Category:
TrustedReviews have today reviewed the Pentax Optio SV, a compact digicam with 5 Megapixels and 5x zoom lens.
“Pentax has created an excellent camera in the form of the Optio SV and although it’s not completely perfect, it’s pretty close. The maximum four second shutter priority could be better and the detail resolution isn’t quite on a par with the Ixus 500, but the long zoom, live histogram and excellent user interface make the Optio SV a winner.”
Website: TrustedReviews - Pentax Optio SV Review
TrustedReviews have today reviewed the Pentax Optio SV, a compact digicam with 5 Megapixels and 5x zoom lens. “Pentax has created an excellent camera in the form of the Optio SV and although it’s not completely perfect, it’s pretty close. The maximum four second shutter priority could be better and…
DIWA member website LetsGoDigital have just posted their review of the 6 megapixel Fuji FinePix E550.
“The compact size of the Fujifilm FinePix E550 and the traditional design don’t show immediately what the camera is capable of. The camera offers ease of use and is very user friendly. It also offers many extra settings at the same time which gives the beginner the possibility to grow and enhance his photographic skills. The Fujifilm E550 is available for a few months now and is certainly worth considering as your new digital camera or to replace your old one!”
Website: LetsGoDigital - Fuji FinePix E550 Review
DIWA member website LetsGoDigital have just posted their review of the 6 megapixel Fuji FinePix E550. “The compact size of the Fujifilm FinePix E550 and the traditional design don’t show immediately what the camera is capable of. The camera offers ease of use and is very user friendly. It also…
DIWA member and Norwegian website digIT.no have just reviewed the new slimline 5 megapixel Casio EXILIM Card EX-Z55 digital camera.
“My conclusion is that the camera is a significant upgrade from previous versions of the same model. The image processor handles the increased resolution better than earlier upgrades and the lens is now sharp over the entife field - at last. However, Casio has still some way to go before they can compete on image quality.”
Website: digIT.no - Casio EXILIM Card EX-Z55 Review
DIWA member and Norwegian website digIT.no have just reviewed the new slimline 5 megapixel Casio EXILIM Card EX-Z55 digital camera. “My conclusion is that the camera is a significant upgrade from previous versions of the same model. The image processor handles the increased resolution better than earlier upgrades and the…
Lomography Fisheye film camera announced. Lomo have just announced a new addition to their line-up of wacky film cameras. As the name suggests, the new Lomography Fisheye gives a unique fisheye perspective on the world.
Thanks to Siim teller for letting me know - visit his site at http://spotphoto.blogspot.com/ for more details.
Lomography Press Release
The Fisheye View - How Goldfish and Lomographers See, Experience and Live Life
Lomographers love everything that gets their eyes going and keeps them on their ocular toes, so to speak: the most varied of commonplace and exceptional atmospheres, colours, people and animals in all possible and impossible situations, action, distortion, shifts, deformation and reversals. They simply can’t get enough of all the stuff that expands their visual horizon.
On the lookout for a new genuine kick for our thirsty little eyes, we’ve delved differently, totally fresh, into the topic of seeing, and explored fish’s eyes and the way they see in unfamiliar surroundings - on land, in the fresh air. We concentrated our research on all those goldfish, little ones and big ones, that observe our world out of their aquariums, in homes, in bars, offices, restaurants, shop windows, zoos and other public aquariums, on camp sites etc. Looking out at the world of people, dung beetles and dromedaries! We focused in particular on the optical dimensions of these goldfish’s existence.
Lomography Fisheye film camera announced. Lomo have just announced a new addition to their line-up of wacky film cameras. As the name suggests, the new Lomography Fisheye gives a unique fisheye perspective on the world. Thanks to Siim teller for letting me know - visit his site at http://spotphoto.blogspot.com/ for…
ExpressDigital has announced ExpressDigital Darkroom in 3 different editions - Core, Professional, and Assembly. ExpressDigital Darkroom is a software package that helps you to manage the daily photography workflow and is priced from $495 (for the Core edition).
ExpressDigital Press Release
ExpressDigital Launches New Software Product Line: ExpressDigital Darkroom
ENGLEWOOD, CO—February 3, 2005— ExpressDigital, the leading provider of digital workflow software, internet storefronts, and lab solutions, has announced the launch of their new software product line: ExpressDigital Darkroom. Based on recommendations from its 14,000 plus customers and extensive dealer network, ExpressDigital has consolidated its niche based software titles into a simplified full-featured product line. The ExpressDigital Darkroom family is software that manages the daily photography workflow.
Three editions of ExpressDigital Darkroom are being launched: Core Edition, Professional Edition, and Assembly Edition.
ExpressDigital has announced ExpressDigital Darkroom in 3 different editions - Core, Professional, and Assembly. ExpressDigital Darkroom is a software package that helps you to manage the daily photography workflow and is priced from $495 (for the Core edition). ExpressDigital Press Release ExpressDigital Launches New Software Product Line: ExpressDigital Darkroom ENGLEWOOD…
A user over on the PhotoHobby.net forums has posted quite a thorough review of the new Konica Minolta Z5 digital camera.
“Only one draw back of Z5 which I don’t like is the reduced longest shutter speed. In Z3, you have T mode which have max shutter speed of 15 sec. In Z5, it’s now gone. No more T mode and you have to live with max 4 sec only. I think that it because of the inherit noise profile of the smaller sensor size lead KM to make such decision. Whether it is right or wrong, only the potential buyers will be the one who decide.”
A user over on the PhotoHobby.net forums has posted quite a thorough review of the new Konica Minolta Z5 digital camera. “Only one draw back of Z5 which I don’t like is the reduced longest shutter speed. In Z3, you have T mode which have max shutter speed of 1…
About Photography has an interesting article that explains how you should read a photography book. “Surely I already know how to read a book?” I can hear you asking yourself. Trust me, it’s well worth the 10 minutes of your time that it will take to read.
“‘The Americans’ is a book perhaps best thought of as a film. In the edition I own it starts with an introduction by beat poet/writer Jack Kerouac; although of interest, it isn’t really essential to read before you look at the pictures, and the book for real starts with a page blank except for the single word ‘Photographs’. Turn over and you see the opening image, two people at separate windows and the cropped American flag, watching a street parade in New Jersey. They, like you, the reader, are looking at America and the Americans.”
About Photography has an interesting article that explains how you should read a photography book. “Surely I already know how to read a book?” I can hear you asking yourself. Trust me, it’s well worth the 10 minutes of your time that it will take to read. “‘The Americans’ is…
Olympus m:robe goes to the Super Bowl. The m:robe 500i, a digital music player with built-in digital camera, is to be advertised by Olympus during the American Football Super Bowl this coming Sunday.
Olympus Imaging America Press Release
Olympus Goes To The Super Bowl To Launch First Picture-Taking Digital Music Player
Olympus m:robe - the First Digital Music Player With a Built-in Digital Camera - will be Featured in the Brand’s First Super Bowl Commercials Since 1981
Melville, New York, January 6, 2005 – A wild blend of digital music, photographs and extreme alternative dance will appear on the telecast of Super Bowl XXXIX, as Olympus Imaging America Inc. launches m:robe 500i, the first digital music player with a built-in digital camera. The Melville, NY company has announced plans to run two 30-second television commercials promoting m:robe on the Super Bowl XXXIX telecast, scheduled for February 6, 2005 on the Fox Television Network.
Olympus m:robe 500i is a portable digital music player unlike any other. It stores and plays as many as 5000 digital songs and also includes a digital camera. With m:robe users can create personalized dynamic “remixes” that blend music and pictures together to, as the Super Bowl commercials’ tagline suggests, “Let Your Pictures Groove.”
Olympus m:robe goes to the Super Bowl. The m:robe 500i, a digital music player with built-in digital camera, is to be advertised by Olympus during the American Football Super Bowl this coming Sunday. Olympus Imaging America Press Release Olympus Goes To The Super Bowl To Launch First Picture-Taking Digital Music…
Konica Minolta this week announced a 1.3% rise in quarterly operating profit, helped by sales of its new 6 megapixel Konica Minolta Dynax 7D digital SLR camera (pictured).
“Konica Minolta’s digital camera business turned to the black in the past quarter thanks to the successful launch in November of its “Dynax 7 Digital,” the firm’s first digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with interchangable lenses for non-professionals. This helped the firm’s photo imaging and camera division enjoy an operating profit of 1.4 billion yen in the quarter, marking its first profit in five quarters. In the year-ago period it posted a loss of 1.7 billion yen.”
Website: LetsGoDigital - Profit Rises for Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta this week announced a 1.3% rise in quarterly operating profit, helped by sales of its new 6 megapixel Konica Minolta Dynax 7D digital SLR camera (pictured). “Konica Minolta’s digital camera business turned to the black in the past quarter thanks to the successful launch in November of its…
DCResource have published what I think is the first full online review of the 5 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1 digital camera.
“The Cyber-shot DSC-M1 is unlike any digital camera you’ve ever seen. It looks more like a camera phone crossed with a camcorder than your typical digital camera. With the LCD in the closed position, it looks more like a camera, but most people will hold it like so. What you can’t see in this picture is where the person’s fingers are located on the other side of the camera. You need to be very careful about hand placement on this camera! It’s all too easy to block the flash and/or AF-assist lamp, so watch those fingers! Holding and especially operating the camera is awkward, in this reviewers’ opinion.”
Website: DCResource - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1 Review
DCResource have published what I think is the first full online review of the 5 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1 digital camera. “The Cyber-shot DSC-M1 is unlike any digital camera you’ve ever seen. It looks more like a camera phone crossed with a camcorder than your typical digital camera. With the…
DigitalCameraInfo has just reviewed the compact 4.1 Megapixel Fuji FinePix F440 Zoom.
“The handling on the F440 is well-designed, displaying a user-friendly lay-out that allows for quick access to essential shooting features and advanced options, such as flash or macro mode. The lack of external control features makes handling the camera smoother than other competing models, although the absence of immediate control may be frustrating for some users accustomed to exterior options. Fortunately, there are grips on both the front and back of the camera, and the flash is placed far enough out of the way that the chance of obscuring it with a finger is greatly diminished. The viewfinder is small, but is still usable in most circumstances. With the light located directly beneath the eye, the user can actually see the lamp when using the viewfinder–sometimes a distraction, sometimes an asset.”
Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Fuji FinePix F440 Zoom Review
DigitalCameraInfo has just reviewed the compact 4.1 Megapixel Fuji FinePix F440 Zoom. “The handling on the F440 is well-designed, displaying a user-friendly lay-out that allows for quick access to essential shooting features and advanced options, such as flash or macro mode. The lack of external control features makes handling the…
Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0.1 update has been released by Adobe (Windows only).
The Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 3.0.1 updates several issues discovered after Photoshop Elements 3.0 was released, including:
• It is easier to download new creation templates for PhotoBooks, Calendars, and other creations.
• Users can now change the format of dates in the Photo Well from U.S. to European.
Note: This update is for Photoshop Elements 3.0 for Windows only. The Mac version does not require an update.
Website: Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0.1 Update
Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0.1 update has been released by Adobe (Windows only). The Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 3.0.1 updates several issues discovered after Photoshop Elements 3.0 was released, including: • It is easier to download new creation templates for PhotoBooks, Calendars, and other creations. • Users can now change the format…
eDigitalPhoto have just reviewed the new 4 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 digital camera.
” During a pro baseball game one evening, I used the long focal lengths for tight shots of distant players. With most cameras, I would not have been able to get sharp telephoto shots without using a high ISO setting for fast shutter speeds. The Anti-Shake function, previously available only in some A-series DiMAGE cameras, certainly came in handy. It allowed me to shoot at ISO 100 for superior image quality—with minimal digital noise—until after sunset.”
Website: eDigitalPhoto - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 Review
eDigitalPhoto have just reviewed the new 4 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 digital camera. ” During a pro baseball game one evening, I used the long focal lengths for tight shots of distant players. With most cameras, I would not have been able to get sharp telephoto shots without using…
Epson Stylus Photo RX620 announced: the Stylus Photo RX620 is an all-in-one inkjet multifunction printer featuring a 2400X4800 dpi flatbed scanner, 2.5 inch preview monitor, integrated memory card reader, 6 individual ink cartridges and up 5760dpi print resolution. The Epson Stylus Photo RX620 can also back up data directly from CD-R/Zip drives via its USB port. The RX620 will cost £199 RRP inc VAT.
Epson UK Press Release
EPSON® launches a standalone all-in-one home photo centre to meet the requirements of photo enthusiasts
Placing the emphasis on high resolution printing and scanning, the Epson Stylus Photo RX620 all-in-one offers a complete no-compromise solution for home photo users working from both digital and analogue photo sources.
4th February 2005 - Epson announces the latest addition to its all-in-one printer series, the Epson Stylus Photo RX620. The Epson Stylus Photo RX620 sports an array of features to meet the demands of photo enthusiasts who need to scan, print and store new and old images, making it the most versatile and easy to use all-in-one photo printer on the market.
The Epson Stylus Photo RX620 makes it easy to retrieve the photos you want from all of your photo archives. Using the 2400X4800 dpi MatrixCCD scanner, you can produce high-quality copies of photos, whilst the unique direct print function quickly produces photos directly from old negative film sources.
Epson Stylus Photo RX620 announced: the Stylus Photo RX620 is an all-in-one inkjet multifunction printer featuring a 2400X4800 dpi flatbed scanner, 2.5 inch preview monitor, integrated memory card reader, 6 individual ink cartridges and up 5760dpi print resolution. The Epson Stylus Photo RX620 can also back up data directly from…
The AFT PRO-Gear SOLO memory card reader from Atech Flash is reviewed by ePhotoZine.
“The AFT PRO-Gear SOLO is one of the latest 10 in 1 readers that supports 10 card formats such as Compact Flash Type I, Type II, Microdrive, MultiMedia, Secure Digital, Smart Media, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick MagicGate and xD-Picture Card. It’s a sleek designed product that is far more attractive than the earlier bulkier versions. With dimensions of 86.5mm x 14.8mm x 59.7mm it’s smaller than a pack of playing cards and has three slots so you could put three different card types in and transfer date between them.”
Website: AFT PRO-Gear SOLO Review
The AFT PRO-Gear SOLO memory card reader from Atech Flash is reviewed by ePhotoZine. “The AFT PRO-Gear SOLO is one of the latest 10 in 1 readers that supports 10 card formats such as Compact Flash Type I, Type II, Microdrive, MultiMedia, Secure Digital, Smart Media, Memory Stick, Memory Stick…
DigitalCameraInfo have posted a first look at the new 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom, which was announced at the CES show a few weeks ago.
“For an estimated street cost of $699 (USD), the asking price of the C-7070 may put it out of the reach of many targeted users. While the camera is designed to appeal to both prosumer and consumer level photographers, $699 is a bit steep for most developing point-and-shooters to invest. Olympus may also alienate prosumer users as SLR prices continue to fall, many of whom will likely opt to throw in another hundred dollars or so and walk away with a digital SLR that will provide significantly more options, flexibility, and higher quality images (although no videos).”
Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Preview
DigitalCameraInfo have posted a first look at the new 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom, which was announced at the CES show a few weeks ago. “For an estimated street cost of $699 (USD), the asking price of the C-7070 may put it out of the reach of many targeted…
DigiCamReview.co.uk have published a review of the Olympus C-470 ZOOM (also known as the D-590 Zoom), a digicam with four megapixels, 3x optical zoom and a 1.8” anti-glare LCD screen.
“The design is good, the camera is quite small, and pocketable, the camera is quite stylish when you get used to it. The 1.8” screen updates smoothly and has accurate colour and makes it easier to view and compose your pictures. The camera is very easy to use, the menu system is easy to use and there are is a good layout of buttons and controls. There is an okay choice of options and features, including a good choice of scenes. The camera speed seems okay in use, although could be quicker. There is no custom white balance, and no manual ISO settings, but for someone looking for an easy to use point and shoot camera this shouldn’t be a problem.”
Website: DigiCamReview.co.uk - Olympus C-470 ZOOM Review
DigiCamReview.co.uk have published a review of the Olympus C-470 ZOOM (also known as the D-590 Zoom), a digicam with four megapixels, 3x optical zoom and a 1.8” anti-glare LCD screen. “The design is good, the camera is quite small, and pocketable, the camera is quite stylish when you get used…
Shutterbug Magazine has a short guide to creating panoramic shots with digital cameras, concentrating on the technique rather than the particular stitching software package.
” If your camera captures only 1, 2, or 3 megapixels, there’s another benefit to this technique. Combining two or more frames to make a pano can significantly increase the file size, detail, and resolution, so you can make bigger prints. Furthermore, there’s the wide angle factor. At the wide angle end of the zoom on most consumer digital cameras, the angle of view bottoms out at the equivalent of a 35mm lens on a 35mm format camera. That’s not nearly wide enough for me. But by shooting two or more frames and combining them you can expand the horizontal angle of coverage, effectively creating a serious wide angle view.”
Website: Shutterbug - How To Shoot & Stitch A Panorama With Any Camera
Shutterbug Magazine has a short guide to creating panoramic shots with digital cameras, concentrating on the technique rather than the particular stitching software package. ” If your camera captures only 1, 2, or 3 megapixels, there’s another benefit to this technique. Combining two or more frames to make a pano…
The Nikon SB-600 speedlight flashgun is reviewed by Ken Rockwell. The SB-600 features Nikon’s new i-TTL Balanced Fill Flash technology, has a GN of 30 (35mm at ISO 100), full directional bounce flexibility and an easy to use LCD display. RRP is £229.99.
“The SB-600 does all the things the SB-800 does that anyone really cares about and costs $110 less. You get a smaller, lighter flash with almost as much power and all the features you care about, like automatic wireless TTL remote control. Of course Nikon would prefer you buy the SB-800, so that’s what you’ll see promoted everywhere. Nikon doesn’t go out of their way ensuring this is in stock, either.”
The Nikon SB-600 speedlight flashgun is reviewed by Ken Rockwell. The SB-600 features Nikon’s new i-TTL Balanced Fill Flash technology, has a GN of 30 (35mm at ISO 100), full directional bounce flexibility and an easy to use LCD display. RRP is £229.99. “The SB-600 does all the things the…
Despite living in Paris for the last few months, I haven’t taken any photos of the Eiffel Tower at night (yet). It seems that I probably won’t be able to, or at least I shouldn’t if I want to stay within the boundaries of the law, as it seems that Eiffel Tower is actually copyrighted! The the lighting display which adorns the tower at night is copyrighted by SNTE, the company who mainitain it. Technically speaking, both amateur and professional photographers aren’t allowed to publish photographs of the Eiffel Tower at night without permission from SNTE. Bonkers.
Thanks to Sanj for the link.
Website: The Fast Company Weblog - Eiffel Tower: Repossessed
Despite living in Paris for the last few months, I haven’t taken any photos of the Eiffel Tower at night (yet). It seems that I probably won’t be able to, or at least I shouldn’t if I want to stay within the boundaries of the law, as it seems that…