Chinese Moon Festival #11	Chinese Moon Festival #8	Chinese Moon Festival #14
Chinese Moon Festival #2	Chinese Moon Festival #1	Chinese Moon Festival #3

“On the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, the moon is round and the Chinese people mark their Moon (or Mid-autumn) Festival. The round shape to a Chinese means family reunion. Therefore the Moon Festival is a holiday for members of a family to get together wherever it is possible. On that day sons and daughters will bring their family members back to their parents’ house for a reunion. Sometimes people who have already settled overseas will come back to visit their parents on that day.

As every Chinese holiday is accompanied by some sort of special food. On the Moon Festival, people eat moon cakes, a kind of cookie with fillings of sugar, fat, sesame, walnut, the yoke of preserved eggs, ham or other material. In Chinese fairy tales, there live on the moon the fairy Chang E, a wood cutter named Wu Gang and a jade rabbit which is Chang E’s pet. In the old days, people paid respect to the fairy Chang E and her pet the jade rabbit.

The custom of paying homage to the fairy and rabbit is gone, but the moon cakes are showing improvement every year. There are hundreds of varieties of moon cakes on sale a month before the arrival of the Moon Festival this year. Some moon cakes are of very high quality and very delicious.”




Website: ChinaVista

The biggest news of the day by far is the release of the “Adobe Creative Suite” software, which includes new versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and GoLive. Adobe have dispensed with the version numbering system for all of these software products - instead they are now called Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS and so on.

“The complete design environment for print and Web publishing

The Adobe? Creative Suite is an integrated design environment that combines full versions of Adobe’s latest creative tools with innovative file-management features, a smooth Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) workflow, and comprehensive design resources to let you create and publish content for print and the Web faster and easier than ever before ? all at an unbeatable value. “

The entire suite costs US$1,229.00 for the Premium edition and US$999.00 for the Standard edition. Upgrade prices are US$749.00 (Premium) and US$549.00 (Standard). The difference between the two is that the Premium ediiton includes Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, InDesign CS, Golive CS, Acrobat 6.0 Professional, and Version Cue, whereas the Standard edition does not include Golive CS or Acrobat 6.0 Professional.

All of the software programs are also available to buy individually. Photoshop CS is obviously of most interest to photographers, so I’ll concentrate on that and leave you to find out more about the other programs from Adobe’s website.

Photoshop CS increases user control, with a redesigned File Browser enhancing search, sorting and sharing capabilities and a new Histogram Palette monitoring changes in the image as they are made. Additional advances include: Match Color, which reads color statistics to quickly achieve a consistent look across a series of photographs; Shadow/Highlight which radically improves the contrast of over- or underexposed digital images; and enhanced ImageReady? CS integration.

“Photoshop is the gold standard in digital imaging and a catalyst in the continuing digital photography revolution. This release empowers our customers to deliver their highest quality work, faster and more efficiently,” said Bryan Lamkin, senior vice president of Digital Imaging and Video Products at Adobe. “For the millions of people worldwide who rely on Photoshop every day, our new CS edition will be a must-have upgrade to their digital imaging desktop.”

The Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in, which was released as a stand-alone product back in February 2003, has now been incorporated into Photoshop CS. The list of cameras that are currently supported has been expanded and now includes the Canon EOS-10D.

Adobe Photoshop CS will be available for an estimated street price of US$649. Registered users of any previous version of Adobe Photoshop can upgrade to Adobe Photoshop CS for an estimated street price of US$169.

Website: Adobe.com

Website: Adobe Photoshop CS

Website: Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw

The German digital photography website digitalkamera.de seems to have exclusive news this morning about a new digital camera from Olympus. The new C-5060 seems to be an updated version of the popular C-5050 camera. The C-5060 has a tilting, swivelling LCD screen, 5 megapixel CCD and 27.5-110mm optical lens. digitalkamera.de are even quoting a price - approximately 850 Euros. I’ll let you know more details when I find them…

Here’s a poorly-translated quote from the digitalkamera.de article:

“If the C-5050 zoom shot got only recently with the C-5000 zoom shot (in puncto form, equipment and price)“smaller” a model to the side posed, zoom shot a C-5xxx-Produktlinie develops at the latest now with the conception of the new C-5060. The C-5060 zoom shot extends this line upward; among other things with equipment characteristics such as wide angle zoom shot , trick and tiltable LCD color screen, optional battery handle and an adapter/converter system with bayonet connection.”

Website: digitalkamera.de - Olympus C-5060

UPDATE 15:22
As Mad@TT has kindly pointed out, DPReview are also now reporting the release of the C-5060, which will have a UK RRP of ?599.99.

Website: DPReview - Olympus C-5060

Rumours are circulating that the Canon Powershot G6 will be released before Christmas! The monthly Newsletter G Series User, “For Owners of the Canon Powershot G Series Digital Cameras”, has a few details on its website. It doesn’t seem like 5 minutes ago that Canon released the G5…(found via Digicamera.net).

“The G6 is on its way, although no one is exactly sure when. Unconfirmed reports for the G6:

- Mid November shipping
- 20% size reduction
- 5 x Optical Zoom (maybe higher?)
- 6.5 Megapixel sensor
- New case design”

Website: G Series User - Canon Powershot G6 Rumours

Digital Outback Photo have continued their Canon EOS 300D Experience Report with a brief roundup of 3 Canon telephoto lenses. They have taken a look at the EF 55-200mm f/4.4-5.6 II USM, EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 EF IS USM and EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM. I know which one I’d go for - the EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM is a great lens and a clear step above the cheaper Canon zooms. I like it so much that I bought one 2nd-hand a couple of months ago…

“Because many 300D buyers will get the kit with the EF-S 18-55mm lens they will look into the options for a longer range zoom. We looked into 3 popular options:

EF 55-200mm f/4.4-5.6 II USM
EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 EF IS USM
EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

These lenses all perform better than on full frame film or on the EOS 1Ds because the 300D only uses a smaller crop of the frame.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Canon EOS 300D Experience Report

DCResource have today posted updated photo galleries for the futuristic-looking 3.2 megapixel Minolta DiMAGE Z1 and the 6 megapixel Canon Digital Rebel (otherwise known as the EOS 300D).

Website: DCResource - Minolta DiMAGE Z1 Gallery

Website: DCResource - Canon Digital Rebel Gallery

photoworkshop.com has launched the Canon Digital Learning Centre, which is “specially designed to help you maximise the potential of Canon’s new EOS Digital Rebel” Each month a new set of Lessons will be posted which aim to give you a better understanding of the camera and photography in general (found via A-Digital-Eye.com).

Here’s a typical excerpt from Lesson 5, Picturing People:

“Having a choice of many different shooting modes (the Digital Rebel offers 12) gives you maximum flexibility and lots of creativity when it comes to taking people pictures. The modes let you control many camera functions ? including the auto focus mode, frame advance, exposure, metering pattern and flash ? to create the kind of picture you see in your mind?s eye.”

Website: photoworkshop.com - Canon Digital Rebel Lessons

Bo Atkins at Photo.net has published a new article about portable storage devices, focusing on reviewing the Tripper device:

“One of the first things you realize once you’ve bought your digital camera is that you need some way to store the images. The memory card in the camera is fine, but it can only store so much data. It can be enough for a day’s outing, but what about a 2 week vacation?

Today’s 6MP DSLRs create JPEG files which are typically 2-3MB in size, or if you shoot RAW images which give the the best possible quality, file sizes can range from 6-8MB depending if you embed a JPEG in with the RAW file. This means that you may only get 56 images on a 512MB memory card if you are shooting RAW images with high quality embedded JPEGs. Even just shooting straight high quality JPEGs, you’ll only get about 170 images on a 512MB card.”

Website: Photo.net - Portable Digital Storage Devices Review

DPReview have posted a new gallery of sample images from the Olympus E-1, taken at this weekend’s USA Formula One Grand Prix in Indianapolis.

“We have just posted a gallery of Olympus E-1 images from the second qualifying session of this weekend’s USA Formula One Grand Prix in Indianapolis. These were taken by our good friend and dpreview.com contributor Les Freed. The camera Les used is the latest pre-production Olympus E-1 which appears to be delivering noticeably improved image quality, especially image sharpness.”

Website: DP Review - Olympus E-1 Formula One samples

The German website Photoworld.de has today reviewed the 5 megapixel Canon Powershot G5, which features a rotating LCD monitor and 4x optical lens.

“The image quality of the new G5 is very good. The colors are shown very naturally owing to a appropriate working white alignment. The dissolution is with 5 million pixels sufficiently for large sized photo departures or also cutout enlargements, besides is the sharpness of the objective very good and contributes thereby for their part to the excellent detail rendition.”

Website: Photoworld.de - Canon G5 Review

Keith Cooper has emailed me today with some more information about the Epson 4000 printer that Michael Reichmann first mentioned on the Luminous Landscape website a few days ago. Keith has kindly let me re-publish the photo of the printer here, and his Northlight Images website has more details about the new printer. Apparently the Epson 4000 first appeared in the 17th September issue of the Dutch magazine Grafisch Weekblad (Graphic Weekly).

Website: Northlight Images - Epson Stylus PRO 4000 Printer

Website: Grafisch Weekblad

UPDATE 28/09/03

Adri de Groot has helpfully translated the full article from Grafisch Weekblad into English. Click the Read More link below.

Taking a break from equipment and reviews, here are a few photography-related websites that have found their way onto my Links list recently. Thanks to PhotographyBLOG reader Marky101 for suggesting some of them. In no particular order:

Website: The Blue Sea and Sails

Website: Mike’s Imagination

Website: Ami Barwell

The new Rayovac I-C3 battery charger will charge your Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries in an amazing 15 minutes or less and up to 1,000 times.

“With older rechargeable battery systems, controlled by the charger, “it’s like pouring soda,’’ said John Daggett, Rayovac’s director of marketing services. “You control the flow by the angle of the can, pouring at a slow and constant pace so foam doesn’t build up.’’ But with the I-C3, “you can pour in a charge as fast as you want because the battery won’t let you go too fast.”

The Rayovac I-C3 battery charger is now available in the US. A pair of the AA or AAA batteries costs about $10. The I-C3 chargers cost about $25 for the two-battery model; a four-battery version costs about $10 more.

Website: Rayovac

Website: New York Times

Imaging Resource have reviewed the DiMAGE X20, which Minolta claims “is the world?s smallest and lightest 2 megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom.”

“I’ve been a fan of Minolta’s “X” line of subcompact cameras since the original version was first introduced. The DiMAGE X20, while sacrificing a few features to keep the cost down, offers a capable, subcompact digicam at a street price of close to $200. Its compact size, solid feature set, and novice-friendly menu interface make the DiMAGE X20 a great “take anywhere” camera.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Minolta DiMAGE X20 Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the 4-megapixel Pentax Optio 450. This digital camera has a variety of features including a high resolution 1.5 inch LCD monitor, a movie mode that captures up to ten minutes of video with sound, a voice memo recording mode, a vice memo function, panorama assist, full manual control and a 5X optical zoom (20X combined).

“I found the Optio 450 to be a bit of a mixed bag. It has some strong points (nice case design, and high-quality 5x zoom lens, excellent macro capability), and does a lot of things very well (very good color, lower than average image noise, excellent exposure and creative options), but falls down in other areas (a tendency to underexpose and somewhat sluggish shutter response).”

Website: Imaging Resource - Pentax Optio 450 Review

Imaging Resource have posted an early review of the new pocket-sized Sony Cyber-shot DSC-U50, which is aimed squarely at the hip ‘n’ trendy student market. Priced at about $250, the U50 digital camera will be available in early October.

“The U50 offers a few basic exposure options, including a manually adjustable white balance setting, and a 2.0-megapixel Super HAD CCD for good quality images. Though exposure remains under automatic control, the U50’s selection of preset scene modes ought to handle most average shooting situations quite well, and the camera’s tiny size means you won’t miss those candid shots. Its swiveling lens is an added plus, facilitating self-portraits and images shot at what might otherwise be difficult angles.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-U50 Review

It looks like Epson are set to announce a new range of photo printers very soon. The Japanese website I Love Epson has details of the Epson PX-G900, Epson PX-G800, Epson PX-G700 and Epson PX-V600 printers, along with a slick Flash presentation for the PX-G900. There are also 2 new ink systems mentioned - PX G Ink and PX V Ink. My Japanese is a bit rusty, so for now I’ll leave you to look at the photo of the Epson PX-G900 printer. Obviously there’s no details about price or availability yet…

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

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

Website: Photo-i Forums

Here is a translation through Babelfish of the PX G Ink text:

“Glossy efficiency raised with the densification of the resin which wraps around the pigment ink. Furthermore, the highlight part and the like, adopting ?O???X?I?v?e?B?}?C?U which is placed in the place where the ink is little originally. With the print surface as uniform, diffused reflection of light is held down, the beautiful glossy impression is actualized. In addition, because ?O???X?I?v?e?B?}?C?U shows also the function which becomes fixed the pigment securely, it can print normally clearly even with the paper.

* Technology of new pigment PX-G ink

High glossy conversion of the pigment ink was actualized the new ink technology where the Epson PX ink technology evolved, with the densification of the resin which the pigment coating has been done and the adoption of ?O???X?I?v?e?B?}?C?U.”

It sounds like Epson may have solved the “pigment ink with glossy paper” issue that has been a problem with the Epson Stylus Photo 2200/2100 printer.

“Pentax Press Release 25/09/03”

GOLDEN, Colorado (September 25, 2003)?PENTAX digital technology brings new meaning to the term ?all around? in the new Optio33LF digital camera.  With an innovative LCD monitor that swivels 180 degrees horizontally and up to 270 degrees vertically, the Optio33LF features 3.2 effective megapixels and a 3X zoom lens.  This latest PENTAX digital camera gives you the freedom to frame subjects exactly as you prefer, especially from high and low angles.  In addition to the versatile monitor, the Optio33LF features an optical viewfinder.

The Optio33LF hosts a full range of features found on PENTAX digital cameras including a movie mode that records video, a variety of picture and shooting modes, 12 MB of internal memory, built-in auto flash, and a world time function that displays time in 62 cities worldwide.

Included with the Optio33LF is an ACDSee? software package that is designed exclusively for PENTAX digital cameras.  Valued at $150, the package includes ACDSee? 5.0, FotoSlate?, FotoCanvas? and Photostitcher.  ACDSee? digital camera software makes it easy to retrieve, view, manage, print, enhance and share your digital photos. 

The Optio33LF completes the newest line-up of PENTAX digital for the 2003 holiday buying season, which includes three more innovative digital cameras and the first PENTAX digital SLR.  Complete information on all the cameras is available at www.pentaxdigital.com.

The UK website Photo-i are reporting today that Epson are set to release the PhotoPC P-1000 Photo Viewer in the UK on the 1st November. The Photo Viewer allows you to transfer files from your memory cards onto its buil-in 10Gb hard-drive. It has an integrated CF/Micro Drive card slot and Memory Stick, Smart Media, MMC and SD memory cards are supported via an optional adapter.

Rather worringly, though, the Espon press releases says “The PhotoPC P-1000 supports the Jpeg file format, a standard amongst digital camera users. Hmmmm…there’s no mention of Tiff or RAW files. Also the price of the Photo Viewer, at ?499, seems a little high to me, especially as the hard drive is only 10Gb in size.

Website: Photo-i - PhotoPC P-1000 Photo Viewer

The Slovenian digital photography website e-Fotografija have just published their review of the Minolta DiMAGE A1, which seems to have got a positive response from the photography world so far and is looking like a serious contender to the Sony DSC F-828.

Website: e-Fotografija - Minolta DiMAGE A1