Just Out 06/04

GET A GRIP

Manfrotto has its eye on action shooters with its new 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head ($100 street). Made of lightweight yet durable magnesium, this 1.43-pound ballhead rotates 360 degrees and tilts ± 90 degrees, all by squeezing and moving the handle. A bubble level helps you line up with the horizon, while the friction control lets you adjust for the weight of your camera. The grip can be switched for left-handed, right-handed, or vertical operation. It holds up to 11 pounds horizontally and 5.5 pounds vertically. (Bogen Imaging; 201-818-9500; www.bogenimaging.com)

KODAK DCS PRO SLR/C DIGITAL SLR

Canon fans take notice! Kodak's newest digital SLR is focused on you-for a change. Since Kodak introduced its first digital SLR in 1990, it has favored Nikon bodies and lenses, with few exceptions. But Kodak's new DCS Pro SLR/c ($4,495 street) should appease Canon shooters who own a stockpile of Canon lenses and accessories. According to Kodak, the Pro SLR/c accepts Canon EF lenses and is fully compatible with dedicated Canon TTL Speedlite flash units (sorry, there's no pop-up flash). It also features the same 13.5MP full-frame CMOS imaging sensor and advanced image processing found in the Pro SLR/n (reviewed April 2004), as well as a tough magnesium-alloy body. But here's a twist-there are no Canon parts on the Pro SLR/c, and Canon had nothing to do with its design! In fact, the core camera components, which include the shutter and controls, a new five-point AF system, and centerweighted, spot and evaluative metering, were actually built for Kodak by another camera company. Which one? Kodak wouldn't say much about their new partner-other than it is a Japanese manufacturer with a great deal of experience making SLRs. Our guess? Perhaps the new Pro SLR/c should be called (cough, cough) the Pro SLR/cigma. (Kodak; 800-235-6325, www.kodak.com)