Olympus Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter EC-20
Posted on October 31, 2007 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment
Olympus Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter EC-20 : Olympus released, next to its new E-3 DSLR camera, three new Zuiko Digital lenses and a tele converter. Among them is the Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter EC-20. The Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter EC-20 is an ultra-compact, high-performance lens capable of doubling the focal length of the master lens. It can be mounted on any Zuiko Digital lens, from fiseye and macro to tele lenses, to dramatically extend the lens performance and putting more subjects within the photographer’s range without affecting mobility or ease of use. The Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter EC-20 will be available in December 2007, at an estimated retail price of $479.99. Olympus 2x Teleconverter Complementing the yet available Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14, the EC-20 adds new versatility to the Zuiko Digital Teleconverter line-up, providing a convenient, cost-effective solution to the demands of telescopic shooting, as well as wide-angle macro and ultra-high-magnification shooting. Olympus Zuiko Teleconverter EC-20 Zuiko Digital EC-20 2x Teleconverter doubles the focal lengths of any lens attached from the wide selection of FourThirds and Olympus E-System lenses, for twice the telephoto power. The Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter EC-20 will be available in December 2007, at an estimated retail price of $479.99. Zuiko Teleconverter EC-20 - Specifications • Thin, compact and high image quality digital-specific converter • Doubles the focal length of the master lens • Attachable with all Zuiko Digital lenses • Splashproof About Olympus Imaging America Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets. Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances peoples’ lives every day.
Casio Dream Digs video competition
Posted on October 31, 2007 - Filed Under Digital, Reviews, Photo | Leave a Comment
Casio has launched a competition in conjunction with Best Buy giving budding film directors a chance to show off their dream ‘digs’, ‘crib’ or even just plain old ‘place of residence’, so long as it’s devoted to sport, gaming, movies or hardcore geekiness. Shoot a short film - 2 minutes or less, upload it to Casio’s YouTube channel and you could be in with the chance to win a $3000 Best Buy gift card and Exilim EX-V8 with case and a 4GB SD card. In addition there are 1st and 2nd prize packages up for grabs. Click through for further details. Press release: CASIO GIVES VIDEO ENTHUSIASTS A SHOT AT A $3,000 BEST BUY GIFT CARD PLUS OTHER GREAT PRIZES! Company Announces Launch of Casio Dream Digs Contest on YouTubeTM DOVER, NJ, OCTOBER 25, 2007 – Casio America, Inc., has announced a consumer contest to promote their new line of EXILIM digital cameras featuring YouTubeTM Capture Mode. Casio is inviting video enthusiasts to create videos that show off their ultimate dream sanctuary and upload them onto Casio’s YouTubeTM Channel at www.youtube.com/casiousa for a chance to win a $3,000 Gift Card from Best Buy. YouTubeTM is the leading online video community that allows people to discover, watch and share originally created videos.” Contestants have the opportunity to show the world what they envision as the ultimate dream digs. The best part of the contest: there are 4 ways to win! Entrants are given the opportunity to upload a video (2 minutes or less) into one of these categories: the ultimate sporting digs; extreme gaming digs, the supreme film experience digs or digs that bring out the inner-tech geek in everyone. This contest may require a bit of creativity but your dream digs can become a reality thanks to Casio and their exclusive retail partner, Best Buy! Casio is offering a $3,000 Best Buy Gift Card, a Casio EX-V8 digital camera, a carry case and 4GB SD card to the grand prize winner of each category. The two 1st prize winners of each category will receive a $500 Best Buy Gift Card and a Casio EX-S880 digital camera plus case and 2GB SD card, while five 2nd place winners per category receive a Casio EX-Z77 digital camera with case and a 1GB SD card. “This is a new and exciting way for Casio to engage consumers and tap into the young, techno-savvy, YouTube generation,” said John Homlish, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Casio America, Inc. “This contest is a great platform for us to educate consumers as to the benefit of our new YouTubeTM Capture Mode and have fun at the same time.” The Casio Dream Digs contest begins on October 25th and will run through December 31st. Purchasing an EXILIM digital camera is not a requirement for participation. For more information and to view and post entries for Casio Dream Digs please visit http://www.youtube.com/casiousa. The contest is open only to legal residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are at least thirteen (13) years old who upload a clip onto the Casio YouTube page, excluding employees of Casio America, Inc, Zugara, Inc., Best Buy Stores, L.P., ePrize, LLC and any of their respective parent, affiliate and subsidiaries companies and advertising and promotion agencies, as well as the immediate family and household members of each such employee whether or not related, are not eligible. Only one entry per person.
Sony Cyber-shot T2 with 4GB of internal memory
Posted on October 29, 2007 - Filed Under Digital, Photo | Leave a Comment
Five colour options – black, blue, green, pink, white – plus cutting-edge styling makes the T2 stand out from the crowd. It also features exciting new ‘Sharemark’ technology which is perfect for those who enjoy sharing their pictures online. The social networking phenomenon has swept through Europe and now with the T2 it couldn’t be simpler to upload your favourite pictures directly to blogs and image-sharing web sites.With its generous on-board memory and easy-to-use album functions, the T2 is the perfect choice for storing and enjoying your digital image collection at any time.High quality shootingThe high-quality Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens, 8.1 effective megapixel resolution and high-speed BIONZ image processing engine ensures beautiful pictures. Sony Double Anti-Blur technology delivers crisper results in low light, while Face Detection means better-looking portraits of friends and family. Smile Shutter fires the shutter only when the subject is smiling for more pictures of ‘happy faces’.Sony Cyber-shot T2Fantastic viewingImages can be viewed with crystal clarity on the large, clear 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD. And for an even bigger picture, it’s easy to connect the T2 to any BRAVIA television or HD Ready display for breathtaking HD Slideshows with musical accompaniment. [NB: requires optional HD connection cable]. PhotoTV HD mode delivers breathtaking still images with the latest generation of Sony BRAVIA televisions.An exciting new way to enjoy your images, Scrapbook creates an attractive montage of pictures on the touchscreen LCD, accompanied by a choice of themed backgrounds.Sony Cyber-shot T2Huge on-board storageA generous 4GB of internal flash memory gives enough space to store around 1,250 top-quality images. At VGA resolution there’s capacity for over 40,000 images – a lifetime of memories. Shots are automatically indexed and arranged in albums, making it quick and simple to track down the right picture in the largest digital photo collections.Easy picture sharing and fuss-free image uploadsStored images can be tagged and automatically resized using new ‘Sharemark’ technology while you’re away from a PC. When you’re online, images can be uploaded to photo blogs and image share sites like Flickr via the camera’s pre-installed Picture Motion Browser Portable software.The Cyber-shot T2 will be available throughout Europe from the beginning of November 2007. - 8.1 effective megapixels with BIONZ image processor - Large 4GB internal memory with Album function - 2.7-inch Clear Photo touchscreen LCD - Sharemark technology and Picture Motion Browser Portable software for easy blogging and web uploads - Full HD output and PhotoTV HD display mode - On-screen ‘scrapbook’ photo arrangements - Double Anti-Blur with Super SteadyShot optical image stabilisation and high sensitivity (ISO 3200) - All-metal body with high-fashion colour finishes
Canon A570 IS Review DPReview
Posted on October 29, 2007 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
DP Review has reviewed the Canon A570 IS where they give it a rating of ‘highly recommended’ and write - ‘So in conclusion, with the Canon A570 IS you get a nicely designed, responsive camera with more than enough features to keep most users - especially those wanting a little more manual control than is normal at this price point - happy. If you don’t mind it not being the fastest ’social’ snapshot camera in the world (the flash recycling puts paid to that), this is a perfect camera for anyone wanting real photographic control without paying through the nose. Its well balanced combination of image quality, functionality and handling (and not to forget value for money) means the A570 IS just about deserves our highest award.’
Video Training Review - PhotoshopSecrets CS3 For Digital Photographers With Colin Smith From PhotoshopCAFE
Posted on October 29, 2007 - Filed Under Culture, Photo | Leave a Comment
PhotoshopSecrets CS3 For Digital Photographers is contained on a single DVD that runs over 6 hours and is available either as a DVD, or as an instant download. It is aimed at new and relativity inexperienced Photoshop users, but even more advanced users will walk away with many new techniques. The author goes over the basics in 43 lessons that will take you on an in depth tour of Photoshop CS3. I have provided a complete listing of the lessons included in this training at the conclusion of this review. For my review I will summarize the areas of instruction as they are presented in the training.Lessons 1-7 cover working with Adobe Bridge. In these lessons you will learn how to import all of your photos directly from your digital camera, and process them for use in Adobe Bridge. You will learn how to get around in Bridge, how to use its sorting features, how to add keywords to aid in searching and tagging. You will learn how to rename your photos all at once. You will understand what metadata is, and how to make it serve you, as well as other shortcuts to make your use of Bridge more efficient. Lessons 8 – 11 introduce Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) and what you can do with it before you ever get into Photoshop. In these lessons you will begin by learning how the pros use the new ACR within their workflow. You will learn to edit multiple images with one stroke, as well as how to edit JPG and TIFF images. You can use ACR to retouch your images non-destructively, as well as applying techniques such as split-toning, sepia and grayscale to add creativity to your portfolio.Lessons 12- 27 show you how to correct your photos with a wide variety of techniques. You start with opening up shadows and restoring highlights and then, using the eyedropper, you can begin to add luster back into dull images. You will then begin to work with curves and understand what they are for and how best to use them.Next is color correction for making the color look right. You will again use curves to correct color casts and make your images look right. For the hard to fix images, you will learn about Lab Mode and the power it contains.Cropping will allow you to cut out unnecessary space from your photo and compose a better looking image. Sharpening techniques are explained along with giving you two techniques that help you get the best results. Then there is high pass sharpening that is non-destructive and is frequently used by the entertainment industry.Finally, we have Healing and Red-eye removal to eliminate blemishes, pimples, and of course, red-eye. Noise removal eliminates that ugly graininess that can make your image look bad. You will learn about straightening techniques to realign crooked images, patch techniques to remove reflections from glass, and a weight loss program that doesn't make you give up food.Lessons 28-37 focus on tools and techniques in Photoshop that will have you looking like a pro. First, you will begin by learning how to use the new Smart Objects and non-destructive Smart Filters. Then you will build a panorama from stitching 9 photos together. You will use Vanishing point to add logos to 3d surfaces. Cloning with the new Clone Source Paths is explained. Then, instead of using the traditional dodge, burn, and sponge tools, you will learn how to use layers to get the same effects with better results. You will learn about several techniques to cutout images like a pro. First you will use the new Quick Select tool and learn how to use Refine Edge to get crisp clean cutouts. Then you will use Extract to remove an object from the background. Finally you will learn how to extract impossible images by using color ranges from within a photo.Next you will learn techniques for creating Black-and-White photos from your color images. Then you will learn about High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging. This is where you bracket your shot in the camera using multiple images to bring out the detail; HDR is especially effective in low level lighting situations. Lessons 38-43 finish up with some specialized techniques. First you will learn how to emulate neutral density filters to bring out the color in your skies without loosing your shadows. Then, you will use masks to affect localized adjustments. Depth of field will be used to target focus to a particular object in your image. Finally you will create a gritty effect, a soft glow appearance, and learn techniques to turn your photos into paintings.There are a lot of things that I like about PhotoshopSecrets CS3 For Digital Photographers first and foremost I like the layout and the presentation of the material. It is straight forward, concise, and complete. It is easy to understand and follow along with. The images are included so that you can work with the author as you learn the techniques as presented. Sprinkled throughout are many tips that will make your life easier.Next I absolutely love the interface of the video. As you can see from the image above, at the bottom is a navigational control. The dialog to the left is also a retractable navigation control that shows the information on the chapter that is highlighted. The dark background eliminates distracting items from your field of view. At the top, if you have question, you can click and be taken to the PhotoshopCAFE forums to ask your questions. It is very well thought out and extremely user friendly.The retail price of PhotoshopSecrets CS3 For Digital Photographers is $99.99 USD, but for a limited time you can get it for $79.99 and save 20% when you purchase it from PhotoshopCAFE. I highly recommend this video if you want to get the most from Adobe Photoshop CS3.Listing of Lessons on PhotoshopSecrets CS3 For Digital PhotographersImport from Camera - 5:57Bridge Overview - 6:07Bridge Sorting - 5:17Bridge Keywords - 6:31Batch Rename - 5:16Metadata - 7:35Bridge Tips - 6:02Camera Raw Workflow - 28:04Batch Camera Raw - 3:31Camera Raw retouch - 11.05Camera Raw creative - 8:38Shadow/Highlight - 3:45Eyedropper - 8:27Contrast - 6:27Curves Overview - 14:56Color correction - 4:13Color correction curves - 4:43LAB mode - 7:20Cropping - 4:57Sharpening - 11:31High Pass sharpening - 2:14Healing and Redeye - 1:22Noise - 6:17Straighten - 4:35Lens correction - 6:12Patch - 2:07Weight Loss - 3:56Smart Objects - 14:08Panorama - 6:48Vanishing point -12:03Cloning - 10:33Dodge and Burn -10:01Quick Select/Refine Edge - 10:43Extract - 9:50Color Range - 18:26Black and White - 4:52HDR - 9:45Split ND - 5:23Masks - 8:19Depth of Field - 10:51Gritty effect - 6:07Soft Glow - 4:44Photos into paintings - 6:25
Camera Test: Canon EOS 40D
Posted on October 29, 2007 - Filed Under Reviews, Photo, Cameras | Leave a Comment
Canon’s EOS 30D was the DSLR middleweight contender to beat for most of 2007, thanks to its tough body, great image quality, fast autofocus, and semi-pro controls. So it’s no surprise that the new 10.1MP EOS 40D ($1,300, street, body only; $1,500, street, with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens) holds fast to the 30D’s overall body design and exposure controls. In fact, from the front it’s hard to tell them apart. Inside, though, Canon’s engineers found ways to raise the 40D’s image quality, boost its burst rate, speed up the AF system, and improve the viewfinder. Around back, they even squeezed in a 3-inch LCD with live preview mode. Is there enough punch in the 40D’s new features, and price to keep it from being knocked out by new contenders from Nikon, Olympus, and Sony? We’ll know for sure in the next few months as we run all of those cameras through the Pop Photo Lab and our field tests.
DSLR Remote Pro v1.5
Posted on October 29, 2007 - Filed Under Art, News, Photo | Leave a Comment
DSLR Remote Pro v1.5 introduces Remote Live View with Autofocus for the Canon EOS 40D and 1D Mark III cameras. DSLR Remote Pro can now autofocus the 40D and 1D Mark III from a PC using a contrast detection algorithm on the large remote live view display. This release is a free upgrade for all registered users who purchased a license within the last year. DSLR Remote Pro 1.5 costs $95 and is available now. Breeze Systems Press Release 2nd October 2007: Breeze Systems announce the immediate availability of DSLR Remote Pro v1.5 for controlling Canon EOS cameras on Microsoft Windows. This innovative and highly regarded remote control application now controls Canon’s new EOS 40D and 1D Mark III cameras. DSLR Remote Pro v1.5 has the unique ability to autofocus the 40D and 1D Mark III from a PC using a contrast detection algorithm on the large remote live view display. New in DSLR Remote Pro v1.5 Canon EOS 1D Mark III and 40D users can use DSLR Remote Pro v1.5 to view full frame live images on a PC screen, autofocus at a distance from the camera using the remote live image, and focus manually from a PC with the mouse wheel or using the cursor keys. Fine control over focus is obtained using the large live view image and the ability to zoom to pixel level and view the magnified detail live on the PC screen. Lining up panorama shots and stop frame animation is made easier using DSLR Remote Pro v1.5’s unique onion skinning ability combined with the remote live view. Breeze Systems expect to add support for the new Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III with similar live view functionality later this year. DSLR Remote Pro also allows professionals using Canon’s EOS-1D Mark III, 1D Mark II, 1Ds Mark II, 5D, 40D, 30D, 20D, 10D, 400D/Rebel XTi, 350D.Rebel XT and 300D/Rebel cameras to * See large high quality previews of shots an a PC within seconds * Gain unrivalled control of settings for Canon cameras during tethered operation * Control single or multiple cameras from a PC or laptop* * Automatically download images from single or multiple cameras to a PC* * Shoot images and store them directly on the PC’s hard disk * Automatically add IPTC data to images as they are downloaded * Enable customers to view pictures while continuing to shoot * Automatically bracket up to 15 shots by varying the shutter speed or aperture * Increase control for time lapse photography *Multiple camera support available only for Canon EOS-1D Mark III, 40D, 30D and 400D/Rebel XTi cameras. DSLR Remote Pro supports the tethered operation of the following Canon cameras: EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1D Mark III, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS 5D, EOS 40D, EOS 30D, EOS 20D, EOS 10D, EOS 400D/Digital Rebel XTi, EOS 350D/Digital Rebel XT, EOS-1D, EOS-1Ds and EOS 300D/Digital Rebel. DSLR Remote Pro is software developed by Breeze Systems for Canon EOS digital SLR cameras. The program runs on Windows Vista, Windows XP, 2000, ME or 98 SE and is available on a free 15 day trial. DSLR Remote Pro is available exclusively from Breeze Systems’ website http://www.breezesys.com for US $95. The price includes one year’s free upgrades. This release is a free upgrade for all registered users who purchased a license within the last year. Breeze Systems’ BreezeBrowser Pro customers can buy DSLR Remote Pro for the special price of just US $75 until the end of October 2007.
Canon Unveils Commercial imagePrograf Printers
Posted on October 29, 2007 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Canon has added two new twelve-color pigment-ink large-format printers to its commercial imagePrograf line. The iPF9100 and iPF8100 replace the imagePrograf iPF9000 and iPF8000, adding integrated 80GB hard drives, and using newly reformulated Gray, Photo Gray, Black, and Matte Black Lucia inks to improve black-and-white print quality. The iPF9100 outputs 60-inch-wide prints and the iPF8100 44-inch-wide prints. Both new printers support Canon’s Kyuanos color-management technology for Windows, provide integrated calibration, and use the imagePrograf line’s proprietary L-COA controller with a new intelligent screen dot pattern and ink-drop control system to reduce visible dot graininess. They also use new dual print heads that incorporate a total of 30,720 ink nozzles (2,560 nozzles per color), printing at a maximum resolution of 2400×1200 dpi. The two models use Canon’s new imagePrograf Printer Driver 2007, which is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems. The new driver includes Digital Photo Front-Access, software that allows users to view and arrange multiple images, and import them into image editing software. Canon also announced a new large-format fine-art paper designed for use with imagePrograf printers. Canon Polished Rag is a glossy 300gsm/15mil paper designed to offer the look and feel of fiber-based silver-halide paper. It will be available in 8.5×11-inch, 13×19-inch, and 17×22-inch sheets, and in rolls with 17-, 24-, 44-, and 50-inch widths. The $14,995 iPF9100 and $5,995 iPF8100 will be available in November 2007.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd Review at Photoxels
Posted on October 28, 2007 - Filed Under Digital, Reviews, Tips, Ratings | Leave a Comment
Photoxels reviews the Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd and writes - ‘I prefer the image quality the Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd produces in a 18x wide-angle optical zoom camera. You won’t be wowed by the average shooting and AF performance, though. Some features important for the advanced photographers are missing: longer shutter speeds and RAW file format. I don’t do RAW that much so it’s presence and absence is not a deciding factor for me personally. What I foresee many will like is the S8000fd’s metering which seems to be cleverly calibrated to retain detail in the highlights so you’ll get less, if any, blown highlights without having to dial in a negative exposure compensation. The FinePix S8000fd is an impressive package and should meet most advanced photographers’ requirements. If you like the Fujifilm’s images (see the S8000fd photo gallery), then be sure to check out the Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd. I enjoyed using it very much and loved the pictures it captured.’
Just posted! Canon A570 IS review
Posted on October 26, 2007 - Filed Under Digital, Reviews, Photo | Leave a Comment
Our review of the Canon PowerShot A570 IS, one of a whole batch of new A series compacts launched earlier this year. The A570 IS is a keenly-priced, fully featured 7MP camera with a 4x stabilized zoom and a wide range of photographic control on offer. Sounds like a bargain, but is it any good? Find out after the link… Simon: You’ll notice some new names appearing in the credits of some of the reviews we’ll be posting from now on. We’re in the process of training our new reviewers and they’re currently working with me on clearing some of the compact camera backlog. Be gentle with them 