Olympus Steps Back Into the Ring

Just when everyone thought that the grossly incompetent upper management of Olympus had crushed the company under a massive scandal, their camera division stands right back up on it’s own two legs. Thanks to the dedication of employees in Olympus’ camera division and their vision of a better time for the company, they have harkened back to the hay days of Olympus’ mechanical camera development for influences on their new camera design. Basing the form on classic designs from their catalog, but exhausting the functions of today’s top of the line cameras, they have melded together one good looking and high-powered machine!

Introducing the OM-D Series E-M5 Mirrorless Compact Camera and optional Battery Grip

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North Korea Opens Up

What is the hardest country in the planet to get any news into or out of? If you think about it there are a few places around the world that are essentially hermetically sealed, but the top answer would definitely be the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Since the 1950′s nothing has gotten into or out of the country without close review by the authorities and absolute censorship. The last few images out of the country in recent years that were published by the national media group Korean Central News Agency have had kill orders issued by everyone (Reuters, AP, etc) due to varying degrees of manipulation. With such stringent measures taken by the DPRK’s media arm to control the flow of information, no one has effectively been able to get unbiased free press news in or out of the country for over a half century.

Until now.

Image Copyright held by the Associated Press

Thanks to the continued efforts of the AP, they have set up an all-format media office (they have had a small video office there since 2006) in Pyongyang, allowing for the free press to operate for the first time since the early 1950s. When asked about the ability of the AP to operate freely given checkered history the DPRK has on suppression of free media, the AP executive editor Kathleen Carroll stated that the AP  “does not submit to censorship,” and is not going to start with North Korea. Instead she says, the DPRK and the AP have worked out solutions to enable them to “find a way to understand one another and to cooperate closely enough to open an AP bureau.”

The bureau will operate within Pyongyang and be staffed by two North Korean journalists who in turn will be closely monitored by the Seoul bureau.

A Darkness Visible: Afghanistan

Few foreign photographers travel freely within the country of Afghanistan. It’s considered to be one of the most dangerous places in the world for photojournalists, and is consistently ranked in the top 10 world-wide. It’s one of the worst places possible to find yourself alone, in trouble, and with no friends in high places. Most photographers in Afghanistan are escorted by hired security contractors or embedded within a military group to ensure their protection in the war-ravaged country. If you are a photojournalist, you go with protection or you don’t go at all.

Not Seamus Murphy.
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Photographic Education

There are many resources available to us in this day and age of photography to expand our visual horizons and deepen our understanding of the equipment we use to take the photographs we love. Schools like the Brooks Institute in California are devoted to providing a vast archive and staff full of photographic knowledge and expertise. The world-renowned University of Texas and Austin Community College’s ever-expanding Photography Departments are there for those ready to garner a degree in photography. Online resources and a wealth of knowledge are just waiting for our perusal from every corner of the globe. There is something for everyone on any subject or matter available everywhere, the question is now: Where to start?
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Kodak Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

David Duprey/AP/File

After months of denials and death-throes litigation against “competitors” in attempts to bolster it’s coffers, Kodak has finally publicly admitted it’s defeat. More information and the official press release after the jump…
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Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012 Wrap Up

Fun was had last week by the lucky members of the Precision Camera and Video team who attended CES last week in Las Vegas. Camera buffs at the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show are the equivalent of turning kids loose in a candy store.   After three days of walking three convention halls and two other hotel ballrooms they are back;  a bit tired but very excited about all the cool new toys, tools  and new digital cameras that are coming out.

I asked them to highlight the best of the best of what they saw. These were among their favorites:

Fujifilm has game. Their soon to be released Fuji X-Pro1 Camera justifiably won four awards at the show including Best New Camera.  The Fujifilm X-Pro1 camera is mirror-less and offers interchangeable lenses and an electronic viewfinder. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for this hotly anticipated new digital camera. Read the rest of this entry »

Meet Lindsay Adler

Fashion photographer Lindsay Adler will be one of the featured instructors at Precision University’s upcoming three-day Photography workshop (March 2-4, 2012).  Today Lindsay is guest blogging for Scott Kelby.   Don’t miss this great article featuring 10 tips that she has used to make her portfolio stand out from the crowd.  Check out Lindsay’s article “10 Tips for Improving your Portfolio in 2012” here.

Pre-Order the Fujifilm X-Pro1 Now!

Are you ready for the next step in digital imaging and the future of photography?

Introducing the Fujifilm Finepix X-Pro1 Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera. The camera that the Fujifilm Finepix X100 was built to eventually become, the X-Pro1 elevates photography to new levels and broadens the horizon of digital photography in this new era of technology.

Clearly demonstrating the aesthetic refinements of successful film cameras of bygone eras like the classic Leica M3 and the Olympus Pen F, the retro-styling and all metal construction calls out to the photographer to be carried everywhere and shown the world. Not only does it urge it’s owner to explore the world through it’s lens, the Fuji X-Pro1 delivers unparalleled performance suitable to make images of all types to be captured effectively and beautifully. From the studio to the street and into the jungle, this camera is made to perform above and beyond all expectations.

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER  FujiFilm X-Pro1 Camera Body Only

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE X-Pro1 35mm f/1.4 Kit

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE X-Pro1 18mm f/2 Lens

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE X-Pro1 35mm f/1.4 Lens

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE X-Pro1 60mm f/2.4 Macro Lens
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Nikon D4 SLR Camera and 85mm f/1.8G Lens Are Official!

The Nikon D4 and the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G lens are now official! Announced very early this morning, Nikon has bolstered their professional camera lineup with the new masterpiece known as the Nikon D4, as well as provided a classic portrait lens upgrade at a very comfortable price.

The new products that Nikon has released will create new milestones in the Nikon product line. The Nikon D4 Camera  answers the masses’ requests for professional video capabilities that shore up and exceed the expectations that Canon has so rigorously created with their video fan favorites. With these new steps into the dawning age of the professional shooter/videographer arena, Nikon has set themselves up to conquer all.

Want to be first in line for either product? Sign up to be on the waiting lists through our product pages for the Nikon D4 and the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G.

Excited about what this camera has in store for you? Take a look at the specifics after the jump!
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Fuji X-Pro1 Unofficial Announcement!

Thanks to some wonderful folks in France at the magazine Réponses Photo, we have actual images and specs for the new Fuji MILC offering!

Utilizing the popularity garnered among pro’s, enthusiasts, and hobbyists with the X100, this camera is set to exceed and create new expectations in the photographic community for MIL (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens) cameras. More on this exciting new change of pace in the photo industry after the jump!
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