Knowing full well the almost cult-following of its highly sought after range of cameras, Leica follow up on their recent D-Lux 4 Titanium special edition with another limited release of their flagship, the M8.2. The 10.2 MP digital range-finder camera is seen in an iconic safari colorway, a style originally seen on the 1970s Leica R3and marked by a symbolic vulcanite finish, something Leica has largely moved away from for some time. The Safari edition and its low 500-set run includes a Summicron 28mm f/2.8 lens, UV/IR filter, a matching Billingham camera bag and leather strap. The whole collector package will set you back a hefty € 7500 EUR (approximately $9,900 USD) and can be bought over at foto-konijenberg.nl.

[From whitehouse.gov]

 

“Today we are releasing the new official portrait for President Barack Obama. It was taken by Pete Souza, the newly-announced official White House photographer. It is the first time that an official presidential portrait was taken with a digital camera.”

 

The first “official presidential portrait” taken with a digital camera. The White House’s new official photographer, Pete Souza, used the Canon EOS 5D Mark II for this capture.

You can see the portrait below, or click here to download a copy.

[Find the full post at Strobist]

By artist Won Park.

If you still need to go shopping after my last couple of posts, here are some more Tyrannosaurus Travis approved gifts.

 

 

Lego Death Star

Drool. The new Lego Death Star ($400) is the emperor of all Star Wars toys, featuring 25 minifig characters and multiple decks of Episode IV goodness. Included in the set are rarities like Stormtrooper-ized Luke and Han, the Dianoga trash compactor monster (!), and various droids (Interrogation Droid, R2-Q5, etc.), as well as areas such as the Death Star superlaser with control room and target monitor, the hangar bay with TIE starfighter, detention block, and the Emperor’s throne room.

 

 

 

Pico USB Flash Drive

You won’t find a smaller drive with this much storage anywhere. The easily-lostPico USB Flash Drive ($29) is less than 4mm thick yet holds 8GB of digital miscellany. It sports a polished chrome finish and is shock and water resistant.

 

 

 

Marshall MS-4 Micro Stack

Standing at less than 10-inches tall, theMarshall MS-4 Micro Stack ($60) lets you rock out just about anywhere. It features two speaker cabinets with a head, as well as gain, volume, and tone controls. The Micro Stack is powered by a single 9V battery and is said to be “powerful enough to blow the windows out of a doll house.”

 

 

Bite Me Chew Toy

Replace your pup’s nasty ragged toy with this T-Bone inspired Bite Me Chew Toy($10). Made of non-toxic leatherette, it’s bound to last longer — and look better — than any old tennis ball. A humorous “Rare” tag is added just for kicks. It’s Steak!!!

 

Weber Smokey Joe Grill

This portable grill is perfect for city dwellers or outdoor aficionados. Boasting an Army-green enameled finish, theWeber Smokey Joe Grill ($50) features a lightweight steel and aluminum bowl and lid, heavy-duty cooking grate, rustproof aluminum vent and ash catcher, and a glass-reinforced nylon handle. Also pick up the matching Portable Grill Tool Set($43).

 

Canon PowerShot G10

The Canon PowerShot G10 ($500) is a new benchmark is mid-line digital cameras.The camera uses Canon’s new Digic 4 Image Processor that provides significant improvements to face and motion detection. It also features 14.7-megapixels and a 28mm wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom.

 

Canon EOS 50D

Canon takes another leap forward in the dSLR arms race with the Canon EOS 50D($1,400; October 2008). The 15-megapixel prosumer model is the company’s first to sport the new DIGIC 4 processor, promising features like peripheral illumination correction, ISO sensitivity of up to 12,800, a 3-inch, 920,000 dot LCD, Live View, a self-cleaning system, and more. Pair it with Canon’s new 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens ($700) and get shooting.

 

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

The dSLR wars continue with the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II ($2700; November 2008). Not content to let the D90 have all the dSLR video fun, the Mark II sports a 1080p video mode to complement its 21.1-megapixel full frame CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 imaging processor, ISO range of 100-6400, 15-point Autofocus sensor, 3-inch LCD with Live View, and more.

 

Linden Agave Singlefin Surfboard

A sustainable surfboard? Why not. Crafted from dead agave foraged from the SoCal desert, the Linden Agave Singlefin Surfboard ($2,500-$5,000) is great for the environment and even better for your beachside style. If you’re lucky enough to buy one, be careful with it — veteran shaper Gary Linden spends over 60 hours hand-building each of the 6’4″ wooden boards.

 

iPhone 3G

Time to upgrade. Apple overlord Steve Jobs just introduced the all-new iPhone 3G($199-$299). Besides the faster 3G wireless connection speeds and all of the previous revolutionary iPhone features, the new model also gets built-in GPS, better battery life (10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and 5 hours using 3G), a flush headphone jack, and iPhone 2.0 software with support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, the newMobileMe web suite, and a bunch of new downloadable applications from the iTunes App Store. The iPhone 3G also sports a new (and slightly thicker) glossy case in standard Apple black or white. Both 8GB (black) and 16GB (black or white) capacities remain. The iPhone 3G will go on sale July 11th in over 20 countries.

 

Oakley Custom Eyewear

Looking for a “dream” pair of Oakleys that you just can’t seem to find anywhere? Make your own with Oakley Custom Eyewear ($TBD). This new web app from Oakley lets you design your own shades in one of nearly 30 different styles, including the frames, lenses, etching, and even the Oakley logo on the side. Want a pair of Gascans in shadow camo with tungsten lenses? Done. Just be sure it’s want you want — as specialized pairs, there are no refunds.

 

Vans Mesa Slip-Ons

At a certain age, “house shoes” somehow make their way onto your mom’s holiday shopping list for you. And, at a certain age, you start to appreciate them. This year at least tell her about the slipperific Vans Mesa Slip-Ons ($45). The fleece-lined shoes are perfect for indoor use, yet show you still have a little style left in that frail body of yours. Also great for traveling, they’re collapsible and make excellent protectors from the nastiness of hotel room floors.

 

Vans Fixed Gear Era

The classic lace-up gets some new styling with the Vans Fixed Gear Era ($65). Designed for fixed gear cyclists, the sneaker sports a canvas upper paired with a triple-stitched rubber-reinforced  ballistic ripstop canvas toebox. Even if you take the train to work everyday, these bike friendly shoes will keep you rolling in style.

 

Nixon Magnacon Watch

New for Fall, the Nixon Magnacon Watch($600) is a mid-range wrist piece with some style. It features 6-hand Swiss-made chronograph movement with date and day, a 200 meter titanium carbide coated stainless steel case with sapphire crystal, and a custom developed ballistic nylon strap.

Nixon Headphones

Now that Nixon has rocked your world with their watches, they’re hitting you up from a whole new angle. Two years in the making, Nixon’s new headphone collection ($40-$200) includes three custom designed models — The Master Blaster (an over-ear studio quality headphone in three colorways), The Nomadic (an on-ear, collapsible travel headphone in seven colorways) and The Wire (an in-ear headphone in eight colorways). If they’re anything like Nixon’s watches, they’re going to be absolutely fearsome.

 

 

100 Words To Make You Sound Smart

Need a swift kick to the vocabulary? Pick up 100 Words To Make You Sound Smart($6) by the editors of The American Heritage Dictionary. This smallish paperback is filled with interesting words to help you communicate more effectively. It might be the most perspicacious book you read all year.

 

 

Crumpler Freestanding Edwardian

Planning to travel in 2009? Do yourself a favor and pack your gear in a newCrumpler Freestanding Edwardian ($416). Available in three colorways, this large bag features a water resistant outer shell, reinforced sidewalls and base, a utility backpack and laundry bag (complete with stinky undies artwork), plenty of pockets including a side-loading laptop area, ultra glide wheels, and the ability to stand on its own, which is always handy when trudging through the airport.

 

 

Nike ACG Mount Grace Cross Hatch Jacket

Look great in the great outdoors in theNike ACG Mount Grace Cross Hatch Jacket ($90). This breathable waterproof jacket features synthetic insulation that keeps in heat even when wet, Nike Grind material in the trims, zipper pulls and cord locks for added durability, a removable hood, several large pockets, and style that won’t look out of place in normal, non-woodsy areas, like the bank or grocery store.

 

 

Leatherman Serac LED Flashlights

You already know how well-made and handy Leatherman multitools are. If you carry one daily, you know how you’re prepared for just about anything. Except that blasted lack of sunlight thing that seems to happen every night. Save the day with one of these pocket-friendly, hard-anodized aluminum Leatherman Serac LED Flashlights (shown above close to actual size). The family includes the Serac S1 ($22), the Serac S2 ($40), and the Serac S3 ($57). Each progressively bigger and brighter, the keychain-sized 1-LED S1 shines up to 6 lumens with 11 hours of battery life; the 2-LED S2 offers up to 35 lumens with 45 minutes (high) or 10.5 hours (low) battery life; and the 3-LED S3 offers up to 100 lumens with 1 hour (high), 4 hours (medium) or 36 hours (low) of battery life. Our favorite is the middle-of-the-road S2, which is super-portable yet doesn’t skimp on anything. If we didn’t already have one, these flashlights would definitely be at the top of our list this year.

 

 

808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West

The king of hip-hop is back with a new sound and plenty of auto-tune vocals on his fourth album. 808s & Heartbreak by Kanye West ($10) may be short on actual rapping, but it makes up for it with artistic arrangements, creative beats, and excellent lyrics. Oh, and lots of Roland TR-808 effects. Standout tracks: “Love Lockdown,” “Paranoid,” and “Heartless.”

 

 

First Aid Kit

Unless you’re a self-healing mutant named Claire Bennett, a well-stocked aid kit is pretty much a must-have — and you’d be hard pressed to find a better looking set than the First Aid Kit($30) from Design Within Reach. This military-themed kit includes all the essentials, leaving you ready to deal with any medical situation that might arise.

 

 

Tropic Thunder – Unrated Director’s Cut

Bring home one of the funniest uncut movies of the year with Tropic Thunder – Unrated Director’s Cut ($23). This two-disc set includes the full spoof-tacular film with terrific performances by Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, and a surprisingly great Tom Cruise, along with several featurettes, the requisite deleted and extended scenes, an alternate ending, and more.

 

 

 

Cardinology by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

One of the most prolific songwriters in recent times is back with one of his best records yet. Cardinology by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals ($11) is Adams’ first in over a year, and the extra time spent on the album shows in its tight lyrics and veteran sound. Known for his country-rock sound, Adams and Cardinals expand on this base with selections that recall the Stones, the Grateful Dead, and Wilco in seemingly equal amounts. Standout Tracks: “Born Into A Light” and “Fit It.”

 

 

 

A Christmas Story – Ultimate Collector’s Edition

Pick yourself up a major award with theUltimate Collector’s Edition of A Christmas Story ($30 DVD; $35 Blu-ray). Along with the standard Ralphtastic movie, you get tons of extras along with a bunch of goodies, including: a collectible retro Christmas cookie tin, a strand of leg-lamp Christmas lights, a 48-page cookbook with recipes inspired by the movie, a red chef’s apron with an A Christmas Story logo, and 5 collectible cookie cutters.

 

 

Incase Metallic Slider Case

If white and black just aren’t enough color choices for you, slap an Incase Metallic Slider Case ($35) on your new iPhone. Available in gold, silver, copper, and gun metal, this hard shell case offers scratch and impact protection along with a little style.

 

 

If you just read through this gift guide and are thinking to yourself  ”this is all dude stuff” well you are right. I am a dude and I like dude things. If you are shopping for a female, this might not be the right place to get gift ideas. But if the girl you are buying for likes this stuff I need her number ASAP. Thanks. Tyrannosaurus Travis.

These Images are ridiculously awesome, he gives a whole new perspective on the sport.

Pipeline Masters 2006 ©Vincent Laforet

Pipeline Masters 2006 ©Vincent Laforet

Pipeline Masters 2006 ©Vincent Laforet

Paul C. Buff, maker of AlienBees, White Lightning and various other studio flashes, has just announced the “CYBER COMMANDER™.” 

This marks the first mass-market radio remote for flashes that actually lets you both control the output of the flashes from the camera via radio signals, and provide additional features to boot. 

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe McNally-Speed of light video. Joe is testing out the new SB-900 strobes. Even thought I use Canons its still an interesting video, and Joe is awesome.

Nikon teamed with Joe McNally, one of today’s most talented and respected professional photographers, to produce The Speed of Light, a Nikon School DVD highlighting the Nikon Creative Lighting System. Joe McNally, a LIFE magazine staff photographer, was described by American Photo as “perhaps the most versatile photojournalist working today”. Read the rest of this entry »

SANTA ROSA, CALIF – In December, Think Tank Photo will release the Shape Shifter™, the first backpack designed to expand and contract to fit DSLR equipment. By contracting down to 3 inches, the backpack keeps photographers from having to carry around a large foam box on their backs once their equipment is removed. To be alerted when the backpack is available, go to www.thinktankphoto.com/shapeshifter 
 
The Shape Shifter was designed for: 
 
• Photographers that want a lightweight solution with significantly less foam and padding than traditional photo backpacks; 
 
• Photographers that travel a great deal by airplane and public transportation that want to carry the maximum amount of equipment in the smallest package possible; 
 
• Photographers that want to reduce the size of the backpack after their gear is removed. (Note: some gear can remain in the front, like two strobes, and it can still be compressed to the smaller size with the zipper); 
 
• Photographers that use modular belt systems. After they remove most of their gear and put it on their belt, they then can then collapse the backpack; 
 
• Photographers on the run that must travel with up to 17” laptops and have the necessary accessories with them to transmit images.

Product Features 
 
• The Shape Shifter can be compressed to 3 inches in width once equipment is removed. 
 
• Once the majority of photo gear is removed, the bag can be collapsed and the photographer can still carry up to a 17” laptop and accessories, but in a much smaller package. 
 
• Rear compartment for up to 17” laptops has medium padding for protection and comfort. 
 
• Photographers can to wear their belt system, with components attached, and still support the weight of the backpack with the belt. 
 
• The inside compartment has neoprene pouches for: 
 
o 2 Pro DSLR bodies 
o 1 70-200 2.8 with hood reversed 
o 1 24-70 2.8 or similar with hood reversed
o 1 16-35 2.8 or similar with hood reversed
o Stretch pockets on the inside can also hold two strobes and other accessories 

 
• Includes a strap system to mount either a monopod or tripod on the front the backpack. 
 
• Padding on the back has an airflow system for breathability and comfort.

 

Technical Specifications 
 
• Outer Dimensions when COLLAPSED: 20 x 12.5 x 3” ( 51 x 32 x 8 cm) 
• Outer Dimensions when EXPANDED: 20 x 12.5 x 7” ( 51 x 32 x 18 cm) 
• Inner Dimensions of the LAPTOP CASE compartment: 19 x 12 x 1.5” (48 x 30.5 x 4 cm) 
• Inner Dimensions of the DSLR Camera compartment (Note that because there are neoprene pockets to hold the photo gear, the normal internal dimensions stated have less meaning): 19.5 x 12 x 4” (49.5 x 30.5 x 10 cm) • Estimated Base Weight (without any straps or accessories attached: 3 lbs, 13 oz (1729 grams) 
 
Price: $249.00 (US)