Staff

Nikon Inc. celebrates 75 years of defining optical excellence with the release of the newly engineered AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 prime lens that is considered by many photographers to be an essential tool with a focal length that closely replicates the visual perspective of the human eye when used with an FX-format D-SLR.  Nikon’s optical expertise and modern technological advances, such as the Silent Wave Motor, help to deliver outstanding operation that is critical for Nikon FX and DX-format photographers who demand the pinnacle of photographic performance.

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Leica Camera AG and Phase One A/S have agreed to enter into a long-term strategic alliance. Both companies are in mutual agreement on the terms of
close future cooperation in the technical development and marketing
of premium products for the professional photography segment. The
objective is to offer photographers innovative high-end solutions
that guarantee the greatest possible creative freedom and set
standards in terms of performance, quality and technological
maturity. Close cooperation has also been decided upon for the
expansion of effective service and marketing structures.

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CCD Image Sensors from Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) have been selected again
to power the most advanced cameras for professional photographers. Showcased at
this year's Photokina trade fair in Cologne, Germany, the new cameras --
the LEICA S2, the HASSELBLAD H3DII-50, and the SINAR Hy6-65 -- are based
on both new and existing KODAK CCD Image Sensors, and further establish Kodak
as the leading supplier of the most advanced image sensors used in professional
photography.



"Kodak has a rich history of supplying image sensors of the highest quality
for use in professional photography -- where image quality, resolution, and
color fidelity are critical to a photographer's success," said Michael
Miller, manager of Kodak's CCD Image Sensor Business, part of the company's
Image Sensor Solutions group. "We are excited to see this legacy continue
with the launch of a new generation of cameras from the world's leading
manufacturers that will allow photographers to capture images of the highest quality
and the finest detail."



The LEICA S2 camera, powered by the new KODAK KAF-37500 Image Sensor, is the third
product from Leica to be based on KODAK CCD Image Sensors -- a relationship
that began first with the LEICA Digital Module-R and was then extended with the
LEICA M8 camera. With an imaging area of 45mm x 30mm, the 37.5 million pixel KAF-37500
represents a new optical format for photography, providing an image capture area
over 50% larger than traditional 35mm film. The sensor also includes specific
design features that optimize its use in the S2 camera, such as the use of microlenses
to increase the overall light sensitivity of the device, enabling improved image
quality under low light conditions. In addition, an infra-red absorbing optic
was incorporated directly into the sensor's packaging, enabling the development
of a thinner camera design by eliminating the need to include this IR-absorbing
function as a separate camera component.



The new KODAK KAF-50100 Image Sensor was selected by Hasselblad for use in the
HASSELBLAD H3DII-50, the top model of Hasselblad's H3DII family and their
fourth-generation medium-format camera. Twice the physical size of the largest
35mm DSLR image sensor, the 50 million pixel KAF-50100 sets a new resolution benchmark
for the popular 48mm x 36mm optical format used in medium-format photography,
while improving upon the quality and imaging performance available from the previous
generation of KODAK sensors.



Both the KAI-50100 and the KAF-37500 Image Sensors are based on the new KODAK
TRUESENSE 6.0 micron Full Frame CCD Platform, the company's fourth generation
of technology for professional photography. This new platform increases both the
resolution and camera performance available for photographers by reducing pixel
size and "click-to-capture" time for improved camera response, improving
frame rate, lowering power consumption, and improving color fidelity while retaining
key performance parameters available from the previous generation of technology.




Sinar has selected the 31.6 million pixel KODAK KAF-31600 Image Sensor for use
in the SINAR Hy6-65, a new system that brings integrated digital image processing
to medium format photography. Leveraging the light sensitivity, wide dynamic range,
and outstanding color fidelity available from the KAF-31600 Image Sensor, this
camera brings the superb image quality and performance available from the KAF-31600
to a new generation of products available from Sinar.



These three new cameras join a family of existing cameras and camera backs that
are based on a full portfolio of KODAK CCD Image Sensors targeted to this market.
With resolutions ranging from 16 to 50 million pixels, Kodak has supplied the
broadest portfolio of high performance CCD products for this market, providing
camera manufacturers the flexibility to meet the needs and requirements of their
customers while retaining the performance and image quality required in this demanding
application.



For additional information, please contact Image Sensor Solutions, Eastman Kodak
Company at (585) 722-4385 or by email at imagers@kodak.com. For more information
on the entire portfolio of KODAK Image Sensors, please visit www.kodak.com/go/imagers.

Lexar Media announced that it has enhanced the performance of its Professional
line of CompactFlash (CF) memory cards to 233x, a significant speed advancement
over the line's previous speed-rating of 133x. The Lexar Professional 233x
CF memory cards are now UDMA (Ultra Direct Memory Access) enabled and capable
of minimum-sustained read and write speeds of 35MB per second -- a considerable
improvement over the previous read and write speeds of 20MB per second. These
exceptionally fast cards are available in three popular capacities, including
2GB, 4GB, and 8GB, and deliver professional-level performance for a wider range
of digital SLR users, including professionals and photo enthusiasts seeking high-capacity
and high-speed performance. Lexar Professional 233x CF cards also greatly improve
digital imaging workflow and convenience by reducing the time needed to transfer
images from the card to the host computer. The new cards are also complemented
by the line of Lexar Professional UDMA-compatible high-speed card readers. For
more information about Lexar Professional 233x CF cards, please visit www.lexar.com.
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