The Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens which was first announced a week ago is on show here at PMA 2005. I got the chance to have a brief try of the lens on my Canon EOS 10D during an interview with Sigma today.

In the usual Sigma EX tradition, the 10-20mm lens was very well made (despite only being a pre-production model) and it felt compact and well balanced on the 10D with battery grip fitted. Despite the dim lighting on the show floor and a slowish aperture of F4-5.6, the Sigma 10-20mm had no problems with focusing.

The show floor here at PMA is humming with the news that Leica, the venerable German camera company, are in deep financial straits following a 50% drop in share price and the subsequent termination of credit by their banks. This rumour has now been officially confirmed by the company in the following brief statement on their website:

Following the ad hoc announcement of Leica Camera AG, Solms, of February 17, 2005, stating that the Company expects a loss of half of its registered share capital in March 2005, the banks have partially terminated their credit lines. The remaining lines still cover the current liquidity requirements. The Company’s Board of Management has entered into negotiations with the banks on a solution that will carry the Company until the time of its Extraordinary General Meeting on May 31, 2005, at which capital measures are to be proposed to the shareholders.

What this means for Leica is still unclear. Can they survive in their current guise, or will the famous manufacturer find a buyer and continue to live on another day? Even if they do survive, will digital products like the long-delayed LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R ever make it out of the factory? We should know the answer by May 31st.

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT is undoubtedly the star of PMA 2005 show (called the Canon EOS 350D in Europe). An 8 megapixel digital SLR with the same DIGIC II image processor found in Canon’s professional series D-SLR cameras, the Digital Rebel XT is an amazing upgrade of the already very popular Canon Digital Rebel. Build-quality is better than you may imaging, certainly a lot better than the original Rebel, but not as good as the higher-end EOS 20D. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT also even smaller than the previous model, although not to small for my large hand size. The popularity of the Digital Rebel XT at PMA and also after the show will no doubt be helped by the lack of any new comparative DLSR from Nikon, whose stand here is noticeably smaller than Canon’s. The Canon EOS 350D will cost £750 when it launches in the UK in March.
Click on each picture to see a larger version.

As well as showing their new digicam lineup for 2005 (which looks very impressive), Samsung were also displaying a large picture of an intriguing concept camera (shown above). In a PMA Show of few real surprises, Samsung’s banner at the back of their stand hints at an ultra-zoom model, which would be quite a departure for a company that specialises in compact, easy to use and stylish digicams with a 3x optical zoom. Samsung obviously wouldn’t comment further on the mystery digital camera - time will tell if it actually makes it beyond the designer’s drawing board.

Corel Press Release

Corel Expands Camera Raw Support with RawShooter essentials 2005 from Pixmantec

Free Software Automates Batch Downloads, Saving Photographers Time and Money While Providing Maximum Control Over Digital Images

Orlando, FL- PMA- February 20, 2005 - Corel Corporation announced that, starting today, it will offer RawShooter essentials 2005 as a free download from its website at www.corel.com/downloads. Developed by Denmark-based Pixmantec, RawShooter essentials 2005 enables photographers to automatically import and convert large batches of camera RAW images, saving them time and money with powerful, easy-to-use tools that previously cost hundreds of dollars. RawShooter essentials 2005 works with leading digital imaging software including Corel’s Paint Shop Pro, Paint Shop Pro Studio, Paint Shop Photo Album, and Corel PHOTO-PAINT.

Nokia Makes Its First Appearance at World’s Largest Annual Photo Imaging Convention

-New Mobile Solutions Create Innovative Ways to Capture, Edit, Share, Store and Print High Quality Images-

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Seven years after introducing wireless image sharing to the world, Nokia (NYSE:NOK) is demonstrating its commitment to excellence in imaging by joining the world’s photography leaders at the 2005 Photo Marketing Association (PMA) convention. At booth #4641 of the Orange County Convention Center, Nokia will be demonstrating not only its range of megapixel-plus imaging phones, but also new technologies that allow these high-quality images to be edited, shared, stored and printed.

Phase One® to offer additional tethered support for Canon® EOS DSLRs in Capture One™ RAW Workflow Software.

February 20th, 2005, PMA, Florida, USA: Phase One®, a world leader in professional digital imaging camera backs and software, announces tethered support for all Canon® EOS DSLR cameras (1Ds MKII/ 1D MKII / 1Ds / 1D / 20D/ 10D / 300D / D60 / D30) in their Capture One RAW Workflow Software. This extended tethered support will be available in Capture One PRO v3.7 and will be a free update for all existing owners of Capture One PRO. The release date is May, 2005.

3 Megapixel Digital Camera Wins for Best Quality and Color Accuracy

Orlando, FL, February 21, 2005 - Concord Camera Corp. (“Concord”) (Nasdaq:LENSE), a leader in award-winning, high-quality, affordably-priced cameras, announced today at the Photo Marketing Association Trade Show & Exposition (PMA) that the Concord 3346z 3 Megapixel point & shoot digital camera has won the coveted DIMA Shoot-Out for “Best Digital Camera under $100.”

Kingston Launches MMCplus and Larger Capacity MMC, Hi-Speed SD Cards and Portable USB Drives to Support Booming Digital Device Markets

ORLANDO, Fla., PMA Show Booth # 2217, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/—Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the world’s leading independent memory manufacturer, today announced the further expansion of its digital media product offerings with six new products:

  *  MMCplus cards in 256-MB, 512-MB and 1-GB capacities
  *  256-MB MultiMediaCard(TM) (MMC) card
  *  1-GB Elite Pro Hi-Speed Secure Digital (SD) card
  *  1-GB DataTraveler(R) USB Flash drive

iView Press Release

ORLANDO, Fla., PMA 2005 CONFERENCE, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/—Digital asset management pioneer iView Multimedia Ltd. today launched a survey designed to answer the question: “What are the most pressing concerns of professional photographers as they embrace digital media?” The first part of the research will be conducted at PMA 2005.

Copies of the survey are available for pick up and drop off at the iView booth (# 5140). At this time the survey is only open to PMA attendees. iView’s research will garner opinions from photographers and the industries that support them, such as camera manufacturers, press bureaus, software providers, etc. All participants will be entered into a prize draw for a copy of the award winning iView MediaPro to be held on the last day of the conference.

The Casio Exilim Pro EX-P700 is a 7.2 megapixel compact digital camera with a fast 4x optical zoom lens made by Canon that offers a focal length of 33-132mm. The EX-P700 offers an extended battery life of around 260 shots and has a full range of manual and automatic shooting modes, including no less than 27 different Scene modes to help you achieve the correct exposure. On the rear of the camera is a 2-inch LCD screen, and inside is technology that ensures quick operation in terms of shutter lag, startup time, focusing and continuous shooting. Casio claims that the EX-P700 is a digital camera for semi-professional use, so does it live up to this billing? Find out by reading my review of the Casio Exilim Pro EX-P700.

Website: Casio Exilim Pro EX-P700 Review

Lexar Press Release

Lexar Expands Award-Winning Professional Series Flash Memory Cards and Accessories

Line-Up Now Features Speed-Rated SD Card and Memory Stick PRO in Newly Designed Packaging

ORLANDO, FL, February 20, 2005 (PMA booth #4132) – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced the expansion of the company’s Professional Series of flash memory cards and accessories by adding Professional Memory Stick PRO™, speed rated at 80X, and Professional Secure Digital™ (SD), speed rated at 60X, to its award-winning professional line of products. In addition, the company also announced that the complete line of Professional Series flash memory cards and accessories is now available in newly designed, eye-catching packaging designed to drive customer attention at retail sales locations.

Lexar’s Platinum Series Flash Memory Cards Provide Consumers with High-Speed Performance and Superior Reliability

Complete Platinum Series of Cards Now Speed-Rated at 40X, Including Memory Stick PRO and Secure Digital (SD) Formats

ORLANDO, FL, February 20, 2005 (PMA booth #4132) – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced that the company’s full line of Platinum Series flash memory cards are speed-rated at 40X, equivalent to a minimum sustained data read and write speed capability of 6MB per second, and provide consumers with superior performance. Available in recently updated, contemporary packaging designed to drive consumer interest at retail sales locations worldwide, Lexar’s Platinum Series now includes Memory Stick PRO™ and Secure Digital™ (SD) flash media formats as well as CompactFlash®.

Lexar Press Release

Lexar Unveils Website Designed to Inform and Educate Digital Photographers

ORLANDO, FL, February 20, 2005 (PMA booth #4132) – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced a new web site designed specifically for digital photographers. Located at www.lexar.com/dp, the new site includes valuable information and tutorials to help photographers more fully utilize the unique features Lexar products offer and achieve a more rewarding experience shooting and working with digital images. Additionally, this new site provides detailed information about new photography techniques, products and services, as well as interesting feature stories and background information about the many professionals who count on Lexar’s flash memory cards and accessories to help them succeed.

Kodak Press Release

Picture Archiving and Sharing Standard (PASS) Specification v1.0 Now Complete

Specification will facilitate the development of compatible products and services to help ensure consumer’s future enjoyment of digital pictures and videos

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 20—Eastman Kodak Company, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., and Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. today announced the completion of a set of standards for the consumer imaging and electronics industries, setting a path to help ensure compatibility of digital photos and motion images on CDs, DVDs or other media with a broad range of consumer products.

Kodak Press Release

Kodak Updates Film Portfolio with Enhancements to Consumer and Professional Films

New Enhancements to KODAK MAX Versatility 400-Speed Film and KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA Film Deliver Outstanding Color Quality and Picture Clarity

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 20—Eastman Kodak Company today announced enhancements to its consumer and professional film portfolios. Delivering on primary consumer needs the enhanced KODAK MAX Versatility is now the world’s most versatile 400-speed film available and gives consumers better pictures in a wider variety of lighting conditions. Improved KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA film is now better suited for digital scanning, further enhancing the capabilities of Kodak’s industry-renowned PORTRA film family.

Kodak Press Release

Kodak Leads Imaging Industry in Driving Wireless Picture Sharing and Printing

KODAK EASYSHARE-ONE, WiFi-Enabled EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus Add to Growing Kodak Portfolio of Wireless Products and Services

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 20—Building on its leadership role in making digital photography easy, Eastman Kodak Company is highlighting a range of new wireless-enabled digital photography products and services at this week’s 2005 Photo Marketing Association International Show (Kodak Booth #3544; OCCC West Building), bringing to life the ability to share pictures whenever and wherever people wish.

Kodak added to its growing portfolio of wireless products and services with the unveiling of EASYSHARE-ONE (US$599) in January 2005, the first WiFi digital camera of its kind that allows consumers to carry and instantly share up to 1,500 digital pictures with friends across the table, or across the globe.

Kodak Imagelink Print System is announced today at PMA 2005. Imagelink is a new printing system that allows one-touch picture printing from snapshot printers and is supported by a number of different manufacturers (see below). Kodak haven’t released too much information about their new Imagelink Print System - I will call by their stand tomorrow and find out more.

Kodak Press Release

Consumer Web Site Created for New IMAGELINK Print System

One-Touch, At-Home Picture Printing System Supported by Kodak, Konica Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Ricoh and Sanyo

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 20—A consumer Web site dedicated to the IMAGELINK print system, the new, multi-manufacturer specification designed to simplify at-home picture printing, will go live this March. The site—www.imagelinkprintsystem.com—includes links to compatible digital camera and printer information, an animated presentation to help people visualize the camera-printer connection, frequently asked questions, and news related to the specification.

JVC GZ-MC500 Digital Media Camera is launched today at PMA 2005. The JVC GZ-MC500 is a 5 megapixel digital camera that records both still and moving images. The JVC GZ-MC500 uses three CCDs rather than one, dedicating 1.33 megapixel CCD to the red, green and blue colour channels, which JVC claims broadens dynamic range and produces sharp, vivid color with good contrast and low light performance. The JVC Everio GZ-MC500 will be available in March for $1,799.95.

ORLANDO, FL, February 20, 2005 – Just months after its launch of the world’s first hard disk camcorders, JVC today announced a 3-CCD version that offers high quality 5-megapixel performance when shooting digital stills.

The new GZ-MC500 Digital Media Camera is the newest member of the JVC Everio family – the only currently available camcorders that record onto a hard disk. Like the single-CCD Everio camcorders launched last fall, the GZ-MC500 records 60 minutes of DVD-quality video or thousands of photo-quality stills to a Microdrive® removable hard disk. With this newest Everio, JVC combines these benefits with 3-CCD/5-megapixel performance.

Kodak Easyshare C300 and Kodak Easyshare C340 are announced today at PMA 2005. The C300 is an entry-level 3 megapixel digital camera with a fixed-focus lens, priced at just $99.95 and available in May. The C340 is a 5 megapixel digicam with 3x optical zoom lens, priced at $249.95 and also available in May. You can see exclusive shots of the Kodak Easyshare C300 and Kodak Easyshare C340 from the PMA Show floor in my Kodak Booth to Booth feature.

Kodak Press Release

KODAK EASYSHARE C300 and C340 Digital Cameras Combine New Compact Design, On-Camera Cropping and High Image Quality, Resulting in Great Pictures

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 20—Eastman Kodak Company today introduced two new, compact digital cameras to its KODAK EASYSHARE line: the EASYSHARE C340 zoom digital camera, with 5 megapixel (MP) resolution, 3X optical zoom and on-camera cropping; and the EASYSHARE C300 digital camera, with 3 MP resolution and a fixed-focus lens. Both models provide people with an affordable entry point to the KODAK EASYSHARE consumer digital photography system for simplified shooting, sharing, organizing and printing of high-quality digital pictures.