Archive for January, 2008
Porsche Panorama January 2008
January 21st, 2008 | 
Author: Although I don’t actually have the magazine in my possession, it is out and available! The 
January cover (which I shot along with Harvey Yancey) introduces the details for the Porsche Parade coming in July. This is going to be a huge event and I’m excited to be a part of it.
The cover shows downtown Charlotte with the Porsche 993 brought to the scene by Harvey. I’m very excited this issue is now out. I’ll be even more excited when I actually get my copy. 
For right now you can see the cover at the Carolinas PCA website here:
http://www.carolinas-pca.com/
And you can see the cover on the national website here:
http://www.pca.org/panorama/
Posted in 
NEW 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC Circular Fisheye Lens from Sigma
- The first 180 degree circular fisheye lens designed specifically for APS-C size digital SLR cameras
- Fast F2.8 maximum aperture making it ideal for low light photography
- Minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm and a maximum magnification of 1:6
- SLD glass minimizes color aberration
- Equipped with HSM with full-time manual focus override
- Equisolid angle projection method is possible for art and scientific use
This autofocus circular fisheye lens has an angle of view of 180 degrees in all directions. It is exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras with the APS-C size image sensor. When used in conjunction with digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensors, it produces circular image within the frame.
The F2.8 large aperture value produces a bright image in the viewfinder and allows photographers to take pictures in low light conditions, making it an ideal lens for Astrophotography and Aurora photography. Due to the quantifiable angle/area relationship it produces, this lens can be used for scientific and arts applications such as solid angle measurements of cloud distribution over the sky or vegetation distribution of the forest.
The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm/5.3inch and maximum magnification of 1:6 make it particularly useful for close-up photography. SLD（Special Low Dispersion）glass provides effective compensation of chromatic aberration. Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating minimizes flare and ghosting. It is equipped with an inner focusing system that creates high definition and good image quality over the whole frame. The HSM（Hyper Sonic Motor）ensures fast and quiet autofocusing and allows full-time manual focus override by rotation of the focus ring.
First Look: Sony Alpha 200
In its new Alpha 200, Sony has given its original DSLR (and our 2006 Camera of the Year), the Alpha 100, a makeover. Although it bears a slight outward resemblance to Sony’s higher-end A700, inside, not much has changed. The camera does get new firmware, a boost in ISO sensitivity to 3200 from the previous 1600, and a tweak of the sensor-based Super SteadyShot image stabilization that Sony says will allow a half-stop more handholding leeway than the A100. While the nine-point autofocus array remains, AF speeds are said to be improved 70 percent, and with better tracking. Otherwise, it uses the same 10.2MP CCD imager of the A100, and metering, flash, viewfinder, and image adjustments are all carried over from the A100 with little alteration.
Most noticeable external changes are a modestly bigger LCD monitor — now 2.7 inches, up from 2.5 on the A100 — and the elimination of the Function dial on top, which gave access to settings for ISO, white balance, Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO), color profiles, flash modes, focus modes, and meter pattern. Instead, the A200 has an A700-style Function (Fn) button within easy reach of the thumb on the back of the camera. This provides quick access to camera controls via the rear LCD panel, whose interface more closely resembles that of the A700. The new camera can also accept a vertical grip, VG-B30AM ($250, street) that can use one or two rechargeable batteries.
In spite of the bigger screen and a few tweaks, isn’t this camera a little less than the old A100? Well, yes. Sony is clearly positioning the A200 as the entry-level DSLR in its lineup, and its projected street price ($699 with 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Sony DT lens) reflects that. Moreover, the A200 will be available only with the kit lens, not body-only.
It’s still quite a deal. You get a camera capable of Excellent image quality (with resolution right around 2,000 lines), useful image controls such as DRO, a fine-performing lens, and image stabilization that will work with virtually any lens that fits on the camera.