News
DIWA member Photoxels have reviewed the Olympus SP-500UZ digital camera, which has a 10x optical zoom lens equivalent to 38-380mm, 6 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an electronic viewfinder.
“The Olympus SP-500 UZ is overall a well-built and fun-to-use digital camera. The camera is relatively light and compact for an ultra zoom but you’ll have to carry it slung over your shoulder or hung around your neck (or stashed in a backpack). Operations and shutter lag times are average. The large grip makes handling very comfortable.”
Website: Photoxels - Olympus SP-500UZ Review
DIWA member Photoxels have reviewed the Olympus SP-500UZ digital camera, which has a 10x optical zoom lens equivalent to 38-380mm, 6 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an electronic viewfinder. “The Olympus SP-500 UZ is overall a well-built and fun-to-use digital camera. The camera is relatively light and compact for…
DIWA member Steves Digicams have the first review of the Pentax Optio WPi digital camera, an updated version of the waterproof Optio WP camera with a larger 2 inch LCD screen and 6 megapixel sensor.
“The WPi features a Pentax 3x optical zoom that helps produce sharp images throughout its range, with average barrel distortion at wide angle and slight pincushioning at full telephoto. The operation of the optical zoom is smooth and quiet, but not continuous; it moves through its 38-114mm range in 10 distinct steps, more than adequate for composing most shots. The 9-point autofocus system did very well in most situations, however it would benefit greatly from a focus-assist lamp when shooting in low ambient lighting; focus will fail more often than not in these conditions.”
DIWA member Steves Digicams have the first review of the Pentax Optio WPi digital camera, an updated version of the waterproof Optio WP camera with a larger 2 inch LCD screen and 6 megapixel sensor. “The WPi features a Pentax 3x optical zoom that helps produce sharp images throughout its…
The 64th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Bernard Mataigne.
“I was in Havana during the spring of 2005. It was a great experience. People are nice in a city that is breaking up. I have tried to reflect that in those pictures. Photography is an old passion. And it’s a travel through self and the world. Those are clichés, but real. The fun of it, is to take pictures. As Cartier-Bresson said: “The photographic firing, has always been my passion. Bang! That’s it.” Sometimes the bang! is great. Sometimes it’s more like a missed deed… and I try to navigate through that.”
Website: Bernard Mataigne
The 64th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Bernard Mataigne. “I was in Havana during the spring of 2005. It was a great experience. People are nice in a city that is breaking up. I have tried to reflect that in those pictures. Photography is an old passion. And it’s…
Olympus have been running a series of ad campaigns during January that all promise a new “Solution” on January 26th, with the 3rd and final one appearing at the end of last week. Here are all 3 teaser ads for your enjoyment - don’t forget to post your guess about what the new product will actually be…
Website: Olympus Teaser #1
Website: Olympus Teaser #2
Website: Olympus Teaser #3
Olympus have been running a series of ad campaigns during January that all promise a new “Solution” on January 26th, with the 3rd and final one appearing at the end of last week. Here are all 3 teaser ads for your enjoyment - don’t forget to post your guess about…
Sony have announced plans to release their first digital SLR camera in Japan in the summer of this year, following Konica Minolta’s withdrawal from the camera market last week and the transfer of their DSLR technology to Sony. In a report on Macworld of all places, Sony executive vice president Yutaka Nakagawa stated that Sony were aiming to capture 20% of the DSLR market, although he didn’t give any kind of timeframe in which that would happen. A worldwide release of the Sony DSLR will follow shortly after. Sony are one of the top 3 manufactuers in the compact digital camera sector and recently released the innovative DSC-R1 camera (pictured). It will be very interesting to see if they can repeat that kind of success in an area that Canon and Nikon currently dominate.
Website: Macworld - Sony plans digital SLR launch in mid-year
Sony have announced plans to release their first digital SLR camera in Japan in the summer of this year, following Konica Minolta’s withdrawal from the camera market last week and the transfer of their DSLR technology to Sony. In a report on Macworld of all places, Sony executive vice president…
After Nikon’s decision last week to end sales of it’s film-based camera products, Konica Minolta have gone one better (or worse, depending on how you look at it) by announcing that they are quitting the photography market completely with almost immediate effect. This surprising announcement came from a company with a lot of heritage, and perhaps even more importantly, some truly innovative products, including a pair of great digital SLR cameras in the Dynax/Maxxum 7D and 5D. So where did Konica Minolta go wrong? Was it entirely attibutable to the recent merger between the two companies? Is Konica Minolta’s decision the right one, at a time when DSLRs are becoming ever more popular? And more importantly, do you the consumer really care? Shout out now…
After Nikon’s decision last week to end sales of it’s film-based camera products, Konica Minolta have gone one better (or worse, depending on how you look at it) by announcing that they are quitting the photography market completely with almost immediate effect. This surprising announcement came from a company with…
Here are the stand-out news stories from the last 7 days:
New Cameras
Konica Minolta Leaves Photo Industry
Samsung GX-1S DSLR
New Ricoh Camera at Focus on Imaging 2006
New Accessories
XS-Drive MP3 VP3650
Carl Zeiss ZF Lenses for Nikon SLR Cameras
Lexar 133X CompactFlash and Secure Digital Memory Cards
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO Lens
Pantone huey Monitor Calibration Tool
New Software
Adobe Camera Raw 3.3
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3
Adobe Production Studio
Other Headlines
30 Million Canon EF Lenses
Digital Cameras Dominate Professional Photography by 2010
Here are the stand-out news stories from the last 7 days: New CamerasKonica Minolta Leaves Photo IndustrySamsung GX-1S DSLRNew Ricoh Camera at Focus on Imaging 2006 New AccessoriesXS-Drive MP3 VP3650Carl Zeiss ZF Lenses for Nikon SLR CamerasLexar 133X CompactFlash and Secure Digital Memory CardsSigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO LensPantone huey…
Ricoh are attending this year’s Focus on Imaging Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham at the end of February. Not only do they have Andy Earl talking about his photography, Ricoh will also be unveiling a brand new addition to their range. Stay tuned for more details…
Ricoh UK Press Release
First time at Focus for Ricoh !
Andy Earl, top photographer from the music industry, will present a series of talks on the Ricoh stand.
Ricoh are delighted to announce that Andy Earl, photographer within the international music business, will be doing a series of talks on the Ricoh stand, N2, at Focus on Imaging 2006. Earl has had a highly successful career in the music scene with over 120 record sleeves and thousands of portraits including ones of Madonna, Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney. Earl has just opened an exhibition of his photographs taken of Johnny Cash at the Blink Gallery, London.
Ricoh are attending this year’s Focus on Imaging Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham at the end of February. Not only do they have Andy Earl talking about his photography, Ricoh will also be unveiling a brand new addition to their range. Stay tuned for more details… Ricoh UK…
ILFORD Photo Press Release
How long would £500 of ILFORD black-and-white photo products last the average enthusiast photographer? Quite a while? That’s one aspect of a new ILFORD Photo-sponsored black-and-white print competition which offers to immortalise the winners’ prints.
Image on a Box - ILFORD Photo has launched its first UK photo print competition since the company’s restructuring last year with a set of unique prizes for the winners. In addition to receiving ILFORD Photo products to the value of £500 and £250 for first and second places respectively, and £100 each for third and fourth, the four winners will have their images printed on boxes and envelopes of ILFORD Photo paper.
ILFORD Photo Press Release How long would £500 of ILFORD black-and-white photo products last the average enthusiast photographer? Quite a while? That’s one aspect of a new ILFORD Photo-sponsored black-and-white print competition which offers to immortalise the winners’ prints. Image on a Box - ILFORD Photo has launched its first…
Belkin Press Release
Belkin Wins CNET Best of CES Award at 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show; The Belkin CableFree USB Hub Is Honored By CNET as the Best in the Peripherals Category
LAS VEGAS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 19, 2006—Belkin Corporation today announced that it has received a CNET Best of CES Award in the Peripherals category for its CableFree USB Hub, the industry’s first USB Hub that does not require a cable to connect to the computer. The Best of CES Awards were produced and judged by CNET, who announced the winners Saturday, January 7, at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Selected by CNET’s unbiased, expert editors, winners were recognized as the hottest products in their respective technology categories for their unmatched innovation and creativity, and their ability to excite consumers and make their way into everyday life. CNET’s editors received and reviewed hundreds of entries, and combed the CES show floor for products to consider for the prestigious award.
Belkin Press Release Belkin Wins CNET Best of CES Award at 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show; The Belkin CableFree USB Hub Is Honored By CNET as the Best in the Peripherals Category LAS VEGAS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 19, 2006—Belkin Corporation today announced that it has received a CNET Best of CES Award…
ASMP Foundation Press Release
The ASMP Foundation is pleased to announce grants to five non-profit groups working to educate photographers—and to announce that it has begun accepting applications for the next grant cycle. Applications for summer 2006 grants are due by May 15.
The five recipients are:
* AINA Photo, a Paris-based branch of AINA, Afghanistan’s Media and Cultural Center (www.ainaworld.org), trains Afghan men and women in photojournalism. Its goal is to build local talent and foster free expression, in a country where even the possession of photographs was forbidden by the Taliban. The agency has received a grant of $1,500 for its “Afghanistan through Afghan eyes” program to help support photojournalism students develop their skills.
ASMP Foundation Press Release The ASMP Foundation is pleased to announce grants to five non-profit groups working to educate photographers—and to announce that it has begun accepting applications for the next grant cycle. Applications for summer 2006 grants are due by May 15. The five recipients are: * AINA Photo…
I/OMagic Press Release
IOMagic Enhances its Portable Storage Line-Up with Release of its GigaBank(TM) 8.0; Easy to Use, Pocket-Size 8GB(a) Storage Device is Targeted to Mobile Consumers
IRVINE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 19, 2006—I/OMagic Corporation (OTCBB:IOMG), a leading provider of data storage products, announced today that it is set to ship to retailers the latest product in its portable storage line-up, the new GigaBank(TM) 8.0. The GigaBank(TM) 8.0 has a capacity of up to 8GB(a) of storage space in a miniature and lightweight USB 2.0 unit, designed to store MP3s, video and photos as well as back up documents or transfer files.
I/OMagic Press Release IOMagic Enhances its Portable Storage Line-Up with Release of its GigaBank(TM) 8.0; Easy to Use, Pocket-Size 8GB(a) Storage Device is Targeted to Mobile Consumers IRVINE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 19, 2006—I/OMagic Corporation (OTCBB:IOMG), a leading provider of data storage products, announced today that it is set to ship to…
Sigma Notice
Firmware update notice for Sigma’s Nikon fit flashguns (NA i-TTL version)
To our valued customers, In response to recent inquiries, concerning the use of the Nikon NA-iTTL version of Sigma EF500 DG Super and Sigma EF500 DG ST flash units, and the EM140 DG Macro Flash, with the Nikon D200 Digital SLR camera, we would direct you to the compatibility chart on our website, which states that these flashguns currently do not support either the D2X, D2H or D200 i-TTL system.
To overcome this, we will be offering a free-upgrade service to our customers, who own these flash units. This free upgrade aims to respond to the demand of our customers, by providing greater compatibility with Nikon fit Sigma flashguns (EF-500 DG SUPER NA-iTTL, EF-500 DG ST NA-iTTL, and EM-140 DG NA-iTTL).
Sigma Notice Firmware update notice for Sigma’s Nikon fit flashguns (NA i-TTL version) To our valued customers, In response to recent inquiries, concerning the use of the Nikon NA-iTTL version of Sigma EF500 DG Super and Sigma EF500 DG ST flash units, and the EM140 DG Macro Flash, with the…
Canon Press Release
TOKYO, January 19, 2006 — Canon Inc. today announced the achievement of a new lens-production milestone as production of the company’s EF lenses passed the 30-million mark.
Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) SLR cameras began in 1987 at the company’s Utsunomiya Plant. Canon produced its 10-millionth EF lens in August 1995, its 20-millionth in February 2001 and, a mere five years later, has now reached the 30-million plateau. This achievement reflects users’ high level of satisfaction with the performance and quality realized by EF lenses, as well as the service offered through Canon’s marketing operations.
Canon Press Release TOKYO, January 19, 2006 — Canon Inc. today announced the achievement of a new lens-production milestone as production of the company’s EF lenses passed the 30-million mark. Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) SLR cameras began in 1987 at the company’s Utsunomiya Plant…
Adobe have officially released Camera Raw 3.3 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Support for the following cameras has been added in this update.
Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 1D Mark II N, Canon EOS 20Da
Kodak EasyShare P850, Kodak EasyShare P880
Fujifilm FinePix E900, Fujifilm FinePix S5200/5600, Fujifilm FinePix S9000/9500
Mamiya ZD
Nikon D200
Olympus E-500, Olympus SP-310, Olympus SP-350, Olympus SP-500UZ
Pentax *ist DL, Pentax *ist DS2
Sony DSC-R1
Website: Adobe Camera Raw 3.3 (Windows)
Website: Adobe Camera Raw 3.3 (Mac)
Adobe have officially released Camera Raw 3.3 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Support for the following cameras has been added in this update. Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 1D Mark II N, Canon EOS 20Da Kodak EasyShare P850, Kodak EasyShare P880 Fujifilm FinePix E900, Fujifilm FinePix S5200/5600, Fujifilm FinePix…
PCMagazine have just reviewed the new Canon IXUS i Zoom digital camera (also known as the SD30). The Canon IXUS i Zoom is a 5 megapixel model with a 2.4x optical zoom lens and 1.8 inch LCD screen.
“Small, sleek and stylish, the Canon PowerShot SD30 Digital Elph ($399.95 list) comes in four bold colors—gold, red, purple, and black. It’s easy to slip into a shirt pocket or handbag. But the slick packaging doesn’t quite make up for this ultracompact’s mediocre performance. It’s not the cheapest ultracompact on the market, and on our tests, we found it to be just an average camera in slick clothing.”
PCMagazine have just reviewed the new Canon IXUS i Zoom digital camera (also known as the SD30). The Canon IXUS i Zoom is a 5 megapixel model with a 2.4x optical zoom lens and 1.8 inch LCD screen. “Small, sleek and stylish, the Canon PowerShot SD30 Digital Elph ($399.95 list)…
The Danish website Akam.no have just reviewed the new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1, a 10.3 megapixel compact camera with an APS-C sized sensor that allows for a “live” preview.
The Danish website Akam.no have just reviewed the new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1, a 10.3 megapixel compact camera with an APS-C sized sensor that allows for a “live” preview. Website: Akam.no - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 Review Latest Prices / User Reviews
DPReview have reviewed the new Kodak Easyshare P880 digital camera. The Kodak Easyshare P880 is an 8 megapixel model with wide-angle 24–140 mm zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD screen.
“Kodak has been quite clever with the P880, identifying a niche in the ‘prosumer’ market that isn’t filled by the likes of the Panasonic FZ30, and filling it. Taken as an overall package the P880 offers little to differentiate it from its main competitors, but for those who like to ‘shoot wide’ it is almost in a class of its own.”
DPReview have reviewed the new Kodak Easyshare P880 digital camera. The Kodak Easyshare P880 is an 8 megapixel model with wide-angle 24–140 mm zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD screen. “Kodak has been quite clever with the P880, identifying a niche in the ‘prosumer’ market that isn’t filled by the…
Some shocking news to wake up to this morning - Konica Minolta has announced that it is leaving the camera and photo business (both digital and film) by March 31st 2006. I’d heard a couple of days ago that Konica Minolta had dropped out of the Focus on Imaging UK trade show - now it transpires that the company is pulling out of the photo industry for good. Digital SLR camera assets concerning Konica Minolta’s Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system have been transferred to Sony, although it’s unclear yet exactly what that means. Konica Minolta has made some great cameras, with their recent 7D and 5D digital SLRs being particularly good, but it seems that they just haven’t been able to compete with the bigger players.
Konica Minolta Press Release
Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business
Konica Minolta has long been a leading company in photo imaging business covering wide range of imaging from input to output. In addition, we have provided inspiring products and services by fusing our unique technologies.
In camera business, we have expanded picture-taking opportunities by developing innovative technologies such as the world’s first autofocus cameras. In 1962, our camera, well-accepted for its high reliability, boarded on the US’s first manned spaceship “Friendship 7.” Also, ever since introduction of the world’s first body-integral autofocus SLR camera, Maxxum/Dynax series, in 1985, SLR cameras have become more popular among picture-takers, and we have succeeded in selling 16 million units of interchangeable lenses since then.
However, in today’s era of digital cameras, where image sensor technologies such as CCD is indispensable, it became difficult to timely provide competitive products even with our top optical, mechanical and electronics technologies.
Some shocking news to wake up to this morning - Konica Minolta has announced that it is leaving the camera and photo business (both digital and film) by March 31st 2006. I’d heard a couple of days ago that Konica Minolta had dropped out of the Focus on Imaging UK…
CNET have reviewed the new dual lens Kodak V570 camera.
“The typical ultracompact digital camera often has your back up against a wall when equipped with a wide angle that affords no better than the equivalent of a 35mm-to-39mm view. Eastman Kodak has a better idea: including a second, ultrawide 23mm (35mm-camera equivalent) fixed-focal-length lens that broadens your viewpoint when faced with tight spots or breathtaking panoramas. The stylish Kodak EasyShare V570 mates this wide-angle lens with a separate 39mm-to-117mm 3X zoom lens. Each lens has its own sensor, thanks to a folded optical path that accommodates a 5-megapixel pair. The ultrawide lens is the perfect complement for the V570’s in-camera panorama-stitching feature, which can capture a full 180-degree vista with only three shots.”
Website: CNET - Kodak V570 Review
Website: Read my Kodak Easyshare V570 Review
CNET have reviewed the new dual lens Kodak V570 camera. “The typical ultracompact digital camera often has your back up against a wall when equipped with a wide angle that affords no better than the equivalent of a 35mm-to-39mm view. Eastman Kodak has a better idea: including a second, ultrawide…