Hello I'm a new kid on the block, with need of suggestions from some of you photographers out there experience in racing photography.  I am taking photographs of 1/4 scale radio controlled cars using Nitro Fuel to race around an indoor oval dirt racetrack.  Inside has incandecent lights and I do not use my flash.  What settings would you suggest me to use to get the optomum still shots of the fast cars zooming around the track.

To get an idea of my challenge, please see last weekends race pictures.  I will be shooting the pictures this Saturday 7-June-2008.  Any mentorship or suggestion is deeply appreciated.

Please click on the link below:

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Uy7Xt3Vx

Thank You:  Cindy Washam

The Olympus company now makes it possible for the SP-560UZ superzoom digital camera to gain a wireless flash thanks its release of the firmware version 3.1.
The update  allows the camera to wirelessly control multiple Olympus flash units such as the FL-50R and FL-36R.
The firmware version is now available to download via Olympus Master 2 software.
Here is the manual for Shooting with the Olympus Wireless RC Flash System:

The wireless flash system enables you to take pictures using multiple wireless flashes.
 The built-in flash is used to communicate between the camera and the external flashes.

Here is an illustration along with a step by step guide to using the wireless system :

1. Position the flash while referring to the “Wireless flash setup range”, and turn on the flash.
2. Press the MODE button on the flash to set it to RC mode, and set the channel and group of the
         flash. Set the group to A (the flash will not operate if B or C is selected).
3. Select [RC] from [FLASH] on the camera, and then set [CH1] - [CH4] to the same channel
         as the flash. (SP-560UZ Advanced Manual P.30 “FLASH Setting to use an external flash”)
4. Press [FLASH] button (Flash pop-up) to raise the built-in flash.
5. Select a flash mode. (Red-eye reduction flash is not possible in RC mode).
6. After shooting preparations are completed, take some test shots to check the flash operation
         and images.
7. Begin shooting while checking the charging completed indications of the camera and flash.
   
   Note:
   
       * Although there is no limit to the number of wireless flashes you can use, it is recommended that no more than three flashes be used to prevent flash malfunction due to mutual interference.
       * In RC mode, the built-in flash is used to control the wireless flash. The built-in flash cannot be used for flash shooting in this mode.
       * For rear curtain synchronization, set the shutter speed to within 4 seconds. Wireless flash shooting may not operate properly when using a slower shutter speed.
   
   Click here to update the Olympus SP-560UZ.
   
   Click here for the complete manual.
   
    
   
    

Samsung Electronics America Inc. has launched the Samsung SPF-83V which is a new 8 inch digital photo frame.
The frame uses Microsoft technology which enables photographs to be viewed wirelessly from sharing sites such as Windows Live Spaces or from your PC of course.
Additionally the 8-inch frame sports an 800 x 600 resolution display with a 500:1 contrast ratio and 200 nits of brightness.
The Samsung SPF-83V frame also communicates with Windows Media Player and open standards such as RSS.
Christopher Franey, vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics America explained:

“Our latest digital photo frames, based on cutting-edge technology from the Microsoft Research labs, are easy to use and are one of the few offerings in the marketplace that offer a ‘network’ approach to digital photo sharing.”
     
The Samsung SPF-83V 8” Digital Photo Frame is expected to come with 64MB of storage .
This perfect little Christmas gift is priced at $230.

Fujifilm has upgraded its classic F30/F31fd digital camera to an F50fd camera.
The Fujifilm Finepix F50fd comes equipped with most of the features of its predecessor such as outstanding performance in low light but a wide range of improvements were made including a mechanical CCD-shift image stabilization system, an enhanced  face detection and a 2.7" LCD monitor.
Nonetheless the most obvious changes are the 6 megapixels sensor that went 12 megapixel and the image stabilization system.
Additionally Fujifilm has switched to a more appealing and warmer color  which is silver and has moved from the boxy shape of the F30/F31fd to more curves and edges.The F50fd Aero's design makes the camera appear slimmer.
The Fujifilm Finepix F50fd is available and is priced at $220.

Specifications include:

Face Detection 2.0 Technology built-in to the camera’s processor,Dual Image Stabilization (High sensitivity + CCD shift),2.7-inch TFT screen with 230.000 pixels,ISO 1600 sensitivity at full resolution,12 million pixels Super CCD HR VII sensor,3.0x optical zoom,IR Communication (IR simple™/IR SS™),VGA movie capture of 25 frames per second with sound,Micro thumbnail view (up to 100 thumbnails visible),5fps continuous mode (3MP, 12 frames max),Aperture and shutter priority modes.

Delkin Devices, Inc. has released the world's fastest 16GB UDMA CompactFlash PRO card.

The CompactFlash Card boosts the capability of a 305x read/write speed (45MB/sec sustained).This is partly due to the fact that the CF card uses high grade SLC NAND flash modules, which allows the aforementioned large data transfer rates.

Best suited for the Canon 1Ds Mark III or D300 and D3x from Nikon,nonetheless it also works with non-UDMA shooters.
Additionally the card-to-computer transfer times are touted to be very low, especially when the card is used with the company's UDMA enabled ExpressCard and CardBus adapters.

In conclusion the Compact Flash PRO 305x 16 GB seems to be well equipped to provide both very large data transfer speeds, as well as a storage capacity to match.

The 16GB UDMA CompactFlash PRO card is now available worldwide for $400.

Newman-Hyun has launched a new digital camera called the L1200 PMP.
The L1200 PMP is unique because it is actually an "MP4" player with a 12 megapixel and 8X digital zoom camera.
The camera is conveniently placed on the edge of the device like a hinge, making it possible to swivel 180 degrees with the capacity of 30fps video recording.
Additional features include a 3-inch QVGA touchscreen that supports 260k colors and a built-in USB 2.0 .
Not forgetting an SD/MMC card slot for more storage, SD expansion, non-specific AVI video support, along with a variety of shooting modes and setting for that camera.
As a PMP it supports AVI videos with up to 24fps playback and MP3 audio files with JPEG .
The L1200 is also said to be equipped with TV Out and can be yours for just $132.
For that low price it's worth it.

Samsung announced the release of two digital cameras the S760 and the S860 earlier today .
The pair of low-end digital cameras are perfect for beginners.
Although the S760 and S860 come with only 7 megapixel and 8 megapixel respectively ,they both feature a 3x optical zoom Samsung SHD lens, digital image stabilization and face detection.
The S760 and the S860 will have a 30fps VGA video recording mode in AVI (MJPEG) format, and the ability to motor off a pair of AA batteries in an photographic emergency.
A special effects calls the "E" button gives PC-less control over red-eye and basic image manipulation.
The S760 will be priced at $169 and the S860 will cost $179,both cameras are due in January 2008 .
Additionally they will be available in pink , blue , silver and black.

Features include:

3x Optical Zoom Lens,2.4” LCD Screen,Digital Image Stabilization,High Sensitivity ISO 1000,Function Description and Self Shot.

A firmware version 1.1.3 has been released by Canon for its EOS-1D Mark III DSLR .
The update is now available on Canon's website and increases transmission speed when using high-speed SD cards, improves AF-tracking in certain situations and fixes a couple of bugs.

This firmware update (Version 1.1.3) incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

Increases transmission speed when using high-speed SD cards.
Fixes a phenomenon involving not being able to release the shutter.
Improves AF tracking in specific conditions.
Corrects errors in the Spanish and Korean menu screens.
Improves the look of images when played back on the LCD monitor.
Fixes a rare response error in the Main Dials in which they either did not respond when rotated or would change several clicks' worth even if only clicked once.
Reduces the tendency to autofocus on the background instead of the main subject when shooting in AI Servo AF under certain conditions.
Reduces the tendency of the camera to autofocus on high-contrast backgrounds when shooting in conditions where AF detection is difficult, such as when the main subject is not completely covered by the AF frames or if the main subject's contrast is low.
Corrects errors in the Italian and Simplified Chinese menu screens.
Fixes a rare phenomenon in which the camera cannot start normally when the battery is inserted, such as after replacing the battery. This phenomenon sometimes occurred with the version 1.0.9 firmware when the battery was inserted into the camera due to the camera's communication timing. The occurrences were extremely rare, and abnormal operation could be fixed by reloading the battery.
Click here to download the update.

Kenko introduced the Field Catch camera zooms for those passionated by outdoor photography and for bird lovers.
The Kenko Field Catch digital camera features a 14x, 70-mm optical zoom lens, 3.1 megapixel CMOS, SD slot, and optional power from a pair of AAs.
Additionally it comes with a viewfinder, a high / low throw-switch on top that allows a quick 24x or 7x zoom on the 2.0-inch LCD. It's expected to be priced at $589 and will be available by mid-December 2007.
It would make a great Christmas gift.

Specifications include:

SUPOTTINGUSUKOPU integrated allowing 3.1 million pixel CMOS imaging in the device. Record maximum resolution is 2048 x 1536 pixels.Pixel interpolation of 5 million worth (2592 x 1944 pixels) in the shot ,TFT color LCD monitor adoption of the TTA shooting pictures on the spot checks. 32 MB of internal memory or SD card. Grab-and-go dedicated bag,still image recording size 5.0MP (2592 x 1944) 3.1MP (2048 x 1536) 2.0MP (1600 x 1200) 1.3MP (1280 x 960) 0.3MP (640 x 480).