Archive for March 8th, 2006
Cleaning your digital-camera sensor
MacCentral Online
Removing dust from your digital SLR is tricky—but it can be done
By Christopher Breen
I recently found myself on board a cruise ship packed not only with Mac experts but also digital-camera gurus as well. With so many of the brightest brains in the business on board for the MacMania/Photoshop Fling cruise—and with nowhere but the Pacific Ocean for them to flee—I took the opportunity to confide my dirty little secret about my digital SLR camera: I had gunk on my sensor, and I didn’t have a clue how to safely remove it.
Should you be out of the know, it’s like this: When you switch lenses on your SLR, it’s possible for the camera to collect small specks of dust on the sensor—the light-sensitive silicon chip that samples incoming light. Even without changing lenses, you can collect dust when shooting in dry, dusty environments. These bits of dust manifest themselves as tiny (and sometimes, not-so-tiny) spots on your pictures. I wanted those spots gone without having to edit them out in Photoshop or iPhoto—but I also wanted to know the safest way to do it.
Boy, was I surprised by the conflicting—and, often emotional—responses I got.
Two views on sensor cleaning
I first heard from the Don’t Even Think of Doing This Yourself camp. Representatives of this group state that attempting to clean a sensor voids the warranty on some cameras and that the chance you take in doing it yourself is far outweighed by what you risk—completely destroying the camera. Cited risks are blowers that put more gunk on a sensor than they remove, damage from the use of compressed air, damage due to a shutter suddenly snapping closed because a camera’s battery dies mid-cleaning, and a scratched sensor (actually, its protective covering). These folks contend that Taking It To The Shop is the wisest course.
Then there are the What, You’ve Successfully Taken Apart an iPod? Just Be Careful and You Can Do This Too folks. This group understands that my Nikon D70 is going to earn its fair share of sensor dust, and taking it to the shop time and again will eventually become an unreasonably expensive proposition. (Handing your camera over for cleaning services can cost $30 to $40, according to the estimates I’ve gotten. And that can add up over time.) With the right tools and techniques (and a measure of care), these people contend, I can do it myself.
Oh, and to be fair, there’s my local camera guy who claimed he could put things right with the judicious use of a can of compressed air and a couple of Q-Tips. Representatives from both of the aforementioned groups suggested I put as much distance between myself and the camera guy as humanly possible.
The tools for the job
Because I trusted the judgment of the Do It Yourself folks I spoke with (and because I’m a cheapskate), I opted to take a chance and clean the sensor myself. I consulted with Macworld contributor and digital photo god Ben Long, who suggested I visit VisibleDust—one of the leading suppliers of camera cleaning tools—for the items I’d need.
What follows is a list of the tools I bought and the steps I followed to clean a digital SLR. None of the instructions below are applicable to point-and-shoot cameras since those devices are essentially sealed, making it almost impossible for dust to find its way to the sensor.
Not knowing what I’d be up against, I opted for the Econo 1.6x Complete cleaning kit. It’s not cheap at $286.25 Canadian (around $250 in U.S. dollars, depending on the exchange rate), but if it gives me fewer than a dozen cleanings, it’s paid for itself in what a shop would charge me. The kit includes specialized sensor cleaning brushes, sensor stain removal solution, sensor brush wash, a brush-cleaning device that rapidly spins the brush and helps eliminate dust on the brush, special sensor and chamber cleaning swabs (with solution), and a large-bulb blower for safely blowing dust off the sensor.
I began by putting the chamber cleaning portion of my kit to good use. After all, little good it would do me to finally expose the sensor only to have crud from the chamber rain down on it. Following along with the video tutorial on Visible Dust’s site, I removed the camera’s lens and swabbed out the inside of the D70’s chamber with one of the foam-tipped swabs dipped in the company’s Chamber Clean solution.
Nikon tells you precious little about the ways and means of cleaning a D70’s sensor so it was off to purchase Thom Hogan’s $34.90 Complete Guide to the Nikon D70 & D70s. I won’t give away the plot of Thom’s PDF guide other than to say that he provides more details and recommendations on how to go about cleaning the sensor than does the Nikon manual that comes with your D70 purchase.
Let’s get clean
More-cautious experts will tell you that you must plug your camera into an AC adapter when cleaning the sensor. This is good advice as it’s a Very Bad Thing when you’ve got the tip of a blower inside your camera and the mirror snaps closed because the camera’s run out of power. Since I don’t have an AC adapter, I charged the camera’s battery fully and worked as quickly as safety would allow.
Step 1 was to use the blower to blast the dust from the sensor. For this sort of work you want a blower with a big bulb that can deliver a good blast. You do not, however, want a blower with a brush attached. The brush can collect dust of its own and scratch the sensor cover if it comes in contact with the sensor.
Compressed air is not a good idea because it contains a propellant. If you accidentally turn the can upside down, you’ve just doused your sensor with that propellant (not good).
After a few good blasts from the blower, I put the camera back together, took it outside, and snapped a photo of a white piece of paper. I loaded the resulting image into iPhoto and adjusted the exposure and contrast levels so I could see any specks. The largest speck was gone, but a few smaller specks remained. Subsequent blasts with the blower didn’t remove them.
Step 2 was to move to VisibleDust’s Sensor Brush 16. This specially designed brush is safe to use on sensors. Following the online instructions, I wiped it once across the sensor, mounted it on VisibleDust’s spinning device (pictured above), spun it around several times to remove any particles on the brush, and repeated the process until I’d completely brushed the sensor.
I again reassembled the camera, took the white shot, and examined the results. Most of the specks were now gone, but a couple remained. Going in one last time, I gave the sensor a couple of good blasts with the blower, which removed the remaining spots.
The verdict
I’m living proof that Joe Sixpack (albeit a careful Joe Sixpack with good tools) can take on the cleaning of a not-inexpensive digital camera’s sensor. I expect to read at least a couple of strongly-worded comments in the forum link below suggesting that I was foolish to attempt it and, perhaps, even more foolish to hint that others take my success as their guide. I urge you to read those comments and carefully consider any warnings they might contain.
I was willing to risk my camera in what might have been a perilous experiment. As it turns out, both my camera and I got out clean. Only you can decide if you’re willing to balance the cost of a new camera against the hope of speck-free images.
March 8th, 2006
New digital camera hits the stands
Malay Mail
KUALA LUMPUR, March 8:
With Panasonic’s latest Lumix digital cameras, you can now say goodbye to blurry shots.
With its new combination of dual image stabilisation system – Mega Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) and High Sensitivity Mode ISO 1600, Lumix cameras promise sharp pictures of fast moving pictures even if they are not held steadily.
Yesterday’s launch saw Panasonic introducing its four new compact digital cameras. The Lumix models are FX01, TZ1, FZ7 and LS2.
Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Hiroshi Nakamura said though the Lumix models come in compact sizes, they are big in functionality.
The new systems help to suppress blur pictures caused by fast moving subjects, especially indoors, when shooting with fast shutter speeds.
It promises clear and beautiful pictures with no deterioration of image quality in various situations, whether it is shot with high zoom, indoor or night.
Panasonic also introduced eight eCam video cameras at the launch. The DVD camcorders were the VDR300, VDR250 and the VDR 150.
March 8th, 2006
US digital camera market to reach $6.8 bln in 2006
Posted by ZDNet Research @ 12:10 am
According to NPD Group, US digital camera market will generate close to $6.8 bln in revenue and sell a record-breaking 29.5 mln units in 2006. The digital camera market is expected to increase by 8% in revenue and 17% in units over 2005. Point and shoot digital cameras, which represented 73% of 2005 digital camera revenue, are expected to reach $5 bln in revenue in 2006, an 8% increase over 2005, while unit sales will account for 95% of the digital camera market, exceeding 27 mln, a 16% increase over the same time period.
The NPD Group expects sales will begin to slow down in 2007, when the point and shoot market is expected to peak, but even with this change point and shoot cameras will remain the dominant technology, representing more than 70% of revenue through 2008, followed by a dip to slightly below 70% in 2009 and 2010 . Unit sales will account for 90% of the digital camera market through 2009, and dip just slightly below 90% in 2010. The average selling price (ASP) for point and shoot digital cameras will drop in 2006 to approximately $182, a 7% decline from 2005, and only fluctuate within $5 through 2010.
March 8th, 2006
KODAK EASYSHARE Z612 Zoom Digital Camera
Buy N Shoot
Eastman Kodak Company today announced the new KODAK EASYSHARE Z612 zoom digital camera, the latest model in its Z-series line, which helps everyday picture takers get closer, better, more creative shots.
KODAK EASYSHARE Z-Series digital cameras combine fast-performing, point-and-shoot flexibility with the photographic control achieved through a higher optical zoom. The 6-megapixel KODAK EASYSHARE Z612 Zoom Digital Camera is a compact camera boasting a 12X SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON optical zoom lens with Kodak’s image stabilization technology for sharp shots and steady videos.
The camera’s easy-to-use performance features include a 2.5†display, PASM modes, auto-image enhance, on-camera cropping, histogram and advanced video designed to help aspirational photographers take better pictures with sharper detail.
“The EASYSHARE Z-Series cameras offer a vast array of user-friendly features in a compact model with advanced controls that allow users to dive into photography and achieve more satisfying results,†said Mary Hadley, General Manager, Digital Capture, Consumer Digital Imaging Group, Eastman Kodak Company. “In addition to its impressive resolution and 12X optical zoom, the Z612 enhances the overall digital photography experience by delivering the natural details, accurate flesh tones, and impressive color via Kodak’s proprietary color science chip.â€
The KODAK EASYSHARE Z612 camera records TV-quality video, up to 30 frames per second (fps) using advanced MPEG-4 compression. Built-in image stabilization technology reduces on-screen shaking from unintentional hand and camera movement. The camera also offers an optical zoom feature for video including auto focus. And it is simple to select any frame in a video, then save and print it as a “freeze frame†still picture in just seconds.
The KODAK EASYSHARE Z612 Zoom Digital Camera will be available worldwide beginning in April 2006 and will retail for US$399.95 / AUD$545
Innovative Features of the Z612 Camera
The EASYSHARE Z612 camera builds in a number of innovative features that photographers will appreciate, including:
Compact size
~ The exclusive KODAK color science image processing chip that results in portraits with edge-to-edge sharpness and brightness, rich color, accurate skin tones and highly accurate exposure;
~ Remarkable dynamic range, fine detail and delicate highlights;
~ A large 2.5-inch, high-resolution indoor/outdoor LCD screen that allows previewing of shots or reviewing pictures stored in 27 MB internal memory or on an optional SD/MMC card; ~ A live histogram that enables photographers to see the exposure of their subjects before taking the shot;
~ Automatic, aperture priority and shutter priority modes, full manual, plus 16 scene and 5 color modes;
~ A high-speed precision auto-focus system that offers fast click-to-capture times;
~ First and last burst modes and flash compensation;
~ On-camera editing features includes automatic red-eye reduction, cropping, and auto picture rotation;
~ The exclusive Share button to tag pictures for e-mailing, printing and saving to the on-camera digital photo album, computer, and online album as favorites.
~ Making the EASYSHARE System Connection
Z-Series camera owners can quickly print KODAK 4 x 6-inch pictures with just one touch in as little as 60 seconds, using the new KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus Series 3. The Series 3 printer docks are the first to support the new IMAGELINK print system, working with new EASYSHARE cameras and other manufacturers’ compatible cameras.
The Printer Dock Series 3 also transfers pictures to a connected computer, and recharges and reconditions the cameras’ batteries. Pictures made from EASYSHARE printer docks are vibrant, borderless, waterproof, and will last a lifetime, under typical photo album display conditions.
The line of EASYSHARE printer docks makes printing truly one-touch simple, and does not require people to connect a cable between camera and printer. Their convenience, print speed, ease-of-use and phenomenal picture quality have resulted in overwhelming demand from picture takers worldwide, with the line having achieved the number one market position in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, according to The NPD Group and GfK.
The Z-Series cameras include new KODAK EASYSHARE software version 5.2 for WINDOWS and MACINTOSH systems, providing effortless digital picture organization, editing, sharing and printing. The exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak to help users get vibrant, true-to-life prints from inkjet printers. Version 5.2, which is available for free download from www.kodak.com, also makes sharing your favorite pictures as simple as possible, automatically placing them in albums on your camera, on your computer, and in your online KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery albums.
The KODAK EASYSHARE digital photography system consists of cameras, snapshot printers, services, docks, software, inkjet and thermal photo papers, and accessories, making taking, organizing, sharing, and printing high quality digital pictures effortless. Further information on KODAK EASYSHARE products is available at www.kodak.com/go/EasyShare.
March 8th, 2006
Kodak introduces six-megapixel digital camera in Taiwan
Digi Times
Kodak recently introduced a six-megapixel digital camera in Taiwan. The EasyShare C663 features a 2.5 in indoor/outdoor color display, 3X optical lens and on-camera picture enhancing features.
Photo: Company, Mar 7, 2006
March 8th, 2006