The birding season is coming around soon, I’ve already seen in increase in herons and egrets around (up from 0 to 1!). So now’s about the time to start looking for new gear if that’s in your future.

If you haven’t been paying attention to the major camera sites you’ve probably missed that Canon has announced a new 15 megapixel EOS 50D (due in October) and Nikon has released a D90 at 12 megapixels sporting a movie mode that records 720p HD video at 24 frames per second (limited to 5 minutes of recording at a shot) due sometime in late September/early October.

Well it’s here! Finely! Adobe has released the full version of Photoshop Lightroom 2.
There’s nothing to see here, move along, move along.

I just saw this on Wimberley’s site, apparently the new Arca Swiss Z1 ballheads, at least those produced between some undetermined time and June 15, 2008, are composed of a 2-piece shaft, that is only glued together. This can result in the top of the shaft and clamp breaking away from the ball potentially causing your camera to fall.

Arca Swiss has apparently addressed the issue in their manufacturing process now, but I have no idea when the current production stock will be cleared out and the fixed models will be available.

I’m still recommending this ballhead, as it’s arguably still the best out there.

See the link below for the Wimberly page discussing the Arca Swiss Z1 compatibility with the Sidekick.

Wimberley Professional Photo Gear – Ball Head Recommendations.