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On the Market |
| Film-Based Cameras | Lenses | Digital Cameras | Video Cameras |
APS Cameras Digital Camera Peripherals | Scanners | Software | Misc | Books For more information, Please see Market Directory at the end of this page for contact information and web links to these manufacturers FILM-BASED CAMERAS EOS-1v IS CANON’S NEW FLAGSHIP SLR Canon has introduced the EOS-1v 35mm SLR camera, the new flagship to their EOS System incorporating several significant innovations in durability, performance and customization targeted at professional photographers. Featuring a weather-resistant, all-metal body, the EOS-1v becomes the strongest and most weatherproof camera body in the history of the line and offers the fastest continuous shooting speed in its class at 10 frames per second (fps) in One Shot AF and 9 fps with AI Servo AF. Fully customizable, the EOS-1v incorporates 20 built-in Custom Functions for fine-tuning of various camera settings and supports Canon’s new optional EOS Link software for uploading exposure information to a PC or downloading up to 30 "Personal Functions" to the camera. Other professional features include a 100 percent viewfinder with adjustable diopter, 1/250-second flash sync, a top shutter speed of 1/8000 second, a new sprocketless film detection system that permits any infrared film to be used without fogging the image, and improved data management. All EOS-mount lenses are accepted and available optionally. The EOS-1v also includes improvements to many of the performance features found in the EOS-3, such as 45-point Area AF and 21-zone Evaluative Metering. Beyond the camera’s ability to select a focusing point automatically, the EOS-1v offers vast improvements with manual focusing point selection as well, with the aid of new Custom Functions. The EOS-1v’s built-in algorithms for 21-zone Evaluative Metering and E-TTL Autoflash have also been improved relative to earlier models. The EOS-1v SLR camera will benefit many different kinds of professional photographers, from sports shooters and photojournalists to nature and wildlife enthusiasts, by enabling them to capture well-exposed and sharply focused images of moving subjects with an unprecedented degree of efficiency. It is available in two configurations: body only and as a kit with Power Drive Booster PB-E2 (called the EOS-1v HS) at suggested list prices of $2,900 and $3,400, respectively. The EOS Link Software Connection accessory will be available in the second half of the year with a suggested list price of $250. PENTAX ADDS AFFORDABLE ZX-30 TO ZX SLR SERIESDesigned with the SLR novice in mind, the PENTAX ZX-30 allows users to select one of six picture programs with the turn of a dial. The six program choices—Standard Program, Portrait Program, Landscape Program, Close-Up Program, Action Program and Night Scene Program—ensure that once the desired exposure is selected, the ZX-30 does the rest. A built-in autoflash, a view-finder with full-information display and a bayonet mount that allows for interchangeable lenses and accessories make the ZX-30 an easy, affordable choice for 35mm novices. The approximate street price is $209. NIKON INTRODUCES THE SOPHISTICATED N80 SLRPhotographers who have been searching for a camera that offers superior features at a reasonable price will find it with the new Nikon N80 35mm SLR. The heart of the N80 autofocus (AF) system is the Multi CAM 900 AF module, which incorporates five AF sensors that create a wide-cross array covering the center, left, right, top and bottom of the frame. Another Nikon-exclusive feature is the N80’s On-Demand composition assist grid lines that can be accessed as one of 18 user-programmable Custom Functions. The N80 allows for either auto-exposure or customized, and it comes with four exposure modes—Programmed, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual. Focus Tracking with Lock-On allows up to 2.5 frames per second. Full-coverage AF sensors, a comprehensive light metering system and 28mm wide-angle coverage are just some of the N80’s additional features. For further versatility, the N80 features a Nikon F lens mount to accept a wide variety of lenses and accessories. The suggested retail price is $630. MEDIUM-FORMAT GA645Zi AVAILABLE FROM FUJIFILMNew case finishes and a sleek look are part of FujiFilm’s newest camera model, the GA645Zi. The medium-format automatic 1.6x zoom camera comes in two distinct finishes—black titanium and the original titanium silver—and offers a f4.5/55mm to f6.9/90mm zoom lens. The GA645Zi is equipped with both infrared active and passive autofocus systems and automatically selects the most suitable method for the prevailing light condition. Utilizing FujiFilm’s Barcode System, the GA645Zi also features automatic film speed setting, automatic film advance, automatic frame counter and automatic pressure plate change for 120/220 films. The suggested list price is $2,339. NEW SEALIFE PRO KIT: A SYSTEM FOR UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHYFor divers who require all the proper photographic equipment when taking underwater snapshots, SeaLife introduces a new professional dive camera set. Equipped with SeaLife’s ReefMaster RC land/sea camera, external flash unit, attachable close-up lens with underwater filter, carrying case, care kit and instruction booklet, the kit has a suggested retail price of $399. The ReefMaster camera is waterproof up to 164 feet and includes an oversized viewfinder and shutter release, a Macro 3x close-up lens and an underwater filter. The color-corrected lens allows for quality photos at close range and works well in water with low visibility. NIKON INTRODUCES NEW 120ED/QD AND 90QD COMPACT CAMERASTwo new, lightweight compacts have been added to Nikon’s Lite-Touch and One-Touch Zoom lineups. The One-Touch Zoom 90QD is a compact 35mm autofocus that features a 2.5X zoom lens with a 38-90mm range and a macro mode for shots as close as 11 inches. A built-in automatic flash with five modes, fully automatic exposure and a 10-second self-timer round out the features offered for a list price of $140. The Lite-Touch Zoom 120ED/QD has Nikon’s ED (extra-low dispersion) glass incorporated into its optical design, a 3.2X zoom and a sliding lens cover. A 38-120mm zoom range, five flash modes and automatic film loading, speed setting, advance and rewind are some of the features available for the Lite-Touch Zoom 120ED/QD’s suggested list price of $255. ROLLEI INTRODUCES TWO MORE PREGO ZOOM CAMERASTwo new, fully automatic 35mm zoom cameras are available from Rollei. The Prego 125 features a built-in 38-125mm zoom lens and offers automatic flash and a built-in panorama format. The Prego 140 offers a more generous 38-140mm zoom range, and both models offer basic features like automatic film loading, advance, rewind and film setting. The Prego 125’s suggested retail price is $430; with data back, $450. The Prego 140 is $380; w/data back $450. TWO NEW IQZOOM CAMERAS OFFERED BY PENTAX PENTAX has added two IQZoom models to its compact camera lineup. The IQZoom 145M Super offers a 38-145mm 3.8X zoom lens, auto zoom flash, a six-segment, multipattern metering system, an autofocus system and more in its compact design. The IQZoom 928M 35mm-format compact zoom camera offers similar features but with 28mm wide-angle capability. The model’s zoom macro capability enables the user to capture well-defined close-up pictures at any focal length with a maximum magnification of .22X at the 90mm telephoto setting. The approximate street price for the 145 Super is $280. The 928M is $209. LENSES NIKON AFVR ZOOM-NIKKOR 80-400MM ED LENS USES VIBRATION REDUCTION REDUCES NEED FOR TRIPOD Nikon’s new AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED telephoto lens helps reduce the need for a tripod while taking action shots at long distances. The new lens features Nikon’s patent-pending vibration reduction (VR) system that detects and compensates for image blur caused by camera shake. When VR is activated, the system allows photographers to shoot with ambient light at shutter speeds that are slower by up to 3 stops than those possible without vibration reduction. The lens also features a new optical design that incorporates three ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements, reducing secondary chromatic aberrations and allowing for sharper pictures throughout the 80-400mm zoom range. The price for the lens had not been determined at press time. SIGMA OFFERS 28-135MM f/3.8-5.6 ASPHERICAL IF MACRO Incorporating aspherical optics plus a floating inner focusing system, the Sigma 28-135mm f/3.8-5.6 Aspherical IF Macro lens minimizes spherical aberration and astigmatism. The lens can focus from infinity to 19.7 inches at all of the focal lengths without close-up accessories and as close as 9.4 inches at the 135mm zoom position. Weighing in at 14.5 ounces, the lens will be available through dealers in June. The estimated street price is $225. NEW 210MM f/8 LENS FOR MAMIYA 7II AND MAMIYA 7 Mamiya America Corp. has introduced a 210mm f/8 telephoto lens for Mamiya 7II and 7 cameras. Ideal for distant landscape and aerial photography, the new 17-ounce, 4.9-inch lens includes a 150mm/210mm parallax adjustable viewfinder and nylon bayonet lens hood. The lens is manually focused from infinity to 23 feet and does not couple to the camera rangefinder, unlike other Mamiya 7 lenses. The minimum advertised price is $1,999. PENTAX INTRODUCES TWO NEW MEDIUM-FORMAT LENSESPENTAX Corporation has introduced two new lenses to its medium-format lineup: the SMCP-M* 67 300mm f/4 ED (IF) and the SMCP-FA 645 150mm f/2.8 (IF). The SMCP-M* 67 300mm f/4 ED (IF) lens features a 300mm focal length (equivalent to approximately 150mm in the 35mm format) and is designed for use with PENTAX’s 67II medium-format SLR camera. The SMCP-FA 645 150mm f/2.8 (IF) lens features a 150mm focal length (equivalent to approximately 100mm in the 35mm format), a large f/2.8 maximum aperture (equivalent to f/2 in the 35mm format), minimum focusing distance of 4 feet and a large lens hood with a polarizing filter adjustment window and is designed for use with the 645N autofocus camera The approximate street price for the 300mm f/4 is $2,209. The 150mm f/2.8 is $1,059. APS CAMERAS FUJIFILM INTRODUCES NEW NEXIA CAMERA The new Nexia 3100ix Z camera with Mid-Roll Change is the first model to bear FujiFilm’s new global brand name Nexia for their 24mm Advanced Photo System cameras. The palm-sized camera offers a 3X zoom lens ranging from 23mm to 70mm at the touch of a button and three print formats—classic 4 x 6", HDTV 4 x 7" and panoramic—can be date/time-stamped at the choice of the user. The suggested retail price is $299. NIKON OFFERS NEW NUVIS S 2000 Designed with aesthetics in mind, the Nuvis S 2000, Nikon’s latest Advanced Photo System camera, is small and light and features a gleaming silver case. At 4.9 ounces, the Nuvis S 2000 powers on automatically when the cover is slid open and powers off when the case is shut. The zoom lens can handle a 24-48mm range and features a passive autofocus system ensuring accuracy as close as 15 inches from the subject. A built-in, pop-up flash with red-eye reduction mode, a choice of classic, wide-vision or panorama formats, and drop-in film loading round out the Nuvis S 2000’s features. The suggested retail price is $225. CANON LAUNCHES ELPH LT 260 AUTOFOCUS WITH FLASHEquipped with a 26-52mm 2X aspherical zoom lens, the Canon ELPH LT 260 Advanced Photo System camera is ultra-compact and weighs in at 5.3 ounces. The camera’s single-point active autofocus system is fast and accurate, and has an effective focusing range of 18 inches to infinity. The ELPH LT 260 features a multifunction flash unit with a range of 1.5 to 18.5 feet (wide angle) and 1.5 to 11.8 feet (telephoto) at ISO 200. The suggested retail price is $220. DIGITAL CAMERAS FUJIFILM’S FINEPIX S1 PRO DIGITAL CAMERA PRODUCES 6.1 MEGAPIXEL IMAGES The first of a new breed of professional digital cameras from Fuji Photo Film USA, Inc. and Fujifilm, the FinePix SI Pro is the company’s first SLR-type digital camera incorporating Super CCD image sensor technology. The FinePix S1 Pro has a 1.1-inch Super CCD sensor that delivers an ultra-high resolution image file with 6.1 million pixels (3040 x 2016). It uses a Nikon F lens mount and has continuous shooting of approximately 1.5 frames/second up to five frames, adjustable ISO equivalents of 320/400/800/1600, a shutter speed of 30 to 1/2000 second and compatibility with SmartMedia (up to 64MB), CompactFlash (Card Type II) and the IBM microdrive. It also has a variety of controls including four shooting modes (single frame, continuous, preview and multiple exposure), five exposure modes (general-purpose program, auto-multi program, shutter-priority auto mode, aperture-priority auto mode and manual exposure control) and five variable program modes (portrait, landscape, close-up, sport and night scene). In addition, there are eight modes for white balance (auto, fine, shade, incandescent light, custom) and three for fluorescent light. The suggested retail price is under $4,000 with availability set for June. NIKON INTRODUCES 3.34 MEGAPIXEL COOLPIX 990Nikon’s newest top-of-the-line Coolpix 990 offers photographers 3.34 megapixels of resolution and a 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens. The Coolpix 990’s 3.34-mexapixel CCD with true (non-interpolated) image resolution of 2048 x 1536 offers easy cropping and high print quality, while a file size of almost 10MB lets users crop and print images in film size. The model’s Zoom-Nikkor lens with 38-115mm coverage (35mm equivalent) and a 4X magnification offer a total 12X or 460mm telephoto. The suggested retail price is $999. JVC’s GC-QX3 OFFERS 3.34 MEGAPIXELS ON SMARTMEDIAJVC Company of America has introduced the GC-QX3, a 3.34-megapixel CCD digital still camera, offering high image resolution and professional-style features in an easy-to-use consumer model. Designed for rapid readiness, the camera produces moving video e-mail, creates a multiple-layer collage and has a high storage capacity on a small, high-speed SmartMedia card. The GC-QX3 uses advanced pixel shifting technology to maximize the CCD’s potential, delivering high color resolution equivalent to 6 million pixels. Features include a 2.3X optical/7:1 max. digital zoom with aspherical glass lenses; aperture-priority and program AE; automatic and manual settings with four ISO levels (80, 200, 400 and 800); the ability to record a 20-second video clip in ultra-small files (200 kB that transfers in 20 seconds) so you can easily send moving images anywhere in the world via the Internet; and connection to a PC via a USB port or directly from a SmartMedia card via an optional "Flash Path" floppy adapter or card reader. The suggested list price for the GC-QX3 is $1,099. FUJIFILM’S 4.3 MEGAPIXEL FINEPIX 4700 ZOOM IS LIGHT AND COMPACTCalling itself the world’s lightest and most compact digital camera in the more than 2-megapixel category, Fujifilm’s new FinePix 4700 Zoom is the company’s first consumer digital camera to feature Super CCD image sensor technology. The FinePix 4700 Zoom has a .58-inch Super CCD that generates a 4.3-megapixel picture file (2400 x 1800) as well as 80 seconds of AVI video/sound capability. The FinePix 4700 Zoom records JPEG images at three compression levels—fine, normal and basic—and, depending on the image compression selected, can record 8, 18 or up to 45 images on its bundled 16MB SmartMedia card at the 2400 x 1800 resolution. The suggested retail price is $999. TOSHIBA INTRODUCES PDR-M70 3.37 MEGAPIXEL CAMERAToshiba Imaging Systems has brought to market its first 3-megapixel digital camera, the PDR-M70, offering a 3.37-megapixel CCD capable of recording 2048 x 1536-pixel images that can be printed in sizes up to 11 x 14". The PDR-M70’s competitive pricing (under $1,000) and light 14.1-ounce weight makes digital imaging a reasonable option for professionals in real estate, law enforcement and insurance as well as graphic designers looking for equipment that can be used for digital stills as well as the production of short video clips with audio. Photos and video clips are downloaded from the postage-sized SmartMedia card at a rate of 12MB per second, or about one high-resolution image every three seconds. Photos are saved as industry-standard JPEG files allowing instant viewing with image-editing software or browsers. NEW PRODUCTS FROM SONY OFFER MEGAPIXEL IMAGING, MEMORY STICK COMPATIBILITYWith the introduction of its new Digital Mavica camera-ready Memory Stick floppy disk adapter, Sony Electronic’s new Digital Mavica camera line offers both floppy disk and solid-state storage options. The new Digital Mavica cameras—the MVC-FD85, the MVC-FD90 and the MVC-FD95—offer 1.3, 1.6 and 2.1 megapixels, respectively; high-powered optical zoom at 3X, 8X and 10X; 3:2 picture-size ratio options; precision digital zoom; and suggested retail prices of $700, $800 and $1,000. Sony’s new Cyber-shot DSC-S70 model—the only digital camera to combine 3.3-megapixel resolution with Carl Zeiss optics and Memory Stick file storage—has a suggested retail price of $800. SAMSUNG ADDS NEW DIGITAL CAMERAS TO DIGIMAX LINEAimed at the consumer market, Samsung’s new Cybermax 35 MP3 offers an MP3 player that allows users to videoconference over the Internet as well as play back music and other audio downloaded from the web. The Cybermax, with a suggested retail of $289, features 640 x 480 resolution, a 2MB flash memory, a compact flash memory slot, an optical viewfinder, and a dual interface (USB and RS232C). The Digimax 210SE offers increased optic quality, high-resolution 1600 x 1200 with 2.1 megapixels, and optics from Schneider-Kreuznach. The suggested retail price is $1,019. BETTER LIGHT RELEASES NEW "SUPER MODELS"Better Light has added two new "Super Models" to their line of professional digital scanning inserts. The new Super 6K and Super 8K models were designed to provide additional resolution levels to boost the file size on cropped images and minimize or eliminate moire patterns when photographing fine textured fabrics or other problematic surfaces. The model 6000 Better Light camera insert originally recorded up to 137MB RGB 24-bit files (6,000 x 8,000 pixels). By means of its enhanced resolution options, the new Super 6K will record up to 309MB 24-bit files (9,000 x 12,0000 pixels). The new Super 8K will provide up to 8,000 x 10,660 pixel files (244MB) at the 100 percent resolution setting and increase up to a maximum of 12,000 x 15,990-pixel resolution (549MB). The model 8000 has been replaced by the new Super 8K and features the same single-unit price of $24,990. Better Light also offers photographers using existing Better Light products the opportunity to upgrade to the new Super Models for a $495 upgrade charge plus the difference in retail price between the original model and the Super Model upgrade. The suggested list price for the Super 6K is $16,990. MEGAVISION’S T32 INTRODUCES NEXT GENERATION OF THREE-PASS DIGITAL CAPTUREMegaVision, Inc. has introduced their new T32 professional digital camera, a three-pass digital camera back for high-resolution image capture. The T32 features an internal shutter, mounts in the same manner as a conventional film back to any 4x5 view camera, and can also operate as a stand-alone camera used with Nikon, Canon and Hasselblad lenses. Developed primarily for commercial studio image capture, the complete T32 system includes MegaVision’s PhotoShoot 3.1 software and provides the user with an integrated digital photography workstation. Using MegaVision’s "live video focus," T32 users can preview, compose and focus on a video monitor before shooting the digital image. A metering tool is available to adjust set lighting for balance that needs little post-capture light adjustment. The suggested list price is $28,900. PHASE ONE OFFERS DIGITAL BACK FOR CONTAX 645Phase One, in cooperation with Kyocera Corporation, has announced a LightPhase digital camera back version for the medium-format autofocus Contax 645 camera. The LightPhase provides fine details, excellent color reproduction and a contrast range larger than film. Its resolution of 2,032 by 3,056 optical pixels generates 18MB image files in 8-bit RGB and can easily be enlarged to over 100MB without quality loss by using industry standard image-processing software. The ultra-fast, industry standard IEEE 1394 interface transfers images from the LightPhase to a computer’s hard disk and can be viewed on the monitor within seconds. Operating systems from Apple and Microsoft - Windows 98 and Windows 2000 - are supported by the Phase One software, which is included. The suggested list price for the LightPhase back is $22,990. VIDEO CAMERAS COMPACT CANON OPTURA Pi DV CAMCORDER PRODUCES HIGH-QUALITY STILLS Canon USA, Inc. has introduced its Canon Optura Pi digital video (DV) camcorder, the second generation of its "Movie and Still" concept, incorporating compact design, superior connectivity, high-quality video and sharp digital stills in a mini-DV format. It is ideal for transferring home movies recorded on VHS to a digital format, creating new movies that can be edited and stored on a home computer and creating web content and Quick Time movies. Distinguishing features of this latest addition to Canon’s DV line include a Progressive Scan CCD; three shooting modes, including Digital Photo, which captures 700+ clear still-frame images on an 80-minute cassette in SP mode; an RGB Primary Color Filter; an optical 12X compact zoom lens with a 35mm camera equivalent of 39 to 468mm; Canon’s exclusive Optical Image Stabilization; FireWire/IEEE 1394 input/output; an advanced accessory shoe; and analog line input. The Optura Pi also offers high-resolution 200K pixel, a 3.5-inch flip-out LCD view screen, improved handling, enhanced color rendition and improved low-light capability. The suggested retail price is $1,699. DIGITAL STILL IMAGING AVAILABLE ON SONY DIGITAL 8 HANDYCAM CAMCORDER LINE Sony’s latest line of Handycam camcorders feature Memory Stick media, a feature allowing consumers an increased capability to capture, create and share digital still images on a camcorder. Included in the new line is the DDCR-TRV820 model, the first camcorder with a built-in color printer. It prints business card-sized color photos on the spot, similar to an instant camera, and can print from either a video or a digital still image saved on the Memory Stick media. The five models in the new Sony line—the DCR-TRV120 with a suggested retail price of $800, the DCR-TRV320 at $900, the DCR-TRV520 at $1,000, the DCR-TRV720 at $1,200 and the DCR-TRV820 with an integrated color printer at $1,300—come with new features, including Super LaserLink connections, providing 60 percent longer wireless connectivity; 30 more minutes of recording time on a 120-minute Hi8 tape; up to 90 minutes of video in long-play mode; longer zoom range with 25X optical/450X precision digital zooming power; and the Super NightShot infrared system with automatic slow-shutter control to deliver brighter, smoother shoot-in-the-dark videotaping. PANASONIC ADDS FIVE MODELS TO LINE OF DIGITAL PALMCORDER /CAMCORDERS Panasonic has added five new models to its combination digital camcorder/digital still camera line. A unique feature added is three-way PC link capability, offering three different ways to transfer still photos to a compatible PC. Video footage is recorded on a mini DV cassette, offering storage capacity equivalent to 8,700 floppy disks. An 80-minute DV tape, when used in the LP mode, can hold up to two hours of recorded material. The new PV-DV100 and PV-DV200 feature 2.5-inch (diagonal) color LCD monitors. The PV-DV400 and PV-DV600 offer 3-inch (diagonal) color LCD monitors, and the PV-DV800 model features the WideSight 3.5-inch (diagonal) color LCD monitor that allows for easy viewing from any angle. Captured digital still photos can be viewed in advance on the camcorders’ LCD monitors and deleted if desired to free up memory for new shots. An 8MB MultiMediaCard, included with the PV-DV200, PV-DV400, PV-DV600 and PV-DV800 models, lets users save captured digital still images—up to 240 photos in the Normal mode—to view on a television or to download to a compatible personal computer. The PV-DV400, PV-DV600 and PV-DV800 also offer an IR Filter feature that allows the user to easily take video and pictures in very low light settings. The suggested retail prices are: the PV-DV100, $899; the PV-DV200, $999; the PV-DV400, $1,099; the PV-DV600, $1,299; and the PV-DV800, $1,399. DIGITAL CAMERA PERIPHERALS LEXAR MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW PRO SERIES DIGITAL FILM CARDS, LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH SONY Lexar Media has added three products to its Pro Series of digital film cards: a 512MB 8X PC Card, a USB-enabled CompactFlash Type II 256MB 8X Card and a new 64MB SmartMedia card. The suggested retail prices are $1,999 for the PC card; $1,099 for the CompactFlash card; and $229 for the SmartMedia card. Lexar Media has also signed a memorandum of agreement with Sony Corporation to license its high-speed flash memory controller technology to Sony for further development of Sony’s Memory Stick. The new high-speed Memory Stick is slated for market introduction in 2001. DELKIN INTRODUCES NEXT GENERATION OF SMARTMEDIA CARDS, eFILM READERS AND COMPACTFLASHDelkin Devices has released a higher capacity, 64MB eFilm SmartMedia card designed for the new models of megapixel digital cameras. The 64MB eFilm SmartMedia can store higher-resolution images, and, once images are saved to the card, users can download images to their computer, erase and reuse the card up to one million times. The new cards are compatible with many models of digital cameras, PDAs, handheld PCs, video game devices and MP3 players. Delkin has also introduced two new USB-enabled eFilm reader/writer drives: Reader-2, for CompactFlash Type II cards, and Reader-4, designed for SmartMedia cards up to 128MB capacity. These eFilm Readers give digital photographers the ability to download images from an eFilm card to computer up to 45 times faster than using a digital camera’s serial port connection. The suggested retail price for the SmartMedia card is $259; the Reader-2 or Reader-4 are $99 each. SANDISK INCREASES CAPACITY OF FLASH MEMORYA new generation of flash memory technology that increases the capacity of MultiMediaCards, CompactFlash cards, PC Cards, Secure Digital Memory Cards, FlashDrives and flash chipsets has been introduced by SanDisk Corporation. The high-capacity flash products are based on a new 256-megabit Double Density flash chip designed by SanDisk. DIGITAL PRINTERS EPSON OFFERS THREE NEW DIGITAL PRINTERS Three new Stylus Photo digital printers—the Photo 870, Photo 875DC and Photo 1270—are available from Epson at retail prices of $299, $399 and $499, respectively. All three models feature Advanced Micro Piezo technology, 4 x 6" edge-to-edge snapshot printing and new, six-color photo inks with separate true black ink cartridges. The Photo 1270 can accommodate panoramic sizes up to 13 x 44" and has a maximum printable area of 12.76 x 43.7". SONY’S NEW UP-DP10 DIGITAL PRINTER AIMED AT HOME MARKETWith its vertical design and suggested list price of $389, Sony Electronic’s UP-DP10 digital photo printer was designed specifically for the home and home office market. It produces 4" x 6" borderless prints comparable in quality to photo lab prints in just 85 seconds. Digital files can be adjusted for color and contrast using the supplied printer driver. SCANNERS NEW EPSON GRAPHICS SCANNER OFFERS 1600 X 3200 DPI Epson America has introduced the Expression 1600, a graphics scanner offering 1,600 x 3,200 DPI true hardware resolution. The Expression 1600 is available in four cross-platform software configurations. The Special Edition model was created for software developers, VARs and system integrators and includes the Epson TWAIN Pro drivers only. The other three models—the Artist, Professional (Pro) and professional FireWire (Pro FireWire) models—contain a suite of software including MonacoEZcolor, a color management utility designed to help calibrate the scanner monitor and printer properly. All four models are PC/Mac compatible, and the Special Edition, the Artist, the Pro and the Pro FireWire have suggested retail prices of $799, 899, $1,099 and $1,399 respectively. SOFTWARE ALCHEMEDIA DELIVERS CLEVER CONTENT ONLINE IMAGE PROTECTION TO MACINTOSH CLIENTS Specifically aimed at the 20 million-plus Mac user market, Alchemedia has announced a Macintosh version of Clever Content Viewer. Clever Content technology prevents the copying, printing or screen capturing of web-posted digital images. Mac users, many of whom work in graphic design or related fields, can use the free Clever Content Viewer to see images posted on the Web and protected by Clever Content. The plug-in download is free on Alchemedia’s web site. ENROUTE UNVEILS POWERSTITCHEnroute Imaging’s new software package, PowerStitch, allows users to "stitch" together multiple images to create professional-quality panoramas, effectively turning any standard camera into a medium- or large-format camera. Geared toward professional and prosumer digital and film-based camera users desiring images for extra-large output, PowerStitch stitches together a grid of very high-resolution images. The resulting images are suitable for creation of trade show murals and displays, photo-quality posters, advertising, replicas of large blueprints, maps, and accurate prints of multiple microscopic slides and other professional applications. The suggested list price is $399. IXLA LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE MAC DIGITAL IMAGING PRODUCT A new software product release by IXLA Limited, IXLA Photo Easy Deluxe for the Macintosh, gives Mac users the ability to capture, create and publish digital photos on the Internet. The product incorporates the new Mac USB IXLA Digital SuperPro digital camera with IXLA’s Special Edition Corel Custom Photo software. The suggested list price is $99. EXPRESS DIGITAL RELEASES EXPRESSPHOTO 6.0 Express Digital’s ExpressPhoto 6.0, a digital photographic software application, allows users to shoot, preview and add features—such as borders and text— to their images in seconds and with minimal use of the keyboard. ExpressPhoto 6.0 comes in two versions: ExpressPhoto Pro supports multiple printers and cameras and has the power to produce special effects and composite prints, while ExpressPhoto Event supports Sony printers and the Sony FP3 digital camera and offers photographers an affordable entry into the digital world. The retail price for ExpressPhoto 6.0 is $4,395. ExpressPhoto Event is $2,395. MISCELLANEOUS NEW RAPID WIND GRIP FROM MAMIYA Mamiya’s new 645E Rapid Wind Grip for the Mamiya 645E camera offers convenient, comfortable and fast hand-held use of their medium-format camera. Designed for right-hand use, the grip offers a double-stroke rapid wind lever that simultaneously performs shutter cocking and film advance. The grip accepts a standard cable release thread, and the built-in release button has a lock switch to prevent accidental exposure. The minimum advertised price is $179. NEW CANON MACRO RING LITE OFFERS FULL E-TTL FLASH EXPOSURE CONTROL Canon USA’s new Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX provides professional photographers with full E-TTL flash capability—when used with any EOS System camera that supports E-TTL metering—and supports TTL autoflash plus manual flash exposure control on all EOS System cameras. The suggested retail price is $750. BOOKS STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY TAKES A RIDE ON THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY "We are in the midst of a revolution in how images—traditional and digital—are located, delivered and paid for," claims professional photographer and author Rohn Engh. His new book, sellphotos.com (Writer’s Digest, $18.99), is the first book showing how to start and successfully run a stock photography business on the Internet. Sellphotos.com covers everything from Internet basics and the nature of the stock photography trade to building web sites and operating a business. Readers will also learn how to sell their photos using CD-ROM portfolios, promote themselves, guard against online theft and sell electronic rights |
| MARKET DIRECTORY Alchemedia Better Light Canon Delkin Devices Enroute Imaging Epson Express Digital Fuji Photo Film USA JVC Company of America Lexar Media Mamiya America Corp. Megavision Nikon Inc. Panasonic Pentax Phase One Rollei SanDisk SeaLife Samsung Opto-Electronics Sigma Corp. Sony Electronics Inc. Toshiba Writer’s Digest Books
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