Turns out the leaked photos of the Canon 60D we posted a couple weeks ago were of the real thing. Canon just announced this camera this morning, and the rumored specs were spot on as well: an 18-megapixel camera with an articulating LCD screen and heavy emphasis on video recording. An in-camera video editing feature allows you to work on the 1080p H.264 footage you capture, while new “creative image filters” allow you to apply iPhone-esque effects to photographs as you capture them. For example, you can have your photos look like they were taken with a tilt-shift lens or toy camera. Expect the 60D to hit stores in September at a price of $1,100.
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Check out this solid brass Nikon belt buckle, a fusion of masculinity and photo geekiness.

If you’re a die-hard Nikonian and have to get your hands on one of these babies, you can find them on eBay for anywhere between a few dollars (for auctions) and a staggering $88 for a Buy It Now listing with free shipping. Just search for the term “Nikon buckle“.

Strangely enough, a similar search for Canon buckles doesn’t return anything, leading us to conclude that Canon support isn’t as manly as Nikon support.

(via Nikon Rumors)

Image credit: Nikon Support by stiatska

Everyone is expecting news of a new Canon 60D soon, and a leak yesterday by DxO seems to indicate that it will be in our hands by November of this year, meaning that Canon is probably planning to announce the new camera in late September at Photokina 2010.

The camera was listed with an assortment of existing lenses on the short-term roadmap for upcoming modules, along with dates for when it’s planned for.

Rumor has it that the camera will have 18 megapixels, 1080p video recording, and a swiveling LCD display. Any guesses as to what other improvements the 60D will offer?

(via Photography Bay)

The Kata ABS-HD is a new kind of bag that starts out the size of a book, and can be inflated to become a carry-on bag for protecting full size camcorders. What’s nifty about this idea is that when not in use, the bag is extremely compact and can be stowed away with your other luggage. The bag is designed specifically for stowing expensive equipment safely in the overhead bins on planes, so the bag doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles.

Inflating is done with a built-in tube and takes about a minute, and the bag can be carried using either the handle or an included shoulder strap. Though the price hasn’t been announced yet, the bag should hit the market in the near future.

(via Gizmodo)

Here’s a pretty cool idea: StudioShare.org is a website through which individuals can rent studio gear or space from each other. Members can either simply sign up to rent, or if they’re a studio owner, they can sign up to both rent and to rent out their studio space. All members can rent out their gear if they wish, though it’s probably a good idea to get equipment insurance first.

Photographers can also set up collaborations with each other using the site, as well as offer their creative services for studio shoots — and services aren’t limited to photographers, it could include stylists, makeup artists, and other creative talents.

The site streamlines all the prep for a photo shoot, from the creative services to the gear, lighting, and space. The site also emphasizes the human element of photo shoots, allowing users to network with each other and to share portfolios and resumes.

Membership starts at $49 and StudioShare takes a 20% commission on rates set by resource owners.

One drawback to the service is that it is relatively small right now, with less than 2,000 members in the United States with a rather thin distribution. Since the available stock and resources depend on that number and location of members, it might be a bit early to jump in as a renting member until the pool of studio and equipment owners grows.

StudioShare.org (via Small Aperture)

Always wanted a manual Leica but couldn’t afford it? This Likea pinhole camera may not reproduce Leica-quality photos, or necessarily feel like a Leica (it’s made from card stock), but it looks like one! Though it may be more manual than you can handle: for $20, you just get the Likea MPH kit that you’ll still need to assemble. And you’ll have to make your own pinhole part out of a soda can. But after all, it’s not the camera that makes the photographer.

(via Wired)

Nikon and NASA are showcasing some amazing photos taken aboard the International Space Station with Nikon equipment. According to Nikon, NASA took over 700,000 photos with the Nikon gear kept on board, which includes one Nikon D3S DSLR, eight Nikon D2XS cameras, 36 NIKKOR lenses including three teleconverters, seven SB-800 Speedlights, and other gear. Nikon notes that the D3S is unmodified, and is the same quality as available on the consumer market.

Nikon has a long history with NASA since sending a Nikon F camera with Apollo 15 in 1971. Since then, Nikon’s enjoyed exposure while helping NASA get image exposures. Most recently, the D3S that is currently on board was delivered to the ISS via the Space Shuttle Discovery, launched April 10, 2010. NASA says each shuttle launch costs approximately $450 million — that is one expensive delivery! Here are more images from the International Space Station taken with Nikon gear:

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