After Nikon’s decision last week to end sales of it’s film-based camera products, Konica Minolta have gone one better (or worse, depending on how you look at it) by announcing that they are quitting the photography market completely with almost immediate effect. This surprising announcement came from a company with a lot of heritage, and perhaps even more importantly, some truly innovative products, including a pair of great digital SLR cameras in the Dynax/Maxxum 7D and 5D. So where did Konica Minolta go wrong? Was it entirely attibutable to the recent merger between the two companies? Is Konica Minolta’s decision the right one, at a time when DSLRs are becoming ever more popular? And more importantly, do you the consumer really care? Shout out now…

Here are the stand-out news stories from the last 7 days:

New Cameras
Konica Minolta Leaves Photo Industry
Samsung GX-1S DSLR
New Ricoh Camera at Focus on Imaging 2006

New Accessories
XS-Drive MP3 VP3650
Carl Zeiss ZF Lenses for Nikon SLR Cameras
Lexar 133X CompactFlash and Secure Digital Memory Cards
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO Lens
Pantone huey Monitor Calibration Tool

New Software
Adobe Camera Raw 3.3
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3
Adobe Production Studio

Other Headlines
30 Million Canon EF Lenses
Digital Cameras Dominate Professional Photography by 2010

Ricoh are attending this year’s Focus on Imaging Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham at the end of February. Not only do they have Andy Earl talking about his photography, Ricoh will also be unveiling a brand new addition to their range. Stay tuned for more details…

Ricoh UK Press Release

First time at Focus for Ricoh !

Andy Earl, top photographer from the music industry, will present a series of talks on the Ricoh stand.

Ricoh are delighted to announce that Andy Earl, photographer within the international music business, will be doing a series of talks on the Ricoh stand, N2, at Focus on Imaging 2006. Earl has had a highly successful career in the music scene with over 120 record sleeves and thousands of portraits including ones of Madonna, Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney. Earl has just opened an exhibition of his photographs taken of Johnny Cash at the Blink Gallery, London.

ILFORD Photo Press Release

How long would £500 of ILFORD black-and-white photo products last the average enthusiast photographer? Quite a while? That’s one aspect of a new ILFORD Photo-sponsored black-and-white print competition which offers to immortalise the winners’ prints.

Image on a Box - ILFORD Photo has launched its first UK photo print competition since the company’s restructuring last year with a set of unique prizes for the winners. In addition to receiving ILFORD Photo products to the value of £500 and £250 for first and second places respectively, and £100 each for third and fourth, the four winners will have their images printed on boxes and envelopes of ILFORD Photo paper.

Belkin Press Release

Belkin Wins CNET Best of CES Award at 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show; The Belkin CableFree USB Hub Is Honored By CNET as the Best in the Peripherals Category

LAS VEGAS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 19, 2006—Belkin Corporation today announced that it has received a CNET Best of CES Award in the Peripherals category for its CableFree USB Hub, the industry’s first USB Hub that does not require a cable to connect to the computer. The Best of CES Awards were produced and judged by CNET, who announced the winners Saturday, January 7, at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Selected by CNET’s unbiased, expert editors, winners were recognized as the hottest products in their respective technology categories for their unmatched innovation and creativity, and their ability to excite consumers and make their way into everyday life. CNET’s editors received and reviewed hundreds of entries, and combed the CES show floor for products to consider for the prestigious award.

ASMP Foundation Press Release

The ASMP Foundation is pleased to announce grants to five non-profit groups working to educate photographers—and to announce that it has begun accepting applications for the next grant cycle. Applications for summer 2006 grants are due by May 15.

The five recipients are:

* AINA Photo, a Paris-based branch of AINA, Afghanistan’s Media and Cultural Center (www.ainaworld.org), trains Afghan men and women in photojournalism. Its goal is to build local talent and foster free expression, in a country where even the possession of photographs was forbidden by the Taliban. The agency has received a grant of $1,500 for its “Afghanistan through Afghan eyes” program to help support photojournalism students develop their skills.

I/OMagic Press Release

IOMagic Enhances its Portable Storage Line-Up with Release of its GigaBank(TM) 8.0; Easy to Use, Pocket-Size 8GB(a) Storage Device is Targeted to Mobile Consumers

IRVINE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 19, 2006—I/OMagic Corporation (OTCBB:IOMG), a leading provider of data storage products, announced today that it is set to ship to retailers the latest product in its portable storage line-up, the new GigaBank(TM) 8.0. The GigaBank(TM) 8.0 has a capacity of up to 8GB(a) of storage space in a miniature and lightweight USB 2.0 unit, designed to store MP3s, video and photos as well as back up documents or transfer files.

Sigma Notice

Firmware update notice for Sigma’s Nikon fit flashguns (NA i-TTL version)

To our valued customers, In response to recent inquiries, concerning the use of the Nikon NA-iTTL version of Sigma EF500 DG Super and Sigma EF500 DG ST flash units, and the EM140 DG Macro Flash, with the Nikon D200 Digital SLR camera, we would direct you to the compatibility chart on our website, which states that these flashguns currently do not support either the D2X, D2H or D200 i-TTL system.

To overcome this, we will be offering a free-upgrade service to our customers, who own these flash units. This free upgrade aims to respond to the demand of our customers, by providing greater compatibility with Nikon fit Sigma flashguns (EF-500 DG SUPER NA-iTTL, EF-500 DG ST NA-iTTL, and EM-140 DG NA-iTTL).

Canon Press Release

TOKYO, January 19, 2006 — Canon Inc. today announced the achievement of a new lens-production milestone as production of the company’s EF lenses passed the 30-million mark.

Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) SLR cameras began in 1987 at the company’s Utsunomiya Plant. Canon produced its 10-millionth EF lens in August 1995, its 20-millionth in February 2001 and, a mere five years later, has now reached the 30-million plateau. This achievement reflects users’ high level of satisfaction with the performance and quality realized by EF lenses, as well as the service offered through Canon’s marketing operations.

Adobe have officially released Camera Raw 3.3 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Support for the following cameras has been added in this update.

Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 1D Mark II N, Canon EOS 20Da
Kodak EasyShare P850, Kodak EasyShare P880
Fujifilm FinePix E900, Fujifilm FinePix S5200/5600, Fujifilm FinePix S9000/9500
Mamiya ZD
Nikon D200
Olympus E-500, Olympus SP-310, Olympus SP-350, Olympus SP-500UZ
Pentax *ist DL, Pentax *ist DS2
Sony DSC-R1

Website: Adobe Camera Raw 3.3 (Windows)

Website: Adobe Camera Raw 3.3 (Mac)

PCMagazine have just reviewed the new Canon IXUS i Zoom digital camera (also known as the SD30). The Canon IXUS i Zoom is a 5 megapixel model with a 2.4x optical zoom lens and 1.8 inch LCD screen.

“Small, sleek and stylish, the Canon PowerShot SD30 Digital Elph ($399.95 list) comes in four bold colors—gold, red, purple, and black. It’s easy to slip into a shirt pocket or handbag. But the slick packaging doesn’t quite make up for this ultracompact’s mediocre performance. It’s not the cheapest ultracompact on the market, and on our tests, we found it to be just an average camera in slick clothing.”

Website: PCMagazine - Canon IXUS i Zoom Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

The Danish website Akam.no have just reviewed the new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1, a 10.3 megapixel compact camera with an APS-C sized sensor that allows for a “live” preview.

Website: Akam.no - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DPReview have reviewed the new Kodak Easyshare P880 digital camera. The Kodak Easyshare P880 is an 8 megapixel model with wide-angle 24–140 mm zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“Kodak has been quite clever with the P880, identifying a niche in the ‘prosumer’ market that isn’t filled by the likes of the Panasonic FZ30, and filling it. Taken as an overall package the P880 offers little to differentiate it from its main competitors, but for those who like to ‘shoot wide’ it is almost in a class of its own.”

Website: DPReview - Kodak Easyshare P880 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Some shocking news to wake up to this morning - Konica Minolta has announced that it is leaving the camera and photo business (both digital and film) by March 31st 2006. I’d heard a couple of days ago that Konica Minolta had dropped out of the Focus on Imaging UK trade show - now it transpires that the company is pulling out of the photo industry for good. Digital SLR camera assets concerning Konica Minolta’s Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system have been transferred to Sony, although it’s unclear yet exactly what that means. Konica Minolta has made some great cameras, with their recent 7D and 5D digital SLRs being particularly good, but it seems that they just haven’t been able to compete with the bigger players.

Konica Minolta Press Release

Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business

Konica Minolta has long been a leading company in photo imaging business covering wide range of imaging from input to output. In addition, we have provided inspiring products and services by fusing our unique technologies.

In camera business, we have expanded picture-taking opportunities by developing innovative technologies such as the world’s first autofocus cameras. In 1962, our camera, well-accepted for its high reliability, boarded on the US’s first manned spaceship “Friendship 7.” Also, ever since introduction of the world’s first body-integral autofocus SLR camera, Maxxum/Dynax series, in 1985, SLR cameras have become more popular among picture-takers, and we have succeeded in selling 16 million units of interchangeable lenses since then.

However, in today’s era of digital cameras, where image sensor technologies such as CCD is indispensable, it became difficult to timely provide competitive products even with our top optical, mechanical and electronics technologies.

CNET have reviewed the new dual lens Kodak V570 camera.

“The typical ultracompact digital camera often has your back up against a wall when equipped with a wide angle that affords no better than the equivalent of a 35mm-to-39mm view. Eastman Kodak has a better idea: including a second, ultrawide 23mm (35mm-camera equivalent) fixed-focal-length lens that broadens your viewpoint when faced with tight spots or breathtaking panoramas. The stylish Kodak EasyShare V570 mates this wide-angle lens with a separate 39mm-to-117mm 3X zoom lens. Each lens has its own sensor, thanks to a folded optical path that accommodates a 5-megapixel pair. The ultrawide lens is the perfect complement for the V570’s in-camera panorama-stitching feature, which can capture a full 180-degree vista with only three shots.”

Website: CNET - Kodak V570 Review

Website: Read my Kodak Easyshare V570 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Steves Digicams is first out of the blocks with a review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-C6 hybrid still/moving digital camera.

“The overall image quality when using its 6-megapixel High mode is good. Our outdoor sample images were nice and sharp thanks to its internal 5x optical zoom lens and 5-point AF system. The lens covers an above average range of 38 - 190mm (35mm equivalent), offering a great deal of versatility over your typical 3x zoom lens. We noticed moderate barrel distortion at full wide-angle, with slight pin cushioning present at the telephoto extremes. The zoom mechanism is smooth and quiet throughout its range, allowing it to be used while recording video. The majority of our shots were well exposed and showed pleasing color saturation.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sanyo Xacti DMX-C6 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DIWA member and Polish website Fotopolis have reviewed the new Samsung GX-1S digital SLR, a 6 megapixel digital camera that uses the Pentax lens mount.

Website: Fotopolis - Samsung GX-1S Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Digital Outback Photo have cast a critical eye over Portfolio 8, the latest version of the digital image management (DAM) software tool.

“Portfolio includes a feature called FolderSync, which allows you to synchronize the contents of folders (with or without sub folders) with your Portfolio catalogue. In previous versions, the synchronization was done manually by clicking on the Sync button. The nugget that Extensis added in Portfolio 8 is automated synchronization of folders, either immediately when changes are detected or on a timed schedule. This is exciting news! Why? Because automated synchronization immediately picks up any changes you make to your images, thus enabling you to implement a metadata-driven workflow in which Portfolio becomes a “super Adobe Bridge”.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Portfolio 8 Review

Imaging Resource have just reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FZ30. This is an 8 megapixel compact digital camera with a 12x Leica optical zoom lens equivalent to 35-420mm, optical image stabilizer, addition of a manual zoom ring and rotating LCD screen with 235,000 pixels.

“Though Panasonic was late offering a wide array of digital cameras, they’ve produced some excellent and very popular digicams in the last few years; particularly in the long zoom category. The Panasonic Lumix FZ30 combines a 12x optically stabilized zoom lens with a 8.0-megapixel sensor, a host of features, and a new burly look designed to entice novice and enthusiast in a market that’s swinging toward the SLR. (The Panasonic FZ30 is very similar to the FZ20 model, the biggest difference being its 8.0-megapixel CCD vs the 5.0-megapixel chip on the FZ20, and a handful of minor control updates. It is not an SLR.) True to its Leica heritage, the Panasonic FZ30’s long zoom shows very good optical quality, and the rest of the camera happily measures up as well. Read on for all the details, but if you’re in the market for a long-zoom digicam with optical image stabilization, the Panasonic FZ30 looks like a good bet.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Panasonic DMC-FZ30 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

The new XS Drive MP3 VP3650 replaces the current XS Drive Pro with an improved user interface and a much more compact unit as well as explicit xD compatibility. The XS Drive MP3 complements our range by offering the users the access the content of the Hard Disk through a browsable file/folder structure, as well as allowing to listen to MP3 music. The XS Drive VP3650 retails for £169 incl VAT for the 20GB version and £199 incl VAT for the 30GB. A 40GB version of the VP3650 will be available in February.

Cardmedia Press Release

Lewes, 17th of January 2006 - Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer XS Drive, has announced the availability of the XS-Drive MP3 VP3650, a new Portable Storage Device and MP3 player with blue backlight LCD display. This versatile device is aimed at the photographic market with its memory card back up function and the high capacity of its hard drive, and provides an additional MP3 function as well as files browsing with Copy and Delete operations.

The XS-Drive MP3 VP3650 is a compact portable Hard disk to backup your memory cards in the field. It benefits from 20, 30 or 40GB of capacity from its internal 1.8” Hard disk giving you a large back up device which is also pocket-sized, portable, lightweight, multifunctional device.