eK-gadgets info

The Sigma Electronic Flash EF-530 DG SUPER

Advanced features and high performance with a powerful Guide Number of 53.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-530 DG SUPER.EF-530 DG SUPER features a powerful Guide Number of 53 and is designed to work with the latest TTL auto exposure systems of all popular manufacturers’ digital SLR cameras. Among the advanced features of this flash are modeling flash function, multi pulse flash, TTL wireless flash, FP (high speed) flash, rear-curtain Synchro flash and manual flash mode which allows the photographer to set the flash power level by up to eight stops. The Auto Power-Off function automatically shuts off the LCD panel to help save battery power. When the flashgun is fully charged, a confirmation ‘ready’ light will be emitted. The auto zoom function automatically sets the optimum illumination angle in accordance with the lens’ focal length in a range from 24mm to 105mm. When the built-in Wide Panel is used, the flash can cover the angle of 17mm.For bounce flash, the flashgun head can be tilted up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, or to the right by 90 degrees. It can also be tilted down by 7 degrees allowing ease of use for close-up photography.

Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER features
• Features a powerful guide number of 53.
• Designed to work with the new TTL systems of all the popular manufacturers.
• Covers a focal length from 24mm to 105mm.
• Autozoom function automatically sets the optimum illumination angle.

The Sigma Electronic Flash EF-530 DG ST

Fully automatic flash photography for easy operation with a powerful Guide Number of 53.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-530 DG ST.EF-530 DG ST features a powerful Guide Number of 53 and is designed to work with the latest TTL auto exposure systems of all popular manufacturers’ digital and film SLR cameras. It features TTL automatic flash exposure control for easy operation. The auto zoom function automatically sets the optimum illumination angle in accordance with the lens’ focal length in a range from 24mm to 105mm. When the built-in Wide Panel is used, the flash can cover the angle of 17mm.For bounce flash, the flashgun head can be tilted up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, or to the right by 90 degrees. It can also be tilted down by 7 degrees allowing ease of use for close-up photography. In addition to automatic mode, the flashgun also features a manual flash mode, making it possible to set the flash power level to full or 1/16. When the flashgun is fully charged, a confirmation ‘ready’ light will be emitted and the flash exposure level can be checked through the cameras viewfinder. Other features incorporated into this flashgun include the Auto Power-Off function to help save battery power.

Sigma EF-530 DG ST features
• Features a powerful guide number of 53.
• Designed to work with the new TTL systems of all the popular manufacturers.
• Covers a focal length from 24mm to 105mm.
• Built-in Wide Angle Diffuser Panel allows the flash to cover an angle of 17mm.

While the rest of the world makes do with the 2-inch, QVGA display on their NW-A800 Walkman, China just nabbed a pair of biggie Sony Walkman branded flash video players under the PMX-M70 (pictured) and PMX-U50 monikers. The M70 series brings a 4.3-inch, 480 x 272 pixel display for viewing MPEG-4 video stored in up to 8GB of flash memory or Memory Stick expansion. It also records audio or video when jacked-in appropriately or plays back MP3, WMA, and AAC audio over the unit’s integrated stereo speakers. The PMX-U50 then, is a throw-back to the ol’ GigaPocket PCVA-HVP20 design with a refreshed spec sheet touting a 2.4-inch TFT LCD, FM tuner, drag-n-drop support (no SonicStage!), voice recorder and more in capacities up to 4GB. Notable by its absence from the press release is ATRAC, again. While three ATRAC-less, SonicStage-less products released in the last 4 weeks certainly does not constitute a trend, it’s tantalizing nonetheless. See the U50 pictured after the break.

Sony Electronics today debuted its next-generation multi-function DVDirect™ DVD recorder which can quickly transfer high-definition home videos and digital photos to DVD discs without using a computer.

The new VRD-MC5 model can now transfer AVCHD™ quality videos to DVD discs in their native 1080i HD resolution when connected directly to a Sony hard drive or Memory Stick® Handycam® camcorder. The resulting DVD can be played back on compatible Blu-ray Disc™ devices, including players and computer drives as well as PlayStation® 3 (PS3™) computer entertainment systems.

The VRD-MC5 recorder can also transfer standard-definition home videos to DVD without the complexity of using a computer from virtually any camcorder, VCR or digital video recorder. The new model includes Digital Video (i.LINK®/FireWire®/IEEE-1394), S-Video, Composite Video inputs, and USB (for Sony hard drive, DVD, and Memory Stick Handycam camcorders). DVD video discs recorded in this manner are playable in most consumer DVD players.

In addition, the VRD-MC5 can directly record digital photos to a DVD as a slideshow or just for photo storage from any of the five popular digital camera memory cards. It sports slots for Memory Stick® Pro and Memory Stick Pro Duo™ media, Compact Flash®, Secure Digital (SD™/SDHC™), and xD-picture card™, or via USB from Sony hard drive, DVD and Memory Stick Handycam camcorders. Users can also import their own MP3 music files to serve as background music.

“With our newest DVDirect model, users can transfer their high-definition videos to convenient DVDs for enjoying and sharing with family and friends,” said Robert DeMoulin, marketing manager for branded storage products in Sony Electronics’ IT Products Division. “We enhanced personalization and connectivity to make capturing and saving digital memories simple and fun.”

The re-styled DVDirect recorder has a built-in 2.5-inch color LCD screen for easily previewing video or up to six digital photos at a time. With automatic DVD menu and title creation, the new model offers four preset menu backgrounds along with the ability to import JPEG images to serve as the DVD menu background: automatic DVD chaptering every 5, 10 or 15 minutes; and stop-timer recording.

Up to six hours of standard-definition video, up to 95 minutes of AVCHD video or up to 2,000 digital pictures can be recorded on a 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW disc. Up to 12 hours of standard definition video can be recorded on 8.5GB DVD+R double layer discs which are compatible when using the DV, S-Video, or Composite video inputs only. The new DVDirect model maintains Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, as well as 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios with compatible camcorders.

Unfortunately, we could be seeing the early beginnings of a polarizing trend, as the oh-so-hackable Sony Vaio UX becomes yet another non-Apple device to sport iPhone-esque visuals. The aptly-dubbed uPhone boasts an interface that looks awfully similar to that found on Apple’s handset (and a good deal better than those knockoffs, might we add), and relies on a well disguised flavor of Windows to pull it all off. Currently, the project is still a work in progress, and while he has got Skype, a calculator, and a few fancy slide transitions up and running, there’s still work on the horizon. Head on through the break for a few short clips of the device in action.