» GigaPan Epic 100 hands-on and review
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You're already well aware of what GigaPan's wild camera robot is capable of when its in masterly hands, but have you ever wondered if such a device is practical for folks who don't have excellent seats for events such as Presidential inaugurations or the Arirang Mass Games? We've been toying around with an Epic 100 for the past week and change, and now that we've had a moment to upload a few of our own panoramas, we figured we'd toss our two pennies into the ring. Eager to know if this gigapixel image creator is really worth its avoirdupois in cold, hard cash? Head on past the break to find out.
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» TRENDnet rolls out 7-inch digital photo frame / camera monitor
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''Well, it looks like the ol' softies and TRENDnet have finally found a way to liven up the family photo slideshow a bit: 'round the clock security camera footage! To make that possible, the company's new 7-inch TV-M7 photo frame connects to your home network and is able to detect any wireless TRENDnet security cameras also connected to the network, which can be displayed on their own or four at a time on the screen. Otherwise, the device looks to be a fairly standard photo frame, with it packing 512MB of built-in storage and a memory card slot for further expansion, along with a remote control, a built-in speaker, and all the usual media playback functionality. As you might expect, however, you won't get this one for the price of your usual 7-inch photo frame, with it running a somewhat hefty $262.99.'' via engadget.com
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» Adobe releases Photoshop Lightroom 2.2
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Adobe has updated Photoshop Lightroom to Version 2.2. The latest version extends RAW support to the cameras included in the recent Camera RAW 5.2 release. The latest update also builds-in the camera profiles, previously available from Adobe Labs, that attempt to mimic the camera manufacturers' intended output.
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» PowerGenix reveals potent NiZn rechargeable AA batteries
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Move over Li-ion, Zinc is about to get all up in your area. Energizer has already announced the Zinc Air Prismatic, and now PowerGenix is gearing up to debut its variation at Ritz Camera locales across the nation. The Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) AA cells, difficultly coined Quantaray Super Z, pack up to 30% more voltage than other rechargeables (right in line with one-time use batteries) and are entirely nontoxic. Oddly enough, no price is mentioned, but you should probably go in expecting the worst in order to not be totally taken aback upon finding out. Full release is after the break. Read the whole article here
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» Photographer mulls legal action after terror swoop
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British press photographer Jess Hurd is considering legal action against police after she was stopped while taking photographs outside a hotel in east London.
Jess, a freelance, had been shooting video of guests leaving a wedding reception when she was stopped outside the Ramada Hotel in Docklands at 5.10pm on 10 December.
Prior to that she had been recording still images using her Canon EOS 1D Mark II digital SLR.
We understand that Jess was detained for 45minutes before being allowed to continue. Read the whole article here
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» The Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit
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 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
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» Sony's Back-Illuminated CMOS Chip Promises Higher Sensitivity, Low Noise
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 |  | | 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
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» HP: 30-bit LCD display targets color-critical uses
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 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
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» First Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix S600 Released
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 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
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» PhotoAcute Studio
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 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.
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» Kata’s New Compact Rain Cover Provides Worry-Free Shooting
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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
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» CompactFlash Association Displaying New CFast Card & Connectors at ESC Silicon Valley
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 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
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» Manfrotto Launches New MPRO Carbon Fiber Tripod Family
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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
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» Filter Forge Supports Photoshop Elements 6
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 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
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» Adobe RAWs again
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 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
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» onOne Software Plug-in Suite 4
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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
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» Adobe Revises Photoshop Express Terms of Use
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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
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» Polaroid film set for international rescue
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 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.
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» Dr Andreas Kaufmann, Leica's new CEO, interview
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"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
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» Limited Edition Gitzo GT90TT Tripod
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 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
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