Yanik’s Photo Blog

It was press release day yesterday for Nikon. After the announcement of the new D700 camera, they just announced the new SB-900 off camera flashgun. The SB-900 is the latest off camera flash following in the footsteps of the Nikon SB-600 and Nikon SB-800. It will be available at the end of July and the price will be roughly $500.00.

Major Features

• Multi-step auto zoom covers wide 17-200mm zoom range (24-105mm?SB-800)
• Three illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even) are available to match each shooting environment
• Automatically detects Nikon FX and Nikon DX formats and selects suitable light distribution
• Improved booster circuit for high-speed recycle time: Recycle time using four AA-size batteries is almost equal to the SB-800 with five AA-size batteries Continue Reading »

Nikon just announced its long awaited full frame (FX) camera in a smaller body, the Nikon D700. Effectively, it’s the Nikon D3 in a Nikon D300 body. It’s been a long time coming! Many people were waiting for a competitor to the Canon 5D. I personally won’t be getting a D700 as I prefer having a longer reach with my lenses on a DX sensor. Having said that, if you shoot often in low light situations (weddings, concerts…) this is the perfect camera for you! The retail price will be roughly $3000.00. Here are the key features as well as the official press release from Nikon.

Key Features

• 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor
• Image Sensor Cleaning (vibration)
• ISO 200 - 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600 and down to ISO 100) Continue Reading »

It’s that time of year again! Time to get out the suntan lotion, the bug spray (lots of it if you’re up here in Canada!) and to fire up the BBQ. It’s also time for lazyin’ around in lawn chairs, hammocks and sitting under trees; perfect places to relax and read a good book. And since we all love photography so much, a couple of great photography books is a must have to keep ourselves happy. I’ve compiled a few of my favorite books for you so that you don”t have to wade through and waste precious time in the sea of photography books. All these suggestions are Continue Reading »

Just a quicky to let you know that Canon has just announced a new entry level DSLR called the Canon EOS 1000D XS. This new entry-level DSLR that slots into the model lineup beneath the Canon 450D. A launch date in North America has not yet been announced. A 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor – with larger pixels for smooth, low-noise images – offers sufficient resolution to produce prints in sizes up to 8 1/2 x 11, even when cropping your image. To protect images against the effects of sensor dust, the EOS 1000D includes the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, which combats dust in three separate ways: reducing, removing and repelling.The EOS 1000D will be available with Continue Reading »

Here’s my second post for entry level DSLRs. I’m posting this one right away following my Canon 450D review so that you may compare them if you’re currently in the market to upgrade your current DSLR or planning on switching from your point & shoot to a DSLR.

The Nikon D60 was released in early 2008 and it replaces the Nikon D40x. It’s a direct competitor to the Canon 450D in both quality and price. Both are excellent cameras.

The Nikon D60’s 18-55mm VR kit lens, like its Canon equivalent, is a good entry level lens but Continue Reading »

Canon recently upgraded its most affordable DSLR camera, the EOS 450D. It replaces the Canon 400D. This is the perfect DSLR entry camera for anyone looking to move away from the point and shoots. It compares to the Nikon D60 (Nikon’s entry level DSLR). Both are excellent cameras. Some pros actually have entry level cameras as their backup body now.

So that just goes to say that they do a great job! You have the option of getting the EOS 450D body in either black or silver. Personally, I prefer traditional black. Silver makes it look more like Continue Reading »

Here’s another great review of a top of the line telephoto zoom lens from Canon. So all you Canon guys & gals out there, go have a look at the 70-200mm lens review and start drooling. This lens compares to my post I did here on the Nikon Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR lens.

To see the detailed review on my favorite camera review site DPReview, click HERE.

Ok, this software is a revolutionfor photographers and photo enthusiasts! But I’m getting ahead of myself… excitement and all. Let me introduce you to TinEye.com. The first true image search engine to hit the Net. Here’s my interview…

Welcome to Yanik’s Photo Blog TinEye, how are you today?

Thank you for having me, Yanik. I’m great! Thanks for asking.

For the folks that haven’t heard from you yet, please tell us what you are and what you do.

Well, Yanik, I’m the codename for Idée’s image identification-based web search engine, currently in private beta. I do for images what Google does for text. Just as you are familiar with entering text in Google to find web pages that contain that text, using me, you enter an Continue Reading »

My favorite review Website for cameras, lenses and photo software, DPReview.com recently posted an in depth review of one of Nikon’s pro lenses; the Nikkor 70-200mm VR f2.8. You won’t find a more detailed review! My good friend and pro photographer Martin Perreault owns this lens and I did have the chance to play with it a few times even doing “non-scientific” test shots. It’s a great lens. I would strongly recommend it for anyone looking for a top quality FAST (f2.8) telephoto lens. If you’re planning on getting a Nikon full frame (FX) eventually, then this lens will compliment the Continue Reading »

Website: Strobist.com

Owner: David Hobby

Main subject: Off Camera Flash Education

Target Audience: All levels of photographers looking for creative lighting techniques

Content Theme: Technical

What is Strobist… (quoted directly from the Website)

“This website is about one thing: Learning how to use off-camera flash with your dSLR to take your photos to the next level. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to more effectively use your small speedlights. There are more than 1,000 articles about Continue Reading »