Archive for the 'Photo' Category
Today, Apple announced the all new iPhone 4S with a few improvements under the hood of the standard iPhone 4. Along with a new processor, better antenna system, and Siri, the iPhone 4S hopes to shine by replacing most point-and-shots. From these pictures found on Apple’s iPhone site, this may not be a difficult feat to accomplish. While Apple states these are unaltered pictures in any way, I have seen similar stunning photos from professionals on the iPhone 4 with its meager 5 megapixel sensor. A great camera doesn’t take amazing pictures, people do. So, like Siri, we will have to wait for real people to start using the iPhone 4S to see if it’s all it’s claimed to be.
Movie makers, get your camera out because Lensbaby has just put together a box set of sorts for your footage creation. This well padded box with cut-outs for each lens places the brand-new Composer Pro PL and the Sweet 35 Optic into box along with nine other lens. Plates, mounts, shades, and manuals all find their way into this well protected case from the Oregon based Lensbaby.
“The more creative tools filmmakers have at their disposal, the more creative their footage,” Says Craig Strong, Lensbaby Co-Founder and President. “The new Composer Pro PL comes loaded with the freedom and versatility of the Lensbaby Optic Swap system and puts a huge range of creative options at the fingertips of filmmakers. We can’t wait to see the unique and powerful footage created by motion picture artists around the world.”
If you’re looking to add some flare to your moving pictures from your picture taking camera, then give the Lensbaby Movie Maker Kit a peek. More deets at the jump below.
Portland, OR –September 22, 2011 – Lensbaby announces today the newest addition to the Lensbaby Creative Effects camera products line-up, the Lensbaby Movie Maker’s Kit featuring the brand-new Composer Pro PL with Sweet 35 Optic, for use on PL mount cameras.
“The more creative tools filmmakers have at their disposal, the more creative their footage,” Says Craig Strong, Lensbaby Co-Founder and President. “The new Composer Pro PL comes loaded with the freedom and versatility of the Lensbaby Optic Swap system and puts a huge range of creative options at the fingertips of filmmakers. We can’t wait to see the unique and powerful footage created by motion picture artists around the world.”
The Lensbaby Movie Maker’s Kit is a complete creative solution for filmmakers looking to add unique effects to their footage, in camera. Conveniently packaged into a rugged Pelican case, the kit contains two Lensbaby lenses for use on PL mount cameras (Muse PL with Double Glass and Composer Pro PL with Sweet 35), as well as one Composer Pro with a Canon mount for use on Canon’s line of DSLRs that shoot video.
This kit also includes a wide range of interchangeable optics and accessories designed to provide the filmmaker limitless aesthetic and creative options at a variety of focal lengths. Now, with the addition of the Composer Pro with Sweet 35 to the Lensbaby PL line-up, filmmakers will have access to the improved metal swivel ball design and refined focus mechanism of the Composer Pro, delivering ultra-smooth focus and tilt control.
Filmmakers can achieve a wide range of effects in-camera with the Movie Maker’s Kit. The Sweet 35, Double Glass, Plastic, and Single Glass optics can be used to create different quality selective focus effects, where one area of the image at a given depth of field is in focus, and other areas at the same depth of field fall away into a beautiful blur. The Fisheye, Soft Focus, and Pinhole/Zone plate Optics allow further in-camera creativity. Visit the Movie Lens page for more information on the complete kit, and to watch sample footage and see a list of award-winning movies and TV shows containing scenes shot with Lensbaby lenses.
Lensbaby PL Kit Contents:
Composer Pro with Double Glass Optic for Canon DLSRs
Composer Pro PL with Sweet 35 Optic
Muse PL with Single Glass Optic
2 Aperture Kits for use with Double Glass, Single Glass, and Plastic Optics
Fisheye Optic
Aperture Kit for Fisheye Optic
Soft Focus Optic
Aperture Kit for Soft Focus Optic
Plastic Optic
Pinhole/Zone Plate
0.42x Super Wide Conversion Lens
Wide Angle/Telephoto Kit
Macro Kit
Step-Up/Shade
Creative Aperture Kit 2
The Lensbaby Movie Maker’s Kit is available now for $2900 (MSRP) from www.lensbaby.com. For more information on the Lensbaby Movie Maker’s Kit or any other Lensbaby products, contact PR representative Jessica Darrican at 305-576-1171 x.16 or Jessica@maxborgesagency.com.
About Lensbaby
Lensbaby is a Portland, Oregon based manufacturer of award-winning Creative Effects SLR camera lenses. Lensbaby was launched in February 2004 by Craig Strong, a professional photographer and the inventor of the patented Lensbaby Creative Effects SLR lens system. Lensbaby sells to photographers all over the world through its website, www.lensbaby.com, by calling 877-536-7222 / 971-223-5662, at tradeshows, in leading photo retailers and through a growing global network of international distributors.
Departing from its interchangeable magnetic aperture system, Lensbaby has created its first optic with an adjustable aperture. With the Sweet 35, photographers can quickly and seamlessly change the aperture from f/2.5 through f/22, simply by rotating the dial on the front of the optic. The aperture opening is what controls the size of the Sweet Spot of sharp focus, giving photographers the ability to see the Sweet Spot change through the lens, without missing a moment.
“Changing the look of images from my Lensbaby lens with the Sweet 35 optic by quickly adjusting the aperture dial at the front of the optic has become habit-forming and allows me to create photographs I would never see through another lens,” said Craig Strong, Lensbaby Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer.
The Sweet 35 allows focus down to 7.5 inches from the front of the lens when used with the Lensbaby Composer and as close as 3 inches when used with the Muse. The 35mm focal length is just wide enough on full-frame cameras and just normal enough on APS C senor cameras, making the Sweet 35 perfect for landscape, environmental portrait, and event photography.
“The Sweet 35’s easily changed apertures, wider focal length, and close focus ability make it our most versatile and fun optic,” said Strong.
Sweet 35 Optic Product Specs:
Focal Length: 35mm
12-blade internal aperture, controlled by a dial on the front of the optic
Aperture range from f/2.5 through f/22 (sweet spot size ranges from 15%, at f/2.5, to 40%, at f/22, of total image area on APS-C sensor cameras)
Selective focus optic (creates a sweet spot of focus surrounded by gradual blur)
Compatible with Lensbaby Composer, Scout, Muse, and Control Freak lenses*
Focus distance when used with: Composer: 7.5” to infinity / Scout: 6.5” to infinity / Muse & Control Freak: 3” to infinity
4 multi-coated glass elements, in three groups
46mm front threads**
*The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with the Composer with Tilt Transformer for Micro 4/3rds and Sony NEX Cameras.
**The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with current 37mm Lensbaby accessories.
T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S. 1, today announced the anticipated February availability of the Galaxy S™ 4G, exclusively from T-Mobile. According to T-Mobile, the Galaxy S 4G will be the fastest smartphone running on America’s Largest 4G Network™2. The Galaxy S 4G, T-Mobile’s first smartphone capable of delivering theoretical peak download speeds of up to 21 Mbps, offers enhanced mobile experiences and unparalleled entertainment including mobile HD TV3 through T-Mobile TV, the ACADEMY AWARD® Nominated film INCEPTION, and T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik™ — delivered at 4G speeds on its 4-inch Super AMOLED touch screen display.
T-Mobile also announced the expansion of America’s largest 4G network into more than 100 major metropolitan areas, reaching more than 200 million people nationwide. In addition to expanding its 4G footprint, T-Mobile also has aggressive plans to double the speed of its 4G network in 2011, and the company expects that 140 million Americans in 25 major metropolitan areas will have access to these increased 4G speeds by midyear.
“The Galaxy S 4G pushes the envelope by reaping the benefits of our network’s unprecedented speeds and by offering groundbreaking entertainment experiences,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “We are excited to continue to expand our portfolio of 4G devices that enable our customers to have access to unique and compelling features and an optimal 4G experience.”
“The Galaxy S 4G offers customers Samsung’s core premium product investments to speed, screen and content,” said Omar Khan, chief strategy officer, Samsung Mobile. “Galaxy S 4G is T-Mobile’s fastest smartphone and offers Samsung’s brilliant Super AMOLED display and rich multimedia features for premium movie and TV content.”
Through the delivery of faster speeds comes an enhanced experience when viewing video entertainment over the Web using services such as YouTube. In addition T-Mobile TV, a preloaded application, offers consumers access to live and on-demand mobile HD TV on T-Mobile’s 4G network, including free programming from select stations like ABC News NOW, FOX Sports, PBS Kids and Azteca America.
To further enhance the entertainment package on the Galaxy S 4G, T-Mobile has preloaded, at no additional cost to consumers, Warner Bros. Pictures’ ACADEMY AWARD® Nominated film INCEPTION which is nominated for Best Picture, Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Music (Original Score), Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects. Customers also have the option to rent or purchase their favorite movies and TV programs directly from the Samsung Media Hub, which features a robust collection of new releases and TV shows.
The Galaxy S 4G’s blazing-fast speeds will make sharing memories via e-mail, social networks or video quick and easy. For example, the preloaded T-Mobile Video Chat application powered by Qik enables customers to share any moment with loved ones virtually whenever and wherever they want through T-Mobile’s network or Wi-Fi. Using either the front-facing or the rear camera, which features a 720p HD camcorder, paired with Video Chat allows customers to hold video conversations with friends and family who have a compatible mobile device.
Featured as a pre-installed application, doubleTwist® with AirSync™ provides customers with a useful and easy way to auto-sync and back up photos, HD videos and music to and from their home computer. With a Wi-Fi connection, customers can easily sync their media wirelessly and at no additional cost. The doubleTwist Player lets customers enjoy their favorite tunes and videos directly from their phone while on the go. The Galaxy S 4G also comes preloaded with Slacker Radio, offering music fans more than 130 genre stations and ability to create their own custom stations for free.
With a slim and sleek design, the Galaxy S 4G’s 4-inch Super AMOLED touch screen display gives customers a vivid, sharp viewing experience, whether consumers choose to watch a movie or read a book or newspaper with the preloaded Kindle for Android application while on the go. Powered by Android™ 2.2, the Galaxy S 4G is equipped with a speedy Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor, an ST-Ericsson M5720 HSPA+ 4G modem to enable theoretical peak downloads of up to 21 Mbps, a 5 megapixel camera, a pre-installed 16GB microSD memory card, and a 1650 mAh lithium ion battery.
Availability
The Galaxy S 4G is expected to be available to T-Mobile customers in February. Customers can visit http://galaxy-s.t-mobile.com/4G for more information.
Beginning today, T-Mobile’s network will also be delivering 4G speeds to Albany, Augusta, Columbus and Macon, Ga., and Chattanooga, Tenn., in the South region as well as in Champaign, Ill.; Lansing, Mich.; and Rochester, Minn., in the Midwest.
During Macworld (from January 27-January 30), ArtRage for iPad will be available at a discounted rate of only $2.99 (normally $6.99) at the Apple iTunes Store. ArtRage for iPad lets you become a mobile digital artist, providing the experience of actually “painting” digitally on a computer canvas with oil painting effects that smear and blend and watercolor strokes that merge to create soft, wet gradations, just as they would in a traditional art studio. An ArtRage-enabled iPad, tablet, or touch-screen laptop allows artists of all levels to bring their computer everywhere they go to be ready to spontaneously unleash their creativity on the spot by drawing, sketching, and painting in a wide range of artistic styles with tools that interact on the screen just as they would with real paint, ink, chalk, pen, or pencil.
ArtRage for iPad is available at iTunes store at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/artrage/id391432693?mt=8. The desktop versions of ArtRage for Mac & Windows are also available with more features, priced at $40 and $80 for ArtRage 3 Studio and ArtRage 3 Studio Pro respectively, available for download at www.artrage.com (see comparison chart at: http://www2.ambientdesign.com/files/artrage_product_comparison.pdf). For more information, see www.artrage.com.
During Macworld: Ambient Design will be showing demos of ArtRage at “W” Hotel, 181 Third St., ArtRage Suite.
Sadly, I do not have time for games. While my iPhone is filled with such favorites as Shift, Madden Football 2011, and the classic Wolfenstein, they rarely are even opened. Like Andy’s chest home to a collection of plastic and fabric that longs to be played just one more time in Toy Story 3, my Games folder cries to be tapped. Sudoku lives in the Puzzle Games folder (I even have multiple game folders to keep things in order I don’t use,) and now I will be able to finish that game in a hurry. Sure, I’ll need another iPhone or an Android phone to do it, but at least the game will be completed faster than a missile sinking a boat in Battleship within my Board Games folder. Using the new Google Goggles, you’ll be able to do a lot of stuff like look up similar articles from snapping a picture of a newspaper, or finding out information on a landmark before you, or just searching the web by clicking a photo of a dress. But just “because we can”, Google also has added the power of its algorithm to solving Sudoku games for you as well.
Download it from the Android Market Place or iTunes App Store today.
Want to show off something while listening to something and have something that no one else has unless you gift them something? Well, if you’re looking for some custom portable speakers for your iPod, iPhone, or other non-i audio device that has a headphone jack, then you may want to doodle a little. Simply stated, Doodle allows you take any image and plaster it on a portable speaker.
Check out OrigAudio after the video for more info.
Contour Energy Systems, Inc. an innovative portable power company commercializing next-generation battery systems, today announced the launch of its next-generation coin cell product family with the introduction of the four top selling lithium coin cell sizes (2032, 2025, 2016 & 2450) featuring the company’s patented Fluorinetic™ technology. Contour’s new lithium coin cells, which deliver significantly longer battery life and superior gravimetric and volumetric energy density compared to legacy primary lithium and rechargeable lithium ion batteries, are targeting a wide range of existing and emerging portable electronics and drug delivery systems.
The new products will make their debut the Consumer Electronics Show January 6-9, in Las Vegas at Contour Energy’s Booth 15343 in the Central Hall. Contour also will exhibit its high-performance 2025 and 2032 coin cells specifically designed for 3DTV active shutter glasses for 3DTV movies, programming content and gaming.
“Packing more power into coin cells involves ‘tuning’ the cathode to optimize power density for specific applications,” said Joe Carcone, vice president of sales and marketing with Contour Energy Systems. “Our Fluorinetic technology stands alone in this capability. By altering how fluorine is introduced into the carbon structure at the molecular level during the manufacturing process, the fundamental properties of our coin cells can be changed in ways that favor higher power densities to better match a particular application.”
Contour’s new coin cell products will be available for a broad range of applications, including:
• Hand held portable consumer electronics devices such as translators
• In-home health care equipment including glucose monitoring systems, drug dispensing systems and bone growth stimulators
• LED lighting systems and flashlights
• Calculators
• Keyless entry systems
• Small battery packs
• Cameras and light meters
• Construction laser levels
• Toys
• And more
As new versions of these diverse applications come to market with added features and capabilities that demand greater power densities, the need for next-generation coin cells capable of delivering new performance levels is escalating. Extended run time, improved discharge rates and longer shelf life are increasingly important considerations to consumers. Contour’s Fluorinetic technology is delivering on each of these next-generation battery requirements.
The Fluorinetic Advantage
Contour’s new coin cell product line features three primary advantages: greater runtime, better discharge rates and longer shelf life compared to current lithium products. Contour’s patented Fluorinetic technology leverages breakthrough lithium/carbon fluoride advancements to achieve these high energy and power densities. In addition, the advanced lithium/carbon-fluoride batteries overcome operational problems exhibited by some other lithium batteries, such as passivation, which has a significant voltage drop upon starting up a device.
Contour’s advanced coin cells currently exceed all others tested in both power density and maximum safe current draw. This makes the Contour coin cell line particularly well suited for applications that require high sustained or pulse currents and greater durability.
Availability
Contour’s new coin cell line-up will be commercially available in Q2 2011. On November 15, Contour announced the longest lasting batteries for 3D Glasses, which are high-performance 2025 and 2032 coin cells specifically designed for 3DTV active shutter glasses.
Swann Security, the global leader in security monitoring solutions, proudly debuts the SportsCam™ Waterproof Mini Video Camera. Making its debut at the 2011 International CES, this mini camera / DVR combo is housed in a rugged waterproof case and comes with a myriad of mounting options so outdoor enthusiasts can live & relive their most extreme moments.
At the core of SportsCam™ is a color camera that can record 640 x 480 high resolution video or crystal clear still images. The device stores recordings on a removable MicroSD card (up to 16GB), so users can easily swap out cards while on the go. A 16GB MicroSD card will capture approximately 5 hours of video. SportsCam™ is powered by a Lithium-ion battery that recharges via USB and gives the user 2.5 hours of life per charge.
Not only is the SportsCam’s™ case shockproof, but it’s also waterproof up to 65’. Included with the device are a number of mounting options that make it an ideal solution for a variety of sports and outdoor applications. With no dials, gauges knobs or any preferences to configure, users simply turn it on, strap it on and hit record.
Included SportsCam accessories:
Velcro™ straps x 3
Double-clipper
Cord, arm & head straps
Pouch
Sport-clip
Multi-clip
Waterproof pin clip & case clip
Multi-bracket
Velcro™ for bracket
Mounting screws x 2
Silicon case
Swann’s SportsCam™ will be unveiled at CES 2011 at Swann’s booth #8660 in Central Hall. SportsCam™ has a MSRP of $99 and will be available for purchase in February through Swann’s network of retailers.