Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

“Overall, the Panasonic G2 is a big improvement on the G1, offering a refreshing new way to interact with the camera.”

We’ve added another Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 [Specs] Review to our Reviews Matrix.

Imaging Resource has published their review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, successor to the G1, with a touch screen interface that can be used to select the focus point, adjust camera settings and fire the shutter (the traditional control buttons are still present). Feature-wise, the G2 is similar to the G1 but adds HD Movie in AVCHD Lite with monaural sound (stereo with optional adapter). The Control Dial has also moved from the front of the handgrip to the back at the thumbrest area.

You can read the full Panasonic G2 Review at: Imaging Resource.

The kid in us loves writing chalk messages on the driveway. [As we grow up, some of us move on to walls.] But, what if you could use the road as your canvas? A new device developed in partnership with DeepLocal and StandardRobot effectively allows you to “write” on roads on a large scale, much larger scale! Presenting the Chalkbot, something akin to a giant ink jet printer on wheel, that pneumatically sprays out either messages or graphics.

The Chalkbot debuted at the 2nd Stage of 2009 Tour de France on July 5th with more than 100,000 messages of hope, courage and action about cancer survival.

An American Index of the Hidden and the Unfamiliar

With a large-format camera and a knack for talking her way into forbidden zones, Taryn Simon photographs portions of the American infrastructure inaccessible to its inhabitants. In this video [17:32], she reveals 70 images of worlds and people we would never see otherwise: otherworldly locations typically kept secret from the public, and haunting portraits of men convicted for crimes they did not commit.

Editor’s note: Some of the pictures and text are of a sensitive nature, so discretion is advised.

In the case of the men who were convicted for crimes they did not commit, she raises awareness of the limitations of relying on photographs in the identification of criminals. Moral: “Our eyes are easily deceived.”

eBoy is bringing its renown pixelated world to the iPhone in the form of a game called FixPix.

[ via FastCompany ]

Apple iPad

“As much as I enjoy my iPad, I’ve yet to find a photographic usage that I’d carry it to a shoot for.”

How does the Apple iPad fare in the field as a photographer’s companion? Thom Hogan finds out if the Apple iPad with the Camera Connection Kit [QuickPrice Check] can replace a laptop to field review images and get images to press ASAP.

Read the full article at: byThom [search for "iPad in the Field?"].

Luminous Landscape [25 April, 2010] remarks that the Camera Connection Kit would make “the iPad an ideal travel / storage / backup / review device for photographers working in the field.” It seems to us more like a casual remark than a firm opinion based on actual field testing of the iPad. We might yet see a field review of the iPad later on LL.

“The flagship of the X family doesn’t disappoint.”

CameraLabs have publishes their review of the Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 Tripod [QuickPrice Check], a professional tripod with lightweight carbon fiber construction designed for general-purpose use. The 055CXPRO3 Pro is part of the Manfrotto’s X family, is taller — and can handle heavier camera loads — than the 190 models in this family.

You can read the full Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 Pro Tripod Review at: CameraLabs.

“A relative bargain for anyone who wants a tall tripod with generous load-handling [but] the only real downsides to the 055XPROB [is] its weight.”

CameraLabs have publishes their review of the Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod [QuickPrice Check], an affordable professional tripod with aluminium construction designed for general-purpose use. The 055XPROB Pro is part of the Manfrotto’s X family, is taller — and can handle heavier camera loads — than the 190 models in this family.

You can read the full Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Review at: CameraLabs.

Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR

“This is still one of the best value and best performing compacts – highly recommended.”

We’ve added another Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR [Specs] Review to our Reviews Matrix.

PhotographyBLOG has posted their review of the Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR, a 12MP resolution (1/2.0-in. Super CCD EXR) compact digital camera which allows you to optimize the image capture according to the scene: : High Resolution, Wide Dynamic Range or High Sensitivity & Low Noise, and, according to PhotographyBLOG, produces "fantastic out-of-the-camera JPEG images with low noise and amazing dynamic range." The F80EXR features sensor-shift image stabilization, a 10x wide-angle optical zoom (27-270mm equiv.), a 3.0-in. LCD (230k-dot) and HD Movie 1280×720 @ 24fps.

You can read the full Fujifilm F80EXR Review at: PhotographyBLOG.