Photo District News Online have posted a joint review of the 14 megapixel Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c and SLR/n digital SLR cameras.

“The interface isn’t perfect. I once found the camera to be in the process of deleting images during the middle of a shoot and had to pull the CompactFlash card to stop the destruction. Turns out that since I’m left-eye dominant, my nose had pressed the rear control dial in such a way as to perform a card-erase. Kodak showed me how to disable this feature, but it was a bit scary to watch as images disappeared because of something my nostrils had done.”

Website: Photo District News Online - Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c and SLR/n Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n

Check the Latest Prices for the Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c

DigiCamReview.co.uk have posted their review of the 3 megapixel, 3x optical zoom Pentax Optio 33LF digital camera.

“The camera is compact, and fairly stylish, its main selling point is the 1.6” rotating-swivelling screen that lets you take pictures of yourself, friends, family etc. The screen updates smoothly as well, but is a bit low-res / grainy. The camera is very easy to use, the menu systems easy to use and well laid out. The 3x optical zoom is a useful feature to have. Camera handling and design are good. The camera speed is good in use and has a quick but noisy zoom, shot to shot time could be quicker. The built-in scene modes, digital filters and panorama mode help make this camera easier to use as well.”

Website: DigiCamReview.co.uk - Pentax Optio 33LF Review

PCMagazine have published their review of the new 5 megapixel Sony DSC-W1 digital compact camera.

“In general, however, the pictures were quite good. In addition to crispness, the colors-a bit on the warm side-really popped, though we noticed some minor posterization in some highlights. In our flash-invoked shots, illumination was very strong and well balanced, and the image was sharp with excellent color reproduction.”

Website: PCMagazine - Sony DSC-W1 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Sony DSC-W1

Profile Prism is software that allows monitor calibration and can generate ICC profiles for digital cameras, scanners, and printers using an IT8 reference target. Resulting color profiles may be used in any ICC aware application such as Qimage Pro, Adobe PhotoShop, Corel PhotoPaint, and many others. The software is designed for a PC running any 32 bit Windows operating system, however, it can be run on a Mac running Virtual PC. In addition, since the ICC profiles generated by Profile Prism are 100% compliant with ICC specs, the profiles themselves may be used on any platform (PC, Mac, etc.).

Version 5.0 allows precise editing of printer profiles.

New Features:
Profile Editor: A quality scanner based profiling tool like Profile Prism is very helpful in color managing “screen to print” color, however, due to differences in how your eyes perceive color in prints and how your scanner interprets printed targets, there is often a need for some fine tuning or editing of certain areas of printer profiles.

The Dansih website Digital Magasinet have reviewed RAW PhotoDesk for Windows, which allows you to view and edit both raw and other file formats from most digital cameras. If you want to use RAW PhotoDesk beyond the 30 day trial period, you must register. A single user license is $29.95.

Website: Digital Magasinet - RAW PhotoDesk Review

Website: RAW PhotoDesk

CNET have reviewed the 5 megapixel Pentax Optio S5i.

“Although definitely targeting snapshooters who are looking for an ultracompact and stylish camera, the Optio S5i also offers enough features to please those who will want to tweak their photos as their skills grow. Pentax couples an array of fun features with the image quality you’d expect from a 5-megapixel shooter.”

Website: CNET - Pentax Optio S5i Review

Scheider Press Release 21/10/04

Powerful, affordable, easy-to-use “plug ins” are compatible with all popular image processing programs

Hauppauge, NY, October 21,2004 - Schneider Optics, in conjunction with its parent company, Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH, known for manufacturing high performance lenses and filters, has introduced a new line of digital filter software that enables any PC or MAC computer user to easily and quickly apply special retouching and effects to any digital image.

Available in two different sets: (1) Portrait and Family, and (2) Outdoor, these B+W software sets each provide six selectable effects that can be selected by a single click of a mouse, be instantly adjusted, and applied to an image by a second mouse click. As a result, retouching effects that previously took minutes or hours, and could only be accomplished by highly trained, experienced operators using leading photo-manipulating software, can now be achieved easily by anyone, virtually instantly.

The new B+W filter software can apply professional-quality effects to photos from any source, including digital cameras, “camera” cell phones, camcorders, scanners and the Internet.

Scheider Press Release 21/10/04

Hauppauge, NY, October 21, 2004 - Scheider Optics, the well known lens and professional filter manufacturer, now offers a broad line of B+W Digital-Pro filters created specifically for digital cameras.

Whether using a simple point-and-shoot, a digital SLR (DSLR) or a digital camcorder, B+W Digital-Pro filters are designed to enable the user to capture the best possible image in-camera, with a wide range of artistic effects and superb results whether or not the image is subsequently adjusted with image editing software. In fact, using a B+W Digital-Pro filter up front will actually enable a greater amount of subsequent software manipulation, by providing more detail across the entire image spectrum.

“Using B+W Digital-Pro filters enable you to start out with a superior image, allowing you to use your software to enhance your photos if you wish, rather than waste time using your software to correct image problems that may not be repairable” explained Scheider Senior Vice President Ron Leven. “While software is a powerful tool for any digital photographer, it doesn’t eliminate detail-blocking glare like a polarized filter does…it cannot replace the detail in an overexposed sky routinely captured using an on-camera graduated ND filter…and of course, it can’t protect your lens from damange the way a UV/skylight filter can.”

DPReview have just posted their review of the 6 megapixel Fuji FinePix E550.

“The FinePix E550 Zoom is an incredibly capable camera that punches above its weight both in terms of features and image quality. The handling and speed of operation are superb, and the range of controls comprehensive. The 32.5-130mm lens offers more versatility than the more common 38-115mm equiv. found on many similar cameras, and is very sharp across the frame. Resolution is excellent, noise very well controlled and the colors really jump out at you. The ISO 800 mode is not only usable, but very useful too - the low noise means you can often get away without using flash in social situations.”

Website: DPReview - Fuji FinePix E550 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Fuji FinePix E550

Phase One Press Release 21/10/04

Phase One announces 2005 support for Adobe DNG Digital Negative Specification

Phase One A/S, Copenhagen, October 21th, 2004: Phase One, a world leader in digital camera backs and DSLR RAW conversion software, welcomes Adobe’s latest initiative, the Digital Negative Specification (DNG), as an important step in facilitating the wider usage of raw formats. Phase One is announcing today the support of the Adobe DNG specification in upcoming releases of its highly respected C1-RAW Workflow Software in 2005.

Today, the C1 range of RAW workflow software has native support for most professional DSLR cameras. Adding the DNG format, Phase One will be able to offer our end users yet another option in regards to taking advantage of working with RAW captures and building an efficient RAW workflow. Phase One will continue to support the native RAW format of existing professional DSLR cameras as well as future DSLR cameras, however we look to the DNG format as a means of bringing additional camera support to our C1 users in a more timely fashion, while maintaining the image quality that Phase One is known for.

The Spanish website quesabesde.com have posted an exclusive preview of the Epson RD-1 digital rangefinder camera.

Website: quesabesde.com - Epson RD-1 Preview

Check the Latest Prices for the Epson RD-1

Write a Review of the Epson RD-1

DPNow have published an interesting viewpoint on the new 5 megapixel Samsung SCH-S250 that was announced on Wednesday.

“From a gadget-freak’s perspective, the SCH-S250 sounds like a dream come true about a year earlier than expected. But there is a more important angle on this news. If the SCH-S250 is anywhere near competent as a 5MP digital camera, it could mark the beginning of the end of the mass-market dedicated still camera era. Mobile phones have proved to be the most popular electronic devices in history, massively out-pacing the adoption of the original telephone, TV and the personal computer.”

DPNow - 5MP camera phone from Samsung

The 40th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Penny Moore.

“My name is Penny Moore I live in Birmingham, England. I take all kinds of photos but my love is the texture and patterns nature produces. I really like to try and touch and feel nature through my photos.”

Website: Portfolios: Penny Moore

Delkin Press Release

Delkin Devices, Inc., manufacturer of quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative products, today introduced the eFilm Archival Gold “300-Year” CD-R. eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s incorporate patented Phthalocyanine (thalo-sy-a-neen) dye and a 24k gold reflective layer into every CD-R. The innovative materials found in eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s make them one of the most reliable storage medium available. Typically CD-R’s are known to deteriorate quickly due to Earth’s common elements: ultra violet light, heat, and humidity. Using an accelerated aging process to test the longevity of CD-R media, eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s have been shown to safely store your images for more than 300 years.

“Consumers are now taking more pictures than ever with digital cameras,” explains Martin Wood, CEO of Delkin Devices, Inc. “Our research has indicated that the number one reason consumers take digital images is to preserve their precious memories. eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s ensure that your precious memories are safe for years to come.”

Luminous Landscape have posted a report on Photo Plus Expo, an annual photography show currently being held in New York, USA.

“Konica / Minolta was showing their Maxxum 7D, which will start shipping in a few weeks (early November). The big news here, in addition to it being the first DSLR from that company, is the built-in Anti-Shake, which provides image stabilization with almost all lenses. I am field testing the 7D right now, and hope to have a review online before the end of the month. The retail price will be approximately $1,600, which makes it just slightly more expensive than a prime competitor such as the Canon 20D, at $1,500. Not enough of a price difference to matter to someone with a commitment to Minolta lenses, or someone with a desire for Anti-Shake in the body.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Photo Plus Expo Report

FujiFilm US have just announced the price of their long-delayed DSLR, the FinePix S3 Pro. The body-only minimum advertised price is $2,499, significantly more than either the Canon EOS 20D or Nikon D70, but significantly less than the higher-end DSLRs.

Samsung have now issued the press release for their 5 megapixel cameraphone.

Samsung Press Release 20/10/04

- A true digital convergence product that combines a gamut of innovative technologies including a “true color” LCD (16 million colors), Text-To-Speech conversion capability, as well as a 5-megapixel CCD camera.
- The “stretch” design protects the lens and LCD while providing a digital camera feel

SEOUL, Korea - October 20, 2004 - Samsung Electronics unveils the world’s first mobile phone (model: SCH-S250) equipped with a 5-megapixel camera. Just one year after the introduction of its first 1-megapixel camera phone and 3 months after its first 3.2-megapixel camera phone, Samsung proves its technological prowess again with this revolutionary product.

The CCD (charge-coupled device) camera and high-sensitivity flash allow the user to take the same quality pictures one gets from a top-end digital camera. Similar to Samsung’s premium grade camera phones, the S250 can also function as a camcorder. The 92MB onboard memory can store up to 100 minutes of video (320x240), and a 32MB auxiliary memory is included as a standard feature. The shutter speed is as fast as 1/1,000 th of a second, allowing the user to film beautiful landscapes as well as subjects as close as 10 cm. The S250 can be connected to a TV to display video during shooting or to show footage that has already been recorded in the mobile phone.

DPNow have published a review of the book “Adobe Photoshop CS one-on-one” by Deke McClelland, aimed at beginner and intermediate Photoshop users.

“The book is supplemented by a CD ROM containing twelve easy to follow, bite-size, video lessons, averaging nine minutes. These are presented by the author in four sets: navigation/colour correction, select/crop/edit, masking/focus/layers and type/styles/output. McLelland narrates the tutorials in a clear and engaging manner ? it never gets boring.

Although there are nearly two hours worth of lessons on the CD, the sheer breadth and depth of Photoshop CS means that the topics covered are addressed in a reasonably simplified manner rather than in depth. I’ve been a Photoshop user for about three years now, but I personally learned some useful tips from the lessons.”

Website: DPNow - Adobe Photoshop CS one-on-one Review

DCResource have just reviewed the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH (also known as the IXUS 40).

“Although I think image quality has gone downhill a bit since its predecessor, that doesn’t stop me from putting the Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH high on my list of favorite ultra-compact cameras. It’s got a stylish, ultra-thin metal body, a 3X zoom lens, a big 2-inch LCD, first-rate movie mode, and robust performance. The SD300 is about 1/3 inch thinner than the S410 and it’s small enough to go everywhere with you. The lens is still 3X, though its new design lends itself to increased purple fringing and blurry edges, the main image quality issues that I found.”

Website: DCResource - Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH

Sony Press Release 21/10/04

SONY DIGITAL PHOTO PRINTER PICKS UP THE PACE

UP-DR150 Sets New Speed and Quality Standard for Event Photos, Digital Kiosks

CHICAGO, Oct. 21, 2004 (PMA Fall Conference Booth # 717) - Sony Electronics today enhanced its line of digital photofinishing products with the introduction of the UP-DR150 digital photo printer, a dye sublimation printer that is now the fastest in its class of professional photo printers.

Designed to deliver quality prints and rapid turnaround in retail, studio, in-field event and kiosk applications, the UP-DR150 also offers high-volume roll printing, durable print heads, and a simple front-access design to minimize maintenance.

“We continue to accelerate the expansion of the digital photofinishing market and its technologies with the introduction of the UP-DR150,” said Jay Dellostretto, vice president for digital photofinishing in Sony Electronics’ Broadcast and Business Solutions Company. “Retailers and photographers can effortlessly deliver the prints their customers want faster and better than ever, making retail digital photofinishing an even more compelling offering.”