News

DxO Labs has announced the immediate availability of the Windows PC release
of DxO Optics Pro v4 on the DxO Labs Web site (www.dxo.com).
A free, fully functional demo version is available in addition to the commercial
version. DxO Optics Pro software is said to improve the image quality of Digital
Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras and advanced digicams. The Mac and Intel Mac
release of DxO Optics Pro v4 is expected to be available for download at the
end of October. Purchasers of the current Macintosh version (v3.55) are entitled
to a free upgrade when version 4 Macintosh ships.

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For photographers, having to check their gear before boarding an airline exposes
them to one of their greatest fears: the theft of their equipment and possibly
their livelihood. Think Tank Photo's newest additions to their air travel
line -- the Airport Check In briefcase and the Airport Antidote Airport
Acceleration, and Glass Taxi backpacks -- allow photographers to carry
their bodies, lenses, and accessories onto planes with different carry on requirements
and legally store them in overhead bins or under the seat.

Being able to travel through airports with the least amount of hassle is of
utmost importance to photographers. When combined with Think Tank Photo's
breakthrough large backpack, the Airport Addicted, and revolutionary roller,
the Airport Security, these new bags provide photographers with a complete menu
of options for complying with airline requirements for bag size and weight,
as well as the maximum number of bags allowed they can carry onto the plane.

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Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced an update to the
Camera Raw plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS2, extending raw file support to five
additional camera models. Available as a free download from Adobe's Web site,
the Camera Raw 3.5 plug-in builds on the raw file support integrated in Photoshop
CS2 for digital cameras from leading manufacturers including Nikon, Kodak, Panasonic
and Sony. Adobe today also announced that the DNG Converter is available as
a Universal Binary, allowing it to perform natively on Macintosh Intel-based
computers. The free Adobe DNG Converter, which translates all Photoshop-supported
raw photo formats into the universal .DNG file format, gives photographers a
single unified file format for archiving raw files.

The Sekonic L-758DR/L-758D/L-758CINE DIGITALMASTER light meter has been designed
to offer the greatest digital exposure control, accuracy and repeatability.
The L--758 Series are the world's first multi-function light meter
that can be calibrated to match the sensitivity of a digital cameras sensor
at all ISO settings, flash/ambient or file format characteristics. In addition,
the camera sensor's dynamic range can also be set and stored for later
recall and display. Using the USB transfer cable and Sekonic DTS (Digital Transfer
Software), all camera exposure profile data is uploaded from a PC or MAC computer
to the L-758DR. Up to three different camera exposure profiles can be stored
and quickly recalled when switch from one camera to another. With its exposure
latitude warning indicators and adjustable Mid-Tone settings, the L-758 Series
puts the power of optimum image tonality and exposure control in the palm of
your hands.



www.sekonic.com

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Eastman Kodak Company has introduced an array of new products and services--from
self-serve kiosks and digital capture solutions to professional photo services--at
the photokina show in Germany. Here's a summary of the news, details of
which, on some, will follow later.



New KODAK EASYSHARE Z710 Zoom Digital Camera combines advanced photographic features
with point-and-shoot simplicity. With a 7.1 megapixel image sensor and 10X optical
zoom, the Z710 model makes it simple to zoom and capture crisp shots that can
make high-quality prints up to 30 x 40 inches (76 x 102 cm).



New KODAK EASYSHARE Photo Printer 350 connects to camera phones for high-quality
prints. Using BLUETOOTH wireless technology, the Photo Printer 350 prints 4 x
6 photos directly from BLUETOOTH technology-enabled devices.



Enhanced KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA color negative films underscore Kodak's
ongoing support of the professional photography market. The recently released
160VC, 160NC, 400VC and 400NC films in the PORTRA film family produce finer grain,
spectacular skin tones and improved scanning performance for greater enlargement
capability. (A report on these films will be in the December issue of Shutterbug.)




New KODAK KAF-10500 Image Sensor--developed specifically for the LEICA M8
digital camera--continues Kodak's legacy of offering high performance
imaging devices that result in low noise, high sensitivity and wide dynamic range.




New KODAK batteries for digital cameras maximize speed, performance and battery
life, resulting in an increase in the number of pictures consumers can take between
battery charges.



More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com.

Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced an update to the public beta of Adobe
Photoshop Lightroom software at the Photokina tradeshow in Cologne, Germany. Available
immediately for download from Adobe Labs (http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom),
this update unites the product feature set for Windows and Macintosh platforms,
giving professional photographers a new way to import, manage and showcase large
volumes of digital photographs. More than 325,000 people have opted to try Lightroom
during the beta period and feedback has been fueled by over 3,400 of them sharing
input in Adobe online forums. The final version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is
expected to ship in early 2007.



The final branding of the software, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, confirms its place
within the Photoshop family, a line of products that meet the needs of novice
snapshooters, photo hobbyists and a diverse set of professional customers.



Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta 4.0 offers improved digital photography workflow
tools, including a precision white balance selection option and a more streamlined
and elegant user interface experience with customizable controls. An intuitive
new tone curve adjustment feature provides powerful image correction capabilities,
allowing users to visually obtain excellent midtone, shadow and highlight adjustments.




New enhancements in the Develop and Library modules include time-saving tools
such as the ability to re-name and convert files to Adobe Digital Negative Format
(DNG) after importing into the Lightroom library. New filters, search presets
and organizing options allow for quick retrieval of images and greater flexibility.




Lightroom supports over 125 native raw file formats, in addition to JPEG and TIFF,
and brings raw conversion into a single workflow experience. The latest camera
models supported by this beta are the Nikon D2Xs, Sony A100, as well as preliminary
support for the Canon Digital Rebel XTi (400D) and Nikon D80. This support means
that photographers can use Lightroom with even the newest cameras on the market,
knowing that the image files will be recognized today and into the future.



Adobe hosts an online community site for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta which
features artists in the Lightroom Showcase Gallery (http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom/gallery)
and provides an arena for photographers to share their portfolios using Lightroom
slideshow functionality. Photographers will find inspiration in the documentaries
of well-known photographers posted in the community and gallery.



Pricing and Availability

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta is available for free download from the Adobe Labs
Web site at http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom.
Recommended system requirements are Macintosh OSX 10.4.3, 1 GHz PowerPC G4 processor
or Windows XP SP2, Intel Pentium 4 Processor, and 768 MB RAM and a 1024x768 resolution
screen. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta is a universal binary application that
will run natively on PowerPC and new Intel-based Macintosh systems. The final
version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is expected to ship in early 2007. Further
details around pricing, system requirements and availability have yet to be determined.
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WaterField Designs, a leading maker of custom-fitted cases for digital gear,
has announced a new line of protective cases for compact and ultra-compact cameras.
The Pic Pocket camera cases incorporate the company's signature trademarks
of stylish simplicity and premium craftsmanship, and are small enough to fit
into a pocket, purse or portfolio.

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