Wed - January 14, 2004

iPhoto 4 Makes Improvements, but Still Could Be Better


In my recent weblog on O'Reilly Network, iPhoto Takes a Backseat to Music Again, I discuss how iPhoto seems to be lagging a step behind the other iApps. This doesn't mean that there aren't many things I like about the new version of iPhoto. I do appreciate the improved performance, Rendezvous networking, enhance slideshow controls, and more. But I'd like Apple to really look at what digital photographers need right now, and try to make iPhoto meet as many of those desires as possible. That being said, I happily paid my $49 for iLife '04 that includes the new version of iPhoto.

Posted at 11:08 PM     Read More  


Thu - December 11, 2003

Canon Digital Elph S400 Great Compact for All Shooters


I've been shooting with Canon's S400 since buying one at B&H Photo during a summer visit to New York City. I've owed compact cameras by Canon and Olympus, and have generally enjoyed them for snap-shooting, but the S400 takes portable photography to a new level.

If you want, you can put it in "auto everything" and get great results. Its 4-megapixel images give you plenty of resolution for making enlargements or for cropping out the interesting parts of pictures and tossing out the rest. It takes CompactFlash memory cards, which I still prefer because they are affordable and plentiful. Plus I don't lose them as easily as I do the smaller cards such as xD and SD. Canon lenses are usually quite good, and the S400 is not exception -- sharp as a tack and excellent color.

But the S400 also gives you spot metering, exposure compensation, macro, lots of flash options, movie mode (an excellent one at that), special effects, burst mode, and panorama mode, just to name some of its advanced features. After mastering the controls, which doesn't take long, there isn't much this pocketable shooter can't do.

Mac OS X users have some special goodies to play with. Take a look at my article, Rendezvous Picture Transfer with Panther to see how you can share images across a network directly from the S400. Plus, you can actually fire the camera remotely using nothing more than your Web browser. Really cool.

If you already own an S400, you might want to take a look at my Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition. Many of the illustrations explaining camera controls use, you guessed it, the S400 as the example camera.

I've seen prices as low as $399 US for this compact beauty. Among the current crop of portable digicams, I have to say, the S400 is a real steal.

Posted at 08:32 PM     Read More  


Mon - November 3, 2003

Second Edition of Digital Photography Pocket Guide Announced


Even if you already own the First Edition of the Digi Photo Pocket Guide, you might want to check out the Second Edition. The new book has been completely redesigned -- easier to read and prettier to look at. All the photos have been reshot and are now in color (yaay!). Plus, I've updated the tech information to cover the latest in image sensors, memory cards, and shooting options, such as when to use RAW mode and when to use Jpeg.

And here's something that will make you smile. Even with these improvements, the price is still the same! If you want to take a look at the index and the table of contents, jump over to the O'Reilly Catalog page. You can also order it there, or from Amazon.com. The book is due in the warehouse on Nov. 14, so you'll receive it in plenty of time to give for Christmas presents.

And what do you do with your first edition? It's the perfect hand-me-down for a budding photographer.

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Mon - October 6, 2003

See the New Olympus E-1 in Action at the US Grand Prix


What better test for a high performance digital SLR than an auto race? That's what Michael Tomkins thought when he got access to the "not yet released" Olympus E-1. Michael took the camera to the US Grand Prix and has published lots of pictures from the event, complete with captions and metadata. It's worth a look!

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Posted at 08:32 AM     Read More  


Fri - October 3, 2003

Panasonic Announces 12x Optical Zoom Digicam


MacCentral Online has posted an informative article about the announced Panasonic DMC-FZ10 that has an f-2.8, 12x optical zoom combined with a 4-megapixel CCD. The zoom is the equivalent to a 35-420 mm lens on a 35 mm camera... and those are optical magnifications, not digital! The suggested retail price will be $599 US.

If the electronics on this camera can provide relatively fast response times with minimal shutter lag, this could be a great tool for action photographers. I'll keep an eye on it.

Posted at 11:14 AM     Read More  


Tue - September 30, 2003

Olympus Announces the C-5060 "Wide" Zoom


I've bee shooting with the Olympus C-5050 for months now, and I can tell you that it's one of the finest "prosumer" cameras I've used -- only second to the Canon G2 - G3. Now Olympus has announced a tempting upgrade that includes a wide angle (27mm to 110mm, f2.8 - f8.0) zoom and a redesign swivel LCD monitor that's more like the fantastic LCD found on the Canon G-series cameras.

The previous model accepted three types of media (SmartMedia, CF, and xD Picture Card), while the C-5060 only accepts CF and xD, which shouldn't be a problem for most shooters. Also, as part of the lens design compromise, the maximum aperture is now f-2.8 while the C-5050 sported a fast f-1.8 lens.

But, all in all, it looks like the C-5060 is going to proudly carry only the C-series tradition that has been one of the best line of cameras ever to come from Olympus. You can find out more at the Olympus web site. The camera will most likely retail for $699 US.

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Posted at 08:45 AM     Read More  


Mon - September 29, 2003

A First Look at Canon's Digital Rebel


After a day of shooting in Northern California's wine country, the Canon Digital Rebel performed with the ease and accuracy of its older sibling, the Canon 10D. The Rebel is lighter and not designed to be as durable, but its picture-taking prowess is just a powerful. This camera looks like a true winner and possibly the tipping point for many waiting for prices to fall within reach.

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Posted at 11:03 AM     Read More  

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