ACD Systems International Inc.has announced updates to its two flagship products,
ACDSee 8 Photo Manager and ACDSee Pro Photo Manager. The enhancements are designed
to improve speed, performance and productivity, and include advanced support
for RAW formats.
Casio, Inc. has announced the release of the latest addition to its EXILIM
ZOOM digital camera series with the EX-Z600. The latest evolution in this popular
series offers 6.0 megapixel high resolution photos in a compact, and pocket-sized
package. The extra large 2.7-inch Super Bright LCD is approximately three times
brighter than the previous EX-Z500 model, producing an impressive luminance
of 1200 candelas per square meter. This significant advancement makes the LCD
easier to see, especially when viewed in the sunny outdoors. In auto mode, the
LCD automatically adjusts to the brightness of the surrounding environment.
The EX-Z600's Super Life Battery now has an even longer battery life,
supporting a staggering 550 shots per charge.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. has introduced the new Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F3.5
Full Frame Fisheye Lens. The Zuiko 8mm fisheye is designed to be digital specific
and render sharp edge-to-edge images, in an easy to handle size, and with a close
focus of less than 5 ½ inches.
Along with its many attributes this 8mm fisheye promises to set a new professional
standard for ultra wide-angle underwater photography because it can be used in
conjunction with the EVOLT E-300 digital SLR and the new PT-EO1 underwater housing
and PPO-E04 lens port at depths of up to 196 feet (60m).
This full frame fisheye lens has a 180º field of view diagonally to the Four
Thirds image sensor, and a focal length of 8mm (equivalent to 16mm in a 35mm camera).
Because of this it can be used to create extremely dramatic photographic images
that cannot be seen unaided with the human eye. Because this lens is specifically
designed for digital cameras and conforms to the "Four Thirds System,"
it will provide reliable photographic performance even at the edges of the images.
With a minimum focusing distance of 5.3 inches (0.79 inch from the front of the
lens to the subject), this lens can be used to approach the subject aggressively
for wide-close-up photography. This feature is the key to the creation of images
with exaggerated perspective effects.
Because of the different refractive indexes of light in air and water, the angle
of view underwater will be reduced to approximately 153º, and since it is
often more difficult to capture light underwater, it is necessary to get closer
to the subject. To remedy the problem, the super-close-up capability of this lens
allows photography of the subject just 0.79 inch from the front of the lens to
achieve the wide-close-up effects for which fisheye lenses are famous.
The new Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f3.5 Fisheye will go on sale in January 2006.
Maha Energy Corp. has introduced a dependable, high-speed charger with eight
independent circuits for charging any combination of one to eight AA, AAA, C
or D batteries. Boasting strength and durability, the rugged MH-C808M Multi
Charger employs multiple fixed charging contacts, ensuring positive connection.
Pana-Vue, manufacturer of Pana-Vue
Slide Viewers, is introducing Pana-Vue Archival Pages. Designed to help
photographers view, organize, preserve and protect their negatives, slides
and prints, Pana-Vue Archival Pages are distributed exclusively by Argraph
Corporation, a leading international supplier of digital and traditional
photographic products.
The extensive line includes pages to hold the most popular sizes of negatives,
slides, and photographic and digital prints. Pana-Vue Archival Pages are
acid-free, have no PVC and are safe for long term storage. They are designed
for use in 3 ring binders and most of the pages will also fit in hanging
files. Pana-Vue Archival Pages are available in packages of 25 and 100
pages.
Moab Paper Company has announced the release of its Moab Desert Varnish. Moab's
new varnish is said to greatly enhance the life of digital prints and documents
providing a clear water- and UV-resistant surface. The varnish is available
in a 400ml Aerosol (13.5 fl oz) can.
DXG USA has announced the availability of the DXG-528, a 5.1 megapixel CCD
digital camera. The DXG-528 features a slim aluminum housing, 2.4" LTPS
LCD screen, Pentax 3X optical zoom (with three aspherical lenses), built-in
32MB flash memory, SD/MMC card slot, MPEG-4 video with sound and Direct Print
capability. The camera also offers voice recorder and MP3 functionality, as
well as TV-Out capability for viewing pictures on a television. The DXG-528
is available immediately with an MSRP of $199.
The new Sunpak Digital Battery Case is a small, nylon case with key-chain clip
that is said to be perfect for storing spare disposable batteries of all types,
or rechargeable batteries for compact digital cameras, and it has a pouch that
holds digital media storage cards. It not only protects batteries and precious
media cards from physical damage but also helps prevent accidental battery discharge.
Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. has introduced the new compact DiMAGE
Z5 -- a digital camera that offers a built-in 12x optical Mega Zoom lens,
Konica Minolta's proprietary Anti-Shake System, 5.0-megapixel CCD, fast
overall response including Rapid autofocusing (AF), and a large 2.0-inch LCD
screen.