Sony, Olympus SLRs await Adobe camera profiles

I'm a big fan of Adobe Systems' camera profiles, which when editing the RAW images that higher-end cameras can produce imbues photos with what I find to be more natural hues. So I was glad to hear camera profiles are moving out of Adobe Labs and into Photoshop and Lightroom.

I apply the "camera faithful" profile by default when I import photos from my Canon SLR into Lightroom. But when I tried to use the profiles on some photos I took with an Olympus E-3, I found I couldn't.

Now seemed a good time to find out exactly which models are supported, and Adobe obliged with a list.

All SLRs from Canon and Nikon, which dominate the SLR market, are supported in the profiles that ship with Adobe Camera Raw 5.2, and that's a good start. But things get thinner after that.
Read more »

HANNspree expands into digital photo frames

HANNspree--probably best known for its oddball LCD TV designs--has decided it's no longer satisfied being in just the TV and monitor markets and Monday announced the availability of two digital picture frames.

The US$99.99, 8-inch wide-screen HANNspree SD80M4MB (catchy name, right?) features three, themed ceramic interchangeable faceplates: Christmas (HANNsxmas, pictured), birthdays (HANNssweet), and Valentine's Day (HANNsvalentine). The company also throws in two plain ol' frame backings so you can use the two faceplates that are not in use on the photo display as regular frames for photo prints.

The SD80M4MB is loaded up with standard digital photo frame features like the ability to play audio and video files, autorotation of images, slide-show functionality, calendar and alarm clock, a 6-in-1 memory card reader, a remote control, and 256MB internal memory.

If all that is more frame than you need or want, HANNspree is also shipping the SD7021. The features are cut considerably (for instance internal memory drops to a paltry 8MB) and it's smaller with a 7-inch wide-screen display, but it can be had for around US$40. I doubt the quality of a US$40, 7-inch LCD will be all that good, but it's certainly cheap and easy.

Via CNET Crave

Carrying your equipment the right way

Recently, my back has been hurting. More specifically, it's my lower spine. I attribute this to the heavy equipment--two studio strobes in one bag on my left shoulder, the camera bag on my right and the light stands slung across my body--I carried when I was a photo assistant. Since then, I tried to make sure I handled my photographic gear carefully so that it wouldn't aggravate my aching back.

Having said that, I am still sticking to my current Domke camera bag, even if the sling strap rests unevenly on my shoulder. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it and will probably use it till my back hurts too much. Somehow, I just can't see myself using a backpack because it's just too much of a hassle when I want to change lenses. What do you use to ferry your camera equipment? Share it with us here.

Sharp announces dye-sub duo

Sharp is probably known more for its Aquos lineup of LCD TVs, but the Japanese company has just announced two new photo printers, the HN-PP100 and the HN-PP150 which competes against the likes of Epson, HP and Canon.

Dubbed the Aquos Photo Printer, these dye-sub machines can print photographs in three different sizes, ranging from postcard dimensions to wallet-sized prints. The print resolution is 300 x 300dpi and it takes about 57 seconds to churn out a 101 x 152mm photograph. Image correction such as backlighting, red-eye and smoother skin tones can be achieved in-printer. The onboard card reader accepts commonly used flash media such as SD/SDHC, Compact Flash and Memory Stick.

There are five slideshow and 10 music options available for those inclined to viewing their pictures on HDTVs via the HDMI port. You can also beam pictures from your camera phone to the printers via the infra-red port. They come with USB2.0 ports to hook up to a compliant machine. The higher-end HN-PP150 supports DLNA and has an Ethernet port which allows you to access and view images stored over a network, too.

Sharp has yet to get back to us on the Aquos Photo Printer's availability and pricing in Asia, but the Japanese pricing suggests they should range from US$200 to US$250.

1.4-gigapixel camera prevents doomsday on Earth

Megapixel is a common term in digital imaging, but what about gigapixel? One megapixel is equivalent to 1,000,000 pixels, so 1 gigapixel would amount to 1 billion pixels. But where can we find such a high-resolution shooter?

The Institute for Astronomy in the University of Hawaii has conceived this powerful camera and it is all in the name of saving mankind. This machine will scan the skies and capture shots which can tell researchers whether there are any large objects set on a collision course with our planet.

The digital image will measure 38,000 x 38,000 pixels and generated from 60 orthogonal-transfer CCDs, and claims to be able to detect light sources 10 million times fainter than what the eye can see.

So before you sleep tonight, remember to give thanks to a camera that is protecting Earth.

Crave is...

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (2231)

» Digital Cameras (985)

» Notebooks (1233)

» PC & Peripherals (1312)

» Handhelds (585)

» Printers (82)

» Home AV (1146)

» Music & Play (893)

» Gadgets (1485)

» Future Tech (394)

» Green Tech (172)

» Lifestyle (157)

» Luxury (22)

» Home Appliances (57)

» Cars (99)

» Games and Gear (248)

» Software (95)

» Web (117)

Previously...

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Hot Topics

Subscribe to
Crave

What's Hot

apple apple inc. apple iphone apple ipod asia battery camera game google inc. iphone microsoft corp. microsoft windows mobile phone photograph singapore smart phone software sony corp. video

Today on CNET |  Reviews |  Crave |  Blogs |  CNET TV |  Digital Living |  Downloads