Eclectic Electronics

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

Posted: 14 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT

Wide-angle lenses are great if you like taking photos of scenery. They’re also useful for massive scale events.

The new Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED wide-angle lens is compatible with multitudes of Nikon cameras (it will even work on the D40, D40x and D60 because it’s designated AF-S). It features internal focusing (IF) which means the lens barrel stays the same during focusing.

“Nikkor” is the brand name for Nikon’s lenses. It was taken from the original company name, Nippon Kogaku K.K.. It was abbreviated and then affixed with an “R.”

Expect this lens to be available on May 2009 for an estimated MSRP of $899.95.

You can find the official press release from Nikon USA here.

StumbleUpon sold back (by eBay) to its founders

Posted: 14 Apr 2009 11:00 AM PDT

eBay bought StumbleUpon (SU) for $75-million last May 2007.

StumbleUpon is a social media site which allows you to share your favorite web pages to other people in the SU network. You can also discover random, new sites via “Stumbling.”

StumbleUpon has now found a way back to its founders, Garrett Camp and Geoff Smith. Hopefully, these guys have something up their sleeves to improving their reacquisition. Terms of sale were undisclosed.

Camp stated:

We are grateful to eBay for its guidance. However, we realized there were few long-term synergies between the two businesses. It is best for us to part ways and focus on our respective strengths. This change makes it possible for StumbleUpon to continue to innovate and focus on becoming the Web’s largest recommendation service.

[via Techvibes, Mark Evans and PR Newswire]

Digg toolbar now available.

Palm Pre spotted at San Francisco public event!

Posted: 14 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT

The Palm Pre was recently spotted at a public event at San Francisco called "the annual Bring Your Own Big Wheel race." Two unknown, seemingly young persons are rocking Palm Pre’s. Photos were sourced here.

Could this be a good indication that Sprint will be going through with the rumored May 17th release date? According to BGR, the dynamic duo in possession of the Palm Pre’s were not all that astonished when they first got the device, but recent updates have turned their experiences around for the better.

[via jkOnTheRun and Boy Genius Report]

Nikon D5000 12.3 megapixel DSLR with 720p video and swivel LCD screen

Posted: 14 Apr 2009 06:00 AM PDT

The successor to the Nikon D60 is now a reality. Presenting the Nikon D5000! The D5000 is the first Nikon DSLR to utilize a 2.7-inch vari-angle LCD. It is able to record 720p video just like the Canon T1i (500D).

Specifications include a 12.3 megapixel sensor (the same as that of the Nikon D90), expanded ISO ranges from 100 to 6400, 11-point autofocus system (a definite upgrade from the Nikon D60’s 3-point system). It also features four different Live View autofocus modes along with Subject Tracking autofocus (for those fast-moving objects! As to how well it works? Only time will tell).

The Nikon D5000 will start becoming available at retailers by the end of April 2009. Price will be $849.95 with the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens or $729.95 for the body alone.

No mention on whether the body has that autofocus pin to be able to use older Nikkor lenses. For the price they’ve given it, hopefully it has been integrated. Otherwise, big mistake Nikon! They also should’ve found a way to integrate the aperture dial on the front and ISO/white balance shortcut buttons. If you’d ask me, you’re better off getting a Nikon D90 body for around $850.

You can find Nikon USA’s official press release here.