Camera

Sony has launched it’s E-mount NEX-VG10E camcorder, the worlds’ first consumer-grade HD camcorder with interchangeable lenses. Although appearing under Sony’s Handycam brand, rather than Alpha, it retains a lot in common with the Alpha NEX series. It features the same 14.6MP Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor but is capable of recording 1080i video at a higher, 24mbps, bitrate. The NEX-VG10E also features an electronic viewfinder and ‘Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone’ that uses four microphone elements to provide better channel separation and cancel unwanted noise. In every other respect it is essentially a NEX 5, featuring the same user interface (though with more external controls) and both SD and MemoryStick storage. It will sold as kit with image-stabilized E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens and will be available a suggested retail price of $2000.

* 14.2 effective megapixel ExmorTM APS HD CMOS sensor (19.5 times larger than conventional camcorder) for stunning HD movies with beautiful background defocus
* Accepts E-mount interchangeable lenses plus A-mount α DSLR lenses (via optional adaptor)
* High quality audio with Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone and external mic input
* 7.5cm (3 inch-type) Xtra Fine LCD and electronic viewfinder

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The Other Side of Fame

by Brian Smith on June 1, 2009

in Celebrity Portrait Photography

Tim Daly turns the tables on Paparazzi

Does this look fun?

Fame is a funny thing. A lot of notions about fame and celebrity are based on which side of the velvet rope you find yourself.

There’s a great scene in Barry Levinson’s “PoliWood” where two actors shoot down any notion that Hollywood celebrities are motivated by the desire for photo ops.

Sure, it’s a necessary part of the business. Red carpet photo ops are one of the ways motion picture studios promote their latest releases. Just those 4-color flyers for your local hardware store.

But fun? I don’t think so…

Imagine running a gauntlet of this on your way into the movies.

Actually, to quite honest, the photographer who blasted me with his flash was extremely nice and quite personable. We ended up having a drink together. We were at a party, after all. If he seems more dapper than you’d imagine for a paparazzi, there’s a good reason for that. It’s actually actor Tim Daly giving me my 1/15 second of fame…

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Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees

Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees shot with Sony a700 and Sony's Zeiss 135/1.8

Brian Smith has been named as one of five photographers to launch Sony’s new professional photographer program, The Artisans of Imagery, which showcases five top professional photographers who have been using their Alpha A900 DSLRs and lenses from Sony. Brian Smith joins Andy Katz, David McLain, Christina Mittermeier and Matthew Jordan Smith. Their photographic works were on display at the PhotoPlus Expo held in New York October 22-24.

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