News
Digital Outback Photo have posted an extensive preview of the new RAW convertor software, Capture One DSLR Rebel Edition, which is specifically designed for the Canon EOS 300D/Rebel digital SLR. I personally use Capture One DSLR LE with my EOS 10D, in preference to the software that Canon provides - it’s a lot faster and easy to use and well worth the $99 price tag.
“If you want to get the best quality out of your EOS 300D you need to use the raw file format (read our Shutterbug article to understand why). Unfortunately the Canon File Viewer Utility is not a very useable raw converter. This is not real problem as Capture One DSLR Rebel Edition provides a first class solution at only $49.”
Website: Digital Outback Photo - Capture One DSLR Rebel Edition Preview
Digital Outback Photo have posted an extensive preview of the new RAW convertor software, Capture One DSLR Rebel Edition, which is specifically designed for the Canon EOS 300D/Rebel digital SLR. I personally use Capture One DSLR LE with my EOS 10D, in preference to the software that Canon provides -…
DCViews have enthusiastically reviewed the Canon Powershot S400 (called the Canon Digital IXUS 400 in Europe), a 4-megapixel camera that retails for around ?500 in the UK.
“The camera’s metering works faultlessly and difficult lighting situations are handled with ease, delivering clean and well exposed images every time. Clicking the sample images on this page will enlarge them to reveal how good the automatic exposure really is and show the terrific amount of image detail the camera records. It may be worth noting that none of the sample images used here have been manipulated or tampered with in any way - what you see here is what the camera delivers.”
DCViews have enthusiastically reviewed the Canon Powershot S400 (called the Canon Digital IXUS 400 in Europe), a 4-megapixel camera that retails for around ?500 in the UK. “The camera’s metering works faultlessly and difficult lighting situations are handled with ease, delivering clean and well exposed images every time. Clicking the…
PhotographyBLOG visitor has let me know about a very useful resource that he runs which will be of interest to everyone in the USA (and according to my web stats, that’s 25% of you). Oleg maintains an overview of the prices of online printing services, with monthly updates so that the information is always current. 37 different services are listed so there’s plenty of choice when you next look for somewhere to do your prints.
PhotographyBLOG visitor has let me know about a very useful resource that he runs which will be of interest to everyone in the USA (and according to my web stats, that’s 25% of you). Oleg maintains an overview of the prices of online printing services, with monthly updates so that…
Olympus Press Release 10/10/03
STAY IN FOCUS WITH THE NEW MJU-III 150 KIT FROM OLYMPUS
The Olympus Mju-III 150 35mm compact camera is the latest addition to the best-selling camera range in the world.? The 4x zoom lens, weatherproof Mju-III 150 comes with a free remote control and is ideal for both the seasoned photographer and novice. It also has an innovative, specially developed 11-point multi-wide passive auto focus sensor, allowing it to recognise the main subject - even if off-centre, to secure clear and vivid pictures every time.? Available at a RRP of ?149.99 (inc VAT), call 0800 072 0070 or visit www.olympus.co.uk for stockist information.
Though merely 225g in weight (without battery) and 117mm (W) x 61mm (H) x 43mm (D), the Mju-III 150 still contains a 37.5 ? 150mm 4x zoom lens. Its magnification power lets you get that little bit closer and is especially useful when out sightseeing in the city or rambling in the country. Featuring an ED (extra-low dispersion) lens element, usually only found in SLR interchangeable lenses and other high-end cameras, the Mju-III 150 produces sharp and high quality photos.
As you would expect, the Olympus Mju-III 150 maintains a distinctive style whilst incorporating advanced technology. The Mju-III 150 also has an automatic 3-Way AE light metering system, designed to ensure optimal exposure. The outcome boasts bright and colourful photos every time. In addition, it features a camera-shake indicator which minimises the risk of blurry hand-held shots.?
The Mju-III 150 is the latest camera in the evolution of the third generation Mju series. In keeping with its popular Mju-III sister models (the Mju-III 120 and Mju-III 100).
Olympus Press Release 10/10/03 STAY IN FOCUS WITH THE NEW MJU-III 150 KIT FROM OLYMPUS The Olympus Mju-III 150 35mm compact camera is the latest addition to the best-selling camera range in the world.? The 4x zoom lens, weatherproof Mju-III 150 comes with a free remote control and is ideal…
If you’re wondering how Adobe Camera RAW is going to work in the recently announced Photoshop CS, then wonder no more, as Thomas Knoll, the guy who wrote this program, has added a lengthy explanation to the Adobe Forums.
Website: Adobe Forums - Thomas Knoll
If you’re wondering how Adobe Camera RAW is going to work in the recently announced Photoshop CS, then wonder no more, as Thomas Knoll, the guy who wrote this program, has added a lengthy explanation to the Adobe Forums. Website: Adobe Forums - Thomas Knoll
This morning DCResource have published their review of the tiny Canon PowerShot SD10 (also known as the Digital IXUS i in some countries). The SD10 has a street price of $349 in the USA and ?299 in the UK.
“Overall, I was very surprised at how good the photo quality was on the SD10. There are no tradeoffs here, like you’d find on other cameras (blurry corners being an example). Images are very sharp, color is good, and exposure was accurate most of the time. I did see some purple fringing, but it wasn’t bad enough to be considered a problem.”
This morning DCResource have published their review of the tiny Canon PowerShot SD10 (also known as the Digital IXUS i in some countries). The SD10 has a street price of $349 in the USA and ?299 in the UK. “Overall, I was very surprised at how good the photo quality…
CNET have reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Kyocera Finecam L3v, whose main defining feature is its large 2.5” LCD display.
“The 3.2-megapixel Kyocera Finecam L3v brings the big-screen viewing experience to digital photography with a large 2.5-inch LCD. Simple enough for beginners to master, the L3v also offers adjustments for those who like to tinker. However, the camera’s lack of manual shooting modes and its average image quality will disappoint more-advanced photographers.”
Website: CNET - Kyocera Finecam L3v Review
CNET have reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Kyocera Finecam L3v, whose main defining feature is its large 2.5” LCD display. “The 3.2-megapixel Kyocera Finecam L3v brings the big-screen viewing experience to digital photography with a large 2.5-inch LCD. Simple enough for beginners to master, the L3v also offers adjustments for those…
After 3 weeks and 1,165 total votes, Digital Compact has just pipped 35mm Film SLR as the most popular camera type that you own in the PhotographyBLOG Poll, but only by the narrow margin of 340 to 325 votes.
The new PhotographyBLOG Poll asks the question: “How do you print out your photographs?”. Do you send them off to a photo-lab, print them at home, or venture into the darkroom? Or do you find that you never print them out at all?
After 3 weeks and 1,165 total votes, Digital Compact has just pipped 35mm Film SLR as the most popular camera type that you own in the PhotographyBLOG Poll, but only by the narrow margin of 340 to 325 votes. The new PhotographyBLOG Poll asks the question: “How do you print…
ePhotoZine have just published what I think is the World’s first ever full review of a production version of the Olympus E-1 digital SLR camera (someone correct me if I’m wrong…).
“Bold claims have been made by Olympus about the capabilities of the E-1, so many people may be expecting something groundbreaking in terms of results. Instead the E-1 offers good all-round performance which may disappoint those people with high expectations. More rational people will no doubt be pleased by the good resolution, low-image noise, good dynamic range, RAW flexibility, comprehensive quality settings, excellent colour accuracy and the high quality of the Zuiko lenses. There are drawbacks though, the noise levels at the higher end of the range aren’t very competitive compared to other professional Digital SLRs, though they are generally more expensive.”
Website: ePhotoZine - Olympus E-1 Review
ePhotoZine have just published what I think is the World’s first ever full review of a production version of the Olympus E-1 digital SLR camera (someone correct me if I’m wrong…). “Bold claims have been made by Olympus about the capabilities of the E-1, so many people may be expecting…
It has been quite a long time since I last posted some news about the Canon EOS 10D, with the recent release of the cheaper 300D over-shadowing its big brother. Anyway, Photo.net have published a guide to cleaning the sensor of the EOS 10D and other digital SLRs. Essential reading if you’re starting to get really annoyed by that dust that always appears in the same place, but you’re not quite sure what to do about it.
“If you don’t know if your sensor is clean and want to check, here is how to do it. Put a lens on your camera, set focus to infinity, set exposure compensation to +1, set the aperture to its smallest value (largest number), at least f22, f32 if you have it. Now hold the camera in front a uniformly illuminated target and take a shot. Look at the image. Do you see dark spots? If so you have dust. At wider apertures the dust specs will be much less visible. At f11 they may be very faint and at f8 or wider apertures they may be undetectable.”
It has been quite a long time since I last posted some news about the Canon EOS 10D, with the recent release of the cheaper 300D over-shadowing its big brother. Anyway, Photo.net have published a guide to cleaning the sensor of the EOS 10D and other digital SLRs. Essential reading…
Popular Photography have tested the Kodak EasyShare DX6340 3.1 megapixel digital camera, using it with the EasyShare Printer Dock 6000. Here’s a quote from the review:
“For years, a lot of us thought that what the digital world really needed was a seamless way to print pictures?no computer necessary, just a quick hookup of camera to printer, a press of a button, and out would pop a 4x6 print. And now Kodak has done it.
But what makes the EasyShare Printer Dock 6000 a success isn?t so much the idea, but the excellent execution. This is one of the nicest photo gadgets we?ve seen, both useful and fun.”
Website: Popular Photography - Kodak EasyShare DX6340 Review
Popular Photography have tested the Kodak EasyShare DX6340 3.1 megapixel digital camera, using it with the EasyShare Printer Dock 6000. Here’s a quote from the review:“For years, a lot of us thought that what the digital world really needed was a seamless way to print pictures?no computer necessary, just a…
The American photography magazine Popular Photography has published a review of the new Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di AF lens on its website. The article is in PDF format so you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to open it. 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)
Website: Popular Photography - Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di AF lens Review
The American photography magazine Popular Photography has published a review of the new Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di AF lens on its website. The article is in PDF format so you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to open it. With equivalent own-brand lenses from the likes of…
CNET have also recently reviewed the Leica D-Lux, a 3.2-megapixel digital camera that has a whopping $800 price-tag! Find out why you should spend your money on this camera, rather than on something like the Canon EOS 300D, in CNET’s review…
“A few years ago, Panasonic and Leica entered into a partnership to build digital cameras. Leica brought the lenses, and Panasonic supplied the electronics. Among the fruits of the deal are Panasonic’s DMC-F1, which got a positive write-up from this reviewer, and Leica’s D-Lux. Cosmetically, the Leica looks different from the Panasonic—it has an old-school design intended to be “reminiscent of the classic Leica rangefinder camera”—but its performance and image quality are very similar. This leads us to ask: Are the superior body, the clout of the Leica brand, and a deluxe accessory package worth a nearly $500 markup? Answer: Only if you’re someone who doesn’t mind overpaying at Tiffany.”
Website: CNET - Leica D-Lux Review
Website: Leica D-Lux
CNET have also recently reviewed the Leica D-Lux, a 3.2-megapixel digital camera that has a whopping $800 price-tag! Find out why you should spend your money on this camera, rather than on something like the Canon EOS 300D, in CNET’s review… “A few years ago, Panasonic and Leica entered into…
CNET have just reviewed the Minolta Dimage F300, a 5-megapixel digital compact camera that looks good and retails for around $599.
“Minolta’s Dimage F300 fits neatly into the crowd of compact, high-style 5-megapixel digital cameras designed for advanced snapshooters. It looks and feels good, costs a bit less than much of the competition, comes equipped with a 3X zoom lens, and offers some unique features. Unfortunately, lackluster performance and mixed image quality tarnish what could have been a sparkling digicam.”
Website: CNET - Minolta F300 Review
CNET have just reviewed the Minolta Dimage F300, a 5-megapixel digital compact camera that looks good and retails for around $599. “Minolta’s Dimage F300 fits neatly into the crowd of compact, high-style 5-megapixel digital cameras designed for advanced snapshooters. It looks and feels good, costs a bit less than much…
A-Digital-Eye have just reviewed the 30Gb version of the SmartDisk FlashTrax, a portable storage device that stores high-resolution images transferred from any flash memory card onto the built-in USB 2.0 hard drive and displays them on its 3.5” LCD screen.
“FlashTrax by SmartDisk is a portable storage device for backing up your digital camera pictures while on the road. I was able to test this unit out while on a vacation in Europe. FlashTrax safely stores images copied from any memory cards onto the built-in 30GB USB 2.0 hard drive and displays them on a 3.5” LCD that outperforms tiny on-camera screens. A built-in MP3 player makes this device even more attractive! FlashTrax allows you to store, view and play all sorts of media files, all in one palm-size portable device.”
Website: A-Digital-Eye - SmartDisk FlashTrax Review
Website: SmartDisk
A-Digital-Eye have just reviewed the 30Gb version of the SmartDisk FlashTrax, a portable storage device that stores high-resolution images transferred from any flash memory card onto the built-in USB 2.0 hard drive and displays them on its 3.5” LCD screen. “FlashTrax by SmartDisk is a portable storage device for backing…
Samsung Press Release 08/10/03
As more and more photographers today are turning to digital imaging and editing, ensuring accurate reproduction on the viewing medium is more vital than ever. Just imaging how awful and frustrating it to take a great picture and have it look unsatisfactory or inaccurate on a poor-quality computer monitor.
Samsung, the world’s leading manufacturer of monitors, alleviates that concern and offers photographers the ultimate resource for displaying crystal-clear, faithfully reproduced digital photographs with its award-winning line of SyncMaster digital flat-panel monitors.
Samsung’s new suite of high-end analog and digital LCD monitors makes displaying images truly worth a thousand words. The new family of digital LCDs include the affordable 15-inch SyncMaster 153T, the sleek and slim 17-inch SyncMaster 173T and the breathtaking 19-inch SyncMaster 192T.
The new monitors give users the option of using either a digital or analog interface for viewing images and text. The Digital Video Interface (DVI) ensures a shaper, cleaner image and a more accurate representation of the original video source.
The 173T and 192T utilize Samsung’s Patterned Vertical Alignment (PVA), the latest technology advancement in liquid crystal cell structure for improved viewing. PVA offers the user an increased brightness level, higher contrast ratio, wider viewing angle and faster response time than traditional LCD monitors.
Website: Samsung
Samsung Press Release 08/10/03 As more and more photographers today are turning to digital imaging and editing, ensuring accurate reproduction on the viewing medium is more vital than ever. Just imaging how awful and frustrating it to take a great picture and have it look unsatisfactory or inaccurate on a…
The Slovenian website e-FotoPortal have published the second part of their extensive review of the Canon EOS 300D. e-FotoPortal is currently putting the 300D through its paces in a number of testing environments; this time they have tested the camera indoors in a nightclub!
The Slovenian website e-FotoPortal have published the second part of their extensive review of the Canon EOS 300D. e-FotoPortal is currently putting the 300D through its paces in a number of testing environments; this time they have tested the camera indoors in a nightclub! Website: e-FotoPortal - Canon EOS 300D…
As well as announcing the new C-755 Ultra Zoom and C-745 Ultra Zoom digital cameras yesterday, Olympus Japan also announced new versions of the mju range of compact digital cameras. The 3 new models are the Camedia X-250, mju-15 Digital and mju-25 Digital, which I think is the Japanese version of the Olympus ?[mju:] 400 Digital that I have just reviewed. The major new feature in all of the new cameras is added support for the Pictbridge standard for direct printing.
Website: Olympus Japan - Pictbridge
As well as announcing the new C-755 Ultra Zoom and C-745 Ultra Zoom digital cameras yesterday, Olympus Japan also announced new versions of the mju range of compact digital cameras. The 3 new models are the Camedia X-250, mju-15 Digital and mju-25 Digital, which I think is the Japanese version…
Delkin Press Release 07/10/03
Poway CA, October?7, 2003 Delkin Devices Inc., maker of premium quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative products for camera stores worldwide, has introduced the fastest PCMCIA Adapter on the market. The eFilm PRO CardBus 32-bit PCMCIA adapter is four to six times faster than all current conventional 16-bit adapters and ushers in a new phase of adapter performance. PCMCIA adapters have long been popular for their convenient size and ease of use for quick file transfers form memory cards to laptop computers.? The eFilm PRO CardBus 32 is the only adapter that achieves maximum speeds from the popular high-speed professional grade CompactFlash (CF) memory cards that are currently popular with high-end SLR digital cameras. The CardBus 32 adapter allows CF memory cards to work in the PC Card slot on most Windows based laptops and uses the high speed CardBus PCMCIA standard.???
The new Delkin 32-bit CardBus adapter has the same size, shape and design as existing 16-bit adapters in common use now.? However, Delkin CardBus adapters and all CardBus products worldwide have a set of gold dimples or ?buttons? across the top of the leading edge, which inserts into the laptop.? These buttons serve a keying function and prevent the insertion of the adapter into non-CardBus compatible laptops.? CardBus slots are common on all modern laptops from manufacturers like Dell, Toshiba, Sony and many others.? The CardBus 32 adapter inserts completely within its host without any external cabling and operates at a power-saving 3.3 volts, extending battery life in most configurations.?
The CardBus standard, while not well known to the general computing population, has been in place since 1997, and supported by virtually all notebook vendors since 1998.? CardBus is standard on virtually all modern Windows and Mac OS systems.? CardBus provides higher levels of performance than the 16-bit PC Card standard, and is able to take advantage of internal bus speeds that can be four to six times faster.? Tests on Delkin eFilm PRO cards and other high-speed CF cards revealed similar speed increases of four to six times that of standard 16-bit CF adapters.? 100 Megabytes of JPEG photos on a Delkin PRO card were transferred to a Dell laptop with both a Delkin 16-bit adapter and the new CardBus 32 adapter. The CardBus adapter took 18 seconds (5.5MB/s) to transfer the images and the standard adapter took more than four times as long, taking one minute, 26 seconds (1.16MB/s) to transfer.
The Delkin CardBus 32 adapter has a theoretical maximum speed of 132MB/s.? Speed in real world applications is determined by the speed of the CPU and flash chips within the CF card.? High-speed cards like the Delkin eFilm PRO and the IBM Microdrive will operate much faster than other cards not designed to be high speed.? Delkin CardBus 32 adapters also utilize a patented chip, which reduces the burden on the host CPU to 10% or less, further increasing the value of this product.? The Delkin CardBus 32 adapter is currently shipping with a retail price of $59.99.? The Delkin CardBus adapter is available from independent photo stores worldwide and www.Delkin.com.
Patrick Maher, chief operating officer and executive director for PCMCIA, recently said in a PCMCIA press release, “CardBus technology provides significant improvements in peripheral device performance without sacrificing ease-of-use or mobility the industry has come to expect from PC Cards.” The Delkin CardBus 32 adapter is currently compatible with most Windows OS systems, and a driver CD is included with each adapter for Windows 98, 98SE, Me, 2000 and XP.? Delkin expects to have Apple drivers available by January 2004, as most Apple laptops also support CardBus.? For the latest information on CardBus and other PC Card products, visit the PCMCIA web site at http://www.pc-card.com. ??For the latest information on Delkin, CardBus 32 adapters and many other cards, accessories and digital photography in general, visit http://www.delkin.com.
Delkin Press Release 07/10/03 Poway CA, October?7, 2003 Delkin Devices Inc., maker of premium quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative products for camera stores worldwide, has introduced the fastest PCMCIA Adapter on the market. The eFilm PRO CardBus 32-bit PCMCIA adapter is four to six times faster than all…
Olympus Japan have today announced the new C-755 Ultra Zoom and C-745 Ultra Zoom digital cameras, which are updated versions of the C-750 and C-740 respectively. There are photographs of each camera and also the camera kits on the Olympus Japan website. I’ll let you know more details about each camera when the announcement is made in English!
Website: Olympus Japan
Olympus Japan have today announced the new C-755 Ultra Zoom and C-745 Ultra Zoom digital cameras, which are updated versions of the C-750 and C-740 respectively. There are photographs of each camera and also the camera kits on the Olympus Japan website. I’ll let you know more details about each…