Tamrac’s Aero Speed Pack 85 is said to be the perfect carrying solution for the photographer who prefers the comfort of a backpack, but doesn’t want to sacrifice the ability to quickly access photo gear. To allow for this, Tamrac developed an innovative Dual Access System. This unique system allows fast access through a side door when the pack is worn over one shoulder and brought around to the front of the body as well as traditional access to equipment through the front panel when the pack is removed.
Go from orange, blue and green-tinted photos to beautifully captured color with the baLens Cap and achieve a look that is not always possible with in-camera automatic white balance or with in-camera pre-set white balances. Just squeeze both side tabs of the baLens Cap for easy mounting or removal, even with a lens hood in place. Its center pinch-release mechanism and streamlined design help to prevent the baLens Cap from accidentally being bumped off, either while traveling or when shooting in a crowd.
Capturing in-water images is easier than ever for scuba divers and water enthusiasts of all levels as Olympus extends its partnership with PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) as the official digital underwater photography equipment sponsor of the PADI Diving Society through December 2009. Announced today at the DEMA Show 2008 in Las Vegas, the two companies have extended their relationship and will continue to work closely together to help recreational divers capture amazing images during their scuba and snorkeling adventures.
Epson America announced its next generation of professional ink jet printers – the 24-inch Epson Stylus Pro 7900 and the 44-inch Epson Stylus Pro 9900. This Epson Stylus Pro series incorporates Epson’s latest achievements in photographic ink jet technology, including Epson’s MicroPiezo TFP print head with new Epson UltraChrome HDR Ink technology, to deliver a higher level of print quality, increased performance with speeds almost twice as fast as previous models, and the widest color gamut ever from Epson Stylus Pro printers.
Based on unique high-density pigment chemistry, Epson UltraChrome HDR ink technology offers all-new Orange and Green inks, and when combined with Epson’s innovative AccuPhoto™ HDR screening technology, delivers the industry’s most advanced ink jet printing technology. The result is greatly enhanced photographic print quality with exceptionally fine photographic blends and transitions, and highly accurate highlight-to-shadow detail. In addition, Epson UltraChrome HDR offers excellent print permanence ratings for color and black-and-white prints and outstanding short-term color stability for a broad range of mission-critical proofing applications.
Also new to the Epson Stylus Pro series is an optional high performance, in-line spectrophotometer for commercial proofing applications. Developed by Epson in partnership with X-Rite, the SpectroProofer incorporates a high performance X-Rite ILS20 spectrophotometer for extreme measurement accuracy. When driven by the latest front-end RIP software, Epson’s SpectroProofer can automate virtually any color management process in today’s printing workflows.
Whether producing sellable color or black-and-white photography, fine art reproduction or producing color accurate commercial and flexographic proofs for client approvals, the new Epson Stylus Pro series offers a range of features and next-generation technologies that allow creative professionals to produce their vision without compromise. Key features and benefits include:
Sony Electronics has added two new models to its family of S-Frame digital photo frames—including the company’s first 10-inch model here at the PhotoPlus Expo trade show. The new 10-inch and 8-inch digital photo frames (models DPF-D100 and DPF-D80) have high-quality SVGA resolution (800 x 600 pixels) LCD screens. They are Sony’s first digital photo frames that offer a 4:3 aspect ratio.
This apect ratio eliminates borders around the digital photos and allows pictures to fill up the screen. Photos appear larger on theses frames’ displays than digital photo frames with the 16:9 aspect ratio.
In addition to providing high-quality LCD screens, these models have an advanced image processing feature that quickly decodes and displays images. The digital photo frames will dispay images that are up to 48 megapixels or files that are up to 100MB. The digital photo frames have 200MB of available capacity, so you can store hundreds of photos to the device and then return your memory card back to the camera.
Digital images can be loaded onto the internal memory of the digital photo frames from several types of flash memory cards, including Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD Memory Card, MMC, Compact Flash, Microdrive and xD-Picture Card.
Photos can also be transferred to the frames via a USB cable (not included) from a personal computer or digital camera. These two new S-Frame models support JPEG and RAW (SRF, SR2, ARW) image file formats.
The S-Frame models offer convenient features including the auto orientation sensor. The photo frame automatically detects whether it has been positioned horzonally or verically and then adjusts the display of the picture accordingly. When the frame is horizontal the Sony logo will light up. When the frame is vertical, the logo turns off and blends into the piano black finish.
Additional features include 10 slide show variations, clock and calendar views, and two index modes so you can preview several photos at once. You can also conserve energy by using the auto power on/off setting to program when you want the frame to turn on in the morning and off at night. Functions of the digital photo frame can be managed remotely using the included controller.
The DPF-D80 digital photo frame is now available for about $180 and the DPF-D100 model will be available in November for about $280. Both will be offered direct at sonystyle.com, at 43 Sony Style® retail stores around the country, and at hundreds of authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders are now being accepted for the DPF-D100 unit at sonystyle.com.
Named after famous Japanese poet Ono no Komachi, who was renowned for her beauty, the E-420 Komachi Kit certainly lives up to its namesake. The new limited-edition kit caters to those looking for amazing image quality in a small and light digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera with an elegant design.
onOne Software, Inc. announced Genuine Fractals 6 Professional Edition and Genuine Fractals 6 Standard Edition. Genuine Fractals 6 adds several new features designed to help photographers get the best enlargements possible. These new features include texture presets, a new gallery wrap function, batch processing, tiling for smaller printers and support for Adobe Photoshop CS4, Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.
Nikon is pleased to announce a new DVD that guides viewers on advanced creative lighting techniques under the masterful instruction of award-winning National Geographic Traveler photographer Bob Krist and world renowned photojournalist and lighting expert, Joe McNally. Painting with light is the very definition of photography and this DVD demonstrates why the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) continues to define the imaginative possibilities available to photographers.
Blurb, the creative publishing platform that enables anyone to design, publish, share and sell bookstore-quality books, announced a new Premium Paper offering. The 100-pound text silk-finish paper is 35% heavier than Blurb’s standard paper, and features improved opacity and superior print quality – two commonly requested upgrades from Blurb’s professional users. Premium Paper is available to all Blurb users across Blurb’s Global Print Partner Network, which supports over 60 countries with access to 80 HP Indigo presses.
Phase One A/S announced the immediate availability of Capture One 4 PRO, the RAW workflow software for photographers focused on transforming RAW files into the highest quality photographs.
Capture One 4 PRO has been designed to enhance the image quality of professional digital captures. It is built on a darkroom paradigm to enhance images and minimize the need for post-production. The workflow is responsive and flexible, adapting to a photographer’s needs.
Capture One 4 PRO is designed to satisfy a photographer’s specific work preference and situation. It offers freedom to create custom tool tabs with existing personal toolsets, and to work with multi monitor setups.
World leading tethered shooting is delivered by connecting a Phase One digital back or a supported DSLR camera to the computer and capturing images directly into Capture One 4 PRO.
The Styles feature has been redesigned to give photographers broader choices in exploring and creating unique looks that can be controlled and reproduced to create an exclusive signature.
An enhanced Color Editor feature permits fine-tuning of image colors with precise adjustment tools. Color adjustments can be saved as presets or as customized ICC profiles for consistent reproduction across multiple images.
A new Skin Tone tool lets photographers easily set and reproduce skin tones shot under various light conditions, even without using a gray card.
New Lens Correction tools improve image quality by compensating for undesired lens characteristics. These tools minimize chromatic aberration, purple fringing, distortion, sharpness falloff and light falloff. They permit creative effects such as image framing with a new vignetting tool.
Capture One 4 PRO supports Phase One and Mamiya medium format cameras and RAW files from a wide range of cameras including: Canon, Epson, Fuji, Konica Minolta, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, and Sony. Please see http://www.phaseone.com/4 for specific models.
Other language versions are planned for release at a future date. Capture One 4 PRO is free for registered users of Capture One PRO 3.x. Its estimated street price is $399. Recommended minimum system requirements are Macintosh OS X 10.5.5 or later, Intel® based processor, or Microsoft Windows® XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1 and Windows .NET Framework v3, Intel Pentium 4® processor, 1 GB RAM and a 1280 x 800 resolution screen. More information on product features is available at http://www.phaseone.com/4.
The Mamiya DL28 Digital Camera System offers 28 Megapixels with a large
sensor with a pixel size of 7.2 microns, producing images with
unmatched richness and color accuracy, low noise, and striking
highlight and shadow detail. Its 3.5-inch (diagonal) screen is said to be the
largest in the industry and offers a bright, high-contrast touch
screen that is ideal for outdoor or indoor work.
The DL28 marries the professionally proven Mamiya camera system to the
innovative 28 megapixel Aptus-II 6 Digital Back from Leaf - a system
capable of unrivaled performance, image quality and value. The 645AFD
III body has a new coreless motor for faster, more accurate
autofocusing and an enhanced interface system that provides total
communication between the camera, lens and digital back. The 645AFD
III and Leaf Aptus-II 6 Digital Back work as an integral unit so
you'll never miss the action.
With 16-bit capture, 12 stop dynamic range and an ISO range of 50-800,
the Mamiya DL28 is a full featured professional digital solution that
allows photographers to focus on creating the image and not worrying
about the technology. The 28 MP back provides raw files of 53Mb, and
16 bit TIFF files in excess of 159 Mb - ensuring that you'll have the
information needed for virtually any size reproduction.
Compact flash media storage makes it easy to shoot untethered on
location or in the studio. You can also use the included firewire
cable and Leaf Capture 11.2 software to shoot directly to your
computer. And the latest Leaf Capture software allows other people -
in the field or in the studio - to view your creativity on their
iPhones as you continue shooting!
The Mamiya DL28 will be available November 2008.
MAP price is $14,999.
Until recently, 10 megapixels was the norm among the enthusiast-level D-SLRs but that changed with the introduction of Nikon’s 12-megapixel D300. Pentax was the first to move to even higher resolution with their 14.6-megapixel model, the K20D, followed by Sony with their 14.2-megapixel Alpha A350. Aside from a 4.6 million increase in effective pixels, the Pentax K20D boasts some other...
The Nikon D700 is the latest in what is clearly a continuing trend in so-called “full-frame” D-SLRs. Unless a radical departure from the classic 35mm form factor takes place, this class of camera cannot accommodate a larger sensor, at least in terms of area. The D700 does offer an (effective) 12.1-megapixel resolution, modest in terms of some of the competition, but also priced to...
onOne Software, Inc. announces the immediate availability of two upgrades to their award-winning PhotoFrame plug-in. PhotoFrame 4 Professional and Standard Editions are designed to help photographers add the perfect finishing touch to digital photos.
Now supporting Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 and Apple Aperture 2.1, PhotoFrame 4 helps photographers of all skill levels quickly and easily create one-of-a-kind works of art with their images. PhotoFrame 4 adds details once mastered only in the darkroom like unique edge effects, frames, borders, adornments and texture overlays. Expanding upon onOne Software’s award-winning plug-in for Adobe Photoshop software, PhotoFrame 4 delivers hundreds of new frames, including exclusive content from professional wedding photographers Kevin Kubota and Vicki Taufer, that today's digital photographers are demanding for their professional and personal work.
PhotoFrame 4 also includes a new easy-to-use frame library with new library management options, updated user-interface, cutting-edge new content, new output options for added user control, and more.
New Features in PhotoFrame 4 New Frame Library – The new Library window in PhotoFrame 4 lets users easily search, browse and preview frames, backgrounds, textures and adornments on their image in real time. Users can immediately see just what each frame selection will look like with their image. A new streamlined light table style view allows users to search and sort frames quickly. With the improved preview quality users can zoom in and choose the best frame for every photo.
New Library Management Options –New in PhotoFrame 4 is the ability to change the location of the frame library. Photographers can choose the drive and location and even automatically relocate the library later if needed. In addition, photographers who create and add their own frames can have them automatically added to the PhotoFrame 4 Library making them easier to find in the future.
New & Optimized Content – New cutting-edge content has been added to onOne Software's PhotoFrame 4 allowing photographers to add an exciting and modern look to their photos and albums. The new content includes more realistic film edges along with new texture overlays, backgrounds and adornments. Additionally, the frame content in PhotoFrame 4 has been completely re-mastered providing photographers with a higher quality preview when choosing the best frame for their photo.
New Output Options – The new options palette allows photographers to control how the frames are applied to their photo. Frames, overlays and adornments can be added to the current layer, or a new layer. In addition, frames can be rendered to their own layer allowing for further adjustments or editing in Adobe Photoshop software. Frames from PhotoFrame 4 can even be applied as a layer mask allowing photographers to selectively blend multiple layers together. The output quality of frames in PhotoFrame 4 has been improved for large images and the on-screen preview even displays the layer options just like they will appear in Adobe Photoshop.
Integrationwith Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 and Apple Aperture 2.1 –Photographers using Lightroom 2 or Aperture 2.1 can easily access their favorite frames, overlays and adornments from within each application. Photographers can apply a preset to a single photo or an entire batch of photos. They can even open one photo to adjust the frame settings and then apply it to a selection of additional images. The integration between Lightroom 2 and PhotoFrame 4 Professional Edition requires Photoshop CS2, Photoshop CS3 or Photoshop CS4. The integration between Aperture 2.1 and PhotoFrame 4 Professional Edition does not require any additional host applications.
Resizing and Adjusting Multiple Frames –PhotoFrame 4 allows photographers to mix, match and combine up to 32 frames together in layers just like in Photoshop. With PhotoFrame 4, photographers can select multiple frame layers and adjust their size, orientation, rotation angle, opacity and more in a single step. Additionally, the background image layer can now be adjusted separately to fit perfectly within the combination of edge effects being added.
Availability and Pricing
PhotoFrame 4 comes in two variations – a Professional Edition and a Standard Edition, which are available for $259.95 and $159.95 respectively direct from onOne Software and select, authorized resellers in the United States and around the world.
The Professional Edition of PhotoFrame 4 includes all of the functionality of the Standard Edition and adds additional frame, edge and adornment content from some of the top wedding photographers and Photoshop gurus in the industry as well as support for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 and Apple Aperture 2.1.
Both editions of PhotoFrame 4 are immediately available for electronic download direct from onOne Software and from authorized resellers in DVD format.
Photographer’s Edge and BetterPhoto.com have partnered to create products and strategies to assist photographers in improving their skills and displaying and reselling their work in the form of high quality Keepsake Greeting Cards.
BetterPhoto.com offers interactive online photography classes instructed by their own staff of talented pro photographers. BetterPhoto.com will create specific ideas and skills in a program on how to generate “Good to Great” photos that will result in “Good to Great” Keepsake Photo Greeting Cards that could be used to enter the $8 billion Greeting Card marketplace. They are also creating a “BetterPhoto Pro” website to include a Photographer’s Edge Greeting Card storefront option. This enables virtually anyone to have a professional marketing site to easily post images online.
Photographer’s Edge, manufacturer of the patented do-it –yourself Keepsake Photo Greeting Card Frame, offers an extensive line of products from Holiday Cards, Occasion Cards, Event Cards and Friendship Cards to their best selling Border Cards which can be used for Nature, Portrait or any other creative photography. All card and calendar products are environmentally friendly made from recycled stock and printed with soy-based inks. Customers easily create their own high quality personalized greeting cards for personal use or to resell at art shows, photo shows, tourist areas or on their website. This partnership will enable many talented photographers and photo-enthusiasts to benefit by learning new photo and marketing skills and turning their hobby into a year round business.