Roger Cavanagh has published a informative tutorial about combining 2 different versions of a RAW file to produce one image with greater dynamic range. He’s even created a Photoshop action to help automate the process.

“One of the advantages of shooting raw is that it is possible to convert the same image more than once using different conversion settings. Put another way, one conversion can be made for the highlights and another for the shadows. These conversions can then be combined to produce an image which has more overall detail and greater dynamic range.”

Website: Roger Cavanagh - Creating Composites

Sony Press Release 18/08/04

SONY DEBUTS NEW PHOTO PRINTER: COMPACT SIZE, LAB QUALITY PRINTS

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 18, 2004 - With a footprint smaller in size than an 8"x 10” portrait, Sony’s new PictureStation DPP-FP30 printer makes it easy to print and share lab-quality photos with or without the use of a personal computer. About the size of a standard paperback the compact FP30 printer will be available in October with an included 40 sheet print pack for about $150.

Featuring a lightweight silver colored casing and cleanly styled industrial design (approximately 7” x 5.5” x 2.5”), the DPP-FP30 printer is a dedicated photo printer that uses dye-sublimation technology to produce continuous tone, photo- quality prints. Each photo is sealed with SuperCoat 2 laminate which makes photos super-resistant to spills, moisture and fingerprints.

“With the introduction of the compact and PictBridge compatible DPP-FP30 printer, Sony now offers consumers a comprehensive line of high-quality and easy-to-use 4 x 6-inch printers,” said Greg Young, general manager for Sony Electronics’ Digital Camera and Photo Printer marketing.

That’s the question that NEAsia Online are asking, as both companies are set to launch cheaper DSLR cameras in the next couple of months. Some interesting tidbits of info about the new cameras are:

“Olympus has yet to disclose the details about its new single-lens reflex camera due to be released this autumn but it will likely offer the popular features of the E-1, such as automatic removal of dust from the charge coupled device when lenses are being changed. Komiya claims the new camera will offer unique capabilities that will set it apart from Canon and Nikon products.”

and:

“Pentax will likely distinguish its new camera from rival firms’ products by making it more compact and lighter. The price could be as low as 100,000 yen, as it will be manufactured in the Philippines.”

Website: NEAsia Online

Q-Technologies Press Release 14/08/04

Q-Technologies releases PictureTheBatch 1.1 for Windows and Macintosh.

Transform your digital images quickly and easily with PictureTheBatch.

Melbourne, Australia (August 14, 2004) - Q-Technologies announced today the release of PictureTheBatch 1.1, a feature release.  PictureTheBatch is an easy to use tool that enables users to transform their digital photos in an easy, reproducible manner.

PictureTheBatch 1.1 introduces the ability to drop a directory of images for processing and an option to keep the file modification date the same as the source image.

PictureTheBatch is a batch processing tool for photos and other images.  The user simply drags the photo(s) from Windows Explorer or the Macintosh Finder and drops them onto the drop window or application icon.  A configuration screen then presents itself so the user can choose how they want to transform the photo(s).  Transformations available include colour adjustment, resizing, rotating, filters and overlaying text or other images.

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