dSLR Dad

Pentax has announced the new 10-megapixel Pentax K200D dSLR Camera with Shake Reduction. The K200D replaces the entry-level K100D. New and upgraded features include:

• APS-C sized 10-megapixel CCD sensor (12-bit RAW output only)
• 2.7 inch Live View LCD (230,000 dots and 160° viewing angle)
• Improved dust reduction system
• weather /dust sealing
• IS0 up to 3,200 (but how does ISO 800 look)
• 11 point Auto Focus system with 9 cross-sensors
• SD and SDHC card
• Battery consumption reduced by a factor of 8 over the K100D

The K200D is available in two configurations:

1. Pentax K200D dSLR Camera with Shake Reduction (Body Only)
2. Pentax K200D dSLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

The following is an excerpt from the Pentax press release: (more…)

Popularity: 16% [?]

Pentax has announced the new 14.6-megapixel K20D dSLR. It is expected to ship in March for $1,299.95 (body only price). New features include:

• APS-C sized 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor (12-bit RAW output only)
• 2.7 inch Live View LCD
• Improved dust reduction system
• weather /dust sealing
• IS0 up to 3,200 (but how does ISO 800 look)
• 11 point Auto Focus system
• SD and SDHC card

It looks like Amazon already has the Pentax K20D 14.6MP dSLR available for pre-order. (more…)

Popularity: 13% [?]

Really Right Suff has introduced Body Armor for Canon G7 & G9. This protective cover slips over the camera and snap-fits into your Really Right Stuff L-plate. This industry-first cover is machined from a solid block of aluminum to produce the world’s best body armor for your camera. The finished cover weighs only 3 ounces and can be used to protect your camera and as a camera support when your tripod is not at hand! When your camera is around your neck and out for use, simply snap-fit the cover to the bottom of the L-plate to keep it handy but out of the way.

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Popularity: 11% [?]

The following is part nine of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

I have tried a lot of different sensor cleaning products over the last year (never change your lenses at the beach, change them in your car). Visible Dust is the company that makes absolutely superior products. They are so good, whenever I went to my local camera shops, they all told me that while they could sell me some pad or swab, but they all used something from Visible Dust.

There are three steps to dust free images 1) Check 2) Dry Clean 3) Wet Clean. The Visible Dust 3 Step Dust Free 724 DSLR Sensor Cleaning Kit has (more…)

Popularity: 8% [?]

The following is part eight of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

Everybody wants to try Macro photography, but not everyone can purchase a separate macro lens. Especially if you’re new to macro photography and are not sure exactly what you would need. Well here is the perfect solution, the Canon 500D Close Up Lens(77mm at Amazon or B&H Photo). This is a two-element, precision optic that screws on to the front of your lens like a typical filter. It then reduces your lens’ focal length, so you can get close to your subject and fill the frame. It’s so good that I know Nikon professionals who swear by it. (more…)

Popularity: 9% [?]

The following is part seven of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

If you’re not looking for a new bag, how about a great accessory that anyone can use, the Pee Wee Pixel Pocket Rocket from Think Tank Photo. It stores four Compact Flash cards and three Secure Digital cards in an even smaller, more compact package. Can be attached inside of Think Tank Photo products or to your clothing.  That way, it just doesn’t fall out of your pocket, lost forever.  It can also hold business cards in the front face.  Available for just $13.50. Note, the slightly larger Pixel Pocket Rocket comes standard with quite a few bags (including the one I bought).

Popularity: 11% [?]

The following is part Six of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

Think Tank Photo is a company that has burst onto the scene and come out with products that meet the needs of both professional and serious dSLR Dad’s alike. They carry any number of shoulder or belt bags, rugged airport carry-on, or their fantastic modular system. You can download a copy of their catalog (more…)

Popularity: 13% [?]

The following is part five of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything from Really Right Stuff. But their new BH-40 Ballhead is that piece of equipment that makes you question why you struggled for so long with that other inferior tripod head you had. It is their mid-sized ballhead and is perfect for popular light to mid-sized gear such as 70-200mm/f2.8 and 300mm/f4 lenses. This ballhead is load-rated at 18-pounds but weighs only 13-ounces.

(more…)

Popularity: 9% [?]

The following is part four of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

The Hoodman Professional LCD Screen Loupe is something that every dSLR Dad would love to have and would use every time they were outdoors. But since it’s $70, it also is something they would never buy for themselves. I know it seems a tad pricey, but that’s what makes it a great gift. Go ahead, see how much they smile when they open this box.

Popularity: 7% [?]

The following is part three of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

Give them the Gift of More Pictures

A gift that all dSLR Dad’s could use, more memory cards. But the key to this gift is it can’t just be any old memory card. The key for a dSLR Dad is speed and reliability. The quicker the card, the quicker the camera can write to the card. This means you will actually be able to use the high frame rate (fps) more often, with less delay in between bursts. You will also be able to download to the computer 2 to 3 times faster. Which is a big deal when a fast 4GB flash card can still take 3-5 minutes to download.

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Popularity: 5% [?]

The following is part two of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

If I may channel Randy Quaid as Eddie from Christmas Vacation, Clark, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Seriously though, magazines are a great gift. They can offer not only quality information, but inspiration throughout the year. Why not give them as a gift?

Popular Photography & Imaging
Outdoor Photographer
LensWork (a fantastic duotone, non-technical publication)
Photoshop User (which is a community membership for all things Photoshop, not just a magazine)

Popularity: 5% [?]

The following is part of a much larger dSLR Dad Holiday Gift Guide:

For all of you dSLR Dad’s (or dSLR Dad significant others) I have here the perfect gift idea. A B&H Photo gift card (they start at $20):

For those of you who may not know, B&H is pretty much where all the professionals go for their equipment needs. They have everything, and normally at the best price. There are only two places I purchase my dSLR gear, and that’s Amazon and B&H Photo. Great sites, with great prices, without the hassle.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Press Release:

To help celebrate the holiday season, we at Think Tank Photo will be giving away one of our camera bags every day for a month, starting on November 16. All you need to do is click here and you will be directed to a very simple form where you can register to win in this random drawing. [Note: the only bag not eligible to be won is our Airport Security roller and you may enter only once.]
We also have holiday coupons and special offers that we’ll be announcing throughout November and December, so be sure to sign up.

Popularity: 8% [?]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TRLGRDv7ik]

Ben Willmore, from Inside Digital Photo TV, has posted a video detailing his use of Think Tank Photo’s Modular Belt system. If you haven’t heard of Think Tank Photo, they are a relatively recent company that specializes in making fantastic storage solutions for photographers. For all you dSLR Dad’s out there who have never been happy using a photo backpack to shoot (since it has to come off your back) while you’re also trying to chase your kid(s) around, you should really check them out.

I’ve been using their Speed Freak Belt Pack for almost 6 months now and I love it. It can hold my 20D with a wide angle + lens hood on one side and a stowed 70-200mm f/2.8 right beside it. The belt system also accepts other modular components, so you add different lens pouches depending on your situation that day. Plus, the belt tucks into a side pouch so you can also use it as a shoulder bag.

You can also check out Ben’s blog to get coupon code WS-055 for a free extra lens case or gadget bag on your order.

Popularity: 6% [?]