Fantasea Line Press Release

Fantasea Line Releases the F350D Housing for Canon Rebel XT/350D Digital Camera

Fantasea Line, distributor of the world’s most popular and affordable underwater photographic products, announces the release of the F350D waterproof camera housing for the Digital Canon Rebel XT/350D. The Fantasea F350D is a compact, lightweight, injection molded polycarbonate housing with ergonomically designed handles, making it easy to hold and use. The F350D’s interchangeable port system accommodates a wide variety of SLR lenses, allowing photographers to capture the widest variety of superior underwater images.

The Fantasea F350D is more than just an underwater camera housing since it provides protection for the Canon Rebel XT/350D against damage from rain, snow, dust, sand and dirt. It is a valuable tool for many commercial, industrial, and medical applications, because it is resistant to most liquids and sprays.

Think Tank Photo Press Release

Airport Security Designed to Alleviate Photographers’ 4 Greatest Fears

SANTA ROSA, CALIF – For photographers, having to check their gear before boarding an airliner or leaving it unattended at a shoot exposes them to one of their greatest fears:  the theft of their equipment and possibly their livelihood.  Think Tank Photo’s new Airport Security rolling carry-on bag (www.thinktankphoto.com) not only allows photographers to roll their bodies, lenses, and accessories onto an airliner and legally store them in an overhead bin, it features front- pocket and main compartment combination locks and a cable from a secret rear hatch that allow them to secure their bag to posts, trees, and other immovable objects.

Pantone Press Release

New Pantone(R) huey(TM) Improves Color and Solves Digital Image Problems on Monitors; Family of Monitor Color Correction Tools Delivers Accurate Digital Images, Intensifies Online Gaming, Enhances e-Commerce and Web Experiences

CARLSTADT, N.J.—Jan. 16, 2006—Pantone, Inc., the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced the availability of huey(TM), an easy-to-use monitor calibration tool designed for digital photo enthusiasts, gamers and any computer user wanting absolute color and clarity.

Developed in partnership with GretagMacbeth and brought to market by Pantone, huey is based on GretagMacbeth’s technology for professional-level products and delivered in an easy-to-use, affordable device—a true breakthrough in terms of form, function and usability. About the size of a small marker, huey delivers excellent results on LCD, laptop and CRT displays without requiring users to have any knowledge of color management. In addition, huey is the first monitor calibration device to continually adjust the monitor as room lighting changes.

Colour Confidence Press Release

Birmingham UK, 16th January, 2006 - Colour Confidence, the leading independent colour management specialists, have today announced their appointment as distributor of the complete range of PANTONE®/gretagmacbeth monitor calibration devices. This includes the all new huey™, Eye-One® Display LT and Eye-One Display 2. This family of products completely breaks though barriers of cost and complexity that have kept many potential users away and also provides a migration path for users as their needs grow. They are all available immediately from www.colourconfidence.com

“Colour Confidence is the single largest Colour Management operation in the United Kingdom. They are focussed on colour management and possess the most comprehensive source of knowledge in that area,” commented Helmut Eifert, vice president of European Operations at Pantone. “Partnering with Colour Confidence means the widest possible audience will have access to the complete range of Pantone products, including the new family of monitor calibration devices.”

Just Rams Press Release

Just Rams Adds a Splash of Colour to Your Life

London, 16 January 2006 – Just Rams Plc today announces five colourful new additions to its USB 2.0 Drive range, the Integral USB 2.0 SPLASH Drives. Available in blue, green, yellow, pink and lilac, and incorporating Windows™ compatible Security and ZIP compression software makes the Integral USB 2.0 SPLASH Drives a safe and stylish way of moving files between school or college, office and home.

- Integral launches Five New Colourful USB 2.0 SPLASH Drives
- Windows™ Compatible Security and ZIP Compression Software
- Available with a 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB or 2GB capacity

Luminous Landscape have just reviewed the new PrintFIX PRO profiling system from ColorVision.

“If one wishes a reasonable match between one’s inkjet printer results and monitor, as well as maximal print quality, it is best to have a color managed system, in which ICC profiles act as a “translator” between the various ways that these devices interpret colors.  These profiles may be supplied with the devices, purchased, or one may generate them with appropriate equipment.  There are various approaches, but it is generally accepted that specialized hardware, designed for the purpose, does the best job.  In years past this was very expensive, but prices have fallen dramatically in recent years for monitor colorimeter based systems, and now this is also true for hardware based printer profiling.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - PrintFIX PRO Review

Northlight Images have just reviewed the new PrintFIX PRO profiling system from ColorVision.

“After my original PrintFIX review, I’ve had a few mails from people who tried the original PrintFIX and had problems. Now some of these were down to faulty measurements (bad scans) or printers that just weren’t very good. However, one area I sometimes found was that people were using the system, without really understanding what was going on. The PrintFIX PRO is an entirely new system and does an awful lot more than the original scanner and Photoshop based approach. To get the best out of colour management you really do need to learn what it is all about. I’m not talking about being able to give lectures and talks on the subject, just having an appreciation of the principles. Fortunately ColorVision have realised this and a lot of effort has gone into the on-line documentation. You can use printer profiles to get better prints without knowing how they are made, but if you are going to create them yourself, it’s time to find out more about the process.”

Website: Northlight Images - PrintFIX PRO Review

Kingston Technology Press Release

Kingston Technology Launches microSD to Support New Smartphones

[12 January 2006]  Kingston Technology, the world’s leading independent memory manufacturer, today announced the launch of its new microSD memory card, as part of its strategy to support the rapidly growing ‘smartphone’ market.

“The coming year will see a dramatic increase in the take up of sophisticated, multifunctional, mobile handsets and Kingston Technology is ready with multiple formats of expansion memory to support these advanced wireless devices,” said Jim Selby, Product Marketing Manager EMEA, Kingston Technology.”

Sigma have issued a service notice about compatibility issues with some of its flashguns and the Nikon D200 DSLR.

Sigma Notice

Firmware update notice for Sigma’s Nikon fit flashguns (NA i-TTL version) 

To our valued customers,

Responding to enquiries received recently regarding the Nikon NA-iTTL version of the Sigma EF500 DG Super, Sigma EF500 DG ST and the EM140 DG when used with the Nikon D200 DSLR. We would direct you to the compatibility chart on our website which states that these flashguns do not support either the D2X, D2H or D200 i-TTL system.

Wacom Press Release

New Wacom® Intuos®3 12x19 Pen Tablet Anticipates Needs of Professionals Switching to Large Widescreen Displays and Multiple Monitors

Vancouver, WA - Jan. 9, 2006 - Wacom Technology Corporation’s new Intuos3 12x19 pen tablet is specifically designed for photographers, designers, artists and engineers who are using multiple large monitors or a large widescreen display such as the 30” Apple® Cinema® HD display. Like the recently introduced Intuos3 6x11, the Intuos3 12x19 features an active area with an aspect ratio (height-to-width) that is a great match to the screen aspect ratio of either a widescreen display or standard displays used together. This provides optimal pen control and efficient use of the entire tablet.

Sandisk Press Release

SanDisk Adds “U3 Smart” USB Flash Drives To Its Cruzer Line So Consumers Can Take Their “Personal Workspace” with Them

New SanDisk Cruzer Micro and Titanium Feature Sleek New Designs & Advanced Software Bundle

LAS VEGAS, NV, Jan. 5, 2006 – SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced a significant enhancement to its line of award-winning Cruzer® Micro and Cruzer Titanium USB flash drives. The two models feature a sleek new design and include software that turns them into ‘U3 smart drives’ so users can access their “personal workspace”—software programs, personal preferences, personal files and data as well as the means for managing them within a highly secure environment—on any personal computer running Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000. The new Cruzer models were unveiled at a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Booth #30329, South Hall, Level 3, Las Vegas Convention Center.

PhotoVu Press Release

PhotoVu Announces World’s Most Powerful Wireless Digital Picture Frame

Double Memory Increase and Upgradeability Ensures Support of Rapid Camera Megapixel Growth

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/—Today PhotoVu(TM) announced the availability of the new PhotoVu PV1955(TM) picture frame, which adds support for up to 16.7 megapixel cameras, USB 2.0, and future upgradeability to Wi-Fi(R) wireless-G networking, advanced screen transitions, commercial applications, and Internet services. An optional 1GB USB flash drive or USB 40GB removable hard drive can also be used for stand-alone play.

ePhotoZine have reviewed the Wacom Graphire4 pen tablet, which offers a new, ergonomically designed pen and tablet in either A6 or A5 size and silver, metallic design.

“Another major improvement is in the Graphire4’s pen. It now has a rubberised grip which makes it really comfortable to use and the front and back pen keys are set slightly apart to help you find and press the right key every time. In use I found the two keys positioned too high up the shaft and not that conveniently placed for my index finger or thumb action. I do, however, tend to write holding a pen really close to the nib, so I checked with colleagues. Three out of the four preferred lower buttons.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Wacom Graphire4 Review

Sony USA Press Release

Sony Launches Designs for Micro Vault Lineup at CES - “Tiny” and Biometric Models Highlight Lineup

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/—CES Booth # 14200—At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, Sony Electronics will unveil a redesigned Micro Vault lineup, which will include the Micro Vault “Tiny,” the Micro Vault PRO 8GB, the Micro Vault Classic and Turbo and the Micro Vault with Fingerprint Access. Each offers users substantial storage capacity and high transfer speeds in stylish designs.

“We’re really focusing on new, conducive designs that deliver high performance in high style,” said Mike Lucas, Sony’s marketing director for consumer media products.

SD Card Association Press Release

New High Capacity SD Memory Card Specification Under Final Review by SD Card Association - Specification to Allow Development of Higher-Capacity Memory Cards for Next Generation A/V and Telecommunications Devices -

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/—At the 2006 International CES held here this week, the SD Card Association (SDA) announced it expects to finalize specifications for a new, high-capacity SD Memory Card—the SDHC Memory Card—in early 2006. The new specification will expand SD card capacity beyond 2GB, to meet the memory-hungry requirements of a new generation of audio/video and telecommunications devices—from camcorders to cell phones and computers, digital still cameras to plasma televisions and PDAs, among others.

PNY Technologies Press Release

STORE MORE FILES WITH PNY TECHNOLOGIES’ 8GB, USB 2.0 EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE

LAS VEGAS - January 05, 2006 – Announced today at CES, PNY Technologies®, Inc. has unveiled Maxfile™, a USB 2.0 external hard drive. This portable storage device provides a convenient and economical way for mobile users to carry more than 8GB* of data or transfer files at speeds up to 480MB/sec*. Its small form factor fits conveniently in a briefcase or backpack.

Maxfile’s cost-per-megabyte is much less compared to other portable storage solutions of this physical size. Weighing only 60 grams and with a capacity starting at 8GB, users can store more than 16,000 digital photos, 2,400 songs in MP3 format, or thousands of text files. Its integrated USB connector plugs into any (MAC or PC) USB port to immediately store and access files, without requiring an extra power supply.

Transcend Press Release

Transcend launches its Very High Capacity 1GB MMCmobile Memory Card, Perfect for the Next-Generation of Mobile Digital Devices

Transcend Information, Inc. a tireless innovator and world leader in flash memory solutions is proud to introduce the release of its enormous memory capacity 1GB MMCmobile(tm) Memory Card (Dual-Voltage Reduced-Sized MultiMediaCard), the world’s highest capacity MMCmobile card and ideal for use in the latest high-spec portable digital devices.

Kodak UK Press Release

Kodak and Lexar Introduce High-Performance Memory Cards - New Cards Ideal for Rapidly Capturing and Viewing Still Pictures

LONDON, January 3 2006 - Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) and Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR) have introduced KODAK High Performance memory cards designed for digital camera owners who require high-speed processing for rapid-fire still shooting, high frame rate video capture, and fast computer transfer. Initially available in SD (Secure Digital) format, KODAK High Performance memory cards, offered by Lexar, are ideal for users of all SD format digital cameras with both still and video capture capabilities.

CameraBright Press Release

CameraBright Introduces Two New Products that Address the Growing Digital SLR Camera and High-End Camcorder Markets

The Extended Range Plus CameraBright! TM ER+ light Delivers Durability for Digital SLR or Camcorder users, while the HS1 Hotshoe Mount Adds Versatility for Connecting any CameraBright! TM Light to a universal shoe mount.

CameraBright, Inc. expands its product line of the world’s only consumer-based photographic lighting accessory product line by introducing two new products, the CameraBright! X1-ER Plus lighting accessory with durable metal threads for heavier use applications and the HS1 universal camera shoe adapter for connecting any of the available CameraBright! lighting accessories to a digital SLR camera or camcorder shoe mount. CameraBright! X1 lighting accessories connect to virtually any digital camera or camcorder to allow users to capture better pictures and videos in low and no light situations.

Pacific Digital Press Release

PACIFIC DIGITAL® AND MICROSOFT® COLLABORATE ON INTERGRATING WINDOWS VISTA TECHNOLOGIES WITH DIGITAL PICTURE FRAMES

Pacific Digital ® announces collaboration with Microsoft® in integrating new multimedia features of Microsoft’s Windows Vista with the MemoryFrame line of Digital Photo Frames.

LAS VEGAS, NV – January 1, 2006 – Pacific Digital Corporation is working with Microsoft to integrate the next generation MemoryFrame family of digital picture frames with enhanced features built into the upcoming Microsoft Windows Vista release. Pacific Digital will be demonstrating Microsoft Windows Vista at it’s booth at CES.

Digital Picture Frames are quickly becoming a standard part of the home, displaying digital photos and other content as an “electronic scrapbook”. The MemoryFrame will be able use the features of Windows Vista to further integrate digital picture frames into the home experience by supporting Windows Vista capabilities such as Windows Media Connect, Windows Connect Now and RSS Feeds.