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December 30, 2006

Nikonians clippings adds prestigious magazine

Our Nikonians in Japan are very familiar with one of the most prestigious photo magazines of their country, Nippon Camera, and by now they may have run across a small photo and caption on page 11 of the January 2007 edition, featuring three of our members at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City in November.

Nippon-page-11.jpg Our thanks to Mr. Arato Ogura, marketing and sales promotion assistant manager of Gin-Ichi Photo Equipment Company, who took a photo of three members of our Nikonians Team in our booth, and submitted it to the magazine for publication. You can imagine our surprise when we found out we have a small corner on page 11 of the 390-page magazine.

nippon-nikonians.jpg Here's a close-up of the page showing (from left to right) Tom Boné (flashdeadline), Jon Bloom (jbloom) and Stephen Berger (troll6869).


Mr. Ogura and members of his company were featured in one of our reports from the Expo.

Posted by flashdeadline at 9:03 PM

December 23, 2006

Nikonians News Flash #31

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Jessica brings you the latest news from Adobe, Hoya and Pentax, and more...

Download Nikonians News Flash #31 (NPC-NF-2006-12-23.mp3; 4:48; 4.5MB; MP3 format)

Nikonians News Flash #31: December 23, 2006

In The News:

Adobe announces a public beta version of Photoshop CS3!

Nikonians has been recognized by National Geographic Traveler Magazine! Read more here!

Bruce Fraser will be missed in the photography community.

Read about the Hoya/Pentax here.

From The Forums:

A commercial photographer is wanted in the DC area!

How much time do you spend in the forums? Check out this thread in the cafe'.

And...The Speed of Light is worth a look!

Happy Holidays, and see ya next year!

Posted by odle2 at 2:51 PM

The Image Doctors #30

Better late than never! After a massive blizzard in Colorado, Jason and Rick are back to share their thoughts on 3rd-party lenses, Photoshop CS3 beta, and how to choose a camera bag.

Download the Image Doctors #30 (NPC-ID-2006-12-22.mp3; 40:25, 14.2MB; MP3 format)

Happy Holidays!

Show Notes:

In memoriam: Bruce Fraser
Photoshop CS3 Beta first look
3rd-party lens options
Choosing the right bag
The Image Doctors' New Year's Resolutions
Tip of the week

[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 5:17 AM

December 22, 2006

The Image Doctors are snowed in

Fans of the Nikonians Image Doctors podcasts will probably see a delay in this week's production. The weather in Colorado (their home-base) has worsened and they are busy digging themselves out of record making snows. While waiting for their return, don't forget you can review all of our podcasts at this link.

Posted by flashdeadline at 10:08 AM

December 21, 2006

Hoya and Pentax Merger Announced

Hoya has announced the merger of Pentax into a new corporation to be called Hoya Pentax HD Corporation. Good news for shutterbugs - Pentax's imaging division will live on to contine providing high quality cameras and lenses. The announcement details can be found here. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

Posted by covey22 at 4:26 PM

December 20, 2006

Nikonians Holiday Gift Guide

Thinking of that last-minute gift for the shutterbug in your life? Confused by the vast number of products at the big-box stores? Try the Nikonians Holiday Gift Guide for ten high-quality choices that will wow the discriminating photographer.

1. The Nikonians Soft Wrap fits perfectly around camera lenses and other items large and small. Prevents damage to irregularly shaped objects such as lens hoods and tripod heads. The Wrap is black on the outside, royal blue on the inside. Manufactured by OP/TECH USA and sports a discreet Nikonians logo. USA and EC stores.

2. Chances are, your shutterbug is always looking for a polish cloth for lenses, glasses, LCD displays and other items. Our Nikonians Spudz comes with it's own carry case and is made of high-quality durable micro-fiber cloth, and comes in a very trendy black with the Nikonians logo. Pick up several and make your shutterbug's life easy! USA and EC stores.

3. Your shutterbug's Nikon camera deserves a great support like our Nikonians-branded OP/TECH Camera Strap. The distinctive black neoprene with orange Nikonians logo will make them the envy of the crowd. And the unique load-bearing design allows them to carry even pro-class equipment for hours without the aches and pains of a normal nylon strap. US and EC stores.

4. If your photographer is the wildlife type, they can still sport their Nikonians Nature Pro strap in the woods and mountains; this version comes in brown wood camo with a discreet beige color logo. US and EC stores.

5. Comfort and style - the immediate impressions of anyone who's seen our Tripod wraps. The Nikonians logo OP/TECH wraps prevent damage to the tripod legs and keep your photographer from having to make direct contact with the metal or carbon-fiber surfaces in hot or cold conditions. Fits most popular tripod models. US and EC stores.

6. Prevent uneven horizons in your photographer's photos with our 2-Axis Hotshoe Double-Bubble Level. This gadget slips conveniently into the flash hotshoe of any camera and gives the photographer immediate feedback if their photo will turn out tilted. US and EC stores.

7. Keep your shutterbug's head cool and covered with one of our distinctive and beautifully embroidered Black Caps, complete with the prominent Nikonians logo. US and EC stores.

8. Some photographers prefer more even shade with our Khaki Sun Hats. US and EC stores.

9. Round out your shutterbug's closet with one of our unique Nikonians T-shirts. Made with 100% comfortable cotton and sporting our "You Might Be A Nikonian If..." mottos, you'll be the center of attention anywhere. US and EC stores.

10. Still not sure what to get? Try one of our Pro Shop Gift Vouchers, and let your shutterbug choose! It's the perfect gift! US and EC stores.

Coming soon: Our WalkStool Comfort Seat, folds up small for easy portability, yet able to support photographers big and small - up to 550 lbs/250 kg! (Expected availability in 2nd half of January 2007) US and EC stores.

Also, be sure to check our USA store for the new Gitzo 6X carbon fiber tripods, monopods and our exclusive, award-winning Q3 Emille Ball-head!

Posted by covey22 at 5:22 AM

December 19, 2006

RIP Bruce Fraser

Noted photography and post-process author Bruce Fraser lost his battle with lung cancer over the weekend. Bruce was known for his books on Photoshop use, Camera RAW optimization and color management techniques among many other accomplishments.

Posted by covey22 at 12:52 AM

December 18, 2006

Nikonians Named in National Geographic Traveler Photo Issue

Nikonians was recently named as one of the premier sites to "tap the collective know-how of the best shooters" by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.

In their 5th Annual Photo Issue, NG Traveler has a special two-page fold-out section listing some of the best sites for budding travel photographers to become inspired, obtain gear, learn the basics and share photographs. Nikonians is proud to have been mentioned as the site to visit for those interested in learning how to use Nikon equipment. We couldn't have done it without our thousands of contributing members who take the time to give back to our vital community with their time, effort, knowledge and resources. Thanks to all our Nikonians, for putting us on the pages of National Geographic.

Posted by covey22 at 1:53 AM

December 17, 2006

Adobe Posts Public Beta of Photoshop CS3

Encouraged by the feedback and reception of the user community on the Lightroom product, Adobe made a public beta of CS3 available as of Friday 15-December.

The debut of CS3 marks the first natively-compiled version of the editing suite for the new Intel Mac Pros. Note that a fully licensed copy of CS2 or equivalent product is required to allow this trial to function beyond two days. You will also have to submit your current product's serial number to obtain a corresponding number for the beta. Windows and Macintosh versions are currently available.

Posted by covey22 at 11:16 PM

December 15, 2006

Sneak Peek: Fantasea ready to unveil D80 underwater housing

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The Fantasea Line underwater photography camera housing inventory will soon include the FD-80 for the Nikon D80.

Our thanks to Howard at Fantasea, who provided a shot taken recently during testing of the housing in the Red Sea.
You'll notice that the diver is also equipped with the Fantasea FSB 800 external flash housing custom designed for for the Nikon SB-800 Speedlight.
Howard tells us that complete specifications and details on the FD-80 will be released when the housing becomes available sometime in January next year. The projected price should be $1099 with Lens Port included and one year Flood Insurance which will replace the camera if the housing is flooded.
If you check the Fantasea site, look in the lower left corner of the home page for a video of the FD-80 in use.
Fantasea Line is a subsidiary of H.R. Fantasea Photo & Marketing Ltd, an international company whose principles have been involved in the diving and water sports industry for over 30 years.
They also produce a full range of DSLR housings and Nikon Coolpix housings.

Posted by flashdeadline at 8:50 AM

December 12, 2006

Dive Into Some Rewarding Photo Contests

Nikonians who have a love for underwater photography and videography have not one, but TWO chances to win some serious cash and recognition by submitting their winning entries by 7-January, 2007.

Dive enthusiasts can enter the 2nd Annual Wetpixel & DivePhotoGuide International Underwater Photo and Video Competition AND the 1st Annual DEEP Indonesia Competition; at stake are photo equipment, diving gear and trips to some of the premier dive spots in the world like Bali, Bahamas and the Galapagos. Contest information can be found at www.UnderwaterCompetition.com. For more information, see the press release.

Posted by covey22 at 8:41 PM

December 9, 2006

Nikonians News Flash #30

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This week Jessica brings you information on how to win a new Nikon D200 kit, contest winners, and a request for your help!

Download Nikonians News Flash #30 (NPC-NF-2006-12-09.mp3; 7:38; 7.1MB; MP3 format)

Nikonians News Flash #30: December 9, 2006

In The News:

Win a new Nikon D200 kit! Just write a product review for SLRGear.com to enter!

New camera bags! Nikon has joined forces with Crumpler to create 2 new camera bags!

The latest edition of The Nikonian is avaliable for download. And it's free!

Contest Winners can be found here. Don't forget to enter segment #6 of the Photographer of the Year 2006 contest!

Finally....FEEDBACK TIME! What forums would you like to hear about?

Email Jessica, or post in the Podcast Feedback forum!

Posted by odle2 at 2:02 PM

December 8, 2006

Golf Digest Cover: A Visual Diary

For our sports shooters, landing a cover on a major magazine would be a great crowning achievement. Golf Digest provides a visual study of the preparation, logistics and the sheer work that goes into getting such a desirable frame.

Posted by covey22 at 11:18 PM

December 7, 2006

Nikonians gain friends, members at London Show

"Mission Accomplished!"" said Nikonians Team leader Kristina Nessl at the end of the final Nikonians participation at a major photo show for the year.
Nessl's Team greeted Nikon consumers ranging from the general public to working professionals during the Nikon Solutions Expo in London, England at the Olympia Conference Centre, Dec. 5-6.

NH.jpg Nikonian Magnus Enbom (menbom) provides another shot of a Team member in action -- this time pointing his lens at Noel Holland (on the right) who showed up for the second and final day with two Gary Fong Lightspheres and his Gitzo Tripod and Markins ballhead. You may notice Noel has a clever way of carrying his Lightsphere.


The Team reports they had great success with their corporate booth partners Phase One in sharing not only space, but also ideas with their many visitors.
One of the often heard comments was from surprised visitors who thought Nikonians was only a USA site.
Of course. Kristina and the volunteer team let them know we're an international community, and presented everyone with informative brochures to help them check on the site, as well as join up.
The presence of ProShop-available items at the booth helped gain interest says Magnus, who reports if they had a stockpile on hand they might have been busy making sales.
The Nikon Solutions Expo in London capped a busy year for the community, which has actively participated at the PMA in Florida held this spring, the Photokina in Germany in late September, and the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City in November.

Details and more photos on the Photokina in Germany and the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City are available in the current edition of The Nikonian.

Posted by flashdeadline at 3:14 PM

The Image Doctors #29

Everything you wanted to know about teleconverters! Jason and Rick spend some time talking about these useful but sometimes mysterious lens tools and tell you what to do and what not to do when choosing and using a teleconverter. Also hear about Rick's shoot at Garden of the Gods park, and Jason's new Epson Stylus Pro 7800.

Download the Image Doctors #29 (NPC-ID-2006-12-07.mp3; 38:29; 13.6MB; MP3 format)

Show Notes

1:10: Epson Stylus Pro 7800 test drive

5:55: Rick's shoot at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs

8:42: Teleconverters

[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 4:07 AM

December 6, 2006

The Nikonian eZine 32nd Edition

The latest edition of THE NIKONIAN is now available.
This is the official quarterly publication of Nikonians, the Nikonians electronic magazine, or eZine, for Nikon photographers.

eZine-32.jpg

Highlights in this issue of THE NIKONIAN include:
The premier field event for Nikonians -- the 6th Annual Photo Adventure Trip (ANPAT).
Reports from Nikonians latest participation in important Photo shows.
Announcement of the Nikonians Academy, with an introduction to its new managing director, Mike Hagen.
An explanation of ISO-Auto with the Nikon D200, and reviews of ThinkTank Photo's Airport Antidote bag and the 50mm f/1.4 T* ZF Carl Zeiss lens for Nikon.
For a look at previous editions don't forget they are available here.

Posted by jrp at 10:53 AM

Nikon Solutions draws heavy crowds on Day One

Our Nikonians Team attending the Nikon Solutions Expo in London, England have seen a few new products unveiled, while greeting visitors to their booth. They are sharing a booth with our corporate partner -- Phase One, and have already had a sneak peek at the upcoming 4.0 version of Capture One.

KN.jpg

Team leader Kristina Nessl (shown here) reports she had excellent volunteer help from Mangus Enbom (menbom), Patrick Neave (Milhouse) and Noel Holland. Magnus provided us with a few photos to share, and plans on shooting more today.

HP.jpg

Magnus reports that another highlight for the Team was provided by HP and Epson, who showed some impressive prints from their monster printers.


The free two-day event at the Olympia Conference Centre ends today, and the Nikonians Team will have just a few more hours left to share news and information about the community including member benefits available through our NikSecure™ insurance and our PhotoProShop.


For more information on the show check the official Nikon UK Press release:
Opening times and ticketsfor this last day of the show are:
Wednesday 6th December 2006 -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last admittance will be 45 minutes prior to closing. Attendance is free.


Posted by flashdeadline at 10:45 AM

December 5, 2006

Crumpler Bags for the Discriminating Nikonian

Well-attired Nikonians (are there any other type?) can now add yet another brand item to their equipment closet. Popular bag manufacturer Crumpler has teamed up with everyone's favorite camera maker to create the humorously named "This" and "That" camera bags, suitable for housing your digital SLR, two lenses, a Speedlight and sundry accessories.

Posted by covey22 at 7:23 PM

Write yourself a brand new camera

slr-gear-com-logo.jpg

You have a chance to win a Nikon D200 camera system, consisting of a D200 body and Nikkor Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX lens, just by writing a product review for SLRgear.com.
The D200 is one of three choices available to the lucky person chosen at random from the roster of qualifying review submissions. The other choices include a Canon SLR and lens combination and $1,700 in USA cash.

Our good friends at Imaging-Resource.com are behind this rewarding offer.
The site, founded by imaging industry leader Dave Etchells has expanded to include SLRgear.com, sharing user reviews, professional reviews, and comparison shopping links.
The cutoff for reviews to be submitted for consideration is Midnight USA Eastern Standard Time, January 15, 2007.
Complete details are available here.
Don't forget that if you have a review that would also be of interest to your fellow Nikonians, the SLRgear Team does not require exclusivity to their site.
That of course means we encourage you to share your reviews with us at Nikonians.
For information on submitting articles through our Writers Guild, contact us.
In the first field of the contact page, click on "Other issue."

Posted by flashdeadline at 8:55 AM

Hollywood Power Also a Nikon Shooter

Who would have thought that one of the most powerful Hollywood personas would also be a Nikon shooter? As the designated safety inspector for Tinseltown, LAFD fireman Robert Gladden has the ability to shut down any red-carpet event; from private parties at Hef's Playboy Mansion to the Oscars. Gladden has shot over 38,000 photos, most of which are for documenting site conditions. But at times, he's also indulged his artistic side and because of his access, has gotten a glimpse of the movie industry that would leave most documentary photographers salivating.

Posted by covey22 at 1:00 AM

December 4, 2006

WSJ's Cranky Consumer Rates Portrait Studios

Newsline International's December 1st edition summarizes a recent Wall Street Journal column that reviewed popular portrait studio operations. The Cranky Consumer took a detailed look at several chain studios and some independent businesses. The result is something that most Nikonians already know - with today's digital, consumers can create their own good portraits without having to put up with the hassles or the price of having someone else do the work.

Posted by covey22 at 2:43 AM

December 2, 2006

Nikonians News Flash #29

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Back from vacation and jet-lagged from trans-atlantic travel, Jessica brings you all the hot news from the Nikonians Community, including the newest Online Photo Assignment and where to find good photography magazines.

Download Nikonians News Flash #28 (NPC-NF-2006-12-02.mp3; 6:01; 5.6MB; MP3 format)

Nikonians News Flash #29: December 2, 2006

In The News:

Toshiba announces the release of a new SDHC card!

Londoners (and anyone nearby) should check out the Nikon Solutions Expo at the Olympia Conference Center. Interested in volunteering? Let us know!! Find out all you need here.

From The Forums:

There's a call for Nikonians in British Columbia and the Oklahoma City area.

This month's Online Photo Assignment is Holiday Portraits.

Resources:

Look here for software reviews.

Check out the magazine stand!

A Picture I Took:
Take a look at Input/Output. Feedback welcome!

Email Jessica with your questions, comments, and feedback!

Posted by odle2 at 8:45 PM