Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category

Nikon launches 6 new cameras in Singapore

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Nikon spearheaded its Autumn 2012 collection of cameras with 6 new cameras, 1 lens and 1 waterproof casing. Among these cameras are the super compact S01 and the Android-equipped S800c.

All will be available in September. Prices TBA.

Update (4 September, 2012):

The COOLPIX L610 is now available in Singapore at S$339.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Most camera launches roll out more of the same, with slight improvements in features or specifications.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

So its most refreshing to see Nikon trying to innovate by launching cameras that genuinely push the boundaries.

My favourite among the slew of cameras launched in Singapore today is the S01.

You’ve got to see it to believe it and you’ve got to handle it to appreciate it.

The S01 is smaller than a credit card!

It’s thicker than the card of course, but it’s like one of those charms people dangle from their keychains, although I wouldn’t want the camera slamming against the dashboard as I drive.

And people with big hands might not appreciate the compactness as much.

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

It’s a bold step for Nikon to take – pushing the limits of camera miniaturisation.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

I’m sure smartphone makers would be very keen to adopt some of the technologies developed to make their smartphone cameras perform even better.

Already, these camera phones are encroaching into the market share of compact cameras with the only difference being image quality, which is made up for by the convenience of having the smartphone camera being available and handy at all times.

I won’t be surprised if some of Nikon’s sub-contractors are already talking to smartphone makers on possible collaborations.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

On the same front, Nikon is hitting back at the smartphone camera sector with the S800c – a compact camera with an Android OS (2.3) and Wi-Fi connectivity.

So you can use photo-editing apps (such as Photoshop, Instagram and PicsArt) from the Google Play store to edit photos taken with the camera, and share it online on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.

You can also use any of the other 500,000 apps on the Google Play for gaming or other purposes.

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

What the S800c doesn’t have yet is 3G connectivity, to give it 3G data connectivity in case there’s no Wi-Fi connectivity.

Who knows, you might even see a Nikon camera-phone (in that order) in the future!

The other products launched today are more run-of-the-mill cameras and accessories.

These include three new compacts from the COOLPIX family: COOLPIX P7700, L610, and S6400.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

For its mirrorless interchangeable lens line, Nikon has launched the Nikon 1 J2, 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm F/3.5-5.6 lens, and the Nikon 1 water proof case.

I’ll be posting more details of each camera so you can check the tech specs in those articles.

New printer: Canon SELPHY CP900

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012

Canon has announced its first Wi-Fi-enabled compact photo printer. The SELPHY CP900 hits the shelves in Singapore on 30 August at S$199.

The Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer comes in black, white or pink.

The Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer comes in black, white or pink.

With built-in Wi-Fi, the SELPHY CP900 enables users to instantly and wirelessly print photos taken with smartphones and tablets anytime, anywhere.

White Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.The compact printer can connect wirelessly to iOS and eventually to Android devices.

It can also connect wirelessly to a wide range of commonly-used devices like laptops and PCs to print photos.

iPhone/iPad users can print photos via Canon’s EasyPhotoPrint app which can be downloaded from the Apple App store.

The Android application will only be available end December 2012.

If you’re using a BlackBerry or Windows Phone, then you’re out of luck. You won’t be able to print directly from the smartphone or tablet to the CP900.

Black Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.

Black Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.

The SELPHY CP900’s wireless capabilities also support DPS over IP (this is a standard for interconnecting devices over LAN/wireless) for cameras to connect and print wirelessly without going through a router.

Printing from a memory card or external drives is also possible.

The SELPHY CP900 is equipped with a slot compatible with the widely-used SD/SDHC/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus storage cards.

It also has an USB slot for easy access to photos saved in a flash drive or hard disk.

Pink Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.

Pink Canon SELPHY CP900 compact printer.

The SELPHY CP900 uses a dye-sublimation system which provides excellent gradations at a high 300×300 dpi resolution.

The printer has three new optimisation scenes – Cloudy, Blue Sky and Sunset – and automatically and intelligently analyses and corrects images, correcting their brightness, contrast and reduces noise before printing.

Users can preview photos with the 2.7” LCD Display which has a wide viewing angle.

With the increasing popularity of photo-sharing software and apps like Instagram which captures photos in a square format,

“With an increasing amount of consumers using their mobile phones and popular apps such as Instagram to take photos, the SELPHY CP900 provides creative solutions which will allow for a more personalised, long-lasting copy of their photos and memories,” said Andrew Koh, Senior Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Products Group, Canon Singapore.

The SELPHY CP900 enables users to print square format photos from Instagram with the new 54 X 54mm square ratio paper.

Canon sticker labels available in this new size allow for easy personalisation on any surface.

The SELPHY CP900 can also print postcard size and ID photos of up to 28 different sizes (ICAO standard) with cropping.

佳能推出了新的袖珍型照片打印机。SELPHY CP900 利用dye sublimation 可引出鲜艳持久的照片。苹果iPhone使用者可利用其无限衔接能力方便印刷。Android使用者得等到年尾才会有适用的运用程序。Windows Phone 以及 BlackBerry 用户则无法直接通过手机传送印刷。” – 科技点心(微薄)

To maximise cost-efficiency, the SELPHY CP900 is also able to print ID photos of up to two different people on a single sheet of paper.

To prevent fading, photos printed with the SELPHY CP900 are protected by a durable protective print over-coating.

This protective over-coating helps preserve these precious memories for up to 100 years if kept in a photo album.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

Here’s wishing all Muslim friends: “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri“!

The Floating Mosque in Kuala Terengganu.

The Floating Mosque in Kuala Terengganu.

This is the Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque in Kuala Terengganu in Malaysia. It is also known as the Floating Mosque – situated in Kuala Ibai Lagoon, about 4km from Kuala Terengganu Town.

My family was on vacation back in 2004 and driving to Kuala Terengganu when we were attracted by this beautiful mosque enroute.

This photo was shot from the playground across the lagoon, using a Sony compact digital camera, handheld in the dim twilight, and output directly to JPEG.

 

New ruggedised camera: Olympus Tough TG-320

Friday, August 17th, 2012

The Olympus Tough TG-320 is 3m waterproof, 1.5m shockproof and -10⁰C freezeproof for the adventurous. The 14-megapixel compact digital camera is available in blue and red in Singapore at S$348.

The Olympus Tough TG-320 is available in Singapore in blue and red for S$298.

The Olympus Tough TG-320 is available in Singapore in blue and red for S$298.

Looking for a rugged camera that you can bring for that white-water rafting trip? Check out the Olympus Tough TG-320 digital compact camera.

Olympus Tough TG-320
Megapixels 14 MP
Optical Zoom 3.6 x
Wide angle 28mm
Max zoom 100mm
LCD 2.7″, 230k dots, TFT colour
Movie 1280 x 720 px
Waterproof 3m
Shockproof 1.5m
Freezeproof -10 deg Celsius
Flash Built-in
RAW No
Image stabilisation Dual IS
Size /mm 96.3 x 63.4 x 22.7
Weight 155 g
Price S$348

It is waterproof up to a depth of 3m and shockproof against falls from up to 1.5m, with Olympus’ distinct lens barrier and a sliding double lock mechanism

To prevent picture blur due to camera shake and subject motion, the TG-320 features DUAL IS uses a CCD-shift image stabilisation mechanism and high-sensitivity image capturing, by an equivalent of up to 4 shutter speed stops.

The TG-320 records HDTV (1280 x 720 pixels) movies in MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 format.

The camera comes with 8 Magic Filters – Pop, Pin Hole, Fisheye, Sketch, Soft Focus and Punk inherited from the previous model, and the newly-added Watercolour and Sparkle.

Magic Movies recordings are available in Pop, Sketch, Fisheye, Soft Focus, Punk and Watercolour, giving them a distinct look and artistic feel.

You can shoot dynamic 3D photos in any mode from macro to landscape. You can view the 3D effect on 3D-compatible TV sets or computers.

The camera also includes a face-detecting Pet Mode and is compatible with Eye-Fi SDHC memory cards.

Available at selected POPULAR stores.

New Android app: CanonSGLens

Thursday, August 16th, 2012

The Android version of the free CanonSGLens app is now available on Google Play.

The free CanonSGLens app is now available on both iOS and Android.

The free CanonSGLens app is now available on both iOS and Android.

The Android app features detailed lens specifications of all 66 Canon EF and EF-S lenses sold in Singapore with a unique interactive simulator that allows users to compare the field of view of two camera-lens combinations.

CanonSGLens Android app on Google Play.

CanonSGLens Android app on Google Play.

It also contains interactive educational content about depth of field and exposure, which is useful for DSLR users, whether they are beginners, amateurs or professionals.

The CanonSGLens for Android app now comes with 7 new lenses for users to test out. It is compatible with smartphones and tablets running Android 2.1 and up.

Canon Singapore first launched the CanonSGLens app for DSLR users as an iOS app on 22 December 2011.

Based on monthly averages, the app has been in the top 50 downloads for iPads and top 100 downloads for iPhones in the Photo and Video category.

(more…)

New compact camera: Samsung EX2F

Monday, August 6th, 2012

Samsung has unveiled the Wi-Fi-enabled EX2F compact camera. It has a fast F1.4 lens and will be available in Singapore in August for S$699.

Update (23 August, 2012):

The Samsung EX2F is now available in Singapore. From now until 16 September, get a free 25L Dry box and Power bank charger worth $238 and an SD card, a camera case and an extra battery worth $115.

The Samsung EX2F compact camera has a maximum aperture of F1.4 and is Wi-Fi capable.

The Samsung EX2F compact camera has a maximum aperture of F1.4 and is Wi-Fi capable.

Following the success of the EX1 which had an F1.8 lens, Samsung has upped the ante with a super-bright F1.4 lens in the new EX2F.

Samsung EX2F
Megapixels 12 MP
Sensor 1/1.7″ BSI CMOS
Optical Zoom 3.3 x
Wide angle 24mm
Max zoom 80mm
LCD 3″, 614k dots, VGA, AMOLED
Movie Full HD 1080/30p
Flash Built-in + Hotshoe
RAW Yes
Image stabilisation Dual IS
Size /mm 111.9 x 62 x 28.9
Weight 294.3 g *
Aperture F1.4 to F2.7
Others Built-in ND filter
Price S$699
* Weight excludes battery and memory card.

A maximum aperture of F1.4 is available at the camera’s widest angle at 24mm.

The F1.4 lens lets in four times more light than an F2.8 lens, and comprises 11 elements in 9 groups, with 4 aspherical lenses and 2 high refractive lenses.

The larger aperture allows for shooting with very shallow depths of field, and the ability to shoot at low-light.

Low-light shooting is further assisted with Dual Image Stabilisation (Optical IS & Digital IS).

On the other hand, a built-in Neutral Density (ND) filter provides greater control over exposure settings either for creative purposes or in situations of over-exposure.

The camera is housed in a durable magnesium body usually found on DSLR cameras.

As in DSLR cameras, the EX2F allows Full Manual Control of exposure settings and records photos in RAW format.

Available in Singapore for S$699.

Available in Singapore for S$699.

The Wi-Fi connectivity of the EX2F means that photos taken can be easily and speedily shared to social networking sites such as Facebook, or sent to friends or family via email.

The camera can be connected to smartphones and tablets via a Mobile Link, or saved through Auto Backup to a PC or to the Cloud.

Detailed technical specifications of the Samsung EX2F can be found below.

(more…)

Gigapixel image for London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

Super high-resolution image will capture each of the 70,000 spectators in detail. The 20-Gigapixel photograph will be uploaded and spectators will be able to zoom in, locate and tag themselves.

Getty Images is the official Photographic Agency for the London 2012 Olympic Games which opens tomorrow.

Getty Images is the official Photographic Agency for the London 2012 Olympic Games which opens tomorrow.

Ahead of tomorrow’s Olympics Opening Ceremony in London, Getty Images and Fujitsu have announced that they will be snapping a gigapixel photograph of the event, enabling spectators – all 70,000 of them! – to zoom in, find and tag themselves.

This is the camera set up that Getty Images’ gigapixel photographer Henry Stuart will be using at London 2012 Olympics. It’s a Nikon D800. (Photo credit: Henry Stuart)

This is the camera set up that Getty Images’ gigapixel photographer Henry Stuart will be using at London 2012 Olympics. It’s a Nikon D800. (Photo credit: Henry Stuart)

Images of such a high resolution usually take days to upload but thanks to leading-edge speed and performance of the Fujitsu CELSIUS R920 workstation, the image will be available to view on www.gettyimages.com overnight – up to 12 times faster than previously possible.

This will be the 13th consecutive Olympics for which Getty Images has been appointed as the Official Photographic Agency to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Winning entries for 2012 Getty Images Creative Grants

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Photographers Linka Anne Odom and Klaus Thymann, alongside agencies Good Pilot and Mother London, have won the 2012 Getty Images Creative Grants.

Each of the two teams will receive US$15,000.

Pathways sees photographer Linka Anne Odom and agency Good Pilot collaborate with D-Foundation to pursue a project which aims to recruit volunteers to increase effectiveness of medical care provided to vulnerable people in India. Through their visual communication, they aim to inspire doctors to travel to India and donate their skills to the project, as well as raise awareness around D-Foundation itself by creating pop-up exhibitions highlighting the charity’s work in hospitals around Germany.

Pathways sees photographer Linka Anne Odom and agency Good Pilot collaborate with D-Foundation to pursue a project which aims to recruit volunteers to increase effectiveness of medical care provided to vulnerable people in India. Through their visual communication, they aim to inspire doctors to travel to India and donate their skills to the project, as well as raise awareness around D-Foundation itself by creating pop-up exhibitions highlighting the charity’s work in hospitals around Germany.

This year, the Getty Images Creative Grants received 75 submissions from photographers and agencies in 20 countries.

Each team comprises a photographer and communications professional.

The US$15,000 will be used to cover the costs of developing compelling new imagery to strengthen the communications of a non-profit organisation the recipients have chosen to support.

Project Pressure, by photographer Klaus Thymann and agency Mother London will visually highlight global glacial history, before the demise of this natural wonder. The grant will enable Thymann to travel to Nepal, where he will document the field work of the Project Pressure team and the impact of glacial retreat on the local population. As well as imagery and video, Mother London will also utilize social media platforms and narrated slideshows to record his work.

Project Pressure, by photographer Klaus Thymann and agency Mother London will visually highlight global glacial history, before the demise of this natural wonder. The grant will enable Thymann to travel to Nepal, where he will document the field work of the Project Pressure team and the impact of glacial retreat on the local population. As well as imagery and video, Mother London will also utilize social media platforms and narrated slideshows to record his work.

Photo Contest: Home Without Walls (Open Category)

Saturday, June 23rd, 2012

SingTel has launched the Open Category of the “Home Without Walls” photo contest. The contest is open to all Singaporeans from today to 5 August, 2012; and has a top prize of S$2,500.

SingTel "Home Without Walls" campaign photography contest Open Category

This contest is part of a series of activities under the “Home Without Walls” campaign.

The campaign aims to inspire Singaporeans to connect with their families and forge stronger bonds with their loved ones.

The Grand Prize winner for the Open Category contest will walk away with S$2,500, and the individual winners for each of the four category themes will enjoy S$500 in cash prize.

This photo contest is open to all Singaporeans and submission is done through the SingTel FaceBook page.

Photographs can be taken with any camera, including mobile devices. Selected entries will be collated into a set of limited edition postcards which will be distributed at a later stage.

Winning photographs from each category will be published by SingTel.

Judging panel

  • Mr Lim Soon Hock
    – Chairman of National Family Council and the Centre for Fathering
  • Ms Daphne Ling
    – Winner of the ‘Best Parenting Blog’ at the Singapore Blog Awards 2011
  • Mr Suhaimi Abdullah
    – Grand Prize Winner of the Professional Category photo contest

Singapore wins Young Lions competition at CANNES

Monday, June 18th, 2012

James Holman (Copywriter) and Nuno Teixeira (Art Director) from TBWA, Singapore has won the prestigious Young Lions Print Competition at the 2012 Cannes Lions advertising festival.

Winning entry from Singapore for the Young Lions Print Competition at the 59th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Winning entry from Singapore for the Young Lions Print Competition at the 59th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Second and third places go to United Arab Emirates and Belgium.

The Young Lions Competition is designed to catapult the careers of rising stars that are set to redefine the future use of imagery in advertising.

First runner-up from the United Arab Emirates.

First runner-up from the United Arab Emirates.

The Young Lions Competition is being sponsored by Getty Images for the 15th consecutive year.

Getty Images was the exclusive content provider for the competitions, enabling contestants to draw from its broad range of creative, editorial, multimedia and archival collections.

This year’s brief, disclosed to competitors on 16 June, was set by Control Arms – a global civil society alliance campaigning for a “bulletproof” Arms Trade Treaty, founded by Oxfam.

The society disclosed a brief to raise awareness amongst State leaders and negotiators at the United Nations in the build up to the Arms Trade Treaty meetings in July of this year.

Second runner-up from Belgium.

Second runner-up from Belgium.

41 teams, comprising of an Art Director and Copywriter under 28 years of age, had just 24 hours to interpret the brief and develop a print advertisement, using content sourced from Getty Images’ range of creative, editorial and archival collections.

The work was scrutinised by the Jury members, headed up by this year’s Cannes Lions Jury President, Tham Khai Meng, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy & Mather.