We’ve been fans of Aaron Johnson’s comic strip ‘What the Duck’ for years. ‘WTD’ is one of the best satirical comic strips in the world, and it’s published here every week, as well as being included in our weekly newsletter. Barbed, topical and always amusing, we hope you enjoy WTD as much as we do.
RayFlash has announced a new universal ringflash adapter for DSLRs. Designed to clamp on to your own hotshoe flash, it utilizes the light from your existing flash unit and bends it through the circular structure around the lens of a DSLR. It’s offered in two sizes – one fits most DSLRs (and the Olympus E-M5 O-MD) and another is configured with a longer neck for cameras with a higher body. It replaces the original adapter which could only accommodate a few Nikon and Canon flash units. Click through for more information.
Our friends and collaborators over at DxOMark have been investigating lenses for the Pentax K-50, and have just published an article assessing which score best on this well-featured little SLR. They’ve looked at 28 different models, from both Pentax itself and third-party makes like Sigma and Tamron, and given recommendations for the best lens to buy in various categories. This week they’ve also tested the Sigma APO 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM super-telephoto zoom, and compared it to the rather more expensive Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. Click through for the links.
Reuters photographer Kai Pfaffenbach found himself unexpectedly on the other side of the lens at the IAAF World Championship Men’s Shot Put Finals. His photo of Germany’s David Storl was used as evidence in a decision that overturned a ‘foul’ call and awarded the athlete a gold medal. When it was called into question whether Storl stepped outside of the ring in his attempt, Pfaffenbach discovered that his remote camera clearly showed Storl’s attempt to be fair. Click through for more.
LensRentals.com is now shipping the Canon EOS 5D Mark III with the Magic Lantern ‘hack’ pre-installed. The most notable feature gained by using Magic Lantern on the 5D Mark III is Raw video support, which offers much better video quality than on the ‘stock’ camera. The rest of the Magic Lantern feature set is also available, including focus peaking, an intervalometer, too many movie enhancements to list, plus the DR improvement that we reported on last month.
As camera manufacturers attempt to counter the onslaught of a smartphone-in-every-pocket mobile photography movement taking the place of point-and-shoot cameras, some solutions seek to combine the two devices. Our sister site, connect.dpreview.com has pulled together a handful of these ideas – now in production or still in development – for your interest (and, possibly, amusement). Are these technological wonders that you’ll spend your hard-earned cash for, or are they destined for the recycle bin?
Apple has released RAW Compatibility Update version 4.08 for Aperture and iPhoto ’11. This update adds support for the Canon EOS 70D, Fujifilm X-M1, Sony RX100 II and five additional cameras. You can download the new software via the System Update feature in Mac OS X or via the source link on the following page. There you’ll also find a full list of the newly supported cameras.
Canon has refreshed its all-in-one lineup with the launch of the Pixma MG7120 and 5520. Both are Wi-Fi capable and, with use of the Pixma Printing Solutions app, can print directly from a host of popular social networks and cloud storage services. Both are also Apple’s AirPrint system. The faster, higher-resolution, 6-ink MG7120 includes a 3.5″ touchscreen and the ability to print on CDs and DVDs – it costs around $ 199. The 5-ink MG5520 has a 2.5″ screen and will cost around $ 149.
Canon has created a ‘Facebook ready’ variant of its social-media-focused PowerShot N digital camera. The ‘Facebook ready’ version will only be available directly from Canon (in the US, at least) and has a dedicated Facebook connect button in the place of the connect-to-device one on the standard N. Once the camera has been taught your login details, you can upload images with a choice of who gets to see them, once posted. The 1/2.3″ 12MP sensor camera will cost $ 299.
Canon has announced its PowerShot SX510 and SX170 superzoom digital cameras. The PowerShot SX510 HS now uses a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor (versus a 16MP CCD on its predecessor), hence the new ‘HS’ designation. It offers Wi-Fi connectivity and what’s almost certainly the same 24-720mm equivalent optical zoom lens, a 3-inch LCD and Full HD video. The SX170 is essentially the same as its SX160 that came before it, with a 16x optical zoom and 16 megapixel CCD, though it’s no longer powered by AA-batteries.