Konica Minolta USA Press Release

Mahwah, NJ (June 14, 2005) – Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. announces that the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D – the world’s first*1 digital Single Lens-Reflex (SLR) camera with body-integral CCD-shift Anti-Shake technology – was chosen to receive the “Camera Grand Prix 2005” award by the Camera Press Club. The Camera Grand Prix is one the most prestigious awards that can be presented to a camera in the Japanese photo industry.

“This prestigious award is particularly meaningful because it reflects the judgment of an elite group of journalists in Konica Minolta’s country of origin,” said Todd Schrader, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. “We are honored that Minolta’s Maxxum 7D has been selected by the Japan Camera Press Club as a superior imaging product.”

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Sub-aqua stamina: 24-hour underwater protection for the FinePix F10 Zoom

Fujifilm today announced the arrival of a durable underwater housing unit for the hugely popular FinePix F10 Zoom.

Set to be a sub-aqua hit this summer, the brightly coloured polycarbonate casing provides a smart, waterproof shield for the FinePix F10 Zoom at depths of up to 40 metres.

Whether you’re about to embark on the journey to Atlantis or create your own adventure at a Florida water park, this high impact casing is precision-engineered to withstand the elements. Furthermore, it features a large, fast-response shutter button, as well as easy-to-use controls, so you can access everything the camera has to offer without the worry of water damage.

Contrado Press Release

Turn your treasured photos into a coffee-table style book

A luxurious coffee-table style Photo Book by Contrado is set to become the latest must-have innovation in photo albums.

The Photo Book, unveiled today, is a unique idea and is brand new to the UK. Contrado are the only company to offer the books with a personalised photo cloth cover. The concept is perfect for displaying photos of that special event, whether it be a wedding, a family holiday, a hen weekend, or charting a baby’s development.

Digital Outback Photo have reviewed Inkjet Control, a software application that promises to deliver true black and white printing on Epson printers (not including the new K3 Ultrachrome range).

“We all know that the Epson driver, at least until now and before the release of Epson’s K-3 line of inkjet printers, was woefully inadequate at providing neutral (let alone “good”) black and white prints. Things may change with the latest generation of Epson printers. However, this is hard to say since at the time I am writing this I have not tested the black and white printing capabilities of these new printers yet…Introducing Inkjet Control, the solution you have been waiting for.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Take control of your black & white inkjet printing with Inkjet Control

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the new Sanyo Xacti Digital Movie C5, which has 5 megapixels, 2 inch LCD screen and can record MPEG4 format movies with VGA resolution at 30 frames per second.

Website: Index Digicam - Sanyo Xacti Digital Movie C5 Review

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Imaging Resource have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S1, a 5.1 megapixel digital camera with a 35-105mm 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens.

“Feature-wise, the Nikon Coolpix S1 falls somewhere between the recent Coolpix 5600 and 5900. Physically, however, the Nikon S1 is compact and extremely pocketable. It has no protruding lens parts, and as a result is unlikely to get snagged anywhere. Its 5.1 megapixel imager means it can capture relatively high resolution images, and its 3x zoom lens gives you the focal length flexibility you need to frame your subjects well. All in all, it’s an excellent “take-with-you-everywhere” digital camera. With its range of user-friendly, point & shoot exposure modes, the Nikon Coolpix S1 can handle just about any photo opportunity you’re likely to throw at it.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon Coolpix S1 Review

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DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix A350 Zoom, a new entry-level 5 megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom lens and 1.7inch LCD screen.

“The Fujifilm FinePix A350 jumps into a saturated market as a camera aimed at the automatically oriented crowd. The camera takes a minimalist approach with few buttons and few options, creating a primarily automatic interface for the beginner or strictly point-and-shoot users. However, it is still a step up from last year’s model, the Fujifilm FinePix A340. Fujifilm pumped a lot of money into their marketing research and found that consumers shunned the moving parts on some of the Fujifilm models for their fragility. In response, the company took out the sliding lens cover of the A340 and replaced it with a built-in snapping lens cover on the A350. Fujifilm also threw in a larger 1.7-inch LCD screen and slightly improved video capabilities - and while these aren’t enormous milestones, they are certainly improvements from the earlier A340.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Fujifilm FinePix A350 Zoom Review

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DigiCamReview have reviewed the new Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom, which has an ISO range of 80 to 1600, Super CCD sensor with 6.1 megapixels and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“The Fujifilm Finepix F10 is a great all round camera, with a good 3x optical zoom lens, and plenty of resolution and image quality. It works well as a basic point and shoot camera and is ok for people who like a little more manual control. The camera has a very good battery life, is very compact and so is great for ‘regular’ environment photography - Those going on long holidays may wish to invest in a second battery. The camera can be mounted on a tripod and will take long exposures if necessary. Image quality is very good, the camera is capable of some excellent results - the only areas where this camera may be less than ideal are, the occasional auto-balance overexposures, some slight purple fringing (at edges of shiny objects and bright sky), and possible (but rarely noticable) jpeg overcompression (relative to a 2800 in fine mode). This is a good high quality 6 megapixel camera at a competitive price point, great for parties and more serious use.”

Website: DigiCamReview - Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom Review

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Nikon have released a new version of their Capture 4 raw conversion software for Nikon digital SLR cameras.

What is new in Nikon Capture 4.3

  * Support for the D50 has been added.
  * Color aberration control option has been added to the “Image” menu (available only with digital SLR camera RAW images).
  * The Red Eye Correction feature included in Nikon View and PictureProject has been added.
  * A Performance tab has been added to the Tools / Options… menu.
  * Correction of other known issues.

Website: Nikon - Capture 4.3

X-Rite Press Release

X-Rite’s Pulse ColorElite System Wins Five Star Award from Photoshop User Magazine; Color Management Solution Gets the Nod for Performance and Ease-of-Use

GRANDVILLE, Mich.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—June 13, 2005—X-Rite (NASDAQ:XRIT) today announced that its new Pulse ColorElite System has won Photoshop User Magazine’s Five Star Award. The product review will be featured on page 84 of the upcoming July/August issue of the publication, which hits stands today. This is one of several favorable reviews Pulse has received since it began shipping in late 2004.

H&M Systems Software, Inc.‘s Alliances With SmileShot.Com, EveryoneSmile.Com, and SimplePhoto Offer eCommerce Integration

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J., June 13 /PRNewswire/—H&M Systems Software, Inc. today announced alliances that integrate its award-winning StudioLine Photo 2 digital imaging software with SmileShot.com, EveryoneSmile.com and SimplePhoto.  The integration raises the bar on imaging software by enabling StudioLine Photo 2 to be first in its class to conveniently package the entire imaging workflow—from camera or scanner download to printing, posting and selling photos.  Photographers benefit by using a single, intuitive software tool to streamline their daily imaging tasks, leaving more time for lucrative picture shooting.

Epson UK Press Release

13th June 2005 - Environmental Business Products Limited, one of the UK’s largest importers and distributors of Epson compatible printer cartridges, has stopped importing and supplying Epson compatible printer cartridges as a result of an out of Court settlement reached between it and Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”). The settlement follows High Court proceedings brought by Epson against Environmental Business Products Limited for infringement of a number of patents and registered designs belonging to Epson in respect of Environmental Business Products Limited’s acts of importation and supplying.

Epson UK Press Release

13th June 2005 - Environmental Business Products Limited, one of the UK’s largest importers and distributors of Epson compatible printer cartridges, has stopped importing and supplying Epson compatible printer cartridges as a result of an out of Court settlement reached between it and Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”). The settlement follows High Court proceedings brought by Epson against Environmental Business Products Limited for infringement of a number of patents and registered designs belonging to Epson in respect of Environmental Business Products Limited’s acts of importation and supplying.

Delkin Devices Press Release

DELKIN DEVICES® INTRODUCES INKJET VERSIONS OF THE POPULAR eFilm® ARCHIVAL GOLD CD-R

June 13, 2005 Poway, CA— Delkin Devices, Inc., maker of premium quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative digital photography products, today introduced inkjet printable versions of its popular eFilm Archival Gold “300-Year” CD-R.  The eFilm Inkjet Archival Gold CD-R is now shipping to distributors and resellers all over the world.

“Camera store dealers need to publicize their business every way they can.  Now when their customers pick up pictures and digital files, the dealer can provide a museum quality CD-R with a label that tells everyone where to get top quality products and services,” explains Martin Wood, CEO of Delkin Devices, Inc. “Research indicates the number one reason consumers take digital images is to preserve their precious memories. eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s ensure that their precious memories are safe for years to come, and that assurance is found at their local camera store.”

nik multimedia, Inc. Press Release

Plug-in software features technology to easily sharpen digital images

San Diego, CA – June 13, 2005 – nik multimedia, Inc. today announces nik Sharpener Pro™ 2.0 is now available through the nik multimedia retail Web site (www.nikmultimedia.com) and specialty camera stores.  nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 provides the easiest way for photographers and digital artists to optimally sharpen their digital images and achieve the best possible detail in their final prints.  As a plug-in to Adobe® Photoshop® and other image editing applications, nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is the perfect addition to a photographer’s digital workflow.

Fujifilm have released a firmware update for the new Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom, which has an ISO range of 80 to 1600, Super CCD sensor with 6.1 megapixels and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

This Firmware (Ver.1.02) update will revise the internal software of the FinePix F10 digital camera. Installation of this update is optional. It incorporates the following enhancements:

1) Correction of English displayed on the LCD monitor
2) Updates the compatibility of the PictBridge function with some printers
3) Correction of an error that would not allow some computers to start up if the camera was connected and turned on.

Website: Fujifilm Finepix F10 Firmware v1.02 - Windows

Website: Fujifilm Finepix F10 Firmware v1.02 - Macintosh

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Mike Johnston’s “Sunday Morning Photographer” tries to keep up in several different ways this week:

“It’s interesting watching the same thing happen with digital, except it’s happening communally. How to unclog print heads, add curves to Elements, which serial numbers of the 84-3drzl digicam are afflicted with the dreaded ________ bug. (Had to disguise that last one.) Information is shooting back and forth all across the world, as photographers collectively, and happily, amass vital tidbits of information that will, with time, settle down into a permanent state of U —> 0, where U = uselessness.”

Website: The Sunday Morning Photographer: “Keeping Up”

DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S1, a 5.1 megapixel digital camera with a 35-105mm 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens.

“Shooting performance was robust for a camera in this class. Power up to first image captured measured 2.4 seconds. Shutter lag measured less than 1/10 of a second when pre-focused and ~6/10 second including autofocus. The shot to shot delay averaged about 2 seconds between frames without the use of the flash and between 3 and 5 seconds with the flash, depending on subject distance. When the battery is not fully charged, the LCD goes blank and the camera freezes while the flash is recharged. We found this quite aggravating and it will cause you to miss out on some spontaneous photo opportunities.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Nikon Coolpix S1 Review

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Imaging Resource have published their review of the Kodak EasyShare Z700, a 4 megapixel digital camera with 5x optical zoom lens.

” The Kodak EasyShare Z700 is the latest in a long line of Kodak digital cameras bearing the EasyShare name. EasyShare cameras generally live up to their name quite well, being easy to use, with the accompanying software doing a good job of facilitating sharing through a variety of media. The Kodak Z700 is no exception, providing true point & shoot operation with accurate exposure, a very flexible automatic white balance system, and the bright, highly-saturated color that seems to be preferred by most US consumers. At the same time, while the Kodak Z700 sports a very easy to use “green zone” fully automatic mode, it also offers programmed, shutter- and aperture-priority exposure control for more experienced users. Add its 5x zoom lens and 4.0 megapixel CCD, and the Kodak Z700 is a very user-friendly and capable digital camera.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Kodak EasyShare Z700 Review

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DIWA member and Danish website DigitalMagasinet have reviewed the Ricoh R2, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 4.8x optical zoom and 2.5 inch LCD screen. The Ricoh Caplio R2 is less than 26mm thick and has a battery life of around 500 shots.

Website: DigitalMagasinet - Ricoh R2 Review