Photo by Setyo Bagyo

FNers Exploring Belitung

For five days, 24 fotografer.net's members (FNers) – from several areas in Indonesia - spent their days at Belitung island on an occasion called as "Exploring Belitung", held from 26 to 30 June. The hunting session took place at Belitung due to its various hidden spots.

Having landed at the island, their first destination was Laskar Pelangi elementary school. Then, they moved to Pice dam and Manggar hills. A small incident happened during their visit to Tanjung Binga; one of the participants slipped while he was on the port making his photography gears drowned into salt water.

The day after, participants visited North Belitung to hunt for sunrise, landscape and sunset at Tanjung Tinggi. During their visit to Lengkuas island, they gave some donations to the lighthouse guard at this island.

On the next day, they continued their hunt for landscape photography at west coast of Membalong, then, moved to Gembira bay, Awan Mendung beach, and Tanjung Kiras. On the fourth day, participants were capturing human interest objects at fish market, and moved on to Pasir Panjang beach at Mendanau coastline. They were amused by the appearance of the rainbow in the sky. Last day at Belitung was spent at kaolin mining area, Kubu bridge, and Tanjung Tinggi beach.
Setyo Bagyo

Solar Vest for Recharging Your Camera

Are you a professional photographer? Tired of carrying extra batteries all the time? Well you could choose to wear a Solar Vest to work from now on. The vest comes with solar panels on the back and with the necessary cables to recharge your batteries and other gadgets. It might not be very fashionable but it will certainly come in handy. Solar Vest is designed for your comfort and convenience.

It comes with big storage pockets for holding tools or camera equipment.

This vest is like a solar power station to keep your cell phone, portable media player, notebook computer, digital camera, and other portable electronics fully powered while you are working outdoors. So how do you use it? While you walk outside, the four solar panels on the back of the vest absorb solar energy and store it in a high-capacity battery located in the front left pocket.

If your camera's battery needs power, just plug it into the battery and let it charge. So what do you think? Ready to charge your cameras while on the move? One vest will cost only US$ 140. image-acquire.com, chinavasion.com

Share High-Resolution Photos to Facebook

What MyPhotoAlbum offers you today is something that will excite you badly. Besides talking about photo, here, we talk about Facebook. In July 2, MyPhotoAlbum Inc. announced the first and only full-scale photo sharing for Facebook.

For the first time, you can now upload highresolution photos to MyPhotoAlbum.com, a fullservice online photo album, and share smaller versions of the same photos on Facebook. It even accommodates very large files from today's popular 12-MP cameras.

Moreover, the MyPhotoAlbum App for Facebook is working with Facebook's existing photo albums. The App copies photos directly to Facebook photo albums. Copied photos also appear in the "news feed" and profile tab, just as they would if you uploaded to Facebook directly.

This application is free to Facebook members, and can be installed via Facebook Application Directory or by visiting apps.facebook.com/myphotoalbum. For more information, you can visit myphotoalbum.com/facebook.php.
imaging-resource.com

130-MP Camera Created from a Scanner

What do you get if you cross a flatbed scanner with a Canon lens? Well, if you're anything like a particular camera enthusiast from Japan, you'll have turned it into a 130-MP camera.

Spyuge, an amateur photographer, said he used 1200-dpi Epson flatbed scanner and an old Canon FD 50mm lens to make a camera that can't fit in your pocket, or shoot anything at speed, but it does have 130-MP. The maker of the camera has posted several images taken with it on his flickr account and there's even a video of the camera in action. ephotozine.com

Sigma's New Lens for Sony and Pentax DSLRs

What new accessory that you can get with your US$ 800 is the new Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM. This goes to Sony and Pentax DSLRs only.

What so special with this lens is that it incorporates a Hybrid Optical Stabilization system which allows you to use the lens' Optical Stabilizer (OS) function even if your camera has a built-in anti-shake system. If you choose to use the lens' OS function, you must ensure that the camera's built-in stabilizer is switched off.

For it has already won two international awards, including the 2009 TIPA Best Entry Level Lens award, it is worth to own. Four Special Low Dispersion glass elements and three aspherical lens elements provide excellent image quality throughout the entire zoom range. It has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7 inches) at all focal lengths and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.4, making it deal for close-up photography.
dpreview.com

SanDisk Launches World's Fastest 32GB SDHC Card

SanDisk has introduced the world's fastest 32GB SDHC card which enable DSLR users to shoot without worrying about storage or speed limitations. It reads and writes at speeds of up to 30 megabytes per second and adheres to the new SD Association Class 10 specification. The 32GB SanDisk Extreme SDHC Card will definitely help digital photography enthusiasts utilize the advanced features of today's DSLR cameras

The card can record up to 160 minutes of 1920x1080 pixels HD videos at 24Mb/s data transfer rate. Surely, it supports the performance of DSLR with HD video recording capability. It will start shipping in August, but the price hasn't been announced yet. dpreview.com

AgfaPhoto Digital Camera Go for a Swim

AgfaPhoto presents the AgfaPhoto DC-600uw, its new underwater and outdoor camera. The AgfaPhoto DC- 600uw digital camera is water-resistant at depths of up to 10 meters. Its exterior is designed to protect against dust and dirt. Which means you can bring this camera while swimming on the shore or doing any kind of outdoor activities.

The camera has a 6MP sensor, a 2.4" LCD and includes Face Tracking, 5x digital zoom, high degree of light sensitivity up to ISO 1600, and support for the most common scene modes. The camera's face tracking function automatically recognizes faces, and brings them into clear focus. It also takes videos with sound in YouTube format, which can then be immediately uploaded to any compatible online platform. Its weight only 131 grams, and fits easily into almost any pocket or bag. Priced at € 149, it will be made available next month. dpreview.com

Perfect Partners for Your Vacation

Holiday season is photo time! Finally, the most beautiful days of the year long will be remembered. Don't worry about the camera, because Sanyo has just offered two new Digital cameras that will be the perfect partner for your vacation. Very easy to use and extremely compact in size, can be found in the Sanyo VPC-S1275, and the VPCE1090. VPC-S1275 has the picture resolution of 12MP, while VPC-E1090 has 10MP.

Both cameras are equipped with features that will be suitable for capturing your vacation. They have various programs for beach motif, Party, or night scenery deliver exactly the right settings for every situation. There are also Self-portraits modes that automatically identify and focus your face. Then, the cameras will take the image independently, without the Shutter must be operated. Smile & Face Detection and 9 different designs frames can be found in these cameras. They can record video in VGA resolution as well.

The two cameras come with 3x optical zoom, 2.7 inch LCD screen, an internal memory of 16 megabytes and offer support SDHC cards up to 16 GB. The suggested retail price for the VPC-S1275 is 109 Euro, and for the VPC-E1090 is 119 Euro. The S1275 is available in classic black, the VPC-E1090 in a silver metal from early August. dcviews.com

Makassar's Glamour Photoshot in Café

Recently, the number of photography enthusiasts in Makassar is getting bigger as well as photography technology getting more dynamic. For that, Glamour Photoshot in Café was held in July 4, in a café named Café Mammi 68.

Besides photographing models, there was a discussion brought about by Mulyawan Galib, with the "Basic Technique of Lighting" as the topic, also a Discussing Photography Knowledge session by Ilham Halimsyah from Photography Program Department of Makassar Institute of Art. After that, there was a Canon EOS 500D product testing session. It all began at 10:00am and ended at 01:00pm WITA (Central Indonesian Time Zone), participated by more than 30 photographers.

Apparently, this event is a medium where Makassar's photographers can share their experience and knowledge. The result of the event will be displayed in an online gallery entitled the Beauty Makassar in one of social networks. However, an independent site will be built for this event, in the future, because the event itself will be established continuously. Ilham Halimsyah

A Swiss Knife Comes with USB Flash Drive

Do you believe that a Swiss knife can store files and documents? Well, it is made possible by Victorinox Swiss Army, maker of Swiss knives, who just introduced the SwissFlash. Swiss Flash is a Swiss knife with 16GB USB flash drive and laser pointer. It functions as a USB flash drive as well as a knife. Priced at US$ 149.95, the SwissFlash includes also a blade, a nail file with screwdriver, scissors, key ring and a retractable ball point pen. itechnews.net

Solo Batik Carnival

In the previous year, Solo Batik Carnival had "Batik" as the theme, this year, it brings about "Mask." It was established in June 28, began at 03:00pm WIB (Western Indonesian Time Zone) and followed by hundreds of participant. Most of them are students. They gathered on Jalan Slamet Riyadi from 01:00pm. A lot of people enthusiastically watched this annual event that was arranged by the local government, in collaboration with Solo Center Point and its citizens.

There were 300 participants on the street, wearing batik as their costumes. They started the carnival from Purwosari and ended it in Gladag Boulevard. The Mayor of Solo, Joko Widodo, and his deputy, Hadi Rudyatmo, attended too. There were some soldiers riding horses in the front rows. They started the carnival after the Secretary of Commerce, Maria Elka Pangestu, dispatched them. Behind them, the participants marched, holding a lot of batik flags. After them, the participants wearing batik costumes were marching. They wore batik with different motives and designs.
Zamrud Fisantrino & Yudha Nugraha

Hasselblad CFV-39 Integrates Your Existing V Camera

The new Hasselblad CFV-39 digital back, using a 39-MP sensor which twice the size of full frame 35mm DSLR, provides the ultimate in digital integration and image quality for all the classic Hasselblad V System cameras and lenses, also turns your existing camera into a modern digital workhorse.

With ISO speeds range from 50 to 800, it features two capture modes and a new digital lens correction technology for Carl Zeiss lenses, powered by Phocus image processing software which is compatible with both Mac and Windows. The supported cameras are the 202 FA, 203 FE and 205 FCC. While the other 200 and 2000 series models can be used with C-type lenses only. It saves 3F RAW (3FR) file format and ensures images to be quickly, effectively and safely stored in your CF card or computer hard drive. This format can be opened directly in Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Aperture on Mac OS-X, also converted directly into Adobe's DNG (Digital NeGative). Pricing is not yet mentioned. For more information, please visit hasselbladusa.com.
imaging-resource.com

New Established Joint Company: Nikon-Fujitsu

The President of Nikon Corporation, Michio Kariya, announced that Nikon Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, and Fujitsu Broad Solution & Consulting Inc. established a new joint company, named Nikon Imaging Systems Inc.

The company will be responsible for the firmware development in Nikon digital cameras. Firmware is the software built into devices that provides fundamental control over hardware. For that, the objective of the company is to establish the firmware platforms and accelerate the speed and quality of firmware development by merging the long experienced mechatronics control and image processing technologies in Nikon Corporation and Nikon Systems Inc. with the software technology, know-how and resources provided by Fujitsu BSC.

For your information, 70% of the initial (US$ 989,000) capital and four board members will come from Nikon Systems with one board member and the remaining 30% of the investment coming from Fujitsu BSC. It will initiate operations in August 2009.
dpreview.com

Tenba's Black Label Bags

If you are a fan of Tenba's photo backpacks, the company's new Black Label premium collection might catch an eye. These bags are made with a tough ballistic nylon exterior that is foam-laminated to protect them from water, stains and rips while maintaining a slim profile and a classic shape.

Other nice touches include the handsome, perforated leather trim on the handle, shoulder strap and edge of the front flap of the bag. Meanwhile, the strap is made from sturdy seatbelt webbing that snaps on using a solid, steel triangle D-ring. The matte-finish YKK zippers are also a good choice. The Tenba logo is attached onto a metal plate that is fastened to the front lap with hex machine bolts. Whatsoever, the best of all is that they look tasteful for they are elegantly all-black designed.

With prices ranging from US$ 115 to US$ 180, you can put your camera bodies, lenses, flashes, memory card readers and portable hard drives in it. There are five models in Tenba's Black Label line – three slim photo satchels (S, M and L) and two full-sized camera bags. pdngearguide.com

GE E1250TW with Touch Panel Control

General Imaging has begun shipping the GE E1250TW, their latest touchscreen digital compact camera. The E1250TW boasts next-generation touch-panel controls allowing for swiping, rotation and zoom among the many new touch-controlled functions. It has 12.2MP of resolution, a 3.0-inch LCD screen, and 5x optical zoom.

It also has a panorama assist function called Pan-Capture Panorama a simple and effective way to capture scenic-wide images. Other features for the compact, stylish E1250TW includes Auto Scene Detection, which automatically determines the most appropriate scene type to capture a sharp, vibrant picture; HDTV Output, for viewing photos on a high-definition television; 28mm wide-angle lens, for capturing wide scenes; Face, Blink and Smile Detection, designed to produce better results from people shots; Auto-Adjust LCD, in which the screen adjusts automatically to changing light conditions; and Red-Eye Removal. The camera lists for US$ 199 and is available through Amazon.com and other retailers. photographyblog.com