Photo&Cameras

Fujifilm has today announced that it is to introduce the latest model in its ‘Big Job’ range of ruggedized digital cameras to the UK. Previously unavailable on these shores, the Big Job HD-3W offers a wide-angle (28-84mm equivalent) 3x zoom lens, 3" LCD monitor, hotshoe and ISO 1600 capability all wrapped up in a water, shock and dustproof body. Fujifilm has also equipped this ‘tough guy’ with a system to detect manipulation of images making it ideal for insurance and forensic photography. Pricing and availabilty are yet to be announced.

Press release:

Fujifilm drops the Big Job – a hard hat of a camera

The ultra-tough camera that likes a challenge

20 June 2007 – Fujifilm is pleased to announce the launch of the FinePix Big Job HD-3W – the first camera of its kind to be released by Fujifilm in the UK. It is a heavy-duty and highly practical digital camera designed to be used in the most challenging of environments. Having withstood a drop test to 70cm and featuring a rubber grip and big buttons, this waterproof, dust proof and shockproof camera can endure what other cameras only dream of. The FinePix Big Job HD-3W is perfect for the construction, engineering, health and safety and manufacturing industries, or any environment where it is likely to get knocked around.

The FinePix Big Job HD-3W features many improvements over its predecessor resulting from customer feedback in Japan. The new model combines a wide-angle 3x (28-84mm) optical zoom lens with a large, scratch resistant 3” LCD screen so images can be viewed on the back of the camera more clearly. The camera also features a 6 Megapixel CCD sensor and ISO sensitivity of up to 1600, so detailed, low noise images can be captured in low light levels, such as dark construction sites, without the need for flash. However, for times when flash is needed, the powerful built in strobe enables longer flash distance of up to 10 meters. In addition, the layout of the big, easy-to-use buttons allows the camera to be used whilst wearing gloves, ensuring it will not be dropped at the most crucial moment.

In two world firsts for the FinePix range the Big Job HD-3W features ‘Detection of Manipulation’ and ‘CALS’ modes. The first highlights any tampering that has occurred to images after the photo has been taken. Using the FinePix viewer software on a computer, it is possible to check whether the image has been processed or edited to ensure the integrity of all images. The CALS mode takes photos at 1MP – an ideal size for attaching and distributing via email. These unique features, along with the Shot Date function, which records the time and date that the photo was taken, make monitoring and reporting the progress of work highly reliable and as simple as possible.

Adrian Clarke, Director of Photo Products at Fujifilm UK Ltd. said, “Since digital cameras are electronic devices, they generally do not take kindly to knocks, damp or dust. For many years, Fujifilm Tokyo has been marketing a heavy-duty camera for the construction industry with great success, so we decided to market this latest Big Job model in the UK. It may have an unusual name, but it’s perfect for heavy industrial use, where high quality, no fuss pictures are required without worrying about damage to the camera. There aren’t many models out there specifically designed for this kind of use, so we expect demand to be strong.”

Big Job at a glance:

• Robust body with a rubber grip
• Big, easy-to-use buttons and menu systems
• Waterproof, dust proof and drop proof – tested to 70cm
• Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens (28-84mm wide angle)
• ISO 1600 light sensitivity at full resolution
• Powerful flash, up to 10 meters
• Detection of Manipulation mode
• CALS mode – images taken at 1MP for easy distribution via email
• Shot Date function
• Large 3” LCD screen with reinforced glass coating
• 6 Megapixel CCD sensor

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Mike Brodie is barely old enough to drink alcohol legally, yet he’s already achieved something photographers twice his age are still striving for: He makes enough from his photos to keep taking pictures.

Brodie fell in love with photography a few years ago when a friend lent him her vintage Pol­aroid camera. “I took a photo of the handlebars of my BMX bike, and the Polaroid that developed blew my mind!” he wrote in our e-mail interview.

Equipped with a Polaroid SX-70 Sonar OneStep from eBay and stolen packets of its hard-to-find film, Brodie began obsessively photographing the things around him and uploading scans to his burgeoning Website (Google “The Polaroid Kidd”).

The results have blown several well-respected minds, including magazine editors and curators at Los Angeles’ M+B gallery, which added Brodie to its roster and staged his first show in 2006.

Now living with his mom and brother in Pensacola, Florida, Brodie is fleshing out a new project in 35mm film, photographing his friends and fellow travelers as they hop trains around the country.

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SanDisk has introduced a new line of high-speed memory cards named in honor of international motorcycle racing and the company’s partnership with the motorcycle company Ducati. The Extreme Ducati Edition CompactFlash and Extreme Ducati Edition SD Plus offer SanDisk’s fastest read/write times to date. According to the company, the CompactFlash cards offer sustained transfer speeds of 45 megabytes per second and the SD card transfers data at 20 megabytes per second.

The new CompactFlash model comes in 4GB and 8GB capacities. The SD card comes in a 4GB capacity and features an integrated snap-open USB connector. Like other SanDisk Extreme cards, the Ducati models are designed to be durable enough for professional use and withstand temperatures from -13 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Ducati Edition cards come with RescuePRO Deluxe image recovery software for restoring accidentally deleted shots, and will be available in August 2007. The 4GB CompactFlash card will carry a $164.99 retail price, the 8GB CompactFlash will cost $314.99, and the 4GB SD card will cost $129.99.

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With quick turn around time the folks at Adobe, have recently released their latest update to Adobe Photoshop Lighroom and it is chock-full of new features. For those who read my review of The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book For Digital Photographers; which, by the way the author told me I was the first to review his book, may be wondering is this book out of date already?

The answer is no it is not! At least not if you get the Scott's Update Kit For Lightroom 1.1 at Peachpit Press. You will have to register both yourself and your copy of the book, but once you do, you will have an add-on that will walk you through all of the new features.

So what are these new features? Since the author traverses them quite well, I will only highlight a few of them.

• Managing Custom Presets and Templates
• Combining Libraries.
• Applying Keywords with the Stamper.
• Applying 'Most Anything with the Painter.
• Updating New Images in a Folder.
• Creating an Opening Other Libraries.
• Filtering Using the Metadata Browser.
• Increasing Midtone Contrast.
• Sharpening Photos.
• Adding Photos to your Slideshow.
• Setting your Print Resolution.
• Seeing the Status of your Exports.
• Importing When you Shoot RAW+JPEG
• Exporting to Photoshop/File Formats.
• Reducing Noise.
• From Lightroom to Camera Raw.
• From Camera Raw to Lightroom.

While this is not everything, it does give you the idea of all the wonderful things that Adobe has added to their new application and why, with Scott's Update Kit For Lightroom 1.1, the book has become even better.

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Update on the Canon EOS 40D

More rumors are circulating that the Canon EOS 40D is not far away with it’s model number appearing on the Camera & Imaging Products Association’s PictBridge-certified product page. Perhaps the 40D is just around the corner?!?!

Canon EOS 40D Update: It looks like we’re getting very close to the Canon EOS 40D being released with more leaks and rumors circulating.

The following information has reportedly been published on a Belgian retailer’s website advertising the 40D:

Canon EOS 40D DSLR Specifications

• 10.1 MP CMOS sensor
• 5fps, 30 JPEG image burst
• Integrated Cleaning System
• 2.5in LCD with 230K pixels and 160Вє viewing angle
• Picture Style image processing
• Spot metering & 9-point AF
• DIGIC II processor with 0.2 sec start up
• Digital Photo Professional software
• Magnesium alloy body
• Compatible with all EF/EF-S lenses and EX Speedlite flashes
• Including powerpack and accessories

Designed to inspire. Built to last.

CMOS sensor An 10.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor provides the sensitivity needed for clean, detailed images with fine colour gradation. Large sensor pixels allow for wide dynamic range and reduced noise at higher ISO speeds. The 22.5 x 15mm sensor size adds an effective 1.6x increase to the focal length of EF lenses, extending reach at the telephoto end.

5 fps shooting The camera delivers fast 5 fps shooting for continuous bursts of up to 30 large JPEG images (11 in RAW). A new 3 fps shooting mode provides greater control for variable-speed sequences.

Large LCD Illuminated by 6 LEDs, the bright 2.5 Inch 230K pixel LCD is viewable from 85В° in almost all directions.

Picture Style Picture Style pre-sets provide easy control over image processing parameters. Each style offers a different colour response – similar to the way film types are changed to achieve different effects. Sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation are adjustable within each pre-set.

Spot metering Spot metering allows you to base the optimal exposure value on a concentrated spot (3.5%) in the scene – useful in high-contrast scenes where precise metering control is required.

High precision 9-point wide-area AF Select from one of nine fixed focusing points across the scene for fast, accurate focusing even with off-centre subjects and ‘rule-of-thirds’ compositions.

DIGIC II DIGIC II renders colours with precision and accuracy. Fast and efficient, DIGIC II prolongs battery life* and delivers instant 0.15 second start up time.

Digital Photo Professional software The Digital Photo Professional software permits high-speed processing of lossless RAW images.

Magnesium alloy body A compact magnesium alloy body provides durability while keeping the camera’s weight down to 700 grams.

EF lenses and accessories The EOS 40D is compatible with over 60 EF lenses (including the EF-S Series) and all EX Series Speedlite flash units. The E-TTL II flash algorithm passes key shooting data from compatible EF lenses – such as focal length, point of focus and distance information – to the Speedlites for consistently accurate flash exposures. Untethered shooting is possible with the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1.

Connectivity Video Out allows reviewing on a TV screen. Connect with USB 2.0 Hi-speed for fast data transfers.

Thanks to James for the email on this.

Rumors are circulating around the web today that Canon are prepping for the announcement of a new DSLR – the Canon EOS 40D. Their Hongkong site currently has a page with the title Canon EOS 40D on it but with no information. See the english version of it here and the Chinese version here (screen capture below in case the sites are taken down).

There are no details of Canon EOS 40D specifications yet – but rest assured that as this story continues to develop that we’ll be updating this page.

Update:

We’re hearing a lot of different rumors and guesses about the Canon EOS 40D specifications.

Among common guesses include that it will have anti-dust features, DIGI III and either a 10.2 or a 12 megapixel sensor.

Time will tell!

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Leica has today released firmware version 2.0 for its Digilux 3 DSLR. Headlining the update is the addition of a ‘Mode 3′ setting to the optical stabilization system which corrects only longitudinal camera movement and is ideal for ‘panning’ action shots. Other enhancements include improvements to the LiveView system and replay facility – most notably a replay zoom – as well as making adjustment of the ISO value easier whilst in AE mode. Link after the click.

Press release:

Leica Camera AG offers free firmware updates to the Leica Digilux 3

June 18, 2007 – Leica Camera AG announced today that it will provide a free firmware update for the LEICA DIGILUX 3 on its website www.leica-camera.com. The new firmware, Version 2.0, offers extensive improvements in the performance of effective digital SLR camera.

The new firmware for the LEICA DIGILUX 3 optimizes the functionality of the camera across many applications. This will include additional exposure functions and will, for the first time, offer a “Mode 3” for optical stabilization. Mode 3 will further compensate and correct longitudinal camera movement. This mode is ideal for panning, a method of taking photographs where the camera follows a moving object.

Version 2.0 will also include a new mode that facilitates the reading of the LCD monitor during use of the LiveView. This setting will assist the photographer when the camera is held in a position close to ground level. Further improvements include the “Auto Review” setting, a Replay Zoom, easier accessibility to the ISO setting in Auto Exposure (AE) mode, as well as further improvements to camera operation and user interface.

Detailed information on the firmware update for the LEICA DIGILUX 3 will be available at www.leica-camera.com in the Photography/D-System/Digilux 3 section beginning in mid June 2007.

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The FujiFilm S5 Pro is a very specific DSLR camera targeted squarely at wedding, portrait and studio photographers. The S5 Pro offers an expanded dynamic range of up to 400% via the double pixel technology (6.17 million S-pixels and 6.17 million R-pixels) of the camera’s Super CCD SR Pro sensor. A fastest ISO sensitivity of 3200, three new Film Simulation Modes for varying skin tones. and Face Detection are also available. The Fujifilm S5 Pro is based on the Nikon D200 and inherits almost all of that DSLR’s feature set. Does the FujiFilm S5 Pro have what it takes to compete against the likes of the Nikon D200 and Canon EOS 30D? Gavin Stoker finds out.

Website: FujiFilm S5 Pro Review

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London-based freelance photographer Ivor Prickett, a 2006 graduate of the University of Wales in Newport, U.K., was named as the 2007 recipient of the Ian Parry Scholarship. The scholarship, which was named for Sunday Times photographer Ian Parry, awards the recipient with £2,500 (about $5,000) to be used towards a photography assignment. Additionally, the scholarship winner is added to a final list of nominees for World Press Photo’s Joop Swart master class in Amsterdam.

Prickett, an Irish native whose winning portfolio features images telling the story of Croatian Serbs displaced during the Serbo-Croatian war, plans on using the scholarship money to continue his project photographing Croatian refugees in Serbia. Though Prickett has no family links to the Balkans, his interest grew after his first visit to Kosovo in 2005. “When I heard about the displacement of Croatian Serbs, I felt it was something that had never really been highlighted,” Prickett said.

Prickett says his work is only possible with help from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. He also hopes to document the return of Croatian Serbs to Croatia.

In addition to his long-term projects, Prickett has also had editorial work published in The Guardian, The Telegraph Magazine, and The Sunday Times Magazine.

Prickett, who has entered a portfolio for the past three years, said winning the scholarship is a huge honor. “It’s a dream come true,” he said. “The people who win the award and are involved in the award are some of my idols. It’s just a very prestigious thing. I’ve known about it for a long time and admire all of the photographers greatly who have won it in the past.”

The scholarship is named for Ian Parry, a photojournalist for The Sunday Times, who died in 1999 at the age of 24 while on assignment during the Romanian revolution. Because of his early age at the time of death, the scholarship is available to photographers under the age of 24 or who are enrolled as full-time photography students.

Contest judges met at the Frontline Club in London on June 25th. This year’s judges included Philip Blenkinsop of Agence VU, Steve Blogg of Getty Images, Monica Allende of The Sunday Times, Ian’s brother John Parry, trustee Tom Stoddart as well as past winners Simon Roberts and Harriet Logan.

Runners up for the award were Liz Rubincam (highly commended), Gareth Phillips (commended), Liz Hingley (commended) and Dominic Nahr (honorable mention).

The Ian Parry scholarship will be holding a print exhibition featuring the winning images at the Getty Images Gallery in London beginning August 3. In addition, the scholarship will be raising money for VII photographer Alexandra Boulat, who is currently recovering following surgery at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem.

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Click photo for more images of the Fujifilm IS Pro packages.

Fujifilm has today announced the IS Pro DSLR (body only $2599), an impressive-sounding Infrared, Ultraviolet and visible spectrum sensitive professional camera that is compatible with Nikon F-mount lenses.

The press release states that this camera follows in the success of the Fujifilm S3 Pro UVIR, and the Fujifilm Finepix IS-1, which have “proved popular with technical, law enforcement, medical research and scientific communities.” The press release fails to mention that these and a handful of other non-enumerated specialized usages are the only allowed usages under Fujifilm’s User Licensing agreement:

“By breaking the packaging seal you acknowledge your understanding and acceptance of Fujifilm’s Ultraviolet (UV) and/or Infrared (IR) sensitive digital camera firmware End User License Agreement. The camera firmware contained in each system package is fully activated to engage the camera’s UV and/or IR capabilities and ready for use. No other firmware modifications are necessary in order to activate the camera’s UV and/or IR wavelength sensitive CCD.
THIS LICENSE IS NON-TRANSFERABLE.

You hereby acknowledge and agree that your use of the camera’s UV and/or IR light energy sensitive capabilities, as enabled by Fujifilm’s camera firmware, will be purely to accomplish a legitimate business purpose in the medical, forensic, fire investigative, law enforcement, scientific, systems integrators, local and federal government.

In addition, you further agree not to use the camera’s firmware enabled capabilities to engage in unethical photographic conduct involving the violation of personal privacy, child endangerment, lewd photography, and or paparazzi like activities. “

Photographers who fit the ULA have an impressive tool for capturing infrared and ultraviolet light with the new IS Pro, which is sensitive from 380-1000nm. A live preview mode offers a real-time 30-second preview in black and white or color on the LCD, or on an NTSC or PAL monitor, or on a tethered computer through Fujifilms HS-V3 software.

Four kits will be available ranging from the body only for $2599, to a $4999 kit that includes a Zeiss macro 50 1:2 f/2.0 lens, Hyperutility Software HS-V3, an assortment of Peca filters, and rubber body armor, and more.

For the full press release, click here.

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Ricoh has released updated fimware for their Caplio R6 digital camera. A minor update by all accounts, this fixes the skew correction feature as well as preventing the step zoom function from being deactivated when the camera is powered off. The third change is to display ’settings have been changed’ if switched on in the landscape scene mode. Link after the click.

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