Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Archives for 2008

New DSLR for You?

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Got additional commentary? Sound off in the comments below.

 

Canon’s Iris Registration Mode – Biological Copyright Metadata

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Canon is using Iris watermarking to take photographer’s copyright protection to the next level.

. . . to provide an imaging apparatus that makes it possible to protect the copyright of photographic images by reliably acquiring biological information of a photographer . . .  – US Patent Application No. 2008/0025574

Stories like the recent discovery of Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir’s stolen Flickr images that surfaced on iStockphoto make all photographers cringe.  Many photographers go to great lengths to protect their images.  Past attempted solutions include watermarks on the front of images.  I can recall this practice from my childhood years with the Olan Mills studio gold embossing in the bottom corner.

More recently, in the digital age of photography, watermarking in Photoshop or other image editing software.  While visible watermarks are common among a variety of photographers, invisible watermarks (“electronic or digital watermarks“), which are embedded in the image file,  are somewhat less prevalent – but gaining ground and acceptance among photographers.  Companies like Digimarc are pressing the digital watermark cause to protect photographer’s and other author’s data.

Camera companies are pushing forward as well.  Stories like that of Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir help increase the desirability and demand for practical copyright solutions in modern digital photography. [Read more…]

New Duds for Photography Bay

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In case you didn’t notice, Photography Bay has undergone a few slight changes.  I’m still working out all the kinks – it’s been smoother than I expected (*knock on wood); however, I imagine that there are a few gremlins floating around in here.  If you notice any, I would appreciate a comment in the affected post or you can email contact@photographybay.com.

Oh yeah, what do you think about the new site design?  I’ve been working out the bugs and graphics this week and it’s been a long night so far.  Do you have any suggestions now that I’m in pre-Spring cleaning mode?  One of the main reasons I wanted to change things up was due to the narrow content area in the previous site design.  This is a “photography” site and I couldn’t even post a medium size photo.  Now, there’s plenty of room for 500px-wide images!

Also, I’ve done away with ads at the top of posts on a trial basis.  While there’s an ad at the top of the main page, you won’t see anymore ads between the title of posts and the content within.  Hopefully, this will remain a permanent practice here as long as ad revenue continues to cover costs.

Again, I’m interested in your thoughts, questions, comments or derogatory remarks.  Fire away in the comments below.

Nikon D300 Review at Imaging Resource

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Imaging Resource has posted an in-depth review of the Nikon D300:

My favorite part about taking pictures with the Nikon D300 is knowing that with just a quick check of the settings and careful attention to composition, I’m going to get a great shot. If you’ve done your homework, this fine camera will deliver just what you’re looking for, and can prove it to you with its fine LCD screen right there on the spot. It’ll even surprise you with more than you thought possible.

For the latest news, reviews and info check out the Nikon D300 page.

[tags]nikon, d300, review[/tags]

SanDisk 3-bit-per-cell (x3) Nand Flash

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Company Introduces World’s First Commercial 16-gigabit, 3-Bit-Per-Cell NAND Flash ChipSAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, February 6, 2008 – Reaching a new threshold in the development of flash memory, SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced that it expects to start mass production of the world’s first commercial three-bit-per-cell (x3) NAND flash memory in March/April 2008. The 16-gigabit (Gb) x3 NAND flash employs SanDisk’s standard 56 nanometer (nm) flash technology and provides over 20 percent more die per wafer compared to standard NAND Multi-Level Cell (MLC) memory (2-bits-per-cell) on the same technology node. x3 enables higher manufacturing efficiency and lower die cost for the same capital investment. The new x3 flash architecture has been in development for the past two years and employs SanDisk’s most advanced patented design innovations to achieve the same performance and high reliability found in SanDisk’s 2-bits-per-cell chips. [Read more…]

Sony A200 Review at Camera Labs

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Camera Labs has posted a thorough review of the new Sony A200:

Well it may not have much beyond its predecessor (and indeed a couple of the A100’s features have gone missing), but for the money it’s still a great entry-level DSLR which stands-up well against the competition. Its predecessor’s old rival, the Canon 400D / XTi is likely to become the A200’s new nemesis, especially with its superior high ISO performance, but with built-in stabilisation at a similar RRP, the Sony still looks strong. It’s also looking good against Nikon’s new entry-level D60.

Get more news, reviews and resources on the Sony A200 page.

[tags]sony, alpha, a200, review[/tags]

Adobe Photoshop CS3 for $299

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[This post has been updated. See below.]

No, this isn’t some cheap take on a educational software gray market scam. This is the real deal from Adobe.

If you’ve been wanting to get your hands on Photoshop CS3, but don’t really want to shell out $650, then Adobe has got a deal for you. You can upgrade your copy of Photoshop Elements (versions 1.0-6) to the full blown Photoshop CS3 for only $299. This offer is for US and Canada residents only (excluding Quebec for some reason).

What? You don’t have Elements? Get a copy for under $40 at Amazon and then upgrade it. You still come in $300 less that the full retail price.

As far as I can tell, you can only take advantage of this upgrade offer directly through Adobe. So, here’s the link. The offer expires 2/29/08.

Update: As Stephen pointed out in the comments below, Wacom tablets come with Photoshop Elements and the $299 upgrade coupon. So, you can still go cheap and grab a Wacom Bamboo tablet for $83 and still come out under $400 with CS3.

Update #2: Alan pointed out in the comments below that when you click “Order Now” you get a pop-up that says “error: the promotion code you entered has already been used”. I didn’t get that error this morning when I posted this. I called the Adobe sales number on the page linked to above. The rep that I spoke to said I could upgrade for $299 – in fact, he was ready to take my order; however, I told him who I was and that I wanted a link for the product page where we could all order it and he said that he couldn’t help me with that but forwarded me to customer service in India. After 20 minutes and creating a new account at Adobe, I hung up with no progress. Another 20 minute online chat with another sales rep sent me back to customer service in India. My suggestion? Give them a call, along with your serial number and try to upgrade that way. Sorry if this turns out to be phooey. Thanks for pointing out the error message Alan.

Update #3: Fried Toast in the comments below thinks the whole thing is bogus.  I’m still for giving Adobe a call if you want to upgrade and trying it over the phone.

[tags]adobe, photoshop, cs3, elements, upgrade[/tags]

myPhotopipe.com Introduces FolioPrints

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My favorite photo processor just got even better.  Sit tight and let me tell you the story of myLove for myPhotopipe.com – then we’ll get to the new FolioPrints.

When family, friends or anybody asks me where they should get there photos developed, I tell them to go to myPhotopipe.com.  The response I usually get is “huh”?  After I explain to them that it’s a website that you can upload your digital images to – just like Kodak EasyShare Gallery – it generally clicks (no pun intended) with them.

Why myPhotopipe?

The thing I like the most about myPhotopipe.com is when I edit an image on my iMac, I send it to myPhotopipe.com and get the same thing back in a physical print (e.g., color, exposure, contrast, etc.).  I’ve tried other services – a lot of other services.  In fact, a couple of years ago, I took a single image, edited it and uploaded it to maybe a dozen different services.  I tried everything from the cheap processors like Kodak, Shutterfly, Snapfish and York Photo to more “pro” services like Mpix and myPhotopipe.  I got all the prints back, spread them across the table and started the process of elimination to find the best of the bunch. [Read more…]