Camera Accessories

Canon announced today the development of its Hybrid Image Stabilizer (IS), the world's first optical image stabilization technology that compensates for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake. The technology will be featured in interchangeable single lens reflex (SLR) camera lens planned for commercial release before the end of 2009.

The new Hybrid IS technology incorporates an angular velocity sensor that detects the extent of angle-based shaking and is found in all previous Canon optical image stabilizer mechanisms, as well as a new acceleration sensor that determines the amount of shift-based camera shake.

Hybrid IS also employs a newly developed algorithm that synthesizes information from the two sensors to make optimal adjustments, thereby dramatically enhancing the effects of image stabilization during shooting, including macro shooting, which had proven difficult for conventional image stabilization technologies.

I can't wait to see the Hybrid IS in action later this year!

From power for iPhone and Smart phones to netbooks and camcorders, Energizer continues to develop innovative and creative portable power solutions for on-the-go consumers. Making its debut will be the new line of Energizer Energi To Go branded rechargeable power packs and emergency charger products for all types of mobile electronic devices.

The Energi To Go line, which currently features the Energi To Go Portable Power for Cell Phones, is greatly expanding to include rechargeable power packs that use lithium polymer battery technology to power a wide variety of mobile electronic devices including Smart and cell phones, iPhone, iPod and MP3 players, GPS units, digital cameras and camcorders, netbooks and laptops. Read more

Developed by SanDisk, the 32GB SanDisk Extreme SDHC card can write and read up to 30 megabytes per second (MB/s).

SanDisk combines industry-leading performance with massive storage capacity, helping digital photography enthusiasts utilize the advanced features of today's DSLR cameras. With newer DSLR cameras that can take HD video showing up in the market more often, this SDHC card is the perfect match for large files and fast recordings.

The card offers a sustained write speed fast enough to ensure high-definition video recording and capacity capable of storing 160 minutes of full HD 1920x1080 pixels at 24Mb/s data transfer rate.Read more

The KODAK EASYSHARE S730 Digital Picture Frame features a built-in rechargeable battery that enables consumers to bring it from the shelf or table into the hands of family and friends for more intimate sharing of moments and memories. The frame also boasts a new Picture Finder feature, enabling users to easily and quickly bring to life images and videos from special moments in time.

The S730 also comes with 1GB of internal memory (store up to 8,000 pictures), mercury-free LCD panel and touch sensitive controls. You can also play videos or add music to your slideshows. Also included is the KODAK EASYSHARE Digital Display Software that allows users to synchronize with the pictures on their computer and create slideshows.

The KODAK EASYSHARE S730 Digital Picture Frame will be available throughout Europe for Euro 149 beginning in June, 2009, and in the United States and Canada for $139 US beginning September, 2009.

The Eye-Fi Pro is a new wireless SDHC memory card for digital cameras that allows users to automatically upload images straight from their camera to their computer and the Web. The Eye-Fi Pro includes RAW image support and peer-to-peer connectivity for a direct connection between the camera and a computer.

Also announced from Eye-Fi, is a new feature, Selective Transfer. It will give users more control over which photos and videos to upload. Using the standard "protect" or "lock" feature in any camera's menu, users can select which files to wirelessly upload. Any "protected" photo or video will automatically be uploaded, and all photos and videos will remain on the memory card until the user manually deletes them. Selective Transfer is free and available now for all Eye-Fi card users through the Eye-Fi Manager.

The Eye-Fi Pro is available now for $149 at Amazon or their website – www.eye.fi. All other Eye-Fi products are available at www.eye.fi, Best Buy, Apple Stores and other online e-tailers for $49 - $149.

Panasonic is launching new, Class 10 rated, SDHC cards next month in the UK; we should see these cards in the U.S. shortly after that. These cards will be offered in 4, 8, 16 and 32GBs and should have a maximum speed of 22MB/sec. These SDHC cards, dubbed as the Panasonic Gold Series, will be the first ones in the world to achieve a Class 10 rating. The Gold series will allow users to record HD video with the DSLR cameras much more easily, due to the higher transfer rates the cards offer.

Panasonic is also releasing a Silver series with a Class 4 speed specification and maximum speed of up to 20MB/s. Currently, there is no information on a price for any of these cards. Get the full press release here.

After all, ThinkTank employees are all photographers, and the company is agile enough to produce what the customer wants. The products from ThinkTank are well built, and common sense people operate the company. If it makes sense, then it is a good idea that most likely will be implemented.

The Pixel Sunscreen 2.0 from ThinkTank is a sun shade not only for photographers, but any laptop owner. The MSRP of $69 for this product is well priced, and can be purchased directly from ThinkTank, or through retailers who sell ThinkTank products. It easily collapses for storage, and is the perfect accessory for anyone sitting outside with their laptop.

Don’t miss your chance to get great photo lighting advice from one of the industry’s most respected pros - Will Crockett. This free Lighting Webinar hosted by Bogen Imaging will be Friday, March 13th from 2-3 PM EDT. It will include information on how to create lighting using simple tools and techniques, the difference between TTL, AUTO, and MANUAL exposure modes on the flash, mounting tips, wireless triggering made easy and his favorite light modifiers for making soft light in any location.

Those who participate in the webinar will be automatically entered in a chance to win one of three Metz 58 AF-1 Flashes, each valued at $444. Winners will be announced at the end of the webinar, so you must attend the event in its entirety to be eligible to win. A free recorded version of the webinar will also be available to registered participants within 24 hours of the event. Winners must be US residents. Read more

The new camcorders on the market that shoot 16:9 ratio 1080p footage are nice. Real nice when you see the quality content you can produce. Most of these cameras have editing software built right in, and you can edit your footage right there on the spot. I highly recommend that you have a quality memory card in your camcorder. There is not a better memory card company and memory card manufacturer than Kingston Technology Company. Their SDHC video cards are available in 60 minute (4GB) MSRP $20, 120 minute (8GB) MSRP $36, and 240 minute (16GB) MSRP $76 capacities.

Visit their site to learn more: www.kingston.com.

By increasing the capacity of the CF Elite Pro Card to 32GB the Debbie Digital’s of the world will ensure their images look good every single time. This is important for all professional photographers, and those aspiring to be professionals. This 32GB CompactFlash Elite Pro Flash memory card is the best in its class. It will not limit the productivity of the most advanced digital camera equipment in the market.

What makes Kingston Technology Company stand out from the crowd is the people behind the brand. This CompactFlash Elite Pro card is specifically called part #: CF/32GB-S2 and has a suggested price of $154 and is backed by a lifetime warranty and a 24/7 live technical support team. For more information please visit them at www.kingston.com/flash and to find out where to buy their products visit www.kingston.com/wheretobuy.