Archive for April, 2007
Digital exposure
Baltimore Sun, MD
About six years ago, photographers seeking to graduate from mere snapshot takers to something more artistic faced a sizable requirement: a whole room at their disposal with bulky equipment, rows of sinks and vats of chemicals - all bathed in an eerie red-orange glow.
Then digital technology stepped in and changed the rules. And while the more accessible computer has nearly replaced the rarefied darkroom, the intimidation factor of photography hasn’t been completely washed away. Digital terms like megapixels have been added to the photo vernacular of shutter speed and f-stops.
“Learning any new technology can be scary or frustrating,” says Karen Klinedinst, a Baltimore graphic artist who takes pictures as a hobby. “But learning is just part of the fun.”
Klinedinst developed an interest in photographing nature while attending college in the 1980s. Her interest and skill blossomed in 1997, when one of her photos was published in a book. Today, Klinedinst still uses traditional techniques but has made the transition to digital cameras and organizes her own galleries.
But making that change or starting fresh with digital photography can be a daunting experience for nontechnophiles.
Tim Hickey of Severna Park Photo Inc. in Annapolis suggests that buyers search for a camera based on a number of features.
Hickey says a good intermediate camera will have between 6 and 10 megapixels. Megapixels affect cropping, which involves zooming in on a section of a photo and increasing the size of it. “A camera with more megapixels will allow more options when editing photos,” says Hickey.
A camera with an interchangeable lens brings even more versatility, he says. If a lens is interchangeable, different-size lenses can be purchased. Lens sizes correspond to zoom capability.
“Different-sized lenses are used for different purposes and settings,” says Scott Morrison of Cooper’s Camera Mart in Baltimore. For example a wide-angle lens enables a photographer to take panoramic shots, and a telephoto lens can
ÀôÀ capture images at a great distance.
“Most higher megapixel cameras can be bought with an 18 to 55 millimeter lens, which can be substituted for others.”
Hickey suggests purchasing an SLR camera. SLR, or single-lens reflex, cameras are of higher quality and offer more flexibility. According to Morrison, if people are serious about photography, they should expect to pay between $600 and $1,000 because they need more than a simple “point-and-shoot.”
“Buying an intermediate-level camera is much more complicated because cameras have so many options available with them,” he says.
Though it may not seem important, the brand should be considered. Morrison says Canon includes the most features for a low price. But opinions differ. Terry Hall of Wolf Camera and Video in Baltimore suggests that first-time users consider buying a Nikon. Hall says Canon cameras have more features than an intermediate Nikon, but Nikons are usually less complicated.
“I’ve found Nikons to be much more user-friendly,” Hall says.
He recommends talking to a knowledgeable person at a camera store before buying anything. “Find what you plan on photographing,” he says. “That way, someone can help you find a camera and lens that is suitable for you.”
One of the biggest advantages of digital photography comes after the pictures have been taken. With no film or chemicals to fumble with, photographers can produce their work with a mouse click. But a quality printer is essential to this streamlined process.
Hall and Morrison agree that Epson and Canon make the highest-quality photo printers for the lowest price; but the price will differ depending on the printer’s size.
The most economical printers cost $100 to $500, and the size of the prints can go up to 9 inches by 13 inches.
To get the most out of a new camera, David Potts, manager of Scrap Masters Inc., a scrapbook supply store and digital photo cafe in Bel Air, suggests that first-time users enroll in a digital photography class. Most community colleges offer classes for photographers of all ages.
But if your schedule is rigid, online classes might be best. The Web site betterphoto.com offers classes where students can take part in lectures whenever their schedules allow it.
Also, Flickr, a social-networking site similar to MySpace, allows aspiring photographers to share work with peers and receive feedback. Its Baltimore forum is at flickr.com/groups/charmcity/pool.
Although finding a good printer and a quality, intermediate-level camera is important, the quality of a camera won’t make a good photographer. “Don’t be overzealous,” says Potts, who adds that he has seen some people purchase expensive cameras without learning how to use them.
“My 8-year-old could take better pictures than some of those people.”
April 30th, 2007
Digital camera demand set to drop
Brisbane Times, Australia
Demand for digital cameras will slow over the next few years as the market enters a maturity phase, and the market will begin to shrink by 2011, researcher IDC said.
Global shipments of digital cameras rose 15 per cent in 2006, driven by strong demand for advanced models and in emerging markets, but growth is expected to slow to 8 per cent in 2007, and the market will shrink in 2011, IDC said on Wednesday.
“We predict a slowdown, driven by a complete saturation of all regions, creating negative growth in 2011,” said Christopher Chute, an analyst at IDC.
But shipments of digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) aimed at enthusiasts and professionals are expected to remain strong, with average growth of about 9 per cent to 8.5 million units in 2011, IDC said.
Global DSLR shipments in 2006 jumped by 39 per cent.
Japan’s Canon and Nikon control more than 80 per cent of the world’s DSLR market. Major players in the overall digital camera market include Sony, Olympus and Fujifilm.
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics jumped up the ranks to 5th place last year from 9th in 2005, while Eastman Kodak ranked third but lost market share from a year earlier, IDC said earlier this month.
Reuters
April 26th, 2007
Digital camera shipments to fall in 2011: report
Reuters
Tuesday, April 24, 2007; 7:42 PM
Washington Post, DC
TOKYO (Reuters) - Demand for digital cameras will slow over the next few years as the market enters a maturity phase, and the market will begin to shrink by 2011, researcher IDC said.
Global shipments of digital cameras rose 15 percent in 2006, driven by strong demand for advanced models and in emerging markets, but growth is expected to slow to 8 percent in 2007, and the market will shrink in 2011, IDC said on Wednesday.
“We predict a slowdown, driven by a complete saturation of all regions, creating negative growth in 2011,” said Christopher Chute, an analyst at IDC.
But shipments of digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) aimed at enthusiasts and professionals are expected to remain strong, with average growth of about 9 percent to 8.5 million units in 2011, IDC said.
Global DSLR shipments in 2006 jumped by 39 percent.
Japan’s Canon Inc. <7751.T> and Nikon Corp. <7731.T> control more than 80 percent of the world’s DSLR market.
Major players in the overall digital camera market include Sony Corp. <6758.T>, Olympus Corp. <7733.T> and Fujifilm Holdings Corp. <4901.T>.
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics <005930.KS> jumped up the ranks to 5th place last year from 9th in 2005, while Eastman Kodak ranked third but lost market share from a year earlier, IDC said earlier this month.
April 25th, 2007
MEDIA CYBERNETICS, INC.; Media Cybernetics Releases Infinity 1 Digital Camera Kit for Clinical, Life Science and Materials Science Research
Advanced Imaging Pro (press release), MD
Media Cybernetics announces the release of their Infinity 1 Digital Camera Kit for qualitative scientific imaging. The Infinity 1 Camera Kit includes a high resolution CMOS color or monochrome microscopy camera which works seamlessly with Image-Pro Plus and Image-Pro Express image processing software
characteristic of the Infinity 1 progressive scan 1.3 megapixel image sensor results in crisp color quality for the most demanding brightfield and darkfield microscopy applications including clinical pathology and cytology, life science and geology. The seamless compatibility of the Infinity 1 camera and Image-Pro software streamlines the image acquisition and analysis process for life science and industrial researchers.
Keywords: Media Cybernetics, Inc.
This article was prepared by Lab Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Lab Business Week via NewsRx.com.
April 24th, 2007
Win digital cameras
at digital imaging seminar
Laboratory Talk, UK
To celebrate the return to London in June 2007 of its successful series of digital imaging seminars, Nikon is offering delegates the chance to win two state-of-the-art digital cameras
A Nikon Coolpix will be given to the 1000th delegate to register - to date a total of 982 delegates have attended the 15 previous seminars. The winner of the second camera, a D40, will be drawn out of the hat on the day upon completion and return of a seminar feedback questionnaire. It is six years since the very first Nikon digital imaging seminar was held in London; the others have been held at various locations throughout the UK.
The 16th seminar will be held on 12 June t the Institute of Physics in Portland Place, and will once again cover all aspects of digital imaging, ranging from basic image capture to new advanced applications such as live cell care.
One of the keynote speakers in London will be Stefan Dojcinov, consultant histopathologist at the University Hospital of Wales, who will be describing how a Nikon telepathology system is transforming lymphoma diagnosis in Wales.
Nikon will also use the seminar to introduce the benefits of the Aperio range of digital pathology solutions and software products, which it is now distributing in the UK.
In addition, the new BioStation IM will be introduced to demonstrate a completely integrated hands-off system for managing, observing and recording the growth of cells in culture.
This combines the precise environmental control capabilities of a high-performance CO2 Incubator with the advanced optics needed for drift-free, live-cell imaging. Request a free brochure from Nikon UK….
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April 23rd, 2007
Genius Unveils 4-in-1 CMOS Digital Camera G-Shot D5123
PR Leap (press release), CA
(PRLEAP.COM) New Delhi (India): Taiwan based Genius, one of the leading IT and Consumer Electronics brands across the globe, has announced the addition to its G-Shot family by launching a new 5.0 mega pixel
4-in-1 CMOS digital camera G-Shot D5123.
G-Shot D5123 is a feature rich noble black camera. Its slide cover and the light body make it extremely portable. The G-Shot D5123 4-in-1 solution includes functionalities like Digital Camera, Digital Video Camera, Web Camera and Mass Storage Driver. This camera allows you to enjoy the benefit of taking pictures and video with ease and transfer all the files to the PC with no hassles. Although the camera comes with a 32MB memory card, it can be upgraded upto 1GB SD memory card
In addition to it, G-Shot D5123 enables high quality images up to 12 mega pixel by interpolation to be taken sharply in large size pictures of 12”x18”. The built-in microphone provides voice for your video in 640 x 480 (VGA) and 320 x 240 (QVGA). A 2.0” Color TFT LCD screen makes it easy to frame your subject when capturing images and also displays the images comfortably in playback mode. The 4X Digital zoom can help you aim at far subjects easily.
Choosing Slide show function in playback mode, one can share photos with family and friends immediately just like a digital photo frame DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) function. One can specify the image and the number of prints while checking the image on the display screen. With 1GB external memory card one can store over 5000 images.
G-Shot D5123 uses two “AAA” batteries and if they run out, you can replace them at any convenient store. Once loaded with batteries, you can up to nearly 102 shots.
Mr. Sandeep Ramani, Country Manager, KYE Systems (India) Corp. said, “We are proud to launch this wonderful piece of 4-in-1 CMOS Digital Camera G-Shot D5123 that represents the Nouveau Vogue of Genius as it is equipped with all the features that a techno savvy person would like to possess to go along with its slide cover and portable light weight features.”
Pricing and Availability: G-Shot D5123 is available with Transtek Infoways Pvt. Ltd. and Tirupati Enterprises, the authorized distributors for Genius in India. The price for G-Shot D5123 is Rs. 6900/-(MRP)
About Genius: Genius is the brand name of KYE Systems, a US$ 353 million Taiwan, Taipei based company. In 1985, KYE launched the brand Genius, which stands for technology and trust. Headquartered in Taiwan Taipei, KYE has three manufacturing units at Dongguan, China and the fourth plant is under construction, which emphasizes in the manufacturing of products with excellent Industrial & Mechanical design, Environmental Protection Application & Lead-Free Technology Selection, and with a light, slim, short and small look. KYE has been awarded with ISO 9001 Quality systems certification in 1994 and ISO 14001 in 1996. It has been traded in Taiwan Stock exchange since 1997. KYE has received many an accolades from various quarters i.e. National Golden Award of Excellence, Good Design Award in Japan etc
About This Release
If you have any questions regarding information in these press releases please contact the organization listed in the press release. Issuers of press releases and not PR Leap are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
April 20th, 2007
BenQ X725 Digital Camera
MobileWhack.com, Australia
BenQ today introduces the BenQ X725, a successor of award-winning BenQ X720. The camera features a 3x optical zoom in both static and video recording mode, Super Multi-Coating Pentax lens, 1/2.5 inch CCD image sensor and a bright 2.5 inch LCD display. Available in four colors (black, red, pearl, and silver), the BenQ X725 receives a thin (12.5mm) stainless steel body with a similar design to the X720.
The camera supports high light sensitivity of up to ISO 1600 in static mode and up to ISO 4000 in recording mode to help capturing fast-moving objects or taking photos in poor lighting conditions. The X725 also uses an advanced Super Shake Free system that effectively reduces image blurs from shaky hands when capturing images or videos.
Additional highlights include 29-scene modes available for quick setting and adjustments, direct photo printing via PictBridge, SD compatible (up to 4GB+ removable memory , and 12MB internal memory.
April 19th, 2007
Video games and music in a digital camera
posted 12:05pm EST Tue Apr 17 2007 - submitted by Brian Osborne
BLURB
DXG has launched a new 5 megapixel camera/camcorder, which seems to offer a number of functions all in one package. Besides being a digital camera and a VGA camcorder, it is also a video game player, digital music player, and offers direct video recording from TVs or DVD players. That’s a lot of functionality in one package.
Full motion video is offered at a resolution of 640×480 and at 30 frames per second. The camera has a 3″ LCD screen, which rotates to allow for 20 built-in video games to be played. The DXG-589V is offered for US$199.99 and can be purchased at Best Buy and Circuit City.
If you’re constantly on the road, then this all-in-one device may be of interest to you. It’s clear the folks at DXG have attempted to jam as much functionality as possible into a small package. I can’t say that I’ve heard of many digital cameras that are also a digital music player and that offer video games.
April 18th, 2007
Genius’ CMOS digital camera: G-Shot D5123
TechWhack, India
Genius has announced the addition to its G-Shot family by launching a new 5.0 mega pixel 4-in-1 CMOS digital camera G-Shot D5123. G-Shot D5123 is a feature rich black camera. Its slide cover and the light body make it extremely portable.
The G-Shot D5123 4-in-1 solution includes functionalities like Digital Camera, Digital Video Camera, Web Camera and Mass Storage Driver. This camera allows you to enjoy the benefit of taking pictures and video with ease and transfer all the files to the PC with no hassles. Although the camera comes with a 32MB memory card, it can be upgraded upto 1GB SD memory card.
G-Shot D5123 enables high quality images up to 12 mega pixel by interpolation to be taken sharply in large size pictures of 12”x18”. The built-in microphone provides voice for your video in 640 x 480 (VGA) and 320 x 240 (QVGA). A 2.0” Color TFT LCD screen makes it easy to frame your subject when capturing images and also displays the images comfortably in playback mode. The camera has 4X digital zoom.
Choosing slide show function in playback mode, one can share photos with family and friends immediately just like a digital photo frame DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) function. One can specify the image and the number of prints while checking the image on the display screen. With 1GB external memory card one can store over 5000 images.
G-Shot D5123 uses two “AAA” batteries and if they run out, you can replace them at any convenient store. Once loaded with batteries, you can take up to nearly 102 shots.
Mr. Sandeep Ramani, Country Manager, KYE Systems (India) Corp. said, “We are proud to launch this wonderful piece of 4-in-1 CMOS Digital Camera G-Shot D5123 that represents the Nouveau Vogue of Genius as it is equipped with all the features that a techno savvy person would like to possess to go along with its slide cover and portable light weight features.”
G-Shot D5123 is available with Transtek Infoways Pvt. Ltd. and Tirupati Enterprises, the authorized distributors for Genius in India and is priced at Rs. 6900.
April 17th, 2007
Genius unveils 4-in-1 digital camera
Chennai Online, India
Taiwan-based Genius, one of the leading IT and consumer electronics brands across the globe, has announced the addition to its G-Shot family by launching a new 5.0 mega pixel 4-in-1CMOS digital camera G-Shot D5123.
G-Shot D5123 is a feature-rich noble black camera. Its slide cover and the light body make it extremely portable. The G-Shot D5123 4-in-1 solution includes functionalities like digital camera, digital video camera, web camera and mass storage driver.
This camera allows you to enjoy the benefit of taking pictures and video with ease and transfer all the files to the PC with no hassles. Although the camera comes with a 32MB memory card, it can be upgraded upto 1GB SD memory card.
In addition to it, G-Shot D5123 enables high-quality images up to 12 mega pixel by interpolation to be taken sharply in large size pictures of 12″x18″. The built-in microphone provides voice for your video in 640 x 480 (VGA) and 320 x 240 (QVGA).
April 16th, 2007
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