24 January, 2006

Fuji S3 Pro Buffer Upgrade

Darren wrote this at 9:17 pm:

If you own a Fuji S3 Pro digital SLR and live in the United States, good news! For USD$379.95 + tax (return shipping is included), you can double the S3′s internal buffer from 128MB to 256MB. This will boost your continuous frame shooting ability – for example, instead of 3 RAW frames in a burst, you’ll now get 8 before the buffer is full.

This is the same upgrade that was initially launched in Japan in September 2005.

It’s unclear whether overseas S3 owners can send their cameras to Fujifilm USA for upgrade.

Full details are available at the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro web site.

* Filed under: Fujifilm
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7 August, 2005

Fuji FinePix S3 Pro Firmware Update

Darren wrote this at 8:48 am:

FujiFilm has just released firmware version 2.16 for the FinePix S3 Pro.

This latest firmware version includes:

  • Updates for compatibility of Nikon flash units.
  • Updates for custom white balance function and exposure control function on the PC control mode.

* Filed under: Firmware Updates,Fujifilm
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2 June, 2005

Microsoft Adding RAW Support to Longhorn

Darren wrote this at 8:30 pm:

Microsoft has announced that Longhorn, the next version of Windows, will contain native support for various camera manufacturers’ RAW formats. This means you’ll be able to browse directories of RAW files and have thumbnails properly displayed.

The Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer will also be made available for Windows XP. In addition, a future version of Microsoft Digital Image Suite will offer the ability to organize, edit and convert RAW files.

Quotes from the heads of Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm are included in the Microsoft press release, which can be read in full at DPReview.

It’s worth pointing out that Apple’s OS X 10.4 (Tiger) operating system already contains built-in RAW file support, while Longhorn is still at least a year away from release.

Update: – OpenRAW have posted their response to this news. As they point out, whilst Microsoft’s adding support for various RAW file formats is a handy thing, it doesn’t address the problems and risks associated with using proprietary RAW formats to archive your work.

* Filed under: Canon,Fujifilm,Nikon,RAW Files,Software
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15 May, 2005

The Great DSLR Shoot-Out

Darren wrote this at 12:14 am:

Popular Photography and Imaging has just published The Great DSLR Shoot-Out. They put up nine sub-$2,500 DSLRs head-to-head, comparing features and performance to help you decide which one is right for you.

The cameras reviewed are:

  • Canon EOS 20D
  • Canon EOS 300D (Digital Rebel)
  • Fujifilm Finepix S3 Pro
  • Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D
  • Nikon D70
  • Olympus E-1
  • Olympus Evolt E-300
  • Pentax *ist DS
  • Sigma SD10

The article is in PDF format, so you can print it out and analyse it in detail when shopping for a digital SLR.

* Filed under: Canon,Fujifilm,Konica Minolta,Nikon,Olympus,Pentax,Sigma
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