News

The F.J. Westcott Company is now offering twice the power of their daylight
balanced fluorescent bulbs for the Spiderlite TD5 with a new 50-watt compact
bulb. The new fluorescent bulb pack combined with a Spiderlite TD5 will provide
over 900 equivalent watts of power.



The
Spiderlite TD5 is one light source providing Tungsten Halogen, Fluorescent or
Strobe capability. Westcott is known for its focus on customer feedback and
has proved this again by offering the new 50-watt fluorescent bulb. The bulb
will be available at MAP $39.90 individually or $159.90 per pack of four 50-watt
and one 20-watt.



The Spiderlite TD5 allows you to change your light source, light output, color
temperature or environmental temperature instantly. Three separate controls
on the back allow you to run from 1-5 lamps allowing you to quickly change lighting
ratio without changing color temperature. The Spiderlite TD5 includes a 15'
cord and a built-in handle for Soft Box rotation. No adapter ring is needed
as the soft box fits directly onto the Spiderlite TD5.



www.fjwestcott.com

...

JOBO AG announces the addition of a new elegantly styled 15-inch digital picture
frame to the growing JOBO family of digital picture frames. When turned on, the
new JOBO Mirage L beautifully showcases digital images on its 15-inch real glass
display. When turned off, the JOBO Mirage L functions as an elegant mirror whether
placed on a table or desk or mounted to a wall. In addition to high style, the
new Mirage L features 1GB of internal memory capable of storing up to 4,000 pictures.
This new digital picture frame is designed to keep memories alive by showcasing
digital pictures in an automatic slideshow presentation giving precious digital
memories new life. Additionally, this frame enables users to highlight their special
photographic moments and easily share them with family and friends. This new JOBO
digital picture frame features a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution with a contrast ratio
of 400:1. To view images on the display, users simply insert their camera's
media card into the frame to transfer the images to the frame's internal
memory or they can download digital image files from their PC or USB device such
as JOBO's line of image storage units onto the JOBO Mirage L via the included
USB OTG cable. This model features USB 2.0 high speed capability and supports
all popular memory cards such as CF, SD, MMC, MS and xD. Easy to use buttons on
the back of the frame support intuitive operation of all important functions.
Also included with this model is a wall mount kit and wireless remote control
unit for convenient operation from any location in a room. The JOBO Mirage L will
be available September 2008 for $359 MSRP.



www.jobo.com...

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) has announced Adobe Premiere Elements
7 software with new Photoshop.com membership. Available for Windows, this upgrade
features easy to use movie making options so users can create compelling stories
in minutes, while also offering opportunities to grow and stretch their editing
abilities. For the first time, Adobe Premiere Elements 7 customers will have the
option to sign-up for one year of membership on Photoshop.com, extending the capabilities
of the software by providing new movie themes, sound effects, music, overlays,
menu templates and helpful tutorials on a regular basis. Other benefits include:
automatic online backup and storage of photos and videos and access from virtually
anywhere.

In addition, Adobe today announced Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 software, a complete
photo-editing solution. Available separately or together in a single retail package,
Adobe Photoshop Elements & Adobe Premiere Elements bundle give photo and video
enthusiasts everything they need for the complete digital imaging experience.



Available for Windows, Photoshop Elements 7 makes it quick and easy to organize,
edit, create and share amazing photos with others by leveraging the editing power
of Photoshop software, the professional standard for image editing. For the first
time, Photoshop Elements 7 customers will have the option to sign-up for one year
of membership on Photoshop.com, extending the capabilities of the software by
providing helpful templates and creative tutorials delivered on a regular basis.




Photoshop Elements makes it easy to tell amazing stories through memorable photos.
The new Scene Cleaner, based on Adobe's innovative Photomerge technology,
creates the ideal photo by letting users simply brush away unwanted subjects,
such as tourists in a vacation shot who may be impacting the main subject of the
photo. The new Smart Brush helps users apply incredible effects to a specific
area of a photo with a single stroke, making it a snap to improve lighting and
add rich textures with access to more than fifty sophisticated effects. Common
editing tasks, such as whitening teeth or brightening blue skies, are a breeze
to fix with the one-step Quick Fix tools. Surfaces can be softened while retaining
edges and details crisp with a new filter ideal for portrait shots. Also, a new
selection of Online Albums, based on Adobe Flash® technology, offers users
a richer interactive experience.



Adobe Premiere Elements 7 allows people to produce their own blockbuster with
no experience required. The software intelligently analyzes each movie clip (including
those in the newly-supported AVCHD format) for quality, number of faces, sound
and more. It then applies Smart Tags so users can quickly find the best clips
in seconds. InstantMovie creates professional-looking movies with a simple drag
and drop of a theme onto a series of video clips. It adds a package of music,
titles and transitions based on a theme such as birthday, wedding or extreme sports.



With new Videomerge, users can exercise their imagination by creating videos that
make it appear as if they're performing on stage at a concert, standing
in front of a popular tourist attraction or walking on the moon. Videomerge allows
users to easily create a "green screen" effect and automatically place
themselves within the scene, without requiring any prior video editing skills
or knowledge.



Users can display their finished movies on high-quality DVD or high-definition
Blu-ray Disc, on any screen from a mobile phone to an HD flat screen TV, or upload
directly to YouTube from within Premiere Elements.



Users can push their creativity even further with Photoshop.com membership, offered
in two levels, Basic1 and Plus2. For those who want fresh, creative project ideas
delivered straight to the desktop, the option to purchase an annual Photoshop.com
Plus membership guarantees new cinematic inspiration will come on a regular basis.
Tutorials, movie themes, special effects and seasonal templates are delivered
directly to the software, ensuring users always have new creative ideas and themes
to create impressive results. In addition, Photoshop.com Plus membership provides
20GB of storage - enough for 15,000 photos, four hours of DVD-quality videos or
a combination of both. Online back-up keeps memories safe from computer failure
or natural disaster, with access from anywhere, via a personal account linked
to the software. Photoshop.com Basic membership can be experienced for free, providing
5GB of storage and access to photos and videos virtually anywhere.



More information about Photoshop.com membership can be found at www.adobe.com/products/premiereel/membership/.



Pricing and Availability

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 and Adobe Premiere Elements 7 for Windows will be available
in local retail outlets such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Costco (Photoshop Elements
7 only), Office Depot, Office Max and Staples in October 2008. Consumers can pre-order
the products at www.adobe.com,
www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com
and www.costco.com. The products
will be available separately for US$99.99. Photoshop Elements 7 & Premiere
Elements 7 bundle also will be available for US$149.99.



Photoshop.com Plus membership will be available for purchase from within the products
for US$49.99 and Basic membership can be experienced for free. Information about
other language versions, as well as pricing, upgrade and support policies for
other countries is available at www.adobe.com/go/premiereelements.
Photoshop.com membership is available in the U.S. only.


www.adobe.com.

Olympus has given the SP-570 UZ -- the world's most powerful ultra
zoom digital camera -- an extreme makeover by creating the new SP-565 Ultra
Zoom, a smaller and lighter version with the same 20x wide-angle telephoto zoom
lens (26-520mm equivalent.) The camera's enhanced Face Detection can now
track up to 16 faces within the frame and optimize exposure even when subjects
are moving. In addition, the SP-565 UZ ensures sharp, brilliant images with
a host of other features:

Dual Image Stabilization combines the benefits of Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
and Digital Image Stabilization to compensate for both camera shake and moving
subjects, helping to create beautiful, virtually blur-free images in any situation.

...

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) has says it set a new speed record of 30
megabytes per second for SD flash memory cards with the introduction of the
SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition line of SDHC Cards. The new cards, expected
to be available worldwide in September in 4-gigabyte (GB), 8GB and 16GB capacities,
are designed to deliver peak performance when used with the new digital single-lens
reflex (DSLR) camera, Nikon D90.



The Nikon D90 is the industry's first DSLR camera to support SanDisk Extreme
III 30MB/s Edition SDHC cards at increased performance. Featuring a 50-percent
speed boost from previous 20MB/s cards, the new SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Edition
SDHC card makes it possible to record 39 images in continuous shooting mode
at 4.5 frames per second with a file size of 6.0 MB JPEG L Fine per image.3
The Nikon D90 camera captures high-resolution, 12.3 megapixel still images,
and it is Nikon's first DSLR to offer movie recording capability.



With ever-increasing technology advancements in DSLR cameras, higher megapixel
growth and new video capturing capabilities, SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s SDHC
cards make it easy for consumers to capture and store more high-resolution images
and video content. When placed in SanDisk's new ImageMate Multi-Card USB
2.0 Reader/Writer, still images and video can be transferred from the new SDHC
card to a computer up to 30MB/s, greatly reducing the waiting time to offload
large files from the card to the computer.



Beyond their high capacities and performance levels, all SanDisk Extreme III
cards are capable of functioning in extreme temperatures, from -13 to 185 degrees
Fahrenheit or -25 to 85 degrees Celsius. The cards also carry a lifetime limited
warranty. SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 30MB/s Edition cards, which have a Class
6 performance rating, are fully backwards-compatible; working in any camera,
card reader or other device that supports SDHC cards.6



Pricing and Availability

SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 30MB/s Edition cards are expected to be available worldwide
in September. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is U.S. $64.99
for the 4GB card, US $109.99 for the 8GB card, and U.S. $179.99 for the 16GB
card.



www.sandisk.com/corporate

...

Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) continues to champion professional photographers and set new standards in professional film with the new KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTAR 100 (EKTAR 100) film. This new film, with ISO 100 speed, high saturation and ultra-vivid color, offers the finest, smoothest grain of any color negative film available today.

...

Sony is introducing its full-frame (alpha) DSLR-A900 camera, aimed at serious photo enthusiasts looking for traditional SLR performance with the added benefits of digital photography. It is designed to deliver ultra-fine picture quality with the world’s highest resolution, 24.6-megapixel, 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor and fast image processing with a new dual BIONZ processing engines. The camera is also the first to have a body-integrated image stabilization system for a full-frame sensor with Sony’s SteadyShot Inside anti-shake system.

One look at the camera’s distinctive pentaprism and nostalgic body design will evoke its full-frame optical performance. It features a bright, clear optical viewfinder with 100% field of view coverage that would impress even film photography loyalists. The camera’s Exmor CMOS sensor is designed to take advantage of the resolving power of high-precision alpha lenses. Its high pixel count and large size provide enhanced image detail and a wider dynamic range for natural color reproduction and subtle tonal gradations.

The sensor is produced using proprietary Sony planarization technologies to ensure an ultra-flat surface across the entire imaging area. Instead of a single analog/digital convertor, the sensor uses over 6,000 on-chip, column-parallel A/D converters to convert analog signals to noise-resistant digital signals at the earliest possible stage. The result is reduced noise and high-speed transfer of data.

Image processing gets a boost in speed and power from the application of two BIONZ image processing engines. Large amounts of data captured by the 24.6-megapixel sensor can be quickly processed to achieve a fast shooting response. Additionally, this dual BIONZ processing system applies advanced noise reduction algorithms producing images of exceptional quality and detail, especially at high ISO sensitivities.

The camera’s newly-developed, body-integrated SteadyShot Inside unit achieves an anti-shake effect equivalent to shutter speeds faster by 2.5 to 4 stops. This new unit provides stabilization for Sony, Minolta and Konica-Minolta wide angle, large-aperture lenses, which is difficult for lens-integrated systems.

The ultra-bright viewfinder with 100% field of view coverage and 0.74x magnification enables accurate framing and preview. It features a high-power condenser lens, an eyepiece with high reflective-index glass, and a multi-layer, anti-reflective coating on every optical surface to deliver its extraordinarily bright and accurate view.

Additionally, the focusing screen is user-replaceable, with additional L-type (grid pattern) and M-type (super spherical acute matte) screens sold separately.

The camera’s newly-developed autofocus system consists of nine wide-area sensors with 10 assist points for improved tracking of moving subjects. A center dual cross sensor comprised of two horizontal and two vertical line sensors as well as a dedicated f/2.8 sensor are included to achieve greater precision, especially when using fast-aperture lenses.

It also offers high-speed continuous shooting of 24.6 megapixel images at five frames per second. A newly-designed mirror box features a unique parallel-link mirror mechanism that moves on two horizontal axes to accommodate both 100% viewfinder coverage and the body-integrated image stabilization system without increasing the camera’s size. The mirror box also has a new moving magnet actuator, a high-powered coreless motor for a faster shutter charge, and a magnet catcher to minimize mirror bounce and light refraction within the box.

The model’s innovative intelligent preview function takes the guesswork out of setting up a shot and the hassle of taking multiple shots to achieve a desired effect.

After pressing the depth of field preview button, the camera “grabs” a RAW preview image which is processed and displayed on the LCD screen. You can then fine tune white balance, determine the best level and effect of dynamic range optimization, adjust exposure compensation and check histogram data, all before you actually take the picture. Preview images are not recorded on the camera’s memory card, thus saving capacity.

Other key features aimed to expand creative options include the Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) with five levels of user-selectable correction as well as DRO bracketing for enhanced scene analysis and graduation optimization. EV bracketing with ±2EV range makes it easy to create high dynamic range composite images.

Thirteen creative styles can be selected to enhance images and then fine-tuned by customizing contrast, sharpness, zone matching and other parameters, while 3 user-programmable memories provide instant access to as many as 26 different mode settings.

Powerful RAW file processing control is put in the photographer’s hands with the included Image Data Converter SR3 software that delivers faster file processing speeds, easy adjustment of image parameters, Dynamic Range Optimization and a new Peripheral Illumination function that compensates for corner light fall off.

With the camera’s HDMI output and Photo TV HD mode, your creative output can be enjoyed on a compatible HD television. This mode brings the look of actual printed photography to the television, by fine-tuning such image parameters as sharpness, gradation and color.

Its construction features rugged, lightweight magnesium alloy with moisture-resistant, rubber seals for buttons and dials, an anti-static coating to prevent dust adherence to the imager, and a high-endurance shutter rated for more than 100,000 release cycles.

It has a 3-inch, Xtra Fine LCD screen (921K) makes it possible to check focus and image quality with accuracy. It incorporates an easy-to-see display with a quick navigation menu to easily access common functions without interrupting your creative flow. A backlit LCD panel sits on top of the camera and displays key settings.

The A900 camera will be accompanied with an array of accessories like the recently-announced Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit with its innovative Quick Shift Bounce system, powerful performance with a guide number of 58, and wireless auto flash ratio control.

The Sony VG-C90AM vertical grip offers the same ease of operation when shooting vertically as horizontally, with its button layout and low-position shutter-release button. It also houses two InfoLITHIUM batteries (sold separately) for longer shooting and playback.

The DSLR-A900 body will be available in November for about $3,000 along with related accessories. All will be available at authorized dealers, at military base exchanges, Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail) and at sonystyle.com. Online pre-orders begin online on Sept. 10.

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