Cameras

Photographer Rob Whitworth has created a number of beautiful time-lapse videos that have received huge numbers of views online. This past April, Whitworth had the opportunity to take his skills to the city of Da Nang, Vietnam to document the Danang International Fireworks Competition 2013, one of the world’s “biggest and best” firework contests. The video above documents the two nights on which the competition was held, and it also includes some glimpses of the day in between. There were 3 firework displays on the first night and 2 displays on the second. Leading firework makers from around the world — or more specifically, the US, Russian, Japan, Italy, and Vietnam — showed off their latest and greatest fireworks in the skies above the Han River. On the third night of the competition, the winning team is awarded the DIFC Trophy. This year it was the team from the United States that took home the prize. Here is a selection of the long-exposure photographs captured by Whitworth (these are the images that went into making the time-lapse video seen above): You can find more of Whitworth’s photography and time-lapse work over on his website.

The Leica Mini M camera is set to be unveiled on June 11th 2013. Read more and comment »

Leica has placed a teaser on its Facebook page for a new 'Mini M' camera to be launched on June 11th, that apparently will slot into its range between the M rangefinder and the X2 fixed-lens compact. It's given no other details, and we don't yet know what's coming, but we think it could make sense for the company to produce a full-time live view version of the M Typ 240, using the same sensor but with the expensive rangerfinder assembly removed. This would result in a 24MP full frame mirrorless camera that would be able to use almost any manual focus SLR or rangefinder lens ever made, without a field-of-view crop. What kind of camera would you like Leica to make? Let us know in the comments.

B&H has the Canon PIXMA MG8220 Wireless All-In-One Color Inkjet Printer available for $124.99 with free shipping. Compare at $167.98.

Necessitating change is that the site's Canon serial number to manufacturing date conversion chart has been falling apart in 2013. First, I'd like to say "Thanks" to all of you who let me know that your new lens was manufactured at some future date. :) While I jest, I seriously appreciate those of you who did provide that information. We've been researching the necessary corrections. With your help and with the help of Lensrentals.com, I have updated the Canon Lens Date Code Chart While I'm not positive that the new numbers are 100% accurate, they are definitely better than before. And with your help, we will continue to dial them in to perfection (if perfection is indeed possible).

What’s cooler than a multi-cell pinhole camera? How about a multi-cell pinhole camera upgraded to a lensed version? That’s exactly what James Guerin has put together as a follow-up to a previous lens-less camera experiment. “When I saw the effects I could achieve with the pinhole multi-cell I decided to go and build a lensed version. I thought that the in focus and blurred areas would add another dimension and open up a world of original portraits,” says Guerin. Simultaneously, the camera shoots twenty images with twenty lenses in twenty compartments. That’s a whole lot of twenties! The added lenses (made of cheap plastic double convex) feature a focal length of 150mm, which are arranged in a grid, according to Guerin. “Due to the nested box design concertina style focusing is possible from a distance of 300mm (where 1:1 magnification is achieved) to approximately 550mm (overlapping of cells occurs).” Focusing accurately on this pinhole camera requires acrylic glass and scotch tape (also known as ‘ground glass’), and the shutter is controlled via a sliding plate. “I vary the aperture by placing custom ‘aperture plates’ that slide in front of the lenses. Of course the aperture changes depending on the focus draw, therefore I calculate my aperture for each shot by dividing the distance from lens to film by the diameter of my aperture disc (simple steel washers).” Camera-to-subject distance of 300mm yields 1:1 magnification, thus a “normal” picture, but longer distances produce rather interesting effects. Guerin says that most of the pictures he’s taken on the camera so far have been on photographic paper. He hopes to shoot portraits using 8×10 x-ray film in the near future. Image credits: Photographs by James Guerin and used with permission

The iPad mini and the Mac mini. Those are two “minified” products Apple has released to give its customers a choice for products that are cheaper and more portable. It appears Leica is planning to take a page from Apple’s playbook. The camera company’s website has begun teasing a new Leica Mini M, a camera that will presumably be a smaller (and possibly cheaper) version of the Leica M flagship digital rangefinder. Leica’s website currently features the teaser The teaser shows a lineup of Leica digital cameras in order from most “pro” to most portable. It shows the Leica M, the Leica X2 Micro M, and the Leica D-LUX 6 Nanon M. In between the M and the X2 is a mysterious black box with the label “? MINI M.” Leica says it’ll be unveiling “the new Leica family member” on June 11, 2013. If you want to be the first to know about the camera, you can sign up for Leica’s newsletter on the Leica Mini M product page. Leica Rumors reports that a new camera model that fits between the Leica M and the Leica X has been rumored for years now. The new camera will reportedly be a camera manufactured in Germany that isn’t simply a rebranded Panasonic camera.

Adorama has instant rebates right now for onOne Perfect Photo Suite 7 as part of its Memorial Day Weekend Sale. The Lightroom and Aperture edition is $94 (reg. $149). The full version is $189.95 (reg. $299.95). Check them both out here at Adorama. No related posts.

Photography on-the-go has never been easier with this convenient travel companion. UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J., May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Manfrotto, world leader in the equipment and accessories industry for photography and imaging, is proud to announce an innovative tripod dedicated to photographers who love to travel. BeFree is a light, compact, intuitive to use, stable option for capturing stunningly precise and sharp images. BeFree offers a stylish, functional option for traveling photographers, making it easy to capture memories without the hassle of bulky photography equipment. Its compact size and lightweight design make it an effortless tool to pack. BeFree also comes with a dedicated shoulder bag, protecting it from accidental damage, making it convenient to store in luggage. No longer will photographers have to compromise on picture quality because they weren't able to bring their heavy tripod along with them on trips. BeFree's size and portability doesn't detract from its sturdiness. This reliable tripod keeps your camera steadily locked into place in any desired position, delivering the sharpest of images. Key Features: Lightweight aluminum construction makes the tripod easy to carry. It weighs only 3lbs, less than the average laptop. Legs fold perfectly around the head and quick release plate attachment. It folds to only 15.7″. New aluminum ball head is solid, quick and simple to operate. It has a maximum payload of 8.8lbs, guaranteeing stability and sturdiness even with longer zoom lenses. The new patented leg angle selectors quickly allow you to select between two inclinations, offering maximum versatility for camera positioning. Key Consumer Benefits: Compact size and lightweight design, an easy tool to pack. Comes with a dedicated shoulder bag to protect it while you are on-the-go. The rubberized carrying strap makes it comfortable to carry. Eye catching premium Italian design and finishing makes it stand out from the crowd. Sturdy and reliable, keeping cameras steadily locked into place in any desired position, delivering the sharpest of images. BeFree (Order Code MKBFRA4-BH) is available for purchase through select Manfrotto retailers at a street price of approximately $199.99. For more information, visit www.manfrotto.us. About Manfrotto Distribution Manfrotto Distribution, Inc. is a leading distributor of key accessories brands for the photographic, video, cine and lighting production markets. Manfrotto Distribution is an international company within the Imaging Division of the Vitec Group, which owns the following leading international brands: Manfrotto, Gitzo, Kata, Avenger and Lastolite. As the U.S. distributor of National Geographic, Metz, Gossen, Elinchrom and Rotatrim, which are available nationwide through an extensive network of authorized dealers, Manfrotto Distribution offers the most complete range of exceptional camera and lighting accessories in the business. The Manfrotto Distribution international network covers the U.S., Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Hong Kong, China and Japan. www.manfrottodistribution.us. ImagingInsider.com #befreetripod #manfrotto #imaginginsider