Thursday 31 May 2012

Panasonic Lumix FX90 gets remote app

engadget reports: [edited]

Taking full advantage of the Lumix FX90's WiFi capability, Panasonic has unveiled its companion apps for both iOS and Android devices.

Throwing in shutter functionality and zoom control alongside a larger viewfinder, it's pretty much a glossy dumb remote; there's no further features to make the most of your precious smartphone, although the camera itself is already capable of linking up your camera shots with your major social network of choice.

The app requires a firmware update on the camera, but it should ensure all those self-portraits really pop in the future.
------------

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Free Font - Throw My Hands Up In The Air

Pleasingly natural and legible handwritten-style font, available from DaFont.com

Free for personal use, donate for commercial use.
------------

Friday 25 May 2012

Is it a font or a typeface?

The Next Web reports: [edited]

'Font' and 'typeface' are not interchangeable.

'Typeface' should be used when referring to the design, while 'font' should be used when referring to the file, copy or file-type. For example, there is only one Times New Roman typeface designed by Victor Lardent, but nearly everyone with a computer has a copy of that font. A font is what you actually use.

When you talk about how much you like a tune, you don’t say: 'That’s a great MP3'. You say: 'That’s a great song'. The MP3 is the delivery mechanism, not the creative work; just as in type a font is the delivery mechanism and a typeface is the creative work.

Font is what you use, and typeface is what you see.

This subject is not without controversy. Some believe that 'font' or 'font family' refers to a collection of typefaces as well as the file, while others argue that 'type family' is the proper term.
------------

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Digital Photography Review has published an in-depth review of Canon's £3000 full-frame DLSR.

Pros/Cons snippets...

Pros
- Good resolution and detail in raw files
- Good color and tonality across the ISO range
- Reliable metering even in difficult contrast situations
- Very responsive and snappy operation
- Excellent viewfinder with 100% coverage
- Reliable and quick AF system with comprehensive customization options
- In-camera HDR mode with many options
- Good battery life

Cons
- Destructive noise reduction results in mushy JPEGs, even at base ISO
- Visible sharpening artifacts at default settings
- Heavy-handed noise reduction leads to lack of low-contrast detail at higher ISOs
- Soft video output with less dynamic range than stills
- No built-in AF illuminator
------------

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Excellent Colour Site

color-swatches.com provides a number of web-based colour choosing/matching solutions, including a very enjoyable 'choose the wall colour of your room' widget.
------------

Thursday 17 May 2012

easel.ly, create free infographics online

easel.ly reports: [edited]

Drag and Drop pre-designed themes and vector assets onto your canvas for easy creation and customization of rich infographics.
------------


Monday 14 May 2012

Free Font - Intro

Font Fabric reports: [edited]

What distinguishes Intro is the strongly expressed geometric makeup and structure. The basic letters of the Alphabet like “A”, “O” and “H” are built on principles of simple geometric forms – triangles, circles and squares.

- - - - -

Brett's 2p'orth: The entire (26 style) family is available for $99 from My Fonts
------------

Friday 11 May 2012

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review

Digital Photography Review have published a full review of Olympus' top-of-the-range M43 camera.

Conclusion snippets:

"The E-M5 sets a new benchmark for Micro Four Thirds images, thanks to a modern sensor and Olympus' excellent JPEG engine. It continues to produce good results in lower light than was previously practical and produces attractive output in all but the most challenging of situations."

"The E-M5 can't completely overcome the light capture disadvantage brought by its smaller sensor, compared to APS-C, but it reduces it to the point that it's irrelevant for almost all practical purposes."

"Despite being small, the E-M5 handles nicely - a well thought-out twin-dial control system with a handful of customizable buttons means you have most of the settings you're likely to want close to hand."

"The camera's small size means the controls are all small and set very closely together, causing some inconvenience, particularly for those people with larger hands."

"The E-M5 is, without question, the most accomplished Micro Four Thirds camera we've yet seen and, given how well established the system has become, it vies for the title of most capable mirrorless option yet. It's not entirely without flaws and most of those relate to continuous autofocus. But, for the most part, the E-M5 is simply an awful lot of camera in a compact and attractive body. It's a nice camera to use and the images it takes are just as enjoyable. Without any reservations whatsoever, it deserves our Gold Award."
------------

Wednesday 9 May 2012

100 Ideas that Changed Graphic Design

Brain Pickings has an excellent post on Steven Heller and Veronique Vienne's '100 Ideas that Changed Graphic Design' — 'a thoughtfully curated inventory of abstract concepts that defined and shaped the art and craft of graphic design'.
------------

Thursday 3 May 2012

Amazon Cloud Drive for Windows & Mac

Amazon reports: [edited]

- Quickly Access Cloud Drive From Your Computer

- Easily upload your photos, documents, videos and other files

- Drag and drop files and folders to the Cloud Drive icon

- Right-click any file or folder and send to Amazon Cloud Drive

- Easy download of one or more files and folders from Cloud Drive

- Uploads and downloads run in the background

- Continue using your computer as you normally would, the app can handle restarts and lost internet connections without losing your data

- You can pause and resume at any time
------------


Wednesday 2 May 2012

iPad Flash Card/USB Reader

ubergizmo.com reports: [edited]

M.I.C has announced their new all-in-one iPad card reader.

It supports SD, CF, microSD, 600X CF and Class 10/UHS-I SD cards. It also features a USB port.

Available from M.I.C. Gadgets for $32.90.
------------