Sandisk Press Release 29/09/04

SANDISK UNVEILS NEW DIGITAL PHOTO TV PLAYER THAT ALSO DISPLAYS VIDEO CLIPS AND DOUBLES AS AN MP3 MUSIC JUKEBOX

Versatile and Easy-to-Use SanDisk Photo Album Will Be Sold For $49.99 This Holiday Season

COLOGNE, GERMANY, Sept. 29, 2004 - SanDisk Corporation today introduced the SanDisk Photo Album, a compact, sleek and easy-to-use device that lets consumers display digital still pictures or video clips on their TV sets and even attach soundtracks to slide shows. Using any one of eight flash memory card formats as well as portable USB flash drives, the unit also enables consumers to play MP3 music files on their home audio systems. The media player was launched at a SanDisk press conference during the Photokina 2004 imaging trade show, where the company is exhibiting products in Hall 1.2, Aisle A, Booth 059 of the Cologne Exhibition Center.

The SanDisk Photo Album (SPA) allows consumers to bypass their computers entirely when storing, organizing and viewing images from a digital camera. Rather than having friends or family crowding around a small PC monitor, a user can attach the SanDisk Photo Album to any television set that has an audio/video input, then show larger-than-life images and video clips. The device comes with a remote control that allows for multiple functions. With a suggested retail price of US $49.99( approximately ?46 excluding VAT ), the SanDisk Photo Album will be sold worldwide through consumer electronics and photo retailers.

Creo Leaf and GretagMacbeth perfect custom color profiling for Leaf digital photographers

PHOTOKINA 2004, COLOGNE, GERMANY—September 28, 2004—Creo Inc. (NASDAQ: CREO; TSX: CRE) announces that Creo Leaf, a leading supplier of digital camera backs, and GretagMacbeth, a worldwide technological leader in color management solutions, have entered into a cooperative agreement to provide Leaf customers the ability to customize ICC color profiles to fit different lighting conditions based on the shooting environment.

Integration for Better Color Management…
The Creo Leaf(r) Capture 10 application provides a complete set of professional tools for the operation of Leaf digital camera backs, including the new Leaf(r) Aptus digital camera back. The application enables image capture through final output. Integrating GretagMacbeth profile creation and editing into the Leaf Capture application ensures accurate, reliable and predictable color even with changing lighting conditions through the creation of customized ICC color profiles.

Lexar Media, Inc. 27/09/04

Lexar and Kodak Expand Flash Memory Card Offering With the Introduction of KODAK xD-Picture Cards

COLOGNE, Germany, September 29, 2004—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), and Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK), announced today the continued expansion of KODAK flash memory cards with the introduction of KODAK xD-Picture Cards. The addition of the xD-Picture Card continues the companies’ commitment to offer consumers a range of popular digital media formats. Lexar will distribute and market KODAK xD-Picture Cards through both Lexar and Kodak’s global retail distribution channels beginning in the fourth quarter of 2004.

“Retailers and distributors worldwide are eager to begin offering KODAK xD-Picture Cards to more fully meet the consumer demand spurred by the popularity of digital photography,” said Bobby Billman, vice president of marketing, Lexar. “With this addition to the KODAK memory card line, we are offering a wider variety of products that people trust for capturing and preserving their memories - hallmarks of Kodak.”

Lexar Media, Inc. 27/09/04

Lexar Introduces First Professional Card Readers With Innovative Stackable Design for Concurrent Downloads

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) introduced two new Professional CompactFlashTM Readers designed to address professional photographers’ need for almost instantaneous data transfer and an improved project workflow. Built with material similar to a digital camera, with a unique industrial design of hardened plastic and rubber over mold, the new card readers can be easily stacked and daisy-chained together for concurrent download of images. In addition, the new card readers support Lexar’s ActiveMemory? System for improved photography workflow.

Delivering image read and write speeds in excess of 10MB per second, Lexar’s new CompactFlash Readers are available in USB 2.0 and Firewire formats. The Firewire units can be daisy-chained together directly, while up to four USB 2.0 units can be connected to execute simultaneous downloads via a 4-port USB hub. The firmware of both card readers can be upgradeable for possible future enhancements.

The Mamiya ZD digital SLR that I reported yesterday has now been officially unveiled - all 22 megapixels of it!

Mamiya Press Release 28/09/04

Mamiya Lens-interchangeable Digital SLR Camera & Mamiya Digital Back

We are very proud to announce development of a lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera “Mamiya ZD” and a digital back “Mamiya ZD Back”.

Mamiya ZD:
Type: Lens-Interchangeable Digital SLR AF/AE Camera
Features: 36x48 mm 22 million pixel CCD, Mamiya 645AF Lenses compatible

Mamiya ZD Back:
Type: Digital Back
Features: 36x48mm 22 million pixel CCD, Compatible with Mamiya 645AFD & Mamiya RZ67Pro-IID

Since 1940, Mamiya has been pursuing to design and realize high images quality, high reliability and ease of use. Mamiya cameras ever produced have been well received by professional photographers and advanced amateurs, and that has made Mamiya the leader in high-end imaging. Inheriting the high quality, in order to meet the needs of digital photographers, the Mamiya ZD and Mamiya ZD Back are being created.

Tamron Press Release 28/09/04

TAMRON ANNOUNCES AF18-200MM F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II ASPHERICAL (IF) MACRO

A NEW HIGH POWER STANDARD ZOOM LENS DESIGNED FOR EXCLUSIVE USE WITH DIGITAL (APS-C) SLR CAMERAS

Photokina, Cologne, Germany, September 28, 2004 - Mr. Morio Ono, President of Tamron Co., Ltd., announced the successful development of the AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II Aspherical (IF) MACRO (Model A14), a new high power zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras using APS-C size image sensors.

The new AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II Aspherical (IF) MACRO is a high power zoom lens for exclusive use with digital (APS-C size) SLR cameras that inherits the product concept of the existing AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR zoom lens. Even two years after its introduction, the current AF28-300mm is still a favorite and highly evaluated by photographers around the world as a representative model of high power zoom lenses. With the market influx of digital SLR cameras in recent years, the use of high power zoom lenses has become increasingly popular since high power zooms provide the convenience of handling many photographic scenes and the capability of shooting ultra telephoto shots without changing lenses. The popularity of this focal length led Tamron to initiate the development of new zoom lenses to further meet the needs of digital SLR photographers. The result is the successful development of a new zoom lens exclusively for use on digital SLR cameras. The wide to ultra tele focal range of this lens will allow digital SLR camera owners to enjoy digital photography with comfort and convenience.

*

Tamron Press Release 28/09/04

TAMRON INTRODUCES SP AF11-18MM F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD ASPHERICAL (IF)

A NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE ZOOM LENS DESIGNED FOR EXCLUSIVE USE WITH DIGITAL (APS-C) SLR CAMERAS COVERING THE ULTRA WIDEANGLE RANGE

Photokina, Cologne, Germany, September 28, 2004 - Mr. Morio Ono, President of Tamron Co., Ltd., announced the successful development of the SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) (Model A13), a new high performance ultra wideangle zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras using APS-C size image sensors.

The new SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF), an ultra wideangle zoom lens, is Tamron’s first lens designed for exclusive use with digital SLR cameras using APS-C size image sensors. The lens provides reliable performance in a compact size to meet the needs of digital SLR camera users pursuing creativity in wideangle photography. The lens uses a new optical system specially designed for digital SLR cameras, in addition to the use of a glass-molded aspherical element having a large clear aperture, hybrid aspherical elements, and elements using such special glass materials as high index/high dispersion glass and low dispersion optical glass, for outstanding optical performance.

Casio Europe Press Release 29/09/04

Norderstedt, September 2004 - The new QV-R52 digital camera from CASIO is a must-have on holiday, for everyday use, on the weekend trip at all times. Equipped with 5.0 megapixels and 3x optical zoom, the camera produces superb quality photos quickly and simply. With its Direct On function it is ready to use in around one second1. That, together with the shutter release time of approx. 0.01 second2 makes the QV-R52 ideal for any snapshot.

The barbecue evening with your friends and your young one’s first gap between the teeth - it’s easy to have a look at the recording of thrilling moments on the large 2-inch TFT colour display. The QV-R52 digital camera comes in high-quality metal body, measures 88.3mm x 60.4mm x 33.4mm3, and photographing with it is child’s play, thanks to the simple menu control. The 21 pre-recorded scenes (BESTSHOT) give you the scenarios for various manner of snapshot situations, and there is more you can add on besides. The built-in flash with red eye reduction ensures excellent quality photos - even under poor light conditions. The compact camera, weighing a mere 168 g4, boasts extra features like the self-timer, macro, automatic calendar and world time, as well as alarm function with picture. The integrated memory store of approx. 9.7 MB can be extended with any SD/MMC card. With every function, CASIO’s own electronics reduce energy consumption considerably and ensures that snap-happy photographer can retain so many special moments.

Contax have announced 2 new digital cameras at Photokina.

Contax i4R - Overview
Photographer?s Dream, Carl Zeiss Tessar T* 6.5mm F/2.8 Lens
The Contax i4R offers a Carl Zeiss Tessar T* 6.5mm lens (equivalent to approx 39mm in 35mm film format) consisting of 4 elements in 3 groups and includes two aspheric and one high index lens element. The Carl Zeiss Tessar T* 65.mm f/2.8 lens has been developed specifically for digital usage and achieves outstanding color reproduction and rich color gradation. In addition, Carl Zeiss? special multi-layer T* coating dramatically reduces flare and ghosting which results in crisp, ultra sharp images. For greater control, the i4R has the ability to focus down to an amazing 5cm (2 inches) in macro mode (lens element surface to subject distance).

The i4R also incorporates 6x digital zoom and includes up to 8x digital zoom in playback mode.

Read the Specifications

Zeiss Ikon Press Release 28/09/04

Back with Passion: Carl Zeiss Redefines Range-finding Cameras

Carl Zeiss will present a new range-finder camera under the “Zeiss Ikon” brand at Photokina 2004.

Oberkochen/Cologne, Germany - September 28, 2004 - “Zeiss Ikon” is the name given to the newly designed, film-based range-finder camera introduced by Carl Zeiss at Photokina 2004 (Cologne, Sept. 28 - Oct. 3, 2004). It is not without reason that this name recalls the heyday of the German photo industry. A well-thought out camera system constructed to redefine range-finding cameras is behind the name. The original design indicates that Carl Zeiss succeeded. However, it is the ease of use and the many precision aspects of the camera, as well as the performance of the lens, that emphasize this claim.

We always keep the photographer in focus
Dr. Winfried Scherle, head of the Camera Lens Division at Carl Zeiss AG substantiates the claim: “The idea of the Zeiss Ikon camera is based on a philosophy that focuses on photographers and all their creativity when designing pictures. We extensively analyzed the leading range-finder cameras, looked for and found aspects in need of improvement.”

Panasonic Press Release 28/09/04

Panasonic Introduces PRO HIGH SPEED Series SD Memory Cards With a 20MB/s Speed, Double the Speed of Panasonic’s Super High Speed Series SD Memory Cards

SECAUCUS, N.J., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire - FirstCall/—Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (NYSE:MC) best known for its Panasonic brand products, today announced it will introduce “PRO HIGH SPEED Series” 1GB* and 512MB* SD Memory Cards this Fall that doubled the internal data transfer rates. These two SD Memory Cards use Panasonic’s new LSI architecture and proprietary high-speed technology to achieve a data transfer speed of up to 20MB/s(1). The new memory cards will feature distinctive, newly-designed labels and packaging.

Sale of the memory cards worldwide is scheduled to begin in October. In the United States, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the 1GB SD memory Card will be $249.99, and $119.99 for the 512MB SD Memory Card.

New Product Feature Outline
The new PRO HIGH SPEED Series SD Memory Card can achieve data transfer speeds of up to 20MB/s for an SD Memory Card when used with SD products that comply with a newly upgraded interface. Panasonic will also simultaneously launch a Cardbus compatible PC Card Adaptor as a host device to enable high- speed data transfer.

The name PRO HIGH SPEED indicates that the cards provide high-level performance compatible with the standard demanded by video professionals. The basic construction of the PRO HIGH SPEED Series card is employed in the recording medium (P2 Card) used by the Panasonic professional camera DVCPRO P2 system, which delivers the exceptional tapeless video capture performance and durability required by video professionals. The fact that this professional camera has been adopted by more than 40 leading TV broadcasters and tested at the recent Athens Olympics shows its reliability of both the camera and media.

MAGIX Press Release 27/09/04

MAGIX ANNOUNCES MOVIES ON CD & DVD 2005 HOME DVD CREATION SOFTWARE

One Click Creates Instant DVD Movies

September 27, 2004, Miami Beach, FL - MAGIX, the worldwide leader in video and music editing software1, announced today MAGIX Movies on CD & DVD 2005 home DVD creation software.  MAGIX Movies on CD & DVD 2005 lets anyone create DVDs from their home movies, Internet downloaded movies, VHS library, TV shows, and other footage - all with the click of a button. 

Movies Made Easy
According to the Consumer Electronics Association, over 40 percent of U.S. households now own a digital camcorder.  Many of these camcorder users want to use their footage and create DVD movies but do not want to spend time editing video and authoring discs.  As a result, MAGIX Movies on CD & DVD 2005 now features MovieShow Maker, the essential solution that enables anyone to automatically create themed movies.  Users choose from 12 great template styles and the program does the rest.  Movies are automatically optimized, arranged, and supplied with effects and background music in an assortment of themes, including party, music video, silent movie, vacation, Christmas, and more.

IPIX InfoMedia Press Release 28/09/04

IPIX Interactive Studio Available with REALVIZ Fisheye Plug-in; Partners Deliver Software with Multiple Options for Stitching Fisheye Photography

COLOGNE, Germany—(Business Wire)—Sept. 28, 2004—IPIX InfoMedia, the world leader for the creation of full 360-degree panoramic photography, and REALVIZ(R), the leading developer of imaging software for creating panoramas, today announced the availability of IPIX Interactive Studio with the award-winning REALVIZ fisheye plug-in extension. The combined solution, which begins shipping today, supports a wider variety of shot-capture modes for fisheye photography resulting in higher resolution panoramic images.

In addition to the easy, two-shot setup for capturing full 360-degree images that IPIX traditionally supports, the REALVIZ fisheye plug-in extends support for 3, 4, and 5 shot capture modes of digital SLR cameras used by professional photographers who require the highest resolution panoramic images possible.

“We are pleased to collaborate with IPIX InfoMedia to introduce a new fisheye stitching engine based on of our well-known REALVIZ Stitcher 4.0 solution,” said Dominique Pouliquen, CEO & Co-founder REALVIZ S.A. “Today we are able to offer through IPIX our stitching technology to customers who have waited for years to leverage the simplicity of fisheye-based panoramic photography.”

Epson USA Press Release 28/09/04

EPSON INTRODUCES NEW EASYPRINT - FIRST SOFTWARE UTILITY TO SIMPLIFY PRINTING FROM POPULAR PHOTO APPLICATIONS

Adobe(r) First to Incorporate Epson EasyPrint into New Photoshop(r) Elements 3.0

LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 28, 2004 - Epson, the leader in professional photographic printing technology, is making it easier and faster for both consumers and pros to print from software applications directly to Epson printers with the introduction of Epson EasyPrint. With Epson EasyPrint the most important print settings of Epson printer driver software are embedded
right into the application’s Print screen, making it even simpler for consumers to print great looking photos quickly.

Adobe is one of the first software companies to implement Epson’s EasyPrint technology with the introduction of Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0, the next major upgrade to the number one selling consumer photo editing software.

Photoshop Elements 3.0 delivers impressive new ways to share, organize and edit photos, and with the inclusion of Epson EasyPrint and PRINT Image Matching* (P.I.M.), Adobe and Epson are making it easier to print with optimized results.

Hasselblad Press Release 28/09/04

9/28/2004 Photokina is the largest photo trade fair in Europe and always attracts an astonishing selection of photographic products. Hasselblad has a very strong presence and is famous for its top-flight products and very popular multi-media shows.

Perhaps the biggest news on the Hasselblad stand at photokina this year is the merger with Imacon. This means that all things digital, both backs and scanners, are now an integral part of the company and are therefore also on display alongside cameras and accessories.
New products are being launched and here’s a list of what’s on offer:

- H1D - a new camera model for the H system with an integral digital back
- Five different digital backs in various versions to suit a number of requirements
- Two new high-end scanners
-  Three new lenses for the H system
- A new rechargeable battery for the H system
- A CF lens adapter that allows the use of C lenses (from the V system) on H system cameras.
- An updated version of the Proshade for use on both H and V system cameras

Hasselblad Press Release 28/09/04

9/28/2004 In accordance with the present world of photography, Hasselblad is encompassing new developments and new directions. The digital revolution is over as the concept has reached such a level of acceptance that it has become an everyday event.
 
And with these new moves come new changes in company philosophy. The recent merger between Hasselblad and Imacon automatically brings about a new direction in planning and strategy. The new company brings together innovation in high-end digital backs and quality scanners with expertise in medium format camera systems and precision optics. This provides access to a single-source supplier of fully integrated, high-end digital camera solutions backed by authorized service and support worldwide ? without ?gaps? in responsibility.

Hasselblad believes in digital and in film; there is a time and a place for both. This philosophy allows photographers to be as digital as they want to be. This not only optimizes the quality and value of the captured image but also increases the pleasure of capturing the image itself.

Hasselblad Press Release 28/09/04

9/28/2004 Carl Zeiss has introduced a new 35 mm rangefinder camera system named Zeiss Ikon. The system uses M bayonet type lenses and will initially consist of body, 7 lens types and accessories. The body and 3 lens types will be available from spring 2005.

Hasselblad will be the worldwide distributor of the Zeiss Ikon system outside of Japan.

Kodak UK Press Release 28/09/04

Share The Magic of Aladdin

September 2004 - Kodak has teamed up with Disney for its new nationwide winter film promotion, which is timed to coincide with the first ever release worldwide on DVD of Aladdin on 4th October 2004.

Kodak and Disney ran a similar successful venture last year around The Lion King, which resulted in significant increases of KODAK film and single-use cameras in the run-up to Christmas. Two fantastic 1st prizes of family holidays to Disneyland Resort Paris are on offer, five 2nd prizes of DVD Players, 50 3rd prizes of Aladdin special edition DVDs and mouse mats for 150 runners-up.

Entry couldn’t be simpler. Consumers just pick up an entry leaflet from the special merchandisers when they purchase Kodak films or single-use cameras. They complete the form, which includes questions plus a tie-breaker, and send it to the promotion address together with proof of purchase.  Closing date for receipt of entries is 1st March 2005.

Kodak UK Press Release 28/09/04

September 2004 - Thanks to the completion of a major project to update the consumer pages of its UK website, visitors to Kodak at www.kodak.co.uk/will now benefit from a number of improved features including easier navigation and up-to-date content.

Key features of the new design include:
- New content on KODAK Kiosks, mobile phone photography, printing and sharing
- New pages for the KODAK EXPRESS network
- Dealer locator with access maps
- New product fly-out menu on main page for easier access
- Easier search functions

The Spanish website quesabesde.com have posted their review of the new 5 megapixel Sony DSC-W1 digital compact camera.

Website: quesabesde.com - Sony DSC-W1 Review