Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Wednesday, 23 May 2012

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Wednesday, 23 May 2012 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 476th Digital Photography Review newsletter. Canon EOS 5D Mark III reviewed We've completed our in-depth review of the other full-frame heavyweight - the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. If you just look at the headline specifications little seems to have changed since the introduction of the 5D Mark II in 2008 (roughly 22MP and 1080p30 video) but dig a bit deeper and you find a camera that's been refined and polished in just about every respect. Is this enough to let it trade punches with Nikon's latest bruiser? And, more importantly, since we can't imagine many people are suddenly going to swap systems for these cameras, can it wrestle the belt from the former champ - the 5D Mark II? Read our 29-page, in-depth review to find out. Pentax K-30 preview Despite the flood of cameras announced at the start of this year, there are still more models being launched - and we've prepared previews of the the most interesting ones. The Pentax K-30 very much falls into that category - it's a 16MP, weather-sealed DSLR that can shoot at 6 frames per second and includes a 100% coverage viewfinder. That spec may sound a lot like the K-5, but the K-30 actually sits below it in the the company's lineup. With a list price of $899 with an 18-55mm lens, it's a pretty competitive offering. Click here to read more. Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 preview Panasonic has been doing its bit to extend the Micro Four Thirds lens range, with the introduction of the Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH. Power O.I.S. The 24-70mm equivalent lens is the first constant-aperture standard zoom for a mirrorless system - a sure sign that manufacturers realize there are some serious users out there. We got hold of a near-production lens and have prepared a preview with real-world samples. Click here to see how it performs. Sony NEX-F3 and SLT A37 previews Sony has also updated its range, with the announcement of two entry-level models for its NEX and SLT large sensor interchangeable lens camera series. The NEX-F3 is a replacement for the NEX-C3 and gains the latest 16MP sensor and a built-in pop-up flash. Meanwhile, the SLT-A37 replaces the A35. It offers a similar specification, including 16MP sensor and the clever Auto Portrait Framing mode we first saw in the SLT-A57. Click here to read our hands-on previews of the NEX-F3 (with real-world samples), or click here to read more about the SLT-A37. Richard
News updates The Atlantic magazine looks at the Russian space programme today Published on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 12:41:04 AM GMT The Atlantic's 'In Focus' photo blog has collected a fascinating series of images from the Russian space program. Looking at both Zvyozdny gorodok, the training center just outside Moscow better known as 'Star City,' as well as  the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the pictures give an insight into post-Shuttle space flight. Astronauts and scientists from different countries train together, as do entrepreneurs preparing for their paid trips into space. The collection uses a variety of photographic styles and beautifully conveys the faded futurism of space travel. (from The Atlantic) Read full story → Flickr 'liquid' design finally brings window-sized images Published on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10:42:24 PM GMT Flickr has revised its image viewing pages for the first time in several years - finally letting images expand on larger monitors. The long-awaited feature, which Flickr is calling 'liquid' design, uses the largest image it can to fit your browser window, without ever upscaling. This combines with the latest version of 'lightbox' which shows your images as large as it can on the whole screen. Sadly the best results only come for images uploaded since March 1st 2012, for which 1600 and 2048 pixel versions will have been generated. Read full story → Just Posted: Sony NEX-F3 hands-on preview Published on Thursday, May 17, 2012 4:00:00 AM GMT Just Posted: our hands-on preview of the Sony NEX-F3. The F3 is Sony's latest entry-level model, replacing the NEX-C3. It's built around the company's second-generation 16MP CMOS sensor, as featured in the NEX-5N and gains a built-in flash. It's also the first NEX to feature a screen that flips all the way into a vertical position, to make it easier to shoot self-portraits. We've been using an F3 for a couple of days - read our hands-on preview to find out what we thought and to see the images we shot. Read full story → Just Posted: Sony SLT-A37 16MP entry-level fixed-mirror DSLR preview Published on Thursday, May 17, 2012 4:00:00 AM GMT Just Posted: Our Sony SLT-A37 hands-on preview. The A37 is Sony's latest entry-level SLT camera - offering DSLR capability in a full-time live view camera. The A37 retains the small body of the original SLT cameras and helps create an easy-to-understand four-model lineup. It gains 1080p24 HD video shooting and features such as lens correction and focus peaking from the more recent SLT models, offering a strong feature set. And, with a recommeded price of $599 with 18-55mm zoom, it's $150 cheaper than the A33 was. Read our hands-on preview to discover more. Read full story → Sony launches SLT-A37 16MP fixed-mirror DSLR and 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM lens Published on Thursday, May 17, 2012 4:00:00 AM GMT Sony has launched the SLT-A37 entry-level 16MP SLT camera and the enthusiast-grade 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM standard zoom. The A37 is a refreshed replacement for the A35, bringing the entry-level model into line with the rest of the SLT lineup. Meanwhile the 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM lens offers Alpha mount users a more flexible upgrade option over the entry-level 18-55mm without having to stretch to the 16-50mm F2.8. The A37 will be available from June at a cost of $600 with 18-55mm kit zoom. The 18-135mm lens will follow in July for $500 or as a $200 premium over the basic zoom kit cost with any of the company's SLT cameras. Read full story → Sony announces NEX-F3 16MP mirrorless and E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE lens Published on Thursday, May 17, 2012 4:00:00 AM GMT Sony has announced the NEX-F3 entry-level 16MP mirrorless camera and lightweight 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS stabilized superzoom lens with for the E-mount. The NEX-F3 gains a built-in flash, along with the updated 16MP sensor from its NEX-5N big brother. Its big party trick is undoubtedly its LCD, whose image automatically mirrors when it's flipped up for taking self-portraits. Meanwhile, the E18-200mm F3.5-5.6 LE OSS is a more compact, lighter 11x superzoom lens for the NEX system. Starting in June, the NEX-F3 will have an MSRP of around $600, while the SEL18200LE will sell for around $850 from July. Read full story → Samsung announces US pricing for Wi-Fi-capable NX20, NX210 and NX1000 Published on Thursday, May 17, 2012 5:00:00 PM GMT Samsung has announced the US prices for its latest 'Smart' Wi-Fi enabled NX mirrorless cameras, the NX20, NX210 and NX1000. It has also said the NX1000 will be available from June at a price of around $699 with the 20-50mm retractable zoom. The range-topping 20MP NX20 with its electronic viewfinder will retail for around $1099, with the i-Fn version of the 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 kit zoom. The NX210, meanwhile, will cost around $899 with the same lens. Read full story → 30 minute limit on video capture could end if WTO group gets its way Published on Friday, May 18, 2012 10:45:32 PM GMT The restriction that limits video recording in digitial cameras to 30 minutes could be abolished if the World Trade Organization's Information Technology Agreement (ITA) is expanded. Several countries, including the USA, have begun informal talks to extend the scope of the ITA to include products that are currently subject to tariffs and duty. At present, digital cameras' video cuts off after 30 minutes to avoid them being classified as video cameras (which attract 5.4% duty). If the video cameras are added to the ITA, this distinction would no longer matter. (via Nikkei) Read full story → Panasonic launches Lumix G Vario 12-35mm F2.8 fast zoom for Micro Four Thirds Published on Monday, May 21, 2012 5:00:00 AM GMT Panasonic has formally announced a 12-35mm F2.8 lens for the Micro Four Thirds system. The LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S offers a traditional 24-70mm equivalent field-of-view, and is the first constant-aperture standard zoom for a mirrorless system. The lens is the latest in Panasonic's premium 'X'-branded range and uses the company's latest Power O.I.S optical stabilization system. It will be available in August, pricing details are not yet available. Read full story → Panasonic Lumix G X 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS hands-on preview Published on Monday, May 21, 2012 5:12:28 AM GMT Just Posted: our hands-on preview of the Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 fast standard zoom for Micro Four Thirds. It's the first constant-aperture standard zoom for a mirrorless system - helping strengthen the position of the system developed by Panasonic and Olympus. We've been using a pre-production version of the lens on both makers' cameras, and have prepared a hands-on preview and a small gallery of sample images. Read full story → Grizzly bear tests limits of rented lens insurance cover Published on Monday, May 21, 2012 4:53:35 PM GMT Photographer Andrew Kane found himself having to report damage to the Nikon D4 he'd rented this weekend, after it was attacked by a grizzly bear. Kane had the presence of mind to document the attack, using his D700 and 70-300VR that he had slung around his neck - grabbing some impressive sharp images of the bear mauling the rented kit. LensRentals seem satisfied with his explanation - Roger Cicala has blogged that replacement gear is already on the way to Kane. Read full story → App review: Apple iPhoto for iOS Published on Monday, May 21, 2012 7:01:57 PM GMT Apple has taken the well-known iPhoto app that’s bundled with Apple computers and adapted it for the iPad and iPhone. Although the iPhoto app offers a range of image editing tools including global and localised adjustment control (using multi-touch tools) there’s a lot more to it than that. Joanne Carter takes a look. Read full story → Pentax K-30 16MP weather-sealed mid-level DSLR previewed Published on Monday, May 21, 2012 10:00:00 PM GMT Pentax has officially announced the K-30 weather-sealed mid-level DSLR. It's built around the same updated 16MP sensor and processor as the K-01, so should offer impressive image quality and borrows many of the features from the more expensive K-5. It can shoot continuously at up to 6 frames per second, has a maximum shutter speed of 1/6000th of a second and can capture video at 1080p30. We've had a pre-production K-30 in the office for a couple of days and have prepared a preview looking at what it offers. Read full story → Pentax launches smc DA 50mm F1.8 for APS-C cameras Published on Monday, May 21, 2012 10:00:00 PM GMT Pentax has announced the DA 50mm f/1.8, an affordable telephoto prime lens for APS-C interchangeable lens cameras. The lens offers a 76.5mm equivalent field of view on the company's DSLRs or K-01 cameras. The lens is designed to look like Pentax's premium 'Limited' prime lenses but features a plastic lens mount. The lens is only 38.5mm long at its shortest, and will sell for around $249.95/€269/£249, making it a small and relatively inexpensive addition to a camera bag. Read full story → Article: The One-Light Studio Published on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 6:20:40 PM GMT Most of us associate studio photography with complex lighting setups requiring lots of equipment. Yet you can get great results using just a single light. Professional photographer Thomas Park takes you through a range of single-light scenarios. Read his article to learn how close attention to the position of both subject and light source can improve your own studio portraits. Read full story → Casio Japan announces Exilim EX-ZR300 high-speed compact camera Published on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 10:27:43 PM GMT Casio Japan has announced the Exilim EX-ZR300, a high-speed CMOS-based 16MP 12.5x zoom compact. The ZR300 features a 24-300mm equivalent zoom and dual 'Exilim Engine HS' processors to offer autofocus in as little as 0.12sec and start-up in under 1 sec. It can shoot 1080p video at 30fps or 640x480 video at up to 120 fps. The ZR300 promises battery life of around 500 shots per charge. It is one of the first cameras to support Toshiba's Flash Air wireless SD card format. No details of a US or European launch are yet available. (From DCWatch) Read full story →
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