PC Magazine have published an article by David Cardinal, a professional photographer who runs the website nikondigital.org, which is an easy-to-understand introduction to the RAW image file format.

“The most common reason to shoot RAW is to handle tricky lighting situations. Getting the color right in a digital image is hard, and the automatic white balance setting on your camera does not always work. But instead of worrying about setting the white balance, you can make your best guess, shoot in RAW mode, then change the white balance of the images later on the computer.”

Website: PC Magazine - Photos in the RAW

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have posted their review of the Kyocera Finecam M410R, a 4.0 megapixel digital camera with a high-powered 10x optical zoom and high-speed lens.

Website: Index Digicam - Kyocera Finecam M410R Review

A new article on Digital Outback Photo discusses image and data backup and briefly reviews a Windows program called FileBack, which automates the backup process.

“There is the irony about digital photos: They actually can last without degrading forever (even improve by better imaging software) and yet they are very volatile, many bits on some storage device (we won’t even touch the topic of the volatility of file formats here).

You have to protect your images against data loss. This means you need to backup your data and it is not bad to get a bit neurotic about saving your valuable images.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - FileBack Review

Canto Press Release 29/07/04

Enhanced features in version 6.0.3 lead the way with XMP support and extensive improvements in ease-of-use

July 29, 2004, San Francisco, Berlin. Canto, a global leader in Digital Asset Management (DAM) solutions, today announced the immediate availability of Cumulus 6.0.3. for myCumulus, Single User, Workgroup and Enterprise. Stability and performance are still central to every Cumulus update, and version 6.0.3 takes this to another level.

Cumulus 6.0.3 now offers support of XMP files, the metadata standard for Adobe files. In addition to the long time support of IPTC, users can now not only read but also write XMP information back to the original asset.

Sigma UK Press Release 03/08/04

An advertisement for Sigma’s SD10 digital SLR has been cleared by the Advertising Standards Authority after a complaint from a magazine reader.

The ad, which showed a close-up colour photograph of a human eye, claimed “10.2 million pixels will open your eyes to the true colour reproduction and outstanding picture quality…Don’t compromise on quality. See the difference.”

The complainant, from Leicestershire, reckoned the photograph had been retouched with digital imaging software and claimed that the use of the image, without a suitable disclaimer, was misleading because readers would assume that the image represented picture quality achievable directly by the camera.

Epson UK Press Release 03/08/04

EPSON brings effortless and easy film scanning to amateur film photographers

EPSON launches the EPSON Perfection 2580 Photo, featuring new film scanning capabilities that includes the first automatic film loader for digitising 35mm film.

1st August 2004: The EPSON Perfection 2580 Photo is the first scanner to include Auto Film Loader features for digitising 35mm film. Filmstrips can now be scanned effortlessly with just one click. The EPSON Perfection 2580 Photo also includes high optical resolution for picking up minute detail and creating large prints from film.  Furthermore, EPSON’s unique photo restoration tools are included for repairing and rejuvenating old photographs.

Richard Baylis, Sales and Marketing Manager, Consumer Product, EPSON UK says, “This new scanner offers users a higher resolution, improved photo restoration and fast film scanning solution. The revolutionary auto film loader will make film scanning easier and quicker for amateur film photographers by automating the loading process.”

RRP inc VAT £99.99

An interesting series of new articles has just started over on the website PIXIPORT, called “The Eye Within”. As the name suggests, the articles by Simon Maxwell will focus on the creative aspect of photography, rather than the technology behind it. The first article is called “Standing still to start the dance”:

“What’s the difference that makes the difference?

What makes some photographs examples of creative art and others simply competent records? Why do some images have soul to them and others, while technically perfect, leave us feeling cold?

I believe that part of the answer lies in the state of mind of the photographer during both the capturing of the image and the post-shooting work that makes that subject expressive. That state of mind is the result of being able to spend time with the image.”

Website: PIXIPORT - The Eye Within

UK website The Register have posted a reader’s experience with the new digital print kiosks from Kodak, which may have appeared recently in a Boots store near you. All seemed well - fast print times, good quality, kind-of-reasonale cost - until the reviewer went to leave the store:

“Anyway, onto the point of most concern. Having paid for my photos at the counter, i turned to leave the store, passing the kiosk again… only to notice the “Previous Pictures” button on the main display. Curious. I walked over and touched the button. Lo and behold, my photos. The kiosk copied them from my disk to print a copy… but you’d assume they’d be deleted afterwards. However, it seems they remain in a cache of some sort. Not all of my pictures were there, granted, but about half of them at least.”

Website: The Register - Reg reader tackles Kodak digital print booth

UPDATE 05/08/04: The Register have now published an update in which Kodak have responded to the concerns raised by the original article.

Website: The Register - Digital print booths: Kodak addresses your concerns

Samsung have unveiled a new 6 megapixel digital camera, the Digimax V6. The Norwegian digital camera website DigIT seems to have exclusive news about the new model at the moment. As far as I can make out, the V6 will have a 1/1.8” CCD, a 38-114 mm optical zoom lens and will be available in mid-September. More details when I get them…

Website: DigIT- Samsung Digimax V6

Kodak Press Release 03/08/04

Kodak Raises the Bar with its new EASYSHARE DX7590 Digital Camera; Flagship Model Offers Sophisticated Control, Superb Quality

Most Advanced EASYSHARE Camera to Date has 10x Optical Zoom, 5-Megapixel Resolution

ROCHESTER, N.Y., August 3 - With the introduction of its new EASYSHARE DX7590 zoom digital camera, Kodak expands upon features that made the KODAK EASYSHARE DX6490 model one of the most popular cameras in its class over the last year. A unique combination of sophisticated features, exceptional performance, and trademark ease of use gives amateur photographers the opportunity to shoot like a professional.

The camera will be available worldwide from the beginning of August for a suggested retail price of £379.00 setting a new price-to-performance benchmark for high zoom consumer digital cameras.

Kodak Press Release 03/08/04

Print Wirelessly from Mobile Phone Cameras with Kodak’s New Printer Dock Plus

EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus Makes At-Home Picture Printing Fast and Simple from Nearly Any Digital Source, Including Digital Cameras, Memory Cards and Phone Cams

ROCHESTER, N.Y., August 3 - Building on its highly successful line of EASYSHARE printer docks, Eastman Kodak Company today unveiled the KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus. The new model (£199.99 RRP; available beginning this month) quickly and effortlessly makes real KODAK 4x6-inch pictures from nearly any digital source. People can wirelessly transmit pictures from their mobile phone cameras to the Printer Dock Plus, which also prints directly from digital cameras and memory cards - all without the need for a computer.

Using the Printer Dock Plus, waterproof KODAK pictures can be printed at home with just a touch of a button, in as little as 60 seconds each. Thanks to KODAK Color Science technology, the Printer Dock Plus delivers pictures with vibrant, accurate colours - including hard-to-reproduce skin tones. In addition, a new auto enhance button instantly corrects for underexposed (dark) shots, a common occurrence in low-light situations with phone cams and when using digital cameras beyond their flash ranges.

New KODAK EASYSHARE Software Version 4.0 Makes Organizing, Sharing, and Printing Digital Pictures a Snap

Available for Free Download at www.kodak.com/go/easysharesw

KODAK EASYSHARE software is the simple, all-in-one way for any digital camera owner to organize, share, and print their digital pictures. New features in version 4 for WINDOWS and MACINTOSH OS - including album uploading and synchronization with Ofoto, optional VCD and DVD burning, and free Ofoto-powered e-mail - make it easier than ever to tell stories though pictures.

EASYSHARE software works with popular image and digital video file formats, regardless of what brand camera was used to take the digital pictures. The free, full-featured download is available by visiting www.kodak.com/go/easysharesw.

Tamron Press Release

TAMRON’S AF28-300MM HIGH POWER ZOOM LENS REDESIGNED TO FEATURE “DI” DESIGN

AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO (Model A061)

Ideal for Use with Both Film and Digital SLR Cameras

New York, NY, July 22, 2004 - Tamron USA, Inc. announced the launch of a newly redesigned AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di Aspherical (IF) MACRO (model A061), a high power zoom lens now featuring “Di” (Digitally Integrated) design.

Tamron’s Di lenses featuring optical systems for use with both digital and film cameras have been highly evaluated by users around the world since the introduction of the first Di lens, SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 (Model A09), in 2003. All Di-series lenses introduced by Tamron so far are SP lenses featuring superior specifications. However, many users strongly suggested that Tamron make the existing non-SP high power and compact 28-300mm lens they are using with their film cameras available in the Di design in order to realize the same convenience and quality images with digital cameras. Tamron has redesigned the conventional AF28-300mm zoom (A06) to feature the Di design in order to meet the demand of those photographers.

Phase One Press Release 02/08/04

August 2, 2004, Copenhagen, Denmark: Phase One, the world leader in professional digital imaging camera backs and software, announces C1 RAW Workflow software LE (Limited Edition) for MAC.

The objective of the C1 LE software is to provide professional photographers with:
* An affordable RAW conversion workflow for professional RAW shooting
* A RAW converter that provides the quality RAW conversion from your DSLR
* An easy-to-use workflow which prepares RAW files without the need for other imaging software

C1 LE workflow for Canon, Nikon, Olympus & Pentax
C1 LE handles RAW files from the following DSLR cameras: Canon: 10D / 300D Rebel / D60 / D30, Nikon: D100 / D70, Olympus: E-1 / E-10 / E-20 as well as Pentax *istD. C1 LE is available for Mac OS X 2.8 and later or Windows XP/2000.

C1 LE provides unbeatable image quality
More than 25,000 photographers benefit from working with Phase One?s C1 RAW workflow software every day. DSLR users save hours of work in editing, processing and improving the quality of their RAW images with C1. Phase One?s world renowned image processing algorithm ensures that RAW files are processed into TIFF or JPEG with the best achievable image quality.

Primera Technology, Inc. Press Release 03/08/04

Primera Introduces Home & Office CD/DVD Printer for $140 USD

PLYMOUTH, Minn.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Aug. 3, 2004—Primera Technology, Inc., the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of CD/DVD disc duplication and printing equipment, today announced its Signature Z1 CD/DVD Printer. Signature Z1 is a compact and affordable desktop printer that prints directly onto CD-Rs and DVD+/-Rs with tough, waterproof thermal transfer ink.

Up to four separate areas of the disc can be printed with Signature Z1. The unique, patent-pending mechanism prints each of four quadrants by spinning the disc and then applying ink in each area. This distinguishes Signature Z1 from other inexpensive thermal transfer disc printers that can print only a single line at a time on discs.

Steves Digicams have posted a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1, a rangefinder-like digital camera which is exactly the same as the Leica Digilux 2 in terms of camera design.

“Image quality is excellent. The AF system and lens combine to produce images that are sharp from edge to edge. Exposure metering is accurate and consistent, producing well-exposed, well-balanced images. There is a bit of noise present at ISO 100, and it’s quite noticeable at ISO 400. I was happy with finished JPG’s using the standard settings for sharpness, contrast and saturation; settings of Low and High are available to suit your taste for those in-camera processing parameters.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 Review

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the 5 megapixel Kodak Easyshare LS753, which was first announced back in January.

“I was pleased with the image quality in 5.0MP BEST mode. Our outdoor shots were sharp, well-exposed and nicely saturated. In fact all the pictures that I took had good saturation and white balance. Outdoor pictures show lots of sky detail even when the foreground takes up the majority of the frame and there was very little noise present in low contrast areas. Indoors it produced similar results. Our indoor flash pictures were well exposed and the “Auto” white balance setting had no problems keeping the color temperature correct. However, I did notice that when using the camera in a dimly lit room, it had some problems focusing on a subject.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Kodak Easyshare LS753 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Kodak Easyshare DX7440, a 4-megapixel digital camera with a 4x (33 - 132 mm equivalent) optical zoom lens. The camera is available now for a suggested retail price of US$349.

“The overall image quality in 4.0MP Best mode was great. When shooting outdoors, it produced well exposed photos, and the color balance and saturation was very nice. As with most of the Kodak’s I have seen this year (2004), the sky detail was beautiful. I noticed very little noise in high contrast (open blue sky) areas as well as low contrast (shadow) areas.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Kodak Easyshare DX7440 Review

Rollei Press Release 02/08/04

Compact and Powerful

Rollei Prego dp5300 combines 5.2 megapixels and a 3x zoom lens with voice and video recording

Large-size prints of outstanding quality are no problem with a Prego dp5300. After all, it boasts an impressive 5.25 million pixels for resolution to boot. The compact and powerful digital camera with a 3x zoom lens and 4x digital zoom comes in an attractive metal housing. An integral video and voice-recording mode promises a lot of fun with your own short movie clips.  As of end of August 2004, the Prego dp5300 will be available for 329 Euros (including VAT).

A 1.5-inch LCD TFT color monitor and an optical real-image zoom finder make framing a cinch. And if your subjects are further away, a the 3x zoom lens plus a 2x digital zoom will bring them up close. The focal-length range of the 7.2-21.6mm f/2.8-4.7 zoom lens is equivalent to 35-105 mm in 35mm photography. Focusing is controlled automatically within a range of 0.8 m to infinity. A macrofocusing mode lets you shoot close-ups between 30 and 80 cm.
The flash, white balance and exposure compensation are controlled automatically for easy candid shooting. Moreover, there is a self-timer with a delay of 2 s or 10 s.

Rollei Press Release 02/08/04

The Slim-Down Digicam / Compact and Powerful

The extremely slim new Prego dp4200 digital camera by Rollei is the ideal “camera for all occasions” - with technical features to boot!

Actually, it’s hard to believe how much “contents” you can squeeze into such a tiny package!  Rollei are now introducing a powerful, but ultra-compact 4.2-megapixel digital camera in an especially flat metal body, complete with 3x optical and 3.6x digital zooms plus video and voice-recording options. The Prego dp4200 will be available for 299 Euros (incl. VAT) from end of August 2004.

A mere 125 grams is what the Prego dp4200 weighs. And its dream measurements are 88.5 x 54.5 x 24 mm. In other words, it will hitch a hike in just about any pocket. And it will show off its versatility in just about any situation. As a mini video camera or dictation machine, for example. The Prego dp4200 will record video clips with 320 x 240 pixels and 15 frames per second in MPEG1 format (AVI). For brief voice commentaries, there are 30 seconds. A built-in microphone and loudspeaker make it all possible.