LATEST ADDITIONS

Sony is introducing a line of colorful W-series Cyber-shot digital cameras
with new imaging technologies for easier photo capture.



The 10.1-megapixel DSC-W170 and 8.1-megapixel DSC-W150 models feature Carl Zeiss
5x optical zoom lenses with wide angles of view, 28 mm -- 140 mm and 30
mm -- 150 mm, respectively, and 2.7-inch LCD screens along with eye-level
viewfinders. Rounding out the series are the 8.1-megapixel DSC-W130 models and
7.2-megapixel DSC-W120 units with 4x optical zoom and 2.5 inch LCD screens.



Newly-available on the W-series cameras is Sony's "smile shutter"
mode, which automatically captures an image when your subject smiles --
without having to press the shutter. This function even lets you prioritize
adult or child faces to capture photos only when the intended subjects smile.



Each of the new W series models includes Sony's improved face detection
technology, which, like the smile shutter technology, can now distinguish between
the faces of children and adults. You can select "child priority"
or "adult priority" and the camera will detect up to eight faces
in the camera frame and optimize focus, exposure, white balance, and flash control.




The W170 and W150 cameras feature new intelligent scene recognition (iSCN) technology,
which allows the camera to automatically select the optimal scene mode for a
variety shooting situations. In advanced iSCN mode, the camera will take a photo
based on the user's settings. If the camera determines that another setting
would yield better exposure, it will automatically take a second photo with
that setting. The user ultimately has two images to choose from.



The series features a number of powerful features, including: Sony's D-Range
Optimizer to retrieve picture detail in photos with harsh highlights or dark
shadows; semi-manual focus that allows you to select the focusing distance based
on your subject's location; an improved auto focus system that includes
macro ranges; Super SteadyShot image stabilization; high sensitivity settings
up to ISO 3200; and in-camera editing functions such as "unsharp mask"
to sharpen images.



The W170 and W150 units are equipped with advanced image management functionality.
Filtering options allow you to search for photos by date and smile. Images can
be viewed by date or in a helpful calendar view, and organized in the cameras'
"favorites" folder for quick retrieval of beloved images.



The slideshow function of W170 and W150 has also been upgraded. Photos can be
selected using the same advanced filtering options available in playback mode
and transitions have been improved through the application of face detection
technology. Now your subjects can take center stage as the slideshow moves through
sophisticated pans, fades and wipes. Improvements to the background music function
include a choice of more tracks, longer tracks, and multiple tracks for longer
slideshows.


To view your images in 1080 high-definition resolution, you can connect each
of the cameras to a compatible HDTV sets via HD component cable or Sony's
HD Cyber-shot Station® cradle (both sold separately).



In pink, blue, black and silver, the DSC-W120 camera will be available for about
$200 in March. The DSC-W130 model will be offered in pink, black and silver
for about $230 that same month. The DSC-W150 model will hit retail in sophisticated
champagne, red, black and silver for about $250 in April. The DSC-W170 model
will also be available then in those same colors for about $300.



The new models can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style®
retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail),
at military base exchanges, and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders
begin on Jan. 31 at www.sonystyle.com.



Editor's Note: The viewable area of LCD displays is measured
diagonally. For additional information about Sony products, your readers can
call toll-free (888) 222-SONY, or visit Sony's web site at www.sonystyle.com.
Press releases and digital images are available for the news media at Sony Electronics'
news and information web site at www.sony.com/news.

...

Summit, NJ February 18, 2008: On April 4-6, 2008, the Visual Arts Center of New
Jersey will host the largest Photographic Educational Conference in the state.
Utilizing the Art Center's state-of-the-art facility, an exciting weekend
of workshops, speakers, portfolio reviews as well as a vendor fair is planned.
Workshops presented at the conference will run the gamut from camera and light
fundamentals to fine art printing and scanning. Lectures will be given by some
of the leading names in the industry including George Tice and Stephen Perloff.
Participants choose only the Workshops, Speeches, Panel Discussions, and Portfolio
Reviews that they are interested in attending. The cost to attend two workshops
is $45. To view the conference schedule, workshop listings, instructor biographies
and to register, visit www.njphotoconference.com.




On Friday April 4th from 7- 9 PM, participants will be able to listen to keynote
speaker, Stephen Perloff, founder and editor of Photo Review Magazine. His lecture,
Photographic Truth in the Digital Age, addresses how we view reality and truthfulness
in photography when, through digital advancement, images can so easily be manipulated.



On Saturday, the conference is running workshops, lectures and portfolio reviews
utilizing the Art Center's nine art studios. The day will culminate in a
lively panel discussion on contemporary issues in photography including panelists
from all segments of the industry moderated by George Schaub, editor of Shutterbug
Magazine. The panel topic is The Image as Information: Where Does That Lead Us?
Panelists include Ted Harris, Editor, View Camera Magazine; Joel M. Smith, Curator
of Photography, Princeton University Art Museum; Donald Lokuta, Art Professor,
Kean University; and Diana Edkins, Director of Exhibitions and Limited-Edition
Photographs for Aperture Foundation.



A highlight of the conference is a slide lecture and book signing by George Tice,
one of the best known fine-art photographers in the nation. Making photographs
for over 40 years, Mr. Tice's prints are in many museums including the Museum
of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Metropolitan Museum, where
he had a one-man show in 1972. His photographs have been shown all over the world.
The lecture is scheduled for Saturday, April 5th from 4-6pm. A book signing, which
is open to the public, follows and will end at 6:45PM. This is a rare opportunity
to learn from a master in the photography field and all those interested in attending
should register early to reserve a spot.



Many events taking place at the conference are free to attend. On Sunday April
6th, an exhibitor fair of photography equipment and supply manufacturers will
be opened to the public from 10am-6pm. This day also includes free events such
as darkroom demos, tours and mini workshops by vendors. To become a vendor, contact
Event Producer Nancy Ori at nancyori@comcast.net.



The mission of the conference is to create a central presence at the Visual Arts
Center of New Jersey for the study and practice of photographic art within the
state. The Art Center is committed to teaching traditional darkroom photography,
an important part of the fine art experience, as well as providing courses in
state-of-the-art digital advances. The Art Center houses digital labs and a traditional
wet darkroom. It offers a wide range of classes, workshops, and open studios.
Visit www.artcenternj.org to view the latest course offerings.



The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is celebrating its 75th anniversary of "bringing
art and people together." Since its founding in 1933, the Visual Arts Center
of New Jersey has evolved into a major regional art center with a professionally
recognized art school, a critically acclaimed exhibition program and an extensive
community outreach program. In 2003, the Art Center completed a $6.5 million renovation
featuring a nine studio art school with three interior galleries and an outdoor
sculpture park. For further information, please visit the Art Center at www.artcenternj.org.

FotoNation has announced "ChromaFix" a new one-step chromatic aberration
correction technology. ChromaFix brings advanced image processing technology
normally found in much higher-priced cameras to low-cost low-power devices,
including consumer digital cameras and camera phones. ChromaFix is offered in
several configurations: a software-only solution or coupled with FotoNation's
IP-Core hardware acceleration technology to achieve maximum performance.



Higher-end digital cameras often include sophisticated glass lenses that minimize
aberrations. Low-cost consumer-level cameras and camera phones have different
price/performance dynamics, resulting in lower quality optics through the use
of plastic lenses. With ChromaFix, consumers can get high-quality results at
a low cost.



An example of chromatic aberrations is the occurrence of purple fringes around
high contrast edges in a photo, which is the result of a misalignment of the
red, green and blue wave-lengths of light during focusing. The prevalence of
purple fringing is dependent on the design of the optical system in the camera,
including: optical light path, lens materials, aperture of the exposure and
the design of the image processing system executed during image capture. The
purple color results from the fact that most lens designs are optimized to focus
based on the green wave lengths of light. The blue and red wavelengths of light
fall out of focus and overlap, producing a purple color due to the additive
properties of color perception (blue and red result in purple).



For more information, see www.fotonation.com

...

Mamiya has announced the release of two Mamiya Lens Mount Adapters that allows
the use of Hasselblad V-series medium format lenses on Mamiya 645AF series cameras
(645AF, 645AFD, and 645AFD II).



"The adapters provide the mechanical interface and precise flange-to-film
plane distance required for proper focusing of Hasselblad lenses," said
Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager, "allowing the photographer
to use their existing Hasselblad V series lenses on the high-precision Mamiya
645AFD II. We are confident that photographers are looking to make the transition
from film to digital as efficiently as possible, and this adapter is definitely
a way to do that." To use the lenses, simply focus with the lens wide open
(the camera provides focus confirmation assistance), then stop-down for proper
exposure meter readings. The 645AF/AFD/AFD II can use shutter priority, aperture
priority or manual metering modes. The adapters come in black (#404) or silver
(#405) and will be available in January 2008.



www.macgroupus.com...