Peter K. Burian

Although most of the new products shown at PMA 2007 were digital, at least some of the new lenses are just as useful for anyone still shooting with a 35mm SLR system. While some of the new zooms were designed exclusively for use with D-SLRs with the APS-size sensor, the multi-platform lenses work perfectly with both analog and digital cameras. That's because they project...

As several manufacturers are releasing new SLR cameras--both 35mm and digital--we're also seeing far more new lenses than we did in the past few months. The new lenses range from very affordable zooms to ultra wides and others...

Although most autofocus Nikkor lenses employ a focus motor in the camera body, Nikon was actually the first manufacturer to build a motor into the lens barrel. In 1983, they unveiled two such AF lenses--the 80mm f/2.8 and 200mm f/3.5ED, both for the F3AF.

As the price of D SLR's, high-end digicams and film scanners has declined
substantially, an increasing number of photo enthusiasts are able to make high
resolution images. At some point, most will recognize that their current printers
are due for replacement. Frankly, many existing machines cannot provide the
optimal quality -- or the large output sizes -- that high resolution image files
can support. Consequently, we're seeing a trend to superior photo printers
in letter size and especially in larger formats.



With more photographers doing more of their own printing the issue of print
permanence was certainly a hot topic, encouraged especially by Hewlett-Packard
who, at the recent PMA show, featured Henry Wilhelm as a speaker. President
of Wilhelm Imaging Resource, an independent stability testing lab, Wilhelm is
certainly an expert in all issues relating to archival issues. He recently made
news with the announcement of a new standard for print life, the WIR Display
Permanence Rating. Many existing photo printers and papers should qualify for
this Certification program, which requires a minimum on-display life of 25 years.
Do note, however, that some manufacturers may prefer to wait for standards to
be published by the international ISO or the American ANSI organization. This
could be a long wait, according to some insiders.



New Printers We've Seen

Employing the UltraChrome Hi Gloss pigmented inkset originally designed for
the (letter size) R800, the new Epson Stylus Photo R1800 uses the Gloss Optimizer
coating to produce beautiful 13x19" (or longer) prints on glossy papers.
Another fast machine, this one can also make an 11"x14" color image
in less than two minutes thanks to Advanced Micro Piezo ink jet technology with
180 nozzles per ink. The Stylus Photo R1800 offers resolution up to 5760 x 1440
optimized dpi and it can print on sheet and roll paper or onto inkjet printable
CDs and DVDs. (Street price $549.)

...