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Sunday, January 18, 2009

Canon PowerShot SX100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

Let the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS inspire you with its with phenomenal 10x Optical Zoom, 8.0-megapixel CCD and Optical Image Stabilizer for shake-free long-range shooting. Plus, the DIGIC III Image Processor with advanced Face Detection, Face Selector Button and Red-eye Correction assures superb results every time. Auto ISO Shift and ISO 1600 make low light shooting easy while the large Mode Dial lets you select Scene Modes or full manual control effortlessly. Built-in Flash modes - Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro White Balance Controls - Auto, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H), Custom ISO Sensitivity - Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 equivalent Memory card slot supports SD/SDHC, MultiMediaCard (MMC), MMC Plus, and HC MMC Plus Cards A 16MB SD Card is included, however we suggest purchasing an Optional 1GB memory card. It will allow you to store a lot more video and images, as well as take advantage of the camera's high Resolution abilities. Interfaces - USB 2.0, NTSC/PAL RCA Video and Audio Out Print directly to Canon CP/SELPHY Compact and PIXMA Photo Printers as well as PictBridge compatible printers via the included USB 2.0 cable without the need for a computer! Approximate Unit Dimensions - (WxHxD) 4.28 x 2.81 x 1.84; Unit Weight - 9.35 oz. (Body without Battery and memory card)
Customer Review: It's great!
I upgraded to this camera from my older Powershot A510 (stolen). It's better in every way. MUCH faster, good battery life, awesome pictures, unbelievable zoom, and image stabilization (I got soooo many fuzzy pictures with the A510 -- not anymore!). It's definitely not compact (fills up my entire jeans pocket), but it takes infinitely better pictures than compact cameras. The software has also gotten much better, and you can finally play videos in ZoomBrowser. It's still not very good at extreme macro shots or low light conditions; but I'm not a pro photographer either, so I rarely mess with the settings. BTW, GREAT bang for the buck. Hope this helps you gather information!
Customer Review: Excellent Camera
For my first digital camera I wanted something that I could take pictures with on the fly as well as something with settings that I could play with. I know the basics about changing shutter speeds and other settings of that nature, but this is the first camera with which I've actually been able to manipulate to see what the effects are. Thus far I have been extremely satisfied with the results that I have seen in my images and am blown away with the clarity of a really good shot -which I seem to be able to get many of. As of 250+ shots, I am pleased.


Good wildlife safari photography is not only about composition and camera equipment because you first need to find your subjects before you can even lift your camera. This best five African wildlife destinations list helps you do that.

Once you have been going on wildlife photography safaris in Africa for a number of years you begin to realise and recognise that certain areas are better than others for generating good animal picture opportunities on a consistent basis.

The ranking is based on over twenty years of my safari photography experience, forums, countless trip reports and travel journals, travel magazines and prevailing wisdom in the Africa travel industry.

1. Serengeti NP - Tanzania

One of the best safari parks in Africa bar none, the Serengeti is a safari photography dream destination.

The wildlife viewing on a photographic safari here often borders on the spectacular aided by the fact that the vegetation is predominantly grassland which makes spotting animals from a distance considerably easier and provides less obstacles like bushes and trees to obscure your subjects.

The grassland is also able to sustain a multitude of herbivores like wildebeest, zebra and gazelle which in turn sustains a large population of predators to feed on them so it's no surprise that the Serengeti is often referred to as "big cat central". In the Masaai language Serengeti means "endless plain" which is very close to the truth.

Two extraordinary events occur here that make it an even more remarkable place to take a Tanzania safari. The annual wildebeest migration and the birth of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest foals.

The migration occurs as the massive herds of up to a million individuals begin their search for better grazing by moving north. The exact timing is dependant on the seasonal rains but they travel across the Serengeti en masse roughly between April and August.

In February - March, months before they begin their epic journey, the wildebeest give birth within a six week period to hundreds of thousands of calves, taking advantage of the sweet grazing available in the Serengeti at that time. They all foal at the same time to cause a glut of prey opportunities for the predators who make full use of the bonanza while they can.

And so can you with some remarkable picture opportunities in the offing.

2. Masai Mara Reserve - Kenya

This is one of the places where your camera will start steaming from overuse especially if you are after big cat pictures.

Along with the Serengeti in Tanzania, this is without a doubt the premier game viewing destination in Africa because of the quality and quantity of wildlife sightings and safari photography opportunities to be found here.

This sometimes works against it because in certain places it can be overrun with photographers and tourist in safari vehicles all jostling for the best position around a bemused lion pride or leopard in a tree.

But if predators are what you seek from a safari photography trip then this reserve will deliver them in spades in the form of lion, cheetah, hyena and even regular leopard sightings if you know the right areas.

Taking a hot air balloon ride over the plains will provide a unique perspective for your safari photography efforts not to mention an amazing experience.

3. Kruger NP - South Africa

The Kruger National Park has to rank as one of the best South Africa safari photography destinations, only slightly behind the Masai Mara and Serengeti when it comes to wildlife viewing because the vegetation in Kruger can be dense and sometimes mars the ability to see longer distances and get clear wildlife pictures.

But the variety of animals, birds and ecosystems that you can experience here are unparalleled anywhere else in Africa and the accommodation, roads and facilities are top notch and all at a very affordable price.

It's not unusual to see lion, leopard, cheetah, a pack of wild dog, rhino, elephant, buffalo and a whole host of antelope, crocodile and hippo in the course of a single trip including a variety of insects and reptiles.

On the bird front you will be spoiled with a seemingly never-ending supply of eagles, hawks, water birds and a host of migratory and indigenous species to the tune of about 510 different varieties.

You can easily do a self drive safari photography holiday here and still see a decent amount of wildlife especially if you stick to the central and southern portions of this massive park (larger than Ireland). The north has fewer animals due to dryer conditions but also less tourists which makes for a more isolated and intimate wildlife experience.

4. Okavango Delta and Moremi GR - Botswana

The Okavango Delta must qualify as the most unique and varied safari area in Africa and photographs of the landscape here are almost as prized as the wildlife pictures themselves.

The delta lies in the North of Botswana and it consists of narrow water channels lined by papyrus, floodplains covered knee deep in water, hippo filled lagoons, forest glades and savannah grassland.

You can go on outstanding safari photography expeditions here on foot, using a 4x4 vehicle, a mokoro (dug-out canoe) or a motorised boat.

Vast herds of buffalo, elephant, gazelle and zebra roam this rich ecosystem which is fed by the Okavango river which has its source in the Angolan highlands and floods the delta every year.

This treasure trove of available prey attracts the predators too and lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog thrive here. The dry season is the best for game viewing because the animals are drawn to the permanent water sources.

The Moremi game reserve consists of strictly controlled, privately managed concessions and it falls within the Okavango delta area and has no fences which leaves the animals free to roam around as they please.

There are a number of upmarket Botswana safari lodges in Moremi such as the Vumbura concession which contains both wetland and savannah areas for the best of both worlds.

The Delta is at its most impressive in August when the water is at its deepest and most of the young are born between November and March when the vegetation is lush and dense so it might be a good idea to plan any Botswana safari photography trips to coincide with these events.

5. South and North Luangwa NP - Zambia

Some experts have branded the Luangwa National Park as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world because the density of game you can find here mixed with the isolation and pure unadulterated wildness of it is almost without compare.

Because it is reasonably undiscovered except to the locals in the know and a select few foreign visitors, it hasn't been overrun by masses of tourists yet and you can experience a safari photography vacation here as it should be and some say that is the best Africa has to offer.

There are over 60 species of animal here with the unfortunate exception of rhino because they were poached into extinction and over 400 different kinds of birds.

They all rely on and are drawn to the winding Luangwa river which is crowded with some of the biggest concentrations of hippo and crocodile you will find anywhere in Africa. it has been estimated that there are 50 hippos per kilometre of this congested river.

The South Luangwa was the birthplace of the walking safari and it is still a very popular way to explore the area from a quality collection of safari lodges and camps. Night drives are another excellent way to see leopard which are reputed to be more regularly seen in this park than anywhere else in Africa because of the high concentrations of the predator. Lions and even rare sightings like honey badger, civet and wild dog are likely to be seen.

To take the true Zambia safari photography adventure a step farther, the northern luangwa area is even more remote, wild and isolated than the south and the wildlife and bird viewing experience is from the top draw. Definitely one for the safari cognoscenti.

wildlife photography tips and advice about the best nature cameras, lenses and techniques to improve your pictures on safari.

African primate pictures taken on safari of chimpanzee, gorilla, baboon, vervet, mandrill and colobus monkeys.

Crocs Denver Bronco

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Canon 2.0x Tele-Conversion Lens For PowerShot G9 & G7

Compatible with the Powershot G7 & G9 digital camerasDoubles the focal length of the standard lensRequres conversion lens adapter (LA-DC58H)


With scenics, a major thrust is to make viewers wish they were there. Choose a view or subject you would like to look at 365 days a year. If you don't like the view or subject, chances are your customers won't either. Keep in mind that most buyers of Dcor Art enjoy pictures of pleasant subjects because they find in your pictures an 'escape' from the routine of everyday chores. That's why for this purpose it's important to take your scenics without people in them. Your viewers would like to imagine themselves strolling through the meadow or along the beach. They consider recognizable 'people' in your picture as an intrusion of their own quietude and privacy. In addition, if people are included in Dcor Art pictures, this can 'date' the picture due to the style of clothes, hairstyle, etc.

Nature close-ups are always a sure-seller. They rarely become out-dated: dandelion seeds, insects, birds, leaves, etc.

Art Dcor buyers tend to buy easily recognizable subjects. For example, an antique windmill would consistently sell better than a modern wind generator. Keep your Art Dcor simplified by isolating your subjects. (Feature only one at a time...rather than a group of something.)

Animals are always a popular subject -- usually wild ones; but also pets, domestic animals, dogs, cats, and horses.

Dramatic Landscapes are good bets, in all seasons, and especially with approaching storm clouds, complete with lightning.

Another area of Photo Dcor that is growing: abstracts. Abstracts
are finding favor for use in waiting rooms, attorneys' offices, professional buildings -- as well as homes.

Sports scenes lend themselves to game rooms and family playrooms; portraits (exotic or interesting faces) to legal suites; erotic subjects to private clubs; industrial scenes to manufacturing company offices.
It goes without saying -- your pictures should be well composed, visually exciting, and of high technical quality.

SOME POINTERS: Prices depend on whether you sell by volume, individually, or large format, to corporate clients. At art fairs, individual buyers will pay about $45 (11x14) and $30 (8x10). Before you decide on your own price, see what local department stores are getting.

Limited editions of prints are another issue. You can demand a higher fee. And, of course, if you keep a couple such prints for the grandchildren, your grandchildren just might become heirs to a very valuable print. What to charge for limited editions? Keep the professional artist in mind who once said, "If you are going to price your watercolor at $15, you'll find a $15 buyer. If you price it at $75 dollars, you'll find a $75 buyer. And if you price it at $850 -- you'll find a $850 buyer. Just takes time." Current going rate for a 16x20 (color) dcor photograph is between $75 and $150. PRINTLETTER (Zurich) lists international going rates as reported by galleries. Some samples: Eugene Smith: $750; Ben Shahn: $1500; George Silk: $1500; Aaron Siskin: $1200; Howard Sochurek: $950. Nice tidy sums?

B&W or Color? B&W prints sell well as Dcor Art, and particularly so if they are sepia toned. Color, however, has the edge over B&W. Shoot in transparencies rather than negative--for these three reasons:

1) You can project them effectively when you are demonstrating your subjects to a potential client;

2.) Processing lab technology can handle transparencies cheaper and more accurately than negs;

3.) As a stock photographer you'll also want to market your color through regular publishing channels --and most publishing markets require high-resolution digital images or transparencies.

Size - If you sell your prints on a single sales basis, you'll find the larger print (16x20) with higher fees will result in more year-end profit than trying to market larger numbers of the smaller prints (11x14 or 8x10) with the lower fees. On the other hand, if you go to multiple sales with smaller prints, and aim for the volume market in high traffic areas such as art and craft fairs or shopping malls, you will be equally successful with the smaller-sized prints.

Production. Resin-coated papers make B&W production on your own, very easy. Color production is usually best accomplished by a lab such as www.reedphoto.com. . Shop around. In New York, for example, an 11x14 costs $46 and a 16x20, $95. Quality is superb and the delivery is one day.

Frames. Framing or matting your prints definitely enhances appearance and saleability. Dry mounting materials and hinge mats are available everywhere. And finally, try making frames on your own. How-to series are often featured in photo and hobby and craft magazines. Consult the web for ideas and sources.

Promotion is the key to your selling success. If you've sold a series of prints to one bank in town, let the other banks know about your Dcor Art. Work for ways and places to exhibit your pictures often. Offer your services as a guest speaker or local TV talk show guest. Produce a website displaying your work; sell prints on e-Bay, produce brochures, flyers, or catalogs of your work.

Government agencies often buy groups of Dcor Art. Check out the Art for Buildings program in your state.

Rohn Engh, veteran stock photographer and best-selling author of Sell & ReSell Your Photos and sellphotos.com, has helped scores of photographers launch their careers. For access to great information on making money from pictures you like to take, and to receive this free report: 8 Steps to Becoming a Published Photographer, visit http://www.sellphotos.com

Cannon Digital Cameras