Panasonic introduces Limited Edition HDC-TM350 Camcorder
Panasonic is pleased to announce the introduction of the new, limited edition HDC-TM350 high definition camcorder. A sister model to the multiple award winning HDC-TM300, the TM350 enjoys the well-renowned family heritage whilst also offering further benefits into the mix – including a larger capacity flash memory, new Advanced O.I.S and improved low light performance. The HDC-TM350 will be available exclusively from mid October at Panasonic Stores for a limited period only. Read on...

__________________________________________________________________________

- Monday, 28 September 2009 -

Cameraphone Photography
With cameras being built into phones there is almost no excuse for missing out on photo opportunities anymore.

Cameraphones now offer a similar resolution to the dedicated cameras and although the image quality doesn't usually hold up to very close scrutiny but with ever improving technology it does not mean that decent photos cannot be taken. Read on....

Panasonic Updates Firmware of DMC-LX3 for Improvements in Functions and Performance
A new firmware version is now announced for Panasonic’s premium manual compact camera, DMC-LX3. Firmware version 2.0 supports several new functions and improves various performance factors to elevate shooting convenience and fun. The firmware also rectifies several minor issues to enhance operation.

The adoption of new algorithms makes it possible to speed up the AF time by approx.20% to 0.50 sec at wide-end. In addition, a 1:1 aspect ratio recording mode is added as a shooting option in addition to the conventional 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. A white balance bracket shot is also now available. The new scene mode High Dynamic is newly incorporated in the scene mode, which helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure even though the scene contains both bright and dark areas together. You can select either of 3 options, Standard, Art, or B/W, depending on the desired effect and personal taste to make the photo look natural to artistic. The white balance adjustment performance is greatly improved especially under fluorescent lights, daytime sunlight and low light.

As well as those mentioned above, the new firmware incorporates attractive advancements for enthusiastic photographers. The exposure compensation range as well as its bracket setting is widened. The fixed composition guidelines are now movable to the intended position with the control of cursor or joystick for free framing. Over exposed parts of the picture are shown not only in the preview but also in playback mode. The lens position of zooming and manual focusing is memorized and will resume at this position.

The photographer’s name can be embedded to the EXIF information of the picture and it can be confirmed via the updated PHOTOfunSTUDIO ver.2.1.

Panasonic invites all users of DMC-LX3 to apply the updated firmware. The new firmware will be available worldwide at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/, at 07:00 BST on 28th of September, 2009.

__________________________________________________________________________

Wildlife Photography
At some point everyone will eventually take photos of their pets, animals in zoos or those in the wild. This article discusses some of the techniques employed and the typical equipment used.

You don't need to have the latest and greatest camera technology in order get photos you can be proud of it is necessary to have an understanding of your cameras strengths and limitations. Read on...

__________________________________________________________________________

- Wednesday, 23 September 2009 -

Adobe Release Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows and Mac
London — Sept. 23, 2009 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 8 software available for Windows® and Mac, providing automated and intelligent photo-editing technology across both platforms. With the newest version of the No. 1 selling consumer photo-editing software,* Adobe continues to make cutting-edge innovation accessible to users who want powerful yet easy-to-use tools to tell compelling stories with their photos. Read on....

__________________________________________________________________________

- Monday, 21 September 2009 -

Canon announces DSLR cashback promotion especially for UK Photographic Students
From now until 31st October 2009, Canon is running a cashback promotion on two models within their award winning EOS range.

• EOS 450D - £50 (Offer valid across all configurations)
• EOS 500D - £65 (Offer valid across all configurations)

Canon are offering photographic students at UK institutions the chance to receive cashback on the purchase of a new Canon DSLR. Lecturers and technicians working on photographic courses are also eligible to take part. These two Canon EOS cameras are ideal for the demands faced on almost any photographic course. The EOS 450D shooting at 3.5 fps and with a 12.2 MP CMOS sensor is compact and lightweight, great for anyone starting out. Whilst the EOS 500D is available for those wanting something a little more advanced. It has a 15.1 MP CMOS sensor, ISO up to 12800 for low light conditions and full HD movie capabilities.

Cameras can be purchased from any authorised Canon retailer. Once purchased, send the claim form (downloadable from the Canon web site), proof of purchase and UK academic accreditation (photocopy of NUS card, academic security pass or course acceptance letter) to the to the freepost address as it appears on the form.

Claim forms can be downloaded pre or post purchase. Customers will receive their cheque within 28 days of the forms reaching Canon. For full terms and conditions and to download a claim form please visit: www.canon.co.uk/futurephotocashback

Panasonic Updates Firmware for DMC-G1 and DMC-GH1
Panasonic is pleased to announce that a firmware update is available for the DMC-GH1 and DMC-G1 cameras. Both updates improve autofocus performance for the subject in low contrast and the stability of auto exposure (AE) for the recently released Panasonic Leica 45mm F2.8 Macro lens (H-ES045). The GH1 firmware v1.2 also decreases the operation noise of Auto Focus in motion picture recording for the 20mm F1.7 pancake lens (H-H020).

The new firmware updates are available to download worldwide at;
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/index.html

__________________________________________________________________________

- Thursday, 17 September 2009 -

Panasonic Updates Firmware for Lumix G Vario 45-200mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S.
Panasonic is pleased to announce that a new firmware is released for the Lumix G interchangeable lens LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS045200). The firmware includes improvement of auto focus performance in AFC mode for taking photos. It also enhances performance of auto focusing and stability of O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) while reducing noise of aperture control for taking movies(Except for FHD mode of AVCHD in DMC-GH1).

The new firmware (version 1.1) will be available to download worldwide on the 17th of September 2009 at 0700 BST at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/.

Pentax introduce the K-x Entry Class DSLR
PENTAX UK is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX K-x lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera. The K-x combines a variety of advanced features and user-friendly functions to ensure an outstanding level of photographic performance within a compact, lightweight body.

The K-x design is based on the award winning PENTAX K-m, an entry-class digital SLR camera launched in October 2008 that gained popularity for its compact, lightweight body and simple, user-friendly operation. The K-x features a newly designed high performance CMOS image sensor and an upgraded filter function. It also features a whole host of advanced features such as live view shooting and movie recording, approximately 12.4 megapixels and high-speed continuous shooting. The K-x is the perfect camera for first-time digital SLR camera users, as well as an ideal backup camera for more experienced photographers. Read on...

__________________________________________________________________________

- Tuesday, 15 September 2009 -

Olympus announces firmware update for the Olympus Pens and lenses
15 September 2009, Olympus today releases a firmware update for its first Micro Four Thirds camera, the Olympus Pen and two of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses. The update has been designed to enhance the focusing performance of the camera.

The firmware update, 1.1 for the Olympus Pen will improve the camera’s continuous AF (C-AF) operation. Both lenses – the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake will also benefit from the update, with enhanced autofocus performance.

It is recommended that the camera and lenses be updated at the same time. To download and install the firmware update, simply open the Olympus Master software, connect the camera via USB to the computer and log onto the Internet. Choose the Update Camera function from the Online Service menu in the Olympus Master software and the update will commence immediately.

__________________________________________________________________________

- Sunday, 13 September 2009 -

Thought of the day - To upgrade or not to upgrade?
With the frequent introduction of new cameras it must be considered whether an upgrade will benefit your photography. Even the so called entry level DSLRs can produce great images and upgrading to a higher level model may not always mean better image quality. If your aim is to improve image quality rather than requiring a more responsive or feature packed camera then consideration for higher quality optics must be high on the list. A great lens will outlast a camera body several times over!

__________________________________________________________________________

- Friday, 4 September 2009 -

Tamron announces the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC lens
Tamron Co., Ltd. announced the release of the SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] (Model B005), a high speed f/2.8 wide-to-moderate-telephoto zoom lens designed exclusively for Nikon and Canon digital SLR cameras with smaller sensors. Featuring Tamron’s proprietary tri-axial Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism that minimizes the effects of handheld camera shake, the lens will be available in Nikon mount in September 2009 and Canon mount in October 2009. Read on...

Sigma introduces the 70-300mm DG OS zoom lens
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS. This telephoto zoom lens incorporates Sigma’s original OS (Optical Stabiliser) function and is housed in a compact construction.

Read on...

__________________________________________________________________________

- Thursday, 3 September 2009 -

Plustek announces its new OpticFilm Scanners
With a maximum resolution of 7200dpi, Plustek’s three new Opticfilm scanners, 7400, 7600iSE and 7600Ai offer a huge specification with Multi Sampling to minimize noise, ACRTM (Adaptive Colour Restoration) to improve colour saturation on faded slides/negatives, and SRDTM (Smart Removal of Defects) to reduce and remove dust and scratch marks. These features in combination with other comprehensive facilities within the bundled Silver Fast software, make the new Plustek OpticFilm 7400, 7600iSE and 7600Ai scanners extremely capable whilst still being an economic option for the enthusiast or professional photographer. Read on...

Plustek introduces the Smartphoto P60 Scanner
The Plustek SmartPhoto P60 makes it easy to turn your 6x4 inch Photographs into digital files. Simply insert your image, press the scan button and seconds later you have a digital file on your PC ready to use, archive, transfer to a digital photo frame or share through popular social websites such as Flickr or Facebook.

Read on...

__________________________________________________________________________

- Wednesday, 2 September 2009 -

Panasonic announces the Lumix DMC-GF1
Panasonic today announced the newest addition to its LUMIX G Micro System line-up of advanced digital interchangeable lens system cameras based on the Micro Four Thirds system standard. The new LUMIX DMC-GF1 debuts as the world’s smallest and lightest system camera with built-in flash*. The DMC-GF1 features an elegant, compact flat body and combines great performance with ultimate operating and shooting ease. Furthermore, it effectively optimizes the advantages of a system camera to assure outstanding image quality. The new camera is capable of recording vivid still shots, as well as smooth, beautiful motion pictures. It also features the advanced AVCHD Lite movie for recording extended HD movies, networking with other AV devices and recording in the Motion JPEG format for greater compatibility with PCs. Read on...

EA Comments: The Lumix GF1 is looks like the big brother to the Lumix LX3 but with the imaging power of 4/3 sensor and scaled up image processing. Of course it is more than that as this camera will offer advantages over the LX range and the DSLR for those who want higher image quality than a compact but a lighter package than typical DSLR.

Panasonic announces the Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 Pancake Lens
Today Panasonic unveils a new pancake lens called the LUMIX G 20mm / F1.7 ASPH (35mm camera equivalent: 40mm) for the LUMIX G Micro System. The new LUMIX G 20mm has an amazing compact and light weight design despite having an ultra bright and fast F1.7 lens aperture, allowing images to show an impressive soft focus.

Read on...

Panasonic announces the Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm Lens
Panasonic today unveiled a new macro lens from world renowned imaging brand Leica. The LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (35mm camera equivalent: 90mm) is the latest edition to the LUMIX G Micro System. Eagerly anticipated by photographer enthusiasts worldwide, the new LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. boasts a superb image quality with minimum distortion, chromatic aberrations as well as ghosts and flares that passes a stringent Leica standard to go beyond expectations. Read on...

__________________________________________________________________________

- Tuesday, 1 September 2009 -

Canon introduces the 18 megapixel EOS 7D DSLR
United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 1 September 2009: Canon today unveils the EOS 7D digital SLR camera – a completely new design to meet the specific demands of photographers. Incorporating a new 18MP APS-C CMOS Sensor, developed by Canon, the EOS 7D also features: Dual “DIGIC 4” processors to offer fast, high-quality performance in all light conditions, an ISO range expandable to 12,800 and continuous shooting at 8 frames per second – without the need for additional accessories. Impressive technologies are matched by excellent build-quality designed with the photographer in mind – to create a whole new photographic experience. Read on...

Canon launches two versatile lenses for impressive everyday use
United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 1 September 2009:: Canon today strengthens its EF-S series of lenses with the launch of two powerful standard kit lenses for EOS EF-S camera owners: the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM. Both lenses match the style and performance of Canon’s new APS-C sensor camera – the Canon EOS 7D.

Read about the 15-85mm IS USM and 18-135mm IS lenses here.

Canon announces the arrival of the first EF lens to feature Hybrid IS
United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 1 September 2009: Canon today announces the launch of the high performance EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, the latest addition to its prestigious L-series, Canon’s flagship professional lens range. The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM incorporates image stabilisation in a macro lens for the first time in the EOS lens range. This enables photographers to capture stunning close-up shots without the need for a tripod.

Read on....