Photo&Cameras

Software maker Breeze Systems has launched remote capture software for the Nikon D90 and Nikon D300 DSLRs. Both enable users to control focus from a PC, shoot time-lapse sequences and display live images. They incorporate the company’s Photobooth shoot and print feature designed for event photographers. The packages are the first time Breeze Systems has supported remote capture for Nikon cameras, having covered Canon DSLRs since 2001, and trial versions are now available.

By: www.dpreview.com

Read the rest of this entry »

“A slender crescent moon, just 15 percent illuminated, will appear in very close proximity to the two brightest planets in our sky, Venus and Jupiter tonight. No tripod”. Taken by Redcat

Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

Read the rest of this entry »

You have just purchased a digital video camera and now you are confused on how to work it. Most of the time when you purchase one of these, it isn't months, or even weeks before you need it, it is usually a day or two before the event. It is usually because you have found that your old one is no longer working, or there is something coming up that you want to capture and you are under a deadline.

Now you have this new, complex piece of equipment, and you need to figure out how it works in a hurry. You don't want to spend time drudging through jargon and software editing manuals. Enter The Little Digital Video Book. This little book was written just so you could get up to speed fast. This book contains 240 pages divided into seven chapters.

Chapter 1, "The Basics," start off by hoping that you have not yet purchased your camcorder or editing system, but if you have, not to worry, you will still be able to use what you have. This chapter is divided into two parts: your tools, and your process. Your tools include the camera, recording media, computer, software, and other tools. Next is your process. This goes into preparation, shooting, editing, and finishing.

Chapter 2, "Your Camera," begins with the basics of your camcorder. Not all of the fancy things that it is capable of, but rather the primitive capabilities: turning on/off, rewinding, finding the menu, etc. Once done, you will get your first "Assignment" - a blindfold test. What you have to do here is, with a blindfold on, is show that you can completely work your camera. You will also learn about logging and labeling your tapes and how to work with your timecodes.

Chapter 3, "Shooting," assumes that you are now comfortable with your camera, and are ready to shoot. This chapter goes over terms and concepts that are associated with shooting to edit. As you get more practice, you will better be able to anticipate what you need to do in the field. Here you will learn about how to shoot, building structure in your shots, camera shots, coverage, and framing and design. You will also learn about lighting, sound, and what to shoot. There are more assignments as well.

From: feeds.blogcritics.org

Read the rest of this entry »

Pentax has announced a limited edition of the K2000 (K-m in Europe) in white, bundled as a double zoom kit with the camera body and two kit lenses. Both Pentax DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL and Pentax DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 AL lenses and the K2000 body sport a white finish with black trim. The kit will be made available on a limited basis in February 2009. UK MSRP is £50 above the recommended selling price of the standard K-m.

In addition, Pentax has also released an online game for prospective K2000/K-m users to learn more about the camera and have a little fun.

UK MSRP: £449 with 18-55mm kit lens, £549 with both 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses.

Press Release:

Pentax announces limited edition white K2000
Double Zoom Digital SLR System

Golden, CO, December 16, 2008 - Pentax Imaging Company has announced a limited edition, white PENTAX K2000 DSLR system with a double zoom kit. This new model replicates the original K2000 design that launched in September 2008 for consumers who are ready to make the transition from a point-and-shoot digital camera to digital SLR photography. The new camera body and both lenses* feature a brilliant white color with black trim. 

The white Pentax K2000 is an entry-level system consisting of the new Pentax K2000 body, a white smc Pentax DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL lens, and a white smc Pentax DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 AL lens.

Bundled as a complete kit for the convenience of the customer, the Pentax K2000 system offers uncomplicated operation for new digital SLR users and family photographers seeking high-quality digital SLR photography for the first time. 

Combining Pentax-developed, easy-to-use Auto Picture modes as well as powerful learning functions all housed in one of the smallest, lightest camera bodies in its class, the Pentax K2000 system is ideal for digital SLR beginners. 

Additional features on the newest digital K2000 SLR body include a 10.2 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch, 230,000 dot high resolution, wide-view LCD panel, and an ultra compact design that facilitates one handed operation.  The body also features the same Pentax-developed Shake Reduction technology found on more advanced K series digital SLRs. Pentax Shake Reduction is compatible with more than 25 million Pentax lenses to deliver sharp images even when handheld at slower shutter speeds.  

The K2000 also features the powerful Pentax-developed Auto Picture Mode, which selects from Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, and Night Portrait modes to tailor the camera settings for any photographic situation. 

The camera also has a comprehensive Dust Removal system to help keep images spotless. A dedicated programmable help button clearly explains current camera settings to guide and teach the user about digital SLR photography.  

The lenses included with this Pentax K2000 system are the white versions of a newer series introduced with the DA L designation.  This DA L series offers the same optical performance and compatibility as the current smc Pentax DA 18-55mm II and smc Pentax DA 50-200mm lenses.   

This stylish, limited edition white Pentax K2000 kit will be available on a very limited basis in February  2009 at a price to be announced.

By: www.dpreview.com

Read the rest of this entry »

“Boulevard de Strasbourg, Paris“. Taken by Fredcan

Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

Read the rest of this entry »

Olympus is rebranding its Stylus SW series of digital compacts as the Stylus TOUGH series to better promote its range of rugged cameras in a more defined category. Now to be known as Stylus TOUGH in the United States and µ TOUGH in the European Union, this new name will be introduced in early January 2009.

Press Release:

Olympus Rebrands Stylus SW Cameras To Stylus Tough Series

Company that Defined and Expanded “Tough” Camera Segment Renames Series Accordingly

Center Valley, Pa., December 2008 – Olympus, the company that introduced shockproof/waterproof digital compact cameras (Stylus 720 SW) in 2006 to mass consumers with active lifestyles, is now redefining the segment it continues to dominate. Starting with its Spring 2009 line-up in January, Olympus’ incredibly rugged cameras built to capture amazing images in aquatic adventures, harsh climates and everyday activities with kids will be rebranded “Stylus Tough.”

“Consumers’ passion and excitement for our tough cameras has continued to grow throughout the last three years, and they love the freedom of being able to capture beautiful images where other cameras wouldn’t dare to venture,” said Mark Huggins, executive director, Brand Marketing, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Once our innovations moved beyond purely shockproof and waterproof – some Olympus cameras offer freezeproof and crushproof – the SW name became limiting. The Stylus Tough brand will be more descriptive and visual, and will provide us with greater flexibility as we grow this and other camera lines.”

The current line-up of Stylus SW cameras offers different levels of durability, providing consumers with options that best meet their needs. Cameras that are shockproof and waterproof are perfect for those who want worryproof, kidproof or lifeproof shooting. Building on these original tough features, other cameras also offer freezeproof and crushproof capabilities for those who seek adventure from the highest slopes to the most tropical depths and want to take their cameras anywhere to capture brilliant images.

The new Stylus Tough brand will enable the company to expand the line-up beyond these current tough benefits, and will be even easier for consumers to quickly understand the cameras’ unique benefits. If it is not waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof, then by Olympus standards, it is not “Tough.” It also allows the company to offer one or more of these unique features in other Olympus camera lines. According to a recent study, many consumers looking for a new digital camera chose durable, weatherproofing as a feature they desire.

The new Stylus TOUGH cameras will be available in January 2009.

By: www.dpreview.com

Read the rest of this entry »

New Toshiba flash memory cards announced : Additional enhancements to SDHC memory card lineup include ultrafast, Class 6 SDHC cards in 8GB and 16GB capacities. Toshiba, a leading innovator in flash memory card technologies and solutions introduced a new memory card line-up with the launch of a 16GB microSDHC card offering the largest capacity available in the market. At the same time, the company extended its range of industry-leading memory card solutions by adding ultra fast read/write 8GB and 16GB SDHC cards to its line-up. Mass production of the new Toshiba SDHC memory cards will start in December, with production of the new Toshiba micro SDHC slated to start in January 2009.
Toshiba SDHC memory cards
All of the new Toshiba SDHC memory cards comply with the SD memory standard Ver. 2.00, and the two new SDHC memory cards that support class 6 ultra fast read/write speed - a maximum write speed of 20MB per second, delivering high performance for continuous shooting of still images and recording video images. The new Toshiba mobile phone memory cards meet strong market demands for flash memory cards combining high capacities with high speed data read and write. The new Toshiba microSDHC memory card can be used with an adapter that allows it to be used in SDHC slots.

Toshiba 16GB MicroSDHC cards
Demand is growing fast for larger data storage in portable digital consumer products. Micro SDHC cards provide a solution for mobile phones, while SDHC memory cards support other digital consumer products. The high-level specifications and wide range of memory cards announced by Toshiba will allow third-party developers to bring exciting applications to future generations of consumer products. Toshiba will continue to meet market demand by further expanding its SD memory card series.

The SD memory card
The SD memory card was jointly developed in 1999 by Toshiba Corporation, SanDisk Corporation and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (now Panasonic Corp.) SD memory cards have been widely adopted worldwide. Toshiba has shipped more than 300 million memory cards and is currently the world’s second largest supplier of NAND Flash memory. The addition of these new SDHC cards to the Toshiba SD Card family addresses the growing demand for high capacity storage.

Toshiba memory cards
Toshiba offers the latest high-capacity, high-performance memory cards, including SD, SD High-Capacity (SDHC), microSD and microSDHC. The entire SD memory card line features cryptographic security, protection of copyrighted data, high-data transfer rate for fast copy/download and high storage capacity. TAEC currently offers SD Memory Cards with storage capacities of 1GB and 2GB in its standard (blue) Class 2 product family, a higher performance (black) family of Class 4 cards, and the new ultra fast (white) Class 6 Cards. The Toshiba SDHC Memory card line-up now includes microSDHC cards in capacities from 2GB to 16GB, and a selection of SDHC Cards in various speed classes with capacities of up to 32GB.

Souce: www.letsgodigital.org

Read the rest of this entry »

Canon PowerShot SX10IS Test photos : One of Canon’s new digital compact cameras that was introduced before the Photokina 2008 started, is the new Canon SX10 IS. This latest model features an impressive 20x optical zoom lens, combined with Canon’s image stabilization system. 10 Megapixel suffice for daily photography and poster-sized prints. The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS megazoom camera remains a popular segment in the compact digital camera market. Naturally, it is a powerful combination; compact with a large optical range. User ease is a strong feature of the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS and the camera is pleasant for frequent use.
Canon PowerShot photo gallery
The Canon PowerShot camera offers all-round possibilities with numerous setting options for both the amateur and hobby photographer. The Canon SX10 IS camera features Canon’s latest powerful processor; DIGIC IV. This image processor started its career in the digital SLR however; it soon found its way into the Canon compact camera assortment. The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera faces strong competition. When it comes to settings and functionalities the other digital cameras are at the same level. Price / quality ratio and strong marketing strategy will have to make the difference.

Canon PowerShot SX10 IS sample photos
The lens of the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS mega zoom camera features an ultrasonic motor (USM) with Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technology resulting in a hardly audible working of it, and the right speed required for capturing action moments or still images. Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer, with the advantage of from-to increments prevents blur even at maximum zoom. The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS offers a resolution of 10 Megapixels which suffices for poster-sized prints or creative editing.

Canon photo gallery
The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS sample photos were taken with a full production camera which means that this camera is equal to the model that the consumer can expect to purchase. Our DIWA test lab has already fully tested the Canon SX10 IS compact camera under laboratory circumstances from a technical viewpoint. The next few weeks we will test the SX10 IS megazoom camera in practice and come up with a review soon. The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS test photos are taken in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The pictures in this article have been reduced to enable correct reproduction and compressed to ensure a faster loading time. To download the original Canon PowerShot photos, simply click on the link below images. Enjoy the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS photo gallery!

Download original : Canon PowerShot SX10 IS test photo (Warning: approx. 3.9MB file size!)

Download original : Canon PowerShot SX10 IS sample photo (Warning: approx. 2.4MB file size!)

Download original : Canon PowerShot SX10 IS picture (Warning: approx. 2.9MB file size!)

Download original : Canon PowerShot SX10IS test photo (Warning: approx. 3.0MB file size!)

Download original : Canon PowerShot SX10IS sample photo (Warning: approx. 2.8MB file size!)

Download original : Canon PowerShot SX10IS picture (Warning: approx. 3.6MB file size!)

Souce: www.letsgodigital.org

Read the rest of this entry »

Photoshop Studio: Lessons In Digital Painting is the companion DVD to Bert Monroy's book Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy: Digital Painting. In this video, you get to meet with the author as he explains on a more personal level the techniques that are described in the book.

Photoshop Studio: Lessons In Digital Painting is a very interesting concept and one that I hope is continued with more authors. It is contained on a single DVD that runs just under two hours and can only be used on a computer based system. It is aimed at users new to digital painting and those who want to move into this medium. The author goes over the material in what are essentially 11 lessons.

Lessons 1 & 2 provide a brief introduction that show you the Berkley home where the artist lives, and then you get a tour of his studio. In this tour you will get an insight into Monroy's influences, how he got started, why he refers to himself not as a photo-realist, but rather as a hyper-realist. Finally you will see the set up of his equipment and how it all interacts.

Lesson 3 — "How I work" — examines the management techniques that Bert Monroy uses to create a digital painting. First it starts with the inspiration. He explains where this comes from. Then he shows how he takes reference shots, does sketches, and takes notes. The latter of these is very important because the photographs do not always capture all of the detail that is really there so instead he has to refer to his notes. Next he shows how he also uses Adobe Illustrator for both illustrations, as well as to set up perspectives for his paintings. Finally he shows how he organizes everything on his computer system for reference and easy access. When you have this many files, you must have good organizational skills.

Lesson 4 — "Light & Shadows" — looks at how light and shadows interact. In this lesson you will see how you can use light to create a mood. To do this you have to study reality, and see the impact that one object has on another. You must not rely on imagination, rather you must see reality. Here he shows how to create models as well as how to insert new objects into an existing scene.

Lesson 5 — "Reflections" — now takes a look at how reflections work within your digital painting. Some are easy, like the reflections of a mirror, and others are harder, like the reflections on glass, or through glass. Here Monroy guides you on how to make reflections look real.

Lesson 6 — "Layers & Layer Styles" — describes how the instructor uses layers. For digital paintings as complex as his, he not only uses many files, but many layers in each file. Here he clearly shows you exactly what he does and how he does it. Next he goes into the use of Layer Styles and shows you exactly how they can be used to create effects like drops of water.

From: feeds.blogcritics.org

Read the rest of this entry »

Sony 16 GB CompactFlash memory card : Sony Recording Energy & Media (RME) has launched its highest capacity 300x CompactFlash memory card to date. The new Sony memory card offers a substantial 16GB of storage and the speed necessary to meet the requirements of the most demanding photographer. The Sony Compact Flash memory card supports UDMA (ultra direct memory access), allowing it to achieve data transfer rates of 45MB/second during write operation. This makes it the perfect partner for UDMA-enabled cameras such as Sony’s α DSLR range, letting you to record more frames per second in continuous shooting mode.
Sony CompactFlash card specifications
• Storage capacity 16GB, 8GB, 4GB
• Dimensions 42.8 x 36.4 x 3.3mm
• Weight 12 grams approximate
• Operating voltage 3.3V or 5V
• Operational conditions 0 to 60oC
• Transfer rate 45MB/second write
• Support Image Recovery service
• Warranty 5 years

Sony 16GB CompactFlash card
The advantages of the additional capacity are immediately apparent: up to 3,608 10 Megapixel pictures; 2,465 12 Megapixel pictures in Fine mode. Rigorous manufacturing quality control means peace of mind for photographers, and the card is backed by a 5 year warranty underlining the care with which it has been produced. On any occasion when you do need to recover unreadable or unintentionally deleted images, the Sony Image Recovery service is available to ensure that you get your pictures back. The addition of a 16GB card completes the current line-up of high-speed 300x UDMA CompactFlash cards available from Sony designed for high quality DSLR cameras.

Souce: www.letsgodigital.org

Read the rest of this entry »