Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Inkjet Printer
by Epson
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $749.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Designed with the serious graphics user in mind, Epson's Stylus Photo 2200 is stylish and fast and comes packed with user-friendly features. With Epson's new seven-color UltraChrome inks and three times as many nozzles as the popular Stylus 2000P, the 2200 is able to print 8-by-10-inch color photos in under two minutes (in fine mode). The UltraChrome inks are formulated to resist water and light damage and to ensure longevity, all while providing more colors than any other pigment ink on the market.

The versatile 2200 makes it easy to print on envelopes, roll paper, and many types and sizes of single-sheet paper.

A maximum resolution of 2,880 x 1,440 dpi (both color and black and white) results in amazingly accurate prints. The 4-picoliter droplets are the equivalent of 2-picoliter droplets in ordinary dye-base systems, resulting in ultrafine detail and clarity. Interchangeable standard and matte black ink cartridges help you get the best quality from black-and-white prints, while the included Film Factory(TM) with PRINT Image Matching Support software ensures that prints from compatible digital cameras are true to the original image.

The 2200 supports a wide variety of paper types, including glossy, semi-glossy, luster, matte, and Epson's velvet fine art paper, as well as large-format sizes up to 13 by 44 inches. With the included roll paper holder and built-in automatic cutter, you can print borderless images easily, while a photo catcher neatly stacks multiple prints as they are cut.

Compatible with both Mac and PC systems, the 2200 comes backed with a one-year Epson exchange warranty.

What's in the Box
Printer, AC power supply and cord, seven ink cartridges (cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, yellow, light black, photo black), roll paper holder accessory, roll paper cutter and catcher; printer cable not included

... Read more

Features

• Interchangeable standard and matte ink cartridges for black-and-white prints
• USB, Firewire and Parallel interfaces
• 2,880 x 1,440 dpi maximum resolution in black and color
• Roll paper holder and built-in automatic cutter
• Economical ink system with 7 separate UltraChrome cartridges

Reviews (65)

Great photographic printer
I am currently in college studying photography and this printer is our most common printer.

Remember, you're not going to get accurate color with ANY printer. Every printer has it's own specific range of colors it can reproduce. The key to a good printer is getting predictable results.

Hints for good results with less stress:
--> Get profiles for the specific papers you use. (If you don't have the time or equipment to do it yourself, you can find them online.)
--> Turn the printer off when not in use. (This saves the nozzles from getting clogged so much.)
--> The little red lights correspond to the inks. If the 3rd light is on, the 3rd ink is out.
--> If one of the red ink lights is blinking, go ahead and print, it's still got a bit of life in it... if the light is burning steady, change the ink.
--> This is not a document printer. Get a cheap HP for that.
--> You don't need any more than 360ppi in your image. Any more, and you're just making it slower. (Do some tests printing the same photo at different image resolutions. Try 360, 240, 180, 100, 72. See where the resolution falls off, and then you'll know what you really need for a decent print.)
--> Turn off high speed. Sometimes when printers lay ink down in both directions, it can get out of alignment. (I have never seen this, but my professor has, which is why nobody at my school even tries to print at high speed.)
--> Don't print full bleed. Well, you can, it's just better if you don't. Trust me on this.
--> To switch between photo black and matte black ink is a real hassle. You'll use an entire cartridge just to flush out the old ink. So, if you can help it, don't. I wish you could have both and just tell it which black to use, but alas, it's not perfect.
--> Use an image editing program (Adobe Photoshop is best) to make your pictures look the way you want before printing. Target your file for printing. (Meaning: make a duplicate flattened, sized, and sharpened file. Then print.)


My favorite paper is Ilford Smooth Pearl. I use it for just about everything.

For decent black and white prints, use matte black ink on Epson Velvet Fine Art, Watercolor, or Enhanced Matte papers.


The verdict:
This printer is great! When I set up my own lab, this will be my printer.

I hope this helps you with your purchase!

Epson 2200
As most of the previous reviews have stated this is a great printer and I wholeheartedly agree. I use Adobe Photoshop CS for my photos and the biggest problem I ran into was that the image on my monitor didn't quite match the printed image. This may be OK for some but being a perfectionist I had to adjust the image in Photoshop which is a hit or miss proposition (ie make the image lighter in photoshop to get a darker printed image which was satisfactory). The solution I decided on was to get color management software called MonacoEZcolor (I also got the colorimeter option) so that a color profile can be generated of the monitor and the printer. With the profiles generated you can then set the Photoshop image on your monitor to look like what the printed image will be. Unfortunately to do this I also had to purchase a scanner to profile the printer. $500 later (scanner and color management software with colorimeter) I'm getting better prints but it is costly, however if your a professional or just trying to get the best prints possible you may want to factor in color management software.

This is the center of my home photo-lab

I have used this printer for over a year now to support my hobby of ultra high resolution semi-digital photography.Using a different Epson product I scan 4x5 film negatives, creating 100 megapixel images, and then print them on my Stylus Photo 2200.I use 13x19 semi-gloss paper, and typically print at maximum quality.The results are vastly better than any photo lab I can imagine.Really -- I can't think of any way to suggest print quality improvement.

I do black-and-white maybe three quarters of the time, and when I do color it's lurid.Detail is astonishing, and I have been very satisfied with the borderless printing.The printer always warns me that it might not do as well at borderless printing, but I tell it not to worry and it always does fine.

I have used only the standard 7 inks.I've been very impressed with how easy ink cartridge replacement has been.I am glad that I have left behind the bad old days of throwing out *all* the ink because *one* of the colors ran out.The 2200 allows me to only replace the ink cartridge that actually ran out, which is even more important for the cityscape photography that I do -- in color, the sky uses a lot of cyan.

I don't know about text quality, since I've never printed any of that, but the thought makes me nervous.Like it would if someone suggested using a thoroughbred horse to pull a plow.Don't do that, it's silly.

Use this printer to make great big beautiful photographic prints of flawless quality on lovely paper.For this purpose, I really can't imagine how it could be better.

If it ever dies, I'll get another just like it.If I ever get rich, I'll get another just like it except even bigger.

Thanks, Epson.Please keep doing this.
... Read more

Asin: B000067V0A
Subjects:  1. Inkjet Printer (Ink Jet Printers, Printing)    2. Photo Printer (Photo Printing)    3. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple   

Epson's borderless premium glossy photo paper is perfect for producing borderless photographs, enlargements, snapshots, proofs, displays, posters, and more. Each package contains 20 sheets of 11-by-14-inch true F-surface paper. This paper is for use in Epson Stylus Photo 1280 printers only. ... Read more

Features

• Premium glossy borderless photo paper
• For use with Stylus Photo 1280 printers only
• Twenty 11-by-14-inch sheets per package
• Great for a wide range of applications
• Brightness rating of 92

Asin: B00005A9W8

Epson's heavyweight, matte photo paper produces 8-by-10-inch borderless photo prints. This paper is great for crafts projects requiring heavier paper stock, and is designed specifically for the Stylus Photo 780 and 1280 printers. ... Read more

Features

• Heavyweight, matte, bright white paper
• 50 borderless 8-by-10-inch sheets per package
• Great for all your creative photo printing needs
• For use with Stylus Photo 780/1280
• A quality Epson product

Asin: B00005A9W3

APC BP500UC Back-UPS Pro 500
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $199.99 -- our price: $141.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The first uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with a USB port that is "Designed for Microsoft Windows 98." APC Back-UPS Pro 350 and Back-UPS Pro 500 are uniquely designed to improve your productivity by ensuring that your Windows 98 PC, Internet connection and all of your peripherals are protected with high-performance surge suppression and intelligent battery backup. APC Back-UPS Pro continuously conditions the power coming into your computer, and instantly switches your computer to emergency battery backup power during brief power outages without data loss or downtime. ... Read more

Features

• Multipath Protection
• Uninterruptible Power
• Lightning and Surge Protection
• Automatic Voltage Regulation
• USB Communications Port

Reviews (4)

Great item
Had mine since December 1999 but noticed that the battery failed after about 3 years, like the other poster wrote, APC didn't list a replacement at first but now they do and I finally got around to replacing it.Battery type is RBC2 for those wondering.

Solid unit, having a telephone line/out and USB controller is a plus.

Solid unit...with a catch
I have owned one of these UPS's for about 3 years.Earlier this year the alarms went off indicating that the battery needed replacement.I thought that was odd considering the age of the unit.No problem though,I'll just log onto APC's website and order a replacement battery.Wasn't I surprised to see that APC indicates that this model doesn't have a replacable battery.This didn't make much sense to me since the unit has an access door to the battery compartment.

Well,I removed the battery and found a web vendor that had a replacement for $18.It is a very common 12volt cell and was available from several vendors.The unit is back up and working well again.

I have experienced several black-outs in the past few years and this UPS can keep my CPU, 19" monitor, cable modem & network switch operable for enough time to save any work in progress and shut down my system.

In closing, it is a well designed unit with adequate power for most home or small office systems.But I was a little put off by the short life of the original battery and incorrect replacement information listed by APC.

Great unit!
This unit is my 2ed UPS made by APC.I out grew the other and decided on this unit. The USB connection is what sold me on this as I leave my computer on most of the day.It did shut down (using the included software) during a test I ran and the software as gives you a battery charge state.A must have if you are in an area that has frequent power problems.With the built in surge protection, you can't go wrong. ... Read more

Asin: B00000J506
Subjects:  1. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)    2. BP-500UC    3. Surge Protection (Protector, Protectors, Power Strips, Strip)    4. Accessories (Accessory)   

Epson Perfection 2450 Photo Scanner
by Epson
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $399.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Epson Perfection 2450 brings professional-quality scanning options right to your home desktop. Possibilities include batch scanning of film negatives, as well as a number of settings that let your determine specific priorities for each project. The 2450 is an excellent choice for the devoted photographer who demands both high-speed processing and exquisite attention to detail.

Designed to process slides, photos, filmstrips, and transparencies, as well as plain old text, this scanner offers stunning 2,400 x 4,800 dpi resolution. Equipped with a 4-by-9-inch transparency unit, it also delivers 48-bit color at remarkable speed, processing full-color graphics at 11 milliseconds per line. The built-in zoom feature provides a range of 50 to 200 percent, supplying plenty of options for enlarging or cropping your final prints. A cold cathode ray lamp is used as the light source, an economical choice that provides hours of efficient, powerful lighting. Maximum scan size is 8.5 x 11 inches, large enough for most office documents as well as your favorite vacation shots.

The USB 2.0 and FireWire (IEEE 1394) connectivity ensure the fastest data transfers, as well as rapid setup; you'll be e-mailing those family photos in just a few minutes. The included software bundle is designed to help you edit and organize your images, and includes LaserSoft SilverFast SE, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Epson Smart Panel, and Epson Twain. Epson provides a one-year warranty covering parts and labor. ... Read more

Features

• USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 Firewire connectivity; PC and Mac compatible
• 2400 x 4800 dpi hardware resolution with Micro Step Drive technology
• 48-bit color depth
• Built-in transparency unit for transparencies, slides, and negatives
• Software bundle includes Adobe Photoshop Elements and LaserSoft SilverFast SE

Reviews (25)

Still a great scanner
Why am I writing a review for a scanner that has been out of production for 2 years? Because it's so darn good! I've had mine since January 2002 and it has performed without a hitch. I have upgraded to Mac OSX since I bought this and was really disappointed Epson did not make a driver for it. Luckliy I discovered Ed Hamrick's superb "VUESCAN" software. Get it at hamrick.com. On OSX or Windows it simply blows away any Twain driver or Epson driver. It rivals silverfast AI. The best thing about this scanner is the firewire interface. It's rocket fast for print scans. Why have scanner makers not migrated to this far superior interface?

You can scan film too, but be warned that 35mm is a bit soft. I've had some luck by scanning directly on the glass without a neg holder. 120 and 4x5 film look beautiful on this scanner. It has a great dynamic range-with the right software.

Pick one up used if you need the Firewire speed. You won't be disappointed.

Professional Photographer
Buyer Beware. I bought two of these scanners and both were defective. The first one had a large piece of plastic shaving under the scanning glass. The second one did not operate as the scanning light did not illuminate and I had to return that one too. I really liked the features that this scanner offered but I am not convinced of the reliablility of this product and would not recommend. If you decide to buy it-check your unit out closely when you get it home.

Check out the 2450 before you buy
I don't know about other customers, but my 2450 is worthless to me.It looked good and got good reviews and for my interest in photography I thought this was the answer to my needs.I assumed that it really would work with windows XP.That's questionable.Epson doesn't write the SmartPanel software and there have been many issues with that.After having new, updated software installed from Newsoft andthe SmartPanel still didn't work, I then received an e-mail from Newsoft which said that there likly would be problems with the new version too.A phone call to Epson brought no resistance and a quick offer of a refund.That alone might have saved a customer for future purchases of Epson products.But not this 2450. ... Read more

Asin: B00005OCWM
Subjects:  1. Scanner (Flatbed, Flat bed)    2. Scanner (Slide, Photo)   

A one-year warranty (extendable to three years)and direct access to Epson's technical phone support are included. ... Read more

Features

• Automatic paper cutter
• 1,440 x 720 dpi maximum resolution in black and color
• Prints up to 72 square feet per hour
• Maximum printable width of 23.78 inches
• 128 MB RAM

Asin: B000059YRA
Subjects:  1. Inkjet Printer (Ink Jet Printers, Printing)   

Real World Adobe Photoshop 7
by Peachpit Press
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (16 July, 2002)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $35.31
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (8)

Falls short of instructive illustrations and guidance
I was nonplussed by this book. I unfortunately listened to the previous reviewer (Ian) from 2002 and purchased this book.
Real World Photoshop is a large text but fails to provide even minimum pictorial guides and step by step instructions. The lengthy text does not stay on target and show how to actually resolve the issues or photographic problem being discussed. There are far better Photoshop books available that teach you needed skills. This one doesn't do the job.

These boys know there business.
OK, I'm reading one or two other books at the moment that are pretty good for what I need but this is the book that fills in the missing blanks.
Written in an approachable way that really makes it easy to understand and learn, highly recommended.

This book tells you how to really use a great product.
I've gradually been working my way up the Photoshop ladder for the last three years and finally got to Photoshop 7.It became obvious fairly early on that that there was much more to it than Adobe's manual described, so I started searching for a better book.

Blatner and Fraser's book is it.I still have a lot more to learn, but now I feel comfortable with using Photoshop 7.The book is oriented to photographers, not web designers, which is what I wanted and their description of the uses of levels and curves is great.Also, since I'm not a professional, my interest does not lie in preparing images for a commercial print shop, however,my guess is that the discussion of how to do such work would be extremely helpful to those who do.

Sydney Self ... Read more

Isbn: 0321115600
Sales Rank: 135034
Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    6. Computer graphics    7. Computers    8. Desktop Publishing    9. Desktop Publishing - General    10. Electronic Publishing    11. Image processing software    12. Microcomputer Graphics    13. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 ED Film Scanner
by Nikon
Average Customer Review:
Electronics (25 April, 2001)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Versatile enough to use with film in 35mm, strip, slide, or Advanced Photo System (APS) formats, Nikon's Super Coolscan 4000 offers fast and reliable FireWire connectivity and bright, accurate color scans that are ideal for high-end professional and business uses. Multisample scanning technology automatically removes surface blemishes, while Digital ICE image correction removes fingerprints and dust, equalizes grain, and restores faded images to full color.

Scanning is accomplished with 14-bit A-D conversion (16-bit output) through an advanced Nikon ED glass lens. The Super Coolscan 4000's 48-bit color and 4,000 dpi optical resolution result in exceptional clarity and color depth. An LED light source helps to provide consistent, crisper color. The scanning area is 25mm x 38mm with your choice of automatic or manual focus. The unit is also fast, with maximum resolution scans clocking in at around 38 seconds.

The software bundle includes Canto Cumulus 5.0 Demo, and Nikon Scan 3.0 Driver to help you fine-tune images before printing. Weighing only 6.6 pounds, the Super Coolscan 4000 has a reasonably small footprint of only 12.4 by 3.7 inches. It connects to most Mac and PC systems via an IEEE 1394 (OHCI compliant) interface card and comes with a variety of adapters for popular film formats. ... Read more

Features

• 4,000 dpi optical resolution, 48-bit color
• IEEE 1394 FireWire interface card included; PC and Mac compatible
• LED light source for accurate color consistency
• High resolution scans in only 38 seconds
• Supports film in strip, slide, and Advanced Photo System (APS) formats

Reviews (18)

Wow
I have been using the 4000 ED to capture/scan all of my old 35mm negatives (going all the way back the early 1970's).The pictures I am able to print from these scanned negatives are better that the prints made from the negatives!
My only complaint is that the unit only supports 35mm, and doesn't support medium format film.

Outstanding quality at an affordable price
I use this to scan 35mm slides for digital prints up to 13x19" so I use the full 4000 ppi capability.I've found it to be easy to use and the final scanned quality to be excellent.Compared to the HP PhotoSmart scanner I was previously using, it's outstanding.The dust removal feature is awesome.The automatic color adjustment works well for some of my older, faded slides, but I wouldn't recommend it for general use.I use 2X averaging to improve noise, although it's probably not necessary.The scanner has other advanced image correction capability but I prefer to do this in PhotoShop where I have better control.Scanning speed at 4000 ppi is less than 1 minute.The final scans are definitely of publishable quality.This scanner has actually allowed me to delay my conversion to a digital SLR, although I'm sure I will eventually succumb.

Great Scanner
This is the perfect scanner to scan, restore, and archive all of your most valuable pictures.
Easy to set up and use.
The best. ... Read more

Asin: B000059Z3X
Subjects:  1. Scanner (Slide, Photo)    2. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple   

Wacom Graphire2 Pen, Mouse & Tablet Set (Steel-Blue)
by Wacom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $99.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• New and improved ball-free, cordless, battery-less three-button Graphire2 Mouse, complete with scrolling wheel
• Cordless, battery-less Graphire2 Pen, complete with programmable DuoSwitch, eraser and 512 levels of pressure sensitivity
• Graphire2 Tablet with removable pen stand and transparent tracing overlay, USB connection, compatible with both PC and Mac
• Edit and improve photos (when using a digital camera); inking and handwriting capabilities; draw, paint and sketch; or sign your name and annotate documents

Reviews (31)

Sweet Pen! Needs some getting use to
I believe I got my money's worth with the pen. It was easy to install, put the cd in then plug in the tablet and your done. Only thing kind of annoying is differece betwwen an ordinary mouse and the pen. It hard to explain but if you get You'll know what I mean. Right now I still getting used to it but I've only had it for a couple of hours. Its pretty easy to draw with, its like using a pencil write with one end and erase with the other but this only works in photoshop. However is does it automatically without any changes made. Another good feature is using it to web browse.

My Favorite new Tool!
I bought my Graphire a few days ago and I'm absolutely in love with it! Don't make the mistake of thinking that 4x5 inches is too small - it's not at all.I'm a graphic designer by profession and also do hours worth of high-res photo/illustration work in Photoshop every day, and this little baby keeps right up.

Best [money] I've spent in a long time.:)

Big Enough? Yes.
I was worried that this cheaper, more mass-market tablet would be too small.But alas! I use it on my home computer mainly with photoshop and it is perfect.Now I would be afriad that the bigger models wouldn't fit so nicely next to my keyboard like the Graphire2.I love it, especially for such a great price. ... Read more

Asin: B00005U240
Sales Rank: 17680

Photoshop 7 Down & Dirty Tricks
by New Riders Press
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (23 April, 2002)
list price: $39.99 -- our price: $26.39
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Scott Kelby is both funny and generous. His wry sense of humor doesn't get in the way of the hundreds of nifty techniques in this new collection of Down & Dirty Tricks. In fact, when you first flip quickly through the book, gobbling up all the creative ideas and timesaving tips, his sly jokes only add to the I've-just-hit-the-lottery feeling.

Whatever you're looking for--type that looks distressed, made of gel, or carved in stone; shadows in perspective or in motion; text that wraps around a globe; a glinting starburst on the edge of an object; a logo artificially placed at the bottom of a pool; or a starry sky created in an instant--just about every trick is here. And most are done in 10 steps or less. Also, each page has a Quick Tip sidebar (there're over 200 of them) that are worth the price of the book alone, with everything from getting better results from your eyedropper tool (click on Options and change the Point Sample to "3 by 3 average") to the quickest way to change units of measurement (the secret is in the Info palette).

The book has been updated since the previous edition with mostly new illustrations, many new and better ways to perform the same tricks, and a few completely new ones. Project files and images can be downloaded from the book's companion Web site at downanddirtytricks.com. Although aimed at experienced Photoshop users, the text is detailed enough for readers of all levels. For example, steps like "make a copy of that layer by dragging it to the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers palette" or "press the letter m to switch to the Rectangular Marquee tool" are repeated in full whenever a trick calls for them. This not only helps beginners, it allows all readers to hop around the book and be able to carry out any trick in any order. Yet another reason this book could've been titled Speedy Down & Dirty Tricks. --Angelynn Grant ... Read more

Reviews (53)

Learn a ton in a short time
Photoshop has a very steep learning curve.The depth of the program is daunting.While I'm no guru on this program - yet - I've found that just diving right in and doing some of the more involved applications of the program exposes you to the maximum amount of features and you learn much more in much less time.With this book, you can do some very simple things, or jump into some of the more complex, such as creating "from scratch" illustrations.Everything is presented with beautiful, full color illustrations of every step, including menu examples and keyboard shortcuts.This book is very good for the beginner, but can also be a valuable resource for the more experienced user, and can help you to become your own in-house Photoshop innovator.

It's Gooood
this was one of teh first photoshop books i bought, along with another of Scott Kelby's books Photoshop for Digital Photographers, they are both great and make an excellent reference pair. Down and Dirty tricks was infinitely helpful to me, before it i really didn't know how to use any of the good tools in photoshop, and even though the book is set up as seperate instructions on how to make specific projects (which can be rather helpful at times so you can just jump in and start), I learned techniques and tricks that i use everyday in photoshop, and the side bars in this book help almost as much as the main content, giving you keyboard shortcuts and extra info. Although this book is not very indepth about advanced concepts in photoshop, it shows you how to do alot of neat stuff and Scott Kelby is a funny author so its not as dry as some of the other photoshop books I have read.

Simply the best!!
AS a recent graduate of a web design program I found this book to be both pratical and inspirational. The steps are easy to follow and produce fantastic results which have helped add some energy to my work. For anyone interested in Photoshop 7 this is the must have book. ... Read more

Isbn: 0735712379
Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    6. Computer graphics    7. Computers    8. Image processing software    9. Microcomputer Graphics    10. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    11. Techniques - Equipment    12. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Upgrade-Mac
by Adobe
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (20 April, 2002)
list price: $149.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Mixed-media professionals such as photographers, Web designers, andgraphic designers will not be disappointed in Adobe's latest incarnation ofPhotoshop. While the major difference between this and earlier versions is thatPhotoshop 7.0 is Mac OS X-compatible, this software also successfully addressesissues of file management, easy photo retouching, and smarter output for theWeb. While Adobe manages to tackle these issues, it still remainstrue to its photo editing roots. New and improved features and tools such as apainting option and an enhanced brush palette allow Photoshop to build on itsreputation as the leading tool for image manipulators. New-school designers ofwireless applications will smile when they discover that Photoshop 7.0 offerssupport for WBMP-formatted graphics.

Photoshop 7.0's new file management system comes in the form of a WindowsExplorer-like file browser that allows users to easily sort and locate theirimages within various projects. Users can now organize projects by name, date,resolution, and a number of additional parameters.

The enhanced brush palette allows users to create custom brushes and save themas presets that can be accessed from the Tools options bar. Users can easilyvary different aspects of the brush by changing the hue, opacity, or flow of thebrushes for pastels, oils, and charcoal. Photoshop 7.0 also introduces a newHealing Brush and Patch Tool. With these tools, users can easily "heal" theirimages by removing scratches, blemishes, and other imperfections whilepreserving shading, lighting, and texture attributes.

Adobe has taken great strides in revamping Photoshop 7.0 to be more Web-readythan ever before. With the help of its companion software Image Ready, users cannow easily create rollovers and complex navigation bars by using the newRollovers palette. Additional Web-ready features include enhanced Web exportfunctions that allow designers to preview images designed for PDAs and mobilephones in the WBMP format. Users can easily create a slide show of their imagesand post online using the new Web Gallery. People concerned about posting theirimages online can secure their images with the new password protection featurebefore sharing them.

Adobe has finally introduced a long overdue spell checker with wickedmultilingual spell-checking capabilities. A new search and replace featureallows users to search and replace across different layers in the same document.

While Photoshop 7.0 introduces an impressive array of features that allowphotographers, Web designers, and graphic designers to work more effectivelywith Web and wireless devices, it also remains the leading tool for anyoneserious about digital imaging. No other software package provides users with theability to create such high-quality images. --Rich Ting ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Well worth the money!
If you are a Mac user and have an older version of Photoshop ... well I would seriously recommend that you upgrade to version 7.0

While v7 doesn't add a whole lot of new features ... it does improve on a number of existing ones ... and most importantly it is the first Adobe application to feature their new common user-interface design ... that will be shared with imageready and illustrator.

Since it is highly probable that one will be using one of these applications ... you may as well drop down the coin and purchase this upgrade now ... before they start restricting the versions the upgrade supports.

ROCKS!
Just do it, 7.0 has few improvements but-folks
these are great ones!
I upgraded from 6.0.

PhotoShop 7 is Still the Reigning Monarch
Ask most graphic artists and designers and they will tell you that their livelihood depends on their usageof Photoshop. PhotoShop 7 is worth the time to learn and use for your projects. Photoshop is still the reigning monarch for digital photos and graphic work.

PhotoShop 7's Healing Brush

The most publicized new feature in Photoshop 7. The PhotoShop's Healing Brush lets you remove dust, scratches, blemishes and wrinkles on your images. With the healing brush tool, you can preserves shading and lighting texture. You can use the Patch Tool for more precise graphic editing. Also, you can use the patch tool on selections or channels.

Controversy. Does removing wrinkles and facial defects destroy the character of the family member? Maybe that was one of the reasons that Native American Indians refused to have their pictures taken in fear of the photograph picture capturing and destroying their souls.

The Wall Street Journal's article on PhotoShop 7 commented on the moral aspects of using the PhotoShop 7's Healing Brush. The writer noted that Adobe Systems was masterful in creating the Healing Brush but was it ethical to use it?

PhotoShop 7 File Browser

The new Browse command opens a File Browser palette. This lets you view thumbnails of all your graphics files.

In the Expanded View the File Browser offers a Microsoft Internet Explorer style view. You will see a panel down the left hand side of your monitor containing a tree structure pane where you can choose which folder you wish to view.

Under the PhotoShop Hood

PhotoShop is a Deep Program. The layout of PhotoShop has three distinct elements: the menu, the toolbox and the palettes.

The PhotoShop menu has eight distinct entities: File, Edit, Image, Layer, Select, View, Window, and Help.

The PhotoShop toolbox has four distinct entities: selection tools, painting and editing tools, specialty tool and navigation tools.

The PhotoShop Palettes has eleven distinct entities: Option Palette, Info Palette, Navigation Palette, Color Palette, Color swatches Palette, Brush Palette, History Palette, Actions Palette, Layers Palette, Channels Palette and Paths Palette.

What does the New ImageReady 7 do?

ImageReady is a separate companion application to Photoshop. It lets you create web graphics, animations and rollover buttons with greater ease.

Becoming a PhotoShop User

How do you become a PhotoShop user? If you asked the professionals they would answer, "Know PhotoShop inside and out, study graphic artists works and practice, practice, practice until you can see the PhotoShop 7 menu's in your mind."

In additional they would suggest, "Make contact with other PhotoShop 7 users. Go to workshops to meet them. Don't stay isolated."

Pro Reaction

Spell Checker in Photoshop 7. Like a text document, you can now search, replace text, check spelling in multiple languages within the same file. In addition, now you can correct spelling on one text layer or all text layers in the same document.

New brush options. Brush choices and options for each brush are so powerful and easy to understand and use. Also, you have the ability to create your own PhotoShop brushes.

Photoshop 7 program comes with an excellent hardcopy Photoshop 7 user guide of 441 pages.

Video Workshop for Photoshop 7 is a CD that contains over 60 minutes of full screen, full motion, professional training video. Help's you get started with the pros.

Graphic designers who use vector-based and bitmapped images will find that Photoshop 7 and Adobe Illustrator 10 work well together.

Con Reaction

Your control over open documents has been moved to a sub menu. This adds another step each time you want to change your images. Not much has changed in Photoshop 7's look-and-feel compared to version 6's radical revamp.

Missing was Adobe Photoshop 7.0 tips and techniques that was available at the Adobe Breakfast for Mac Users Board members.

Final Notes

The perfect time to be a Photoshop user. Healing Brush is easy to use and does amazing results when you edit your photographs and graphics.

Photoshop 7 lets you work more efficiently. With PhotoShop. you now have new tools like: Healing brush, Auto Color, ImageReady 7 for web output, animations and rollovers. ... Read more

Asin: B000063EN1
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Graphics    3. Multimedia    4. Edit (Editing)    5. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple   

Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Upgrade
by Adobe
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (20 April, 2002)
list price: $149.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Mixed-media professionals such as photographers, Web designers, andgraphic designers will not be disappointed in Adobe's latest incarnation ofPhotoshop. In this release, Adobe aims hard at addressing the issues of filemanagement, easy photo retouching, and smarter output for the Web. While Adobemanages to successfully address these issues, it also remains true to its photoediting roots. New and improved features and tools such as a painting option andan enhanced brush palette allow Photoshop to build on its reputation as theleading tool for image manipulators. New-school designers of wirelessapplications will smile when they discover that Photoshop 7.0 offers support forWBMP-formatted graphics.

Photoshop 7.0's new file management system comes in the form of a WindowsExplorer-like file browser that allows users to easily sort and locate theirimages within various projects. Users can now organize projects by name, date,resolution, and a number of additional parameters.

The enhanced brush palette allows users to create custom brushes and save themas presets that can be accessed from the Tools options bar. Users can easilyvary different aspects of the brush by changing the hue, opacity, or flow of thebrushes for pastels, oils, and charcoal. Photoshop 7.0 also introduces a newHealing Brush and Patch Tool. With these tools, users can easily "heal" theirimages by removing scratches, blemishes, and other imperfections whilepreserving shading, lighting, and texture attributes.

Adobe has taken great strides in revamping Photoshop 7.0 to be more Web-readythan ever before. With the help of its companion software Image Ready, users cannow easily create rollovers and complex navigation bars by using the newRollovers palette. Additional Web-ready features include enhanced Web exportfunctions that allow designers to preview images designed for PDAs and mobilephones in the WBMP format. Users can easily create a slide show of their imagesand post online using the new Web Gallery. People concerned about posting theirimages online can secure their images with the new password protection featurebefore sharing them.

Adobe has finally introduced a long overdue spell checker with wickedmultilingual spell-checking capabilities. A new search and replace featureallows users to search and replace across different layers in the same document.

While Photoshop 7.0 introduces an impressive array of features that allowphotographers, Web designers, and graphic designers to work more effectivelywith Web and wireless devices, it also remains the leading tool for anyoneserious about digital imaging. No other software package provides users with theability to create such high-quality images. --Rich Ting ... Read more

Reviews (20)

FILE INFO PROBLEMS
I AM A FREELANCE PHOTOG, 90% 0F MY STUFF IS WITH REUTERS. IN PHOTOSHOP 7.0 WHICH I OWN, THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE CATAGORY SECTION IN FILE INFO. THE SUPPLMENTIAL CATS. DONT SHOW UP ON THE DESKS PICTURES IM SENDING TO THEM??? I OPEN THE PICTURE IN PHOTOSHOP, GO TO FILE INFO, THEN TO CATAGORYS AND THE SUPPS ARE THERE BUT THE DESK IS SAYING THEY ARENT???? GUYS USING PHOTOSHOP 6.0 ARE NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL.I WAS TOLD TO GO TO SIX OR IS THERE AN UPGRADE FOR THE 7.0 I BOUGHT AND IT MIGHT GET RID OF THE PROBLEM?? NOW I HAVE TO SPEND $119.00 TO BUY 6.0 TO GET RID OF THE PROBLEM. HAVE YOU HEARD OF ANY GLITCHES ON 7.0?
H E L P, JON WAY

Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Upgrade
Photoshop remains my favorite painting program. I'm a Photoshop 6.0 veteran, been using it since it came out, and I've learned my way around pretty well.

As an upgrade, I give 7.0 four stars. Why? There's just not that much more for that extra star. I was expecting a jump in features like the one between versions 5.5 and 6.0. Pretty much, they give you a new tool for repairing photos (this is great and worth it if you're interested in digital photography, of course: but for a web designer, it's useless), a few upgrades, and a prettier interface. As a web designer, I didn't find a whole lot more that's useful, so for the fellow web designers out there, it might not be worth it at all. But for the digital photographer with the extra money, grab it. That brush will probably be very useful to you.

As a new program, without a previous installation of Photoshop, FIVE STARS. GET IT NOW. I can't stress this enough. Photoshop will be worth it if you're looking to do this professionally; it is THE graphic design program out there right now. If you're just a home user that wants to fix up a photo or two, I don't think it's worth the $600+ just for that.

Great piece of software, nice update.
Although this update is not as big as the one from 5.5 to 6.0, it is still worth buying. Actually the healing brush/healing patch tool itself is worth the price of the upgrade. When you think of it, how many of us digital photographers would gladly pay that price for a plug-in that helps us fix blemishes, scratches and wrinkles in a couple seconds?

Another nice addition is the file browser. See all your pictures at a glance, rotate them, classify them, rate them, etc. You can also view all the metadata (data added by your digital camera), such as date taken, exposure, color profile, and others.

Adobe also reworked (OK... fixed) Contact Sheet, Web Gallery, and Picture Package. Those actually work now, and they'll do exactly what you want them to. I agree it should have been done right in the first place, but I'm just too happy they are usable now.

Photoshop 7.0 also lets you save your workspace. You can now place all your tabs and windows just the way you like them, and save the positions. I have 3 or 4 different workspaces I toggle through, depending on what I'm working on. This is a huge time saver. Once again, this could have been done before, but I'm glad it finally found its way to Photoshop.

Conclusion: the healing tool itself is worth the price. Think of the rest as a bonus. :) ... Read more

Asin: B000063EMX
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Graphics    3. Multimedia    4. Edit (Editing)   

Nikon Coolpix 4500 4MP Digital Camera w/ 4x Optical Zoom
by Nikon
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Nikon's Coolpix 4500 offers 4-megapixel resolution in the same swiveling frame as their previous Coolpix 995. The left half of the 4500--which houses the lens and flash--can be twisted around 360 degrees, making it simple to for you take pictures at a variety of angles. It's especially handy for taking self-portraits, as you can see how you look in the 1.5-inch LCD viewfinder.

A 4-megapixel capability means that you can take pictures at up to 2,272 by 1,704 pixels in size, which can be printed out at 11 by 14 without any loss of quality. Our images duly impressed us, with sharp edges, bright colors, and an incredible amount of detail. Also impressive is the 4500's 4x optical zoom. Higher than most digital cameras, the 4x zoom lets you get close to your subject, with another 4x of digital zoom available after the snap.

A built-in flash pops up when needed, and the audio recording capability lets you dictate memos to match your pictures. The rechargeable battery provides about two hours of life, although it must be removed from the camera for a recharge.

Although the 4500 features a broad range of tools for the more advanced digital photographer, it's easy enough for the beginner to use. Its 16 different scene modes--including various portraits and a panorama assist mode--make taking different types of pictures a one-click task.

Nikon includes only a 16 MB CompactFlash card, but it supports Type I and II cards, meaning you can pop in a 512 MB or 1 GB microdrive for the ultimate in storage.

The 4500 is a hefty metal camera, and you can't just drop it into a breast pocket. But you also won't be afraid of damaging it easily. It looks and feels like it works--sharp, dependable, and versatile. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Bright, detailed images
• High resolution and optical zoom
• Innovative twist design

Cons:

• Hefty
• Have to remove battery to recharge

... Read more

Features

• 4.0 megapixel sensor creates 2,560 x 1,920 images for prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
• 4x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom for 8x total
• Included 16 MB CompactFlash card holds 16 images at normal setting and 2272 pixel resolution
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses 1 rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL1 battery (included)

Reviews (38)

Best design in a digital camera to date.
This is one of the finest digital cameras that has been sold.Currently Nikon may have "more powerful" but overall less appealing devices out.Two of the 4500's strongest points include the totally enclosed lens system and the swivel design.Both of which were changed in more recent designs by Nikon. Another superb feature includes the macro ability - you can get within 0.8 inches of a subject. This is fantastic for nature photography.

I currently have two of these units. The first 4500 had over 55,000 shots on it before any problems appeared.The second was purchased as a backup while the first was being repaired by Nikon.The only real negative that I have encountered would be Nikon's outrageous repair costs. The zoom button gave out after 55,000 shots (this is heavym mostly outdoor use and it's failure is not a complaint).Nikon wanted $230+ to repair/replace this switch. Considering the camera was only $400 new this was highway robbery! They also wanted an additional $150.00 to re-adhere the rubber finger grip to the camera body!!!!! Such unrealistic repair costs must be to get the user to buy a new camera but only leaves a very bad taste for Nikon's service department instead.

If you can still pick one of these up new or in like-new condition I strongly reccomend it, as there simply has not been a newer model that can do all this unit is capable of.

JUNK
Just after the one year warranty and I turn on the camera to hear loud clicking noises. Have to take the battery out to shut off. "SYSTEM ERROR". $200 to repair from Nikon - oh and they won't tell me what's wrong with it. I'm not the only one. My friend had the same problem, but he had it repaired in greece for $100. I've read that a number of people have had the same problem, actually some on Amazon reviews, where are they now? Way to go Nikon. I won't be a return customer thank you.

too much,& not enough!
>When I first read about the 4500, I was really excited about some of the features advertised,especially the macro feature.(I am a tattoo artist, and this feature helps with documenting my work)Unfortunately,the camera is not really living up to my high expectations;
>It's macro feature never seems to capture a clear photo.(either blurry ,too dark,or the flash washes the image out.)
>It'sauto focus doesn't do much better.
>Technical support seemed futile each time I tried.
>It seems nearly impossible to get any point and shoot from the camera at all.

>There is one feature that I enjoy, and that's the 35 second film snips it produces...otherwise, I'd recommend a more user friendly camera. ... Read more

Asin: B000069096
Subjects:  1. Cameras    2. Cool pix    3. Digital Camera (Cameras)    4. Photograph (Photography)   

Canon PowerShot G2 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
by Canon Cameras US
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $699.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Quite simply, the Canon PowerShot G2 is an elegant, easy-to-use joy of a digital camera that boasts impressive 4-megapixel resolution, a 3x optical zoom, a bright LCD monitor that swivels off to the side of the camera and tilts up and down as needed, and maximum overall creative control in addition to a fully automatic mode. Of course, none of this comes as much of a surprise to anyone familiar with its popular predecessor, the PowerShot G1. Both of these cameras have features and picture-taking modes similar to Canon's EOS cameras, which means they have what Canon calls a "very camera-like feel." Some of the G2's more obvious improvements over the G1 (besides higher resolution) include a champagne gold finish, larger grip for easier handling, improved image and color quality, new photo-effect shooting mode for various effects, including black-and-white and sepia, and a new high-speed selectable three-point autofocus.

The G2's 4-megapixel CCD captures images at user-selectable resolutions of 2,272 x 1,704, 1,600 x 1,200, 1,024 x 768, and 640 x 480. This range allows for detail-rich 8-by-10-inch prints that match the results of film cameras as well as easy-to-upload images for the Web and e-mail. Choose between three varying degrees of JPEG compression or store images in the 10-bit RAW data file format for faster transfer without any image quality loss. Your computer easily translates the RAW files into TIFF files using Canon's included software.

The telescoping, 3x optical zoom lens (34-102mm equivalent on a 35mm camera) with 3.6x digital zoom, offers both automatic and manual focus control. The improved, high-speed, selectable three-point autofocus system allows flexibility in composition over the single focus point of the G1. A distance scale has been added on the LCD monitor for precision focus adjustment that works best for extreme close-ups. Improved circuitry allows the G2 to perform these advanced functions with faster image capture times and longer battery life than the G1.

Like the G1, the G2 has point-and-shoot settings that take the guesswork out of almost all situations, but the manual controls and creative options are where this camera stands out from the competition. Twelve EOS-style shooting modes allow for a wide range of creative possibilities, with manual focus zoom, adjustable aperture priority at 50, 100, 200, and 400 ISO, selectable shutter speed, and six preset white balances--sunny, cloudy, tungsten, etc. Canon has provided four presets for professional results when shooting for maximum depth of field, portraits, landscapes, and night scenes. Other creative controls include the photo-effect mode that allows four possible variations of the normal color saturation: vivid color, standard color, sepia tones, and standard black-and-white.

Two video formats have also been included, allowing for 30 and 120 seconds of moving images with audio. Slow shutter-speed mode allows extended exposures in low-light situations. Autoexposure bracketing allows you to intentionally over- and underexpose two extra shots to help capture the best picture possible. Five different flash modes, including red-eye reduction, handle after-dark challenges. The TTL hot shoe is fully compatible with all Canon EX-series Speedlite flashes. The included software package goes beyond standard image processing with a remote capture function that allows complete control and manipulation of the camera functions from your computer keyboard. Canon's Stitch Assist program allows you to combine up to four images into one, seamless, panoramic view.

Exterior design features include the highly versatile LCD monitor from the G1 that needs no improvement; its 270-degree rotation allows all angles of image composition from around corners to self-portraits. Changes in ergonomics, as requested by the users of the G1, include a contoured grip for better one-handed shooting and a more streamlined look. Photographers new to the digital market will find the G2 as easy to use as previous PowerShot models, while professionals will be pleased with the improved selection of creative options for capturing the best possible images.

The G2 comes complete with USB port and cable for connection to PC or Macintosh computers; Canon's digital camera software package for downloading, processing, and organizing your images; a NTSC cable for connecting to a television set; a rechargeable BP-511 lithium-ion battery pack and AC adapter for charging the battery in the camera; a generous 32 MB CompactFlash card; infrared remote control; lens cap; and neck strap. The camera weighs about 14.8 ounces, and its dimensions are 4.8(W) by 3.0(H) by 2.5(D) inches. ... Read more

Features

• 3x optical (plus 3.6x digital) zoom lens with autofocus
• Included 32 MB CompactFlash card holds 24 images at default resolution; camera is Microdrive compatible
• Movie mode captures variable amount of video depending upon memory card size
• Uses proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included); connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• 4.1 megapixel sensor creates 2,272 x 1,704 images for prints at 8 x 10 and beyond

Reviews (153)

Great all around camera
This was our first digital camera.Very easy to use, useful features, and high quality photos.Definitely a good deal.

great camera, even today
I bought this camera in early 2003 when the camera was to be discontinued and sold around $400. I am mostly a happy user of this camera.

Pros:

1. Excellent lens, very bright (F2.0) which make shooting indoor without flash a possiblity.

2. Good resolution. 4MP is enough even today.

3. Great photography control, more F stops, great range of shutter speed which you won't see in most consumer level digital cameras. This means you can shoot a wide range of objects under many different environment, without compromised quality.

4. Better looking than successors like G3, G5.

Cons:

1. Relatively lousy battery life using the bundled battery

2. Slow startup time. This sometimes becomes intolerable when you want a fast shot.

3. Hard to get CF card out of the camera.

4. ISO 400 speed gives noisy image quality. However this is the issue with most consumer digital cameras.

What we all NEED! Better than it's descendant the G3
I have had this camera for more than a year and I am just now getting to write a review. Which means I have had much time and practice to test this camera.
This camera is very much in the middle and by that I don't mean just ok. It is not to hot and it is not too cold, it is "just right!" It has features and manual controls for those who like to manipulate their shots, but in the same respect if you are used to just snapping a picture with one button and letting the camera do the work, then this camera is for you too! The image quality is great! You can buy accessories and extra lenses for it just like those hot shots with expensive film cameras! I have 3 lenses and two filtering lenses(polarizing and UV filter.) One of my extra lenses is a macro lens which really is wonderful. Which brings me to the point that the camera's macro capabilities are wonderful as is! If you don't know what macro means, I can take a picture of those unsightly pores it gets so close. I have taken some wonderful nature photographs with the macro. I love up-close, detailed pics. This camera has a little bit of everything but not too much it is overwhelming. If you want to use it, it is there and if you don't keep it on automatic! The best part is that there have been two cameras in the "G" line that have been introduced since the G2 but they aren't as good as this one(in my opinion.) So the price has dropped dramatically you can get one for less than 300 if you know where to look.

I just cannot stress enough how much this camera has been in service to me. I never even used a regular film camera before I got this camera because I never had the money to get a really good one. Sure I took the occasional pic with my aunt's point and shoot film camera at Christmas, but that wasn't much fun. When I got this camera I just experimented and took soooooooo many pictures. I am really enjoying photography. I guess the reason I never got interested in photography before was the expense of film and then developing, as well as not being sure the pictures were even any good until you got them back from the drug store. With this camera you just look at the shots and if they stink you delete them and take another shot. No wasted film! IF you don't have a printer at home then you can easily take them to Walgreens or upload them to Walmart's site and get prints from your digi pics. So simple.

I have experimented with many consumer valued digital cameras when I took my photography class last year( which was the reason I bought this camera) and let me tell you, it was the best in the class. We had Kodak and Olympus and so many other brands and they all stunk compared to mine. Olympus C something was pretty comparable but still not as good as my G2. I would recommend this camera to the new aspiring photographer as well as to the family photographer who wants to capture all the good things. I am sure once we become professional photographers we will have a SLR digital camera but for anyone less than a professional who is actually getting paid for their pictures, this is the best quality at the best price. When printed on photo quality paper my digital pictures are as good as if not better than other film photographer's pictures. I have been told my shots are good enough to be in National Geographic! Have fun with this joyful contraption. ... Read more

Asin: B00005Q5U5
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera (Cameras)    2. Photograph (Photography)   

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC5S 4MP Digital Camera w/ Leica Lens and 3x Optical Zoom, Silver
by Panasonic
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $899.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Constructed with world-renowned Leica DC lenses, Panasonic offers high-quality optics with the DMC-LC5S digital camera. Pictures are sure to come out sharp and brilliant thanks to the 4-megapixel CCD sensor, capable of resolutions of up to 2,240 by 1,680 pixels and quality prints to 11 by 14 inches and beyond. There are three lower-quality settings that you can use to save memory and store more pictures on the included 32 MB SD memory card.

The LC5S has an optical zoom of 3x and a 2x digital zoom, making the overall zoom capable of magnifying an image up to six times. The camera has several automatic and manual controls for focus, exposure, white balance, and flash. It also has a feature that allows you to take consecutive pictures at a fast rate (either 4 or 8 frames a second), ideal for those hard-to-capture moving objects and similar to regular full-motion video. Use the huge 2.5-inch LCD monitor to keep track of all these settings and manage your photos.

Since the camera has full USB connectivity, you can easily transfer your photos onto a PC or Mac. Photo-editing software is also included for more creative uses of your photos. Also included in the package are an AC adapter, battery pack, monitor hood, lens cap, AV and USB cable, and strap. ... Read more

Features

• Included 32 MB Secure Digital (SD) card holds approximately 16 images at default settings
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Uses lithium-ion battery (included)
• 4 megapixel sensor creates 2240 x 1680 images for prints at 11 x 14 and beyond
• 3x optical plus 2x digital (6x total) zoom with Leica DC Vario-Elmarit autofocus lens

Reviews (7)

An extremely good find
This camera got panned in some early reviews.This is a very good thing, because the follow up reviews corrected the initial concerns, but by then people got afraid of the LC5.As a result you can get this $900 camera for about half price.

Now what happened? This camera is specifically designed to produce high quality prints.At the time of its introduction, monitors had difficulty reproducing its images.So it got panned. Reviewers said the camera was terrible, but they did not print anything.After the reviewers actually printed photos from the LC5, they recanted their initial comments.

At one point Panasonic issued a firmware update to make the images look better on monitors.Today, it's a non-issue and you are better off with the original firmware.

Net, net... this is a great camera -- especially if you are going to produce prints.I've got this coupled with an Epson 2200 and an Olympus P400 and the results are great.

My advice: if you can find one of these, and it feels good in your hands -- buy it.

Many strengths and a couple of weaknesses
I purchased my Lumix LC5 for personal use after using one in my profession for displaying enlargements and for publication.After 1300 exposures and half as many prints at many degrees of enlargement I feel very at home with the LC5.

What caught my attention immediately was its similarities in appearance to the Canon G series, and a couple of major label 35mm German rangefinder cameras of recent years.Picking the camera up and trying it out in the store I was reminded of the size, weight, and controls of quality traditional film cameras.
The Leica name on the lens really sold the camera before I had a chance to see its output.And therein lies the fly in the ointment, albeit a small fly if the user is familiar with post-camera photo editing processes to repair the fault.

Clearly, the optics are outstanding.The menus are well thought-out.One can use vitually all kinds of metering methods and achieve wonderful exposures with the LC5.

The weak point appears to be the processor which often "overprocesses" the 1680 X 2240 images.The result can be posterization effects in neutral areas, and eccessive "noise" appearing as grain on the monitor at high magnifications.This is especially observed at ISO's of more than 100.I have found however, that there is less appearance of these problems in print output than on the monitor.

At times I've had mysteriously underexposed original files that needed post-processing as well.All of this is correctable if one has the time and skill and enjoys doing it.

I found that using the 1600 X 1200 resolution setting seemed to clear up almost all of the problems.Perhaps the CCD and processor are really better designed for the smaller files.The problem is, I have a two megapixel camera for the price of a four, if I stick with the lower resolutions.This isn't a problem until enlarging above 5 X 7.So if you're not planning to enlarge much above that, the 2 megapixel solution works.

But the question is: do you want to pay for a four megapixel camera that doesn't quite measure up to its competition?For the sake of the wonderful speed, build quality, optics, and camera-like handling, I'm still not too sad about the processor downside.But I might be changing up to another camera a year or two down the road for those really perfect enlargements the competition seems capable of producing at four megapixels and above.

If you don't need the "Perfect" camera in this price range, the Lumix LC5 has a lot of things to offer.

Holy Pixels Batman
Boy was I worried about buying this camera. I have read ALL the reviews and there was just enough negative pub to give me pause. But I'd seen Steve Lang's sample pics at a Fry's display and was impressed with its potential, even though he is a National Geographic photographer. I was worried about the durability issue, but then I remember even my Minolta Maxxam 5000 went down on me a couple of times. Well, I saved enough on the camera to buy a 5yr service contract, bit the bullet and bought it, got it home, zipped through the booklet and rattled off a few macro pictures of some cosmos growing in my alley. Holy pixels, Batman, the clarity, the color the beauty of that Leica lens just blew me away. Ya gotta READ the booklet to get the MOST out of this camera, but even without it the pics are simply glorious . . . and that's just the screen renderings! Bear in mind this camera is optimized for PRINTS not SCREENS. I can't wait to print some of these beauties. OK so the built in flash is a bit strong inside, but which one isn't? I was excited to learn you can program it to adjust the flash output, the exposure, saturation, quality and other features. The neat thing is I got GREAT pics without the flash inside with just ambient light. It looks, good, feels good, the big screen is GREAT, the pics are stunning and it is EASY to use. I just looked at a self pic I took last night here in my room with a tripod and the 10 sec delay, no flash and just ambient, incandescent light. The flesh tones are so natural and the definition is so frighteningly clean that my ugly mug almost jumps off the screen. Scary! This is one SCARY neat camera too! I understand it has been discontinued. Too bad! If you can find one buy it! It will impress you! ... Read more

Asin: B000069V2A
Subjects:  1. Cameras - Digital    2. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) (Displays) Viewfinder    3. Viewfinders    4. PVDC2590    5. Digital Camera (Cameras)    6. Photograph (Photography)   

Lexar Media FireWire CompactFlash Digital Film Reader (RW011001)
by Lexar Media
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $119.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Lexar Media's FireWire CompactFlash digital film reader makes moving files from your camera to your computer easy--just pop in a CompactFlash card and go. The FireWire connection makes connecting and disconnecting simple, as FireWire allows insertion and removal of the reader without rebooting. Its small size lets you throw the cable in your bag with your camera and connect to your PC wherever you need to.

The reader easily connects to your computer through your IEEE 1394 port and requires no external AC power. You can use your batteries for taking more pictures with your camera instead of transferring images to your computer.

The FireWire digital media reader is up to four times faster than using a USB film reader, achieving high-speed transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps. This is especially important when you are trying to download many digital-image files to your computer.

The reader supports Type I and Type II CompactFlash cards. System requirements for Windows PCs include a Pentium-compatible processor; Microsoft Windows 98 SE, 2000, or Me; and one available IEEE 1394 port (6-pin connector). Requirements for Macintosh computers are Mac OS 9.0 or later, a built-in FireWire port, Apple FireWire 2.4 or later, and a CD-ROM drive or equivalent. Lexar covers this product with a one-year limited warranty and offers free technical support. ... Read more

Features

• Lets you share your pictures quickly and easily
• Saves camera batteries
• Streamlined design makes it convenient to carry with you
• Transfer images up to 4 times faster than USB
• Supports Type I and Type II CompactFlash cards

Reviews (17)

Good at first but then died
This product worked fine for about a year and then died.It seems as this is a common problem.Be careful.

2 never worked properly
I went through two before I gave up, the first one never worked proeprly.It transferred very slowly at first and then not at all.I RMA'd the first one and the one that replaced it worked for two uses before dying.I've since picked up a $8 usb reader that is much slower but much more reliable.I've done lots of video editing with the firewire card so I don't know what kept killing the drives.It'll take some real convincing to get me to buy another lexar product.I hate being negative, but this experience really soured me.It sounds like many have had better success than I, but be ware.

Does what it is supposed to do
1.Works when you plug it in (Im using a mac G4).No need to configure anything, just plug it in.
2.Downloads your photos fast.This is much faster than connecting the camera directly to the computer.

I like it.Buy it. ... Read more

Asin: B00005OMZM
Subjects:  1. Memory Card Reader (Readers)