And so the debate progresses as the Clash of the Titans continues.

Canon introduces the new EOS 1Ds Mark III ( available Nov. for about $8,000. USD) with 21 megapixels. Continuing their Live View features, Canon has improved the sensor once again.

So is size that important to you? Or is it the quality of the sensor? I know, I know, both. Right now, you may have to choose your tools. Of course the amount of glass you own will make that choice, right? But if it’s your business, the choices become simple.

Think about how you shoot, and what you truly need. How large do your files need to be, how big are the prints you make? What kind of light do you shoot in? Strobe or available?

Here is a walk through of the new Canon:

Sure, we’re going to present the Nikon walk through on their D3, plus the next step down in both of their lines. Some key features cost the dough, but once again, what do you REALLY need?

Videos every day this week. And of course they will be living on the VIDEO page as well.

[photopress:ElliotErwitt.jpg,full,centered] © Elliott Erwitt
Elliott Erwitt just received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The IPA/LUCIES. This man has created some of the most memorable images of our lifetime. From his 17 books such as Personal Exposures, Snaps, Personal Best, Between the Sexes, Recent Developments, to his latest Unseen, he has touched that special place where the irony and humor of our lives intersects with moments that are common ground to all of us.
It’s his work that speaks for him. But here is a brief conversation.

Remember to check out the VIDEO page, under Exclusives, for a higher quality viewing experience.

New videos coming tomorrow. Yeah, we’ll switch it up with some more interviews, and gear. Something for everyone. That’s how we like it, right?

Or is it “the game is on, but the rules have changed?”
Anyway, here is an observation from a week of PhotoPlus Expo:

Simply, high megapixel count means something for certain photo situations. But what a lot of photographers want is all about the sensor. Less noise, higher sensitivity (low light) fast processing in camera.

Wedding photogs are feeling that the higher megapixel count only means more money for storage, media cards, etc., and their needs are taken care of in the 12 megapixel range.
Faster computers are also needed to work with the files in a time efficient manner. One photog estimated about 200 Gb of storage needed per assignment.
Honestly, the higher megapixel count works perfect for the portraits of groups of large people.

But for the most part, high quality in low light is the goal right now. And who wouldn’t want that?

And they are getting there, these camera companies.
[photopress:D3_14_24_front34l.jpg,full,centered]
Last night had a chance to work (play) with the new D3 and D300 from Nikon.

In a club, with very little light, yes Paris was showing up, the D3 was focusing and exposing like nothing I had seen before. Continue Reading »

Reference :Wizard of Oz scene where they transform the weary travelers when they reach Oz.
C’mon not THAT obscure.
Anyway, we are cutting away at the new videos for you with interviews with photographers, and close up looks at new products we got our hands on at PhotoPlus Expo 2007 last week.

One of the most useful products we saw was this end-to-end book publishing service from Blurb.com. Create,publish and here’s the coolest part…SELL your book!
A few years ago there were a mere handful of companies that were allowing the photographer to create a high end book of their own.
Well as technology moves forward, and darn quickly, there are a plethora of these companies now.
You can make a high end coffee table book complete with dust jacket and end flaps. Very cool.

This video will also be posted on our VIDEO page for a higher quality viewing experience. Go to the REVIEWS tab.

Eileen Gittens has come up with a brilliant system that allows you to create (with free software for Mac and PC ) your book (up to 440 pages if you like), get it back within 7-10 days, and then you can sell the book on their E-store or your site. They handle all of the back-end e-commerce for you.

Have a look. This was the most useful, innovative, smart new product we saw at the show.
And we’ll be giving away the opportunity to create your own book using this system. But that’s next weeks giveaway.

…and cameras that will tell us when someone is smiling.

OK, that’s what we have now. Nope not the flying cars, but the point and shot cameras with Smile detection.
What does that mean?
[photopress:tc200_back.jpg,full,centered] it does come in 3 colors- black,red and silver

Well, when you use a camera, such as the Sony DSC-T200, you can set the shutter so it will only fire when the subject is smiling.
How does it know you ask? Continue Reading »