Lock Up Error With Nikon D4 and D800
Whatever next? It seems that the latest batch of high end DSLR’s from Canon and Nikon have had no end of problems, issues and complaints and this latest one is actually quite serious.
A Nikon D800 Yesterday ; )
Nikon are working on a “permanent solution” to fix a problem on the professional Nikon D4 and D800′s where they may freeze or lock up during use. This renders it useless until you apparently either:
- Turn off both the Highlights and RGB Histogram or
- Take out and re-install the battery
Nikon say that this problem is fairly random which to be honest is worse than if it were prevalent in all cases. You are left with a bit of a lottery when purchasing either camera although I believe Nikon have now halted production on these models whilst the issue is investigated.
If I had been an early adopter in this case, and I have been in the past with cameras and computer gear, I would have most certainly used these cameras for recent weddings and having a brand new camera fail at the most inopportune moment is not good believe me!
Nikon are hoping that a simple firmware update will fix the problem without owners having to send the cameras in. I surely hope that this teaches both manufacturers to test future models a little more extensively in the future because at this rate, Sony will be slowly steaming ahead.
Note: Canon/Nikon…I would happily be a beta-tester for any future releases and can guarantee I would put your new DSLR’s through their paces ; )
You can read some of the original online posts over at Nikon Rumors with one reply worryingly stating:
“Yesterday I had a wedding. I shot with my brand new D4 and D800. D4 locked up 3 times and D800 locked up 4 times in an 7-hour shooting. I didn’t push the cameras to the limit, nor I did something strange. The card’s lamp remained on as well. Only way to continue my work was pull out the battery but VERY AFRAID of losing images since it was still accessing the card.”
Tut Tut!
Pics of The Week 30.04.12
It’s been a hectic couple of weeks what with an ATP trip to the Lake District in Cumbria and a wedding to film and shoot but we still had some great galleries uploaded last week.
Here are my pics of the week from the members at ATP Members for the end of April 2012:
(Click to see image and gallery)
Last Two Days for Kubota Image Tools Huge Sale…
If you use Adobe Photoshop and have yet to take advantage of the KIT (Kubota Image Tools) team’s generous discount this month, you have just two days to save up to 45% on many of their most popular products.
I have literally just finished processing a huge wedding shoot from two weeks ago and can honestly say I used some of these tools on almost every shot. For me, Artistic Tools Volume 2 is the set I use the most as it has some excellent actions including Digital Fill in Flash, Smokeless Burn, Daily Multi Vitamin, Lord of the Rings and some very cool black and white conversions.
Check out the full range on offer below:
Whilst you are in a spending mood, I would also recommend the amazing plug in, Photoshop Autoloader from Mike D. I reckon to have saved a few hours worth of processing time on this wedding alone using this plug in…worth it’s weight in gold for sure!
B and H Photovideo 50% Off Software Sale
B and H Photovideo in the States are having a one day 50% sale on Adobe software.
They are offering a huge discount on the popular:
and…
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10 bundle
Click the links above for prices…
So if you don’t yet own any serious photo processing software, I suggest you take them up on this offer as Photoshop Elements is a great starter program for budding digital photographers. It has many of the cool features of Photoshop CS5 but at a fraction of the price and if you ever decide to upgrade to the full version, the learning curve from one to the other is not that great.
If you also like to dabble in video, or think you may do one day, go for the bundle which includes Premiere Elements 10. This, again, is a watered down version of the amazing Adobe Premiere Pro which has been used by pro editors for years.
At these prices, it is a steal so please pass this onto your friends quickly because if I didn’t already use the pro versions, I would jump all over this!
P.s. Oh, and Adobe Photoshop CS6 is also available for pre-order!
Nikon Announce D3200
Nikon have today announced the new Nikon D3200, a 24.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS HD-SLR. This tidy little camera can even be remotely used from a smartphone…
With a feature set and price to appeal to many beginner or amateur photographers, this could steal yet more sales away from a slightly troubled Canon at a time when they really need to be selling more. Read the press release below:
Canon Admits “Light Leak” in EOS 5D Mark III
Canon have today acknowledged a possible design flaw that allows light to leak into the body which may adversely affect metering in some situations. It is unclear at the moment as to whether a firmware update will fix this by reducing or limiting the abilities of the metering system in some way or whether a recall to fix each camera is the order of the day.
The issue is that light is possibly leaking through the top LCD panel which alters the exposure reading. This reminds me of the fact that light can get into the viewfinder causing a similar effect when you don’t have your face right up to the eye-piece.
In this instance, when shooting subjects with the camera high above my head for example, I simply put my finger over the eyepiece. Whether this is a similar and relatively non-problematic issue or whether it conceals something a little more “sinister” we will have to wait and see.
Either way, this could be bad news for Canon at a time when so many new and exciting cameras are being unleashed onto the market but only because the majority of people on the web take what is written (by anyone) as done and dusted.
I have learned to take such things with a pinch of salt over the past few years and I am sure this is no big deal but it does make me think that companies, in their haste to release products before their competitors, run the risk of producing sub-standard quality at such high prices.
My advice?
If you have the camera and all seems well, carry on regardless and wait until Canon make further announcements as I am sure their guys are far better at testing this issue than some faceless bod sitting at their desk a million miles away. If you really can see a difference or problem with this issue…again, I suggest you wait to hear Canon’s next report.
You can read their statement here:
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Product Advisory
Kubota Image Tools Huge Sale…45% Discount off Photoshop Actions!!!
Kubota Image Tools supply a huge range of amazing Photoshop Actions and tools for Adobe Photoshop that not only speed up your workflow but also separate your images from others. The range and diversity of “looks and styles” available is practically infinite once you own a few!
I have used their actions and tools from circa 2005 and I love them. I use them predominantly on weddings but they can be applied to any genre of digital photography including portraits, landscapes, fashion, commercial…
To celebrate….well, just because they can, Kubota Image Tools are slashing the prices of various Photoshop goodies for a limited time. For example, a large selection are going on sale for just $99 which in some cases is 45% off the regular price which is pretty rare for the guys at KIT! These promotional packs include:
• Kubota Production Tools (regularly $179)
• Kubota Artistic Tools V1 (regularly $179)
• Kubota Artistic Tools V2 (regularly $179)
• Kubota Artistic Tools V3 (regularly $179)
• Kubota Artistic Tools V4 (regularly $179)
• Kubota Viva La Vintage + Pow Wow! Combo Pak (regularly $179)
• Kubota Sloppy Borders (regularly $149)
• Kubota Texture Tools – Earth Pak (regularly $149)
• Kubota Texture Tools – Industrial Pak (regularly $149)
• Kubota AutoAlbum (regularly $199)
Click here to see all products on offer at discounted rate
If you don’t already own any of the above, I would seriously suggest that you grab a couple as Kubota Image Tools very rarely offer their goods at discounted prices.
Any of the above are a great addition to any digital photographers’ workflow and toolbox whether you are a seasoned professional or amateur photographer just starting out.
Click any link above for more details and purchase options for that product.
Enjoy : )
The Photo Fix
A short article on updating and upgrading our photography equipment. Is it truly necessary or are we simply craving that next quick fix?
