Steves Digicams have posted a full review of the Fujifilm Finepix S20 Pro digital camera, which sits at the top of the FinePix range.

“The bottom line for most digital camera buyers today is image quality and price. The FinePix S20 Pro in my opinion does not deliver the level of image quality that we expect from a “top of the line” digicam. Other than its 6M mode it does not offer any choices in image quality other than basic, this is a standard feature on every other manufacturer’s cameras.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Fujifilm Finepix S20 Pro Review

Website: Read my Review of the Fuji FinePix S20 Pro

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the new 8-megapixel Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom digital camera.

“The C-8080 also performed well outdoors. Images were consistently well-exposed and richly- saturated. The range of the zoom lens provides plenty of flexibility in shot composition, with the wide-angle 28mm focal length providing extra field of view for landscapes and the 140mm telephoto focal length bringing your distant subjects closer. The LCD viewfinder has a brightness adjustment, allowing it to be used even on bright days, but it has no anti-glare coating to prevent the reflection of direct sunlight; you’ll prefer to use the EVF on the brightest days.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom Review

Website: Read my review of the Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom

Luminous Landscape have posted a full review of the new 8 megapixel professional DSLR from Canon, the EOS 1D Mark II.

“There isn’t much to add by way of summary. The Canon 1D Mark II offers the photojournalist, wildlife and sports photographer possibly the finest shooting tool yet seen. Image quality is excellent, shooting speed is as fast as we’ve ever had, and ruggedness of construction and quality of materials is a given.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Review

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have just reviewed the Canon Powershot S1 IS digital camera, which offers 10x image stablised zoom, 3 megapixels and high-quality 640 x 480 video at 30 frames/second with sound.

Website: Index Digicam - Canon PowerShot S1 IS Review

Imaging Resource have posted a gallery of sample images taken with the new 8 megapixel professional DSLR from Canon, the EOS 1D Mark II, ahead of their full review.

“The results look very nice: Great color, low image noise, very good tonality. All the images had the characteristic Canon softness to them, (I think) the result of very conservative in-camera sharpening. My uncertainty about the sharpness is because the only lens I have to shoot with the 1DMII currently is a 16-35mm zoom.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Sample Images

My favourite online print service, PhotoBox, is currently running a special promotion for anyone in the UK who has bought a digital camera in 2004. Well worth trying out if you qualify.

“As a special digital introductory offer, registered PhotoBox customers can claim 50 free prints when they send us a copy of a new digital camera invoice*. To qualify for this limited offer your invoice must be dated between 1st January and 30th April 2004 and include a digital camera purchase value of GBP200 or more (including VAT). You have until the end of April to take up this fantastic offer and get to know your new camera’s photographic capabilities.”

Website: Imaging-Info.com - PhotoBox Press Release

Digital Outback Photo have taken a look at a new feature for the Nikon D70 and D2H digital SLRs called “Dust Off” (part of the Nikon Capture software), which promises to quickly remove those irritating dust spots from your photos.

“Dust spots are a fact of the life of digital photographers using DSLRs with interchangeable lenses (only the Canon D30, D60, 10D and 300D seem to be less prone. We have the feeling that this maybe more luck than design because the Canon 1D and 1Ds show more dust).

Now Nikon came up with a neat idea to implement a feature in their D70 and D2h that allows to photograph a “dust map” photo and should help to reduce/remove dust from existing raw files.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Dust Removal

Digital Outback Photo have published an informative article on what you should look for in a RAW convertor (first published in Shutterbug magazine):

“To no real surprise, not all raw converters deliver the same benefits in the quality of the output and, more importantly, a good raw file workflow. All current raw file formats are proprietary. That is why every manufacturer features its own raw converter, which works only with files from that manufacturer.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Raw Image Convertor Essentials (PDF Format)

WebFormation, Inc. Press Release 29/03/04

WebFormation, Inc., leader in web development tools and Internet hosting, proudly announces beta 1 of ExposureManager; a service that makes displaying and selling photography online quick and effortless.

ExposureManager allows photographers to upload and display their photos. They are given complete freedom in the look and feel of their galleries, and are also able to customize a variety of templates through an easy-to-use interface.

Per gallery and per photo, the photographer has the option to sell prints, posters and other merchandise. To do this, a photographer selects which type and price the prints and/or merchandise he or she wishes to sell. ExposureManager?s systems will take care of billing the customer, the fulfillment of the order and the payment of profit to the photographer. The photo processing is handled by EZPrints in Georgia. Depending on upload speed, a photographer can upload photos and have them available for sale in just a few minutes!

Goethe-Institut Washington Press Release 29/03/04

Vampire Photo-Novel VLADRACUL Exhibition / Washington (USA) 2004
Goethe-Institut Washington
NW Washington, DC 20001-3718 / USA
May 19 - August 29, 2004

after the success in los angeles and hong kong johnny de brest brings his photo-novel “VLADRACUL” to washington.

johnny de brest’s photo-novel “vladracul”, a modern-day allegorical spin on the dracula tale, shot in berlin and poland. “vladracul” was culled from over 15.000 images, from brightly-lit contemporary clubs pulsating with under-currents of darkness to shots of auschwitz, that are simultaneously horrific and beautiful (LA WEEKLY).

Leaf America Press Release 29/03/04

Elmsford, NY - Leaf America and Mamiya, leaders in both the digital and analog photographic industry have teamed up to create the all-new Leaf Mamiya ProDigital Camera Solution for the U.S. market.

Since the start of the digital revolution, Leaf has focused its energy on the science of digital imaging, from capture to print. In fact, Leaf invented the first digital backs over ten years ago. Leaf is a product of Creo, one of the world’s largest producers of pre-press and printing equipment. It is this knowledge of the printing world that enables Leaf to produce state-of-the-art software to process digitally captured images without noise and artifacts.

Photographers see the benefit with the Leaf Capture V8 software, which converts captured files into clean, crisp images. According to Leaf, pixel count is less relevant than the quality of the file, and it is the Leaf software that makes the difference. In the traditional photographic world, Mamiya cameras and lenses have become the choice of today’s top professionals. Continuous innovation to create better, sharper images with truer color and contrast have kept Mamiya at the forefront of analog imaging. And, since Mamiya produces its own lenses, it is in a unique position to control every step in the design and manufacturing process to produce lenses that are ideally suited for both digital and film imaging.

Together, the seamless integration of the latest in high-tech digital imaging technology, coupled with the time proven optical performance of Mamiya cameras and lenses, create a unique synergy. The Leaf Mamiya ProDigital Camera Solution represents the culmination of years of research and development between Leaf and Mamiya to bring an integrated imaging system to photographers that utilizes both digital and film imaging.

The winner of the 17th PhotographyBLOG Photo of the Week contest is gav_davies with the entry “Elly”. There are no prizes as such for this contest, but the winning photo is displayed on the PhotographyBLOG homepage for a week, and the winner can display the Photo of the Week logo on their website if they wish.

The 18th Photo of the Week contest is now open. This is a weekly photography challenge where you decide who the winner is by voting for your favourite photos. It’s an open contest with no set theme and you can enter as many photos as you like.

IMPORTANT: I have noticed several examples of what could be viewed as tactical voting, where a low rating has been left with no comment explaining why. Please try and leave a rating and a comment explaining what you think of the photograph and why you gave it that rating. The Photo of the Week contest is meant to be fun and also a way of offering constructive feedback to people. Please try to keep it that way.

The Danish website Digitalmagasinet.dk have just published an 11-page review of the 8 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-F828 digital camera.

Website: Digitalmagasinet.dk - Sony Cybershot DSC-F828 Review

There’s a short but interesting roundup of 5 budget digital cameras over at TechTV, with budget meaning under $200 (found via ecoustics.com.

“Fujifilm has a habit of delivering fine sub-$200 cameras. The A210 continues the tradition, boasting a 3.2-megapixel sensor, fine optics, and a real zoom lens. The camera snaps stupendous looking photos, features a nice bright flash, and includes a 320 x 240 Motion JPEG movie mode. The included 16MB xD PictureCard will hold 19 shots at the best quality and 122 at the lowest quality.”

Website: TechTV - Good Budget Digital Cameras

Digital Outback Photo have posted a selection of shots taken with the new Nikon D70 and Kodak SLR/n digital SLR cameras. Take a look to find out what these cameras can achieve in the hands of two talented photographers.

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Nikon D70 Gallery

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Kodak SLR/n Gallery

Sony has just released firmware updates for the Cybershot DSC-F828 and DSC-T1 digital cameras.

The Firmware update Ver.2.0 resolves the following issues for both cameras:

1. Picture deleting issue using quick review function:
- If you delete a picture in the Memory Stick using the quick review function , and the Memory Stick contains more than 2 folders, it may occur that another picture in another folder is deleted or that you cannot delete the target picture at all

2. Picture that is copied from the computer gets damaged when transferred to a camera via USB.
- When you copy a picture from a computer to a camera via USB2.0 in Hi-Speed mode, it may happen that the copied file in the Memory Stick gets damaged.
- When you copy and delete a picture from a computer to a camera by USB several times, it may happen that the file in the Memory Stick is damaged.

Website: Sony - DSC-F828 Firmware Update

Website: Sony - DSC-T1 Firmware Update

Professional photographer Bjorn Rorslett has also published a review of the Nikon D70 DSLR (again found via digicamera.net).

“Nikon D70 has up to now been an interesting experience. The camera is inobtrusive, small and light-weight, yet a very capable performer. You do have to gear your attitude and working habits to embrace the possibilites supported by the camera, and not the annoyance of all those missing features of a professional camera prevent you from utilising the potential which still is there.”

Website: Bjorn Rorslett - Nikon D70 Review

Finnish photographer Petri Kekkonen has published a review of the Nikon D70 DSLR in English (found via digicamera.net).

“Based on somewhat inaccurate timings AF motor speed seems to be similar to that of Nikon F80. But the feeling I got while shooting both in the same conditions yesterday (using only central AF sensor on both) D70 feels like having a slight edge when it comes to snapping into focus. Also the sound of the AF motor is more civilised and silent.”

Website: Petri Kekkonen - Nikon D70 Review

Photobird.com Press Release 29/03/04

Simple-to-use Comments and Ratings, and secure Password-Protected Albums top the list

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. - March 29, 2004 - Photobird.com, the easy way to share your photos around the world, today announced the immediate availability of exciting new features that make sharing digital photos even easier, more secure, and more flexible.  Some of the new features the Photobird.com website now supports include the ability to select different digital photo display sizes, the ability to password protect photo albums, and the choice to allow visitors to leave comments about your digital photos and photo albums, similar to a guest book.  A free trial and more information about the new features announced today are
available at www.photobird.com.

“Digital camera users want ease of use, control, and flexibility when they share their digital photos with friends and family.  These new features on Photobird.com give our customers the control and flexibility they have asked for, while still maintaining the ease of use and clean, professional design for which Photobird.com is known worldwide,” said Ed Krimen, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Photobird.com.  “Not only are these new features available to
subscribers at no additional cost, but they are completely optional to use, and subscribers can use them on the photo albums they choose.”

In this week’s Sunday Morning Photographer column Mike Johnston takes a break and hands over to Steve Rosenblum, who treats us to a review of a Complete Digital Workflow Workshop from Cone Editions Press.

“Cone developed the first quad black inksets and software for the IRIS printer which he had been using previously to produce fine art non-photographic prints. He became very involved in IRIS printing techniques, training a generation of Giclee printers as well as becoming an IRIS dealer. As the IRIS organization began to fall apart in the 90’s and desktop inkjet printers emerged he became intrigued with the possibility that a quadtone system could be adapted to the Epson Stylus 3000 printer which was widely available and cost only a few percent of the $100,000 IRIS machines. Out of this effort at software and inkset development emerged the original PiezographyBW system.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Review: Cone Editions Press Complete Digital Workflow Workshop