Photo Club

Canon has released a firmware update for the PowerShot G10 compact camera. Version 1.0.2.0 rectifies the occurrence of a magenta cast when RAW images are captured at ISO 1600 in continuous shooting mode or in single shooting mode with the monitor switched off. The fix only affects cameras with a serial number within a range specified by Canon.  
Source: www.dpreview.com

“Toulouse, my grandmother in her garden after the storm. “The January 2009 Bay of Biscay storm known as Klaus was a European windstorm which made landfall over large parts of central and southern France, northern Spain, Andorra and parts of Italy”. Taken by Romain Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

Pre-PMA 2009: Nikon has unveiled the Coolpix P90 superzoom with 24x optical zoom. With 26mm - 624mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range this superzoom camera sports a 12.1 MP sensor, 3.0 inch tilting LCD and includes manual and auto features such as Scene Auto Selector, Smile Mode, Blink warning and P/A/S/M exposure modes. In addition, continuous shooting mode can deliver 45 images at 15 fps, with images being recorded before pressing the shutter button. Press Release: Nikon’s Ultra-Zoom Bridge Camera Nikon introduces 24x zoom compact camera Nikon UK is proud to announce the P90 compact camera that boasts an impressive 24x wide angle optical zoom. Its high-performance super-telephoto zoom, wide-angle capabilities and other powerful features are combined in an easy-to-use camera, making it ideal for users looking for the famous Nikon quality, in a camera that’s compact and portable. Mark Pekelharing, Product Manager Consumer Products at Nikon Europe B.V: “This camera demonstrates Nikon’s devotion to camera enthusiasts. The amazingly powerful 24x zoom, 3.0-inch LCD screen with vari-angle tilt function, vibration reduction, and high sensitivity make the P90 a no-compromise bridge between a compact camera and a D-SLR.”   Features to write home about The P90 has an immensely powerful 24x optical zoom that offers the 35mm-equivalent of a 26mm wide-angle to a 624mm telephoto and is capable of shooting pictures as close up as 1cm. High-speed continuous shooting up to 45 shots at 15 fps means it is an ideal camera for sports photography and can even record images before you’ve pressed the button. Add to this its 12.1 effective megapixels and sensitivity up to ISO 6400, and it is clear why it excels in almost any shooting situation. Users can set it to full automatic or various manual settings using the camera’s four exposure modes (PSAM) and compose their ideal picture using the electronic viewfinder. The camera offers many other Nikon-quality features such as four Anti-blur technologies, Auto Scene and Face Priority AF, recognising up to twelve faces. It also includes the latest features, such as Smile Mode and Blink Warning, Nikon’s proprietary D-Lighting for optimising contrast and Quick Retouch. The camera can also record movies, including time-lapse movies and its 3-inch vari-angle LCD screen makes taking pictures easy even in challenging situations. The P90 comes supplied with a USB cable, audio/video cable, strap and a software suite for COOLPIX CD-ROM. It will be available in Black All Nikon cameras come with 2GB free online image storage at Nikon’s my Picturetown service on mypicturetown.com. Nikon Coolpix P90 specifications Sensor • 1/2.33 " Type CCD • 12.1 million effective pixels • 12.7 million effective pixels Lens • 24x Zoom-Nikkor (26 - 624 mm equiv.) • F2.8- F5.0 Image dimensions • 4000 x 3000 (12M) • 3264 x 2448 (8M) • 2592 x 1944 (5M) • 2048 x 1536 (3M) • 1600 x 1200 (2M) • 1280 x 960 (1M) • 1024×768 (PC) • 640 x 480 (TV) • 3984 x 2656 (3:2) • 3968 x 2232 (16:9) • 2992 x 2992 (1:1) Movie Modes • 640 x 480 • 320 x 240 Image stabilization Optical Digital zoom Up to 4x Focus Contrast-detect TTL AF Focus distance • 10 cm to infinity (∞) • Macro close-up mode: 1 cm to infinity (∞) ISO sensitivity • Full res: ISO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 Scene Modes • Portrait • Panorama Assist • Close Up • Sunset • Night Landscape • Fireworks Show • Night Portrait • Copy • Beach/Snow • Dusk/Dawn • Museum • Landscape • Back Light • Food • Party LCD monitor • 3.0-in tilting LCD • 230,000-dot Other features • Smile Timer • Blink Warning Storage • SD / SDHC card (optional) • Approx 50 MB internal memory Power • Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5 • Approx 230 shots • AC Adapter EH-62A Supplied Software Software Suite CD-ROM Supplied Accessories • Li-ion Rechargeable Battery EN-EL5 • Battery Charge MH-61 • USB Cable UC-E6 • Audio/Video Cable EG-CP14 • Strap AN-CP18 • Lens Cap LC-CP19 • Software Suite for COOLPIX CD-ROM Weight (no batt) Approx. 400 g Dimensions Approx.83 x 114 x 99 mm (3.3 x 4.5 x 3.9 in)
Source: www.dpreview.com

Lens reviews on DPReview are one year old today, and we’re celebrating this auspicious anniversary with appropriate aplomb. Our 25th review features the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II, a bargain offering that sells for less than $100, yet features an optical design refined over decades of service as the standard lens supplied with 35mm film SLRs. So how does it measure up against F1.4 lenses costing three times as much? We’re also taking this opportunity to publish our studio test data for Nikon’s equivalent lens, the AF-Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8D on the D300 and D3. You can view this in the lens widget by clicking here; a full review will follow… sometime.
Source: www.dpreview.com

Adobe has released ‘Release Candidates’ of Photoshop Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5.3 for immediate download from Adobe Labs. Both provide additional Raw support for the Nikon D3X and Olympus E-30 DSLRs. Lightroom is also now available in 8 new languages. The ‘release candidate’ label means the downloads are ‘well tested’ but not yet final versions. Press release: Adobe has released Photoshop Lightroom 2.3 and Photoshop Camera Raw 5.3 Release Candidates, both available immediately for download from Adobe Labs at http://labs.adobe.com. The ‘release candidate’ label indicates that this update is well tested but would benefit from additional community testing before it is distributed automatically to all customers. The Lightroom and Camera Raw teams would like the community to help verify the quality of this update through normal usage as this will ensure that the application is tested on a wide variety of hardware and software configurations not available internally at Adobe. Both release candidates provide additional raw file support for the Nikon D3X and Olympus E-30 cameras. In addition,the Lightroom 2.3 Release Candidate provides a solution to a memory leak that affected some customers of the Lightroom 2.2 release. Adobe is also pleased to announce the availability of Lightroom in eight new languages, including Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Korean, Chinese (simplified) and Chinese (traditional). The Lightroom 2.3 Release Candidate available on Adobe Labs includes these additional languages, and Adobe greatly appreciates any feedback the community can provide the Lightroom team.
Source: www.dpreview.com

Panasonic has released a firmware update for the Lumix DMC-LX3 digital compact camera. With version 1.2, the EXIF data is correctly displayed on all JPEG files. It also improves the white balance in flash mode when connected to the DMW-FL220 flash unit. Furthermore, the shutter speed is now correctly set while the image stabilization is turned on in the Intelligent Auto and Scene mode.
Source: www.dpreview.com

“Though the Sahara has many disadvantages, it has an advantage, too: you don’t have to worry about finding a proper campsite”. Mauritania. Taken by Ferenc and Istvan Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

CES 2009: Olumpus has announced two new models in its Stylus TOUGH (µ TOUGH in Europe) series of shock-, water- and freezeproof compact cameras. The Stylus TOUGH-8000 features a 12 megapixel sensor while the sister model TOUGH-6000 captures 10 megapixel images. Both cameras come with a 3.6x (28-102mm equivalent) zoom lens and feature Olympus’ TAP control technology for easy operation when wearing gloves, ideal for all sorts of outdoor activities. Press Release: Tough cameras for tough situations Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 (µ TOUGH-8000 in Europe) The µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 – action heroes! London, 7 January 2009 – Olympus’ unique range of waterproof, shockproof and freeze proof TOUGH cameras has grown with the addition of the 12 Megapixel µ TOUGH-8000 and the 10 Megapixel µ TOUGH-6000. Both models feature 3.6x wide zoom lenses, great for taking awesome wide-angle photos of rugged terrain and for zooming in on the distant bits that you can’t get to! Blur caused by camera shake is virtually eradicated on the two new TOUGHS, thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation and, as both cameras feature TAP Control, they can be operated by simply tapping on their casings – very handy if you’re wearing ski gloves. The µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 let you take extremely good photos in extreme conditions, and enjoy the experience. The new top-of-the-range µ TOUGH-8000, is hard as nails and perfect for those who want to push things to their limits. It’s waterproof to 10m***, shockproof to falls from up to 2m**, freezeproof down to temperatures as low as -10°C and crushproof to weights of up to 100kg****. Fellow newcomer, the µ TOUGH-6000 is no wimp either. As well as being freezeproof, this model is waterproof to 3m*** and impervious to drops from up to 1.5m**. Both models inherit the versatile 3.6x wide optical zoom first seen on the EISA Award winning Olympus µ 1030 SW. Starting at 28mm* wide-angle, fantastic for landscapes and architectural photos, this lens zooms up to a useful 102mm*, which is ideal for concentrating on more distant subjects. And Dual Image Stabilisation significantly reduces image blur caused by camera shake, even when the µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 are being used in challenging situations, such as being buffeted by the waves. Being tough doesn’t mean that the new models aren’t sensitive. The µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 are packed with features that make beautiful photos a cert. And, with 12 and 10 Megapixels resolution respectively, results can be enlarged as big as you wish. Capable of recognising up to 3 faces, the µ TOUGH-8000’s Face Detection Technology guarantees that human subjects are always perfectly focused and exposed. The µ TOUGH-6000, which boasts Advanced Face Detection Technology, goes one better and can detect up to 16 faces. It also has a handy Smile Shot feature which automatically takes the picture as soon as the subject smiles and, for even happier results, Beauty Mode can retouch their skin as the shot is being taken, removing lines and wrinkles for a smooth glowing complexion. To further improve picture quality Shadow Adjustment Technology has been included to boost shadow detail that would otherwise be lost. And for the ultimate in photography convenience, Intelligent Auto Mode analyses the image being photographed and matches it to one of five commonly-used scene modes, automatically selecting the best choice. As an alternative to the intuitive on-screen menus displayed on their 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal III LCD screens, the µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 also feature Tap Control. This allows fast access to a range of settings simply by tapping the camera body – even when wearing gloves, such as when skiing. The µ TOUGH-8000 and µ TOUGH-6000 are waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, and available in a range of great colours – so picking the right one might prove tough too! Expect to see them in UK stores in mid-January and early February 2009 respectively. The Olympus µ TOUGH-8000 – main features: Shooting in toughest situations – shockproof  to 2m**, waterproof  to 10m***, crushproof to 100kg**** and freezeproof to -10°C Available in Platinum Silver, Midnight Black, or Steel Blue High-precision 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm*) to capture landscapes through to stunning close-ups even in extreme conditions Avoids camera shake and blurry images thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabilisation) TAP Control Menu for great convenience also when wearing gloves 12 Megapixels to make prints up to poster-size 6.9cm/2.7" HyperCrystal III LCD for best ever preview even in brilliant sunlight and at extreme angles (230,000 dots) Face Detection for perfectly focused and exposed faces. In combination with Shadow Adjustment Technology, other main parts of the picture are also correctly exposed. The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically Easy checking of air and water pressure thanks to on-screen manometer LED illuminator to lighten up underwater or macro sceneries Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps) xD-Picture Card and microSD Card***** compatible The Olympus µ TOUGH-6000 – main features: Shooting when it’s getting tough, wet and cold – shockproof  to 1.5m**, waterproof to 3m*** and freezeproof to -10°C Available in Lemon Yellow, Pure White, Arctic Blue or Sunset Orange High-precision 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm*) to capture landscapes through to stunning close-ups even in extreme conditions Avoids camera shake and blurry images thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabilisation) TAP Control Menu for great convenience also when wearing gloves 10 Megapixels to make prints up to poster-size 6.9cm/2.7" HyperCrystal III LCD for best ever preview even in brilliant sunlight and at extreme angles (230,000 dots) Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces. In combination with Shadow Adjustment Technology other main parts of the picture are also correctly exposed. The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically LED illuminator to lighten up underwater or macro sceneries Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps) xD-Picture Card and microSD Card***** compatible * Equivalent to a 35mm camera ** Equivalent to MIL Standard (Olympus test conditions) *** According to IEC standard publication 529 IPX8 **** According to Olympus test conditions) *****microSD is a trademark of SD Card Association
Source: www.dpreview.com

“From the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago, you can really get a feel for quite how flat the American Mid-West is, how straight the roads are and how the city seems to stretch out forever”. Taken by Caroline Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

“I met this very proud man in Tunisia. He was riding a black arabian stallion. Sorry for the people who love horses: I was only interested in the man’s protrait”. Taken by Ben Swillens Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com