Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 10.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera with Sony SAL-18200 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens for onyl $629.95 + Shipping (18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 alone costs over $400, so you do the math..) at B&H Photo

The Sony α (Alpha) DSLR-A100 10.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera is a top-quality 10 megapixel Digital SLR Camera that utilizes Sony imaging innovations and builds on a two-decade legacy of Minolta photographic leadership. It accepts all Minolta A-mount lenses sold worldwide (Maxxum & Dynax), and includes impressive features such as high-sensitivity shooting with Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization, Sony's exclusive Dynamic Range Optimizer to automatically increase detail in bright and dark picture areas, Effective Anti-Dust technology to keep the CCD imager clean for better pictures, and the Eye-Start Autofocus system for faster camera response.

Special Price- $629.95 + Shipping

Two new Picture Control profiles - Portrait and Landscape profiles- for D3, D300 and D700 are now available on Nikon website in addition to the D2x picture controls. You can use Landscape mprofile for vivid shots of landscapes and cityscapes and Portrait profile for creating portraits with soft, natural skin tones.

You can find the download links for the profiles here.

Just a week after the announcement of 50 megapixel H3DII-50 back/camera combo from Hasselblad, Phase One announced the P65+, probably the most desirable medium format digital back yet.

The 60 Megapixel P65+ is said by Phase One to be ready to be shipped in the 4th quarter of 2008. Chip manufacturer Dalsa and Phase One is claiming equal, if not enhanced image quality, with a dynamic range of 12.5 stops for the P65+, compared to 11.75 stops on the P45+. And with the 1fps max shooting sequence, this 60 MP monster is not a speed master for sure, but will easily make you have wall size prints

Price: The P65+ digital back starts at US $39,990 and can also be had with a Phase One camera system starting at $41,990.

I recommend you to the read the Phase One P65+ Preview by Luminious Landscape.

Just few days after its announcement, we now have enough sample images to evaluate the image quality of the new Nikon D700. Actually since it shares the same image sensor and processor with the Nikon D3, nobody is expecting any surprise from D700. Below are links to some of the best sample images on the web so far:

Nikon Official Website: Full Size Sample Images ranging from ISO 200 to ISO 400

Master Chong: Showcase of various ISO setting between ISO 200 and ISO 25600 of the Nikon D700. 100% cropped of the sample image are also included. Lens used is Nikon AF-S 24-70mm F2.8

It is many photography enthusiasts dream to turn their hobby in to their job, or at least make a side income with it. Many of us want to become a freelance photographer but very few of us achieves this goal cause we don't know where and how to start.

Even if you somehow start, you may struggle taking photos which sell. In the world of freelance photography, taking technically perfect photos is not enough for selling well, instead you have to find the areas that are in highest demand. Remember it is not art anymore, it is business. I know very passionate and talented photographers that haven't sold a single photo over microstock photography siters, some even not accepted. I also know people with average photography technic and simple compact digital cameras making an income that makes them possible to quit theis day-time job. There is no doubt that a photographer eventually can find his way to become a freelance photographer after struggling a bit but it is also possible that he can quit be tired of all this struggle and quit trying.

So What is the easiest way to Make Money Selling your Digital Photos:

Nikon D700 shares many components from D3 like the 12.1 megapixel CMOS full-frame sensor, Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor and EXPEED image processor but lacks some of the features as expected considering the price difference. But there are also still things you get over D3 like vibration based dust reduction, expanded function button and built-in flash.

ALERT!

Below is a quick comparison of Nikon D700 and D3:

Nikon announced the new D700 today as expected and Photolectic become one of the first websites to announce you the official Nikon D700 yesterday. Now we have more detailed specs and photos of the new D700.

Nikon D700 Key Features

UPDATE!

Read Nikon D700 vs. D3 Comparison here

Read Nikon D700 Detailed Specifications here

UPDATE 2!!

A German photography magazine ProfiFoto published a 2-page presentation of the new Nikon D700 Full Frame DSLR. The official announcement from Nikon is expected to be tomorrow, on the 1st of July. The magazine delayed this issue 5 days to become the first one with the official D700 specs. The new SB900 flash from is Nikon also presented in the magazine.

Nikon D700 Specifications, Price and Availability:

Here are 3 free and well written digital photography eBooks that I believe will help you improve your photographic knowledge and skills.

1- Lighting 101 by David Hobby (aka The Strobist)

Lighting is relatively a difficult part of Photography and generally requires high technical knowledge. Many people get intimidated when they with the idea of off-camera lightning and that is where this perfectly written eBook comes in to play. David Hobby has written this 36 page ebook, supported with real life examples, photos and great recommendations. This great book covers Strobe Lighting Techniques, Lighting Gear, Creative Flashware and more... I personally learned a lot from it, guess you will too.

Could this be the strongest evidence of the upcoming D700, affordable FF DSLR from Nikon?

DigitalDepot.co.uk, an online retailer from UK, already published a page for the Nikon D700. This site claims that the Nikon will announce the D700 on Monday, 30th of June. I am not sure how reliable this info is but definitely very interesting. One thing I noticed was that how the silhouette looked like Nikon D3 body, instead of the D300 body as expected.