Rollei Press Release 18/08/04

The Rollei Prego da4 is the second new model in a versatile line of Rollei digital cameras.

By comparison with the entry-level model Prego da3, the Prego da4 has even more to offer: A 4.1-megapixel CCD is a sound basis for high-quality prints up to A4 size; a 3x D-VarioApogon zoom lens and a 3.3x digital zoom let you zoom in on your subject, and a video mode captures even moving images. The Prego da4 will be available for ? 249 (incl. VAT) from September 2004.

4.1 million pixels, a high-performance 3x D-VarioApogon zoom lens 5.6-16.8mm (equivalent to approx. 36-108 mm in 35mm photography) with maximum apertures of f/2.8-4.9 and a 3.3x digital zoom are the heart of this powerful but compact digital camera from the new Prego series. Focusing is controlled automatically from 0.5 m to infinity; a macrofocus setting takes care of subject distances as short as 15 ? 50 cm.

Rollei Press Release 18/08/04

With the launch of their new 3-megapixel Prego da3 model, Rollei are starting an entirely new line of digital cameras.

The Prego da3 is the entry model of a new family of powerful and compact, general-purpose digital cameras. With an image resolution of 3.2 megapixels, a high-quality 3x zoom lens, 5x digital zoom and both video and voice-recording options, the Prego da3 is the ideal entry-level digital camera. It will be available for ? 179 (incl. VAT) from end of August 2004.

The 3.2-megapixel camera has a high-performance D-VarioApogon HFT zoom lens offering focal lengths from 36 mm right up to 108 mm (equivalent to 35mm photography). This 3x optical zoom is enhanced by a 5x digital zoom.

As if all of that Canon news wasn’t enough, PhotographyBLOG visitor Dirk Ellenbeck has kindly let me know that the Leica Digital-Modul-R, which turns the analogue Leica R8 or R9 SLR into a digital one, was officially revealed yesterday at a pre-Photokina press conference in Hamburg. There’s no details yet on Leica’s website, but Dirk does have a page with the specs on his weblog (in German though).

Website: Dirk Ellenbeck’s Weblog

Leica Press Release/Specifications 17/08/04

LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R: The world’s first digital 35mm camera back

Choice of digital or analog photography with the same LEICA R8 and R9 SLR camera and lenses

This year’s photokina photo trade fair in Cologne will witness the presentation of the world’s first digital 35mm camera back by Leica Camera AG, Solms. Using the LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R, the analog SLR cameras LEICA R8 and R9 can be transformed into digital cameras in next to no time. Any of the high-performance lenses of the Leica R system made after 1965 can be used in combination with this new development to produce top-quality digital and analog photos. The photographer can decide from photo to photo whether to benefit from the fast communication possibilities and direct result checking offered by digital photography or opt for the permanence, authenticity and emotional quality of silver halide photography.

“This hybrid product links the decades of investment of our customers in lenses and cameras for film-based photography to the progress made in digital technology. The LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R is the logical consequence of Leica’s product philosophy, which is based on decades of system compatibility and retention of value,” said Hanns-Peter Cohn, CEO of Leica Camera AG at the product presentation.

Deliveries for the LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R are scheduled to begin in December 2004.

Need I say anymore?!

Wll, OK then :-) It looks as though Canon USA have dropped the ball by posting 3 images of the EOS 20D in their press room before the official press release (widely rumoured to be the end of this week). They’re currently available at the following URL (although I wouldn’t expect that page to be there for very long…):

Website: Canon USA Press Room

As you can see from the pictures, the 20D will support the same EF-S lens mount as the EOS 300D, and there is a new EF-S lens in the shape of the 17-85mm F4-5.6, which will also be image-stabilised.

As for the actual specification of the camera, the best that I can do is this non-official list from a thread on the DPReview forums:

EOS-20D
8.2 MegaPixels
DIGIC II
1:1.6x Crop
9 Point focusing
1/8000s Max Shutter speed
5fps Continuous speed
25 frame buffer
EF-s support
E-TTL II support
0.2sec startup time
50g lighter than 10D

Price US$1600 RRP
(Street price should be closer to 1300 they say)

August 20 - Announcement
September 20 - On Sale

Also 2 Lenses will be announced at launch of 20D
EF-s 10-22mm /f 3.5-4.5
EF-s 17-85mm /f 4-5.6 IS (Will be sold with 20D also like the 300D)

Website: DPReview - Canon Forums

As well as the new Canon EOS 20D and 17-85mm EF-S lens, there are also official product shots of an exciting new wideangle lens, the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5. Great news for all you ESO 300D owners out there who have yet to add a wideangle lens to your kit.

Finally (I think), the Canon Powershot G6 has also turned out to be real - the pictures that the French website Fnac.com posted a couple of weeks ago weren’t fake after all. As with the Canon EOS 20D news, Canon USA have now released the official photos.

Website: Canon USA Press Room

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the new 5 megapixel Sony DSC-F88 digital camera.

Website: Index Digicam - Sony DSC-F88 Review

Imaging Resource have published a comprehensive review of the 4 megapixel Minolta DiMAGE G400 digital camera, which is actually exactly the same model as the Konica KD-420Z.

“Good resolution for its 4-megapixel class, 1,100 lines of “strong detail.”. The G400 performed pretty well on the “laboratory” resolution test chart. t started showing artifacts in the test patterns at resolutions as low as 800 lines per picture height, in both horizontal and vertical directions. I found “strong detail” out to at least 1,100 lines. “Extinction” of the target patterns occurred at between 1,350 and 1,400 lines. In shots of more “natural” subjects, the G400’s images looked a little soft, but they seemed to take sharpening in Photoshop(tm) pretty well.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Minolta DiMAGE G400 Review

The Polish website Fotopolis have just reviewed the new 5 megapixel Sony DSC-P100 digital camera.

Website: Fotopolis - Sony DSC-P100 Review

Digital Outback Photo have just reviewed iCorrect EditLab Pro 4.5. This is a plugin for Photoshop (Windows only) which allows you to correct white balance, select black and white points, set contrast and correct colour in your digital images.

“If we work with raw files we correct white balance in the raw converters (ACR, C1 or B4). But if you start with a JPG then iCorrect Editlab was our tool of choice for a very long time now. Yes, you “can do it in PS” but not nearly as easy and good as with iCorrect Editlab. For it to work you have to have some neutral point in your image. If this is the case then just click on it (can even average multiple points) and you are done with WB. “

Website: Digital Outback Photo - iCorrect EditLab Pro Review

FUJIFILM’S ONLINE SERVICE LETS DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS PRINT PICTURES ANYWHERE

5,000 Retail Locations “Live” With Fujifilm’s ‘Get The Picture Online Service’

Valhalla, NY, August 17, 2004 - Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., one of the world’s pioneering companies in the field of digital imaging products and services, today announced that more than 5,000 retail locations in the U.S. are now offering the company’s ‘Get the Picture Online Service’.

Launched in March 2003, the ‘Get the Picture Online Service’ uses Fujifilm’s extensive network of integrated Frontier Digital Lab Systems - which account for over 60% of all such systems installed nationally - to provide online ordering capabilities for consumers who can elect to pick up their prints from local stores or receive the prints by mail.

Through its diverse range of digital printing solutions, Fujifilm is constantly striving to make printing easy for consumers by giving them whatever option suits them best. For example, many digital photographers prefer to drop their pictures off (on disc or memory card) for printing at a retailer or photo lab offering Fujifilm printing services, while others print their pictures at home on Fujifilm’s range of advanced inkjet photo papers. Plus, as access to the Internet continues to grow, more and more consumers are discovering the Internet as an easy and convenient vehicle to upload their pictures for printing on Fujifilm’s long-lasting Crystal Archive photographic paper, and it is this group that Fujifilm’s ‘Get the Picture Online Service’ serves.

SceneMachines Press Release 17/08/04

17 August, 2004, Cambridge, UK.  SceneMachines, a division of Cambridge-based Gameware Development, today announced the release of their LivingPicture packages for PC. LivingPicture enables users to take any digital image human, animal or even an inanimate object and transform it into an animated, 3D talking picture.

Making a LivingPicture is quick and easy and LPP images and sound can be saved for future use. Send them to your friends as personalised messages or use a LivingPicture as your personal website host.

LivingPictureMaker creates hilarious talking messages that can be sent as greetings, messages or email jokes. Create singing avatars with the LivingPictureVisualisation for Windows Media Player and WinAmp or export self-playing LivingPictures to send to friends and family. LivingPictureMaker includes both the freely distributable Player and Visualisation installer. Bring any photo to life with the addition of music, audio clips or spoken messages.

The final review from Steves Digicams today is the FujiFilm FinePix E500 Zoom, which is equipped with a 4.0 megapixel sensor and a 3.2X wide angle optical zoom lens.

“I was pleased with the E500’s outdoor results. The images were well-exposed and richly saturated. The lens and autofocus system combined to produce good image sharpness. The 3.2X optical zoom lens has plenty of field of view at wide angle for landscape shots, but the magnification at the 91mm telephoto end will do little for your distant subjects. The LCD viewfinder has no anti-reflective coating; it was somewhat difficult to use for menu navigation and image review in bright sunlight despite its brightness adjustment. “

Website: Steves Digicams - FujiFilm FinePix E500 Zoom Review

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z10 digital camera, which features fastest-in-class startup, 8x optical “Mega-Zoom,” fast and reliable autofocusing, and energy efficient design.

“I was very pleased with the overall image quality, especially for a camera in this class. The vast majority of our test images were sharp, well exposed and properly saturated. You’ll get great results in auto or “P” mode and the pre-programmed scene modes will help you capture more creative situations. The Z10 has a moderate wide-angle field of view, and its built-in flash has a powerful range (when in Auto mode) of up to 17.39 feet. You won’t be able to illuminate an entire dance floor, but your indoor living room shots and group portraits should please you. When shooting outdoors, I saw very little noise in high contrast (open blue sky) areas or low contrast (shadow) areas.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z10 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50, a new compact and stylish 5.0 megapixel camera which features a large 2.0-inch LCD screen, enhanced speed and other design improvements.

“Ergonomics are good. Although small, I found it quite easy to hold (even with large hands), and one handed shooting is a breeze. Controls are well positioned and the menu system is easy to navigate. Its large 2.0-inch LCD works great outdoors in bright sun light, and also “gains up” when using it in low-ambient lighting. The sliding lens cover seems to be well built and sturdy and I did not have any problems with accidentally turning the camera off, which we have seen on some manufactures models.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50 Review

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X31, a stylish new 3.2-megapixel compact digicam that is easy-to-use and affordable.

“I was disappointed with the quality of its 1.5-inch LCD. Considering that this is the only viewfinder on this camera, I would have thought they would have made it with an anti-reflective coating. When taking sample photos outdoors, I found it very difficult to use in bright sunlight. And it doesn’t do much better in low-ambient light, though it does “gain up” to help brighten your subject, it is very grainy.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Konica Minolta DiMAGE X31 Review

The Danish website Digital Magasinet have just reviewed the 5 megapixel Samsung Digimax V50.

Website: Digital Magasinet - Samsung Digimax V50 Review