Photography Review Blog

Olympus E-P2 Preview

Photo-John — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:02:18 +0000

Micro Four Thirds fans, listen up! The Olympus E-P2 digital camera has landed and Olympus sent me one to check out for a few days before they made the announcement! Its predecessor, the Olympus E-P1 was one of the surprise hits of the summer. The Olympus E-P2 is more or less the same camera as the E-P1 with a few important new features. The most obvious difference is the sexy new black finish. But it goes deeper than that. Most important is the new Accessory Port and included Articulating EVF (electronic viewfinder). The rest of changes are internal. They include auto focus tracking (yes - it works in Movie Mode, too!), manual exposure control in movie mode, two new Art Filters and a new Picture Mode.

The E-P2 is more a refinement of the E-P1 than a brand new camera. The E-P2’s basic specs and design are pretty much the same as the E-P1. Both cameras use the same 12-megapixel sensor so video and still image quality should be the same. And other than a slightly higher top to accommodate the Accessory Port and the transparent black finish, the camera body is also the same. According to Olympus, one of the things people didn’t like about the E-P1 was that it wasn’t available in black. Personally, I like the metallic stainless steel body - it’s different. But some people just need to be seen wearing tough guy black. And now they can, with the Olympus E-P2.


Olympus E-P2 Accessory Port (L) and new Articulated EVF (R)

Olympus E-P2 Accessory Port
One of the critical differences between the original Olympus Digital Pen and the E-P2 is the new Accessory Port, located on the back of the camera just below the accessory/flash shoe. The new electronic viewfinder slides into the accessory shoe and connects to the camera via the Accessory Port. The EVF (electronic viewfinder) is a useful addition for shooting in bright light, shooting at difficult angles and following action (panning). And unlike Panasonic’s new GF1 Micro Four Thirds camera, the Olympus EVF unit is included with the camera kit. If you buy the Panasonic GF1, their optional EVF will cost you an extra two bills ($200). The EVF will help photographers track moving subjects better but it won’t transform the E-P2 into a serious action camera. I have yet to use an EVF camera that didn’t have significant blackout between shots in burst mode. But your first panning shot will be better than it would have been using just the rear LCD display. Besides the EVF, the new Accessory Port will also accommodate an external microphone. Olympus makes a couple of microphones including a remote stereo mic and there are plenty of third-party options. The E-P1 captures surprisingly good video so the addition of external stereo sound, full manual video exposure control and auto focus tracking will make the E-P2 an even better compact video capture tool.


Two views of the new Olympus E-P2 and Articulated EVF

Olympus E-P2 Auto Focus Tracking
The new auto focus tracking is easy to miss at first but I think it’s the E-P2’s coolest new feature. It behaves very much like face detection, with a focus box that follows the subject, once it’s locked. Like face detection, exposure is tied to the focus point to ensure your subject is the exposure priority. Auto focus tracking works in the movie mode as well as for stills and that will likely be where it’s most valuable - for filming unpredictable moving subjects like kids and pets. I don’t know if it will satisfy critics of the Olympus Digital Pen auto focus speed. But it should make it easier to get stills and video of unpredictable moving subjects. I shot a video clip of the new C-AF auto focus tracking in action because I think it’s better to demonstrate it than try to describe it. The video won’t be done when this story goes live but I will post it soon.

next page - Olympus E-P2 New Art Filters and Conclusion >>

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Video Preview

Photo-John — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:01:49 +0000

Our friend, photographer Bob Scott, visited the Canon booth at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York, last month. He got to take a close-up, hands-on look at Canon’s latest flagship camera, the EOS-1D Mark IV. The new 1D is a 16-megapixel professional digital SLR built for speed. It has an updated auto focus system, 10 frames per second burst-rate and it now also features 1080p HD video, Below you’ll find Bob’s hands-on (sort-of) preview of the new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpyCRnz5uDc

Next up from Bob is a similar Nikon D3S video. Watch for it!

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Announcement
Nikon D3S vs. Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Comparison

Bob Scott is a Manhattan commercial photographer. You can see his work at bobscottnyc.com

Joby Photo Contest

aquadog — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:48:53 +0000

Joby announced their photo contest that allows photographers to enter up to three (3) images by December 31, 2009, 11:59pm PST to win an assortment of prizes. The Grand Prize winner will receive the entire Gorillapod assortment (Gorillapod Original, SLR, SLR-Zoom, Ballhead, and Focus), the opportunity to have your photograph published in Popular Photography magazine, and featured placement on Joby.com. Runner Up and Honorable Mention prizes from Joby are also available.

For more contest information and prize details, visit: http://joby.com/pro/contest/

Kodak Pic Flick iPhone Application

aquadog — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:11:57 +0000

The Kodak Pic Flick is a free application for your iPhone or iPod Touch device. It allows you to effortlessly print stored pictures to a Kodak ESP 5250 All-In-One Printer or send pictures to a Kodak EasyShare W820/W1020 Wireless Digital Frame. Share your pictures easily and affordably with Kodak Pic Flick.

Kodak Pic Flick iPhone Application Press Release

next page - Kodak Pic Flick iPhone Application Press Release >>

Kata Dream Bag Challenge

aquadog — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:30:36 +0000

Kata announced their Dream Bag Challenge. Design your dream photo bag and submit it to the challenge. Each bag will be reviewed by a professional panel of judges and the best design will be selected as the winner, hand built exclusively for the designer and packed full of high-end photo equipment that includes, a Canon 5D Mark II body, 2 Canon Lenses (24-105 EF L IS USM & 70-200 F/4.0 USM), Gitzo Traveler kit (tripod+ head), and Litepanels MICROPRO. The first 500 to post their Dream Bag design will win a free Kata camara strap.

For more information and prize details, visit:http://www.dreambagchallenge.com/

Kata CS-15 and CS-17 GDC Camera Satchels

aquadog — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:17:55 +0000

Kata introduced the new CS-15 and CS-17 Global Digital Collection (GDC) Camera Satchels to it’s popular camera bag line. These new over-the-shoulder bags offer photographers a stylish and discreet carrying solution for their photographic equipment and accessories. The GDC Satchels feature a padded insert which provides protection for a DSLR, lenses or camera flash, additional pockets for personal documents, and a dedicated slot for a laptop computer.

The CS-15 can hold a DSLR with lens attached, up to 2 lenses (the largest being a 70-200mm 2.8 with reversed hood), accessories and up to a 15.4″ laptop computer. The CS-17 can hold a DSLR with lens attached, up to 2 lenses (the largest being a 70-200mm 2.8 with reversed hood), accessories and up to a 17″ laptop computer.

The Kata CS-15 Camera Satchel and CS-17 Camera Satchel are available for $125 and $140, respectively.

Kata CS-15 and CS-17 GDC Camera Satchels Press Release

next page - Kata CS-15 and CS-17 GDC Camera Satchels Press Release >>

Kata 3N1-11, 3N1-22 and 3N1-33 Sling Backpacks

aquadog — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:52:36 +0000

Kata added three new models to their 3N1 series of photo and video carrying solutions. The new 3N1-11, 3N1-22 and the 3N1-33 sling backpacks now let photographers carry a compact laptop or netbook. Each bag also has plenty of space to carry all of the photo and personal gear of an on-the-go photographer.

The 3N1-11 is designed to carry a DSLR with mid-range zoom lens attached as well as 1-2 lenses, flash, small netbook and personal gear. The 3N1-22 is designed to carry a DSLR with battery pack & mid-range zoom lens attached as well as 3-4 lenses, flash, netbook and personal gear. The 3N1-33 is designed hold a DSLR with battery grip & long-range zoom lens attached as well as 5-6 lenses, flash, laptop computer (up to 15.4″) and personal gear. All bags also make a great video bag and can hold a compact camcorder and accessories.

The Kata 3N1-11, 3N1-22, and 3N1-33 are available for $100, $120, and $145, respectively.

Kata 3N1-11, 3N1-22 and 3N1-33 Sling Backpacks Press Release

next page - Kata 3N1-11, 3N1-22 and 3N1-33 Sling Backpacks Press Release >>

Phase One Capture One 5 PRO

aquadog — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:51:07 +0000

Phase One released Capture One 5 PRO, the latest version of their RAW workflow software. New features include the Focus tool and Focus Mask for quick selection of images with correct focus, Skin Tone Enhancer to perfect the appearance of smooth, soft skin tones, and the ability to add vignettes to the edges of images for an artistic effect. This latest version also adds support for additional DSLR models and RAW file support for selected Leaf digital backs. Capture One 5 PRO is available now for $399.

Phase One Capture One 5 PRO Press Release

Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35 ZE Wide-Angle Lens

aquadog — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:17:39 +0000

Carl Zeiss announced the launch of the sixth lens in the ZE series for EOS cameras. The Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35 ZE is a moderate wide angle lens designed for full-frame (D)SLR cameras, delivering a 62-degree field of view.

Like the other Zeiss ZE lenses, it incorporates a CPU and data contacts for communication with the camera body. The Distagon T* 2/35 ZE is ideal for still photographers looking for a fast, general purpose wide angle lens. It is also well suited for the growing number of photographers and videographers who are using DSLR’s for film-making and need a lens with superior manual focusing control and minimal ‘breathing’.

The Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35 ZE will be available November 16th, 2009 for $870.

Sample photos of the lens taken with a Canon EOS 5D camera can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/silver2silicon/sets/72157622713084766/

Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35 ZE Press Release

next page - Carl Zeiss Distagon Distagon T* 2/35 ZE Press Release >>

Gitzo Announces Enhanced Basalt Collection

aquadog — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:52:09 +0000

Gitzo has revamped their Basalt Collection of six tripods, three quick-release center ball heads, one monopod and boom. The Basalt Collection uses the fibers of basalt rock to produce high performance, lightweight tubes which are 20% lighter than aluminum and are now up to 22% stronger than before, giving photographers a higher-performing support solution. The new collection also features a stylish and sleek new color scheme inspired by basalt rock.

Gitzo Enhanced Basalt Collection Press Release

next page - Gitzo Enhanced Basalt Collection Press Release >>