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. Price and availability to be confirmed.

Sigma UK Press Release

Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM

- Large Maximum Aperture of F1.4
- New special lens coating reduces flare and ghosting in digital SLR cameras
- Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and a hybrid aspherical lens provide the utmost correction for all types of aberrations
- Equipped with HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) system

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM lens.

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.

Sigma are launching DG EX versions of 10 telephoto lenses. The Sigma DG EX lenses are optimised for use with digital SLR cameras. The 10 new Sigma EX DG telephoto lenses join the 13 other EX DG models in the same digital lens range. Prices and availability to be confimed.

Sigma UK Press Release

Sigma Launches DG Version of Ten Telephoto Lenses

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of ten DG EX telephoto lenses.
The recent rapid growth of the digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera market has greatly increased the demand for digitally optimised lenses.

The Sigma Corporation began production of the DG wide-angle lens series in 2000. This range has grown to include 13 models by February 14th 2005. Sigma is now launching ten new EX DG telephoto lenses including three fixed focal length telephoto lenses. The EX DG telephoto lens series is designed to deliver ultra high performance with digital SLR cameras.

The following lenses are all fully dedicated and matched to work with our 1.4x and 2x tele converters giving the utmost in image quality. All these lenses come complete with matched lens hoods and fitted padded cases. HSM focusing is used extensively throughout the range.

Pentax *istDS Silver is introduced by Pentax UK. The *istDS Silver is a silver-coloured version of Pentax’s popular digital SLR, with the same specification as the black version. Price and availability of the Pentax *istDS Silver are to be confirmed.

Pentax UK Press Release

PENTAX Adds a Silver-Coloured Version to Its Popularly Priced Compact Digital SLR Camera

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of a silver-coloured version to the popular PENTAX *istDS digital SLR camera. Named the PENTAX *istDS Silver, it offers the same user-friendly features and high-standard specifications as the original black-coloured version, except for its body colour. With a choice of two attractive colours, the *istDS now extends outstanding manoeuvrability, simplified operations and an affordable price to a broader range of quality-conscious digital SLR users.

The PENTAX Optio50 has been announced by Pentax UK. The Optio50 is an easy to use and compact digital camera with a 3x zoom lens and 5 megapixels. The price of the Optio 50 is £149.99 and it will be available in April.

Pentax UK Press Release

The PENTAX Optio50 — the Compact Digital Camera Enabling Even Novices to Achieve Impressive Images with Easy Operation

PENTAX introduces the new Optio50 — a compact, lightweight digital camera that makes digital photography easy for virtually anyone. Incorporating a handy “Simple” mode, it allows the user to quickly choose an icon that matches the subject at hand and have the camera select all the optimal settings automatically for the best possible results. And to ensure easy use continues no matter where you go, the Optio50 has also been designed to be powered by AA batteries, which are widely available internationally. But to be worthy of the PENTAX name, of course, ease of use is simply not enough. Indeed, the Optio50 offers the power and clarity of a 3X optical zoom lens and the sheer detail and high-level resolution of 5.0 effective megapixels, making it as sharp at shooting as it is easy to use.

Pentax OptioS5n unveiled by Pentax UK. The OptioS5n is a stylish and compact 5 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2 inch LCD screen. The Optio S5n will cost £249.99 and be available in March.

Pentax Press Release

The PENTAX OptioS5n — a Stylish Digital Camera Combining a 2.0-inch LCD monitor, Ultra-compact Dimensions, High Performance and Exceptional Ease of Use

PENTAX introduces the new OptioS5n — a stylish and compact digital camera with ultra-compact, lightweight appeal. What’s more, it also offers the power of 5.0 effective megapixels and a 3X optical zoom lens incorporating PENTAX’s unique Sliding Lens System. Developed in line with the OptioS series concept of being “stylish and ultra-compact to enable it to be worn like an accessory”, there’s so much more to the OptioS5n than its stylish, elegant appearance. Indeed with an easy-to-see 2.0-inch large LCD monitor, a useful Mode Palette function that simplifies shooting and playback and the advantage of MPEG-4 file format for high-quality, extended duration movies, the OptioS5n is every bit as versatile as it is attractive.

O’Reilly Press Release

The Magic of Digital Artists Revealed

O’Reilly Releases “Creating Photomontages with Photoshop: A Designer’s Notebook”

Farnham, UK—Photomontages are multiple images artfully combined. When joined together, they assume a new and more complex definition that, if done well, is both believable and aesthetically thrilling. Imagine fresh laundry taking flight from a clothes dryer, a woman posed inside a perfume bottle, or a triptych that shows the play of light and shadow over the facade of a building at different times during the day. In “Creating Photomontages with Photoshop: A Designer’s Notebook” (Rodarmor, O’Reilly) well-known French artists reveal the techniques used in creating these and other projects.

ColorVision Spyder2 Plus has been announced by Datacolor ahead of PMA 2005. Dubbed the “Digital Darkroom in a Box”, Spyder2 Plus is a suite of tools for colour calibration and digital imaging. ColorVision Spyder2 Plus has a recommended price of $269.

Datacolor Press Release

Datacolor Announces ColorVision Spyder2 Plus, The ‘Digital Darkroom in a Box’ Provides ‘Start to Finish’ Accurate And Affordable Color on Monitors and in Print

ORLANDO, FL, Photo Marketing Association Show (PMA) – February 19, 2005 – Datacolor, a world color technology leader, today announced ColorVision® Spyder2 Plus™ (“The Digital Darkroom in a Box™”), a complete digital package for on screen and final output color accuracy. This new PANTONE® COLORVISION® product debuted today at the photo industry’s premiere press event, SNEAK PEAK, at the International PMA trade show, which runs from February 20 - 23 in Orlando, Florida. (ColorVision Booth No. 1908.)

ColorVision Spyder2 Plus provides a full suite of tools for anyone working with digital images and is frustrated by color discrepancy between the monitor image and final printout.  Based on ColorVision’s award-winning color display and output technology, Spyder2 Plus is combined (for FREE) with the latest digital imaging software from Adobe®–its hot new PhotoShop® Elements 3.0.

Datacolor Press Release

ColorVision Digital Imaging Products From Datacolor At Industry’s Premier Photography Show

A family of color correction tools for the photo digital imaging market on display at internationally attended PMA 2005

Orlando, FL, Photo Marketing Association Show (PMA) – February 9, 2005 Datacolor, a world color technology leader, unveils breakthroughs in its ColorVision® digital photo imaging product line at one of the industry’s most important international shows. Photo Marketing Association (PMA) serves over 18, 000 members in more than 100 countries.  Its 2005 Annual Convention and Trade Show runs from February 20 - 23 in Orlando, Florida.

The PANTONE® COLORVISION® family of products will be showcased at the ColorVision Booth No. 1908 at PMA 2005. The newest member of the family product line, ColorVision® Spyder2 Plus™ (The Digital Darkroom In a Box™) will debut at the show’s premiere press event, SNEAK PEAK on Saturday, February 19th, 2005.

Epson Stylus Photo R1800 has been announced by Epson America, according to a news item over at Imaging Resource. The R1800 is an A3 version of the Epson Stylus Photo R800 that I reviewed in July last year, featuring the same 8 colour UltraChrome Hi-Gloss inks and 1.5 picoliter droplet size. I concluded my review by saying “Now, if Epson were to bring out an A3 version of the Stylus Photo R800, and I’m sure they will, one day, hopefully, fingers crossed, then that will definitely be the perfect photo printer.” The Stylus Photo R1800 will retail in the USA for $549.

Website: Imaging Resource - Epson announces Stylus Photo R1800

Panasonic have released some sample images taken with their new 5 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5. With a 12x image stabilized Leica lens, the DMC-FZ5 improves on the DMC-FZ3 by offering faster auto-focus and improved body design, as well as more megapixels.

Thanks to Ricky Nichols for letting me know!

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 Sample Images

There are also sample images available for the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2, DMC-LZ1 and DMC-LS1 cameras.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 Sample Images

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1 Sample Images

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS1 Sample Images

PMDA Press Release

HARVEY NAMED PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR BY PMDA

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID ALAN HARVEY’S INTERNATIONAL IMAGES FEATURED IN “MASTER PHOTOGRAPHERS” SECTION

New York, NY—David Alan Harvey, the critically acclaimed travel photographer, has joined www.takegreatpictures.com as a “Master Photographer.” Harvey joins other notable photographers on the non-for-profit website including celebrity photographer Patrick McMullan, wedding photographer Denis Reggie and travel photographer Steve McCurry who took the famous photo in 1984 of the green-eyed girl from Afghanistan.

Harvey spends months shooting stories around the world, most often for the National Geographic Magazine, including French Teenagers, The Berlin Wall, The Maya Culture, Vietnam, Native Americans, Mexico and Naples. He has shot more than 30 stories for National Geographic and his photographs have also appeared in Life, The New York Times and Sports Illustrated. Harvey has been repeatedly drawn to the passion and lyricism of Spanish culture both in Spain and Latin America, soon to be the subject of a new book and exhibition centered on Cuba.

PCMagazine have just reviewed the 4 megapixel FujiFilm FinePix S5100 digital compact camera.

“The Fujifilm FinePix S5100 is almost identical to last year’s FinePix S5000, the main difference being that Fuji’s proprietary 3.1-megapixel SuperCCD HR image sensor has been replaced with a conventional 4MP CCD. The result is a very fast shooter that takes very good pictures. If it had built-in antishake technology, it would be a serious contender for Editors’ Choice among superzooms. As it is, if money’s tight, this is a very good choice in the category.”

Website: PCMagazine - FujiFilm FinePix S5100 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Fuji FinePix S5100 Zoom

Write a Review of the Fuji FinePix S5100 Zoom

Phase One have released a new firmware update for the Phase One P25 and P20 medium format digital backs.

New improvements in firmware version 3.10 for the P25 / P20:

Custom White Balance
Button lock function (avoid unwanted button operation when transporting)
Capture initiated from host computer is now supported on all P-backs
Improved EXIF information in the raw file
Overall stability improvements

Website: Phase One - Phase One P25/P20 Firmware Update

PCMagazine have posted their review of the 5 megapixel, 10x optical zoom Kodak EASYSHARE DX7590 digital camera.

“Kodak expands its DX line with the 5-megapixel Kodak EasyShare DX7590. Kodak’s latest superzoom has a virtually identical body to that of the 4.2-MP EasyShare DX6490, which we awarded an Honorable Mention last year. This camera is also a solid performer, but as with the DX6490, we wish it had antishake capabilities for long zoom shots. Still, the camera’s overall image quality and performance remain good, and, as we’ve come to expect from Kodak, it’s a very user-friendly camera.”

Website: PCMagazine - Kodak EasyShare DX7590 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Kodak EasyShare DX7590

Write a Review of the Kodak EasyShare DX7590

Focus On Imaging is the UK’s biggest photography show, taking place on 27th February – 2nd March, and PhotographyBLOG will be there to bring you all the latest news from the show floor. Nikon have released details of their seminar schedule which will run throughout all 4 days of the show.

Nikon UK Press Release

Focus on imaging will take place this year from the 27th February – 2nd March, at the NEC in Birmingham.

Nikon’s stand at the 2005 event will have an excellent range of the latest products for visitors to handle, including the new professional digital SLR, the D2X. Nikon personnel will also be on hand to answer any questions that you may have.

The line-up of speakers is particularly impressive this year and includes talks from the following guest speakers:

Sunday 27th February
12-12.30pm and 2.30-3pm

Patrick Woodhead – Images of a White Desert
In November 2004 Patrick and his team of explorers set out to cross the Antarctic in the fastest time ever. Armed with the latest in Nikon digital imaging technology, Patrick and his team were able to capture the subzero action. Patrick will be talking about his epic journey across the South Pole.

PCMagazine have just reviewed the new 4 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 digital camera.

“With its big f/2.8 to f/4.5, 5.83-mm to 69.9-mm (35-mm to 420-mm, 35-mm equivalent) 12X optical zoom lens, antishake technology, futuristic looks, and nice handling characteristics, the 4-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMage Z3 provides good bang for the buck. Speed and image quality, however, don’t quite equal those of the top performers. If money is a factor, we’d recommend the FujiFilm FinePix S5100; if you can pay a little more, consider one of our Editors’ Choices in this class, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ15.”

Website: PCMagazine - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3

Write a Review of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3

DigitalCameraInfo have taken a look at the budget-priced 3.2 megapixel Olympus Camedia C-310Zoom digital camera.

“The Olympus D-540 suits point-and-shoot consumers perfectly. It has a large 1/3.7-inch 3.2 MP CCD and significant 1.8-inch LCD monitor. The built-in flash and automatic interface helps the camera appeal to any level user in most shooting situations, although there are glaring limitations in control. Control is granted over Exposure Compensation, Flash, Macro Mode, and White Balance. This camera is straightforward in its automatic control set up; however, the on-screen menu has a layout that is tiresome at many points when setting different options. It is also important to note that during testing, the number of batteries used was astronomical - and should factor into the price somewhere, however, the camera’s light weight frame, handling ease, and shooting competence should more then compensate for this to the right type of user.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Olympus Camedia D-540 Zoom Review

Website: Read my Olympus Camedia C-310Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus Camedia D-540 Zoom

Write a Review of the Olympus Camedia D-540 Zoom

DIWA member and Norwegian website digIT.no have today reviewed the 4 megapixel Canon Digital IXUS 40 (also known as the PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH).

Website: digIT.no - Canon Digital IXUS 40 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon Digital IXUS 40

Write a Review of the Canon Digital IXUS 40

PCMagazine have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800.

“We define superzooms as cameras with a 10x or greater zoom. We define the enthusiast models as the all-in-one cameras at the high end of the price scale that can create very large images and give the shooter a lot of control. Until recently, these two segments were very cleanly delineated. But not anymore, thanks to Nikon’s 8-megapixel Coolpix 8800, an enthusiast camera with a superzoom lens.”

Website: PCMagazine - Nikon Coolpix 8800 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8800

Write a Review of the Nikon Coolpix 8800

CNET have reviewed the one of the of the lowest priced 4 megapixel digital cameras on the market, the Concord Eye-Q 4360z, which has a suggested retail price of $199.

“There are things to like about the value-priced Concord Eye-Q 4360Z, but stellar image quality and blazing performance are not on the list. If you’re patient enough to wait awhile between shots, don’t plan on making large prints, and can live without full-resolution burst mode, Concord can put you behind the viewfinder of an acceptable 4-megapixel snapshot camera for a reasonably low price.”

http://reviews.cnet.com/Concord_Eye_Q_4360Z/4505-6501_7-30684067-2.html?tag=top