Shutterbug Staff

Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 16, 2006  |  0 comments

Nikon has unveiled its new D40, the latest addition to its line of digital
SLR cameras. Designed to bring the picture performance, excitement and experience
of Nikon's digital SLR cameras to more customers than ever before, the
D40 is an ultra-compact, lightweight 6.1-effective megapixel D-SLR that offers
simplified new features, exceptional speed and a redesigned, visually-intuitive
menu system. The D40 also incorporates handling and performance advantages that
eliminate the frustrations often associated with compact digital cameras, making
it ideal for anyone who wants to capture spectacular digital pictures without
complication.

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 09, 2006  |  0 comments

Samsung Camera has introduced the GX-10, a new 10.2 mega-pixel DSLR designed
for advanced amateur and professional photographers. The third model in Samsung's
rapidly growing DSLR range, the GX-10 offers Optical Picture Stabilization (OPS),
a pentaprism viewfinder that provides a wide field of view of 95-percent and
a revolutionary new dust resistant CCD sensor. Because it resides in the camera
body, as opposed to the lens, the OPS feature works with a wide range of lenses,
including the Schneider D-XENON lenses to be sold with the body in kits and
the full range of Pentax, KAF2, KAF and KA mount lenses.

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 08, 2006  |  0 comments

Ulead Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of InterVideo Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII), has announced
the release of Ulead PhotoImpact 12, Ulead's flagship image-editing software.
The latest version adds innovative features that allow beginners to immediately
enjoy success in editing their digital photos and sharing images in creative projects.



ExpressFix mode and the SmartGuide task-oriented help system are two high-visibility
enhancements designed to help introduce users to digital photography.



ExpressFix mode is a simplified interface providing commonly-used photo features
as guided and fully automatic tools. Featuring a large preview screen with before
and after views, users can adjust color, exposure and focus using intelligent
one-click presets. Noise reduction and PhotoImpact's unique SmartCurves
tone adjustment are available as fully-automated one-step processes. For photo
portraits, users can remove red-eye effects and enhance the complexion of subjects
with a Beautify Skin option. ExpressFix mode also provides direct links to PhotoImpact
12's enhanced White Balance correction feature as well as options to rotate,
print, and e-mail photos.
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Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 07, 2006  |  0 comments

Epson has introduced the Epson Stylus Pro 3800. Incorporating a compact, 17-inch
wide printer design, a new breakthrough screening algorithm and Epson UltraChrome
K3 Ink technology, this printer is said to deliver print quality and longevity
unsurpassed by any other inkjet printer. For added productivity, a new auto-sharing
black ink technology allows for automatic switching between photo and matte
black ink modes to maximize image quality on a wide variety of media types.
Available for $1,295 (estimated street price), it incorporates several new technologies
and performance advancements for the most discerning professionals, which include:



New Auto-Sharing Black Ink Technology: Breakthrough print head
allows the printer to automatically switch between photo and matte black inks,
providing virtually seamless transition times and greater conservation of black
inks.



Epson UltraChrome K3 Ink Technology: Using only eight individual
cartridges at a time, Epson UltraChrome K3 inks incorporate high-density color
pigments that produce the highest overall color gamut and fidelity among virtually
any pigment-based inkjet printer in the industry. A high-gloss Microcrystal
Encapsulation resin chemistry is also used to create prints with greater scratch
resistance and reduced gloss differential.



Three-Level Black Ink System: 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 to produce professional quality black-and-white prints
that rival traditional silver halide. This technology is designed to create
professional neutral and toned black and white prints without color crossover,
metamerism or bronzing.



New Screening Technology: Debuting a mathematical breakthrough
from Epson, the printer features an entirely new, radical screening algorithm
that consistently places droplets precisely, producing smoother tonal transitions
and greater detail from highlights to shadows.



High-Performance Engine Speeds: The extreme precision of the
Epson Stylus Pro print engine delivers a 16"x 20" photo lab-quality
print (using 1,440 x 720 dpi -- High Speed mode) in as fast as five minutes,
32 seconds -- more than 20 percent faster than the Epson Stylus Pro 4800.



High-Precision Print Head Technology: The high-performance
one-inch wide, eight-channel print head can achieve resolution levels up to
2880 x 1440 dpi with variable-sized ink droplets as small as 3.5 picoliters.



Flexible Media Handling: Accommodating a variety of media in
cut-sheet form between 4"x6" and 17"x22", including
BorderFree printing up to 16"x20", the printer offers three different
ways to load media -- a high-capacity paper tray (120 sheets), top-loading
manual tray optimized for fine art media and a front-loading, straight-through
path capable of handling media up to 1.5 mm thick.



Print Longevity:
Prints created with the Epson Stylus Pro 3800 are
predicted to resist fading up to 108 years for color prints and more than 200
years for black and white prints on specific Epson papers.



New Sleek and Compact Design:
Weighing in at only 43 pounds, the Epson
Stylus Pro 3800 features a new compact design and narrow depth. Compared to
the Epson Stylus Pro 4800, the dimensions and weight are reduced by 30 and 51
percent, respectively.



The Epson Stylus Pro 3800 will begin shipping in December 2006 and is priced
at $1,295 (estimated street price). A Professional Edition will also be available
which includes a high-end PostScript Language Level 3 compatible RIP by ColorBurst
and is priced at $1,495 (estimated street price). The Epson Stylus Pro 3800
is supported by the standard Epson Preferred Limited Warranty. This one-year
program includes toll-free advanced telephone access Monday through Friday and
usually next-business-day full unit exchange service in the unlikely event of
any hardware failure. Optional Epson Preferred Plus Service Plans are also available,
offering one or two additional years of protection. For more information on
Epson warranties, service programs and products, call 1-800-GO-EPSON (1-800-463-7766)
or visit our Web site at www.epson.com.

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 06, 2006  |  0 comments

Elinchrom has introduced its affordable D-Lite studio flash kits, specifically
designed to meet the needs of entry-level shooters. The kits will include two
D Lite heads, two Softboxes, two light stands and bags, with estimated street
pricing of under $900 for the 200W D-Lite 2 and under $1,100 for the 400W D-Lite
4.

The new D-Lites are designed to work perfectly with digital cameras,
are extremely lightweight with a sleek compact design and incorporate state-of
the-art features. The new Elinchrom D-Lites include two models; the 200W D-Lite
2 and 400W D-Lite 4. Both units are manufactured to Elinchrom's most strict
specifications and have the ability to work with 5 f-stops, ranging from 1/16
to 1/1. More importantly, each head offers photographers precision control,
allowing them to make power adjustments as small as 1/10th an f-stop with stability
accurate to 0.5%. The D-Lite 2 and D-Lite 4 are lightweight, at 2.4 lbs and
2.9 lbs respectively, and their compact design allow them to be used for in
or out of the studio with dimensions of approximately 8.3 x 6.3 inches (length
x diameter). For ease of use, the D-Lites are controlled by ergonomic touch
pads and digital readouts that allow photographers to effortlessly switch between
modes and adjust flash power and f-stop. The D-Lites are also fully compatible
with Elinchrom's range of optional equipment and accessories to help photographers
further experiment with different lighting scenarios.



The new D-Lite studio flash kits are available through Bogen Imaging, the exclusive
North American distributor of Elinchrom products.



www.bogenimaging.com

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 03, 2006  |  0 comments

Epson has introduced its latest multimedia storage viewers, the Epson P-3000 and
Epson P-5000. With Epson's exclusive Photo Fine Ultra technology, the P-3000
and P-5000 feature the world's first four-color filter system displaying
16.7 million colors to deliver Adobe RGB color support.[i] The new P-3000 and
P-5000 provide a fast, convenient way to download, store and view photos in superior
resolution and detail on-the-spot.



The P-3000 and P-5000 offer 40GB and 80GB hard drive capacities (respectively)
for storing and sharing thousands of digital photos, videos and music files. The
P-3000 and P-5000 are designed to be the ultimate companions to any digital camera,
featuring a high-quality, four-inch LCD for industry-leading precision, clarity
and color, wider file support (including RAW), faster download and processing
speeds, built-in memory card slots, and longer battery life than previous Epson
models.


The Epson P-3000 and P-5000 Multimedia Storage Viewers offer many new and innovative
features that give both professionals and enthusiasts a fast, convenient way to
download, view and store photos and videos, and store and listen to music on-the-spot.
Product highlights include:



· Large Four-inch LCD: View and share images and videos
with precise clarity and detail in 640 x 480 high-resolution

· World's First Four-Color LCD: New Photo Fine Ultra
technology offers the world's first four-color filter system of red, blue,
emerald green and yellow green, rather than the standard three-color LCD technology;
capable of displaying over 16.7 million colors, enabling images to be reproduced
more accurately than ever before

· High Capacity Hard Drive: Download, view and store thousands
of JPEG and RAW photos, or videos and music with either a 40GB (P-3000) or 80GB
(P-5000) hard disk drive

· Adobe RGB Color Space Support: Supports images taken
in Adobe RGB and a wide color gamut reproduces 88 percent of Adobe RGB color space

· Expanded File Support: Supports image files (JPEG, EXIF
and select RAW files), video files (MPEG4, Motion JPEG and DivX) and audio files
(MP3 and AAC)

· Faster Download Speeds: New processor provides speeds
up to 250 percent faster than previous models

· New Interface: An improved interface and three viewing
modes enable users to quickly organize files, create albums and slideshows and
assign file ratings for easy access

· Long Battery Life: Rechargeable lithium ion battery delivers
up to three hours worth of power to run in continuous slide show or video modes

· Built-in Memory Card Slots: Two built-in slots for Compact
Flash I/II and Secure Digital memory cards; many other cards supported via third-party
adapter

· Direct Printing: Print photos directly to select Epson
printers via USB 2.0 connection



Pricing and Availability

The Epson P-3000 and P-5000 are currently available for a price of $499 and $699,
respectively. The product carries a one-year limited warranty and is supported
by the EPSON Connection, a customer support and technical assistance line. For
more information on Epson and its products, call 1-800-GO-EPSON (1-800-463-7766)
or visit the company's Web site at www.epson.com.

Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 02, 2006  |  0 comments

Running November 1- 7, you can have the chance to help select the winners of the
Canon National Park Photo Contest. Of the nearly 10,000 images submitted by amateur
photographers, a panel of esteemed judges have selected 10 photographs each from
the categories of wildlife and landscape as finalists. Now Canon is looking to
the photo community to help us choose the winners.
...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 02, 2006  |  0 comments

Mpix.com is now offering personal greeting cards, business cards, playing
cards, and calendars -- through a new service called MpixPRESS.



Mpix.com is a division of Miller's Professional Imaging. Miller's
president, Todd Coleman, said, "Ordering professional
quality press products at affordable prices has never been easier and faster.
It's as simple as going to Mpix.com, downloading the MpixPRESS software,
selecting a product, and submitting an order. As with all the orders that arrive
at Mpix.com, quality control and turnaround is what we feel is our strength."



To learn more about MpixPRESS, log on to www.Mpix.com. While you are there,
click on "Take the Tour.".

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 01, 2006  |  0 comments

Our Picture This! assignment this month was "It's What's Up Front That Counts," the implication being that the lens, lens attachments, and of course where the lens is pointed has a profound influence upon any image. Although you could crop into an image made with a 24mm lens to gain the same perspective as one shot with a 50mm, there's the context of...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Nov 01, 2006  |  0 comments

Foveon has announced the release of its 14.1 megapixel X3 DSLR image sensor, the
highest resolution X3 sensor available and the latest product from Foveon. The
new X3 sensor incorporates design and process enhancements which improve performance
at long exposures and high ISO speeds, and also provides a 40% increase in pixel
count compared to the previous X3 DSLR sensor.

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