Nikon: Prepares To Strengthen Digital
Line-Up For 2006

Jan 11th. Nikon Japan and Nikon UK have today posted press releases which announce that Nikon will end the production of the majority of 35mm film based interchangeable lens SLR cameras and focus their efforts on the production of new digital SLR cameras, and existing models like the Nikon D50, D70s and the recently announced Nikon D200. Nikon will continue to produce the Nikon F6 professional 35mm SLR and the entry level FM10.. See full story

CES 2006: Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, Jan 5th -8th

Jan 5th. The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world's largest annual tradeshow for consumer technology and America's largest annual tradeshow of any kind. This years event takes place from Jan 5th to the 8th in Las Vegas, USA. The first CES took place in New York City in June of 1967 with 200 exhibitors and 17,500 attendees. Since then, CES has grown more than seven-fold. Nearly 2,500 exhibitors, filling 1.5 million net square feet of exhibit space, showcased their latest products and services to more than 130,000 attendees at the 2005 International CES.

A number of digital camera manufacturer's, including Panasonic, Fujifilm, Kodak and Pentax have already announced new digital cameras leading up to CES 2006... See full story and new models

Canon: Reduces Price on EOS 5D, EOS 20D and Canon Rebel XT Digital SLR kits

Dec 11th. Canon Canada Inc. has today lowered the manufacturer's recommended retail price (MSRP) on the Canon EOS 20D and the Canon EOS Rebel XT digital SLR's by $100 when either camera is purchased as a kit with the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens. The 12.8 MP full frame Canon EOS 5D digital SLR has also been reduced in price by $300. In addition, Canon has lowered the price on select Canon Powershot point and shoot digital cameras by up to $50... See full story and new prices

Nikon: AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR IF-ED Nikkor Zoom Image Samples

Updated: Nov 29th. New image samples added. Original story: Nov 10th. We have now posted four sample images from a production version of the recently announced Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR IF-ED Nikkor zoom lens. Having only had a couple of hours with the lens, we were limited in the subject matter available for our tests. These images are simply intended to give an initial indication of the type of image quality that can be expected from this new lens. In terms of handling and design, the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR IF-ED is sure to please. The barrel feels solid, and the VR and AF mode switches are conveniently located on the side of the lens. In conjunction with the Nikon D70 body we tested it with, we found the AF-S focusing on the DX 18-200mm VR to be accurate and responsive, similar to using the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED which comes supplied in the Nikon D70s kit... See full story

Nikon: Recalls Some EN-EL3 Li-Ion Batteries Supplied with D50, D70 and D100 DSLR's

Nov 9th. Nikon Canada has today issued a press release (following on the heals of other Nikon worldwide subsidiaries) recalling some Nikon EN-EL3 Li-Ion rechargeable batteries potentially supplied with the Nikon D50, Nikon D70 and the Nikon D100 digital SLR's. In order to know if your battery needs to be returned, check the lot numbers of the batteries affected by the recall (as supplied by Nikon)... See full story

Nikon: D2X and D2Hs Firmware Update v1.0.1

Nov 8th. Nikon has today released a firmware upgrade for the Nikon D2X and the Nikon D2Hs professional digital SLR's. The Nikon D2X and the D2Hs firmware update version 1.0.1 is essentially the same for both cameras and provides quite a few updates, including improved AF performance. The Nikon D2X update also specifically addresses a previous WB issue. (Red shift under certain WB settings)... See full story and link to download

Nikon: Announces 10.2 MP Nikon D200 Digital SLR

Nov 1st . Nikon has today officially introduced the 10.2 megapixel Nikon D200 digital SLR. The Nikon D200 is a successor to the popular Nikon D100 (2002) and is positioned as an upgrade to the Nikon D70s, and will appeal to a wide range of advanced hobby photographers, semi-professionals and those who are looking for a durable back up to their Nikon D2X, Nikon D2Hs or other Nikon digital SLR. Having had only a few days so far to familiarize ourselves with an actual pre-production Nikon D200 digital SLR combined with the new AF-S DX 18-200mm VR IF-ED Nikkor zoom lens, we must say that the handling and response of the Nikon D200 is quite impressive. With a fast 0.15 second power-up, a shutter time lag of only 50 milliseconds and a shortened viewfinder blackout time of 105 milliseconds, combined with a high-speed continuous shooting capability of up to 5fps, the Nikon D200 is designed to allow you to capture those sudden unexpected moments... See our Nikon D200 First Look

Canon: Powershot SD430 Wireless Digital Camera

Oct 25th. Following the recent release of the Nikon Coolpix P1 and P2, Canon has today introduced their first compact Wi-Fi digital camera model, the Canon PowerShot SD430 Wireless (Powershot Digital IXUS Wireless in Europe). The Canon Powershot SD430 features a 3x optical zoom, 5.0 megapixels of effective resolution and comes bundled with a Wireless Print Adapter (WA-1N), which is compatible with a number of Canon's Pictbridge enabled printers...See full story

Comparison: Nikon D70s DSLR Compared to Canon Digital Rebel XT Side By Side

Oct 8th. With the increasing popularity of digital SLR cameras, we have had a number of requests to update our earlier Nikon D70 vs Canon Digital Rebel comparison to reflect the newer and current Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT and the Nikon D70s digital SLR. Clearly existing owners of Canon or Nikon equipment will have a strong predetermined brand preference. For those trying to decide which camera system to buy, however, we have now completed an overview of the Nikon D70s digital SLR compared to the Canon Digital Rebel XT, including a comparison between the Nikon D70s AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 IF-ED kit zoom lens and the Canon Rebel XT EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF kit zoom lens...See full story

Canon: Announces Service Advisory on Select Powershot Digital Cameras

Nikon: Coolpix P2 Digital Camera Image Samples Posted

Oct 3rd. We have managed to get our hands on one of Nikon's new compact 5.1 megapixel Coolpix P2 Wi-Fi enabled digital cameras. We have now posted a few Coolpix P2 sample images in our gallery. So far the results look pretty good. The out of camera pictures shot in plain Auto mode look nice and sharp when going direct to print, eliminating the need for necessarily having to use a computer. You can connect directly from the camera to a Pictbridge compatible printer, or the optional Nikon PD-10 Wireless print adapter. We have started working on a full review of the Nikon Coolpix P2 and hope to have it completed soon... See full story.

Fujifilm: Issues Service Advisory for S2 Pro DSLR and Select Finepix Models

Oct 3rd. Fujiilm has today announced a service advisory for the Fuji S2 Pro digital SLR, and the compact FinePix A303, F410 and F700 digital cameras. Fujifilm has found that some FinePix A303, F410, F700 and S2 Pro digital SLR models may produce abnormal conditions in captured images. Affected units will produce images that are completely black, have purplish cast or multi-colour distortion. Fuji has supplied a list of serial numbers and if your camera is included and you are experiencing one of the image problems noted above Fuji will perform the repair free of charge... See full story.

For a practical guide book on how to use the many features of your new camera, visit the ShortCourses website. A great digital photography learning resource !