Samsung has announced that its NX300 mirrorless camera will be available in both US and European markets by the end of this month as a kit with the 20-50mm lens for $ 749.99 and £599 respectively. The 3D-capable camera is built around a 20MP sensor, 3.3″ OLED screen and built-in Wi-Fi. The kit will also include a free copy of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 editing software. The company has also announced that the 45mm F1.8 2D/3D lens will be available at the same time for $ 499.99. There is currently no information about its European price.
Canon has moved early to replace last year’s 650D/Rebel T4i with the 700D/T5i. Like its predecessor, the new camera has an 18MP APS-C Hybrid CMOS sensor with built-in phase-detection autofocus, a DIGIC 5 processor, a 9-point cross-type AF system, and Full HD movie mode. Among only a few minor changes, the Canon 700D is bundled with a new 18-55mm STM lens, which should offer better movie AF at a lower kit price of $ 899.99/£849.
A service center in Taiwan has repaired a seawater-damaged Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED lens by boiling it. According to a post by Nikon Rumors, after investigating the damage, staff established that the AF motor of the lens needed to be replaced and some internal parts were ‘rusted’ due to salt water damage. To remove this rust, they boiled them in water. The lens was apparently fixed in three days. (via Nikon Rumors)
A service center in Taiwan has repaired a seawater-damaged Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED lens by boiling it. According to a post by Nikon Rumors, after investigating the damage, staff established that the AF motor of the lens needed to be replaced and some internal parts were ‘rusted’ due to salt water damage. To remove this rust, they boiled them in water. The lens was apparently fixed in three days. (via Nikon Rumors)
Arizona-based wedding photographer, Trevor Dayley, is taking a unique approach to his portraiture by using a perspective control lens, the Canon TS-E 90mm F2.8. In an article he wrote for FStoppers, he explains why it has become his favorite lens and discusses the challenges and rewards of adding a tilt-shift lens to his arsenal. (via FStoppers)
Tokina has announced it will be shipping the AT-X 12-28 F4 PRO DX lens from April 2013 in Nikon mount, and June 2013 for the Canon version. Announced at the CP+ tradeshow, the lens is a replacement for the company’s existing 12-24mm F4 wideangle zoom for APS-C cameras. But rather than making the lens wider to match its competitors, Tokina has chosen to extend it further into the ‘normal’ range, to give an 18-42mm equivalent zoom. The Japanese RRP of ¥90,000 is the same as that for the existing AT-X Pro DX 12-24mm F4 II lens. (via DCWatch)
Rokinon has announced the T-S 24mm F3.5, a wideangle perspective control lens, for release in May 2013. Rokinon rebadges and distributes Samyang lenses for the US market, and this lens first appeared at Photokina 2012 as the Samyang T-S 24mm 1:3.5 ED AS UMC, but without a specific date for launch. The lens features manual focus and aperture setting, offers up to 12mm of shift and 8.5° of tilt, and is designed for full frame cameras. It’ll be available in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts, at an RRP of $ 1299.99.
If you were to pick a themed wedding, it wouldn’t be lightsabers and Ewoks. It’d be photo-themed.
But this is no Vegas drive-through wedding. This is a glassy classy operation.
There are lots of ways to weave your favorite things into your wedding, but this DIY lens bouquet holder our pal Amber Phillips made stood out as a super original way to include your love of photography.
She’s sharing her how-to, and you don’t even have to be getting married to get in on it! You can turn your lens into a vase, planter, or a pencil-holder.
Make a Lens Bouquet Holder
p.s. Our buddies at Nations Photo Lab have 1/2 off all prints 8×10 and smaller right now. Hurry though, it ends at midnight EST!
Why It’s Cool:
Maybe you have a broken, old lens you haven’t been able to use, or maybe your local camera shop has a bin of scratched lenses that you eye every time you visit.
Whether you’re having a wedding or not, you can repurpose that lens, and that saves one more from ending up in the dump while beautifying your home all at the same time.
This project shows you how to safely hollow out your lens, so you can fill it with flowers, pencils, plants, a pile of plastic dinosaurs, or whatever else you might have around.
Ingredients:
A broken lens
A hammer
Pliers
Any kind of knife
Floral foam (a 4″ x 4″ chunk does fine)
Gorilla glue or hot glue
Safety glasses
Work gloves
STEP 1: How a Broken Lens Got Its Groove Back
Where does one pick up a broken lens? It’s as easy as searching “broken lens” on eBay.
Your local camera shop might have unusable lenses for sale, and you might also find some at garage sales or swap meets.
There are a ton of old lenses out there that are just too scratched to be used. Once you have your lens, you’re ready to start breaking it down …
Step 2: Remove the Glass
First, lay down cardboard or bubble wrap to protect your work surface. You’ll be removing the glass from the lens by hammering it.
Put on your safety glasses. We don’t recommend you touch the broken glass with your hands, but for extra precaution, put on work gloves. Or a robo-glove. Either works.
You might notice there are multiple layers of glass inside. Start breaking through the first layer of glass by hammering.
TIP: Breaking this glass is harder than you would think. The layers can be pretty thick. Be careful and watch for “bounce-back” with your hammer hand.
Use your pliers to pull out any glass that you wouldn’t want to touch with your hands.
Once you are through the first layer of glass, take a look at the lens depth and figure out if you want to go further. If so, keep on hammering.
Step 3: Cut the Foam
Once you’ve reached the depth you need, bust out your floral foam.
Take a look inside the lens, and eyeball what size you would need to cut down the foam so it fits in snug at the bottom.
Use a knife to cut it down to size.
Step 4: Glue the Foam
With a dab of glue, attach the foam into the bottom of your lens.
This’ll make sure the flowers don’t fall out while you’re holding the bouquet throughout the day.
Step 5: Arrange Your Bouquet
Once the foam is glued inside, you can start arranging your bouquet!
If you’re feeling shy about arranging your own flowers, take it to your florist, and they’ll be able to make something stunning for you.
Step 6: Put It to Use
Now what? Get married!
After you set up some chairs and get an officiant and all that.
Enjoy your day with your photo-geek bouquet, and play a prank on your photographer. What do you mean? Your lens *isn’t* supposed to have flowers in it?
Take it further
Make yours a planter. Check out our DIY!
Skip the foam, and turn your lens into a desk companion/pencil holder!
If you’re not in a DIY mood, Lens Mugs are super realistic faux lenses you can use instead.
Amber Phillips is a photographer and crafter based in Talladega, Alabama. Besides photography, she absolutely loves Doctor Who.
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Just posted: Our review of Canon’s top-end standard zoom, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. Launched a year ago to replace its 10-year old predecessor, it’s designed as a workhorse for professional photographers, and features a completely new optical design and improved, weathersealed build. In the latest of our lens reviews produced in collaboration with DxOMark, we take a look both lab and real-world performance. As usual, you can also compare it to a wide range of similar lenses using our unique lens data widget. Click through to see what we thought.
Maybe you have a broken, old lens you haven’t been able to use, or maybe your local camera shop has a bin of scratched lenses that you eye every time you visit.
Where does one pick up a broken lens? It’s as easy as searching “broken lens” on eBay. 
First, lay down cardboard or bubble wrap to protect your work surface. You’ll be removing the glass from the lens by hammering it.
Once you’ve reached the depth you need, bust out your floral foam.
With a dab of glue, attach the foam into the bottom of your lens. 
Once the foam is glued inside, you can start arranging your bouquet!
Now what? Get married! 
