Nikon

Canon Announces Canon 60D--Pushing the Envelope for Consumer D-SLRs

In the continuing barrage of new digital cameras, Canon has fired the most recent shot with the new 60D mid-range consumer/prosumer D-SLR--a solid upgrade to the popular 50D. With a stunning 18MP sensor firing away at over 5 frames per second the Canon certainly doesn't have entry level specs. One nice twist (if you'll pardon the pun) is the addition of a fully adjustable LCD, typically only found on video cameras and some point and shoots.

You can drool over the Canon 60D page at B&H, but it isn't expected to ship until September. Canon estimates the sale price as $1099. You can read the full release online.

Nikon Announces Four New AF-S Lenses: DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, 24-120mm f/4G VR and 85mm f/1.4G

New NIKKOR Glass Yields an Unprecedented Seven Lenses Released to Date in 2010

MELVILLE, N.Y. Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Nikon Inc. announced four new lenses to the legendary NIKKOR line to meet the needs of all types of photographers, from those looking for the ideal lens for capturing memories of the school play to pro glass that captures client work in the studio. The new AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and AF-S 85mm f/1.4G deliver the optical excellence and stunning image quality that consumers have become accustomed to with AF-S NIKKOR lenses. Nikon's optical engineering experience and devotion to extraordinary standards of excellence have contributed to the strength and legend of the NIKKOR brand. With the addition of these four lenses, 2010 has seen the introduction of a total of seven new NIKKOR lenses, reinforcing Nikon's role as the world leader in optics.

Nikon D3100 adds 1080p to 14MP for $699 with Lens

Nikon has pushed the entry level "convergence" D-SLR bar up yet again with the D3100, more than just a minor update to the popular D3000. Now supporting a 14.2MP sensor the new camera offers the much requested 1080p video format for "true HD" along with some nice interface simplifications that will make it easier to get started with video and to have the Auto-Focus always active. They've also beefed up the Guide Mode and Scene Selection options which will will be particularly appealing to beginners. For $699 (expected in September) with 18-55 kit lens it's hard to go wrong. We do want to note though that the continuous AF with video is the mediocre "contrast AF" which is still no match for the snappy AF used in still mode. The camera also features a native ISO of up to 3200, amazing for an entry level model.

Pre-order the Nikon D3100 with 18-55mm Lens for $699 from B&H

Full press release follows...

Full-frame Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens Face-off: Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 versus the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G Lens

I really enjoyed shooting with the Nikon 14-24mm AF-S f/2.8G ED lens which was released as part of Nikon’s foray into full-frame cameras along with the D3. It takes incredible images and was a pleasure to use. But for most of us it has several drawbacks which make it a difficult acquisition. First is price. At $1800 for the US version it is a large investment for a lens that typically gets used a lot less than a mid-range zoom. Second, it is large and heavy. If you lug your gear with you the 2.2 lb. weight and 4”x5” size create quite an impact on your photo pack. Finally the “domed” front makes it difficult and expensive to use filters with it (an expensive add-on adapter is needed).

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Grand Prismatic, Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Nikon D700, Sigma 12-24mm Lens at 12mm, f/22@1/250s, ISO 800
Going ultra-wide is the only way to get the full scene, as the moving steam rules out a pano

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Photographing Kid’s Sports – Some Handy Tips

Starting with trying to capture your child’s first steps creating great images of kids in action is a lifelong and challenging task. Children’s sports are heavily photographed by parents, but usually without much success. In this article we’ll give you some tips on how to get the best images you can at sporting events…

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