JOBO Press Release October 2004

JOBO Fototechnic, Inc. is thrilled to announce the ImageMaestro PRO, a portable DVD and CD burner. Designed with the digital photographer in mind, the ImageMaestro PRO allows the user to burn files straight from the memory card to a DVD without a computer. Virtually all memory card types are supported with slots able to accept eight different types of memory cards, CFI/II, MicroDrive, SM, SD, MMC, MS, and MS PRO.

In addition to burning DVDs, the ImageMaestro PRO allows you to view JPEG photos as well as play CDs, DVDs, MP3, MPEG1, and MPEG2 files when connected to a television via the included RCA Cables.

Lyson Press Release 21/10/04

Lyson Launches Breakthrough Black and White Imaging System at PhotoPlus Expo 2004

New Daylight Darkroom System Incorporates True Monochrome Print Software, Lyson Daylight Darkroom Quad Black Inks, and Lyson Darkroom media

ELK GROVE, IL and NEW YORK, NY (October 21, 2004)—Lyson, Inc., a leading provider of inks, media, and related products to the printing, photography, graphic arts, and other allied industries, will be featuring the revolutionary Daylight Darkroom digital black and white printing system at PhotoPlus Expo ?2004, booth 1340, from October 21-23 at New York?s Jacob Javits Convention Center. This new imaging system provides photographers what they have long desired—the ability to accurately mirror traditional darkroom techniques, including silver halide printing, with digital images and an inkjet printer. The complete Lyson Daylight Darkroom System consists of:

- Daylight Darkroom Quad Black inks in cartridges or a bulk feed system
- Daylight Darkroom print driver software
- The Lyson Darkroom range of inkjet media
- A set of Lyson cleaning cartridges for removal of standard color inks from the printer
- Lyson PrintGuard protection spray (optional).

The Daylight Darkroom system is being introduced for use with the Epson Stylus Pro 2200 and Stylus Pro 7600/9600 printers. Plans are to extend the system for use with the new Epson Stylus Pro 4000 and the most recent Canon printers over the next two quarters.

Lyson Press Release 21/10/04

Lyson Unveils Bulk Feed Delivery System for Epson Stylus Pro 4000

Extends Lyson’s award-winning line of bulk ink delivery systems; saves on ink costs; speeds workflow; eliminates time and hassle for photographers

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL and NEW YORK, NY (October 21, 2004)—Lyson, Inc., a leading provider of inks, media, and related products to the printing, photography, graphic arts, and other allied industries, has introduced the first bulk feed ink delivery system with complete pigment and dye-based inksets for the Epson Stylus Pro 4000. This new system is being displayed for the first time to the photographic market at PhotoPlus Expo 2004, in New York City?s Jacob Javits Exposition Center, from October 21-23, at Booth #1340.

Highly popular among commercial photographers, printmakers, and service bureaus, the Stylus Pro 4000 is a 17” wide desktop inkjet printer designed to meet the needs of the most demanding professionals. By having access to bulk-enabled inksets for the printer, photographers and other users of the 4000 can:

—Save upwards of 70 percent on ink costs versus cartridges
—Significantly speed workflow processing
—Eliminate the time and hassle involved in changing cartridges

LaCie USA Press Release October 2004

Achieve Maximum Transfer Speeds With the LaCie d2 SATA Hard Drive

- SATA interface capable of up to 1.5Gbps transfers
- Comes with exclusive LaCie SATA PCI Card
- Fast booting and backup on both PCs and Macs

PORTLAND, OR (October 2004) - Today LaCie introduces a new series of external hard drives for the Mac and PC, the d2 Serial ATA (SATA) Hard Drive that is capable of reaching transfer rates of 1.5Gbps making it a smart choice for applications requiring high-speed data transfer. With the new external SATA, or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, interface, people can achieve transfer rates faster than most internal Parallel ATA hard drives in capacities of up to 400GB. Availability of the drives, which includes a unique LaCie SATA PCI Card, is winter 2004.

“LaCie employs the latest hard drive technology in the d2 SATA Hard Drive offering capacities of up to 400GB with fastest 10,000rpm speed on the 74GB model,” says Olivier Mirloup, LaCie Senior Product Manager. “These high-performance drives make it possible for PC and Mac workstations to handle professional, speed-intensive applications including large-scale backup, graphic design work and digital video projects.”

LaCie USA Press Release October 2004LaCie USA Press Release October 2004

Expressive color purity
Color gamut equivalent to a CRT
Smooth color gradients thanks to 10-bit gamma correction

PORTLAND, OR (October 2004) - LaCie today debuts a new high-end series of LCD monitors for graphics professionals who are serious about color rendering. The new LaCie 321 Monitor utilizes SA-Superfine TFT technology, the most advanced LCD panel technology available today. Whether on a Mac or PC, the LaCie 321 Monitor ensures that images are displayed as they were intended.

The LaCie 321 Monitor offers a color gamut previously achievable only on CRT monitors. The broad gamut of colors displayed is a wide 72% of the NTSC (National Television System Committee) video standards gamut. With 10-bit gamma correction, the LaCie 321 also provides the finest caliber of gamma control, expressly engineered for serious graphics professionals. Whereas traditional 8-bit gamma allows for only 256 tonal options, 10-bit gamma expands the tonal range to 1024, smoothing color gradation and vastly improving image precision and accuracy.

The Slovenian website SloFoto.net have published their review of the 7 megapixel Canon PowerShot S70.

Website: SloFoto.net - Canon PowerShot S70 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot S70

Photo District News Online have posted a joint review of the 14 megapixel Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c and SLR/n digital SLR cameras.

“The interface isn’t perfect. I once found the camera to be in the process of deleting images during the middle of a shoot and had to pull the CompactFlash card to stop the destruction. Turns out that since I’m left-eye dominant, my nose had pressed the rear control dial in such a way as to perform a card-erase. Kodak showed me how to disable this feature, but it was a bit scary to watch as images disappeared because of something my nostrils had done.”

Website: Photo District News Online - Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c and SLR/n Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n

Check the Latest Prices for the Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c

DigiCamReview.co.uk have posted their review of the 3 megapixel, 3x optical zoom Pentax Optio 33LF digital camera.

“The camera is compact, and fairly stylish, its main selling point is the 1.6” rotating-swivelling screen that lets you take pictures of yourself, friends, family etc. The screen updates smoothly as well, but is a bit low-res / grainy. The camera is very easy to use, the menu systems easy to use and well laid out. The 3x optical zoom is a useful feature to have. Camera handling and design are good. The camera speed is good in use and has a quick but noisy zoom, shot to shot time could be quicker. The built-in scene modes, digital filters and panorama mode help make this camera easier to use as well.”

Website: DigiCamReview.co.uk - Pentax Optio 33LF Review

PCMagazine have published their review of the new 5 megapixel Sony DSC-W1 digital compact camera.

“In general, however, the pictures were quite good. In addition to crispness, the colors-a bit on the warm side-really popped, though we noticed some minor posterization in some highlights. In our flash-invoked shots, illumination was very strong and well balanced, and the image was sharp with excellent color reproduction.”

Website: PCMagazine - Sony DSC-W1 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Sony DSC-W1

Profile Prism is software that allows monitor calibration and can generate ICC profiles for digital cameras, scanners, and printers using an IT8 reference target. Resulting color profiles may be used in any ICC aware application such as Qimage Pro, Adobe PhotoShop, Corel PhotoPaint, and many others. The software is designed for a PC running any 32 bit Windows operating system, however, it can be run on a Mac running Virtual PC. In addition, since the ICC profiles generated by Profile Prism are 100% compliant with ICC specs, the profiles themselves may be used on any platform (PC, Mac, etc.).

Version 5.0 allows precise editing of printer profiles.

New Features:
Profile Editor: A quality scanner based profiling tool like Profile Prism is very helpful in color managing “screen to print” color, however, due to differences in how your eyes perceive color in prints and how your scanner interprets printed targets, there is often a need for some fine tuning or editing of certain areas of printer profiles.

The Dansih website Digital Magasinet have reviewed RAW PhotoDesk for Windows, which allows you to view and edit both raw and other file formats from most digital cameras. If you want to use RAW PhotoDesk beyond the 30 day trial period, you must register. A single user license is $29.95.

Website: Digital Magasinet - RAW PhotoDesk Review

Website: RAW PhotoDesk

CNET have reviewed the 5 megapixel Pentax Optio S5i.

“Although definitely targeting snapshooters who are looking for an ultracompact and stylish camera, the Optio S5i also offers enough features to please those who will want to tweak their photos as their skills grow. Pentax couples an array of fun features with the image quality you’d expect from a 5-megapixel shooter.”

Website: CNET - Pentax Optio S5i Review

Scheider Press Release 21/10/04

Powerful, affordable, easy-to-use “plug ins” are compatible with all popular image processing programs

Hauppauge, NY, October 21,2004 - Schneider Optics, in conjunction with its parent company, Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH, known for manufacturing high performance lenses and filters, has introduced a new line of digital filter software that enables any PC or MAC computer user to easily and quickly apply special retouching and effects to any digital image.

Available in two different sets: (1) Portrait and Family, and (2) Outdoor, these B+W software sets each provide six selectable effects that can be selected by a single click of a mouse, be instantly adjusted, and applied to an image by a second mouse click. As a result, retouching effects that previously took minutes or hours, and could only be accomplished by highly trained, experienced operators using leading photo-manipulating software, can now be achieved easily by anyone, virtually instantly.

The new B+W filter software can apply professional-quality effects to photos from any source, including digital cameras, “camera” cell phones, camcorders, scanners and the Internet.

Scheider Press Release 21/10/04

Hauppauge, NY, October 21, 2004 - Scheider Optics, the well known lens and professional filter manufacturer, now offers a broad line of B+W Digital-Pro filters created specifically for digital cameras.

Whether using a simple point-and-shoot, a digital SLR (DSLR) or a digital camcorder, B+W Digital-Pro filters are designed to enable the user to capture the best possible image in-camera, with a wide range of artistic effects and superb results whether or not the image is subsequently adjusted with image editing software. In fact, using a B+W Digital-Pro filter up front will actually enable a greater amount of subsequent software manipulation, by providing more detail across the entire image spectrum.

“Using B+W Digital-Pro filters enable you to start out with a superior image, allowing you to use your software to enhance your photos if you wish, rather than waste time using your software to correct image problems that may not be repairable” explained Scheider Senior Vice President Ron Leven. “While software is a powerful tool for any digital photographer, it doesn’t eliminate detail-blocking glare like a polarized filter does…it cannot replace the detail in an overexposed sky routinely captured using an on-camera graduated ND filter…and of course, it can’t protect your lens from damange the way a UV/skylight filter can.”

DPReview have just posted their review of the 6 megapixel Fuji FinePix E550.

“The FinePix E550 Zoom is an incredibly capable camera that punches above its weight both in terms of features and image quality. The handling and speed of operation are superb, and the range of controls comprehensive. The 32.5-130mm lens offers more versatility than the more common 38-115mm equiv. found on many similar cameras, and is very sharp across the frame. Resolution is excellent, noise very well controlled and the colors really jump out at you. The ISO 800 mode is not only usable, but very useful too - the low noise means you can often get away without using flash in social situations.”

Website: DPReview - Fuji FinePix E550 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Fuji FinePix E550

Phase One Press Release 21/10/04

Phase One announces 2005 support for Adobe DNG Digital Negative Specification

Phase One A/S, Copenhagen, October 21th, 2004: Phase One, a world leader in digital camera backs and DSLR RAW conversion software, welcomes Adobe’s latest initiative, the Digital Negative Specification (DNG), as an important step in facilitating the wider usage of raw formats. Phase One is announcing today the support of the Adobe DNG specification in upcoming releases of its highly respected C1-RAW Workflow Software in 2005.

Today, the C1 range of RAW workflow software has native support for most professional DSLR cameras. Adding the DNG format, Phase One will be able to offer our end users yet another option in regards to taking advantage of working with RAW captures and building an efficient RAW workflow. Phase One will continue to support the native RAW format of existing professional DSLR cameras as well as future DSLR cameras, however we look to the DNG format as a means of bringing additional camera support to our C1 users in a more timely fashion, while maintaining the image quality that Phase One is known for.

The Spanish website quesabesde.com have posted an exclusive preview of the Epson RD-1 digital rangefinder camera.

Website: quesabesde.com - Epson RD-1 Preview

Check the Latest Prices for the Epson RD-1

Write a Review of the Epson RD-1

DPNow have published an interesting viewpoint on the new 5 megapixel Samsung SCH-S250 that was announced on Wednesday.

“From a gadget-freak’s perspective, the SCH-S250 sounds like a dream come true about a year earlier than expected. But there is a more important angle on this news. If the SCH-S250 is anywhere near competent as a 5MP digital camera, it could mark the beginning of the end of the mass-market dedicated still camera era. Mobile phones have proved to be the most popular electronic devices in history, massively out-pacing the adoption of the original telephone, TV and the personal computer.”

DPNow - 5MP camera phone from Samsung

The 40th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Penny Moore.

“My name is Penny Moore I live in Birmingham, England. I take all kinds of photos but my love is the texture and patterns nature produces. I really like to try and touch and feel nature through my photos.”

Website: Portfolios: Penny Moore

Delkin Press Release

Delkin Devices, Inc., manufacturer of quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative products, today introduced the eFilm Archival Gold “300-Year” CD-R. eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s incorporate patented Phthalocyanine (thalo-sy-a-neen) dye and a 24k gold reflective layer into every CD-R. The innovative materials found in eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s make them one of the most reliable storage medium available. Typically CD-R’s are known to deteriorate quickly due to Earth’s common elements: ultra violet light, heat, and humidity. Using an accelerated aging process to test the longevity of CD-R media, eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s have been shown to safely store your images for more than 300 years.

“Consumers are now taking more pictures than ever with digital cameras,” explains Martin Wood, CEO of Delkin Devices, Inc. “Our research has indicated that the number one reason consumers take digital images is to preserve their precious memories. eFilm Archival Gold CD-R’s ensure that your precious memories are safe for years to come.”