News

We recently received an email from photographers James C. Williams about his
efforts to convince Kodak not to discontinue manufacture of HIE-135mm film.
We reproduce his letter and plea for photographers to join his efforts to save
this film.

...

Tamron
has announced the AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro, a lightweight,
compact and ultra high power zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR
cameras with APS-C sized image sensors with a Built-In Motor for Nikon (Model
A18N II). The AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro boasts the
world's greatest zoom ratio of 13.9X.

...

Olympus has announced its inaugural "Photographers of Tomorrow"
photo contest, which is specifically designed for aspiring professional photographers
or photojournalists, and will enrich the resumes and portfolios of the participating
students.



Starting January 14, 2008, students will submit their best work captured with
the Olympus E-3 digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera in three categories:
Speed, Travel and Environmental Issues. Student entries will be judged by a
panel of award-winning photographers, comprised of Olympus Visionaries. The
winning images will be announced in April 2008. Complete rules and regulations
can be viewed at www.olympusamerica.com/e3photocontest.



Participating schools include Texas A&M University at Commerce, The University
of the Arts Philadelphia, Art Institute of Colorado, Brooks Institute, Rochester
Institute of Technology, Hallmark Institute of Photography, University of Texas
- Austin, Rockport College, and Academy of Art University San Francisco, among
others.



"The Olympus competition is our way of helping the next generation of
professional photographers and photojournalists to showcase their work nationally,
as the winning submissions will be visible on the Olympus Web site," said
John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR at Olympus Imaging America
Inc. "The students will connect with the three distinct categories of
speed, travel and environmental issues."



Photo Submission Categories

Olympus has selected the following categories for contest submissions to inspire
the budding photographers and to best represent the capabilities of the new
Olympus E-3 digital SLR camera.



Speed: Images capturing the essence of speed and movement of
life;

Travel: Images depicting exotic, exciting, or extreme journeys
or adventures, showing the color and temperament of the local culture; and

Environment Issues: Images showing the impact of man and global
warming, or natural settings of landscapes, flora, and fauna.



The Prizes

The students who submit the three winning images (one for each of the three
categories) will be awarded the following prizes. The three students'
respective professors will also be awarded the camera, lenses and accessories.

· $5,000 Scholarship

· Olympus E-3 Digital SLR Camera

· Two New ZUIKO Digital Lenses -- the ED 12-60mm (24-120mm equivalent)
f2.8-4.0 SWD and ED 50-200mm (100-400mm equivalent) f2.8-3.5 SWD

· Olympus Travel Bag and Lens Cloth



Contest Camera and Lenses

The Olympus E-3 provides the high-precision performance demanded by professional
and enthusiastic photographers to capture exceptional images every time. When
coupled with the ZUIKO digital 12-60mm SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) lens, the
E-3 offers the fastest autofocus system in the world.[1] Body-Integrated Mechanical
Image Stabilization to stabilize every lens, a 10-megapixel Live MOS image sensor,
and the reliability of a high-endurance, dust-proof and splash-resistant magnesium
alloy body join the impressive innovations developed for the E-3. Olympus pioneered
Full-Time Live View and Dust Reduction Technologies for digital SLR cameras,
leading where others have followed.



The Judges

An esteemed panel of judges, comprised of Olympus Visionaries, will evaluate
the student submissions and vote for the top winner in each category. The Olympus
Visionary program celebrates the work of some of the most talented still photographers
of the day, who use E-System equipment for travel, news, documentary, fashion,
food, people, nature and landscape, commercial and fine art photography.



Olympus Web site: http://www.olympusamerica.com.

...

Kingston Technology Company, Inc. has posted answers to a new series of questions
submitted by professional and aspiring digital photographers to its Ask the
Icon interactive feature on the `Icons of Photography' microsite
on kingston.com.



"Kingston's `Icons of Photography' has generated interest
from photographers of all levels who want to learn from some of the world's
most-respected photographers," said Jaja Lin, Flash memory marketing manager,
Kingston®. "We're delighted to be a conduit between our customers
and the Icons, providing a platform where everyone can share and explore ideas,"
added Lin.



Questions submitted by digital photographers from England, Malaysia, Ireland
and the U.S. were addressed by Kingston's four Icon photographers participating
in the program -- Harry Benson, Colin Finlay, Gerd Ludwig and Peter Read
Miller. Site visitors are encouraged to ask questions related to equipment;
tips and techniques for capturing better images; advice about getting started
as a photographer; or marketing one's work.



"I continue to be impressed with the level of interest photographers have
shown in the program and the types of questions they ask," said Finlay,
whose recent book project, Darfur: Twenty Years of War and Genocide in Sudan
recently won a Lucie Award in New York. "I think we learn as much from
them as they are hopefully learning from us and there is a great level of satisfaction
that comes from openly sharing our collective knowledge with each other."



Kingston's `Icons of Photography' program consists of three
elements -- 20 Questions, Ask the Icon and Critique My Image. Through the
program, professional photographers and enthusiasts can improve their techniques
by submitting their own photography for constructive critique. Additional information
is available at www.kingston.com/iop.

Bowens has launched a unique, affordable ringflash, the lightweight Ringlite
Converter. Priced at $480.00, this innovative converter is said to make ringflash-style
photography affordable. Said Mark Aherne, Bowens technical director, "Traditional
ringflash generally comprises flash tubes, cable and a powerpack, so the full
kit required is quite unwieldy and expensive. We built the converter and followed
up with associated bracketry to ensure the unit would be suitable for most cameras
on the market. We have created an attachment which allows photographers to convert
their standard Bowens strobe lights to produce ringflash-style light. Using
this new converter photographers can simply put the camera lens through the
centre of the light source. This creates a softer, wholesome surrounding light
around the lens which reduces shadows. It can also create shadowing around the
outline of the subject so users can work with a specific photographic effect.
The additional benefit of the converter is its `backwards capability'.
Photographers can take a standard Bowens product going back many years and use
it - as long as it has an S-Type adaptor. This will bring additional cost benefits
to our customers."

...

The Sigma
Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 10mm F2.8 EX DC Fisheye
HSM lens. This autofocus fisheye lens is designed for use with digital SLR cameras
equipped with APS-C size image sensors. The Nikon version produces a diagonal
angle of view of 180°; 154° for Sigma; 167° for Canon. The diagonal
field of view of this fisheye lens produces striking images with exaggerated perspective
and distortion. The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm/5.3inch, and maximum magnification
1:3.3 allows subjects to be as close as 1.8cm/0.7inch from the lens' front
element. This close focusing capability allows close-up photography and also it
is possible to make use of large depth of field that covers wide range of subjects.
The Integral hood blocks out extraneous light and the Super Multi-Layer Coating
minimizes flare and ghosting, creating superior image quality. The HSM--Hyper
Sonic Moto--ensures fast and quiet autofocusing and allows full-time manual focus
override by rotation of the focus ring. This lens is supplied with a gelatin filter
holder at the rear, allowing the use of gelatin filters.



www.sigmaphoto.com...

For
a limited time only LumiQuest will be offering the LumiQuest Bounce Kit, a 3 piece
kit that includes a Pocket Bouncer, Gold and Silver Metallic Inserts and a free
storage envelope.



The Pocket Bouncer redirects light at a 90 degree angle from the flash to soften
harsh shadows and more evenly spread the light over a wider area. A Gold insert
is ideal for late afternoon fill and the Silver insert will add a more specular
look to the highlights. Included with the Bounce Kit is a free clear storage envelope.
...