News

Adobe Systems Incorporated has announced Adobe Photoshop CS2. Available as a stand-alone
software application or as a key component of Adobe Creative Suite2, Photoshop
CS2 integrates a new set of intuitive tools, including an enhanced Spot Healing
Brush, for handling common photographic problems such as blemishes, red-eye, noise,
blurring and lens distortion. Smart Objects allow users to scale and transform
images and vector illustrations without losing image quality -- as well as
create linked duplicates of embedded graphics -- so that a single edit updates
across multiple iterations. Other new tools include Vanishing Point and Image
Warping. Vanishing Point cuts tedious graphic and photo retouching tasks by allowing
users to clone, paint and transform image objects while retaining visual perspective.
Reinventing workflows such as product packaging development, Image Warping makes
it easy to fold, stretch, pull, twist and wrap an image into shape by selecting
an on-demand preset or dragging custom control points.
...

Sekonic and X-Rite have announced the release of the Sekonic X-Rite Digital
Suite. Combining the latest light metering technology from Sekonic with the
precision monitor calibration of the MonacoOPTIXXR, digital photographers can
be assured the images are captured and evaluated properly.

...

As the price of D SLR's, high-end digicams and film scanners has declined
substantially, an increasing number of photo enthusiasts are able to make high
resolution images. At some point, most will recognize that their current printers
are due for replacement. Frankly, many existing machines cannot provide the
optimal quality -- or the large output sizes -- that high resolution image files
can support. Consequently, we're seeing a trend to superior photo printers
in letter size and especially in larger formats.



With more photographers doing more of their own printing the issue of print
permanence was certainly a hot topic, encouraged especially by Hewlett-Packard
who, at the recent PMA show, featured Henry Wilhelm as a speaker. President
of Wilhelm Imaging Resource, an independent stability testing lab, Wilhelm is
certainly an expert in all issues relating to archival issues. He recently made
news with the announcement of a new standard for print life, the WIR Display
Permanence Rating. Many existing photo printers and papers should qualify for
this Certification program, which requires a minimum on-display life of 25 years.
Do note, however, that some manufacturers may prefer to wait for standards to
be published by the international ISO or the American ANSI organization. This
could be a long wait, according to some insiders.



New Printers We've Seen

Employing the UltraChrome Hi Gloss pigmented inkset originally designed for
the (letter size) R800, the new Epson Stylus Photo R1800 uses the Gloss Optimizer
coating to produce beautiful 13x19" (or longer) prints on glossy papers.
Another fast machine, this one can also make an 11"x14" color image
in less than two minutes thanks to Advanced Micro Piezo ink jet technology with
180 nozzles per ink. The Stylus Photo R1800 offers resolution up to 5760 x 1440
optimized dpi and it can print on sheet and roll paper or onto inkjet printable
CDs and DVDs. (Street price $549.)

...

Maha Energy Corp., maker of PowerEx brand batteries and chargers, has announced
an Ultra High Capacity rated addition to its NiMH battery product line, the
PowerEx 2500mAh AA batteries. These batteries can be recharged hundreds of times
with no memory effect. Memory free operation means PowerEx batteries may be
charged anytime without having to drain them all the way first, saving time
without compromising performance. PowerEx batteries are also said to recycle
flash in half the time compared to fresh alkaline batteries.

...

Eastman Kodak Company has expanded its image sensor portfolio for medium-format
camera manufacturers with announcement of the KODAK KAF-18000CE, a new 18 million
pixel image sensor. This sensor has been selected by Pentax Corporation for
use in the PENTAX 645 Digital camera now being developed. With 18.6 million
total pixels, the sensor provides an output resolution of 18 megapixels to capture
images with exceptional clarity and detail. New to the KAF-18000CE is a dual-output
architecture that enables faster sensor read-out times, allowing camera designers
to achieve increased frame rates in their final camera designs. With this unique
combination of image quality and speed, the KAF-18000CE is said to provide manufacturers
with an affordable image sensor that is ideal for landscape, fashion, or wedding
photography.

...

Media Street, Inc., supplier of digital imaging products, announces the launch
of MyGallery, an online and offline photo-facility to store, view, share, and
print photos at home, at studio or at the Generations Print Lab. MyGallery can
be accessed at http://mygallery.mediastreet.com.
Photographers can now import images from their digital cameras and store their
photos in MyGallery. The images can be stored, shared or printed using combination
of MediaStreet's award-winning inks and/or media. Themed slide-shows can
also be created using MediaStreet's eMotion Multimedia Digital Frames.

...