Those of you in the GTA keen to see Philip Bloom during his limited engagement in Canada are in luck! He’s added a Toronto date to the roster – November 4, to be exact – so make sure you get your ticket now while they’re still available.

As it stands, the Nov. 2 date in Calgary has already sold out, the Nov. 3 date only has a few seats left, and Ottawa’s Nov. 5 date has room for only 5 more bodies!

Register NOW while you still can!

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010 @10am | Vistek Calgary
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010 @10am | Vistek Toronto
Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 @10am | Vistek Ottawa

Continue reading...

The news from Photokina doesn’t seem to be disappointing this year… just check out the excitement from Panasonic!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2: this 16.05MP hybrid mirror-free touch control DSL Micro Camera features full HD 1920×1080/60i movie recording and the worlds fastest level (it reportedly requires only 0.1 second to focus and capture the shot) of Light Speed AF… sounds pretty amazing, right? Well what if we told you it could also shoot in 3D? Seriously. With the new LUMIX G 12.5mm / F12 (H-FT012) – a 3D-capable interchangeable lens – you can easily & instantly shoot in 3D. It produces 3D images without distortion or time lag between left and right images, even for moving objects. The 3D images, even close-up shots, taken with this lens are easy on the eyes when viewed on 3D VIERA televisions (mpo side by side format).

Have a 360-degree gander at this amazing new camera & check out the full press release for detailed camera specs. Due: early November

In addition to this new member to the Lumix G family, have a look at the new lenses to join in on the fun:

Lumix G Vario 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS100300)

• Long Zoom Range of 100-300mm (35mm camera equivalent: 200-600mm)
• MEGA O.I.S. – Panasonic’s Advanced Hand-shake Correction Technology
• Contrast AF System Support
• Based on the Micro Four Thirds System Standard
• Circular Aperture Diaphragm
• Multi-coated Lens Elements Minimize Ghosts and Flare

Due: early November

Lumix G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH (H-H014)

• 28mm wide angle (35mm camera equivalent) and F2.5 brightness
• 3 aspherical lenses for a superb optical performance in compact size
• High-speed, silent Contrast AF for both photos and movies with inner focus drive system
• Circular aperture diaphragm
• Multi-coated lens elements minimize ghosts and flare

Due: mid-October

And, as mentioned, above, the Lumix  G 12.5mm / F12 (H-FT012)

• The world’s first interchangeable 3D lens
• Features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses, to be processed with a 3D image processing system
• Extremely Compact Size and Light Weight Body
• Produces 3D images without distortion or time lag between left and right images
• 4 elements in 3 groups
• Maximum magnification of approx. 0.02x / 0.1x (35mm camera equivalent)

Due: late November

And, last, but most certainly not least: Ladies & Gentlemen, the Panasonic HDC-SDT750… the world’s first consumer-targeted 3D camcorder!

This bold step forward in videography allows 3D images to be recorded at home. Incorporating Panasonic broadcast technology, this new 3MOS camcorder lets users easily create their own 3D movies, something that only professional image producers were previously able to do. Combined with a VIERA 3DTV and Blu-ray Disc player/recorder, the Panasonic SDT750 3D camera makes it possible to save precious memories of friends and family in vivid, lifelike images, to further expand the world of 3D enjoyment at home.

With the addition of Panasonic’s new 3D conversion lens to the 700 series highly touted 3MOS system you can shoot 3D video using the same principle as human vision. Left-and right-eye images are simultaneously shot with two lenses. The 3D conversion lens (included with the camera) is detachable, and the dual-lens 3D attachment mounts onto the HDC-SDT750′s F1.5, 12x optical zoom Leica lens.

And to help edit those perfect moments, the Panasonic SDT750 comes with HD Writer AE 2.6T PC editing software (for Windows OS). This software allows users to easily edit recorded 3D images, and save them onto PCs or BD/DVD discs.

You can read the official press release for more in-depth details or check out full camera specs here. Due: mid-October

Continue reading...

Photographer Timur Civan recently posted some AMAZING photographs on the Cinema5D forum.  When an upcoming project of his called for a vintage look he enlisted a lens technician friend’s help. Not only did his friend find him an incredible 1908 (possibly earlier) 35mm lens (“Still functioning, mostly brass, and not nearly as much dust or fungus as one would think after sitting in a box for over a hundred years”), he helped him to fit it to his EOS 5D Mk II… seriously!

With the Wollensak 35mm F5.0 Cine-Velostigmat hand-cranked cinema camera lens, it looks like he got the look he was going for.

Check out the rest!

Continue reading...

With the Aptus-II 12, Leaf delivers the most powerful and most versatile digital camera back ever made. This amazing feat of photo technology delivers the highest quality, highest resolution of any full frame digital back. Oh, and did we mention that it comes with a whopping 80-megapixel sensor?

Anyone who could use 80 million pixels of imaging data raise your hand!

As we suspected, commercial/advertising pros, archivists and fine artists, to name a few. We expect anyone who needs maximum detail in their photos and those who print massive size images will want one.

At the heart of the Aptus-II 12 back is the powerful full-frame 53.7 x 40.3mm 80 MP CCD sensor, taking digital backs to the next level. The sheer quality of detail is unsurpassed. And the high level of resolution eliminates moiré and more perfectly renders objects – from the texture of fine fabrics to the smooth curves of car metal.

For those occasions when 80-megapixels is just too much, you can dial down to select an aspect ratio, such as the 1:1 with 60MP resolution, that will satisfy your particular project requirements – enabling faster processing and smaller file size.

In addition, the Aptus-II 12R version adds an internal rotating sensor system, allowing you to change from portrait to landscape orientation without removing the back.

The Leaf Aptus-II 12 and Leaf Aptus-II 12R is a lot of “back” and support a wide range of camera brands including Phase One 645DF and AF and Mamiya 645DF and AF cameras, most Hasselblad V models and a selection of large format cameras via adapters.

SPECS:

53.7 x 40.3mm 80 MP CCD • 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD • 80-800 ISO range • 1.5 fps capture rate • 12-stop dynamic range • mind-boggling 480MB max file size per image

Continue reading...

Our sources at Photokina are busy checking out all the newest gear & are keeping us up-to-date with all the hottest announcements.

So… what’s headed our way in the not-too-distant future?

Fuji FinePix X100: an awesome retro body (complete with old-school style dials) housing a high-grade digital compact camera featuring an APS-C CMOS sensor, a Fujinon 23mm fixed focal length lens and a newly developed Hybrid Viewfinder. Due: early 2011

Leica M9 Titanium: a new solid titanium version of the M9 – with only 500 to be produced – which will include a an accompanying special-edition 35mm Summilux f/1.4 lens. This sexy bit of gear was designed by the head designer for Volkswagon. Due: October 2010

Continue reading...

Olympus has announced the latest in their aresenal of Four Thirds DLSRs: the E-5. Set to replace the E-3, the E-5 pairs a 12.3 megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor with a TruePic V+ image processing engine & features a large 3.0″ 921k dual axis swivel HyperCrystal® LCD, fast sensor AF (including face detection), 720p movie mode, HDMI and Stereo mic connections, 10 art filters, and compatibility with over 20 Four Thirds lenses.

Designed to maximize the award-winning performance of Zuiko Digital lenses, the E-5 achieves the highest image quality of any Olympus camera—with astonishing detail, blazing speed, and true-to-life color. New options like user control in Art Filters and 720p HD Video give you more freedom to explore creative effects. And with its weatherproof design, the rugged E-5 can go anywhere.

Olympus also claims its 11-point High Precision Fully Twin Cross AF system is one of the world’s fastest and most accurate. Not too shabby.

Other functions & features include:

• Dust and splashproof magnesium alloy body
• Spotless photography with most effective dust reduction system (Supersonic Wave Filter)
• Fully biaxial high-speed 11 point AF system
• 1/8000 sec. high-speed and high-precision shutter control
• High-performance built-in image stabiliser to stabilise all lenses
• Multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD with Live View for greatest flexibility and real-time monitoring
• Large viewfinder with 100% field of view for accurate image control
• Professional working tool in terms of speed, quality and durability
• 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS sensor
• Great image performance and large variety of bright dedicated-to-digital lenses thanks to Four Thirds Standard
• Live simulation function (effective monitoring)
• Pre-control over White Balance & exposure compensation
• Preview of shadow adjustment technology (SAT) for maximum image results
• 5x/7x/10x magnified view for precise focusing
• Built-in flash and wireless flash control from the camera body
• Ergonomic design of body, control buttons and GUI for easy operation
• AE/AF lock functionality for individual customisation
• High Sensitivity
• Accurate White Balance with two sensors
• High-speed data writing and lossless compression for quick processing
• Second control panel display for direct view
• Optional power grip ideal for portrait shooting and long battery life
• USB 2.0 High Speed
• Simultaneous writing of RAW & JPEG

Check out the full specs for yourself!

Continue reading...

The Nikon D7000 has been made official – complete with: 39-point autofocus system, 100 percent viewfinder coverage, 1080/24p and 720/30p video options, dual SD card slots & 6fps burst mode for up to 100 shots.

The new new mid-class DX-format camera features a compact body along with top & rear covers made of a magnesium alloy — adding that extra bit of increased durability.

Other functions & features of the D7000 include:

• A glass pentaprism for viewfinder frame coverage of approximately 100% and magnification of approximately 0.94×
• High-speed continuous shooting of up to 100 shots at approximately 6 fps, and a very precise and durable shutter unit that has passed testing for 150,000 cycles
• New U1 and U2 settings on the mode dial allow users to assign frequently used settings, including ISO sensitivity and exposure compensation, to these positions for instant recall of the registered settings by simply rotating the mode dial
• Live view function that can be smoothly enabled with the dedicated live view switch
• Double SD memory card slot that enable use of two SD memory cards (SDHC, SDXC also supported)
• The Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15, which enables capture about 1,050 shots when fully charged
• Support for the new Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D11 (sold separately), which holds not only Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries EN-EL15, but also AA batteries
• Nikon’s image browsing and editing software, ViewNX 2, supplied with purchase

With an estimated release date of mid-October, the D7000 is available now for pre-purchase, either on its own or as part of a kit that includes the AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR Nikkor Zoom Lens.

Continue reading...

This week Canon released the SX30 IS & the  G12 as  the newest additions to its Powershot arsenal – bringing to the party high def video capture as well as the world’s first point & shoot 35x wide angle optical zoom lens!

In addition to its INSANE 24-840mm ultra-wide lens with 35x optical zoom, the 14.1-megapixel SX30 IS also features a 2.7″ rear LCD (230k-dot resolution), HDMI connectivity and 720p HD video recording.

Other SX30 IS highlights include:

• Improvements to Movie modes: Dynamic mode enables users to use the Optical Image Stabilizer while shooting video in the wide-angle setting, and the Optical Zoom is now available while shooting video
• Canon’s first high-powered 35x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom (24-840mm) with Optical Image Stabilizer reduces camera shake to achieve amazing images whether you are up close or far away.
• The SX30 IS is equipped with Canon’s acclaimed Optical Image Stabilizer Technology that automatically detects and corrects camera shake – one of the leading causes of fuzzy or blurred shots. Even when zoomed in, you can get the steady, crisp, brilliant images you’ll be proud to shoot and share.
• Shoots superb 720p HD video with stereo sound so you can fully capture those fun, memorable moments, and then view them with an HDMI output connector for easy playback on your HDTV
• Using the new Zoom Framing Assist button aids the user in tracking and capturingsubjects during super telephoto photography
• Advanced Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings for the camera based on 28 predefined shooting situations.
• This classically-styled camera has a powerful DIGIC 4 Image Processor and 14.1 Megapixels, which makes it a perfect device for any shooter!
• Large 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD enables easy viewing.
• For the first time, this camera comes with Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which makes powering up simple.

Picking up where the G11 left off, the new G12 adds 720p high-definition video capture, stereo microphones, new shooting modes for both stills and video, as well as revamped image-stabilization & Auto mode features.

Key G12 features include:

• 10 Megapixel sensor combined with the DIGIC 4 Image Processor create Canon’s HS SYSTEM for improved low light performance and better image quality.
• Shoot beautiful 720p HD video in stereo sound and play back on an HDTV via the HDMI output.
• Full range of shooting and recording modes including RAW + JPEG for the ultimate creative control.
• Utilizes Canon’s Hybrid IS to compensate for angular and shift camera shake during close-up shooting.
• Large, bright 2.8-inch Vari-angle LCD with 461,000 dots for shooting at a variety of angles plus an optical viewfinder.
• A high-powered 5x Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, plus a 28mm Wide-Angle Lens gets you up close and personal to your subjects, as well as capture more in your frame.
• A host of optional accessories including Speedlite flashes, underwater housing and Tele-Converter Lens are available.
• High Dynamic Range scene mode combines multiple shots into one picture showing greater image detail.

Continue reading...

This November, noted ProFusion 2010 Keynote Speaker Philip Bloom will be appearing, live & in person, at Vistek Calgary & Vistek Ottawa.

Vistek is honoured to welcome the world’s foremost authority on video DSLR technology and technique. Philip Bloom – acclaimed filmmaker, Director of Photography and Director – will be in Calgary for two days & Ottawa for one, to conduct his wildly popular interactive hands-on workshops. If you’re interested in video, this is a rare opportunity to get a close-up look at one of the industry’s most brilliant innovators in the field of HD-DSLRs.

Bloom’s workshops at ProFusion 2010 – the country’s largest video tradeshow – were sold out. Three months after the show and people are still talking about them.

So what are you waiting for? Now’s your chance to check it out for yourself!

Register today:

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 @ 10am | Vistek Calgary

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010 @10am | Vistek Calgary

Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 @10am | Vistek Ottawa

Continue reading...

Here’s your chance to get a close-up look at what Epson can do for you.

Andrew Patrick from Epson will be on hand – along with an ample supply of Epson printers, scanners and papers – to demonstrate the amazing capabilities of Epson printers and digital products.

Who should attend: Anyone who wants to produce professional looking prints.

Don’t pass up this great opportunity to see the incredible line-up of Epson printers in action.

Space is limited. Choose the location closest to you and sign up today for free!

Continue reading...