Techno gadget » camera

Sony’s Handycam with NEX E-mount

krish — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:59:32 +0000

According to the press release, the full-HD VG10 “marries the best of dSLR and camcorder technology”, which is to say it that borrowed some aspects of the NEX line. For instance, the videocam has a 14.2-megapixel APS-C sized sensor, which is presumably the same utilized in the NEX-5. And as with the NEX digicams, the VG10 snaps 14.2-megapixel stills and captures 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) movies. The Handycam is also able to use A-mounts and other branded glasses with the LA-E1 or third-party adapters, respectively. By coupling a larger image sensor with the lenses, users can record videos that have shallow depth-of-field for a more cinematic effect. Framing is done via a 3-inch swivel LCD or the pivoting electronic viewfinder. The VG10 accepts both Memory Stick and SD/SDHC media for storage. The Handycam has a stereo microphone, which Sony has dubbed the Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone. According to the firm, this contraption is able to pick up sonics from four omni-directional mics. The signals are then combined by an advanced processing algorithm to deliver clear audio.

Lather up with camera soap

krish — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:11:35 +0000

These days, most retails shops will bundle a cleaning kit when you purchase a camera. So if your point-and-shoot needs to stay clean, you should, too. And if you’re a devoted shutterbug who eats, lives and breathe photography, perhaps you should take a second look at this camera-shaped soap. Rob and Megan Green, otherwise known as Stinkybomb on the online store Etsy, are selling homemade soap for US$10. The mold which the soap is made from is an Olympus compact and modified to show the duo’s label.

Nikon’s New AF-S 200-400mm Telephoto Lens

krish — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:10:07 +0000

The Nikon AF-S 200-400mm F4G ED VRII is a supertelephoto lens, with a zoom range of 200mm to 400mm on an FX body, and with a massive zoom range of 300mm to 600mm on a DX body. All while maintaining a constant aperture of F4.0 throughout the zoom range. Although not as fast as its F2.8 cousins, what it saves in weight and adds in maneuverability make it excellent for taking out into the field, shooting handheld, be it birds, wildlife, or yacht racing. The professional-grade lens body is made from die-cast magnesium for increased durability, and is sealed to resist moisture and dust. There is a special Meniscus glass at the front to help protect the front element. It features four Extra Low-Dispersion (ED) glass lens elements to help assure maximum color and sharpness while reducing unwanted chromatic aberrations. Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology works to ensure fast and quiet autofocusing.

The AF-S 200-400mm F4G ED VRII lens features Nikon’s VRII image stabilization system that allows for up to four stops of camera shake correction, especially beneficial for shooting handheld with a lens of this focal length as well as for shooting HD video. The VRII system is automatically engaged when shooting video in the D-Movie on select models of Nikon dSLR camera bodies. It also has several new autofocusing features to enhance functionality. You can now select from three focus modes to match shooting situations, including manual mode and autofocus with manual override (M/A) mode, and a new A/M mode that’s used to avoid accidentally canceling out the AF setting by unintentionally moving the focus ring while in the midst of shooting. The M/A and A/M focus modes enhance the AF control with fast, secure switching from automatic and manual focus to adapt to personal shooting preferences and techniques, making it easy to switch from AF to Manual mode.

Jackie Chan-edition EOS 550D Camera

krish — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:48:37 +0000

Enter the Eye of Dragon EOS 550D released by Canon China, with gold accents around the camera’s name and logo near the hotshoe. The US$1,450 package will also come with a specially designed camera strap and leather case. And, instead of the usual 18-55mm kit lens, the snapper will ship with the 18-135mm glass. Did we also mention there’s a Jackie Chan photo album bundled as well, Strictly for fans of the action auteur, only 2,010 sets of the Eye of Dragon EOS 550D are produced.

A Tripod Adjusts Levels Itself

krish — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:40:55 +0000

It’s always advisable to use a tripod when shooting landscape because this helps to keep the horizon level. However, if you’re snapping on an uneven surface, you’ll have to level the tripod head with the equipped bubble level. But this can be quite a tedious task especially when handling a bulky camera. This is where the Acadalus Self-Leveling Camera Head comes in handy. The Acadalus mount has a built-in digital inclinometer, which detects how steep the camera is tilted. At the press of a press of a button, the stepper motor (used in flight simulators) will automatically level the tripod head with the horizon. However, this piece of technology doesn’t come cheap. Priced at US$5,000, that’s even more expensive than a high-end dSLR or any tripod head on the market now.

Instant Lomo Prints

krish — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:54:05 +0000

One 35mm compact camera started the Lomo craze, and that was the Lomo LC-A. Out-of-focus and weird toned images are characteristics of pictures taken with this Russian camera, but what if you can’t wait to see the photos? Simple, just attach the Instant Back+ to it. Developed by Lomographic Society International, the Instant Back + is a module which you can fit onto the rear of an L-CA camera. All you need to do is remove the back cover and, with some clever tinkering, fit the attachment onto the shooter. After that, you’re on your way to instant Lomo nirvana. The Instant Back + accepts Fujifilm Instax Mini cartridges which are readily available. What found really ingenious is how the engineers managed to modify the camera’s hinges to accept two different modules. All this without having to remove the important components of the snapper.

Rugged Pextax W90

krish — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:02:07 +0000

The 12-megapixel camera is waterproof down to 6m, shockproof from drops of 1.2m and freezeproof to -10 degrees Celsius. Built from reinforced polycarbonate plastic, the W90 has a 5x, F3.5-5.5, 28-140mm and a 2.7-inch display. If you look closely at the lens, you can see there are three LEDs around it to help brighten scenes. They’re also designed to work with the camera’s Digital Microscope mode to capture macro subjects less than an inch from the camera. It shoots 720p HD video at 30 frames per second (Motion JPEG) and there’s a mini HDMI output for direct playback on an HDTV or monitor. The carabiner strap is a nice addition, and if you’re afraid of dropping it while in the water, Pentax makes a floating strap for it. A US$29.95 waterproof infrared remote control will be available, too, for those who want to shoot from a distance or reduce camera shake. It uses SD/SDHC cards for storage and a lithium-ion rechargeable battery for power.

Pentax’s Megazoom

krish — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:24:18 +0000

The X90 has full manual and semi-manual controls, sensor-shift image stabilization, 2.7-inch LCD, electronic viewfinder and support for Eye-Fi wireless SD memory cards. It isn’t overflowing with shooting features like those models using backside-illuminated CMOS sensors, but it does have high-speed continuous burst shooting at up to 11 frames per second at 5-megapixel resolution. Macro shots can be taken down to less than an inch from a subject and you can add digital filters such as Toy Camera, Fisheye, and Retro. There is also dynamic range adjustment for highlight and shadow correction. Movies can be shot at 720p at 30fps (Motion JPEG) and there’s a mini HDMI port for playback on an HDTV or monitor. The X90 is powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable cell and stores to SD/SDHC cards. Pentax claims improved battery life, which was a weakness for the X70.

Polaroid on your scarf for you

krish — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:18:39 +0000

If you chanced upon a Polaroid picture on the streets of your city, would you be inspired to make a wearable object out of it? French designer Philippe Roucou has made a limited edition run of silk scarves based on Polaroid pictures–almost as rare as the now-defunct official Polaroid film.

Canon PowerShot S90

krish — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:14:31 +0000

The Canon PowerShot S90 is a very capable point-and-shoot, but I’ve heard complaints about its size. It’s just a tad too small for some of my photographer friends who have large hands. This custom attachment by Richard Franiec adds a nice grip to the front of the S90. It is made from aircraft-grade aluminum that’s being glass bead blasted, nickel sealed and anodized black to complement the chassis of the PowerShot. The grip is attached to the Canon by a super-strong adhesive which, according to the manufacturer, can be removed without damaging the camera’s shell or finishing.