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Digital Photography Tutorials

Samsung is known to have spread it’s “tale” into the entire electronic market: telecommunication, digital media and more. The latest product under the Samsung brand is the Samsung SPF-83V 8” Digital Photo Frame.
This one has 8 inch and is very customizable. The process of image sliding inside the frame is based on the fact that users can organize and upload individual photos or albums from their PC to Windows Live Spaces and from here, via wireless connection, to the digital frame.
What I like about this frame is that it open standards such as RSS. And, what I don’t like about it, is the fact that Samsung licensed Microsoft technology for this wireless digital photo frame so I’ll be kind of pursued to use Windows Live Spaces.

“Our latest digital photo frames, based on cutting-edge technology from the Microsoft Research labs, are easy to use and are one of the few offerings in the marketplace that offer a ‘network’ approach to digital photo sharing.” said Christopher Franey, vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics America.

I could not yet any informations on availability and price (nor more specifications except the 8 inch and Microsoft licensing).

Like I said before, I keep my eyes open for any compatible lens with my Nikon D40x SLR. I know discussions where people spoke about not buying this affordable performant camera for one single reason: there are not enough compatible lenses (lenses that have an integrated focus motor). But, the manufacturers already solved the problem:
- first it was the NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
- then there were Tamron AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II (Model A18N II) and AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF)
- and now it is the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3

This new lens from Sigma is a 11.1x high zoom ratio lens with a built-in AF motor allowing autofocus with all Nikon APS-C DSLR cameras. (it’s exactly what I was waiting for)
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. However, vignetting will occur if the lens is used with 35mm SLR cameras, APS format film cameras or digital cameras with image sensors larger than APS-C size, including 5:4 and FX format of Nikon D3 camera.
An inner focusing system also eliminates front lens rotation, making the 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.

THE SPECIFICATIONS
* Lens construction : 15 Elements 13 Groups
* Angle of view : 76.5°- 8.1°
* Number of blades : 7pcs
* Minimum Aperture (W) : F22
* Minimum Focusing Distance : 45cm / 17.7in.
* Maximum Magnification : 1:4.4
* Filter Size : Ø62mm
* Dimensions(Diameter x Length) : Ø70mm X 75.6mm / 2.8in. X 3.0in.
* Weight : 395g / 13.9oz

Accessories
SIGMA DG UV 62mm 00-85126-92372-3
SIGMA DG WIDE CIRCULAR PL 62mm 00-85126-92383-9
LENS HOOD LH680-01(Supplied) 00-85126-91730-2

In these days, the digital frame gadget becomes more and more interesting from two points of view:
- first, the customers demand more: they just love it
- second, the manufacturers create more and more powerful devices as the competition grows
So what is the reason why someone would purchase this?
Digital photo frame consumers and digital signage business users can display thousands of digital photos or other digital signage advertising content stored on any Windows or Apple computer, or from select RSS enabled photo sharing websites such as Picasa Web Albums or Flickr. All digital picture frames require no additional image manipulation or software installation and will display photo collections organized with the leading photo management software programs. Some of them even play music for a more enjoyable viewing environment.

As a result, PhotoVu PV1765w is a new 17” widescreen wireless digital picture frame equipped with a 1280 x 800 LCD display – 17 inch widescreen, in a 16:10 wide format.

“This is clearly a premium digital picture frame at a very affordable price, making a PhotoVu the perfect gift for the 2007 holiday season” said Mark Van Buskirk, Partner, PhotoVu. “And our new PV1765w still includes all of the industry leading features and customization options that PhotoVu is well known for.”

More information about PhotoVu digital picture frames can be found at: http://www.photovu.com/digital-frames

The Grand Prize Picture— “Mixed Emotions” by Lance Taylor
Lance Taylor of Ft. Meade, Maryland took this charming picture of his wife Jacqueline and 3-year old daughter Jillian at a beach near Corolla, North Carolina. “The water was pretty frigid,” recalls Taylor “and Jillian couldn’t stand up in the waves by herself, so my wife would pick her up and lift her up over the water as they rolled in. In this instance, she didn’t catch her in time and Jillian fell down and got chilled as a wave rushed in. I grabbed this shot of my wife smiling broadly as she picked the baby up, but my daughter’s somewhat pained expression shows that she was none too pleased about being dunked. For obvious reasons, my informal name for this shot is ‘mixed emotions.’” Indeed the juxtaposition of divergent expressions and emotions, as well as the tight close-up composition emphasizing the essentials is what makes this shot a winner.
The other winners are:
“Home on the Ranch” by Becky Maness
“Bawling Baby Girl” by Nathan Maxfield

The Tamron “An Emotional Appeal” 2008 Photo Contest
Tamron USA, Inc. just announced the “An Emotional Appeal” 2008 Photo Contest and is looking for images from scrapbook and photo enthusiasts that convey a variety of human emotions—happy, sad, tired, mad, or any other. The contest winner will receive a Tamron AF28-300mm VC zoom lens with Vibration Compensation designed for all of today’s popular Canon and Nikon digital SLR cameras (a $600 street value). The winner and 20 favorites will be featured in Tamron’s online photo gallery. Deadline is 11/30/08.

A bonus for anyone who downloads the contest entry form is advice from professional photographer Andre Costantini, who has run workshops designed for scrapbookers at several scrapbook stores and regularly lectures on portrait photography around the country. Costantini provides 10 Photo Tips for Better People Photography that are sure to help photographers of any level make better pictures.

The contest rules and entry form, as well as Andre Costantini’s photo tips, can be downloaded by logging onto http://www.tamron.com/lenses/scrapbook.asp

Just a few days left until the closing date for entries into the Sony Alpha Unseen Britain campaign (January 4 2008).
The Sony Alpha Unseen Britain Challenge has embarked on its campaign to capture never seen before images of Britain with renowned photographer and climber Mike Robertson. Commissioned by Sony, Mike will tour the country scaling new heights and legendary landmarks to create totally new and exciting photographic images using the new Sony Alpha 700 (α700) Digital SLR camera.
As part of the Sony Alpha Unseen Britain campaign Sony is also inviting enthusiast photographers to get snapping (with their feet firmly on the ground) with their own original and eye-catching images of Britain. Pictures submitted will be entered into a competition to receive a new Sony Alpha 700 (α700) Digital SLR camera and full kit.

The best entries, together with Mike’s photographs, will be published on the Sony Alpha Unseen Britain online gallery and will be showcased in an exclusive exhibition in central London in the New Year.
To find out more about Sony Alpha Unseen Britain and enter the competition.

Six structures across Britain have been selected by Mike, based on the challenge of the climb, the geographical location, the visual impact of their surroundings and the opportunity to capture a never seen before Britain. These are Spinnaker Tower (Portsmouth), Blackpool Tower, Newport Transporter Bridge, Snowhill Plaza (Birmingham) and a London site.

Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program, Portrait, Landscape, Sports and Night Scene, plus Movie Mode
• Scene Modes: 6 scenes
Technical Data:
• 3.0 inch LCD
• 7 megapixels
• 3x optical zoom + 4x digital zoom
• Focal Length: 34-102mm
• Aperture: f/2.8 – 4.8
• Focus Range:
50 cm – ∞
5 cm – ∞ (Macro wide)
35 cm – ∞ (Macro tele)
• Shutter Speed: 1 – 1/2000 sec
• File Format: JPEG
• SD – Secure Digital memory + 32Mb internal memory
• 2x AA battery
• Dimensions: 94.5mm x 60.0mm x 29.1mm (W x H x D)
• Weight: 140g

Nikon Understanding Digital Photography DVD You are ready to take your digital SLR photography beyond the automatic settings on your … all » Nikon digital SLR camera, this 45 minute Nikon School© DVD is the perfect guide. Join Bob Krist, award-winning National Geographic Traveler Photographer, on a day of shooting and instruction. Along the way, Bob will offer valuable insights on choices you can make to begin composing and shooting breathtaking photographs.

While on a variety of locations, Bob will share his vast knowledge of photography and Nikon digital SLRs to educate you on:

· Camera settings for best quality in various situations
· Lens choice for creative and practical shooting
· Utilizing the Retouch Menu for in-camera editing
· Exposure fundamentals and shooting options

During the day’s shooting, Bob takes us to familiar situations around the home and demonstrates a variety of creative photographic opportunities. Understanding Digital Photography covers the use of the Nikon Creative Lighting System, using Nikon Speedlights for portraits and small groups. Bob continues removing the mystery of overcoming photographic challenges in a variety of environments including the difficulties encountered with twilight portraits and landscapes.

This DVD offers valuable instruction to anyone interested in digital SLR photography, particularly those who have some familiarity with a digital SLR’s basic functions. For those unfamiliar with basic digital SLR operation, I recommend beginning with the Nikon School© DVD, Fast, Fun& Easy: Great Digital Pictures.

I (Lau – Photoxe) am wishing you a Happy Christmas, full of joy, freedom, inspiration, health, friends, wisdom, and everything else that feels good for your soul. Have a cheerfully holiday and make splendid pictures!

Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, P: Program AE (Program shift can be performed), A: Aperture priority AE, S: Shutter priority AE, M: Manual, Scene program AE, Scene select AE
• Scene Program Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night + Portrait
• Scene Select Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama* (* Available with the Olympus xD-Picture Card), Beach & Snow, Underwater Wide, Underwater Macro
• Special Feature: 2 image stabilization modes (2 dimensional activation: Horizontal + Vertical), (1 dimension activation: Vertical) with fffective compensation range up to 4EV steps maximum
• Effects: Vivid, Natural, Muted, Monotone; Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone; Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone, 4 levels gradation (auto, high key, normal, low key); Contrast, Sharpness and Saturation level available in 5 steps for Vivid, Natural or Muted, Contrast and Sharpness level available in 5 steps for Monotone
• Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Fill-in, Slow synchronization, Manual, Off.
• Focus Modes: Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF, 3 point multiple AF
• White Balance: custom + 7 settings (3000K – 7500K) Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K)
• Metering: TTL open-aperture metering system
(1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering)
(2) Centre weighted average metering
(3) Spot metering (approx. 1% for the viewfinder screen)
(4) Spot with Highlight control
(5) Spot with Shadow control
• View finder information: Aperture value, Shutter speed, Record mode, AF confirmation mark, Flash, WB, AE lock, Number of storable still images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Battery warning, Exposure mode, AF frame (super impose), IS activating mode.
• Live View: Live MOS Sensor for still picture shooting is used, 100% field of view, Exposure adjustment pre-view, White balance adjustment pre-view, Grid line displayable, 7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, Shooting information, Histogram, Heat warning.

Technical Data:
• 2.5 inch LCD + 95% coverage 0.92x magnification viewfinder
• 10 megapixels
• ISO Range: AUTO / ISO 100 – 1600 (AUTO: Automatic control is available in AUTO, Program, A, Scene program, Scene select, Flash be fired. Up to ISO 800)
• Flash Synchronization speed: 1/180 sec. or less, Super FP up to 1/4000 sec.
• Flash intensity control: Up to ±2 EV in 1/3, 1/2, or 1EV steps selectable.
• Flash bracketing: 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable.
• Exposure Compensation: ±5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable
• Exposure bracketing: 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable
• White balance compensation: ±7 steps in each R-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB/Preset WB mode)
• White balance bracketing: 3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each R-G/G-M axis.
• Continuos Shooting: Approx. 3 frames/sec., RAW mode: Max. 8 frames, JPEG mode: Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels (HQ mode: approx. up to card capacity)
• Shutter Speed: Auto mode: 2 – 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings),
P(Ps), S, A, M mode: 60 – 1/4000 sec. (Bulb: up to 8 min. with limiter),
Scene program/Scene select mode: 4 – 1/4000 sec. (depends on settings)
1/3, 1/2, or 1EV steps selectable.
• Self Timer: 12 sec., 2 sec.
• File Format: RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG
• CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot)
• BLM-1 Li-ion battery (included) – 650 shots
• Dimensions: 5.35 in.(W) x 3.6 in. (W) x 2.67in. (D) / 136 mm (W) x 91.5 mm (H) x 68 mm (D)
• Weight: 16.6 oz. / 470 g (body only)

In matter of design, Ricoh Caplio is not much for a camera, but as performance, at the quality-price rapport, it stands out good. There’s no optical viewfinder on the Ricoh Caplio GX100, but there’s a removable optional electronic viewfinder which might be useful. The user interface is simple, with minimum buttons, therefor, image deletion is not as easy as pressing a key. On the other hand, this is a camera that offers it’s users a manual focus mode and even the flash pops-up manually plus it sports an external lens cap. This camera feature has an optical-based anti-shake system which is normally turned on. Therefore, the Ricoh Caplio GX100 automatically compensates for camera shake, which is a slight blurring of the image that typically occurs at slow shutter speeds. Ricoh are well known for delivering responsive cameras, and the Caplio GX100 continues that tradition. The start-up time from turning the Ricoh Caplio GX100 on to being ready to take a photo is very quick at around 0.75 second, and it takes just over 1 second to zoom from the widest focal length to the longest. Focusing is very quick in good light and the camera happily achieves focus most of the time indoors or in low-light situations.
Other things that I like at this camera include the surprisingly good white balance control and a wide usable sensitivity range. There is an innovative feature on the Ricoh Caplio GX100 that is called Camera Shake Correction. Both the Flash On setting and the Red-Eye Reduction option may cause only a tiny amount of red-eye. Macro performance is also a stand-out highlight, allowing you to focus as close as 1cm away from the subject.
In conclusion, the Ricoh Caplio GX100 digital camera offers a 10 megapixel sensor, wide-angle 24-72mm lens, RAW mode via the Adobe DNG format, external hotshoe, full creative control over exposure, and optical image stabilization, plus, it provides good quality pictures.