News

DxO Labs has announced the availability of a free, Windows PC public beta release
of DxO Optics Pro v4 for all digital photographers to download from the DxO
Labs Web site (www.dxo.com).
DxO Optics Pro software is said to improve the image quality of Digital Single-Lens
Reflex (SLR) cameras and advanced digicams. DxO Optics Pro is the award-winning
digital image enhancement tool incorporating revolutionary optics, noise and
exposure corrections in an easy-to-use, feature rich application for Mac and
PC users.



DxO Optics Pro v4, slated to be available on Macintosh and Windows platforms
in September 2006, includes four main areas of exciting new functionality:

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With the invention of the d4 pan tilt head ARCA-SWISS has put an end to setting levers of 3d heads that extend in all directions and always get in the way. The d4 and d4m are especially suitable for efficient and precise work in digital studio photography and outdoors for architectural photography. The d4 is the world’s smallest, most functional and lightest gearhead.

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ATP Electronics Inc. has announced the release of a Class 6 ProMax SD High
Capacity SDHC 4GB memory card. This SDHC card, strictly following SD Association
(SDA) v2.00 specifications, has passed rigorous testings for Class 6 certification
at a recent SDA interoperability session performed by major camera manufacturers,
such as Panasonic, Canon, Nikon and Casio. The Class 6 ProMax SDHC 4GB card
is said to maximize the performances of newest models of high megapixel digital
cameras such as Canon IXY 1000, PowerShot G7, A630/640, Panasonic DMC/SDR/DMR
series, Nikon CoolPix S5, S6, D80 and Casio Exilim Z and S series digital cameras.

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GretagMacbeth has announced an all-new, high-end professional version of its
award-winning Eye-One Display 2 monitor calibration solution. Eye-One Display
2 is said to set a new standard, delivering unparalleled functionality for high-end
professional results. At the same time, GretagMacbeth is pleased to announce
the new Eye-One Display LT for budget conscious professionals just getting started
with color management.



Both of the new Eye-One Display solutions feature the professional Eye-One Display
measurement device. The new functionality in the Eye-One solutions is a result
of the new Eye-One Match 3.6 software that is included with the devices, making
it ideal for both new users as well as existing Eye-One Display 2 and Eye-One
Pro users who want to gain more from their investment.



Eye-One Display 2 provides enhanced Workgroup Match capabilities for anyone
who needs to match multiple monitors - either within their own studio or in
a collaborative production environment including their customers and suppliers
- to ensure consistent on-screen color viewing throughout the production workflow.
Calibration parameters can be extracted from an existing GretagMacbeth monitor
profile and used as a baseline for all of the monitors in a workgroup - thus
ensuring the highest level of consistency from monitor to monitor. Users can
also define custom gamma, white point and luminance settings for their profiles
to meet their exact requirements.



With Eye-One Display 2, users can utilize the Ambient Check and Match functions
to take precise measurements of the ambient light in their environment to ensure
that their standard viewing conditions remain consistent - ideal for professional
designers and photographers who want an accurate match between their light box
and their monitor. And now users can incorporate ambient light data into their
profiles for a better correlation between their monitor and studio or any other
viewing conditions, such as a gallery where their images will be displayed.




Eye-One Display 2 also provides a number of new tools to help speed the profiling
process and help users evaluate the quality of their profiles and monitor, including
Push-Button Calibration, a fully automatic calibration for popular monitors,
a before and after image for assessing profile quality, as well as Validation
- monitor trend data which helps users track the overall performance of their
monitors. Current Eye-One Display 2 owners can benefit from all the new Eye-One
Display 2 enhancements by simply downloading the new Eye-One Match 3.6 software.



The new Eye-One Display LT solution provides the perfect entry point for professionals
who are investing in monitor calibration for the first time. It enables a basic
set of functionality within the new version of Eye-One Match 3.6 that provides
users with the possibility to calibrate their monitors and adjust the color
on-screen with a few simple clicks. Features include push-button monitor calibration,
profile creation using predefined gamma and white point settings, the ability
to check ambient light conditions and a before and after image for assessing
profile quality. If a user wants to upgrade their Eye-One Display LT to an Eye-One
Display 2, they can do so at any time simply by purchasing a license code to
enable the full Eye-One Match 3.6 functionality.



Pricing, Availability, Compatibility and Upgrades

The new Eye-One Display 2 will continue to have a list price of $249. Eye-One
Display LT is list priced at $169. Both products are compatible with Mac OS
X (10.3 or higher) and Windows 2000, XP and x64. Current owners of Eye-One Display
2 and Eye-One Pro solutions (including Eye-One Design, Eye-One Photo, etc.)
can download the new Eye-One Match 3.6 software for FREE from gretagmacbeth.com.

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The QuadroPod introduced by Novoflex is a four-leg tripod system.  The foundation of this system is a totally new design for a tripod collar that - thanks to its modular construction - can be equipped with different leg variations. Aluminum or carbon legs with 3 or 4 sections are available. Working heights from 2.8“ up to 70.9“ are possible with the current leg types. Moreover, additional leg types are under development, enabling working heights up to 91“. In addition, the different leg versions can be combined with each other and supplemented with clips/clamps, suction and screw-in-items from the Novoflex program.

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Kubota Image Tools is pleased to announce the creation of a Digital Photography
Bootcamp Scholarship Program. Professional photographers (or serious amateurs
aspiring to be pros) are invited to apply to the program for a chance to be
selected for a full scholarship to any of Kubota Image Tools' upcoming
Bootcamps -- including the long sold-out October 2007 Bootcamp.

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Nikon Inc. has introduced four new COOLPIX Style Series compact digital cameras.  The COOLPIX S70 features an enhanced interface and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology for a new user experience, housed in a stylish, camera body.  The COOLPIX S1000pj features the world’s first built-in projector, which enables consumers to share their images and videos in an all-new fun way.  Additionally, the COOLPIX S640 and COOLPIX S570, leaders in speed and affordability, respectively, complete the new smarter, cooler, simpler COOLPIX line.

The Nikon COOLPIX cameras incorporate Nikon’s world-class NIKKOR lenses. A new enhancement to Nikon’s Smart Portrait System helps create beautiful portraits and includes an all new Skin Softening feature designed to both smooth and even skin tones. Other COOLPIX features include Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization, minimizing blur that may appear in pictures, even in low-light or unsteady conditions; and Scene Auto Selector, which automatically recognizes the shooting situation and adjusts camera settings accordingly.

Built on the success of Nikon’s previous touch-screen models, COOLPIX S70 features Nikon’s newly developed 3.5-inch Clear Color Display and a new generation of touch-screen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience.  In addition to its photographic technology and stylish dual-texture design, the S70 captures stunning HD-video at 1280x720 pixels (720p).

New to the COOLPIX line, OLED technology offers the benefits of vivid color reproduction, sharp contrast and the absence of afterimages.  The capacitive touch-screen provides an immediate response at the lightest touch of the display for a fun and intuitive feel to every camera operation. The COOLPIX S70 features 12.1 megapixels; a 5x wide angle zoom NIKKOR lens; ISO 6400, 5-way VR Image Stabilization System, Subject Tracking, Scene Auto Selector Mode, Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and an ultra-stylish design. 

The S70 will be available in September 2009 for $399.95 MSRP in a choice of colors and textures including Red & Red, Champagne & Beige, Black & Black, or Champagne & Light Brown. 

Providing consumers with new exciting ways to share images, the COOLPIX S1000pj transforms photo-sharing into a multimedia experience. With the touch of a button, users can project images and videos as large as 40 inches, and with the camera’s unique slideshow function, playback pictures with music, effects and creative transitions. Additional features of the S1000pj include: 12.1 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens; ISO from 64-6400; a 2.7-inch Wide Angle LCD display; 5-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.

The COOLPIX S1000pj will be available in Matte Black, in September 2009, for $429.95 MSRP.

The new COOLPIX S640 is Nikon’s performance leader in the S-Series lineup. High performance features include ultra-fast auto-focus, the fastest start up time in its class** of a mere 0.7 seconds and short shutter release time lag.  Additional features of the S640 include: a slim, stylish all metal body; 12.2 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle NIKKOR lens; ISO from 100-6400 at full resolution; a 2.7-inch Clear Color LCD display; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking;  Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.

The COOLPIX S640 will be available in September 2009 for $249.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors including: Calm Black, Velour Red, Precious Pink, and Pearl White.

The new COOLPIX S570 is ideal for entry-level consumers looking for a carefree shooting experience.  The S570 features 12.0 megapixels; a 5x Wide Angle Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens; ISO 3200 at full resolution, a bright 2.7-inch LCD Display; 4-way VR Image Stabilization System; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System and movie mode.

The COOLPIX S570 will be available in September 2009, for $199.95 MSRP and will be offered in various colors including Black, Red, Blue, and Pink.

http://www.nikonusa.com

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