I’ve been carrying my point and shoot with me a lot lately instead of my DSLR. I shoot a lot of “what I’m eating” and quick location shots for Consuming Louisville and I find that for the shots I need to take my point and shoot works brilliantly. It does what I need it to do and it fits comfortably in my small bag. A year ago I packed my DSLR everywhere and I hardly ever picked my point and shoot up. I was still in the “gearhead phase” of my life as a photographer. Even if my point and shoot would have worked great in a situation, even if I didn’t need the fire power of my DSLR the DSLR was always what I reached for because you know, I’m a photographer, my DSLR is my baby and I’ve got to always use it. Or so I thought.

I’ve evolved and progressed further down my path as a photographer. I can now embrace the notion that it really is not the camera you use. The camera is just a tool. In some situations the small tool is all you need. But not only do I now use whichever camera will work for the job I also don’t care what camera you’re using. I can’t recall the last time I felt compelled to ask someone what specific camera she uses. Lenses? Yes, I love to chat about different lenses but Canon or Nikon? Who cares. 5D or Rebel XTi? So not important to me. It’s the work you’re producing that matters.

In my professional and documentary work naturally I still use my DSLR but that’s because it’s the right camera for the job, not because I feel the need to justify my existence as a photographer by pulling out the largest and most expensive camera I own. Those toy camera enthusiasts? They might be on to something. I think a toy camera might be my next gear purchase.

Canon announced some exciting things today like 3 new lenses and the first DSLR to break the 20 megapixel barrier. But what seems to have grabbed most people's attention is the new D40 mid-level DSLR with 10.1-megapixel resolution, JPEGs or 17 RAW files at 6.5fps, nine autofocus points, self-cleaning sensor, 3-inch LCD and "a live-view function that works in a similar way to Canon's higher-end EOS 1-D Mark III, with the ability to both display a live image and output it to a monitor."

The D40 is expected to ship in September with a street price of $1299 for body only or $1499 for the kit which includes the 28mm-135mm IS lens

Popular Photography is reporting that the Nikon D40 isn't backward compatible with a most older Nikkor lenses.

During our current lab test (results to be published in the March 2007 issue and online in February 2007) we discovered that the D40 isn't fully backward compatible with most older Nikkor lenses! Sure, you can attach them to the D40, but autofocus won't work unless the lens is a relatively new, digital-only AF-S or ED-IF series. (These both differ from older Nikkors because they have the AF motor built in to the lens body).

If the D40 is going to be your first DSLR this doesn't really affect you but if you've got a bag full of older Nikon glass or would like the option of buying used Nikon glass this is a serious concern.

Tags: photography, nikon, nikon d40

It's the time of year to make the photographers and photography lovers in your world very happy by gifting material goods their way. Or it's the time of year to reward yourself for being very, very good. Either way enjoy Exposure's Holiday Gift Guide and spread the photography love.

Note that the gift guide is presented as an Amazon.com store. Any sales through the guide will support Exposure with a tiny percentage of the sale.

B&H is getting a jump on the annual day after Thanksgiving shopping rush by offering up a Pre-Black Friday Sale. Interesting deals include a Canon Digital Rebel XT with lens for $649.95 (1GB CF card included), Canon SD600 for $224.95 (1GB SD card included), Nikon D50 with lens for $549.95.

With a great headline, The Nikon Before Christmas, PopPhoto spilled the beans about Nikon's Select & Save Triple Rebate Program (PDF). They're offering some great rebates on lenses and flashes in particular. These are some really great deals if you or someone you love is in the market for some new gear this holiday season.

More news from Pentax on the K10D. On the the UK version of their website they've posted full size sample images from the anxiously anticipated new camera. The images don't disappoint.

via Rob Galbraith

Tags: photography, Pentax, K10D, dslr

Another stroke of brilliant camera advertising comes our way from Pentax. They've released a video show and tell of their new 10.2 megapixelK10D (to be released in early November). In the video Pentax employee John Carlson spends a little time in the gorgeous stream/river that runs behind the Pentax offices in Colorado. While hanging out in the elements he discusses the K10D's new anti-shake technology (offering a 2.5 to 4 stop advantage depending on lens focal length), dust removal system, rapid shooting rate (3fps to card capacity for jpegs, 3fps up to 9 frames for RAW) , extensive weather protection built into the camera and the fact that any Pentax lens ever made will fit the K10D body. If this camera performs as well as its features and specs indicate the K10D will be a very welcome addition to the prosumer dsrl market.

Estimated street price for the K10D body is $900. If Pentax offers a sweet deal on body & lens combo purchases or even a respectable discount on that $900 price tag then the K10D may be the hot dslr this holiday shopping season.

Tags: photography, Pentax, K10D, dslr

Nikon gave their new D80 dslr camera to a group of Flickr users. The users shot with the D80s and many of their shots have been turned into a brilliant ad campaign called stunning nikon. Nikon did themselves a great service with this campaign. Word of mouth and in the case of photography, visual evidence, is far more persuasive than any traditional sales or marketing campaign. Other camera makers should learn from Nikon's example (I totally volunteer to test any and all Canon or Pentax cameras or equipment).

via Jaffe Juice

Tags: photography, Nikon, d80, Flickr

My cousin Melissa just graduated from college. Before heading off to grad school in the fall she's going to spend 5 or 6 weeks in France. She asked for some photography tips to make her travel shooting the best it can be so she comes back with kick ass photographic evidence of the trip. Although Melissa was the inspiration for this post the information can be used by anyone about the hit the road, skies or seas this summer.