Getty Images have launched a new subscription microstock site - thinkstockphotos.com. It will source its images from the sister sites iStockphoto, Jupiterimages and Getty itself. You can find Thinkstock here and specifically my images (sourced from iStockphoto) here.
Canon have updated the firmware for the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV - to version 1.06. It improves AF performance for approaching and receding subjects.
Nikon have launched new firmware for a series of their DSLRs, to support 64Gb CF cards:
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.
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!!
Hard for me to get too excited about this post as I don't own any of the equipment, but Canon have launched new firmware, helping with compatibility with wireless controllers:
Pentax have just announced a weather-resistant 100mm Macro lens, the D-FA 100 mm f/2,8 Macro WR.
Nikon have updated their 300mm f/2.8 lens, known as AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II. Details are:
- Vibration Reduction (VR II) enables sharper pictures while shooting at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would otherwise be possible
- Three focus modes are available — A/M mode is added to conventional M/A and M modes
- Nano Crystal Coat effectively suppresses ghosting and flare for clear images
- Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures smooth and quiet AF operation
Nikon have also introduced a new verion of their 2x teleconverter, the AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III, with an aspherical element. It will double the focal length of a compatible lens, but two stops of light will be lost.
Sony have relased version 1.10 firmware for their A380, A330 and A230 cameras. To quote their website which describes the improvement:
"When the [Metering mode] is set to the [Center weighted] or [Spot] metering modes, the exposure will be locked when the focus is confirmed. (When shooting in AF mode)."
Available to download as a WIndows, or Mac compatible versions.
Canon have confirmed there's a minor problem with their new 7D - subtle artifacts from previous shots can be seen under certain continous shooting bursts. Details here and firmware expected very soon.
UPDATE: In fact, it's now been released, as version 1.1.0, available to download here.
Pentax have released an updated version of their firmware for the K-7. Now at version 1.02, it adds a fine sharpness setting, as well image processing performance and stability in certain situations. Available to download from here.
In an attempt to provide some differentiation in the competitive microstock industry, Shutterstock* has announced it will legally guarantee any image/footage sale up to $10,000, against any legal costs or direct costs associated with the use of one of its licences.
In the increasingly consolidating and competitive microstock industry, Fotolia has turned the heat up a notch - this time in trying to attract top contributors to their site, away from others. In launching 'Operation Level Ground*', if you have at least 1000 active images on another site, they will reward you with a status as if those downloads had been made on Fotolia. Only available until the end of the year (although why wouldn't they extend it?).
Canon have taken the unusual step of updating its users with news that they're going to be launching an update to the firmware for the 5D Mark II. It will enable the recording of high definition 1080p video at 24 and 25fps, meaning it's no longer been overtaken by the recently announced 7D. It should be released in the first half of 2010.
Alongside the Mark IV announcement and its wireless transmitter, Canon have also announced a new controller for the 5D Mark II - the WFT-E4 II. Info here.
After much anticipation, today Canon announced their successor to the EOS 1D Mark III, with the predictably named Mark IV:
Although almost identical externally, there are some key new features to convince you to buy/upgrade:
- Completely Redesigned 45-Point Autofocus System, with 39 high-precision cross-type focusing points
- Fast 10 fps Continuous Shooting
- 16-Megapixel Resolution
- Outstanding ISO Sensitivity (up to 102,400)
- Full HD Video Recording at Selectable Frame Rates
To accompany the new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera, Canon is also announcing a new accessory, the WFT-E2 II A wireless file transmitter providing photographers with a wide range of professional digital connectivity options, details here.
Full press release here.
And Canon's micro-site here.
And their white-paper here.
As for me, I can't afford one, so I'll just upgrade my 'dream camera' from the Mk III to Mk IV version!!
A German microstock agency (owned by Deutsche Telekom) thinks it's seen a gap in the busy microstock industry in the UK and is launching its Polylooks brand here. It's aiming to be the go-to source for UK/European imagery, something which they say a lot of the US-based sites are not strong in.
Commission rates are 50% and 35% for exclusive and non-exclusive, respectively.
More details in their press release.
Following consolidation in the microstock industry earlier this year (see my previous post), Shutterstock* is now getting in on the action, with its acquisition of BigStockPhoto*. There's a natural synergy between Shutterstock's subscription model and BigStockPhoto's credit-based model. For now, the sites will run independently, but presumably it wont be long before they'll look for marketing synergies and share collections to benefit all parties.
Sigma have launched a new zoom lens, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS:
The 'OS' stands for 'Optical Stabiliser' and is equivalent to the IS on some Canon lenses.It comes with a lens hood and versions will be available to support Canon, Nikon (D), Sony, Pentax and Sigma mounts.More information available from Sigma's website here.
Tamron have introduced a new zoom lens, snappily called the SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF):
VC stands for 'Vibration Compensation' - similar to the IS with some Canon lenses.
It's for digital cropped sensors only and initially only for Nikon mount, with Canon following at end of October.You can read more about it on their website, here.
Nikon mount available here*:
