Photo-i has posted its review of the HiTi Photo Printer 730PS, which allows you to create 4x6, 5x7 and 6x8 inch borderless prints through its Dye Sublimation technology at 300 dpi.

“The print quality is very good, but you need to find the optimum setting, as with the 640PS the 730PS prints also lack the extra depth you would get from a black ink. This is more noticeable on larger prints. For average home use the HiTi 730PS at ?329.95 may be too expensive. For the casual digital photographer who just wants to print happy snaps and stick them in an album, then the HiTi have a range of small format printers that are well suited to the task.”

Website: Photo-i - HiTi Photo Printer 730PS Review

Luminous Landscape have today published the first in a new series of advanced Photoshop techniques, written by Glenn E. Mitchell II.

“Clipped channels are serious. The enlarged view of the daylily in Figure 2 has a reddish cast from clipped red channel. The yellow tones are also not continuous. Posterization is evident as the eye moves from the edge toward the center of the flower.

Once a channel is clipped, the customary advice is that information is lost and little or nothing can be done about it.

This article presents a technique that can rescue many images: the use of a saturation mask. Saturation masks are grayscale images that transition from black for the least saturated colors to white for the most saturated colors. Saturation masks are perfect for restoring images with severe saturation problems, such as clipped channels.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Restore Those Clipped Channels

We all know what the digital revolution is doing to film photography. A hidden side-effect is the loss of social interaction between photographers as traditional darkrooms, once a common meeting place, start to close their doors. Will this have a detrimental effect on photography, as we all sit at home/in our offices, working on our own images but never seeing other photographer’s work? (found via Digital Photography Blog

“The communal print-washing pans and the color-printing setup at Latent Image “made it possible for you to see other people’s work,” Ms. Burstein said. “You could be fabulously inspired by it, or feel jealous when someone else printed very beautifully.”

Website: The New York Times - In a Digital Era, the Darkroom Is Fading as a Photographic Hub

The 28th Photo of the Week contest is now closed.

I have choosen what I think are the best photographs in my opinion. Now it’s your turn to vote for the overall winner of the contest. A Public Poll has been setup on the PhotographyBLOG Forums. There are 2 days left during which you can vote for your favourite photo from the ones that I have chosen. Voting will end on Monday 21st June. The Poll will then be closed and the overall winner announced.

Vote now for your favourite image from the Photo Of The Week 7th-13th June 2004 contest

Sigma Press Release 18/06/04

A new design concept for digital cameras. (2004.6.18)

MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG

Compact and lightweight medium telephoto macro lens.

Optimized image quality for Digital SLR cameras.
- Super Multi Layer (SML) coating reduces the ghost caused by reflections from the surface of digital image sensors.
- Features a compact lens design with an overall length of just 95mm.
- Minimum aperture of F/45 provides greater depth of field (F/45 for Sigma, Canon and Konica Minolta mounts and F/32 for Nikon and Pentax mounts).
- A screw-in lens hood for convenient use of circular polarizing filters

Sigma Press Release 18/06/04

From life-size close up to infinity, superior image quality for digital SLR cameras is achieved across the range.(2004.6.18)

MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DG

- Optimized image quality for Digital SLR cameras.
- Floating Internal Focusing (FIF) system minimizes the aberration in entire focusing range.
- Super Multi Layer (SML) coating reduces the ghost caused by reflections from the surface of digital image sensors.
- Minimum aperture of F/45 provides greater depth of field (F/45 for Sigma, Canon and Konica Minolta mounts and F/32 for Nikon and Pentax mounts).
- A screw-in hood for convenient use of circular polarizing filters

Another new niche digital, the Livecam is a digital 360 degree camera, capable of creating 70 megapixels panoramas.

“Sizes of Livecam files can be scaled up or down depending on available bandwidth, 4mb recommended for a full res panorama and 100 kb for an internet panorama. The camera is capable of shooting panoramas of up to 80mb. The included software’s open-source, so the Livecam portal can be embedded in websites or further developed.”

Thanks to Sanj for the link.

Website: The Inquirer - New livecam can handle 70 megapixels

Website: Livecam

Luminous Landscape have reviewed Canon’s new EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM telephoto zoom lens, which measures less than 10cm long and includes Canon’s Image Stabilisation technology to reduce camera shake.

“Would I recommend the 70-300 DO? It is probably not for most people, especially at the price. Here in the UK it sells for ?1,049. Canon have to recover the R+D costs of diffractive optics so early products will carry a premium price. They see the technology coming to cheaper lenses eventually, allowing shorter low-cost lenses to be produced. The cost of moulding diffractive elements, if mass-produced, is said not to be inherently high.”

Website: Photo.net - Canon EF70-300mm DO IS Lens Review

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMAGE G600, a value-packed, high performance 6 megapixel digital camera.

“We were pleased with the G600’s outdoor shooting results. The lens produced sharp results throughout its 39-117mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range, with a moderate degree of barrel distortion at extreme wide-angle. Chromatic aberrations (purple fringing) were well controlled and nearly absent from our test shots. Our test images were both well exposed and nicely saturated, with colors true to the original subject.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Konica Minolta DiMAGE G600 Review

Digital Outback Photo have published a new Workflow Technique article which explains how to use 35mm tilt/shift lenses in conjunction with digital SLR cameras.

“Rise/Fall moves the center of lens, which alters the image so that it appears as though the camera was repositioned to a spot SEVERAL FEET in the direction the lens was shifted. The common use for this is in architecture. Any time the film plane is not perfectly perpendicular to the ground, for example angling up or pointed down, the resultant image will have some degree of perspective distortion. This is true for ALL lenses, regardless of focal length, but is more readily visible when wideangle lenses are used.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Using 35mm T/S lenses

CNET have reviewed the 2 magapixel Canon PowerShot A60, which unusually for a cheap digicam ($249) offers a full range of exposure options including Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes.

“For those who grab pictures for Web display, need only snapshot-size prints, or want an easy-to-use camera to promote their online-auction wares, the Canon PowerShot A60 delivers the goods. If a mere 2 megapixels suits your needs, you won’t have to give up useful features such as versatile exposure options, continuous shooting as fast as 2.6 frames per second, and up-close-and-personal macro capabilities.”

Website: CNET - Canon PowerShot A60 Review

CNET have reviewed the Olympus Mju 410 Digital camera. The Mju 410 is encased in a full metal body with a silver finish, offers 4 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom. The Mju 410 is the first Mju Digital model to feature TruePic Turbo, a new image processor which sharpens image clarity, contrast and colour for life-like results. Available now for £299.99 (inc VAT).

“Aspiring sports photographers will snap to attention when they realize this ultracompact camera can grab as many as 11 full-resolution 4-megapixel shots in less than five seconds. However, the lack of an action-shooting mode or a manual shutter-speed control makes this easy-to-use snapshooter better suited for slower-moving sequences and everyday point-and-shoot photography.”

Website: CNET - Olympus Mju 410 Digital Review

Website: Read my review of the Olympus Mju 410 Digital

The 14th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Caroline Mockett.

”“These are photos I took of Scottish band Runrig, over a period of 2.5 years. They have used some in their publicity material. I was gathering images to submit for my RPS Fellowship, which unfortunately, I didn’t get this time round! So I’m now reassessing and seeing what to do for a future panel.

I also take lots of modern architecture photos (I got my ARPS in 1999 with a panel of 15 mono images on this theme). And I’ve just started photographing Rugby matches, which is proving a challenge! But basically, I will turn my lens on anything given the opportunity.

I used to work in colour, B&W and slide, but recently bought a Canon EOS300D SLR and have found it’s fantastic. Not sure when I will expose another “roll” of real film!

I have recently had some success selling my work on eBay; however, I’m not a professional photographer (I’m a web designer by profession), just a keen amateur hoping to boost my freelance work in the future. I’ve also got a good selection of work online at:

http://www.carolinemockett.com/photo/”

Website: Portfolios: Caroline Mockett

FujiFilm UK Press Release 18/06/04

Music and images on the move with Fujifilm’s USB memory card reader and MP3 player

18 June 2004

Fujifilm’s extensive range of digital accessories is soon to expand with the arrival of the xD-MP3, a combined USB memory card reader, pen drive and MP3 player based on the company’s xD-Picture Card(tm) memory card format. 

At just under ?40, this smart little gadget can be used to store, transport and transfer all types of digital files, while the built-in MP3 player allows you to listen to music on the move. Simply plug the USB drive into your PC or Mac, and transfer your files in one easy step.

With memory provided by an xD-Picture Card(tm) (capacities available from 16MB to 512MB), this wearable device comes complete with headphones, AAA battery and Roxio software (Windows 98, Me, NT4.0, 2000, XP), which gives you the flexibility to copy, play and burn digital music to CD/DVD, as well as convert music tracks to and from MP3 format for use on the xD-MP3.

The Fujifilm xD-MP3 is available now at an SRP of ?39.99 including VAT.

Are you bored? Is your photography boring? Have you reached a creative dead-end? “Boring Photographs”, the latest article on the Petteri’s Pontifications website, considers what a boring photograph is and how to get out of a rut.

“In the beginning, photography is instinctual. Some are so talented that that’s all they’ll ever need; that, and practice. The rest of us will eventually start to work consciously on what we’re doing, whether it’s through attention to composition through “rules,” dissecting the work of photographers we admire, setting ourselves assignments (“one photo a day, every day, with one lens and one type of film; no more, no less”), joining camera clubs, or submitting our work to Photosig. All of this does exert a pull towards blandness. Most of us succumb to it at one point or another.”

Thanks to panchals for sending me the link.

Website: Petteri’s Pontifications - Boring Photographs

Epson UK Press Release 18/06/04

EPSON launches A4 inkjet with new features to meet the needs of the small/home office

The EPSON Stylus C86 is a new printer designed to improve the quality and cost efficiency of home and small office printing

June 2004 - The EPSON Stylus C86 is the latest addition to EPSON’s range of general-purpose inkjet printers. The EPSON Stylus C86 has been designed to meet the print needs of all kinds home office and small business use.

The new products benefit from EPSON’s latest PhotoQuicker 3.5 and EPSON Web-To-Page software. PhotoQuicker 3.5 allows users to modify and print photos more easily, while Web-To-Page software allows web pages to be automatically condensed to paper size, so the printed version reflects what users see on screen.

Epson UK Press Release 18/06/04

EPSON launches three new printers designed to improve the quality and cost efficiency of home and small office printing

June 2004 - The EPSON Stylus C46, EPSON Stylus C66 (pictured), and the EPSON Stylus C86, are the latest additions to EPSON’s range of general-purpose inkjet printers. All models are ideal for all kinds of home projects and small business use.

The new products benefit from EPSON’s latest PhotoQuicker 3.5 and EPSON Web-To-Page software. PhotoQuicker 3.5 allows users to modify and print photos more easily, while Web-To-Page software allows web pages to be automatically condensed to paper size, so the printed version reflects what users see on screen.

Richard Baylis, Sales and Marketing Manager, Consumer products at EPSON UK, “EPSON is committed to the home printing market and these three new products are a great addition to our existing inkjet range. We are constantly looking at how we can improve the quality of our products and we think this latest range offers great performance through our superior technology and fantastic value for money”.

Steves Digicams are first off the blocks with thier review of the Pentax Optio43WR. This digital camera features 4.0 effective megapixels, a 2.8X zoom lens, and a JIS Class 7 waterproof rating that keeps the Optio43WR watertight even when the camera is rinsed, splashed or submersed in water.

“Its 2.8X optical zoom lens produces sharp results throughout its range, but with noticeable barrel distortion at full wide angle and slight pincushioning at full telephoto. The operation of the optical zoom is smooth and quiet, but not continuous; it moves through its 37-104mm range in 12 distinct steps, more than adequate for composing most shots.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Pentax Optio43WR Review

The Canadian digital photography website Photoxels have published an excellent tutorial about the White Balance feature, which is found on all but the cheapest of digital cameras.

“If you come from the world of films, you may remember using filters to correct for incandescent or fluorescent lighting. Most people don’t bother and their indoors pictures invariably come out with a yellow/orange or bluish cast. In the digital world, these correction filters are no longer necessary, replaced by a feature found in most—even the entry-level—digital cameras called, “White Balance.”

Website: Photoxels - White Balance Tutorial

Imaging Resource have just reviewed the 4-megapixel, 10x zoom Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z2.

“The original DiMAGE Z1 was clearly one of the best long-zoom digicam bargains on the market, a fact that no doubt contributed to its being one of the most popular cameras on the entire IR site last year. The Z2 carries on in that tradition, adding a higher-resolution CCD chip, some expanded continuous shooting and movie mode options, and a few other more minor enhancements, while still selling at about the same price as the Z1 did last year.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z2 Review