Increasingly, the act of pointing a digital SLR camera at anything is becoming not just undesired but illegal in many countries. Very often the “Please” is left out and the photographer is treated as a criminal.

Michael Coyne shares his experiences photographing in Hong Kong. It exposes the stupidity of the “No Photography” law wherever it is enforced and of the simple minds who enact such laws.

[ Read the article at: Black Star Rising ]

Pentax K-7

Peter Burian tests this rugged, well-sealed 14.5MP camera with pro caliber versatility and extras such as Movie mode and in-camera HDR

The flagship of the Pentax DLSR series, the K-7 is an unusually rugged semi-professional 14.5 MP camera that’s built like a tank: with a splash-proof magnesium alloy body over a stainless steel chassis. While the 14.5 megapixel K20D is less pricey, the K-7 is even more desirable. This newer model retains all of the K20D’s best features but provides significant benefits: faster (5.2 fps) drive speed, larger 3″ LCD with 920,000 dot resolution, a viewfinder with 100% coverage, plus upgrades for the sensor, processor, autofocus system, built-in image stabilizer and evaluative metering (now with 77 zones). More importantly, the K-7 offers some entirely new functions, including HD Movie mode.

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Leica S2

“The Leica S2 … may well be one of the finest camera systems ever made.”

Luminous Landscape has published their Field and Studio Review of the Leica S2 [QuickPrice Check].

[ Read the Leica S2 Field and Studio Review at: Luminous Landscape ]

Here’s a fascinating photo gallery into the world of Science. I especially like #2 (how Fibrin works with platelets to clot your wound), #7 (firing of the nerve cell), #11 (a cross section of your muscle) and #16 (a white blood cell “eating” invading bacteria).

[ View the gallery at: Spiegel Online ]

Canon EF 85/1.8 USM

“Be amazed at the quality of the images that the EF 85/1.8 can produce.”

Bob Atkins has published his review of the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM [QuickPrice Check] prime lens.

Related Link:

• Canon EF 85/1.8 USM Technical Specifications

Sony alpha DSLR-A230

“The [Sony] A230 is simply one of the cheapest DSLRs on the market right now.”

Camera Labs has posted their review of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 [QuickPrice Check], with 10.2MP resolution (on a 23.6 x 15.8 mm APS-C CCD Sensor), in-camera Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Anti-Dust Technology, 2.7-in. (230K dots) LCD, Dynamic Range Optimizer, ISO 100 to 3200, Continuous Shooting 2.5fps, Eye-Start Autofocus System, Creative Style settings, built-in Pop-Up Flash, and Dual Slot Compatiblity for Memory Stick and SD media.

[ Read the Sony A230 Review at: Camera Labs ]

You can now read Kindle books on your computer. Amazon is providing a free download of its new Kindle for PC software. You can sync with your Kindle or even download free Kindle books and read them on your PC (Windows 7, Vista and XP).

[ Download Kindle for PC ]

Related Link:

• Free Amazon Kindle Books

Nikon Coolpix S70

“The neat-looking Nikon Coolpix S70 could appeal to both photographers and gadget lovers.”

PhotographyBLOG has posted their review of the Nikon Coolpix S70 [QuickPrice Check], an ultra compact with 12.1MP resolution (1/2.33-in. CCD), 5x wide-angle optical zoom (28-140mm equiv.), Optical Image Stabilization, 3.5-in. Touch Panel OLED screen (288K dots), Easy AUTO, Scene Auto Selector, Smart Portrait System (Skin Softening, Face-priority AF, Blink Warning, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, and D-Lighting), Best Shot Selector, Subject Tracking, and HD Movie (720p).

[ Read the Nikon S70 Review at: PhotographyBLOG ]

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