News

The Sigma Corporation has announced the launch of the new Sigma SD14 Digital
SLR camera. The new SD14, powered by the 14 megapixels Foveon X3 direct-image-sensor,
features four JPEG recording modes, large and bright pentaprism viewfinder with
98% coverage, a built-in flash with a Guide Number of 11, 5-point AF system,
a large 2.5-Inch 150,000 pixel resolution LCD monitor as well as a durable shutter
mechanism that has over 100,000 cycle life.

...

One look at the specs of this new Tamron zoom and you'll understand why
it's immediately attractive to anyone carrying around a digital SLR in
their day bag. Weighing in at around 15 oz and measuring just under 3x3.2",
the lens is quite the marvel of size for what it delivers in focal length and
aperture options. Indeed, if someone told me that a constant aperture, 17mm
wide lens would be this size a few years back I'd have thought they had
lost their optical marbles. To be fair, however, that 17mm is not really a 17mm
in 35mm equivalent, thus practical terms, and I wonder why lenses like this
are still labeled that way. This lens is only for APS-C sensors, which means
it has the "35mm equivalent" of a 27mm wide angle view and 80mm
tele.

...

Unibind http://www.unibind.com,
has announced that it will demo the Unibind Professional Series XU138 Book Creator
for the first time at Photokina.



This do-it-yourself binding system is said to be perfect for weddings or other
special occasions. Priced at $455.00, XU138 binding machine can help generate
additional income for wedding photographers by allowing them to offer their
wedding customers hard-cover 8 ½" x 11" personalized wedding
photobooks/albums during or after photographing an event. The wedding party
can also quickly create their own wedding photobooks/albums the day of the wedding
to give out at the reception using a digital camera, photo printer and Unibind
XU138 at the wedding.

...

While film news here will be scant, Kodak did introduce two new color negative
films, actually updates on their professional Portra emulsions in the ISO 100
and 400 speeds. There are four in all, with two being NC ("natural color")
and two being VC ("vivid color.") The retouching layer has been eliminated
from the back side of the film, making them eminently more scannable. Kodak says
that it has incorporated all their latest research into these films making them
finer grain, sharper and with better color and dynamic range than films in the
past. True, if there's one thing film has over digital it is the ability
to handle a wider exposure range, especially in the highlight values.



www.kodak.com ...

The Leica Digilux 3 is an interchangeable lens DSLR using the Four/Thirds system
lens mount. The kit lens is a Vario-Elmar 28-100mm lens. This 7.5MP has a LiveMOS
sensor for viewing while shooting and an integral image stabilization system.
The monityor preview permits a check on exposure and white balance prior to
talking the picture. ISO speeds are 100-1600, with a shutter speed range of
1/4000-60 sec, plus Bulb.



www.leica.com

...

Leaf has debuted its new Leaf Aptus S-Series at Photokina. The three new digital
camera backs: Leaf Aptus 75S, Leaf Aptus 65S, and Leaf Aptus 54S-- feature
record-breaking speed rates and unlimited burst depths.



The Leaf Aptus S-Series camera backs have the capability to deliver exceptional
shooting speeds from 0.8 seconds per frame--or as many as 75 frames per
minute--with unlimited burst depths. The design incorporates advanced,
accelerated image-processing hardware, including a new, lossless image-compression
engine, designed to achieve record-breaking speeds. Leaf has significantly accelerated
shooting speed by doubling the CCD sensor readout speed, and has also doubled
the buffer size to effectively support unlimited burst depths. The new S-Series
maximizes the newest Sandisk CompactFlash Extreme IV card technology for portable
shooting. The camera backs support the latest Firewire 800 standard for data
transfer of up to 800Mbps and sensitivity levels up to 800 ISO.



The Leaf Aptus is the world's first and only camera back with a built-in
6 x 7 cm touch screen LCD. This design innovation enables professional photographers
to work intuitively, accessing any point on the RAW image with one touch for
quick evaluation. The large touch screen gives one-tap access to a range of
essential functions and predefined settings that are typically needed before
and during a photo shoot. The interface can be accessed in six languages, including
Chinese and Japanese.



New Leaf Capture 10 versions for PC and Intel Mac

The latest version of Leaf Capture 10.1 now includes live video, a new temperature
slider, and additional new features. Leaf is also launching a PC version of
Leaf Capture 10. Designed for simplicity, the Leaf Capture 10 application is
the ideal shooting partner for professional photographers. The software supports
real-time adjustment and perfection of images while the photos are being taken,
using one clear, simple window to perform the tasks and view the results. With
the ability to view Leaf RAW images 1:1, photographers can see the true data
from their shots and check essential settings. The ease and efficiency of this
operation deliver significant timesavings and productivity gains.



At the show Leaf is showcasing three demonstration studios to represent a commercial
studio, a fashion shoot, and a surprise main attraction.

For additional information visit: www.leaf-photography.com.

...

Extensis, a division of Celartem Inc., has officially launched its new online
forums site for open discussion on all things related to Extensis and its product
lines. The Extensis Forums can be accessed at http://forums.extensis.com/
and community members are encouraged to post tips, tricks, questions and general
discussion on font and digital asset management markets.



The new Forums site is an interactive environment where Extensis users and employees
can communicate with, support, search for, and share industry knowledge with one
another on topics ranging from font management in Mac OS X and Windows to Portfolio
best practices. Extensis Forums is a neutral location for all font and digital
asset management dialogue and strives to provide interesting discussion and topics
for user to user conversation.



http://www.extensis.com...