News
DCResource have reported that Sony has decided NOT to sell the Cyber-shot DSC-T3 in the USA, “citing continuing strong sales of the DSC-T1”. So because an older model is doing so well, the newer model is not being introduced! Sounds like you all need to stop buying the T1 now…
DCResource have reported that Sony has decided NOT to sell the Cyber-shot DSC-T3 in the USA, “citing continuing strong sales of the DSC-T1”. So because an older model is doing so well, the newer model is not being introduced! Sounds like you all need to stop buying the T1 now……
eDigitalPhoto magazine have just reviewed the new HP Photosmart R707, a stylish 5 megapixel digital camera (found via DigiCamReview.co.uk)
“The Photosmart R707 incorporates the IRISS (Intelligent Redeye Imaging Software Solution) technology, developed by Pixology Inc. (www.pixology.com) in collaboration with Texas Instruments. This system analyzes an image to detect and correct redeyes automatically, usually without affecting any other elements. The software also provides a preview of the areas that will be corrected, allowing the user to reject the suggested correction if it includes other subject areas.”
eDigitalPhoto magazine have just reviewed the new HP Photosmart R707, a stylish 5 megapixel digital camera (found via DigiCamReview.co.uk) “The Photosmart R707 incorporates the IRISS (Intelligent Redeye Imaging Software Solution) technology, developed by Pixology Inc. (www.pixology.com) in collaboration with Texas Instruments. This system analyzes an image to detect and correct…
Wired Magazine have published an interesting look at the problem of keeping track of digital photos and several innovative ways of making the process easier.
“A digital camera is an enticement to take more snaps than you can keep track of. Why not shoot a few more pictures of Aunt Rose to see if you can get one that’s slightly more flattering to her - how to put it? - irregular profile. You don’t even need to carry a camera; you can squeeze off a stream of shots with your cell phone and send them to your inbox. With the price of digital storage plummeting even as our time seems to become ever more valuable, it’s cheaper to store the lot of them than to weed out the clunkers.
But having thousands of photos on a hard disk or DVD-ROM is the equivalent of throwing Bettmann’s images into the air and letting them flutter to the ground. Our only hope is that the army of engineers laboring in labs around the world can come up with a better way.”
Wired Magazine have published an interesting look at the problem of keeping track of digital photos and several innovative ways of making the process easier. “A digital camera is an enticement to take more snaps than you can keep track of. Why not shoot a few more pictures of Aunt…
MyFourThirds.com looks like an interesting site for all you Olympus E-1 owners out there, and for all the people who will buy the E-300 (pictured) when it’s launched. Billing itself as “The Photographic Community for the Four Thirds Photographer”, there’s already quite a bit of content there.
Website: MyFourThirds.com
MyFourThirds.com looks like an interesting site for all you Olympus E-1 owners out there, and for all the people who will buy the E-300 (pictured) when it’s launched. Billing itself as “The Photographic Community for the Four Thirds Photographer”, there’s already quite a bit of content there. Website: MyFourThirds.com…
Canon have released a new firmware version for the 7 megapixel Canon PowerShot S70. Version 1.0.1.0 contains the following fix:
Prevents E51 errors from occurring when making specific print settings.
Website: Canon PowerShot S70 Firmware Update
Canon have released a new firmware version for the 7 megapixel Canon PowerShot S70. Version 1.0.1.0 contains the following fix: Prevents E51 errors from occurring when making specific print settings. Website: Canon PowerShot S70 Firmware Update
The winners of the September 2004 PhotographyBLOG Competition have now been decided. The theme for September was “Sunrise and Sunset” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 3 winners:
1st Place
“Fishing in the sunset ” by mates
View this entry
Judges Comments:
“Awesome composition, great color in the sky and sun.”
“Perfect postioning of the boat in the sun’s rays combined with strong colours equals a great image!”
Prize: 1 copy of Powerretouche Full Pro Pack
Kindly donated by Powerretouche.
http://powerretouche.com
2nd Place
“Evening Silhouttes” by arthury
View this entry
Judges Comments:
“Probably the moodiest and most evocative image entered this month.”
“Perfectly captures the feeling of the dying day.”
1 copy of Digital Photography Hacks by Derrick Story.
Kindly donated by O’Reilly.
http://www.oreilly.com
3rd Place
“Cavtat sunset” by nantel
View this entry
Judges Comments:
“Beautiful and rare magenta tint. Crisp reflections on the water, and good composition.”
Prize: Photobird.com one-year subscription with 100 megabytes of storage space
Kindly donated by Photobird.com.
http://www.photobird.com
Congratulations to the 3 winners and thanks to everyone who took part!
The October 2004 Competition is now open for entries. This is a monthly photography competition with a specific theme and prizes for the top 3 photos. The winning entries will be decided by a panel of judges. You just have to submit one photograph to the Competition Gallery that best interprets October’s theme, which is simply “Travel”.
The winners of the September 2004 PhotographyBLOG Competition have now been decided. The theme for September was “Sunrise and Sunset” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 3 winners: 1st Place “Fishing in the sunset ” by matesView this entry Judges Comments:“Awesome composition…
The 37th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Martin Kimeldorf.
“This is my Jack portfolio. It contains a study of my best friend, Jack the Dog. I’ve been shooting digitally for about 3 years years. As I learn to master pixel editing I find my work drifting more towards photoart rather than straight photography. I have arranged the sequence to suggest this idea. This collection spans three years.
Website: Portfolios: Martin Kimeldorf
The 37th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Martin Kimeldorf. “This is my Jack portfolio. It contains a study of my best friend, Jack the Dog. I’ve been shooting digitally for about 3 years years. As I learn to master pixel editing I find my work drifting more towards photoart…
DPReview have today reviewed the 6 megapixel FujiFilm FinePix F810 Zoom.
“The FinePix F810 Zoom is a very classy camera ideal for the serious photographer wanting a ‘carry anywhere’ companion to an SLR. The design, built and speed of operation are superb, and the range of controls comprehensive. Even more importantly, all the everyday photographic functions are easily accessible via external controls or fast, well-designed menus. 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 - FujiFilm FinePix F810 Zoom Review
Website: Read my Fujifilm Finepix F810 Review
DPReview have today reviewed the 6 megapixel FujiFilm FinePix F810 Zoom. “The FinePix F810 Zoom is a very classy camera ideal for the serious photographer wanting a ‘carry anywhere’ companion to an SLR. The design, built and speed of operation are superb, and the range of controls comprehensive. Even more…
DPNow have published a comprehensive review of the 4 megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z40, which was first announced at the end of February.
“Casio has designed the Exilim EX-Z40 to be easy to use. This does mean some more sophisticated features are missing. There is no manual control of aperture and shutter speed settings, nor full manual exposure mode. This will frustrate some photographers but at least you can manually select ISO speeds to suit conditions and white balance settings. 21 scene-specific modes are available and you can set your own scene mode based on a photo you have previously taken. Unfortunately, the printed user guide supplied is far too brief and offers no help for the camera’s more advanced features. A much more detailed manual is supplied as a pdf document on the utility CD.”
Website: DPNow - Casio Exilim EX-Z40 Review
DPNow have published a comprehensive review of the 4 megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z40, which was first announced at the end of February. “Casio has designed the Exilim EX-Z40 to be easy to use. This does mean some more sophisticated features are missing. There is no manual control of aperture and…
Vosonic Press Release
VOSONIC NEW RANGE OF MULTIMEDIA X’S-DRIVES
XS Drive Super VP6210
MMV VP6300
Vosonic, the manufacturer based in Taiwan of the XS Drives, has announced the availability of two new MultiMedia XS Drives to complete its range of portable storage devices, which were shown at Photokina trade show.
The XS Drive Super VP6210 and MMV VP6300 enter the range as top specification devices providing via their 2” LCD display the possibility to view JPEG photos, play MPEG-1 videos or MP3 - WMA music.
The XS Drive Super is available from 20GB to 80GB and uses an internal 2.5” Hard disk, whereas the MMV is a more compact unit by using a 20GB 1.8” internal Hard disk.
Both units provide the exact same features:
- Copy from any memory card including Compactflash, MicroDrive, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo (via adapter), MMC, RS-MMC (via adapter), Secure Digital, mini SD (via adapter), Smartmedia, xD picture card to the internal Hard disk
- Copy selected files from the Hard disk (or a memory card) to a memory card inserted
- View JPEG photos up to 16 MegaPixels, run slideshow, view Exif information, Rotate by 90 degrees, Zoom in/out
- Play MPEG-1 or Motion JPEG in AVI or MOD format videos
- Play MP3 and WMA music
- Audio/Video outputs to plug to a TV and/or listen on headphones
- Infrared remote control is supplied
- 3 hours of battery life with the LCD Screen on (up to 6 hours when the LCD is in standby)
- USB 2.0 (USB 1.1 backward compatible) connection to a computer
- Faster transfer speed than current XS Drive models (VP2060, VP300, VP3310, VP3610)
Vosonic Press Release VOSONIC NEW RANGE OF MULTIMEDIA X’S-DRIVES XS Drive Super VP6210 MMV VP6300 Vosonic, the manufacturer based in Taiwan of the XS Drives, has announced the availability of two new MultiMedia XS Drives to complete its range of portable storage devices, which were shown at Photokina trade show…
Vosonic Press Release
VOSONIC X’S-DRIVE PRO VP3310
9in1 Portable Storage Device with 40GB or more
Fast connection with USB 2.0 & Blue Backlight LCD Panel
MP3 Jukebox Player
Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer Vosonic, has announced the availability of the X?S-Drive Pro VP3310, a new Portable Storage Device with enhanced LCD display + MP3 player, which features a blue Backlight LCD display and support long MP3 filenames.
Like the XS Drive Pro VP300, the Vosonic X’S-Drive Pro VP3310 combines all the X’S-Drive latest features; Fast USB 2.0 compatible interface, LCD panel to indicate detailed Working status, File transfer and battery power level.
The X’S-Drive Pro VP3310 allows the transfer of pictures and any other file from any memory card to its internal 2.5 inches hard drive.
It displays on its 2.5 inches LCD screen detailed information such as the names of files being transferred and the transfer progress status.
It can be used with all types of memory cards: Compactflash, IBM Microdrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, and xD picture card without any adapter.
Vosonic Press Release VOSONIC X’S-DRIVE PRO VP3310 9in1 Portable Storage Device with 40GB or more Fast connection with USB 2.0 & Blue Backlight LCD Panel MP3 Jukebox Player Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer Vosonic, has announced the availability of the X?S-Drive Pro VP3310, a new…
If your compact digicam has a hotshoe, this new flash unit from Metz is available to fit Canon, Nikon, Konica Minolta and Olympus models.
Metz Press Release
Metz mecablitz 28 AF-3 digital - Optimized for compact digital cameras
The flash boost for your shots
Be it a garden party, wedding, child?s birthday or a luxury cruise - They are all those irretrievable moments in life that build up in the course of the years. Yet, in spite of the importance of the moment, the photographic results often turn out to be disappointing: Sometimes faces are too dark on account of the high contrasts between light and shadows. And then the colours are too flat because the camera?s internal flash was not powerful enough. The real answer is to be on the safe side with a Metz mecablitz 28 AF-3 digital. This small, clip-on flash unit is designed in technology and size to match optimally the compact digital cameras.
The new Metz unit operates fully automatically and is so handy that it will easily fit in your jacket pocket. Power can be supplied either by normal alkaline batteries or equally price-effective rechargeable batteries. Four variants are available for Canon, Konica Minolta, Nikon or Olympus - and they all feature the very latest “digital picture technologies”.
If your compact digicam has a hotshoe, this new flash unit from Metz is available to fit Canon, Nikon, Konica Minolta and Olympus models. Metz Press Release Metz mecablitz 28 AF-3 digital - Optimized for compact digital cameras The flash boost for your shots Be it a garden party, wedding…
This looks like a great idea for anyone who uses a compact digicam without a hotshoe, but would like a better flash unit than the tiny one that is built into their camera.
Metx Press Release
Metz mecablitz 28 CS-2 digital - Optimized for compact digital cameras:
Firing flashes with perception
How often have you been disappointed about dark photos merely because the flash integrated in your camera was not powerful enough? And have you ever wanted a handy compact flash unit that can be used separately from the camera? Well Metz offers the perfect solution with the mecablitz 28 CS-2 digital - optimally adapted in performance and size to compact digital cameras! To this must be added the fun factor with the ingenious EASY mode. For the very first time the flash shot taken can be directly influenced with the instant correction keys (+/-)! This means simply release the shutter, check the result on the camera’s monitor, and correct with the keys should this prove to be necessary. With this slave model the flash power can be boosted without any undesirable side-effects. The power is generated by normal alkaline size-AAA batteries or the equally inexpensive rechargeable AAA batteries.
This looks like a great idea for anyone who uses a compact digicam without a hotshoe, but would like a better flash unit than the tiny one that is built into their camera. Metx Press Release Metz mecablitz 28 CS-2 digital - Optimized for compact digital cameras: Firing flashes with…
PhotoScala has featured an interesting new product today - well, as interesting as tripods get anyway! The Panorama-VR System from Novoflex looks like just the thing to ensure perfect panoramic photographs with a 35mm DSLR (or film SLR for that matter). Maybe a bit pricey at EUR 349.00, but probably worth it if you’re really into panoramic images.
PhotoScala has featured an interesting new product today - well, as interesting as tripods get anyway! The Panorama-VR System from Novoflex looks like just the thing to ensure perfect panoramic photographs with a 35mm DSLR (or film SLR for that matter). Maybe a bit pricey at EUR 349.00, but probably…
The Hungarian website Index Digicam seem to have the scoop on a new wide-angle digital lens from the budget manufactuer Tokina. The Tokina AT-X 124Pro DX 12-24mm/F4, to give it it’s full name, has a fixed f/4 aperture and is APS-C sized for 1.6x digital SLRs. It will be available in a Nikon fit in November and Canon in December.
The Hungarian website Index Digicam seem to have the scoop on a new wide-angle digital lens from the budget manufactuer Tokina. The Tokina AT-X 124Pro DX 12-24mm/F4, to give it it’s full name, has a fixed f/4 aperture and is APS-C sized for 1.6x digital SLRs. It will be available…
Sony Press Release 12/10/04
SONY UNVEILS INDUSTRY’S FIRST DVD BURNER THAT COMBINES STAND-ALONE AND COMPUTER-ATTACHED DVD VIDEO RECORDING
New DVDirect Burner Enables Users to Transfer Home Videos Directly from Camcorders to DVD Discs with or without a Computer
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 12, 2004 - Sony is unlocking new levels of home video enjoyment with the world’s first DVD burner capable of stand-alone, real-time DVD recording, as well as computer-attached burning.
Sony’s new DVDirect (pronounced DVD Direct) device can connect directly to a camcorder or VCR for transferring tape-based video footage to DVD for playback on most home DVD players and PC DVD-ROM drives.
Camcorder sales continue to soar, marking a significant opportunity for the DVDirect device to help camcorder owners transfer home movies onto DVD without the complexity of using a computer. This allows DVD recording to be extended to a broader group of consumers who might otherwise consider the task too daunting.
The DVDirect burner can also be attached to a PC, and comes with the necessary software for advanced DVD video authoring projects, as well as the creation of data, music, and video DVDs and CDs.
“Preserving precious moments onto DVD has never been easier than with the DVDirect burner,” said Robert DeMoulin, marketing manager for branded storage products in Sony Electronics’ IT Products Division. “Users can simply connect their camcorder to the recorder, hit the record button, and out comes a DVD disc that they can pop into their home DVD player. Meanwhile, computer-savvy users can attach the DVDirect device to a PC to perform all of the common tasks characteristic of computer-attached burners.”
Sony Press Release 12/10/04 SONY UNVEILS INDUSTRY’S FIRST DVD BURNER THAT COMBINES STAND-ALONE AND COMPUTER-ATTACHED DVD VIDEO RECORDING New DVDirect Burner Enables Users to Transfer Home Videos Directly from Camcorders to DVD Discs with or without a Computer SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 12, 2004 - Sony is unlocking new levels…
I now have US pricing:
IR-500 Estimated Street Price: $499 (U.S.)
S-HD-100 hard disk drive storage device Estimated Street Price: $299.99 (U.S.)
P-S100 digital photo printer Estimated Street Price: $199.99 (U.S.)
Olympus Japan Press Release 13/10/04
The information contained in this news release applies only to the Japanese market
Olympus Introduces i:robe IR-500 New-Concept Digital Camera and Dedicated “Dock & Done” Digital Photo Printer and Hard Disk Storage Device
- New-concept style and “Dock & Done” convenience for easy image storage and printing -
Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Hiroshi Komiya) is pleased to announce the introduction of the i:robe IR-500 new-concept digital camera for a new digital photo lifestyle, and supporting peripherals that include the S-HD-100 hard disk storage device and the P-S100 digital photo printer.The i:robe IR-500 camera and its peripherals, connected viaa dedicated cradle , offer a comprehensive “Dock & Done” image printing and storage solution.
The newly introduced Dock & Done functionality was developed by Olympus to simplify connection and operation so that digital cameras and related peripherals are easier and more fun to use. Users simply “dock” the digital camera in its dedicated cradle and they’re “done” - image storage and printing can be performed without even using a computer. In fact, with Dock & Done, users can shoot, review, save, search, view, display, and share their photos with greater ease than ever before.
The new-concept digital camera that supports Dock & Done functionality is called the “i:robe IR-500” because it can be carried anywhere, anytime, allowing users to “robe” themselves in “images” wherever they go. It is the first Olympus camera to feature a multi-swing display that can be rotated 360 degrees for versatile shooting in a wide range of situations, including low-angle/high-angle shooting and self-portrait shooting. The multi-swing display also ensures carefree portability because it protects both the display and the lens when in the closed position. S-HD-100 storage device, equipped with a CPU and USB hub funcitionality, incorporates a 40GB hard disk drive that can hold approximately 40,000 4-megapixel images, while the compact P-S100 digital photo printer can produce postcard and L-size photo prints. Both peripheral devices support Dock & Done functionality, as well as personal computer connectivity.
I now have US pricing: IR-500 Estimated Street Price: $499 (U.S.) S-HD-100 hard disk drive storage device Estimated Street Price: $299.99 (U.S.) P-S100 digital photo printer Estimated Street Price: $199.99 (U.S.) Olympus Japan Press Release 13/10/04 The information contained in this news release applies only to the Japanese market Olympus…
I now have US pricing:
MR-500i Estimated Street Price: $499.99 (U.S.)
MR-100 Estimated Street Price: $249.99(U.S.)
Olympus Japan Press Release 13/10/04
The information contained in this news release applies only to the Japanese market
Olympus Enters Portable HDD Music Player Market With New m:robe Brand Products
- New m:robe MR-500i motion music player offers fusion of music and imagest
- New MR-100 HDD music player offers compact music playback
Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Hiroshi Komiya) is pleased to announce its entry into the portable hard disk drive music player business with the introduction of m:robe brand products that offer a totally new way of enjoying music. The first m:robe series products to be offered are MR-500i and MR-100 HDD music players. With these and other m:robe series products to be released in the future, Olympus is offering consumers a new music-oriented lifestyle and a convenient new way to carry their favorite music and images with them wherever they go.
The m:robe brand derives its name from the fact that m:robe products can be carried anywhere, anytime, allowing users to “robe” themselves in their favorite music wherever they go. It will be aggressively promoted by Olympus as a new brand of HDD music player. White is used as the signature color for m:robe products to evoke the timeless beauty of white porcelainware that sets off the beauty of the items it contains. The m:robe also features touch-screen / touchpad operation and a user-friendly GUI that provides visual and emotional feedback in response to user input.
I now have US pricing: MR-500i Estimated Street Price: $499.99 (U.S.) MR-100 Estimated Street Price: $249.99(U.S.) Olympus Japan Press Release 13/10/04 The information contained in this news release applies only to the Japanese market Olympus Enters Portable HDD Music Player Market With New m:robe Brand Products - New m:robe MR-500i…
The second review of the new 4 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 today comes from DCResource.
“The DiMAGE Z3 has a first-rate movie mode that’s one of the best on the market. You can record “fine quality” 640 x 480 video (with sound) at 30 frames/second until the memory card is full. A “regular quality” 640 x 480 mode as well as a smaller 320 x 240 size are also available. You can choose between 15 and 30 frames/second for any of those resolutions. The included 16MB memory card holds just 9 seconds of video at the highest quality sitting, so consider a larger card a requirement if you like videos.
The DiMAGE Z3 is one of the very rare cameras that lets you use the zoom lens during filming. Konica Minolta has designed the camera’s lens to move very slowly and quietly in movie mode, and the microphone placement is as far from it as possible. You do need to keep an eye on your fingers, as the microphone is close to a comfortable resting post for them. “
The second review of the new 4 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 today comes from DCResource. “The DiMAGE Z3 has a first-rate movie mode that’s one of the best on the market. You can record “fine quality” 640 x 480 video (with sound) at 30 frames/second until the memory card…
The German website digitalkamera.de have today posted their review of the new 4 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3.
The German website digitalkamera.de have today posted their review of the new 4 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3. Website: digitalkamera.de - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 Review Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3