News

Extensis, a division of Celartem Inc., has released two free updates to Portfolio
8 -- the Digital Asset Management (DAM) solution for creative professionals.
These updates include two file format support filters, which add support for Microsoft
Office allowing users to catalog, find and view files from Microsoft Word and
Excel on the Windows platform. Additionally, Extensis has added support for 22
new camera RAW formats on both Mac and Windows versions of Portfolio. Registered
owners of Portfolio 8 are eligible to receive the free upgrades immediately through
the Extensis website at http://www.extensis.com/portfolio.




The Portfolio RAW Filter 3 update adds support for many current cameras, bringing
the total number of supported professional digital cameras to more than 80. For
a complete list of supported file types please visit: http://www.extensis.com/portfoliofilesupport.




The Portfolio RAW Filter is powered by technology from Bibble Labs, one of the
leading developers of RAW image processing software.



The RAW Filter and MS Office updates for Portfolio are immediately available via
download from the Extensis website and are free of charge for registered Portfolio
8 users. Portfolio 8 is available for a suggested retail price of $199.95US for
full product.

French- and German-language versions of the Portfolio update are also available
now for download from the Extensis website. The Japanese-language version of the
Portfolio update is available from http://www.extensis.co.jp.




For information on where to purchase the Portfolio family of products visit http://www.extensis.com/portfolio.

New gold CD-Rs and DVDs that are said to extend the storage life of data, music
and images for many decades are being introduced by KMP Media, LLC of Rochester,
NY. Operating under trademark license from Eastman Kodak Company, KMP Media
is marketing them as the KODAK Preservation CD-R and the KODAK Preservation
DVD (-R).

...

Phase One has updated Capture One RAW Workflow to support more cameras, more
RAW file formats and Intel-based Macs. Capture One 3.7.4 is a Universal Mac
application designed to run natively on both Intel and PowerPC-based Mac computers.
Initial tests by the company show that the capture rate has increased by up
to 40 per cent when version 3.7.4 is run on an Intel-based Mac. Processing RAW
files with Capture One 3.7.4 is now 15 per cent faster on both Intel-based and
PowerPC based Macs. Windows users will also enjoy enhanced capture rate and
RAW processing speed with Capture One 3.7.4. Initial tests show performance
gains of up to 200 per cent in capture rate made possible by an improved high-speed
capture option in the Capture One software. Tests also show a 10 per cent increase
in the processing speed of RAW files.

...

X-Rite Inc. has introduced the the OPTIX XR2 display calibration and profiling
solution. Combining a state-of-the-art colorimeter with enriched software, the
OPTIX XR2 is said to deliver an unparalleled color management solution for displays;
including LCD, CRT and newly developed wide gamut technologies. Easy to use, the
OPTIX XR2 is X-Rite's most recent upgrade of MonacoOPTIX XR, which joined
X-Rite's product line after X-Rite acquired Monaco in 2003. This latest
iteration completes the integration of the product into the X-Rite family of color
measurement solutions.



The first and most fundamental step to ensure consistent and accurate color is
a properly calibrated monitor. The OPTIX XR2 allows users to adjust color at the
touch of a button. Plus, a new help system puts easy to find answers at the user's
fingertips.


OPTIX XR2 also has the ability to automatically recognize and take control of
your color display, with Automatic Display Control (ADC). Using one touch, ADC
will optimize your display's color temperature, contrast and brightness
settings to ensure you build the highest quality ICC profile and obtain the best
color results from your monitor.



In addition, an ambient diffuser attaches to the bottom of the OPTIX XR2 hardware,
allowing for more exact characterization of the user's environment, thus
improving the accuracy of profiles.



Designed to advance with users as they upgrade their display types, the OPTIX
XR2 builds the highest quality profile for today's as well as tomorrow's
advanced display technologies. Additionally, it recognizes when an upgrade is
necessary and prompts users to download the correct information required to properly
profile their monitor.



The OPTIX XR2 will be available to the market in late May, as will the OPTIX XR2PRO,
a network version for multi-workstation environments.



www.xrite.com...

Having logged more airline miles recently than I'd care to admit, with
cameras and lenses and laptop to boot, I welcome any products that can make
the trip, and transition between connections easier. The "post-9/11 world",
as it sadly has come to be known, has not made it easier on photographers to
get where they need to go with the gear they must trudge along with them. With
that in mind, we recently had a close look at the Airport Security Roller/Backpack
from ThinkTank Photo, which combines carry-on capability with security and gear
--protecting features.

...

Brandess-Kalt-Atena Group, Inc. has announced the introduction of the first
two models in their new Pelican RSV line. RSV stands for Rugged, Strong, and
Versatile which are terms used to describe this series of cases designed for
professional digital photographers on the move. The PCS247 model is an upright
camera/computer case on wheels that measures, outer dimensions are 18x14x10".
The inner dimensions are 16x12 1/2x7". The PCS2552 is a large camera/computer
case that can be hand or shoulder carried and can fit into the Pelican 1550
shell for added security. It measures 17 1/2x12 1/2x7" and features an
expandable computer pocket on the outside. Both are constructed from water resistant
1680D ballistic nylon and feature leather grain trim, moveable dividers, a padded
computer compartment, and PVC lined inner mesh pockets. Available in black or
green. Contact: Brandess-Kalt-Aetna Group, Inc., 701 Corporate Woods Parkway,
Vernon Hills, IL 60061, (800) 621-5488.

...

The Zeiss Ikon--hereafter ZI--has all the features you might hope for, plus optional autoexposure. At $1617, the body lists between Leica and Voigtländer. In features, it goes head-to-head with the Leica M7. Because we received the camera and no fewer than six lenses--15mm f/2.8, 21mm f/2.8, 25mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, and 50mm f/2--we have split...