(Credit:
Art Lebedev Studio)
The Fleximus is a twisty concept camera from Art Lebedev Studio, generator of such innovative ideas as transparent trucks and the Optimus Maximus keyboard.
(Credit:
Art Lebedev Studio)
The Fleximus is a tubular, flexible photo and video camera with a lens at one end and viewfinder or a 3-inch display at the other.
The device is designed to be as simple as possible, with few controls. Natch, since the motto of Art Lebedev Studio is "No bullsh--."
The Fleximus is also meant to get those photo angles you never could before, though it seems less practical than, say, a more compact camera you can simply aim at anything.
But it may be perfect for plumbers angling through pipes, nooks, and crannies--rovided, that is, it ever becomes a product and gets a much longer tube.
There is a neat page of designs showing how the Fleximus was created here.
(Credit:
Montage by Leonard Goh/CNET Asia)
NASA has placed an order with Nikon for 11 units of its highest-end dSLR, the D3S, and 7 AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8G ED lenses to bring to space for documentation efforts. Interestingly, none of these cameras or optics will require any modifications, which attests to the ruggedness and versatility of the company's shooters.
The dSLRs will be brought to the International Space Station, where they will join a host of other Nikon products such as the D2X, lenses, and other Speedlight external flash units.
This is the second consumer camera brand we know of this year to enter the vast expanse of space, with Olympus sending the E-3 beyond the stratosphere earlier this year with Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata.
(Source: Crave Asia via 1001 Noisy Cameras)
DSLR67
(Credit: Sunpak)One of the more recent additions to Sunpak's lineup of flashes is the DSLR67 LED ring light, a low-cost, easy-to-use LED ring light for macro work with an SLR. It's simple to use: just turn it on and shoot. Although it won't put out as much light as a traditional strobe ring light, it only costs about $50, less than a strobe ring light. It's meant for when you need to add a little light to small subjects.
The DSLR67 fits most lenses with a filter size up to 67mm. The ring light mount slides into the hot shoe, then you adjust the flexible arm so the ring light aligns at the front of the lens. Its flexible arm allows for almost unlimited movement, even off to the side of center of the lens. It has an effective light coverage distance of 2 inches to 20 inches. The ring light takes three AAA batteries and weighs 4.2 ounces without them.
There are 12 LED lights spaced out around the front of the ring light. The LED lights have a natural, daylight color, with a color temperature of 5500 to 6500 degrees Kelvin for properly balanced photos.
Since the LED lights are on continuously when the ring light is turned on (unlike a strobe flash that only lights when the shutter is pressed), its constant light output allows you to see the effects of the light from the LED ring light before the shot is taken.
This is me being stoked for the holidays.
(Credit: Matt Hickey)As is the tendency at year's end, this week Crave has seen several "best of" lists, including the 10 best cell phones of the year. Not to be single-minded, we also put out the 10 worst cell phones of the year. But it's not just phones, we listed the 20 most notable tech products of the year, period.
We also shared a collection of last-minute gifts you can print. If you have a printer, you now have stocking stuffers. Getting a new HDTV for Christmas? We're here to help.
Did you hear about the wicked giant new airplane that flew for the first time here in my city? It was pretty awesome.
But it's not all gifts and end-of-year fun. We learned that Apple is trying to patent reality. No, really.
Speaking of ballsy moves, we sort of have to mention Google's Nexus One phone here, don't we?
And feel free to gift us, your humble bloggers, with something from our wish lists. I'll take the MacBook Pro repair service, thanks.
Raw photo files from Canon's new 1D Mark IV now can be seen in Mac OS X.
(Credit: Canon USA)Apple released one of its routine Mac OS X updates on Wednesday to let its computers handle raw images from a handful of new Nikon and Canon SLRs as well as from Canon's newer high-end PowerShot G11 compact camera.
The update lets Mac OS X 10.6 as well as Apple's iPhoto and Aperture software handle the raw image files taken directly from the camera's sensors without in-camera processing. Raw photo formats offer more quality and flexibility at the cost of convenience and file size.
The update supports Canon's new professional EOS-1D Mark IV and high-end EOS 7D SLRs. Among Nikons, the support ranges from the entry-level D3000, the higher-end D300S, and the professional D3S.
Windows relies on camera makers to supply software to decode the raw images. Adobe Systems and Apple write their own modules to decode the proprietary raw formats.
Updated 7:31 a.m. PST December 18 to clarify that the update expanded existing raw support.
Not every noteworthy product was made by Apple in 2009.
We've been doing a lot of end-of-the year lists here at CNET as our editors round up the most popular and best products in their categories. That's all great, but then someone said, "Hey, why don't we do a list that's a best-of-the-best list of all the lists combined?"
Well, that's what I was tasked with, but instead of calling it the "Best products of 2009" or the "Most popular products of 2009," I've come up with "The most notable products of 2009," which I like to think of as a kind of a hybrid between popular, best, and most hyped.
Once again, I've enlisted the help of my fellow editors, so while my name may appear at the top of this list, it's really a collective effort. That said, you can blame me if you don't like the picks (a few may surprise you).
As always, feel free to suggest your own picks. If you make a good case, we'll update the list and make some changes.
Click on any image to start the slideshow and see the picks (they are listed in alphabetical order).
A little pouch can go a long way toward protecting your investment.
(Credit: Kata)Most consumer electronics require at least a couple of extra purchases for improving performance or extending their usefulness. Point-and-shoot cameras are no different, as manufacturers tend to cut out accessories to keep product costs as low as possible. Fortunately, most accessories for compact cameras are reasonably inexpensive, making post-purchase costs pretty small.
That said, here's a quick list of five essential items you'll want to consider picking up to get the most from your new digital camera.
- Batteries
I admit that while I've told several people over the years to be safe and buy the camera manufacturer's rechargeable batteries, I've always bought cheap aftermarket batteries off of eBay for myself. Though I've never had a problem, I can't say you won't. Plus, there is a chance that using a third-party battery will void the camera warranty, so be sure to check the terms for your model.Regardless of what you go with, you'll want to get at least one backup battery pack. If you're using a camera running on AA-size batteries, buy good ones designed for power-demanding electronics. Even better, buy some NiMH rechargeables and only use alkaline or lithium ion batteries when you need them.
- Case
Point-and-shoot cameras don't come with cases anymore. That's a real shame considering that the large LCDs and shiny finishes used on current models are particularly scratch-prone. A nice simple slip case such as the M-Rock Milan is enough to keep a camera protected from scuffs while bouncing around in a handbag or backpack. If you want something with more protection and storage though, look for bags like the Kata DF-404 or Lowepro Apex 30 AW
... Read more
This woman is clearly thrilled with her decision to use a kiosk instead of a tiny photo printer.
(Credit: Kodak)If you look at our 2009 holiday gift guide, neither the camera nor the printers sections have recommendations for little, standalone photo printers. This probably wasn't intentional, but the fact is, they've become sort of niche products that I'd be hard-pressed to recommend these days. With so many other ways to get prints and enjoy and consume digital photos, it seems like these single-function printers, regardless of size, are just more tech clutter. I say this because I own two that have done nothing but collect dust this year.
This doesn't mean I don't make individual prints (though lately I've been making more photo books) or regularly view my pictures, because I do. There's just much better ways of freeing the photos trapped online or on a hard drive.
- Online printing
The Web has roughly a gazillion ways to view and share digital photos as well as order prints or various other products. So, the first step is to find one you like and will use, and sign up. It's been, um, awhile since CNET examined the topic of online printing services, but DigitalPhotos101 and TopTenReviews have current reviews on the subject. According to both sites, HP-owned Snapfish comes out on top. Snapfish does mail-order, but its retail partnerships allow you to do in-store pickup. It, too, is where you can get my favorite photo gift, the giant $50 wall clock (there's a smaller $20 version as well). Also, while it's going to seem like I'm a rep for Kodak by the end of this post, I've been a longtime user of its printing services. Its new professional print options yield particularly nice results.
... Read more
After a plunge of about 3,000 feet during a parachuting trip, the Canon Rebel XT still worked, if not flawlessly.
(Credit: Calin Leucuta)Camera makers tout the ruggedness of their higher-end products, but apparently even an entry-level SLR can withstand a 3,000-foot drop under the right circumstances.
The camcorder didn't fare as well as the SLR.
(Credit: Calin Leucuta)So discovered Marius Ivascu, a parachuting instructor in Florida whose Canon Rebel XT detached from his helmet mount and took the fast way back to Earth on a skydiving trip. The camera mount detached when Ivascu deployed his parachute, recounted Calin Leucuta, a photographer and friend of Ivascu who earlier had sold him the camera.
After searching for less than a half hour after he landed, Ivascu found the camera and a video camera that had been mounted next to it.
"The video camera cracked open, dead, done deal. The Rebel took the fall a little better, just a crack in the left side of the plastic body," Leucuta said on his blog. "With a glimmer of hope, Marius presses the playback button: Quelle surprise! The camera turns on, displays the last image taken, like nothing happened."
... Read more
Win a Canon digital camera!
(Credit: Canon)After giving away a $500 gift certificate a couple of weeks ago, newegg.com is back to provide a sweet little prize today, the Canon PowerShot SD940 IS digital camera.
Josh Goldman, CNET's point-and-shoot professor, says in his review that, "[a]ll things considered, the SD940 IS is one of the best ultracompacts available." (Read the full review).
In case you don't know what Newegg.com is, it made its name selling computer gear and accessories at really low prices. But now it sells not only computer stuff but tons of electronics, so you're looking at a whole lotta selection.
We'd also like to give a shout out to Shopper.com for helping set up this Crave giveaway. Shopper.com powers CNET's price-comparison engine, and it's a great site for finding the best prices on products. (See all of Shopper's deals, coupon codes, and rebates).
Normally, the Canon PowerShot SD940 IS would cost you about $300, but you have the chance to get it gratis.
So, how do you try to win this Canon? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; there will be a test.
- Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, there's no need to register again.
- Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it's funny or insightful it won't help you win, but we're trying to have fun here, so anything entertaining is appreciated.
- Leave only one comment. You may enter this specific giveaway only once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified.
- The winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive (1) Canon PowerShot SD940 IS. Approximate retail value is $300.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified via e-mail. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
- Entries can be submitted until Thursday, December 17 at 6:59:59 a.m. EST.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes ends at 7 AM ET on December 17, 2009. See official rules for details.
Good luck.
Come back tomorrow for our next holiday giveaway, which will be a Belkin Gigabit Powerline networking adapter.
On Sale Now: $254.00 - $299.99
View the latest prices for Canon PowerShot SD940 IS (black)
