News

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

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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...

onOne Software, Inc. has announced the technology acquisition of Liquid Resize,
which introduces a ground-breaking new way to resize images using a technique
known as "seam carving" to reduce the distortion that typically occurs
when manipulating the aspect ratio of an image.



Liquid Resize, a "content aware" image resizing application, was originally
developed by the Vienna, Austria based husband-wife team of Ramin Sabet and Irmgard
Sabet-Wasinger and is based on the work of Shai Avidan and Ariel Shamir that made
its first appearance in a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qadw0BRKeMk)
released at Siggraph 2007.
...

Mamiya has announced the release of an IR Photo filter for the Mamiya ZD Digital
back. "Today's CCD sensors are highly sensitive to infrared light,"
said Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager, "and the IR Cut filter
built into cameras reduces infrared light transmission. The result is more accurate
and natural color. The IR Cut filter, however, makes infrared photography impossible.
In response to the large number of requests from infrared photographers, especially
with the scarcity of infrared film, this filter was created."



Mamiya developed the IR Photo Filter for use on the Mamiya ZD Digital Back. The
IR Photo Filter YD401 (which replaces the standard IR Cut Filter) is a clear filter
that allows the transmission of infrared light as well as visible light rays.



"Unlike specialized IR cameras or modified systems," states Karp,
"the Mamiya ZD Digital Back can be transformed from standard digital to
IR digital, simply by changing the user-replaceable sensor filters." Photographers
will need to add an infrared filter (89B or 87) on the front of the lens to produce
typical infrared images with dramatic dark skies, glowing greens and "magical"
skin tones. It is available mid-January 2008.



www.macgroupus.com...

LiveBooks, Inc. announced it has consolidated its liveBooks|edu product offerings
to a single premium product for students and instructors at an annual subscription
price of $99, including the annual hosting fee. The revised liveBooks|edu product
consists of two parts: a templated Flash website and a sophisticated online
admin tool known as the editSuite. With the new, expanded features of the editSuite
tool -- a transition picker, PDF downloads from the editSuite and a loading
page graphic -- students can more effectively present their brand online,
keep their website content current and gain firsthand experience of the same
tool used by leading industry pros. Using liveBooks|edu, students and faculty
can quickly create and launch a professionally presented online portfolio website.

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The League of Creative Infrared Photographers (www.irleague.com)
was officially formed in January 2008. It was established to promote the joy,
excitement, and creativity of infrared photography from in-camera capture to
enhancing images in the digital darkroom.

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Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-W300 digital camera integrates an ultra-high
13.6-megapixel CCD imager along with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom
lens, a 2.7-inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder in a compact size. With
its ultra-hard titanium coating, the W300 camera newly features an "extra
high-speed" burst mode that can shoot three-megapixel photos at five frames
per second, ideal for fast-action shooting of sports, pets or children.



In addition to the blur-reducing effects of Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization,
the camera also has a new "extra high sensitivity" mode (up to ISO
6400 in this mode only) to help minimize blurry photos when shooting in challenging
lighting conditions, such as indoors or at twilight, even without a flash.



Noise reduction is now a user-selectable option, with high, low and standard
settings, for greater control over the final look of images. For example, a
low setting can help reduce noise without sacrificing resolution, making it
ideal for landscapes and detailed subjects.



As the top-of-the-line model in the series, the W300 camera integrates the latest
"intelligent" features. Sony's Smile Shutter technology prioritizes
the faces of children or adults so that the camera takes the photo at the moment
the intended subject smiles. Improved face detection technology can also prioritize
child or adult faces as the basis for the camera to apply focus, exposure, white
balance and flash color controls for up to eight faces in the camera's
frame.



The model's intelligent scene recognition technology automatically can
detect five different types of scenes and optimize the camera settings for those
conditions for a better photo. And advanced mode can take two shots almost immediately
-- one with standard automatic settings and the other with optimized settings.



The W300 model has a number of features to maximize picture quality. Among them
are five color modes, including "real" for less in-camera processing
and more faithful color reproduction; 12 scene selection modes with a new "underwater"
mode that adjusts white balance for more natural-looking photos; Sony's
new D-Range Optimizer Plus that process picture to improve detail in photos
with harsh highlights or dark shadows; and an improved auto focus system that
includes macro ranges.



Viewing and image management has also been enhanced with helpful date and calendar
views, in-camera search by face or date, slide show with longer music files,
and high-definition component output for viewing photos on a compatible HDTV
set.



The DSC-W300 camera and optional accessories will be available in May for about
$350. All 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.



www.sony.com

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