How to Clean D90 or D70 SLR Sensor

New Compact Cameras from Pentax

PENTAX ANNOUNCES THE INFINITELY CUSTOMIZABLE OPTIO RS1000 AND OPTIO RZ10 WITH 10X ZOOM

Golden, CO. (September 8, 2010)…Focused on the premise that photography is an extremely personal choice, PENTAX Imaging Company has announced two unique compact cameras that allow owners to be themselves.
The new PENTAX Optio RS1000 is easy to use and may be dressed to match the personality and style of its owner.  This cosmetically customizable digital camera features a removable faceplate to hold interchangeable skins of any personal design.
The design possibilities for the RS1000 are infinite.  Owners may skin this newest Optio to match a mood, an event, a milestone, an outfit, and so much more.  There are four ways to get started personalizing the PENTAX Optio RS1000:
1)    Immediately dress the camera in a choice of 11 (three plus eight) standard skins that ship with the product.
2)    Use the included SKINIT® gift card to design and order a free, high quality, pre-cut, 3M™ vinyl skin from www.skinit.com.
3)    Use an included stencil to trace cutout lines onto printed photos, wrapping papers, drawings, and more to use as a skin.
4)    Download the PENTAX PERSONAL SKIN DESIGNER Adobe Air-based software from www.pentaximaging.com (availability to coincide with product shipping). Use the digital designer to import a photo or digital image, saving a skin as a PDF for printing on a color printer.
Besides a unique, completely customizable design, the Optio RS1000 features 14 megapixels, a large three inch LCD monitor, a high-performance 4X optical zoom lens covering 27.5mm wide angle, and simple, user-friendly operation.  Encased in a lightweight body about the size of a credit-card, the RS1000 is compact enough to carry anywhere.  This latest PENTAX Optio will ship in October 2010 at $149.95 USD.
Also announced is the PENTAX Optio RZ10 digital compact camera. With a 10X optical zoom lens to capture a wide variety of subjects from travel and landscape to action and sports, the Optio RZ10 offers advanced features and handy functions that make photo shooting simple and effortless for everyone.  The 10X zoom offers high-magnification from wide angle to telephoto, as well as powerful macro focus settings. The camera also features dual Shake Reduction (mechanical sensor-shift and digital) for effective blur reduction and an upgraded Auto Picture mode for “hands-off” selection of the most appropriate shooting settings. Sporting a simple and modern, yet functional exterior design, the camera will be available October 2010 in classic black, pure white, lime and violet for $219.95 USD.

EOS 60D from Canon

London, UK, 26th August 2010 - Canon today announces the latest addition to its world-famous EOS series of Digital SLR (DSLR) cameras – the new EOS 60D. Replacing the EOS 50D, the EOS 60D is designed for photographers who want to take their skills to the next level, offering high performance, a series of creative features, a Vari-angle LCD screen and enhanced ergonomics – empowering photography enthusiasts to capture outstanding stills and Full High Definition (HD) video for unique, creative results. High speed, high resolution With an 18 Megapixel APS-C sensor, the EOS 60D offers high levels of detail and a magnification of 1.6x the focal length of the lens to capture poster-size images in a variety of aspect ratios¹. Canon’s powerful DIGIC 4 technology rapidly processes image information captured from the CMOS sensor’s four-channel output, providing outstanding colour reproduction, as well as high-speed shooting at 5.3fps in bursts of 58 full-resolution JPEGs. A standard ISO range of 100-6400 is extendable to 12800, providing smooth images with minimal noise in low light conditions. A 9-point, all cross-type autofocus (AF) system also provides swift and accurate focusing, with an extra-sensitive centre point for lenses faster than f/2.8, allowing photographers to artistically employ a shallow depth of field during portraiture or for more atmospheric shooting. The EOS 60D features Canon’s iFCL metering system, first introduced with the acclaimed EOS 7D, with a 63-zone Dual-Layer sensor.  Information on subject location is gathered from the Auto Focus system, and is combined with colour and luminance readings for consistent accurate exposures whatever the situation. The Integrated Speedlite transmitter also provides in-camera control of multiple EX flash units for more creative lighting. Shoot from all angles A new 7.7cm (3.0”) Vari-angle wide LCD monitor features a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 1,040k dot resolution, providing added flexibility and allowing photographers to view their images in incredible detail. The Vari-angle wide LCD helps frame shots from difficult angles, and can be positioned with Live View enabled to achieve the desired composition if shooting isn’t possible using the viewfinder. The ability to capture wildlife portraits, overhead shots or ground-level photography is instantly enhanced, and the surface of the screen features an anti-reflective, water-repellent coating to protect the screen allows easy viewing in bright light and from a variety of angles. Empowering creativity A new Basic + function makes it easy for photographers to add their own creative touch to images without worrying about changing settings. Photographers can add ambiance to a scene by shooting according to lighting and scene type, with Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sport, Night Snapshot or Creative AUTO modes all available. Different effects can be achieved by shooting with Basic + enhancements such as Daylight, Cloudy or Sunset or pre-set Picture Styles including Vivid, Soft, Warm or Monochrome. Designed to provide power for those who wish to extend their creative vision, the EOS 60D features a host of new functions that help capture better images and in-camera effects to add an extra dimension. The powerful DIGIC 4 processor supports in-camera RAW image processing, allowing photographers to edit settings such as brightness, contrast, white balance or correct distortion or chromatic aberration. The edited image can then be resaved as a JPEG, ready to be printed or uploaded to a PC or the web. For photographers who want to add post-production effects to their images without the need for expensive software, the EOS 60D also features a range of new creative filters that can be applied in-camera. Filters including Grainy B/W, Soft Focus, Toy Camera Effect and Miniature Effect provide images with a different feel, allowing photographers to create a themed collection - using Grainy B/W to give images a reportage style, for example – or easily smooth skin tone in portraits with Soft Focus. EOS Movies: Full HD video with complete control Offering photographers the freedom to go beyond stills, the EOS 60D captures 1920x1080p HD video with a variety of user-selectable frame rates, including 30, 25 and 24fps, as well as 720p video at 60 and 50fps. Movie Crop mode is also available, recording with the central 640x480 pixel area of the sensor to create an effective magnification of approximately seven times the focal length of the lens.  Full manual control in Movie mode allows photographers to employ their own exposure and focus settings and take advantage of the effects achieved from Canon’s wide range of EF lenses. An external stereo microphone terminal and the ability to adjust sound recording level ensures the audio track recorded matches the visual quality of the video, capturing broadcast-quality sound. For those who want to share images with friends and family, an integrated HDMI port is compatible with Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC), allowing video and images to be viewed on any compatible HD-ready TV and controlled via the TV remote. Designed for flexibility The EOS 60D features a completely redesigned body, combining an ergonomically enhanced, curved shape with a new button layout to make it quick and comfortable for photographers to change settings. Frequently used camera controls are grouped together for easy access, while the Quick Control Dial, Multi-controller and SET button have all been merged into one Multi Control Dial, enabling photographers to operate menus and enter settings quickly using their thumb. The mode dial also features a lock button, preventing unintentional changes to settings mid-shoot. A dedicated Quick Control access button allows photographers to instantly reach the most common shooting settings and playback controls. Customising the functions of a number of buttons is also possible, allowing photographers to tailor the camera to suit their individual needs. To help achieve landscapes with perfectly level horizons, a horizontal Electronic Level can be displayed in the viewfinder or in Live View to assist composition and remove any potential need for post-production correction. The EOS 60D is one of the latest Canon models to support high-capacity SDXC memory cards, providing up to 2TB of available space, allowing photographers to keep shooting HD video and full resolution RAW and JPEG stills without changing cards. For better management of larger image libraries on the camera, EOS 60D photographers can add a rating of 1 to 5 to their favourite images, allowing them to be easily located and viewed on-screen. Once transferred from the camera to a PC, the tags can also be viewed using a number of image editing and management programs, including Canon’s DPP software. Share the moment For photographers who want to transfer content wirelessly, the EOS 60D includes Eye-Fi connected functions². The EOS 60D features a dedicated Eye-Fi section in the User Interface allowing WiFi functionality to be turned off when not required to save battery life.    EOS 60D features at a glance: 18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor Advanced creative features with Basic + Vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 ratio LCD  Full HD movies with manual control  DIGIC 4  ISO 100-6400, H:12800  5.3fps shooting for up to 58 JPEGs  9-point cross type AF System  iFCL metering with 63-zone Dual-layer Sensor Integrated Speedlite transmitter In-camera RAW processing ¹ 1:1, 16:9, 4:3 in addition to the standard 3:2 dimension ² This product is not guaranteed to support Eye-Fi card functions (including wireless transfer). In case of an issue with an Eye-Fi card, please check with the card manufacturer. Also note that approval is required to use Eye-Fi cards in many countries or regions. Without approval, use of the card is not permitted. If it is unclear whether the card has been approved for use in the area, please check with the card manufacturer Download the full press release [PDF, 328 KB] Download the Lifestyle release [PDF, 140 KB] Download EOS 60D - Technologies Explained [PDF, 111 KB] Download EOS 60D - Specification Sheet [PDF, 70 KB]

EOS 5D Mark II Shoots House M.D. Season Finale

Greg Yaitanes, Executive Producer and Emmy winning Director, and Gale Tattersall, Director of Photography of House M.D. share their experiences using EOS HD Video for a prime time television drama.

This premier seminar was given at Cine Gear Expo 2010 in the Paramount Theater, in front of an audience of dedicated specialists and professionals from the entertainment industry.

Click here to learn more about the EOS 5D Mark II, the camera that is revolutionizing HD TV and film production

Calendar Photo Contest 2011

Eligibility: Open to US residents.

Copyright: The author authorizes Tri M Graphics to reproduce the work. Tri M Graphics may also use the photograph in other marketing tools, Tri M Graphics will not sell the photo or the product directly made from the photo.

The theme can be anything. The photo may be black and white or color. Photos must be at least 8”x10” no larger than 11”x14”. We cannot accept slides. Digital photos are permitted, but must be printed out to size – preferably on high quality photo paper If a digital photo is selected we would request the electronic digital file. Limit of two photos per person, please. Photos may be reproduced for the Tri M Calendar as color, duo-tone, or black and white.


Submit photos (after July 1) to:
Tri M Graphics
Attn: Calendar Contest
625 East Main Street
Owatonna, MN 55060

Entry Deadline September 30th. Please include your Name, Address, Phone Number and Email Address.

Prizes: $1000.00 dollars in prizes will be given away! If your photo appears on a monthly page you will receive $75.00. If your photo appears on the cover, you will receive $100.00. Photos and prizes may be claimed after the open house in November. Photos must be picked up by December 31st or they will be discarded.

Link:  http://trimgraphics.com/index.iml?mdl=subPage/view.mdl&PAGE_ID=44733

Portrait Photography Contest 2010

Eligibility: Open to all individuals 18 years and older, both professional and non-professionals.

The human face has always been the greatest resource for photographic expression. One of the very first images to be captured by a camera was a portrait. All of life's moments can be seen through a person's smile or frown. All joys or sorrows can be viewed through a person's eyes. TBM is seeking those images that best represent the human face as it displays these feelings.

First Place Winner - $500 (U.S.) and more prizes

Entry fee: US$20

Copyright: Photographer retains full copyright of material. TeraBella Media reserves the right to use without compensation certain selected images for the promotion and the advertisement of contests.

Entry deadline: 30 September 2010

Click here to visit contest website

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

PICTURE OF THE WEEK
Every week we feature an image from photographers worldwide. We judge these images on composition and technical quality. To enter, first read the Submission Guidelines, then use our upload form to send us your best! We welcome your comments and critiques at

Rules
Entrants may submit up to 2 (two) photographs for consideration during each weekly competition.

Copyright
Your entry to this competition constitutes your agreement to allow the publication of your submitted photographs on the NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY website, in NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY magazine, and used in connection with limited promotional use by NATURE’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY, including but not limited to promotion of the NATURE’S BEST Picture of the Week competition. Entrants will retain ownership of their photographs.

Click here to visit the website