"We could all use a dose of such direct honesty when it comes to our pictures, trust me. The congenial, supportive, “Awesome frame, dude” that gets tossed around the internet is all well and good, but there are times when our pictures just suck, and we have to hear that, too."
I was searching around the web for some High ISO samples from the new Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, and it seems many of the samples have disappeared. It looks like this was by Canon's request.
From Digital Photography Interface:
Just got contacted by the Canon – apparently there was some miscommunication of sorts and they’re requesting the take down of the gallery from yesterday. Posting from my phone now (whose web browser is incapable of accessing the site’s full control dashboard);Full link hereI will be removing gallery posts and samples soon once I get a good wireless connection on my netbook(Samples have now been removed).
In a bizarre turn of events, Canon USA has been taken out to the woodshed and given a whoopin' by Canon Inc in Japan because - get this - Vincent Laforet's Nocturne video showcasing the new Canon EOS 1D Mark IV was "too good" according to Fake Chuck Westfall, and Canon USA made Canon Inc look bad. Thus, Canon USA has directed Laforet to remove the video.The full link is here
A nice selection of high ISO Samples for the new Nikon D3s are available here
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D3S/D3SA7.HTM
I downloaded a few in the 10,000 ISO range and the results are actually satisfactory in my book. To me, they actually sort of look like ISO 800 on the old D70.
And yes there are two samples at the crazy ISO 102400. Although right now I can't think of where that ISO capability would be useful, it would sure be interesting to play around with it for a few frames. Night surveillance maybe? One of the ISO 102400 was pretty busy looking with regards to the grain, but when you absolutely have to get the shot, it's better than nothing at all. On the mega ISO samples, I would have no qualms about using it for a 4x6 print if absolutely needed.
All image samples have full unretouched versions and full EXIF.
From DPReview
Leaf has released the Aptus II 5 digital back. Priced at €5,995, the new back is expected to ship from November 2009. Phase One's 645AF camera body with 80mm lens can be purchased along with the back for an additional €2,000. With a total price of €7,995 for the camera system, we are seeing a trend of affordable medium format cameras trickling into the market. Featuring the fastest capture rate of 0.9 fps in the Aptus-II product line-up, the back includes a 22 MP sensor, 2.5 touch screen LCD, 12-stop dynamic range and 25-400 ISO range.
---------------
Leaf is calling the new digital back "Value Priced", but this Value isn't for everyone. I had a feeling that some down to earth options were comig but I didn't know it would be this soon. Now I have some real thinking to do. Although the plan is to move to medium format sometime next year, I've also been yearning for that darned Leica M9. I'm just going to have to sit down and make myself a list or pros and cons for each so I can properly sort this thing out.
Here's the brief press release from Leaf Imaging:
NEW YORK, October 21, 2009 – Leaf Imaging today announced the Leaf Aptus-II 5 medium format digital camera back. The company’s newest addition to the Leaf Aptus-II product family, the Leaf Aptus-II 5 features a resolution of 22 MP. And at a capture rate of 0.9 seconds per frame, it represents the family’s fastest digital back.
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 controls in the medium format market.
Pricing and Availability
The Leaf Aptus-II 5 camera back is priced at 5,995EUR and is expected to ship in November, 2009. The Phase One 645AF camera body with 80 mm lens is available for an additional 2,000EUR. All equipment can be ordered now from Leaf dealers.
Back in early September I wrote a brief post on Changing Times and the probable demise of Rollei. Well, there have been some promising developments. From Photo Rumors:
The previous rumors were that Franke & Heidecke would be shutting down its operations for good, but now the latest report from Photoscala brings some hope to the 89 years old company, producer of the Rollei cult-camera (Google translation):
I certainly hope they can work things out. I started out with a TLR and a rangefinder in my teens and would hate to see Rollei fade quietly into the sunset.“In a first extension were 20 employees for outstanding work for two weeks engaged in early October. After this period, a new intermediate solution could be realized by the end of October.”
Earlier this month, a lawsuit was filed by the Just Born company in Hamilton Superior Court but was moved to U.S. District Court.
From the Indy Star October 7, 2009:
The maker of Peeps -- those marshmallow candies that are shaped into chicks, bunnies, and other animals -- has filed a lawsuit in Indianapolis, accusing a card company of trademark infringement.Full link here
Just Born, a candy manufacturer based in Bethlehem, Pa., claims in a federal court filing that American Greetings Corp.'s recycled paper greetings unit used the likeness without authorization.
The 11-page complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, accuses Recycled Paper Greetings of trademark infringement, false advertising, counterfeiting and deception for using Just Born's "distinctive and famous" chicks and bunnies or "confusingly similar variations" in its greeting cards.The image was shot with a Nikon D70 I believe. I just put the little candies down on some black plexiglas and if I recall correctly I think they were lit with two WalMart desk lamps and daylight balanced fluorescent bulbs.
