Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
X-Rite, maker of a number of color management products, has launched a new website geared toward providing color management tips, tricks and technologies for both amateur and professional photographers. You can find the new website at XritePhoto.com.
More details in the news release below. [Read more…]
Digimarc has unveiled 3 new digital watermarking solutions for photographers with it Digimarc for Images software. The software features a new “Chroma” technology that embeds ownership and usage rights into the images themselves without affecting the quality of the image. These digital watermarks as embedded and read with Photoshop software and can be detected with free browser plugins for Windows users.
Digimarc for Images is now available in basic, professional and small business editions at price points ranging from $99 to $499.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Sigma has announced the availability of the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens for Sony and Pentax DSLRs. The lens was previously announced for Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts. [Read more…]
The Canon PowerShot S90 is a 10MP point and shoot camera, but it’s more than just another compact camera. It symbolizes a return of the popular Sxx-series of cameras. It boils down to a G11-junior with a portability bonus and, of course, the same RAW format capture.
Is it worth the price of admission? Read on to find out. [Read more…]
Scientists at Oxford University have developed a method for capturing extremely high frame rates by expanding on existing consumer-grade photography and video camera technologies. The new capture method works by using a single sensor to capture images simultaneously. According to Dr. Gil Bub,
“This is done by allowing the camera’s pixels to act as if they were part of tens, or even hundreds, of individual cameras taking pictures in rapid succession during a single normal exposure. The trick is that the pattern of pixel exposures keeps the high resolution content of the overall image, which can then be used as-is, to form a regular high-res picture, or be decoded into a high-speed movie.”
The most interesting aspect to this new development is the relatively low cost. While the scientists developed the technology with medical and scientific applications in mind at macroscopic and microscopic levels, the underlying hardware is primarily what we use in consumer-grade cameras. As a result, patent licensing of this tech could see future consumer applications but, obviously, at lower than the extreme frame rates required for use by the scientific community.
[Nature Methods via Sideways and UPI]
Panasonic has been on a real tear lately with its solid line of Lumix Micro Four Thirds cameras, which feature interchangeable lenses. The latest two Panasonic Micro Four Thirds models, the GH1 and GF1, offer solid HD video capture. The Panasonic GH1 comes with a 14-140mm HD lens specifically designed for quiet auto operation for use in video recording. Currently, Panasonic has no DSLRs in its line-up.
Several recent patent applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) indicate that Panasonic may be bringing some of the popular features found in the GH1 and GF1 to a full-on DSLR. In particular, USPTO Application No. 12/581,286, filed by Panasonic on October 19, 2009, reveals a DSLR (complete with mirror and optical viewfinder) with a video mode, vari-angle LCD, on-board video LED light source and special video-compatible lenses. [Read more…]
B&H Photo has some solid deals on the Pentax K-x kits. Along with the 12.4MP CMOS sensor, it has a 2.7 inch LCD screen, Live View, face detection, 720p HD video capabilities shooting at 24p, HDR bracketing, 4.7 fps, 11 point autofocus, and uses AA batteries.
Pentax K-x (black) w/ 18-55mm lens -$469.95
Pentax K-x (white) w/ 18-55mm lens -$468.95
Pentax K-x (red) w/ 18-55mm lens – $484.95
Pentax K-x (blue) w/ 18-55mm lens – $477.95
Pentax K-x (black) w/ 18-55mm & 50-200mm lenses – $573.95
Pentax K-x (black) w/ 18-55mm and 55-300mm lenses – $649.95
You’ll be hard pressed to find a more affordable entry into the DSLR realm with a camera as capable as the K-x.
The Leaf Aptus-II 8 is a 40MP digital back with a sensor size of 44x33mm and is capable of capturing images at a rate of 0.8 seconds per frame and a burst of 60 full-res images per minute. The Aptus-II 8 is available for €13.995. [Read more…]
The Pentax K-7 recently received some time in the spot light with the creation of the short film Uncle Jack (shown above), as well as The Rider (below). These two short films were shot entirely with the Pentax K-7 and a variety of Pentax lenses. [Read more…]
Pentax appears to be teasing us with a campaign geared toward the launch of the fabled 645D medium format camera, which has been rumored and leaked about for some time now.
The teaser, which has changed slightly since its first appearance, suggests an unveiling of the new camera in March at or around the CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show in Japan.
Stay tuned.