Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Nik Software Dfine® 2.0 Brings Revolutionary Noise Reduction

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 Pre-PMA Press Release

Las Vegas, NV – January 18, 2008 (PMA 08, Booth #L161) – Nik Software Inc.’s award-winning noise reduction software tool Dfine 2.0 now features Nik Software’s patented U Point technology for selective editing control and a completely new user interface that is easier to use and improves workflow for busy photographers.

“Many photographers have simply ignored or accepted image noise as a part of digital photography due to the complexity of the image editing tools available,” said Michael J. Slater, president and CEO of Nik Software, Inc. “The complete re-design of Dfine takes simplicity and control of noise reduction to an entirely new level, a point recognized when it earned the coveted American Photo Editor’s Choice 2007 award.” [Read more…]

 

Nik Software Showcases New Color Efex Pro™ 3.0 at PMA 08

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Pre-PMA Press Release

Las Vegas, NV – January 18, 2008 (PMA 08, Booth #L161) – Nik Software, Inc. showcases today the latest upgrade to its award-winning Color Efex Pro collection of photographic filters for Adobe® Photoshop® and Photoshop Elements. The new Color Efex Pro 3.0 filter collection now integrates Nik Software’s patented U Point® technology for precise selective editing control, includes new and updated filters offering the widest range of professional photographic enhancements and effects, and features a completely redesigned user interface. [Read more…]

Photo Basics Educational Lighting Kits

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 Pre-PMA Press Release

Photo Basics, a division of the F.J. Westcott Company, is developed to be the only series of photographic lighting kits to come packaged complete with education.  For the individual who always had a love of photography but never thought it could be taken to the next level, Photo Basics is the answer!  The constant light line offers 500 watts of constant light allowing the user to see the image prior to capture just as the camera would. [Read more…]

Rick Sammon On-Location Lighting Kit

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Pre-PMA Press Release

Professional Photographer Rick Sammon has teamed up with Westcott to create a new kit for outdoor photographers – the Rick Sammon On-Location Lighting Kit and Tote®.  Ideal for creative outdoor photographers, this kit makes it easy for anyone to turn snapshots into great shots.

The kit originated when Rick Sammon, author of twenty-seven photography books, realized he needed an all-in-one, easy-access tote to include his essential accessories for travel photography.  The F. J. Westcott Company, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of lighting and light control equipment for image-makers.  Westcott welcomed Rick’s breakthrough idea since the company has a long history of using input from industry experts and customers to design & produce products of the highest quality.

Included in the Rick Sammon On-Location Lighting Kit and Tote® is one 30” diffuser, one 30” Sunlight/Silver Illuminator® reflector, one Micro ApolloTM and a carry tote.  The diffusion panel is a 1-stop diffuser, used to soften harsh sunlight.  To bounce sunlight onto a subject’s face for dramatic lighting, fill in shadows or add catch light to the eyes, the Sunlight/Silver reflector can be used.  Westcott’s Micro ApolloTM attaches to any accessory flash with Velcro® for diffusing the light, resulting in softer portraits.  The lightweight carry tote is 12” in diameter and includes three interior pockets to separate lighting accessories.

“With my camera and zoom lens on one shoulder, and my tote, packed with the reflectors/diffusers, Micro Apollo Light Modifier, my flash and extra batteries, on the other, I am good to go – and I go a lot of places in search of interesting subjects,” says Rick Sammon.  MAP $119.90

Eye-Fi Now Supports iPhoto, Leopard and Safari

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In case you haven’t heard of Eye-Fi, check out this post for a primer.

Macworld, SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2008 — Eye-Fi (www.eye.fi), makers of the world’s first wireless memory card for digital cameras, today announced new capabilities for Mac users, including wireless photo uploads directly into iPhoto and support for Safari and Leopard. This week, Eye-Fi will be demonstrating the Eye-Fi Card at booth number 1338 at the Macworld Conference and Expo in San Francisco.

The Eye-Fi Card allows users to wirelessly and automatically send photos directly from their digital camera to their Mac or favorite online photo sharing site using their home Wi-Fi network. The new downloadable Mac upgrade will enable iPhoto to automatically import photos uploaded wirelessly to the Mac, eliminating a manual process and saving iPhoto users time. In addition to iPhoto, Eye-Fi users can upload to any one of 19 leading online photo sharing, printing, social networking or blogging sites.

The Mac upgrade will also allow Mac users to use the Safari 3 browser to access the Web-based Eye-Fi Manager for managing card settings and upload preferences. And, it offers full Eye-Fi software and service compatibility with the new Leopard Mac OS X (10.5). The downloadable upgrade is free to current Eye-Fi Card users and will be included in new Eye-Fi Cards.

“With iPhoto, Apple has made saving and managing photos a cornerstone of the Mac experience, so adding new Mac capabilities is an important step for Eye-Fi,” said Ben Bajarin, analyst for Creative Strategies. “This new automatic import feature for iPhoto will save users time and hassle and deliver the seamless experience that Apple customers demand.”

“We know that Mac users especially cherish the kind of simplicity and effortlessness we strive for. We think this is one of the reasons the Eye-Fi Card has been so popular with Mac users,” said Jef Holove, CEO of Eye-Fi. “The Mac community is dear to us and the Mac upgrade will give Mac and iPhoto users the very best experience when saving and sharing their memories.”

The 2GB Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card for digital cameras recently won the Yahoo! Tech “Last Gadget Standing” competition at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Eye-Fi Card retails for $99.99 USD. For a complete list of Eye-Fi’s activities at Macworld and for more information, please visit www.eye.fi.

[tags]eye-fi, sd, mac, apple, support, iphoto[/tags]

BenQ DSC X800 – World’s Slimmest 8MP Camera

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TAIPEI, TAIWAN, January 7, 2008 – BenQ today announces the launch of the world’s slimmest 8 mega pixel camera at 9.8mm. Equipped with a bright 3” LCD display, Prism Type 3x optical zoom lens, Face-Tracking and Super Shake-Free mode, the BenQ X800 allows consumers to capture precious memories with high quality pictures. The portable media player function also allows consumers to watch video and listen to MP3s, and is an ideal travel partner wherever you go.

The super slim BenQ X800 features a bright 3” LTPS LCD and a prism-type lens which is housed entirely in the camera body, making the thinnest design possible. When zooming in on an image, all of the lens’ movement takes place inside the camera. In particular, the BenQ DSC X800 can capture close objects with its 1cm micro shooting function. It also features a steel breast plate that is matted and cozy to hold and a glossy black/red steel cover in hair-line finishing for an added touch of elegance. [Read more…]

Minox 7022 Slim Digital Camera

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You learn something new everyday, right? Today, Minox is my lesson. I had never heard of Minox until I saw the press release below. It’s not this particular camera that really intrigued me though. Minox has a pretty cool company history:

There’s always a clever mind behind every classic design. And the MINOX story must always be told with reference to the name, Walter Zapp. The legendary designer who wrote photographic history with his revolutionary invention of the first Ur-MINOX in 1938. The ingenious idea was to be seen in its dimensions. A camera smaller than a cigar and weighing less than a cigarette lighter. And featuring an excellent lens. This was a stroke of lasting genius – as the MINOX ECX and the MINOX CLX Special Edition still proof today. And of course, it was no surprise to see these miniature cameras with the 8 x 11 mm film format go on to become world famous as espionage cameras.

Press Release

The MINOX DC 7022 Slim brings a stylish new dimension to compact digital cameras, literally and figuratively. It measures just 3-¾” x 2-1/8”, it’s less than one inch thick, and it weighs only 4.4 oz. Despite its small size, it has an extra-large display monitor.
Dressed in a smooth, black-anodized aluminum body, the DC 7022 is a very stylish, attractive pocket-friendly companion, with technical qualities to match.

Resolution to 7 megapixels ensures razor-sharp images, and the large 3-inch TFT display, which takes up almost all of the camera’s back, makes it a cinch to frame your shots just right. And when reviewing what you shot, the images are easy to see from various angles. The auto-focus 28mm wide-angle MINOCTAR lens, with 4X optical zoom, delivers exceptionally sharp and brilliant images. And you will appreciate the very short shutter delay.

Even at its full telephoto range, there’s no need to worry about camera shake – this MINOX camera has an electronic stabilization system. An integrated flash program offers a range of functions, and you also can adjust the sensor sensitivity from ISO 50 to 1600. Shutter speeds range from a full second to 1/1500, so you know that you can freeze even fast-action scenes, crisp and clear.

In addition to its 32-megabyte internal memory, the MINOX DC 7022 takes SD memory cards up to 4 gigabytes. It’s powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery, and the camera comes with a wrist strap and a convenient carrying case. MSRP is $399.

[tags]minox, 7022, slim, digital camera[/tags]

Minox DC 6033 WP Digital Camera

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Minox has announced the DC 6033 WP point & shoot digital camera in conjuction with PMA, which occurs later this month. The key feature of the Minox DC 6033 WP is in the “WP”. The 6 megapixel camera is waterproof up to 33′ submersions. More details below.

Press Release

There are many small digital cameras today, including some very good ones from MINOX/USA. But if you are into serious outdoor activities or work in a tough job situation, you should be sure to check out the very rugged new MINOX DC 6033 WP digital camera.

Its sturdy, rubber-armored body is watertight to 33 feet and its built to withstand not only water but dust, dirt, sand and salt, and has been specially designed with impact-resistance for use in any tough environment. So, whether you’re into extreme sports or other outdoor activities, or work in challenging conditions, the DC 6033 WP can handle the job. And it’s backed-by a two-year warranty.

Rugged, yes, and also a very high-quality camera, with a 6-megapixel CCD sensor that provides the resolution for pin-sharp images, rich in detail. The multi-coated MINOCTAR lens, which delivers neutral color rendition, has a 42mm fixed focal length (in 35mm format terms) and lets you take macro shots as close as 24”. There’s even a 4X digital zoom capability to pull in distant images.

Compact (3”x4-3/4”x1-3/4”) and lightweight (just over 8 oz.), the DC 6033 takes up very little space, whether it’s in your luggage, your backpack or your pocket on the job. And the rubber coating provides a solid, comfortable grip, even in wet conditions.

You can take your shot underwater, and view the result too, on the 2-inch TFT color monitor. An integrated electronic flash unit automatically illuminates the scene, or can be eliminated if you want. There are various exposure programs to meet special situations – underwater, portraits, sports, landscape or night shots. Or, if you prefer, the automatic mode takes over all adjustments and produces perfect image results.

It takes an SD memory card up to 2 gigabytes, and has its own 16-megabyte internal memory. By using AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries, it’s easy to re-power no matter where you are. MSRP for the MINOX DC 6033 WP digital camera is $299.

[tags]minox, dc, 6033, wp, digital camera[/tags]

Agfa Looking at a Comeback

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After its demise in the film industry, AgfaPhoto is looking to spur an interest in its digital products at PMA. VistaQuest will be the distributor of AgfaPhoto products in the US starting with two new models: the DV-5000G 5-in-1 digital video camera, and an 8MP point & shoot digital camera. [Read more…]