SpotPhoto have published their review of the Canon EOS 20D digital SLR camera.

“Canon EOS 20D is excellent camera with well balanced usability, picture quality and speed. I can heartily recommend it to everyone. Just remember to get some good lens to get the maximum quality out of it. If you’re not willing to spend extra then rather check out Canon 350D and spend money that is left over from body on quality glass. It will make much more importance in your pictures than the body.”

Website: SpotPhoto - Canon EOS 20D Review

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BIOS have just reviewed the new Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer.

“Epson’s P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer is a neat device for copying, transferring, reviewing and storing your digital files in the field. Ideally suited to digital SLR camera users, the device lets you view RAW file formats as well as JPEGs on its beautiful 3.8in. VGA (640x480 pixels) display, and you can also use it playback video and audio files, and connect it directly to a PC or TV. It will even print directly onto compatible Epson printers. Its battery life is better than its predecessor, the P-1000, but at just 3.5 hours is still restrictive. File format support is also relatively limited and audio quality is basic, especially compared to media centre devices, but the P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer is a high quality device that serves a number of useful purposes and is sure to make its way into many photographers’ bags.”

Website: BIOS - Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer Review

Website: Read my Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer Review

Canon UK Press Release

If you’ve exhausted the list of traditional ‘Dad’ presents and are looking for something extra special to give to yours this Father’s Day (19 June 2005), Canon’s range of digital kit could make the perfect gift. Whatever your Dad’s into, from extreme sports to classic cars, Canon has a gift that will suit.

For the ultra-stylish Dad
Canon’s Digital IXUS 700 packs 7 Megapixels into a brushed stainless steal ‘titanium grey’ body which won’t ruin the lines in his suit, and will impress on the golf course. Powered by the same DIGIC II processor found in Canon’s professional-series Digital SLRs, the IXUS 700 really is the thoroughbred of digital cameras.

For the emergent photographer Dad
For Dads who have exhausted the abilities of their ‘point and shoot’ compact camera, the EOS 350D Digital SLR can provide the answer. The camera combines features more commonly found in professional level DSLRs with an ease of use designed to appeal to first time users.

O’Reilly Press Release

Edit, Organize, and Share Digital Photos Like a Pro

O’Reilly Releases “Photoshop Elements 3: The Missing Manual”

Farnham, UK—Even Grandma wields a digital camera these days. Everyone appreciates the instant gratification, the email-ready photos, and the end to overstuffed shoeboxes. But people are also realizing something else, says author Barbara Brundage: “The image-editing and picture-organizing software that comes with most cameras can be pretty limited when it’s time to spruce up your digital photos. Even if you’re scanning in old prints and slides, you’ll want a program that’ll help you rejuvenate these gems and eliminate the wear and tear of all those years.”

That’s where Photoshop Elements 3 comes in. With most of the power of Photoshop—the tool of choice among graphics professionals—it lets people manipulate their digital images just as they like. But even though Elements is meant for “regular folks,” says Brundage, “finding your way around the program has become a lot more complicated than it used to be.” And since it doesn’t come with a trusty manual, she wrote the all-new, full-color “Photoshop Elements 3: The Missing Manual” (O’Reilly).

DxO Labs Press Release

DxO Labs Announces Public Beta release of DxO Optics Pro version 3.0 Software now featuring DxO Noise and DxO Lighting technologies.

Demanding photographers worldwide invited to preview major upgrade of software providing Digital-SLR and lens automatic image quality enhancement.

Paris, May 3rd 2005. DxO Labs today made available a public beta version of its soon-to-be released DxO Optics Pro version 3.0 software.  DxO Optics Pro V3.0 automatically enhances images produced by Digital single-lens reflex (Digital-SLR) cameras and their lenses with revolutionary optics, noise and lighting corrections packed in an all-new, easy-to-use feature rich application.

Serious photographers worldwide are invited to download and test-drive DxO Optics Pro V3.0 from the DxO Labs Web site (http://www.dxo.com)and provide feedback on all aspects of this landmark application.

“I’m delighted that DxO Optics Pro software has won the praise of photographers and journalists worldwide since it was originally introduced in May 2004,” said Luc Marin, Vice President of the Photography Business unit at DxO Labs. “Now, less than one year later, with the announcement of Version 3.0 we are also adding significant new image enhancement technologies to benefit even more Digital-SLR photographers around the world.”

The Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens is a wide-angle zoom lens designed for digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensors. The Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens offer a focal length equivalent to approximately 16-32mm (assuming a 1.6x focal factor). The Sigma 10-20mm lens will fit Sigma, Canon and Nikon digital SLR cameras. Sigma UK have just announced that the recommended retail price of the 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM will be £369.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

Sigma Announce Price of the New 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM

First deliveries of the eagerly anticipated Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens will be arriving in the UK shortly with a competitive suggested retail price of £369.99.

The super wide-angle capability of the 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens makes it a very powerful tool for both indoor and landscape photography. It is specifically designed to optimise results with digital SLR cameras encorporating APS-C size image sensors.

Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM is a fast large aperture lens designed for digital SLR cameras. When used on a DSLR with an APS-C sized sensor, the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM is equivalent to approx. 52mm. The Sigma 30mm lens is available for Sigma, Canon and Nikon cameras. Sigma UK have just announced that the recommended retail price of the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM will be £319.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

Sigma Announce Price of the New 30mm F1.4 EX DC

Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd will soon be taking the first deliveries of the new Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC lens with a suggested retail price of £319.99.

This large aperture 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM lens is designed to match the APS-C size image sensors of digital SLR cameras. Two SLD glass elements are especially effective in the compensation of magnification chromatic aberration.

PCMagazine have published their review of the 3 megapixel Canon PowerShot A510 digital camera.

“The 3.2-megapixel Canon PowerShot A510, which was released in tandem with the 4MP PowerShot A520, is a replacement for the PowerShot A75. It is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and is identical to the A520 except for its smaller image sensor. Overall, the picture quality is good, but the camera suffers from some of the same flaws as its higher-resolution sibling, especially in the speed department. But the A510 offers excellent flexibility and control for a modest price, making it a good value for those who don’t need a whole lot of extra pixels.”

Website: PCMagazine - Canon PowerShot A510 Review

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The Spanish website Quesabesde have published their review of the Kodak EasyShare Z700, a 4 megapixel digital camera with 5x optical zoom lens.

Website: Quesabesde - Kodak EasyShare Z700 Review

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DCResource have reviewed the new Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505, which features a 5X optical zoom, an imaging CCD with 5.0 megapixels, Casio’s “EXILIM engine”, and a large 2-inch TFT color rotating screen.

“The P505 is a fairly compact camera with a 5X zoom lens. The build quality leaves much to be desired, though. The body is made almost entirely of plastic and it feels very “cheap” in your hands. The mode dial and the battery/memory card slot cover are especially flimsy. Still, the camera is very light and it can be used easily with just one hand. The lens is self-contained so it never extends out of the body. That means that you can use it while recording movies! The camera has a 2-inch LCD display that can flip out to the side and rotate—which is handy—though there’s no optical viewfinder to be found.”

Website: DCResource - Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505 Review

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CNET have published a review of the 6 megapixel Casio QV-R62.

“Taking the resolution lead in Casio’s QV series, the 6-megapixel QV-R62 comes outfitted with newbie-friendly features such as Casio’s signature Best Shot scene modes and a pop-up help system. This nicely priced camera is easy to use and a good choice for snapshooters who want a little more from their camera than just the basic point-and-shoot. The Casio QV-R62 lags behind the competition in some ways—its Movie mode doesn’t record sound and its shot-to-shot time isn’t great, but if you’re more likely to be shooting a tree than a car race, this won’t be a problem.”

Website: CNET - Casio QV-R62 Review

Pocket-Lint have posted their review of the new 8 megapixel Olympus E-300 / Evolt DSLR.

“The E-300 is the second, Four Thirds D-SLR from Olympus and provides a value for money entry point into the world of the D-SLR, competing well on price in the now very competitive D-SLR market. It’s somewhat chunky design will look odd to SLR novices (its main target market, so a tad worrisome if you ask me) but comes about because of the unique porro-mirror (rather than pentamirror) viewfinder set up. The reflex mirror flips sideways directing the light-path to the right (as opposed to upwards) to the very slightly gloomy-to-use viewfinder.”

Website: Pocket-Lint - Olympus E-300 / Evolt Review

Website: Read my Olympus E-300 / Evolt Review

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DigitalCameraReview.com have just published their review of the Canon Digital IXUS 700 digital camera (also known as the Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital ELPH).

“Image quality should always be the number one consideration when assessing camera performance—- stylin’ and the “cool” factor are great, but in the final analysis it’s a camera. After reviewing the images we’d shot over the course of our SD500 test we both agreed that the outdoor images were consistently well exposed (we didn’t shoot anything indoors), the color was great, and the overall image quality was nothing short of amazing (for such a tiny camera).”

Website: DigitalCameraReview.com - Canon Digital IXUS 700 Review

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Indy-Tech Publishing Press Release

Indianapolis, IN – APRIL 2005—Indy-Tech Publishing, the publishing division of Sams Technical Publishing, LLC, has announced the March release of The Savvy Guide to Digital Photography, ISBN 0-7906-1309-3.

This book is the 2nd in Indy-Tech Publishing’s new “Savvy Guide to” series. This series of books is designed with the savvy consumer in mind. “These Savvy Guide books assume that the reader already has a moderate to strong knowledge base regarding the subject at hand,” states Richard White, COO at Sams Technical Publishing. “Our goal with our “Savvy Guide To” series is to help the reader achieve their goals with some help from the book, much like having a friend who is an expert on the topic helping you along the way.”

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Internationally Acclaimed Nature Photographer Thomas Mangelsen

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 2 /PRNewswire/—The best nature photographers all have one thing in common. Their respect for nature fuels their photography. For world-renowned photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen, that respect has become a passion to protect nature. That passion makes him a legend.

This April, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed nature photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen, a man not only honored for his images, but also his efforts on behalf of the environment.

“NikonNet is pleased to honor the images and extraordinary career of Thomas D. Mangelsen in this May’s ‘Legends Behind the Lens,’” said Tracy Mack-Jackson, Senior Manager of Internet Development and Programs at Nikon Inc. “His work transcends beautiful pictures because he takes responsibility for the wildlife that he photographs, as he champions the cause of the environment throughout the world.”

The winners of the April 2005 PhotographyBLOG Competition have now been decided. The theme for April was “Black and White” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 3 winners:

1st Place
“Where the Light Swims” by NoAir
View this entry

Prize: Photobird.com one-year subscription with 100 megabytes of storage space
Kindly donated by Photobird.com.
http://www.photobird.com

2nd Place
“DRAX” by Onion Club
View this entry

Prize: 1 copy of Powerretouche Full Pro Pack
Kindly donated by Powerretouche.
http://powerretouche.com

3rd Place
“Ahh - aww !” by fdinaro
View this entry

Prize: 1 copy of Digital Photography Expert Techniques by Ken Milburn
Kindly donated by O’Reilly.
http://www.oreilly.com

Congratulations to the 3 winners and thanks to everyone who took part!

The May 2005 Competition is now open for entries. This is a monthly photography competition with a specific theme and prizes for the top 3 photos. The winning entries will be decided by a panel of judges. You just have to submit one photograph to the Competition Gallery that best interprets May’s theme, which is “Speed”.

8 names have been randomly selected from the list of PhotographyBLOG Newsletter subscribers. If you are one of the winners, you will already have received an email from me ([email protected]). In order to protect the winners’ email addresses, I’m not going to publish them here.

- Two people each won Paint Shop Pro 9 (worth £99.99 each).
Kindly donated by Corel.
http://www.corel.co.uk
- Two people each won a copy of "Advanced Photoshop CS for Photographers" by Martin Evening (worth £29.95 each).
- Two people each won a copy of "Adobe Photoshop Elements for Digital Photographers" by Philip Andrews (worth £19.99 each).
- Two people will each win a copy of "The Advanced Digital Photographers Workbook" edited by Yvonne Butler (worth £29.99 each).
All books kindly donated by Elsevier.
http://www.elsevier.com

If you haven’t won anything, then don’t worry, as a brand new contest for May has just started!

To have any chance of winning, you must subscribe to the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter.

The Nikon Coolpix 7900 is a stylishly designed 7 megapixel compact digital camera that was first announced at the PMA show back in February 2005. The Coolpix 7900 is one of the first Nikon digital cameras to feature some new technologies, including Face-Priority AF (Autofocus), which automatically detects a face in an image and focuses on it, D-Lighting, which intelligently lightens overly dark images, and Advanced Red-eye Reduction, which corrects red-eye in most situations. Other standout features on the Nikon Coolpix 7900 include a 2 inch LCD screen, 16 different scene modes to help you take better pictures and a long battery life of approximately 270 images. This is also one of the first Nikon digital cameras that I have reviewed, so did the Coolpix 7900 impress me with both its cutting-edge features and overall design? Carry on reading to find out.

Website: Nikon Coolpix 7900 Review

DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat have published a review of the new 12 megapixel Nikon D2X digital SLR.

Website: FotoAparat - Nikon D2X Review

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Digital Outback Photo have started a diary-like review of the new Epson R1800 A3 / 13x19 inch printer. The R1800 is an A3 version of the Epson Stylus Photo R800 that I reviewed last year, featuring the same 8 colour UltraChrome Hi-Gloss inks and 1.5 picoliter droplet size.

“Recently we discovered the Epson Premium Semimatte paper that features a very nice satin surface. Unfortunately this paper is only available in rolls or larger 17x22” sheets. This means that we would need a larger printer or have to cut down the sheets. Now we checked out the Epson Premium Semigloss paper that can be only bought in Letter and 13x19” sheets. This paper is also very nice and comes close to the Semimatte. We still think that Semimatte has the nicest surface of all Epson glossy papers. It can be a good compromise to use Semigloss on the R1800 and Semimatte on larger printers.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Epson R1800 Printer Review

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