Kyocera Press Release 13/02/04

NEW KYOCERA FINECAM M410R DIGITAL CAMERA

Designed To Capture All The Action, 4.0 Megapixel Camera Offers High-Powered 10X Optical Zoom and High-Speed Lens

RTUNETM Technology Ensures Unlimited Continuous Shooting at Even In New Auto Focusing Mode

Somerset, NJ - Kyocera Optics, Inc., the imaging industry arm of Kyocera Corporation, announces it?s most advanced RTUNE digital camera yet, the sleek and powerful Kyocera Finecam M410R. Targeted to prosumers who demand the very best, especially when trying to capture sports or action images, this 4.0 Megapixel camera utilizes Kyocera?s revolutionary RTUNE image processing for incredibly fast, continuous shooting at 3.3 frames per second and a brand new Auto Focus (AF) Mode that allows for continuous AF shooting as well. Photo buffs will also love the high-powered 10X optical zoom, the high-speed f/2.8-3.1 lens, integrated USB 2.0 for faster image transfers and a brand new high-precision Electronic Viewfinder (EVF).

GretagMacbeth Press Release 13/02/04

Two new ColorChecker targets from GretagMacbeth help digital photographers improve process to capture great color

Las Vegas, NV; February 12, 2004 - GretagMacbeth, the worldwide technological leader in color measurement and management solutions, today announced two new color targets - the GretagMacbeth ColorChecker White Balance card and ColorChecker three-step Grayscale card - designed to help digital photographers easily and efficiently achieve accurate, consistent color results by providing quick reference points to balance color and establish optimum lighting from the start of a photo session. The two new targets are aimed at professional and high end prosumer photographers as well as professionals in the video cinematography and graphics arts markets.

GretagMacbeth Press Release 13/02/04

GretagMacbeth announces new ProfileMaker 5 professional color management solutions at PMA 2004

Three new vertically focused ProfileMaker 5 packages designed for best price/performance, targeting specific color management workflows for studio photography, prepress-publishing and multicolor packaging-textile printing markets

Las Vegas, NV; February 12, 2004 - In booth R114 here at PMA 2004, GretagMacbeth, the worldwide technological leader in color measurement and management solutions, is introducing ProfileMaker 5, the latest generation of its comprehensive, high-end color management solution for professionals in color critical environments.

New ProfileMaker 5 software is now packaged in three, vertically focused solutions - PM5 Photostudio Pro, PM5 Publish Pro and PM5 Packaging Pro - that provide optimal price/performance levels for professional studio photography, prepress-publishing and multicolor packaging-textile printing. Each solution is tailor designed to provide only the functionality for each specific workflow maintaining ease of use, while also providing the capability to expand the package as the needs of the users grow.

Leica Press Release 12/10/04

The Leica Camera Group is working on digital solutions for Leica M and Leica R systems

Convertible bonds will provide the financial framework for the innovation strategy

The Leica Camera Group of Solms, Germany, plans to use the proceeds of the sale of convertible bonds to create the financial basis for its innovation and distribution strategy. The emphasis of the development work that is already in progress is on hybrid concepts that combine digital technology with proven analog products.

“Well over one million high-grade Leica lenses for the Leica R- and Leica M systems await a solution for being used optimally in conjunction with digital technology.

Our approach to digital cameras for existing lenses conforms to our philosophy of decades-long system compatibility and to our belief that the optics are the decisive elements for outstanding photographs - not the analog or digital path to those photographs”, states chief of technology Ralf Coenen.

The Hungarian website Index Digicam has found time during all this PMA madness to post a review of the 3 megapixel, 3x optical zoom Pentax Optio 33LF digital camera.

Website: Index Digicam - Pentax Optio 33LF Review

Here are a few more photographs of the new 8 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera:

Here are a few more photographs of the new Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z2 digital camera:

The German website Photoworld have just reviewed the new Epson Perfection 4870 flatbed scanner, which should be in your local store right now.

Website: Photoworld.de - Epson Perfection 4870 Scanner Review

Lexar Media Press Release 12/02/04

Lexar Media Announces World’s Highest Capacity Memory Card with 8GB CompactFlash

Lexar Doubles the Highest Capacity of CompactFlash, Allowing Professional Photographers to Shoot and Store Over 1,000 High-Resolution RAW Image Files on One Memory Card

Las Vegas, February 12, 2004 (PMA Booth H100)—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today announced its 8GB Professional Series CompactFlash? card, the highest capacity memory card available in the world today. In addition to delivering extraordinary capacity in a matchbook-sized memory card, Lexar?s new 8GB CompactFlash card delivers a 40X speed-rating, signifying a minimum sustained write speed capability of 6MB/s. By maintaining a close alignment with manufacturers who offer high-end digital cameras that create high-resolution files - which can be over 8MB each, Lexar?s new 8GB memory card meets the needs of professional photographers who require capacity, speed and reliability - in an easy-to-handle removable media format.

Lexar Media Press Release 12/02/04

Lexar Media Announces 80X Professional CompactFlash Cards with 12MB/s Minimum Sustained Write Speed

Professional Memory Cards Include New Write Acceleration with Optimized Firmware for Increased In-Camera Performance

Las Vegas, February 12, 2004 (PMA Booth H100)—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today doubled the minimum sustained write speed capability of its Professional Series CompactFlash (CF) product line to 80X, or 12MB per second. With this introduction, Lexar Media is providing the fastest CompactFlash with guaranteed write speeds available, serving the needs of professional photographers and all digital camera users requiring faster image write times. Lexar is offering its 80X Professional Series CompactFlash cards in five different capacities, including 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB. Lexar Media today also announced a 8GB 40X Professional Series CompactFlash card, extending the company?s CF line with the highest capacity CompactFlash card on the market.

Lexar Media Press Release 12/02/04

Lexar Media Announces its 1 Gigabyte Secure Digital Memory Cards

Las Vegas, February 12, 2004 (PMA, Booth H100)—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today announced that it has doubled its highest capacity Secure Digital (SD) memory card to 1 gigabyte. Lexar?s new larger capacity Secure Digital card allows users of SD compatible devices to capture more digital pictures, store more digital video, and listen to MP3s for longer periods of time. In a form factor roughly the size of a postage stamp, Secure Digital memory cards will now be available from Lexar Media in capacities from 32MB to 1GB.

1GB of memory capacity is equivalent to storing over 500 high-resolution JPEG images (with a 4 megapixel digital camera), 16 CDs worth of music, or close to 6 hours of MPEG 4 digital video ? on one compact, interchangeable memory card.

Lexar Media Press Release 12/02/04

Lexar Media Introduces High Speed 60X Secure Digital Memory Cards for Reliable and Continuous Capture of Digital Video

Las Vegas, February 12, 2004 (PMA Booth H100)—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today introduced Secure Digital (SD) memory cards speed-rated at 60X, which signifies a minimum sustained write speed capability of 9MB per second. Lexar?s high-speed Secure Digital memory cards are ideal for digital imaging applications requiring sustained high speed, such as shooting digital photographs in high resolution burst mode and shooting digital video.

Secure Digital cards are popular in digital photography and digital video applications, which require extremely fast and reliable memory card performance. If the memory card in a digital camcorder or digital still camera with video capture mode is too slow, the device will slow down or stop recording to wait for the information to clear the camera buffer before continuing to capture video. The 60X speed of Lexar Media?s new Secure Digital cards provides fast sustained write speeds to enable uninterrupted shooting - even when capturing digital video in full-motion JPEG or MPEG 4 formats.

Lexar Media Press Release 12/02/04

Lexar Media Announces Enhanced Memory Stick Media with Read Speeds Up to Four Times Faster

Faster Read Speed Equates to Faster Downloading and Access to Data

Las Vegas, February 12, 2004 (PMA Booth H100)—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today announced a new line of updated Memory Stick products that will have significantly increased read speeds. Available this spring in capacities of 64MB, 128MB and 256MB (total 128MBx2), the enhanced Memory Stick delivers data read speeds that are up to four times faster than current cards, when used with compatible (4-pin parallel), high-speed Memory Stick-enabled devices. The new Memory Stick cards are also compatible with serial interface Memory Stick-enabled products.

“Lexar is pleased to provide this advancement in Memory Stick technology,” said Dave Klenske, Director of Product Marketing, Lexar Media. “These new cards will improve consumer experience because with faster read speeds, users will have shorter download times and faster access to information stored on the card.”

Lexar Media Press Release 12/02/04

Lexar Media Announces Exclusive Retail Distribution Agreement For Camera Bits’ Popular Photo Mechanic Software

Las Vegas, February 12, 2004 (PMA Booth H100—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Camera Bits, Inc., maker of the popular image management software Photo Mechanic. With shipments beginning next month, Lexar will be the exclusive retail distributor of Photo Mechanic and Photo Mechanic LE, offering the software to its extensive network of photographic retailers and distributors.

Photo Mechanic software is a digital camera image browser commonly used by professional photographers to easily view, organize and process digital images on a computer. The software offers batch captioning, image renaming, speedy browsing, and automatic collection of meta-data, with an easy-to-use interface that has made it the image management software of choice for thousands of photojournalists and professional photographers worldwide.

Lexar Media Press Release 12/02/04

Lexar Media Introduces High-Speed 32-bit CardBus CompactFlash Reader For Macintosh and Windows Operating Systems

32-bit CardBus Reader Offers Mobile Photographers the Ability to Quickly and Conveniently Transfer Digital Images

Las Vegas, February 12, 2004 (PMA Booth H100)—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading marketer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today introduced a 32-bit CompactFlash? (CF) CardBus reader, designed to enable the quick and convenient transfer of digital images to notebook computers. Lexar Media?s new 32-bit CardBus CompactFlash reader boasts high speed data transfer rates similar to FireWire and USB 2.0 readers, and 4 to 6 times faster than 16-bit PCMCIA card adaptors, which are commonly used with laptop computers. Lexar?s 32-bit CardBus reader offers support for both Windows and Macintosh operating systems, extending the portable, high-speed solution to Macintosh users for the first time.

Ricoh Press Release 12/02/04

Ricoh launches user friendly Caplio RR330, 3.1 Megapixel camera at a competitive price

February 2003, Ricoh is pleased to announce the release of the Caplio RR330 - a 3.1 megapixel, easy to use, digital camera that offers consumers a tempting introduction to the world of digital photography.

The Caplio RR330 is the latest addition to the Ricoh Caplio series - a series that encompasses the concept of delivering high quality performance, excellent value and style to its users. With a 3x optical zoom, and 2x digital zoom giving a combined performance of 6x zoom, the RR330 produces sharp, good quality images that are hard to beat by other cameras in this class, at this price.

Kodak Press Release 12/02/04

New KODAK Photo Printer 6800 Delivers Durable, High-Quality 5x7 Photos for Professional Photographers

High-Speed System Offers ‘While You Wait’ Printing at a Competitive Price

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 12 Eastman Kodak Company brings even more speed and exceptional performance to thermal printing technology with the introduction of its KODAK Photo Printer 6800. The robust, transportable system delivers a high-quality 5x7-inch photo in only 20 seconds and as many as 375 5x7 prints without operator intervention.

Kodak?s new thermal output system operates faster than similarly priced competitors? thermal and inkjet printers. Reflecting its dry, thermal technology, the 6800 printer meets the demanding needs of event photographers and photographic studios.

“The 6800 printer delivers high-quality photos faster than the photographer can set up the next image,” said Sue Gringer, Worldwide Marketing Manager, Studio Solutions. “It’s ideal because it blends exceptional printing speed with the outstanding quality and durability of KODAK prints.”

Adobe Press Release 12/02/04

SAN JOSE, Calif.—(Business Wire)—Feb. 12, 2004 Updated Camera Raw Plug-in Adds Support for Broad Range of New Digital Cameras from Fujifilm, Kodak, Leaf, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced a new Camera Raw plug-in for Photoshop(R) CS, extending raw file support to 14 additional digital camera models. Available as a free download from Adobe’s Web site, the plug-in builds on the raw file functionality integrated in Photoshop CS, adding new support for digital cameras from leading manufacturers such as, Fujifilm, Kodak, Leaf, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony.

Congratulations to Mel Smith for being the first winner of the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter prize draw. Mel has won a 3-month subscription to the popular UK-based magazine Practical Photography. Find out how you could win a subscription here.

Microsoft Brings Digital Imaging Software Into Focus at PMA 2004

Leading Vendors, Award-Winning Photographers and Acclaimed Experts Demonstrate Imaging Scenarios and Industry Opportunities Using Windows XP

LAS VEGAS - Feb. 12, 2004 - Signaling its commitment to the digital imaging industry, Microsoft Corp. today will make its first appearance at PMA 2004, the annual convention and trade show of the Photo Marketing Association International, being held in Las Vegas Feb. 12-15. At the show, Microsoft is demonstrating its breadth of digital imaging products and technologies for hardware and software developers, retailers, professional photographers and consumers.

At booth P111, Microsoft is showcasing the Windows XP operating system as a key platform for digital imaging and high-quality digital media creation and playback via a series of demonstrations using products from leading imaging software, hardware and service vendors including Adobe Systems Inc., Canon USA Inc., EPSON America Inc., Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc., HP, Eastman Kodak Co., Nikon USA and Sony Electronics e-Solutions Company LLC.

“We’re excited to showcase how Windows XP supports new digital photography scenarios for consumers and professionals, and enables the industry to further capitalize on the PC as an important component of the digital imaging value chain,” said Amir Majidimehr, vice president for the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. “Our goal is to work cooperatively with industry participants to make it easier for everyone to get the most out of digital photography.”