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New gear that has impressed our editors
BABY GOT BACK
What?! Another megapriced, mega-megapixel digital back for medium-format cameras? Yes, the Sinarback 54M packs 22MP and lists for $14,999. But there’s more to it than just those statistics. It’s fairly small and light (3.5 inches square, 2 inches deep, and 14 ounces). Its custom-designed Kodak sensor gives you 14-bit color depth and a contrast range of 11 f-stops. The 54M captures up to 24 frames per minute and can handle shutter speeds from 32 to 1/4000 sec. For control, there’s new captureShop 5.0 software and two FireWire ports. With adapters, it can fit almost any medium-format body. (Sinar AG; 800-456-0203; www.sinarbron.com)
POWER POP
Are your low-light shots dark because the flash in your digital compact lacks punch? Check out Sunpak’s Digital Compact Flash Adapter ($30 expected street). It’s a bracket with a built-in slave unit that will fire almost any standard shoe-mount flash when your camera’s on-board flash pops. Result: more light. With five firing modes, you can vary the delay to work with your camera’s sync timing and/or built-in preflashes. (ToCAD America; 973-428-9800; www.tocad.com)
WELCOME TO MOVIE PHONE!
First there were cell phones that shot photos. Now there’s one that shoots videos, too—Samsung’s VM-A680 ($300 list). Make it quick though—this video camera/digital still camera/cellular phone can record no more than 15 seconds of video at a time. You can share these clips through the phone’s e-mail. Video snippets include mono sound; they’re stored as motion JPEGs. The phone has an LED for shooting in the dark and a color screen for playback. The caveat: the phone works only on the Sprint PCS network—for now. (Samsung; 800-726-7864; www.samsungusa.com)
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