Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED Nikkor Zoom Lens Review

This is for all of you wide angle dSLR Dads. Photozone has just reviewed Nikon’s brand new full frame, 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens (available at Amazon, and B&H Photo). And it seems like Photozone (which is a great site by the way) liked it:

The Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED N is a phenomenal lens. It is the sharpest ultra-wide angle lens tested to date. The resolution figures are simply stunning and unprecedented

Olympus E3 Field Review by The Luminous Landscape

Douglas Brown over at the Luminous Landscape has posted a field review of the Olympus Evolt E-3 dSLR (Available at Amazon and B&H Photo):

When you look back at the standout photos you’ve taken in a year most of the major thought process and effort that went into them had very little to do with the technology of photography. Joss Stone starts vamping at a press event, turns and shoots a look over her shoulder that’s pure, delicious trouble, then sticks her tongue out at you, and believe me you aren’t thinking shadow noise, sensor size, or dumping your current system because some other maker’s camera would be able to shoot the images 1 frame per second faster. You’ve got that camera up to your eye, unconsciously moving slightly to keep distracting background elements out of the way, while simultaneously thumbing the focus point over the eyes, firing a burst then zooming in closer for a second one (because closer is always better). You are running on muscle memory.

In too many of these kind of photographic moments the E3 stumbles over itself. Awkward positioning of major controls, buttons that are small or flush with the camera surface making it difficult to positively locate them,

Pentax K200D 10-megapixel dSLR Announced

Pentax has announced the new 10-megapixel Pentax K200D dSLR Camera with Shake Reduction. The K200D replaces the entry-level K100D. New and upgraded features include:

• APS-C sized 10-megapixel CCD sensor (12-bit RAW output only)
• 2.7 inch Live View LCD (230,000 dots and 160° viewing angle)
• Improved dust reduction system
• weather /dust sealing
• IS0 up to 3,200 (but how does ISO 800 look)
• 11 point Auto Focus system with 9 cross-sensors
• SD and SDHC card
• Battery consumption reduced by a factor of 8 over the K100D

The K200D is available in two configurations:

1. Pentax K200D dSLR Camera with Shake Reduction (Body Only)
2. Pentax K200D dSLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

The following is an excerpt from the Pentax press release:

New Canon EOS Rebel XSi / 450D Announced

Well, the PMA2008 products are finally starting to roll out. Today, Canon U.S.A., Inc. has announced the brand new Canon EOS Rebel XSi (450D). The Rebel XSi replaces the very popular Canon Digital Rebel XTi (400D). New and upgraded features include:

• New 12.2 megapixel APS-C size Canon CMOS sensor
• Enhanced 14-bit A/D conversion
• DIGIC III image processor
• 3-inch, 230,000 pixel LCD monitor with a broadened color gamut.
• Larger Viewfinder, should be similar to 30D (long overdue for the Rebel series)
• Improved autofocus sensor. The center f/2.8 AF sensor is now cross-type.
• 3.5 frames per second frame rate. With bursts of up to 45 images in large/fine JPEG mode and 6 frames in RAW mode (the buffer size is a little disappointing).
• Advanced Live View function. The EOS Rebel XSi adds a new “Live Mode” contrast-detection AF function that allows the camera to focus automatically during Live View without lowering the reflex mirror (sounds similar to Nikon’s).
• SD / SDHC Card slot (XTi had Compact flash)
• 4% spot metering now available.
• The Kit now includes the new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Zoom Lens.

The Canon Digital Rebel XSI Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens is now available for pre-order at Amazon.

CANON Announces EF 200mm f/2L IS USM and EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lenses

Big Lenses for those with Big Wallets

Canon actually exhibited prototypes of these lenses at PhotoPlus Expo in October 2007. Today they have announced that the production versions will ship this spring. The following is an unedited Press Release:

CANON U.S.A. INTRODUCES TWO HIGHLY ANTICIPATED TELEPHOTO LENSES AT PMA 2008

EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lenses Add New Levels of Super Telephoto Performance to Canon’s Market-Leading EOS System

New Canon EF-S Zoom Lenses Available

Canon USA also announced today that the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-55.6 IS zoom lens and EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS zoom lenses are now available.

The following is an excerpt from the Canon USA Press Release:

Pentax K20D 14.6-megapixel dSLR Announced

Pentax has announced the new 14.6-megapixel K20D dSLR. It is expected to ship in March for $1,299.95 (body only price). New features include:

• APS-C sized 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor (12-bit RAW output only)
• 2.7 inch Live View LCD
• Improved dust reduction system
• weather /dust sealing
• IS0 up to 3,200 (but how does ISO 800 look)
• 11 point Auto Focus system
• SD and SDHC card

It looks like Amazon already has the Pentax K20D 14.6MP dSLR available for pre-order.

HP Unveiles Photosmart Pro B8850 Photo Inkjet Printer

At the 2008 Macworld Conference & Expo, HP unveiled the Photosmart Pro B8850 Photo Printer. The HP B8850 prints on a wide range of photo and Digital Fine Art media up to 0.7 mm thick (versus 1.5mm of the B9180). Not too big of a deal, as you can still use some of the new, fantastic Baryta fine art papers like Ilford’s Galerie Gold Fibre Silk (Amazon, B&H Photo). The B8850 also uses the same print heads and ink cartridges of the HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Printer. It does not, however, include the B9180’s Ethernet port or LCD display. But, at around $500, this is a great value for a 13×19 inch, pigment ink, fine-art inkjet printer. Perfect for any dSLR Dad.

Canon Lens Winter Rebate Program Extended

Great news for you Canon dSLR Dads. Canon has just extended their winter rebate program until February 17, 2008. Now you get a chance to wait until after the big PMA2008 announcements before making your purchase decision. For those of you who are not aware, the 580 EX II flash and the following lenses are discounted:

• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $125
• Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $125
• Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $100)
• Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $100
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $100
• Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $80
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $75
• Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $70
• Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $50
• Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $50
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $40
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $35
• Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $25
• Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $40
• Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $30
• Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash (Amazon, B&H Photo) save $ 50

Epson Stylus Photo R1900 Printer Announced in the US

This 13 inch R1800 Successor promises improved color output and faster speeds.

Today, Epson has announced the Stylus Photo R1900 pigment-based injet printer. This 13 inch wide, 8 color Printer is an update to the popular Stylus Photo R1800 Inkjet. Epson has has replaced the blue ink found in the R1800 with orange and also reformulated the Red, Magenta, and Yellow inks. The gloss optimizer was also enhanced.
Other improvements include:

Tech Watch: RadioPopper

I have been tracking the progress of RadioPopper since I first heard about them six months ago. Unfortunately, I have not felt like they deserved a mention on dSLR Dad, until now.

RadioPopper is a new stratup company that is on a mission to provide a range of radio flash triggering solutions for dSLR Dads. What you see to the left is a preproduction prototype of the P1 system. The RadioPoppper P1 is a long range, remote trigger radio solution that also transmits the infrared signal…

Tips for Snow Photography

The Luminous Landscape has an excellent compact tutorial posted on how to get the proper exposure when photographing snow.

You can read the complete tutorial here.