12/17/2008 - Canon 50D and 5D Mark II White Paper:

Canon has posted a 77 page white pape in pdf format on their site describing in detail the technology behind its two newest cameras, the Canon 50D and Canon 5D Mark II. The white paper is divided into the following sections:

• Overview
• Summary of New and Improves Features
• Video Recording on EOS 5D Mark II
• Performance and Reliability
• Controls and Convenience
• Intelligent Bundled Software
• New Accessories and Lenses
• Specifications
• Feature Comparison Charts
• Conclusion

Here is the link to the pdf:

12/10/2008 - Nikon Comments on D3x Sony Sensor Rumors:

There has been much speculation and debate across the internet concerning whether or not the Sony A900 and Nikon D3x share the same sensor, especially since the D3x cost $5,000 more than the Sony.

Both sensors are about the same size, resolution, and both are manufactured by Sony. However the Nikon sensor supports a slightly broader ISO range, 14 bit output, and liveview, while the Sony A900 sensor does not. Another potential difference that is being reported is that pixel pitch on the A900 is 5.9 microns vs. a smaller 5.49 microns on the D3x.

Nikons relationship with Sony with regard to sensor design and manufacture is extremely complex, so while it remains unclear exactly how much technology, if any, these two sensors share, Nikon has released a brief statement to attempt clarify the issue. Read More about Nikon Comments on D3x Sony Sensor Rumors

12/02/2008 - Nikon D3x Brochure:

Nikon USA has a 14 page brochure on the D3x on their site, featuring sample images and more technical information on the camera:

Download Nikon D3x Brochure

11/30/2008 - Texas Sues Photo Retailers:

The State of Texas is going after two online photo retailers, Broadway Photo and Starlight Camera & Video/EveryPrice.com for unlawful bait and switch tactics. 

See the press release below for details of their high pressure sales tactics and how the bait-and-switch actually works. Check out our profile pages for each to see our visitors feedback and links to their ResellerRatings.com feedback.

1. Broadway Photo
2. Starlight Camera & Video/EveryPrice.com

We'll post updates as these lawsuits progress.

11/30/2008 - Nikon D3x Press Release: $7,999.95:

Nikon has finally announced the D3x, the biggest surprise being the price - a mere $7,999.95, available by the end of the year.

More pictures and the official press release can be found in this article. Read More about Nikon D3x Press Release: $7,999.95

11/28/2008 - Nikon D3x Specs: According to the latest Nikon Pro magazine in Europe (leaked by NikonRumors.com), we now know the following about the imminent D3x:

• Nikon Product Number 25442
• 24.5 Megapixels, with a 10 Megapixel DX Crop Mode.
• ISO 100-1600 (Extended ISO range 50-6400)
• 5 fps, or 7fps in in 10 Mp DX mode
• Same 51 point Autofocus, EXPEED Processing, body construction and LCD as found on the D3
• 5:4 and DX crop modes supported
• 75Mb output files!
• Aimed primarily at Studio Photographers
• 12ms startup time, 41ms shutter release lag.
• Dual CF Slots, capable of writing at35Mb per second (so over 2 seconds to write a 75Mb image file, but 35MB/sec is faster than we've seen for any card in D3)
• LiveView
• Uses EN-EL4a battery, thanks to improved EXPEED processors, gives similar battery performance to the D3

Nothing massively ground breaking. Given the resolution and ISO numbers, the sensor sounds like it may be a tweaked version of the Sony A900 sensor (Nikon and Sony have a very close relationship when it comes to sensor design/manufacture).

No mention of 1080p Video, so Canon is still the leader there with the 5D Mark II.

For telephoto shooters, the D300 is still the better choice (more megapixels, faster fps with the MB-D10, similar ISO range).

Overall, it looks a decent camera, but nothing revolutionary. The D3 is still the low light king, the D300 is still the telephoto's shooters first choice, but now Nikon has something serious to offer the Studio and Landscape photographer. Read More about Nikon D3x Specs

11/26/2008 - Nikon GP-1 GPS: $209.99!: J&R have listed the Nikon GP-1 GPS Unit on their website at $239.99, less a $30 savings, making $209.99. The GP-1 allows you to geotag your images as you shoot, and can record latitude, longitude, altitude and time information .

Availability is listed as "Coming Soon".

To go to J&R, Click J&R

**** Adorama is taking orders: Nikon GP-1 GPS ****

Read More about Nikon GP-1 GPS: $209.99!

11/26/2008 - Canon 5D Mark II Shipping: The Canon 5D Mark II is finally shipping. This camera is in very high demand, and just about everywhere is backordered, but those that places their orders early should recieve theirs any day. Read More about Canon 5D Mark II Shipping

11/26/2008 - DxOMark Sensor Ranking:

As has been widely reported across the web, DxOMark has put a Sensor Ranking page on their website, ranking the Sensors of most of the current DSLR's, which leads to the question "Just how important is the sensor?".

Let start with what makes a great picture? Simply put, a great picture invokes an emotional response in the viewer - the stronger the emotional response, the more memorable the picture. To do that, the subject of the picture needs to be compelling - either something unusual or different (in a good or bad way), or something taken from a fresh perspective (different angle, unusual lighting etc). Some of these elements are in the photographers control, for others being at the right place at the right time is more important than the gear you are using.

Assuming you are in the right place at the right time, light is co-operating, then just how important is the sensor? Read More about DxOMark Sensor Ranking

11/26/2008 - Nikon Black Friday Sale:

11/26/2008 - !!! Nikon D3X !!!: For about an hour earlier today, NikonUSA.com posted a page and pictures featuring the Nikon D3x, product number 25442. The pictures were promptly removed once word got out, but a capture of the images can be found at NikonRumors.com:

Unless this is a prank by someone with access to the NikonUSA web site, it looks real - there are world wide Nikon events on December 1st to reveal something big that can be used in a studio setting, so it looks like the D3x is finally here. Read More about !!! Nikon D3X !!!

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.

11/14/2008 - 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.: Win Nikon Gear with the 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: Celebrating 75 years of NIKKOR lenses and 60 years of Nikon Cameras, Nikon has released a video showing some extreme uses of their cameras, some very cool and rare products, and celebrating numerous milestones over the years. Well worth a look.

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 about 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.

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

10/16/2008 - Nikon D90 Bodies Shipping:

Finally, the Nikon D90 Body Only orders have started shipping from all the major vendors. Up until this week, the Nikon D90 was only available with the 18-105mm VR Kit Lens.

The body can be ordered from the following: Amazon, B&H, Ritz

Read More about Nikon D90 Bodies Shipping

10/16/2008 - Adobe Photoshop CS4 at Amazon:

Amazon are taking pre-orders for Adobe Photoshop CS4, due to be released on November 7th, 2008:

1. Adobe Photoshop CS4 Upgrade
2. Adobe Photoshop CS4 Upgrade [Mac]
3. Adobe Photoshop CS4
4. Adobe Photoshop CS4 [Mac]

09/25/2008 - Nikon D200, D80 Firmware Update: Firmware updates for the Nikon D200 and Nikon D80 available, fixing intermittent problems with the camera reporting a false dead battery. Read More about Nikon D200, D80 Firmware Update

09/25/2008 - 60 Mp Hasselblad H3DII-60: Hasselblad Announces New Products, New Technology and New Directions, including the 60 megapixel H3DII-60 medium format digital system, a new zoom lens, and big price reductions. Read More about 60 Mp Hasselblad H3DII-60

09/23/2008 - Canon 5D Mark II Video: A sample video from the new Canon 5D Mark II has been posted on Canon's web site made by Vincent Laforet. My 1080p camcorder simply can't do this.

09/23/2008 - News Briefs from Photokina: Newly announced products from Photokina 2008 include Adobe Photoshop CS4, Lensbaby Composer, Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2, and new Compact Flash cards from Sandisk, Lexar and Pretec. Read More about News Briefs from Photokina

09/23/2008 - More on the Leica S2: Following up on yesterdays post: here are more details, images and the press release for the new 37.5 megapixel Leica S2, complete with it's nine new lenses from Photokina in Cologne, Germany.

09/22/2008 - Nikon AF-S 50mm f1.4G: At long last, Nikon has finally released the much-rumored AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f1.4G celebrating 75 years of NIKKOR lenses. This lens, replacing the older AF 50mm f1.4D, finally has the faster, quieter SWM (silent wave motor), so it will support autofocus with all current Nikon DSLR's, including the D40 and D60. Available at the beginning of December 2008 with a MSRP of $439.95.

09/22/2008 - 37 Mp Leica S2!: Aiming at a middle ground between medium format and DSLR's, Leica has announced a 37 megapixel Leica S2, with a 30mm x 45mm sensor in a body similar to a professional SLR, along with a line of 9 new lenses to fit it.

09/17/2008 - Canon EOS 5D Mark II: Canon has announced its replacement for the Full Frame 5D: the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera. Featuring a 21.1 megapixel full frame sensor, with a Nikon D3/D700 matching ISO range up to ISO 25,600, the Canon 5D Mark II becomes the first DSLR to offer a full 1080p HD Video mode. Only 3 weeks ago Nikon announced the first DSLR to capture HD Video: the much cheaper Nikon D90, which only supports 720p.

09/17/2008 - Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens: Canon has announced a new EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Professional Wide Angle Lens. This new lens has re-designed optics, improved weathersealing, and uses a new anti-reflection lens coating called SWC (Sub-Wavelength Structure Coating) to minimize ghosting and flare. It should be available in December 2008, with a MSRP of $1,699. Read More about Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens

09/09/2008 - Sony Alpha A900 DSLR: Sony has announced its new Alpha A900 DSLR, built around a 24.6 megapixel full frame sensor - the highest resolution full frame sensor on the market today. Also featuring in-camera image stabilization, 5fps frame rate, 100% coverage viewfinder, 3.0" LCD, dual card slots (Compact Flash or Memory Stick Duo) and a magnesium alloy shell. Available in November, 2008, the A900 has a MSRP of $2,999.00.

08/27/2008 - New Nikon D90!: As expected, today Nikon has announced the new Nikon D90. If you’ve been following the rumors, you’ll note they’ve been pretty much spot on. The Nikon D90 is basically a stripped down D300 (same sensor), but with one MAJOR new feature – a video mode! Maybe it's time to retire the D200 backup camera - we've ordered a Nikon D90, we'll post an in-depth review as soon as it arrives.

08/27/2008 - New Nikon Lens, GPS: Nikon has also announced today two more items: A new VR DX lens - the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens, which will be sold as part of a kit with the new Nikon D90, and the new Nikon GP-1 GPS Unit to add geotagging to the Nikon D3, D700, D300, D200 and D90. Read More about New Nikon Lens, GPS

08/26/2008 - Canon EF-S 18-200mm: Aimed at serious amateurs, Canon's new EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens will be available in October 2008, with an MSRP of $699.00. This zoom range has been one of Nikon's bestsellers for several years, so should be a very popular lens.

08/26/2008 - Canon EOS 50D: Today Canon has announced its new 15.1 megapixel EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera featuring new DIGIC 4 image processor. Aimed at advanced amateurs, and replacing the Canon 40D, this new camera is priced at $1399 - just below the current street price of the Nikon D300. If the low noise capabilities compare to the Nikon's, it'll be a very interesting camera.

08/14/2008 - New Nikon D90?: Is the Nikon D90 imminent? The Nikon D80 is about due for replacement, and rumors are heating up about a possible D90 announcement. Read More about New Nikon D90?

08/07/2008 - Five New Coolpix: Nikon Introduces five new Coolpix Models - Coolpix P6000, Coolpix S710, Coolpix S610, Coolpix S560 and Coolpix S60. Read More about Five New Coolpix

07/01/2008 - Nikon D700, SB-900, lenses: Nikon announce the D700 12.1MP FX DSLR, SB-900 Speedlight Flashgun, and a couple of perspective correction lenses. Read More about Nikon D700, SB-900, lenses