Available in three versions – white, silver and translucent – the new Profoto Umbrella XL features a diameter of 65″ with a slightly parabolic shape that allows photographers to change the light distribution by simply sliding the umbrella shaft inside the flash head. In addition, the light spread can also be adjusted by moving the Zoom Reflector back or forth, creating an even more versatile look.

The Profoto Umbrella XL fits on all Profoto flash heads and monolights. It can also be mounted on Profoto’s Cine Reflector, and thereby can be used with the new line of continuous light sources – ProDaylight 800 Air and ProTungsten 1000 Air.

There is also an optional front diffuser available to soften the light and reduce the intensity by 1.5 f/stops, practically converting the white and silver models into a fully functioning Octabox. An optional stand adapter allows photographers to mount the umbrella on a light stand, or for use with other flash brands.

For more information visit: www.Profoto-USA.com

Photographers searching for Pro Photo Deals have been saving big with Photo Dough. So far professional photographers have saved nearly $700,000 in a little over 6 months. With over 9200 deals sold there is no question where you can find daily deals on items photographers use every day.

Get started today and save on your next Pro Photo Deal! www.photodough.com

Press Release

M-ROCK camera bag includes a range of five top load holster SLR bags sized to hold all SLR cameras from the compact dSLR with a standard zoom lens attached up to the professional SLR body with a telephoto zoom lens attached. The bags feature and include a rock-solid build with thin plastic panels reinforcing the closed cell foam for an extra layer of impact absorption, two shoulder straps and 4 d-rings so the bags can be carried as a backpack or front harness style, a user-friendly modular attachment system for carrying additional lenses and accessories, sealed water resistant exterior zippers and a weather jacket that can cover the entire bag or be used as a protective lens changing sack. The bags are protected by M-ROCK’s life time defect warranty and can all be viewed at http://www.m-rock.com/catalog/holster-camera-bags.php

Verbatim: USB 2.0 Wallet Drive™
Executive-inspired leather encased portable hard drive offers distinctive style and premium storage

• Hand-stitched, genuine brown leather enclosure keeps data safe, and stylish
• Portable hard drive features USB 2.0 interface
• Compatible with both USB 2.0 ports
• Includes Nero BackItUp & Burn software (compatible with Windows OS) for data back-up and recovery
• Available in 640GB storage capacity
• 7 year warranty
• Windows and Mac compatible

Available at: Verbatim.com

via|Press Release

Elmsford NY – May 24, 2011 - Leading the way in carrying solutions for over 30 years, Tenba announces the new Discovery collection of incredibly lightweight bags for photographers with an active outdoor lifestyle. This new collection includes an adventure-friendly Photo/Hydration Daypack that’s compatible with a hydration reservoir, and a camera Shoulder Bag that provides quick access to a large camera system. The Discovery collection features water-repellant fabrics, heavy-duty hardware and professional-level protection and construction that meet Tenba’s “Crafted Without Compromise” standard. Both bags are available in black/gray and sage/khaki color combinations.

See more…

Photo Dough is giving away an M-ROCK camera bag to two lucky winners and all you have to do is subscribe for your chance to win!

When you register at Photo Dough (it’s free) you’re automatically entered to win an M-ROCK Camera Bag. We will be giving away (2) of M-ROCK’s super versatile 654 Wasatch Pro Holster SLR Camera Bags to two lucky Photo Dough subscribers.

The deadline for entry is 9:30am Eastern on May 26th, 2011.

Visit Photo Dough & Subscribe to Win

This short documentary follows Darren as he ventures out to San Francisco’s Lands End to try his giant homemade camera out. It shoots on 14×36-inch negatives! This is the ultimate application of a DIY mind.

 

www.darrensgreatbigcamera.com

Photojojo

The very next time someone asks me to teach them how to use their DSLR I’m sending them this link! Love, Love, Love…

camera sim/via the awesomer

The 2011 Program

In 2011 we’re taking the programming up to a completely different level. The number one request after last year was for more hands-on training. So, we’re making a huge change.

Sunday night’s program and all day Monday will be classroom style teaching in the Grand Ballroom of the Mirage Hotel. Similar to past years, we have a terrific lineup of speakers with outstanding presentations to help get you thinking about concepts in working with your clients, creativity, diversification covering children, family, weddings and even special projects.

On Tuesday, everything changes. We’ll have eight different instructors teaching lighting and posing for weddings, portraits, boudoir and even ways to bring a commercial fashion look to your images. Each program will be two hours long and you’ll be able to pick three different classes to attend! These are hands on classes with no more than 50-70 people in each workshop. We’ll have models, professional lighting setups, complete with backdrops and the feel of a real studio setting to help you get the very most out of each instructor’s style.

On Wednesday we’ll go back to classroom style programming, finishing this year’s Summer School at approximately 12:30 on Wednesday, August 3.

One important quality in any Skip’s Summer School program…everybody always gets a seat. There are no lines to wait in, unless you hit the buffet in the hotel! You never have to pay extra for the seat you already paid for! Even the Tuesday hands-on workshops, while they do have a maximum capacity in each one, there are eight different programs to choose from and each one is being taught by an outstanding instructor!

Everyone, including our speakers, is coping with the challenges in today’s economy. As a result, there’s one unified goal from the entire Skip’s Summer School Team – to help you find new ways to strengthen your business, your skill set and increase revenue for the future.

Hands-on Demonstration Workshops

There are eight different workshops to choose from on Tuesday, August 2. Each workshop will primarily focus on lighting, posing and the techniques/style of the instructor. All of the instructors have been chosen because of their incredible skills and ability to teach in an informal environment. As an attendee, you’ll be able to choose three of these programs for the day. In addition, most of the instructors will be available at Summer School during the rest of the schedule.

In the past that’s been part of the fun and secret of Summer School, networking! There are very few other workshops you could ever attend where you could have the time to really meet and talk with some of the greatest instructors in our industry, not to mention build your network meeting other photographers from all over the world!

http://mei500.com/

PRESS RELEASE -

Beaverton, OR (PRWEB) April 26, 2011

Fundy Software, Inc. has released a major upgrade toAlbum Proofer™ with amazing new features that add functionality and a cleaner design, both of which make for an amazing proofing tool for photographers to run successful businesses.

Album Proofer v4 includes new features such as:

–A brand new dashboard with a cleaner user interface that increases photographers’ productivity.

–A brand new client list with quick access to client information and galleries to keep photographers organized.

–Brand new options for soft pages or hard pages in clients’ slideshow galleries, which add elegance and value to a photography studio.

–A new, cleaner comments section that creates better communication between photographers and their clients.

Photographers will see the benefits of using Album Proofer as part of their business work flow immediately. Their clients easily can share album slideshows with friends and family via email or Facebook with the click of a button–everything is automated for quick and simple use.

The comments section functions a little like Facebook and photographers’ clients can tag and write up changes with fantastic visual guides, eliminating those back and forth emails. This will save studios time and make them more professional.

Fundy Software also is allowing anyone to use Album Proofer for free forever with a maximum of two albums. If photographers need more galleries, they can upgrade for a reasonable fee of $15 a month, $79 for six months or $129 for a year’s subscription to unlimited galleries as their businesses see growth.

Says Jason Groupp of The Jason Groupp, “I’ve been searching for something like this for a LONG time! My clients LOVE the Album Proofer. It gives them a ton of freedom. Happy clients like to spend money.”

Fundy Software was founded in 2008 and since then has become known as a leader in software solutions for professional wedding and portrait photographers. Fundy offers a variety of other products such as its 2011 HotOne award winning Album Builder™, Workflow™, Prosper™, Image Brander™, Fundy-Mentals™ and Action-o-Matic™. The products are unmatched and top photographers in the industry have much praise for the support services that Fundy Software offers its users.

For more information, see http://www.fundysoftware.com.

PRESS RELEASE…

Elmsford, NY (May 2, 2011) – MAC Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of professional photographic equipment, has announced significant developments and future plans for its TENBA® bag division.  After several years of partnership, MAC Group recently completed the final phase of fully acquiring the TENBA photo bag business and its worldwide patent and trademark portfolio from Robert Weinreb, who founded the pioneering company 35 years ago. MAC Group says it will dramatically increase its already-significant investment in the growth of the company in the U.S. and abroad, and has plans in place to expand substantially in both product scope and market share.

“We’ve grown our bag business over fourfold in as many years,” said TENBA and MAC Group President Jan Lederman. “The company is forecasting 2011 to be its biggest year by far, and is expecting the business to double over the next two years. This has been building for some time and, especially given the highly competitive nature of this category, is very exciting for us,” added Lederman.

TENBA is now in the midst of its first complete re-branding in its three-decade history. Logos, product aesthetics, packaging, websites and videos have all been changed to reflect the new direction and growth of the company.

Going forward, MAC’s product, marketing and distribution plans will put TENBA bags into the hands of a much broader worldwide audience, while staying true to TENBA’s and MAC’s core of working pros and the quality and innovations they have come to expect from TENBA bags.

TENBA’s ambitious growth initiative revolves around key elements, first and foremost of which are new products. The company—with the benefit of its own full-time design center—has dozens of products launching in the first half of the year, addressing the pro photo, serious photo enthusiast, video/HDSLR, and laptop/electronic categories.

Pulling out all the stops, the company just launched its new Roadies II line of rolling photo/video bags as well as the colorful Vector™ collection, which TENBA promises “looks like nothing the industry has seen before.” Fast on the heels of these introductions will be the launch of its Discovery™ lightweight outdoor collection, a pro video line, and much more.

On the sales and distribution side, the company is in the middle of a dramatic expansion of its U.S. and overseas retail presence, with display programs and even complete TENBA departments rolling out in retail locations around the World. Finally, TENBA will continue its trend of major overseas growth that began for the company approximately four years ago. “TENBA has always had particularly meaningful status appeal outside the U.S.,” says Lederman. “And with all of the new product and branding initiatives, it’s reached an entirely new level.” The company has a well-respected network of U.S. retailers and over 25 active and growing distributors worldwide with more being added each year.

About TENBA

TENBA provides innovative carrying case solutions to passionate and professional photographers, and their full equipment arsenal. TENBA introduced the world to soft-sided, professional camera bags in 1977, and has been an innovation and quality leader in the decades since. With so many years of experience in bag development and construction, along with a unique level of closeness and – literally – daily connection to the professional imaging community, TENBA is truly dialed-in to both the real-world needs of its customers and the latest in design trends, materials and manufacturing. With its own, U.S.-based, dedicated “bag lab” product development center and manufacturing facilities, both domestic and abroad, TENBA’s resources and capabilities allow the company to create unique and exceptional carrying and transport solutions for serious shooters.

TENBA (www.tenba.com) products are designed and marketed exclusively by MAC Group (www.MACGroupUS.com) in the USA, and sold by distributors around the world.

AlbumExposure is a comprehensive online album proofing solution that makes presenting and selling your designed albums easy and effective. Present in a realistic and interactive format while effortlessly receiving client feedback with chat style conversations.  Maintain a history of all revisions for clarity and protecting yourself from any misunderstandings with the final client album.  Up-sell pages. Streamline your workflow by creating a seamless process with our design partners and our killer Send to Print feature.  No more multiple uploads and timely steps, AlbumExposure makes it simple. Maintain your brand at all times and use the public embed option to promote and sell more albums.

Want to learn more? Visit Photo Dough now.

Dane Sanders recently updated his popular book, Fast Track Photographer.

The book is practical, easy to read, and surprisingly controversial for what it is: a middle-of-the-road business book for photographers.

Okay, so maybe that last bit might feel unkind. Middle of the road makes it sound … boring. Which it isn’t. Well, not totally. It did take a lot longer for me to read the book that other books on either photography or business that I’ve read the last couple of years. Considering that it stands at the crux of two of the genres that I read most of, you’d think I’d devour it like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (Chocolate *and* Peanut Butter? Oh, yeah!). I’ll get to that later.

One of the books greatest strengths and weaknesses is  that it doesn’t stand on its own, but is an adjunct to the pDNA (photographer’s Discovery, Negotiation, Activation, and only by some complete coincidence that it comes perilously close to Dane’s own name…). Much of the book revolves around how you, the reader, interpret your pDNA test, available on-line for an extra price, though a code for the first one is included with every copy of the new version. This is a fairly standard, though extensive character analysis test that suffers the same weakness as all of these tests: depending on your mood that day, the results can vary fairly wildly. Also, it is an easy process to jack, answering the questions the way you think you should be, and not the way you are.

However, the two parts used in tandem can serve as a springboard for photographers, to get a grasp on who they are and what style of photography. Dane breaks the world down into two types of photographers: ones who shoot for themselves, and ones who shoot for others. (In his terminology, the signature brand and the Freelancer.)

There is a frustrating mix of the wonderful and the mundane here, even in his terminology. Dane refers to photographers trying to ignore the tectonic shifts in how the industry works as “grumpies” a term that resonates with many and has even entered the lexicon of the DWF. Then he describes this new landscape as “digiflat”, which might convey his idea of a level playing field but resonated like a lead pipe filled with sand every time I read it.

Fortunately, Dane is smart enough to recognize when certain metaphors don’t fully explain things, or when certain concepts have not been completely undefined, and unlike a lot of business writers (who say “this is how it is and must be done”), is willing to say “you know what? The pDNA isn’t meant to be a straightjacket, but rather it’s designed to offer you a leg up into your career.

The trouble with the book, at least for me, is that it doesn’t really break new ground. If you haven’t read books by folks like Seth Godin or Michael Gerber, then perhaps the ideas in this book will seem new and exciting. But ultimately what the book is trying to do is bring business concepts to photographers with little or no business expertise. It’s not trying to be a bold new statement on the nature of work in the twenty-first century, it’s trying to explain these concepts to people who have little or no experience with them before. It’s also a workbook. Again, useful, necessary, but not something that is easy to read through.

But as a workbook? As a book to bring concepts from the broader business community and make them appropriate for photogs? It succeeds wonderfully. If you are a new photographer, or have little business sense, then yes, this book is for you. If you are trying to find your passion and direction? Then yes, this is the book for you. If you are feeling frustrated and lost? I bet this book would help you, too. If you know who you are and where you’re going? Well, parts of this book will probably be interesting and helpful, but a lot of it will be old hat to you. Same thing if you have been reading a lot of books on business theory and technique. Some good points, and some interesting chapters, but probably a lot of information that you won’t need.

Photo Dough (that’s the DWF’s Daily Deal Site for Photographers) is selling Dane’s Fast Track Photographer Audiobook (with pDNA assessment tool included) for 51% OFF

The ergo team at Smartfish let loose their imaginations when they designed this “mouse on a pedestal”.  When I unboxed the mouse that their marketing team sent me I must have looked at the thing for at least 2 minutes. Spinning it around, turning it upside down, sliding it etc…  It’s just that funky looking.

What I Loved….

• It was really comfortable to use
• It was accurate when used during my photo editing session
• The built in USB dongle storage on the bottom makes it idea for traveling

What I Didn’t Love….

• The tactile feel of the plastic. It’s feels a bit cheap due to the plastic and it’s lack of texture or cushioning
• It’s weight. It’s almost weightless, and if you’re like me and prefer some heft to your mouse you’re out of luck (some might like this)
• Lack of extra buttons. I like and use all of the “extra” buttons on my mice. Especially the side ones

Overall…

I would consider this mouse very useful if you suffer from any health issues that would require an ergo solution. I found myself lifting my arm off the desk and found it a pleasure in so far as fit goes. But if you’re a hardcore gamer or editor or mouse snob you’ll want to wait and see what version 2.0 of the smartsfish whirl has to offer.

Take pictures together.

Find someone. Party. Play date. Lunch?

Simultaneously use multiple iPhones and Androids to capture photos, videos, and conversations into a group album. There’s no attaching, uploading, or friending to do.

Share together in a new, moving social network. Just look around.

Kinda interesting if you ask me. Could it be that someday very soon we’ll all be sharing our photos as we take them at the wedding? Well I’m willing to bet some of the guests will especially given the fact that they have more money than you can shake a stick at now. Read up on that!

Color Demo from Color Labs, Inc. on Vimeo.

Seriously! How freaking cool is that thing? I totally want one because…. IT ACTUALLY WORKS!

Check it out on Kelly Angood’s blog!

Instructional video for pinhole Hasselblad from Kelly Angood on Vimeo.

Alright so based on all the buzz the past few months everywhere about the Fujifilm X100 I  (otto schulze) decided a contest would be a good idea. So many of you want this little camera so bad! So here it is folks, come and get it.

In the interest of not only handing one lucky person a Fujifilm X100 as grand prize but also to see, and share incredible images from all over the world. THE DECISIVE MOMENT. The idea made famous by my favorite photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson will be the subject of this contest. Send me your one image that to you best captures the DECISIVE MOMENT. And there is no categories or anything. Weddings, streets, portraiture, landscape, digital, film, large format, holga, iphones…whatever. And I also don’t care if you took the frame yesterday, twenty years ago or the day before the deadline. In fact, it doesn’t even have to involve people. Just send me your ONE IMAGE that to you captures the THE DECISIVE MOMENT. See my blog for contest rules and more details at OTTO SCHULZE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Post by the DWF on behalf of Otto we are not associated with the contest at all.

New York, NY (February 8, 2011) — Award-winning online video creation service Animoto announced today that it is launching a significantly enhanced version of the popular service for photographers. Now even easier to use, the new Animoto utilizes a brand new render engine allowing for the creation of 720p HD videos and 10x faster video rendering. Also announced today is a completely redesigned Web site (www.animoto.com) designed for a smoother video creation and distribution experience.

“All of these new features and enhancements announced today are a continuation of our efforts to provide photographers with a high-end video creation tool unrivaled in ease of use,” commented Brad Jefferson, CEO and Co-founder of Animoto.  “Our photography focus really took off last year with the creation of eight new video styles designed in collaboration with professional photographers. 2011 will see continued expansion of our Pro product and as always, professional photographers will play a major role in product development.”

Key Features of the New Animoto

Thanks to a new render engine, Animoto now features 360p web-quality videos, 720p HD video upgrades, and 10x faster video rendering. Starting today, the Animoto render engine is moving from CPU (central processing unit) to GPU (graphics processing unit) – the same ultra-powerful graphics processors used in motion pictures and gaming. With Amazon.com as an early investor, Animoto became a poster child for cloud computing on CPU. Now, Animoto is one of the first companies to build around Amazon’s GPU-driven cloud.

Animoto’s 720p HD-quality video and 360p web-quality video will initially only be available on the most popular video style, the Animoto Original, but will soon be available across all video styles over the coming months. The new 720p HD-quality video represents a substantial improvement over a previous highest quality output of 480p (DVD-quality). Pro account users can create unlimited HD and DVD-quality videos at no extra cost.

In addition, Animoto’s Web site (www.animoto.com) has been completely redesigned to offer users improved functionality. Its first major redesign since its launch in 2007, this sleek makeover makes it easier for new users to find the right product, and learn about the features they care the most about. The redesign also includes an aesthetic redesign of the video creation interface, and the addition of numerous back-end features that will make Animoto even easier to use.

The blue and the red are a bit much for me but I can totally handle the green and the black.  Here is the press release.

Tenba Announces Vector Collection of Striking and Colorful Camera Bags

Stylish and affordable new consumer camera bags available in four trendy colors including classic black

Elmsford NY – February 7, 2011 – Leading the way in carrying solutions for over 30 years, Tenba announces today the new Vector Collection of consumer/prosumer camera bags. This unique collection of camera bags includes small camera pouches and top load bags for point-and-shoot cameras or an SLR camera body and one lens, plus shoulder bags and a daypack to fit larger camera systems with lenses. All bags are available in Krypton Green, Oxygen Blue, Cadmium Red and Carbon Black.

Tenba Vector bags are extraordinarily lightweight, and constructed of water-resistant fabrics for protection in wet weather conditions. Top Loads, Shoulder Bags and Daypacks all include Tenba’s exclusive WeatherWrap, the fastest deploying all-weather cover around, plus color-matched, microfiber lens cloths.

The Vector Collection includes three pouch sizes, the largest of which is designed to be a perfect fit for the Canon G12, Nikon P7000 or Sony NEX with a 16mm lens. For an SLR with a single lens there are two sizes of Top Load bags that can be used with the supplied shoulder strap or attached to a belt. Small-, medium- and large-sized Shoulder Bags fit cameras with extra lenses, flash and accessories. And the Daypack is a comfortable and supportive way to carry both a camera system and the other items a photographer might need during a full day of shooting, like food, an umbrella and a jacket.

The new Vector camera bags are available now at suggested retail prices ranging from $12.95 to $79.95.

To find more information about the Vector Collection, and to see a full video demonstration of all Tenba products, visit www.tenba.com.

And that all-in, full commitment is the Motibodo’s biggest strength and greatest weakness. You see, the Motibodo might look like a fancy controller for lightroom, but the control surface is actually just a converted (mac) keyboard. At the heart of the Motibodo is the software, which takes and changes the inputs on the Motibodo keyboard (and any keyboard that is hooked up to your computer; more on that soon). So if you hit the Q key, for instance, instead of getting the spot removal tool, you get the gradient tool. Or if you hit the C key expecting to go to Library: Compare, don’t be surprised if you reduce the clarity instead.

The keys are laid out sequentially, paired and in a logical order, designed to make your processing easier. If you want to adjust brightness, hit the A key to decrease the brightness and the S key to increase. Vibrance? Z to decrease, X to increase. Clarity? C and V. Exposure? J and K. Tint? O and P. It’s simple, easy to understand, and quite logical. And it keeps your hands on the keyboard for more of your editing, rather than having to take your hands off and use the mouse. It exposes a lot of the power of Lightroom, putting more control at your fingertips. Just move through the keys, upping brightness here, decreasing fill light there. Easy Peasy.

But that ease of use comes at a cost. And the cost is unlearning what you know about editing in lightroom right now. Because, as I said earlier, the Motibodo is not a control surface with its own input commands. It is a software program with a converted keyboard that goes with it. And if you don’t have the keyboard? You can just use a silicon keyboard overlay on your existing keyboard. Or you can just use your keyboard as is. The software doesn’t discriminate. If you hit the Z key on your Motibodo, it decreases the vibrance. If you hit the Z key on your laptop keyboard? It decreases the vibrance.

And that’s where Motibodo lost me. I was hoping to be able to flip from the traditional keyboarb shortcuts in Lightroom, which I know and use constantly, to the Motibodo keyboard. But that didn’t happen. In order to use the Lightroom commands, I had to use the fn key. Because I was only demoing the Motibodo for a few weeks, I couldn’t bring myself to fully commit to doing things the Motibodo way, and so kept trying to hit the wrong keys. Is this Motibodo’s fault or mine? I’ll leave it to you to decide.

The second strike against Motibodo is this: that because the Motibodo is basically a series of keyboard macros in a nice package, not only do you have to unlearn the old keyboard shortcuts (or relearn, with the addition of the fn key), you MUST set up Lightroom one way and one way only. For example, hitting the F2 key triggers the preset DQ Hype, but only because the Macro says “Look over in the left sidebar, and trigger the fourth item down.” If you have closed the DQ preset folder and opened up a different folder, hitting the F2 key will get you wildly different results. And what happens if you want to access a preset or command that is currently hidden? Suddenly the whole process becomes MORE complicated, not less, as you have to expose hidden tabs, do what you want to do, then hide the tab again, or run the risk of having certain commands not doing what you think they should be doing.

The third strike against it is that the Motibodo isn’t customizable. It forces you to think like Dave Cheung, who created the Motibodo. Yes, Dave is a smart fellow (and quite handsome to boot), but his mind works different than mine does.Or perhaps more accurately, mine works different than his. Something that he thinks is obvious, I find obscure. Something that he thinks is not useful and should be hidden, I might use fairly regularly. And because I need to keep using commands that the Motibodo isn’t set up to do, I constantly find myself having to go outside of Motibodo.

Three strikes. That means you’re out, right? Not necessarily. I’m out, but I wouldn’t completely write off the Motibodo for everybody. As I said, there are many, many people who swear by the Motibodo. People whose minds work akin to Dave’s, or who are willing to commit fully and wholeheartedly to the interface the Motibodo provides in order to gain the faster editing the Motibodo promises. And I’m sure I’ll be getting angry email from each and every one of them, because they’re a passionate bunch that really love their motibodos. And I respect that, and I love Dave like a brother I’ve never met and who is a foot shorter and a different race than I. But hear this: THE MOTIBODO IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. But for those who it is for, man, I’m told the skies will open up and angels will sing once you grok it.

Does Adobe not realize that there are tons of FREE ways to share files? I’m wondering what they were thinking with SendNow. Does anyone know? Why would I pay $10-$20 per month to do something that I can already do for FREE with services like DropBox. Am I missing something glaringly obvious?

This email just hit my inbox. Apparently Pocketwizard is filing a patent infringement case. Read up…

________________

Tutorial – Canon 60d 1000fps using Apple Motion instead of Twixtor from CrumplePop on Vimeo.

Canon 60D 1000fps using Apple Motion instead of Twixtor from CrumplePop on Vimeo.

Today is the day that the Mac App Store opens.

Having scored a big hit with the iPhone apps store (a move that they were apparently pressured into by consumer demand: “dear Apple, puhleese let us give you billions of dollars! Pretty please?”), Apple is testing the waters to see if a one-stop shop will work for Mac apps.

On the surface, the idea seems like a good one. Much easier to get apps from one place than downloading from hundreds of different sources online (hush, I know about downloads.com; you’re ruining the piece), the Mac App store will allow users to download apps from, wait for it, one place.

Unlike the iPhone apps store, the Mac Apps store *won’t* have a lock on the market. You’ll still be able to download, say Pixelmator from pixelmator.com. But the apps store will be a place to discover hitherto unknown apps, as well as a place to download apps safely, without fear of viruses or other malware. And yes, Virginia, there is Mac malware.

Will we suddenly be overrun with a thousand mac-based fart apps? Only time will tell. But I for one will be watching with interest as apps make their way onto the apps store. And maybe we’ll start to see high quality, interesting creative apps, like Hipstamatic, and Camera + start to show up on the Mac platform as well.

The store will open at noon in one time zone or another. Probably Pacifc.

So. Burlington, VT – January 5, 2011 – PocketWizard, the industry leader in wireless control and synchronization of cameras, flash and light meters, announces its MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver for the Nikon DSLR camera system. Sales of the Nikon versions in the U.S. are expected to begin January 2011. Canon-compatible versions are available now.

Following months of intense development, PocketWizard is in the final testing stages of the highly-anticipated ControlTL^™ system for Nikon products. Nikon DSLR photographers will soon enjoy the ease of TTL exposure automation with the simplicity PocketWizard’s ControlTL™ system, featuring the MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver. These new i-TTL capable radio slaves make taking off-camera flash as effortless as slide-in, turn-on and shoot.

Combining TTL automation with the reliability of PocketWizard radio technology results in perfect off-camera flash photography in any environment – around corners, out-of-sight and even outdoors in bright sunlight. The MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver can be used to control single or multiple off-camera Nikon i-TTL flash units at speeds up to 6/fps and faster. Thanks to upgradeable firmware, these units will remain current even as camera technology changes.

“Perfect for commercial, wedding, sports, fashion photography and so much more, PocketWizard’s wireless triggering systems make some of the most difficult lighting situations not only possible but amazingly easy,” said Dave Schmidt, Director of Marketing, PocketWizard. “Nikon makes a really great flash system. When photographers add the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 to their existing arsenal of equipment, the photographic possibilities are endless.”

The Nikon-system PocketWizard MiniTT1 Transmitter is a tiny, low-profile unit (2.8 x 1.9 x 1.3 inches) that slides into the camera’s hot shoe. The FlexTT5 Transceiver is also low-profile but slightly larger (3.6 x 2.9 x 1.4 in.) transceiver. Both take the complex TTL exposure data being sent through the camera’s hot shoe and digitally transmit it as a reliable radio signal.

These new PocketWizard radios can be used to trigger an endless combination of TTL or manual flash units placed wherever desired to illuminate a scene. Nikon flash units slide into the shoe of a dedicated FlexTT5 Transceiver for TTL operation; there are no wires or connecting cables required. Any change in ISO, aperture and shutter speed is automatically adjusted for. The full range of Nikon flash control is efficiently passed along giving the photographer convenient on-camera control of their remote dedicated flashes. The units are also compatible with any PocketWizard radio permitting simultaneous triggering of manual flash, remote cameras or mixing TTL flash with manual flash if desired.
For typical TTL operation, the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 require no buttons to be pressed or settings to change other than the camera’s shutter speed – to provide FP (High Speed) flash sync all the way to an unprecedented 1/8000^th second. This allows using flash with wide-open apertures (for shallow depth-of-field), and outdoors in bright, outdoor sunlight resulting in some amazing new images. ControlTL technology also enables some previously impossible camera capabilities including HyperSync™ for flash synchronization above the camera’s x-sync with full-power manual and studio-type flash units.

Both new PocketWizard units have a two-position channel switch that can be programmed via a computer (using the supplied USB cable) or set in the field with a built-in “Learn” mode via another PocketWizard radio. The system features 20 ControlTL channels as well as all of PocketWizard’s 32 discreet channels for traditional triggering. By plugging a Mini or Flex unit into a computer with the PocketWizard utility software loaded, photographers can configure channel, HyperSync timing, sleep timers and more or they can simply update the unit’s firmware with push-button ease.

The new PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios offer more capability than any radio triggering units marketed. As digital technology advances, more capabilities will be added to the system, essentially offering “future proof” technology that adds even more value to this remarkable system.

Accessories available soon for these new PocketWizard units include the Nikon-compatible PocketWizard AC3 ZoneController, which allows the user to control three zones (A,B,C) of Nikon flashes or groups of flash units mounted on Flex TT5 transceivers in either automatic-exposure or manual control.  Also available is the PowerST4 radio receiver that plugs into an Elinchrom RX flash units and controls power level, modeling light functions when used with a Mini or Flex or can be used as a standard receiver for regular PocketWizard units. Similarly, the new AC9 AlienBees Adapter slides into the shoe of the Flex TT5 to interface with AlienBees flash units. Both work with the AC3 for even more control and versatility.

About PocketWizard

Incorporating the latest radio technology, PocketWizard exceeds the demands of the working pro with durability, ease of use, advanced capabilities and legendary PocketWizard reliability.

PocketWizard products, including the PlusII, MultiMax, MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 are made by LPA Design, based in South Burlington, Vermont and sold by distributors around the world including the MAC Group in the USA.

The new Lexar 128 SDXC is the largest SD card available (or rather, not-quite available: “First Quarter” says the press release.), priced at a cool $700.

The card, built on the SDXC standard, won’t work in every camera or device, as not every camera is SD 4.0 compliant.

Also announced, a  64 GB SDXC card with 133 x write-speeds.

This is the first, though hopefully not the last, photo-related announcement coming out of, or in this case ahead of, CES. We’ll randomly toss in a few things here and there over the next few days. If they catch our attention. And if we remember.

Speaking of press releases, here it is, in all it’s glory:

Lexar Media Introduces the First 128GB Professional Secure Digital Extended Capacity Memory Card for Photographers and Videographers

High-Capacity Lexar Professional 133x SDXC Cards Offer High-Speed Performance for Capturing, Storing, and Managing Extensive 1080p HD Video

Key Messages:

64GB Class 10 SDXC™ card and industry-first 128GB Class 10 SDXC card provide massive storage capacities and professional-level performance for capturing more of the memories that matter
Minimum guaranteed speed of 133x accelerates the professional workflow by providing quick transfer of high-resolution images and HD video from the card to the computer
Professional-level performance supports the advanced image- and video-capture capabilities of the newest digital SLR cameras
Includes the latest version of award-winning Image Rescue® software for valuable peace of mind

Las Vegas, NV, January 3, 2011 – Lexar Media, a leading global provider of memory products for digital media, today announced new Lexar® Professional Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC) memory cards. The new high-capacity Lexar Professional 133x SDXC cards enable the capture, storage, and transfer of extended lengths of 1080p high-definition (HD) video and continuous, rapid-fire image capture in a single, high-performance solution. The Lexar Professional 133x SDXC card is the first available in a 128GB capacity, and is also offered in a 64GB capacity. Both cards are speed rated at 133x, providing a minimum guaranteed transfer speed of 20MB per second, and feature a Class 10 speed designation. For additional information about Lexar Professional SDXC cards, visit www.lexar.com.

“The professional photography industry is at a point where digital photo- and video-capture methods are converging, meaning that professional shooters need a memory solution with the versatility and reliability to safely store both photos and videos,” said Pachi Chen-Wong, senior product marketing manager, Lexar Media. “The 64GB and 128GB Lexar Professional 133x SDXC cards combine high-speed performance with large capacities to offer solutions for professionals who shoot large volumes of high-resolution images and HD video.”

The Lexar Professional 133x SDXC memory cards are compatible with all SDXC-enabled devices. The cards include the latest version of award-winning Image Rescue software to help recover lost or deleted photo and video files. Professional photographers can now capture, store, and manage more of the photo and video content critical to their livelihoods.

Lexar Professional 133x SDXC cards provide consumers with the quality and reliability they have come to expect from Lexar Media. All Lexar product designs are tested in the Lexar Quality Labs, a group of facilities where all Lexar product designs undergo extensive testing to ensure performance, quality, compatibility, and reliability with more than 800 intended digital devices.

The Lexar Professional SDXC cards include a limited lifetime warranty and free, dedicated professional technical support. The new 64GB and 128GB Lexar Professional SDXC memory cards will be available in the first quarter of 2011 at leading retailers and on Lexar.com, with MSRPs of $399.99 and $699.99, respectively.

Follow us online!
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lexarmedia
YouTube™: www.youtube.com/lexarmediainc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LexarMedia

About Lexar Media:
Lexar Media is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of NAND flash and DRAM memory products under the Lexar® and Crucial® brand names. Lexar Media offers products in all major flash and DRAM memory categories, including USB flash drives, innovative backup drives, industry-leading memory cards for photography, and all popular form factors of memory cards for mobile devices. Under the Crucial brand, Lexar Media offers industry-leading solid-state drives (SSD) and more than 250,000 DRAM memory upgrades for 50,000 computer systems. For more information about Lexar brand products, visit www.lexar.com, and for Crucial brand products, visit www.crucial.com.

Lexar Media is vertically integrated with Micron Technology, one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. Lexar Media, Inc. is a subsidiary of Micron Technology, Inc. Lexar Media is a division of Micron Europe Limited, a division of Micron Semiconductor Asia Pte. Ltd., and a division of Micron Japan, Ltd.

Lexar. When Memory Matters.™

It’s easy to admire Paul C Buff, purveyor of some shockingly good but very affordable lighting gear. But the company’s ability to hit ship dates has been … scattershot, to say the least. A couple weeks ago, our pros who took the plunge and pre-ordered the Mini Lithium got a note saying that “we have unfortunately encountered a delay at the very last minute that is beyond our control. We have all of the inverters and casing components in house and were awaiting arrival of the lithium batteries when we learned that they were being held for international inspection. They are not expected to clear customs until mid-January.”

Well, here it is, still early January and the note has gone out: “Shortly after sending the email we were notified that our batteries had been released from customs, and we are pleased to let you know that our shipment arrived yesterday and we are now assembling Vagabond Mini™ Lithium units! *We are contacting you now to let you know that your Vagabond Mini™ Lithium order will be shipping soon!”

And as of yesterday, there’s a note on the website saying they are shipping already.

So, while nobody we know has a Mini Lithium yet, they are on their way! Yay!

Don’t know what the Mini Lithium is? It’s most of the power of the Vagabond II, stuffed into a 3.5 lb package. Much easier for the porta-photographer who likes carrying his (or her) studio gear with them whereever they go.

AA Flight 732 — 2K iTimelapse for iPhone from Andrew Wonder on Vimeo.

I shot my flight home from Dallas to NYC using the iTimelapse application on my iphone. I set it to shoot at the highest resolution (2048×1536) and set the camera at 2 fps.

The timelapse is compose of 2,134 stills taken over the 3 hour flight. Read More