News

Epson America Inc. has introduced a new digital workflow system that is tailor-made
for portrait photographers who are looking for an immediate and simple way to
increase their productivity, image quality and profitability. The Epson Gemini
K3 Portrait Printing System combines the benefits of Epson's UltraChrome
K3 photographic printing technology with new image management and enhancement
programs that are designed to dramatically improve the way portrait photographers
do business.



Epson Gemini K3 is designed to give portrait photographers a simple way to control
and speed up the entire print production process while eliminating their dependence
on printing labs, and lab-related issues such as delays, peak season cut-off
dates and unpredictable results. Whether a photographer captures all of their
images from a digital camera or with the combination of film and a scanner,
the Epson Gemini K3 Portrait System is engineered to help manage all their photographic
files in an organized method that enables them to quickly and easily select
the images they want to print. By having this system on site, photos can be
viewed by clients immediately and selecting images is simply a matter of mouse-clicking
their favorites.



Once images are selected, the photographer can quickly crop and retouch images
prior to creating proofs using either the system's built-in photo enhancement
software or with other programs such as Adobe Photoshop. When clients place
their orders, the photographer simply drags and drops the selected images into
built-in or custom-designed photo templates that enable them to print in a variety
of common or custom sizes, on different types of media and into a wide array
of custom packages. The system can save additional time by applying automatic
color corrections that are pre-determined by the photographer.



Epson UltraChrome K3 ink technology uses eight high-density pigments designed
to increase image quality for both professional color and black and white prints.
In addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and light magenta, Epson UltraChrome
K3 features a unique three-level black ink system that simultaneously uses black,
light black and light light black inks. These new inks combined with Epson's
proprietary driver and screening technology are designed to create professional
neutral and toned black and white prints without color crossover or color casts.




The Epson Gemini K3 Portrait Printing system incorporates the Epson Stylus Pro
4800 printer (see review in Shutterbug at http://shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/scanners_printers/1105epson)
which is capable of printing a wide selection of images up to 17 inches wide
with unprecedented image quality. In addition to printing on traditional E-surface
luster papers, Epson



Gemini K3 offers a wider range of media types such as photographic matte, fine
art and canvas. The printer also features a built-in, high-capacity paper tray
that can handle up to 100 cut-sheets of 8.3" x 11" photographic
media or up to 50 cut-sheets of photographic media up to 17" x 22".
As the photographer's business grows, or if they require printing in sizes
beyond 17 inches wide, he/she can print up to 24 inches or 44 inches wide (respectively)
by adding an Epson Stylus Pro 7800 or Stylus Pro 9800 printer to their existing
system.

...

Canon Inc. has reached a new lens milestone as production of the company's
EF lenses passed the 30-million mark. Production of interchangeable EF lenses
for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) SLR cameras began in 1987 and the company
produced its 10-millionth EF lens in August 1995 and its 20-millionth in February
2001.

In November of 1987 Canon introduced the industry's first
Ultrasonic Motor (USM)-powered lens: the EF 300mm f/2.8L USM. In September 1989,
the EF 50mm f/1.0L USM, featuring the world's largest aperture of f/1.0,
was launched. And in September 1995 the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, equipped
with the world's first Image Stabilizer to correct for the effect of camera
shake, made its debut.

...

Kingston has announced the formation of the innovative Icons of Photography
program which features seven world-class photographers--Douglas Kirkland,
Barbara Bordnick, Colin Finlay, Harry Benson, Peter Read Miller, Chris Rainier
and Gerd Ludwig.

...

Canon has introduced a host of new products at the annual PMA Show, including
a new DSLR, pro-quality lenses and pro printers. New products include:



EOS 30D Digital SLR: As a step-up from the EOS 20D model, Canon's new EOS 30D
Digital SLR incorporates features similar to the higher-priced EOS 5D model, at
a lower price. The EOS 30D Digital SLR incorporates a 2.5-inch LCD screen, claimed
shutter durability rated to 100,000 cycles; an increased burst rate (five frames-per-second
(fps) up to 30 consecutive frames in JPEG mode); an optional RGB histogram function;
and ISO adjustment in 1/3-stop increments.



Scheduled for mid-March delivery, the EOS 30D Digital SLR will be available at
estimated street prices of $1,399 for the body kit, and $1,499 for the EF-S 18-55mm
II zoom lens kit.



EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM: Canon has improved upon its original EF 85mm f/1.2L II
lens with a new model that has approximately 1.8X faster autofocusing than its
predecessor to meet the needs of demanding professionals. Available in mid-March,
the lens has an estimated street price of $2,099.



EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM: Professional photographers and advanced amateurs with
APS-C size digital SLRs now have access to the fastest Canon EF-S zoom lens yet.
Three-stop optical image stabilization along with three aspherical and two UD
elements combine. This lens is dedicated to the EOS 30D, EOS 20D, EOS Digital
Rebel XT and EOS Digital Rebel SLRs. Scheduled for delivery in mid-March, this
lens has an estimated selling price of $1,149.



imagePROGRAF iPF5000 Large Format Printer: This new printer provides a 12-color
pigment-based ink set and is designed to produce professional-style prints with
outstanding archival image quality, using Canon's new Lucia pigmented inks. The
iPF5000 device is ideal for professional photographers looking to have their work
stand out in a crowd. This next evolution in Canon's large format portfolio provides
one of the industry's largest color gamuts with a new 12-color inkset. Available
in April, the printer will carry a manufacturer's suggested list price of $1,945.



PIXMA Pro9500 model: This is the first PIXMA photo printer to use ten pigment
ink cartridges with Canon's new Lucia pigmented inks which provide Photo Black,
Matte Black, Gray, Photo Magenta, Magenta, Photo Cyan, Cyan, Yellow, Green, and
Red for true-to-life color and monochrome prints that are ready for the gallery
wall.
...

Eastman Kodak Company has announced improvements across its professional output
product portfolio designed to increase efficiency and bolster quality. Products
include a new version of Digital Print Production Software /DP2, the introduction
of Kodak Digital Printing Software/ DP1, an improved Kodak ultra Endura Paper,
improvements to Kodak PROSHOTS and Studio Suite software and Kodak DIGITAL SHO,
GEM and ROC photo software plug-ins.

...

Kanguru Solutions has unveiled an external combination hard drive featuring
high-speed transfer rates and capacities up to 500GB. The Kanguru QuickSilver
features both USB 2.0 and Serial ATA connectivity, with blazing transfer rates
of up to 1.5Gb per second! The drive also features a rugged enclosure that resists
up to 200 Gs of shock to protect it from external damage.

...

Argraph
Corporation has introduced the innovative new Samigon V-H Flip Bracket. The new
Samigon V-H Flip Bracket is designed for both digital and traditional 35mm SLR
cameras. It allows photographers to flip their camera from Vertical to Horizontal
without changing flash position. This flip motion is smooth and does not require
any locking or unlocking, enabling the photographer to go from vertical to horizontal
as quickly as the action dictates. The flash is mounted on a plate attached to
two telescoping sections extending up to 28" high to eliminate shadow and
red eye.



The Samigon V H Flip Bracket has a specially designed platform that folds up neatly
into its own customized nylon case when not in use so that it occupies very little
space in a camera bag. A sliding camera mount allows the camera to be centered
under the flash no matter where the tripod mount is located on the camera. There
is also a large rubber handgrip so the photographer can easily carry the camera
and flash.



Additional information is available at www.argraph.com.