Vol 1 No 6 photoworld Autumn 2005

Photo by Tony Jones 10% off repairs and servicing for Photoworld club members

he Photoworld TClub Camera Check Scheme Information on this page is printed in each General Insurance Company. Some runs all year round, taking the sea- Checks & parts for older models are now no sonal load off the service department. issue for your benefit – please use it. longer available, and Service will give Club Checks have to restrict these warranties to ‘absolute priority’ and these Call 0870 242 1222 Option 3 for service! the list below. If your equipment is will normally be accomplished more recent, but now out of warranty, within 3-4 days of receipt. Warranties call the Service Dept for advice on This is great news but please film transport, AF operation, self Extended Warranty 0870 242 1222 Option 3. If you wish be sure to allow a little more timer, flash synchronisation and to find out more about the warranty time – and please do not send all other key operational aspects The Minolta Extended Warranty terms, ring Domestic & General’s equipment to the Kelso address. of the camera. External cleaning Scheme is available on new equip- Helpline on 0181 944 4944. As a Photoworld subscriber you of camera and lens is undertaken, ment. However, you may be able to Please note this is NOT the have a permanent 10% discount along with loose dust removal. take out an warranty on a camera same number as for our Camera off all repairs and servicing if you Equipment which passes the which has just been repaired, or Equipment Insurance facility. deal directly with Konica Minolta tests will receive a Test Certificate overhauled. The warranty is an Please enquire to the Service Dept Photo Imaging (UK) Limited. and may qualify for the Extended optional extension of the usual about earlier Konica products. We The Service Address is: Warranty (right). If problems six-month repair guarantee to a full shall be publishing details for Konica Konica Minolta Photo needing repair are found, you will two years. This offer is administered owners in future Photoworld editions. Imaging (UK) Ltd be contacted with an estimate – the and underwritten by Domestic & Á Service Department Club Check cost is deducted from Unit 7 Tanners Drive the cost of the repair if you decide KONICA MINOLTA EXTENDED WARRANTY SCHEME Blakelands to go ahead. You also get your 10% Milton Keynes MK14 5BU. discount. See also new informa- SLR BODY AF 35-70/3.5-4.5 Dimage RD-3000 Tel 0870 242 1222 Option 3 tion about direct repairs, below. Dynax 9, 7 and 5 ACCESSORIES Dimage RD-175 If you ask for the discount, your 800si, 700si, 600si VC-600, VC-700, Dimage 2330 membership status will be checked Direct Repairs 500si & Super VC-7, VC-6, VC-9 Dimage 2300 and validated. If this is disputed, you 505si Super Dimage V may ask the Service Department to If you know your gear needs to be 300si, 303si MD LENSES Dimage 1500EX check with us, and we will confirm repaired, remember that a repair 404si MD 100/4 macro Scan Multi, II, Pro your paid-up status or enable you always includes a full service X-700, X-370S MD 50/3.5 macro Scan Elite, II to renew your subscription if has and a 6 month guarantee on the MD 135/2.8 tele Scan Speed lapsed not more than six months ago. whole item. If you have equipment COMPACT MD 28/2.8 Scan Dual, II Equipment under 1st year which you think needs repair, Zoom 70, 70EX MS 100-300/5.6-6.7 Quick Scan, Plus warranty can be sent in directly, you can send it for a Club Check Zoom 90, 90EX MD 35-70 accompanied by any document show- service, enclosing your payment. Zoom 105, 105EX MD 70-210 PHOTOMETERS ing the date of purchase, including You can also send items Zoom 115 MD 50/1.7 Flash Meter V Colour credit card statements etc, even if directly to the service department Zoom 125 also 220X flash Meter II Colour Meter you have not returned your guarantee for repair estimates outside Zoom 150 IIIF Flash Meter III, IV card. But you should always this scheme. Konica Minolta Photo Zoom Pico VECTIS Spotmeter F complete and return warranty Imaging (UK) Limited will accept AF-25, AF-35 Vectis 40, 300, 300L, Spotmeter M documents after buying equipment. equipment directly from readers F-25, F-35BF 3000, 2000, 30, 25, Autometer IV-F and provide estimates, it is not F 35ST Super 260, 200, 20, 100BF, Autometer III, IIIN Club Checks necessary to go through a dealer. If Weathermatic, GX-1, Autometer III Flash the estimate is not accepted then a AF FLASH GX-2, GX-3, GX-4. Vectis The cost of a Club Check, inclusive of charge of £8.22 is payable for return. 5600HS S1, S-100, V lenses BINOCULARS VAT and return insured carriage, is: There is a difference between 3600HS 400RF, 22-80, 50 macro, Activa: 8x42DWP, £18.68 for camera + lens the Photoworld Club Check and 5400HS 28-56, 25-150, 56-170, 10x42WP, 7x35W, £25.85 for all video a Service. The check may show 1200AF Macro 80-240, SF-1 flash 7x50, 8x40W, 10x50W, and digital products that your shutter speeds and so 12x50W, 7-15x35, Club Check tests include shutter on fall within ISO tolerances, but AF LENSES DIGITAL 8-20x50, 8-22x27, speed accuracy, aperture accuracy, a Service may allow adjustment to AF 100-300 (D) Dimage 7, 5 10-30x27, Pocket metering accuracy, and focusing better than ISO standards. It also AF 24-105 (D) Dimage S304 8x25WP, Pocket accuracy. They also include checks allows lubrication, tightening of AF 75-300 (D) Dimage E203 10x12WP, 8x25FM, for correct electronic operation, screws, cleaning and adjustments. AF 28-80 (D) Dimage E201 Î photoworld 2 Vol 1 No 6 photoworld Autumn 2005 Contents Vol 1 No 6 Autumn 2005

Page 12 exactly how well the 5D coped shooting Photoworld Gallery, our space for camera JPEGs (no raw files!) in the your own pictures… with prizes of brilliant light of the most famous Greek Konica Minolta film, inkjet supplies and island photo-destination. CD-ROM media. Light, colour and a superb panoramic twilight shot feature Page 24 in this edition. Dimage Master made clear A brief look at many of the unique Page 14 functions of Dimage Master 1.1, the SPECIAL DYNAX 5D SECTION optional raw conversion software for Photo by Tony Jones For this rather late Autumn edition, .MRW files which is being offered as a we devote the centre section of the bonus to Dynax 5D buyers. Autumn Maple – by Tony Jones. We magazine to working with the new realise it’s a bit late in the season for affordable Dynax 5D 6 megapixel digital Page 27 this Dimage A1 shot from Tony… but SLR. Shot by shot examples from David Thailand comes to… Surrey! Autumn does keep getting later! and Shirley Kilpatrick with many of the A great photo discovery for Peter Karry, benefits of DSLR use explained. shooting on Konica Minolta Centuria Page 2 This article is also relevant to Dynax Chrome film – an annual Thai festival Service and Repairs Information. 7D owners and buyers. in the heart of the home counties. Followed by a review of Peter’s new Page 4 Page 20 co-authored photo and poetry book. Who’s Who – Konica Minolta Photo Dynax 5D Colour Modes & Conversions Imaging (UK) Ltd and Photoworld Club. A detailed test showing the effect of Page 31 different AdobeRGB and sRGB settings Battery Buster/Photostore infomation Page 5 on the camera JPEG, and how using Editorial Dimage Master or Photoshop raw Page 32 conversion may changed the colour and Quest Workshops 2006 programme Page 6 contrast of the image. Konica Minolta Professionals – Richard Page 34 Blanshard is a filmset stills specialist. Page 22 Photoworld Club Postal Lens Hire We interviewed him as he was in the Portfolio: Dynax 5D in Santorini middle of work on the Highlander – The New to Konica Minolta digital Page 35 Source production in Lithuania. photography, David Anderson shows Small Ads/Firmware Guide

KONICA MINOLTA photoworld Published by With the support and assistance of Icon Publications Limited Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Ltd Maxwell Place, Maxwell Lane Plane Tree Crescent Kelso, Scottish Borders TD5 7BB Feltham, Middlesex TW13 7HD Tel: 01573 226032 Fax: 01573 226000 SERVICE DEPARTMENT: e-mail: [email protected] Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Ltd Service Department PICTURE EDITOR & SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Unit 7 Tanners Drive Shirley Kilpatrick MSc (Colour Science), BA Hons (OU) Blakelands North Milton Keynes MK14 5BU TECHNICAL EDITOR & CLUB DIRECTOR David Kilpatrick FBIPP AMPA Our thanks to Paul Genge, Bernard Petticrew and colleagues at Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Ltd for ADVERTISING MANAGER their help and support. Richard Kilpatrick – 01450 371169 Whilst every care is taken of MSS and photographs submitted all submissions remain the responsibility of the sender. Return postage and packing must be included. The SUBSCRIPTION £19.95 PA (UK) views expressed in this magazine are those of individual contributors and do not represent the views or policies of Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Ltd unless Tel: 01573 226032 otherwise stated. All offers and arrangements made by the Club are subject to Fax: 01573 226000 availability and limited to paid-up subscribers of KONICA MINOLTA PHOTOWORLD unless specifically stated otherwise.

Subscription to KONICA MINOLTA PHOTOWORLD This issue © 2005 Icon Publications Limited. provides free membership of: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any Konica Minolta Photoworld Club UK means without permission.

3 photoworld Who’s Who @ Konica Minolta Photo Imaging UK and the Photoworld Club

he headquarters of Konica repairs or service in progress Middlesex TW13 7HD (UK) Ltd and are directors of Icon Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) (it is not necessary to telephone and the main switchboard Publications Ltd, based in the TLtd are the former Konica before sending equipment in for number is 0208 751 6121. Scottish Border town of Kelso. offices at Feltham, Middlesex, close a Club Service Check). He is on We shall keep you updated You can email David via to Heathrow Airport, the M25 and 0870 242 1222 Option 3 – alter- on services for owners, contact [email protected], or London. In the most recent changes, natively, email service.help@ names and telephone numbers. telephone 01573 226032 during warehousing has been moved from ph.konicaminolta.co.uk. Please use the Konica Minolta office hours, for subscription Milton Keynes to Feltham. From 1980 The Konica Minolta Photoworld web site, if possible, to look for help and general photo advice. on, Minolta (UK) Limited was based Club continues to be free to subscrib- solutions before calling directly. in Milton Keynes and the Service ers to Konica Minolta Photoworld Web sites and email Department remains there. (formerly Minolta Image). For mem- The Photoworld Club For Club members, your bership queries or advice on photo There are Konica Minolta web two most important contacts technique and camera use, call David The Minolta Club of Great Britain sites operated in the UK, Europe, remain at Milton Keynes on a Kilpatrick on 01573 226032 or email was founded in the mid-1960s by the USA and Japan. The cor- new 0870 telephone number: [email protected]. Japanese Cameras Limited, and rect web address to use is: Bernard Petticrew is Technical Paul Genge, who has dealt with published its magazine Photoworld www.konicaminolta.co.uk Support Manager, and has a database digital technical help in the past until shortly after the formation At the time of going to press you can of information on Minolta products and will be known to many readers, of Minolta (UK) Ltd, when the title also access www.minolta.co.uk and going back to the SR system and is now Product Manager of Konica was changed to Minolta Image. www.minoltaeurope.com directly. beyond. Bernard’s personal knowl- Minolta UK, and digital help lines With the merger of Konica and Technical support, software edge of the earlier systems is unri- are 0870 0104107 for the UK, 1850 Minolta the magazine has been and firmware downloads, valled. He is also now able to supply 946478 for Eire. Feltham is now HQ returned to its original name product news and information replacement instruction manuals. His for both the UK and Southern Ireland. and the club is now the Konica are all available on-line. Update phone line is 0870 242 1222 Option 4. The address for Konica Minolta Minolta Photoworld Club UK. downloads are available from John Baker is Service Centre Photo Imaging (UK) Ltd is: Organisers David and Shirley www.konicaminoltasupport.com Manager. You should contact Plane Tree Crescent Kilpatrick are independent of and there is a new Dimage John with any queries about Feltham Konica Minolta Photo Imaging A2 version 1.14e which

photoworld 4 improves writing speed to high fixed limits it’s surprising how performance memory cards. What will we see much can be enhanced with the few You can download digital minutes it takes to load this new camera samples taken by David operating program into a camera. Kilpatrick by visiting www.pbase. So, you should always check from com/davidkilpatrick. You may in 2006 – and on? time to time, and read this list which need a password to access the will be printed in each issue from galleries – this is hypo1 or hypo. now. Keep you camera (or other There are Portable Document ontrary to anything you might were within normal adjustment limits. product) updated with the latest Format versions of articles of interest think, we have no inside infor- The enhanced colour modes and firmware program and you will to members available on the Icon Cmation at Photoworld which slightly tweaked sharpening of the 5D ensure the best performance. Publications Ltd f2 subscription web can help predict the future launches make more instant-printable images. The same goes for software site – www.f2photo.co.uk – and from Konica Minolta. In fact there Later during October, I found upgrades. Sometimes they are there is also a new Konica Minolta are brief periods when we have more that the 5D was far more friendly to necessary. We had to upgrade our discussion forum on this site. information from other makers, then my old 70-210mm ƒ4 than the 7D is. Dimage Master software from There is also a European owner a spell when Konica Minolta releases It just seems to like the lens better, Version 1.0 to Version 1.1 in order club site called Konica Minolta a group of new products. So sensitive to focus faster and more accurately. to read Dynax 5D files properly. Photo World which requires regis- to ‘leaks’ is international marketing This intrigued me and I spent a little The upgrade brought several more tration (a simple process of filling in that no-one is ever told anything, or time swapping the dozen and more benefits with it, and once again, you an on-screen form) to use. This is at: shown anything, before the right time. different lens of many ages (and two should check regularly for updates. www.konicaminoltaphotoworld. This can lead to some remarkable or three makes) between the 7D com. There are monthly com- situations. The UK headquarters and 5D. Overall the 5D was more Bigger and better petitions which can be entered scheduled a launch for the Dynax tolerant of older AF lenses. I tend on-line, together with all the latest 5D, carefully worked out for timing, to advise buying the latest lenses As the magazine neared completion, I product information. There is are which was cancelled because of the for the 7D. If you have a cupboard was called away for almost an entire two Konica Minolta discussion London tube and bus bombings. As a full of 20 year old AF optics (which working week for a press launch forums at www.dpreview.com. result we got to see, handle and finally they can now be – just!) try the of a new semi-professional ‘other You can join a Minolta discussion use the 5D later than expected and 5D. It seems to focus positively and make’ DSLR with a 12 megapixel group at www.yahoogroups.com; this issue has been delayed almost quickly with almost any lens model. CCD APS-C sized sensor, not without fill in Yahoo membership, which is beyond its season. October is, for our It is also very well optimised for interest to those who speculate on the free, and you will find this group small publishing company, one of the certain CF memory cards. In the future for Konica Minolta models. founded in 1998 now has nearly busiest months of the year as we have 7D, we use the standard Lexar 80X The team involved was not able to 5,000 members. There is another the annual Professional Photographic Write Accelerated Pro card. It’s one let anyone shoot with the camera or Web Minolta mailing list called the Awards to attend with advance of the best for Dynax and Dimage examine image files, as the cameras Minoltians, available at www.themi- preparation of the catalogue of digital models. We have also had were pre-production samples. New noltians.com, with on-line galleries. winners. If we don’t have Photoworld very good performance from Apacer sensors like this are subject to much ready to print before the first week of and Ridata 80 to 100X cards. fine-tuning before public release. Copies of manuals October, it’s very unlikely we will be For the 5D, I picked up a SanDisk There is, of course, a natural able to print it until a month later. Ultra II card – they do not seem to rumour that Konica Minolta will be Bernard Petticrew is once again in state the speed, but it is believed to be among makers aiming for a similar charge of the archive of instruction 5D impressions around 40X on other makers’ scales. pixel-count in the now standard APS- manuals which can be supplied SanDisk Ultra and Extreme cards C (1.5X factor) sensor. It will, I am to replace missing ones. While Shirley and I did manage to get the 5D appear to be very well matched to sure, happen. In the meantime Shirley some older camera manuals may – alongside our regular 7D – away the Konica Minolta cameras. There and I are happily forking out for a 5D be available, others are not and to the Italian ‘Lake District’ for three was certainly no disappointment. despite its conservative 6 megapixels. it is essential to telephone first. quick days of shooting before our The Ultra II proves that a large Why? Because this isn’t just mature Compacts – £3.50 busy month set in. We caught one day memory buffer is not essential. technology, it’s refined. Each new sen- SLRS – £5 of misty sun, one day of persisting-it- The 5D may only have half the sor generation is subject to problems Digitals – £10 down rain, and finally one gloriously memory buffer of the 7D, but when the consumer never gets to experi- Call him on 0870 242 1222 option clear day driving up one inside leg equipped with the Ultra II card is ence. These products are remarkable 4 if you need a replacement manual. of Lake Como and down the other. just as fast for sequence shooting. feats of engineering (almost beyond Á I used the 7D, and Shirley used the comprehension when you grasp the 5D. Having liked the 7D’s viewfinder, Firmware potential scale involved). It can take years to most emphatically when contrasted optimise each generation. They are so Technical Help with other DSLRs, she was warned Which leads me back to the slow to make, and capacity is so rela- Digital – UK 0870 0104107 that the 5D was not as large. No sweat! original point – what is in store? tively limited, that a camera maker Film – 01908 208 325 It proved well suited to spectacle One thing which we shall certainly can’t simply get on the phone and ask distances, and the shape of the see is Firmware Updating. You for another ten thousand next month. Brochures/Stockists body worked well for her hands and will find on the inside back cover of It would be like asking a distillery if stockists 0208 751 6121 eye/forehead/specs/nose angles. The this issue a list of current Firmware they can please double next month’s moment we began to view the results levels for various products. All delivery of 20-year-old single malt. on the iBook, it was obvious that the the updates, with instructions, Right now Konica Minolta has Service and Repairs 5D more than matches the 7D when are available by visiting: in the humble 5D an extremely 0870 242 1222 Option 3 used in our normal dumb fashion, www.konicaminoltasupport.com stable, bug-free, finely performing 6 Programme mode and… just shoot. Some of these updates correct megapixel camera which can claim Camera Manuals Improvements, for the casual minor glitches but over many add the best colour reproduction in 0870 242 1222 Option 4 user, include an immunity against functionality, altering menu or its class. A lot of people are going the effects of bright light sources operational behaviour, improving to be very happy with this afford- Photoworld Club included in the frame. There may be card write speeds or downloading able digital SLR this Christmas! just a hint more tendency to burn by cable to computer, and so on. 01573 226032 – David Kilpatrick highlights but all the RAW files shot While firmware upgrades have Á

5 photoworld Strictly no flash: the Dynax 7D finds its forte on the filmset

hooting sharp and fast in low Richard Blanshard is a on, grabbing them and swapping light, unobserved, unheard them over”. Even so, dust on the Sand certainly never using flash top movie industry stills sensors has not been a problem. is Richard Blanshard’s stock-in- photographer who must He has three spare NP-400 trade. That’s why, when capturing batteries, which the cold weather Hollywood’s finest, he fits an ƒ1.4 work fast without flash had not seemed to affect badly. lens on his Dynax 7D, chooses the on film sets, and to top He shoots nothing but Fine Large lowest practical ISO, sets his own JPEGs, sRGB. “I would never be able white balance and relies on the mixed quality in the studio for to shoot fast enough using RAW, or lighting set up for the film cameras. star portraits. He has recently gone D7 digital. find time to process the files. I use 1 Richard is a filmset stills gigabyte cards, and transfer the shots photographer, one of a few to a Western Digital 250 Gigabyte specialists in this difficult job, hard disk, then burn archives on and we interviewed him through to DVDs. I make additional DVDs a tenuous phone link to his hotel and sent these straight to the US. room in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he “I did try shooting AdobeRGB has been working on the produc- JPEGs but you need Photoshop to tion of Highlander – The Source open them, and in my world, if the (the fifth Highlander epic). client can’t open the picture on any “It’s just beginning to get cold”, he computer, anywhere, it’s no good admitted, looking forward to another – they have to be sRGB JPEGs and three weeks in the Baltic state before that way anyone can get into them. returning to Britain in December. My shots are not being used for He was already three weeks into the huge posters, full page at the most, shoot, with five thousand 7D JPEGs and for that a Dynax 7D JPEG is shot, filed, archived, and flown to the fine. We have made 20 x 30s from USA like ‘still rushes’ for the film. some of the Keeping Mum Rowan However, his work does not end Atkinson shots and they are great.” when the location and studio footage When possible, he uses ISO 100 is all in the can for the movie crew. and Anti-Shake for the best qual- On December 2nd Keeping Mum goes ity. This is when the subjects are on release starring Rowan Atkinson, relatively still in the scene. “The light Kristen Scott Thomas, Maggie Thomas can be very low, and it can be an and Patrick Swayze. We can expect unusual colour”, he says. “I can set to be seeing Richard’s star portraits the Kelvins white balance to get my (shot in a studio set up for the shots right, and I have learned how purpose), behind the scenes record Richard shoots studio pictures using an Elinchrom mains flash system set up on to judge the colour and brightness of and filmset stills all over the place. location. Above, Tamsin Egerton – right, Patrick Swayze, from ‘Keeping Mum’. the rear screen on the camera, so I He will be working, by then, on know what I will get on the computer. many aspects of the Highlander film industry to cover Royal film F – it’s essential on filmsets where the “Today they were using a ‘storm commission – a website featuring premiers, Olympia and Earl’s Court lighting is nothing like the camera blue’ filter on the camera for the entire backstage, off-set story exhibitions, and many other events. meter expects. You have to take a spot effect, and I was able to replicate from make-up and prosthetics to I found myself on the Royal Rota, reading.” Digital has slightly changed the result by adjusting the colour stunts and fights; a documentary on and it often meant working fast. his methods, but more of that later! temperature setting on the 7D.” the filming itself, largely depend- We would cover a premier at the At the time the ‘si’ Dynax cameras He describes his methods as ent on creative use of still shots; Odeon Leicester Square, develop and were launched, Richard was shooting ‘guerilla shooting’ much of the time and of course the impending final print all the shots that same night on the set of Judge Dredd, a visually – keeping out of the actor’s line of release and all its publicity. and hand them over to Fleet Street amazing production, and covering sight, making sure the camera is When Richard Blanshard entered picture desks before morning.” its promotion at the Cannes Film not seen or heard. Flash is of course photography after leaving school, Richard became a special Festival. Minolta picked up on his impossible, and for some quiet some 30 years ago, he worked for assigned photographer for Lew use of their cameras and lenses, scenes, he uses a Konica Minolta A200 Kodak then took a formal course Grade, shooting the promo work and he featured in 700si advertis- with all the sound effects turned off. at Harrow, long one of the best for TV shows like the Muppets, and ing using Judge Dredd stills. Off set, he has a studio rigged up photographic colleges for UK many films. He had been using Nikon Today, Richard uses a pair of with Elinchrom studio-flash lighting professionals. He joined an Uxbridge gear, but was curious about the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D bodies heads and this is used with the 7D, commercial studio which had a wide qualities of Minolta lenses, which – back up is essential in places which is fully studio flash compatible, range of advertising clients, and have always had a reputation for like Vilnius or the coastal town of for more formal portraits and promo found himself working on all formats smooth skin tones. He acquired the Klapieda where some scenes have shots of the cast. On set, he is more from Rollei rollfilm to 10 x 8 sheet fastest lenses – ƒ1.4 – for shooting been shot. “I probably treat my likely to fit his 200mm ƒ2.8 and film, but no 35mm. “The Rolleis were on the Minolta system in low light. equipment much worse than most even add a 2X converter, standing our smallest cameras”, he told us. “I had always used Minolta of your members”, he admitted. “I a long way back from the action. “I then went to work for Pic spot-meters”, he says, “so I knew the have to change the lenses in hurry, His lens line-up also includes Photos, who had contracts for the brand. I still use a Minolta Spotmeter putting them down without rear caps the 35mm ƒ1.4 G, 50mm ƒ1.4 G, photoworld 6 7 photoworld 85mm ƒ1.4 G and 100mm ƒ2. He has a 24-85mm zoom for general purpose use and had recently added the new digitally optimised 18-70mm – the same budget lens supplied with the 5D – which he finds surprisingly good. He says his only problem with fast lenses and the digital SLR is the minimal depth of field, apparently less than with full frame film and made more critical by the nature of the digital sensor. We left him to another long dark night in Lithuania, probably not so bad with the growing reputa- tion for friendly taverns and good food which this emerging Eastern Rowan Atkinson as the cuckolded vicar, top: and shooting in progress, film crew in the foreground. renaissance capital has gained. oblivious to the infidelities of his working at ISO100 or 200. It enabled the director wants of actors that are Keeping Mum wife with her sleazy American golf me to shoot at 1/30th of a second, used within the film as set dressing.” instructor. It is the first production knowing full well that I would be And as for the technique of spot Richard Blanshard has worked Richard has shot wholly digitally. able to hand-hold the Dynax 7D metering mentioned earlier – well, on The Empire Strikes Back, “I was very, very impressed by the and keep it sharp. I was able to get he now ‘chimps’ with great regularity. Braveheart, Mission Impossible, latitude the Dynax 7D gave me”, he shots I probably wouldn’t have been That’s a press-pack term for looking Little Buddha, Judge Dredd and said. “It performed very well in all able to get without Anti-Shake.” at your camera’s rear LCD screen has just completed principal cast conditions – from day shoots through Not only could production staff after every shot to check it! “The spot- photography on Keeping Mum, for night shoots, and under mixed light- and distributors use Richard’s images meter has been as essential tool in the release in the UK on December ing. A lot of digital cameras I”d tried to track the progress of the picture, world of filmset stills, but now I find 2nd 2005 via Entertainment Film before got confused by the mixture of but he also did shots on the Dynax I can use my eye, and the histogram, Distributors. The pictures shown daylight and tungsten that’s common 7D that made it into the movie. “If and meter using my own judgment”. here are from that project and on movie sets. I found the 7D very there was a scene that needed a Konica Minolta look set you will have to wait to see some “natural” – what you see is what you photograph as a prop we’d shoot it to sell Richard a few more Highlander shots in a later issue. get and it can handle all the extreme in the morning, load it straight in to digital SLRs in future… but Keeping Mum’s plot involves lighting conditions thrown at it. the art department’s computer, and not many more spotmeters! a village vicar so obsessed with “The Anti-Shake feature allowed it would be on set in the afternoon. – DK writing the perfect sermon that he’s me to use the longer lenses and stay There are often family or kid shots Á photoworld 8 John Glenn_A4 4/11/05 4:25 pm Page 1

A true pioneer

In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. To record the event a Minolta Hi-matic cam- era was on board his spacecraft. During the 4 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds John spent up there, what he saw must have been awe inspiring.

Now, imagine what he could have done with the new Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1 digital camera.

Housed in a slim (less than 2cm) space-age casing with an internal lens system that allows up to x12 zoom functionality without protrusion of its depth, superb image capture and review is further guaranteed by a large 2.5 inch LCD screen and 8 megapixel CCD.

All of which marry together beautifully with award winning Anti-Shake technology that tilts the entire lens system together with the chip… which might come in handy when travelling at 17,500 mph.

8 MILLION PIXELS ANTI-SHAKE 3X OPTICAL ZOOM EXTRA LARGE LCD MONITOR DOCKING STATION INCLUDED PICTBRIDGE COMPATIBLE PRINTING ULTRA SLIM & LIGHTWEIGHT

www.konicaminolta.co.uk NOW ORBITING IN THREE COLOURS photoWORLD gallery Earn Konica Minolta film, inkjet paper & CD-R media with your pictures

ight is the single most important factor in good photography, and Lour two opening spread pictures here both show first rate use of light – one ‘found’, the other ‘created’. You may now enter pictures taken on Konica equipment as well as Minolta. You may also enter pictures from other camera brands made on Konica films and (if colour negative rather than slide) processed and printed by a Konica photofinisher, normally a High Street mini-lab using Konica paper and chemicals. See the new entry rules on page 12. Each picture used will receive a prize of Konica Minolta supplies – E6 35mm slide film, 35mm colour nega- tive film, inkjet paper or CD-R media. Film entry winners will be sent films, and digital winners will be sent paper or CD-Rs (or both). The prize packs are at the discretion of Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Ltd. As always, all entries remain your own property and we require only single rights use in the context of the Photoworld Gallery pages. Slides are returned (you must send return p&p); prints and digital entries are only returned if you ask for them to be, and enclose return p&p.

Left: Tony Jones confuses the eye with this shot of an old sea groin post, be- cause the sunset light is so low it almost comes from below the horizon. Dimage A1, 1/200 at ƒ5, 180mm focal length equivalent, ISO 100. Right: Daniel Oi used a makeshift studio (a black gown hung on a pair of chairs as a backdrop), with bounced wireless flash from a 5600HS off a Lastolite portable reflector, a 50mm ƒ2.8 macro (f16 at 1/60th) attached to a Dynax 7D, and manually balanced flash output trig- gered from the camera’s built in flash. photoworld 10 11 photoworld Gallery Rules paper, unmounted, with name and digital entries should be accompanied best to enter shortly after getting address and caption details on the by return post and packing only if you your edition. You may send digital You may enter a maximum of three reverse. Digital images should be require their return. Otherwise, they entries consisting of high qual- slides, three prints and three digital on a Mac/PC readable CD-R, in RGB may be filed or destroyed as seen fit. ity JPEGs from digital camera or images every quarter. Slides must JPEG or TIFF form, file resolution set Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) scanner to [email protected] be in non-glass mounts, clearly to 300dpi and should be a minimum Ltd and Icon Publications Ltd accept stating ‘Photoworld Gallery Entry’ labelled with your return address of 1600x 1200 pixels in size. A no financial responsibility for the in your email subject header, and on each slide, and protected in a printed contact sheet, or reference receipt, safety or return of entries. including your postal address and plastic sleeve or wallet. Prints must prints, must accompany your CD. We suggest entries are sent in all caption details in your email. be no larger than 12 x 8"/A4, on Slides must be accompanied by within two months after receiving Á glossy photographic paper NOT inkjet return post and packing; prints and your magazine at the latest, but it’s photoworld 12 We have allowed Dr Daniel Oi a second image in this Gallery, above. “This is a picture of where I work, the Centre for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cam- bridge”, he writes. “The architecture provides endless inspiration. I took four long exposures of the grass-covered roof using the AF 17-35mm ƒ2.8-4 at f11, 30s and ISO100 with NR. These were then stitched using Panorama Tools and other Open Source software. The dynamic range of the 7D is evident in the fact that no masking, compositing, dodging or burning was required, just global curve adjustments of the final stitched image after converting from raw to 16-bit. The red lights in the centre are IR illuminators for the CCTVs. The IR cut filter on the 7D is very effective in eliminating IR sensitivity of the CCD, which rendered the grass red in some pictures taken on a different DSLR by a friend.” Left: taken at the G8 Summit in Scotland this summer – protest rally at Auchterarder the day the Gleneagles meeting opened. By Gordon Hart of Auchetrarder, Dynax 7D, 24-105mm lens, 1/1000th at ƒ4.5, ISO 400. Below: the picture-postcard colours of Toberymory on the Isle of Mull, even more of a tourist hotspot since the children’s TV programme Balamory used the little port as a location. By John Price of Ringmer, East Sussex. Konica Minolta A2 at to 28mm, ISO 64, Extra Fine JPEG, white balance set to Shade, 1/160th at ƒ11. By using the Shade setting, John has ensured a warm rendering despite the blue seaside light quality.

13 photoworld Better SLR photography with the 5D

ith each generation, digital cameras improve just a David & Shirley Kilpatrick take Wlittle. So we found, when using the entry-level Dynax 5D, that you through the digital barrier to it’s improved in some ways over the 7D. The additional colour modes discover the hidden benefits up combined with a touch of additional sharpness and a different exposure switching from film to the system produce good shots with less effort. You are not so likely to need affordable Dynax 5D to use exposure over-ride, or manual focus adjustment, with the 5D. Like the 7D, the 5D can produce raw .MRW files. These RAW files represent the starting point for even better final images than you can shoot as JPEGs, and let the 5D go where film can’t. The 5D JPEGs are however some of the best we have ever seen for col- shooting if you switch temporarily our quality and it takes skill to match to Night Portrait in order to take them if you convert raw files using a an indoor flash shot. You will still program like Photoshop Elements. obtain a RAW file, but your in- Dimage Master Lite, provided camera JPEG will be optimised. with the camera, automatically starts With the 5D, you can even set the off by recognising the camera’s ‘Green AUTO’ position on the control settings and producing the same dial without losing your RAW file. result as a camera JPEG. From this This setting makes an intelligent you can make major adjustments guess about the best possible shooting and transform muddy failures mode based on movement, distance, into bright, attractive prints. lighting, metering and focus. On the Even in the darkroom, it was Rescue the hopeless situation 7D, setting green AUTO disables raw not possible to rescue colour shots capture. On the 5D, if you have set taken in dull misty conditions, Adjustments to the raw .MRW file converted using RAW+JPEG as your normal choice, though black and white workers Dimage Master Lite, provided with the Dynax 5D, you continue to get the raw file even in have always been able to boost flat. produced the acceptable print above from the haze- this fully automated intelligent mode. Digital photography let you do this. obscured shot shown here. This kind of adjustment is If you are still using film, and Because it does not cost anything almost impossible with film, as similar adjustments to wonder whether buying a 5D body to more to shoot extra frames, you a scanned negative or slide show a massive increase in use with your existing Minolta M-AF can experiment with exposure grain. mount lenses is worth it, we hope that settings, filters and fire as many these pages may show you exactly action sequence pictures as the why we do not shoot film today. camera and card will permit. We took the 5D for very quick You can also experiment with trip to Bergamo in Italy, courtesy of the picture-mode camera settings. Ryanair’s unbelievable one-penny There is no danger of ‘losing’ your flights (yes, they are not a myth – we preferences for P, A, S or M mode

Unlimited action Switching the 5D to Sports Action mode, the JPEG size allows almost unlimited shooting – no film worries. Hold the shutter down, and pick the best frame (in this case, the second in the sequence).

photoworld 14 Better SLR photography with the 5D

Fix colour and contrast Left: Shirley is seen shooting the scene below on the 5D, taken and NOT corrected to improve the result, on our 7D. This is what the day looked like, and what you would get on slide film. Below, a few simple adjustments using Photoshop Elements 3.0 – and not even working from RAW. Many programs will do this type of adjustment auto- matically with a single mouse-click. The choice whether to do this is yours.

Try out filters – no film or process costs The top shot has no filter, and considerable UV haze. The bottom picture uses a polarising filter, which also cuts UV blue haze and strengthens colour. 5D with 100-300mm APO (D) and circular polariser.

Night Portrait mode – parties and functions

The Night Portrait setting is not just for portraits, or night time. It creates excellent balance of the 5D’s pop up flash and room lighting, even in a big hall like this. Set the ISO to 400 or even 800 to ensure good exposure. 18-70mm lens at 18mm.

15 photoworld True wide angle and Anti-Shake It is not impossible or particularly expensive to achieve a good wide-angle on the APS-C size 5D image sensor. The 18-70mm kit lens at 18mm produced the exterior of Como’s cathedral for Shirley on the left. An independent 14mm ƒ2.8 used at ƒ2.8 with 1/15th of a second exposure, hand-held, recorded the ceiling of S. Maria Maggiore in Bergamo, above, for David – no tripod needed thanks to Anti-Shake.

were able to find convenient outward white detail typical of the island. To and return times from Newcastle complete our exploration of the 5D, with just a little over £40 to pay in we’ve shot a set of outdoor portraits airport taxes for the two of us). using all the variations of colour The 5D actually produced a mode provided by the camera, by more consistent set of exposures Dimage Master and for reference than the 7D, both being used most the results of using Photoshop. of the time in Program mode. We With a few years experience of made a point of not overriding many makes of digital SLR behind us the auto settings on the 5D, and it now, one aspect of the 5D is outstand- didn’t lose any shots despite a wide ing – the quality of the colour render- range of subjects and conditions. ing. The Anti-Shake function is of The 18-70mm ƒ3.5-5.6 AF DT course the big selling point, and the (D) kit lens proved more than up to sharpness for a 6 megapixel camera the required standard, with a better is exceptional as our double-page straight-line geometry at 18mm than reproduction should prove. Yet in the a couple of independent make zooms end, it’s the superb colour quality the we also had along. To our surprise, camera puts into its JPEG images that the 5D body with this lens fitted stands out from the competition. snugly in the same small Lowepro Skin tones are particularly good. D-Res bag which we had bought for The Dynax 7D was already ahead the Dimage A2 earlier in the year. in this respect, but the addition of Overleaf you will find a portfolio Portrait sRGB takes the 5D a step from one of our readers lucky enough further. Landscape sRGB was used to get an early 5D, and visit Santorini. for the Kelso Race Course sequence The efficiency of the camera’s and those greens are amazing too. metering can be judged from the Perhaps you can see now why way these pictures – taken as JPEGs we are entirely digital today. not raw files – have retained all the Á photoworld 16 Combining focus

This easy Photoshop technique you can try with or without a tripod, though it’s better with one. I used the 50mm ƒ2.8 AF Macro lens on the 5D. Keeping the composition the same, take two identical photographs, one focused on the foreground and one on the distance. Try to make sure there is a simple horizon and not too much detail in between. Moorland, grass, heather, water, sand, or concrete are all good surfaces to lead you from close-up to distance. Identically exposed camera Above: very close focus. Below: JPEGs should be a very close match infinity focus. Right: combined. for colour and brightness. Select the foreground of the close-up shot, miss- ing out the top half (I used a square selection, ending at the water level). ‘Feather’ this selection – for a full size 6 megapixel image, you may need 200 or 250 pixel feathering. I used 100 pixels for this 9cm wide image. Copy, and then paste this on to the distant focus shot. Align the selection using the right-hand arrow cursor tool of the Photoshop palette (Move tool). I set transparency to 90 per cent and Blending to ‘Normal’ but a fully opaque image is often OK. Flatten the image, save, and print. – DK

Correcting verticals The smaller photo is a JPEG straight out the 5D, taken with the 18-70mm lens set at 18mm. Because of the people walking in front of the camera, it was grabbed quickly and the composition is not very accurate. A shot like this would be difficult to correct on film. In the darkroom, correction is possible, but hardly anyone uses a darkroom now and a hand made corrective print from a laboratory would cost as developing and printing several rolls of film. With Photoshop Elements, Photoshop and many other similar programs it is easy to correct the original. I made a conversion them exactly perpendicular and from the raw .MRW file to double parallel, but to allow a very slight the normal 5D image size – a 50 degree of convergence. If you do not, megabyte file. This needs a power- the result looks artificial to the eye. ful computer to handle. Working Because parts of the picture are with a larger image means that stretched – the bottom left and top once the correction is finished, you left corners are dragged out more can reduce back to a normal size, than the right hand side – some areas and quality will be maintained. are lost. I have cropped the shadow The Lens Correction feature in off the bottom of the shot on purpose. Adobe Photoshop CS2 was used for The final result is a sharp, good this, dragging the corners of the quality picture with all the faults image while viewing it on a grid of of the original corrected. Your lines. Professional photographers digital SLR, with your image editing who correct verticals using view program, can match a PC lens easily. cameras are careful never to make – SK

17 photoworld Is 6 megapixels enough?

ry making a clean, even, smoothly toned print from a T35mm colour negative of this shot. A print with as little grain, as little fall-off to the corners, as con- sistent a colour and tone across the frame. You will find it very difficult. A really good 35mm colour slide may be capable of the same technical standard in terms of absolutely realistic colour, but unlike this digital image which has not required a single spot to be retouched, it will soon be covered with dust. The Dynax 5D had been in use for several weeks when this shot was taken. It sensor has never been cleaned for ‘sensor dust’ and neither has the sensor in our Dynax 7D after one full year of use. A picture as subtle as the back- ground shot here would rarely even be attempted by conventional photog- raphers. Years of experience teaches that pictures like this don’t work. Using digital, they do. This is a 6 megapixel 5D image.

The 5D auto exposure combined with its capacity to hold highlight detail produces just the right tone in the swan’s feathers.

photoworld 18 These shots were all taken in around Sirmione on Lake Garda in persistent light rain and mist – conditions which don’t make for good photography on film. Shirley Kilpatrick used the 5D with a range of lenses but, as is often best in overcast light, preferred tele lengths from 100-200mm for most shots, eliminating ‘white sky’ unless it is a feature of the view. The purity of digital colour improves conditions like this.

19 photoworld 5D colour modes and conversions – like a whole box of film choices

ike using different films and processes, the only set these using the Fn (Function) button AdobeRGB settings if you intend to print using a six Effects available on Konica Minolta digital menu when the camera is set to P/A/S/M exposure to eight ink inkjet printer or do work on the file Lcameras set your own preference of contrast, modes. Normal AdobeRGB is a preset balance; using Photoshop (etc). You should not use these saturation, and colour balance. Embed AdobeRGB allows you to also set your own settings if you intend to use a card-slot printer or The Dynax 5D makes these choices much Contrast, Saturation and Sharpness settings for the PictBridge connection from camera to printer, or simpler by providing ready-made colour modes. resulting .JPE file, which the camera will remember give files directly to a photo lab, or post them on There are two ‘AdobeRGB’ choices, and you can permanently until changed. You should only use web pages. For all these purposes, sRGB is used.

Adobe RGB in-camera JPEG Dimage Master default Photoshop CS2 CR auto default A normal unadjusted exposure, auto The .MRW raw file from this opened in The .MRW opened using Adobe Photoshop CS2 WB, Program exposure, AdobeRGB Dimage Master with any adjusted settings Camera Raw (Bridge) with all ‘Autos’ ticked

Dimage Master adjusted Photoshop CS2 CR camera WB Photoshop CS2 CR ‘Daylight’ Green skin casts from foliage removed using Auto turned off, manual adjustments made As last example, but White Balance changed to +5R +10M -0.2 stops and -20 Contrast by eye, White Balance ‘As Shot’ (4650K +25) Daylight (5500K +10) to imitate slide film result photoworld 20 Natural sRGB JPEG Natural+ sRGB Portrait sRGB Similar in feel to a good negative print, this ren- More neutral in colour and higher in contrast, this Lower contrast shows extra detail in the fabric dering is ideal for direct printing and web pages setting resembles Centuria Chrome slide film and smooth skin tones – also ideal for weddings

Landscape sRGB Sunset sRGB BW sRGB While greens are of course good, this setting is A very warm cast and high contrast are added The BW mode produces a colour (RGB) file not just a little brighter and crisper than Natural to shots – keep this for its intended purpose! greyscale. It is very neutral with good contrast

The sRGB colour space holds slightly JPEG files are not so easily adjusted later a set of portraits, and the effect is not so extreme less range of colour than AdobeRGB, but it without problems (colour shifts or loss of detail) that it will ruin other shots. This applies to all more closely matches normal printers and and the Dynax 5D offers a whole set of JPEG sRGB the settings except Sunset and BW; you need to screens. sRGB files have the extension .JPG direct shooting modes, shown on this page with be careful not to leave these set by mistake. and are correctly seen by card-slot print- the exception of ‘Night’ and ‘Night Portrait’ The Picture or Scene modes on the main control ers, PictBridge, and web page browsers. which are not appropriate for the subject. dial, alternatives to P/A/S/M or fully Auto (Green), If you shoot raw .MRW files, you can convert You can set the individual sRGB JPEG render- automatically select the best sRGB rendering for to AdobeRGB or sRGB, and make extensive ing using the Function Fn button menu, when that type of scene. Just switching to the portrait adjustments to colour (as shown on the left in P/A/S/M modes. The choices are ‘Natural’ symbol automatically produces Portrait rendered hand page). Skin tones are important. You can (closest to AdobeRGB), ‘Natural+’ with extra sRGB JPEGs with .JPG extension, even if your main see how RAW+JPEG shooting for this portrait sharpness and contrast, ‘Portrait’ with the default for P/A/S/M has been set to AdobeRGB. has produced a .MRW raw file which can reverse, ‘Landscape’ with increased contrast As you can see, these settings should not be given many different ‘looks’ and remain and saturation, ‘Sunset’ with a strong warming be ignored and do make a real difference to – like a negative – unaffected itself. You can filter effect, and ‘BW’ for direct black and white. the colour and contrast of the final print. always do a different conversion later on. It is very quick to select Portrait before shooting Á

21 photoworld Santorini – a Dynax 5D, light and colour New Dynax user David Anderson trusted the 5D to deliver results

’m very much a beginner with kit lens for the 5D. With the 18-70mm digital SLRs, having only got at wide angle I could see a little Ithe Konica Minolta 5D three colour fringeing towards the edges weeks before a cruise round the of the frame. I could not detect this Aegean. As this was very much a with the Minolta 24-85mm ƒ3.5-4.5 one-off event for us, I persuaded my and was much more impressed, so better half to let me upgrade from this became my main lens. I also took my consumer zoom digital camera. a vintage 70-210mm ƒ4 (nice results) The cruise was very hectic, and a standard 50mm ƒ1.7 (didn’t with the organised excursions use much except in a Museum). sometimes leaving very little time for I shot in RAW + JPG mode photography from the best places. It exclusively. I have not made use of was extremely crowded and hot on the .MRW raw files yet, but I wanted Santorini and I’m amazed that I man- to have them available for the future. aged to get so many shots without I took just over 1,000 photos and we American tourists with red baseball downloaded them to my old Apple caps in the way! Most photography PowerBook each day then backed was a matter of point and shoot them up to my iPod just in case. before the crowds got in front. I took many photographs of other Fortunately I had been able to locations we visited on the cruise, purchase a few other ‘used market’ and none were quite so spectacular Minolta lenses just before we left from the photographic point of view for the cruise and found out rather as Santorini – even with its tourists. quickly how much they added to the Á

photoworld 22 23 photoworld Dimage Master: making it all clear

oftware can be amazingly dull Dimage Master software has been Once selected, our raw .MRW shot stuff. So can photography. could have a better white balance SDimage Master, the raw and provided to buyers of the Dynax applied. Dimage Master offers an JPEG file processing application for extra set of special WB conversions Konica Minolta images, is billed as an 5D. It is a powerful, technically covering indoor lighting – attractive bonus for Dynax 5D buyers White Fluorescent and a worthwhile buy for others. competent image processor but Cool White Fluorescent Before Dynax 7D owners complain Daylight Fluorescent about 5D buyers being given a bonus needs to be explored and learned. 3-band White Fluorescent they didn’t get, remember that 3-band Warm White Fluorescent substantial rebates applied to the 7D. 3-band Cool White Fluorescent The relative value of the offers made 3-band Daylight Fluorescent on each camera at a similar stage in This covers nearly all the its marketing history looks very fair. striplights and energy saver bulbs But – do you really need you now find in shopes, offices and or want Dimage Master? the home. The conversions are more It’s not a lightweight package. It accurate than a JPEG auto WB as is pretty memory hungry, disk space they account for the non-continuous hungry and makes big demands of any spectrum of fluorescent tubes. processor, running slowly on older Testing them, I settled for machines. It is a complex application 3-Band White as the best match. To with many modular functions of more ensure the best colour AdobeRGB interest to the scientific user than was chosen for output space. the amateur. You do not often need Further adjustments to to know DeltaEV (the difference in the image included: exposure value between two samples) Sharpening – High Sharpness or map the colour distribution of a The in-camera JPEG of this shot taken in Edinburgh’s Tron Kirk excavations exhibit in Spatial Frequency Filtering selected area on a gamut diagram. is pleasant enough, but lacks contrast in the mud-coloured earth and stonework. Unsharp Mask – 50 per cent at 1 There are some users who do By processing the raw .MRW file in Dimage Master, the best of three hand-held ex- pixel radius, Shadow Protection 32 and Dimage Master can become posures was selected and ‘clinical’ colour and contrast added to the main subject Tone Processing part of a technical toolkit. It seems of the shot. Dynax 5D, 18-70mm lens at 18mm, 1/5th at ƒ8, AS, ISO 800, auto WB. – Increase Contrast to have been written by colour and Exposure Compensation – +0.3 imaging scientists and the range of You can see the effects of these controls may baffle the beginner. at 100 percent and the full image. But, take heart! Dimage Master Finally, highest quality (Low is actually fairly easy to grasp if Compression) JPEG was selected you visit the konicaminolta.co.uk for output and a 200 per cent file website, where most of its functions size – 6016 x 4000 pixels – added, are clearly explained in brief. interpolating the file up as if making This article shows how a a very large print. You can select any very boring and flat picture – an size for final output freely (within anti-shake assisted record of an minimum and maximum limits). archaeological exhibit – was made The overall processing was com- just that little bit better using pared against a ‘neutral’ conversion Master’s diagnosis and control. using a split window check function, First of all, since the shot was at and a Snapshot taken of the settings 1/8th of a second hand held, three at this stage. You can take a Snapshot frames were shot using Anti Shake. at any time, and these appear in a It is very hard to tell which is the sharpest at a glance. In the Master Checking focus or sharpness on three browser window, a Magnifier icon frames – the 2nd, 4th and 6th in this can be activated and clicked on a row are the .MRW files. The magnifier point in any image (raw or JPEG). tool shows these sections, below. The pop-up window from this shows a section at 100 or 200 per cent. From this, it was easy to see that shot 3 was the sharpest exposure. An alternative is the Comparison window, which has two halves, initially blank. You drag two different images into these halves, and they can be compared (with histograms). If you then click the 1:1 icon at the top for each shot, they will zoom in the same area. This is an equally useful focus check between just two samples. photoworld 24 column at the right of the main image window. To return to a previous state of settings, just click the Snapshot. The final settings could then be saved as a loadable preset, and although I only processed a single image, any saved settings can be applied as a batch to as many selected files as you want. They can be processed unattended and automatically saved and numbered at the end of your adjustment session for a single master example. The colour tags shown above the thumbnails allow any lightbox of images (the contents of a folder) to be grouped into four different categories, which in turn allows different saved settings to be applied to images from each group. Dimage Master has other functions including a wide range of colour profile conversions (you can save as Pro Photo RGB, one of the hotly-tipped expanded spaces supposed to be superior to AdobeRGB for archiving), focus metering which can help you check which are your sharpest lenses for digital work, and of course processing of JPEGs. Extra Fine JPEGs may, as long as they are correctly exposed and white balanced, even prove better than raw files for scaling up and sharpening. Some functions such as white balance changes can not be applied to JPEGs and only appear in the left hand menu options when a raw file is selected. Within limits Above: some output options. Top, resiz- colour, tone, contrast and exposure ing the image by interpolation. Centre, corrections can be made to good adding an imprint to the digital JPEGs but raw .MRW files always image. Bottom, selecting the file format offer more scope for adjustment. for saving, and in this case the level of JPEG compression. All screen shots from Technical comparisons Macintosh OSX 10.4.3 Tiger. Unlike other converters – notably a generic RGB setting. Comparing Top: Comparison window, an alterna- Adobe’s Photoshop Elements and CS2 Macbeth Color Checker tests tive shot-choosing method. Left: Tone Raw plug-ins – Dimage Master uses converted using Dimage Master 1.1 Curve and Exposure adjustment, and what they call a 3-D Colour Table. and Adobe Photoshop CS2/Bridge, Sharpness control. Above: colour con- This is similar to an ICC Profile but Master extracted a great dynamic trols – White Balance, Colour Space, with more data than the 256 colour range by default, without clipping and Filter & Colour Effects. Below: values contained in a basic camera either end of the histogram. This unadjusted compared to adjusted, with profile. Other converters often do makes the picture look slightly dull Snapshot shown (right of images). not even use a camera profile, just in comparison, but actually provides more scope for accurate adjustment of exposure. The white of the colour checker was Level 246 when exported using Adobe’s plug-in, Level 227 using Master; Black was clipped by the Adobe plugin, and set to 15 by Master. There are other issues present and Adobe’s plugin is by no means bad, permitting extensive recovery of highlight luminosity values at the expense of colour. Ideally you should have both Master and Photoshop Elements (3.0 for Mac, 4.0 for PC) to hand for raw file conversions. – David Kilpatrick Á

25 photoworld A glimpse of Thailand – Peter Karry has discovered an annual Thai cultural celebration offering exotic photo in Surrey… subjects without long haul travel

magine discovering a secret Clearly planning was going to corner of Thailand – magically be important , including using Irecreated in the heart of the Multimap to find the best route to English countryside. Every second Secretts Garden Centre and Farm year a brilliant event, run by the Shop in Milford, Surrey where charity called The Mudita Trust, the event was taking place. called Amazing Thailand takes I decided to take two Minolta place. This charity was set in 1992 for Dynax 9xi bodies, wide angle the prevention of child prostitution zoom, telephoto zoom, a telephoto in Thailand – see the end of this macro lens, and, because most of article for the story. The event over the activities started at midday, in the three days of August Bank holiday the hope that the sun would shine, incorporated glittering dance, exhila- an off camera 5200i flash gun for rating martial arts, processions, fill-in to overcome shadows under spectacular pageants, traditional eyes and noses. Film selected was roadside market stalls, fashion Konica Minolta Centuria Chrome parades and children’s workshops. 100 slide film backed up by 800 When I asked for permission to and 1600 Centuria negative. Yes, take photos close up to the performer, still on film! However, this was and the organiser’s response was scanned onto CD after processing that I could become the official by my local Allied Photolabs in photographer if I contributed my Leatherhead for ease of use later on. time, what else could I do but accept? The first day, Saturday, dawned

to overcast skies. This was to be the wearing modern clothing made from way for most of that day but it allowed Thai silk designed to reflect themes of me to find my way round the fields some traditional Thai costumes, and without getting hot and flustered. As marvelling at the speed of the Thai it happened, I was under instructions martial arts being demonstrated. On to appear that morning by 9am, the the sizeable stage it was difficult to Buddhist monks were going to walk predict where they would move next round the stalls giving their blessing so I found it best to stay focussed on and, of course, gathering up the one area and wait until they arrived traditional offerings of food – this there. Luckily this was not the case provided some early photo opportuni- with the models who treated the stage ties. I thought about the different uses like a catwalk so I shared the space of the lenses; wide-angle to shoot with another photographer – he from a low position, and telephototo took one side and I took the another close in on the food bowls. and we knew where and when the After completing my first assign- models were going to appear. ment I just sauntered around the fes- The weather on the following tival, watching the colourful classical two days was so different! It was Thai dancers perform, photographing hot and sunny with blue, blue skies. intricate details of the costume Not ideal for portrait photography. when possible, trying to do justice to However, the colours became really the international models who were vibrant – whether on the food stalls,

27 photoworld the costumes, or on the craft stalls. My Reason for the Mudita Trust There were also some big marquees By Sarapee Mudita Karnasuta where stalls were set out, and others Founder and Trustee where cookery demonstrations took place – in these, of course, the light s we all know there are always was diffused and at a lower level. two sides to everything in life. The tricky area was on the stage AAmidst all the splendour and – most of the day this was either in the magical touches one can see and heavy shadow or in bright sunlight feel in any city, Bangkok is no excep- from one side of the stage – and tion. Whilst we see only the beautiful so I tried using options of being in white beaches and the smiling faces just one area or using the flash to of the village boys and girls, there help balance the prevailing light is a serious problem, and a desper- conditions. This changed late in the ate plea and terror in their hearts. afternoon when the light came from Even though to outsiders Thailand the front of the stage and at a lower is climbing towards its materialistic angle, which made some aspects goal for economic success, because easier. As the models performed of this reason it creates a gap between twice a day, I also decided to the very rich and the very poor. The photograph them from an alternative gap has become so wide now that position at the level of the stage, it seems unbridgeable: the rich get compared to taking them face on. richer and the poor get poorer until Away from the stage there was they are totally forgotten and treated, a real need to avoid intrusions not as humans, but more like cattle. – whether tents, marquees, the steel The greed of the City stretches security fencing or just other people. out its long arms to ruffle the simple The space left was very confined so I and peaceful lives of the village used flash quite frequently to enable folk, offering them the glittering me to shoot against the light. In taste of the world they are not used these circumstances I used a Sto-fen to. Blindly and full of ignorance the diffuser to stop the flash being too simple folk touch the offerings, grab harsh and creating hot-spots on faces. them and are never again the same! When shooting into the stage area I Never again… instead they have left the diffuser off the flash to allow to go on, liking it or not, grabbing for it to cover the greater distance. more glitter. Selfishly and ignorantly The Festival proved very popular they would go even as far as selling and on the Sunday and Monday their daughters to satisfy their needs. there were masses of folk, which The very sad thing is that they don’t made it more difficult to capture even know what they are doing and images that were not cluttered but the long, ugly and greedy arms do clearly such a large attendance not care. Why should they? They have was to the benefit of the charity. got what they have stretched out for There was a specific activity I am Thai and I am totally devoted on each day. Sunday featured a towards my country, my religion and drum procession led by a large my Monarchy and this is the real rea- Thai gong used to call people to son why there is a Mudita Trust. I love participate in times of celebration. to see the childlike quality of trust Monday’s activities included a and innocence in the children’s eyes, Festival of Lights when lotus flowers and not desperation, pleas and terror. containing lit candles, prepared For me, I will always carry the by children, are floated on the Gold in my heart as they shimmer lake following an exquisite candle and shine on the temple’s steeples, dance as the sun went down. and Hope things can change. Throughout the day Thai food Á and drink was consumed in huge quantities and the craft stalls – with The trust supports schools in goods ranging from clothing to underprivileged and rural areas in jewellery – were very busy. There was Thailand. Donations have funded a small floating market on one of the a careers centre to help the girls lakes inside Secretts and this too was once they leave full time educa- kept active; visitors loved the orchids tion. In recognition of her work, and exotic fruits that were being sold. Mudita has recently been honoured There were plenty of photographic with The Most Honourable Order opportunities – from children to of the Direkgunaborn Silver Medal close-ups of cultural activities. The (Seventh Class), equivalent of to the renowned Thai hospitality helped to OBE in British Honours. To make create a fun-filled atmosphere. So a donation please send a cheque giving my services was worthwhile to Mudita Trust at The Hamilton for me and, I hope, for the charity. Arms, School Lane, Stedham, Nr – Peter Karry Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0NZ. Á www.thehamiltonarms.co.uk photoworld 28 29 photoworld Karry on friendship

eter Karry has been, since the first days of the new Minolta PClub as it was re-formed in 1981, as regular contributor and lecturer. His ‘Karry On…’ series in the 1980s covered all aspects, but mainly those beginning with a ‘C’ like Colour and Composition! Peter has just seen a book of dogs over the years – and Peter published which features a selection resists the temptation to illustrate of his best work – many already seen this literally. Overall it’s a warm on or inside the covers of Minolta book, a little sad in places with a Image and now in Photoworld lament for lost times ever-present – set against the poetry of an old in the poetry. The photographs do schoolfriend of his, David Tong. not emphasise this but temper it. Both being a touch over 60, and David Tong did a reading with much experience behind them, from the book on National Poetry this book Dawning Light is dedicate to Day, October 6th, in Ashbourne a lost mutual friend but is not typical Library, Derybshire, sponsored of self-published poetry. For one, the by Deryshire Libraries. publisher is AREM, Roger Maile’s The book (ISBN 1-904825-05-2) specialist photo book and magazine is well-produced, and a worthwhile house, and this book joins an example of what you can achieve by illustrious catalogue of AREM titles. self-publishing through a production This is not modern poetry. David and marketing house such as AREM Tong retired from a career at Guy’s Publishing. It is unlikely either Hospital and made some study of the authors will get rich from of a former Guy’s Hospital poet, this, but they will be richer for the John Keats. You can’t easily escape experience. There is also a certain from the absorbed phrasing of the market for it. It is a fitting gift for romantic period in Tong’s lines anyone who has lost a friend or even when the scheme and scansion partner and might encourage both are 20th century. Most readers writing and photography as therapy. will be comfortable with this. Peter has agreed a price Much the same goes for Peter’s for club members to order images. They are good simple colour it directly from him: photographs which depend on £12.50 include postage, offer valid composition, light, timing and camera until the end of February 2006. technique. Most photographers will Order by post/cheque* to: feel an affinity for the pictures. They Henmore Publications are not obscure or manipulated. 18 Westfield The Derbyshire countryside Ashtead of Karry and Tong’s origins is Surrey KT21 1RH clearly visible through the poetry *Cheques to be made out and the pictures. David Tong also to ‘Henmore Publications manages a kind memorial to his (Photoworld Reader offer)’ dogs – presumably a succession Á photoworld 30 Dynax (Maxxum) series autofocus SLRs Minolta & Konica Minolta Digital Cameras

Dynax 3000i, 5000i, 7000i, 8000i, SPxi, 2xi, 3xi, 5xi, 7xi, 9xi 1 x 2CR5 Dimage V, Dimage EX, Dimage 2300, 2330, E201 4 x AA 1300+mAh (NiMH) 300si, 500si, 505si Super, 600si, 700si, 800si 1 x 2CR5 RD3000, DiMAGE 5, DiMAGE 7/7i/7Hi, S304/404/414 4 x AA 1600+mAh (NiMH) Dynax 303si, 404si, 505si, 505si Super, 5, 4, 3L, 40, 60 2 x CR2 Dimage Z1, Z2, Z3, Z5, Z6, Z10, Z20, GT530 4 x AA 1600+mAh (NiMH/Alkaline) Dynax 7, Dynax 9, Dynax 9Ti 2 x CR123A X21, X31 2 X AA 1600+mAh (NiMH/Alkaline) F100, F200,F300, E203, E223, E323, X20* 1 CR-V3 or 2 x AA* 1600+mAh (NiMH) Minolta Original Autofocus SLR series RD-175 1 x 2CR5 Dimage A1, A2, A200, Dynax 7 Digital, Dynax 5 Digital NP400 Lithium-Ion 9000 2 x AA X, Xi, Xt, Xg NP200 Lithium-Ion 7000/5000 with battery holder issued with camera 4 x AAA X50, X60 NP700 Liithium-Ion 7000/5000 upgraded by fitting BH-70L big battery holder 4 x AA G400, G530, G600 NP600 Lithium-Ion G500 NP500 Lithium-Ion Minolta Manual focus SLRs X-1 NP-1 Lithium-Ion

XM, XE-1, XE-5, XD-7, XD-5, XG-1, XG-2, XG-9, XGM, X-9 2 x EPX-76 Konica Film Cameras X-300, X-300s, X-320s, X-500, X-700 or 2 x 10L14 SRT-101, 100, 202, 303, 100x, 101b, 303b, SR7, SR1 meter 1 x PX625 Hexar RF 2xCR2 Hexar AF 1x2CR5 Minolta Vectis (Advanced Photo System) Lexio 115, 70, 70W 1xCR2 Mermaid 1xCR123A Vectis S-1, Vectis S-100, Vectis 40 2 x CR2 Z-up 60e, 80e, 100W, 115e, 125e, 130e, 150e 1xCR2 Vectis 3000, 300(L), 30, 25, 2000, 200, 260, 20, 10, UC, Weathermatic, GX 1 x CR2 Z-up 28W, 80 1X2CR5 Minolta Himatic compacts and earlier rangefinder models Z-up 70 Super, 70 VP, 110 VP, 110 Super, 120 VP 1xCR123A Z-up 135 Super, 140 Super, 150 Super, 150 VP 1xCR123A Minolta AL-F, AL-E, Himatic 7, 7s, 9 and 11 1 x PX625 Revio, Revio II, Revio CL, Revio Z2, Revio Z3 1xCR2 Himatic 7S-II, 5, G, G2, C 1 x PX675 Konica Digital Cameras Himatic E, F 1 x PX640 Himatic S, S2, GF, AF, AF2, AF2M 2 x AA Q-mini, QM-3501E 3xAA Minolta CLE ( system) 2 x 10L14 or EPX-76 KD-220Z, 200Z 2xAA, 1xCRV3 Autofocus and Focus-free compacts (modern series) Q-M200 3xAA, 1xPX-LB1 Q-M-100, M100V, KD-3000Z 4xAA 140EX, 135EX, 105EX, Panorama Zoom 28 2 x CR123A KD-300Z 1xDR-LB1 90EX, 70C, Weathermatic DL 1 x DL223A KD-3300 2xAA, 1xCRV3 Riva Zoom 110, 160, 160c, 150, 130, 125, 130c 1 x CR123A e-mini, C2 2xAAA 80c, 150c 1 x CR2 e-miniD, e-miniM, KD-100, KD-25, 20m, 30m 2xAA 115EX, 75W, 70W, 70EX, 90EX, RZ70, Pico, Mini, Panorama 1 x CR123A KD-420Z NP-600 105i, 90C, Twin 28, AF Zoom 65, AF Zoom 90, AF Tele Super 1 x 2CR5 KD-310Z, 410-Z, 400Z, 500Z, 510Z 1xDR-LB4 AF 5, 100AF, AF35EX, AF35, AF35C, Riva 35, Zoom 60 2 x AA AF-101R, AF-20R, F-10/BF, C-10, Memory Maker 2 x AA Minolta Exposure Meters FS-E, FS-EII, FS-35, AF-E 2 x AA Flashmeter V, Autometer IV F, Spotmeter F 1 x AA AF-C 4 x 10L14 Flashmeter IV 1 x AA + 1 x PX28 AF-T 2 x AA or DL223A Autometer III F, III and II; Spotmeter M; Booster II 1 x PX28 AF-Z, AF-EII, AF-DL, AF Tele 60, AF-SP 4 x AAA or DL223A Colormeter II, Flashmeter II 1 x MN1604 BUSTER TC-1 1 x CR123A Flashmeter III 6 x 10L14 BATTERY

31 photoworld elcome to Quest’s 12th in this workshop, he will show and programme of workshops discuss the rich variety of his work. Wand Photoweeks, sponsored This will include landscape, urban, by Konica Minolta PhotoWORLD and informal portraiture, as well as magazine. Another exciting year is other subjects. An important part in prospect, with some brand new of the workshop will be to involve workshops and events scheduled, QUEST participants in the discussions with including one with Joe Cornish, a view to developing ideas and it will arguably Britain’s finest landscape Colin Westgate’s QUEST workshops, sponsored therefore include a review of pictures photographer. Following Colin brought along by everyone, as well as Westgate’s move in early 2005, Quest by Konica Minolta Photoworld, are now based a field trip into the nearby landscape. will now be running a number of at Stable House, 2 Carriers Close, West Mersea, Leigh is on the panel for Associate workshops in Essex, which is good Mersea Island, Essex CO5 8NY. Tel 01206 and Fellowship submissions in Visual news for East Anglian photogra- Art and the workshop can include phers. These are in addition to, not 384584. Mobile 07887 887101. advice for anyone considering instead of, those held in Sussex. The email [email protected] applying for these distinctions. He Photoweeks have also been expanded is the author of the book ‘Shadows with new trips to Isle of Mull and QUEST OPEN and REUNION DAY BASICS FOR BEGINNERS of Change’. This will be an enjoy- Southern Ireland included, as well 1 day, at Seaford with Colin Westgate able and informal workshop. as our regular destinations of Skye, Sunday 4 December 2005 1 day workshop, two Price £135 (deposit Glencoe and Northumberland. This is a day for Quest participants dates and venues £40), 8 places. As a result, there are 65 workshops and travellers to share their pictures at West Mersea, nr. Colchester scheduled, a Quest record! and experiences. Hundreds of Wednesday 11 January 2006 ALL ABOUT EXHIBITING The range of digital workshops photographs are taken on the and Seaford, East Sussex & EXHIBITIONS has been extended, and Barrie various Quest workshops and trips Friday 31 March 2006 with Colin Westgate Thomas will be back in November and this is the opportunity for A workshop for those starting off in 1 day, at West Mersea, nr. Colchester 2006, having made an excellent everyone to see some of these and photography, or wanting to improve Wednesday 18 January 2006 recovery from heart surgery. George compare notes. However, pictures their techniques and picture appre- Exhibitions are one of the showcases McCarthy is also back in the do not have to have been taken on ciation. It will explain technical mat- of photography, and to have your programme, following his year long a workshop or trip - you are quite ters, such as how to effectively use the work viewed on the exhibition wall tour of the USA, with the usual nature free to bring anything of interest. various functions on digital or film is an achievement of which to be workshops again in the programme. The day consists of short cameras and will include discussion proud. This workshop will look at all Most Quest ‘ regulars, such as presentations of prints and slides on such things as exposure, focusing, aspects of exhibitions, including types John Blakemore, Les McLean, (about 15 minutes each). A digital, lens apertures, shutter speeds and of exhibition and venue, one person Paul Foley, Clive Tanner and Hugh projector is also available if anyone depth of field. Aesthetic aspects shows, open exhibitions, how pictures Milsom, are again included in the wishes to bring files on CDs. So come such as composition, creativity and are judged, fashions, fads and formu- programme, together with some new along, let us see your work, and enjoy appreciation of light and colour lae, paper work and packaging, keep- tutors, such as Joe Cornish, Leigh a gentle relaxed and entertaining are covered. A field trip is included ing records, FIAP & BPE distinctions, Preston, Steve Gubbins and David day. Even if you haven’t attended a to put into practice what you have and much more. It will also include a Dixon. The wide variety of workshops workshop before you are more than learnt, and all are invited to bring short review of participants work with has been maintained to ensure that welcome to come along just to look! pictures for discussion and review the aim of encouraging participation there is something for everyone. The Price £20, payable in full Price £55 (deposit £20) 6 places. in exhibitions. Remember, if nobody workshops are carried out in an on booking (includes buf- sent work to exhibitions, we would informal and friendly atmosphere, fet lunch and free raffle for MOUNTING & PRINT FINISHING not have pictures to see! Suitable with attention given to individual a Colin Westgate print). with Colin Westgate for print, slide and digital workers needs and you can be assured of an (NB. This day is not eligible for 1 day, at West Mersea, nr. Colchester Price £55 (deposit £20), interesting and stimulating time. inclusion in ‘early booking’ Thursday 12 January 2005 includes refreshments. 8 places. Most workshops are suitable for discount arrangements). Mounting and presenting finished beginners upwards, and either film pictures are aspects of photography EXHIBITION PRINTING IN or digital cameras are suitable. ADVANCED MONOCHROME that are often neglected. A properly MONOCHROME (DARKROOM) Most bookings come from photog- PRINTING (DARKROOM) finished and mounted print can with Colin Westgate raphers who have previously attended with Colin Westgate transform the raw product into 2 days, at West Mersea, nr. Colchester a workshop and it is very reassuring 1 day, at West Mersea, nr. Colchester something that really looks good and Tues/Weds 7/8 February 2006 that so many of you are prepared to Wednesday 4 January 2006 is worthy of entering in competi- Tues/Weds 25/26 April 2006 come back time and time again. But, This workshop is intended for pho- tions, exhibiting or framing to put (subject to demand, additional dates of course, if you haven’t previously tographers wishing to improve and on the wall. The emphasis of this by arrangement – please enquire) been to a Quest workshop, we would expand their printing skills. Using ‘hands on’ workshop will be on Quest’s ‘top of the range’ printing be delighted to see you. If you would advanced techniques such as split making window mounts, but can also workshop, designed to enable you like to be included on our mailing grading and paper flashing, prints include, subject to requirements of to get the maximum from your list, please e-mail or post your details. can be made from virtually any nega- participants, retouching darkroom negatives and to make prints Quest web site is finally on its tive, (providing there is detail on it!) prints. All materials supplied. up to 16” x 12” (40 x 30 cm.) way, and will be open from about the including those which may previously Price £55 (deposit £15). in size, suitable for use in end of November. You will be able to have been dismissed as ‘hopeless’. Mount board and other materi- exhibitions or for sale. Fibre based view this to check on workshops and The quality of today’s Variable als included. 8 places. papers will be used for the highest vacancies and there will be a special Contrast paper is now excellent, and quality, and prints will be archivally gallery for Quest members. The the amount of control and versatil- INSIGHTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY processed and optionally selenium address is www.questphoto.co.uk. ity available is such that ‘graded’ with Leigh Preston FRPS toned for maximum depth. Advanced Quest’s postal and e-mail papers are now virtually obsolete 2 days, at Seaford, East Sussex techniques, such as split grad- addresses and telephone Price £55, (deposit £20). Sat/Sun 14/15 January 2006 ing, pre and post flashing will be number have changed to those Includes sandwich lunch & Leigh Preston has photographed employed as necessary. The number at the top of this page. all materials. 4 places. many subjects over the years, and of prints produced will depend photoworld 32 on the difficulty or otherwise of Additional George McCarthy dates to review of participants pictures will please bring a selection of your pic- printing any particular negative. As qualify for this discount are: Orchids, also be undertaken. After lunch, we tures. ‘Slots’ may, however, have to be this workshop is time and materials June 23rd; Butterflies, June 25th; will go into the landscape for some restricted, according to numbers, so intensive, it is restricted to TWO Dragonflies, June 27th; Birds of Prey, field work, where you will be able when booking, please say if you would PEOPLE ONLY, and this is reflected October 10th, and Fungi, October to put into practice what you have like to give a presentation, and if so, in a higher than normal price. 12/13th. Please call Quest directly for learned from the morning session. your subject, and whether you wish Price £175 (deposit £50), information on these – 01206 384584 Price £48 (deposit to show prints, slides or by digital includes sandwich lunch and or email [email protected] £20). 10 places. projection. If possible everyone will all materials. 2 places only. for a full 2006 programme be accommodated, but in view of the PICTURE FORUM increasing popularity of this feature, ADDERS IN THE WILD LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY including a talk by John Bulpitt FRPS slots will be primarily allocated on with George McCarthy with Colin Westgate 1 day, at Seaford a ‘first come, first served basis’. 1 day, near Haslemere, Surrey 1 day workshop, two Saturday 1 April 2006 The competition is open for Monday 27 March 2006 dates and venues This event has established itself as a prints or slides (not more than one A unique workshop, with the West Mersea, nr. Colchester ‘must’ in the Quest programme, and entry per person (slide or print - not opportunity to photograph these shy Wednesday 29 March the formula of mini presentations by both!), and a critique and appraisal and often misunderstood creatures Seaford, Monday 3 April 2006 participants, a competition and a talk will be given by John on all entries. safely from close quarters George’s Landscape photography is often by a leading photographer has proved Prizes will be awarded for the best knowledge of snakes, where to find thought to be simple and indeed, it very successful. This year, we are for- work, and will include a free day on them, and his ability to handle them is not difficult to obtain ‘straightfor- tunate to have John Bulpitt with us for a Quest workshop, plus other items sensitively without harm to either ward’ pictures. However, results are the day. He will judge the competition of photographic interest. There will snakes or photographers(!) will often disappointing and to make out- and entertain us with a talk on his also be a special prize of a mounted guarantee some very interesting standing landscape pictures requires sports photography, the subject of his print by Colin Westgate, for the most subject matter, which will definitely commitment, patience and vision, successful fellowship application. The popular image, chosen by audience include adders and with a chance and perhaps a new way of seeing. In Picture Forum is the opportunity for vote. This is always an interesting of finding grass snakes and possibly this workshop, we will discuss the everyone to show their work, and we and exciting day of sharing pictures lizards as well. Due to the nature principles of landscape photography invite short presentations of up to 20 and experiences, where everyone of this workshop, numbers will be applicable to both monochrome and pictures, prints or slides, and possibly can join in. Not to be missed! limited to a strict maximum of eight,. colour, including the uses of various digital projection subject to demand. Price £23 – includes buffet Price £65 (deposit £20). 8 places. lenses and filters, choice of subject These presentations occupy most of lunch & refreshments (but not *SPECIAL OFFER - Book any two or matter, selection of viewpoints, the day, and are a vital and enjoyable bar drinks!). Payable in full on more George Mccarthy workshops principles of exposure, use of light, aspect of the Programme. It is your booking – not eligible for ‘early and take 10% discount on each. dealing with movement etc. A short chance to show your photography, so booking discount arrangements.

An invitation to the Duncan runs a series of Dunarden in this issue. His next lecture is: 37th PAISLEY INTERNATIONAL holiday breaks and photo courses Horsewood Road April 11th 2006: West COLOUR SLIDE EXHIBITION for Photoworld members. They BRIDGE OF WEIR Wickham Photographic Society, St are mainly based in Scotland in Renfrewshire, PA11 3AT Francis Church Hall, Ravenswood Sunday 15th January both the Borders and Highland Tel/Fax: 01505-612673 Ave, West Wickham, Kent, 8pm. 2006 at 2pm regions. For details of 2006 E-mail: mcewan@ Programme Secretary Brian courses, contact Duncan. dunarden.fsnet.co.uk Chaplin. DUNCAN McEWAN, Photoworld Duncan has a good programme Club Scottish Region organiser, of camera club talks open to Peter Karry’s shows Konica Minolta Photoworld invites members to come to see one Photoworld subscribers, lined up into subscribers are admitted to our of the world’s best known photo 2006 – put a date in your diary now. PETER KARRY is one of Konica sponsored lectures at camera clubs salons, the Paisley International. 9th Dec: Wickham Photographic Club Minolta’s most dedicated slide show on the same terms as the club This really is an experience – if (Newcastle) – Scotland: Around the Edges speakers visiting camera clubs. You members. The clubs welcome new you have not seen a full scale inter- 11th Jan 2006: Edinburgh can see a great deal of Peter’s work members if you are local to them! national slide salon before, see one Photographic Society – Scotland: now before the world goes digital! Around the Edges The General Section of the 5th March 2006: East Anglian Exhibition features the work Federation of Photographic of photographers from around Societies (Harlow, Essex) – the world, with the accepted Scotland: Land of Landscapes slides images being shown in 6th March 2006: Shillington a multi-projector audiovisual & District Camera Club presentation that is both entertain- (Hertfordshire) – City Lights ing and inspiring. This year’s A club meeting is held in venue is Paisley Town Hall. Edinburgh in early March each An informal get together with year, and Scottish Region members a light lunch is planned for the are informed by letter. If you Watermill Hotel, Paisley, at 12 are in Scotland and have not noon. Directions for both venues received letters in the past, email can be supplied on request. David Kilpatrick (iconmags@ Anyone attending the lunch btconnect.com) to ensure your should let Duncan McEwan address is being correctly coded. know by Friday 13th January, Details of all courses and Spotted in Marrakesh – Konica is the number one name for on the spot photo at the latest, so that a table meetings can be obtained from: processing throughout much of the Middle Eastern and North African world. booking can be made. Duncan McEwan With this crowd of camera-toting tourists, the store must keep pretty busy!

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WANTED – mint black Minolta very good condition GENERIC Lith-Ion NP-400 7.4v MINOLTA VECTIS S1 APS XD-7 body. Tel 01284 789252. Noya 55 mm ND x 4 filter £3 battery for Minolta Dynax A1, body 25-150mm lens, AA battery Contact Tony Mobile 07811939282 A2, D7, D5 £15 includes post- grip, 2000xi flash. All excel- MINOLTA 7HI, excellent condition. age. Tel 01949 860576. lent cond. Tel 01485 518347. Offer please. ( Have upgraded MINOLTA SR-7 Auto PF to 7D is reason fo sell) Contact f1.4 lens in leather case £25. Also Les Hurrell. Tel 01245 267697 or Kodak Carousels, still boxed, hold email [email protected] 80 slides each 5 for £12 as new. READER SMALL ADS ARE FREE! Warren, tel. 01449 781738. DYNAX 700SI camera body Don’t cut up your magazine – copy this coupon, or send a clearly £90 very good condition DYNAX 7 body one year old perfect, written advertisement, or even better send us an email. Be sure to Flashgun 5400 HS £80 £300. Tel Bob on 01642 563451. quote your old Minolta Club membership number if you know it – otherwise, please quote PW1105. You may only advertise Minolta Current Firmware/Software or Konica equipment or compatible third-party accessories. See: www.konicaminoltasupport.com Name

CAMERA FIRMWARE DOWNLOADING SOFTWARE Address Windows Mac DiMAGE 7 1.23, 2.01 DiMAGE Viewer 2.3.7 2.37 DiMAGE 5 0.56 Dimâge RD-175 2.0 2.0 DiMAGE 7i 1.11 Dimâge RD3000 2.0 2.0 Telephone Number DiMAGE 7Hi 1.01 Img. Viewer Util. 1.11 1.11 DiMAGE A1 1.12 Please insert the following Small Ad in Photoworld Winter 05/06: DiMAGE A2 1.13 SCANNER SOFTWARE DiMAGE A200 1.01 Windows Mac QS-35 2.6 2.61 Dynax 7D 1.10 Scan Dual 2.01 2.1.1 Scan Dual II 1.03 1.10, DiMAGE Z2 1.02 1.0.2 DiMAGE Z3 1.03 Scan Dual III 1.00 1.00 Dimâge 1500EX 2.0 Scan Dual IV 1.01 1.01 DiMAGE F100 1.01 Scan Speed 1.02 1.05 DiMAGE G400 1.16A Scan Elite 1.04 1.03 DiMAGE G500 3.39A Scan Elite II 1.15 1.15 DiMAGE X1 1.10 Scan Multi 1.15 1.15 Mail a copy to Photoworld Small Ads, Icon Publications Ltd, Scan Multi II 1.15 1.15 Maxwell Place, Maxwell Lane, Kelso, Scottish Borders TD5 7BB; Revio KD-500Z 3.38A Scan Multi Pro 1.15 1.15 fax to 01573 226000; or email your ad to david@maxwellplace. Revio KD-410Z 3.38A Scan Elite 5400 1.15 1.15 demon.co.uk – deadline for next edition is January 15th 2006. Revio KD-510Z 3.39A Scan Elite 5400-II 1.01 1.01

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