Digital Outback Photo have published a very interesting article today comparing the depth of field that can be obtained by the Nikon D2X and Canon EOS 1Ds Mk II DSLR cameras.

“If you are shooting where significant depth of field is required, the D2X will better serve your needs, producing more sharp pixels overall than the 1DsMII. Or, the D2X will be able to shoot at a higher shutter speed while obtaining the same DOF. When the wind is blowing, details like leaves or flowers can be obliterated by a too-low shutter speed. When it’s dusk, you may not be able to stop down to get DOF and still get a fast-enough shutter speed. You can raise the ISO on the 1DsMII, but that degrades picture quality. And in these examples, even f16 was not enough to make up for the disadvantage. Going beyond f16 on either camera seriously degrades overall image sharpness and contrast, though in this case perhaps it would be an improvement for the 1DsMII.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Depth of field—the shorter focal length advantage

Following recent speculation, Nikon UK is pleased to confirm the launch of two new digital SLR cameras to be launched towards the end of April 2005.

Both cameras have been designed to meet the requirements of the entry-level digital SLR user. The first will position itself as successor to the Nikon D70, offering an upgraded version to this highly commended D-SLR. The camera will incorporate the latest in Nikon technology, whilst retaining the functionality and quality which has come to be expected from the D70.

In addition to this, Nikon will be introducing a second D-SLR, specifically designed for consumers looking to upgrade from a digital compact to the next level of digital photography. The camera will be affordable and easy to use, perfect for the D-SLR beginner.

More detailed information on both new products will follow shortly.

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

“So it’s clear, the EOS 350D is a great successor to the EOS 300D, it puts right many user complaints, it delivers a smaller and lighter camera which feels better put together and delivers an increase in resolution. Image quality is just as good as the more expensive EOS 20D, if you can live with the differences between the two the money saved could buy you a very nice lens. The upgrade decision for existing EOS 300D owners is definitely more difficult, the increase in resolution from six to eight megapixels really isn’t that significant but some of the new features, improved performance and reduction size and weight are.”

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

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Digital Outback Photo have started a diary-like review of the new 12 megapixel Nikon D2X digital SLR.

“We won’t spend a lot of time discussing the body as it is virtually a slightly modified D2H (see our D2H review). We liked the D2H body a lot. Here are just a few new and revisited observations:

  * Viewfinder is slightly smaller than the full frame 1Ds2 but also brighter. Very good overall.
  * Nice new RGB channel histograms on the marvelous large LCD
  * Mirror lockup does not require a menu change
  * Battery life is known to be excellent”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Nikon D2X Diary Review

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ePhotoZine have just posted their review of the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro digital SLR.

“When first picking up the camera I was unsure if it would be comfortable to handle, due to the vertical grip. But my fears were soon displaced; the ergonomic grip is very comfortable. The actual grip on the camera is chunkier than the S2, giving a firmer handle to the camera. It is easy to hold for extended periods due to the thought given by Fuji to the camera grip. Apart from the grip, the top controls of the camera are similar in layout and use to those on the S2, I found it very easy to switch from one to the other. The rear layout has been altered slightly, but functionality is the same, apart from additional few functions, such as the film simulation modes.””

Website: ePhotoZine - FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro Review

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The Spanish website Quesabesde have published their review of the new 12 megapixel Nikon D2X digital SLR.

Website: Quesabesde - Nikon D2X Review

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Pocket-Lint have just posted their review of the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro digital SLR.

“I’ve been in the fortunate position to have reviewed the S1 Pro, then this Digital-SLR’s (D-SLR) predecessor, the S2 Pro (twice in fact, as I compared it to its peers (which it beat) a year later) and I then wrote the First Look article on the new, S3 Pro D-SLR for Professional Photographer: I’m familiar with it’s evolution therefore. Although the S3 Pro looks overpriced compared to many of the D-SLRs appearing on the market, it must be remembered this is not a sports photographer’s snapper. It offers uniqueness with its wide dynamic range thanks to the dual pixel layout that makes it a real social photographers tool where skin tones and whites (of wedding dresses) are the key to a good shot. A corker then, but one for a niche within niche of the photo market.””

Website: Pocket-Lint - FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro Review

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Nikon have announced a number of money-off rebates on their SLR range of cameras, including $100 off the Nikon D70 digital SLR with 18-70mm DX lens. This follows the news that Nikon are set to introduce 2 new DSLRs soon, the Nikon D50 and Nikon D70s. Other rebates include $100 off the F100 film SLR camera and up to $150 off a wide range of lenses.

Website: Nikon USA - SLR Rebate Form

Back in January 2005 Olympus and Panasonic signed a joint development agreement for DSLR cameras. Now Matsushita (who own the Panasonic brand) and Olympus have announced plans to jointly-develop new DSLRs based on the Four Thirds System, which was established back in 2002 by Olympus and Kodak, and present them at the PMA Show in February 2006. Olympus already have two Four-Thirds DLSRs, the E-1 and new E-300 (look out for my review soon…), but this would be the first digital SLR for Panasonic, and more good news for the Four-Thirds standard.

“Matsushita said it planned to develop a digital SLR and sell it under its own brands, which include Panasonic, expanding its product lineup beyond compact models and helping it achieve its goal of having 10 percent of the global digital camera market in two years.  “Launching a digital SLR will do much to strengthen our brand in the digital camera market,” Fumio Ohtsubo, senior managing director at Matsushita, told a news conference.”

Website: MSNBC - Matsushita, Olympus to develop digital SLRs

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

“The *ist DS is one of those cameras which grows on you, it’s certainly compact and well put together but when you first pick it up you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a bit basic. In actual fact it packs more features and controls than most other budget SLR’s and has some impressive performance to back that up. In use we found the *ist DS a very nice ‘photographic tool’, it always does the job, auto focus is reliable, that big viewfinder is a welcome change from some of the ‘tunnel like’ viewfinders found on other digital SLR’s. Put it this way you’re never left thinking you bought the second-best Pentax digital SLR.”

Website: DPReview - Pentax *ist DS Review

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

Website: digitalkamera.de - Canon EOS 350D Review

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Nikon D50 and D70s are confirmed by Nikon Japan. After an earlier story here on PhotographyBLOG about Nikon targeting the DSLR market, it seems that the Japanese manufacturer has decided to be more specific by releasing details about 2 new DSLRs, the D50 and D70s. Rumours have been circulating about the new D50 and D70s on the usual digital photography forums for the past couple of days after Nikon Germany and Nikon Japan “accidentally” posted the user manuals for a few hours. Now a story over on Macworld, which quotes Susumu Enomoto, a spokesman for Nikon, has confirmed the new Nikon D50.

”“The user manual was uploaded in error and we can’t tell you when the official announcement about the D50 will be made,” said Susumu Enomoto, a spokesman for Nikon. However, he noted that the existence of a user manual for the D50 suggests the camera will go on sale in the not-too-distant future.”

Website: Macworld - Nikon to release new range of digital SLR cameras

And a report over on the pro photography site Rob Galbraith sort of confirms the existence of the D70s (well, a D70s manual anyway).

“Nikon has not confirmed the existence of another new digital SLR called the D70s, but a PDF copy of a user manual for this camera is also apparently loose on the Internet. It, too, appears genuine. We can’t decide whether it’s amusing, mystifying, or both, but this manual is available on a fan web site for the Asian pop singer Buachompoo Ford.”

Website: Rob Galbraith - Nikon confirms D50 coming soon; D70s may also be on the way

Pentax UK Press Release

Pentax to Offer its Highly Acclaimed Entry Level Digital SLR, the *istDS, With Up To £100 Cashback

Bringing High-End Digital Photography Another Step Closer For Photographers of All Abilities

31st March 2005 - Pentax is delighted to announce that its latest digital SLR, the *istDS, is, for a limited time only, available with up to £100 cashback. One of the markets smallest and lightest digital SLRs, the *istDS has won many plaudits since being introduced in November 2004. 

Lightweight, stylish, compact and yet packing all the functionality and optical excellence that you would expect from a Pentax, the sales promotion will see £100 cashback being offered on *ist DS with smc Pentax DA 18-55mm AL Lens and £50 cashback on *ist DS body only.  The promotion runs from the 4th April 2005 through to the 31st May 2005 and can be redeemed at all participating retailers.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon offers over £600 cash back on selected lenses and accessories

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the Canon Extra Promotion; a cash back offer exclusive to purchasers of the Canon EOS 20D or the new EOS 350D Digital. For a limited time, cash back offers between the value of £35 and £100 are available on a selection of products from Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses, extenders, EX Speedlite flash system and an Ink Jet printer. 

Following Canon’s recent announcement that they are going to concentrate on digital SLRs, Nikon seem to have followed suit according to a report by the Edinburgh Evening News.

“Mr Yoshida said Nikon aimed to ship some 7.5 million units in 2005/6, which would mark a rise of 14 per cent compared with its target for 6.6 million units in 2004/5. He was particularly upbeat about the prospects for high-end digital single lens reflex (SLR) models, which typically sell for more than £600 and fetch juicier profit margins than cheaper, high-volume compact designs. Nikon is looking for digital SLR shipments to jump 50 per cent to 1.5 million units next year. “

Website: Edinburgh Evening News - Nikon to focus on top models for more profit

The-Digital-Picture.com have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

“The Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT’s color LCD is 1.8” - the same as the 20D. A histogram + image is optionally available with image review (the histogram displays a graph of the brightness of each pixel). It is very useful for determining if the exposure was correctly determined. Unfortunately, the size of both the image review and the histogram is very tiny in this mode. There is no top LCD, but a mono LCD is included on the back for settings display (sans ISO). Incidentally, my 350D sometimes skips a picture when using the Cross Keys for image review navigation. “

Website: The-Digital-Picture.com - Canon EOS 350D Review

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Canon have released a new firmware version (1.2.1) for the EOS-1D Mark II DSLR.

This firmware update fixes/improves the following:

1.  Three new languages (Russian, Traditional Chinese, and Korean) added to the camera menus.
2. Improvement in communication reliability when using some CF cards.
3. The issue of communication failure between the camera and some personal computers has been fixed.

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark II Firmware Update Version 1.2.1

Canon have released a new firmware version for the EOS-1Ds Mark II DSLR.

This firmware update (version 1.1.1) includes the following additional functions and improvements:

1.  Three new languages (Russian, Traditional Chinese, and Korean) added to the camera menus.
2. Improvement in communication reliability when using some CF cards.

Website: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Firmware Update Version 1.1.1

The Spanish website Quesabesde have posted their review of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II DSLR.

Website: Quesabesde - Canon EOS-1D Mark II Review

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Olympus have released a new firmware update for their 8 megapixel E-300 / Evolt DSLR camera. Version 1.2 includes the following changes:

SHADING COMPENSATION
In some cases, the edges of the image may be shadowed due to the properties of the lens. The SHADING compensation function compensates by in increasing brightness at the dark edge of the image. Especially when the Wide-angle lens is used, this function is able to work effectively.

ANTI-SHOCK
This diminishes camera shake caused by vibrations when the mirror moves. You can select the interval from the time the mirror is raised until the shutter is released.

RELEASE PRIORITY S
In the S-AF mode, you can release the shutter button and take a picture without waiting until focusing and flash charge are finished. This function is useful when you need to take advantage of a shutter release opportunity.

RELEASE PRIORITY C
In the C-AF mode, You can release the shutter button and take a picture without waiting until focusing and flash charge are finished. This function is useful when you need to take advantage of a shutter release opportunity. When RELEASE PRIORITY C is set to ON, Predictive AF is not available.

Website: Olympus E-300 / Evolt Firmware Updates