New And Exclusive Micro-Site Content

ePHOTOzine's Micro-Site Roundup - Find out what's been happening on our five Micro-Sites.

Posted:

Here's a roundup of the exclusive content we've got for you to have a read of on our five micro-sites this week:

On PENTAXPORTAL this week, you can take a look at some top tips for photographing seals with your Pentax camera, and check out some top Pentax sunset photos. Plus, the brand new K-3 DSLR has been reviewed on site this week, and there's news of new images from Ricoh Imaging brand ambassadors.

Over On EIZO ColorZone, you can learn how to perform a monitor viewing angle check and find out why ColorNavigator software is a great tool for aiding calibration. Plus, there's news of a new 3D CG colour management handbook that's now available.

Meanwhile, on Olympus Image Space this week, there are techniques on how to use blur creatively, and there's news on Olympus workshops taking place over the coming months with Damian McGillicuddy and Steve Gosling. Plus, news on the Olympus Impressions 'Fall' competition, and £100 accessory cashback when you buy an Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera have also gone live.

On Totally Tamron this week, you can learn some top tips for taking better photos of ice with your Tamron lens, plus there are some top Tamron portrait photos for you to take a look at. Don't forget to take a look at David Pritchard's blog the days zoom past, too, as he's been out-and-about with his newly acquired Tamron 24-70mm lens.

Last but not least, on Nikon Nation this week, you can check out some ideas and tips for on location portrait shoots, get creative with colour balance and lots more. Plus, don't miss the Nikon D5300 Cheap DSLR review and news of ono-to one training with Nikon School in December.

Make sure you check back to the Micro-Sites regularly, as new and exclusive content is posted weekly!

Source: Ephotozine

New And Exclusive Micro-Site Content

ePHOTOzine's Micro-Site Roundup - Find out what's been happening on our five Micro-Sites.

Posted:

Here's a roundup of the exclusive content we've got for you to have a read of on our five micro-sites this week:

On PENTAXPORTAL this week, you can take a look at some top tips for photographing seals with your Pentax camera, and check out some top Pentax sunset photos. Plus, the brand new K-3 DSLR has been reviewed on site this week, and there's news of new images from Ricoh Imaging brand ambassadors.

Over On EIZO ColorZone, you can learn how to perform a monitor viewing angle check and find out why ColorNavigator software is a great tool for aiding calibration. Plus, there's news of a new 3D CG colour management handbook that's now available.

Meanwhile, on Olympus Image Space this week, there are techniques on how to use blur creatively, and there's news on Olympus workshops taking place over the coming months with Damian McGillicuddy and Steve Gosling. Plus, news on the Olympus Impressions 'Fall' competition, and £100 accessory cashback when you buy an Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera have also gone live.

On Totally Tamron this week, you can learn some top tips for taking better photos of ice with your Tamron lens, plus there are some top Tamron portrait photos for you to take a look at. Don't forget to take a look at David Pritchard's blog the days zoom past, too, as he's been out-and-about with his newly acquired Tamron 24-70mm lens.

Last but not least, on Nikon Nation this week, you can check out some ideas and tips for on location portrait shoots, get creative with colour balance and lots more. Plus, don't miss the Nikon D5300 Black Friday Deal DSLR review and news of ono-to one training with Nikon School in December.

Make sure you check back to the Micro-Sites regularly, as new and exclusive content is posted weekly!

Source: Ephotozine

Nikon D5300 Review

<Nikon D5300 Buy Cheapp>

Introduction

The Nikon D5300 is a new 24.2 megapixel DSLR camera with no optical low-pass filter that can record Full HD movies at 1080/50/60p with stereo sound and comes equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. A high-resolution 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD monitor makes it easier to compose your shots from difficult angles, while the extensive ISO range of 100-25600 should cope with virtually all lighting conditions. A 5fps burst shooting mode, EXPEED 4 image processor, 39-point autofocus system with nine cross-type sensors, 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor, High Dynamic Range mode, Active D-Lighting, and nine different special effects for stills and movies complete the Nikon D5300's headline specs. Available in three colours, black, grey and red, the Nikon D5300 costs £729.99 / $799.95 / €899 body only, or £829.99 / €1029 with the 18-55mm VR kit lens, and $1,399.95 with the AF-S NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.

Ease of Use

The Nikon D5300 replaces the year-old D5200 as the new mid-range model in Nikon's extensive DSLR line-up, slotting in between the existing D3200 and D7000 models, not only in terms of feature set and functionality, but also in terms of size and weight. It isn't quite as compact and lightweight as the D3200, but neither is it as bulky and heavy as the D7000. In comparison to its predecessor, the D5300 is slightly smaller and lighter than the D5200. The right-hand grip is deep and therefore quite comfortable for photographers with large hands and/or longish fingers, and there's also a handy rubberised thumb rest on the back of the body.

The D5100's 24.1 megapixel CMOS sensor has been superseded by a 24.2 megapixel sensor with no optical low-pass filter, which promises to deliver slightly finer details. The sensor can clean itself by way of high-frequency vibrations that will, at least in theory, shake off any non-adhesive dust particles that may have settled on the low-pass filter during a lens change. You can specify, via an option in the Setup menu, whether you want sensor cleaning to take place at shutdown, startup, both or neither, with the default being 'both'. The cleaning process pleasingly has no practical impact on startup times, which were near instant. The new image sensor is complemented by the more powerful EXPEED 4 processing engine and a larger buffer as well.

The D5300 is the first Nikon DSLR to offer both built-in wi-fi and GPS connectivity, instead of relying on optional accessories like all previous models. The wi-fi function essentially pairs the D5300 with an iOS or Android smartphone or other smart device, and allows you to eidt and share images directly to social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. It also makes it possible to control the D5300 remotely via a smart device using the free Wireless Mobile Utility app, and set the focus point using the smart device's touchscreen. The built-in GPS/A-GPS receiver logs location information such as latitude, longitude, and altitude in the image's EXIF data, even when the camera is turned off, allowing you to retrace your steps even when you're not taking photos.

The 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR kit lens that Nikon supplied feels fairly well-balanced on the Nikon D5300 and it fits into place with a reassuring mechanical click. It also adds the very important advantage of Vibration Reduction. Nikon bodies don't offer any form of in-camera image stabilisation, unlike similar models from Sony, Pentax and Olympus, so the affordable 18-55mm VR lens is a good starting point if you don't already have any Nikon lenses.

The shutter release action on the Nikon D5300 is surprisingly quiet, with a dampened mirror slap that makes this DSLR actually quieter than some rangefinder cameras. Furthermore, there is a Quiet Shutter Release mode, in which the mirror is raised fairly slowly to further reduce the sound it makes. This does, however, introduce some shutter lag, which usually isn't worth the few decibels of difference versus what is already an impressively quiet shutter.

FrontRear

The Nikon D5300 follows conventional DSLR design in having a shooting mode dial on the top of the camera, which allows you to select either one of the advanced modes like Manual, Aperture- or Shutter-priority, or a number of scene modes. The Exposure Compensation button is thoughtfully positioned next to the shutter release. Hold down this button with your right forefinger and spin the control wheel on the top-rear of the camera with your thumb to adjust its settings - simple and intuitive.

The Effects shooting mode, first introduced on the D5100, now provides 9 different filters that can be applied to both still images and movies. The Night Vision effect is particularly worth of mention, pushing the camera's sensitivity to a whopping ISO 102,400, although a monochrome rather than colour image is recorded. For stills, you can enter Live View mode to preview the effect or simply use the optical viewfinder. For movies, the recording is slowed down (dependent upon the chosen effect) as the camera uses a lot of processing power to apply the effect, leading to footage that can have a rather staccato feel. Note also that the camera sets virtually everything in the Effects mode - exposure, shutter speed, white balance, ISO, file type and quality - so its only creative in terms of the arty effect that's applied. Several of the same effects can be applied to an image or movie that you've taken, though, so you can have the best of both worlds (albeit without the luxury of a preview).

The second button sitting next to the shutter release is labeled 'info'. This button is arguably at the heart of the Nikon D5300's ease-of-use, as like its predecessor the camera lacks the monochromatic status LCD of the older D90, so Nikon had to provide a different way to check vital shooting information without having to look into the viewfinder. Enter the info button - pressing it displays virtually all of the camera's main settings on the large rear screen. Pressing the "i" button on the rear of the D5300 then allows you to interact with and set the onscreen options, with 14 available in total.

The rear articulated LCD screen is hinged at the side rather than the bottom. This fully articulated design is a much more flexible solution, allowing the screen to be folded out from the left side of the camera and folded inwards to protect it when not in use. The screen is slightly bigger than the D5200 at 3.2 inches and higher resolution too, with 1,037k dots, so there's nothing to complain about in this department. The screen also has an anti-glare coating, so that it's usable most of the time outdoors in strong daylight, although it still struggled a little with reflections.

The D5300's Live View is accessed in a different and arguably less intuitive way than on the D3200/D7100. Instead of a combined switch / button on the D3200/D7000, the D5300 has a fore-finger operated spring-loaded switch on top of the body that is pushed downwards and toggles between turning Live View on and off. Positioned next to the Shooting Mode dial, it allows you to enable Live View whilst holding the camera at arms length with one hand, or to turn it off as you hold the camera up to your eye. We'd prefer it to be on the rear of the camera and also to incorporate the Movie record button, in keeping with the D3200/D7100 models.

Press the Lv switch and the mirror flips up, the shutter opens and the rear screen displays the scene as seen through the lens. There is a red rectangle in the middle, which you can move practically anywhere in the frame. When in manual focus (MF) mode, you can magnify into this rectangle in a number of steps by repeatedly pressing the button marked with a loupe icon, but this magnification seems to be at least partially interpolated. This means that you cannot see detail down to the pixel level, unlike some competing cameras.

Fortunately, MF is not the only focusing option in Live View, at least as long as you are taking stills. Single-servo AF (AF-S) and Full-time-servo AF (AF-F) modes are also available and, while slow, they tend to be accurate. Both modes can also be used in connection with face detection. 'Face-priority AF' had no problem finding and keeping track of human faces as long as they were facing the camera, but acquiring focus was another story - very, very slow.

Live View must also be entered to shoot movies. After pressing the Lv button and optionally presetting the aperture and focus, you can start recording video by pressing the dedicated Movie Record button on top of the camera next to the shutter release. The camera records full high-definition, wide-screen video in 1920x1080 pixel resolution, at a frame rate of 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, in AVI format using the motion JPEG codec. As with Live View, contrast-detect AF is possible whilst shooting movies, although as with still images there's an audible whine as the camera refocuses and it's still too slow to focus on any fast-moving subject, so much so that we suspect most serious users will use manual focusing instead. Although the D5300 can automatically focus during video recording, it's just not fast enough to warrant regular use.

You can set both the aperture and the shutter speed during movie recording, although the slowest shutter speed is limited to 1/30th second, plus exposure compensation and AE-Lock can also be set. Out of the box the D5300 can record stereo sound via its built-in microphone with three different levels of sensitivity on offer, and improved sound can also be recorded using an optional external microphone. The maximum size of a single video clip is 2 gigabytes which, given that movies occupy about 100 megabytes of storage space per minute, would theoretically translate into about 20 minutes of continuous recording.

The D5300 has a proper through-the-lens optical viewfinder with a slightly improved magnification of 0.82x, on par with most of its rivals. The Nikon D5300's 39 auto-focus points are permanently marked on the focusing screen, whereas the compositional grid lines can be called up via a menu option. Two warning signs - telling you that the battery is running low or you have forgotten to insert a memory card - may also appear in the form of overlaid icons when appropriate. Below the finder is a traditional monochromatic status bar showing practically all relevant shooting information (including the ISO sensitivity, if so specified in the menu).

As stated above, the Nikon D5300 has 39 auto-focus sensors, out of which 9 are cross type. The other thirty are of the line variety, consequently being only sensitive to either vertical or horizontal detail, but not both. In practice, this did not turn out to be a real problem, with the camera typically locking focus on the subject quickly and easily, no matter which AF point was selected. In the viewfinder, the active AF point appears in red, which is easy to see. Selecting the active AF point is done by way of the four-way pad - except if you choose Auto Area AF - again a simple and intuitive solution. In low light, the AF sensors are helped by an AF assist lamp located on the front plate of the camera.

The 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor used by the D5300 is again identical to the system used by the more expensive D7100 model. This provides precise data to the camera's Scene Recognition System, which optimises exposure, autofocus and white balance immediately before the shutter is released.

Memory Card SlotBattery Compartment

The Nikon D5300 only has one control wheel and there are no dedicated buttons for controlling ISO sensitivity, white balance, metering or AF mode. The Fn button can be reprogrammed to perform ISO selection or white balance adjustment (or one of a few other functions such as file quality specification), but the others still have to be set through the main info screen, called up by pressing the [ i ] button top-right of the rear display. With practice, performing adjustments via this screen becomes fairly quick and easy, but it's not as efficient as the older D90's dedicated controls.

Most of the camera's rear controls are scattered, seemingly almost randomly, to the right of the D5300's large folding screen. While we can understand the need to locate them to accomodate the 3 inch LCD, the positioning of the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons in particular isn't very intuitive, being operated with your right-hand thumb, and right next to the Delete button. As the D5300 isn't a very complex camera in terms of the number of external controls, it thankfully doesn't get too confusing, but is something to consider from an ergonomic point of view.

For the images that you've already already captured, the Nikon D5300 offers a broad range of retouching tools, including post-capture D-lighting (useful if you forgot to turn on Active D-lighting before capture), red-eye correction, trimming, monochrome conversion, different filter effects, colour adjustments, image resizing, image overlay, in-camera raw processing, quick auto retouching, straightening of crooked pictures, lens distortion correction, fisheye, colour outline, colour sketch, selective colour, miniature effect, and perspective control. Many of these functions make it unnecessary to buy specialised computer programs or plug-ins and spend hours in front of a computer to achieve a desired/popular effect.

The Nikon D5300 is powered by a proprietary EN-EL14a Lithium-ion battery, good for 600 shots, and records videos and image files on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. As we noted in our D5200 review, we would really have liked to see Nikon add a second card slot for Compact Flash cards, so that owners of higher-specified Nikon DSLRs who buy a D5300 as a second body can use their existing memory cards. It also lacks the dual-SD slots of the D7100. As far as connectivity goes, there are USB/VideoOut and Mini HDMI ports as well as an accessory terminal for the connection of a wired remote or a GPS unit, all sheltered behind a door on the left side of the camera, when viewed from the back.

That concludes our look at the D5300's interface and feature-set. Now let's take a look at the D5300's image quality...

Entry Tags

Source: Photographyblog

Nikon D5300 DSLR Unveiled, 24.2MP Successor to the D5200

Posted on 18. Oct, 2013 by Steve in Digital Cameras

Nikon D5300 Coupons-with-18-140mm-Nikkor-lens.jpg">Nikon has unveiled the successor to the popular Nikon D5200 digital SLR, which the company launched almost one year ago, the new model is named Nikon D5300. The new Nikon D5300 will start to ship early next month with a retail price that is just under $800 for the camera body. The D5300 and the D5200 both share a similar body design, but there are minor differences or improvements that the D5300 has to offer buyers.

The improvements list is short and consists of features that enhance the photographic abilities of the camera and a feature that brings the camera up-to-date with a new digital camera market trend.

Improvements that will help the overall performance of the new Nikon D5300 over the now-old D5200 include a newly designed and higher resolution CMOS image sensor along with a brand new image processor.

Between the Nikon D5200 and the new Nikon D5300, the 24.2 megapixel D5300 has just 0.1 megapixels more resolution than the 24.1 megapixel D5200, however the D5300′s sensor has no built-in OLPF (optical low pass filter) and Nikon say's that will help with image clarity, both the old D5200 and new D5300 use similarly sized DX-format CMOS image sensors.

Nikon D5300 digital SLR gallery:

The new image processor that you will be getting with the upcoming Nikon D5300 is Nikon's newly developed EXPEED 4 image processor. According to Nikon, the new EXPEED 4 offers fast performance while 'maximizing energy efficiency, reducing image noise and delivering true-to-life colors'. The D5200 digital SLR features the EXPEED 3 image processing engine.

After the new image sensor and processor the only other major new feature included with the new Nikon D5300 digital SLR is Wi-Fi. The camera will be shipped with Wi-Fi capabilities built-in that don't need any external accessories like the Nikon WU-1a. The built-in Wi-Fi will let you pair your D5300 to your mobile devices iOS or Android after you install the Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility free app. Also the Wi-Fi working with the cameras built-in GPS can geo-tag files all without external accessories.

However, with the Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility app you will be able to complete functions like remote shooting where you can use your mobile device as a live view enabled wireless remote for snapping photos, wireless transferring of photo and video files, manual file upload for sending files to your mobile device even when you're not paired to the device (the image just downloads later when you are paired).

After you consider all of those differences the Nikon D5300 isn't really a radically new camera compared to the out-going Nikon D5200. However nobody should have expected a totally different camera given the very short gap between the two cameras launches, the D5200 was launched November of last year.

Some big similarities include Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps, continuous Shooting up to 5 fps, expandable ISO from 100-25600, 39-Point auto-focusing system, active D-Lighting and built-in HDR, Nikon F mount support, and an at eye-level pentamirror optical viewfinder.

From an exterior design perspective you can really see the lack of a re-design in the D5300 compared to the D5200. The only difference in looks is the vari-angle LCD is now 3.2-inches with the D5300 instead of 3.1-inches. Even with the color options the new Nikon D5300 is much like the D5200, the new camera will be offered in Black, Red or Grey colors.

Camera seller B&H Photo Video is offering pre-orders for the Nikon D5300 body at $796.95 (same price for each color) and they are offering a body+14-140mm telephoto zoom lens kit (pictured first above) for $1,396.95. With this particular retailer you can expect your pre-ordered D5300 camera to ship on November 14, 2013 according to notice put on each listing.

Tags: 1080p, 3.2-inch Vari-Angle LCD, 720p hd, active D-Lighting, auto-focus system, cmos sensor, digital camera, dslr, DX-format DSLR, full hd, FullHD, gps, hd, hdmi, hdr, image stabilization system, interchangeable lens, memory card, Nikon, Nikon D5300, Nikon dslr, Nikon Expeed 4, Nikon F mount, Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility, optical low pass filter, optical viewfinder, pentamirror optical viewfinder, sd memory card, sdhc memory card, sdxc memory card, tilt LCD, Video, wi-fi

Source: Digital-cameras-planet

If It's Over 70 Degrees Where You Live, You Should Have This On Your Front Porch

<cat stencil facep>When you're in New England -- or any place that boasts picturesque apple orchards, vibrant changing leaves and chunky cable knit sweaters -- carving pumpkins is an annual ritual. Colonial houses look bare if not adorned with a few jack-o-lanterns and children suddenly crave over-salted, sometimes burnt pumpkin seeds.

When you live in a warm or even tropical climate, however, the yearning for pumpkins in October fades. Somehow, they feel out of place next to flip-flops and sand on the porch. Their orange roundness clashes with perpetually bronzed bodies, and children come back from the beach craving something juicy and refreshing.

Enter the pineapple jack-o-lantern to save the autumnal day. A tradition in Hawaii, the pineapple jack-o-lantern should be adopted anywhere that enjoys 70 or 80 degree weather in October. Besides being easy to make and delicious to eat, the pineapple's knotty rind makes for a spookier jack-o-lantern face while the spiky crown lends itself to either a mean mohawk or a goofy quiff.

No more pretending we're in New England when Halloween rolls around. Embrace the warm weather and carve your pineapple jack-o-lanterns under the sun.

Also on HuffPost:

Source: Huffingtonpost

Hagley Among Top Americans at Chicago Marathon

Chicago - Lebanon's Laura Hagley went for a long run on Sunday, and she did it a long way from home.

The 29-year-old finished high up among the best female runners at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with a time that left her among the top 300 runners in the event. Hagley completed the 26.2-mile race in 2 hours, 47 minutes, 15 seconds, a timme good enough for 10th place in the women's 25-29 age group as well as 24th out of all women in the race. Hagley also claimed 15th place among all American women in the marathon as well as the best time among 60 New Hampshire residents who completed the course.

Other Upper Valley runners competing at Chicago included:

∎ Michael Smyth, 36, Orford, 4:01:58 (12,435th overall).

∎ Navajeevan Bokinala, 39, Lebanon, 4:23:28 (18,272nd).

∎ Amy Huyffer, 43, Strafford, 4:53:52 (26,360th).

∎ Mary Duryea, 28, Hanover, 5:04:04 (28,718th).

A total of 38,871 runners completed the marathon, which began and ended in Chicago's Grant Park.

Barton, Griffin
Win Foliage Five

Thetford - Competitors from the Upper Valley Running Club claimed victories in the Foliage Five-Miler road race on Saturday at the Union Village Dam Recreation Area.

White River Junction's Mike Barton, 40, claimed the overall win, clocking a time of 28 minutes, 17.99 seconds. Former Hanover High runner Georgia Griffin, of Norwich, took the women's title, finishing third overall in 31:27.50.

Norwich's David Cahill took second place in the field of 55 runners, finishing in 31:13.00. Bjorn Blakeson, of West Dummerston, Vt. (32:00.50), and Grantham's Thomas Gessner (33:02.00) rounded out the top five overall.

Canaan Race Upcoming

Canaan - Mascoma Valley Parks and Recreation will get in the spirit of the halloween activities in chicago season by hosting the Jack-o-Lantern 5K and Kids Trick or Trot 1K fun run on Oct. 26.

The run begins and ends at the Canaan Hall parking lot, with 5K runners heading up Orange Road and turning around at Tuttle Hill Road. There will be two water stops along the way and refreshements at the finish line. The cost for the run is $15 through Oct. 21 and $20 the day of the race. Walkers of a 3K route are invited to join as well, at $12 in advance and $15 on race day. The kids' fun run is $7 in advance and $10 on race day.

The runners kick off the day at 10 a.m., with the fun run to follow at 11 a.m. For more information, contact Kati Laqry Jopek at mvalleyrec@gmail.com or call 603-523-4501, ext. 111.

On Target

EOC Hosting Match

Enfield - The Enfield Outing Club will host some friendly autumn competition with its first Harvest Match, an NRA-sanctioned target shooting competition, on Oct. 26.

Shooters of all ages are welcome to participate. The match will involve competition with .22-caliber rifles from three target-shooting positions. The cost to particiapte is $10 per person.

For more information, contact the EOC's Scott Thompson at 603-632-1005 or visit www.enfieldnhoc.com.

On the Pitch

Sullivan FC Charity Match

Claremont - The Sullivan Football Club U10 girls soccer team will hold a fundraiser for the Susan B. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation on Saturday at River Valley Community College.

SFC will host a squad from Hanover's Lightning Soccer Club in the charity match, wearing pink to raise awareness for the cause of fighting breast cancer. In addition to the 10:30 a.m. match, the club will sell refreshments and hold an on-site raffle of prizes. All proceeds from the day will go to the Komen foundation as part of the SFC girls' community service project.

For more information, contact Gene Grumman at 603-742-6990.

On the Slopes

Northeast Slopes Cleanup

East Corinth - The Northeast Slopes ski area will hold a work day on Saturday to get ready for the coming skiing season.

Volunteers are sought for a number of tasks; experience is not necessary. Work will go from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with lunch provided by the ski area. Volunteers are welcome to take part for the whole day or just an hour or two, but are advised to bring work gloves and any necessary gear. A second workday is also on the schedule for Oct. 26, also from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., also with lunch provided.

For more information, contact Genevieve Faherty at 802-439-6233 or visit www.northeastslopes.org.

On the Ice

HHA Hockey Introductions

West Lebanon - The Hanover Hockey Association is offering a pair of programs for children ages 4-8 interested in getting started in the sport of ice hockey.

The HHA will hold a series of free clinics this weekend for first-timers. The clinics will be on Friday from 5:10-6:10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30-11:20 a.m. Parents needing equipment can acquire some at Stateline Sports and, once the clinic is done, may return it for a charge of $55 or keep it and register for the coming season at a cost of $220-$250.

Beyond that, the HHA starts its first learn-to-play-hockey session for youths ages 4-8 with little or no prior hockey experience on Oct. 26. The classes will be held every Saturday from 8:10-9:10 a.m. through February, a total of approximately a dozen skates over 6-7 weeks. The cost of the program is $125. Hanover's Mite program, the follow-up to learn-to-play, also begins on Oct. 26 and is open to youths ages 6-8 who have completed at least three learn-to-play sessions.

For more information, visit www.hanoverhockey.org or contact LTP@hanoverhockey.org.

On the Diamond

Dartmouth Softball
Clinic Saturday

Hanover - The Dartmouth College softball program will hold its first community clinic for girls in grades 2-8 on Oct. 19 as part of its annual Green-White game.

All activities will be held at the Dartmouth Softball Park, with the one-hour skill development clinic and autograph session to follow the 10 a.m. game. There is no charge for the clinic or game.

For more information or to register, contact Lindsay Vanover at lindsay.vanover@dartmouth.edu.

On the Court

IAABO Referee Classes

White River Junction - Vermont Board 105 of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials will hold a series of classes for aspiring referees beginning Oct. 28 at Hartford High School.

The classes will run on Monday and Thursday nights for four weeks, meeting 6:30-9 p.m. on each occasion. There is a cost to attend the seminars.

For more information, contact Dan Pause at 802-683-9315 or dan.pause@rightthinginc.com.

On the Run

Run for Pie

Grantham - Why focus on the meal? Eastman Recreation will eat dessert first by holding the Run for Pie 5K road race on Nov. 9.

The five-kilometer course will be along Eastman's paved and dirt roads, while an associated two-mile walk will be held on a wooded trail along the west side of Eastman Pond. True to the race's name, homemade pies will go to winners of the race.

Advance registration is available at eastman.org at a cost of $15 for individuals and $32 for families. Race day registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at a cost of $18 for individuals and $38 for families. Race time is 11 a.m. Call 603-863-6772 or email charlie@eastmannh.org for more information.

On the Trails

Baker's Crossing Walk

Lebanon - The Lebanon Recreation and Parks Department will lead a easy and scenic quarter-mile walk in the Baker's Crossing Conservation Area on Nov. 17.

The walk will cover a route along the Mascoma River and floodplain meadow, starting at 1 p.m. While scheduled for an hour, anyone interested in extending the walk along the Northern Rail Trail for up to two more hours will be accommodated.

Participants are asked to meet at the Baker's Crossing parking area, on Hardy Hill Road just east of the Packard Hill Covered Bridge, to join the walk, which is free of charge.

Fall Friday Hikes

Lebanon - The Lebanon Recreation and Parks Department has scheduled a series of Friday fall hikes for folks of all ages.

Each trip begins at Lebanon City Hall at 9 a.m. with transportation to that day's trailhead, with a planned noon return. The schedule:

∎ Oct. 18: APD Nature Trails, Lebanon (easy/moderate).

∎ Oct. 25: Two Rivers Conservation Area, West Lebanon (easy).

Participants are asked to bring snacks, water, a backpack (if necessary), properly layered clothing and hiking boots or sturdy sneakers. Each hike is free, but pre-registration is required. Call 603-448-5121 for more information.

Wednesday Walkers Back

White River Junction - The Hartford Parks and Recreation Department is hitting the Upper Valley's prime hiking spots again this fall with the resumption of its Wednesday Walkers program.

Meeting every two weeks, trip leader Jay McDonough will guide walkers on two-hour hikes at various locales. Hikers meet at 9 a.m. at the Hartford Municipal Building for transport to the hike site, returning by noon. The schedule:

∎ Oct. 23: Cole Pond Trail, Enfield.

∎ Nov. 6: Velvet Rocks, Hanover.

Hikers are recommended to bring boots, appropriate clothing, water and a snack. For more information on this series of free hikes, call Hartford Parks and Rec at 802-295-5036.

With Paddles

Benefit Ping Pong Event

Lebanon - The Lebanon Assembly of God will host a fundraising ping pong tournament on Oct. 26 for the benefit of the Pregnancy Center of the Upper Valley.

The event will be held at the church, located at 45 Buckingham Place in Lebanon, starting at noon. Prizes will be available, including trophies for the tournament winners. Potential participants are asked to register online via the ping pong link at christianbrilliance.com by Oct. 17. The registration fee is $25 for the tournament along with a $5 hot dog lunch.

For more information, contact Joel McPherson at 603-448-3333 or pastor@lebanonag.org.

Source: Vnews

OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet: To protect and to serve

OtterBox has been making protective 5s iphone cases otterbox commuter magnet since 1998, making the company the great-granddaddy of the entire huge smartphone/tablet case market. The company announced a new member of the family yesterday, introducing the Commuter Series Wallet (US$44.95) for the iPhone 5/5s.

We've been seeing a lot of different wallet cases lately, many of which are more wallet (think leather) than protective case. OtterBox has taken the protection of the Commuter Series cases and merged it with a slide-out drawer-like back that can hold up to three credit or ID cards and one folded bill.

Like the other members of the Commuter Series, the Wallet wraps your iPhone 5 or 5s in rubbery silicone that is then surrounded by a tough polycarbonate shell. The screen is covered with a stick-on screen protector (it leaves space for the Touch ID-enabled home button of the iPhone 5s), so your preciousss is going to be in good hands while living in the Commuter Series Wallet.

There's a silicone door that covers the Lightning port, another one that covers the headphone jack, and soft buttons that cover the volume toggle and power switch. Installing the case is a piece of cake, although it takes some muscle to take it back off.

Once the case is on your iPhone 5, you can rest assured that whatever you put into the wallet "drawer" is going to stay put. It makes an audible "click" when shut, and requires a bit of pressure to open. I can verify that two credit cards and a driver's license fit into the case snugly, but I had no cash with which to check out the "one folded bill" claim...

If there's one negative I can find with the Commuter Series Wallet, it's that it's somewhat difficult to get cards out -- a small ramp on the bottom edge of the drawer would have made it a bit easier to slide cards out. As it is, you have to kind of pick them out with your fingers.

The Commuter Series Wallet is available now from OtterBox in black and glacier (white hard shell with gray silicone), and will soon be available in primrose (pinkish hard shell with light gray silicone). The case weighs just 2.0 ounces (56.7 grams), not bad considering the level of protection it provides. Unsurprisingly, it's a little thick at .71 inches (1.8 cm), but when you consider that the case can eliminate the need to carry a separate wallet, that's not a real issue.

Check out the video below for a demonstration of the Commuter Series Wallet Case, and then read on for a chance to win one of these cases.

Conclusion

With the Commuter Series Wallet for iPhone 5/5s, OtterBox has entered the case wallet market with a bang. The case provides the excellent drop protection that the company's line is known for, and provides a convenient and secure way to carry an ID card and some credit cards.

Pros

• Reasonably priced for a high-quality protective product
• Very lightweight
• Positive feedback on the drawer mechanism insures that your cards remain safely stowed
• Excellent build quality

Cons

It would be nice if the cards could just slide out with pressure from a thumb; as it is, they must be picked out of the drawer one by one.

Who is it for?

The iPhone 5/5s owner who is looking both for the protection of one of OtterBox's Commuter Series cases and the convenience of not having to carry a separate wallet

Giveaway

Here are the rules for the giveaway:

• Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
• To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button.
• The entry must be made before October 8, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
• You may enter only once.
• One winner will be selected and will receive an OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet valued at $44.95
• Click Here for complete Official Rules.

Source: Tuaw