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Spring 2006
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On the Market (A directory of the vendors and manufacturers mentioned in On the Market is posted at the end of this page with links to their web sites.) HYBRID DIGITAL CAMERAS • SONY’S HYBRID CYBER-SHOT CAPTURES PHOTOS, VIDEO DIGITAL CAMERAS • NIKON UNVEILS D200 DIGITAL SLR DIGITAL MEDIA AND SOFTWARE • LaCIE DRIVES PROVIDE
RUGGED TRANSPORT LENSES • TAMRON INTRODUCES DIGITAL SLR ZOOM• OLYMPUS DESIGNS COMPACT 18-180MM ULTRA ZOOM LENS CAMCORDERS • SONY DELUGES MARKET WITH NEW DVD MODELS PRINTERS AND PERIPHERALS • LYSON BULK FEED SYSTEM
SUPPORTS EPSON MODELS SCANNERS • MICROTEK EXPANDS SCANMAKER LINE LIGHTING • PRO MACROLUME OFFERS VERSATILITY MISCELLANEOUS • CANON NAMES PRINT MASTERS SOFTWARE • ACDSEE RELEASES PRO PHOTO MANAGER BOOKS and DVDs • SCHULZ PHOTOGRAPHS YELLOWSTONE, YUKON HYBRID DIGITAL CAMERAS SONY’S HYBRID CYBER-SHOT CAPTURES PHOTOS, VIDEO The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 digital camera combines digital still photography with movie-shooting capabilities. The camera features 5.1-mega-pixel resolution, a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens and Real Imaging Processor circuitry. When the shutter release is pressed, the camera automatically records five seconds of video before snapping the picture and three seconds after. Sony’s MPEG Movie 4TV movie function captures full-screen, high-quality video. At 640x480 VGA resolution and 30 frames per second, the resulting clips can be viewed on tele-vision. The model’s sensor has been optimized with a high refresh rate, doubling the horizontal resolution. MPEG4 compression captures high-quality video in far less space than MPEG1 technology. High-resolution still images and video clips can be stored without a large-capacity media card. A 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo media card will allow for the recording of up to 90 minutes of continuous video. The camera also has a slideshow function for viewing photos without a PC. Images and video can be played back with pans, wipes, fades and zooms, and then choreographed to preloaded soundtracks. A built-in speaker gives slide shows a cinematic effect with sound to complete the experience. The DSC-M2 is available at authorized dealers for about $500.
DIGITAL CAMERAS NIKON UNVEILS D200 DIGITAL SLR Nikon has introduced its D200, a digital SLR camera that combines new technologies with features inherited from the D2X. The D200 employs a newly developed 10.2-effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, for improved resolution and clarity. Its 1,005-pixel, 3D Color Matrix Metering II system determines ideal exposures even in complex lighting conditions, and an advanced image-processing engine provides clarity and smooth color gradations. The D200 can shoot five frames per second with a viewfinder blackout time of 105 milliseconds between shots. It has a new 11-area autofocus system, iTTL Creative Lighting System and Wi-Fi image transmission options. The image sensor incorporates a high-speed four-channel data output and a new optical low-pass filter that significantly reduces moiré as well as color fringing and shifting. The D200 also features a built-in i-TTL wireless Speedlight control, along with wireless image transfer over an 802.11b/g Wi-Fi network built into the optional WT-3 wireless transmitter. The Speedlight, capable of coverage for lenses as wide as 18mm, features a Commander Mode that can wirelessly control up to two separate groups of an unlimited number of i-TTL Speedlights. The NEF (RAW) files from the D200 comprise not only the RAW image data captured but also thumbnail images and instruction settings at the time of shooting, such as white balance, color balance and tone curves, to be adjusted for each recorded image at any time after shooting. The D200 carries an estimated price tag of $1,699. FUJIFILM LAUNCHES FOUR FINEPIX DIGITALS Fujifilm has introduced a compact digital camera with Real Photo Technology, as well as two entry-level models with Super CCD sensors and the slim F470. The FinePix V10, with a 5-megapixel Super CCD HR sensor, is the first camera in Fujifilm’s 2006 lineup to include Real Photo Technology, which helps remove noise from digital pictures, allowing picturetaking at higher light sensitivities. The camera also incorporates a 3-inch LCD, with new technology that automatically brightens the display, making glare less of a problem. Fujifilm’s A-Series cameras, the 4-megapixel FinePix A400 and 5-megapixel A500, boast Super CCD sensors, new image processors for crisper pictures, Fujinon 3x optical zoom lenses and internal memory. For easy portability, Fujifilm has slimmed down its new FinePix F470 to less than 20 millimeters. Despite its compact size, the F470 has a 6-megapixel CCD sensor, a finely tuned processor for sharp pictures and 16MB of internal memory. The 2.5-inch LCD senses low-light settings, brightening to compensate. The FinePix V10 carries a price tag of $349. Consumers
can purchase the
FinePix A400
and FinePix
A500 for $149 and $179, PENTAX UNVEILS OPTIOS A10, E10 Pentax has released two compact digital cameras, the 8-effective megapixel A10 and the 6-effective megapixel E10. The A10 represents a complete upgrade and overhaul of Pentax’s digital cameras and is the first model of the company’s new highend Optio series. The A10 has been equipped with an smc Pentax zoom lens and a new shake reduction system, made possible by two internal gyro sensors and a dedicated CPU that calculates corrections. Pentax also introduced the Optio E10, an affordable, entry-level compact digital camera with a 3X optical zoom lens. Other features include a mode dial that permits simple mode selection, and a slim, lightweight body designed for beginning photographers. The Optio A10 retails for approximately $350, and the Optio E10 for about $200. HASSELBLAD LAUNCHES 39MP DSLR CAMERA, BACKS Hasselblad has released a new camera and three camera backs based on the combination of a 39-megapixel CCD sensor and digital APO correction technology. The H2D-39 is based on the Hasselblad H2 camera with its range of central shutter-based lenses, DAC lens optimization and Instant Approval Architecture. It is compatible with the entire range of Hasselblad H System lenses and the Hasselblad V camera lens system. The new 39-megapixel digital backs include the CFH-39, CF-39 and CF-39MS. The backs were designed to meet the needs of professionals, for both mobile and studio shooting. The CFH-39 digital back fits onto view cameras using the H-system interface plate for mechanical attachment and flash sync connection to trigger digital capture. The CFH-39 also fully integrates with the power system of the Hasselblad H2, so that both camera and digital back can be powered by the H2’s Li-ion battery. The company has developed a raw file format, 3F RAW 3FR, designed to ensure that captured images are quickly and safely stored on available media (CompactFlash card, Image Bank or the like). The file format includes lossless image compression, saving 33 percent of storage space. 3FR files can be converted directly into Adobe’s DNG raw image format. Hasselblad image files carry a full set of metadata, including capture conditions, keywords and copyright. An upgrade program is available to existing Hasselblad customers. All three models carry the same retail price of $29,995. PHASE ONE DEVELOPS 39MP DIGITAL BACK Phase One has released a digital camera back with a 39-megapixel sensor for medium- and large-format photography. The P 45 has a capture rate of 35 frames per minute, a write speed of up to 20 MB per second and 117 MB per file size capability. The P 45 digital camera back also includes Phase One’s revolutionary secure storage system (3S) technology. The 3S technology eliminates the risk of writing to damaged storage media by first checking the validity of every CompactFlash storage card inserted in the camera back.
The P45 is $32,900, which includes a three-year, value-added warranty.
DIGITAL MEDIA AND SOFTWARE LaCIE DRIVES PROVIDE RUGGED TRANSPORT Following the launch of its larger predecessor, the d2 Big Disk Extreme, LaCie has unveiled a new portable hard drive. The Little Big Disk has capacities of 320GB and throughput of up to 80MB per second over FireWire 800. The triple interface (2x FireWire 800, 1x FireWire 400, 1x Hi-Speed USB 2.0) is designed for audio/video professionals who require speed, mobility and capacity on the road. Also new on the market is the Portable LaCie Rugged with FireWire 800. The drop-resistant aluminum alloy design with rubber bumper also has a triple interface (FW800/FW400/USB2) and 7200rpm, and is USB bus-powered. The Little Big Disk comes in 160GB, 200GB, 240GB and 320GB capacities, priced at $399, $649, $649 and $799, respectively. The Rugged Hard Drive, in capacities of 80GB, 100GB and 120GB, is priced at $199, $399 and $359, respectively. In single-interface models (Hi-Speed USB 2.0), the 80GB drive is $169 and the 120GB is $329. DIGITAL FOCI LAUNCHES MEDIA BUDDY STORAGE Digital Foci has introduced its Media Buddy portable digital photo storage with hard drive and card reader. The built-in memory card slots allow users to copy and store photos directly from digital camera cards. Media Buddy’s 30GB to 80GB hard drive versions free up memory card space. The backlit, text-based LCD screen lets users view file information and operation status including copy progress and confirmation. Images can be saved to specific folders or files from the card, or the entire contents of the memory card can be saved with the one-touch auto copy button. When connected to a computer, Media Buddy functions as an external hard drive. Media Buddy weighs 11 ounces (including hard drive and battery), with dimensions of 5.8 by 3.4 by 1 inches. It comes in four storage capacities — 30GB, 40GB, 60GB and 80GB — and is priced starting at $229.
LENSES TAMRON INTRODUCES DIGITAL SLR ZOOM Tamron has released its AF55-200mm F/4-5.6 Di II Macro LD (Model A15), a new telephoto zoom designed for digital SLR cameras with image sensors smaller than 24mm by 16mm. The zoom covers the focal length range equivalent to 85-310mm when converted to a 35mm format. The lens will allow owners of digital SLRs fitted with standard zoom lenses to produce the pulling and compression effects particular to telephoto lenses. Because the optical system is designed for digital cameras, the image circle is smaller. The new 55-200mm zoom lens has a minimum focus distance of 37.4 inches over the entire zoom range, the top level of the closest focusing distance among tele-zoom lenses. The maximum magnification ratio of f=200mm is 1:3.5, for convenient close-up photography. The nine-blade diaphragm construction provides naturally blurred background effects when using the shallow depth of field of a telephoto lens or in close-up photography. The lens features a mount made of durable, lightweight plastic molded around a stainless steel core. The lens mount portion weighs 70 percent less than a brass-made mount. The compact lens measures 3.3 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces.The list price is $281. OLYMPUS DESIGNS COMPACT 18-180MM ULTRA ZOOM LENS Olympus has released its first consumer interchangeable SLR ultra zoom lens, the Zuiko Digital 18-180mm (36-360mm equivalent), as part of its family of interchangeable Zuiko Digital Specific lenses for the Olympus E-System. The new 10x optical ultra zoom lens offers a long focal length of up to 180mm, providing a versatile focal range. The lens combines an ultra zoom with a compact, lightweight construction of just a little more than 3 inches and 15 ounces. The E-System lenses comply with the Four-thirds System to be perfectly matched to the imager, allowing light to strike the sensor directly, ensuring truer colors, sharp contrasts and bright images even at the edges. Aspherical and ED glass lens elements are used to eliminate aberration and maintain sharpness, color and tonal definition throughout the zoom range. The estimated street price is $499.
CAMCORDERS SONY DELUGES MARKET WITH NEW DVD MODELS Sony recently expanded its camcorder line with seven new models, including a hard disk drive camcorder. The DCR-DVD105 provides the benefits of recording video directly to -R/-RW/+RW DVD media. It incorporates a 680K-pixel advanced HAD CCD, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, 2.5-inch hybrid SwivelScreen touch-panel LCD and color viewfinder. It is priced at about $500. The DCR-DVD205 includes the features mentioned above and adds a 1-megapixel advanced HAD CCD, 1-megapixel digital still images, 2.7-inch-wide (16:9) touch-panel SwivelScreen LCD, and digital still image capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios. It retails for about $600. The DCR-DVD305 includes all of those features, but also has Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound capability. It is supplied with a Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound microphone, USB 2.0 and a Memory Stick Duo media slot, and sells for about $700. In addition to the previously mentioned features, the DCR-DVD405 has built-in Dolby Digital
5.1 surround sound and supports The DCR-DVD505 builds on the previous models with the addition of a 2-megapixel ClearVID CMOS sensor, 4-megapixel digital stills, a 3.5-inch-wide (16:9) touch-panel SwivelScreen LCD, a dual-record function to capture video and 3-megapixel stills simultaneously, and a smooth slow-record function for slow-motion video. It is priced at about $1,100. The new MiniDV camcorder, the DCR-HC96, offers a 680K-pixel advanced HAD CCD, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, 2.5-inch hybrid SwivelScreen touch-panel LCD and color viewfinder. It also includes a 3-megapixel advanced HAD CCD, 3-megapixel stills, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens, digital still image capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, and built-in flash. It sells for about $800. Sony’s new Hard Disk Drive camcorder, the DCR-SR100, has 30GB of hard disk drive storage and built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. It supports an optional Bluetooth microphone for enhanced center-channel sound and features 3-megapixel advanced HAD CCD, 3-megapixel digital still capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, built-in flash, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, 2.7-inch (16:9) touch-panel SwivelScreen LCD and DVD-burning software. It will be available in May for about $1,100. CANON REDESIGNS ELURA CAMCORDERS Canon has redesigned its camcorders, including the Elura 100 camcorder, which includes wide-screen high-resolution recording, a 2.7-inch display panel, easy-to-use joystick, Smooth Zoom Control and Level Shot Control. Other features include nine-point AiAF autofocus, special scene modes and image effects. The Elura 100 also allows users to display wide-screen video on standard televisions and has megapixel resolution for crisper video and photos. The camera has an SD Memory Card slot for capturing photos and short movie clips. It features Genuine Canon 20x Optical Zoom/800x Digital Zoom.
PRINTERS AND PERIPHERALS LYSON BULK FEED SYSTEM SUPPORTS EPSON MODELS Lyson, a provider of digital inks for photography and related industries, has introduced a bulk ink feed system and bulk ink for Epson’s Stylus Photo R2400, R1800 and Pro 4000 printers. The new system uses components specifically designed for use in continuous ink-supply systems. The modular ink reservoirs can be topped up while printing and sealed when not in use. The cartridges feature pressure dampers to regulate ink flow as well as filters to protect print heads. The bulk feed systems for the R2400 and R1800 retail at $399, while the Pro 4000-compatible system is priced at $915. In addition, Lyson has expanded its range of Darkroom media. Its new series of papers is designed to mimic high-end, fiber-based silver prints. The coating encapsulates the Daylight Darkroom inks to increase longevity. The line includes double-sided matte, textured matte, gloss, white satin, photo luster and fine art papers. Cut sheets are available in 50-sheet packs in 8.5x11, 11x17, 13x19, and 17x22 sizes, and in rolls of 17-, 24-, 36- and 44-inch widths.
SCANNERS MICROTEK EXPANDS SCANMAKER LINE Microtek has released two scanners, the ScanMaker i800 and the 3,200-dpi ScanMaker 1000XL, a tabloid-sized flatbed scanner. The high-resolution i800 can handle multiple film sizes, including 24 frames of 35mm film strips, 12 mounted 35mm slides, two 4x5 transparencies, and medium-format panoramas up to 6x17cm. It features 4,800 by 9,600 dpi optical resolution, allowing users to create poster-size images from photos and film, and an 8.5x14 reflective scanning area to accommodate legal-size documents and batch scanning of photos or film. The i800 includes EZ-Lock film holders with spring-actuated tension grips for 4x5 and medium-format film, to keep film perfectly flat. All of the holders lock into place on the scan bed to ensure alignment, while the EZ-Lock film holder hardware and software systems detect film quantity and format, even automatically cropping frames to further simplify scanning. Designed for professional applications, the large-format ScanMaker 1000XL is available in two models: the 1000XL Pro with Transparent Media Adapter for dual reflective and transparency scanning, and the ScanMaker 1000XL for reflective media scanning only. The 1000 XL Pro with TMA scans film and transparencies up to 12x16, and includes film templates to accommodate batch scanning of 35mm slides, 35mm film strips, 4x5 film and medium-format 120 film. Features of the ScanMaker 1000XL include 4.0 maximum optical density, full 48-bit color and multiple sampling in frequencies of two, four, eight and 16 steps. In addition, a 41,300-element CCD provides optical resolution of 3,200 by 6,400 dpi, allowing for greater enhancement of scanned images. Both models feature Kodak Digital Ice Photo Print Technology for automatically restoring damaged photos by eliminating surface defects such as rips, tears and wrinkles. The ColoRescue color recovery system for both photos and film restores faded colors. The ScanMaker i800 is priced at $399. The ScanMaker 1000XL carries a $2,299 price tag, and the Pro version is $2,799.
LIGHTING PRO MACROLUME OFFERS VERSATILITY The Photographic Research Organization has introduced its Promaster MacroLume TTL Digital, the digital version of its Promaster TTL Macro Flash. The MacroLume TTL Digital features individually controlled dual flash tubes, each with a built-in variable diffuser. For maximum versatility, it mounts to virtually any lens using Cokin P Series adapter rings. The MacroLume TTL Digital uses all Promaster 5000 series flash modules for fully automated operation with most digital and traditional cameras available today. Other features include a detachable flash head, fully adjustable mounting assembly, modeling lamp and focus assist lamp.
MISCELLANEOUS Canon has established a new education and expert forum, the Print Masters program, intended to educate and broaden the awareness of digital print technology. The program will sponsor seminars, workshops, gallery showings and photo presentations that represent specialties and styles spanning a broad range of photographic, artistic and graphic art disciplines. The first photographic artists to participate in the pilot program are photo impressionists Bruce Hamilton Dorn and Maura Dutra, and portraitist Eddie Tapp. LOST LUGGAGE REVAMPS HANDCRAFTED CASE LINE Lost Luggage, the Seattle-based company that creates handcrafted portfolios and cases, recently previewed its 2006 line. The screwpost binding systems in the portfolios have been reengineered to incorporate the hinge inside the cover materials. This year’s offerings include Looking Glass, portfolios with expandable screwpost binding systems; Arsenal, metal slipcases; O2 Bag, leather bags tailored to fit Arsenal and Looking Glass models; and Orbit CD cases.
SOFTWARE ACDSEE RELEASES PRO PHOTO MANAGER ACD Systems has introduced ACDSee Pro Photo Manager, the new version of its photo management software. Developed for professional photographers, ACDSee Pro lets photographers view, process, edit, catalog, publish and archive photographs with speed and ease. Nondestructive RAW processing allows photographers to adjust white balance, exposure, sharpness and noise without altering original files, and then save the settings to apply repeatedly to multiple RAW images. To ensure viewing and printing accuracy, ACDSee Pro also features color management support with ICC color profiles. Using the batch processor tool, photographers can make multiple adjustments to multiple photos in a single operation. Photographers can also set IPTC information into groups of photographs at one time. Visual photo tagging allows photographers to quickly cull photos after a shoot for fast selection and deletion. With the compare image tool, up to four photographs can be examined at a time, complete with histogram and exposure details display. ACDSee Pro also offers the ability to print high-quality photos and contact sheets, create slide shows set to music, and burn images to CD and DVD. ACDSee Pro Photo Manager for Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP is available for $129. ADOBE EXPANDS PHOTOSHOP CAMERA RAW FILE SUPPORT Adobe Systems has updated its Camera Raw plug-in for Photoshop CS2, extending raw file support to 17 additional digital camera models include Canon’s EOS 5D, EOS 1D Mark II N and EOS 20Da; Fujifilm’s Finepix E900, Finepix S5200/5600 and Finepix S9000/9500; Kodak’s EasyShare P850 and EasyShare P880; Mamiya’s ZD; Nikon’s D200; Olympus’ E-500, SP-310, SP-350 and SP-500UZ; Pentax’s *ist DL and *ist DS2; and Sony’s DSC-R1. Available for downloading from Adobe’s web site, the plug-in builds on the raw file support integrated into Photoshop CS2, allowing photographers to quickly and easily import and manipulate raw data. The Adobe Camera Raw 3.3 plug-in also requires Photoshop CS2, Photoshop Elements 3.0 or Photoshop Elements 4.0, and is available free at www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/cameraraw.html.
BOOKS and DVDs SCHULZ PHOTOGRAPHS YELLOWSTONE, YUKON Mountaineers Books has published “Yellowstone to Yukon: Freedom to Roam,” with more than 200 full-color images by Florian Schulz (see Portfolio, page 12) and a foreword by Robert Kennedy Jr. Schulz documents the landscape, plants, animals and people of an ecosystem that exists along the spine of the Rocky Mountains. Although the wildness is still untouched by man, it lies in the path of encroaching development. Contributing essayists Karsten Heuer, David Suzuki, Rick Bass and David Quammen describe their travels through the region. They explain the principles of the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) conservation initiative, based on findings that isolated nature sanctuaries are a recipe for extinction. The program, grounded in science, is designed as a practical plan that provides for economic as well as environmental sustainability. The 192-page hardcover edition sells for $34.95. TAPP DVD DEMOSTRATES PHOTOSHOP TECHNIQUES Software Cinema, a software training company supporting the imaging industry, has released a training series on DVD-ROM that features photographer Eddie Tapp. Created for the professional digital photographer, the 48-part series covers both fundamental and advanced techniques for establishing project workflow efficiency with Adobe Photoshop CS2, Adobe Bridge and the Adobe Camera Raw plug-in. In addition to workflow management, Tapp covers digital color control techniques such as color crossover and blending, grayscale, match color commands, shadows/highlights, exposure control and high dynamic range imaging. Software Cinema’s CS2 series featuring Tapp can be purchased separately, at $99 per disc, or as a three-disc set for $278. SHOOTSMARTER DVD OUTLINES DIGITAL EXPOSURE CONTROL Will Crockett, founder of ShootSmarter.com and ShootSmarter University, has released his eighth DVD, Digital Exposure Control. The 74-minute DVD provides tips and techniques for battling exposure control in the world of digital imaging. Crockett explains light meters and discusses how to integrate digital cameras, studio strobes, light meters and on-camera flashes for reliable results. He also reviews his Facemask Histogram technique for improved skin tones.
ACD Systems Adobe Canon Digital Foci Fujifilm Hasselblad LaCie Lost Luggage Lyson Microtek Mountaineers Books Nikon Olympus Pentax Phase One Photographic Research
Organization Shootsmarter Software Cinema Sony Tamron |
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