Category:
Bob Geldof’s Brightening Up London campaign, which started on December 2nd with Wellington Arch, has continued throughout December with several more famous buildings having images projected onto them. I’ve managed to get along to most of them, although I did miss the National Theatre last week and the National Potrait Gallery the week before. The event doesn’t seem to be very well advertised, as there has been almost no-one there when I’ve visited, and most Londoners don’t seem to know that it’s happening, despite Bob himself appearing on Jonathan Ross’s Friday night chat show to help promote it. I think it’s a great idea that just so happens to be a great subject for photography, and I’ll be going out again several nights next week to visit the remaining buildings.
 |  |  |
Queen’s House #1
| Tate Britain #1
| Queen’s House #5 |
 |  |  |
Queen’s House #2 | St Mary le Strand #2 | Tate Britain #2 |
Bob Geldof’s Brightening Up London campaign, which started on December 2nd with Wellington Arch, has continued throughout December with several more famous buildings having images projected onto them. I’ve managed to get along to most of them, although I did miss the National Theatre last week and the National Potrait…
Photo.net have published the results of their Digital Camera of the Year poll. No prizes for guessing which camera won…
“In first place was the 6.3 MP Canon EOS 300D (Digital Rebel). It captured 43% of the total vote, almost twice as much as the second placed camera. Though not the “best” or most technologically advanced digital camera, the 300D was the first digital SLR to break the $1000 barrier and it sold for about $500 less than its nearest cost competitor. In fact when sold with its companion 18-55mm lens it still sold for less than some non-SLR digicams. The EOS 300D was the camera that brought DSLRs to the masses. People who had never before owned an SLR bought this camera - and they are still buying it. It’s the only SLR I’ve seen advertised on network TV recently too!”
Photo.net have published the results of their Digital Camera of the Year poll. No prizes for guessing which camera won… “In first place was the 6.3 MP Canon EOS 300D (Digital Rebel). It captured 43% of the total vote, almost twice as much as the second placed camera. Though not…
In this week’s Sunday Morning Photographer column Mike Johnston explains why he’s buying the $150 HP 7660 printer to use exclusively for black and white prints:
“Print color (the Achilles heel of color printers using colored inks to make B&W output): Outstanding. There’s no perceptible metamerism (color shift), which is the great failing of the Epson 2200, for one, in B&W mode. HP’s highlight, shadow, and paper-base colors are well integrated, and the print color is perfect: in formulating its #59 inks, HP seems to have deliberately mimicked the look of a neutral/cold conventional paper with light selenium toning, long the standard look for fine-art B&W prints. They did a good job on this.”
Website: Sunday Morning Photographer: Hooray for Hewlett-Packard!
In this week’s Sunday Morning Photographer column Mike Johnston explains why he’s buying the $150 HP 7660 printer to use exclusively for black and white prints: “Print color (the Achilles heel of color printers using colored inks to make B&W output): Outstanding. There’s no perceptible metamerism (color shift), which is…
The American magazine Popular Photography have published an article on their website which would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons if everything comes true in 2004.
“A trio of top Pop Photo editors recently returned from a tour of the photo industry in Japan. Their mission: to find out, directly from the source, what’s happening in the photo industry, and how it will affect photography consumers in the coming year. In this exclusive report, they share news about upcoming products, photo buying trends, and what’s being designed for the future.”
Amongst other things, the article claims that Minolta will finally release a digital SLR, with delivery by Photokina (September-October 2004), that Olympus will release 2 more DSLRs aimed at the amateur and mid-range markets, Pentax will also release 2 new DSLRs, and that almost most camera makers are researching putting image stabilisation systems into digital SLR camera bodies, rather than the lenses.
So it looks like being a good year for digital SLRs then :-)
The American magazine Popular Photography have published an article on their website which would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons if everything comes true in 2004. “A trio of top Pop Photo editors recently returned from a tour of the photo industry in Japan. Their mission: to find out…
The Slovenian website e-fotografija seem to have got hold of a Sony DSC F-828. I’m not sure if this is a pre-production or full-production model, but they have published some sample shots and pictures of the camera itself.
Website: e-fotografija - Sony DSC F-828 Images
Website: Slovenian Translator
The Slovenian website e-fotografija seem to have got hold of a Sony DSC F-828. I’m not sure if this is a pre-production or full-production model, but they have published some sample shots and pictures of the camera itself. Website: e-fotografija - Sony DSC F-828 Images Website: Slovenian Translator
A new version of BreezeBrowser, the popular browser for viewing and manipulating digital images, has recently been released. BreezeBrowser v2.8 now includes Canon Digital Rebel/300D support with raw conversion, focus point overlay display and full shooting data display.
Also new in this release:
- New ‘film strip’ view
- Displays Nikon D2H, Pentax *ist D, Olympus E1 and Minolta A1 raw files complete with shooting data
- Reads Adobe XMP shooting data when EXIF shooting data isn’t available
- Now reads and writes thumbnail data to JPEG and TIFF images for faster display of thumbnails
BreezeBrowser v2.8 is a free upgrade for all registered users.
Website: Breeze Systems
A new version of BreezeBrowser, the popular browser for viewing and manipulating digital images, has recently been released. BreezeBrowser v2.8 now includes Canon Digital Rebel/300D support with raw conversion, focus point overlay display and full shooting data display. Also new in this release: - New ‘film strip’ view - Displays…
The German website PhotoWorld.de have reviewed the Fuji FinePix S7000, which is the successor to the popular FinePix S602 model. The S7000 uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR with 6.3 Million Effective Pixels output and 12.3 million recorded pixels. It costs around $799.99 and is available now.
The German website PhotoWorld.de have reviewed the Fuji FinePix S7000, which is the successor to the popular FinePix S602 model. The S7000 uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR with 6.3 Million Effective Pixels output and 12.3 million recorded pixels. It costs around $799.99 and is available now. Website: PhotoWorld.de…
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the 4 megapixel Samsung Digimax V4 and the 3 megapixel Samsung Digimax V3, which have the unique ability to use 9 different types of battery sources.
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the 4 megapixel Samsung Digimax V4 and the 3 megapixel Samsung Digimax V3, which have the unique ability to use 9 different types of battery sources. Website: Index Digicam - Samsung Digimax V3/V4 Review
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have published a review of Canon’s fastest and highest resolution photo printer, the 4800 x 2400 dpi1 Bubble Jet i960. This recently announced six-ink printer produces a 400dpi full A4 photo in approximately 60 seconds, with a 4"x 6” print taking just 21 seconds.
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have published a review of Canon’s fastest and highest resolution photo printer, the 4800 x 2400 dpi1 Bubble Jet i960. This recently announced six-ink printer produces a 400dpi full A4 photo in approximately 60 seconds, with a 4"x 6” print taking just 21 seconds. Website…
Sony Reports Defects in Its High-Class Qualia Digital Cameras
[Kyodo News International, Tokyo. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.]
Kyodo News International via NewsEdge Corporation : Dec. 11—TOKYO—Sony Corp. said Thursday it is offering free repairs of ultracompact digital cameras in its Qualia series of high-class products because of defects in the electronic flash.
Subject to the free repairs are 133 made-to-order digital cameras sold for 380,000 yen in June through September, company officials said.
Since the end of October, specialist staff members have visited buyers to fix the defect, which may cause the electronic flash not to work once the shutter is pressed at a certain time, they said.
To see more of Kyodo News International, go to http://www.kyodonews.com
Sony Reports Defects in Its High-Class Qualia Digital Cameras [Kyodo News International, Tokyo. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.] Kyodo News International via NewsEdge Corporation : Dec. 11—TOKYO—Sony Corp. said Thursday it is offering free repairs of ultracompact digital cameras in its Qualia series of high-class products because of defects…
PTN Announces Top Photo and Imaging Products of the Year; Leading Imaging Products Help to Determine Photographic Technology Future
[Business Wire]
Business Wire via NewsEdge Corporation : MELVILLE, N.Y.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 11, 2003—If you haven’t yet purchased that digital camera, camcorder, home printer, cell phone or even a single-use camera for someone special for the holidays, don’t take another step until you look at what the experts have chosen as their top products of 2003. Photo Trade News (PTN), the number one business journal in the photo imaging industry, recently unveiled its Top Photo and Imaging Products of the Year as voted on by its thousands of photo trade retailers who are asked to rate the products that created the most consumer excitement throughout the year and impacted their bottom line.
Not surprisingly, the Top Product Overall for five years in a row was a digital camera. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel not only took top honors, but it also claimed the top spot for the Digital SLR category. With details like a highly responsive autofocus and Continuous Shooting Mode which allows users to capture split-second action sequences at 2.5 fps with a 4-shot burst, it’s easy to see what draws buyers.
The Pentax Optio S4 and Olympus Stylus Digital 300/400 tied in the Consumer Digicam category, both offering similar opportunities to capture great photographs.
“Because the winners are chosen by the photo trade industry, honorees are acknowledged by the group responsible for selling their product,” says Cygnus Imaging Group Publisher Kathy Schneider. “Being selected essentially lets the manufacturer know that they are succeeding and their retailers are happy.”
Canon’s entire line of camcorders was selected as a Top Product and it was Fuji’s line of one-time-use-cameras that retailers found to be the best seller. Epson claimed first and second spots for home printers with their Stylus Photo 925 a close second to their Stylus Photo 2200. If you’re searching for the top cell phone, look no further than Motorola’s product line.
“We’re seeing more technology-based imaging solutions and products scoring fairly high,” says PTN Publisher Liz Vickers. “The photo industry is being revolutionized with items like this year’s Overall Technology winner Graphx Photogize which gives consumers a fast and easy way to send digital photos from their home PC to the local photo retailer, for same day print fulfillment. Only a decade ago, we couldn’t even imagine such innovations.”
For a complete list of PTN’s Top Photo and Imaging Product winners and runners-up, log onto Imaging-info.com. Photo Trade News (PTN) magazine reaches 12,500 imaging industry retailers primarily through the photo specialty, minilab, consumer electronic drugstore and computer channels. The magazine is published 12 times per year and is currently in its 67th year of successfully covering the photo trade industry.
PTN Announces Top Photo and Imaging Products of the Year; Leading Imaging Products Help to Determine Photographic Technology Future [Business Wire] Business Wire via NewsEdge Corporation : MELVILLE, N.Y.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 11, 2003—If you haven’t yet purchased that digital camera, camcorder, home printer, cell phone or even a single-use camera for…
About.com have posted a review of the Canvas 9 Professional Edition, an all-in-one graphics suite from ACD Systems.
“Canvas offers a unified creative environment for intermediate to advanced graphics software users on the Macintosh or Windows platform. Priced at $399 US for new users and $299 US for competitive upgrades, this all-in-one graphics suite is an exceptional value. The product is well documented, stable, and backed by 18 years of development experience.”
About.com have posted a review of the Canvas 9 Professional Edition, an all-in-one graphics suite from ACD Systems. “Canvas offers a unified creative environment for intermediate to advanced graphics software users on the Macintosh or Windows platform. Priced at $399 US for new users and $299 US for competitive upgrades…
Steves Digicams have posted a review of the Olympus CAMEDIA C-5060 Wide Zoom camera, an updated version of the popular Olympus CAMEDIA C-5050 model, with a wider-angle lens that is equivalent to a 27-110mm lens on a 35mm camera.
“With a high resolution 5.1-megapixel imager, a 4x zoom lens with wide field of view, an all-magnesium body, a choice of CF or xD memory cards, exposure options galore and robust image processing—this camera is sure to satisfy even the most demanding of users. It’s also a perfect camera for those just starting out that want the best possible camera to “grow into” later as their photographic talents expand.”
Steves Digicams have posted a review of the Olympus CAMEDIA C-5060 Wide Zoom camera, an updated version of the popular Olympus CAMEDIA C-5050 model, with a wider-angle lens that is equivalent to a 27-110mm lens on a 35mm camera. “With a high resolution 5.1-megapixel imager, a 4x zoom lens with…
Michael Reichmann, owner of the Luminous Landscape website, has published his first impressions of the Epson Stylus Pro 4000 17” wide desktop printer, after spending an afternoon testing it at Epson Canada’s offices.
“For me the decision to purchase an SP4000 is a no-brainer. The ink savings alone over the 2200 will pay for the printer in less than 6 months, and the 75% increase in output speed is always welcome when a big print job is underway. Being able to make 16X20” prints is most welcome, and since I rarely make anything bigger I’m happy not to have to devote half my work space to a 7600 floor model printer. Spousal approval is therefore assured.”
Website: Luminous Landscape - Epson Stylus Pro 4000 Printer First Look
Michael Reichmann, owner of the Luminous Landscape website, has published his first impressions of the Epson Stylus Pro 4000 17” wide desktop printer, after spending an afternoon testing it at Epson Canada’s offices. “For me the decision to purchase an SP4000 is a no-brainer. The ink savings alone over the…
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the Fuji FinePix A210 Zoom digital camera. The A210 has 3.2 million megapixels and a 3x optical zoom. It retails for $279.99.
Website: Index Digicam - Fujifilm FinePix A210 Review
The same website have also just reviewed the HP PhotoSmart 245 printer.
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the Fuji FinePix A210 Zoom digital camera. The A210 has 3.2 million megapixels and a 3x optical zoom. It retails for $279.99. Website: Index Digicam - Fujifilm FinePix A210 Review The same website have also just reviewed the HP PhotoSmart 245 printer. Website…
Fred Miranda has completed updating his popular range of Photoshop plugins so that they are all compatible with Photoshop CS in 16-bit mode. He has also announced a brand-new plugin called DRI Pro which increases dynamic range:
“All FM Plugins (PC and Mac) are now compatible with Photoshop CS in 16-bit mode. This includes, ISOx Pro, SI Pro, WP Pro, SR Pro, Intellisharpen Pro and all of the CSpro custom made sharpening plugins. The CSpro series offers solutions to many digital SLRs and includes the 10D CSpro, D60 CSpro, 300D CSpro, 1D CSpro, 1Ds CSpro, and Nikon CSpro plugins.
In addition, I just released the PC and Mac versions of the new DRI Pro Plugin (Dynamic Range Increase). This professional tool offers an easy and efficient solution to increase dynamic range by blending two images shot at different exposures. One exposed for shadow detail and the other for the highlights. Result: You end up with the best of both. DRI Pro works with all digital camera files or scanned film.”
Website: Fred Miranda
Fred Miranda has completed updating his popular range of Photoshop plugins so that they are all compatible with Photoshop CS in 16-bit mode. He has also announced a brand-new plugin called DRI Pro which increases dynamic range: “All FM Plugins (PC and Mac) are now compatible with Photoshop CS in…
VOSONIC X’S-DRIVE PRO VP300
6in1 Portable Storage Device with 40GB or more Fast connection with USB 2.0 & LCD Panel MP3 Jukebox Player
Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer Vosonic, has announced the availability of the new X’S-Drive Pro VP300, a new Portable Storage Device with enhanced LCD display + MP3 player.
The X’S-Drive Pro is available from all appointed Vosonic distributors.
The Vosonic X’S-Drive Pro combines all the X’S-Drive latest features; Fast USB 2.0 compatible interface, LCD panel to indicate detailed Working status, File transfer and battery power level.
Like the previous X’S-Drive II VP2060, the X’S-Drive Pro VP300 allows the transfer of pictures and all the other files from any memory card to its internal 2.5 inches hard drive.
It displays on its 2.5 inches LCD screen detailed information such as the names of files being transferred and the transfer progress status.
It can be used with all types of memory cards: Compactflash, IBM Microdrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Secure Digital, and MultiMediaCard, and xD picture cards with any adapter.
The easy to use Copy function copies files from your memory cards with just the press of a button, and the names of the files being transferred are indicated on its LCD Panel.
It is also possible to copy file by file from the memory card to the HDD with its single file copy feature. The similar single file deletion feature allows to delete each file stored on the X’S-Drive Pro Hard disk or the memory card inserted
The X’S-Drive Pro includes built-in internal rechargeable batteries.
You can access the files stored on the Hard Drive via your computer with the new USB 2.0 Connection - you can also use the X’S-Drive Pro as a USB Combo card reader.
The RRP is for the X’S-Drive Pro 20GB are: $335 excl VAT / 275 Euros excl VAT / ?225 incl VAT
Website: Vosonic
VOSONIC X’S-DRIVE PRO VP300 6in1 Portable Storage Device with 40GB or more Fast connection with USB 2.0 & LCD Panel MP3 Jukebox Player Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer Vosonic, has announced the availability of the new X’S-Drive Pro VP300, a new Portable Storage Device with…
An update to the popular printing software program Qimage has just been released. Qimage v2004.110 has two powerful new features called “Selective color filter” and “Print filters”:
Selective color filter: Take control of every aspect of color in your images with the ability to apply color tweaks to specific areas of the color spectrum independently! Now you can correct those reds that look orange, blues that look too purple, or even remove a color cast from grays without affecting other (non-neutral) colors.
Print filters: Any filter that you design with Qimage’s batch filter can now be associated with your printer! This powerful feature combined with the selective color filter allow you to take control of printed color like never before. Tired of having your images look great on screen only to print with a magenta color cast when you print on your favorite paper? You can now create an associative filter that eliminates that magenta color cast (and can fix nearly any issue related to printed color) and associate that filter with your printer. Just create your filter, save the filter, and activate it by checking “P.Filter” on the bottom right of the main window and all prints sent to the printer will pass through your filter as a last step! The new P.Filter selection is even saved with “Save Printer Setup” and “Load Printer Setup” so that you can place a filter on your printer and load that setup and filter at any time.
Website: Qimage
An update to the popular printing software program Qimage has just been released. Qimage v2004.110 has two powerful new features called “Selective color filter” and “Print filters”: Selective color filter: Take control of every aspect of color in your images with the ability to apply color tweaks to specific areas…
Bright, high performance wide zoom lens for the Olympus E-System
The ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm, F2.8-3.5
Hamburg, 11 December 2003 ? With its very wide-angle capabilities, the ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm, F2.8-3.5 lens (35mm camera equivalent: 22-44mm) opens up yet more creative possibilities to Olympus E-1 digital SLR users. Thanks to its great light gathering power (F2.8 at the wide setting), it also permits shooting with a wider range of shutter speeds in low light conditions, such as at dusk. Through full compatibility with the TIPA Award-winning FourThirds standard, the latest addition to the Olympus E-System delivers the excellent quality professionals need and expect. Superior optical performance is further aided by two aspherical lens elements, which minimise distortion as well as spherical and coma aberration. The latter is caused by light rays entering the periphery of a lens at an angle and converging in the form of a comet instead of a point. Also, to help avoid ghosting or image flare, problems particularly associated with wide-angle lenses, a new multi-coating has been applied to the first two lenses. The focusing system?s floating mechanism delivers sharp, high contrast images up to a shortest range of 28cm at any zoom setting.
Optics designed exclusively for digital photography
All ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are designed to maximise the performance of digital SLRs based on the FourThirds Standard. This enables full cross-manufacturer lens interchangeability among camera systems applying the standard, as well as the use of lenses that are small and light but also have a large aperture. Nearly telecentric optics ensure images have perfect colour, clarity and brightness from the centre to the periphery of the frame. The lenses? high resolving power makes sure the image sensor obtains the detail it needs to achieve its full potential. Furthermore, thanks to their splash-proof construction, the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are also protected from the elements. The new ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm, F2.8-3.5 is scheduled to go on sale in February 2004.
Further information
The Olympus E-System is the world?s first digital SLR system to be based on the FourThirds Standard jointly developed by Olympus and Kodak. The professional system has been designed exclusively for digital photography. It currently comprises the Olympus E-1 SLR body plus a range of interchangeable lenses and other accessories. For more details, please visit www.olympus-pro.com.
Olympus E-System lenses:
ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm (28-108mm) F2.8~3.5
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED50-200mm (100-400mm) F2.8~3.5
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED50mm (100mm) F2 Macro
ZUIKO DIGITAL ED300mm (600mm) F2.8
ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm (22-44mm) F2.8-3.5 (available February 2004)
Bright, high performance wide zoom lens for the Olympus E-System The ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm, F2.8-3.5 Hamburg, 11 December 2003 ? With its very wide-angle capabilities, the ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm, F2.8-3.5 lens (35mm camera equivalent: 22-44mm) opens up yet more creative possibilities to Olympus E-1 digital SLR users. Thanks to its…
Yesterday the Danish website Akamera.dk published a comprehensive review of the Konica KD-420Z digital camera, which is actually exactly the same model as the Minolta G400.
Website: Akamera.dk - Konica KD-420Z Review
Yesterday the Danish website Akamera.dk published a comprehensive review of the Konica KD-420Z digital camera, which is actually exactly the same model as the Minolta G400. Website: Akamera.dk - Konica KD-420Z Review