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PC Advisor Reviews Sony Alpha 350

The 14.2 megapixel Sony Alpha 350 digital SLR got reviewed by the website PC Advisor and lets see if it managed to impress. The first thing that stands out in the camera is its novel pullout 2.7in screen, which offers Live View. The built-in antidust and antishake system and the compatibility with older Minolta AF lenses also makes the camera a great buy. Excerpt from review: "Sony's Alpha 350 shows great image quality, an effective antishake system, a good build and a handy pull-out LCD monitor. However, we weren't so impressed with its ergonomics, its poor layout of controls and tunnel-like viewfinder. Live View compromises its conventional use, plus there's a limited range of pricey accessories and lenses."

Good Gear Guide Review Canon 450D

Good Gear Guide recently reviewed the 12MP Canon EOS 450D DSLR and according to them the 450D is a solid improvement on the EOS 400D. The camera now comes with a multitude of features that further enhance the photographic experience and strengthen the Canon name. Features like Live View, dust reduction, 14-bit A-D, fast burst mode and the 12.1 MP CMOS sensor makes the 450D a solid buy. However the Live View autofocus at times is slow and the pictures could use a little sharpening.

Olympus Us Open Sweepstakes Delivers Winning Match Of Unprecedented Access And Innovative Cameras

Olympus who are the official sponsors of the US Open and the Olympus US Open Series announced their second annual national sweepstakes. Lucky winners will be sent on the trip to the 2008 US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York. Winners will receive a weekend getaway August 29-31, 2008, which will include hotel, airfare, spending money and two tickets to the Grand Slam tennis tournament. Consumers purchasing an Olympus camera between May 13 and July 18, 2008 may register to win by completing a registration form at participating retail locations, entering online at www.getolympus.com/register, or mailing a postcard or letter containing their name, mailing address, email address and telephone number to: emg3, Shoot With the Pros, 215 Commercial St., Portland, ME 04101. Registration for the sweepstakes runs through July 18, 2008 and complete rules are available at www.getolympus.com/register.

Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens Pricing Announced

The Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens will retail for £379.99 in the UK. According to Sigma UK, the lens should hit the shelves by June 2008. [Via Photography Blog]

DNG Codec for Windows Vista Available for Download

The DNG codec for Windows Vista is now available for download courtesy Adobe. The DNG Codec provides a method for Windows Vista users to view DNG files in the Windows Explorer and Photo Gallery. Download it from here Download and Installation 1. Download the DNG Codec 2. Double click the downloaded dngcodec_r1_051208.msi file 3. Follow the on-screen installation instructions 4. The DNG Codec may require that you restart your computer before use

Adobe DNG Specification Updated

Version 1.2.0.0 of the Digital Negative Specification has been released by Adobe. The latest update not only formalizes the concept of a camera profile but also adds a metdata tag to validate image data. Additional metadata tags have been defined for the DNG format including a field to indicate a \'hash\' or the integrity of the raw data within the file, providing a valuable tool for validating the safety of your image data . For more info check out the official Lightroom Blog.

PT-E05 Underwater Casing for Olympus E-520

If you are in the market for the newly announced Olympus E-520 DSLR camera, then you might as well check out the PT-E05 casing. The PT-E05 is an underwater casing, which makes the DLR waterproof to a water pressure equivalent to a depth of 40 meters. It comes equipped flash connectors and features 5 interchangeable lens ports. The lens ports support lenses like 14-42mm, 14-45mm, 11-22mm, 14-54mm, 7-14mm, 8mm Fisheye, 35mm and 50mm Macro lenses. [via Photography Blog]

Microsoft and Pentax Collaborate

Microsoft Corp. and HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX has entered into a patent cross-licensing agreement to further the development of each company's current and future product lines. The agreement covers digital cameras made by PENTAX and according to trade pundits, Pentax is compensating Microsoft. "When technological industry leaders collaborate through intellectual property licensing, we foster greater innovation that will benefit the customer, the consumer and the overall IT ecosystem," said Horacio Gutierrez, vice president of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft. "We are proud of the quality of our broad, global patent portfolio, and we are pleased that another consumer products company has recognized the value of our worldwide patent portfolio." More information about Microsoft's licensing programs is available at http://www.microsoft.com/ip.

Ridata 32GB 233x Lightning Series CompactFlash

Ridata has added a 32GB model to its 233x Lightning Series of CompactFlash® cards. Ideal for higher megapixel digital cameras, the card has reading speeds of 35MB/s and writing speeds of 12MB/s. The card conforms to the CompactFlash Association Standard, is PC card Standard and PC card ATA compatible as it is with true IDE mode. The Ridata 32GB 233x Lightning Series CompactFlash® card has an SRP of $199.00 and for more info check out http://www.ritekusa.com/

Canon EOS Rebel XSi Reviewed by Digital Trends

The Canon EOS Rebel XSi just like its predecessor seems to be emerging as a hot favorite. Digital Trends is the latest website to review this user friendly DSLR and lets see how the 12 MOPshooter faired. On testing the Burst Mode in AF setting with maximum JPEG size (4272 x 2848 pixels), the camera proved its quite a speed devil and quite capable of achieving Canon's f 3.5 frames per second rating. Digital noise is barely visible and the imaging quality was found to be top-notch. However the over-hyped Live View is a disappointment and quite useless according to the review. Verdict: "We hate to sound like a skipping Internet audio stream, but it's very easy to recommend the Canon Rebel XSi. It's a fast-focusing, speedy D-SLR that delivers excellent photos both indoors and outside. At 12.2-megapixels, the camera also has more than enough resolution for huge prints, and you can just shoot in auto or tweak images as much as you'd like"

The Digital Graffiti Alys Beach Festival

If you are an art aficionado and or just want to share your creations with the world then we have the perfect platform for you. The "Digital Graffiti Alys Beach" event will take place in Florida on August 30, 2008 during the Labor Day week. The deadline for all submissions is Friday, July 11, 2008 and one can submit andlsquo;digital art" which can be new or existing abstract digital imagery, short films, photography, VJ sets, animations,/YouTube/ videos, Adobe PhotoShop creations or entirely new interactive concepts. The festival will be hosted by experts judges, including Alan Hunter-MTV\'s very first "VeeJay," co-host of th Big 80\'s" channel on Sirius Satellite Radio, and co-founder of the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, and Warren Heaton. For more information about Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, visit the website.

Essentials 2 software for iPhoto by onOne

onOne Software recently announced the availability of Essentials 2 software for iPhoto users. The iPhoto version is a collection of four easy-to-use software tools that help to make post-processing easy and is based on technology used in the professional level onOne Software Photoshop® plug-ins PhotoTune 2.2, FocalPoint 1.0, PhotoFrame 3.1 and Genuine Fractals 5.. Make it Better! Blur It! Frame It! and Enlarge It are the new tools incorporated in onOne Software\'s new Essentials 2 for iPhoto. onOne Software\'s Essentials 2 for iPhoto is available direct from onOne Software (www.onOnesoftware.com) and from authorized retailers including select Apple Stores. The MSRP for Essentials 2 for iPhoto is $59.95.

Eye-Fi Share and Eye-Fi Home Unveiled

Two more new additions to the Eye-Fi family are the Share and Home wireless SD cards.The Eye-Fi Share is in fact the original Eye-Fi Card and is ideal for those who want to upload images directly to their preferred photo-sharing site in addition to their computer. Priced at an MSRP of $99.the card is PC and Mac compatible. The Eye-Fi Home is priced at f$79, enables users to upload photos to their computer through their home Wi-Fi network. This card is designed for those who want to save the time and hassle of manually uploading photos via cables, cradles or card readers.

The New Eye-Fi Explore Memory Card

Eye-Fi extended their portfolio by adding the Eye-Fi Explore Memory Card. Unveiled at the O'Reilly Where 2.0 Conference, the card is capable of automatic geo-tagging. The Eye-Fi Explore will retail for $129 and one will be able add location tags to pictures using Skyhook's global Wi-Fi Positioning System. Via the card users can upload their photos away from home at more than 10,000 Wayport hotspots in the U.S. The 2GB Eye-Fi Explore includes unlimited Web uploads, unlimited geotagging and one year of hotspot access at Wayport locations. The Eye-Fi Explore (MSRP $129.00) will be available at major online retailers beginning June 6, 2008.

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f.4.0-f5.6 Lens

Apart from announcing the E-520 DSLR, Olympus also announced a new lens. The Olympus Zuiko Digital 18-36mm equivalent (ED 9-18mm Four Thirds) f4.0-f5.6, is a super-wide-angle zoom lens that is compatible with any of the Olympus E-System bodies. The lens measures only 3 inches long and weighs a mere 9.88 ounces. The Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f.4.0-f5.6 will be available in the fall of 2008. The estimated street price will be $599.99. "Affordable super wide-angle lenses with equivalent focal lengths less than 20mm have not been widely available in digital SLR photography," said John Knaur, senior marketing manager andndash; DSLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. "Pairing this lens or any of the other Zuiko digital lenses with the new E-520, and its in-body image stabilization, provides a combination ideal for lower light shots like a fountain at night. This combination offers image stabilization for a super wide-angle zoom not found in camera systems with in-lens stabilization."

Olympus E-520 DSLR Unveiled

The Olympus E-520 is the latest DSLR to be announced by the imaging giants. Successor to the E-510, this new DSLR will be available from June 2008 for £479.99 (body only). Touting a 10 megapixels resolution, the Olympus E-520 is based on the " Four Thirds Standard. It comes equipped with a 2.7" HyperCrystal II LCD that offers Live View and also includes a built-in image stabilizer to ensure blur-free. The Supersonic Wave Filter also ensures protection against effects of dust, which can enter the camera during lens changes or otherwise result from normal operation. The Olympus E-520 is available in the following configurations: andbull; Olympus E-520 Lens Kit - £529.99 (E-520 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens) andbull; Olympus E-520 Double Zoom Kit - £629.99 (E-520 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 lenses) andbull; Olympus E-520 Tele Double Zoom Kit - £759.99 (E-520 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 lenses) andbull; Olympus E-520 (body only) - £479.99

Olympus EOS E-520 Photo Gallery

Olympus Announces Super Wide-Angle Lens for E-System DSLRs

May 13, 2008 andndash; Olympus today announced the Zuiko Digital 18-36mm (ED 9-18mm Four Thirds) f4.0-f5.6, a super wide-angle lens. It is compatible with Olympus' E-system DSLRs, including the EOS E-520, also announced today. It will retail for $599.99 when it is released next fall.

Olympus Unveils E-520 DSLR

May 13, 2008 andndash; Olympus today announced the E-520, a 10.1-megapixel DSLR. Marketed toward the entry-level DSLR user, the E-520 features built-in image stabilization, live LCD preview, 20 automated Scene modes, and face detection technology. When released in July, the E-520 will retail for $599.99 for the body only and $699.99 with a ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom lens.

Canon to Sponsor \'The Places We Live\' Exhibition

Canon announced that they will be sponsoring Magnum photographer Jonas Bendiksen's andlsquo;The Places We Live', a unique multimedia exhibition exploring what it means to be a 21st century city dweller. The exhibition will debut at the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo on 6 June, before touring worldwide through the prestigious Magnum Photos network. andlsquo;The Places We Live' was photographed by Bendiksen using Canon's 12.8 Megapixel EOS-5D and will be exhibited using 18 of Canon's new XEED SX7 projectors. andlsquo;The Places We Live' will offer a virtual visit to 20 homes in four of the world's most deprived slums, Kibera in Nairobi, Dharavi in Mumbai, the hillside barrios of Caracas and poor kampongs in Jakarta.