112 MP B&W Sensor that Captures the Sun and the Stars in one Shot

 

You thought the Leica M Monochrom was the hippest camera you can get? Change your mind. Tucson, Arizona based Spectral Instruments gets the crown for the most amazing camera you can get (better you’re not on a budget). The sensor (part of their 1100 series) showcased in the video above is an 112 megapixel black and white CCD, no Bayer mask nor filter of any type. The sensor has a 95x95mm surface (APC-S: 25.1×16.7mm, 35mm film: 36×24 mm, medium format: 46×36mm). Do you have an idea about how much light such a sensor might capture? A whola lot! The dynamic range is so huge that this sensor can capture the sun and the stars in broad daylight. Spectral Instruments usually makes sensors for camera systems used in laboratory instrumentation or mounted on satellites. Now they want to make a camera for “normal” users. So, if you have some >$100,000 to spend (the cost of the sensor alone), then this is the camera for you. What ever are the $8,000 of the Leica M Monochrom? Nothing but a bargain… :-) Indeed, Spectral Instruments will not build such a camera if they do not get a response strong enough to motivate them. So, it’s up to all of us to make this happen. Spread the voice.

[via gizmodo via fstoppers]

 

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Review

 

This is a lens that will probably not appeal to professionals, and I guess a lot of people thinks a lens like the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM is not good enough for their last generation DSRL bodies (not true indeed, and we all know that it’s the photographer who makes the picture, not the gear). Nevertheless, this is a perfect travel lens. Light weighted (490g/17.3oz), with an 11.1x zoom range (18-200mm, on an APC-S sensor equivalent to 28-320mm), image stabilization, decent build quality, and fair performance. It has an HSM motor driving the zoom. Consider that this lens has a street price of $399 and you have the perfect travel lens. More after the break.

 

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New Rebel T4i/EOS 650D Specs Leaked

canonrumors reports the latest Rebel T4i/EOS 650D rumor. The specifications that may have leaked are:

    • 18mp (no word on whether or not its a new or modified 18mp sensor)
    • 9 AF Points, all cross-type
    • Touchscreen LCD
    • Continuous AF in LiveView & Video Recording
    • June Announcement

Well, two weeks to June! :-) I am less excited for the new Rebel than for the hopefully great mirrorless interchangeable lenses camera that Canon is said to announce in June.

 

Sigma Lenses & Lexar Card Deals, and WFT-E7A Wireless File Transmitter in stock at B&H

B&H has a cool Sigma lenses deal with savings up to $200. Click here, then choose the mount type you need (Canon, of course!), and get your lens. On the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS Macro Lens (click here) the saving is $200. But: the deal expires 5/31, so hurry up.

Next, there is a memory card deal. The Lexar 8GB SDHC Platinum II Class 6 for just $6.99 (click here), but there is a very limited supply at this price. This deal may last just a few hours.

Finally, B&H has the new Canon WFT-E7A Wireless File Transmitter as new arrival in stock for $849 (click here).

CCD technology explained (video)

 

Have you ever wondered how those CCD sensors work? What’s behind the science that captures light and outputs all these nice pics you are shooting? We all know that having a larger sensor is usually a pretty good thing, but how exactly is a sensor working? Well, there is one thing you can take for granted: there’s a lot of sophisticated work to do. And Bill Hammack (The Engineer Guy) is here to help us understand. Enjoy the video!

[via engadget]

 

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD Review

Update: the following shops have the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 VC USD in stock and ready to ship (world-wide availability check at the end of the post):

ephotozine just reviewed the eagerly awaited Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 VC USD lens. It’s an interesting lens: it covers a popular zoom range and has a constant 2.8 aperture. It weights 825g (29.1 ox) and has an 82mm filter mount. Closest focusing distance is 0.38m (15.0 in). Having a price tag of $1,299 it’s cheaper than Canon’s equivalent EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, which sells at $1,599 and does not have image stabilization (called vibration compensation in the Tamron galaxy). Build quality is rather good: High quality plastics have been used for much of the lens barrel’s construction and the wide rubberised zoom ring is well enough damped to prevent lens creep. Generally speaking, the performance of this lens is very good. Some excerpts from the review:

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