News

Those seeking secure memory cards will be interested in Lexar's LockTight
cards and reader. The system encrypts login access to the LockTight card, but
not the file data. This means that the full 80X speed of the card is available.
Lexar says that the card cannot be accessed on any camera other than an authorized
LockTight camera or any computer that lacks the LockTight access and a correct
username and password. The system is comprised of four components: the LockTight
CompactFlash card (512MB or 2GB); a Lexar Professional CompcatFlash reader;
a LockTight enable camera; and the LockTight Admin and Access software. The
system has been designed to have what the company calls "zero impact"
on production workflow and requires only one-screen access.

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The 8GB SanDisk Ultra II CompactFlash card satisfies the need of those using
high-megapixel digital SLRs, those producing large files with every shot. Ultra
II cards offer a minimum sustained write speed of 9MB/sec and a read speed of
10MB/sec. SanDisk also produces their Extreme III CompactFlash lineup, which
has about double the read/write speed, but because the Extreme III uses a different
type of NAND flash memory the maximum capacity of that lineup is 4GB. In tests
with a variety of digital SLRs the Ultra II performed flawlessly, and it sure
was handy having that amount of memory on trips where lots of images were made
during the day's shoot. For Raw images with an 8MP camera we could get
almost 600 images on a card. Retail price for the 8GB card is $999.99, about
what a 1GB CompactFlash card cost three years ago.

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The new KODAK EASYSHARE V550 and V530 zoom digital cameras blend video and still
photography. The V550 and V530 cameras are equipped with 5-megapixel (MP) resolution
sensors and the packages include the KODAK EASYSHARE Photo Frame Dock 2 -- which
provides one-touch picture transfer to a connected computer while keeping the
cameras' high-capacity battery charged and ready to go. Users can play video
and photo `slideshows' on the cameras' high-resolution LCD screens.
The V Model V550 has a SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH C-VARIOGON 3X optical zoom lens and
nineteen scene modes such as beach, snow, sunset and party. The EASYSHARE V550
camera will be available worldwide beginning this June for US$399 (MSRP). The
EASYSHARE V530 camera will be available worldwide beginning in July 2005 for US$349
(MSRP).



V-series cameras include KODAK EASYSHARE software for WINDOWS and MACINTOSH systems,
providing effortless digital picture organization, editing, sharing and printing
-- and even CD and DVD burning. The exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature
takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak to help users
get prints from inkjet printers. Version 5.0 -- available as a free download from
www.kodak.com beginning this summer -- will feature new video editing tools that
allow users to quickly and simply trim, splice, rotate and add music to videos.

Iomega Corporation (NYSE: IOM) is now shipping the new Iomega REV 35GB/90GB*
drive. As an alternative to tape and other backup and archiving solutions, Iomega's
new REV drive and 35GB removable REV disks deliver server and desktop backup,
while also providing users with the ideal portable storage device for sharing
and archiving large files.

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The new EOS 20Da digital SLR is based on the EOS 20D camera and joins it as
a companion model in Canon's product line. The new EOS 20Da digital SLR helps
address the specific requirements of astrophotography with features such as
a live preview LCD and a modified low-pass filter optimized to help photograph
the clear night sky in brilliant detail. The EOS 20Da digital SLR will be available
in July at an estimated selling price of $2199.

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The latest in a series of tests on the impact of airport security equipment
on imaging devices and media shows that neither DVDs nor DVD players are damaged
by X-ray scanners or metal-detector wands. The recent tests of scanner models
currently in use in the U.S. transportation industry were jointly conducted
by the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), the leading global
association for the imaging industry, and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration
(TSA).

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Creo Inc. (NASDAQ: CREO: TSX: CRE) has announced the immediate availability
of the new Leaf Aptus digital camera back system. This digital camera back is
being introduced in two models: the Leaf Aptus 22 and the Leaf Aptus 17, with
resolutions of 22 million and 17 million pixels respectively. The Leaf Aptus
was designed to accommodate the needs of professional photographers. A 6 x 7
cm touch screen display enables photographers to shoot up to 1000 frames without
interruption.


Images are shot at a speed of up to 1.2 seconds per frame, and can be evaluated
and edited on the spot. A unique user button is
customizable and enables the photographer to quickly access vital image information
and perform tasks without removing his or her hands from the camera.

The Leaf Aptus further offers a range of storage methods for
any shooting situation: a standard CompactFlash card; the fast and portable
20 GB and 30 GB Leaf Digital Magazine (holds over 1000 lossless raw files);
a high-volume portable FireWire disk; and the tethered option of shooting straight
to a computer.

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