DxO Labs Press Release

DxO Labs Announces Availability of DxO Optics Pro v4 Public Beta Release - Automatic image enhancement software introduces advanced color features, new optical corrections, improved workflow and speed as well as plug-in compatibility with Adobe Photoshop

New York, NY and Paris, France – August 3, 2006 – DxO Labs announces today availability of a free, Windows PC public beta release of DxO Optics Pro v4 for all digital photographers to download from the DxO Labs Web site (www.dxo.com).  DxO Optics Pro software improves the image quality of Digital Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras and advanced digicams. DxO Optics Pro is the award-winning digital image enhancement tool incorporating revolutionary optics, noise and exposure corrections in an easy-to-use, feature rich application for Mac and PC users. “DxO Optics Pro v4 brings a wealth of true innovations including faster throughput and significantly improved control over color and optical performance,” said Luc Marin, vice president of the Photography Business Unit at DxO Labs. “In the eight months since releasing the previous (v3.5) DxO Optics Pro software, our engineers have worked diligently to add the kinds of improvements photographers world wide have been requesting.”

Breeze Systems Press Release

BreezeBrowser Pro v1.5.2.1 adds support for reading and writing Adobe XMP data, new keyword, IPTC scene and subject code editors and picture frames for slideshows and proofs. New in BreezeBrowser Pro v1.5.2.1:

  * Added support for reading and writing Adobe XMP data for raw files (using XMP sidecar files) and JPEG, TIFF, DNG, PSD, PNG and JPEG 2000 image formats
  * Added picture frame from image option to proofs and slideshow
  * Added Adobe Photoshop PSD 8-bit and 16-bit file output options to proofs and raw conversion
  * Added new keyword editor
  * Added new IPTC scene and IPTC subject code editors which use the IPTC’s NewsCode XML topicsets
  * Improved color when converting Nikon D200 raw files

http://www.breezesys.com/index.htm

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Sony DSC-W100, an 8 megapixel camera with 3x zoom lens and ISO 1250.

“Ergonomics are excellent, the body is stylish, yet still durable and functional. Controls are well- placed, offering a comfortable feel while capturing your photos. We especially liked the zoom controls mounted around the shutter release. The tripod mount is metallic and provides a secure mount, and we were glad to see the multi-connector I/O port was moved to the side of the camera is relocated. (On past models it was too close, preventing the camera from being mounted to a tripod while connected to either a computer or video device.) The menu system is easy to navigate, and will be very familiar to users of other SONY models. Also, the size of its display means a larger and more legible text.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony DSC-W100 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

The Sony DSC-T10 is announced today. Available in four different colours (silver, black, white and pink) the Sony T10 is a slim 7 megapixel digital camera with a 3x zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen, optical image stabilization and a fastest ISO speed of 1000. The Cyber-shot DSC-T10 camera will be available in August for about $400.

Sony USA Press Release

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2006 — Sony is launching a new color strategy with the introduction of its seven-megapixel Cyber-shot® DSC-T10 digital still camera. Premiering this summer in pink, white, black and silver, the Sony DSC-T10 upholds the standard for slim and stylish design. “The number of digital still cameras per household is steadily increasing, up to three or four, which suggests that people are buying cameras to fulfill different needs,” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital still cameras and photo printers at Sony Electronics. “The DSC-T10 is so stylish that it can be viewed as a fashion accessory.”

The new Sony GPS-CS1 GPS device allows you to record where your photographs were taken and later synchronise them to a mapping web site powered by Google Maps. The GPS-CS1 GPS device will be available next month for about $150.

Sony USA Press Release

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2006 – Sony Electronics today announced a GPS device that puts your pictures on the map. Using time and location recordings from Sony’s GPS-CS1 GPS device and the time stamp from a Sony digital still camera or camcorder, photo buffs can plot their digital images to a map and pinpoint exactly where they’ve been. The 12-channel GPS unit is 3-½ inches long, weighs two ounces, and is sold with a carabineer to easily attach to a backpack or a belt loop. “Whether you’re traveling to the Seven Wonders of the World, or just wondering where to buy your next house, our new GPS device can track your journey,” said David Johns, product manager for digital camera accessories at Sony Electronics. “Adding a geographic context to your digital images helps organize and make use of your photos in entirely new ways.”

Casio USA Press Release

CW-E60 and CW-K85 Give Home-Made CDs and DVDs A Professional Look

DOVER, NJ, August 1, 2006 – Casio, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the release of two new disc title printers, the CW-E60 and CW-K85. The CW-E60 and CW-K85 provide a professional touch to CDs and DVDs for digital music, video, images and data. Organizing your business, vacation photographs and favorite music collections is now affordable and easier than ever. Throw out those markers because Casio has made it simple to label CDs and DVDs without ever removing a cap. The CW-E60 will be available at retail in August for the suggest retail price of $59.99. The CW-K85 will be available in September for the suggested retail price of $79.99.

Kodak Press Release

Kodak Announces Agreement With Flextronics for Design, Production and Distribution of its Consumer Digital Cameras - Move will bring greater flexibility and cost efficiency while ensuring Kodak’s world-class quality and product leadership in the digital camera marketplace

ROCHESTER, NY and SINGAPORE, Aug. 1—Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK) today announced an agreement in which Flextronics International Ltd. (NASDAQ: FLEX) will manufacture and distribute Kodak consumer digital cameras and will manage certain camera design and development functions. Under the agreement, Kodak will divest its entire digital camera manufacturing requirements to Flextronics, including assembly, production, and testing. Flextronics will also manage the operations and logistics services for Kodak’s digital still cameras. Kodak will continue to develop the high-level system design, product look and feel and user experience, and will conduct advanced research and development for its digital still cameras. Kodak will also retain its intellectual property.

Peachpit Press Release

Introducing Aperture, Apple’s all-in-one postproduction tool for professional digital photographers. Aperture is designed around a camera raw-based workflow, so users can import, edit, catalog, organize, retouch, publish, and archive images more effectively and efficiently than ever before. In Real World Aperture, best-selling author Ben Long takes Aperture users inside the application to provide an in-depth understanding of its tools. He also offers a slew of tips and workarounds for creating a custom Aperture workflow. Long’s coverage of the fundamental theory and practice of working with raw image files will help users master the program’s high-end editing features.

Nikon have posted four introductory tutorial movies for their new Capture NX image editing software, covering the basic features, U point technology, controlling dynamic range and enhancement tools. Well worth a look if you’re interested in what Capture NX has to offer.

Website: Nikon Capture NX Tutorials

FotoNation Press Release

Panel Features Digital Imaging Experts Eran Steinberg, Elmo Sapwater, & John Henshall

August 1, 2006, Cologne, Germany –  The Panel, “A Call to Simplify Image Capture/Print Workflow” will be presented at this year’s Photokina in Cologne, Germany, as part of the “Imaging with Mobile Devices” full day seminar.  The panel features three digital imaging experts:  Eran Steinberg, CEO of FotoNation; Elmo Sapwater, Columnist and Moderator; and John Henshall, Columnist, Columnist www.ChipShopOnline.com and “The Photographer” magazine (UK), who will discuss ways to effectively simplify and standardize mobile devices for ease of use in imaging.  The trio will debate intelligent workflow solutions that will remove obstacles, making image printing as easy as making a phone call.

DIWA member Photoxels have just reviewed the Kodak Easyshare V610, the world’s smallest 10x zoom digital camera.

“The Kodak EasyShare V610 Dual Lens is overall a fun digital camera that will allow you to take great pictures. Maybe not the best as far as image quality is concerned, but for a take-anywhere [where larger ultra zoom might be frowned upon] point-and-shoot, 10x optical zoom in your pocket is worth its weight in gold.”

Website: Photoxels - Kodak Easyshare V610 Review

Website: Read my Kodak Easyshare V610 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Imaging Resource have just reviewed the new 10.2 megapixel Nikon D200 digital SLR camera.

“Nikon’s return to competitive form is complete. The Nikon D200 joins the D50, D70s, and D2x to take up second position in the ranks of the company’s most formidable SLR bodies, marking the fourth home run they’ve hit in the last two years. With only one qualifier, I can say that the D200 is worthy of both the praise and the price, and is a body that owners of Nikon glass have truly needed.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon D200 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Microsoft have been busy in the realm of photography recently. Not only have they been actively promoting the scRGB colour space and introducing a brand new photo file format, the software giant’s engineers have just unveiled something called Photosynth to the world. Still at the “technology preview” stage (which means that you can’t download/buy it yet), Microsoft Photosynth takes a large collection of photos of a place or object, analyzes them for similarities, and displays them in a reconstructed 3-Dimensional space. In this case images are much better than words, so watch some promotional videos to get a much better idea of what Photosynth actually does. Which I’m sure you will agree looks much more worthwhile than yet another file format…

Update: Channel 9 is a Microsoft site that contains some technical discussion about Photosynth.

Alien Skin Software Press Release

RALEIGH, N.C.–Aug. 1, 2006– Alien Skin Software today released Blow Up, an all-new plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop® and Photoshop Elements. Designed for both photographers and graphic artists, Blow Up offers the highest quality image enlargement available. Blow Up simplifies and improves image enlargement, making it easy to convert web graphics to print and create large format and gallery prints from digital snapshots. Better than Photoshop bicubic and other third party solutions, Blow Up preserves the crisp lines and smooth colors in a source image. Blow Up scales images up to 3600% — 6 times in each dimension — with no stairstep, halo, or fringe artifacts.

Sigma Notice

Notice to end-users of EF-500 DG Super Pentax and EF-500 DG ST Pentax flashguns. 

2006.7.31 To our valued customers,

Sigma’s EF-500 DG SUPER and EF-500 DG ST model flashguns for Pentax mount do not operate with the recently introduced Pentax K100D D-SLR camera. To overcome this, we will start supplying a free-upgrade service to our customers today *. We regret any problems this may cause our customers who own Pentax K100D D-SLR cameras and we will take all necessary steps to minimize inconvenience to these valued customers.

O’Reilly Press Release

Adobe Lightroom Adventure 2006: The Ultimate Photographer’s Road Test

Sebastopol, CA—Renowned photographer and author Mikkel Aaland is the quintessential early adopter, always one of the first to master new digital photography software—and to wring every bit of functionality out of it in the process. Shortly after the public beta release of Adobe (R) Lightroom (TM) software,  a digital imaging workflow solution for professional photographers, he devised the ultimate road test to put Lightroom through its paces in the field: Adobe Lightroom Adventure 2006.

Aaland invited eleven acclaimed photographers to join him in Iceland, where the long midsummer days are suffused in some of the most spectacular light on the planet. From July 28 to August 5, 2006, this intrepid crew—joined by three top Icelandic photographers—is shooting by day and using Adobe Lightroom beta to import, select, develop, and showcase their large volume of digital images each night. Adobe is represented by four imaging specialists who will both shoot and assist other photographers as they work with both the Lightroom and Photoshop applications. The journey and a sampling of the resulting photographs are chronicled in the Lightroom Adventure blog at http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/adventure . And Aaland is capturing the lessons learned in the field for his book on Adobe Lightroom, to be published by O’Reilly Media in early 2007.

Datacolor Press Release

Datacolor today announces it that it is showing its ColorVision Digital Imaging product range at photokina 2006 in Hall 4.1 Stand D11/E19. The ColorVision Digital Imaging product range is a must-have for anyone with a passion for photography and colour control in the digital workflow. Centre-stage at Photokina will be PrintFIX PRO Suite, winner of the TIPA award for ‘Best Colour Management System in Europe 2006.’ Professional designers will be on hand at three stations explaining the colour challenges of shooting, post-production and print. Visitors will be able to follow all the ins and outs of the colour workflow live on screen and see how PrintFIX PRO Suite calibrates systems to one another simply and effectively.

SLRgear have reviewed the new Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, which features a fixed aperture of f/4 throughout the zoom range and an Image Stabiliser that allows shutter speeds of 3 stops slower than normal.

“Bottom line, the Canon 24-105mm f/4 L is a really excellent optic, but one that struggles a bit along the edges and in the corners with full-frame bodies. As such, it’s an almost ideal candidate for use with DxO Optics Pro, particularly if you’re shooting with a full-frame dSLR.”

Website: SLRgear - Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens Review

TrustedReviews have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix L4, a 4 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2 inch LCD.

“Image quality is generally very good, with accurate colour reproduction, good contrast and a very high level of detail despite the limited resolution. The f2.8-f4.9 Nikkor lens is better than average, producing sharp images from edge to edge, although it does suffer from significant barrel distortion at the wide angle. Unfortunately there is one major problem with image quality, and that’s the exposure. The L4’s CCD seems to have much more limited dynamic range than most other cameras, so in high contrast shots it tends to burn out highlights or lose shadow detail, and sometimes both. “

Website: TrustedReviews - Nikon Coolpix L4 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DigitalCameraInfo have published a comparative review of the Sony DSC-H5, Canon S3 IS and Panasonic FZ7 ultra-zoom digital cameras.

“Consumers with somewhere upwards of $400 or $500 to spend on a compact camera can get plenty of great features – long telephoto zooms, movie capability, and 6-to-7-megapixel files. We looked at three leading cameras in this category: the Canon PowerShot S3 IS, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7. We found similarities and differences. All three cameras are capable, but the differences are significant enough that most users will have a clear favorite.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Sony H5 vs Canon S3 IS vs Panasonic FZ7: Head-to-Head-to-Head Digital Camera Review