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Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 17, 2006  | 

Adobe Systems has announced an update to the Camera Raw plug-in for Photoshop
CS2, extending raw file support to 17 additional digital camera models. The
free download expands on the raw file support integrated in Photoshop CS2 for
digital cameras from leading manufacturers. Camera Raw functionality in Photoshop
CS2 now supports more than 113 camera models and enables photographers to easily
manipulate raw files without sacrificing image quality. Photographers using
the Camera Raw plug-in can quickly and easily import and manipulate raw data,
saving time while increasing their creative control.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 16, 2006  | 

Epson America Inc. has introduced a new digital workflow system that is tailor-made
for portrait photographers who are looking for an immediate and simple way to
increase their productivity, image quality and profitability. The Epson Gemini
K3 Portrait Printing System combines the benefits of Epson's UltraChrome
K3 photographic printing technology with new image management and enhancement
programs that are designed to dramatically improve the way portrait photographers
do business.



Epson Gemini K3 is designed to give portrait photographers a simple way to control
and speed up the entire print production process while eliminating their dependence
on printing labs, and lab-related issues such as delays, peak season cut-off
dates and unpredictable results. Whether a photographer captures all of their
images from a digital camera or with the combination of film and a scanner,
the Epson Gemini K3 Portrait System is engineered to help manage all their photographic
files in an organized method that enables them to quickly and easily select
the images they want to print. By having this system on site, photos can be
viewed by clients immediately and selecting images is simply a matter of mouse-clicking
their favorites.



Once images are selected, the photographer can quickly crop and retouch images
prior to creating proofs using either the system's built-in photo enhancement
software or with other programs such as Adobe Photoshop. When clients place
their orders, the photographer simply drags and drops the selected images into
built-in or custom-designed photo templates that enable them to print in a variety
of common or custom sizes, on different types of media and into a wide array
of custom packages. The system can save additional time by applying automatic
color corrections that are pre-determined by the photographer.



Epson UltraChrome K3 ink technology uses eight high-density pigments designed
to increase image quality for both professional color and black and white prints.
In addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and light magenta, Epson UltraChrome
K3 features a unique three-level black ink system that simultaneously uses black,
light black and light light black inks. These new inks combined with Epson's
proprietary driver and screening technology are designed to create professional
neutral and toned black and white prints without color crossover or color casts.




The Epson Gemini K3 Portrait Printing system incorporates the Epson Stylus Pro
4800 printer (see review in Shutterbug at http://shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/scanners_printers/1105epson)
which is capable of printing a wide selection of images up to 17 inches wide
with unprecedented image quality. In addition to printing on traditional E-surface
luster papers, Epson



Gemini K3 offers a wider range of media types such as photographic matte, fine
art and canvas. The printer also features a built-in, high-capacity paper tray
that can handle up to 100 cut-sheets of 8.3" x 11" photographic
media or up to 50 cut-sheets of photographic media up to 17" x 22".
As the photographer's business grows, or if they require printing in sizes
beyond 17 inches wide, he/she can print up to 24 inches or 44 inches wide (respectively)
by adding an Epson Stylus Pro 7800 or Stylus Pro 9800 printer to their existing
system.

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 16, 2006  | 

Lexar Media has introduced its new Professional CompactFlash and Secure Digital
(SD) flash memory cards designed to deliver optimal speed and performance. Speed-rated
at 133X, Lexar's new cards deliver a minimum sustained write speed of
20MB per second for serious photographers who require fast read and write speeds
and seamless operation throughout each step of the digital imaging workflow.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 15, 2006  | 

Fuji Photo Film USA. is offering a hardware upgrade for the FinePix S3 Pro
professional DSLR camera that improves its continuous shooting capabilities
and delivers other performance enhancements. The upgrade will double the camera's
internal buffer memory capacity (from 128MB to 256MB), increasing its continuous
frame shooting capabilities. When shooting in RAW format at the widest dynamic
range setting, for example, the FinePix S3 Pro's continuous shooting capabilities
jumps from three frames to eight frames.

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 14, 2006  | 

American Recorder Technologies has announced the next product in their popular
"Photo Studio In A Box" series with the introduction of the "Photo
Studio in a Box-Supersized." Almost twice as large as the original product,
the portable kit contains everything needed to take studio-quality images: soft
lighting diffusion box, lights, backgrounds & camera stand--all in
one easy-to-carry package. The new model measures 30"x30"x30"
and is designed to accommodate larger items with a new soft lighting tent.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 13, 2006  | 

Pantone, Inc. has announced the availability of huey, an easy-to-use monitor
calibration tool developed in partnership with GretagMacbeth. The unique, affordable
device is about the size of a small marker and delivers excellent results on
LCD, laptop and CRT displays without requiring users to have any knowledge of
color management. In addition, huey is the first monitor calibration device
to continually adjust the monitor as room lighting changes.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 10, 2006  | 

Westcott's new Spiderlite TD3 is a compact, portable lighting system
that you can take anywhere. Weighing less than 10 pounds, the unit can operate
off of any standard 120 or 220 volt outlet as well as DC using a battery pack
and inverter. Batteries offered through Westcott include a 14.4 Volt NiCd, and
a 12AH Lead Acid. This system allows you to run either three 50-watt Tungsten
Halogen lamps, three 27-watt Daylight Balanced Fluorescent lamps, or two Studio
Strobes with a modeling lamp.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 09, 2006  | 

Samsung
Camera has entered the DSLR market with the Samsung GX-1S, a six-megapixel model
featuring Schneider optics and a high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD. The interchangeable
lens DSLR was developed in partnership with Pentax Corporation. The GX-1S features
a precise, 16-segment multi-pattern metering system in addition to center-weighted
and spot metering. The camera incorporates a sophisticated 11-point AF sensor
and a choice of AF-single or AF-modes.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 08, 2006  | 

Pentax Imaging Company has dropped the price on the *ist DL digital SLR camera
with 18-55 DA lens to $599.95. Well known for delivering small, lightweight,
easy-to-use and affordable SLRs, Pentax now offers a suite of nine digital lenses
specifically designed for use with their digital SLR bodies. Rebates up to $100
on select lenses are currently available through March 31, 2006. More details
are available at www.pentaxslr.com.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 07, 2006  | 

Rick
Sammon's new instructional DVD, Adobe Photoshop CS2 for Outdoor and Travel
Photographers, is designed to help you improve your wildlife, landscape, nature
and travel images. With 10 lessons and more than 1.5 hours of training, Rick's
latest DVD teaches you how to transform snapshots in great photographs.



The lessons are presented in the QuickTime movie format that includes Rick's
voice and on-screen enhancements guiding you through each step of the process.
Users can stop the movies and go "back in time" if they miss a step
in the enhancement process. Each lesson includes a high-quality JPEG work image,
enabling users to apply Rick's suggestions during their practice sessions.



Free lessons are posted on rickspixelmagic.com to give viewers a glimpse of
Rick's teaching style and the innovative QuickTime movie technology. The interactive
DVD, a rickspixelmagic production, is available for $39.95 (plus shipping and
handling). For more information on Rick's complete line of DVDs, see www.rickspixelmagic.com.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 06, 2006  | 

We
are sad to announce that Carl Koch, inventor of the modular Sinar camera system,
died in late December at the age of 89. This Swiss photographer and inventor
introduced the revolutionary Sinar camera in 1948. Koch's primary motivation
was to offer professional photographers the latest technical refinements. He
was steadfastly successful with the logical implementation of his life's
motto: "What can be done better, shall be done better".



Additional milestones were the automation of the camera with the introduction
of a universal shutter for all lenses, selective exposure metering at the film
plane and the simplification of camera settings.



The education of the new generation of professional photographers was also a
major concern to Koch. He authored a series of textbooks and guidelines for
professional photography, of which Photo Know How'--a self-teaching
course for professional photographers that was translated into many languages
including Chinese and Russian--became a worldwide standard text. To this
day, Koch's principles still guide the philosophy of Sinar, the company
that he founded. The world of professional photography mourns the passing of
one of its great pioneers.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 03, 2006  | 

Apricorn has introduced the high-capacity 60GB EZ Bus Mini to their popular
ultra-portable USB hard drive line. Utilizing 1.8" hard drive technology,
the EZ Bus Mini is bus powered for optimum versatility. The entire EZ Bus Mini
line, now available in 20GB, 40GB and 60GB capacities, features a Hi-Speed USB
2.0, 4200-RPM hard drive. The enclosure includes an integrated USB cable with
a convenient, recessed storage compartment.

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 02, 2006  | 

ATP
Electronics Inc. recently unveiled the ProMax line of high-performance CompactFlash
memory cards, designed for use with the latest high-resolution digital SLRs.
Boasting a speed rating of 150X, the water- and shock-resistant ProMax CF cards
feature a 30MB/s data transfer speed for rapid file transfers and seamless multimedia
streaming.

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Feb 01, 2006  | 

Phase One, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is now shipping the world's only digital
camera back with a 39-megapixel sensor for the ultimate in medium- and large-format
digital photography. The new P 45 digital camera back features a capture rate
of 35 frames per minute, a write speed of up to 20MB per second, and a huge
117MB file size.

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Shutterbug Staff  |  Jan 31, 2006  | 

The new Pentax Optio A10 is the company's first model with an 8MP CCD
packaged in the signature slim, lightweight, stylish design of the Optio digital
camera line. The new flagship camera features an innovative Shake Reduction
system that utilizes two internal gyro sensors to detect camera shake while
a dedicated CPU calculates the required correction to compensate for the level
of camera shake while focusing. In turn, a proprietary mechanism adjusts the
CCD to compensate for the camera shake and deliver sharp images.

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