Recent Updates:

11/19/2008 - Nikon SB-900 Firmware v5.02:

Firmware v5.02 for the Nikon SB-900 flashgun is available from the Nikon Europe website (at the time of posting NikonUSA.com is not showing the update).

To update the firmware on the SB-900, it needs to be connected to a D3, D300, D700 or D90.

According to Nikons website, the following improvements have been made in version 5.02

• With uninterrupted shooting with the SB-900 set to i-TTL mode, images captured just before the flash ceased firing were sometimes overexposed. This issue has been resolved. By resolving this issue, metering precision has been further increased and the number of times the flash fires has also been increased.
• When the SB-900, set to TTL auto flash mode, is used with a camera supporting the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS), flash mode automatically changes to A mode according to camera communication status. That flash mode was previously maintained, but it has been modified so that TTL auto flash mode is restored once the SB-900 again recognizes the camera as a CLS-compatible camera.

11/19/2008 - New Deals from B&H!:

Latest Deals from B&H Photo:

Canon EOS 40D SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body)

Canon EOS Rebel XSi with 18-55mm IS Lens

Fujifilm FinePix F100fd Digital Camera

Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera with Olympus 14-42mm Zuiko ED Lens

SanDisk 4GB Secure Digital (SDHC) Card

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W150 Digital Camera (Silver)

11/16/2008 - DSLR Rating Section:

Please help make this site better for everyone and add your rating and review today! Read More: DSLR Rating Section

11/16/2008 - New Rating Center:

Currently it is displaying the top ten DSLR's, and top five Equipment Review Sites, Photography Review Sites, and Photography News and Resource Sites, as rated by our users.

More rate and review sections will be added over the coming weeks to allow our users to rate and review other items, such as Lenses, Accessories and Retailers. Read More: New Rating Center

11/16/2008 - The Best Reviewer is::

Much to our surprise, the rating page became by far the most visited page on our site, and over the past few days we've had hundreds of votes, we've added more reviewers at our users request, and had many thousands of visitors going straight to that page. As a result, we've expanded that page to allow people to leave a short review/comment for each Reviewer, and we've also expanded the rating section of our site with our new Rating Center.

As to the Results: Read More: The Best Reviewer is:

11/14/2008 - New Photography News/Rumor Site Rating Section:

Rate and Review the individual websites and see how they compare. Read More: New Photography News/Rumor Site Rating Section

11/14/2008 - New Photography Community Site Rating Section:

Rate and Review the individual websites and see how they compare. Read More: New Photography Community Site Rating Section

11/14/2008 - Red Enters DSLR Market with Epic & Scarlett:

Red enters the DSLR market with their spectacular configurable system with Epic and Scarlett.

Fully configurable, it can be set up as a DSRL or a Video camera, and you can plug in different sensors, ranging from a small 4.9 megapixel (capable of 120 fps video), to an impressive 261 megapixel (yes, that's 28,000 x 9,334 pixels) at 16-bits, with an estimated 13+ stops of dynamic range, that can still do 25 fps in video mode.

Specification and delivery dates are subject to drastic change.

11/13/2008 - 75th Anniversary of NIKKOR Sweepstakes.:

From the site:

The NIKKOR lens is a marvel of clarity, consistency, precision and reliability - that's why we continue to make our own glass for our lenses, and why we've done so for the last 75 years.

In celebration of this milestone, we're giving away Nikon products featuring NIKKOR lens technology every week now until the end of the year! Plus, one lucky winner will win the grand prize trip to the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops in New Mexico for a workshop taught by today's most influential instructors!

11/13/2008 - 75th Anniversary Nikon Video:

11/07/2008 - Forum Section Added:

11/06/2008 - Rate DSLR's:

11/05/2008 - Who's the Best Reviewer?:

11/04/2008 - Electronics Prices and the Yen:

Everyone is aware of the current financial mess, and this is going to have a major impact on the price of electronic goods, including DSLR's in the coming months. First of all, we'll look at the driving forces in the markets that will impact pricing, then at what we should expect in terms of price increases, and how manufacturers like Nikon and Canon may respond. Read More: Electronics Prices and the Yen

11/04/2008 - Deals for November 4th!:

Deals and Specials for November 4th 2008 from our Affiliate Partners, including:

Nikon D700: $2,519.95

Nikon D300: $300 Instant Rebate

SanDisk 2 GB, 60x Speed Ultra II Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card: $9.95

And Much More! Read More: Deals for November 4th!

10/28/2008 - Nikon D300 Firmware Update 1.10:

Today Nikon has released the first major firmware upgrade for the Nikon D300, version 1.10 (A & B), with a long list of additions and upgrades. Probably the most requested of which are extending the shutter range for minimum shutter speed with the Auto-ISO feature, and the introduction of a copyright symbol in copyright information, which people have been asking for since the D200, possibly earlier.

Also notable, is the auto white balance has been improved. Read More: Nikon D300 Firmware Update 1.10

10/28/2008 - Canon 50D Firmware Update 1.0.3:

Today Canon has released a firmware upgrade for the new Canon 50D, version 1.0.3.

From Canon:

This firmware update (Version 1.0.3) incorporates the following fixes.

1. Corrects a phenomenon in which an image becomes overexposed when C.Fn.II-3 Highlight tone priority is set to "1" together with other camera settings. (This correction has already been incorporated in the Version 1.0.2 and later firmware.
2. Corrects a rare phenomenon in which "busy" blinks on the camera's display panel and the shutter cannot be released due to the timing of battery installation.
3. Corrects a rare phenomenon in which "Err 99" appears on the camera's display panel and LCD monitor and the shutter cannot be released due to the timing of pressing the shutter button.

10/23/2008 - Avoiding Arrest & Your DSLR:

My 5 year old daughter came home from Kindergarten today with a letter from the school to all parents. Apparently a photographer was spotted by staff, with a tripod and camera, and when he observed school staff watching him, he promptly packed up his gear and left.

I am a huge proponent of Photographers rights. But I also care a tremendous amount about my children's safety. An increasingly paranoid public is treating as suspicious, and in some instances criminal, photographers who are pursuing their hobby or job without actually breaking any laws, often just because they have a large DSLR camera that looks out of place. Read More: Avoiding Arrest & Your DSLR

10/22/2008 - Sony DSLR's added:

• Sony Alpha A900
• Sony Alpha A700
• Sony Alpha A350
• Sony Alpha A300
• Sony Alpha A200

10/22/2008 - Sony Alpha A700 Overview:

Announced in September 2007, the Sony Alpha A700 became the second Sony Alpha DSLR (after the now discontinued A100) aimed at serious amateurs, featuring a 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, magnesium alloy body and an HDMI output.

The Sony Alpha A700 is based on the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D, with a host of new features added, and accepts Minolta a-mount lenses, Sony's "G" Series lenses with motorized auto focusing and Sony's wide-aperture zoom lenses. It also features Sony's Super SteadyShot® stabilization technology (an in-camera vibration reduction system), and uses the Sony Bionz Image Processor. Read More: Sony Alpha A700 Overview

10/22/2008 - Sony Alpha A350 Overview:

Released in early 2008, at the same time as the lower resolution Sony Alpha A300, the Sony Alpha A350 became this highest resolution Sony DSLR at 14.2 megapixels (later to be superceded by the Sony Alpha A900's 24.6 megapixels).

The Sony Alpha A350 also features a tilting LCD for easier viewing, and Sony's Super SteadyShot stabilization technology (an in-camera vibration reduction system). It accepts Minolta a-mount lenses, Sony's "G" Series lenses with motorized auto focusing and Sony's wide-aperture zoom lenses

This line up gives Sony 3 entry-level DSLR's, more any other major manufacturer, showing an aggressive marketing position from Sony. The Sony Alpha A200 is the base model with its 10.2 Megapixel sensor. The Sony Alpha A300 shares the same sensor, but adds Live View and a tilting screen. Then the A350 takes the A300 and simply puts in a new 14.2 megapixel sensor in place of the 10.2 megapixel one. Size, layout and weight are pretty much identical between all 3. Read More: Sony Alpha A350 Overview

10/22/2008 - Sony Alpha A300 Overview:

Released in early 2008, at the same time as the higher resolution Sony Alpha A350, the Sony Alpha A300 takes the middle spot in Sony's entry-level DSLR line-up

The Sony Alpha A300 features a tilting LCD for easier viewing, and Sony's Super SteadyShot stabilization technology (an in-camera vibration reduction system). It accepts Minolta a-mount lenses, Sony's "G" Series lenses with motorized auto focusing and Sony's wide-aperture zoom lenses

This line up gives Sony 3 entry-level DSLR's, more any other major manufacturer, showing an aggressive marketing position from Sony. The Sony Alpha A200 is the base model with its 10.2 Megapixel sensor. The Sony Alpha A300 shares the same sensor, but adds Live View and a tilting screen. Then the A350 takes the A300 and simply puts in a new 14.2 megapixel sensor in place of the 10.2 megapixel one. Size, layout and weight are pretty much identical between all 3. Read More: Sony Alpha A300 Overview

10/22/2008 - Sony Alpha A200 Overview:

Announced in January 2008, shortly before the Sony Alpha A300 and A350, the Sony Alpha A200 replaced the A100 as Sony's entry-level DSLR, offering a slight upgrade at a lower price-point. Kits with a 18-70mm zoom lens started shipping in February 2008.

The Sony Alpha A100 features a 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor, a large 2.7 inch LCD screen, and Sony's Super SteadyShot stabilization technology (an in-camera vibration reduction system). It accepts Minolta a-mount lenses, Sony's "G" Series lenses with motorized auto focusing and Sony's wide-aperture zoom lenses

This line up gives Sony 3 entry-level DSLR's, more any other major manufacturer, showing an aggressive marketing position from Sony. The Sony Alpha A200 is the base model with its 10.2 Megapixel sensor. The Sony Alpha A300 shares the same sensor, but adds Live View and a tilting screen. Then the A350 takes the A300 and simply puts in a new 14.2 megapixel sensor in place of the 10.2 megapixel one. Size, layout and weight are pretty much identical between all 3. Read More: Sony Alpha A200 Overview

10/17/2008 - Sony Alpha A900 Overview:

Announced in September 2008, the Sony Alpha A900 was launched as the flagship Sony model, joining Canon and Nikon as manufacturers of Full Frame DSLR's. The 24,6 Megapixel Sony Alpha instantly became the highest resolution DSLR to date at its launch. The camera is also the first to have a body-integrated image stabilization system for a full-frame sensor, with Sony’s SteadyShot anti-shake system.

With an MSRP of $2,999, the Sony A900 finds itself in direct competition with two other full frame cameras, the Nikon D700 (12 megapixels, 8 fps, ISO to 25,600, $2,999) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (21 megapixels, 3.9 fps, ISO to 25,600, HD Video, $2,699). The Sony Alpha A900 has the highest resolution of these cameras, but comes up short on ISO and lens selection in comparison.

It will be interesting to see how the Sony Alpha A900 does in the marketplace. It is clearly a very capable camera, and the current choice if you want the highest megapixel count possible. However the Canon's megapixel count is almost as high, and in most other areas that count, the Canon out-spec's the Sony. The Canon is also backed by an impressive line of lenses and offers HD Video, all for several hundred dollars less. Read More: Sony Alpha A900 Overview

10/16/2008 - Nikons New J.D. Power Award:

For the second year running, J.D. Power & Associates have ranked Nikon D Series DSLR's "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Digital SLR cameras" in their latest "J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Digital Camera Usage and Satisfaction Study."

Nikon D-SLR's scored well on performance, ease of operation, and appearance and styling.

The full press release:
NIKON D SERIES DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS RECEIVES J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES AWARD TWO YEARS IN A ROW FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Read More: Nikons New J.D. Power Award