Author: David Kilpatrick

Professional photographer and journalist, founder and editor of magazines PHOTOpro, Photon, Freelance Photographer, f2 and Cameracraft. For 25 years director of the Minolta Club. Fellow of the BIPP and Hon. Fellow of the MPA.

New Sony Alpha 500 and 550 leaked

Posted on By

This post has been updated on August 29th as it features second in Google searches for Sony Alpha 550 – but it contained only rumour links when first posted in May.
A550---Low-Res
The camera is now launched, along with the 500 and the full-frame 850.
Please visit our detailed launch and specification reports –
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2009/08/27/new-alpha-a500-a550-official-news-release/
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2009/08/27/alpha-850-official-press-release/
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2009/08/24/sensor-feed-live-view-in-new-alpha-500/
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2009/08/27/7fps-alpha-550/
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2009/08/01/alpha-850-24-megapixel-3fps-in-900-body/
– DK

4
Cameras (DSLR), News

Master Photo Digital magazine free on-line

Posted on By

We have just published the latest edition of the MPA magazine, Master Photo Digital, on-line at YUDU. This format is the same as the Flash Reader format used for the subscriptions to Photoworld on-line (digital subscription).

MPA’s magazine is free. Only full-time professional photographers are eligible to become members, but you can all read the mag.

– DK

0
DK's ramblings, News

Latest Master Photo>Digital issue on-line

Posted on By

The May edition of Master Photo>Digital is now available for reading, free, on our YUDU digital edition site:

There is also a new site for MPA Affiliates and anyone interested in becoming a member of the Master Photographers Association (this is limited to full time photographers).

– DK

0
News, Uncategorized

Pentax K-7 -720p video, serious competition

Posted on By

PENTAX UK is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX K-7 lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera. The K-7 combines a variety of advanced functions and user-friendly features to ensure outstanding reliability and capability within a compact, lightweight body (says the press release from Pentax in the UK).
k7front
The K-7 joins the current PENTAX K digital SLR camera series as a high-end model in the range. True to its series concept, it has been designed to deliver outstanding image quality combined with ease of use, to benefit photo enthusiasts of all levels, including advanced amateurs. The K-7 also includes revised and upgraded features including viewfinder, shutter unit, continuous-shooting capacity, and exposure and autofocus systems.
Protected by a durable, high-quality metallic body, the K-7 is extremely compact and functional — as with all other K-series models — delivering enhanced portability and manoeuverability. The model includes several new user-friendly features, including video recording, high dynamic range (HDR), and automatic horizon correction. All of these features serve to deliver a highly effective photographic tool, perfect for all discerning digital SLR photographers.
Continue reading »

0
Cameras (DSLR), News

Pentax K-7 – pinnacle of video?

Posted on By

PENTAX UK is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX K-7 lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera. The K-7 combines a variety of advanced functions and user-friendly features to ensure outstanding reliability and capability within a compact, lightweight body.

k7front

The K-7 joins the current PENTAX K digital SLR camera series as a high-end model in the range. True to its series concept, it has been designed to deliver outstanding image quality combined with ease of use, to benefit photo enthusiasts of all levels, including advanced amateurs. The K-7 also includes revised and upgraded features including viewfinder, shutter unit, continuous-shooting capacity, and exposure and autofocus systems.

Protected by a durable, high-quality metallic body, the K-7 is extremely compact and functional — as with all other K-series models — delivering enhanced portability and manoeuverability. The model includes several new user-friendly features, including video recording, high dynamic range (HDR), and automatic horizon correction. All of these features serve to deliver a highly effective photographic tool, perfect for all discerning digital SLR photographers.

Continue reading »

1
News, Uncategorized

New skins versus old wine – A350 or A380?

Posted on By

As the generation of Alpha 200, 300 and 350 reaches early retirement age it may be the time to grab bargains. The new Alpha 230, 330 and 380 have plenty of bonus points to win over new users despite the critical lack of video capture. But the older generation has some very tangible benefits.
The most obvious changes in the ‘Plus-30’ range are the use of a new smaller battery (NP-F50AM) shared with Cyber Shot consumer models, a dual MS ProHG Duo and SD card interface, substantial reduction in weight and size, improved rear LCD screen with auto brightness adjustment (only on the A330 and A380), and a radical overhaul of the graphical user interface to include sample picture tips (pioneered by Nikon).
Continue reading »

5
Accessories - Minolta/Sony, Cameras (DSLR), DK's ramblings, Flash units, Lenses - Alpha Mount, News, Photo Techniques, Software Reviews

Portrait Professional v9 update

Posted on By

Portrait Professional’s updated version 9 is due to be launched from Anthropics Technology in around 20 days. If you buy the current version 8 (see our earlier reviews) you will automatically receive the Version 9 update free as well, and be buying at the old price saving an extra £10. Literally in a few minutes, this quick and intuitive photo editing and airbrushing software subtly reshapes faces, fix skin blemishes, whitens teeth, removes wrinkles and adjusts lighting plus much more – all at the click of a mouse.  It is a dual platform programme which works well on both Mac and PC.

Portrait Professional is currently on offer at half price for only £39.95. Master Photo Digital and dPhotoexpert readers can claim a further 10% off by quoting code mpa609

To purchase the software or download a free trial please go to www.pprof.com

0
News, Techniques, Uncategorized

Sony Alpha 230, 330 and 380 update

Posted on By

a3809
The new Alpha 230, 330 and 380 models are radical ergonomic redesigns of the existing 200, 300 and 350 series. There is a 15% reduction in size (volumetric) and weight, an update to the styling, and a completely revised user interface with graphic representation of setting adjustments – with a built-in ‘handbook’ to accompany the modes and options. They also have mini-HDMI image output, compatible with Bravia TVs and with interactive software inside the camera to allow the Bravia’s own remote control to change, orient and zoom into images (Bravia Sync). Twin card storage is MS ProHG Duo/SD and only one card is usable at a time, with a hardware switch to change slots. A smaller battery type (shared with the HX1 Cyber Shot) is used. A new self-timer drive mode grabs a quick burst of 3 or 5 frames, cutting the chances of spoiled portraits and groups shots when someone blinks at the wrong moment.
The new flashgun HVL-F20AM operates as a wireless flash controller for the full-frame α900. “While Sony’s flagship DSLR does not have its own integrated flash, the HVL-F20AM can be used as an inexpensive trigger for wireless remote flash heads” according to Sony UK.
Continue reading »

4
Accessories - Minolta/Sony, Cameras (DSLR), DK's ramblings, Equipment Reviews, Flash units, Lenses - Alpha Mount, News
1 … 29 30 31 32 33 … 62