Hama Omega Carbon Tripods
Posted on May 11, 2008 - Filed Under Art, News, Photo | Leave a Comment
The new Hama Omega Carbon tripod range is aimed at semi-professional photographers. The height of the Omega Carbon III tripod adjusts from 71 to 202 cms, and it weighs under 3kgs including a 3D precision ballhead. The smaller Omega Carbon II model has an extension length of 68 to 174 cms and weighs 2.5kgs including the tripod head. A tripod case is included with both models. The Hama Omega Carbon III costs 329 Euros, and the Omega Carbon II 269 Euros.
Hama Press Release
Hama presents its new Omega Carbon tripod series for semi-pros
Carbon for connoisseurs
Carbon, used colloquially to describe carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics, is used in products that require high stability at a relatively light weight, such as in automobile construction or sporting goods. The two new Omega Carbon II and III tripods from Hama take advantage of these characteristics, and are stable and lightweight at the same time.
Lightweight giant: Omega Carbon III
Omega Carbon III’s height adjusts from 71 to an imposing 202 centimetres, making the tripod ideal for taking impressive high-angle photos. Including the versatile 3D precision ballhead, the tripod weighs just under three kilograms; it is the perfect travelling companion. The completely removable central column helps with this, too. It can become a fully adjustable monopod, with a height of 54 to 158 centimetres; or, inserted upside-down into the tripod, it can be used for macro photography.
Little brother: Omega Carbon II
The little brother, the Omega Carbon II, with an extension length of 68 to 174 centimetres, weighs just 2.5 kilograms, including the tripod head. A crafty detail: the hook on the bottom of the extendable central column also functions as a holder for items such as the camera case, which means that they can be used to provide greater weight for improved stability.
Comprehensive features
What the two carbon tripods have in common are the comprehensive features. The stable 3D precision ball head is impressive. It features a separate ball and pan head lock, adjustable tension settings as well as a quick-release plate with a safety catch and locking screw. The four-piece tripod legs can be extended in three places and spread out in various patterns. The large, quick-action leg clamps help you fix the legs in the required position in a snap. Rubber feet with a ball joint and extendible steel spikes provide for completely secure positioning, even in rough terrain. The foam sheathing around the legs means that you will always have a comfortable and secure hold, even in the cold and during transport. The tripod case included with both models makes it easy to carry the tripod when you are on the go.
Just posted! Nikon 70-200 lens review
Posted on May 10, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Our new lens review of Nikon’s top-end fast telezoom, the AF-S VR-Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8G ED-IF. This is the first in a series of reviews in which we’ll be comparing it with similar lenses from Canon, Sigma and Tamron, using both APS-C and 35mm full frame cameras. The 70-200mm F2.8 VR has long been a favourite of Nikon DX format shooters, but how well does it stand up on the new full-frame D3? Read on to find out.
Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 lenses compared
| Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm F2.8 G | Sigma 70-200mm 1:2.8 EX DG Apo Macro HSM II | Tamron 70-200mm 1:2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street price | $1700 | $1625 | $800 | $700 |
| Date introduced | August 2001 | April 2003 | December 2007 | February 2008 |
| Maximum format size | 35mm full frame | 35mm full frame | 35mm full frame | 35mm full frame |
| Focal length | 70-200mm | 70-200mm | 70-200mm | 70-200mm |
| 35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C) |
112-320mm | 105-300mm |
105-300mm (1.5x) |
105-300mm (1.5x) |
| Diagonal Angle of view (FF) |
34º – 12º |
34º – 12º | 34º – 12º | 34º – 12º |
| Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C) |
23º – 8º |
23º – 8º | 23º – 8º | 23º – 8º |
| Maximum aperture | F2.8 | F2.8 | F2.8 | F2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | F32 | F22 | F22 | F32 |
| Lens Construction |
• 23 elements/ 18 groups |
• 21 elements/15 groups |
• 18 elements/15 groups |
• 19 elements/16 groups |
| Number of diaphragm blades |
8, rounded |
9, rounded | 9 | 9, rounded |
| Minimum focus | 1.4m | 1.5m | 1m | 0.9m |
| Maximum magnification |
0.17x at 200mm |
0.16x at 200mm | 0.28x at 200mm | 0.32x at 200mm |
| AF motor type | • Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus |
• Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus |
• Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus |
• Micro motor • Manual focus clutch |
| Focus method | Internal | Internal | Internal | Internal |
| Zoom method | Internal | Internal | Internal | Internal |
| Image stabilization |
• 3 stops |
• 3 stops |
• None | • None |
| Filter thread | • 77mm • Does not rotate on focus |
• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus |
• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus |
• 77mm • Does not rotate on focus |
| Supplied accessories |
• Front and rear caps |
• Front and rear caps • HB-29 Hood • CL-L2 Soft Case |
• Front and rear caps • Lens Hood • Soft Case |
• Front and rear caps • Lens Hood • Soft Case |
| Optional accessories | ||||
| Weight | 1570 g (55.4 oz) | 1470g (51.8 oz) | 1390g (49.0 oz) | 1330g (46.9 oz) |
| Dimensions | 86.2 mm diameter x 197 mm length (3.4 x 7.8 in) |
87mm diameter x 215mm length (3.4 x 8.5 in) |
86.6mm diameter x 184mm length (3.4 x 7.2 in) |
89.5mm diameter x 194.3mm length (3.5 x 7.6 in) |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF only | Nikon F only | Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony | Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony |
| Other |
• Dust and moisture sealing |
• Dust and moisture sealing |
Numbat No More
Posted on May 4, 2008 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
“This is a pic taken of my grandfather in 1948, holding a numbat, which are now extinct in that part of the country. Shame, as they’re lovely…”. Woodenup, in the south of Western Australia. Taken by Liz
Kodak ESP 5 printer
Posted on May 3, 2008 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment
Kodak ESP 5 printer : Eastman Kodak Company continues to change the way the world prints at home with its new KODAK ESP 5 All-in-One (AiO) Printer. The newest device in Kodak’s consumer inkjet printer portfolio offers the latest in design and performance, providing a high-quality, easy-to-use printing system at a significant value. It leverages Kodak’s premium, low-cost ink that allow consumers to print more photos and documents for their money. The KODAK ESP 5 AiO Printer ($169.99 U.S. MSRP) features a small, sleek design with print, scan and copy capabilities. It has a large 3” color LCD display along with memory card and USB slots to allow consumers to view, edit and print with or without a computer.
Kodak ESP 5 AiO Printer
The KODAK ESP 5 uses Kodak’s high-quality pigmented inks that come in a simple two-cartridge setup – a full black cartridge ($9.99 U.S. MSRP) and a five-ink color cartridge ($14.99 U.S. MSRP). “Kodak is delivering on its promise to end ink profiteering and to bring people affordable, premium ink with the introduction of the new KODAK ESP 5 All-in-One printer,” said Randy Brody, worldwide marketing director, Inkjet Systems at Kodak. “We are focusing on delivering easy-to-use products that provide superb-quality and save up to 50 percent on everything they print compared to similar consumer inkjet printers.”
Revolutionary inkjet printers
Kodak continues to expand its global reach. With its revolutionary inkjet business model and groundbreaking consumer value proposition, Kodak has added additional premier retail accounts to its international distribution channel including consumer electronics, office superstore, warehouse and mass merchandising outlets. New retail partnerships in existing markets include Target Retail Department Stores in the U.S., as well as London Drugs and Canadian Tire in Canada. Beginning in the second half of 2008, Kodak will broaden its current distribution network of more than 8,000 retail stores by expanding into Latin American countries.
Kodak AiO printers
A leading industry research firm, QualityLogic, Inc., recently conducted tests of ink yield of Kodak AiO printers and other leading consumer inkjet printers. The results confirm that one year after launch, KODAK AiO Printers continue to offer consumers the best ink value compared to competitors’ similar consumer inkjet printers. Kodak estimates that consumers who use KODAK AiO Printers can print up to twice as many pages for every dollar spent on ink compared to the industry average.
Independent permanence testing laboratory
Recently the printers were tested extensively by a leading independent permanence testing laboratory, Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR). According to the results of the industry’s first five-factor print permanence test, spearheaded by WIR, the KODAK AiO Printers and premium pigment-based ink achieved the highest level of overall print permanence of any current consumer desktop printer system tested by WIR. The KODAK AiO Printers, ink, and media achieved WIR Display Permanence Ratings and Album / Dark Storage Ratings of greater than 125 years.
Just posted! FujiFilm S100FS review
Posted on May 3, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Just posted: Our review of the FujiFilm S100FS. The S100FS offers DSLR-like handling and control with the convenience of a single, built-in lens offering an outstanding range. It is also built around a comparatively large 2/3" sensor and utilizes FujiFilm’s Super CCD technology. So do these features, along with film simulation modes that match the results to subject matter, offer a satisfying alternative to the money-pit that DSLR ownership can be? Follow the link to find out…
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Ritz Launches Special-Edition Green Nikon Coolpix S52
Posted on May 2, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Click photo for more images of the Special Edition Nikon Coolpix S52.
To celebrate Earth Day, Ritz Camera has announced that it will sell a special edition of Nikon’s 9-megapixel Coolpix S52 ultracompact camera. The “Eco-Green” S52 has an attractive green finish, and each time one is purchased, Ritz will buy a 1.91-ton carbon offset from Carbonfund.org. Carbon offsets are activities, such as reforestation, that reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated amount, in order to counterbalance the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere through fossil fuel use. Carbonfund.org estimates that 1.91 tons are equal to the average American’s monthly carbon “footprint,” the amount of carbon dioxide generated through energy consumption.
Kodak EasyShare M893 IS Review at Pocketlint
Posted on May 1, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Ratings, Reviews, Tips | Leave a Comment
Pocket Lint reviews the Kodak EasyShare M893 IS and writes – ‘The Kodak EasyShare M893 IS provides nice features within a tidy, pocketable design but image noise and sluggish performance don’t do it any favours. If you are after a reasonable snapper and you’ll print images at modest sizes you’ll be happy, but don’t buy this camera if it is 30 x 40-inch prints you’ll be wanting on a regular basis, as it might just leaving feeling disappointed.’