Shutterbug Staff

According to an announcement issued by Nikon UK, the company intends to concentrate its efforts on digital cameras and accessories, and plans to discontinue production of most film cameras, manual focus lenses and related accessories.

The new Media Buddy portable storage device from Digital Foci is a hard drive
and card reader that lets you securely save digital photos in the field, so
that you needn't worry about running out of memory card space. The unit's
built-in memory card slots lets you copy and store photos directly from any
digital camera card. Available in 30GB and 80GB versions, Media Buddy features
a backlit text-based LCD screen that enables you to view file information and
operation status.

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Pentax has announced the smc DA FISH-EYE 10--17mm F3.5-4.5 ED [IF] lens.
Designed exclusively for use with the Pentax line of digital SLRs, this interchangeable
lens offers fish-eye to super wide-angle performance in a single unit. Mounted
on the Pentax *ist D series of digital SLRs, the new lens will capture fish-eye
imagery with a 180° angle-of-view and a focal length of 10mm.

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Nikon Inc. is recalling EN-EL3 batteries as detailed in a service advisory
(issued Nov. 7. 2005) because of possible overheating and melting. The recall
involves over 700,000 affected battery packs (including 200,000 in the US) that
were packaged with the Nikon D100, D70 and D50 and also sold as accessories
under model number 26265. Replacement will be free of charge. Although only
four incidents of problems have been reported to date, replacement of batteries
with the pertinent lot numbers is strongly recommended. Full specifics are available
at http://www.nikonusa.com/email_images/nikonusa/service_advisory/battery.html
on the Nikon Web site. To receive instructions and materials for the return
of your affected EN-EL3 battery pack, postage prepaid, and your free replacement,
click here http://www.nikondealernet.com/sa2.asp
or call toll free 1-800-645-6678.

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