LATEST ADDITIONS

Edited by George Schaub  |  Jan 17, 2013  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2012  |  0 comments

The Olympus OM-D is a retro-style camera that harkens back to the OM System of the 1970s and 1980s. In the current Olympus lineup, this Micro Four Thirds system camera sits somewhere between the PEN cameras and the E-System cameras. Like the PEN, it offers a very compact design and many helpful features for beginners, yet the design is oriented toward a classic SLR.

George Schaub  |  Jan 16, 2013  |  11 comments

The desire to show and share work is common to most photographers. Taking the work out of the drawer or hard drive and putting it onto paper can be a key phase in the development of a photographer. It is both a challenge and a way to build confidence, as it forces the artist to face the concept and underlying principle of his or her work. And, it can be fun.

Staff  |  Jan 16, 2013  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2012  |  6 comments
During a recent photo shoot getaway at Joshua Tree National Park, my primary vision was a foreground filled with a Joshua tree and the background would consist of a large rock formation with star trails circling the scene.

While driving up to higher elevation searching for the perfect scene, it became evident that it had recently snowed and I spotted this snowman that a mother and her two young sons were just completing. I stopped for a while and enjoyed making a few images of the snowman and as I was walking back to my vehicle it dawned on me that this rare desert snowman would make a great subject for my star trail image.

Press Release  |  Jan 16, 2013  |  0 comments
The Tiffen Company announced that the new Davis & Sanford® Pro Elite Tripod and Head models 5075-15 and5100-25 are now shipping.

The new Davis & Sanford Pro Elite Series two-in-one spreader feature includes snap-in center support brace with boots for uneven ground plus adjustable ground spreader for maximum rigidity and a true fluid head design, providing shooters a system that performs flawlessly on both flat and uneven surfaces. The ergonomically designed lever offers shooters incredibly smooth pan, scan and tilt with counter balance control capabilities that support a wide range of camera weights. The variable quick release lets users easily fine-tune the camera balance.

John Wade  |  Jan 15, 2013  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2012  |  0 comments

Making panoramic pictures in the digital age is easy. But it’s a lot more fun to use classic panoramic cameras, many of which can still be bought and used today.

 

The first panoramic camera was the Megaskop, made in 1844 to produce daguerreotypes on silver-plated copper plates, 4.7x17.5” wide. Later, there were Cirkut cameras, made first by the Rochester Panoramic Camera Company in 1904 and later by Kodak. These cameras were, and still are, used to produce super-wide school or sports club pictures. As the exposure was made, a clockwork motor rotated the camera on its tripod while inside the film traveled from one spool to another, past a slit at the focal plane.

Steve Bedell  |  Jan 14, 2013  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2012  |  0 comments

We all know what softboxes look like. They’re big, small, square, rectangular, sometimes round or shaped like octagons—we’ve seen them all. But there is nothing quite like the 16x60 Light Bender from Larson. It is long (48”), narrow (12”), and looks like a strip light that someone grabbed by the ends and yanked toward the middle. In this test I’ll take a look at just what this oddly-shaped light can do and why a photographer may consider adding it to his or her arsenal of light modifiers.

 

The Light Bender was designed by well-known photographer Larry Peters from Ohio and is produced and sold by Larson Enterprises.

After unpacking, I mounted the box to the backplate, a really snug fit, and then added the speed ring that allows me to mount and swivel the box on my light. After assembly, I mounted it on my Paul C. Buff Einstein unit. The light mounts dead center and the “wings” fly out to the side. There is no interior baffle in the design so the light is much stronger in the center and drops off rather dramatically as you move toward the edges.

Press Release  |  Jan 14, 2013  |  12 comments
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd announced the launch of the NX300, the new flagship model in its successful NX series. Samsung also announced the new NX 45mm F1.8 2D/3D lens, the first one-lens 3D system capable of capturing both still images and full HD movies in perfect 3D quality.
Joe Farace  |  Jan 11, 2013  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2012  |  2 comments

Just when you thought the megapixel wars were over—or at least subsided—along comes the Nikon D800 with a whopping 36.3-megapixel (7360x4912) full-frame CMOS sensor. It’s wrapped up in a pro-quality magnesium alloy body that’s sealed and gasketed for dirt and moisture resistance. That rugged body weighs almost 2 lbs and when attached to the 24-120mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR II Nikkor lens (23.6 oz) that I tested, the package tips the scales at 3.46 lbs. It’s big.

Maria Piscopo  |  Jan 10, 2013  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2012  |  3 comments
In my workshops and classes the most common concern is about marketing and getting business. It’s a sign of the times, and folks are asking: “Everything seems different these days in the photography business, what should I do?” My first and foremost answer is to have a business plan and then work that plan. It is simply not enough to put up a website, send out a few mailers, and see what happens. The best advice I can offer is to study up on creating and implementing a marketing plan and make the effort as important as learning and improving your craft.
Press Release  |  Jan 10, 2013  |  3 comments
LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products, announced a new update to its ControlTL firmware for Canon versions of its MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios. Available now, firmware version 6.200 for Canon includes compatibility with the Canon 5D Mark III digital SLR camera. Any current owner of the ControlTL system can easily install this version via USB connection and update for free using the PocketWizard Utility. PocketWizard Utility version 1.54 or later is required before installing this update.

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