flatchicken.com

This has got to be the coolest technology I’ve seen in a long, long time. TI apparently has been working on DLP “pico projectors” that are slated to make their way into cell phones by late 2008. Simply AWESOME.

From CrunchGear:

TI’s DLP picoprojectors are real and have started production

Remember those microprojector chips TI was working on? The ones that could potentially implant tiny DLP picoprojectors into mobile phones? They’ve entered production and should “hit the street”, as we bloggers say, sometime in the middle of this year. That means they might — just might — make it into production models in time for the Xmas season.

You know you want to project video from your iPhone. I know I do.

Texas Instruments’ Pico chipsets go into production – projection coming to mobile phones in 2008? [Tech Digest]

Hmmmm .. looks like Sigma has released *another* whopper of a lens at the PMA this year. However, the main thing that caught my attention, was that they released it LAST year too! This year it seems to be green instead of black, and have its own battery instead of its own display. The quality they both seem to share is being FRIGGIN HUGE (16kg?!).  Mysteriously enough, neither of these behemoths are listed on Sigma’s website.

Sigma 200-500 f/2.8 EX DG

from DPR – News

Pre-PMA 2008: As part of Sigma’s bumper lens launch, it has announced what might be the ultimate wildlife lens. Sigma claims the APO 200-500 f.2.8 is the world’s first lens to offer an f/2.8 aperture at 500mm focal length. It comes with an “attachment” to give users a handy 400-1000mm f/5.6 option. The lens (which is cosmetically reminiscent of a piece of military hardware) weighs nearly 16kg and uses a dedicated Li-ion battery to provide power for focusing and zooming. It will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts.

Pro Photo called today to let me know my Canon 40D was ready to be picked up after being repaired by Canon. The service note included was ridiculously inadequate “cleaned affected parts/works fine”. That’s it. I’m wondering what parts go so dirty after three months that the camera would stop working? Before sending it in, I did the basic cleaning of the lens contacts (which showed no signs of dirt anyway), to no avail. I’m a little scared that I’m going to have to send this thing back in periodically for the same issue. I’m not sure what I need to change about my use to prevent this from happening again. This could get expensive after warranty runs out, not to mention I’d be SCREWED if this would have happened at one of my paid gigs out of town.

Also, the camera was missing the battery I included in shipping. Luckily Pro Photo handled this VERY well, and just handed me a brand new battery off the shelf. Feeling a little disenchanted with Canon right now. 150,000 shutter actuations my ass.