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Feb 21

Nikon D7100 overshadowed by tiny wireless WR-1 Transceiver

This week the Nikon D7100 APS-C camera has been revealed with a fabulous new 24.1-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor as well as a beastly EXPEED 3 image processing engine. But it may be the WR-1 Transceiver that gains our attention the most here in the current season – this little monster gives your camera some rather excellent wireless control – and range therein. And they’re not going to break the bank doing so!

sideside

Before we get to the details in the WR-1 Transceiver though, we’ve got to once again take you on a trip to D7100 town. This fabulous new unit is bringing on a collection of upgrades over the D7000 it replaces, including a new “I” button that’ll bring up a set of on-screen controls that changes depending on which you use most frequently. You’ve also got a beast of a set of internals including a 51-point AF system as well as Nikon’s own 3D Color Matrix Metering II 2016 pixel RGB sensor – and Scene Recognition System.

sudera

With this camera’s optical viewfinder you’ve got guaranteed 100% frame coverage – and you’ll be working with a brand new OLED display as well. With the Nikon D7100 you’ve got the ability to record video at 1080/30p or 60i/50i – the latter working at 1.3x Crop Mode. You can also shoot photos at up to 7 frames per second in that same 1.3 Crop Mode or 6fps at full resolution.

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You can also shoot in 1.3 DX crop mode with this camera for both still photos and video, this allowing that 7fps mentioned with enhanced AF system frame coverage. You’ll be working with an ISO range of 100-6400 (with expandability up to Hi-2 of 25,600) for all the low-light shooting you can handle. While you’re in live view you’ve also got a new Spot White Balance feature that’ll whip you up some instant (and precise) white balance adjustments on the spot.

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The Nikon D7100 works with an Enhanced Interface on its 3.2-inch High Resolution 1229k dot LCD, bright and powerful for your everyday previews. If on the other hand you’re the wireless type, this system is compatible with the WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter for connectivity with your smartphone or tablet – control from afar!

Then there’s the wireless dongle you’re just going to go nuts over. This is the new WR-1 Transceiver – announced this week with compatibility with the most recent range of Nikon D-SLR cameras. This beast will bring you 2.4GHz radio frequency for range up to 394 feet with 15 channels onboard.

wuha

The WR-1 can be used as a transmitter or a receiver – grab a couple and you can control your camera from a stone’s throw away like a pro! You can also control a set of cameras at once with this device (just so long as there’s one plugged in to each of them) for simultaneous or synchronized shutter releases – that’s a snap party if we’ve ever heard of one! The WR-1 Transceiver will run you $59.95 SRP and is available right this minute.

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The Nikon D7100 system will be available starting in March of 2013 at a camera retailer near you. You’ll be seeing the D7100 for $1199.95 SRP for the body only configuration while a package that includes the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens will run you $1599.95 SRP. Stack your cash and get ready for it!

Nikon D7100 overshadowed by tiny wireless WR-1 Transceiver is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Feb 21

MIT’s Developing a Chip That Makes You a Better Smartphone Photographer

Posted in: Today's Chili

Most of the post-processing done by a camera is handled by software that MIT researchers believe could be a lot smarter, faster, and user-friendly. So they’re developing a single chip that can handle these operations with remarkable efficiency. More »

Feb 21

Bursting Bubbles At 18,000 FPS Is as Hypnotic as It Sounds

Posted in: Today's Chili

We’ve probably all seen high-speed footage of soap bubbles detonating in mid-air. But footage shot at 18,000 frames per second? That brings a whole new level of awesome to this childhood pastime. Just makes sure you stop and remember the countless bubbles that had to die so The Slow Mo Guys could bring us this lovely footage. Your deaths were not in vain. [YouTube] More »

Feb 20

MIT imaging chip creates natural-looking flash photos

Posted in: Today's Chili

Mobile image processing in itself isn’t special when even high dynamic range shooting is virtually instant, at least with NVIDIA’s new Tegras. A new low-power MIT chip, however, may prove its worth by being a jack of all trades that works faster than software. It can apply HDR to photos and videos through near-immediate exposure bracketing, but it can also produce natural-looking flash images by combining the lit photo with an unassisted shot to fill in missing detail. Researchers further claim to have automatic noise reduction that safeguards detail through bilateral filtering, an established technique that uses brightness detection to avoid blurring edges. If you’re wondering whether or not MIT’s work will venture beyond the labs, don’t — the project was financed by contract manufacturing giant Foxconn, and it’s already catching the eye of Microsoft Research. As long as Foxconn maintains interest through to production, pristine mobile photography won’t be limited to a handful of devices.

Filed under: Cameras, Science, Alt

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Source: MIT

Feb 20

SlashGear 101: HTC UltraPixel Camera Technology

Posted in: Today's Chili

This week we’re seeing HTC come into the light with a massively important new device by the name of HTC One, and with it, a new collection of features included under the “HTC UltraPixel Camera” umbrella. With the features we’re working with here on the HTC One hero phone’s implementation of HTC UltraPixel Camera, you’ll find that image quality is, first and foremost, not solely dependent on the amount of megapixels a camera has. HTC UltraPixel Camera technology is here demonstrated with an UltraPixel Sensor, HTC ImageChip, f/2.0 Aperture, and Optical Image Stabilization.

ultrapixel

UltraPixel Sensor

HTC is bringing what it calls its first UltraPixel sensor to the market with the HTC One, showing off the full setup in the image you see below. This image shows the HTC ImageChip architecture (not unlike what we saw with each of the HTC One models in the past), the UltraPixel Sensor itself, an f/2.0 Aperture, and the HTC One’s lens. With the UltraPixel sensor, you’ll now be working with larger pixels than the average camera.

ultrapixel

With the UltraPixel Sensor collecting UltraPixel-sized pixels, you’ll be getting the ability to capture “300% more light than many of the 13 megapixel cameras on the market.” Each pixel contains more light and more data than ever before, all this with a sensor whose size is equivalent to that of a standard 8MP or 13MP smartphone camera. This UltraPixel Sensor is a CMOS BSI and is classified as having a 1/3′ sensor size.

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Each photo you’re going to be taking will be 2688 x 1520 pixels in size on the HTC One at a 16:9 aspect ratio, and you’ve got a 5 piece lens element setup with a focal length of 3.82mm. Each one of the pixels you’re picking up here is a 2.0 micrometer UltraPixel. These pixels have “effectively” twice the surface area of the standard pixels you’re working with on 8MP and 13MP setups, those being generally 1.4 micrometers and 1.1 micrometers respectively.

pixelsize

In effect, you’ve got the same size photo, but instead of creating smaller pixels to fill the area as larger megapixel cameras are doing, HTC is creating larger pixels to fill the area. This results in the HTC One’s camera being 4MP strong, but creating photos that are the same size – and better quality – than the larger megapixel solutions. File sizes are smaller for the HTC-taken photos here as well.

HTC ImageChip

With the newest edition of HTC’s own ISP (Image Signal Processor), you’ll find that the HTC ImageChip feature collection has expanded since the HTC One X arrived on the scene right around a year ago with ImageSense. The first big innovation is a rather speedy 200ms full distance scan for use with Continuous Auto Focus. That’s quicker than a human blink – you’ll have a harder time being out of focus than you will getting instant focus.

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Next you’ll find Real-Time Video HDR – with a dynamic range that can be cranked up to a lovely -92dB, you’ll be able to “match the human eye capability” as you capture interlaced frames at 60fps. You’ve what HTC notes is “always on” HDR here for video, even at HD 1080p. Due to the nature of the curved lens, darker spots appear near the edge of your photos almost no matter what – HTC has compensated for this with an algorithm designed specifically for the HTC One’s hardware.

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This newest HTC ImageChip also works with de-noise processing on both the front and the back-facing camera on the HTC One. With this simple concentration of effort, HTC says noise is cleanly removed at all times.

f/2.0 Aperture

HTC shows quite simply how the HTC One uses the largest of three apertures available in some of the best selling smartphones on the market today, with the Galaxy S III working with an f/2.6 and the iPhone 5 utilizing an f/2.4. With the HTC One’s f/2.0 size, one whole heck of a lot more light is able to be let in, this resulting in better results in low-light photo conditions.

aperture

Optical Image Stabilization

The HTC One’s camera setup allows its camera to capture a full sized photo as fast as 1/48 of a second. This compares with the current market standard of 1/30 of a second, that speed also the best the HTC One X can do currently. Along with this you’ve now got a real-deal physical optical image stabilizer (OIS) on the HTC One working with the smartphone’s dedicated imaging gyroscope.

ois_go

With its own OIS, the HTC One’s lens physically moves according to what the dedicated imaging gyroscope tells it, this countering the inevitable shake that happens when someone takes a photo without a tripod. This OIS is different from the more common digital stabilization used on many competitor model solutions, those solutions opting to cut out shaking bits of the photo, reducing the resolution of the photo in the process.

ois3

The HTC One’s OIS works at an “unprecedented” frequency of 2000Hz and has been made small enough to fit inside the HTC One’s relatively thin chassis. Working on two axis, this OIS detects pitch and yaw movements and counters them at 2000 times a second. Video quality is also significantly improved over past solutions as the OIS effectively removes background shakes and mimics smooth panning, top to bottom.

More on the HTC One

Below you’ll find a timeline of HTC One hands-on or otherwise in-depth explorations from SlashGear. We’ll also have a full review of the HTC One up sooner than later, so be sure to stick around for the big drop! Seeya then!

SlashGear 101: HTC UltraPixel Camera Technology is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Feb 20

320-gigapixel panorama of London comprised of 48,640 shots

Posted in: Today's Chili

We don’t see a lot of 360-degree panoramas, or at least they’re not as popular as traditional panoramas, but a group of photographers ended up shooting a 360-degree panorama of London, and broke the world record for the largest panoramic photograph in the process. The panorama was captured from the top of the BT Tower in London last year.

Screen Shot 2013-02-20 at 3.14.51 PM

The panorama can be viewed on BT Tower’s website in all its glory. It was shot over the course of three days by three different people: Jeffrey Martin, Holger Schulze and Tom Mills, who all work for a panoramic photography company called 360Cities, where they — you guessed it — make 360-degree panoramas of cities around the world.

The panorama consists of 48,640 individual shots stitched together. The photos were taken with Canon EOS 7D cameras using EF 400mm f/2.8 IS II USM lenses, with Extender EF 2x III teleconverters. The cameras were operated by Rodeon VR Head ST robotic panorama heads in order to get the effect you see in the panorama shot. Processing all the photos together took around three months.

If the panorama was printed at normal resolution, it would be almost 322 feet long and over 75 feet high. That’s over the length of an American football field and about as tall as a two-story house. Previously, the world record for the largest panorama was 80 gigapixels, and that was also taken in London back in 2010.

[via The Next Web]

320-gigapixel panorama of London comprised of 48,640 shots is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Feb 20

Shooting Challenge: Concrete Jungle

Posted in: Today's Chili

It’s a jungle out there—of concrete For this week’s Shooting Challenge, we’re celebrating one of mankind’s greatest accomplishments—creating a moldable substance that’s harder than rock. More »

Feb 20

PolaPros Offer Vintage Polaroid Instant Cameras from the 70s and 80s

Posted in: Today's Chili

Growing up, it wasn’t a holiday or a special event unless there were at least two Polaroid cameras whirring and spitting out instant pictures. If you grew up in the 70s or 80s, you probably owned one or more of these cameras, or at least your parents did. These cameras all spewed out little white-bordered pictures that developed themselves. I bet your mom’s photo album is stuffed full of these pictures right now.

If you like to the looks of these retro-style images these cameras produced, a company called PolaPros has 12 classic Polaroid instant camera models available for purchase.

classic polaroids

Most of the cameras are refurbished units, but the company does offer some brand-new never sold vintage cameras still in the original packaging. Along with the cameras, the company also offers a wide range of accessories including lenses, camera cases, and external flash units.

All of this retro goodness will cost you though. Camera prices range from approximately $395 to $700(USD) – significantly more than their original $180 to $399 retail prices. If you have one of these Polaroid instant cameras lying around that doesn’t work, the company can also clean or fix it for you, with prices starting at about $80. One required accessory that I don’t see listed on the PolaPros site is film, which you can purchase from The Impossible Project for about $24 a pack.

Feb 20

CyanogenMod 10.1 stock camera app now sports HDR shooting

Posted in: Today's Chili

CyanogenMod 10.1-toting photography fans are in for a treat: the latest version of the modified Android OS now packs an HDR mode, which was in development for three months, within its stock camera app. When a user snaps a photo with the function, a total of three pictures (one at minimal, neutral and maximum exposures) are taken and combined into a single HDR image with the help of an algorithm. Differences in shutter speed, sensors and optics means quality will vary across smartphones, but the CyanogenMod team says that mid- to high-end devices outfitted with decent imaging hardware — especially those with zero shutter lag — should perform admirably. Of course, the group also recommends using a stand or tripod to thwart movement and vibration from fouling up photos. Android Central points out that a few handset builds haven’t received the update, so a handful of CyanogenMod-wielding photogs will still have to get their HDR fix elsewhere.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: Android Central

Source: CyanogenMod (Google+)

Feb 19

Sony NEX-3N and Alpha A58 unveiled, heading to Europe this spring

Posted in: Today's Chili

Sony’s Alpha A58 and NEX-3N broke cover just a few days ago in rogue press shots, and now the firm’s European branch has made the duo official. With a 16.1-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, the NEX-3N picks up the banner as the outfit’s entry level mirrorless camera and packs a 3-inch LCD screen that can tilt up to 180 degrees. According to Sony, the NEX-3N is the smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera with an APS-C sized sensor, gently tipping the scales at 269 grams. The shooter sports a pop-up flash, has its ISO notched up 16000, a revamped Bionz processor for noise reduction and even packs support for Sony’s Triluminos display tech. A price tag for the NEX-3N is still MIA, but it’s slated to hit Europe in March.

As for the translucent mirror-toting A58, it features a 20.1-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and a 2.6-inch, 460k-dot LCD with an adjustable angle. If you’d rather not compose shots with the LCD screen, however, the A58 also has an OLED viewfinder. When it comes to video, the device can record 1920×1080 footage in AVCHD. Hirai and Co.’s refreshed Bionz image processing engine makes an appearance in the camera as well. Come April, the A58 will be available in Europe with an as-of-yet unspecified price tag.

Itching for new lenses? Sony’s just dished out details on a trio of new A-mount glass and accessories (with some E-mount peripherals as well) that are headed for a March debut in Europe. For the complete lowdown on the cams, lenses and accessories, hit the jump for the press releases and galleries.

Gallery: Sony NEX-3N

Gallery: Sony A58

Gallery: Sony A-Mount lenses, A-mount and E-mount accessories

Show full PR text

Easy to handle, easy to use: the new NEX-3N by Sony puts pro-quality images in everyone’s reach 20 February 2013

Super-compact interchangeable lens APS-C camera weighs just 210g

No-fuss self-portraits with 180° tiltable LCD screen and zoom lever
Large Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with 16.1 effective megapixels and high sensitivity, for detail-packed, low noise photos and Full HD video
Beautiful compositions made easy with new Auto Object Framing
Light, compact body with pop-up flash
Moving up from your fixed lens camera? Travel light with the compact, easy to use NEX-3N E-mount camera with built-in flash – an exciting introduction to the world of interchangeable lens photography by Sony.

Self-portraits have never been simpler with the NEX-3N, thanks to the camera’s easy-to-hold textured grip that fits reassuringly in the hand. The crisp, bright 7.5cm (3.0-type) LCD screen instantly flips through 180 degrees for fuss-free arm’s-length compositions. What’s more, a newly-added zoom lever on the camera body allows smooth, fingertip control of focal length with compatible lenses like the slim, light SELP1650 power zoom. Great for one-handed portrait framing, the zoom lever also adjusts digital zoom if you’re not using a powered lens.

All serious photographers know that great photos start with a great composition. Brand new Auto Object Framing helps you get better-looking, more professional results without effort. The camera judges what’s in the scene – one person, two people or even macro and moving objects – automatically cropping the shot to create more powerful, professionally-framed compositions.

Weighing approximately 210g, the NEX-3N is the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable-lens camera with a large APS-C sized sensor*. Grabbing more light than the sensor in ordinary compact cameras, it’s the big sensor that’s key to exquisitely detailed photos and sparkling Full HD movies that stand out from the crowd. What’s more, it’s easy to create pro-style background blur effects with your collection of interchangeable E-mount lenses… just like you’d achieve with a bigger, bulkier DSLR camera.

The camera’s large sensor also boosts maximum sensitivity to ISO 16000. It’s complemented by an evolved BIONZ processor that uses the same area-specific noise reduction techniques featured on the acclaimed full-frame α99. Levels of noise reduction and sharpness are individually adjusted for different image areas. Even if you’re shooting in dim light, you’ll enjoy crisp, ultra-low noise handheld shots without needing flash.

The NEX-3N is also the first NEX interchangeable lens camera from Sony that offers support for new “TRILUMINOS Colour”. You’ll experience a dramatically expanded palette of vivid, ultra-realistic colours when videos and still images are played back on any BRAVIA TV with support for “TRILUMINOS Display”.

There’s now a range of thirteen high-quality E-mount lenses to realise the immense creative potential of the NEX-3N. Choose from telephoto, zoom, wide angle, macro lenses by Sony and Carl Zeiss to suit any shooting situation. Every model blends superb optical performance with elegant looks to complement your E-mount camera. There’s also a full range of coordinating accessories by Sony, from style-matching carry cases and straps to spare batteries.

The light, compact new NEX-3N interchangeable lens camera from Sony is available in Europe from March 2013.

* Among interchangeable-lens cameras with an APS-C sensor and pop-up flash, as of Feb 2013.

Never miss the moment: the new α58 from Sony

Digital SLT camera with Translucent Mirror Technology

Capture fine detail with new 20.1 effective megapixels Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor
Grab fast-moving action with speedy 8fps* shooting and new Lock-on Autofocus
Shoot and view with confidence through new OLED Tru-Finder
Compose like a pro with new Auto Object Framing

* In Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode

For life’s spontaneous moments – catch all the split-second excitement with the new α58 interchangeable lens camera from Sony. With Translucent Mirror technology for speedy shooting with fast, accurate autofocus, it’s the must-have choice for grabbing those once-in-a-lifetime picture opportunities. Even if you’re new to interchangeable lens photography, you’ll enjoy image quality that effortlessly exceeds your point-and-shoot compact camera, plus features you’d expect from a far higher-priced DSLR.

At the heart of the α58 is a brand new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with an extremely high resolution of (approx.) 20.1 effective megapixels. It’s teamed with an improved BIONZ image processing engine for exceptionally detailed, low-noise stills and Full HD video, plus an extra-wide sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 16000.

Pick from the choice of 35 interchangeable A-mount lenses (including two tele-converters) and experience flawless images in virtually any lighting conditions, from dimly-lit interiors to atmospheric twilight scenes. Even if you’re shooting handheld, SteadyShot INSIDE keeps pictures crisp and stable, letting you shoot with confidence at slower shutter speeds or higher zoom settings where wobbles are often a worry.

Unlike ordinary DSLR cameras, SLT cameras by Sony use Translucent Mirror technology that directs light onto the main image sensor as well as a separate autofocus sensor. This means that subjects stay sharply focused at all times as you compose scenes with the tilt-angle LCD or through the high-resolution, high-contrast OLED Tru-Finder. And with no moving mirror to slow you down, you’ll enjoy non-stop live image preview during speedy burst shooting or while you’re recording Full HD video.

The α58 is your ideal partner for grabbing the action as it happens – like sports, wildlife or spur-of-the-moment fun with friends and family. Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode brings that decisive moment closer with a high-speed burst of sharp images at 8 frames per second. The high-performance 15-point AF system now features Lock-on Autofocus with speedier, more accurate subject tracking. So now you can capture the athletic grace of a gymnast or animals in the wild with a burst of crisply-focused images, even if your subject’s moving.

Featured on previous models, Auto Portrait Framing has now evolved into even more versatile Auto Object Framing – helping you get better-looking, more professional results without effort. The α58 judges what’s in the scene – one person, two people, even moving objects or macro subjects – tracking, framing and cropping the shot to create powerful, professionally-framed compositions. Thanks to Pixel Super Resolution Technology by Sony, cropped images preserve the same resolution as the original exposure.

Instantly selectable from the mode dial, Picture Effect lets you pick from a palette of 15 artistic ‘in-camera’ treatments, like Toy Camera, Mono and Partial Colour.

Framing, focusing and viewing your shots is a pleasure through the new OLED Tru-Finder. This bright, high resolution electronic viewfinder accurately shows the results of adjusting camera settings in real time. Instantly see the result of adjusting exposure compensation, aperture, ISO, white balance, Picture Effect and other parameters before you shoot… not after. It’s a great way to compose the perfect shot with confidence.

The α58 is the first-ever A-mount interchangeable lens camera from Sony that offers support for new ‘TRILUMINOS Colour’. You’ll experience a dramatically expanded palette of vivid, ultra-realistic colours when videos and still images are played back on any BRAVIA TV with support for ‘TRILUMINOS Display’.

The new α58 interchangeable lens camera from Sony with Translucent Mirror technology is available from April 2013.

Sony adds three A-mount lenses, new A-mount and E-mount accessories

Full-frame G Lens 70-400mm telephoto zoom; Full-frame Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.4; DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 standard zoom; compact add-on flash and remote commander

New-generation 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II telephoto zoom – with 4x faster autofocus and improved optical performance
Full-frame, wide-aperture, single-focal-length Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM – high-end image quality with renowned resolving power and contrast
Light, compact, newly-styled DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II standard 3x zoom lens – designed for APS-C cameras
HVL-F20M flash – space-saving design with wireless control and bounce flash
RM-VPR1 wired remote – easily control shutter release, video start/stop and zoom
Sony extends the range of A-mount interchangeable lenses with three new models to satisfy the most demanding enthusiasts and photo professionals.
The 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II and Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM lenses complement the impressive imaging capabilities of Sony’s full-frame α99 SLT (Translucent Mirror) camera. The DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II is a light, compact 3x zoom that’s an ideal partner for A-mount cameras with APS-C sensors.

They’re joined by a compact new on-camera flash and a wired remote that’s ideal for advanced shooting.

“70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II” telephoto zoom

Sony’s G lens line-up is strengthened for 2013 with the revised 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II. Ideal for capturing wildlife and action-packed sports, the upgraded super-telephoto zoom builds further on the premium performance of its predecessor with enhanced optics and faster, more responsive autofocus. Thanks to a new LSI drive circuit, autofocus speed of the SSM (Super Sonic Wave Motor) is around four times quicker than before. Teamed with enhanced tracking AF, the upgraded lens is now even more suitable for capturing stills and Full HD video of fast-moving subjects.

While its optical design is carried over from the previous-generation model, the new-generation lens features Sony’s proprietary Nano AR Coating on optical surfaces. Offering around five times the efficiency of conventional anti-reflection coatings, this advanced technology reduces flare and ghosting for exceptionally high-contrast images.

Carl Zeiss “Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM”

The new Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM joins the existing Distagon 24mm, Planar 85mm and Sonnar 135mm in the A-mount range of prime length optics by Carl Zeiss. Offering a fixed 50mm focal length and extra-bright F1.4 aperture, the premium lens is an ideal choice for quality-critical portraiture and low-light shooting.

Featuring 8 elements in 5 groups with two aspherical elements, the brand new optical design is optimised for superb results with Sony’s full-frame α99. Exceptional resolving power and contrast at all apertures are teamed with smooth, quiet autofocusing and a rear-focus system that maintains the same lens body length during AF. The dust- and moisture-resistant design extends the appeal of the new lens to a wide range of outdoor shooting applications.

“DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II” zoom

Boasting second-generation styling, this new lens succeeds the popular DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM that was introduced in 2011. The light, compact 3x zoom lens covers a frequently-used range of focal lengths from wide-angle 18mm to standard 55mm (35mm camera equivalent range: 27-82.5mm). While retaining the same smooth AF motor (SAM) as its predecessor, newly-designed rear lens elements suppresses flare and ghost, while mechanical elements have been upgraded for more positive, comfortable operation.

New accessories for Sony cameras and camcorders

The HVL-F20M is a space-saving, easy to carry new flash for Multi Interface Shoe mounted cameras, that’s ideal for brightening up portraits, interiors and dimly-lit scenes. Despite its compact size, it’s packed with pro-style features like wireless control for fuss-free multi flash set-ups, simple bounce operation and Auto White Balance compensation for more accurate, natural-looking white balance. It’s refreshingly easy to use: just raise the flash head to switch on… then turn off again by lowering when the flash isn’t needed.

Compatible with a growing range of ‘α’ A-mount and E-mount, Cyber-shot[TM] and Handycam(R) models that feature the versatile Multi Terminal interface, the RM-VPR1 wired remote commander features handy controls for zoom and video recording start/stop. It also includes a shutter lock function that’s ideal for long-exposure ‘bulb’ shooting with ‘α’ cameras. The remote comes supplied with two cables. One is for use with Multi Terminal-equipped cameras/camcorders, while the other allows simple shutter release with ‘α’ A-mount cameras that only include a REMOTE terminal.

Please see http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/lenses for full details on new lens and accessories.

The new lenses and accessories will start to become available in Europe from March 2013.

Filed under: Cameras, Sony

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Source: Sony (1), (2)

Hasta La Gadget!

Nikon D7100 overshadowed by tiny wireless WR-1 Transceiver

MIT’s Developing a Chip That Makes You a Better Smartphone Photographer

Bursting Bubbles At 18,000 FPS Is as Hypnotic as It Sounds

MIT imaging chip creates natural-looking flash photos