gear and gadgets...
Nikon announced today that NASA is buying 11 Nikon D3s to be used in the International Space Station (ISS).
Nasa will use stock cameras without any modifications. Nikons history with NASA goes back to 1971 and Apollo 15. One of the wonderful views the crew maybe will photograph:
According to Leica, the first Leica S2 are delivered to customers. The first one went to Jim Rakete, a renowned photographer in Berlin.
Nikon introduces a new version of one of their high end standard lenses, the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II featuring Nikons latest image stabilization system. Nikon also releases the new TC-20E III 2x teleconverter.
Dpreview has posted a detailed review of the Sony Alpha 550. They state:
“It’s almost impossible to make a blanket recommendation regarding this camera: serious photographers will be put off by the paucity of high end features and controls, beginners will be frustrated by the rather uninspiring results you often get when everything is left on auto.”
Moose Peterson reports
“I really wasn’t expecting to see what I’m seeing in the results from the D3s. I have NO hesitation in recommending shooting at ISO 1600! Will I do it, I’m not that kinda shooter, did it today just to learn what the camera can do. In my mind, ISO 1600 is like ISO 400 or less on the D3. ISO 6400 on the D3s is like 1600 on the D3”
Why that? After asking Nikon he was told that the sensor in the D3s is not a tweaked version but a brand new one. Read more…