Canon will now add locking mode dial to your EOS 5D Mark II or 7D… for $100

Oh, sure — Pentax may have thrown one in gratis on its K-7, and Nikon has done the same on its D3S, but none of that really matters if you’re the proud owner of a Canon, now does it? For those fed up with accidentally moving their mode dial during a critical shoot, Canon is now offering a chargeable service for the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS 7D cameras. For the tidy sum of $100, the outfit will install a Mode Dial with a center-located lock button — the goal here is to prevent the wheel from moving during “normal camera operation,” while simultaneously milking an extra Benjamin out of the outfit’s loyal customer base. ‘Course, there’s a glass half-full / half-empty way to look at this. You could bang on Canon for not including this from day one, or you could be grateful to have the option at all. Your move, cynic.

Canon will now add locking mode dial to your EOS 5D Mark II or 7D… for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ion Audio’s Twin Video dual-facing camera becomes more than a render, starts shipping

Remember this little “Twin Video” freak of nature from January? Well, Ion Audio went and built the thing, and while it looks dramatically different now, the general idea is the same: one camera faces you, the other camera faces your subject. Outside of that it’s a pretty basic Flip-style camcorder, with a decent $120 price tag, SD card storage, and a rechargeable battery. Just remember, with great dual-facing power comes great dual-facing responsibility. Check out a sample video after the break.

Continue reading Ion Audio’s Twin Video dual-facing camera becomes more than a render, starts shipping

Ion Audio’s Twin Video dual-facing camera becomes more than a render, starts shipping originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Add Flash to Your Old iPhone

iFlash External Flash For iPhone & iPod - Click to enlarge.png

Have iPhone 4 envy? Your older model will never be as cool as the shiniest, newest version, but at least there’s one thing you can do to help soup the thing up. The iFlash plugs into your iPhone or iPod’s dock connector. It offers 10cd of light, to help you take better shots with your phone.

The iFlash has an on/off button and is powered by the phone itself. There’s also a string on the thing, so you can let it dangle from your phone, when not in use.

The iFlash is a bit pricey, at $39.95, and, let’s be honest, is a bit less exciting than it could be, given the addition of a flash on the latest version of the iPhone. But if you’ve got $40 and demand sharp phone pictures, you can pick one up today.

Caltech sues Nokia, LG, others over camera patents

Sure, your N8 might take a great picture — but is it about to become a hotbed of legal wrangling between Espoo and one of the more prolific research universities in the States? We love us some heady courtroom drama, and Pasadena’s Caltech is now officially attempting to bring the smack down on Nokia, LG, Pantech, Toshiba, STMicroelectronics, and others over a total of nine patents related to sensor technology (as far as we can tell, lens optics aren’t involved). For its troubles, the university wants unspecified damages for infringing on the intellectual property… which, if it wins, we’re hoping will be poured into its Jet Propulsion Laboratory. You know, because rockets are awesome.

Caltech sues Nokia, LG, others over camera patents originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next iPad’s camera supplier outs itself in Taiwan Stock Exchange filing?

At this point, is there anyone that doesn’t suspect the next iPad will sport a camera? We’ve heard as much, more or less, and now here’s more fodder for the suspicious out there: according to Digitimes, a Taiwan Stock Exchange filing from Largan Precision pegs itself as the “sole lens module supplier” for the impending second-generation iPad, with shipments (of the part or of the tablet, we’re not sure) due out in the first quarter of 2011. It’s worth noting that Largan is the camera parts supplier for the iPhone 4. We haven’t been able to check out the filing ourselves yet, and for its part Largan’s not saying a word, but we’ll let you know what we dig up. You can now return to the part of your iPad 2 dream where it’s rocking a glasses-free 3D ultra-retina display… on both sides… and it’s transparent… and foldable… and not real.

Update: China Times is reporting that Largan got lucky with the exclusive order because Apple’s other iPhone 4 camera supplier GSEO (Genius Electronic Optical) is already running at full capacity. Said publication also casually mentions an “end of Q1” launch for the iPad 2, which makes sense given that the original iPad was launched in April.

Next iPad’s camera supplier outs itself in Taiwan Stock Exchange filing? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pockito wearable camcorder: endorsed by a knockoff Miley Cyrus and Joe McCreep

Hard to say where exactly iRes Technology found this guy on the right (Fake Miley clearly came from a nondescript party in the You Es Aye), but chances are he was sourced from same pool of megalomaniacs that MSI dipped into earlier this year. If you’ll recall, iRes popped out its first wearable camcorder in July of last year, and the new edition is smaller, more capable and endorsed by voyeurs worldwide. The IRDC260 uCorder Pockito (2.5- x 1- x 0.5-inches) — which is available in black / red colors — is capable of being clipped onto just about anything; from there, it can log footage at 740 x 480 (30fps) onto a microSD card (2GB included). It syncs up with your PC via USB, and it can also double as a webcam should you need it to. Both hues are up for order right now at $99.99, and if you look even remotely like either of the individuals above, there’s obviously nothing we can do or say to stop you from fulfilling your destiny.

Pockito wearable camcorder: endorsed by a knockoff Miley Cyrus and Joe McCreep originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 01:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hasselblad H4D-40 Stainless Steel medium format camera: limited to 100 units, priced at €13,990

Wondering just how large a premium that Ferrari badge was adding to Hasselblad’s Ferrari-branded H4D? Oh, around €7,500 (if not more). Hot on the heels of the aforesaid announcement, Hasselblad has just revealed yet another variant of the famed H4D-40, with the Stainless Steel edition offering a classy, classic motif and another limited run item for collectors to snatch up. Only 100 of these will be produced, with each one selling for €13,990 ($18,497) sans lens or €14,990 ($19,809) with the HC 2.8/80 mm. If this guy’s more “within reach” than the Italian-inspired alternative, hit up your local dealer as soon as humanly possible… or just before your 100 closest friends, anyway.

Continue reading Hasselblad H4D-40 Stainless Steel medium format camera: limited to 100 units, priced at €13,990

Hasselblad H4D-40 Stainless Steel medium format camera: limited to 100 units, priced at €13,990 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 20:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next iPad likely to get a new screen, front-facing camera; USB port… not so likely

New rumors are swirling about the iPad 2, and they’re a bit of a grab bag. The source is the same Economic Daily News paper that made one of the early calls on the first iPad, but also the one that reported in August that there was a 7-inch display being sourced for the iPad’s sequel (which Steve Jobs seems to differ with). The new report says that the next iPad will be out in Q1 2011, will have dual cameras, a new display with new touch tech, and a USB port for working with third party devices.

From our own information we know there were actually some last minute revisions on the first iPad that ended up killing the camera and nixing an extra dock connector, so the camera(s) seem a particularly natural “addition” for the iPad 2. We’ve also heard that a revised screen is happening, though it’s unclear if this will be a “Retina Display” or something more minor. On the USB plug front, which could mark a sort of adolescent transition of the iPad into “computer,” our source says it’s, sadly, very unlikely. We’re particularly interested in this mention of a new touchscreen technology from the EDN rumor (perhaps stylus support or pressure sensitivity?) but we don’t have anything else to go on there. Overall, it’s still hard to tell if the next iPad will be a small update or something more splashy, but it’s certainly going to be something.

Next iPad likely to get a new screen, front-facing camera; USB port… not so likely originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hasselblad’s Ferrari-branded H4D camera: now available for just €21,499

Now that you’ve wasted precious moments of your life saving $10 here, $8 there and $6.23 in your local Target, how’s about a Black Friday deal that you’ll never forget. Hasselblad’s Ferrari-branded H4D medium format camera, which we saw unveiled earlier this year at Photokina, is now shipping to the affluent, the zany, and the select few that happen to be both. So far as we can tell, this is just an H4D with a Ferrari-approved design scheme, and neither point helps to make this thing anywhere near affordable. A grand total of 499 are being made available today, with each one to run €21,499 ($28,425) + tax. Who knew you’d be buying something today that’s only purchasable via your Centurion card — puts a whole new spin on Black Friday, huh?

Continue reading Hasselblad’s Ferrari-branded H4D camera: now available for just €21,499

Hasselblad’s Ferrari-branded H4D camera: now available for just €21,499 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 11:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kuwait Bans DSLR Cameras

Kuwait - Skyline

If you’re planning a trip to Kuwait, don’t take your DSLR Camera. The country’s Ministry of information, Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance have all effectively banned the cameras in Kuwait, making it illegal to use DSLRs in public places unless you can prove that you’re a journalist and using the camera for journalistic purposes. 
The ban has left a number of people – mostly outside of the country – confused as to what precipitated the ban, since small compact cameras are still legal, as are cell phone cameras, but there’s naturally going to be a chilling effect as tourists and the general public in the country simply decide not to use their cameras instead of try to explain to the authorities that their specific camera is legal. 
There’s no official word from the Kuwaiti government on why they banned DSLRs in the first place, or what the effect will be on photographers or artists in the country who want to take photos in public, but if you’re planning a trip to the middle eastern country, what your airline’s baggage handlers will do with your DSLR should be the least of your worries now.