Photo Geek

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Canon US video and printer rebate glitch

Canon has asked US customers planning take advantage of its rebate program not to cash the checks they have received, following the company handling the rebates filing for bankruptcy protection. The problems relate to rebate checks for video and printer products dated prior to November 14th. Any customer yet to send-in rebate materials should also delay until further notice. (read more)

Kodak challenges Samsung and LG on patents

Kodak is challenging Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and related companies over alleged patent infringement. Kodak is claiming technologies used in LG and Samsung camera phones are covered by its patents. Documents filed with the International Trade Commission highlight technologies in the Samsung Blackjack II and LG Dare handsets. (read more)

Sony develops CMOS sensor for phones

Sony has announced the development of the finest-yet pixel-pitch 1/2.5" sensor. The 12.2MP CMOS sensor has been developed for mobile phone cameras, but is of a size commonly used in compact and super zoom cameras. The IMX060PQ sensor, which Sony brands 'Exmor' in common with its DSLR CMOS sensors, will also be available incorporated into an F2.8 28mm-equiv lens unit with piezoelectric driven autofocus - relatively advanced for a camera phone module. (read more)

Just posted! Pentax 50mm F1.4 lens review

Just posted! Our new lens review featuring the Pentax smc P-FA 50mm 1:1.4. This is the latest in our on-going series scrutinising the optical credentials of the camera manufacturers' various "fast fifties", and looks at a lens which has been around since the days of 35mm film. Designed as a fast 'standard' prime, it's now being pressed into service as a short portrait telephoto on the APS-C sensor. So how well has it adapted to this new role? (read more)

Sigma buys sensor developer Foveon

Camera and lens maker Sigma has bought Foveon, the sensor technology company that develops the sensors it uses. Foveon's technology uses three photosensitive layers to detect red, green and blue light at each pixel. Sigma says owning the company will allow the development of new types of sensors and improved integration between the sensors and its lenses. (read more)

Samsung Techwin to spin-out camera division

Samsung Techwin, the Korean manufacturer, plans to separate out its camera division into an individual entity (under the same ownership), according to news agency Reuters. Samsung Techwin is part of the Samsung Group's machinery and heavy industry division and makes mobile artillery and gas turbines, as well as digital cameras. Tentatively named Samsung Digital Imaging, the new company will have a separate listing from Feb. 1, 2009, allowing its management to concentrate on the fast-moving consumer market into which its products are sold, without also having to also consider sales of aircraft engines. (read more)

Sigma DP1 Firmware Update

Sigma has announced a firmware update for its DP-1 compact digital camera. Version 2.00 will make it possible to allocate different functions to each of the Digital Zoom buttons. In addition, the image magnification ratio will now appear during playback. (read more)

Phase One releases Capture One v4.5.1

Phase One has released an update to its RAW workflow software, Capture One. Version 4.5.1 supports RAW files from the Canon 50D and offers preliminary support for EOS 5D Mark II files. The update also improves general performance of the software. (read more)

dpreview.com blog

Dragged kicking and screaming into 2008 we've finally decided to break the code of silence which hovered over the inner workings of the dpreview beast and launch our very own blog, or blogs to be more precise. As of today we now have a more informal channel for our editorial and developer teams to communicate directly with our readership, answer some of your burning questions and give you a peek through the window into the hive of activity which occurs in our basement. It's early days but we've already got a few entries, more to come! (read more)

Apple releases Camera RAW compatibility update

Apple has released a RAW compatibility update for iPhoto '08 and Aperture 2. Update 2.3 supports RAW files from the Canon EOS 50D, Nikon D90, Sony A900 and the Nikon Coolpix P6000. The latest update also addresses unspecified issues relating to certain cameras already supported and overall stability of RAW conversion. (read more)

Olympus E-30 brief hands-on

We've had a quick chance to have a look at the new Olympus E-30, so have put together a brief hands-on report. This mid-level DSLR offers many features of the more expensive E-3, with a host of new functions pulled together in slightly smaller format. So what does the E-30 offer to entice the semi-professional shooter into the Four Thirds fold? (read more)

Olympus launches E-30 DSLR

Olympus has today announced the E-30 digital SLR. The mid-range DSLR features a 12MP Live MOS sensor and 2.7" tilt and swivel LCD. It also incorportates Live View with Contrast AF, Image Stabilization, 5fps continuous shooting and shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th sec. The E-30 also introduces a set of six 'Art Filters', a Multiple Exposure mode and offers a choice of 9 aspect ratios. (read more)

Olympus launches Zuiko Digital 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 II

Alongside the E-30, Olympus has released the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 II lens; successor to the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5. The new lens has been redesigned to offer compatibility with the 'High-speed imager AF' system included in recent Four Thirds DSLRs. The lens is a 3x zoom, equivalent to 28-108mm on 35mm format. (read more)

Just posted! Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review

Just posted! The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 is that most unusual thing, a compact digital camera that has really caught the imagination of photographers. Moving away from the quirky 16:9 sensor of its predecessors, (the LX1 and LX2), this latest offering matches a bright 24-60mm equivalent zoom to a conventionally-proportioned 11 megapixel sensor. Just to keep things interesting, the sensor is then cropped in three different ways to provide a consistent diagonal angle-of-view in three different aspect ratios. So what did we make of the LX3, competitor or curio? (read more)

Just posted! Canon EOS 50D review

Just Posted! Canon EOS 50D in-depth review. Canon's EOS 50D is essentially a 40D body with a newly-developed 15 megapixel sensor, a 3.0 inch VGA screen and Canon's updated imaging processor, the DIGIC 4. Canon claims the new sensor's design (new manufacturing processes, redesigned photo diodes and micro lenses) means that despite the higher resolution image noise has improved. As you might imagine, we've had a closer look at this. Find out more after the link. Review now updated using the final version of Adobe Camera Raw 4.6. (read more)

Olympus lends lenses Micro Four Thirds compatibility

Olympus has announced firmware updates for several of its lenses to allow their use with the Panasonic DMC-G1. The updated lenses are the 35mm F3.5 Macro, 25mm F2.8 pancake, 35-100mm F2 and 40-150mm F4.0-5.6. Once upgraded, the lenses will be 'compatible' with the G1. (Update: The 25mm pancake and 40-150mm F4.0-5.6 lenses will autofocus on the G1, but it has been confirmed that the 35mm Macro and 35-100mm F2 will not.) (read more)

Canon 50D firmware fixes Err99

Canon has released new firmware for the EOS 50D, taking it to version 1.0.3. The latest version corrects three issues, two of which the company describes as 'rare.' One of the problems addressed is the much-discussed Err99 error message that can prevent the camera taking photos. (read more)

Nikon D300 firmware update

Nikon has today announced a firmware update for the D300, taking it to v1.10. The update improves focus performance in dynamic-area AF mode contrast-detect mode in live view but also looks at a whole range of other issues. Click through for links to more information and the downloads. (read more)

New 'Help' section for Lens Reviews

It's taken us a little while, but we've finally found the time to write up a much-needed 'Help' section for our lens reviews. Focusing mainly on how to use our interactive data display 'widget', but also featuring useful tidbits of extra information and a 'Frequently Asked Questions' page, it can be found in the 'Learn/Glossary' section of the site. (read more)

Just posted! Sony Alpha 900 review

Just Posted! Sony Alpha 900 in-depth review. Sony's eagerly anticipated flagship digital SLR finally gives Minolta/Konica Minolta users a full frame option and, on paper, looks like a strong new entry to the exclusive full frame club. Featuring the 24.6 MP CMOS sensor announced in January, the Alpha 900 offers several enticing features, including sensor-shift image stabilization, a super 100% coverage viewfinder and the same high resolution screen as the Alpha 700. To find out how it fared in our extensive testing check out the in-depth review after the link. (read more)

Adobe updates Camera Raw for Photoshop CS4

Adobe has released updates to its Camera Raw Plug-in for Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2. Camera Raw 5.1 provides raw support to the 15 cameras that were included in the 4.6 update for CS3 users. Lightroom 2.1 has now been released officially, improving Photoshop integration and keyword migration from Lightroom. (read more)

Mamiya introduces DL28 digital camera system

Mamiya has released the DL28 digital medium format camera system. It is a combination of the Aptus-II 6 Digital Back from Leaf and the 645AFD III body, that features a new coreless autofocus motor and an enhanced interface system. Sporting a 28 MP image sensor with a pixel pitch of 7.2 microns, the features of DL28 include 16-bit capture, 12 stop dynamic range and an ISO range of 50-800. Priced at $14,999, it will be available in November. (read more)

Apple releases Aperture 2.1.2

Apple has released Aperture 2.1.2, a minor update to its RAW-conversion and photo management software. The update improves the printing quality of books, cards and calendars ordered via the Aperture printing service and is recommended for users of Aperture 2. (read more)

Adobe Photoshop CS4 now available

Adobe has announced the availability of Photoshop Creative Suite 4. Priced at US$699, the CS4 version features a unified tabbed interface, enhanced color correction and non-destructive editing tools. To speed up operations, it features OpenGL support and 64-bit support (although only for Windows users). Along with Photoshop CS4, Adobe has also announced the availability of the entire Creative Suite 4 product family. (read more)

Too early to shed light on Black Silicon say developers

Creators of the 'black silicon' that has been much discussed, following an article in the New York Times, have said it's too early to discuss what their material's benefits might be for digital photography. The novel, doped silicon technology holds out the promise of increased sensitivity but is still in development by SiOnyx, a Harvard University spin-off. (read more)

Phase One releases Capture One 4 PRO

Phase One has released Capture One 4 PRO, a new version of its RAW workflow software. The lastest version features an enhanced Color Editor and Styles palette. A new Skin Tone tool has been added that helps to set and reproduce skin tones without the use of a gray card. In addition, a lens correction tool has been added to help minimize chromatic aberration, distortion, fringing and features a vignetting tool for framing. (read more)

Just posted! Canon 18-200mm IS lens review

Just posted! Our latest lens review starring Canon's eagerly-awaited 'superzoom' for APS-C DSLRs, the EF-S 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 IS. This much-requested lens was finally delivered by Canon as an accompaniment to the EOS 50D, so we've put it though its paces on the new DSLR using our comprehensive studio test suite. To find out how Canon's latest optic performs (and how it matches up to the demands of a 15Mp sensor) follow the link. (read more)

Firmware update service for Four Thirds launched

Olympus, Panasonic and Sigma have jointly launched a firmware update service for the Four Thirds system standard. The service enables users to install future DSLR lens firmware updates via their four thirds camera, even if the body and lens are not by the same manufacturer. The move allows all Four Thirds system users to ensure their lenses include all the latest revisions. (read more)

Just Posted! Our Nikon D90 review

Just Posted: Nikon D90 in-depth review. The D90 has some large shoes to step into, given that it replaces one of the most popular enthusiast-level cameras of recent times. We saw in our preview that it's had a feature boost and specification upgrade, but do those tweaks and changes result in a better camera (and images)? Has a fine camera been over-burdened with fripperies and video recording? We find out in our full, in depth review. (read more)

Olympus Stylus 1040 Crystal

Olympus has released a limited edition model, the Stylus 1040 Crystal, embedded with 98 Swarovski crystals on the sliding lens barrier. The 10 MP super slim camera with a 2.7”LCD and 3x (38-114mm equiv) zoom lens includes features such as Advanced Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment and Intelligent Auto Mode. This Crystal edition is now available for an approximate price of £175. (read more)