sequences and more easy for amateur and pro photographers alike. ioShutter even includes ShakeToTake movement and ClapToSnap sound triggers.
Pro Techniques
Maynard Switzer Dec 05, 2012 0 comments
Travel is, by definition, motion, and among the photos I always look for on my travels are the ones that capture people in motion. For me motion falls into two categories: one I call sports movement, the other fashion movement. Sports movement is the bobsledder on his run down the track that results in a photo that’s a rush of color and a blur of background; fashion movement is motion that’s almost stopped—“almost” because the person’s activity is implied in the captured movement, and that’s what I do most of the time.
News
Press Release Dec 05, 2012 1 comments
Since the initial announcement of its introduction in July, underwater photographers have eagerly awaited the arrival of SeaLife’s widest angle and most advanced external lens to date. The wait is over. The SeaLife Fisheye Wide Angle Lens is now shipping to SeaLife dealers.
Lighting Equipment
Jack Neubart Dec 04, 2012 0 comments
I’ve worked with numerous macro flash systems. Most focus on the flash being on axis with the lens, often in the form of a ring flash mounted directly onto the lens. Alternatively, a twin-head system can be used, which attaches by way of a mounting ring. Here, the ultra-lightweight/ compact heads practically hug the lens. Usually, the flash heads are tethered to a controller, which also serves as the battery housing. While they may have some freedom of movement, the individual flash heads can’t be easily used entirely off-camera because they have nothing to support them when you’re shooting handheld.
News
Press Release Dec 04, 2012 1 comments
Sigma Corporation of America is pleased to announce that the first lens of its new Global Vision lineup, the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM, is now available for the street price of $899.
News
Press Release Dec 03, 2012 1 comments
Unified Color Technologies announced the launch of HDR Express 2. The latest evolution of Unified Color’s true-color HDR software features its most streamlined workflow yet, making it ideal for photo enthusiasts new to HDR. HDR Express 2 has further simplified the HDR photography process to a point that promises users of any skill level first-time success when creating 32-bit color HDR images.
Lighting
Joe Farace Nov 30, 2012 0 comments
The field of studio lighting equipment is a large one and advanced amateur and professional photographers have many different kinds of products to choose from. There are self-powered monolights, traditional power pack and head systems, or continuous light sources that let you see in real time the lighting effect that’s produced. The kind of photographer you are and the type of images you make determines the lighting system that best fits your working style and Dynalite, Interfit, and Rime Lite are three companies that produce systems for every photographic discipline.
News
Press Release Nov 30, 2012 1 comments
Delkin Devices is proud to announce the newest additions to their extensive Fat Gecko product line, the Fat Gecko Monopod and Tripod. Both made of carbon fiber material, the Fat Gecko Monopod & Tripod are said to be the lightest, most durable, and inexpensive Carbon Fiber products currently on the market. All components of the Fat Gecko Tripod and Monopod, including the carbon fiber and steel parts, are made in America.