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Digital Outback Photo have started their review of the Nikon D70 DSLR, which takes the form of a diary that is regularly updated as they use the camera.
“We are used that we don’t get any new digital SLRs from Nikon reasonable early for review (the D1, D1x and D100 reviewed were all our own cameras). Why did we buy the D70? Because we believe that this is an important entry level DSLR and a valid competitor to Canon’s 300D (Digital Rebel).”
Website: Digital Outback Photo - Nikon D70 Experience Report
Digital Outback Photo have started their review of the Nikon D70 DSLR, which takes the form of a diary that is regularly updated as they use the camera. “We are used that we don’t get any new digital SLRs from Nikon reasonable early for review (the D1, D1x and D10…
DCViews have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1 digital camera, which should be available in your local photography shop now.
“Although the Sony DSC-T1 is really meant to be a point-and-shoot camera, it has many of the bells and whistles of higher end Sony models. Snapshooters will probably opt for Auto mode, which is a simple point-and-shoot mode that provides few controls. Program mode offers much more control over the way the image is recorded. ISO sensitivity, contrast, saturation and sharpness can all be set by the user, as well as flash level and metering among others.”
DCViews have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1 digital camera, which should be available in your local photography shop now. “Although the Sony DSC-T1 is really meant to be a point-and-shoot camera, it has many of the bells and whistles of higher end Sony models. Snapshooters will probably opt for Auto…
Fookes Software Press Release 26/03/04
Build Stunning, Auto-Scaling Photo Albums for the Web
Fookes Software has released Easy Imager 2.0, a powerful Windows application that makes it easy to display, manage, and batch-process images in all popular formats, and produce photo albums to suit every browser. Other photo album programs limit you to setting display sizes that may not suit other users’ Web browser settings: Easy Imager’s integrated Zoomify technology does away with squinting at tiny images or scrolling around oversized pictures by displaying high-resolution images automatically scaled to the user’s browser window.
Easy Imager’s elegant interface makes it a snap to find your images and select them for processing individually, in batches or in whole folders using a thumbnail-based file selector. You can use slider controls to rotate images and adjust their contrast, brightness, color, sharpness, and quality, and check out the results with a convenient built-in viewer.
Fookes Software Press Release 26/03/04 Build Stunning, Auto-Scaling Photo Albums for the Web Fookes Software has released Easy Imager 2.0, a powerful Windows application that makes it easy to display, manage, and batch-process images in all popular formats, and produce photo albums to suit every browser. Other photo album programs…
The Tenerife Auditorium, designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava, is a magnificient addition to the Santa Cruz coastline and is visible from many parts of the city. It has a mosaic exterior that glistens in the sunlight (but unfortunately looks a bit grubby when it’s overcast). Here is the first part of a series of photographs of this very modern building.
The Tenerife Auditorium, designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava, is a magnificient addition to the Santa Cruz coastline and is visible from many parts of the city. It has a mosaic exterior that glistens in the sunlight (but unfortunately looks a bit grubby when it’s overcast). Here is the first…
ePhotoZine have reviewed the X’S-Drive Pro VP300, which is a portable image storage device, 9-in-1 flash memory card reader/writer, MP3 player and USB 2.0 hard drive device.
“MP3 players are hot sellers at the moment, with models like the Apple iPod flying off the shelves. These players tend to be small sleek units, easy to drop in a pocket and forget about. To slip the X’S Drive Pro in your pocket, you’re probably going to need to expand your wardrobe to include some oversized clothes. It’s not at all compact, the Apple iPod is almost half the weight and is considerably smaller.”
ePhotoZine have reviewed the X’S-Drive Pro VP300, which is a portable image storage device, 9-in-1 flash memory card reader/writer, MP3 player and USB 2.0 hard drive device. “MP3 players are hot sellers at the moment, with models like the Apple iPod flying off the shelves. These players tend to be…
DP-Now have just spent an afternoon in the company of the Epson RD-1 rangefinder digital camera and have published a great report about this unique product.
“The Epson R-D1, body only, will go on sale some time this summer for an approximate price of €3,000, or about ?2,000 or US$3,500. We were told that only 10,000 would be made and perhaps half of these will sold in Japan, so if you want one desperately, you will need to be quick off the mark.”
Website: DP-Now - Epson RD-1 Report
DP-Now have just spent an afternoon in the company of the Epson RD-1 rangefinder digital camera and have published a great report about this unique product. “The Epson R-D1, body only, will go on sale some time this summer for an approximate price of €3,000, or about ?2,000 or US$3,500…
Digital Outback Photo have just reviewed a new Photoshop plugin called Curvemeister (PC only), which adds some missing functionality to Photoshop’s Curves feature:
“Why in the world would someone make a Curves plugin for Photoshop? Photoshop Curves are a powerful tool but the list of missing features may answer the question and Curvemeister implements them all:
No Histogram
Only one color mode (if image is in RGB) and switching color modes is no fun for a productive workflow (we also use mostly layers)
No support to correct colors by using gray/neutral parts of the image
Ever wanted to use the curves you used on the the third last image and did not save the curves settings?
Curves do not work in PS Elements 2 (here Curvemeister is essential)”
Digital Outback Photo have just reviewed a new Photoshop plugin called Curvemeister (PC only), which adds some missing functionality to Photoshop’s Curves feature: “Why in the world would someone make a Curves plugin for Photoshop? Photoshop Curves are a powerful tool but the list of missing features may answer the…
DCResource have published their full review of the new 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8700 digital camera.
“The Nikon Coolpix 8700 addressed many of the complaints that I had with the 5700. Where the 5700 had a tiny 1.5” LCD, the 8700 has a beautiful 1.8” screen. While the 5700 had no AF-assist lamp and was notorious for poor light focusing, the 8700 is exactly the opposite. There were other things that did not change, namely full support of Nikon’s Speedlites, clunky controls and menus, a cheap plastic door over the CF card slot, and the lack of a manual focus ring. And some things got worse—noise levels are (understandably) higher on the 8700 than they were on the 5700.”
DCResource have published their full review of the new 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8700 digital camera. “The Nikon Coolpix 8700 addressed many of the complaints that I had with the 5700. Where the 5700 had a tiny 1.5” LCD, the 8700 has a beautiful 1.8” screen. While the 5700 had no…
Time Magazine have named the Nikon D70 DSLR as their Gadget of the Week and posted a (very) short review (found via Digicamera.net)
“Needless to say, there are thousands of D70 secrets I haven’t yet unlocked. I may yet, but even if I don’t, I will relish the fact that for once I have taken pictures that look like what I saw. I’d like to think it was my talent, but I’m sure it was the camera’s.”
Website: Time Magazine - Gadget of the Week
Time Magazine have named the Nikon D70 DSLR as their Gadget of the Week and posted a (very) short review (found via Digicamera.net) “Needless to say, there are thousands of D70 secrets I haven’t yet unlocked. I may yet, but even if I don’t, I will relish the fact that…
Proud Galleries Press Release 26/03/04
1000@100@10
THE ULTIMATE PROUD GALLERIES SALE
MARCH 29TH - APRIL 18TH
A thousand original Gallery prints to be offered for £100…
Proud Galleries will be offering the original exhibition zero prints from some of its most popular shows at a fraction of the market price complete with a certificate of authenticity signed either by the photographer or the Gallery. The sale sees Proud Galleries opening up its store rooms in celebration of its 10th birthday and creating room in its vaults to make way for the next ten years.
With over 1000 prints to choose from - all priced at £100 or under - from the last 10 years at Proud Galleries, 1000@100@10 is guaranteed to have something to satisfy every taste - whether you are interested in music, sport, fashion or the celebrity. This one off sale will include work from such popular shows as The Rolling Stones by Gered Mankowitz and The Manic Street Preachers by Mitch Ikeda, The Smiths by Kevin Cummins - with more big names to be announced soon - as well as highlights from Hip Hop Odyssey, Underexposed, True Football, Clubbing, Century, Flag, F1, Elvis and Marilyn, Motherhood as well as many more?
The sale is also being extended to postcards, posters and books ? with postcards on offer for 10p and books available for £1.
Members of the Gallery?s sales team will be on hand throughout the two week sale to answer any questions and offer advice.
Entrance to the sale is free. Sales are on a strictly first come, first served basis so arrive early to avoid disappointment!
Proud Galleries Press Release 26/03/04 1000@100@10 THE ULTIMATE PROUD GALLERIES SALE MARCH 29TH - APRIL 18TH A thousand original Gallery prints to be offered for £100… Proud Galleries will be offering the original exhibition zero prints from some of its most popular shows at a fraction of the market price…
It happens to the best of us at one time or another - there comes a time when you don’t even pick up your camera, never mind take a photo with it. Once you have recognised that you’re going through a lean spell, how do you get out of it and start being a photographer again? It’s been a couple of weeks since I got back from a 3-week trip to Tenerife, and I haven’t taken a single photograph for one reason or another, so here are my ideas for getting out of that creative rut.
Website: PhotographyBLOG Article: “Beating the Photography Blues”
It happens to the best of us at one time or another - there comes a time when you don’t even pick up your camera, never mind take a photo with it. Once you have recognised that you’re going through a lean spell, how do you get out of it…
It may be a couple of months too late, but the O’Reilly Network have just published an informative article by Ken Milburn, author of “Digital Photography: Expert Techniques”, which looks at the new features in Photoshop CS.
“You can now use Photoshop’s most essential editing commands to edit 16-bit files. This means that you can do a lot more editing non-destructively, especially when the editing means making major changes in brightness and contrast which, in 8-bit files, could cause posterization by creating a gap between the 8-bit limit of 256 brightness levels when the adjustment causes some of the 256 levels to be compressed together. 16-bit images, by contrast, have thousands of brightness levels, so even when some of these are compressed together, there’s rarely a gap between any of the 256 levels that we can actually see.”
It may be a couple of months too late, but the O’Reilly Network have just published an informative article by Ken Milburn, author of “Digital Photography: Expert Techniques”, which looks at the new features in Photoshop CS. “You can now use Photoshop’s most essential editing commands to edit 16-bit files…
Steves Digicams have reviewed the 4 megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z40, which was first announced at the end of February.
“The image quality of the EX-Z40 is very good, it captures sharp and well saturated pictures. The 3x Pentax zoom lens covers a 35mm equivalent of 35-105mm and has a 4x digital zoom feature. There is moderate barrel distortion at full wide angle but almost no pin cushioning at full telephoto. The zoom lens is quick and smooth as it goes from wide angle to telephoto.”
Steves Digicams have reviewed the 4 megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z40, which was first announced at the end of February. “The image quality of the EX-Z40 is very good, it captures sharp and well saturated pictures. The 3x Pentax zoom lens covers a 35mm equivalent of 35-105mm and has a 4x…
The Czech website Digineff have published a short review of the diminuitive Samsung U-CA3, which measures 102 x 52.8 x 31mm and weighs a mere 145g. The U-CA3 has a 3.2 megapixel resolution and 3x optical zoom and is priced from under £280 in the UK.
Website: Digineff - Samsung U-CA3 Review
The Czech website Digineff have published a short review of the diminuitive Samsung U-CA3, which measures 102 x 52.8 x 31mm and weighs a mere 145g. The U-CA3 has a 3.2 megapixel resolution and 3x optical zoom and is priced from under £280 in the UK. Website: Digineff - Samsung U-CA3 Review
The GIMP Press Release 23/03/04
The GIMP developers are proud to release version 2.0 of the GIMP, the leading free software tool for image manipulation.
Berlin, Germany - March 23, 2004 - This release is a major event, marking the end of a three year development cycle by a group of volunteers and enthusiasts who have made this the most professional release of the GIMP ever. It is the first stable release that is officially supported not only on Unix-based operating systems, but also on Microsoft Windows and Macintosh OS X.
“When you launch version 2.0 you’ll see a new look that’s a huge improvement over the previous version’s mundane and purely functional interface. The new design not only provides a polished and comfortable feel, it is also far more intuitive and friendly than its predecessor.” - Bruce Burgess, Newsforge, February 25, 2004.
The GIMP Press Release 23/03/04 The GIMP developers are proud to release version 2.0 of the GIMP, the leading free software tool for image manipulation. Berlin, Germany - March 23, 2004 - This release is a major event, marking the end of a three year development cycle by a group…
Kopin Corp. Press Release 24/03/04
Kopin’s World’s-Smallest Color Viewfinder Integrated Into SpyPen’s Stylish, Futuristic Digital Cameras
TAUNTON, Mass.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—March 24, 2004—Kopin Corp. (Nasdaq: KOPN) today announced that its new CyberDisplay(TM) 113K EVF, an ultra-small, ultra-low power electronic viewfinder system, has been integrated into the new SpyPen Oboe digital camera just introduced in Europe.
The SpyPen Oboe digital camera is manufactured by World Wide Licenses Ltd. for leading German digital camera company plawa-feinwerktechnik GmbH. The plawa SpyPen brand is known for its eye-catching designs and innovative form factors. The SpyPen Oboe debuted this month at CeBIT 2004. It features an unusual but stylish telescopic look with a 2.1-megapixel resolution and a 2x zoom.
“With its low power, miniature footprint and stunning image quality, Kopin’s viewfinder system enabled us to design a camera that is fun to use and makes a unique fashion statement,” said Giovanni Tomaselli, Managing Director of World Wide Licenses. “And unlike other digital cameras, the unique viewfinder enables pictures taken to be viewed clearly even in direct sunlight.”
“By providing a complete electronic viewfinder system, our new display technology allows manufacturers like World Wide Licenses to design more creatively while shortening design cycles, outsourcing more of their production needs and reducing the time to introduce new products to market,” said Kopin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. John C.C. Fan.
Kopin Corp. Press Release 24/03/04 Kopin’s World’s-Smallest Color Viewfinder Integrated Into SpyPen’s Stylish, Futuristic Digital Cameras TAUNTON, Mass.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—March 24, 2004—Kopin Corp. (Nasdaq: KOPN) today announced that its new CyberDisplay(TM) 113K EVF, an ultra-small, ultra-low power electronic viewfinder system, has been integrated into the new SpyPen Oboe digital camera just…
Some random photographs that don’t fit into any of the hypothetical boxes that I’m trying to categorise my Tenerife photos into (despite there being a large number of different boxes…). Hence the title “Miscellaneous Moments”.
Some random photographs that don’t fit into any of the hypothetical boxes that I’m trying to categorise my Tenerife photos into (despite there being a large number of different boxes…). Hence the title “Miscellaneous Moments”.
There have been a couple of budget-priced digital cameras announced in the last couple of days that haven’t been widely reported in the photography world. First up is the D’zign DZ 338, a 3.2 megapixel camera with a very minimal design that has a suggested RRP of just £99. Full details can be found on the DP-Now website. Next is the Yakumo Mega-Image 57, a 5-megapixel model that will sell for around 200 Euros. Visit the German website Digitalkamera.de for the full story.
Website: DP-Now - D’zign DZ 338
There have been a couple of budget-priced digital cameras announced in the last couple of days that haven’t been widely reported in the photography world. First up is the D’zign DZ 338, a 3.2 megapixel camera with a very minimal design that has a suggested RRP of just £99. Full…
Steves Digicams 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.
“Canon’s PowerShot S1 IS represents a practical and cost-effective alternative to the 8-megapixel high-end consumer digicams dominating the headlines this year. Like its predecessor the Powershot Pro 90IS, the S1 combines a 3-megapixel imager and a 10x image-stabilized optical zoom lens. The difference that three years in digicam evolution makes means that the new S1 is now much more compact, faster and less than half the price.”
Steves Digicams 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. “Canon’s PowerShot S1 IS represents a practical and cost-effective alternative to the 8-megapixel high-end consumer digicams dominating the headlines…
Popular Photography magazine have posted their review of the 8-megapixel Sony DSC-F828 digital camera.
“As with the F717, autofocusing is another very strong point - fast and sensitive in normal conditions. In low or no light, the camera projects a holographic focusing target by laser; within a range of about 16 feet, it makes for AF nearly as fast as in bright light.”
Website: Popular Photography - Sony DSC-F828 Review (PDF Format)
Popular Photography magazine have posted their review of the 8-megapixel Sony DSC-F828 digital camera. “As with the F717, autofocusing is another very strong point - fast and sensitive in normal conditions. In low or no light, the camera projects a holographic focusing target by laser; within a range of about…