Category:
Technology website I4U are reporting that Sony are introducing a new version of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T3 digital camera in Asia. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 is basically the same camera in a slighty re-styled form (curvier corners). Who knows why Sony seem to think that certain Asian countries like their camera corners to be more rounded? I agree with I4U - to me Sony seems to be muddying the global waters by introducing subtly changed variants of the same basic model.
Technology website I4U are reporting that Sony are introducing a new version of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T3 digital camera in Asia. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 is basically the same camera in a slighty re-styled form (curvier corners). Who knows why Sony seem to think that certain Asian countries like their…
Digital Outback Photo have published their review of the 22-megapixel Phase One P25 medium format digital back, used in conjunction with the Hasselblad H1 camera.
“You can learn the P25 interface in about 10-15 minutes if you understand digital cameras a bit. The user interface is really fun and easy to use. There are no cables and the P25 feels very well integrated with the H1 camera. After the initial setup we could concentrate on using the camera itself.”
Website: Digital Outback Photo - Hasselblad H1/Phase One P25 Review
Digital Outback Photo have published their review of the 22-megapixel Phase One P25 medium format digital back, used in conjunction with the Hasselblad H1 camera. “You can learn the P25 interface in about 10-15 minutes if you understand digital cameras a bit. The user interface is really fun and easy…
Pocket-Lint have just posted their review of the 4 megapixel, 8.3 optical zoom Nikon Coolpix 4800.
“Benefiting from a year’s worth of development, in the overall Coolpix range, the 4800 includes a lot of the features designed for more professional models. Nikon’s best shot selector (BSS) and auto exposure best shot selector have been included to automate the picture taking process. The BSS causes a number of shots to be taken in rapid succession and the best one selected. With the AE version of BSS, the shots can be graduated on exposure, with highlight, shadow or histogram, and the best is automatically selected.”
Pocket-Lint have just posted their review of the 4 megapixel, 8.3 optical zoom Nikon Coolpix 4800. “Benefiting from a year’s worth of development, in the overall Coolpix range, the 4800 includes a lot of the features designed for more professional models. Nikon’s best shot selector (BSS) and auto exposure best…
Canon have just released Image Browser 5 for Mac OS X, which is apparently “software that knows your camera and will change your total digital camera experience”. Must be worth downloading then.
“ImageBrowser 5.0 provide a simple straightforward procedure for everything from downloading, organizing and editing images through to printing your images or sending them as e-mail attachments, it also offers a range of features specifically designed to combine with and make the most of your camera’s functions. Some of these features are RAW image processing, panorama image composition, and a remote shooting function that lets you control the camera from your Mac.”
Canon have just released Image Browser 5 for Mac OS X, which is apparently “software that knows your camera and will change your total digital camera experience”. Must be worth downloading then. “ImageBrowser 5.0 provide a simple straightforward procedure for everything from downloading, organizing and editing images through to printing…
PCWorld have published a brief but still fairly useful guide to using your digital camera in cold conditions. Unfortunately they fail to mention anything about keeping the actual photographer warm, a working camera is not much use without a warm and functional photographer!
“When you bring the camera back indoors, odds are good that you’ll get some condensation on the lens. Be patient. It’s a bad idea to wipe the lens off to take more pictures: You can scratch the lens in the process. Also, if you wipe the lens and the condensation pools up around the edges, it can leak into the inside of the lens assembly. That’s a really bad thing. So let the condensation evaporate on its own; it shouldn’t take long.”
PCWorld have published a brief but still fairly useful guide to using your digital camera in cold conditions. Unfortunately they fail to mention anything about keeping the actual photographer warm, a working camera is not much use without a warm and functional photographer! “When you bring the camera back indoors…
The Danish website Akamera.dk have posted their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800.
The Danish website Akamera.dk have posted their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800. Website: Akamera.dk - Nikon Coolpix 8800 Review Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8800
Possibly the last new camera of 2004, Ricoh have today announced a successor to the Capio R1 digital camera (read my review). The R1V has the same 28mm lens and compact body as the R1 - the main upgrade is the new 5 megapixel sensor (the R1 had 4 megapixels). I will be receiving an R1V soon for review, so stay tuned…
Ricoh Press Release
Successor to the popular Caplio R1, the Caplio R1V is a powerful 5.0 megapixel digital camera with a 28mm wide-angle, 4.8x optical zoom in an exceptionally slim 25mm body
Tokyo, December 28th, 2004. Ricoh is extremely proud to announce the launch of the Caplio R1V 5.0 megapixel digital camera, the successor to the award winning Caplio R1. The Caplio R1V features the innovative lens retracting system that enables an amazing 4.8x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle shooting capacity housed in a 25mm ultra slim, aluminum body. The lens generates the finest quality images capable of being offered by this class of compact digital cameras. Moreover, with extremely fast shutter response and Ricoh’s exceptional 1cm wide macro technology, the Caplio R1V incorporates all the latest high-end features to satisfy even the most discerning professional. At the same time, it offers user-friendly functionality that everyone who enjoys taking pictures will love. All the more incredible is that the Caplio R1V’s powerful features are encased in a sleek body weighing just 150 grams.
Possibly the last new camera of 2004, Ricoh have today announced a successor to the Capio R1 digital camera (read my review). The R1V has the same 28mm lens and compact body as the R1 - the main upgrade is the new 5 megapixel sensor (the R1 had 4 megapixels)…
PCMagazine have posted their review of the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot A85.
“In Canon’s ever-growing arsenal of consumer-level compact digital cameras, the 4-megapixel Canon PowerShot A85 replaces the popular PowerShot A70. Unfortunately, the A85’s images suffer from a lack of sharpness. If you can find it cheap enough (it usually sells for under $300) it’s still a decent buy, but we recommend the Kodak EasyShare LS743 for its smaller size and sharper images.”
PCMagazine have posted their review of the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot A85. “In Canon’s ever-growing arsenal of consumer-level compact digital cameras, the 4-megapixel Canon PowerShot A85 replaces the popular PowerShot A70. Unfortunately, the A85’s images suffer from a lack of sharpness. If you can find it cheap enough (it usually…
The Spanish website Quesabesde have just reviewed the new 7 megapixel Sony DSC-P150 digital compact camera.
Website: Quesabesde - Sony DSC-P150 Review
The Spanish website Quesabesde have just reviewed the new 7 megapixel Sony DSC-P150 digital compact camera. Website: Quesabesde - Sony DSC-P150 Review Check the Latest Prices for the Sony DSC-P150
Digital Outback Photo have published an article about EXIF metadata, which is a lot more interesting than it sounds! What is metadata, how can you access it, and what should you do with it? All these questions and more are answered…
“EXIF metadata is always at your fingertips, thus providing you with valuable information during every step of your workflow. However, the EXIF metadata of an image needs to be interpreted within the context of the camera/scanner which it was taken/scanned with and thus its correct use isn’t necessarily a “no brainer”. It requires some initial evaluation time to understand its potential and use in your workflow. But once you determined how to read and utilize it best, EXIF metadata becomes an even more powerful source of information to you and your workflow.”
Website: Digital Outback Photo - Using Metadata in Your Workflow
Digital Outback Photo have published an article about EXIF metadata, which is a lot more interesting than it sounds! What is metadata, how can you access it, and what should you do with it? All these questions and more are answered… “EXIF metadata is always at your fingertips, thus providing…
CameraHobby have posted a review of the Epson Stylus CX4600 all-in-one printer/scanner/copier.
“As briefly mentioned, the CX4600 offers direct printing capabilities from its memory card slots, or it can act as a memory card reader for the computer. I tried out the direct printing feature by copying an existing file to a Memory Stick, but the quality was not very good compared to printing the image via Photoshop and a color managed environment, even if it is the inadequate Epson ICM profiles.”
CameraHobby have posted a review of the Epson Stylus CX4600 all-in-one printer/scanner/copier. “As briefly mentioned, the CX4600 offers direct printing capabilities from its memory card slots, or it can act as a memory card reader for the computer. I tried out the direct printing feature by copying an existing file…
ShootSmarter have posted a first look at the long-delayed DSLR, the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro, including some sample images that you can download.
“Watching the evolution of digital technology is really fun and fascinating and we’re glad to be able to bring you info on items that raise the bar. The S3 offers the next generation of digital capture that moves us much closer to film-like images and is one very impressive camera. The secret is in the chip using their revolutionary"SR” technology that Fuji has been quietly putting into their consumer / prosumer cameras like the little F700 and the S20. These SR light receptors gather highlight and shadow and even some midtone values that the “main” CCD sensor misses, then applies the new data back to the file as it’s processed. This means we get another stop of highlight info and another stop of shadow info so that now digital capture will collect more light info than color trans film does, but it still has a ways to go to catch up with the 10+ stops that color neg film can gather in one exposure.”
ShootSmarter have posted a first look at the long-delayed DSLR, the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro, including some sample images that you can download. “Watching the evolution of digital technology is really fun and fascinating and we’re glad to be able to bring you info on items that raise the bar…
PCMagazine have just reviewed what is sure to be a popular digital camera, the 5 megapixel Canon PowerShot A95.
“The Canon PowerShot A95 is a fun, powerful 5-megapixel camera. Style-conscious point-and-shooters might want to look for something smaller, such as the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1, but if you go that route, be prepared to pay more for less. In addition to a host of features and manual controls, the A95 offers excellent image quality, making it a very good buy ($325 street).”
PCMagazine have just reviewed what is sure to be a popular digital camera, the 5 megapixel Canon PowerShot A95. “The Canon PowerShot A95 is a fun, powerful 5-megapixel camera. Style-conscious point-and-shooters might want to look for something smaller, such as the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1, but if you go that route…
The German website PhotoWorld have just posted their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800.
The German website PhotoWorld have just posted their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800. Website: PhotoWorld - Nikon Coolpix 8800 Review Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8800
Luminous Landscape have posted a report on the long-delayed DSLR, the FinePix S3 Pro.
“As I review what I’ve written, I see that one could draw from it an overall negative conclusion about the Fuji S3. That certainly wasn’t my intent. I always was impressed with the image quality of the S2 Pro. But, I have to say that the extra year that Fuji took to release the S3 because of the chip redesign appears to have somewhat blindsided them in the competitive marketplace.
List prices for mid-range DSLR in early 2005 are around U.S. $1,500 from Nikon, Minolta and Canon. With a MSRP of a thousand dollars higher than this for the S3, one has to ask what it is that one is paying a premium for. That’s hard to see. The shooting speed isn’t the fastest, the size is larger than competitive bodies, the viewfinder isn’t as large or bright as some, and the colour rendition isn’t as accurate as that from several competitors.”
Website: Luminous Landscape - FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro Report
Luminous Landscape have posted a report on the long-delayed DSLR, the FinePix S3 Pro. “As I review what I’ve written, I see that one could draw from it an overall negative conclusion about the Fuji S3. That certainly wasn’t my intent. I always was impressed with the image quality of…
Imaging Resource have just reviewed VueScan from Hamrick Software, a third-party scanner software application.
“Flatbed or film, you can’t buy a scanner without scanner software. So this market is a tough nut to crack. Your competition has an inside angle.
For a while, anyway. Then you upgrade your operating system or change hardware and suddenly your scanner isn’t supported by the manufacturer anymore.
VueScan has been the lifesaver of the scanner world by supporting older hardware on new platforms even when the manufacturer throws in the towel. The VueScan solution has worked for pioneers on OS X with no place to turn as well as Windows and Linux users with no supported driver.”
Website: Imaging Resource - VueScan Review
Imaging Resource have just reviewed VueScan from Hamrick Software, a third-party scanner software application. “Flatbed or film, you can’t buy a scanner without scanner software. So this market is a tough nut to crack. Your competition has an inside angle. For a while, anyway. Then you upgrade your operating system…
DPReview have just reviewed the new Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer.
“Let’s get one thing out of the way from the start; the P-2000 is a very well-designed, very sophisticated and very desirable addition to any serious digital photographer’s gadget bag. It has a fantastic screen that makes browsing images a real pleasure, is easy to use, and can be used to watch movies or listen to music whilst on the move. We managed to rip AVI files from DVD and watch them on the P-2000 relatively easily (though you’ll need additional software - and to be prepared for a little experimentation with settings to do this yourself), and the MP3 playback is not bad at all for a photo viewer!”
Website: DPReview - Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer Review
DPReview have just reviewed the new Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer. “Let’s get one thing out of the way from the start; the P-2000 is a very well-designed, very sophisticated and very desirable addition to any serious digital photographer’s gadget bag. It has a fantastic screen that makes browsing images…
Some Kodak-related news that I missed just before Christmas - further evidence that the photography-giant is back on track as they announce plans to build a new factory dedicated to photo printer supplies:
“Rochester’s largest company plans to spend $45 million on a new factory at Kodak Park that will produce supplies for turning digital images into high-quality photographic prints. The new digital media plant — the largest single capital investment at Kodak Park in at least five years — comes as digital photographers increasingly look to convert their pixels into pictures on paper.
Workers at the plant will manufacture a special dye-transfer ribbon for printers found in stores, homes and commercial photo studios dedicated to digital imaging. The ribbon will go into Kodak’s pioneering line of PictureMaker kiosks, the company’s EasyShare PrinterDock and related products.”
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Kodak to build $45M plant
Some Kodak-related news that I missed just before Christmas - further evidence that the photography-giant is back on track as they announce plans to build a new factory dedicated to photo printer supplies: “Rochester’s largest company plans to spend $45 million on a new factory at Kodak Park that will…
Digit Life have taken a look at the 6 megapixel Minox DC 6311 digital camera.
“Initially all digital cameras were individual and differed much from each other. Now we are entering the epoch when cameras as well as computers differ only by titles on their boxes. They are absolutely the same in appearance and in contents. A new model differs from a previous one in insignificant design modifications and some changes in the stuffing, which have little effect on the final result, as in case of office computers used for entering texts. Admit it, if you type texts on a computer with a 200 MHz processor or 2 GHz processor, the difference is hardly noticeable. And if these processors are installed into identical cases, perhaps you will feel no difference at all.”
Digit Life have taken a look at the 6 megapixel Minox DC 6311 digital camera. “Initially all digital cameras were individual and differed much from each other. Now we are entering the epoch when cameras as well as computers differ only by titles on their boxes. They are absolutely the…
Digital Outback Photo has updated it’s diary-like review of the Canon EOS 300D digital SLR with some new entries on very long exposures, purchase of new Canon lenses (17-40mm f/4 and 50mm f/1.8) and a list of fors and againsts.
“One of the problems you will encounter with long exposures is what is commonly referred to as Hot Pixels. Hot pixels are sensor pixels that turn white during a very long exposure. Because the 300D, and all other Canon DSLR cameras, uses a CMOS sensor it exhibits a much lower number of hot pixels than digital cameras using a CCD sensor. However, you will still get hot pixels during long exposures, although far less than with a CCD camera.”
Digital Outback Photo has updated it’s diary-like review of the Canon EOS 300D digital SLR with some new entries on very long exposures, purchase of new Canon lenses (17-40mm f/4 and 50mm f/1.8) and a list of fors and againsts. “One of the problems you will encounter with long exposures…