Nikon has released a firmware update for the D3S professional DSLR that fixes a series of bugs. Firmware v1.01 rectifies errors pertaining to movie recording, exposure preview, live view and the ‘CHA’ error message displayed while using some CF cards. It also revises the simplified Chinese menu. The firmware is available for immediate download from Nikon’s website.
Click here to download firmware v1.01 for Nikon D3S
Nikon has announced the worlds first image stabilized ultra-wide angle zoom for full frame cameras. The AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens includes a Silent Wave autofocus motor and VR II technology, which Nikon claims gives up to four stops benefit against camera shake when hand-holding. Other goodies include Nano Crystal coating to combat flare, a magnesium alloy barrel, and weather sealing.
Nikon UK today announces the AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR, the world’s first ultra-wide angle zoom lens with VR for FX-format cameras. The new lens offers an affordable and practical proposition for general photography with FX-format cameras such as the D700.
Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager Lenses, Accessories & Software, Nikon Europe says: “The AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR covers all bases for wide angle shooting and addresses market feedback for a more affordable alternative to the professional AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED or more recent AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED ultra-wide-angle lens”.
Sharper handheld images at slow shutter speeds
The AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR is the world’s first ultra-wide angle zoom lens to feature Vibration Reduction technology, providing the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops slower. The application of VR complements the f/4 maximum aperture when shooting in low light.
Class leading image quality
The new lens’ complex optical design features Nikon’s exclusive anti-reflection Nano Crystal coat, two ED glass elements and no less than three aspherical glass elements to minimize distortion and aberration, even at maximum aperture. The VR II system and Silent Wave Motor deliver extremely quiet, discrete operation and the nine bladed rounded diaphragm renders delightful bokeh.
Built for everyday use
The AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR balances well with more compact FX format cameras such as the D700 and is consequently built to withstand the demands of everyday shooting. The robust magnesium construction and weather sealing will make it an ideal choice for the adventurous enthusiast and professional photographer. It comes complete with durable hood HB-23, and soft pouch.
Read more @ dpreview
Nikon has released the AF-S Nikkor 24mm F/1.4G ED wide aperture prime lens for full-frame DSLRs. It features an anti-reflective Nano Crystal coating and both ED and aspherical lens elements to help minimize distortion and chromatic aberration. The lens comes in a weather-resistant body and includes a Silent Wave Motor for quieter autofocus operation.
Nikon today announces a class leading ultra-fast aperture wide angle lens, the AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED. Designed for professional reportage and landscape photography, the new lens features a ground-breaking optical design for Nikon’s range of class leading FX-format DSLR cameras.
Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager Lenses, Accessories & Software, Nikon Europe says: “The new 24mm lens continues to strengthen Nikon’s professional lens line up which already includes a range of award winning NIKKOR zoom lenses such as the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED. The shallow depth of field and bright viewfinder image offered by this new fast aperture prime lens will appeal to many photographers, particularly in the photojournalism community.”
New NIKKOR optical design
The AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED features a unique optical design which provides improved image quality, with minimal distortion and excellent edge to corner sharpness especially at wider aperture settings. The new optical system combines Nikon’s exclusive anti-reflection Nano Crystal coat, ED glass and aspherical lens elements to deliver brilliant, high contrast image quality with minimised distortion and aberration. The f/1.4 aperture and nine blade rounded diaphragm contribute to render images with stunning NIKKOR trademark bokeh.
Discreet and Durable
The lens boasts a dedicated Silent Wave Motor for smooth and discrete autofocus operation, and is built to last with extensive use of magnesium in its construction, and weather and dust sealing, including around the mount. The AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED comes complete with dedicated secure fitting hood HB-51, and soft pouch.
Read more @ dpreview
Canon has unveiled the latest in its long line of consumer digital SLRs, the Rebel T2i (EOS 550D). Highlights include 1080p HD video recording (with full manual control), an 18MP CMOS sensor, 3 inch 3:2 LCD with 1040k dot resolution and the 63-point iFCL metering system first seen on the EOS 7D. The new Rebel also offers a handful of less attention-grabbing upgrades, including redesigned buttons, 3.7 fps continous shooting, +/-5 stops exposure compensation and UI support for Eye-Fi cards. We spent a little time with a pre-production EOS 550D last week and have produced a detailed hands-on preview and (quick) gallery of Beta samples – check it out after the link…
Click for more info.
Canon today announces a groundbreaking new addition to its expanding, world-famous EOS range of Digital SLR cameras – the EOS 550D.
The EOS 550D redefines the boundaries of Canon’s consumer DSLR range, incorporating technologies and features more commonly found in semi-professional DSLRs into the compact, lightweight body favoured by consumers. With a newly-developed 18 Megapixel (MP) APS-C CMOS sensor, coupled with Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and the ability to shoot Full HD movies, photography enthusiasts are empowered to explore new levels of creativity.
Creative control with no compromise on quality
The EOS 550D makes Canon’s powerful imaging technology more accessible to consumers. Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and 18MP sensor support standard ISO settings of 100 – 6400 (expandable to 12800), while enhanced in-camera noise reduction technology boosts performance in low light conditions. The system’s 14-bit image processing also produces smoother tonal gradation and natural looking colours for high quality prints and on-screen display.
For swift and accurate focusing, the EOS 550D features a 9-point AF system with one extra-sensitive cross–type point at the centre for f/2.8 or faster lenses. The EOS 550D also supports high-speed, continuous shooting at 3.7 frames per second (fps). These features provide users with the opportunity to exert greater control over their images, allowing them to capture split-second moments with ease and accuracy.
Continuing Canon’s tradition of filtering new technology and features down from its advanced and professional DSLR ranges, the EOS 550D includes the iFCL metering system first launched in the EOS 7D. New for EOS is the ability to set the top limit for automatic ISO, allowing users to control the maximum amount of noise in their images. In a first for entry level EOS, exposure compensation and bracketing can be set up to plus or minus five and two stops respectively, allowing the photographer to take a number of differently exposed versions of the same shot to ensure they capture a well-exposed image, even in difficult lighting conditions.
“Digital SLR photography has captured the imagination of consumers globally,” said Kieran Magee, Director of Product Planning, Consumer Products, Canon Europe. “Every year, more and more individuals are looking to record key life events with unrivalled quality or to test and explore their creativity. The EOS 550D redefines the entry level DSLR category, putting technologies and features previously the preserve of the professional into the hands of the consumer – allowing them to achieve outstanding results. With the EOS 550D, consumers are free to explore the limits of their own creative vision.”
Click for more info.
EOS Movies: Full HD video with creative control
As the ability to record Full HD video becomes increasingly important, Canon continues to deliver DSLR technology that sets the industry benchmark for multimedia functionality. The EOS 550D records video in full 1920×1080p HD resolution, allowing photographers to select the frame rate preferred from 30, 25 and 24fps, as well as offering 720p video at 60 and 50fps. The EOS 550D also includes a 3.5mm stereo microphone socket, enabling the use of an external microphone when capturing video.
Photographers can also take manual control over exposure settings, changing the depth of field and degree of motion blur to shoot more creatively. To provide the best possible video quality, highlight tone priority (HTP) can be set independently for movie capture, without changing any still image capture settings. In situations where the subject is further away, the EOS 550D Movie Crop function records with the central 640×480 pixel area of the sensor, creating an effective magnification of approximately seven times. The EOS 550D is the first in the EOS range to feature Movie Crop and gives consumers more flexibility to capture important moments which would otherwise be too far away.
A clear view of your world
The EOS 550D also allows photographers to view their images and video in unhindered clarity. A 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD screen with 1,040k dot resolution makes it possible to see 100% of captured images with no borders. The anti-reflective, water-repellent coating also makes it easier to see the screen in bright conditions and from a variety of angles.
EOS build – Canon quality
As consumers would expect from an EOS DSLR, the EOS 550D is built to a high quality specification. It features bigger, more intuitive buttons which have been redesigned following feedback from users. Based on this feedback, the EOS 550D also features an additional button on the new, battery grip, allowing aperture settings to be changed when shooting with the camera in a vertical position, without having to reorient the body.
Share the moment with friends and family
For EOS 550D photographers, shooting great pictures and video is just a first step. Thanks to an integrated HDMI port compatible with High-Definition Multimedia Interface – Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC), video and images stored on the EOS 550D can be viewed on an HD-ready TV and controlled via the TV remote.
For users who want to transfer content wirelessly, the EOS 550D includes Eye-Fi* connected functions. The EOS 550D features a dedicated Eye-Fi section in the User Interface and it disables the automatic power-down function when an Eye-Fi card is transmitting – allowing users to transfer content easily and without interruption**.
Accessories
The EOS 550D is fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX series Speedlite flash units, including the compact Speedlite 270EX. The EOS 550D is also compatible with the new RC-6 Remote Control, allowing photographers to capture high quality stills and Full HD video without touching the camera body. The slimline infrared controller can trigger the shutter release from up to five metres away, with users able to select either immediate release or a two second delay for greater flexibility when shooting. As well as supporting EOS 550D, the RC-6 is also compatible with the EOS 450D, 500D, 7D and 5D Mark II.
CANON iMAGE GATEWAY – share your stories
Owners of the new Canon EOS 550D can join the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, a free online facility for Canon users that makes it easy to share their photos and video. Users can take advantage of up to 2GB of personal storage space, creating enough room for hundreds of high-quality images. Mobile browsing is also supported, making it easy for friends and family to view photos on the move.
Features at a glance:
- 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
- Continuous shooting at 3.7fps
- Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
- 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
- iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
- Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
- Exposure compensation +/-5 stops.
- Select maximum value for Auto ISO
- External Microphone socket
- Movie crop function
- Eye-Fi connected functions compatibility
*Eye-Fi may not be available in all regions
**This product is not guaranteed to support Eye-Fi card functions (including wireless transfer). In case of an issue with an Eye-Fi card, please check with the card manufacturer.
Also note that approval is required to use Eye-Fi cards in many countries or regions. Without approval, use of the card is not permitted. If it is unclear whether the card has been approved for use in the area, please check with the card manufacturer.
Read more at dpreview & EOS 550D Preview
Kaul Festival in Mukah 2009
Sarawak Events’ Calender 2010
- 17-25 April: Mukah Kaul Festival (Thanksgiving Festival of the Melanau, seafaring community in Mukah) –> Kaul is a traditional festival celebrated by the Melanau living along the coast of central Sarawak region. The festival is a ritual of purification and thanksgiving to the spirit of the sea as well as one of the propitiation for good fortune.
- 14-15 May: Miri International Jazz Festival.
- 1-3 June: Irau Aco Lun Bawang (Pesta Lung Bawang) –> this festival is traditionally a celebration of the rice harvest, but now it showcases a variety of Lun Bawang culture and events such as Ruran Ulung (beauty pageant contest) and ngiup suling (bamboo musical instrument band).(in Lawas)
- 4-6 June: Pesta Babulang (Buffalo Race Festival –> Pesta Babulang is a buffalo race festival which is significant to Bisaya community in Limbang. (Organised by the Bisaya Association and introduced as a tourism event for the area. (in Limbang)
- 16-25 July: Borneo Cultural Festival –> a week-long celebration of food, music and dances celebrating the diverse cultural background of Borneo community such as Iban (Dayak), Melanau, Malay and Chinese. BCF stands as Sibu biggest tourism event. (in Sibu)
- 8-11 July: Rainforest World Craft Bazaar (in conjunction with Rainforest World Music Festival) (in Kuching, at Sarawak Cultural Village, Santubong)
- 9-11 July: Rainforest World Music Festival (Santubong, Kuching)
- 31 July-2 August: Sarawak Regatta (at Kuching Waterfront)
- 2 August: Kuching Street Parade (part of Kuching Festival held the whole month of August)
- 17-22 September: Sarawak Inter-Cultural Moon Cake Festival ( at Carpenter Street, Kuching)
- 17-26 September: Lantern Festival (Sibu Town Square)
- 29 September-4 October: Borneo International Kites Festival (at Old Airport Compound, Bintulu)
- 4-9 October: Borneo International Yachting Challenge (in Miri)
Source from Steve Ling Blog
Canon has posted a firmware update for its latest professional DSLR, the EOS-1D Mark IV. Firmware version 1.0.6 enhances autofocus tracking performance of the camera in specific circumstances. The firmware is available for immediate download from Canon’s website.
The Photography Challenge extend the due date to 31st March, 2010.
Visit any of Gamuda Land’s many prestigious developments and capture your favourite scenes or memories with your camera. From pristine bungalows in the sunset… the sweeping beauty of golf fairways… kites fluttering in the wind…shady trees on a sunny afternoon… dancing fireflies in the pond… children playing hopscotch… early morning ‘tai-chi’ parade… starlit skies over a hillside… it’s a photographer’s haven out there!
You have the enviable option of Gamuda Land’s reputable and award-winning developments like Kota Kemuning, Bandar Botanic, Valencia, Jade Hills and Horizon Hills.
Entry forms and all Terms and Conditions for Gamuda Land’s “2-in-1 Photography Challenge” can be downloaded at www.gamudaland.com.my; participants can also obtain the contest form from our respective sales galleries.
Photography Sharing Talk @ Sibu by Mr.Teo Bee Yen FRPS (张美寅，Singapore), Mr. Wong Yu Ming FRPS (黄玉明，Singapore) & Mr. Thien Hua Chang ARPS (田华昌，Kuching, Malaysia).
Group Photo with attendance
Welcoming Message by Ling Liong Hui ARPS (President of The Photographic Society of Sibu)
Photography Sharing Talk by Thien Hua Chang (田华昌)
Photography Sharing Talk by Wong Yu Ming FRPS (黄玉明)
Photography Sharing Talk by Teo Bee Yen FRPS (张美寅)
Blogger attended the Photography Sharing Talk
Tiong, Yong Sun, Philip Hii, Mr & Mrs Teng
Nikon has posted firmware updates for its D3X, D3, D700 & D300S digital SLRs. With the latest firmware, all four cameras will now support 64GB CompactFlash cards. The updates also bring in a host of improvements and bug fixes,and are available for immediate download from Nikon’s website.
Read more at dpreview
Pre-CES 2010: Canon has released a successor to its professional workhorse fast telezoom, in the shape of the EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS II USM. Although outwardly similar to its predecessor, the new lens features a revised optical design, incorporating a fluorite element and no fewer than 5 UD elements for the correction of chromatic aberrations. The minimum focus distance has been reduced to 1.2m, with a corresponding increase in maximum magnification to 0.21x. The mechanical design has also been modified, with the most obvious external change being a wider focusing ring. As usual for an L series design, the lens features dust- and drip-proof construction. It’s also fully compatible with Canon’s existing teleconverters and extension tubes.
The new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM – Canon’s essential, high-quality, telephoto zoom lens for professionals
Canon today adds to its acclaimed L-series with the launch of the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM telephoto zoom lens. The lens launches as the successor to the immensely popular EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, offering improved performance in every area.
True to the L-series’ heritage, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM delivers optical excellence in the most challenging situations. As well as a revamp of the internal optical system, the lens has also been structurally re-developed as a direct result of user feedback, making it as robust and reliable as it is optically advanced.
“Reuters’ photographers have used the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM for a number of years and it allows photographers a great level of flexibility,” said Reuters Production Editor Kevin Coombs. “The focal length, fast aperture and Image Stabilizer all contribute to it being a workhorse lens and you’ll find it in many professional photographers’ camera bags. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the improvements offered by the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.”
Premium quality, premium performance
The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features a re-designed optical system, consisting of 23 elements in 19 groups to deliver truly impressive results. A high-performance fluorite element is used at the heart of the lens path, coupled with no fewer than five ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements, drastically reducing chromatic aberration throughout the zoom range to produce high contrast images with edge-to-edge definition.
A high-speed Auto Focus (AF) system perfectly matches the abilities of the recently-launched EOS-1D Mark IV and EOS 7D Digital SLR (DSLR) cameras. The new model also features a ring-type USM AF motor, which combines with a new high-speed CPU and an optimised AF algorithm to make auto focusing both faster and quieter.
A reduced minimum focusing distance of 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) and improved 0.21x magnification will allow photographers to get closer to subjects without needing to swap lenses – greatly benefitting time-pressured news and events photographers who require flexibility. An updated Image Stabilizer mechanism also offers a shutter speed advantage equivalent to four-stops, reducing the effect of image blur resulting from camera shake in busy shooting environments.
Enhanced design, exceptional ease of use
As well as an update to the internal construction, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features an enhanced external appearance to improve lens operation. The thickness of protruding exterior parts and switches has been significantly reduced, guarding against accidental switching and creating an improved overall look. The rubber focusing grip has also been redesigned and widened; with finely-patterned grooves making it easier to manually focus.
Being an L-series lens, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is fully weatherproof, making it ideal for use in all weather conditions. The mount, focus mode switch and focusing ring all feature a completely dust and drip-proof structure, preventing dust or water from getting inside the camera and lens when used with accompanying weatherproof EOS bodies. The lens has been designed to stand up to the daily wear and tear of professional usage, making it a highly durable, reliable lens for use day-to-day by professional photographers.
High quality L-series accessories
The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is supplied with several accessories, including the new ET-87 Lens Hood and the Ring-Type Tripod Collar B (W). A brand new Lens Case LZ1326 is also included as standard, offering quick and easy access when users need to switch lenses in time-pressured situations.
Compatibility with a range of optional Canon accessories also allows users to pair the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM with the Lens Extender EF 1.4x II, Lens Extender EF 2x II, Extension Tube EF 12 II, Extension Tube EF 25 II, and 77mm filters.
Read more at dpreview
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