Canon UK Press Release 03/02/04

Canon launches the Bubble Jet i80 high speed mobile printer

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the world’s fastest and highest resolution mobile printer: the 14ppm (mono), 4800x1200 dpi Bubble Jet i80. Key features include optional Bluetooth support , Micro-Nozzles delivering 2pl droplet size and an optional battery pack/charger. The printer is PictBridge compatible for direct USB connection and photo printing with any compliant digital camera or camcorder, without the need for a PC. At just 52mm thick and with a profile area less than the A4 sheets it can print, the Bubble Jet i80 is considerably smaller than competing printers. A sleek design and champagne gold finish match its superior performance.

With Canon’s patented advanced MicroFine droplet Technology?, the printer has 2pl droplet size and unrivalled print head density. The result is more ink on the page in less time with increased accuracy and the world’s fastest and most superior quality, portable borderless printing. A 4” x 6” photo prints in less than one minute, while documents print at 14ppm (mono) and 10ppm (colour).

“The introduction of the Bubble Jet i80 cements Canon’s market leading position in mobile printing. It combines desktop printing, power and true portability with stylish design and high specifications”, said Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging in the UK and Ireland.

The Bubble Jet i80 will be available from March 2004 for around ?199 inc VAT.

Canon UK Press Release 03/02/04

Canon’s new Bubble Jet i990 The ultimate photo printer

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology is pleased to announce the world?s most advanced desktop photo printer - the 4800x2400 dpi, permanent 2pl droplet size Bubble Jet i990. The professional series 7-ink printer introduces new ChromaPLUS technology to expand further Canon’s already broad colour gamut, utilising the addition of a new red ink to deliver more vibrant, lifelike results. A4 photo prints are produced in just 37 seconds, more than twice as fast as the printer’s nearest rival. The new look Bubble Jet i990 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 from any compatible digital camera or camcorder, without the need for a PC.

The Bubble Jet i990 has the longest and highest nozzle-density print head of any printer with 5376 nozzles, capable of ejecting more than 100 million 2pl droplets per second. This gets more ink on the page in less time and with greater accuracy for grain-free prints of unsurpassed clarity, contrast, colour range and smoothness of tone. Documents print at 16ppm (mono) and 12ppm (colour).

“Canon is committed to developing printers that deliver life-like photos at high speed,” explains Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging in the UK and Ireland. “The Bubble Jet i990 is the new printing partner for time pressured professionals who demand the ultimate in photographic quality, and who appreciate immediate results.”

The Bubble Jet i990 will be available from February 2004 for around ?299 inc VAT.

Dphoto.us in conjunction with New York fashion photographer Stephen Eastwood, who has been lucky enough to test the Canon EOS 1D Mark II, held a question and answer session last night on Canon’s new DSLR. There are 7 pages of questions and answers to look through - essential reading if you are interested in this camera:

“I shot some beauty shots at 1600 iso and many at 800 and 200 iso, 200 being what I would like as I got use to having that extra stop of light around so comparing it to the 1D that is necessary, 800 is something I rarely use, but I was so impressed I have some prints here now that were at 800 iso, they are sharp and noise free, on screen they look as good as scanned film of 100 iso, and with no noise reduction and no sharpening I have printed images that are completely noise free, I could submit these for publication no problem to run full bleed in any quality glossy out there.”

Website: Dphoto.us - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Question and Answer

DPreview have just posted a preview of the new entry-level Nikon DSLR, the 6-megapixel D70:

“People’s first reaction to the D70, especially existing D100 owners was that it doesn’t appear to be a downgrade from the D100. Indeed, this is also my reaction. Yes, the D70’s design is simpler than the D100 and the menus have larger type face, there are some custom functions missing and you can’t add a vertical hand grip. But in all other respects the D70 is as good as and in some cases better than the D100. This then makes the naming convention a little odd. This also raises another note of interest, the D70 is already looking better than Canon’s EOS-300D.”

Website: DPReview - Nikon D70 Preview

It seems that some enterprising Russian programmer has hacked the Canon EOS 300D firmware to create a new version that contains some of the custom functions found on the more expensive and complex EOS 10D. Apparently the following functions have been added:

1. Set button functions:
  a. change quality
  b. change settings

2. Make a shot without a flash card
  1. available
  0. not available

3. Flash synchro in AV mode
  0. auto
  1. 1/200

4. RAW+JPEG writing
  0-5 - size of embedded JPEG image

There’s a LOT of discussion about the undoubtedly illegal and warranty-invalidating new firmware version over on the DPReview Canon EOS 300D forum, and it looks as though it works for many people. If it was my camera, I don’t think I would touch it with a very long bargepole, even it it does work…

Website: DPReview - “New” Canon EOS 300D Firmware

Website: DPReview - “New” Canon EOS 300D Firmware Risks/Benefits

Canon Europe have recently released updates to several programs that is ships with its digital cameras. Upgrades for ZoomBrowser, the File Viewer Utility and the Remote Capture Utility are now available. Just go to the following webpage, pick your camera from the list and all of the relevant updates will be shown.

Website: Canon Europe Software Updates

The Norwegian website Digit.no have reviewed the Pentax *ist D digital SLR, awarding it 77% overall.

Website: Digit.no - Pentax *ist D Review

A couple of weeks ago I visited a part of London that I’d never been to before, round and about Battersea Power Station. This is an iconic London structure that is now disused, but is happily being preserved as an integral part of the redevelopment of the surrounding area. I got there at mid-afternoon to find the sun shining brightly behind the building, so I decided to underexpose and turn the power station into a silhouette. I wasn’t convinced at the time that I’d achieved any noteworthy photos, but looking back at them tonight I’m more than happy.

View more Battersea Power Station photos

Shortcut PhotoZoom Pro is a software program that promises to resize your photos without losing any quality. I needed a program like Shortcut PhotoZoom Pro for two reasons. I wanted to create a 30x20 inch print at 254dpi from a Canon EOS 10D source file, and I also needed to interpolate some 10D files up to 48Mb in size for submission to an image library. So did Shortcut PhotoZoom Pro deliver on its promises? Find out in my review.

Website: Shortcut PhotoZoom Pro Review

Lastolite Press Release 03/02/04

Micro Apollo ? More Light Control Possibilities From Lastolite.

The Micro Apollo range from Lastolite provides the ideal solution to combat the harsh lighting of flash photography that can be a problem for most photographers. Suitable for all types of photography, both indoor and outdoor, the Micro Apollo range of portable, compact light modifiers achieve studio quality light diffusion while eliminating the need for larger light boxes and softboxes. With its professional easy-to-use design, the Micro Apollo is an essential piece of equipment for weddings and all other types of social photography.

Whether using film or digital, the Micro Apollo?s results show a wider and softer diffusion than the standard integral diffuser: red-eye and hot spots are reduced meaning lower contrast, more natural looking photographs all for a very affordable price.

The lightweight, fully collapsible Micro Apollo range of light modifiers are made from durable diffusion material. They are designed to pack away easily and quickly into a camera bag and will fit most makes of hot-shoe and Metz hammerhead flash guns via Velcro fasteners.

The Micro Apollo is now available in three sizes:

Lastolite Micro Apollo 45 20 x 13 cm (8 x 5 inch) ?26.99 inc. Vat
Lastolite Micro Apollo 60 25 x 18.5 cm (10 x 7.5 inch) ?29.99 inc. Vat
Lastolite Micro Apollo XL 41 x 25 cm (16 x 10 inch) ?39.99 inc. Vat

JP Distribution distributes the Lastolite range. For any further information on the full Lastolite range please visit www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk

The 4800 x 9600 dpi EPSON Perfection 4870 Photo flatbed scanner that was first announced by Epson USA at the start of January has appeared in the Epson store, complete with a recommended retail price of $449.99. The Epson Stylus Photo R800 printer is also listed at $399.00. Thanks to David White for letting me know.

Website: Epson USA - Epson Perfection 4870 PHOTO

DO Labs Press Release 30/01/04

Breakthrough Software Application for Digital SLR Camera Users
Eliminates Blur, Distortion, Chromatic Aberration And Vignetting

Las Vegas, NV (February 12, 2004) ? DO Labs, a software company focused on research in image processing to enhance image quality, today announces DxO Optics Pro, a revolutionary software solution designed for professional and expert photographers. DxO Optics Pro delivers genuine and perceptible quality improvements by automatically correcting images for:

- Distortion
- Chromatic aberrations
- Vignetting
- Blur (lack of perceived sharpness)

“Isn’t it frustrating that the more you pay for high-end digital cameras or lenses, the more you feel their limitations?” asks Jerome Meniere, CEO of DO Labs. “The brighter a lens, the softer it is wide open, the wider the range of a zoom lens, the greater the distortion, the higher resolution the sensor is, the more visible chromatic aberration becomes. DxO Optics PRO will help demanding photographers get the best possible image quality from their equipment, at any settings”

“DxO Optics Pro can be thought of as a ‘software corrective lens’ for your DSLR,” explains Dr. Guichard, DO Labs? Chief Scientist. “We have created objective, laboratory-grade precise mathematical models of each fault, and developed fully automatic algorithms to remedy them”.

The Finnish website Finclockers have reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Minolta DiMAGE Z1. This digicam has a 10x optical zoom lens, equivalent to a 38-380mm 35mm camera zoom, which in combination with the digital zoom offers a 40X zoom range (found via digicamera.net).

Website: Finclockers - Minolta DiMAGE Z1 Review

CNET have published a brief First Take on the new Canon EOS 1D MKII.

“The Mark II features an 8.2-megapixel CMOS sensor; a full-resolution, 40-shot, 8.5-frame-per-second drive mode; a top shutter speed of 1/8,000 of a second; dual CompactFlash and SD media slots; and 45-point autofocus—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The camera’s flexibility will appeal to a broad range of professional photographers and (very) serious amateurs.”

Website: CNET - Canon EOS 1D Mark II First Take

the Danish website Akamera.dk have reviewed one of Nikon’s top-of-the-range prosumer digital cameras, the 5 megapixel CoolPix 5400.

Website: Akamera.dk - Nikon Coolpix 5400 Review

Epson Press Release 01/02/04

EPSON(r) enhances range to deliver high quality, economy and durability to home photo printing with the Stylus Photo R200

The EPSON Stylus Photo R200 features a unique 6-colour inkjet system, high resolution and new ink formula in individual cartridges, to deliver long lasting, quality prints

1st February 2004: Launched today, the Stylus Photo R200 extends EPSON’s Stylus Photo printer range to offer a cost-effective device that delivers premium quality, durable photographs.  The device features a new 6-colour inkjet system for glossy, highly detailed photographs, an ultra-high print resolution for maximum definition and a new ink formula for long lasting quality prints. With the Stylus Photo R200, EPSON is the first vendor to bring cost saving benefits of individual cartridges and CD/DVD printing1 to the home and digital camera user at this price.

Responding to the growth of the digital camera market and the increased demand for printing photos at home, this printer has been designed for recent digital converts with an eye for premium quality at an affordable price.  EPSON’s MicroPiezoTM print head offers users an optimised print resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi - the highest in the market, combined with dot sizes as small as 3 picolitres. With 90 nozzles used per colour the results provide fine detail, smoother gradations, vivid and detailed photographs at fast speeds - a 10x15” photo can be printed in approximately 36 seconds.
   

Pentax Press Release 02/02/04

NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: LATEST PENTAX DIGITAL CAMERA JUST THE FIT FOR NEWCOMERS

GOLDEN, Colorado (February 2, 2004)...Feeling a little daunted by digital?  Help is on the way inside the new PENTAX Optio30 digital camera.  This latest PENTAX camera is designed for newcomers with little or no digital photography experience making it a perfect answer for a growing demand for quality, easy-to-use digital. 

In addition to 3.2 megapixels, a 3X optical zoom, and the signature, compact dimensions of the PENTAX digital brand, the Optio30 sports a simple, but revolutionary, menu prompt that provides helpful, tutorial messages about frequently used digital camera functions.  With a simple touch, this feature will guide new, and old, hands through the camera?s array of digital features.  Expertise is the last thing you need to go digital with PENTAX—just turn on the Optio30 and shoot! 

The PENTAX Optio30 makes digital easy and fun!  Equipped with PictBridge, a new direct-print standard released by the Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA), the Optio30 connects directly to your printer so you may print images without a personal computer!  You also may record a favorite shot on the start-up screen and select customized wallpaper choices for the menu screen on the ample 1.6 inch LCD monitor.  In addition to a variety of conventional picture modes (Landscape, Nightscene, Nightscene Portrait, Portrait, Surf and Snow, Flower), the innovative Optio30 virtual mode dial features new lifestyle-oriented modes including Pet, Party, and Food.

Pentax Press Release 02/02/04

PENTAX PACKS BIG MONITOR ON A LITTLE DIGITAL: NEW OPTIO S4i CAMERA BOASTS FIRST PENTAX CRADLE CHARGE

GOLDEN, Colorado (February 2, 2004)  PENTAX USA packs a hefty 1.8 inch LCD monitor for larger viewing and focusing on the tiny, new Optio S4i digital camera. With 4.0 megapixels and a 3X optical zoom, this latest Optio digital camera also features the first PENTAX digital cradle-style lithium ion recharge base unit.  The rechargeable unit design makes it so easy to recharge the Optio S4i.  Simply set the camera in the recharge base until it ready to use again.

Featuring the legendary smc PENTAX lens and the unique PENTAX Sliding Lens system that allows the lens to retract fully when the camera is off lens, the Optio S4i is sleek and compact enough to carry everywhere.  With the optional, acrylic waterproof housing that is newly-designed for the Optio S4i, everywhere may well include the exciting world of underwater digital photography!  For optimal results, the Optio S4i now features both Marine Picture and Marine Movie modes to capture drama of blue underwater hues.

Pentax Press Release 02/02/04

NEW PENTAX OPTIO S40 CAMERA PAVES THE WAY FOR DIGITAL NEWCOMERS

GOLDEN, Colorado (February 2, 2004)  Will 2004 be the year you go digital?  The new PENTAX Optio S40 is a 4 megapixel, 3X zoom digital camera that is loaded with the features to help you on your way!  Sporting a sleek aluminum design and the signature, compact dimensions of the PENTAX Optio digital brand, the Optio S40 features an exciting, new “help” function.  Offering simple-to-understand explanations in a regular or enlarged font for easier viewing, the “help” function guides new, and old hands, through the camera?s array of digital features with a simple touch. 

The PENTAX Optio S40 makes digital easy and fun!  The buttons and controls of the Optio S40 are placed in easy reach for ready-to-shoot positioning.  The shutter release button and all the manual buttons are enlarged for easy manipulation.  Featuring the legendary smc PENTAX lens and the unique PENTAX Sliding Lens system that allows the lens to retract fully when the camera is off lens, the Optio S40 is sleek and compact enough to carry everywhere. Plus, with the optional, acrylic waterproof housing that is newly-designed for the Optio S40, everywhere may include the exciting world of underwater digital photography! 

The New York Times has published a useful article today which gives a good overview of the current state of the memory card market, and which also considers its future (found via Visually Speaking).

“Even as the flash memory business is growing rapidly over all, however, some formats are losing market share. And within the next five years, analysts say, a few will disappear altogether.

“In the long term, two memory formats will survive, Memory Stick and SD,” said Nelson Chan, senior vice president for SanDisk, the only company licensed to make and sell every flash memory format, which includes MultiMediaCard, SmartMedia and xD-Picture Card.”

Not everybody agrees with that. But in the last year, the SD memory card’s monthly market share has surged. By last November, 42 percent of all aftermarket flash memory cards sold in the United States were in the SD format. CompactFlash, its closest competitor, accounted for under 26 percent, according to the NPD Group, a market analysis company.”

Website: New York Times - Memory Evolution: Survival of the Smallest