Photo&Cameras

PhotographyBLOG reviews the Samsung NV20 and gives it a rating of three and a half stars out of five. They write – ‘The Samsung NV20 is virtually indistinguisable from the older NV10 model that we reviewed a year ago, both in terms of appearance and features. A premium-level product that is both well made and well thought out, the notable changes are an increase in resolution to 12.1 megapixels, expansion of the ISO range to 80-3200, and the addition of a Face Detection system. None of these changes really improve the camera – indeed, the new sensor actually makes the image quality worse than before, and has seemingly been included just to look good on the specification sheet.’

Source: www.livingroom.org.au

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The W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund named the winners of this years W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography, W. Eugene Smith Fellowship Grant, and Howard Chapnick Grant for the Advancement of Photojournalism at a ceremony at the HBO Theater in New York Wednesday evening.

Sydney, Australia-based photographer Stephen Dupont of Contact Press Images took the top award for his project, “Narcostan: The Perils of Freedom.” Dupont, the recipient of the W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography, will use his $30,000 grant to document the lives of drug addicts in Afghanistan.

Dupont has made several self-funded trips to the country over the past 15 years and plans to return to Afghanistan twice more to work on his project. He will document Afghanistans drug epidemic through portraiture, street, and landscape photography.

Stefano De Luigi of Milan, Italy and Seamus Murphy of London, England were both recipients of the W. Eugene Smith Fellowship Grant and will share the $5,000 award. De Luigi will use the grant to continue his work photographing blindness around the world by documenting efforts to assist the blind and to prevent the condition from occurring. Murphy will use his portion of the grant to continue documenting the lives of Americans, focusing on the role of religion and belief in the lives of Americans as well as what lies down the road for the countrys future.

The grant recipients were selected from 128 entries representing 23 countries. Finalists for the grant included Giorgia Fiorio of Venice, Italy; Danny Wilcox Frazier of Iowa City, IA; Ed Kashi of Montclair, NJ; Andy Levin of New Orleans, LA; Mary Ellen Mark of New York, NY; Anderson Schneider of Brasilia, Brazil; and Mikhael Subotzky of Cape Town, South Africa.

The 2007 Howard Chapnick Grant, also administered by the W. Eugene Smith Fund was awarded to the “Bridge Project,” an effort to bring photographic education to poorer communities in New York City. The $5,000 award was presented to Jocelyne Benzakin Fellows Miguel Anaya, Lyric Cabral, Mark Nevers, Danny Peralta, and Bashira Webb.

The group will use the grant to help provide photographic education by conducting workshops in digital technology and portraiture in New York City communities in an effort to help individuals gain the photographic skills they need to develop photo essays of their own lives.

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Sony today announced its HDMS-S1D Digital Photo Album – an 80 GB storage and slideshow unit featuring HDMI output. Able to import photos from flash media CD/DVD or Ethernet and featuring powerful slideshow-creation software, photos may be shared via card or disk and a compatible printer may be hooked up to its USB port for hard copies. With viewing, sharing, printing and archiving all in one ‘living-room friendly’ box this looks set to be a big hit with those who love digital photography but not the computer time that goes with it. The HDMS-S1D will be available from October priced at $400.

Press release:

SONY’S NEW DIGITAL PHOTO ALBUM TURNS PHOTO COLLECTIONS INTO HIGH-DEFINITION ENTERTAINMENT

Store, Organize and Share Photos with Slideshow and Scrapbook-style displays

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2007 – Sony today announced the HDMS-S1D Digital Photo Album for shutterbugs who want to archive, organize and enjoy slideshows of their digital photos. This compact device features an 80GB hard drive, connects to a high definition television via HDMI and showcases up to 50,000 high resolution photos.

The new digital photo album offers several methods for importing photos, including multiple flash memory card formats, CD, DVD, USB or Ethernet. Once imported, photo collections can be managed with the supplied remote control and the device’s intuitive interface.

Photos can be organized by date, special occasions such as birthdays and travel (using pre-selected icons), or into as many as 3,000 different photo albums– enough for every major family milestone. The digital photo album also provides the ability to review, edit, rotate, delete and arrange photos for a slideshow or digital scrapbooking with Sony’s x-Application® features.

The photo managing x-Pict Story HD™ software creates professional quality slideshows, eliminating the need for PC-based photo editing. Slideshows can be created by selecting from 30 pre-loaded music tracks and transition styles. For personalization, you can add up to five songs from your own CDs. The software also allows for connection to a compatible printer for making prints of your photos or scrapbook pages directly from the device.

The HDMS-S1D Digital Photo Album uses Sony’s face detection technology to locate faces in photographs and adjusts the slideshow transitions around the location of faces.

When creating digital scrapbooks, the x-ScrapBook™ application sets photos within scrapbook templates, and uses face detection and event-clustering technology to make scrapbook-style layouts of photos with a common trait like photos of children, or pictures grouped by events such as a party or vacation.

When family or friends request copies of the photos they’ve seen on your HDTV, you can select and save those photos to CD, DVD, or flash memory card.

The HDMS-S1D Digital Photo Album will be available in October for about $400 online at sonystyle.com, across the country at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail) and at authorized dealers nationwide.

By: www.dpreview.com

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Without light, there is no photography — perhaps not much else as well, but that is not the subject at hand. The subject at hand is light, and how light affects what we see, and what the camera sees. It is also the subject of the Photo Workshop release Photo Workshop: Lighting by Chris Bucher.

The goal of Lighting is to show how it is possible to create better photographs by using the available light no matter if it is great light, or not. This takes time, and testing, and practice, but the effort is worth the rewards. Once you are able to "see" better, you will better be able to work with light, and your photography will become second nature.
Lighting is 285 pages divided into 10 chapters.

Chapter 1, "Elements of Light," begins with just that, the elements of light, and how they are captured by the camera. This includes the elements of exposure, color temperature, white balance, contrast, and quality of light.

Chapter 2, "Understanding your Equipment's Role in Lighting," explores your camera, the metering system, the flash attachment, studio lighting, as well as other equipment such as tripods, cable releases, and lens hoods.

Chapter 3, "Working with Outdoor Natural Light," explains how to use a light meter to measure the different types of light — front, side, backlight. It talks about sunrise, and sunset light, and what the golden hour is. It even discusses how to use overcast light to get great images.

Chapter 4, "Working with Interior Light," now takes you indoors, and shows you how to set your exposures inside, and how to work with interior contrasts. You will learn how to work with the varieties of window light; direct and diffuse. You will see how to mix daylight with both strobes and interior lights; incandescent and florescent.

Chapter 5, "Lighting for Portraits and People," shows you how to work both outdoors and indoors by finding the best light, as well as taking the best light, and making it better. It also explains how to shoot candid shots, kids shots, environmental shots, and how to work with groups.

Chapter 6, "Action, Sports, Motion, Blur," brings out the speed. When shooting action, it is all about the shutter. Here you will learn how to stop motion, as well as how to slow down to show motion. You will also learn how to bring out the best in nature.

Chapter 7, "Lighting Scenarios in Landscape Photography" begins by explaining some terminology. Then it shows you how to time your shots whether it is before dawn, after dusk, or somewhere in between, it is all about light. You will also learn how to use filters, how to work with overcast days, as well as working in fog.

Chapter 8, "Dealing with Change: Travel and Adventure" shows you what you need to take with you when you are traveling, when you are shooting on the street, in museums, and other indoor sites, as well as preparing for various weather conditions.

Chapter 9, "Still Life and Macro Lighting" takes you up-close and personal to the principles of macro photography, and the principles of getting great light.

Chapter 10, "Mastering Night and Low Light Photography" explores the needs of low light photography; such as tripods, working with soft light, moody light, and low light. You will also learn about capturing motion of lights, as well as working with long exposures.

Photo Workshop: Lighting is a great introduction to the concept of lighting, and how to use and manipulate the light to get your best shot. Bucher does not go into the mathematical explanations of the relationship of shutter speed, ISO, and aperture, rather he shows examples, and more general relationships that will lead the user to better images.

Photo Workshop: Lighting also contains assignments that can be completed by the user, and the results posted to a website where they may, or may not, be critiqued. One thing that I absolutely love about this book is the "About this Photo" listing under each photograph used in the book. It explains the settings that were used, and the different considerations that went into making the photo.

There are notes and other comments spread throughout Photo Workshop: Lighting as well. If you want to get up to speed with the topic of lighting without a lot of mathematical formulas, then I think that Photo Workshop: Lighting is a great place to start.

From: feeds.blogcritics.org

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Back in May 2001 Olympus began to make noises about a professional five megapixel Four Thirds format digital SLR, two years after that in June 2003 they revealed the E-1. After much hinting, several ‘accidental’ leaks and some four and a half years, Olympus has today announced the ten megapixel E-3 professional digital SLR. We had been promised an E-3 before embargo to enable us to produce a preview but that for reasons best known to Olympus this fell through so all we can provide you with is a press release, specs and a couple of images. Body only price will be £1099 in the UK.

UPDATE: Phil: Here we are at one minute past embargo and despite being told very clearly that there were no cameras available for preview we see at least one other site with a hands-on preview, make of that what you will.

Press Release:

The Olympus E-3: An all-round professional masterpiece

London, 17 October 2007 – It’s here: The new flagship of the Four Thirds Standard-based Olympus E-System. The E-3 gives photographers a high-performance tool that is primed for any assignment and satisfies the most stringent demands for D-SLR photography. It represents the ultimate choice for the professional photographer and provides the highest levels of speed and image quality as well as Live View capabilities and the ultimate in reliability.

The E-3 features the world’s fastest* auto-focusing speeds thanks to an advanced AF system and new ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) lenses. Matched with shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th sec. and 5fps sequential shooting (with a 19 image RAW buffer in burst mode), the E-3 gives photographers a crucial edge to help capture that decisive shot.

Ensuring the best image quality in the widest range of situations, this new professional model also incorporates a powerful built-in image stabilisation system which is capable of compensating against the effects of camera shake to the equivalent of up to 5 EV steps. This is complemented by a 10 Megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor and Olympus’ TruePic III image processing engine. Together with the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses – which are custom-made for the needs of D-SLR photography – photographers can rely on optimal results each time.

Meanwhile, the camera’s Live View capabilities provide the freedom to shoot with more versatility: Whether wanting to keep eye-contact with the subject or shooting above the head or close to the ground, compositions can be framed with ease on the 2.5”/6.4cm multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD, which also faithfully displays the effect of camera adjustments in real time.

In addition to Live View, photographers can also choose to use the camera’s large viewfinder which provides 100% coverage. Like all Olympus E-System cameras, the E-3 incorporates the most effective dust reduction system available – the Supersonic Wave Filter. Reliability of the camera system is further heightened under all types of shooting conditions thanks to dust and splashproof protection of both body and most E-System lenses. Moreover, a shutter life of 150,000 operations guarantees that the E-3 will tolerate the treatment of even the most active photographer with ease.

The Olympus E-3 will be available from the end of November 2007. The body only will be available for approximately £1099, the kit with the 14-54mm lens for approximately £1499 and the kit with the new 12-60mm lens for approximately £1699.  For further information call 0800 0720070 or visit www.olympus.co.uk.

Speed – never miss an opportunity

The E-3 boasts the world’s quickest* autofocus system. It is based on a fully-biaxial high-speed 11-point AF system with both horizontal and vertical sensor lines to give a total of 44 different data points from which the correct focus is accurately calculated. In addition, pixel multiplication technologies are used to boost performance in low light (-2EV at ISO 100). Meanwhile, fast shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th sec. provide the ability to freeze action dead in its tracks – no matter its pace. And giving users an advantage over the clock when every second counts, shooting speeds of up to 5fps in full Megapixel mode are possible (with 19 image RAW buffer in burst mode).

Image quality – picture perfect performance

To counteract the effects of image blur caused by shakes, the Olympus E-3 incorporates a highly advanced, built-in image stabilisation system. It is extremely effective and utilises the breakthrough Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD). This means sharper shots every time – no matter which lens is used – and less need to use a tripod as compensation up to 5 EV steps is provided. The IS system features two modes: One for shakes along both the x and y axes, while another stabilises only the y axis – which is ideal for following moving subjects during sports photography.

Significantly contributing to the camera’s excellent imaging performance is the 10 Megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor. Its attributes for delivering high image quality are boosted even further thanks to integration of the advanced TruePic III image processor which improves noise suppression, enhances colour reproduction and enables faster processing speeds. And together with lenses from the award-winning ZUIKO DIGITAL range, the camera returns nothing less than perfect depictions. 

Live View – unprecedented control

The E-3 provides photographers with the convenience of a continuous Live View on its multi-angle, 2.5”/6.4cm HyperCrystal LCD. This allows for truly unique shots from the most unusual perspectives, as it enables experimentation with completely new shooting styles. Photographers can do and see more as they needn’t stay glued to the viewfinder. Thanks to the option of LCD magnification of 5x, 7x and 10x, accurate focusing during macro shooting is also made easy. In addition, the effects of Shadow Adjustment Technology (SAT), White Balance and Exposure Compensation can be viewed directly on the LCD in real time: So, what you see is really what you get.

Reliability – exceptional durability

The E-3 also takes viewfinder performance up a notch. Full professional level coverage of 100% plus 1.15x magnification enhances framing ease even when using the eyepiece.

• Since the development of the world’s first dust protection system in 2003, Olympus has continuously improved on it so that it still remains the most effective solution available today. The critically acclaimed Supersonic Wave Filter ingeniously protects the High Speed Live MOS sensor from dust and other foreign particles that could otherwise compromise image quality and serves as a symbol of Olympus’ long-standing commitment to imaging excellence.

Its magnesium alloy construction combined with dust and splashproof protection lets the E-3 go wherever the action is: No matter at a rainy football game or on the dusty plains of the Serengeti. The power grip and a wide selection of lenses are equally protected against the elements, thereby considerably reducing the risk of downtime as the E-3 is always ready for the next assignment no matter the conditions. And with a shutter life of 150,000 operations, professionals will really come to appreciate this model’s extreme reliability.

Ideal selection

Naturally, low light doesn’t put an end to shooting opportunities. In addition to the built-in flash (GN13), the E-3 allows wireless control of flash units, such as the new Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R, in up to three groups – enhancing lighting options dramatically.

In addition, the E-3 boasts flawless automatic white balance. This is due to a hybrid detection system which employs a dedicated white balance sensor in conjunction with the image sensor. The combination of colour data from two different sources results in stunningly faithful colour reproduction.

A complete D-SLR system

Adhering to the Four Thirds Standard, the E-3 is optimised for the special demands of digital photography and provides photographers with a superior level of flexibility and freedom. Cross-manufacturer compatibility ensures a future-proof investment that users can rely on. 32 lenses and three lens converters are available to date, including many from the award-winning ZUIKO DIGITAL range, which is designed for the specific demands of digital SLR photography. Furthermore, Four Thirds enables a smaller, lighter lens construction which means photographers benefit from more mobility and control, thus increasing the likelihood of magnificent imaging results.  
 
In addition to the many lenses which include the recently-introduced ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD models for attaining the world’s fastest* autofocus speeds, a wide and exciting range of E-System accessories await professionals looking to customise their photographic experience with the E-3. For flash control without the need for cables, Olympus offers the FL-50R and FL-36R wireless flash units. And for assignments that go into overtime, the Power Grip HLD-4 provides long-lasting battery power and conveniently includes a shutter release button on its side to make the quick capture of shots in portrait format just as simple as landscapes. Two new eye-cups (DE-P3 and DE-N3) are also available to broaden the camera’s dioptre correction adjustment capabilities. Shifting the dioptre either up or down by 3m-1, an expansive total range spanning -6m-1 to +4m-1 is possible. Moreover, the optional FS-3 Focusing Screen provides a grid matte screen in the viewfinder on which the image area is divided into 4 x 6 sections to assist in framing (purchase & installation via Olympus Service Dept. only).
 
With the E-3, Olympus answers the demand for uncompromising endurance, speed and image quality. This professional D-SLR will commence sales at the end of November 2007.

*      Among interchangeable lenses for D-SLR cameras. In combination with the new Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm, 1:2.8-4.0 SWD and E-3, as of October 17 2007, according to survey by Olympus.

For further technical information, see also:

• Built-in image stabilisation: www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/dslr_16742.htm
• Live View:                       www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/dslr_12806.htm
• Supersonic Wave Filter:     www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/dslr_7051.htm
• Four Thirds Standard:        www.four-thirds.org

The Olympus E-3 – main features:

Speed

• World’s fastest autofocus* for quick and precise image capture
• Fully-biaxial high-speed 11-point AF system
• 1/8000th sec. high-speed and high-precision shutter control, X: 1/250
• 5fps sequential shooting with 19 image RAW buffer

Image Quality

• High-performance built-in image stabiliser to stabilise all lenses
  (up to 5 EV steps) with two modes
• High Speed 10 Megapixel Live MOS sensor
• Qualified image processing with new TruePic III
• High image quality with a variety of bright dedicated-to-digital ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses

Live View

• 2.5”/6.4cm multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD for greatest flexibility
• Real-time effect monitoring
• Pre-control over white balance and exposure compensation
• Preview of Shadow Adjustment Technology (SAT)
• 5x/7x/10x magnified view for precise focusing – especially for macro shots

Reliability

• Large viewfinder with professional-level coverage of 100% and 1.15x magnification for accurate image control
• Spotless photography with most effective dust reduction system (Supersonic Wave Filter)
• Splashproof body and lens system
• Professional quality shutter life of 150K operations

Additional features of the Olympus E-3:

• Based on the Four Thirds Standard
• Ergonomic design of body, control buttons and GUI for easy operation
• AE/AF lock functionality for individual customisation
• Second display for Super Control Panel
• ISO 100-3200 for wide-ranging sensitivity
• Accurate white balance with two sensors
• Built-in flash (GN13) and wireless flash control directly from the camera body.
• Wireless flash control in up to 3 groups (separate press release available for Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R flash units)
• High-speed USB 2.0 interface
• High-speed data writing and lossless RAW compression for quick processing
• Simultaneous writing of RAW and JPEG
• Dual memory slot for CompactFlash and xD-Picture Cards
  (incl. support for UDMA High-Speed CF cards and Microdrive)

New accessories for the Olympus E-3:

• Power Grip HLD-4 for ideal portrait shooting and long battery life
• Wireless flash units FL-50R and FL-36R
• Soft rubber dioptre-correcting Eye-cups DE-P3 (+3m-1)
  and DE-N3 (+3m-1)
• Focusing Screen FS-3 grid matte screen dividing image area in 4 x 6 sections. (Purchase & installation via Olympus Service Dept. only)

New ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses:

ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-60mm (24-120mm) 1:2.8-4.0 SWD

• Supersonic Wave Drive AF system: World’s fastest* AF system when combined with Olympus E-3
• 5x zoom
• 25cm closest focusing distance
• Mechanical manual focusing
• Circular aperture diaphragm
• Extreme wide angle capabilities from 12mm (24mm)
• Splashproof

            (Available November 2007)

ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm (100-400mm) 1:2.8-3.5 SWD

• Supersonic Wave Drive AF system: Ultra-fast AF speeds
  (2x faster than current 50-200mm lens)
• 4x zoom
• 1.2m closest focusing distance
• Mechanical manual focusing
• Circular aperture diaphragm
• Lens hood with slide-window for PL filter
• Splashproof

      (Available November 2007)

ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-35mm (28-70mm) 1:2.0 SWD

• World’s first standard zoom with 1:2.0 aperture across entire focal range
• 2.5x zoom
• Ultra-fast Supersonic Wave Drive AF system
• Mechanical manual focusing
• Circular aperture diaphragm
• Lens hood with window for PL filter
• Splashproof

      (Available early 2008)

ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm (140-600mm) 1:4.0-5.6

• 4.3x zoom
• Extreme telephoto capabilities to 300mm (600mm)

(Available October 2007)

ZUIKO DIGITAL 2.0x Teleconverter EC-20

• Doubles the focal length of the master lens
• Attachable with all ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses: From Fisheye and Macro to Super Telephoto
• Digital-specific converter: Thin, compact and high image quality
• Splashproof

(Available November 2007)
 Figures in brackets show 35mm camera equivalents

Due to adherence to the Four Thirds System, the Olympus E-3 is compatible with all ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses as well as all other Four Thirds-based lenses available.

Olympus E-3 specifications

By: www.dpreview.com

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Olympus has announced two new flash units for its line of digital SLRs. The FL-50R and FL-36R both have a head that can be rotated in four directions, and support the commander function of Olympus’s new flagship SLR, the E-3. That feature allows wireless control of multiple remote flash units from the camera.

The FL-50R will be available later this year for $499 and the FL-36R for $299.

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DCRP reviews the Canon PowerShot G9 where they write –

“The PowerShot G9 is a solid high-end camera, though it won’t be replacing your digital SLR anytime soon. It offers a full set of features, both automatic and manual, and throws them into a well-built, expandable body. If you keep the ISO as low as possible you’ll get some nice photos out of the camera, though a D-SLR will wipe the floor with the G9 at higher sensitivities. Though I still miss the fast lens and rotating LCD of the older G-series models, I can still recommend the PowerShot G9 to anyone who wants a high-end camera without stepping up to a digital SLR.”

Source: www.livingroom.org.au

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Sharpcast has released a mobile component of its photo sharing service for devices running Windows Mobile 5.0. Sharpcast provides photo gallery and sharing tools that automatically synchronize photos between a user’s computer desktop, online gallery, and designated friends. The mobile component integrates into the system to automatically synchronize photos taken by a Windows Mobile 5.0 camera phone, and to make the user’s collection of photos available on the device.

Windows Mobile 5.0 users can download the mobile application directly to their phone by following the instructions on Sharpcast’s Web site. Sharpcast is offering the mobile component for free for an introductory period and will announce pricing at a later date. The company plans to release applications for additional mobile platforms later in 2007.

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After a longer than anticipated delay we’re finally all set up to start posting reviews again, starting with one we’ve had sitting around for a while now, Sony’s ultra compact Cyber-shot DSC-W80, an ultra-slim 7.2MP model with 3x zoom and HDTV output. And for those of you waiting for our reviews of the current ‘headline’ cameras – fear not; they’re well under way!

By: www.dpreview.com

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Digital Camera Info reviews the Casio Exilim EX-V8 and writes – ‘Most every point-and-shoot is capable of recording movies. What Casio does is uniquely partner with an exciting, successful business – YouTube. The popular video-sharing website appeals to everyone from the Star Wars Kid to presidential candidates. For better or worse, Casio effectively matches its customers with an already recognizable brand name. Even more, the camera model name, itself, is already recognizable – who hasn’t heard of V8 drinks or V8 engines? The V8 is much easier to remember than the four-numbered product numbers that modify Casio’s earlier Z-series cameras (eg. the Casio Exilim EX-Z1080). It is genius on its part, making good on a strong coupling between the digital still camera world and the popularity of the website dedicated to personal video.’

Source: www.livingroom.org.au

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