Shutterbug Staff

Fujifilm Sponsors Rainforest Alliance Photo Contest

Shutterbug Staff | Feb 22, 2008 | 0 comments

Fujifilm announced its sponsorship of the Rainforest Alliance's first annual
`Picture Sustainability Photo Contest' to raise awareness around issues
of sustainability and conservation. US residents are invited to submit photos
illustrating sustainable agriculture, forestry and tourism. The Rainforest Alliance
is an international nonprofit conservation organization.

To qualify, photos must be submitted to www.raphotocontest.org/
by March 15, 2008. The winners will be announced on the Rainforest Alliance's
Web site (www.rainforest-alliance.org)
on April 18, 2008.

Winners will be chosen from the following categories:

Wildlife on farms, forests or other natural habitats

Landscapes (forests, waterways, flowers and plants, beaches,
wetlands)

Eco-tourism in Latin America (bird watching, hiking, surfing,
scuba diving, kayaking and other nature activities)

Macro (insects, flowers and plants, leafy vegetation, birds,
reptiles and amphibians, mammals, textures)

Conservation in action (people working to protect natural resources,
including water, flora and fauna)

"Images connect the general public to conservation," said Tensie Whelan,
executive director of the Rainforest Alliance. "We hope this contest will
engage people in sustainability, take them out of their back yards and foster
emotional connections with some of the world's most sensitive ecosystems."

"Fujifilm believes that sustainable development is the most important issue
for our planet, the human race, and all business entities in the 21st century,"
said Bert Aerts, president of Fujifilm Hunt Chemicals USA, and a member of the
Rainforest Alliance's board of directors. "Fujifilm's global
Green Policy aims to stay at the forefront of efforts to attain this goal in terms
of our company's impact on the environment -- and we are proud to partner
with the Rainforest Alliance in this unique effort."

One grand-prize winner and a guest will receive a seven-day trip to the Galapagos
Islands, including airfare, four nights on a cruise ship and two nights in Guayaquil.
Additionally, in May 2008 they will be flown to New York City to attend the Rainforest
Alliance annual gala as a guest of Fujifilm, to sit at their table and receive
a Fujifilm FinePix SLR-style digital camera. This professional model digital camera
is worth approximately $800 and is set to be announced by Fujifilm at the 2008
Photo Marketer's Association Show in February 2008. Round-trip airfare will
be provided for two from any major city in the US to New York City. A tour of
the city, lodging at an eco-friendly hotel for three nights and dinner for two
nights will also be included.

Five first prize winners, one from each category, will receive the same Fujifilm
FinePix digital camera as well as a book of photographs by award-winning wildlife
and nature photographer, Art Wolfe. In addition, up to seven exceptional photos
will be awarded honorable mentions and will receive a book of photographs by Art
Wolfe. The grand prize and first prize winners' photos will be framed and
auctioned off at the Rainforest Alliance's annual gala in May 2008 with
proceeds directly benefiting the organization. All winners will also receive an
honorary one-year membership to the Rainforest Alliance.

Rainforest Alliance staff members will select up to six finalists in each category.
Art Wolfe will select the winning photos based on overall composition, creativity,
artistic merit and relevance to the Rainforest Alliance mission.

Other sponsors of the photo contest include Ecuador-based tour operator Via Natura,
Green Spot travel agency, Guayaquil-based Hotel Oro Verde, Ecuadorian airline
AeroGal, Vermont-based energy company Native Energy and Art Wolfe.

www.fujifilmusa.com ...

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Sony A200 DSLR

Shutterbug Staff | Feb 14, 2008 | 0 comments

The DSLR-A200 model features upgrades influenced by the recently-introduced, enthusiast-class
DSLR-A700 camera and replaces the former Sony DSLR-A100 model, which was Sony's
first in the DSLR class. The new model is designed to be faster, lighter and easier
to use. Upgraded features include a wider, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCDTM screen for
easy playback viewing; a more compact body and an easily-accessible mode dial;
an easy-to-use function menu (camera function display); improved noise control
for higher quality images; an auto focus speed 1.7x faster than the previous model;
improved predictive control performance; quieter shutter sound; automatic pop-up
flash; and a battery life indicator that displays the percentage of battery life
remaining so you know exactly when to recharge.

As seen in all a (alpha) camera bodies, the DSLR-A200 camera incorporates Super
SteadyShot image stabilization in the body to allow shooting at shutter speeds
of 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible -- a benefit realized
with every compatible lens attached to the camera. Compatible lenses encompass
all Minolta Maxxum mount lenses, in addition to Sony a (alpha) lens lineup - including
Carl Zeiss® lenses.

With its 10.2-megapixel (effective) APS CCD image sensor, the DSLR-A200 camera
is said to continue to offer high-quality images by allowing more light to pass
through to each pixel -- increasing sensitivity, reducing noise, and providing
greater detail. Clean, reduced-noise signals are sent from the image sensor to
Sony's BIONZ processing engine, which processes data-rich picture information
at high speeds and reduces picture noise in the RAW data stage before image JPEG
conversion. The results are high-resolution, detailed images with rich tonal reproduction.

The DSLR-A200 model supports JPEG and RAW file format support. It has a slot for
CompactFlash Type I/II media cards. An adaptor for Memory Stick Duo media cards
is sold separately as an accessory.

Get The Photo Results You Want

In addition to Super SteadyShot image stabilization for virtually blur-free photos,
the new model incorporates Sony's D-Range Optimizer (DRO). It helps you
capture well-exposed images, especially when shooting high-contrast or backlit
scenes that often lead to loss of highlight and shadow detail. Sony's DRO
modifies the range from highlights to shadows, including gain and contrast, through
its in-camera hardware processing to produce more natural, evenly exposed pictures.
The camera's image analysis technology studies the captured image data and
instantly determines the best exposure and color tonality for the image before
JPEG compression.

The BIONZ image processing engine powers the camera up immediately and the eye-start
autofocus starts the focusing system before you even press the shutter. The camera
can shoot up to three continuous frames per second at 10.2-megapixels at the finest
JPEG compression level.

As seen in previous a (alpha) models, the new model carries a static-free anti-dust
coating on the CCD filter which is gently vibrated to dislodge any dust that might
have collected each time the camera is powered off.

Additionally, the DSLR-A200 camera's supplied lithium ion battery offers
up to 750 shots per full charge.

Sony is providing a full line of accessories for the model, including flashes,
rechargeable battery packs and several carrying cases. An interesting addition
is the VG-B30AM ergonomic vertical grip equipped with the most essential controls
for portrait orientation shooting. It also allows for the use of two InfoLITHIUM
batteries (sold separately) for up to 1,500 shots on a single, full charge.

The DSLR-A200K kit includes the camera body and a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom
lens for about $700. The DSLR-A200W kit includes the camera body, the DT 18-70mm
lens and a 75--300mm f4.5-5.6 lens for about $900. Both will ship in February
and will be available at sonystyle.com,
Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail),
military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online
on Jan. 7 at www.sonystyle.com/dslr.
...

News

Epson Stylus Photo R1900

Shutterbug Staff | Feb 13, 2008 | 0 comments

Epson has announced the release of the Epson Stylus Photo R1900, a 13-inch
printer designed for advanced photographers and graphic designers. The Epson
R1900 provides an unprecedented standard in glossy color photographic prints
with its Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss 2 ink featuring an improved Gloss Optimizer
and new red and orange ink cartridges. The Epson R1900 is also raising the creative
standard for print quality with the introduction of Radiance Technology, an
innovation dramatically improving color transitions, resulting in brilliant,
true-to-life photos.

"Innovation is an integral part of Epson's design philosophy,"
said Patrick Chen, product manager, Epson America Inc. "After a decade
of leadership, our engineers continue to develop printers that significantly
raise the creative standard. The Epson Stylus Photo R1900 is no exception with
its UltraChrome Hi-Gloss 2 inks and Radiance Technology, innovations designed
to help deliver optimum results for photographers and graphic designers."

The Epson R1900 is the ideal productivity solution for customers looking for
the best combination of image quality, speed and archivability on glossy and
matte media up to 13-inches wide. The Epson R1900 will replace the Epson Stylus
Photo R1800, the award-winning and No. 1-selling Epson 13-inch photo printer,
and offers a vast array of improvements over its predecessor in ink technology,
print quality and speed.

More about the EPSON Stylus Photo R1900

· New Epson UltraChrome Hi-Gloss 2 Ink - Achieves an
optimal level of gloss and color vibrancy in a pigment ink system using eight
colors -- including new red and orange inks -- plus an enhanced Gloss
Optimizer. The red and orange inks have replaced the red and blue inks found
in the Epson R1800, resulting in improved color gamut and facial tones. This
next generation pigment ink set produces quick-drying, archival results that
can last up to 200 years under glass.1 Auto-switching photo and matte black
cartridges ensure the deepest blacks on any media type.

· New Radiance Technology -- The breakthrough mathematical
architecture on the Epson R1900 was co-developed by color scientists at Epson
and the Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) to take advantage of the
wider color gamuts possible with today's advanced ink sets. The technology
is built into the printer software and optimizes how the individual UltraChrome
Hi-Gloss 2 inks are mixed while simultaneously providing a high level of print
quality. This technology reduces grain and dramatically improves color transitions.

· Faster Print Speeds -- Creates prints up to 35
percent faster than the Epson R1800, particularly at higher resolutions, boosting
productivity for final layouts and sellable photographic images. Produces breathtaking
11" x 14" prints as fast as 1 minute, 46 seconds.2

· Superior Media Flexibility -- Offers the same
media versatility as the Epson R1800 with the ability to print on glossy, luster
and matte medias as well as thicker fine art media, roll papers, canvas and
directly onto inkjet printable CD/DVDs.

· Enhanced Connectivity -- Allows two computers
to simultaneously connect to the R1900 via two hi-speed USB 2.0 ports for seamless
printing from either computer.

· Epson PreciseColor Manufacturing -- Applies colorimetric
calibration to the permanent MicroPiezo print head at the factory through an
enhanced manufacturing process, eliminating the need for internal calibration
devices or constant calibration.

· Exceptional Reliability -- Features a new ink-repelling
coating on the print head that prolongs the life of the Epson R1900 and decreases
maintenance time. A built-in sensor also allows for automatic print head alignment
and nozzle checking.

For more information on the Epson R1900, please visit www.epson.com/SPR1900.
For information on Epson products and services, visit Epson.com.

Pricing, Support and Availability

The Epson R1900 will be available in the first quarter of 2008 for an estimated
street price of $549.99 through direct market resellers, specialty photo stores,
computer superstores, online retailers and Epson's retail Web site at
www.epsonstore.com.