Grumpy... it's spelt G, R, U...
Copyright - Mark Antony Franklin
Sunday 14 November 2010
Sebastien Vettel - 2010 Formula 1 World Champion
Many congratulations to Sebastian Vettel for becoming the new Formula 1 World Drivers' Champion by winning the final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi in such suberb style this afternoon! I hope this'll be the first of many WDC's for the driver many regard as the best of his generation.
Sebastian's official website is:
Thursday 26 August 2010
Thursday 19 August 2010
Nikon launches new cream machine!
19 August 2010:
Nikon has announced the launch of its much anticipated new 85mm F/1.4 lens ...the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G.
This lens supersedes the highly acclaimed AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF known affectionately among Nikon users as the ‘cream machine’. The latest reincarnation of this legendary lens has a totally new optical design, Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ...and Nano Crystal Coat. UK RRP: £1499.99
AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G Main Features:
• Fast, high-performance mid-telephoto 85mm fixed focal length lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4
• New optical design that makes the most of the performance expected of the latest fast fixed focal length NIKKOR lens
• Nano Crystal Coat adopted to significantly reduce ghost and flare. Please click on the following link for more information concerning NCC http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/scene/20/index.htm
• Equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for extremely quiet autofocusing
• Equipped with two focus modes, M/A and M, featuring a new and improved manual focus drive mechanism that reduces manual focus time lag for improved manual focus operation in M/A mode.
• Nikon's internal focusing (IF) system has been adopted with no increase in the length of the lens
Specifications:
Focal length: 85mm
Maximum aperture: f/1.4
Minimum aperture: f/16
Lens construction: 10 elements in 9 groups (with Nano Crystal Coat)
Angle of view: 28°30’ (18°50’ with Nikon DX format)
Minimum focus distance: 0.85 m/2.79 ft.
Maximum reproduction ratio: 0.12x
No. of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded)
Filter-attachment size: 77mm
Diameter x length:
(extension from lens mount) Approximately 86.5 x 84 mm/3.4 x 3.3 in.
Weight approximately: 595 g/21.0 oz.
Supplied accessories: 7mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-77, Rear Lens Cap LF-1, Bayonet Hood HB-55, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1118
Brief Glossary:
G-type NIKKOR
The G-type NIKKOR has no aperture ring; aperture should be selected from camera body.
Nano Crystal Coat
Nano Crystal Coat is an anti-reflective coating that originated in the development of NSR-series (Nikon Step and Repeat) semiconductor manufacturing devices. It virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths, and is particularly effective in reducing ghost and flare peculiar to ultra-wideangle lenses. Nano Crystal Coat employs multiple layers of Nikon’s outstanding extra-low refractive index coating, which features ultra-fine crystallized particles of nano size (one nanometer equals one millionth of a mm). Nikon now proudly marks a world first by applying this coating technology to a wide range of lenses for use in consumer optical products.
Silent Wave Motor
Nikon's AF-S technology is yet another reason professional photographers like NIKKOR telephoto lenses. AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s SWM which converts “traveling waves” into rotational energy to focus the optics. This enables high-speed autofocusing that’s extremely accurate and super quiet.
Internal Focusing (IF)
Imagine being able to focus a lens without it changing in size. Nikon's IF technology enables just that. All internal optical movement is limited to the interior of the nonextending lens barrel. This allows for a more compact, lightweight construction as well as a closer focusing distance. In addition, a smaller and lighter focusing lens group is employed to ensure faster focusing. The IF system is featured in most NIKKOR telephoto and selected NIKKOR zoom lenses.
Sunday 18 July 2010
Mark Antony Franklin to be included in... Who's Who in Visual Art - 100 Fine Art Photographers.
15 July 2010
Ulrich Goette Himmelblau, editor of the prestigious ‘Who's Who in Visual Art’ has written to Mark Antony Franklin notifying him of his inclusion in the forthcoming new version of the aforementioned publication.
Himmelblau writes…
"The aim of the book is to compile, and offer, a fine, carefully selected, range of fine art photographers as a source and recommendation for the ambitious art photo lover in view of the vast jungle of contemporary photographic offers."
Expected publication date is 1st quarter of 2011.
Details:
Hardcover - size 15.8 x 21cm, printed on matt high quality paper, 150g/qm.
Distribution is through book stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and worldwide in English-language countries, via Nielsen Book Services Ltd and Bowker UK.
http://www.whoisverlag.de/index-en.html#AnkerPhilosophieEN
http://www.whoisverlag.de/index-en.html
Thursday 11 March 2010
PENTAX Announces First Medium-Format Digital SLR Camera
March 2010: HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX 645D lens-interchangeable, medium-format digital SLR camera. Thanks to the incorporation of a large image sensor, equal in performance to professional-standard digital camera backs, this high-performance model delivers super-high-resolution images with approximately 40 effective megapixels. It also offers outstanding dependability and superb operability and manoeuvrability to make outdoor shooting effortless and comfortable for demanding photographers.The PENTAX 645D has been developed to provide super-high-resolution images produced by large image sensors — something previously available only on professional models — to serious landscape and outdoor photographers. It combines exceptional image quality with excellent manoeuvrability and outstanding reliability to simplify professional-level outdoor shooting. Thanks to the incorporation of a large, high-performance image sensor (measuring 44mm by 33mm) and PENTAXoriginal image-processing technology, it produces extra-sharp, super-high-resolution images with approximately 40 effective megapixels. It features remarkable durability and dependability, thanks to its lightweight but solidly built body featuring a magnesium-steel-alloy frame, reinforced glass LCD panel protectors and a reliable dustproof, weather-resistant construction. In addition, it is designed to be compatible with the majority of the existing PENTAX 645 system, so that current PENTAX 645-series camera users can take advantage of their valuable assets, including high-performance SMC PENTAX 645 interchangeable lenses.