MELVILLE, NY, November 28, 2001 - Nikon, the world leader in photography, today announced the appointment of Jerry Grossman to Vice President, Marketing for Consumer Digital Products and Compact Cameras at Nikon Inc. He will assume the lead role in planning and marketing for the popular line of Coolpix® digital cameras and Coolscan® scanners as well as One-Touch and Lite-Touch compact film cameras. "Jerry's capabilities make him the ideal person to spearhead marketing efforts for our consumer digital imaging products and compact film cameras," said Jack Abrams, CEO and President of Nikon Inc. "Consumers continue to embrace digital photography, and Nikon will answer their needs. With his invaluable leadership experience as Nikon's director of Internet Development, Jerry will further what is already an extremely strong and exciting line of consumer digital imaging products." Grossman brings over 10 years of Nikon experience to his new position. He joined the company in...[read more]
11/29/2001: ColorFix Converts JPEG and TIFF Images from One "Color Space" to Another
Max Lyons has just released his new ColorFix utility for Windows or DOS that easily and quickly converts the colors in JPEG and TIFF images from one "color space" to another. This utility was written mainly to solve the problem of the Minolta DiMAGE 5 and 7 (and S304) cameras that save their images in a proprietary color space, not standard RGB. Even though Minolta supplies a software program called DIVU (Dimage Image Viewing Utility) to convert from one color space to another, it also applies other image corrections that yield undesirable results. To quote Max's info: "Although ColorFix can be configured to convert between any two color spaces, its default setting is to convert the typically flat colors produced by the Minolta DiMage 5 and 7 digital cameras to something more appropriate (sRGB color space) for viewing on a computer monitor. Unlike most current digital cameras, the DiMage digital...[read more]
11/28/2001: Kaidan Announces KiWi Panoramic Tripod Head Upgrade Bundle Aimed at iPIX Photographers
Washington D.C. Government Video Technology Expo November 28, 2001: The world's leading provider of immersive imaging solutions, Kaidan Incorporated, today announced a limited-time promotional iPIX upgrade package for their KiWi 880/990/995 Panoramic Tripod Heads. These KiWi tripod heads are designed to work with the Nikon Coolpix 880, 990 and 995 digital cameras respectively and are used to orient, position and increment the camera for panoramic photography. The offer compliments the recently announced 2.0 version of the iPIX 360 Suite and iPIX Suite Pro software, which provides iPIX customers with a new capability of stitching a full spherical scene from three equally spaced hemispherical fisheye images. The aforementioned Kaidan tripod heads feature interchangeable indexing disks and therefore have the flexibility to capture two or three (any number from 2 through 22 are optionally available) equally spaced images that can be used in conjunction with the new iPIX software as...[read more]
11/28/2001: Stair Interpolation - Free Alternative to Genuine Fractals
Fred Miranda has just released his Stair Interpolation utility for up-sizing digital images with the best possible quality. This is useful for those times when you want to have really large prints made from your digital images. SI is comparable to the well-known Genuine Fractals program and is compatible with Photoshop 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 or higher (PC and MAC). Follow the link above and see some examples of SI versus Genuine Fractals, Qimage Pro, S-Spline and PhotoShop's bicubic interpolation. The best part is that Stair Interpolation is free. New D30 ISOR Pro ActionsFred has also just released his new (and faster) D30 ISOR PRO PhotoShop actions for Canon D30 users. These actions allow you to get the best possible image quality from D30 raw or JPEG images by reducing the apparent noise. There are specific actions for ISO 200, 400, 800 and 1600 as well as a totally new ISO...[read more]
11/27/2001: SCM Microsystems Takes Center Stage With Two of PCPhoto's Top 50 Editors' Picks
Guilford, CT - November 26, 2001 - SCM Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCMM; Neuer Markt: SMY), a leading provider of solutions that open the Digital World, today announced its Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge and Microtech ZiO! products have been honored as two of PCPhoto's Top 50 Editors' Picks of 2001. The solutions will both receive the PCPhoto Editors' Choice Award, which will be published in the December 2001 issue. The prestigious award is a compilation of the year's best devices that offer the highest degree of value and interest to PCPhoto readers. Among the thousands of products reviewed, SCM's Dazzle and Microtech products captured two of the top spots. "Being honored with two of PCPhoto Editors' Choice awards reflects SCM's commitment to developing a broad range of high quality digital media solutions," said Al Conte, vice president of marketing for SCM Microsystems Retail Brands. "This achievement confirms SCM's place in offering...[read more]
11/26/2001: Alive and Well (stuffed with turkey)
Just in case you were wondering, we are still here, there's just been a lull in news and we've already seen all the new camera releases we're going to see before Christmas. Expected in this week is a production model Coolpix 5000 so we can complete our review and post sample images. We also look forward to getting our hands on a Canon EOS-1D pro SLR soon too. Currently in-house is the Toshiba PDR-M25, a 2.2-megapixel camera with 3x zoom. I hope everyone got their fill of turkey or whatever your family eats for Thanksgiving, I am now rather tired of eating turkey sandwiches. Speaking of eating, the Sept 11th funds will no doubt take a large chunk out of the money donated to other charities this year. Don't forget to give some to your local food drive as there are many families depending on it. That and be sure...[read more]
11/20/2001: Forbes Magazine Names RitzCamera.com "Best Of The Web"
Photo specialty e-commerce leader is selected by Forbes Editors from more than 3000 sites reviewed. IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 20, 2001 ? Photo specialty e-tail leader RitzCamera.com has been named one of the "Best of the Web" for 2001 by Forbes Magazine. RitzCamera.com was one of just six photography-related sites selected by Forbes as the Web?s finest. Forbes editors reviewed more than 3,000 sites in 22 different categories, including "Cameras & Photography," making their selections based on overall content, design, navigation, speed and customization. Founded in April 1999, RitzCamera.com has established itself as the premier online shopping source for photographic products and accessories, including an extensive line-up of state-of-the-art digital cameras. The user-friendly e-commerce site also supplies product reviews and comparisons that help online shoppers make better-informed buying decisions. In addition to offering a giant selection, useful information, and the convenience of online purchasing, RitzCamera.com provides consumers with the added benefits...[read more]
11/20/2001: Pixo Media 4 in 1 Multi PC-Card Adapter
The PIXO MEDIA Universal PC-CARD Adapter has a unique 4 in 1 connector for SmartMedia?, Memory Stick ?, SD Card? or MultiMediaCard? memory cards. The Adapter replaces up to four conventional PC CARD Adapters in the value of about 300 EURO. The 4 in 1 Multi PC- CARD Adapter is suitable for comfortable and fast transfer of digital pictures and data to notebooks and computers with PC-CARD slot. The Adapter is suitable for Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP. The Adapter is available in Europe at a price of about 80 EURO (approx. US.00)...[read more]
11/19/2001: Minolta DiMAGE 5 and 7 Flash Adapter
Minolta has announced the PC Flash Adapter PCT-100 which links professional lighting systems to the DiMAGE 7 / DiMAGE 5 digital cameras. Simply slide the PC flash adapter into the camera's accessory shoe and plug the PC cord of the flash unit into the adapter. Designed for center-negative and center-positive polarities, the flash adapter is compatible with most studio and location lighting systems. This combination of high- quality lighting and high-resolution digital imaging further expands the versatility of the DiMAGE 7 / DiMAGE 5. No word yet on pricing or availability, I'll post this as soon as I get it from Minolta USA....[read more]
11/18/2001: Fuji FinePix 2800 Zoom Review Posted
I just posted our Fujifilm FinePix 2800 Zoom review. This is a very impressive 2-megapixel camera. Impressive for both its big 6X optical zoom lens and its excellent image quality. It's small and stylish as well as robust and possibly the best news is the price, it's just !...[read more]
11/16/2001: Qimage Pro 2001 v4.0 Released
Author Mike Chaney emailed to let me know that he had just posted Qimage Pro 2001 v4.0 for download on his site. Qimage Pro 2001 is a really nice image printing program for Windows users. It is loaded with all sorts of advanced features to make the chore of printing images easier and fun. New in v4.0 is Floating Text which allows you to place text anywhere on your page, on top of existing prints or over blank areas, with or without a user defined shadow, with any amount of rotation, and using any font size or style! Each text label can even be linked to an existing print on the page to ensure that where your prints go, your text will go along for the ride, sticking to the print like glue! Use the text labels as headers, footers, or just to spice up your photos on the page...[read more]
SOMERSET, NJ ? Kyocera Optics, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the Contax N Digital, the world?s first digital SLR camera to employ a full-frame 35mm, 24 x 36mm, 6+ megapixel CCD. This achievement allows the camera full use of auto focus Carl Zeiss T* lenses while offering the user world-class digital picture quality. The N Digital is based on the Contax N1 and provides the perfect ergonomic platform. The N1 which was introduced in the fall of 2000 has proven itself as a high quality product that can stand up to the every day rigors of the working photographer. The N Digital and N1 cameras share all basic functions as well as the unique features incorporated in the N1. This includes the "Dual Focus Mechanism, the world?s first "5- point Wide Array Diagonal Auto Focus System, and "Fine Focus ABC (Auto Bracketing System)". The N Digital can...[read more]
FREMONT, Calif., November 13, 2001 -- Lexar Media Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading developer of flash mass storage systems and an innovator of high-performance, USB-enabled CompactFlash? digital film, today announced the addition of a 640MB capacity CompactFlash card to its popular 16X speed Professional Series digital film. Designed with fast write speeds and increased storage capacity, Professional Series cards meet the needs of the world?s most demanding photographers using the newest professional digital cameras, like the Nikon D1X and Canon 1D. Lexar Media?s 640MB cards begin shipping to retailers December 1, 2001 and have a suggested retail price of . Professional Series CompactFlash cards are available in capacities of 192, 256, 320, 512 and now 640MB. Lexar Media?s 640MB capacity cards enable photographers to store more images to a single card. Offered as the latest Professional Series product, the 16X speed 640MB cards are capable of a minimum sustained write...[read more]
LAS VEGAS & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001-- Toshiba Corporation and SanDisk Corporation jointly introduced today the world's first commercial one gigabit (1Gbit, or 1024Megabit) NAND flash memory chip, a new generation of flash memory that effectively doubles the amount of storage that the two companies can put in their flash memory cards. It is based on the patented multi-level cell (MLC) technology pioneered by SanDisk that allows two bits of data to be stored in one memory cell, doubling memory capacity. This commercialization of NAND MLC flash is viewed by both companies as a crucial step for improving margins, expanding existing markets and enabling new markets for flash memory data storage. Two 1Gbit dies also can be stacked in a single TSOP (Thin Small Outline Package) to produce 2Gbits or 256 Megabytes of memory. Use of the MLC technology, either as embedded chips or in removable cards, is expected to...[read more]
11/13/2001: ArcSoft Introduces New Digital Imaging Products for Mac OS X
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001--ArcSoft, Inc., a leading digital imaging technology services and software provider to Fortune 500 companies, today announced the addition of three new imaging programs designed for the Mac OS X. Available to consumers in time for Christmas, ArcSoft PhotoPrinter(R), ArcSoft PhotoImpression and ArcSoft Panorama Maker build upon the recent release of ArcSoft PhotoStudio(R) to expand ArcSoft's portfolio of imaging products designed for Apple's next generation operating system. ArcSoft will be announcing further additions to its Mac OS X family of imaging applications throughout 2002. ArcSoft's new imaging applications leverage Mac OS X's power, stability and ease- of-use, to provide enhanced visual access to features, smoother document motion and streamlined performance. ArcSoft PhotoStudio(R) is a complete image-editing program for the home and office. PhotoStudio includes editing tools with easy-to-use manipulation and retouching features to improve and have fun with photos. Features include layering, text, red-eye removal, contrast...[read more]
11/13/2001: Epson Announces New PRINT Image Matching Partners
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001-- Epson America Inc. unveiled a new list of PRINT Image Matching software partners today, along with a new digital camera partner. Joining the list of PRINT Image Matching supporters are several software companies including ArcSoft, MGI, NewSoft, Sanity Software and Ulead Systems Inc. Adding to the advancement of PRINT Image Matching is JVC (Victor Co. of Japan Ltd.), as they become the 13th camera manufacturer to license PRINT Image Matching technology. PRINT Image Matching technology, which was introduced earlier this year, ensures that digital cameras and PRINT Image Matching-enabled printers work perfectly together to create the best possible prints. This technology is now available in 24 digital cameras, five EPSON Stylus(R) Photo ink jet printers and two software applications, including a new application from ArcSoft called PhotoPrinter 4.0. "Epson is excited to be working with these companies to support new P.I.M.-enabled products, further strengthening our...[read more]
MELVILLE, NY, November 12, 2001 - Nikon, the world leader in photography, today introduced LiveManuals to its product information site NikonUSA (www.nikonusa.com), empowering consumers with the ability to learn even more about how to use a Nikon digital camera. Designed to function as an interactive online instruction booklet, each LiveManual offers consumers visual product demonstrations on how to use the camera, complete with multiple product views, clickable camera features and a guided tour of the product and its functions. And because Nikon recognizes that not all consumers learn the functionality of a digital camera or how to use their digital cameras in the same manner, the new addition of LiveManuals serves as a great supplement to the traditional black-and-white instruction book and lets customers experience each camera and its exclusive features in a hands-on, full-color, multimedia environment. The Nikon Coolpix 995 and the Coolpix 775 are the first cameras on...[read more]
11/12/2001: Jenoptik Debuts New 2.1-Megapixel Camera
Jenoptik Camera Europe introduced a new 2.1-megapixel camera, the JD-2100AF. The camera features its Intelligent Image Program with a F/2.8 Biotar autofocus lens system. Other features include a 2x digital zoom, AF range from 0.2m to infinity plus overrides for flash and exposure control. The JD-2100AF utilizes the JPEG (EXIF 2.1) DPOF compression format. The CompactFlash-compatible camera comes with MGI PhotoSuite III software. Suggested price is £199.99 including VAT....[read more]
11/11/2001: Ricoh Caplio RR1 First Look Posted
I have just posted our Ricoh Caplio RR1 First Look complete with sample photos. Unlike the RDC-i700 which was more "gadget" than camera, Ricoh has gone back to their digicam roots with the Caplio RR1. It is first and foremost a still imaging device that makes good use of its 4.13-megapixel CCD and yields excellent images up to 2272 x 1704 pixels with no interpolation. Picture data can be stored as compressed JPEG or uncompressed TIFF and saved on the included 64MB SmartMedia card - the largest flash memory card ever bundled with a consumer digicam. The Caplio RR1 can also capture motion video with audio or just audio by itself and the clip length is limited only by available memory. The RR1 is basically an automatic exposure camera but there are a lot of user-selectable features for those that want to learn them....[read more]
11/10/2001: Ricoh Announces New Ultra-Thin 4.13 Megapixel Multimedia Digital Camera for
COMDEX, LAS VEGAS, Nov. 12, 2001 - Ricoh today announced the multimedia 4-megapixel Caplio RR1 digital camera. This powerful USB-enabled camera, available now, offers three operating modes, digital still, voice and motion picture. The camera ships standard with a 64MB SmartMedia card and 8 MB of onboard memory, for a whopping 72MB of memory out of the box. At , Ricoh has lowered entry cost barriers associated with 4-megapixel digital cameras and expanded the appeal to avid photographers as well as to digital imaging enthusiasts and business users. Capturing crisp resolutions of 2272 x 1704 pixels, the compact Caplio RR1 features Ricoh's famous pivoting LCD viewer and offers a 10.8X zoom capability. The camera also boasts high-end professional features like a 3x optical zoom, 0.4-inch super-macro for extremely close-up shots, continuous shooting capability and time lapse. "Until now, 4 megapixel cameras have appealed more to avid photographers and imaging professionals...[read more]
11/09/2001: Toshiba Targets Holiday Shoppers with New PDR-M25 2.2 Megapixel Digital Camera
IRVINE, CA, November 9, 2001 -- In a move to aggressively position itself this holiday season as the first choice for high-performance, high-value digital cameras, Toshiba today announced its new PDR-M25, a sleek, full-featured 2.2 Megapixel digital camera designed to offer consumers a gateway to the exciting world of digital photography. The PDR-M25 is the follow-up to the company's PDR-M61 camera, the recipient of PC World magazine's coveted "Best Buy" award. The PDR-M25 takes the PDR-M61's "better-faster-smaller" concept to the next level, making it a sure hit with consumers. Aimed at first-time buyers of digital cameras as well as current users looking to trade-up, the Toshiba PDR-M25 will be on retail selves in early November with an MSRP of , just in time for holiday shopping. For consumers making the transition from analog to digital photography, the PDR-M25 should be at the top of the gift list. The PDR-M25 takes...[read more]
11/08/2001: Nikon D1H SLR Review Posted
I have just posted our Nikon D1H SLR review. This second generation Nikon pro SLR will now satisfy the needs of the sports shooters with its 5fps motor drive-speed and a 40 frame buffer. As with the higher resolution D1X, Nikon has improved the D1H's color and dynamic range as well as the user interface and many other features. If you're a pro or serious amateur with a "Need for Speed," then this is your camera. Look for a lot of these to be on the sidelines of upcoming NFL games for sure....[read more]
11/06/2001: Casio Announces Upgraded Wrist Camera
Casio of Japan said it would launch the WQV-10, a new wrist camera equipped with a color-screen, on November 23, 2001. Since the release of the first version in June 2000, Casio has been marketing the wrist camera series. The WQV-10 is the third-generation model after the version released in July 2001, which was capable of capturing color images but was not equipped with a color display. The new WQV-10 features a 176 x 144 color, reflective STN LCD, a color CMOS sensor and 4,096 colors. The 1/14-inch 28,000-pixel CMOS imager supports an effective pixel count of 25,344. The watch camera can hold up to 100 images in its 1-MByte built-in flash memory chip. The camera supports a 2x digital zoom, although it is not very useful, considering the resolution. The lack of backlighting makes the screen difficult to see at night; however, little lighting is enough for viewing...[read more]
LAS VEGAS, NV, Nov. 5, 2001 - SanDisk Corporation today introduced a 1-Gigabyte CompactFlash (CF) memory card, the world's highest capacity card in the standard CF Type I card. The new high-capacity card will typically be able to store, for example, more than 1000 digital images, more than 20 hours of digital music or several hours of video. The growing popularity of high-resolution digital cameras, digital music players and other consumer electronics is boosting demand for large-capacity CompactFlash cards. SanDisk will show the removable storage card and other products in Conference Room 10 at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel during the annual COMDEX trade show. Nelson Chan, senior vice president and general manager of SanDisk's retail business unit, said, "Introducing a 1GB CompactFlash card in the Type I format is a technological breakthrough for SanDisk, the company that introduced the CompactFlash card. With a gigabyte of storage capacity, consumers will...[read more]
11/05/2001: PHOTOPLUS Expo 2001 Attendance About the Same as Last Year
The PHOTOPLUS Expo 2001 came to a close on Sunday in New York City. The show's promoters were happy to report that this year's attendance was about the same as last year's - and that's good news. After the Sept 11 tragedy in NYC the convention attendance for most events held in the "Big Apple" have been way down so the PhotoPlus folks are extremely happy that their event was so well attended. There were about 200 vendors at the show this year all doing their best to "wow" the hordes of pro photographers and photography enthusiasts. Of course digital was the main theme being pushed by most of the major manufacturers. Nikon was showing their professional D1X and D1H digital SLRs as well as the soon to be released Coolpix 5000 prosumer camera. Fujifilm in an attempt to lure studio photographers into the digital realm was offering a free...[read more]
11/02/2001: Eric Cheng to Provide Live Coverage for Wetpixel's Kona Aggressor II Trip
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11/02/2001: Pixel Envy? I Say Enlargement Envy !
Newsweek ran a tech story this week by Jennifer Tanaka entitled Pixel Envy, regarding pixel count and consumer digital cameras. As a digital imaging industry analyst, I think it?s wonderful that consumer digital cameras are getting this much attention in mainstream media, having personally participated in the birth of this industry and seeing it come so far, so fast. I am also concerned that the general public can be misled by reporting that misrepresents the whole story to consumers. In-fact, It?s down right dangerous to consumers when a media powerhouse such as Newsweek occasionally gets it wrong for millions to read. Ms. Tanaka immediately asserts that the average consumer doesn?t need a digital camera over 2.0 mega-pixels and that anything over 2.0 MP represents unneeded, expensive pixels and CCD sensor size in a camera. "The bottom line on these new super high-resolution cameras? You probably don?t need one" Ms. Tanaka...[read more]
11/01/2001: Nikon Unveils NikonPro at Photoplus Expo 2001
MELVILLE, NY, NOVEMBER 1, 2001- Nikon Inc., the world leader in photography, today launched NikonPro (www.nikonpro.com), a powerful new online service for professional photographers that offers heightened exposure, an instant national presence and unlimited opportunities for new business. By taking advantage of NikonPro's e-commerce component, photographers can create a fully functional online storefront, accessible to a large base of customers who are searching for professional photography services. NikonPro matches professional photographers to potential buyers and then manages the financial transactions, expanding business by allowing photographers to shoot and sell at the same time. Attendees can see a demonstration of NikonPro at Nikon Booth #1415 at PhotoPlus Expo at the Jacob Javits Center, November 1-3, in New York City. "NikonPro is a very exciting program that will help both established and up-and-coming professional photographers to maximize their business potential," said Tracy Mack- Jackson, Manager of Internet Programs for Nikon Inc. "At...[read more]
