Any photo buffs/camera geeks out there?

[BAC]

It's been announced.
Looks really amazing.  Unfortunately its price is amazing, too.  $1700 for the body, and $650 for each lens.  It is waaaay out of my price range.  Too bad.  I'll have to admire it from afar, or wait for some to become available on the used market.  Can't wait for some reviews to be published.

Other neat announcements coming from Canon and Olympus.



http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/01/09/FujifilmXPro1_Preview

[blackwolfe]

Before everything went digital I really loved my Olympus OM1 and the 4 lenses I had for it.  Before that I had a Minolta, I think it was a 101.  I've been lost since everything went digital.  That's why I don't post pictures.  I can take a few pictures with a basic point and shoot digital camera, but have hard time doing anything with them after that.  Anybody know of a good for dummies type book for a technological cripple for basic digital photography and how to do something with the pictures afterwards?

[BAC]

Before everything went digital I really loved my Olympus OM1 and the 4 lenses I had for it.  Before that I had a Minolta, I think it was a 101.  I've been lost since everything went digital.  That's why I don't post pictures.  I can take a few pictures with a basic point and shoot digital camera, but have hard time doing anything with them after that.  Anybody know of a good for dummies type book for a technological cripple for basic digital photography and how to do something with the pictures afterwards?

You might want to contact The Camera Shop if you're near Muskegon or Hokanson's if you're near Manistee (I think they're still in business).  They both offer classes from time to time.  I used to spend a lot of time teaching photo classes in Michigan when I worked for Olympus.  Incidentally, I read a rumor today that Olympus is soon going to introduce a digital version of the OM series.  I too had an OM1 back in the day and loved it.

[alfsauve]

Saw the Canon Powershot G1 announcement.   We're talking an $800  point-and-shoot with a 14Megapixel sensor.  ISO goes to 12,800 !  Articulated rear screen. 






http://www.zdnet.com/blog/digitalcameras/canon-powershot-g1-x-high-end-compact-sports-dslr-size-sensor-ces-2012/5513

[BAC]

Saw the Canon Powershot G1 announcement.   We're talking an $800  point-and-shoot with a 14Megapixel sensor.  ISO goes to 12,800 !  Articulated rear screen. 






http://www.zdnet.com/blog/digitalcameras/canon-powershot-g1-x-high-end-compact-sports-dslr-size-sensor-ces-2012/5513

BIG, BIG sensor!  Can't wait for that one to come out.  I so wish I was at CES this year.  Almost as much as I wish I was able to go to SHOT.

[Sponsor]

[BAC]

Olympus has announced the E-M5.  It's the first of the new OM-D series.  Very impressive specs.  If you had an OM camera back when you'll appreciate this:

E-M5 Features

    INTELLIGENT ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER
    The High Resolution 1.4million dot EVF, with a 120 fps refresh rate, is a 100% accurate high eye point electronic viewfinder, delivering precise preview accuracy of highlight/shadow control, white balance and exposure for unlimited creative control. Eye sensor technology provides automatic switching between EVF and 3” tilt monitor. The shooter can choose from three different EVF informational display modes.

    16 MEGAPIXEL LIVE-MOS SENSOR & TRUEPIC VI IMAGE PROCESSOR
    The new 16-megapixel Live-MOS sensor coupled with the newly developed TruePic VI Image Processor delivers increased ISO sensitivity up to a staggering 25,600 ISO level. Fast data readout for seamless continuous shooting and support for the FAST AF system. This new processor delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity and reduced noise, all the way up to maximum 25,600 ISO.

    WORLD'S FASTEST AUTOFOCUS
    The E-M5's “FAST” contrast type AF system is the worlds fastest so you can follow the action no matter how fast it is happening. The 35 area AF design assures offers the flexibility of choosing a 9 AF area or single AF area pattern to match the situation. Sophisticated “Eye Detection” function allows the photographer to set this feature to detect the right or left eye.

    IN-BODY IMAGE STABILIZATION
    The E-M5 features an all new “5 axis” In-body Image Stabilization system that for the first time can compensate for not only vertical and horizontal camera movement, but as well for rotational camera shake that previous systems could not handle. It is effective for up to five shutter speed steps*. As it is built-in to the body, all lenses are stabilized, including wide-angle and fisheye lenses.

   3" 610,000 DOT TILT/TOUCH OLED
    Dust and Splash Proof like the body; tilt and touch LCD gives you the flexibility to capture your image from low on the ground to above your head, or at any angle. The 100 percent accurate LCD delivers the precise compositional previews. The touch navigation feature allows the shooter to control various functions in the shooting and playback modes with the touch of a finger.

    ART FILTERS
    A series of 11 built-in Art Filters, including the all new “Key Line” filter let you create dramatic effects when shooting stills or video. The innovative Art Filters including Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Gentle Sepia, Cross Process, Dramatic Tone and the new Key Line filter, can all be used in all the shooting modes - Aperture, Shutter, Program and Manual modes. Certain Art Filter effects can even be combined, and creative frames can also be overlaid, all right in the camera.

    RUGGED CONSTRUCTION
    Magnesium-alloy and Aluminum construction coupled with advanced splash and dust protection, make the E-M5 the perfect choice for photographers who need a camera that is not limited by harsh environments and that they can depend on in any situation.

   DUST REDUCTION SYSTEM
    The E-M5's proven Dust Reduction System, with the Supersonic Wave Filter™ (SWF) self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor unit, eliminates dust particles on the sensor by silently vibrating an amazing 30,000 times per second, ensuring spot-free images. It is a sealed unit integrated into the stabilizer/sensor assembly.

    SHUTTER DURABILITY
    Durable shutter mechanism tested to 100,000 cycles. The pro-level shutter ensures reliability, even during extended burst shooting at nine frames per second.

    DATA STORAGE
    The E-M5 accepts SD- SDHC/SDXC, cards in a weatherproof slot. This media format possesses the ultra-fast data transfer speeds necessary to support burst shooting with simultaneous recording of RAW and JPEG files as well as HD Movie recording.

    MULTIPLE EXPOSURE
    Multiple Exposure makes heightened creativity an easily-obtained objective. Two frames can be combined, and portions of one can be combined with those of another in any of the shooting modes. Additional RAW frames can be overlaid in the playback mode.

    MULTIPLE ASPECT RATIOS
    Express yourself by altering how you frame the world -- choose from nine aspect ratios, from the standard 4:3 to the cinematic 16:9. By selecting an aspect ratio before shooting and easily reviewing images on the LCD throughout the shoot, the Multi-Aspect function adds a new means of expression to your photography.

    WIRELESS FLASH CONTROL
    The E-M5 is compatible with a range of optional external flashes, including the Olympus FL-300R and FL-600R. Both of these flashes can be controlled wirelessly by the E-M5 so you can dynamically control lighting as your photography skills grow. The E-M5 features a commander function incorporated into the included clip on FL-LM2 flash, making wireless multi-flash photography possible without using an outside commander.

    DIGITAL LEVELER
    The camera's Digital Leveler function is a highly functional and practical feature for such specialized requirements as architectural photography and other similar needs. It can be displayed on the 3” OLED monitor or in the EVF.

   HD VIDEO
    Shoot movies at full 1080 HD resolution with available manual control over aperture and shutter speed. This level of control allows you to express your vision exactly how you want in your HD videos. When shooting a movie you have the choice of Standard or HD Movie with or without the 11 Art Filters, total movie creativity is in your control. Record movies in the .avi or .mov formats.

   MOVIE EFFECTS
    One Shot Echo, for a semi-transparent frame at your whim and Multi Echo, for a multi-motion trail effect.

I'd like to hate Olympus for laying me off, but Damn!  This thing is sweet!

[BAC]

OK, this is cool.  The new Nikon D3200, which is an entry-level DSLR ($699) with a 24 megapixel sensor, has an accessory called a WU-1a, which is a wi-fi transmitter that plugs into the camera and allows you to (among other things) use an Android phone or tablet as your live view screen.  It streams the live view image and you can use your phone or tablet to trigger the shutter.

I love technology!





We now return to gun stuff.

[Timothy]

I've been looking at some of the new stuff myself being an old (long ago) SLR, 35mm guy.  Do these new Nikon digital take the older Nikkor lens?

[jnevis]

I've been looking at some of the new stuff myself being an old (long ago) SLR, 35mm guy.  Do these new Nikon digital take the older Nikkor lens?

Yes and no.
They will fit on the body but depending on type certain functions won't work and the actual glass is polarized a little different for the digi's. 
Kasey uses older E/F series lenses on the D70 but has to remember that everything is manual.

[BAC]

Depends on the model.  Yes, the lens mount is physically the same size, but the low-end cameras only have electronic connections to the lens.  These connections control the focus and aperture.  If you mount an older AI lens on this camera you lose all aperture control and metering.  Really old non-AI lenses should never be used, as they will damage the camera.

Autofocus on these cameras can only be achieved using lenses with integral focus motors.  The higher end cameras will work because they have a focus motor in the camera which drives the lens.  The D3200 doesn't have this.  Your best bet is to use DX lenses on a camera like this.  They are designed to work together beautifully.

Newer lenses are designed to be used with digital sensors and give you the best image quality and performance.  Each pixel is basically a bucket that collects light.  That light needs to go straight into the bucket to be captured and measured.  On older lenses the light coming from the back of the lens spread out rapidly, especially at the edges and corners, which is why the corners and edges will get really dark and soft using the old lenses.  Digital-designed lenses keep the light as close to perpendicular to the sensor  so the light hits the pixels straight on and the buckets fill up.  The lens is said to be "telecentric" (this will be on the quiz).