News

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Samsung D103Samsung UK have quietly added a new digital camera to their lineup, the D103, just in time for Christmas. The Samsung D103 is a 10 megapixel model with 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen, MPEG-4 movies and ISO 1000 mode. The “D” series is a new addition to Samsung’s point and shoot range of cameras.

Website: Samsung D103

Samsung UK have quietly added a new digital camera to their lineup, the D103, just in time for Christmas. The Samsung D103 is a 10 megapixel model with 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen, MPEG-4 movies and ISO 1000 mode. The “D” series is a new addition to…

REALVIZ Stitcher UnlimitedREALVIZ Press Release

REALVIZ Announces Availability of Latest Patch Up-date for Stitcher Unlimited, including Flash Panoramas & Improved Fish-eye Stitching

Sophia Antipolis, France (December 20, 2006) – REALVIZ®, a leader in image processing software development, is pleased to announce the availability of a new patch up-date to their acclaimed software, Stitcher® Unlimited. Stitcher Unlimited, which released in July 2006, is targeted at professional panorama creators looking to produce multiple panoramas of the highest quality and with maximum productivity. This latest up-date (version 5.5.2) is available free of charge to existing Stitcher Unlimited owners on both Macintosh® and Windows®, and includes export of projects in Flash 9 and Java, using ImmerVision’s PURE Player, as well as improved stitching of fisheye images (including the Nikkor 10.5 mm lens), for astonishing high-quality results.

REALVIZ Press Release REALVIZ Announces Availability of Latest Patch Up-date for Stitcher Unlimited, including Flash Panoramas & Improved Fish-eye Stitching Sophia Antipolis, France (December 20, 2006) – REALVIZ®, a leader in image processing software development, is pleased to announce the availability of a new patch up-date to their acclaimed software…

Corel Snapfire PlusCorel Press Release

Corel Snapfire DVD Maker Turns Photo and Video “Snapfire Shows” Into DVDs

OTTAWA—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE) today announced Corel® Snapfire™ DVD Maker, the first add-on for the new Corel Snapfire Plus – the smart alternative to traditional digital camera software. With Corel Snapfire DVD Maker, it is easier than ever to turn fun and creative slide shows of your photos and videos into DVDs and play them back for friends and family on television DVD players. Snapfire Plus, the enhanced version of the free Snapfire download (www.snapfire.com), provides all the tools users need to easily organize, enhance and share digital photos and video clips. Snapfire Plus allows even novice users to take their creativity to new levels with “Snapfire Shows” – highly entertaining and customized photo and video slide shows set to the music soundtrack of their choice and accompanied by customized transitions, captions and unique motion effects.

Corel Press Release Corel Snapfire DVD Maker Turns Photo and Video “Snapfire Shows” Into DVDs OTTAWA—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE) today announced Corel® Snapfire™ DVD Maker, the first add-on for the new Corel Snapfire Plus – the smart alternative to traditional digital camera software. With Corel Snapfire DVD Maker, it…

NEC Display Solutions Press Release

Munich, December 14, 2006 – NEC Display Solutions offers discerning users even more class with the new NEC MultiSync® LCD2690WUXi: the widescreen format and high resolution of 1920 x 1200 ensures particularly ergonomic, comfortable viewing. Details and texts are 7.5% larger than on a 24” monitor, which significantly reduces eye strain when viewing. Specially designed for professional use in the fields of CAD/CAM and DTP, banking and insurance, the NEC MultiSync® LCD2690WUXi is also perfect for multi-media applications. The H-IPS A-TW Pol. (Horizontal IPS with Advanced True Wide Polarizer) panel ensures glossy, high-quality pictures. The monitor itself is also remarkable for its innovative X-Light® Pro feature, specially developed by NEC. This constantly monitors variations in background lighting, brightness and colour reproduction and automatically corrects them internally, which is ideal for colour-critical applications.

NEC Display Solutions Press Release Munich, December 14, 2006 – NEC Display Solutions offers discerning users even more class with the new NEC MultiSync® LCD2690WUXi: the widescreen format and high resolution of 1920 x 1200 ensures particularly ergonomic, comfortable viewing. Details and texts are 7.5% larger than on a 24”…

Pentax K100D DSLRPentax have released a new firmware update for six of their DSLR cameras, including the Pentax K100D (pictured) which expands support for additional SDHC memory cards. The six models are: K100D, K110D, *ist DL2, *ist DS2, *ist DL and *ist DS.

Website: Pentax Download Page

Pentax have released a new firmware update for six of their DSLR cameras, including the Pentax K100D (pictured) which expands support for additional SDHC memory cards. The six models are: K100D, K110D, *ist DL2, *ist DS2, *ist DL and *ist DS. Website: Pentax Download Page

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLRCanon have released a new firmware update (version 1.1.6) for the EOS-1Ds Mark II DSLR.

It fixes the phenomenon wherein the camera does not detect the capacity correctly when high-capacity recording media are initialized. 

a) SDHC cards with capacities exceeding 2GB (e.g., 4GB, 8GB) are now supported.
b) The phenomenon wherein the camera cannot correctly detect the capacity of CF cards with capacities exceeding 8GB (e.g., 12GB, 16GB) correctly when they are initialized has been corrected.

Website: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Firmware 1.1.6

Canon have released a new firmware update (version 1.1.6) for the EOS-1Ds Mark II DSLR. It fixes the phenomenon wherein the camera does not detect the capacity correctly when high-capacity recording media are initialized. a) SDHC cards with capacities exceeding 2GB (e.g., 4GB, 8GB) are now supported. b) The phenomenon…

Canon EOS-1D Mark II Digital SLRCanon have released a new firmware update (version 1.2.6) for the EOS-1D Mark II DSLR.

It fixes the phenomenon wherein the camera does not detect the capacity correctly when high-capacity recording media are initialized. 

a) SDHC cards with capacities exceeding 2GB (e.g., 4GB, 8GB) are now supported.
b) The phenomenon wherein the camera cannot correctly detect the capacity of CF cards with capacities exceeding 8GB (e.g., 12GB, 16GB) correctly when they are initialized has been corrected.

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark II Firmware 1.2.6

Canon have released a new firmware update (version 1.2.6) for the EOS-1D Mark II DSLR. It fixes the phenomenon wherein the camera does not detect the capacity correctly when high-capacity recording media are initialized. a) SDHC cards with capacities exceeding 2GB (e.g., 4GB, 8GB) are now supported. b) The phenomenon…

Canon EOS-1D Mark II NCanon have released a new firmware update (version 1.1.2) for the EOS-1D Mark II N DSLR.

It fixes the phenomenon wherein the camera does not detect the capacity correctly when high-capacity recording media are initialized. 

a) SDHC cards with capacities exceeding 2GB (e.g., 4GB, 8GB) are now supported.
b) The phenomenon wherein the camera cannot correctly detect the capacity of CF cards with capacities exceeding 8GB (e.g., 12GB, 16GB) correctly when they are initialized has been corrected.

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N Firmware 1.1.2

Canon have released a new firmware update (version 1.1.2) for the EOS-1D Mark II N DSLR. It fixes the phenomenon wherein the camera does not detect the capacity correctly when high-capacity recording media are initialized. a) SDHC cards with capacities exceeding 2GB (e.g., 4GB, 8GB) are now supported. b) The…

Olympus SP-500UZOlympus have released a firmware update for five compact cameras, including the SP-500UZ (pictured), which enables faster start-up speed when using an xD-Picture Card. The models are: SP-500 UZ, SP-700, SP-350, SP-320 and SP-310.

Website: Olympus Download Page

Olympus have released a firmware update for five compact cameras, including the SP-500UZ (pictured), which enables faster start-up speed when using an xD-Picture Card. The models are: SP-500 UZ, SP-700, SP-350, SP-320 and SP-310. Website: Olympus Download Page

Canon PowerShot A640DPReview have reviewed the new Canon A640, which has 10 megapixels, a 2.5 inch LCD screen and 4x optical zoom lens.

“It’s an ideal ‘first camera’ for anyone wanting to learn the craft of photography - it’s a very reliable ‘point and shoot’ that can grow with you as your experience and ability develops. It’s a pretty easy Highly Recommended and - though by no means flaw-free - is a perfect example of how far compact cameras have come in the last few years.”

Website: DPReview - Canon PowerShot A640 Review

Website: Read our Canon Powershot A640 Review

Canon A640 - Latest Prices / User Reviews

DPReview have reviewed the new Canon A640, which has 10 megapixels, a 2.5 inch LCD screen and 4x optical zoom lens. “It’s an ideal ‘first camera’ for anyone wanting to learn the craft of photography - it’s a very reliable ‘point and shoot’ that can grow with you as your…

Canon PowerShot G7Megapixel.net have reviewed the new Canon G7, which features a 10 megapixel, 1/1.8 inch sensor, DIGIC III image processor, Face Detection, 35-210mm lens and optical image stabilization system.

“The PowerShot G7 is a departure from the last G camera in that it no longer follows the path of its predecessor and is clearly designed as a compact-style camera. The G7 combines features that are well suited to advanced users — advanced modes and a fully manual mode — with some, such as multiple scene modes, face detection and automatic categorization of images, that are more the domain of point and shoot cameras. In other words, the G7 is yet another alternative for those that are looking to maximize the resolution and yet have the flexibility of a camera that can be both manual and automatic.”

Website: Megapixel.net - Canon G7 Review

Website: Read our Canon Powershot G7 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Megapixel.net have reviewed the new Canon G7, which features a 10 megapixel, 1/1.8 inch sensor, DIGIC III image processor, Face Detection, 35-210mm lens and optical image stabilization system. “The PowerShot G7 is a departure from the last G camera in that it no longer follows the path of its predecessor…

Nikon Coolpix S10ePhotoZine have reviewed the new Nikon Coolpix S10, which has 6 megapixels, Vibration Reduction and a 10x, 38-380mm swivel lens.

“The autofocus wasn’t either fast or tenacious and the macro mode struggled where other compacts would be able to focus easily. The metering is generally good, being weighted, on landscape pictures, for the land so that exposure compensation is required to bring the sky in. However, colour accuracy is very good, as long as the tendency to cover everything in shadow in a magenta cast is avoided. It makes the camera very good for portrait shots.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Nikon Coolpix S10 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

ePhotoZine have reviewed the new Nikon Coolpix S10, which has 6 megapixels, Vibration Reduction and a 10x, 38-380mm swivel lens. “The autofocus wasn’t either fast or tenacious and the macro mode struggled where other compacts would be able to focus easily. The metering is generally good, being weighted, on landscape…

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Leica Digilux 2Leica Press Release

12/13/2006 - Leica Camera AG is offering all owners of the LEICA DIGILUX 2 a customer service free of charge even beyond the stated warranty period. Specifically, this refers to exchanging the digital camera’s sensor in the case of a rarely occurring malfunction. Leica Camera AG has opted for this extended warranty due to the fact that there have been a few reports of this malfunction caused by faulty manufacturing which also affects some other makes’ cameras.

Leica Press Release 12/13/2006 - Leica Camera AG is offering all owners of the LEICA DIGILUX 2 a customer service free of charge even beyond the stated warranty period. Specifically, this refers to exchanging the digital camera’s sensor in the case of a rarely occurring malfunction. Leica Camera AG has…

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01TrustedReviews have just reviewed the new 6 megapixel, 28mm wide-angle lens Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01.

“The Mega OIS system defaults to ‘on’ when the camera is first used, but can be manually de-activated via a small button on the top panel. It has two operational settings. In the first mode it operates continuously and affects both the live monitor view and the final picture. In mode two it only operates when the shutter is pressed, but has a more powerful effect. This is the default mode, and the most useful. In practical use I was able to take sharp hand-held shots at 1/15th of a second on a medium zoom setting, which is quite impressive.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 Review

Website: Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

TrustedReviews have just reviewed the new 6 megapixel, 28mm wide-angle lens Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01. “The Mega OIS system defaults to ‘on’ when the camera is first used, but can be manually de-activated via a small button on the top panel. It has two operational settings. In the first mode it…

Nikon D40Imaging Resource have published their review of the new Nikon D40 entry level DSLR camera.

“If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, waiting until you could afford a real Nikon DSLR, your time have come at last: While geared for the entry-level market the D40 packs enough features into its diminutive frame to keep serious enthusiasts interested as well. It’s also the smallest and lightest Nikon DSLR to date, so the point & shoot photographer looking to move up to a real SLR, can do so without having to put up with the heft and bulk that the genre usually dictates. And like all consumer SLRs on the market, you can still point & shoot.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon D40 Review

Website: Read our Nikon D40 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Imaging Resource have published their review of the new Nikon D40 entry level DSLR camera. “If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, waiting until you could afford a real Nikon DSLR, your time have come at last: While geared for the entry-level market the D40 packs enough features into its…

Leica M8Digital Outback Photo have published a field report of the Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera by Magnum photographer Thomas Hoepker.

“10 Megapixels are at the lower end of what I would call professional resolution. 3935 pixels on the long image side seem a bit low when you consider making really large prints which may require 7000 or even 10000 pixels. But it is stunning how much interpolation these Leica files can take. I have yet to try a 44x60” output but the first 24x36 inch Leica print from my HP Designjet looks just great!”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Leica M8 Field Report

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Digital Outback Photo have published a field report of the Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera by Magnum photographer Thomas Hoepker. “10 Megapixels are at the lower end of what I would call professional resolution. 3935 pixels on the long image side seem a bit low when you consider making really…

Pentax K100D DSLRTrustedReviews have just reviewed the new 6.1 megapixel Pentax K100D DSLR camera.

“I’ve tested the Pentax system extensively, and I found its performance was generally about the same as the Sony. It usually allowed shake-free shooting at least two stops below the safe speed, but would sometimes allow a shake-free shot as much as four stops slower, while occasionally shots just one stop slower would show slight motion blurring. The trick is, I think, to take several shots if you’re not sure. The chances are that at least one will be shake free.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Pentax K100D Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

TrustedReviews have just reviewed the new 6.1 megapixel Pentax K100D DSLR camera. “I’ve tested the Pentax system extensively, and I found its performance was generally about the same as the Sony. It usually allowed shake-free shooting at least two stops below the safe speed, but would sometimes allow a shake-free…

Monday, December 18, 2006

smw57In the latest installment of this regular series, we cast the spotlight on members of the PhotographyBLOG Gallery and ask them about their photography. The 24th member to sit in the interview chair is smw57.

“The members are very friendly and there is a lot of great humour, many of the members almost become like an extended family, I have made some very good friends through the gallery and we have shared some great days out!”

Website: Gallery Member Spotlight - smw57

In the latest installment of this regular series, we cast the spotlight on members of the PhotographyBLOG Gallery and ask them about their photography. The 24th member to sit in the interview chair is smw57. “The members are very friendly and there is a lot of great humour, many of…

onOne SoftwareonOne Software Press Release

Free upgrade available to purchasers of Genuine Fractals 4.1 or Genuine Fractals Print Pro 4.1 on or after December 18, 2006

Portland, OR - December 18, 2006 - onOne Software, Inc., announces today the spring 2007 availability of Genuine Fractals 5. In addition, anyone who purchases Genuine Fractals 4.1 or Genuine Fractals Print Pro 4.1 on or after December 18, 2006 will receive a free upgrade to Genuine Fractals 5 once it becomes available. “We are pleased to announce before the holidays that Genuine Fractals 5 will be available to our customers in early 2007,” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. “And in preparation for the new version’s availability we are thrilled to be able to offer a free upgrade to the new version to anyone who purchases Genuine Fractals 4.1 or Genuine Fractals Print Pro 4.1 from today until the new version becomes available. It’s just our way of saying thanks to our customers.”

onOne Software Press Release Free upgrade available to purchasers of Genuine Fractals 4.1 or Genuine Fractals Print Pro 4.1 on or after December 18, 2006 Portland, OR - December 18, 2006 - onOne Software, Inc., announces today the spring 2007 availability of Genuine Fractals 5. In addition, anyone who purchases…

ProxelProxel Software Press Release

Proxel Lens Corrector 1.1, Now for Mac OS X (2006-12-16) - Proxel Software HB has released the Mac version of the software toolkit Proxel Lens Corrector. Knowing that serious photographers use both Mac and Windows machines, Proxel decided to port its Windows version of the toolkit to Mac OS X. The toolkit consists of two tools. The first tool uses calibration photos to analyze the distortion of the lens. The second tool is a Photoshop plugin that can be used to remove distortion from all your pictures, using the result from the analysis.

Proxel Software Press Release Proxel Lens Corrector 1.1, Now for Mac OS X (2006-12-16) - Proxel Software HB has released the Mac version of the software toolkit Proxel Lens Corrector. Knowing that serious photographers use both Mac and Windows machines, Proxel decided to port its Windows version of the toolkit…