I was just reading about the trend of 'camera tossing' - where otherwise perfectly sane people throw their cameras into the air, either on a long exposure or using the camera timer to release the shutter. There's even a popular flickr group dedicated to the art.

When I was a kid we used to toss disposable cameras up into the air and see if the shutter would trigger when it hit the ground, but throwing my 20d into the air doesn't quite have the same appeal!

On a related note Kathleen pointed out the new Eyeball Camera, which I'm sure will also be spawning a flickr group anytime soon...

Yesterday Nikon put out a press release stating it's intent to scale back all of its film products to concentrate on digital.

"Nikon Corporation has made the decision to focus management resources on digital cameras in place of film cameras."

Even though they are continuing to manufacture the F6 and FM10 I can't see that lasting very long without a firm commitment to film. Nikon's had great success in the digital market, especially with compact cameras, and that seems to be spelling the end of one of film's greatest proponents.

Will Nikon's existing film users be switching to other systems following this announcement and the uncertainty they must certainly be feeling? Nikons digital SLRs will continue I assume but perhaps future lenses will be digital only.

Joseph has posted an excellent tutorial on building your own lightbox. If you're in the middle of a dark winter and frustrated by the lack of photographic opportunities then this could be your salvation!

Just received at the photoblogs.org news desk from Susan:

For folks who own D70's, please be advised that there are several lots of batteries being recalled due to serious malfunctioning. Information can be found at nikonusa.com. Nikon has provided a list of lot numbers which specify which need to be recalled.

Please note that Nikon can send you a replacement battery before you send in the old one, provided you send them your CC number.

Apologies to anyone who's seen this before (and especially to those who've been shooting with one of these for the past 30 years), but this is new to me: The Dirkon Paper Pinhole Camera, developed in Czechoslovakia in the 1970s. The page includes plans and instructions for making your own. I haven't tried this yet, because I'm not sure I've got the patience, but I'd be interested to see the results if some of you lot pull it off. So get cutting and glueing!

A good article that proves that you don't need a DSLR to take accomplished photographs; article on magnum photographer Alex Majoli and his use of P&S digicams: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-6468-7844

"It would seem reasonable to guess that all that award-winning work in remote and frequently dangerous places must have been shot with big, fast, bulletproof pro SLR cameras. But in fact, Majoli shot every frame with Olympus C-5050 digital point-and-shoots -- the same camera your snap happy Uncle Maury takes to Disney World."

Your camera doesn't matter - it's how you use it that counts.

According to this website: "The original and one-and-only Lomo LC-A camera has been taken out of production."

So, buy one if you haven't already. 'Tis a sad day in the land of photography.

Lomography just got better.  While I haven't used one of these yet I found it quite appealing to see such a inexpensive camera with such great potential.  Apparently they are taking pre-orders now, as they arn't available quite yet.  Have a look for yourself:

http://shop.lomography.com/shop/

Hey gang,

Now that I have three different lenses for my D70 (and thus three different thread sizes), adding a new filter to my bag is becoming both expensive and space-consuming. So I was wondering about switching from round screw-on filters to the square drop-in type offered by Cokin and others. That way, I can get the adapters and filter holder once, then only have to buy one filter to use across all lenses.

Anyone care to share their thoughts? Do you have a preference for either type? Any downsides I may not be considering?

Thanks.

--Alec

Canon has today announced the sucessor to the EOS 300D / Digital Rebel, the new smaller, lighter, eight megapixel EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT. This new camera incorporates many new features introduced with the EOS 20D and also enables control of settings as requested by EOS 300D owners. The default body color is now black, although a silver body will be available. Key points: 8mp CMOS, 3fps 14 frames, DIGIC II, smaller, lighter, custom functions, selectable metering & AF mode, USB 2.0 Hi-speed, lower introductory list price (US: $899 body only, Europe: €899 body only).

More here

Looks like a 20D with a plastic body. 

Would Canon take my 300D and give me this one....? :/