Managed to get a brief glimpse of comet PANSTARRS again tonight through a break in the clouds just after sunset. Using a 300mm lens on an EOS 7D and a shutter speed of 2 seconds at f4 and ISO 3200 the comet recorded quite well. Any longer exposure resulted in blur due to the earth’s rotation. It’s getting a little higher in the sky, moving slowly towards the north and becoming fainter, but there’s still a good chance to see it in binoculars over the next week or two.
It looks like word has leaked out about a new Canon EOS DSLR ahead of Canon’s scheduled press conference on the 21st. The Best Buy website briefly listed details of a new camera. While there is absolutely no guarantee that these details are accurate, or even that a camera will be announced soon, the odds are that the details are substantially correct.
via New EOS DSLR on the way? EOS-b? EOS-100D? – Bob Atkins Photography.
With the new Digital Classic Camera 14.0, MINOX now presents a 14 megapixel edition of this classic. Designed in fascinating detail and with a sophisticated stylish format the new Digital Classic Camera MINOX DCC 14.0 is a true example of first-class German engineering from the fifties.
What’s this? Looks like a digital Leica for $239!…Don’t get too excited though. It’s a 1/3 scale “replica” that suggests a 1950’s Leica. The lens is fixed, though there is a 4x digital zoom and it shoots VGA video too. The camera has a 2″ LCD and takes SD memory cards. The fixed lens is equivalent to around a 40mm lens on a full frame 35mm camera – ideal for street photography?. You can’t beat it for cuteness though and at $239 it won’t burn a huge hole in your wallet!
You can also get the earlier 5 MP version which looks much the same for only $169.
via MINOX – Visible Innovation: Description Digital Classic Camera DCC 5.1.
“…Neal Kurk (R), member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives since 1986 has recently sponsored HB 619-FN to make aerial photography illegal in their state, which many are considering a look into the future. States are currently struggling with how to deal with advances in drone technology, particularly mini-drones, fueled by fears not only that the federal government is using drones…”
via Aerial photography ban proposed for all but government – AGBeat.
I finally manages to see and get a couple of quick images of Comet PANSTARRS. I first tried on March 9th from a dark location with a clear horizon, but no luck. Since then it’s been cloudy but tonight it was clear and I got this shot around 8pm (one hour after sunset) as the comet was starting to disappear into the trees from my less-than-ideal local viewing site (click on image for slightly larger version). Couldn’t see it with the naked eye, it was just visible in binoculars, but it showed up pretty well on the images. To the naked eye there was nothing there! This shot was taken using ISO 6400, a shutter speed of 0.6 seconds using a 300mm lens at f4.0. Focus wasn’t perfect since I was fumbling around in the dark and rushing to get an image before the comet wen’t down behind the trees. The weather forecast here in NJ isn’t good for comet viewing with no really clear skies for the next 10 days, so unfortunately it will be a while before my next image. Over the next month the comet will grow fainter, though it will move higher in the sky which will allow visibility later in the evening under darker skies.
Photoshop for your phone. What will they think of next…at least it isn’t $600!
Adobe® Photoshop® Touch lets you quickly combine images, apply professional effects, and share the results with friends and family through social networking sites like Facebook — all from the convenience of your iPad or Android™ tablet, iPhone or Android phone, and iPod Touch.
via Adobe Photoshop Touch | The new tablet app for creative photo editing
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Scientists use the molecular makeup of million-dollar masterpieces and family snapshots to conserve and authenticate them
One of the more satisfying aspects of working on the PDN’s 30 issue each year is the opportunity to get to know the people behind the portfolios of images that stood out to PDN editors from among the more than 300 we received from photographers all over the world last October.
This remarkable self-portrait of NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover includes a sweeping panoramic view of its current location in the Yellowknife Bay region of the Red Planet’s Gale Crater.
via APOD: 2013 February 22 – Curiosity Self Portrait Panorama.