dslr

Craigslist sting: How a photographer got his stolen camera back

Boy meets camera. Boy loses camera. Boy launches undercover sting to recover camera. Photographer Jeff Hu became the star of his own version of the classic cop show "The Streets of San Francisco" when he took on the task of recovering his stolen Canon Rebel T2i camera.

Hu details his adventure in an article for PetaPixel that should act as a training manual for anyone who ever finds a stolen item on Craigslist.

The story begins innocently enough with a party that got a little out of hand. A group of close friends soon expanded to include some strangers. The next morning, the party-goers were gone, and so was Hu's dSLR.… Read more

The 404 1,147: Where life won't find a way (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Watching "Looper" in a theater? Bring headphones.

- Science just killed any hope you ever had of "Jurassic Park" being real.

- Cameras in phones are now better than compact cameras from five years ago.

- OKCupid starts matching roommates.… Read more

How to make a supersimple bounce flash for your dSLR

The internal flash of a dSLR comes in handy when shooting in low light and indoors but can sometimes be too harsh on your subjects. Bouncing the flash is a great way to distribute the light more uniformly, allowing for more than just foreground assets to show up in the photo. Bouncing the flash is also great for avoiding harsh shadows and those pesky red eyes.

So how do you bounce a flash? Well, the easiest way is to use an external flash attachment. The problem is that external flashes are bulky, heavy, and cumbersome to travel with. This makes them less desirable to carry around and decreases the chances you'll actually have one when you need it most.… Read more

Seven tools every dSLR owner should carry in their arsenal

What I always say to friends saving up for a dSLR is this: you'd better be saving for a lot more than just the camera.

Memory cards and camera bags are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the suite of accessories dSLR owners depend on. And that goes for casual, amateur photographers, GWC (guys with cameras), and pros.

Whether you're a new or prospective dSLR owner, these are the accessories you'll want to pick up as you build your photographer's arsenal.

1. Extra batteries This one's a no-brainer, but newbies often … Read more

Canon announces EOS-1D X release date

When Crave last checked up on the $6,799 Canon EOS-1D X dSLR in February, the company suggested a "late April" release date for the powerhouse camera. The EOS-1D X still shows as unavailable to consumers at major retailers, so it appears Canon made quite a misjudgment with that original claim.

Fortunately, the Japanese imaging giant announced today that June 20 stands as the official release date for the 18-megapixel EOS-1D X. That doesn't mean that everyone who wants the latest and greatest Canon can get one, though. … Read more

Three-deal Thursday: A Canon EOS Rebel, Nook Simple Touch, and free video converter

It's a Thursday three-fer!

Deal No. 1: Convenient though it may be to snap photos on your phone, there are times when you want a real camera -- one with interchangeable lenses, a big image sensor, lots of shooting modes and manual settings, and so on. In other words, a dSLR.

Today only, 1SaleADay has the Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.3-megapixel digital camera for $399.99, plus $4.99 for shipping. That's about $100 less than the prices elsewhere.

This isn't just the camera body; the T3 comes with Canon's 18-55mm autofocus lens. Plus, it'… Read more

Create dSLR-style blurred background photos on Android

We can't all be professional photographers, but we can still envy their camera hardware and trained eye. So how can you get a look similar to their awesome photos without shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars to do it? That's exactly why apps like AfterFocus exist.

This Android app allows you to take a picture, or import one from your gallery, and then set up focus and background areas. Then you'll be able to adjust the amount of blur applied to the background, as well as adjust the aperture and apply two types of filters. This … Read more

Canon 60Da tackles astrophotography after 7-year hiatus

The ceaseless succession of new Canon and Nikon SLRs has a certain predictability, but an unusual model came out of left field today: Canon's astrophotography-oriented EOS 60Da.

The 60Da is a close cousin to the Canon EOS 60D, a higher-end 18-megapixel model geared for enthusiasts. But the 60Da has one big difference: its infrared filter has been modified so it doesn't screen out so much "hydrogen-alpha" light, a deep-red 656.28-nanometer wavelength of light produced by excited hydrogen atoms.

By letting in about three times the amount of hydrogen-alpha red as a regular 60D, the $1,500 60Da can capture much better photos of energetic nebulae, Canon said. It's due to go on sale this month. … Read more

Nikon expects D800 shortages

A notice from Nikon Japan today indicates troubling times for those aiming to purchase the upcoming D800 dSLR.

Due for release Thursday, the highly anticipated 36.3-megapixel full-frame D800 features a dizzying array of features, and up to 1080/30p video recording.

With reservations and demand "far above expectations," the company said in a statement that it is facing D800 supply shortages until further notice.… Read more

Canon delays EOS-1D X

Are you patiently awaiting the powerhouse Canon EOS-1D X dSLR?

To those planning to buy the 18-megapixel shooter this March, well, we have some bad news. The release date is now "late April," according to Canon press releases in various regions (including Europe and Japan).

There's not much information explaining the inconvenience, aside from an ambiguous note about a "delay in development."

The company says it's also delaying many EOS-1D X accessories to match the new launch time frame. These include the GPS receiver (GP-E1), wireless file transmitter (WFT-E6B), battery charger (LC-E4N), battery pack (LP-E4N), wide strap (L7), and focusing screen (EC- CV).

(Via AV Watch and Imaging Resource)… Read more