Posts Tagged ‘News’
April 3rd, 2012 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Cameras, News
Canon announced today the EOS 60Da DSLR. Not to be confused with the Canon 60D (reviewed here), the 60Da is “optimized for astrophotography.” It offers a modified infrared filter and a low-noise sensor with heightened hydrogen-alpha sensitivity. These modifications, according to Canon, allow the camera to capture photographs of “red hydrogen emission” nebulae and other cosmic phenomena. In other words, it’s built for those shooting in a specialized field.
While this isn’t a mainstream image maker, we can’t help but be fascinated (is “star struck” too horrible a pun?) by the camera. One Canon exec says, “This new camera enables an accurate depiction of a part of our solar system which is hard to achieve with conventional cameras but should be enjoyed and celebrated.” It features a 1,040,000 dots 3-inch Clear View LCD screen and ISO speeds up to 6400 expandable to 12800. Oh, and “The improved infrared-blocking filter is a modification suited specifically toward astronomy enthusiasts to achieve a hydrogen-alpha light sensitivity that is approximately three times higher than that of a normal Canon DSLR camera. This produces a 20-percent higher transmittance of Hydrogen Alpha line, or H α wavelength, allowing astronomers to capture crisp, clear images of reddish, diffuse nebulae.”
Should astrophotography be your thing, the Canon EOS 60Da will be available starting this month from select dealers for an estimated $1,499.00.
(Canon)
March 27th, 2012 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, News
The National Wildlife Federation is hosting a “Celebrate Nature Through Photography” photo contest. Featuring seven categories (baby animals, backyard habitats, birds, connecting people and nature, landscapes and plant life, mammals, and other wildlife) and two entry levels (general and youth), the NWF contest invites you to enter your photos for the chance to win “thousands of dollars in prizes, get exposure, and support the National Wildlife Federation’s work to protect wildlife.”
Based on our archive of stellar nature-themed “closeUP” DP reader photos, we know that many of you have a talent for celebrating nature through photography.
The contest closes July 16, 2012 after which time the people’s choice judging period will begin. Visit www.nwf.org/PhotoContest for contest rules and to enter. Good luck!
(National Wildlife Federation)
March 13th, 2012 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, Cameras, News
Sony has announced the latest A-mount series DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology: the α57. Successor to the α55, the new camera’s body is manufactured from recycled plastics and the camera chassis contains 10% recycled material. The α57 shoots still images at up to 12 frames per second, boasts a sensitivity range of ISO 100-16,000, features the α65‘s 5-point AF system with three cross sensors, and, like the α65, has an OLED Tru-Finder viewfinder with 1440k dot resolution and a 100% field of view.
The α57 interchangeable lens camera will be available in April for about $700 (model SLT-A57, body only) or about $800 (model SLT-A57K, with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens for $800).
(Sony)
March 8th, 2012 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, News
We’ve long been impressed by the GigaPan EPIC system. The robotic mounts allow cameras to capture up to thousands of photos at a time in order to create one extremely detailed “gigapixel panorama” image. Said captures are blended together through the use of GigaPan’s Stitch software.
Now GigaPan has announced two new versions of their high resolution image blending software: Stitch 2.0, and the more advanced Stitch.Efx. Updates to both include tools for automatic vignette correction and improved algorithms for estimating lens focal length for optimal alignment. Stitch.Efx also features adjustment options with real-time image preview, including those for brightness, exposure, color temperature, tint, and saturation. Additionally, GigaPan notes that the advanced version “Stitch.Efx allows the user to interactively rearrange the grid of images before stitching, substituting alternate shots and selecting the order of shots. In addition, the ability to save projected images in Stitch.Efx helps a user fine tune blending of their images within other image editing software, for maximum control of blending. This is particularly important when shooting moving subjects.”
Stitch software free if you purchase a GigaPan EPIC, or you can update for free if you’re an existing EPIC owner. For everyone else, they offer a free 14-day trial version, and then GigaPan Stitch retails for $79 and GigaPan Stitch.Efx is available for $149.
(GigaPan)
February 14th, 2012 by Allison Gibson Posted in Blog, News
Three Seconds
“A lot can happen in three seconds,” points out the Surfrider Foundation, in an effort to bring attention to the immense impact that such a fleeting period of time can have on the environment. For instance: “Every three seconds, approximately 70 tons of sewage and human effluent is discharged into the world’s water ways.”
Grim? Yes. But we can use art to take action and spread the word.
In honor of the UN-established World Water Day holiday (March 22nd), Surfrider is hosting the 3 Second Movie Contest in which entrants are encouraged to create and share a water-themed movie in the span of three seconds. Because, as we now know, a lot can happen in that brief amount of time.
The Details
Surfrider is challenging its supporters to share their cinematic visions and interpretations of water by creating a short three-second film. Between now and March 12th, send your three-second long, water related movies (mov, .avi, .mpeg and .mp4 files preferred) to 3SecMovie@surfrider.org. Surfrider’s favorite submissions will receive prize packages and gear from GoPro camera and Teva footwear. The winners will be announced on World Water Day. Visit surfrider.org for more information.
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