Panasonic has announced a price for the forthcoming Lumix GH1 Micro Four Thirds HD-capable digital camera. The Panasonic Lumix GH1 will be available in June with an MSRP of $1499.95. That price includes the new image-stabilized Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 10x zoom lens. The 14-140mm lens was specially developed for the Lumix GH1 camera. It has a silent auto focus motor to work with the camera’s HD video capture.
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For the past 6 years or so, the annual PMA tradeshow has mostly been about digital SLRs. Every manufacturer had to have one or two new ones to show off at the show. This year was different. The bad economy is no news but it was still a surprise that there was only one new digital SLR at the show this year. I was expecting Canon or Nikon to pull something out of their sleeve at the show - at least an entry-level camera. But the only manufacturer to introduce a new digital SLR at PMA in 2009 was Olympus. No doubt, all the manufacturers are working on new digital SLRs, and they’ll likely all have video from here on out. But the 12-megapixel Olympus E-620 was the only new DSLR at this PMA show. Good job, Olympus!
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I spend a lot of time using and thinking about backpacks. Too much time, really. Well - too much time thinking about them, anyway. Camera backpacks seem to be designed with little thought about the reality of serious outdoor activity. Sure, many of them hold a lot of gear, protect it well, and have reasonably comfortable harness systems. But anyone who spends a lot of time shooting on the trail - especially in the backcountry - knows that water is the top priority. And so far I’ve seen very few dedicated camera backpacks that address the critical need for water when you’re on the trail. Over the years I’ve gone through a lot of dedicated camera packs and big hydration packs. I always end up going back to big hydration backpacks that can carry a DSLR bag and a big zoom in a lens case. But I’m hoping that’s about to change. Let me introduce new camera backpack maker, Clik Elite.
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2009 PMA Camera And Photography Tradeshow

March 3-5, 2009 - Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall

This year’s Photo Marketing Association tradeshow, otherwise known as PMA, takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 3rd to 5th. Every spring all the major camera, photography software and photo accessory manufacturers assemble to show off their latest wares. PhotographyREVIEW.com has attended the show every year since 2000 and this year is no exception. This is our chance to visit with camera makers, ask tons of questions, and get a look at as much camera gear as possible. Let us know what you want to see and learn. We’re there for you! We’ll be meeting with all the main manufacturers, taking pictures, shooting video and writing about all the cool new digital cameras and photo gear.
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 Lowepro had some new camera cases at PMA this year, including an updated version of their popular Topload Zoom AW, the new Toploader Pro AW. The Toploader Pro AW incorporates some thoughtful refinements to the old case that look like they’ll make a real difference for outdoor photographers. Lowepro product manager Tim Grimmer gave us a video demo of the new Toploader 75 AW.
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I visited the Lowepro booth at PMA this year and got some demos of new camera cases, including the cool new Flipside 400 AW backpack. I’m seeing more and more innovation in camera backpack design - especially when it comes to quick camera access. The Flipside 400 AW is full-featured pro-sized camera backpack with a neat new twist that should make all outdoor photographers excited.
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This year’s PMA tradeshow was my first chance to see the Sony Alpha A900 in person. They previewed it behind glass at last year’s show and finally introduced it at Photokina, in the fall. The Sony A900 is a 24-megapixel, full-frame, professional digital SLR, and the first and only digital SLR with an image-stabilized full-frame sensor. The A900 shows how serious Sony is about being a major player in the DSLR business. It has all the features and performance a professional digital SLR should have. And it’s built like a tank, as a pro digital SLR body should be. I think pro DSLR bodies should be able to double as a weapon. If someone tries to steal your camera you can knock them out with it.
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Canon announced two new tilt/shift lenses just before the annual PMA tradeshow. The TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift lenses were both on display at Canon’s PMA booth, although they wouldn’t let us mount either one on smartwombat’s Canon EOS 1Ds because they’re still in prototype form. They did let us play with them on their cameras, though. I got one of the reps to give me a little demo, which I shot a video of. It shows all the different movements and we talk a little about what tilt/shift lenses are for.
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I first became aware of camera bag maker Shootsac, via photographers on Twitter. I got to see the bags for this first time at the annual PMA tradeshow, last week. They’re very simple, attractive and a really good idea for wedding and event photographers who need to keep critical lenses and a flash on their body while they’re working. Carrying around a pro-sized big camera bag or backpack isn’t practical or effective when you’re working an event. You can’t get things in or out fast enough, and a packed pro case is no good for your shoulder or back. If you try to work out of your big bag, you end up having to run back and forth and risk missing shots because you don’t have the right lens when you need it. The Shootsac keeps your most important gear readily available so you can grab it when you need it.
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I think the most impressive thing I saw at PMA this year was Hoya’s new HD filter demo. “HD” in this case stands for “hardened,” not high definition. The glass is made to withstand the impact of steel balls dropped from a height of 50 inches. So the filter is impressive in and of itself. But the demo surprised the hell out of me and I had to make a video. I’ll leave it at that and let the video say the rest.
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Kodak and Photobucket announced they will team up to allow Photobucket’s millions of users to begin using new and exciting products and print choices from Kodak Gallery. Now Photobucket’s users can create personalized photo gifts and prints using Kodak Gallery products, such as prints and posters, photo mugs, t-shirts, playing cards, coasters, mouse pads and puzzles.

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More and more photographers are getting interested in being able to save GPS information with their digital photos. The geotagging enthusiasts at the German company foolography have introduced a new wireless solution for people who want to collect and save GPS data with their photos. The new Unleashed module connects wirelessly to any Bluetooth GPS device. It plugs into the 10-pin connector on select Nikon digital SLRs and allows the camera to embed the location data from your GPS in the EXIF data of your image files.
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