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Photo-i have reviewed LightZone, a new intuitive tool which extends the capabilities of professional and amateur photographers, based on Ansel Adam’s Zone System.
“Opening a RAW photo often gives you a special kind of ZoneMapper, the RAW ZoneMapper, applying some basic adjustment suitably for the format. As with a normal ZoneMapper you can change the zones here. It is a good idea to leave this mapper in peace, opening a normal one for further corrections because that way you will always have this basic adjustment and not start from scratch if something goes wrong. Mind that not all RAW formats have a RAW ZoneMapper, either they don’t need any pre-adjustment or the format is not supported by LightCrafts. As long as you can open the file in LightZone you can adjust to its needs and your taste.”
Website: Photo-i - LightZone Review
Photo-i have reviewed LightZone, a new intuitive tool which extends the capabilities of professional and amateur photographers, based on Ansel Adam’s Zone System. “Opening a RAW photo often gives you a special kind of ZoneMapper, the RAW ZoneMapper, applying some basic adjustment suitably for the format. As with a normal…
DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the new Samsung GX-1S digital SLR, a 6 megapixel digital camera that uses the Pentax lens mount.
“To venture into the market of the DSLR camera as a perfect stranger can be very tricky indeed. Samsung have adopted a rather clever approach to this problem by joining forces with one of the “old hands”. However, where we saw Sony and Panasonic add a new flavour, Samsung have resorted to a copy of an existing camera. A pity really, especially as Samsung really do have more than a fair share of know-how, and simply could have done better.”
Website: LetsGoDigital - Samsung GX-1S Review
DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the new Samsung GX-1S digital SLR, a 6 megapixel digital camera that uses the Pentax lens mount. “To venture into the market of the DSLR camera as a perfect stranger can be very tricky indeed. Samsung have adopted a rather clever approach to this problem…
TrustedReviews have just reviewed the new Canon PowerShot A710 IS digital camera.
“The other problem is more serious. The A710 has a fairly large built-in flash, which supposedly has a range of 3.5m at wide angle, however I found that it only fully illuminated a narrow strip across the middle of the frame, leaving the top and bottom of the picture in shadow. I find it hard to believe that a camera could pass through Canon’s usually excellent quality control procedures with such an obvious flaw, so it may be that this was just a fault on my review sample. I will try to get a replacement and double-check, so keep an eye on the forum for an update on this.”
Website: TrustedReviews - Canon PowerShot A710 IS Review
TrustedReviews have just reviewed the new Canon PowerShot A710 IS digital camera. “The other problem is more serious. The A710 has a fairly large built-in flash, which supposedly has a range of 3.5m at wide angle, however I found that it only fully illuminated a narrow strip across the middle…
PCMagazine have reviewed the new Canon EOS 400D (Canon Digital Rebel XTi in the USA), which offers 10 megapixels, a large 2.5 inch LCD screen and new integrated dust removal system.
“In my labs and real-world testing, the Canon Rebel XTi did quite well. On daylight still-life shots, the camera demonstrated a little more noise than the Nikon D80 did, but in general, it produced excellent dynamic range and contrast. Colors were vibrant, even in the deepest tones, such as purple, and showed very little fringing. Images were sharp—sharper than either the Nikon D80’s or the Sony Alpha A100’s.”
Website: PCMagazine - Canon EOS 400D Review
Website: Read our Canon EOS 400D Review
PCMagazine have reviewed the new Canon EOS 400D (Canon Digital Rebel XTi in the USA), which offers 10 megapixels, a large 2.5 inch LCD screen and new integrated dust removal system. “In my labs and real-world testing, the Canon Rebel XTi did quite well. On daylight still-life shots, the camera…
PCMagazine have reviewed the new 10 megapixel Nikon D80 DSLR camera.
“The D80 packs excellent performance, very good image quality, and a long zoom lens. There’s little not to like about it, except perhaps the high sticker price ($999.95 list). That amount covers the camera body only, but $1,299 nets you a very fine 18- to 135mm lens in addition, which is what I used in testing the camera. In my opinion, it’s well worth the extra cost.”
Website: PCMagazine - Nikon D80 Review
Website: Read our Nikon D80 Review
PCMagazine have reviewed the new 10 megapixel Nikon D80 DSLR camera. “The D80 packs excellent performance, very good image quality, and a long zoom lens. There’s little not to like about it, except perhaps the high sticker price ($999.95 list). That amount covers the camera body only, but $1,299 nets…
In the latest installment of this regular series, we cast the spotlight on members of the PhotographyBLOG Gallery and ask them about their photography. The 14th member to sit in the interview chair is aderixon.
“I’m not sure it has had a strong influence, but the odd positive comment is always encouraging providing one doesn’t become dependent on receiving them. (Often I love shots that others seem to find unremarkable.)”
Website: Gallery Member Spotlight - aderixon
In the latest installment of this regular series, we cast the spotlight on members of the PhotographyBLOG Gallery and ask them about their photography. The 14th member to sit in the interview chair is aderixon. “I’m not sure it has had a strong influence, but the odd positive comment is…
The Samsung NV10 is a 10 megapixel compact digital camera with a 3x zoom lens equivalent to 35-105mm and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. Much more interesting is the innovative Smart Button touch-sensitive interface which attempts to make the traditional menu system more accessible. The NV10 also offers an anti-shake mode, ISO 100-1000, 300 shot battery life and a stylish black metal body. This is the first Samsung camera that we’ve reviewed, so did it impress us? Read on to find out…
Website: Samsung NV10 Review
The Samsung NV10 is a 10 megapixel compact digital camera with a 3x zoom lens equivalent to 35-105mm and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. Much more interesting is the innovative Smart Button touch-sensitive interface which attempts to make the traditional menu system more accessible. The NV10 also offers an anti-shake…
Adobe have released a Beta version of Camera Raw 3.6 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Support for the following cameras has been added in this update.
- Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi
- Leica D-LUX3, Digilux 3
- Nikon D80
- Panasonic DMC-LX2
- Pentax K100D
Adobe have released a Beta version of Camera Raw 3.6 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Support for the following cameras has been added in this update. - Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi - Leica D-LUX3, Digilux 3 - Nikon D80 - Panasonic DMC-LX2 - Pentax K100D
Wacom Press Release
9 October 2006 - Wacom, the leading manufacturer of pen tablets and interactive pen displays, and Video2Brain, a leading production company of video trainings, today announce the release of Video2Brain’s training DVD ’Real-Life Photoshop Workflows‘. The content of the DVD has been developed in close co-operation between Video2Brain and Wacom. It provides professional photographers and digital imaging enthusiasts with an insight into the creative process, offering tips to improve the digital workflow using Adobe Photoshop and the Intuos3 pen tablet along with tutorials about retouching and image manipulation.
Wacom Press Release 9 October 2006 - Wacom, the leading manufacturer of pen tablets and interactive pen displays, and Video2Brain, a leading production company of video trainings, today announce the release of Video2Brain’s training DVD ’Real-Life Photoshop Workflows‘. The content of the DVD has been developed in close co-operation between…
ProFotoSoftware Press Release
9th October 2006 - London, UK - ProFotoSoftware Ltd, the London, UK, based Digital Imaging Software House, have today released V1.07 of PFS Browser RAW Plugin and V1.05 of PFS Image Darkroom. This new release adds RAW support for the Canon EOS 400D/Digital Rebel XTi to the RAW Plugin and support for the Nikon D2Xs RAW format to both products. Both products now support the full range of Canon and Nikon digital SLRs and most RAW formats from other manufacturers, providing a unified interface that transparently handles the many differences between these formats.
PFS Image Darkroom is a full featured image editing package and PFS Browser is a low cost and simple to use image enhancer and RAW image processor. The basic PFS Browser is still free of charge, with the RAW plugin being an optional add-on.
Full details and trial versions can be obtained from http://www.profotosoftware.com
ProFotoSoftware Press Release 9th October 2006 - London, UK - ProFotoSoftware Ltd, the London, UK, based Digital Imaging Software House, have today released V1.07 of PFS Browser RAW Plugin and V1.05 of PFS Image Darkroom. This new release adds RAW support for the Canon EOS 400D/Digital Rebel XTi to the…
ILFORD Photo Press Release
Always a staunch supporter of photography students, ILFORD Photo announced earlier in the year details of its Student of the Year 2006 competition with some highly desirable prizes, including the unique opportunity to work alongside professional photographers. With the first stage now competed, the stakes are even higher for the finalists. This year’s ILFORD Photo Student of the Year competition has completed its first stage, with three finalists chosen from the hundreds of entries received for this fabulous competition.
ILFORD Photo Press Release Always a staunch supporter of photography students, ILFORD Photo announced earlier in the year details of its Student of the Year 2006 competition with some highly desirable prizes, including the unique opportunity to work alongside professional photographers. With the first stage now competed, the stakes are…
PictureSync Press Release
PictureSync version 1.6 introduces reliability and functional enhancements including a fully Universal build, geocoding with Google Earth, support for Lightroom, and updated support for Aperture. As with prior versions its features may be used free or purchased for $14. The previous version, 1.5, was released in January 2006. Further details of changes may be found at http://holocore.com/ Since its introduction PictureSync has aided pro photographers and home users alike in uploading almost two million photos. We’re pleased to announce that a Windows version is under development with an anticipated launch in time for Christmas. Many further enhancements are now planned for both releases.
PictureSync Press Release PictureSync version 1.6 introduces reliability and functional enhancements including a fully Universal build, geocoding with Google Earth, support for Lightroom, and updated support for Aperture. As with prior versions its features may be used free or purchased for $14. The previous version, 1.5, was released in January…
Digital Film Tools Press Release
Oak Park, CA, October 9, 2006—Digital Film Tools (www.digitalfilmtools.com) announces the release of EZ Mask version 1.0, an easy to use interactive image masking tool. Masking is the process of extracting or isolating an object in a picture. EZ Mask extracts almost any object in an image—even if you are dealing with fine hair detail, smoke, or reflections. This extraction process creates what is known as a mask—essentially a black and white cutout. White mask areas are extracted, black areas not, and gray areas in between represent a level of transparency. Once a mask is extracted, the foreground object can be seamlessly composed onto a new background in Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as well as apply filter and image corrections only within the area defined by the mask. EZ Mask works on both 8 and 16 bit images and takes full advantage of the speed realized by multi-processor or dual core machines.
Digital Film Tools Press Release Oak Park, CA, October 9, 2006—Digital Film Tools (www.digitalfilmtools.com) announces the release of EZ Mask version 1.0, an easy to use interactive image masking tool. Masking is the process of extracting or isolating an object in a picture. EZ Mask extracts almost any object in…
PCMagazine have reviewed the Epson PictureMate PM 280 portable home photo-lab.
“Setup is easy. Slide the ink cartridge—which contains cyan, yellow, magenta, and black inks—into a slot in the back and load paper. Given the built-in CD drive for burning photos to a disc, I suspect a lot of people will stop there. But if you want to print from a computer, you can also install a driver using an automated installation routine, then connect via USB cable.”
PCMagazine have reviewed the Epson PictureMate PM 280 portable home photo-lab. “Setup is easy. Slide the ink cartridge—which contains cyan, yellow, magenta, and black inks—into a slot in the back and load paper. Given the built-in CD drive for burning photos to a disc, I suspect a lot of people…
CNET have reviewed the new Olympus mju 750, which features a 5x optical zoom, image stabilisation and 7 megapixels.
“The Olympus Stylus 750 is a very strong point-and-shoot camera, though its attractive images are hindered by mediocre performance. It has no manual exposure controls and isn’t as responsive as we would like, but as a general snapshot camera, it’s still a very good choice.”
Website: CNET - Olympus mju 750 Review
CNET have reviewed the new Olympus mju 750, which features a 5x optical zoom, image stabilisation and 7 megapixels. “The Olympus Stylus 750 is a very strong point-and-shoot camera, though its attractive images are hindered by mediocre performance. It has no manual exposure controls and isn’t as responsive as we…
CNET have reviewed the new Olympus mju 740, which features a 5x optical zoom and 7 megapixels.
“The only real difference that separates the 740 from its brother is that it lacks the 750’s optical image stabilization. It still has digital image stabilization, but the camera doesn’t optically compensate for image shake as does the 750.”
Website: CNET - Olympus mju 740 Review
CNET have reviewed the new Olympus mju 740, which features a 5x optical zoom and 7 megapixels. “The only real difference that separates the 740 from its brother is that it lacks the 750’s optical image stabilization. It still has digital image stabilization, but the camera doesn’t optically compensate for…
CNET have the first online review of the 7 megapixel, 10x optical zoom Olympus SP-510 UZ.
“At its best, the SP-510UZ can capture images with abundant detail and accurate-looking, well-saturated colors, with only very minor JPEG artifacting and little or no fringing. The camera’s automatic white balance did an admirable job of serving up neutral colors under our lab’s tungsten lights. Interestingly, the tungsten preset was less neutral, with a slight bluish-green cast. So, you may as well stick with auto white balance when shooting indoors or outdoors, where it did just as good a job at producing neutral colors when shooting in natural daylight.”
Website: CNET - Olympus SP-510 UZ Review
CNET have the first online review of the 7 megapixel, 10x optical zoom Olympus SP-510 UZ. “At its best, the SP-510UZ can capture images with abundant detail and accurate-looking, well-saturated colors, with only very minor JPEG artifacting and little or no fringing. The camera’s automatic white balance did an admirable…
Imaging Resource have just published their review of the 8 megapixel HP Photosmart R927 digital camera.
“Though there’s a lot to like in the form and functionality of the HP R927, image quality was not as good as should be expected from a flagship R-Series model with a 8.2-megapixel sensor. The R927’s HP-branded 3x optical zoom (f/2.8-f/5.0) covers the equivalent of a 35-105mm range, which is fairly typical among digital cameras of its class. Results were good at the wide angle, according to our test results, with minimal corner softness, though barrel distortion was surprisingly high. Distortion was not a problem at the telephoto end though. Similarly, chromatic aberration was high at wide angle but less noticeable at telephoto.”
Imaging Resource have just published their review of the 8 megapixel HP Photosmart R927 digital camera. “Though there’s a lot to like in the form and functionality of the HP R927, image quality was not as good as should be expected from a flagship R-Series model with a 8.2-megapixel sensor…
This week’s Gary’s Parries topics are:
1. In Search Of A ‘Versatile’ Non-SLR
2. Image 9877 And Counting
3. My First Ever Mistake
Introducing this week’s Gary’s Parries column. Everything you always wanted to know about digital cameras, but were afraid to ask. No question too difficult, or too easy. As a Senior Principal Software Engineer, and a former Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems, as well as a recording studio owner/operator, inventor, and now, a digital camera enthusiast, GARY has more digital camera knowledge in his entire brain than most people have in their little finger. In the unlikely event that GARY would not know the answer to your question, he will answer it anyway, true to the spirit of the word “Parries”, a fencing term which, in this context, implies “cleverly evasive answers”. So let your imagination run wild. Email all your nagging digital camera questions to: [email protected] , and then, En Garde!
You may also attach to your email an ORIGINAL PHOTO of your choosing. A preview of the photo will be displayed with your question, and a full-sized version will be just a click away. No personal information will be published with your question unless you specifically include it in the text or attached photo of your email, which may be further edited for grammar, content, or other reasons.
This week’s Gary’s Parries topics are: 1. In Search Of A ‘Versatile’ Non-SLR 2. Image 9877 And Counting 3. My First Ever Mistake Introducing this week’s Gary’s Parries column. Everything you always wanted to know about digital cameras, but were afraid to ask. No question too difficult, or too easy…
The winners of the September 2006 PhotographyBLOG Competition have been announced. The theme for September was “Simplicity” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:
1st Place
“Simplicity” by spookygonk
View this entry
Prize: 1 copy of Powerretouche Full Pro Pack
Kindly donated by Powerretouche.
http://powerretouche.com
The winners of the September 2006 PhotographyBLOG Competition have been announced. The theme for September was “Simplicity” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners: 1st Place “Simplicity” by spookygonkView this entry Prize: 1 copy of Powerretouche Full Pro Pack Kindly donated…