Vol 1 No 2 Autumn 2004 Photo by Duncan Mcewan

Vol 1 No 2 photoWORLD Autumn 2004

Photo by Duncan McEwan

photoworld2cover.indd 1 27/8/04 8:52:39 pm 10% off repairs and servicing for Photoworld club members

he Konica Minolta Photoworld TClub Cam era Check Scheme Information on this page is printed in each General In sur ance Com pa ny. Some runs all year round, taking the sea- Checks & parts for older mod els are now no sonal load off the service department. issue for your benefi t – please use it. longer availa ble, and Konica Minolta Service will give Club Checks have to re strict these war ran ties to ‘absolute priority’ and these Call 01908 200400 for service! the list be low. If your equip ment is will nor mal ly be accomplished more re cent, but now out of war ran ty, with in 3-4 days of receipt. Warranties call the Serv ice Dept for ad vice This is great news but please fi lm transport, AF operation, self Extended Warranty on 01908 200400. If you wish to be sure to allow a little more timer, fl ash syn chro ni sa tion and fi nd out more about the warranty time – and please do not send all other key op er a tion al aspects The Minolta Extended War ran ty terms, ring Do mes tic & Gen er al’s equip ment to the Kel so address. of the camera. External cleaning Scheme is available on new equip- Hel pline 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 per manent 10% dis count along with loose dust removal. take out an war ran ty on a cam era same number as for our Camera off all repairs and serv ic ing if you Equipment which passes the which has just been repaired, or Equip ment Insurance facility. deal directly with Konica Minolta tests will re ceive a T e s t C e r t i fi c a t e over hauled. The war ran ty is an Please enquire to the Service Dept Photo Imaging (UK) Limited. and may qualify for the E x t e n d e d op tion al ex ten sion of the usual about earlier Konica products. We The Service Address is: W a r r a n t y (right). If probl lemsems six-month repair guar an tee to a full shall be publishing details for Konica Konica Minolta Photo need ing repair are found, you will two years. This offer is ad min is tered owners in future Photoworld editions. Imaging (UK) Ltd be con tact ed with an es ti mate – the and un derwrit ten by Do mes tic & Á Service Department Club Check cost is deducted from Unit 7 Tanners Drive the cost of the repair if you de cide KONICA MINOLTA EXTENDED WAR RAN TY 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 01908 200400 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 De part ment to If you know your gear needs to be 300si, 303si MD LENSES Dimage 1500EX check with us, and we will confi rm repaired, re mem ber 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 equip ment 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 dir rectectl ly,y, you can send it for a Club Check Zoom 90, 90EX MD 35-70 accompanied by any document show- serv ice, en clos ing your pay ment. 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 d i r e c t l y t o t h e s e r v i c e d e p a r t m e n t Zoom 125 also 220X fl ash Meter II Colour Meter you have not returned your guar an tee for repair es ti mates outside Zoom 150 IIIF Flash Meter III, IV card. But you should al ways this scheme. Konica Minolta Photo Zoom Pico VECTIS Spotmeter F com plete and re turn w a r r a n t y Imaging (UK) Limited will accept AF-25, AF-35 Vectis 40, 300, 300L, Spotmeter M docu ments after buying equip ment. equip ment 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, in clu sive of charge of £5.88 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 fl ash 7x50, 8x40W, 10x50W, and digital products that your shutter speeds and so 12x50W, 7-15x35, Club Check tests include shut ter on fall within ISO tolerances, but AF LENSES DIGITAL 8-20x50, 8-22x27, speed accuracy, ap er ture ac cu ra cy, a Service may allow ad just ment to AF 100-300 (D) Dimage 7, 5 10-30x27, Pocket metering ac cu ra cy, and focusing better than ISO stand ards. It also AF 24-105 (D) Dimage S304 8x25WP, Pocket accuracy. They also include checks allows lu bri ca tion, tightening of AF 75-300 (D) Dimage E203 10x12WP, 8x25FM, for cor rect electronic operation, screws, cleaning and adjustments. AF 28-80 (D) Dimage E201 Î

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MinIFCMay04.indd 2 5/9/04 9:15:10 pm �� WORLD �� Contents Vol 1 No 2 Autumn 2004

of Konica Minolta fi lm, inkjet by daughter Ailsa – looks at VX400 supplies and CD-ROM media. monochrome, Centuria Chrome slide, and Impresa 50 ultra fi ne Page 14 grained colour negative fi lms. Accessories for the DiMAGE 7/A series David Kilpatrick looks at the wide Page 34 angle and tele lenses for the 7/A, Quest Workshops and battery grip for the A1/A2. We continue to sponsor this excellent series of tuition days �� Page 16 and photo trips, run by long-time Wild West Wales Minolta user Colin Westgate. Lewis: a lochan, near Callanish, Outer Andrew McCartney’s dramatic Hebrides. Dynax 9, 20mm ƒ2.8 AF landscapes under Western skies Page 37 lens, ISO 50 slide fi lm, 1/8th at ƒ11, – mountain, cloud, water and sun. An A1 Journey tripod. By Duncan McEwan, who Emmanuel Agbaroajo has used explains how to use overcast light Page 20 the DiMAGE electronic viewfi nder – pages 20-25. It doesn’t have to be dull! camera system from the start, Duncan McEwan follows up a very and looks at his experiences with Page 2 moderate summer season with the A1 and image stabilisation. Service and Repairs Information advice on using dull, overcast or adverse light to the best effect. Page 40 Page 4 Product Test: Ansmann batteries Who’s Who Page 26 Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Assembling a Digital Panorama Page 41 Ltd and Photoworld Club info Cliff Carter explains his technique Photoworld Club Postal Lens Hire for shooting, montaging and The only such service we know of! Page 5 printing long strip panoramic Product News prints from digital cameras. Page 42 Battery Buster Page 8 Page 28 Photoworld Gallery, our space for Konica Minolta Specialist Films Page 43 your own pictures… with prizes David Kilpatrick – with photographs Free Subscriber Small Ads

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 Laurie Moore, Paul Genge, Bernard Petticrew and colleagues at Konica Minolta Photo Imaging ADVERTISING MANAGER (UK) Ltd for their help and support. Richard Kilpatrick – 01450 371169 Whilst every care is taken of MSS and photographs submitted all sub mis sions remain the re spon si bil i ty 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 con trib u tors 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 speciﬁ cally stated otherwise.

Subscription to KONICA MINOLTA PHOTOWORLD This issue © 2004 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.

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ContentsMay04.indd 3 6/9/04 8:29:27 pm Who’s Who @ Konica Minolta Photo Imaging UK and the Photoworld Club

he headquarters of Konica The address for Konica Minolta Websites and email an on-screen form) to use. This is at: Minolta Photo Imaging Photo Imaging (UK) Ltd is: www.konicaminoltaphotoworld.com T(UK) Ltd are the former Plane Tree Crescent There are Konica Minolta websites and is available in English, French Konica offi ces at Feltham, Feltham operated in the UK, Europe, and German. The English version Middlesex, close to Heathrow Middlesex TW13 7HD the USA and Japan. The cor- is a translated site – the original Airport, the M25 and London. and the main switchboard rect web address to use is: is German. There are monthly From 1980 on, Minolta (UK) number is 020 8751 6121. http://www.konicaminolta.co.uk/ competitions which can be entered Limited was based in Milton Keynes We shall keep you updated but since the merger the sites con- on-line, together with all the latest and the Service Department remains on services for owners, contact tinue to develop, and separate areas product information, a range of there along with distribution. names and telephone numbers. still exist for Minolta and Konica. At technical background articles and For Club members, your two key Please use the the Konica Minolta the time of going to press you can some profi les of Konica Minolta users. contacts will still be at Milton Keynes. website, if possible, to look for also access www.minolta.co.uk and You can join a Minolta discus- Bernard Petticrew is Technical solutions before calling directly. www.minoltaeurope.com directly. sion group at www.yahoogroups. Support Manager, and has a database Technical support, software com; fi ll in Yahoo membership, of information on Minolta products The Photoworld Club and fi rmware downloads, which is free, and you will fi nd going back to the SR system and product news and information this group founded in 1998 now beyond. He is the man to contact The Minolta Club of Great Britain are all available on-line. has nearly 5,000 members. for advice on conventional (silver was founded in the mid-1960s by There is also a European owner There is another Web Minolta imaging) photography, and to obtain Japanese Cameras Limited, and club site called Konica Minolta mailing list called the Minoltians, instruments manuals or literature. published its magazine Photoworld Photo World (no connection with available at www.theminoltians. His direct line is 01908 208 325. until shortly after the formation this magazine) which requires regis- com, with on-line galleries. John Baker is Service Centre of Minolta (UK) Ltd, when the title tration (a simple process of fi lling in Á Manager. You should contact John was changed to Minolta Image. with any queries about repairs With the merger of Konica or service in progress (it is not and Minolta, and the existence necessary to telephone before sending of more than one other magazine equipment in for a Club Service called Image, the magazine has Check). He is on 01908 208 352. been returned to its original name The Konica Minolta Photoworld and the club is now the Konica Club continues to be free to subscrib- Minolta Photoworld Club UK. ers to Konica Minolta Photoworld The directors are David and (formerly Minolta Image). For Shirley Kilpatrick, who are membership queries or advice on independent of Konica Minolta photo technique and camera use, call Photo Imaging (UK) Ltd. David and David Kilpatrick on 01573 226032 Shirley have been writing and editing or email [email protected]. photographic magazines and books Paul Genge, who has dealt for 30 years and are directors of with digital technical help in the Icon Publications Ltd, based in the past, is now promoted to Product Scottish Border town of Kelso. Manager of Konica Minolta UK, You can email David via and digital helplines are 0870 [email protected], or 0104107 for the UK, 1850 946478 telephone 01573 226032 during If you are travelling to Mediterranean resorts, particularly in Turkey, you will for Eire. Feltham is now HQ for both offi ce hours, for subscription fi nd the Konica sign over many photo shop, studio and processing premises. It’s the the UK and Southern Ireland. help and general photo advice. leading brand on in-house photo lab equipment in many countries. Photo: DK Technical Help Digital – UK 0870 0104107 Film – 01908 208 325 Brochures and details of your nearest stockists 0208 751 6121 Service and Repairs 01908 208 352 Photoworld Club Bernard Petticrew, Technical Support John Baker, Service Centre Manager, Paul Genge 01573 226032 Manager – 01908 208 325 01908 208 352 Product Manager

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whoswho.indd 4 5/9/04 10:04:34 pm EISA awards recognise anti-shake and Dynax 60 ‘features for price’

ONICA MINOLTA Photo mode based on Konica Minolta’s Imaging has won two of this newly developed optics system gives Kyear’s EISA Photo Awards amazing close-ups as near as 6 cm. from the European Imaging While still as thin and light as our and Sound Association. previous model, the Dimage X50 has The European Photo Innovation a very large 2-inch LCD screen whose of the Year 2004-2005 award went easy-to-view menus equal greater to Konica Minolta’s Anti-Shake ease of operation. And the slide Technology for correcting camera cover protects the lens, so there’s shake, incorporated in the Dimage no need to worry about putting the A series of digital cameras. And camera inside a pocket or purse. the European SLR Camera of Photos can be output directly the Year 2004-2005 award was to PictBridge-compliant printers. won by the Minolta Dynax 60. There is an optional Marine Case for The fi rst award recognizes the fact taking stunning underwater shots. that the Anti-Shake correction function UHS Continuous Advance is a completely new mechanism. captures 1280 X 960 images at That is to say, it does not function 11 fps regardless of the image within the camera lens; instead, it quality setting, making it ideal for moves the CCD within the camera capturing a tennis or golf swing. body itself in order to counteract The X50’s 5-megapixel CCD camera shake. It does this in one simple and newly developed optics operation by means of a dedicated system combine to deliver sharp, signal-processing circuit that responds high-resolution images. You get quickly to the touch of a button. photo-quality prints as large as 17 X The Anti-Shake correction mechanism 13cm at 300dpi, as well as enlarge- is incorporated in the Dimage Z3 ments up to 35 X 26cm at 150dpi. digital camera released in August Noise Reduction automatically and in the Dynax 7 Digital SLR prevents the blemishes and graini- camera planned for the autumn. ness associated with slow-shutter The SLR award highly rates the shots (up to 4 seconds). This gives Dynax 60 for providing an ideal exceptional night scene images. balance between price and perform- The XR (Extended Recording) ance. While priced as a entry level Movie mode lets you record longer SLR camera, it provides a full range movie clips onto the SD memory of AF functions usually found in card at a resolution of 320 X 240 higher priced cameras, as well as pixels. Just keep on recording until high-speed operation, ADI fl ash the memory card is full. Movie metering, and 14 custom functions. Editing lets you isolate and capture clips from captured movie data, Big image X50 while Movie Frame Capture lets Top: the Dynax 60 with EISA award. Above: the impressive rear view of the X50, you isolate and capture individual THE 5-MEGAPIXEL Dimage X50 seen in coloured form below. frames from captured movie data. digital camera takes the X series Audio Recording allows you concept of “thin, fast and styl- to record any sound for up to 180 ish” and adds even more speed. minutes. Voice Memo lets you record It also has a full 5 megapixel fi le sound immediately after you’ve taken size and a huge rear screen. a shot, and Audio Caption enables With its non-protruding zooms you to record sound simultane- lens, the X50 fi ts neatly in a breast ously during playback. Both Voice pocket and is ready in around half Memo and Audio Caption let you a second to ensure that you never record up to 15 seconds of sound. miss a photo opportunity. Automatic The X50 gives you full viewing Digital Subject Program Selection capabilities. Slide Show Playback, automatically selects the optimum- for still images or movies with shooting mode for the subject at hand. dissolve effects, can be viewed either The 2.8X zoom range (plus on the X50’s LCD screen or on a TV 4.3X digital) gives everything from screen. With Image Rotation, you wide-angle shots to close-ups that can change settings to rotate your are clearly focused as near as 10 cm vertical images from their horizontal from the subject, without the need to position for easier viewing. switch to macro mode. If you need You can also transform 9 to get even closer, the Super Macro consecutive images into one

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newsminsept.indd 5 7/9/04 11:29:13 am extraordinary print with the Multi- effective in correcting both the fi ne Frame function. Press the shutter movement of pressing the shutter- release once to shoot a sequence release button and the larger and of 9 shots. The images are shown slower movements of the user’s body, as thumbnails in a single frame. and works in movie and still modes. With Crop Frame, you can The 4-megapixel, 1/2.5-inch CCD trim unwanted parts of captured produces plenty of detail for creating still pictures and save the image as high-quality enlargements as large as a separate fi le, while keeping the 36.4 x 25.7 cm at 150-dpi print resolu- original image intact in its fi le tion. In addition, the CCD’s primary The Dimage X50 lets you create color fi lter offers high color fi delity. custom photos and cards by selecting The Z3 can be connected part of a saved image and overlaying directly to a PictBridge 3-compli- it in your choice of nine picture ant printer. You can check which frames on any chosen photo. images you want to print on the Z3’s Color Mode adds either black & LCD monitor and then print out. white or sepia colors to your shots. The optional Wide Converter Kit Although the Konica Minolta allows you to fi t more of the scene Dimage X50 offers an array of into each shot. The lens has a 26mm features and functions, what it really wide angle that is ideal for captur- gives you is all you really need in a ing indoor or outdoor architecture digital camera: fast and easy, beauti- and panoramic landscape shots. ful pictures in an attractive package. The Z3 is equipped with a Konica Minolta fl ash shoe to go beyond X31 adds features the range of the built-in fl ash. DIMAGE X31 comes in a compact, Baby brother? 24.5mm thick body, which weighs as little as 115 grams, fi tting into THE DIMAGE Z10 is a new your jacket or shirt pocket to model with 8X optical Mega Zoom follow you wherever you go. and 4X digital zoom combining Innovative folded optics technol- for a total 32X zoom, and a 3.2- ogy provides a non-protruding lens megapixel primary-color CCD. as with the entire Dimage X series to The Dimage Z10’s Rapid Autofocus date, so the Dimage X31 remains fl at (AF) combines a passive AF sensor when the zoom lens is activated; uou with the video AF system, giving a can also use the 4X digital zoom in fast focusing time of approximately combination with the 3X optical to 0.3 second in both wide-angle and take shots at up to 12X total zoom. Top: the new Z3 has anti-shake and a 12X optical zoom, plus 4 megapixels for telephoto positions. The Rapid The independent playback button more details images – and a further 4X digital zoom (1680mm equivalent!). AF also has Predictive Focus lets you preview your shots instantly. Shown with wide-angle converter. Above: Z10 8X zoom model. Control that predicts where a There are image editing functions for moving subject is heading and adding frames or combining two pho- Third gen Z gets AS dispersion) glass and two aspheric focuses accordingly. To round out tos (Side by Side). XR (Extended elements help the Z3 correct the list of quick-response features, Recording) movie lets you record WITH A CCD-SHIFT Anti-Shake spherical aberration and curvilinear the Z10 has the fastest startup in its movie clips up to the duration of your System to accompany the 12X distortion, factors that can cause class, a minimum shutter-release card’s remaining storage capacity. optical zoom in a 4 megapixel problems at high zoom ranges. time lag, and continuous shooting. The Dimage X31 is ready to use Z-style body, the Dimage Z3 gives The real motion monitor has a Power effi ciency allows you to in about 1.0 second, incorporates you amazingly steady and reliable 50-fps capability for smooth video take up to approximately 500 frames the PictBridge feature that enables telephoto shots. It also gets you viewing, a minimum shutter-release with the four included AA alkaline printing without a PC, and can the shot right away with a Rapid AF time lag, and continuous shooting at batteries. This is more shots than take macro photos as close as that’s the fastest auto focus in its 2.2 fps. The movie recording function any digital camera with built-in fl ash 10cm without changing modes. class. The AF also has a Predictive allows you to take high-resolution running on AA alkaline batteries. The self-portrait mirror lets you Focus Control that brings out the movies that are as beautiful as TV In addition, the Dimage Z10 make sure you’re properly framed best in shots of moving objects. programs or footage taken with a has a Macro mode that allows before taking self-portraits (of up to Previously a function only on video camera. In addition to the you to bring the lens as close two people together); portrait mode the high-end Dimage A-series, the VGA 640 X 480 Standard mode as 1cm from the subject. produces more natural skin tones CCD-shift Anti-Shake System is now that captures movies at 30 fps, The Z10 allows you to take and gives even more detail in things on the DiMAGE Z3. This system Konica Minolta has added a new, high-speed consecutive shots at 1.5 like individual eyelashes and hairs. compensates to minimize the effect high-quality-image Fine mode, 640 fps and the Z10 captures consecu- The X31’s internal memory stores of camera shake at 2-3 shutter x 480 Fine. The Silent Zoom tive images onto the 16mb internal up to 10 of your favorite photos, speeds slower than on cameras feature employs a newly developed memory. Release the shutter and the which stay there even if you erase without an Anti-Shake function. Silent Zoom mechanism that greatly last six shots are recorded on to the the memory card. Viewing these The Z3 has a 12X optical Mega reduces how much noise from the memory card. This function is handy photos requires a special control Zoom, which can be combined with a optical zoom is picked up while for shooting sports events or for key combination, so you can keep 4X digital zoom for up to 48X zoom. shooting movies with sound. With recording and improving your form in them to yourself as ‘passworded’ The Z3’s newly developed GT APO lens Night Movie, the Z3 can record in personal sports training situations. contents on the camera. offers strikingly clear, high-contrast, extreme low-light conditions thanks Noise Reduction gives The Dimage X31 is powered by high-resolution images thanks to to a CCD that’s four times more exceptional night images by AA batteries (alkaline or Ni-MH Konica Minolta’s G lens optical sensitive than conventional sensors. automatically preventing the for maximum travel friendliness. technology. The AD (anomalous The Z3’s anti-shake system is blemishes and graininess associ-

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newsminsept.indd 6 7/9/04 11:29:20 am The G530 improves on the 500 with a larger, clearer review LCD screen.

ated with slow-shutter shots. without the need to go through a PC. The Switch Finder function allows The G530 has a 1/2.5-type you to view the LCD monitor images interline primary-color CCD with a through the viewfi nder (Viewfi nder total of 5.4 million pixels, one of the display) or on the LCD monitor itself highest for a compact digital camera. (Monitor display). There is no color, Up to approximately 500 frames can contrast, or resolution difference be taken with the four included AA between the images viewed on the alkaline batteries, based on Konica viewfi nder and on the LCD monitor. Minolta’s standard test method. The Z10 can be connected directly to a PictBridge 3-compli- Software on-line ant printer. You can check which images you want to print on the Z10’s If you visit www.dimagecapture. LCD monitor and then print out. com/english you can fi nd some soft- Despite its large 8X zoom range, ware available for direct purchase. it weighs just 300 g. It’s also easy to Dimage Capture is a PC specifi c tote and operate even for camera program which allows control of novices. The ergonomic form makes a Dimage A1 or A2 camera (the it easy to keep on holding even for 7 series is not compatible) over a those steady zoom shots. The optional USB connection, from the screen of Wide Converter Kit ZCW-200 allows a Windows computer. The screen Our studio showing the Dimage A2 set up and connected to a Dell Windows XP you to fi t more of the scene into becomes a viewfi nder, and also computer, with the screen displaying a grid overlay, histogram and many other each shot. The lens has a 26mm a control centre, allowing all the controls and functions. This software is available on-line (see story) for the A1 and wide angle that is ideal for captur- usual adjustments to be made A2 only, and each camera requires its own version. ing indoor or outdoor architecture from the keyboard and mouse. and panoramic landscape shots. A fi rmware upgrade is needed (you should check Konica Minolta New 5 megapixel GT websites regularly for these if you own higher end digital cameras and THE DIMAGE G530 is a slim scanners). We tested Dimage Capture 23mm-thin digital camera with a and it worked perfectly in the studio, 5-megapixel CCD, lightning-fast but an extended USB cable and response in all operations, and camera mains adaptor lead would dual card slots for SD Memory have been useful. There is no require- Card and Memory Stick. ment for card storage space on the The high-performance GT camera and the fi nal images are saved Hexanon is a proprietary 3X optical directly to hard disk. The one-line zoom lens consisting of seven ele- cost is €99, shipped on CD-ROM. ments in six groups. Konica Minolta’s You can also visit www. A*IPS image processing technol- dimagemessenger.co.uk for ogy ensure that anyone can take the Dimage Messenger program, high-quality pictures that capture for sharing pictures by net. It the subject in sharp, real-life detail. is downloadable with a €29.99 With an approximately 0.8-second unlock key, or on CD for €39.99. startup time, an approximately SilverFast Ai for the Konica 0.25-second focusing time, and Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400 and incredible shutter response with an Multi Pro is now available on-line approximately 0.03-second shutter from www.konicaminoltaeurope. lag, you can be sure of capturing com (see Digital Accessories for that instantaneous smile on your the order page). It costs €229 inc child’s face or any other precious VAT for the 5400 version, €399 for but fl eeting photo opportunity. the Multi Pro, so is really only a The Dynax 7 Digital will go on sale in October to November, according to Konica By connecting the Dimage G530 purchase for those very seriously into Minolta in the UK. Visit 7digital.konicaminolta.com for a running update on to a PictBridge-compliant printer, scanner control and processing. the camera specifi cations – and see our next issue, out in December 2004, which you can print photos out directly Á will carry our report from photokina and hopefully a fi rst look at the camera itself.

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newsminsept.indd 7 7/9/04 11:29:31 am photoWORLD gallery Earn Konica Minolta ﬁ lm, inkjet paper & CD-R media with your pictures

elcome again to our quarterly Photoworld WGallery open reader competition under a new name, and with new rules and prizes. You may now enter pictures taken on Konica equipment as well as Minolta, and this is retrospective – vintage Minolta pictures were always eligible, and the same goes for vintage Konica. You may also enter pictures from other camera brands made on Konica fi lms and (if colour negative rather than slide) processed and printed by a Konica photofi nisher, 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 fi lm, 35mm colour negative fi lm, inkjet paper or CD-R media. Film entry winners will be sent fi lms, 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.

Right: a man attending to pot plants on ﬁ re escape, taken in New York 26/06/04 while on holiday, by Michael Dalhousie of Milton Keynes. Taken with Dimage 7i 1/250 at f4.5, full tele zoom (200mm equivalent). . Facing page: Sand Texture by Tony Jones, of Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex. Scanned image. Tony does not give any details for this one. Like the ﬁ re escape image above, it depends on repeated elements for its impact.

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gallerysept04.indd 8 5/9/04 12:19:23 pm photoWORLD gallery

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gallerysept04.indd 9 5/9/04 12:20:36 pm Many contributors had an eye on an autumn seasonal cover, and we have kept a few digital fi les aside for future planning. Top, taken last November using a Minolta XG-2, on slide fi lm, by George Anderson of Wokingham, Berks. Above, from Peter Karry of Ashtead, Surrey, taken at Westonbirt Arboretum; Minolta 9xi, 90mm macro lens, 1/30th at ƒ11. Left, a digital entry from Barbara Nash of Ross-on-Wye; Minolta 7i. Bar- bara labelled her CD for cover consideration, but this fi le was only about 5 megabytes – this reproduction is as large as the image can go. The single stalk of bracken in the foreground would be enough to make a cover use unlikely; we look for images which are as nearly perfect ‘of their kind’ as we can fi nd, right down to fi ne details.

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gallerysept04.indd 10 5/9/04 12:21:07 pm It’s been a cracking summer for the ducks, and Chris Mole – as ever – adds style and humour to his highly professional Dimage A1 entry above, ‘The British on a Bank Holiday’. 1/320th at ƒ6.3, ISO 100… so it wasn’t all that dull a day really! Below: Tim Withall of Southampton found an equally monochromatic seascape at Southamp- ton Container Dock. ‘Dock at Dawn’ was taken with a Dynax 9, 24-85mm, tripod, and RC-1100s cable release using 100 speed slide ﬁ lm, 1/30th at ƒ16.

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gallerysept04.indd 11 5/9/04 12:21:51 pm Photoworld Gallery Rules You may enter a maximum of three slides, three prints and three digital images every quarter. Slides must be in non-glass mounts, clearly labelled with your return address on each slide, and protected in a plastic sleeve or wallet. Prints must be no larger than 12 x 8"/A4, on glossy photographic paper NOT inkjet paper, unmounted, with name and address and caption details on the reverse. Digital images should be on an ISO 9660 Mac/PC readable CD-R, in RGB JPEG or TIFF form, fi le resolution set to 300dpi and should be a minimum of 1600x 1200 pixels in size. A printed contact sheet, or reference prints, must accompany your CD. Slides must be accompanied by return post and packing; prints and digital entries should be accompanied by return post and packing only if you require their return. Otherwise, they may be fi led or destroyed as seen fi t. Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Ltd and Icon Publications Ltd accept no fi nancial responsibil- ity for the receipt, safety or return of entries. Suggested entry dates are before the end of June, September, December and March. You may send single digital entries consisting of a high quality JPEG from any Konica Minolta digital camera to [email protected] stating ‘Photoworld Gallery Entry’ in your email subject header, and including your postal address and all caption details in your email. Á

Above: by Mavis Watkin of Lofthouse, Wakefi eld. Mavis works with a Dimage 7 and scanner, but also uses other makes of camera – this is a scanned image and she doesn’t reveal its origins. It’s a good subject to try in winter when low sunlight can produce refl ections like this. Left: by Steve Howdle of Whitkirk, Leeds. Fashion studio shot using Dynax 9 with 28-105mm lens, slow sync fl ash 1/15th at ƒ4 on 400 speed E6 slide fi l m .

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gallerysept04.indd 12 7/9/04 9:31:12 pm INSURE YOUR KIT WITH US SUPERB VALUE PHOTO OUTFIT INSURANCE WITH A KONICA MINOLTA APPROVED POLICY INSURING A DYNAX 4 AND LENS could cost you as little as £12.00 a year under the repair service – this frequently happens with other insurers, because they negotiate a deal new Konica Minolta Photoworld revised Insurance plan. This is the basic premium for cheap repairs across the board. With our insurance you do not run that risk. In the event for a camera worth up to £300, and offers fantastic coverage for anyone travelling of any dispute, Photoworld is always there to provide impartial advice on the best course on regular holidays including long winter breaks, with 60 days abroad included of action. Photoworld does receive annual commission on the insurance scheme and this even if taken in a single block. goes directly into the budget to fund our sponsored lecturers, meetings and events, so by With a low excess of only 10% (minimum £35) and theft from locked vehicles using this insurance plan you are also supporting the Photoworld Club. covered subject to a higher minimum excess of £100, the policy is also suitable for semi professional users at slightly higher rates with a minimum excess of £50 Konica Minolta Photoworld Club Insurance offers: (but still at 10% beyond this). Typical premiums for amateur users are £45 a year • WORLDWIDE COVER – up to 60 days abroad at any one time for an outfi t worth up to £1,600 or £100 a year to cover £3,500. Best of all, any • Cover for equipment left in your car (subject to conditions) repairs or replacements are guaranteed to be Konica Minolta specifi c, and the scheme • Low Excess level of 10% subject to minimums offers a unique ‘new for old’ provision as long as the premium refl ects the value. Full Replacement (New for Old at insured value) Be sure to insure the value of digital cameras as an outfi t. You may have bought • extra memory cards, fl ash, case and accessories like portable image storage drives • Genuine Konica Minolta Service De part ment repairs – all these can be insured as part of the your camera kit. Enquire for premiums to • ‘No Claim Discount’ of up to 15% cover your PC, laptop etc. • You may include non-Konica Minolta items which are part of your outfi t If your camera is an older model, the nearest modern compatible equivalent Premiums start at £12.00 per year for a £300 value kit will be its ‘replacement value’. You must, however, insure it to this value. A vintage Konica Minolta Photoworld Insurance Scheme SRT303b with 50mm ƒ1.4 lens, for example, should really be insured for £500 and Glover & Howe Limited, 1 Culver Walk, Colchester, Essex CO1 1XJ not for its original cost of half that, or current value of around £150. That’s because a new SLR with 50mm ƒ1.4 is a surprisingly expensive item. If your equipment Tel: 01206 814502 Fax: 01206 814501 requires a repair under insurance, this will always be a Konica Minolta service If you are freelance, semi professional or professional, cover can also be offered, just department repair. You will never be required by your insurance to use a third party contact the above for a proposal form. Rezo Protecting your investment Rezo 10

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insurancepage.indd 13 5/9/04 5:15:55 pm Extending the Dimage A system

he Dimage A1 and A2, like Add-on wide and tele converters but it’s worth it; the results easily hold the 7 series before them, are their own against, say, a 35mm wide Tvery convenient all-in-one and a battery grip with vertical angle on a 645 rollfi lm SLR. Just for cameras for everyday use. They fun I tried it on fi lm camera lenses are fully expandable in terms of release for the A1 and A2 (28mm ƒ2.8) and it worked perfectly their fl ash system, both with Konica with those as well. A free camera Minolta’s own HS (D) series fl ash fi rmware upgrade allows correct units and most modern studio fl ash. reporting of the focal length with The lens is not, however, converters fi tted. These are expensive interchangeable and the recharge- accessories but they work superbly. able battery while very effi cient and Á economical can not be replaced with an over-the-counter dry cell. The extend the scope of the cameras, Konica Minolta has introduced two converter lenses – a 0.8X ACW-100 wide-angle and a 1.5X ACT-100 telephoto – plus a substantial base grip EBP-100 which allows six AA cells or two lith-ions to be used for power. EBP-100 adds a second shutter release but no additional control wheel, and will stabilise the camera for those who fi nd the A body shape a little small and light. It replaces the rechargeable cell (which can be used in it along with a second one), slotting in and storing the open battery chamber lid. Once secured to the tripod thread the grip feels like part of the camera. It uses six AA cells but rechargeables tend to come in packs of four, and should be charged and used in groups. Three packs of four, and a charger such as the Ansmann Energy 4 which can tackle individual cells, provide an ideal solution. I supported the combination in a used with the lens locked at one Wide and long cupped hand at all times. It does length – its 28mm setting – and turns not lose any lens speed, unlike this into a 22mm equivalent, with very The telephoto converter is dauntingly rear lens converters on SLRs, and little barrel distortion, no light fall heavy, and demands that the lens is autofocus is really positive. It is off and stunning sharpness right into extended to telephoto position and amazing sharp even at full aperture. the extreme corners. A massive piece held very carefully. When shooting, The wide converter is also best of glass is needed to accomplish this

Left and above: the battery grip ﬁ tted, and its ﬁ tting method. Examples: at 200mm with the 1.5X tele converter (300mm), and at 28mm with the 0.8X wide (22mm) both on the Dimage A2. Centre: the wide and tele converters shown on camera. Inset on the right hand picture is a front view of the wide-angle converter.

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accessories2pp.indd 14 6/9/04 11:37:55 am Report and photographs by Extending the Dimage A system David Kilpatrick Main image: chapel and mosque of Bodrum Castle, Dimage A2 with ACW-100 lens converter

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accessories2pp.indd 15 6/9/04 11:37:17 am The Wild Welsh West

he dramatic quality of light Andrew McCartney found in western Britain T– whether it be the Scottish discovers that the Isles, Cornwall, the Lake District or Snowdonia – distinguishes it totally changing light of from the photographic experience of the eastern half of our country. Wales makes all Andrew McCartney has been taming the powerful Welsh landscape seasons photogenic using fi lters to balance the sky and land, and wide-angle lenses to put big foregrounds in front of huge in Snowdonia, using the same skies, for some time. We’ve published camera and lens but no fi lter. many of his pictures in the past. Top right, Andrew captured the This spread shows just how good sand dunes of the Mawddach Estuary, a destination Wales can be for the Fairbourne, Meirionnydd using his out of season photographer; here grey grad and 24mm on a 9xi body; are bare branches, winter skies, bottom is a wonderful seasonal low sun and more than a hint of view of the Penygarreg Reservoir wind and rain but the results are and Graig Dolfaenog, in the Elan worth braving the elements for. Valley, using a polarising fi lter on the On this page, we see Llyn Tegid 24mm instead. All the shots apart (better known as Bala Lake in from this are on 100 speed slide English) below, caught with a 24mm fi lm but with the polariser grabbing lens, grey graduated fi lter and Dynax light, Andrew used 200 speed for 600si. The waterfall is the famous an exposure of 1/60th at ƒ9.5. Swallow Falls near Betwys-y-Coed Á

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mccartney2pp.indd 16 31/8/04 9:36:31 pm 17 photoWORLD

mccartney2pp.indd 17 31/8/04 9:35:43 pm Minolta_DPS.qxd 13/9/04 9:54 am Page 1 The Digital how to cut

• Interchangeable lens digital SLR • 8 megapixels SLR type • Compact and lightweight • 6 megapixels • APS-C sized CCD • Anti-Shake • Super Fine electronic • Vari-Angle LCD monitor • Dynax 7 platform • 2.5” type LCD viewfinder • 3D auto-focus • IR Remote Control included • Anti-Shake technology • Dynax lens • USB 2.0 High Speed connection • 8 megapixels mount • 1.5x Focal Factor • Wide range of optional accessories • 7x Optical Zoom 28-200mm equiv • 7x Zoom 28-200mm equiv Price to be confirmed Price £699.99 Price £599.99

• Superior 6 megapixel quality • Ultra slim stainless steel and • 3.2 megapixel • 3x optical zoom • High precision GT HEXANON lens aluminium body • 5 megapixels • Only 20mm wide thanks to built with 3x optical zoom • 3x optical zoom in folded optical zoom • Incredible 0.8 • Rapid 1.3 sec start- up • SD Memory card and Memory Stick sec start-up time • Automatic digital • Dual Memory Slots for SD and compatible subject program selection Memory Stick • Rapid start-up (0.8s) • Available in Silver, Blue or Red Price £299.99 Price £269.99 Price £199.99 Minolta_DPS.qxd 13/9/04 9:56 am Page 2 Jungle and through it.

Even if you feel overwhelmed by the enormous variety of digital cameras surrounding you these days, you don't have to worry about which way to turn. With over 100 years at the top of the camera business, we know exactly in which direction to point you. And that's to the range shown here. You want to buy a point-and-shoot automatic compact? As well as being one of the smallest, lightest zoom digitals around, the Dimage X50 has the fastest

• Mega Zoom, 12x optical and 4x • Ultra-fast start-up (0.5s) start-up time in the world. So you're more digital zoom • Rapid AF • 8x optical and 4x digital zoom likely to capture that never-to-be repeated • High quality VGA movie recording • Rapid AF for immediate sharp focus moment with this compact than with any • 4 megapixels • Quality VGA movie at 15fps other. • All glass GT lens • 3.2 megapixels • Innovative LCD Or how about the Dimage Z3? It • Optional 26mm wide converter monitor gives an ultra clear live view boasts a 12x optical and 4x digital zoom Price £349.99 Price £199.99 giving you a whopping great 48x overall zoom. And at the top of the range is the Dynax 7 Digital SLR, designed to be used with the popular Dynax interchangeable lenses. Each camera here has something special to offer. And many of them feature our award winning Anti-Shake technology, allowing you to take pin sharp pictures in low light, telephoto, zoom and handheld situations. Just make sure you always ask for Konica Minolta when you visit your digital • 5 megapixels • 3 megapixels camera retailer. • 5 point Multi-Auto Focus • 3x optical zoom using internal folded • High quality movie recording with optics Because, in this particular jungle, audio • 2.0 LCD type display • Smallest in class Konica Minolta is King. • Lithium-ion battery included • Webcam Function • Ultra fast start-up (0.5s) • Uses AA batteries www.konicaminolta.com/dimage Price £299.99 Price £149.99 It doesn’t have to be dull!

e often lament them, espe- for Photoshop treatment, with the cially when they coincide We have had some poor months in option to convert to monochrome Wwith holidays or planned or toned black and white prints. photography, but grey days form a sig- 2004 for photography – but In bright sunshine and especially nifi cant part of British weather and, when using colour transparency in small doses, need not be a cause Duncan McEwan sees potential in fi lm, contrast can often be diffi cult of disappointment. Avoiding them to handle in such naturally contrasty altogether can lead to many worth- the greyest of overcast days locations as woodlands or street while opportunities being missed. scenes. Overcast conditions lower There are two key elements in this contrast and provide a softer, making successful use of these days. more diffused, even illumination that Firstly, to recognise subjects that will can be more pleasing, while at the suit low light conditions. Secondly, same time presenting fewer exposure and perhaps more importantly, is problems. Using high contrast fi lms getting oneself suffi ciently motivated, such as Konica Minolta’s Centuria because dull days rarely provide that Chrome 100, Fuji Velvia or Kodak “must get out” factor – inspiration Elitechrome Extra Colour will prevent is much harder to fi nd. Not all grey the results being too fl at and have days are the same and some will the advantage of producing well prove more productive than others. saturated colours in poor light. A tripod is advisable unless fast fi lm Scenes of dereliction, such as is being used and a warm–up fi lter, old buildings, walls, timber, peeling 81A or 81B, can be useful as well. paintwork, will often benefi t from Even if results are less than perfect, dull conditions, the drab lighting they could be a good starting point proving more appropriate to the

Centre top: a derelict cottage on the isle of Harris, Dynax 9, 28-70mm G – overcast light is often better for such studies. Above, a stormy day at Scarista, Harris, taken using the 20mm lens on ISO 50 slide ﬁ lm, and the same view converted to monochrome using Photoshop, showing how a mainly black and white view can render effectively this way. Right, Loch Quoich, near Kinlock Hourn, Inverness-shire – colour can sometimes shine out in overcast conditions and make a good foreground.

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mcewandull.indd 20 31/8/04 9:56:51 pm It doesn’t have to be dull!

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mcewandull.indd 21 31/8/04 9:57:21 pm depressing, decaying nature of the subject matter. Strong lighting on the other hand can brighten up the subject to the extent that the feeling of dereliction is reduced or removed, destroying the intended emotional response to the image. In landscape photography, dull conditions can often be used to inject mood into a picture. When people remark that they feel their pictures seem to lack mood, it is usually due to the fact that they are always shooting in full sunshine, in the middle part of the day. As with early morning/late evening photography, rougher weather conditions can also be used to inject the sense of mood that had previously been lacking. Many dull days have bright skies that result in a distracting, bright, washed-out area at the top of a picture, totally taking the eye away from otherwise good aspects of the composition. Composing to exclude the sky Street scenes which might be diffi cult in sunshine can work well in dull light. Culross Village, Fife. Below – look for textures altogether or by using neutral density and details like this coiled hawser. Right: low light is ideal for long exposures of water, here 1/4 of a second. All on 24-105mm. graduated fi lters to darken the sky, will produce more acceptable results. whereas a sky with different densities water, waves or wind-blown vegeta- ND fi lters might also be considered The density of the ND grad used will of grey can be full of interest, even tion. Shutter speeds can be further for even slower shutter speeds. Low give control over how dark the sky is to the extent of being a dominant shortened by using a polarising light can also be the stimulus for rendered. Days with dark, threatening feature of the composition. fi lter (loss of two stops) or an ND experimenting with other techniques clouds already have a strong mood With less available light, longer fi lter. Using the dark area of one of such as multiple exposures. and will probably require little or no exposures are inevitable and this the larger ND grads, such as those Soft light works very well for assistance from ND grads. Uniform can provide creative opportunities produced by Lee, will cover lenses up all botanical subjects, especially grey skies hold limited interest and by applying slow shutter speeds to to about 62mm diameter and achieves fungi and plants with delicately it is best to exclude much of them, moving subjects such as cascading the same as a straight ND. Combining coloured or white fl owers. Direct

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mcewandull.indd 22 31/8/04 9:58:20 pm 23 photoWORLD

mcewandull.indd 23 31/8/04 9:59:03 pm photoWORLD 24

mcewandull.indd 24 31/8/04 10:00:05 pm It doesn’t have to be dull… sun creates very harsh shadows with rock details, hillsides and agricul- most fungi and the petals of light tural fi elds, to buildings and other coloured fl owers can easily burn man-made structures. Such patterns out, resulting in loss of detail. are not dependent on bright light Many plants with blue fl owers, and should therefore be attractive bluebells being the classic example, as subjects for less promising days. are not faithfully recorded in bright Subdued colour is not a disadvantage sunshine whereas in dull condi- where there are strong patterns and tions, a much truer fl ower colour is shapes – rely on slow, saturated recorded. Lower plants like lichens fi lm, rather than the lighting, to pull and mosses also benefi t from subdued suffi cient colour from the scene. lighting as do exposed seaweeds While there is no substitute for on the shore. In the latter case, as good lighting, equally the lack of it with damp rocks, strong highlight should not lead to despair. Rather refl ections from wet surfaces than moan about the weather, regard can be avoided leading to give a what it throws at you as a challenge much more pleasing rendition. – get shooting and you might have Outdoor portraits are much more some pleasant surprises in store. successful on a bright but slightly Let’s hope autumn offers us overcast day producing better skin better days than we have had this tones, fewer harsh shadows and summer, but if it doesn’t, get out helping to prevent screwed-up eyes. there and use the light. Make a tripod This applies particularly to candid your companion in the car, or a situations where there is no oppor- monopod on walks (some double up tunity to control lighting through as a walking stick) and turn those posing or using refl ectors. Children dull days into memorable images. make wonderful candid subjects, but Á be aware of the potential problems of Left : botanical subjects in soft light photographing young children in pub- – sphagnum moss, sessile oak acorns, lic situations unless you have parental and speedwell, all taken using the consent. Concentrating on family 100mm AF macro. Right: soft light is members is a safer option these days. much better for candids and portraits We are surrounded by a wealth of too (ask permission fi rst when photo- shapes and patterns, from tree bark, graphing children).

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mcewandull.indd 25 7/9/04 9:39:53 pm Panoramic production

here is a growing interest in panoramic printing. My Tinvolvement grew rapidly after acquiring a Minolta Dimage 7 digital camera. It became possible to grab series of images to stitch into a single picture. The huge advantage was not wasting expensive fi lm, plus the processing costs, when taking “practice” shots. This meant that an evening walk could yield numerous collections of images to select from at home on the computer, in the knowledge that if they were all rubbish it really was just part of the learning curve and that the next time, maybe, we might improve our chances of success. Most people’s fi rst experience will probably be with the Photostitch feature in the Adobe programmes, or similar and this is a good starting point. My problem was that the resolution was not high enough to Seen on screen, the separate pictures in the sequence may have slightly different exposure and white balances. make really large prints and eventu- ally I decided to stitch the images “manually”, mainly using Photoshop Elements. This is a greatly under- rated program and has many almost hidden features. If working on photos is your main interest I would suggest this is the best investment in terms of value you could make. The basic technique that has developed over the months is as follows and hopefully this experience will help others to develop an enthusiasm for panoramas. Taking the Images First, a suggestion for the taking stage of images to be used for panoramas. I have found it is a good practice to use manual exposure on the camera, digital or fi lm and also manual focus, if you have the choice and to scan from left to right to make sure you set an exposure that After working out a canvas size, each image is cut and pasted, creating a new layer every time, above. The layers, below, are will give detail in the brightest and lined up so that soft edged erasing can join them – and each can be adjusted to match the next using Levels, etc. darkest sections of the total image. Pick a part of the scene to use as the level and follow this from frame to frame as you pan across the scene. A tripod is useful for this but I nearly always manage with a monopod and have successfully hand held on occasions, practice helps. If there is a zoom lens on the camera make sure that the setting doesn’t change between shots, reason for this is pretty obvious but easy to overlook. This is an area where digital capture is very benefi cial as you can take many sequences of images for panoramic prints and then only

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panoramics.indd 26 1/9/04 1:38:57 pm Panoramic production

use the ones that look best when Above: the fi nished panorama. you preview them on the computer. With fi lm you may not even take the certainly be a maximum of 1100mm images in the fi rst place because or 44 inches. More of this later. of the cost of processing. The strips were carefully rolled, If you open the images in with the printing surface inside and Photoshop or Elements, line them fed through the normal feed, making up along the lower part of the sure the end entered the printer at screen, reduce their screen image exactly the desired angle. Not easy size by holding down the control but with practice it is possible, with key and dabbing on the minus key later machines you could utilise the on the top line of the keyboard. roll paper feature which makes life You can also click on the left a lot easier. Watch in wonder as this hand symbol under Navigator, marvellous long creation appears watch the percentage readout and and make sure you catch the paper keep all the images at the same before it falls to the ground. reading as this will give a good The quality of paper to print on indication of how they match up. This is one of Cliff Carter’s set-ups for supporting long cut sheets of panoramic is now amazing and it is possible to Select the fi rst image and paper, on an Epson 2100 A3 printer equipped with a Lyson continuous ink supply. purchase rolls from makers such click on Image on the top menu The A4 magazine shows the scale of the assembly. Some printers accept roll feed as Lyson, Epson, Somerset Mills, bar, from the drop down menu paper which can be used for 3.5 inch wide panoramic output. Hahnemuhle, etc with superb click resize and make a note of surface textures that are normally the dimension in the box. If one of the layers needs to Printing the Panorama only available for large format Work out the size needed for your have the exposure, colour balance, printers. These are then rolled out new image from this and then click contrast, etc changed use the My only printers have been Epsons as required and cut to size with a on New from the File menu at the top, appropriate palette to make the and therefore these notes are craft knife, ruler and a cutting mat. you can also hold down the control adjustment. All the open images based on using both A4 and A3+ With the A3+ printers paper up to key and tap “N” and in the box that is should now appear to blend together. versions, starting with a Stylus 600 329mm wide can be used but again opened you can click on preset sizes, Crop to the fi nal size and save and now using a 2100 with the the limit on maximum length seems select Custom and then type in the the layered image as a PSD fi le Lyson Fotonic continous ink system to be still only 1100mm. This is truly desired dimensions and resolution. and then as a JPEG copy when from Marrutt Digital of Uckfi eld. annoying and after much search- Use the move tool to select each you are satisfi ed with the result. Panoramics are simple with an ing through various forums, chat image and drag it onto the Untitled Close and save the PSD fi le as your A4 machine, the initial problem groups, etc there may be an answer New Canvas, you can then move all main backup and working fi le. is the paper size and my fi rst by using other programs, such as the images with this tool until you Next open the JPEG fi le, which efforts were on A2 paper care- PhotoPaint, Paintshop Pro or others are happy with their alignment. will have all the images joined fully cut into 21cm strips. and some defi nitive experience on Fine tune their positions using as a single layer and use Levels, Next stage is to select the user this subject would be welcomed. the up/down and left/right arrows on Hue and Saturation or whatever defi ned paper size in the properties Thicker art papers and card are the keyboard. Once the images have tools are suitable to fi ne tune the section of the printer driver and best fed through the rear feed on been moved onto the new canvas, exposure, colour balance, etc type in the dimensions of your paper the 2100 and the new GRP tray has close the originals lined up along the and fi nish with unsharp mask strips, as an example say 100mm X adjustable guides that guarantee bottom without saving any changes. should you think it is needed. 650mm and save them with a suitable precise paper alignment. Without This will free up your RAM and When you get the hang of the name, maybe Panorama 100X650, for this guiding system it is extremely allow the computer to work faster. routine you can use the adjustment future use. PC’s and Macs have differ- diffi cult to control the parallel feed Select an overlaying layer and layers feature at the bottom of the ent layouts for the setting up dialogue of the paper and if you get it wrong erase the edge with a large soft layers palette, the advantage with boxes but mainly the same informa- there is the possibility of damag- brush as necessary, it usually this is that any changes you make in tion and then use the printer settings ing the printer mechanism, apart takes a little practice to pick the Levels for example can be modifi ed you would normally use for the type from the frustration of having to best effect but you can always use at any time in the future without of paper you have cut into strips. trim the print and waste paper. the History palette to undo or just damaging your original image. Maximum depth on an A4 machine is – Cliff Carter check to see what you have done. Perhaps more of this another time! about 210mm and width will almost Á

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panoramics.indd 27 1/9/04 1:39:16 pm Konica Minolta’s unsung ﬁ lm heroes: VX400, Chrome, and Impresa 50

n our fi rst Photoworld issue, we looked at the wide ISO range of Hard to fi nd but unique in terms of results, Konica IKonica Minolta Centuria Super colour negative fi lms, all the way from Minolta’s specialist emulsions are covered in our 100 to 1600. While these are aimed at the general user, Konica has always second fi lm article by David Kilpatrick made professional and specialist fi lms. Their Infrared 750 emulsion in Photographs by Ailsa Kilpatrick both roll and 35mm form has been popular ever since Icon Publications Below: Konixa Minolta Centuria Chrome 100 is a very fi ne grain, high contrast. sold the fi rst batch ever imported neutral balanced slide fi lm. A scan to CD by Lab 35, top left, alters the colour to to the UK, off the pages of our a much warmer and sunnier look while a Scan Elite 5400 scan (right) is more PHOTOpro magazine back in 1990. realistic. It has excellent highlight rendering (bottom, scanned on Elite 5400).

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konicaspecialfilms.indd 28 1/9/04 7:52:33 pm Recently, Konica has kept Konica Minolta’s unsung fi lm heroes: faith with enthusiasts by retain- ing an ultra-fi ne grain colour negative stock, Impresa 50, a chromogenic black and white fi lm, VX400, Chrome, and Impresa 50 and an E-6 process slide fi lm. The slide fi lm is the fi rst example shown on these pages, and it has a long history. The fi rst Konica Chrome 100 slide fi lms arrived in the early 1980s and Minolta Club members who joined around 1983 had a chance to try them in disguise. They were also sold as Ilford Ilfochrome 100, and the club gave away thousands of rolls as samples to new members, selling many more to follow up the trial offer. At that time of course we had no idea that Konica and Minolta would one day join forces, but Ilford discontinued their colour fi lms, and we started stocking Konica’s own fi lms. The Minolta Club, as it was, has had links with the Konica name for 20 years. The 100 chrome is unusually neutral, and some would criticise it for being a very unforgiving fi lm. It is a touch contrasty for the sunniest days, and certainly does not belong on a Mediterranean holiday; it is a little cool in colour for dull days, where the contrast can be useful. Where it excels is in morning and evening light, with natural subjects and landscapes (it has vivid and well defi ned greens), for natural history and telephoto shots with low image contrast. Centuria Chrome 100 is perhaps the best E-6 slide fi lm made for copy work; it handles postcards, old black and whites, book pages, maps and similar subjects with spot-on neutrality, very high sharpness and fi ne grain. Punchy black & white The colour-process compatible VX400 black and white fi lm is equally distinctive. Where most chromogenic black and white fi lms today are aimed at wedding photographers wanting soft edges and low contrast, VX400 is a punchy crisp fi lm just VX400 is like traditional black and white processed materials. It almost looks like Tri-X like normal or FP4 developed in a darkroom. colour nega- The colour sensitivity of tive fi lms, VX400 is half way to the Infrared but produces 750 material – it is a ‘red pan’ distinctive emulsion, which does not need a and ‘real’ yellow fi lter to produce beautifully looking graded skies on sunny days. If black and you do use an orange or red fi lter, white prints the results are very dramatic. with superb While VX400 is not the fi nest unfi ltered grained fi lm of its type, it is by far the sky tones sharpest visually and is well-suited (above) and to action sports, photojournalism sharp detail. and pictorial work. It is rather like

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konicaspecialfilms.indd 29 1/9/04 7:53:02 pm Impresa 50 colour negative ﬁ lm has extremely ﬁ ne grain and smooth tones, ideal for landscapes like this moody sunset taken on a 20mm lens. Below: a full Impresa frame and a 5400 dpi Elite scan of detail equal to an 18 x 27 inch print.

the original Ilford XP1 with benefi t of emulsions, like Minolta’s approach pure grey printing on most minilab to lens colour transmission, has colour processing machines. been very scientifi c. They have never VX400 also scans remarkably well, taken the route of other makers and Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400. far better than a silver-based fi lm like produced colour materials with There are other benefi ts to Tri-X will scan. You can use Digital exaggerated or altered renderings using an ISO 50 fi lm, such as ICE™ on suitably equipped scanners to suit snapshot taste. If you shoot differential focus for outdoor like the Minolta Elite series, with a grey card with a Konica colour portraits on bright days, and better dust or scratch removal completely fi lm, you get a perfect match easily. compatibility with studio fl ash at effective (this does not work with Under the new joint name Minolta moderate working apertures. silver-based black and white fi lms at and Konica teams are working For home darkroom workers all). The scanned grain is much fi ner together to create a single look to (there must be a couple of you out than a typical ISO 125 silver-based all their digital fi les, fi lm emulsions there) your editor can remark from negative fi lm, and excellent prints and scanned images from those experience that Konica colour fi lms, up to 12 x 16 are easily obtained. emulsions – and this means a very in the past, tended to need exactly Like all chromogenic mono fi lms, accurate look, not a biased one. the same low fi ltration settings roll VX400 has a wide exposure latitude Impresa 50 is, quite simply, a after roll. We also used Konica and can be overexposed by a couple benchmark colour negative fi lm with colour papers and found that overall of stops without losing highlight detail ultra fi ne grain, very high sharp- exposures were around half that of in the print. Grain becomes fi ner, ness, and optimum colour fi delity. the leading brand, which needed and sharpness lower, if you increase Both Fuji and Agfa have previously It will respond to lighting with a a new fi lter set-up for every pack exposure; the reverse happens if made 50-speed colour negative fi lms, colour cast by showing a colour of fi lm and every box of paper. you rate the fi lm at ISO 800 and and Kodak made their ISO 25 Ektar cast, and it will also reveal very That was a long time ago, and work from a thinner negative. material. Agfa’s Ultra 50 aimed for subtle gradations in natural light. fi lms today are nearly always scanned Our test 7 x 5 prints from VX400 exaggerated colour, as the name It does not suffer from excessive for printing; our scans here are from were a real joy and this fi lm is indicates; Fuji’s Reala 50 did the contrast, it has good latitude, and fi les written to CD by a local photo something which you should try if you reverse, and has a soft natural look it does not alter the appearance shop, and such is the quality you want black and whites which look like which is great for portraits but can of the scene. Like the Centuria can now get that we usually ask for traditional home darkroom work, but lack impact. Kodak’s fi lm was purely Chrome slide fi lm, it is a fi rst-rate this service instead of spending time actually emerged from a digital lab. aimed at getting fi ne grain despite copying emulsion and would make scanning. Impresa 50, however, takes very limited exposure latitude, a good choice for a permanent fi lm it to a new level and our local photo The fi nest gradation making it a critical material to use. record of inkjet prints. It also scans shop’s 17 megabyte scans are not Against all these hard-to-fi nd or even better than colour slide fi lm, enough to do it justice; to show a fi ne Lastly, we come to Impresa 50. You discontinued competitors, Impresa and is one of the few emulsions detail area it was essential to rescan will probably have to order this fi lm; 50 stands out for its neutrality and which can benefi t fully from the using the Dimage Scan Elite 5400. it is rarely stocked by photo dealers. balance. Konica’s approach to colour 5400 dpi scanning of the Konica Á

photoWORLD 30

konicaspecialfilms.indd 30 1/9/04 7:53:41 pm Introducing… IF YOU EVER SUBSCRIBED to Freelance Photographer, or the earlier PhotoPro and Photon magazines, ƒ2 is our new title which ﬁ nally brings together just about all the threads Icon Publications Ltd has followed in the last 15 years. We launched ƒ2 with a June/July 2004 edition and if you subscribe now, we will send you the ﬁ rst two issues while stocks last (commencing your subscription to start with one FREE issue provided). Please note that we are short of Issue 2 compared to Issue 1, due to demand, and you may receive a free Issue 1 only with your subscription starting from our next edition. ƒ2 is the new magazine for silicon and silver imaging alike and we intend to make it visually and technically excellent. It will put you ahead of the game and hopefully we shall keep up our record of being ahead of the monthlies – and even the weeklies – in bringing you news and proper tests reports. So far the response has been great! ƒ2 is six times a year and ONLY available by postal subscription. TO SUBSCRIBE, complete and mail this form by FREEPOST with your cheque or credit card details. No stamp needed (UK). Send to ƒ2 Subscriptions, FREEPOST, Icon Publications Ltd, Maxwell Lane, Kelso TD5 7BR.

PLEASE enrol me as a founder subscriber to ƒ2 magazine from the October edition (Issue 3) 2004 and send one free back issue, or, while stocks last, two issues with the subscription commencing from Issue 2 for renewal purposes.

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October �� PHOTOKINA REPORTS �� ƒ2 magazine will be visiting photokina in Cologne �� at the end of September 2004, and putting stop �� press reports into place into Issue 3 of the �� magazine, October/November 2004. We expect �� to be covering the new Konica Minolta Dynax �� 7 Digital and our appointment on the Konica �� Minolta stand is already ﬁ rmly made! For this, and other important news from the major biennial photo trade show, subscribe now to ƒ2. It comes from the same publishers and editors as your Konica Minolta Photoworld magazine, and the emphasis is on taking pictures of a quality which gets them published,

sold through picture libraries, winning �� competitions, hung in exhibitions or �� just framed on your own wall.

f2adpage.indd 51 2/9/04 10:43:39 pm Club Events & Activities 2004/5 HIGHLAND AUTUMN WEEKEND scape of W. Ross, an area well known will normally be around 7.30pm, and Peter Karry’s shows 22nd –24th OCTOBER , 2004 to leader Duncan McEwan. Locations details of the venue can be obtained MONESS COUNTRY HOUSE visited might include Shieldaig, from the clubs; sorry, we have no PETER KARRY is one of the Minolta HOTEL, ABERFELDY Loch Torridon, Glen Torridon, Loch printable information on these events. Club’s most dedicated slide show Maree with its native Scots pines, Red speakers visiting camera clubs, THIS EVENT is included for Point, Gruinard Bay and numerous November 5th 2004 and will continue to do so for information only and is fully booked, other coastal gems. Travel will be – Ilkley Camera Club, ‘Scotland: Konica Minolta Photoworld. but is normally repeated each by minibus and anyone travelling Land of Landscapes’ Peter has two dates noti- year. Contact Duncan McEwan by air or train can be picked up in November 8th 2004 – Harrogate ﬁ ed in advance, for the autumn for dates of spring and autumn Inverness. E-6 processing will be Photographic Society, ‘Scotland: and for next spring. events similar to this in 2005, or carried out on-site by Inversnaid staff. Around the Edges’ November 9th 2004 (Tuesday), to check for cancellation places. Telephone 01877-386254 or email November 22nd 2004 at Welwyn Garden City Photographic Moness House and Country Club [email protected] for the – Bramhall Photographic Society, Club – ‘Creative Colour’. The club has proved to be an ideal base for full Inversnaid brochure. Website Stockport, ‘Special Brew 2’ meets at 8.00pm at the Friends’ an autumn photographic weekend, is www.inversnaidphoto.com November 24th 2004 Meeting House, Handside Lane, with comfortable en-suite accom- – Penrith & District Camera Club, Welwyn Garden City. Contact: modation and good food, combined Details of all courses and meet- ‘Scotland: Around the Edges’ Monty Trent, 01707 883628. with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. ings can be obtained from: November 25th 2004 – Morton April 26th 2005 (Tuesday), Price: £190.00 for 2 nights Duncan McEwan Camera Club, ‘Special Brew 2’ Maidstone Camera Club – ‘Creative dinner, bed and breakfast, picnic Dunarden, Horsewood Road December 9th 2004 Colour’. The club meets at St Andrew’s lunches, Sunday afternoon tea BRIDGE OF WEIR – Carlisle Camera Club, Church Hall, St Andrew’s Road, and inclusive of course fee and Renfrewshire PA11 3AT ‘Landscape Commandments’ Barming, Maidstone, 7.45pm. Contact: VAT. There is a £10.00 per night Tel/Fax: 01505-612673 or email: January 24th 2005 – Clay Cross Margaret Lloyd, 01622 672492. single room supplement. [email protected] Photographic Society, Derbyshire, Konica Minolta Photoworld ‘Landscape Commandments" subscribers are admitted to our TORRIDON “INVERSNAID AWAY” Duncan’s club talks sponsored lectures at camera clubs 25th – 31st OCTOBER 2004 Admission to these lectures is on on the same terms as the club Duncan will giving Konica Minolta identical terms to members of the members. The clubs welcome new This course is based in the attractive Photoworld sponsored lectures in photographic societies involved, members if you are local to them! coastal village of Gairloch, giving easy the Autumn and Winter season to whether or not you are a member of Á access to the rugged, attractive land- selected camera clubs. Starting times these (or any local camera club). Don’t be scared... *not recommended for prolonged submersion.

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clubevents.indd 32 5/9/04 9:38:22 pm Tel: Adrian Paul 01302 738334 Fax 01302 768671 • [email protected] ACCESSORIES FOR AF REMOTE CORDS Remote Cord RC-1000S (0.5m) for AF £40.00 ■ 49mm Clip on lens cap £5.00 ■ Remote Cord RC-1000L (5m) for AF £50.00 ■ Call for Konica 55mm Clip on lens cap £5.00 ■ Remote Cord S for MD/X-series (0.5m) £45.00 ■ 62mm Clip on lens cap £5.00 ■ Remote Cord L for MD/X-series (5m) £55.00 ■ Minolta Digital 72mm Clip on lens cap £5.00 ■ EYEPIECE CORRECTION LENSES Body Cap £3.20 ■ for AF cameras Accessories Rear Lens Cap £3.20 ■ -4■, -3■, -2■, -1■, +0.5■, +1■, +1.5■, +2■, +3■ Viewfi nder Eyepiece Cap £7.00 ■ Tick which required Each £10.00 ■ The Photostore specialises in all Eyepiece Cap EC-1000 for 8/7/600si/9xi/5xi £8.00 ■ for MD cameras accessories for Digital, whether Eyepiece Cup EC-7xi £8.00 ■ --4■, -3■, -2■, -1■, +0.5■, +1■, +1.5■, +2■, +3■ Hot Shoe Cap SC-1000 it’s a PC serial or SCSI cable, Tick which required Each £10.00 ■ for 3/5/6/700si/5xi/3xi/2xi/Spxi £3.00 ■ SmartMedia, Secure Digital and Hot Shoe Cap SC-7xi £3.00 ■ MD ACCESSORIES CompactFlash cards, fi lm or Hot Shoe Cap SC-7 for 7000i/9xi £3.00 ■ 49mm Clip on lens cap £8.00 ■ slide holders, mains adaptors, or Card Case 2(holds 10 cards) £12.00 ■ 55mm Clip on lens cap £8.00 ■ Card Case 2/Dynax Strap Set £25.00 ■ 72mm Clip on lens cap £8.00 ■ software we can usually source & ‘Dynax’ Logo Widestrap £15.00 ■ Body Cap £4.00 ■ supply within days! Mini Stand MS-2 with tripod bush, for Dynax fl ashguns Rear Lens Cap £4.00 ■ NOW IN STOCK: £4.00 ■ Viewfi nder Eyepiece Cap £7.00 ■ Cases for the DiMage X/i only ■ Eyepiece Cup EH-7 £6.00 £10. Spare rechargeable LithIon The Photostorebatteries for the DiMage X/i/t £30 NOW IN STOCK New – Now in Stock! CompactFlash and Konica Minolta recommended SecureDigital cases! ANSMANN AA NiMH DIGITAL CF card cases (soft) Rechargeable Batteries 4 pouches, plus elasticated GOODS TOTAL £ netting section 2200 mAh Pack of four £6.99 + £1.00 postage ■ Postage and packing on all orders £1.00 £ 1.00 £13.95 inc postage ORDER TOTAL £ HOLDING STRAPS DIGITAL CF & SD card cases HS-700 in aluminium, holds 2 cards Make cheques payable to: (for use with the VC6/700 on the 600si and 700si) £25.00 ■ HS-7xi £75.00 ■ plus PCMCIA adaptor HS-9xi £75.00 ■ £9.99 + £1.00 postage ■ The Photostore COMPACT CAMERA cases, remotes, straps CALL To place orders using your credit or charge card ring: FILTERS BOOKS - HOVE FOTO GUIDES ■ 49mm AC UV £19.00 700si by Damian Dinning £12.95 ■ or Mobile 07970 49mm1B AC £21.00 ■ 600si by Damian Dinning & John Clements £12.95 ■ 01302 738334 49mm ND4X Ac Neutral Density 2 stops £19.00 ■ 800si Guide £12.95 ■ or291997 fax 01302 768671 49mm 80B D-A £21.00 ■ Minolta Classic Cameras by R E Mayer £12.95 ■ 49mm 85AC A-D £21.00 ■ 9xi Guide £12.95 ■ 49mm Polarizer (Linear, manual focus) £60.00 ■ 7xi Guide £12.95 ■ NAME: 49mm Polarizer II (Circular, autofocus) £60.00 ■ 5xi Guide £12.95 ■ 55mm AC UV £27.00 ■ 3xi/SPxi Guide £12.95 ■ ADDRESS: 55mm1B AC £27.00 ■ 8000i Guide £12.95 ■ 55mm ND4X Ac Neutral Density 2 stops £27.00 ■ 7000i Guide £12.95 ■ 55mm 85AC A-D £27.00 ■ 3000i/5000i Guide £12.95 ■ 55mm Polarizer (Linear, manual focus) £60.00 ■ 7000 Guide £12.95 ■ ■ 55mm Polarizer II (Circular, autofocus) £60.00 X-300s/X-700 Guide £12.95 ■ Post Code: 62mm AC UV £45.00 ■ 500si/Super, 400si, 300si Guide £12.95 ■ 62mm1B AC £45.00 ■ 505si/505si Super Guide £12.95 ■ Signed: 62mm ND4X Ac Neutral Density 2 stops £45.00 ■ 62mm Polarizer II (Circular, autofocus) £105.00 ■ MINOLTA VIDEO (HISTORIC) ACCESSORIES AND SPARE BATTERIES CALL CLOSE UP LENSES available: 49mm ■ or 55mm ■ CARD NUMBER: LAST OPPORTUNITY – MINOLTA 2004 CALENDAR! No 0 (.75 dipotre) £35.00 ■ Card ExpiryThe Date: Photostore No 1 (1.5 dioptre) £35.00 ■ This month-per-page calendar features the very No 2 (3.0 dioptre) £35.00 ■ best in Minolta photography. Measruing 24 x 16" it Send to: represents excellent value for money at only P.O.Box 348 72mm fi t fi ters also available, other Minolta fi lters include £7.95 ■ Yellow, Orange and Red. CALL FOR DETAILS per calendar including postage Doncaster DN4 6XX

33 photoWORLD

photostore.indd 33 5/9/04 5:11:37 pm the QUEST for perfection Photoworld sponsors Colin Westgate’s Quest workshops which welcome Konica Minolta users of all abilities. The Autumn programme includes a full course on digital imaging covering four days.

BIRDS OF PREY & OWLS To book any of these workshops and receive information on colour fi lms, slide or negative, (1 day, near Horsham, Sussex), the 2004/2005 programme, write to: Quest Photography, also give very pleasing results with George McCarthy Colin Westgate, 2 Marine Parade, Seaford. East Sussex Price £48 (deposit £20). Tuesday 12 October 2004 BN25 2PL – or telephone 01323 897812 mentioning that 10 places.. Park entrance fees A superb workshop which has been you have seen this in Konica Minolta Photoworld. (where applicable) and refresh- oversubscribed every year. It takes ments on arrival included. place at a Falconry Centre, which the Photography Year Book. this is practicable. This may be at houses the largest collection of Price £58 (deposit your home or nearby, but if you AN INTRODUCTION TO these magnifi cent birds in the South £20). 10 places. live far off the route north, special DIGITAL IMAGING East and which is available for the arrangements will be made. with Barrie Thomas FRPS exclusive use of Quest on the day. DEER IN RICHMOND PARK Price £545 (deposit MFIAP FBIPP FMPA George will demonstrate his own with George McCarthy £100), 8 places. 1 day, at Seaford individual and professional approach (1 day, Richmond Park) Price includes full board accommo- Wednesday 10 November 2004 to photographing captive birds in Thursday 14 October 2004 dation, with packed lunch. It does Continuing advances in technology such a way as to make it virtually The deer are rutting and in prime not include cost of meals and/or and reducing prices make digital impossible to distinguish them from condition at this time of the year, refreshments en route. Price is based imaging ever more practical, and those in the wild. The falconer will and make majestic subjects for the on sharing a twin room. Single room probably a majority of photographers arrange for individual birds to be camera. With the autumn conditions accommodation is limited and a now use a computer instead of the positioned to the best photographic just setting in, there should also be supplement of £60 is payable. If you darkroom to make their prints For advantage, thereby guaranteeing some very pleasing backdrops, not require a single, you must make this those new to computing, the subject is stunning pictures. And one or two only for photographing the deer, clear when booking, Minibus travel often surrounded by mystique, which surprises may be in store too! Many but also for conventional ‘pictorial’ is free from pick up, put down, tends to frighten off many adherents of you will be familiar with George’s photography and fungi. George and for travel during the week. of traditional methods. This workshop famous owl posters and this is a great will guide you in fi nding the best is designed for novices and work- opportunity to learn how it is done! situations and opportunities for AUTUMN IMPRESSIONS ers with limited or no experience, Price £62 (deposit £20). photographing these attractive with Colin Westgate and will provide a foundation from Includes refreshments. 10 places. and at times, dramatic animals. 1 day, Sheffi eld Park, near which to move forward. Barrie, using Price £55 (deposit Uckfi eld , E. Sussex the latest Photoshop version, will SURREY LOCATION! FUNGI £20). 10 spaces. Tuesday 2 November 2004 discuss and demonstrate the tech- with George McCarthy This was one of Quest’s original nology in a very clear and methodical (1 day, Surrey location) NORTHUMBERLAND workshops, and has featured in every way, projecting onto a large screen Wednesday 13 October 2004 AND THE BORDERS programme since. Colin has an estab- so that each step can easily be Another opportunity to learn the with Colin Westgate (including a lished reputation for his beautiful, seen and followed in full detail. techniques of this well known profes- landscape day with Les Mclean) impressionistic images, and you will Barrie is a leader and pioneer in sional Natural History photographer (Hotel based, 7 nights. Free minibus learn how to produce these yourself, computer imaging, and was the fi rst and author in a superb location. travel to & from destination) using various diffusion techniques photographer to gain Fellowships of Situated in ancient forest, this is an Saturday 23 October to - you are virtually guaranteed to get the RPS, the BIIP and the MPA with excellent areas for fungi , with some Saturday 30 October 2004 some lovely pictures. After showing panels of digital prints. He is now rare varieties usually seen. Fungi are Now a regular Quest destination, this pictures and discussing methods, the living in Australia but is returning to fascinating and interesting subjects, trip will explore the superb coastline day will be spent photographing in the UK to undertake these workshops but are not nearly as easy to photo- and inland landscape of unspoilt the Park, well known for the variety and we are very lucky to get him. graph as it might seem – often they Northumberland. The beaches on of its exotic trees and spectacular He is an inspiring tutor, and is are very tiny, and in awkward, dimly the north east coast are some of the autumn colours. Fast slide fi lm acknowledged as one of the fi nest lit positions. George will explain the loveliest in the U.K., but as well as is preferred, and the technique in this fi eld. A workshop not to be techniques required for the most these, there are the Cheviot Hills, works particularly well when these missed, especially by those wishing to effective photography and demon- Roughting Lynn waterfall and several are pushed as the grain qualities decide whether or not to ‘go digital’. strate these in the fi eld. Participants castles. The week will include a visit are enhanced. However, standard Price £45 (deposit £15) includes will be shown how to choose the across the causeway to Lindisfarne appropriate lens, make best use of (Holy Island) and Les Mclean, the available light and refl ectors, use well known photographer and writer, fl ash, select viewpoints, deal with will lead a landscape workshop on backgrounds, and other ‘tricks of the one of the days, as well as giving an trade’. There should be plenty of sub- evening talk. There will be plenty ject matter for the camera, although of subject matter to photograph, weather conditions will infl uence and the evening social activity will, what is actually available. George as with all Quest trips, include McCarthy is the author of the best showing and sharing our own work. selling book ‘The Wild Mushroom’, The minibus will leave Sussex and his work has appeared in various early Saturday morning, and will, Photo by Colin Westgate magazines and books, including collect passengers en route where

photoWORLD 34

QuestSep04.indd 34 2/9/04 10:56:15 pm Digital workshops £80 (deposit DIGITAL PROBLEMS, DIGITAL MONOCHROME Friday - Sunday 19-21 £25), any three for £120 (deposit QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS with Barrie Thomas FRPS November 2004 the QUEST for perfection £40), all four £160 (deposit £50). with Barrie Thomas FRPS MFIAP FBIPP FMPA The location of the seals is on an MFIAP FBIPP FMPA 1 day, at Seaford area of the Lincolnshire coast where FURTHER STEPS IN 1 day, at Seaford Saturday 13 November 2024 the seals follow the tide in, and it DIGITAL IMAGING Friday 12 November 2004 This workshop is now one of the is possible to get close to them for with Barrie Thomas FRPS An interactive workshop, where most popular in the digital series some spectacular photography. Pups MFIAP FBIPP FMPA you ask the questions and Barrie and will explore the particular can usually be found fairly close 1 day, at Seaford provides the answers. He will techniques required to get fi rst in, but it we will also walk across Thursday 11 November 2004 work through problem images class monochrome results, from the sands to photograph the seals This workshop carries on from with participants, suggesting black & white or colour negatives at the waters edge, where they are the ‘Introduction’ day and will solutions and improvements. or colour transparencies. There are particularly active. The bus will leave look at digital techniques in detail, Although designed for workers problems peculiar to monochrome Sussex Friday morning, arriving including more advanced and creative with some digital experience, it is which Barrie will illustrate and by late afternoon at the charming procedures. Barrie will use the latest also suitable for beginners. This is a using various techniques, provide Lincolnshire town of Louth. This version of Photoshop, but if you have unique opportunity to learn how to solutions. He will show how to will enable us to photograph all day an earlier version, do not worry, overcome diffi cult situations, arising use digital tools to achieve tonal Saturday, and Sunday morning, before as the principles are very similar. not only from your own work, but also controls and effects similar to those leaving for the return journey at This is an ideal follow up for those from that of others. Questions will be obtained in the ‘wet’ darkroom. around 2.30 pm. Participants will be who have attended the introductory taken in order of booking, and it is This promises to be an exciting day, picked up and dropped at points close workshop, for those wishing to expected that there will be time for with Barrie challenging the fi nal to the proposed route, but due to the make further explorations along most participants to be accommo- frontiers of the darkroom enthusiast! tight timetable, it may not be feasible the digital road, or simply refresh dated. However, much can be learnt Price £45 (deposit £15) includes to pick up from home addresses. existing skills. For details about from other peoples topics, so even buffet lunch, 30+ places. Price £185 (deposit £60). 10 Barrie Thomas, see above . There is if you are unable to place a ques- *SPECIAL OFFER - Any two places. The workshop price includes probably no fi ner teacher of digital tion yourself, the workshop should Digital workshops £80 (deposit over night B&B accommodation, imaging, especially at this level. expand your digital knowledge. £25), any three for £120 (deposit but does not include other Price £45 (deposit £15) includes Price £45 (deposit £15) includes £40), all four £160 (deposit £50). meals. Accommodation is based buffet lunch, 30+ places. buffet lunch, 30+ places. on sharing a twin room. Single *SPECIAL OFFER - Any two *SPECIAL OFFER - Any two SEALS rooms have limited availability Digital workshops £80 (deposit Digital workshops £80 (deposit with Colin Westgate and incur a supplement of £25), any three for £120 (deposit £25), any three for £120 (deposit (2 nights, hotel based, £30. Minibus travel is free. £40), all four £160 (deposit £50). £40), all four £160 (deposit £50). free Minibus travel) Á

For more information on Manfrotto camera supports contact the UK Helpline on 0870 420 5113 photoWORLD

QuestSep04.indd 35 5/9/04 12:29:55 pm photoWORLD 36

Untitled-2 36 10/9/04 5:43:00 pm My DiMAGE A1 journey

t’s potentially an exciting time Emmanuel Agbaraojo has lith-ion batteries installed I found for the Minolta shooter, looking that I could shoot for two full days. Iforward to the eagerly awaited progressed from the original I could not resist powering the digital SLR. Yet, since the introduc- camera with 6 alkaline batteries tion of the Dimage 7 Minolta has DiMAGE 7 to the A1, and here to determine how it would perform been busy pushing the capabilities with the ‘worst case’ power source… of what a digital bridge camera can reviews its performance as a batteries bought from a shop on the do, as a result changing people’s street corner. Fifty shots were taken expectations. Having used the Konica travelling companion (with some use of the Anti-Shake Minolta Dimage A1 for well over mode and fl ash) before the batteries 6 months I’m really impressed with ran out of steam. Had I powered the how capable a photographic tool camera with NiMH rechargeable bat- the camera is. Three years on from teries of 2300mAh, I would expect a the introduction of the original considerably improved performance. Dimage 7, the A1’s CCD still has a The power pack has a shutter mega pixel count of 5 unlike the 8 release to make shooting in portrait megapixel A2, but the engine under format easier but I felt the implemen- the bonnet and the user interface tation was somewhat half-hearted. has been some what enhanced. The lack of duplicated control Konica Minolta has paid a lot dials meant that I could not make of attention to detail with regards exposure adjustments while holding to the general feel of the A series the camera vertically. Also, there cameras and their ergonomics. The was no provision for adjusting the hand grip is large with plenty of grip Candid of AF sensor. Obviously, Konica Minolta making it comfortable to hold. I was two sisters; and has basically intended the power extremely pleased to see that the white tiger, pack to be used as just a power pack camera features two control dials Singapore Zoo rather than a proper vertical grip for separate aperture and shutter (then again, I may have been spoilt speed adjustments. This brought by the vertical grips on the Dynax the camera in line with many of the 700si, 7 and 9 cameras). It’s worth more expensive digital SLR cameras noting that the external power pack in terms of exposure control. The originally designed for the Dimage 7 focusing ring is now easier to grip due still works with the Dimage A1 and A2 to it being made slightly wider than and may come in handy when using that used on the Dimage 7 series. the camera under very cold weather as it can be kept under a warm Stamina boost jacket while it powers the camera. Compared to my previous Dimage 7Hi A clearer view with its NiMH cells of variable quality, I fi nd the Dimage A series offers very The adjustable LCD monitor may impressive battery life. Its new high not be as fl exible as that found on capacity (1600mAh) lithium-ion bat- some other cameras but it did make tery allowed me to take on one par- life easier for me to take awkward ticular photo shoot 260 RAW photos shots. It allowed me to take low (the equivalent of approximately 2GB level photos with relative ease, data) before the battery was depleted. acting as a waist level fi nder. With This was fantastic performance the LCD monitor tilted downwards, considering the amount of use I made it came in useful when shooting over of the Anti-Shake mode and the LCD peoples heads when in a crowd. monitor. One thing I became aware The redesigned EVF to me of was how fast the battery died after appeared to be of lower contrast the low battery warning appeared; than that used in previous models a second cell is almost essential. but the amount of viewable detail For prolonged photo shoots I looked the same. It would be nice if invested in the power pack EBP- the A1 could have a custom upgrade 100 which can be powered from so it could use the higher resolution one or two lithium-ion NP-100 EVF found in the Dimage A2 model rechargeable batteries or six AA (wishful thinking on my part). cells, and also fi ts the A2. With the The now standard metering power pack the camera becomes modes of Evaluative, Spot and Centre as bulky as some of the digital SLRs Weighted are provided as a matter but remained comfortable to hold of course. In practise I found that in both vertical and horizontal for the majority of situations the positions. With two fully charged camera could safely be used in the

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emmanuelA1.indd 37 6/9/04 4:17:34 pm default evaluative metering mode. capability came in very handy. I must However, at times there is a tendency however add that when I’m shooting to overexpose from 0.3 to 0.7 stops in raw .MRW format I’d generally depending on the lighting conditions. leave the fi ne tuning of white balance As the EVF/LCD monitor refl ects to the Dimage Viewer software. the set exposure, with the aid of the histogram it’s a simple matter Focus factors of dialling in the correct amount of exposure compensation. My I’m generally very pleased with preference was to set the rear control the AF performance of the A1. It’s dial for exposure compensation reasonably quick and its perform- adjustment, which avoids needing ance has been more consistent than to use the +/- button, and the front the Dimage 7Hi. I have longed for control dial to adjust the aperture. the predictive AF and fi nally it has An essential component of the been provided. Generally, I’ve found metering process is determining the the predictive AF works well and correct white balance. In common can track vehicles moving towards with all the Dimage cameras I have or away from the camera with little used to date, the A1 does not have diffi culty as long as there is decent a particularly strong auto white contrast detail for it to lock on to. balance mode in tungsten light Problems only seem to occur when (leaving a distinct warm look) the camera is set to track movement but may overcompensate in other in three dimensions. The AF sensor conditions. Shooting in parks where can on some occasions happily there are lots of greenery, the auto follow a subject round the viewfi nder white balance has the tendency to and on others refuse to lock on the over-compensate for greens and subject and just crawl across the produce rather dull looking images viewfi nder. When I required the use as a result. I have always preferred of predictive AF I generally switched to use preset white balance settings off the 3D tracking capability so the to ensure consistent results. Daylight AF sensors position remained in WB is my usual default. I take my hat one place. Would have preferred if off to Konica Minolta for allowing Anti-shake and accurate autofocus and exposure, above, fruit bat, 1/50th at ƒ3.5, there was an option to use predicted the presets to be tuneable. This 200mm. Below, good noise free night shooting, 1/10th at ƒ2.8, ISO 200. AF with the wide area AF mode.

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emmanuelA1.indd 38 6/9/04 4:18:15 pm There are times when I preferred but often understated feature. The Two cases when Anti-Shake is a great to use manual focus but rather than main issue I had with the fl ash was feature. Macro of a butterfl y, Singapore just set the camera in that mode its performance in wireless remote Zoo, was shot at full ƒ3.5 aperture I found the DMF (Direct Manual mode. It at times produced hugely (200mm macro setting) hand held at Focus) mode more benefi cial. When over exposed photos even when the 1/80th, ISO 100. used the with 8x magnifi er, manual fl ash light was bounced off a surface. focusing is very straightforward. I I never came across this problem Bridge construction at Macau, above, let the camera auto-focus fi rst then I before on any of the other Minolta was at 1/400th and 200mm; AS still fi ne tune if necessary. This way, the cameras that used this technology. sharpens the picture. Detail, left, is sharpest results are always assured. The high maximum shutter speed from a 300dpi full size reproduction. I must raise my hand and say I’m of 1/16,000 seconds meant in practice not really a fan of the wide area AF for I could shoot when necessary with general photography. This is because the aperture wide open (the A2, is something ‘different’ about the I also noticed that when the I could never be certain what was by the way, lacks this feature and photos. They appear to have more camera got very warm an ERR actually in focus. I would have pre- also some of the shooting speed of depth compared to what I’m use to message would appear on the top ferred the wider focus area for track- the A1). Although I never required seeing in a digital image. What was LCD display and I had no choice ing moving subjects. Unfortunately, the maximum shutter speed, it was apparent from the photos I printed but to power down the camera this has not been employed in the A1. nice that I was never restricted was the camera was very good at by removing the battery and then The fl ex focus was always the better by the camera and so free to set capturing small transitions in tone reinsert it, especially when shooting option for focusing on the correct whatever shutter speed I preferred. and hue resulting in well rendered in hot climatic conditions when the part of a subject. Its worth noting that gradations. It would be hard to AS was active. I found it best to leave the actually focus area even for the AS and A-to-D conclusively say this was all due to the AS off unless it was required. fl ex focus was larger than it appeared. the A-to-D converter or just general My photography has been in hot The key feature of the Dimage A1 is improvement in the image processing. climates, pushing the tolerance of Lens, fl ash and shutter no doubt the Anti-Shake. Being what The raw .MRW fi le format has any small sensor digital camera was effectively a new technology, I always been my choice for recording to the limit. In normal British The 28 to 200mm equivalent lens was not certain that AS could live up the best possible image that a camera weather, you can leave AS on all performed well across its range to the performance of existing image can capture. With the reduction in the the time and never see any of the though some distortion was apparent stabilising technologies. After using raw fi le size compared to the Dimage noise problems I encountered. when dealing with architectural the camera in anger while travelling 7 series, it became my preferred for- I’m very pleased with the overall subjects with the lens set at 28mm. for a wide range of situations, its mat. Raw fi les can not be magnifi ed image quality produced. The captured There were times I could have done now hard to imagine using a camera in playback (the same applied to the images were usually quite neutral in with a slightly wider view than 28mm. without AS. In practical terms I found TIFF fi les) so as a result I take extra colour rendition and never lacking Shooting wildlife did make me wish I could hand hold the A1 at all focal care to ensure that I achieved sharp in detail. Raw mode was defi nitely for a 300mm lens but a lot was still lengths down to shutter speeds of focus before tripping the shutter. the way to go to get the best possible achieved at the maximum 200mm. 1/10th. This made the camera great photos. I found by keeping the ISO The lens seemed to exhibit a little for my style of travel photography. Noise and heat range to Auto with the AS activated more aberrations than I’ve previously I have always considered that I could handle a wide range of seen on the Dimage 7 series but over- there are two basic ways of improving Digital cameras based on small conditions throughout the day. all the lens performed extremely well. detail captured in digital photos, CCDs are always prone to image The key strength of the Dimage The internal fl ash came in handy either increase the mega pixel count noise especially at ISOs above 200. A1 has got to be its fl exibility. It’s on a number of occasions to remove or increase the number of bits used When the camera is operated for an so feature packed that it puts some or soften heavy shadows. For the to sample the original image. The extended time with the Anti-Shake of the digital SLRs to shame. But at more demanding tasks I preferred technology employed in the A1 makes active and in a warm climate the, the end of the day no matter what to use my trusty external fl ashgun, use of 14-bit A-to-D rather than the image noise levels increase. technology is employed, it’s the end the 5600 HS D, as it allowed more now standard 12bit A-to-D (which The noise levels were well results that matters. Although the A1 fl exibility. The A1 could synchronise the A2 employs, it is worth noting). controlled but photos shot with a 15 was not as quick as my Dynax 7 SLR, with the fl ash (internal or external) The higher bit rate theoretically to 30 second exposure were typically it’s the fi rst digital camera of its type at all shutter speeds. This meant should result in captured images very noisy, and not useable once the I’ve used that hardly hindered me even in bright sunshine I could use with improved shadow and highlight camera had been operational for a and allowed me to concentrate on wide apertures and maintain the detail. Having used the A1 for many while and had warmed up when I was what was important – taking photos. correct exposure. This is a very useful months it is fair to say that there shooting in a tropical climate. Á

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emmanuelA1.indd 39 7/9/04 11:36:24 am Ansmann’s NiMH quality solution: speed and reliability combined

nsmann rechargeable cells choice, taking four AA or AAA cells and chargers are distributed and charging each cell individu- Aby Konica Minolta Photo ally. Unlike most chargers, it is not Imaging (UK) Ltd, and have the necessary to charge in full sets of reputation of being the best NiMHs four, but in pairs – and even then, on the European market. each cell is processed on its own, Because Minolta developed some allowing a longer charge time or of the most powerful consumer a different refresh cycle for tired digital cameras at an early date, batteries. You can charge two NiMHs they were stretching the abilities of and two NiCads at the same time, or the NiMH batteries then available. pairs of different capacity and make. When the Dimage 7 appeared, with The Energy chargers diagnose both its electronic viewfi nder and faults, and will ‘red light’ a cell which rear LCD screen to power plus a can not be used. They automatically hungry 5 megapixel sensor, the refresh old cells, and made one set largest cells commonly available of Energizer 1200mAhs perform like were 1600 milliAmp hour (mAh). new after four years of storage. The There was such a variation in charging is fast, and once complete, quality and true capacity between the batteries are kept on a controlled makes that Minolta (UK) Ltd experts trickle charge which maintains them were constantly testing different sam- without generating heat. They stay ples, to see which should be included cool, and can be left permanently with the cameras when sold. Some in the charger when not in use. brands would report a low voltage The Digispeed 4 charger is after only a few shots – others would entirely different. It is a very rapid keep going and match the published charger – one and half hours even performance of the camera. when working from a car cigar The cameras continued develop- lighter socket, and provided with an ing, and photo magazine testers in-car kit. It has a cooling fan and discovered all kinds of variations maintains cells on a charge which between NiMH cells. Some were would leave them warm, and it’s not larger than others and did not fi t Ansmann products tested by David recommended as a permanent home well into the battery chamber of Kilpatrick included the Energy Check, for a set of NiMHs. It does not refresh the Dimage Z1. Some stated extra left, and the Energy 4 and Digispeed cells the same way, and it should high capacity, such as 2300mAh, 4 chargers, below. These are available used to charge pairs of one type of but lost their charge in a few days from The Photostore (see page 33) and cell at a time one – there is a switch and could not even be kept in a from Konica Minolta dealers. for NiCad or NiMH selection, due to camera bag on a two-week holiday. the high charging rate involved. Finally, Ansmann cells emerged Ansmann’s Energy 8 with its wide While the Energy 4 comes with as being amongst those with the best range of cell size fi ttings (top) was not an international power kit (plugs quality control. They proved a good fi t tested. Their 2200 and 2300 mAh cells on the back the charger can b to battery chambers, not over-long or were, and remain in use now for three changed, and it is multivoltage) the loose against the contacts, and lived months without problems; the battery Digispeed 4 uses a mains adaptor up to the stated capacities with better and card hold, above, is very useful. providing the same 12v as the car kit. than normal retention of charge. Between the two, they form an ideal Ansmann also branded a range travel outfi t, one compatible with of intelligent chargers, including hotel bedrooms almost anywhere, some capable of refreshing NiMH and the other dealing with rapid cells which had been damaged recharging during car journeys. by long storage. The choice Ansmann’s ‘Energy Check’ shows of chargers is a little confus- the state of your cells on an eight-LED ing and needs explanation! display, and this enabled us to see very quickly which of our old NiMHs Home and away were taking a good charge, and which were not. It also showed us The two chargers most useful at that the new Ansmann 2200 and home are the Energy 4 and Energy 2300 mAh cells supplied were far 8. You should only need the 8 if you superior to other makes of 2300 have a wide range of NiMH or NiCad mAh cell bought the same week in cells to charge; it will handle PP9 photo dealers, and held their charge (rectanguler 9V) and large C or D much longer. The answer – if you use type batteries as well as AA and AAA. NiMH AAs – if defi nitely Ansmann! The Energy 4 is the most obvious Á

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ansmann1p.indd 40 3/9/04 1:04:29 pm ★ Compatible with ALL Konica Minolta Dynax/AF SLRs Konica ★ Largest selection of M-AF mount lenses for hire in the coun try Minolta ★ All Genuine Konica Minolta lenses ★ Fast turn a round Photoworld ★ New reduced hire rates Postal Lens ★ Increased selection – 16mm ﬁ sheye to 500mm Mirror

Hire Service Price reductions are shown in red Only as a subscriber to Photoworld can you HIRE PRICE LIST enjoy the privilege of having access to the Description Deposit Daily Weekly 2 Weeks P & P country’s larg est and most affordable hire selection of gen u ine Konica Minolta AF lenses. With 16mm ƒ2.8 ﬁ sheye £350 £10.00 £40.00 £60.00 £6.00 newly revised pric ing and reduced deposits the 20mm ƒ2.8 £250 £7.50 £30.00 £45.00 £6.00 Photoworld hire selection is more af ford able and com pre hen sive than ever! 24mm ƒ2.8 £200 £5.00 £20.00 £30.00 £6.00 35mm ƒ1.4-G £400 £7.50 £30.00 £45.00 £6.00 How it works... 85mm ƒ1.4-G £400 £15.00 £60.00 £90.00 £6.00 1 Select the lens you require from the listing 2 Call 01302 738334 100mm ƒ2.8 Macro £300 £7.50 £40.00 £60.00 £6.00 3 Provide the dates you require your selec- 200mm ƒ4 APO-G Macro £500 £15.00 £60.00 £90.00 £6.00 tion Book as far in advance as possible to guar an tee availability 200mm ƒ2.8 APO-G £450 £15.00 £60.00 £90.00 £6.00 300mm ƒ2.8 APO-G £500 £10.00 £40.00 £60.00 £25.00 Deposit 300mm ƒ4 APO-G £450 £15.00 £60.00 £90.00 £6.00 The deposit shown can be paid by either Visa or Mastercard. Providing there is sufﬁ cient credit 400mm ƒ4.5 APO-G £800 £20.00 £80.00 £100.00 £25.00 available on your card the lens is then on its way 500mm ƒ8 AF Mirror £350 £7.50 £30.00 £45.00 £6.00 to you. Your credit card will not be debited with the deposit, only the hire charge. Your availa ble 1.4x APO Convertor £350 £5.00 £20.00 £30.00 £6.00 credit limit will be tem po rar i ly reduced by the for use with the 200 ƒ2.8, 300 ƒ2.8, 300 ƒ4, 400 ƒ4.5, 600 ƒ4 required amount. Once the lens is returned to us in the same condition that it what was supplied 2.0x APO Convertor £350 £5.00 £20.00 £30.00 £6.00 in, the deposit authorisation will be cleared from for use with the 200 ƒ2.8, 300 ƒ2.8, 300 ƒ4*, 400 ƒ4.5*, 600 ƒ4* (*MF only) the credit card. If you don't possess or don't want to use a credit card, you can still hire equip ment 17-35mm ƒ3.5 G – soon! £600 £15.00 £60.00 £90.00 £6.00 by sending a bankers draft or building society 28-70mm ƒ2.8 G – soon! £600 £15.00 £60.00 £90.00 £6.00 cheque to cover the deposit amount; this will be refunded to you after the lens is returned, by 24-85mm ƒ3.5-4.5 £200 £5.00 £20.00 £30.00 £6.00 a Photostore cheque. If the lens you would like 100-300mm ƒ4.5-5.6 APO £200 £5.00 £20.00 £30.00 £6.00 to hire is not shown, give us a call, we may be obtain it es pe cial ly for you! 100-400mm ƒ4.5-6.7 APO £500 £15.00 £60.00 £90.00 £6.00

Konica Minolta Lens Hire Serv ice Please Note: Where Post & Packing is shown as £6.00 despatch will be by fi rst class reg istered post. The Photostore Where Post & Packing is shown as £25.00, despatch will be by overnight Datapost. PO Box 348, Doncaster DN4 6XX Tel: 01302 738334 Fax: 01302 768671 Optional upgrade from fi rst class to Datapost is avail a ble for a £14.00 supplement. Mobile 07970 291997 WHY NOT hire a 300mm plus 1.4X converter for your next shoot? email: [email protected] Using T2/manual lenses – UPDATED INFO DYNAX xi and si cameras, and most later models, Dynax 800si AEL and SUBJECT PRO GRAM DIGITAL SLRs & VECTIS have a shutter lock, which prevents the shutter Dynax 700si CARD and SPOT from being released if anything other than an AF Dynax 600si LENS RELEASE and ISO RD-175 SELF TIMER and AV lens is fi tted (e.g. slide copier, T2 manual mount (with lens removed for safety) RD-3000 DRIVE and SPOT (while switching to REC) lens, telescope etc). To over-ride this – Dynax 500si AV and DRIVE/ST On the Vectis models, press the following buttons. Dynax 9/7 Select Custom Function 16 and set to 2 Dynax 500si Super SPOT and DRIVE/ST There is no need to ‘press and hold’ Dynax 60 Select Custom Function 13 and set to 2 Dynax 300si FLASH MODE and DRIVE/ST Vectis S-1 MODE + SELF TIMER = ‘on’ Dynax 5 Select Custom Function 14 and set to 2 Dynax 505si/Super SPOT and SELF TIMER appears on display; SEL = ‘off’ appears on display. Dynax 4 Select Custom Function 12 and set to 2 Dynax 404si P and SELF TIMER Press any other button to confi rm. On other Dynax models, press and hold the fol low ing (with Function Dial at ME position) Vectis S-100 SUBJECT PROGRAM and +/- buttons, while turning the main switch to ON: Dynax 303si MODE and SELF TIMER = ‘on’ on display. +/- = ‘off’ on display. Press any Dynax 40 DRIVE other button to confi rm. Dynax 3L SUBJECT PROG and DRIVE Dynax 2xi To re-instate the shutter lock, repeat the same Send to Minolta UK for circuit Dynax 9xi/7xi FUNC and AEL Dynax 3xi procedure. On Dynax 9, 7, 5, and 4 set Custom } modifi cation (chargeable) Dynax 5xi FUNC and SPOT Dynax Spxi Function 16 back to option 1.

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lenshirep41.indd 41 5/9/04 9:24:15 pm BATTERY BUSTER Dynax (Maxxum) series autofocus SLRs Autofocus and Focus-free compacts (modern series) Konica Film Cameras

Dynax 3000i, 5000i, 7000i, 8000i, SPxi, 2xi, 3xi, 5xi, 7xi, 9xi 1 x 2CR5 140EX, 135EX, 105EX, Panorama Zoom 28 2 x CR123A Hexar RF 2xCR2 300si, 500si, 505si Super, 600si, 700si, 800si 1 x 2CR5 90EX, 70C, Weathermatic DL 1 x DL223A Hexar AF 1x2CR5 Dynax 303si, 404si, 505si, 505si Super, 5, 4, 3L, 40, 60 2 x CR2 Riva Zoom 110, 160, 160c, 150, 130, 125, 130c 1 x CR123A Lexio 115, 70, 70W 1xCR2 Dynax 7, Dynax 9, Dynax 9Ti 2 x CR123A 80c, 150c 1 x CR2 Mermaid 1xCR123A 115EX, 75W, 70W, 70EX, 90EX, RZ70, Pico, Mini, Panorama 1 x CR123A Z-up 60e, 80e, 100W, 115e, 125e, 130e, 150e 1xCR2 Minolta Original Autofocus SLR series 105i, 90C, Twin 28, AF Zoom 65, AF Zoom 90, AF Tele Super 1 x 2CR5 Z-up 28W, 80 1X2CR5 AF 5, 100AF, AF35EX, AF35, AF35C, Riva 35, Zoom 60 2 x AA Z-up 70 Super, 70 VP, 110 VP, 110 Super, 120 VP 1xCR123A 9000 2 x AA AF-101R, AF-20R, F-10/BF, C-10, Memory Maker 2 x AA Z-up 135 Super, 140 Super, 150 Super, 150 VP 1xCR123A 7000/5000 with battery holder issued with camera 4 x AAA FS-E, FS-EII, FS-35, AF-E 2 x AA Revio, Revio II, Revio CL, Revio Z2, Revio Z3 1xCR2 7000/5000 upgraded by ﬁ tting BH-70L big battery holder 4 x AA AF-C 4 x 10L14 AF-T 2 x AA or DL223A Konica Digital Cameras Minolta Manual focus SLRs AF-Z, AF-EII, AF-DL, AF Tele 60, AF-SP 4 x AAA or DL223A TC-1 1 x CR123A Q-mini, QM-3501E 3xAA XM, XE-1, XE-5, XD-7, XD-5, XG-1, XG-2, XG-9, XGM, X-9 2 x EPX-76 KD-100 2xAA X-300, X-300s, X-320s, X-500, X-700 or 2 x 10L14 Minolta & Konica Minolta Digital Cameras KD-220Z, 200Z 2xAA, 1xCRV3 SRT-101, 100, 202, 303, 100x, 101b, 303b, SR7, SR1 meter 1 x PX625 Q-M200 3xAA, 1xPX-LB1 Dimage V, Dimage EX, Dimage 2300, 2330, E201 4 x AA 1300+mAh (NiMH) Q-M-100, M100V 4xAA Minolta Vectis (Advanced Photo System) RD3000, DiMAGE 5, DiMAGE 7/7i/7Hi, S304/404/414 4 x AA 1600+mAh (NiMH) KD-3000Z 4xAA Dimage Z1, Z2, Z3, Z10, GT530 4 x AA 1600+mAh (NiMH/Alkaline) KD-300Z 1xDR-LB1 Vectis S-1, Vectis S-100, Vectis 40 2 x CR2 X21, X31 2 X AA 1600+mAh (NiMH/Alkaline) KD-3300 2xAA, 1xCRV3 Vectis 3000, 300(L), 30, 25, 2000, 200, 260, 20, 10, UC, Weathermatic, GX 1 x CR2 F100, F200,F300, E203, E223, E323, X20* 1 CR-V3 or 2 x AA* 1600+mAh (NiMH) e-mini, C2 2xAAA RD-175 1 x 2CR5 e-miniD, e-miniM 2xAA Minolta Himatic compacts and earlier rangeﬁ nder models Dimage A1, A2 NP400 Lithium-Ion KD-25, 20m, 30m 2xAA X, Xi, Xt, Xg NP200 Lithium-Ion KD-420Z NP-600 Minolta AL-F, AL-E, Himatic 7, 7s, 9 and 11 1 x PX625 X50 NP700 Liithium-Ion KD-310Z, 410-Z, 400Z, 500Z, 510Z 1xDR-LB4 Himatic 7S-II, 5, G, G2, C 1 x PX675 G400, G530, G600 NP600 Lithium-Ion Himatic E, F 1 x PX640 G500 NP500 Lithium-Ion Minolta Exposure Meters Himatic S, S2, GF, AF, AF2, AF2M 2 x AA (NP500 and 600 are identical except for capacity and may be interchanged with Minolta CLE (Leica M mount system) 2 x 10L14 or EPX-76 the Konica DR -LB4) Flashmeter V, Autometer IV F, Spotmeter F 1 x AA Flashmeter IV 1 x AA + 1 x PX28 Autometer III F, III and II; Spotmeter M 1 x PX28 Colormeter II, Flashmeter II 1 x MN1604 Flashmeter III 6 x 10L14 Booster II 1 x PX28 LOW COST ALWAYS CARRY SPECIAL READER OF FERVALID H IG H Q U A L IT Y A SPARE TILL PANASONIC MOST HAVE EXTRA 10% NOV 10 YEAR 30th SHELF LIFE off our normal discount prices B A T T E R IE S when you spend £20 & quote “KMW OF FER” P L A Y S A F E A, L W A Y S C A R R Y A S P A R E Remember most lithium batteries have a 10 year sell by date. Our prices include VAT & UK postage & pack ing. HOUSE PHONE, CAR ALARMS CAMCORDERS, MOBILE AND

CRV3 NEW £6.95 TWO THREE FOUR MOST TYPES OF BAT TER IES FOR SLRs, COM PACTS, 2CR5 £4.99 £9.50 £13.50 £17 SAVE POST FREE AT DISCOUNT PRIC ES CR123A £3.75 £7.00 £9 £11 CR2 £3.95 £7.50 £10.50 £13 £££s! MAIL OR DER CRP2 £5.75 £10.50 (also called CRP2P, DL223) SPECIAL EVEN ON 4SR44 £4.50 £8.75 (also called PX28) SINGLE ORDERS ‘AA’ Panasonic Extra Long Life 12 for £4.50, 24 for £8 OFFERS STOP PRESS 4 x 2000 UNIROSS £8.00 POST FREE UK P & P… EVEN ON SINGLES CHARGERS ‘AAA’ Panasonic Extra Long Life 4 for £1.95 FREEPHONE EPX-76 £1.75 £3 (also called SR44) NiMH Battery PX 625 £1.75 PX 675, 640 £1.95 ea Charger c/w 4 AA 0800 146714 Wein Cell (Mercury Free) 1.35v batteries to replace PX675, PX625 & V400PX available Cheques payable to ‘Mangus Ltd’ 1 8 0 0 m a h b a t e ri e s (Dept KMW) 20 Bradstock Close, Parkstone, Dorset BH12 4BT 10L14 – £0.95 (also called LR44) MN1604 – £1.95 (also called PP3) www.batteryterminal.co.uk ONLY £15.95 Tel 01202 734272 for full price list or fax 01202 717666 TWICE the power of normal NiCad Buy another set of 4 AA 1800 THE NEXT rechargeables plus no memory effect. Ideal for batteries for only £8.90 OLMEC INKJET PAPER 10-SHEET TRIAL PACK £6.50 HIGH USE DIGITAL CAMERAS EVEN GENERATION OF PRICES NEW INK JET EPSON AA x 4 2300mah £12.50 LOWER COMPATIBLES inc C42 B A T T E R EI S AA x 2 2000mah £4.75 POWERBANK ONE FROM £3.49 Ideal for high use AA x 4 1800mah PRICES £8.95 ‘SMART’ HOUR AAA x 2 800mah EVEN £3.95 Charger + 4 (1800) digital cameras C x 2 2200mah £7.85 NiMH Batteries £33.95 D x 2 2200mah LOWER! £7.95 PP3 x 1 170mah £6.85 TWO ULTRAFASTHOUR NiMH Chargers Charger + 4AA (2100) Batteries c/w In Car Adaptor 7hr multicharger (AA, AAA, C, D, 9v) £16.95 TIONS FREEZE ALL FUNC REMEMBER, DEAD BATTERIES 4 x AA Uniross 2000mah special only £8.00 Only £26.95 MI

battery page.indd 2 10/9/04 3:17:18 pm DYNAX 9xi, little used, boxed, Subscriber small ads MINOLTA AF 28-135mm complete with, data, custom ƒ4-4.5 zoom lens £75, Minolta function, multi spot, and multiple MD 135mm ƒ3.5 good condition SF-1 fl ash. All boxed and in excellent CH90 Case for Minolta 9000 £15. exposure cards and 3 card holder. offers around £15.00, Autowinder condition: £200. Tel 01904 758192. Andrew Brown 01473 230362. £250.00. Phone Neil 01425 653533 D for XD cameras, offers around or e mail [email protected] £10.00. Motor Drive for 9000 with AA MINOLTA DYNAX 7xi, Min AC ADAPTOR for Series 5 & 7 Digital battery pack offers around £30.00. 35-80xi, Min 70-210 F4, Cobra cameras. Used once.Cost £48, will MINOLTA 600SI classic body, Adrian @ Photostore 01302 738 700AF dedicated fl ash, xi Custom sell for £30. Tel: 01454774496 Minolta 500si body, Minolta 50mm 334 or [email protected] func. and Portrait expansion cards. ƒ1.7 AF lens; Minolta 35-70 AF Instructions and Hove guide for body. MINOLTA XD-5 with Rokkor zoom; Sigma 28-200mm, 3.8- MINOLTA DYNAX 7000i All exec or mint condition. £325 ono. ƒ1.7 50mm lens plus carry case. 5.6 zoom, all boxed,all in good body. Excellent condition, Manchester area. Tel 0161 613 8589. Offers. Tel 020 8572 4057. condition; bargain £250 the lot recently serviced by Please call Frank Milestone 0208 Minolta, £95 ono. Minolta 35- 907 9221 0r 09746414158 105mm Dynax lens including hood and skylight fi lter. VISIT www.f2photo.co.uk PCT100 External Flash Adaptor Excellent condition, £40 ono. (provides PC Sync Socket) for Series Minolta 70-210mm Dynax lens f2photo.co.uk is a news and links based website to which 5 & 7 Digital Dimage cameras. including hood and skylight fi lter. you can submit your own links or information. Used once (new price £80) £50 Excellent condition, £45 ono. + pp. Tel: 01454 774496. Minolta Program 3200i fl ashgun You can also fi nd an alternative subscriptions page for Konica Minolta with leather case. Excellent Photoworld and ƒ2 magazine at this website, using Paypal payment; MINOLTA FS-1100 condition, £30 ono. Tel: you may renew a subscription using Paypal funds (a useful way to use fl ash shoe adapter. 0161 456 8336. up small amounts left in Paypal accounts), but if you do so, please New, unused, in original box. be sure to sure to email [email protected] at the same £15, incl. postage. Email MINOLTA DYNAX 8000i with time to let us know this is a renewal and not a new subscription. [email protected] or 35-105 lens, 5 cards, 5200i fl ashgun. telephone 01505 863823 Boxed with cases & Minolta holdall. f2photo.co.uk welcomes the submission of your own photo website Plus other accessories. All in mint links for our links section. This is entirely free. Dealers may also MINOLTA 500Si Camera Body, condition. £250. Tel. 01455 458314. submit their links, and may submit news of promotions or open days. boxed, excellent condition, Minolta ERC, neck strap offers around COMPLETE MINOLTA VECTIS A free small ads section is planned for ƒ2photo.co.uk as well. £50.00, MD 135mm ƒ3.5 well used SLR outfi t: S-1 body; 22-80mm, but optics good offers around £10.00, 80-240mm and 50mm macro lenses; ADVERTISING IN PHOTOWORLD READER SMALL ADS ARE FREE!

Konica Minolta Dealers, photo labs and digital service providers may Don’t cut up your magazine – copy this coupon, or send a clearly advertise in Konica Minolta Photoworld. Price-list advertising is not written advertisement, or even better send us an email. Be sure to accepted but you may advertise your website or the availability of stock. quote your old Minolta Club membership number if you know it Other companies may advertise in Photoworld if their products – otherwise, please quote PW904. You may only advertise Minolta or services are of value and interest to our readers, and are or Konica equipment or compatible third-party accessories, and not competing directly with Konica Minolta equivalents. advertisements for non-Konica Minolta items will not be accepted.

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43 photoWORLD

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