Nikon Enters Action Camera Market with KeyMission 360

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Nikon KeyMission 360Nikon announced its entry into the action camera market at CES 2016 with the Nikon KeyMission 360. It is the first in a lineup of products that build on Nikon’s legendary excellence in optical technology and imaging innovation. The KeyMission 360 will officially be released in Spring of 2016, along with a variety of dedicated accessories.

The Nikon KeyMission 360 is a rugged camera capable of recording in true 360-degree video in 4K UHD. It features an image sensor and lenses on opposite sides of the device, with images from each combining to create a single immersive, ultra-high-definition 360-degree video and still image.

The camera is designed to withstand the elements. It is waterproof (approx. 100ft./30 m.), and able to stand up to dust, shock, and low temperatures. The KeyMission 360 also features electronic Vibration Reduction (VR), enabled through applications during playback, that reduces the effects of camera shake to help produce sharp and crisp video quality.

Nikon D5 DSLR Camera Available in March

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Todd Cochrane reports that Nikon D5Nikon announced its new D5 DSLR camera at CES 2016. It is the upgrade to Nikon’s popular D4 DSLR camera. The D5 can be preordered right now and will be available in March of 2016.

The D5 is Nikon’s full-frame flagship camera. It is an FX-format DSLR that makes the impossible possible. Huge advancements in sensor design, autofocus, metering, and image processing have resulted in new capabilities – and therefore, the release of the D5. Nikon decided to replace the D4 with the new D5 because technological innovation demanded it.

The D5 has the following stats:
* Image Sensor Format: FX
* 20.8 million megapixels
* 12 FPS continuous shooting (or 14 FPS with mirror up) at full resolution
* 100-102,400 ISO (expandable to 3,280,000 ISO)
* 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 at 30/25/24p)
* Sensor size: 35.9 mm x 23.9 mm
* Storage Media: CompactFlash (CF) (Type 1, compliant with UDMA)
* XQD Type Memory

The D5 is engineered to reduce the stress factors of shooting all day. Improved ergonomics and an expanded illuminated button layout puts key controls at your fingertips. A high resolution XGA Touchscreen LCD with a smartphone-like interface makes it easy to select AF points or Spot White Balance in Live View, swipe through shots, pinch to zoom, edit file names and more.

It has new double XQD card slots, which is a new modular design for memory. It lets you select a model with either dual XQD slots or dual high-speed CF slots.The body of the camera is light and made of a durable magnesium-alloy body with extensive weather sealing.

Val Turns Your Smartphone into a Professional Studio

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Val portable studioVal is an easily portable device that can be used with any smartphone and with most tablets. It turns your device into an all-in-one mobile studio and gives your videos a professional look that is not possible with your device all by itself. Val is on Indiegogo and has 13 days left (at the time I am writing this blog) to reach its goal.

Val is like a professional studio that fits into the palm of your hand. It can be useful for people who use FaceTime, Skype, Hangouts, or any other video/streaming to communicate. Val makes you look better, sound better, and always have enough power. It also prevents your selfie arm from tiring.

Val comes with everything you need to make your video look and sound more professional. It works with any smartphone and with any orientation – landscape or portrait.

Features include:
* Spring loaded arm accommodates all Android and iOS phones in both portrait and landscape mode
* Studio-quality front facing LEDs (420 Lumens)
* Studio-quality rear facing LEDs (420 Lumens)
* Built-in microphone
* Stereo speakers
* 6,000 mAh battery
* Bluetooth sync
* Headphone out
* Micro USB (in)
* Phone charging USB (out)
* Tripod mount

Slip Strap by Custom SLR is Versatile

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Custom SLR Slim StrapCustom SLR has created a versatile camera strap with a quick-adjust slider that is made of genuine leather. The Slim Strap is a lightweight strap that makes capturing life’s moments effortless. It is currently on Kickstarter and has 33 days left to go (at the time I am writing this blog). It has been funded.

Slim Strap is made for mirrorless, micro four thirds, and compact cameras. It also works great with DSLRs. Special features of this camera strap include premium leather, low-profile black color, and a unique quick-adjust slider. The genuine top grade leather parts of the strap are on the shoulder pad, strap connectors, and thumb loop. Over time, the leather will conform to the contours of your shoulder.

The Slim Strap keeps your camera cinched securely at your side. When you need to take a photo, just pull the leather loop and slide to quickly bring your camera up for the shot. When the strap is un-cinched, you can glide the camera for that perfect shot any time. The leather shoulder pad never leaves your shoulder. To cinch the camera back at your side, simply pull the leather loop while holding the camera.

Sigma WR Ceramic Protector Filter is Groundbreaking

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Sigma logoSigma has created the world’s first highly shock-resistant and scratch-resistant clear glass ceramic protective filter. It is called the WR Ceramic Protector Filter and it provides serious lens protection.

Chemically strengthened glass is used in conventional high strength protective filters. Only the surface of the glass is strengthened. Clear glass ceramic is made with a special heat treatment that precipitates micro crystals evenly through the lens for consistent strength.

As a result, the WR Ceramic Protector Filter has 10X the strength of a conventional protective filter and 3x the strength of a chemically hardened glass filter.

Optically clear ceramic glass offers extremely high transmittance. The water-repellent (WR) coating reflects only 0.24 percent of visible light, thereby minimizing flare and ghosting. According to the Sigma website, pricing and availability of the WR Ceramic Protector Filter is coming soon.

ToneDexter Makes Amplified Acoustic Guitars Sound Right

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ToneDexterToneDexter is an acoustic guitar preamp made by Audio Sprockets, LLC. It transforms your guitar pickup into the lifelike acoustic sound you’ve been looking for. ToneDexter is on Kickstarter. At the time I am writing this blog, has 13 days left to go.

ToneDexter is an acoustic guitar preamp system that restores the rich, natural, acoustic tone to your instrument by processing the signal coming from your pickup. It can also be used with other stringed instruments. One goal of the Kickstarter is to get help moving ToneDexter from working beta units to full production.

To use ToneDexter, the first thing you need to do is plug your instrument into it and go through a short training session. ToneDexter listens to the two different signals and generates a WaveMap using advanced signal processing technology. Once the WaveMap is generated and stored, all you need to do is plug your guitar (or other instrument) into ToneDexter and then plug ToneDexter into your amplifier. Up to 16 WaveMaps can be stored for the same or different instruments.

The controls include:
* Built in three band parametric equalizer – You sent the center frequency and the boost or cut for the bass, midrange, and treble.

* Tuner with incredible one cent accuracy

* Boost switch to add adjustable gain for your solos

* Built in digital feedback notch filter which is only one semitone wide, so you can knock down the feedback that typically plagues amplified acoustic instruments

* Unique adjustable Character control for a punchier sound.

* Simple three character display easily viewable from a standing position which allows for easy operation

ToneDexter back panel

ToneDexter’s back panel has:
* XLR Mic in (with phantom 48V power supply)

* Send and Return Effects Look 1/4” phone jacks

* 9V-15V non polarity sensitive power input (power supply included)

* Monitor Out 1/4” phone jack

* Headphone Level adjustment

* Headphone output 1/4” phone jack

* Phase switch (shown as Option A/B in the photo)

* XLR DI output for direct connection to your mixer

* 1/4” instrument input and output jacks are on the side panel (not shown in the photo)

GoPro HERO4 Session is Now $199

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GoPro HERO4 Session 199GoPro has lowered the price of their HERO4 Session, just in time for the holiday shopping season. It was first released in June of 2015 with a price of $399. In September of 2015, the price was lowered to $299. Now, you can purchase a GoPro HERO4 Session for just $199.99

The HERO4 Session packs the power of GoPro into the company’s smallest, lightest, most convenient camera yet. It features a rugged and waterproof design, an easy one-button control, revolutionary battery efficiency, 1080p60 video and 8MP photos.

At the time I am writing this blog, the GoPro HERO4 Session is being sold for US $199.99. In addition, GoPro is offering a free GoPro Gift Bag, free 2-day shipping, and a 30 day money-back guarantee with every GoPro camera order. It is likely that at least some, if not all, of these offers could change as time goes by.

GoPro points out that the one-button simplicity and waterproof go-anywhere versatility of the HERO4 Session makes a perfect holiday gift. The camera is about the size of an ice cube and weighs only 2.6 ounces. It is also Bluetooth and WiFi enabled, which makes it easy for people to use their smartphone to view, edit, and share content from their GoPro to social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more.

Astra Bluetooth Communications Module from Litepanels

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900-3519_ASTRA_BlueTooth_Communications_Modulef-600x600Litepanels is the market leader in LED lighting systems for the television, broadcast, video, and film industries. Their ground-breaking, award-winning lighting products are developed with a clear focus on performance, reliability and efficiency to deliver the very best results for all of their customers.

Litepanels Astra 1×1 Bluetooth Communications Module allows you to control your lights wirelessly with the Bluetooth Communications Module and Litepanels SmartLite app. It is great for independent content creators or studios. The Bluetooth module and Smartlite app together are a convenient way to control your lights with your Apple device.

The Litepanels SmartLite app is available for a free download via the Apple App Store. It allows you to control your lights from your Apple iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth and simple pairing process. Once the handheld device pairs with the lights it will remember the light until it is cleared.

The Bluetooth module allows users to do a variety of things. This includes control of color intensity, control color temperature, to have multiple groups of lights, and to group lights together to be controlled all at once. You can view the operating temperature in real time and view the system information such as the firmware version.

The Litepanels Smartlite App requires iOS 7.0 or later. It is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The app is optimized for iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.

SUPERcase Provides All Day Recording for GoPro Hero

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SUPERcase by Si JexThe Si-Jex SUPERcase takes your GoPro and supercharges it with 5X the battery life and 8X the storage capacity. It is currently on Kickstarter, and has 19 days left to go.

The Si-Jex SUPERcase is the ultimate solution for adding power and storage to your GoPro Hero 3 & GoPro Hero 4. Choose from 128, 256, or 512 GB of space. You won’t have to worry about running out of juice when the going gets good.

The Si-Jex SUPERcase is the first and only all-in-one GoPro accessory case that combines battery power and storage into one simple component. Simply plug your GoPro into the SUPERcase and you’ve instantly added hours of power and video to your adventure.

It has a sturdy waterproof design for any environment. The case is clear and made of a rugged polycarbonate exterior. It is tested to endure shocks, drops, vibrations, wind, rain, sand, and dust. This makes SUPERcase ideal for extreme working conditions.

The case also gives you up to 10 hours of extended battery life. SUPERcase has a dual 18650 Li-Ion battery pack. With the 5200 mAh battery, you get over 6 hours of unattended recording at 4k, 30fps.

BOOMR – The Most Comfortable Camera Strap Ever

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BOOMR by StatGearBOOMR is a bungee camera strap/sling that is designed for professional photographers. It was designed to be worn any way you normally carry your camera. BOOMR is currently on Kickstarter. At the time I am writing this blog, it has 38 days left to go.

Inspired by the popular bungee cord rifle slings used in the military, StatGear has designed the patent-pending BOOMR to be the most comfortable camera strap/sling on the market. The bungee cords are extremely strong and durable and are incorporated into the design of BOOMR to act as shock absorbers which significantly decrease the weight load of carrying a camera around your neck or shoulders.

It features a 1.5-inch polypropylene shoulder strap, a 1-inch heavy duty bungee covered by 1-inch polypropylene, and anodized iron carbiners and riggings. It has an adjustable length from 44 to 58 inches long. The StatGear logo on the strap comes in three colors – red, pink, or grey.