THIS WEEK IN PHOTOGRAPHY 04-15-2010

NEW PRODUCTS
The Brand New Fuji HS10 Compact Camera with 30x Optical Zoom by Paul Franklin
It’s a question that pops up all the time: “What’s a good all-around camera for me? I don’t want to have to change lenses, I don’t want to have to reset everything on the camera for every shot, and I want to do vacation pictures, pictures on my kids, and – oh, yeah – sports. Oh, and it has to fit in a small bag and it can’t cost too much."

So what’s a good camera?
There’s a new king of the hill in the “does-it-all” category, and it comes from Fuji. The HS-10 (High Spec 10 Megapixel) camera is a serious bit of kit, and deserves serious consideration from anyone looking for an all-in-one camera.

Why? The lens!
The Fuji HS-10 comes with a…wait for it…30X zoom – a 24-720mm lens. That is no misprint. Thirty times zoom. A lens that’s appropriate for everything from wide-angle scenic shots a tight close-up of your child sliding into second base. The camera also offers a close-focusing “Macro” mode and a series of movie options. There’s a built-in pop-up flash, and even a hotshoe for accessory flashes.

Good grief.
We’ve tried this camera out, and it is good – very good. It looks and handles very much like a small SLR (it's roughly the size of the Nikon D5000) and has a textured rubber handgrip. The body balances well and all controls fall to hand in a comfortable and logical manner. The HS-10 offers both a live view LCD and an electronically-generated viewfinder with which to compose images. There’s a movie mode, and a rather extensive array of controls on the camera body, almost like a “real” DSLR’s – there’s even an AF lock button! Go into the menus and you’ll find a host of options to control image format, profiles, dynamic range, and so on; but it you’re more inclined to treat this as a true point-and-shoot. That’s fine, too, there is a fully-automatic mode where the camera automatically sets everything. The command dial allows you to select from among numerous “canned” modes, such as sports, portraits, etc.; and offers the advanced shooters the familiar PSAM options, as well.

So here we have it:
10 megapixels, 30x zoom, movies, macro, flash, fully automatic mode…what more could you ask? Make it affordable? How about a price of $519.95? The Fuji HS-10 represents a breakthrough; it deserves a long look from aspiring shooters, and from serious DSLR owners who need a smaller, lighter “walking-around” camera.

NEW FLASH BRACKET LINE
Stratos Flash Brackets are made in Canada and offer a line of brackets made from solid, extruded Aircraft aluminum (not stamped metal). Available in several sizes, the brackets have a contoured neoprene grip for comfort and anti-twist rubber base plates. The 10 inch 35mm bracket sells for $79.95.

NEW TRIPOD LINE
We have added a few models of aftermarket tripods to be sold strictly on price. One of the better items is the three section monopod for $24.95. It extends to almost 69 inches, collapses to 26 inches, and weighs only 12 ounces. The name on the bright yellow box is "STX".

cb ON YOUTUBE

DID YOU KNOW...
(this has nothing to do with photography, but you still need to know) the Google search box can not only be used as a "spellchecker" but also as a calculator (2*4.95*.90 displays 8.91). Want to know the current time of day in Florence Italy? Key "time florence italy". Type in "250 euros" and the dollar equivalent is displayed. Type in an area code and get a map display of the coverage area. You can limit search results to a specific time period by using the ".." function , e.g. "photography 1980..1989" .

Also, Adobe PhotoShop was 20 years old last month.

ANOTHER REASON TO JOIN THE BMA PHOTO GUILD Photography Guild members met at the home of UAB Professor Sonja Rieger for a presentation by seven of her advanced photography students. Members viewed the student's portfolios and had the opportunity to discuss the relations between the photographers and their work; a wonderful opportunity to follow the area's next generation of photographers. Students participating were Jackson Echols, Suzanne Endsley, Truman Grayson, Jonathan Hicks, Celestia Morgan, Gretal Watts, and Allison Wheeler. The Photography Guild ia a support group of the Birmingham Museum of Art. To join the Guild, or for more information, contact Ms. Suzanne Stephens, 205.254.2975 or email to svstephens@artsbma.org

PHOTO EXHIBITIONS
Opening...
"Concrete Widerness" opening reception at the Jennifer Hunt Gallery, Cahaba Village Plaza, Friday. April 16th, 6-8 pm. This is a group show by photographers David Diodate, Vicki Hunt, Parn Moxley, and Richard Sexton focusing on nature and architectural forms. http://www. JenniferHuntGallery.com

Continuing...
"Dazzling", an exhibition of new photographs by Birrmingham's Sonja Rieger, at Beta Pictoris, 2411 2nd Avenue North through May 3rd. http://BetaPictorisGallery.com

"Birmingham Biennial 3" features is a major juried exhibition commenting on race through May 22nd. Work by photographers Jonathan Hicks, Jackson Echols, and Sonja Rieger will be included. The Exhibition is partnered by Bare Hands Gallery and Amanda Schedler Fine Art. http://www.barehandsgallery.org http://www.fineartbirmingham.com

"Red Mountain Rising: An Oral History Collection" at the Lite Box Gallery, 2825 Second Avenue South through April 24th. In oral histories, miners and mining camp residents share their stories of working in the ore mines on Red Mountain. The exhibit features historic photographs and photographs by Melissa Springer. w/thur/fri 12-5, sat 10-2. http://www.RedMountainPark.org

Atlanta: "The Portrait Unbound" at the High Museum of Art exhibits new work by California photogapher Robert Weingarten. It consists of 20 large scale digital portraits of Americam icons. Through May 30th. http://wwwhigh.org

MEETING
The Shades Valley Camera Club will meet in the upstairs auditorium of the Homewood Library tonight (Thursday) at 7:00. The subject of the program is "Studio Lighting". Visitors are always welcome.

www.cbPhotoStore.com Westcott Lighting Kits are the featured products on our cbPhotoStore Home page. See our Newsletter specials for this month's special offer.

Order your Graduation Cards and announcements online at cbPhotoLab.com. We have many templates available. Pickup instore or shipping is available.

MANUFACTURER'S REBATES
Jill-E Designs is offering a mail-in rebate on most of their fashion-oriented, stylish camera bags designed especially for the woman photographer. Rebate forms are available in-store or online. Through June 30th. Jill-E Designs Rebate Form

Rebates up tp $50 are offered on select Manfrotto tripods and heads now through June 30th. Details and form are available instore and online. Manfrotto Rebate Info

NEWSLETTER SPECIALS
During April, 2010 CAMERASBROOKWOOD will pay the sales tax on your purchase of a Westcott three light strobe complete outfit.

LowePro Black "Voyager" contoured camera strap with removable memory card pouch: $28.00'- newsletter special $20.00. LowePro 15 inch Soft Wrap: $12.00 - newsletter special $7.50.

Giotto Cleaning Kit: $12.94- newsletter special- $7.99.

Tamrac "ZipShot" ultra compact tripod for point and shoot cameras. See it to believe it: $54.00- newsletter special $43.20

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ONLY IN AMERICA... By Ron Bowen
.... drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.
..... people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.
..... banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
..... we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.
..... we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.
..... we have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.