SanDisk CF Deals

I've just returned from B&H where I bought its last in-stock SanDisk 8GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card for the princely amount of $15 (after I fill in SanDisk's rebate form and get the $15 back). I also bought two SanDisk 4GB Extreme III CompactFlash Cards for the majestic price of $10 each (after SanDisk's rebate of $10 on each).

I'm sure there are similar (or even better) deals around, and just in time for the holiday season too.

Mike Hutmacher:Kodakchrome's Last Stand

© Mike Hutmacher/Courtesy Kansas.com-All Rights Reserved
Skippy Sanchez (aka Mike Hutmacher) is a staff photographer working for The Wichita Eagle, and specializes in documentary projects such as el Dia de los Muertos, the festival of la Virgen de Guadalupe and various Christian mission projects in Honduras. Amongst his passions are street photography, travel, portraiture and illustrations.

He recently produced a slideshow, featured on Kansas.com (the website for The Wichita Eagle) documenting Dwayne's Photo Lab in southeast Kansas, which is the only processing laboratory in the world that still processes Kodakchrome film. It has no relevance to travel photography except that I recall stocking canisters of this slide film before leaving on one of my trips....and returning not knowing what my images would be like.

For many of us who have worked with Kodachrome and still remember (and perhaps miss) its uniqueness, this slideshow will stir many memories. I loved the format, the choice of ragtime piano music and finally an epilogue with words of Paul Simon's classic song.

Another thing: Skippy participated in my multimedia class at the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Mexico City last June, and as I watched him photographing at the Church of the Guadalupe, I couldn't but marvel at how he moved seamlessly amongst the crowds, working his Leica as if it was an extension of his hands...greeting people, smiling and getting what he wanted.

A professional.

Nikon D3X: Full Specifications

Image Courtesy Engadget

The authoritative British Journal of Photography has just published the full specs of the Nikon D3X as announced by the company. More details will emerge today...perhaps including the price which is rumored to be $8000 in the US. BJP confirms that its price in Europe is £5500 / €7728.


Here are the full specifications for the Nikon D3X camera.


* Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor with 24.5 effective megapixels
* Exceptional noise control from ISO 100 to ISO 1600
* Fast 14-bit A/D conversion incorporated onto the image sensor for high signal-to-noise ratio and low power consumption
* Nikon’s EXPEED image-processing system, utilizing a supremely powerful CPU with 16-bit image processing
* Near-instantaneous shutter release time lag of approx. 0.04 second (based on CIPA Guideline)*
* 5-frames-per-second continuous shooting in FX format and 7 fps in DX crop mode (up to 130 frames)*
* 51-point Multi-CAM3500FX autofocus system
* Scene Recognition System for more accurate AF, AE, and AWB results
* Active D-Lighting for complete control over highlight and shadow detail
* Picture Control: Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome (Landscape, Portrait and D2x Modes I, II and III are available free via download)
* Live View mode for shooting handheld and with a tripod
* High-resolution (approx. 920k dots), 3-inch VGA-size LCD monitor with tempered glass
* Durable, lightweight magnesium-alloy construction and comprehensive weather sealing against dust and moisture
* Intelligent power management that lets you shoot up to approx. 4,400 frames on a single battery charge (based on CIPA Standards)
* Compatibility with the Nikon Total Imaging System

Effective pixels
24.5 million

Image sensor
CMOS sensor, 35.9 x 24.0 mm; Nikon FX format; total pixels: 25.72 million

Image size (pixels)
FX format (36 x 24): 6,048 x 4,032 [L], 4,544 x 3,024 [M], 3,024 x 2,016 [S]
DX format (24 x 16): 3,968 x 2,640 [L], 2,976 x 1,976 [M], 1,984 x 1,320 [S]
5:4 (30 x 24): 5,056 x 4,032 [L], 3,792 x 3,024 [M], 2,528 x 2,016 [S]

Sensitivity
ISO 100 to 1600 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV; can be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 50 equivalent) below ISO 100, or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) over ISO 1600

Storage media
CompactFlash(Type I/II, compliant with UDMA); Microdrives

LCD monitor
3-in., approx. 920k-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment

Exposure metering
TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor

1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); Color Matrix Metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data)
2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-, 15- or 20-mm circle in center of frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame
3) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used)

Exposure modes
1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program,
2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S),
3) Aperture-Priority Auto (A),
4) Manual (M)

Interface
Hi-speed USB

Power sources
One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EL4, Quick Charger MH-22/MH-21, AC Adapter EH-6 (optional)

Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 159.5 x 157 x 87.5 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.)

Weight
Approx. 1,220 g (2 lb. 11 oz.) without battery, memory card, body cap or accessory shoe cover