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Monday, June 2, 2003

Canon Powershot G5Canon today announced its new #700/$899, 5-megapixel successor to the Powershot G3, the black or silver Powershot G5. Digital Photography Now seem to have the scoop on the new G5; they have several pictures of a real camera being handled by the site’s owner, Ian Burley.

Confusion still reigns over why the G4 name was missed out, with some websites commenting that the number 4 is undesirable in some parts of the world. Possible answers on a postcard please!

UPDATE: Having just read the Canon press release, the PowerShot G5 will be available from July 2003 for #679 RRP inc VAT. The PowerShot G5 1Gb Microdrive Kit will be available from July 2003 for #799 RRP inc VAT.

Website: DPNow - Canon G5 News

Website: Lets Go Digital - Canon G5 First Look

Website: Canon - G5 Product Images

Website: Canon - G5 Specification

Canon today announced its new #700/$899, 5-megapixel successor to the Powershot G3, the black or silver Powershot G5. Digital Photography Now seem to have the scoop on the new G5; they have several pictures of a real camera being handled by the site’s owner, Ian Burley. Confusion still reigns over…

Nikon SQDCResource has posted a First Look at Nikon’s uniquely designed digital compact, the Nikon SQ.
There are no sample images as the camera is a pre-production model and Nikon have requested that images should not be posted. I actually thought the SQ was on sale now, but apparently not…

Website: DC Resource - Nikon SQ First Look

DCResource has posted a First Look at Nikon’s uniquely designed digital compact, the Nikon SQ. There are no sample images as the camera is a pre-production model and Nikon have requested that images should not be posted. I actually thought the SQ was on sale now, but apparently not… Website…

As well as re-designing the look and feel of the entire website, ePhotoZine have posted 6 new Techniques for to try. My favourites this month are “Removing undesirable elements from an image” and “Creative Elements darkroom techniques (part 2)”; one digital, one traditional darkroom, which represents my photography tastes quite nicely :-)

Website: ePhotoZine - June Techniques

As well as re-designing the look and feel of the entire website, ePhotoZine have posted 6 new Techniques for to try. My favourites this month are “Removing undesirable elements from an image” and “Creative Elements darkroom techniques (part 2)”; one digital, one traditional darkroom, which represents my photography tastes quite…

Sunday, June 1, 2003

The Grand Place in Brussels is an amazing focal point for the city; the gothic Town Hall, the brooding Maison du Roi and the other guild houses that line the square all battle for your attention. Galeries St Hubert is just around the corner - there is a Jacques Brel (famous french-singing crooner) year-long festival at the moment, hence the banners.



Grand Place Restaurant
 
Kissing Couple
 
Galeries St Hubert
 
Grand Place Restaurant
 
Kissing Couple
 
Galeries St Hubert
 

The Grand Place in Brussels is an amazing focal point for the city; the gothic Town Hall, the brooding Maison du Roi and the other guild houses that line the square all battle for your attention. Galeries St Hubert is just around the corner - there is a Jacques Brel…

Samsung Digimax V4Steve’s Digicams have just reviewed the 4-megapixel, digitial compact Samsung Digimax V4, which has a suggested RRP of $450.

“The Samsung Digimax V4 is a palm-sized (4.2 x 2.2 x 1.5 inch) four-megapixel digital camera that features a superior Schneider multi-coated 3x optical zoom lens for clear and natural looking pictures. The camera can be powered by 9 different kinds of power sources including AA, CR-V3 and a dedicated Li-ion rechargeable battery pack. Your pictures can be framed on the high resolution 1.5-inch color LCD monitor or by using the optical real image viewfinder. This compact Digimax V4 is also easy to carry around, weighing less than six ounces without batteries.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Samsung Digimax V4 Review

Steve’s Digicams have just reviewed the 4-megapixel, digitial compact Samsung Digimax V4, which has a suggested RRP of $450. “The Samsung Digimax V4 is a palm-sized (4.2 x 2.2 x 1.5 inch) four-megapixel digital camera that features a superior Schneider multi-coated 3x optical zoom lens for clear and natural looking…

This week Mike Johnston looks at photographic clich?...

“The urge to make clich?s stems from a desire to make pictures that look like everybody else’s pictures. Why would anybody want to do this? Personally I think it’s because it relieves us from having to rely only on our own judgment when evaluating what we’ve done. Photographers, far more than other kinds of artists, are perpetually insecure about whether what they’ve done is going to be accepted as good.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Sunday Morning Photographer

This week Mike Johnston looks at photographic clich?... “The urge to make clich?s stems from a desire to make pictures that look like everybody else’s pictures. Why would anybody want to do this? Personally I think it’s because it relieves us from having to rely only on our own judgment…

Saturday, May 31, 2003
Cherry Beer
 
Brussels Town Hall #1
 
Brussels Town Hall #2
 
Cherry Beer
 
Brussels Town Hall #1
 
Brussels Town Hall #2
 



These 3 images were taken on Friday 23rd May in the breath-taking Grand Place in the centre of Brussels, a couple of hours after we had arrived. It was early afternoon and raining; not exactly the best time or conditions for photography…


I’ll be posting a selection of images, probably 3 a day, roughly following the order in which I actually took them. This means that the quality will gradually improve, in line with the Belgian weather conditions, which were overcast, damp and rainy to begin with, before becoming sunny and hot for the last 2 days of our stay.


From now on, all images will be posted on this page as thumbnails so that the initial download time is reduced. You just have to click on a thumbnail to open the 600 x 400 pixel version. This larger image may take some time to download if you’re on a 56K dialup connection, as they will be anything between 40-100Kb in size.

Cherry Beer Brussels Town Hall #1 Brussels Town Hall #2 These 3 images were taken on Friday 23rd May in the breath-taking Grand Place in the centre of Brussels, a couple of hours after we had arrived. It was early afternoon and raining; not exactly the best time or…

Friday, May 30, 2003

Internet rumours are circulating about the imminent announcement of the Canon G5. Fred Miranda has included links to a couple of sites that have details and pictures of this probable 5-megapixel successor to the G3. Apparently Apple have stopped Canon from using the G4 term, so they have had to skip that part of the sequence!

Website: Fred Miranda

Internet rumours are circulating about the imminent announcement of the Canon G5. Fred Miranda has included links to a couple of sites that have details and pictures of this probable 5-megapixel successor to the G3. Apparently Apple have stopped Canon from using the G4 term, so they have had to…

The newly-redesigned ePhotoZine have just reviewed 4 loupes from the very expensive but very high-quality Schneider range. Find out exactly why you would want to spend ?235 on a loupe by reading ePhotoZine’s review…

“Now, before you read on, if you’re the sort who would nip down to the local sewing shop to buy a magnifier for your slide viewing exit now. These loupes are more expensive than the zoom lenses you’d attach to your SLR camera!”

Website: ePhotoZine - Schneider Loupe Review

The newly-redesigned ePhotoZine have just reviewed 4 loupes from the very expensive but very high-quality Schneider range. Find out exactly why you would want to spend ?235 on a loupe by reading ePhotoZine’s review… “Now, before you read on, if you’re the sort who would nip down to the local…

Canon EOS 10DNorman Koren has published an exellent in-depth look at the Canon EOS 10D, including his reasons for buying the camera, initial impressions, sample images and more. A must-read for anyone that is even remotely interested in buying the 10D, and also for all current 10D owners.

“I was very impressed by the Canon EOS-10D at the PMA show in Las Vegas in early March, 2003. 13x19 inch prints were stunning and 24x36 inch prints still impressive when viewed from a moderate distance. (You wouldn’t expect them to be absolutely sharp at that size.) The fast, positive, 7-point autofocus, rugged magnesium body, lack of obvious shutter lag, and reduced price compared to the D60 ($1499 vs. about $2200) were factors in my decision. I ordered one shortly after I returned home, and it arrived, after a few days delay, at the end of March. This is a big change for me—I’d been using Canon FD manual focus cameras and lenses, which date from 1986 and earlier.”

Website: Norman Koren - Canon EOS 10D

Norman Koren has published an exellent in-depth look at the Canon EOS 10D, including his reasons for buying the camera, initial impressions, sample images and more. A must-read for anyone that is even remotely interested in buying the 10D, and also for all current 10D owners. “I was very impressed…

A-Digital-Eye have posted their initial report on Sony’s highly-anticipated new digicam, the DSC-V1, together with sample images from Disneyland of all places!

“Initially, we also really like the light weight and small size of the camera for taking out all day at a place like Disneyland. We often could forget it was hanging around the neck. The camera operates very fast after an initial average start-up to extend the lens. Our first day of shooting resulted in very good overall results, the images are coming out with correct focus, good sharpness, they have a slightly bright exposure/tone but neutral look to them with no major color casts and fairly good saturation.”

Website: A-Digital-Eye

A-Digital-Eye have posted their initial report on Sony’s highly-anticipated new digicam, the DSC-V1, together with sample images from Disneyland of all places! “Initially, we also really like the light weight and small size of the camera for taking out all day at a place like Disneyland. We often could forget…

Thursday, May 29, 2003

Lor has emailed me to let me know about an exciting new venture that aims to make photoblogging easier and more accessible. Due to launch on July 1st, Expressions! (my-expressions.com) is a hosted solution for visually driven blogs/photoblogs/media blogs, catering specifically for the beginner photo/mediablogger. There will also be an advanced version in the very near future. It looks like a great idea to me if you haven’t already got your own photoblog.

Website: Expressions! website

Lor has emailed me to let me know about an exciting new venture that aims to make photoblogging easier and more accessible. Due to launch on July 1st, Expressions! (my-expressions.com) is a hosted solution for visually driven blogs/photoblogs/media blogs, catering specifically for the beginner photo/mediablogger. There will also be an…

Wednesday, May 28, 2003

Well, as you can see from the 9 (!) new entries for today, I’ve arrived back from the Belgian capital of Brussels safe and sound, despite the best efforts of the French air traffic controllers, who decided to extend their strike by a day just so that my flight would be delayed (or so it seemed last night anyway…).

I’ll be posting a selection of the best images from my trip over the next few days, once I’ve copied them onto my PC and sorted through them. I’m also hoping to publish a full account of my completely digital 5-day trip; what worked well, what didn’t work so well, how chips are served with every meal, that kind of thing…

In the meantime I’ve been busy catching up with all of the new announcements from the photography world; please let me know if I’ve missed anything. I’ll be replying to all PhotographyBLOG emails tonight, and all new members should now have received introductory emails with the links to the free screensaver and wallpapers.

Phew!

Well, as you can see from the 9 (!) new entries for today, I’ve arrived back from the Belgian capital of Brussels safe and sound, despite the best efforts of the French air traffic controllers, who decided to extend their strike by a day just so that my flight would…

Nikon Coolpix 5400There have been a number of new cameras announced since I left for Belgium last Friday, the biggest of which is the Nikon Coolpix 5400. Retailing at ?650 and available in the rather vague timeframe of"Summer 2003”, the 5400 replaces the older 5000 model. DPReview has pictures and the full press release from Nikon USA.

Website: DPReview - Nikon Coolpix 5400 Press Release

Whilst Steve’s Digicams have already posted a First Look here:

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Nikon Coolpix 5400 First Look

Fuji have also been busy, despite their recent problems with sourcing enough CCDs to meet the growing demand for digital cameras. The FinePix A210 Zoom is “a simple, straightforward entry-level digital camera. With 3.2 Mp and 3x zoom, the FinePix A210 Zoom is an impressive, yet affordable, choice for anyone moving on from a no-frills, compact film camera to take their first steps into digital photography”, according to Fuji anyway. Price has yet to be announced.

There have been a number of new cameras announced since I left for Belgium last Friday, the biggest of which is the Nikon Coolpix 5400. Retailing at ?650 and available in the rather vague timeframe of"Summer 2003”, the 5400 replaces the older 5000 model. DPReview has pictures and the full…

The “Capture One DSLR” e-booklet from Digitial Outback Photo may be of interest to all users of Capture One DSLR (Pro and LE versions) RAW conversion software and Adobe Photoshop. Here’s the official blurb for the $17.95 e-booklet:

“DOP1007: for all users of Capture One DSLR (Pro or LE). It also features our new Photoshop Layer based workflow. Includes a 33 page chapter about working with Photoshop layers. For some this might be worth the price alone.”

You can download a PDF of the Table of Contents before buying to see what exactly the e-booklet contains.

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Capture One DSLR e-booklet

The “Capture One DSLR” e-booklet from Digitial Outback Photo may be of interest to all users of Capture One DSLR (Pro and LE versions) RAW conversion software and Adobe Photoshop. Here’s the official blurb for the $17.95 e-booklet: “DOP1007: for all users of Capture One DSLR (Pro or LE). It…

Michael Reichmann’s new article “Safe Computing for Photographers” is a concise guide to protecting the photographs that you have so lovingly created from the computer issues that will affect you at some point in the (probably near) future.

“Photography is now about computers as much as it is about cameras and lenses. The use of computers brings with it a host of new issues ? but the most important is safety. Some of the specific concerns that we all have are…

? backups of both our general working environment as well as of irreplaceable image files

? securing our computers against virus attacks and spam

? ensuring that our other important files and programs are safe against catastrophic failure”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Safe Computing for Photographers

Michael Reichmann’s new article “Safe Computing for Photographers” is a concise guide to protecting the photographs that you have so lovingly created from the computer issues that will affect you at some point in the (probably near) future. “Photography is now about computers as much as it is about cameras…

The winning entries in Luminous Landscape’s Lunar Eclipse Competition were announced over the weekend, together with some technical details about how each shot was taken. The winning photo by Jim Hardy is a great image, and I also like Matthew Felton’s cityscape.

Website: Luminous Landscape - Lunar Eclipse Competition Winners

The winning entries in Luminous Landscape’s Lunar Eclipse Competition were announced over the weekend, together with some technical details about how each shot was taken. The winning photo by Jim Hardy is a great image, and I also like Matthew Felton’s cityscape. Website: Luminous Landscape - Lunar Eclipse Competition Winners…

Mike Johnston’s Sunday Morning Photographer column looks this week at the subjective issue of why some people like a photograph, and some don’t…

“The question, more bluntly put, is “Why the heck do you like that?” There’s no one right answer here, of course, so I can look at this from both sides. Most importantly, though, there ain’t no Emperor. What I mean is, I’m not privy to any secret Guild card or arcane knowledge that somehow bestows upon me the right to say what’s good and what’s not. When I say I like something, I just mean I like it. I’m not implying that you should like it, or if you knew more you would like it, or you’re a Philistine for not liking it. We all get to have our own taste.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Sunday Morning Photographer

Mike Johnston’s Sunday Morning Photographer column looks this week at the subjective issue of why some people like a photograph, and some don’t… “The question, more bluntly put, is “Why the heck do you like that?” There’s no one right answer here, of course, so I can look at this…

Imaging Resource meanwhile have been less busy, posting just one new review of the Minolta DiMAGE F300.

“In almost every parameter, the Minolta DiMAGE F300 is an excellent performer, delivering excellent color with good white balance under a wide range of lighting. Its five megapixels of resolution combine with the excellent “GT” optics in its lens to deliver images that are sharp from corner to corner.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Minolta Dimage F300 Review

Imaging Resource meanwhile have been less busy, posting just one new review of the Minolta DiMAGE F300. “In almost every parameter, the Minolta DiMAGE F300 is an excellent performer, delivering excellent color with good white balance under a wide range of lighting. Its five megapixels of resolution combine with the…

Steve’s Digicams have surpassed themselves and posted no less then 5 new reviews over the past few days. I don’t know, I go away for a short break and everyone instantly starts publishing new stuff…

Website: Steve’s Digicams - HiTi 640PS photo printer Review

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Apacer Disc Steno CP-100 Review

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Casio QV-5700 Review

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Pentax Optio 550 Review

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Polaroid PhotoMax PDC3350 Review

Steve’s Digicams have surpassed themselves and posted no less then 5 new reviews over the past few days. I don’t know, I go away for a short break and everyone instantly starts publishing new stuff… Website: Steve’s Digicams - HiTi 640PS photo printer Review Website: Steve’s Digicams - Apacer Disc…