Category: News
Toshiba Launches World’s First SDHC Memory Card with NFC (Near Field Communications) built-in
Near Field Communications has allowed users of assorted Apple and Android Smartphone to send files to be printed, to a printer (which has NFC built-in) just by standing near the printer. It works sort of like Bluetooth or very low power WiFi but at a different frequency band. NFC can be a very handy feature to look for when buying a new printer.
Now Toshiba is taking Near Field Communications into the world of photography.
By February 2015, you should be able to buy new Toshiba SD Memory cards which have NFC built-in. The rollout will start in Japan.
Photo courtesy of Toshiba
From the official Toshiba News Release:
It looks like the “Memory Preview App” will be first released on the Google Play Store for Android based smartphones running the Android 4.0 to 4.4 Operating System.
You will be able to download the Memory Preview App from the Google Play Store, free of any charges.
Photo courtesy of Toshiba
There was no mention of the new Toshiba SD cards working with Apple’s version of NFC, called Air Print found on Ink Jet and Laser printers.
Card size range will include 8GB, 16GB and 32GB.
All cards will work at” Class 10″ speeds. Higher transfer rates are possible, if the camera supports it, since the new Toshiba SD cards will feature a UHS-1 interface.
This will be a cool way to preview your shots on your smartphone…
Posted by: Vincent Banial
Disclaimer: Any Trademarks mentioned in this post are owned by the respective Trademark owner. There could be unintentional errors or omissions in this post. Always refer to the official sites to confirm details and any ongoing changes or updates. This post is subject to change without notice.
Metz, the German Electronic Flash Lighting and TV manufacturer, filed for Insolvency
Paul Metz founded Metz on Nov 28 1938..
Around mid November 2014 Metz filed for insolvency, which apparently provides German court protection for the business to continue while it reorganizes.
Along with Electronic Flash units, Metz also produces TVs in Germany.
Rather sad that a company which had played such a historic role in photography, to file for insolvency.
It also hits close to home for me. The Metz 202 Potato Masher Electronic Flash was the very first flash that I owned. I’ve pretty much owned/used every Potato Masher that Metz produced since the 202 model. Looks like the units that I still have in storage will be kept as Collector Items.
Click on this line to read the Reuter News post about the Metz insolvency.
Click on the following link to read the German Photscala International Magazine for Photography which detailed the Metz insolvency in an article titled: Metz stellt Insolvenzantrag, will aber weitermachen
Note that you can use a web translator to translate the German into English.
One suggestion comes to mind. If you have any Metz gear that you need a manual for, now is the time to search the Internet for a pdf copy. If Metz does not survive after it’s reorganization, then finding manuals could become much harder.
Posted by: Vincent Banial
Disclaimer: Any Trademarks mentioned in this post are owned by the respective Trademark owner. There could be unintentional errors or omissions in this post. Always refer to the official sites to confirm details and any ongoing changes or updates. This post is subject to change without notice.
Photoshop on Chromebooks ? Photoshop on Linux ?
Adobe is developing a streaming version of Photoshop which will run on Chromebooks.
Adobe calls this new version: “Project Photoshop Streaming”.
Since Streaming Photoshop will reside on remote Adobe Servers, your typical Chromebook will be able to use it.
Photoshop will stream from the Adobe’s Cloud Service and will “not” take up any space on your Chromebook. Processing Power will also be provided by Adobe’s Servers, again allowing your (comparatively low powered) Chromebook to run Photoshop.
As a bonus, all Photoshop updates will be automatic.
What about the actual photo files, which you will edit? They will “not” be stored on your Chromebook, taking up tons of storage space. Your photo files will reside on Google Drive. The edited versions will also be stored to Google Drive.
So processing power will n0t be an issue. Theoretically you could also have unlimited storage space on your comparatively low powered, light and very portable Chromebook. Running Photoshop Streaming will also “not dramatically drain” your Chromebook’s battery, because all processing will be performed on Adobe’s Servers.
Since Project Photoshop Streaming will be streamed to the Chrome Web Browser on your Chromebook, guess what, it possibly could also stream to your Chrome Web Browser running under Linux. Once out of BETA, this could become the first version of Photoshop to run in a native Linux environment!!!
Oh, this Streamed version of Photoshop will also work on any Windows based laptop (or desktop) which is running Google’s Chrome Web Browser.
So are you interested yet???
As I stated earlier, this Streamed version of Photoshop is still in BETA. To gain access to this BETA you will need to meet Adobe’s “eligibility requirements” which include being in North America and having both a paid Creative Cloud subscription and also being a Adobe Education Customer.
Posted by: Vincent Banial
Disclaimer: Any Trademarks mentioned in this post are owned by the respective Trademark owner. There could be unintentional errors or omissions in this post. Always refer to the official sites to confirm details and any ongoing changes or updates. This post is also subject to change without notice.
Nikon ADRs trading in the USA, tumbled 3.8% on Nov 01. Technical Analysis may indicate to lookout below
Nikon shares trading as ADRs (NNOY), tumbled on Friday Nov 01.
The Technical Analysis charts indicates that critical points were reached with ADX, Williams %R and DiNapoli Detrended average.
My own Detrended Average Indicator points to a change having occurred. If confirmed next week, then in my opinion the Nikon ADRs may continue the journey lower.
$16.34 is the support level. It will be interesting to see if that support holds.
Click on the following link to view how the Nikon ADRs are doing on the Nasdaq website.
Disclaimer: the above is not meant to be Investment Advice. I am not a registered Investment Advisor. Do you own Due Diligence. Always seek the help and advice of your own Investment Advisors, before placing bets in the Equity Markets. The above is for entertainment purposes only.
Google Nik Collection has been updated. New Analog Efex Pro has also been added
Canon lowers it’s 2013 revenue and profit forecast while presenting their 3rd quarter 2013 Financial Results
Stock chart of Canon shares trading on the New York Stock Exchange
Canon cut their 2013 year profit and revenue forecast today, as follows:
“Canon now projects full-year 2013 net income attributable to Canon of 240 billion yen, operating profit of 360 billion yen, and consolidated net sales of 3.75 trillion yen.
Earlier, the company estimated fiscal 2013 net income attributable to the company of 2600 billion yen, operating profit of 380 billion yen and net sales of 3.85 trillion yen.”
Click on the following link to download a PDF of Canon’s 3rd Quarter 2013 Financial Results.
Click on the following link to download a PDF of Canon’s Presentation Material.
Apple has released OS X Mavericks as a Free Upgrade for Mac owners running Snow Leopard or newer
Apple’s OS X is their Mac operating system. The latest and greatest version has now been released. This new version of Apple OS X is called Mavericks.
Apple Mac owners can upgrade to OS X Mavericks for “free” if they already have OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8), Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8).
For those still running OS X Leopard then you have to upgrade to Snow Leopard and then you will be able to get the latest OS X Mavericks upgrade for free.
Click on the following to get details about Apple’s OS X Mavericks.
Click on the following for details about system requirements to be able to upgrade to OS X Mavericks.
Nikon ADR shares trading on Nasdaq have fallen over 30 percent since January 2013
Stock chart of Nikon ADR shares traing on the OTC in the US
Nikon ADR shares trading on the OTC in the USA, have fallen over 30 percent in value since January of 2013.
A recent article in the Financial Post, discussed the dramatic change which has occurred for Camera Manufacturers. Consumers have lost interest in buying digital cameras, but not in taking photos. They are snapping record numbers of photos using their Apple iPhones.
To download a PDF of Nikon’s First Quarter Results for the years ending Mar 2014.
To download a PDF of Nikon’s Financial Business Data.
To download a PDF of Nikon’s Annual Report for 2013.
To download a PDF of Nikon Fact Book for 2013.
Constantly updated Stock Chart of NINOY shares (Nikon ADRs trading OTC) via NASDAQ.
Sony a7R is at the Top of the Best Sellers of Digital Cameras at B&H. The Pentax K3 is in spot #30
For the Sony a7R to be included on that list, it must be per-ordered (I assume). If that is true then a heck of lot of people must be pre-ordering the new Sony a7R.
What about the sister Sony model, the Sony a7 ?
The Sony a7 is sitting further down the list in spot #28.
The new Pentax K3 is following close to the Sony a7, in spot #30. That actually is pretty awesome for Pentax, as the K3 is not a Full Frame DSLR.
Since B&H Photo Video are huge retailers of Photo and Video gear, this bodes well for both Sony and also for Pentax. One could infer from the B&H Best Sellers list, that at present the Sony a7R is the Best Selling Digital camera in the USA.
Disclaimer: The above is subject to change without notice.
Sony a7R Sample Images shot in Toronto Canada, the USA and in London England
Downtown Camera is a great Toronto brick and mortar camera shop, located on Queen St (just east of Yonge St). They were given a hands on demo of the new Sony a7R and were allowed to take sample photos.
Those sample pics are now posted on Flikr. Of course they are not amazingly great photographs, due to only having a few minutes to play with the new camera. Most were shot outside of the store. The alley shot is good for checking how shadow detail is handled.
They were also shot with a pre-production Sony a7R camera. Rather surprising to be allowed to shoot sample photos and also share them.
Just click on the following link to view the sample images taken with the new Sony a7R by Downtown Camera in Toronto.
Luminous Landscapes posted a hands on review of the new Sony a7R, along with a sample photo. They even tried the Sony a7R with their 14-24mm Nikkor lens via a Novaflex adapter.
Mark at Photography Blog has posted 46 sample images taken using a pre-production Sony a7R.
Richard Kilpatrick has posted some Sony a7R sample images on PBase. He had a chance to shoot with pre-production cameras of both the Sony a7 and the Sony a7R, at the Sony event in London.
Disclaimer: Bear in mind that the photos were all taken using a pre-production Sony a7R.
How to Strip Ads from Facebook Newsfeed, video posted on Yahoo! Finance Canada
Yahoo! Finance Canada posted the video titled: How to Strip Ads from Facebook Newsfeed. Continue reading
YouTube launches Audio Library with Royalty Free Music for Video Creators
YouTube just launched their Audio Library.
The Audio Library is filled with music which can be used to create videos. The videos can then be shared on YouTube or elsewhere.
Adobe DNG Convertor 8.2 released. Supports new cameras
Just click on the following link to Download Adobe’s DNG Convertor 8.2.
SONY released their 2012 Earnings Report. First full year Profit in a number of years.
Sony released their Financial Results for the 4th Quarter of 2012 and also for the Full 2012 year. The good news is that Sony turned a profit in 2012. Continue reading
CIPA Production and Shipment statistics available for Download.
CIPA stands for Camera & Imaging Products Association. It is a Japanese association of companies involved in the production & distribution of hardware and software goods related to photography. They maintain a database of detailed info about production and shipments of camera gear. The data goes back to 1999 and is current up to Mar 2013.
You can Download the PDF files (in English) by clicking on the following links:
Bank of Japan to pump 1.4 Trillion into Japanese economy. Could this be the reason why Camera Makers are holding back on releasing new models?
2000 Yen banknote with Shureimon. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
At the beginning of April, the Bank of Japan stated that it would pump $1.4 Trillions into the Japanese economy. Thus effectively doubling of the monetary base in Japan over the next two years.
What does that have to do with camera gear? Continue reading
Sigma announced their new 18-35mm f1.8 lens. An APS-C game changing lens.
Sigma said let there be light, when they recently announced their new 18-35mm f1.8 lens for APS-C digital cameras. The new lens, will be part of Sigma’s new ART line of high quality lenses. Continue reading
New Vermont Legistative Bill, if passed, would make it “ILLEGAL TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH OF A PERSON WITHOUT HIS OR HER CONSENT, OR TO MODIFY A PHOTOGRAPH OF A PERSON WITHOUT HIS OR HER CONSENT, AND TO DISTRIBUTE IT”.
English: Front view of the Vermont State House (taken Sept. 23, 2004) © 2004 Matthew Trump Category:Images of the Vermont State House (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Proposed Vermont Bill could make it “ILLEGAL TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH OF A PERSON WITHOUT HIS OR HER CONSENT, OR TO MODIFY A PHOTOGRAPH OF A PERSON WITHOUT HIS OR HER CONSENT, AND TO DISTRIBUTE IT“.
What is there to stop this type of Bill being introduced in other States? Continue reading
Photos of the Jim Buchanan Custom Accessory Grip for Sony NEX 6 and NEX 7 mirrorless digital cameras.
Accessory Grip for Sony NEX 6 & NEX 7 cameras. Photo credit Jim Buchanan. Photo used with permission.
Jim Buchanan has been kind enough to grant us permission to add, to our blogs, his photos of the Sony NEX 6 & 7 Grip which he had designed. Thanks Jim. I think this accessory Grip is a very useful item for owners of the Sony NEX 6 & NEX 7 cameras. Continue reading
Sony Nex 6 and Nex 7 accessory camera grip. Arca Swiss compatible.
New Sony A58 SLT SLR type digital camera is now available in North America
Sony USA today announced the availability of the new Sony A58 SLT digital camera in North America. A few days back, I had posted about the new A58 becoming available in Europe. Continue reading
The Donut Camera has arrived. New digital camera which looks like a delicious donut (doughnut).
Worlds largest Panoramic photo. 320 Giga Pixels.
They used four Canon 7D DSLRs with 400mm f2.8 lenses attached. To get extra reach, 2X teleconverters were also used on each camera. So were’ talking about 800mm plus approx x1.5 due to the APS-c sensor for approx 1200mm. Continue reading
Sony Europe released new A58 SLT SLR camera
Video courtesy of Sony and their YouTube channel.
Unique F-Stop 