Carl Zeiss have announced a new range of lenses for the Nikon F mount, after weeks of teaser campaigns on their website, and numerous leaks elsewhere on the web. First up is the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZF lens, followed by the Planar T* 1,4/85 ZF, both to be released in “Spring 2006”. The Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF will cost 499.00 EUR and the Planar T* 1.4/85 ZF 999.00 EUR (excluding VAT). Several more Zeiss ZF lenses will be introduced during 2006.

Carl Zeiss AG Press Release

Carl Zeiss AG of Oberkochen, Germany is about to introduce ZF, a new range of interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras, both analog and digital. ZF lenses bring the highly acclaimed Carl Zeiss image quality to the Nikon SLR camera system, which has been the preferred equipment of millions of professional and ambitious amateur photographers for decades. ZF lenses can also be used on the Sinar m professional digital camera and a multitude of industrial video cameras.

ZF lenses provide Nikon F-mount cameras with the creative potential and phototechnical performance available so far only in the Contax system. In addition, ZF lenses incorporate new technical advances from the ZEISS Ultra Prime®, Master Prime® and DigiPrime® lenses for motion picture cameras. Results have been seen in feature films like “Lord of the Rings”, “Alexander”, “King Arthur”, “Air Force One”, “Collateral”, “King Kong” and many commercials and music clips.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 will be available in English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese in February 2006. Suggested retail pricing is £329 for the full product, £149 for upgrade, and £85 for the student and teacher edition. (All prices exclude VAT).

Corel Press Release

New Suite Delivers a Higher Standard of Ease of Use and Graphics Power for Design Professionals and Business Users

Maidenhead, UK - 17 January 2006 - Corel Corporation today unveiled the latest version of its award-winning graphics suite, CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X3. With more than 40 new and enhanced features, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 will be available for purchase to customers around the world in English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese in February 2006.
Whether they are design professionals on deadline or small business owners creating their own marketing materials, customers will enjoy a significant productivity boost from CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3. The suite simplifies the design process for projects of any scale, including logo creation, professional marketing brochures, and eye-catching signs. Customers choose CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 because it delivers a combination of superior design capabilities, speed, ease of use, and affordability that’s unmatched in the graphics software industry.

PictoColor Press Release

PictoColor Releases iCorrect EditLab Pro 5.0 Color Correction and Color Editing Software for Photoshop Users

New digital photo software features advanced auto black and white conversion, auto sepia tone, sharpening, and noise removal for turning everyday pictures into fine art images.

January 17, 2006—Burnsville, MN, USA, PictoColor Corporation has released iCorrect EditLab Pro 5.0 (http://www.pictocolor.com/editlabpro.htm), a new version of its highly acclaimed color correction and color editing software. The new version features advanced automatic black and white conversion and automatic sepia tone for sophisticated artistic effects.  In addition, iCorrect EditLab Pro 5.0 now includes sharpening and noise removal technology for enhanced image quality and productivity.  Version 5.0 builds on iCorrect EditLab Pro’s tradition of fast and easy color correction and color editing by offering sophisticated, yet easy to use black and white conversion and toning tools for adding an additional level of expression to an image.  As photographers continue to rediscover the timeless beauty of black and white photography, iCorrect EditLab Pro 5.0 will help them turn everyday shots into stunning fine art images.

Wacom Press Release

Wacom(R) Penabled(R) Technology Delivers Advanced Digital Pen Performance to Industry’s First Total Solution for Electronic Paper

Portable Electronic Reading and Writing Application from iRex Technologies Employs Wacom’s Digital Pen Technology Featuring Enhanced Pressure-Sensitivity for Superior Control

TOKYO, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/—Wacom Co. Ltd, the leading electronic pen technology manufacturer, announced today that its Penabled cordless, battery-free pen technology has been selected for iRex Technologies’ electronic paper applications—the first complete solution for portable electronic reading and writing. The solution delivers the established easy to read, low-power advantages of electronic paper with the capability to get content from various sources (e.g. Internet, PC or flash memory cards), as well as the ability to capture user input with Wacom’s Penabled technology.

Slide Press Release

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/—Slide announced today official support for watching iLife/iPhoto ‘06 photocasts on Macs, PCs, and any Flash- enabled web browser.

“With Slide, anyone can now watch Apple photocasts on any computer desktop or even on popular websites like eBay and Xanga,” said Max Levchin, CEO of Slide. Levchin continues, “Last week at MacWorld, Steve Jobs coined a great phrase for sharing photos—‘photocasting’ or broadcasting photos via RSS feeds like podcasts. The Slide Player was built from the ground up to watch and share photo RSS feeds, just like iPhoto photocasts. We’re happy to be the first company to announce compatibility and support for iPhoto photocasts.”

O’Reilly Press Release

Working Smarter and More Creatively with CS2 O’Reilly Releases “Adobe Creative Suite 2 Workflow”

Sebastopol, CA—“The Creative Suite isn’t just a bundle of Adobe creative products; it’s a product in and of itself,” say Jennifer Alspach, Shari Nakano, and Steve Samson in their preface to the new “Adobe Creative Suite2 Workflow” (O’Reilly, US $49.95). “Once you start using it that way, you’ll become immensely more efficient and realize all sorts of capabilities you never knew were there.”

Adobe CS2 combines full versions of the acclaimed Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, InDesign, and GoLive—each an amazing standalone application. But this book, the authors promise, “is designed to get you thinking about how the Creative Suite products interact with each other.” When used in conjunction with the other CS2 applications, each tool becomes endlessly powerful. That means users can become more creative and productive.

BetterPhoto.com Press Release

Streamlined Weekly Podcast - “The BetterPhoto™ Show” Provides Quick Photography Tips and Tricks, Available On iTunes

REDMOND, Washington (PRWEB) January 17, 2006 –- BetterPhoto.com, the worldwide leader in online photography education, today announced the availability of the informative and streamlined BetterPhoto™ Show weekly podcast on iTunes. On the weekly podcast, Jim Miotke, President of BetterPhoto and national expert on digital photography, shares quick photography tips so photographers can learn how to make their own eye-catching imagery.

InfoTrends Press Release

Major InfoTrends Study Indicates Digital Cameras Will Dominate Professional Photography Market by 2010 - 90% of professional pictures will be taken with digital cameras by 2010

(Weymouth, MA) January, 17 2006… InfoTrends, the leading worldwide digital imaging and document solutions research and consulting firm, is pleased to announce the release of its highly anticipated multi-client study, North American Professional Photography Market. The study provides camera, printer, software, supplies, and service providers with the information necessary to support their marketing efforts, product planning, and distribution initiatives in the professional photography market in North America.

According to the study, there are over 131,000 professional photographers in North America , and they spend nearly $800 million a year on cameras, lenses, printers, ink and media, software, and other accessories. Approximately 65% of these professional photographers use film cameras for some of their shoots, however, InfoTrends’ estimates that 70% of all professional photos are taken with digital cameras.

Lexar Press Release

Lexar Delivers Optimal Performance with 133X CompactFlash and Secure Digital Memory Cards

Fremont, Ca., January 18, 2006 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies announced availability of its new Professional CompactFlash® (CF) and Secure Digital™ (SD) flash memory cards designed to deliver optimal performance in all digital SLR cameras and speed-rated 133X, or capable of a minimum sustained write speed of 20MB per second. Lexar’s new flash memory products signify the company’s continued commitment to providing professional photographers with reliable flash memory cards that deliver near instantaneous image read and write speeds, and seamless operation throughout each step of the digital imaging workflow process enabling the user to spend more time taking pictures.

Fantasea Line Press Release

Fantasea Line Releases the F350D Housing for Canon Rebel XT/350D Digital Camera

Fantasea Line, distributor of the world’s most popular and affordable underwater photographic products, announces the release of the F350D waterproof camera housing for the Digital Canon Rebel XT/350D. The Fantasea F350D is a compact, lightweight, injection molded polycarbonate housing with ergonomically designed handles, making it easy to hold and use. The F350D’s interchangeable port system accommodates a wide variety of SLR lenses, allowing photographers to capture the widest variety of superior underwater images.

The Fantasea F350D is more than just an underwater camera housing since it provides protection for the Canon Rebel XT/350D against damage from rain, snow, dust, sand and dirt. It is a valuable tool for many commercial, industrial, and medical applications, because it is resistant to most liquids and sprays.

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have the first online review of the Ricoh GR Digital, an 8 megapixel compact digicam based on the GR Series of 35mm compact film cameras.

“The Ricoh GR Digital is a kind of camera that GR-fans or owners of one of Ricoh’s analogue GR series cameras have been waiting for. From a photographer’s point of view it is a joy to see that a company like Ricoh takes the effort to develop a digital jewel like the Ricoh GR Digital. A fantastic high quality GR lens, a great versatility as a result of using the converter to create a 21mm lens and the highly attractive optional viewfinder that gives the Ricoh GR Digital a distinctive look and feel. Having had the pleasure of using the GR1 analogue version together with the GR Digital camera I came to the conclusion that this is a successful transformation of going from analogue to digital. The Ricoh GR Digital really is one of a kind…”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Ricoh GR Digital Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DigitalCameraReview have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9, which offers a 3x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom lens, 6 megapixels, an optical image stabilizer, highest ISO speed of 640 and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“I don’t know whether Sony has fixed all of the problems users were reporting with the T7, but I found the T9 to be a mixed bag.  With good lighting, this camera takes very pleasing photos that are nice and sharp and well-exposed.  The camera is small and light enough to fit in a shirt pocket, and is very portable and fun.  In tricky lighting situations, however, the camera’s faults really start to interfere with usefulness of the camera.  This is a shame, because you would expect a small and light camera to be used to take pictures at parties, bars, or other situations, all taking place indoors.  Because this camera has many problems dealing with tricky lighting, and also due to the “dust problem” I experienced, I would be hard pressed to recommend this camera to beginning photographers or individuals who expect to be able to pick up a camera and “point and shoot” at a subject and get good results.”

Website: DigitalCameraReview - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat have reviewed the Canon PowerShot S80, an 8 megapixel update of the S70 which offers a 28-100mm f/2.8-5.3 lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen and Canon’s advanced image processor, DIGIC II.

Website: FotoAparat - Canon PowerShot S80 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DIWA member Steves Digicams have just reviewed the Nikon Coolpix L1 digicam, which offers a 5x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD monitor and 6.2 megapixels.

“I was fairly satisfied with the overall image quality when using 6-Megapixel Fine mode. The metering system had a tendency to overexpose outdoor images by about 1/2 EV, although colors were nicely saturated. The L1 does not provide an exposure compensation adjustment, so you’ll have to accept the camera’s automatic exposure setting. Sensitivity is also set automatically; no manual adjustment is provided. Noise levels were very low at ISO 50, while ISO 100 produced a slight amount of noise in shadow areas. At ISO 200, noise is noticeable throughout the image. Chromatic aberration, aka “purple fringing”, was very well controlled, with only very slight amounts present around highlights.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Nikon Coolpix L1 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Sigma UK Press Release

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO lens.

The lens is ideally suited for a wide variety of subjects and is designed specifically for digital SLR cameras featuring APS-C size image sensor.

The new Sigma 17-70mm is a large aperture standard zoom lens designed specially for digital SLR cameras.

- Minimum focusing distance of 20cm,with an impressive maximum magnification of 1:2.3. at all focal lengths.
- New design and multi layer lens coating reduce flare and ghosting.
- Aspherical and SLD lenses offer excellent correction for various aberrations.
- Large aperture of F2.8 at the wide angle setting.

Adobe UK Press Release

Adobe Revolutionises Post-Production Workflows with All-New Adobe Production Studio, Includes Powerful New Versions of After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Audition, Adobe Encore DVD; Introduces Adobe Dynamic Link; and Delivers Advanced Flash Video Support

London. — January 17, 2006 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today unveiled Adobe® Production Studio, an extension of the Adobe Creative Suite family of products. The most complete post-production software solution available today, Adobe Production Studio combines full new versions of Adobe’s world class video and graphics applications—Adobe After Effects® 7.0, Adobe Premiere Pro® 2.0, Adobe Audition® 2.0, Adobe Encore® 2.0 (also announced today, see separate releases) and the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop® CS2 and Adobe Illustrator® CS2—with time-saving innovations such as Adobe Dynamic Link that deliver a highly efficient workflow experience. Adobe Production Studio also integrates Flash video (FLV) export capabilities to provide video professionals with a new, fluid method of delivering content to the Web using this ubiquitous web video standard.

Sony UK Press Release

Instant digital prints anytime anywhere with Sony SnapLab ™

Revolutionary desktop photofinishing solution delivers new revenue opportunities for traditional and opportunistic photo printing channels

Basingstoke, 16 January 2006 – Sony today announced SnapLab™, a brand new desktop photofinishing solution designed to meet increasing consumer demand for digital photographs. SnapLab enables retailers to provide consumers with photographic-quality printed images via the ultra-small and ultra-light printer package – and at a price both parties can afford. This latest addition to the “Print by Sony” product family means that Sony provides solutions for every link in the digital photography value chain, from image capture to instant print.

Ricoh have released a new firmware update for their 4 megapixel Ricoh Caplio RZ1 camera, which is nearly 18 months old now (veritably ancient in the digital world).

Improvements in v1.06:

Corrected the error that a time setting in a camera may be reset when you transfer images to a computer.

Website: Download the Ricoh Caplio RZ1 v1.06 Firmware Update

DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S3, a 6 megapixel update of the S1 and S2. The Nikon S3 has a 3x 35-105mm zoom lens and 2.5 inch monitor.

“The S3 is a responsive performer. Power up to first image captured measured 2.5 seconds. Shutter lag measured 1/10 second when pre-focused and 5/10 second including autofocus time; both measurements include the slight delay in the LCD viewfinder’s live image. The shot to shot delay averaged about 2 seconds between frames without the use of the flash and between 2 and 5 seconds with the flash, depending on subject distance. When using red eye reduction flash mode, the LCD blanks during the pre-flash, a critical period of about one second. The LCD also goes blank and the camera freezes while the flash is recharging.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Nikon Coolpix S3 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DCResource have published their review of the 12.8 megapixel Canon EOS 5D digital SLR.

“As you’d expect, the 5D starts up almost instantanelously. As soon as you flip the power switch you’re ready to go. Autofocus speeds will vary a bit depending on yoru choice of lens, but on the lenses I used the most (16-35 and 50 mm), the cmaera focused very quickly. Straight out of the box the 5D isn’t very good at low light focusing, and that’s becuase there’s no AF-assist of any sort (either with the flash or a dedicated lamp). Instead, you’ll need to use the AF-assist beam on whatever external flash you’re using with the camera. I didn’t have a Canon flash to test this with (believe it or not), so I can’t say how well the camera performed with one.”

Website: DCResource - Canon EOS 5D Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews