Corner Compilation #1

There is a lot of news in the world of photography. When I started this blog, I subscribed to as many newsletters, rss feeds, press release sources, industry news, blogs, etc. as I could, so that, if it was happening in the photography industry, I would know about it and could, therefore, pass along all the good stuff to you. A month and a half later, I have 2,698 items sitting in my rss feed reader, which makes me about 2+ weeks behind on the news. Now, if I wanted to catch up, you’d end up having 25 posts a day for the next 3 days (assuming I spent all day posting on the blog, of course), and no one wants that - You don’t want to have to read 75 posts in three days any more than I want to write that many.

So what’s the solution? You need the news. I need to catch up on the news so I’m not delivering 2-3 week old news (kinda defeats the purpose, right?). So I’ve come up with a new category in the blog called “Corner Compilations.” If you’ve been around the Corner for any amount of the, you know that I love to use alliterations whenever I can, thus, narrowed down from “Corner Conglomerates”, “Corner Compilations”, “Corner Chaos”, “Photo Phacts” and “Tim’s Tidbits” and finally settled on “Corner Compilations” (though I gotta find a way to use Corner Chaos and Photo Phacts somewhere else on the site…).

Without further adieu, let’s get started with Corner Compilation #1.

Microsoft releases new Photo Info Tool. Microsoft Photo Info is a new software add-in for Microsoft Windows that allows photographers to add, change and delete common “metadata” properties for digital photographs from inside Windows Explorer. It also provides enhanced “hover tips” and additional sort properties for digital photographs in Explorer (in Details view). Microsoft Photo Info runs on 32-bit versions of Windows XP (with Service Pack 2 or later) and the Windows Vista operating systems. You can read the FAQ’s here, and download it here. The initial release of Microsoft Photo Info supports the following common image file types: JPEG, TIFF, WDP, HDP (HD Photo), NEF, CR2, and CRW1. Support for additional file formats is under consideration for a future release.
LaserSoft Imaging, who have sponsored several contests on the Corner, announces free Windows Vista compatibility update for SilverFast.
Pentax releases Firmware Upgrade for K10D. Read more about the changes here.
If you’re in the market for a new dSLR, check out the 10MP dSLR Shootout in Popular Photography & Imaging (February 2007 issue). They compare the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, the Nikon D80, the Pentax K10D, the Samsung GX-10 and the Sony Alpha 100.
Transcend releases it’s 2GB microSD™ Memory Card. This card is the smallest memory card (15mm x 11mm x 1mm) in the world (for now, at least…).
Bradford Washburn, one of the great names in 20th century geography, photography, and mountaineering, passed away in mid-January at age 96. Read more here.
Jarle Aasland recently discovered that Nikon has developed and patented new lens technology meant to allow the use of a single fisheye lens on cameras with different-size film or digital sensors, all the while retaining an angle of view of 170 degrees or more. Read Aasland’s summery of the patent here.
If you purchased qualified Canon cameras and lenses between October 15, 2006 and February 19, 2007, you are eligible for rebates up to $300. There are too many to list, so check it out yourself if you bought a Canon lens or camera over the past couple of months, and download the coupon.
Micropayment photographer Stefan Hermans, is out with a 26-page tutorial for microstock shooters on “Who and What sells at microstock sites, and how much can you earn” (tip via Andy Goetze @ StockPhotoTalk).
Pentax USA is offering cash rebates up to $200.00 on purchases of: K100D/K110D, AF-360FGZ/AF-540FGZ flash units and an array of PENTAX lenses. The rebate offer is valid from January 10, 2007 to March 27, 2007, and you can download the coupon (PDF) here.
Polaroid announces ClickFree™ Photo Backup Device, which allows photographers to back up photos from their personal computer by simply plugging the device into the computer’s USB port. It instantly searches the computer for all digital images and copies them over to the device without having to install or configure any software or even clicking a mouse, an industry first.