Samsung's new SyncMaster 970P is a high-end dual interface 19-inch monitor
that is built and designed for performance. Currently shipping with an estimated
street price of $549, the 970P incorporates Samsung's MagicTune technology
which provides users with extensive color adjustment capability and the ability
to save various personalized display settings. The new monitor utilizes Samsung's
MagicStand, an innovative four-way, triple-hinge adjustable stand that offers
pivot ability, height adjustment, tilt and swivel capabilities. The display
also incorporates Samsung's MagicRotation, an automatic pivot feature
that instantly tracks the display's new orientation when users shift the
screen from portrait to landscape.
Wacom Technology is now including several additional software programs with
its 6x 8" Graphire Bluetooth wireless pen tablet. Priced at $249.99, the
device now ships with Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 and PC digital inking programs
for added versatility. When used in conjunction with the Wacom pen, Photoshop
Elements tools such as the Healing Brush allow users to selectively alter images
and precisely remove photographic flaws with greater ease and accuracy. Nineteen
pressure-sensitive tools deliver dynamic control of important tool attributes
such as size, opacity and color.
Sometimes all it takes to lift your photo from the ordinary to the extraordinary
is a striking edge or border. Would a soft-edged vignette or a unique pattern
border take your image to the next level of dramatic impact? While there are
myriad software programs and plug-ins designed to add special effect edges,
borders and frames, you probably already have quite an array of possibilities
built into your current image-editing software. To get you started, here are
some effects that I created with Adobe Photoshop. You can use Elements for these,
as well. Earlier versions of these as well as other image-editing programs offer
many of the same effects. Now let's give some photos a new leading edge...
Today's cameras are microprocessors with lenses. Most of us know how
to change color, sharpness and contrast, and even ISO settings, for every frame
we shoot, but did you know that you can also change how your camera's
dials and buttons work? By using Custom Function settings you can alter the
function of all those dials and buttons and personalize them to the way you
work, or to each unique shooting situation. When the camera comes out of the
box it has certain "default" settings, those chosen by the camera
manufacturer. While there is a certain wisdom in the defaults, they are not
necessarily the best way for your style or shooting needs.
Photography is full of `scapes: landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes
are all very popular subjects. But the next time you grab your camera and head
out for a day of shooting, why not take try to capture what's on "the
other side" and shoot some windowscapes for a change? There are a couple
of different approaches to take. You can use a window as a compositional device
to frame your subject, or you can concentrate of photographing objects you find
inside or behind a window.
A
polarizing filter eliminated the distracting reflections in this
scene shot through a window on a bright, sunny day.
Sigma's new 120--300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG HSM is a digitally optimized
telephoto zoom lens featuring a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout it zoom
range. The lens features a new coating and optical construction designed to
minimize flare and ghosting, and utilizes four Special Low Dispersion (SLD)
glass elements for optimum image quality. A Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provides
silent, precise, high-speed auto-focusing, with full time manual focus override
(for Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts).
The new Intuos3 6x11 pen tablet from Wacom is specifically designed for photographers,
designers and artists who are using multiple monitors or a widescreen display.
With an active area that matches the aspect ratio of either a widescreen display
or two standard displays used together, this innovative tablet features intuitive
controls, a cordless, battery-free Grip Pen offering 1,024 levels of pressure,
and an ergonomic five-button Intuos3 mouse.
Adobe has released an updated beta version (v3.3, 11/10/05) of their Adobe
Camera Raw plug-in for raw file conversion with a few enhancements. (Compatible
only with Photoshop CS 2 as well as Elements 3.0 and 4.0.) Support for additional
cameras has also been added, including the Canon EOS 5D, EOS 1D Mark II N, Pentax
*ist DL and *ist DS2. A minor fix has also been made to the Adobe DNG converter,
"improved decoding for some camera models". Do note that this is a
beta version, although it appeared to work perfectly in my preliminary tests.
When installing the Camera Raw plug-in, be sure to follow the instructions exactly
as described on the Adobe web site. The download for Mac and Windows is available
at http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/new.jsp.
Nikon Inc. is recalling EN-EL3 batteries as detailed in a service advisory
(issued Nov. 7. 2005) because of possible overheating and melting. The recall
involves over 700,000 affected battery packs (including 200,000 in the US) that
were packaged with the Nikon D100, D70 and D50 and also sold as accessories
under model number 26265. Replacement will be free of charge. Although only
four incidents of problems have been reported to date, replacement of batteries
with the pertinent lot numbers is strongly recommended. Full specifics are available
at http://www.nikonusa.com/email_images/nikonusa/service_advisory/battery.html
on the Nikon Web site. To receive instructions and materials for the return
of your affected EN-EL3 battery pack, postage prepaid, and your free replacement,
click here http://www.nikondealernet.com/sa2.asp
or call toll free 1-800-645-6678.
Adobe Systems has collaborated with MEDIUM Design Group of Santa Barbara, CA
to create the ultimate messenger bag for digital photographers and other creative
professionals. This stylish limited-edition bag will be sold exclusively at
Barneys New York and online at adobe.mediumdesigngroup.com.
It features a secure laptop compartment, as well as multiple pockets for memory
cards, cables, PDAs, cell phones and other accessories. There's also a
unique MP3 pocket which includes specially designed buttonholes and hooks, allowing
users to run headphone cables outside the bag.
Canon has announced an Amateur Photo Contest that will help provide supplement
funding for the 2007 Canon Envirothon--North America's largest high school
environmental education competition in which teams battle for recognition and
scholarships by demonstrating their knowledge of natural resources. Students
apply their training and problem-solving skills in five subject areas--soils,
aquatics, forestry, wildlife, and a current environmental issue that changes
each year.
Kingston Technology Company, Inc. has released a versatile 15-in-1 Hi-Speed
Reader designed for photographers who demand high transfer rates, speed and
reliability.
Eastman Kodak Co. is now shipping the highly anticipated EasyShare-One--a
unique compact digicam that enables the user to send e-mail from the camera,
to connect to the Kodak EasyShare Gallery from Wi-Fi hotspots, and to optimize
viewing and operation via an intuitive touch screen and graphical menu interface.
Lyson, Inc., a leading provider of inks and media has introduced a bulk ink
feed system and bulk ink for Hewlett-Packard's popular Designjet 5000
and 5500 large format printers. The new Lyson bulk feed system features specially
modified REPLEO bulk ink cartridges with an everlasting chip. Lyson's
REPLEO ink sets are color matched to original OEM inks, in this case HP's
dye and pigment-based (UV) offerings, so there is no need to create new color
profiles.