The Pentax Optio W30 is a weatherproof, 7-megapixel compact consumer digital camera. The metal body is sealed from dust and is designed to be waterproof to a depth of 3 meters (9.8 ft.) for underwater photography. The Optio W30 also features face detection technology, digital shake reduction (not image stabilization), and a 3x 38mm-114mm optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent).

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Pentax Optio W30 Studio Test Images
	ISO 64 Sample >> ISO 100 Sample >> ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >> ISO 1600 Sample >> ISO 3200 Sample >>

Pros Weatherproof, sealed body and lens Waterproof for underwater use to 9 ft. Bright LCD screen Internal zoom lens does not protrude from body Excellent battery life Realistic color rendition	Cons Auto focus speed is slow LCD display resolution is low Noise above ISO 400

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The Canon PowerShot G9 is a rangefinder-style premium compact digital camera. It has a 12-megapixel sensor, image stabilized 6x optical zoom lens, a huge 3-inch LCD, a brand new control layout, and lots of manual controls. It also marks the return of RAW shooting capability to Canon’s G-Series compact digital cameras.

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Canon PowerShot G9 Studio Test Images
	ISO 80 Sample >> ISO 100 Sample >> ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >> ISO 1600 Sample >>

Pros Great image quality for a compact digital camera RAW shooting ability Nice camera design 6x image-stabilized optical zoom lens Compact and powerful Flash hot shoe Built-in neutral density filter Full range of exposure controls	Cons Slow start-up and shot-to-shot time Unpredictable flash performance Focus lock feel is a little vague 35mm wide zoom isn’t wide enough I would prefer dedicated ISO button Exposure inconsistencies between RAW and JPEG

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Phase One Delivers Capture One 4 Next-Generation RAW Workflow Software
Transforming RAW Data to Uncompromising Image Quality

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Dec. 19, 2007 — Phase One today announced the availability of Capture One 4, the next generation of the world’s first RAW workflow software. Built on a new architecture, the successor to Phase One’s entry-level Capture One LE offers photographers – pros and enthusiasts alike – a RAW workflow solution for superior image quality.

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11.1x high zoom ratio lens with a built-in AF motor allowing autofocus with all Nikon APS-C DSLR cameras.
18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC lens for Nikon

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC for Nikon. This high zoom ratio lens, designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras, covers wide angle to telephoto focal lengths. The built-in motor is capable of autofocusing with all Nikon DSLR cameras. Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) lenses and two Aspherical glass elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberration. Sigma’s super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides high image quality throughout the zoom range. The compact and lightweight construction of 70mm (2.8”) in diameter, 75.6mm (3.0”) in length and 395g (13.9oz) makes it ideal for field work. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7”) and a maximum magnification of 1:4.4. An inner focusing system also eliminates front lens rotation, making this lens particularly suitable for using the petal lens hood and circular polarizing filters. A zoom lock switch mechanism is provided to prevent the lens from creeping due to its own weight.

Bibble Pro Version 4.9.9 Adds Nikon D300, D3, Canon 1Ds Mark 3, G9 and more
Also supports E-3, Sony A700, and adds Tethering Support for Intel Mac’s with Nikon dSLR’s.

Austin, Tx (Dec 17, 2007) - Bibble Labs, Inc. announced immediate availability of version 4.9.9 of its “Pro” and “Lite” RAW workflow software. New cameras added in this release include Nikon D300 and D3, Canon 1Ds Mark 3 and G9, Sony Alpha A700, and Olympus E-3. This release also adds tethered shooting support for all Nikon SLR’s on Intel Macs (PowerPC Macs and Windows were already supported). This latest update is free for all current Bibble 4 customers, and new customers will also receive a free upgrade to Bibble 5, when available.

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The 10.1-megapixel Olympus E-3 is a high-end professional digital SLR with an exceptionally fast auto-focus system, built-in image stabilization, Live View and excellent image quality. It’s a part of the Four Thirds digital SLR system, which has a smaller sensor and a different lens format from most other cameras.

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Olympus E-3 Studio Test Images
	ISO 100 Sample >> ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >> ISO 1600 Sample >> ISO 3200 Sample >>

Pros Excellent overall image quality Fast, accurate, consistent auto focus Compatibility with Four Thirds System lenses Sensor-based, mechanical image stabilization Natural, film-like color balance External white balance sensor Wide latitude with RAW format Live View mode Large viewfinder image 2.5-inch fully-articulated LCD screen Uses CompactFlash or xD Picture memory cards Ergonomic body and control layout High-quality metal construction

Cons Four Thirds aspect ratio may feel too square for some No erase function immediately after capture Quick-erase function requires caution

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ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE 2007 TAMRON “AN EMOTIONAL APPEAL” PHOTO CONTEST
Leading Professional Photographer and Contest Judge Selects Grand Prize Winner and Twenty Favorites Now Posted on Tamron’s On-Line Gallery

December 17, 2007, Commack, NY—The overwhelming majority of great photographs, especially those including people, has one thing in common—they effectively capture, express, and convey human emotions. In other words, photographs that are judged to be the best are almost always those that evoke a strong emotional response in the viewer. Bearing that simple but profound concept in mind, Tamron, acclaimed for manufacturing innovative lenses of superlative quality, created an entirely new kind of photo contest, An Emotional Appeal that debuted in 2006. Instead of basing it on the usual range of specific subject categories, we asked all entrants to submit pictures that best express the universal theme of human emotion and emotional interaction.

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Last week Flickr announced a partnership with Picnik.com to offer Picnik’s basic photo online editing through the web front-end. This is another example of the web encroaching on traditional desktop software. A trend that Adobe believes is the future, according to recent statements by its CEO. Though it may be the future, it’s definitely not there yet. Though the ability to do some basic editing inside Flickr is a nice bonus, the application is slow, requires payment to unlock more advanced features and falls prey to the incompatibilities presented but developing for many different browsers that each have a different definition of “standards compliant.” Not to mention the inability to edit high-bit depth images, the arbitrary limitation of the editable image being a maximum of 2800 pixels on the long end and the lack of layers. To its credit, the interface does allow you to undo all your changes and go back to the original rather easily. Its tools do work well, only exhibiting limitations when fed really poor images or when pushed beyond their intended use. Overall, it’s a fun toy, but nothing groundbreaking, and definitely not a replacement for desktop software yet. I say yet because I have no doubt that the network will eventually become just as powerful in single-user applications as the desktop is today, and that’s not even counting the possibilities of multi-use collaborative and social aspects.

In the meantime, if you accidentally uploaded the unedited file, it might be easier to fix than it used to be.

Main view once the editor loads your image:

Exposure controls (advanced brings up levels, highlight and shadow recovery):

All I did was hit “Auto Fix.” Not bad:

Photoflex StarFlash 650 Gemini LiteDome Kit

The Photoflex StarFlash 650 LiteDome kit is a mid-range monolight flash kit designed for the seasoned professional and emerging photographer. The kit comes complete with 2 StarFlash 650 watt monolights, 2 medium (24″x32″) LightDome softboxes, 2 StarFlash connectors, 2 tilt swivel mounts, 2 lamp covers, 2 light stands, sync cords, and 1 large carry bag with wheels and sturdy grip handles.

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Canon’s newest prosumer digital SLR, the EOS 40D, is more than an updated EOS 30D; it is a ground breaking advanced amateur camera. Released in September 2007, the EOS 40D sports a similar chassis to the 20D and 30D; the 40D is a lightweight, feature-packed, digital SLR with Canon’s new DIGIC III Image Processor, EOS Integrated Cleaning System, 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.5 frame-per-second capability, high precision auto focus, and new 3-inch LCD screen.

Price: $1299 US

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Canon EOS 40D Studio Test Images
	ISO 100 Sample >> ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >> ISO 1600 Sample >> ISO 3200 Sample >>

Pros 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor Extensive noise reduction technology for better images at high ISO 6.5 frames-per-second up to 75 consecutive JPEGS or 17 consecutive RAW Images New auto focus system with 9 cross-type sensors World’s first diagonal high-precision cross-type auto focus EOS Integrated Cleaning System Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor Live View function with new options for reduced shutter-lag and quiet operation Highlight Tone Priority for in-camera image control sRAW format

Cons Minimal weather-sealing No vertical shutter button Flash sync speed limited to 1/250th second

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The Sigma SD14 is a newly redesigned 14-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera equipped with the innovative Foveon X3 direct image sensor. The SD14 digital SLR is priced at about $1,500.

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Sigma SD14 Studio Test Images
	ISO 100 Sample >> ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >>

Pros Superb image quality from Foveon X3 sensor Pentaprism viewfinder with 98 percent coverage and 0.9x magnification. Brilliant 2.5-inch LCD with three levels of magnification. Diopter correction allows adjustment for user’s eyesight. Pop-up flash with external flash control performs well. Long-life shutter rated at 100,000 cycles. Easily removable dust shield.	Cons No scene or custom exposure or settings. Difficult to some change settings without looking away from the viewfinder. No auto-ISO or gradations between the five ISO settings. Can’t go back in the menus. Sigma Photo Pro 3.0 software is slow.

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Kodak to Increase Prices for Select Consumer Film, One-Time-Use Cameras and Professional Still Films in 2008

ROCHESTER, N.Y., December 3, 2007 – Eastman Kodak Company announced today that it will increase prices an average of 5 - 10 % on select consumer and professional still films and One-Time-Use Cameras beginning in the first quarter of 2008. The price increase is a result of increased costs of raw materials, including silver and petrochemicals, as well as escalating oil prices, and industry volume trends. Timing of the new pricing structure will take effect in US on March 1, 2008

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