New Technology to Fuel Diversification in Digital Photography

Print Action, Aug 2004

Pentax Remote

PENTAX will use the internet to distribute its Remote Assistant camera control software to users of the PENTAX listD digital SLR camera. The software can be downloaded free of charge from the PENTAX website. When the camera is connected via USB cable to a personal computer with the software installed, users can remotely control shutter release and interval shooting from the computer. (The interval shooting function is available only in combination with a computer.) Direct uploading and filing of captured images onto the computer's hard disk drive is possible, without having to store them on the camera's memory card. The same can be said for the setting and adjustment of basic and auxiliary functions, including userselectable custom functions, on the computer. The PENTAX istD uses a 6.1-mega-pixel CCD to achieve 3,008 x 2,008 pixel images. It has ISO 200 to 1,600 (3,200 as custom function) and ±3.OEV exposure compensation (in 0.5EV steps). Users can shoot 2.6 frames per second for up to six frames, with shutter speeds of 1/4000 second to 30 seconds. The camera shoots in three JPG modes, TIFF and RAW.

Canon Captures SLR Best

An independent jury from the TIPA chose the Canon EOS ID MkII as the Best New SLR Digital Camera Back. Canon claims that the EOS-1D Mark II camera is the world's fastest professional digital SLR. The system features an 8.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor, which means it can achieve 8.2-effective-megapixel resolution at a continuous shooting speed of 8.5 frames-per- second. Canon suggests this is a revolution in digital camera performance. Framing is said to be natural because the CMOS sensor's 3:2 aspect ratio is the same as in 35-mm cameras. This translates to a large-size sensor with an angle of view that is 1.3 times the focal length indicated on Canon EF lenses. Compatible with DDR SDRAM, Canon's newly developed DIGIC II image engine achieves high-speed processing that results in continuous shooting of 8.2-megapixel images at 8.5 fps in maximum bursts of 40 (JPEG format) or 20 (RAW format) shots. According to the company, this single-chip image processor employs original Canon algorithms to convert signals from the CMOS sensor from the CMOS sensor images with natural colour and rich gradation. Images can be recorded in the JPEG image format, the RAW image format, or both formats simultaneously. The JPEG format is suitable when reduced file sizes are desired, and provides four quality settings (L, Ml, M2, S) at any of 10 compression ratios, as opposed to the Fine and Normal ratios available in previous models. Settings are selected by using a dedicated button that changes the setting shown on the rear LCD panel. Canon's proprietary RAW format offers 12-bit gradation and loss-less image compression, but requires processing before use on a computer. This new CR2 version of the RAW format will be used on all future Canon digital cameras. Seven Color Matrix settings are provided for JPEG and RAW images. The settings include five factory presets that were previously available and two new settings that allow independent user adjustment of colour space, colour saturation and colour tone within a prescribed range. Users can choose the more versatile sRGB colour space or the Adobe RGB colour space, which is suited for fine-tuning the colour saturation of images on a PC or outputting images for commercial printing in an Adobe RGB environment.

Creo WiFi

Having already claimed the Leaf Valeo to be the fastest digital camera back system, Creo has now applied wireless functionality to two models of Leaf Valco: Valeo 22Wi and the new Leaf Valeo 17Wi, with resolutions of 22 and 17 million pixels, respectively. The new Leaf Valeo Wi family uses built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to accomplish two-way communication between the camera and the Leaf DP-67, a 6 x 7-cm (3.9-inch) image display and control unit, based on the HP iPAQ pocket PC. By using the Leaf DP7 -67 image display and control unit, users can zoom-in on high-resolution images that display instantly, verify focus, set camera parameters or even manage files and folders from a distance of up to 10 metres. Accordingly, the DP7 -67 is said to act as both a digital proof and a personal photographic assistant. The Leaf Valeo Wi products operate at 1.2 seconds per frame, using their DSR (Dual Sensor Readout) technology - on which Creo has a patent pending. DSR technology achieves record capture rate by utilizing the CCD 2-channel simultaneous readout. The 17-mesapixel and the 22-meeapixel CCDs present a 3:4 format for a classic photographic ratio. Leaf's Large Format Power turns large format analogue cameras into digital systems, allowing users to control aperture and shutter speed from a computer. The electronic lens control allows speeds up to 1/500 sec in 1/10 f-stop intervals. A Live Video View feature enables composition by superimposing a designer layout over the live image, as well as on sensor absolute focusing.

Extensis DAM Photo

Digital Asset Management is clearly one of the top priorities for any company moving into digital photography, but Extensis has specifically integrated new photographic-enabling functions into its latest version of Portfolio. Version 7 of Portfolio includes slideshow capabilities and RAW camera support toward this end. The application, overall, integrates into the creative workflow for more intuitive and streamlined cataloging of digital assets. Portfolio 7 is optimized for the needs of the creative user, including improved metadata import/export, image-format conversion and built-in CD creation, as well as archiving and dynamic web publishing. Galleries (or sub-groups) in Portfolio can be set to automatically find any cataloged file that meets pre-determined criteria. This ensures that galleries are always updated. The software allows a user to collect files, create a catalog, add a copy of Portfolio Browser and burn a CD/DVD in one step. A new archiving feature can automatically change the path of cataloged files to destination disk, allowing content to be moved offline without having to manually re-link files. A user can create low-res JPEG previews up to 2,000 pixels in size and instantly view files no matter where they are stored. The application also allows a user to publish a webpage built around the catalog without any previous HTMT, knowledge.