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Wanna master your DSLR Camera? Check out this lifehacker.com DSLR Camera guide.

• Master Your DSLR Camera, Part 1: Program Mode
• Master Your DSLR Camera, Part 2: Manual Mode and More

Hailing from a successful line of digital compacts this new F-series replaces the F31fd, and it has some big shoes to fill. The new Fufifilm F50FD has improved face detection, a twelve megapixel sensor, mechanical CCD-shift image stabilization and shooting up to ISO 1600 at full resolution.

This “smart” compact can find and focus up to 10 faces with precision, optimize exposure for bright natural faces and even enhance tonal quality by setting the ideal white balance. All this in in an instant (although reviews have mentioned it is a bit sluggish between shots). This baby retails for about USD $300.

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Canon Japan has released firmware version 1.1.3 for the EOS-1D Mark III. This update increases the read / write speed when using high speed SD cards, improves auto focus tracking and corrects some bugs with the shutter release and menu languages.

For more information and details on this update, as well as Firmware Update Procedures for upgrading your EOS 1D Mark III firmware to V 1.1.3 visit Canon Japan’s firmware update page.

Firmware specification changes

This firmware update (Version 1.1.3) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

1. Increases transmission speed when using high-speed SD cards.
2. Fixes a phenomenon involving not being able to release the shutter.
3. Improves AF tracking in specific conditions.
4. Corrects errors in the Spanish and Korean menu screens.

Earlier in September Sony released their new Digital SLR system, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A700. After Sony took the reigns of Konica Minolta’s camera division, many have been eagerly awaiting a high end DSLR from Sony and this seems to be the answer. Amongst the multitude of features this new model has a 12.2-megapixel Exmor™ CMOS sensor and a 5fps burst rate and a magnesium alloy construction. Sony has also released a vertical grip and a few new lenses alongside the A-700.

Sony’s Press release:

SONY’S NEW D-SLR CAMERA SETS HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 5, 2007 — Sony is expanding its a (Alpha) digital SLR system with the introduction of the DSLR-A700 camera, which is aimed at photo enthusiasts or serious photo hobbyists.

The new model features advanced imaging technologies and ultra-responsive operation, as well as a lightweight, dust- and moisture-resistant, magnesium alloy construction common to enthusiast-class D-SLR cameras.

Like Sony’s mainstream DSLR-A100 model, the new A700 unit incorporates Super SteadyShot® Inside image stabilization in the camera body and is compatible with most Minolta Maxxum® mount lenses in addition to Sony lenses.

“Discerning photo enthusiasts will be impressed with the rugged construction and outstanding performance of the A700, said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “We also expect that this new camera will re-define the post-capture experience with HDMI™ output for high-quality playback of images on high-definition televisions.” Read the rest of this entry »

Great digital camera guide. read article…

‘Although digital cameras have been around for a decade now - and many buyers are on their second or third - I still get lots of questions about them. So here’s the 2007 holiday version of Digital Cameras in a Nutshell:…’

Source: Baltimore Sun, United States

The following is an eZine article that I found quite an informative brief review of the acclaimed Nikon D40. I have only heard good things about this camera and this article proves it really does give you back for your buck. Read on…

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Devastating its predecessor the Nikon D50 Digital SLR camera, the all new compact and affordable point-and-shoot Nikon D40 Digital SLR camera comes at a significantly lower price. With a subtly different set of features Nikon has trimmed some of the ‘less important features and have included a range of new features including the custom Auto ISO feature available on the Nikon D80 Digital SLR cameras.

Nikon appears to have concentrated on what makes a good camera. A solid viewfinder,a short shutter lag, and an exceptionally short viewfinder blackout. On the negative side the Nikon D40 Digital SLR camera does not have an internal focus drive motor and as a result no mechanical focus drive pin. Rather it has CPU contacts allowing Auto Focus only with AF-S and AF-I lenses which have built-in focus motors. This means the Nikon ’standard’ lenses the Nikkor 50 mm F1.8D and the F1.4D will be manual focus only on the Nikon D40 Digital SLR camera. Read the rest of this entry »

A new firmware Version 1.0.5 has been announced for its recently released EOS-40D. It improves on some of the image display settings and corrects some various bugs.

For more information and details on this update, as well as Firmware Update Procedures for upgrading your EOS 40D firmware to V 1.0.5 visit Canon Japan.

Firmware specification changes

This firmware update (Version 1.0.5) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

1. When playing back images just after recovering from Auto Power Off, the display now shows the last image played back.
2. During remote shooting, images are now displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor right after they are taken.
3. Corrects a warning message in Korean that appears when updating the firmware.
4. Corrects errors in the Spanish menu screens.
5. Corrects a phenomenon that prevented printing with some print systems.
6. Corrects a rare phenomenon in which file numbers or image numbers were sometimes skipped.

The Version 1.0.5 firmware being released this time is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.0.4. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.0.5, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Nikon has announced a new version of its Nikkor 18-55mm kit lens to include Vibration Reduction (VR) and its Silent Wave Motor (AF-S). The new lens also features Super Integrated Coating and hybrid aspherical elements (11 elements in 8 groups). The going price for this new lens will be about $199 US (£179.99 / €270.00) and will be available soon.

Nikon’s Press Release:

NEW NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55MM F/3.5-5.6G VR LENS INCLUDES THE BENEFITS OF VIBRATION REDUCTION IN A COMPACT AND AFFORDABLE ZOOM

MELVILLE, N.Y. (November 19, 2007) – Nikon Inc. today introduced the new versatile AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens that offers Nikon’s proprietary Vibration Reduction (VR) technology to help consumers snap sharper photos than ever before, even while shooting handheld. Compact and lightweight, this affordable lens is an optimum lens to use with Nikon DX-format digital SLR cameras and is the ideal focal length as a “first lens” to faithfully capture life’s day-to-day moments, or a welcome addition to a Nikon D-SLR photographer’s already-established lens assortment.

From family gatherings to sunny vacation beaches, the NIKKOR 18-55mm VR lens produces stunning results with vivid color and incredible sharpness. The 3x optical zoom offers users of Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras including the D40, D40x, D80 and new D300 with a versatile picture angle perspective ranging from wide angle for dramatic landscapes and interiors, to moderate telephoto that is ideal for flattering portraits. Read the rest of this entry »

Canon’s statement:

Title: Why do I experience inconsistent Auto Focus (AF) behaviour with my EOS-1D Mark III?

Phenomenon:
The focus or AF tracking is inconsistent when using the Artificial Intelligent (AI) servo continuous shooting mode under high temperatures in particular.

Cause:
In the digital SLR camera, EOS-1D Mark III that was launched in May this year, Canon has found that some cameras have an adjustment problem with the mirror for AF. The adjustment problem means for the affected products that the focus is not stable or that the Auto Focus tracking is not right when using the AI servo continuous shooting under high temperatures in particular.

Affected products:
The products that could have this problem can be identified as explained below.
If the serial number on the bottom of the camera is between 501001 and 546561, it could contain one of the AF mirrors with the adjustment problem.

Support:
For customers who have affected products and are experiencing these problems, we are making preparations to offer free of charge repairs planned to start from late November. We will announce additional details about the repair process on our Web site as soon as they become available.

In case you have questions about this or other issues, please contact Technical Support using the button at the end of this message. Alternatively you can also call our Helpdesk. Please click here for the phone number.

We offer our most sincere apologies to all affected customers who have been inconvenienced by this issue.

Capture NX with D3 and D300

London, United Kingdom - Nikon UK is pleased to announce that for the first time its new professional Digital SLR cameras, the D3 and D300, will be accompanied by Capture NX, Nikon’s award winning software package.

The latest version of the software, Capture NX v1.3 will give professional photographers the creative freedom to develop and enhance shots, particularly when shooting in RAW format. Initial shipments of the new cameras will come with a product key that will unlock a downloaded trial version of NX available from the web site. A CD ROM version will be bundled with D300 and D3 from December. Read the rest of this entry »