EDGE Tech Corp Press Release

EDGE Tech Corp Announces New Lifetime Warranty for Digital Media and Portable Storage Products

New warranty one of the industry’s longest

Dallas, TX - January 18, 2005—EDGE Tech Corp, a leading supplier of DRAM and Flash memory upgrades, portable computing products, storage devices, and other experience-enhancing technology solutions announced today a new lifetime warranty on its complete line of digital media products as well as the majority of its portable storage product line.

The Vosonic X’S Drive Pro VP3310 is both a portable storage device and MP3 music player, featuring a 2.5-inch 20Gb Toshiba laptop hard disk drive and several memory card slots which support 8 different types of memory cards. The X’S Drive Pro VP3310 has a blue backlit monochrome LCD display that enables you to see a list of the files that are stored on it - there is no actual viewing of the images themselves, which helps to keep the price below £200. Should the X’S Drive Pro VP3310 be on your shopping list? Read my review to find out.

Website: Vosonic X’S Drive Pro VP3310 Review

Konica Minolta Press Release

KONICA MINOLTA PRINTING SOLUTIONS Wins CNET’s ``Next Big Thing’’ Award at 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show

MOBILE, Ala.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 18, 2005—magicolor(R) 2430 DL Tops CNET’s “Peripherals” Award Category  

KONICA MINOLTA’s magicolor 2430 DL—the first color laser printer equipped with PictBridge-compatible camera direct photo printing—has received the CNET “Next Big Thing” award in the “Peripherals” category. CNET editor-in-chief Patrick Houston announced the winners of CNET’s “Next Big Thing” awards on Friday, January 7th at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Konica Minolta Press Release

KONICA MINOLTA’s magicolor 2400W Named PC Magazine’s ``Editors’ Choice’‘; Newest Personal Color Laser Printer Praised for its Speed and Output Quality

MOBILE, Ala.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 18, 2005—The magicolor(R) 2400W—the newest personal color laser printer from KONICA MINOLTA—has been named as PC Magazine’s “Editors’ Choice”. In a January 5th on-line review, PC Magazine said of the magicolor 2400W, “. . . what you get for the price is one of the faster four-pass color lasers we’ve seen, combined with output quality that ranges from good to excellent. And the 2400W’s particular mix of speed, quality, and price makes it an impressive package indeed.” PC Magazine also gave the magicolor 2400W high praise for ease of set-up.

Lyra Research Press Release

January 18, 2005 01:30 PM London Timezone

Lyra Research Forecasts Ink Jet Photo Paper Shipments Will Double by 2008; Growth Will Be Driven Primarily by Digital Camera Ownership

NEWTONVILLE, Mass.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 18, 2005—Lyra Research forecasts ink jet photo paper shipments will double, increasing from 2.6 billion sheets in 2003 to 5.2 billion sheets in 2008, a compound annual growth rate of 15 percent. Growth in the ink jet photo paper market will be driven primarily by worldwide increases in digital camera ownership coupled with the widespread availability of low-cost ink jet photo printers. While many photos printed at home are currently printed on plain paper, use of gloss or semigloss photo paper will increase as snapshot-sized A6 or 4 x 6-inch prints grow in popularity.

Photoleap Press Release

Photoleap To Launch Ground-Breaking Photo Transfer Technology at DEMO@15!; New Company to Release Digital Photo Distribution Software At Conference

SAN DIEGO—(Business Wire)—Jan. 18, 2005—Photoleap(TM), a privately held, San Diego-based company, announced today its invitation to demonstrate at DEMO@15!, the world’s foremost forum for new product innovations. The company will unveil its pioneering digital photo distribution technology, ushering in a new age in digital photography. The event takes place February 13-15 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Epson America Press Release

Popular Epson Online Experience Digital Printing Course Now Available via Authorized Photo Dealers

Unique On-Demand Program Enables Photo Enthusiasts and Advanced Amateurs to Learn Digital Printing Secrets of the Pros at Home at Their Own Pace

LONG BEACH, Calif.—(Business Wire)—Jan. 18, 2005—In response to the ongoing demand for high-quality education in digital photography, Epson America Inc. has begun offering its Online Experience digital photography and printing program via authorized photo dealers, making it even easier for photo enthusiasts and advanced amateurs to participate in the valuable on-demand program. This unique program offers participants expert techniques, valuable tips and insider secrets the pros use to create spectacular digital prints.

Version 2 of Picasa, a software program that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC, has just been quietly released by its owners, Google. It is still available as a free download (it previously cost $29.99) and now has the following additional features:

- Make CD - backup and gifts
- Edit with basic fixes, 12 lighting and color effects
- Organise using labels and stars
- Write captions for all your pics
- Order prints from favourite sites

Thanks to Sanj for the link.

Website: Picasa

Website: Read my Picasa Review

The Spanish website Quesabesde have posted their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800.

Website: Quesabesde - Nikon Coolpix 8800 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8800

Write a Review of the Nikon Coolpix 8800

DPReview have posted their usual extensive review of the new Konica Minolta Dynax 7D DSLR.

“In use the 7D proved to be an excellent ‘photographic tool’, it feels good to hold, it’s easy to change settings (thanks to the fact that almost all the major settings have external buttons / levers) and the camera feels responsive in use. The 7D is one of those cameras which I enjoyed using and encourages you to shoot more and experiment more (the availability and access to manual controls achieves this).”

Website: DPReview - Konica Minolta Dynax 7D Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D

Write a Review of the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D

Capture One version 3.6 for Windows has finally been released - grab the 50Mb download file here (you need to login to download it; alternatively there is a trial version available).

Capture One Press Release

Capture One 3.6 available NOW

Support for Canon 1Ds MKII

Camera support highlights
Just bought the new Canon 1Ds MKII? Now is then the perfect time to get started with professional RAW shooting. Capture One allows you to open and edit RAW files from the most commonly used DSLR cameras and convert them into TIFF or JPEG. Working with RAW files instead of JPEGs provides you with better image quality since you are working with the camera’s “native image data”. Shooting RAW will help you get the most out of your pictures.

Digital Camera Info have published their first impressions of the 4-megapixel Olympus C-170 (also called the D-425 in the US) that was announced a couple of weeks ago at the CES show.

“As Naoki Tai, the product manager at Olympus Imaging America, Inc., put it, “The D-425 was developed with the first time digital camera user in mind. Every feature was designed for simplicity and ease of use.” This simple point-and-shoot is definitely easy to use and has a small price tag on it of $149. However, the cheap plastic construction and lack of optical zoom is disappointing. This is probably the cheapest camera with 4 megapixels currently on the market, so as long as consumers don’t use the digital zoom, the pictures should be decent quality and easy to obtain.”

Website: Digital Camera Info - Olympus C-170 First Impressions

DCResource have just reviewed the Pentax Optio SV, a compact digicam with 5 Megapixels and 5x zoom lens.

“I was a bit disappointed with the Optio SV’s image quality. While they are well-exposed with accurate color and little purple fringing, they seemed soft and fuzzy to me, with a lot of detail missing. Photos seem like they’re from a camcorder or a video grab rather than from a 5 Megapixel digital camera. Noise levels were quite high as well—images on the SV are noisier than on most of the 8 Megapixel cameras I’ve seen lately. Now I don’t want to discourage you completely. If your plans are to make 4 x 6 inch prints, these issues are major. For large prints or 100% on-screen viewing, you’ll likely be disappointed.”

Website: DCResource - Pentax Optio SV Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax Optio SV

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Pocket-Lint.co.uk have reviewed the 8 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 digital camera, which incorporates anti-shake technology and a swivelling LCD monitor.

“ISO sensitivity is very good (it has been improved over the A2 at the lower point) starting at ISO 50 (it was ISO 64 on the A2) through 100, 200, 400 and finally ISO 800, and you get four scene modes: sports, portrait, night portrait and sunset, each picked from the top plate mode dial. A new NP-800 Lithium-Ion battery pack provides improved power and more shots and a greater time between charges, so you can snap away for longer.”

Website: Pocket-Lint.co.uk - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200

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Konica Minolta UK has today announced the DiMAGE E50, a 5 megapixel version of the 4 megapixel E40 that was announced just before Christmas.

Konica Minolta UK Press Release

Thin, with Large LCD monitor — New E Series with 5.0 Megapixel CCD

DiMAGE E50 Outstanding value for money
17th January 2005 - Konica Minolta proudly introduces the DiMAGE E50, a digital camera that boasts an amazing combination of 2.5 inch type LCD monitor, thin and stylish design, and intuitive operation in an affordable, 5 Megapixel, entry-level model.

DiMAGE E50 is a user-friendly, compact digital camera equipped 3x optical zoom lens whilst achieving thin, pocketable dimensions.

Kodak Press Release

Enhancements to KODAK PROSHOTS System Provides Broader Print-Ordering and Creative Options for Pro Photographers and Labs

Greater Product Range, Overall Ease-of-Use Contribute to Improved Workflow

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 16—Eastman Kodak Company today introduced new versions of KODAK PROSHOTS Studio Software Suite v6.3, KODAK PROSHOTS Basics Software v2.0 and KODAK PROSHOTS Online Services v7.0 that, via labs, will provide photographers with a broader range of templates for their print ordering process. 

Photographers will also have improved tools for previewing and selling their images to customers in-person or over the Internet. The software enrichments will be on display in the Kodak booth during the Imaging USA trade show in New Orleans today through Tuesday, January 18.

Maxell Press Release

Released: 01/17/2005

Ideal for critical data protection

FAIR LAWN, NJ, January 17, 2005 - Maxell Corporation of America, the technology and marketing leader in advanced recordable media products, steps up to meet the needs of business users with its new premium line of DVD-RPRO media. Designed to withstand both abuse and contaminants, DVD-RPRO incorporates breakthrough technologies, resulting in the utmost in DVD durability for long-term data protection.

Maxell’s new 4.7 GB DVD-RPRO media features the company’s innovative MAXPRO Hardcoat technology™, producing a media surface that is 40 times more scratch resistant and 20 times more dust resistant than standard DVD media.

I’m excited (and a little nervous) to announce that PhotographyBLOG will be featured on Photo Talk Radio this coming Saturday, 15th January, at 8-9am Pacific Time in the US (5-6pm CET).

LIVE show listeners can call-in worldwide at 001 858 268 3068, or Toll-Free from the US and Canada at 888-514-2100. There will also be a link to the archived broadcast after the show, so you can all hear me witter on endlessly and incoherently!

UPDATE 17/01/05: You can now listen to the interview (available in 2 parts) by visiting this link: http://www.worldtalkradio.com/archive.asp?aid=3145

DIWA member website LetsGoDigital have just posted their review of the diminutive and stylish 4 megapixel Olympus Mju Mini digicam (called the Stylus Verve in the USA).

“The Olympus Mju-mini Digital has an exclusive and unique design. Jokingly people refer to it as: that piece of soap. However, this is detrimental to the daring design of the gentlemen of the Olympus’ design department. The camera is extremely compact and light-weighted. Despite its compact size, the camera is easily operable, also by users with a larger size of hands. The rounded off side lies ideally against the left middle finger and the left index finger rests on top of the camera. The right thumb operates with one easy move the total, yet brief control panel on the back side of the camera.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Olympus Mju Mini Review

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Following PhotographyBLOGs recent exclusive story about the banning of cameras on the New York transport system, Gizmodo are reporting that a photographer was prevented from boarding an El Al flight at the weekend, simply because he was carrying a Canon EOS 1Ds and an Apple IBook.

“When I asked them why it wasn’t publicly communicated, they answered that ‘they can’t have a list with all the permitted and prohibited cameras.’ Same with the laptop, according to the security dude the 1Ds and the iBook are too complex to be taken apart.”

Website: Gizmodo - El Al Prohibits Canon EOS-1D, iBook on Flight