DCResource have reviewed the 4.1 megapixel Kodak EasyShare DX6440, which has a 4X Schneider 33 - 132mm zoom lens and retails for around $400.

“The Kodak EasyShare DX6440 ($399) is a low priced 4 Megapixel camera with a 4X Schneider-Kreuznach zoom lens. Unlike most of Kodak’s other cameras, the 6440 has full manual controls and a hybrid autofocus system. It can be a point-and-shoot for beginners, or a manual camera for enthusiasts. If there’s one thing that Kodak does very well, it’s making a camera easy-to-use. The EasyShare system lets you easily share your photos with the push of a button (literally).”

Website: DCResource - Kodak EasyShare DX6440 Review

Pearly Kings and Queens #1	Pearly Kings and Queens #4	Pearly Kings and Queens #2
Pearly Kings and Queens #12	Pearly Kings and Queens #8	Pearly Kings and Queens #7

A few weeks ago the annual Pearly Kings and Queens’ Harvest Festival was held at St Martins-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square, London. I spent a completely mad 30 minutes dashing around the very confined and very contrasty area outside the church; it was a sunny day and there were deep shadows and very bright highlights. Not that great for flattering portraits! Still, I managed to get a few good shots of this very British institution before they headed inside the church for the service.




You can see the full album of shots here:
People - Pearly Kings and Queens

Autumn Leaves #1	Autumn Leaves #5	Autumn Leaves #4
Autumn Leaves #7	Autumn Seeds #1	Autumn Leaves #8

Autumn is in full swing at the moment here in England. Living in London means that you don’t really get to appreciate this fantastic season, as green areas are few and far between, but I did manage a flying visit to Hampstead Heath the other evening before it got too dark (at about 6.30pm!). These were all taken handheld using my macro lens and a wide-open aperture of f/2.8 to keep the shutter speeds fast enough and to throw the background out of focus.




You can see the full album of shots here:
Macro - Autumn

The innovative Belkin Media Reader for iPod lets you store more than tunes. It gives you a great way to transfer images from your digital camera to your iPod. Now you can take more pictures and not worry about running out of space in your digital camera. The Belkin Media Reader costs US $99.00.

The Belkin Media Reader for iPod works with the iPod with dock connector.

Your iPod’s abundant storage handles thousands of digital photos and frees up your camera’s memory card so you can take more pictures. Simply connect the Media Reader to your iPod, and insert any of the six supported media types. Using software support that’s built into your iPod (iPod software version 2.1 or later), transfer your pictures quickly via FireWire technology and you’re ready to start shooting again. To retrieve the images, simply connect your iPod to your computer and import them into iPhoto or Image Capture. It’s like having virtually unlimited storage space for all your photos.

- Transfers files quickly and easily via FireWire Technology
- Protects the media slots from pocket dust and dirt when not in use with sliding cover.
- Dock Connector Cable stores away easily when not in use.
- Saves thousands of digital images to your iPod
- LED indicates power and data transfer status of Media Reader.
- Supports Compact Flash, (Type 1 and 2), Smart Media, Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick, or -—Multi Media Card (MMC)
- Works with iPod software version 2.1 or later
- Includes 4 AAA batteries
- 3-Year Belkin Product Warranty

Website: Belkin Media Reader for iPod

Olympus UK have confirmed that the limited edition Ferrari version of the Olympus Mju 400 digital camera will be available in the UK by mid-November 2003, costing ?599.99. Just in time for Christmas, Olympus launches the first, and only, digital camera in the world currently branded by Ferrari SpA. The ?Ferrari DIGITAL MODEL 2003? is a limited-edition camera, developed to celebrate the Olympus sponsorship of the Ferrari Scuderia Formula One Racing Team. As a limited-edition model with a production run of only 10,000 units worldwide, each camera is stamped with a unique production number.

Australian photographer Nick Rains has published a thought-provoking article on the Lumoinous Landscape website about Government control of the landscape and the rights to photograph it.

“Australia is in the middle of a major crisis with respect to photography of National Parks, Commonwealth Reserves and on public land administered by local Councils. Photographers have to dip into their pockets time and time again to be allowed to make images even if those images are what we might consider small scale and non-commercial. It is this concept of ‘Commercial’ that is causing many of the problems and I think it is time that the industry redefined this term for Governments to understand more fully.

Apostles - a permit for nature photography in Victoria costs either AUD275 for a year or AUD88 per day. This permit is only valid in Victora, you need another one in NSW and another one in Queensland etc etc…..”

Do you agree with Nick? Is something similar happening in your part of the World? Post a comment and let everyone know…

Website: The Erosion of Photographer’s Rights

Photoxels has posted a review of the Fuji FinePix S5000, a mid-range digital camera looks like a traditional SLR (but isn’t) and has a 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera.

“Most people considering the Fujifilm FinePix S5000 are probably attracted to its 10x optical zoom. The reach of that long zoom is just incredible and, once you use it, you might find it quite hard to go back to regular 3x or 4x zoom. A tripod (or monopod) is recommended over 6x zoom.”

Website: Photoxels - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

Award-winning photographer Scott Bourne has posted his mini-review of Photoshop CS.

“PHOTO FILTERS is proof of Adobe?s newfound awareness that photographers are using Photoshop. It?s a new Adjustment Layer that emulates the old screw-on filters like the 81A and 81B. If you want to quickly correct for light induced colorcasts, you are going to love this new feature.”

Website: Scott Bourne - Photoshop CS Review

Imaging Resource have just posted a Quick Review of the 5 megapixel Kodak EasyShare DX4530. This new digicam retails for ?399 in the UK.

“The Kodak EasyShare DX4530 is very much a pure “point and shoot” camera, as it offers the user very little in the way of exposure adjustments or flexibility, but manages to capture surprisingly good images under a variety of conditions. Besides being easy to use to take photos with, the Kodak 4530 also mates with their optional 4000-series “dock,” for easy downloading of images to your computer, and built-in charging of NiMH batteries.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Kodak EasyShare DX4530 Review

Konica Minolta Press Release 16/10/03

Langenhagen, October 16th, 2003

Minolta’s digital cameras already support the Epson USB DP and PIM II standards* to connect the camera directly with the printer. Now the DiMAGE Z1 and DiMAGE E323 digital cameras are also incorporate the new industry standard PictBridge for direct printing. Both 3.2 megapixel cameras were introduced in August 2003.

PictBridge is a new industry standard for direct printing of images and allows a user to print directly from a PictBridge compatible digital camera connected via a cable to a PictBridge compatible printer without the use of a PC.

“PictBridge support provides consumers with more options for sharing their digital photos than ever before,” says Hidenori Toyoda, General Manager Photo Division, Minolta Europe. “We are delighted that users of our new DiMAGE Z1 and DiMAGE E323 cameras will now benefit from easily sharing prints of their digital images without using a computer.”

Overview compatibility*:
DiMAGE A1 (PIM II, Epson USB DP)
DiMAGE Z1 (PictBridge, PIM II, Epson USB DP)
DiMAGE Xt (PIM II, Epson USB DP)
DiMAGE X20 (PIM II, Epson USB DP)
DiMAGE E323 (PictBridge, PIM II)

Website: http://www.minoltaeurope.com/

The Norwegian digital photography website DigIT have reviewed the Fuji FinePix F700, which has a 6.2-megapixel Super CCD SR. As a reminder, the F700 CCD improves image quality by widening the dynamic range, rather than just increasing the number of pixels. This should mean more detail in the shadow and highlight areas of an image than Fuji cameras have previously captured. Or at least that’s what Fuji claims anyway…

Website: DigIT - Fuji FinePix F700 Review

Website: Read my review of the Fuji FinePix F700

DCResource have reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Minolta DiMAGE Z1. This digicam has a 10x optical zoom lens, equivalent to a 38-380mm 35mm camera zoom, which in combination with the digital zoom offers a 40X zoom range.

“The DiMAGE Z1 is a unique looking camera, with a silver plastic body. I’d rate the build quality as average, reminding me of the Toshiba PDR-M700. It’s definitely not as well built as the plastic Kodak DX6490 or the all-metal Olympus C-750UZ. Something else I notices is that the lens rattles if you give the camera the slightest shake. I’m not sure if this actually affects camera operation, but it’s food for thought.”

Website: DCResource - Minolta DiMAGE Z1 Review

The new RAW convertor software Capture One DSLR Rebel Edition, which is specifically designed for the Canon EOS 300D/Rebel digital SLR, is now available for the bargain introductory price of just $29 from the PictureFlow website. If you have a Canon EOS 300D and use RAW files, this may be the best $29 that you ever spend on your digital camera…

Website: PictureFlow

Imaging Resource have reviewed the 4 megapixel EasyShare DX6490 digital camera, a digital camera which features a 10x optical zoom lens (38-380mm focal length). The Kodak EasyShare DX6490 has a suggested retail price of ?399.99.

“Eastman Kodak’s “EasyShare” line of digital cameras have consistently impressed me as living up to their name, being one of the most unfailingly easy to use line of digicams out there. With the new EasyShare DX6490 though, Kodak moves beyond pure ease of use (although the camera is still very easy to use in full-auto mode) to encompass a range of capabilities that allow the DX6490 to satisfy the desires of “enthusiast” photographers as well.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Kodak EasyShare DX6490 Review

Pinnacle Systems Press Release 15/10/03

Pinnacle Systems Helps Consumers Preserve And Enjoy Their Memories With New Music, Photo And Video Disc Burning Products

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. 15/10/2003? Pinnacle Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCLE) today announced the availability of three new products in its Instant product family which are designed to help consumers easily customize and burn their video, photo, and audio discs to enjoy on their CD or DVD player. Pinnacle Instant PhotoAlbum and Pinnacle Instant VideoAlbum let digital camera and camcorder users burn their digital images or video on a disc, along with editing capabilities. Pinnacle InstantCD/DVD version 8 is a suite of software applications that gives users everything they need to duplicate DVDs and CDs, create MP3 and audio CDs, author photo and video discs, and backup, restore and manage their data.

?Gone are the days where people have to crowd around a computer to share memories from a family wedding, a baby?s first steps, or last summer?s European vacation,? said Bill Loesch, vice president, product management and engineering for the Business and Consumer Division at Pinnacle Systems. ?Our Instant product family lets consumers experiment with their creativity while preserving their life?s memories in a format that will outlive their VHS tapes and will not bog down their hard drive.?

ePhotoZine have posted their review of Fuji’s new ISO 100 slide film, Fuji Velvia 100F, available now. Tomoko Yamamoto, a Japanese artist living in the USA, tested the new film for ePhotoZine:

“Over the past month I have been thoroughly testing Velvia 100F, one of three new professional slide films put out by Fuji in the summer. Although the test is not scientific, I have tried to be consistent. The results are from using two camera systems, the Olympus OM SLR and the Mamiya 6MF rangefinder, with their unique metering characteristics.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Fuji Velvia 100F Review

I’ve just posted my review of the Vosonic X’S-Drive portable storage device. Storage is one of the main problems that digital photographers face. Memory cards quickly fill up and are relatively expensive to buy. Find out why I bought a Vosonic X’S-Drive and what I think about this portable storage solution.

Website: Vosonic X’S-Drive Review

Epson Press Release 15/10/-03

EPSON(r) launches the first all-in-one home photo centre in Europe

EPSON’s Stylus Photo RX500 is the first all-in-one home photo centre - scan, copy and print premium quality photos from digital or analogue collections. Technically, no compromises have been made - the Stylus Photo RX500 offers premium quality photo printing and high performance scanning in one space and cost saving solution. Faded photographs and damaged negatives can be restored and images can be easily stored and shared by scanning direct to memory cards even without being connected to a PC.

October 15, 2003: The EPSON Stylus Photo RX500 offers a premium photo printing solution for semi-professional photographers and photo enthusiasts. With the ability to print, scan and copy photographs and film, the Stylus Photo RX500 combines a wide range of features and support with maximum flexibility, ease of use and cost effectiveness.

The Stylus Photo RX500 uses a 6-colour, separate ink cartridge system to deliver market leading 5760*x1440dpi premium photo quality photos with smoother tones and improved image definition. Separate ink cartridges provide cost effectiveness, while a special dye based ink, optimised for performance on photo specialist media, produces highly durable photos and gives the best combination of ozone, light and water fastness. Combined with the latest EPSON MicroPiezo(tm) print head, which can produce a droplet size of as little as 3pl for higher definition photo prints, the Stylus Photo RX500 achieves results comparable with a professional photo lab. The new print head also means that there is nearly double the number of nozzles, which results in much faster output.

Another market first for EPSON, the Stylus Photo RX500 includes an integrated transparency unit and scanner for high-resolution photo and film scanning. The MatrixCCD 2400dpi scanner allows users to capture their analogue photos into digital format for restoration and manipulation via bundled software and drivers.  The integrated transparency unit allows scanning from both positive and negative film for safely archiving images and creating copies of photos.

Olympus Press Release 15/10/03

A sneak preview of the latest Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL lens range for 2004

Olympus announces the expansion of its E-System portfolio, with the introduction of five new interchangeable ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses, available next year. Among the new models planned for release is a ZUIKO DIGITAL 11-22mm, F2.8-3.5 lens (35mm camera equivalent: 22-44mm), plus three further zoom lenses and a bright lens with a fixed focal length.

The first Olympus E-1 body and four ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses were launched in October 2003. With the release of these five lenses in 2004, Olympus demonstrates its commitment to extend the Olympus E-System, which is based on the FourThirds standard. The company?s R&D department is not stopping there; it is busy developing more lenses due to be released in 2005 and beyond.

The 11-22mm lens (22-44mm) will be followed by an ultra-wide-angle lens line-up to meet today’s strong demand for these lenses. A second fast single focal length telephoto lens will join the current 300mm F2.8 lens (600mm) in 2004. This combination of light gathering power and telephoto performance in a compact form is one of the great advantages of the Olympus E-System. In the bright zoom line up, the 50-200mm lens (100-400mm) will also be joined by further lenses.

The TIPA award-winning FourThirds Standard permits full lens inter-changeability among camera systems that comply with the standard. All ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are specifically designed to maximise the performance of digital SLR systems that are based on the FourThirds Standard. Telecentric optics ensure that the images have perfect colour, clarity and brightness from the centre to the periphery of the frame. The lenses? high resolving power guarantees that the image sensor obtains the detail it needs to produce stunning images expected by professionals.

Peter iNova, who runs the DigitalSecrets website, has just returned from a long trip to Europe, where he put no less than 6 different digital cameras through their paces, including the Sony DSC-V1 shown on the left.

“When you lug a trunkload of digital cameras into the hinterlands, you expect results, results, results. And with a number of cameras to choose from, results are pretty much guaranteed, but what if you don’t want to carry a fifteen pound bag of technology around with you, the way the working pros do, and you still want results?

Then the one camera you carry had better deliver.

So I packed up no less than six champion digital cameras and set out for views unknown where the treasures of travel awaited…”

Website: DigitalSecrets - Special Travel Report