Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens Review at The Digital Picture

The Digital Picture has posted their review of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens where they write - "The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens is going to be purchased by those who want the best image quality they can get from f/1.2 to f/2, by those needing a more-pleasing background blur quality than the other two 50s deliver, by those requiring the least amount of lens flare in their results or by those who need/want the best quality (build) lens they can get. I can't say that the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens is a good value, but I do think it is worth the price to serious photographers who need what it can deliver."

(c) www.livingroom.org.au/photolog

Stop misleading 'image stabilization' labels

Here at dpreview we're always pleased to see new technological innovations which lead to genuine improvements. However one thing which has become annoying is the increasing use of the label 'Image Stabilization' or 'Anti-Shake' to describe nothing more than a (noisy) high sensitivity mode. In our product database we only give a 'yes' flag to those cameras which implement image stabilization in the true sense, as either stabilization of a lens element or of the sensor itself (on a shifting platform) which allow you to take a blur free shot at slower shutter speeds. Some manufacturers prefix with 'Digital', however to the average consumer this isn't enough to correct what is a misleading and confusing description.

Phil: Turning up the ISO helps to freeze the action (although only if the camera primarily increases shutter speed rather than stopping down aperture) however on the cameras we're talking about here (compacts) sensors are so small that this also means a decrease in image quality thanks to more noise and noise reduction. We would like to see an end to the use of the word 'Image Stabilization' where no physical stabilization mechanism (lens shift or sensor shift) exists, a better description would be 'Low Light mode' or 'High Sensitivity mode'. We get tens of emails a week from confused consumers who assume when they see a label like 'Image Stabilization' or 'Anti-Shake' they are getting optical stabilization.

Some examples of this misleading labelling can be seen below:

"It also features an electronic anti-shake function that delivers beautiful movies by minimizing blur from shaky hands."

"...and the camera comes with ----- ’s Anti Shake DSP to reduce photo blur due to shaky hands or moving subjects."

"...intuitive controls, large displays, and long battery life. And the series continues to break new ground, with the recent introduction of functions like Anti Shake DSP, which reduces blurring due to unsteady hands or moving subjects, and the Super Bright display."

"...between the camera’s eight different programmes (including Image Stabilisation Mode with ISO 800), relieving users of the chore of having to make their way through countless menus."

"...which touts two 7.0 MP sensors, anti-blur technology and..."

"...with anti-blur technology, can be carried where bigger, bulkier high-zoom digital cameras cannot — in a pocket while skiing, in a small purse during a day on the town, or on a wrist while hiking."

A better description, although still somewhat confusing to the average consumer:

"...this model features an easy-to-use Blur Reduction High ISO mode to help reduce the effects of camera shake and subject blurring for sharper images even in dim lighting conditions such as night scenes and indoor sporting events. In this mode, the camera adjusts shutter speeds automatically to an ISO as high as 1600 to match the brightness of the subject. The higher sensitivities permit faster shutter speeds."

(c) www.dpreview.com

Fujifilm Finepix A610

The Fujifilm Finepix A610 is a 6 megapixel digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

The A610 has an ISO range of 100-400 and is compatible with both SD and xD cards to back up its 10 megabytes of internal memory.

It is the little brother of the A800 and will be priced at $129 when it's released in March.

Fujifilm Finepix A610 (and A800) News Release
FUJIFILM UNVEILS FIRST 8-MEGAPIXEL ENTRY-LEVEL DIGITAL CAMERA

Expands A-Series Line-Up with Two New Models

It is now easier and more affordable than ever for consumers to capture high-quality, natural-looking photographs at the click of a button. FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today raised both the picture-taking and purchasing power of first-time digital camera buyers with the launch of two new models, the six-MegaPixel FinePix A610 and eight-MegaPixel FinePix A800.

More than half of all digital camera purchases in 2006 were made by first-time buyers. Almost 60% of these first-time purchases totaled less than $200*. Designed specifically for the first-time digital camera buyer or consumers seeking an easy-to-operate upgrade to their current digital camera, Fujifilm’s A-Series models provide users with a choice of digital cameras that offer top-notch image quality at consumer-friendly price points.

The FinePix A800 is the first model in Fujifilm’s A-Series line-up to sport an eight-MegaPixel Super CCD Sensor and the first to incorporate light sensitivities of up to ISO 800 at full resolution. Borrowing a page from Fujifilm’s more advanced camera models, the FinePix A800 shoots at higher light sensitivities with less noise than comparative models. This results higher quality “natural light” photos and less blur in images as the FinePix A800 matches these higher light sensitivities with faster shutter speeds.

Fujifilm’s A-Series digital cameras are among its most popular models and the FinePix A610 should help continue this trend. This camera has the same comfortable design as the FinePix A800 and is priced right for the first-time digital buyer. In a first for Fujifilm’s compact digital camera range, the FinePix A800 and A610 both feature a “xD/SD Compatible slot”, which accepts not only Fujifilm’s traditional xD-Picture Cards, but also Secure Digital (SD) cards.

In addition to the highlights previously referenced, Fujifilm’s new A-Series models offer the following attractive features:

• New icon-based Graphic User Interface (GUI): Fujifilm debuts its intuitive icon-based graphical user interface on the FinePix A610 and FinePix A800. When users switch shooting modes, scene positions or control settings, a brief explanation of the setting is momentarily displayed on the LCD screen, taking much of the guess work out of digital camera operation.
• Fujinon Lens: The 3x optical zoom lens for both cameras was developed specifically for the A-Series by Fujinon, a Fujifilm sister company and leading provider of broadcast-grade television lenses.
• Internal memory: When the xD Picture Card (sold separately) is filled with images, users have a little extra internal storage space on each camera to capture additional pictures. A great storage fall-back option for the most active picture-takers.
• Mode Dial: The FinePix A800 is the first A-Series camera to feature a mode dial, allowing users to easily toggle between camera, playback and movie recording modes.
• Single slot compatibility with both xD-Picture Card and SD storage media
• Large LCD: 2.5-inch LCD display with anti-glare properties
• Scene Modes: A wide range of scene modes provides top-quality photos in a range of shooting conditions. The FinePix A800 has 2 shooting modes and 17 scene positions and A610 has 2 shooting modes and 14 scene positions.

The FinePix A610 and FinePix A800 will debut in March 2007 with retail prices of $129 and $179, respectively.

(c) www.livingroom.org.au/photolog

Lexar JumpDrive 360

CES 2007: Lexar Press Release

Lexar Debuts New “Capless” JumpDrive® 360, Plus Recently Upgraded and Award-Winning JumpDrive Mercury with PowerToGo™ software, and New JumpDrive Secure II and Firefly Models with Greater Capacities --

Fremont, CA , January 5th, 2007—Lexar Media, Inc., a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, will exhibit its broad lineup of JumpDrive® USB flash drives at CES 2007, including both new and upgraded models. Most notably, the company is introducing JumpDrive 360, an innovative “capless” drive encased in a stylish rotating metal jacket. In addition, the company is demonstrating its JumpDrive Mercury with PowerToGo™ software and showcasing its new 8GB JumpDrive Secure II and JumpDrive Firefly drives. All Lexar JumpDrive products will be compatible with Windows Vista, and all the company’s speed-rated drives will be enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost™.

Introducing JumpDrive® 360: No More Lost Caps!
Thanks to its innovative capless design and tough rotating metal jacket, JumpDrive 360 elegantly solves a common problem faced by many flash drive users – namely misplacing the cap. Available in 1GB and 2GB capacities, JumpDrive 360 offers total ease-of-use, durability and reliability, with the high-speed performance and vast capacity that lets users quickly transfer large amounts of data. 

Adding to its functionality, JumpDrive 360 comes pre-loaded with Lexar’s PowerToGo mobile computing software. Lexar is also bundling the company’s popular Secure II software with JumpDrive 360, which features 256-bit AES Encryption to secure folders and files so consumers can easily store and protect valuable files, data and images.

Farshid Tabrizi, General Manager, USB Products at Lexar, noted: “At Lexar, our approach to the flash drive market is to create a broad line of differentiated products that offer high-quality, reliable solutions geared toward virtually all lifestyle needs, from simple “basic storage” to advanced features and capabilities, including application portability and security.”

Newly Upgraded JumpDrive Mercury with PowerToGo
Lexar’s recently upgraded and award-winning speed-rated JumpDrive Mercury USB flash drive provides users with enhanced performance, as well as the advanced PowerToGo mobile computing software platform. The innovative Mercury also features a convenient built-in capacity meter that lets the user know how much memory is available even when power is removed. JumpDrive Mercury also comes preloaded with Lexar Secure II security software.  (Existing JumpDrive Mercury customers can get a free version of PowerToGo software simply by visiting http://www.lexar.com/PowerToGo and downloading a full version of the software at no additional cost.)

JumpDrive Firefly: Functionality and Fun
Lexar’s JumpDrive Firefly, now available in capacities up to 4GB, will soon be available in an 8GB model. A super portable, fun and functional drive, the Lexar JumpDrive FireFly also has a tethered cap for security and a distinctive blue “tail light” LED that blinks during data transfer, letting users know exactly when a transfer job is complete.  The 8GB edition will be available in March 2007.

Lexar’s popular JumpDrive Secure II Upgrades Capacity
The dashboard onscreen interface of Lexar’s JumpDrive Secure II makes it easy for consumers to navigate all of the advanced security features. Users can quickly create secure files on either the USB flash drive or on the host computer using the new unique ‘Encrypted Vault’ feature. Simply drag and drop files into the ‘Encrypted Vault’ to automatically secure them with on-the-fly 256-bit AES encryption. When files are dragged out of the ‘Encrypted Vault’ they are automatically decrypted.

Another useful feature of the Secure II software is the File Shredder that discards files including the ‘digital trail’ normally left behind when files are deleted. Files that have been deleted using the File Shredder feature cannot be recovered by file recovery tools. JumpDrive Secure II 8GB will be available in March 2007.

About Lexar Media, Inc.
Lexar, a subsidiary of Micron Technology, Inc., is a leading marketer and manufacturer of NAND flash memory products including memory cards, USB flash drives, card readers and ATA controller technology for the digital photography, consumer electronics, industrial and communications markets. Lexar also sells memory cards under the Kodak brand. 

About Micron Technology, Inc.
Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets DRAMs, NAND flash memory, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor components, and memory modules for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking and mobile products. Micron’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit http://www.micron.com.

Lexar, JumpDrive, PowerToGo and the Lexar logo are trademarks of Lexar Media, Inc. Micron is a trademark of Micron Technology, Inc. Windows, Vista and ReadyBoost are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Pentax Optio E30

The Pentax Optio E30 is a new compact digital camera from Pentax that features a 3x Optical Zoom, 2.4 inch LCD screen, 7.1 megapixel image sensor and 11 megabytes of internal memory.

The Pentax Optio E30 is powered by a AA battery and will retail for $149.95 and should hit stores in February.

Pentax Optio E30 News Release

PENTAX OPTIO E30 COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA ANNOUNCED

PENTAX Imaging Company introduced the PENTAX Optio E30 compact digital camera today in advance of the upcoming Consumer Electronics (CES) Trade Show in Las Vegas. Named for the easy-to-use line of PENTAX compact digital cameras, the Optio E30 offers 7.1 effective megapixels for exceptional high-resolution photography.

Featuring AA battery compatibility, the Optio E30 is a convenient travel companion that uses less power and captures up to approximately 200 photos with alkaline batteries or 760 shots with lithium AA batteries. A helpful Green mode allows new digital camera users to enjoy effortless picture-taking, while additional features include a large 2.4 inch LCD monitor, a 3X optical zoom, and 11 MB of built-in memory.

The PENTAX Optio E30 will be available in February 2007 for US $149.95 and will be displayed along with the full line of other PENTAX products in Booth 31577 in South Hall 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2007.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, eyepieces and mobile printers and scanners. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.

(c) www.livingroom.org.au/photolog

National Geographic All Roads Photography Project

Company Invests Time, Resources, and Website Marketing Tools to Train Young Photojournalists to Build Their Business

San Francisco, CA. – January 2, 2007 – LiveBooks, Inc., the leading provider of editable portfolio websites for professional photographers, continues to support emerging, talented photojournalists with its sponsorship of National Geographic’s “All Roads Photography Project” by providing the winners of this year’s international competition with a hands-on workshop about web marketing best practices and their own liveBooks personalized website. Through the liveBooks participation in this competition winners are able to gain an understanding of how to leverage the web to increase the exposure of their work and how to capitalize on that exposure with professional marketing skills.

The All Roads Photography Project, now in its third year, recognizes and supports talented indigenous and minority-culture photographers from around the world who are documenting their changing culture and communities through photography.  In addition, the program provides a forum for photographers to showcase their unique perspectives to a global audience through exhibitions and panel discussions and offers all winners workshop and networking opportunities.

Andy Patrick, President and CEO of LiveBooks, explains that the company’s involvement in the project goes well beyond providing winners with custom Websites.  “We teach them the importance of marketing themselves and their photography,” says Patrick.  “Obviously a great Website is one very important way to market your work, but the liveBooks workshop with the photographers also prepares them for interviews, client meetings, marketing services they can implement and other personal interaction skills they need to succeed,” Mr. Patrick added.

“LiveBooks is a wonderful marketing tool and will help these young photographers market their work to potential clients in ways they’ve never had access to before” says Chris Rainier, Director of the All Roads Photography Project and a world-renowned National Geographic documentary photographer. 

“The aim of the All Roads Photography Project is to provide indigenous photographers with opportunities to tell their stories in their own voices.  The project is an exciting forum for indigenous and minority-culture storytellers to bring their lives, experiences, and cultures to new audiences and we are very excited to have the support of companies like liveBooks to help further our cause,” Rainier added.

For a complete schedule of traveling exhibits and film festivals from the All Roads Film Project, please visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads

About All Roads
All Roads is a National Geographic initiative supporting films by and about indigenous groups and under-represented minority culture filmmakers.  The All Roads Film Festival is a multimedia event comprised of cutting-edge film, videos, live music, photography, and art from cultures around the world.  It offers audience members an opportunity to immerse themselves in a cultural experience that is both insightful and deeply personal. All Roads also features seed grants for indigenous and under-represented filmmakers and photographers, and networking sessions for project filmmakers.

About liveBooks, Inc.
liveBooks, Inc. is the leader in on-demand Website creation, management and marketing services for photographers requiring a rich, image-intensive online presence. As creative professionals ourselves, the liveBooks team understands the passion behind our customers’ work and their need to easily upload, edit, market, send and sell images within a Website they can create within minutes without the need for programming or design skills. The liveBooks Website supports photographers’ creative vision with full-screen, high-quality images that download quickly, an intuitive navigation system based on input from photo buyers, and a professional design aesthetic to help develop their business.

(c) www.photographyblog.com

Fujifilm Finepix IS-1

The Fujifilm Finepix IS-1 is a fairly specialised camera in that it is aimed that those needing to do infrared photography (scientists, dentists, police or just keen enthusiasts).

Based upon the S9100, this camera allows infrared photography without the normal filters needed with most digital cameras. Instead - to use it as a normal digital camera you need an infrared 'cut filter'.

The Fujifilm Finepix IS-1 has a 10.7x optical zoom, 9 megapixel super CCD HR sensor and ISO of up to 1600.

It will ship in February 2007 and will have a retail price of $899 USD.

Fujifilm Finepix IS-1 News Release

THE IS-1 IS FUJIFILM'S NEWEST INFRARED DIGITAL CAMERA

Fujifilm continues to lead in the area of alternative light photography with today’s announcement of the IS-1 digital camera, Fujifilm’s latest model for capturing images in the infrared light spectrum. The IS-1 was developed for use in the law enforcement, medical/dental and science fields and is a follow-up model to the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR D-SLR.Like the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR, the IS-1 will help law enforcement officers solve crimes by capturing evidence not easily seen by the human eye. It can be used in both the visible and infrared light spectrums, making the evidence-gathering process more efficient and accurate.

For example, the IS-1 has a continuous live preview feature, an advantage during infrared photography for focusing and composing when using dark lens filters. It also has an articulating LCD, which simplifies the processes of previewing, capturing and reviewing photos – especially when the camera is in a laboratory environment. Its 10.7x, 28-300mm optical zoom system is built-in, minimizing dust, making operation a snap for forensic photographers.

Through the use of an infrared cut or “hot mirror” filter on the lens, the IS-1 can capture a visible light image very close in quality to that of a standard digital camera, adding flexibility and cost-effectiveness to the overall package.

“The FinePix S3 Pro UVIR has been well-received in the forensic and scientific markets, and we anticipate an even better reception for the IS-1 digital camera in these same channels,” remarked Darin Pepple, Marketing Manager, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.

“Law enforcement and scientific departments often contend with very restrictive budgets so a product that can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations, without draining too much of their resources, is quite appealing.”The IS-1 digital camera features a nine MegaPixel Fujifilm Super CCD sensor and ISO 80-1600 (in case of capturing a visible light image) capabilities. The camera's high sensitivity range, made possible by Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology, enables IS-1 users to capture images using visible and infrared light (approximately 400nm –900nm). Users can apply lens filtration to isolate specific wavelengths to achieve a desired effect. In addition, Fujifilm's Picture Stabilization technology uses the heightened sensitivity of the IS-1 and high-speed shutter settings to reduce blur caused by camera shake and subject movement. This easy-to-access feature is selectable on the mode dial and allows the IS-1 to choose the correct light sensitivity and best-matching shutter speed automatically for the highest quality digital pictures.

HS-V2 Software: The inclusion of Fujifilm's Hyper Utility Software HS-V2 version 3 enables IS-1 photographers to explore the full potential of the camera's RAW file format. This program also provides law enforcement investigators with side-by-side image comparisons along with metadata analysis, a useful tool when examining images of blood stains, documents or other forms of evidence.

Priced at $899, the IS-1 will be available at select authorized dealers in the United States in February 2007. For a dealer list, interested parties should visit www.fujifilmusa.com. Infrared and infrared cut filters are optional.

(c) www.livingroom.org.au/photolog