Skooba
Design has added a collection of camera/binocular straps to its patent-pending
Superbungee Shoulder Strap line. Like the original Superbungee Bag Strap, the
camera/binocular version features what the company calls a "sport-tuned
suspension system," consisting of a high-density, floating bungee cord
ring which acts as a shock absorber, minimizing carrying discomfort and perceived
weight. On the reverse (wearer) side of the shoulder pad is a flexible strip
of individual, air-filled cells. The cells add to the shock absorption and comfort,
and are covered in a friction laminate to help prevent slipping.



The strap is designed to fit any current camera or binocular with standard,
3/8"/11mm strap slots, or it can be threaded to the split keyring-type
connectors on older cameras. Strap length has a nominal overall length adjustment
range of 21-45 inches, and is equally well-suited for carrying around the neck
or over the shoulder.



The Superbungee Shoulder Strap is available in 5 different color combinations,
at a suggested retail price of $19.95. The original Superbungee Bag strap--a
larger version designed as an upgrade to standard straps found on laptop/photo
bags, sports duffels, luggage and other carrying cases--is available in
6 color combinations at $25.95.

...

Mamiya has announced the release of two Mamiya Lens Mount Adapters that allows
the use of Hasselblad V-series medium format lenses on Mamiya 645AF series cameras
(645AF, 645AFD, and 645AFD II).



"The adapters provide the mechanical interface and precise flange-to-film
plane distance required for proper focusing of Hasselblad lenses," said
Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager, "allowing the photographer
to use their existing Hasselblad V series lenses on the high-precision Mamiya
645AFD II. We are confident that photographers are looking to make the transition
from film to digital as efficiently as possible, and this adapter is definitely
a way to do that." To use the lenses, simply focus with the lens wide open
(the camera provides focus confirmation assistance), then stop-down for proper
exposure meter readings. The 645AF/AFD/AFD II can use shutter priority, aperture
priority or manual metering modes. The adapters come in black (#404) or silver
(#405) and will be available in January 2008.



www.macgroupus.com...

ExpressDigital has announced the next generation of its powerful workflow software,
Darkroom v8.9, designed to help photographers make more money in their business.
These new features are said to reflect the ever-changing photography landscape,
including fast digital output, enhanced wireless support, advanced greenscreen
and more. Darkroom v8.9 cuts photographer screen time by streamlining new digital
delivery options into an intuitive wizard system that allows digital files to
be as easy to sell as the print. Darkroom photographers can quickly save photos,
at a user-set resolution, to a CD, DVD, or memory card. Not only can Darkroom
users create digital photo products for their customer, photographers can create
interactive slideshows as either a product or sales pitch. The slideshows are
distributed by CD/DVD, email or an online posting. Photographers can also access
the tools to make products, such as custom photo albums, with the fully integrated
PDF printing feature. This universal file format allows photographers to submit
a custom photo book project to their favorite professional printing lab.



Darkroom v8.9 took the recent advances in wireless technology to a new level with
its integrated internal FTP server. This finely tuned system makes using a wireless
camera easier than ever before. With its integrated FTP server, photographers
can expect quick setup and seamless support. Photographers who prefer to use a
Hotfolder will also see vast improvements in speed and efficiency. The enhanced
wireless support in Darkroom provides new workflow opportunities for all industry
photographers.



Darkroom v8.9 provides new state-of-the-art chroma-key algorithms that are smarter
and more accurate than ever before. The expanded drop-out adjustment tools give
photographers more precise advanced control, while easy-to-use presets allow for
a fast and efficient greenscreen workflow.



For complete details please visit http://www.expressdigital.com/products/epsdarkroom.shtm



ExpressDigital Darkroom v8.9 is immediately available for purchase. The retail
prices are as follows: Darkroom Core Edition - $495, Darkroom Professional Edition
- $1395, Darkroom Assembly Edition (Plus 6 hours phone training) - $2995, Darkroom
Assembly Edition (Plus 2 days on-site training) - $4395. Upgrade pricing is also
available.



www.expressdigital.com...

onOne Software, Inc. has announced the technology acquisition of Liquid Resize,
which introduces a ground-breaking new way to resize images using a technique
known as "seam carving" to reduce the distortion that typically occurs
when manipulating the aspect ratio of an image.



Liquid Resize, a "content aware" image resizing application, was originally
developed by the Vienna, Austria based husband-wife team of Ramin Sabet and Irmgard
Sabet-Wasinger and is based on the work of Shai Avidan and Ariel Shamir that made
its first appearance in a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qadw0BRKeMk)
released at Siggraph 2007.
...

Olympus has announced the extremely portable E-420. Weighing 380 grams (13.4
ounces), the E-420 is 20 to 40 percent lighter than competing DSLRs. This lightweight
10-megapixel DSLR offers a 2.7-inch LCD and fast On-Screen Autofocus, Face Detection,
Shadow Adjustment Technology and Perfect Shot Preview to get the most out of
the Live View experience.

...

Mamiya has announced the release of an IR Photo filter for the Mamiya ZD Digital
back. "Today's CCD sensors are highly sensitive to infrared light,"
said Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager, "and the IR Cut filter
built into cameras reduces infrared light transmission. The result is more accurate
and natural color. The IR Cut filter, however, makes infrared photography impossible.
In response to the large number of requests from infrared photographers, especially
with the scarcity of infrared film, this filter was created."



Mamiya developed the IR Photo Filter for use on the Mamiya ZD Digital Back. The
IR Photo Filter YD401 (which replaces the standard IR Cut Filter) is a clear filter
that allows the transmission of infrared light as well as visible light rays.



"Unlike specialized IR cameras or modified systems," states Karp,
"the Mamiya ZD Digital Back can be transformed from standard digital to
IR digital, simply by changing the user-replaceable sensor filters." Photographers
will need to add an infrared filter (89B or 87) on the front of the lens to produce
typical infrared images with dramatic dark skies, glowing greens and "magical"
skin tones. It is available mid-January 2008.



www.macgroupus.com...

HP has unveiled the Photosmart Pro B8850 Photo Printer, rounding out the company's
growing portfolio of printing solutions for the advanced amateur market.



The HP Photosmart Pro B8850 Photo Printer contains several color management
advancements that simplify the printing experience. The printer is seamlessly
integrated with Adobe Photoshop¨ CS3, enabling users to print directly from
their preferred workflow. The choice is then automatically synchronized with
the color management setting, eliminating issues associated with "double
color management." This technology also is available in a free software
download.

...

LiveBooks, Inc. announced it has consolidated its liveBooks|edu product offerings
to a single premium product for students and instructors at an annual subscription
price of $99, including the annual hosting fee. The revised liveBooks|edu product
consists of two parts: a templated Flash website and a sophisticated online
admin tool known as the editSuite. With the new, expanded features of the editSuite
tool -- a transition picker, PDF downloads from the editSuite and a loading
page graphic -- students can more effectively present their brand online,
keep their website content current and gain firsthand experience of the same
tool used by leading industry pros. Using liveBooks|edu, students and faculty
can quickly create and launch a professionally presented online portfolio website.

...

"The first step in blogging is not writing them but reading them."--Jeff Jarvis

Twice in the past I've tried to create a blog and failed miserably each time, perhaps because the blogging sites, not me, controlled the software used to create and maintain them. Recently my pal Ralph Nelson (http://www.ralphnelson.com"...

"The first step in blogging is not writing them but reading them."--Jeff Jarvis

Twice in the past I've tried to create a blog and failed miserably each time, perhaps because the blogging sites, not me, controlled the software used to create and maintain them. Recently my pal Ralph Nelson (http://www.ralphnelson.com"...