Microsoft Corp. Press Release

Collaboration Offers Windows XP Users Fast, Easy Pickup of Digital Prints At More Than 5,000 Retail Locations, With Some in as Little as One Hour

REDMOND, Wash. - Dec. 14, 2004 - In the midst of the busy holiday photo-processing season, Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has teamed with Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. to connect millions of digital photographers with retailers for easy and convenient printing of digital pictures. Beginning this week, Fujifilm’s Get The Picture Online service is accessible directly through the Windows® XP Online Print Wizard, MSN® Photos and Microsoft® Digital Image Suite. This will enable consumers to order professionally processed digital prints directly from a Windows XP-based PC for pickup in as little as an hour at participating Fujifilm retail photo centers, including those at Sam’s Club, Ritz Camera Centers Inc. and Wolf Camera Inc.

Pentax USA Press Release

PENTAX Introduces a Lightweight, Ultra Thin 40mm Limited Lens For Digital SLRs

Golden, CO. (December 12, 2004)…PENTAX Imaging Company continues to expand its digital SLR lens family with the announcement of a fourth member − the smc PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens.  Designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras, the unique pancake style standard lens measures a mere .59 inches in length and weighs just 3.17 ounces. Combined with the popular PENTAX *ist DS digital SLR, the PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens will offer the smallest and lightest digital SLR combination available from any manufacturer. 

As part of the PENTAX Limited Series, the lens will offer exceptional image quality and construction, high contrast, high resolution, and minimal aberrations. Also compatible with the *ist D digital SLR, this ultra thin lens will offer overall maneuverability during shooting as well as portability and storage convenience.  This everyday standard lens will provide outstanding performance in a range of applications including snapshots, portraiture, indoor shooting and landscape photography.

VisionAge have published a new article that looks at the issue of colour spaces in digital cameras. It’s written from the perspective of the Olympus E-1 DSLR, but there’s a lot of information that applies to other camera models too.

“Adobe RGB or sRGB: that is the question! There has probably been more written about the two color space options online in the last few years than discussions of Mr. Shakespeare. It’s hard to blame photographers for being confused considering the complexities of color management, the conflicting advice on some photo Web sites and the added considerations of capturing RAW data.”

Website: VisionAge - Color Management by the Numbers

Likno Software Press Release

FrameShow v1.2 released: Digital Photo and Desktop Enhancement Software - Frame your photos with ease!

December, 2004—Likno Software announces the release of the new version of its software FrameShow v1.2. This imaging and desktop enhancement program was created having in mind those people that wish to enhance their digital photos by adding original and impressive frames to them in a fast and easy manner. Through its innovative graphical user interface, you can instantly blend your framed pictures to your desktop or use them to enhance your personal albums, projects or websites. Apart from the frames found in the program, you will find hundreds of original and creative frames that you can download from the online Frame Gallery found at www.frameshow.com. The online Frame Gallery includes categories such as: Classical, Shapes, Emotions, Occasions, Seasons, Sports, Funny, Family, and many more!

Thanks to Sanj for the link.

After an unsuccessful attempt to sell their digital photography products in Japan a couple of years ago, Kodak are trying again with the quiet launch of 2 new cameras and the EasyShare Printer Dock. Apparently Kodak now see Japan as a major objective: “What happens in Japan eventually happens in the rest of the world,” Mr Kojima says. “Unless we can win against Japanese products, Kodak’s digital camera business will have a gloomy future.” Six camera manufacturers, including Olympus and Nikon, have agreed to support Kodak’s IMAGELINK Print System in their products.

Website: FT.com - Kodak set for gamble on re-entry to Japan

Delkin Devices Press Release 14/12/04

Poway CA, December 14, 2004 Delkin Devices Inc., maker of premium quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative digital photography products, introduces a new version of its popular BurnAway portable combo media player that burns DVDs. The DVD BurnAway is now the easiest way to backup your precious digital images to DVDs.

With recordable DVD’s being able to store up to 4.7 Gigabytes (GB) of data, Delkin sees the DVD BurnAway as a valuable companion for digital photographers wanting to take advantage of the new crop of SLR (Single Lens Reflex) digital cameras. New high-resolution cameras need additional memory to accommodate larger file sizes, making the DVD BurnAway a perfect solution for quickly clearing memory cards on the go so you can keep shooting. 

PMA Press Release 14/12/04

JACKSON, Mich.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 14, 2004—Consumers are benefiting this holiday season from the digital imaging expertise provided by the Photo Marketing Association International(R) Expert Photo Center (EPC) program, which retailers use to communicate their high level of trained expertise to customers.

When consumers shop at one of the certified PMA Expert Photo Centers throughout the United States, they are assured of receiving knowledgeable customer service. The EPC facility must be an active PMA member, have a Certified Photographic Consultant (CPC) or Society of Photo Finishing Engineers (SPFE) member on staff during all hours the retail firm is open, and be a Qualified Digital Processing Center (QDPC).

Eastman Kodak Company Press Release 13/12/04

Kodak Selects Touchpoint’s Catapult Platform to Support Global Retail Picture Printing and Sharing Network

Retailers, consumers to benefit as Kodak strengthens its digital services at retail with TouchPoint’s remote management software

ROCHESTER, N.Y. December 13, 2004 - Eastman Kodak Company has licensed TouchPoint Solutions, Inc.‘s CATAPULT platform as a primary component of its retail digital photo-printing infrastructure. The agreement will see the installation of TouchPoint’s remote management software, CATAPULT, on thousands of new and existing KODAK Picture Maker kiosks, digital mini-labs and other retail photo equipment worldwide.

Nikon has released a new firmware version for the 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8400.

Issues addressed with firmware version 1.2:

Digital zoom up to 2x is now possible when the [Lens] option in the shooting menu is set to [Telephoto].
A problem that caused pictures taken continuously at an image-quality setting of [RAW] to have a magenta tint overall when viewed in PictureProject or Nikon Capture has been corrected.
A problem that caused recording problems for pictures taken continuously at an image-quality setting of [EXTRA] has been corrected.

Website: Nikon Coolpix 8400 Firmware - Windows

Website: Nikon Coolpix 8400 Firmware - MAC

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8400

If you have ever wondered how big you can print your digital photos, then wonder no more, as Craig Froehle has published a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that will work it out for you.

“One question I get asked a lot by friends and family is “how big can I print this digital photo?” My answer is always “it depends,” which then requires a lengthy discussion of pixels per inch and viewing distance and other mundane topics.

So, I put together a little Excel spreadsheet that should help you determine what size prints you can make with reasonable quality based on the size of the digital photos you have. You can get it here or click on the screen capture below (you have to have Microsoft Excel to use the file).”

Website: Digital Photo Printing Worksheet

PhotographyBLOG reader Craig Coussins has alerted me to a potential issue with the Nikon MB-E5700 Battery Pack, and it seems with Nikon’s customer support. Craig is a Coolpix 8700 owner and recently experienced the problem outlined below when he tried to use some new NiMH 2400 mAh batteries.

“I thought that you would like to know this. Whether or not the Nikon 8700 is better than other digital cameras, I have one and use the 8700 battery pack (MB-E5700) with this. I recently upgraded the batteries from 2000 to 2400 but they did not work. I bought a new and expensive charger thinking that my old charger was not doing the job. Despite this the batteries still did not work I returned all 18 batteries to the vendor and they exchanged them. The new ones still did not work. I then asked Nikon about this and they replied that their cameras don’t take larger than 2000 rechargeable and if I did get them to work they would seriously damage the camera. Funny how most dealers are selling these higher grade batteries but neglect to inform us that a major company like Nikon can’t actually use these new higher grade batteries. I spent a fortune for nothing. I mentioned this issue to Jessop’s recently and they were amazed and completely unaware of this fact.”

Reader comments (see below) indicate that it is almost certainly an issue with the electrical contact between the batteries and the contacts in the battery pack. Have any other Nikon owners experienced something similar? Leave a comment and let me know.

Samsung Camera Press Release 13/12/04

December 13, 2004—Samsung Camera is pleased to announce the availability of a $50 rebate on its Digimax V50, Digimax V6, Digimax, V5, Digimax U-CA 4 and Digimax U-CA 3 digital cameras. The offer is valid through January 31, 2005, giving shoppers yet another great reason to choose Samsung Digimax digital cameras for everyone on their gift lists this year.

Customers who purchase any of the above mentioned cameras at participating stores can redeem the rebates by sending a complete certificate, a copy of the original cash register receipt with the price circled and the original UPC code on the camera box to Samsung Digimax Digital Camera Production, P.O. Box 9087, Bridgeport, NJ 08014.

Epson UK Press Release

EPSON® delivers cost-effective, high speed photo and multi-format film scanning with the Perfection 4990 Photo

Better image quality, significantly faster scanning speeds and the ability to scan medium and large format film. The Epson Perfection 4990 Photo is bundled with Epson Creativity Suite software, providing an easy to use interface for enhanced image manipulation.

January 2004 – The Perfection 4990 Photo scanner features a high optical density of up to 4.0 Dmax and can distinguish a broad spectrum of subtle colour variations, reproducing a tonal quality previously unmatched in a film scanner of this size and price point.

The Perfection 4990 Photo is aimed at photo enthusiasts and professionals, looking for the best in fast, multi-format film scanning technology. It offers 4800 x 9600 dpi resolution and has several features to facilitate scanning large archives of prints and films. A built-in transparency unit for 35mm film, medium and large format film allows you to scan entire photo contact sheets in one batch. While the integrated LED allows you to track the progress of the film scanning, preventing you from inadvertently interrupting the scanning process before completion.

Nikon have released a new firmware version for the Coolpix 3100, a 3-megapixel digital camera that was first announced back in February at PMA 2003.

Issues addressed with firmware version 1.3
The camera’s transfer button can be used with PictureProject to transfer pictures to a computer.
A problem that caused pictures of bright subjects taken with firing of the built-in Speedlight to be under-exposed has been corrected.

Website: Nikon Coolpix 3100 Firmware - Windows

Website: Nikon Coolpix 3100 Firmware - MAC

Rob Galbraith is reporting that the Nikon D2H DSLR seems to have been drastically reduced in price in the USA. You can pick up Nikon’s 4MP digital SLR for under $2000.

“While we’ve not received official confirmation from Nikon USA yet, we have heard from three reputable U.S. dealers of Nikon pro gear. Each indicates that the street price of the camera - complete with battery, charger and other basic accessories - is now about US$1999 or thereabouts, down from US$3000-US$3200 just last week.”

Website: Rob Galbraith - Price of Nikon D2H plummets in USA

Thanks to Ralph Wagner for sending me the link.

The Spanish website Quesabesde have published their review of the 8 megapixel Canon EOS 20D DSLR.

Website: Quesabesde - Canon EOS 20D Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon EOS 20D

Photo-i have started an interactive review of the Epson F-3200 Film Scanner.

“Finding the right scanner, that faithfully captures all the detail in a photograph is like looking for the Holy Grail, we are all looking to find the right scanner, that will deliver quality at a reasonable price. Epson have a good history in flatbed scanners. The Perfection 3200 and 4870 PHOTO, came very near in our quest, medium and large format film scans are excellent, but for 35mm film they still fall short. In January we will see a new model the Perfection 4990, I hope this one will take us a step nearer the ultimate goal. Then there is the new dedicated film scanner, the F-3200. I am not quite sure what to make of this one yet. Let me take you on a Step by Step review of this scanner and see whether £500 is going to be a wise investment.”

Website: Photo-i - Epson F-3200 Film Scanner Review

The German website PhotoWorld.de have posted their review of Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0.

Website: PhotoWorld.de - Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 Review

Check the Latest Prices for Adobe Photoshop Elements 3

Imaging Resource have published their review of the 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8400.

“Image noise on the 8800 was interesting: At the ISO 50 and 100 settings, image noise was visible but quite tolerable, particularly at ISO 50, where what noise there was, was very fine-grained. At ISO 200, details were slightly obscured by the anti-noise processing, the noise levels were higher, and the noise was less fine-grained, but still within a range that I think most users would consider acceptable. At ISO 400, the noise was much stronger, more subject detail was lost, and the noise pattern became much coarser, although it was still tighter than that in many cameras. I personally wouldn’t consider the Coolpix 8400 to be usable at ISO 400 for large prints, but it would be fine for 4x6 snapshots.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon Coolpix 8400 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8400

Imaging Resource have reviewed the 5 megapixel Pentax Optio S5i.

“Overall, the Optio S5i is amazingly full-featured for a subcompact model, delivering good (although slightly understated) color and tone in an incredibly tiny package. If you’re looking for an ultra-compact camera with a full feature set, the Optio S5i is hard to beat. The camera’s 5.0-megapixel CCD produces very high resolution images, and the camera offers a wide range of preset shooting modes and exposure control options to suit a range of user levels. Excellent for travel and as a “take anywhere” camera, the Pentax Optio S5i arguably packs more photographic capability per cubic inch than anything else on the market.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Pentax Optio S5i Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax Optio S5i