photokina

Popular camera accessory maker Joby -- known for its unique Gorillapod tripod -- recently launched its new 3-Way Camera Strap during Photokina 2012. Compared with typical neck straps, this camera strap can be configured into a wrist, neck, and shoulder strap by simply toggling a switch.

The strap, which retails for $39.99, comes in the form of a base plate, which has a universal thumbscrew that can be attached to the tripod mount of most cameras. The 3-Way Camera Strap features a Dyneema Cord -- a very strong material rated to hold more than 100 pounds that can be … Read more

COLOGNE, Germany -- Leica may not have the mass-manufacturing clout of Samsung or the retail footprint of Canon or the electronics know-how of Sony. But the German camera maker has got one thing in spades: a brand.

And nowhere is that brand more obvious than at Photokina, the camera show that takes place every two years here in Germany, Leica's home turf. Canon and Nikon had bigger crowds, but the Leica had the better ratio of booth visitors to customers as it introduced a new top-end rangefinder camera with new electronic abilities, a lower-end rangefinder that's not quite … Read more

COLOGNE, Germany--We met up with the folks from Rudiger Maerz GmbH here at Photokina 2012 to find out more about the special dSLR customization service they recently started offering to consumers.

Using the same airbrush technique employed by the automotive industry, the company completely disassembles your camera and coats each part individually. Inscriptions and buttons, however, are usually left intact, so you still know your way around when adjusting camera settings.

Beyond cosmetic enhancements, the biggest draw of the dSLR customization service has got to be the ability to choose between different lens mounts. You can even opt to remove your dSLR's entire shutter mechanism. … Read more

COLOGNE, Germany -- Every 99 years or so, a company has to shake things up a little bit.

Thus it is that Schneider Kreuznach, a high-end lens brand founded in 1913 that's been focused on cinema, medium-format, and large-format markets, unveiled four lenses for more ordinary 35mm SLRs, three for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and even a polarizing filter for iPhones. The lensmaker, part of the Jos. Schneider Optische Werke, unveiled the lenses at the Photokina show here.

Its earlier lenses for conventional SLRs were the company's relatively exotic Super Angulon line, tilt-shift models that can enable perspective … Read more

COLOGNE, Germany--The gleaming exoskeleton of Six's rail system immediately caught our eye here at Photokina 2012 with its out-of-this-world appearance that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. For the uninitiated, a video rail system is often used by professionals to mount a dSLR and other accessories for video capture.

Markus Sattler, founder of Six tells us the rail system is made for videographers looking to film in the harshest weather conditions. He explained that the key element is the highly modular nature of the rail system, which gives users the flexibility to swap and attach individual arms and components in any configuration depending on the shooting scenario. … Read more

COLOGNE, Germany -- There's room for a higher-end flash card format that's faster and more capacious than SD Card, and for years, CompactFlash has occupied that market niche.

But CompactFlash is running out of steam, and finding a successor to CompactFlash just got a lot messier courtesy of a new standard that arrived this week at the Photokina trade show here.

Last year, Nikon and Sony carried the XQD format to market as the would-be CompactFlash successor, with Nikon's flagship D4 camera accepting the cards and Sony making the cards. But Canon and professional camera maker Phase … Read more

Between Canon and Nikon's inexpensive full-frame bodies and Sony's full-frame press of a compact, pro body and camcorder, there are going to be a lot of photographers and videographers lining up to sit on Santa's lap this holiday season.

But if you prefer something smaller, there's plenty of that for you, too, in the form of new enthusiast compact cameras from almost every manufacturer and updates to interchangeable-lens models. Plus Panasonic gave its video-friendly GH2 a complete overhaul for the GH3.

Here's a guide to our complete Photokina coverage. Just because.… Read more

COLOGNE, Germany -- A year and a half ago, Canon announced it was working on a 200-400mm telephoto zoom lens with a built-in 1.4X extender. But since then, there's been nary a peep.

Well, there's a peep now, Canon shooters jealous of Nikon's 200-400mm will be pleased to know.

The plan is to release it this year, said Mike Owen, communications manager for Canon's professional imaging department in Europe. He spoke at a Canon press conference yesterday at the Photokina show here.

But Owen was quick to add a caveat: "We're anticipating that, … Read more

Leica's known for putting out limited editions of its cameras drafted by high-profile designers or for luxury retailers -- Hermes, Audi, and Neiman Marcus versions come to mind -- but the company's entering new fanboy territory by enlisting the creator of Apple's current signature looks, Sir Jony Ive, to create a single limited edition of the new Leica M.

The camera will go up for charity auction in collaboration with U2's Bono.… Read more