Dan Carr

Founder of Shutter Muse, full time photographer and creative educator. Dan lives in the Canadian Yukon, but his wanderlust often sends him in search of images all around the world to meet the needs of clients and readers alike.

Olympus E-M5 Firmware Update

by

Olympus has posted the first firmware update for the highly acclaimed E-M5. Firmware changes – Improved sleep recovery operation.– AF target is indicated when using C-AF+TR while shooting sequential images using Sequential L setting. – Added function to automatically move focus to the following zoom positions when underwater macro mode or underwater wide mode is selected. (Only when M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50 mm F3.5-6.3 EZ is attached)– Underwater wide mode: Wide setting– Underwater macro mode: Telephoto setting

Nikon Announces Development Of 800mm f5.6 Lens

by

Oh dear….. Nikon has started to do what Canon has been doing with these semi-announcements, or ‘development announcements’. In other words we are told that this lens is coming but other than the fact that it has an 800mm focal length, an f5.6 aperture and VR we have no further info. No idea on price or when it might be shipping and we’ll likely see a ‘proper’ announcement later in the year, most likely at Photokina where the lens will be on display. Canon have had an 800mm f5.6 for some time now and given that Canon has played catch …

Read more

Seagate GoFlex Thunderbolt / USB3 Drive Review

by

On a recent trip to Europe I underestimated the amount of drive space I would need to take with me. I was forced to go to the nearest computer store and purchase another drive. If I was going to have to do this I wanted to make sure that I picked up something that would at least be useful in the long term. I use a Macbook Air when I travel and I hadn’t yet purchased any Thunderbolt drives to go with it. At the time of writing (June 2012) Thunderbolt drives are still few and far between and those …

Read more

Rode Stereo Videomic Pro Review

by

The Rode Stereo Videomic Pro is an upgrade to to the previous Stereo Videomic in a much smaller and more lightweight package. It takes a lot of design cues from the new Videomic Pro, using the same style of suspension system and a metal hotshot. Many who owned the original Videomic will know that the weak point in its design was the strength of this suspension system so it’s nice to see upgrades across the board now in Rode’s on-camera range. Watch the video below for some first hands on impressions and it will also give you an excellent idea …

Read more

Outlets To Go 320 – A New Travel Essential

by

The Monster Outlets To Go 320 has just been added to my Travel Essentials list. This tiny little device will expand one plug socket into three, and also add two USB ports at the same time. The USB ports are powerful enough to charge an iPhone or an iPad and most importantly for me, the unit itself is compatible with 110v to 250v. This means that it will not go POP if you plug it into a wall in the UK or other European countries. Note that it is not a voltage converter though, but this is not a problem …

Read more

FujiFilm Releases Lens Roadmap For X-Series

by

Valhalla, N.Y., June 25, 2012 (EMBARGO UNTIL 10:00 PM ET) – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced plans to offer an expanded selection of FUJINON XF lenses for the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System that will offer a wide range of new shooting opportunities for professional and advanced photographers. From super wide single length focus to telephoto lenses, users will now be able to freely choose which XF lenses match their shooting style, and allow them to experience the extraordinary image quality of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 in a variety of new ways. Fall 2012Beginning in the fall of …

Read more

Canon 40mm f2.8 STM Pancake Review

by

Just a few days ago I took delivery of this exciting new lens. I posted an article outlining some initial impressions which I’m sure many of you have read. If you haven’t read it then be sure to watch the short video below which gives you an excellent idea of the size of the lens in my hands. I’ve now had a short time to take some simple images with it and draw some conclusions. I went up to London to find a few subjects that could test the usual things like sharpness, vignetting and chromatic aberration. Unfortunately the weather …

Read more

Hands On With The New Canon 40mm f2.8 STM Pancake Lens

by

I’m away in Europe at the moment and I got word that a store in the UK had the new 40mm f2.8 Pancake lens. I’m pretty excited about this lens since I’m always trying to shave some weight off the gear that I carry and I’ve never been satisfied with ANY of Canon’s 50mm offerings. A pocket sized 40mm might just be the ticket so I ordered one right away. Below I have posted a hands on video with the lens so that you can get a bit of a feel for how small it is. I also give some …

Read more

Le Mans 24 Hours – 2012 – What worked & what didn’t ?

by

Whenever I set out on a lengthy photography trip there are always many considerations when it comes to packing. Every trip requires something slightly different and my recent trip to Europe was no different. This trip was firstly to shoot the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a motorsports event in France. I shot this race last year as well and wrote an extensive report on it at the time, along with a short video about the gear that I packed for that trip. Last year the sole purpose of my trip was to shoot the race, but this year my …

Read more

Firmware Updates for Canon 60D and 60Da

by

Firmware Version 1.1.1 incorporates the following fixes. *1) If the camera’s serial number is 2147483648 or higher and the camera firmware is Version 1.1.0 or earlier, the images captured with the camera will be affected by the phenomenon listed in 1. above. This phenomenon only affects the EOS 60D, and does not affect the EOS 60Da. Both of these cameras are equipped with the same firmware. To obtain the serial number correctly in the shooting information of images that are already captured using the old firmware, we are preparing updates for Digital Photo Professional and ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser applications. …

Read more

Think Tank Launches New Laptop Sleeves

by

Like all Think Tank Photo gear, the Artificial Intelligence™ laptop sleeves provide functional protection without excess bulk and clutter. A gusseted, zippered opening provides expandable storage for personal items and the rear document pocket securely holds files and papers. The business card slot keeps cards at the ready. The removable shoulder strap provides flexibility when traveling. These cases can be incorporated into appropriately sized Think Tank Photo Airport Rollers and Backpacks for additional security. This series of laptop cases provides an alternative to the typical thick, bulky cases that typifies those in the marketplace. Features include: As always with Think …

Read more