Vivitar's pocket-friendly DVR565HD camcorder does high-definition

Vivitar's pocket-friendly DVR565HD camcorder does high-definition

Regrettably, there's not a whole lot of deets on Vivitar's latest camcorder just yet, but we do know that this ultra-compact unit will log clips in beautiful 720p. The DVR565HD is said to capture in H.264 / MPEG-4 at 30fps, while it can pipe that video back out in 1080i via the HDMI output. Also of note, it should be available in black and silver motifs, and while the 3-inch flip-out LCD monitor is a nice touch, the apparent inability for it to accept anything more capacious than a 4GB SD card is somewhat disappointing. Then again, it is rocking the Vivitar logo, and if history tells any story whatsoever, we'd bet this one comes in well under most budgets.

(Via Engadget.)

Vivitar's pocket-friendly DVR565HD camcorder does high-definition

Vivitar's pocket-friendly DVR565HD camcorder does high-definition

Regrettably, there's not a whole lot of deets on Vivitar's latest camcorder just yet, but we do know that this ultra-compact unit will log clips in beautiful 720p. The DVR565HD is said to capture in H.264 / MPEG-4 at 30fps, while it can pipe that video back out in 1080i via the HDMI output. Also of note, it should be available in black and silver motifs, and while the 3-inch flip-out LCD monitor is a nice touch, the apparent inability for it to accept anything more capacious than a 4GB SD card is somewhat disappointing. Then again, it is rocking the Vivitar logo, and if history tells any story whatsoever, we'd bet this one comes in well under most budgets.

(Via Engadget.)

Hasselblad 3FR Raw Files Now Supported by Apple in Mac OS X 10.5.2

With the update of Apple�s Leopard operating system to OS X 10.5.2, Apple now includes official support for the Hasselblad raw files (3FR, FFF and DNG) that are produced from a range of the Hasselblad digital camera solutions. The new Aperture 2 release also includes support for these Hasselblad raw file formats.

The free Leopard update includes support for Hasselblad raw image files in the 3FR, FFF and DNG format, created with any Hasselblad digital camera product with a 16 Mpix, 22Mpix, 31Mpix or 39Mpix sensor.

This update means that Hasselblad raw files (3FR, FFF and DNG) will now be visible in Finder and able to be opened directly from popular applications such as Preview, iPhoto, and Aperture. An added benefit of the new OS X support is the creation of thumbnails for both FFF and 3FR files, enabling quick file inspection via Quick Look.

This most recent news from Apple is yet another indication of the increasing compatibility of Hasselblad raw 3FR and FFF files in a wide range of photographic applications and workflows. Apple's raw file processing is very fast, and delivers images with a generally high image quality, resulting in a level of image quality sufficient for standard application. The quality of the images produced, however, will not equal that of those processed via Hasselblad�s proprietary FlexColor or Phocus software, which provide a number of quality parameters not attainable from third party software, including:

* Digital lens corrections (not included by Apple, with the exception of chromatic aberration correction on exported DNGs)
* Moir� removal
* Color handling
* Noise reduction

For users of Hasselblad digital cameras, it is also important to note the photographic advantages gained by using Hasselblad�s Phocus software, which is delivered as an integral part of the camera system. Phocus works with Hasselblad cameras using the same integrated philosophy Apple has designed into its own products, and achieves similar benefits from native integration between software and hardware. Phocus provides maximum functionality and seamless integration between the camera and the photographer�s computer system � much like iPod and iTunes, for example. This integration enables a range of beneficial features, including advanced job preparation, camera set-up, and camera control including focusing and live-view when working under tethered operation.

In an industry where the search for ultimate quality is never ending, Apple and Hasselblad are proud to continue their collaborative efforts to provide the best range of photographic tools available, covering the multitude of workflows, conditions and challenges that face modern photographers.

Hasselblad 3FR Raw Files Now Supported by Apple in Mac OS X 10.5.2

With the update of Apple�s Leopard operating system to OS X 10.5.2, Apple now includes official support for the Hasselblad raw files (3FR, FFF and DNG) that are produced from a range of the Hasselblad digital camera solutions. The new Aperture 2 release also includes support for these Hasselblad raw file formats.

The free Leopard update includes support for Hasselblad raw image files in the 3FR, FFF and DNG format, created with any Hasselblad digital camera product with a 16 Mpix, 22Mpix, 31Mpix or 39Mpix sensor.

This update means that Hasselblad raw files (3FR, FFF and DNG) will now be visible in Finder and able to be opened directly from popular applications such as Preview, iPhoto, and Aperture. An added benefit of the new OS X support is the creation of thumbnails for both FFF and 3FR files, enabling quick file inspection via Quick Look.

This most recent news from Apple is yet another indication of the increasing compatibility of Hasselblad raw 3FR and FFF files in a wide range of photographic applications and workflows. Apple's raw file processing is very fast, and delivers images with a generally high image quality, resulting in a level of image quality sufficient for standard application. The quality of the images produced, however, will not equal that of those processed via Hasselblad�s proprietary FlexColor or Phocus software, which provide a number of quality parameters not attainable from third party software, including:

* Digital lens corrections (not included by Apple, with the exception of chromatic aberration correction on exported DNGs)
* Moir� removal
* Color handling
* Noise reduction

For users of Hasselblad digital cameras, it is also important to note the photographic advantages gained by using Hasselblad�s Phocus software, which is delivered as an integral part of the camera system. Phocus works with Hasselblad cameras using the same integrated philosophy Apple has designed into its own products, and achieves similar benefits from native integration between software and hardware. Phocus provides maximum functionality and seamless integration between the camera and the photographer�s computer system � much like iPod and iTunes, for example. This integration enables a range of beneficial features, including advanced job preparation, camera set-up, and camera control including focusing and live-view when working under tethered operation.

In an industry where the search for ultimate quality is never ending, Apple and Hasselblad are proud to continue their collaborative efforts to provide the best range of photographic tools available, covering the multitude of workflows, conditions and challenges that face modern photographers.

Canon�s EOS-1Ds Mark III Review

Twenty-one megapixels. Think about it. Once the exclusive domain of those Tiffany-priced medium format digital backs, that same kind of high-end resolution is now possible with a D-SLR, albeit an expensive one. While it has the same $7999 price as its 16.7-megapixel predecessor, Canon�s 21-megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark III could hardly be called inexpensive, but to pros who need the image quality, it could be, in Visa TV commercial terms, �priceless.� Wearing the same clean sheet of paper design skin as its sibling, the 1D Mark III, Canon�s 1Ds Mark III goes where no other D-SLR has gone before.

Joe Farace

more : shutterbug

Canon�s EOS-1Ds Mark III Review

Twenty-one megapixels. Think about it. Once the exclusive domain of those Tiffany-priced medium format digital backs, that same kind of high-end resolution is now possible with a D-SLR, albeit an expensive one. While it has the same $7999 price as its 16.7-megapixel predecessor, Canon�s 21-megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark III could hardly be called inexpensive, but to pros who need the image quality, it could be, in Visa TV commercial terms, �priceless.� Wearing the same clean sheet of paper design skin as its sibling, the 1D Mark III, Canon�s 1Ds Mark III goes where no other D-SLR has gone before.

Joe Farace

more : shutterbug

Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 Review

The second D-SLR from Panasonic, this 10-megapixel model is quite different than the original 7-megapixel Lumix DMC-L1. The latter�built like a tank, and still available�is an unusually traditional model in many respects. It resembles a large/heavy 35mm rangefinder camera and features �retro�-style controls, including a mechanical aperture ring on the wide-aperture Leica D 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 zoom that�s part of the DMC-L1 kit. By contrast, the DMC-L10�with its more compact lens�is far more portable and sports the more common types of controls found on the Lumix DMC-FZ18 digicam. As a bonus, the DMC-L10 includes some very convenient extra features, some originally designed for the Lumix digicams, to increase versatility and ease of use.

Peter K. Burian

more : shutterbug