Fujifilm Press Release 10/02/04

FUJIFILM REVEALS THREE POWERFUL NEW 35MM CAMERAS

Proprietary drop-in loading for picture-taking on the go combine with Fujifilm’s renowned color quality to create best-possible images

PMA, LAS VEGAS, February 10, 2004 - Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today announced three exciting new 35mm cameras. The new Zoom Date 60W features a wide-angle zoom lens, while the new Zoom Date 120V and Zoom Date 135V offer new drop-in film loading for an even easier picture-taking experience.

“We’re pleased to make picture-taking even easier with our new drop-in loading technology in the Zoom Date 120V and Zoom Date135V,” said Margaret Toub, Product Manager, Photo Imaging Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. “In addition, the Zoom Date 60W features a wide-angle lens, demonstrating Fujifilm’s commitment to best-quality photography at all levels.”

The Czech website Digineff is one of the first to post a selection of sample images taken with the hot-off-the-press Canon Powershot Pro1. There are 8 full-sized images for you to take a look at and see if the 8 megapixel sensor delivers the goods.

Website: Digineff - Canon Powershot Pro1 Sample Images

Several members of the Minolta forum over at DPReview have received a very interesting email from Konica Minolta, which more than hints that they will finally be releasing a digital SLR camera:

“Dear Minolta User,

Thank you for your interest in a Minolta Dynax Digital SLR. You have previously contacted us in regards to this product class. As we did not have a product to inform you of at that time we have registered your details, in preparation to contact you when we did.

Now that time has arrived…”

Apparently the announcement will be made on 11th February 21:00 CEST. As Las Vegas is eight hours behind the UK this translates as 12th February 05:00 here.

Website: DPReview - Interesting Email from Minolta

Fujifilm Press Release 10/02/04

Fujifilm Introduces ColourKit Profiler Suite 4.0 for Comprehensive Color Management

LAS VEGAS—(Business Wire)—Feb. 10, 2004 ColourKit Profiler Suite 4.0 color profiling suite is now available for a free demo

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc., a pioneering leader in digital imaging products and services, today introduces ColourKit Profiler Suite v4.0 color profiling software. Continuing Fujifilm’s tradition of providing true color excellence, ColourKit’s full-featured host of color management applications allows photographers, graphic artists, and creative professionals to accurately display digital images on a monitor and precisely translate them when printed.

Fujifilm’s imaging products and services have long been the top choice of professional photographers and ColourKit Profiler Suite v4.0 follows in this tradition. The new color management software allows users to make, edit and process color profiles, delivering quality and consistency to the professional. As the final image is incredibly accurate, ColourKit cuts costs by reducing waste and increases overall workflow efficiencies by saving professionals’ time.

Uniden America Corporation Press Release 10/02/04

Uniden Showcases the Latest in Digital Camera Innovation At PMA 2004; Uniden to Feature Polaroid Digital Camera with Foveon X3 Technology

LAS VEGAS—(Business Wire)—Feb. 10, 2004 Uniden America Corporation will exhibit the latest Polaroid digital camera products at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) Annual Convention and Trade Show, February 12-15, 2004, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in booth #C110.
Uniden has an exclusive agreement with World Wide Licenses Limited (WWL) to distribute the Polaroid line of digital cameras to retailers in the United States. At PMA, Uniden will debut the Polaroid x530 Digital Camera, the world’s first point-and-shoot digital camera to incorporate the revolutionary, high-fidelity Foveon X3 4.5 million pixel direct image sensor. This new image sensor technology allows the Polaroid x530 to produce brilliantly sharp 8 x 10 images with warm tones and rich colors - the basis for making extraordinary digital prints. In addition to capturing still images, the Polaroid x530 captures high-resolution TV-quality VGA video clips at 30 frames per second. It is scheduled to ship to retailers in June 2004 with a suggested retail price of $399.

“We are excited to launch our distributor partnership with WWL and to feature the best digital cameras offered in the industry,” said Uniden America President Al Silverberg. “The Polaroid x530 is the first of its kind and represents the beginning of an exciting new class of digital cameras.”

Note: This is the UK/European version of the i9900 printer that was reported yesterday.

Canon UK Press Release 09/02/04

Canon’s Bubble Jet i9950
8-colour A3 photo printing arrives

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the world’s first 8-colour A3 photo printer - the Bubble Jet i9950. With 4800x2400 dpi and permanent 2pl droplet size, Canon’s new flagship A3 Bubble Jet introduces new ChromaPLUS technology to expand further Canon’s already broad colour gamut. New red and green inks have been added to deliver more vibrant, lifelike results. A full borderless A3 photo prints in just 65 seconds, making this the fastest printer in its class. The new look i9950 supports the vendor-independent PictBridge standard as well as Canon?s Bubble Jet Direct, with a port at the front of the printer for direct USB connection and printing with any compatible digital camera or camcorder, without the need for a PC.

The world’s longest and highest nozzle-density print head has 6,144 nozzles, capable of ejecting a staggering 122 million 2pl droplets per second. This gets more ink on the page in less time and with greater accuracy for grain-free prints with unsurpassed clarity, contrast, colour range and smoothness of tone.

?Canon is committed to delivering printers that deliver life-like photos at high speed,” explains Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging in the UK and Ireland. “In a field where Canon already has significant advantage, the i9950 takes yet another leap forward to provide peerless A3 photographic quality at unrivalled speed.”

The Bubble Jet i9950 will be available from May 2004 for around ?549 inc VAT.

Professional fine-art photographer Alain Briot has had a new article published on the Luminous Landscape Website, discussing a recent trip to Paris with the Canon EOS 300D DLSR camera.

“In December 2003 and January 2004 I spent two weeks photographing in Paris. I took along with me my trusty Linhof Master Teknica 4x5, my Fuji 645zi medium format, and my just-acquired Canon 300D “digital rebel” camera. Yes, a digital camera, and an entry-model at that! Let’s see how these 3 different cameras performed, or interfaced, in a large-city environment.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - A Rebel in Paris

Dow Jones News Service via NewsEdge Corporation : FRANKFURT (Dow Jones)—Germany’s Leica Camera AG (LCA.XE) will begin development of a digital camera for the company’s key “M” series lenses, a person close to the company said Friday.

The company will use proceeds from the sale of EUR15 million in convertible bonds to finance the project, the person, who declined to be identified, said.

The “M” rangefinder camera is one of Leica’s flagship cameras, and its introduction in the 1950s helped make Leica a household name in both professional and amateur-enthusiast photography.

Leica has said in the past that “M” lenses weren’t suited for digital sensors, as the lenses - originally designed for film - cause image distortions on the border of a digital sensor. A new type of “microlens” digital sensor will solve this problem, the person close to Leica said.

Canon USA Press Release 09/02/04

CANON UNVEILS INDUSTRY’S FASTEST 24-INCH WIDE-FORMAT PIGMENT INKJET PRINTER

imagePROGRAF W6200; Unparalleled Speed Plus Image Quality, Archival Printing and Graphic RIP Drive New Wide Format Category

LAS VEGAS (PMA, BOOTH # E11), Feb. 9, 2004 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ) today is showcasing the industry?s fastest 24-inch pigment ink printer, designed to offer breakthrough wide format output speeds combined with superior image and archival quality. The introduction of the imagePROGRAF W6200 greatly expands the company’s wide format product portfolio and establishes a new market category for the imaging technology leader.

Using Canon’s singular bi-directional head, MicroFine Droplet Technology and pigment ink solution, Canon’s imagePROGRAF W6200 is able to rapidly produce highly detailed, brilliant, photo-quality archival prints and proofs up to 24 inches wide. The printer ? producing A1-sized prints in less than five minutes in standard (600 x 1200 dpi) mode ? comes equipped with the company’s own graphic PS-level 3 compatible raster image processor (RIP) software and retails at less than $3500.

Canon USA Press Release 09/02/04

CANON’S NEW i80 MOBILE PRINTER SUPPORTS WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND IMPROVED PHOTO QUALITY

LAS VEGAS (PMA, BOOTH # E11), Feb. 9, 2004 - Canon’s new i80 mobile printer enhances the quality and flexibility of portable printing. The world’s most advanced mobile printer features a newly designed print head, optional Bluetooth Unit* and an optional Automobile Power Unit. The i80 mobile printer will be available in mid-February for a suggested list price of $249.99**.

“Our new i80 mobile printer expands beyond the traditional road warrior applications into environments like professional photographers on assignment, educators traveling from one classroom to another, college students with limited dorm space, real estate agents, pilots, military personnel, insurance agents and many others,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). “The i80 mobile printer allows all of them to print much needed documents and photographs on the fly.”

“The successor to our enormously popular i70 portable printer, the i80 model expands the flexibility and capabilities available to the end-user,” added Hashimoto. “The enhanced wireless printing capabilities allow many Windows users to print all types of data from their computers or print photos, schedules and address book lists from select PDAs, laptops or cell phones ? without wires.”

Canon USA Press Release 09/02/04

CANON’S NEW SURE SHOT 150u CAMERA PUTS MORE FUN, FEATURES AND AFFORDABILITY IN COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT, EASY-TO-USE POINT & SHOOT

New Pocket-Sized 35MM Point & Shoot Camera for Price Point Savvy, Quality-Conscious Consumers

LAS VEGAS (PMA, BOOTH # E11), Feb. 9, 2004 - Shooting primo pictures with the new Canon Sure Shot 150u camera is the absolute soul of simplicity. Whether capturing for posterity baby?s first haircut or any of a thousand other meaningful milestones, the Sure Shot 150u camera ensures that Moms and Dads, doting Grandparents and any other member of the extended family can focus on snapping a phenomenal photo without worrying about the picture taking process. Indeed, its outwardly simple design is literally a cover for inner workings so smart that the Sure Shot 150u camera captures brilliant images with little more than a click of the shutter button.

With its sleek lines, uncluttered instrumentation, smooth 3.9x, 38-150 mm optical zoom lens and a light and durable aluminum case packed with a flock of features, this newest entrant into the line of Sure Shot u-series lens shutter cameras arrives in stores this April with an estimated selling price under $150.

Canon USA Press Release 09/02/04

CANON’S NEW EOS ELAN 7N/7NE 35MM SLR CAMERAS SAVE THE BEST AND IMPROVE THE REST

LAS VEGAS (PMA, BOOTH # E11), Feb. 9, 2004 - Canon launched its new flagship advanced amateur 35mm SLR system - the EOS ELAN 7N and EOS ELAN 7NE 35mm SLR cameras. Designed to be the fastest, most responsive, innovative and intuitive cameras in their class, the new EOS ELAN 7N and EOS ELAN 7NE cameras replace the popular EOS ELAN 7 and 7E models (the ELAN 7NE model retaining the ELAN 7E?s popular Eye Controlled Focus option) and feature an autofocus system that is the fastest in its class, according to a Canon Inc. survey.

“With an ever present eye on technological advancements and our standard attention to detail, Canon has ensured that the EOS ELAN line of 35mm SLR cameras remain ‘state-of-the-science’ for discerning photo enthusiasts,” stated Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). “The advancements and upgrades that we have built in to the new EOS ELAN 7N and EOS ELAN 7NE models improve the cameras’ high quality output, facilitate the photo experience for our users, and enhance the cameras’ already enviable reputation in the photographic community.”

Epson USA Press Release 09/02/04

PICTUREMATE BY EPSON ELIMINATES THE BARRIERS TO DIGITAL PHOTO PRINTING

First and Only Personal Photo Lab Enables Consumers to Produce Photos with Quality, Durability and Cost Benefits of Traditional Photo Lab Prints in the Convenience of Home

LONG BEACH, Calif., February 9, 2004 - Addressing all of the barriers that digital camera owners have had with printing their photos, Epson today introduces PictureMate, the first and only personal photo lab that allows digital camera owners to easily print brilliant, long-lasting lab-quality 4” x 6” photos at home at a cost that is comparable to some of the most affordable lab print prices.

This breakthrough is made possible by Epson’s exclusive archival print technology for photos that are indistinguishable from traditional lab prints and last even longer.

With an estimated 33 million households owning digital cameras at the close of 2003, more people are taking digital photos to preserve their memories. According to the Photo Marketing Association International (PMA) Digital Imaging Survey, the majority of these owners would like to print more photos at home but feel the prints they are making don’t look as good as lab prints. The survey also indicates that owners believe 4” x 6” printing at home is difficult, too time-consuming, and cost-prohibitive.

Mike Strock has emailed me with an intriguing link which to me kind of explains why Kodak is in decline. They are introducing a self-service kiosk in the USA which will process your film in just 5 minutes, and then allow you to select the pictures that you want to keep. All well and good so far, until you get to this part of the story:

“Costs are expected to be around $4 for film developing and a CD, plus 29 cents per print. Consumers get the CD in lieu of the traditional negatives.”

They keep the negatives! And give you a CD instead! Taking away the negatives from a film photographer is sacrilege. There’s no mention of how big the scans will be, but I bet they fit neatly onto a 650Mb CD…

So maybe the service is aimed at occasional camera users who don’t understand or care about their negatives. That doesn’t seem to be the case either:

“Says Grant Pill, CVS’ photo manager: “If you give consumers the ability to take control of the process, they’ll be happy.”“

Will those customers be happy? Wouldn’t they rather drop off their film as they’ve always done and pick up their 24 or 36 prints later? Will they really bother to pick and choose?

Kodak’s new kiosk seems to be a confusing mix of old and new, as this very traditional company tries to embrace the digital world. Expect to see one in store near you soon…

Website: USA Today - Kodak self-serve kiosk to develop film in under 5 minutes

Delkin Devices Inc. Press Release 09/02/04

DELKIN ADDS SD & HIGH CAPACITY GIGABYTE MEMORY CARDS TO ITS HIGH-SPEED EFILM PRO CARD LINE

Poway CA, February 9, 2004 Delkin Devices Inc., maker of premium quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative products for camera stores worldwide, today announced some major new additions to its high-speed eFilm PRO Card line.  The new eFilm Secure Digital (SD) PRO Card meets today’s need for speed for the new wave of video cameras and mobile camera phones requiring high-speed SD memory cards.  Initial eFilm SD PRO Card capacities will be 256MB and 512MB (with SD PRO 1GB coming in Q2) and are expected to be among the fastest Secure Digital memory cards on the market. Transfer rate speeds up to 10 MB/s can be achieved.  A 512MB SD PRO Card can hold approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes of MPEG4 video, 4 hours of MP3 audio (128 kbps), and 1,041 JPEG photos (standard/1600x1200 pixels).

Delkin is also increasing the storage capacities to their already popular eFilm CompactFlash (CF) PRO Cards for high-end SLR digital cameras. High-capacities of 1 and 2 Gigabytes (GB) now join the existing PRO Card capacities of 128MB, 256MB, 320MB, 512MB and the unique “straight to CD-R” capacity of 640MB. eFilm PRO cards are Delkin?s premium series of memory cards designed to quench the professional photographer’s thirst for speed. As digital cameras continue to evolve into sophisticated tools, Delkin has positioned the eFilm PRO card as the state of the art high-speed digital memory card. The eFilm CF PRO Cards are solid-state, and designed to be fast and durable for extensive shooting in the most extreme conditions.

Delkin Devices Inc. Press Release 09/02/04

DELKIN EXPANDS DIGITAL CAMERA BATTERY AND READER/WRITER PRODUCT LINE

Poway CA, February 9, 2004 Delkin Devices Inc., maker of premium quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative products for camera stores worldwide, today announced an expanded line of digital camera and camcorder batteries.  These new products will be introduced at PMA in Las Vegas February 12 through 15 at their booth C166. Chief among the products is the eFilm RCR-V3 digital camera battery.  Many of today?s digital cameras are powered by two or four AA batteries, or in their place one or two of the popular CR-V3 batteries.  But the CR-V3 is expensive and like Alkaline AA batteries, is disposable and presents an environmental concern with its one time use. Delkin?s RCR-V3 provides a rechargeable alternative in a Lithium Ion battery.  The RCR-V3 also offers greater power output than NiMH researchable batteries, holds a charge longer, weighs much less, and is more economical over time.  Delkin Devices offers the RCR-V3 packaged with a battery charger.  The RCR-V3 is also sold separately.

SimpleTech Press Release 09/02/04

SimpleTech Announces Industry’s Highest Capacity 8 GB CompactFlash Card With 10MB/sec Write Speed

New 8 GB Card Utilizes Company’s Patented IC Tower Stacking Technology

SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—SimpleTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: STEC), a designer, manufacturer and marketer of custom and open-standard memory solutions based on Flash memory and DRAM technologies, today announced the industry’s highest capacity CompactFlash with an 8 GB Type II card using the Company’s patented stacking technology. The Company also announced 2, 4 and 5 GB Type I cards and a significant increase to the write speed of its entire ProX line of CompactFlash cards. The products will be unveiled at the PMA (Photo Marketing Association) trade show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from February 12-15, 2004. SimpleTech will exhibit in booth N-64.

The Norwgian digital camera website Digit.no has posted its review of the Fuji Finepix S5000. This mid-range digital camera looks like a traditional SLR (but isn’t) and has a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera.

Website: Digit.no - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

February 9, 2004, Miami Beach, FL - MAGIX, the award-winning technology leader in Personal Rich Media, announced today MAGIX Photo Cleaning Lab, the ‘must-have’ digital camera accessory that quickly repairs, organizes and preserves the thousands of digital images collected by photographers and consumers. Priced at only $49.99, MAGIX Photo Cleaning Lab includes real-time image correction, high-speed photo management, instant album creation, accelerated image explorer, photo printing, CD archiving and a powerful image editor in one easy-to-use program.

MAGIX Photo Cleaning Lab instantly resizes and restores digital photos, making it essential software for any photographer. Efficient batch-processing enables users to change entire folders of pictures to a different image format and resizes for printing, emailing or posting to a webpage. Exposure, focus, color correction and ‘red-eye’ reduction tasks are performed instantly—even while the photos playback in a slideshow.

NEW POLAROID X530 POINT-AND-SHOOT DIGITAL CAMERA USES FOVEON X3 DIRECT IMAGE SENSOR

Anticipated arrival of consumer camera with advanced technology due in 2004

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, February 11, 2004 ? Foveon Inc., a technology leader in high-quality digital image capture products, announced today that a new Polaroid brand digital camera will incorporate the 4.5 megapixel Foveon X3 direct image sensor. The camera is the world?s first point-and-shoot digital camera to incorporate X3 technology. Foveon X3 direct image sensors are the only image sensors that directly capture color in three layers, just like color film. This results in richer colors, warmer tones, and sharper images than are available through traditional image sensors.

First introduced in 2002, the X3 image sensor has only been available in a professional class digital camera. Now with the introduction of the Polaroid x530, consumers are able to enjoy the many benefits of X3 technology in an affordable full-featured point-and-shoot digital camera. The Polaroid x530 is scheduled to ship to retailers in June 2004 with a suggested retail price of $399.