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December issue published

The December issue of EOS magazine was published earlier this week and is on its way to subscribers. (Please don't contact us just yet to say you have not received your copy - it can take a few days to reach addresses in the UK, and even longer to places further away.)

Features include simple ways to improve your Speedlite photography, a look at tilt-and-shift lenses, more information on the EOS 5D, an introduction to astrophotography, a guide to image interpolation, and a cumulative index to issues from 1996 to now.

The December 2005 issue also comes with our annual 'Everything EOS' guide to the complete EOS system. The 24-page supplement covers all the cameras, lenses, Speedlites and accessories that have been introduced since the system was launched in 1987. If you are not yet a subscriber, now is a good time to start. Just visit EOS magazine for more information.

RawShooter discount

We've been using RawShooter Premium 2006 recently, and we like what we see. It is software designed to bring the best out of RAW files. Features include:
• integrated image downloader
• RAW vs. RAW comparison (view up to four images on the same screen)
• powerful file browser
• dynamic preview
• powerful image correction tools
• curves/levels support
• integral colour database
• batch processing and renaming
• fast proof mode

The software is right up-to-date, with support for the EOS 5D and EOS 1D Mark II N, plus all EOS models back to the D30.

But don't take our word for it. You can download a 15-day trial version of the software at the Pixmantec website

It only runs with Windows XP or Windows 2000 (check full requirements on the website).

And if you like RawShooter Premium 2006, we have have negotiated a special offer for you. The software normally costs $99 (about £60), but make your online purchase by 31 December 2005 and it will only cost $69. To take advantage of this offer, enter the following case-sensitive code into the field on the screen where you specify your preferred payment method: eosnews

Picture Style website

‘Picture Style’ is Canon’s new method of giving you control over the parameters of your digital images. Canon Inc. has set up a website (in English) giving more information about this useful feature. You can also download new Picture File styles (currently ‘Nostalgia’, ‘Clear’ and ‘Twilight’). Click here to go to the site.

Picture Style is built into the EOS 1D Mark II N and EOS 5D, and will also be available on future EOS digital cameras. However, if you are using an earlier model, you can still take advantage of the technology. The latest version of Canon’s imaging software – Digital Photo Professional Ver. 2.0 – allows any of the Picture Style effects to be applied to RAW files shot with EOS models from the D30 onwards (includes all the EOS-1D series, plus EOS D60, 10D, 20D, 300D and 350D).

For many users, Picture Style offers a quick and easy method of enhancing images. Creating similar effects in software such as Photoshop may be possible, but will take longer and requires more experience.

Photographers wanted!

EOS magazine is having a makeover for the next issue, keeping it at the forefront of photo publications. As part of the redesign, we plan to use top-flight pictures to illustrate our many technique articles. These images often need to be shot to order and we are looking for photographers able to undertake this type of work. If you would like to find out more, send an e-mail to: EOS magazine asking for our latest copy of 'Notes for Contributors'. These notes are currently being revised, but will be ready to e-mail next week.

Make your own photo cards

There is a boom in hand-made greetings cards. You can buy them at craft fairs and in many shops, but why not make your own? Photo cards are simple to produce, providing you can source the right materials. And that's where EOS magazine can help. Photo card blanks and all the other accessories you need are now available from the 'Sales' section of the EOS magazine website.

At the moment we are still selling Christmas card kits (in addition to plain cards), but keep returning to the site and you will find new cards, kits and accessories added in good time for each calendar event.

Digital print service takes off

If you need high-quality prints for photo cards - or for any other purpose, take a look at our digital print service. We offer batch and custom printing on photographic paper from 4 x 6 inch to 12 x 36 inch, plus large format ink-jet printing from A3 (420 x 297mm) to 2A (1680 x 1180mm). We must be good, because we are getting a lot of repeat orders from all over the UK.

Find out more at the EOS magazine website. From our home page, just click on the 'Sales' link (left column) and follow the 'Digital Lab' link.

Show time

Next year sees several major shows for the photo industry. Here are some of the dates. Please check the websites for details of admission fees and visitor profiles.

Focus-on-imaging National Exhibition Centre, 26 February to 1 March 2006, 10am to 6pm (coses 5pm on Wednesday). Europe’s biggest annual imaging show, covering all your needs from image capture through to output and beyond. Over 200 exhibitors. Open to all photographers. Focus-on-imaging.

PMA 2006 Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida USA, 26 February to 1 March 2006. The world’s largest annual international convention and trade show – the networking venue for the imaging industry. Frequently the launch pad for products from major manufacturers. PMA 2006.

Photo Imaging Expo 2006 Tokyo Big Sight, 23 to 26 March 2006. A business platform for trade visitors from all image-related sectors. Photo Imaging Expo.

Photokina Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany, 26 September to 1 October 2006. Every two years some 160,000 visitors from 140 countries attend Photokina to fact-find the entire range of products and services in modern image communication. Open to all photographers. Photokina.

Tales from Canon copier technicians

If you want to find out why call-outs to replace broken glass sheets in photo copiers go up during the Christmas period, read the Canon research.

Free issue when you subscribe online
If you are not already a subscriber to EOS magazine, visit the EOS magazine website to see what you are missing. Subscribing online gives you the bonus af a free back issue.