Epson have unveiled a number of Spring rebates, including $50 off the new 80Gb Epson P-4000 photo viewer and $150 off the RX620 printer. Here’s the full list:

Epson PictureMate - $20 off
Epson Stylus Photo R340 - $30 off
Epson Stylus Photo RX620 - $150 off
Epson Stylus CX4200 - $20 off
Epson Stylus CX4800 - $30 off
Epson Stylus CX5800F - $30 off
Epson Stylus CX7800 - $30 off
Epson P-4000 - $50 off
AcuLaser CX11N - $150 off

Website: Epson Spring Rebates

Nikon Press Release

Nikon at the “Japan Design - Good Design Award 50 Years exhibition,” held in Milan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Good Design Awards

April 4, 2006 - Nikon is pleased to announce that it will be displaying products from April 5 through 10, 2006 at the Japan Design - Good Design Award 50 Years exhibition held in Milan, Italy. This exhibition is sponsored by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization to celebrate the 50th year since the founding of the Good Design Awards (G-Mark). 20 Japanese companies will demonstrate the history and potential of the designs of Japan that have led the world through innovation.

As one of the companies that have received Good Design Awards, Nikon will display a lineup including three concept camera models, the Nikon F which was created with the cooperation of the late graphic designer Yusaku Kamekura, the F6 and D2H SLR cameras featuring a red triangular motif suggested by industrial designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the F3 SLR camera custom-made for NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), binoculars, and eyeglass frames, all clearly epitomizing the three key words of Nikon design: Reliability, Innovation, and Elegance.

Konica Minolta UK Press Release

Konica Minolta withdraw from the Photo Industry

As previously announced within our press release dated 19th January 2006, Konica Minolta will withdraw from the photographic market as of 31st March 2006. Please find below essential information relating to the ongoing support of Konica, Minolta and Konica Minolta products.

News has reached us that Pentax are set to withdraw a number of its products from the European market, as new EU legislation regarding the use of lead solder in camera circuit boards is about to come into force (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2004 (RoHS Regulations)). Pentax is the second company to pull product due to this legislation - the Hasselblad Xpan has already been withdrawn from market. The full list includes the Pentax 645N II and 67II medium format cameras, some lenses and a number of digital compact cameras (the majority of which have already been discontinued due to product life cycles).

John Dickins, the Marketing Manager of Pentax UK, has issued the following statement.

“In light of impending EU legislation (RoHS) governing materials used in the manufacturing of consumer technology and IT products, Pentax will be discontinuing the production and European sales of a number of products, including its film based medium format cameras, some film and digital compact cameras, as well as a number of lenses and accessories.

Pentax is currently revaluating its European product portfolio in light of this legislation and information on future product introductions will be made in due course once assessments have been made into market demand. The company would like to make clear, however, that the decision to discontinue these products has been made in order to fully comply with this European directive - which comes into affect in July this year and which has implications for number of consumer electronic companies retailing within the EU.

InfoTrends Press Release

Maturing Digital Camera Market Expected to Show Growth in New Worldwide Regions

(Weymouth, MA) March, 20 2006… According to a new study from InfoTrends, the worldwide digital camera market continues to demonstrate a strong year-over-year unit growth rate. 2006 sales are expected to reach nearly 89 million units, representing a 15% increase over 2005. Even though worldwide unit and revenue figures are on the rise, shipments are expected to peak soon in North America and Western Europe. Growth in the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe, and Latin America will offset these declines and continue to drive growth through 2010. In fact, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to become the leading region for digital cameras by the end of the forecast period.

Carl Zeiss Press Release

Oberkochen, 16.03.2006. - Starting April 2006, the Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division will assume full responsibility for the global distribution of its products. The division is implementing this measure in preparation for the launch of the new ZF lenses for Nikon SLR cameras and other future product lines. The company’s new sales department will also be responsible for the Zeiss Ikon camera system previously distributed by a partner. The product line available for this rangefinder camera includes ZM lenses, a unique line of premium ZEISS M-mount lenses. Dr. Winfried Scherle, Vice President and General Manager in the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG, expects significant progress to be made through this development: “Our own sales department will allow us to be considerably closer to developments on the market. We will be able to convey the benefits of our products more directly and effectively to dealers and photographers. And from them we will receive straight, truthful comments that will help us develop even more impressive products in the future.“

Nikon UK Press Release

Nikon has teamed up with the London Wetland Centre to offer an exciting weekend of activities for budding photographers. On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 May the centre in Barnes will be hosting a Wildlife Photography Weekend. Visitors to the centre will be given the opportunity to see and try the latest Nikon equipment and receive advice from Nikon experts. Wildlife photographer Chris Packham will be at the centre for the whole weekend, leading a programme of wildlife walks and lectures. There will also be the chance to attend sessions led by a Nikon trainer on composition of photographs. For those wanting to learn about digiscoping, the art of taking photographs with a telescope and digital camera, there will be a number of small workshops which will provide an introduction.

Micron Technology Press Release

BOISE, Idaho, and FREMONT, Calif., March 8, 2006 – Micron Technology, Inc., (NYSE: MU) and Lexar Media, Inc., (NASDAQ: LEXR) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Micron to acquire Lexar in a stock-for-stock merger. Under terms of the agreement, each outstanding common share of Lexar will receive 0.5625 shares of Micron stock. Micron anticipates issuing shares in exchange for 81.6 million Lexar shares outstanding. Additional Micron shares will be issued upon the exercise of assumed stock options. The acquisition will strengthen Micron’s position in the NAND flash business and enable the company to deliver innovative NAND flash solutions from design, development and manufacturing to marketing and sales of products to worldwide consumers and device manufacturers. The merger is designed to combine Micron’s technology and manufacturing leadership in NAND flash memory with Lexar’s leadership in NAND controller and system design technology, brand recognition and retail channel strength to create a vertically integrated entity fully focused on the NAND business.

Fujifilm Press Release

Shigetaka Komori, President and CEO, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Delivers Keynote Address at PMA 2006 in Orlando, Florida; Emphasis on Pursuit of Higher Image Quality and Dedication to ‘Culture of Photography’

ORLANDO, Fla.—Feb. 26, 2006—In a keynote address at the 2006 Photo Marketing Association (PMA) annual trade show, Shigetaka Komori, President and CEO of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., outlined Fujifilm’s vision and strategy for meeting the future needs of its imaging customers. He emphasized Fujifilm’s continued pursuit of higher image quality, using both analog and digital as the technological means to that end. In addition, Mr. Komori outlined Fujifilm’s mission to preserve the “culture of photography,” which refers to the emotions and feelings that can be expressed through the medium of photography. He stressed the need for manufacturers and retailers to work together to provide products and services that drive the value of the photographic experience for consumers. “We all must give consumers a great experience when they make photographic prints,” said Komori. “If we all keep this as our priority, our businesses and industry will grow, and we will keep the culture of photography alive.”

DxO Labs Press Release

DxO Labs announces the closing of a €10.6 million round of financing to boost its international presence - Leading private equity group Apax Partners leads new investment.

Paris, France—January 30, 2006 – DxO Labs, a French software company developing advanced image processing technologies for the mobile imaging industry and other digital consumer imaging markets, today announces the closing of a 10.6 million Euro round of funding. Apax Partners France leads the new investment, joining historic investors including Société Générale Asset Management, SPEF Venture, Thalès Ventures/ACE Management as well as Japanese funds, CSK Venture Capital and Hitachi Venture. “Apax Partners’ investment and international network will help us continue to pursue our aggressive approach to business development in Asia and in the United States and our growth in the digital imaging marketplace,” says Jerome Meniere, founder and CEO of DxO Labs. “We will now be able to answer locally the huge customer traction we are experiencing from leading players in this space.”

ILFORD Photo Press Release

How long would £500 of ILFORD black-and-white photo products last the average enthusiast photographer? Quite a while? That’s one aspect of a new ILFORD Photo-sponsored black-and-white print competition which offers to immortalise the winners’ prints.

Image on a Box - ILFORD Photo has launched its first UK photo print competition since the company’s restructuring last year with a set of unique prizes for the winners. In addition to receiving ILFORD Photo products to the value of £500 and £250 for first and second places respectively, and £100 each for third and fourth, the four winners will have their images printed on boxes and envelopes of ILFORD Photo paper.

Some shocking news to wake up to this morning - Konica Minolta has announced that it is leaving the camera and photo business (both digital and film) by March 31st 2006. I’d heard a couple of days ago that Konica Minolta had dropped out of the Focus on Imaging UK trade show - now it transpires that the company is pulling out of the photo industry for good. Digital SLR camera assets concerning Konica Minolta’s Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system have been transferred to Sony, although it’s unclear yet exactly what that means. Konica Minolta has made some great cameras, with their recent 7D and 5D digital SLRs being particularly good, but it seems that they just haven’t been able to compete with the bigger players.

Konica Minolta Press Release

Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business

Konica Minolta has long been a leading company in photo imaging business covering wide range of imaging from input to output. In addition, we have provided inspiring products and services by fusing our unique technologies.

In camera business, we have expanded picture-taking opportunities by developing innovative technologies such as the world’s first autofocus cameras. In 1962, our camera, well-accepted for its high reliability, boarded on the US’s first manned spaceship “Friendship 7.” Also, ever since introduction of the world’s first body-integral autofocus SLR camera, Maxxum/Dynax series, in 1985, SLR cameras have become more popular among picture-takers, and we have succeeded in selling 16 million units of interchangeable lenses since then.

However, in today’s era of digital cameras, where image sensor technologies such as CCD is indispensable, it became difficult to timely provide competitive products even with our top optical, mechanical and electronics technologies.

InfoTrends Press Release

Major InfoTrends Study Indicates Digital Cameras Will Dominate Professional Photography Market by 2010 - 90% of professional pictures will be taken with digital cameras by 2010

(Weymouth, MA) January, 17 2006… InfoTrends, the leading worldwide digital imaging and document solutions research and consulting firm, is pleased to announce the release of its highly anticipated multi-client study, North American Professional Photography Market. The study provides camera, printer, software, supplies, and service providers with the information necessary to support their marketing efforts, product planning, and distribution initiatives in the professional photography market in North America.

According to the study, there are over 131,000 professional photographers in North America , and they spend nearly $800 million a year on cameras, lenses, printers, ink and media, software, and other accessories. Approximately 65% of these professional photographers use film cameras for some of their shoots, however, InfoTrends’ estimates that 70% of all professional photos are taken with digital cameras.

HP Press Release

LONDON, December 15th, 2005 – THE QUEEN has today received the largest Christmas card ever to be sent to the Royal family.

The huge 9ft x 5ft card was hand-delivered to Buckingham Palace by a group of young children from NCH, the children’s charity. The card was received by Palace footmen on behalf of the Royal family.

The giant Christmas card contains festive digital photos from thousands of British people across the country, and also features goodwill messages from Britons to the Royal family.

Photo expert HP spent the last two months collecting the photos and messages as part of their “Colourful Christmas” charity fundraising effort for NCH, the Children’s Charity. For each picture and message donated for the card, HP donated £1 to the NCH. This money will help disadvantaged children around the country.

HP Press Release

PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 13, 2005 – HP today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire bilderservice.de GmbH, which operates PIXACO – a leading online photo services and products site in Europe.
 
The acquisition of the privately-held company will enable HP to rapidly extend the reach of its online photo services throughout Europe, building on the purchase of Snapfish earlier this year. HP plans to extend many of its Snapfish capabilities to the PIXACO service – bringing European customers greater choices for printing, sharing and storing their photos.
 
“This acquisition gives HP the ability to quickly become Europe’s largest online photo service, just as it is in the U.S. today,” said Ben Nelson, vice president and general manager, Snapfish, Digital Photography and Entertainment, HP. “Together, Snapfish and PIXACO have the experience and scope to provide a world-class online photo experience that will uniquely meet the needs of consumers in Europe.”

Ricoh UK Press Release

Ricoh EPMMC UK are pleased to announce the appointment of Alpha Digital Services Ltd as the distribution partner for their award winning digital camera range effective immediately. The Personal Multimedia Centre of Ricoh Europe B.V. is based in the UK and Germany and is one of the leading suppliers of DVD+RW/+R, drives, DVD media and digital cameras in the Pan-European market This appointment reinforces the commitment of Ricoh to the UK market and will continue to build on the success that Ricoh has enjoyed so far.

The Alpha Digital team have extensive knowledge and contacts within the photographic channel”, commented Dominic Wingent, National Sales Manager at Ricoh EPMMC (European Personal Multi Media Company). “We are confident that this appointment will further strengthen our position within the retail sector.”

InterVideo Press Release

InterVideo Files ITC Section 337 Complaint Against Dell Inc., Winbook Computer Corporation, and Cyberlink Corporation.

Seeks Permanent Exclusion Order and Permanent Cease and Desist Order Related to Patent Covering Personal Computer and Electronic Device Functions, Especially Concerning InterVideo’s InstantON Products and Technology.

Northampton UK December 7th, 2005 – InterVideo, Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII)), a leading provider of software solutions to tier-one consumer electronics and PC manufacturers, announced today that its subsidiary, InterVideo Digital Technology Corporation, has filed a Complaint under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the United States International Trade Commission, naming as respondents Dell Inc., Winbook Computer Corporation, Cyberlink Corporation of Taiwan, and Cyberlink’s U.S. subsidiary, Cyberlink.com Corporation.  The complaint asks the USITC to initiate an investigation into infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,765,788 (“the ’788 Patent”), entitled “Method and apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions,” and to enter permanent exclusion orders and permanent cease and desist orders at the conclusion of the investigation.

Nikon Press Release

Update of Voluntary Product Recall: Additional Batch Numbers to be checked by Users of Nikon D50, D70 and D100 and the rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3

Amsterdam, December 6th, 2005 - As announced on November 8th, 2005, Nikon has detected that on rare occasions some rechargeable Li-ion batteries of the type EN-EL3 for Nikon Digital SLR cameras may become defective, resulting in overheating during recharging. In the worst case, Nikon cannot rule out the possibility that the battery could catch fire as a result of the defect. The rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL3 battery is provided as a supplied accessory with the Nikon D100, D70 and D50 Digital SLR cameras. It is also sold as a separate accessory for these camera models and can be used with the Nikon D70s.

Owners of the Nikon cameras D100, D70 and D50 and users of the Li-ion battery EN-EL3 are asked to carefully recheck their batteries as additional batch numbers were included into the list of possibly defective batteries. The additional batch numbers (51AA, 51AB, 51AC, 51AD, 51AE, 51AF, 51AG, 51AH, 53AA, 53AB, 54AE, 54AF, 54AH) are highlighted in the list below.

Adobe Press Release

Combined company to deliver software platform that redefines how people engage with digital information

LONDON. – Dec. 5, 2005 – Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the completion of its acquisition of Macromedia, Inc.  The transaction was finalised on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005.  As a result of the acquisition, Macromedia common stock is no longer being traded and shares of Macromedia common stock were converted into the right to receive 1.38 shares of Adobe common stock.

The combination of Adobe and Macromedia creates one of the world’s largest, most innovative and diversified software companies.  The acquisition brings together some of the industry’s strongest software brands and most ubiquitous technologies for creating, managing and delivering compelling content and experiences across multiple operating systems, devices and media.  The move also accelerates Adobe’s strategic initiative to advance a powerful software platform, based on PDF and Macromedia® Flash® technologies, that scales from mobile devices to high-end servers.

Adobe Press Release

Adobe’s Acquisition of Macromedia Expected to Close on December 3, 2005

SAN JOSE, Calif. — December 1, 2005 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) and Macromedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: MACR) today announced they have either received or been notified they will receive all regulatory clearances necessary to complete Adobe’s pending acquisition of Macromedia. The companies expect to close the transaction on December 3, 2005.

On April 18, 2005, Adobe announced a definitive agreement to acquire Macromedia in an all-stock transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement, holders of Macromedia common stock will receive 1.38 shares of Adobe common stock for each share of Macromedia common stock they own at the closing of the acquisition.