New Canon Rebel on 3/26 & Nikon D400?

Sour news for all Canon users who might have been expecting a new 1-Series DSLR on March 26.  Looks like it will be a new incarnation of Digital Rebel.  Curious…odd…not quite sure why, considering the XSi is quite young.  Maybe it is going to be a sister camera?  I guess we’ll see once some ‘official’ news is released.

In other areas of the industry…the announcement of the Nikon D400 appears to be approaching closer as there has been some heavy activity in the rumor mill the past couple of days.  Yesterday Nikon Europe websites were down which typically means there is some product updates or product change-overs.  Why is it significant that it is happening on the Nikon Europe websites?  Nikon Europe is always the first to make major product announcements.

Whatever is announced, and whenever it becomes announced, I guarantee I will post my anticipations, opinions, remarks, and overviews here.

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Recent News & Product Updates

Adobe has released Photoshop Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5.3. These are final versions of updates which were originally posted as release candidates on the Adobe Labs site, and are now available for immediate download. This update provides RAW support for Nikon D3X and Olympus E-30 DSLR’s. Lightroom is also now available in 8 new languages.

Click here to download Adobe Photoshop Lightroom v2.3 (Windows)

Click here to download Adobe Photoshop Lightroom v2.3 (Mac)

Click here to download Adobe Camera Raw v5.3 (Windows)

Click here to download Adobe Camera Raw v5.3 (Mac)

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In a statement from Canon regarding AF issues in their 1D-Series camera bodies…

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NIKON D3x Announced

Nikon D3x

This morning Nikon has officially announced the D3x Digital SLR

Dec. 1, 2008 – OK, so we all knew it was coming, it was just a matter of when.  All the features we expected as well.  This camera is a D3 with 12 megapixels added to it, lower ISO capabilities, and not quite as fast.  We need to make sure, however, we don’t say the camera has double the resolution…as resolution is a function of area, it would take 48 megapixels to double the resolution of the 12MP D3.

Hopefully Nikon has them to ship relatively soon.  We are all still holding our breath as to what new lenses Nikon will be coming out with.  We need a new, fast, wide prime.  Check back later today for my post of the best holiday gadget gift ideas where I will make recommendations on cameras, lenses, electronics and more!

Visit Kaz Arts Photography

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Canon 5D MK II Coming Next week

I know that 150 units will be allocated to dealers in the United States next week.  Monday, Tuesday?  We’ll see.

If you were close to the top of the pre-order list and the dealer you placed your order with is lucky enough to get a piece, then you should be in good shape.  If not, don’t expect to see anymore until the New Year.

Hopefully there were no manufacturing issues in their haste to get some units shipping pre-Holiday.   I am not personally purchasing one (as I have no Canon lenses), but I will have one for evaluation for a couple of days next week.

Visit Kaz Arts Photography

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Secret Italy Book & Postcard Set available for order

I would like to announce for order in time for the holiday gift-giving season my latest photo-essay book entitled Secret Italy: A Journey Through Tuscan & Umbrian Villages.  The contents of this book consists of material from my 2007 photo exhibit of the same name, in addition to some new never before released images specially prepared for publication in this volume. The volume is a 40-page (photo & text) hardcover coffee table book with dust jacket.

book excerpt

book excerpt

In addition to the book, I have also created a Limited Edition Postcard Set of 10 handcrafted images printed on Hahnemuhle Fine Art paper which is also available for purchase.  Please see the prices below.  To place an order please e-mail me a brief message with your contact information and the products desired, or you may contact me directly by telephone (973) 879 9885.

Postcard Set

Postcard Set Thumbnails

Book: Secret Italy: A Journey Through Tuscan & Umbrian Villages
$ 45.00 + tax (NJ) & shipping
Limited Edition Postcard Set – 10 handcrafted images
$25.00 + tax (NJ) & shipping

Special Holiday Offer
Purchase both for $65.00 – Save 10%     OR

Purchase a copy of the Secret Italy coffee table hardcover volume & receive a signed & serial # registered limited edition 16×20-inch print of an image of your choice from the book. Your copy of the book and whichever image you select will be registered to you in the Hahnemuhle Fine Art database. This is available at a special price for the holiday season for just $275! (until Dec 22, 2008).  Regularly a $350 value!  This price includes all tax & shipping charges.

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Adobe announces Photoshop CS4

This morning Adobe Systems announced the newest incarnation of their Creative Suite family – CS4.  The Creative Suite comprises of a vast array of products, however most importantly for us photographers, the Photoshop program.  Adobe’s last update to Photoshop (CS3) disappointed many with respect to the number of significant feature upgrades and developments.  Additionally, the inability to use newer versions of Camera RAW (ACR) on CS2 angered many users who needed to upgrade to CS3 just to process RAW files from their newer cameras.  Although the same thing will happen with the coming of CS4 (newer versions of ACR will not be compatible with CS3), perhaps the other newer upgrades and refinements will make users a bit happier about the necessity to update their software.

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Canon Posts Teaser on US Website. New 5D??

This morning Canon has added a teaser page to its US website.  Destined Evolution is the catch-phrase.  A silhouette of a 5D-shaped camera body against a partially lit moon.  Is Canon ‘eclipsing’ the competition?  More to come on this once an official annoucement is made.  But, in the meantime, here is a list of specification and features we hope it should have.

• Programmable Auto ISO
• Higher Resolution, more accurate LCD Screen
• Highlight and Shadow Recovery System (similar to Nikon’s Adaptive Dynamic Range), but only necessary for those who shoot in JPG
• Better ergonomics & button placement (not likely to happen)
• Easier way to set custom white balance parameters
• ISO capabilities to at least equal Nikon’s D3 and D700.
• I’m sure we’ll get more resolution.  16, or 17MP?  But we all know its not necessary…

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Product Announcement: Nikon D90 & New lens

This morning Nikon Europe has officially announced the Nikon D90 and 18-105 VR lens which will be sold as a kit come the end of September. The D90 has a few notable upgrades from the D80 such as a larger higher resolution LCD screen, higher ISO capability and the same EXPEED processing engine as the D300, and live view. But why do we need movie capture capability in a DSLR? See the full story here.

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Product Annoucements: New Canon DSLRS

There is no *official* announcement yet, however on Canon’s Chinese website this morning, preliminary specs were released for the EOS 50D and the ‘as yet to be officially named’ replacement to the 3-year old 5D. Like in years past, Canon will probably make official announcements just before or during the Photokina tradeshow in Cologne, Germany this September.

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