Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO lens is announced. The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO lens offers macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification at the 300 mm focal length. The Sigma 70-300mm Macro lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras. The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO lens is available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon-D, Pentax and Konica/Minolta cameras and costs £149.99.

Sigma UK Press Release

Optimized for use with digital SLR cameras and capable of macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification.

l New multi layer lens coating minimises flare and ghost, a common problem with Digital SLR cameras.
l Engaging the Macro Switch makes the lens capable of macro photography with a 1:2 maximum magnification.
l Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass is used for compensation of chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro lens.

SmartMarketing Press Release

Russian digital photo (DP) market amount of 530,000 units in Q1 2005 say SmartMarketing

Moscow, Russia, - According to SmartMarketing Research Group (www.smartmarketing.ru) analysis the total sales volume of digital cameras of all types and categories on Russian market in the first quarter of 2005 amounted to 530.000 units. The investigation covered the main fractions of digital cameras for the mentioned period. The main information source is the in-house data of monitoring of digital cameras market for the considered time term and a range of detailed interviews with market participants.

PhoTags Inc. Press Release

PhoTags Inc. Demonstrates Active Images(tm), The JPEG Multimedia Messaging System at Future Image Mobile Imaging Summit

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - June 7 , 2005 - PhoTags Inc., The Portable Infoimaging Company, today demonstrated its new patent-pending Active Images(tm) technology. Active Images turns any JPEG file into a self-contained multimedia messaging system, allowing users to send text messages, music, sound files, forms and more - all on a single JPEG file. The demonstration is taking place at the Future Image Mobile Imaging Summit in Amsterdam.

The 52nd PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Jeff Alu.

“I’m a black and white digital photographer, and I love taking photos in the deserts of Southern California, although I also love venturing into the cities as well. I’m currently using a Minolta Dimage C600, but have also used the DImage F300, and a Kodak DC280. I do all of my processing in Photoshop, mostly using the dodge and burn brush, and also some unsharp mask.”

Website: Portfolios: Jeff Alu

Multi Union Press Release

Multi Union is pleased to announce that it has agreed to a final settlement with the Seiko Epson Group of the two US Court Actions filed in the District Court of Oregon in 2001 and 2005.  In both actions, Seiko Epson alleges infringement of Epson’s US patents by certain Multi Union inkjet cartridges on sale within the United States.

The terms of settlement prohibit Multi Union’s continued sale of certain Epson compatible inkjet cartridges in the United States.  The settlement contains no restriction whatsoever on the sales outside the United States.

INTRO 2020 Press Release

ZIGVIEW - the world’s first Digital Angle Finder makes low and high level photography easy with its unique rotating LCD monitor.

ZIGVIEW simply attaches to the eyepiece of your SLR camera where the viewfinder image is captured by a CMOS sensor built into the Zigview and relayed in real time to a 1.9 inch/TFT colour display for easy viewing at any angle.

The Zigview is particularly useful for low angle photography where you would struggle to see through the viewfinder especially with Macro work, or high angle situations such as press work where it is impossible to see the subject when taking pictures over crowds etc. Zigview makes it easy to see the subject in both these situations and many more, without any difficulty.

PCMagazine have published their review of the new Nikon D70s DSLR camera.

“We love the D70s’ feel and design as much as we did the D70’s, and for those with larger hands, these two models may be preferable to the lighter Canon Rebel XT. The Rebel XT, however, ups the capacity ante to 8MP, which gives you the ability to print very large images, still besting the 6.1MP Nikons. The Canon kit (lens and body) is also cheaper than the D70s kit, although the Nikon lens is longer.”

Website: PCMagazine - Nikon D70s Review

Website: Read my Nikon D70s Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon D70s

Write a Review of the Nikon D70s

DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the new Canon SELPHY CP600 compact photo printer.

“The CP600 can be easily taken along with you to your next party, family get together or anywhere thanks to its battery pack. It produces brilliant 4 x 6-inch prints in just 63 seconds, 4 x 8-inch prints in 106 seconds or credit card size prints in 40 seconds. Setup and use is easy and simple - there are only a few print-time options that need to be selected such as bordered or borderless or print a date stamp. If you can work your digital camera, you can work this printer.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon SELPHY CP600 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon SELPHY CP600

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Photoxels have posted a great interview with Kent Hatton, Sr. Director, Marketing Strategy and Communications for Fujifilm.

“Has Fujifilm abandoned interpolation altogether in their image sensors?

KH: With higher-resolution cameras now becoming part of the mainstream (given that 4 and 5 megapixels will be the best sellers this year), it does not make sense to continue to lead consumers down the ‘Megapixel-path’. If we interpolated the file produced by our 6 MP 5th Generation Super CCD to 12 MP, then that would be more than virtually all amateur photographers need. In fact, there are so many other features digital camera owners require (and should demand) that Megapixels no longer need to be the central point to fuss-over.”

Website: Photoxels - Interview with Kent Hatton, Fujifilm

DPReview have published a short, favourable review of Lexar’s LockTight memory card technology, which keeps images secure when used with the the new Nikon D2X digital SLR camera.

“As you may expect attempting to use a protected card in another camera displays either a ‘Not Formatted’ or ‘Card Error’ warning. Attempting to format the card in a different camera (a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II) fails with a ‘Cannot Format’ error, returning the card back to its assigned D2X showed that no images had been lost or damaged. Attempting to read the card in another card reader or on another computer using the Lexar card reader also failed to work, Windows didn’t even register that a card had been inserted.”

Website: DPReview - Lexar LockTight tested

Website: Understanding Lexar LockTight

Photobird.com have just reviewed the SanDisk ImageMate 8 in 1 USB 2.0 Card Reader/Writer.

“If you have a digital camera or other device that uses memory cards, you should seriously consider using the SanDisk ImageMate 8 in 1 USB 2.0 Card Reader/Writer. The SanDisk ImageMate 8 in 1 USB 2.0 Card Reader/Writer allows you to use your memory cards like “digital film”. The SanDisk ImageMate 8 in 1 USB 2.0 Card Reader/Writer is more convenient, less hassle, and easier to use than using the USB cable that came with your digital camera to transfer photos to your computer. In most of our tests, when transferring photos from memory cards, it was also much faster. At about $20, it’s practically a steal.”

Website: Photobird.com - SanDisk ImageMate 8 in 1 Card Reader

The Spanish website Quesabesde 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: Quesabesde - Ricoh R2 Review

The finance website Bloomberg are reporting that Olympus, which announced their first ever annual loss a month ago, are planning to cut the cost of producing digital cameras by over 30%. This is in addition to 4,000 job losses (saving about 3 billion yen), mainly in China.

“Olympus expects its imaging division to post an operating profit of 2 billion yen in the second half of this year, following a 13 billion yen operating loss in the six months ending Sept. 30. Olympus was overtaken last year by Eastman Kodak Co. as the third- biggest seller of digital cameras in a market led by Canon Inc. and Sony Corp. It had an 11.2 percent global market share, according to IDC.

“We need to maintain at least a 10 percent share to secure gains,’’ said Kikukawa, adding that the company will continue to buy about 60 percent of its digital cameras from other companies.”

Website: Bloomberg.com - Olympus to Cut Digital Camera Costs to Recover Profit

DIWA member and German website Digitalkamera.de have published the first online review of the Canon PowerShot S2 IS, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 12x optical zoom equivalent to 36–432mm on a 35mm camera.

Website: Digitalkamera.de - Canon PowerShot S2 IS Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot S2 IS

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The Epson Stylus Photo RX620 has just been reviewed by Pocket-Lint. Tthe Stylus Photo RX620 is an all-in-one inkjet multifunction printer featuring a 2400X4800 dpi flatbed scanner, 2.5 inch preview monitor, integrated memory card reader, 6 individual ink cartridges and up 5760dpi print resolution.

“On the positive side, the high quality prints I was expecting were duly delivered via the RX620’s six separate dye-based inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan and light magenta) that are deemed to last up to 25-years under the correct conditions before fading starts to affect them. A maximum optimized output of up to 1440x5760dpi on the right media provides bags of detail and thanks to a tiny, 3-picolitre ink droplet size, no visible dot ‘grain’ is visible in the prints. The RX620 is however quite slow, particularly in the to quality Photo RPM mode where a borderless A4 image took just under 10-minutes to print.”

Website: Pocket-Lint - Epson Stylus Photo RX620 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Epson Stylus Photo RX620

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ACD Systems Press Release

ACD Systems Launches FotoSlate™ 4 Photo Print Studio

New Photo Wizards and Scrapbook-Style Templates Provide Unlimited Creative Possibilities for Preserving and Sharing Memories

VICTORIA, British Columbia – June 1, 2005 – ACD Systems International Inc. (TSX: ASA), makers of ACDSee™ photo management software and Canvas™ technical illustration software, announced today the launch of FotoSlate 4 Photo Print Studio, the newest version of its award-winning photo printing software for photo and scrapbooking enthusiasts. Using ACD’s industry-leading digital imaging experience, FotoSlate 4 Photo Print Studio provides users with a digital craft room to construct page layouts, sort photos, apply quick edits and special effects, and print high-quality photos.

Progressive Color Media and Prepress Training Solution Press Release

Online Color Management Training Now Available

Initial Courses: “Color Management Theory” and “ICC Profiling”

Ann Arbor, MI & Bloomington, IN – June 6, 2005 – Progressive Color Media LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Flint Ink Corporation, providing a full range of workflow color management solutions integrating hardware, software and services; and Prepress Training Solution, the premier online training provider for the graphic arts marketplace; announce the immediate availability of two online color management training courses:  Color Management Theory and ICC Profiling, available at www.prepresstraining.com/prepresslist.html.

Sigma UK Press Release

Flash Bounce Reflector for EF 500 series flashguns.

· Soft and natural lighting with a surface light source.
· A three dimensional effect is created, making this an ideal accessory for portrait photography.
· Easy to attach and detach with Velcro Tape.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Flash Bounce Reflector designed for use with the EF 500 series flashguns.

DPNow have a great report from the European press launch of the Samsung Pro815. You may have heard of the Pro815 - it’s an 8 megapixel digital camera with a 15x optical zoom lens and a 3.5” LCD screen.

“One thing Samsung hasn’t implemented in the Pro815 is image stabilisation, though they have revealed that they are working on such technology for new models next year. However, the Pro815 has an automatic compensation feature to help with long telephoto shots that temporarily boosts ISO in order to raise the shutter speed and so reduce motion blur. Whether or not this works adequately, considering the inevitable degradation in image quality caused by an ISO boost, remains to be seen.”

Website: DPNow - Samsung Pro815 Report

Good news - Mike Johnston’s “Sunday Morning Photographer” has reverted to a weekly rather than monthly format.

“If you’ve studied philosophy or read Nietzsche, you probably had to learn the terms “Dionysian” and “Apollonian.” Those might be very useful terms, if more people could remember what the heck they meant. They describe a classic dichotomy. That’s from the Greek dikhotomos, a splitting in two. Or, as the old joke puts it, “There are two kinds of people in the world. People who always divide everything up into two kinds, and people who don’t.” Ba-dum.

Well, for some time now I’ve been trying to put together a book of amateur color photography culled from web exhibits, so I’ve looked at internet picture sites until I’m bleary-eyed. It occurred to me a while back that I really do see a “split” of sorts operating in the photographic Universe. A real live dichotomy.”

Website: The Sunday Morning Photographer: “Tough” and “Sweet”