The Hubble Space Telescope, launched on April 24, 1990, has returned many stunning images of the cosmos. To celebrate its 23rd year, NASA used it to take a new — and stunning — infrared photo of the iconic Horsehead Nebula. The infrared photo was taken by the telescope’s Wide Field Camera 3 installed by spacewalking astronauts in 2009. The Hubble is expected to continue operating through April 2016. Its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, is optimized to view in infrared light and is slated to blast off in 2018.

via cbsnews

Ruben van der Vleuten wondered what happenned when he sent a parcel by mail. Yes, some people stays awake thinking about things like that, which drives others crazy about such nonsense. You readers are in one or the other camp, admit it. But, curiosity — and a fantastic video footage — will make you want to know the answer.

He basically put a camera inside a box wired to an interval timer that triggered the camera to take a video every minute: a 3 second video if the box was not moving, a longer video when it was in movement. A tiny 2mm hole poked thru the box in the middle of a large black letter “B” written on the box hid the nature of the package.

From A to B from Ruben van der Vleuten on Vimeo.

Read the article at: Ruben.

via dpreview

Here is the Impossible Hardware:

Impossible Instant Lab: Turning digital iPhone images into real instant photos. ©Impossible

Impossible:

• saved the last Polaroid production plant for integral instant film in Enschede Netherlands (2008)

• invented and produced new instant film materials for traditional Polaroid cameras

• saved analog instant photography from extinction by releasing various, brand new and unique instant films (2010)

The Impossible Instant Lab is:

• a new analog instant device that turns digital iPhone images into real analog instant photos on Impossible film, using an accompanying Impossible iPhone app

  • Due to a successful Kickstarter campaign from September 10 – October 8, 2012, production of the Instant Lab is now being started in order to be presented to the market in early 2013

    • Supporters of this campaign received units before the public in February 2013

• one of the very first hardware concepts using the Impossible FPU (Film Processing Unit) which will serve as the basis for a range of new analog instant gear to be introduced in 2013

• demonstrated in this video which presents “Impossible Instant Lab by The Impossible Project”:

The Impossible Instant Lab is designed to transform any digital image via your iPhone into an instant photo that is exposed using only the light from the display, then processed and developed by chemicals:

1. Select an image from the Instant Lab app
2. Place the iPhone in the cradle
3. Slide open the shutter on the base

   • A signal tells you when the exposure is finished

4. Close the shutter
5. Push the button

   • The Instant Lab ejects your photo, ready to develop in the palm of your hand

6. Collapse the tower and the Instant Lab is fully portable and ready to go

Please click here to get more info and the specifications of the Impossible Instant Lab.

Impossible Project Tiny

Impossible Project and Tiny Collective

present

“AROUND THE WORLD IN 9 DAYS WITH TINY COLLECTIVE: A TOURING INSTANT LAB MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION”

June 20-28, 2013

New York City / Paris / Los Angeles / Istanbul / Toronto / San Francisco / Dubrovnik / Atlanta / Dubrovnik / Portland

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PRESS RELEASE

GR

A GR-series digital camera, featuring an APS-C-size image sensor for superb image quality, and a compact body for outstanding portability and operability

Mississauga, ON – April 17, 2013
PENTAX RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. is pleased to announce the introduction of the GR compact digital camera. This new RICOH-brand model offers the top image quality of the renowned GR series in a pocket-sized body that enhances the camera’s operability and portability in everyday snapshot use.

Developed as a successor to the GR DIGITAL IV (released in October 2011), the new GR inherits the product concept of the GR DIGITAL series while incorporating upgrades in the basic specifications and functions of its predecessor. It features a newly designed lens to assure sharp, clear image descriptions, even at image edges. Thanks to the combination of a newly developed 16.2 megapixel APS-C-size CMOS image sensor, the high-performance GR ENGINE V imaging engine and an Anti-aliasing filter-less design, the GR assures high image resolution, gradation rich colour reproduction and improved image quality, especially at high-sensitivity shooting. In addition to improvements in quick shooting capability, an AF button and an aperture preview button have been added to enhance the operability during everyday on-the-street shooting. It also offers a range of user-assisting features, including in-body RAW-data development and focus assist to facilitate manual focusing.

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FUJIFILM Canada announces:

• The launch of the FUJINON XF55-200mm (83-300mm*1) F3.5-F4.8 R LM OIS:

  • This is the first XF telephoto zoom lens for the X-Series Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System that includes the award-winning FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and FUJIFILM X-E1

• New firmware will also be released to improve auto focus performance for the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and FUJIFILM X-E1:
  • This new lens firmware will be available in July 2013 for download at www.fujifilm.ca

    • Please note that it will be necessary to update the firmware on all XF lenses except the XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

• An updated XF lens roadmap following the initial XF lens roadmap released in June 2012

This video presents “Fuji Guys – Fujifilm Fujinon XF55-200mm (83-300mm) F3.5-F4.8 R LM OIS – Review”:

• The Fuji Guys Billy (@fujiguys) gives you a hands on preview of the brand new Fujifilm Fujinon XF55-200mm (83-300mm) F3.5-F4.8 R LM OIS Telephoto Zoom Lens for the X-Series Camera System

PRESS RELEASE

Fujifilm Announces the Latest Addition to the Highly Acclaimed Series of XF Lenses – the XF55-200mm Telephoto Lens and Updated XF Lens Roadmap

New updated firmware for FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and X-E1 will increase auto focus performance

Mississauga, ON, April 17, 2013 – FUJIFILM Canada today announced the launch of the FUJINON XF55-200mm (83-300mm*1) F3.5-F4.8 R LM OIS, the first XF telephoto zoom lens for the X-Series Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System that includes the award-winning FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and FUJIFILM X-E1. The all new XF55mm-200mm (83-300mm) F3.5-F4.8 gives photographers a fast aperture across the entire zoom range and outstanding image stabilization for sharp, high resolution images.

“Adding this newly designed, advanced telephoto zoom lens to our XF lens line-up will allow photographers who are using our premium X-Pro1 and X-E1 cameras to gain more shooting flexibility. With this cutting edge optical technology at their fingertips, it will enhance the way they capture images,” says Greg Poole, Vice President, Imaging and Recording Media Products, Fujifilm Canada.

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Panasonic Lumix GF6

After Japan announced the DMC-GF6 on the 9th of April, it is now the turn of the US to announce the GF6, one full week later. Canada has indicated the GF6 will not be offered here. The Lumix DMC-GF6 is Panasonic’s newest Digital Single Lens Mirrorless (DSLM) camera and is the most compact of the Lumix G family. It is a point-and-shoot model full of features including the new Self Shot, Creative Panorama, and Stop Motion Animation.

PRESS RELEASE

LUMIX GF6 – Wi-Fi® / NFC SMARTPHONE LINKED SOCIAL MEDIA DSLM CAMERA… UNWIRE YOUR CREATIVITY

Featuring 19 In-camera Creative Effects and Creative HD Video Capture

Share Your Images Using the Panasonic Image App with your Favorite Social Media

SECAUCUS, NJ (April 16, 2013) – Panasonic is proud to introduce the DMC-GF6 (GF6), a new Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Camera which is the most compact of the LUMIX G family. The new 16.00–megapixel Live MOS Sensor achieves both high-resolution and high sensitivity image and video recording. The Venus Engine was also newly developed for the GF6 to attain both high-performance signal processing and noise reduction, achieving a maximum ISO 25,600 (Extended) making the most of the new sensor.

The GF6 is more than an interchangeable lens camera…it’s a creative magic box full of features including the new Self Shot, Creative Panorama, and Stop Motion Animation, in addition to the popular Creative Control mode that boasts 19 fascinating filter effects. Stop Motion Animation delivers unique stop motion video while the Clear Retouch function gives you the power to erase unwanted parts of a picture after shooting. Both of these functions occur automatically right in the camera.

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Manfrotto 290-Series Foldable Three-Way Tripod Head: The convenience and control of a 3-way head, but without the cumbersome bulk of traditional models. When not in use, the handles quickly and easily fold together, dramatically reducing the head’s dimensions for easy storage or transport.

Manfrotto’s 290-series three-way tripod head is engineered to:

• Be lighter and more compact than other three-way heads

  • Weight: 0.57 kg (1.3 lbs)

• Be ultra-compact when closed

• Offer professional photo support

  • Maximum Load: 4 kg (8.8 lbs)

The Manfrotto 290-Series Foldable Three-Way Head (MH293D3-Q2) is sold on its own at a suggested retail price of $89.95, however it is available in tripod kits as well:

• For more information about Manfrotto and other Manfrotto products, please see the Manfrotto brand page .

This video presents “Manfrotto 293C4 + Manfrotto D3Q2 3-Way Head @ ClubulFoto.com”:

NEWS RELEASE

INNOVATIVE FOLDING DESIGN OF MANFROTTO’S 290-SERIES THREE-WAY TRIPOD HEAD MAKES IT ULTRA-COMPACT

TORONTO, ON., April 15, 2013 – Gentec International is pleased to announce Manfrotto’s new 290-series three-way tripod head, part of Manfrotto’s 290 family of photo supports aimed at passionate hobby photographers who want to take their images to the next level. The new head offers no-nonsense professional features and top quality construction with practical, innovatively-engineered compactness and reduced weight.

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Sigma has three new lenses to maximize the performance of Compact System Cameras (CSC): the 19 mm F2.8 wide-angle lens, 30mm F2.8 DN standard lens, and 60mm F2.8 DN medium-telephoto lens. These lenses belong to Sigma’s Art line, offering sophisticated optical performance for landscapes, portraits, still-life, close-up and casual snaps.

For more information about Sigma and other Sigma products, please see the Sigma brand page.

For more information on Gentec International, please visit www.gentec-intl.com.

NEWS RELEASE

SIGMA OFFERS HIGH-PERFORMANCE LENS SYSTEM FOR COMPACT SYSTEM CAMERAS (CSC)

TORONTO, ON., April 15, 2013 – Gentec International announces three new lenses from Sigma designed to maximize the performance of Compact System Cameras (CSC). The 19mm F2.8 DN wide-angle lens, 30mm F2.8 DN standard lens, and 60mm F2.8 DN medium-telephoto lens make a versatile system suitable for a wide range of photographic pursuits. All three lenses are part of Sigma’s Art line, incorporating advanced optical technology to ensure the highest quality images.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Art line lenses provide the highest level of artistic expression
Sigma is organizing its interchangeable lenses into three product lines: Contemporary, Art, and Sports. The Art line has been designed with an emphasis on artistic expression to meet the expectations of users who value a creative, dramatic outcome above compactness and multifunction. Offering sophisticated optical performance for landscapes, portraits, still-life, close-up and casual snaps, these lenses are perfect for the kind of photography that unleashes the inner artist. While ideal for studio photography, they offer just as much expressive scope when capturing architecture, starry skies, underwater shots, and many other scenes.

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Sigma’s new 30mm F1.4 DC HSM large-aperture standard lens:

• Delivers the “highest level of image quality worthy of the Art line”

  • With the lens’ shallow depth-of-field, photographers can create a range of bokeh in snapshots, portrait, landscapes and more

• Available for Canon, Nikon and Sigma cameras in June 2013

  • the Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM has a suggested retail price of $529.95

NEWS RELEASE

SIGMA INTRODUCES THE 30MM F1.4 DC HSM LARGE-APERTURE LENS DESIGNED FOR APS-C FORMAT DSLR CAMERAS

TORONTO, ON., April 15, 2013 – Gentec International announces the new 30mm F1.4 DC HSM lens from Sigma. This large-aperture standard lens, with an angle-of-view equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera, is a superb go-to lens for an APS-C format DSLR camera and is ideal for many different types of photographic expression.

Featuring an advanced design and the latest manufacturing technologies, the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM lens delivers the highest level of image quality worthy of Sigma’s new Art line. The photographer can leverage the shallow depth-of-field to create beautiful bokeh in snapshots, portraits, landscapes, and many different styles of photography.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Art line lenses provide the highest level of artistic expression

Sigma is organizing its interchangeable lenses into three product lines: Contemporary, Art, and Sports. The Art line has been designed with an emphasis on artistic expression to meet the expectations of users who value a creative, dramatic outcome above compactness and multifunction. Offering sophisticated optical performance for landscapes, portraits, still-life, close-up and casual snaps, these lenses are perfect for the kind of photography that unleashes the inner artist. While ideal for studio photography, they offer just as much expressive scope when capturing architecture, starry skies, underwater shots, and many other scenes.

Continue Reading »