Epson UK Press Release 17/02/04

EPSON(r) increases quality and control standards with new colour measurement device

EPSON’s latest Stylus Photo 2100 model includes the new Eye-One( DISPLAY from GretagMacbeth, which allows the user to create individual display profiles for their monitor, enabling them to work with colour more accurately.

February 2004:  The EPSON Stylus Photo 2100 offers semi-pro and professional photographers new standards in photographic output.  Based on EPSON’s commitment to building upon its established A3+ industry benchmark and following customer feedback, this latest model provides imaging functionality to meet the needs of today’s photographers.  The Stylus Photo 2100 combines a revolutionary inkjet system, high-resolution printing and flexible media handling to deliver premium quality photo prints that rival traditional silver-halide results.

The latest improvement of the popular Stylus Photo 2100 includes the new Eye-One DISPLAY from GretagMacbeth. This colour management solution allows the user to easily calibrate and profile all types of CRT or LCD monitors, making it the ideal solution for professional and semi-pro photographers who need consistent, accurate colour.

Fujifilm UK Press Release 17/02/04

17 February 2004: Fujifilm has today unveiled a new addition to its digital camera range based on the company’s highly-acclaimed Super CCD SR technology: the FinePix F710 Zoom. 

The FinePix F710 Zoom enters Fujifilm’s range as a partner to the FinePix F700 Zoom, which has won more awards than any other camera in the company’s compact digital line-up. The new model ups the ante further with a 4x zoom lens, widescreen LCD display and a pop-up flash. The F700 model will continue to be available alongside the F710.

One of the first features visible on the FinePix F710 Zoom is a brand new Fujinon 4x optical zoom lens. Fujifilm’s optical know-how has succeeded in accommodating this extra lens power in a body of unchanged dimensions. With a zoom equivalent to 32.5mm to 130mm on a 35mm camera, the F710 Zoom goes a little wider and a little longer than the average compact digital camera.

In recognition of the growing popularity of the widescreen format used in a range of consumer electronics products, the FinePix F710 Zoom incorporates a new 2.1” widescreen LCD for image capture and playback of 16:9 format images - a picture size adjusted for optimised playback on the now-ubiquitous widescreen television. In addition, printing images is made easier thanks to the inclusion of PictBridge, the industry standard for printing images from a digital camera without using a PC.

Imacon Press Release 16/02/04

Imacon enter market with Ixpress 528C digital camera back - 16 Feb 2004
 
The new back, capable of shooting raw uninterpolated images of up to 528Mb using Imacon’s unique micro-step 4*Res capture process, completes the company’s successful Ixpress digital camera back family, which has made Imacon one of the world leaders in high-end digital camera back manufacturers in terms of both technology and sales.

Says Christian Poulsen, founder and managing director, Imacon: “We have been immensely encouraged by market interest in, and sales of, our range of digital backs over the past two years. Even we at Imacon underestimated the depth to which the market would embrace our technology. The launch of the new Ixpress 528C is the next step in our concept of ‘Unlimited Photography.”

“With the introduction of our Ixpress 528C and its unique 4*Res module (patent pending) - a major technological advance for the industry - we are now providing the photographer with even greater flexibility, and once again proving Imacon is at the cutting edge of digital back technology.

“There have been questions posed as to whether there is an industry need for a 528 MB digital back. However, we believe in developing technology that suits not only today’s requirements, but those of the future. What we have developed with the 528C is a virtually future-proof digital back.”

Now that PMA is over expect to see websites who actually attended the show to start publishing photos from the event (although Phil Askey from DPReview managed to do this throughout the show!). First up is A-Digital-Eye with a gallery showing the new Konica Minolta DSLR, Canon Powershot Pro1, Olympus C-8080 and several other new products.

Website: A-Digital-Eye’s PMA Photo Gallery

Now that PMA and the flood of new camera announcements have finished, it’s a good opportunity to get back to the main point of it all - taking photographs. Here are a series of winter seedhead shots, taken in the same garden as these photos and these ones.

View more Winter photos

I’ve just been idly browsing through my website visitor stats and noticed these three entries:

3711 http://www.luminous-landscape.com/about/pma2004.shtml

1720 http://www.steves-digicams.com/pma2004_index.html

1268 http://luminous-landscape.com/about/pma2004.shtml

It seems that both Luminous Landscape and Steves Digicams linked to my site and PMA Roundup page, and I didn’t even realise until 5 minutes ago! So thanks to Michael and Steve for sending that extra traffic my way :-)

The Plugin Site Press Release 16/02/04

February 16, 2004 - The Plugin Site (http://www.ThePluginSite.com) is proud to announce Version 3.0 of Harry’s Filters for Windows. Harry’s Filters 3.0 is a free Photoshop-compatible plug-in containing 69 useful image effects. Harry’s Filters can be used with dozens of different image editing applications, e.g. Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Photo-Paint, PhotoImpact and many others.

What’s New in Version 3.0
Harry’s Filters 3 includes 14 new filter effects, 30 new presets, a new blending feature with 20 blending modes and a new brightness slider. The preview was enlarged by 200% and several of the old filters have been improved. An incompatibility, which kept the previous version from fully working in Paint Shop Pro 8, has also been fixed.

The most intriguing enhancement in the new version is the Play feature, which displays animations in the preview. After pressing the Play button the current effect will be animated with random slider values. To make better use of this feature there are two combo boxes for choosing a frame-per-second value and one of five possible speeds. While the animation is displayed in the preview you can still use all controls, e.g. change the zoom, change a slider value, choose another effect and so on.

HP UK Press Release 16/02/04

Make an impression with the new HP Photosmart R707

Sleek and modern ergonomic styling plus a host of advanced features set the HP Photosmart R707 digital camera apart from the crowd  

London, FEBRUARY 16TH 2004 - HP (NYSE: HPQ) today announces the HP Photosmart R707, the first of the brand new R-series range, which deliver a combination of sleek design and high-functioning technical innovations, offering outstanding digital photography to all users.

The HP Photosmart R707 digital camera, with an impressive 5.1 MP, is a compact model, introducing HP?s distinctive new styling. With its brushed stainless steel front, asymmetric body styling, signature curves and “wave-style” fingergrip, this model features a well designed modern look and a host of unique elements, contributing to a fully featured digital camera which makes digital photography even more easy and enjoyable.

The winner of the 13th PhotographyBLOG Photo of the Week contest is Ologram with the entry “Loch Ard”. There are no prizes as such for this contest, but the winning photo is displayed on the PhotographyBLOG homepage for a week, and the winner can display the Photo of the Week logo on their website if they wish.

PhotographyBLOG visitor Martin Smith has emailed with a link that will appeal to the more technically minded amongst you. Microsoft have started a research project that will allow you to find out the exact characteristics of your camera and then correct any anomalies in post-processing. I was confused by about the third sentence, but I’m sure there are a few people out there who can explain it to me in simple layman’s terms :-)

Website: A Flexible New Technique for Camera Calibration

If like me you’re more than a little tired of reading about the latest and greatest digital camera, then a visit to the website A Picture’s Worth may be in order. In line with the idea that “a picture is worth a thousand words”, visitors to the site are invited to share the memories, emotions or creative stories triggered by a photograph of personal significance in the form of a photo-essay. A Picture’s Worth has been running since August 2003 and so far they have posted a new essay every day, so there’s a lot of of personal stories to dip into.

Website: A Picture’s Worth

Photo-i have now completed their interactive, multi-page review of the new Epson Perfection 4870 flatbed scanner, which should be in stores very soon.

“For medium and large format scans the 4870 produced outstanding quality, certainly good enough for any professional photographer to use on their work. The 4870 is a much cheaper option than buying a dedicated medium format film scanner. I loved Digital ICE and it works a treat on both transparencies and colour negative, this feature is going to save you a lot of retouching time. The EPSON Perfection 4870 at ?349 has to be one of the best bargains of the year.”

Website: Photo-i - Epson Perfection 4870 Scanner Review

DP-Now have published some more information about the interchangeable lens rangefinder digital camera that accepts Leica M-type lenses which was shown at the PMA show (a joint development by Epson and Cosina).

“What I can report is that the attention to detail in the design of the prototypes on display was very impressive. Although there is a LCD viewscreen on the back of the camera, from the front there is no hint that it’s a digital camera. On the top plate there is an intricately presented circular window that looks rather like a compass dial. It actually encloses a complicated looking arrangement of analogue exposure setting dials. Oh, and this is the first digital camera I have seen that appears to retain a film advance lever!”

Website: DP-Now - Epson/Cosina Interchangeable Lens Digital Rangefinder

Gateway Communications Press Release 16/02/04

New SnapChecker Target color reference is specially designed for performing color correction and control on digital imaging.

About 200 SnapChecker’s have been tested for various applications for over a year. Also limited test marketing has been done. “After very positive feedback from the field, we feel that the product is ready for the market” says Antti Taskinen of Gateway Communications.

The basic principle behind SnapChecker Target is the use of precise neutral grays with carefully selected colors that are close to “memory colors” for the human eye. SnapChecker colors have been selected to approximate skin color, reddish light brown and dark brown, as well as a green and blue that closely resemble natural grass and sky hues. By selecting colors more meaningful to human perception, the need for a complex and expensive target is eliminated, whilst at the same time allowing a very portable size.

DP-Now have published a great hands-on test of the 8 megapixel Canon PowerShot Pro 1 which was announced by Canon last Monday, just before the start of PMA.

“In the hand the camera feels good, with a nicely shaped, if small, grip. There is the same feel of solid construction that one experiences with the Power Shot G5. Indeed, if you are familiar with the G3 or G5, you will find yourself at home with the Pro 1 very quickly.”

Website: DPNow - Canon PowerShot Pro 1 Hands-on Test

In this week’s Sunday morning column Mike Johnston shares his thoughts with us on the PMA show:

“I have to admit I’m utterly dazzled by the torrent of news coming out of Las Vegas. Is digital exploding, or what?

If I remember correctly, it was 1998 when my doctor-brother showed up at a Chinese restaurant with a new plaything - a digital camera. I probably smiled with patronizing tolerance. The little thing had about two hundred pixels (2 centipixels?) and it took two minutes between the time you pushed the shutter button and image capture. A lot can happen in two minutes - John Kerry can eclipse Howard Dean, for instance.

I’m exaggerating again, of course…but not significantly. The fact is, in 1998 most photographers couldn’t use digital. The good cameras cost an amount that my little boy generically refers to as “a billion dollars,” and the consumer cameras were toys…”

Website: Sunday Morning Photographer: Digital Sizzles in the Desert

If you’re having trouble keeping up with the latest news from PMA 2004, then visit the PMA 2004 Roundup Page to browse all of the latest headlines. With over 70 announcements since the show started, there’s plenty for you to take a look at. It may not be as advanced as DPReview’s coverage (product photos beamed directly from the show floor!), but it is pretty comprehensive…

Samsung Camera Press Release 12/02/04

SAMSUNG INTRODUCES 5-MEGAPIXEL MODEL TO ITS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL V SERIES LINE OF DIGITAL CAMERAS

SECAUCUS, N.J., (January FebruaryXX, 12, 2004) - Samsung Camera today announced the launch of the Digimax V5 five-megapixel digital camera, the latest introduction to the highly successful Digimax V Series range of compact digital cameras.  The V5 is one of three new models added to the Samsung Digimax V Series at the start of 2004, and is prices at just $349. 

“The launch of the V5 further demonstrates Samsung?s commitment to the digital still camera space,” said Ken Gerb, Senior Vice President, National Sales for Samsung Cameras.  “As the market for high-end, prosumer type compact digitals shifts to higher resolution models, Samsung continues to anticipate consumer demand and deliver top quality products at affordable price points.  The V5 is based largely on the design and feature sets of our familiar and highly-successful V3 and V4 models, so we expect it to be well received by consumers.”

Samsung Camera Press Release 12/02/04

SAMSUNG CAMERA ADDS STYLE AND SUBSTANCE TO COMPACT DIGITAL RANGE WITH NEW DIGIMAX V-SERIES MODELS

V50 and V40 Packed with Power and Features in Stylish Chassis

SECAUCUS, N.J., (February 12, 2004) - Samsung Camera will be packing quite a punch at this year?s PMA as it is set to introduce its newest Digimax cameras, the successors to the company’s popular flagship digital camera lineup. Following the success of the Samsung Digimax V4 and V3 models (unveiled at PMA in March, 2003) the new V50 and V40 propel the Digimax lineup to new heights, with new capabilities and features.

“The V50 and V40 represent the next generation of the highly successful V series line introduced at last year’s PMA show,” said Ken Gerb, Senior Vice PresidentNational Sales for Samsung Camera.  “With features like MPEG-4 video compression, a 4cm (wide) macro feature, a 2-inch swivel LCD and compatibility with multiple external memory formats, these cameras are ideal for virtually every application.  Of course, they also offer all of the signature features of our existing V series line, such as Schneider optics, compatibility with 9 different power sources and a host of manual controls”. 

Samsung Camera Press Release 12/02/04

SAMSUNG DIGIMAX 530 DELIVERS QUALITY AND VERSATILITY AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

SECAUCUS, N.J., (February 12, 2004) - Samsung Camera is proud to introduce the Digimax 530—a 5.0 megapixel digital camera that is big on quality and small on price.  A quality 5-megapixel auto focus digital camera with 3x optical and 4x digital zoom, the new Digimax 530 allows even the casual snap shooter to experience everything the 5-megapixel world has to offer without breaking the bank.  With an approximate street price of $279.99, the Digimax 530 is an incredible value. Its 1/1.8” CCD captures razor sharp images, and the 1.5” TFT LCD with multiple language support is ideal for image preview and review.