Plasticsmith has introduced a slick (and functional) accessory for those whose
laptop does double duty as a desktop computer. Constructed of laser-cut steel
with a polished acrylic platform, the attractive Lapvantage Loft raises your
computer to eye level for optimal viewing. There's room beneath the platform
to store an external keyboard--a nice feature for those with limited desk
space.
The 8GB SanDisk Ultra II CompactFlash card satisfies the need of those using
high-megapixel digital SLRs, those producing large files with every shot. Ultra
II cards offer a minimum sustained write speed of 9MB/sec and a read speed of
10MB/sec. SanDisk also produces their Extreme III CompactFlash lineup, which
has about double the read/write speed, but because the Extreme III uses a different
type of NAND flash memory the maximum capacity of that lineup is 4GB. In tests
with a variety of digital SLRs the Ultra II performed flawlessly, and it sure
was handy having that amount of memory on trips where lots of images were made
during the day's shoot. For Raw images with an 8MP camera we could get
almost 600 images on a card. Retail price for the 8GB card is $999.99, about
what a 1GB CompactFlash card cost three years ago.
Sigma's new 120--300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG HSM is a digitally optimized
telephoto zoom lens featuring a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout it zoom
range. The lens features a new coating and optical construction designed to
minimize flare and ghosting, and utilizes four Special Low Dispersion (SLD)
glass elements for optimum image quality. A Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provides
silent, precise, high-speed auto-focusing, with full time manual focus override
(for Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts).
Konica
Minolta has introduced the new ACTIVA 8 x 42 D WP SPORT and ACTIVA 10
x 42 D WP SPORT binoculars. These new binoculars feature a roof-prism,
and have a waterproof and lightweight, high performance design. Perfect
for use in all kinds of outdoor activities including bird watching, hunting,
and watching sporting events such as marine sports, these binoculars bring
together all the sophisticated specifications of the Konica Minolta ACTIVA
Series of binoculars for all active outdoor users.
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Pictureframes.com has just launched an online service portal devoted to the
artist and photographer community: www.pictureframes.com/artandphoto.
It is intended for artists and photographers who seek a single source for everything
from fine art printing to matting, framing, fulfillment, secure archiving and
an unfolding suite of web services. The new online portal is said to make it
easier for artists and photographers to maximize their exposure and sell more
work with useful services such as limited and open editions with the latest
giclee technology, free telephone forums on high interest topics and regular
Graphik Dimensions news updates. Even more reseller benefits are scheduled to
premiere this summer. Other advantages found at pictureframes.com/artandphoto
include a free full-sized proof with each edition, free certificates of authenticity,
the ability to hand-sign editions and nearly a dozen fine art quality papers.
Alien Skin Software has announced updates to several of their popular Adobe Photoshop-compatible
plug-ins. These updates address Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger compatibility as well as a
few, minor bugs. Updated products include the following:
· Eye Candy 5: Nature, both Macintosh and Windows versions
· Eye Candy 5: Textures, both Macintosh and Windows versions
· Eye Candy 4000, Macintosh version only
· Xenofex 2, Macintosh version only
· Image Doctor, Macintosh version only
· Splat!, Macintosh version only
These updates are available to registered users as free, downloadable patches
on the Alien Skin website:
Memorex has introduced two handy accessories that enable you to transfer digital
photos, data, music and other files between flash cards, digital cameras, USB
flash drives, external hard drives, MP3 players, and most other USB mass storage
devices--all without the use of a computer.
Giving digital still camera (DSC) manufacturers the benefits of full software
programmability with the performance of hard-wired solutions, Texas Instruments
Incorporated has introduced DaVinci technology optimized for the digital still
camera market. The technology includes a new highly flexible processor, a software
suite that simulates a full digital still camera system and third parties offering
camera-specific algorithms.
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