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Luminous Landscape owner and editor Michael Reichmann has just published his review of the Pentax *ist D digital SLR, which is now on sale in the UK. What does this professional photographer think of the *ist D? Not a lot I’m afraid…
“Let’s do the conclusion first this time. The Pentax *ist D, Pentax’s new 6MP digital SLR, is an adequate offering ? producing image quality competitive with similarly priced and featured cameras from Nikon, Fuji and Canon.
Is it better in any way? No.
Is it more expensive than the others? Yes. It costs more than the Canon 10D or the Nikon D100, but “no” it’s priced less than the Fuji S2 or Olympus E-1. In other words, it runs in the middle of the pack.
If that was all there was to the story it would be simple to tell. But regrettably the *ist D disappoints in a number of areas, and though I have been a fan of Pentax cameras for at least 40 years this model fails to live up to expectations.”
Luminous Landscape owner and editor Michael Reichmann has just published his review of the Pentax *ist D digital SLR, which is now on sale in the UK. What does this professional photographer think of the *ist D? Not a lot I’m afraid… “Let’s do the conclusion first this time. The…
Many photographs that I take are destined never to see the light of day or be printed, but a few of them can be intriguing none-the-less. This sequence of abstract shots proves that photographic opportunities can present themselves when you least expect it. They were all taken in the space of 20 minutes on a very sunny afternoon on a recent visit to my Mum and Dad’s house. I haven’t told them yet that their bedroom is currently appearing on the Internet (and I don’t think I will!).
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Domestic Abstract #1
| Domestic Abstract #2
| Domestic Abstract #3 |
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Domestic Abstract #4 | Domestic Abstract #5 | Domestic Abstract #6 |
Many photographs that I take are destined never to see the light of day or be printed, but a few of them can be intriguing none-the-less. This sequence of abstract shots proves that photographic opportunities can present themselves when you least expect it. They were all taken in the space…
Photo.net have published their report of the recent Photo Expo Plus 2003 photography show, held in New York.
“Photo Expo Plus is a great place to see the latest gear and take the pulse of the industry. This year, as for the previous few years, the pulse has been ...0101010101…! I’d say digital cameras certainly dominated the P&S and 35mm displays, often to the point that you had to look hard to find a film camera. Even at the Medium Format displays the emphasis was on digital.”
Photo.net have published their report of the recent Photo Expo Plus 2003 photography show, held in New York. “Photo Expo Plus is a great place to see the latest gear and take the pulse of the industry. This year, as for the previous few years, the pulse has been ...0101010101……
The Slovenian website e-Fotografija have posted a detailed review of the Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens, which is only available as part of the Canon EOS 300D kit. Again there are a lot of sample images and product shots, so the review is worth a look. And you can always try out the Slovenian Translator below…
Website: e-Fotografija - Canon EF-S 18?55mm Lens Review
Website: Slovenian Translator
The Slovenian website e-Fotografija have posted a detailed review of the Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens, which is only available as part of the Canon EOS 300D kit. Again there are a lot of sample images and product shots, so the review is worth a look. And you can always try…
The Slovenian website e-Fotografija has posted the first ever review of the Olympus CAMEDIA C-5060 camera. As usual there are a lot of sample images and product shots, so even if you’re not fluent in Slovenian, the page is still worth a visit.
Website: e-Fotografija - Olympus C-5060 Review
Website: Slovenian Translator
The Slovenian website e-Fotografija has posted the first ever review of the Olympus CAMEDIA C-5060 camera. As usual there are a lot of sample images and product shots, so even if you’re not fluent in Slovenian, the page is still worth a visit. Website: e-Fotografija - Olympus C-5060 Review Website…
SmartDisk Press Release
FORT MYERS, Fla.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nov. 3, 2003—SmartDisk Corporation today introduced 40GB and 80GB models of its award-winning FlashTrax(TM) handheld portable multimedia device for offloading and storing digital images and music.
FlashTrax safely stores high-resolution images transferred from any flash memory card onto the built-in USB2.0 hard drive and displays them on a 3.5” LCD that outperforms tiny on-camera screens. By using the sleek control pad, the user can change the image, zoom in, zoom out and pan, or choose a slide show function without the need of a PC. In addition to rapid JPEG view and zoom, FlashTrax can display most RAW format files using the JPEG data typically embedded in such files. The LCD folds to ensure that both the screen and control buttons remain protected while in field use. Images may be viewed on the LCD screen or on any TV using the included remote control. To facilitate portability, FlashTrax includes a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery.
“The Professional Photographers Association has just recognized FlashTrax as one of the hottest new imaging products of 2003,” says Charles Klinker, Vice President-Marketing for SmartDisk. “With our new FlashTrax models, professional photographers will find even more flexibility for field applications.”
A built-in MP3 player makes this device even more attractive—more than 7,000 compressed audio files can be stored and played back through the built-in speaker, or through headphones or external speakers. Various play modes are easily controlled from the user-friendly screen display and control pad, making music selection quick and easy.
FlashTrax also supports video playback of motion picture JPEG files, a format typically used for the short “movies” supported by many digital still cameras. With transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps, FlashTrax can also serve as an external hard drive to transfer, store and access data or act as a simple backup device.
Availability
The new FlashTrax models are available now through retailers and distributors, as well as through the company’s Web site at http://www.smartdisk.com.
SmartDisk Press Release FORT MYERS, Fla.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Nov. 3, 2003—SmartDisk Corporation today introduced 40GB and 80GB models of its award-winning FlashTrax(TM) handheld portable multimedia device for offloading and storing digital images and music. FlashTrax safely stores high-resolution images transferred from any flash memory card onto the built-in USB2.0 hard drive and…
The Plugin Site Press Release 03/11/03
November 3, 2003 - The Plugin Site (http://www.thepluginsite.com) is proud to announce Version 1.01 of FocalBlade, a Photoshop-compatible plugin for sharpening your photos for screen display and printing as well as for producing great looking blur, soft focus and glow effects on 8bit and 16bit images. FocalBlade lets you sharpen photos without amplifying noise or artifacts and produces impressive sharpening results even on low quality images. FocalBlade is the second product in our new PhotoWiz product line, which sets a new standard for photo correction tools.
New in Version 1.01
FocalBlade 1.01 can now process huge images with very little RAM and renders up to 10% faster at low RAM. It features better sharpening, because it increases saturation and brightness less when sharpening. There are new Highlights and Shadows sliders on the Fix tab sheet for reducing the sharpening or blurring in the highlight and shadow areas. The White/Black Halo sliders work more precisely and also affect the surface area. Support for grayscale images (8 bit and 16 bit) has been added, too. Version 1.0 displayed a semi-transparent preview when applied on layers in 16bit mode in Photoshop CS. This problem has been fixed in Version 1.01. Smaller enhancements include the usage of the Alt key to move the preview image with the left mouse button, the improvement of the Undo button to remove or restore the sample area and an expanded Tips section in the manual.
The Plugin Site Press Release 03/11/03 November 3, 2003 - The Plugin Site (http://www.thepluginsite.com) is proud to announce Version 1.01 of FocalBlade, a Photoshop-compatible plugin for sharpening your photos for screen display and printing as well as for producing great looking blur, soft focus and glow effects on 8bit and…
The popular photoblog directory website Photoblogs.org has recently undergone a dramatic redesign, with a less cluttered interface and a new way of ranking websites. Photoblogs.org members can now help determine Top 100 rankings by creating their own favorites lists.
PhotographyBLOG is currently languishing in 87th place, so I need your help to boost the ranking :-) All you have to do is create an account at Photoblogs.org and then add this site to your list of favourites.
Vote for this site at Photoblogs.org by adding it to your personal favourites list.
Website: Photoblogs.org
The popular photoblog directory website Photoblogs.org has recently undergone a dramatic redesign, with a less cluttered interface and a new way of ranking websites. Photoblogs.org members can now help determine Top 100 rankings by creating their own favorites lists. PhotographyBLOG is currently languishing in 87th place, so I need your…
The first ever PhotographyBLOG Photo of the Week contest starts tomorrow.
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. Just make sure that you submit your photos to the Photo of the Week Gallery.
The photo with the highest rating at the end of the week wins the coveted PhotographyBLOG Photo of the Week award, You can then proudly display the Photo of the Week logo on your website. Competition #1 starts on 3rd November 2003 and ends on 9th November 2003.
Please read the Photo of the Week Rules before submitting your entry. The contest is worldwide and open to everyone.
UPDATE 03/11/03
The Photo of the Week contest is now open :-)
The first ever PhotographyBLOG Photo of the Week contest starts tomorrow. 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. Just make…
Imaging Resource have published their review of the A4 HP Photosmart 7960 printer. Can this new printer compete with the likes of the Canon i950 and the Epson Stylus Photo 950? Read Imaging Resource’s review to find out.
“For $299, HP’s engineers put together a fast 4800-dpi printer using three cartridges with up to eight inks. It includes an LCD monitor, a card reader that can handle 10 formats, a scanner and some intelligent firmware. That firmware can calibrate the printer automatically when you change cartridges, plus print and read a proof sheet to automatically print images from your storage card, among other things.”
Imaging Resource have published their review of the A4 HP Photosmart 7960 printer. Can this new printer compete with the likes of the Canon i950 and the Epson Stylus Photo 950? Read Imaging Resource’s review to find out. “For $299, HP’s engineers put together a fast 4800-dpi printer using three…
Steves Digicams have reviewed the Fuji FinePix F700, which has a 6.2-megapixel Super CCD SR and is supposed to capture more detail in the shadow and highlight areas of an image than Fuji cameras have previously captured.
“Announced earlier this year (2003) with an MSRP of $599, the Fuji FinePix F700 would have been a good value if the promise of its Super CCD SR had been fully realized. We’re not surprised that the F700’s street price has since fallen to under $400; it simply doesn’t compete well as a 6-megapixel camera at a 6-megapixel price.”
Steves Digicams have reviewed the Fuji FinePix F700, which has a 6.2-megapixel Super CCD SR and is supposed to capture more detail in the shadow and highlight areas of an image than Fuji cameras have previously captured. “Announced earlier this year (2003) with an MSRP of $599, the Fuji FinePix…
Rob Galbraith has tested the 4Gb Microdrive from Hitachi. The 4Gb Microdrive is relatively cheap compared to other similar storage options, selling for around $499.
“the Microdrive, at any capacity, is no longer universally quicker than competing flash memory CompactFlash cards, as it was in the early days. Durability should be improved, thanks to smart design changes in the latest generation of Microdrive. But again, flash memory Compactflash should still be able to better withstand the jolts typical of on-the-go photography.
What’s left for the Microdrive to really call its own? Price.”
Rob Galbraith has tested the 4Gb Microdrive from Hitachi. The 4Gb Microdrive is relatively cheap compared to other similar storage options, selling for around $499. “the Microdrive, at any capacity, is no longer universally quicker than competing flash memory CompactFlash cards, as it was in the early days. Durability should…
Photoxels have published their review of one of the more popular consumer digicams, the 4-megapixel Canon PowerShot A80, which sells for around $399.
“With its ease of use, advanced features in an entry-level camera, Canon quality optics, DIGIC image processor, and affordable price, the PowerShot A80 continues the A70 tradition of being the best digital camera in the beginner to serious amateur category.”
Photoxels have published their review of one of the more popular consumer digicams, the 4-megapixel Canon PowerShot A80, which sells for around $399. “With its ease of use, advanced features in an entry-level camera, Canon quality optics, DIGIC image processor, and affordable price, the PowerShot A80 continues the A70 tradition…
Steves Digicams have reviewed the new Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4U, which packs the first high-resolution 4-megapixel CCD of the EXILIM lineup into a stylish and thin card size body. The EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4U retails for $399.99 and is available now.
“Most of today’s super-compact cameras use small 1.5-inch LCD monitors. The EX-Z4 utilizes a large 2-inch color LCD monitor which covers almost two-thirds of the back and makes it easier to use in the bright sunlight. Since the monitor is a full 1/2-inch larger than most, the menu text is bigger and more legible.”
Steves Digicams have reviewed the new Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4U, which packs the first high-resolution 4-megapixel CCD of the EXILIM lineup into a stylish and thin card size body. The EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4U retails for $399.99 and is available now. “Most of today’s super-compact cameras use small 1.5-inch LCD monitors…
Mike Johnston’s weekly column looks at large format camers this week, oh, and Halloween!
“So that you know where I’m coming from, my two favorite 5x4” view cameras are the Wista 45DX or DXII, and the Arca-Swiss F-line. The latter is like a Honda Accord. I say this as a compliment - I drove a succession of Honda Accords in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, and found them to be very close to “transparent”.”
Website: Sunday Morning Photographer: My Favorite View Cameras
Mike Johnston’s weekly column looks at large format camers this week, oh, and Halloween! “So that you know where I’m coming from, my two favorite 5x4” view cameras are the Wista 45DX or DXII, and the Arca-Swiss F-line. The latter is like a Honda Accord. I say this as a…
DPReview have tested the resolution of the Sigma SD10 after rumours that this new DSLR didn’t have the same resolving power as it’s older brother, the SD9.
“We’ve just received our review Sigma SD10 (after a little mix-up with the courier) and I’m happy to report that resolution is identical to the SD9. I decided to test this immediately after we read reports elsewhere that resolution was significantly lower because of the use of microlenses. In our own shots of a standard ISO resolution chart we can measure absolutely no difference in resolution between the SD9 and SD10 using the same lens at (almost) the same aperture.”
DPReview have tested the resolution of the Sigma SD10 after rumours that this new DSLR didn’t have the same resolving power as it’s older brother, the SD9. “We’ve just received our review Sigma SD10 (after a little mix-up with the courier) and I’m happy to report that resolution is identical…
Steves Digicams have reviewed the Kyocera FineCam S5R, which is basically the same as the older S5 model but with added high-speed, full-memory consecutive shooting at approximately 3 frames per second.
“The 5-Megapixel Kyocera Finecam S5R is well-equipped with features that will amaze the beginner and please the advanced user. The “R” in the S5R stands for Rapid and that’s just what it is when shooting in the Continuous mode. The stylish stainless steel body is about the same height and width as a credit card. It’s durability will allow it to survive most bumps and bruises. You will enjoy taking this camera everywhere as it fits easily in a pocket or purse and can be ready in a second to take great pictures.”
Steves Digicams have reviewed the Kyocera FineCam S5R, which is basically the same as the older S5 model but with added high-speed, full-memory consecutive shooting at approximately 3 frames per second. “The 5-Megapixel Kyocera Finecam S5R is well-equipped with features that will amaze the beginner and please the advanced user…
The first ever PhotographyBLOG Competition starts has just started :-)
This is a monthly photography competition with a specific theme and prizes for the top 3 photos. The winning entries will be decided by a panel of judges. You just have to submit a single photograph to the Competition Gallery that best interprets November’s theme, which is “Autumn Colour”.
Please make sure that you read the Monthly Competition Rules before submitting your entry. The competition is worldwide and open to everyone.
The first ever PhotographyBLOG Competition starts has just started :-) This is a monthly photography competition with a specific theme and prizes for the top 3 photos. The winning entries will be decided by a panel of judges. You just have to submit a single photograph to the Competition Gallery…
Imaging Resource have published a quick review of the 4 megapixel Pentax Optio S4 digital camera, which is small enough to fit inside an empty Altoids tin. But is it a good camera? Read Imaging Resource’s review to find out.
“As you may have gathered from some of my comments, I was quite impressed with the Optio S4. I’ve become accustomed to seeing significant compromises in image quality and feature sets, in order to cram cameras into ever-smaller packages. To my great surprise although, first the Optio S and now the S4 seem to have avoided almost all such compromise, delivering very good color and image quality, along with a really surprising level of features and special functions.”
Imaging Resource have published a quick review of the 4 megapixel Pentax Optio S4 digital camera, which is small enough to fit inside an empty Altoids tin. But is it a good camera? Read Imaging Resource’s review to find out. “As you may have gathered from some of my comments…
ePhotoZine have added 4 new articles to their Techniques section for the month of November. There are two useful Photoshop tutorials, “Using Curves Adjustment Layers to tint photographs” and “How to create a natural looking shadow on a selection”, while “Using your camera’s white balance mode” teaches you how to use the white balance mode to ensure accurate colour in all lighting situations. I didn’t bother reading the rather strange tutorial “Use your web browser as a quick visual cropping guide”...
Website: ePhotoZine - November Techniques
ePhotoZine have added 4 new articles to their Techniques section for the month of November. There are two useful Photoshop tutorials, “Using Curves Adjustment Layers to tint photographs” and “How to create a natural looking shadow on a selection”, while “Using your camera’s white balance mode” teaches you how to…