The Digital Photography Show #17: Luc Marin from DXO Optics Pro and a Chance to Win!
The Digital Photography Show #17: Luc Marin from DXO Optics Pro and a Chance to Win! (MP3 – 17MB – 50mins.)
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August 25, 2006: Welcome to the sensational seventeenth episode of The Digital Photography Show! And man, are we glad to be here! Thanks to those of you who let us know you wanted us to come back – your encouragement and support is what keeps us going.
Without it, I’m sure Michael would never talk to me again!
This is the first show we’re doing from remote locations – I’m in Cabin John, Maryland and Michael is in Burlington, Vermont. But thanks to the magic of technology, it’s like we’re right there with each other – not to mention right there with you!
After a very silly opening, in which Michael’s brother calls during the show, Michael and I talk about our new cameras. I’m enjoying my Canon 30D, and he’s loving his Nikon D200 – which he bought partly due to advice from you, our wonderful listeners. We also talk about the yet-to-be-released Nikon D80, which Michael decided to skip.
Then, Luc Marin from DXO Labs joins us for a discussion of their signature program, DXO Optics Pro. Optics Pro is a very well-regarded program that will bring out the best in your lenses and digital camera. Luc tells us all about the program, and even offers a free copy to the listener who can answer the trivia question asked in the show.
Don’t say we don’t extort the best for our listeners! We’re always working to get prizes for you, and many of our guests have been very generous in helping make that happen. Thanks, Luc!
When you get the answer to the trivia question, email it to us at TheDigitalPhotographyShow@Gmail.com and we’ll pick a winner after September 11, 2006.
Luc is a really nice guy, and we appreciate his being on the show. It costs nothing to try Optics Pro – so give it a download and let them know you heard about it on The Digital Photography Show!
Feel free to post your thoughts about the show below. We love hearing from you.
Thanks for joining us. And special thanks to our first sponsor – iTrainer. Please leave you comments in the forum or email us at thedigitalphotographyshow@gmail.com. We also appreciate your kind reviews on iTunes, Yahoo Podcasts, and other aggregators. You guys are the best!verizon phone 24 ringtone office ctudownload airtel ringtoneringtones alcatel compose freealien predator ringtones vsringtone cingular 1300 lgringtones one alcatel 332 touchphone ringtone cell alltel phone freealltel motorola t720 ringtones Map
August 29th, 2006 at 5:22 am
Michael and Scott,
Great show guys. I really enjoyed Luc Marin’s discussion of the DXO Optics Pro and your reviews of your new toys. I look forward to downloading and trying the DXO Optics Pro software. Michael’s comment that using his new Nikon D200 makes him realize he’s previously been playing with toys, hit my neophyllic core like a thunder bolt. I may be forced to spring for the D200 in the not so distant future…of course, that’s after I moonlight for a couple months. Alas,so many coveted toys, so few shekels.
August 29th, 2006 at 7:30 am
thanks for the kind words, Mary. Here’s wishing you shekels!
August 29th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Wonderful show guys! Please don’t take those long breaks again. Scott, you should have had some portable recording equipment during your move so you could continue putting out the show. Moving?? You call that an excuse??? (ha ha ha - just kidding - it’s great to have you both back!)
August 29th, 2006 at 8:36 pm
Another enjoyable and interesting show, thanks a lot.
Just wanted to ask you something, that could perhaps be a side topic for the next show? Listening to your experiences with your new cameras did cause to me break one of those 10 commandments, something about coveting thy neighbours goat* (never read THE book but I think it mentions something like this)? Anyhow, as a D70 user for the last couple of years I am reaching the stage where one might start thinking of upgrading ones camera. But, I think it is perhaps important for people in a similar position to me to consider the perhaps better option of spending the money on some new/better glass. I could buy a dream lens for my D70 (which works great btw) with the money I would spend on a D200 or whatever. Now with an improved body I might get a few more “keepers” though I doubt it would make a huge difference. But with a nice 70-200 VR lens for example, I could take a whole new world of photographs, since my longest lens at the moment is 70mm. Or I could get a tidy 105mm Macro lens, truly a new world of photographic opportunities. You get my point right? This is the line of argument I keep reminding myself of anyway, and a good lens will hopefully last me a lifetime. So I’m thinking keep the current body that I have until it just don’t work anymore, then get the latest greatest body that I can afford at that point. I would be interested in what you two think about this? Of course if you already have a good arsenal of lenses the reasoning changes.
*goat = Nikon D200
August 30th, 2006 at 6:10 am
First ….Glenn…I just bought a goat you might be interested in. I too use the Nikon D70 and have several lenses. 18-70mm and 70-300mm and to round it off the 60mm micro which by the way takes the most crisp, clear, focused shots of any lens I have ever had.
Instead of springing the extra cash on the 105mm macro I put it into the 18-200mm Nikkor with VS. It has become the lens that stays on my camera for mostly everything. No more trying to change lens in the great outdoors. I had such a problem with dust spots. I do use my Giotti super blower thingy…that thing sure works good but I hate having the problem at all, so the less I change the lens the better.
Now about that other goat….the one with the cashmir fur…ahhhh. The Nikon D200.
Congratulation Michael on your purchase. I was just about sold on the D80, when you made me think yet once again how nice it would be to get the D200. After all I’m a good girl and I deserve it. Life is short….ohhh there are so many reasons.
One major one being that since I found you and Scott I got started on iStock and I’ve already sold 13 photos this month. Oh I know it is only a pittance but just the thought that I’ve sold 13 photos, that someone is using them and enjoying them is so cool. It does take working on it everyday, trying to get all my shots in. I’m making it my job and those rainy winters in Northern California will now have a prupose. I’ve already set up a trip to Big Sur to stay overnight to get photos of the sunset, then on to Santa Barbara, and Morro bay, and landing in Huntington Beach. People like my scenics of the California Coast.
The product sounds fantastic and I must have it. But first I will try to win it. Luc gave a great interview and explained it well, and you dear Scott explained it clear as a bell to start the interview off, and it was obvious that Luc was impressed with your intro. You guys are getting better every week. I sure did miss you. So glad you are rested up and back!!!
Denise : )
PS. say hello to Michael’s brother…heheh
August 30th, 2006 at 6:15 am
hey guys…..Just a quick question about the Nikon D200 ad on the top of this page. some of them are as low as $750 Why is the price so low? I’ve always seen it for $1699 Do you think it will go down when the D80 comes out?
August 30th, 2006 at 10:52 am
Howdy,
I am glad to hear that folks are inspired to consider upgrading to the D200, but it is not a decision to be made lightly. At least, it wasn’t for me. The D200 seemed to address the unfavorable aspects of the D70. I was ready for a better tool and I knew the D200 was the choice. It was just a matter of when. Since my D70 was on the fritz, it was time to upgrade and avoid the outage while it was being serviced.
When I made the purchase, my expectations were not that high, but the moment I held that D200 in my hand with a charged battery and a lens, I was jazzed.
Glenn, if you are still happy with the D70, by all means consider focusing on building up your glass. I went a little crazy in 2004 and bought a lot of glass. As expensive as these cameras are, they are essentially disposable. Many of us will upgrade cameras after 3 or 4 years, but lenses are for life! I’ll wait to buy a more expensive lens rather than get a lens that I know I will end up upgrading. However, when I first started out with film lenses, I had entry level lenses and got great results. Again, it is simply about better tools.
Unless the D200 offers features you want and you don’t mind the extra weight, I would seriously consider getting a D80. There is a part of me that wants to sell the D70 and get a D80 as my second body. We’ll see.
Denise, I don’t know about those inexpensive internet offers except that when they sound too good to be true, they probably are. I will only buy my expensive cameras and lenses from reputable, brick and mortar stores such as B+H.
Anyway, I figured I’d share some snaps from the D200 - a couple from the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, and a few from an air show. Tracking fast planes was a good challenge for the D200 autofocus.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64851536@N00/sets/72157594150909210/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64851536@N00/sets/72157594245093700/
As usual, thanks for listening.
Michael
August 30th, 2006 at 11:50 am
hey guys…glad to hear about your new purchases! I recently got a 50mm 1.4 Canon lens for the 20d and Love it. Great for portraits. Super sharp and nice blur! Look forward to seeing somemore shots from your new weapons!
August 30th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Wow Michael…the flickr photos are exquisite. I especially like the one where your son is holding grandma’s hand. The ones of the pier and clouds on the lake are excellent too. I’m getting the urge for a cashmir goat!!!!! My partner Ryan is starting to get into the iStock site with me. We need another camera so he can shoot too so it would be nice to have two. Maybe I’ll get a goat for Christmas.
Denise :)
August 30th, 2006 at 11:52 pm
Welcome to Maryland. I’d like to know what part of Maryland you are in because maybe we can get together and go shooting. I prefer to shoot with others because it helps me see other techniques, discuss difficult lighting situations as they occur, and it’s more fun. Anyways, glad you are back to podcasting, and now I’m finally listening to a podcast in the same state.
John
August 30th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
TAGP, I have that same lens. Yeah, it is great. And also so nice and light.
John, I live near Bethesda. Nice to have a neighbor on board!
August 31st, 2006 at 10:22 pm
I have a suggestion for recommended websites in your next cast,
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php?lesson=1
Its a great site that tells you everything about the basics of photography, from composition to studio lighting. It has an active community with forums to talk to fellow photographers. I really recommend it to any starting photographer or advanced enthusiasts.
September 1st, 2006 at 3:43 am
Speaking about quality of image I want to get a noise reduction program. I’ve heard about two. Neat Image and Noise Ninja. Can anyone tell me what the pros and cons would be and which one they prefer?
Neatimage: http://www.neatimage.com
Noise Ninja: http://www.picturecode.com/
Thanks for your help…….Denise : )
September 1st, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Great show guys! I’m downloading the DXO demo now! Sounds like an amazing bit of software, I wish I’d known about it earlier!
September 2nd, 2006 at 6:30 am
Cracking show guys, glad to have you both back.
Denise, I looked at both and went for the PS plugin version of Noise Ninja. It is a superb piece of software which reads your EXIF data and uses the appropriate niose profile for your camera/ISO combination. You can download a trial version and I can guarantee if you try both NN will win over in the end!.
Julian
September 2nd, 2006 at 8:13 am
Another great software program for making slideshows is Foto Magic at fotomagico.com. It’s more intuitive than iPhotos slideshow program and has many more capabilities.
Boinx Software in Germany is the author of the program. Unfortunately, I think it’s just for Mac operating systems.
Michael, your flikr shots are great. Thanks for sharing them with us.
September 2nd, 2006 at 10:52 am
Hi guys!
SOOO glad you’re back! I became addicted to the show shortly before the break, and although I was able to catch up on the past shows, I was ready for new stuff.
That said, I’m a bit disappointed that you guys seem to think that there are only two camera brands: C or N — there ARE other good DSLRs out there.
Best of luck on the new relo and future shows,
Clair
Proud Olympus E-500 owner (my fourth Oly Digicam since 1998)
“Most shop at Walmart, some don’t.”
September 2nd, 2006 at 9:58 pm
Thanks for writing, Clair, and thanks for the nice words. We’re addicted to you, too!
I agree - we do talk too much about C’s and N’s. But that’s due to three main reasons 1) they are the two most popular brands, 2) they are the most written and talked about brands and 3) they are what both Michael and I own.
So, while we talked a lot about the new Sony Alpha, it’s only because there was a lot of news about it to cover.
Whenever we interview someone, we ask them what they shoot with, and I think we’ve yet to meet a shooter whose main camera is an Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, etc. But we’d love to. So, my question to you is: Wanna come on the show and tell us about your E-500? :)
September 6th, 2006 at 2:48 am
Wow the overlord himself, the podfather of TPN is listening and posting comments.. you guys must be doing something right! =P
j/k Cameron sounds like a really nice guy as I’ve heard him as a guest on the Health and Fitness show w/ Beti.
September 6th, 2006 at 10:11 am
I just discovered PODCASTING. WOW. Then I discovered YOU GUYS. WOW, WOW, WOW! I feel like Christopher Columbus at Christmas. Just wanted to say I love listening to you two. Also your guests are great. I have more questions the more I listen to you. I’m almost caught up on all your podcasts. I’m buying Rick Somman “complete digital …” because of your show. Also because I can’t get a freebie either :).
Keep up the good work. Stay sober. Shoot everything. Why don’t you take pictures of each other while your doing the show. Post them and we’ll vote on the better photographer. Just remember we love you both.
Latter
September 7th, 2006 at 7:19 am
Mary,
First, thanks for you kind words. I hope to post photos more often and share the kinds of photos I make.
I’d also like to thank you for pointing me to FotoMagico from Boinx Software. It is by far, the best slide show software I have ever used. I’ve only made one slide show so far (from those air show photos), and I have a lot more to learn, but I am getting the hang of it. I’ll soon share the slide show on my Phanfare account. I went a little nuts with the pan and zoom effects. I hope I don’t make anyone sick.
Michael
September 7th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
I am new to podcasting having just received an IPOD as an early birthday present. I believe I have listened to every one of your episodes. I have downloaded Lightsource, Photoshop TV, Nikonians Image Doctors, Tips from the Top, and more. Nikonians and your podcast are currently tied for first place. I like your podcast for the tips, guest interviews, and humor. I like the nikon-specific tips offered on Image Doctors. I have been telling friends and members of other forums about your great podcast.
I just ordered Renee Pearson’s book from Amazon.com. Never have I had an interest in scrapbooking, but the podcast persuaded me to buy her book.
I am looking into DXO (middle option) as well. I had never heard of it prior to your podcast.
Were I able to access channels in my Elements 3 program, I would have run out to buy Scott Kelby’s book after your wonderful interview.
Like the Canon versus Nikon banter. Thank goodness for Michael, as I am an avid Nikon fan!
You guys are bad for my pocketbook but great fun on my commute and during exercise. Thanks so much!
September 15th, 2006 at 12:12 am
Did you discuss this with DXO?
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=20021428
January 18th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I currently live in Steamboat Springs Colorado and would like a referral to a good repair outlet. The flash on my D70 has stopped working. And the shutter on my old f2 has stopped working as well.