News
DPReview have reviewed one of Nikon’s newest entry level offerings, the 3 megapixel CoolPix 3100.
“The Coolpix 3100 is clearly aimed at the first time buyer who wants a carry everywhere camera but is on a limited budget. And for that the Coolpix 3100 certainly fits, its small compact design is both easy to carry and comfortable (something not easy to pull off). Control layout, menus and usage are very straightforward, the scene modes make it easy to ensure the camera is setup for particular situations and the framing assist feature is an interesting and unique addition.”
Website: DPReview - Nikon Coolpix 3100 Review
DPReview have reviewed one of Nikon’s newest entry level offerings, the 3 megapixel CoolPix 3100. “The Coolpix 3100 is clearly aimed at the first time buyer who wants a carry everywhere camera but is on a limited budget. And for that the Coolpix 3100 certainly fits, its small compact design…
Yesterday saw the 2nd birthday of the popular digital photography site, Digital Photography Now. DP-Now’s editor, Ian Burley, marked the occasion by hinting at new features that will be added to the website by the end of this year.
“There is much in the pipeline, including a revised forum, database-driven buyers guides, a new and better page design with much better navigation, and much more.
From a part time experiment in online publishing in August 2001, by the end of 2003 we are aiming to be a serious player in the online digital photography publishing stakes. By then we hope to have completed all the site developments we have been working on so hard during the last 9 months - most of them unseen, to date.”
Yesterday saw the 2nd birthday of the popular digital photography site, Digital Photography Now. DP-Now’s editor, Ian Burley, marked the occasion by hinting at new features that will be added to the website by the end of this year. “There is much in the pipeline, including a revised forum, database-driven…
DCResource have reviewed the 4 megapixel Samsung Digimax V4, which has the unique ability to use 9 different types of battery sources.
“The Digimax V4 is a compact plastic camera that looks much like Sony’s Compact P-series cameras (e.g. DSC-P8). So much so, that I had to check to see if it had a Memory Stick slot (it doesn’t). The build quality is decent, but it’s not as sturdy as the all-metal cameras that are so popular these days.”
DCResource have reviewed the 4 megapixel Samsung Digimax V4, which has the unique ability to use 9 different types of battery sources. “The Digimax V4 is a compact plastic camera that looks much like Sony’s Compact P-series cameras (e.g. DSC-P8). So much so, that I had to check to see…
Clint Thayer is a photographer who is lucky enough to own both the Canon EOS 10D and Nikon D100. He has published a comparitive review of both cameras (found via digicamera.net).
“Which one is better? Which one takes the best picture? I receive countless emails asking me this question. I own both cameras, so these questions are certainly not unreasonable to be sure. I?m going to attempt to clarify this for you, and give you some reasons for your considerations. There are many photographers who own or have used both cameras. These are my experiences.”
Clint Thayer is a photographer who is lucky enough to own both the Canon EOS 10D and Nikon D100. He has published a comparitive review of both cameras (found via digicamera.net). “Which one is better? Which one takes the best picture? I receive countless emails asking me this question. I…
Computer Darkroom has reviewed iCorrect EditLab 4 from Pictographics, which is available as a plug-in for Photoshop or as a stand-alone program. iCorrect Products give you a new method of color correction based on direct interaction with the image. By simply clicking on certain reference colors within your picture, iCorrect products perform a global color correction.
“When I first reviewed iCorrect EditLab 2.0 I was impressed by the ease of use and quality of results but not so with the overall appearance of the application interface. Nevertheless, I did think the 4-step approach to colour correction was useful and worthy of further development. Version 3 improved things further and now that we have reached version 4 most of my dislikes have been eliminated.”
Computer Darkroom has reviewed iCorrect EditLab 4 from Pictographics, which is available as a plug-in for Photoshop or as a stand-alone program. iCorrect Products give you a new method of color correction based on direct interaction with the image. By simply clicking on certain reference colors within your picture, iCorrect…
Fuji have released a new version of software for the Fuji FinePix S2 Pro DSLR. It includes camera shooting software compatible with the Macintosh OS X operating system, a new EXIF Extractor and updated versions of the RAW File converter LE, RAW File Converter EX Version 2.0 and Camera Shooting Software Version 2.0.
At the same time, Fujifilm USA have also announced a price reduction for the FinePix S2 Pro, which is now available at a suggested price of $2295.
Website: BytePhoto - FinePix S2 Pro Software Update
Website: FinePix S2 Pro Software Download
Fuji have released a new version of software for the Fuji FinePix S2 Pro DSLR. It includes camera shooting software compatible with the Macintosh OS X operating system, a new EXIF Extractor and updated versions of the RAW File converter LE, RAW File Converter EX Version 2.0 and Camera Shooting…
Part 4 of my Online Print Services Review has just been posted. I’ve taken a look today at Fotango, assessing delivery time, packaging, price and print quality, then awarding an overall rating.
Online Print Services Review - Part 4 - Fotango
As a reminder, in this new 7 part Review, I’m taking a look at some online print services that operate in the United Kingdom and letting you know what I think about the service and print quality that I’ve received from each one. I’ll be posting further updates to this Review throughout this week, so stay tuned.
Part 4 of my Online Print Services Review has just been posted. I’ve taken a look today at Fotango, assessing delivery time, packaging, price and print quality, then awarding an overall rating. Online Print Services Review - Part 4 - Fotango As a reminder, in this new 7 part Review…
ePhotoZine have reviewed the 5 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-P92 compact digital camera, which has an RRP of $599, but can be found for as low as $399.
“Cameras like this DSC-P92 are now quite common and affordable, yet offer a good level of image quality that would have been unthinkable several years ago. Sony have pushed their technology further with each generation of products released and the DSC-P92 features not only several Noise Reduction features such as Clear Colour NR and Clear Luminance NR, but also a high quality video mode and of course the high resolution five megapixel CCD.”
Website: ePhotoZine - Sony DSC-P92 Review
ePhotoZine have reviewed the 5 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-P92 compact digital camera, which has an RRP of $599, but can be found for as low as $399. “Cameras like this DSC-P92 are now quite common and affordable, yet offer a good level of image quality that would have been unthinkable…
Rob Galbraith has taken an in-depth look at the Nikon D2H; this is the most thorough preview so far on the Web.
“As the first digital SLR to incorporate key camera technology not derived from a film camera, the D2H signals that digital SLR photography has evolved beyond being a derivative of its analog cousins. Case in point: If you want Nikon’s best-appointed AF system, it’s in the D2H. If you want Nikon’s most full-featured wireless TTL flash system, the D2H is the camera that has it.
This represents a sea change in SLR development that has us looking at the D2H as a top-flight pro camera that just happens to be digital. To quote Austin Powers: “It’s a very groovy time.”
Website: Rob Galbraith - Nikon D2H Preview
Rob Galbraith has taken an in-depth look at the Nikon D2H; this is the most thorough preview so far on the Web. “As the first digital SLR to incorporate key camera technology not derived from a film camera, the D2H signals that digital SLR photography has evolved beyond being a…
Part 3 of my Online Print Services Review has just been posted. I’ve taken a look at Peak Imaging, assessing delivery time, packaging, price and print quality, then awarding an overall rating.
Online Print Services Review - Part 3 - Peak Imaging
As a reminder, in this new 7 part Review, I’m taking a look at some online print services that operate in the United Kingdom and letting you know what I think about the service and print quality that I’ve received from each one. I’ll be posting further updates to this Review throughout this week, so stay tuned.
Part 3 of my Online Print Services Review has just been posted. I’ve taken a look at Peak Imaging, assessing delivery time, packaging, price and print quality, then awarding an overall rating. Online Print Services Review - Part 3 - Peak Imaging As a reminder, in this new 7 part…
HP announced no less than 7 photo printers yesterday as part of their launch of more than 100 new consumer products. The product launch, dubbed “Big Bang 2”, is part of HP’s “strategy to radically simplify technology to help people “enjoy more”...HP unveiled more than 100 consumer products designed to easily bring digital photos, music and video to life in new and enriching ways.
Website: HP Press Release
HP Photosmart 7960
“Get HP?s best photo quality with its top-of-the-line HP Photosmart 7960 photo printer, featuring professional-quality photo printing in 8-ink color for stunning color and black & white prints. Easily view and edit photos before printing using the color 2.5-inch image LCD screen and print photos conveniently, using the printer?s digital camera memory card slots and the HP Photo Proof Sheet feature ? all without a computer.”
The HP Photosmart 7960 has an estimated U.S. street price of $299.
Here are HP’s recommended prices for 7960 replacement cartridges, to give you an idea of how much the printer will cost to run.
? HP 56 black inkjet print cartridge (hp part no. c6656a): 19 ml ink volume, U.S.
estimated retail price: $19.993
? HP 57 tri-color inkjet print cartridge (hp part no. c6657a): 17 ml ink volume, U.S.
estimated retail price: $24.993
? HP 58 photo inkjet print cartridge (hp part no. c6658a): 17 ml ink volume, U.S.
estimated retail price: $34.993
? HP 59 gray photo inkjet print cartridge (hp part no. c9359a): 17 ml ink volume, U.S.
estimated retail price: $24.993
It seems that photo-i.co.uk have already been testing the 7940. According to Vincent Oliver “This printer uses 8 inks to deliver some of the best prints I have seen from an inkjet printer and b/w prints which are totally free from metamerism and colour cast.”
HP Photosmart 7760
“Experience fade resistant, true-to-life photo quality with the high-performance HP Photosmart 7760 photo printer, featuring six-ink color printing or up to 4800-optimized dots-per-inch (dpi)1. Offering an integrated 1.8-inch color LCD screen and built-in digital camera memory card slots, users can easily preview, select, download and print photos ? no computer required. The HP Photosmart 7760 is also a great versatile printer, offering crisp black text, with the optional black inkjet print cartridge.”
The HP Photosmart 7760 has an estimated U.S. street price of $199.
HP Photosmart 7660
“Experience impressive color accuracy and precise image detail with the HP Photosmart 7660 photo printer, which features up to six-ink color printing or up to 4800-optimized dots-per-inch (dpi)1. Users can easily download and print photos from a digital camera via the printer?s memory card slots or front USB port ? no computer required. Additionally, users can produce borderless prints, up to 8.5 x 11-inches, on HP?s new Premium Plus Photo papers.”
The HP Photosmart 7660 has an estimated U.S. street price of $149.
HP Photosmart 7260
“The HP Photosmart 7260 photo printer, HP?s lowest priced photo printer, delivers longlasting true-to-life color with up to six-ink color printing or up to 4800-optimized dotsper- inch (dpi)1, and produces crisp, black text using the optional black inkjet print cartridge. Users can print picture-perfect borderless 4x6-inch photos on HP Premium Plus Photo paper with a dedicated 4x6-inch photo paper cassette. Direct printing is made possible with built-in digital camera memory card slots or the front USB port.”
The HP Photosmart 7260 has an estimated U.S. street price of $99.
HP Photosmart 245
“The HP Photosmart 245 photo printer lets users preview and edit photos prior to printing with a 1.8-inch color LCD screen. The compact HP Photosmart 245 photo printer features up to 4800-optimized dots-per-inch (dpi)1 and produces borderless, 4 x 6-inch prints using HP Premium Plus Photo papers. Users can print directly from the digital camera via the printer?s memory card slots, which support Compact Flash, Memory Stick, MultiMedia, Secure Digital, SmartMedia and xD-Picture Card ? no computer”
The HP Photosmart 245 has an estimated U.S. street price of $199.
HP Photosmart 145
“The compact HP Photosmart 145 photo printer provides a fast and easy way to print photos at home or on the go. Print photos without a computer using the digital camera memory card slots and multi-line text LCD. With up to 4800-optimized dots-per-inch (dpi)1, the photo printer produces true-to-life borderless 4 x 6-inch prints.”
The HP Photosmart 245 has an estimated U.S. street price of $149.
HP Deskjet 9650
“The HP Deskjet 9650 is designed for photo enthusiasts and small business and home offices that require high performance, wide-format color and photo printing. The compact HP Deskjet 9650 printer offers high-quality, professional results with maximum versatility.
? produce impressive photo quality with six-ink color printing using the included photo inkjet print cartridge
? borderless, edge-to-edge printing options on media from 4 x 6-inches to 11 x 17-inches
? print at speeds up to 20 ppm in black and 15 ppm color, and wide-format printing up to 13 x 19 “
The HP Deskjet 9650 has an estimated U.S. street price of $399.
HP announced no less than 7 photo printers yesterday as part of their launch of more than 100 new consumer products. The product launch, dubbed “Big Bang 2”, is part of HP’s “strategy to radically simplify technology to help people “enjoy more”...HP unveiled more than 100 consumer products designed to…
HP announced so many new products yesterday, over 100 in total, that I don’t quite know where to start! The product launch, dubbed “Big Bang 2”, is part of HP’s “strategy to radically simplify technology to help people “enjoy more”...HP unveiled more than 100 consumer products designed to easily bring digital photos, music and video to life in new and enriching ways.
Website: HP Press Release
Of particular interest to photographers were the new digital cameras and printers; I’ll start my roundup by looking at the cameras.
The HP Photosmart 945 digital camera features HP’s exclusive Adaptive Lighting Technology that permits the camera to reproduce on paper what you see with your eyes, balancing the contrast between darkness and light. The camera captures detailed photos and achieves outstanding enlargements with 5.3-megapixel total resolution and 56x total zoom (8x optical zoom). The HP Photosmart 945 digital camera is expected to begin shipping in September 2003 with an estimated U.S. retail price of $549.
Bob Atkins of Photo.net has already published his first impressions of the HP Photosmart 945.
“For the average consumer this camera provides a lot of features and a good price/performance ratio. The zoom range is greater than most other digicams on the market and the price is lower than any of its 5MP competitors with similar lenses. 5MP represents current “state of the art” in digital cameras of this type and is probably close to the limit of just how many pixels you can usefully cram into a 1/1.8” sensor.”
Website: DPReview - HP Photosmart 945
The HP Photosmart 635 is an entry-level 2 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom. The HP Photosmart 635 digital camera is now available with an estimated U.S. retail price of $179.
“Capture sharp, clear digital photos and videos with the compact, 2.1-megapixel resolution, 12x total zoom HP Photosmart 635 digital camera with HP Instant Share? technology. The HP Photosmart 635 digital camera captures sound and motion, features a 1.6 inch LCD screen, automatic and manual controls and can easily connect to a computer or TV with the optional HP Photosmart 8886 camera dock.”
The HP Photosmart 435 is an entry-level 3 megapixel digital camera with a fixed lens. The HP Photosmart 435 digital camera is expected to begin shipping in September 2003 with an estimated U.S. retail price of $149.
“Experience great performance and ease of use with the compact, 3.1-megapixel resolution, 5x digital zoom HP Photosmart 435 digital camera with HP Instant Share? technology. The HP Photosmart 435 digital camera captures sound and motion, features automatic and manual controls and easily connects to a computer or TV with the optional HP Photosmart 8886 camera dock.”
Website: DPReview - HP Photosmart 635 / 435
HP announced so many new products yesterday, over 100 in total, that I don’t quite know where to start! The product launch, dubbed “Big Bang 2”, is part of HP’s “strategy to radically simplify technology to help people “enjoy more”...HP unveiled more than 100 consumer products designed to easily bring…
Richard Harris of Photo.net has published an excellent article comparing the Canon 100mm Macro USM lens and the Tamron 90mm Macro lens, in conjunction with the Canon EOS 10D DSLR. There are lots of sample photographs so that you can judge for yourself which is the best lens - the result might just surprise you…
“Due to the fact that in many (but not all) markets the Tamron 90mm Macro is substantially cheaper than the Canon 100mm Macro USM the question as to how the two lenses compare seems to crop up extremely often on the photo.net boards. What?s more, as an owner of the third party offering I have often wondered how it compares to the Canon lens. Like many others before me I have occasionally toyed with the idea of upgrading one day, however instead I decided to rent the Canon lens and do a side by side comparison.”
Website: Photo.net - Macro Lens Review
Richard Harris of Photo.net has published an excellent article comparing the Canon 100mm Macro USM lens and the Tamron 90mm Macro lens, in conjunction with the Canon EOS 10D DSLR. There are lots of sample photographs so that you can judge for yourself which is the best lens - the…
DPReview have the scoop on 2 more new digital cameras officially announced by Panasonic yesterday. The DMC-LC43 and Lumix DMC-LC33 both share the same Leica 3x optical zoom lens and tiny 1/2.5” CCD sensor, which according to Phil Askey is “the smallest four megapixel CCD so far used in a digital camera”. Steve’s Digicams reviewed the Lumix DMC-LC33 back in July.
DPReview have the scoop on 2 more new digital cameras officially announced by Panasonic yesterday. The DMC-LC43 and Lumix DMC-LC33 both share the same Leica 3x optical zoom lens and tiny 1/2.5” CCD sensor, which according to Phil Askey is “the smallest four megapixel CCD so far used in a…
Panasonic have announced an update to the Lumix DMC-FZ1. The imaginatively titled Lumix DMC-FZ2 doesn’t add too much to the overall specification. It still has a 2 megapixel sensor and 12x optical zoom, but improves on its predecessor by including aperture and shutter prioirity, white balance fine tuning and color saturation control.
Website: Panasonic Japan - Lumix DMC-FZ2
Website: Panasonic Japan - Lumix DMC-FZ2 Press Release
Website: DPReview - Lumix DMC-FZ2
Panasonic have announced an update to the Lumix DMC-FZ1. The imaginatively titled Lumix DMC-FZ2 doesn’t add too much to the overall specification. It still has a 2 megapixel sensor and 12x optical zoom, but improves on its predecessor by including aperture and shutter prioirity, white balance fine tuning and color…
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Pentax Japan have posted 3 sample images taken with their new DSLR, the Pentax *ist D. There’s 1 image each taken with the 200mm, 100mm macro and 18-35mm lenses.
Website: Pentax Japan
Pentax Japan have posted 3 sample images taken with their new DSLR, the Pentax *ist D. There’s 1 image each taken with the 200mm, 100mm macro and 18-35mm lenses. Website: Pentax Japan
DPReview have now got a production version of the Olympus E-1 in for review. Yesterday they updated their E-1 Preview, posted 18 sample images and compared the E-1’s noise levels against other competitors’ DSLRs.
“Up to ISO 800 noise levels from the E-1, EOS-10D and D100 are relatively similar. Of these three the EOS-10D has the cleanest images at ISO 100 and 200 followed by the D100 and then the E-1. At ISO 1600 the E-1’s noise levels leap notably (and visibly) higher than the EOS-10D and D100 which both maintain similar levels. Throughout the ISO range Fujifilm’s impressive S2 Pro plots a shallow noise curve none of the other cameras can match.”
Website: DP Review - Olympus E-1 Sample Photos
Website: DP Review - Olympus E-1 Preview (updated)
Website: DP Review - Olympus E-1 vs Canon 10D vs Nikon D100 vs Fujifilm S2 Pro Noise Comparison
DPReview have now got a production version of the Olympus E-1 in for review. Yesterday they updated their E-1 Preview, posted 18 sample images and compared the E-1’s noise levels against other competitors’ DSLRs. “Up to ISO 800 noise levels from the E-1, EOS-10D and D100 are relatively similar. Of…
Part 2 of my Online Print Services Review has just been posted. I’ve taken a look at PhotoBox, assessing delivery time, packaging, price and print quality, then awarding an overall rating.
Online Print Services Review - Part 2 - PhotoBox
As a reminder, in this new 7 part Review, I’m taking a look at some online print services that operate in the United Kingdom and letting you know what I think about the service and print quality that I’ve received from each one. I’ll be posting further updates to this Review throughout this week, so stay tuned.
Part 2 of my Online Print Services Review has just been posted. I’ve taken a look at PhotoBox, assessing delivery time, packaging, price and print quality, then awarding an overall rating. Online Print Services Review - Part 2 - PhotoBox As a reminder, in this new 7 part Review, I’m…
Hewlett Packard are apparently releasing details of new digital cameras and photo printers today, according to stories from Yahoo Finance, the Miami Herald and other online news agencies. Here’s a quote from Yahoo:
“Hewlett-Packard Co. is introducing more than 100 new consumer gadgets on Monday, from digital cameras to photo-quality desktop printers, in anticipation of what could be a grinch-like holiday shopping season.
CEO Carly Fiorina and other senior executives were to unveil the devices at a New York gala that HP called its largest product rollout ever. The focus is on photography, entertainment and home computing, including some all-new products and upgrades of HP’s popular printers and other favorites.”
HP’s website isn’t reporting anything new so far - I’ll let you all know if and when they announce something…
Website: Yahoo Finance
Website: Miami Herald
Website: Hewlett Packard
Hewlett Packard are apparently releasing details of new digital cameras and photo printers today, according to stories from Yahoo Finance, the Miami Herald and other online news agencies. Here’s a quote from Yahoo: “Hewlett-Packard Co. is introducing more than 100 new consumer gadgets on Monday, from digital cameras to photo-quality…
Luminous Landscape have published an interesting article by Mark Pelletier called “A Journey to Photograph the Nomads of Northern Sudan”, which features some good photography and useful tips for travel photographers.
“Finally at the well and the smell of camel dung is overpowering, yet the light is good, the heat is bearable, and the D60 batteries are fully charged. My goal in situations like this is to shoot so much that the novelty of a strange guy taking pictures of them will wear off. Hopefully then they will become less self-conscious, continue working, and begin treating me only as an annoying pest or at best invisible.”
Website: Luminous Landscape - A Journey to Photograph the Nomads of Northern Sudan
Luminous Landscape have published an interesting article by Mark Pelletier called “A Journey to Photograph the Nomads of Northern Sudan”, which features some good photography and useful tips for travel photographers. “Finally at the well and the smell of camel dung is overpowering, yet the light is good, the heat…