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April 29, 2010

Adobe lens correction video

Logo_Adobe-kl.jpgAdobe has an interesting sneak peak video on the new lens correction solution for Camera Raw 6.1 (part of Photoshop CS5) and Lightroom 3.

Tom_Hogarty-Adobe-kl.jpgTom Hogarty, Product Manager for Lightroom, shows the possibilities the new tool offers. It is based on lens-related profiles and user adjustments. You can also find information at Adobe's Lightroom Channel at Facebook.

You may also be interested in the interview, our Image Doctors made with Tom Hogarty.

Posted by joef at 2:10 PM

Last day to act on offer for Annotate Expert

The introductory $30 USD discount on Nikonians Annotate Expert expires tomorrow, April 30th. Annotate makes it possible to IPTC keyword tag certain areas of an image, to embed comments in images without destroying the original, to share and upload images (also to Nikonians) with little effort and much more.

Download your Annotate Version today and make sure you update to Expert Edition.

Posted by bgs at 12:02 PM

ID#116: The Image Doctors

Jason & Rick are pleased to announce their fall Photo Safari in Moab, Utah! In this episode, we also discuss the use of depth of field as a creative tool, and Rick gives his first impressions of the new Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 AFS lens.

Download The Image Doctors #116 (MP4 format)

 

Show Notes: April 29, 2010

03:20 Shoot with the Image Doctors in Moab, Utah
09:10 Limited depth of field as a creative tool
50:08 Photo Prescription: Upgrading to CS5

For the MP3 version of this podcast (audio only) click here.

Learn more about the Image Doctors photography podcast at www.theimagedoctors.com
Get your Image Doctors gear at our online shop.

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Image Doctors directly in iTunes.
[RSS] Add the Image Doctors feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically to you.
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Posted by drjay32 at 6:00 AM

April 28, 2010

Infrared photo wins New Member Contest first week honors

Contests_75px.jpgCongratulations to Silver member Richard Kain (MNisgreat) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, winner of our First Week of eligibility in the Nikonians Welcoming Photo Contest - Phase VI.


Garden_Emptiness_325.jpg
Dick is a new member with experience in infrared and landscape photography. His winning entry is titled "Garden of Emptiness." It was taken with his Nikon D70s (modified for infrared) and AF DX Fisheye-NIKKOR 10.5mm f/2.8G ED lens. He used an aperture of f/10 with the shutter speed at 1/400 and ISO 800.

Dick tells us:
"This picture was taken in Kyoto, Japan at the Garden of Emptiness. I like the infrared effect and the fisheye distortion, which causes you to look into the garden.
I'm looking forward to the connections I can make and the information I can learn through Nikonians. Thanks for being here!"

As his prize, he will be receiving a license for the award winning Topaz Photoshop Plug-in Bundle courtesy of Topaz Labs (currently valued each at $180 USD).

Our contest continues and a new winner will be announced for the next four weeks, during the five week span of Phase VI.

Check the Welcoming Photo Contest - Phase VI announcement for details.

Posted by flashdeadline at 8:45 PM

Update and Upgrade for Spyder3

Logo_Datacolor-kl.jpgDatacolor offers owners of the Spyder3Elite a software update with new features, owners of a Spyder3Pro may update to a Spyder3Elite.

The new features are:
"Software Brightness Control" allows owners of iMac and other displays with limited controls to work with displays in a more desirable, dimmer environment, and match them to other displays.

"Automated Brightness Adjustment": Apple Cinema Displays, iMacs, MacBooks and PowerBooks screens are now adjustable by the Spyder software.

The "Iterative Gray Balance" option provides a gray balance algorithm.

"Display Graphing" allows users to compare the range of multiple displays to one another as well as to standard color spaces like sRGB and AdobeRGB.

"Monitor Quality Analyzer" provides the tools to determine which areas of the screen are most accurate.

Spyder3-Studio-SR.jpgThe update of the Elite software to version 4.0 with the mentioned features costs $19. Owners of a Spyder3Elite that was bought in 2010 get the update for free.

If you want to upgrade from Spyder3Pro to Elite and benefit from the additional functionality and the new features mentioned above, the price is $99.

The new software is available at the webpage of Datacolor.

And if you are considering buying a Spyder3Elite please have a look at our PhotoProShop!

 

Posted by joef at 2:03 PM

April 27, 2010

Nikon announces new Nikkor 200-400 VR Zoom lens

AF-S_NIKKOR_200-400mm_f4G_ED_VR_II_100.jpgSports and wildlife photographers looking for the latest Nikon Glass to stuff in their kits will soon have a new addition from Nikon to weigh.
"Weigh" is used with more than one meaning in this case. The new AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens weighs in at 7.4 lbs (3.4 kg), and it will retail for $6999.95 (USD), or at the current exchange rate, 5254.82 Euros.

Here are the main features as described in Nikon's Press Release:

MELVILLE, N.Y. (April 27, 2010) - Today, the evolution of the super telephoto lens continues as Nikon Inc. announced the new AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens which delivers optical excellence and stunning image quality for professional photographers. Ideal for bringing to life exquisite detail for sports, nature and travel photography, this new lens affords a constant maximum aperture of f/4 and rugged construction for maximum versatility. Continued refinements and new technologies such as Vibration Reduction (VR) II, Nano Crystal Coat, and optimized autofocus (AF) modes enhance functionality and improve performance for discerning FX and DX-format photographers.

AF-S_NIKKOR_200-400mm_f4G_ED_VR_II_450.jpg

"The AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm lens builds upon a proven design for professional level optics by incorporating the latest Nikon lens technologies to give photographers the edge in the field, and the ability to capture the most intricate of details with extraordinary fidelity," said Lisa Osorio, general manager of Marketing at Nikon Inc. "As both camera capabilities and the roles of photographers expand, NIKKOR enhancements will continue to meet demands and exceed expectations to remain the pinnacle of optical excellence for all types of photographers."

Whether photographing the decisive play at home plate or predators of the Serengeti, the 200-400mm f/4 lens is an essential tool for photographers who require long focal lengths and maximum versatility without sacrificing image quality. The 200-400mm lens benefits from the addition of Nikon's proprietary Nano Crystal Coat to reduce instances of ghosting and flaring. The result is unparalleled clarity and sharpness in challenging lighting environments typical to sports venues or harsh sunlight.

Additionally, this new NIKKOR lens features Nikon VR II image stabilization, which is specifically engineered for each lens for maximum performance. VR II is a valuable asset to those shooting photos or HD video, as image blur introduced by camera shake and telephoto magnification is significantly reduced. Users are able to shoot up to four stops* slower than otherwise possible, overcoming many of the challenges of handheld shooting with such extreme focal lengths. VR functionality is further augmented with Automatic Panning Detection and an Active VR Mode to help compensate for movement from an unstable position such as a moving vehicle. Additionally, VR is always engaged when shooting in the D-Movie mode on select Nikon D-SLRs, helping to stabilize HD video capture.

The new 200-400mm f/4 lens features a host of professional focusing features to further enhance functionality. Photographers can now select from three focus modes to match shooting conditions, including manual mode (M) and autofocus with manual override (M/A) mode, and new A/M mode which is used to avoid cancelling the AF setting by unintentionally moving the focus ring while shooting. The M/A and A/M focus modes enhance AF control with fast, secure switching from automatic and manual focus to adapt to personal shooting preference and techniques. Additionally, photographers can activate the AF Recall Mode at the press of a button that allows for instant return to a predetermined point of focus to confidently capture anticipated shots.

This professional lens is constructed of die-cast magnesium for maximum durability and is sealed to resist dust and moisture, with protective Meniscus glass to safeguard the lens' front element. The optical formula features four Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements for superior sharpness, color and image quality, while minimizing chromatic aberration. The lens also features Nikon's exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology, which enables high-speed autofocus performance with exceptional accuracy and powerful, super-quiet operation. Nikon's Super Integrated Coating further suppresses flare and offers superior color consistency throughout the frame

Posted by flashdeadline at 7:49 AM

Mastering the Nikon D3000 is printed; will be shipping soon


Mastering-The-NikonD3000_Cover_95.jpg
Are you confused by the multitude of shooting features available in your Nikon D3000? Do you want to truly master this sleek little Nikon's amazing bag of photographic imaging tricks?
Your answers are neatly compiled in the latest book from NikoniansPress/Rocky Nook -- Mastering the D3000 by Darrell Young.

Posted by flashdeadline at 6:53 AM

Mastering the Nikon D3000 book is printed, shipping soon

Mastering-The-NikonD3000_Cover_95.jpg Are you confused by the multitude of shooting features available in your Nikon D3000? Do you want to truly master this sleek little Nikon's amazing bag of photographic imaging tricks? Your answers are neatly compiled in the latest book from NikoniansPress/Rocky Nook -- Mastering the D3000 by Darrell Young.

MasteringTheNikonD3000.jpg

 

The book has finished the printing phase and will be shipping next month. This is the ideal time to take advantage of pre-order pricing.  

 

Our editing and publication team has already received their copy and we have a shot showing the book has also included our special NikoniansPress/Rocky Nook arrangement to include a Gold Membership Discount Voucher near the back. All six books in the series include a special Nikonians 50%-off voucher discount for a one year Gold Membership in the Nikonians community. This will save $37.50 on Gold Membership.

 

This same special arrangement has been available for Nikonians members purchasing the previous books in the series. The previous five books in the NikoniansPress/Rocky Nook partnership are:

 

Mastering the D5000 by Darrell Young
Mastering the Nikon D300 by Darrell Young
The Nikon Creative Lighting System: Using the SB-600, SB-800, SB-900, and R1C1 flashes by Mike Hagen.
Mastering the D700 by Darrell Young and James Johnson.
Mastering the Nikon D90 by Darrell Young

 

MasteringTheNikonD3000_350px.jpgMastering the Nikon D3000 by Darrell Young is a comprehensive guide for owners of this newest, budget-friendly generation of Nikon digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. The small, easy-to-carry D3000 is powerful in its ability to offer guided automatic camera operation with full manual capabilities when desired. Readers will be able to develop as photographers with the D3000--progressing from camera controlled automatic operation to user-managed manual control. However, this level of functionality requires some camera complexity. 

 

Darrell cuts through the camera's complexity with full explanations of every button, dial, switch, and menu on the camera with a friendly and advisory tone, like an old friend stopping by to discuss a favorite topic of mutual interest. He goes beyond just describing how the camera works by providing personal recommendations on how and when to use each function.

 

Darrell understands that many owners of the D3000 may be just entering into the world of DSLR cameras and he takes time to guide them through some of the basics of photography. He covers how shutter speed and aperture works, depth-of-field, lens focal lengths, white balance, autofocus, image exposure, and the all-important digital histogram.

 

 

Posted by flashdeadline at 6:01 AM

April 25, 2010

Nikonians News Flash Extra #7

NewsflashExtra.jpgToday on News Flash Extra, Ray speaks with Nikonians co-founder J. Ramón Palacios (jrp).

Download Nikonians News Flash Extra #7 (NPC-NF-2010-04-25.mp3;
16:31; 16.1MB; MP3 format)

Palacios-150.jpgNikonians is 10 years old

Nikonians co-founder J. Ramón Palacios (jrp) discusses the ten year evolution of the world's largest Internet commmunity of Nikon enthusiasts and gives us a peek into the next ten years. 

Links to some of the items mentioned in the interview:

The Nikon F5 Review
by Bo Stahlbrandt

 

Nikonians Academy

 

Nikonians Galleries

 

Nikonians Photo Pro Shop


Contact Nikonians News Flash: newsflash@nikonians.org

Thank you for joining me.

Your Nikonians podcaster Ray Valdovinos

Posted by rayvaldovinos at 3:36 AM

April 23, 2010

Free Macintosh tool for image collaboration

The Nikonians Image Uploader for Mac is available for free to all Silver, Gold and Platinum members. With the Image Uploader you can easily upload images to your gallery. Check it out!

Posted by bgs at 3:34 PM

Non-Destructive Edits with Collaboration Imaging Tool

Nikonians Annotate Expert software allows you to keyword images and relate keywords to certain areas of the image - like writing on a sheet of glass on top of the image - and to use these annotations as IPTC keywords. Annotate Expert also has a very fast indexing and search functionality that works across all of your images, making it very easy to find the right images again.

Best of all: Annotate comes in a free edition that costs nothing. Download your free copy of Annotate today and start keyword tagging your image library in a new way.

Posted by bgs at 3:23 PM

Nikonians Academy update: New workshops to fit your needs

Nikonians-Academy-News-Bog.jpgNikonians Academy Director Mike Hagen tells us the Academy staff is adding new dates, courses and locations.  In a nod to the increasing demand for professional guidance with the new video enabled Nikon DSLR's the new calendar includes the debut of a specialized workshop concentrating on the topic. Creating compelling flash photography on location can be a challenge. That's why our Nikonians Academy instructor, David Tejada has created one of the country's best two-day workshops that addresses on-location flash photography. The next Professional Lighting on Location with Nikon CLS will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Posted by flashdeadline at 6:11 AM

April 22, 2010

Three Adobe software final versions released

Adobe_Lightroom2-kl.jpgAdobe Lightroom 2.7, Camera Raw 5.7 and DNG-Converter 5.7 are now available as final versions for both Mac and Windows systems.

Only two weeks after Adobe's announcement of so called "Release Candidates" the three software applications are now available as finalized versions.

As we reported earlier, the raw cache limit has been raised to 200 GB, with the Windows version a bug was fixed that could cause crashes of the application or the computer.

You may find all information on the updates and the links to the downloads at Adobe's corresponding webpages:

Photoshop Lightroom 2.7 (Mac)
Photoshop Lightroom 2.7 (Windows)

Camera Raw 5.7 (Mac)
Camera Raw 5.7 (Windows)

DNG Converter 5.7 (Mac)
DNG Converter 5.7 (Windows)

 

Posted by joef at 4:21 PM

Spring Fever Drawing

Logo_TTP-Thumb.jpgThinkTankPhoto (TTP) started a unique contest and will draw a random user from their follower groups at Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.

The winner gets TTP's Logistics Manager and all Think Tank Photo bags that will fit into the equipment case. These can be bags-within-bags-within-bags.

The drawing will happen on May 30th 2010 at 10:00 am GMT, get all the information about it at TTPs info page at Facebook.

  TTP_Logistics-Manager-mt.jpg 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by joef at 4:03 PM

April 21, 2010

Interesting film workshop in New Orleans coming up

Logo_NOPA-kl.jpgIf you live near New Orleans and if you have piles of film left from the good old days, this might be of interest for you.

The New Orleans Photo Alliance (NOPA) hosts a workshop where you learn how to preserve your valuable negatives and transparencies. This evening workshop will present an affordable and rapid method for creating digital scans from your film by using a digital camera.

Higgins.jpgThe workshop will take place at 1111 St. Mary St, New Orleans, LA. Doors open at 6:00 pm, the program begins at 6:30 pm. The workshop is free!

Please find all details and how to register at NOPA's microsite on the workshop. If you want to learn more about The New Orleans Photo Alliance and what they do, please have a look at their home-page.

Nikonians has a strong link to New Orleans (aka NOLA) since the Nikonians PhotoProShop runs its business from there.

Posted by joef at 4:18 PM

April 20, 2010

Annotate Software for free

The Nikonians Annotate software is free and there is a 30 days trial of the Expert features. Check out Annotate today! :-)

Posted by bgs at 4:16 PM

"Spring Expo and Sale" in Indianapolis

Logo_Roberts-kl.jpgRoberts Imaging, a long-time partner to Nikonians, presents their "Spring Expo and Sale" in Indianapolis, IN. this week.

Chris Butcher, National Sales Manager with another loyal Nikonians partner, Think Tank Photo, will also be there to show TTPs latest products.

The show starts Friday, April 23, 10:00 a.m. and ends Saturday, April 24, at 6:00 p. m. 

The address is: 255 S. Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46225

 

 

Posted by joef at 3:24 PM

Winners of the 2010 Pulitzer Prizes announced

Logo_Purlitzer_Prizes.pngThe 94th annual Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism, Letters, Drama and Music, awarded on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize Board, have been announced by Columbia University.

The winners in the two photography categories are Mary Chind (Breaking News Photography) and Craig F. Walker (Feature Photo-graphy). Both receive $10,000 - next to all the fame connected to these prizes.

Mary Chind of "The Des Moines Register" was awarded for her photograph of the heart-stopping moment when a rescuer dangling in a makeshift harness tries to save a woman trapped in the foaming water beneath a dam.

Craig F. Walker of "The Denver Post" was awarded for his intimate portrait of a teenager who joins the Army at the height of insurgent violence in Iraq, poignantly searching for meaning and manhood.

Congratulations to the winners! You may want to find more about them and The Pullitzer Prizes at the homepage.

94thPulitzer-1c.jpg94thPulitzer-2c.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

       

Posted by joef at 3:06 PM

April 19, 2010

New Compact Prime Lenses from Zeiss

Logo_Zeiss.jpgThe trend of filming in high definition using a digital SLR camera is unstoppable. Carl Zeiss now introduces the world’s first set of cine lenses designed especially for HD-SLR cameras: the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses.

Zeiss_ CP.2_Lenses.jpgThe Compact Prime CP.2 lenses introduce interchangeable mounts that allow the lenses to be used with a wide range of cameras, from traditional cine to HDSLR systems. Available with three different mounts – PL, EF and F – this new family of Zeiss lenses enables cinematographers to be completely free in their choice of camera systems while ensuring a high consistency of images.

The iris opening consists of 14 high-precision blades, which stay consistently round and symmetrical over the entire T-stop range.

The lenses cover a full-frame 24 x 36 image format without vignetting. They will be based around a common aperture of T2.1 for the standard set.

About T-Stops:   In case you are new to cinematography with your Nikon single-lens reflex, the motion picture industry prefers to use T-stop references for the lens apertures instead of f-stops. The "T" stands for the actual transmission value of the lens at a particular aperture. T-Stops are similar to f-stops, but they are tested and matched to a fine degree, ensuring that a T-stop on one lens is identical in light transmission properties to the same number on any other lens. A good comparison would be to think of an f-stop as a very good wristwatch telling accurate time. The T-stop would be equivalent to a chronograph, which serves the same purpose but to a more precise degree.

According to Zeiss, the new lenses will be available from June 2010, prices have not been announced yet.

Get more at the homepage of Zeiss.

 

Posted by joef at 12:51 PM

Nikonians Academy Workshops Update

Nikonians-Academy-News-Bog.jpgDavid Tejada's Professional Lighting workshop is down to a few seats left and Michael Mariant will be in Lake Tahoe soon to lead you through video techniques with your SLR. We also have updates on the busy schedules for Winston Hall and Nikonians Academy Director Mike Hagen

DT_300.jpg
David Tejada's Professional Lighting on Location in the San Francisco Bay area is selling well and he has a few seats remaining for the May 14-15 workshop.
If you'd like to take your flash photography to the next level, then David's workshop will show you the secrets for creating stunning photographs on location.

Michael Mariant has created a brand new workshop for shooting video with your SLR camera. During this 5-day workshop in beautiful Lake Tahoe you will learn how to shoot and edit video to create compelling HD video of your adventures.

Winston Hall and Mike Hagen are bringing D300, D700, D3, iTTL and Capture NX2 workshops to Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Seattle and Portland over the next few months. These workshops continue to be very popular and are filling up quickly.

The Nikonians Academy has only one seat remaining for the November African photo safari to Tanzania. Act now before it is gone.

Want to know more about the safari?
Academy Director Mike Hagen authored a background article about the Tanzania photo safaris in the current edition of The Nikonian eZine, available for free download.

Posted by flashdeadline at 12:07 AM

April 18, 2010

Nikonians News Flash #151

News-Flash.png

This week Ray passes along the latest photographic news relating to Nikon
-Two Coolpix cameras get firmware upgrades
-Nikon sponsored workshops
-Nik Summit
-200-400mm reincarnation
-Nikon 24mm 1.4 availability-Rent it!
-Energizer Recharge Smart battery charger
-OnOne Software's Plugin Suite 5 discount
-Nikonians new member photo contest
-Amy from Nikonians Photo Pro Shop North America on Markins new ball head
-Next week Nikonians co-founder JRP

Download Nikonians News Flash #151 (NPC-NF-2010-04-18.mp3;
4:19; 3.95MB; MP3 format)

-Show Notes

Coolpix firmware updates

Nikon's workshops

Nikon Nik Summit

Nikon 200-400 Replacement soon?

24mm 1.4 availability-rent it at BORROWLENSES.com

Energizer Recharge Smart battery charger

Save $100 on OnOne software

New Member Nikonians photo contest

New Markins ball head at Nikonians Photo Pro Shop

Next week on News Flash Extra- Nikonians co-founder J. Ramon Palacios

For information on local Nikonians Chapters email here

Contact Nikonians News Flash: newsflash@nikonians.org

Thank you for joining me.

Your Nikonians podcaster Ray Valdovinos

Posted by rayvaldovinos at 5:12 PM

April 16, 2010

New 24mm Nikkor lens in stock

Logo_Borrowlenses-th.jpgWe would like to inform you that BorrowLenses now has the new Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED in stock. It is designed primarily for Nikon's FX format, currently consisting of D3-series and D700 digital SLR cameras.

nikon_24mm_1_4_lg.jpgThis lens retails at over $2,000 and your BorrowLenses connection will let you test it out for a fraction of that cost.

"The new Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED is a precision prime lens with a natural wide angle view and is constructed to deliver crisp and distortion-free image captures."

BorrowLenses is one of Nikonians' partners and members with Silver-, Gold- and Platinum level get a 5% discount at the Nikonians Rewards page (we have already reported on that).

Posted by joef at 3:48 PM

Welcoming Photo Contest - Phase VI debuts

Contests_75px.jpgNew members of the Nikonians community will be eligible for a welcoming gift in Phase VI of our popular Welcoming Photo Contest.
All members registered between April 12 and May 18 2010, no matter at which level (from Basic to Platinum) will be eligible to participate in this five-week contest.
Each weekly winner will be receiving one license of the Award winning Topaz Photoshop Plug-in Bundle courtesy of Topaz Labs (currently valued each at $180 USD.
Check the Contest Announcement for details.

Posted by flashdeadline at 2:35 PM

April 15, 2010

New programs make image uploading very easy

Share your work and enjoy your photography - We have two new applications that make it easier to share your images: Nikonians Uploader for Mac and Annotate Expert's uploader module for Windows users.

Posted by bgs at 3:18 PM

OnOne software $100 savings special available

OnOne_Plug_In_Suite5-frei-kl.pngNikonians on Silver level or higher can seize a great opportunity: From today until April 30 they can get $100 off on the award winning Photoshop Plug-In Suite5 from OnOne Software.

This software has earned an Editor's Choice Award from American Photo magazine and Best Plug-In for Adobe Photoshop from Studio Photography magazine.

The Photoshop Plug-In Suite5 tools solve the six most common problems photographers come across processing their images in Photoshop.

The suite consists of six tools:
• Genuine Fractals 6 (Resizing images)
• Mask Pro 4 (Removing unwanted backgrounds)
• PhotoTune 3 (Color correcting photos)
• FocalPoint 2 (Putting the focus where you want)
• PhotoTools 2.5 (Getting a professional look)
• PhotoFrame 4.5 (Adding the perfect finishing touch)

Get valuable background information from the reviews in the Nikonians Resources Area and all the official facts from the homepage of OnOne Software where you can also order the software.

The full version of the Photoshop Plug-In Suite5 costs $499.95 (U.S. Dollars); the upgrade $199.95. To get the rebate just retrieve your voucher code at your Nikonians Rewards page.

 

Posted by joef at 11:52 AM

ID#115: The Image Doctors

Rick is back from vacation, and not only did he field test the new 16-35mm VR, but he also made a visit to David Tejada's "Small Strobes, Big Results" workshop. If you want to shoot landscapes with Jason & Rick this summer, we've got our own workshop planned June 11-14th!

Download The Image Doctors #115 (MP4 format)

 

Show Notes: April 15, 2010

02:51 Small Strobes, Big Results
08:39 16-35mm VR field test
13:10 Shoot with Jason & Rick at The Image Doctors Landscape Workshop June 11-14, 2010
10:36 What we learned from shooting film, and what we should forget.
49:04 Private Mentoring with The Image Doctors

For the MP3 version of this podcast (audio only) click here.

Learn more about the Image Doctors photography podcast at www.theimagedoctors.com
Get your Image Doctors gear at our online shop.

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Image Doctors directly in iTunes.
[RSS] Add the Image Doctors feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically to you.
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Posted by drjay32 at 6:00 AM

April 13, 2010

Berger Hot Deal on tripods and filters runs throughout April

Logo_Berger Bros._Hot_Deal.jpgLess than three weeks remain on the latest special discounts being extended to our members from the good folks at Berger Bros. Camera. The offer expires April 30.
Throughout April, Berger Bros. offers Nikonians Silver, Gold and Platinum members Hot Deals for their Gitzo, Bogen and Manfrotto tripods (10% off) and for several filters (25% off).

The tripod hot deal includes free shipping in the U.S. (except for Alaska, Hawaii and New York).

The filters hot deal offers 25% off and free shipping in the US (except Alaska Hawaii and New York) on Hoya HD UV Haze and Circular Polarizing Digital Glass Filters and Promaster Digital HGX UV and Circular Polarizing Filters.

Just retrieve the codes at your Rewards Page, and don't forget to check out the nikonians.org Berger Bros. Camera Forum for updates.

Posted by flashdeadline at 12:56 PM

April 12, 2010

Adobe announces Photoshop CS5

photoshop_cs5ext-kl.pngAdobe today announced the latest version of its Photoshop Creative Suite 5. New features include full 64 bit support for PC / Mac and the ability to address more than 4 GB memory which increases performance.

Also new are 3D functions (Extended version only) and new refinement tools which allow easier and more concrete selections.

Photoshop_5_bckgrnd.jpgContent aware fills make things disappear by considering the surrounding when parts of the image get deleted or added.

As well, the functions for HDR images were improved, new painting brushes were added and an automatic lens correction (distortions, chromatic aberration, and vignetting) was implemented.

The handling of the software is easier, now that the workspace can be customized. Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended are available as stand-alone applications or components of the Adobe Creative Suite 5 family.

The software is expected to ship mid-May. The US Dollar prices are $699 (Photoshop CS5) / $999 (Photoshop CS5 Extended) for the full versions; $199 (from Photoshop CS4 to Photoshop CS5) and $349 (from Photoshop CS4 Extended to Photoshop CS5 Extended) for the upgrades. Please check for different prices for upgrades from older Photoshop versions or from the standard version to the Extended version.

Details and pre-order information is available at the homepage of Adobe. At AdobeTV;you will find Videos on the new features.

Posted by joef at 2:54 PM

April 11, 2010

Nikonians News Flash Extra #6

NewsflashExtra.jpg
Today on News Flash Extra, Ray speaks with Nikonians co-founder Bo Stahlbrandt about the organization's upcoming 10th anniversary

Download Nikonians News Flash Extra #6 (NPC-NF-2010-04-11.mp3;
11:35; 10.6MB; MP3 format)

Program notes
Ray interviews Nikonians co-founder Bo Stahlbrandt
Stahlbrandt-150.jpg

Links to some of the topics mentioned:
─►Ramón's love of photography article

─►First (Beta) members

─►Nikonians Academy

─►Help in navigating -- Nikoscope

─►Planned and spontaneous gatherings of Nikonians


In Two weeks, Ray interviews co-founder J.Ramón Palacios.

Contact Nikonians News Flash: newsflash@nikonians.org

Thank you for joining me.

Your Nikonians podcaster Ray Valdovinos

Posted by rayvaldovinos at 9:32 PM

April 10, 2010

Epson is awarded three prestigious TIPA Awards

Epson-P3880_150.jpgFor the sixth consecutive year, Epson has been recognised for creating outstanding and innovative products for the photographic industry.
Epson products recognised by Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) were the Epson EH-TW5500 as 'Best Pro-Photo Projector'; the Epson Stylus Pro 3880 as 'Best Expert Photo Printer'; and finally the Epson Perfection V600 Photo, as 'Best Photo Scanner'.

Posted by flashdeadline at 8:04 AM

April 9, 2010

Rent hardware and save 5%

Logo_Borrowlenses-th.jpgBorrowlenses, online rental service for camera gear and partner of Nikonians, is offerings a 5% discount to all Gold, Silver and Platinum members.

Cameras, accessories, lighting, water housing and more can be rented for interesting prices. A Nikon D3s for three days costs $251 (regular price).

For an additional fee, all items can be rented with a carefree insurance added.

If you want to have a closer look, please go to the homepage of Borrowlenses.com. The discount code can be retrieved at your Rewards Page.

 

Posted by joef at 3:34 PM

April 8, 2010

New Cinema Kit Pro by Hoodman

Logo_Hoodman-kl.jpgHoodman adds a hot shoe mount for using the HoodLoupe 3.0 during DSLR video capture. The new mount is called HoodCrane.

HoodCrane.jpgThe HoodCrane is available with the Cinema Kit Pro which includes the HoodLoupe 3.0, the HoodMAG (a new magnifying video eyecup for your Hood-Loupe 3.0) and the HoodCrane.

If you already have the HoodLoupe 3.0 you can pick up the HoodCrane and HoodMAG separately. HoodCrane and the Cinema Kit Pro will begin shipping in early May 2010.

Find details and ordering information items at the Homepage of Hoodman.

Posted by joef at 3:29 PM

PhotoBert helps solve some of your focusing nightmares

PhotoBert_90.jpgPhotoBert now carries HeliconFocus software. This software helps create amazing landscapes and close-ups by creating one completely focused image from several partially focused shots of the same subject.

Think of it as a focusing variant of high dynamic range (HDR) photos, which combine several different exposures of the same scene for maximum effect.

Three-shot-Comparison_450.jpg

Click on the Three-Shot Composite above for an animated demonstration.

HeliconFocus seeks out the different points of focus from the multiple shots and also aligns images as objects often change their size and position from shot to shot.
Nikonians members can get this amazing software for 10% off thru April 30, 2010.
Just enter the discount code you will find in the Discounts and Coupons section of your personal Nikonians Rewards page. This discount provides a 10% discount on Helicon Lite and Pro software and all photo accessories. It also provides a 20% discount on all CheatSheets!

Posted by flashdeadline at 10:44 AM

April 7, 2010

Blurb photo book contest could win you $25,000

Logo_Blurb.gifBlurb, provider of online photo books, started a competition for photographers "who are the age of 18 years or older, are self-identified photographers who currently receive or have received payment for their photographs".

If you meet these specifications you may submit your photo book (online or hard copy) and win the Grand Prize of $25,000.

The submission period started on March 25, 2010 at 11:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), and ends on July 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM PDT.

We should mention that there is a contest submission administration fee of $35 for every submission.

The categories are "Fine Art", "Editorial" and "Portfolio", there is no limit to the number of submissions that any contestant can make in any category.

All details can be found at Blurb's micro page on the competition.

Blurb shipped more than 1.2 million books in 2009. If you intend to create a photo book with Blurb, please support your community by ordering through the Nikonians Partner Page, Thank You!

Blurb_page.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by joef at 3:53 PM

New firmware for Coolpix cameras

logo_nikon.gifNikon has new versions of the firmware for its Coolpix S640 and S4000 available.

In rare cases, images that were taken with the digital zoom of the S640 were not correctly saved. That was resolved.

With the S4000 the frame rate for the video mode HD 720p was changed from 24 images per second to 30 images per second.

The updates and detailed how-tos can be found at Nikon:
Nikon Coolpix S640 (Win and Mac)
Nikon Coolpix S4000 (Win and Mac)

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Posted by joef at 2:59 PM

April 6, 2010

Hot Deals at Berger Bros.

Logo_Berger Bros._Hot_Deal.jpgDuring April, Berger Bros. offers Nikonians Silver-, Gold and Platinum members Hot Deals for their Bogen and Manfrotto tripods (10%) and for several filters (25%)!

Just retrieve the codes at your Rewards Page, where you also can find more information about the filters that are on the deal.

Don't forget to check out the nikonians.org Berger Bros. Camera Forum for updates on this hot deal and many more.

Posted by joef at 1:52 PM

Release candidate of Lightroom 2.7

Logo_Adobe-kl.jpgAdobe provides a release candidate of its Photoshop Lightroom 2.7 for Windows and Mac. The Adobe ‘release candidate’ label is applied to software versions that are in the final stages of tweaking. Adobe describes it as "well tested but would benefit from additional community testing before it is distributed automatically to all of our customers."

The raw cache limit has been raised to 200 GB, with the Windows version a bug was fixed that could cause crashes of the application or the computer.

The final version shall be released soon. Owners of Photoshop Lightroom 2.x can update to the new version free of charge. For a recap of Nikon DSLR's and COOLPIX cameras already supported by Lightroom since version 2.6 and including version 2.7, check this listing.

Adobe has release candidates of Camera RAW 5.7 and DNG Converter 5.7, also supporting the new RAW formats.

You can find all information and the downloads of Lightroom 2.7 and Camera RAW 5.7 / DNG Converter 5.7 at their special Web pages.  Feel free to support Adobe with your feedback!

 

Posted by joef at 1:26 PM

April 4, 2010

Nikonians News Flash #150

News-Flash.png

This week Ray passes along the latest photographic news relating to Nikon:
-Nikon is a Red Dot Award recipient
-Nikon Instant Rebates continue
-InVisage announces new photo sensor
-Adobe's second public Beta of Lightroom 3
-Adobe to release Creative Suite 5
-EyeFI's wireless memory cards
-Carl Zeiss' 120 years of lens production
-Nikonians 10th Anniversary
-Berger Brothers Super Deal
-Michael Mariant workshop

Download Nikonians News Flash #136 (NPC-NF-2010-04-04.mp3;
4:06; 3.76MB; MP3 format)

-Show Notes 4/4/2010

Nikon receives Red Dot Award

Instant Rebates continue for Nikon

InVisage develops new sensor

Adobe's second public Beta of Lightroom 3

Announcement of release of Creative Suite 5 from Adobe

Berger Brothers deals

Nikonians Academy workshop

Next week Nikonians co-founder Bo Stahlbrandt On News Flash Extra

For information on local Nikonians Chapters email here

Contact Nikonians News Flash: newsflash@nikonians.org

Thank you for joining me.

Your Nikonians podcaster Ray Valdovinos

Posted by rayvaldovinos at 10:13 PM

April 1, 2010

Design Awards for Nikon cameras

Logo_reddot.jpgNikon has announced that they have received reddot design awards for their COOLPIX S1000pj and the D5000 cameras.

The "red dot award" is a world-class award presented to products that exhibit superiority of design in terms of a total of nine aspects, including innovation, functionality, ergonomics, ecology and durability. It is awarded by Germany's "Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen".

The awards will be presented July 5, 2010. More on the reddot award can be found at its homepage.

 

From Nikon's Press Release:

  reddot_S1000pj.jpg

The COOLPIX S1000pj (released in October 2009) offers 12.1-million pixels, a 5× optical zoom NIKKOR lens, and is the world's first* compact digital camera to offer a built-in, ultra-compact projector. It offers superior basic performance with support for high sensitivities and built-in camera shake compensation functions.

 

 

 

reddot_D5000.jpgThe D5000 (released in May 2009) is a Nikon DX-format digital-SLR camera with a CMOS image sensor offering a pixel count of 12.3-million pixels. It is the first Nikon digital-SLR camera to be equipped with a vari-angle monitor that enables live view shooting from a variety of angles with great flexibility.

 

Posted by joef at 2:01 PM

ID#114: The Image Doctors

No foolin'! Rick Walker is on vacation, but Jason has got an interview with Rick Paul, who has been slowly making the transition to full-time pro with his wedding and portrait photography business.

Download The Image Doctors #114 (MP4 format)

  Show Notes: April 1, 2010
00:13 Announcing The Image Doctors Landscape Workshop
06:38 Interview with Rick Paul, Saguaro Shadows Photography

For the MP3 version of this podcast (audio only) click here.

Learn more about the Image Doctors photography podcast at www.theimagedoctors.com
Get your Image Doctors gear at our online shop.

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Image Doctors directly in iTunes.
[RSS] Add the Image Doctors feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically to you.
[Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Posted by drjay32 at 12:06 AM