CNET have reviewed one of the new digital cameras that Canon announced at PMA 2003, the PowerShot A70.

“The PowerShot A70 is much more than just a 3.2-megapixel version of its predecessor, the A40. Although it has the same 3X zoom, 35mm-to-105mm (35mm-camera equivalent) lens, the A70 sports a slimmed-down design, additional manual controls, three video-capture resolutions, improved performance, and other useful extras. Its full set of features might overwhelm newbies, but photographers on a budget who like to fiddle with exposure settings will be happy campers.”

Website: CNET - Canon Powershot A70 Review

Luminous Landscape have posted a field report on the Fuji S2 Pro, a DSLR that competes with the Nikon D100 and the Canon 10D.

“There’s a lot to like about the Fuji S2 Pro. Image quality is at the top of the list. It takes a back seat to no other DSLR in its price range. I also liked the fact that the camera takes AA batteries, and appears to get a lot of life from them. The ability to do multiple exposures is unique to the S2 and much appreciated. The relatively light weight of the camera is also a plus. Firewire connectivity in a camera in this price range is also not seen anywhere else. Fuji is to be commended for this.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Fuji S2 Pro Review

Uwe Steinmueller over at Digital Outback Photo has started his diary-like review of the Kodak DCS Pro 14n.

“This is probably the most difficult review we have done so far as never before (except the Contax digital) a digital SLR got so negative reviews as the Kodak 14n. These reviews by Michael Reichmann, Rob Galbraith and Steve Sanders were all from people we respect a lot. First we did not want to review this camera as it could end up in yet an other bashing. On the other side our readers want to hear our opinion and we want to use all digital SLRs on the market.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Kodak DCS Pro 14n Review

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is offering customers the chance to get up to ?60 cashback when they purchase selected EOS SLR cameras together with selected CanoScan scanners from 1st April 2003 to 30th June 2003. Customers will be able to take advantage of this special offer by completing a voucher inside the box of all eligible Canon products. Canon will then credit their bank account with a cashback payment of up to ?60.

The offer applies to the following combinations of Canon EOS SLR cameras and CanoScan scanners:

- Canon EOS 300V with any Canon lens kit + CanoScan 5000F = ?30 cashback
- Canon EOS 300V with any Canon lens kit + CanoScan LiDE 20 = ?30 cashback
- Canon EOS 30 EF28-90mm f/4.0-5.6 USM lens kit + CanoScan 5000F = ?60 cashback
- Canon EOS 30 EF28-90mm f/4.0-5.6 USM lens kit + CanoScan LiDE 20 = ?60 cashback

Lil, a regular PhotographyBLOG visitor :-), has launched an impressively designed and regularly updated Tokyo-based photography blog. I’ve added it to my Links page…

Website: Esthet.org

Bob Atkins continues his Canon 10D series of articles over at Photo.net with a look at whether you need to use quality lenses with DSLR’s.

“I often see comments that run along the lines of “Since digital cameras don’t have the resolution of film, you don’t get any benefit from premium lenses since the digital sensor limits image quality”. I also see statements to the effect that digital sensors need the very best lenses to give good results. True? Well from a theoretical viewpoint I can make a convincing argument based on convolution of MTF curves that better lenses should give better images even on small sensor, limited pixel count DSLRs. But what do real tests show?”

Website: “DSLRs, Lenses and Film”

There’s certainly a lot of news today…Luminous Landscape has reviewed NeatImage, another of those indispensable programs that should be part of every digital photographer’s toolbox, at least according to Michael Reichmann:

“The Bottom Line: If you have a digital camera that is noisy, or you need to use a digital camera at high ISO settings, then Neatimage needs to become part of your software arsenal. End of story.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - NeatImage Review

Imaging Resource has posted a First Look at the Sony DSC-V1:

“I’ll begin here with my conclusion: This could well be the digicam that finally earns Sony the respect of the “enthusiast” crowd. The new DSC-V1 and new Memory Stick PRO format have removed the external-flash and media-capacity limitations as objections. On a purely camera level, the V1 shows great promise, with an impressive combo of 4x zoom with 5 megapixel sensor, and a range of genuinely useful Sony-only features like Night Framing and Hologram Autofocus.”

Website: Sony DSC-V1 First Look

Ian at DP-Now has reviewed the new version of the Vosonic X’s Drive. I’ll leave it to Ian to explain what an X’s Drive actually is:

“An X?s Drive is a portable repository into which you can dump photos from your camera?s memory cards for later retrieval via a USB cable connection to a host computer. Why would you want one? Rather than buy lots of memory cards you can empty your cards into the X?s Drive as you go. The X?s Drive family is based around a battery-powered portable hard drive unit. The hard drive itself is the same specification as that used by most notebook computers: a 9.5mm high 2.5 inch drive. In fact, you can buy an X?s Drive unit without a hard drive and fit your own, if you wish.”

I’ve just bought the original version of the X’s Drive with a 20Gb hard-drive, which has enough space for about 3000 Canon EOS 10D RAW files. So far I’ve encountered no problems and can recommend it as an affordable way to store large numbers of digital camera files.

Website: DP Now - Vosonic VP2060 X’s Drive II Review

In theory, a contest which involves converting a Canon EOS 10D RAW file doesn’t sound particularly interesting, but in practice it does show the different effects that can be achieved using RAW conversion software and Photoshop. Take a look at the entires so far from the likes of Thomas Knoll (the creator of Photoshop!); which one do you prefer?

Website: Digital Outback Photo - RAW Conversion Contest #1

Version 2 of the excellent Archive Creator from PictureFlow has just been released. I reviewed version 1 of this indispensable archiving software back in February. You can download a trial version via the following link:

Website: Download Archive Creator 2

Digital Outback Photo have posted their own enthusiastic review of Archive Creator 2 here:

Website: Archive Creator 2 Review

DCResource have reviewed the Minolta Dimage S414, comparing it with the leader in this market segment, the Canon PowerShot G3:

“The Minolta DiMAGE S404 was a popular camera that most people never knew about. But word began to spread about the S404, and the camera became harder and harder to find. The S404 is gone now, but thankfully, it’s been replaced by the even better DiMAGE S414 model. With a 4 Megapixel CCD, 4X optical zoom lens, and full suite of manual controls, the S414 is an excellent value at just $399.”

Website: DCResource - Minolta Dimage S414 Review

Everyone seems to be on holiday at the moment (well, I know I am..) as photography news is a bit thin on the ground. However, you can always rely on Steve’s Digicams to post another new review; this time he takes a look at the Pentax Optio S, a digital camera that is “smaller than the size of an average credit card and just over 3/4-inch thick. The OptioS fits neatly into an empty tin of Altoids?.” Steve says:

“The small size makes this camera great for “on the go” people who need pictures for business. Realtors and insurance adjusters or anybody that dislikes toting a larger camera around can just stick the OptioS in their pocket and forget about it.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Pentax Optio S Review

This week’s Sunday Photographer article sees Kent Phelan take a look at the plus and minus (yes, minus!) points of the current flavour of the month, the Canon EOS 10D digital SLR.

“Good morning! This week I’ve asked my friend Kent Phelan, a longtime photo junkie and all-around good guy, to write down some of his comments about his new 10D. The 10D, as everybody in the photography Universe knows by now, is the present “state of the affordable art” ? a camera that simultaneously pushes previous performance and price limits. How many moments it will remain the camera of the moment is anybody’s guess….”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Sunday Morning Photographer

Michael Reichmann from Luminous Landscape.com has at last reviewed the Canon EOS 10D.

“In the end the 10D will be bought by a broad range of purchasers. Entry level digital buyers will find that it meets their needs and gives them lots of room to grow and learn. Advanced amateurs and pros will find it to be a tool that effectively delivers high quality images, and does so at an attractive price. Many owners of 1D and 1Ds models will buy one as a back up body. In fact, a few weeks after returning my test camera to Canon I bought a 10D for myself as backup to my 1Ds. The D60, which had previously served that purpose, was sold to a friend as backup for his 1Ds. So to answer the question of those that will ask ? is it worth upgrading from the D60 to the 10D?, my answer is ? I did. “

Website: Luminous Landscape - Canon EOS 10D Review

I had the privilege of going to the Sebastiao Salgado “Exodus” exhibition at the Barbican Gallery in central London today. Focusing on Salgado’s Migration series of photographs, taken between 1993 and 1998, the exhibition is breath-taking, extremely saddening and, for me, ultimately overwhelming. Until I walked into that gallery I had no idea just how many different conflicts there are in the World, and how many victims. For Salgado to see so many in such a short space of time is an amazing achievement; the fact that hundreds of his photographs are so revelatory is even more amazing.

Website: Barbican Gallery

Phase One have released Capture One DSLR (Limited Edition). Download the 15-day trial version (15.5Mb) at this address:

Website: http://www.phaseone.com

CNET have reviewed the Canon EOS 10D DSLR, giving it 8.9 out of 10 and their Editor’s Choice award.

“If you’re looking for a first digital SLR, they don’t get much more appealing than the 6.3-megapixel Canon EOS 10D. Replacing the popular D60, the 10D provides improved image quality and a slightly more streamlined design without sacrificing the broad accessory and lens compatibility of the EOS line. Though professionals will still sigh longingly for the finer controls and the better performance and image quality of the far more expensive EOS 1Ds, the 10D makes a great choice for those seeking the flexibility and quality of an SLR without the sticker shock.”

Website: CNET - Canon EOS 10D Review

Stephen over at DP-Now recommended this website to me, and I’m recommending it to you in turn. If you’re looking for a completely-free, 200Mb online photo album, then look no further. Point your browser at Instantlogic.com and signup a.s.a.p…

Another day, another positive review of Capture One DSLR, which I think is going to be released and available for purchase today. Luminous Landscape is the latest website to give this new RAW convertor program a glowing review:

“OK. Let’s start with my conclusions first. Capture One is as close to magic as I’ve yet seen in imaging software. Since I started using DSLR in November of 2002 I regarded it as an almost indispensable tool for working with Canon 1D or 1Ds files, and now C1-LE plays the same roll for use with my Canon 10D. I wish I could scientifically quantify what I’m seeing ? but I can’t. I do know though that this software is able to produce tonalities from my cameras that are a significant step above those from Canon’s own software, and better than I can get from Photoshop alone.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Capture One DSLR Review