Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy

Taken in the main square on Arezzo ( a location in the Italian movie 'Life is Beautiful' ). Camera was a Samsung NX11 with 20-50mm standard zoom. I used the panoramic feature. Edited in Snapseed app on iPhone.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Nikon UK - Digital Cameras - SLR - Consumer - D600 - Digital Cameras, D-SLR, COOLPIX, NIKKOR Lenses

Nikon UK - Digital Cameras - SLR - Consumer - D600 - Digital Cameras, D-SLR, COOLPIX, NIKKOR Lenses

The Nikon D600 has a lot going for it if you are in the market for a DSLR that lies between a consumer level one (such as the D3100) and the Pro level D800 or D4. Also, if you are stepping up from a compact camera and wish to get serious about your photography and can afford it then it probably makes a better buy that say, the D3200, though I recommend looking at the D7000 as well.

Specification-wise it offers:


    24.3-megapixel FX-format (full-frame) CMOS sensor with excellent signal-to-noise ratio and wide dynamic range. Delivers richly detailed images with smooth tonal gradations.
    Highly sensitive autofocus with Multi-CAM4800 39-point AF system: delivers fast and precise coverage across the frame. Sensitive down to -1 EV and compatible up to f/8.
    ISO 100–6400: extendable up to 25,600 (equivalent) and down to 50 (equivalent). Enables faster shutter speeds for finely detailed images with minimal noise.
    Multi-area D-Movie records FX- and DX-format Full HD (1080p) movies in 30p, 25p and 24p. Max recording time approx. 29 minutes 59 seconds. Offers uncompressed HDMI output to external devices and high-fidelity audio control.
    EXPEED 3 image processing engine with 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing for superb tonal gradation.
    HDR (High Dynamic Range): ideal for high-contrast scenes. Takes two shots within a single shutter release to create an image with an extremely wide dynamic range, low noise and rich color gradation.
    Active D-Lighting: capture more detail in high-contrast lighting conditions. Nikon’s Active D-Lighting automatically retains the details in both dark and bright areas for stunning images with natural contrast.
    Scene Recognition System: the camera’s image sensor and its 2,016-pixel RGB sensor provide precise data to the Scene Recognition System, which optimizes exposure, autofocus and white balance immediately before the shutter is released for sharply defined images.
    Time-lapse shooting: use Interval Timer Shooting to trigger the shutter at preset intervals. Use Time Lapse Photography to save images as movie files and view slow action in fast playback, with playback rates from 24 to 36,000 times faster than normal.
    Picture Controls customize the look of your stills and videos by fine-tuning parameters such as sharpness, saturation, and hue before capture.
    Precision 8-cm (3.2-in.), 921k-dot, VGA LCD monitor with automatic monitor brightness control. Delivers bright, crisp image playback with a wide color reproduction capacity.
    High-performance viewfinder with approx. 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification. Offers DX Crop Mode with viewfinder marking.
    5.5 fps continuous shooting: capture fast-moving action at five-and-a-half frames per second.
    Quiet shooting mode: perfect for discreet photography, the sound of the camera’s mirror return mechanism is noticeably reduced.
    Mirror balancer: minimizes the bounce of the mirror’s down movement, extending viewing time and allowing more time for AF operation—one reason the D600 achieves AF and focus tracking even during high-speed continuous shooting.
    Compact, light and durable: built to withstand severe conditions, the camera boasts magnesium alloy top and rear covers and weighs only 760 g (without battery). Weather-sealed to the same degree as Nikon’s professional D800 SLR, it offers enhanced resistance to moisture and dust.
    Dual-axis electronic virtual horizon: you can confirm the camera's position relative to the horizontal plane and its pitch (forward or rear rotation) using the LCD monitor, or the viewfinder.
    Twin SD card slots: two SD memory card slots offer enhanced shooting flexibility. Use the second card when the first is full, or record stills on one and movies on another. SDXC and UHS-I compatible.
    Wireless transfer: Nikon’s optional WU-1b Mobile Adapter lets you share images directly from the D600 to a smartphone or tablet, or to control the camera remotely via your smart device*.
     
* Compatible with smart devices using Android OS. Compatibility with iOS will be available from fall, 2012. A Wireless Mobile Adapter Utility must be installed on the smart device prior to use. This utility can be downloaded from Google Play™ at no charge.

Cuurently you can but it for around £1586.00 (inc VAT) for the body only or £2006 including 24-85mm kit lens. The D7000 currently retails for around £1109 body only or £1253 with twin-lens kit.
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"Italian Beauties" by newbeltane | Redbubble

I bought a Samsung NX11 just before a holiday in Italy and this is an example of the images I took with it. Hope you like it!

Steven Dale
"Italian Beauties" by newbeltane | Redbubble:
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"Perfect 10" by Christine Annas | Redbubble

Check out the portfolio of Christine Annas and in particular this beautiful image!

"Perfect 10" by Christine Annas | Redbubble:
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

"Sunflower" by newbeltane | Redbubble

Another of my latest images taken in Tuscany, Italy. The image is a close-up of a sunflower and was taken on my new Samsung NX11 (20-50mm lens).

"Sunflower" by newbeltane | Redbubble:
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"Tuscany, Italy, Arezzo Region" by newbeltane | Redbubble

Check out one of my latest designs on RedBubble featuring an image of Tuscany, Italy. You can buy the design on a card, poster or print in various sizes. The photo was taken in the region of Castiglion Fibocchi, near Arezzo.

"Tuscany, Italy, Arezzo Region" by newbeltane | Redbubble:
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Monday, March 05, 2012

Nokia 800 PureView 41MP cameraphone

Fancy a a 41 MP sensor and Carl Zeiss lens on your smartphone? Who wouldn't. Well, now you can. Nokia has announced the Nokia 808 PureView. With its groundbreaking 41 MP image quality, Carl Zeiss lens, and PureView imaging technology, the PureView is certainly a breakthrough product. Could we see similar technology in more smartphones and tablets in the near future? Let's hope so.Nokia proclaims the technology in the PureView as a breakthrough for mobile photography and it certainly produces stunning images. You can either use the resolution to produce large images or to zoom into a scene and retain image quality. Nokia describes this as distilling 7 pixels into 1 for stunningly sharp and clear 5 MP photos that retain detail. Watching the videos on their site it certainly looks like Nokia have overcome one of the issues with most smartphone cameras, that of digital zoom producing less than stunning images. The sensor was in partnership with Toshiba and is around 1/1.2in in size, which is much bigger than other smartphone sensors.

In addition to the camera, the Nokia 800 PureView offers a powerful Xenon flash and LED video light, Dolby Surround Sound and Full HD video at 30 frames per second at 4 times zoom. 

For more info visit Nokia


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Nikon D3200 rumoured

No sooner do we see the D4 and D800 being announced officially but the rumours start flying about what else might be in the offing. The latest rumour to hit the web is that the D3100, Nikon's best-selling DSLR in 2011) will be replaced by the D3200. This certainly seems likely now that a book in the popular "Dummies" series has now appeared on Amazon for pre-ordering.

As to exactly what specification the D3200 will have (if does indeed materialise) we can only speculate. However, I'd be surprised if we don't see the following:

  1. Increased resolution form the current 14.2 MP to something over 20MP.
  2. Improved image processing using new EXPEED 3 image processing engine with 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing for superb tonal gradation.
  3. Some user-interface tweaks incorporating possibly some of the features found in the new D4 and D800 professional models.
Generally speaking this will be an incremental improvement, similar to that we saw in the upgrade from the D3000 to the current D3100 model.

As all of this is pure rumour at the moment we can only guess at what price any such model will come in at but expect it to be in the region of £499 including a kit zoom lens.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Fuji announce X-Pro 1 camera

It seems Fuji boffins have been busy in recent months, with the company announcing several new cameras and lenses. Amongst these is the X-Pro1 compact camera, offering interchangeable lenses, 16 MP APS-C sensor and a new lens mount. Here is what the company had to say:

"FUJIFILM Corporation (President and CEO: Shigetaka Komori) are proud to announce the FUJIFILM X-Pro1, an all-new interchangeable lens camera system. The X-Pro1 features a 16 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor™, a brand new X lens mount, Hybrid Multi Viewfinder and three prime lenses."
Now I have to confess, I am very interested in this particular camera. For many years I have used the Fuji 602z bridge camera and been impressed with the quality of its image, despite the lowly resolution of 3.1 MP. Interestingly, the X-Pro1 has abandoned the use of the SuperCCD technology in favour of a more traditional sensor. It has a 23.6mm×15.6mm(APS-C)X-Trans CMOS with primary colour filter, offering 16.3 million pixels. In addition, they have dispensed with the need for an optical low-pass filter, through the use of a colour filter array. Fuji say they have done this as the use of a low-pass filer degrades resolution.

The fact that, unlike the new Canon PowerShot G1 X, it has interchangeable lenses, makes it all the more an attractive proposition. Also, the sensor size is much bigger, being APS-C (23.6mm x 15.6mm) compared to the G1 X sensor, which though 6x bigger than that in the G12, is still only 18.7mm x 14.0 mm in size. Whether this makes much difference when it comes to image quality remains to be seen.


One has to bear in mind, of course, that the two cameras are aimed at different sectors of the market. The Fuji X-Pro 1 is targeted at the semi-pro market whilst the G1 X is more for the serious amateur. This is reflected in the pricing, with the Fuji X-Pro1 coming in around £1,000 just for the body, with lenses around £450-500 each. In contrast, the Canon G1 X is expected to retail for around £699 complete.



Specification:

Number of effective pixels
16.3 million pixels
Image sensor
23.6mm×15.6mm(APS-C)X-Trans CMOS with  primary colour filter
Sensor Cleaning system
Ultra Sonic Vibration
Storage media
SD memory card / SDHC memory card / SDXC(UHS-I) memory card *1
File format  (still image)
JPEG (Exif Ver 2.3 *2), 
RAW (RAF format), RAW+JPEG
(Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)
            (movie)
H.264(MOV) with Stereo sound
Number of recorded pixels
L:<3:2>4896x3264 <16:9>4896x2760 <1:1>3264 × 3264   
M:<3:2>3456x2304 <16:9>3456x1944 <1:1>2304 × 2304
S:<3:2>2496x1664 <16:9>2496x1408 <1:1>1664 ×1664
<Motion Panorama>
L   Vertical:7680x2160 Horizontal:7680x1440
M    Vertical:5120x2160 Horizontal:5120x1440
Lens mount
FUJIFILM X mount
Compatible Interchangeable lens
・ FUJINON LENS  XF18mmF2 R
・ FUJINON LENS  XF35mmF1.4 R
・ FUJINON LENS  XF60mmF2.4 R Macro
Sensitivity    
Equivalent to ISO 200  - 6400   (Standard Output Sensitivity)
AUTO mode : AUTO(400)/AUTO(800)AUTO(1600)/AUTO(3200)
Extended output sensitivity equivalent ISO 100, 12800 and 25600
Exposure control
TTL 256-zones metering, Multi / Spot / Average
Exposure mode
Programmed AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual exposure
Exposure compensation
-2.0EV - +2.0EV, inclement with 1/3EV step
Shutter control
Focal Plane Shutter
Shutter speed 
(with mechanical shutter)
(P mode) 1/4 sec. to 1/4000 sec., 
(All other modes) 30 sec. to 1/4000 sec.   
Bulb (max.60min.)
Time 2 to 30 sec
Synchronized Shutter speed for flash 1/180 sec or slower
1/180 sec can be automatically set at some shooting condition on P mode or A mode.
1/160 sec or slower (S mode or M mode)
Continuous shooting
Max 6 / 3 fps selectable
Auto bracketing
AE Bracketing (±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV)
Film Simulation Bracketing (Any 3 type of film simulation selectable)
Dynamic Range Bracketing (100%, 200%, 400%)
ISO sensitivity Bracketing (±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV)
Focus   (mode)
Single AF / Continuous AF/MF Distance Indicator
             (type)
TTL contrast AF, AF assist illuminator available
     (AF frame selection)
Area (EVF/LCD:49 areas with 7x7、OVF:25 areas with 5x5)/ Multi 
* changeable size of AF frame: among 5 type
White balance
Automatic scene recognition
Custom, colour temperature selection (K)
Preset: Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, underwater
Film Simulation mode
10 type (PROVIA/STANDARD, Velvia/VIVID, ASTIA/SOFT, PRO Neg Hi, PRO Neg. Std, MONOCHROME, MONOCHROME+Ye FILTER, MONOCHROME+R FILTER, MONOCHROME+G FILTER, SEPIA)
Dynamic range setting
AUTO(100-400%)、100%、200%、400%
Self-timer
Approx. 10sec. / 2sec. Delay
Flash modes
Hot shoe with TTL contacts; sync terminal
Red-eye removal OFF: Auto, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro. Rear-curtain Synchro, Red-eye removal ON: Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash,                        Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro. Red-eye Reduction & Rear-curtain Synchro
Hot shoe
Yes ( dedicated TTL Flash compatible)
Viewfinder
Hybrid Multi Viewfinder
Optical viewfinder
Reverse Galilean viewfinder with electronic bright frame display 
Magnifications : 0.37x / 0.6x
Coverage of frame area v.s. capturing area  :  approx. 90% 
Electronic viewfinder
0.47-in., approx.1,440,000-dots colour LCD viewfinder 
Coverage of viewing area v.s capturing area :  approx. 100%
Eye sensor installed
Eye point  : approx. 14 mm
LCD monitor
3.0-inch RGBW (White) LCD monitor, approx. 1,230,000dots,  (Approx. 100% coverage)
Movie recording
1920x1080 pixels, 1280 x 720 pixels  (24frames / sec.) with stereo sound
Individual movies cannot exceed 29 minutes in length.
Photography  functions
Select custom setting, Motion panorama, colour space, colour (Saturation), sharpness, Dynamic range, Film simulation, Gradation, Auto red-eye removal, Framing guideline, Frame No. memory, Histogram display, Preview depth of focus, Focus check, Electronic level, Multiple exposure, Date input, Fn button setting (RAW, Movie, etc)
Playback  functions
RAW conversing, Image rotate, Red-eye reduction, Photobook assist, Erase selected frames, image search, Multi-frame playback (with micro thumbnail), Slide show, Mark for upload, Protect, Crop, Resize, Panorama, Favourites
Other functions
PictBridge, Exif Print, Languages selection, Time difference, Quick start mode, Power save mode, Silent mode
Terminal (Video output)
(Digital interface)
(HD output)
ー
USB 2.0 High-Speed
HDMI mini connector
Power supply
NP-W126 Li-ion battery (included)
Dimensions
139.5 (W) mm x 81.8 (H) mm x 42.5(D) mm / 5.5in.(W) x 3.2in. (H) x 1.7 in. (D)
(Minimum depth: 34.1 mm/ 1.3 in.)
Weight
Approx. 450g / 15.9 oz. (including battery ) and memory card)
Approx. 400 g /14.1 oz. (excluding accessories, battery and memory card)
Operating Temperature
0℃ - 40℃
Operating Humidity
10 - 80%  (no condensation)
Battery life
approx 300 frames 
Starting up period
Approx. 0.5 sec. ( Approx 1.0 sec, when QUICK START mode and Power save mode is set to OFF) 
* evaluated  by FUJIFILM method
Accessories included
Li-ion Battery NP-W126
Battery Charger BC-W126
Shoulder strap
USB cable
Body cap
Metal strap clip
Protective cover
Clip attaching tool
CD-ROM (Viewer software, RAW File Converter etc. *3 )
Owner's manual                                                                       
Optional accessories
Li-ion battery NP-W126
Battery charger BC-W126
Shoe Mount Flash EF-20、EF-42、EF-X20
Interchangeable lens  FUJINON LENS  XF18mmF2 R
Interchangeable lens  FUJINON LENS  XF35mmF1.4 R
Interchangeable lens  FUJINON LENS  XF60mmF2.4 R Macro
Protector Filter PRF-52    52mmΦ
Protector Filter PRF-39  39mmΦ
Hand Grip  HG-XPro1 
Leather Case LC-XPro1  
* The lens of focal length at 35mm or less can be placed in this leather case with the camera X-Pro 1.


*1 Please see the Fujifilm website to check memory card compatibility.
*2 Exif 2.3 is a digital camera file format that contains a variety of shooting information for optimal printing.
*3 OS compatibility
Viewer software      :   Windows7/Vista/XP,   Mac OS X 10.3.9-10.6
RAW File Converter   :   Windows7/Vista/XP,   Mac OS X 10.3.9-10.7   




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