I’ve seen the rumors about a possible D700s.  Now that the D300s is shipping it is on to the next rumor right?  But I just can’t seem to see how that would mesh with Nikon’s corporate strategy.  Corporate logic doesn’t always match user logic. Nikon folk want a full frame DSLR with HD Video like Canon users have with the 5D mark II.  Naturally a D700s is a very desirable outcome if the APS-C sensor of the D300s does not entice you.

If I were on the board at Nikon I sure as hell wouldn’t recommend a D700s unless we first introduced a full frame DSLR with HD video on the flagship model (D3).  If nothing else, simultaneously release a D3s/D700s, but not a D700s before a D3s.  Maybe they do just release a D700s and leave HD Video for the next generation D4.

If the technology exists to incorporate video with the full frame sensor, then why not the flagship model first (D3s), then down the line (D700s).  Pure speculation, but it would mesh with all their past release history dealing with D* vs D*** bodies (D1-D100; D2-D200; D3-D300).  The D700 breaks the mold of course because full frame allowed there to be a new line created with the D300 APS-C sensor a jump from the D200 and D700 Full Frame in a smaller body creating a totally new class.

If the sales of the D700 have been better for Nikon than the D3 (from an ROI standpoint), then I would completely agree with the logic of a D700s making more sense than a D3s.  I don’t have those stats so I’m just talking out loud.  Personally, I’d prefer to see a D700s because I already have a D3 and the next DSLR I purchase will have HD video.

That said, my gut tells me that RED might be the route I go given their announcements about a potential fall release.  And from a quality perspective, I have a hard time believing that Canon, Nikon or any other player will be able to compete with the video quality of what can be accomplished with a scarlet shooting raw (video).

By the end of 2009 these answers will be in place for me and I’ll have made a purchase decision as well. I’m just sitting here and watching the products rolled out in real time as we all are.

As far as I am concerned, they are all just tools with company logos. I’d like to see users get more excited about tools and their features, instead of acting like gang members and defending brands.

Both of these videos end abruptly because I pieced together some segments shot over a few days while getting up to speed with the Promote Control.  However, after watching you should have a good idea of the Promote Control’s capabilities.

I am only showcasing the HDR capture abilities.  The Promote Control also has Timelapse, etc… (check their site for full list of modes) = Promote Control by Promote Systems

The amazing thing is that the Promote Control allows very affordable cameras like a Canon XS to capture what $5000 and $8000 dollar Canon / Nikon DSLRs can capture in an AEB for HDR creation.  The days of being limited by the camera manufacturer’s AEB limits are over for many Canon / Nikon shooters.  In fact, the Promote Control is perfect even for the high end DSLRs and extends their capabilities as well.

This device has now become a must have for my work. After watching the videos I think you’ll understand why.  There will be more videos to come in the future showing the Promote Control in the field and “best use” practices, but this should at least give you a glimpse at what is possible with this device.

Cameras it supports as of this post date:

Nikon: D3, D3X, D2X, D2Xs, D2H, D2Hs, D200, D300, D700, D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D5000

Canon: 1D Mark III, 1Ds Mark III, 5D Mark II, 30D, 40D, 50D, 400D, 450D, 500D, 1000D

More videos to come in the future.  Stay tuned!!!

As good as the specs are for the K-7, the digicam business unit (digital cameras/DSLRs) is bleeding the company.  Given that it is a publicly traded stock, Hoya (which bought Pentax in 2007) will do what it has to in order to cut losses in the Pentax line.

“Our digital camera business is not exactly a big operation. There are naturally questions among us whether it is big enough to go it alone.” Hoya Chief Executive Hiroshi Suzuki told Reuters in an interview.

My question is… who in their right mind in this economy would be interested in teaming up with Hoya to save the Pentax line? Interesting times we live in.

I have been giving the K-7 a VERY serious look (the specs really are quite good).  However, I would be committing to buying not just the K-7, but new lenses as well.  The HDR capture mode was interesting to me potentially for some of the “run and gun” real estate shoots I do that are not high end.  The last thing I want to do though is buy into a system that could be a dead end.

The key here is the message is coming from the company, not rumor mills.

I’m amazed that management would make such bold and dire statements like this just as they are rolling out the launch of their new flagship DSLR.  Talk about taking the wind out of the K-7 sails!  Hiroshi Suzuki further went on to say, “I’m afraid it will need some sort of alliance with another company in the long term.”

“it” is the Hoya Pentax digicam business unit.

With such a clear cut message from the top, it tells me one thing… I won’t buy anything Pentax until they have found that company as an alliance partner.

Learn high end techniques used in Film and Broadcast at FXPHD.com.  Best online training experience I’ve had.  Period.  Extremely experienced instructors who actually work on major Film and Broadcast productions for a living.

If you have plans in the future to shoot video on a DSLR, then you definitely need to look at this terms course on DSLR cinematography taught by Stu Maschwitz, who spent four years at Industrial Light & Magic before co-founding The Orphanage in 1999.  And if those company names don’t mean anything to you, let me put in context. Imagine you wanted to be cartoonist, but had never heard of Disney.

I’ve taken courses from them in the past and have never been dissappointed.  This term I’m taking:

C4D101 – Introduction to Cinema 4D
CLR202 – Grading with Apple Color II
DOP210 – DSLR Cinematography
FUS202 – Intermediate Fusion 6
MOG201 – Creative Concepts in Graphics Design

If you join, then look for me on the forums.  My user name is:  Mike James

Great HDR files come from well bracketed sequences. Tonemapping is made easier and results better if you have great data to begin with. If you are frustrated with the lack of controls your camera gives you to capture brackets to create HDR images, then take a serious look at Promote Control :  PROMOTE CONTROL

(As of 8-17-09 I have not yet tested this unit and present it to you only as something I’ve been looking at for over a month now from a distance)

If I end up testing this device I’ll provide a full review here on HDRIblog.com or on Digitalcoastimage.com

Many of you who follow me on Twitter know that I prefer Nikon for HDR capture work simply because many of  their cameras allow for up to 9 brackets in AEB mode whereas Canon restricts theirs to 3 AEB except for their flagship models.  The Promote Control unit overcomes that limitation and could potentially take your High Dynamic Range Imaging to the next level.  While not cheap, it is very fairly priced for what you benefit in added EVs and Dynamic Range capture from its use.

DISCLAIMER:  Again… I have not tested or reviewed this device yet.

Here is a list of features taken right from their product page:

• Replaces and extends manufacturer-specific remote controls
• Allows for unparalleled flexibility with automatic >30 second exposures in “bulb mode” – even in HDR sequences *
• Advanced easy-to-configure “Time-Lapse Mode” with optional sequence start delay
• Optional user-defined Mirror-Up timeout available in all modes *
• Improved user interface featuring flexible user-definable settings
• Optional multi-tone audible feedback
• Large, easy to read liquid crystal display featuring RGB backlight of variable intensity
• Weather-resistant design for water and dust resiliency
• Powered by 2 AA batteries, the most easily obtainable power source
• A passive camera pre-focus and release functionality remains functional as a backup even when the remote control is out of power *
• External DC power jack for timing especially long exposures for astrophotography and other similar applications
• Device firmware updates can be applied from a personal computer via USB interface.

SpheronVR http://tr.im/vHCP is showing off a 20 f-stop HDR VIDEO CAMERA at Siggraph 2009 in New Orleans. Captures 1080p at 1-30fps to .EXR format.  Probably insanely expensive, but amazing nonetheless. I’ll try to find some images of it and link them ASAP.

I always knew this was the future…  more Dynamic Range over Megapixels.  Exciting times ahead! Someday this will trickle down into more affordable units. Years probably, but “someday” always seems to come faster then it seems possible.