Tokina Announces 11-16mm F2.8 Lens For Sony Alpha

Tokina lens makers have launched a new lens in Sony's Alpha mount. The AT-X 116 Pro DX 11-16 mm f/2.8 lens will be available in Japan on February 24th, 2010 at an approximate retail price of ¥94,500 (around US $1046). Hopefully it also means that more quality Tokina lenses for the Sony Alpha DSLR line will be forthcoming, and available outside of Japan...

View RAW Files Using Windows 7 Explorer

I recently upgraded my PC to Windows 7 64-Bit and just realized today that I could no longer view my RAW files in Windows Explorer. This was easy to remedy as it’s just a quick download and install from the Microsoft Pro Photo website. They obviously haven’t updated this site in awhile as it still only references Windows XP and Vista, or no one’s bothered to test it on Windows 7 yet. Well, I just did and it works fine. Select the appropriate manufacturer, Sony in my case, click the provided download link, install and reboot. After the reboot native RAW files will be viewable in preview mode within Windows Explorer.

I still have Sony’s first foray into Digitial SLR, my trusty Alpha 100 (over four years and still shooting), and the 200 and 300 series are supported by this codec. But I’m not sure about the latest 500 series. I would assume they would be, but you’ll just have to try it yourself if using the A500 or A550.

Other codecs include Nikon, Canon, Pentax and even one for the .DNG format. If you’re not using software for organizing and editing photos such as Google’s free Picasa or the wonderful Photoshop Lightroom from Adobe, this provides a quick way to view your RAW files in their original folders. It will even open them for viewing using the legacy Windows Photo Viewer.

Digital Photography and Photoshop Seminars Coming To Phoenix, AZ

A couple of excellent Digital workshops are coming to Phoenix within the next couple of weeks.  First is Digital Days from Popular Photography Magazine and Sony.  This two day workshop will take place on the weekend of February 27 & 28.  The Basics course is held on Saturday and an Advanced session will be on Sunday that includes live model shoots.  This is a great place to see the current line of Sony DLSR cameras and lenses.  Hold them, touch them, caress...but I digress.  They usually have some available to use during the model shoot.  Hopefully they’ll even have the upcoming A450 on hand.  I would expect an A850 and/or the 500 series to check out. 

The other event I’m looking forward to is from Kelby Training.   The Photoshop Down & Dirty Tricks Seminar with Corey Barker will arrive in Phoenix, AZ on Wednesday March 3rd.  I highly recommend these workshops as they are informative, entertaining and crammed full of very useful information.  Plus the price can’t be beat for an all-day seminar.  Being a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals I will admit my bias, but for 99 bucks for non-members and 79 bucks for members, it’s a no brainer to attend.  One of the best things is the workbook.  They provide a complete workbook with everything that was discussed in the class, and a notes section for the ‘extra info’ that is always provided.  What I love about this is that months later when you can’t remember how to perform certain steps within Photoshop, you can open up this workbook and it’s right there.  I still use one from a NAPP seminar I attended two years ago.

Sony Announces Alpha 450 DSLR

On the heals of the recent Alpha 500 and 550 DSLR releases, Sony will add to the arsenal with the Alpha 450.  This is fine, but I’m still waiting for the A750 or even a 600 series.  I’m ready to upgrade and the 500 series just doesn’t give me enough incentive to make the jump.  So I get to keep waiting, but if you haven’t joined the Sony DSLR family yet, the upcoming A450 may be a good stepping stone.  Below is the Sony press release.

– 14.2 effective megapixels Exmor CMOS sensor
– Up to 7 fps continuous shooting
– Manual Focus Check Live View
– Auto HDR
– 1,050 shot battery stamina (CIPA measurement)
– SteadyShot INSIDE
The newest DSLR camera addition to the Sony range teams flawless imaging with generous creative options.  Powerful yet brilliantly easy to use, the DSLR-a450 is a perfect all-rounder when you’re ready to take your passion for great pictures to a more advanced level. Ideal for active shooters moving up to their next DSLR camera, it’s at home in any shooting situation, from relaxed portraits to fast-moving sports action.  Inside the a450 is a high-resolution 14.2 (approx.) effective megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor. It’s teamed with the powerful BIONZ processor to deliver highly detailed, ultra-low noise images. Sensitivity extends right up to ISO 12800, allowing you to capture beautifully natural handheld images in low light without flash.

With a generous 95% field of view, the bright optical viewfinder makes framing and composition a pleasure. As an extra refinement, Manual Focus Check Live View previews clear, bright full-resolution images on the 6.7cm (2.7″) Clear Photo LCD screen. With selectable 7x/14x on-screen image enlargement it’s ideal for confirming pin-sharp focus with portraits, still life, macro and architectural scenes.  The powerful BIONZ image processor enables high-speed continuous shooting at up to 5 fps (maximum — approx. figure). In Speed Priority mode (with AF and AE set at start of burst) this increases to an amazing 7 fps (maximum — actual speed depends on shooting conditions and media card). It’s more than enough to catch sports and fast-moving action with ease.

Creative options are enhanced with Auto HDR mode that accommodates bright highlights and dark shadow details in a single frame. Two successive frames shot handheld at different exposure values are merged automatically by the camera. The result is a detail-packed High Dynamic Range image — with no need for a PC image editor and specialists skills. In addition to fully automatic operation, the exposure difference between frames can be manually set up to 3EV, in 0.5EV increments.  Featured right across the DSLR camera line-up by Sony, SteadyShot INSIDE offers up to 4 steps of anti-shake correction with the full range of 30 a lenses and two teleconvertors, as well as compatible A-mount optics by Konica-Minolta.

The a450 also offers the most impressive shooting stamina of any DSLR camera by Sony to date. The high-capacity battery allows up to 1,050 shots between charges* — plenty for a busy weekend’s sightseeing.  Slots for Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC memory cards (sold separately) are offered to suit users’ personal shooting preferences.  Connect the a450 to any HD Ready TV for a breathtaking big-screen view of your photos. PhotoTV HD optimises still image reproduction on compatible BRAVIA models, while BRAVIA Sync allows control of slideshow and other camera playback functions using your TV remote.  Supplied software includes Image Data Converter SR; Image Data Lightbox SR; and PMB (Picture Motion Browser) for easy image management. The a450 is also compatible with the wide range of high-quality DSLR camera accessories by Sony, including flashes, carry cases, batteries and chargers, GPS and more.  The DSLR-a450 digital SLR camera by Sony will apparently be available sometime this month. 

Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 OS Macro Lens For Sony Mount Announced

I’m in the market for an f2.8 standard zoom and was disappointed that Sigma still hadn’t released a Sony version of this lens.  Well that has finally changed.  Sigma has announced the OS (Optical Stabilization) version of its 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro lens will be available soon in Sony and Pentax mounts. Currently available only in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts, the Sony version will start shipping from February 27, 2010.  If you’re a Pentax DSLR user, they expect the Pentax mount version to be available March 19, 2010.

• DC lenses are designed for digital SLR cameras with APS-C size chips

• Large 4x zoom range gives this lens an equivalent range of 27-112mm when used with a Nikon digital SLR camera

• Optical Stabilization (OS), anti-shake technology allows use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible, without motion blur

• Fast f/2.8-4 aperture makes this lens perfect for low light

• With a minimum focus distance of 8.7" along with the maximum magnification of 1:2.7 the lens is perfect for close-up photography

• Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures a quiet and high-speed auto focus

Adobe Photoshop Turns 20!

Adobe has provided a look back over the history of Photoshop.  Click this link to check it out, and if you aren’t a Photoshop Lightroom user I  highly suggest you try it out.  The Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta is available free to try and it can change your digitial workflow for the better.  I can’t wait to see how Photoshop evolves over the next 20 years.

Scott Kelby and the folks at National Association of Photoshop Professionals participated at the recent 20th Anniversary event in California recently.  Here is the link to their video presentation of the event.  NAPP Video.