DIWA member and Polish website Fotopolis have the first online review of the Samsung Digimax i6, a 6 megapixel camera and also a portable media player with a 2.5 inch LCD screen and Advanced Shake Reduction.

Website: Fotopolis - Samsung Digimax i6 Review

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DIWA member LetsGoDigital have just reviewed the Samsung Digimax i6, a 6 megapixel camera and also a portable media player with a 2.5 inch LCD screen and Advanced Shake Reduction.

“Although the Samsung Digimax i6 has an image stabiliser, I would prefer it to be replaced with an optical version. The digital image stabiliser in the Samsung i6 works well in good light conditions, but the moment you need to increase the ISO value artificially, the negative effects show up in the picture. Actually, manufacturers should only use the digital version is they are sure that the ISO is of high quality; if not, then an optical image stabiliser is the only solution.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Samsung Digimax i6 Review

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DALSA Semiconductor Press Release

DALSA Semiconductor, a division of DALSA Corporation (TSX:DSA), an international high performance semiconductor and electronics company, announced today that it has successfully fabricated and delivered the world’s highest resolution image sensor chip to its customer, Semiconductor Technology Associates (“STA”) of San Juan Capistrano, California. The CCD device, which measures approximately four inches by four inches, has a total resolution of over 111 million pixels (10,560 pixels x 10,560 pixels at 9µm). It is the world’s first imager to break the 100 million pixel barrier.

Picturecode Press Release

June 16, 2006—Noise Ninja release candidates for Mac Intel, Mac PowerPC, Windows, and Linux

New release candidates for the Noise Ninja standalone and Photoshop plug-in versions are available.The plug-in release candidate fixes a bug in the Noise Brush that sometimes resulted in corruption of the brush mask. The standalone release candidate introduces Linux x86 support and Mac Intel support. It also adds profile annotation auto-fill support for image quality and adds jpe as a valid jpeg extension on all platforms. The release candidates will be promoted to official release status as soon as we receive feedback from users indicating that they are functioning as intended.

Georgia Institute of Technology Press Release

Newswise — Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have completed a prototype device that can block digital-camera function in a given area. Commercial versions of the technology could be used to stymie unwanted use of video or still cameras.

The prototype device, produced by a team in the Interactive and Intelligent Computing division of the Georgia Tech College of Computing (COC), uses off-the-shelf equipment – camera-mounted sensors, lighting equipment, a projector and a computer—to scan for, find and neutralize digital cameras. The system works by looking for the reflectivity and shape of the image-producing sensors used in digital cameras. Gregory Abowd, an associate professor leading the project, says the new camera-neutralizing technology shows commercial promise in two principal fields – protecting limited areas against clandestine photography or stopping video copying in larger areas such as theaters.

Panasonic’s Japanese website is currently featuring an enigmatic countdown to a new Lumix camera. Internet rumour has it that the countdown is for Panasonic’s DMC-L1 digital SLR - with just 42 hours left, you can find out what its all about on 21st June…

Website: Panasonic Lumix Countdown

HP UK Press Release

New HP All-in-Ones Give Home Users New Standards in Usability Along With True-to-Life Photos and CD/DVD Tattooing - HP printer, copier and scanners offer incredible ease of use, vibrant, fade-resistant photo printing plus personalisation of music or photo CDs with CD/DVD tattooing

Bracknell, UK, 19 June 2006 - HP today unveiled the HP Photosmart C3180 and HP Photosmart C4180 All-in-One printer, scanner and copiers. The HP All-in-Ones include the new HP Photosmart Express software to enable users to access photos quickly and simply, then easily view, organise, share and print them. Four-ink printing with HP Vivera inks also produces rich and realistic photos that resist fading for generations.(1) HP Real-Life Technologies provide features such as red-eye removal, slimming and easy creation of panoramic pictures as well as automatically adjusting lighting to produce the best image possible. HP’s new CD/DVD tattooing on ultra-thin, highly durable plastic labels creates personalised photo, music and data CDs that look professional.

Adorama Press Release

GO MACRO! Center Shows Photographers How to Capture Magical Little Worlds - Free, comprehensive mini-site provides macro photography gear buying tips and picture-taking techniques.

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 19, 2006—Do you know how to transform the everyday into fantastic new worlds of visual delights? That’s the magic of macro photography. Capturing everyday subjects at life-size is a thrilling visual exploration that takes photo enthusiasts and hobbyists to the next level. In its ongoing efforts to help consumers improve their photography, Adorama Camera, Inc. today introduced GO MACRO!, a comprehensive editorial package that provides extensive product, technical, and creative macro photography advice, written by a world-renowned team of photography experts. The GO MACRO! Center offers advice for photographers at all levels of experience, from people stepping up from compact cameras to their first digital SLR, to experienced hobbyists and pro shooters who want to upgrade their skills GO MACRO! Photography Center.

Fujifilm US Press Release

Earlier this year, Fujifilm unveiled the FinePix A400 and FinePix A500 digital cameras. These models were the first entry-level models in Fujifilm’s line-up to use the company’s Super CCD image sensor. Previous to the FinePix A400 and FinePix A500, Super CCD could be found only in more advanced consumer and professional digital cameras, like Fujifilm’s current FinePix F30 and FinePix S3 Pro. Today, Fujifilm USA announced price moves for both the FinePix A400 and FinePix A500. These changes should make these attractive cameras even more appealing to potential purchasers.

The four-MegaPixel FinePix A400 now carries a retail price of $129. The FinePix A500, which has a five MegaPixel Super CCD on board, currently retails for $149.

DCResource have reviewed the new Samsung GX-1S digital SLR, a 6 megapixel digital camera that uses the Pentax lens mount.

“Overall, the Digimax GX-1S’ photo quality was excellent, and what you’d expect from a D-SLR. Photos were well exposed, colors were very saturated (again, shooting in RAW reduces this), and subjects have a very clean, smooth look to them. Images are a bit sharper than on some D-SLRs, probably to keep the average consumer happy. Noise levels were low through ISO 400 and reasonable at ISO 800. Purple fringing wasn’t a problem, at least with the two lenses I used.”

Website: DCResource - Samsung GX-1S Review

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CNET have the first online review of the Kodak Easyshare Z612 camera, which offers 6 megapixels, 12x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD.

“As usual with cameras from Kodak, colors looked natural and well saturated in the Z612’s photos. The camera’s automatic white balance produced a very warm, yellowish color cast under our lab’s tungsten lights, though in natural daylight, it yielded neutral colors. The Z612’s tungsten white-balance setting fared better in the lab, though its images were slightly cool. Exposures were accurate, but the camera has a tendency to lose detail in brighter highlights”

Website: CNET - Kodak Easyshare Z612 Review

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CNET have just reviewed the Kodak Easyshare C643 digicam, which offers 6.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens and a large 2.4 inch LCD.

“The Kodak EasyShare C643’s inexpensive price tag may look tempting, but its weaknesses definitely outnumber its strengths. Considering this model’s flimsy build and poor image quality, you should opt for better choices, such as the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-S600 or the Canon PowerShot A620.”

Website: CNET - Kodak EasyShare C643 Review

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CNET have reviewed the Kodak Easyshare C533 entry-level camera, which offers 5 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens and a 1.8 inch LCD.

“The Kodak EasyShare C533 is a basic budget camera that doesn’t pretend to be otherwise. This 5-megapixel point-and-shoot produces decent photos and responds quickly, but its flimsy-feeling build quality, tiny 1.8-inch LCD screen, and minimalist feature set keep the C533 firmly in the bargain bin.”

Website: CNET - Kodak EasyShare C533 Review

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DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat have just reviewed the new 6 megapixel, 28mm wide-angle lens Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01.

Website: FotoAparat - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 Review

Website: Read my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 Review

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This week’s Gary’s Parries topics are:

1. Vacationing At Lake Tahoe

Introducing this week’s Gary’s Parries column. Everything you always wanted to know about digital cameras, but were afraid to ask. No question too difficult, or too easy. As a Senior Principal Software Engineer, and a former Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems, as well as a recording studio owner/operator, inventor, and now, a digital camera enthusiast, GARY has more digital camera knowledge in his entire brain than most people have in their little finger. In the unlikely event that GARY would not know the answer to your question, he will answer it anyway, true to the spirit of the word “Parries”, a fencing term which, in this context, implies “cleverly evasive answers”. So let your imagination run wild. Email all your nagging digital camera questions to: [email protected] , and then, En Garde!

You may also attach to your email an ORIGINAL PHOTO of your choosing. A preview of the photo will be displayed with your question, and a full-sized version will be just a click away. No personal information will be published with your question unless you specifically include it in the text or attached photo of your email, which may be further edited for grammar, content, or other reasons.

Andy Rouse is one of the best wildlife photographers in the world. His work appears in a multitude of different media and in every possible visual form. He is the author of 12 books, including the best selling DSLR Handbook, and he has presented his own TV series. Andy is known for his ability to get up close and personal to both dangerous and shy animals, and is respected for being a traditional wildlife photographer who has maintained his ethics in a very commercial world. In the first installment of a two-part interview, we ask Andy about his career so far…

Website: Andy Rouse Interview

ASMP Press Release

Image06, a photography competition organized annually by the New York chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), has announced the winners for this year’s contest. The contest had two main categories, one for professional photographers and one for students.

In the Professional category, top honors went to Charlotte Oestervang. Interestingly, Oestervang was last year’s winner in the student category. A native of Denmark, in 2000 she earned a bachelor’s degree in fine-art photography from the Academy of Performing Arts, Film and Television in Prague, Czech Republic. She has been a freelance photographer since 2001. Last year, she studied documentary photography at the International Center of Photography in New York City. This fall, she plans to move to Kabul, Afghanistan, to make in-depth stories. You can see more of her work at http://www.oestervang.dk

Epson Press Release

- TOKYO, Japan, June 12, 2006 - Seiko Epson Corp. (“Epson”) has successfully developed A6-size (7.1 inches on the diagonal) electronic paper using a plastic substrate. Drawing on Epson’s original SUFTLA*1 technology, the new electronic paper achieves Quad-XGA resolution (1536 x 2048 pixels) – the world’s highest*2 – and shows the potential for increasing screen size. The development was announced on June 9 at the Society for Information Display (SID) international symposium held in San Francisco.

Center for Fine Art Photography Press Release

The Center for Fine Art Photography invites U.S. and international photographers working in all mediums of traditional and digital photography to submit their work to its call for entries for the theme People, Places and Things.

Fort Collins, CO (PRWEB) June 16, 2006—The Center for Fine Art Photography invites U.S. and international photographers working in all mediums of traditional and digital photography to submit their work to its call for entries. The Center also welcomes submissions by those working in the avant garde, in pursuit of experimental works and all schools of thought that include traditional and new processes, mixed techniques, challenging personal, emotional or political statements. All entries are submitted and juried online. Deadline is July 10, 2006.

StudioLighting.net Press Release

StudioLighting.net introduces a new portrait photography contest and a chance to improve your studio lighting with Shootsmarter instructional DVDs.

HARRISBURG, PA. - (June 16, 2006) — StudioLighting.net, a web site that introduces photographers to portrait and studio lighting techniques and equipment, and the LightSource studio photography podcast, in association with Shootsmarter.com, today announced the StudioLighting.net Official Portrait Photo Contest that challenges photographers to submit their best portrait — as long as the main light source is artificial — for the opportunity to win a Grand Prize package including a complete library of Shootsmarter.com instructional photography DVD videos. The contest begins immediately and ends on July 15, 2006. To view entries and official contest rules, visit www.studiolighting.net