Creative Imaging News

Apple's iPad and a missed opportunity...

2010-01-28T18:26:00.000Z

Apple announced their newest iPod - OK its a little more than an iPod but not much. The iPad represents Apple's third tier in their iPod line and in many peoples eyes has failed to meet the expectations of many in the Mac world. People were hoping that Apple would release a tablet/slate type computer with some level of support for pen based computing and also one which supported a tablet enhanced Mac-OS.

My colleague Howard Carson over at Kickstartnews summed up many peoples response and assessment of this poor showing by Apple. I use Macs and iPods on a daily basis and what I have been hopinf for is that they would lead the pack. Instead of which we have a big expensive and barely portable iPod Touch. This combined with less than complete support for web standards like Flash and other technologies and you have a recipe for disappointment. Add to this the burden of DRM and other problematic content restrictions like regional licensing and you really have to wonder "what the hell are they thinking?"

Will I buy one ... not likely ... back to the drawing board, Apple.

Photokina 2008 round-up

2008-09-28T15:57:00.015+01:00

This year's Photokina looks to have been one of the busiest ever. With new releases and some interesting developments, I'm looking forward to what the next year will bring in the way of both software and hardware. The barriers between technologies are now looking greyer than ever as convergence is continuing to be something to be reckoned with. Several DSLRs are now offering super high pixel counts and HD quality video. This is a feature which you will no doubt see more of as journalists start using the cameras which combine photo & video in one chassis. You'll no doubt start seeing the top range models incorporating this feature as well.

The resolution issue is rapidly disappearing and as good as the capabilities and potential of non-Bayer-based technologies appear to be (e.g., Foveon), I've yet to see anything approaching the pixel counts of conventional chip technologies in these competing systems. There were, however, several new professional and medium format type cameras featuring resolutions which were in the 50 megapixel area.

For the average person the capabilties of their camera phone is proving to be a real winner, because requirements are being met more than adequately. Apple have fallen behind here because the iPhone is way behind the resolution camera phone standard of 5 megapixels. Newer mobile phones are incorporating video more and more and again convergence is making its presence felt. I mention mobiles because many sites have remarked on the reduction in the number of compact digicams being shown. To be honest I've alway felt there were way too many models offered, the less-is-more school being my favored approach to dealing with the market. Manufacturers have been forced to pay attention and adapt.

Hardware seems to have been the primary focus for a lot of the coverage from other sites, but there has also been a lot of activity in areas of software and services aimed at both the amateur and professional photographer. One growth area has been print-on-demand sevices and products where many photographers are now able to produce short run editions of their photography in bound and folio versions. There has also been much movement in large format output services, making it easy for photographers and imageers to reproduce their work for resale and display. Photokina had a number of these service providers present and showing their wares and services.

The growth in the number of software solutions on offer for handling RAW files and processing images is now making it a real chore to try and figure out which way to go, when picking tools to work with. Adobe (Photoshop CS 4, Photoshop Elements 6 & 7, Lightoom), Corel (Paint Shop Pro), Apple (Aperture) and many others (e.g., Nik Software, ACD Systems, etc., etc.), announced and/or showed their photography workflow and editing tools.

We’re not going to attempt to even look into things in too much depth, as there were over 1600 exhibitors at Photokina this year, but we will cover as much as we can.

Adobe Corp
Adobe have released a whole range of new products including both consumer and pro level tools. At the consumer end they have released Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 and Premiere Elements 7, both of which offer some innovative ways for consumers to interact and work with their content. At the pro level they have released CS4 of their toolkit. This of course includes the latest versions of Photoshop Creatuve Suite 4 and CS4 Extended. New features include enhanced 3D support, tabbed document Windows, enhanced support in Bridge, enhanced viewing & handling of panoramic content, and faster application start-up.

BenQ
BenQ showed their E1050 which is according to them the world’s slimmest camera with a 3-inch LCD screen.

Canon
This year's offering from Canon has seen some of my past predictions come true. I'm a current user of the Canon 5D and with the Mk II introduced and seeing what it has to offer I've gottten itchy with anticipation. The combination of high ISO and enhanced resolution, combined with 1080P video capture is burning a hole in my wallet. Canon have also introduced the following new products;

Digital SLRs
Canon EOS 50D

Lenses
Canon EF 24 mm F1.4L II
Canon EF-S 18-200 F3.5-F5.6 IS

Consumer Digicams
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
Canon PowerShot G10
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS / IXUS 980 IS
Canon PowerShot SD880 IS / IXUS 870 IS
Canon PowerShot SX110IS
Canon PowerShot E1
Canon PowerShot A2000 IS
Canon PowerShot A1000 IS

Carl Zeiss
Carl Zeiss showed the compact Tele-Tessar T* 4/85 ZM, which is a new addition to the ZM line of rangefinder camera lenses. They also showed their Distagon T* 2.8/21 - 21mm super wide angle lens for SLR cameras. Carl Zeiss are also expanding their manual focus SLR lenses to include the Canon EF mount on the new ZE range.

Casio
Casio intro'd a number of consumer digicams including the Casio Exilim EX-Z85, Exilim EX-Z300, Exilim EX-Z250 and the Exilim EX-FH20.

Epson
Epson showcased a variety of products including their portable storage solutions, the P-6000 and P-7000. They also showed the brand new Artisan line of all-in-one inkjet printers including the Artisan 800 and 700. The Epson Stylus NX100/NX200/NX300 all-in-one consumer models were also on show. For those of you who have stuff to scan the Epson Perfection V300 was presented as a unit to consider with its 4800 x 9600 dpi maximum hardware resolution, 48-bit color scanning and 3.2 dynamic range.

Fujifilm
Fuji intro'd their new FinePix 3D which is a twin lens/sensor camera and print/display system which allows recording and display of 3D images. Fuji also showed the latest version of Super CCD, EXR, using a new color filter array to improve pixel binning which offers the twin benefits of high resolution and expanded dynamic range. They did show the following new Consumer Digicams:

Fujifilm FinePix F60fd
Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD
Fujifilm FinePix J150W
Fujifilm FinePix J110W
Fujifilm FinePix J120
Fujifilm FinePix J100

GE
GE showed their A1030, a slim 10 megapixel digicam which has a 2.5 inch LCD screen, 3x optical zoom and uses AA batteries. The E1055W features a 10 megapixels sensor, wide-angle 5x zoom lens and a 3-inch LCD screen. GE also showed the E1050TW which in addition to a 3.0" touch screen LCD and 28 mm wide-angle, 5x zoom lens, offers 1280 x 720 pixel HD movie recording, plus Face, Blink and Smile detection functions.

Kodak
Just to prove that film isn't completely dead Kodak showed their Professional Ektar 100 a new ISO 100 smooth-grain color film which has high saturation and ultra-vivid color, and offers the finest, smoothest grain of any color negative film available today.

LaCie
LaCie showed their 730, 724 and 720 Monitors which offer Ultra-wide gamuts of up to 123 percent of Adobe RGB colorspace. A must see for anyone involved in imaging and photography.

Leaf
Leaf have intro'd a number of medium format cameras and digital camera backs. These are the AFi-II 10, 7 and 6 digital medium format cameras and the related Aptus-II 10, 7 and 6 digital backs. The AFi-II 7 and 10 feature the first 90° tilting LCD screens. The AFi-II 10 and Aptus-II 10 uses a 56 megapixel, 56 x 36mm sensor. The AFi-II 7 and Aptus-II 7 use a 33 megapixel, 48 x 36mm sensor, whilst the AFi-II 6 and Aptus-II 6 use a 28 megapixel, 44 x 33mm sensor. All of the new cameras/backs feature 3.5" touch screen LCD displays, 12 stop dynamic range, a 50-800 ISO range and 16-bit output. Another new feature is Leaf Verto which is an internal sensor rotation dial on the side and bottom of the AFi-II 7 and 10 that allows photographers to rotate the sensor without removing the digital back.

Leica
Leica showcased their new S2 Digital SLR which features a larger medium format 37 megapixel sensor. This camera is about the size of the Canon 1DS MKIII. Leica's other camera and lens offerings were somewhat overshadowed by this camera, but include the digital rangefinder based Leica M8.2 and the D-LUX 4 and C-LUX 3 consumer digicams. Leica also showed the Leica NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f /1, SUMMILUX-M 21 mm f / 1.4 ASPH, SUMMILUX-M 24mm f / 1.4 ASPH and the ELMAR-M 24 mm f / 3.8 ASPH as well as some prototypes including the rather nice looking 30mm Tilt & Shift CS lens.

Lensbaby
Lensbaby showed three new lenses called Composer, Muse and Control Freak. The Muse and Control Freak replace the current Lensbaby Original, 2.0 and 3G lenses. The Composer is interesting in that it features a ball & socket type assembly, which according to Lensbaby offers greater precision and ease of use. All the new lenses feature a new Optic Swap System which allows the user to choose from four interchangeable optics — double glass, single glass, plastic and Pinhole — and which also extend the future capabilities of the system.

Mamiya
Mamiya unveiled the ZDb digital back and the recently announced 645 AF DIII featuring their 22 megapixel Dalsa CCD sensor. Mamiya also showed some of its high-end glass including the new leaf shutter based Sekor AF 80mm F2.8 D L/S and their Mamiya Remote Capture software.

Microsoft
Microsoft showed the recently released Photosynth. This innovative product allows the association of images to create 3D scenes. Photosynth allows you to relate these images and analyses each image for similarities. Photosynth then uses this data to build a 3D model of where the photos were taken.

Minox
Minox showed the DC 1033 a 10 megapixel digicam with 5x zoom lens and the Minox DCC Leica M3 Gold Edition which is a 5 megapixel digicam based on the Leica M3 featuring a striking design in black and gold.

Nikon
Nikon sort of jumped the gun with its product announcements but its showing didn't disappoint. Nikon showed their new D90 DSLR featuring a 12.3 MP CMOS sensor and the D3/D300/D700's 3.0-inch screen with live view and continuous shooting at up to 4.5 frames per second, and 720P high definition video mode. Nikon also showed several other products, including:

Consumer Digicams
Nikon Coolpix P6000
Nikon Coolpix S710
Nikon Coolpix S610c
Nikon Coolpix S610
Nikon Coolpix S560
Nikon Coolpix S60

Lenses
Nikon 18-105 mm F3.5-F5.6G VR

Olympus
Olympus surprised a lot of folks at Photokina with a mock-up of their Micro Four Thirds camera concept. The mockup measured around 4.7" x 2.5" x 1.2" and looks like it'll appeal to a lot of folks who want something versatile but compact. Olympus also showed another prototype of a DSLR which will fit between the E-520 and E-3 models. They also showed several consumer digicams in the form of the 10 megapixel Mju/Stylus 1050SW and the 10 megapixel Mju/Stylus 1040. At the lower end they showed three new 'FE' models; the FE-20, FE-360 and FE-370.

Panasonic
Amongst its product showcase Panasonic showed its new Micro 4/3 Camera, the Panasonic DMC-G1 and several new lenses including the 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6/O.I.S. and the 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/ O.I.S, and a Micro Four Thirds adapter.

Pentax
Pentax showcased its brand new K2000(K-m) and the associated lenses. This camera features an image stabilized 10 megapixel sensor and is small, light and easy to use. Pentax showed the following lenses: the DA 60-250mm F4 ED IF SDM, the DA 55mm F1.4 SDM, the DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited, the DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL and the DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6AL. They also showed the DA 1.4X REAR CONVERTER SDM prototype.

PhaseOne
Lens Sep 4 PhaseOne 45 mm F 3.5 TS

Sigma
Sigma showed its SD15 Digital SLR and the worthy Sigma DP2 consumer digicam, both of which feature sensors based on Foveon technology. Sigma showed a number of lenses including the 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM, the 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM, 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Fisheye Lens, 10mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Fisheye Lens and the Sigma APO 1.4x EX DG and Sigma APO 2x EX DG Tele Converters. Sigma also showed the Macro EM-140 DG flash for Pentax and Sony.

Sinar
Sinar showed their Hy6 65 medium format system which includes the eSprit65 back which is first to produce DNG files onboard. Sinar also showed a dedicated architecture camera, the arTEc, which was developed in collaboration with architecture photographer Rainer Viertlboeck. The 1.5Kg, relatively compact camera offers +/- 5 degree tilt, rotatable through 360 degrees and +25mm/-15mm shift vertically and +/-20mm horizontally. The Sinar eXposure software developed with architecture photography in mind is available from the company's website.

Sony
Digital SLRs
Sony Alpha 900 [preview]

Consumer Digicams
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T500

Lenses
Sony SAL1635ZA
Sony SAL70400G

Tamron
Lens Sep 2 Tamron SP AF90 mm F2.8 Di Macro
Lens Sep 2 Tamron SP AF10-24 mm Di II
Lens Sep 2 Tamron SP AF70-200 mm F2.8 Di LD IF Macro [review]
Lens Sep 2 Tamron SP AF18-270 mm Di II VC

Tokina
Lens Sep 24 Tokina 16.5-135mm F3.5-5.6 [review]

Zeiss
Lens Sep 19 Zeiss Distagon T* 2.8/21
Lens Sep 15 Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50
Lens Sep 15 Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/85

On the storage front there have been a few new developments but nothing noteworthy speedwise. The biggest advances have been in the way of storage capacity and format.

Delkin
Delkin released its new USB external 4X Blue-Ray Disc drive and a line of archival quality Blu-ray discs. The discs have 25GB capacity and purportedly have a 200 year lifespan. A 25GB disk can be burned in 30 minutes using this drive.

Kingston
Kingston released its 32GB Class 4 SDHC card.

Lexar
Lexar 16 GB UDMA CF card

Pretec
Pretec 64 GB CompactFlash, 233x
Pretec 100 GB CompactFlash, 233x
Pretec 32 GB CompactFlash, 333x
Pretec 32 GB CompactFlash, 333x

SanDisk
SanDisk showed their new Extreme III 32 GB CF card, Extreme IV 16 GB CF card and the Extreme III SDHC card.

Digital Foci
Digital Foci announced Photo Safe II, a portable storage solution which can act as a portable card reader and USB hard drive. It copys all data off memory cards including RAW and video files.

Lenovo
ThinkPad W300

Lowepro
Lowepro announced a number of bags including the Terraclime; The PrimusMinimus AW and CompuPrimus AW which are made from 51 percent recycled materials. The compact PrimusMinimus can haul a DSLR with a moderate-range zoom attached in addition to one or two extra lenses. The CompuPrimus AW, which has space for a DSLR, up to five lenses, and features a laptop compartment large enough for a 15.4" notebooks, The Primus line feature an all-weather cover and tripod attachment hardware. Also new is the Flipside 400 backpack which will easily fit a DSLR with pro-grade zoom and up to six extra lenses, the SlingShot 330 AW which is a side-opening bag that can accommodate a DSLR and several lenses alongside a 15" laptop.

The most comprehensive coverage of the show can be found at http://www.photokina-show.com/ which has been put together by LetsGoDigital.

Canon Eos 5D Mark II

2008-09-18T01:09:00.006+01:00

The 21.1 megapixel EOS 5D Mark II is Canon’s first DSLR camera to offer a High Definition video capability. The new camera features a newly designed Canon CMOS sensor with ISO sensitivity up to 25600, a new DIGIC 4 processor, a 3.0” Clear View LCD with VGA resolution, and 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting. The HD Capture Mode features a full 1080 resolution at 30fp for up to 30 minutes video or 4GB whichever comes first.

The EOS 5D Mark II has a body-only price SRP of $2,699 / €2,499 / £ 2,299 and will be available from the end of November. It will also be available in kit form with the EF 24-105mm f4.0L IS USM lens for an SRP of £3049.99 / €3999.99.

Canon Announce New Models

2008-09-18T00:35:00.005+01:00

Canon have announced the Powershot G10, Powershot SX1 IS, the Digital Ixus/Elph 980 IS and the 870 IS.

The Canon PowerShot G10 features a 14.7 megapixel sensor and a 5x, 28-140mm zoom. This successor to the G9, also offers a large 3.0” PureColor LCD screen, a DIGIC 4 image processor, Canon’s new i-Contrast system to increase the dynamic range, and a Servo AF mode to continually adjust focus on a moving subject. It also like the G9, supports RAW.

The Canon PowerShot G10 will be available from October for an SRP of £499.99 / €649.99.

The PowerShot SX1 IS and PowerShot SX10 IS replace the PowerShot S5 IS, both the SX1 and SX10 feature a 20x wide-angle zoom lens, with USM and VCM for fast, silent, zooming, and optical Image Stabilizer. The Canon SX1 IS features a fast CMOS sensor which allows it to shoot full-resolution JPEGs at speeds up to 4fps. Both models also use Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor, and feature full HD movie capture and full manual control over both aperture and shutter speed.

The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS will be available from December for an SRP of £519.99 / €679.99, whilst the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS will have an SRP of £359.99 / €469.99.

The 14.7 Megapixel Digital IXUS 980 IS features several exciting ‘firsts’ – including a Manual Mode that allows for control of shutter speed and aperture. It also comes in "stylish, head-turning" black and the traditional IXUS silver. The 10 Megapixel Digital IXUS 870 IS features a 4.0x wide-angle (28mm) optical zoom, a high-resolution 3.0” PureColor LCD II, and comes finished in gold or silver. Both cameras use Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor. Both cameras offer smooth, 30fps VGA video shooting. Superior compression technology allows them store up to 40% more footage to memory card than their predecessors.

The IXUS 980 IS will be available from late September for an SRP of £349.99 / €459.99. The IXUS 870 IS will be available from late September for an SRP of £269.99 / €349.99.

The Photography Blog has published a hands on look at all these models at the links found below.
Canon PowerShot G10
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS / SX10 IS
Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS and 870 IS

Leica Announce M8, D-LUX 4 and C-LUX 3

2008-09-16T01:26:00.000+01:00

Leica has announce a trio of digital cameras today. The cameras include the C-LUX 3, D-LUX 4 and the M8.2. The C-LUX 3, is a compact pocket-sized digicam that features 10-megapixel sensor, 25 to 125mm 5x optical zoom lens, all-metal chassis, optical image stabilization, face detection and a 2.5-inch LCD monitor. Available in black or white from October 2008, the LEICA C-LUX 3 will have an SRP of £420.

The D-LUX 4, is a 10.1-megapixel compact camera which can extend its zoom range of 24 to 60-millimeters via lens adapters. It also features a choice of either an additional flash or a 24-millimeter optical viewfinder. Available from October 2008, the LEICA D-LUX 4 will have an SRP of £590.

The M8.2, which keeps the current 10.3 megapixel sensor found in the M8 , but also features a new metal blade focal plane shutter, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal coverglass for the LCD, a "snapshot mode," redesigned bright frame lines in viewfinder and a Quick Override setting. The M8.2 should be available this month for an SRP of £3390. Authorised Leica dealers are also offering a £400 Leica M8 trade up incentive which is currently scheduled to end on 30th September 2008.

SanDisk Intro 32GB Extreme III CF Card

2008-09-12T00:33:00.001+01:00

SanDisk's have added a 32GB CompactFlash card to their 30MB/s Extreme III line of flash cards. SanDisk just announced the 32GB Extreme III CompactFlash card for $299. If you're a pro photographer shooting high-speed RAW images or a film maker producing a HD masterpiece, check it out. The new card should be available in October.

Nik Software Announce Sharpener Pro 3.0

2008-09-09T10:31:00.004+01:00

Nik Software have announced the latest version of their Sharpener Pro photographic plug-in for use with Adobe® Photoshop® and Apple® Aperture™. Sharperner Pro is designed for professionals and photo enthusiasts, and features Nik Software's patented U Point technology, which allows photographers to selectively sharpen objects and uses Control Points to offer precise control over sharpening.

“Sharpener Pro 3.0 has been dramatically improved with a range of new features, including powerful creative sharpening tools, a soft proofing option, and integrated U Point technology,” said Michael J. Slater president and CEO of Nik Software. “This new version of Sharpener Pro offers the most comprehensive tools for optimally sharpening images for any output device while also offering photographers the complete control they expect,” Slater concluded. Key Features include:

• New U Point Powered Control Points—Enables precise, selective sharpening control
• Updated Output Sharpening—Provides the ultimate control to create perfectly sharpened images on all devices and media types such as display, inkjet, continuous tone, half tone, and hybrid tone
• New Creative Sharpening—Enhances fine details and textures with new structure, focus, and local contrast tools for drawing attention to desired areas within the image
• New Industry-First Sharpening Soft Proof—Allows detailed inspection of sharpening results on screen before printing, eliminating costly test prints
• New Output Presets—Enables custom settings to be saved for consistent, professional results
• Updated RAW Presharpener—Retains and enhances sharp details within images without amplifying noise and other artifacts
• Updated Powerful Selective Tool (Photoshop only)—Enables the use of Photoshop’s brush tools to paint in sharpening selectively
• New Smart Filter Support (Photoshop only)—Provides compatibility with Adobe Photoshop’s Smart Objects enabling adjustments to sharpening after Sharpener Pro has been applied
• New Multi-Image Support (Aperture only)—Provides compatibility with Aperture’s multiimage support, allowing photographers to easily copy and paste settings between images to maintain consistency

Sharpener Pro 3.0 will be available in September for electronic delivery directly from (Nik Software) in four languages (English, French, German, and Spanish). It will be available through specialty camera retailers in October of 2008. The SRP will be € 199.95, with upgrades from any previous version will be available for € 99.95. For more information about Sharpener Pro 3.0, including video tutorials showing the software running within Photoshop and Aperture and a free 15-day fully functional trial version, please visit www.niksoftware.com/sharpenerpro.

Canon Tease With Possible 5D Successor

2008-09-06T12:58:00.000+01:00

Canon are showcasing a number of ads using the old silhouette in the dark teaser ads. The photo doesn't really show much but you can see the first teaser at a page titled Destined Evolution, featuring the silhouette of a canon dslr against an image of the moon. Some sites are guessing its a new Canon 5D. The image below is what comes out of the teasers when you process the image in photoshop - silhouette certainly looks like that of a 5D.

Sony Ads Reveal 24 Megapixel Full Frame DSLR

2008-09-05T00:06:00.000+01:00

Sony's revealed the A900 DSLR, which features a full frame 24.6 megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor, via an ill timed ad. It will also features Sony's Dual BIONZ image processing engine, a 3-inch Hybrid LCD with "Intelligent Preview," 5 fps continuous shooting, and Sony's SteadyShot image stabilization. There is no price or release date mentioned in the Ad but all should come clear as we approach Photokina.

Nikon Unveil D90 DSLR

2008-08-27T16:04:00.001+01:00

Nikon have unveiled their new D90 DSLR. The D90 features a new 12.3 megapixel Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with an Integrated Dust Reduction System. The DSLR has a Low-noise capability which ranges from ISO 200 to 3200, it also has support for ISO 6400. The camera can also record video using their D-Movie mode, which records in AVI format at 320 x 216, 640 x 424 or 1,280 x 720.
Other features include:
Scene Recognition System based on 420 pixel RGB sensor for improved autofocus, autofocus and auto white balance, in addition to Face Detection.
Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus with 11 AF points.
3-inch, VGA Live View LCD.
4.5 fps continuous shooting
0.15 second startup
65ms shutter release lag.
SD / SDHC storage.
HDMI output
The Nikon should be available in kit form for around $1,299. For more info visit Nikon.com

Canon Eos 50D Announced

2008-08-26T17:58:00.002+01:00

Canon have officially unveiled the EOS 50D. The 15.1 megapixel DSLR features an APS-C sized CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 image processor, up to ISO 12800 support, a 3.0-inch LCD with Live View, face detection, HDMI output, 6.3fps burst mode. It also uses the same AF system found in Canon's 40D but with a new Microadjustment feature. This Prosumer centric model should have an SRP of $1,599 with Canon's EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens -- $1,399 for the body only.

How People Kill Their Cameras

2008-08-18T22:51:00.000+01:00

Amateur Photographer have released an article detailing some of the ways in which the public destroy their cameras. The details come from data which has been released by insurance group Domestic & General in the UK. It seems that around a sixth of us blame children or dog, 3% of claims run over their camera with a car, about three quarters drop their cameras, either onto a "hard surface", into water, or other wise damage the camera by falling onto it and using it to cushion their fall. The article is worth a read.

Xara Xtreme Pro 4 Review

2008-08-18T02:26:00.000+01:00

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, August 2008
Published by: Xara Group Limited
Requires: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Pentium processor or better, 128MB RAM, 100MB available hard drive space
MSRP: US$249.00, £125.00 GBP
Xara has long been one of the "other" programs artists can use for creating designs and illustrations. It also has one very attractive capability in that it is much faster at rendering than comparable programs, in some cases it is much faster than Adobe Illustrator at rendering the same illustrations. Xara Xtreme Pro can be used very effectively to create logos, brochures, websites and photographic panoramas. It is very fast at all these tasks and comes with an array of professional level controls. Version 4 is an improvement over earlier versions in that it not only features new capabilities but also includes support for multicore processors.

Added to this new version are 3D capabilities and bitmap editing features which help make it a hybrid creative solution. The editing of bitmaps is in itself different from software like Photoshop in that Xara Xtreme Pro isn't a pixel editor but uses non-destructive kind of element editing which lets you re-edit and modify at a later date.

There were some problems with some of the bitmap handling in that when I used filters and plug-ins, Xara had a tendency to get bogged down. Some other problem areas include compatibility with newer Adobe Illustrator and PDF formats, an issue which can be bypassed by exporting the problem file in an earlier revision from the native application. The import of RAW files is also supported, though I haven't tested all available formats.

Xara Xtreme Pro provides a comprehensive environment for vector editing, animation and web design all without changing applications. The layer capabilities are well designed and allow you to layer elements for easy editing and tracing. The software features an excellent array of vector editing and creation capabilities including Bevel, Contour, Drop Shadow, Extrude, Fill, Polygon, Transparency and many others.

The handling of text is really easy — simplified but powerful. Things like text flow and styling can be done in a flash. Text can be resized, skewed, rotated and more, and it is even possible to apply effects like bevelling, drop shadows, and make the entire text block transparent. Xara Xtreme Pro supports Unicode making it easy to create documents in multiple languages. The Text extrusion tool is used to create and edit extruded text with textures in real time by simply placing and dragging the text. You'll also find controls and settings for creating multipage documents, along with desktop publishing features which include text flow around graphics and the kerning and editing of text.

Xara Xtreme Pro 4.0's web capabilities can export documents to HTML for use on a web site. CSS styles are used format your page elements and text and while the code isn't the cleanest, it does the job. One thing for Xara to focus on for the next version of Xara Xtreme Pro would be to offer an option to clean up the HTML code on export.

The files generated by Xara are pretty compact and suffer little of the bloat I’ve come to expect from other software in the same class. The PDF export capabilities include support for high resolution PDFs which support Pantone PMS colors and font embedding.

Cons: File import could be more versatile. Xara Xtreme Pro is not available for Mac OS X. No pixel editing.

Pros: Very fast rendering. Inexpensive in comparison to other competing software. Flexible and powerful. Unlike dedicated software, Xara has a great many features which are useful for the non-designer. Xara Xtreme Pro facilitates the easy creation and editing of documents which can be used by the business user who want to make quick work of their creative business documents (promotions, presentations, marketing, etc.). Using Xara Xtreme Pro you will soon come to appreciate its speed and flexibility. You can add photos, vectors and apply all sort of effects to your documents without having to learn five different programs. Highly recommended.

Polaroid Reveal Future Instant Camera Plans

2008-08-13T02:03:00.000+01:00

Polaroid are set to release an digital camera which includes an on-board printer which uses the Zink printing technology. The camera/printer will be able to produce 4 x 3 inch prints. It also looks likePolaroid are looking for consumer feedback on the devices final form factor. Visit amateurphotographer.co.uk for more information.

HP Launches New Laptops & Displays

2008-08-11T23:37:00.001+01:00

HP launched a few new products at SIGGRAPH today. Firstly a few new laptops in the form of the 17" EliteBook 8730w and 15.4" EliteBook 8530w and 8530p. The 8730 features a 17-inch DreamColor display, a quad-core Intel CPU, 8GB of RAM and NVIDIA's 1GB Quadro FX graphics card. The EliteBook 8530w and 8530p, feature 8GB of RAM, a Core 2 Duo chip (the 8530w supports an optional quad-core chip) and HP's brushed anodized aluminum DuraCase.

HP also announced 22 and 24 inch displays. The 22-inch LP2275w lights up 92 percent of the NTSC color gamut across its 1680 x 1050 pixels, whilst the new 24-inch LP2475w puts 102 percent across its 1920 x 1200 pixels. Both displays feature 1000:1 contrast ratios, extra-bright panels and adjustable stands. The LP2275w will be avaialble immediately, while the LP247w will come next month. Retail pricing will be between $459 and $649 respectively.

Lowepro Announce Slingshot 350 AW

2008-08-04T23:32:00.003+01:00

Lowepro, announced the launch of their SlingShot 350 AW. The 350 has larger carrying capacity that other sligshot models and includes a protective space for a widescreen notebook.
The SlingShot 350 AW features a main compartment that comfortably fits a professional DSLR fitted with a 70-200. It also accommodates 5-6 extra lenses or accessories.
The padded notebook compartment will fit a 15.4” widescreen notebook, it also features a fully adjustable, padded waistbelt; a built-in microfiber cloth to protect LCD screen; Hypalon SlipLock attachment loops for adding accessories; and Lowepro’s patented All Weather Cover. For more information about 350 AW or other Lowepro products, visit http://www.lowepro.com/.

Dell Vostro 2510 Now Configurable

2008-08-01T00:49:00.000+01:00

Dell have rolled out their Vostro 2510. Their new, slab like, 15.4-inch laptop comes in a two-tone black and red body, incorporates a slot-load drive and a cooling system that vents heat away from the bottom of the notebook. It uses current-generation Core 2 Duo processors, supports a slot-load Blu-ray burner, a minimum 1440x900 resolution display with a built-in webcam, a GeForce 8400M GS for video and a 160GB hard disk. you can increase the display to 1920x1200 and increase storage to 320GB. The laptop won't ship till mid-august but look for more goodies when it becomes available.

Dell Release Studio Hybrid Desktop

2008-07-29T22:21:00.001+01:00

Dell went live with their Studio Hybrid Desktop product page yesterday. The Page shows the Studio Hybrid in a range of colours and offers the unit for a base configuration at $499 (UK prices start at £399). A bamboo version is available for an extra $130. The display will add at least $200 and for an extra $50 you can upgrade to 2GB of RAM. Bluray and Hifi will cost extra. Dell are offering some "Instant Savings," for preconfigured models but no idea if its gonna be a long term deal. These cool little units can be viewed and configured online at Dells product page.

Adobe Release Lightroom 2.0

2008-07-29T21:44:00.003+01:00

Adobe have released Lightroom 2.0. They' ve added a few new features and improved the overall performance since it's brief public beta. New features since 1.0 include:
Local adjustment brush
Enhanced organizational tools
Volume management
Extensible architecture
Multiple monitor support
Flexible print package functionality
Streamlined Photoshop CS3 integration
Enhanced output sharpening
64-bit support for Windows® and Mac OS
Adobe has also released Camera RAW 4.5 to support the additional Lightroom 2 adjustments within Photoshop and Bridge. Lightroom 2 will cost £175 in the UK and $299 in the US. Upgrades from existing versions will cost £69 and $99. UK Pricing excludes VAT.

The Moment It Clicks: Photography Secrets From One Of The World's Top Shooters

2008-07-21T15:18:00.005+01:00

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, July 2008
Author: Joe McNally
Published by: New Riders & Peach Pit Press
ISBN-10: 0321544080
ISBN-13: 978-0321544087
Requires: Amateur or pro interest in photography
MSRP: US$54.99 USD, £29.99 GBP, $59.99 CAD

(Ed. Note: Books like this often tell readers about more than the apparent subject. Most often, a semi-autobiographical book of this type provides examples for success which transcend the categories of life, career, technique and business into which we tend to slot ourselves, others and our efforts throughout our lives. I love reading about the details, techniques and events, told from a personal perspective, which have occured and affected skilled, successful people because the knowledge helps me organize and make sense of the details, techniques and events in my own life. I hope you feel the same way.)

Joe McNally's book “The Moment It Clicks” has received a lot of press and acclaim, so when I received it for review, I already felt that it would be a book which would provide a challenge. There has been a lot of hype about it from all over the photography world. The book has become a bestseller and nothing I say will add to or take away from that. The Moment It Clicks tells a story which is essentially all about the 30 year photography career of Joe McNally, his life, and experiences both professional and personal. The book was written to provide an insight into the world of commercial photography and photojournalism.

The Moment It Clicks is not a biographical tome, but more about the pictures McNally has taken, the events in his life and how they have been shaped by his career. The book doesn't really take a chapter type approach (typically, photography books are always organized into traditional chapters and sub-sections), taking instead a more subjective approach. McNally uses a picture and then tells the story behind the picture and details how it was shot. This isn’t a step-by-step approach either, focusing rather on the more important details and insights which will add to your experience of McNally's photography as well as adding to the critical appreciation of your own photography efforts and learning process. The "How It Was Shot" section accompanying each photo provides varying detail with respect to subjective items such as lighting, camera positions, supporting elements, technical and aesthetic considerations key to learning about particular subjects.

McNally details the events which surrounded or led up to the moment of each photo. He frequently relates stories about how events affected his life, the adventures and often the misadventures related to the photography he's produced. Some of the stories are highly insightful and others somewhat sentimental. None of this takes away from one's experience of this book and the story it tells. Like many other great storytellers, McNally talks about his mistakes and the things he has learned which have added to his experiences and his art.

The Moment It Clicks is well put together and features many excellent images, it also features quite a few images which failed to inspire me. Overall the book is clearly aimed at those of you who are looking for or already involved in photography which is of a more commercial nature.

There are some other annoyances such as the frequent repetition of certain terms throughout the book and in the footnotes. As well, the photo in which McNally shows all his kit is a bit of overload. The reality is that it's quite unlikely that Joe would carry all that kit around with him all the time. In fact, he'd need a retinue of Porters to carry it all. It would have been more useful if he showed the various kit he carries on different assignments.

All that aside, Joe McNally tells his story well, and leaves you with some very memorable, useful and inspiring insights. This kind of book stays with you a lot longer than most technically based, how-to books, because it humanizes the process of learning and the process of involving yourself in photography. There is a folkloric nature to it, which you can identify with much moreso that any technical manual or step-by-step type of book. Life, after all, is experiential and the best way to relate those experiences is to tell stories.

Cons: Very few. Definite bias toward commercial photography. Frequent repetition in footnotes.

Pros: Humanistic approach to storytelling. Storytelling that engages and educates the reader. Joe McNally tells his story in a manner which allows the reader to identify and learn from his own personal experiences in photography. As a book on commercial photography it is a book you must have. If you are looking for a book on fine art photography this may not be it. The allegorical nature of the teaching in this book is engaging and will leave the reader with much to think about. Highly recommended.

Canon DSLR: The Ultimate Photographer's Guide

2008-07-21T14:07:00.003+01:00

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, July 2008
Author: Christopher Grey
Published by: Focal Press
ISBN-10: 0240520408,
ISBN-13: 978-0240520407
Requires: An interest in Canon cameras
MSRP: US$39.95, UK £22.99

Christopher Grey has produced a reference book which covers most Canon digital SLR (DSLR) cameras and is squarely aimed at improving your use of your DSLR. The title of the book includes the phrase "The Ultimate Photographer's Guide" which is quite a boast. So as usual when we encounter this sort of thing, our initial goal during the review is to establish whether or not the substance of the book lives up to the 'hype' of the title.

The book begins by looking at the basics of photography and then briefly at the concepts of workflow. It continues by covering many of the existing workflow models and then looks into the common technology and features used in all Canon's Cameras. In the Common Ground section, Christopher Grey introduces the first of his many Photographer Spotlights found throughout the book in which he interviews and looks at the working practices of a large number of professional photographers

Grey then looks at the Zones — Basic and Creative — which allow users either easy choices for shooting under different conditions or, as in the Creative zone, a more technical approach requiring some knowledge of the features and capabilities of your Canon camera. The Basic Zone uses icons to allow the user to easily select a preferred shooting mode. With shooting mode selections in Canon DSLRs for Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports and Night Portrait, it's easy enough for most people (especially casual photographers, more serious but still novice photographers, and even many intermediate photographers). A Basic Zone selector is missing from the dial on all prosumer and pro Canon DSLR models.

Canon DSLR: The Ultimate Photographer's Guide then looks at the focus, exposure and style, examining the use of external light meters, color temperature, focus methodologies and preferences. It is here where some excellent lessons are imparted regarding the judicious use of the excellent focusing technologies found in Canon cameras.

Grey then takes a look at Canon lenses. The coverage here is good, firmly establishing the practical uses of a wide variety of Canon lenses and examining the where and why of lens use too. In the next chapter, the use of Canon flashes is covered including built-in pop-up flash, accessory flash, off-camera flash, studio flash and location lighting.

The book's penultimate chapter looks at one of the most important parts of your toolkit: The use of the Canon Digital Photo Professional software. In this chapter the handling of your images — more specifically the Digital Negative or RAW file — is covered in some depth. Although Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) is mentioned, neither it nor Adobe Lightroom, Apple Aperture, ACDSee Pro 2 or any of the other RAW acquisition solutions are covered. The book finishes with a look at the works of a number of photographers from around the world.

Cons: No coverage of other RAW software.

Pros: Excellent layout and information throughout the book. Easy to follow. Although the book is aimed at the beginner and intermediate user there are many pros out there who use it instead of the manuals supplied with their Canon DSLR. Canon DSLR: The Ultimate Photographer's Guide is a book which should easily be updated as newer DSLR models are released. If you own a Canon Digital SLR camera then this excellent book from Focal Press is a worthy addition to your library. A must have for almost any serious photographer's reference library (because you never know when you might need to use a Canon). Highly recommended.

Nik Software Announce Free Update For Color Efex Pro 3.0

2008-07-19T01:03:00.002+01:00

Nik software have released an update for Color Efex Pro 3.0. The 3.1 update includes support for Aperture and Capture NX 2, and compatibility with Photoshop® Smart Filters.

UK Government To Discuss Photography Guidelines With Police

2008-07-19T00:56:00.003+01:00

The BJP have posted an article which details the Governments plans to discuss the issue of Photography in Public Places and recent behaviour by Police and Private Security Guards when it come to dealing with Photographers.

Samsung Announces New Cameras

2008-07-19T00:10:00.000+01:00

Samsung have announced a number of new cameras. Their new NV100HD offers 14.7 megapixels, a 28mm Wide angle lens and can record 720p HD video. It also features a touch screen and has optical image stabilization. The new NV9 features a 5x optical zoom, 10.2 megapixel sensor and has the capability to play MP3 music files. The new Samsung L310W features a 13.6 megapixel camera and has a 28mm equivalent wide angle lens. Their S1070 compact digital camera, features a 10.2 megapixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom and a 2.7" LCD screen. The L201 is a 10.2 megapixel compact digital camera which feature Samsung's Auto Contrast Balance which will brighten dark areas in high-contrast and back-lit scenes. It can also charge batteries directly in the camera.

Phase One Intro 60 Megapixel Back

2008-07-15T00:23:00.000+01:00

Phase One have announced their new P65+ 60 megapixel digital back. This unit is a full frame, 645 medium format back, which can shoot at 1 FPS, an uses a proprietary sensor built. The back will retail at $39,990 and will no doubt only be affordable for industrial level photographers.

Nik Software Announces Silver Efex Pro™

2008-07-13T21:26:00.003+01:00

Nik Software announced their new Silver Efex Pro photographic plug-in for use with Adobe® Photoshop® and Apple® Aperture™. Silver Efex Pro is an advanced solution which allows users to create black-and-white photographs which closely emulate real world films. It uses advanced imaging algorithms to protect against unwanted artifacts, and emulates 18 black-and-white film types. Silver Efex Pro also features a state-of-the-art grain engine that according to Nik software, "truly mimics the silver halide process and creates the highest quality black-and-white images possible from scanned or digital color photographs." For more information about Silver Efex Pro, and to download a free 15-day fully functional trial version, please visit silverefexpro.

Hasselblads 50 Megapixel Camera

2008-07-08T19:06:00.003+01:00

Hasselblad are preparing to release their new 50-megapixel high-end digital camera, the H3DII-50. This baby will set you back a massive $37K and has been designed with the high-end commercial photographer in mind. The H3DII-50 features 3-inch display and Kodaks 50-megapixel CCD sensor, which generates a 300MB file at 1fps. Due out in October, this beauty won't be on my buying list anytime soon, unless of course some nice person out there is feeling extremely generous...

Color Efex Pro 3.0 For Capture NX 2

2008-07-08T00:58:00.003+01:00

Nik Software Inc. have announced the immediate availability of their award-winning Color Efex Pro 3.0 photographic filters for Capture NX 2, the latest version of Nikon's flagship photo editing software. Color Efex Pro 3.0 is a powerful and easy to use set of photographic based filters. "Unlike using plug-ins in Photoshop which require controls located in a separate interface, enhancements are made directly on the image in real-time and non-destructively in Capture NX 2, ... This tight integration dramatically simplifies enhancing images and offers photographers a powerful photo editing solution," said Michael Slater, Nik's President and CEO.

Color Efex Pro 3.0 adds nine powerful new filters that increase the traditional and stylistic range of the collection. New filters include Bleach Bypass, Cross Balance, Film Effects, Film Grain, Glamour Glow, High Key, Low Key, Polaroid Transfer, and Tonal Enhancer. Previously available filters have also been updated to provide even more options. Color Efex Pro 3.0 for Capture NX 2 has 52 filters, with a possibility of over 250 effects available. A complete filter list can be found at: cep3fornx2.

Averatech All-In-One

2008-07-08T00:43:00.000+01:00

Averatech have launched their All-in-one PC. The desing is based around the form-factor we've seen previously in the iMac and the Dell XPS One. You biuld a display case which also houses everything a PC needs inside. The Averatec All-In-One has has a 22-inch display and has 2GB of RAM, a 320GB HDD, built-in HDTV tuner and like the iMac and XPS One features a slot loading optical drive. The All-In-One is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 CPU and uses an NVIDIA GeForce 8400 for graphics. It is available for purchase now at an MSRP of $1249. For more info visit the

Nikon D3 Firmware Update

2008-07-05T19:48:00.003+01:00

Nikon have released a firmware upgrade for the D3. there are no major bug fixes other than one for a dead battery issue that some people have been experiencing with both the D3 and D300. There are however a a few additions worthy of consideration.

Modifications enabled with upgrade of A and B firmware to v.2.00
Images captured with “Rotate tall”, in the playback menu, set to “On”, are not automatically rotated for display immediately after capture (image review).
The following changes and additions have been made to “f4: Assign FUNC.Button > FUNC. Button + dials” ; “f5: Assign preview button > Preview + command dials”, and “f6: Assign AE-L / AF-L button > AE-L / AF-L + command dials” menus in Custom Settings:
The “Choose image area” option has been separated into two options, “Choose image area (FX / DX / 5:4)” and “Choose image area (FX / DX)”
A new “Shooting menu bank” option has been added.
When “Choose image area (FX / DX / 5:4)” or “Choose image area (FX/DX)” is selected and the function button (Fn) is pressed, the image area setting is displayed in the top control panel, in the shooting information display, and at the bottom of the viewfinder.
A “Copyright information” item has been added to the setup menu. When “Copyright information” is enabled, the copyright symbol ( © ) is shown in the shooting info display.
“Recent settings” can now be displayed in place of “My Menu”.
The virtual horizon can now be displayed with shooting in LiveView mode.
The “Vignette control” setting can now be confimed in shooting information.
The “Vignette control” item in the shooting menu now supports all types of G- and D-type lenses, except DX and PC lenses.
The “Vignette control” compensation value has been optimized for shooting with “Active D-Lighting” the shooting menu.
Electronic analog exposure displays are now shown in the control panel and shooting info display while the exposure compensation setting is being applied.
The degree of the “High ISO NR” setting can now be confirmed in the shooting info display while the “High ISO NR” setting item, in the shooting menu, is being applied.
Design of the FX-format icon in the “Choose image area” setting has been modified.
Ankara, Riyadh, Kuwait, and Manamah have been added to the “Time zone” options for the “World Time” item in the setup menu.
When a GPS device is used and no heading information is available, –.–° is now displayed for the “Position > Heading” option in the “GPS” item in the setup menu.
When shooting in LiveView mode using Camera Control Pro 2 (ver. 2.2.0) or later with a PC-E lens, the aperture setting can now be adjusted from the computer.
Autofocus performance has been improved.
Auto White Balance performance has been improved.
An issue that, in some rare circumstances, caused the battery indicator to blink, regardless of actual battery charge, has been resolved.
Errors in the German help displays have been corrected.
US customers can download the Nikon D3 Firmware 2.0 here.

Nikon Release D700 DSLR

2008-07-03T23:37:00.002+01:00

Nikon have just released the D700 digital SLR camera. This DSLR is aimed at the Prosumer and is based upon technologies found in their D3, boasting pro-level performance and an extensive array of features and innovations. It also features the Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor, Nikon’s EXPEED Image Processing System, Nikon’s renowned 51-point auto focus system with 3D Focus Tracking and two Live View shooting modes. Having seen the liveview in use on the D3 it is something I wish I had on my Canon Eos 5D.

Xandros Acquires Linspire

2008-07-01T20:01:00.004+01:00

Growth in the Linux business - that is, the Linux business desktop - is slow. But determined companies can make things happen (and grow somewhat faster too?) as long as they keep their eye(s) on the ball. I remember when Xandros was a struggling little startup, but oh how times have changed. We still think that Xandros is the most business-facing Linux distribution (with kudos to Linspire and Red Hat as well, no doubt), and Xandros continues to remain focused on expanding its footprint on business desktops. The acquisition of Linspire (another Debian-based Linux distribution) helps narrow the somewhat bewildering field of choices confronting any business considering a jump to Linux. Choosing something other than Windows or Mac OS X has never been risk free, but we really think that Linux is a safe bet these days especially with Microsoft Office file compatibility so well covered by OpenOffice for Linux.

Review of DPI Show in London

2008-06-28T13:36:00.006+01:00

On Thursday Howard and I attended the Digital Photo and Imaging Show at the Business Design Centre in Islington. My first impression on entering the show was one of disappointment as it seemed a little on the small side, however this was soon to change as I made my way around the show. There were a few manufacturers present who were showing their solutions and we managed to spend some valuable time, one on one with their reps.

On the software front there were a number of vendors showing their wares including Apple and Adobe. OnOne and Nik Software were also there showing their respective photoshop plug-ins and running continuous demos. A number of distributors and resellers were also on hand demonstrating other solutions. The live theatres from Adobe, Apple and DPI were running all day and were well attended, often with crowds spilling out into aisles.

Printer manufacturers were there in force with stands from Canon, Epson and HP well manned and equipped with the latest in large format printers. Nikon were notable in their absence, disappointing really as there were plenty of Pro Users in attendance.

There were the usual publications and associations present and it was nice catching up with some of them. The BPPA, BIPP and The SWPP were there looking for new members and spending time with existing members. Magazines such as F2, The BJP, Digital Arts Magazine and Macworld were on hand, giving out free copies and selling subscriptions.

I was pleased with Canon's presence at the show as they were demonstrating a start to finish capability which other manufacturers lack. My associate Howard Carson, noted that Canon was able to demonstrate a complete solution for Photographers from Capture, Acquisition through to output. In addition to their pro cameras and output solutions they also had their projectors and pro video solutions on hand for demo.

Other exhibitors included Skillset, who were there discussing their training programs for Digital Skills, photography and creative workflows. It's definitely worth checking them out. A number of retailers and resellers such as AJ Purdy, The Flash Centre, The Pro Centre and Rapid Group were there promoting their wares and services and selling discounted products and providing some excellent show specials.

Other Vendors included Wacom who were demoing their excellent tablet solutions. Computer Unlimited were also in attendance demoing solutions from Corel, Datacolor, Shiraz and Vertus.

The lecture program and seminar at the show was full and possibly offered many useful and valuable insights. Speakers presented on lectures and seminars useful to photo-libraries, portrait photographers, on documentary photography, celebrity shots, visual journalism and on the art of photography.

Overall the show was small in scale but big on delivery, We were able to spend some valuable time with the companies we wanted to see. I hope that next years show will be similar in nature but somewhat larger in scale. Nikon should really be there, as should a few more third party software and hardware vendors.

Datacolor’s Spyder3 Gets Price Reduction

2008-06-25T22:52:00.002+01:00

Datacolor announced a price reduction for its Spyder3 range. As of June the 1st 2008, their award-winning Spyder3Elite is reduced in price from £175 to £155.99 whilst Spyder3Print is reduced by £60 to £253.99, including VAT. For more information on the Spyder3 range visit Datacolor.

Wacom Wins 2 Coveted Red Dot Awards

2008-06-23T23:07:00.003+01:00

Wacom have won 2 Red Dot Awards for the Bamboo Fun Pen Tablet and their Cintiq 12WX hybrid interactive pen display. This is the second red dot award for the Bamboo range, as the first model in the series also received the same accolade in June 2007. The Cintiq 12WX features a high quality 12.1” screen, which is optimised for direct input using the ergonomically designed digital pen. With this form of interaction activities such as drawing, painting, sketching, storyboarding, finishing, retouching and compositing allow the creative to work much as they would on paper. For more information on the Bamboo Fun and the Cintiq 12WX visit Wacom.
For more information on the Red Dot award visit Red-Dot.org.

Akvis Relocate Headquarters To Canada

2008-06-22T21:11:00.002+01:00

AKVIS Software Inc., the manufacturer of some excellent photo editing tools and plug-ins, has moved its head office to Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. Founded in Russia, AKVIS is determined to improve their market presence by being able to get easier access to the North American software market.

Toshiba Tecra M9 Laptop review

2008-06-22T18:24:00.002+01:00

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, June 2008
Manufactured by: Toshiba
Requires: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7500 2.2 GHz,Intel® Wireless WiFi™ Link, Genuine Windows Vista® Business Edition, 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 RAM (maximum 4GB), 160GB hard disk drive, DVD Super Multi drive (Double Layer), 14.1" (1,440 x 900) display, NVIDIA® Quadro® NVS 130M mobile video card supporting TurboCache™ technology, Bluetooth version 2.0 plus Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)Wi-Fi™, 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N, 87 key keyboard, spill-resistant keyboard, type II PC card slot, 5-in-1 media card reader, VGA out, mic/headphone connectors, IEEE-1394 (FireWire), three USB 2.0 hi-speed ports, serial port
MSRP: US$1299.00

I currently own a terrific Toshiba m400 tablet PC. So when TalkToshiba called to tell me that they had a Tecra M9 available for review I jumped at the opportunity to find out what the latest generation of Toshiba laptops has to offer. The Tecra M9 is a laptop designed with business users in mind. The M9 ships with Windows Vista Business Edition.

The Toshiba Tecra M9 is a very clean looking machine, and the 14.1 inch screen looks a lot bigger than it actually is. With the higher than normal resolution for a 14.1" display I was quite comfortable with using it compared to similar laptops. The display on this notebook and the lid feel very secure, with very little flex. As a result I didn't experience any of the usual warping and momentary discolouration seen when adjusting the angle of the screen. The matte finish does a good job of diffusing any reflections. The vertical viewing angles are more limited than I would like, causing most dark or midrange colours to washout or completely disappear moving vertically above or below normal viewing angles. Horizontal viewing is somewhat better, but still washes out sooner than I've experienced with other laptops.

The Toshiba Tecra M9 is a very comfortable typing machine. The keys have a great feel, providing just the right amount of movement and feedback. Toshiba describes the M9's keyboard as spill resistant. The touchpad and pointer worked as expected, I also found that the left and right buttons used with the pointer control button were very nicely implemented. The keyboard and palm rest area exhibited a bit of movement when used compared to other laptops. However it wasn't enough to cause me any problems. The inclusion of a fingerprint reader for security also enhances the business-centric approach to the M9's design.

Moving around the M9, starting on the front, you will find the indicator light array, a wireless on/off switch, firewire connector, headphone/mic jacks, and volume knob. The left side of the laptop features a modem jack, Kensington lock slot, exhaust port, one USB port, PC-card Slot and the SD card slot. The back of the unit has a serial port, VGA connector, and AC plug port. The right side features two USB ports, the optical bay, and the LAN port.

The audio capabilities were what I expect from a laptop - clear and easy to hear. However I would always recommend using decent headphones for anything you really care to hear well. You can even try a pair of bluetooth headphones using the A2DP profile and the easy device discovery via Vista and Toshiba Bluetooth manager. The headphone jack had none of the telltale hiss and noise you would get from a sub-par connector, indicating good quality parts being used.

Starting up and shutting down the M9 was quick and painless. With this unit's 2GB of memory and the 2.2 GHz T7500 Intel Core 2 Duo processor and nVidia NVS 130M graphics card, I found no noticeable issues while using any of the standard productivity software or even the creative tools(and resource hogs) like Photoshop. Trying any of the graphically intensive games (like Crysis) was problematic and I found there was no point in attempting to squeeze any sort of decent gamely out of the M9 as the graphics capabilities weren't up to the task. It's not really much of an issue though, because the M9 is really meant to be a business machine.

Heat and noise didn't appear to be an issue at all for the M9. I kept the laptop running almost constantly for one day and found it quite comfortable to touch. The fan kept up quietly even when I took the laptop into a hot, noisy neighbourhood pub to test it out on a public wireless network.

Battery life was as expected, with the standard battery giving about 2.5 hours (on average) use. I did find the hard drive shock protection alarm a little on the sensitive side. The warning popped up with the slightest knock of the M9. This feature however can be disabled/enabled by pressing the Toshiba Assist button located next to the power on/off on the top of the keyboard.

Cons: Premature drop-off in display brightness. Somewhat oversensitive shock protection alarm. It's a business machine not a game platform, but a bit more graphics horsepower would provide a better all around experience with what is basically a very good laptop. Excellent screen resolution, but off-angle viewing could be better.

Pros: Nice spill resistant keyboard. Standard three year warranty. Excellent wireless support. Solid build quality. Runs Microsoft Office, Photoshop CS3 and most common business software very smoothly. I was initially a little afraid that the screen on the M9 would be a little on the small side, but after working with the unit for a few weeks I found that the high quality and high resolution more than met my needs. The Toshiba Tecra M9 is a nice business laptop that will more than do the job. Recommended

Quark Announce QuarkXPress 8

2008-06-19T19:27:00.001+01:00

QuarkXPress 8 is nearly complete and will be available within the next two months. Already Quark are promising to provide a free upgrade to folks who purchase and register QuarkXPress 7 in the next couple of months. XPress 8 includes new pen and picture tools, new drag and drop features, better file handling of Illustrator files, and better control over typography and layout. For more information on what's new in XPress 8 visit Quark.

ACDSee Photo Editor 2008

2008-06-11T23:31:00.004+01:00

ACD Systems have released ACDSee Photo Editor 2008, the next version of their easy-to-use digital photo editing and design software. The new version offers:
• Faster processing time
• More custom creative tools and options for resizing, cropping and masking
• Quick Web optimization & advanced printing functions
• Artistic effects that can be added, modified or deleted
• "Trim to shape" for quick-and-easy design templates
• Advanced journaling and text curving capabilities
Photo Editor 2008 is available for a 30-day trial ... for more info and to download a demo visit ACDSee.

DPI Show Reminder

2008-06-11T14:44:00.005+01:00

For those of you who will be in and around London between the 26th and 27th of June, the Digital Photo & Imaging Show, taking place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, will the place to be. The DPI Show will provide pro-photographers and the whole photographic industry with a knowledge-based event where they can see and try the state of the art in creative tools and photographic equipment.

Exhibiting at the DPI Show are Adobe, Apple Solutions' Experts, BJP, BPPA, Canon, Colour Collective, CU, DataColor, Digital Arts, Digital Photo Solutions, Dreamtek, Epson, Hasselblad, HP, Macworld, Native Digital, Nik Software, OKI Printing Solutions, onOne, Pantone, Peartree, ProCentre, Profoto Ltd, Rapid Group, Republik Agency, Shiraz, Skillset, SWPP, Vertus, Wacom....
For more info visit The DPI Show.

Photomatix 3.0.3 Released

2008-05-18T23:08:00.004+01:00

HDRsoft have released an updated version of Photomatix which includes several bugfixes.
Photomatix is a photo enhancement tool which deals with photography produced under difficult lighting conditions. Using Exposure Blending and Tone Mapping, images can be produced from multiple bracketed exposures, which offer a more balanced result. Photomatix 3.0.3 can be downloaded from the HDRsoft website. The upgrade from version 2.x to version 3.0 is free of charge. Download the Windows Version here and the Mac version
here...

FocalPoint 1.0 Released

2008-05-13T00:12:00.003+01:00

onOne Software, Inc., announced the release of their new software plug-in, FocalPoint 1.0 for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. FocalPoint is a selective focus and vignetting plug-in designed to help photographers easily blur and/or vignette areas of an image. It is available for immediate download at onOne.

Essentials 2 for iPhoto

2008-05-12T17:58:00.003+01:00

onOne Software, Inc., announced the availability of Essentials 2 software for iPhoto users. Essentials 2 for iPhoto is a collection of four easy-to-use software tools based on technology used in the professional level onOne Software Photoshop® plug-ins PhotoTune 2.2, FocalPoint 1.0, PhotoFrame 3.1 and Genuine Fractals 5. Essentials 2 is designed to be used in iPhoto to help correct color, creatively blur a photo for dramatic visual impact, add creative borders and resize digital images for high quality large prints. Visit onOne for more info.

CHDK - Hacking Your Canon Point & Shoot

2008-05-06T22:47:00.001+01:00

lifehacker.com have posted an excellent article on the Canon Hacker's Development Kit. CHDK is a free, open source project with which you can add features like RAW shooting mode, live RGB histograms, additional photographic settings, motion-detection, time-lapse, longer video recording and even games onto your existing Canon camera. The beauty of CHDK is that it is non-permanent and non-destructive, you can use when you want to; CHDK makes no changes to your camera. Installing CHDK entails having a couple of files added to your camera's memory card. Removing it involves simply restarting your camera without the memory card present.

UK Photographers Rights

2008-05-05T18:18:00.003+01:00

Simon Moran and Linda Macpherson have announced the launch of the UK Photographers Rights PDF. The guide is intended to provide UK Photograpehrs with a short summary of the main legal restrictions on the right to take and publish photographs.

The guide was written by Linda Macpherson LL.B, Dip.L.P., LL.M, who is a lecturer in law at Heriot Watt University. The guide is a 2 page PDF, which can be printed out on the front and back of an A4 page. The guide is intended as an overview of the current legal situation in the UK for photographers, it is not a definitive bible of UK law. It can be downloaded directly from sirimo.co.uk, visit Simon Morans site for other useful information and articles.

PhotoAcute Version 2.8 Released

2008-05-05T15:50:00.003+01:00

PhotoAcute have released Version 2.8 of PhotoAcute Studio, their Super Resolution based application for enhancing digital images. Their Super Resolution technology is designed to process sets of photographs taken in continuous mode to produce high-resolution, low-noise pictures. It increases image resolution, removes noise without losing image details, corrects image geometry and chromatic aberrations and expands the dynamic range. Visit http://www.photoacute.com/ for more information.

Two Thousand Photographers Test ACDSee Photo Editor

2008-04-22T23:57:00.002+01:00

ACDSee Photo Editor has entered the final stage of Beta Testing, with over 2000 photographers involved in testing it. ACDSee Photo Editor 2008, will be an easy-to-use digital design and layout application created with avid photographers and scrapbookers in mind. The application comes with custom creative tools and exclusive designer templates. Look for a summer release.

Apple Release Their Aperture Plug-In SDK

2008-04-22T23:43:00.003+01:00

Apple have released their free Imaging Plug-in Software Development Kit (SDK) for Aperture. It is now available through the Apple Developer Connection (ADC). Interested developers should visit the ADC website to download the SDK.

Xara Release Version 4 of Xara Xtreme and Xara Xtreme Pro

2008-04-17T22:31:00.006+01:00

Xara Xtreme and Xtreme Pro have been updated to Version 4. Xara is one of the fastest and easiest creative tools to use. The flexibility of Xara Xtreme with its raster and vector capabilities is something worth trying. It is capable of drawing faster than pretty much any other package out ther. You can create 3D text, edit photos non destructively, create websites and even export flash animations. It also supports Photoshop plug-ins. Pop on over to the Xara Website to find out more and download a demo.

Adobe Releases Lightroom 1.41 and Camera Raw 4.4.1 Updates

2008-04-13T21:29:00.002+01:00

Lightroom Product Manager Tom Hogarty announced the release of updates to the Photoshop Lightroom, Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in and DNG Converter to correct problems found in Lightroom 1.4 and Camera Raw 4.4. The revisions address several issues including:

Lightroom
Lightroom 1.4 incorrectly modified the EXIF time date field of images that had a metadata update applied. This incorrect modification does not appear in Lightroom or Bridge and is only viewable through third party EXIF tools. This error has been corrected in Lightroom 1.4.1 and all files in a Lightroom catalog that have been incorrectly modified will be corrected on their next metadata update. (Metadata can be updated by selecting the files in the Library grid view and choosing Command or CTRL + S to save and update the metadata.)

Olympus JPEG files could render incorrectly in Lightroom 1.4, displaying an artifact in the exported file.

Any conversion to DNG in Lightroom 1.4 (Windows Only) would cause the DNG file to become unreadable by Lightroom’s Develop Module or Camera Raw 4.4 in Photoshop. The issue has been corrected and files can be converted to DNG again in order to resolve the issue for existing files. Returning to the original native raw files is not necessary. The affected DNG files can be selected and converted again using the DNG Converter 4.4.1 available at www.adobe.com/dng/.

This process is not required but recommended to ensure that a correct validation value is stored within the DNG files.

Lightroom 1.4 provided degraded import performance relative to Lightroom 1.3.

Camera Raw
Camera Raw 4.4 incorrectly modified the EXIF time date field of images that were saved as TIFF or JPEG files from the Camera Raw dialog. This has been corrected in Camera Raw 4.4.1

Olympus JPEG files could render incorrectly in Camera Raw 4.4, displaying an artifact in the exported file.

The updates have been posted to the following locations:
Lightroom 1.4.1 - Mac - Win.
Camera Raw 4.4.1 - Mac - Win.

Digital Photography & Imaging Show 2008

2008-04-09T22:44:00.004+01:00

The DPI show is a new event dedicated to digital photography and imaging. It is being held on June 26th & 27th at the Business Design Centre in Islington in North London.

The DPI show is designed to attract thousands of pro-photographers and agencies active in photojournalism, sports/action photography, portraiture, wedding and lifestyle photography, and those working in fashion and advertising, still life and macro. Industry leaders will come together to create a ‘Live Studio’, building a full-feature facility at the show with ‘celebrity’ photographers illustrating the facilities and capabilities of the studio.

A busy seminar programme will present 40-minute sessions on latest products and solutions so you can receive first-hand expert advice and tips from specialists in the technologies and processes, hear of case studies and then visit the exhibition area for hands-on experience.

Our conference programme will gather groups of speakers to look at improving workflow, at manipulating and storing images and at managing the demands of a modern photographic studio.

The show will feature stands from Industry leaders such as Adobe, Apple Solution Experts, Epson, HP, Hasselblad, Color Confidence, Extensis, A J Purdy, The SWPP, onOne and a whole lot more ... Many publications will also be represented, including Digital Photographer, Digital Arts, The BJP, Digital Camera and Macworld.

You can register for free at http://www.dpishow.com/

onOne Software Announces Plug-in Suite 4

2008-04-09T00:34:00.002+01:00

onOne Software, Inc., announced the May release of their Plug-in Suite 4 software for Adobe Photoshop. Plug-In Suite 4 comprises of full versions of six essential software tools – Genuine Fractals 5 Print Pro, PhotoTools 1.0 Professional Edition, PhotoFrame 3.1 Professional Edition, Mask Pro 4.1, PhotoTune 2.2 and FocalPoint 1.0. The package should be available in early May to new users for $499.95, whereas existing users of Plug-in Suite versions 1, 2 or 3 can upgrade to Plug-In Suite 4 for only $199.95. For more information on Plug-In Suite 4, please visit onOne Software.

Adobe To Release CS4 64Bit Editions

2008-04-06T23:16:00.000+01:00

Adobe have announced that they will be releasing their CS4 line in 64Bit Versions. They will not however be releasing the Mac OS X version in 64Bit until after the Windows Version. Where the 32 bit versions can generally only currently support 3-4 GB depending on the OS and application. After Effects supports up to 2 GB per processor on a multicore machine by assigning different processes to different cores. The 64-bit versions of Windows and Mac OS X 10.5 will potentially be able to access up to a theoretical limit of over 17 billion GB of RAM.

onOne Announce Free Liquid Resize Product Preview

2008-04-04T23:42:00.002+01:00

onOne Software, Inc., announces today the availability of its Liquid Resize product preview. Available for immediate download at the products preview page. Their Liquid Resize software is a ground-breaking way to resize images using a technique known as "seam carving" to reduce the distortion that typically occurs when manipulating the aspect ratio of an image. The Technology is really interesting, check it out.

Adobe Release Lightroom 2.0 Beta

2008-04-03T01:58:00.004+01:00

Adobe have made Version 2 of Lightroom available as a public beta. The beta is available as a 30 day tryout, for everyone who wants to try it, and even longer for registered users of Lightroom 1.x.
It is suggested that everyone read the Release Notes document before using it.

Beta Eligibility
Q: Who is eligible for the Lightroom 2.0 beta?
A: All Lightroom 1.0 customers. Lightroom 1.0 customers can download and install Lightroom 2.0 beta for use throughout the beta program
Q: What about customers new to Lightroom?
A: Anyone can download the Lightroom 2.0 beta and try it for 30 days
Q: How can new customers try the beta for the entire program?
A: An invitation program through labs.adobe.com allows Lightroom 1.0 customers to invite friends to try the beta beyond the 30 day trial until the beta expiration date
Q: When does the beta expire?
A: August 31, 2008

IMPORTANT NOTES, PLEASE READ
Primary Known Issues
Lightroom 2.0 beta will not upgrade Lightroom 1.x libraries. The beta is intended to be used for testing and feedback purposes. Lightroom 1.x and 2.0 beta libraries will be migrated to the finished version of Lightroom 2.0.
While data loss is not expected, this is a very early ‘beta’ quality build and you should always work on duplicates of files that are securely backed up.
Lightroom 2 beta will not overwrite or interfere with a machine that currently has Lightroom 1.3.1 installed.
Develop settings applied in Lightroom 2.0 beta are not guaranteed to transfer correctly to the final version of 2.0. This is particularly true for localized corrections.
The new Photoshop integration functionality is only available with Photoshop CS3 (10.0.1) and should only be used for testing purposes. Metadata associated with the original file may not carry over to the subsequent file saved from Photoshop
Additional known issues are listed in the release notes.

New Features

Library
Streamlined Library Layout
Smart Collections
Powerful Filter Bar to search and refine images
Suggested Keywords for simplified keywording
10k pixel size limit raised to 30k pixels
Output-based Collections

Multiple Monitors:
-Four flexible modes for an alternate window: Grid, Loupe, Compare, Survey(Check out the Live Loupe mode!)

Photoshop CS3 Integration:
Open files in Photoshop as a Smart Object
Select multiple images to merge as a Panorama
Merge multiple exposures into a single Photoshop HDR image
Load multiple files or virtual copies into Photoshop as separate layers in a single document.

Export Functionality:
Auto-add exported images to the Lightroom catalog
Auto Output Sharpening for images on export

Develop Module
Non-Destructive Localized Correction for dodging and burning specific areas of an image
Post Crop Vignette
Basic Panel Keyboard Shortcuts
Improved Auto Adjustment
Improved memory handling through 64-bit support on OS X 10.5 and Vista 64-bit.(Not limited to develop module)

Print Module
Picture Package for multi-page layouts
Print Module output directly to JPEG
Enhanced Print Sharpening based on PhotoKit Sharpener algorithms
16-bit Printing for Mac OS X 10.5

Additional Resources
Lightroom video tutorials by Julieanne Kost: Lightroom 2 beta Tutorial Part I and Lightroom 2 beta Tutorial Part III. (Part II is on the way)
Lightroom 2 beta preview by Ian Lyons
Lightroom Tasmania Adventure
Lightroom 2 beta review by Uwe Steinmueller at OutbackPhoto.com.
Lightroom 2 beta review for our French-speaking photographers
Photoshop Cafe provides a feature review and 1 hour training video.

Thanks to Tom Hogarty at Adobes Lightroom Journal for the info posted above.

Adobe Launches Free Photoshop Express Beta

2008-03-31T00:24:00.004+01:00

Adobe have launched a public beta of Photoshop Express, their new photo storage and editing application. This free solution allows users to store up to 2GB of images and edit them with a number of Photoshop’s most popular image editing tools.

Users can upload their images to Photoshop Express and use the rudimentary editing tools to edit and modify images. This solution may be excellent for users with basic requirements but will lease anyone else wanting much more.

Photoshop Express also features slide show options and offers users their own Adobe hosted, online gallery. Images hosted on the service can also be used on blogs or social networking sites such as Facebook. Adobe plan to expand the service/tool as it gets feedback from users of the open beta. To sign up for Photoshop Express visit Adobe’s website.

Nik Software & Vertus - Color Efex Pro 3.0 and Fluid Mask 3 Software Bundle

2008-03-30T23:59:00.003+01:00

Nik Software, Inc. and Vertus announced a new software bundle which offers photographers and creative professionals Color Efex Pro 3.0 Complete Edition from Nik Software and Vertus’ Fluid Mask 3. These tools offer excellent capabilities for doing image extractions and creative enhancements. Available on both companies’ websites as an electronic download, the bundle is available for $429.95. For download and discount information please visit niksoftware.com or vertustech.com.

Apple Release Aperture 2.1 Update

2008-03-28T18:04:00.002Z

Apple have released Aperture Version 2.1, a free update which includes an Apple developed plug-in. The plug-in is Dodge & Burn, a tool which adds brushed based tools to lighten or darken, affect contrast and saturation and that can sharpen or blur. Apple will be working with third-party plug-in developers to expand the capabilities with more plug-ins. Visit the Aperture page at Apple

Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod Review

2008-03-28T17:07:00.003Z

Mario Georgiou, March 2008
Manufactured by: Gruppo Manfrotto S.r.l. (a subsidiary of Vitec Group PLC), Manfrotto USA (distributed by Bogen Imaging also owned by Vitec Group)
Requires: N/A
MSRP: US$170, UK£110
The Manfrotto 190XPROB is the latest take on the base model 190, a tripod that has been in the Manfrotto line for many years. This 2007/2008 incarnation seems to incorporate all of the excellent characteristics of its predecessors and adds a couple of important new features. The 190XPROB is a black anodized tubular aluminum tripod with a three-faceted adjustable center column. The tripod has three-section legs made of 16mm, 20mm and 25mm diameter high strength extruded aluminum with a round cross section. Each section is retained or locked by Manfotto's patented flip-lock pressure leg locks. At 1.8kg (a little under 3.9 lbs) the tripod is a lightweight. Load capacity is 5kg (11 pounds, plus a head) making it broadly useful for a wide range of SLR and DSLR body and lens combinations.

In my recent review of the Manfrotto 468MGRC0 Hydrostatic Ball Head I mentioned that I had replaced my old tripod with something more in keeping with the high standards I try to achieve and maintain. I think it's most important to follow a strategy when selecting a tripod and head: a) visit the makers' web sites to figure out what they recommend for your camera gear, b) match size, footprint and general weight of each item to create the lowest possible balance point — there are few things worse than a head that is too heavy for the tripod, c) how much weight you want to carry and what sort of tripod fits your travel, location and shooting needs, d) decide which models among the ones remaining on the list will suit your needs, and e) visit local stores in order to check out the models you've short-listed. After much consideration I decided on the new aluminium 190XPROB. For my needs, this model's center column design was very important. Swing the faceted centre column into a horizontal position by extending it fully and pressing a release button.

The center column feature when combined with the fully adjustable and stable leg geometry means you have a tripod which provides excellent adaptability to most environments. After all due delibration and research I finally purchased the 190XPROB in a store in Cambridge, England during a photographic road trip in October 2007. Having got to grips with the tripod in very short order, I very quickly realized I'd made the right decision. I ended up using the tripod in marshland, on the side of cliffs, in torrential downpours, on large boulders and in a couple of streams, all without any real issues.

The Manfrotto 190XPROB is beautifully designed and well constructed. The legs feature flip-lever pressure leg locks, which make opening, positioning and closing fast and easy. Lock pressure is adjustable using the supplied Allen/hex wrench. The user adjustable mechanism makes it a pleasure to use. The legs can also be adjusted to four different angles (25°, 46°, 66° and 88°), allowing for a very flexible geometry and an extremely stable platform from which to take your photos.

The Manfrotto 190XPROB stands about 48in/122cm tall in its fully extended mode, center colum down. Extending the center column adds another 9.5in/24cm. You can invert the center column allowing you to shoot upside down. The patented design of the center column allows the photographer to position the camera on the head horizontally or vertically and, when used with a good ball or 3-way head, offers a platform which is perfect for macro work, product or table-based photography, low angle shooting or any work which requires the camera to be positioned off center.

The adaptability of this tripod also makes it ideal for photographers who have to sit down for long periods and for those who are wheelchair bound. The only real gripes I have are that Manfrotto has chosen not to include a carrying strap and ground spikes.

(Ed. Note: In early March 2008 we loaded another 190XPROB with a Markins Q20 ball head and a very heavy Nikon D3/300mm f/4 rig for a semi-frozen marshland walkabout just outside of Toronto. We also brought along a couple of shock cords to make boot loops to add some downward pressure to the rig to help combat instabilities when set up on unstable ground and when shooting in gusting wind conditions. When taking into account the downward pressure of the stabilizing shock/bungee cords, we easily exceeded the overall load rating of the tripod by at least 3x but it worked perfectly. Manufacturers' load ratings are conservative — we've obtained similarly excellent 'overloading' performance from a variety of Benbo, Benro, Gitzo, Hakuba Carmagne and other Manfrotto models.)

Cons: No ground spikes or carrying strap included.
Pros: The Manfrotto 190XPROB is extremely stable. Versatile leg and column adjustments don't compromise stability. Good vibration damping when matched with the right head. The Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod is ideal for use with a wide range of heads from Acratech, Arca Swiss, Gitzo, Kirk, Manfrotto and Markins. Great leg locks that never slip even when overloaded. Other than a couple of minor issues (see Cons above) I have to say the 190XPROB is worth every penny. All I want now is to get a carbon fibre version (for extended trekking) and I'll be very happy camper indeed. A great choice for amateur, semi-pro and professional photographers. Highly recommended.

It's not the Camera, It's the Photographer

2008-03-22T15:44:00.003Z

Make the statement "It's not the camera, it's the photographer" during any discussion or debate on the relative merits of one piece of camera gear over another and you will surely end up in some sort of argument. Really.

We don't advocate any attempt to use semi-operational used gear which only possesses the virtue of being cheap to acquire. We don't advocate throwing a top-of-the-line digital SLR (or any other top-rank SLR) at a novice photographer. We do advocate that photographers should educate themselves about the art and craft of photography at every opportunity, and regularly consider how well their gear is serving them. Buy the best you can afford, but buy only what you can afford.

Professional photographer Ken Rockwell posted an article on his web site about this subject. Professional photographer Michael Reichman posted a rebuttal article on his own web site. Unfortunately, neither photographer seems to be able to engage in the debate without resorting to hyperbole. So since I've been making photographs longer than Rockwell (but not quite as long as Reichman), I feel confident enough to offer a moderating opinion.

Pros, semi-pros and amateurs are working with Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Nikon, Canon, Leica, Kodak and Sigma digital SLR bodies attached to all manner of lenses. All of these photographers make great photos with all of this equipment. Occasionally, even great shots taken with compact and so-called prosumer cameras manage to sneak through. Whether or not a photo is sharp enough and large enough to be credibly reproduced at some large size in a high-end coffee table book or on an art poster is not, in my opinion, the measure of its value as a good (or bad) photo, and the lack of gear to capture such a photo is not a measure by which to judge your existing equipment. Sorry Mr. Reichman. On the other hand, moderately attractive balances of composition, color and subject in moderately good focus during the brief and only time of day in which some cheap compact has any chance of capturing a decent photo is not the measure of a truly versatile camera or satisfying photography experience or a useful choice of gear. Sorry Mr. Rockwell. I think Reichman and Rockwell both use excessive amounts of what can only be described as hyperbole which serves to inflame the debate rather than qualify it. They're both doing a good job of attracting traffic to their respective web sites.

Using only the best gear you can afford has a very special effect on most people. As you engage in a photography experience which is based on an affordable start, it has the effect of bringing you closer to your gear in ways which make it easier for you to judge which exposure settings will achieve the best result. The longer you work with your chosen, affordable gear, the more you'll find out about its flaws and the more you'll find ways to make better and better photos. Use that gear for a couple of years and you may never part with it. Ever. The reason? It's mainly because you will certainly use that gear at some point to make some photos which have deep and emotional meaning and value for you. Not meaning and value worthy of posting and adoring comments on photo.net or redbubble.com (although that surely will happen too), but rather meaning and value for you personally. That's the wonderful thing about photography though — it can be shared or not shared.

Our quest for public approval of so much of what we do has extended to photography no doubt. The problem is that photography in and of itself is often a very personal experience. My father-in-law has posted on his photo.net page a rather close-up photo of an elephant. The photo is nice enough, but not great. It's just a photo of an elephant. But listen for a few minutes to my father-in-law's story about how the huge wild elephant surprised them by lumbering out of dense bush just a few metres away, how his guide, photography partner & friend reached immediately for the rifle in case the obviously tense bull elephant charged them, and how the situation diffused rapidly after the bull determined they were no threat and then turned to lumber down to a herd near a watering hole, and the photo causes a different reaction altogether. You turn again to the photo and look at it with new eyes. Wonderful. The point is that the photo could have been taken with almost any vaguely decent camera, but you had to be physically in that location in Zimbabwe to actually make the shot.

That last point is what really separates good photographers from snapshooters. You have to go to your subjects — they don't come to you. Fly, drive, walk, ride or scoot to wherever and bring whatever gear will do the job. You don't bring a compact point & shoot to a landscape trip; you don't bring a huge lighting setup to a kid's party. Buying and using the gear you can afford never means buying the cheapest used gear that still technically qualifies as camera equipment. Rather it means buying the best gear you can afford which is also appropriate to your photography needs. After that, it's all you.

Sony Alpha A900 Slated For Fall Release.

2008-03-21T12:26:00.002Z

Sony are showing their new 25 megapixel Alpha A900 at Photo Imaging Expo 2008 in Japan. The new camera is not slated for released until this Autumn but folks are already speculating on how Canon and Nikon will respond. Myself, I'm interested only in finding out more on the cameras performance which includes features like a full frame sensor, Liveview and a HDMI port. Visit the MasterChong blog where there is some excellent coverage and photos.

Manfrotto 468MGRC0 Hydrostatic Ball Head Review

2008-03-18T12:26:00.000Z

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, March 2008
Published by: Manfrotto Group a division of Vitec Group PLc
Requires: An SLR or digital SLR camera
MSRP: US$299.95, CAN$399.99, UK£220, 240.00€

Despite the claims of some photography pundits, you certainly do need a stable shooting platform for your camera in many situations. OIS, IS and VR can't help you when shutter speeds drop to seconds.

A few years ago I returned to the UK from Canada. Unfortunately, I left a vital piece of photographic equipment in Canada. For years I had used a Manfrotto 074 tripod with the Manfrotto 029 Deluxe Three-Way Pan Head. I gave this fave piece of kit away to an old friend for reasons which escape me at the moment. It was probably an emotional departure exchange (or, ahem, maybe I owed him some money). To my regret when it came to replacing it, I cheaped out and settled for a consumer-grade head which was poorly constructed in comparison to the old model 029. Sometime in September of 2007 I decided to reinvest in a new tripod and head system. Having spent some time researching the various options I decided to opt for the 468MGRC0 Hydrostatic Ball Head from Manfrotto, which incorporates their revolutionary and easy to use hydraulic ball locking system designed for the 468MG. The Manfrotto 468MGRC0 was picked up for me at Henry's in Toronto, who are exceptionally helpful. This head is packaged with the excellent Manfrotto RC0 Hexagonal Quick Release Plate system. The hex plate makes it ideal for a quick release, supports heavy loads, and provides secure locking and flexible positioning.

I also opted for the Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod which I will cover in another review. All I can say now is that it is a nice combination. Technically the 468MGRC0 borrows the popular features found on Manfrotto's standard range of ball heads such as independent pan and tilt locks with a 360° pan movement and +90°/-90° tilt movement. To keep weight low, the head is made of magnesium. To provide smooth adjustment movements the 2" aluminum ball is Teflon coated. For additional control, a calibrated adjustable tension knob allows you to preset the ball friction to suit your camera weight so that you can remove your hands from the camera without risking any unwanted movement.

The Manfrotto 468MGRC0 is really easy to handle and I only needed a few days of field use to adjust to its superb controls. The inclusion of integrated liquid levels on the head makes it really easy to set up for both studio and field work. The control knob is a good size, has a soft feel and the tension can be adjusted to your own preference for locking the camera. The engraved panoramic base is graduated for easy rotation of your camera for generating panoramics. I wouldn't use the head in the same way as I did the 029 Deluxe Three-Way Pan Head because the 468MGRC0 does not quite have the refined control of my old 029 head or the new Manfrotto 3D Pro Head 229, both of which are ideal for shooting virtual tours and 360 degree panoramics.

The Manfrotto 468MGRC0 is an excellent piece of kit which is easy to use and faultless in both design and operation. The control surfaces and knobs are comfortable in any environment and require only the most subtle of touches even in cold and wet weather or even whilst wearing gloves or mitts.

(Ed. Note: During a two week photography shoot in southern England during October 2007, Mario and I put the Manfrotto 468MGRC0 through muck, dust, high winds, rain, hail, torrential downpours and a lot of bumps, bangs and grinds. The tripod and this excellent head functioned perfectly.)

Cons: Not recommended for use in work where fine adjustment accuracy is essential such as controlled panoramics.

Pros: The Manfrotto 468MGRC0 with its quick release capabilities is the ideal complement for the landscape and field photographer. Large controls. Easy to use. Levels are integrated and well placed for balancing your landscapes and other photos. As of this writing I've been using it for about six months and have yet to experience any urge remove it from my tripod. Anyone working with a professional or semi-professional SLR or digital SLR camera and who wants a high quality, easy to use head for their photography, needs this excellent piece of kit. Highly recommended.

Photography & Video Shoulder Bags, Sling Packs, Backpacks, Waist Belt Systems and Rolling Bags

2008-03-16T16:11:00.001Z

Photography & Video Shoulder Bags, Sling Packs, Backpacks, Waist Belt Systems and Rolling Bags - 2008 Product Roundup Review - Part 1
Reviewed by: Howard Carson, February 2008
Manufactured by: Various
Requires: Camera gear
MSRP: US$9.99-US$599.00

Reposted in its entirety from Kickstartnews, to view the original post and more visit Kickstartnews.

Everybody who visits this blog most likely owns a digital camera of some sort—point & shoot, prosumer super zoom, digital SLR, camcorder and all the associated gear and lenses. It stands to reason that everybody who uses a digital camera needs a decent camera bag. So we decided that a little research was in order (and besides, our previous list is two years old). We found that a few manufacturers have changed their lines dramatically, a few have built on strengths, a few new ones have appeared and a couple of marginal manufacturers have either disappeared or exited the camera bag business. This time we looked 30 different bag makers.

During this review we looked at six categories of interest:

1. Quality of construction - stitching, binding zippers, types of clasps and closures, application of velcro or generic hook & loop materials, strap padding, stress points.
2. Suitablility of purpose - do the bags hold sufficient gear for their various sizes, hold and provide easy access to all the gear the manufacturer claims, and work well in the environments and situations for which they're designed.
3. Quality of weatherproofing - protection from rain, snow and dust mainly, protection from ground moisture, and how well gear is protected going in and out of the bag.
4. Versatility - internal pockets and storage compartments, adjustability of internal dividers, internal customization, adjustability of the carry system.
5. Effectiveness of padding - does it protect gear from external impacts, does it separate and protect gear against damage from other items in the bag.
6. Price - value compared to items of similar style and quality from competing manufacturers.

Although our results necessarily provide an average for each maker, taking most of each makers models into consideration, the verdicts provide a starting point for your shopping and will help you eliminate makers which either just don't measure up or which, more simply, don't have anything that meets your usage needs or interests. Herewith, we present our comprehensive 2008 list and general review of all the camera pouch, waist system, shoulder bag, gadget bag, sling pack, backpack, case and rolling bag makers anyone could possibly care about.

Billingham - Description: Large range of high quality, very expensive, distinctive camera bags & photography vests which are versatile, moderately weatherproof, moderately padded offering average to good protection. Verdict: These are great looking bags in classic shoulder and backpack styles. Some people refer to Billingham as the luxury quality bag maker, but that doesn't really do justice to how well the products work. Interior protection is extremely well designed and is as good as Kata and Lowepro at keeping out moisture when left on the ground. Generally very quiet bags which function well in most shooting environments. Any of these bags will last for decades of regular use. We like them a lot, despite their high prices. If you don't have the money, stay away from these ones. But great quality always works, so if you've got the money, they're highly recommended.

Camera Care - Description: Professional and semi-pro bags in modern and classic styles, average weatherproofing, and moderate padding and protection, but the line is rarely seen in North America. Verdict: We've only handled two models and both were well made. The only real issue is that accessing gear and moving gear in and out of these bags during inclement weather seems to overexpose things. Slightly noisy in some environments. Good value at moderate prices for budget conscious shoppers.

Case Logic - Description: Lots of smaller bags and cases for compact and prosumer cameras, mainly average quality and inexpensive but still usable, with poor weatherproofing and light padding. Verdict: We don't consider this maker to be a serious contender for anything except casual use. If you don't have anything else, these bags are better than nothing.

Crumpler - Description: well crafted, good looking, versatile camera backpacks, shoulder bags, belt pouches and rolling packs with moderate weatherproofing, light to medium padding and protection, all backed by a terrifically funny web site. Verdict: The top flaps on the shoulder models has to be snapped shut in order to use the top carry handle. We've dumped our 7 Million Dollar Home model more than once because of that design issue. While quality is very good, a massive piece of top grade velcro on the top flap makes several models the noisiest of any bags in this roundup, something which is not good if you're trying to blend in. The excellent quality belt pouches are also noisy and suffer from awkward flap design. Although Crumpler is gaining rapidly in popularity on the street, most people still won't realize you're carrying camera gear. Down with velcro; up with zippers, clips, snaps and clasps. I really like the shoulder bags but Crumpler doesn't get a recommendation because they're too noisy.

Delsey - Description: consumer and semi-professional lines of pouches, gadget bags, shoulder bags and backpacks, good functionality, average to good quality, moderate weatherproofing, moderate padding and protection, and more versatility since we last looked. Verdict: Delsey continues to gradually improve and expand their offerings, but this maker is still very much consumer oriented. Relatively quiet construction. The styling won't knock you over. Good value for the money though and that's important.

Domke - Description: professional quality shoulder bags & photographers vests, moderately weatherproof, very lightly padded, but versatile, well made, popular and expensive. Verdict: Photographers who love and use Domke bags really, really like them. A lot. We've got a couple in our own collection and they're genuine classics. A thin cellular foam perimeter/outer wall pad would help a lot without adding weight and would also help to prevent these bags from deforming when overloaded. The rule is, don't overload a Domke shoulder bag. Do so and you'll quickly become really unhappy with the bag. Domke provides a classic photojournalist look that's hard to resist. Most models are very quiet. Recommended.

Hakuba/Velbon - Description: semi-pro and consumer range pouches, shoulder bags and backpack systems offering average to good quality construction, good versatility and plenty of features. The bags are made with moderate weatherproofing and moderate padding all at average prices, making them an acceptable alternative to low and mid-range models from Lowepro and Tamrac. Verdict: Nothing special. Not bad, not great, and about equal to Camera Care and Delsey products. Design and styling are uninspiring but prices are quite low, which makes this maker a good value for budget conscious shoppers.

Hama - Description: lots of selection but quality is average or below average with average functionality, average weather protection, and, well, just average everything. Verdict: I think we included Hama in this roundup just for the sake of some low-end contrast. We found stitiching problems, binding zippers and uncomfortable shoulder straps. Not interested now, but we'll have another look at Hama next year.

jill-E - Description: good quality fashion bags in shoulder, hand-carry and rolling styles, with typical fashion accessory pricing too, but maybe worthwhile because the bags are well designed with moderate weatherproofing, moderate padding and good functionality. Verdict: My wife owns one of these shoulder bags and she reallly likes it. The main reason is that these bags have all the functionality of a good camera shoulder-style bag without looking anything like a camera bag. The company is relatively new, but they seemed to have found a good target with good quality products. Quiet designs that look like typical women's shoulder bags. jill-E bags are too new for us to gather any opinion on long term durability, but construction and materials seem to be well thought out. Prices are a little above average for good quality shoulder bags, but still affordable. Too new to recommend, but keep an eye on these ones.

Kata - Description: for photography and video enthusiasts, pros and heavy duty users offering excellent quality and unique designs, with good functionality, good weatherproofing and excellent padding design. Verdict: We really like Kata's products. The company's Israeli military design and manufacturing background shows up in all its camera bag products in the form of serious padding protection, economic use of interior space, and versatile carry systems. Pricing is surprisingly competitive. These great looking bags will last a very long time. Kata is expanding its lineup every year and is starting to earn nervous glances from Lowepro, Tamrac and Think Tank, although it still has a way to go to equal the huge lineups offered by or attract the photographers loyal to those three very well established competitors. The only knock against Kata is that its use of velcro closures in some models makes them too noisy in some shooting environments. Down with velcro; up with zippers, clips, snaps and clasps. Highly recommended.

Keisel - Description: good value for money, small but carefully designed range of backpacks, shoulder bags, waist systems and pouches offering moderate weatherproofing and moderate padding. Verdict: Nice quality, decent looking bags that aren't marketed very much in North America, which is a shame because Keisel prodcuts seem to offer good value.

L ightware - Description: professional quality cases for camera gear with high impact resistance, good to excellent weatherproofing, and high prices. Lightware offers a well designed range of backpacks, carry bags and rolling systems. Verdict: The touring and professional crowd who have to repeatedly move gear from location to location will like several of these models. The new backpack models are very good too. Designs are not flashy, but good construction quality is evident along with good use of space. We've never used any Lightware products, but the reports from actual Lightware product owners and users are quite good. Generaly quiet gear.

Lowepro - Description: offers the most comprehensive range of belt pouches, gadget bags, professional and consumer shoulder bags, backpacks, waist belt systems, sling packs and rolling camera bags for all photographers and videographers, providing good to excellent quality, versatility, excellent weatherproofing for most models, good to excellent padding systems for most models, and competitive pricing. Verdict: We haven't actually done a model count, but it appears as though Lowepro makes almost as many models as the next two competitors combined. The Lowepro line is impressive for its size and variety, for the huge number of weatherproof models, general consistency of quality from bag to bag, and for competitive pricing. Some shoulder bag models have difficult top/main compartment zippers. Some of the pouch designs have awkward flaps. Most Lowepro bags last a long time—decades of regular use. Several styles and technical designs continue to evolve and improve every year. Most active photographers and pros own at least one or two Lowepro bags. I have my own collection of Lowepro bags for travel, hiking, walkabouts and short day trips. Pro models are generally quiet bags, but the consumer models use too much velcro. Bewildering selection. If you can't find something that suits your needs, you're either too picky or you just don't like conventional bags. Highly recommended.

Moose Peterson - Description: this bag/pack system is a favorite of some outdoor photographers and is well made, quite versatile and provides moderate padding and good to excellent weatherproofing at medium to high prices. Verdict: Unusual design indeed, but it works as advertised and designed. The maker is a well known photographer and his three main pack styles more or less define his personal preferences grown out of decades of photography assignments. Not for everyone, but when you need a backpack system like the MP models, there's nowhere else to get one. Very quiet bags, ideal for wildlife and outdoor shooting situations.

National Geographic - Description: a nice looking line of soft canvas & nylon shoulder bags, backpacks, waist systems and pouches with light weatherproofing, light padding, reasonably priced and offering good quality for casual use. Verdict: I own two of the shoulder bags and I like them a lot. The only problem is that they're insufficiently padded for careless use and the bottom of the bags don't offer much protection from ground moisture. Lots of pockets and an unconventional flap and snap lock system help to create a very quiet, organic looking bag. The shoulder bags are very comfortable, but deform and sag if overloaded. Not quite recommended because of the lack of padding and ground protection.

M-Rock - Description: consumer quality waist sytems, backpacks, shoulder bags, pouches and a couple of sling bags which look like good Lowepro clones but with a couple of extra features not found in Lowepro and Tamrac models. The line also provides moderate padding and moderate weatherproofing. Verdict: The newer M-Rock sling packs are real challengers to Lowepro's excellent SlingShot models. The smaller M-Rock styles offer good protection and access, but zippers are sometimes awkward to use. Otherwise, the M-Rock products work well and make economic use of space in their (mostly) compact designs. Well worth considering, especially the single SLR pouch models. Recommended.

Naneu Pro - Description: interesting designs, above average consumer quality and some semi-pro models including extremely versatile backpacks, shoulder bags and sling bags, with moderate to good padding, moderate to good weatherproofing, and very reasonable pricing. Verdict: We had a hard time finding these ones and tracking down actual owners and users, but they seem to be gradually increasing in popularity. Carry and comfort levels are quite good and the interiors are versatile. A bag maker to watch. Not recommended yet because we don't know how well the bags hold up over time, but quality and wear reports seem good so far.

Pelican - Description: the first name in weatherproof, impact resistant, hard shell cases used all over the world to carry, protect, store and ship camera gear of all kinds. Verdict: Anybody who has to regularly check their camera gear on an airplane, train or bus, or who has to move gear from location to location needs to consider a Pelican, Lightware or Versa-Flex case or set of cases. Pelican offers a huge range of water tight, dunkproof, weatherproof, highly impact resistant, extremely well padded cases in tiny sizes all the way up to large suitcase and crate models. For good reasons, these are the cases most pros turn to for shipping and project travel. Pricey, but worth every penny. Highly recommended.

Petrol Bags - Description: an extensive line of professional shoulder bags, rolling bags and medium to large custom bags for photographers and videographers, offering good weatherproofing, moderate to good padding, very good construction quality and high prices to match. Verdict: Petrol is a new maker on our horizon who is gaining respect and popularity for good design and good looks. All the designs we've seen make economical use of space and operate quietly. Most of the line is starting to gain traction with serious amateurs, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers. That's a vote of confidence in the value. Recommended.

PortaBrace - Description: similar to Petrol but with competitive feature additions, similarly large model line, primarily for videographers, providing professional quality with prices to match. Verdict: we haven't used PortaBrace products extensively, but even occassional use has made it clear that these bags provide pro video shooters with good products. Materials and overall designs are somwhat different from competitors and a number of products are offered which accommodate specific cameras and associated gear. Quiet, well padded and structured designs offering secure closures and good access. Recommended.

Promaster - Description: below avearge quality consumer camera shoulder bags, pouches, backpacks and rolling bags, all for occassional use, and offering only light weatherproofing and light to moderate padding. Verdict: Don't let the company name fool you—this stuff isn't pro quality and we actively dislike products which are so aggressively named and which fail so thoroughly to meet the standard set by the name.

Roots - Description: consumer quality designer label shoulder bags, belt pouches and cases, but the surprise is that most of the bag designs are actually quite good, with moderate weatherproofing and moderate padding, priced above average because of the label. Verdict: Ah Roots—jack of all trades, master of few. However, these camera bags are reasonably well made, most likely in one the same factories that crank out lots of other products for Roots. In any case, they're not a bad choice but they're also not our first choice although compact camera and point & shoot camera owners could do worse. Some variations in construction quality from sample to sample have been observed recently, along with reports of binding zippers, which would seem to indicate general quality control issues.

Sumdex - Description: consumer camera shoulder bags and belt/shoulder pouches, with light padding and surprisingly good weatherproofing, but only average quality construction at average or below average prices. Verdict: Companies like Sumdex just can't get any traction with retailers in the face of huge store footprints occupied by established players such as Lowepro. The quality of Sumdex products can vary significantly from sample to sample. Not recomended.

Tamrac - Description: lots of variety with almost as much choice as Lowepro, good to excellent weatherproofing, moderate padding, average to good construction and remains the photographer's or videographer's choice when the bag you want from Lowepro or Kata is just a bit too expensive. Verdict: Tamrac has found its niche just below Kata and Lowepro and seems happy to own its particular segment. There are some minor quality concerns in some samples, which means that consumers should compare at least two bags of the same model before taking one to the checkout counter. Tamrac offers almost as many models as Lowepro, which means that you'll find a bewildering array of choices. If you can't find a model that suits your needs, you're either too picky or you just don't like conventional bags. Recommended.

Targus - Description: inexpensive, consumer grade camera shoulder bags and belt/shoulder pouches, providing moderate to poor weatherproofing, light to moderate padding and below average construction quality. Verdict: Construction quality can vary noticeably from sample to sample, so shop carefully. A limited range of models which are very competitively priced doesn't alter the fact that functionality is limited compared to higher priced and better known competitors. If you get a lot of use out of your camera gear, it's probably best to look at another bag maker.

Tenba - Description: offers a good selection of enthusiast and semi-professional camera backpacks, shoulder bags, sling bags and rolling bags rivaling the wide selections from Lowepro and Tamrac, with moderate weatherproofing and moderate padding. Verdict: Tenba seems to be a good maker that needs to find some way of gaining traction in the marketplace in order to get more of its products into retail stores and in front of photographers. Construction quality seems consistently good from bag to bag, designs are relatively quiet, and Tenba offers a range of capacities to suit a variety of needs. The sling bag models compare very well to the excellent Lowepro and Kata models, offering a more versatile shape. Recommended if you can find them.

ThinkTank - Description: specializes in waist and harness mounted camera bag systems as well as a superb line of rolling camera bags and backpacks, offering professional quality, excellent features, moderate to excellent padding and good weatherproofing. Verdict: Think Tank products compared side-by-side to similar models from Lowepro and Tamrac sometimes don't look as though they'll work properly. But they do—extremely well actually—and stand up to many years of continuous use. Generally higher priced, made in the U.S. The waist belt & harness systems offer terrific versatility, the swing around model in the backpack system is unique and highly functional, and the rolling cases offer superior features including security and real considerations for the needs of travelers. Generally quiet operation. Very good value. Highly recommended.

Versa-Flex, Inc - Description: ATA style professional photo cases, rolling cases, tripod and custom cases, all of which provide excellent padding & protection along with good to excellent weatherproofing. Verdict: Cordura nylon outer shells with wraparound multi-density foam padding covering steel rim frames basically describes Versa-Flex products. If you're doing location shooting—photo or video—and you need to move gear quickly and safely, these cases are an investment worth considering. Highly customizable interiors, padding and foamed reusable packing fittings make packing and unpacking on location quite easy. Quiet operation and secure handling. Mainly for pros, production houses and touring companies. Highly recommended.

Vested Interest - Description: professional quality photo and video carry vests with lots of built in features and surprisingly competitive pricing. Verdict: If you like photograpy vests, particularly if you prefer a vest as your main carry method, you have to consider the Vested Interest line. Design and construction, weather resistance and durability consistently work to provide a wearable carry that's attractive to people such as journalists who have to move fast in difficult and dense environments. Pocket closures are velcro, which makes operation somewhat noisy, but in the typical busy urban locations for which these vests are best suited, noise isn't much of a factor. If you need one of these, there aren't a lot of choices out there and we're glad this choice is so good. Recommended.

World Richman - Description: if you've seen branded department store or photo retailer camera bags chances are they were manufactured by World Richman, but while prices are quite low, quality and functionality is similarly below average and reliable weatherproofing and padding is either light or non-existent. Verdict: Not my first choice and not even my last choice, World Richman-made store branded products are sometimes what you'll find being given away during promotions and as purchase incentives. You get what you pay for. Along with most store brands, not recommended.

NOTE TO AIR TRAVELERS: Carry-On Camera Shoulder Bags, Backpacks, Sling Packs & Rolling Cases - Think Tank is the only maker in this roundup which directly and specifically deals with TSA and airline carry-on size restrictions. Nonetheless, all of the makers offer models which meet carry-on size restrictions. It's about time that all the makers made some efforts on their respective web sites to make it clear which models meet current carry-on size restrictions. So if you're purchasing a camera or video bag for carry-on use during air travel, you have to check its size on the manufacturer's web site, compare the dimensions to the size restrictions imposed by the airlines you'll be using (as listed on various airline web sites), and never, ever believe a salesperson's opinion about any of this. Checked Bags - Never, ever check any camera bag that isn't hardshelled, heavily padded and designed to withstand being tossed around in the hold of an aircraft. Tripods - Carbon fiber tripods may be allowed on board, but forget about metal tube tripods. In any event, all tripods can represent a minor safety hazard in the cabin. So our advice is to pack tripods in checked luggage.

To view this post in its original form and to read other reviews please visit Kickstartnews.

Datacolor Announce Spyder3 Line Up

2008-03-11T17:26:00.006Z

Datacolor announced the addition of Spyder3Pro and Spyder3Print to its new Spyder3 range of monitor calibration and printer profiling solutions. Their Spyder3Pro solution offers an affordable display calibration tool for serious and professional photographers. Spyder3Print is a printer-profiling device which is aimed at fine art printers and production professionals.

Spyder3 colorimeter offers a seven-detector colour engine, the only one of its kind on the market. The colorimeters 27mm aperture is the largest in its class, and provides a greater screen sampling area and a 400 per cent increase in light sensitivity. When used in conjunction with the embedded ambient light sensor, which automatically measures surrounding ambient light levels even when stored in its cradle, the Spyder3Pro will enable users to achieve the highest levels of precision and calibration for your display devices.

Spyder3Print is the perfect complement for the Spyder3Pro and Spyder3Elite. The printer calibration device enables users to create custom printer profiles by using an updated Datacolor 1005 spectrocolorimeter and colour calibration tile with tracking ruler for more accurate readings, Spyder3Print enables the production of professional-looking prints quickly and accurately, by avoiding the wasteful trial-and-error process of uncalibrated devices.

Spyder3Elite uses an enhancement of the feature set offered by Spyder3Pro. Spyder3Elite uses dual-mode software that allows the calibration of multiple displays in a studio via either an easy to use walkthrough wizard guide or its expert console, which gives advanced users full control of all settings. The Spyder3 elite is also the only device in its category, which is able to calibrate front projectors.

Spyder3Studio is Datacolor's complete colour management suite. Spyder3Studio combines the powerful features of Spyder3Elite’s display calibration with the excellent printer profiling functions of Spyder3Print. These tools will make the job of controlling the accuracy of your display and output devices a breeze. For more information visit Datacolor.

Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera Review

2008-03-11T01:52:00.003Z

Product: Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera
Manufactured by: Canon US, Canon Canada, Canon UK
Reviewed by: Howard Carson, March 2008
Requires: An interest in serious photography using a compact form factor
MSRP: US$499.99, CDN$549.99, UK£429

Read the full PowerShot G9 review!

The major PowerShot G7 flaws touted by the pundits were that this marvelous top-of-the line prosumer camera failed to provide several features offered in semi-pro digital SLR cameras costing hundreds of dollars more. The PowerShot G7 didn't offer RAW format the critics complained, and it failed to provide superb low noise performance above 400 ISO. Canon listened to the howling and rancor, then tweaked the design to add some image processing improvements and RAW file saving. The result is the Canon PowerShot G9.

The Canon PowerShot G9 is a 12.1 megapixel digital camera equipped with Canon's DIGIC III image processor, a 6x optical zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilizer (IS). The camera offers a full range of shooting modes (shutter priority, aperture priority, manual, programmed auto, full auto, scene modes, movie mode) and recording modes including JPEG + RAW. Except for the fact that it's blessed with a diopter adjustment, the optical viewfinder is essentially useless at every zoom setting unless it happens to be 12.5mm (equivalent to 50mm on a full frame). Thankfully the viewfinder is completely offset by the 3 inch high-quality PureColor LCD II screen featuring a wide viewing angle, anti-glare and anti-scratch coatings. You also get face detection (the camera automatically picks out, focuses on and adjusts exposure for one or multiple faces in a composition) and primary face selection control. The PowerShot G9 has a standard Canon top-mounted hotshoe which is compatible with the complete range of Canon EOS speedlites.

The Canon PowerShot G9 is identical in every outward respect to its G7 predecessor. The fun begins with some improvements on the inside and ends with a general increase in image quality. If you're wondering how much image quality you can squeeze out of a little camera like this, have a look at this high dynamic range winter photo. The image is as-shot and unretouched, completely noise-free and quite striking at ISO100 and -0.3ev, handheld, IS on. Note the corrosion bubbles just under the surface of the black wrought iron fence, and the enormous amount of contrast between the fading painted black surfaces and the fresh white snow. The midtones are captured well too, with clean, interesting details in the shadows, the dense texture of the split rail fence and the highlights popping off the the ice and snow crystals without being blown out. One example does not tell the tale obviously, but this is a very nice camera indeed.

Read the full PowerShot G9 review!

Cons: Like it's predecessor, it's as heavy as a small brick. The strict adherence to a classic Rangefinder form factor is all well and good, but there's not quite enough to grab hold of except a very conservative grip bump on the right front—no prominent right-side body bulge like that found on the excellent Canon A-series compacts—so the very first thing you should do after marveling at your brand new PowerShot G9 as it comes out of the box is to attach a good quality neck or wrist strap. The playback button is located on a slightly concave chamfer at the top rear edge of the camera and is difficult to press because it's just at or slightly less than flush with the body surface. You need to poke the playback button with a fingernail to get a positive click, so forget about using it outside while wearing gloves. No ISO limit setting for Auto mode.

Pros: The Canon PowerShot G9 is a modern wonder of digital camera technology. For the price, there's nothing else in its image quality class on the market today except for the Leica D-Lux 3. I like sturdy, substantial buttons and dials that work smoothly and provide positive feedback mainly because on a well-designed camera they provide the surest sort of control over important and frequently used functions. The ISO dial is a perfect example and it's great to have it sitting on the top left of the camera body. Image quality is improved slightly over the G7 which means that mid-to-high ISO noise performance is good enough to make ISO800 genuinely useful (and certainly printable). The retro body and control layout introduced in the G7 is a stroke of genius and I'm glad Canon has kept and enhanced the design. The programmed user interface and LCD combine to make menu navigation easy and fast. Canon has hit a home run with the PowerShot G9. Highly recommended.

Read the full PowerShot G9 review!

Camera & Laptop Backpack Reviews

2008-03-10T15:47:00.003Z

Photo/Laptop Backpacks: National Geographic Earth Explorer Large and Medium, Tamrac Adventure 9, Crumpler Keystone, Kata R-103 GDC Rucksack, Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW, and the Think Tank Airport International

Reviewed by: Howard Carson, January 2008
Manufacture by: Various
Requires: Digital SLR camera equipment, any laptop
MSRP: US$140.00 - $400.00 (dealers usually sell for less)

Reposted in its entirety from Kickstartnews, to view the original post and more visit Kickstartnews.

All that expensive digital SLR equipment, your laptop, and all the myriad accessories, cables, cleaning supplies, etc., etc., weigh a lot. We earnestly claim to absolutely need it all on every photography trip (long or short), but it represents a carry burden that far too many of us are not up to the task of shouldering. Face it, you're out of shape. You may need a good quality photo/laptop backpack to ease the load and provide a tough, mobile and versatile photography 'office' out which to operate. After researching all of the sales stats we could find in addition to talking with a variety of photography store managers in an effort to find out which photo/laptop backpacks are currently the most popular, we assembled this group of packs for review. We used each backpack on two different trips (we've been at this for a couple of months). We used the same set of equipment to compare and test all of the backpacks:

Nikon D200 digital SLR with attached Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 zoom lens
Nikon D40x with attached Nikkor 50mm f1.4 lens
Nikon SB800 flashgun with extender cable
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR lens
Nikkor 12-24mm f4 zoom lens
4 filters for various lenses
8 CF & SD storage cards
15" Macbook with power block, mini-mouse, USB cable
Two microfiber cleaning cloths
One Optex lens brush
LCD screen covers
2 tripod/camera plates
1 writing pen
1 3x5 writing pad
2 battery chargers (1 Canon, 1 Nikon)
2 UK AC plug adaptors
1 MC-30 Nikon remote control cable
2 spare batteries
1 set of spare rechargeable AA batteries for the SB800
1 AA battery charger

It's a full travel list for sure, as opposed to the amount of equipment you'd normally be carrying on a day trip. The point of this round-up review is to figure out what each of these backpacks is best at. The only way to do that is to load each of them to capacity and use them on real photography trips. There cannot be a single winner that fits all needs (and backs, hips and shoulders). But at the very least, after reading the reviews, you'll be able to narrow the field with respect to the price, features and functionality that fit your budget and photography needs. Here you go.

The National Geographic Earth Explorer bags, Medium US$210.00, Large US$400.00, are deceptively nice, but unfortunately prove to be less than practical in actual use. The inner cinch protecting the top compartment provides additional protection against moisture, but can also be annoying because it gets in the way of fast access. The flanges on your hot shoe can accidentally pickup the edge of the cinch seam as you're lifting the camera out of the bag. The mid/central compartment retainer zipper works smoothly, but the tab doesn't have enough weight and can be difficult to grab when you're wearing light gloves. Although the soft 'frame' of the pack is well-designed, providing acceptable balance and form, I think the bag is a still bit too soft for backpack use. Loads can shift too easily when you're on steep inclines. A tripod can be lashed to the exterior accessory side mounts at the cost of unbalancing the pack. The Earth Explorer doesn't offer enough bump & bang protection or bottom protection to make me stop worrying about my gear. It does offer almost a dozen exterior pockets and a dozen clinch and accessory mounting points for lashing on extra gear and bags. The built in bottle bag is a nice touch.

Because the belting is narrow, it's also difficult to lash the bag tightly enough to your waist in order to get it positioned for your hips to take the load, something that's absolutely necessary for proper/ergonomic and comfortable backpack use. The 15" laptop compartment is positioned lower than it is in the Lowepro so there's little chance of any dangerous flex. The rain cover is a bit fiddly to get in and out of its pouch on the pack. The National Geographic offers a lot of storage versatility but for hiking and general travel use should be restricted to no more than an hour at a time on your back. No dedicated memory card compartment. I own and really like the National Geographic small and medium shoulder bags. They're great for daily use in and out of the car and for short photography outings. The National Geographic small and medium shoulder bags seem to wear extremely well, but the jury is still out on how well the treated canvas/synthetic exterior and rip-stop synthetic liner will hold up over long use in the backpack configuration. The shoulder straps, back protection and breathability are good. However, we did notice some permanent compression of the padding in the high stress areas of the shoulder straps. The carry design allows your back to breath reasonably well. We could not fit all of our test gear into the Medium backpack. It's softer-than-average outer construction is unlikely to do a good job of protecting your gear in an aircraft overhead bin. The Medium backpack is okay on commercial aircraft but the Large backpack is too big for most international airline carry-on restrictions, which severely limits travel use of this pack. Construction and finish are good.

The Tamrac Adventure 9 backpack, US$140.00, is clearly the bargain of this bunch. It carries marginally well, distributes weight across the shoulders with a sternum strap (which I personally hate because it restricts breathing) rather than a waist belt, and could use a bit more padding everywhere. However, there's no doubt that the Adventure 9 does a very good job of protecting your gear as well as the Crumpler Keystone and the Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW. So call the Tamrac Adventure 9 a large capacity day pack. We managed to fit all the gear on the list into the Adventure 9, but the design of the compartments are not particularly well-optimized. Storing and removing the D200 with attached 17-55mm f2.8 lens always required an extra twist or two to pull it free or get back in past the upper curve of the zipper facing. It's something you'll get used to I'm sure, but it's initially annoying.

The shoulder straps, back protection and breathability are good. To get the best use out of the Tamrac Adventure 9 you've got to focus on good posture because there is insufficient stiffness to the soft 'frame' of this backpack. The shoulder straps are well designed and although not quite as heavily padded as the rest of this group, seem to do a good job of keeping pressure and stress points to a minimum. The 15" laptop compartment is unwisely located against your back, which means the lack of a waist belt/hip weight distribution often results in a lot of bounce and flex to the laptop compartment. That's not good. There are lots of dedicated compartments inside as well a dedicated memory card storage compartment and card usage system. One of the exterior mesh compartments is large enough for a water bottle. Like Lowepro, Tamrac offers a large selection of strap/velcro mount exterior bags and attachments. The Tamrac Adventure 9 is legal size for all international carry-on airline travel - just. Construction and finish are good.

The Crumpler Keystone bag, US$200.00, is great . . . for a while. Then the annoyingly wide zipper facings which prevent the top compartment from being accessed easily will become tiresome. In use, my Crumpler bags (I've got this backpack and the 4, 6 & 7 Million Dollar Home models) offer better protection overall than the National Geographic bags. The Keystone is still not great for fast access off the shoulder or even on the ground. Crumpler compartments are invariably tight and this model is no exception. Your gear won't shift around (which is good), but some of it will be a bit more difficult to get to. This bag carries well and secures to your waist quite well also, which makes it a much better carry than the National Geographic bags. A laptop is well protected in this pack because its the only design in this group which positions the laptop compartment on the outside of the pack as opposed the to inside against your back. Crumpler deserves an award of some sort for that design decision.

The tripod mounting strap is awkward and can't accommodate heavy tripods. Whichever tripod you do happen to mount is well balanced on the pack. Crumpler's typically clean looking design apparently doesn't accommodate a dedicated memory card storage compartment. The laptop compartment can only handle a 13" laptop.

The shoulder straps, back protection and breathability are quite good although to get the best use out of the Crumpler Keystone you've got to focus on good posture. It's a long backpack which tends to carry flatter to the back than the others in this review, a good design feature that has its limits in terms of storage convenience inside the pack. The pack material is tough and the interior is very gentle on your gear. The pack is supposed to protect contents against heavy weather, but we still advise the use of a rain cover with this pack. The Crumpler Keystone backpack is legal size for all international carry-on airline travel. Construction and finish are very good.

The Kata R-103 GDC Rucksack, US$260.00, is a heavy duty but lightweight backpack which clearly represents the best protection available. Compartments are slightly smaller and stiffer than those found on any of the other bags in this review. The bright yellow trademark Kata lining makes it easy to spot small items in any of the compartments. Kata builds its bags out of waterproof and storm proof material. Digital Imaging Products Editor Mario Georgiou and I were caught on the side of a hill leading to Glastonbury Tor on a photography trip in England last September and Mario's Kata T-214 Torso Pack kept his gear dry as a bone. So did my Lowepro Elite Pro AW (with the added help of the built in rain cover however). The R-103 carries extremely well, a legacy of Kata's experience designing and manufacturing military gear no doubt. Weight distribution is excellent and easy to balance. A 15" laptop is well protected with no danger of flex damage for most people. We managed to just fit all of the gear into the pack - just.

The shoulder straps, back protection and breathability are quite good. The lower shoulder strap padding tends to twist while mounting or dismounting the pack. The shoulder straps and waist belt are well designed using a very durable padding and outer material. The upper yoke between the narrowest part of the shoulder straps extends slightly from the upper pack seam and may bother some people. Tripod strap mounts are located on the bottom of the pack but the tripod strap set is optional. Like Tamrac and Lowepro, Kata offers a large selection of strap/velcro mount exterior bags and attachments. The interior finish is very gentle on your gear. The Kata R-103 GDC Rucksack is legal size for all international carry-on airline travel. Construction and finish are excellent and tied with the Think Tank Airport International for the best quality in this group of products.

The Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW, US$220.00, is my personal favorite general travel backpack (car, airplane, train, bus, light to medium hiking). For my purposes it's been wonderfully durable, fully protective of all my gear, comfortable on short and medium length hikes and extremely versatile with respect to not only how much gear I can pack into it, but also with respect to how easy it is to get at everything quickly. This bag is also weatherproof, with the built-in All Weather rain cover almost redundant considering how well the bag itself is designed and waterproofed. Different backs will give different results, but on my back the CompuTrekker Plus AW is a great carry. It secures comfortably around the waist and ensures proper weight distribution on the hips. Getting the right adjustment with a 15" laptop in place however, definitely takes a bit of initial fiddling. Too tight and you could flex the laptop. Too loose and the load won't be properly distributed. You really only need to unfold the rain cover for heavy downpours. This one is strictly for short hikes and general travel.

The shoulder straps, back protection and breathability are quite good. Shoulder strap padding is well designed and positioned to relieve stress as well as the Kata which is the best in the group. The interior finish and velcro dividers are padded a bit thicker than the National Geographic Earth Explorer and similar to but softer than the Kata and Crumpler. The tripod carry straps are fiddly and Lowepro needs to completely revise the strap and cinch design. They loosen too easily and represent more of a hindrance than a help. The pack offers a dedicated memory card storage compartment. Like Kata and Tamrac, Lowepro offers a large selection of strap/velcro mount exterior bags and attachments. The Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW is legal size for all international carry-on airline travel. Construction and finish are very good.

The Think Tank Airport International is the only oddball in this group because it's not a backpack and can't be converted into a backpack either. However, for general car, bus, train and air travel, at the end of which you pack daily shooting gear into a smaller sling pack (such as a Kata T-214 or a Lowepro Slingshot 200 or 300) or shoulder bag, there is nothing on the market that can touch the Think Tank Airport International. It's expensive, but what a bag! Like the CompuTrekker Plus AW it easily holds everything on our list. The Think Tank Airport International features its own well designed and trouble free roller wheels and extension handle in order to use the bag as a roller board. The integrated extension handle and wheel assembly work over long distances too, easily eating up 1-2 kilometer treks I've done across cobbled streets in London and potholed roads and sidewalks in Minneapolis. I purchased one of these things the same week that Think Tank originally offered them for sale (18 months ago?) and have logged thousands of air miles with it since. Great stuff. If you're traveling with a lot of photo gear and a laptop up to 17", but not hiking/backpacking, the Think Tank Airport International is a superb choice.

The Think Tank Airport International has every travel protection feature you can think of including a built in security cable, TSA-compliant combination locks, heavy duty everything, high impact resistant frame, high density padded dividers multi-height divider sets so that a laptop can be safely packed on top of your camera and digital gear, extremely strong carry handles on three sides, as well as easy-access exterior compartments for travel documents and other items. The Think Tank Airport International is weatherproof as far as I can tell, but I have not yet actually had the misfortune of being caught with it in a serious downpour or snowstorm. It easily sloughed off light rain showers however and that's a good sign. Construction and finish are excellent.

All of the backpacks can accommodate or are supplied with some sort of strap assembly to carry a tripod. However, doing so puts the outer dimensions of the arrangement beyond the international airline carry-on size restrictions. In most cases tripods with metal legs won't be allowed in the cabin anyway. Carbon fiber tripods usually pass. In any event, the smart move is to pack the tripod in your checked bag.

All of these backpacks shed rain, mud, sand, snow quite well. Nonetheless, in heavy downpours we strongly recommend the use of accessory or built in rain covers. The outer shells are all abrasion and cut resistant. All of the packs clean up quite easily with lukewarm soapy water and a damp sponge.

Before making one of these expensive purchase decisions, bring your own gear to a good photography store and load up some or all of these backpacks. Walk around the store for ten or fifteen minutes. Get the feel of each pack. Be sensitive to pressure and stress points. Repeatedly mount and dismount the pack, open it up and remove and replace gear. Bring your own tripod or monopod and tie it on. Do all this and avoid the stupidity of ending up with a closet full of costly bags and packs you rarely need or use.

To view this post in its original form and to read other reviews please visit Kickstartnews.

Canon PowerShot A650 IS Review

2008-03-08T23:04:00.003Z

Product: Canon PowerShot A650 IS Digital Compact Camera
Manufactured by: Canon
Reviewed by: Howard Carson, March 2008
Requires: An interest in photography
MSRP: US$299.95, UK£289.00

Read the full review on kickstartnews.com

What separates the huge assortment of mediocre point & shoot compact digital cameras from the good ones? Image quality! Canon has consistently come up with designs and technology which continue to keep it in the forefront of compact camera design, usability and image quality. The Canon PowerShot A650 IS Digital Compact Camera is a feature packed, versatile handful designed to please intermediate and advanced amateur photographers and to attract beginner photographers who want something noticeably more complex than so many of the dumbed-down and control-free point & shoot cameras available today.

The PowerShot A650 IS is the top-of-the-line A-series PowerShot model as of this writing. It is a 12.1 megapixel camera with a 6x optical zoom coupled to Canon's patented Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology. IS is specifically designed to deliver clear, blur-free images in many low light situations and all through the zoom range. The PowerShot A650 IS is built around Canon's latest generation DIGIC III Image Processor which now provides among other things enhanced Face Detection, ISO 1600 and fast in-camera red-eye correction.

Canon's extremely popular A-series is a curious thing to observe. All of the models in the series are relatively lightweight, use 'AA' batteries (two in most models; four in the A650 IS), and offer a large number of shooting and picture controls. After using the PowerShot A650 IS for a week or so and occasionally perusing the user manual during that time, you'll begin to wonder if Canon made some sort of mistake. The question you end up asking is why Canon decided to pack so many well-designed and easy to use features into a camera at this price point. There's nothing on the market right now which has this much packed into it at this price point and which does so much so well at this price point.

Cons: The 173K pixels in the LCD are sufficient for a variety of purposes but pale in comparison to the bright, razor sharp, high resolution LCDs we're starting to see on cameras from competing makers. The shoot/playback switch operates coarsely—functional but somewhat inelegant—and it's hard to figure out why Canon has stuck with this sort of switch when all the other makers have mercifully moved to playback buttons. The single metal strap lug is useful but barely large enough to accommodate a small steel split ring for those people who want to attach a top quality (UpStrap or Optech) wrist strap. The Optical Image Stabilization (IS) control is located two layers deep in a configuration menu, so it takes more than a few moments to turn it on and off. Might as well leave it on all the time, while also remembering that IS does not always guarantee blur-free photos. The creditable Movie mode can be ruined somewhat by wind noise even in very light breezes. (More in the full review)

Pros: I don't understand how Canon does such a consistently superior job with so many of its point & shoot cameras. Competing camera makers must spend hours every day wondering just how Canon comes up with so many good compacts every year. That's not to say other manufacturers produce junk—far from it. But Canon leads the pack because some people over there are really thinking carefully about the best combinations of features, functions, controls, image quality and usability. The variable flash power setting is incredibly useful for making well-balanced portrait photos and for controling fill light—a wonderful feature to have in a camera in this price range. The Canon PowerShot A650 IS can consistently capture well balanced, richly colored photos in a wide range of shooting conditions. The Vari-angle articulating LCD screen is wonderfully useful and offers decent quality image playback too. Movie mode works well enough to make most people think twice about the need for a separate digital video camera. Movie audio is well controlled, with very little noise and clear recording albeit mainly in relatively calm wind conditions. Prominent grip on the right side fits most hands well and provides good control and handling. Uses popular and competitively priced SD storage cards. SOHO and small business owners looking for an office or carry-around camera for use with clients and on job sites should consider the A650 IS. Image quality is suitable for framing and you'll have to spend a lot more money to take the next significant step up. Highly recommended. Read the full review at kickstartnews.com

Nik Software Ship Viveza

2008-03-06T00:51:00.003Z

Nik Software have begun shipping Viveza, their new and innovative colour and tone correction plug-in for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Viveza makes selective adjustments simpler to perform than using Photoshop's own tools. It is built around the U Point technology which first appeared in Nikon Capture NX. From all appearances Viveza looks like an excellent workflow improvement tool. I'll hopefully be taking a closer look at it in the next few weeks.

Apple Update Aperture To Version 2.1

2008-03-06T00:25:00.002Z

Apple have indicated that the 2.1 update "addresses issues related to performance and overall stability." The update also fixes a number of "minor" issues, including Upgrading libraries from earlier versions of Aperture, Publishing .Mac Web Gallery albums, Preview generation and deletion, Creating and ordering books, Appearance of metadata overlays in the Browser, Filmstrip, and on light tables, Watermarking of emailed photos, Highlight Hot and Cold Areas

It also fixes a number of other minor issues, some involving the following areas: Loupe, Smart Albums, Straighten Tool, Filmstrip, Drag and drop import, Thumbnail generation, Import window and Export plug-in reliability. The update is covered in detail here.

TrueGrain v1.1 — Black & White Film Emulation Review

2008-02-29T05:00:00.005Z

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, February 2008
Published by: Grubba Software
Requires: Source Files in 8 or 16 bit RGB TIF Format, 2GB RAM, Windows XP SP2 or later; Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later
MSRP: US$300.00

Grubba Software was formed to create a solution that could answer the problem of creating digitally originated images that are accurately modelled after real world black & white films. TrueGrain v1.1.7 is a standalone application which uses a combination of real-world samples of grain types, film-specific spectral response curves and dynamic range settings that further refine the greyscale conversion process. There are a number of software solutions which do parts of what TrueGrain does, but none which do it all with such ease and effectiveness.
TrueGrain has sample grains and conversion profiles for a number of film types which I've listed below by film pack.

Film Pack 0
Ilford Delta 3200 Professional
Ilford FP4 Plus
Kodak Professional T-MAX 400

Film Pack 1
Bergger BRF-200
Ilford HP5 Plus
Kodak Professional T-MAX P3200
Konica Infrared 750nm

Film Pack 2
Kodak Panatomic-X
Kodak Professional TRI-X 400
Kodak TRI-X Pan 400

Grubba Software have made a commitment to add more stocks as and when demand requires. The beauty of this model is that your library can grow independent of program updates. Each film stock type comes with settings that also include a number of traditional glass filter profiles and grain samples for a variety of film sizes. For instance, Ilford Delta 3200 Pro comes with the following profiles and grain sizes:
Ilford Delta 3200 Professional 120 (Exp: 6/2007)Exposure: 3200 ISOProcess Date: 1 September 2007Ilford Ilfotec DD-X 1:4 20C 7:30 - Drum Processor

Included filter profiles
Wratten 8 Yellow
Wratten 11 Yellow Green
Wratten 21 Orange
Wratten 25 Red
Wratten 58 Green
Wratten 80B Blue

Included grain sizes
110 17mm x 13mm
135 36mm x 24mm
120 56mm x 45mm (6x4.5)
120 56mm x 56mm (6x6)
120 56mm x 70mm (6x7)
120 56mm x 75mm (6x8)

This film type was modelled on samples processed with Ilford Ilfotec DD-X in a drum processor. Not all film types in TrueGrain have this range of media types but they are very comprehensive where possible.

Using TrueGrain is a breeze and really couldn't be any simpler. Open your image, pick your film type, select your filter if needed, then pick a grain sample and process. The whole workflow is really simple and allows a great deal of modification from the base effect. The interface features three control panes which allow you to refine the simulation by modifying the spectral response, dynamic range and film grain attributes and settings.

Spectral Response basically maps how a particular film type responds to different wavelengths of light. The Spectral Response panel controls, via a mapping curve, how color ranges are mapped to black & white values. The curves are again really simple to use, and can be used by anyone with some knowledge of color to create more interesting effects with your images. This panel is also where you pick the wratten filter you wish to emulate.

The Dynamic Range panel is where you affect the tonality of your image via a tonal response curve. According to Grubba software this feature basically affects "the overall nonlinear response of a given film stock to brightness." The attenuation slider affects the overall intensity of application of the dynamic range.

The last panel, is the Film Grain application control curve, where you define how the film grain is applied. In this panel, you can select the scale of the grain, for the film type you have selected. The scale is reliant on the film size you select and bearing this in mind, I would make an effort to size your source image appropriately, for your intended print size. The curve in this panel isn't editable, but it's intensity of application and appearance can be increased by the grain intensity slider.

Film grain is one of the hardest attributes to effectively emulate, and it is often something which many imageers are asked to remove from scans and images. In TrueGrain this attribute is required as the user is actually trying to emulate this realistic quality, which has its own aesthetic value. Grain modelling is nicely implemented with controls for affecting the inclusion of grain in shadows, midtones and highlights via the predefined curve, as well as controlling the grain size.

One of the attributes which would greatly improve the handling here, is the inclusion of features like clumping and grain shape, to allow for special effects and more customizable grain effects. It might be possible to create application curves and profiles for different types of grain and effects.

I found the best results were created when using fairly neutral, low ISO images with no overt color casts. I also found that using higher resolution images was a necessity, as with lower resolution images the grain effects proved unrealistic—a 6 megapixel image being a recommended baseline or minimum size.

TrueGrain is impressively simple and it is my feeling that the only real way to improve the application, is to add color film types to it, and some facility for custom effects as outlined above. However, as Grubba indicate in their FAQ, they want to focus on handling B&W first, before tackling the additional complications involved in modelling color film types.

Cons: Would like to see more B&W film types. No support for color film types.

Pros: Fast and really easy to use. Highly configurable. TrueGrain is aimed at professional users who can appreciate the work that's been put into this excellent product. The interface makes it easy to achieved the desired result and the available presets further simplify the process. All things considered, TrueGrain is a must have for any photographer and imageer who wants a digital equivalent of black & white film. Highly Recommended.

Corel Bargains At Focus On Imaging 2008

2008-02-24T22:19:00.003Z

For those of you heading to Focus On Imaging 2008 (24-27 February), pop by the Corel stand, where they are providing some great show deals. Corel are offering attendees 20% off Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, Corel VideoStudio 11.5 Plus and Corel Painter X. They are also providing a free Pantone huey stick to anyone who orders a copy of Corel Painter X for as long as stocks last. Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 is avaialble for £63, VideoStudio 11.5 Plus £47 and Painter X for £214. Corel are at stand S4.

Leica Sacks CEO Steven K. Lee

2008-02-23T18:00:00.003Z

The CEO of Leica was 'removed' from his post by the company's supervisory board and replaced by their owner and board chairman Andreas Kaufman. His removal is hinted to be linked to a controversial interview he gave to Amateur Photographer at this year's PMA show, in which he hinted that the M8 digital rangefinder was to upgraded with a full frame sensor. I'm guessing that if this was the case, then it was information the board wanted kept under wraps. For more information read the source article at Amateur Photographer.

The Adobe Photoshop Layers Book, by Richard Lynch, ISBN: 978-0-240-52076-6, Review

2008-02-17T21:49:00.006Z

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, February 2008
Published by: Focal Press & Elsevier
Requires: N/A
MSRP: US$39.95, UK£24.95
(CD-ROM included)

As the title suggests, this book is centered entirely on the use and capabilities of the immensely powerful and much-emulated Layers feature in Photoshop. Richard Lynch is an expert Photoshop user and a very capable artist, designer and photographer in his own right. His knowledge of all versions of the Photoshop series of software shines through in this highly detailed book. Taking a task-based approach, Lynch uses techniques which translate well through pretty much every version of Photoshop since CS.

Focal Press offers dozens of Photoshop titles covering digital photo editing techniques, creative imaging with Photoshop and creative design with Photoshop. The subject coverage in The Adobe Photoshop Layers Book is far more narrowly focused than other Focal Press titles however, and deals strictly with the powerful layers functions and creative possibilities with layers.

The Table of Contents is clear cut:

Introduction: The World of Image Layers
The Basics of Layers: Layer Functions and Creation
Layer Management: Concepts of a Layer-Based Workflow
Basic Object and Image Area Isolation
Masking: Enhanced Area Isolation
Applying Layer Effects
Exploring Layer Modes
Advanced Blending Modes
Breaking Out Components
Taking an Image Through the Process
Making Layered Collage and Composite Images
Epilogue: Using RAW in Your Layer Workflow
Considering Color Management: Testing Your Workflow

Lynch covers everything from layer types, work flows, blending methods and channels. Each tutorial goes into great detail on how to achieve your given task and also explains why particular tools are used and how. The only real problem is that all this detail tends to leave the expert user wanting to skip through the book.

Beginners (and even a few intermediate) Photoshop users, as well as people new to pixel-level creativity software, general image editing and photo editing deserve an explanation of layers. For the uninitiated then, here's an explanation of layers from Virtual Training Help Center "Layers are like transparencies stacked one on top of one another." Each layer can contain a different image, effect or modification which can stand out from, enhance or blend in with the contents of all the layers above and below it. When the layers are stacked, they appear as a single image.

Individual layers in a Photoshop image can be turned on or off, allowing images to be saved in various different states. Parts of one layer can be used to hide or reveal parts of another layer. The list of functional and creative possibilities for layers goes on and on, and remains one of several important reasons that Photoshop, relatively early in its existence, garnered such widespread use by graphic artists and photographers around the world.

Beginners still not clear? Here's another explanation, this one from photoshopcafe.com: "A layer is simply one image stacked on top of another. Imagine I have a piece of paper and I paint it red. Then I take a piece of clear cellophane and paint a yellow circle, and lay it over the paper. Now I take another peice of cellophane and paint some blue type and lay that on top of the yellow circle. I now have a background (red) and 2 layers (yellow and blue)."

The Photoshop Roadmap and FreeTimeFoto explain layers this way: "Photoshop Layers are like stacks of images printed on acetate. An area that contains no color can be revealed to see the layer underneath it. That's called a transparency area. One Photoshop image can contain one or more layers. A Background Layer is a special layer with no transparency area and is common to other file formats that don't support layers (JPEG, BMP, etc.). When you open those file formats in Photoshop you will have only a Background Layer. One image file can contain only one Background Layer. In Photoshop, Background Layer can not be edited. A Type Layer is a special layer that can contain only text. It can be created automatically when you use the Photoshop Type Tool to type in any texts."

This description is from Jack Arraich's Photoshop Elements Tips: "Aside from the minor attraction of being able to keep your image organized by putting each element on its own separate labeled layer, the overwhelming advantage of layers is that they allow you to segregate your edits."

The Adobe Photoshop Layers Book uses a series of creative examples to expand the basic definitions of layers in ways that clearly demonstrate the depth and power of this important and versatile tool set in Photoshop.

Even though The Adobe Photoshop Layers Book mainly confirms much of what I already know and use in my daily professional work with Photoshop, I still found some useful new nuggets of information in chapter 7 - Advance Blending with Blend If, which focuses on the use of the advanced capabilities provided in the Layer Styles dialog.

As a long time user of Photoshop I found myself often smiling at several of the example projects in The Adobe Photoshop Layers Book because they echoed things I have encountered on past projects. I was however left feeling that the examples used in the book needed a little fleshing out. I would like to have seen an example matrix-type approach with several different types of images featured to show a range of results, especially in the Exploring Layer Modes chapter.

Cons: Too general in some sections for experienced users. Although most parts of the layers coverage is comprehensive, deeper examples could improve an already fine book.

Pros: Excellent hints and tips. Comprehensive coverage of Photoshop layers for beginner and intermediate users. Lynch seems to do a good job of avoiding computer platform bias, so Windows and Mac OS X users alike will derive equal value from the book. Relevant for most recent versions of Photoshop including Photoshop CS, Photoshop CS2, Photoshop CS3, Photoshop Elements 5 and Photoshop Elements 6. This excellent, focused book and its companion CD will no doubt open the eyes of many beginners and intermediate users about the functional and creative capabilities of layers in Photoshop. Highly recommended.

Apple Releases Aperture 2

2008-02-12T22:14:00.000Z

Apple have released Aperture 2 with over 100 new features ... these features include the following new features; User Interface, RAW Image Quality, Compare and Select Tools, Workflow improvements, new Image Processing Tools, Photo Management tools, Print and Web Publishing and AppleScript improvements. The full list and details of improvements can be found at the new features page at Apples' Aperture section on their site. There have been some notable improvements with support for tethered shooting, enhanced imports and image tuning capabilites and a few features taken out of the pages of Lightroom, Apple have even reduced the price to £110 plus VAT. Owners of previous versions can upgrade to Aperture 2 for £55 plus VAT.

Nikon D300 Digital SLR Camera Review

2008-02-10T19:46:00.000Z

The Nikon D300 Digital SLR is a 12.3 megapixel, CMOS APS-C size (DX) sensor, 14-bit color camera. It features a high resolution (922,000 pixel) 3" LCD rear monitor suitable for spot proofing, switchable Live View through the rear LCD, weatherproofing, a 150,000 actuation synthetic shutter, UDMA high speed CompactFlash card support, a new CPU (the EXPEED processor), a switchable 51(!) point auto focus system, automatic face recognition and focus tracking by color, customizable focus calibration to accommodate focus variations in up to twenty different lenses, scene recognition, HDMI high definition video output to high definition televisions and display devices, Active D-Lighting for automated in-camera shadow & highlight control of high dynamic range (HDR) scenes, and extremely fast operation. There's lots more, but you get the idea. The Nikon D300 is an awful lot of camera. Read the full review at Kickstartnews

I've been shooting with the Nikon D300 Digital SLR camera for several weeks, so it's time to stop having so much fun for a short while and start writing. The problem is, I just don't want to put away the camera. It has its quirks and could use a bit of minor improvement in a couple of areas, but to date is the most complete digital SLR I've ever seen. My perspective is based on analysis of image quality, feature sets, hardware quality, ergonomics and general usability compared with the top-of-the-line digital SLRs from Canon (EOS 40D), Fuji (Finepix S5), Leica (Digilux 3), Olympus (E3), Pentax (K10D, K20D) and Sony (a700). If the goal of photography is to make photographs, then the Nikon D300 does the best job of any camera, except for the much more expensive Nikon D3, Canon 1D Mk III and Canon 5D, at just getting out of your way and letting you do that. Even in a direct comparison with the wonderful Canon 5D full frame sensor powerhouse, the D300 is its equal in low noise, low-medium ISO shooting, and is obviously better at image proofing and review using the glorious, bright, high resolution 3" LCD which remains almost reason enough by itself to purchase a D300. The days of using the camera LCD to review a shot you just took and never being sure if it's color balanced or properly focused are gone. The D300 LCD screen is a true monitor with the resolution, clarity and color depth that photographers have been demanding for many years.

The Nikon D300 Digital SLR, coupled with a selection of Nikon lenses, is everything you'll ever need as a snapshooter, amateur photographer, serious photography hobbyist or general photography professional. The D300 is weatherproofed which means the camera can function just as easily and at just as high quality as you'll get from it indoors. Ergonomically, the camera fits most hands well. Unusually, we found that even people with small-to-medium size hands found the camera comfortable to use, while a couple of testers with very large hands also reported the same great comfort levels over hours of continuous use. Only younger kids and people with very small hands will experience any problems with the D300 control layout, grip or body weight. We shot a huge and varied selection of subjects: wildlife at a local conservation area, sports at a local arena - hockey and volleyball, portraits of family members, urban locations, night shots, street scenes, textures, products being prepared for eBay listings, and in miserable weather, great weather, indoors, mixed lighting and you name it. We did the vast majority of our shooting with four lenses: Nikkor 12-24mm f4 DX wide angle zoom, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 DX VR zoom, Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 DX professional zoom, and the Nikkor 105mm f2.8 VR professional prime lens.

The Nikon D300 digital SLR is ready to shoot instantly. No matter what mode you select or leave the camera in, turn it on and it's ready to go. Controls are responsive and provide positive feedback. Novice or pro, you can feel exactly how the camera is reacting to your handling and input. Novices may leave the notification beeps on for the first few days or weeks of use, but then the D300's smart design and easy handling will likely allow even still slightly nervous beginners to shut off the beeps and rely instead on the camera's mechanical sounds and natural feedback. In a lighter weight body, Nikon has actually enhanced the tradition of superb tactile feedback pioneered and revered in the FE, F4, F5 and F100 and continued through the D100/200 and the D1/2/3 bodies. I look forward to picking up the D300 and using it in any environment because it feels great and secure in-hand and because it offers controls which are smartly placed, easy to activate and well configured. All in all it's a pleasure to use.

Cons: Auto ISO is not automatically turned off when camera is set to manual (M) mode. Low noise at all normal ISO settings, but performance should be better still above ISO800.

Pros: Superb handling, ergonomics and image quality. The gorgeous high resolution LCD is a wonder to behold. Live view works well. Sensor cleaning function is very useful. Color accuracy is remarkable. A professional camera which can easily be used by amateurs and photography hobbyists. Read the full review at Kickstartnews

Nikon Coolpix P50 Digital Camera Review

2008-02-10T16:00:00.000Z

The Nikon Coolpix P50 is an 8.1 megapixel, 3.6x zoom, f2.8-5.6 camera featuring a 4.7-17.0mm zoom lens. The lens actually amounts to a 28-102mm standard-to-medium zoom when you take into account the crop factor introduced by the small image sensor. The P50 contains an electronic version of Nikon's patented Vibration Reduction (VR) lens stabilization system, and a large 2.4", 115,000 pixel LCD. The top of the camera sports an optical viewfinder, mode selector dial, shutter button and on/off button. The Nikon P50 is almost identical in size to and somewhat lighter than its P5100 top-of-the-line sibling. The back of the camera keeps all other external controls clustered vertically on the right side: a zoom rocker control, playback button, command wheel (for timer, macro, flash control, EV exposure compensation), menu button and delete button. The bottom of the camera offers a plastic-thread tripod mount, and a trap door behind which you'll find the battery compartment and the SD memory card slot. Nikon has positioned a dock connector at the back of the bottom plate. The mini-USB connector is located behind a rubber snap-in door on the upper right end of the body. The flash indicator and auto-focus lock indicator LEDs are located in a column next to the viewfinder bulge. The Nikon P50 has a prominent grip bulge on the right side which is covered with a good quality piece of textured, molded rubber providing excellent feel and control. The upper right end also has a protruding metal tab for use with a neck or wrist strap.

If the Nikon P5000 and P5100 are prosumer cameras (aimed necessarily at serious point & shoot photographers and also at amateurs and semi-pros who need a point & shoot backup camera), then the P50 is an enthusiast's camera. The differences between the entry level P50 and the masterful P5100 are obvious. The P5100 has a hot shoe for Nikon external flashguns, the P50 does not. The P5100 has selectable Auto, Aperture, Shutter, Program, Manual, Scene and VR modes and controls, while the P50 offers Auto, Program, Manual and Scene modes and controls. The P5100 has a finely stepped rotary zoom control; the P50 has a more coarsely stepped rocker switch zoom control. The P5100 is built around a cast magnesium body shell; the P50 is built around a sturdy polycarbonate shell. The P5100 offers a slightly better lens and a 12.1 megapixel image sensor; the P50 lens provides a more useful zoom range and an 8.1 megapixel image sensor. The P50 costs $150 less than the P5100. Hmmm. Tough decision.

Let it be stated above all else that more megapixels don't automatically mean better photographs. I'll take the clean, relatively noise-free 8.1 megapixels of the Nikon Coolpix P50 over the slightly noisier, but greater number of megapixels often found in more expensive cameras. The reason is simply that a large number of megapixels doesn't necessarily mean greater resolution. It just means physically larger images and somewhat better detail when you zoom in or crop. But since I rarely print larger than 8"x10" who cares? I do serious shooting with my digital SLR cameras, not a point & shoot, and it's on such SLRs that you'll find extremely high resolution lenses capable of capturing clean, noise free detail at really large image sizes suitable for printing many times larger than 8"x10". Forget about megapixels. It's sufficient to state here—and please believe me—that the 8.1 megapixel P50 will capture photos suitable for beautiful printing at all normal sizes including 8"x10" (and even 13"x19" depending on subject matter).

The real test is in the shooting. Winter days with fresh white snow sitting on dark wood, the sad looking, snow-capped, black metal BBQ sitting on my backyard deck and many other similar subjects provide high-contrast, wide dynamic range challenges for all digital cameras, and represent a particularly distressing challenge for little point & shoot models with their smaller image sensors and comparatively limited processing power. The P50 does quite well outdoors in winter, so color me surprised. The exposure compensation (EV) adjustments come in handy for dialing things back slightly to help get blown out snow highlights back under control, but the basic dynamic range of the sensor and the way in which Nikon's wonderful new EXPEED processor handle the high contrast data is exemplary for a camera in this class. Here's a sample photo. Read the full review at Kickstartnews.

Cons: Minor assembly issue leaves a small dirt collecting gap where the rubber grip fits into the the body. Some focus adjustment settings aren't retained in shooting mode. ISO2000 is useful only as a marketing pitch.

Pros: Lightweight, versatile, good image quality. Nikon has, as usual, emphasized very accurate, vibrant color. Clean images for any purposes up to ISO200. Printable images up to ISO400.

Read the full Nikon Coolpix P50 review

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom v1.3 Review

2008-02-07T20:56:00.000Z

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, February 2008
Published by: Adobe
Requires: Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/Microsoft, Windows XP SP2; Pentium 4 or PowerPC G4 CPU or faster, 768MB RAM, 1GB available hard drive space
MSRP: US$299.oo, UK£179.00

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is designed to be an essential part of the professional photographer's toolbox, Lightroom contains comprehensive features and functions specifically for managing, cataloging, editing and presenting large volumes of digital photographs. Adobe Lightroom is meant to be a program which helps you spend less time in front of the computer and more time with your camera.

Having spent a short time under contract at Adobe prior to the release of Lightroom and Apple's Aperture, I was exposed to a lot of the development projects in which Adobe was engaged. As anyone who knows a little about the origins of Adobe Lightroom will tell you, it began life as a project which was designed to provide a solution aimed squarely at the workflow and imaging requirements of photographers without necessarily obviating the need for Photoshop. The 'wow' of Aperture with its innovative user interface (UI) and cool grey look was lost on me because I had already seen what amounted to about four years work in workflow, intense case studies and focus groups as well as several other user interface concepts at Adobe which echoed many of the same concepts. The UI and workflow concepts which made a lot of people stop and listen when Apple released Aperture, were also present in products such as Express Photo Darkroom and several niche products that had been on the market for photographers and professional labs for quite some time.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom has been in my possession for some time now and has become as much a part of my workflow as Photoshop, Corel Painter and my other primary creative tools. What Lightroom does is enable photographers to simplify the process of working with their digital images. Acquiring photos, managing them and correcting or editing them non-destructively as well as then providing an elegant interface for creating prints, slideshows and web-based photo galleries.

Adobe Lightroom consists of five rooms: Library, Develop, Slideshow, Print, Web, each of which simply does what it infers. The program interface, layout and color scheme is easy on the eyes and doesn't detract from the viewing of your images. When you launch Lightroom for the first time, it asks you to point it to your current image folders so that it can build a database. Once built, which happens fairly quickly, you can start to browse them in Library. Lightroom also remembers the last time you added files to the library and incrementally updates the archive.

Library offers you several options and quite a bit of feedback on any photos selected. Photos can be displayed either on their own or as part of a library grid. You can even compare photos side by side (a rare and useful feature in this type of software) or view photos as part of a collection. Photos can also be displayed alongside their metadata (all of the information contained in the JPEG, EXIF, IPTC and Catalog headers). The options for sorting and grouping your photos are many and varied, so much so in fact that you'll be spoilt for choice. Using any of these features and functions in Lightroom is very easy making it a joy to work with.

The film strip approach is really effective and makes it easy to view your images either as a sequence or as part of a set. You can also begin working with images fairly intuitively using an interface which has been designed with ease of use in mind. It's important to note here that the Lightroom interface was also designed with extensive feedback from and consultation with professional photographers and imageers.

Out of the box Adobe Photoshop Lightroom comes with pretty much everything you will need to carry out basic image processing and enhancement. In Develop you can apply non-destructive changes to your images so that your images are not irrevocably affected. For working with RAW files, this is an absolute necessity, however this process can also be applied to JPEGs and other file types. Changes that can be applied in Develop include toning, color, white balance, exposure, recovery, fill light, blacks, brightness, contrast, clarity and vibrancy. Each adjustment can be made in a range of increments which provide customizable and extremely fine control. Develop is very easy to work, and the Quick Develop mode simplifies the process for even faster edits. All told Develop is quite powerful and allows you a great deal of control over your images.

Slideshow allows you to define collections of images for presentation to clients and for review. It is not designed to produce flashy slideshows or travelogues for home users, although that would no doubt be a useful feature for some photographers, especially those working in event and wedding photography.

The Web capabilities in Lightroom were initially quite simple in earlier versions. Web allows you to create web galleries using either HTML or Flash. Web have been significantly upgraded to allow more enhanced control and to provide files that can be edited and customized with greater ease. The output features are very similar to those found in Photoshop, but could do with some improvement to make it more user friendly.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom has had a lot of time to mature and I can't wait for the next full iteration. There have been three updates since its introduction and all these have helped make Lightroom a joy to use. What I'd like to see in the next iteration is a more robust output engine, better slideshow and enhanced web capabilities.

Cons: Output options need improvement.

Pros: Cool UI. Create galleries from folders or on the fly. Excellent sorting features. Compare and select image, quick editing and control in Develop module. All things considered, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a beautifully designed program, which has been put together with the photographer in mind. Bear in mind that this program was produced with input from some of the leading photographers and imageers in the industry. The attention lavished on this tool is evident in everything you touch in the software. Anyone working with professional and prosumer digital cameras needs this tool. Highly recommended.

Robert Capa - The Mexican Suitcase

2008-02-05T00:41:00.000Z

In what has turned out to be one of the most interesting stories in recent years. A Hoard of negatives which belonged to Robert Capa have surfaced. The New York Times has written an article which tells the story of their rediscovery.

The "suitcase" which actually consists of three aged cardboard valises, contains thousands of negatives of pictures that Robert Capa took during the Spanish Civil War. The were thought lost when fled Europe for America in 1939, leaving behind the contents of his Paris darkroom.

Pop on over to the Article and have a read, I for one want to hear more and see more of this amazing find ... Thanks to the Online Photographer for this lead.

Leica Offering Shutter Upgrade For M8

2008-02-05T00:19:00.000Z

Leica have announced that they plan to offer a major upgrade to their M8 digital rangefinder camera. The upgrade consists of a new shutter which offers lower noise and vibration during exposure and a new protective sapphire glass LCD cover. The service will be offered from August onwards but may booked from March onwards. For more info click here to visit the Leica M8 homepage.

New Products Announced at PMA 2008

2008-02-02T17:21:00.000Z

A slew of products have been announced to coincide with the 2008 PMA Show. I've listed them below by brand.

Adobe
Adobe showed Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac which will cost £55 in the UK and be available in early Q2 2008.

AgfaPhoto
Agfaphoto announced the AgfaPhoto DV-5000G which captures high-res photos and videos, view recorded movies or TV shows on the move or play back your favorite MP3 files. There are also 20 video games to choose from.

Canon
The Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi is a new 12 megapixel compact DSLR camera.

The Canon Digital IXUS 80 IS (Europe) / PowerShot SD1100 IS ELPH (US) is a new 8 megapixel compact digital camera. C

Canon PowerShot A590 IS, A580, A470 - Canon have added 3 new models to their A-series Powershot range of digital cameras.

Canon EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM. - Two new professional EF lenses.

The Canon PIXMA iP2600 - An entry-level photo printer for great value, high quality photo printing.

Casio
The Casio EX-F1 - A camera which features the world's fastest burst shooting performance of 60fps.

The Casio EX-S10 - The world's smallest and thinnest 10.1 megapixel digital camera.

The Casio EX-Z80 - An 8 megapixel digital camera that's designed to be easy and fun to use.

The Casio EX-Z200 - A 10.1 megapixel digital camera with a wide 28 mm lens and 4x optical zoom.

The Casio EX-Z100 is a new 10.1 megapixel digital camera with a wide 28 mm lens and 4x optical zoom.

Corel and Smilebox™
Corel® MediaOne ™ Integration with Smilebox™ Will provide Scrapbookers with the ability to more easily create and share their projects digitally.

Delkin
Delkin Devices had their new Image Router four-card Compact Flash reader that comes with Backup and Burn software for managing and backing-up large numbers of images. They also showed their Dual Universal charger that allows two different batteries to be charged simultaneuously. the charger can be run from the car-charger or with one of the supplied power adaptors.

DNP Photo Imaging America
DNP announced their new self-service Photo Station, a digital kiosk using the company's leading dye-sublimation photo printing technologies.

Fujifilm
The Fujifilm FinePix S100FS - Their "most advanced DSLR-styled camera to date".

The Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd - Offers 10 megapixels and an 18x wide angle lens (27-486mm).

The Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd - The world's smallest 12x optical zoom digital camera.

The Fujifilm FinePix F100fd - the ultimate 'F Series' digital camera.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd - A new 10 megapixel compact camera with MPEG-4 video technology.

The Fujifilm FinePix J50 and J10 - Two new entry-level models in the brand new J Series of digital cameras.

General Electric
GE E1050 - HDMI connectivity and 3 inch touch-screen LCD technology.

GE E1235 - High technology and performance.

GE A840s - Slim and perfectly designed.

GE G2 - One of the slimmest and lightest cameras on the market.

GE E1035 - High performance with great design.

GE A835 and the GE A735 - Entry level point and shoot digital cameras.

HP
The HP Photosmart Pro B8850 is a new photo printer aimed at advanced amateur photographers.

jill-e designs
jill-e designs displayed a broad range of its camera bags in new sizes, designs, colors and combinations at PMA 2008

Kata
Kata introduced the Gecko Shoulder Strap which is a comfortable, lightweight and ergonomic carrying solution which ensures secure positioning.

Kingston
The new Kingston 16GB Class 4 SDHC card is the largest capacity in Kingston's line of SDHC cards.

Kodak
The new Kodak Easyshare Z1012 IS – A digital camera which features a robust suite of exclusive features that capture detailed pictures in the most challenging settings.

Leica
Leica has unveiled the M8 Upgrade Programme, a series of chargeable upgrades for the M8 camera, at PMA 2008.

Mustek
Mustek announced the new PF-A950PS, a 9.5-inch digital photo frame which uses NXT flat-panel speaker technology.

Nik Software
Viveza™ - U Point® Technology Powered Plug-in Software for Adobe® Photoshop® which provides the most powerful, precise, and easy way for photographers to selectively control and adjust the color and light in their digital images.

Nikon
The Nikon D60 is a new 10 megapixel entry-level DSLR camera.

The new AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens is a wideangle 5.3x zoom with built-in vibration-reduction.

The new AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED lens offers 1:1 reproduction of objects at just 0.185 meters away.

The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED is a new Tilt/Shift Lens ideal for studio, architecture and landscape photography.

The Nikon Coolpix P60 - A new 8 megapixel compact digital camera with 5x zoom (36mm-180mm).

The Nikon Coolpix S600 - A new 10 megapixel compact digicam with a 4x wide-angle zoom lens.

The Nikon Coolpix S550 - A new 10 megapixel compact camera with 5x zoom lens.

The new Nikon Coolpix S520 - A slim, ergonomic camera with a streamlined profile.

The new Nikon Coolpix S210 - A super-thin entry-level camera with 8 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD screen and 3x zoom lens.

The 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix L18 and the 7 megapixel Coolpix L16 are new compact and affordable digital cameras.

Norcent
The 10-megapixel DCS-1050 with Face Detection and Anti-Shake technology. Norcent also introduced their new and expanded line of flash memory cards including CF, SD, card adapters and retail value packs.

Olympus
The new Olympus SP-570 UZ features a 20x zoom equivalent to 26-520mm, the world's longest zoom lens on a compact digital camera.

The new Olympus mju 1020 digital camera will be released in Europe and the USA (but not in the UK).

The new Olympus mju 1010 and mju 840 digital cameras offer a 7x and 5x optical zoom lens respectively.

The Olympus mju 1030 SW and mju 850 SW digital cameras are new additions to the successful Olympus range of shock and waterproof cameras.

The Olympus FE-350, FE-340 and FE-310 are new entry-level digital compact cameras.

Panasonic
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and DMC-TZ4 are 9 and 8 megapixel updates of Panasonic's best-selling camera ever, the TZ3.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is a new 25mm ultra wide-angle compact camera.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 are new 10 megapixel, 5x zoom digital cameras.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 are the first models in a new range of stylish, easy to use cameras.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 camera is an entry-level addition to the brand new FS range.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS80 is a new entry-level 8 megapixel digital camera.

Pentax
Pentax exhibited three DSLR lenses currently under development. The Pentax 55mm, 17-70mm and 60-250mm Lenses

The new Pentax K20D DSLR camera offers 14.6 megapixels, making it the leading semi-professional model in terms of image resolution.

The Pentax K200D is a new 10 megapixel entry-level, compact digital SLR camera.

Pentax have introduced 5 new lenses for their DSLR cameras, including 300mm and 200mm Supersonic Motor lenses.

The Pentax Optio S12 is a new ultra-compact 12 megapixel digital camera.

The Pentax Optio M50 is a new 8 megapixel compact digital camera with 5x optical zoom (36-180mm).

The Pentax Optio E50 is a new 8 megapixel entry-level digital camera with numerous automatic functions.

Quik Pod
Quik Pod® DSLR for professional photographers, the world’s first handheld extendable monopod that multitasks as a self-image device, monopod and a boom for extended reach.

Samsung
Samsung GX-20 - The Samsung GX-20 is a new 14.6 megapixel digital SLR camera.

Samsung has launched two new DSLR lenses, the D-XENON 18-250mm F3.5-F6.3 and 18-55mm II F3.5-F5.6.

The Samsung i100 is a new 10.2 megapixel compact digital camera with 3 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom.

The Samsung i80 is a new 8.1 megapixel compact digital camera with 3 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom.

The Samsung S1060 is a new 10.2 megapixel, entry-level compact digital camera.

SanDisk
The SanDisk 32Gb Ultra II SDHC Card offers faster read and write speeds of 15 megabytes per second.

The SanDisk 16Gb Ultra II SDHC Card offers faster read and write speeds of 15 megabytes per second.

The SanDisk Ultra II SDHC Plus card offers faster read and write speeds of 15 megabytes per second.

Sandisk also showed their Ducati branded usb memory stick, the stick looks very much like a miniature petrol tank...

Sigma
The new Sigma DP1 packs the full specification of a DSLR into the body of a compact camera.

Sigma APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG - The world’s first Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens that offers a fast aperture of F2.8 at 500mm focal length.

Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM - A new ultra telephoto zoom lens covering a telephoto range up to 500mm.

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM - A new telephoto zoom lens incorporating Sigma’s original Optical Stabiliser.

Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM - A high ratio zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras.

Smartparts, Inc.
Smartparts, Inc., announced the world's largest digital picture frame, the 32 inch SP3200.

Sony
Sony 24 Megapixel 35mm CMOS Sensor - Sony have thrown their hat into the full-frame ring by announcing the development of a 35mm 24.81 megapixel, ultra-high speed, CMOS image sensor.

Sony 24 Megapixel Full-frame DSLR - Sony have unveiled an advanced prototype version of their 24 megapixel full-frame professional DSLR camera. Due for release by the end of 2008. the as yet un-named camera will feature the new 24.8 CMOS sensor that was announced this week.

The Sony A350 has a 14.2 megapixel sensor, a variable angle 2.7 inch LCD screen, new Quick AF Live View mode for fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, high ISO of 3200 and Sony’s D-Range Optimizer.

The Sony A300 has a 10.2 megapixel sensor, a variable angle 2.7 inch LCD screen, new Quick AF Live View mode for fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, high ISO of 3200 and Sony’s D-Range Optimizer.

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens - Co-developed with Carl Zeiss, the Vario Sonnar T 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA is a wide angle 24-70mm zoom lens with a large f/2.8 aperture.

The Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G - Incorporates the optical performance of Sony’s G series in a compact and flexible telephoto zoom lens.

The Sony GPS-CS1KASP GPS receiver is able to trace video footage with GPS coordinates.

Sony DPF-V700 and DPF-D70 Photo Frames - They all offer WVGA resolution (800 x 480 pixels) along with 15:9 aspect-ratio screens and can display images up to 48 megapixels in size. The 7-inch DPF-V700 and 9-inch DPF-V900 digital photo frames have 512MB of internal storage, while the 7--inch DPF-D70 model has 256MB of internal flash memory.

The Sony PictureStation DPP-FP95 and DPP-FP75 are new transportable, 4 x 6-inch photo printers.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 is a new 8 megapixel compact digicam with a 10x optical zoom lens.

The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 digital camera features a 3.5 inch touch-screen LCD and 5x optical zoom lens.

Sony has unveiled 4 new additions to its W-range of Cyber-shot compact digital cameras. The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W170, DSC-W150, DSC-W130 and the DSC-W120.

The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S780 and DSC-S750 entry-level cameras, now with Lithium Ion batteries instead of AA batteries.

Sunex
Sunex launches their new full spherical panoramic tripod head and the first circular fisheye lens for 1.6x crop DSLRs with 185° field of view. They also announced their panoramic dewarper software, which is capable of producing high quality panoramic pictures while minimizing and controlling distortion.

Sunpak
The Sunpak PZ42X flash - A full featured, professional digital SLR flash but without the price of an OEM unit for digital and film cameras.

Sunpak also announced the Tripod Center Column, which converts to a full featured monopod for situations where a tripod is just not suitable.

Tamron
The new Tamron SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) is a ultra wide-angle zoom lens for digital SLRs with APS-C size sensors.

The new Tamron SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO is a fast tele-zoom lens for digital SLRs with with 35mm full-size image sensors.

The Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] is now available in the Pentax mount.

Three Tamron Lenses for Nikon - Tamron have developed three zoom lenses with built-in motors for Nikon DSLRs, two for the APS-C size format and one for full-size format cameras.

Vermont PhotoInkjet
Vermont PhotoInkjet introduces an eco-friendly ink alternative for EPSON® Ultrachrome™ K3 printers.

XIAS
Xias announced 8-inch digital photo frames and introduced new dynamic 10-inch digital photo frames. They also introduced two new models with WiFi capability and user-friendly Touch Screen technology.

They also introduced their new Colorful XIAS™ 4 GB and 8 GB Pen Drives, the DCS-1260 12-Megapixel Digital Camera, the Colorful DCS-860 8-Megapixel Digital Cameras and the DCS-760 7-Megapixel Digital Camera.

Sony Announce New A300 and A350

2008-02-01T00:03:00.000Z

Sony's Alpha A300 and A350 have officially been unveiled. The 10.2 megapixel A300 and 14.2 megapixel A350 feature flip-out 2.7-inch swivel screens with a live preview facility that retains autofocus. Both DSLRs are capable of shooting up to ISO3200, and feature burst modes of 3fps for the A300 and 2.5fps for the A350. The DSLRs will be available from April, with the A300 being bundled with an 18-70mm kit lens for $800. The A350 will come in a $900 kit or $800 for the body-only.

Sony Announce 24.81 Megapixel Sensor

2008-01-31T23:08:00.000Z

Sony have just announced a new full size 35mm based CMOS sensor featuring 24.81 effective megapixels. The new sensor is aimed at future professional-level DSLRs. Sony's patented "Column-Parallel A/D Conversion Technique" is used in the new sensor and is said to achieve high signal to noise ratios even while shooting at the 6.3 - 12-bit frames per second. This new chip looks to be aimed squarely at Pros who are considering a future purchase of something like the Canon 1Ds MkIII. It'll be interesting to see who uses this chip in their cameras.

PMA Announcements Come Hard & Fast...

2008-01-28T20:06:00.000Z

This week PMA 2008 begins and as expected the announcements from hardware and software manufacturers are coming hard and fast. Canon, Nikon, Fuji and just about everyone are announcing new desirables. For extensive coverage of all the PMA action you can read the coverage at Imaging Resource, Outback Photo, Photography Blog however we here at CIN will be publishing a summary of all the latest news at the end of each day...

Wacom Cintiq 12WX and Cintiq 20WSX

2007-12-09T21:33:00.000Z

Wacom announced two new members to their Cintiq family last week. The Cintiq 12WX and Cintiq 20WSX offer onscreen editing for tablet fans, artists, photographers and imageers. The Cintiq 12WX offers a resolution of 1,280 x 800, and has a street price of $999. The Cintiq 20WSX, is the world's first wide-format desktop pen display with a 1680x1050 resolution. This makes it ideal for those who prefer to work with a 16:10aspect ratio and has an SRP of $1,999.

Creative Photoshop - Digital Illustration and Art Techniques

2007-12-02T16:37:00.000Z

Review by Mario Georgiou
Author: Derek Lea
Focal Press - http://www.focalpress.com/
ISBN: 9780240520469
http://www.creativephotoshopthebook.com/
SRP: US$ 39.95 UK£22.99

Award winning illustrator Derek Lea has penned this excellent reference book for Focal Press. His illustration work is a unique combination of original photography, traditional illustration, and digital art. In Creative Photoshop, Derek uses his extensive experience with Photoshop to produce a series of tutorials which will give readers a nice balance of inspirational imagery and technical insight.

The book can be divided into four sections, the first which deals with traditional illustrative techniques such as drawing, painting and colouring. In this section Derek tackles the creation, definition and use of brushes, how to use Shapes and layers., emulating the look of graffiti and stencil art and how to trace photographic imagery to create illustrations. It also details several techniques for creating illustrations from sketches and retro art based stock. This section is completed by taking a look at colouring a comic based illustration.

The second section consists of coverage of unconventional illustrative techniques and methods. The first example uses thermal fax paper and a hairdryer to artificially age paper and also makes good use of scanned images and layering effects. The examples include the use of xerography, creating urban lowbrow art although a short section it provides some very cool solutions for creating effective and colourful imagery quickly.

The third section covers the creation of illustrative photography and includes one of his more famous tutorials which covers the blending of architectural source materials with a models face, to create a striking image. Subsequent examples provide solutions for emulating a 3D ribbon peel away effect, artificially ageing a portrait and creating a dark, moody and surrealistic image of a person peeling back their skin from a selection of different source materials. These images are a lot more complex than I have described, but you’ll just have to buy the book to see what I mean.

The fourth and final part covers the use of Photoshop in combination with other software. This primarily centers on the use and enhancement of 3D imagery. The last two chapters detail the use and editing of vector illustrations and details their use as elements in the creation of illustrations. My favourite chapter details the creation of a morphing pattern based upon the work of Max Ernst. All told Creative Photoshop is an excellent book from one of the best creatives in the industry.

Cons: Not for beginners.

Pros: Well written. Easy to follow. CD based tutorials and content. Creative and Imaginative.

Derek Lea succeeds with this excellent book, because he brings to bear his extensive practical experience with Photoshop and the other tools in his arsenal to create some very practical and creative solutions to tasks illustrators, imageers and designers will experience in their day to day work. Highly Recommended
*****

I-O data Launch Tough 16 GB Flash Drive

2007-11-24T18:00:00.000Z

Japanese Firm I-O data have created the HDMC, a 16GB, freezable, droppable, completely water-proof USB flash drive. This device would make the idea of portable and hardy storage quite realistic for the photographer on the go. This device isn't cheap mind you, at ¥25,300, or about US$230, this device will put a hole in your wallet. Visit Akihabara News for more info and a really cheesy albeit interesting video.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 A-Z

2007-11-19T23:16:00.000Z

Author: Phillip Andrews
Publisher: Focal Press
ISBN: 9780240520650
Price: US$29.95 - UK£17.99
As far as reference books for photoshop CS3 are concerned, Focal Press have been really busy the last few months. This book by Phillip Andrews isn't a tutorial book, it's a lavishly illustrated and in-depth reference which covers pretty much every feature in Photoshop CS3. It does a thorough job of explaining the use of all the tools and even begins with a very nice step by step section which I would have like to see more of... The rest of the book provides an excellent and easy reference for anyone who ever wanted a manual with Photoshop CS3. It is both comprehensive and extremely easy to follow. Highly Recommended

Virtual Vixens: 3D Character Modelling and Scene Placement

2007-11-19T22:09:00.000Z

Focal Press are one of my favourite publishers of books dealing with Photography. With this reference work by Arndt von Koenigsmarck, Focal Press take a look at the world of Virtual or 3D people, or more specifically the creation of believable 3D Females. The book starts with a look at the work of artists like Steven Stahlberg and Liam Kemp who are well versed in creating virtual females. There is even an excellent feature on the work of Max Edwin Wahyudi ,which focuses on the creation of a virtual Natalie Portman. I was quite impressed with the quality of the model and images produced.
The book continues with several excellent workshops which focus on software and techniques for refining these characters and models. This book could have demonstrated just how far the technology has come in recent years but instead provides a solid groundwork for anyone interested in the techniques and tools currently being used. The one thing which stands out in this book is the importance of having excellent photo reference, both as source material and as textures. Virtual Vixens is worth a look, but don't expect it to show you anything groundbreaking unless you're a beginner.

Adobe Release Photoshop CS3 & Bridge CS3 Updates

2007-11-18T18:24:00.000Z

Following closely on the heels of the lightroom and ACR updates, Adobe have also released updates to Photoshop and Bridge CS3. Photoshop Product Manager John Nack, has indicated that "The Photoshop 10.0.1 update addresses the key pain points experienced by users printing from CS3, particularly on Windows. I've posted a separate note that goes into more detail on the topic. The update also includes better support for preserving XMP metadata (including copyright) via Save For Web, through the inclusion of a new "Include XMP" option in the dialog's settings menu. The Photoshop update does not address a problem with changing the values for various tools on Mac OS X Leopard, but Apple and Adobe are working together on a separate fix (details)."
Click on the following links for the Mac and Windows updates.

The Bridge 2.1.1 update, includes a new preference, which enables High Quality Preview in the Bridge Preferences - Advanced panel. "When enabled, the preference addresses the problem of a soft or blurry preview appearing in the Preview panel and in Slideshow mode. The Bridge update also remedies other problems reported by users, including a problem that could cause Bridge to lock up when using arrow keys to navigate."
Click on the following links for the Mac and Windows updates.

onOne Release New Pro Tools

2007-11-18T18:18:00.000Z

onOne have announced the immediate availability of its two new digital imaging software plug-ins -- PhotoTools and PhotoTools Professional Edition. The new versions PhotoTools are flexible yet powerful new Photoshop plug-ins that utilizes the power of Photoshop Actions to provide a wide range of imaging tools including effects, corrections and production automation via a full-featured interface. PhotoTools allows users to preview effects individually or combined/stacked together in a layer-like configuration as well as save their favorite combinations as presets for future use. Visit the onOne Software website for more information.

Adobe Update Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw

2007-11-18T17:52:00.000Z

Adobe have released updates to Photoshop Lightroom and their Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in. The updates are available immediately as free upgrades for existing users. Lightroom can be downloaded from Lightroom product page and provides added support for Apple Leopard Mac OS X 10.5 and includes a technology preview of the Lightroom Export SDK, which is available as a separate download on the Adobe Labs site. The Lightroom 1.3 and Camera Raw 4.3 updates also include raw file support for seven additional digital cameras including the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, Canon PowerShot G9, Nikon D3, Nikon D300, Olympus E-3, Olympus SP-560 UZ, and Panasonic DMC-L10.

Plustek OpticFilm 7300

2007-11-12T23:10:00.000Z

Review by Mario Georgiou

Manufacturer: Plustek
System Requirements: CD-ROM Drive
One available USB Port
512 MB RAM
500 MB free HDD space
High Color graphic card (VGA or higher)

Windows
CPU: Pentium III or faster CPU
Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP / Vista Compatible

Macintosh:
CPU: PPC G4, PPC G5, Intel
MAC 10.3.9 and higher including Leopard

SRP: £169.99 US $369.95

Over a year ago I reviewed the Plustek 7200i, when I was offered the 7300, I was intrigued to find out what the updated model would have to offer. The Plustek Optic film is aimed squarely at the amateur and and enthusiast. Although it features 7200 dpi high resolution scanning and basic dust and scratch removal, it misses on some crucial capabilities such as support for more transparency and negative formats. However the added capability for multiple exposures of a single image source makes up for what is missing. So how good is the 7300, and how does it live up to the requirements of converting your slides and negs into digital equivalents.

The OpticFilm 7300 is priced at £145 excluding VAT, and with an even lower price point than its predecessor, I expected to be let down, I was however please by how little was of issue. The 7300 was easy to install and use. Scanning with it is as easy as ever and with the slide viewer embedded in the top of the unit, it was truly a pleasure to work with.

Like the 7200, SilverFast software is bundled with the scanner and it is extremely easy to use. Also included is LaserSoft Imaging’s latest SilverFast SEPlus 6.5 ME image editing software, which provides a powerful scan with high-quality results. Like the 7200i it is relatively fast for scanning clean negs and slides, however scanning times go way up when you try to use silverfast and the annoying muddying introduced in this process is still problematic and give some detail a soft watercolour look.

The scans produced are pretty good, and although I like the ability to select the type of film being scanned although the range of products supported were still not sufficiently expanded to handle all the film types I had in my collection. Like the 7200i, I had to guess on a couple of OEM based film brands and their ideal profiles.

Two film carriers are provided and support both film and slides. I still think the carriers needed to have a more secure fit, still, I found no issues with the resulting scans, because of this.

Unlike the 7200i detail in the highlights and shadows was not blown out, due to the multiple exposure feature. I would recommend this scanner for the enthusiast and amateur who needs high resolution but the dynamic range is still in need of improvement.

For the amateur this unit is a real steal, dedicated film scanners of similar capabilities can cost much, much, more. The 7300's clean looks and ease of use makes it an attractive option.

Cons
Slow scanning in high resolution. No support for larger negs and transparencies.

Pros
Easy to set up and use. Small footprint. High optical resolution and good detail. Surprisingly low price. Multiple Exposure mode is a much welcome addition.

For the amateur photographer who wants a cheap scanner to scan their slides and negs, this unit is a perfect option. It, like its predecessor is easy to install and even easier to use. I highly recommend the Plustek Opticfilm 7300 for the amateur photographer and enthusiast.

Phil Askey - PMDA Person of the Year

2007-11-11T23:12:00.000Z

The PMDA (PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association) have announced that Phil Askey of dpreview.com will receive its 'Person of the Year' award for 2008. This award will be presented at the PMDA awards dinner just before the PMA show in Las Vegas on 30th January 2008. The PMDA has members such as Casio, Canon, Kodak, Fujifilm, HP, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Samsung. It's good to see the hard work Phil and his team have put into DPReview being recognised by the industry. For more info visit PMDA Congrats Phil...

Silver Oxide Intro Orthochromatic Filter

2007-11-11T22:59:00.000Z

Silver Oxide, have introduced a new filter which emulates the look of Orthographic film.

Until 1925, Hollywood studios used orthochromatic Eastman Standard Negative stock. Orthochromatic film was only sensitive to the brightest natural light, so large ultraviolet lamps had to be used during shooting. It also registered only blue light, so anything colored red showed up on the film as black.

Silver Oxide produce excellent digital filters which do an excellent job of emulating classic Black and White films. The new generation of SilverOxide filters also work as Smart Filters in CS3. For more info and demos visit SilverOxide.

GWG Photography White Paper on Printing

2007-11-11T21:44:00.000Z

The int'l Ghent PDF Workgroup has announced the availability of the GWG Photography White Paper. This paper is designed to provide a comprehensive set of guidelines for digital photography print productions for publishers and photographers.

Considering the wide variety in image and file formats, correct implementation of color management and standards is essential to ensure that quality is maintained from the original capture to the final print. The GWG recommends using the guidelines for digital photography projects for print..

It's a good read ... download it and other papers here.

Plugin Galaxy 2

2007-11-04T16:19:00.000Z

Plugin Galaxy 2 has been released for Windows. This plugin is for creating special effects and enhancing images with the more than 160 basic effects. It is compatible with Windows Vista and with performance improvements it is also up to twice faster than the previous version. It also supports 16bit RGB and grayscaled images, features new Layers and Blend features, which allows you to apply multiple effects to the image in one session and create sophisticated effect combinations that were not possible before. There is also a new batch processing option which can apply the same effect to hundreds of images with just a few clicks. The saving and opening of filter settings as presets is now also supported. Visit The plugin site for more info...

HDR Labs Release The HDRI Book

2007-11-04T15:57:00.000Z

The HDRI Handbook is now available from O'Reilly Press. This book delves into the niceties of High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDRI) and is filled with practical hints and tips, software evaluations, workshops, and hands-on tutorials. The book also has an accompanying DVD which includes HDRI software. This book was written by Christian Bloch, who is an acclaimed Visual Effects Artist and who has been working professionally in the field for years. His work can be seen in StarTrek:Enterprise, Smallville, Invasion, Lost, 24, and a growing number of movies and commercials. He is a pioneer in the practical application of HDRI in post-production, specifically under the budgetary and time restraints of TV production. Any photographer, CG artist, compositor, or cinematographer would do well to pick this up... for more info visit HDR Labs

Datacolor Announce Spyder 3

2007-10-29T23:48:00.000Z

Datacolor have updated their Spyder monitor calibration and print profiling system. The new unit features the only 7 detector based color engine on the market and boasts 400% extra light sensitivity for increased accuracy and fidelity. The Spyder 3 also features a built in ambient light sensor, combined desktop cradle and tripod mount and 'before and after' SpyderProof proofing capability. The Calibration units are available initially in the form of the $279 Spyder3Elite for displays or the $599 Spyder3Studio, which comes complete with printer profiling. The units are compatible with Mac OSX (10.3 and higher) as well as Windows 2000, XP and Vista 32/64. For more information, visit http://www.spyder3.com/.

Aperture Updated To Version 1.5.6

2007-10-29T23:31:00.000Z

Apple have announced an update to Aperture. Version 1.5.6 addresses some performance and stability issues and provides compatibility with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Issues that are addressed include minor compatibility issues with iPhoto 7.1, iLife Media and several other performance issues.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 for Photographers, by Martin Evening

2007-10-28T00:50:00.000+01:00

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, September 2007
Published by: Focal Press
ISBN: 0-240-52028-9
Requires: N/A
MSRP: US$46.95, UK£29.95

Having reviewed previous editions of books in this series from excellent photographer, Martin Evening, I had come to expect very high standards from this latest in the "... for Photographers" series. Adobe Photoshop CS3 for Photographers doesn't disappoint. Taking you through CS3 in color coded and well formatted sections, it provides an easy-to-follow, in-depth and knowledgeable reference for even the most well-versed digital photographers and imageers.

The book has been rewritten from scratch since the CS2-based edition. Evening does a good job of covering everything that's new in Adobe Photoshop CS3 compared to previous versions of Photoshop, while also looking into the essential features for any imageer and photographer. Adobe Photoshop CS3 for Photographers is firmly positioned as a reference work for the professional Photoshop CS3 user whose main area of work is related to digital photography. The absence throughout the book of any platform bias is also nice, so you'll find almost equal attention paid to both Mac and Windows key bindings and other information.

Each of the 15 chapters takes you through its chosen subject matter from the basics through to more advanced features and applications. Chapters 1-3 are an introduction to the new features and differences that appear in Adobe Photoshop CS3 along with a look at the changes in the user interface. They also feature a look at the basic tool sets and how to use them, which includes a look at Adobe Bridge, drawing tools and some of the basic methods of working with images.

Chapters 4, 5 & 6 look into the process of making adjustments and corrections to images as well as the acquisition of images through Camera RAW and Bridge. They continue with a look at the process of making fine adjustments and image corrections using the healing brush and other tools as well as adjustment layers and layer masks.

Chapters 7 and 8 deal with image retouching and methods of using the tools in CS3 for further enhancing images using layers, cloning and brushes. Layers, Selections and Masks are amongst the most useful and powerful of features in Photoshop and are actually well deserving of an entire book dedicated just to them. One of the most useful examples provided is one where the author has used a sequence of shots of the same scene to remove unwanted people by using the automatic alignment and image stack capabilities. The extraction of image elements using a variety of tools is also quite thoroughly covered and to great effect.

Chapter 9 takes a look at replicating traditional darkroom effects in CS3. Effects such as Solarization, Split toning, black & white from color, duo-tones, infrared emulation, cross processing, and the use of gradient maps. Chapter 10 takes a closer general look at the use of Photoshop's built in filter to further enhance your images.

Chapters 11 and 12 explain many of the intricacies of image and color management. While the former is handled largely through the use of Bridge, the latter is a bit trickier. Although color management can be handled to some extent using software, the use of hardware based calibrators can augment this substantially.

Chapters 13 and 14 continue with a look at the world of output with printing and web-based output both considered in some detail. In the former the different factors affecting the accuracy and longevity of your photographic prints are considered along with calibration and configuration. In the latter the web capabilities of Photoshop CS3 are covered with attention paid to file optimization and types, watermarking and gallery creation.

Chapter 15 completes the book with a look at the powerful automation capabilities built into Photoshop CS3, with coverage of actions, droplets and some of the plug-ins and scripts that come with Photoshop CS3.

Although an excellent and fairly comprehensive title, This volume does suffer due to a timing issue, it doesn't cover the excellent Adobe Capture Raw (ACR) 4.1 update, which was released after the book was published. However, there is an update on the website.

Cons: No coverage of ACR 4.1

Pros: Excellent Layout and information. Comprehensive and with no platform bias. This excellent, well-formatted book and its companion DVD containing video tutorials and extra chapters, serve both amateur and professional digital photographers, imageers and graphic artists. It is highly recommended and a must-have for your reference library.