Thursday, February 09, 2012

Kodak has announced that it is ceasing production of digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames. Due to take place in the first half of 2012, Kodak will instead expand its current brand licensing program, and seek licensees for cameras. Kodak will continue to honor all related product warranties, and provide technical support and service for its cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames.

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Fuji has posted a firmware update for the Fujifilm X100 large-sensor compact camera. Version 1.13 adds compatibility with MacOS X 10.7 and fixes the following bugs:

When VIEW MODE is set to EYE SENSOR activated mode, the camera may be frozen after changing OVF/EVF in certain shooting conditions.
After shooting images in A mode, if the mode dial rotated to another position and returned into A mode during data recording, the shutter of the camera may not work properly.

Website: FinePix X100 Firmware Update Ver.1.13

Ricoh has announced that Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, which was established last October, will assume control of the design, development and distribution of all consumer-oriented imaging products, including all digital cameras. Ricoh’s other business unit, Ricoh Personal Multimedia Product Company - which has hitherto been responsible for the development, manufacture and sales of Ricoh branded cameras -, will now focus on security systems and imaging solutions for the B2B market. The changes will take effect from 1st April.

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Nikon has released a firmware update for the Nikon 1 J1 compact system camera. Version 1.11 resolves an issue that sometimes caused images captured using the built-in flash to be over-exposed. You can download the firmware update from the website below,

Website: Nikon 1 J1 Firmware Update A 1.11, B 1.10

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon 1 V1 compact system camera. Version 1.11 contains fixes for the following bugs:

Images captured using the Speedlight SB-N5 were sometimes over-exposed.
When switching from framing photos in the monitor to using the electronic viewfinder, or vice versa, with focus mode set to MF (manual focus) and the display zoomed in, the camera sometimes did not function properly.

Website: Nikon 1 V1 Firmware Update A 1.11, B 1.10

Manfrotto will showcase a number of photographic products at the Broadcast Video Expo (BVE) 2012 trade show. Among these will be the latest professional video tripod heads - including the Manfrotto 519 Pro Fluid Video Head pictured above -, remotes, LED lighting solutions and a range of dedicated video bags from Kata. The Broadcast Video Expo is taking place from 14-16 February 2012 at Earls Court 2, London.

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Swann has unveiled its latest digital video cameras – the HD PenCam and PenCam 4GB. Each device conceals a miniature video camera and DVR inside a real working pen. The HD PenCam ($99.99) is capable of recording high-definition AVI videos (1280x720 pixels) and high-resolution JPEG images on microSD memory cards, while the PenCam 4G ($69.99) shoots VGA movies and 1.2-megapixel stills and saves them in its built-in memory. Both versions switch between video and photo mode with a touch of a button, feature date and time stamping, and are compatible with PCs and Macs.

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East London gallery and pro lab theprintspace is calling all photography enthusiasts to join its “World” competition on Facebook. As the official sponsor and print partner of the 2012 Sony World Photography Awards, theprintspace has teamed up with the World Photography Organisation (WPO) to offer the winners of the World Competition exclusive prizes. Interested photographers can upload one image which illustrates their perception of the world. Prizes range from tickets to the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, a Premium WPO 12 month membership, professional 20”x24” Dibond mounts and prints, a space in theprintspace’s annual SoShowMe Exhibition to features on theprintspace blog. The submission deadline is 20th February. You can read the rules and enter your work through the website below.

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Ricoh has posted a firmware update for the Ricoh CX6 digital compact camera. Version 1.23 fixes a bug that has caused photos to be out of focus with Pre-AF turned on and the ADJ/OK button depressed. The firmware upgrade can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Ricoh Global

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

The Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM (SAL500F40G) is a professional grade super-telephoto lens for A-mount SLR and SLT cameras. Billed as the longest fixed-focal-length G lens from Sony to date, the Sony G 500mm f/4 SSM includes 11 elements in 10 groups, including three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements. It’s also the first G lens from Sony to benefit from an advanced new coating process that ensures crisper, clearer images. Exclusive to Sony, the Nano AR Coating process is claimed to cut internal reflections “drastically”. The lens’ SSM (SuperSonic-wave Motor) features a new drive circuit that ensures rapid, responsive AF with significantly faster object tracking than conventional Sony lenses. Four focus hold buttons are spaced around the lens barrel for easy operation in any position. They’re complemented by a two-way DMF (Direct Manual Focus) mode button and focus range switch. Focusing ring and front/rear joints are protected by interlocking seals that ensure a high degree of protection from the elements. Built to order, the SAL500F40G super-telephoto lens from Sony is available in the UK from April 2012.

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