PhotographySavvy is a growing collection of photographic techniques, tips, gear reviews and photo industry news for beginners and pros alike.
Welcome to the latest addition to Thomas Pitera Photography! This blog will be updated very regularly with information and images that relate to my passion: photography. I plan to cover a variety of topics including news, behind the scenes/technical information about photos, gear reviews, commentaries, and much more! If there is something you would like to see in the Photography Savvy blog, please contact me.
I hope you all enjoy the photos and insights, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Tom Pitera
Nikon has released a new version of their 300mm f/2.8 with the new AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II. Most of the features and technology of the old version of the lens seemed to have carried over, with the addition of VR II (now allowing at least four stops of shutter speed leeway versus three stops on the original) being the new highlight feature. Other new features include three focusing modes (A/M, M/A, and M) and better dust and moisture sealing. The AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II is expected to be available starting in January 2010 with an estimated selling price of $5,899.95.
Also announced is the new AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III. Designed to work with most of Nikon's Super Telephoto lineup, the AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III doubles the effective focal length of the lens while bringing down the aperture by two stops. The new teleconverter is completely re-designed from its predecessor and now features an aspherical lens element in order to reduce aberrations and loss in image quality. The AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III will also be available in January 2010 with an estimated selling price of $499.99.
Posted to category: News on December 10, 2009
Olympus has introduced the E-P2, the latest in their line of Micro Four-Thirds cameras. The E-P2 has many of the same features as the E-P1 (read our hands-on here) but adds an accessory port for viewfinders or microphones, new Art Filters, better AF tracking, manual control in the HD movie function, and a black paint job. The E-P2 will be available in a kit with the new VF-2 and either the 17mm Pancake lens, or 14-42mm lens. Both kits will have an estimated selling price of $1099.99 and are expected to be available in January 2010. It's not clear if it will sell alongside the E-P1 or will be a full replacement - I'd imagine the former because of the price difference.
Posted to category: News on November 5, 2009
Adobe has once again announced a public beta for its upcoming version of Lightroom. The beta contains some of the new features tapped for the full release including new performance architecture, improved noise reduction, improved watermarking, film grain simulation, and improved custom printing.
The Lightroom 3 public beta is available now and is set to expire on April 30th, 2010. There is no official release date set for the full version, but presumably it will be close to the beta's expiration date. For a list of new features, as well as a download link for the beta, visit the Adobe Labs Website.
Posted to category: News on October 22, 2009
Canon has announced the highly-anticipated replacement to their EOS-1D line with the EOS-1D Mark IV. The EOS-1D Mark IV sticks with the 1D series' 1.3x APS-H sized sensor, but now bumps the resolution up to 16.1 Megapixels. Not to be outdone by last week's D3s announcement, the 1D Mark IV also features an astounding ISO range of 100-12,800, with a H3 expansion equivalent to ISO 102,400. The EOS-1D Mark IV also features an extensive video mode with resolution up to 1080p, selectable frame rates, and manual exposure control. Other features include an all-new 45-point AF system (with 39 cross-type points), 3.0-inch high resolution LCD, 10 FPS with a buffer up to 121 Large JPEG images, and dual DIGIC IV processors.
The EOS-1D Mark IV should make waves when it hits dealers this December at an estimated price of $4999.00.
Posted to category: News on October 20, 2009
Nikon has updated their flagship D3 with the new D3s. The new body utilizes a re-designed version of the Nikon 12.1 Megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor that integrates a wider ISO range, making the D3s capable of shooting from ISO-200-12,800, with a new Hi 3 setting equivalent to ISO-102,400(!). It is also the first FX-format camera to integrate HD video capture, with 720p at 24 frames per second with aperture control from f/1.4-f/16. The camera also features a new 1.2x crop mode, giving a slight boost in magnification without sacrificing too much resolution (down to 8.4 megapixels). The continuous shooting buffer has also been doubled from the original D3's factory default, but is roughly the same as one with the Memory Expansion (48-NEF frames). Other highlight features include improved Live-View AF, dust-reduction, Silent-shutter mode, and improved Active D-Lighting.
Posted to category: News on October 14, 2009
In a somewhat surprising move, Nikon has announced the first Micro Nikkor made for DX sensors. The AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR features 14 groups in 10 elements and a closest-focus capability of 0.9ft with 1:1 reproduction. It also features all of the latest technology you would expect from recent Nikkors, such as a Silent Wave Motor, Extra Low Dispersion Glass, Internal Focusing, and Vibration Reduction II. When mounted on a DX format sensor, the lens provides a field of view of about a 128mm lens in a 35mm format. The AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR will be available this December with an estimated selling price of $529.99.
Posted to category: News on October 14, 2009
