Category Archives: Cameras

3D Tech, Cameras

Nice deal on the Nikon 1 system J1 camera package

I have a J1 and a J2 for use, especially, as a 3D pair. They are small, light weight, have interchangeable lenses, and sensor much larger than a typical compact camera (the industry calls it a 1″ sensor): Nikon 1 J1 DSLR with 10 30mm VR 30 110mm VR Lenses and Nikon Case Refurbished | eBay.

$199 for manufacturer refurbished J1, 10-30mm and 30-110mm lenses, and a small camera bag. I bought one of these from the same vendor months ago – very pleased with the camera.

I now often use these cameras as a walkabout camera because they are small and convenient, and unobtrusive in crowds.

Yeah, its only a 10 megapixel image but as you probably know, for a lot of shooting, that is an excellent image size, providing excellent quality, and better lowlight performance than a small point and shoot. You get DSLR like features (almost) with larger sensor, features, and lens options – in a point and shoot type package.

Funny thing is, when Nikon introduced the Nikon 1 cameras,
I just did not get the point of the camera. But oddly enough, I now have two of them and totally get it! I can see why the matching V series (V1, V2, V3) are a popular mirrorless format. If you want an eye viewfinder (rather than LCD panel), consider the V series.

P.S. I am just about to head out the door with the J1 with me, as a matter of fact 🙂

Cameras

Apple Canon iPhone 5D Mark III Introduced

April 1 – Today Apple and Canon are introducing their jointly developed iPhone 5D Mark III smart phone. The new smart phone features the Canon 22.3 megapixel sensor and the Canon DIGIC 5+ Image Processor, in addition to the Apple A7 processor. In a surprising twist, for Canon, the new iPhone 5D Mark III is a mirrorless camera and replaces the no longer needed iSight camera.

The new phone works with the entire suite of Canon lenses, although this does mean the new phone, weighing about 4.5 pounds (2 kg) is no longer suitable for pocket use and, in fact, must be carried in a backpack.

Battery life of the new smart phone is about one hour. In warm weather. In standby mode. A 10 pound (4 kg) lead acid gel cell battery option is available and fits in the backpack which comes in either black or white colors and features a special high quality leather insert mount for the battery. White battery wires extend out from the backpack to the camera and match the ear buds wires.

3D, 3D Tech, Cameras

Sony discontinued the TD30V 3D camcorder

I do not know when this occurred but it was canceled as of the January CES and shows as a discontinued product in the Sony online store. The product remains available at retailers, such as at Amazon.

The camera and consumer electronics companies have all seen multi year slow downs in sales. In the video area, for cameras and TVs, the new push is for 4k. 4k makes a lot of sense for content creation but there is almost no consumer market to watch 4K and there still is no distribution mechanism for 4K video except for Youtube.  Netflix says they will introduce some 4K distribution soon too.

Sadly, this means there are now no more high quality, consumer-accessible 3D video cameras available.  These all-in-one products did a good job for shooting 3D within a limited depth box out to perhaps 30 (10 m), and sometimes 50 feet (16 m). Beyond that, paired cameras with wider lens spacing produce better quality 3D images.

Consumers are seeking out 3D content but it remains a niche market in the home – nearly all top selling movies in 2013 were 3D movies, and 3D Blu-ray sales were up nearly 100% YoY. But there does not seem to be much interest in shooting one’s own 3D except by serious hobbyists and professionals.

I expect the 4k content creation tools – in other words, cameras – to be a very good selling market for some time to come. Certainly more profitable than the consumer 3D camera market.

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