Photography Blog DigitalPixels.net

magenomic announced today the release of Portraiture 2 for Adobe Lightroom.  This latest Portraiture 2 product edition from Imagenomic delivers all of the productivity benefits of fast and accurate skin retouching to the Lightroom user community, and complements earlier introductions of Portraiture 2 for Adobe Photoshop and Apple Aperture.

Portraiture 2 versions for Lightroom include native 32 and 64-bit support for Windows Vista, and support for the latest Mac Intel platforms and OSX releases for Apple computers.  All of the familiar features and controls that have made Portraiture 2 popular with Photoshop and Aperture users are now available in the new Lightroom edition.  Lightroom users also benefit from two Portraiture workflow usage modes, using both the Edit In and Export techniques for individual and batch image editing and processing.
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PhotographyBB announced today, the release of the 19th edition of the PhotographyBB Magazine Online. The PhotographyBB Magazine Online is now a leading resource in the future of free information distribution, offering readers: Digital Photography tips and techniques, DSLR camera function training, and image post processing tutorials in Adobe(r) Photoshop(tm), and RAW processing in Photoshop Lightroom(tm).
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Full-frame DSLR shooting at a real-world price : New α850 with 24.6 megapixels and pro-style features

• Full-frame 24.6 effective megapixel Exmor™ CMOS sensor and dual BIONZ processors for detail-packed, low-noise images with high sensitivity up to ISO 6400 (with expanded ISO range)
• Bright optical glass pentaprism viewfinder with 98% coverage
• SteadyShot INSIDE™ offers up to 4.0 steps anti-shake performance with all lenses
• Photo quality (921k dot) 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD
• Fast, high-accuracy 9-point AF with 10 focus assist points
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The choice of full-frame lenses to complement the α850 model is enhanced with the new SAL2875 28-75mm F2.8 SAM lens. This compact, easy-to-carry lens is ideal for photo enthusiasts looking to add a bright, general purpose zoom to their collection of full-frame optics.

Delivering excellent imaging quality at an accessible price, it offers a wide F2.8 aperture over its entire zoom range. Ideal for day-to-day shooting tasks, its bright constant aperture makes the 28-75mm F2.8 SAM particularly valuable for depth-of-field control and available-light portraits.
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Easy-to-use Alpha A500 & A550 offer enhanced Live View shooting and superb image quality

* New 12.3/14.2 effective megapixel (A500/ A550) Exmor⑩ CMOS sensor and new enhanced BIONZ processor for detail-packed, low-noise images with high sensitivity up to ISO 12800
* High-speed continuous shooting up to 5fps (with optical viewfinder) and 7fps in Speed Priority mode (A550 only)
* Auto HDR mode for high dynamic range exposures created effortlessly in camera without the need for a tripod
* Enhanced Quick AF Live View captures fast-moving action, with Face Detection for beautiful portraits
* Manual Focus Check Live View mode for precise, convenient adjustment of focus and composition
* 180ì tilt-angle high resolution 3” Xtra Fine LCD (A550) and intuitive new interface for clear, simple shooting
* Class-leading shooting stamina (1,000 shots - A500)
* HDMI⑩ output and BRAVIA⑩ Sync for control from TV remote
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To make the benefits of macro photography easier and more accessible, Sony is making available at retail the DT 30mm F/2.8 (model SAL30M28) macro lens.  It captures intricate close-ups, which is difficult to achieve with standard lenses and is only compatible with APS-C format DSLRs.

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Datacolor, a global leader in color management solutions, continues its long heritage for providing photographers, photo enthusiasts, and other creative artists, with precision color management solutions with the introduction of its new Spyder3Studio SR™ calibration system.  The new system is built on the solid foundation of Datacolor’s extremely popular, and highly revered Spyder3Studio Kit.  The Spyder3Studio SR now offers photographers a complete solutions package and represents a true breakthrough in performance and price.

Color management is essential for today’s complex digital imaging technologies.  To ensure outstanding results, proper color management should occur at three primary points during the photographic process:  image capture, digital desktop image manipulation, and print output.  Designed with a strong understanding of the needs of creatives and photographers, Datacolor’s Spyder3Studio SR offers an uncompromised calibration solution for each stage of the process to help create, view, and share photographs as they were envisioned.
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Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) today announced the release of the CX2, a new digital camera featuring a high magnification 10.7x (28-300 mm) optical wide-angle zoom lens in a compact body only 29.4 mm thick. The CX2 is capable of 5 frame/second high-speed continuous shooting of still images with the maximum number of pixels.

The new CX2 inherits many popular features from its predecessor, the CX1 (introduced March 13, 2009), such as the high image quality and expanded dynamic range made possible by image processing engine Smooth Imaging Engine IV and a high-speed image processing CMOS sensor. At the same time, it enhances functions that expand photo possibilities in a number of areas, including (1) a 10.7x optical zoom lens that expands shooting capabilities from wide-angle through telephoto range, (2) high-speed continuous shooting (approx. 5 frames/sec. at maximum number of pixels) functions so you won’t miss the target scene, and (3) the easy-to-use AF functions Pre-AF and Continuous AF.
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A wireless, all-in-one, Hi-Definition photo printer perfect for any modern living environment, the PX710W produces photos that exceed lab quality thanks to exclusive and innovative Epson technology.

Paolo Marenghi, Product Manager, Epson UK, said: “With its Wi-Fi capability and contemporary design, the Epson Stylus Photo PX710W can be placed anywhere in the modern home. With integrated paper trays it is far slimmer than most printers standing at only 150mm tall.  Whether you wish to print from a PC, Mac or iPhone[1], the PX710W will print any document you need and produce photos of outstanding quality. This product is an all-in-one photo printer that the whole family will enjoy using.”
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With the introduction of the Canon PIXMA MP990 and MP640 Wireless1 Photo AIO printers, Canon has once again taken high-quality and ease-of-use to a whole new level. These stylish printers, with built-in Wi-Fi1 capabilities, are designed for use almost anywhere without sacrificing the overall décor of the home or home office. To print vibrant and long-lasting photos with superior quality, both printers use the ChromaLife 100+ ink system plus have a maximum color resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi4. For the advanced amateur ready to take their hobby to the next level, the inclusion of a gray ink tank on the PIXMA MP990 helps produce superb black-and-white prints in addition to vibrant color prints. The PIXMA MP990 can also scan both film and slides, allowing users to reproduce and preserve memorable moments from the past. The integrated Easy-Scroll Wheel, for easy navigation through menus and images, is further enhanced by a large 3.8-inch LCD screen on the PIXMA MP990 and a 3.0- inch LCD screen on the PIXMA MP640.
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Adobe today released the Photoshop Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates available immediately for download at http://labs.adobe.com. The update extends raw file support to four of the latest popular camera model releases, including the Nikon D300s, Nikon D3000, Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic DMC-FZ35. The Release Candidate also includes a correction to the demosaic algorithms in the raw conversion process for Bayer sensor cameras with unequal green response.
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The Digital IXUS 120 IS is Canon’s slimmest ever wide-angle Digital IXUS - a powerful camera in an elegant frame.  Small and perfectly formed - ideal for slipping into handbags and pockets – it can be whipped out anywhere to take stunning images with its 28mm wide angle lens, 4x zoom and 12.1 Megapixel image sensor. All your shots can be comfortably reviewed on its beautiful 2.7 inch PureColour LCD II screen.

As with the Digital IXUS 200 IS the Digital IXUS 120 IS features Smart Auto mode with Scene Detection Technology so snapping is easy and picture quality is guaranteed.  The Digital IXUS 120 IS also includes a ‘Hints & Tips’ system so camera settings are clearly explained within the menu.  Blink Detection is another helpful feature to make sure you always get a perfect shot.  It immediately alerts you if any of your subjects had their eyes closed, letting you swiftly take a replacement photo.
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