LATEST ADDITIONS

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 06, 2008  |  0 comments

Nik Software, Inc. has announced Viveza, the latest addition to its line of
photographic plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Nik Software's
Viveza is a powerful and intuitive software tool designed to enable photographers
of all skill levels to precisely select and control the light and color in photographic
images while working within Photoshop.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 05, 2008  |  0 comments

Nikon, Inc. has introduced the new PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens, the latest
in a series of lenses that are equipped with a tilt/shift mechanism that enables
photographers the flexibility to effectively manipulate perspective, distortion
and focus. Whether photographing architecture, landscapes, interiors or panoramas,
this Perspective Control (PC) lens easily corrects linear distortion and aberration
to deliver images that more accurately reproduce the view as the human eye sees
it.



Typically, tilting the axis of a camera can result in a misrepresentation of
perspective. A Perspective Control lens' ability to fine-tune perspective
and focus elements virtually eliminates these issues, an essential function
for architectural and interior photographers.



The same features that make this lens excellent for architectural photography
also provide nature and landscape photographers with an essential means to better
control perspective, allowing them to capture nature's beauty more accurately
and naturally. Additionally, the 24mm PC lens enables professional product photographers
to sight just the right shooting angles on reflective objects without capturing
their own reflection in the process.



A special tilt/shift mechanism gives users up to +/- 11.5 mm shift and +/- 8.5-degree
tilt for perspective control. When shooting with a conventional lens, some objects,
such as tall trees and buildings, can be challenging to photograph due to rectilinear
distortion and converging lines that warp perspective. The 24mm Perspective
Control lens corrects this issue with convenient side-mounted controls at 1mm
/ 1-degree intervals that will adjust the focal plane with shift and tilt adjustments.
The lens optics can also be rotated up to 90 degrees right or left for perspective
control adjustment, while a click-stop is provided every 30 degrees. Importantly,
photographers can see the effect of every adjustment accurately through their
Nikon SLR viewfinder.



In addition to providing linear perspective correction, the new 24mm PC lens
has unique characteristics that make it well suited for a variety of tasks and
offers a wide angle-of-view combined with dramatic depth-of-field control potential,
perfect for capturing stunning landscapes. To further control the image, users
can quickly adjust aperture with a stop-down button, or with the aperture ring.
These same characteristics also make the 24mm PC lens a great choice for close-up
macro work, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.7 feet and the ability to
fine tune focus with perspective control.



The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens continues NIKKOR's legacy of high-quality
optics and durable design. It features the new "E" designation,
which denotes an electromagnetic diaphragm that automatically controls aperture
with the latest Nikon D-SLR cameras. Three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements
provide superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic
aberration, while three aspherical lens elements minimize various types of lens
aberration. In addition to the Nikon Super Integrated coating that delivers
superior color reproduction, Nikon's exclusive Nano Crystal Coat helps
to virtually eliminate any remaining instances of ghosting and flare.



The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens is the first in a new series of PC lenses
being designed to meet the needs of photo professionals and enthusiasts. Two
more PC lenses are currently in development and are scheduled to become available
through Nikon authorized dealers during the summer of 2008.



The new PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens as well as prototypes of the upcoming
PC-E NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D ED lenses will
be exhibited along with Nikon's entire line of photographic, optical and
digital imaging solutions at the PMA 2008 International Convention and Trade
Show in Las Vegas, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at exhibitor booth # G220.



The NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens is scheduled to become available through Nikon
authorized dealers in the U.S. in spring 2008 for an estimated selling price
of $1929.



www.nikonusa.com

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 04, 2008  |  0 comments

The PCX Lite cases are designed as wheeled, semi-hard side, airline carryon
size, luggage cases with a patented Case to Cart conversion feature that will
carry over 100 pounds of other baggage on top. Beginning at a street price $99.00,
the PCX Lite series offers three carryon travel solutions to accommodate the
needs of most frequent travelers. Currently available with a standard interior
for clothes, with adjustable dividers and foam for cameras, projector, etc.,
or with a customizable layered foam interior.

...

David B. Brooks  |  Feb 01, 2008  |  1 comments

I had just about given up on ideal black and white inkjet printing and settled for the printer company compromised solution, which first appeared with the Epson R2400. Like other photographers who do both color and black and white, I'd tried and failed using a converted, dedicated black and white printer using "independent" inks. That solution proved too...

David B. Brooks  |  Feb 01, 2008  |  0 comments

There is a substantial interest in black and white among photo enthusiasts, particularly if you include infrared. That's why Epson, Canon, and HP developed printers capable of reproducing good black and white prints. On the camera side of digital, however, there is only one quite high-end black and white possibility I currently know of--the MegaVision medium format...

Joe Farace  |  Feb 01, 2008  |  0 comments

"Living is having ups and downs and sharing them with friends."--Trey Parker and Matt Stone

In September 2007, Yahoo! Photos shut down, disproving the old adage that sometimes the best things in life are not free. Regular readers know I keep lots of my personal photographs on SmugMug (www.smugmug.com) but it's not free. A Standard account costs...

Joe Farace  |  Feb 01, 2008  |  0 comments

There are those situations when you can't (or don't want to) carry a tripod or there's just not enough space to set one up. That's when a monopod comes in handy. Monopods are the ideal camera support for nature photographers and backpackers, to who size and weight are important considerations. A monopod is especially useful when working with long lenses in...

 |  Feb 01, 2008  |  0 comments

February
2008

On
the Cover

This month our focus is on black and white photography--from capture
and conversion to processing and printing. We show you how to use film and digital
technologi...

Daryl Hawk  |  Feb 01, 2008  |  0 comments

Turning 50 this past year led me to pause, take stock, and reflect back on the years that have passed by relatively quickly. As I look forward to the second half of my life, I realize why I became a documentary photographer. It has led me to the far reaches of the earth while enabling me to slow down and really look at life up close. It is the series of amazing journeys I have...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 01, 2008  |  0 comments

Road trips and photography are synonymous for fun. As photographers we learn quickly that the earth is overflowing with photographic gold waiting to be mined. Whether the prospects are manmade or God-made, we are the Lewis and Clarks of photography, exploring the unexplored and discovering the undiscovered.

Consider the miniature stone monument resting calmly amid the...

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