Fujifilm Announces Finepix X100 APS-C Compact Digital Camera

I came across this article on Popphoto.com and had to share.  Fujifilm is joining Leica and Sigma in the APS-C compact camera category, but what I love about the Leica and now the Finepix X100 is the nostalgia factor.  As an avid camera collector I can’t resist the 70’s rangefinder look of this new compact.  It’s gorgeous and as we all know beauty does not come cheap.  Expect a price tag of around $1000 when it becomes available in 2011.

Here is full article from Popular Photography & Imaging:

Fujifilm entered the all but non-existent large sensor compact camera category this morning, with the launch of the Finepix X100—a 12.3MP APS-C sensor camera with a 35mm equivalent f/2 lens, a newly developed EXR processor and a 1970’s feel.  

Attempting to capitalize on the mass number of professional photographers looking for a compact with the image quality of a high-end DSLR to be used as a backup, as well as advanced amateur shooters looking for a high-end compact, FujiFilm built the Finepix X100 from the ground up. It is meant to compete directly with the Leica X1 and the Sigma DP2.

The X100 features a hybrid viewfinder that allows users to switch between a rangefinder-style optical viewfinder and an electronic viewfinder.  Other key features include 720p HD video capture, a magnesium alloy body and old-school analogue controls.  

The camera is well equipped for low-light situations, offering a maximum ISO of 6400. Other notable specs include 5 fps continuous shooting, support for the SDXC card format and a 2.8’’ LCD.

Expect this beautifully crafted high-end compact to hit stores sometime in 2011. We will keep you updated as our editors over at Photokina in Germany have a chance to get their hands on this bad boy.

Overheating Problems With Sony A55 and A33 DSLR

Apparently the new Sony A55 and A33 DSLR's experience overheating problems if video capture is utilized too long. Below is a recent article from Popular Photography and Imaging.

Plenty of DSLRs put a limit on how long video clips can be. Canon's 7D and Rebel T2i cap out at 12-minutes and even the current king of video DSLRs, the 5D Mark II, maxes out at 29:59 or when the file size reaches 4 GB. But, Sony has recently stated that their new A55 and A33 cameras will overheat after a couple minutes of video capture when the in-body SteadyShot is turned on.

Read more...

Nikon Announces New 16.2MP D7000 DSLR

On the heels of Canon’s release of the new EOS 60D, Nikon has announced their latest 16.2MP APS-C digital SLR.  The new D7000 features an ISO range of 100-6400 with expanded range up to 25,600.  In addition to the 16.2MP CMOS sensor there is a retooled 39-point AF system, approx. 100% viewfinder, 1/8000 shutter maximum, 6fps continuous shooting, and captures full HD (1080p) video.

Hands-on preview of the D7000 on dpreview

Popular Photography & Imaging New Gear preview

New Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens

Digital Photography Review is a great resource for digital camera and lens reviews.  I was stoked to see their recently posted review of the new Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens as I’ve been in the market to upgrade to the Canon EF 70-200mm f4 USM.  While this is a very good, very sharp lens, the non-IS version is $700, and the IS (Image Stabilization) version is $1200.  I haven’t even realistically considered the f2.8 version of this Canon lens as the older version is around $1,899 and the new IS II version is $2,299.  The previous version of the Sigma f2.8 70-200mm lens, while economical, didn’t get a lot of respect in regard to AF speed and image quality, and was never really on my wish list to begin with.

However that has apparently changed with the new OS (Optical Stabilization) version.  Sigma has engineered this new lens from the ground up including an all-new optical design and the company’s silent ultrasonic-type HSM focusing.  My choices have suddenly increased now that this new f2.8 lens is available at around $1699, a full 600 bucks less than the Canon EF f2.8L 70-200mm IS II.  That is quite a bargain for this type of fast glass and focal length.  The lens is available in Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax mounts and according to dpreview it is quite a good, fast focusing lens that's a great improvement over the older non-Optical Stabilizer model.  I think I have a new lens on my ‘wish list’.

Read the lens review at dpreview.

New Olympus E-5 DSLR Announced

The Olympus E-5 camera will be available in October 2010 at an expected retail price of $1699.99.  Here is an exerpt from the official company press release.

Olympus announces the E-5, a new digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera that builds on the company’s tradition of innovation to meet the rigorous demands of professional photographers and experienced amateurs. In recent years, Olympus has changed the DSLR marketplace by pioneering groundbreaking features, including the first 100 percent digital-specific lenses, the award-winning Supersonic Wave Filter Dust Reduction System, the first Full -Time Live View system and a completely splashproof and dustproof magnesium alloy DSLR body. Olympus continues this legacy by pairing these technologies with several new breakthrough features developed for the E-5 camera, providing further proof that Olympus lets you capture it all.

•                Superior Image Quality: The E-5 camera achieves the highest image quality of any Olympus camera by pairing a 12.3 megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor with a TruePic V+ image processing engine that boasts new “Fine Detail Processing” technology for greater detail in the photograph. Optimized to maximize the performance of the Zuiko® Digital Lenses, Fine Detail Processing takes digital photography to the next level.

•                270 Degree Swivel LCD: A 3.0-inch dual axis swivel HyperCrystal® LCD with 920,000 dots makes it easy to frame High Definition (HD) videos and still images at any angle from low to high and side to side to ensure accurate composition.

•                Limitless Creativity: Ten in-camera Art Filters including new Dramatic Tone round out this DSLR’s impressive feature set. For the first time, photographers can use Art Filters in all shooting modes, program auto, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual modes and movies with expanded control. Both still and movie capable, the E-5 camera offers HD video in an E-System DSLR for the first time.

Superior Image Quality
- The E-5 camera utilizes a unique combination of cutting-edge technologies to deliver the highest image quality in the Olympus family. Together with its 12.3 megapixel High-Speed Live MOS image sensor, the Olympus TruePic V+ Image Processor produces clear and colorful photos using all the pixel information at an individual pixel level to provide the best digital images possible. The image processor is noted for accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal expression; it also lowers image noise in photos shot at higher ISO settings (ISO 100 to ISO 6400), enabling great results in low-light situations.

Head-Turning High Definition Video -
Shooting video is as easy as ever with the new Olympus E-5 camera. The camera captures all the action in crisp 720p HD video at 30 frames per second. With more than 20 Four Thirds® lenses, people can shoot video with a selection of lenses ranging from an extreme wide-angle fisheye lens to a super telephoto lens for a variety of expressive options. Photographers can capture great stereo sound quality by plugging any microphone with a standard 3.5mm jack into the camera’s stereo microphone terminal. A built-in microphone also records clear monaural audio.

Memory
- Accepting both CompactFlash Type I UDMA and SD cards (SDHC/SDXC compatible), the camera provides a choice of data storage options for enhanced flexibility, and it is possible to transfer image files from one card to the other right inside the camera. Class 6 or higher SD cards are recommended for optimal movie shooting.

View the hands-on preview at dpreview.

New Apple iPhone OS Offers Built-In HDR Feature

I only steal from the best.  Here is an excerpt from Popular Photography and Imaging regarding the new Apple iPhone 4.

Apple’s updated mobile operating system, iOS 4.1 gives iPhone users a whole slew of new features, including an HDR feature, which is integrated directly into the camera app.  Like most automatic HDR modes, it takes three bracketed images and combines them into a single picture.



iPhone video shooters will also be able to upload their HD videos directly to the web from their device, as long as they have access to a WiFi connection.

 The hugely popular iPod touch also got some optical updates, taking its total camera count from a zero up to two. Like on the iPhone, the rear-facing camera captures 720p HD video, which can be edited in the device using a mobile version of iMovie. The front-facing camera is meant for utilizing Apple’s WiFi-only video chat feature, FaceTime. Not only can you talk to other iPod touch users, but you can also get face-to-face with iPhone 4 users as well.



Ipad users will have to wait until November for iOS 4.2 to hit, at which point they’ll have access to the brand new Print Center app, which makes it even more valuable to the corporate set.

Panasonic Announces New 8GB and 16GB SDHC Memory Cards

Panasonic has announced 8GB and 16GB SDHC cards with UHS-I specification. Both memory cards have The maximum read speeds of both cards can reach up to 60MB/s and work well for 3D and full HD video recording features of recently released cameras. The new cards feature protection against power failures and a Super Intelligent Controller that cleans up errors preventing data damage, similar to the company’s ‘Gold’ line of memory cards. The memory cards will be available in November 2010.

Carl Zeiss Distagon 35mm f1.4 Lens Announced For Canon

Got 18 Hundie burning a hole in your pocket?  Carl Zeiss will release a new Distagon 35mm f1.4 lens for Canon and Nikon.  Here is the official company press release.

Company Press Release:

A woman is sitting at the bar of a dimly-lit cafe. Lost in thoughts, she doesn’t notice the glass of wine the bartender places before her. From a distance, a photographer tries to capture her mood. He brings her face, which is leaning toward her phone, into focus. Everything around her becomes a blur, and the lights in the background coalesce into a wild “dance” of diffuse shapes.

This shot will only work with a fast lens with short focal length and harmonious bokeh. Carl Zeiss introduces a new lens for just such images: the Distagon T* 1,4/35.

By introducing the Distagon T* 1,4/35, Carl Zeiss is complementing the Planar T*1,4/50 and T*1,4/85 lenses with a wide-angle lens that shares the same high speed. Crisp, sharp images work every time, whether at dusk or in the weak lighting conditions of a café, and without the need for a tripod. With its 35-mm, the Distagon T* 1,4/35 matches the classic and versatile standard focal lengths when used on cameras with APS-C sensor formats.

Due to the special bokeh effects in both the foreground and background areas, the Distagon T*1,4/35 opens up new creative possibilities, giving photographers more options to ‘play’ with focus. Thanks to its large focus ring, photographers can also create highly accurate, sharp pictures, even at maximum aperture opening. In addition, the optical construction of the lens guarantees high image quality across the entire image range. Furthermore, with one step less than the full aperture opening, the light fall-off toward the edges is just one f-stop.

With the ZEISS T*‘s anti-reflective coating, its sophisticated stray light reduction and the excellent flare control the new Distagon also takes pictures of bright light sources without artifacts. The Distagon T*1,4/35’s extremely long-lasting and robust all-metal precision mechanics, for which Carl Zeiss is known, make this lens perfect for use on-the-go and for photo reports.

The Distagon T* 1,4/35 will be available in first quarter of 2011 at a recommended retail price of $1775.

Focal Length                      35mm

Max Aperture                     F1.4

Min Aperture                      F16

Lens Construction              11 elements/9 groups

Min Focus                          0.3m

Filter Thread                      72mm

Canon Announces Several New EF Lenses and Extenders

Canon has announced several new EF lenses and extenders.   Dpreview has posted first looks for all of the products below.

Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 L IS USM Zoom Lens

Canon EF 8-15mm f4 L USM Fisheye Zoom Lens

Canon EF 300mm f2.8 L IS II USM and Canon EF 400mm f2.8 L IS II USM Lens

Canon EF 500mm f4 L IS II USM and 600mm f4 L IS II USM Lens

Canon EF Extender 1.4x III and Extender 2x III

Canon Announces New EOS 60D DSLR

Canon is releasing the new EOS 60D soon with an expected retail price of around $1399 with Canon EF-S 18-135mm Lens.

·      18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor

·      Advanced creative features with Basic +

·      Vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 ratio LCD

·      Full HD movies with manual control

·      DIGIC 4

·      ISO 100-6400, H:12800

·      5.3fps shooting for up to 58 JPEGs

·      9-point cross type AF System

·      iFCL metering with 63-zone Dual-layer Sensor

·      Integrated Speedlite transmitter

·      In-camera RAW processing

Official Company Press Release (Partial)

Canon today announces the latest addition to its world-famous EOS series of Digital SLR (DSLR) cameras – the new EOS 60D. Replacing the EOS 50D, the EOS 60D is designed for photographers who want to take their skills to the next level, offering high performance, a series of creative features, a Vari-angle LCD screen and enhanced ergonomics – empowering photography enthusiasts to capture outstanding stills and Full High Definition (HD) video for unique, creative results. 



High speed, high resolution - 
With an 18 Megapixel APS-C sensor, the EOS 60D offers high levels of detail and a magnification of 1.6x the focal length of the lens to capture poster-size images in a variety of aspect ratios*1. Canon’s powerful DIGIC 4 technology rapidly processes image information captured from the CMOS sensor’s four-channel output, providing outstanding colour reproduction, as well as high-speed shooting at 5.3fps in bursts of 58 full-resolution JPEGs. 

A standard ISO range of 100-6400 is extendable to 12800, providing smooth images with minimal noise in low light conditions. A 9-point, all cross-type autofocus (AF) system also provides swift and accurate focusing, with an extra-sensitive centre point for lenses faster than f/2.8, allowing photographers to artistically employ a shallow depth of field during portraiture or for more atmospheric shooting.

The EOS 60D features Canon’s iFCL metering system, first introduced with the acclaimed EOS 7D, with a 63-zone Dual-Layer sensor.  Information on subject location is gathered from the Auto Focus system, and is combined with colour and luminance readings for consistent accurate exposures whatever the situation. The Integrated Speedlite transmitter also provides in-camera control of multiple EX flash units for more creative lighting.



Shoot from all angles
- A new 7.7cm (3.0”) Vari-angle wide LCD monitor features a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 1,040k dot resolution, providing added flexibility and allowing photographers to view their images in incredible detail. The Vari-angle wide LCD helps frame shots from difficult angles, and can be positioned with Live View enabled to achieve the desired composition if shooting isn’t possible using the viewfinder. The ability to capture wildlife portraits, overhead shots or ground-level photography is instantly enhanced, and the surface of the screen features an anti-reflective, water-repellent coating to protect the screen allows easy viewing in bright light and from a variety of angles.



Empowering creativity
- A new Basic + function makes it easy for photographers to add their own creative touch to images without worrying about changing settings. Photographers can add ambiance to a scene by shooting according to lighting and scene type, with Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sport, Night Snapshot or Creative AUTO modes all available. Different effects can be achieved by shooting with Basic + enhancements such as Daylight, Cloudy or Sunset or pre-set Picture Styles including Vivid, Soft, Warm or Monochrome.

View the Hands-On Preview from dpreview.

Sony Announces New Alpha 560 and 580 DSLR models

Sony announces two new Alpha DSLR models, the A560 and A580.  The A580 will be released later this year, while the A560 is not expected until early 2011.

Company Press Release:

Appealing to photographers ready to explore sophisticated new creative possibilities, the DSLR-A580 and DSLR-A560 from Sony offer unparalleled levels of imaging refinement.

At the heart of both is a new-generation Exmor™ APS HD CMOS Sensor processor. Together with the latest iteration of Sony’s powerful BIONZ imaging processor, it supports high-speed continuous shooting plus a sophisticated range of digital image compositing and processing functions. This gives even greater artistic possibilities to beginners and photo enthusiasts alike.

The A580 and A560 can freeze fleeting photo opportunities at up to 7 fps in Speed Priority Continuous Advance mode. What’s more, Sony’s popular Quick AF Live View system is now more effective than ever. The benefits of live image preview are maximised by a newly developed 15-point phase-detection autofocus system that keeps even moving subjects in pin-sharp focus.

The DSLR-A580 and A560 are compatible with the full α range of over 30 A-mount interchangeable lenses of Sony and Carl Zeiss and offer SteadyShot INSIDE. This in-body sensor shift image stabilisation system provides up to 4 exposure steps of anti-shake correction when shooting handheld.

Full HD movie shooting
 - Both the A580 and A560 offer Full HD video shooting. Just touch the dedicated Movie button and record detail-packed HD videos and crisp stereo sound in a choice of AVCHD 1080i or web-friendly MP4 formats. Thanks to the large, high-resolution Exmor™ APS HD CMOS Sensor, it’s possible to capture stunning HD movie clips with beautiful background defocus (‘bokeh’) effects.

Effortless composition and image viewing
 - The A580 and A560 enable exciting new possibilities for framing and viewing the highest-quality still images and video.

Articulating up or down for comfortable framing in any shooting position, the bright 7.5 cm (3.0") Xtra Fine LCD offers a bright, high contrast view with superb detail and colours.

As an additional refinement, new Focus Check Live View mode simplifies critical assessment of the finest image details. A real-time ‘feed’ from the main sensor can be viewed on the LCD monitor, with switchable magnification allowing close-up confirmation of delicate manual focus adjustments. Contrast AF method is selectable in focus check Live View mode.

DSLR enthusiasts will also welcome the bright, high contrast optical viewfinder with 95% frame coverage that provides a supremely detailed view while composing still images.  Depth of field preview is now available at the touch of a button.

Both cameras feature 3D Sweep Panorama, allowing photographers to capture detail-packed extra-wide panoramas with a huge field of view. 3D panoramas can be enjoyed on any compatible 3D HD television.

Auto HDR is now refined further compared with previous-generation α models. Data from a burst of three frames at bracketed exposure values is automatically combined, creating a single image with extended highlight and shadow detail. Multi-frame Noise Reduction ‘stacks’ a high-speed burst of six frames, creating a single low-noise exposure that boosts effective sensitivity as high as ISO 25600.

The new cameras accept both Memory Stick PRO Duo™ (including Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™) and SD (including both SDHC and SDXC formats) media (all sold separately).  Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX 30MB per second transfer rate offers the best performance during cameras' continuous shooting mode or when transferring the data to another media.

Sony Unveils New SLT Camera Line With A33 and A55

Sony announced plans to release a new SLT camera line with the A33 and A55. Sony calls the new system Translucent Mirror Technology. A traditional DSLR uses a mirror placed in front of the camera's sensor to bounce an image up to the optical viewfinder. When the shutter is released, the mirror is pulled out of the way, cutting off the image in the viewfinder and allowing the sensor to capture light from the lens.

In place of a traditional mirror, the a55 and a33 contain a piece of optical film. This makes it possible for light to pass through the mirror to the Exmor APS HD sensor as light is simultaneously reflected up to a 15-point phase-detect AF chip. The stream of light to the sensor and the auto focus mechanism is never interrupted.

The A55 is built around a 16.2MP sensor while the A33 features a 14.2MP unit. Both feature 3.0" articulated LCDs, full HD video recording and ISO sensitivity up to 12,800, while the A55 also features built-in GPS. Priced at $749 and $649 respectively, the A55 will be available from October, while the A33 will hit the markets earlier, in September.

New Digital Camera Reviews Posted

New reviews have been added to the “Recent Digital Camera Reviews” section.  These include the following models:

Canon PowerShot SD-1300 IS

Canon PowerShot SD-4000 IS

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

Ricoh GRX-P10

Sony A390 DSLR

Sony CyberShot DSC-TX7

Sony Announces New 18-200mm Zoom Lens for NEX Camera Line

A new E-mount telephoto lens has been announced from Sony for their latest NEX series of Interchangeable Lens cameras.  The 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens should be available around September 10, 2010 at an expected retail price of $800.  The lens does feature image-stabilization and will usable on the NEX-VG10E camcorder as well.   Sony currently provides an 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 zoom lens and 16mm F2.8 wideangle lens for these cameras.

Tamron Releasing New SP 70-300mm Di VC USD Lens For Nikon

The new Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) high-resolution DSLR telephoto zoom lens will be available for the Nikon mount on August 26, 2010, with the launch of mounts for Canon and Sony to follow soon after.

Some of the features:

• New optical system optimized for digital cameras achieves top resolution in the 70-300mm class with specialized glass elements including an XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens

• Fast focusing USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive), the ultrasonic autofocus drive

• The lens is equipped with Tamron’s first-ever ultrasonic auto-focus drive USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). It achieves faster focusing making this telephoto lens perfect for photography of sports, motor racing, and other fast-moving subjects. With advanced motor technology and newly developed software, Tamron's USD delivers precise and noiseless focusing at turbo speed.

• Equipped with Tamron’s VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization

Specifications:

Model: A005

Focal length: 70 – 300mm

Maximum aperture: F/4 – 5.6

Angle of view (diagonal): 34° 21'-8° 15’

Lens construction: 17 elements, 12 groups

Minimum focus distance: 59.1"

Maximum magnification ratio: 1:4 (at f = 300mm: MFD 1.5m)

Filter size (mm): Ø62mm

Length : 5.6"

Diameter: Ø3.2"

Weight : 27.0 oz.

No. of diaphragm blades: 9

Minimum aperture: F/32-45

Standard accessories: Flower Shaped Lens Hood

Compatible mounts: Nikon. Canon & Sony Soon

Apple Announces New Mac Pro Line

I really, really, really want one…

Official Press Release:

Apple has unveiled a new Mac Pro line with up to 12 processing cores and up to 50 percent greater performance than the previous generation. Featuring the latest quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors, all-new ATI graphics and the option for up to four 512GB solid state drives (SSD), the new Mac Pro continues to deliver amazing performance and expandability for the most demanding consumers and professionals.

“The new Mac Pro is the most powerful and configurable Mac we’ve ever made,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With up to 12 cores, the new Mac Pro outperforms our previous top-of-the-line system by up to 50 percent, and with over a billion possible configurations, our customers can create exactly the system they want.”

At the heart of the new Mac Pro’s performance are next generation quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 3.33 GHz. These multi-core processors use a single die design so each core can share up to 12MB L3 cache to improve efficiency while increasing processing speed. These systems feature an integrated memory controller for faster memory bandwidth and reduced memory latency; Turbo Boost to dynamically boost processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz; and Hyper-Threading to create up to 24 virtual cores. The Mac Pro now comes with the ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics processor with 1GB of memory and customers can configure-to-order the even faster ATI Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB of memory.

For the first time, Mac Pro customers have the option to order a 512GB SSD for the ultimate in reliability and lightning fast performance. With the ability to install up to four SSD drives in the system's internal drive bays, the new Mac Pro can provide ultra high-speed disk bandwidth and random disk performance, two times faster than the average performance of a standard disk drive. Mac Pro also now features two Mini DisplayPorts and one dual-link DVI port. The additional Mini DisplayPort output allows customers to connect two LED Cinema Displays without an additional graphics card or adapter and the dual-link DVI port supports legacy DVI-based displays up to a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

Every Mac Pro comes with Apple’s innovative Magic Mouse and customers can also order Apple’s new Magic Trackpad as an option. The Magic Trackpad brings the intuitive Multi-Touch gestures of Mac notebook trackpads to the desktop. With its glass surface, the wireless Magic Trackpad allows users to scroll smoothly up and down a page with inertial scrolling, pinch to zoom in and out, rotate an image with their fingertips and swipe three fingers to flip through a collection of web pages or photos. The Magic Trackpad can be configured to support single button or two button commands and supports tap-to-click as well as a physical click. Magic Trackpad is available separately for $69.

Continuing Apple’s commitment to the environment, Apple’s desktop lineup is a leader in green design. The Mac Pro meets stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold status. The Mac Pro enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and the interior is designed to be more material-efficient. The Mac Pro uses PVC-free internal cables and components and contains no brominated flame retardants. The new Apple Battery Charger provides a convenient and environmentally friendly way to always have a fresh set of batteries for your Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse and Wireless Keyboard. The Apple Battery Charger is available as an option for $29 and comes with six long shelf life rechargeable batteries.

Every Mac also comes with Mac OS® X Snow Leopard®, the world’s most advanced operating system, and iLife®, Apple’s innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto®, with breakthrough ways to organize and manage your photos by who appears in them and where they were taken; iMovie® with powerful easy-to-use features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand® which offers a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.

Optional Apple professional applications include Aperture, Final Cut Express, Final Cut Studio, Logic Express and Logic Studio®.

Pricing & Availability  - The new Mac Pro will be available in August through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The new quad-core Mac Pro, with a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

    •    one 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon W3530 processor with 8MB of fully-shared L3 cache;

    •    3GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM memory, expandable up to 16GB;

    •    ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB of GDDR5 memory;

    •    two Mini DisplayPorts and one DVI (dual-link) port (adapters sold separately);

    •    1TB Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive running at 7200 rpm;

    •    18x SuperDrive® with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);

    •    four PCI Express 2.0 slots;

    •    five USB 2.0 ports and four FireWire® 800 ports;

    •    AirPort Extreme® 802.11n;

    •    Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; and

    •    Apple Keyboard with numerical keypad and Magic Mouse.

The new 8-core Mac Pro, with a suggested retail price of $3,499 (US), includes:

    •    two 2.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon E5620 processors with 12MB of fully-shared L3 cache per processor;

    •    6GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM memory, expandable up to 32GB;

    •    ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB of GDDR5 memory;

    •    two Mini DisplayPorts and one DVI (dual-link) port (adapters sold separately);

    •    1TB Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive running at 7200 rpm;

    •    18x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);

    •    four PCI Express 2.0 slots;

    •    five USB 2.0 ports and four FireWire 800 ports;

    •    AirPort Extreme 802.11n;

    •    Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; and

    •    Apple Keyboard with numerical keypad and Magic Mouse.

Configure-to-order options include:

    •    one 3.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon W3565 processor for the quad-core Mac Pro;

    •    one 3.33 GHz 6-core Intel Xeon W3680 processor for the quad-core Mac Pro;

    •    two 2.66 GHz 6-core Intel Xeon X5650 processors (12-cores) for the 8-core Mac Pro;

    •    two 2.93 GHz 6-core Intel Xeon X5670 processors (12-cores) for the 8-core Mac Pro;

    •    two ATI Radeon HD 5770 cards with 1GB of GDDR5 memory;

    •    one ATI Radeon HD 5870 card with 1GB of GDDR5 memory;

    •    up to 16GB of DDR3 ECC SDRAM memory for the quad-core Mac Pro;

    •    up to 32GB of DDR3 ECC SDRAM memory for the 8-core Mac Pro;

    •    up to four 512GB solid state drives (SSD); or

    •    up to four 1TB or 2TB Serial ATA hard drives running at 7200 rpm;

    •    Mac Pro RAID card;

    •    dual-channel or quad-channel 4Gb Fibre Channel card; and

    •    up to two 18x SuperDrives with double-layer support.

Accessories include: Magic Trackpad, Apple Battery Charger, wired Apple Mouse, wireless Apple Keyboard, Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, the AppleCare® Protection Plan; and pre-installed copies of Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server; iWork®, Logic Express 9, Final Cut Express 4 and Aperture 3. Complete options and accessories are available at www.apple.com/macpro.

Apple Announces New 27-Inch LED Cinema Display

I want one, I really, really want one...

Official Press Release:

Apple has unveiled a new 27-inch LED Cinema Display with stunning 2560 x 1440 resolution and 60 percent more screen real estate than the 24-inch LED Cinema Display. Featuring a built-in iSight video camera, microphone and speakers, powered USB 2.0 hub, and universal MagSafe connector, the new LED Cinema Display is an ideal companion for the MacBook family or a Mac desktop, and is available for $999.

“With built-in MagSafe charging, iSight camera, speakers, and USB ports, the LED Cinema Display is ideal for MacBook and MacBook Pro users,”said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With its massive 2560 x 1440 resolution, the new 27-inch LED Cinema Display is a perfect fit with our powerful new Mac Pro, and it gives iMac users an easy way to double their screen real estate.”

The new, larger 27-inch LED Cinema Display features a beautiful 16:9 edge-to-edge glass display on an aluminum stand with an adjustable hinge that makes tilting the display almost effortless. The LED Cinema Display has vivid colors and exceptionally high contrast and uses a premium display technology called in-plane switching (IPS) to provide a brilliant image across an ultra wide 178 degree viewing angle.

Designed as a companion for any Mac notebook or desktop, the 27-inch display includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing, an integrated MagSafe charger to keep Mac notebooks charged, built-in Mini DisplayPort connectivity for video and audio input and a powered three-port USB 2.0 hub so customers can charge their iPhone® or iPod® even when they take their MacBook with them.

The new LED Cinema Display now includes a new ambient light sensor which automatically adjusts the display brightness based on external lighting conditions and uses only as much energy as necessary to provide an optimum viewing experience. Made with mercury-free LED technology, arsenic-free glass and highly recyclable materials, the LED Cinema Display meets stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold status.* The new display contains no brominated flame retardants and all cables and components are PVC-free.

Pricing & Availability

The new LED Cinema Display will be available in September through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $999 (US). The LED Cinema Display requires a Mac with Mini DisplayPort.

Panasonic Announces '3D' Interchangeable Lens

More of a ‘concept’ lens at this time, Panasonic is developing a 3D Interchangeable Lens with an expected release date of Q4 2010.  To be part of Panasonic’s Lumix G Micro System (including the G2 and GF1) below is the official press release.

Company Press Release:

Continuing its record of 3D technology leadership, Panasonic today announced the development of the world's first digital interchangeable twin-lens, making it possible to shoot 3D with an interchangeable lens system camera. As a new member of Panasonic’s powerful lineup of interchangeable lenses as part of the LUMIX G Micro System, the twin-lens will allow high-quality shooting in 3D. Panasonic plans to release this new lens for sale before the end of the year.

“This year will be remembered as the ‘First Year of 3D Era’ and Panasonic has already taken the lead by launching 3D-capable VIERA™ televisions and Blu-ray 3D Disc Players,” said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With Panasonic’s development of a twin-lens capable of 3D shooting, the company is providing consumers with a way to capture their own 3D content, which they can then enjoy watching in the comforts of their own home. Panasonic is dedicated to evolving the 3D ecosystem, letting consumers create and display lifelike 3D images in their homes.”

Currently, 3D shooting with an interchangeable lens system camera is possible only by using panorama systems or by combining two lenses and two CCDs.  However, these systems are not ideal and have difficulty capturing moving objects.  Panasonic's new 3D lens for the LUMIX G Micro System features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses that are then processed with a 3D image processing system. Thanks to Panasonic's advanced technologies in optical technology, image processing systems, and lens barrel design, the 3D lens will be compact in size.

This new compact 3D-capable interchangeable lens will be easy to handle and allow instant 3D shooting, without distortion or time lag between left and right images – even when shooting moving objects.

Sinar Announces View Camera Option For Canon and Nikon DSLR

Use your Canon or Nikon DLSR on a View Camera device.  Sinar is releasing a 35mm DLSR compatible view camera chassis for around $2000 US, which could dramatically change the capability of capturing images using a standard DSLR.

Company Press Release:

The Sinar p-slr was designed especially for photographers who would like to combine the convenience of digital single lens reflex cameras with the advantages and quality characteristics of a Sinar view camera. Exact control of perspectives and selective sharpness - the most important creative tools in photography - can be set and evaluated precisely on a view camera.

And now, Sinar also made all of these advantages available to the users of 35 mm SLR cameras. This well thought-out solution brings a significant enhancement of quality to users of 35mm cameras, because the high-resolution digital Rodenstock lenses can be used. The Sinar p-slr complies with the Sinar policy of offering photographers modular systems that are in keeping with the latest trends of the market. This upgrading set will be available as of August 2010 and it can be ordered right now at the price of 1980 Swiss Francs (not including the Value Added Tax).

Professionalism in the details

The Sinar p-slr can be used with all Canon and Nikon single lens reflex cameras currently on the market. Thanks to the quick locking adapter supplied with the Sinar p-slr, the format can be changed from vertical to horizontal with only a few motions and within seconds. If the single lens reflex camera is controlled by a computer, the integrated support for the cable ensures the safety and the protection of the USB / Fire Wire socket on the camera. A positioning- and centering aid serves for the exact positioning of the digital single lens reflex camera on the optical axis. That ensures that the sensor of the digital camera is positioned perfectly for vertical as well as horizontal exposures. This function is essential for making full use of the advantages of the view camera and for working professionally.

A summary of the advantages:

•                Unlimited creativity in composing an image

•                Unrestricted use of an existing single lens reflex camera

•                Cost-effective use of an existing Sinar view camera for digital solutions

•                Quick change from the vertical to a horizontal format

•                Adapters for a variety of 35 mm cameras

•                Unique expansion possibility for a live image by means of an additional monitor

•                Increased quality by the use of digital medium format- and view camera lenses

•                Support for USB- and power supply cables

•                Extensive assortment of professional accessories, such as bellows lens hood and filters

Sinar p-slr webpage