News

Software Cinema has announced The Best of Dean Collins Finelight Video DVD set,
featuring the late Dean Collins, one of the most celebrated educators of lighting
and camera techniques in the industry. To honor Dean Collins, a portion of all
proceeds will be donated to CureSearch, the world's largest pediatric cancer
research organization working towards the cure and prevention of childhood and
adolescent cancer through scientific discovery.



Transferred from video to the high-quality DVD format, this six-hour tutorial
created for photo enthusiasts and professional photographers covers fundamental
and advanced lighting techniques that can be applied to standard or digital photography.
Lessons range from lighting techniques in portrait, product and fashion photography
on both small and large sets. Dean Collins teaches in-studio and on-location about
set up and reasons for lighting when creating the image. Included in the re-release
are commentary and overview by Skip Cohen, Rangefinder Magazine's publisher
and author; Tony Corbell, noted photographer and author; and Julieanne Kost, Adobe's
official Photoshop Evangelist.



Since the loss of Dean Collins to cancer, Software Cinema has become proactive
in the support of cancer research. In Dean's honor, the company now partners
with CureSearch, the largest pediatric cancer research organization. CureSearch
unites the Children's Oncology Group (COG) and the National Childhood Cancer
Foundation (NCCF) through a shared mission to cure and prevent childhood and adolescent
cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care. For every Dean Collins
DVD purchased, Software Cinema will donate $5 to CureSearch.



Pricing and Availability

Software Cinema's The Best of Dean Collins will be available in June 2006
and can be purchased by going to www.software-cinema.com.
Regular price is $179.00, but reserve a copy before June 2006 to save over $50.00.

Our local supermarket has Halloween candy and scary witches on display, so that can mean only one thing in New Jersey—school is about to open. Annually, each and every elementary school student produces, on average, 331* metric tons of precious artwork; add another 11* tons if they attend summer camp. Some of the items are small enough to fit on the refrigerator door, and all of them are worth keeping forever. Short of renting offsite storage space to house and curate their youngsters' souvenirs of academia, how do sentimental parents cope?

[ *Author's estimate based on absolutely nothing. ]

Back in the days of film, many of us who considered ourselves “serious” photographers had an arsenal that not only included an SLR system with a myriad of lenses, flash equipment and other accessories, but a high–end pocket camera that offered a “premium” lens and a complete array of manual controls. The idea, of course, was that with one of these little wonders you would always have a capable camera on hand for those unexpected opportunities—even on days when you left your SLR at home.

Building on the heritage of Sony’s much-loved original a77 and a700 cameras, the a77 II has the world’s highest number of AF points in a new phase detect autofocus system with 79 focal points and 15 cross points. Utilizing Sony’s unique Translucent Mirror Technology, the a77 II also has the ability to shoot at up to 12 fps for 60 total frames with continuous AF.

Sony has unveiled two new Cyber-shot digital still cameras (models DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5) that are the world’s smallest 3D cameras, capturing 3D images with a single lens system using a sweeping motion.

...

The DSLR-A200 model features upgrades influenced by the recently-introduced, enthusiast-class
DSLR-A700 camera and replaces the former Sony DSLR-A100 model, which was Sony's
first in the DSLR class. The new model is designed to be faster, lighter and easier
to use. Upgraded features include a wider, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCDTM screen for
easy playback viewing; a more compact body and an easily-accessible mode dial;
an easy-to-use function menu (camera function display); improved noise control
for higher quality images; an auto focus speed 1.7x faster than the previous model;
improved predictive control performance; quieter shutter sound; automatic pop-up
flash; and a battery life indicator that displays the percentage of battery life
remaining so you know exactly when to recharge.



As seen in all a (alpha) camera bodies, the DSLR-A200 camera incorporates Super
SteadyShot image stabilization in the body to allow shooting at shutter speeds
of 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible -- a benefit realized
with every compatible lens attached to the camera. Compatible lenses encompass
all Minolta Maxxum mount lenses, in addition to Sony a (alpha) lens lineup - including
Carl Zeiss® lenses.



With its 10.2-megapixel (effective) APS CCD image sensor, the DSLR-A200 camera
is said to continue to offer high-quality images by allowing more light to pass
through to each pixel -- increasing sensitivity, reducing noise, and providing
greater detail. Clean, reduced-noise signals are sent from the image sensor to
Sony's BIONZ processing engine, which processes data-rich picture information
at high speeds and reduces picture noise in the RAW data stage before image JPEG
conversion. The results are high-resolution, detailed images with rich tonal reproduction.



The DSLR-A200 model supports JPEG and RAW file format support. It has a slot for
CompactFlash Type I/II media cards. An adaptor for Memory Stick Duo media cards
is sold separately as an accessory.



Get The Photo Results You Want

In addition to Super SteadyShot image stabilization for virtually blur-free photos,
the new model incorporates Sony's D-Range Optimizer (DRO). It helps you
capture well-exposed images, especially when shooting high-contrast or backlit
scenes that often lead to loss of highlight and shadow detail. Sony's DRO
modifies the range from highlights to shadows, including gain and contrast, through
its in-camera hardware processing to produce more natural, evenly exposed pictures.
The camera's image analysis technology studies the captured image data and
instantly determines the best exposure and color tonality for the image before
JPEG compression.



The BIONZ image processing engine powers the camera up immediately and the eye-start
autofocus starts the focusing system before you even press the shutter. The camera
can shoot up to three continuous frames per second at 10.2-megapixels at the finest
JPEG compression level.



As seen in previous a (alpha) models, the new model carries a static-free anti-dust
coating on the CCD filter which is gently vibrated to dislodge any dust that might
have collected each time the camera is powered off.



Additionally, the DSLR-A200 camera's supplied lithium ion battery offers
up to 750 shots per full charge.



Sony is providing a full line of accessories for the model, including flashes,
rechargeable battery packs and several carrying cases. An interesting addition
is the VG-B30AM ergonomic vertical grip equipped with the most essential controls
for portrait orientation shooting. It also allows for the use of two InfoLITHIUM
batteries (sold separately) for up to 1,500 shots on a single, full charge.



The DSLR-A200K kit includes the camera body and a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom
lens for about $700. The DSLR-A200W kit includes the camera body, the DT 18-70mm
lens and a 75--300mm f4.5-5.6 lens for about $900. Both will ship in February
and will be available at sonystyle.com,
Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail),
military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online
on Jan. 7 at www.sonystyle.com/dslr.
...

The Sony A6500 is the flagship model for Sony’s APS-C sensor-based mirrorless camera line and features an E-lens mount. The Sony A6500 was brought out only 8 months after the forerunner A6300 was shipped, which begs the question as to what changes and differences would justify a new model so soon. Indeed, there are some changes.