Nikon D300 update, it is here. I will update you again this week when I have time for a hair cut. For more info on this camera Ken Rockwell received his last week and has been posting info on his site found here.

The Nikon D300 is here, well almost here, I received an invoice today for the first one which means it will come today or tomorrow. As of right now it is unsold, you could be one of the first in Canada to own one. It is also priced about the same as the U.S. only in Canadian dollars with a Canadian warranty. There is no review posted of this camera that I know of as it is still too new, but dpreview have posted a preview found here.

This is too much fun. Here are two more photos from the Sigma sd14 that I have posted earlier in colour. I do get to play a little on Sunday. Look for the highlight detail on the flag pole. Bill

Black and white with the Sigma Sd14. In the Sigma software this took me all of 1 minute to make the black and white I wanted. I can hardly wait to print some on our new Fuji Pearl gloss paper. It has been a busy week and no time for photos, but this morning the river look so peacefully with a little ice. These are off the deck ISO 50 too cold for a tripod.

Using the SD14. What a pleasurable experience it is. Even when walking to the mailbox with my grandpa and my dog, the camera delivers true (or better) to life colors and amazing detail and sharpness. This is because of no need for an antialiasing (blurring) filter, that provides a very real sharpness rather than a simulated, noisy one. Later in the day I took the SD14 into a dark room to create some very basic physiograms. The first one was taken over a 33 second exposure at f/8, with the IR filter off, as the LED was infrared, like your television remote. The camera had no problems with the image and I couldn't even see the light as I was taking it. The second is of a medical grade deep violet LED that is so intense it can be harmful to your skin. This part of the visible spectrum is the hardest to capture, the Sigma does it beautifully and sharply. Max.

Yesterday Panasonic lowered the price of the FZ18 in Canada. If you have been reading my blog you will know this is one of my favourite cameras. This camera has been hard for me to sell lately, not because there is not the demand, but because of the difference in cost between Canada and the U.S. Grand Forks is a border town, I can look out the window of our store and see the United States of America, customers here are more aware of differences. There are two reasons that it is hard to sell the Fz18 , my customer not wanting to pay too much and myself not feeling good about it costing more here than there. Of course what I have to offer a customer is very different, and for some more value, than from a larger store experience but there is a point where too many dollars is also important. Canadian warranty is usually better and most customers understand what it can mean to spend the money they earn, in this town, not out of town or out of the country. This brings me to one of my personal rants about how our media and Government have misled the consumer into believing that prices should drop in Canada as our dollar is stronger. As I see it, it is not as much about our dollar being strong as it is the U.S. dollar being very weak. Eighteen months ago was the last time I was in England and Europe and guess what, the exchange was almost the same then as it is today. But in the last eighteen months the U.S. dollar has lost 30 per cent of its value against not only the Canadian dollar but also most of the other world currencies. I think I know what is going to happen next, that Panasonic FZ18 camera that now costs Canadians less in Canada, also just went up in cost on the other side of the border. As well as checking industry news every morning I check prices. I think with the weak U.S. dollar we will see prices rise in the U.S.The photo above was taken with the FZ18 during a dinner cruise of the Toronto harbour where I was able to speak with this industry's suppliers about cross border prices and there was the thought that someday, for Canadians,a camera bought at home might not just be better for Canada, but it might cost less too. Bill Wilby

Using the Sigma Sd14 camera has changed something for me. I have started looking more for colours in my photos. The photo above was taken this morning while looking at the blue reflected in the water. When viewing the photo I began to think that the depth of colour I see may have something to do with the colour black, captured with this camera. The third dimension displayed in a two dimensional flat printed photo often is because of the texture defined by its shadow. An example would be the contrast of the dark shadows that can separate the trees from the forest. Also I was just reading the forum titled "Sigma SLR talk" on http://www.dpreview.com/ and someone wrote that this camera has a personality. If using this camera can affect how I feel and think about my photography I would agree. Bill

This photo is taken with the Sigma Sd14 camera, it is for Leif, who would like to see a photo taken in less than Ideal conditions. I will call it Falling leaves. It was in the shade with a long exposure on a tripod. Bill

Euro Prints, our new print size which is very popular in Europe, 41/2x6, seems to be a huge hit for anyone with a camera that shoots in the 4:3 aspect ratio. This includes most compact, rangefinder, and some digital SLR models. Traditional 4x6 prints use the 2:3 aspect ratio, cutting off the top and bottom of the image. This also means that the subject's heads will often get trimmed as well. Our Euro Prints preserve the aspect ratio of the client's camera, resulting in the image being printed as it was intended by the photographer. This is perfect for scrapbookers or people without the need for standard albums, as your pictures feel more like a 5x7 and less like a 4x6. Move your mouse over the image above to see what I mean. Max.

Golla Bags, most of you may never heard of this Finnish company that produces some of the most fun bags we have ever seen. We have some in stock with more coming soon. They have a great web site here is the link.

News Flash, Bob the beaver was sighted this morning just after dawn swimming down stream. In other news people are now using our new web site Foto Depot to upload photos to share with friends by creating albums. These same people sometimes order photos to print, and put them in one of our many new albums to chose from. There are still others who find our new selection of photo frames very exciting and enlarge their photos to display. I might even pick one for a new photo of Bob, if I see him again in better light. The photo above was taken last Sunday when the light was very nice, with my Sigma SD14. Bill

Another Sigma Sd14 photo from Sunday. This one shows how close the 17 to 70 F2.8 Sigma lens will focus. This was shot at ISO 200 1/320 of a second and F4. It is not perfect, but was also not very hard to do with this camera and lens. Bill

If you have been reading my blog you will know that I am getting to know the Sigma SD14. Sunday was a wonderful day here as the light was warm and the sky mostly clear. To my surprise I found things about using the SD14 that I was not expecting. I went to take an early morning photo at the ISO 50 setting and realized a tripod would help. As you may also know, with my love for stabilized cameras and lenses, it has been awhile since I have set up a tripod. I have forgotten how it feels to adjust a good tripod, and take a little more time to compose a photo. The camera didn't focus quite the way I wanted so I switched to manual focus and with my free hand, thanks to the tripod, I began to experiment with focus. What's next, manual exposure? My point is not only can the Sigma SD14 capture a photograph like no other camera, it also provided me with a feeling and experience that I haven't had with a camera for a long time. From the sound of the shutter to the large viewfinder this camera just feels good and that for me makes a difference in the photos I capture with it. This photo shows the contrast of the warm November light on the trees and rocks and the deep blue refection of the sky in the river. I have printed this photo 16x24 and the depth it has I think is the result of the Foveon sensor. The feeling I have when I look at the photo has to do more with the experience of using the camera. Oh and the tripod too. Bill

I have updated the software in the Sigma SD14 and downloaded the editing software. I am going to lose sleep with all the photo ideas this now gives me. After seeing the editing software and understanding with Max's help, what possibilities it offers, this adds much more value to the camera package and will make it even more fun to sell. This new photo was taken this morning with the camera set to ISO 50 which is now possible with the software upgrade. When selling this camera I plan on doing the firmware upgrade and including a test print to test for a clean sensor. My demo camera did have spot on the sensor which required my cleaning. Bill

As promised more photos from the Sigma SD14. I really enjoy using this camera, the shutter is very quiet, and the controls are well laid out. It even has a built in hand warmer. This is a inside joke for Sigma users. It snowed a little just after I took these photos. Bill

Sigma Sd14. My demo for testing has just arrived and if all goes according to plan you will hear much more and see many photos from this camera. This camera is not well known of in main stream photography and that may well be part of the appeal for me. What makes it different from the others is the foveon sensor that captures the photo. Other digital camera sensors do not capture each red, green and blue colour at each pixel.The Sigma Sd14 does. They have a great site, here is the link. Contact Photo Arts is the only stocking Canadian dealer at this time and we plan to sell in store and on line across Canada. Watch for our new link and photo gallery on the home page. Please click on the photo to view larger image. Bill Wilby

Something about this time of the year, there is a time about now 5:45 pm when the light just "pops" in front of your eyes. The day has been cloudy and rainy and then for 15 min. you can forget the rain as the light pops before your eyes. Lucky for me there is usually a camera near by like my Panasonic FZ18. Bill

Check out Foto Depot, I find it really exciting. Now we have a new way to share, store and order photos with Foto Deopt, Contact Photo Arts and Foto Source.

Hi there. This is Leif. I'm back in Canada, but organizing my photos from Scandinavia, and I decided to make another post... This is from London, England, actually. I stopped over on my way back home, and most of my time there was overnight between my flights, in the darkness. I broke my tripod in Iceland (my lightweight tripod was NOT designed to work as a support for a high-tension clothes-line while camping... To its credit, it did do the job for two weeks before failing in the last week of my camping trip around Iceland!) So this shot of Westminster Abbey was taken using a fence as a tripod. The shot was crooked, but I didn't care about that at the time - photoshop can (and did) take care of it.

The other shot is from a medieval stave church in Norway. I'm really impressed with how well the K10D handles 'blackness', even at higher ISO settings (the shot of the abbey is at 400iso, 1/4 sec)

Passport photos and more passport photos, these are mostly the photos I take these days. Fall is here and on Sunday there were a few moments to take some fall photos. These two photos were captured with my Panasonic FZ18. I think everyone should have one. And we do have stock. Bill

Grandma's new kittens. This photo is for the family members who may have not met the new kittens yet. I stayed with her Monday night and had the pleasure of meeting her mew kittens as yet unnamed. Bill

Hi - This is Leif posting again. I took my laptop with me when I went on my travels through Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway, but was rather busy exploring so didn't get the chance to organize a post. It was heavy to carry both my K10D and my laptop around, but worth it. I took far more photos than I would've otherwise, and used the RAW function regularly too, since I had the space on my computer. Basically, I just had fun on a regular basis with my K10D. This has resulted in two good things (I had fun & I have some fun photos) and a bad thing (I have more photos than I know how to deal with). I'm thinking it would be good to find a program for making a photo database or something, so I can easily navigate all my photos...

I will try to post some few photos from the places I went to. For now, here is a photo of a 14th century castle in Malmö Sweden, at early morning. I had to fly out that same day from Copenhagen (twenty minutes away by train), so woke up REALLY early to explore this somewhat small and neat city while I could.

Also, here are two photos from Helsinki. Many people I spoke with didn't have much to say for Helsinki. Certainly compared to Stockholm, Helsinki lacks a certain 'beauty' or picturesque quality. But I must say that Helsinki is VERY inspiring and fun for photography, or I think so at least. They really have some amazing architects there, and they know how to work with spaces and light and shapes. These two photos are from the steps up to the big cathedral, and a sky-light inside the museum for modern art.

I'd also like to say that a lot of museums do permit photography. The K10D is really handy in low-light conditions, with display glass that makes using a flash very problematic. I got lots of good close-ups of Viking-Age artefacts that will serve me well in my studies and teaching.

Just a Quick note, we are back from our adventure and hard at work trying to catch up. Here is a photo, more to come. Bill P.S I cropped the flag so you have to guess where we went.

Some people say it's a jungle out there, so if you haven't seen our add here is a copy. Sandy and I will be away to our annual buying show Sept. 22 to 26. It was last year at this time we started this blog to help introduce the new products and services found at that show. So stay posted this Fall for more from our jungle buying show. Bill P.S Forgot to say the store will be closed for those days we are not here.

Another photo with the Panasonic FZ18. This has been cropped a little bit but the eagle is across the river. I am really enjoying this camera. Bill

Panasonic's newest ultra zoom camera is the FZ18. It has a 18x zoom. For film this would be a 28mm to 504mm range. It will photograph something and make it look 10 times larger than we see with our eyes. Here are two photos that show this range.The 18x zoom can be misleading to a buyer as it is referring to the focal length difference in the lens. As the wide angle view of this camera, is wider than most digital cameras, the 18x zoom can be easily miss understood. The focal length in this lens is 4.6mm to 82.8mm or 18x. There are many things to like about Panasonic's new FZ18 and we have them in stock. Click on the pictures to make them bigger. The deer is in both photos.

Hi - this is Leif again. I'm just about to leave for a trip to mainland Scandinavia, and I may be able to post while I'm there, but I thought I'd put another few photos up quickly before I leave.

One here is taken of the building opposite my favourite building in Reykjavik. The Ráðhús, or City Hall, has some really fun lighting and lines. This building faces it, and the precious moments of darkness (or near-darkness) just after midnight in mid-July let me get this fun shot of the small pond (with a duck!) that surrounds the Ráðhús, making it seem as though it's submerged in water. Maybe I'll post some shots of the Ráðhús itself some other time.

I went for a sunrise walk in Vík in mid-August, leaving my tent around 4am, with the sun rising shortly afterwards. The sun rises and sets quite slowly and stays low on the horizon for a long time, so I had lots of time to explore and try different things with the shadows and light, as well as just enjoy the sunrise! I also finally figured out just the right time of day and conditions to get a shot of the black sands that actually shows how celestial they seem up close - needed to be right before the sunlight hit the sand, with some fresh morning ocean-spray on the sands.

Bob is back, or maybe he never left, but he was across the river this morning eating some small bushes.

Hi - this is Leif in Iceland again. Around August 10th I stayed a couple nights at a very small campsite in the southern-interior of Iceland (called Hólaskjól, and you can check out the map on my blog at http://duenorth-iceland2007.blogspot.com/). I went for a long day-hike as soon as I got there, expecting the sun to persist. The area is quite interesting, with a large gorge and river, and another river with a flat sandy flood-plain. There is also an old lava floe from about 1000 years ago that has been covered almost entirely in thick soft moss (sometimes almost a foot thick, seriously!) Anyways, it started pouring rain just as I was about three hours from my tent and any shelter. So I used the complete rain-shield on my lowpro camera bag for the first time ever, and got thoroughly soaked to the bone, while my camera remained dry.

Much later that day (around 9pm) a heavy mist or omni-directional rain came up, and I remembered a landscape of moss-covered lava not far away. So instead of putting on my soaking boots, I went with cold bare feet in sandals and took some shots. It was worth it, and the landscape seemed very surreal, with light coming from just above the horizon and glowing as though it was only a few hundred metres away. I got very wet again, and there were millions of beads of water on my camera, but thankfully the K10D is water-resistant so I don't have to worry so much about that.

Here are a couple sunsets too. The first is from Reykjavík looking some 100km over the ocean to the Snæfelsness peninsula. The second is from a lake called Mývatn in the north - this sunset took about an hour and a half and was spectacular with lots of colour the whole time. When the colour from the sun had mostly left the sky, the moon rose over the hills. Sunsets here last forever this time of year, so it can be a leisurely process to set-up a tripod and get the shots you want. The light changes constantly though, as the sun moves, so different colours appear and disappear over periods of a few minutes.

- Leif

It may be hard for some of you viewing this blog to understand how nice it is to see rain, even on a Sunday. This is the first rain of any amount this summer and I was not the only one excited by it. Two photos today, the first one, count the geese, and then there is Mr. coyote.

Hi there –

My name is Leif. I'm Bill & Sandra's nephew. Currently I'm in Iceland,
learning Icelandic, having fun, and taking LOTS of photos with my
Pentax K10D, which I got back in February of this year. Bill invited
me to post here.

Here's a bit of information about what I'm using:

I have the extra battery & grip – this is a must-have if you're
traveling or camping. I just got back from a three-week camping trip
and only had to recharge twice, after taking more than 6GB of photos!
Sometimes I take the battery pack off when I'm doing day-hikes or
walking around downtown in Reykjavík, and the camera is really small
and easy to carry about.

I also use the infrared remote for sensitive tripod shots, like
puffins, sunsets, and fireworks. It´s much quicker and steadier than
using the 12 or 2 second countdown timers, and you can get just the
shots you want exactly when you want them. The remote cunningly fits
into a slot inside the extra battery pack, along with a space for an
extra memory card: feels very Star Trek-ish! The remote is also nice
for close group photos with yourself included! I used the remote just
last night to get this shot of the fireworks to celebrate Reykjavík´s
birthday. (ISO 100, F8.0, 18mm, 8s.) Reykjavík is the capital city of
Iceland, about 150000 people, with some 300000 in the whole country,
give or take 50000 tourists . . . and far more cameras! Icelanders
love technology, and digital cameras are BIG here.

I met an Icelandic (professional) photographer last night at the
fireworks, and we compared shots. Mostly the same, although he´s done
fireworks photography before (I haven´t) so knew more about which
settings and framing devices would serve best. Anyways, he was using a
Canon DSLR (can´t remember which one – sorry!), and Canon is really
popular here. I only ever see Pentax cameras with foreigners. Because
he already had an idea that 1-3 seconds was a good shutter speed for
fireworks, he got more ideal shots than I did. But our best shots were
almost identical. The major difference in our photos last night was in
how they were made, not what they looked like. He had a wire remote –
I had the wireless. His camera was much bigger and heavier, with a
tripod that could hold a ton and weighed just about a ton – I had been
walking around the festival-filled town all day, so my camera without
the battery pack is small, and my tripod is quite lightweight, fitting
nicely in the holding straps of my Lowpro camera bag.

I use a 28-200 Pentax lens from my Pentax MZ-5n film SLR, and the
18-55 lens that Pentax makes specifically for its DSLRs. I was very
tempted to get the 12-24 or something with a wider angle, and I´ve
regretted not doing so several times. Sometimes you just need a wider
angle to bring context to a shot, or simply to get the building,
glacier or mountain entirely into the shot. Some of these things are
not possible with the 18-55. I brought my MZ-5n with me to get some
wider-angle shots with the 18-55, but that camera broke on my first
shot with it here in Iceland. (Good reason to always have more than
one camera if you can . . .) So I´m using the K10D for all my shots,
and missing some wider-angle opportunities. That said, changing lenses
is a hassle, particularly in dusty environments or in the field, and
although Pentax has a great dust-removal system, I still hate to
change lenses in dusty or windy situations. So it is VERY nice to have
the 18-55, since it is very versatile and suits many purposes, and I
never feel restricted when I´m going out in bad weather with it on. I
know I would feel restricted with the 12-24, since I wouldn´t be able
to get the higher zoom shots.

The powerful & versatile zoom on my 28-200 lens is great for wildlife
shots and landscape shots at a distance. This is a shot I got of a
puffin just last week. (ISO100, F5.6, 200mm, 1/90s.) It was on the
edge of a cliff (as puffins usually are) and I too was on the edge of
the cliff, with difficult angles to get around for a line-of-sight, in
a high-wind situation, over the crashing waves of the ocean . . . So
there was no way I was trusting any tripod to keep my camera from
flying off into the northern Atlantic! I barely trusted myself to keep
myself on the cliff! So I was shaking a bit, and using maximum zoom on
a subject that was in the shade. Pentax´s Shake-Reduction feature is
priceless in such situations! I also took some photos of two puffins
together from a greater distance, using my tripod and the remote. Got
some nice shots with the tripod, although from farther away and with
less detail and not as nice lighting. Otherwise there is no real
difference between the shots with and without the tripod, except that
without the SR feature I would never have been able to get a crisp
close shot in that situation.

That´s all for now!
- Leif