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Tamron USA announced that the company now offers 3-business day repair service turnaround for photographic lenses. This achievement works to alleviate customer concerns that when they send in a product for repair service, they may be left without that product for some time. Now, all lenses received in our system by noon EST are estimated the same day and moved onto the next stage. Lenses under warranty (Tamron USA offers a 6-year limited warranty on its photographic lenses) are repaired and shipped back to the customer within three business days. Don't Show Promo Image Tamron USA announced that the company now offers 3-business day repair service turnaround for photographic lenses. This achievement works to alleviate customer concerns that when they send in a product for repair service, they may be left without that product for some time. Now, all lenses received in our system by noon EST are estimated the same day and moved onto the next stage. Lenses under warranty (Tamron USA offers a 6-year limited warranty on its photographic lenses) are repaired and shipped back to the customer within three business days. Out of warranty lenses are repaired and shipped back within three business days of the customer's approval of the repair estimate. Press Release Oct 3 2013 show less

Nikon Inc. has announced the compact SB-300 Speedlight, an easy-to-use adjustable Speedlight option for photographers who want to explore creative lighting at an affordable price point. Don't Show Promo Image The SB-300 Speedlight is small enough to fit comfortably into a shirt pocket yet it is built for the user looking to take flash photography to the next level. Providing more power and coverage than a built-in flash, the versatile and portable SB-300 is a simple and valuable lighting accessory compatible with both Nikon D-SLR and Advanced Performance COOLPIX cameras. This new Speedlight covers a wide-angle 18mm in DX-format and operates via simple on-camera controls, making it easy for beginner photographers to use light to their advantage. Press Release Oct 2 2013 show less

Way back in 2006, Innova Art brought out their FibaPrint White Gloss 300 gsm, and while not what I’d call a big brand name here in the US, digital printmaking aficionados who had come from the fiber-paper darkroom tradition took note. Here was an inkjet paper that emulated, and some say matched, the look and feel of traditional bromide silver printing paper. Other surfaces have since been introduced in this line, including the new FibaPrint Warm Cotton Gloss 335gsm that’s the subject of this report. Don't Show Promo Image Way back in 2006, Innova Art brought out their FibaPrint White Gloss 300 gsm, and while not what I’d call a big brand name here in the US, digital printmaking aficionados who had come from the fiber-paper darkroom tradition took note. Here was an inkjet paper that emulated, and some say matched, the look and feel of traditional bromide silver printing paper. Other surfaces have since been introduced in this line, including the new FibaPrint Warm Cotton Gloss 335gsm that’s the subject of this report. Of course, this is not the only paper that claims the “fine art” pedigree, but due to its weight, its ability to reproduce a wide range of tones with clarity, and its acid- and lignin-free constitution it has all the required specs. George Schaub Sep 1 2013 show less

This month’s Picture This! assignment was Shadow Play, the role played by shadows in a photograph’s composition and, often, meaning. Shadows define form and shape, but they also can add an aura of mystery and intrigue, one where the recognizable subjects are altered by their presence. They can also be the subject of the image, and dominate the frame to create an abstract view of the world. Readers sent in images that accomplish all the above, with photos of people, places, and things that are enhanced by the sense of depth and space created by these light-formed elements. Don't Show Promo Image This month’s Picture This! assignment was Shadow Play, the role played by shadows in a photograph’s composition and, often, meaning. Shadows define form and shape, but they also can add an aura of mystery and intrigue, one where the recognizable subjects are altered by their presence. They can also be the subject of the image, and dominate the frame to create an abstract view of the world. Readers sent in images that accomplish all the above, with photos of people, places, and things that are enhanced by the sense of depth and space created by these light-formed elements. Sep 1 2013 show less

Handcrafted by Gura Gear in Ogden, Utah, Sabi is an innovative step up from the traditional photography beanbag. Sabi is a compact, yet stable support system designed by photographers simply trying to hold still while they shoot. The innovative double-pillow design lets you adapt to whatever the situation without the bulk of traditional beanbags. There is no 'wrong' way to use a Sabi; they are designed for versatility. Great for shooting from the car, rocks, tree stumps, or just on the ground, Sabi is perfect for those times when a tripod just doesn't make sense. Don't Show Promo Image Handcrafted by Gura Gear in Ogden, Utah, Sabi is an innovative step up from the traditional photography beanbag. Sabi is a compact, yet stable support system designed by photographers simply trying to hold still while they shoot. The innovative double-pillow design lets you adapt to whatever the situation without the bulk of traditional beanbags. There is no 'wrong' way to use a Sabi; they are designed for versatility. Great for shooting from the car, rocks, tree stumps, or just on the ground, Sabi is perfect for those times when a tripod just doesn't make sense. With Sabi, the world is your tripod. Press Release Oct 1 2013 show less

Rokinon has announced the release of its 16mm T2.2 Cine lens. The Rokinon 16mm is a wide-angle lens for DSLR and mirrorless cameras in both the APS-C and Micro Four Thirds formats. This lens allows for an impressive range of depth of field, with its fast T2.2 aperture. With a smooth operating manual focus, the 16mm offers pristine sharpness and clarity. It is ideal for shooting landscapes, architecture and interiors, as well enjoying unique perspectives and close-ups with shallow depth of field. Don't Show Promo Image Rokinon has announced the release of its 16mm T2.2 Cine lens. The Rokinon 16mm is a wide-angle lens for DSLR and mirrorless cameras in both the APS-C and Micro Four Thirds formats. Press Release Sep 30 2013 show less

The Phottix Odin is a radio frequency-controlled system, or simply radio remote. The basic package includes two units: a transmitter and a receiver. Additional receivers are optional. You only need one transmitter to sit in the camera’s hot shoe and trigger compatible i-TTL strobes, but you need a receiver for each off-camera flash. And recently, Phottix introduced a new combo pack that includes one additional receiver—perfect for my two-speedlight setups. The unit tested here is for Nikon and I worked with my Nikon SB-900 speedlights. Don't Show Promo Image The Phottix Odin is a radio frequency-controlled system, or simply radio remote. The basic package includes two units: a transmitter and a receiver. Additional receivers are optional. You only need one transmitter to sit in the camera’s hot shoe and trigger compatible i-TTL strobes, but you need a receiver for each off-camera flash. And recently, Phottix introduced a new combo pack that includes one additional receiver—perfect for my two-speedlight setups. The unit tested here is for Nikon and I worked with my Nikon SB-900 speedlights. Jack Neubart Aug 1 2013 show less

“Remember that traffic lights that are timed for 35 mph are also timed for 70 mph.”—JIM SAMUELS Don't Show Promo Image During the year I look at thousands of websites, selecting the ones that eventually appear here, and one of the most problematic design aspects I see is the Contact page. Believe it or not, some websites don’t have one! More than once this year I found a photographer with huge amounts of talent and no way to contact them about appearing in Web Profiles. Some sites have requirements that all data, including a phone number, must be provided before contacting the photographer. If a potential client wants you to have their number, they will call you. I prefer not to have visitors jump through too many hoops to contact me but had to implement an “enter the text” form—Captcha, a free WordPress plug-in—because spam robots overflowed my mailbox. The bottom line is your bottom line and you should make it easy and convenient for clients to contact you. Joe Farace Aug 1 2013 show less

MeFOTO™ has announced the immediate availability of the MeFOTO WalkAbout, a monopod that can also be used as a walking stick available in 8 colors. Each WalkAbout monopod includes a compass making it ideal for outdoor photography and hiking. The WalkAbout monopod also provides extra mobility and allows for quick setups when photographing sports, weddings or events. Don't Show Promo Image MeFOTO™ has announced the immediate availability of the MeFOTO WalkAbout, a monopod that can also be used as a walking stick available in 8 colors. Each WalkAbout monopod includes a compass making it ideal for outdoor photography and hiking. The WalkAbout monopod also provides extra mobility and allows for quick setups when photographing sports, weddings or events. Press Release Sep 27 2013 show less