Pentax Corp. announces the IQZoom 105G, a compact and lightweight 35mm zoom camera combining a versatile 38-105mm, 2.8 zoom lens and a host of advanced features. The new model offers reliable multi-pattern metering, pinpoint autofocus and accurate auto-exposure control, an auto flash with "red-eye" reduction, an actual-image zoom viewfinder, an infinity landscape mode, and an LCD informational panel.  

The new camera lists at $262.

THK Photo Products, Inc., a U.S. distributor, will import and distribute the VoigtlŠnder brand "BESSA-L" wide-angle camera with 15mm "Heliar" and 25mm "Skopar" lenses.

The BESSA was once the cornerstone of precision photographic engineering. After an absence spanning several decades, the BESSA has returned as a dedicated wide-angle viewfinder camera.

LENSES

Canon U.S.A. Inc. has, for the first time, simultaneously introduced four high-performance, super-telephoto lenses incorporating new optical design and the company’s exclusive optical Image Stabilizer technology.

The new lenses and their minimum advertised prices are, for the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, $5,399; EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM, $8,699; EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, $7,599; and 600mm f/4L IS USM, $9,899. All use Canon’s new super-fast autofocusing speed and focus tracking performance.

The four new IS lenses share similar rear-focusing optical formulas, which ensure consistently excellent image quality at a level that is equal or superior to the non-IS lenses they replace. The image quality is further enhanced by the incorporation of Canon’s exclusive Image Stabilization (IS) technology. With IS, a pair of minature gyro sensors built into the lens detects camera/lens movement or shake.

Two new lenses from Nikon promise to bring professional photographers some significant new capabilities.

The AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm
f/2.8D IF-ED and the PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D are compatible with a full selection of Nikon SLR cameras, including models F5, F100, N90s and the new Nikon D1 Pro digital SLR camera.

The PC Micro-Nikkor is a medium telephoto lens with tilt and shift features, which allows image-perspective manipulation for extended sharp focus range. The lens also has +/- lifesize close-up capability, which is ideal for photographers who shoot tabletop photos and for nature photographers.

The AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm is an ultra-wide-angle rectilinear zoom lens. In addition to providing the shortest close-focusing distance in its class — 0.28m (0.9 ft.) throughout the entire zoom range — the lens also features a fast constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 at all focal lengths.

APS CAMERAS

The ELPH2 Advanced Photo System camera is the latest addition to the Canon line of small cameras.

The ELPH2 offers the same elegant and durable stainless steel construction of the original ELPH, while delivering new features in an even smaller size. The new ELPH2 is, at 3.4 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches, 13 percent smaller than the original model.

The ELPH2 incorporates a new built-in Light Guide Flash, replacing the pop-up flash on the original ELPH. The new flash provides even illumination throughout the camera’s zoom range. The ELPH2 incorporates both active and passive auto-focusing modes, automatically switching from one to the other as shooting conditions mandate. The camera also uses an advanced 2-zone evaluative metering system, which enables automatic exposure compensation for backlit scenes. The shutter-speed range of the camera is 2 seconds to 1/900 second.

DIGITAL CAMERAS

The new Nikon Digital Professional SLR, the D1, features a 2.7-megapixel resolution CCD.

The D1 is an original-design Nikon digital SLR, not a hybrid adaptation. and is designed from the ground up for the demanding task of photojournalism. The D1 lets photographers make a seamless transition from film to digital.

Like the Nikon F5 and F100, the D1 features Nikon 3D Matrix Metering and a high-speed autofocus system that includes Dynamic AF operation. The D1’s shutter speed ranges from 30 seconds to a maximum of 1/16,000 of a second, with a 1/500 of a second flash sync speed.

The D1 Digital Camera Set ships with the D1 camera body, neck strap, a NiMH rechargeable battery (EN4) and quick charger (MH-16), video cable, and Nikon View DX software. The suggested retail price is $5,580.

Kodak now targets a broad range of digital camera users with the release of the pro-level DCS 330, DC290, DC280, and two versions of its introductory level DC215.

The DCS 330 offers professionals a cost-effective alternative to medium-format and 35mm SLR cameras. With a resolution of 3 million pixels and a 9-megabyte file, the DCS 330 meets high standards for color accuracy, image structure, and professional performance suited to commercial and portrait photography. Developed with Kodak’s 6-megapixel DCS 660 as a model, the DCS 330 features an Indium Tin Oxide CCD, a burst rate of one image per second, an ISO range of 125 to 400, and Kodak’s proprietary anti-aliasing filter. The DCS 330 uses the Nikon Pronea 6i camera body as a host for Kodak’s proprietary ITO CCD and digital imaging system.

Appealing to midrange users are Kodak’s DC290 and DC280 zoom digital cameras. With 2.1-megapixel resolution, they capture highly detailed images suitable for 11 x 14-inch prints.

Kodak’s most affordable new megapixel camera, the pocket-sized DC215, comes in two editions — regular (silver) and the Millennium 2000 special outfit (gold). The DC215 provides the benefits of digital photography with megapixel image quality, a 2x optical zoom, durable design, and ease of use.

Kodak’s DC330 lists at $5,995. The DC290’s suggested retail price is $1,099; the DC280 is priced at $799; the pocket-sized DC215, silver edition, has a suggested price of below $400; and the Millennium 2000 special outfit, gold edition, is priced at $499.

The new Cyber-shot Pro digital camera, model DSC-D770, from Sony Electronics offers near-professional-level performance at an affordable price.

Key features include: 5x optical zoom lens with manual focus, optical SLR viewfinder with 2.5" LCD, and a 1.5 million-pixel CCD with up to 1344 x 1024 image resolution.

The DSC-D770’s suggested retail price is $1,999.

Sony has extended its popular Mavica floppy disc digital camera series with three new consumer level entries, the FD73, 83 and 88. The entry level FD73 offers 640x480 resolution and 10x optical zoom; the midrange FD83 offers 1024 x 768 with 3x optical zoom; and the high-end FD88 provides 1280 x 960 resolution, 8x optical zoom and 16x digital zoom, with a 1.3-million pixel CCD.

The new line follows the release earlier this year of the Mavica MVC-FD91, which features a 14x optical zoom lens and delivers images in four sizes from a low of 320 x 240 pixels to a high of 1024 x 768 pixels.

Pricing on Sony’s new Mavica cameras is to be announced.

Canon, Inc. has begun shipping the PowerShot Pro70, an award-winning digital still camera for professionals, and the PowerShot A5 Zoom, an ultra-compact digital aimed at business users and hobbyists.

The Pro70 includes a high-speed 2.5x zoom lens and high-resolution image data storage without compression for maximum quality. It also accommodates CompactFlash Cards, including one Type II card.

The A5 Zoom has a sharp, all-glass 4-10mm, f/2.6-4.0 power zoom lens. The continuous burst-mode function records one frame per second, up to 15 frames.

The Pro70’s street price is $1,199; the A5’s price is $399.

Foveon, Inc., a Silicon Valley technology company, is apparently the first to develop a commercially viable digital studio system for professionals that could transform the industry.

Looking more like a notebook computer with a lens than a traditional camera, the system completes the entire photographic process including capture, image enhancement, output to print media and archiving to CD-ROM.

The camera’s image quality is comparable to medium-format film, and enlargements up to 40 x 40-inches can be printed from its digital files. A professional quality Canon EOS EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM lens with electronic interface offers precise focus and aperture control.

The capture system is supported with a Bogen 3251 tripod, Bogen Dolly, and a 3147F Custom Head. The system can be operated independently or networked to the Foveon Processing Station, which includes a 30x40-inch cart with lockable wheels.

Pricing for the Foveon Digital Camera System is to be announced.

Olympus America claims to be the first to market a 2.5-megapixel digital camera in the sub-$1,500 price range. With "TruPic" technology, the C-2500 features 1712 x 1368 resolution and a 3x optical zoom lens. A flash hot shoe rounds out the professional feature set. As part of the same release, Olympus announces FL-40, a flash specifically designed for digital photography, and several accessory lenses for the new camera. The C-2500 retail price is $1,499.

Olympus has also upgraded its popular D-400 digital zoom. The new D-450 offers 1.3 megapixel resolution, a faster CCD recycle time between shots, improved LCD display, and improved flash range with slow sync flash. The D-450’s 3x zoom and 3x digital zoom are unchanged from the D-400. The D-450 is set to retail at $499, which is about $400 less than the D-400 cost when it hit the streets at just a year ago.

The PhotoPC 850Z is Epson’s first 2-megapixel USB zoom digital camera. Targeted at photo enthusiasts as well as vertical markets, the new digital model offers USB and serial capability.

The model provides four resolution modes ranging from the HyPict at 1984 x 1488 pixels, with storage capacity for 10 images, to the Standard at 640 x 480 pixels, with storage for 120 images. The camera includes continuous shoot, interval shooting, 2x digital zoom, and panorama picture modes. The camera also has a built-in microphone and speaker capable of recording a voice message.

Also new from Epson is the PhotoPC 800, a 2-megapixel USB digital camera that weighs less than half a pound and uses Epson’s HyPict image enhancement technology. A third camera released, the PhotoPC 650, offers a 1.09-megapixel CCD sensor, autofocus, and an aspherical glass lens system for sharp, detailed images.

For a total solution, Epson also offers the Epson Stylus Photo 1200 color printer.

The PhotoPC 850Z’s estimated street price is $799, the 800 model sells for $699, and the 650 is priced at $349. The printer sells for $1,300.

The Fujifilm MX-2900 Zoom is Fuji Photo’s latest digital offering. With 2.3 million pixels, it captures images at up to 1800 x 1200 resolution. The model accepts a hot shoe for an external flash and has a lens barrel that accepts optional 43mm filters and 28mm wide-angle attachments. It has a high-grade, attractive magnesium alloy body that mirrors the traditional look and feel of a 35mm SLR camera. The suggested retail price is $899.

Similar in size to the previous-generation MX-700, the new MX -700 Zoom has a 1.5-million pixel CCD with a newly crafted miniature aspherical zoom lens. It records 1280 x 1024 or 640 x 480 resolution images. The 3x zoom lens delivers 35 mm equivalent of 35-114mm coverage. The suggested retail price is $599.

Casio has brought three new camera models to the digital camera market. The models include the QV-5500SX, an LCD digital with a built-in 1.31-megapixel CCD; the QV-2000UX, a high-resolution digital with a 2.11-megapixel CCD and f/2.0 wide aperture; and the QV-8000SX, a 1.31-megapixel CCD with optical 8x zoom lens and 32x digital zoom.

The QV-5500SX can record and play back digital images at 0.5-second intervals.

In addition to CompactFlash card storage for images, the QV-2000UX also supports use of the IBM microdrive super-compact hard disk, which is capable of storing approximately 400 images. The QV-8000SX features USB cable connectability for easy transfer of images to a computer.

DIGITAL CAMERA PERIPHERALS

The one-shot LightPhase digital camera now has a portable solution. The portable unit gives photographers the freedom to capture images on location while taking full advantage of the capabilities of the LightPhase.

The new unit is a complete imaging and communication center. Images can be photographed, viewed, and immediately e-mailed from this one compact device. The battery supplies power for the LightPhase for 10 hours or for more than 2,000 images.

The portable LightPhase solution includes battery, connection cables, and Windows capture software at a suggested retail price of $775.

Better Light, manufacturer of professional digital camera systems, has introduced two new adapters that allow photographers using Mamiya’s RB67 and RZ67 medium-format cameras to convert their equipment into high-end digital scanning cameras.

The adapters require no modifications to the camera and allow for the use of the same lenses, without an impact on focal length or perspective.

The Better Light RB67 adapter costs $1,120, and the RZ67 adapter sells for $995.

SCANNERS

Imacon, the inventor of FlexTight scanners, is now offering the new FlexTight Progression. The scanner combines the company’s two patent-pending technologies, FlexTight Technology for scanning transparencies and Electro-Static Technology for reflective scanning. The technology combination makes true glassless scanning for both transparencies and reflective media a reality.

The large-format scanner produces maximum image quality without distortion and is targeted at the pre-press market. The price for the Progression is $19,995 including software for Macintosh and Windows NT.

The newest addition to the Polaroid SprintScan line, the SprintScan 45i, is a high-resolution, high-quality scanner that can scan 35mm slides; 6x7-inch, 6x6-inch, and 4x5-inch transparencies; positives and negatives, and mounted and unmounted items. The scanner can produce high-resolution files up to 240 MB in about five minutes.

MISCELLANY

Dyna-Lite has replaced its M800e Power Pack with the M1000e-421-1141. The M1000e accommodates four light heads. It lists for $845.

The new SB-28DX Speedlight is designed to provide Nikon photographers with a broad new selection of features. The SB-28DX works compatibly with all Nikon SLR models, including the new Nikon D1 Professional Digital SLR.

It provides both TTL Auto Flash operation and manual flash operations. Additional features include Nikon’s exclusive Monitor Pre-flash, bounce/rotating flash head, built-in wide panel and bounce card, multiple TTL flash control, flash compensation control, red-eye reduction, and rear curtain flash sync.

The zoom flash head has six settings: 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, and 85mm. With its built-in wide flash adapter, it can also cover 18-20mm formats. The SB-28DX operates using four AA batteries and accepts alkaline-manganese, lithium, NiCad rechargeable, and nickel metal hydride rechargeable types. Price is to be announced.

Polaroid’s new Daylab 120 instant transparency exposure system allows photographers and artists to produce prints from medium-format cameras and one-of-a-kind art pieces through emulsion transfer, image transfer, SX-70 manipulations, and other uses.

The self-contained, portable daylight printing system produces images on Polaroid’s instant 3x4-inch, 4x5-inch and 8x10-inch peel-apart formats as well as on SX-70 film. The Daylab 120 sells for a suggested list price of $699.

Pictorico has launched Ink Jet Media, the first truly water-resistant inkjet product on the market. The Pro Photo Gallery Hi-Gloss White Film is an ultra smooth, high-gloss film designed for true photographic output from an ink jet printer.

Pictorico’s core coating technology is a mono-directional, transparent layer of uniform, ultra-fine ceramic particles. The vast number of regularly shaped pores on the surface layer enhances absorption of ink.

Artz’ new Z Box is a simple hinged box with a durable bookbinding cloth exterior and a black interior lining. The box opens to reveal a versatile five-panel, accordion-fold presentation system.