Tuesday, January 12, 2010
January/February 2010
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RETRO SHOOTERShoot with the new and improved Olympus PEN E-P2, the second generation of the manufacturer’s Micro Four Thirds camera series. With the same compact size and 12.3-megapixel sensor as its predecessor, the E-P1, the new model comes with an accessory port for accommodating an included articulating VF-2 electronic viewfinder or optional external microphone adapter (SEMA-1). Among the major upgrades is a newly developed Continuous Autofocus (C-AF) Tracking system that tracks the subject across or back and forward through the frame. There also are two new art filters—Diorama and Cross Process—for expanding your in-camera creative options. Estimated Street Price: $1,100 (with EVF and ED 14-42mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 lens or with EVF and 17mm ƒ/2.8 lens). Contact: Olympus, (888) 553-4448, www.getolympus.com.
FAST TRANSFERShoot without worrying about your memory card filling up too quickly using Lexar’s Professional 600x CompactFlash lineup. The cards maintain a guaranteed minimum sustained write speed of 90 MB/s and a minimum sustained read speed of 80 MB/s when paired with a UDMA 6-enabled device, such as the Lexar Professional ExpressCard reader. With capacities of 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB, the cards are ideal for capturing high-resolution stills and HD video. The latest version of Lexar’s Image Rescue 4 software features a one-step recovery interface and automatic software updates. Estimated Street Price: $199 (8 GB); $299 (16 GB). Contact: Lexar, (800) 789-9418, www.lexar.com.
HEAVY-DUTY LENS SUPPORTShoot with a heavy telephoto lens using a gimbal head on your tripod for support. The Flashpoint Gimbal 1 is designed for use with lenses that are too long or heavy for a traditional ballhead. There are separate locking controls for vertical and horizontal movements, and the drag control allows for better control when panning. The head comes with a 2¾-inch quick-release plate. It weighs 2.2 pounds and can support 15.4 pounds. Estimated Street Price: $239. Contact: Flashpoint (Adorama), (800) 223-2500, www.adorama.com.
SPEED EDITINGMake color and tonal adjustments to your images quickly with Nik Software’s Viveza 2, which includes new global image controls, as well as selective controls, for faster editing. Based on its award-winning U Point technology, the app does away with complicated selections and layer masks by allowing you to quickly select areas of an image to adjust by pointing and clicking. With sliders, you can fine-tune brightness, contrast and saturation. New features include shadow recovery and structure control. Estimated Street Price: $199. Contact: Nik Software, (619) 725-3150, www.niksoftware.com.
AUDIO FRAMEPlay music while displaying your slideshows in Panasonic’s MW-10 photo frame, which has an iPod Dock for playing video and music downloads, a built-in CD player and an FM/AM radio tuner with a 45-station preset memory. Sporting an elegant design, the MW-10 has a 9-inch LCD screen with WXGA resolution and comes with a remote control, making it easier to operate your iPod from a distance. The frame can display photos from a CD, SD memory card or its own internal memory of 4 GB. Estimated Street Price: $299. Contact: Panasonic, (800) 211-PANA, www.panasonic.com.
COVER UPConceal your expensive camera equipment in Think Tank Photo’s Urban Disguise 70 Pro, which has room for two regular or pro-size DSLRs with lenses attached. The bag is shaped like a shoulder briefcase to avoid attracting attention as an obvious camera bag. The large interior accommodates a variety of camera configurations. A Shoulder Harness Attachment lets you convert it from a shoulder bag to a traditional backpack. YKK zippers and nylon ballistic fabric enhance its durability. Estimated Street Price: $189. Contact: Think Tank Photo, (866) 558-4465, www.thinktankphoto.com.
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