Category Archives: Photography Musings

Just my thoughts about photography at the time.

Leica very limited M8 White Edition. Harry?

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What financial crisis? if you can even contemplate a new Leica, you are obviously doing better than I am. Now they are releasing a limited edition (read, more expensive) M8 camera. Only 275 available too. Get that credit card out.

Leica very limited M8 White Edition now available

Following the olive green Leica M8.2 Safari Edition Leica now introduces the pure white Leica M8 White Edition. The camera is accompanied by a high-quality, real leather carrying strap, embossed with the Leica logo. The control elements are finished in silver chrome and, in combination with the lens, perfectly round off the overall styling of the set. The white edition is even more limited than the 500 unit Safari version; just 275 of you will have the chance to become the lucky owner. This white dream is yours for $8.500.00, pre-order now…

via www.dcviews.com

Leica very limited M8 White Edition now available - digital camera and photography news

Watermarks, good or bad? You decide.

3 Replies

It seems to be happening more and more lately, people plastering bloody great watermarks across their work. Obviously, I understand that some times you don’t want your work used with out your permission, but I am sure some of them could be slightly more subtle. When you can’t see the photo for the huge bright orange text saying “©2009 Worlds Best Photography – All rights reserved – Don’t copy with out permission – My dog like bones.” it is getting a bit out of hand.

Now, before my good pal Mick Orlosky tears me a new one and points out that I was watermarking my photos a while back, I would like to think mine were slightly more subtle than some I have seen of late. Below is an example.

2105

So subtle, it is hardly worth being there in fact. So, what says you my devoted reader? Watermarks, are they good or evil?

Note, here is one I made up especially for Mick. 🙂

Just testing my new watermark for Mick

Sony unveils four new lenses.

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If you are one of the 7 people who own a Sony DSLR, exciting news!

Sony has announced four new lenses to accompany its new Alpha models. Aimed squarely at the first-time DSLR owners it’s done so much to attract, all feature inexpensive construction (including plastic mounts) and a new in-lens autofocus system designated SAM (which stands for Smooth Autofocus Motor). First up is a pair of new kit zooms (standard and telephoto), in the shape of the DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM and the DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM. These are accompanied by a pair of primes; the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and the DT 30mm F2.8 macro SAM. Prototypes of all four lenses were first shown at PMA earlier this year.

via Sony unveils four new lenses: Digital

Photography Review.

More on the new Pentax.

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B&H photos have them listed on their website for $1199.95! That seems awfully cheap for a camera with those features.

Pentax | K-7 SLR Digital Camera | B&H Photo Video.

Pentax K-7 SLR Digital Camera

Imaging

Resolution
Effective: 15.07, Recorded: 14.6MP
Sensor
23.4 x 15.6mm CMOS
Bit Depth
12-Bit
File Formats
RAW, JPEG, AVI
File Size
Not Specified By Manufacturer
Color Spaces
sRGB, Adobe RGB
Image Stabilization
Yes
Crop Factor
1.5x
Optics

Lens
N/A
Zoom
N/A
Lens Mount
Pentax K Mount
Focus Type
Auto and Manual Focus
Focus Range
N/A
Accessory Lens/Filter Mount
N/A
Shooting Controls

Sensitivity
ISO: 100-3200 (expandable to 6400)
Shutter Speeds
1/8000 – 30 sec, bulb
Metering
77 Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure Modes
Auto, Program, Manual, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority
White Balance
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (4 Settings), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, Manual
Mirror Lock-Up
Yes
Burst Capability
High-speed continuous: 5.2fps, Low-speed continuous: 3.3fps
Self Timer
12 seconds or 2 seconds
Interval Recording
No
Remote Control
Yes: Pentax Cable Switch 205, Remote Control F
Flash

Built-in Flash
Yes
Effective Flash Range
Up to 42′ (13 m)
External Flash Connection
Hotshoe, PC terminal
Dedicated Flash System
Pentax P-TTL series
Max Sync Speed
1/180 second
Memory

Built-in Memory
No
Memory Card Type
SD/SDHC
Still Images per GB
RAW: 40
JPEG: High Res:73 – Low Res:2518
A/V Recording

Video Recording
Video with Audio, HD & NTSC Output
Video Resolution
1536 x 1024 @ 30fps, 1280 x 720 @ 30fps, 640 x 416 @ 30fps
Video Clip Length
Not Specified By Manufacturer
Audio Recording
Audio with Video only
Viewfinder/Display

Viewfinder Type
Eye-level Pentaprism
Viewfinder Coverage
100%
Display
3″ LCD
Connectivity/System Requirements

Connectivity
USB 2.0, A/V Out, HDMI (Type C), 3.5mm Stereo Mini Input
System & Software Requirements
Windows XP, Vista
Mac OS X (10.3.9 or later)
Environmental

Operating/Storage Temperature
Operating Temperature: 14-104°F/-10-40°C
Weatherproofing
Not Specified By Manufacturer
Durability
Not Specified By Manufacturer
Power

Battery Type
D-LI90 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Power Adapter
D-AC50 AC Adapter Kit (optional)
Physical

Dimensions
5.1 x 3.8 x 2.9″ (129.5 x 96.5 x 73.7mm)
Weight
22.9 oz (649g) body only

Exciting times to be a photographer.

News Flash! I want to learn how to use one.

2 Replies

Yes, you heard right, I would like to learn how to use a flash properly (not flash techniques, the actual workings of a flash. ETTL explained etc etc). I know, I have spent countless hours banging on about how the Strobist folks are the trainspotters of the photographic society, but I am looking at doing some more paid work, and I am tipping it will involve a flash at some stage. For now, I just want to be able to learn some of the basics. No off camera stuff just yet. Just how to use my current flash, a Sigma EF-500 DG Super (wow that sounds impressive), to its potential.

Rough nut

So, if you know of any online tutorials or guides, leave me a comment here.