Hasta La Gadget!

At its NAB 2013 press conference, Sony told us several times that it never stops thinking about the future. It’s fitting, then, that in addition to announcing pricing for two 4K sets, the company gave us a taste of what’s to come a few years down the line. A wide variety of lenses, including both current models and some prototypes, appeared on stage briefly — behind ropes, no less — and while we got no shortage of shots, specs, model names and any other particulars were strictly off-limits. Current optics included basic wide-angle and telephoto models, and of the two prototype cameras on display, one was of particular interest, due in no small part to its DSLR-like form-factor — this could perhaps become Sony’s version of the Canon EOS-1D C. Unfortunately, Sony says that these devices won’t make it to market for quite some time, so photogs will have to make do with this eye candy for now.

Filed under: Cameras, Sony

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The first time we heard of the Trygger photo filter for the iPhone was last summer. The company behind the product, called BiteMyApple, announced in December of last year that it was working on version for the iPhone 5, and it is now shipping. If you’re looking for a way to improve your iPhone images, the Trygger’s polarized filter might do the trick.

The idea behind this photo filter is to help users of the iPhone take clear and vibrant photos anytime. The polarized filter removes glare from glass, water, metal, and hazy skies for richer colors and sharper images. The filter is made by placing a color neutral polarizing film between two layers of scratch resistant optical glass. The filter is also adjustable allowing the user to choose how much light is let in.

The version of the Trygger for the iPhone 5 slips onto the corner of the smartphone and sells for $39.99 (USD). They also make a version for the iPhone 4 that’s built into a case that sells for $49.99. Both versions are available in either black or white.

If the earlier images we saw are any indication of quality, it looks like it’s well worth the money.

Sigma is a manufacturer of lenses for a variety of cameras that are on the market today. In late January, Sigma unveiled several new lenses in the company’s Art line. When the company announced those new lenses in January, it didn’t offer pricing or availability details. Those details are now available.

The company says that its updated 30 mm F1.4 DC HSM lens will be available in late March for $499 for cameras using Sigma, Canon, and Nikon mounts. The company’s 30 mm F2.8 DN and 19 mm F2.ADN lenses will both be available for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-Mount camera systems in late March for $199.

Sigma says that the 19 mm F2.8 DN lens is a wide-angle offering equivalent to 38 mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 28.5 mm on the E-mount system. The minimum focusing distance for the lens is 7.9-inches. The 30 mm F2.8 DN lens has an angle of view equivalent to 60 mm for Micro Four Thirds cameras and 45 mm on e-mount cameras. It features a minimum focusing distance of 11.8-inches.

The 30 mm F1.4 DC HSM lens uses a new optical configuration of eight elements in nine groups with rounded aperture blades. The angle of view is equivalent to 45 mm on a 35mm camera and the focusing distance is 11.8-inches. The lens is designed to minimize field curvature and prevent loss of image quality at the edges of photographs. It uses a double-aspheric lens to minimize distortion.

[via Sigma]

Sigma announces pricing and availability for new Art lenses is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The newest pocketable beast with a hearty ability to break out extremely high-quality photos comes from Nikon with the COOLPIX A. Inside this camera you’ll find a 16.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor with the ability to snap photos with image quality the company says were only previously possible with a Nikon D-SLR. This bump allows this model to become – quite easily – the new champion in the segment – the new flagship COOLPIX camera without a doubt.

This device works with an all-glass 18.5mm (28mm equivalent) prime lens with no less than a f/2.8 aperture to back it up. You’ll be working with quick AF performance at 4 frames per second bursts, a collection of fabulous scene modes, and wi-fi connectivity if you do so wish to have it. To grab that connectivity you’ll beed to pick up the also relatively new WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter – a tiny little bug you’ll love plugging in to the side of your brand new COOLPIX.

You’ll be working with a manual focus ring, full manual exposure controls, and the ability to shoot in real-deal completely RAW/NEF if you’d like. Your manual exposure controls allow you to shoot in P, S, A, or M, your desire being its reality – and there’s a collection of accessories coming on as well. You’ll be working with a DF-CP1 Optical Viewfinder, a UR-E24 Adapter Ring for all the filters and lens hoods you want, and a hearty HN-CP18 metal Lens Hood.

There’s a full-size hot shoe port as well if you’re all about the Nikon Speedlight collection – go wild! This device will be revealed in both Black and Silver when it’s ready – inside March 2013 for the market at a suggested retail price of $1099.95 USD. We’ll be seeing this device released at all your favorite fine camera shops and, if you’re lucky, we’ll be reviewing it here on SlashGear too, soon!

Nikon COOLPIX A brings DX-format sensor to a surprisingly tiny body is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The press images for both the Sony Alpha A58 and Sony Alpha NEX-3N have been released. It was only a couple of weeks ago when we saw some leaked images of the NEX-3N. Alongside the press images, we also found some important details regarding the cameras. The Sony Alpha A58 will be a SLT camera, and the NEX-3N will be a mirrorless camera. There will be 3 lenses that will be announced with the new cameras as well.

The Alpha A58 featured in the image above will have a 20 Megapixel sensor with an improved dynamic range, and 8 frames per second shooting speed. It will have a new 18-55mm, f/3.5-5.6 II kit lens. It should be priced somewhere between $600-$700. The NEX-3N will have a 16 Megapixel sensor and is priced around $500-$600. The NEX-3N’s main selling point is the electronic zoom dial featured on the camera.

There will also be 3 lenses available for these cameras. There will be a Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 with a price-point of $1600 to $1700, an 18-55mm II for A mount priced at around $200 to $300, and a 70-400G F4.5-5.6 II priced at a whopping $2400 to $2500. While they may make you a better photographer, the price points of these lenses are pretty steep.

There is no release date yet for these cameras, and it has been speculated that the camera wouldn’t be announced until April, but considering that so many details about these cameras have already been leaked, we may be seeing an announcement for them in the upcoming weeks. Sony is hoping that the refresh of its Alpha camera series will somewhat quell the decline in its digital camera sales.

[via Peta Pixel]

Sony Alpha A58 & NEX-3N press images leaked is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.