Imaging Resource have just reviewed the new A3 Canon PIXMA Pro9000 printer.

“We had a very large scan, plenty of detail, and printed it with and without the Grayscale option checked on Canon’s premium matte uncoated but smooth paper (which must be fed through the front). Without the option, the image printed using all the inks to render black and white image very quickly but with a slight warm color cast. With grayscale checked, the printer used only the black cartridge, printing much more slowly but with no noticeably cast. Detail was superb. With sharpening, we even surpassed the silver halide print. Only under a 10x loupe were we able to detect the droplets and, frankly, they were finer than the grain on our 16x20 print.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Review

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Steves Digicams have just reviewed the new Canon SD40 digital camera (also known as the Canon Digital IXUS i7 zoom).

“The PowerShot SD40 Digital ELPH is the successor to last year’s popular SD30, and is this year’s stylish and durable “pocket-rocket” from Canon. It includes many of the same features, like the 2.4x optical zoom lens, 1.8-inch LCD, and 9-point AF system. This new model features higher resolution at 7-megapixels, Canon’s Face Detection AF/AE technology, increased ISO capabilities (up to ISO 1600) as well as the new DiGiC III image processor. This is a simple point-n-shoot model that offers various fully automatic exposure modes as well as a Manual mode that gives access to more advanced settings.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon SD40 Review

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Imaging Resource have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S9, which offers 6 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD screen and a 3x zoom lens.

“The Nikon Coolpix S9 keeps the attractive ultraslim design of the S-series while shaving off a fraction of an inch in length to make it 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.8 inches (91 x 58 x 20 mm). As I said in my review of the Nikon Coolpix S5, I like the flowing “wave-like” design of these latest S-series cameras because along with being wafer thin, the slight curve in the camera’s beautiful silver chassis to accommodate the folded 3x zoom, makes it easier to hold. The Nikon S9 is also slightly lighter than the S5 at just 4.6 ounces (133 grams) with the proprietary lithium battery and SD Card installed. Because the camera uses folded optics, the lens does not extend even when zoomed out to 3x, which maintains its slender profile.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon Coolpix S9 Review

Website: Read our Nikon Coolpix S9 Review

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Imaging Resource have reviewed the new Nikon Coolpix S7c, which offers 7 megapixels, a 35-105mm lens and electronic Vibration Reduction.

“Hot on the heels of its S6, Nikon announced the Coolpix S7c. The new model has more resolution at 7.1 megapixels and a Hi ISO shooting mode for available light photography. But even more exciting, the Nikon Coolpix S7c can email images wirelessly through Nikon’s new Coolpix Connect server. And you can do it from any T-Mobile HotSpot with a complimentary one-year subscription, too.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon Coolpix S7c Review

Website: Read our Nikon Coolpix S7c Review

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Fujifilm USA Press Release

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro Introduced to Market - Full Specifications, Availability and Pricing Also Determined

VALHALLA, N.Y.—FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced the full specifications, availability and retail price for the highly anticipated FinePix S5 Pro. Announced in development at Photokina 2006, the FinePix S5 Pro is scheduled for nationwide market availability February 2007 at a price of $1,999. Confirming Fujifilm’s commitment to professional photographers, the FinePix S5 Pro carries a number of features that appeal to wedding, portrait and studio photographers. One is an expanded dynamic range from the double pixel technology (6.17 million S-pixels and 6.17 million R-pixels) of the camera’s Super CCD SR Pro sensor that is approximately 400% wider than that of a CCD working on a single-pixel design. In addition, the FinePix S5 Pro goes a step further by coupling the new Super CCD SR Pro sensor with Fujifilm’s new RP Processor Pro for smoother tonality from brightest light to the darkest shadows. An ISO equivalent sensitivity of 3200 is also available on the FinePix S5 Pro, thanks to the RP Processor Pro technology.

Bad news for anyone interested in Sigma’s new DSLR, the SD14, as the release date is pushed back to late Feb / early March next year.

Sigma Press Release

To our valued customers, The Sigma Corporation of Japan is postponing the launch date of the Sigma SD14 Digital SLR camera, which was announced at Photokina 2006. The Sigma SD14 had originally been scheduled to launch between the end of November and the middle of December. However, during final preparations, an unexpected hardware problem caused us to change the release date of the camera. Due to this design change, the release date is now expected to be towards the end of February and the beginning of March 2007*.

Refocus Imaging, Inc. Press Release

Every photographer is familiar with the frustration of losing a shot because the camera focused too slowly, or focused on the wrong thing. Recent camera technology innovations at Stanford University provide a new solution to this old problem. The idea is to capture extra information at the sensor, which is missing in conventional cameras. Special processing enables physical functions of the lens to be implemented in software. This approach provides unprecedented photographic features, such as the ability to refocus photographs after the image is taken. The underlying technology also enables dramatic improvements in lighting and sensitivity. For the novice, this means a more reliable camera that makes it easier to take great-looking pictures. For aficionados and professionals, this technology means unprecedented control over the quality of each image pixel.

Elliot Landy Press Release

The legendary photographer and his son exhibit together for the first time. “This is the first exhibition we have made together. My music photos were taken during the 60’s and his in the 90’s. Mine include Bob Dylan, The Band, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Van Morrison, Frank Zappa and others from that generation of musicians. Bo’s photos include Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Billy Idol, Kiss, Metallica, Whitesnake, Alice Cooper and others. He’s made some wonderful unique prints on metallic silver paper, keeping to the spirit of the times he photographed. The exhibition will be on display from December 5 thru January 23, 2007. I hope you will come and see it. I am excited about it.”

OnAsia Press Release

Bangkok , THAILAND -  December 7th, 2006 - A group of OnAsia photographers has contributed training services to young people affected by the Asian tsunami as part of the inSIGHT Out project (www.insightout-project.org). OnAsia member photographers Masaru Goto from Japan, Suthep Kritsanavarin from Thailand and Patrick de Noirmont from France took part in a series of workshops where tsunami affected children were given the opportunity to explore their communities, their culture and their own personal vision through photography. The photographers offered professional support to these workshops, sharing their skills and encouraging the young participants to discover the possibilities of creativity and visual expression through photography.

US3 Media Press Release

Want to learn how to take better digital photographs, get the most from your equipment, and retouch images on a PC? Doug Harman’s Guide to Digital Photography DVD is an easy to follow visual guide that walks beginners and photo hobbyists through the key steps. A range of digital cameras and digital photo techniques blend with inspirational images to illustrate the basics of digital photography. Beginning with an examination of the types of digital cameras available, the ‘hands on’ programme takes the viewer outdoors to capture a winning shot, then moves into the digital darkroom, where the basics of connecting your camera to a computer, using a printer and image editing are expertly explored.

Kodak UK Press Release

Christmas shopping for friends and loved ones can make even the most experienced shopper break out in a sweat - what to buy the woman who has everything?  The latest survey from Kodak reveals that you won’t go wrong with a gadget – over one in five of the women surveyed would put the latest ‘must-have’ technology item at the top of their Christmas wish list. When Kodak asked women their thoughts on finding a gadget under the Christmas tree, almost 70% of those surveyed said they would be ecstatic or pleased.  Interestingly, technology gifts are popular with all ages and generations – people over the age of 55 are just as likely to put a gadget on their gift list as the 16-24 year olds. The survey also revealed that the digital camera is the item that most people would like to receive, followed by SatNav, mobile phones, MP3 Players and camcorders.

Nokia Press Release

Kellie Hill, 16 from Leicester took one step nearer to fulfilling her dream of becoming a top fashion photographer when she was crowned Young Fashion Photographer of the Year 2006 at Clothes Show Live, in association with Nokia. The competition, in association with Nikon, is a new addition to the show’s renowned Educational Bursary scheme. The award is the first of its kind in the UK and aims to celebrate up and coming British talent within the world of fashion photography. Kellie, from South Croxton, studies at Loughborough High School and was one of twelve finalists whose work was exhibited at the show. Entrants were set the task of creating a picture that encapsulated the world of fashion photography through using their imagination and photographic skills to create and shoot an image that sums up exotic locations, foreign travel and glamorous people.

CameraArts Magazine Press Release

December 6, 2006 - Until December 31, 2006, CameraArts Magazine will be accepting entries for its very first photography contest at The CameraArts Blog. The theme for December will be “People & Portraits.” Only low res jpegs will be accepted, in color or black and white, digital or traditional. Every week during December, we will post the best submissions at http://cameraarts.blogspot.com . ...and that’s not all. For the first week of the New Year, our readers will have a chance to vote on their favorite entries. Three winners will be announced soon afterwards, and each will receive a FREE one-year subscription (or 6-issue renewal) to CameraArts magazine. Photographers will retain all rights to each image and CameraArts will be able to use images for publicity and promotion. One image per person, please!

onOne Software Press Release

Portland, OR - December 6, 2006 - onOne Software, Inc., announces today that Mask Pro 4 – the upgrade to the company’s popular digital image masking plug-in Mask Pro 3 – is now shipping. Mask Pro 4 provides a complete collection of Photoshop® plug-in tools that allow users unprecedented flexibility when tackling the most challenging masking job. And this new version focuses on teaching the user how to best use this comprehensive toolset for masking a wide range of images. As in the previous version, onOne Software’s Mask Pro 4 uses the concept of “keep colors” and “drop colors” chosen by the user and then based on those user selections, the Mask Pro 4 algorithm will remove only those selected colors from an image. One of the strengths of Mask Pro 4 is that when a “drop color” is found in another pixel, Mask Pro 4’s powerful color decontamination technology will remove only that color value from the pixel, leaving that pixel (or pixels) semi-transparent. The benefit to the user is that Mask Pro 4 will virtually eliminate the edge halo effect often seen when masking a transparent object or edge.

AKVIS LLC Press Release

With the release of AKVIS Coloriage V.4.0 for Mac and Win, AKVIS LLC presents the cutting edge technology for automatic B&W photo colorization. The newest version offers yet more flexibility in manipulation of colors on your photo. Now it is possible to change not only the color of the object but its brightness as well; it allows colorizing B&W photos in the colors you wish regardless of the original brightness of the photo. To add color to black and white photos or recolor areas on a photo with AKVIS Coloriage is as easy as handling a coloring book. In fact, “coloriage” means a coloring book in French.

Imaging Resource have reviewed the new Olympus mju 740, which features a 5x optical zoom and 7 megapixels.

“Like its stable mate Stylus 750, the Olympus Stylus 740 has stunningly good looks, but I was disappointed in its performance. Color just seemed unnatural and I came home with far too many blurry images for a camera that has image stabilization. I really wondered if the review unit was just malfunctioning. But it wasn’t a mechanical issue.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Olympus mju 740 Review

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DPReview have reviewed the the Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd (also known as the S6000fd), a 6 megapixel digital camera with a 10.7x zoom lens equivalent to 28-300mm.

“Ultimately the S6000fd’s biggest problem is that - almost without exception - its competitors offer optical image stabilization, something that transforms the usability of the long end of the zoom. I found that too many of my shots - in daylight - came out with camera shake because I didn’t want to shoot at ISO 800.”

Website: DPReview - Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd Review

Website: Read our Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd Review

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ThinkCamera have reviewed the the Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd (also known as the S6000fd), a 6 megapixel digital camera with a 10.7x zoom lens equivalent to 28-300mm.

“Hand somebody an S6500fd and 9 times out of 10 they will think it’s a DSLR. You could probably ask them to change the lens and watch while they try to figure out how to release it (you can’t - like all bridges cameras it’s a fixed lens). I never got them in the same room together but it’s about the same size as the new Nikon D40 with a compact zoom fitted. This is a long way of saying “for a bridge - it’s huge.”

Website: ThinkCamera - Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd Review

Website: Read our Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd Review

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The new Canon EOS 400D (also called the Canon Digital Rebel XTi) is the latest entry-level digital SLR camera from Canon. The Canon 400D builds on the success of its predecessor, the extremely popular 350D, by adding a number of key new features. A 10 megapixel CMOS sensor, 2.5 inch LCD screen, dust protection system, 9 point auto-focus and continuous shooting at 3fps are the main improvements. But in a constantly changing sector of the market, is the 400D still competitive? Read our in-depth review to discover the answer.

Website: Canon EOS 400D Review

Ilford Press Release

Comprehensive range will include ‘Good’ ‘Better’ and ‘Best’ categories using manufactured products from ILFORD and Oji

Marly, Switzerland, 6 December, 2006 – ILFORD, a major player in the development and manufacture of photo quality media for inkjet printing and photographic processes, will launch its new consumer brand, ILFORD Photo Inkjet Paper Range, at Paperworld in January 2007. Building on the success of the ILFORD Printasia range and after making a detailed study of what today’s consumer needs, ILFORD has developed a more comprehensive product offer. “We are excited about introducing our new ILFORD Photo Inkjet Paper Range to the consumer market.  After reviewing what the customer looks for when they buy their paper, we are pleased to offer a truly customer focused product. We have been in the photographic business since 1879 and have a wealth of experience in the Professional and Amateur photographic markets.  This has enabled us to develop a range perfect for any user, whatever their needs”, said Andrew Stewart, Sales and Marketing Director of ILFORD.