PhotographyBLOG is taking a much needed break - I am away in Tenerife on business for a few days, and then I’m off to watch the Tour de France cycle race. Normal service will resume around Monday July 11th. There is still plenty to do in my absence, with the Gallery, Competitions and Forums all open for business - only the News section of the site will be rather quiet. And if you email me, please don’t expect a reply until I get back. Until then, have a good couple of weeks, and aurevoir!

Subscribe to the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter now to have a chance of winning one of five prizes in our June Contest. You can win:

- Paint Shop Pro 9 from Corel (2 copies, worth £99.99 each) (pictured)
Kindly donated by Corel - http://www.corel.co.uk

- Pixfer from Glass Lantern (3 copies, worth $34.95 each)
Kindly donated by Glass Lantern - http://www.glasslantern.com

If you are already a Newsletter subscriber, you do not have to do anything to enter this competition. Your name will automatically be entered in the prize draw. If you are not currently a subscriber, then what are you waiting for? Enter your email address to subscribe now.

Sanyo Press Release

Ultra-Compact SANYO VPC-C5 Digital Media Camera Now Available in the U.S.A.

Stylish Five-Megapixel Digital Still and MPEG-4 Video Camera Easily Fits Pocket or Purse, for Spontaneous Shooting Anytime, Anywhere

CHATSWORTH, Calif., June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—It’s easy to shoot high-quality photos and video anytime inspiration strikes with the ultra-compact new VPC-C5 Digital Media Camera from SANYO, now available in the U.S.A.

FotoInside Press Release

Cambridge, UK 29 June 2005. INTEL Corp. threatens a British online photo service regarding the term “inside”. Intel Europe’s representative, the law firm “Howrey Simon Arnold & White” states in a letter to “FotoInside Ltd” the word “INSIDE” format … was coined by our client in 1991 when it began using the INTEL INSIDE mark” and requests from FotoInside to change its name.

Hama Press Release

Magnetic wide-angle lenses by Hama - A silver ring on the horizon

The victory march of digital cameras continues. These little snapshot machines are becoming more and more stylish and intelligent. However, most of them still have one problem: They do not accept exchangeable lenses. Until now, that is, as with their magnetic wide-angle lenses Hama is introducing two products which increase the angle of view of the image greater, making it easy to fit more in to pictures taken with mobile phone cameras and digicams without filter threads.

Total Training Extends Line of Training Videos for Adobe Creative Suite 2 Plus, Total Training for GoLive CS2 – Now Shipping

Carlsbad, CA, June 29, 2005—Total Training™, Inc., a pioneer in engaging and innovative video-based training, today announced the availability of three new DVD-ROM based training series. Total Training for Adobe® GoLive® CS2 and Total Training Presents Creative Suite 2: from Design to Delivery, complete the Adobe Creative Suite 2 Premium Edition training product offering. Total Training Masters Collections: Advanced Adobe Photoshop CS2 is a product line extension and one of the first video training solutions geared towards elite Adobe Photoshop® CS2 users.

Olympus UK Press Release

Take a fresh perspective

Introducing the Olympus E-System ZUIKO DIGITAL Fisheye Lens

London, 30th June:  Owners of Olympus E-System cameras will be able to get a completely new view of the world from next year with the introduction of the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 8mm 1:3.5 Fisheye Lens.  E-1 and E-300 photographers will soon be able to benefit from a full 180° diagonal angle of view enabling unique and eye-catching panoramic pictures to be taken.

The 54th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Alan Lush.

“The images I am submitting are from a recent photography trek I took part in to everest base-camp and a subsequent tour of the Kathmandhu valley. I came home from the trek with over 600 images so picking

Website: Alan Lush

The Danish website Akam.dk have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen and a 3x optical zoom lens.

Website: Akam.dk - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7X

Write a Review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7

DigitalCameraReview.com have reviewed the new Casio EX-Z750 Exilim Zoom, which has a 7.2 megapixel CCD sensor, large 2.5-inch LCD screen and offers a battery life of 325 shots.

“Casio’s newest digicam is a precision built imaging tool that absolutely radiates class. It reminds me of the iconic Rollei 35S and the sexy little Contax T2 film cameras. The Casio Exilim EX Z750 is a seven-megapixel digital camera that’s small enough to be dropped in a shirt pocket and tough enough to go just about anywhere. It’s very fast (across the board), has better battery life than the Energizer bunny, and is almost infinitely tweakable.”

Website: DigitalCameraReview.com - Casio EX-Z750 Exilim Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Casio EX-Z750 Exilim Zoom

Write a Review of the Casio EX-Z750 Exilim Zoom

Ricoh Press Release

Another First for Ricoh - DVD+R 2.4x Double Layer Printable.

• First inkjet printer compatible DVD+R Double Layer disc
• Fast creation of highest quality printed DVD labels
• Printable surface offers increased reliability

With the first DVD+R 2.4x double layer disc printable by inkjet printers, Ricoh now offers all film and music fans a perfect optical storage medium that ideally combines large storage capacity with reliable and simple archiving.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm launches a secure camera cushion your digicam can rely on

Fujifilm today expanded its digital camera accessories range with the launch of its handy Camcushion.

Filled with resin beads, and made from a durable, hard-wearing material, the Camcushion is a great companion for busy photographers wanting a steady platform for their cameras, or when use of a table-top tripod is impractical or just not possible. The no-nonsense cushion sits on any surface and is the ideal platform for cameras to rest safely and securely - perfect for self-timer shots or long exposures.

PictoColor Corporation Press Release

Time-saving Photoshop plug-in features award-winning skin tone correction technology that gives every face the color of life

Burnsville, MN, USA, June 27, 2005 - PictoColor Corporation has released iCorrect Portrait, the newest in its line of digital photo software products.  Based on PictoColor’s point-and-click color correction technology, iCorrect Portrait offers professional portrait, wedding, school, sport, and event photographers a fast and easy way to color correct their digital photos. 

Phase One Press Release

Capture One 3.7.1 welcomes Epson into the family. Chat with Phase One’s R&D team. New promotion with iView.

June 24, 2005, Copenhagen, Denmark: Phase One, the world leader in professional digital imaging camera backs and software, announces new camera support in the upcoming Capture One RAW workflow maintenance release. Phase One will, from July 2005, initiate post release chat rooms at http://forum.phaseone.com/ , where the Capture One users can chat with the Phase One’s R&D team. In July Phase One and iView multimedia announce a new joint promotion.

BIOS have reviewed the new Epson Stylus Photo R2400 A3+ photo printer.

“Epson has once again changed the world of home photography with the introduction of the Stylus Photo R2400. Replacing the Stylus Photo 2200, this A3 printer is one of the highest-quality consumer inkjet solutions to date - thanks largely to its innovative UltraChrom K3 pigment ink technology. With three levels of black and advanced driver controls, the Stylus Photo R2400 enables you to create professional-quality colour and black-and-white prints on a mind-boggling variety of media. Professional and fine art photographers should add the Stylus Photo R2400 to the top of their shopping list.”“

Website: BIOS - Epson Stylus Photo R2400 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Epson Stylus Photo R2400

Write a Review of the Epson Stylus Photo R2400

Nuevafotografia have just posted their review of the 7 megapixel Canon PowerShot G6.

” A modest update to the G5, the 7-megapixel PowerShot G6 faithfully follows in the footsteps of previous Canon G-series models. With a powerful, enthusiast-oriented feature set and very solid photo quality, it gets most of the same high marks as its predecessors. But its good-but-not-great performance lags behind the competition’s, keeping the G6 from garnering the Editors’ Choice-level ratings of its ancestors.”

Website: Nuevafotografia - Canon PowerShot G6 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot G6

Write a Review of the Canon PowerShot G6

The 52nd PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Frank Gross.

“I made these sculptures of the 5 platonic solids and was inspired to photograph them in natural surroundings when I observed the shapes formed by the dry winter grasses and branches against stark white snow - a dynamic interaction of the geometric and natural forms.”

Website: Frank Gross

The French website Zone Numerique have published the first online review of the Kodak Easyshare V550, a 5 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5inch LCD screen.

Website: Zone Numerique - Kodak Easyshare V550 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Kodak Easyshare V550

Write a Review of the Kodak Easyshare V550

Photoxels have published their review of the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot A520 digital camera.

“If you are wondering what your first digital camera should be, take a close look at the Canon PowerShot A520. This beginner digital camera is packed with features found on more advanced models to allow you to go beyond point-and-shoot. It has very good image quality, excellent power consumption, and much more… at an affordable entry-level price.”

Website: Photoxels - Canon PowerShot A520 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot A520

Write a Review of the Canon PowerShot A520

Photo-i have completed their interactive review of the new Epson Stylus Photo R2400 A3+ photo printer.

“Compared to the SP2100/2200, the R2400 is a stylish looking printer, but lacks the solid feel of the 2100. There is no doubt that the 2100 is a better built printer, but it’s the output that counts, and on this account the R2400 leaves the 2100 as runner up. It’s a pity that Epson couldn’t have made the R2400 cartridges compatible with the 2100, but then I guess Epson want you to buy a new printer. In this respect Canon has remained loyal to its customers by keeping the same ink tanks for all their printers, a point that is appreciated by users.”

Website: Photo-i - Epson Stylus Photo R2400 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Epson Stylus Photo R2400

Write a Review of the Epson Stylus Photo R2400