Mamiya lives on under the guise of Mamiya Digital Imaging, and will be exhibiting new products at Photokina.

Johnsons Photopia Press Release

Johnsons Photopia are pleased to announce that transfer of the Mamiya Optical Equipment Division was approved in the general meeting of shareholders on 29th June 2006. The new company will now be known as the Mamiya Digital Imaging Co. Ltd and operation of the new company will start on 1st September 2006 in new premises in the Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Ueno Park Building, Tokyo. The company also announced that Mr. Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi will be the new company President.

FotoTime Press Release

DALLAS, TEXAS, date, 2006 - FotoTime, Inc., a leading provider of digital photo and video solutions, today announced FotoStudio, a new service for amateur and professional digital photographers to easily and cost effectively setup an online storefront to sell prints and gifts showcasing their photos. FotoStudio lets photographers focus on what they love and do best - take pictures - and not have to deal with the hassles of setting up an online storefront,” said Jeff Kelling, FotoTime vice president of technology. “With FotoStudio, professional photographers and photo enthusiasts can set up a business in a few simple steps. Our new service is another way FotoTime enables photographers to ‘do more’ with their pictures.” FotoStudio is available for a yearly subscription at $23.95.

Brooklyn Museum Press Release

Major Traveling Exhibition of Annie Leibovitz Photographs on View at Brooklyn Museum October 20, 2006–January 21, 2007

Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life, 1990-2005, an exhibition of more than 200 photographs, will debut at the Brooklyn Museum, where it will be on view from October 20, 2006 through January 21, 2007, prior to an international tour. The exhibition, sponsored by American Express, is being organized by the Brooklyn Museum. Among the other venues it will travel to are the San Diego Museum of Art, the High Museum of Art, the Corcoran Gallery, the de Young Museum, Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, and London’s National Portrait Gallery, with additional venues to be announced.

DxO Labs Press Release

New lens modules for DxO Optics Pro Elite and Standard edition include the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC MACRO and the new Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

New York, NY and Paris, France – August 7, 2006 – DxO Labs announces today availability of 15 new DxO Lens Modules for its DxO Optics Pro software bringing the total now to 365 lens correction modules available to DxO Optics Pro users. In addition, many existing DxO Lens Modules have been extended to more DxO-supported camera bodies. DxO Optics Pro software improves the image quality of Digital Single-Lens Reflex (D-SLR) cameras and advanced digicams. DxO Optics Pro is the award-winning digital image enhancement tool incorporating revolutionary optics, noise and exposure corrections in an easy-to-use, feature rich application for Mac and PC users. “We are constantly extending our library of DxO Lens Modules to offer photographers worldwide the greatest selection of correction capabilities,” said Luc Marin, vice president of the Photography Business Unit at DxO Labs.

Lyra Research Press Release

Newton, MA (PRWEB) August 7, 2006—According to a new forecast by Lyra Research, the digital imaging authority (www.lyra.com), camera phones have now become the most prevalent image-capture devices in the world. The global installed base of camera phones has now surpassed that of film and digital cameras combined. Lyra estimates that the installed base of camera phones will reach approximately 850 million units in 2006, and this number is expected to grow to more than 1.5 billion units in 2010.

Epson Press Release

Recharge makes settlement with Seiko Epson Corporation to cease trading of third-party inkjet cartridges for Epson printers

07 August 2006 - In on-going activities to protect its intellectual property rights, Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”) has agreed to settle with Recharge Inkjet Technologies Limited (“Recharge”), an internet retailer (trading under the name CartridgeMonkey.com) based in Bolton, UK.  The settlement terms include Recharge undertaking not to infringe Epson’s patents and registered designs, and making substantial settlement payment to Epson. The full terms of the settlement are confidential.

MediaStreet Press Release

7-Inch Image Area, Slide Show Feature, Built-in Speakers and Multi-Format Card Reader Adds Flexibility to Sharing Photographs and Video

Deer Park, NY – August 9, 2006 – MediaStreet Inc., a leading independent manufacturer of archival-quality inks with matched inkjet media and other innovative, digital solutions for the photographic, arts and consumer electronics industries, is expanding its line of digital photo frames with the introduction of its “Pure eMotion 128” digital picture frame.  The highly versatile digital frame offers an aesthetically appealing alternative to traditional slide shows by allowing users to present their musical slideshows without the aid of a computer or other playback devices.

DPNow have just reviewed the new SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash card and Firewire reader.

“SanDisk’s Extreme IV technology is a remarkable performance step and especially worthwhile when working with very large capacity cards. It’s likely to be very handy in cameras that can use the performance benefits, but not for older cameras. On its performance alone even with less exotic cards than Extreme IV, the SanDisk Extreme Firewire card reader is a of considerable benefit in its own right and surely worth serious consideration too.”

Website: DPNow - SanDisk Extreme IV Review

Camera Labs have just reviewed the new Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM.

“If you’re seriously into portraits or low light work though, the Canon EF-S 17-55mm will delight. The more you see what it’s optics are capable of, the more you find yourself taking shots under conditions you’d previously walk away from. And while it’s pricier than the EF-S 17-85mm, Canon owners can at least console themselves it costs the same or less than the Nikkor DX 17-55mm f2.8 while additionally boasting Image Stabilisation.”

Website: Camera Labs - Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review

Kodak have announced 4 new cameras today, including the 7 megapixel, dual-lens Kodak Easyshare V705, and 3 C-series models.

The KODAK EASYSHARE V705 camera will be available worldwide in September (RRP £279.99).  The KODAK EASYSHARE C875 camera will be available worldwide end of August (RRP £229.99), the C743 will be available end of September (RRP £149.99), and the C433 will be available worldwide beginning mid-September (RRP £89.99).

Kodak UK Press Release

Kodak Announces the World’s Smallest Ultra-Wide-Angle Zoom Digital Camera and Additions to the C-Series Line of Digital Cameras - Company Stays on Top with the Launch of Attractive, Feature-Packed Cameras Designed to Unleash Creativity

London, August 8 — In the latest addition to its award-winning EASYSHARE consumer digital photography system, Eastman Kodak Company today announced four new innovative and user-friendly products to the C and V-Series lines of EASYSHARE Digital Cameras.  The KODAK EASYSHARE V705 Dual Lens Digital Camera - the world’s smallest ultra-wide-angle 7.0 MP 5X optical zoom digital camera - and the KODAK EASYSHARE C875 Zoom Digital Camera, with 8.0 MP, 5X all glass SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH optical zoom lens, are two impressively designed and unbelievably equipped offerings from Kodak. “As a leader in the digital camera marketplace, Kodak once again surpasses the competition by designing innovative and powerful ultra-compact cameras,” said Carolyn Walsh, Product Sales Director Digital, Eastman Kodak Company. “Kodak continues to raise the bar by providing picture takers with the tools to create high-quality photos, enhancing the overall digital photography experience.”

The new KODAK EASYSHARE G600 Printer Dock will cost £129.99 RRP and is available in August.

Kodak UK Press Release

Kodak Introduces New Portable Solution to Print and Play on the Go with the KODAK EASYSHARE G600 Printer Dock - With Just One Touch, Consumers Can Print and Share High-Quality, Real KODAK Pictures Anytime, Anywhere

London, August 8 — Building on its highly successful line of EASYSHARE printers, Eastman Kodak Company today announced the KODAK EASYSHARE G600 Printer Dock.  The clever new design with a built-in handle, smart paper tray storage and battery make portability easy, allowing for convenient, on-the-go printing and sharing. “The convenience, print speed, ease-of-use and phenomenal picture quality from the line of EASYSHARE printer docks have resulted in overwhelming demand from picture-takers worldwide,” said Carolyn Walsh, Product Sales Director Digital, Eastman Kodak Company. “Based on customer demand, we are excited to introduce an innovative new printing solution that truly fits an active lifestyle, and unleashes the power of pictures.”

The Casio EX-S770 will be available in the UK and Eire from 28th August 2006 in silver, and from September 2006 in blue and red.

Casio Press Release

Ultra-Slim Digital Camera with Wide-Screen LCD Features Wide-Aspect Movie Recording and Data Storage Function

TOKYO, August 8, 2006 — Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today the release of the EXILIM® Card EX-S770. This latest addition to the stylish EXILIM digital camera series is a powerful digital camera packed with advanced functions. The attractive EX-S770 shoots 7.2-megapixel still images and records high-quality movies in MPEG-4 format. In addition, it features Casio’s Super Bright 2.8-inch wide-screen LCD, but still retains the ultra-slim card size of its predecessors. Its impressive wide-screen display employs a 230,000-pixel LCD that clearly displays images and information down to the smallest detail, and boasts a maximum brightness of around 1100cd/m2—more than bright enough to see outdoors on a sunny day. Casio has also added new functions to make the most of the EX-S770’s new wide screen.

The waterproof Pentax Optio W20 will ship in September 2006 in the US for under $300, and in the UK for £229.99

Pentax USA Press Release

GOLDEN, CO. (August 7, 2006) PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new PENTAX Optio W20, a compact digital camera featuring excellent waterproof performance with a slim, flat body design. The Pentax W20 is the latest model in the PENTAX Optio W series of cameras that are capable of underwater photography without requiring a waterproof case or other accessories.  The waterproof design of the Pentax W20 meets the JIS Class 8 waterproof standard, enabling it to withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation at an underwater depth of up to five feet. In addition, the Pentax W20 features a new Blur Reduction High ISO mode that selects ISO up to 1600, and an upgrade to 7.0 effective megapixels to offer improved image quality in a fun, easy-to-handle package.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm today announces the launch of a new 2GB version of its compact xD-Picture Card, doubling the storage capacity of the current highest capacity xD-Picture Cards. The xD-Picture Card TypeM M2GB will be compatible with Fujifilm’s latest range of compact digital cameras and all future models launched *. The 2GB xD-Picture Card has been developed to meet the requirements of consumers who are making use of the increasingly sophisticated functions of compact digital cameras. Features such as higher megapixel counts, longer battery life, and continuous shooting all make specific demands on the storage capacity of a media card. The new Fujifilm F30 Zoom, for example, is the world’s first digital camera to deliver ISO 3200 sensitivity at full resolution, and gives class-leading battery life of 580 shots from a single charge. The increased storage capacity also gives users the freedom to take more photos, without having to resort to deleting images to free up space on the card.

The winners of the July 2006 PhotographyBLOG Competition have been announced. The theme for July was “Decay” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
“fading innocence” by stewart
View this entry

Prize: 1 x 24x24” or 24x18” Canvas Print of a Photo of Your Choice
Kindly donated by Pixel Outpost.
http://www.pixeloutpost.com

In a brand new series, we cast the spotlight on members of the PhotographyBLOG Gallery and ask them about their photography. The fifth member to sit in the interview chair is Rachel Scott-Renouf.

“I love taking close up photos of insects etc because you can often see a lot more detail when enlarging the photo on the computer than you can with your own eyes and that fascinates me. What just looks like another bug can turn out to be very beautiful and interesting.”

Website: Gallery Member Spotlight - Rachel Scott-Renouf

This week’s Gary’s Parries topics are:

1. DSLR Dynamic Range Needs Improvement
2. Digital Shutter Lag Versus 35mm
3. Newbie Seeks Camera That Rocks

[Note: I try not to let work interfere with my hobbies, but sometimes it happens. This is one of those times. As such, the answers to this week’s questions will have to be postponed until next week, which is unfortunate due to the especially pertinent questions that were submitted for immediate attention. To that end, I have posted JUST THE QUESTIONS in this week’s column, with the hopes that our knowledgeable readers will offer their own comments and suggestions in order to tide the submitters of the questions over until next week … at which time I will endeavor to provide the ‘correct’ answers to their questions.]

Introducing this week’s Gary’s Parries column. Everything you always wanted to know about digital cameras, but were afraid to ask. No question too difficult, or too easy. As a Senior Principal Software Engineer, and a former Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems, as well as a recording studio owner/operator, inventor, and now, a digital camera enthusiast, GARY has more digital camera knowledge in his entire brain than most people have in their little finger. In the unlikely event that GARY would not know the answer to your question, he will answer it anyway, true to the spirit of the word “Parries”, a fencing term which, in this context, implies “cleverly evasive answers”. So let your imagination run wild. Email all your nagging digital camera questions to: [email protected] , and then, En Garde!

You may also attach to your email an ORIGINAL PHOTO of your choosing. A preview of the photo will be displayed with your question, and a full-sized version will be just a click away. No personal information will be published with your question unless you specifically include it in the text or attached photo of your email, which may be further edited for grammar, content, or other reasons.

The Samsung Digimax L70 is announced today. This 7 megapixel digital camera features a 2.5 inch LCD screen and innovative nine button touch and click control pad. The Samsung L70 is expected to be available in September for around £230.

Samsung UK Press Release

4 August 2006, London, UK - Samsung Cameras is adding to its popular Digimax range of digital compact cameras with the launch of the stylish yet user-friendly Digimax L70.  Featuring 7 mega pixels the Samsung L70 can be used by photographers of all levels to produce high quality results. With its sleek look and slim 17.5mm design the Digimax L70 boasts a large 2.5” LCD screen for great viewing of pictures. The brightness of the LCD is automatically adjusted to the intensity of the environment helping to prolong battery life. For enhanced picture quality the Samsung L70 comes complete with three times optical zoom lens barrel to allow for brighter, faster and more professional results.

The Minox DC 8122 is a new 8.1 megapixel camera with 6x zoom and image stabilizer. Price and availability to be announced.

Minox Press Release

For the new MINOX DC 8122 our slogan is: “Take a look – its worth it”! For any macro, zoom or portrait snapshot – the innovative optical system allows close focussing to just 20 millimetres with a 6x optical zoom, giving outstanding versatility. The small and handy Minox 8122 offers a wide range of applications for both for the casual and creative photographer with 8 mega pixels. A new standard feature is protection against blurred images, especially when using the long zoom range, by the built-in image stabilizer. Any unintentional shaking of the DC8122 as the shutter is released is registered by the electronics and automatically balanced. The CCD image sensor with a resolution of 8.1 million pixels provides all the necessary performance.  The high-speed autofocus MINOCTAR lens ensures that detailed images are produced so big enlargements of excellent quality can be expected. Lens, image sensor and software are perfectly coordinated to ensure sharp, brilliant and true colour images, even under difficult light conditions.

Casio have rather confusingly released not one, but two firmware updates for the 8.1 megapixel EX-Z850 camera. You can now choose from either v1.10, which just adds SDHC memory card support, or v1.1B, which also includes better HQ Mode movie quality, but with a 40% narrower field of view angle than the previous firmware version. Choices choices…