HP Press Release 27/08/04

HP Introduces Fall Lineup of Digital Photography, Music, TV, Home Projection and Entertainment Offerings in Time for Back-to-school and Holiday Shopping

HP offers consumers keys to living digitally—simple, personalized experiences

MIAMI, Aug. 27, 2004
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HP today announced its expansion into multiple new consumer digital entertainment and digital photography categories with a range of offerings aimed at making it easier than ever for people to live digitally. The offerings include new digital cameras and photo printers, home theater projectors, plasma and LCD flat-panel TVs, entertainment-based notebooks and desktop PCs, and the Apple iPod from HP - all in time for the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.

HP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carly Fiorina unveiled the enhanced digital lineup today during a press conference in South Beach, Fla., where HP is sponsoring the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).

In a natural progression from the portable storage devices that enable you to copy files from a memory card onto blank CDs, Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd has just announced the DigiMagic DM220 DVD Burner. This device enables you to produce a back-up copy of digital photos directly from your camera?s flash memory card onto a CD-R / CD-RW or DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RW disc. The RRP is £350 and it will be available in September 2004. More details can be found at DP-Now.

Website: DP-Now - DigiMagic DM-220 DVD Burner

Website: DigiMagic DM-220 DVD Burner

An interesting article on creativepro.com looks at the various options for storing digital photos whilst on an extended stay. They’ve reviewed 3 different portable storage devices; SmartDisk FlashTrax,Belkin Media Reader for iPod and the Epson P-1000 Photo Viewer.

“With the emergence of professional digital cameras, photographers have moved away from film to solid-state digital cards as their electronic version of film. Though significantly smaller and easier-to-store, media card-equipped digital cameras create a new kind of problem: where to download images and where to store them when you’re on a long-term assignment.”

Website: creativepro.com - Bit by Bit: On the Road with Digital Storage Devices

Sony Press Release 24/08/04

SONY’S MEMORY STICK PRO MEDIA ADDS 2GB CAPACITY, PLUS FASTER READ AND WRITE SPEED OPTIONS

Entire Line-up Offers Reliable Performance Under Wider Temperature Range

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2004 - Sony Electronics is providing Memory Stick PRO media users with an expanded range of enhanced media that not only offers higher capacities and are high-speed read and write capable, but are also compatible with a vast array of current Memory Stick PRO devices.

The updated Memory Stick PRO (High Speed) media features capacities of up to 2GB in the standard-size media and 1GB in the Memory Stick PRO Duo media size and are designed to support both read and write speeds of up to 80Mbps (10MB/s.). Among the fastest in the flash media industry, this higher speed will be especially beneficial for transferring data-intensive images, such as high-resolution digital photos, to and from PCs and other devices that may incorporate a high-speed parallel data transfer interface in the future.

Kodak Press Release 24/08/04

Enhances Kodak’s capabilities to provide CMOS Image Sensors targeted to Consumer Markets
Rochester, N.Y., August 24—Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK) has signed an agreement to purchase the Imaging business of National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:NSM), which develops and manufactures complimentary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor (CIS) devices.  Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

As part of this agreement, Kodak will acquire certain assets, including intellectual property and equipment, and plans to hire approximately 50 employees currently supporting National’s Imaging business.  Most of the employees are based in Santa Clara, Calif.  These assets will become part of Kodak’s Image Sensor Solutions organization, which currently designs and manufactures image sensors for professional and industrial imaging markets.

Now that the new Canon DSLR, compact digicams, flash, lenses, film SLR and film compact (phew!) have been officially announced, the usual flood of previews, reviews and first looks has started. You may wonder exactly how someone can review a camera that was only announced late last night - well, in the case of DCResource, they have known all about Canon’s announcements for the last few months.

So here, in alphabetical order, is a list of the websites and their articles about the new kit:

DCResource
Canon EOS 20D - Preview
Canon EOS 20D - Sample Images
Canon Powershot G6 - Review

Digit.no
Canon EOS 20D - Preview and Sample Images

DPReview
Canon EOS 20D - Preview and Sample Images
Canon Powershot G6 - Preview

e-Fotografija
Canon EOS 20D - Beta Test
Canon Powershot A95 - Review
Canon Powershot A400 - Review

Imaging Resource
Canon EOS 20D - First Look
Canon EOS 20D - Sample Images

Index Digicam
Canon EOS 20D - Preview
Canon Powershot G6 - Preview
Canon Powershot S70 - Preview
Canon Powershot A95 - Preview and Image Samples
Canon Powershot A400 - Preview and Image Samples

Luminous Landscape
Canon EOS 20D - Review Part 1
Canon EOS 20D - Review Part 2 (including sample images)

Photo.net
Canon EOS 20D - Preview

Rob Galbraith
Canon EOS 20D - Review

Steves Digicams
Canon EOS 20D - First Look
Canon Powershot G6 - First Look
Canon Powershot A95 - Review
Canon Powershot A85 - Review
Canon Powershot A400 - Review

Torontopics
Canon Powershot G6 - Links

If you spot anything else of interest around the web, please let me know and I’ll add it to the list.

SmartDisk Corporation Press Release 23/08/04

Fort Myers, Fla., August 23, 2004 - SmartDisk Corporation announced today that its FlashTrax portable, palm-sized digital multimedia device now displays histograms, the graphic representation of the range of image tones in a photograph. Histograms are especially helpful to professional photographers when reviewing digital shots on location.

“FlashTrax provides full detail on the tonal range of an image, solving one of the most challenging aspects of field photography,? said Charles Klinker, Vice President, Marketing for SmartDisk. ?Current FlashTrax owners can download this newest feature through firmware available at the SmartDisk Web site.”

SanDisk Press Release 23/08/04

SanDisk CompactFlash Memory Card Survives Blast That Destroys Camera—and Records Moment of Impact
 
Razing of old highway bridge across the Mississippi River created a more powerful than expected back-blast for photographer and camera gear on the ground. Photo courtesy of Southeast Missourian. 
 
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Aug. 23, 2004—Photographer Was Nearly Too Close in Attempting to Photograph the Dynamiting of a 76-Year-Old Span on the Mississippi River  

When a demolition crew set off an explosion to bring down an old highway bridge on the Mississippi River, newspaper photographer Don Frazier was so close that his hair stood on end. His digital camera, positioned on a tripod at an even closer point to remotely capture the event, fared much worse. It was blown to bits.

But to Frazier’s amazement, there on the ground, inches from the shattered remnants of his new pro-level camera, was his SanDisk(R) 256MB CompactFlash(R) card, which he had owned since 1999. Surprisingly, except for a few nicks, it was unscathed, even though it had been blasted from the camera chamber. And when he inserted the card into a PC reader, up popped an image that has astonished everyone who’s seen it.

VOSONIC IC-DRIVE VP3610

9 in 1 Portable Storage Device with 20GB or 40GB capacity
- Fast connection with USB 2.0 & LCD Panel -
- Ultra Compact Design -
- MP3 Jukebox Player -

The Vosonic IC Drive is a compact version of the X’S-Drive Pro VP300 and provides the same features: copy from any memory card all the files to the internal Hard Drive, fast USB 2.0 compatible interface, LCD panel to indicate detailed Working status, File transfer and battery power level, and MP3 Music player.

The IC Drive VP3610 includes a 1.8 inches hard drive which allows a much more compact design in comparison to the XS Drives using 2.5 inches hard drives.

It displays on its 2.5 inches LCD screen detailed information such as the names of files being transferred and the transfer progress status.

Canon UK Press Release 19/08/04

New Canon professional model Speedlite flash ideal for digital photography
 
Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces a new flagship model in its EX Speedlite range: the Canon Speedlite 580EX. Now Canon’s most powerful flash unit, the Speedlite 580EX has a guide number of 58 (m/ISO 100 at 105mm) and an adjustable angle of coverage suitable for wide lenses to 14mm. 

Replacing the popular Canon Speedlite 550EX, the Speedlite 580EX improves on many specifications of its predecessor, and includes new features to improve digital EOS SLR flash results. These include transfer of colour temperature data to optimise the white balance compensation, and auto-adjustment of the zoom flash position to best compliment the sensor size of the camera to which the unit is attached.

Circuitry modifications improve on the Speedlite 550EX recycle times by approximately 25%. An ultra-bright 3-LED configuration focus assist-beam has been designed to be compatible with all focus points within the frame of all EOS AF systems, including the new EOS 20D 9-point AF. The unit has improved exposure stability, with a tolerance of just ?0.3 stops.

As if all of that Canon news wasn’t enough, PhotographyBLOG visitor Dirk Ellenbeck has kindly let me know that the Leica Digital-Modul-R, which turns the analogue Leica R8 or R9 SLR into a digital one, was officially revealed yesterday at a pre-Photokina press conference in Hamburg. There’s no details yet on Leica’s website, but Dirk does have a page with the specs on his weblog (in German though).

Website: Dirk Ellenbeck’s Weblog

Leica Press Release/Specifications 17/08/04

LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R: The world’s first digital 35mm camera back

Choice of digital or analog photography with the same LEICA R8 and R9 SLR camera and lenses

This year’s photokina photo trade fair in Cologne will witness the presentation of the world’s first digital 35mm camera back by Leica Camera AG, Solms. Using the LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R, the analog SLR cameras LEICA R8 and R9 can be transformed into digital cameras in next to no time. Any of the high-performance lenses of the Leica R system made after 1965 can be used in combination with this new development to produce top-quality digital and analog photos. The photographer can decide from photo to photo whether to benefit from the fast communication possibilities and direct result checking offered by digital photography or opt for the permanence, authenticity and emotional quality of silver halide photography.

“This hybrid product links the decades of investment of our customers in lenses and cameras for film-based photography to the progress made in digital technology. The LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R is the logical consequence of Leica’s product philosophy, which is based on decades of system compatibility and retention of value,” said Hanns-Peter Cohn, CEO of Leica Camera AG at the product presentation.

Deliveries for the LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R are scheduled to begin in December 2004.

Sandisk Press Release 16/08/04

SANDISK WINS EISA AWARD-NAMED “EUROPEAN MEMORY CARD OF THE YEAR 2004-2005”

SanDisk Wins Second Prestigious European Award For Its High Speed CompactFlash

Sunnyvale, CA, Aug. 16, 2004 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced that the European Imaging & Sound Association (EISA), has named the SanDisk Ultra II line of high-speed storage cards as the European Memory Card of the Year 2004-2005. The SanDisk Ultra II cards recently won a TIPA award, making this the second prestigious European award earned for the Ultra II cards speed and performance.

EISA is the largest editorial multimedia organization in Europe, with a membership of 50 Audio, Mobile Electronics, Video and Photo magazines drawn from 20 European countries. The highly sought-after awards are presented annually in recognition of new products that combine the most advanced technology, performance and value.

Nikon UK Press Release 13/08/04

Nikon are pleased to announce the launch of several new digiscoping accessories:

Product RRP
- Fieldscope Digital Camera Bracket FSB-1 £89.99
- Fieldscope Digital SLR Camera Attachment FSA-L1 £299.99
- Fieldscope Eyepiece 24x(?60)/30x(?82)Wide DS £230.99
- Fieldscope Eyepiece 40x(?60)/50x(?82) Wide DS £230.99
- Fieldscope Eyepiece 60x(?60)/75x (?82)Wide DS £230.99
- Digital Camera Attachment FSA-1 & 2 £69.99
- Digital Camera Attachment FSA-3 £19.99

Available from September 2004

Shriro Sweden Press Release 12/08/04

A BRAVE NEW WORLD: HASSELBLAD AND IMACON MERGE TO TAKE ON THE PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL MARKET

8/12/2004 Shriro Sweden, the holding company of Victor Hasselblad AB, and part of the Hong Kong-headquartered Shriro Group, has announced the acquisition of leading international high-end scanner and digital cameraback manufacturer, Imacon. The move will see Imacon and Hasselblad merge to accelerate Hasselblad’s ambitions in the professional digital photographic sector, and creates the first single source supplier for digital photography at the top end of the professional photographic market.

Christian Poulsen, founder of Imacon, and CEO of the newly-enlarged Hasselblad says: “Hasselblad has long been synonymous with quality in the field of analogue photography and Imacon is recognised as leading the way in terms of innovative technologies in the high-end digital photographic sectors.

This new company presents us with tremendous opportunities to move forward and is the most exciting development in the field of professional digital photography for many years. It will significantly lower the barriers to entry and allow more photographers than ever before to realise the quality, versatility and performance of our high-end digital solutions.”

SanDisk Corporation Press Release 09/08/04

SANDISK’S ULTRA II COMPACTFLASH CARDS WIN PRESTIGIOUS DIGITAL IMAGING AWARD FOR SPEED AND PERFORMANCE

SanDisk’s Ultra II CompactFlash Cards Win TIPA Award - Europe’s Highest Award For Best Photo Products

Sunnyvale, CA, Aug. 9, 2004 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced that the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), an association made up of 30 top photography publications from across Europe, has awarded its Best Imaging Storage Media Award to the SanDisk Ultra II CompactFlash line of high-speed storage cards. The SanDisk Ultra II cards were recognized by leading editors, many of whom are professional photographers, as setting “a new standard for industry performance.” TIPA editors judge on quality, performance and value - criteria that are very important to all photographers.

“We have worked very hard to take the leadership position in the digital camera storage card market,” said Nelson Chan, senior vice president and general manager of SanDisk’s retail business unit. “It is a real honor for our efforts to be recognized by such a distinguished panel of experts and one that makes all of us here at SanDisk very proud. The TIPA Award is further assurance that SanDisk’s Ultra II cards will meet the rigorous demands of digital photographers around the world.”

DigiTimes are running a story about yet another new memory card format, confusingly named the ucard (how do you pronounce that?). What sets it apart from all the other formats on the market is its maximum storage size - a massive 2 terabytes! Apparently the new format will go into mass production in early-2005. We’ll wait and see if it can make an impression in the digicam market, and just how expensive a 2 terabyte card will actually be…(found via Engadget)

“The cards will be able to transfer 120MB of data per second, 10 times faster than Secure Digital (SD) memory cards, sources said. Additional features for the new card include USB 2.0 compatibility, low power, fast I/O and a compatible interface with existing memory cards, the sources added.”

Website: DigiTimes - Taiwan to produce a new type of memory storage device

Despite all of its recent well-documented troubles, the photography giant Kodak seems to be turning the corner, at least in the USA anyway. An article on the website BizReport shows that Kodak is the second largest digital camera company in terms of market share, just behind Sony, with Canon in third place.

“In the first six months of this year, Kodak shipped 1.47 million point-and-shoot digital cameras in the United States - 80 percent more than in the first half of 2003 - and its market share jumped from 15.3 percent to 18.3 percent, the market research firm IDC said Friday.

While Sony shipped 1.73 million cameras, up 48 percent from the first half of 2003, its slice of the U.S. market slipped from 21.9 percent to 21.5 percent, according to IDC, which is based in Framingham, Mass.”

Website: BizReport

Timo Arnall has just made available the first prototype of a system that uses digital cameras combined with a GPS receiver to make image travelogues. Sounds techy but kind of intriguing.

2At the Iceland inside and out workshop Even Westvang and Timo Arnall collaborated on a project looking at ways of contextualising photographs by time and geography. We chose to shift the balance of representation away from location, towards image and time. This is a summary of our ideas and process, with an initial working prototype.”

Website: ElasticSpace

Coincidentally, there’s a new article over on MacDevCenter about GPS - you may want to read this one first as it’s more introductory in nature.

“Do you ever look back through your vacation photos and wonder where all of the photos were taken? What if there was a way to have all those images automatically show up as pins on a map or an aerial photograph? It may seem too good to be true, but it can be done. No mirrors or smoke; it’s just making use of existing GPS technology.

As you are out recording pictures, your GPS receiver is busy making a digital popcorn trail of your movements. Then when you’re back on the computer, a topo map or aerial photograph is pulled from a terraserver on the Internet, and your shots show up on the map as clickable links to your photographs.”

Website: MacDevCenter - A Brief Introduction to GPS Photo Linking

The Gadgeteer have posted what I think is the first online review Sony’s new portable photo storage device, the catchily-named HDPS-M1 (found via Engadget).

“I personally like everything about the HDD Photo Storage device. If you happen to own a Sony DSC-F828 digital camera, there is nothing else on the market that will meet your portable storage needs as well as this device. Anyone using Memory Stick or Compact Flash would find it very handy to have in their gadget bag. If you want a small LCD for viewing photos, you will need to look at one of the other products on the market. I use my on-camera LCD for that purpose. Alternatively, I prefer my laptop for more detailed viewing.”

Website: The Gadgeteer - Sony Photo Storage Device Review

More Epson news for you - Seiko Epson Corp and NGK Insulators, Ltd have teamed up to create the world’s smallest gyro-sensor, measuring just 5.0mm x 3.2mm x 1.3mm. What’s more interesting is that this new technology will eventually be used in digital cameras and cameraphones as an anti-shake system.

“This subminiature angular velocity sensor is ideally designed for use in systems that correct camera vibrations. The sensor will enable compact digital cameras, camera-phones, and other products to be equipped with a high-performance motion correction feature.”

Website: NE Asia - Epson Develops World’s Smallest Gyro-Sensor

Website: Epson Press Release