» The Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit
|
|
 The Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit has a rather unusual tilt / swivel mechanism called the "Quick Shift Bounce" system, which could prove rather more versatile in use than competing products. Instead of the traditional rotation around the flash's vertical axis (as adopted in, for example, Canon's current top-of-the-line Speedlite 580EX II), Sony has instead chosen a mechanism that can swing the bulk of the flash's body 90 degrees to either side. Above this is a separate mechanism which allows the head of the flash to tilt vertically upwards, but with a rather greater range of motion than is ordinarily the case. Since the lower swivel doesn't allow the flash to face behind the photographer's head, the upper mechanism makes up for this by being able to tilt anywhere from 10 degrees downward, through the fully vertical (90 degrees upward) position to a limit of 150 degrees (ie. pointing back over the photographer's head at an angle 30 degrees above the horizontal). Read the whole article here
|
» Sony's Back-Illuminated CMOS Chip Promises Higher Sensitivity, Low Noise
|
|
 |  | | Front-illuminated sensor | Backside-illuminated sensor | Sony announced a back-illuminated CMOS sensor promising nearly double the sensitivity of its current CMOS chips along with lower noise in images. Traditionally, front-illumination technology has been used for imaging sensors. According to Sony, though, back-illuminated sensors will deliver improved performance in both digital cameras and camcorders
The back-illuminated (or backside-illuminated) technology concept isn't new, but using it to provide acceptable levels of sensitivity and noise would be. Past incarnations have led to increased noise and image degradation, but Sony claims its new model has made changes to eliminate these issues. Read the whole article here
|
» HP: 30-bit LCD display targets color-critical uses
|
|
 The HP DreamColor LP2480zx Professional Display is based around a 24" in-plane switching anti-glare / anti-static LCD panel with a native resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels and an RGB LED backlight. With a 30-bit design throughout the video processing pipeline, the HP LP2480zx can output over one billion different colors, including the entire Adobe RGB and sRGB color spaces. The native gamut of the display is ~133% NTSC, and it ships with six preset color spaces plus one user-programmable space. A typical contrast ratio of 1000:1 is offered, with an impressive black luminance of 0.05cd/m2 at minimum white level. The DreamColor LP2480zx has a 12 millisecond full-cycle (black to white to black) response time, and a viewing angle of 178 degrees at 10:1 contrast ratio or better. Read the whole article here
|
» First Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix S600 Released
|
|
 Fantasea, an underwater accessory manufacturer, has announced the FS-600 underwater housing, the first underwater housing compatible with the Nikon Coolpix S600 point-and-shoot. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced.
The underwater housing completely encases the small point-and-shoot, allowing it to travel up to 200 feet underwater while giving photographers access to all camera controls. It features O-ring seals on all controls, an anti-glare hood over the LCD, a removable flash diffuser, and a 46mm threaded lens port. Read the whole article here
|
» PhotoAcute Studio
|
|
 PhotoAcute Studio promises to remove the noise from High Dynamic Range (HDR) images. PhotoAcute’s special method of dynamic range expansion automatically and almost completely removes the noise from the shadow areas of HDR images. PhotoAcute Studio also increases spatial resolution, extends the depth of field and corrects chromatic aberrations. It supports a variety of image formats, including RAW, DNG and TIFF, and can save the results in Adobe’s DNG format. PhotoAcute Studio Professional costs $119. You can read the whole article here.
|
» Kata’s New Compact Rain Cover Provides Worry-Free Shooting
|
|
At NAB 2008, Kata, one of the most trusted and well known brands of protective carrying and storage solutions for professional video gear, introduced the CRC-17 – a new compact rain cover designed to shield horizontally handheld camcorders from Mother Nature’s worst downpours.
Whether shooting in a slight mist or in an intense rainstorm, the CRC-17 provides the all around protection today’s sensitive camcorders require. Constructed completely from advanced waterproof materials, the CRC-17 features a crystal clear TPU panel which allows shooters full control, monitoring and viewing of the LCD screen at any angle. For use with a tripod, the CRC 17 features a bottom opening which allows the camcorder to effortlessly be mounted to or removed from a video head without sacrificing the protection provided from the elements. Read the whole article inside
|
» CompactFlash Association Displaying New CFast Card & Connectors at ESC Silicon Valley
|
|
 PALO ALTO, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Apr. 15, 2008 The CompactFlash Association (CFA) announces that the new CFast card and connectors will be displayed at Embedded Systems Conference Silicon Valley in the CFA booth 3021.
The CFast work group was formed in July 2007 to develop the CFast specification for a CompactFlash card with a SATA (Serial ATA) interface. The CFast specification publish date is planned for May. CFA members interested in CFast should apply for inclusion in the CFA's CFast work group.
Mr. Shigeto Kanda of Canon and the CFA chairman of the board said, "The development of a CompactFlash card with a SATA interface will maintain the dominance of CompactFlash in the non-consumer (embedded systems, single board computers, data recorder, etc.) markets as well as promote its use in other applications such as digital SLR cameras and professional video cameras. Having the SATA interface will be a significant step for CompactFlash." Read the whole article inside
|
» Manfrotto Launches New MPRO Carbon Fiber Tripod Family
|
|
Manfrotto, a world-leading manufacturer of photographic and video support products, is proud to introduce MPRO - a new family of carbon fiber tripods that joins its ever-expanding array of solutions for professional videographers. The new MPRO family comprises two models, the 535 and 536, which were specifically designed to meet the needs of professional shooters, especially those involved with ENG applications. Read the whole article inside
|
» Filter Forge Supports Photoshop Elements 6
|
|
 The latest update to Filter Forge has added support for Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 and Corel Photo-Paint X4. Filter Forge is a Photoshop plugin that allows users to create their own filters. Version 1.012 also includes fixes for a number of bugs. This update is free for registered users. Filter Forge Update 1.012 - New Hosts Added, Several Bugs Fixed. Read the whole article here
|
» Adobe RAWs again
|
|
 Adobe has released Camera Raw 4.4.1 and Lightroom 1.4.1, having corrected the faults with the previously withdrawn updates. The revised updates, as well as fixing a selection of bugs, bring support for the latest DSLRs from Canon, Sony, Pentax and Nikon, along with the FujiFilm S100fs and Olympus SP-570 UZ. Read the whole article here
|
» onOne Software Plug-in Suite 4
|
|
onOne Software’s Plug-in Suite 4 for Adobe Photoshop combines full versions of six essential software tools. Available in early May Plug-in Suite 4 includes 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. “We are pleased to be able to offer this affordable full suite of onOne Software products to the photographic and graphic arts communities,” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. “Plug-in Suite 4 contains all the tools needed to quickly and easily improve workflow and overall image quality at a tremendous savings.” The new Plug-In Suite 4 will be available in early May to new users for $499.95 – a savings of $799.75 if purchased separately. Read the whole article here
|
» Adobe Revises Photoshop Express Terms of Use
|
|
Adobe has rewritten the terms and conditions for its Photoshop Express beta following customer criticism. The changes, which go into effect April 10, changes language users felt gave Adobe too much freedom to use images posted on Express. According to a release from Adobe, “the original terms of service implied things Adobe would never do with the content within Photoshop Express.” Read the whole article here
|
» Polaroid film set for international rescue
|
|
 Polaroid chiefs are in talks with the maker of Ilford film over the possibility of producing Polaroid black and white instant film at Ilford's base in Cheshire, UK.
In February, Polaroid announced plans to axe film production, blaming competition from digital cameras, 61 years after it hailed the birth of 'instant photography'.
A spokesman for Harman technology Ltd, which trades as Ilford Photo, told us that Ilford Photo and Polaroid are 'talking' but added that 'it's very early days'.
He said discussions are focusing on Ilford Photo 'taking on production of Polaroid monochrome instant film'. Read the whole article here. Many thanks to SteliosKa for the heads up.
|
» Dr Andreas Kaufmann, Leica's new CEO, interview
|
|
"The supervisory board of Leica Camera AG today removed Steven K. Lee as member and chairman of the board of management of Leica Camera AG with immediate effect.” This was Leica’s official statement to the public on the 22nd of February. At the same time, Leica announced that Dr Andreas Kaufmann, whose ACM Project Development Ltd. holds 96.51 per cent of the Leica shares, would be taking over as company president." Read the whole interview at LFI here
|
» Limited Edition Gitzo GT90TT Tripod
|
|
 Gitzo are celebrating their 90th anniversary by releasing the limited edition GT90TT Titanium tripod. Gitzo has only produced a quantity of 390 GT90TT tripods worldwide making the special tripod a ‘must-have’ piece of photographic equipment. The GT90TT Titanium tripod has an RRP of GBP1500 and can be purchased by placing an order with a Bogen Imaging accredited 5 star dealer. Read the whole article here
|
» Scott Kelby Releasing New Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Book
|
|
 In concert with the launch of the Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Lightroom(R) 2.0 Beta at the Photoshop World Conference & Expo in Orlando on April 2, Scott Kelby - the world's #1 bestselling computer and technology author - has announced the upcoming release of The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Book for Digital Photographers, an update to his 2007 award-winning Lightroom book. The new book is currently available for pre-order on KelbyTraining.com and will be in bookstores this July. Read the whole article inside
|
» Pandigital Simplifies, Enriches Digital Photo Viewing with PanTouch Frames
|
|
Pandigital(R), the leader in the U.S. digital photo frame market, today debuts its new PanTouch(R) line of digital photo frames that greatly simplifies and enriches the way customers enjoy their digital images.
The cornerstone of the new PanTouch line of frames is its user-friendly, touch-operation interface. Clear, convenient icons on the screen direct customers where to touch and swipe on the surrounding matte for completely intuitive control and access to digital images, MP3 music and video clips. Plus, the touch-operation matting resists fingerprints in the viewable area, so the frame always looks great.
PanTouch frames feature touch and slide motion controls, allowing customers to quickly and simply tap or swipe icons to access digital content and functionality. For example, photos can be viewed as if they were pages in a photo album with a convenient page turn effect by simply using a forward or backward swipe motion on the touch matte. Read the whole article inside
|
» AKVIS Enhancer v.9.0
|
|
 AKVIS Enhancer v.9.0 includes a new Focus mode that brings blurred photos into focus. You can improve sharpness on the whole image or accentuate only a part of it. AKVIS Enhancer is image enhancement software that helps you improve your photos. The program is available either as a standalone application or as a plug-in to a photo editor. AKVIS Enhancer Plugin sells for $69 USD. Enhancer Standalone with HDRI support sells for $81. Read the whole article here
|
» Transcend Japan Sponsors professional nature photographer Junji Takasago
|
|
Transcend will sponsor Japanese nature photographer Junji Takasago. Junji Takasago is a free-lance photographer specialized in capturing the beauty of nature. He is famous for his picture entitled “Night Rainbow” taken in Maui, Hawaii. As the nighttime rainbow can only be seen in the reflection of moonlight, there are only a few people who actually witness it. It is so called the Spirit Rainbow, a blessing sign for the person who sees it. This picture made its way into many corners of the media at the time, and his pictures were usually acclaimed for their soothing power. Read the whole article inside
|
» Professional Photographer Cover Photo Contest
|
|
Professional Photographer magazine is hosting a Cover Photo Contest from March 1 to May 31, 2008. Open to all photographers, entries will be judged on technical and artistic merit. The winner will land the cover of a 2008 edition of the magazine plus a selection of prizes totaling more than $15,000. Visit http://www.ppmag.com for submission details and to enter. via photographyblog.com
|
|
printer version
full story
