If you’ve ever been curious about your camera’s shutter count (or maybe you bought a used camera), then the EOSInfo utility might be something you are interested in.
Check it out here.
There’s a few caveats like it only works with DIGIC III and IV DSLRs, 1D series cameras don’t work with it, etc. Read the fine print and disclaimers before you jump head first into this stuff.
(h/t to Canon Rumors)
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When we buy our DSLRs, chances are that we mostly shoot and grow with using just the kit lens provided for us by the manufacturerers. What some of us DSLR users don’t realize until we’ve grown enough is just how wondrous and useful a good 50mm lens with a wide aperture is. I’ve blogged before about learning on different lenses, but the 50mm is the one lens every photographer should have in their bag. If you havent’ got a 50mm lens or if you have one and don’t seem to cherish it that much, here are reasons why everyone should go out and shoot with just your little 50mm gem. [click to continue…]
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The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj is a 12.1 megapixel point and shoot camera, which includes a built-in projector for displaying images directly from the camera. The projector can produce images and video up to 40-inches in size. The S100opj also features a 5x optical zoom, Nikon’s VR Image Stabilization System and an ISO range of 64-6400.
The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj should be available in September 2009 at an initial retail price of $429.95.
Check availability on Amazon.com.
In use, the projector does not really disappoint, although its modest VGA resolution and dull colours mean it’s no match for a traditional slide show created using a good old 35mm slide projector.
The picture quality should not be too much of an issue with smaller prints or indeed if you are planning to set up a slideshow, but larger sized prints may begin to highlight one or two problems.
I was pretty surprised at how well Nikon implemented a mini-projector into the Coolpix S1000pj.
Despite the naysayers opinion of the S1000pj as a mere novelty, Buy-n-Shoot rate this unit as a breath of fresh air within a saturated compact camera market.
Pocket-Lint (hands-on review)
At the moment we can’t see a killer selling point other than “Wow! That’s so cool!”.
More details in the press release below.
NEW COOLPIX S1000pj FEATURES WORLD’S FIRST BUILT-IN PROJECTOR, YOUR PERSONAL THEATER ON THE GO
Providing consumers with new exciting ways to share images, the COOLPIX S1000pj transforms photo-sharing into a multimedia experience. With the touch of a button, users can project images and videos as large as 40 inches, and with the camera’s unique slideshow function, playback pictures with music, effects and creative transitions. Additional features of the S1000pj include: 12.1 megapixels; a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens; ISO from 64-6400***; a 2.7-inch wide-angle LCD display; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.
The COOLPIX S1000pj will be available in Matte Black, in September 2009, for $429.95 MSRP.
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The Nikon Coolpix S70 is a 12.1-megapixel point and shoot camera, which features a 3.5-inch touchscreen display. The S70 allows users the ability to touch the subject they wish to focus on and the camera will then autofocus on the subject and capture the image.
The S70 also offers a 5x optical zoom and Nikon VR Image Stabilization System. The S70 will be available in September 2009 at an initial retail price of $399.95.
Check availability on Amazon.com.
As a digital compact camera, it is average – it has some nice functions, such as the Touch Shutter feature that lets you focus on your subject and take a picture very quickly; but enthusiast photographers will likely bemoan the limited level of user control over the picture taking process as well the lack of a pre- or post-capture histogram to check exposure.
The Nikon Coolpix S70 is a capable touchscreen camera which deserves my recommendation. It excels at shooting outdoors and in bright light, has a basket of neat features and takes good quality photos.
NEW COOLPIX S70 FEATURES SUPERIOR STYLING AND OLED TOUCH-SCREEN INTERFACE
Built on the success of Nikon’s previous touch-screen models, the COOLPIX S70 features Nikon’s newly developed 3.5-inch Clear Color Display and a new generation of touch-screen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience. In addition to its photographic technology and stylish dual-texture design, the S70 captures stunning HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels (720p).
New to the COOLPIX line, OLED technology offers the benefits of vivid color reproduction, sharp contrast and the absence of afterimages. The capacitive touch-screen provides an immediate response at the lightest touch of the display for a fun and intuitive feel to every camera operation. For example, using the Touch Shutter feature, users can have a completely “button-free” experience and focus on and photograph a subject by simply touching it on the camera’s display. The touch-screen also makes viewing and retouching images more fun and efficient. With the swipe of a finger, users can scroll through images and use a pinching motion with two fingers to zoom in or out on displayed images, switching between thumbnail and full screen views. Additional new touch-screen controls include on-screen sliders for adjusting brightness and Scene Effect Adjustment, which offers controls specific to the scene mode in use.
The COOLPIX S70 features 12.1 megapixels; a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR lens; ISO 6400***; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and an ultra-stylish design.
The S70 will be available in September 2009 for $399.95 MSRP in a choice of colors and textures including Red & Red, Champagne & Beige, Black & Black, or Champagne & Light Brown.
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The Nikon Coolpix S640 and S570 are two point and shoot cameras which feature 12.2- and 12.0-megapixel sensors, respectively.
The S640 offers a 5x optical zoom and ISO range of 100-6400, while the S570 also features a 5x zoom and ISO up to 3200. Both cameras offer full resolution images at their max ISO, which is a rarity among point and shoot cameras at this high of an ISO setting. The two cameras also feature Nikon’s VR Image Stabilization and a 2.7-inch LCD.
The S640 and S570 will be available in September 2009 at an initial retail price of $249.95 and $199.95, respectively.
Check availability for the Nikon Coolpix S570 and S640 on Amazon.com:
The Nikon Coolpix S640 is a solid offering. It looks good and is very straightforward too.
Image quality is very good, with more than acceptable results in terms of noise from ISO 100-800, although the faster settings of 3200 and 6400 aren’t worth using.
All-in-all both the S570 and S640 are slim, stylish units from the Nikon Coolpix range that offer ease-of-use, great portability and excellent image quality for compact cameras within this affordable price range.
All-in-all both the S570 and S640 are slim, stylish units from the Nikon Coolpix range that offer ease-of-use, great portability and excellent image quality for compact cameras within this affordable price range.
NEW COOLPIX S640 IS SLEEK, FAST AND FULLY-LOADED WITH ENHANCED SPEED CAPABILITIES
For consumers who never want to miss a moment, the all-new COOLPIX S640 is Nikon’s performance leader in the S-Series lineup. High performance features include ultra-fast auto-focus, the fastest start up time in its class** of a mere 0.7 seconds and short shutter release time lag. Additional features of the S640 include: a slim, stylish all metal body; 12.2 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle NIKKOR lens; ISO from 100-6400 at full resolution; a 2.7-inch Clear Color LCD Display; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.
The COOLPIX S640 will be available in September 2009 for $249.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors including: Calm Black, Velour Red, Precious Pink and Pearl White.
NEW COOLPIX S570 OFFERS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AT AN ECONOMICAL PRICE POINT
Where style meets simplicity, the new COOLPIX S570 is ideal for entry-level consumers looking for a carefree shooting experience. The S570 features 12.0 megapixels; a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens; ISO 3200 at full resolution; a bright 2.7-inch LCD Display; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.
The COOLPIX S570 will be available in September 2009, for $199.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors including Black, Red, Blue and Pink.
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The following post on the use of fill-flash in macro photography was written by professional photographer Ron Kruger. Learn more about Ron at the end of this post.
I’m an outdoor writer/photographer, and I’ve always admired those minuscule blossoms I see around my blinds and hides and along rivers and streams. This past spring, sort of as a sideline, or hobby with the hope of some potential profit, I embarked on a mission to record macro images of every tiny wildflower I could find.
As a professional, I’m always looking for ways to do things differently than the average photographer. One I’d like to share is fill-flash for macro, which we called flash-fill back in the day when you had to make all kinds of complicated readings and calculations to pull it off. I’m not talking about a dedicated macro ring flash, either, but your common, everyday external flash unit and/or your on-camera flash. Both work, and they work great together. [click to continue…]
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