Luminous Landscape have posted a comparison of the new 8 megapixel professional DSLR from Canon, the EOS 1D Mark II, and the new 8 megapixel prosumer digicam, the Powershot Pro. Is there really a $3,500+ difference in image quality?

“Here’s where things get interesting. On 10 X 15” prints on A3 paper the difference (meaning the Mark II’s resolution advantage) is still visible, but it is small. Experienced eyes can see it, but the lay person can’t. Show the prints together to a non-photographer and the question asked will be - “What differences am I looking for? The prints look very much the same.” Show them to a knowledgeable and fussy photographer and after a few moments of looking back and forth you hear - “Sure, this one (the Mark II) shows a bit better resolution, but wow, I’m surprised at how little the difference is.” And as for the slight shadow noise on the Pro1 image, it simply can’t be seen in a print, even at A3 size.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Canon’s Two 8 Megapixel Alternatives

ePhotoZine have published their review of the new 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8700 digital camera.

“A typical consumer might think that an eight megapixel camera is going to easily out perform a five megapixel camera. Manufacturers are capitalising on this fact to keep consumers buying their cameras and tempting them to ‘upgrade’. Whilst it’s true that in some areas an eight megapixel camera will out perform a five megapixel camera the increased resolution also introduces some problems, namely increased levels of image noise at higher ISO’s. Another noticeable problem on the Coolpix 8700 is above average amounts of purple fringing.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Nikon Coolpix 8700 Review

TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD and Sony Corporation Press Release 15/04/04

Blu-ray Disc technology-based paper disc to be unveiled at ODS 2004

Tokyo, April, 15th , 2004, TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD and Sony Corporation today announce the successful development of a 25GB paper disc based on Blu-ray Disc technology. Details will be announced at the Optical Data Storage 2004 conference to be held from April 18th to April 21st at Monterey, California. 

Using the disc-structure of Blu-ray Disc technology, the new paper disc has a total weight that is 51% paper. The two companies jointly began this optical disc project approximately a year ago. Blu-ray Disc is commonly known for allowing more than 2 hours of high-definition program recording.

DIWA Press Release 16/04/04

DIWA WELCOMES GERMANY’S MOST INFLUENTIAL DIGITAL CAMERA REVIEW SITE AS ITS 10TH MEMBER

Friday, 16th April 2004: DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association), the fast-growing association of expert Web-based publications specialising in digital imaging product reviews, has signed up its tenth member publication: digitalkamera.de, the top German language digital photography editorial site.

Digitalkamera.de, based in the historic port city of L?beck in northern Germany, joins DIWA members covering most of Europe as well as the USA. In addition to highly detailed digital camera tests, digitalkamera.de offers its impressive 1.25 million visitors per month a comprehensive camera reference database, news, advice, articles on software and also book recommendations.

Almost everyone would walk past these inconsequential everyday objects, located in a quiet residential side street. Even I would walk past them most days. Do they make good photographic subjetcs? Are they even interesting? I’m still not sure…

Bob Atkins over at Photo.net has just posted his review of the Canon EOS 300D.

“The Digital Rebel is an excellent camera at a remarkably low price given the cost of other DSLRs. No doubt prices will drop further and cameras will improve over the next few years, but right now the Digital Rebel sets a price/performance standard that’s hard to beat. It’s clearly better and more versatile than similarly priced non SLR digicams in the same price range, though it may be slightly larger and you do have to buy lenses for it.”

Website: Photo.net - Canon EOS 300D Review

Rob Galbraith has just reviewed Noise Ninja 2.0 from PictureCode Software. This software package claims to effectively remove noise from digital camera and scanned images, and Rob seems to agree with that claim…

“We really liked the results from v1.x of PictureCode’s Noise Ninja noise reduction application for scanned and digital camera images, but despaired the lack of a Mac version while we also hoped it could be made somewhat simpler to use. Version 2.0 of the software, which is nearing release, addresses these two concerns while improving the program in several other areas as well. After working with a not-quite-finished copy of v2.0 of Noise Ninja over the last week, our verdict is in: Wow!”

Website: Rob Galbraith - Noise Ninja 2.0 Review

Website: Noise Ninja

Nikon USA have announced of number of rebates and price reductions on some of it’s digital and film products. Some of the highlights include:

- The COOLPIX 5400 has been reduced to $599.95.
- $500 on the D1X DSLR
- $100 on the F100 film SLR
- $100 on the AF 80-400mm VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Website: Nikon USA - Spring Savings

In a new technique series called “The Art of Digital B/W”, Digital Outback Photo’s first tutorial presents a a simple procedure in Adobe Photoshop that you can use to copy a tone from any picture and apply it to your own images.

Website: Digital Outback Photo - How To Reproduce A Tone

Ken Rockwell has just published his review of the 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR.

“Bravo, Nikon! The D70 eclipses every other DSLR under $3,000 because the D70 provides critical ease-of-use and speed, especially when it comes to the critical flash sync.

Image quality is unbeaten except possibly by the Canon 1D-II and 1Ds, but they cost five to eight times as much and weigh a ton.”

Website: Ken Rockwell - Nikon D70 Review

Imaging Resource 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 730PS isn’t just a good idea. It’s a well-executed concept that performs at a consistently high level (which is why it’s little brother, the 640PS, won the DIMA Shoot-Out). You won’t find an inkjet printer built as solidly, a company as dedicated to perfecting its products—or a cheaper way to get the best print from your images. But most importantly, you’ll be thrilled every time you click on Print. And that’s a revolutionary thought.”

Website: Imaging Resource - HiTi Photo Printer 730PS Review

Rollei Press Release 15/04/04

The Final Touch - Relaunch of the Rollei web site

Starting April 15, 2004, Rollei will present a completely redesigned Internet website in German and English.

Rollei Fototechnic GmbH have given their Internet website a new look, optimizing use of the different functions. As a result, visitors to the Brunswick photo specialist will therefore find even faster and more efficient help in their search for product information, such as test reports on some of the products.

This month still, Rollei will go online with a completely redesigned company website. The new design combines stylish, modern optics, pleasing colors and sophisticated photography with a clear and transparent page layout. Since the time-tried navigation system has been retained, all visitors will immediately feel “at home” ? be it that they are looking for information about the products or the Rollei company or that they have special questions regarding applications or sources of supply.

The part of London that I live in only has a relatively short high street with less than 75 shops, but nonetheless there are some intriguing shop fronts. A pub with a stag on its roof, a designer dentists and the local Geneal (sic) store are just some of the local attractions on offer.

A report today over on the BBC website may come as a shock to the system for all inkjet printer owners. A study on printer and cartridge costs by Computeractive magazine, which looked at printers from Canon, Epson, HP and Lexmark, concluded that “The price of inkjet printers has come down to as little as £34 but it could cost up to £1,700 in running costs over an 18-month period. The Lexmark z605, which only costs £40, has a cost of ownership over 18 months of £1775. Phew!

Website: BBC.co.uk

The latest issue of the monthly online photo magazine, Vivid Light Photography, has just been published. It’s packed to the rafters this month with some great articles, mostly digital in nature. Here are my highlights, in no particular order:

- Create Great Digital Prints
“I prefer a more simple down-to-earth approach to all that this digital craze has brought to us. I totally understand just how easy it is for you to want to shrink back from this and say: Wow! This is overwhelming, how will I ever learn it all? Shooting with film was so much easier, I only worried about the simple things; you know, focus, composition, exposure and stuff like that. Trust me here: if you’re looking for simple, I’m your man!”

- What is Hyperfocal Distance and Why Should I Care?
“You will get the greatest depth of field when you focus your lens at its hyperfocal distance . With a high quality lens you can produce images with your 35mm that people will swear came from a medium format camera.”

- An Eye for Composition
“No matter where in this world we live the subject matter for photographers is for all practical purposes, never ending. We are limited only by our imagination and creative vision. I’ve related in the past the story of a well-known photographer who told his audience not to look at other photographers’ work, but to develop their own style.

My comeback to that is pretty simple: how does one go about developing his or her own style, without something or someone else’s work with which to compare it to?”

I’ll leave you to enjoy the rest of this month’s issue.

Website: Vivid Light Photography - Issue #35

Another day, another Nikon D70 review :-) This time it’s the turn of Imaging Resource, who published their review of the 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR yesterday.

“With the D70, Nikon apparently chose to go with a less aggressive antialiasing filter than in the D100, which produces the crisper-looking images, but also leaves it open to moire problems with repeating patterns. (This is probably the one aspect of the D70 that I found the most annoying, but on the whole, I’m personally willing to accept a very occasional moire problem for the increased sharpness that comes with it.) Comparing the D70’s images to those from the Canon cameras, the D70’s photos tend to look just slightly crisper…”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon D70 Review

Dphoto.us have just posted the first part of their review of the new 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera.

“As I’m used to shooting with a couple of Canon 1D’s and several thousand dollars worth of lenses whenever I am working, I was very anxious to see how the latest crop of “Top Shelf” fixed lens digital cameras handled. A camera can have all the bells and whistles and whizz bang gizmos in the world. But to me, it all boils down to whether or not the camera can make a picture you are proud of.”

Website: Dphoto.us - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Review

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A Press Release 14/04/04

NEW STUDY BY FUJIFILM AND INFOTRENDS REVEALS MORE CONSUMERS PRINTING THEIR DIGITAL PHOTOS AT RETAIL LOCATIONS

Rise in digital camera ownership, coupled with trend in growing awareness of retail printing, positive sign for retail photofinishing market

VALHALLA, NY, APRIL 14, 2004 - Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., a pioneer in digital imaging products and services, today announced the results of its Year Three Digital Camera Retail Printing Study. The study reveals that the percentage of consumers now aware that they can print digital images at retail locations has doubled since the Year Two study. In addition, the survey, conducted by InfoTrends Research Group for Fujifilm in January 2004, shows a significant increase in the number of consumers now choosing to print at retail. The study surveyed the preferences of digital camera owners and prospective buyers in the areas of digital camera use, printing and storing of digital images.

Today, more than 30 percent of U.S. households own at least one digital camera 1. That number is expected to reach 40 percent by the end of 2004. As digital images proliferate, consumers must store and manage their pictures. Currently, a quarter of digital camera users employ printing as a method of storing images. This number is expected to rise in proportion to increasing image management needs in the future.

SanDisk Corporation Press Release 14/04/04

SANDISK TO OFFER miniSD CARDS AT RETAIL IN TAIWAN TO MEET GROWING DEMAND FOR MOBILE PHONES

SanDisk Is First To Market With miniSD; Available At Retail Stores In May

TAIPEI, Taiwan, April 14, 2004 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), the world?s largest supplier of flash memory storage card products, announced today that it will start to sell miniSDO memory cards through retail stores in Taiwan starting in May. SanDisk miniSD cards will be offered in capacities that range from 32 megabytes (MB) to 256MB.

SanDisk miniSD cards are used to store digital images, video, MP3 files and other data in camera phones and multimedia mobile phones. The announcement was made today in Taipei, where SanDisk and its retail distributor in Taiwan, Princeton Technology C&C Corporation (PTC), held a joint press conference.

After over a month of posting Tenerife photos (I still have a couple of days worth to sort through yet), I’ve returned home with these shots of my local high street. It’s amazing what you can find just yards away from where you live, if you put your mind to it. An hour of walking up one side and down the other produced some good (if not particularly noteworthy) pictures, although the grey overcast sky didn’t really help.