LATEST ADDITIONS

Shoichiro Takeda contributed this article from Tokyo, Japan

CP+ 2012—the Camera & Photo Imaging Show--opened on February 9 and ran through the 12th in Yokohama, Japan. There were 65,120 visitors. Following are some news highlights from the show.

No More “Mirrorless”

On 9 February 2012, Mr. Makoto Kimura, The Representative Director of CIPA, announced at the opening speech that: “We will no longer use the nomenclature (mirrorless camera). Instead, we will adopt ‘non-reflex camera’ for this category”.

CIPA used to divide digital cameras into two categories, “fixed lens camera” and “interchangeable lens camera”, the latter being further divided into two subcategories, “single lens reflex camera” and “mirrorless camera”. From now on, the latter of these two subcategories will be changed to “non-reflex camera”. Mr. Kimura added that CIPA will not force the members to use this new terminology, but will leave it to the discretion of individual member companies as to which terminology to use. He has stressed that this new terminology was coined for the use in the statistics that CIPA will publicise, and merely as an antonym of the single lens reflex camera.

Nik Software Color Efex Pro 4 This is the latest version of Nik’s popular digital photographic filters for image retouching and enhancement. Color Efex Pro 4 is easy to use and offers a new generation of technologies and features that help you to create stunning effects. It has stackable filter combinations, visual presets, filter recipes, and new filters such as Detail Extractor, Vintage Film Efex, and Image Borders. The software also includes a History Browser, improvements to imaging algorithms, greater performance, and enhanced usability. The Color Efex Pro 4 Complete Edition contains 54 filters for a suggested retail price of $199.95. The Select Edition contains 25 filters for $99.95. You may also upgrade to the Complete Edition from any edition of Versions 2.0 or 3.0 for $99.95.

World-class nature / wildlife photographer Scott Mead will conduct his annual "Day with the Whales" workshop on the island of Maui, Hawaii on March 3. The one-day workshop begins with classroom instruction where attendees will learn how to properly setup and protect their camera gear for the prevailing conditions on the water, gain some insight to the history of whaling in Hawaii, and learn a series of tips and tricks for capturing amazing images of these magnificent creatures. Last year, workshop attendees encountered a female with her calf, and a competition pod of no less than 13 whales. Photographers can register for the workshop here. The total cost of the workshop is $250.

Fashion-conscious photography lovers can now have the best of both worlds with the innovative new DSLR divider insert created for select bags in the stylish E-GO Collection from Jill-e Designs, the leading maker of head-turning, protective camera & career bags for today’s tech-savvy, on-the-go lifestyle.