Sigma Press Release 21/05/04

Exclusively Designed for use with digital SLR cameras and has 6.9 times high magnification zoom ratio(2004.5.21)

18-125mm F3.5-5.6 DC

Corresponding AF Mount
SIGMA, CANON, NIKON (D), PENTAX

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 18-125mm F3.5-5.6 DC.
This zoom lens was exclusively designed for use with digital Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras and has 6.9 times high magnification zoom ratio.

A Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and two pieces of aspherical glass elements produce high level of optical performance through the entire zoom range and also this has resulted in a compact, lightweight lens that features a length of 77.7mm (3in.), maximum diameter of 70mm (2.7in.), weight of 385gr (13.5oz) and filter size of just 62mm.

CNET have just reviewed the new 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera.

“With an 8-megapixel CCD and an improved electronic viewfinder (EVF), the Konica Minolta Dimage A2 surpasses its highly regarded predecessor, the 5-megapixel Dimage A1. The new model retains the A1’s high-quality 7X zoom lens, top-notch performance, and comprehensive feature set, and its new EVF is the best we’ve yet seen. Though the A2’s images aren’t the greatest for its class, the sum of its parts adds up to more than any of its competitors.”

Website: CNET - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Review

Kodak Press Release 21/05/04

Digital and Analogue KODAK products win awards from European photography magazines

Kodak wins TIPA awards for Best Films and Best Digital Photo Printers

May 2004 - The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), a non-profit making organisation, with 30 active members, representing photography magazines in 12 countries in Europe, recently selected three Kodak products as winners of TIPA Awards. The prize-winning products are a Digital Photo Printer and two Black-and-White films. A panel of TIPA members judged these products as the best in their respective categories.

This year, Kodak is introducing a large number of new digital and film products and services that will enable people to enjoy a richer photographic experience regardless of the medium they use. Ranging from new digital cameras and professional films to kiosks and dye-sublimation printers, the latest Kodak products will expand the ability of consumers to use and enjoy photography at home, online, at retail or in the photo lab.

Kodak have released Photo Desk 4.0 for its DCS Pro SLR/n, DCS Pro SLR/c and DCS Pro 14nx (upgraded) digital cameras with firmware 5.0 or newer.

New Features:
- Lens Optimization Slider Control - A convenient, easy-to-use slider control enables users to adjust the degree of compensation applied for a given RAW image to minimize potential hue shift introduced by certain lenses captured with KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/n, DCS Pro SLR/c and DCS Pro 14nx (upgraded) digital cameras with firmware 5.0 or newer installed.

- A new “Paste Settings” function, available in the edit menu, is designed to speed workflow giving users the ability to copy image adjustments made to one image and apply them to other images. The “Paste Special” editing function allows a subset of individual settings (such as cropping or color balance) to be applied to other images.

- EXIF2.2 is fully supported enabling copyright, exposure, and other information to be carried forward as metadata into JPEG and TIFF files.

- Multi-Processor Support yields improved processing times when using PC and MAC hardware with two or more processors.

- In response to user feedback and to improve the overall user interface, the “trash can” has been moved to the right hand side of the toolbar to avoid unintentional file deletion.

Website: Kodak Photo Desk 4.0

If you’re at all interested in the 8 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera then you will want to read Michael Reichmann’s experiences of using the camera in Seville, Spain.

“This report will serve two purposes. I’ll use it to describe my impressions of the good and bad of the Minolta A2, and also as a venue for some photographs taken on this trip. Don’t associate a particular image with any comments, pro or con, unless I specifically make that link. Otherwise the images are simply here for viewing.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Konica Minolta A2 On Location

Canon have made the new EOS Viewer Utility available for download for both Windows and Macintosh platforms. It supports the following cameras:

EOS D30
EOS D60
EOS 10D
EOS Digital Rebel
EOS-1D
EOS-1D Mark II
EOS-1Ds

EOS Viewer Utility (EVU) downloads JPEG and RAW files from EOS digital SLRs, can convert RAW images and allows the modification of camera settings. EVU will NOT convert RAW images from PowerShot cameras.

EOS Capture v1.0 is automatically installed with EVU and enables control of the camera from the computer. EOS Capture v1.0 only supports EOS-1D, EOS-1Ds and EOS-1D Mark II.

Website: Canon EOS Viewer Utility

The German website Digitalkamera.de have posted their review of the Fujifilm Finepix S20 Pro digital camera, which currently sits at the top of the FinePix range.

Website: Digitalkamera.de - Fujifilm Finepix S20 Pro Review

Website: Read my Review of the Fuji FinePix S20 Pro

The Norwegian website DigIT have just reviewed the new flagship model of the Canon Digital IXUS fleet, the 5.0 megapixel Digital Ixus 500 (known as the Powershot S500 in North America), which was announced at the start of February.

Website: DigIT - Canon Digital Ixus 500 Review

The Czech website Digineff have just reviewed the 6 megapixel Olympus CAMEDIA C-60 ZOOM.

Website: Digineff - Olympus CAMEDIA C-60 ZOOM Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus C-60 Zoom

Write a Review of the Olympus C-60 Zoom

Compact and ultra lightweight, featuring Velbon’s patented simple & quick “twist lock” leg system. The ULTRA and LUXi tripods are the ULTIMATE travel tripods.

ULTRA MAXI F
The Velbon Ultra Maxi F is the new tripod for photographers on the move. The F model folds to a very compact size of just 36cm. - small enough to fit into most outfit bags or backpacks. Using a very compact, but highly refined, pan and tilt head, this tripod extends to a full height of 152.5cm.

It features the unique, patented, Velbon “Twist Lock” leg system - a simple, quick twist and pull allows you to extend each leg in one movement. Another twist locks the legs. This tripod also features a splittable centre column and multi angle legs allowing a low level operational height of just 16.5cm.

Walk into your photo retailer and ask for a Ben’s pizza!Australian bag manufacturer CRUMPLER has just launched four new photo/ digital/video bags named BEN’S PIZZAS!

Ben’s Pizzas are manufactured from Crumpler’s original 1000d Chicken Tex hyper performance accessory fabric and feature waterproof ripstop lining. Each model has an adjustable shoulder strap and easy access front pocket with an extra mesh pocket for accessories.

The three larger bags have adjustable and removable padded internal divider and the Large & Extra Large bags have a removable, padded shoulder pad.

ePhotoZine have reported that Olympus are giving their immensely popular Mju II film compact camera a makeover. The new Mju II Style package will include a fashionable metallic-coloured neck strap, chic transparent box and a remote control.

Website: ePhotoZine - Olympus Mju II Style takes film photography into the 21st century

Cokin Magnefix Wide angle & telezoom conversion lenses
New from Cokin - the filter specialists, is a range of wide angle and telezoom conversion lenses designed to increase or reduce the angle of vision of digital compact cameras, with or without zoom lenses, digital camcorders, picture phones, web cameras and CCTV cameras.

The lenses are attached by a metallic ring, simply peel off the protective film from the ring and attach the adhesive side of the ring to your lens surround. The Magne-fix lens is then fitted onto the magnetic ring. The metallic ring can be left on your lens for future use, or can be removed. A spare ring is included in all kits.

APACER IMAGE STENO SV300
Multifunction USB flash drive with digital camera, digital camcorder and web cam functions.

The new Apacer multifunction IMAGE STENO SV300 can be used as a USB drive to transfer data between computers, a VGA resolution still camera and QVGA (15fps) resolution video camera and complete with its own docking station, the Image Steno SV300 also provides a USB web cam function.

With it?s mini design, fixed focus from 20cm, auto white balance and exposure, its operation could not be easier. Simply shoot your moving or still images and then plug into your USB port or the docking station to download. Whilst downloading, the Image Steno?s built in Li-ion battery automatically begins recharging through the USB connection.

Image Steno SV 300 is compatible with Windows and Mac. Suggested retail price ?49.99. Available immediately.

Two new models introduced from May 2004

Following the successful launch of Tamron’s first Di (Digitally integrated) lenses last year, Tamron have recently announced a further two models:

SP AF 90mm f2.8 Macro 1:1 Di & SP AF 200-500mm f5.6-6.3 Di.SP AF90mm F2.8 Di MACRO 1:1
The existing Tamron 90mm Macro lens is world renowned for its outstanding optical performance as well as its lightweight and compact design. Tamron have redesigned this lens to feature Di - Digitally Integrated Design for use with film and digital SLR cameras.

The lens provides outstanding image quality when used with film or digital cameras. Unlike conventional lenses, designed to cope with internal diffused reflections of a mirror box and film surface, Di lenses offer new anti-reflection countermeasures that are essential in lenses designed for use with digital cameras. the 90mm Di features an improved coating technology that reduces the reflections that are likely to become a problem to the absolute minimum.

ePhotoZine have lots of exclusive news today, starting with the release of the Sagem Photo Easy 150 Printer in the UK. This is an affordable dye-sub printer that is very compact and can create 10 cm by 15 cm borderless prints in 120 seconds. The Sagem Photo Easy 150 has a suggested RRP of £139.99.

Website: ePhotoZine - Sagem Photo Easy 150 Printer

Imaging Resource also have the scoop on 2 new mid-range digital cameras from Sanyo. The Xacti DSC-S3 is a 3 megapixel model with a 3x optical lens, whilst the Xacti DSC-S4 has 4 megapixels and a 2.8x optical lens. The cameras look very similar from the outside but they have completely different sensors and lenses.

Website: Imaging Resource - Sanyo announces two new Xacti digicams

Imaging Resource are running a story about a curious new digtal camera from Hitachi. The i.mega HDC-401 has a 4 megapixel CCD and, get this, a fixed-focus, fixed focal length (37mm), fixed aperture lens! It’s only on sale in Japan at the moment…

Website: Imaging Resource - Hitachi i.mega HDC-401

Up to now I’ve resisted blogging about camera phones - they’re just low-megapixel, non-zoom, low-quality toys, right? Well, Casio’s latest camera phone, the A5406CA, is set to change all of that, as it offers 3.2 megapixels and up to 60 minutes of video!

On a more general note, do you think that PhotographyBLOG should cover camera phones? Are they the digital cameras of the future? How many of you own one?

Website: Casio Japan Press Release

Website: DCViews - Casio A5406C

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the 4 megapixel Kodak Easyshare LS743 digital camera.

“Building on the success of the LS443 , The Kodak EasyShare LS743 combines the same 4.0 megapixel imager found on its predecessor, but adds new features like a high-quality Schneider Kreuznach Variogon 2.8x optical zoom lens, and the new Kodak Color Science image processing chip, all wrapped up in an all-metal compact design.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Kodak Easyshare LS743 Review