News

As the price of D SLR's, high-end digicams and film scanners has declined
substantially, an increasing number of photo enthusiasts are able to make high
resolution images. At some point, most will recognize that their current printers
are due for replacement. Frankly, many existing machines cannot provide the
optimal quality -- or the large output sizes -- that high resolution image files
can support. Consequently, we're seeing a trend to superior photo printers
in letter size and especially in larger formats.



With more photographers doing more of their own printing the issue of print
permanence was certainly a hot topic, encouraged especially by Hewlett-Packard
who, at the recent PMA show, featured Henry Wilhelm as a speaker. President
of Wilhelm Imaging Resource, an independent stability testing lab, Wilhelm is
certainly an expert in all issues relating to archival issues. He recently made
news with the announcement of a new standard for print life, the WIR Display
Permanence Rating. Many existing photo printers and papers should qualify for
this Certification program, which requires a minimum on-display life of 25 years.
Do note, however, that some manufacturers may prefer to wait for standards to
be published by the international ISO or the American ANSI organization. This
could be a long wait, according to some insiders.



New Printers We've Seen

Employing the UltraChrome Hi Gloss pigmented inkset originally designed for
the (letter size) R800, the new Epson Stylus Photo R1800 uses the Gloss Optimizer
coating to produce beautiful 13x19" (or longer) prints on glossy papers.
Another fast machine, this one can also make an 11"x14" color image
in less than two minutes thanks to Advanced Micro Piezo ink jet technology with
180 nozzles per ink. The Stylus Photo R1800 offers resolution up to 5760 x 1440
optimized dpi and it can print on sheet and roll paper or onto inkjet printable
CDs and DVDs. (Street price $549.)

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Maha Energy Corp., maker of PowerEx brand batteries and chargers, has announced
an Ultra High Capacity rated addition to its NiMH battery product line, the
PowerEx 2500mAh AA batteries. These batteries can be recharged hundreds of times
with no memory effect. Memory free operation means PowerEx batteries may be
charged anytime without having to drain them all the way first, saving time
without compromising performance. PowerEx batteries are also said to recycle
flash in half the time compared to fresh alkaline batteries.

...

Eastman Kodak Company has expanded its image sensor portfolio for medium-format
camera manufacturers with announcement of the KODAK KAF-18000CE, a new 18 million
pixel image sensor. This sensor has been selected by Pentax Corporation for
use in the PENTAX 645 Digital camera now being developed. With 18.6 million
total pixels, the sensor provides an output resolution of 18 megapixels to capture
images with exceptional clarity and detail. New to the KAF-18000CE is a dual-output
architecture that enables faster sensor read-out times, allowing camera designers
to achieve increased frame rates in their final camera designs. With this unique
combination of image quality and speed, the KAF-18000CE is said to provide manufacturers
with an affordable image sensor that is ideal for landscape, fashion, or wedding
photography.

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Media Street, Inc., supplier of digital imaging products, announces the launch
of MyGallery, an online and offline photo-facility to store, view, share, and
print photos at home, at studio or at the Generations Print Lab. MyGallery can
be accessed at http://mygallery.mediastreet.com.
Photographers can now import images from their digital cameras and store their
photos in MyGallery. The images can be stored, shared or printed using combination
of MediaStreet's award-winning inks and/or media. Themed slide-shows can
also be created using MediaStreet's eMotion Multimedia Digital Frames.

...

I
was honored to be selected by my peers at the Digital Image Cafe as photographer
of the year. I would like to extend a big thank you for your support and encouragement.
I would also like to thank DIC for the creating the best photography/contest
site on the internet allowing us to showcase our work and help each other learn
and grow as artists!

...

Fine art printmakers and their customers will soon have a guarantee on the longevity
of certain Epson fine art prints through Epson's new UltraGiclée(tm)
print certification program. This certification will enable printmakers to sell
their work and enable customers to buy these prints with confidence that the
prints will last.



UltraGiclée certified fine art prints, which can only be created on selected
Epson professional printers using select professional media and EPSON UltraChrome(tm)
ink, will be warranted to resist noticeable fading for 80 years from the original
date of purchase when the print is printed, framed, handled and displayed according
to warranty conditions. If a warranted print fades, Epson will provide the ink
and paper needed to make a replacement print. Current certified printers include
the EPSON Stylus Pro 4000, 7600 and 9600 printers, and certified media include
UltraSmooth(tm) Fine Art Paper, Textured Fine Art Paper and PremierArt(tm) Water
Resistant Canvas for Epson.



Wilhelm Imaging Research (www.wilhelm-research.com)
has independently tested the printers, inks and papers used in Epson's UltraGiclée
certification program for the fine art, fine art reproduction and fine art photography
industries. Final prints made according to the program's specifications will
be registered and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.


In order to earn UltraGiclée certification, printmakers will attend a
training class on proper printing and finishing techniques. Classes will be
offered starting in late spring in various cities across the country. Details
will be available at www.epson.com/ultragiclee
beginning March 14.

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Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., announces the development of three
new "DT" lenses - interchangeable Digital technology (DT) lenses designed
for the Maxxum Series digital SLR cameras, including the Maxxum 7D. These new
zoom lenses will expand the lineup of Konica Minolta interchangeable lenses
for Maxxum Series cameras. The DT Lenses employ a new optical system that is
specifically designed for digital SLR cameras, including the Maxxum 7D, which
incorporate an APS-C size CCD image sensor. Plans are to launch these Digital
Technology (DT) Lenses worldwide in the fall of 2005.



Developing interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras with an optical system
optimized for the popular Maxxum 7D meets the needs of users who would prefer
to take ultra-wide- angle pictures, users who would like to take pictures with
a compact standard zoom, and users who would like to easily take telephoto shots
without changing the lens.

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