The American photography magazine “Photographic” has published a review of the new Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di AF lens on its website. With equivalent own-brand lenses from the likes of Nikon, Canon and Minolta costing several times more, the ?300 Tamron lens could find its way into quite a few photographer’s bags. (found via digicamera.net)

“Maintaining its fast f/2.8 aperture at all focal lengths, the AF28-75mm zoom is great for low-light shooting, allows you to use slower films and lower ISO settings on digital SLRs for better image quality, and produces beautiful blurred backgrounds for wide-open selective-focus shots.”

Website: Photographic - Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di AF lens Review

After a very successful first event, the unique photographic scavenger hunt 26 Things is set to be repeated in November. The first 26 Things was held in July 2003 with over 400 people hunting for the 26 items listed by Tracey of sh1ft.org. On Saturday November 1 (Australian time), a new list of 26 Things will be posted on the website at sh1ft.org/26things and you will have the whole month of November to search for them. It really is that simple :-)

Website: 26 Things : 2

The Dutch digital photography website LetsGoDigital are reporting that Rollei are set to release the dt4200 digital camera in November. The dt4200 will have a 4 megapixel CCD and uses a docking station to download your photos to a PC, much like Kodak’s range of EasyShare cameras. The dt4200’s 3x optical lens is equivalent to 35-104mm on a 35mm camera, and there is a high-resolution 1.6-inch TFT color LCD on the rear of the camera. There’s no indication of price yet.

Website: LetsGoDigital - Rollei dt4200

Photoxels have published a guide to Area Focus, which apparently is one of the three focusing modes found on newer digital cameras. I must admit to never using or seeing this feature before, but if your camera has this mode and you’re unsure of how to use it, then the Photoxels tutorial is a good read.

“Area Focus extends Center Focus by allowing the AF frame to be moved anywhere on the screen. So now, if your subject is to the left of center, instead of moving the camera left, pre-focusing and then moving the camera back, all you do is move the AF frame left instead while keeping the camera still!”

Website: Photoxels - Area Focus Tutorial

CNET have published their review of one of the more popular consumer digicams, the 4-megapixel Canon PowerShot A80, which sells for around $399.

“Though it’s not the cheapest model in Canon’s A series, the 4-megapixel A80 delivers the best combination of features, image quality, performance, and price that we’ve seen in any recent camera. The A80 improves on the A70 in almost every way while maintaining a great balance between point-and-shoot ease and room-to-grow sophistication. Just don’t let the myriad options scare you away.”

Website: CNET - Canon Powershot A80 Review

It seems that multiple copies of today’s Newsletter (issue 37) were inadvertently sent out to everyone on the subscriber list. Please accept my apologies for this and rest assured that it won’t happen again!

Mark Goldstein

Well-known UK UK wildlife photographer Andy Rouse has has just published his review and 10-day field test of the Canon EOS 300D. Andy subjected the 300D to tests that are usually handled by the likes of the much more expensive 1D and 1DS, so this will be one of the more unusual reviews of the 300D that you’ll ever read.

“Speaking as a photographer I actually like these enhancements and they make shooting a whole lot easier with the 300D than the 10D. Having the settings information just below the viewfinder means I can quickly glance at it without having to shift the camera away from my eye. It?s a shame that the compass point buttons are only used for controlling the menu functions and setting the ISO / White Balance, as they would have been superb for controlling the autofocus points.”

Website: Andy Rouse - Canon EOS 300D Review

Photo.net have published their review of the HP Photosmart 945 digital camera, which features a 5.3-megapixel total resolution and 56x total zoom (8x optical zoom). The HP Photosmart 945 digital camera is available now and has an estimated U.S. retail price of $549.

“I liked the digital flash which does a good job in bringing up the detail in darker areas of the image. The wide range zoom (37mm-300mm 35mm equivalent) was nice too. Generally exposure seemed accurate. Since there is no histogram display you can’t tell exactly when you have the best exposure, but you can get a reasonable idea from the image playback. Exposure compensation is available in full auto, aperture priority and shutter priority modes (there is no fully manual mode). I used the camera in full “idiot mode” most of the time (full auto with default settings) and in general the camera did a pretty good job.”

Website: Photo.net - HP Photosmart 945 Review

Steve’s Digicams are once again the first website to review a recently-announced digital camera; this time they have the scoop on the Pentax Optio 555, a 5 megapixel updated version of the popular 550 model.

“The Optio 555 is the premiere consumer digicam offered in the Pentax line- up. It boasts a 5x optical zoom lens and is housed in a durable aluminum alloy case that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Packed with features the beginner will love and the advanced user will appreciate. The automatic and manual exposure modes will make both the beginner and advanced users happy. Creative features like panorama assist, 3-D, digital filtering (color filters) and time-lapse shooting will allow your creative side to show. With its 5x optical zoom lens and all the other features, you’ll always want this camera by your side.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Pentax Optio 555 Review

Luminous Landscape contributor Andy Biggs has reviewed 4 of the latest inkjet papers available from the Moab Paper range. These fine-art papers were tested using the Epson Stylus Photo 2100 printer. I think these papers are only available in the USA at the moment, but as they are cheaper than the Epson equivalents, they may be worth tracking down or ordering from an online store.

Website: Luminous Landscape - Moab Inkjet Paper Review

Steve’s Digicams have reviewed the Casio EXILIM EX-M20, which measures a mere 83mm wide, 53mm high, and 11.3mm thick. The EX-M20 features a 2-megapixel CCD plus a built-in microphone and speaker for recording and playback of voice recordings and audio snapshots. The EX-M20 retails for $329.99 and is available now.

“For the “person on the go”, the fully automatic EX-M20 is just what they need to take great pictures at a precise moment, without spending a lot of time learning how to use a complicated camera. With the “BestShot” modes the camera’s settings are optimized for any of fifteen predefined shooting conditions. If you truly want to be creative and over-ride the camera’s automatic settings, you can adjust the White Balance, the ISO and the EV Shift (+/-2EV).”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Casio EXILIM EX-M20 Review

Canon have released a new version of firmware for the Canon EOS 300D / Digital Rebel DSLR.

Firmware Version 1.1.1 resolves the following issues:

- It increases the reliability of RemoteCapture application when the camera is used. The reliability of RemoteCapture, with which you can control the camera from your computer and take single-frame shots, timer shots and interval timer shots and save the images on your computer automatically, is increased.
- It increases the reliability of operations when used on Windows XP and Mac OS X with [PTP]* selected in [Communication]. It increases the operations with the camera when connected and disconnected with your computer in saving and deleting the images. You may now make a continuous printing of up to 100 images at one time.

This firmware Version 1.1.1 can only be installed on cameras with Version 1.0.2 firmware. If the camera already has the firmware Version 1.1.1 installed, you do not need to update it.

Website: Canon Firmware

I’ve just posted my review of the Epson Stylus Photo 950 Printer, a 6 colour, 2880 x 1440 dpi model that currently sits at the top of Epson’s range of A4 photo printers. I was especially interested in testing the Stylus Photo 950 because I own an older Epson model, the Stylus Photo 890, and I wanted to find out what improvements Epson had made to their latest model. Would I be impressed enough to consider upgrading? Read on to find out.

Website: Epson Stylus Photo 950 Printer Review

Epson Press Release 22/10/03

Epson Unveils the Essential Printers for Digital Photo Enthusiasts: The EPSON Stylus Photo R300 and R300M

LONG BEACH, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Oct. 22, 2003—

New Direct Photo Printers Offer Convenient Photo Printing With or Without a Computer, and the Capability to Print Directly onto the Surface of CDs and DVDs

Epson America Inc. has added two new photo printers to its product line—the EPSON Stylus(R) Photo R300 and R300M. The EPSON Stylus Photo R300 and R300M are perfect for digital camera owners who want a flexible and easy to use photo solution. Both printers offer the same convenient and innovative features such as printing directly onto the surface of ink jet printable CDs and DVDs, and being able to print photos with or without a computer. The EPSON Stylus Photo R300M includes a 2.5” color preview monitor for viewing and selecting images before printing them. The preview monitor is not available on the EPSON Stylus Photo R300.

These printer models are perfect for the digital photographer who uses a digital camera and wants to share photos with friends and family.

“People are sharing memories now more than ever, and with a printer like the Epson Stylus Photo R300/R300M, anyone can pop in their digital memory card and print out amazing looking photos even without a computer,” said Steve Semos, product manager, consumer ink jet printers, Epson. “These printer models not only make it easy and convenient to print photographs, but customers can even personalize CD layouts and print directly onto ink jet-printable CDs and DVDs.”

Picasa Press Release 22/10/03

Picasa Launches “Hello” - The Easiest Way to Securely Share Digital Photos

Hello enables friends to instantly share high resolution pictures, chat about them, and print them at home or online

Pasadena, CA ?- October 22, 2003 - Picasa, Inc.(tm), the leading developer of software which enables photographers to effortlessly organize, manage and share digital photos, announces the availability of Hello, a completely new way to share digital pictures.  For consumers with an Internet connection, Hello opens a private peer-to-peer network link that enables friends to instantly share and chat about digital photographs.

Hello is offered as a free download at www.hello.com and can be used with or without Picasa, the company’s award-winning digital photo organizing software. For consumers who have Picasa, Hello is automatically integrated, allowing one-click photo sharing.  To share photos using Hello, consumers simply select the pictures they would like to send in Picasa, click the “Send to Hello” button and specify the person to receive them.  Immediately, those images appear on their contact’s Hello window.  Users can see which pictures their friend is viewing and can chat about them in real-time. Hello makes it simple to send single photos or hundreds without the need for attachments or uploading to websites.  Consumers who do not have Picasa can use Windows Explorer to select pictures to share.

Any pictures received via Hello are automatically organized and stored in a Picasa album, organized by the sender’s name.  To print high quality prints at home, Hello automatically retrieves the high-resolution version of a picture from the sender, eliminating the need to send email requests back and forth.

“Hello recreates the experience of sitting down on your couch with a friend and showing them your photo album,” says Lars Perkins, CEO of Picasa. “With Hello, you can watch your friends’ reaction as they see your pictures, instead of waiting hours or days for a reply.  Unlike e-mail, Hello lets you send 50 pictures just as quickly as sending 5, and your friends will always be able to choose and print the pictures they like best.”

The release of the new professional D2H DSLR from Nikon has been delayed until late November, accroding to a statement on the Japanese version of the Nikon Imaging website. No official reason has been given for the 1-month delay, although Rob Galbraith’s website is reporting that it is because of the high volume of pre-orders for the camera.

Website: Nikon Imaging Japan

Website: Rob Galbraith - Nikon D2H Delay

Steve’s Digicams published their review yesterday of one of the more popular consumer digicams, the 4-megapixel Canon PowerShot A80, which sells for around $399.

“The Canon PowerShot A80 goes a step beyond most of its rivals with advanced features. In addition to standard array of exposure modes for cameras of this class, the A80 offers a fully manual mode which allows you to directly set both shutter speed and aperture; the camera will inform you of the deviation, if any, from its recommended EV. In addition to its excellent autofocus system, the A80 allows you to focus manually, and assists you in that endeavor by enlarging the focus area of the LCD viewfinder as you compose your shot and focus.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Canon Powershot A80 Review

Also spotted on the DPReview Epson forum is a new top-of-the-range flatbed scanner that has a maximum resolution of 4800dpi! The new GT-X700 scanner features Digital ICE, Firewire, USB2.0, Epson Smart Panel, Print Image Matching, 6 lenses in 4 groups and a DMax of 3.8. You can scan 2 4x5’s, 6 medium format, 8 35mm slides and 24 frames using 35mm film strips. It looks identical in design to the Epson Perfection 3200 scanner, so hopefully the GT-X700 will make it outside Japan.

Website: DPReview - Epson Forum

Website: www.i-love-epson.co.jp

Someone over on the DPReview forums has actually bought the Epson PX-G900 photo printer that was first reported on PhotographyBLOG at the end of August. This printer may never be released outside Japan, as Epson has a history of only releasing new printers in its home country. Even so, it’s very interesting to see what new features Epson are introducing to their range of photo printers, and if everyone crosses their fingers then hopefully Epson will introduce the PX-G900 worldwide…

Website: DPReview - Epson Forum

Website: www.i-love-epson.co.jp

Website: www.i-love-epson.co.jp - Printer Comparison

Sony Press Release 21/10/03

SONY TAKES `NO COMPROMISE’ APPROACH TO NEW SLIM CAMERA

World’s Smallest Five Megapixel Camera Packs Performance and Style

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 21, 2003 ?Adding one more case to the “How’d They Do That?” file, the miniaturization wizards at Sony (known formally as product designers and engineers) took features found on more full-figured digital cameras and squeezed them into a slim, pocket-friendly design no larger than a deck of cards.

Slide the front lens cover down and in just over one second, the Cyber-shot? DSC-T1 digital camera’s large 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder comes to life. It occupies roughly two-thirds of the camera’s back-surface area, giving more room to see and show off images at the moment they are captured.

Press the shutter release button and the camera demonstrates why it is perhaps the fastest five megapixel camera. Due in large part to Sony’s Real Imaging Processor? circuit, it shoots full-resolution images in one second intervals, and can capture four high-speed burst shots in less than two seconds.

But the camera offers more than great still pictures. With optional Memory Stick PRO Duo? cards, the T1 camera captures and plays back high resolution moving images in MPEG-VX Fine mode?good enough to make onlookers believe that it was captured with a digital camcorder.

“True to Sony’s DNA, we created a digital camera that balances the cutting-edge performance with eye-catching design,” said Steve Haber, senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ Personal, Mobile and Imaging Products Division. “If the best camera is the one that you have with you at all times, then this is that camera.”