Sep 10
If you have a knackered old SLR lying around, are game for a project and fancy adding a little quirk to your front door, why not think about creating a photography themed peephole?
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Aug 28
Kúla Deeper Is A Hardware Add-On For Your SLR That Lets You Create 3D Photos & Video
Posted in: Today's Chili
Iceland-based startup Kúla has devised a hardware extension for digital SLR cameras that lets you create 3D photos and videos. The 3D images are viewable (after converting them with its dedicated software) on a 3D TV or other stereoviewer. They can also be converted to anaglyphs and viewed using a retro pair of 3D viewer glasses if you want to pretend you’re living in the 1970s.
The hardware camera add-on, which is called Deeper, fixes over the SLR’s lens and adds a pair of mirrors either side that are used to capture the dual images required to create the 3D effect. Kúla says it’s generating a “hyper stereoscopic” 3D effect because the distance between the mirrors is greater than the distance between the human eye, which apparently results in a deeper 3D perspective. They’ve put sample images online if you want to test out their claims (and have some 3D glasses to hand and/or advanced eye-crossing skills).
3D remains a relatively niche technology vs the glorious 2D screen technologies we continually ogle on our phones, tablets, smartwatches, TVs, etc. 3D TV adoption continues to be slow, meanwhile the 3D phones that came along in 2011 went away again in the blink of an eye, after it became apparent no one wanted to buy them. (It’s a slightly happier story for consoles, with Nintendo managing to carve out a market for its 3DS handheld console in Japan, forecasting sales of more than five million units this year.)
Part of the problem with 3D is it typically requires people to replace a perfectly good existing gadget before the end of its useful life. And while viewing 3D content might be of interest once in a while, it’s not necessarily enough of an urge to push an early upgrade. So Kúla’s take — of adding a 3D function to an existing 2D device — makes a lot of sense. However, it still remains to be seen whether there is enough of a 3D-content generation appetite to raise the €55,000 it’s asking for on Nordic crowdfunding site Karolinafund.com to bring Deeper to market.
If it gets funded, the Deeper add-on will apparently fit lenses of Ø77mm diameter by default. They are also offering Ø52, Ø62, Ø67 and Ø72 mm adapters. The cheapest pledge price to get the Deeper add-on is currently €59. Kúla says it’s hoping to be able to ship to backers in September, assuming its funding flies.
Jul 25
When it was invented in 1840, the Petzval lens revolutionized photography thanks to its f/3.6 aperture. It’s legendary for producing images with super sharp centers and unique backgrounds with a whirly bokeh — as such it’s particularly well suited for shooting portraits. Most Petzval lenses today are defective because of age and not optimized for modern cameras, so Lomography set out to reinvent the lens for the 21st century. The company just launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring the Petzval lens back for $300 — it’s teaming up with Zenit to manufacture high-quality lenses for analog and digital SLRs with Nikon F and Canon EF mounts. Lomography’s Petzval lens is made of brass, features a gear rack focusing mechanism and comes with a Waterhouse aperture set (f/2.2, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11 and f/16). Are you as intrigued as we are? Follow the source link below for the full campaign details.
Filed under: Cameras, Nikon, Canon
Source: Lomography (Kickstarter)
Jul 18
Konstruktor DIY SLR camera
Posted in: Today's Chili
You can more or less say that IKEA has popularized the notion of packing everything flat, and I love the way they advertised their flattest package yet – the IKEA gift card. Surely you are unable to get any more thinner than that, can you? Well, here we are with what could be deemed to be a modern day marvel – a SLR camera that you assemble yourself. Wait a minute here, you say, aren’t these things supposed to be assembled on a production line somewhere in the world? Well, perhaps, but there is a certain satisfaction that comes with building things using your own bare hands, right? The £34.99 Konstruktor DIY SLR camera offers “flatpack photography” for those who love tinkering around with stuff.
It comes with clear and simple instructions, but even so, it is estimated to take anywhere from one to two hours in order to build your own camera. Once you are done with the task, it remains up to you to do up the external aesthetics, where you can rely on stick on leather detailing thanks to the included sticker sheet. One ought to note that Lomography is the one behind the Konstruktor DIY SLR Camera, but just remember that this is no digital camera. Rather, it will rely on classic 35mm film.
[ Konstruktor DIY SLR camera copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Jun 13
It’s easy to build your own camera if you’re determined to capture images on the cheap; it’s another matter if you want something just slightly more refined. If that’s the case, Lomography has you covered with its new Konstruktor kit. The pack gives DIY types everything they need to build their own 35mm film SLR, including a removable 50mm f/10 lens and customizable panels. There’s no control over aperture or shutter speed, but Lomography’s retro-inclined crowd will like the quick toggle for long exposure shots. They’ll also like the $35 price — it’s possible to buy 100 Konstructors before matching the cost of just one EOS 5D Mark III. Should that kind of math be too much to resist, you’ll be glad to hear that the camera is already on sale at Lomography’s shop.
Filed under: Cameras
Source: Lomography
Oct 17
Sony Alpha firmware updates bring record button disabling on NEX-7, DSLR lens improvements
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Sony’s NEX-7 may be fast approaching its first birthday, but that doesn’t mean the company’s ready to give up on pushing out updates. The camera’s first new firmware version, 1.01, should be hitting today, bringing with it the ability to disable the Movie Record button to avoid accidental taps (finally!), boosted image quality with a wide-angle lens, improved audio playback and expanded EV bracketing. An option to disable the EVF eye sensor doesn’t appear to be included with this revision, unfortunately. Other updates hitting at the same time include E-mount lens firmware v.01 that’ll enable NEX-5R/NEX-6 Hybrid AF functionality with older lenses, A65/A77 firmware v1.06 and A37/A57 firmware v1.03, both of which deliver the ability to enable/disable the movie record button while also adding a variety of lens compensation options for select Alpha optics. All of these updates should now be live — head over to the source link below for the hook-up.
Sony Alpha firmware updates bring record button disabling on NEX-7, DSLR lens improvements originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 19
Everyone loves a sequel, right? This here is the K-5 II, the new DSLR from Pentax, making an appearance on the show floor, here at Photokina in Germany, alongside the rather similar, if somewhat pricier K-5 IIs. Let’s start with differences between the K-5 and the K-5 II, shall we? Megapixel-wise, we’re still talking 16.2, though the II models have the new SAFOX X AF sensor, which delivers the promise of better low-light sensitivity and quicker auto-focus. On the rear, that 3-inch, 925k LCD promises a sharper image and better image angles — both looked pretty good in our time with the camera.
As for differences between the K-5 II and IIs? Well, you wouldn’t be able to distinguish between the two, if it weren’t for the difference model names on there front. So, what are you paying that extra $150 for? Well, the premium ditches the low-pass filter, promising sharp images (though you’re losing anti-aliasing in the process). On the top of both, you got a big monochrome display and a somewhat tricky function wheel that makes you press down a button to turn.
Both of these guys are coming to a camera store near you next month for $1,200 and $1,350, respectively.
Gallery: Pentax K5-II and K5-IIs
Continue reading Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs hands-on (video)
Filed under: Cameras
Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 13
Is Nikon’s D800 to much for you? I mean both financially speaking and physically speaker? Don’t worry, here you are another Full Frame DSLR from Nikon and behold the D600! The D600 is simply put the D800 little bother and comes slightly cheaper (220,000 Yen in Japan or $2,100 in the US and €2,150 in Europe) and features a more reasonable 24Mpix sensor instead of the mind blowing 36Mpix sensor found on the D800. Like the D800 the D600 comes with the same weather sealed and dust …
Sep 12
Nikon unveils lightweight, full-frame D600 DSLR — hands-on and low-light samples (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
We’ve been watching out for the D600 since images leaked a couple of months ago, and today it’s been made official: a full-frame DSLR that’s priced ever-so-slightly closer to the reach of mortals (read: “high-end enthusiasts”) who perhaps can’t claim everything off their tax. At just shy of $2,100 (update: €2,150 in Europe), the 24-megapixel camera’s US list price is significantly lower than that of the 36-megapixel D800, and undercuts Canon’s rival EOS 5D Mark III and Sony’s brand new full-frame Alpha A99.
What’s more, aside from the resolution, you’re getting something pretty close to the D800 — including a weather- and dust-resistant magnesium alloy build, fast Exspeed III processor, and AF that works down to f/8 — but here it’s all contained in a body that sheds a full 15 percent off the D800’s weight. It feels great to hold a full-frame DSLR like this, which is barely any heavier or more conspicuous than an APS-C shooter like the D7000.
Nikon is also making a big deal out of the fact that the D600 handles wireless transfers and triggers using the new WU-1b widget, which is identical to the familiar WU-1a we reviewed on the D3200 except that it plugs into the camera’s USB port rather than the HDMI port. There’s an Android app to allow your mobile device to communicate with the camera, and an iOS app is set to land by the end of September.
Read on a few more initial impressions and a quick look at the D600’s high-ISO performance.
Gallery: Nikon D600 hands-on photos
Gallery: Nikon D600 publicity photos
Filed under: Cameras
Nikon unveils lightweight, full-frame D600 DSLR — hands-on and low-light samples (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sep 11
Sony reveals the Alpha A99, its first full-frame flagship since 2008’s A900 (hands-on)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
It’s not every day that a digital SLR manufacturer releases a new full-frame camera — in fact, it’s not even every year. Sony’s last top-end model, the A900, was first released four years ago, so you better believe its successor offers an overflowing boatload of enhancements. The Alpha A99 is a flagship if ever there was one, crushing every other Sony still camera in terms of capability, both when it comes to stills, and in the HD video realm as well. With this $2,800 behemoth, the company is targeting both professional photographers and leading filmmakers, with plenty of features that will appeal to both. The centerpiece is an all-new 24.3-megapixel Exmor sensor (nope, it’s not the rumored 36MP chip you might be expecting), which features an increased photodiode area for boosted low light quality (up to ISO 102,400). The camera also features what Sony’s calling the “world’s first dual-AF system,” which includes two different phase-detect AF systems, including the same 19-point system on the A77, plus an additional 102 points on the imager itself.
Video shooters will find 1080/60p and 24p options with AVCHD 2.0, including uncompressed output through HDMI (with simultaneous output to a monitor) and phase-detect focus support in video mode. There’s also a 6 frames-per-second burst mode, 14-bit RAW output for stills, the same 921k-dot Xtra Fine twilt-and-swivel LCD included with the A77 with WhiteMagic and TruBlack, and the same OLED viewfinder found on the A77, NEX-6 and NEX-7, that offers slightly boosted functionality thanks to the full-frame sensor, letting photographers snag a realtime depth-of-field preview without dimming the finder. It also offers a 34-degree viewing angle and color tone adjustment control. Because the A99 offers a translucent mirror, Sony was able to eliminate the pentaprism to keep the size and weight at bay, making the DSLR lighter than the Nikon D800 and Canon 5D Mark III. Jump past the break for our hands-on.
Gallery: Sony Alpha A99 hands-on
Filed under: Cameras
Sony reveals the Alpha A99, its first full-frame flagship since 2008’s A900 (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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