http://www.imaging-resource.com/news The Imaging Resource News page is the best way to stay on top of all the latest in the fast-paced world of digital imaging! Up-to-the-minute news as well as coverage of the latest articles and reviews covering digital imaging hardware and software of all types, professional and amateur. From digital cameras, printers and scanners to the latest image editors and more, we cover it. The IR News page is read by industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. Come check us out today... en havlik@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-16T21:38:16+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/NPICS1/LOGOS/IMAGINGRESOURCE-2009-144x86.GIFhttp://www.imaging-resource.com/news11470 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/16/the-camera-bag-the-best-and-coolest-camera-bags-on-the-planet http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/16/the-camera-bag-the-best-and-coolest-camera-bags-on-the-planet an updated list of his favorite camera bags over at Photofocus and they include a number of bags that would probably make our own list. For instance, there's the stylish Tenba ProDigital 2.0 Messenger, which Bourne accurately notes is a photo bag "that doesn't scream 'CAMERA BAG.'" He also includes the Gura Gear Kiboko, which we've found to be one of the best designed professional photo backpacks out there...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-16T21:38:16+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/16/the-leica-m-monochrom-is-leica-pricing-out-its-loyal-customers-with-an-8000 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/16/the-leica-m-monochrom-is-leica-pricing-out-its-loyal-customers-with-an-8000 a 1923 Series-0 camera for nearly $3 million, to the announcement of a digital rangefinder that shoots only in black and white: the 18-megapixel Leica M Monochrom ($7,950).   Reading these reports including what we’ve written here on Imaging Resource, I must admit my initial reaction was bafflement, followed by sadness. I tried to understand these feelings, wondering why I felt anything at all about the sale of an old camera or a black-and-white-only digital camera?   However, in thinking about...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-16T18:19:11+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/16/new-firmware-ships-for-leica-s2-dslr http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/16/new-firmware-ships-for-leica-s2-dslr Germany's Leica Camera AG has released updated firmware for its Leica S2 digital SLR, bringing improved flash performance and adding support for a recently-announced mount adapter. Leica S2 firmware version 1.0.3.3 includes the following changes, according to the official release notes: Support of the new Hasselblad lens adapter Leica S-Adapter H –full functionality (order no. 16030) Improvement of flash synchronization with 1/125s focal plane shutter Announced earlier this week, the Leica S-Adapter H allows use of Hasselblad H-system lenses on the Leica S2's...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-16T17:23:05+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/15/photoshop-touch-1.2-relaxes-image-size-limits-but-with-a-catch http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/15/photoshop-touch-1.2-relaxes-image-size-limits-but-with-a-catch Adobe has recently issued updates for its Photoshop Touch app on both the Android and iOS platforms, bringing a number of updates and new features, and taking the version number up to v1.2. Key among these is a change that answers criticisms that the app could previously handle images only at resolutions below 1,600 x 1,600 pixels (2.6 megapixels in a square aspect ratio; 1.9 megapixels in the more common 4:3 aspect), rather limiting its utility. Now, Photoshop Touch will allow a slightly more generous 2,048 x 2,048 pixels (4.2 megapixels max. in square aspect; 3.1 megapixels in 4:3...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-15T22:01:50+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/15/fuji-unveils-wide-conversion-lens-new-firmware-for-x100-with-samples http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/15/fuji-unveils-wide-conversion-lens-new-firmware-for-x100-with-samples Fujifilm has today announced a new conversion lens specific to its FinePix X100 digital camera, offering X100 shooters an alternative to the 23mm fixed focal length of their camera. The company has also simultaneously announced updated firmware for the X100 body. The Fuji WCL-X100 Wide Conversion Lens has 0.8x magnification, and mounts directly on the camera body, without the need for the AR-X100 adapter ring that must be used to attach other filters and accessories. When mounted, the combination of X100 body and WCL-X100 conversion lens provides a focal length of 19mm, equivalent to 28mm...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-15T18:26:41+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/lens-review-pentax-40mm-f-2.8-xs-smc-da http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/lens-review-pentax-40mm-f-2.8-xs-smc-da 40mm f/2.8 XS SMC DA "pancake" lens with the K-01 mirrorless camera, making for a very small and portable camera-lens combination. With its K-mount, the lens is compatible with other Pentax cameras, so we took the opportunity to put it through its paces in our test lab. Does smaller become better? Check out the results for yourself in our full review of the Pentax 40mm f/2.8 XS SMC DA "pancake" lens.
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-14T23:46:34+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/the-camera-bag-a-tilt-shift-lens-you-can-print-out-and-make-yourself http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/the-camera-bag-a-tilt-shift-lens-you-can-print-out-and-make-yourself this cool step-by-step tutorial from Instructables on how to make a printable tilt-shift lens adapter. The materials you need to make this DIY tilt-shift lens can be found at any office supply or hardware store, and include paper, something to write with, and digital calipers to take measurements for your 3D object. The adapter in...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-14T23:29:08+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/robot-takeover-imminent-canon-aims-for-human-free-production-by-2015 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/robot-takeover-imminent-canon-aims-for-human-free-production-by-2015 Imaging giant Canon is working to fully automate its camera production, according to an article from Associated Press journalist Yuri Kageyama, published today on Yahoo News. The move could see humans completely removed from Canon's assembly lines, perhaps as soon as the next three years or so. Canon spokesman Jun Misumi, whose official title isn't stated, is quoted as stating that such a move wouldn't result in job losses. According to Misumi, staff whose jobs were taken over by machines would simply be transferred to other tasks. With that said, in a company that no longer needed a...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-14T22:32:18+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/sigma-updates-sd1-firmware http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/sigma-updates-sd1-firmware At the end of last week, Sigma Corp. of America announced firmware updates for both variants of its flagship digital SLR, the Sigma SD1. Based around a Foveon X3 CMOS image sensor that outputs 15.4 megapixel images with full color information at every pixel location, the SD1 and SD1 Merrill are the company's first high-end, weather-sealed DSLR models. (They differ from each other in name only, with the updated name being an homage to the late co-founder of Foveon and the co-inventor of the Foveon sensor technology, Dick Merrill.) The new firmware for both SD1 variants makes identical...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-14T21:47:11+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/gopros-new-dive-housing-lets-you-focus-on-your-underwater-imagery http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/gopros-new-dive-housing-lets-you-focus-on-your-underwater-imagery first rumors appeared of a new underwater housing for the iconic GoPro HD Hero action camera line, with availability expected from winter 2012. Today, GoPro creator Woodman Labs Inc. has made the AFLTH-001 Dive Housing official, and reconfirmed the previously-expected price of around US$50. Availability is well ahead of the earlier schedule, though: the new HD Hero Dive Housing is expected to begin shipping this Thursday. If you've not done much underwater shooting with the HD Hero-series cameras, you could be forgiven for wondering what the purpose of the new...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-14T19:24:50+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/portable-event-photo-kit-promises-to-reinvent-the-guestbook http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/portable-event-photo-kit-promises-to-reinvent-the-guestbook A New York-based startup will soon unveil an open air, portable event studio setup that it claims will couple "the fun of a photobooth with the quality of a professional studio". Detailed information isn't available yet, but the mobile studio looks to be based around a Nikon D800 digital SLR, plus a variety of other hardware and software, including both a printer and projector. After each guest has a set of photos taken, they're given a chance to choose their favorites, which are then projected for all to see, while two copies of each photo are printed. One copy goes to the guest, and at...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-14T16:06:20+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/the-worlds-most-expensive-camera-vintage-leica-sells-for-nearly-3m http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/14/the-worlds-most-expensive-camera-vintage-leica-sells-for-nearly-3m (read more) ]]> 2012-05-14T12:45:50+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/12/nearly-forgotten-mother-of-modern-american-photography-gertrude-kaeseb http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/12/nearly-forgotten-mother-of-modern-american-photography-gertrude-kaeseb Mathew Brady and Alfred Stieglitz, but there was just one woman who was its mother, Gertrude Käsebier. Not only was she one of the first American women to have a successful career as a photographer, but she was one of the first photographers anywhere to focus on the family. In her timeless images of mothers and children, she helped to shape the modern way we photograph today. In her day, she was famous and influential, a model for young women photographers at a time when proper women were supposed to stay home and tend to their families. One of...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-13T02:05:58+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/12/photoshop-touch-1.2-released http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/12/photoshop-touch-1.2-released our review of Photoshop Touchwith new screen shots  and sample images to reflect the changes introduced yesterday. Adobe released Photoshop Touch version 1.2 yesterday afternoon with the following enhancements: Maximum resolution is 2,048 x 2,048 pixels restricted to 10 layers. The default remains 1,600 x 1,600 pixels with up to 16 layers. You can change the default in the app's Preferences. Automatic synchronization with Creative Cloud Available in 6 languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Italian Added export to PSD and PNG via...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-12T18:50:20+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/11/instant-wooden-box-cameras-from-cuban-polaroid-to-the-afghan-kamra-e-faoree http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/11/instant-wooden-box-cameras-from-cuban-polaroid-to-the-afghan-kamra-e-faoree One day while taking pictures in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria, I came upon a strange sight. There was an old man standing beside a huge wooden box camera on an old wooden tripod. I watched with curiosity as an elderly woman come up to the man and asked to have her picture taken. Carefully sitting her in a sunny spot near the copy of Michelangelo’s statue of David, he proceeded to fuss in the camera and then getting the woman’s complete attention, quickly uncovered and recovered the camera lens cap. He had just made an exposure and sticking his arms into long light tight sleeves, he...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-11T19:45:35+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/10/big-day-for-leica-three-new-cameras-six-lenses-and-more http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/10/big-day-for-leica-three-new-cameras-six-lenses-and-more Germany's Leica Camera AG is making quite the splash today, with a surprisingly large collection of new announcements. (Well, surprising unless you've been paying attention to all the rumors and leaks in the run-up to today's 'Das Wesentliche' press event in Berlin, that is.) Probably the most significant of the announcements is the Leica M Monochrom, the world's first 35mm full-frame camera specifically for black and white photography. The M Monochrom takes most of the existing Leica M9 design, swaps in an unfiltered image sensor, and changes the processing. As with Nikon's recent D800E,...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-10T21:45:09+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/10/mirrorless-is-the-future-suggests-samsung-imaging-head http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/10/mirrorless-is-the-future-suggests-samsung-imaging-head An article published today by the Wall Street Journal offers an interesting insight into the future of the camera market, as Samsung sees it. WSJ correspondent Jung-Ah Lee interviewed Myoung Sup Han, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business at Samsung Electronics, and uncovered an interesting fact: the company is in the process of converting production lines at its main camera plant in China. Lines that once produced fixed-lens cameras will instead turn out compact system cameras, as the company aims to expand its presence in the more profitable mirrorless market. As...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-10T18:31:56+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/10/buying-lightroom-for-mac-just-got-easier http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/10/buying-lightroom-for-mac-just-got-easier If you're a Mac owner running OS X 10.6.6 (Snow Leopard) or later, chances are pretty good that you've used the Mac App Store, Apple's one-stop-shop for app downloads. It's a pretty convenient way to find and purchase new applications, and now you'll be able to find another big name on its virtual shelves. Effective immediately, Adobe's photographer-centric Lightroom app is now available to purchase in the Mac App Store. Pricing of Lightroom 4 on the app store is identical to standard retail pricing; that is to say approximately half that of earlier Lightroom releases. Adobe Photoshop...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-10T15:08:14+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/09/apple-iphone-4s-review-posted http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/09/apple-iphone-4s-review-posted Apple's iPhone 4S is an impressive computing and communication tool, and one of its strengths is a better camera than you can find in most dumb phones, to be sure. Enhanced by downloadable apps, Apple also souped up the iPhone 4S camera in its latest hardware rev, with a higher-resolution sensor, a faster lens, support for Full HD video, and access to the smartphone's more powerful processor. Our tests show that it's improved in a few ways, with better color and resolution, as well as performance, but it's not such a great leap that we'd call it radically improved. We still recommend it...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-10T03:05:55+00:00 http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/09/olympus-e-m5-shooters-report-posted http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2012/05/09/olympus-e-m5-shooters-report-posted As product reviewers, we're faced with a bit of a problem. The cameras we most want to tell you about are the ones we find really enjoyable to shoot. Since we're having fun with them, though, it can be difficult to extract these gems from anybody's hands for long enough to put them through our lengthy lab testing process, let alone get some writing done! If you've been hopefully looking forward to our Olympus E-M5 review, we have good news on two fronts. First, we've managed to tear the E-M5 from Senior Editor Shawn Barnett's grip long enough for him to put pen to paper (well, fingers to...
(read more) ]]> 2012-05-09T16:25:16+00:00