August 2016

Canon pushes DSLR performance further with new Canon 5D Mark IV

In a major upgrade to its “mid-size” pro DSLR, Canon has pushed DSLR performance further with its new . The 30.4MP full-frame camera can shoot at 7 fps for up to 21 frames in RAW, and an unlimited number when recording JPEG. 61 AF points should give it excellent Autofocus performance. The addition of 4K video @ 30 fps (up to 30 minute clips) is also a nice, modernizing, feature. Startup time is an impressive .1 seconds, with a 58 millisecond shutter lag. At 1.76 pounds, it fits squarely into the “mid-range” of pro DSLRs, a popular category for those who don’t want to carry (or pay for) the 3 pound monster flagship models.

The power of the comes at a price. You can pre-order one for $4,600 from B&H, with the cameras expected to start shipping on September 8th.

Nikon unleashes new entry-level D3400 and lenses for serious shooters on a budget

If you’ve been considering giving up on DSLRs and shifting to a smaller, possibly-lower-cost mirrorless camera, Nikon wants to make you think again. The new builds on the image quality of Nikon’s DSLRs and adds some intriguing usability features – like SnapBridge which should make image sharing with your mobile device much easier. At 5 fps, it should have enough performance for most. And you can get it in a kit with Nikon’s new 18-55mm VR lens for $650 when it ships in September.

ProShow 8: The best slideshow package for Windows gets even better

ProShow 8 is Here!The folks at Photodex keep finding new ways to improve on ProShow, which for a long time has been the best slideshow package on the market. For anyone who wants to do pro-quality presentations or videos starting with images and other media, ProShow is the best tool you can buy. The desktop version is Windows-only, but there is a Web version with less features that can be used from any machine. Now, Photodex has released ProShow 8, with a number of new features and other improvements. I’ve been using it since its release, including to create our traditional participant slideshows during our Alaska Bear & Puffin safaris, and the new version has made it easier than ever…

MindShift rotation180 Panorama Camera Backpack Field tested: Great solution for an all-in-one field pack

It's one thing to have a great, dedicated, camera backpack. There are many of those on the market. Some of my personal favorites are the and my Think Tank for when I need a roller. I'm also looking forward to trying out the new MindShift MP-3, based on Moose Peterson's design. However, sometimes you need to bring along a variety of other goodies, like jackets and gloves for the changing weather, or food for a long day out, and you don’t need a huge supply of photo gear. That means you need a flexible pack that can store a wide variety of contents. If you add to that the requirement to get at your photo gear without taking your pack off -- a must when working in mud, deep sand, or powdery snow – you need a different kind of backpack.