News

Pentax has a long history of innovation as well as a rabid fan base that loves the company’s tradition of optical excellence and originality. In fact, this fan base is the reason I’m writing this review. If you’re not already a Pentaxian you probably didn’t know that Pentax (derived from PENTAprism refleX) built the first camera to incorporate a penta-prism viewfinder and reflex mirror system in 1957 and went on to introduce the first TTL metering system in 1964. While late to the digital SLR game, when they finally arrived it was with a series of entry-level cameras that delivered impressive image quality at affordable prices. Over time they’ve dipped their toes into the semipro market and the K-5 is the latest model with professional aspirations yet it retains all the quirky uniqueness that all Pentax cameras have and that endears them to so many photographers.

Until recently, 10 megapixels was the norm among the enthusiast-level D-SLRs but that changed with the introduction of Nikon’s 12-megapixel D300. Pentax was the first to move to even higher resolution with their 14.6-megapixel model, the K20D, followed by Sony with their 14.2-megapixel Alpha A350. Aside from a 4.6 million increase in effective pixels, the Pentax K20D boasts some other...

In the last in our series of videos from the recent PhotoPlus Expo show in New York City, Scott Nidermaier, who does Tech Support/EDU Outreach for Phase One, helped us get a handle on the new V-Grip for the XF medium format camera system.

The Photographic Project has established itself as a learning center and gathering
place for photographers/imagers from around the world. This year's subject
is being held as a retreat-style conference for photographers on taking a project
from concept to audience. Discover the possibilities of your project through an
inspiring weekend of invaluable seminars, lectures and hands-on workshops.
...

“Every time I see your face it reminds me of the places we used to go…” sings Ringo Starr in his song Photograph, co-written with George Harrison on a yacht in the south of France in 1971. Much of the world may not be aware that Ringo is also a photographer who chronicled the frequent travels of The Beatles during their heyday in the 1960s.

The new Profoto Pro-B2 is a battery powered flash system designed for the location
photographer who demands more power and faster speeds out of a lighting system.

...

The Puffin Pad is designed to fit over the window of your car, via a slot running the length of the underside. The circular cutout above the slot gives the Puffin Pad some "wiggle room" to facilitate shooting. It is also designed to saddle most car doors, should you lower the window all the way.

Slight pressure will re-seat the Puffin Pad upon raising the window. There is also a 3 1/2" cutout on the underside to facilitate shooting from most fence posts. The Puffin Pad has withstood speeds of up to 50 MPH without moving from its position on the car window.