Olympus Press Release 27/09/04

Compact and lightweight Olympus FL-36 flash is designed for performance and portability

Latest Electronic Flash Rounds Out “Designed For Digital” Product Offerings and Provides Impressive and Cost-Effective Performance

Melville, New York, September 27, 2004 - Olympus America Inc. today introduced the FL-36 Electronic Flash, an external flash unit that joins the existing members of the Olympus electronic flash family. Designed specifically for use with digital cameras, the FL-36 rounds out the comprehensive lineup of “designed for digital” accessories for the E-System Digital SLR cameras and other prosumer models from Olympus. The FL-36 flash offers the robust and full-featured functionality of the larger FL-50 combined with cost effectiveness.

“The FL-36 provides photographers with an additional option from the existing suite of electronic flashes Olympus offers for our E-System Digital SLR cameras and prosumer models like the C-8080 Wide Zoom and C-5060,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Olympus America. “As a result of its completely digital framework, the FL-36 achieves a higher level of exposure accuracy than flash units designed for film based cameras.”

Lexar Press Release 27/09/04

Lexar’s Multi-Card Readers Enhanced To Include Newest Digital Media Card Formats

Consumers Can Capitalize on Wide Compatibility That Now Includes Consumer-Friendly Reduced-Size MMC, Mini Secure Digital and Memory Stick Duo

COLOGNE, Germany, September 27, 2004 - Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading marketer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today at Photokina (Hall 1.2, B-058), announced the expanding compatibility of its line of USB 2.0 multi-card readers to include Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC), Mini Secure Digital (miniSD) and Memory Stick Duo flash memory card formats to address the demand of consumers looking for readers compatible with the widest range of media cards. By adding a new multi-card reader to its line, and updating its single slot card reader, Lexar delivers valuable functionality to consumers who store important images, music and other data on a variety of media card formats.

“Consumers look to us to provide options when they need a quick and easy method for transferring captured images from their media cards to their desktops,” said Dave Klenske, director of product marketing, Lexar. “Consumers are buying a variety of imaging and entertainment devices that use a variety of media formats. As a result, our multi-card reader is an ideal solution as it works with all popular digital media card formats, and provides high-speed information transfer and ease-of-use,” he added.

ExpoDisc Inc. Press Release 23/09/04

ExpoDisc Unveils Digital Warm Balance Color Filter at PhotoPlus Expo

Provides Fast, Accurate Color at Capture for Photographers and Videographers

ExpoDisc, Booth 570, PhotoPlus Expo
October 21-23, 2004 Jacob Javits Convention Center New York

NEW YORK, NY (September 23, 2004) - ExpoDisc Inc., the pioneer in diffusion filters that allow photographers to fine-tune color balance at capture, today announced the ExpoDisc Digital Warm Balance Filter.  The new filter is designed for professional photographers, videographers, and serious amateurs.

The new filter produces custom color at the point of capture. Photographers no longer have to shoot through extra glass, carry inconsistent and cumbersome cards, or spend hours on the computer in post-production color correction.  Users just need to read and set white balance with the ExpoDisc Digital Warm Balance filter in place before shooting to produce portraits and landscapes with warmer, more pleasing colors.

The Digital Warm Balance Filter is a calibrated, colored diffusion filter with a bias that forces the digital camera to add precise quantities of red and green color to a neutral balance.  The filter is excellent for warming (or balancing) skin tones in indoor or outdoor portraits and scenery.  It decreases color temperature; adds healthy skin tone to images shot in open shade or overcast conditions; slightly reduces the bluish cast on overcast days or at high noon; reduces excess blue from flash indoors or in daylight flash-fill; as well as warms sea, sky and high altitude shots.

The Hungarian website Index Digicam has just reviewed the Apacer Disc Steno CP-200 portable storage device, which can transfer image files or other data from flash memory cards to CD-R or CD-R/W discs without a computer.

Website: Index Digicam - Apacer Disc Steno CP-200 Review

M-ROCK Press Release 15/09/04

M-ROCK ANNOUNCES LINE OF CAMERA BAGS MADE ESPECIALLY FOR DIGITAL CAMERA, TRAVEL, AND OUTDOOR USE

With Non-Abrasive Materials, More Pockets, Bungee Straps and Versatility that Photographers Crave

Centennial, CO, September 15, 2004, M-ROCK, the ultimate camera and accessory bag manufacturer, will introduce at Photokina its line of 14 user-friendly digital camera and camcorder bags, modular belts, and backpacks with everything the amateur photographer, traveler and outdoorsman needs to store and carry their camera equipment no matter where they go. 

M-ROCK?s camera and accessory bags are on the cutting-edge of modular design and development.  Especially created to carry digital cameras from small point and shoot to larger SLRs with protruding lenses, M-ROCK?s camera bags are made of digital-camera friendly non-abrasive materials and have loads of interior and exterior see-through pockets for memory cards and digital camera accessories.  The bags have additional special camera features, such as U-shaped lens cradles that protect lenses by securely holding them in place and keeping the camera weight off the lens.

The second review this week sees Luminous Landscape take a look at the BH-55 Ball Head from Really Right Stuff.

“So, is the BH-55 the best ballhead ever? Based on its quality of materials and construction, I would have to agree with the RRS copy writer. Indeed, if it wasn’t for the somewhat less than ideal placement of the panning knob I would have given it an A+. As it is the BH-55 rates a solid A, and thus goes to the head of the class. My Arca Swiss B1 head is now in retirement.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head Review

Digital Outback Photo contributor Paul Caldwell has taken a look at the BH-55 Ball Head from Really Right Stuff. Don’t know what a ball head is? Let Paul explain:

“With a ballhead, you have a very versatile shooting platform. The basic layout is to have a ball which has a shaft that is attached to your quick release platform, and a case around the ball. The case provides both a method to capture the ball and apply friction to the ball. You need to be able to have a friction mechanism that is variable. This will allow you to free up the ball to allow movement so you can position it for the next shot, but also then tighten down on the ball after the correct position is achieved.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head Review

The new August issue of Digital Camera Magazine (priced #5.99) is now available and contains the following:

“Just a quick note to let you know that the August issue of Digital Camera Magazine is now on the newsstands. This issue’s two free coverdiscs feature a top Paint Shop Pro video tutorial PLUS 60 minutes of professional Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 video workshop that shows you how to master this fabulously powerful piece of software. As if this wasn’t enough, we’re also giving away the FULL version of ACDSee PowerPack 3.1, as sold for #40. This essential software kit enables you to touch up your photos, and create customised slideshows and screensavers at the touch of a button!(The DVD version of the magazine carries even more great software and video tutorials.)

In the magazine itself, we present the definitive guide to taking better landscapes. Our 7-page guide shows you how to photograph summer skies, woodland, seascapes, mountains and more! We’ve also got loads of inspirational Photoshop projects, reviews of 51 top cameras and - of course - the unique 8-page Getup&go pullout section, your passport to the best photo locations.”

Website: Digital Camera Magazine