http://www.dptips.com Digital Phography Tips, Tricks, Techniques, News, Community, Photos, Critique Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:24:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.2 en http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/d3-and-d300-get-firmware-fixes.html http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/d3-and-d300-get-firmware-fixes.html#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:24:00 +0000 admin News http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/d3-and-d300-get-firmware-fixes.html In addition to the announcement of the D700, Nikon has revised the firmware of the D3 and D300. The latest D3 firmware adds new function button customization options though not the ones featured on the D700. In addition to these and a virtual horizon in live view mode, Nikon has also addressed the problem that some users experienced in which the battery indicator would incorrectly register an empty battery. This problem, which has come to be known as 'Dead Battery Syndrome,' has also been addressed in new firmware for the D300.]]> In addition to the announcement of the D700, Nikon has revised the firmware of the D3 and D300. The latest D3 firmware adds new function button customization options though not the ones featured on the D700. In addition to these and a virtual horizon in live view mode, Nikon has also addressed the problem that some users experienced in which the battery indicator would incorrectly register an empty battery. This problem, which has come to be known as 'Dead Battery Syndrome,' has also been addressed in new firmware for the D300.]]> http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/d3-and-d300-get-firmware-fixes.html/feed/ http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-d700-plus-hands-on-preview.html http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-d700-plus-hands-on-preview.html#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:03:00 +0000 admin News http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-d700-plus-hands-on-preview.html Perhaps the worst kept secret of any recent announcement Nikon has now officially revealed the compact, professional, twelve megapixel, full-frame (FX format) Nikon D700. From the outside the D700 is virtually identical to the D300, albeit for its larger 'full frame' viewfinder, internally it's almost identical to the D3, except for a slightly slower shutter (five frames per second up to eight frames per second with the MB-D10 battery grip). By comparison it also includes several function improvements over the D3 including Image Sensor cleaning ('sensor shake'), more flexible 'hard button' programming, virtual horizon in Live View and different DX mode indication on the focusing screen. The D700 also becomes the first professional Nikon DSLR to sport a built-in flash. As far as competition is concerned the D700 really only faces the Canon EOS 5D (and any replacement that may be in the works). On sale in July for US$2999 or €2599 body only. We've had a D700 for a few days now, just enough time to produce a detailed hands-on preview.]]> Perhaps the worst kept secret of any recent announcement Nikon has now officially revealed the compact, professional, twelve megapixel, full-frame (FX format) Nikon D700. From the outside the D700 is virtually identical to the D300, albeit for its larger 'full frame' viewfinder, internally it's almost identical to the D3, except for a slightly slower shutter (five frames per second up to eight frames per second with the MB-D10 battery grip). By comparison it also includes several function improvements over the D3 including Image Sensor cleaning ('sensor shake'), more flexible 'hard button' programming, virtual horizon in Live View and different DX mode indication on the focusing screen. The D700 also becomes the first professional Nikon DSLR to sport a built-in flash. As far as competition is concerned the D700 really only faces the Canon EOS 5D (and any replacement that may be in the works). On sale in July for US$2999 or €2599 body only. We've had a D700 for a few days now, just enough time to produce a detailed hands-on preview.]]> http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-d700-plus-hands-on-preview.html/feed/ http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-pc-e-micro-45-mm-and-85-mm-lenses.html http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-pc-e-micro-45-mm-and-85-mm-lenses.html#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:03:00 +0000 admin News http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-pc-e-micro-45-mm-and-85-mm-lenses.html Nikon has confirmed two tilt and shift (also known as perspective correction) lenses we first heard of in January this year. There is the 'normal focal length' PC-E Micro Nikkor 45 mm F2.8D ED and 'medium telephoto' PC-E Micro Nikkor 85 mm F2.8D, both of which provide ±8.5° tilt, ±11.5mm shift and 90° axial (rotation) movement and also have the much touted 'Nano Crystal Coat'. When used on the D3, D300 (and we presume D700) these lenses also provide automatic aperture control as well as manual override using the aperture ring on the lens.]]> Nikon has confirmed two tilt and shift (also known as perspective correction) lenses we first heard of in January this year. There is the 'normal focal length' PC-E Micro Nikkor 45 mm F2.8D ED and 'medium telephoto' PC-E Micro Nikkor 85 mm F2.8D, both of which provide ±8.5° tilt, ±11.5mm shift and 90° axial (rotation) movement and also have the much touted 'Nano Crystal Coat'. When used on the D3, D300 (and we presume D700) these lenses also provide automatic aperture control as well as manual override using the aperture ring on the lens.]]> http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-pc-e-micro-45-mm-and-85-mm-lenses.html/feed/ http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-announces-speedlight-sb-900-flashgun.html http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-announces-speedlight-sb-900-flashgun.html#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:03:00 +0000 admin News http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-announces-speedlight-sb-900-flashgun.html Nikon has today announced its new top-of-the-range flashgun - the Speedlight SB-900. The new model features a Multi-step auto zoom covering a 17-200mm zoom range, three illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even) and automatically detects if you are using the Nikon FX or DX format. The SB-900 will be available from the 25th of July.]]> Nikon has today announced its new top-of-the-range flashgun - the Speedlight SB-900. The new model features a Multi-step auto zoom covering a 17-200mm zoom range, three illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even) and automatically detects if you are using the Nikon FX or DX format. The SB-900 will be available from the 25th of July.]]> http://www.dptips.com/2008/07/01/nikon-announces-speedlight-sb-900-flashgun.html/feed/ http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/25/just-posted-pentax-k20d-review.html http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/25/just-posted-pentax-k20d-review.html#comments Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:12:00 +0000 admin News http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/25/just-posted-pentax-k20d-review.html Just posted: our in-depth review of the Pentax K20D. The K20D is a fully-featured semi-pro DSLR available for the cost of some of the latest, upper-entry-level digital cameras. It adds a handful of features and tweaks to the highly-respected K10D and attempts to address some of its shortcomings whilst also incorporating a colossal 14.6 million photosites on a sensor co-developed with Samsung. Is this enough, given the quality of some of the competitors?]]> Just posted: our in-depth review of the Pentax K20D. The K20D is a fully-featured semi-pro DSLR available for the cost of some of the latest, upper-entry-level digital cameras. It adds a handful of features and tweaks to the highly-respected K10D and attempts to address some of its shortcomings whilst also incorporating a colossal 14.6 million photosites on a sensor co-developed with Samsung. Is this enough, given the quality of some of the competitors?]]> http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/25/just-posted-pentax-k20d-review.html/feed/ http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/24/ricoh-caplio-gx-200.html http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/24/ricoh-caplio-gx-200.html#comments Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:42:00 +0000 admin News http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/24/ricoh-caplio-gx-200.html Ricoh has today announced the GX200 digital compact camera. The new model is replacing the GX100 and inherits the old model's 24 to 72 mm (equiv.) lens, manual controls and a removable (optional) tilting electronic viewfinder. Resolution has been increased to 12 megapixels, the screen now measures 2.7 inches and the camera is controlled by the latest version of Ricoh's imaging processor - the Smooth Imaging Engine III. The GX200 will be available in the UK from the beginning of July.]]> Ricoh has today announced the GX200 digital compact camera. The new model is replacing the GX100 and inherits the old model's 24 to 72 mm (equiv.) lens, manual controls and a removable (optional) tilting electronic viewfinder. Resolution has been increased to 12 megapixels, the screen now measures 2.7 inches and the camera is controlled by the latest version of Ricoh's imaging processor - the Smooth Imaging Engine III. The GX200 will be available in the UK from the beginning of July.]]> http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/24/ricoh-caplio-gx-200.html/feed/ http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/23/just-posted-olympus-e-420-review.html http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/23/just-posted-olympus-e-420-review.html#comments Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:27:00 +0000 admin News http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/23/just-posted-olympus-e-420-review.html Just Posted: Our review of the Olympus E-420. The E-420 was launched exactly one year after its predecessor, the E-410, and comes with only a relatively small number of modifications such a larger screen, contrast detect autofocus in live view and the Auto Gradation feature that we've first seen on the E3. It's the smallest SLR on the market but can it compete with the larger and more expensive models from the competition? Find out after the link...]]> Just Posted: Our review of the Olympus E-420. The E-420 was launched exactly one year after its predecessor, the E-410, and comes with only a relatively small number of modifications such a larger screen, contrast detect autofocus in live view and the Auto Gradation feature that we've first seen on the E3. It's the smallest SLR on the market but can it compete with the larger and more expensive models from the competition? Find out after the link...]]> http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/23/just-posted-olympus-e-420-review.html/feed/ http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/23/just-posted-olympus-25mm-f28-pancake-lens-review.html http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/23/just-posted-olympus-25mm-f28-pancake-lens-review.html#comments Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:27:00 +0000 admin News http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/23/just-posted-olympus-25mm-f28-pancake-lens-review.html Just posted! Our new lens review of Olympus's dinky little Zuiko Digital 25mm F2.8 Pancake. As an accompaniment to our E-420 review (and a welcome change from yet another 70-200mm F2.8), we examine the credentials of the only fixed focal length lens currently bundled as a kit with a DSLR. It's certainly an attractively tiny package in combination with the E-420, but is it actually any good?]]> Just posted! Our new lens review of Olympus's dinky little Zuiko Digital 25mm F2.8 Pancake. As an accompaniment to our E-420 review (and a welcome change from yet another 70-200mm F2.8), we examine the credentials of the only fixed focal length lens currently bundled as a kit with a DSLR. It's certainly an attractively tiny package in combination with the E-420, but is it actually any good?]]> http://www.dptips.com/2008/06/23/just-posted-olympus-25mm-f28-pancake-lens-review.html/feed/