A few days ago I reported that Nikon were encrypting the white balance data in Nikon D2x RAW files, as discovered by Thomas Knoll (author of Adobe Camera RAW) and other RAW software companies. Now Nikon have responded to the wave of online discussion by issuing the following statement:

NIKON ADVISORY - April 22, 2005

The Nikon D2X professional Digital Single Lens Reflex camera has received widely positive acclaim for its overall performance and image processing quality. Recently, speculative statements which appear to be based on misunderstandings and misinformation about the D2X camera’s “encryption” of certain white balance data have propagated on the internet.

The purpose of this advisory is to clarify this matter with facts and explanations.

The Nikon D2X is capable of producing high quality images that can be saved in a variety of file formats, including the proprietary Nikon Electronic Format (NEF), standard TIFF and several levels of standard JPEG compressed files.

The NEF, a Nikon proprietary raw file design, was introduced with the Nikon D1 Camera and Nikon’s original Capture software. The combination of Nikon camera, in-camera image processing, NEF file format and in-computer image processing with original Nikon Capture software was developed as a system that faithfully saved image files that represent the camera settings made manually or automatically by the photographer at the time a picture was taken.

Digitalreview.ca have posted sample images taken with the new Nikon D70s DSLR camera that was announced on Wednesday.

“The general image quality from the Nikon D70s seems very similar to that delivered by the Nikon D70 (very good), which is what we expected given the two cameras share the same hardware technology. Looking at the Nikon D70s image samples taken at higher ISO settings, we feel that the D70s does offer a slight improvement in noise suppression compared to the Nikon D70, a camera that is already a very good performer at higher ISO settings. Looks like Nikon has tweaked some of the image processing in this area.”

Website: Digitalreview.ca - Nikon D70s Digital SLR Sample Images

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Steves Digicams have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

“Overall, the XT’s AF system was very effective, producing consistently sharp results. It was also quite flexible, allowing not only a choice of AF modes, but the selection of AF points (7) as well. The XT’s AF system performed well in dim lighting conditions, and effectively uses its pop-up flash as an AF illuminator when necessary. Although it is not quite as responsive and does not provide as many AF points as the 20D, the XT’s AF system easily handles most shooting conditions. Its responsiveness, flexibility and accuracy also distinguish the XT from high-end prosumer digicams.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT Review

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The German website PhotoWorld.de have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

Website: PhotoWorld.de - Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT Review

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Professional photographer Michael Weber has published a review of the new 12 megapixel Nikon D2X digital SLR.

Website: Michael Weber - Nikon D2X Review

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Nikon D50 is announced today. The 6.1 megapixel Nikon D50 is a lighter, smaller and easier to use digital SLR camera than the D70 and new D70s (also announced today). The Nikon D50 is targeted at consumers looking to upgrade from a compact digicam. Consequently the D50 has a range of different scene modes as well as offering full manual control. The Nikon D50 has a shutter speed range of 30 to 1/4,000 second and the built-in flash can synchronize at shutter speeds of up to 1/500 second. The Nikon D50 has a large 2 inch LCD screen and a new high-energy battery that lasts for up to 2,000 shots. The Nikon D50 body only will cost £549.99 / €821.00. The Nikon D50 kit with AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G lens will cost £649.99 / €971.00. The D50 will ship in June.

Nikon UK Press Release

Wednesday April 20, 2005

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the D50, an entry level D-SLR camera which combines outstanding response and exceptional optical performance with ease of use.  Specifically designed for consumers looking to upgrade from a digital compact to the next level of digital photography, the D50 is affordable and simple to use; perfect for the SLR beginner.

Image capture is made easy thanks to Nikon’s scene-optimised, Digital Vari-Program modes. By selecting one of seven easily distinguishable icons from the handy exposure mode dial, complex settings are optimised to produce consistently remarkable results. A new function available with the D50 is ‘Child’ mode, ‘Child’ mode is a pre-programmed mode, ideal for the family user allowing the photographer to take great images of their children. Skin tones are naturally smooth without sacrificing vibrancy. Settings within this mode are optimised for photographing young children giving them a healthier colouring. ISO sensitivity is automatically controlled and the saturation and hue are suitably adjusted. Full manual exposure control is also available with the D50; allowing more advanced photographers the creative freedom they desire.

Nikon D70s is announced today. The 6.1 megapixel Nikon D70s is an updated version of the popular D70 digital SLR camera. The D70s has a larger 2 inch LCD screen, a more accurate auto-focusing system, increased flash coverage to support lenses as wide as 18mm, new high-energy battery that lasts for up to 2,500 shots, and a redesigned menu system. The Nikon D70s has a shutter speed range of 30 to 1/8,000 second and the built-in flash can synchronize at shutter speeds of up to 1/500 second. The new optional Remote Cord (MC-DC1) increases the number of remote control options for the D70s. The Nikon D70s body only will cost £699.99 / €1045.00 / $899. The Nikon D70s kit with 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX lens will cost £899.99 / €1343.00 / $1199. The D70s will ship in late April/early May.

Nikon UK Press Release

Wednesday April 20, 2005

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the D70s digital SLR, a camera which further refines the award winning image quality, high performance and user friendliness of the D70.

The D70s employs the Nikon DX Format sensor and Nikon F lens mount design shared by all Nikon SLR cameras for compatibility with AF Nikkor lenses, as well as the expanding range of high quality DX Nikkor lenses.

The D70s is ready to shoot in an instant, taking just 0.2 seconds to power up. Shutter release time lag is minimised for quick response which makes shooting even more efficient and enjoyable. The D70s is capable of shooting a rapid 3 frames per second for a continuous burst of 144 pictures*.
(*When using JPEG NORMAL - Large setting, and a SanDisk SDCFH (Ultra II), SDCFX (Extreme/Extreme III), or Lexar Media 80X WA CompactFlash™ card).

Nikon Press Release

New firmware update further enhances the functionality of 2004’s Digital SLR Camera of the Year

TOKYO - April 20th, 2005. Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce a firmware update that brings refined performance enhancements to the Nikon D70.

The rapid pace at which development of digital technologies is proceeding inevitably leads to a continual release of new products. In the face of this dynamic, Nikon is determined to demonstrate our respect for the many customers who purchased a D70 digital SLR camera by delivering, where possible, the latest technology that the digital world has to offer through firmware updates. The D70 firmware update to be released shortly aims to share enhancements developed for the new D70s, and thereby to strengthen the performance of the D70.

Canon have released a new firmware update, version 2.0.0, for the EOS 20D DSLR camera.

This firmware update (version 2.0.0) incorporates the following additions and improvements:

1. Support for the wireless file transmitter WFT-E1.
This function works when the WFT-E1 firmware is 2.0.1 or later.

This firmware update applies to cameras with firmware versions up to 1.1.0 installed. If your camera’s firmware is already version 2.0.0, it is not necessary to perform this update.

Website: Canon EOS 20D Firmware Version 2.0.0

Trusted Reviews have just posted their review of the 6 megapixel Pentax *ist DS DSLR.

“I’ve been using a Pentax *ist D professionally for over a year now, and I’ve been very impressed by the results I’ve obtained from it. I was initially a little dismissive of the *ist DS, since I thought it was just a cut down version of the *ist D. However, I’ve been using the newer camera for a couple of weeks now and I am seriously considering getting one. Although it does have many similarities to the D, and even looks superficially similar, it is a completely different camera with a new body design, larger LCD monitor, new image processing engine and a faster AF system.”

Website: Trusted Reviews - Pentax *ist DS Review

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PhotoshopNews are reporting that Nikon have encrypted the whilte balance data contained in NEF RAW files written by the new 12 megapixel Nikon D2X and D2Hs digital SLR cameras. This is a problem for all third-party RAW convertors, such as Adobe Capture RAW and Capture One.

“Adobe is still going to support the D2X in the upcoming Camera Raw 3.1 release. However, because of the white balance encryption, Camera Raw will not be able (unless Nikon backs down real soon) to read the “as shot” white balance from the camera, and users will be more likely to have to adjust the while balance manually in the Camera Raw dialog, since Camera Raw’s default white balance will not match the cameras default white balance.”

Website: PhotoshopNews - Nikon encrypts D2X white balance metadata

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DCResource have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

“All things considered I’d say that the Canon Digital Rebel XT is the entry-level digital SLR to beat at this point in time. It offers nearly all of the features of the more expensive EOS-20D but for hundreds less. My biggest complaints are the soft images, especially using the kit lens at smaller apertures, and some build quality gripes that I’ll get into later. But for those ready to move up to something bigger and better, the Rebel XT is where it’s at.”

Website: DCResource - Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT Review

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DIWA member and Turkish website Diginorm have just posted their review of the 6 megapixel Pentax *ist DS DSLR.

Website: Diginorm - Pentax *ist DS Review

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Pentax have posted a new firmware version for the 6 megapixel Pentax *ist DS DSLR.

Changes to V1.02
Correspond to the SD memory card greater than 1GB, also Version 1.02 include the additional function which was released at Version 1.01.

Detailed of Version 1.01
At the long time exposure situation such as astronomical photography, green noise might be generated partially on the image when the noise reduction is turned on. This phenomenon only occurs rarely under special shooting condition such as starry sky, and will never occur at the general situation that we are assuming. The version 1.01 will minimize this phenomenon as much as possible for the customer who use *istDS for this purpose.

Website: Pentax *ist DS Review v1.02 Firmware

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Nikon D50 and D70s digital SLR cameras are to be officially launched on April 20th. In a brief statement on the Nikon website, Nikon apologise for the “unofficial release” of details about the D50 and D70s and name the release date as April 20th. Interestingly the Nikon D50 and D70s are still not referred to by name, just as “our new digital SLR cameras”.

Nikon Press Release

About Information of New Digital Camera Products

We would like to apologize for the unofficial release of news about our new products that has recently appeared on the Internet. News of our new digital SLR cameras is currently being prepared ahead of the official worldwide release on April 20. Our aim is develop and offer new products that fulfill your expectations. We look forward to your continuing patronage and appreciate your support for Nikon products.

UPDATE: The Italian website Dphoto have just published what they claim are the official product shot and specifications of the new Nikon D50.

http://www.dphoto.it/content/view/235/180/

Luminous Landscape have published a review of the 5-megapixel Olympus E-1 DSLR.

”...the E-1 is the quietest DSLR I’ve ever used, on par with a rangefinder such as the Leica M7.  The sound is of a lower pitch and longer duration than the Leica but it is equally discreet.  Does this quality matter?  It depends on what kind of work one does.  It can matter during an exchange of vows at a wedding ceremony, a quiet cello passage at a concert, a trial testimony in a courtroom, a monologue in a play, a series of portraits made at a quiet table during a conversation…the possible scenarios go on and on.  The only digital cameras available that are quieter than this one are the small-sensor cameras such as the Leica Digilux 2.  Those cameras are nearly silent but come with their own bundles of advantages and disadvantages.  If one needs a sensor larger than 2/3” and interchangeable lenses, the E-1 is the quietest digital camera on the market.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Olympus E-1 Review

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Imaging Resource have published their review of the new 12 megapixel Nikon D2X digital SLR.

“In the case of the Nikon D2X, the 13x19 capacity of the i9900 didn’t begin to tax its image quality. With judicious post-capture sharpening and scaling, its images will look good at almost any output size, assuming a reasonable viewing distance. At 13x19, you can get right up on the print and squint as much as you want, and you just won’t see any artifacts or lost detail. Scaled larger, images from the D2X “hold together” exceptionally well, with no visible artifacts as you continue to stretch them. Very impressive.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon D2X Review

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DIWA member and Turkish website DigiNorm have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

Website: DigiNorm - Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT Review

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creativepro have published a review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

“While the lighter weight is good news, the XT’s smaller size is more of a liability. To make the camera narrower, Canon squished the hand grip closer to the lens barrel, leaving little space for the fingers of your right hand. Any handling of the camera—picking it up, changing lenses, passing it from hand to hand—feels more difficult, less comfortable, and less secure than with the older, larger Rebel, because it’s harder to get your fingers wrapped around the grip. If you regularly shoot in climates cold enough to warrant gloves, take your gloves to the camera store and try shooting with camera before buying.”

Website: creativepro - Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT Review

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Gordon Laing has published a detailed review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

“The prospect of upgrading a camera which is less than two years old can be a bitter pill to swallow, and if you’re happy with your 300D or 10D, then our best advice is to stick with it. Sure, the extra two megapixels on the 350D are nice to have, but unless you’re making very large prints or tight crops, you won’t notice much difference. Similarly, the smaller dimensions and weight of the 350D may be welcomed by most photographers, but unless you’re an avid climber or walker who values every ounce, you could probably live with your old camera.”

Website: Gordon Laing - Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT Review

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