Meet GigaPan: The Robot Who Helps Digital Cameras Take Panoramic Shots
If you don't already have a robot in your life, get used to the idea because they are already sweeping floors, cutting grass and now they're shooting a mean panoramic photo.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a consumer-friendly robotic device that attaches to most digital cameras. It's called GigaPan, descriptive of its ability to capture over a billion pixels in a high-resolution panorama. Woah! GigaPan is larger than your digital camera and requires the use of a tripod. It uses a robotic finger to repeatedly click the shutter to take dozens to thousands of overlapping images, each at a slightly different tilt. The images are then spliced together to create the awesome panorama. How long does a shot take? Up to 90 minutes, so bring a cocktail.
These "giga" panoramas are idea to zoom into on a computer monitor, seeing crisp detail across a vast space--kind of like looking through binoculars. The plan is to release the GigaPan later in the year--no exact price yet, but folks are dedicated to making this affordable and speculate on a price in the $150-300 range.
Visit gigapan.org to see more examples. It's pretty cool! We'll keep you posted on updates.
Fire Warning: Cheap Digital Picture Frames Rejected at U.S. Border
This is case in point of "you get what you pay for." With the rising popularity of the digital picture frame, all kinds of unqualified manufacturers are getting in the game, usually in China. These cheap frames are branded generically or sold as private label frames for stores like Best Buy and Wal-mart. Fortunately, U.S. port officials have caught on and just rejected almost 1 million digital picture frames manufactured in China due to fire hazard concerns.
Fire? Yes, indeed. Many a cheap digital picture frame has been blamed for fires in homes and offices across the country because the frames spontaneously catch on fire. Manufacturers are using substandard materials that run at high temperatures and/or LCD screens and operating systems that are not engineered to handle the constant usage that the average digital picture frame is under. Buyer beware of manufacturer Sun Plus Technology -- their screens and operating systems were originally designed for portable DVD players and have been identified as fire starters. Take it from us -- stick to the trusted brands and if the price is too good to be true, as Dad said, it usually is. (via DigitalPictureFrameReview)
Digital Camera Triggers Nuclear Plant Shutdown in NY
Who knew? A couple weeks ago at the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan, New York, the radio frequencies from an employee's digital camera apparently interfered with a control panel it was near. The control panel regulated a boiler pump that provides water to steam generators and the interference resulted in a water level drop, which resulted in the shutdown of the nuclear reactor. There were no environmental problems associated with the shutdown. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) simply having the digital camera "on" was enough to interfere with controls at the close distance. The nuclear plan regularly uses cameras to document equipment and this accidental shutdown has resulted in some fresh new policies as you can imagine. In 1997 there was an incident where Halon gas was released in Connecticut at the Haddam Neck Plant caused by camera flashes. Careful, Homer! (via newsday)
We don't usually indulge in rants at PictureSnob, but Nikon's Ashton Kutcher TV campaign just keeps begging for it. In our earlier rant we chastised Nikon for a transparent and misguided campaign pushing entry-level product (CoolPix). Turns out, this goon is also the face of Nikon DSLR in this spot for the D60. Nikon even has the audacity to give a shout out to the D300 at the end of the spot. Here's the riddle: what exactly do the CoolPix, D60 and D300 photographer have in common? Taste in celebrity? At least make Ashton put the strap around his neck like most folks would do with a $700 camera. As for his self-centered, "phototainment" approach to shooting, we all know those types of people and they're irritating -- hardly an embodiment of the ever-savvy Nikon photographers we know. Nikon, you are testing the limits of our unconditional love.
We're excited about this one. While all the rage is digital picture frames, there will always be an occasion for the old fashioned beautifully framed print. And isn't it such an expense and hullabaloo to bring prints to a local shop? Well, at Real Memories you can upload your digital image file, edit it and select all the framing options you like--over 2,000 frame styles and mat openings--then you'll get a framed print in the mail! The web site is intuitive and easy to use and the base prices are affordable. Frames are handmade in the United States and you can select archival mats and museum quality glass. Beware they have a bird logo on the site that chirps -- anytime they want to turn that little feature off would be great. We plan on trying it out soon--let us know how it goes if you get to it first!
Some key features:
- Add personalized captions in foil stamp
- Ship the same frame to multiple people
- Can simulate a preview of the frame hanging on your wall, complete with your own paint color
- Loyalty points program gives you 10% back on every order
Stars, they're just like us: they take digital photos!
It's time to rain down on Nikon's Ashton Kutcher TV campaign for CoolPix. Oh, the horrors. Now exactly how much do Nikon and Ashton Kutcher have in common that he would ever be chosen to embody the brand? And didn't Ashton peak years ago? There's great celebrity pairings to be found--Nike & Tiger, Priceline & Shatner--you know makes them work? Some thread of relevance.
For a brand that has a stellar, high-end reputation for innovation and consistency, enjoys the faithful patronage of pros and hobbyists alike, why would it ever launch an oops-my-strategy-is-showing television campaign to beg a younger audience with entry-level product? Nikon we love you, but seriously--let's hope moving those $250 point-and-shoots is worth eroding the brand.
The Future Continues to Be Scary: The Auto-Focus Oven
Thanks to our friends at Kitchen Contraptions who found this auto-focus oven. That's right, folks, an auto-focus oven. The same way our lovable digital cameras can automatically set ISO, lens speed and aperture by assessing the light in a frame, this oven (Inspiro by Electrolux) can assess the contents of the oven and set the optimum temperature and cooking time. Just don't put your camera in the oven, OK? You can read more about this at the Electrolux Inspiro blog.
Keep hoarding the Polaroid stuff, that's all we can advise for coping with their departure. Now keep in mind this is still a concept product -- digital photo frame that mimics a Polaroid photo. You can write on the frame with a dry erase marker, just like a good old Polaroid. The photo actually fades into the screen from white, just like a good old Polaroid. If you shake the frame and blow on it, that's cheap therapy. This frame takes a memory stick and is operated by a touch screen. Also runs on a rechargeable battery in case you want to be free of the wire. Hopefully Polaroid will get this on the market soon. Stay tuned.
Well if this isn't history being buried before our eyes... Earlier this month Polaroid announced it will no longer make instant film, laying off 450 people and closing factories in Massachusetts, Mexico and the Netherlands. The instant film will be available at stores until 2009, but expect the price to go up -- when Polaroid stopped making its iconic camera last year, price rose from $30 to $140! From then on, if you're looking for antique Polaroid bits, try eBay. We're going to miss that nasty green hue.
On the bright side, brace yourself for the onslaught of digital camera-printer-in-ones -- see our earlier post on Zink. We just learned this company was founded by former Polaroid scientists and executives, and there's some kind of alliance in the works so you might see the Polaroid brand on some Zink merchandise later this year.
This is big. For years we've had point + shoot cameras that can take video clips and photos. If you wanted a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex)* you gave up the movies in favor of specialized lenses and focus options. Auto-focus is what stands between DSLRs and movie mode. DSLRs have gotten better and better over the years, mostly by faster auto-focus speeds and narrow focus tolerance. Inventor Hiroshi Terada has published a patent to make movie mode work in DSLRs by using a semi-transparent mirror and two auto-focus functions -- one for stills and one for movies. You can read about the patent in detail at Photography Bay. Not sure when this feature will hit, but we'll keep you posted.
* A SLR is a camera design where light enters through the lens and is reflected by a mirror up to the viewfinder, allowing you to see exactly what the final picture will look like -- focus, depth of field, etc. A DSLR is just a digital version of this, using light sensor chips and memory cards instead of film. You can also change lenses on SLRs that will allow you different focal lengths.
News from PMA 08: Olympus Stylus 1030 SW is Shockproof, Waterproof, Freezeproof + Crushproof!
(PMA is an annual convention focused on the latest photo innovations. We'll highlight some of the best stories throughout the week.)
Finally, a camera we can treat like our cell phone. This new Olympus Stylus 1030 SW is one tough cookie. Think of this for your active lifestyle type, or your irresponsible type, or for those who lack balance and coordination (sign me up). In addition to the body armor below, you get 10.1 megapixels and a 3.6x optical zoom wide-angle lens and is available in a cool new green color.
Shockproof! Designed to survive a 6.6-foot fall with shock-absorbing metal construction. Waterproof! Seals and gaskets protect this camera to 33 feet -- take it diving, drop it in a puddle. Freezeproof! Skiers can finally take the camera out of their long underwear -- the Stylus 1030 SW performs great to 14˚F. Crushproof! Go ahead and sit on it as long as you weigh 220 pounds or less.
Now this is a digital development we can use right away, without manuals. Yay! Get more details at Olympus. Camera will retail in March, but you can pre-order at Amazon now for $400.
News from PMA 08: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 Slim Digital Camera
(PMA is an annual convention focused on the latest photo innovations. We'll highlight some of the best stories throughout the week.)
Cherry Flavor! OK, not really but this red color sure looks yummy. (Also offered in silver and black for you less flashy folk.) Sony's delivering a lot for $400 in this small size:
10.1 mexapixel
3.5-inch LCD touch-screen with 16:9 aspect ratio
Carl Zeiss 5x optical zoom lens (33-165mm) -- check out Zeiss history, he got his start in microscopes
ISCN (Intelligent Scene Recognition) selects optimal settings for your shooting condition
Face + smile detection can be set to target adults or children
Image stabilization
High sensitivity settings up to ISO 3200 -- great for low-light situations where you want to avoid the flash
Can connect to an HDTV to display 1080 HD resolution slideshows
15MB Internal Memory
Compatible with Memory StickDuo and Memory Stick PRO Duo
Digital Picture Frame Virus! -- Best Buy's Private Label Brand: Insignia
The news wires are reporting that some digital picture frames sold by Best Buy over the holidays were "contaminated with a computer virus during the manufacturing process." (source) When you connect the frame to any Windows PC via USB, the virus will spread into your computer. The virus will NOT travel to cameras, USB drives and memory cards.
Moral of the story: Run antivirus software on digital photo frames you connect to your computer. This software will detect and remove many viruses. To reduce virus chances in general, get an Apple computer!
Best Buy is NOT recalling the frames. The frame has been discontinued and remaining stock taken off the shelves. The full specs of the frame are below. If you think you've purchased it, get in touch with Best Buy to reconcile the situation. You can get more information at the Insignia site as well.
Insignia 10.4-inch Digital Picture Frame
Model #NS-DPF-10A
Meet GigaPan: The Robot Who Helps Digital Cameras Take Panoramic Shots
Mailing List
Subscribe - RSS
