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April 2005
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April 2005
730,244,000 Visitors since Nov. 1998 |
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The easy way to capture GREAT digital photos!
| 04-26-2005 |
OpenRAW Web Site Launched; Confronts Issues Crucial to Quality Digital Photography and Archiving of Photographic ImagesThe OpenRAW Working Group launched a website today at www.OpenRAW.org designed to solve issues crucial to the future of photography. Digital technology is revolutionizing the photography industry, and an emerging part of that technology is the set of RAW camera file formats. Most professional photographers prefer using RAW image capture because it offers the highest quality and the greatest creative control. The grass roots OpenRAW group arose out of photographers' frustration with camera manufacturers' refusal to openly document their proprietary RAW file formats. That lack of file format information inhibits innovation, limits image processing choices, and endangers the long-term accessibility of millions of photographs. The goal of the new website is to obtain complete documentation by manufacturers of their RAW file formats. Click here to read OpenRAW's press release. |
| 04-26-2005 |
Ricoh Announces Their First 8-Megapixel CameraLetsGoDigital has also posted information about the newly announced Ricoh Caplio GX-8, a compact 8-megapixel, 3x (28-85) wide angle zoom update to the Caplio GX. Seems as if the European market is really heating up. |
| 04-25-2005 |
2005 European TIPA Awards AnnouncedTIPA (Technical Image Press Association) Europe has posted their annual list of The Best Photo Products in Europe, 2005. Click on the link to see their entire list of awards for cameras, printers, software and more. Our readers will be most interested in the digital camera awards which are:
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| 04-25-2005 |
HP Europe Introduces Photosmart M517LetsGoDigital has posted information about another new camera that has been introduced to the European market. The HP Photosmart M517 is a compact 5-megapixel, 3x zoom camera with the Adaptive Lighting technology and built-in red eye removal. |
| 04-23-2005 |
Samsung Introduces 15x Zoom Digimax Pro 815Our friends over at LetsGoDigital have published interesting information about a new Samsung Digimax Pro 815 SLR-like digital camera that was just shown at a photo fair in Beijing China. A few features standout like a 28-420mm 15x optical zoom with manual control rings, a 2/3-inch size 8-megapixel image sensor and a really big 3.5-inch color LCD screen. Follow the link above for more information about this camera. |
| 04-22-2005 |
Nikon's Proprietary WB Encryption Has Been BrokenLast week there were a lot of rumblings on the forums after Photoshop's creator Thomas Knoll had posted a message warning that they (Adobe) might not be able to fully support Nikon D2X and D2H raw files in their Camera Raw module due to the use of encrypted white balance information. Decoding this information could violate the Digital Millenium Copyright Act and Adobe doesn't want to stir up the legal waters. Enter Dave Coffin, author of Dcraw, a popular program that reads raw image formats of Canon, Nikon and Kodak digital cameras and then writes the data out in a nonproprietary format. Dave posted the latest update of his 'dcraw.c' source code on his web site this past week after reverse-engineering Nikon's latest NEF format. To quote Dave, "Canon and Nikon continue to ignore the needs of today's photographers and tomorrow's historians by providing neither documentation nor human-readable code for their "secret" formats. My unpaid, often arduous work aims to correct this error, ensuring that the photographs of our time will always be viewable, on any computer running any operating system." Bibble Labs founder Eric Hyman said he had also broken the Nikon white balance code and had incorporated it in the latest version of his commercial image-manipulation software. Bibble Labs sells the full-featured version of its "Bibble 4" software for $129, and a less-capable version for $69. Click here to read Nikon's April 22, 2005 Advisory. Click here to read Engadget's interview with Steve Heiner of Nikon USA. |
| 04-22-2005 |
Canon Announces New 12x Zoom Powershot S2 IS
The PowerShot S2 IS will be available in June for an estimated street price of $499.99. Read the complete Canon press release. |
| 04-21-2005 |
Camera Reviews Recently PostedThe full Canon EOS Rebel XT review has just been posted. We have requested the newer EF 18-55 Mark II lens but do not have it as yet so we will probably post a few more sample photos and append the conclusion later if necessary. Posted yesterday was the Kodak Easyshare Z740 review, a very capable 5-megapixel camera with a powerful 10x zoom that takes excellent pictures. And its 4-megapixel, 5x zoom "little brother," the Kodak Easyshare Z700. And the ultra-compact Casio Exilim EX-Z57, a 5-megapixel, 3x zoom camera with a huge 2.7-inch color LCD. Many more reviews coming as we have the Panasonic FZ4, FZ5, LZ1 and LZ2, Casio EX-Z750, Canon SD400, Nikon 4600, 5600, 5900 and 7900 currently in-house. |
| 04-20-2005 |
Nikon Pre-Announces D70 Firmware UpdateTOKYO - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce a firmware update that brings refined performance enhancements to the Nikon D70. The rapid pace at which development of digital technologies is proceeding inevitably leads to a continual release of new products. In the face of this dynamic, Nikon is determined to demonstrate our respect for the many customers who purchased a D70 digital SLR camera by delivering, where possible, the latest technology that the digital world has to offer through firmware updates. The D70 firmware update to be released shortly aims to share enhancements developed for the new D70s, and thereby to strengthen the performance of the D70. The firmware update includes the following additions and refinements:
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| 04-20-2005 |
Nikon Announces Updated D70s SLR
Read the complete Nikon press release. |
| 04-20-2005 |
Nikon Announces New and Affordable D50 SLR
Read the complete Nikon press release. |
| 04-20-2005 |
Nikon Announces 2 New DX Nikkor-Zoom LensesMELVILLE, NY, APRIL 20, 2005 – Nikon Inc. today unveiled two new DX format Nikkor lenses to accompany its growing line of digital SLR cameras, including the new D50™. The AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED and AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED lenses deliver legendary Nikkor optical performance within ultra-compact, lightweight and affordable designs, to provide superb picture quality for Nikon digital SLR photographers. These two new lenses join a growing line-up of DX Nikkor lenses that are designed and optimized for Nikon’s Digital SLR cameras. Read the complete Nikon press release. |
| 04-19-2005 |
Canon Leads In Digital Camera Sales, According to IDC(News story from PMA Newsline International) Canon Inc., Tokyo, Japan, took a slim lead last year in digital camera sales, thanks to booming demand for high-end models, CNET News.com reports. Research company IDC, Framingham, Mass., USA, tallied Canon with worldwide shipments of 12.63 million cameras, 17.1 percent of the market. Sony Corp., Tokyo, Japan, came in second with 12.32 million, or 16.7 percent, and Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y, USA, was third, with 8.71 million, or 11.8 percent. Overall shipments were 74 million units. Those figures include both point-and-shoot cameras and more complex single-lens reflex, or SLR, models, the first time IDC has included SLR cameras in its annual sales tally, IDC analyst Chris Chute said. Once-expensive specialty items largely used by professional photographers, digital SLRs turned into a consumer item last year with the introduction of sub-$1,000 models such as Canon's Digital Rebel, the article says. Canon's aggressive pricing and marketing for SLRs gave the company the overall lead and helped make SLRs the hot new market in digital imaging, Chute said. "It was just a matter of price point and promoting the heck out of them," he said. "We'll probably see $500 SLRs by the end of the year." Growth in SLR models mainly came at the expense of high-end "prosumer" cameras with big zoom lenses and high resolution, a category Chute expects to all but evaporate. "I'd be surprised if we see any of those introduced this year," he said. That could be bad news for Sony, which has yet to produce a digital SLR, partly because it doesn't have a legacy in film photography with an accompanying roster of interchangeable lenses, the article says. "I think it's going to be in Sony's interest to see how they can address this segment," Chute said. Sony still led in sales of point-and-shoot cameras, with shipments of 12.32 million units, for 17.2 percent of the market. Canon and Kodak again were second and third, respectively, with 11.19 million units and 15.7 market share and 8.63 units and 12.1 percent market share. Overall shipments of point-and-shoot cameras were 71.5 million units, compared with 47.93 million in 2003, for growth of 49.2 percent. Chute expects growth to be moderate in coming years, partly because fewer camera owners will find a need to replace their current models, CNET.com says. "Last year, we saw a big uptake in the replacement cycle," he said. "The people with 2-megapixel cameras decided it was time to trade up to 5 or 6 megapixels. Now they've got all the camera they need. The value proposition for megapixels is pretty much over." |
| 04-19-2005 |
nik multimedia Announces nik Sharpener Pro™ 2.0San Diego, CA – April 19, 2005 – nik multimedia, Inc. today announces nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 which provides the easiest way for photographers and digital artists to optimally sharpen their digital images and achieve the best possible detail in their final prints. As a plug-in to Adobe Photoshop and other image editing applications, nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is the perfect addition to a photographer’s digital workflow. New features include 16-bit compatibility for sharpening 16-bit images, a larger preview area to allow users to see how the sharpening alters their images, and new tools offering more control of where sharpening is applied to the image. When preparing an image for printing, it is important to consider the printing process before sharpening the image. nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is designed to address the image rendering characteristics of different printing processes (traditional halftone, dye sublimation, inkjet, and digital photographic) and even differences between inkjet printer manufacturers. The Advanced controls menu provides five slider controls that can be associated with different colors in a digital image. Another powerful new feature is the Selective tool that allows users to apply sharpening to any part of an image with selective brush strokes. The sharpening can be selectively brushed into the image, or the sharpening can be applied to the whole image and selectively brushed out. nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 also features a new RAW Presharpening filter. With the increased popularity of digital cameras offering the RAW file format, there is a growing need to presharpen digital photos from digital cameras. Presharpening is different from sharpening for final print. The RAW Presharpening filter is designed to enhance the detail in digital images that are converted from a RAW file format. nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 will be available in June through specialty camera stores and nik multimedia’s retail Web site ( www.nikmultimedia.com) and is offered in two editions: nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 Inkjet Edition for $169.95 and nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 Complete Edition for $329.95. Registered owners of nik Sharpener Pro 1.0 qualify for special upgrade pricing. |
| 04-15-2005 |
PowerEx Strengthens its Battery Line with a New Ultra High Capacity BatteryApril 15, 2005 – La Verne, CA, Maha Energy Corp., maker of PowerEx brand batteries and chargers, is pleased to announce an Ultra High Capacity rated addition to its NiMH battery product line, PowerEx High Capacity 2500mAh AA batteries provide reliable life cycles. Built on Maha’s fully automated production lines, PowerEx batteries capture both ultra high capacity and long life (number of times batteries can be recharged). The batteries are specifically designed for high drain applications such as digital cameras and other portable electronics. Not only do the PowerEx AA NiMH 2500mAh Rechargeable Ultra High Capacity Batteries have 2500mAh true capacity offering super long run times, but they can also be recharged hundreds of times. The batteries may be charged anytime without having to drain them all the way first, saving time without compromising performance. PowerEx 2500mAh NiMH AA batteries are available in 4 packs and will also be shipped in a battery carrying case – a unique device that allows users to conveniently hold up to four AA or AAA batteries. The value-added accessory not only allows the organizing of batteries, but it also allows users to carry batteries with ease and prevents accidental shortages when mixed with metal objects. PowerEx 2500mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries are especially manufactured to Industrial Standards for the avid photographer. |
| 04-13-2005 |
Pixmantec RawShooter essentials 2005 Update (v.1.1) - Now Supports Canon EOS Rebel XT/350D and Nikon D2XCopenhagen, Denmark - March 11, 2005- Danish digital imaging software specialist Pixmantec announce the update of the FREE download RAW workflow management tool RawShooter essentials 2005 (v.1.1). Central to the release is the support of RAW files from the recently released Canon EOS Rebel XT/350D and Nikon D2X. Pixmantec is dedicated to providing timely support for all new DSLRs from the major manufacturers and the early support for the much awaited Rebel XT/350D clearly demonstrates their commitment. Additional functionality provided by the update includes support for the Windows 2000 operating system in addition to general enhancements to workflow, quality and hardware compatibility. Read the full Pixmantec press release. |
| 04-12-2005 |
Kyocera Terminates CONTAX-Branded Camera Business(This document was translated from the Japanese press release.) April 12, 2005 - Kyocera Corporation (President: Yasuo Nishiguchi, hereafter called "Kyocera") has decided to terminate CONTAX-branded camera business. Although Carl Zeiss and Kyocera have entered into a long term co-operation regarding the development, production and sale of CONTAX-branded cameras, Kyocera has decided to terminate such business due to difficulties in catching up with the recent rapid market changes. Consequently, Kyocera will terminate the shipment of CONTAX-branded cameras, and the exclusive lenses and accessories in September, 2005, except for the CONTAX 645 camera system, the shipment of which to some markets will come to an end in December, 2005. Kyocera will continue to provide after-sales services to its customers for their CONTAX- branded cameras, and the exclusive lenses and accessories over the maximum period of ten years within the specified time of each model. |
| 04-08-2005 |
Matsushita to Enter Digital SLR Market in 2006According to a NikkeiBP press release issued today, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Ltd of Japan, better known to North American consumers as Panasonic, has announced that they will enter the digital SLR market in 2006. Panasonic has become very popular for their Lumix line of compact digital still cameras and will launch a dSLR based on the "four thirds system" mounting standard currently being used by Olympus on their E-1 and E-300 dSLR cameras. Matsushita and Olympus will jointly develop products and the key components of these new cameras. |
| 04-05-2005 |
Fujifilm Announces Software Upgrade For Finepix S3 Pro Digital Camera & HS-V2 SoftwareVALHALLA, NY, April 5, 2005 – Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. recently released the first firmware upgrade for the FinePix S3 Pro professional digital camera as well as a Macintosh OS X updater for the Hyper-Utility Software HS-V2. The firmware upgrade for the FinePix S3 Pro (Version 2.12) updates several functions including auto rotate, acceptance of higher capacity storage mediums and lens compatibility. The firmware upgrade also adds computer workstation control functions, a very useful tool for wedding, studio and portrait photographers. (An upgrade to Hyper- Utility Software HS-V2 Ver.3.1 is necessary for this function). The new upgrade can be downloaded to a computer and then saved to an xD card for launching/installation. The Macintosh OS X updater brings new functionality to the Hyper-Utility Software HS-V2 in versions 2.0, 3.0, 3.1a and 3.1b. Updates include RAW file converter EX for the FinePix S3 Pro, FinePix S2 Pro and FinePix S20 digital cameras as well as capture software for the same Fujifilm models. Users must have their original Hyper-Utility Software HS-V2 disc for proper updater installation. In addition to the updates Fujifilm is also offering a free 256MB xD Picture Card to FinePix S3 Pro owners for registering their camera. Links to FinePix S3 Pro online registration, as well as to Fujifilm’s Support and Contact Center for the firmware and software upgrades, can be found at www.fujifilm.com/finepixS3pro. |
| 04-05-2005 |
Hitachi Lays Groundwork for 20GB Microdrive with Century-Old TechnologyTOKYO – April 4, 2005 – Hitachi Global Storage Technologies is today announcing new advancements to a 100-year-old magnetic recording technology that will set the stage for ultra-high capacities such as a 20-gigabyte Microdrive or a one terabyte 3.5-inch hard drive. To achieve this, Hitachi has demonstrated the industry's highest data density at 230 gigabits per square inch (Gb/in2) on perpendicular recording. Hitachi believes 230 Gb/in2, which represents a doubling of today's highest longitudinal recording densities, will be implemented in commercial hard drive products in 2007. When fully realized over the next 5-7 years, perpendicular recording could enable a 10-fold increase in data densities over longitudinal recording, paving the way for new heights in capacity such as a 60 GB one-inch drive. Perpendicular recording has its roots in the late 19th century work of Danish scientist Valdemar Poulsen, who is generally considered the first person to magnetically record sound using perpendicular recording. The technology gets its name from the vertical alignment of data bits on the plane of the disk, which takes less room in contrast to the horizontal orientation of today's longitudinal recording technology. To be accurately recorded and read, the more closely-packed perpendicular bits also require a closer association between the read/write head and the recording media. Hitachi achieved the 230 Gb/in2 density by manipulating the head and media so that the distance between them is a mere 10 nanometers or 1/10,000th of a human hair. Read the full Hitachi press release |
| 04-04-2005 |
Adobe Announces New Photoshop CS2 with Dramatic Camera Raw Workflow Enhancements and MoreSAN JOSE, Calif. — April 4, 2005 — Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced Adobe Photoshop CS2, a major upgrade to the professional industry standard for digital image editing and creation. Available as a stand-alone software application or as a key component of Adobe Creative Suite 2, also announced today (see separate press release), Photoshop CS2 software brings a new level of power, precision and control to the digital photography experience and to the overall creative process. "Photoshop CS2 pushes the envelope with powerful features and simplified workflows that provide photographers and creative professionals the freedom to deliver stunning images," said Bryan Lamkin, senior vice president of Digital Imaging and Digital Video Products at Adobe. "In light of the four million digital SLRs expected to ship this year, more photographers than ever will be making Photoshop CS2 their digital darkroom of choice." Photoshop CS2 integrates a new set of intuitive tools, including an enhanced Spot Healing Brush, for handling common photographic problems such as blemishes, red-eye, noise, blurring and lens distortion. Responding to requests from film, broadcast and video professionals, Photoshop CS2 now allows non-destructive editing and the creation and editing of 32-Bit High Dynamic Range (HDR) images, ideal for 3D rendering and advanced compositing. The new Camera Raw 3.0 workflow allows settings for multiple raw files to be simultaneously modified. In addition batch processing of raw files, to JPEG, TIFF, DNG or PSD formats, can now be done in the background without launching the main Photoshop executable. Integrated, non-destructive cropping and straightening controls allow raw files to be easily prepared for final output. Adobe Photoshop CS2 for Mac OS X version 10.2.8 through 10.3.8, Microsoft Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or 2, will begin shipping in May to customers in the United States and Canada, and will be available through Adobe Authorized Resellers and the Adobe Store at www.adobe.com/store . International versions are expected to begin shipping in late May and early June. Adobe Photoshop CS2 will be available for an estimated street price of US$599 and licensed users of any previous version of Photoshop can upgrade for US$149. |
| 04-01-2005 |
HP Photosmart 8750 Printer Review PostedWant to know what's what with HP's newest wide carriage photo printer? Then give our HP Photosmart 8750 review a good read. The HP 8750 is the first Photosmart printer to use the new 9-color Vivera ink system and makes borderless prints up to 13 x 19-inches in size. It's got USB 2.0, builtin Ethernet networking, front and rear paper paths, direct print from most popular flash memory cards and PictBridge-enabled cameras and much more. |
| 04-01-2005 |
DDI Software Releases Qimage v2005.200DDI Software has just released a new version of Qimage, the professional image printing and processing tool for PC/Windows. Version 2005.200 offers some useful new features such as direct email support for downsizing and sending multiple images via email, text alignment features, and "sticky crops" that allow you to adjust cropping for prints of different sizes (aspect ratios) only once: your selected crop for each size is recorded automatically, making reprints a breeze. You can get more details on the new features at the Qimage website. |
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LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 22, 2005 – Canon’s new five megapixel PowerShot S2 IS digital
camera allows consumers from the novice to the photo enthusiast the ability to capture
high quality still images and stereo movie clips. The
PowerShot S2 IS provides users with the high quality resolution,
color and low noise that consumers have come to expect from Canon. The fast f/2.7-f/3.5
image stabilized 12x zoom lens (36-432mm equivalent) makes tack-sharp long telephoto
shooting positively practical. The PowerShot S2 IS also features a
variable-angle 1.8 inch LCD screen.
MELVILLE, NY, APRIL 20, 2005 – Incorporating upgrades based on user feedback and
advancement in technologies, Nikon today introduced the D70s
6.1-effective megapixel digital SLR camera. The D70s builds on the success of its popular
predecessor, the D70, with multiple internal and external refinements including an
improved autofocus system, larger LCD monitor, the addition of a remote cord port, new
graphic user interface, among several other enhancements. Designed for a broad range of
consumers from experienced and amateur photographers to beginning photo enthusiasts and
hobbyists, the D70s offers a proven track record of superior image quality, robust
performance, and advanced new features.
MELVILLE, NY, APRIL 20, 2005 – Nikon has taken another bold step
forward in redefining the digital SLR landscape today by introducing the highly
anticipated D50 digital SLR camera. The D50 is the smallest, lightest and easiest-to-use
Nikon digital SLR camera to date, and is designed for the broadest range of consumers
including family memory-keepers looking to take advantage of the image quality, speed and
responsiveness Nikon digital SLR’s offer, as well as photo enthusiasts and amateur
photographers who want to capture brilliant digital pictures with vibrant color and
immaculate sharpness. The new entry-level D50 makes exceptional digital SLR photography a
reality for everyone.