Berger Bros. Camera, Video, Digital

 BERGER BROS. CAMERA DIGITAL NEWS

March 2008
In This Issue
Cutting Edge Device
Nikon D300 Firmware Update
Berger Bros. School of Photography & Digital Imaging
JPEG vs RAW
Nikon D60 D-SLR
Hot Deals at Berger Bros.
CUTTING EDGE
 
This is a terrific device!  The Promaster Xtra Power GO! Digital Charger & Power Supply lets you charge your digital point and shoot or D-SLR camera battery or power your USB device ANYWHERE - ANYTIME. 
 
The GO! internal power supply lets you recharge your digital camera battery up to 5 times before it needs to be refreshed.  To refresh, just plug the device in to any A/C or D/C power source and you can count on five more charges when you are in the middle of nowhere.
 
There are five models ranging in price from $79.99 to $99.99.
 
 

go charger

PROMASTER GO! CHARGER

 
 

Nikon D300 Firmware Update
 
Nikon has released Firmware v.102 for its D300 digital SLR.  The update resolves an issue with vertical banding which can appear in images that have been taken at shutter speeds slower than 8 seconds.
 
If you purchased your D300 at Berger Bros. Camera, just bring it to our Amityville store for a free update (a $29.99 value).
 

 

 

 

 

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IN THE NEXT ISSUE
 
New Pentax K20 D 14.6 MP DSLR
 
New Canon 450D XSi 12.2 MP DSLR
 
Macro Photography of flowers, bugs, coins & stamps 
 
What Ansel Adams said about photography 
 
Breaking News,  Alerts, Firmware Updates, and other things you should know
 
Comments and  suggestions about this and future newsletters are welcome:  email me at [email protected]
 
Ken Nadle - Editor
 
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Carrying the flag

        Carrying the flag                                Photo Ken Nadle
 

Henri Cartier-Bresson was, arguably, one of the   greatest "Street" photographers of the 20th century.  He was so dedicated to his art that he wore a paper bag over his head when on stage to receive a Pulitzer prize so that his ability to work surreptitiously would not be jeopardized.  Berger Bros. Camera can't help you remain incognito but we do like helping customers with a passion for photography.

 
BERGER BROS. SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL IMAGING
 
Do not miss out on a terrific opportunity to advance your knowledge of photography.  The teachers at Berger Bros. School of Photography & Digital Imaging are experts in what they teach and the subjects covered are varied enough so as to appeal to just about any interest and level of expertise.
 
 
One such class, is Sports Photography -  Designed for the intermediate to advanced photographer who wants to learn the tricks of the trade to photograph sports like a true professional.  The instructor is Dan Neri, our employee, a freelance sports photographer specializing in sports and motor sports photography, Dan has been shooting professionally for over 15 years. Dan's portfolio contains striking images ranging from Professional and youth sports to Top Fuel Dragsters and military fighter jets. His passion for action and sport is evident in the way he shoots. He wants the viewer to feel the speed, power, and intensity of the moment. Wildlife and underwater photography are also specialties, and the serenity of the outdoors is always a welcome change. Dan frequently covers the NY Yankees & Mets, NY Giants, NY Islanders & Rangers, and the NJ Devils for various publications. Check out his site and work at http://www.danneri.com/  This class is $69.95 and will be given at the Syosset store on Saturday, March 29th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
 
And, if you want to learn post processing, Yvonne Berger, who is a professional photographer and Photoshop expert teaches several courses including Photoshop Elements for Beginners, Photoshop Elements Intermediate, Photoshop CS3, Photoshop Lightroom, Secrets to Retouching, Collaging, and Macro (close-up) Photography
 
Yvonne specializes in product, food and interior photography. She currently has a photo restoration and retouching business, which has her working in Photoshop everyday.  She is a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.  Her stock photography is represented by Omni-Photo in New York City.
 
Yvonne also takes groups of people out shooting for the day.  The next issue will give details of her nature photo safari and her city streets photo shoot. 
 
Please check
out our Calendar for dates, times and details.
 
Nikon Speedlite owners - if you have been scratching your head, trying to figure out how to use that Nikon SB 800, 600 or 400, help is on the way!  Yvonne Berger will make it easy on Monday, May 19th at 6:30 pm in the Syosset store - $49.95.
 

JPEG vs. RAW

 

Today, practically all digital SLR's offer the ability to capture photos in either JPEG or RAW or both simultaneously.  Briefly stated, images captured in the RAW format are not modified or compressed in the camera and must be post processed in the computer.  JPEG images are compressed in the camera and all settings (exposure, white balance, color space, noise reduction, sharpness and contrast) are applied before being posted to the memory card.

 

Shooting in JPEG gives you ready to print images right out of the camera.  Normally, no post processing is required. however, if the file is post processed, because it is a compressed file, sometimes referred to as 'lossy', each time it is opened, worked on and saved, some data is lost. You can get around this shortcoming by renaming the file using the "Save As" option. 

 
Because JPEG's are smaller, more manageable files, faster burst speeds are possible when shooting in continuous mode and many more images can fit on the memory card.  Also, because JPEG's are written in a universally recognized format, they are readable by all imaging programs and easily transmitted wirelessly or via e-mail.

 

Shooting in RAW means having to post process every shot but gaining much more control (your computer has more processing power than your camera) and you can overcome any mistakes you made when choosing camera settings, e.g., incorrect exposure or white balance settings. 

 

A big plus for RAW is that when post processing the format is non-destructive or 'non-lossy.'  No matter how many changes you make, the original RAW file is untouched.  Further, RAW captures 12 bits of brightness data while JPEG's capture 8.  What this means is that an image shot in RAW has 4,096 discrete levels of brightness and a JPEG has only 256. 

 

It should be noted that after enjoying the advantages of post processing in the RAW format, the final image can be easily converted to JPEG (you can not convert a JPEG to RAW).  The newer DSLR's let you shoot in RAW and JPEG fine at the same time so you get the best of both worlds albeit much larger files.

 

If you are fascinated by digital photography, I predict, you will not be able to resist the tug of shooting RAW.  Yes, there is a lot to learn but if having more control over image quality is important to you; if you are shooting a once in a lifetime event - RAW is the way to go.

Nikon D60
New Nikon D60 D-SLR 
 
If you are looking for a D-SLR that is easy to carry, easy to use with intuitive controls and can take 500 images per battery charge, then the D60 is a great choice. 
 
The D60 is a 10.2 MP DSLR capable of shooting 3 frames per second, with fast start up and split-second shutter response.  The D60 shares the same body as the D40x but internally adds an active dust control system, improved noise reduction and cleaner image processing. 
 
With a sensitivity range of ISO 100 to ISO 1600 and Nikon's new 18-55 vibration reduction image stabilization lens, the D60 is capable of use in a wide range of lighting conditions.  It has eight shooting modes: Auto, Auto Flash-off, Portraits, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up and Night Portrait.
 
In stock now and offered with Nikon 18-55VR zoom lens for $739.99.  Two lens kit with 18-55VR & 55-200 is $999.99
 Canon underwater bundle
Hot Deals at Berger Bros. Camera 
 
For the underwater crowd - Check out the many hot deals on underwater digital cameras, accessories,  and housings.
 
Buy a Canon 40D, Canon 5D, Canon 1D Mark III  or Canon 1DS Mark III with the Canon PIXMA 9000or MP 970 printers and receive a mail in rebate of $300 or with a Canon PIXMA 9500 printer receive a mail in rebate of $350.  Offer good until April 19, 2008.
 
Save $150 on a  Leica V-Lux 1 compact 10 MP camera with a built in 12x optical zoom purchased until May 31, 2008 and receive a rebate check after registering the camera.