News

Lexar Media announced its line of Crucial solid state drives (SSD). Crucial
SSDs are said to be more durable, require less power, and offer greater overall
system performance than traditional hard disk drives. The SSDs will be available
in capacities of 32GB and 64GB in an industry standard 2.5-inch drive enclosure
with an industry-leading native SATA 3.0Gb/s interface. Additionally, Lexar
Media will offer the Crucial SK01 external drive kit and various online customer
tools--including the Crucial SSD Advisor tool, the only tool of its kind
on the market today--available at www.crucial.com/ssd
or www.crucial.com/uk/ssd.
Product availability is expected in Q1 2008.

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Kingston Technology Company, Inc.has posted the latest series of images submitted
by aspiring photographers worldwide seeking advice for taking better pictures
from its world-class `Icons of Photography' members.



"The quantity of images to be critiqued by our Icons seems to increase
with each series and the Icons are really enjoying the quality of the work submitted,"
said Jaja Lin, Flash product marketing manager, Kingston. "The continued
positive response demonstrates the benefits of the Icons program educating consumers
on Kingston Flash memory. The Icons have said sharing so much of their knowledge
and experience with digital photographers of all levels is tremendously rewarding."



Critique My Image, a feature offered through Kingston's `Icons of
Photography' microsite, provides professional and aspiring photographers
with an opportunity to have their images reviewed by some of the best photographers
in the world. In this installment, each photographer selected several images
from the scores of photographs submitted and provided constructive advice for
improving or enhancing each photograph. From lighting and exposure to composition
and styling, each critique is constructed as a lesson that can be applied by
all viewers to their respective photography. Visitors are encouraged to upload
images for critique by logging onto http://www.kingston.com/iop.



"It is a wonderful feeling to be consulted by fellow photographers for
our opinions about their work," said Harry Benson. "Good photography
comes from the heart and often represents a very personal side of that photographer.
Kingston's Icons program gives us an opportunity to view beautiful work
and offer our humbled opinions about how it might be improved next time. That's
what is special about this program to me."



Kingston's `Icons of Photography' includes Benson, acclaimed
documentary photographer and photojournalist, Colin Finlay, National Geographic
photographer Gerd Ludwig and Sports Illustrated photographer Peter Read Miller.



Consisting of three elements -- 20 Questions, Ask the Icon and Critique
My Image -- the site provides visitors with personal insight in an interactive
forum where questions can be asked and images can be shared with the Icons.
The microsite will continue to showcase the latest work produced by each photographer,
along with a listing of upcoming projects, lectures and workshops from each.
In February, Kingston will publish 20 Questions with Gerd Ludwig, an up-close-and-personal
interview.


For more detailed information visit the Kingston IOP Web site at www.kingston.com/iop.

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Nikon, Inc. has introduced the new PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens, the latest
in a series of lenses that are equipped with a tilt/shift mechanism that enables
photographers the flexibility to effectively manipulate perspective, distortion
and focus. Whether photographing architecture, landscapes, interiors or panoramas,
this Perspective Control (PC) lens easily corrects linear distortion and aberration
to deliver images that more accurately reproduce the view as the human eye sees
it.



Typically, tilting the axis of a camera can result in a misrepresentation of
perspective. A Perspective Control lens' ability to fine-tune perspective
and focus elements virtually eliminates these issues, an essential function
for architectural and interior photographers.



The same features that make this lens excellent for architectural photography
also provide nature and landscape photographers with an essential means to better
control perspective, allowing them to capture nature's beauty more accurately
and naturally. Additionally, the 24mm PC lens enables professional product photographers
to sight just the right shooting angles on reflective objects without capturing
their own reflection in the process.



A special tilt/shift mechanism gives users up to +/- 11.5 mm shift and +/- 8.5-degree
tilt for perspective control. When shooting with a conventional lens, some objects,
such as tall trees and buildings, can be challenging to photograph due to rectilinear
distortion and converging lines that warp perspective. The 24mm Perspective
Control lens corrects this issue with convenient side-mounted controls at 1mm
/ 1-degree intervals that will adjust the focal plane with shift and tilt adjustments.
The lens optics can also be rotated up to 90 degrees right or left for perspective
control adjustment, while a click-stop is provided every 30 degrees. Importantly,
photographers can see the effect of every adjustment accurately through their
Nikon SLR viewfinder.



In addition to providing linear perspective correction, the new 24mm PC lens
has unique characteristics that make it well suited for a variety of tasks and
offers a wide angle-of-view combined with dramatic depth-of-field control potential,
perfect for capturing stunning landscapes. To further control the image, users
can quickly adjust aperture with a stop-down button, or with the aperture ring.
These same characteristics also make the 24mm PC lens a great choice for close-up
macro work, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.7 feet and the ability to
fine tune focus with perspective control.



The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens continues NIKKOR's legacy of high-quality
optics and durable design. It features the new "E" designation,
which denotes an electromagnetic diaphragm that automatically controls aperture
with the latest Nikon D-SLR cameras. Three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements
provide superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic
aberration, while three aspherical lens elements minimize various types of lens
aberration. In addition to the Nikon Super Integrated coating that delivers
superior color reproduction, Nikon's exclusive Nano Crystal Coat helps
to virtually eliminate any remaining instances of ghosting and flare.



The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens is the first in a new series of PC lenses
being designed to meet the needs of photo professionals and enthusiasts. Two
more PC lenses are currently in development and are scheduled to become available
through Nikon authorized dealers during the summer of 2008.



The new PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens as well as prototypes of the upcoming
PC-E NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D ED lenses will
be exhibited along with Nikon's entire line of photographic, optical and
digital imaging solutions at the PMA 2008 International Convention and Trade
Show in Las Vegas, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at exhibitor booth # G220.



The NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens is scheduled to become available through Nikon
authorized dealers in the U.S. in spring 2008 for an estimated selling price
of $1929.



www.nikonusa.com

...

Samsung is set to introduce the GX-20 -- its highly-anticipated, next generation
DSLR. A 14.6 mega-pixel DSLR, the GX 20 extends the range of Samsung's
acclaimed GX-Series. The GX-20 improves on many of the advanced qualities of
its sibling DSLR, the 10.2 mega-pixel GX-10; however a host of new features
and firsts truly set this camera apart from any other GX Series model previously
introduced by Samsung. The GX-20 is highlighted by its proprietary, high performance
CMOS sensor. The Samsung CMOS sensor is equipped with 14 mega-pixel resolution,
can capture 14-bit RAW images, and maintains outstanding noise performance,
even at a high ISO setting of 6400. The GX 20 also incorporates improved sensor-based
shake-reduction as well as a double dust-removal system, which is designed to
prevent miniscule specs of dust from ruining a perfect image.

...

PENTAX Imaging Company has announced two new digital SLR camera models including
the PENTAX K20D digital SLR camera with 14.6 megapixels and the PENTAX K200D
digital SLR with 10.2 megapixels. Both cameras are equipped with advanced features
including dust-proof and weather-resistant bodies, an improved PRIME image processor,
and PENTAX developed Shake Reduction that works with any of the 24 million PENTAX
lenses ever manufactured.

...

Canon U.S.A., Inc.'s EOS Rebel series of digital single lens reflex cameras
have now redefined the gateway prowess and "pro-ness" of the DSLR
category with the introduction of the line's new leader, the 12.2-megapixel
EOS Rebel XSi camera. Incorporating a number of high-end functions and technology
found in Canon's professional SLR models, the EOS Rebel XSi camera boasts
an improved autofocus sensor, enhanced 14-bit A/D conversion, an advanced Live
View function, and the proprietary DIGIC III image processor. When paired with
any of the more than 60 compatible Canon EF and EF-S lenses, including optically
image stabilized EF-S lenses like the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS -- now included
in the EOS Rebel XSi kit -- or the new EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, the EOS
Rebel XSi DSLR delivers images that will delight and inspire family and friends
at an entry level price tag.

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