DPReview have reported that Canon have made Digital Photo Professional V1.0 available for download for Canon EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds owners. This is a new image management and RAW conversion utility that originally shipped with the EOS-1D Mk II. You need to type in the serial number of your camera to be able to download the new software - visit DPReview for the links.

Website: DPReview - Canon’s DPP for EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds owners

Nikon Corporation Press Release 20/05/05

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that the D70 has been selected to receive the coveted Camera Grand Prix 2004 award.

The Camera Grand Prix is the most prestigious award presented to a camera in the Japanese photo industry. It is sponsored by the Camera Press Club, an organization founded in September 1963 and comprised of writers from thirteen of Japan’s leading photography and camera publications.

This year’s selection committee of 51 photographers, scholars, and magazine editors selected the D70 to receive the 21st annual Camera Grand Prix award as the single most outstanding still camera from 172 nominees released between April 2003 and March 2004. This is the 4th time Nikon has received the award, with previous wins in 1984 (the 1st Grand Prix) for the Nikon FA, in 1989 (the 6th Grand Prix) for the Nikon F4, and in 1997 (the 14th Grand Prix) for the Nikon F5.

DCViews have just reviewed the 5-megapixel Olympus E-1 DSLR.

“The E-1, which is the central part of the new system, is a very good camera indeed. Although it does not offer the resolution of other professional cameras, or the AF speed required for professional sports photography, it is designed and built extremely well and certainly has that professional feel to it. In use it feels solid and reliable and is responsive enough for most shooting situations.”

Website: DCViews - Olympus E-1 Review

A new article over on Luminous Landscape will be of interest to all Nikon DSLR owners:

“Nikon uses the autofocus sensing mechanism from their film cameras (except for the D2h), and hasn’t scaled it to the smaller sensor size. The net result is that the autofocus sensors, which on the film cameras are bunched inside the 1/3 lines of the full frame, are stretched towards the edges on the digital bodies. This has two consequences:

1. Autofocus occurs with objects closer to the edge of the frame on a Nikon DSLR than it does with 35mm bodies.

2. The “spread” between autofocus sensors is larger, leaving a gap where autofocus doesn’t occur.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Focus Sensor Locations on the Nikon DSLRs

The German website Photoworld.de have published their review of the 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR.

Website: Photoworld.de - Nikon D70 Review

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have posted their review of the new 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR.

Website: Index Digicam - Nikon D70 Review

The Slovenian website e-FotoGrafija have just reviewed the 6 megapixel Canon EOS 300D DSLR.

Website: e-FotoGrafija - Canon EOS 300D Review

Digital Outback Photo have started their diary review of the 14 megapixel Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c.

“Recently Kodak announced to add a camera like the SLR/n that can take Canon lenses. We are one of the first getting our hands on a SLR/c production sample. Because the SLR/c uses the same chip and imaging electronics as the SLR/n (read our review)we actually know the image detail the SLR/c should be able to deliver. But now we will be able to use the same lens on a Canon 1Ds and the SLR/c.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c Review

The Spanish website quesabesde.com have posted their review of the new 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR.

Website: quesabesde.com - Nikon D70 Review

The Polish website Fotopolis have published their review of the 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR.

Website: Fotopolis - Nikon D70 Review

Dphoto.us have posted a test of the new 8 megapixel professional DSLR from Canon, specifically looking at image quality at the high ISO speeds of 1600 and 3200. They look pretty amazing to me…

“I took the 1D Mark II for a spin at Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians, AAA affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. When shooting at Victory Field at night, common practice is to try your best to get your shots in at dusk. Noise levels, even on the 1D were generally not adequate to get good quality shots. Well, the Canon 1D Mark II has changed all that. This camera offers new opportunities for low light photographers. The results were astounding and beyond my expectations.”

Website: Dphoto.us - Canon 1D Mark II Sports High ISO Impressions

Olympus USA Press Release 01/05/04

Olympus Announced Rebate for Zuiko Digital Specific LensesTM for The E-System and New Price for E-1 Digital SLR Body (U.S.)

- Rebate Offer on Lenses Valid From May 1 to July 31, 2004
Melville, New York, May 1, 2004 - Olympus America today announced a rebate on five Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses for the E-1 Digital SLR System. Starting May 1 and continuing through to July 31, 2004, purchase one of the select Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses from an authorized E-Professional System Dealer and get cash back from Olympus. The company also announced today a new estimated street price for the E-1 Digital SLR body of $1499.00, down from $1799.00.

A rebate form for this special offer is available from an authorized E-Professional dealer, or online at www.olympusamerica.com/rebate.

Olympus UK Press Release 01/05/04

New price structure for Olympus E-1 offers professional system at consumer value

Olympus announces a new price for the multi award-winning Olympus E-1 digital SLR camera.

From the 1st May 2004 the camera will be available at new RRPs of:
Olympus E-1 body only: ?999.00 (inc VAT)
Olympus E-1 kit (body and 14-54mm lens): ?1,399.00 (inc VAT)

The camera has scooped numerous awards, including the TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) award for Best Innovative Technology 2003/2004, the DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association) awards for Best Professional System 2003 and Best Innovation 2003, and the BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photography) award for Best New Product 2003.

The Slovenian website eFotoGrafija have posted a test of the new 8 megapixel professional DSLR from Canon, the EOS 1D Mark II. It’s well worth a look even if you can’t speak Slovenian and even if you can’t afford the hefty price-tag of Canon’s new DSLR. The ISO 3200 shots at the bottom of the page look amazing for such a high ISO speed.

Website: eFotoGrafija - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Test

Dphoto.us have just reviewed the recently announced 14 megapixel Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n.

“The autofocus system in continuous mode was adequate enough to catch some of the action of kids playing in the park. Although adequate, you don’t get the tracking speed of a Canon 1DS or 1D. An object coming towards you rapidly is an example of a situation that migh cause the autofocus system difficulties. There is also somewhat of a shutter lag compared to other professional bodies. Although not huge, it is there none the less. Keeping in mind the target market for this camera, it is very acceptable.”

Website: Dphoto.us - Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n Review

The Czech website FotoAparat.cz have published their review of the 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR.

Website: FotoAparat.cz - Nikon D70 Review

The Czech website Digineff have posted their review of the new 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR today.

Website: Digineff - Nikon D70 Review

Steves Digicamshave posted a first look at the new 8 megapixel professional DSLR from Canon, the EOS 1D Mark II, complete with sample images.

“As of the time of this review, the Canon EOS-1D Mark II is the world’s fastest pro-digital SLR camera. It combines a new 8.2 million pixel CMOS sensor with Canon’s DIGIC II imaging engine and captures eight-megapixel JPEG images at 8.5fps in continuous bursts of up to 40 frames and RAW images up to 20 frames. Canon took their popular 4.1 megapixel EOS-1D and doubled the resolution of the imaging sensor, doubled the size of the high speed buffer memory and reevaluated, redesigned and in some cases, actually reinvented the technology that makes the new Mark II camera the most reliable and responsive professional digital SLR on the market.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon EOS 1D Mark II First Look

DCResource have published their review of the 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR.

“With the exception of an occasional problem with moire, the Nikon D70 is the best camera you can buy for under $1300 (if you already have a few Nikon lenses, the price for the body-only kit is just $999). The D70 takes excellent pictures, though they are marred by moire patterns that show up way too often for a camera like this. There are many ways to try to get around it, and by all means: experiment! Photos are very sharp, with accurate color and exposure, and no purple fringing to speak of.”

Website: DCResource - Nikon D70 Review

The German website dforum.de has recently reviewed the new 8 megapixel professional DSLR from Canon, the EOS 1D Mark II. The review is available in both German and English.

“For me the Canon EOS 1D Mark II is an extremely successful combination of the precision and speed of a 1D and the smooth pixel quality of a 10D. Actually something I always wanted. But every one has to make the decision on his own whether or not the Mark II is worth it or not. It is undoubted that the Mark II is the - all the performance characteristics put together - the most innovative and fastest DSLR in the world. Only the 1Ds can top it in terms of picture resolution.”

Website: dforum.de - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Review