Canon launched this week two new additions to its Selphy range of dye-sublimation printers, offering up to 6×4″ prints with the minimum of hassle. The Canon Selphy E2 replaces the previous ES1 and sports an articulated 3.0″ LCD, wireless printing via IrDA (Bluetooth with an optional adaptor) and may be powered from an optional battery pack. The Selphy E20 meanwhile features a fixed 2.5″ screen and does without wireless connectivity and battery power, and for the ultimate print-anywhere experience, the SELPHY ES2 features an optional battery pack. The newly improved Auto Image Optimisation, provides automatic correction of common flaws: face brightness can be optimised with no effect on background levels, and overexposure and underexposure are detected and adjusted for improved results.
Canon’s Easy System, which uses handy integrated ink and media cassettes, is complemented by one-touch operation and a generous 50-sheet capacity. For added ease of use, the SELPHY ES2 incorporates Canon’s intuitive Easy-Scroll Wheel, offering complete control of all key functions.
Features at a glance:
*Unique integrated ink and media cassette – the Easy Photo Pack – colour coded for easy identification
*Stylish vertical design with small footprint and carry handle
*3.0” tilt-up colour LCD viewer (fixed 2.5” on SELPHY ES20)
*Easy Scroll Wheel (SELPHY ES2 only)
*DIGIC II processing ( improved processing algorithms offer new rapid start-up times, plus card reading and image viewing times up to ten times faster than on previous models)
*Direct printing from most popular memory card formats1
*Dedicated Creative Print button
*Image Adjustments including Image Optimize, Image Trim, My Colors, and improved Red-Eye Correction
*Wireless printing via IrDA (SELPHY ES2 only) and optional Bluetooth
*Optional battery pack (SELPHY ES2 only)

For convenient, stress-free printing, the SELPHY ES2 and ES20 use Canon’s Easy Photo Packs – special integrated ink and media cassettes that offer near-instant loading and sufficient ink and paper for 50 prints. Users can choose from three different printing sizes, with selected formats offering both colour and a dedicated Black and White version: all packs are colour-coded for easy identification, and include a slip to present at stores when replacements are required. Cartridges can be swapped quickly and easily mid-way through use, and because both ink and paper are stored inside the printer, the risk of dust affecting prints is minimised. Both the SELPHY ES2 and ES20 achieve a compact design by outputting prints to the top of the printer – eliminating the need for a bulky paper cassette. Finished in attractive cappuccino (SELPHY ES2) and elegant white (SELPHY ES20) colour schemes, their smooth, modern lines complement virtually any home.

Both models use exceptional print head control technology to produce top-quality, high resolution glossy prints. Minimal graininess and professional-looking gradation are assured by a dye-sublimation printing process, which generates up to 16.8 million colours and ensures that prints are dry to the touch from the moment they emerge. Photos are finished with a durable, high-gloss protective layer, which guards against water, oil, gas and fingerprints; kept in a photo album, prints retain their quality for up to 100 years.

As well as applying useful edits such as improved Red-Eye Correction, image trimming and My Colors effects, users can transform their pictures using the dedicated Creative Print button. It provides a wide range of attractive album designs, calendars and impressive Multi-Layout prints – plus fun picture additions like speech bubbles, clip art and frames. The SELPHY ES2 also includes a selection of Filter Effects such as Faded Edges, Soft Focus and Star Lights.

Available media includes:
* Post Card Size – (Easy Photo Pack E-P50, Easy Photo Pack E-P100)
* Post Card Size (Black and White) – (Easy Photo Pack E-P25BW)
* L Size (89mm x 119mm) – (Easy Photo Pack E-L50, Easy Photo Pack E-L100)
* Card Size (54mm x 86mm) – (Easy Photo Pack E-C25)
* Card Size Labels (54mm x 86mm) – (Easy Photo Pack E-C25L)

Software: The SELPHY ES2 and SELPHY ES20 are supplied with Canon’s Solution Disk, containing easy to use software for managing, storing and printing images via PC.
Accessories: NB-ES1L Battery Pack (for SELPHY ES2), BU-20 Bluetooth Unit.

Tags: selphy photo printer, selphy es2, shelpy es20, photo printer, canon photo printer

The Sony DT 11-18mm is actualy the widest angle Sony zoom for Alpha DSLRs (see Sony Alpha A100). In fact, is compatible with both cropped-frame Alpha DSLRs and the earlier Konica Minolta Dynax / Maxxum 5D and 7D bodies (DT 11-18mm, like many Sony lenses, is actually a rebranded and slightly modified version of an existing Konica Minolta model).
The DT 11-18mm is offering an equivalent range of 16.5-27mm, a range which is ideal for capturing big landscape views and large buildings both inside and out. With only 1.63x optical zoom ratio, if you zoom in you have a more typical 27mm wide angle coverage. The maximum aperture of f4.5-5.6 is a little slower than some ultra-zoom rivals at the wide end, such as Canon’s EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-5.6, but matches most when zoomed-in, and, it shares many similarities with the existing Tamron 11-18mm lens.
If you want to use it with filters, note that you need a 77mm diameter filter. The physical dimensions of the lens is 83mm and 81mm in length when zoomed-out, while it weighs 360g.
Lens System: 11 elements in nine groups and features a seven-blade aperture diaphragm.

Tags: sony 11-18mm lens, sony alpha lens, sony wide angle lens, 11-18mm lens

A wide-angle 28.5mm SLR lens from Carl Zeiss has been launched, a lens called Distagon T 2/28 ZF lens.
among the most high-speed optics for these focal lengths, Distagon is useful for landscape, architecture, and portrait photography, allowing wide-angle images with a maximum aperture of 1:2.0 (having an aperture range of f/2 to f/22). Also, whit the 530 grams (18 ounces) lens you can manually focus as close as 0.24 meters (9.45 inches) for detail shots.
The metal lens is constructed of 10 elements in 8 groups.
Retail price: 1,049 € (equiv. $1,464 USD).

Tags: camera lens, zeiss lens, wide angle lens, 28mm lens

Tags: camera accessories, lenses, flash, camera bag

DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 is a new Wide-Range Lens from Sony that comes with the also brand new DSLR-A700 kit. It has a 6.6x magnification factor and an equivalent range of 24-157.5mm in traditional 35mm format. As for compatibility, Filter Diameter is 62mm.
Specifications:

DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Lens, instead, has a 14x zoom factor and a focal range that measures 27-375mm.
Specifications:

In the future, a 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G lens will be launched.

Tags: DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3, DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6, sony lens, lens for sony, sony a700

The new lens comes in a more compact and light-weight body. According to the press release: “The LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR comprises 15 lens elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical lenses, minimising distortion and peripheral vignetting at the wide end. Two ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses reduce chromatic aberration to an absolute minimum. Across the entire 28-100 mm zoom range, it captures high-resolution, high-contrast images that are clear from corner to corner.
With a minimum focus distance of 29 cm even at full zoom, the new lens provides a maximum photographic magnification of 0.42x (35mm equivalent). This combines with Mega O.I.S. hand-shake correction to let you capture outstanding macro shots even at tele-end without using a tripod.”
The the seven-blade diaphragm aperture produces a nice DOF effect at telephoto end, and, the new lens system uses multi-coated lens elements that reduce ghosting and flare to an absolute minimum.
With Panasonic cameras, it is compatible with the face detection system.
The Leica 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 lens will be available from October 2007 stand-alone or with the Panasonic DMC-L10 SLR kit.

Tags: leica 14-50mm/f3.8-5.6, leica lens, lens for panasonic

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens, promised to be launched before, finally comes on the market with some delay.
It features the HSM motor at no extra charge, plus Sigma’s own unique OS (Optical Stabilizer) function. This function uses two sensors inside the lens to detect vertical and horizontal movement of the camera and works by moving an optical image stabilizing lens group, to effectively compensate for camera shake. Available for Nikon AF-D and Canon dSLR. The new lens is priced at £439.99.

Specifications:

NikonCanon

Tags: Sigma 18-200mm, sigma lens, lens for nikon, lens for canon

Tags: external flash, camera flash

Tamron AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical IF is a Macro Lens that just won the EISA Award (EUROPEAN CONSUMER LENS OF THE YEAR 2007).
Designed for exclusive use with digital SLR cameras equipped with APS-C sized image sensors (compatible with Nikon digital SLR cameras with APS-C -24mm x 16mm or smaller)- image sensors; manual focus only with Nikon D40 and D40x SLR models), this Tamron lens has the world’s biggest zoom ratio of 13.9X, covering a range of 28mm to 388mm focal length when converted to a full frame/35mm film format (in other words, it covers the entire focal range relevant to amateur photographers – no wonder it got the EISA Award).

“This is a do-it-all lens many DSLR users will never need to take off their cameras. The extreme (almost 14X) zoom ratio delivers the ultimate freedom for composition and framing.” commented the EISA Jury.

Tags: Tamron 18-250mm Lens, Tamron 18-250mm, all in one camera lens, tamron macro lens, 18-250mm Lens

We usually spend allot of money on the camera, lenses, filters, memory cards and batteries, leaving us with the empty pocket most of the time. In this shopping list, the camera bag is probably the last thing. Until the pocket will be full again to finally buy a camera bag, here’s what you can do:
Get a desired resistant material, a needle and strong threat and a shears. Measure the dimensions of your camera and follow the instructions in this article by Evil Mad Science Laboratories.
Later on you can decorate it with flowers (or other shapes) made from a different material.

Tags: camera bag, cheap camera bag, self made camera bag