Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Mamiya DL33 Medium Format camera with 33 megapixel resolution | DigitalPixels.net - Photography Blog

The successful introduction of the Mamiya DL28, in addition to requests from professional photographers throughout the U.S., has prompted Mamiya America to announce the next level in high-end digital camera systems – the Mamiya DL33.

“In the world of medium format digital photography, many photographers have to choose between price and performance,” states Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager. “The new Mamiya DL33 Digital Camera System offers the best of both worlds by providing medium format performance at a price that serious photographers can afford.”

The Mamiya DL33 Digital Camera System offers professional features and benefits that are not found in other camera systems. For example, even though the DL33’s resolution is an impressive 33 Megapixels, its large sensor allows a pixel size of 7.2 microns. At 36 x 48mm, the DL33’s sensor is twice the size of full frame DSLR cameras. Larger pixels also produce images with unmatched richness and color accuracy, smooth, subtle transitions from tone to tone and striking highlight and shadow detail. In addition, the larger format produces images with a more three-dimensional look. The 3.5-inch touch screen, the largest in the industry, offers a bright, high-contrast display ideal for outdoor or indoor work.

The DL33 combines the professionally proven Mamiya 645AFD III camera system with the innovative 33 megapixel Aptus-II 7 Digital Back from Leaf. Together they work as an integral unit with an intuitive ease that virtually any photographer will appreciate. The 645AFD III body has a new coreless motor for faster, more accurate autofocusing and an enhanced interface system that provides total communication between the camera, lens and digital back.

With 16-bit capture, 12-stop dynamic range and an ISO range of 50-800, the Mamiya DL33 is a full-featured professional digital solution. The 33 MP back produces a huge 67Mb RAW file that can be converted into jpegs, 8-bit or 16-bit tiff files (a 16-bit tiff file is 190 Mb). Files of this quality deliver the information needed for striking enlargements of virtually any size. And for those times when you can’t get close enough to your subject, you’ll have the confidence to crop a small portion of the image without a noticeable loss in quality.

In addition to using the included Leaf Capture 11.2 software, you can also open Leaf RAW files with commonly used programs including Adobe Photoshop CS3/4 (with the latest version of ACR software), Lightroom 2 and Apple Aperture 2.


When utilizing the fastest compact flash media storage currently available, the Aptus II 7 back can capture images at approximately 1 frame per second. You can also use the included FireWire cable and Leaf Capture 11.2 software to shoot directly to your computer.

“Many digital photographers are realizing that they need the increased performance that only medium format can offer,” says Karp. “That’s why Mamiya is continuing to receive requests for higher resolution digital systems. With the new Mamiya DL33, we can satisfy their demands today.”

Special consumer introductory offer!

During the months of April and May, customers who purchase a Mamiya DL33 will receive a FREE AF 55mm f2.8 or AF 150mm f3.5 lens directly from Mamiya (an $1100 value).

For more product details and the downloadable “Free Lens” coupon, please visit http://www.Mamiya.com

The Mamiya DL33 will be available April 2009. MAP price is $19,999.

Leaf Aptus-II 10R Digital Camera Back | DigitalPixels.net - Photography Blog

Leaf Imaging today announced the availability of the Leaf Aptus-II 10R digital camera back, with internal rotating sensor, for medium and large format photographers who often need to change orientation during a shoot. The Leaf Aptus-II 10R is available for a variety of medium and large format cameras, and is best suited for architecture, landscape, portrait and product advertising.

The Leaf Aptus-II 10Rs internally rotating sensor allows photographers to keep their camera upright, while quickly shifting orientation, without removing, shutting down or turning the camera back—saving time, preventing sensor exposure to the elements, and avoiding other issues related to digital back removal and rotation.

The Leaf Aptus-II 10R 56 megapixel sensor is 56x36 mm in dimensions, and can capture the full width of medium format capture area for either landscape or portrait setups. Whether shooting handheld or with the camera mounted on a tripod, there is now no need to remove the back to change the camera orientation. This lets medium format and large format shooters hold the camera and shoot without interruption, making portraiture shooting smoother and faster.

Leaf is delivering a top-of-the-line back with a 56MP sensor featuring an internal rotation solution that addresses issues familiar to medium and large-format photographers, said Ziv Argov, Director of Marketing, Leaf Imaging, Ltd. For example, rotating the sensor internally eliminates the need for an adapter plate which increases the risk of misalignment, which today is more critical with higher sensor resolutions. This is the best possible solution for pros—offering them the freedom to focus on photographic creativity.

Like the Leaf Aptus-II 10, this system offers superior image quality:

Specifications highlights

CCD: 56 x 36mm, 56 MP

Largest file size: 345 MB 16 bit TIFF

ISO: 80-800


Capture rate: 1 sec/frame

Cameras supported

Hasselblad V series (not including 200 and 2000 versions)

Medium format cameras with adapter: Mamiya RZ67, RZ67 Pro II, RZ Pro IId, RB67, Fuji GX680II, GX680III, Bronica SQA/SQAi

View cameras: Alpa, Arca-Swiss, Cambo, Horseman, Linhof, Sinar, Toyo, Rollei X-Act2 and others via Leaf Graflok or third-party adapters

Leaf Aptus-II Product Family

The Leaf Aptus-II series of digital backs offers professional photographers the speed, image quality and flexibility to allow their work to keep pace with their imaginations. Designed to support photographers wherever they are shooting, Leaf Aptus-II series backs offer the largest display, 3.5 (6x7 cm), and only touch screen display controls in the medium format market.

Pricing and Availability

The Leaf Aptus-II 10R camera back is priced at 24,995 euro and is now available for orders. All equipment can be ordered now from Leaf Partners (for the Leaf Partner nearest you, please see: http://www.leaf-photography.com/findaleaf_nam.asp).

The Leaf Aptus-II 10R digital back ships with both Leaf Capture v.11 and Capture One v.5.1 workflow software.

YouTube - Nikon D300s: Live View Modes—Hand-Held vs. Tripod

YouTube - Nikon D300s: How to Use Exposure Compensation

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Nissin Di866 Professional Speedlite | DigitalPixels.net - Photography Blog


The new flash gun from Nissin, the Di866 Professional Speedlite, is now available to UK photographers, as first announced by Kenro at Focus on Imaging earlier this year.

The Di866 is available with either a Canon or Nikon fitting. The Canon version is compatible with Canon Digital SLR and Powershot hotshoe cameras using ETTL and ETTL-2 systems, while the Nikon model fits Nikon Digital SLR and Coolpix hotshoe cameras using i-TTL. The unit carries a SRP of £369.95 including VAT.

The Di866 has been specifically designed for use with digital SLR cameras and comes with many ‘world’s first’ features. This new clip-on type flash unit is simple to use and incorporates an easy to read rotating colour display, it can also be fired wirelessly where it can be used as a master or receiver.

With a guide number of 60m (ISO 100 @ 105mm) the Di866 features Nissin’s original ‘My TTL’ user adjustable TTL light output level and is firmware upgradable thanks to an onboard USB port.


The gun also features high speed synchronisation, allowing synchronisation for shutter speeds over 1/250th second and a recycling time of 3.5s which is able to offer up to 150 full-power flashes per set of batteries. Furthermore the Di866 features a fill in sub-flash (12m100 ISO), which is activated while the main flash is bounced and also a built-in wide angle diffuser and catch-light reflector.

“Nissin has been a world-class manufacturer of high quality electronic flash units for over 40 years and this latest addition to their range is a truly impressive piece of kit. A recent reviewer described the Di866 as ‘the most powerful hotshoe flashgun available,’ and I think everyone who uses the flash will agree with that statement.” says Kenro managing director, Paul Kench. “The technological advances contained in the Di866 make it the perfect choice for professional and advanced photographers.”

Nissin PS 300 Power Pack | DigitalPixels.net - Photography Blog

By using the PS 300 together with the regular power source, the flash recycle time is reduced to a quarter of the standard time (approximately 0.7 seconds to recharge the Nissin Di866, Canon EX580EX II or the Nikon SB900). The maximum number of flashes is also significantly increased.

The unit is equipped with two power supply sockets that enables two flashes to be used together at the same time. The cables are available in either Canon or Nikon fit. The PS 300 is compatible with the Nissin Di866 model (Canon version) or Canon’s original flash with external power socket. Type N for Nissin Di866 model (Nikon version) or Nikon’s original flash with external power socket.

The PS 300 is powered by a NiMH battery – (7.2V/3,300mAh) that provides approximately 300 full flashes per charge (based on using the Di866 on full power). The unit is housed in a robust metal shell, making it safe and durable.


“Nissin has been a world-class manufacturer of high quality flash equipment for over 40 years and this latest addition to their range is a really useful piece of kit.” says Kenro managing director, Paul Kench. “It enables photographers to shoot rapidly with their flash without worrying about long recycle times, meaning they’re more likely to get their desired image, especially in demanding presentation photography situations.”

The PS 300 follows on from the release of the acclaimed Di866 Professional Speedlite, described by one reviewer as ‘the most powerful hotshoe flashgun available’.

Kenro is the official UK distributor for the range of Nissin flash guns. See http://www.kenro.co.uk for details of your nearest stockist, or call Kenro on 01793 615836 for more detail.

Nissin PS 300 Power Pack | DigitalPixels.net - Photography Blog

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Sharpening Using an Unsharp Mask

Sharpening Using an Unsharp Mask

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Tutorials - The RAW File Format

Tutorials - The RAW File Format

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Understanding Camera Autofocus

Understanding Camera Autofocus

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Sensors and sensitivity: making sense of the megapixel myth

A typical digital camera captures image information using image sensors, the digital equivalent of the film. Exposure factor notwithstanding, the quality of image captured depends on a few factors such as the sensor size, type and pixel density on the sensor. We'll discuss these few factors without going too deep into technical details to give you a better understanding on how image sensors work, and why more megapixels is not always a good thing.

Types of sensors
There are 2 major types of image sensor for digital cameras and camcorders: CCD (charged couple device) and CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductor, or sometimes known as active pixel sensor). There have been heated debates of which sensor technology is more superior than the others, but we're not going to go there. Suffice it to say, CCD and CMOS works in very different way. High end DSLRs cameras use CMOS sensors because they are easier to make in bigger sizes, and consume less power, but they cost more. On the other hand, compact cameras and digital camcorders commonly use CCD sensors. The newer generation of Nikon DSLRs starting with the D90, D300 and all the way up to D3x use CMOS sensors, much to the delight of photographers.

Sensor size
The main thing about sensors is really about the size. A picture taken with the latest 5 megapixel camera phone will never look as good as the entry level DSLR by a good mile (let's not talk about lens quality first). This is due to the huge difference in sensor size used on both devices. The chart on the right compares the typical sensor sizes found in common digital cameras today. The sensor on a compact camera is approximately 10% the size of a typical DSLR , and a full frame DSLR has a sensor 20 times bigger! This is also the main reason why a DSLR cost upwards of RM3000 while a compact can cost as little as RM500. A 'full frame' sensor size is the equivalent of a standard film, at 36mm X 24mm. So the bigger the sensor, the better the image quality you'll get. That's fact number 1. Another fact to consider, before you plunge you hard earned cash on that latest digital camera is how many megapixels it shoots relative to the size of it sensors. This is what pixel density is all about.

Pixel density and Signal/Noise ratio
Let's say we have a fixed sensor size of a typical compact camera. As the megapixel war between camera manufacturers escalate, they shove more and more megapixels into these cameras without enlarging the sensor size much because larger sensors are more expensive to make. More megapixels on a same sensor size means smaller pixels are crammed into the sensor, as example below indicates. Small pixels are bad when it comes to translating light into digital bits of data. It becomes less sensitive to light and you'll get more digital noise (the rainbow coloured grain you see when you shoot in low light conditions).

To understand how sensors work, imagine each pixel on the sensor as a bucket. Imagine light falling into the bucket as coloured balls. Not all light that falls onto the pixel sensor (buckets) is translated as information used to create the final image. The ratio between the good (signal) and the bad (noise) determines how well the image is captured, this is called the signal to noise ratio. So the smaller the pixel/bucket, the lower the signal/noise ratio. Bigger buckets (pixels) will produce higher signal/noise ratio which will result in better photos especially in low light condition.

Nikon's top of the line D3 is a full frame shoots at 12.2 megapixels, while its competitor produces 23 megapixels with the same sensor size. This is why the D3 has won raving reviews and praises from professionals with its superb ability to capture low light photography with very little noise. With the introduction of D3X, the jury's still out on whether the increased pixel count on the same sensor size will produce similarly exceptional quality photos like the D3.

Conclusion
So the next time you're out buying a new digital camera for yourself, the wife or mistress, don't be fooled by the salesperson flogging the latest compact cameras with 20 megapixels capability. More megapixels is not necessarily a good thing. Remember this: we want bigger pixels, not more pixels.

Pro Tip : Sensors and sensitivity: making sense of the megapixel myth

Pro Tip : Sensors and sensitivity: making sense of the megapixel myth

Understanding Camera Lenses

Understanding Camera Lenses

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High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography in Photoshop

High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography in Photoshop

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Understanding Depth of Field in Photography

Understanding Depth of Field in Photography

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Understanding Camera Metering and Exposure

Understanding Camera Metering and Exposure

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Digital Camera Sensor Sizes: How it Influences Your Photography

Digital Camera Sensor Sizes: How it Influences Your Photography

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