Photoxels have reviewed the 8 megapixel Canon PowerShot Pro1, which was announced by Canon just before the start of the PMA 2004 trade show.

“I am very partial to compact digital cameras and the Canon PowerShot Pro1, with its compact size, superb build and handling, excellent image quality, and professional features, comes close to as perfect as a digital camera can be for me. Now, if only Canon would put its APS-sized CMOS image sensor into it….”

Website: Photoxels - Canon PowerShot Pro1 Review

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have published a review of the Epson Perfection 3170 flatbed scanner.

Website: Index Digicam - Epson Perfection 3170 Scanner Review

DCResource have just reviewed the 6 megapixel Olympus CAMEDIA C-60 ZOOM.

“In terms of photo quality, I was a bit disappointed with the C-60. Photos are well-exposed and colorful, but noise levels are higher than average, most likely due to the tightly-packed pixels on the 1/1.76” sensor. I also noticed some strange horizontal lines in some of my photos, which may just be specific to my camera.”

Website: DCResource - Olympus CAMEDIA C-60 ZOOM Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus C-60 Zoom

Write a Review of the Olympus C-60 Zoom

The Norwegain website Akamera.no have published a test of 3 Canon 50mm lenses - the Canon EF 50mm 1.8 Mark II, Canon EF 50mm 1.4 USM and Canon EF 50mm 2.5 Compact Macro. There are an excellent set of comparitive sample shots so that you can see the differences between the lenses, even if norwegian isn’t one of your strong points.

Website: Akamera.no - Canon 50mm Lenses Test

The Spanish website Foto Imagen Digital have just reviewed the new 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera.

“In the A2 the anti-shake works in many situations as an real ANTI-NOISE system, because allows the photographer to keep the noise under control with low sensibilities in dim light conditions, where other 8mpx cameras simply can’t. If such feature is really usefull is in THIS KIND of camera.”

Website: Foto Imagen Digital - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Review

The fourth PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Charlie Morey.

“Four decades of experience, rich in traditional photography, photojournalism, journalism, creative writing, graphic design and computer graphics has prepared self-taught digital artist Charlie Morey for his latest endeavor, producing fine art gicl?e prints based on computer-enhanced digital photographs and marketing them via the World Wide Web and other media.

Morey’s photography experience began in 1965 with a second-hand 35mm Minolta viewfinder camera, purchased at a pawn shop in Bangor, Maine, and used to launch a 30-year period of creating fine-art black-and-white prints.

In 1974, a career change to journalism/photojournalism and an upgrade to Nikon SLR cameras further enhanced his visual experience, as the editorial position offered opportunities to travel and photograph much of Europe and segments of the Far East. Producing both images and words to describe his experiences for publication, Morey’s depth of understanding and creative/emotional development increased manifold during the fast-paced 22-year period in print media.

In 1994, Charlie discovered the World Wide Web. In 1995, he launched CYBERpress Publishing Company, a web-development firm, and began applying his art to digital media, designing interfaces and creating content during the dot-com boom. In 1996, Morey left print media behind and began working fulltime for such companies as EarthLink Network, idealab!, Tickets.com and Mail2World to create the visual “front end” for their complex web systems.

He bought his first digital camera, a floppy-disk Sony Mavica MVC FD-91 with a resolution of less than one megapixel, in 2000 and created CYBERpress Galleries to display his work to the world. A year later, he upgraded to a higher-resolution Sony Mavica MVC CD-1000 and launched digitalphotography.tv, his current fine-art photography gallery complex and digital photography portal. And in September, 2002 he upgraded once again to a state-of-the-art Nikon D100 (just in time for his annual Maine Fall Foliage pilgrimage) to support his full commitment to the joy and business of creative photography.”

Website: Portfolios: Charlie Morey

Eastman Kodak Company Press Release 04/05/04

Expanded EASYSHARE Digital Photography System Simplifies Picture Taking and Sharing

Company Introduces New Printer Dock With PICTBRIDGE Compatibility, Three New Digital Cameras, Software Update

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 4—Eastman Kodak Company today unveiled additions to its EASYSHARE consumer digital photography system that further simplify picture taking and sharing, led by a second generation EASYSHARE printer dock that works with multiple brands of digital cameras. The redesigned product allows people to make real, waterproof KODAK 4x6-inch photos at home in as little as 90 seconds.

Making the printer dock compatible with cameras from other manufacturers via PICTBRIDGE technology reflects Kodak?s commitment to simplifying the way people take, organize, share and print digital photos. The new products also demonstrate the company?s determination to accelerate its participation in the fast-growing market for digital cameras and accessories, part of a broader corporate strategy to generate profitable growth from digital markets. Kodak is the fastest-growing digital still camera brand, according to a recent global study by IDC.

New products also include three EASYSHARE digital cameras and the latest version of EASYSHARE software for WINDOWS OS. All combine Kodak?s hallmark ease-of-operation with performance features to deliver premium-quality digital pictures and prints.

The Polish website Fotopolis have published their review of the 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR.

Website: Fotopolis - Nikon D70 Review

The latest article in Digital Outback Photo’s “The Art of Digital B/W” series looks at a technique for converting a color photo to B/W, tweaking the B/W result and keeping the color photo in the same file.

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Layer based B/W Conversion

DCMag.co.uk have just posted their review of the Panasonic DMC-FZ10 Lumix ultrazoom digital camera.

“So, what about the final image quality? The Leica lens, at least, doesn’t disappoint. Long zooms are notoriously prone to distortion but, while there’s a little barrelling, vignetting and a hint of purple fringing at wide-angle, the rest of the range is optically sound. Snap a complex scene in bright sunlight and the sharpness is exceptional; even the tiniest details leap out.”

DCMag.co.uk - Panasonic DMC-FZ10 Lumix Review

According to an article by NE Asia Online, over 50% of homes in Japan now own at least one digital camera, a dramatic increase from 32% a year earlier. The article is based on a monthly survey by the Japanese Cabinet Office.

Website: NE Asia Online - Digital Cameras, DVD Players Spreading Fast in Japan

STEVEN TYLER ROCKS NEW AD CAMPAIGN FOR SONY ELECTRONICS’ CYBER-SHOT DSC-T1 DIGITAL CAMERA

SAN DIEGO, May 3, 2004 - Bringing together two industry originals, Sony announced that Steven Tyler, lead singer of renowned band Aerosmith, will appear in a broadcast advertising campaign premiering tonight on CBS.

A rock star like no other, Tyler is boldly creative, uniquely stylish, incredibly powerful, and like Sony, he just keeps getting better.

The TV commercial, “Slo Mo,” which begins airing today between 9:30-10:00 p.m. during CBS’ Two and a Half Men, will run on network and cable channels through July. Starring alongside Tyler is the Cyber-shot DSC-T1 digital camera, Sony’s pocket-sized camera that is always ready to take great pictures. The DSC-T1 comes to life in just over a second, ensuring that you’re always able to capture life’s moments as they happen whether they feature family, friends or famous rock stars.

The third PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Jernej Burkeljca.

“Over the past few years there has been an increase in popularity of urban mountain bike racing in Slovenian cities. Bikers and organisers drew inspiration from their dual, downhill and 4X racing experience and came up with the BikeFight. A race against time or between two riders over various man made obstacles, from ladders to big jumps with some destroyed bike parts and injuries to make it all worthwhile.

The primary reason in the beginning was probably just to provide a novelty for the riders, keep the scene alive and have some fun in the process. In addition to that it helps promote mountain biking to the general public who are reluctant to climb uphill for a DH race where they only see riders for a fraction of a second. Urban races are set up in a way that you are able to see the majority of the course from any position and it usually works. Great music, lots of fun, plenty of action and many fans on the sidelines keep everything going on hard.”

Website: Portfolios: Jernej Burkeljca

The winner of the 22nd PhotographyBLOG Photo of the Week contest is tootsie (for the 2nd week running!) with the entry “Fur on Legs”. There are no prizes as such for this contest, but the winning photo is displayed on the PhotographyBLOG homepage for a week, and the winner can display the Photo of the Week logo on their website if they wish.

The 23rd Photo of the Week contest is now open. This is a weekly photography challenge where you decide who the winner is by voting for your favourite photos. It’s an open contest with no set theme and you can enter as many photos as you like.

Click here to read the Photo of the Week Rules.

The May issue of the monthly photography magazine 28MM, with 12 new galleries, is now online.

On display in the May issue of 28MM:

- Organics - Revisited, by Hannah Foerster
- The Fremont Solstice Celebration, by Ron Hammond
- 120 in Amsterdam, by Jim Green
- Botanicals & Butterflies, by Gordon McGregor
- Ourspace, by Caroline Moore
- Streets of San Francisco, by Ben Needham
- Musicians, by Walker Pickering
- Heavy Metal, by John Setzler
- 48 Hours, by Eliot Shepard
- Heavy Tread, by Steve Smart
- My New York, by Christopher Todd
- A Holga Adventure at Bent’s Fort, by Riley T??rn

Cover Photo: Gordon McGregor

Website: http://www.28mm.org

The website Photography at About.com has an excellent article about photographing public events and demonstrations, something that I am personally interested in.

“Over the years I’ve photographed many such political marches, demonstrations and events in London, a few of which have had their violent and scaring moments. Occasionally I’ve been covering events for a particular client; but mainly I’ve been interested in making a historical record - these are things that I think are important and should be documented. The people who get out on the streets - for whatever cause - are people who are actively trying to influence the course of events.”

Website: Photography at About.com - Photographing Events and Demonstrations

Digital Outback Photo have taken a look at the different options available for working with RAW files produced by the 8 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera.

“Because the A2 is the only 8MP digicam that makes working with raw files fun (all the other cameras slow down the photography way to much, the next best is the Canon Pro1) Currently we know three options to work with A2 raw files…”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 RAW Files

Akamera.dk have just reviewed the 4 megapixel Kodak Easyshare LS743 digital camera.

Website: Akamera.dk - Kodak Easyshare LS743 Review

Ahead of my full review of the 6 megapixel Fuji FinePix F610, I have posted some sample images taken today in the PhotographyBLOG Gallery, complete with Exif information.

Website: Fuji FinePix F610 Sample Images

Dphoto.us have posted a test of the new 8 megapixel professional DSLR from Canon, specifically looking at image quality at the high ISO speeds of 1600 and 3200. They look pretty amazing to me…

“I took the 1D Mark II for a spin at Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians, AAA affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. When shooting at Victory Field at night, common practice is to try your best to get your shots in at dusk. Noise levels, even on the 1D were generally not adequate to get good quality shots. Well, the Canon 1D Mark II has changed all that. This camera offers new opportunities for low light photographers. The results were astounding and beyond my expectations.”

Website: Dphoto.us - Canon 1D Mark II Sports High ISO Impressions