The holiday deals are really starting to pick up the pace now.  Bogen, which distributes popular photo gear like Gitzo, Manfrotto, Kata and Lastolite products, is offering instant savings on a number of items through the holiday season.

The discounted products are listed below, along with links to product pages at B&H Photo.  Remember, (with one exception noted below) these are instant savings discounts, so there’s no UPC to clip and mail-in while you wait 6-8 weeks for a check to come back.  Prices should be reflected in your checkout cart.

Gitzo Deals

GH1780QR New Series 1 Magnesium Bubble Ball Head – $25 Savings
GH2780QR New Series 2 Magnesium Bubble Ball Head – $35 Savings
GT1541T 4 Section Traveler Tripod without Head – $40 Savings
GT1550T Original 5 Section Traveler Tripod with Ball Head – $25 Savings
GK1581OT Ocean Traveler with Ball Head – $75 Savings
GK2580TQR Heavy Duty Traveler with Ball Head and Quick Release – $75 Savings

Manfrotto Deals

322RC2 Grip Action Head – $10 Savings
055XB Heavy Duty Tripod – $20 Savings
055XPROB Pro Tripod with New Horizontal Center Column – $25 Savings
190XPROB Lightweight Pro Tripod with New Horizontal Center Column – $15 Savings
7302YB Compact Tripod with Quick Release Ball Head – $10 Savings

Kata Deals

KT DB-455 Messenger Bag for Camera and Laptop – $5 Savings
KT DT-213 Torso Pack for DSLR or Mini DV – $5 Savings
KT PR-420 Reporter Shoulder Bag Holds 2 Camera Bodies & 2-3 Lenses – $5 Savings

Litepanels Deals

LP Micro – $50 mail-in rebate + free bag
LP MicroPro – $75 mail-in rebate + free bag

Elinchrom Deals

EL 20753KIT 250/250 Lighting Kit* – Save $150
EL 20752KIT 250/500 Lighting Kit* – Save $100
EL 20751KIT 500/500 Lighting Kit* – Save $100

(*All kits include: 2 BXRi Flash Units, 2 Portalite Softboxes; 2 Light Stands; Skyport Transmitter; Bags)

Metz Deals

48 AF-1 Digital GN 157 – Save $25
58 AF-1 Digital GN 190 – Save $30

Lastolite Deals

I couldn’t find the normal prices, but per Bogen, Save $40 to $90 on the following Lastolite products:

LL LS2438M2 Ezybox Hotshoe 15” x 15”
LL LS2462M2 Ezybox Hotshoe 24” x 24”
LL LS2470LM2 Ezybox Hotshoe Kit 15”
LL LS2471LM2 Ezybox Hotshoe Kit 24”

Rotatrim Deals

I couldn’t find the normal prices, but per Bogen, Save $45 to $85 on the following Rotatrim products:

RC RCM18 18” PRO
RC RCM24 24” PRO
RC RCMON18 18” MONORAIL
RC RCMON26 26” MONORAIL

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So many photographers are on the cutting edge of online communication through blogging, social networking and photo sharing sites.  Photographers use these online resources to communicate with other photographers as well as to market themselves to potential clients.

This the first article in a series that addresses part of this networking and communication boom – Blogging Basics for Photographers.

The goal of this series will be to help those of you who want to start a blog find the right tools and instructions to make it happen.

The first thing I want to do is get everyone on the same page with the basics of what we’re talking about, whether you want to start a blog or not, and then we’ll talk about blogging software and services next. 

What is a Blog?

Wikipedia says that a blog “is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.” (wiki)

I think that’s a pretty good definition for us to go with, even if it’s a bit long-winded.

As a practical example, Photography Bay is a blog.  We post updates on camera gear, news, reviews and other photography-related info.  The new stuff goes on top, while the older stuff gets pushed down to the bottom of the page and eventually to subsequent “older” or “archived” pages.

There are all kinds of different blogs out there.  You name it and there’s a blog for that – political, tech, moms, hunting, diet, financial and the list goes on and on.

How Do Photographers Use Blogs?

As noted above, there are so many photographers using blogs in so many different ways.

Photographers use blogs as:

• An extension or primary home of their gallery and voice for promoting their services
• A way to communicate with and engage photography clients after a session or event
• Social connection tools with other photographers and industry professionals
• Teaching other photographers (either free content or by promoting seminars, DVDs, books or other learning tools)
• Creative outlets for expressing their ideas and work
• Or blending any number of the above elements together (and plenty of other stuff I didn’t think of)

Some examples of photography bloggers using a variety of these concepts:

• Amelia Lyon
• Finn O’Hara Photography
• Jasmine Star Blog
• Kristen Steele Photography
• Bryan Regan Photography
• Chase Jarvis
• Epic Edits
• JarvieDigital Photography Blog
• LeggNet’s Digital Capture
• Scott Kelby’s Photoshop Insider
• Strobist
• Thomas Hawk’s Digital Connection
• Zack Arias

If you take a little time to browse around on some of these blogs, you’ll see that each one has a different feel to it.  Most importantly, you can see how each photographer’s personality shines through even if he or she uses the blog format in a similar manner to another.

These blogs are a platform for the photographers behind them to speak there minds and share their work in the manner of their choosing.

Personally, I think all of them are great, and I read and follow each of them.  We’ll talk more about following, subscribing and feed readers in a later post in this series.

For now, let’s focus on you.

Should You Start a Photography Blog?

If you’ve read this far, you are probably thinking about it.  Or, maybe you already have a blog and want to make it better.

If you’re trying to decide whether to start one, this is a choice for you to make.  I’m not here to tell you that you should or shouldn’t start a blog about photography – or anything else.  However, don’t be intimidated if some of the examples shown above make you think that you could never create anything like that.

I can tell you that the photographers with blogs that I know love working on their blog (both large and small blogs) and using it as a tool for whatever purposes they choose.  I will also warn you that it can be addicting, and you just might love it too.

Right now, you don’t have to do anything.  Just think about it for now . . . and wait for the next part of this series where we will talk about blogging software and services, some of which can make blogging much simpler than you might expect.

Still don’t understand the point of a blog, or you’re having a tough time getting off the fence about whether to start one?

Ask your questions or voice your thoughts in comment section below.  (Stick to the topic at hand though, and don’t get ahead of the rest of us with questions or comments about software, hosting and so on.  We’ll cover that soon. Promise.)

Sponsor: Now at Amazon.com – Canon 5D Mark II – Sony A900 – Canon 50D – Nikon D90 – Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS – Nikon D700 – Nikon D300

Sony has released a firmware update for the Sony A230, A330 and A380 DSLRs.  The firmware version 1.10 addresses the following:

When the [Metering mode] is set to the [Center weighted] or [Spot] metering modes, the exposure will be locked when the focus is confirmed. (When shooting in AF mode).

To learn more about the update or to download it, visit Sony’s download site for Windows PC or for Mac.

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I’ve only got $1000 to spend on a camera, lens and accessories, what should I buy and why?

This is a question that frequently pops up on popular photography forums like those found on Photo.net.  I have a soft spot in my heart for Photo.net and its members.  It’s where I renewed my interest in photography, specifically “digital photography.”  And, I’ve asked so many questions about what to buy and read countless questions of others asking the same thing.  (I’ve really asked some dumb questions.  But the crew at Photo.net were very friendly and responsive to my questions.)

Now, it may not always be the $1000 figure, it might be $800 or $1500.  Or, someone might be trying to decide between a couple of lenses and flashes.  I’ve also received plenty of questions like this from readers of Photography Bay in the form of comments, emails and our own fledgling forum.  But, for now, we’ll stick with this budget and look for a good first DSLR kit.

With the holiday shopping season ramping up, many of you may be in just this boat, with a budget in this neighborhood, give or take a few bucks.  So, here’s the advice I would give myself if I were looking to by my first DSLR today.

The Camera

A few years ago, getting a DSLR under a $1000 meant 1 camera and 1 lens.  That camera was the Canon EOS Digital Rebel, which was followed by the Rebel XT (a camera and lens combo that I paid $1000 for in 2005).

There are several newly released entry-level DSLRs that can be had for under $1000 and feature all kinds of new bells and whistles; however, just because something came out last year doesn’t mean it’s broken.  Really, a lot of the camera updating pace boils down to marketing and what kind of cameras that manufacturers can talk us into buying.  Don’t jump on the bandwagon just because it’s driving by.

Today, a much better DSLR can be had in the $500 range.  So, there are some other great tools you can get to go with your camera, or you can spend more on the camera itself.  Amazingly, the Nikon D40 can be had for $469.95.  That’s a great deal and that’s a great camera.  I bought one when it came out and passed it along to relative who still uses it on a regular basis. The big downer for me with the D40 though is that it doesn’t autofocus with some of the older Nikon lenses – the big one being the Nikon 50mm f/1.8, which I would have otherwise recommended to go with the D40.

As a result, I think I would spend a little more on a camera and lens combo and get the Canon Rebel XSi w/ 18-55mm IS lens.  Sure, the Rebel T1i is new and it has 1080p video recording and more megapixels, etc.  Those differences aren’t all they’re cracked up to be though.  And, besides, I’m giving advice to me on purchasing my first DSLR.  So, I should listen to myself and appreciate the fact that I don’t really “need” all the extra bells and whistles on the Rebel T1i.  There, I just saved $150 on the camera and lens combo.  Great decision.

Memory Cards

Now, we’ve got a camera.  What else do we need? Memory cards.  Not the fastest, but not the slowest either.  Something that’s proficient and reliable, like the 4GB Lexar 60x SDHC card.  I would pick the 4GB size because it’s a good size for the Rebel XSi, holding over 1000 JPEG files or around 300-400 RAW files.  Additionally, I’d buy two of them because they’re only $15 and you never know when you’ll be out having fun shooting and need the room for extra photos.

One Other Essential Lens

While the 18-55mm IS lens is a good lens, I think the EF 50mm f/1.8 lens will help you grow and produce more pictures that pop.  The key here is the combination of the focal length and the bright f/1.8 aperture.  The lower the f-number, the better the camera is at separating the main subject from the background (read: blurry background).  Additionally, the 50mm focal length is really great for portraits on a camera like the Rebel XSi.  There’s a bunch of theoretical mumbo jumbo that explains this; however, for now we’ll just say the smaller sensor in the Rebel XSi makes the 50mm lens work like an 80mm lens, which is great length for portraits and for those candid moments with friends or kids.

The other great thing about the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens – it’s only $109.95.

Don’t be enticed by the long length of the 75-300mm lenses.  You’ll find yourself cursing blurry photos and asking why photos are too dark all too often.  For now, trust me, and just buy this nice, cheap, bright lens.  You’ll thank me later.  And, if this new hobby takes, you’ll want a much better lens than the consumer-grade 75-300mm lenses, and you’ll save the extra pennies to make that happen.

A Flash That “Bounces”

An external flash is next on my list.  My pick?  The Canon 270EX, which currently runs $129.  The Canon 270EX flash is a shoemount flash that goes on top of the Rebel XSi or other Canon DSLR.  It features a “bounce” head, which means you can tilt the flash up at a variety of angles to help bounce the light down onto your subject from, say, a white ceiling.  This helps soften the light and generally makes better indoor photos.  The bounce head is the reason I pick the 270EX over the cheaper 220EX with no bounce head.

While you could spring for a flash like the Canon 430EX II, it goes well above and beyond what most people need for their first DSLR.  There’s plenty of room to grow with the 430EX II; however, it also eats up the rest of my budget.

Basic Tripod

There are a lot of awesome tripods that you could buy.  If I had my druthers, I’d recommend the Manfrotto 190XB and ball head combo.  But I don’t have any druthers here – I’ve only got $130 left to spend and still more to buy after a tripod.  My pick would be something like the Impact 1018 tripod with ball head at $39.95.  This makes it possible for you to take those family photos with a timer (or remote – we’ll get to that in a minute) as well as set up for landscape scenic shots or maybe try your hand at HDR photography.

Wireless Remote

I just mentioned this above.  What I’m talking about here is the Canon RC1 remote, which costs $24.95.  This is an infrared remote that lets you fire your camera even when you’re not behind the camera.  The RC1 can trigger the shutter instantly or with a 2 second delay, which is great for when you are in the photo.  It works will all the Rebel series cameras, the Canon 5D Mark II and 7D.  I’ve had the RC1 in my bag since I bought a Rebel XT in 2005 and it’s been more than worth the price.

Don’t be surprised when you buy a DSLR if your family designates you the official photographer of all family gatherings.  I remember my Uncle “Boots” used to have an old film camera with the buzzing timer, which he would release and then make a 10 second sprint to get in the family Christmas photo every year.  It was somewhat of a sport and had everyone smiling by the time he got in the frame just before the shutter released.  The first frame was great; however, by the time we got the fourth and fifth extra shots, everyone was hot and complaining about having to wait.

Uncle “Boots” is no longer with us and I have inherited the job of taking the family Christmas photo (although I’d give it back to “Boots” in a second to have him around one more Christmas).  What used to take several minutes with the set-your-timer approach, can now be over in half a minute with a dozen or so frames thanks to the Canon RC1 remote.

Camera Bag

You didn’t think I would forget a way to carry all this stuff, did you?  While I love the Think Tank Photo Streetwalker Harddrive, you don’t need anything that fancy for a basic DSLR kit.  My recommendation would be to pick a capable, but cheaper, bag in the $40 range – like the Tamrac 5371 backpack, which runs $42.50.

A Book to Learn More About Photography

All this new gear is great stuff.  But it’s useless if you don’t know how to use it.  Since we’re talking to new DSLR users here, I can’t recommend Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Exposure enough.  It runs about $16 and will be the best $16 you spend above and beyond any equipment that you can buy.

Bryan breaks down the components that go into making a great exposure and other elements of photography with an easy-to-follow approach.  In my opinion, it is the best book out there on these basic concepts.

Wrapping It Up

So, how did I do?

Rebel XSi w/ 18-55mm lens = $600

2 Lexar SD memory cards = $30

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens = $110

Canon 270EX flash = $129

Impact tripod & head = $40

Canon RC1 remote = $25

Tamrac backpack = $42.50

Understanding Exposure book = $16

Grand Total = $992.50

This is just my take on it, but if I had $1000 to spend on my first DSLR, knowing what I know now, this is how I would spend it.

What about you?

Sponsor: Now at Amazon.com – Canon 5D Mark II – Sony A900 – Canon 50D – Nikon D90 – Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS – Nikon D700 – Nikon D300

The Olympus E-P2 is a quick follow-up to the E-P1, which was introduced just 5 short months ago.  The E-P2 actually appears to be a mild upgrade to the E-P1 since it sports the same internals, including the same 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor.  What the E-P2 adds is a port for accessories like an external mic or high-res electronic viewfinder, along with AF tracking capability, i-Enhance color boosting and some new Art filters.

The E-P2 should be available in December 2009 at an initial retail price of $1099.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Olympus E-P2 Key Features

• 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS sensor (2x crop factor)
• ISO 100-6400
• 3 frames per second
• New Art Filters – Diorama; Cross Process
• Sensor-based Image Stabilization
• 720p HD video recording

Olympus E-P2 News Release

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., November 5, 2009 – Less than six months after launching the groundbreaking PEN E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera, Olympus proves that evolutionary change can happen incredibly fast by releasing the E-P2 with even more power and performance. The new PEN, like the E-P1, is the world’s smallest 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens system with In-body Image Stabilization. It blends the high-quality still images like that of a DSLR with High Definition (HD) video, stereo Linear PCM audio recording and In-Camera Creativity inside an ultra-portable body. Along with several new features, and eight in-camera Art Filters that can be applied to still images and HD videos, the result is mighty powerful and creative.

The innovative E-P2 offers more of what photo enthusiasts have been asking for:

• A stylish retro black metal body reminiscent of a traditional PEN camera;
• Accessory port to accommodate the included detachable VF-2 Electronic View Finder (EVF) or optional external microphone adapter EMA-1;
• A newly-developed Continuous Autofocus (C-AF) Tracking System tracks the subject across or back-and-forward through the frame;
• Two new art filters: Diorama & Cross Process for greater creative expression in your still images and HD videos;
• iEnhance to automatically adjust color and contrast for a more dramatic effect;
• Full Manual Control of shutter/aperture in Movie Mode; and
• HDMI Control of camera’s playback functions using the TV Remote when the camera is connected to an HDTV.

“The high demand for the E-P1 demonstrates that today’s photo enthusiasts and consumers want the high-quality imaging like that of DSLRs in a compact retro design. The fact that it also offers HD video, creative functions and high-end stereo sound makes it even more desirable,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The new PEN builds on the success of the E-P1 by adding many of the features that were on enthusiasts’ wish list for the second generation: an EVF for composing with your eye close to the camera, the ability to add an external microphone, C-AF tracking, and a black metal body. With each new PEN, Olympus continues to enhance the line, and the future looks very bright.”

The E-P2 comes with either the small and lightweight Olympus M. ZUIKO Micro Four Thirds lenses: 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 (28-84mm equivalent) or 17mm f2.8 (34mm equivalent). The camera adds to the new category created by the E-P1: Not a P&S. Not an SLR. It’s a PEN.

• Accessorize: Everything Goes with Basic Black
• The E-P2 incorporates a new port for connecting new accessories including an optional EMA-1 Microphone adapter and the VF-2 live-finder, a detachable electronic viewfinder that comes with the E-P2. The live-finder easily slides onto the camera’s accessory port and hot shoe when needed to provide 1.15x magnification, a 100% field of view with amazing resolution, brightness and contrast. The viewfinder refreshes quickly to minimize image ghosting on fast-moving subjects.

The VF-2 rotates up to 90 degrees to enable photographers to look down into it, which is useful when shooting subjects from challenging angles. The built-in diopter adjustment and high magnification offer easy viewing with and without glasses.

For those who want to capture enhanced audio, the new EMA-1 external microphone connector can be plugged into the new camera’s external accessory port. The connector will accept the optional Olympus ME-51S stereo microphone or any microphone of their choice.

Olympus has a variety of other accessories to maximize the functionality of the new PEN, including the previously released 14-42mm and 17mm Micro Four Thirds lenses. The MMF-1 Four Thirds System Lens Adapter makes E-P2 compatible with all Olympus ZUIKO Digital SpecificTM lenses and other Four Thirds System lenses from Sigma, Panasonic and Leica.

Olympus OM film-based lenses can be attached to the E-P2 with the MF-2 OM Lens Adapter. Additionally, an optional FL-14 flash unit, suitably small for the camera, adds more lighting versatility to your shots.

Stay focused on Your Targets Wherever They Roam

• Sometimes it can be hard enough to keep up with kids, let alone take pictures of them. The E-P2’s new C-AF Tracking and AF Target Registration locks your subject into focus, and constantly adjusts focus and brightness whether you or your subject is moving. With this mode, a simple push of the shutter release enables you to keep fast-moving and unpredictable subjects in focus – tracking subjects from left to right and from front to back – within the frame, automatically ensuring that even active subjects are captured clearly.

Even More Ways to Create

Olympus pioneered easy-to-use in-camera art filters for still images captured inside its E-System DSLRs. It was the first company to offer the ability to apply art filters to High Definition video recordings captured with the E-P1. Now, the E-P2 continues this tradition of innovation with eight in-camera art filters, including two new filters: the Diorama and Cross Process. The Diorama art filter gives users a miniature model photo feeling by narrowing the depth of focus and enhancing color and contrast. The selective focus that this filter offers lends intimacy to images of even the largest subjects like canyons or cityscapes.

The Cross Process art filter offers an unexpected look to images and videos by changing the color and contrast of subjects on the fly. Using this mode can result in surreal other-worldly images. Whether you’re a videographer, documentarian or established director – or just want to shoot like one – Art Filters set your images and videos apart from the pack. Since they’re built into the camera, you can achieve dramatic results on the go without needing a computer or editing software. These new filters are a welcome addition to the Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film and Pin Hole filters previously available on the E-P1.

Because the PEN is an interchangable lens system camera, you also have more creative options for video capture. You can attach any one of the new super-compact Micro Four Thirds lenses or, because the camera can accept many of the other Four Thirds Format lenses with an available MMF-1 Four Thirds System Lens Adapter, you can add anything from an extreme wide-angle fisheye lens to a super telephoto lens for a wide range of expressive options. All the while you will have more DSLR-like control over depth of field, focus, white balance and ISO. It begs the question, “What will you create?”

iEnhance for Radiant Colors

The E-P2 includes a new picture mode called iEnhance, which analyzes colors and brightness. The new mode mimics what the naked eye sees. For example, a beautiful sunset looks awesome in person and generally seems to fade when captured in an image. With iEnhance, the warm yellow and orange colors are heightened to be brilliant and closer to the actual scene. The result is exceptionally clear imaging with a dramatically lifelike color. iEnhance can be used in any shooting mode – from program to manual – and automatically engages when in iAuto.

HDMI Control from Your HDTV Remote

The new PEN makes sharing your content easier than ever. Just connect the E-P2 to your HDTV with an optional HDMI cable and use your HDTV’s remote to control playback functions and navigate the camera’s menus from the comfort of your favorite couch or chair.

Manual in Movie Mode

The E-P2’s manual movie mode allows for independent control of aperture and shutter for expanded exposure and creative control. Now you can adjust the shutter to control the depth of focus while using the aperture to set the overall brightness of the video. This level of control allows you to express your vision exactly how you want in your HD videos.

Make a Design Statement

The E-P2’s high-end, stainless-steel all-black body is easy to handle and carry, and has the styling and refinement of a precision chronometer. Its retro-chic look turns heads, from tech-aficionados and camera buffs to the style-conscious and everyday point-and-shooter. Built rock solid, it fits comfortably in a jacket pocket or a handbag for impromptu street-shooting or any spontaneous adventure. The E-P2 lets you do more and go more places while capturing your life, thanks to its compact size – 4.74″(W) x 2.75″ (H) x 1.37″ (D) – and light 11.1-ounce body. Attention to detail is visible in every aspect of the PEN’s design, including the currently available small and lightweight 14-42mm and 17mm M. ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses as well as the newly announced 9-18mm f4.0-5.6 (18-36mm equivalent) and 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 (28-300mm equivalent) M. ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses.

Ultra-Compact Body Delivers Superior Image Quality

The E-P2 has everything you need to produce vibrant DSLR-quality images: a large 12.3-megapixel imager, In-body Image Stabilization, fast Imager Autofocus, the proven Olympus Dust Reduction System and the new TruePic™ V Image Processor.

As the second Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus, the E-P2 provides the same image quality as current Four Thirds format E-System cameras because it has the same image sensor size as the E-30 and E-620 DSLR models, but in a much smaller body. This high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and a state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to reduce noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.

The E-P2’s Live MOS image sensor is complemented by Olympus’ TruePic™ V Image Processor, which produces clear and colorful photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible. The image processor is noted for accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal expression; it also lowers image noise in photos shot at higher ISO settings (ISO 100 to ISO 6400), enabling great results in low-light situations.

Be a Mover, Not a Shaker

Any lens attached to the E-P2 will deliver blur-free images thanks to three modes of In-body Image Stabilization that compensate for up to four steps EV (exposure value). Mechanical Image Stabilization automatically compensates for camera shake in low light or when shooting without a tripod. Since the PEN is the world’s smallest interchangeable lens camera with In-body Image Stabilization, you’ll feel comfortable taking it on the road with you to capture the action. As an added advantage, the built-in image stabilization works not only with the M. Zuiko lenses but all Four Thirds lenses and even older OM film-based lenses when used with the appropriate adapter for the E-P2.

Small Real Estate with an Amazing 3-Inch LCD View

Consumers accustomed to composing and focusing using a point-and-shoot camera’s LCD will appreciate the E-P2’s 100 percent accurate, 3-inch full color HyperCrystal LCD, which gives them the same easy, seamless experience when shooting still images or videos. The camera’s Live Control function makes it easy to compose, edit and shoot pictures or videos without stopping to access various menus. The E-P2’s fast Imager Autofocus in Live View also enables you to compose, focus and capture the shot quickly and easily without ever taking your eyes off the large LCD.

The LCD displays 230,000 pixels in vivid color and includes HyperCrystal technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors for easier viewing in both preview and playback. It also provides a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees, which ensures that images can be composed from even the most obscure angles.

This Camera Leaves Others in the Dust

You don’t have to waste precious time worrying about dust ruining the perfect image; instead, spend more of that time shooting with the E-P2. The proven Olympus Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter™, a patented ultrasonic technology that vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor, capturing it on a special adhesive membrane every time the camera is turned on.

What You See Is What You Get

When viewing the LCD in Live View, Art Filter effects and settings like white balance and exposure are viewable right on the LCD, and their impact is seen instantly on the display. Real-time monitoring offers amazing versatility and creative control, and users who apply a setting have instant gratification because what they see on the camera’s LCD is what they’ve captured. For musicians used to applying audio effects like reverb to their instruments before recording them, the concept of setting the E-P2 to capture precisely the kind of image they want before they press the shutter makes perfect sense. For imaging purists who want to shoot without filters, and apply them to images inside the camera later, or just edit images back at their computers, the E-P2 provides these options and opens more in-the-field creative possibilities.

Mix It Up with Multiple Exposure

With the E-P2’s Multiple Exposure function available for still image capture, you are free to tell a visual story your way, whether in a portrait, a landscape or a combination of both. The image capture options allow you to shoot one shot, then another and combine them in real time, or capture both shots separately and combine them in the camera later. Overlay your face on top of your pet’s face. Create an “identical twin” of yourself. Put the moon in the sky at noon. Your ability to manipulate space and time makes this new creative multimedia device a veritable time machine.

Frame Your Works of Art Inside the PEN

You can often achieve greater photographic expression by framing a scene in a unique way. The E-P2 provides four aspect ratios that serve as masks to frame your image to the desired proportions, including: the standard 4:3 aspect ratio that is suited to an 8 x 10-inch enlargement; the 16:9 aspect ratio that will display your images beautifully on a widescreen television; and other popular aspect ratios such as 3:2 and 6:6. The Multi-Aspect Shooting further expresses your creative vision when combined with Art Filters and multiple exposures. What will you create?

Stereo Audio Sounds As Good As the PEN Images Look

Like the innovative Olympus LS-11 portable audio recording device that puts the power of a recording studio in your pocket, the E-P2 features uncompressed CD-quality 16 bit/44.1kHz Linear PCM stereo recording capability to capture the rich sound quality of your scene. When you shoot with the E-P2, it’s like having a sound technician built into your camera to capture the nuances of the audio happening all around you. It has the versatility to record and play back in the WAV format and can record with its built-in stereo microphone. Whether recording audio while shooting a video or adding audio by recording a narration to your still images, the E-P2’s audio sounds as great as its images look. Now, with the new stereo microphone adapter, there is new freedom in audio capture with the PEN.

Create Your Own Multimedia Slideshows with Stills, Video and Audio Inside E-P2

Content is king, and with the E-P2 you have your own portable kingdom of still images, HD video, and audio to remix at your command. In playback mode you can seamlessly mix stills and movies inside the camera to create a multimedia slideshow; dub in one of five built-in dramatic background music options to provide a soundtrack for your cinematic creation. Plug the E-P2 into any HD television with an HDMI cable and show off your masterpieces to your audience before your DVD arrives in stores!

As Easy to Use as a Point-and-Shoot with SLR-Quality Technologies

The E-P2 is equipped with 19 scene-select modes for effortless picture taking. Standard scene modes like Night-Scene, Portrait and Landscape are easy-to-use solutions for everyday shooting. Capturing beautiful portraits is easy with the new ePortrait Mode. It enables you to smooth your subject’s skin – all in the camera and before capture! Additionally, edits can be made post-capture using the ePortrait mode.

Shooting scenes with both highlights and shadows can often be a challenge because of the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The E-P2 addresses this challenge with Shadow Adjustment Technology that adjusts for extreme light variations and maintains visible detail in both the shadow and highlight areas of the scene. Now users can see and preview the gradation on the Live View LCD and capture images showing the shadow detail they saw. This feature is also accessible in the Edit menu after the shot has been taken.

The E-P2’s Face Detection reduces the chance of blurred subjects in images by recognizing up to eight people’s faces and the background, tracking the faces within the image area, even if people are moving, and automatically focusing and optimizing exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures (ideal for large family or party group photos).

Don’t like changing camera settings for each shooting situation? The E-P2’s Intelligent Auto Mode automatically identifies what you’re shooting (Portrait, Landscape, Night + Portrait, Macro, Sports) and adjusts settings to capture the best result depending on the situation. First-time users will enjoy this quick and hassle-free feature, which does the thinking for them and produces incredible images like a pro.

The E-P2 offers ease-of-use and flexibility to meet your shooting style. Choose the Live Control technology, an advanced control panel system that incorporates the use of the sub dial and enables you to see the image and the menu controls all at the same time on the LCD. As a result, you can use the main and sub dials to select modes and adjust settings without having to take your eyes off the subject. Or if you prefer, shoot with the Super Control Panel, which is familiar to any serious shooter. These options along with the camera’s intuitive button layout make the camera simple to use. The E-P2 records to SDHC media cards to accommodate large files including videos with In-Camera Creative Features and uncompressed audio.

Digital Leveler

The E-P2 is equipped with an internal Digital Level Sensor that detects the camera’s pitch and roll and indicates it on the control panel. This Digital Leveler is a tremendous benefit when capturing architecture and landscapes. Level the perfect coastline shot on your next tropical vacation without being tethered to a computer and editing software.

Magnified Focus Assist

The E-P2 provides two optional methods to help the user focus: a Magnified Focus (MF) Assist Function and Magnification Display. When using manual focus, the MF Assist feature aids with critical focus by allowing you to zoom in on part of the image by simply turning the focusing ring on the front of the lens. The Magnification Display enables you to selectively enlarge the image on the LCD at the touch of a button. This mode works for both autofocus and manual focus. Both MF Assist methods provide up to a 10x magnification of a single point of the image for critical focus; perfect for macro or still-life photography.

18×18 Metering Modes

This mode divides the image area into an 18 x 18 grid, metering each of the 324 separate cells to obtain optimum exposure. In addition to 324-division ESP metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering modes are also available.

OLYMPUS Master 2 Software

Use the included OLYMPUS Master 2 software (Mac and PC) to easily download images and videos from the camera or other external device, such as a USB drive, and automatically organize them into albums and groups and by date. Develop high-quality RAW images, apply Art Filter effects, edit and print images. Also, apply the most common editing functions to your HD videos. Update camera and lens firmware through the software and download additional menu languages. A direct link makes uploading your images and videos to YouTube™ easier than ever.

OLYMPUS Studio 2 (Trial Edition Included)

Extend the capability of Olympus Master 2 with Olympus Studio 2. In addition to the functions of OLYMPUS Master 2, this software includes a lightbox mode and selection marks for comparing and sorting multiple images. RAW processing is enhanced with additional controls for finer adjustments. The trial edition can be used for 30 days after installation. After the trial period has expired, a license key is required for further use.

Availability

The Olympus E-P2 will be available in December 2009. It includes E-P2 Body, VF-2 Electronic View Finder, ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens or 17mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLS-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCS-1), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card.

U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations
E-P2 Body with ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens and Electronic View Finder
Estimated Street Price: $1099.99

E-P2 Body with 17mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens and Electronic View Finder
Estimated Street Price: $1099.99

Sponsor: Now at Amazon.com – Canon 5D Mark II – Sony A900 – Canon 50D – Nikon D90 – Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS – Nikon D700 – Nikon D300

Canon has released a firmware update for the EOS 7D.  The new version 1.1.0 is supposed to address the strange ghosting issue that was uncovered last week.

Canon’s official word about the firmware:

1. Corrects a phenomenon that in images captured by continuous shooting, and under certain conditions, barely noticeable traces of the immediately preceding frame may be visible.

To learn more about it or to download the update, see Canon’s website.

Don’t get scammed by a deal that sounds too good to be true. Photography Bay recommends purchasing your photography equipment from Amazon, B&H Photo and Adorama.

DxO Labs has announced DxO Optics Pro 6, which is geared toward taming high ISO RAW conversion and extends optical fault correction. Additionally, the software adds support for Olympus DSLRs, the Sony A230, A330 and A380, as well as the Nikon D300s.

More details in the press release below.

DxO Optics Pro 6 Press Release

November 3, 2009 – DxO Labs is pleased to announce that the latest version of its award-winning software solution for demanding photographers, DxO Optics Pro version 6, will be released in early November. This new version provides the best-ever images from extreme ISO shots and further extends optical fault correction, while increasing both accessibility and productivity.

DxO Optics Pro 6 will be offered with an exceptional 33% introductory discount through December 31, 2009.

A New Bar for High ISO RAW Conversion

While camera manufacturers keep competing for high ISO performance, DxO Labs now offers the image processing technologies which are critical to delivering top-notch image quality from such extreme ISO shots In low-light conditions, photographers must choose between using low ISO and risking unnatural flash lighting or camera shake, or using high ISO settings with its typical image noise and loss of colors and details. But now, thanks to a new technological approach, DxO Optics Pro 6 sets a new bar for RAW conversion: photographers can push their cameras to the ISO limits and even beyond — as much as one to two stops above their usual ISO settings! — and still get great photos without any noticeable loss in image quality.

“Advances in DxO Optics Pro 6 are able to significantly reduce the noisy color cast and the low spatial frequency color blotches that typically ruin very high ISO shots and more generally any photo with deep shadows,” explains Frédéric Guichard, DxO Labs’ Chief Imaging Scientist. “Removing strong low frequency noise involves processing pixels over a very large neighborhood while preserving fine details. To achieve natural-looking and sharp images, we leave some purely colorless noise in the image, producing a grain that looks strikingly similar to the finest grain from silver halide times.”

DxO Labs’ new de-noising technology significantly extends the effective dynamic range and best leverages the higher bit-depth that modern sensors provide. Cleaning noise out of dark regions of the images allows photographers to digitally relight them (e.g. using DxO Lighting tool). Overall, with DxO Optics Pro 6 photographers end up with many benefits:

- Great photos when shooting at their camera’s highest ISO and beyond;
- Extended dynamic range thanks to the ability to slightly under-expose their shots (with negative EV bias), thus avoiding clipping highlights and still minimizing noise in the lowlights;
- Digital relighting of shadows or dark areas of their images without adding noise.

Extended Optical Fault Correction

DxO Optics Pro has long been recognized for its unrivalled automatic optical fault correction based on DxO Optics Modules — laboratory-grade mathematical models characterizing the optical faults of each particular camera & lens combination which are computed for each focal length, each aperture, each focusing distance, etc. More than 1600 DxO Optics Modules are available today and can now be automatically detected and downloaded to the application — and this number is growing at an accelerated pace.

Also, for photographers who desire to adjust optical correction for a creative purpose, or to handle lenses that are not calibrated yet, DxO Optics Pro 6 now provides controls to manually adjust distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations, and sharpness (USM) for any lens.

As DxO Optics Pro expert users always look for more precise controls, DxO Optics Pro 6 features an additional fine detail adjustment which specifically deals with the preservation of high spatial frequency texture and details of the images — another demonstration of DxO Labs’ consistent effort to bring the best to the optical faults correction so photographers can obtain the most perfect images.

Improved User Interface

DxO Optics Pro 6’s user interface has been revamped to ease the first hands-on experience for beginners, providing them with the easiest RAW Conversion tool delivering best quality without the pain. For experts and professional photographers, productivity and control levels have also been improved.

New features include, among others:
- Workspace customization for easier access to the photographer’s preferred tools;
- Detachable and multi-line “Project” window for multi-monitor display and full-screen image preview;
- Correction comparison between several candidates (for selecting preferred photo rendering);
- Streamlined access to DxO Presets for increased productivity;
- Automatic detection and download of missing DxO Optics Modules;
- More ergonomic user interface for better accessibility.

Additional Camera Support

Both the Standard and Elite editions of DxO Optics Pro 6 add support to the Olympus D-SLR family, along with latest Sony and Nikon cameras:

- Olympus E3, E30, E410, E420, E450, E510, E520, E620;
- Sony A230, A330, A380;
- Nikon D300s.
Availability and exceptional introductory price

For Windows:
DxO Optics Pro 6 for Windows Standard and Elite editions are scheduled for release in early November 2009 from both DxO Labs’ e-store and selected resellers, and will be available at an exceptional 33 % discount until December 31, 2009:
- Standard edition: £ 69 instead of £ 99 (or a savings of £ 30)
- Elite edition: £ 139 instead of £ 199 (or a savings of £ 60)

All customers who purchased DxO Optics Pro 5 after June 1st, 2009 are entitled to a free upgrade to version 6. All other users benefit from the following 40% discounts until December 31, 2009:
- DxO Optics Pro Standard (any version) to DxO Optics Pro 6 Standard: £ 29 instead of £ 49.
- DxO Optics Pro Elite (any version) to DxO Optics Pro 6 Elite: £ 39 instead of £ 69.
Prices include sales taxes and VAT.

For Mac:
DxO Optics Pro 6 for Macintosh is scheduled for release in early 2010. A Macintosh intermediate release, DxO Optics Pro 5.3.6, fully compatible with Snow Leopard, is scheduled for end of November. It will also include support for additional camera bodies.

System Requirements
• 2 GB RAM minimum
• 400 MB available disk space
• To process RAW images larger than 20 MPixels, a 64-bit operating system with 4 GB RAM is strongly recommended

Windows:
• Intel Pentium 4 processor or AMD equivalent (Pentium Dual Core or higher or equivalent recommended)
• Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista 32 or 64 bits, Windows 7 Macintosh:
• Universal Binary (G4, G5 or Intel-Mac)
• Mac OS X.4 or X.5 or X.6

About DxO Optics Pro

DxO Optics Pro is an award-winning automatic image enhancement software for enthusiastic amateur and professional photographers shooting in JPEG or RAW format. World renowned for its unique automated optical corrections (distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations, lens softness), and its state-of-the-art RAW conversion, it addresses the entire spectrum of image quality issues, including noise removal, exposure optimization, keystoning correction, color control and dust removal. Its fully-customizable and easy-to-use interface makes it an unrivalled productivity tool, able to process hundreds of images in just a few clicks of a mouse.

For more information, visit DxO Labs’ website at http://www.dxo.com.

Not a SmugMug member? Upload UNLIMITED photos to gorgeous galleries! Free Trial.

I have photos in more than one place to share them with different groups of people; however, the images don’t overlap completely.  For instance, I might take a handful of images from a given shoot or outing and share them with friends on Facebook; however, I might put a couple of hundred from the same shoot on SmugMug.  And then, I might put four or five on Flickr.

They way I’ve shared images online has changed over the years with the way I use the web.  What about you?

How do you share your images?  Do you share them in more than one place?  I’ve created a multiple choice poll below that covers some of the popular sharing sites and general categories of how we share images.

Take a few seconds to make your picks.  Additionally, feel free to eloborate on how you share your images in the comments below and why you choose those methods over alternatives. We’ll take a look at the results and your comments in a follow-up soon.

Sponsor: Now at Amazon.com – Canon 5D Mark II – Sony A900 – Canon 50D – Nikon D90 – Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS – Nikon D700 – Nikon D300

You’re a photographer, you hate seeing the same or similar photos over and over again even more than others do. That said, you also need to keep in mind that your photos need to stand out. Making them do that isn’t hard to do as long as you remove personal boundaries and think outside of the box.  To start, the elements of photojournalism (the unusual, the newsworthy, the emotional and the intimate) may really help aid you in the your street photography. Here are some tips to help you do so.

Look For Different Angles

Seen in Signither’s Photo Stream.

When people look at your photos, they want to see different angles instead of what we may usually see from our height level. That being said, why not do a “Hail Mary” shot by raising the camera above your head and firing a shot without looking through the viewfinder. If it helps, you can use your Live View screen to aid in composition. Similarly, do what Signither did above and get down nice and low to get a different perspective.

Look For the Familiar, But Different

The best way that this can be explained is through photos. You know that famous photo of a marine kissing a nurse in Times Square? This one. That’s been mimicked and duplicated time and time again. The reason why is because it’s an iconic shot of the times and of the century once you know the story behind it. You can look for things like that all over the streets.

Dressed as little Red Riding Hood during the Halloween parade, this beauty in the photo above had to hold her skirt down as the wind was blowing it up. That made it look like the famous photo of Marilyn Monroe. The light on her mid section is another man’s red beam from his camera. This image was snapped as soon as his beam fired.

I love this image because it’s so candid and shows us what really happens sometimes on the streets.

Don’t Disturb Your Subject

Street photography and photojournalism requires you to not disturb your subject so that everything happens as is. You’re supposed to be an observer, not a participant. You can possibly do this by shooting with a rangefinder, micro four thirds camera or premium compact.

If you’ve got a strong presence the way I do, you may want to not use something like a 50mm lens. That isn’t to say they’re not useful. I still use my 50mm, but I use it in different situations like the one above where I was able to step off to the side and not get in the way of anyone. If you disturb your subject, you may ruin your chance of getting a shot that no one else has.

Otherwise, try using a telephoto zoom of some sort with a nice wide aperture.

For Speed, Shoot in Aperture Priority

You’re taught as a street photographer to disarm angry people with just your smile. While you really should do this, there are sometimes where you need to take the shot and keep moving, such as with crowds of people moving in a stream to get out of Penn Station.

In that case, shoot in aperture mode because of the fact that you don’t have a lot of time to sit there and manually focus and adjust your shutter speed and f stop. To be fair, if you’ve mastered your camera then go ahead and do that. For everyone else, Aperture Priority will ensure that your subjects are separated from your background and foreground.

A split second is all it takes to get that moment.

Use the Hyperfocal Distance

For those of you that don’t know what this is, here is a detailed explanation of the concept. In a nutshell it is  simply a fancy term that means the distance setting at any aperture that produces the  greatest depth of field. On the focusing mechanism of your lens, it will tell you how far away you are focusing. You should be able to use that combined with your aperture of get your subjects in focus. This works best with a prime lens and is possibly the most used method of shooting with one. Basically, the smaller your aperture, the greater your hyperfocal distance can be considering your focusing.

This can allow you to keep your distance or fire from the camera without looking into the viewfinder so you don’t alarm anyone.

As an extra pointer your sensor size may also factor into it as smaller sensors have greater depth of fields (also known as less shallow depth of field.) In this case, a Micro Four Thirds camera, Canon S90 or even the Leica X1 may be good for this application. For those of us that prefer viewfinders, an entry level DSLR will suit you just fine.

What tips can you add?

Don’t get scammed by a deal that sounds too good to be true. Photography Bay recommends purchasing your photography equipment from Amazon, B&H Photo and Adorama.

LaCie has introduced its Network Space 2 storage solution in a 1TB flavor.  The Network Space 2 is a Network Attached Storage, or NAS, drive, which is intended to be as simple to use as an ordinary external hard drive.

The Network Space 2 also has a USB 2.0 host connection, which lets you import files from a USB device (such as your digital images) without the need of a computer.  More details in LaCie’s press release below.

LaCie Network Space 2 News Release

LaCie today announced the LaCie Network Space 2, design by Neil Poulton – a leading-edge Network Attached Storage (NAS) and media server. The LaCie Network Space 2 combines the performance of a full-featured NAS solution, with a unique and customized way to manage the total experience.

Easy to Use

LaCie Network Space 2 was designed to be as convenient and user-friendly as a classic USB external hard drive. With the advanced LaCie Network Assistant, you can be up and running in a few short steps. To help you manage your desired product preferences, the LaCie Network Assistant now offers new dashboard functionality. You can customize the dashboard with useful widgets to access network and drive information, administer user accounts and monitor drive capacity.

Home Entertainment

LaCie Network Space 2 makes it easy to stream photos, music and videos to computers on the local network or to any UPnP/DLNA compliant devices like PlayStation®3 or Xbox® 360. It includes iTunes® server software so Mac and PCs can see and play content from the LaCie Network Space 2 directly through the iTunes interface. It also includes Download Machine that allows multiple torrent downloads, even when your computer is turned off.

High Performance and Versatility

While the LaCie Network Space 2 can perform at speeds of up to 65MB/s** over the Ethernet connection, you may choose to leverage it as an external USB hard drive – connecting it directly to your computer for off-network file transfer and accessibility.

Additionally, there is a USB 2.0 host connection in the front of the device that allows you to connect a USB flash drive, external hard drive or digital camera, and import files automatically without the need of a computer.

Eco Friendly

The LaCie Network Space 2 includes a built-in power management widget, which lets you control both the light on your drive, as well as your drive’s Eco Management; placing the drive into a low power setting at scheduled time intervals or when the product is inactive. Additionally, the Network Space 2 can be awakened through its Wake-on-LAN functionality, making it a powerful, efficient and eco-friendly media server for the home.

“The LaCie Network Space 2 is a state-of-the-art solution for customers wanting to share and store media files from anywhere in the house,” said Patrick Salin, LaCie Digital Home Business Unit Manager. “LaCie’s new dashboard functionality makes it simple for users to enjoy the features of network storage, and further shows our commitment to enhancing the experience of our customers.”

Designed exclusively for LaCie by Neil Poulton, the compact LaCie Network Space 2 has a sleek, mirror-polished black finish with a blue LED strip on its underside that creates an ambient glow.

Availability

The LaCie Network Space 2 is available in a 1TB capacity in Europe and will be available worldwide later this year. For more product information, visit www.lacie.com.