Camera Electronic

Pemberton 2012 - SUPERB Weekend of Education - Photo Ops and Fellowship

2012-01-28T12:04:00.000+08:00

Another - SUPERB Weekend of Education - Photo Ops and Fellowship

PROGRAM: (Confirmed)

Friday 17th February, 2011:
(Not attending a course, but arriving in the afternoon-evening - see below:

This weekend starts (for those who wish to) the following courses.

9:30am - 12:00 midday - How to take - download and post-process superb Panoramas - using Photoshop (either CS or Elements), Cost = $45.00 - WAPF Members - $60 Non-Members 12:30pm Lunch - Free for attendees - $10 Per Person for extras.

12:30pm to 3:30pm - How to take superb Portraits using both Natural or
Studio Lighting.
Cost = $55.00 - WAPF Members - $60 Non-Members.

Attend both Courses for only
$90.00 - WAPF Members
$120.00 - Non WAPF Members

For these courses, conducted by professional AIPP Photographer - Kingsley Klau, you will learn both the practical and theory aspects of these mediums. Very much ‘hands-on’ courses.

For Panorama you will need a sturdy tripod and be able to use your self timer. You will also need your laptop with PhotoShop Elements V6 or Newer, or PhotoShop CS3 or Newer loaded.

For the Portrait session, you will learn both Natural and Studio photography using available light to best effect and then how to set-up and shoot for indoor/studio photography. We will have available a light kit for less than $1,000.00 complete and by booking on either course you can one lucky attendee to theses courses will take home a gift courtesy of Camera Electronic - No special requirements for this course.

A camera would be good!

6:30pm BBQ Dinner at Pemberton Camp School - Cost $15.00 Per Person. (Kids under 12 Free)

8pm - Optional Extra Tour - Stars on the Dunes. Pemberton Discovery Tours - $45 Per Person.

A chance to photograph star-trails on the dunes! Includes free wine tasting & platter,

BYO alcohol beverages. Min and Maximum numbers apply - weather dependent. Returns

to Pemberton 10:30pm

Book Direct to Pemberton Discovery Tours - 9776 0484

Saturday 18th February, 2011:

7:00am - Breakfast at Pemberton Hotel - Pay your Own... Click on this LINK to bring up the Menu!

8:15am - Meet at the Pemberton Hotel Carpark

8:30am - Depart for full day at Black Point. 4WD Access only (Subaru AWD OK) - either bring your own or share with a small fee. To limit the damage on the tracks and environment, please car-pool were you can. (Car-Pooling will be arranged on the Friday evening after dinner)

All vehicles will require a National Parks Pass to enter D’entrecasteaux National Park. Cost is $11.00 - bring the right amount of $’s to put into the envelope. All passengers to share costs with the driver.

Please bring with you a compressor and tyre gauge if you can - also

BYO camp chairs, thermos of hot water, sunscreen, insect repellent, hats etc.

Beaches are not generally suitable for swimming.

Wear sturdy shoes - there will be some short hikes / clambering over rocks etc - especially if you wish to see the seal colony.

Supplied will be Lunch & Snacks.

Cost: $28.00 for all above (less breakfast - BUT including BBQ Dinner. (Kids under 12 Free)

7.00pm - BBQ Dinner back at the Pemberton Camp School - $15.00 for those not going onto Black Point 4x4 Trip. (Kids under 12 Free)

Do your own thing options:

9am – 1pm or 2 - 6pm Beach & Forest Eco Adventure – old-growth karri forest, Lake Yeagarup, Yeagarup Dunes, Yeagarup Beach $95/adult, $50/child; Book direct through Pemberton Discovery Tours 97760484.

1.30 – 5.30pm Donnelly River Cruise. Book through Pemberton Discovery Tours 97760484.

10.45am or 2pm Pemberton Tram Tour (1 ¾ hours) - $24/adult, buy tickets directly from the Pemberton Tram Station on Railway Cres 30 min prior to tour

8.30am – 12.30pm or 1.30pm – 5.30pm Warren River Canoe Tour.
Book through Pemberton Discovery Tours 97760484.

Or visit some of Pemberton’s National Parks and wineries!

Sunday 19th February, 2011:

6:30am - Depart for Cathedral Beach, Salmon Beach and Point D’entrecasteaux

9:00am - Continental Picnic Breakfast at Windy Harbour - Meet at undercover shelter near the playground (look for the toilets with the fish mural).

Cost - $10.00 pp. (Kids under 12 Free)

10:30am - Depart at Leisure

Accommodation:

Accommodation is available at the Pemberton Camp School Friday & Saturday nights - check in at 4:30PM

Cost: $26.00 per night - Adult, $19.00 per night - Child.

Alternatives are available of course, including the near-by caravan park. However the Camp School is convenient and great value!

The Portable Tent

2012-01-28T10:53:00.000+08:00

In the old days there were iodine crystals and silver plates and hot mercury vapour and a man knew where he was. He was sitting inside a dark canvas tent outside Balaklava poisoning himself, that’s where – and not with vodka either.

Things slowly improved- the poisons got weaker and the emulsions got stronger and eventually none of us had to spend a half hour preparing for one exposure. We could leave that to the factory and just prance about in out flare jeans and body shirts with our motorized cameras slung round our necks. When people saw the photographs we took, they frequently asked us to go back to the dark tent and the mercury vapour.

Nowadays we don’t even need the factory – we’ve got all the picture power we need inside a small plastic card and if we want to “develop” the photos we just plug the card into a laptop computer and downlose the files. They go in there, and like the coloured guy in the horror movies, never come out again. If we go looking for them all we find are a few pixels and a scuttling noise back into the darkness.

This can be avoided by the simple use of the traditional photographer’s darkroom tent. This is set up over the laptop and tucked in so that no natural light enters the top area. In this half-world of dim yellow shapes the photographer can safely retreat from reality. If the images on the memory card are bad, they can be rebadged and sent via internet to a rival’s website (which would explain a great deal of what we see round here...) and if there is anything remotely good it can be improved by a series of proprietary plug-in’s and actions - far in excess of the originator’s skills. If no one sees you do it, the only explanation is genius.

And the big plus is, inside the tent you can drink privately. Very few people know that the iMac Borracho computer has a 2 litre secret compartment. And it comes with an electronic agave worm.

Search for Colour

2012-01-27T16:00:00.002+08:00

The second classical sign of photographic infection is colour. This is the Latin word that means what something isn’t. By this I mean isn’t right, isn’t enough, and isn’t real.

You will find two commands on your digital camera that deal with colour; white balance and colour space. You can safely ignore the latter as it cannot be successfully explained to a sane person (Though some religions promise a revelation after death.) but you must deal with the former every time you operate the camera.

Auto is a good menu choice for most of the time as it delivers the three criteria that we mentioned at the start – not right, not enough, and not real. In good conditions it can deliver the goods and wait for a signature.

Shade and Cloudy are also useful menu settings when the sun is not visible. Cameras intended for use in the Ruhr and Beijing are also equipped with Vile and Hideous as menus settings to deal with local atmospheric conditions.

Mixed lighting is best met by turning the control to Impossible. Many modern cameras also have a setting that allows you to make your own decision and it can be identified by either the letter K or the letters AG. The K stands for Kelvin and the AG stands for Anybody’s Guess. The latter is the more

accurate.

In the end these settings can all be overridden by the sliders on the RAW processing engine. In its turn this is generally overridden by the wife’s opinion on what the colour should be. Wise photographers will pay attention to this.

The Best 5000

2012-01-27T14:00:00.002+08:00

Sit down. We’ve got the best 5000 images from the wedding on the laptop and we can do a slide show. Now this first one would have been better if I had used f:5.5 instead of f:5.6 but the next 40 are better.

Yes, I’ll pause it till you go to the bathroom.

Hmmm. Hmmm. Where IS the chap...?

The chap has prised the bathroom window open and slithered through the opening. He is now boarding a plane for the jungles of central Brazil, where he hopes to be crushed to death by a giant anaconda. In a pinch he will settle for Adelaide and a jar of earthworms. Anything rather than the remaining 4999 images.

Every event has a natural rhythm – and a natural number of images that can be made appropriate to it. 5000 images may be right for a history of World War II but is far in excess of what is required for a wedding. Of course any marriage may eventually turn into WWII (without the whimsy and the fun tunes) but that is another story. If you are called upon to document Domestic Stalingrad use your own judgement but don’t expect to sell a lot of prints.

Likewise the pregnancy, the baby on the bearskin rug, the faithful hound, or the retirement watch and 50’th anniversary party at Sizzler. None of these need a DSLR set on continuous high-speed shooting and a full 16 GB card. Even if you insist on shooting the thing in RAW – know when genug ist genug. Or rather know how many to aim for and make the best effort you can to capture the thing in those chances.

The joy of modern photography is when you get that one great opportunity at frame 38 of the 36-exposure roll, you do not have to take it on the piece of sticky tape. Those of you too young to know what I mean can go and get me a gin, ‘fore I tans yo’ hide....

If you want to know how many to take, go to the bookstore and look at a good small photo essay by any professional. You can be darn sure they took more pictures than you’ll see but they, then their editor, trimmed back the selection until you got the right number for the best impact. Be a dear and buy the book, because booksellers need to eat as well.

This whole exercise will free you up wonderfully at your next wedding or party. You needn’t stay glued to the viewfinder nor to the computer screen if you take less, but better photos. Bracket exposure, if you will, and bracket focus if you must, but hang the damn camera up on a bracket and join the festivities as well.

Uncle Dick's Workshop - Friday 17

2012-01-27T10:00:00.008+08:00

Every Friday at 10:00AM - we will be bringing you the sort of cutting-edge expertise that leaves ragged bits and sore fingers - Uncle Dick's Workshop. The advice is free - free from good sense in most instances....It really cranks up around the first of April.

Q: Will Centrelink pay me to start taking famous professional photographs?

A: Based on your portfolio, I should think they will pay you to stop.

Q: I want to rent your studio for an hour but no questions asked, okay?

A: Just one – do you want a box of tissues with that?

Q: Your website says you have an “R” gallery of saucy images. All I see is a bunch of food pictures. What gives?

A: Look on the side of the plates. Diane, pepper, mushroom, tomato. What more do you want?

Q: Which courses do I need to become a world-famous photographer?

A: Photography 101 and Al Capone’s Guide To Business Ethics.

Q: My photographic mentor says that I need to extend my vision and develop new interests. Then he pushes me out of the classroom and locks the door. I am confused.

A: Been showing him your pictures again, haven’t you?

Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon

2012-01-24T16:22:00.000+08:00

Camera Electronic would like to wish a Happy New Year to any of our clients who follow the Chinese New Year. Since this is the Year of the Dragon can you guess which one of our directors is born in the year of the Dragon?

Art Wolfe Competition

2012-01-24T15:07:00.000+08:00

In The Loupe subscribers are In The Luck – Camera Electronic has decided that the imminent visit to Australia of Art Wolfe – the wildlife and landscape photographer – is a fit occasion to host a contest.

Photographers are invited to submit images that they have taken on-line to us at photos@cameraelectronic.com.au for adjudication – the best will win the artist a free entry to Art’s Workshop on the 31th of March. It will be at the State Library of WA Lecture Theater, 25 Francis Street, Perth. The workshop will be concerned with the art of composition. Of course those who do not win this as a prize can still purchase the opportunity for themselves – this is a $395 value.

On the day prior to this – the 30th of March – a public lecture will be given entitled “Between Heaven and Earth” and will showcase many of his iconic images from the

Himalayas, as well as video presentation and his own stories. This is a two-hour lecture and the cost will be $95.

Details of his full schedule here in Perth may be seen on the website of Denis Glennon.

New File Format

2012-01-23T13:00:00.001+08:00

The history of digital photography is rife with the introduction of new file formats for the storage of information – it is almost as bad as the days of music storage on discs, tapes, and cartridges, but at least digital files do not unwind out and get wrapped around the stick shift of the car.

Not that they do not try – I have watched files on my computer system migrate mysteriously from one folder to the next, seemingly without human agency. I suspect the cat of turning the thing on and then dancing on the keys when I am not there. I would not worry about this, but who told him my administrator’s password?

In any case, those who are sick of jpeg and psd and RAW and TIFF and all the other alphabetical soup that we have had to put up with will welcome the introduction of the newest file format – The HOK file.

The HOK contains all the answers that any digital photographer needs – like the business of how to down-size room-size panoramas to up-store on cloud servers and synchronize with your bedroom clock. Or how to convert degrees Kelvin for white balance to degrees Melvin for off-white balance. You’re going to get that anyway so why not get it the first time...

Do you need to store your images in the order in which they were taken? Or where they were taken? Easy with any number of other files and their programs...but only the HOK file can tell you the most important thing; What were you thinking at the time? Who are these people? I don’t remember eating that...

The HOK file is accessible through any major computer system – Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Atari, Pokemon, Wii. It is even back-compatible with IBM punch-card machines and abacuses. Abacii? - Chinese bead machines. In some cases it can be adapted to counting on your fingers.

HOK files are robust. You can’t accidently delete them or lose them. You can’t move them inadvertently. You can’t avoid them – they sneak around the edge of anti-pop-up programs and jump up and down in front of you. They cannot be deleted. They are the electronic equivalent of horse poop on a blanket.

As a matter of fact, you’re soaking in one now.

HOK files. (And in case you were wondering, it stands for Heaven Only Knows)

Anger Management for Photographers

2012-01-23T08:23:00.000+08:00

To begin with, if you are a professional wedding photographer you need not read this blog. You know far more than I could teach and any reminders of what you face daily might make you laugh....and you might not be able to stop laughing ....faster and faster and faster....

Every photographer will get mad. No matter whether the subject is a gang fight in Brazil or a bowl of flowers in the studio, whatever you point your lens at will attempt to weasel out of the picture, go all out of white balance, or stick two fingers up behind someone in the frame. That happens a lot with sunflowers.

The equipment will conspire with the subject to either slide out of alignment or fail totally just before you press the shutter release. There is a special dump circuit built into N___n cameras that flattens the battery while you turn around to adjust the fill light and C___n camera have a detector built into the side of the prism that watches you and switches on the Lens Error 909 sign whenever you look like you are about to have fun. H________d cameras are pre-programmed from the factory to declare “Buyer Error” and then shut off entirely until the winter solstice – it’s a Scandinavian thing...

Even the lighting has it in for you. The sun knows when you need more light and goes behind a cloud – indeed if it is a clear sky it will go behind a bike shed or parking sign just to deny you a good shot. If you use a speedlight you will get exactly what you deserve and it is no good coming whining to us. Even the good old tray of magnesium powder and flintlock pistol can misfire, though not when you are looking straight at it with your sunglasses off.

What to do. Manage your anger. Focus it. Nurture it. Design a new life-space in the time continuum with it. If you are a landscape worker grab your camera by the neck strap, whirl it round your head, and toss it out over the cliff. If you are shooting a model in the studio turn off all the lights and leave. For Morocco. If you are photographing a turkey in the kitchen, grasp the camera, grease it well, and stuff it straight...................................................................................

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Uncle Dick's Workshop - Friday 16

2012-01-23T08:12:00.000+08:00

Q: Why don’t they make waterproof DSLR’s like they do waterproof compact cameras?

A: They did, but people kept changing lenses at 20 metres and they got minnows onto the sensors.

Q: Which camera do spies use these days?

A: Latvian spies still use Minox, but that is because they are sentimental. Everyone else just use Google Earth. And you might want to stop that nude sunbaking in the back yard.....

Q: How can I prevent being photographed by hidden police using cameras with telephoto lenses.

A: Conduct your illegal activities on the front lawn at 10:00 in the morning. You’ll still get photographed but they can use portrait lenses. You’ll get much finer skin tones in court.

Q: My zoom lens is soft.

A: Well, stop leaving it on the parcel shelf of your car in the sunshine. It’ll end up a puddle of glass and plastic with a lens mount floating on top.

Q: I want to take bridal pictures with the happy couple framed in a brandy glass or a floral heart. What equipment do I need?

A: A safari suit, sideburns, and a body shirt plus gold chains around your neck. If you can manage a Zapata moustache and a comb-over your studio will be a success, particularly if you are a girl.

First Shots Fuji X 10

2012-01-19T12:45:00.000+08:00

Well I spent my money and I took my chance –and it looks as though the bet paid off.

Last week I bought a new Fuji X 10 – the little brother to the X 100 and the new XPro-1. It’s the one with the 28-105 zoom lens and the optical finder up on the northwest corner. I bought it as a tourist camera for an upcoming holiday.

After an evening mastering the functions – code for reading the book and pushing the menu button – I tried it on indoor portraits – the fill flash coped with a self portrait against an overhead light, and it coped very well. It is as good a use of this lighting pattern as I could have achieved with my larger cameras and flashes, and it was a no-skill shot. Win.

The next test was outside under shade – the car in the carport. Here the EXR mode that deals with an extended dynamic range did show a noticeable improvement over straight shooting, but I still found that the little fill flash was a good idea – the car has metallic paint. The 28mm equivalent focal length is just right for a close car shot.

Sunday I took the Fuji into the studio as it has a standard hot shoe on top and you can order it to fire independently – and connected it to the studio strobes. The Fuji has a lens barrel that is smallish in diameter but extends out away from the camera body – I wanted to see if it would do the tabletop setups. Frequently my larger lenses restrict the point of view in these shots and it would be an advantage to be able to fit into model scenery.

Result? Brilliant. Does just what I wanted to do and produces a jpeg file that is perfect for backdrop work. Oddly enough there is no preset for “flash” in the menu but there is a custom Kelvin setting and 5600K is perfect for my Elinchroms. The camera has a conventional mechanical connection for the cable release – and at one stage of the afternoon I laughed at myself for using a release that was bigger than the camera.

Don’t ask me about RAW images yet – my old Adobe program needs an update to cope with the Fuji RAW. But it is coming so when I get the chance I’ll fix it. In the meantime I think this the travel camera for me for a long time to come – more reports from Melbourne in a month.

Big Day Out

2012-01-19T09:17:00.000+08:00

No, not the rock festival. If you want to get deafened, dehydrated, and arrested you will have to do it on someone else's blog. This one is about photography.

I just sold a large format camera to a young man. He’s fit and keen, and needs to be, as the camera is weighty and he’ll be backpacking it for landscape shots. I look forward to great things from him as he has grasped a lot of the principles of the monorail straight off. He has a packet of FP4 and two double dark's and provided he eats a good breakfast he should be able to bring back some magic images. – four per day.

Another person might venture out with a medium format film camera – good value these days – and work hard all day with two rolls of film – that’s 24 shots.

Got the 35mm camera ready? At the price of good colour slide film and processing these days, you’ll want to make sure you use those 36 shots carefully. On holiday? Go mad with two rolls. 72.

Ahh, the point and shoot digital camera. Three cards set to take medium jpegs. The resulting 6000 shots should be just about right to capture the wonders of Kuta Beach. And then you’ll need to find someone who will sit still and continue to breathe while you show them all 6000. Start asking around your friends now...

Not me. I’m going to look at the 4 pictures from the large format camera.

Uncle Dick's Workshop - Friday 15

2012-01-13T10:00:00.001+08:00

Q: I want to buy a camera for the roll bar of my mountain bike when I take it surfing off the bungee-jumping bridge. Have you got one and where does it mount to?

A: Yes we do, and it clamps neatly onto the end of a broken femur, collar bone, or rib.

Q: When does a digital camera become outdated?

A: 45 seconds after we have sold the last one and 15 seconds before the manufacturer tells us he has no stock of the new ones. The interval is known in the trade as “Screaming Time”.

Q: What will be the next medium upon which images will be recorded? I want to buy the equipment when it is first out.

A: When you consider that some of the historical answers to that have included dissolved guncotton, cow’s foot jelly, and 5 inch floppy discs, I really don’t want to speculate. I am not afraid of being wrong – I am afraid of being right...

Q: Is 5000 images too many for a wedding?

A: No, provided you never have to view them ever again.

Q: I want to get into professional photography.

A: Just let me cut your hand and dip this pen in your blood. Now sign the contract. Ignore the horns and tail – all photography teachers have those. Warm enough for you....?

Turning Wedding into Portraits Workshop - Steve Saporito at Shoot Photography Workshops this month!

2012-01-11T12:19:00.000+08:00

Do you wish you could learn the simple skill of turning existing wedding customers into portrait customers?
Are you very successful with wedding but would love your clients to return as customers?
You built a great relationship with the brides family but not sure how to engage them as customers?
Would you like an easy system that books your portrait clients?

Then this is the workshop for you, learn the simple way of making a successful wedding client and even more wonderful portrait customer, learn to have wedding clients returning and recommending family members and learn to engage with the bridal party and the wedding guests to broaden your customer base of happy customers.
Why you will not want to miss out!

have your clients use your services again
learn the secrets of booking wedding guests in for Portrait Shoots
how to book the wedding party in for Portrait Shoots
how to successfully leverage your Weddings into Portraits
hands on goal setting to ensure you have an action plan.

Register now at your nearest location!

Perth – 24th January 2012

Venue: Shoot Photography Workshops
232 Stirling Street
Perth WA, 6000

Only: $495 per person AIPP members only $440 – book by the 15th January for a $50 discount!!
Time: 9am – 4.30pm

Group size is limited to maximise participation and learnings
25 CPD points awarded for AIPP members

Fujifilm releases a limited special edition of the premium X100 with a stylish new look and a kit full of extras

2012-01-10T12:07:00.000+08:00

Mississauga, ON, January 9, 2012 – FUJIFILM Canada Inc. responds to numerous requests for a special edition of its popular X100 premium compact digital camera with a new black body in a fully accessorized bundle -- the Fujifilm X100 Black Premium Edition. Only 10,000 units will be released worldwide in a limited quantity.

The X100 Black Premium Edition contains the X100 compact digital camera, a genuine leather ever-ready case, lens hood, adapter ring and protective filter. Each package comes with a numbered card for authenticity.

About the Fujifilm X100 digital camera
The X100 is a premium compact camera that features the Fujinon 23mm (135 equivalent: 35mm) F2 lens and 12 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor to deliver premium quality images. Another renowned feature is the world's first "Hybrid Viewfinder" that switches between the optical viewfinder (OVF) and electronic viewfinder (EVF). The Fujifilm X100 premium compact digital camera incorporates cutting-edge digital functions while offering luxury design features of traditional cameras with an aperture ring at the lens and exposure compensation dial on top. Since its launch, this camera has won numerous awards including TIPA, EISA and Camera GP2011 Editors Award.

The FUJIFILM X100 Black Premium Edition will be available from March 2012. Camera Electronic is taking orders NOW.

New Datacolor Spyder 4 Monitor Calibration Units

2012-01-07T11:19:00.000+08:00

Datacolor have released the new range of Spyder 4 calibration units. The specifications are listed below.

Spyder4Express is a simple, affordable solution for calibrating a monitor.

Spyder4Express features a patented, full-spectrum 7-color sensor that can accurately characterize a variety of wide gamut and normal displays. Spyder4Express software lets you use the same sensor to calibrate your monitor, laptop computer, iPad, iPhone and projector. No other calibrator has this capability. The fourth-generation sensor uses double-shielded filters for longer life and better performance. On average, accuracy and precision are improved by 26% and 19% respectively.

Spyder4Express Features:

Automated Color Calibration
Spyder4Express's simple, clear and automated process makes it straightforward to calibrate your displays to a reference condition. You can view and edit images with confidence on a display calibrated to show true¿to¿life colors

Full-spectrum color sensor
Spyder4Express's patented 7-color sensor improves upon colorimeters that use 3-channel RGB sensors. Each Spyder4Express unit is individually tuned in the factory to accurately handle a variety of wide-gamut and normal gamut displays with ease.

Single sensor calibrates all your displays
Spyder4Express works with your desktop or laptop, iPad and even iPhone. It works with LCD, LED, OLED, CRT and other display technologies.

Improved accuracy and stability
The fourth¿generation Spyder4Express has double¿shielded color filters for an even closer match to CIE color standards and improved long term stability. Average accuracy increased by 26% and consistency between Spyder units has improved 19%. The lighting around you will affect image contrast and appearance. An additional sensor on the Spyder4Express detects changes to surrounding light and adapts the display luminance accordingly.

Spyder4Pro is a display color calibration solution designed for photographers and creative professionals that need to match prints to their displays. It includes the ability to adapt to ambient light conditions.

Spyder4Pro features a patented, full-spectrum 7-color sensor that can accurately characterize a variety of wide gamut and normal displays. Spyder4Pro software lets you use the same sensor to calibrate your monitor, laptop computer, iPad, iPhone and projector. No other calibrator has this capability. The fourth-generation sensor uses double-shielded filters for longer life and better performance. On average, accuracy and precision are improved by 26% and 19% respectively.

Spyder4Pro Features:

Automated Color & Brightness Calibration
Spyder4Pro's simple, clear and automated process makes it straightforward to calibrate your displays to a reference condition. You can view and edit images with confidence on a display calibrated to show true-to-life colors and luminance adjusted for precise shadow/highlight detail.

Full-spectrum color sensor
Spyder4Pro's patented 7-color sensor improves upon colorimeters that use 3-channel RGB sensors. Each Spyder4Pro unit is individually tuned in the factory to accurately handle a variety of wide-gamut and normal gamut displays with ease.

Single sensor calibrates all your displays
Spyder4Pro works with your laptop, multiple monitors, television (with paid software upgrade on website), iPad and even iPhone. It works with LCD, LED, OLED, CRT and other display technologies. You can calibrate multiple displays connected to your computer.

Improved accuracy and stability
The fourth-generation Spyder4Pro has double-shielded color filters for an even closer match to CIE color standards and improved long term stability. Average accuracy increased by 26% and consistency between Spyder units has improved 19%.

Fast Re-calibration Assistant
The "ReCAL" feature makes it quick and easy to recalibrate your display to compensate for changes that occur over time.

Adapts display to surrounding light
The lighting around you will affect image contrast and appearance. An additional sensor on the Spyder4Pro detects changes to surrounding light and adapts the display luminance accordingly.

Spyder4Elite is a display color calibration solution designed not only for photographers, but also videographers and video editors who need the highest level of color control in the studio and flexibility in post-production. The Spyder4Elite can also provide color calibration for projectors.
Spyder4Elite features a patented, full-spectrum 7-color sensor that can accurately characterize a variety of wide gamut and normal displays.

Spyder4Elite software lets you use the same sensor to calibrate your monitor, laptop computer, iPad, iPhone and projector. No other calibrator has this capability. The fourth-generation sensor uses double-shielded filters for longer life and better performance. On average, accuracy and precision are improved by 26% and 19% respectively.

Spyder4Elite Features:

Automated Color & Brightness Calibration
Spyder4Elite's simple, clear and automated process makes it straightforward to calibrate your displays to a reference condition. You can view and edit images with confidence on a display calibrated to show true-to-life colors and luminance adjusted for precise shadow/highlight detail.

Full-spectrum color sensor
Spyder4Elite's patented 7-color sensor improves upon colorimeters that use 3-channel RGB sensors. Each Spyder4Elite unit is individually tuned in the factory to accurately handle a variety of wide-gamut and normal gamut displays with ease.

Single sensor calibrates all your displays
Spyder4Elite works with your laptop, multiple monitors, front projector, television (with paid software upgrade on website), iPad and even iPhone. It works with LCD, LED, OLED, CRT, DLP and other display technologies. You can calibrate multiple displays connected to your computer. Spyder4Elite is unique in its ability to calibrate all your display devices to achieve greater consistency.

Improved accuracy and stability
The fourth-generation Spyder4Elite has double-shielded color filters for an even closer match to CIE color standards and improved long term stability. Average accuracy increased by 26% and consistency between Spyder units has improved 19%.

Fast Re-calibration Assistant
The "ReCAL" feature makes it quick and easy to recalibrate your display to compensate for changes that occur over time.

Adapts display to surrounding light
The lighting around you will affect image contrast and appearance. An additional sensor on the Spyder4Elite detects changes to surrounding light and adapts the display luminance accordingly.

Spyder4Elite software options for greater control
For greater control over color management Spyder4Elite provides additional features:

StudioMatch enables visual fine-tuning of studio displays to match the way you see color.
Built-in presets for video standards such as Cineon, NTSC and PAL.
Color analysis of your display quality by plotting uniformity, color gamut, and change over time, tone response and allowing comparison with other displays.
Calibrate to professional workflow targets with L-Star tone response curve.
Unlimited choices for gamma, white point, white luminance and black luminance.
Iterative grey balance algorithm for the most accurate greys.
Front projector calibration for color accurate presentations.

THE THREE MASTERS - Mike Langford - Jackie Ranken - Nick Melidonis

2012-01-07T09:55:00.000+08:00

THE THREE MASTERS

Mike Langford - Jackie Ranken - Nick Melidonis

The Ultimate Landscape,

Travel and Fine Art Master Class

Monday 19 March 2012

9.30 am – 5.00 pm

Notre Dame University, Fremantle

Over the last decade, three photographers have dominated the AIPP ‘Australian Professional Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards’. Husband and wife team Mike Langford and Jackie Ranken from NZ have each won it twice and Nick Melidonis three times. These three Master photographers will, for the first time, combine their expertise to provide an inspirational, fun and informative day that is not to be missed. Each photographer will dissect samples of their signature images and explore their approach and elements of design in producing emotive images that connect with and engage the viewer. For full details and to enrol, http://nickmelidonis.com/the-three-masters-seminar/

Nikon launches new 85mm f/1.8 FX telephoto lens - Press Release

2012-01-06T14:54:00.001+08:00

Nikon launches new 85mm f/1.8 FX telephoto lens

A fast, medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens with a focal length of 85 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8 compatible with the Nikon FX-format

January 6, 2012

SYDNEY - Nikon Australia is pleased to announce the release of the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G, a fast, medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens with a focal length of 85 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8 compatible with the Nikon FX-format.

The AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is the new addition to the FX-format lens lineup. It utilises an all new optical design allowing users to enjoy shooting portraits with pleasing blur characteristics only possible through fixed focal length lenses. Even with a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is very lightweight at roughly 350 g, allowing users to easily carry their camera around with this lens mounted.

The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures not only quiet autofocus operations, but also makes autofocus shooting possible when the lens is used with entry-level Nikon DX-format digital-SLR cameras such as the D5100 and D3100.

Nikon has long had the support of professional, advanced amateur and entry-level photographers for its consistent development of innovative products that respond to the demands of customers and are equipped with the optical technologies. Nikon intends to continue to expand and strengthen the NIKKOR lineup as well as improve customer convenience with the steady release of new, high-performance lenses that offer advanced functions.

● AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Primary Features

A fast, medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens with a focal length of 85 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8 compatible with the Nikon FX-format
An all new optical design that enables maximum utilisation of DSLR camera capabilities in shooting high quality images
Very lightweight at approximately 350 g, even with the large aperture
Equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for extremely quiet autofocusing.
Autofocus shooting is also possible when the lens is used with entry-level Nikon DX-format digital-SLR cameras such as the D5100 and D3100.
Equipped with two focus modes, M/A (autofocus with manual override) and M (manual)

Nikon launches new flagship D4 DSLR - Press Release

2012-01-06T14:52:00.000+08:00

Nikon launches new flagship D4 DSLR

The next-generation flagship Nikon DSLR offers the ultimate in versatility and functionality

January 6, 2012

SYDNEY - Nikon Australia is pleased to announce the release of the Nikon D4, an FX-format camera that will become the new flagship model in Nikon’s lineup of DSLR cameras. Based on the D3 series with the addition of a number of new functions and features, the D4 stretches the boundaries of functionality, performance and versatility.

The D4 is equipped with a new Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor (imaging size of 36.0 × 23.9 mm) and EXPEED 3, the latest image-processing engine specifically optimised for DSLR cameras. With 16.2 million pixels and an ISO range from 50 – 204800 the D4 offers superior image quality under a broad range of lighting conditions.

The D4 also allows faster recording to memory cards, with built-in support for high-speed, UDMA 7-compatible CompactFlash memory cards and next-generation, high-speed XQD memory cards. In addition to built-in wired LAN features, the D4 also supports high-speed image transfer via wireless LAN when the new, compact, easy-to-use Wireless Transmitter H062 (available separately) is connected to the camera. The D4 is also equipped with a number of new functions that support a more efficient workflow for professional photographers, including one that allows users to add IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) information to images.

A new wireless transmitter and internal Ethernet port mean high-speed communication and image upload is now possible, direct from the camera to an FTP server anywhere in the world. The D4 also makes it possible to view and take photos remotely (using a browser equipped computer or phone).

Offering a superior video platform, the D4 also has the ability to record uncompressed movies to an external recorder, preserving the quality of these uncompressed files.

The Multi-area Mode Full HD D-movie movie recording function is capable of recording Full-HD movies at 30 fps, and offers three movie-recording formats for selection according to recording conditions or creative intent.

D4 Primary Features

New Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor and ISO 50 to ISO 204800

The D4 is equipped with a new Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor (imaging size of 36.0 × 23.9 mm) developed by Nikon. The superior performance of the FX-format CMOS image sensor with its effective pixel count of 16.2-million pixels offers excellent resolution and image quality under an incredible variety of lighting conditions.

New EXPEED 3 image-processing engine with superior, high-speed processing capabilities

The new EXPEED 3 image-processing engine built into the D4 offers better image quality and even faster processing speeds for vivid yet faithful colour reproduction, a broader dynamic range, and rich expression of tones. It also effectively suppresses noise with advanced noise-reduction processing for images captured at high sensitivities under dim lighting, all while preserving definition and sharpness.

91K-pixel RGB sensor for the more accurate Advanced Scene Recognition System

The D4 is equipped with the Advanced Scene Recognition System, which supports face recognition* when images are framed using the optical viewfinder. The new 91K-pixel (approximately 91,000 pixels) RGB sensor recognises human faces for more frequent focus acquisition on human faces when Auto-area AF is used.

*There is no display in the viewfinder that shows when a face or faces have been recognised.

Faster and more accurate AF with 51 focus points

The AF system featuring 51 focus points utilizes the new Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module for faster, more accurate autofocusing that performs extremely well under dim lighting.

The 15 focus points at the center of the frame are cross-type sensors that detect phase differences both horizontally and vertically. All 51 focus points are fully functional when lenses with a maximum aperture of up to f/5.6 are used, and the cross-type sensors make the most of this capability. Precise focus can be quickly acquired with autofocusing using all AF NIKKOR lenses*, even under lighting as dim as −2 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F), the level at which the scene through the viewfinder can just be made out by the human eye.

*Except lenses for F3AF

In addition, 11 focus points (five at center with an additional three to each side) are fully functional when lenses with a maximum aperture of f/8 are used. This enables very precise focus acquisition with sports photography and the like when super-telephoto NIKKOR lenses are used with a teleconverter (2.0×) at a combined aperture value of f/8.

Adoption of a new algorithm enables faster autofocus initiation for even more certain and sharper capture of defining moments especially necessary when shooting sports scenes. The new high-speed AF system also supports high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 10 fps* in FX format with AF and AE tracking.

*Measured according to CIPA guidelines. Value with shooting in AF-C autofocus mode, [S] or [M] exposure mode, shutter speed of 1/250 s or faster, all other settings at their default values.

Multi-area Mode Full HD D-movie with three image area options

A dedicated movie-record button has been positioned near the shutter-release button for smooth starting and stopping of movie recording with a feel similar to that of still-image shooting. Full-HD movie recording at a frame size of 1920 × 1080 and frame rate of 30 fps is supported, and the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression method has been adopted. Movies up to 29 minutes 59 seconds can be recorded. Image sensor sensitivity begins at ISO 200 and can be expanded to the same ISO 204800 equivalent possible with still-image shooting.

Full-HD movies can be recorded with the D4 using one of three image areas: FX-based movie format*, DX-based movie format, or 1920 × 1080 crop; all available at 30 fps/ 25 fps or 24 fps. FX-based movie format makes full use of the large image sensor, enabling movies with an emphasis on pleasing blur characteristics. When a DX lens is attached, DX-based format is automatically selected. This format is useful for creating an extension to the focal length of an existing lens. For an even stronger telephoto effect, the 1920 × 1080 crop format brings an approximately 2.7x crop of the picture angle while delivering outstanding video quality and detail, obtaining 1080p Full HD.

The D4 is equipped with a connector for external microphones that enables stereo recording. The camera also offers a headphone connector that supports stereo headphones, convenient for checking sound recorded with movies. What’s more, a new sound level indicator also allows for microphone sensitivity adjustment, even during recording, with a visual indicator of sound levels.

Movies are recorded with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 regardless of the format selected. Aspect ratio is 3 : 2 with recording at a frame size/rate of 640 × 424; 30 fps and 640 × 424; 25 fps.

Smooth workflow from initial setup to image transfer

The entire photographic workflow is faster with the D4. Superior, high-speed response with a power-up time of approximately 0.12 s¹ and a release time lag of roughly 0.042 s¹. In addition, support for high-speed, next-generation XQD memory cards enables a continuous shooting frame rate of 10 fps for up to approximately 100 shots even with shooting in RAW format². The camera is also equipped with dual memory card slots, one for XQD memory cards and one for CompactFlash memory cards, for smooth handling of images. What’s more, professional photographers can work much faster with high-speed transfer of images to a computer when an XQD memory card reader supporting SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0)³ is used.

* ¹Measured according to CIPA guidelines

* ²When a Sony XQD memory card H-series (QD-H16G, QD-H32) is used with capture of compressed 12-bit NEF (RAW) images (based on Nikon testing standards)

* ³Sony MRW-E80 (based on Sony testing standards)

The new compact Wireless Transmitter H062 with simple connection to the camera (available separately)

The D4 is equipped with an Ethernet port and functions for wired LAN connections. In addition, it also supports the new H062 (available separately), a compact wireless transmitter that is easily connected to the camera for high-speed transfer of images over a wireless network.* The D4 is also equipped with a number of new functions that support a more efficient workflow for professional photographers, including one that allows users to add IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) information to images.

The new H062 is powered by the camera, making a more compact size possible. In addition to IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards, the H062 also supports the new IEEE 802.11n (1 × 1) standard, enabling data transfer at twice the speed possible with the WT-4. The camera’s HTTP server mode can be used to display a list of images stored on the memory card, and also enables basic camera control, live view, movie recording, etc. using the Web browser on a computer or smartphone. Synchronised release (H062 only) mode enables synchronised shutter release of up to 10 cameras (D4 cameras, each with its own H062) with the D4 used as the controlling “master".

*The Wireless Transmitter WT-4 can also be used.

Capture NX 2 Ver. 2.3 for significantly faster processing

A trial version and free upgrade for Capture NX 2, Nikon’s image editing software, were released on December 20 to coincide with release of the D4. This latest version is Capture NX 2 Ver. 2.3.

In addition to offering image editing functions that provide intuitive operation, a faster image-processing algorithm has been adopted for much faster processing. What’s more, operation is smoother and more natural with the addition of native compatibility with 64-bit operating systems.

Additional Features

・ Extremely durable shutter that has passed testing for 400,000 cycles

・ Magnesium alloy chassis adopted for the robust, durable body that is highly resistant to dust and water

・ Effective sealing using O rings and packing make the camera more resistant to dust and water

・ Silent shutter-release mode for live view photography that almost completely eliminates the sounds of the mirror and shutter operation

・ A time-lapse photography feature, with which the camera automatically takes photos at selected intervals to record a time-lapse movie, which can be played back at normal playback speed

・ Operation optimised for both horizontal (landscape) and vertical (portrait) shooting

・ Button backlights (illuminators) for increased visibility when working in dimly lit or dark situations

・ High-performance viewfinder, utilising a glass pentaprism, with a frame coverage of approximately 100% (FX format) and magnification of approximately 0.7×

・ Four image area options for still shooting—FX (36 × 24), 5:4 (30 × 24), 1.2× (30 × 20), DX (24 × 16)—with viewfinder indicator that identifies the current image area

・ A 3.2-inch, approximately 921k-dot LCD monitor with reinforced glass and wide viewing angle; integration of the glass and panel reduce internal reflections

・ A virtual horizon that shows the degree to which the camera is tilted sideways (roll), forward or backward (pitch) with display in the monitor and viewfinder

・ White balance that can be adjusted in units of 10 K; white balance can be specified separately for shooting (white balance applied to images) and monitor display with still-image shooting in live view mode

Pioneering Photo Journalist Eve Arnold Passes Away

2012-01-06T10:30:00.000+08:00

Eve Arnold has passed away at 99 – a very good age for one of the most brilliant photo journalists of the last half of the 20^th century. She saw it all – fashion, Hollywood, foreign lands...when lands could still be foreign without being bad. And her images stay with us – look on the net for some of her iconic images of Marilyn Monroe and Joan Crawford – of South Africa – of China. There will be images taken of Malcolm X at political rallies.

Magnum was her agency at first and later the London Sunday Times used her colour work to showcase the world.

She wrote that her driving force for all this visual expertise was “curiosity“. Perhaps we should all hope for just such a push in our own work.

Fuji XPro-1 leask from Wells Fargo

2012-01-06T10:24:00.000+08:00

Fuji have done it again – they are releasing an interchangeable-lens version of their wildly-successful X100.

The X Pro-1 is in black colour and is about the same body size as the X 100. There is an additional little window to let the AF system work and, of course, the lenses bayonet off.

Three lenses will be introduced with the body:

Fujinon 18mm f: 2...............Equivalent to 27mm in film terms
Fujinon 35mm f: 1.4............Equivalent to 53mm in film terms.
Fujinon 60mm f: 2.4............Equivalent to 90mm in film terms.

Recognise those focal lengths? Those are the classic three money-earners of 35mm film photography – all three are sure to be crisp and contrasty and will not impose any untoward optical distortion load on the viewer. This camera will be an absolute delight for street shooters and photojournalists.

16 megapixel sensor – EXR processor. RAW as well as jpeg. A boosted dual viewfinder that will give optical and electronic view of the new lens coverage – of course there is LCD display for close-up use.

BIG QUESTION – and we’ll find this out when we see the cameras – is that interchangeable lens mount to be a Fuji exclusive, or will it be a shared one...or will third party manufacturers get in on the deal? Well, we’ll see...

We’ll let you know when the new cameras are in-store.

NB: All of the specs above were see on the Wells Fargo website.

Nikon D4 Leaks from Wells Fargo Advisory

2012-01-06T10:17:00.000+08:00

The long-awaited announcement seems to have been leaked: we are about to get a new NIKON D4 camera.

When we say we, we mean the photographic world in general. Please don’t start to ring the shop until the formal announcement through our Facebook, Blog, and website. We don’t know yet what price they will be, or when they will be delivered, and we won’t price match UgandaFoto in Kampala, so don’t ask.

The specs seem to be spec-tacular:

Full-frame 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
10 frames-per-second shooting at full resolution
ISO range of 100 to 102,400 (expandable to 50 and 204,800)
New 91,000-pixel RGB metering sensor
Full-HD 1080p resolution video recording in 30p and 24p and in 720p down to 60p for slow motion.
Smooth aperture control for video recording
Face detection and recognition
Ethernet port
Dual card slots: New XQD Compact Flash (CF) and regular CF
AF possible with f: 8 lenses – up from the previous f: 5.6 –this means that the light meter reads down to -2.0 EV. Wow.
Since you are going to be taking pictures of black cats in coal holes at midnight...there are illuminated function buttons.
Lighter than the D3s

Now there are bound to be many more things – I hope that NIKON follow their excellent practice in the past of issuing a printed pamphlet for this camera body so that we can garner the exact information to tell you.

Exciting times for NIKON users.

NB: All of the specs above were see on the Wells Fargo website.

Welcome 2012 from Camera Electronic

2012-01-06T10:00:00.003+08:00

Camera Electronic is open! What we really mean to say is WELCOME to all our customers for 2012. We’ve just been through a major stock take and are very nearly, almost, sort of ready to go again this morning.

We look forward to serving you this coming year and we’re excited about all the new photo gear that has just been announced. Come in and see us.

Final note: We did discover a skeleton on one of the back shelves and we’re not quite sure if it is an old customer or a staff member. But we counted and bar coded it anyway so if you need bones....

Uncle Dick's Workshop - Friday 14

2012-01-06T10:00:00.002+08:00

Q: Why do you keep film in the fridge at your shop?

A: We’re too cheap to buy ice cube trays.

Q: What is the official weight limit for camera bags in overhead lockers on passenger aircraft?

A: If you can lift it over your head without bursting blood vessels in your eye, you can stow it in the locker. If it crashes through the fuselage to the tarmac below it is Boeing’s fault, not yours.

Q: Is my photographic equipment safe when stowed in the hold of an aircraft?

A: See that little wagon they use to bring it out to the plane? It used to be a bomb trolley. Guess what happens when the doors of the compartment open....

Q: If I scan my negatives at a higher resolution will it make my images more detailed?

A: Yes. You will be able to see the dust, scratches, and fingerprints with startling clarity.

Q: Will I get good star trail images if I use my macro lens?

A: Only if you are prepared to buy a fairly long ladder.

Uncle Dick's Workshop - Friday 13

2011-12-30T10:00:00.001+08:00

Q: Why do old wedding photographers become embittered and savage creatures, snarling defiance to an uncaring world?

A: It is the nature of love. Brides do that to you.

Q: Why do some religions forbid us to take pictures inside their places of worship?

A: They are afraid that their Deity may smite them - or be caught changing clothes – or insist on posing with lightning bolts and cherubs. Or they are just ashamed of the wallpaper.

Q: How can I prevent my lenses from getting condensation in them when the camera is out in the open for hours taking pictures of star trails?

A: Do it in the middle of a warm day.

Q: If memory cards are so small and so cheap, why do manufacturers not include at least 16 Gb internal memory in all their cameras in addition to a slot for a removable card?

A: You ask questions of frightening sensibility and I am ashamed not to be able to give you a good answer.

Q: If solid state memory chips are so small and cheap, why do I not put all my completed data upon them instead of trusting it to a hard drive that will grind to a halt in three years?

A: Stop asking these questions.

Havago Winners

2011-12-24T11:55:00.000+08:00

It’s good being a senior – you get all the good stuff*. Like getting to go out to Burswood Park in the middle of the week and play with all the other seniors – and you get a chance to take great images.

Havalook at the Havago Day images that won the photographic prizes.:

The square dancers photo was taken by Leonard Stewart – it won first prize in the competition and the Seniors Recreation Council will use it promoting next year’s event. Mr. Stewart has an appointment with us here at the shop because his prize was a $ 300 voucher from Camera Electronic. I’ll bet he has a great time.

The kayaking photo was taken by David Pitcher and the Council will also be using it for promotion next year – and David gets a $ 150 in-store voucher from Camera Electronic. We’ll look forward to meeting him when we re-open in the new year. ( We’re back on the 6^th of January.)

The archery enthusiasts also looked good – a picture of them taken by Leonard Stewart got an honourable mention. We hope to see many of these images in the advertising material for future Havago Days – and Camera Electronic hopes that it can help our seniors next year too.

*You also get the fun of bad veins and baldness, so get ready, children....

Uncle Dick's Workshop - Friday 12

2011-12-23T10:00:00.002+08:00

Q: I have decided to sell my collection of ten 1970’s entry-level 35mm cameras to finance acquisition of a medium-format DSLR. Will I need to add to the trade-in or will there be money coming back?

A: Are you sure you wouldn’t rather wait until the Halina company release their own medium format DSLR? I mean, brand loyalty and all that?

Q: Why would you get a fish-eye lens for your DSLR?

A: Just for the halibut....

Q: I want a fisheye telephoto zoom wideangle macro for my compact camera – I see you don’t have any. Why not?

A: We are forbidden them under the Geneva Convention, along with quadrifoil bayonets. I regret it deeply, particularly now that you have asked.

Q: I want to be an artist, not just a photographer. How should I go about it?

A: I should concentrate upon personal appearance first, with an emphasis upon outlandish dress and a really bad haircut. By all means have yourself tattooed if you can stand it, but in any case cultivate the sort of appearance that excites. It does not matter whether the emotion you engender is pity or disgust – the real point is to deflect attention from your images until someone is fool enough to buy one. THEN you can shave and bathe.

Q: Why does it take so long for goods to come from the eastern states when I can get every toy I ever want from America in under a day?

A: Because the people who are transporting your items from the eastern states are Australians like you. Got ya thinking there, didn’t I. Don’t worry, you can still poke fun at Americans when you are in the bar, but you’re gonna be waiting for that box of bits from Brisbane while you do it.