Sydney streets are full of colourful people - and endless, ever changing source of photographic inspiration. Street photography is quite a challenge for the photographer - it is all about capturing the moment, getting close to the people but not getting in their way as to alter their behaviour.
Here is an intense looking character I spotted while on lunch-time walk.
Add comment June 30th, 2006
Ricoh announced a new digital camera called Caplio RR660. The camera is very light at just 130g and is fitted out with 2.4 inches LCD. The zoom is a typical for this class 3x optical. The sensor size is rated at 6.16 mega pixels.
Full press release:
Introducing the new Caplio RR660. Ricoh’s unrivaled usability and size now shoots at 6.16 megapixels.
Ricoh is thrilled to announce the release of the new Caplio RR660 – a sleek new entry-level digital camera that adds more exciting new user-friendly features to its extremely popular RR630 predecessor. The new 6.16-megapixel digital camera is even lighter and more compact than its predecessor, and yet is equipped with a crystal-clear 2.4” color TFT-LCD monitor for even easier viewing.
The Caplio RR660 is the newest addition to Ricoh’s popular, award-winning range of digital cameras, whose outstanding performance, value for money and stylish designs have won favor with both professional and amateur photographers around the world. The RR660 consistently produces striking, crystal-clear images that simply stand out above pictures from other cameras in its class. Equipped with a 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, for a combined 12x zoom, the RR660 can effortlessly handle any photographic situation.
Weighing in at a super-light 130g*, the RR660’s incredibly sleek and compact body fits even more easily into the palm of your hand or your pocket. Of course, the simple “point-and-shoot ability” of the RR630 has been passed on to the RR660, so that even absolute beginners will have no trouble wowing their friends and family with stunning digital images. The new RR660 now contains six still modes, giving even more exciting options to those who like to add a touch of creativity to their digital imagery. The Mode dial can be set to Auto, Program, Portrait, Landscape, Sports and Night Scene, as well as the ever-popular Video mode, giving you extensive choice and usability.
Thanks to the super-large size 2.4-inch color TFT-LCD monitor, you can review your digital pictures clearly, anytime, anywhere. Of course, transferring photos to a PC couldn’t be simpler with the RR660’s USB connector. And like its predecessor, the RR660 has 16 MB of internal memory, so you can shoot beautiful pictures straight out of the box. It also features an SD Card slot, giving you even more storage space options with this convenient, widely used storage medium.
The impressive new RR660 has exactly what you want in a compact digital camera. Sleek design, easy operation, and a crystal-clear large size 2.4” color TFT-LCD monitor, all wrapped up in a light, sophisticated body. Look no further. This is the camera you’ve been searching for.
*Without battery and SD card
Product Name Caplio R4 Body Color Silver/Black Suggested Retail Price Open Price Start of sales March 17, 2006 Monthly Production 50,000 units
| 1. | 6.16-megapixel CCD | |
| The RR660’s 6.16-megapixel CCD delivers excellent image quality every time. Even large A4 size prints turn out bright, sharp and full of rich detail. | ||
| 2. | 3x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom | |
| The RR660’s 3x optical zoom can handle most distant scenes. But when you need to get even closer, using the 4x digital zoom produces a total of up to 12x zoom. | ||
| 3. | Video mode and six versatile scene modes | |
| The RR660 records movies, plus it comes with six exciting scene modes that let you take perfect pictures anytime, anywhere. | ||
| 4. | Get in as close as 5cm | |
| Close-up photography has now got just that little bit closer. Find beauty you have never noticed before in the exciting world of macro photography. | ||
| 5. | 16MB internal memory and SD Card slot | |
| The RR660 boasts 16MB of internal memory. Increasing storage capacity is easy, just by inserting an SD Card (sold separately). | ||
| 6. | Big, bright & beautiful 2.4″ color TFT-LCD monitor |
| The super-large 2.4″ color TFT-LCD with 110,000 pixel resolution provides breathtakingly clear play back of images immediately after shooting. |
| 7. | Accepts regular AA batteries |
| AA batteries can be bought almost anywhere, making the RR660 the perfect partner whenever you’re on the move. |
| 8. | Fast, simple PC connectivity |
| Connection to a computer couldn’t be simpler. Just connect the RR660 with the USB cable included, and you can enhance your photos and even create panoramic images with the bundled software. |
|
| Caplio RR660 |
1 comment June 30th, 2006
SLIK has obviously been very busy recently and new product announcements keep coming. Today SLIK releases SBH-320 DQ professional ball head. This light hardened aluminum head is rated up to 4.5 kgs which should accomodate most digital cameras with lenses up to 300mm.
Full press release:
The NEW SLIK SBH-320 DQ
Professional Ball Head With Quick Release.
LONG BEACH, CA. (June 26, 2006) — THK Photo Products, Inc., announces The NEW SLIK SBH-320 DQ Professional Ball Head With Quick Release.
The new SBH-320 DQ is made from finely machined and carefully anodized hardened aluminum parts that are designed to give many years of trouble-free smooth operation. This SLIK ball head features an easy to use, single knob operation to lock or release the ball connected to the camera plate. The knob is oversized and has a well-textured surface for a sure grip in any conditions.
When the head is released, not only does the ball portion of the head move freely, the main body encasing the head can turn on its base for quick and easy movement as well. The base of the head has easy-to-read degree marking for panoramic photography.
The SBH-320 DQ has the exclusive SLIK feather-light magnesium alloy quick release system, which allows a quick release plate to remain on the camera at all times. A feature of the SLIK DQ quick release system is a large low-profile camera plate that will not interfere when mounted on vertical grips. The plate also has an extra wide camera lock wheel to make mounting and removing the plate a breeze.
Bubble levels mounted on dual axis allow make accurate leveling of the camera easy.
The SBH-320 is capable of handling a digital SLR or 35 mm film cameras with long lenses up to the weight of a 300mm f/2.8.
| Specifications | |
| Height: | 3.95 in. (100mm) |
| Base Diameter: | 2.28 in. (58.6mm) |
| Weight: | 14.1 oz. (340g) |
| Mount Thread: | All have a 1/4-20 or 3/8 mount thread (reducer included) |
| Lock Type: | All have a single textured grip lock |
| Max. load: | 10.0 lbs.* (4,5kgs) |
| Suggested List: | USD $199.90 |
| Availability: | Current |
| Color/Stock # | Gun Metal Gray 618-321 Black 618-320 |
Add comment June 29th, 2006
While most of us use digital cameras with resolution of 4 to perhaps 12 mega pixels the photographers at the high end of town just received a new toy in shape of Sinar eMotion 75 with 33 million pixels sensor. Amazingly the digital camera back can capture up to 40 images at this resolution per minute. The system offers both tethered and untethered operation.
PRESS RELEASE:
Advanced Sensor and Software Technology Takes Capture Speed, Portability and Image Quality to New Heights
EDISON, N.J., May 23, 2006 — Sinar, the legendary Swiss company that pioneered the use of digital imaging technology in the professional photography market, has introduced the Sinar eMotion 75, a digital camera back designed for the location and studio photographer. Featuring a fast capture rate, unrestricted mobility and superior image quality, the 33 million pixel Sinar eMotion 75 delivers exceptional speed and portability for non-stop shooting in the studio or on location. The Sinar eMotion 75 is compatible with the Sinar m modular System, honored with the 2006 TIPA Award as the best high-end professional camera system.
"Every component of the Sinar eMotion 75 has been designed to meet and exceed Sinar's exceptionally high standards that result in perfect image quality with the best color, clarity and contrast possible," said Cathy Strobel, President, Sinar Bron Imaging. "The same attention to quality also ensures consistency and dependability in any shooting terrain and over a lifetime of creative use."
Advanced digital technology built into the Sinar eMotion 75 allows photographers to work intuitively and creatively, never breaking their rhythm under the high-pressure atmosphere of a high-end shoot. With a capture rate of up to 40 images per minute, the Sinar eMotion 75 processes 190MB files every 1.5 seconds and delivers continuous image sequences of up to 160 exposures.
The Sinar eMotion 75 has been designed for tethered and untethered operation, giving photographers complete flexibility to move around freely whether working indoors or out, in the studio or on location. Up to 160 images (when compressed) can be written in uninterrupted sequence on the internal 6GB secure storage medium. Automatic data transfer allows for storage of image data on additional CF cards (up to 8GB) during pauses between exposures, or on both storage media simultaneously. There is no risk of data loss and no additional cables to connect a mass storage device.
Thanks to advanced sensor technology and electronics optimized for highly efficient performance, it is not necessary to recharge the Sinar eMotion 75 battery every hour. The power provided by the interchangeable Lithium-Ion video battery lasts for up to three hours for long-lasting mobility — and it does so in spite of the brilliant image on the OLED display that can be viewed so conveniently in daylight and at any angle.
The large 48 x 36 mm Sinar eMotion 75 sensor and the elimination of micro-lenses allow photographers to work with wide-angle lenses and incorporate swings and tilts. Sinar's unique color filter technology renders colors naturally, eliminating color shifts. All Sinarbacks are compatible with all medium and large format camera configurations with the use of interface plates. With the Hasselblad-V Adapter, Sinar digital backs can be used on any view camera.
The Sinar eMotion 75 digital back joins the Broncolor Verso A2 Power Pack, Para FB Umbrellas and Ringflashes as the ultimate digital imaging solution for studio and fashion photographers.
Add comment June 29th, 2006
In a very quick commercial response to Adobe's announcement on purchase of Pixmantec RawShooter software Bibble Labs offers a very attractively priced upgrade path. It shows how competitive digital photography processing software can be and how inventive the companies are with marketing strategies. Good win for the consumers.
Full press release:
AUSTIN TX, (June 27, 2006) - Yesterday, Adobe announced the purchase of Pixmantec ApS technology assets, and noted that RawShooter Premium will be discontinued. As a result, Bibble Labs is announcing a discounted competitive upgrade path for current RawShooter Premium customers.
“Adobe's announcement validates the need for competition amongst RAW Workflow applications like Bibble Pro for photo professionals and enthusiasts alike” says Eric Hyman, president and CEO of Bibble Labs, Inc. “Since our inception in 2000, we’ve been committed to developing the best cross platform RAW Workflow application, and to bringing value to our customers - both current and new - through powerful tools and frequent upgrades and are happy to provide an upgrade path for Pixmantec's existing customers.”
The limited time, discounted upgrade is available to all current RSP customers with valid proof of purchase, and offers Bibble Pro for $99.95, a $30 discount over the retail price. “This upgrade provides a robust, supported product alternative for those customers of Pixmantec affected by this acquisition. By becoming Bibble Pro users now, RSP users will enjoy the speed and quality Bibble provides, as well as our established history of product improvement and upgrades - like those in Bibble Pro 4.8, launched just days ago.” RSP users interested in this upgrade offer should visit http://www.bibblelabs.com/upgrade for additional details. “RSP users may choose to wait for Lightroom to eventually ship to gain additional features or camera support. Those that want to upgrade sooner have that option with Bibble, and for a limited time at a large discount over our normal retail price.”
Bibble Labs has launched three major upgrades this year to its Bibble Pro and Bibble Lite applications. Each upgrade has introduced major new features, such as inclusion of Noise Ninja technology and Perfectly Clear as well as support for new cameras, and improved conversion speed and quality. “With Raw conversion being such an important part of many people’s workflow, we know the importance of a product having both a history and a future. Supporting our customers is important to me personally, and to Bibble Labs as a whole” says Hyman “and one way we do this is by offering upgrades with powerful new features as often as possible.”
Bibble is available in both "Pro" ($129.95) and "Lite" ($69.95) versions for Windows, Macintosh (PPC/Intel) and Linux. For a limited time, Bibble Labs is offering a $30 discount on Bibble Pro for registered RawShooter Premium customers. Please visit our web site at http://www.bibblelabs.com/upgrade for details on this offer or to download a fully functional 14 day trial version.
Located in Austin, Texas, Bibble Labs Inc was founded in 2000 to develop technologies and software for high quality processing of raw files from a wide variety of digital cameras. Bibble Labs’ stand-alone products are used by thousands of photographers all over the world to quickly and accurately process their raw photos. Bibble Labs’ technologies and expertise are increasingly becoming the standard other companies turn to when they wish to embed raw image processing technology in their products. For more information, please visit our web site at: http://www.bibblelabs.com. Licensing inquiries may be addressed to bibble@bibblelabs.com.
Add comment June 28th, 2006
Seems everyone wants a piece of the pie called digital photography. Today's turn belongs to Microsoft, which has purchased iView Multimedia. The product was initially offered on Apple platform and since it was made available on Windows too. According to the current FAQ existing customers will enjoy continuity of support however this is hard to see, once the product get integrated fully into Microsoft's application suite.
MediaPro is a digital asset and cataloging management solution for photographers and various other imaging professionals. It allows photographers to create a customised, searchable repository for high volume digital storage. MediaPro supports most known multimedia file formats including raw formats from most popular camera makers.
Add comment June 28th, 2006
I have created a new photographic gallery called models . Most of the photographs in this gallery were taken during recent Erina Fair Wedding Wonderland show. I have to admit the conditions were not photographer friendly with dim light and difficult access.
I have attempted to create a variety of effects in post processing. The photos were converted from raw using Bibble Pro and touched up with Photoshop CS. I have used 2 of my favourite plug-ins: PowerRetouche and Nik Color Fx. The girls are glamorous and I hope you’ll enjoy this new fashion gallery .
Add comment June 28th, 2006
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