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Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 12, 2005  | 

UMAX Technologies, Inc. has announced the availability of SilverFast HDR and SilverFast
HDR Studio for its full line of UMAX scanners. SilverFast HDR enables users to
process images at 48-bit full dynamic range.



The four upgrade and purchase options are:



1. SilverFast Ai upgrade to SilverFast HDR: This offer is only good for existing
SilverFast Ai UMAX users and is available for $199.00.

2. SilverFast SE upgrade to SilverFast HDR: This offer is only good for existing
SilverFast SE UMAX users and is available for $250.00.

3. SilverFast HDR full version new purchase: Retail is $299.00.

4. SilverFast HDR Studio full version new purchase: Retail is $499.00 and comes
with IT8 color calibration and pocket target



Prior to SilverFast HDR, many of today's scanners did not allow the ability to
write the full dynamic range into TIFF-data, making the reduction to 24-bit RGB
obsolete. Scanners with only 30- or 36-bit capability save up to their maximum
output, but today's leading scanning software, such as PhotoShop, saves
images down to a 24-bit file, discarding the extra information supplied from the
scanner. SilverFast HDR and HDR Studio software gives users the ability to save
and edit 'raw' files in full 48-bit resolution. 48-bit editing opens up a whole
new workflow, enabling images to be scanned and archived into digital format,
and then accessed later without any loss of quality.



SilverFast HDR and HDR Studio allow for raw data processing enables color corrections
in 48-bit. In this extremely large color space no significant shade is lost during
image corrections. When all corrections are done the image can be saved into 48-bit
again and further corrections can be done later.Instead of driving the scanner
directly, SilverFast HDR enables the user to read these raw files and process
the data as if they had access to the original image on the scanner. SilverFast
Scan Type (Image Type in HDR) offers 48-bit Color and 16-bit Grayscale. While
48-bit HDR color scans into an uncorrected 48-bit raw data file (only gamma correction
and ICC-matching can be applied), 48-bit Color or 16-bit Grayscale allows users
to save all corrections into the raw data file (48- or 16-bit Tiff file). It is
also possible to scan directly into Photoshop using the image corrected in high
bit mode.



SilverFast also offers a full set of tools including the ability to define output
size, Auto-Adjust, Histogram, Gradation curves, Selective Color Correction, Unsharp
Masking, Color Separation, and CMYK-Preview.



SilverFast accelerates the processing of large files in real-time, even greater
than 500MB, without delay. Files that have been scanned with SilverFast Ai and
subsequently opened in HDR will have the HiRePP functionality (High Resolution
Picture Performance). SilverFast HDR Studio is an enhanced version of SilverFast
HDR and adds even more power by including Auto Adaptive Contrast Optimization,
SilverFast PhotoProof, a cloning tool, unsharp mask Plus, automatic image import
with renaming functions, conversion of RAW data and JPEG 2000 support.



Additionally, free copies of Taz Tally's Official Guide to SilverFast Ai
6.0 will be included with any upgrade or purchase from UMAX.com for the first
30 days from today.



http://www.umax.com.
...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 11, 2005  | 

Photostockplus.com has created a site that gives photographers all of the tools
someone would need to run an effective online business. As well, Photostockplus.com
markets the site aggressively, giving photographers exposure to a wide range
of corporate and individual buyers.



For only 99$ a year, Photostockplus.com provides photographers with a unique
URL and a website that is fully e-commerce enabled, which allows the photographer
to sell stock internationally, as well as set mark-ups to a variety of print
sizes and over 100 photo gift items. On each sale, the photographer earns 85%
commission. The fulfillment of orders and products is handled by photostockplus.com,
leaving photographers more time to do what they do best... Take pictures!




The easy upload tools for PC and Mac users get images online in a flash and
the new event express-loader allows the uploading of hundreds of images quickly
and efficiently. Once uploaded, photographers can associate images with categories
and add up to ten keywords so as to be found in a searchable database marketed
to stock image buyers. Photographers can even password protect albums for private
showings.



Although Photostockplus.com is a so called "business in a box",
it thankfully does not suffer from the cookie cutter effect. There are many
website templates to choose from which can be personalized with a photo or company
logo and descriptive text. The site also allows photographers to easily create
personalized promotional business cards and flyers.



http://www.photostockplus.com

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 10, 2005  | 

The
new Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens allows enjoyment of super wide-angle
photography and it is a very powerful tool for indoor shooting and landscape
photography with APS-C size image sensors of digital SLR cameras. It offers
a wide angle of view (102.4 degrees at 10mm and 63.8 degrees at 20mm) and features
three SLD glass elements for effective compensation of color aberration, which
is a common problem with super-wide angle lenses. One piece of glass mold and
two hybrid aspherical lenses offer excellent correction for distortion, as well
as all types of aberration.



This lens is equipped with an inner focusing system, and the models are equipped
with an HSM system to provide quiet, high speed autofocus shooting and also
offer full time manual focusing. It has a minimum focusing distance of 24cm
(9.4") at all focal lengths. The non-rotating lens barrel perfectly suits
the petal shaped lens hood. A circular polarizing filter can also be used conveniently.


www.sigmaphoto.com.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 09, 2005  | 

Fujifilm has introduced three new models to its digital camera portfolio, including
the FinePix S9000 and FinePix E900 digital cameras - the world's first consumer
level cameras with nine MegaPixel sensors. In addition, Fujifilm's popular S-series
line
now features the new FinePix S5200, offering five MegaPixels with a fully automatic
point-and-shoot feature set.



These three new models will feature Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology, a synergy
of the newly developed RP Processor, the 5th
Generation Super CCD HR sensor and a Fujinon lens that is said to provide many
benefits including reduced noise for sharper pictures, better low-light shooting,
faster operation and higher shutter speeds that minimize blurriness in photos
even at the high ISO setting, as achieved by the FinePix S9000 model.



The FinePix S9000 offers traditional SLR-like styling for serious photo enthusiasts
and Fujifilm's proprietary Super CCD HR (High Resolution) sensor to capture
nine million effective pixels - the first consumer digital camera on the market
to offer such resolution. In addition to increased MegaPixels, the FinePix S9000
features a new 10.7x optical zoom with a 28mm-300 wide-angle equivalent.



According to Fujifilm, users of consumer-level digital cameras found that higher
MegaPixels often meant more noise, resulting in pictures files that were big
enough for enlargements, but often lacking in sharpness. With the FinePix S9000
users are said to be able to capture beautiful digital images with very little
noise at the high ISO settings at full resolution.



Additional features of the S9000 include a tilting LCD screen for shooting from
a variety of angles, the ability to shoot in the RAW file format, dual media
slots, 30 fps video at VGA resolution, hot shoe mount for external flash systems
and ultra high resolution achieved through the electronic viewfinder.



The FinePix E900 adds to Fujifilm's current E-series lineup, providing consumers
with a powerful nine million-pixel sensor in a compact design.



Similar to its predecessors, the FinePix E900 is a point and shoot camera that
expands with users as they broaden their imaging expertise. In addition to a
4x optical zoom and large two-inch LCD screen, the FinePix E900 also caters
to users seeking more advanced features, including mode dial for easy access
to common shooting functions, RAW mode and optional lens adapters. By incorporating
Real Photo Technology, the FinePix E900 can also achieve higher shutter speeds
that minimize blurriness in photos at ISO equivalent settings as high as 800.




Availability

The FinePix S9000 will be available in early September at $699.95. The FinePix
E900 and FinePix 5200 will be available in October at $499.95 and $399.95 respectively.
The FinePix S9000 and S5200 models will ship with four AA alkaline batteries
and the FinePix E900 model comes equipped with 2 NiMH rechargeable batteries.
All three models use Fujifilm's xD-Picture Card(tm) storage media.



For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can call 800-800-FUJI or
access the Fujifilm USA Web site at

www.fujifilm.com.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 08, 2005  | 

DXG USA has introduced two new 5.1 megapixel digital cameras designed for entry-level
and step-up buyers. The two models will be available for shipping in August.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 05, 2005  | 

ThumbsPlus WebClient Server is used in conjunction with ThumbsPlus and allows
the ThumbsPlus database to be searched and used from clients all over the world.
After more than three years of thorough development and extensive BETA testing,
it's now available. The ThumbsPlus WebClient provides your users with easy access
to your ThumbsPlus image database over an Intranet or the entire Internet.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 04, 2005  | 

Maha Energy Corp., the maker of PowerEx batteries and chargers, has introduced
the MH-C801D Eight Cell One Hour Charger. This international, high-performance
charging system refreshes old and degraded batteries and makes charging easy.
The MHC-801D features eight independent circuits that charge one to eight AA
or AAA batteries in any combination. The charger incorporates a large LCD screen
displaying the charging status of each battery. The English-language-based display
replaces traditional LED indicators.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 03, 2005  | 

The Sinarback eMotion22 adds mobility to the Sinarback product line. Providing
a completely untethered solution, this 22MP digital back offers a fast capture
rate of 1.2 seconds, the flexibility to use CF cards of any size and previews
the captured image right on the integrated 2x2 color screen. With a push of
a button, information such as the histogram, sensitivity, battery charge level,
exposure warning, memory status and white balance are instantly displayed. It
is ideal for work in the studio or on location. It features a lithium-ion battery,
color display and built-in monitor.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 02, 2005  | 

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America's Photo Imaging Division has
introduced its CP-9550DW digital photo printer that is said to provide professional
photographers with new benchmarks in color brightness, accuracy and operating
efficiency. The new CP-9550DW can make professionals more successful by improving
the quality and consistency of a photographers' end product.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Aug 01, 2005  | 

Delkin Devices, Inc., has introduced the long anticipated DVD-R addition to
the popular eFilm Archival Gold media line. The eFilm Archival Gold DVD-R is
now shipping to distributors and resellers all over the world.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Jul 29, 2005  | 

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. has introduced the latest edition
to the Maxxum line of digital Single Lens-Reflex (SLR) cameras -- the Maxxum
5D. This interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera inherits the technology of
the award winning Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D -- the world's first digital
SLR with built-in Anti-Shake technology and CCD Shift mechanism that is compatible
with all Maxxum autofocus (AF) lenses, including Konica Minolta's soon
to be introduced Digital Technology "DT" lenses.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Jul 28, 2005  | 

Delkin Devices, Inc., has introduced its new line of innovative eFilm Pop-Up
Shades. Pop-Up Shades are LCD screen protective covers, which double as glare
guards. These sturdy, lightweight covers are easily installed (and removed),
protect a digital camera's expensive LCD screen in the closed position,
and pop up to provide easier viewing of the display in bright sunlight.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Jul 26, 2005  | 

Contex Scanning Technology has announced the PUMA HS 36 Color Scanner. This
tri-camera 600dpi optical color and monochrome scanner is a clean-sheet design,
providing fast, high quality scanning for users. The PUMA features iJET Technology.
The new iJET Panel contains an `easy to use' menu system that enables
the setup and activation of full scan-to-print and scan-to-file options directly
at the scanner. The standard Ethernet interface and iJET Technology allows the
scanner to be directly connected to network printers and users PC's. This
full color scanner has a built-in Linux processor to help process the data fast
and efficiently.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Jul 25, 2005  | 

Editor's Note: We received the following from the Ilford team and report
their release verbatim:

The news that the remaining aspect of the Ilford Imaging Group, the UK arm of
which went into administration in 2004, has been settled with the takeover of
Ilford Imaging Switzerland by Oji Paper of Tokyo, a leading paper manufacturer
in Japan for over 130 years, has been welcomed by ILFORD Photo and HARMAN technology.




Although HARMAN technology, the parent of ILFORD Photo, is a totally independent
company with no corporate ties to the old group, as a gesture of goodwill given
the history of the group, the UK company's directors have been assisting the
Swiss company and the administrators, Grant Thornton, to keep its operation
in a viable state.



The result is that the takeover has been successfully completed for an undisclosed
sum, and that Ilford Imaging Switzerland GmbH will operate as a wholly owned
subsidiary of Oji Paper Company under the continued direction of managing director
David Jones.



Other Ilford Group member companies around the world which also went down have
already been individually sold or replaced, resulting in a global network of
independent companies now distributing ILFORD Photo products.

"Judging by some calls we have received, some confusion has arisen due
to the similarity of company names," says ILFORD Photo's marketing director
Howard Hopwood.



"However, the situation is quite clear: it was the old group headed by
Ilford Imaging UK Limited which went into administration in August 2004. Following
this, the UK operation was bought out by the former management team which established
HARMAN technology Ltd as the holding company trading as ILFORD Photo.



"The Swiss company, which was the old group's inkjet paper manufacturing
arm, remained under the control of Grant Thornton until this acquisition by
Oji Paper. It can therefore be seen that this activity has no connection with,
or impact on, ourselves."


For full detail of ILFORD Photo products and services, visit www.ilfordphoto.com.

...

Shutterbug Staff  |  Jul 22, 2005  | 

Last season's
sold out Just Show Me How Pro tour is back, with new tips, new techniques, and
new ideas for your digital photography workflow. World-renowned photographer,
author, and teacher, Kevin Ames, will educate and entertain you as he shares the
secrets of professional workflow. Kevin is the newest associate of Blue Pixel
Digital Experts, leading photographers and consultants committed to teaching digital
photography from an unbiased, real world perspective. The tour begins on October
2nd in Miami, and travels to eight U.S. cities through the beginning of December.



This one-day seminar will take professional photographers through what to do with
all of those digital files after the photo has been captured. Kevin covers the
ins and outs of downloading from memory cards, adding metadata, backing up, image
optimization, controlling color, delivering files, and creating bulletproof archives
of digital negatives. Attendees will learn how to achieve better results faster
through automation, without sacrificing the integrity of their images or the quality
of their files. As a highly respected photographer, Photoshop author and instructor,
Kevin will also share techniques that are essential to any photographer's
creative workflow.



At the new Just Show Me How seminar, attendees will have great opportunities to
network with colleagues and leading industry experts. They will also gain valuable
hands on experience with exceptional photography products.



Interested seminar attendees should visit www.justshowmehowpro.com
to check the city schedule and register for an upcoming event. The cost to attend
is $149 in advance or $169 for day of, walk-in registration.
...

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