Ricoh have joined in the “fun” by issuing a notice to Ricoh digital camera owners about the CCD issue that has recently afflicted most of the major camera manufacturers.

Notice to Owners of Ricoh Digital Camera

October 11, 2005
Thank you for your support and patronage of Ricoh products.
With an investigation on the image sensor device, or CCD, it has recently come to our attention that a limited number of the products below (Applicable Products) that incorporate CCD of specific production lots may exhibit the following condition:

When the product is used in camera mode, the LCD panel exhibits either a distorted image or no image.

We have determined that this condition occurs only in a limited number of units, but may be accelerated if the units are exposed to high temperature and humidity environments.

Cardmedia Press Release

DigiMagic DM-180 1.8” Portable Storage Device availability extended to 40 and 60GB

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer ezPnP, after the popularity of the DigiMagic DM-180 1.8 20GB Storage Device has announced the availability of the DigiMagic DM180 in 40GB and 60GB capacities, to enhance the existing portable Digimagic portable storage range of products.

The EZPnP DigiMagic DM180 is a portable 1.8” HDD based photo backup/storage device. The DM180 is a handheld backup device for digital photos which is capable of storing thousands of high-resolution images on its 20, 40, or 60GB internal hard disk.

It is only palm-sized and fits perfectly into your pocket. In addition to the compact size, it is also light weight, durable, stylish, and has high speed data transfer and mass storage capacity.
The DM180 offers the ultimate solution in convenience, portability, and storage capacity for professional users.

DPReview have published their review of the Canon IXUS 750 digital camera (also known as the Canon PowerShot SD550), which has 7.1 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens.

“Okay, so the SD550 hardly breaks new ground, and - coming only six or seven months after the SD500 it replaces - I’d have been surprised if it was. In most respects this is good news; the SD500 was a little gem of a camera (and the best IXUS / ELPH yet), and the SD550 is just that little bit better. Image quality is excellent (for a camera in this class), it’s fast, responsive and reliable, and it is one of the few cameras on the market today that has a true ‘luxury’ feel to it, such is the quality of its build and materials.”

Website: DPReview - Canon IXUS 750 Review

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DPReview have posted their review of the 7.2 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 digital camera.

“I was very impressed with the P150 when we reviewed it last year, and the P200 - though by any measure a minor upgrade - builds on and adds to its appeal. The bigger screen and the inclusion of a manual white balance option are very welcome, and the price is even more appealing now the camera has been on the market for half a year or so.”

Website: DPReview - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 Review

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CNET have reviewed the Pentax OptioS55, a 5 megapixel camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens.

“The Pentax Optio S55 produces satisfying, good-quality, but not wonderful output. A number of flaws emerged in our test shots. They were usually minor and not enough to ruin the photo, but they were noticeable nonetheless. First of all, the Optio S55 is prone to slight underexposure and barrel distortion at the zoom’s wide setting, as well as minor purple fringing in areas of strong contrast. Photos appear soft, on average, at the camera’s default sharpness setting.”

Website: CNET - Pentax OptioS55 Review

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Hungarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5, an ultra-slim 5.1 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

Website: Index Digicam - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5 Review

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Samsung Press Release

Samsung announces agreement with Pentax to co-operate and jointly develop new digital camera products. This will broaden the product range to offer consumers greater choice

Seoul, Korea - October 12th, 2005: Samsung (CEO Lee Joong-Koo, www.samsungcamera.com) announces an agreement with Pentax to jointly develop Digital-SLR cameras.

The partnership between Samsung and Pentax will be based on sharing their respective competencies to enhance competitiveness in digital cameras.

Samsung holds superb digital image processing technologies, digital convergence technologies and world-wide brand recognition in digital appliance markets. Its partner, Pentax, has developed SLR cameras using Penta Prism technology. Pentax possesses a wide range of high-performance interchangeable lenses as well as cutting edge technologies for high precision cameras.

Canon have released a new firmware update (version 1.2.4) for the EOS-1D Mark II DSLR.

This firmware update (version 1.2.4) includes the following additional functons and improvements:

1. Fixes the phenomenon of file number errors that occurred when shooting bulb exposures.
Fixes the phenomenon of file numbers not being sequential even if the file number setting is for sequential numbers if when a CF card is replaced while the power of the camera is switched on.

2. Improves reliability in communication when using some CF cards.

Website: Firmware Update Version 1.2.4

Canon have released a new firmware update (version 1.1.4) for the EOS-1Ds Mark II DSLR.

This firmware update (version 1.1.4) includes the following improvements:

1. Fixes the phenomenon of horizontal line noise appearing when P.Fn-21 is set to ON.
Fixes the phenomenon of horizontal line noise appearing occasionally in shots taken with P.Fn-21 set to ON at high ISO setting, depending on the shutter release timing.

2. Fixes the phenomenon of file number errors that occurred when shooting bulb exposures.
Fixes the phenomenon of file numbers not being sequential even if the file number setting is for sequential numbers if a CF card is replaced while the power of the camera is switched on.

3. Improves reliability in communication when using some CF cards.

Note for users of the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1/E1A:
The camers’s WFT-E1/E1A settings will be initialized after the firmware is updated. Please re-set them after the update.

Website: Firmware Update Version 1.1.4

CNET 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. They seem to like it a lot…

“Sony’s Cyber Shot DSC-R1 represents an intriguing bridge between the world of user-friendly all-in-one prosumer cameras and the more complicated world of high-quality digital SLRs. It has an easily rotated LCD screen, plenty of manual bells and whistles, a sharp and versatile Carl Zeiss lens, and a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor nearly as large as those found in typical dSLRs. The resulting images are impressive, and the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-R1 is relatively easy to operate once you’ve navigated through the slightly awkward interface a few times. It can take a while to sort through the features spread out among more than a dozen buttons and dials, but even relative newcomers to digital photography should be able to take decent photos right out of the box.”

Website: CNET - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 Review

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Luminous Landscape have published news about a design flaw with the Canon EOS 5D’s new custom function.

“Let’s say that my custom setting is for AV mode at f/10 with +2/3EV. I put the camera to C mode and the settings appear as stored. As I continue to shoot, I decide to change the aperture to f8 and change the EV to +1/3. Because the 5D has almost instant power-on, and high battery usage, unlike previous Canon cameras where I would set the power saver to 8 minutes or more, on the 5D I set it to 2 or 4 minutes, so in fact the camera power will time out from time to time when I am idle in relation to shooting. So, I am waiting for the next shot. I see it coming, the camera springs to life almost instantly, but rather than have my new f/8 and +1/3EV setting where I left off minutes ago, the camera apparently says, “OK we are now powering up in the Custom mode, so we will make sure that all the settings are as stored”. GOTCHA!”

Website: Luminous Landscape - The Canon 5D “C” Mode Gotcha

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Hama Press Release

Sporty but stylish
With the new Samsonite Ravenna series, Hama proves that Samsonite camera cases are not always just refined and elegant.

The durable polytex cases for small digital cameras are available in either black or olive. As in the successful Samsonite Freestyler suitcase series, the slim red rubber application on the front gives the cases a special eye-catching look and a certain flair. Five sizes are available with a cover flap and five with a zip.

Big mouth
Whether on a boat trip or mountain hike, the Ravenna cases with cover flaps hold your camera ready for the best snapshots at all times thanks to the hook and loop fastener. The flat front pocket holds memory cards and spare batteries.

Norwegian website Akam.no have published their review of the Casio EX-S500, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom and a 2.2 inch LCD screen.

Website: Akam.no - Casio EX-S500 Review

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Pro photographer Thom Hogan has published a review of the Nikon D50, a new affordable 6.1 megapixel digital SLR.

“Overall, the D50 produces better out-of-camera JPEGs than the D70s in most situations I’ve tried it in. There simply aren’t any specific image quality faults that are omnipresent or overbearing, even at ISO 1600, as long as you don’t underexpose. This makes the D50 a great print-from-camera DSLR, which I think is partially what Nikon intended. But it also makes it a pretty good all-around backup body for JPEG shooters, like wedding and other event photographers.”

Website: Thom Hogan - Nikon D50 Review

Website: Read my Nikon D50 Review

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DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the new entry-level Konica Minolta Dynax 5D digital SLR camera.

“The Konica Minolta Dynax 5D is a camera that is easy operable for anybody. It might look complicated because of the extensive amount of buttons. But you will learn to appreciate this abundance and soon you wonder why everybody has to start searching in the menu. Also adding to the user-friendliness is the huge 2.5-inch monitor that offers the user enhanced information, in large characters that are easy to read. The Dynax 5D camera may have a plastic touch to it, it doesn’t make it less solid. And the material makes the Dynax 5D light-weighted so it’s no problem at all carrying the camera with you wherever you go.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Konica Minolta Dynax 5D Review

Website: Read my Konica Minolta Dynax 5D Review

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O’Reilly Press Release

Insider’s Tips and Techniques for Pro Photo Retouchers

Farnham, UK—The next best thing to a mentor, “Commercial Photoshop Retouching: In the Studio” (Honiball, O’Reilly) is a collection of real-world, straight-from-the-trenches advice on the practical commercial applications of retouching with Adobe Photoshop.

This one-of-a-kind guide to professional photo retouching and compositing delivers insider techniques and seasoned advice from someone who retouches photographs for a living and has been doing so for more than 20 years. “The examples in this book are the types of things I might be asked to do for a client on any given day,” says author Glenn Honiball.

“Professional artists need to create professional-looking retouched images in the most efficient and realistic way,” continues Honiball. To make that happen, he gives professionals—or those who just want their images to look professionally crafted—the tools, tricks, and know-how to save time and minimize stress while achieving the perfect balance of imagination, efficiency, and technique.

Wiley Press Release

Fully updated and revised, DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR DUMMIES, 5TH EDITION (Wiley; Oct. 2005; $24.99) is now in full color.  This bestselling guide to digital photography is now illustrated cover-to-cover with color photos that show readers the types of results they, too, can achieve.  At the same great price as the previous, black-and-white edition, DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR DUMMIES, 5TH EDITION is an amazing value for anyone looking to get started with digital photography.

Digital camera sales in the United States topped 18 million units in 2004, according to the Photo Marketing Association International, dwarfing sales of traditional film cameras.  Price per mega pixel declined 31% from 2003 to 2004, making digital photo technology increasingly affordable to consumers.  The improving technology and falling prices are driving millions of hobbyist and amateur photographers to go digital, creating a huge segment of first-time digital photographers, many of whom need help to get up to speed with their new equipment.

Lexar Press Release

FREMONT, Ca., October 11, 2005 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, announced today that Greg Gorman, Stephen Wilkes and Nick Vedros will appear in Lexar’s booth at the Photo Plus Expo Trade Show and Conference to exhibit their breathtaking images and offer insight and motivation to attendees while spurring innovative thinking and creative ability through the use of digital photography.

Lexar’s products are deployed every day by professionals around the world to work in concert with the latest digital camera equipment in all types of situations and will be showcased at the event by these photographers. Renowned celebrity photographer, Greg Gorman, uses Lexar’s products when photographing his unique and timeless images for a range of high profile clientele. Stephen Wilkes, a leading fine arts and commercial photographer, uses only the most trustworthy equipment when capturing images across North America while working on assignment or for his own personal projects. Commercial photographer, Nick Vedros, employs the latest digital photography technology when traveling worldwide to capture images for his long list of clients.

Trusted Reviews have reviewed the new entry-level Konica Minolta Dynax 5D digital SLR camera.

“Handling and performance are outstanding. The 5D has a tough reinforced glass fiber body over an alloy chassis, making it strong but light. Although its chunky design gives an impression of bulk it is actually quite a small camera, just 5mm wider and 25g heavier than the Pentax *ist DL, with which it is in direct competition. It has a big comfortable rubberised handgrip, large clear viewfinder with optical correction, and a superbly ergonomic control layout. The camera starts up in under a second, and in continuous mode can shoot at three frames a second, although the number of frames that can be shot before the camera needs to stop and write to the card depends on the image quality setting. In Standard mode it is 13 frames, but in the superior RAW+JPEG mode it is just three frames.”

Website: Trusted Reviews - Konica Minolta Dynax 5D Review

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DigitalCameraInfo have just published their review of the Kodak EasyShare-One, which is the first consumer digital camera to include a Wi-Fi chip for remote internet access.

“The Kodak EasyShare-one has a fairly ordinary front façade that doesn’t do much to advertise its flashy feature set. The one retails for $599 and includes a wireless card that syncs with Kodak EasyShare Software, printers, personal computers, laptops, camera phones, and other wireless-enabled devices. This digital camera offers convenience at its best and unleashes the true potential of the digital image. The Kodak EasyShare-one was announced in January and took way to long to get to the market, as it was just released in October. However, Kodak makes up for the delay with a plush package that includes a 2-year warranty, 2 batteries (one to spare), a battery charger, a leather carrying case, a nice software package, and a host of promotions. Add an impressive imager to the lavish package and the EasyShare-one may impact the digital camera industry far beyond its sales.  “

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Kodak EasyShare-One Review