Photography - Digital Camera

Eterna decizie: Macrou sau hering ?

2009-06-23T22:03:00.015+03:00

Ciao. Oficial sunt in vacanta, ma relaxez.. , mananc .. , adica nu am ce face. Adevarul este ca probabil ca e mai bine decat mi se pare.

Astazi voi incerca sa rezolv o problema care pe mine m-a chinuit m

ulta vreme in magazin

e ca si Plus (Sigma Shopping Center, ala din Zorilor, Observator, langa camine ? mai precis caminu' "zero"), Tovani (de pe Piezisa) sau multe altele in care veti gasi aceeasi gama de produse in domeniul piscicol.

Dupa cum probabil ca ati dedus deja (din titlu cel mai probabil:), acest post este destinat tinerilor si/sau studenti(ilor) care dorind sa manance pest

e se trezesc intr-unul din aceste spatii comerciale doar pentru a petrece aproximativ 16 secunde in care sa se gandeasca care din aceste 2 tipuri de conserve le place mai mult? (Atentie! Aceasta situatie se poate intampla cu toate ca persoanele in cauza au mai consumat aceste tipuri de peste

sau chiar daca au stiut la un moment dat ce le place).

Oferta este simpla (neglijand diferitele firme si producatori) : macrou sau hering (sardinele nu sunt considerate o amenintare in acest sens, iar tonul este binecunoscut ca este bun (in caz ca nu ma credeti, incercati cu ceapa si putina lamaie. ..sare dupa gust:P)).

Spre fericirea tuturor (dar mai ales a cititorilor) raspunsul este la fel de simplu ca si oferta : hering-ul este mai bun. Poate ca in acest moment va ganditi : "Cum adica? De ce hering-ul ?"

,"Poate ca in unele cazuri, depinde de firma, reteta, etc.". La aceste ganduri va dau raspunsul, nu. Hering-ul este mai bun.

Si ca sa intram putin in detalii, de-a lungul anilor (aprox. 1-2) in care mananc astfel de conserve de peste, am conceput o teorie si anume :

Calitatea (sau gustul bun) al unei conserve de peste este invers proportionala cu grosimea conservei.

Am transformat aceasta relatie intr-o *formula usor de calculat:

Si pentru a ilustra mai bine acesta functie putem privi figura 1 (singura figura) pentru a observa

evolutia calitatii in functie de aplatizarea conservei.

In concluzie, sper ca em elucidat aceasta dilema a conservelor de peste si ca de-acum inainte de fiecare data cand nu stiti daca sa luati macrou sau hering, o conserva groasa sau una slaba, sa va amintiti de (deja devine cam plictisitor, nu? Cred ca ar trebui sa termin mai repede).. Asa deci ..

Ciao

Ps - imaginea cu vacanta a fost luata de pe site-ul http://www.ig-gestaltung.de/su/ (sper ca dansul nu se supara:)

* - Atentie! Formula este una empirica, cea adevarata inca nu a putut fi gasita.

De ce Marius ii un guster

2009-06-17T01:41:00.003+03:00

Astazi va voi spune de ce Marius este un guster. Pai subiectul nu este unul foarte complicat, asa ca voi incerca sa termin cat de repede posibil (luand in considerare ca nu am altceva de facut si scrierea articolului ma tine ocupat).

Asadar, dupa cum am mentionat mai sus, Marius este un guster. Ca prim argument ma simt nevoit sa tratez problema aparentei, cei care il cunosc (a se vedea imaginea din stanga) vor vedea instant asemanarea. (Imaginea prezinta un guster iesit la o discutie cu prietenii.)

Un al doilea indiciu despre gusterimea acestui personaj este com

portamentul ciudat al acestuia si anume: repetarea excesiva a silabei "he!?" in situatii in care repetarea sunetului precedent este considerata inu

tila sau in scopul (aici ma simt nevoit sa parafrazez) "resetarii discutiei".

Acest guster prezinta caracteristici de inginer care deseori pot fi confundate cu cele ale unui "conopid", (o specie noua de planta-om care creste cu predominanta in zona Europei de Est, cartierul Zorilor).

Mda... ma simt nevoit sa termin articolul.. cred ca ar fi mai bine sa fiu singur cand scriu chestiile astea ...mda.. Poate aman pana atunci.

Salut

De ce nu Yahoo (mail)

2009-06-08T00:07:00.006+03:00

Cu tristete si din proprie experienta trebuie sa va spun (cel putin oamenilor care utilizeaza sau planuiesc sa utilizeze calculatorul pentru ceva mai mult decat "statul pe messenger") ca nu este o idee buna sa va faceti cont de mail pe Yahoo.. mda.. Cu timpul veti vedea faptul ca acele reclame care poate la prima vedere sunt nebagate in seama se vor contura tot mai bine de-a lungul anilor ... trist :) dar adevarat, dar sa nu mai spunem de nenumaratele dezavantaje pe care yahoo le prezinta.
In frunte sta POP3, un concept (de care personal nu sunt foarte sigur:) de care veti avea nevoie (utilizatorii experimentati) la un moment dat si care Yahoo s-a hotarat sa il ofere utilizatorilor care sunt dispusi sa plateasca putin mai mult pentru acest serviciu. Pe scurt daca vrei sa treci de la yahoo la un alt serviciu de mail (cum ar fi Gmail, recomandat de altfel) atunci (ca orice om) ai vrea ca toti oamenii care iti stiu adresa de yahoo sa isi modifice politicos adresa ta de mail la cea nou achizitionata gabriel@gmail.com, insa situatia face ca acest lucru este un ideal si ca majoritatea idealurilor este greu de implinit.
Asa ca urmatoarea solutie este forwarding (unde intra POP3) disponibil in serviciul Yahoo pentru utilizatorii "Yahoo Mail Plus" (o taxa anuala, nu stiu exact cat) (tin sa precizez ca in Gmail acest serviciu este disponibil gratuit). Asa ca daca ne gandim putin strategia eficienta a Yahoo-ului (pe termen scurt cel putin) este "tine de ei cat mai poti", fiindca platind doar un an problemele tale raman nerezolvate in restul de N-1 ani ramasi.
Interesant ca in UK exista o mica optiune in interfata de mail clasica de la yahoo care permite useri-lor acces la forwarding.. dar nefolositor in cazul nostru.
In cazul in care doriti neaparat sa rezolvati situatia (personal, folosesc un plugin de firefox care verifica oricate conturi de mail pe orice servicii) exista o pereche de programe care va pot oferi o solutie, dar nu una eleganta, implicand soft-uri externe si solutii rigide (programele utilizate sunt Ypops si GetMail si mai multe informatii se pot gasi aici).

Voi incheia cu faptul ca, recent, pe yahoo mi s-a "compromis" contul si timp de o luna am trimis mesaje (messenger) contactelor mele despre cum si ce am facut ca sa slabesc 10 kg intr-o luna:)

In orice caz Gmail-ul este mai bun din punct de vedere al securitatii, flexibilitatii si extensibilitatii (cautati:). Daca cumva prin ceva incredibila imprejurare ajungeti sa cititi acest articol treceti pe Gmail ... cat mai puteti, nu va va parea rau.

Salut si ... noapte buna (ii tarziu).

Letia. Se pica sau ba?

2009-06-03T00:26:00.004+03:00

Buna din nou. Azi este o zi aproape buna, fiindca am terminat cu un examen cunoscut studentilor din poli sau UT cluj, si anume, cel de Sisteme Inteligente. Acest curs este partea a doua din aceasta prezentare a domeniului de inteligenta artificiala de care beneficiem noi ca studenti la Calculatoare (partea intai este IIA - Introducere in Inteligenta Artificiala. Pentru cei interesati de pe-acum, adica cam genii.. aici pot fi gasite prezentari si mai multe informatii despre carte). Astazi vom.. dar de fapt voi.. discuta despre mult dezbatutul zvon ca:

"..daca pici la Letia, nu mai treci examenul prea curand.." (citatul este parafrazat dar isi pastreaza calitatile informative). Dupa cum v-ati dat seama sau stiti deja, Ioan Alfred Letia este domnul profesor care preda aceasta materie. Eu, am tot auzit din nenumarate surse (aceasta fiind pentru ca, evident, nu le-am numarat, in orice caz mai mult de 2) ca daca pici la examen nu stiu de ce profu' nu te mai trece, nu stiu.. Ne-am confruntat cu aceasta problema si in primul semestru, dar am uitat indata ce am trecut de examen (nota nu este relevanta). Acum in toiul sesiunii (adica inceputul:P), teama revine.. Se pica sau nu .. ? Din pacate nu am reusit sa confirmam aceste zvonuri prin exemple concrete.. dar ..pai cam atat ..ca daca eu trec cel putin, aceasta problema va fi data uitarii pana cand un alt student din anul 3 ne va intreba pe noi iar noi vom fi nevoiti sa raspundem cu aceleasi informatii pe care le avem si acum..

In orice caz, cel mai probabil ca nu vom stii niciodata sau mai bine zis, eu nu voi stii niciodata, da' in caz ca stiti voi sa lasati un comentariu sau ceva ca nu strica sa stiu si eu:)

Alte completari: materia este interesanta si minunata (chiar si pentru cei nepasionati:) , dar nu recomand lectura ei in cele 3-4 zile alocate examenului din sesiune.

Mda.. cam atat.. deci ma intorc la .. nu stiu ce o sa fac dar gasesc eu ceva.

Serbus

PS - "May your swords stay sharp." :)) (Christopher Paolini)

Ceva .. asa din cand in cand..

2009-05-22T10:11:00.002+03:00

Ciao (adica forma corecta de salut, imprumutata din limba italiana, si nu varianta des intalnita "ceau" (ce bine ca am dezlantuit informatia, acum lumea va stii:)). Am decis sa ma scriu cate ceva ca sa nu zica astia de la google cu bot-ul sau crawler-ul lor sau ce ii, ca iar o murit site-u.

Asa.. deci, pot sa va mai zic ca acel compilator de Java in Nasm la care lucram, a functionat, adica subsubsetul de instructiuni pe care l-am implementat a mers.. (acum ma gandeam daca pot cumva sa pun la dispozitie codul pe internet fara a-l pune pe un server de ftp..).. mda.. nu stiu. In orice caz sa stiti ca in momentul in care aveti mult-iubita eroare "Segmentation fault" intr-un program C\C++ o posibila cauza este faptul ca se lucreaza cu pointeri nuli (NULL). Si un program destul de folositor in acest scop (scop-ul de a detecta probleme de memorie "memory leaks":) este Valgrind care mie mi-a fost de folos, indicandu-mi exact linia de cod unde se afla problema de memorie. Ceva indicatii despre rularea programului cu valgrind se pot gasi chiar pe site sau pe forum-uri de specialitate (gasite in urma unor cautari pe google evident:).
Sintaxa era ceva de genul asta:

  valgrind --leak-check=yes myprog arg1 arg2

Asa, deci, in concluzie se pot scrie compilatoare cu Lex si Yacc si nu este foarte greu, cu toate ca nu putem avea pretentii de performanta (evident).
Acum ne intoarcem la management, deoarece fiind la poli (universitatea curenta si probabil singura) noi studiem acest curs si am examen maine. Asa deci .. spor la invatat:)

Bilderberg

2009-05-11T23:16:00.003+03:00

Salut. Astazi povestim despre Bilderberg.. un grup de oameni destul de bogati incat sa se intalneasca prin Grecia (asa am auzit mai nou) si prin cine stie ce hotele, urmariti de jurnalisti perseverenti. Ei si-or facut un site, www.bilderberg.ro, unde or pus poze cu ei. La sectiunea "despre noi" acestia pun la dispozitia cititorilor o descriere ampla de unde reiese dorinta acestora de a atrage noi membri:
"Clubul Bilderberg este o invitaţie-neoficiala anuala , o conferinţă de aproximativ 130 de invitati , dintre care majoritatea sunt persoane de influenţă în ceea ce priveşte domeniul politic , afaceri si bancar.

Prima conferinta Bilderberg a avut loc la Hotel de Bilderberg , langa Arnhem, în Olanda , de la 29 mai la 31 mai 1954 ."

Sectiunea "Galerie foto" ne ofera mai multe poze cu familiile distinsilor domni, realizarile acestora, precum si o colectie impresionanta de poze cu ochi. Categoria "diverse" ne incanta cu 4 poze mici posibil a unor carti, dar... adevarul este ca nu stiu.

Incheiem vizita site-ului celor de la Bilderberg cu sectiunea "Contact" unde avem informatii despre cum putem sa ii contactam pe membrii, incepand cu o adresa de email office@bilderberg.ro , un numar de telefon + 40.721.446.122, posibil orange si nu in ultimul rand, un id de mess pentru cei care dau apeluri (ca si mine de altfel) sau doar au chef de a sta la povesti : angelocezar_il@yahoo.com.

Va multumesc. Sper ca am reusit sa va arat cate putin despre impresionanta lume a celor de la Bilderberg si v-am trezit interesul pentru notoriul grup.

Pa..

Oda mainilor

2009-05-05T17:46:00.001+03:00

De fiecare data cand refugiu vrei
Il poti gasi.. in mainile ei,
O, maini de Spummy goodness
Moi ca o perna cand
De ziua toata esti satul,
Racoroase ca perna
Din miezul noptii cand
O-ntorci si-n vis te-napoiezi.
Sunt tot ce vreau
Si ce visez

O maini de bebelusa,
V-as strange azi,
maine, mereu...

(cu dedicatie:)

Nasm sau Tasm, that is the question

2009-04-24T18:12:00.004+03:00

Buna, un salut ciudat, dar.. ma simt ciudat. Da, deci, azi pun intrebarea nasm sau tasm. In caz ca nu ati auzit si cred ca intr-un fel ar fi bine sa nu fi auzit Nasm, este un limbaj de asamblare folosit in sistemele linux care seamana destul de mult cu limbajul de asamblare folosit pe sisteme windows, cum ar fi Tasm (asta se presupune stiut). Noah... si eu trebuie sa fac un compilator, sau mai bine zis un program care se preface sau si mai bine zis un program care ar vrea sa fie un compilator de java. In momentul in care eu trebuie sa fac un proiect, desigur ca incerc sa explorez metodele mai usoare, cum ar fi .."gata facute", adica am tot cautat pe internet si pot sa zic ca nu am gasit aproape nimic (compilatorul trebuie realizat cu analizorul lexical Lex si cel sintactic Yacc). Doar cateva carti mult prea tehnice sau ...sau nimic, deci chiar nimic despre cum sa faci un compilator (adica sa translateze in limbaj de asamblare codul Java). Mda.. cam trist, asa ca am inceput sa mai citesc despre acest nasm (o pagina "de treaba" cu exemple o puteti gasi aici, iar un manual complet pe aici pe undeva). Pentru cei nebuni (cei care nu stiu asamblare si inca citesc ) puteti gasi un tutorial destul de abordabil aici(trebuie sa mergeti la capitolul 1). Asa... deci cam atat ca trebuie sa plec, deci daca puteti sa ma ajutati, ar fi bine venit. Ciao
ps - eu militez pentru o lume in care "ciao" este CIAO si nu "ceau"
ps2 - acum mi-am dat seama ca nu am facut nicio comparatie intre cele 2 limbaje... sau de fapt am zis mai sus ca is cam la fel :p

Rectificare

2009-04-09T17:44:00.002+03:00

Trebuie sa fac o precizare in legatura cu articolul precedent. Descrierea atribuita doamnei psiholoage era incorecta, de fapt era amabila si urata:)

Prima etapa la ISDC - 1

2009-04-07T23:16:00.004+03:00

Salut (asa zic mai nou.. Clujul asta.. ce face din om), din moment ce starea mea curenta de spirit poate fi descrisa printr-o functie cu doi parametri cu ponderi necunoscute, acestia fiind plictiseala si .. comtemplare ..la ce va fi (despre viata mea e vorba nu va speriati:) adica, viata chiar e un joc asa, complex, sa nu te plictisesti. In fine, hai sa trecem la treaba, deci cu .. ISDC-ul. Am fost sambata 4 aprilie 2009 la ora 10:00 dimineata la sediul firmei ISDC (asta inseamna plecat din Observator cu autobuzul 43P (cel care duce la Polus din jumate in jumate de ora) la ora 8:35 pentru ca eu sunt paranoic, impreuna cu colegul meu Marius care trebuia sa mearga si el si probabil ca nu vroia sa mearga singur. Asa.. si ajungi la ..nu mai stiu sigur, pe la 9 oricum in zona Polus-ISDC si intri in Polus ca doar nu o sa stai in fata cladirii firmei cu o ora inainte (cum cred ca au facut alti oameni, nu stiu sigur ..) si te "uiti" la ..magazine, problema este ca la acea oportuna ora niciun magazin nu e deschis si poti sa te delectezi doar privind oamenii care merg din nevoie in polus (sau cei cu probleme:) si care fac curatenie sau deschid magazinele (ps- am vazut femeia care vinde fornetti sau buon giorno sau cum le mai zice si avea multe pungi enorme cu mini-foietaje din alea inghetate asa ca ... nu stiu probabil ca nu ar trebui sa mananc nici eu. Dupa ce a trecut destul timp mai pleci o data la baie inainte sa te aventurezi spre "marea provocare" si asa incepe.. Te apropii de cladire si vazand ca mai sunt cateva persoane afara care par sa fie acolo din aceleasi motive ca si tine si intrebandu-te ei de ce nu intra intri ca doar nu ai nimic de pierdut. Acolo esti intampinat de aproximativ 2 persoane ospitaliere care te poftesc intr-o sala de testare (testul de inteligenta.. nu e unul usor) unde te poftesc sa beneficiezi de toate facilitatile igieno-alimentare pe care ti le ofera parterul. Dupa putina asteptare incepe.. vine o fata mai simpatica (psiholoaga probabil) si iti explica ce ai de facut(sunt 4 teste, nu foarte diferite intre ele, trebuie sa observi siruri de litere si sa zici care urmeaza dupa o anumita logica, cateva desene cu o logica secventiala, iar trebuind sa mentionezi care urmeaza, sau primind 2 cuvinte ce se afla intr-o anumita relatie ex. camasa - imbracaminte, trebuie sa spui cuvantul asociat cuvantului pantof). Aceste teste trebuiesc completate pe rand in timp foarte scurt, primele 2 in 7 minute, urmatorul in 3 minute si ultimul in 5. Toata lumea este sincronizata si face acelasi test deodata. Asa... din pacate s-a cam lungit povestirea asta asa ca o sa continui alta data partea urmatoare. Ciao

Books - the easy way

2009-03-27T00:08:00.001+02:00

Hello. Did you know you can read books and travel or do any kind of activity (a non-requiring a lot of brain activity that is). It's easy all you need is :
1. An mp3 player (preferably portable)
2.An audio book (preferably more)
And there you go. You can read books on the way home (that is if you're not driving, although I'm not totally sure that wouldn't work) and spare yourself of minutes, perhaps even hours of boredom.
You can find a good collection of audio books here : audio books , all kinds of books, such as Don Quixote, Moby Dick or The art of war. Check it out.

You can't fool adsense

2009-03-26T19:26:00.000+02:00

I'm going to take the time to tell you that (as the title says:) you cannot fool Google Adsense. That is, to be more explicit, i would like to tell you a short story , actually it's not even going to be a story, it's more like a few sentences. I'm sure all of you (by that i mean all of you you ever heard of adsense) thought: "Sure, Adsense. I can make money with advertising on the web. It's simple, all you have to do is create a site and people will visit it and there you go, 1 million dollars." Actually it's not quite that simple even if you have read a few books on how to make money with Google Adsense(i read a bit myself). At this point you might have thought of the idea of copying content(for the more pirately readers) from other sites (Why not? everyone else does it) on you own site, that should keep the cash flowing. The problem is that .. (i speak from experience, i myself have tried this little scheme with a certain website, i won't tell you which one it is for obvious reasons) .. this whole scam thing, well .. it doesn't work. Google has an extremely well built search and indexing algorithm which will make no mistake, not any time soon anyway. The whole principle is that in order to earn something from this ad business you have to provide some service to the internet community. Your site will never get enough clicks for you to earn something unless it is of real use and people will visit it for the right reason. That is the solution to the problem, finding a problem and solving it:)
OK.. back to java..

There will be no food crisis(hopefully)

2009-03-26T11:39:00.000+02:00

Hello, first of all i would like to state that i am hungry and that i will be writing this post for as long as my stomach manages to stay undigested (by itself). I just came back from school with my two roommates, Alex and Marius, and started checking out some new internship offers(I'm a student at the Faculty of Automation and Computers at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca). While i was making an effort to compose this one-sentence mail that had to include my CV to the HP company (See the offer) my colleague ( obsessive colleague i might add) started talking about the coming world crisis and reading an article that had a picture saying that a food crisis is coming. I don't know... it's a pretty big thing to talk about in just ..well i don't know how long i've been writing this post but..let's just say that i've heard plenty about the subject. The conclusion is .. i guess I'm tired of it.
So back to more important matters ..actually there are no important matters. I'm going to eat..

Pablo Picasso naked

2009-03-25T00:23:00.000+02:00

Yes I'm afraid this is going to be my first real post. an article about Pablo Picasso ..naked. I was reading from Thinking in Java 4th edition by Bruce Eckel (i have an internship interview coming up and I'm brushing up on my java) when one of my roommates, Alex(you will probably be hearing a bit about him) told me that google images has an impressive photo collection from Life magazine (i'm not sure, i think) and the first picture he stumbled upon was this, Pablo Picasso naked. I'm sorry i have to repeat that so often but it is quite disturbing:) (i have to mention that i will be using textual smileys due to my messenging habbits). So here's the link if you do want to check it out even though i don't advise you Picasso picture.
Ok... getting back to my reading, it's getting late..

A fresh start

2009-03-24T15:27:00.000+02:00

Hello to all my faithful readers out there (joke) i am sadly announcing that this site will no longer contain photographic content. However the site's name and probably its layout will remain the same. The content will probably contain information that i fell like sharing, stuff like programming, school related issues and thoughts of a bored man(meaning me).
Ok..this is it for know. Thank you and ..come again.

Canon PowerShot A590

2008-02-22T12:36:00.000+02:00

Following closely in the footsteps of the PowerShot A570 IS, the latest PowerShot A model comes equipped with a 4x, optically stabilized zoom lens. Resolution is up slightly, from 7.1 megapixels to a full 8.0. As with previous models, the A590 sports Canon's DIGIC III processor for improved speed and high-quality images, in addition to improved Face Detection and Motion Detection technologies.

The A590 also provides shooters access to the standard complement of manual modes: aperture and shutter priority, as well as full manual control. Canon has refined this system over several models, and to say that it's a step above the manual functionality seen on most compact cameras doesn't fully capture how much more useful this system is. While it may not replace your DSLR, the A590's full-ranging aperture and shutter-speed values and a simple, intuitive control system makes the package work for those interested in learning photography basics.

More broadly, the Canon PowerShot A590 IS lets users choose from eight shooting modes:

Easy: The PowerShot at its most basic, this new to the A590 option is a true full auto mode with adjustment for flash function only
Auto: Users can change flash settings and ISO (Auto or Hi) in this position
Program: The full range of menu options, including white balance and color and metering modes, are unlocked in Program mode
Shutter Priority: Conventional shutter priority, in which user selects the shutter speed and the camera calculates aperture value for correct exposure
Aperture Priority: Conventional aperture priority, in which user selects the aperture value and the camera calculates the correct shutter speed
Manual: User controls both aperture and shutter speed
Scene: The A590 comes equipped with a basic list of 12 scene presets
Movie: Basic video recording mode, with file size options up to 20ps at 640x480; optical zoom is locked during video recording

As on most other PowerShot A models, Canon splits the scene modes into two groups, with the most commonly accessed ones (Landscape, Portrait, etc.) appearing on the mode dial and the rest accessible via a menu in the Scene mode.

Playback mode options are basic by contemporary standards, with a slideshow function and in-camera red-eye reduction being the items of note in this area. One other interesting addition here is a Focus Check feature, which uses the camera's face detection system to pick out and zoom in on faces during playback, allowing photographers to quickly confirm that eyes are open and focus and exposure are locked in.

Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera

2008-02-22T00:15:00.000+02:00

While Fisher-Price's Kid-Tough digital camera was already built to withstand the Guantanamo-level torture your average four-year-old dishes out to their toys, the latest model will hold up to 30 minutes of waterboarding too, despite a rounder, slimmer body. The insides have gotten an upgrade as well, with a 1.3MP sensor (up from 640x480) and 64MB of storage that'll hold 500 closeups of your kid's boogers.

Point Grey Research® Announces Remote Head Addition to the Dragonfly®2 Family

2008-02-22T00:10:00.000+02:00

Vancouver, BC, Canada - Point Grey Research Inc., a world leader in advanced digital camera systems, today announced the addition of four remote head models to its line of popular Dragonfly2 IEEE-1394a (FireWire) digital cameras.

The Dragonfly2 remote head model’s tiny 20x30mm sensor board is extended from the main camera board using a 6-inch shielded ribbon cable, making it an ideal solution for applications that require the image sensor to be mounted in a small space or unique position. It offers several significant enhancements over the previous Dragonfly extended head model, including an improved electrical design that minimizes the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) between multiple remote head units, and double the full resolution frame rate.

“The new Dragonfly2 remote head model is a distinct improvement over the older Dragonfly version, but at the same time maintains its predecessor’s legacy of superior quality and engineering,” said Vlad Tucakov, Director, Point Grey Research. “It is particularly effective in applications where the image sensor must be housed in a very compact space, such as robotics research, object scanning, optical inspection such as spectroscopy, or head-mounted imaging. It also clearly demonstrates Point Grey’s ongoing commitment to addressing unique vision system requirements with innovative imaging solutions.”

Monochrome and color CCD sensor options for the Dragonfly2 remote head include the 0.3MP 1/3” ICX424 (648x488 at 60 FPS) and 0.8MP 1/3” ICX204 (1032x776 at 30 FPS). Each model comes fully equipped with a smaller and more streamlined cast metal CS-mount lens holder (C-mount adapter included), and general purpose I/O connector for trigger, strobe, and serial I/O. The Dragonfly2 also fully complies with RoHS, FCC and CE regulations.

Key features of the Dragonfly2 camera line include auto iris lens support, a high-speed 12-bit analog-to-digital converter, memory channels for defining custom power-up settings, gamma and programmable LUT, on-camera color processing, and a data flash for non-volatile memory storage. Other standard features include multiple trigger and strobe modes, regions of interest and pixel binning, and in-field-updatable FPGA that controls all camera functions.

Like all Point Grey cameras, the Dragonfly2 complies with the IIDC DCAM v1.31 specification, which allows it to be used with many third-party software packages, such as Cognex® VisionPro, MVTec™ HALCON, National Instruments® LabVIEW, and ActiveDcam. Also included with every camera is the FlyCapture® SDK—a full software package for image acquisition and advanced camera control—and the PGRPRO™ driver for low-level control of most IEEE-1394 OHCI host adapters.

The following models are available now from Point Grey Research and its network of distributors:

DR2-03S2C-EX-CS (0.3MP 1/3” ICX424 color CCD, remote head, CS lens holder)
DR2-03S2M-EX-CS (0.3MP 1/3” ICX424 monochrome CCD, remote head, CS lens holder)
DR2-08S2C-EX-CS (0.8MP 1/3” ICX204 color CCD, remote head, CS lens holder)
DR2-08S2M-EX-CS (0.8MP 1/3” ICX204 monochrome CCD, remote head, CS lens holder)

About Point Grey Research, Inc.

Point Grey Research is a worldwide leader in the development of advanced digital camera technology products. With a network of distributors throughout the world, Point Grey Research designs, manufactures and distributes IEEE-1394 cameras, stereo vision cameras and spherical digital video cameras to a broad spectrum of industries. Through a close working relationship with its customers, Point Grey continues to be at the forefront of innovation.

Apple opens faster Aperture

2008-02-22T00:03:00.000+02:00

Apple has launched the latest version of its Aperture raw-conversion and photo management software. The latest version has a redesigned interface that aims to be more accessible and intuitive. As well as adding "over 100 new features," version 2 is faster than V.1.5.6 (about two thirds of a stop faster?), and more attractively priced. Mac users who already own Aperture will be able to upgrade for $99, while the purchase price drops to $199 for newcomers. Users who bought Aperture 1.5 since January 1st 2008 can, before March 14th, upgrade for $9.95.

Press release:

Apple Releases Aperture 2

Major Upgrade Features Improved Interface, Faster Browsing & Enhanced Image Processing

CUPERTINO, California—February 12, 2008—Apple today introduced Aperture™ 2, the next major release of its groundbreaking photo editing and management software with over 100 new features that make it faster, easier to use and more powerful. With a streamlined user interface and entirely new image processing engine, Aperture 2 also introduces new imaging tools for highlight recovery, color vibrancy, local contrast definition, soft-edged retouching, vignetting and RAW fine-tuning, and lets users directly post their portfolios on the .Mac Web Gallery* for viewing on the web, iPhone™, iPod® touch and Apple TV®. At a new low price of $199, anyone can easily organize, edit and publish photos like a pro.

“Many of the most respected photographers on assignment all over the world trust Aperture to organize, edit and deliver their images,” said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing. “With its simpler interface and lower price, anyone can take full advantage of Aperture’s power.”

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the quality of the image,” said Sports Illustrated contributing photographer David Bergman. “Even before I begin making adjustments, Aperture’s new RAW processing gives me better images with more visible detail and better color rendering than any other program I’ve tested.”

“I used to have so much stress about post-production on a shoot, having to juggle multiple applications to make sure they all worked,” said Bob Davis, PDN Top Knots Wedding Photographer 2007. “With Aperture that’s no longer a factor. I can do everything all in one application.”

Featuring a new, easier user interface designed to be more intuitive and accessible, Aperture 2 now lets users navigate between Viewer and Browser modes with a single key command. Screen real estate is maximized for images with an all-in-one heads up display that allows users to toggle between library, metadata and adjustment controls in a single tabbed inspector. The All Projects view, modeled after iPhoto’s Events view, provides a poster photo for every project and the ability to quickly skim through the photos inside, and the integrated iPhoto® Browser offers direct access to all the events and images in the iPhoto library.

Performance has been enhanced in Aperture 2 so it’s faster to import, browse and search large volumes of images. Embedded previews let photographers caption, keyword and rate images as they are being imported, and with the ability to export images in the background, photographers can continue working while images are processed to JPEG, TIFF, PNG and PSD file formats. Quick Preview allows users to browse RAW images in rapid succession without having to wait for files to load, and the Aperture library database has been re-architected to provide fast project switching and near instantaneous search results, even when working with extremely large libraries of 500,000 images or more.

Aperture 2 delivers powerful new imaging tools for getting the most out of each photograph. Apple’s next-generation RAW image processing is at the core of Aperture 2 offering uncompromising image quality and precision controls that let users fine-tune the image profile for each of their cameras. New tools for improving and enhancing images include Recovery for pulling back “blown” highlights, Vibrancy for selectively boosting saturation without adversely affecting skin tones, Definition, which offers local contrast for adding clarity to images, Vignette & Devignette filters for providing professional visual effects and a true soft-edged Repair and Retouch brush for quickly and easily removing blemishes, cleaning up sensor dust and cloning away problem areas.

Aperture 2 works seamlessly with Mac OS® X, iLife®, iWork™, .Mac and Apple print products, so any image in the Aperture library can be accessed directly from within other applications, such as iMovie®, Keynote® and Pages®, and even from within Leopard™ Mail. Now with .Mac Web Gallery support, Aperture users can publish their photos once to view them on the web, iPhone, iPod touch and Apple TV. Books in Aperture 2 feature new theme designs, layout tools, customized dust jackets (including full-bleed) and foil stamped covers.

Pricing & Availability

Aperture 2 is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
Owners of previous versions of Aperture can upgrade to Aperture 2 for just $99 (US). Full system requirements and more information on Aperture 2 can be found at www.apple.com/aperture.

*The .Mac service is available to persons aged 13 and older. Annual membership fee and Internet access required. Terms and conditions apply.

Nikon D3 DSLR Digital Camera

2008-02-21T23:54:00.000+02:00

You will want one of these Nikon D3 DSLR digital cameras, the Nikon D3 which is an high end camera has been out a while now but we have come across some amazing review round-ups that you will appreciate.

The specs seem pretty impressive which you can see below, but what is more impressive are the in depth hands on reviews below from three different sources like Photography Blog for example saying “pretty much peerless,” Think Camera declaring that “the files coming out of the Nikon D3 look better than any camera we’ve seen to date,” and even Ken Rockwell basically saying that the Nikon D3 “the best camera ever made by Nikon.”.

Ok so the price is a little high for some, but that is because you are getting a whole lot of camera. Please read the specs below and then read each review and their outcome via the Review Roundup links below.

The main specifications -
• 12.1 megapixel full frame CMOS sensor (36 x 23.9 mm)
• 3.0 ” TFT LCD (922,000 pixels (VGA; 640 x 480 x 3 colors) 170° viewing angle)
• Sensitivity to ISO25,800
• Auto Focus Points - 51-point
• White balance - Auto, 7 modes, Colour temp 2500-10000 (in 31 steps), 4 Manual modes, bracketing
• On board flash - Built in pop up
• Shutter speed and flash sync - 30seconds (or bulb) to 1/8000th second. Sync to 1/250th second
• Continuous shooting - 9fps continuous shooting (11fps in DX format)
• Storage - Dual Compact Flash
• Battery - Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a/EL4
• Lens type / fitting - Nikon F-mount
DX AF NIKKOR (FX format is dropped, camera automatically works in 1.5x crop)
G or D AF NIKKOR
AI NIKKOR
• 1240g
• 160 x 157 x 88 mm
• Price (RRP / SRP) £4,000 Other / Key features
• Nikon’s first ‘full frame’ camera
• Live View
• 5:4 (30×24mm) aspect ratio available
• 14-bit EXPEED image processing system
• Active D-Lighting for improved dynamic range on in-camera JPEGs
• Magnesium body, extensive weathersealing protection and a Kevlar/carbon fibre composite shutter
• Auto DX mode that detects when it is being used with DX lenses to prevent vignetting on the larger FX frame
• HDMI output
• 0.12 seconds startup time

Ricoh R50 digital camera

2008-02-21T23:51:00.000+02:00

Japanese consumer electronics company Ricoh Co., Ltd has this week whipped the covers off its new R50 digital camera, which is set to tease photography enthusiasts of all descriptions through a combination of 10 mega pixel performance and a thoroughly respectable price tag.

Set to arrive on March 08 with a price tag of £149.99 GBP (the equivalent of around $290 USD), the compact and stylish silver R50 is being positioned by Ricoh to focus specifically on user portability.

Equipped with a 5x optical zoom lens with a focal range of 36-180mm, the R50 will deliver 15 scene modes including a handy sports function for speedy movement capture, a cosmetic function for the creation of enhanced skin tones, and a still image with audio feature that enables users to attach voice memos and messages to individual images.

The R50 also comes with a Sequential Shots mode, a feature that requires only a single button press in order for users to quickly capture successive pictures, which Ricoh suggests would be ideal for those sporty photographers wishing to analyse the form of their golf swing or tennis action.

The new R50 offers itself up as a diminutive digital camera boasting a physical sizing of just 97.3mm x 56.3mm x 23.4mm. It also has a 2.5-inch LCD display screen, a compact long life Li-ion batter (good for approx. 220 shots), USB 2.0, and SD/SDHC memory card compatibility.

In related news, the introduction of the R50 (and upper-tier R8) models will now see Ricoh abandoning the ‘Caplio’ product name utilised up to this point. Specifically, all new product names will consist of only the model letter and its assigned number, which Ricoh claims is “a better fit for our development and product concept of creating ‘practical tools.’”

Olympus Stylus 820 Digital Camera

2008-02-21T23:47:00.000+02:00

Description:

BETTER ZOOM. BIGGER SCREEN
Still incredibly compact. The Stylus 820 has some of the latest and greatest technologies that digital camera owners crave, and it houses them all in a slim, stylish body. The 16 shooting modes, All-Weather reliability and compact size make it the ideal camera for a wide variety of situations.

5X OPTICAL ZOOM
You'll have the potential to zoom in tight on your subject with nearly twice the magnification of 3x zoom. Get closer to the action with the ultra-compact, precision-crafted Olympus lens.

2.7" HYPERCRYSTALTM LCD
The Stylus 820's large HyperCrystal™ LCD screen features an extra-wide viewing angle and anti-glare technology. Compose and share all your shots, even in bright sunlight.

DIGITAL IMAGE STABILIZATION
With high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds, you can freeze action and capture sharp, blur-free images, even if your subject is moving.

ALL-WEATHER
This durable splashproof feature of the Stylus line protects your camera from water sprays, splashes and the elements. Enjoy worry-free shooting anytime, anywhere.

FACE DETECTION
Tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

The ultra-compact 5x optical zoom lens is made from precision-crafted glass that puts you two times closer than a 3x zoom.
The 2.5" HyperCrystal™ LCD lets you easily compose or share your shots even in direct sunlight.
Digital Image Stabilization helps prevent camera shake and fast moving subjects from blurring your images. Get sharper images with high ISO and fast shutter speeds.
Like all Stylus cameras, weatherproof engineering of the Stylus 820 will protect your camera in the rain, at the beach and on the slopes.
Face Detection makes it easy to take portraits. It tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses and optimizes exposure for sharp, brilliant photos.
The 8.0 megapixel CCD provides all the quality you need for great pictures on-screen and stunning prints off-screen, even in large-format prints.
Enjoy 24 Shooting Modes including Night+Portrait and TV-quality movie with sound.
Developed for digital SLRs, the TruePic III Image Processor redefines image quality by delivering true-to-life color, smoother edges and less noise.

Ricoh GR Digital II Creative Set

2008-02-20T14:43:00.000+02:00

Ricoh announces GR Digital II and GX100 creative sets

Ricoh launches new "Creative Sets" for their GR Digital II and GX100 digital cameras. The GR Digital II Creative Set includes the wide angle converter 0.75x, the lens hood with adapter, the new external viewfinder as well as a leather camera case for the camera with attached viewfinder and strap. The GX100 Creative Set includes a Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Battery charger, Wide angle converter, Electronic, rotatable viewfinder, Lens hood & adapter, Leather case and Strap. The sets will be available at the end of the month...

PRESS SUMMARY

Ricoh GR Digital II Creative Set

With the GR DIGITAL II Creative Set Ricoh presents a comprehensive solution for photographers wishing to employ to the full the high performance range of professional cameras in the digital compact class.

RICOH INTERNATIONAL B.V. launches the new “GR DIGITAL II Creative Set” thus emphasising once again the exceptional properties of this compact digital camera system. Along with the GR DIGITAL II the Creative Set includes the wide angle converter 0.75x (GW-1), the lens hood with adapter (GH-1), the new external viewfinder (GV-2) as well as a leather camera case for the camera with attached viewfinder (GV-2) and strap (ST-2).

Like its multi-award winning predecessor, the GR DIGITAL, the GR DIGITAL II impresses with its uncompromising image quality and professional performance. Supported by the image processor GR Engine II, the newly developed CCD sensor with a resolution of 10.01 million pixels stands for extremely detailed resolution, natural colour and tonal value reproduction as well as a drastic reduction in noise even with high ISO sensitivity.

The GR DIGITAL II is highly esteemed by both committed hobby photographers and professional users especially because of its light-intensive 2.4/5.9 mm GR lens (35mm equivalent: 28mm). Due to the extreme sharpness of its image and its minimal distortion value, this lens exploits to the full the performance range of this top class digital camera.

The classic body which is only 25mm thick and is constructed from a magnesium alloy is robust and ergonomically designed to support confident handling in any photographic situation. The new functions of the GR DIGITAL II are practice-oriented, e.g. the electronic alignment aid for landscape and portrait shots or the three photo formats (4:3, 3:2 and 1:1) to chose from, all of which all enable storage in RAW mode.

The versatility of the GR DIGITAL II, however, is especially enhanced by the accessories included in the exclusive GR DIGITAL II Creative Set. Thus the wide angle converter perfectly complements the GR high-performance lens with its focal length of 28mm. It reduces the focal distance by a factor of 0.75x to the super-wide angle focal distance of 21mm and is therefore especially suitable for photos of sweeping landscapes, city perspectives or shots of large groups of people. Needless to say, the wide angle converter is perfectly adjusted to suit the performance of the GR lens. The main strength of the compact optical viewfinder GV-2 is its ability to capture a motif quickly even under difficult lighting conditions which makes it possible to hold the camera in a way analogous to 35mm cameras.

GR DIGITAL II Creative Set – the professional camera system for extreme quality requirements.

Contents of the GR Digital II Creative Set:
Camera GR DIGITAL II, Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (DB-60), Battery charger (BJ-6), Wide angle converter (GW-1), External viewfinder (GV-2), Lens hood & adapter (GH-1), Leather case (GC-2) and Strap (ST-2)

Accessories included:
USB Cable / AV Cable / Handstrap / Software CD-ROM / Instruction Manuals

The GR Digital II Creative Set will be available at the end of February 2008.

Ricoh Caplio GX100 Creative Set

With its new Caplio GX100 Creative Set Ricoh offers committed photographers a digital camera system with a range of performance and photographic possibilities which set it apart from other compact digital cameras on offer.

RICOH INTERNATIONAL B. V. presents the Caplio GX100 Creative Set, which perfectly complements the outstanding characteristics of this compact digital camera which has always obtained excellent results in tests carried out by renowned institutions and trade journals. Along with the Caplio GX100, the kit includes the exclusive electronic LCD viewfinder (VF-1), the wide angle converter 0.8x (DW-6), the lens hood with adapter (HA-2), the leather case (SC-45) and the strap (ST-2).

The Caplio GX100 is the perfect digital compact camera for photographers wishing to realise their creative photographic ideas in excellent image quality. This is due among other things to the CCD sensor with its high resolution of 10.01 million pixels which offers enormous format reserves even with large size colour images. In combination with the innovative Ricoh image processor “Smooth Imaging Engine II”, extremely impressive low noise digital photos can be created with opulent details and brilliant colours.

A further advantage of the Caplio GX100 is its optical features. The light-intensive 2.5-4.4/5.1-15.3 mm wide angle zoom lens corresponds to a focal distance of 24-72 with a 35mm camera. Using aspherical lens elements and glass types with a high refractive index, the camera provides optimal image quality in all focal ranges. The integrated CCD shift image stabilising function reduces the risk of camera shake which is a major advantages especially in bad lighting conditions.

All relevant camera functions can be set automatically or manually depending on the preferences of the photographer. The operating elements are practice-oriented and functional and provide the photographer with optimal control over the functions at all times. The body of the Caplio GX100 which is only 25mm thick is both robust and functional and its high-quality materials communicate straight away the professional character of a top-class model.

The Caplio GX100 Creative Set extends photographic possibilities considerably. The electronic, rotatable LCD viewfinder (VF-1) not only provides a parallax-free field of view with 100% picture content but also displays all important information at the same time. This is the perfect complement to the 2.5 inch LCD monitor at the back of the camera. Impressive super-wide angle shots are ensured by the wide angle converter (DW-6) which has been especially adapted to the performance of the Caplio GX100. This increases the already considerable wide angle range of the camera from a focal distance of 24mm to 19mm.

The lens hood with adapter (HA-2), the leather case (SC-45) for the Caplio GX100 with attached electronic LCD viewfinder and the practical shoulder strap round off the Creative Set perfectly.

Caplio GX100 Creative Set – the perfect comprehensive solution for creative photographers.

Contents of the Caplio GX100 Creative Set:
Caplio GX100 VF Kit, Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (DB-60), Battery charger (BJ-6), Wide angle converter (DW-6), Electronic, rotatable viewfinder (VF-1), Lens hood & adapter (HA-2), Leather case (SC-45) and Strap (ST-2)

Accessories included:
USB Cable / AV Cable / Lens cap / Handstrap / Software CD-ROM / Instruction Manuals

GX100 Creative Set will be available at the end of February 2008

Sigma DP1

2008-02-20T14:35:00.000+02:00

The long awaited Sigma DP1 has finally arrived !!

Sigma has finally announced the official launch of the Sigma DP1 digital camera. This new camera is a different creation in all respects. The Sigma DP1 is a compact digital camera which features a 14 megapixel Foveon X3 direct image sensor, (2652 × 1768 × 3 layers). It offers five Exposure modes and three Metering modes as well as being equipped with a built-in flash, hot shoe, neck strap and 2.5" LCD monitor with 230,000 pixels. A wide range of accessories, optical viewfinder, Lens Hood, and Electronic Flash is available too...

PRESS SUMMARY

14 megapixel high definition digital camera, packing the full spec of a DSLR into the body of a compact camera

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the Sigma DP1 compact digital camera featuring a 14 megapixel FOVEON X3 direct image sensor (2652 × 1768 × 3 layers) as used in the Sigma SD14 digital SLR.

The DP1 is a completely new type of camera offering the full spec. and high image quality of a DSLR in the body of a compact camera. It is powered by the 14 megapixel Foveon X3 direct-image-sensor, which can reproduce high definition images rich in gradation and impressive three-dimensional detail.

It is possible to record images in RAW or the widely used JPEG in four resolution modes. It offers five Exposure modes and three Metering modes as well as being equipped with a built-in flash with the Guide Number of 6, hot shoe, neck strap and 2.5 inch TFT color LCD monitor with approx. 230,000 pixels.

The DP1 has the high resolution and functionality of an SLR, plus adaptability in terms of accessories, all built into a small body. A wide range of accessories, optical viewfinder [VF-11], Lens Hood [HA-11], and Electronic Flash [EF-140 DG] are available for the DP1 camera.

Development
Sigma introduced its digital SLRs, the SD9, SD10 and SD14 to the market in October 2002, November, 2003 and March, 2007. They have established strong support from a wide range of photographers, both amateur and professionals. Recently, demand for a compact digital camera with portability as well as high image quality has increased. In order to meet this demand, the new DP1 has been developed as a completely new type of camera with high image quality and features that would not be out of place in a full spec DSLR.

Sigma DP1 main features

SLR-SIZED IMAGE SENSOR
The size of the image sensor used in the DP1 camera is 20.7mm x 13.8mm. It is approximately seven to twelve times larger than the 1/1.8inch to 1/2.5inch image sensors used in ordinary compact digital cameras. The pixel size of the image sensor is 7.8μm. The large photodiodes deployed at a large pixel pitch capture pure, rich light efficiently and give the DP1 its high resolution and richly-graduated tones.

FULL-COLOR IMAGE SENSOR
The DP1 uses the same 14 megapixel （2652×1768×3 layers direct image sensor as the SD14. Utilizing the special features of silicon, which is penetrated to different depths by different wavelengths of light, this direct image sensor succeeds in full-color capture with the full RGB in a single-pixel location. Just like film, each photodiode captures all the RGB data, so no final-stage demosaicing is required. Brand-new “TRUE” image processing engine. The DP1 incorporates “TRUE” (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine), the world's first image processing engine suited for Foveon three silicon embedded layer direct image sensor. The unique image-processing algorithm, which has been developed throughout the development of the SD9, SD10 and SD14 cameras, is incorporated into “TRUE”. It enables high-speed image processing and high image quality.

16.6mm F4 LENS DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE DP1
The DP1 is equipped with a 16.6mm F4 lens, equivalent to 28mm on a 35mm SLR camera, which has been designed exclusively for DP1. The large-diameter of aspherical glass provides low distortion and high contrast images. It also offers superior peripheral brightness. The super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. It allows photographers to take pictures in difficult light conditions. This lens and SLR-sized image sensor provides natural shallow depth-of-field.

RAW FORMAT RECORDING
The DP1 includes JPEG recording format for convenience plus a RAW data (X3F) recording mode for retaining full image capture detail of the utmost quality. The RAW data format provides pure data for high-resolution images, and uses lossless compression for more compact, yet uncompromised, data files. The RAW data format of the DP1 keeps brightness and color data in a 1:1 ratio without relying on interpolation. Each pixel location captures the full color of RGB data, so in RAW, X3F files, brightness and color data can be kept in a 1:1 ratio without relying on interpolation. When the image is processed in Sigma Photo Pro, it will preserve the balance of the natural data for the best photos with the best image quality.

EXCLUSIVE SIGA PHOTOPRO SOFTWARE (Supplied with the DP1)
The DP1 comes complete with SIGMA Photo Pro software, a RAW image developer that converts all RAW data quickly and easily. Adjustments can be made in three separate modes. The X3F Mode 3 stores the original settings of the image at the point of capture. In the Auto Adjustment Mode, the software analyzes and automatically makes adjustments to the RAW data. The Custom Mode allows the photographer to make individual adjustments (exposure, contrast, shadow, highlight, saturation, sharpness and fill-light for example). The photographer can make changes easily and quickly by simply adjusting the slider controls within the software. The X3F Mode stores the original settings of the image at point of capture. Photographers` personal modifications can be saved to the RAW, X3F file for future use. SIGMA Photo Pro supports 8-bit TIFF, 16-bit TIFF, and JPEG file formats. The JPEG can be saved as YCbCr 4:4:4. It is also possible to half, or double the resolution when processing the image.

COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT BODY
The DP1 has compact dimensions of 113.3mm/4.5in. (W) x 59.5mm/2.3in. (H) x 50.3mm/2.0in. (D) and weighs just 240g/8.5ounces. Its compact body and lightweight design makes it easy to carry everywhere.

THREE METERING MODES AND FIVE EXPOSURE MODES
The DP1 has three metering modes, Evaluative Metering, Center Weighted Average Metering and Spot Metering. It is also possible to select the exposure mode from Auto, Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE or Manual. Exposure compensation can be set in 1/3 stop increments from +3.0 to -3.0 stops and an auto bracketing function is also available.
Pop up (manual) built-in flash The DP1 is equipped with a pop up (manual) built-in flash featuring guide number of 6 (ISO100 / m). It is possible to use Normal Flash, Red-Eye Reduction Flash and Slow Synchro Mode. It also features flash exposure compensation in 1/3 stops increments.

AF AREA SELECTION
The AF area of the DP1 is equipped with 9 focusing points and it is possible to manually select the desired focusing point. The focusing distance is from 50cm to infinity, however, it is possible to shorten the minimum focusing distance to 30cm.

MANUAL FOCUS
Manual Focus is available for photographers who like to take more control, or for use when
autofocus or focus lock is not effective. It is also possible to magnify the display to ensure precise focusing.

RECORDING MOVIES
It is possible to record 30fps movies with QVGA (320 x 240). The digital zoom function can be used during movie shooting. A 1GB memory card (not supplied) allows approximately 30 minutes of movie recording.

LARGE 2.5" TFT COLOR LCD MONITOR
The DP1 camera features large 2.5 inch, 230,000 pixel TFT color LCD monitor. The LCD monitor displays 100% of the images, allowing the photographer to easily and accurately confirm the image compensation.

HOT SHOE
The DP1 camera is equipped with a hot shoe, allowing use of the dedicated external flashgun
EF-140 DG (optional) or high performance view finder VF-11 (optional). EF-500 DG and EF-530 DG flashgun series can be used in manual mode only.

DEDICATED LENS HOOD
This optional lens hood blocks out extraneous light. A hood adapter, designed to accept a 46mm lens filter, is included.

Ricoh R8

2008-02-20T14:26:00.000+02:00

It's Ricoh day here at the DCRP -- and it's been years since I've been able to say that. First, I have news on a new Ricoh camera, and later today I'll be posting my review of their unique GR Digital II model. (Update: Review delayed until Weds.)

Here's the details on their new R8:

Ricoh R8 [specs to come]

10 Megapixel CCD
F3.3-5.2, 7.1X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 200 mm
Sensor-shift image stabilization
Smooth Imaging Engine III processor
2.7" LCD display with 460,000 pixels (wow)
Slender, stylish metal body comes in three colors: black, two-tone, and silver
Unique 1:1 "square" aspect ratio (also seen on the GR Digital II and GX100)
Levels (brightness/contrast) and white balance can be adjusted right on the camera
Face detection AF/AE/WB
Records movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) with sound
24MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC/MMC card slot
Uses DB-70 lithium-ion battery; 270 shots per charge
USB 2.0 High Speed support
Ships in March for $399

PRESS RELEASE:

7.1x Optical Wide-Angle Zoom Compact Digital Camera with 10 Megapixel CCD and Enhanced Photography Functions

Tokyo, Japan — February 19, 2008 — Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) has developed and introduced the new R8 compact digital camera featuring a 7.1x optical wide-angle zoom lens (28–200 mm in 35 mm focal length), a high-resolution 10 megapixel CCD, and enhanced tography functions.

The new R8 combines a new 10 megapixel CCD with the popular Smooth Imaging EngineⅢ image processing engine of earlier models to take high-definition photography to a higher level. The R8 also offers various other enhanced capabilities for fun and easy photography, such as a
large 2.7-inch, 460,000-pixel HVGA LCD and the same 1:1 aspect square format photography function that has proven extremely popular on Ricoh's Caplio GX100 (launched April 2007) and GR DIGITALⅡ (launched November 2007) models.

In addition to the specification improvements, the R8 has also undergone a complete redesign. This new model combines ease of use and superior technical specifications in a body that is contemporary and stylish and that has been designed based on the concept "A tool you will want to use every day."

In creating the R8 as a tool for taking photographs, great care has been given not only to styling and coloring but also to its operability, portability, comfort in hand, and its solid, high-quality feel.

＜Main features of the new R8＞

High-picture quality, low-noise photography is achieved with the high-resolution 10 megapixel
CCD and the Smooth Imaging EngineⅢ image processing engine.
・ An effective 10 megapixel CCD has been newly installed. Working together with the popular
image processing engine Smooth Imaging Engine Ⅲ, this new CCD makes possible high-
quality images that have both high-resolution and low noise.
High-resolution 2.7-inch, 460,000-pixel HVGA LCD
・ The new 2.7-inch, 460,000-pixel high-resolution LCD has a wide viewing angle and high contrast
for distinct, easy viewing even outdoors. When thumbnail images are displayed, even the small
1/20 size images are clearly reproduced.
Based on the "A tool you will want to use every day" concept, the R8 has been given a totally new
design emphasizing its beauty as a tool.
・ Styling that intensifies a simple, functional beauty and eliminates design frills. A rubber grip that
fits well in the hand and is easy to hold. An easy-to-operate mode dial. The many features of the
R8 combine to achieve both functional beauty and ease of use.
・ In addition to its compact pocket size, the mounting of two strap eyelets has further increased
portability.
・ The R8's solid, high-quality feel has been further enhanced by the top cover emphasizing a solid,
metal feel; the lens barrel end and rings finished with metal spin processing, and the spin
processed mode dial and release button.
Ricoh's original double retracting lens system has made it possible to equip the R8 with a 7.1x
wide-angle zoom lens for a body with both operability and portability.
・ Measuring only 22.6 mm at the thinnest point, the body features a 7.1x wide-angle zoom lens
with a 28–200 mm range.
Expanded shooting functions for richly expressive photographs.
(１) Square format photography
The R8 has a shooting function for an image size aspect ratio of 1:1. This square format
photography has proved very popular on Ricoh's Caplio GX100 (launched April 2007) and GR
DIGITALⅡ (launched November 22, 2007) models. The resulting composition has quite a
different feel from the standard rectangular vertical or horizontal format. This format can also be
quite convenient for blog photographs.
(２) Expanded functionality for the ADJ. (Adjust) button
Already given enhanced usability in the Caplio R7 (launched September 2007), the ADJ. (Adjust)
button has further evolved in the R8. Integrating the ADJ. (Adjust) button functions with those
previously controlled by the cross-key has made menu operations even faster and simpler.
(３) Fix minimum aperture function provided
・Still image brightness and contrast can be corrected with either auto or manual modes, with the
corrected image being recorded in the camera. With manual correction, the image is corrected by
adjusting the histogram.
When the fix minimum aperture function is on, shooting is done at the smallest aperture, which
gives a deep depth of field in the resulting photograph.
(４) AF/AE Target shift functions provided
Enhanced capabilities have been given to the AF target shift function which was previously only
available for macro photography. While shooting, it is possible to shift the target for AF or AE or
both without moving the camera.
(５) Zoom lever usability improved
With zoom lever operation it is possible to switch between two zoom speeds. This enables the full
capabilities of the 28–200 mm 7.1x wide-angle zoom lens to be utilized.
Enhanced image editing functions enable images to be manipulated in the camera.
(１) Image brightness and contrast correction (level compensation)
(２) Image color tone correction (white balance compensation)
・By adjusting green, magenta, blue, and amber tones, still image color tone can be corrected, with
the corrected image being recorded in the camera.
(３) Trimming of still images
・Still images can be trimmed and the resulting image saved in a separate file. This is convenient
when doing direct printing with PictBridge, etc.
Vibration correction functions, macro functions, and face recognition mode are provided.
・The R8 contains Ricoh’s original CCD-shift vibration correction function which compensates for
camera shake when it is detected. This reduces the blurring that tends to occur in situations such
as telephoto and macro photography.
・Ricoh’s popular and powerful macro functions are included, enabling shooting of objects as close
as 1 cm with wide macro and as close as 25 cm with telemacro.
・Face recognition mode automatically identifies faces in a scene and optimizes focus, exposure,
and white balance for the faces.

・Rechargeable Battery（DB-70）
・Battery Charger（BJ-7）
・USB Cable
・AV Cable
・Handstrap
・Software CD-ROM
・Instruction Manuals