08/31/2000: New Web'zine For Digital Outdoor Shooters
I just recv'd an email from Uwe Steinmueller, Editor of "Digital Outback Photo - Web Magazine for Quality Outdoor Photography using Digital Cameras". Long name but great concept as I know there are a lot of us with digital cameras that just love to chase the wildlife around. Now you have a place to show off your best shots. Check it out and help this site grow and while you're there give Uwe's Nikon D1 user review a read and don't miss his NEF conversion pages if you're a D1 shooter. The web'zine's purpose, read the full editorial here "Today we launch a new web magazine for quality outdoor photography using digital cameras. This year 2000 marks a turning point for quality outdoor and wildlife photography. Digital SLRs finally start to approach the quality of 35mm film. First of all this is not an Australian magazine or about the Australian...[read more]
Belmont, Calif. -- Aug 31 -- Imerge Consulting Group, an innovative custom market research and business development firm serving the imaging industry announces the launch of its new "Imaging Analysis of the Week" section, open to all visitors to Imerge Consulting Group?s new site. Once a week this new section, viewable at www.imergeconsulting.com features one of the imaging industry?s most respected analysis on topics that provide the greatest impact to the imaging industry. Once a month the Imaging Analysis of the Week will feature a "guest analysis" from a selected distinguished imaging leader on topics chosen by Imerge. "We hope this "guest analysis" section will provide a forum for industry leaders to share their knowledge, not to promote their products or corporations but to share their views of the future with other professionals to help enlighten the imaging industry at large. We already have about 10 industry giants who have...[read more]
08/31/2000: Imaging-Resource's Seybold 2000 Report
Mike Pasini is sending in daily reports from the floor of the Seybold 2000 show in San Francisco and they're being posted over at the Imaging-Resource. Highlights of new products and photos....[read more]
SECAUCUS, N.J. (August 30, 2000) - With the introduction of the new PV-SD5000 PalmCam® SuperDisk digital camera, Panasonic achieves another first: It's the first to introduce a 3.3 million-pixel digital camera that uses both 120MB SuperDisk Diskettes and traditional 1.44MB floppy disks. While both disk formats are computer compatible, the new SuperDisk camera is also USB-compatible, enabling the camera to be connected via the included cable, to the USB port on a PC or MAC for a much faster data transfer rate than the usual serial port connection. And, when connected to the computer via the USB cable, the camera can also double as an external SuperDisk drive to backup all of your data. Bringing digital photography to a new and exciting level are features such as a Rapid Fire function that enables the user to take continuous shots without waiting for the camera to refresh between images; a multi-erase...[read more]
08/30/2000: Kodak Slashes Prices on Professional Digital Cameras
SAN FRANCISCO, August 29 - Professional photographers looking to make the move to digital imaging, or who have had their eye on a Kodak Professional digital camera, now have unprecedented access to the industry's leading digital cameras, thanks to new - and dramatically lower- pricing on selected models. Through direct pricing action and a special arrangement with its authorized dealers in the United States, Kodak Professional is offering reduced prices on some of its most highly regarded cameras. Photographers will find aggressive pricing on the Kodak Professional DCS 660, 560, 620, 620x, 620 base kit, 330 and 315 digital cameras. Leading the way are the Kodak Professional DCS 660 and DCS 560 digital cameras. Recommended list prices on these high-end, 6-megapixel models have been cut from ,995 to ,995. This new pricing is possible due to ongoing manufacturing efficiencies, replacement of promotional programs such as the Apple G4 computer giveaway...[read more]
San Francisco - August 30, 2000 - (Seybold San Francisco) - The Digital Imaging Group (DIG) today released the final DIG35 Metadata Specification providing a cohesive and consistent set of metadata definitions to the imaging industry. DIG35 provides the first persistent way for digital images to become rich, completely self-contained sources of information, regardless of where they travel on the global network. With millions of digital images now produced yearly, this capability is critical for enabling users to effectively organize, find, retrieve and share their images instantly. Businesses, professionals and consumers can all utilize metadata in order to manage images. Instead of spending valuable time painstakingly looking at each image file to determine the content, businesses can search by any associated metadata to locate an image and read the descriptive elements. By using XML as the recommended encoding method, DIG35 is Internet ready and easy to implement on e-commerce sites....[read more]
08/29/2000: MGI Launches PhotoSuite 4-Platinum Edition
CAMPBELL, CA and TORONTO, ONT - August 29, 2000 - MGI today introduced MGI PhotoSuite 4-Platinum Edition, the latest version of its best-selling, award-winning Web and PC photo software. Advancing in response to industry trends and customer requests, MGI PhotoSuite 4 adds powerful photo-enhancement tools, more sharing capabilities, fresh content, and once again extends the boundaries of imaging beyond the desktop to the Internet with new Web features that allow home and business users to create stunning, image-rich personal Web sites in minutes. MGI PhotoSuite 4 now includes a complete set of tools for effortlessly creating and publishing compelling Web sites. PhotoSuite 4 users can select one of the pre-designed Web templates included and simply add image content, or they can take complete control over design and layout. PhotoSuite 4's browser-based architecture provides an intuitive, WYSIWYG environment for users to work in. As well as supporting standard MAPI compliant Windows...[read more]
08/29/2000: Zing Digital Photography Workshop Cruise
The first-ever 8-day Digital Workshop-At-Sea will embark from Miami on December 3, 2000, featuring Digital Photography for beginning and intermediate photographers. The cruise is one of a series planned by Zing, the #1 photo-sharing site on the Internet, and will offer instruction in photodigital technologies in a relaxed learning environment. Each workshop attendee will receive over in gifts from participating sponsors including Kodak, Epson, Delkin, Tiffen, Tamrac, Red River paper, Quest, Unity Digital, Shortcourses, Pix.com, Microtech International, and others. Both student work and pictures of class activities will be transmitted daily to Zing via state-of-the-art satellite Internet facilities aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' newest superliner VICTORY so that millions can follow the progress of the cruise. The cost of the cruise workshop starts at with non-attendee companions paying only half-price. Scheduled ports of call include San Juan, St. Croix and St Thomas. A total of 30 beginners and intermediates, will participate...[read more]
08/29/2000: The Battle of the Sixes:Ulead PhotoImpact 6 Now AvailableAdobe PhotoShop 6 Imminent
Ulead has just released the latest version of its popular graphic editing program PhotoImpact 6. PI happens to be one of my favorite all-round editors in the "affordable" category for the average user who needs a powerful and versatile graphics program. What started out as an image editing program is now a suite of graphic and web utilities that does everything from photo editing to complete HTML page creation. Ulead's Gif Animator rounds out one of the best packages that you'll ever buy for just . A fully functional trial version is available for download. To kick off the release of PhotoImpact 6 Ulead is sponsoring a "Show Us Your Site Contest" that runs from Sept 18 to Nov 15, 2000. All you need to do is use PhotoImpact 6 to create your graphics and Web page. Ulead will begin hosting your contest web page submissions powered by Homestead.com...[read more]
08/29/2000: First Look: IBM's 1GB Microdrive
From Rob Galbraith's pro photojournalist's web site comes this 1GB Microdrive First Look. Rob said: "It's a hoot to stick a CompactFlash card into Nikon's D1, check the frame counter and see 746 frames remaining. With IBM's 1GB Microdrive, slated to ship in September, 746 frames is the number of JPEG Fine files the camera will initially estimate it can hold, though it will typically not fill up until about 1000 photos have been shot. The card's larger capacity and slower rotational speed relative to the original 340MB Microdrive translates into little change in overall card performance in a Nikon D1 workflow." Check out the entire report as Rob has several charts of performance timings of the Microdrive and other storage media in the D1. I just got my 1GB Microdrive and am currently testing it out in the Nikon D1 and Fuji S1 Pro....[read more]
08/28/2000: Kodak Debuts New Digital Imaging Products
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08/28/2000: Nikon's New Coolpix 880 Bridges the Gap Between Business and Pleasure
MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 28 -- Fast on the heels of the award-winning Coolpix 990, one of the most popular consumer electronics products of 2000, Nikon introduces the latest addition to its digital camera line, the Coolpix 880. Designed for work and ready to play, the Coolpix 880's extensive new features guarantee high performance and ease of use for both business and personal applications. With the Coolpix 880, anyone can take great pictures without having a background in photography. The combination of a 3.34 megapixel CCD and a 2.5X (38-95 mm) Zoom-Nikkor lens featuring Nikon's superior optics ensures high quality pictures every time. And the camera is so small and lightweight (9.7 ounces without batteries) that you can slip it your pocket or purse and take it with you wherever you go. Nikon recognizes that great pictures and great memories go hand in hand. The camera's brand new Scene Mode helps...[read more]
08/28/2000: Full Nikon Coolpix 880 User Review Posted
Nikon just officially announced the new Coolpix 880 today and we already have a full Nikon Coolpix 880 user review posted. We've had a Coolpix 880 for the last month and have run it through its paces. It offers the same image resolution and quality as the 990 but in a smaller and lighter camera. Our colleagues have also posted Coolpix 880 reviews today: Imaging-Resource's Nikon 880 reviewDP review's Nikon (Euro silver) 880 review...[read more]
08/27/2000: The Rollbar Review Has Been Posted
I just posted the review of The Rollbar which is an excellent flash bracket for the Nikon 900s, 950 or 990 camera. This one gives you complete access to the battery compartment and flash card without taking it off the bracket. If you're looking for a "better" way to use that external flash than the Nikon bracket - this is definitely it! Note that it isn't quite ready for sale yet but it should be soon....[read more]
08/27/2000: Imaging-Resource "Post-a-Mania"
Well Dave has been a very busy boy indeed! He's posted a full Fuji S1 Pro review a Toshiba DR-M70 review and an almost finished Canon EOS D30 review. My Fuji S1 review is "on hold" until we get the camera back from Fuji with the CCD cleaned. If that isn't enough he's also posted his "Three Titans" image comparison - an exclusive side-by-side comparison of Nikon D1, Fuji S1 Pro, and Canon EOS D30 images....[read more]
08/24/2000: Canon Announces New Speedlite 420EX Flash Unit
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--Aug. 23, 2000--Canon U.S.A., Inc. is introducing the Speedlite 420EX, a compact flash unit developed simultaneously with the new EOS Elan 7/7E but compatible with all EOS System cameras including the new EOS D30 digital SLR. Building on the outstanding features of the popular Speedlite 380EX flash, the new 420EX replaces that product with the added capability of E-TTL wireless autoflash, giving EOS System photographers an alternative in a wireless flash system. Additionally, the 420EX's AF-assist beam has been improved to cover all 7 focusing zones of the EOS Elan 7/7E. The new Speedlite 420EX can be used with most current EOS cameras as a remote flash in an E-TTL wireless autoflash system. Canon's E-TTL wireless autoflash system is ideal for creating advanced lighting effects in a wide variety of applications such as nature photography, close-ups, and portraiture. Speedlite 420EX has a maximum Guide Number of 42/138 (ISO...[read more]
08/24/2000: Olympus Introduces Camedia P-200, First Mobile Digital Photo Printer
Melville, NY, August 24, 2000 - Olympus America Inc. today introduced the Camedia P-200 Printer, a professional-quality, high-speed dye-sublimation portable printer. The Camedia P-200 Printer brings photo-quality printing capability to the mobile professional and amateur photographer, and anyone else who needs to produce hard copy output of digital images while on the road or in the field. For applications ranging from test prints at professional on-location shoots to real estate, travel, insurance, law enforcement (accident and crime scenes), the Camedia P-200 is the perfect solution for any on-demand high quality color printing need. Utilizing dye sublimation printing technology, the Camedia P-200 Printer produces continuous tone images at a crisp 320 dots per inch resolution. The printer supports 128 gradation levels per color for smooth color transitions, and delivers finished A-6 size prints (3" x 4" print area) in only 90 seconds. The Camedia P-200 Printer employs 4-pass printing technology, one...[read more]
August 24, 2000, Melville, NY - Olympus America Inc. today introduced the fastest digital camera on the market, the Camedia E-100 RS (Rapid Shot). A full-featured 10X optical zoom digital camera that provides user-selectable shooting speeds of 15 fps, 7.5 fps, 5 fps, and 3 fps; Electronic Viewfinder SLR design; a 1.5 megapixel CCD (1368 x 1024); a file size of up to 4.01 MB; and a unique dual slot design for both SmartMedia and CompactFlash Type I and II cards....[read more]
08/24/2000: Olympus Announces New E-Series 4-Megapixel Camedia E-10 4x Zoom SLR
August 24, 2000, Melville, NY - Olympus America Inc. today introduced the 4-megapixel Camedia E-10 digital SLR. With an expected street price of it will be unprecedented for a camera offering its advanced range of digital capabilities to the professional digital photographer and serious amateur. Sports and nature enthusiasts, journalists and studio photographers will all appreciate the image quality and detail captured by the Camedia E-10's 4 million-pixel CCD which delivers file sizes of up to 12 MB....[read more]
08/23/2000: Kodak Moves Into CCD Market - To Announce 16.6 and 5.1 Megapixel Imagers
Read the entire EE Times article SAN MATEO, Calif. --Aug 22-- The digital camera market has a new chip vendor with a very old pedigree. Eastman Kodak Co., long a provider of high-end image sensors for its own systems, including charge-coupled devices (CCDs) for Kodak digital cameras, will begin selling the chips on the open merchant market. The move should be welcomed by camera makers faced with a short supply of CCD chips. Kodak has several new CCD products that will be announced this week. In keeping with a past focus on advanced CCDs for expensive, professional-class digital cameras, the high-end chips are aimed primarily at systems designed for the professional photographer and dedicated hobbyist. They include a family of CMOS image sensors produced in partnership with Motorola Inc., a pair of large-format CCD chips, and an integrated chip with both the CCD functions and most of the drivers and...[read more]
08/22/2000: Fujifilm Announces First Shipments FinePix S1 Pro
ELMSFORD, N.Y.--Aug. 22, 2000--Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today announced the availability of the FinePix S1 Pro Digital Camera, the first professional SLR to utilize Fujifilm's new Super CCD Technology. Click on the S1 link above to go to our S1 Pro First Look report or click here for the full Business Wire press release. Special Tamron Lens Rebate: Bundled with the camera is a rebate coupon for select Tamron Special Performance lenses. If purchased within 30 days of the final FinePix S1 Pro purchase receipt, buyers will receive a rebate for Tamron's SP AF14mm F/2.8 Aspherical (IF) Rectilinear, SP AF20-40mm F2.7-3.5 Aspherical (IF) or SP AF28-105mm F/2.8 LD Aspherical (IF) lenses. There will be a rebate for the purchase of the SP AF90mm F/2.8 1:1 macro lens. To receive the rebate, a receipt for both the FinePix S1 Pro digital camera and Tamron lens, along with a UPC bar...[read more]
08/20/2000: Fujifilm S1 Pro First Look Posted
I have posted the Fujifilm S1 Pro first look report and had a fun day shooting sample photos and getting used to this camera. The image quality is excellent although my camera had some dirt on the imager. We hope to have this minor problem resolved shortly and post a full review....[read more]
08/17/2000: Versatec Flash Bracket Has Been Updated
The Versatec folks have improved their flash bracket for the Nikon Coolpix 9xx series of cameras. There were concerns about the swivel joint failing if the camera was mounted on a tripod using the camera's tripod socket. Versatec now has an optional tripod mount that attaches to the bracket itself and takes the weight off of the camera. It also lets you position the color LCD at any angle desired. Check out my updated Versatec bracket review for more details and pictures....[read more]
08/17/2000: New Hoodman Products for Nikon D1
The following came by way of Rob Galbraith's excellent digital PJ site: Hoodman, maker of glare reduction hoods including the E2000 for laptops, is turning its attention to the Nikon D1. Next month, the company is planning to introduce two products for Nikon's flagship digital SLR: Hoodcap-HCD1 A see-through LCD monitor cap that replaces the opaque cap included with the D1. This should be a boon for wearers of eyeglasses especially, or anyone else concerned about keeping their screen in pristine condition, since the cap will protect the LCD monitor from scratches but still allow easy viewing of images on it. It is slated for delivery September 15, though Hoodman's Bob Schmidt is hoping to move the product's release closer "to the beginning of September to accommodate the shooters at the Olympics." Hoodman has pegged the price at US.95. Hoodman-HD1 A collapsible hood for the LCD monitor on...[read more]
08/16/2000: Olympus C-2100 UltraZoom First Look Report Posted
The war of the big zooms is heating up and Olympus just blasted the competition with its little C-2100 UltraZoom! This camera handles like a charm. The lens is awesome, even handheld at low shutter speeds and full zoom the image stabilization system yields razor-sharp images. The iESP exposure system is nearly flawless and the autofocus is very accurate and fast. Go check out my C-2100 first look report and the first sample pictures....[read more]
08/15/2000: Olympus America Announces New C-2100UZ With 10x Stabilized Lens
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08/15/2000: Intel® Pocket PC Camera Detaches To Go Where The Photos Are
HILLSBORO, Ore., Aug. 15, 2000 - Intel Corporation is unleashing the PC camera to offer users the capability to shoot Internet-ready photos and record video at, and away from, the PC. The Intel® Pocket PC Camera is an inexpensive and easy-to-use product that includes a detachable PC Camera that can be taken to backyard barbecues, summer softball games and family vacations. The package comes with a software suite so that when the digital PC Camera is reattached to its PC, consumers can make video phone calls, create personal Web pages, send e-mail postcards, create PC movies, edit photos and play PC Camera games. The Intel Pocket PC Camera is available at manufacturer's suggested retail price. The eight-ounce Intel Pocket PC Camera is a high-quality VGA camera with a CCD sensor for enhanced low-light performance, and a four-element lens with a 50-degree field of view. When connected to a PC through...[read more]
08/15/2000: Sony DSC-S50 First Look Posted
Well we finally got a nice "typical" Florida day full of sunshine so I got a chance to take an armfull of new cameras out for a test drive. The Sony DSC-S50 First Look report has been posted complete with sample photos. In the next day or so I will also be posting the Sony DSC-S30 First Look as well. Also in-house and being reviewed is the Kodak DC3400, a worthy successor to the DC280. We have the new Olympus D-490 and C-2100UZ cameras coming. Seems as if I no sooner finish one review then I start three new ones. There is no "slump" this summer in new camera releases liek we saw last year, that's for sure!...[read more]
08/15/2000: Real Leather Case for Nikon Coolpix 9xx
Every so often we find a deal that we just have to tell others about. Such is the case (pun intended) for this excellent item from Henry's in Canada. This is a top quality, real leather carrying case for Nikon Coolpix 900, 950, 990 cameras and it only cost ! It has a belt loop on the back and a pocket on the front that holds a CF card and a spare set of batteries. Don't know why Nikon USA doesn't have something like this?? Inside it's labeled "www.nikon.ca" You can order one from Henry's Camera, it's part # 576NIK018 for .13. It took my order about 10 days to arrive via Canada/US post office here in Florida....[read more]
08/14/2000: Toshiba Shipping Value-Priced PDR-M60 2.3 Megapixel Camera
IRVINE, CA, -- Toshiba Imaging Systems announced it is shipping the new PDR-M60, an aggressively priced 2.3 megapixel camera featuring an optical zoom and lightning-fast USB downloading, with an MSRP of . The camera will be sold through a wide network of resellers, including computer retail outlets, photo specialty stores, consumer electronics stores, and catalog showrooms. Toshiba designed the pocket-sized PDR-M60 for fun, take-anywhere digital shooting. Thanks to its state-of-the-art 1/2-inch CCD, the camera produces photo-realistic JPEG images in resolutions up to 1800 x 1200, making it perfect for adding digital excitement to newsletters, e-mail, business presentations and web pages, as well as for capturing special moments with family and friends. The 2.3X optical zoom lens zeros in on all the action, with the Macro setting users can shoot subjects as close as two inches away. The PDR-M60 combines low cost of ownership with valuable features for users of all...[read more]
08/14/2000: Toshiba's New 2GB PC Type II HDD Card
Another interesting development from the land of the rising sun. Toshiba has announced they're now shipping a 2GB PC Type II hard disk drive card. This of course being of interest only to pro digicam users with the Kodak DCS cameras that can handle the full-size Type II cards....[read more]
08/14/2000: PS Fix For Nikon D1 "Magenta" Shots
We all know that the Nikon D1 is a great camera and we also know that it has been plagued since day one by magenta skin tones and other color irregularities. John Cowley has come up with a simple, two-stage process using PhotoShop (full version). The process is detailed on the main page of his LoneStar Digital web site. Phil over at the DP Review has taken John's mods and put them into an PhotoShop action file to automate the entire process. Note that Phil is using a stronger -5 hue adjustment compared to John's -2. I received the following email from Rob Miracle (aka CameraBoy): It seems that everyone has a 'magenta fix' lately and it seems to be surfacing to the top of the news channels. Of course as a D1 user, the magenta problem is one I've struggled to fix. I took some time this evening to...[read more]
08/14/2000: Flashpoint Technology Provides Developers With Tools To Build In-Camera Applications
SAN JOSE, CALIF. -- August 14, 2000 -- FlashPoint Technology, Inc., creator of Digita OE, the industry-standard operating system (OS) for digital cameras, today announced the availability of its Digita Application Software Development Kit (SDK). This is the first independent software vendor (ISV) toolkit available for the Digita environment. It supports the creation of groundbreaking in camera software applications for Digita-enabled cameras. This toolkit gives FlashPoint's 3500+ registered developers the opportunity to leverage Digit's application programming interfaces (APIs) and improve upon many of the Digita scripts they have written. The Digita Application SDK allows deeper access to camera control systems for more powerful and feature-rich in-camera applications. It provides a new option for third parties, allowing them to write applications that work in Digita-enabled cameras as after-market digital camera software products. The Digita Application SDK provides developers with a complete set of tools to begin building complex applications that extend...[read more]
08/14/2000: "Ceiva" Picture Frame Review Posted
A while back we reported on the Ceiva, the first Internet-connected LCD picture frame and now we've had the chance to use and review one. This is a very cool way to share your digi-pics, I'm sure it will end up on many people's tables, desks and walls. To see if this is something that you might want to give to grandma be sure to check out our Ceiva review. I think they will sell a lot of these at Christmas time this year so get your order in early!...[read more]
08/13/2000: Epson 870/1270 "Orange Shift" Info from Epson and ICC Profiles for Various Media
Important news from Epson regarding the fading and discoloration of Premium Glossy Paper prints can be found here on the Epson web site. It is of concern to those displaying their prints in ozone-rich environments or where there is a significant level of atmospheric contaminants. Prints can fade or shift heavily to an orange color. Ian Lyons recently gained access to a set of ICM profiles that other Epson 1270/870 users may find of benefit. You can download the profiles for Premium Glossy, HW-Matt, Glossy Film, Photo Paper and Photo Quality Quality Glossy from this link: Epson Media Profiles Instructions on the use of these profiles is included with the download, but you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader....[read more]
08/13/2000: Two USB Card Reader Reviews Posted
In the last couple of days I have posted reviews for two new multi-format USB-based card readers. One review is of the Delkin eFilm Reader-5 that handles both SmartMedia and CompactFlash Type I and II cards without any adapters required. This is a small, speedy and reasonably priced reader for those who need to read different types of media. The other review is the Chase Data Technologies Swift Syncro, another small and relatively fast card reader for SmartMedia and PC Type I and II cards. It comes with a CompactFlash adapter so right out of the box it will handle SmartMedia, CompactFlash Type I cards and full sized PCMCIA Type I and II cards. Using the appropriate PCMCIA adapter it will also work with Memory Sticks, Microdrives and other CompactFlash Type II devices. Chase Data Technologies is a U.K. company so this card reader may be of more interest to...[read more]
08/12/2000: Toshiba PDR-M70 Manual Exposure/Focus Mode
Thanks to one of our readers for pointing me to the Toshiba PDR-M70 FAQ page where they give all the details on how to setup the camera for full manual exposure with manual focus control. There is also info there about upgrading your camera firmware and playing the movie AVI files that it creates....[read more]
08/11/2000: More Canon EOS D30 Samples Posted
Yamada Kumio has now posted a page full of Canon D30 pictures on the PC-Watch site in Japan. There are also some new pictures of the Canon camera on this page too. I'm sure we'll be seeing more and more D30 pictures as its release date draws closer. Sources tell me to expect to see the D30 in limited quantities started by the end of September....[read more]
08/10/2000: MGI Software Releases PhotoVista 2.0
CAMPBELL, CA and TORONTO, ONT - August 10, 2000 - MGI Software today affirmed its objective to expand "immersive" imaging by announcing the immediate availability of Photovista 2.0 for Windows. Photovista is used by Web developers and e-businesses to quickly create 360-degree navigable images for more compelling content, and in vertical applications such as real estate virtual tours. Using a series of overlapping still images from any digital camera, video camcorder or scanned from traditional 35mm photos, Photovista automatically adjusts and blends the images into a stunning and realistic, yet compact, 360-degree panorama. Panoramas deliver an "immersive" online experience ideal for real estate virtual tours, showing the inside of a car by putting a user in the driver's seat, or exploring the scenery at a tropical island vacation spot. MGI Photovista 2.0 can be coupled with ZOOM Server to deliver high-resolution panoramas that viewers can zoom into to see fine...[read more]
08/10/2000: QBeo Releases PhotoGenetics 2.0 Image Enhancement Software
NORTH BEND, Wash. - QBeo's newest version of its award-winning PhotoGenetics software is now available. PhotoGenetics 2.0, enhancement software for still digital images, is even more intuitive than the previous version and makes it faster and easier for consumers to enhance pictures. "While the current version of PhotoGenetics is easy to use, 2.0 reflects amazing improvements in the software's intuitiveness and usability," said Del Clark, president of QBeo. "If it took you a minute to enhance an image to your liking with the previous version of PhotoGenetics, it could now take you less than 30 seconds." Key features of PhotoGenetics 2.0 include immediate application of enhancements, real-time previewing and automatic color shift correction. This means that people will not only be able to enhance photos more quickly, but also see what an enhancement would look like before applying it. In addition, the new version makes it easier to name, manage...[read more]
08/09/2000: SanDisk and Photo-Me Bring Digital Photography to the Mass Consumer Market
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2000-- SanDisk Corporation and Photo-Me International today announced that they have formed a joint venture which will allow millions of digital camera owners to obtain digital prints easily, quickly, and inexpensively without the necessity of a personal computer or a high quality printer. The new joint venture, called Digital Portal Inc. (DPI), will manufacture kiosks (self vending digital photo labs) and place them for consumer use in North America and other regions of the world. The two companies believe that the joint venture will give consumers low cost, high quality photo prints of digitally captured images and thereby enhance significantly the instant gratification that digital photography offers. It also will simplify the digital camera experience for users by expanding the options available for printing digital images. Deployment of the kiosks, which will bear the SanDisk name, is expected to start by the end of this year....[read more]
08/09/2000: Kodak DC4800 Zoom First Look Posted
I just posted the Kodak DC4800 Zoom first look report. I am most impressed with this 3-megapixel camera, it is much smaller than the DC290 and very easy to use. Check out the sample pictures, the image quality is excellent....[read more]
08/08/2000: Qimage Pro v8.7 Now Fully Supports ICC Color Profiles!
Mike Chaney just keeps making Qimage Pro better and better, his latest version now fully supports monitor and printer ICC color profiles. Here's what he has to say about it: If you blinked your eyes lately, you probably missed some BIG NEWS about Qimage Pro software. As far as image printing is concerned, Qimage Pro is now among the elite few that actually allow you to manage color on your PC by supporting ICC profiles for both your monitor and printer. Many digital imaging hobbyists and professionals have discovered color profiling and have used WiziWYG, Monaco EZ Color, or other software to create accurate color profiles for their printers. Until now however, if you wanted to print images using those profiles, you were limited to PhotoShop, PhotoPaint, or other behemoths that just weren't designed to be efficient image printing tools. In contrast, Qimage Pro can not only support these profiles,...[read more]
08/06/2000: Canon EOS D30 "Beta" Sample Pictures
Kumio Yamada has posted a page full of Canon EOS D30 sample pics and a lot of direct comparison shots taken with the Nikon D1. The rest of his DC Review site is in Japanese but the pictures speak volumes for the quality and tonal range of the new Canon. And these were taken with a "beta" camera, can't wait to see what a production camera can do!...[read more]
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08/05/2000: John Cowley Posts Fuji S1 Pro Samples
Good friend John Cowley got a rare opportunity to actually use one of the new Fuji S1 Pro cameras and has posted some sample pictures on the opening page of his LoneStarDigital web site. Go check them out, he promises to change the series of photos every couple of days ... he's such a tease!...[read more]
08/03/2000: Pentax Introduces Compact Digital Camera
PENTAX Corp., Englewood, Colo., USA, is introducing a new compact digital camera. The EI-200 is a 2.11 megapixel compact digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens, a range of 5.2mm to 16.5mm and a large aperture of f/2.4 to f/4. The camera offers up to 1,600-by-1,200 pixel resolution. The EI-200 also offers a choice of exposure modes, metering modes, automated and manual settings, and a selection of different kinds of white balance to achieve optimum results. Other features include a built- in TTL auto zoom flash, slow shutter sync and red-eye correction. A built-in microphone allows the user to record up to 45 seconds of sound with each image. Standard accessories include an 8Mb CompactFlash Card, Adobe Photoshop LE software, USB driver for Windows 98, video cable and a USB cable. See some Pentax EI-200 sample pictures at the Pentax Canada web site or download the sales brochure in...[read more]
According to Asia Pulse, the value of digital camera shipments, including exports, from Japan jumped 117.3 percent to „171.6 billion (US.56 billion) in January through June. Shipment of digital cameras surpassed that of film cameras for the first six-month term ever, the Japan Camera Industry Association reported. Shipments of film cameras fell 13.1percent during the period to „144.7 billion. Surging sales of digital cameras are attributed to the release this spring of models that offer 3-megapixel resolution or better. In terms of volume, digital camera shipments grew 131.3 percent to 3.98 million, while shipment of film cameras increased by 0.1 percent to 14.88 million, the report said. Digital cameras cost an average of „43,000, more than four times the average price of a film camera. Shipments of digital cameras will likely also surpass film-based cameras in terms of volume in a few years, many industry observers predict. Domestic shipments of...[read more]
08/03/2000: Reviews, Reviews and more Reviews
Seems as if all us are keeping busy these days with all the new digicams to review. Dave at the Imaging-Resource just posted his final Mavica CD-1000 review and definitely thinks it's as great of camera and technology leap as I do. I will be getting the CD-1000 back in here shortly for more testing and reviewing shortly. Dave has also posted the very first review of the new Kodak DC4800 Zoom anywhere on the net - he had this to say about it: "With its compact size, relatively smooth contours and available neck strap, the DC4800 should be able to travel just about anywhere. The availability of a full manual mode and a generous range of features will make this digicam attractive to advanced and novice consumers alike. Good exposure control, external flash support, an unusual degree of white balance adjustment, the option of either 'neutral' or 'saturated' color...[read more]
08/02/2000: megapixel.net Posts August Issue Online
Our bilingual counterparts at megapixel.net have posted their August e-zine online. This month they have reviewed the Sony DSC-S30, Canon's Digital ELPH (S-100) and the Ricoh RDC-7. Corresponding with megapixel.net's editor Denys Bouton, he said that their RDC-7 had trouble with the Pro modes not lining up right, mine shows no similar problem. I am not happy with the way my RDC-7 is metering and have asked Ricoh to send a replacement so we can fairly evaluate it. On a related note, the Imaging-Resource reports that the Ricoh RDC-7 has gone on sale through Ricoh's Online Store and there are 313 units available at the time of this posting....[read more]
08/01/2000: Olympus Announces First 2 Megapixel Point & Shoot Digital Zoom Camera For Under $500
August 1, 2000, Melville, NY -- Olympus, the world leader in film and filmless photography, today announced the D-490 ZOOM to its line of award winning digital cameras. Housed in a stylish champagne gold metallic compact point & shoot body, the Olympus D-490 ZOOM now offers a 2.11 megapixel resolution CCD and 3X optical zoom lens with QuickTime movie ability for an outstanding value. Based on the Olympus D-460 ZOOM, one of the fastest growing digital cameras in the market, the D-490 ZOOM has improved menus and function buttons for easier access to the camera?s full line of features; new Olympus branded long life Lithium batteries; a wider choice of compression modes with a new Standard Quality mode for better pictures for the web; DPOF support for setting the camera to print specific images and quantities with DPOF printers; and the ability to display file names on the LCD. The...[read more]
08/01/2000: Taking Aim At The Prosumer Market, Fujifilm Unveils The FinePix 4900 Zoom
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ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 1, 2000--With a lens that's perfect for "people pictures," colorful styling and extreme ease-of-use, the new Kodak DC3400 zoom digital camera is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to capture digital images of their favorite moments. The new DC3400 has a streamlined body, classic, sage green grips, a silvery green finish and closely resembles the popular Kodak DC280. A versatile zoom lens helps make those images look as good as possible. The 2X optical zoom (38 to 76 mm) is perfect for group shots as well as individual poses, and can be increased with a 3X digital zoom function. The camera also offers macro mode for focusing as close as 9.8 inches. A built-in electronic flash offers auto, fill and red-eye reduction modes and has a 9.8 foot range. Plus, its 2-megapixel resolution captures high quality images suitable for everything from e-mailing to printing 8 x...[read more]
08/01/2000: Delkin Unveils New eFilm Dual Reader for both SmartMedia and CompactFlash
San Diego, August 1, 2000 -- Delkin Devices today unveiled their "Dual" eFilm Reader-5, offering the perfect solution for downloading files from both CompactFlash & SmartMedia cards via a USB connection. Designed with two bays in a single reader/writer, the Dual eFilm Reader has a slot for downloading every capacity SmartMedia card, and a separate CF slot for accessing Type I (3.3mm) and Type II (5.0mm) cards -- including IBM's new 1GB Microdrive (which will be released for distribution by Delkin Devices during Photokina 2000). The eFilm Reader-5 contains a USB enabled controller inside, so every CompactFlash and SmartMedia card is 100% compatible, and doesn't require any additional PC Card adapters for downloading data. The eFilm Reader-5 can even transfer images & data between a CompactFlash card and a SmartMedia card, by dragging and dropping files to the computer's hard drive first. The size of a computer mouse, the eFilm...[read more]
