The instruction manual for the Nikon D800 and D800E cameras is now available to download. Nikon USA have made the user guide for the D800 available as a 24-megabyte PDF file, giving you the chance to read all about this exciting new DSLR before it launches on Thursday. (The Nikon D800E is the same camera as the D800 except that it incorporates an optical filter with the anti-aliasing properties removed in order to produce the sharpest images possible.)

Download the Nikon D800 / D800E User’s Manual

The instruction manual for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III is now available to download. Canon USA have made the user guide for the 5D Mark III available as a 28Mb PDF file, giving you the chance to read all about this exciting new DSLR before it launches at the end of March.

Download the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Instruction Manual

The Sony A57 is a new digital system camera with a 16-megapixel sensor, semitransparent mirror, high-resolution electronic viewfinder and continuous shooting speeds of up to 12 frames per second. Successor to the Sony A55, the new SLT-A57 is an attractively priced A-mount camera that shares the ergonomics and many of the premium features found on the enthusiast-focused Sony SLT-A65. The 15-point AF system with 3 cross sensors ensures fast TTL phase-detection autofocus. Newly-enhanced Object Tracking AF keeps faces or other selected objects in sharp focus – even if your target’s obscured momentarily by another passing object. Sony is also touting the new Auto Portrait Framing feature of the SLT-A57: Using face detection and the rule of thirds, the camera identifies your subject’s position, trimming the scene to create tightly-framed pictures in portrait or landscape orientation. Also capable of recording Full HD 50p video, the Sony A57 will be available in April for $700.

Sigma has launched an “SD1 Point Support Programme” for customers who had purchased the Sigma SD1 dSLR before the announcement of a major price reduction in February. Under this programme, Sigma will provide points that can be exchanged for a selection of their products worth up to approximately JPY400,000. Points were allocated based on the current market price of each product as of 8 February 2012. Those interested in taking advantage of this offer will need to register before 31 May. Unsurprisingly Sigma SD1 Merrill owners, who have purchased the camera after the price reduction, are not eligible to participate.

Sigma has issued a firmware update for the Sigma SD1 digital SLR camera. According to the company, Version 1.05 brings users the following benefits, improvements and fixes:

  * It is not necessary to run “Update Lens Information” in order to update the lens information in the camera.
  * Accuracy of Auto Focus is improved.
  * Accuracy of evaluative metering is improved in the backlight or low light conditions.
  * Various bugs have been corrected to achieve more stable operation.

Website: Sigma SD1 Firmware Download

Following news that Hasselblad H4D medium format cameras will ship with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom from March 12, an update announcement reveals the software will be Adobe’s latest version, Lightroom 4. Chris Russell-Fish, Hasselblad Global Sales and Marketing Director said: “Integrating the Adobe platform with Hasselblad is a ground-breaking step. Changing platforms is always a challenge for time-starved photographers and digital operators but now all users can have the excellence of a Hasselblad image file married to the functionality and ease of use of Adobe Lightroom.”

Want to see exactly what the new Sigma SD1, DP2 and DP1 Merrill cameras look like in the flesh?

The Sigma SD1 is a rebranded and crucially much cheaper version of the original SD1 DSLR, while the brand new DP2 and DP1 Merrill are compact cameras with fixed 30mm and 19mm lenses that incorporate the same 46 megapixel Foveon sensor as the SD1.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Sigma SD1, DP2 and DP1 Merrill cameras.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is a new 22 megapixel DSLR that replaces the immensely popular Mk II model, released back in 2008. Among the many new features are a new 22 megapixel sensor, Digic 5+ processor,  61-point auto-focus system, 3.2 inch LCD screen, and improved video capabilities.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera.

Pentax Ricoh has announced the new Pentax K-5 Silver Special Edition, comprising a silver Pentax K-5 camera body and matching 40mm f/2.8 XS pancake lens. Available only as a limited edition of 1,500 sets worldwide, the package will be available in April 2012 for $1599.95 exclusively through the Pentax Web Store.

Canon Japan has posted a number of full-resolution sample photos taken with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera. There are 15 samples in total, although about half of them are marked as “Coming soon” at present. However, the other eight EOS 5D Mark III sample photos can be enjoyed in their full 22-megapixel glory. The sample pictures were taken at various ISO speeds ranging from ISO 100/21° to ISO 3200/36°, using a variety of Canon L lenses. Additionally there are three EOS 5D Mark III sample movies, each complete with a “making of” video. Note that unlike the stills, the movies have been downsized for the Web.

Canon Japan has posted a sample movie captured with the new Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera. The sample video - most of which was shot on location in Budapest, Hungary - is 3 minutes and 25 seconds in length, and is available to watch at the website below. Do note that the movie has been optimised for the Web - you can watch it at resolution settings of 960x540 or 480x270 pixels, but not in HD.

The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is a 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera with a 22-megapixel sensor, 61-point auto focus system, enhanced weather sealing and Full HD video with manual control. The EOS 5D Mark III’s movie mode has been refined to offer an enhanced range of high bit-rate video compression options, with intraframe (ALL-I) and interframe (IPB) methods both supported. Variable frame rates range from 24fps to 60fps, and the incorporation of SMPTE timecode support provides greater editing flexibility and easier integration into multi-camera shoots. The addition of a movie mode switch, recording button and headphone socket offers greater usability. Other highlights include a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-25,600 (expandable to ISO 102,400), a 63-zone metering system, stills shooting at up to 6fps, a new Creative Photo button, dual CF and SD memory card slots, a silent shooting mode and a continuous silent mode. The Canon EOS 5D Mark III will be available from end of March 2012, priced at £2999.99 / €3569.99 / $3499.95.

Hasselblad and Adobe have signed an agreement to the effect that, beginning on the 12th March 2012, all newly purchased medium-format Hasselblad H4D cameras will include a fully functional copy of Lightroom at no extra charge. Chris Russell-Fish, Hasselblad Global Sales and Marketing Director said: “Integrating the Adobe platform with Hasselblad is a ground-breaking step. Changing platforms is always a challenge for time-starved photographers and digital operators but now all users can have the excellence of a Hasselblad image file married to the functionality and ease of use of Adobe Lightroom.”

Hasselblad was nevertheless quick to point out that it’ll remain committed to its proprietary Phocus software: “This new agreement is about providing choice for our customers,” Russel-Fish added.

Canon UK has announced the official launch date and recommended retail price of its new flagship full-frame digital SLR camera, the 18-megapixel Canon EOS 1D X. Featuring a newly designed 100,000-pixel RGB metering sensor, redesigned 61-point wide-area AF system, dual DIGIC 5+ processors and Full HD video recording with manual exposure and adjustable audio levels; the Canon EOS-1D X will be available from the end of April 2012, priced at £5,299/€6,299 including VAT.

Canon EOS-1D X Hands-On Photos
Canon EOS-1D X Sample Images

Sigma UK have announced a new digital SLR camera kit including the Sigma SD1 Merrill body and a Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM lens. The 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM lens is a large aperture standard zoom lens designed for digital SLR cameras and incorporates Sigma’s Optical Stabiliser as well as a HyperSonic Motor for quiet focusing.  It is a compact lens with an overall length of just 91.8mm (3.6”). The new kit is available for £2149.99. (The Sigma SD1 Merrill camera body has a suggested retail price of £1839.99.)

Sony UK is now listing the Sony Alpha SLT-A35 as discontinued. Announced on 8 June 2011, the Sony A35 is a lightweight sixteen-megapixel system camera featuring a semi-transparent mirror, Xtra Fine EVF and full-time continuous auto-focus. Sony has not yet announced a successor, but the discontinuation of the A35 could indicate that a new model might be just around the corner.

Via PR

Canon has posted half a dozen full-resolution sample images and a sample movie captured with the full-frame Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR camera. Most of the sample photos were taken at a sensitivity setting of ISO 800/30°, with one ISO 100/21° and one ISO 1600/33° shot also being available for download. The lenses used to shoot the samples include the Canon EF135mm f/2L USM, EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM and the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Unlike the stills, which are presented in their full 18-megapixel glory (albeit with strong JPEG compression), the sample video has been downsized for the Web and is thus not representative of the quality of a movie shot in Full HD mode.

Website: Canon EOS-1D X Sample Images & Movie

Sigma has released a firmware upgrade for the Sigma SD15 dSLR. Version 1.03 incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

  * New languages have been added to the setup menu.
  * Accuracy of evaluative exposure metering is improved.
  * Corrects the rarely occurring phenomenon that it is not possible to magnify X3F files or show the histogram in review mode.
  * Various bugs have been corrected to achieve more stable operation.

Website: Sigma

Sigma has renamed its flagship digital SLR camera to Sigma SD1 Merrill, in honour of Foveon’s founding father, Richard B. Merrill. The rebranding was initiated by Sigma’s new CEO, Kazuto Yamaki, who wrote “a personal letter to the company’s loyal customers” announcing the name change and a reduction of the camera’s MSRP to $3,300. Given the typically huge difference between Sigma’s suggested retail prices and the actual retail pricing of their products, this means you can realistically expect to be able to purchase the Sigma SD1 Merrill for about $2,300 - which is a massive price drop considering that the camera used to sell for about $6,900.

Pentax is displaying new interchangeable lenses and camera accessories that are currently under development at the Japanese camera show, CP+ 2012. On show will be the smc PENTAX-D FA645 90mm f/2.8 medium-format lens, smc PENTAX-DA 560mm f/5.6 and smc PENTAX-DA 50mm f/1.8 K-mount lenses, telephoto zoom lens and standard lens with “body cap” design for the Pentax Q system, super-thin interchangeable lens for the K-01 compact system camera, and a lens adapter for mounting a K-mount lens onto a Q-mount body. Names and prices of these products will be confirmed at a later date.