You love your smartphone because it’s small, has apps, and is easy to share your life through it.
There are so many choices out there for adding lenses to improve the quality.
Olloclip uses 4 element snap-on lenses, and others use a case as a holder for lenses.

Sony is about to show the world a new design in cameras. And it’s round.

Imagine your nice, flat, thin, rectangular phone, with high end operational lenses, that clip onto the main body.

Check this video out, and watch the magic:

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Necessity is indeed the mother of invention, and sometimes the invention can be less expensive than you thought.
Case in point:
Problem: a good adjustable stand for an iPad (1). While using a Cam Ranger, a remote operating system for your DSLR, an iPad needs a good place to live to make operation comfortable and convenient.

The elements used her are a $24.00 mic stand, a Wallee iPad holder, Wallee slim connector,

and something we hadn’t used before: a Dinkum grip clamp with a 1/4-20 screw at the end.

Now the mic stand can be used to add a reflector, clamp a light on if you want to do a for a podcast (using the boom arm as it was intended).

The Wallee System is available from our friends at TetherTools. You can see the connect lite I used for this rig. Check out the page to customize your set-up.

The Dinkum Systems is a very cool set of incredibly strong, rubber protected clamps, with adjustable modules to adjust length and end tools. Most importantly for this, and any grip gear, is versatility. This system has it in spades.
In this case we used a standard rig, with a 1/4″-20 end.

Many ways to solve this one. TetherTools suggested the EasyGrip. Like the tool, had to try the Dinkum, which allowed a more perpendicular to the floor mount.
There is another connecting arm we use made by Manfrotto, which is articulating, but needs another clamp to attach to the stand and once set, is a pain to move.
It is a rock solid connection though.

Always look for good versatile grip bits. You may acquire them per situational need.
Try to look ahead and hopefully the logical piece will serve many solutions in years to come.

Take a moment to check out this video by PBS with Matt Hoyle.
An short exploration of the history of portraiture though the eye of photographers.

Thank you SLR lounge and Ruth Dunn for bringing this to light.

Sony continues it’s march to be one of the big 3 camera manufacturers, with the intro of new models.
Say hello to NEX 5T

With the NEX series, now considered a classic, they’ve added their “touch to share” feature we first saw at CES last Jan.

Improved auto-focus, the kit lens now having built in Optical SteadyShot™, motorized zoom for smoother video moves.

If you own an NEX is it a reason to upgrade?
Not yet.
If you don’t have an NFC feature on your mobile device, you still go through a proprietary Sony site to share.

Don’t get me wrong. Love my NEX. High recco. If you don’t have one, this may be the time to step up.

Another camera announced was long touted, secretly lusted for A3000, interchangeable lens, lens camera. With over 20.mp , this DSLR looking camera has an APS-CMOS sensor. For $400?

And the ability to add a variety of accessories such as ext. flash, LED light, Mic, etc.
What a perfect, affordable step up, from a compact camera.
Any user will find those first images a staggering improvement from a relatively similarly priced point and shoot. To say nothing of a smartphone.
Plus a VIEWFINDER!!! back to shooting with eye to camera!
OK, you can still use the LCD and shoot at arms length. Your call.
But….your not slipping this beauty into your pants pocket.

Both new cameras use the ever expanding E-series of Sony lenses,and we applaud that.
Just not loudly.
Faster lenses (thanks for the 50mm 1.8), bigger range, and solid, traveling crop duster lenses
Please. I feel the need. The need for speed.
We know the market Sony is currently aiming for with the NEX series, but the pros that want to travel light are closely watching.
There is a reason I put a Leica lens onto the NEX 5N.
Oh, small tip: When you buy your NEX, get the Sony screen protector for 12 bucks. Trust me, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Camera is $700. with kit lens.

There you have it as the summer winds down and manufacturers start to release new gear.
We’ll be here to let you know a few thoughts. Sometimes gut reactions based on previous knowledge, sometimes hands on experience.

and now, the official word…..
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The Powershot N, introduced earlier this year, gets a digital makeover with the addition of a direct connection to Facebook.
Is that where you are sharing most of your photos? Canon’s banking on it.

The Canon G series gets a new face with the G16, Product Highlights

12.1 Megapixel 1/1.7″ CMOS Sensor,
Canon 5x Optical Zoom Lens (28-140mm),
Optical Zoom Viewfinder and 3.0″ LCD,
Full HD 1080/60p Video,
DIGIC 6 Image Processing Engine,

Enhanced Wi-Fi Capabilities
Continuous Shooting at 9.3 fps
Intelligent IS Image Stabilization
ISO 12800 and Canon HS SYSTEM

and our fave jeans pocket camera, the S100 get a 1.8 lens and a more rounded look with a new model, S120 . About $450, so we’ll wait for the deals.

12.1 Megapixel 1/1.7″ CMOS Sensor
Canon 5x Optical Zoom Lens (24-120mm)
3.0″ High Resolution Touchscreen LCD
Full HD 1080/60p Video
DIGIC 6 Image Processing Engine

Enhanced Wi-Fi Capabilities
Continuous Shooting at 9.4 fps
ISO 12800 and Canon HS SYSTEM

And here is the official word on the Powershot “N”

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