Sony Cyber Shot W190 Digital Camera
July 31, 2009
The Sony Cyber Shot W190 is a compact digital camera that offers superb image quality and easy to use functionalities. This Sony Cyber Shot W190 12MP Digital Camera offers an image resolution of 12.1 mega-pixels suitable for large sized detailed images. It is a light weight and slim digital camera that is equipped with a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen that has a wide viewing angle. It includes a 3x optical zoom lens system that offers a whooping smart zoom of 18x for close-up snaps. The optical magnification factor determines the amount of enlargement that can be provided to the image without causing distortion.
The Sony Cyber Shot W190 Digital Camera includes Sony's Smile shutter technology wherein the shutter is automatically released when a smiling subject is detected. You can even set a smile threshold factor. Its advanced face detection technology works towards focusing on up to 8 faces and adjusting the camera settings for optimal portrait shots. It consists of easy to use convenient shooting modes for maximum photographing convenience. The compact digicam includes a high light sensitivity of ISO 3200 thereby enabling a user to indulge in a good amount of night photography.
Furthermore, with the Sony Cyber Shot W190 Compact Digital Camera you need not have to worry about blurred images caused due to camera shakes, the SteadyShot stabilisation technique works towards minimising this blur. Video can be recorded at the rate of 30fps at a resolution of 640x480 pixels. Available in three attractive colours, red, black and silver this slim digital camera brings along the latest version of Picture Motion Browser software for easy sharing and managing of digital photos.
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Nikon Announces D300s and D3000 DSLRs
July 31, 2009
Nikon has introduced two new DSLR models; the entry-level D3000 for starters and the advanced D300s for professionals. The D3000 is set to replace the D40 DSLR model. The low-end D3000 is reported to include a 10.2 mega-pixel resolution, a 3-inch LCD display, continuous shooting at 3fps, a 11-point AF, a high ISO range from 100 to 1600 and finally an automatic dust reduction technology.
The advanced D300s is expected to feature a 12.3 mega-pixel resolution, a 3-inch LCD monitor, continuous shooting at 7fps, a 51-point AF system and finally support for shooting high definition video. The camera is said to be capable of shooting 720p video at the rate of 24fps. Also the D300s is said to include two memory card slots one for SD and other for CF cards.
Both the cameras are expected to be released in late August with D3000 priced at $600 and the D300s priced at $1800.
GE E1255W Digital Camera
July 30, 2009
The GE E1255W Digital Camera broadens one's views with its amazing features and functionalities. This latest digital camera has a powerful sensor that offers a high 12.1 mega-pixel image resolution for large sized superb image details. This GE E1255W 12MP Digital Camera measures 93 x 58 x 23 mm in dimensions and weighs 145 grams. It offers a 28mm wide angle lens that allows to capture large group subjects with ease. It includes a Pan-Capture panorama mode that delivers wide-view photos that form a large panoramic image. All the subjects and images can be viewed on the camera's wide 3-inch LCD display monitor that comes with auto adjust brightness facility so that the screen adjusts to the outside lighting conditions providing optimal viewing.
The GE E1255W Digital Camera is equipped with an auto scene detection mode that autonomously determines the appropriate scene type and matches the camera settings accordingly. A blink detection function alerts a user if the subject happens to close eyes while the shutter is released enabling you to take another snap. The face detection feature focuses on faces and optimises exposure and focus settings for sharp and clear portrait images. The smile detection option ensures that the shutter is automatically released when the subject smiles, thereby preventing happy moments from being missed.
You do not need to worry about hand-shakes causing blurred images as the image stabilisation technique of the GE E1255W Compact Digital Camera, works towards reducing and minimising this blur. Furthermore, it provides a 5x optical zoom, that permits a user to enlarge the original image to 5 times its size without distortion. It is priced at £119.99, this camera brings along a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a battery charger, an AV cable, a USB cable, a wrist strap and an instruction manual.
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Pentax Releases Updated K-7 Firmware V1.01
July 30, 2009
Pentax has released a firmware update for its K-7 mid-level DSLR Camera. The updated firmware v1.01 is said to improve the general stability for overall performance improvement.
With the help of the updated firmware, K-7 is stated to be capable of being able to provide immediate access to flash modes, white balance, image modes and drive modes via the four-way controller. As soon as the v1.01 firmware is installed, a new custom function that determines the default behaviour of the four-way controller is said to be added. This allows a user to “Operate at AF Point SEL”. By setting the camera to “Select AF Point Preference” that various functionalities can be accessed via the four-way controller.
Simple Tutorial on Smoke Photography
July 29, 2009
Photographing Smoke can be an extremely frustrating as well as a rewarding experience depending on an individual's approach to the theme. If one is locked indoors all day long with no other work to do then smoke photography is the perfect technique to try. There is a general misconception that smoke photography calls for expensive and sophisticated equipment, however that is not the case. All you need is a digital camera, a few other commonly used household products, basic understanding of the relationship between lighting effects, subject, background and tons of patience.
Step #1: - Collecting the Equipments
A digital camera preferably a DSLR (in manual mode), smoke generating element, a dark background, a strobe light with snoot, a reflector, a portable light (like a torch, optional) and a well ventilated room, these are the equipments required for photographing smoke. Any smoke generating component can be used, however incense stick is preferred as they provide a long lasting and continuous plume of smoke along with a pleasant smell. A holder is required to secure the sticks in place.
Although, any dark background will do the job, a black background is preferred as black surface will prevent any stray light from bouncing off the surface. A reflector is needed to reflect light onto the smoke while the torch will aid in locking the focus. The room should be well ventilated as smoke will get filled in the room quickly. If there is no provision for ventilation, then this smoke may decrease the quality of the photo.
Step #2 : - Setting Up the Equipments
Set up the black background. Now place the incense stick about 3 to 4 feet away from the background. The strobe light or flash has to be situated to the right or left of the incense at a distance of 1 or 2 feet. The reflector should be positioned exactly opposite to the strobe light facing the smoke generating component (incense stick). The camera should be located in front of the incense at a distance of 2 or 3 feet.
Step #3 : - Adjust the Camera Settings
The auto-mode of the digital SLR camera should be disabled and a full manual mode should be activated. The flash should be turned off. The camera should have a fast shutter speed, this is because the smoke will be constantly moving and only a faster shutter speed will be able to capture this motion.
The camera should be set to a smaller aperture for a larger depth of field. A smaller aperture is capable of capturing sudden changes in shape. Also the light sensitivity must be set below 100, as a higher ISO will introduce noise into the pictures. Finally, light is required to illuminate the smoke, this is because a smaller aperture and faster shutter introduces very little light into the image.
Step #4 : - Shooting Smoke
With the equipments and camera all set and ready, now it is the time to start shooting. Ensure the doors and windows are closed as even a slight breeze will cause disturbance to the smoke pattern making it difficult to be captured. Now light the incense stick, if you need thicker plume of smoke, light more than one sticks and place it together.
Ideally the focus should be about 2-3 cm above the tip of the incense stick. Torch light can be used to light the smoke if necessary. This helps you while adjusting the focus on the smoke pattern. Next is to be patient and observe the smoke pattern.
Once you have observed the pattern, try a few test shots. In case you do not like the pattern of smoke, you can modify it by using a metal ring, a spoon, a wire mesh etc. and many other objects to create a pattern you like and then start shooting. Keep designing and creating various patterns and focus and shoot. Please do remember to ventilate the room every few minutes so that the smoke does not play havoc with the picture quality.
Step #5 : - Creating Coloured Smoke Patterns
Finally, edit and process these images in Photoshop to create designs and patterns. You need to go to adjustments, and choose the brightness/contrast option. Now add contrast and colour to the smoke photos. After finishing just hit the adjustments-invert option and you will be able to obtain some cool and colourful smoke designs. Whether you want to colour the photos or just redesign them use Photoshop to the maximum and just play around. You can get as creative as you want.
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