What's New Archives          Jul 01, 2008 - Jan 01, 2009

2 July, 2008 - Nikon's D700 Spoiler

The Nikon D700 camera, announced yesterday, is definitely a spoiler. The question is – of whose game? My new essay Some Initial Thoughts on The Nikon D700 attempts to answer this question.

Miles Hecker has a review of BabelColor's PatchTool 2.3 on his site. Well worth a read, and likely worth having for those that care about accurate monitor profiling.

---

3 July, 2008 - Nikon Coolpix P6000 Due Next Month?

---

5 July, 2008 -Canon XSi Field Report

Looking for a small light-weight DSLR? Looking for something to lighten your load when your 1Ds Mark/something is just a bit too bulky and heavy? Not willing to compromise on image quality or features?

Hang in there bunky, I may have something for you – the Canon XSi, the third (or fouth, or fifth, but who's counting) iteration of the Digital Rebel (450D to the rest of the world). My field report and review is now online.

UPDATE

Since first published a reader from New Zealand has written with some cogent comments on the Xsi / 450D review. His email has now been added to the write-up.


This is shaping up to be and exciting week for Hasselblad owners. It's been known within the industry for a while that new product announcements were coming in early July, but once again leaks have preempted Hasselblad's official press announcement due this coming week.

There will be a new back with a 50 Megapixel sensor, the first of its size, and the largest CCD yet, and also a tilt / shift adaptor for certain H series lenses. And, since it appears that the adapter will work with H1 and H2 bodies and lenses, this is good news for all previous H Hasselblad owners. Put me down for the first one!

---

7 July, 2008 - The Clouds Are Falling

Vincent Laforet, an ex-New York Times photojournalist, is one of the top photographers working in the US today. He has online an essay titled The Cloud is Falling, which examines the state of the photographic marketplace, stills / video convergence, and a number of other salient topics. This is a must read for anyone who makes their living doing photography.

Even scarier, for Brits at least, is a piece on PhotoRights.org titled 42 days and hand over your flashcard. We all know how photographers rights are being impinged upon worldwide, but this is completely Orwellian.

Hope you've had a pleasant weekend.

---

8 July, 2008 - Three New Hasselblad Products, Including a 50MP Back

Hasselblad has formally announced today three new products; a 50 Megapixel back, a tilt / shift adapter for current lenses, and a powered technical / view camera sliding adapter. You can find out more, including some thoughts on the state of the industry as well as links to Hasselblad PDFs and web pages here.

UPDATE

For Canadians (and others) following the saga of the botched launch of the iPhone 3G in Canada by Rogers Telecom, this article on CNNMoney.com makes for an interesting read. It isn't only in the photographic industry that companies make stupid marketing decisions and get chastised and pilloried by consumers and pundits because of it.

---

10 July, 2008 - New Baryta Paper, Summer 2008

The hottest products in the paper industry for the past year have been those that are Baryta based, offering high dMax, rich saturated colours, the look and feel of top papers from the chemical darkroom, and which use Photo Black inks.

Today I look at several new Baryta papers, some refinements of existing products and others brand new.

---

14 July, 2008 - Phase One P65+ Preview


The world of high-end medium format digital backs is a rarefied one. But with the introduction today of the Phase One P65+ the air just got a lot thinner.

This new back, to be introduced at Photokina in September, and said to ship in Q4, is a break-through product in three areas. Firstly, it ups the ultimate resolution sweepstakes to 60 Megapixels. Secondly, the P65+ has a true full-frame 645 sensor, with 20% more on-chip real estate than any other sensor yet. Thirdly, the P65+ will have variable resolution capabilities, allowing for faster shooting speeds and higher sensitivity when needed.

You can read all about the Phase One P65+ in my exclusive preview report.

UPDATE: It's been brought to my attention that in an email to some Hasselblad customers, the following was mentioned. I never got the memo (or missed it), but since it's part of the full story here it is.."Hasselblad is also proud to announce the upcoming launch of a new 645 sensor. Full details on the 645 sensor will be discussed at Hasselblad's Future Technology seminar at Photokina 2008 in Cologne".

In 2005 Pierre Claquin and I lead a photographic expedition to Bangladesh. You can read several articles about this trip by doing a search on the word Bangladesh using this site's Search feature.

This was one of the most amazing photographic trips that I've ever done, and resulted in the publication of my book, Bangladesh – First Impressions.

Now, Pierre has announced that he will be conducting another Photographic Expedition to Bangladesh in late November and early December of this year, less than five months from now.

This will be a remarkable opportunity to spend 12 days traveling and shooting in one of the world's most exotic locales with an expert photographer who has lived and worked in that country for more than a decade. Pierre knows the language, the people, and the geography. He is a personal friend, and I can vouch for his professionalism, not to mention has Gallic charm and wit. Grab this one before it sells out!



If you bought an iPhone 3G this past weekend (like I did), or you expect to in the days ahead, there's a program available which may interest you called Astromo (US $9.99), that can be downloaded from the iTunes Application Store.

This program uses the iPhone's built-in GPS to ascertain your location, and it then provides you with a complete ephemeris, including the times of sunset and sunrise and moonset and moonrise for your location. This is a capability that some Palm, Symbian and Windows Mobile devices have had for a while, but that was missing from the first generation iPhone. A must-have for landscape and nature photographers. And, while you're at it, though they have nothing to do with photography, Remote and Shazam are also must-have programs. Both are paradigm busters.

UPDATE: Have a look at Chronometer as well. Just $5.00, and it offers much the same sun and moon related information but in attractive multiple formats.

---

17 July, 2008 - Medium Format Digital Collages

Regular contributor Alain Briot recently joined the ranks of large format (4X5") fine art landscape photographers who have migrated to medium format digital.

Alain is working on a full report on his Phase One P45 back, used in conjunction with a Hasselblad C system, but in the interim provides us with a brief essay on Medium Format Digital Collages.

---

19 July, 2008 - Production Nikon D700 Under Test

One of the more eagerly awaited cameras of the year thus far is the Nikon D700, due to ship within the next couple of weeks.

I am now working with a full production sample of the D700 and expect to have my report online by this time next week.

The photograph now on the site's Home Page was taken with this new camera.

---

21 July, 2008 - Epson 3800 Printing Costs

One of the most popular printers for photographers these days is the Epson Stylus Pro 3800. This is deservedly so since image quality is about as good as it gets, it can handle sheet paper up to 17X22", its ink cartridges are relatively large, and the price is right.

But as experienced photographers know, the cost of a printer soon pales in comparison to the ongoing costs of inks and paper. Today's article is therefore a detailed cost analysis of ink usage on the 3800 by regular contributor Mark Segal titled, appropriately enough Epson 3800 Printing Costs.

---

23 July, 2008 - Nikon 700 - The What & The Why - A First Field Report

What if a major camera maker took their flagship camera, released not much more than six months before, and introduced a smaller, lighter, and significantly less expensive version, yet one which retains some 95% of the goodness of its predecessor?

That's exactly what Nikon did when it announced the D700 on July 1st. Scheduled to ship within the next couple of weeks, the D700 shaves considerable weight and bulk off the D3, and costs some US $2,000 less. It's also aimed squarely at the market segment currently occupied by the Canon 5D and its soon to appear successor.

I've been shooting with a production D700 for the past week and my first impressions field report, titled Nikon D700 – The What & The Why, is now online.

UPDATE

Since this review first appeared there has been some discussion and debate as to why I didn't mention the D700's autofocus performance. The reason is simple – just as with the sensor and autoexposure system, the D700's autofocus is identical to that of the D3, so there really isn't anything new to say. People seem to be looking for problems and issues where there really aren't any.

---

29 July, 2008 - Lightroom 2.0 Guide, DNG Profile Editor and Much More!

Adobe has announced today that Lightroom 2.0 is shipping and available for purchase from their online store. Lightroom 2 has been available as a free beta for several months now, but the final shipping version has quite a number of exciting enhancements that were not found in the public beta.

Today also sees the introduction of The Luminous Landscape Guide to Adobe Lightroom 2. This is a 7.5 hour long download video that provides in-depth coverage of every aspect of this new program . It features Michael Reichmann and Jeff Schewe as on-camera hosts, and was produced by Chris Sanderson. Jeff and Michael are long-time internal Lightroom alpha and beta testers, and have great familiarity with all of the programs features. This video features complete coverage of Lightroom, not just the program's new features.

The LL Guide to Lightroom 2 is available now as a download for just $39.95. A $5 discount coupon is available on request to anyone who previously purchased our Lightroom 1.x video. (Please be patient. Due to high demand receipt of the coupon may take a day or so for processing.)

There are two exciting new capabilities in the shipping version of Lightroom 2 that were not in the public beta. The first of these is a local gradient tool. We now have online a preview of The LL Guide to Lightroom 2 and an introduction to the gradient tool.

We have also placed online a complimentary 4 minute long video excerpt from The LL Guide to Lightroom 2 describing how to upgrade your Lightroom 1.x catalog to Lightroom 2.


The second exciting new capability of Lightroom 2, and also Adobe Camera Raw 4.5, (now available) is the introduction today of the DNG Profile Editor, and associated profiles for virtually every raw file format in existence. Our exclusive introduction and tutorial to The DNG Profile Editor and its uses is now online.

Ian Lyons, another of the internal alpha and beta testers for Lightroom, has published a review of What's New and Improved in Lightroom 2.

Jeff Schewe has a number of stories about Lightroom 2 on Lightroom-News.com.

---

1 August, 2008 - In Brief

UPDATE

Many readers will be aware that there has been on ongoing issue regarding the autofocus on Canon's 1D MKIII and 1Ds MKIII cameras for more than a year since introduction. These issues have been addressed by Canon several times but a cloud has consequently hung over the latest One series cameras.

Rob Galbraith has been at the forefront of reporting on and testing this issue, and today, in what is possibly his final installment on the topic, Rob reports on his latest findings. Rob's conclusion? You really need to read the entire report, and recognize that Rob's concerns exist at the extremes of usage, but they are nevertheless quite definitive.

"Canon has put considerable effort into correcting and improving EOS-1D Mark III autofocus in the 14 months since the cameras was introduced, but they have not yet made it, or its high-resolution counterpart the EOS-1Ds Mark III, deliver reliable autofocus of subjects in motion".

Non-English speakers may not realize it but selected articles from The Luminous Landscape are regularly translated into several different languages, available on sites around the world. The latest is in Hungarian, published by Sandor Nagy.

Nikon is making available a buffer memory upgrade for the Nikon D3. This upgrade requires that camera be sent to a Nikon service center, and costs approximately $500. You can read about the program and the buffer increases' advantages on Nikon's Canadian web site. If you're interested in having your camera upgraded you should visit the Nikon web site for your country for further information.

Of course, this announcement raises several questions. Among these are; 1 – Why is this being announced now, shortly after the announcement of the D700? Is it a way of creating a further differentiator between the two otherwise very similar but quite differently priced cameras? 2 – Will new D3 bodies in future come with the additional ram, or will this remain an after-market upgrade? 3 – Is this a foretaste of an upcoming new model from Nikon, the D3x; a higher resolution model built on the same body style? This would make sense, since a 20+ megapixel camera would want to have a larger buffer due to the larger file sizes.

---

4 August, 2008 - SD Version of our Lightroom 2 Video Tutorial now Available

Our Lightroom 2 video tutorial, released last week, is now available in a Standard Definition version as well as a High Definition version.

---

5 August, 2005 - New Four Thirds Micro System Announced

Olympus and Panasonic have announced a new variation on the Four Thirds system called Four Thirds Micro. You can read all about it at the above link.

As regular readers know, I have not been a big fan of the Four Thirds format since its inception. The format's promise was that it would allow for smaller and lighter lenses and cameras. It never really delivered on that promise when it came to cameras, though lenses offered some weight and size advantages. The shorter focal lengths did increase DOF though, which some photographers found not to their taste.

This new standard keeps the sensor size the same while specifying a smaller lens diameter and shorter rear lens flange to sensor plane distance. This will indeed allow for smaller and lighter cameras and lenses because it means that these cameras will not be able to use an SLR design with optical viewing.

Given that we've now started to see cameras with APS-C sized sensors in small form factors (the Sigma DP-1 is just the first of many to come) and we've seen with the Leica M8 that shallow lens-to-sensor distances are possible due to advances in micro-lens design, it again seems to me that Four Thirds simply doesn't offer any really compelling advantages. I could be wrong though – it wouldn't be the first time.

But, having stated my concerns, I think that what we're going to be seeing from Four Thirds Micro is a new generation of hybrid cameras proving both stills and videos, as discussed in my convergence article a few months ago. Olympus and Panasonic say as much in their announcement, and this approach could well lead to a new generation of cameras which change the game. There may be something to this new format after all.

---

6 August, 2008 - Newfoundland - A Northern Landscape

I had the pleasure of spending a week shooting in Newfoundland earlier this summer. I was shooting with the new Phase One 645 camera and a report on this was published here in June. Additional photographs taken on that trip have appeared on the site's home page since then as well.

Photographer Andrew Masur also visited Newfoundland this summer, and today has contributed a travel piece titled Newfoundland – A Northern Landscape.

---

7 August, 2008 - Nikon P6000 Announced

As forecast on this page a while ago, Nikon has announced its hotest new pocket digicam for serious photographers, the P6000. It looks to be a direct competitor to the Canon G9, while upping the ante with built-in GPS and Ethernet connectivity.

But, though it has raw capability, the P6000 doesn't shoot Nikon's NEF format, instead producing .NRW files using Windows Imaging Component under Vista. Very curious.

When I queried Nikon about this I was told that they would eventually be producing a codec so that third party applications could decode these files, but I have to ask – why the hassle?  Why can't camera makers keep life simple for themselves as well as their customers? Who at Nikon thought that this was a good idea?!

Just imagine. If the P6000 could produce DNG files anyone could buy it and immediately use any raw processing program. Since more people could enjoy the camera because it was compatible with virtually every computer platform and raw processing program more people likely would buy it. What a thought.

But I guess some folks at Nikon's product planning department don't think that expanding availability and increasing potential sales is a good idea. Instead we're saddled with another proprietary raw format and a snub to Mac users who comprise a significant portion of the pro and semi-pro photographic community. Makes no sense to me.

UPDATE

For more on why Nikon's use of Windows Imaging Component is a bad idea, have a look at this commentary.

"The Coolpix P6000 looks like a very sweet camera. The advanced controls, the built in GPS and the ethernet port are just the features I’m looking for in an advanced compact. But if Nikon is arrogant enough to not let me access my own camera RAW data except through a system that makes me a hostage of both Nikon (bad) and Microsoft (worse), I think I’ll pass on this one".

Nikon pundit and expert Thom Hogan seems to agree that the P6000's new raw format is a bad idea. Here's part of what he has to say on his commentary page dated 7 April, 2008.

"Personally, I'm disappointed in Nikon's Coolpix efforts since the 8800, and the P6000 actually increases that disappointment. My advice is to look at the Ricoh GX-200 and the Panasonic LX-3 if you want a quality compact camera in the near term. Both have true raw support. Both are excellent, photographer-centric cameras. And with care using raw conversion, both produce fine results at low ISO values. Looks like I need a new Coolpix bumper sticker to add to my collection: Skip the P6000".

And as for Mac users, who constitute a potentially large segment of the potential users of a high-end pocket camera with raw capability, looks like we're SOL. Here's what Thomas Knoll has written on an Adobe user forum...

"WIC is Windows only.

Even on Windows, WIC is basically useless for Camera Raw/Lightroom type applications".

I'm afraid that this is beginning to look like Nikon's white balance encryption fiasco all over again. Seems like Canon aren't the only ones tripping over their own shoe laces these days.

---

8 August, 2008 - Tripping Over Nikon's Shoe Laces

Yesterday Nikon announced several new Coolpix cameras. Many were pleased to learn more about the P6000, which had been rumoured for some weeks. The concept appears good, challenging the Canon G9, and adding a few neat wrinkles of its own. A likely worthy entry by Nikon, potentially aimed at serious photographers looking for a competent pocket camera with raw capability.

Unfortunately it turns out, as noted here yesterday, that the P6000 has crippled raw capability. This has raised a considerable firestorm of angry commentary on this site's forum as well as others.

For more on why Nikon's use of Windows Imaging Component is a bad idea, have a look at this commentary.

"The Coolpix P6000 looks like a very sweet camera. The advanced controls, the built in GPS and the ethernet port are just the features I’m looking for in an advanced compact. But if Nikon is arrogant enough to not let me access my own camera RAW data except through a system that makes me a hostage of both Nikon (bad) and Microsoft (worse), I think I’ll pass on this one".

Nikon pundit and expert Thom Hogan seems to agree that the P6000's new raw format is a bad idea. Here's part of what he has to say on his commentary page dated 7 April, 2008.

"Personally, I'm disappointed in Nikon's Coolpix efforts since the 8800, and the P6000 actually increases that disappointment. My advice is to look at the Ricoh GX-200 and the Panasonic LX-3 if you want a quality compact camera in the near term. Both have true raw support. Both are excellent, photographer-centric cameras. And with care using raw conversion, both produce fine results at low ISO values. Looks like I need a new Coolpix bumper sticker to add to my collection: Skip the P6000".

And as for Mac users, who constitute a potentially large segment of the potential users of a high-end pocket camera with raw capability, looks like we're SOL. Here's what Thomas Knoll has written on an Adobe user forum...

"WIC is Windows only.

Even on Windows, WIC is basically useless for Camera Raw/Lightroom type applications".

I'm afraid that this is beginning to look like a repeat of Nikon's white balance encryption fiasco. Seems like Canon aren't the only ones tripping over their own shoe laces these days.

---

11 August, 2008 - The Call : What's Involved in Doing a Commercial Shoot?

Have you ever wondered what's involved to doing a large-scale commercial shoot? One of the world's leading commercial photographers, James Russell, today gives us his often humorous recollections of doing a recent product shoot for his client, medium format back maker Phase One. The article is titled The Call.

Don't neglect to watch the video of the shoot linked about half-way down the page.

---

12 August, 2008 - Sign of The Times

I'm greatly enjoying watching the Olympics on TV. Having done quite a bit of sports photography in my days as a staff photographer at CBC Television, it's always interesting to catch a glimpse of pros at work.

---

16 August, 2008 - Image Disembodiment : Is the fine art print history?

For most creative photographers the fine art print is the end goal of our work. But will it always be thus? Today, contributor Bernard Languillier asks the question in our latest essay titled Image Disembodiment.

Our summer contest in which you can win a lens of your choice is coming to a close in a couple of weeks. Any purchase from our online store qualifies you to enter, and each new purchase is a new entry.

---

20 August, 2008 - Thinking in Themes : 'Camera to Print' now on DVD ROM from Calumet

William Neill is one of America's leading landscape photographers, and is becoming a regular contributor to this site. Today he shares with us his thoughts in Thinking in Themes.

---

21 August, 2008 - Fun!

This is great fun. Be patient, let it download, and then watch the whole thing.

---

25 August, 2008 - Across Iceland's Remote Landscapes

Over the past seven years I've been to Iceland five times to do landscape photography. It remains one of my all-time favourite locations.

Though the summer season there is now drawing to a close, for many it will be the time to start considering a trip for next year. With that in mind Ben Hattenbach gives us a very good introduction to some of Iceland's best photographic locations in In Search Of Light – Across Iceland’s Remote Landscapes.

---

26 August, 2008 - Canon 50D Announced

---

27 August, 2008 - Nikon D90 DSLR with HD Video Mode Announced

---

29 August, 2008 - Street Photography in China

China has been much in the news recently. As many now know, there are at last two different Chinas – the hyper-modern industrial country and the ancient one. Both offer amazing photographic opportunities.

Colin Jones, who speaks the language and has lived there, today provides us with a look at Street Photography in China, in Chongqing.

---

1 September, 2008 - Understanding Video

The net is abuzz with discussions about the new generation of DSLRs with video capability. The Nikon D90 is the first, but there are others coming in the days and months ahead. I doubt if within 18 months there will be a DSLR at any price point that doesn't have video built in. (I am calling these cameras combocams).

There is an apparent lack of understanding by many still photographers of video technology and the developments currently taking place. This is seen at the moment on many web forums. I have therefore written a new essay titled Understanding Video, which appears here today.

I am also beginning today a new discussion forum section titled Combocams – Stills, Video and Beyond. Join us to discuss and learn more about this exciting change to our industry.
"I wanted to congratulate you on your LL guide to Lightroom 2 which I've just watched in a marathon single sitting while trying out the techniques demonstrated on a second monitor. Despite managing a database  of 40,000 images in Lightroom this is the first time I've really deeply understood this software. The tutorial was extremely thorough, clear and enlightening. I cant wait to incorporate this new knowledge into my daily work".

---

4 September, 2008 - Lenses and Workshops


Phase One has announced that together with Hartblei they will be releasing a revised version of that company's 45 mm f/3.5 Super Rotator lens. I reviewed this lens favourably about five years ago when I was working with a Contax 645 system.

According to Phase One they and Hartblei have engineered several important design advancements into the lens, including...

1.    New 2008 batch optical glass with multi-layer coating

2.    Improved 12 blade aperture design
3.    Mechanics with tighter tolerances
4.    New interior antireflection coating
5.    More streamlined mechanical design

This lens will be available in Mamiya / Phase One 645 mount beginning in Q4 of this year. Oh yes – one more thing – the price will be US $3,990. By way of comparison, when I bought mine 5 years ago it cost $995. (The Hartblei web site indicates that this lens is no longer available from them directly).

Two of my colleagues, Alain Briot and Pierre Calquin have announced new and revised photographic workshop schedules.

"I wanted to congratulate you on your LL guide to Lightroom 2 which I've just watched in a marathon single sitting while trying out the techniques demonstrated on a second monitor. Despite managing a database  of 40,000 images in Lightroom this is the first time I've really deeply understood this software. The tutorial was extremely thorough, clear and enlightening. I cant wait to incorporate this new knowledge into my daily work".

---

5 September, 2008 - Zeiss Distagon 18mm f/3.5 Field Report

I leave on Monday for a two week photo safari / workshop in Botswana, Africa. The house is buzzing this weekend as my wife and I try and fit all of our gear within the severe weight and size restrictions that current international travel imposes, not to mention the weight constraints imposed by the small planes and helicopters that we'll be flying on when in-country.

I'll have a small write-up here on this prep before I leave, and then a "how it worked" article after I get back. The fact that I'll be shooting video as well as stills on this trip definitely complicates things.

Zeiss has been making selected lenses in Nikon, Pentax and a few other mounts for the past few years. Their latest, just made available, is the Distagon 18mm f/3.5. I've had an opportunity to work with one for a few days recently and me field report is now online.
"I wanted to congratulate you on your LL guide to Lightroom 2 which I've just watched in a marathon single sitting while trying out the techniques demonstrated on a second monitor. Despite managing a database  of 40,000 images in Lightroom this is the first time I've really deeply understood this software. The tutorial was extremely thorough, clear and enlightening. I cant wait to incorporate this new knowledge into my daily work".

---

7 September, 2008 - The Problem with Photographing the Beautiful and Famous

Do you enjoy photographing the usual or the unusual? Do famous locations make the smile or sweat? Today's essay by contributor George Barr is titled The Problem With Photographing The Beautiful and The Famous and will provide some food for thought.
I am now on my way to Botswana, where together with Andy Biggs I will be conducting a wildlife workshop / safari. I will be back on September 23rd, and offline until that time.

I will therefore not be able to respond to any e-mails, and our customer service department is also on minimal duty.

The site's Forum is operational, but no new registrations are being accepted at this time. The reason for this is that the site is under constant attack by spammers and pornographers, and so each application is visually checked while we are available – which we are not currently.

Our store remains open though and we appreciate your orders and your business.

This is an exciting month in the photographic industry, with many new cameras and other photographic items to be announced leading up to and at Photokina. I'll be away for much of the lead-up to Photokina, but I will also have some surprises (plural) in store for you during the next couple of weeks. Keep your eye on this page (What's New) because you never know when something of considerable interest might appear.

---

10 September, 2008 - Sony Announces 25MP Full Frame A900 DSLR - Review

Though we've known pretty much what to expect and when, Sony announcement of their 25 Megapixel full frame A900 is still very exciting. This makes it currently the highest resolution sensor in any 35mm format DSLR.

Our colleague Nick Rains has been using an A900 for the past week, and in his exclusive Sony A900 Field Report gives us his initial impressions.

Please note that I am currently on a shoot in Botswana and therefore unable to respond to any e-mails until I return on September 23rd.

---

23 September, 2008 - Home Again & Delayed Canon 5D MKII Video Report Online

I have just returned from a two week photo safari in Botswana, only to discover that world financial markets had melted down and my Canon 5D MKII report, which should have been published on Sept 17th by one of our staff, wasn't.

Since the former puts the latter issue in perspective, it's hard to be too upset about it. So, better a week late than never, here is what I wrote...

Ps: Lots to write about our safari shooting experience in the days ahead. First priorities though are dealing with my suitcase, which Air France managed to lose somewhere between Maun, Botswana, Johanseburg, Paris and Toronto, and also some 700 emails that need responses. But – jet lag awaits, so I'll give it a few days.

Sept 17, 2008

As few knowledgeable observes doubted they would, Canon has announced its replacement for the somewhat long-in-the-tooth 5D. The 5D Mark II is a considerable upgrade, with a 21 Megapixel sensor, enhanced high ISO capability, and all of the current Canon niceties, such as sensor dust removal and a high res LCD screen.

Of considerable excitement to those that have been forecasting stills / video convergence (yours truly included) the new 5D MKII is able to shoot high definition video, in 1080P resolution using the advanced H264 video codec.

I was able to spend a couple of days working with a pre-production camera earlier this month, before leaving on my safari expedition to Botswana, and my exclusive report focusing on the 5D MKII's video capabilities along with some sample footage is now online.

This article contains a video report as well as sample footage from the 5D MKII –  which was inadvertently omitted during the first hour that the piece was online. Sorry about that – jet lag at work I'm afraid.

UPDATES

When I tested the 5D MKII earlier this month I had virtually no information from Canon – just the camera itself. I then left for 2 weeks in Africa with instructions that the article be published on the product's announcement date while I was away .

Getting back and discovering that the piece had not been published, as I'd instructed, I put it online as quickly as possible. What I discovered since is that the 5D MKII shoots in 1080P not 1080i. Cool. But, not what I'd originally written. Sorry about that. No harm, no foul.


The first of what will likely be a considerable portfolio of new photographs taken this month in Botswana is now online on the site's Home Page. A full write up, discussion of equipment used, and shooting situations will also follow, as well as images from some of the trip's members.

---

23 September 2008 - Photokina 2008 Announcements and Commentary

Photokina opens today, and though a number of products were already announced during the past two weeks (while I was off the grid), there are several exciting news items today and assuredly more to come.

My Photokina 2008 page is now online and will be updated over the next week as further interesting products are announced.

The site's Discussion Forum is now open to new registrations, after being closed while I was in Botswana.

---

24 September, 2008 - Photokina and Industry News Continues...

While the major announcements seem to have all been made news continues to come out of the exhibition halls at Photokina. My Photokina 2008 page continues to be updated with new reports and commentary.

---

25 September, 2008 - Okavango : A Botswana Portfolio Begins

Having just returned from my recent safari / workshop shoot in Botswana I have been working on my files, and the second image from my upcoming Okavango portfolio and exhibition is now online on the site's Home Page.

I have also started a page titled Okavango which will feature new images every few days, and which also includes a discussion of the shots, equipment used, shooting conditions, and processing techniques.

I also expect to publish images taken by various safari members as they become available.

---

26 September, 2008 - Photokina Update

The product news is thinning out from Photokina, but there are some new stories to be had, and several more have just been added to my ongoing report.

Update: A report which I published originally about Sinar and Leaf turns out to have been incorrect. I have now published new information which clarifies the situation and have apologized to Sinar for my error.

My Botswana portfolio page has also had a new addition.

---

2 October, 2008 - Nikon D90 Video Review

Nikon was the first to announce and now ship a DSLR with video capability – the D90. I have spent the past week working with one, focusing on its video capabilities, and my exclusive review is now online along with sample footage.
The photograph on the Home Page has been updated with another from my September shoot in Botswana, and the Botswana portfolio page has been updated.

---

5 October, 2008 - Pro Convergence on RED

It seems to me that most amateur photographers aren't terribly excited about stills / video convergence. That's OK – they don't have to be – yet.

But for working pros it's another matter. A just published article in the pro journal PDN, titled Seeing RED, looks at how sometime National Geographic photographer David McLain used the ultra high-definition Red One camcorder to shoot a print and video campaign in Baja for clothing company Horny Toad.

A new business opportunity is emerging for professional shooters and a new art form is developing for adventurous amateurs. Ignore it at your peril.

Stay tuned.
I have been asked to be the first speaker in The Toronto Camera Club's 2008–2009 Lecture Series. My talk will include a presentation on my September shoot in Botswana and also a look at forthcoming trends in the photographic industry. If you live in southern Ontario or upstate New York I hope to see you there this coming Thursday evening, October 9th.

---

7 October, 2008 - Safari Member's Photographs

I have just published a collection of images taken in Botswana by a few members of our safari. It was a great group of people, and some very strong work resulted.

I have also added a new photograph to my own safari portfolio.

---

11 Oct, 2008 - Dye Transfer Print Opportunity

If you've ever seen a Dye Transfer print made by a master printer you'll understand why it is considered to have the widest colour gamut and tonal range of any photographic printing process. Unfortunately Kodak stopped making dye transfer materials more than a decade ago.

There are still a few practitioners making dye transfer prints, and one of these is my friend Ctein, who when he learned that the process would be no more mortgaged his house and filled freezers full of the necessary materials. He is now one of the handful of people left in the world that still does dye transfer printing. Kodak once called him "the world's greatest living printer", and who am I to argue with that acolade?

The reason that I mention this is because another friend of mine, Mike Johnston, a long-time contributor to this site, and now the publisher of The Online Photographer, have gotten together to offer readers an opportunity to purchase a couple of Ctein images, custom printed using the dye transfer process, for just $100 each, or two for $180.

If you are a lover of fine photography and lovely prints this may be the last time for you to purchase an original dye transfer, especially at such a low price. I say – got for it.

You can view a video clip from an in-depth interview which I did with Ctein a few years ago. It can be found in its entirety in the Issue #11 DVD of The Luminous Landscape Video Journal.

_____________________

Lovers of film will be pleased to learn that Kodak is releasing a new colour negative emulsion – Ektar 100, with extreemly fine grain and high saturation characteristics.

---

15 October, 2008 - Adobe CS4 Now Shipping

Adobe has announced that Creative Suite 4 (CS4) is now shipping in its numerous versions and upgrade configurations. Also available today are new versions of Photoshop CS4, Photoshop CS4 Extended, InDesign CS4, Illustrator® CS4, Flash CS4 Professional, Dreamweaver CS4,  etc, etc. – Whew.

Prepare to stretch your wallet.

_____________________

Phase One has released (finally) Capture One 4 Pro. Capture One 4 PRO is free for registered users of Capture One PRO 3.x.  Its estimated street price is USD399 and EUR299.  Recommended minimum system requirements are Macintosh OS X 10.5.5 or later, Intel® based processor, or Microsoft Windows® XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1 and Windows .NET Framework v3, Intel Pentium 4® processor, 1 GB RAM and a 1280 x 800 resolution screen.

_____________________

One-on-One Printing Training Sessions at my gallery / studio in Toronto have proven to be very popular. So popular that for the past couple of months I have had to stop promoting them as I was overbooked.

My time has eased up a bit for the rest of the year and I am now accepting new bookings for selected dates in November and December.

---

16 October, 2008 - Panasonic LX-3 Review

A new generation of pocket-sized cameras that can shoot raw have just become available – the Panasonic LX-3, the Nikon P6000, and the Canon G10.

My review of the LX-3 is now online, and will be followed within the next two weeks by a comparison between the new Nikon and Canon. That review will also include how the Pansonic stacks up against the other two. Watch for it.

_____________________

I have also just updated my Botswana portfolio with another new image.

---

23 October, 2008 - You've Got to be Kidding!

The rate of change in the digital camera industry continues to accelerate. The Nikon D700 provides D3 image quality at half the price, and soon the Canon 5D MKII will equal the image quality of the Canon 1Ds MIII at a third the price. The trend is inexorable.

I recently started testing the new Canon G10 pocket digicam and have been shaken by the image quality. In You've Got to be Kidding! I look at the image quality that this camera is capable of and informally compare it to medium format.

No – I'm not kidding.

_____________________

Epson US has officially announced its next generation of professional ink jet printers – the 24-inch Epson Stylus Pro 7900 and the 44-inch Epson Stylus Pro 9900. These use new Ultrachrome HDR inks, print at twice the speed of previous models and offer a wider colour gamut. The printers feature 10 ink channel heads and have automatic black switching.

The Epson Stylus Pro 7900 and 9900 will be available in November for $3,995 and $5,995 (MSRP) respectively.

I expect to begin testing a 7900 printer at my studio next week, and will have a full test report here as soon as possible.

_____________________

Adobe has just released their Camera Raw 5.1 and Lightroom 2.1 updates. These include support for a slew of new cameras. This is the first version of Camera Raw designed exclusively for use with Photoshop CS4.

---

29 October, 2008 - The Nikon P6000 and Canon G10 Duke it Out

Canon and Nikon are competitive in almost every market segment. Now with their two new cameras, the updated Canon G10 and the brand new Nikon P6000 we have a new battelground – pocket digicams with raw capability and optical viewfinders.

My latest review, Pocket Battleships, is now online.

---

1 November, 2008 - Biggs and Reid and P65+ Impression

Two items of passing interest today – my friend Andy Biggs has just won this year's Wild Places catagory in the 2008 BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. It was a shot taken on our joint 2006 Namibia photographic expedition. You can see the image and read more about it here. Congratulations Andy!

Sean Reid at Reidreviews has just published his first impressions report on the new medium format Leica S2. The camera and proposed lens system is enough to make one salivate, though the prices will likely lead to cardiac arrest for most folks. (This site is subscription based).

_____________________

I had an opportunity this past week to spend a couple of hours shooting with the recently announced Phase One P65+ back. I also did some comparisons with a P45+.

Since the back is one of just a handful of pre-production backs available in the world, and my time with it was quite limited, I'll hold off on doing a formal first-look report. But my initial impressions are very favourable, and the increase in resolution from 39 Megapixels to 60.5 MP is definately noticable. Frankly, just about every aspect of image quality is just amazing.

As soon as a production P65+ is available I expect to do a full field test report and I also hope to have one to use on my upcoming January expedition to Antarctica.

_____________________

Michael, I just finished From Camera to Print, and I want to thank
you and Jeff for a seminar in which I feel like I learned to fly!
I learned so much that now I need to go back and watch again,
and take some serious notes.
I've made some nice prints in the past,
but with all this new knowledge,
I can only imagine what those old prints will
look like when I apply all this new knowledge.
So, a heartfelt "Thank You" to you both!

For those of you who think haven't bought it, what are you waiting
for? If you're anything like me, you'll be blown away by it. It may be
over six hours, but the conversational manner in which it is taught is
entertaining AND educational.

I'm starting on the Lightroom tutorial as I write this.
Great stuff, Michael.

---

3 November, 2008 - Making the Epson 3800 and Lightroom Play Well Together

The Epson 3800 and Adobe Lightroom are each at the top of their class. But, when it comes to B&W printing in Epson's Advanced Black and White mode they just don't play well together.

Adobe's Eric Chan has now created "profiles" that let us print accurately in ABW mode, and these are freely available for most popular papers. Find out more.

---

6 November, 2008 - Impression of Light

Several things vie for your attention today.

Apple has announced the update of Aperture to V2.3. This adds support for several new cameras including the Canon 50D, Nikon D90, Sony A900 and Nikon P6000. (No Canon G10 though. Pitty).

_____________________

DxO has announced the release of Optics Pro v5.3. In addition to new high ISO support on certain cameras raw support has been added for the Nikon D700, Canon Rebel XS and Canon G9. (Hello DxO – the G9 was discontinued and has been replaced with the G10).

_____________________

My friend Andy Biggs, a leading wildlife photographer and African photo safari guide, has announced a new line of camera bags called Gura Gear. His first product, the Kiboko backpack is now shipping.

I have been testing and using the Kiboko for the past few months and used it on our joint Botswana photo safari workshop in September. The bag is superb – designed by a photographer for photographers.

My review of the Kiboko will appear here next week. In the meantime – Highly Recommended.

_____________________

William Neill is one of the most talented landscape and nature photographers working in the American Southwest today. I am a huge fan of his work, and he has recently started to contribute articles to this site.

Bill has a new e-book available, called Impressions of Light, and an essay on the techniques used to produce the images for this new book is found here today.

---

8 November, 2008 – An exclusive interview with Henry Wilhelm

In the late Summer of 2008 I interviewed Henry Wilhelm, the world's preeminent authority on print permanence and the founder of Wilhelm Imaging Research. This interview was conducted on behalf of Epson, to be used as part of their 2008/2009 Epson Print Academy. The clip used by Epson was edited down to 14 minutes for use in The Print Academy.

Because the complete interview contains so much more fascinating and valuable information about current printing technology and materials than can be contained in 14 minutes, with the agreement of Epson we have put together a more complete version of this important interview. This runs slightly more than one hour.

We are making it available here online at no charge in two versions. the video full interview and also in audio-only format.

We hope that you enjoy this fascinating interview. It should prove to be a worthwhile resource for anyone interested in the state of contemporary print making.

---

12 November, 2008 - Foveon Sold

It has been announced that Sigma Corp. has acquired Foveon. Long held out by some as the holy grail of sensors, because it locates all three colours on the same photo site rather than using a matrix approach to colour, Foveon never caught on with any other DSLR maker except Sigma. Now it looks like it'll become exclusive through ownership if not through the disinclination of others to adopt it.

_____________________

If you're a working professional photographer, or thinking of becoming one, and live in Southern Ontario, you might want to consider a weekend workshop with Rob Davidson on Nov 21,22,23 in Toronto. The business side of things is where many a talented photographer has fallen down. Rob's course is based on many years of teaching at colleges in Ontario.

---

13 November, 2008 - Red Scarlet / Epic Changes the Industry

The Red Scarlet & Epic camera systems were announced this morning. I have prepared an analysis of the various models along with some thoughts on the implications of this remarkable series of product announcements for both photographers and other equipment makers.

RED Changes the Game – Again

_____________________

Thom Hogan is one of the more knowledable and insightful pundits on the digital camera scene, and a leading independant expert on the Nikon system. He has just published his 2009 Nikon predictions, just ahead of Nikon's anticipated new product announcement next week. It covers more than just Nikon gear, and looks at the entire industry, especially in light of the current global economic situation. Insightful.

_____________________

I have several new product tests underway, including a monopod, a great new camera backpack, the Panasonic Micro Four Thirds G1 camera, and the Epson 7900 printer. These will all appear here over the new couple of week. Oh yes – and a number of new printing papers.

---

16 November, 2008 - Jay Maisel Workshops Announced

Jay Maisel is unarguably one of the world's greatest photographers and a wonderful and challenging teacher. I am fortunate to consider Jay Maisel a friend, and we have worked and taught together in the past.

Jay has just announced his late 2008 and early 2009 teaching schedule at his building in New York. I am therefore pleased to use this opportunity to promote it on his behalf.

You can find out more here, which loads a PDF information page.

_____________________

There's some exciting news coming tomorrow (Monday) for those who like test reports and camera comparisons. Check back here first thing tomorrow.

_____________________

Michael, I just finished From Camera to Print, and I want to thank
you and Jeff for a seminar in which I feel like I learned to fly!
I learned so much that now I need to go back and watch again,
and take some serious notes.
I've made some nice prints in the past,
but with all this new knowledge,
I can only imagine what those old prints will
look like when I apply all this new knowledge.
So, a heartfelt "Thank You" to you both!

For those of you who think haven't bought it, what are you waiting
for? If you're anything like me, you'll be blown away by it. It may be
over six hours, but the conversational manner in which it is taught is
entertaining AND educational.

I'm starting on the Lightroom tutorial as I write this.
Great stuff, Michael.

---

17 November, 2008 - DxOMark: Free Comprehensive Camera Comparisons Launched.

The name DxO Labs will be familar to many is the makers of DxO Optics Pro, a very popular image processing and lens correction program.

Today, DxO is launching a free digital SLR comparison test site DxOMark which uses the company's proprietary DxO Analyzer system to generate comparative test results, currently totaling more than 45 current and past model DSLRs.

These data are very well presented, in both numeric and graphic formats, and the site is unique in the industry in terms of the comprehensivness of the data presented.

My introduction to and review of DxOMark is now available.

_____________________

---

20 November, 2008 - Manfrotto Monopod Review

Most of the time monopods don't get much love. But, for some situations and cameras they can spell the difference between getting the shot properly and not.

My review of the Manfrotto 685B Monopod along with an accompanying on-location video is now online.

 

---

22 November, 2008 - Win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel

Has the thought of December being just around the corner got you down? Are the economic hard times that we're in depressing you?

Need a new camera? Need to perk up your photography skills a bit?

Well – we have a solution. Simply enter our December Anti-Depression Contest for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

24 November, 2008 - Kiboko from Gura Gear

Which is the best camera bag? Good question. There are literally hundreds of models in various sizes, shapes and configurations available. But if you fly commercially to get to your shooting location, then factors such as size, weight and airline acceptability come into play.

My friend Andy Biggs travels several times a year to shoot and conduct photographic workshops in Africa and elsewhere. He has tried almost every bag available, and has found them all wanting in one way or another.

Now, Andy has founded a new company, Gura Gear, with the express purpose of designing and producing the lightest and most transportable bags possible, using the highest quality materials. I used his first bag, the Kiboko, on my recent trip to Botswana. This bag is now shipping, and my review is online.

_____________________

Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

28 November, 2008 - Panasonic G1 Field Report

This is an interesting time for anyone following new camera announcements and shipments. Panasonic shipped the G1 a few weeks ago and Sony the A900 earlier this month. This week sees the Canon 5D MKII started to ship in some markets, and next Monday will have the announcement by Nikon of the D3x.

I am currently on a trip to Arizona shooting with the 25MP Sony A900, and will have my review online within a couple of weeks. Once a production review sample of the 5D MKII is available to me you can expect a comparison between it and the original 5D. And when the D3x finally ships I plan on doing a three-way comparison between it and the Sony A900 and Canon 1Ds MKIII.

In the meantime, I am publishing today my field report on the Panasonic G1 camera, a very exciting offering for those that need to travel light.

_____________________

This is an update for those familar with my friend Alexis, who is recovering from brain tumor surgery, and who we all helped with a fund-raising print sale earlier this year. I am pleased to report that I am spending this Thanksgiving holiday week with her, her friends and her extended family at her brother's ranch retreat near Tuscon Arizona. Alexis continues with her chemo theraphy and is putting on a brave fight with cancer. She sends her heart-felt thanks to the many hundreds of people around the world who helped financially through print purchases. The proceeds from that sale have made a huge difference in her ability to afford specialized medical care. Her thoughts are with you all.

_____________________

Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

1 Dec, 2008 - Nikon D3 Announced : Pricing Comment Update Added

As expected by most observers, and quite a few months late according to others, Nikon announced today the D3x, their 24 Megapixel version of the highly regarded D3. You can find out more here and download a 28 page PDF brochure here.

The D3x will become available before the end of this month and will carry the hefty price tag of US $8,000. In the face of the 24 MP Sony A900 and 21 MP Canon 5D MKII, both retailing at under $3,000, is the D3x's price a bridge too far, especially in today's economy?

UPDATE

When I started to digest the Nikon D3x's $8000 price over breakfast, and in light of my recent testing of the 24 Megapixel Sony A900 with its amazing Zeiss lenses, on an impulse I called my dealer and cancelled my standing order for one.

It seems to me that at a $3000 premium over the otherwise almost identical D3, and at some $5000 more than the Canon 5D MKII and Sony A900, the pricing of the Nikon (especially in our current crisis economy) is simply out to lunch. A $1,000 premium I could have understood. Maybe even, $1,500. But with only more megapixels on offer I simply find the D3x to be financially out of tune with the realities of today's marketplace.

So I sat down to write an essay based on these thoughts, but then got a call from a friend asking if I'd seen what Nikon pundit Thoms Hogan had written this morning. Once I had read it I decided that Thom had made all of the points that I had intended to, so I'll let his words stand for my own.

Nikon – I think you've misjudged the marketplace and not to mention the temper of the times as well.

_____________________

Speaking of 24 Megapixel cameras., I have spent the past couple of weeks working with the Sony A900. I shot with it extensively last week in Arizona, and today's Home Page photograph is one with which I am particularly pleased. My full field report on the Sony A900 will appear here before next weekend.

_____________________

While I was traveling last week I published my Panasonic G1 review. In it I mistakenly wrote that the camera lacks depth of field preview. I was dead wrong on this (brain fade?), and I have just added an update to my review correcting this inexplicable error.

_____________________

Alain Briott has just published a new schedule of workshops for 2009. You can find out more through links on our Workshops page. A new essay by Alain will appear here later this week.

---

2 Dec, 2008 - Judging Value

There has been a lot of speculation on this site's forum as well as others as to why I cancelled my Nikon D3x order after learning its price yesterday. Below is a paraphrase of a reply which I posted to our forum earlier today, but which I'll repeat here as well.

Because I believe in long-term and field testing I buy the cameras and lenses that I use. Though I accept short term loans of gear from major manufacturers for testing (especially pre and early production models), these are always returned within days, and rarely held for longer than a week or at most two. Then, every year or two I sell some of the purchased cameras which I've been using to free up capital for new acqusitions.

This means that I can test and use a wide range of equipment over extended periods. When something especially appeals to me I hang onto it it for a long time. I have several cameras that are in that category. Others come in and out in just months, or a year at most, being replaced by the latest model for use and testing. This is my business model. This is why more than a million people a month visit this site, to read my reports and reviews. The financial model works for me.

But, even if buying cameras wasn't a business expense, and even if one can afford something, that doesn't mean that it's good value. My late fatherinlaw was financially well off, but he'd drive miles out of his way to buy gas for 2 cents a gallon less than at the station just across the street. When I asked why, his reply was simply that it was the principle of the matter.

That's something of what I feel about the D3x and why I cancelled my order. Yes, I can afford it, but I simply find it not to represent good value. After testing the 24MP Sony A900 (which I purchased for less than the equivalent of US $2,500 here in Toronto last month) the thought of paying US $8,000 for a camera that that has the same resolution, the same frame rates, a similar large and bright viewfinder, etc,  just seemed to me to be a bad value proposition. The Canon 5DII at well under $3,000 is another current alternative in a full-frame 20+ MP camera.

With the value represented by the Nikon D700 as compared to the D3, and the Canon 5DII as compared to the 1Ds MKIII, I feel that the days of the mega-pro DSLR are numbered for many photographers. Yes, of course they offer superior AF, weather sealing and maybe a slight edge in image quality, but the price differential is enormous, especially now as the world enters a serious recession, if not worse.

So yes, there will be some that buy the D3x, just as there are still those that buy the wonderful Nikon F5 film camera. Nikon is known for fighting rear-guard actions and doing so well. I'm sure that Nikon will still sell some D3's and D3x's, and Canon some 1DMKIII's and 1DsMKIIIs, but I now believe that the days of these cameras as mainstream are passing, as much lower cost and competent alternatives become available.

That was the reasoning behind the cancellation of my D3x order – simply the acceptance that an era has passed, and that the perceived value wasn't there (for me) at the US $8,000 price point given the current economic and technology environment. It might be for others though.

---

3 December, 2008 - Sony A900 Field Review - 24MP and a Great Price

Does the thought of a full-frame, 24 Megapixel camera with a large bright viewfinder and the ablilty to shoot 5 FPS in raw with a deep buffer make you salivate? Does the thought of having to spend $8000 for a camera like this have you weak in the knees?

Well, one alternative is the Sony A900, which started shipping in most markets within the past few weeks. It retails for under US $3,000, offers excellent image quality, and access to some great Zeiss glass as well as a large range of Sony and Konica / Minolta lenses.

I have been field testing the Sony A900 for the past few weeks, including on a recent landscape shoot in Arizona, and my field test report is now online.

_____________________

Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

5 December, 2008 - Interview with Michael Reichmann Online on SmibsTV

A few months ago I was interviewed by SmibsTV, an online video blog which is part of a site oriented towards the needs and interests of entrepreneurs. This interview just appeared online, and runs about 18 minutes. In it I discuss some of my background in the photographic industry, the origins of The Luminous Landscape, and my thoughts on the business as well as creative aspects of what I do.

Oh yes – and I've lost 10 lbs since that interview was done.

_____________________

Michael, I just finished From Camera to Print, and I want to thank
you and Jeff for a seminar in which I feel like I learned to fly!
I learned so much that now I need to go back and watch again,
and take some serious notes.
I've made some nice prints in the past,
but with all this new knowledge,
I can only imagine what those old prints will
look like when I apply all this new knowledge.
So, a heartfelt "Thank You" to you both!

For those of you who think haven't bought it, what are you waiting
for? If you're anything like me, you'll be blown away by it. It may be
over six hours, but the conversational manner in which it is taught is
entertaining AND educational.

I'm starting on the Lightroom tutorial as I write this.
Great stuff, Michael.

---

7 December, 2007 - Of Audiences and Best Sellers

Our regular contributor Alain Briot today provides us with his penetrating thoughts on the relationship between the photographer and the viewer in Of Audiences and Best Sellers.

UPDATE

I rarely laugh out loud at videos on YouTube, but this one almost literally had me on the floor.

Sorry Nikon, I just had to post it. Well, maybe not quite so sorry. We find things the funniest when they are closest to having a ring of truth to them.

Oh yes – and yesterday I bought a second Sony A900 body and another Zeiss prime lens instead of invading Poland. (Just kidding about the Poland part).

_____________________

Speaking of Zeiss lenses, Sean Reid at Reid Reviews has just tested the Zeiss ZF Planar 85mm f/1.4 in both Nikon and Canon EF mounts. Sean is a photographer who tests equipment rather than a tech reviewer that happens to do photographic gear tests, so I place great store in his opinions. Red Reviews is a subscription site, but well worth your time and money.

_____________________

Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

8 December, 2008 - Universal Power

If you travel internationally you know what a hassle it can be dealing with foreign power plugs. Almost all devices are now dual voltage, so transformers aren't necessary any longer, but the world is awash in different wall plug designs.

WonPro has the solution. They sell a power bar that is rated for 250V, so it works anywhere, and which comes with six universal plug points. Add to it a selection of removable power cords, able to plug in anywhere, and you have a universal solution for powering and recharging your laptop, camera batteries, phone, GPS and whatever else when traveling. Highly recommended.

Why do you need universal sockets on a power bar if all of your gear has the same type of plugs? Simple. How many time have you found yourself in a hotel room with one wall outlet by the desk, and it's loaded up with foreign plug style devices such as a desk lamp, TV, clock radio and such. Now, regardless, you can power everything from the same bar including your own devices.

_____________________

My preferred printing paper for more than a year now has been Ilford Gold Fiber Silk. Stupid name, great paper. It also has been one of the most reasonably priced Baryta Fiber papers available.

Word now arrives that the price will be going up by 15% in early January on all dealer orders, so you can expect retail prices to do similarly. Stock up now.

_____________________

The site's Home Page photograph has been updated with one from a new series taken recently at a major league football (American) game. A change of pace, as you'll see in the days ahead.

_____________________

---

10 December, 2008 - Of Camera Tests and Testing

DxO Labs has just updated their DxOMark database with results for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Pentax K200D. Once of the more telling comparisons is between the new 5DMKII and the current 1Ds MKIII, both 21MP cameras of differing capabilities though very similar image quality, but seperated as they are by more than $3,500 in actual retail price. An interesting equation for those not needing some of the MKIII's high-end features.

_____________________

Phil Holland, an experienced professional photographer and film maker has just published his tests of the new Canon 5DMKII. No surprising results – but obviously it's a very appealing camera at a very competative price.

_____________________

The site's Home Page photograph has been updated today with a second one from a new series taken recently at an NFL game. A change of pace from my usual fare.

_____________________

 

Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

11 December, 2008 - Lenswork / Reichmann Folios Now Available

I have been a huge fan for many years of Lenswork magazine. I am therefore very pleased, and honoured, to have a portfolio of my work as well as an interview in the new issue (Jan-Feb, 2009) which will become available in the next couple of weeks. The cover photograph, seen above, is from that collection.

Lenswork is also publishing two Special Edition print folios of my work. The first, with fifteen colour prints, is titled Landscapes from Around the World, and the second, with six B&W images is titled In Their Landscapes.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE SPECIAL EDITION FOLIOS

---

12 December, 2008 - LensAlign : The Simple Backfocus Solution Reviewed

Along with high resolution digital sensors and highly accurate autofocus we also have back-focus and front focus issues. These occur when your $5,000 Wonderflex Mk IXb and APO Groanar f/0.95 lens can't quite agree on what should be in focus.

A handful of the latest high-end DSLRs have come out during the past year or so with AF Micro-Adjustment capability, whereby one can program the camera and lens combination to acheive accurate focus. As of this month, these include the Canon 1D MKIII, 1Ds MKIII, 5DII, 50D, Nikon D3, D3x, D300, D700, Sony A900, and Pentax K20.

But, the challenge has remained – how does one accomplish this? There are several do-it-yourself methods, using rulers, charts and such, but most are problematic for one reason or another.

There's now a better way, the just announced LensAlign from RawWorkflow.com. Find out more in my exclusive review.

_____________________

Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

13 December, 2008 - Antarctic Expedition Spot Available

Due to a last minute cancellation a spot has just opened up in my upcoming Antarctic Photographic Expedition; Jan 9 – 23, 2009.

I knows it's late notice, but if you can make it it's going to be an amazing trip. The single berth is in a Twin Cabin (male).

If you're able to join us, please drop me a line ASAP. First come, first served. 

Noon EST – Sorry SOLD OUT

_____________________

Michael, I just finished From Camera to Print, and I want to thank
you and Jeff for a seminar in which I feel like I learned to fly!
I learned so much that now I need to go back and watch again,
and take some serious notes.
I've made some nice prints in the past,
but with all this new knowledge,
I can only imagine what those old prints will
look like when I apply all this new knowledge.
So, a heartfelt "Thank You" to you both!

For those of you who think haven't bought it, what are you waiting
for? If you're anything like me, you'll be blown away by it. It may be
over six hours, but the conversational manner in which it is taught is
entertaining AND educational.

I'm starting on the Lightroom tutorial as I write this.
Great stuff, Michael.

---

15 December, 2008 - Sony 500mm f/8 Mirror Reflex Lens Reviewed

Mirror reflex lenses used to be popular from the 1960's through the 80's, but with the advent of autofocus and the appearance of image stabilized wide aperture super-telephotos they largely disappeared from the sceen.

But Sony have kept the faith, and with the Sony 500mm f/8 Reflex one finds the world's only mirror reflex lens offering autofocus as well as image stabilization, when used with a Sony Alpha series camera. My field test report is now online.

_____________________

_____________________

Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

16 December, 2008 - Lightroom 2.2 Now Available

As of this morning Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.2 is available immediately as a free upgrade for existing Lightroom 2 users. HELP / CHECK FOR UPDATES or here.

Lightroom 2.2 adds raw support for seven new camera models including the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon PowerShot G10, Panasonic DMC-G1, Panasonic DMC-FX150, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Panasonic DMC-LX3 and Leica D-LUX 4. The update also includes several refinements such as enhanced performance of the local adjustment tools.

In addition, Adobe's Camera Profiles are now available natively within Lightroom 2.2 and are provided automatically as part of this release.

_____________________

Panasonic has published a firmware upgrade for the G1 camera and also for the LX3.

_____________________

UPDATE

If you're an iPhone user I'd like to draw your attention to a must-have program for photographers. Called Focalware, it is the most comprehensive program yet available for forecasting sunrise / sunset, moonrise and moonset, and uniquely it also provides elevation and moon phase info, the only such program that combines all of the above.

You can read a brief review on Moose Peterson's web site and watch a brief video about it on Youtube.

Focalware costs $10, but in my view is well worth the money. Available from the Application Store via iTunes or direct download on your iPhone.

_____________________

---

18 December, 2008 - Mike Johnston Takes the DSLR Bull By The Horns

Mike Johnston is a long time friend, ex-editor of Photo Techniques magazine, and a contributor for many years to this site. He currently publishes The Online Photographer, his unique blog on photography and the industry in general.

Mike has never been one to pull a punch, and in his publication of yesterday, Dec 17, he takes the bull by the horns and gives us his judgement on the current big three of the DSLR industry, the Sony A900, Nikon D700 and Canon 5D MKII.

How does he rank them? Read his blog to find out.

_____________________

Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel. 

---

19 December, 2008 - Colorspace UDMA Review

Exactly a year ago I reviewed the Hyperdrive Colorspace, a very competent portable card reader / hard drive.

A new versions is now available, with a better screen, better interface, faster transfer rate and larger capacity drives. Called the Colorspace UDMA, our review by Nick Devlin is now online.

_____________________

Two low-cost folios by Michael Reichmann
now available from Lenswork Publishing

_____________________

Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

22 December, 2008 - Sony A900 Update and Second Opinion

One of the things that differentiates this site from some other photography related sites is that our reviews aren't usually based on "loaners" from companies – cameras that make the rounds from one reviewer to the next, landing for a week or two and then moving on.

Yes, we do report on such loaners as well, especially when it's a product that is brand new and in short supply. But usually what I and my colleagues do is actually go out and shoot extensively with the cameras and lenses that we write about, because we own the equipment and therefore have it available to us for long term use. After all, we're photographers first, and writers and testers second.

Out of the crop of full-frame 20 MP+ cameras that have started to ship during the past couple of months from Canon, Sony and Nikon I have chosen to focus on the 25 Megapixel Sony A900, buying two bodies and selection of Zeiss and Sony lenses for long term use and testing.

My initial report appeared here at the beginning of this month, and now a couple of thousand frames and about a month on I have just published my Sony A900 Update. I am also publishing today a companion article written by contributor Bill Caulfeild-Browne titled Sony A900 – A Second Opinion.

_____________________

For those in the Canon camp who are feeling left out, Miles Hecker has just published a comparison of the image quality of the 1Ds MKIII, 5D, 50D and 5D MKII.

_____________________

As for Nikonistas, sorry! Though I requested a D3x for review some time ago, and the cameras are now shipping around the world, I was told that one wouldn't be available to me until "later in January". Guess I somehow pissed someone at Nikon off at some point, though I'm not sure who or why. Could it have been my crack that US $8000 was "a bridge too far". Pretty thin skinned of them if that was the case.

Oh well. Sorry, nothing I can do about this until I get back from Antarctica toward the end of January.

_____________________

UPDATE  – Sorry SOLD OUT

Once again a last minute cancellation due to heath reasons has opened two berths in a double cabin on my upcoming Antarctic Photographic Expedition; Jan 9 – 23, 2009. Availability is for a couple or two single individuals.

If you're able to join us, please drop me a line ASAP. First come, first served.

_____________________

 

---

24 December, 2008 - Yes, There is a Santa Claus

Yes Virginia – there is a Santa Claus. Within the past 24 hours I have received a 5D MKII from Canon to take to Antarctica two weeks from now, and Nikon just called to say that a D3x will be available as well.

Excellent news, and my thanks to both companies for making these cameras available for some serious field testing.

I will be bringing a Sony A900 system as well, so it now looks like I'll be able to shoot with all three new systems side by side on this trip. Oh yes – and Phase One is promising a Phase One 645 camera and a 60 Megapixel P65+. My cup runneth over.

I guess we'll all benefit, because its an opportunity for some real-world testing of these new high-end cameras in a very challenging environment. Of course I'll have extensive reports here on all the fun beginning in late January when I return.

In the meantime, my best wishes to everyone
for a very safe and joyous holiday seasons.

_____________________

There are Only Seven Days Left to Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

_____________________

Two low-cost folios by Michael Reichmann
now available from Lenswork Publishing

---

26 December, 2008 - Leica Lenses on a Panasonic G1

In the excitement over the Canon 5D MKII, Nikon D3x, and Sony A900, the little Panasonic G1 Micro 4/3 camera has been somehow overshadowed. But, I've been shooting with it regularly, and find that it is a very welcome tool for street photography, especially because of its palm-sized 40-200mm (90-400mm equivalent) lens. In fact today's somewhat seasonal (at least for snowy Toronto) home page image was shot just a few days ago with this combo.

My friend Sean Reid at Reid Reviews has just done one of his comprehensive reports on the Milich GT Lens Adaptor, which allows LSM (Leica Screw Mount) lenses to be used on this new camera.

There are adaptors coming for Leica M mount lenses as well, and I expect to review the first of these in January. In the meantime find out why the G1 and other forthcoming Micro 4/3 cameras are going to provide exciting versatility to literally hundreds of Leica and Leica compatible lenses. Red Reviews is a subscription site, but well worth your time and money.

_____________________

_____________________

There are Only Five Days Left to Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

---

28 December, 2008 - Shoot-Out : Nikon D3x, Canon 5D MKII and Sony A900 Noise Compared

The past couple of months have seen the launch of three exciting new cameras, the 21 Megapixel Canon 5D MKII, and the 25 Megapixel Sony A900 and Nikon D3x.

As regular readers know, after working primarily with Canon gear for many years, I've been shooting with Nikon equipment for the past 12 months. I have also recently purchased a Sony A900 system for long term testing as well.

With a major shoot in Antarctica coming up in early January, Nikon and Canon were both kind enough to loan me a D3x and a 5D MKII for use during the expedition. So I'll be shooting with all three camera systems in some challenging conditions during January, and will report here late next month on how it all worked out.

But over this past Christmas week I found myself with all three cameras and some free time to see how they compared in terms of image quality. The testing was initially done for my own edification, but I've taken the time to collate the results for everyone to share.

Read my Big Three Noise Shootout – A Year-End Pixel Peeping Extravaganza to find out more. You might be surprised at the results.

_____________________

There are Only 3 Days Left to Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

_____________________

Michael, I just finished From Camera to Print, and I want to thank
you and Jeff for a seminar in which I feel like I learned to fly!
I learned so much that now I need to go back and watch again,
and take some serious notes.
I've made some nice prints in the past,
but with all this new knowledge,
I can only imagine what those old prints will
look like when I apply all this new knowledge.
So, a heartfelt "Thank You" to you both!

For those of you who think haven't bought it, what are you waiting
for? If you're anything like me, you'll be blown away by it. It may be
over six hours, but the conversational manner in which it is taught is
entertaining AND educational.

I'm starting on the Lightroom tutorial as I write this.
Great stuff, Michael.

---

30 December, 2008 - Last Chance

_____________________

There are Only 2 Days Left to Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

_____________________

I am fortunate to count among my friends some of the top photographic instructors in the world. I list their workshops on my Workshops page, and from time to time feature something new that they're doing.

Charles Cramer is one of America's most famous landscape photographers and teachers. For years he and Bill Atkinson have been teaching printing workshops together, but now Bill has decided to retire from these and so Charlie is striking out on his own.

You can find out more about this new series of printing workshops here.

 

---

31 December, 2008 �The Canon 50D Milestone

This is the last day of 2008, and before any additional news I want to take this opportunity to wish you a safe, healthy and hopefully prosperous 2009. Keep your pixels dry.

_____________________

Harold M. Merklinger is a scientist, photographer, author and sometime contributor to this site. Today he provides us with The Canon 50D Milestone, his thoughs on the significance of this new camera.

_____________________

 

There is Only 1 Day Left to Enter our
December Anti-Depression Contest
for a chance to win a Nikon D90 or Canon XSi Rebel.

_____________________

---