News
Photoxels have published their review of the 4-megapixel Olympus C-770 Ultra Zoom digital camera.
“I like the sleeker body and the construction feels very solid. The Olympus Camedia C-770 Ultra Zoom is a wonderful package in a relatively compact body, and makes a very attractive proposition for beginner and serious amateur photographers alike. It’s easy to use in Program AE mode, and there is enough flexibility to allow the beginner to later progress to more serious photography, if desired. If you’re looking for an ultra zoom digital camera, be sure to include the Olympus Camedia C-770 Ultra Zoom in your short list.”
Photoxels have published their review of the 4-megapixel Olympus C-770 Ultra Zoom digital camera. “I like the sleeker body and the construction feels very solid. The Olympus Camedia C-770 Ultra Zoom is a wonderful package in a relatively compact body, and makes a very attractive proposition for beginner and serious…
Josh Waller has just reviewed the HP Photosmart 735 digital camera, which has 3.2 megapixels and up to 15x zoom - 3x optical and 5x digital - from a Pentax precision lens for clear, crisp photo prints.
“I think this camera is okay, it’s got a good lens, and can take good photos, but the screen updates / general slowness and awkward controls of the camera let it down. The movie mode is fairly good, especially as it has sound. For the price it is okay, but when given the choice between this and a similar specification Fuji / Pentax / Olympus / Nikon / Canon, I would definitely go for one of the other brands. With so much competition in this spec/price range I find it hard to recommend this camera, not necessarily because this camera is bad, but simply because other cameras are better.”
Josh Waller has just reviewed the HP Photosmart 735 digital camera, which has 3.2 megapixels and up to 15x zoom - 3x optical and 5x digital - from a Pentax precision lens for clear, crisp photo prints. “I think this camera is okay, it’s got a good lens, and can…
Xerox Press Release 09/07/04
‘Team Xerox’ Celebrates Olympic Sponsorship With Six-Story Banner In Athens, Greece
Mosaic combines more than 27,000 employee photos to honor the Games
ATHENS, July 09, 2004 —In support of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games and to help bring the global spirit of “Team Xerox” to Greece, Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) has created a massive six-story banner out of the individual portraits of more than 27,000 Xerox employees from more than 60 countries around the world.
Unveiled yesterday, the banner’s overall image depicts the message “Welcome Home” in both English and Greek, celebrating the return of the Olympic Games to its historical birthplace. The banner covers nearly three sides of Xerox’s office building in central Athens and will remain in place throughout the fall.
“The Olympic Games symbolize the teamwork and pride that unite people across the globe,” said Diane McGarry, Xerox chief marketing officer. “The employee mosaic captures the message of unity that is the cornerstone of the Olympic spirit, key to our success at Xerox and core to the experience we deliver to our customers.”
Xerox Press Release 09/07/04 ‘Team Xerox’ Celebrates Olympic Sponsorship With Six-Story Banner In Athens, Greece Mosaic combines more than 27,000 employee photos to honor the Games ATHENS, July 09, 2004 —In support of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games and to help bring the global spirit of “Team Xerox” to Greece…
I’ve just updated my Online Print Services Review. PhotographyBLOG visitor Dan Bachmann has recently tested some more UK digital labs and has kindly allowed me to publish his findings. Dan says “Thanks for your great UK digi lab comparison. I’ve done some research myself and added Digi-Lab/Club35, Ofoto and Snappy Snaps. I’ve found what you said to mostly be accurate, but I have to add that I have been very impressed with Ofoto (though I have yet to try Peak).”
Online Print Services Review - Dan Bachmann’s Update: July 2004
Online Print Services Review - Introduction
As a reminder, in this 8 part Review, I’ve taken a look at some online print services that operate in the United Kingdom and let you know what I think about the service and print quality that I received from each one.
I’ve just updated my Online Print Services Review. PhotographyBLOG visitor Dan Bachmann has recently tested some more UK digital labs and has kindly allowed me to publish his findings. Dan says “Thanks for your great UK digi lab comparison. I’ve done some research myself and added Digi-Lab/Club35, Ofoto and Snappy…
Yesterday’s big announcement by Canon - the launch of a brand new printer range, PIXMA - was as much about form as about function. The emphasis was definitely on how the products looked, rather than how they performed (although Canon certainly haven’t neglected this aspect). From the launch party at Pierre Cardin’s designer home in Cannes, to the press photos of printers intergrated into a 21st-century home, PIXMA is a concerted attempt to get away from the “office-product” tag that printers traditionally have, and move towards being a lifestyle accessory that matches the rest of your household furniture.
But do consumers care? Or at least will enough consumers care enough for Canon’s strategy to be a winner? What do you think - is this the direction that Canon should be taking?
Yesterday’s big announcement by Canon - the launch of a brand new printer range, PIXMA - was as much about form as about function. The emphasis was definitely on how the products looked, rather than how they performed (although Canon certainly haven’t neglected this aspect). From the launch party at…
DP-Now has published a great analysis of yesterday’s new printer launch by Canon, including full details of pricing compared to Canon’s main competitors.
“We came away from Cannes feeling buoyed by the highly professional launch marketing machine and by genuine admiration for the technology and design that PIXMA embodies. But now we have seen Canon’s initial pricing we’re not sure if the formula is quite right for the kind of market success that various senior Canon managers so passionately pledged to achieve ? to be number one, no less. We’ll just have to wait and see?”
Website: DP-Now - Style drives Canon’s new PIXMA ink-jet printer and multi-function branding
DP-Now editor Ian Burley is obviously a busy man, as he’s also found time in his busy schedule to spend a week on the sunny island of Kos in Greece attending a Hewlett-Packard event (not that I’m jealous or anything!). Find out how Ian was one of the winners in a competition judged by Douglas Kirkland, the California-based celebrity and fashion photographer. And Ian dares to call this “work”!
DP-Now has published a great analysis of yesterday’s new printer launch by Canon, including full details of pricing compared to Canon’s main competitors. “We came away from Cannes feeling buoyed by the highly professional launch marketing machine and by genuine admiration for the technology and design that PIXMA embodies. But…
Canon Press Release 09/07/04
Canon takes aim at the home photo printing market
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, has today announced their strategic push to capture the rapidly accelerating demand for personal photo printers with the release of the futuristically styled PIXMA range.
Canon celebrated the launch by throwing an exclusive party at Pierre Cardin’s private mansion in Cannes. After taking photos with her EOS 300D camera, Helena Christensen showed off the range by demonstrating the simplicity of creating photo prints, which were then signed and given to guests.
With digital camera growth at an all time high, home photo printing is set to enjoy strong growth with the convergence of market factors such as increased photo quality, lower prices, greater connectivity and ease of use empowering consumers to print directly from their digital cameras.
With futuristic styling, ‘plug and print’ photolab quality printing, Canon has high expectations for the 8 new PIXMA products. Five of the eight products support the new PictBridge standard, which means the majority of all current digital cameras can plug straight into them for direct photo printing without a PC. When loaded with special Canon photo paper, the results can be superior to photolab quality prints.
The print heads of all PIXMA printers produce 2 picolitre ink droplets, about 2 million times smaller than an average rain drop. The secret is in Canon’s FINE technology, which uses a silicon chip manufacturing process to produce its print heads, for unrivalled tolerance and precision.
Canon Press Release 09/07/04 Canon takes aim at the home photo printing market Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, has today announced their strategic push to capture the rapidly accelerating demand for personal photo printers with the release of the futuristically styled…
Canon Press Release 09/07/04
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today launches the PIXMA sub-brand with the release of eight personal photo printers and multifunctionals. PIXMA represents the first time a manufacturer has released 2 picolitre or better droplets across a range.
Each of the eight devices features:
- Futuristic minimalist design: incorporating clean lines, super-gloss finishes and 2-way paper paths that allow book-shelf storage and operation
- Photo printing: at high-speed and with photolab quality or better
- 2 picolitre ink droplets, with 4800 dpi resolution and image FINE technology
“The new PIXMA range is expected to drive the already rapidly accelerating demand for personal photo printers,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “PIXMA is the meeting of form and function; a combination of designer styling, speed, and photolab quality results. Canon hopes PIXMA will do for printing what Digital IXUS did for photography, where consumers chose cutting edge design matched with top performance.”
Direct photo printing from digital cameras without the need for a PC is available from five of the eight devices, which support the vendor independent PictBridge standard.
Canon Press Release 09/07/04 Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today launches the PIXMA sub-brand with the release of eight personal photo printers and multifunctionals. PIXMA represents the first time a manufacturer has released 2 picolitre or better droplets across a range…
Canon Press Release 09/07/04
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July, 2004: Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today unveils a bold new look for its new PIXMA range, with the launch of two 4800 x 1200 dpi personal photo/document printers. With 2 picolitre droplet performance from FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology print heads, both printers are capable of producing glossy borderless photo prints direct from contemporary digital still and digital video cameras.
The PIXMA iP4000 and PIXMA iP3000 both feature convention-defying designs to match their 2 picolitre photolab quality and respected 25 ppm / 22 ppm performance. Radical designs reflect Canon’s recognition of the increasing preference amongst customers for products that excel in both aesthetics and functionality. A lustrous high quality grey finish completes sleek, clean lines of the integrated shells, giving the printers a futuristic look.
“PIXMA represents a clear departure from conventional desk top devices,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “With their cleverly integrated functionality and their superb, striking designs, these two printers can be placed anywhere in the living or working environment and fit right in.”
Canon Press Release 09/07/04 Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July, 2004: Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today unveils a bold new look for its new PIXMA range, with the launch of two 4800 x 1200 dpi personal photo/document printers. With 2 picolitre droplet performance from FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet…
Canon Press Release 09/07/04
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July, 2004: Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces two 4800 x 1200 dpi personal photo/document printers to open its new PIXMA range - the 20 ppm PIXMA iP2000 and 18 ppm PIXMA iP1500. The printers offer remarkable 2 picolitre photolab print quality at entry level price points from Canon?s unique FINE (Full-Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print head technology.
The 4 ink iP1500 and iP2000 represent new levels of price performance, with print quality that was until recently only available in dedicated 6 ink photo printers.
“With these new PIXMA printers, Canon confirms a commitment to bringing consumers true photo performance, consistent reliability and superb design across the entire range,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “The introduction of 2 picolitre photolab quality at this price point brings a new level of performance to range-opening printers that will change consumers? expectations of personal photo printing standards.”
Canon Press Release 09/07/04 Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July, 2004: Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces two 4800 x 1200 dpi personal photo/document printers to open its new PIXMA range - the 20 ppm PIXMA iP2000 and 18 ppm PIXMA iP1500. The printers offer remarkable …
Canon Press Release 09/07/04
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today unveils two range-leading PIXMA ‘all-in-one’ devices: the PIXMA MP750 and PIXMA MP780 Multifunctionals. Featuring a stylish, futuristic new design, the devices unify every required home?office product feature and more, into a single unit:
- 25 ppm mono / 17 ppm colour document printer
- Photo printer - 4800 x 1200 dpi, 2 picolitre ink droplets, PictBridge compatible
- Colour Copier - 22 cpm Mono / 17 cpm Colour, 35 page Automatic Document Feeder
- Flat bed scanner - Full colour, 2400 x 4800 dpi optical resolution, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface
- 2 way paper feeding - Sheet feeder and cassette
- CD-R/DVD printer
- Fax (MP780) - Super G3, full colour, 250 page memory
- Large backlit LCD with icon display for easy of use
- Camera Direct Printing
Canon Press Release 09/07/04 Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today unveils two range-leading PIXMA ‘all-in-one’ devices: the PIXMA MP750 and PIXMA MP780 Multifunctionals. Featuring a stylish, futuristic new design, the devices unify every required home?office product feature and more, into a…
Canon Press Release 09/07/04
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July, 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today unveils a radical new design concept for its range-opening multi-function devices, the PIXMA MP110 and PIXMA MP130. With a gleaming white finish and clean lines, the compact, integrated units represent a daring departure from the look of traditional print devices to combine scanner, copier and a photolab printer into a single unit.
- 18 ppm mono / 13 ppm colour document printer
- Photo printer - 4800 x 1200 dpi, 2 picolitre ink droplet size, FINE (Full-Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering technology)
- Colour Copier
- Flat bed scanner - Full colour, 1200 x 2400 dpi optical, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface
- Card Direct Printing with Photo Index sheet (MP130 only)
“We studied the success of our Digital IXUS cameras, which is based on the combination of technical mastery with purity of design,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “Although technical superiority is a critical side of the equation, people also want their products to reflect a contemporary and desirable look and feel.”
Canon Press Release 09/07/04 Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 July, 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today unveils a radical new design concept for its range-opening multi-function devices, the PIXMA MP110 and PIXMA MP130. With a gleaming white finish and clean lines, the compact, integrated units represent a…
Imaging Resource have reviewed the brand new Sony DSC-P93, a 5-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom.
“Better than average noise levels, but somewhat heavy-handed noise-suppression. Like most of the current crop of 4-and 5-megapixel consumer-level cameras, the DSC-P93 shows some image noise even at its minimum ISO of 100. As the ISO is increased though, the noise doesn’t seem to increase as rapidly as in some competing models. That said, the cost of this is somewhat heavy-handed noise-suppression processing, which tends to flatten-out detail in areas of subtle contrast. So, good marks to the P93 for low image noise, but some points deducted for the subject detail lost in the process.”
Imaging Resource have reviewed the brand new Sony DSC-P93, a 5-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom. “Better than average noise levels, but somewhat heavy-handed noise-suppression. Like most of the current crop of 4-and 5-megapixel consumer-level cameras, the DSC-P93 shows some image noise even at its minimum ISO of…
Imaging Resource have reviewed the brand new Sony DSC-P73, a 4-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom.
“The 4-megapixel, 3x-zoom DSC-P73 is a fairly impressive upgrade to last year’s P72 model, including a higher-resolution CCD, and greatly expanded features, all for a lower introductory price than the P72 carried. The DSC-P73 is thus a strong competitor in the hot “midrange” digicam market, offering good image quality, an excellent range of capability, an attractive, compact case style, and very good ease of use, all at an affordable price. It provides more manual exposure control than do many midrange camera models, yet is easy to use in full-auto mode, and its six preprogrammed scene modes help with tricky subjects.”
Imaging Resource have reviewed the brand new Sony DSC-P73, a 4-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom. “The 4-megapixel, 3x-zoom DSC-P73 is a fairly impressive upgrade to last year’s P72 model, including a higher-resolution CCD, and greatly expanded features, all for a lower introductory price than the P72 carried…
Digital Outback Photo have a new article from contributor Rick Decker that looks at using a product called the Sensor Brush to clean the sensor inside a digital SLR camera.
“My sensor on my SD9 had been getting dirtier and dirtier. I admit I am not the most careful when it comes to changing lenses. I had some success with methanol-based products early on but as the camera got more and more dust, I just couldn’t get it clean and often felt like I was just moving dust around. With my SD9, I had pretty much given up and just spent time with Photoshop using the clone tool and healing brush; this process was getting longer and longer and naturally more painful! My SD10 was starting to get more dust in addition. Desperate to find a solution, I tried the Sensor Brush from Visible Dust…”
Website: Digital Outback Photo - Cleaning your Sensor with the Sensor Brush
Digital Outback Photo have a new article from contributor Rick Decker that looks at using a product called the Sensor Brush to clean the sensor inside a digital SLR camera. “My sensor on my SD9 had been getting dirtier and dirtier. I admit I am not the most careful when…
Ever wondered why the image displayed on your monitor bears little resemblance to the scene that you photographed? Or why the colours in the the print that you’ve just made are not true to life? The single biggest cause of poorly adjusted photographs, whether on screen or in print, is an uncalibrated monitor. ColorPlus, a new product from Pantone and ColorVision, is the most affordable hardware calibration device on the market, retailing for under $100/?100. It works with CRT, LCD and notebook displays, although it is currently only compatible with the Windows platform. Is ColorPlus the answer to your colour nightmares? Find out in my review.
Website: ColorPlus Review
Ever wondered why the image displayed on your monitor bears little resemblance to the scene that you photographed? Or why the colours in the the print that you’ve just made are not true to life? The single biggest cause of poorly adjusted photographs, whether on screen or in print, is…
The winners of the June 2004 PhotographyBLOG Competition have now been decided. The theme for June was “The Urban Landscape” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery.
Once again, this month’s entries were excellent, making the judging particularly tough for the panel. Here are the winners:
1st Place
“Nob Hill Dawn” by imageneer
View this entry
Judges Comments:
“Amazing light, absolutely pin-sharp and excellent composition. The traffic trail completes the urban picture. “
“Captures the city waking up for a new day perfectly.”
Prize: Photobird.com one-year subscription with 100 megabytes of storage space
Kindly donated by Photobird.com.
http://www.photobird.com
2nd Place
“Rivers of Light” by mattyj
View this entry
Judges Comments:
“An almost impressionistic view of the urban landscape.”
“Excellent composition and good exposure, representing joining streets as rivers in the urban landscape.”
Prize: 1 copy of Ulead PhotoImpact XL
Kindly donated by Ulead Systems.
http://www.ulead.co.uk
3rd Place
“Roller man” by dodo
View this entry
Judges Comments:
“Lots to look at in this detail shot of the urban environment.”
Prize: 1 copy of Picasa
Kindly donated by Picasa Inc.
http://www.picasa.net
PLUS
All 3 winners get 15 free digital prints, kindly donated by MyPIXmania.
http://www.mypixmania.com
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who took part!
The July 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 July’s theme, which is simply “Patterns”.
The winners of the June 2004 PhotographyBLOG Competition have now been decided. The theme for June was “The Urban Landscape” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Once again, this month’s entries were excellent, making the judging particularly tough for the panel. Here are the winners…
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have just reviewed a waterproof housing for the tiny 4 megapixel Pentax Optio S4i, which has a 3X optical zoom, 1.8 inch LCD monitor and features the first PENTAX digital cradle-style lithium ion recharge base unit.
Website: Index Digicam - Pentax Optio S4i Waterproof Housing Review
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have just reviewed a waterproof housing for the tiny 4 megapixel Pentax Optio S4i, which has a 3X optical zoom, 1.8 inch LCD monitor and features the first PENTAX digital cradle-style lithium ion recharge base unit. Website: Index Digicam - Pentax Optio S4i Waterproof Housing…
Digital Outback Photo have just started a diary-based review of the 5 megapixel Leica Digilux 2.
“Very first observations:
Very silent operation and this is just great
Feels good in our hands
We also like the manual mode
We won’t fall in love with any EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) right now. But this is one of the better ones.
LCD is large and easy to view
We like the live histogram that you can select with the Digilux 2”
Digital Outback Photo have just started a diary-based review of the 5 megapixel Leica Digilux 2. “Very first observations: Very silent operation and this is just great Feels good in our hands We also like the manual mode We won’t fall in love with any EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) right now…
ExpoDisc Inc. Press Release 08/07/04
The ExpoDisc Digital White Balance Filter Provides An Easy, Inexpensive Way To Set White Balance for Photographers and Videographers
MORGAN HILL, CA, July 8, 2004 - ExpoDisc Inc., the pioneer in diffusion filters that allow photographers to fine-tune color balance and get accurate exposures without meters, gray cards or white cards, today announced the ExpoDisc Digital White Balance Filter. The new ExpoDisc filter is designed for professional photographers and videographers, and serious amateurs alike.
The ExpoDisc Digital WB Filter is, in effect, a gray card in a lens cap, without all the hassles and inconsistencies of a gray card. It lets you read and set white balance before shooting, thus eliminating the need for post-capture color adjustments. The ExpoDisc filter works with film, digital cameras and digital video, and is available in six standard sizes from 58mm to 82 mm. Prices range from $79.95 to $159.95.
ExpoDisc Inc. Press Release 08/07/04 The ExpoDisc Digital White Balance Filter Provides An Easy, Inexpensive Way To Set White Balance for Photographers and Videographers MORGAN HILL, CA, July 8, 2004 - ExpoDisc Inc., the pioneer in diffusion filters that allow photographers to fine-tune color balance and get accurate exposures without…