Professional Photography Industry Establishes Relief Fund to Aid Colleagues Devastated by Hurricane Katrina

DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS – In response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, members of the professional photography trade have established a relief effort to help industry colleagues get back on their feet.  The P.H.O.T.O. Foundation (Photographic Industry Helping Others To Overcome) aims to rally industry support in the form of financial contributions, loaned equipment, extended billing and payment arrangements, and in-kind services to help photographers rebuild their businesses.  Donations may be mailed to: P.H.O.TO. Foundation, PO Box 611, Deerfield, IL 60015.

Creation of the foundation was inspired by the story of Neil Hurd, owner of Neil Hurd Photography in Metairie, Louisiana. On August 31, Hurd called his friends at Zookbinders Inc. in Deerfield, Illinois, to let them know he was safe.  Karyn Newman, the album company’s key customer representative, learned that Hurd and his wife had evacuated, but lost everything in the storm – all of his photography equipment, files and portraits.  Hurd estimates it will take more than a year to rebuild his 27-year-old business.

Phase One Press Release

Copenhagen, Denmark: Phase One®, a world leader in professional digital imaging camera backs and software, is pleased to announce that the Capture One™ RAW Workflow Software is now available for sale in Apple® Store Europe.

Phase One’s popular RAW workflow software Capture One PRO is now available for on-line sales in Apple Store Europe. Trine Voss, VP Capture One sales & marketing states: “We are of course pleased that Apple Store Europe has shown an interest in our product. Apple is without a doubt one of the most respected brands in the digital photographic industry, and it makes a lot of sense for us to sell Capture One RAW workflow to Apple’s wide range of professional users. Phase One’s digital back sales have shown us that the majority of the high-end professional market chooses Mac OS as their preferred operating system, we are confident that they will also choose Capture One PRO as their preferred RAW workflow.”

THE pod INDUSTRIES Press Release

THE pod INDUSTRIES Partners with Bogen Imaging to Deliver Contemporary Photo Gear in the United States

Ramsey, NJ (September 6, 2005) – THE pod INDUSTRIES, creators of the breakthrough pod™ camera platform for digital cameras and mini-DV cameras, has teamed up with Bogen Imaging to act as the exclusive distributor of THE pod products in the U.S.

Designed with durability and portability in mind, THE pod is a camera platform that can be taken anywhere and setup on virtually any surface. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, THE pod can be used at home or on the road by simply attaching any camera or camcorder to its universal locking bolt.  Boasting a unique design similar to that of a hockey puck, THE pod contains plastic beans, is Velcro-sealed and is the ideal solution for situations where a tripod is not allowed. Images taken with THE pod offer a wider variety of angles, sharper photographs and better overall saturation than that of handheld shots.

Just Show Me How Press Release

September 7th, 2005—Last season’s sold out Just Show Me How Pro tour is back, with new tips, new techniques, and new ideas for your digital photography workflow. World-renowned photographer, author, and teacher, Kevin Ames, will educate and entertain you as he shares the secrets of professional workflow. Kevin is the newest associate of Blue Pixel Digital Experts, leading photographers and consultants committed to teaching digital photography from an unbiased, real world perspective. The tour begins on October 2nd in Miami, and travels to eight U.S. cities through the beginning of December.

This one-day seminar will take professional photographers through what to do with all of those digital files after the photo has been captured. Kevin covers the ins and outs of downloading from memory cards, adding metadata, backing up, image optimization, controlling color, delivering files, and creating bulletproof archives of digital negatives. Attendees will learn how to achieve better results faster through automation, without sacrificing the integrity of their images or the quality of their files. As a highly respected photographer, Photoshop author and instructor, Kevin will also share techniques that are essential to any photographer’s creative workflow.

DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the new HP Photosmart R817, which offers 5 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom lens.

“Image quality was what we have come to expect from HP. When using its 5M *** mode, it produces sharp images with great exposure and color saturation. Its 5x optical zoom lens offers a more versatile range when compared to typical 3x zoom digicams. I did notice an average amount of noise in High/Low contrast areas (especially at higher ISOs), but nothing that will be visible in your average 4x6 to 8x10-inch prints.”

Website: Steves Digicams - HP Photosmart R817 Review

Website: Read my HP Photosmart R817 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the HP Photosmart R817

Write a Review of the HP Photosmart R817

Luminous Landscape editor Michael Reichmann has published some sample images taken with a pre-production Canon EOS 5D digital SLR, and alos posted his initial impressions of the image quality. As usual, it makes for interesting reading!

“There is no noise visible. None, even at 100% magnification. Skin tones are lovely and colour reproduction totally satisfying. There is considerable detail both in the black fur and the white. Dynamic range is excellent. Resolution appears to only be limited by the lens. Other test shots taken of static objects with some of Canon’s top lenses show this to indeed be the case.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Canon 5D - Initial Image Quality Impressions and Samples

Meanwhile, Mike Johnston also delivers his preliminary verdict on Canon’s 12.8 megapixel, full frame DSLR.

“I would say that my current fave camera, the estimable Konica-Minolta 7D, has rewarded me with some truly delightful results (my published review of the 7D will appear in Black & White Photography magazine a few months from now). Then again, I got some delightful pictures with my li’l ol’ 3-mp Olympus C-3040z, too. But the different potential of more expensive gear only encourages Magic Bullet Syndrome: people detect the incremental, provisional increase in specialness they’ve bought for themselves with their latest toys, and extrapolate out to absolutes – that is, they assume that ultimate specialness will be the fruit of the ultimate gear, if only they could find and afford it.”

Website: The Sunday Morning Photographer - The Magic Bullet

Epson Press Release

Offer high quality and economical multi-function solutions

Epson introduces the Stylus DX3800 Series and DX4800 Series for the consumer who needs high quality printing, scanning and copying capabilities in an economical and space-saving package.

September 2005 – Epson introduces the Stylus DX3800 Series and DX4800 Series, all-in-one devices for the home or small office. These multi-function devices offer laser-like print quality and highly durable prints alongside scanning and copying capabilities for high-resolution copies and enlargements. Four individual ink cartridges ensure both models are designed with economy in mind – you only need to replace the cartridge you have used. The introduction of Epson’s unique new ink – DURABrite Ultra™, gives you the freedom to print durable, long lasting images, whether you want a plain paper document or a glossy photograph.

Hitachi Press Release

Hitachi Presents Miniature Hard Drives as the New Must-Have Accessory—the New ‘‘Bling’’

BERLIN—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 2, 2005—8-GB “Mikey” & 30/60-GB “Slim” Hard Drives Stimulate New MP3 and Mobile Phone Designs; Hitachi Gives Away Real “Bling” as Part of Celebration  

While the ultimate fashion accessory of recent popular culture is flashy jewelry—known by its street name “bling”—Hitachi Global Storage Technologies is today saying high-capacity, miniature hard drives are the new “bling” for their ubiquity and desirability among the consumer digerati (see “Hard Drive is the New Bling” video at http://www.hitachigst.com/harddrivebling). Hitachi’s latest “bling” are the industry’s smallest one-inch and lightest 1.8-inch hard drive, introduced in concept earlier this year under the monikers Mikey and Slim.

Panasonic Press Release

Lightweight, Ultra-Compact Model SDR-S100 Features Leica Dicomar Lens, Optical Image Stabilizer, 10X Optical Zoom

SECAUCUS, NJ (September 2, 2005)—Panasonic today announced another ground-breaking innovation in digital video and optical technologies: the world’s first 3CCD SD camcorder. The lightweight, super-portable SDR-S100 records high-quality MPEG2 video onto SD Memory Cards, and features a high-performance Leica Dicomar lens, 10X optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilization. The SDR-S100’s fast response time and rugged, shock-resistant design also make it the perfect “take-anywhere” camcorder for spontaneous shooting.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Introduction of full Memory Stick™ range completes Fujifilm’s media card line-up

Fujifilm now offers professional photographers and consumers every digital memory card format on the market

Fujifilm, already the market leader in memory cards for digital devices, has announced the introduction of the Memory Stick Duo™, Memory Stick Pro™ and Memory Stick Duo Pro™ to its range. The additions complete Fujifilm’s media card offering, which now includes every format available on the market.

ePhotoZine have reviewed the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO lens, which offers macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification at the 300 mm focal length.

“The extended focus, providing the 1:2 macro facility, is especially useful and performed well giving good definition at close quarters. The new multi-coating, which gives the lens it’s DG (optimised for digital) classification, helps a design that is good to start with, that extra bit of help in controlling artefacts. CA is well controlled and distortion reasonably well managed, although there is a slight pincushion effect at the 300mm end. (Easily cured in software on digital images)”

Website: ePhotoZine - Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO Lens Review

ByteSector have reviewed both the new HP Photosmart R817, which offers 5 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom lens, and the HP M517, which offers a 3x zoom.

“Both cameras deliver average image quality, with the R817 having an advantage over the M517. This is because of its more diverse picture and exposure capabilities, extra built in imaging technologies, and better lens. However, both cameras share the same problem; they both lack a steady feature to eliminate blurring when you use a slow shutter speed or no flash. This is especially disappointing in the R817 because it is able to go down to ISO 50.”

Website: ByteSector - HP Photosmart R817 / M517 Review

Website: Read my HP Photosmart R817 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the HP Photosmart R817

Write a Review of the HP Photosmart R817

CNET have published their review of the Kodak Easyshare V550, a 5 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5inch LCD screen.

“With its ice-blue indicator lights and included flying-saucer-shaped dock, the 5-megapixel Kodak EasyShare V550 brings some much-needed style to Kodak’s line of point-and-shoot cameras. Equipped with friendly features, the V550 will appeal to those who want portability and simplicity wrapped in an attractive package.”

Website: CNET - Kodak Easyshare V550 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Kodak Easyshare V550

Write a Review of the Kodak Easyshare V550

The KODAK EASYSHARE Photo Printer 500, KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus Series 3 and KODAK EASYSHARE Photo Printer 300 are all announced today.

Kodak Press Release

Kodak Sets a New Pace for Home Picture Printing; Unveils Innovative, Universal Photo Printers and Advanced Printer Dock

Latest Additions to Best-Selling Snapshot Printer Lineup Extend Kodak’s Leadership in Wireless Capability, Display Size, and Automatic Picture Enhancement; Now Make Real KODAK Pictures at Home from Nearly Any Digital Camera for Just 29 Cents Each

ROCHESTER, N.Y., September 2 — Building on its highly successful line of EASYSHARE printer docks, Eastman Kodak Company today significantly grew its at-home printing presence by introducing three innovative products, including universal models that make real KODAK pictures from nearly any digital camera for as little as 29 cents per print. Kodak already has the best-selling snapshot printers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, which collectively account for nearly 75 percent of the world’s snapshot printer volume.

Nikon Press Release

Built-in Wireless LAN Support Nikon brings the advantages of built-in wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) support to compact digital cameras for the first time.

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce an exciting new technology that realizes new picture-taking potential. Providing versatility beyond any previous compact camera, the new COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 can boast all the advantages of built-in Wi-Fi LAN support (IEEE802.11b/g).

The Nikon Coolpix P1 and Nikon Coolpix P2 are announced. The Nikon Coolpix P1 and Nikon Coolpix P2 both offer Wi-Fi capability. The The Coolpix P1 and Coolpix P2 have 8.0 and 5.1 effective megapixels respectively. The Nikon Coolpix P1 will cost £349.99/€519.00 and is exlusive to Jessops. The Nikon Coolpix P2 will cost £279.99/€419.00. Both the P1 and P2 are available at the end of September 2005.

Nikon Press Release

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the new COOLPIX P1 and P2, two revolutionary compact digital cameras with Wi-Fi capability, excellent imaging performance and an array of advanced features.

The COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2 have built-in Wi-Fi LAN support to allow picture-taking without wires and cables. In addition the cameras have USB connectivity which makes it easy to hook them up to a computer or other peripherals. Wireless transfer allows the photographer to send pictures from the memory card or the camera’s internal memory (32MB for the COOLPIX P1; 16MB for the COOLPIX P2) direct to a selected computer on command. Wireless shooting automatically transfers each picture to a selected computer as soon as it is shot and can be viewed with Nikon’s powerful PictureProject software. Wireless printing also delivers the convenience of cable-free direct printing to PictBridge-compatible printers.

The Nikon Coolpix L1 and Nikon Coolpix L101 digital cameras are announced. The Nikon Coolpix L1 and Nikon Coolpix L101 have a 5x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD monitor and 6.2 megapixels. Available at the end of September 2005, both the Coolpix L1 and the Coolpix L101 are a Dixons Group exclusive.

Nikon Press Release

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX L1 (silver model) and the L101 (black model).

The COOLPIX L1 is a lightweight and compact digital camera with a 5x optical zoom. As with all Nikon compacts, the COOLPIX L1 has a powerful 38-190mm Zoom-Nikkor lens (35mm equivalent), affording users the freedom to compose a selection of different shots; zooming in for tight portraits and zooming out to capture wide-open scenery.

The Nikon Coolpix S3 is announced. The Nikon Coolpix S3 is a 6 megapixel update of the S1 and S2. The Nikon S3 has a 3x 35-105mm zoom lens and 2.5 inch monitor. Costing £299.99/€449.00, the Nikon Coolpix S3 will be available at the end of September 2005.

Nikon Press Release

Nikon has taken digital camera design and shooting power to a new level with the announcement of the latest COOLPIX S3 compact camera.

Like the COOLPIX S1 and COOLPIX S2, the COOLPIX S3 has a slim, elegant and ultra-portable design. In addition, the camera offers higher shooting performance of 6.0 effective megapixels and features innovative Nikon functions that enable the user to improve images in-camera.

The Nikon Coolpix S4 digital camera is announced. The Nikon S4 has 6 megapixels and a 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens that is equivalent to 38-380mm. Retailing for £329.99/€492.00, the Nikon Coolpix S4 will be available at the end of September 2005.

Nikon Press Release

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the new COOLPIX S4 which features a 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens to give an outstanding 38-380mm performance (35mm equivalent). This impressive zoom allows the user to capture everything from extreme close-ups to architecture and landscapes, the camera is also swivel mounted so pictures can be taken from different angles.

The swivel capability means you can shoot from the waist or overhead, and is great for composing high quality self-portraits. The COOLPIX S4 has 6.0 effective megapixels to produce quality shots that remain impressive even when enlarged.