FujiFilm UK Press Release

‘Clip and clean’ with Fujifilm’s multi-purpose cleaning kit

Don’t let smears and smudges soil your vision!

Fujifilm’s extensive range of digital accessories is soon to expand with the arrival of a multi-purpose cleaning kit product, the ‘Fujifilm Lens Cleaning Kit’. This handy gadget attaches easily to belts or bag handles - perfect for those who want to be smudge-free whilst out and about.

Ideal for removing smears or dirt from camera lenses, mobile phones, spectacles, binoculars, computer screens and laptops, the cleaning kit is easy to use and light to carry. The practical travel kit includes a high quality, soft cleaning cloth and anti-reflective lens cleaning fluid - perfect for those photographing muddy outdoor sports, or when working in difficult outdoor conditions. An essential item for the maintenance of precision optical equipment like digital cameras - or anything made of glass.

The Fujifilm Lens Cleaning Kit is available now from photographic retailers at an SRP of £7.99 including VAT.

Delkin Devices Inc. announces three enhancements to their line of eFilm® CardBus adapters, including the 5 in 1 eFilm CardBus adapter, and new drivers for the CompactFlash CardBus 32-bit PCMCIA adapter.

Delkin Devices Inc. Press Releases

DELKIN DEVICES® INTRODUCES FASTER, LESS EXPENSIVE CARDBUS ADAPTERS INCLUDING MULTI-CARD VERSION WITH MAC SUPPORT

Poway CA, February 18, 2005 Delkin Devices Inc., maker of premium quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative digital photography products, announces three enhancements to their line of eFilm® CardBus adapters.  CardBus adapters enable memory cards to work in the PC Card slot on most Windows and Mac based laptops, and uses the high speed CardBus PCMCIA standard.

HP 103 Blue Photo Inkjet Print Cartridge is announced by HP today. The HP 103 cartridge offers an e xtended blue gamut for enhanced landscape photos of water and sky and is designed to work with the new Photosmart 8750 printer. The HP 103 Blue Photo Inkjet Print Cartridge has an estimated U.S. street price of $24.99 and will be available for purchase in April 2005 in North America.

HP Press Release

HP 101 Blue Photo Inkjet Print Cartridge with HP Vivera Inks

Overview
Get gallery-quality prints that resist fading for generations(1) with the new HP 101 Blue Photo Inkjet Print Cartridge with Vivera Inks. Contributing to HP’s new nine-ink printing system in the HP Photosmart 8750 Professional Photo Printer, the new cartridge provides light cyan, light magenta and a new blue HP Vivera Ink. Outdoor photography enthusiasts will be especially impressed by the accuracy of the vivid blues in landscapes, seascapes and sports photos.

HP 102 Gray Photo Inkjet Print Cartridge is announced by HP today. The HP 102 cartridge contains three HP Vivera Inks in dark gray, light gray and photo black and is designed to work with the new Photosmart 8750 printer. The HP 102 Gray Photo Inkjet Print Cartridge has an estimated U.S. street price of $29.99 and will be available for purchase in April 2005 in North America.

HP Press Release

HP 102 Gray Photo Inkjet Print Cartridge with HP Vivera Inks

Overview
Get gallery-quality black-and-white photos with the new HP 102 Gray Photo Inkjet Print Cartridge with HP Vivera Inks. Engineered to work as part of HP’s nine-ink system in the HP Photosmart 8750 Professional Photo Printer, the cartridge contains three specially formulated HP Vivera Inks in dark gray, light gray and photo black. With a
wider palette of true grays and blacks, photographers can create black-and-white photos with high contrast and detail, ideal for stunning landscapes and rich portraits.

HP Premium Photo Cards in 4x8 inch size are announced today. They have a unique back coating whichs enables unattended printing with the ability for photos to stack in the output tray without sticking. The HP Premium Photo Cards have an estimated U.S. street price of $14.99 and is expected to be available for purchase March 2005 in North America.

HP Press Release

HP Premium Photo Cards, 4 x 8-inch, 40 Sheets

Overview
Use HP Premium Photo Cards to share stunning photos with friends and family. HP’s newest photo cards include HP Design Studio software, which contain more than 100 designs developed by AmericanGreetings.com. HP Premium Photo Cards provide users with the flexibility and convenience to create personalized special occasion 4 x 8-inch photo cards with outstanding image quality and color brilliance that will resist fading longer than store-processed photos.(1)

OLYMPUS INTRODUCES NEW UNDERWATER HOUSINGS FOR EVOLT E-300 DIGITAL SLR, ZUIKO DIGITAL SPECIFIC LENSES, AND FL-36 FLASH

High Performance of a Digital SLR is Taken to a New Level with Camera Body, Lenses and Flash Reaching Depths of Up to 180 Feet in Heavy-Duty Housings

Melville, New York, February 17, 2005 – Olympus today announced the PT-E01 Underwater Housing for the EVOLT E-300 Digital SLR, as well as a series of housings ports for several E-System Zuiko Digital Specific™ Lenses and the FL-36 Flash. Specifically designed for the EVOLT E-300 camera and the Zuiko Digital Lenses, these durable housings enable underwater imaging aficionados to explore digital photography in the beauty of the undersea world.

Olympus USA Press Release

OLYMPUS INTRODUCES NEW UNDERWATER HOUSINGS FOR STYLUS 500 AND C-7070 WIDE ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERAS

Cameras Reach Depths of Up to 130 Feet Thanks to Heavy-Duty Housing Construction, LCD Hood Cuts Down Glare for Viewing and Shooting Images  

Melville, New York, February 17, 2005 – Olympus today introduced the PT-026 Underwater Housing designed for use with its Stylus 500 digital camera, and the PT-027 Underwater Housing for the C-7070 Wide Zoom. These stylish and durable transparent polycarbonate housings support underwater digital imaging enthusiasts and are also ideal for use during activities that call for ultimate protection from the elements such as snowboarding, fishing, kayaking, or even in certain industrial situations.

PhotoVu Press Release

PhotoVu™ Launches New 17” Wall-Mounted Wireless Digital Picture Frame

Affording more consumers the ability to bring their photos “out of the shoebox and onto the wall”

PMA, Orlando, FL—February 16, 2005—Today PhotoVu™ announced the availability of the new PV1740 picture frame, which expands the PhotoVu product line and, at $899, offers an affordable alternative to the larger PV1940™.

“Many potential customers have asked us for a more cost effective complement to our current product offering and in response we’ve developed the PV1740,” said Robert Jordan, Partner, PhotoVu. “For those customers who don’t need quite the size of a 19” LCD display, the PV1740, with it’s still wall-sized 17” LCD display, is a great fit, at an unbeatable value.”

M-ROCK ANNOUNCES NEW LINE OF CAMERA BAGS FOR PROFESSIONAL
& AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS

The Most Feature-Packed/User Friendly Digital Camera Bags in the Photo Industry with More Camera Protection, Zippers, and Pockets

Centennial, CO, February 16, 2005, M-ROCK, the ultimate camera and accessory bag manufacturer, will introduce next week at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) in Orlando its new line of digital camera bags made especially for photographers.  Perfect for professional as well as amateur photographers, M-ROCK’s new line of digital camera bags are the most feature-packed/user-friendly digital camera bags available in the photo industry—with more camera and weather protection, zippers, and pockets that photographers crave.

TDK photo quality printable DVDs are launched, compatible with all leading brands of disc-printable inkjet printers. TDK photo quality printable DVDs have a unique coating and an extra large printing area. TDK’s Photo Quality Printable DVDs are available now in both +/-R formats.

TDK Press Release

Picture this – TDK introduces ultra-sharp, glossy finish, photo printable DVDs for that personal touch

Yet another DVD first from TDK: today it launches the first glossy, ultra-high resolution photo printable DVDs. Using TDK’s Photo Quality Printable DVDs, users can now customise their DVD collection with true-to-life, professional-looking photography and images.

TDK’s Photo Quality Printable DVDs are ideal for gifts, business presentations, or a novel archiving system for movies, music, images and data. For example, last year’s holiday video can be easily identified with a true-to-life, glossy picture of the family on the beach or a designer can produce DVD demos of his work with a piece of customised artwork on the surface of the DVD.

Sony Nexelion battery announced - a new hybrid lithium-ion battery offering 30% more lifespan than conventional lithium-ion batteries. Recharge time has alos been improved, with 90% of the Nexelion battery’s capacity being recharged in approximately 30 minutes. The Sony Nexelion batteries will first be used in Sony Handycam camcorders.

Sony Press Release

SONY’s NEW NEXELION HYBRID LITHIUM ION BATTERIES TO HAVE THIRTY-PERCENT MORE CAPACITY THAN CONVENTIONAL OFFERING

Industry’s First Tin-Based Anode Battery to be Initially Used with Handycam Camcorders

With the growing demand for smaller digital devices with increased functionality, the trade-off-until now-has been battery life. Sony Corporation today announced the industry’s first hybrid lithium ion rechargeable battery. Dubbed NexelionTM the new battery utilizes a tin-based amorphous anode; translating into a 30% increase in the capacity per volume ratio compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, and will be commercialized initially as a battery pack for Handycam® camcorder products.

Instead of using graphite-based materials for the anode as found in conventional batteries, Sony incorporated a tin-based amorphous anode material where the lithium ion storage capacity per volume ratio has been increased by 50%, which increases the overall battery capacity by 30%.

I’m not quite sure what this says about their customers, but from the start of this month you can get a free copy of Digital Photography Tips for Dummies with Konica Minolta 4x6-inch photo inkjet paper products (USA only).

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A Press Release

Konica Minolta Announces Free “Dummies” Book with Photo Inkjet Paper Consumer Promotion

Mahwah, NJ (February 9, 2005) Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. announces that from February 1, 2005 until April 30, 2005 consumers that purchase various Konica Minolta inkjet paper packs will immediately receive a free “Dummies” book.

“This innovative inkjet paper consumer promotion is designed to help educate consumers about both digital imaging and scrapbooking two very popular leisure-time activities,” said Todd Schrader, vice president of marketing for Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. “At the same time, Konica Minolta continues to add value to these consumers interested in producing high-quality inkjet prints at home.”

Available for free to consumers is “Digital Photography Tips for Dummies” shrink-wrapped with Konica Minolta 4x6-inch photo inkjet paper products (a $1.99 retail value) and “Creating Scrapbooks for Dummies” shrink-wrapped with Konica Minolta 8.5x11-inch inkjet products (a $7.99 retail value). In addition, both of these books contain a consumer coupon for $2.00 off the purchase of any size or finish of Konica Minolta inkjet photo paper. The coupon expires December 31, 2005.

The AFT PRO-Gear SOLO memory card reader from Atech Flash is reviewed by ePhotoZine.

“The AFT PRO-Gear SOLO is one of the latest 10 in 1 readers that supports 10 card formats such as Compact Flash Type I, Type II, Microdrive, MultiMedia, Secure Digital, Smart Media, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick MagicGate and xD-Picture Card. It’s a sleek designed product that is far more attractive than the earlier bulkier versions. With dimensions of 86.5mm x 14.8mm x 59.7mm it’s smaller than a pack of playing cards and has three slots so you could put three different card types in and transfer date between them.”

Website: AFT PRO-Gear SOLO Review

Website: Read my Review of the AFT Pro Gear Duo

The Nikon SB-600 speedlight flashgun is reviewed by Ken Rockwell. The SB-600 features Nikon’s new i-TTL Balanced Fill Flash technology, has a GN of 30 (35mm at ISO 100), full directional bounce flexibility and an easy to use LCD display. RRP is £229.99.

“The SB-600 does all the things the SB-800 does that anyone really cares about and costs $110 less. You get a smaller, lighter flash with almost as much power and all the features you care about, like automatic wireless TTL remote control. Of course Nikon would prefer you buy the SB-800, so that’s what you’ll see promoted everywhere. Nikon doesn’t go out of their way ensuring this is in stock, either.”

Website: Ken Rockwell - Nikon Speedlight SB-600

Intelligent Mobile Solutions Limited Press Release

IMS Intemos DSLRClean(TM) Now Ships Worldwide A Revolutionary No-Liquid Way to Clean DSLR Sensors

February 2, 2005—Intelligent Mobile Solutions Limited (IMS), announce that its groundbreaking new product DSLRClean(TM) a specially created cleaning stick for removing dust from digital SLR camera sensors is now available worldwide.

The DSLRClean(TM) sticks are designed for use without liquids using a unique micro-pore swab that creates a mini vacuum effect to gently lift dust from both CCD and CMOS type sensors.

IMS, based in Bristol, UK, has created the most effective and safest solution for sensor cleaning at less than half the cost of other available products.

Fantasea Line Press Release

Fantasea Line, distributor of the world’s most popular and affordable underwater photographic products, announces the release of the FD-70, an underwater camera housing, designed exclusively for the Digital SLR Nikon D-70. The Fantasea FD-70 is a compact, lightweight, injection molded polycarbonate housing with ergonomically designed handles, making it easy to hold and use. The FD-70’s interchangeable port system accommodates a wide variety of SLR lenses, allowing photographers to capture the widest variety of superior underwater images.

Lastolite Press Release

The Covelite - Making Lite Work Of Difficult Subjects!

As all photographers are aware, highly reflective subjects like chrome and glass are notoriously difficult to photograph.

The new Covelite from Lastolite Ltd can now handle these items with ease. The Covelite is cleverly designed as a cove-like shape and has a smooth coated interior surface so that it encloses the subject in soft, white reflections. It also has a minimum number of seams (and those that are present are very subtle and carefully placed) so as not to interfere with the photograph.

For the photographer with many cameras - Hama have announced what must surely be the world’s most format-compatible memory card reader - the new TravelDrive Card Reader supports no less than 22 formats!

Hama Press Release

22 Format TravelDrive Card Reader from Hama

Card reader and more

16-in-1, 20-in-1 and now – 22-in-1. Hama will introduce a card reader at CeBIT that can process 22 card formats. In addition to CF (type I & II), this includes Microdrive, SD, SM, MM, Memory Stick, Memory Stick MagicGate, Memory Stick Select, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Duo MagicGate, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Pro MagicGate, Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo MagicGate and xD and the new MagicStore, MMC 4.0, RS-MMC, RS-MMC 4.0 and Mini-SD formats. Even the small TransFlash cards are no problem for the right adapter that is usually already provided with the cards.

Adesso Press Release

Adesso Opens the Door to Creativity with New Line of Pen-based PC Tablets

Adesso’s new tablets offer USB and wireless connectivity and control with an active tablet space of up to 12 x 9-inches

WALNUT, CALIF., Jan. 24, 2005 - Adesso Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative and stylish keyboards, digital cameras, mice, touchpads, and input peripherals, today introduced a brand new family of pen-based tablets for PCs running Windows 2000 and XP. The new CyberTablet series feature a powerful, yet easy-to-use combination of a pressure-sensitive pen, tablet, and software that enables PC users to naturally draw and write freehand graphics and text as comfortably as they would on real paper. The Cyber-series will be available mid-February.

Pantone Press Release

Color Just Got Bigger for 2005 with the New PANTONE Color Guides

Redesigned Guides Boast 25 Percent Larger Swatches for Greater Visualization; New State-of-the-Art Printing Press Improves Color Quality

CARLSTADT, N.J.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 24, 2005—Pantone, Inc., the leading provider of professional color standards for the graphic communications industry worldwide, today announced the most substantial redesign of its flagship product, the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM(R) formula guide, in more than 30 years. The reproduction of color to exact standards is vitally important to designers, printers and their clients. The 2005 formula guide sets a new benchmark for color and includes color swatches that are nearly 25 percent larger for increased accuracy and visual reference when specifying and matching colors. The PANTONE solid chips book, also published in this new format, provides designers with larger tear-out chips.