Stroboframe has recently released the U-Pro rotating flash bracket. The key feature of the of the new U-Pro is the ability to rotate the camera itself while maintaining the position of the flash well above the lens. For a great example and testimonial of the effectiveness of this kind of rotating bracket, see Rich Legg’s recent post regarding his use of a similar bracket with a monopod. While Rich focuses on his new resolution to use a monopod more often, his rotating bracket is an integral part of his shooting.
For more info on the Stroboframe U-Pro, see the press release below. [click to continue…]
The Dell Wasabi PZ310 is a mobile printer that is almost pocket-sized. It prints borderless 2×3 inch prints in under a minute. It is Bluetooth and PictBridge compatible. Canon 5D Mark II users may finally have a use for the print button (yes, it’s a joke).
While the Wasabi PZ310 is a novel idea, don’t count on it to be anything more than a “fun” toy. And frankly, if you own a DSLR, it’s probably not going to be all that fun. It’s clearly geared toward the MySpace-crazed teen crowd; not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just a little too gimicky for those of use who take photography seriously. It comes at an introductory price of $99.
For more info, see Dell’s press release below. [click to continue…]
It seems like lately we’ve been reporting more about what isn’t coming to PMA rather than what will be there. Sony has apparently confirmed to PDN that there will be no new Alpha DSLRs introduced at PMA 2009. Sony plans to focus on point and shoot camera along with accessories instead. Some of those accessories should be for DSLRs though.
Photography Bay is giving away a new Canon PIXMA iP2600 photo printer to one lucky reader. The iP2600 is an entry-level photo printer that prints photos with borderless edges, from credit-card size, up to 8.5″ x 11″, and with resolution up to 4800 x 1200 color dpi.
How to Win?
- Post a review of one photography product in the forum.
If you’re not a member of the forum, you can register here.
The product review can be positive or negative. It can be anything related to photography – such as cameras, lenses, tripods, software, or prints from a particular vendor. Spammy posts will not be considered – quality counts. Among the quality reviews that are posted, a winner will be randomly selected.
Deadline for Entries
February 20, 2009
Details and Eligibility
This contest is limited to the Continental US. Shipping is covered by Photography Bay. Winner will be contacted by the email he or she used to register for the Photography Bay forum. If selected winner does not respond within 72 hours, an alternate winner will be selected.
A patent application filed by Canon was recently published by the USPTO (App. No. 12/188,385) that may give us some insight as to how Canon will solve the abysmal autofocus performance of Canon’s Live View mode. If you are unfamiliar about how Canon’s Live View AF system currently works (or doesn’t work), you can read my prior rant in Photography Bay’s Canon Rebel XSi Review. For some insight on how Live View AF should work, see the Sony A350 Review.
Nothing works faster for DSLR autofocus systems than the tried and true phase-difference method. If you don’t know what phase-difference AF means, the you can read about it on Wikipedia; however, it’s not essential to understand all the technical details to get excited about Canon’s new patent.
The fundamental problem with making phase-difference autofocus work in a Live View mode is that the AF sensor receives light from the mirror, which also reflects light up into the pentaprism for the optical viewfinder. When you press the shutter button, the mirror flips up and you get a brief moment of black out in the view finder while the shutter opens and exposes the image sensor to the light from the lens. [click to continue…]
