Design Art and Photography

Nikon has today announced its new top-of-the-range flashgun – the Speedlight SB-900. The new model features a Multi-step auto zoom covering a 17-200mm zoom range, three illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even) and automatically detects if you are using the Nikon FX or DX format. The SB-900 will be available from the 25th of July. Press Release: Lighting the Way.
(Full post Nikon announces Speedlight SB-900 flashgun…)

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Announced two days ago, the Ricoh GX200 is a compact digital camera aimed at all those photographers who want a similar feature-set to their DSLR cameras. The GX200 certainly fits that billing, on paper at least – 24-72mm, 3x optical zoom lens, RAW mode via the Adobe DNG format, 12 megapixel sensor, 2.7-inch screen with 460K pixels, removable electronic viewfinder, optical image stabilisation, all in a well-built body that’s just 25mm thick.
(Full post Ricoh GX200 Review…)

When Nikon’s Capture NX software came out in the summer of 2006, it was a boon to Nikon shooters who wanted to make selective edits to their pictures without the time and trouble of making Photoshop-esque masks and selections. The new version takes selective editing to a new level – allowing you to use NX’s control points to do more than ever before. Now, it’s possible to use the control points to choose which areas you sharpen, reduce noise, add blur, and do just about anything else the program offers.
(Full post Nikon Capture NX 2…)

Polaroid is in fresh talks over the survival of its professional instant sheet film following its failure to reach agreement with UK firm Ilford Photo. Polaroid bosses have confirmed that they are in discussions with a ‘third party’ over the continued production of 20x24in large format professional b&w sheet film. In a meeting with , Polaroid’s European vice-president Paul Telford also revealed that there is a ‘strong possibility’ that production of 8x10in format sheet film will be taken up by an, as yet, unnamed manufacturer.
(Full post Polaroid in fresh talks over continued production of instant sheet film…)

UK consumers print more of their photos at home than those in France, Germany and Italy, reveals a new survey. More than 60% of respondents said they had printed all their pictures at home over the previous 30 days, according to a survey conducted in April by Lyra Research. This compared to around 40% in France and Germany and just over 30% in Italy. ‘Results of this survey indicate that the majority of digital photos printed over the past 30 days were printed in the home,’ said a spokeswoman.
(Full post Britons top home-printing poll…)

QuickPro has just released two Camera Guides for a couple of the most popular DSLR models on the market, the Nikon D60 and Canon XSi. The QuickPro Camera Guides include interactive camera-body tours, professionally shot pictures, and are narrated by Todd Hansen, the Emmy-winning writer. “QuickPro’s mission is to make sure SLR consumers realize the potential these cameras have by empowering them with camera and photography skills through our high-quality tutorials.” commented Landon Bradfield, QuickPro’s sales manager.
(Full post QuickPro Nikon D60 and Canon XSi Camera Guides…)

“Spotted from the vantage point of a fine wine bar one evening amidst the heady buzz of Piazza Navona, Rome”. Taken by Rich
(Full post Club Med Head…)

A leading photography body has launched a card, to be carried by its members, outlining photographers’ legal rights in response to the ongoing photography in public campaign. The Bureau of Freelance Photographers (BFP) has today sent the ‘Blue Card’ (pictured) to all its 7,000 UK members in a move billed as a ‘major initiative’ to tackle the problem ‘on the ground’. The BFP hopes the card will serve to persuade police officers not to harass its members, who hail from both amateur and professional photography backgrounds.
(Full post Photography body launches rights card…)

Think you’ve got what it takes to be a dpreview reviewer? Are you passionate about the techniques and technology surrounding digital photography? Do you want the dubious pleasure of working alongside the rest of the dpreview team on what is arguably the most exciting photography website in the world? We’re looking for someone who knows cameras inside out and wants to put them to the ultimate test – then write about it. We expect you to have a solid photographic knowledge as well as experience using our chosen authoring tools (see inside).

(Full post dpreview.com is hiring: Camera reviewer…)

Phase One has released an update to its RAW workflow software. Capture One 4.1 features tethered shooting with Phase One digital backs, Lens+ and Focus+ technologies, and a Hot Folder feature. The new version also offers expanded compatibility with camera RAW files. A full list of supported cameras is available on Phase One’s Web site.

Lens+ and Focus+ correct optical flaws such as chromatic aberration and improve sharpness.

(Full post Phase One Releases Capture One 4.1…)