News

Skooba
Design has added a collection of camera/binocular straps to its patent-pending
Superbungee Shoulder Strap line. Like the original Superbungee Bag Strap, the
camera/binocular version features what the company calls a "sport-tuned
suspension system," consisting of a high-density, floating bungee cord
ring which acts as a shock absorber, minimizing carrying discomfort and perceived
weight. On the reverse (wearer) side of the shoulder pad is a flexible strip
of individual, air-filled cells. The cells add to the shock absorption and comfort,
and are covered in a friction laminate to help prevent slipping.



The strap is designed to fit any current camera or binocular with standard,
3/8"/11mm strap slots, or it can be threaded to the split keyring-type
connectors on older cameras. Strap length has a nominal overall length adjustment
range of 21-45 inches, and is equally well-suited for carrying around the neck
or over the shoulder.



The Superbungee Shoulder Strap is available in 5 different color combinations,
at a suggested retail price of $19.95. The original Superbungee Bag strap--a
larger version designed as an upgrade to standard straps found on laptop/photo
bags, sports duffels, luggage and other carrying cases--is available in
6 color combinations at $25.95.

...

ExpressDigital has announced the next generation of its powerful workflow software,
Darkroom v8.9, designed to help photographers make more money in their business.
These new features are said to reflect the ever-changing photography landscape,
including fast digital output, enhanced wireless support, advanced greenscreen
and more. Darkroom v8.9 cuts photographer screen time by streamlining new digital
delivery options into an intuitive wizard system that allows digital files to
be as easy to sell as the print. Darkroom photographers can quickly save photos,
at a user-set resolution, to a CD, DVD, or memory card. Not only can Darkroom
users create digital photo products for their customer, photographers can create
interactive slideshows as either a product or sales pitch. The slideshows are
distributed by CD/DVD, email or an online posting. Photographers can also access
the tools to make products, such as custom photo albums, with the fully integrated
PDF printing feature. This universal file format allows photographers to submit
a custom photo book project to their favorite professional printing lab.



Darkroom v8.9 took the recent advances in wireless technology to a new level with
its integrated internal FTP server. This finely tuned system makes using a wireless
camera easier than ever before. With its integrated FTP server, photographers
can expect quick setup and seamless support. Photographers who prefer to use a
Hotfolder will also see vast improvements in speed and efficiency. The enhanced
wireless support in Darkroom provides new workflow opportunities for all industry
photographers.



Darkroom v8.9 provides new state-of-the-art chroma-key algorithms that are smarter
and more accurate than ever before. The expanded drop-out adjustment tools give
photographers more precise advanced control, while easy-to-use presets allow for
a fast and efficient greenscreen workflow.



For complete details please visit http://www.expressdigital.com/products/epsdarkroom.shtm



ExpressDigital Darkroom v8.9 is immediately available for purchase. The retail
prices are as follows: Darkroom Core Edition - $495, Darkroom Professional Edition
- $1395, Darkroom Assembly Edition (Plus 6 hours phone training) - $2995, Darkroom
Assembly Edition (Plus 2 days on-site training) - $4395. Upgrade pricing is also
available.



www.expressdigital.com...

Olympus has announced the extremely portable E-420. Weighing 380 grams (13.4
ounces), the E-420 is 20 to 40 percent lighter than competing DSLRs. This lightweight
10-megapixel DSLR offers a 2.7-inch LCD and fast On-Screen Autofocus, Face Detection,
Shadow Adjustment Technology and Perfect Shot Preview to get the most out of
the Live View experience.

...

HP has unveiled the Photosmart Pro B8850 Photo Printer, rounding out the company's
growing portfolio of printing solutions for the advanced amateur market.



The HP Photosmart Pro B8850 Photo Printer contains several color management
advancements that simplify the printing experience. The printer is seamlessly
integrated with Adobe Photoshop¨ CS3, enabling users to print directly from
their preferred workflow. The choice is then automatically synchronized with
the color management setting, eliminating issues associated with "double
color management." This technology also is available in a free software
download.

...

Phase One has announced the availability of Capture One 4, the next generation
of the world's first RAW workflow software. Built on a new architecture,
the successor to Phase One's entry-level Capture One LE is said to offer
photographers -- pros and enthusiasts alike -- a RAW workflow solution
for superior image quality.

...

Mamiya has introduced the new Mamiya Sekor Macro MF 120mm f/4 D Lens -- successor
to the popular Mamiya Macro MF 120mm f/4 Lens.



"The Mamiya 120mm f/4 macro lens is one of the sharpest lenses available
today," said Jeff Karp, Mamiya Product Marketing Manager, "and it
has already been critically corrected for digital imaging. But it needed an upgrade
to be fully compatible with the latest cameras, software and digital backs."



The primary upgrade of the new lens is related to digital communication with the
camera. Data transfer is now controlled by a 16-bit CPU instead of the previous
4-bit CPU.



The advantages of the new CPU are:

Rewritability: The new 16-bit CPU is rewritable and can be overwritten
with firmware upgrades that would be required for compatibility with future cameras
and digital backs.


Finer Lens Correction: Thanks to the bigger capacity of the CPU,
the new lens has more lens data. It is possible to apply finer lens-characteristic
corrections when using Mamiya's Digital Photostudio¨ software.



Fast, Reliable Communication: The new CPU enables faster and more reliable communication
with the camera body.



As its name suggests, the new D-series lens shows its true capabilities when shooting
with the Mamiya ZD Digital back and other high-end digital backs. However, it
is designed to be equally at home with film backs.



The new Mamiya Sekor Macro MF 120mm f/4 D Lens is compatible with the Mamiya 645AFD
ll camera and is available for immediate delivery.



www.macgroup.com...

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 4.5mm F2.8
EX DC Circular Fisheye HSM lens. Features include:

· The first 180 degree circular fisheye lens designed specifically for
APS-C size digital SLR cameras

· Fast F2.8 maximum aperture making it ideal for low light photography


· Minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm and a maximum magnification of 1:6


· SLD glass minimizes color aberration

· Equipped with HSM with full-time manual focus override

· Equisolid angle projection method is possible for art and scientific
use



This autofocus circular fisheye lens has an angle of view of 180 degrees in
all directions. It is exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras with the
APS-C size image sensor. When used in conjunction with digital SLRs with APS-C
size image sensors, it produces a circular image within the frame. The F2.8
large aperture value produces a bright image in the viewfinder and allows photographers
to take pictures in low light conditions, making it an ideal lens for Astrophotography
and Aurora photography. Due to the quantifiable angle/area relationship it produces,
this lens can be used for scientific and arts applications such as solid angle
measurements of cloud distribution over the sky or vegetation distribution of
the forest. The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm/5.3inch and maximum magnification
of 1:6 make it particularly useful for close-up photography. SLD(Special Low
Dispersion)glass provides effective compensation of chromatic aberration. Sigma's
Super Multi-Layer Coating minimizes flare and ghosting. It is equipped with
an inner focusing system that creates high definition and good image quality
over the whole frame. The HSM(Hyper Sonic Motor)ensures fast and quiet autofocusing
and allows full-time manual focus override by rotation of the focus ring.

...