Category: News
Portrait Professional at photokina
Photokina Hall 4.1
Stand F31/G30
September 2008: Image processing firm Anthropics Technology, will be demonstrating the latest release of its new automatic photo editing and airbrushing software, Portrait Professional V8 at photokina (http://www.portraitprofessional.com). To obtain a 10% discount on this software inlcuding the new Studio edition, enter Master Photo Digital magazine special code mpa609; if you have bought an earlier edition, use code ‘mcpupgrade‘ to secure a discount on an upgrade.
Canon 5D MkII: 30fps 1080p, 21mp, ISO 25,600
United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 17 September 2008: Canon announces the full frame, 21.1 Megapixel EOS 5D Mark II: the first EOS with full High Definition video capability. They also announced a new 24mm f1.4 lens.
Alpha 700 Firmware v4 + IDC update official
SONY has, one week after the leak of a final version of Firmare v4 for the Alpha 700, placed authorised download links on their support websites along with an updated Image Data Suite 3 which can handle Alpha 900 raw files. Quick download links are given here with key features.
Alpha 900 launch: Press Conference Part 3
Part 3 of the conference presentations, transcribed from a recording by Shirley Kilpatrick. This section deals with the revolutionary new adjustable focusing screen and viewfinder which enables error-free 100 per cent viewing, and the reasons Sony chose to make a 24.6 megapixel full frame sensor. To start reading with the first Part, go to Part 1.
Alpha 900 HDR bracketing
The Alpha 900 – and indeed the Alpha 700 with new firmware v4 – offer a three-bracket sequence at a 2 stop interval to enable HDR blending, usually from static tripod-mounted views. At the Edinburgh Alpha 900 launch, I braced myself firmly against an open window, leaning out over the street, and tried an example hand held.
Alpha 900 launch: Press Conference Part 2
Transcribed by Shirley Kilpatrick from audio record of the conference. For the opening speeches, see our Part 1 of this report.
Nick Sharples: Thank you Fujio-san. I hope that leaves you in no doubt about our commitment at Sony to excellence in digital imaging, and how importantly we consider the launch of our flagship Alpha digital SLR; so it gives me great pleasure to invite Toru Katsumoto, senior general manager of our digital imaging business group, to introduce our new flagship Alpha digital SLR.
Alpha 900 launch: gala dinner Edinburgh
Here, for some light relief, is an Alpha 700 + 24-105mm Minolta D documentary on the press dinner thrown for journalists from all the countries of the European region when they gathered in Edinburgh for the Alpha 900 launch!
Alpha 900 launch: Press Conference Part 1
By Shirley Kilpatrick – transcribed from recording made during the conference in Edinburgh.
(This is a close transcript of speeches delivered by Sony execs, with photos).
Firmware v4 for Alpha 700 – high ISO NR ‘OFF’
Sony has released – without announcement – a new firmware version for the Alpha 700 which includes an OFF function for high ISO. This is presumed to be in advance of tomorrow’s press conference, where the Alpha 900 will be revealed. Journalists could be expected to ask questions about the NR, and the lack of firmware upgrades to the Alpha 700, and they have acted just in time for this launch and photokina to remedy the situation. Article with image samples and download links: