Nikon news: New firmware for D300S, D700, D3 and D3x

Nikon have launched new firmware for a series of their DSLRs, to support 64Gb CF cards:

• D700, 1.02 (Windows, Mac)
• D3, 2.02 (Windows, Mac)
• D3x, B 1.01 (Windows, Mac)
  
• D300S, V1.01 (Windows, Mac)

Canon News: EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM II announced

After much rumour and anticipation, it's great to see that Canon have launched a new version of their L-series workhorse - the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM II. Although the current version is considered an excellent, versatile lens, Canon have raised the bar further.
The revised features include:

• Faster autofocus algorithm
• Minimum focus distance reduced to 1.2m
  
• Four-stops of IS (image stabilisation)
  
• A flourite element and 5 UD elements to minimise CA
• Added strength (with only a 20g increase in weight)
• A slightly redeisgned bayonet mount for securing the supplied lens hood
• A wider focussing ring

I currently have the lowest-spec version of the 4 L-series 70-200 lenses (the F/4 non IS version), so I'd love to upgrade one day.

Apparently available in the US from April, in the UK, I'd expect it to retail initially at around £1700, but soon setlle around the £1500 mark. ***UPDATE: 5th Jan - Warehouse Express have it as a pre-order for £2799 !!! And so do Park Cameras***

Press release available here.

Microstock Experiment - 2009 Summary

Well, after the first proper year into my microstock experiment, I'm pleased to share the summary of my earnings (or lack of!!).

I had set myself a 'finger-in-the-air' target of £250 and as was evident pretty early on, unless I uploaded a considerably higher number of images, I would never make it. In the end, I made £180.89, which was 72% of my target. It worked out at about 50p per day.

Here's the summary of the earnings by the different sites:





It's interesting to see such a wide range between sites (although slightly unfair to BigStockPhoto, as I only joined them late in the day). For me, Shutterstock and iStockphoto are not only the most revenue-generating, but also the easiest to upload to.

The images I've generated the most revenues across sites are:






A lot of part-time microstockers like myself wonder whether it's worth it and as you can see, from a financial perspective, it certainly isn't! However, I am going to continue, as I've defintely developed my photography skills over the last 12 months and who knows if any other doors will open longer-term...

For 2010, I'm not going to aim for the £250 again, as I can't see myself finding much more time to upload more images. But I'll set an approximate 10% increase in revenues on 2009, so my target is a nice round £200. Wish me luck...

Happy New Year!!