News

Nik Software announced Viveza 2, an upgraded plug-in for selective color and light control. Available in December, Viveza 2 now offers users robust global adjustments and precise selective controls that utilize Nik Software’s award-winning U Point technology. Viveza 2 eliminates the need to create complicated selections or layer masks and provides a powerful solution for users looking to save time and effort when editing images.   

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Skooba Design has again expanded its original Checkthrough “checkpoint-friendly” laptop bag collection, with the addition of an ultralight backpack and a rolling laptop/business case. Checkthrough bags are specially designed and tested to pass through airport security x-ray screening without having to remove the computer. According to the company, its Checkthrough bags—developed in close coordination with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)—are the best-selling items in Skooba’s 10-year history, and the new styles are in response to significant customer demand for more and different versions of the product. The company has multiple patents pending on both current and future Checkthrough products, and also offers a broad range of checkpoint-friendly laptop skins.

At first glance, the Checkthrough Backpack looks like a standard, high-end business or travel backpack. But unlike traditional laptop packs, it opens and hinges in the middle to separate and isolate the laptop compartment from the rest of the bag. For initial, immediate visual reference, the laptop can be seen by the inspector through a clear window that is exposed when the bag is unfolded. With the window facing up, the bag is sent through X-ray screening. The design of the laptop compartment is such that the image presented to the screener is the same as if the laptop were removed and placed in a bin. The Checkthrough bag and all of its contents can be carried securely with or without the hinge zipped shut, so it can be readied in line, prior to screening. Once through, the traveler can simply pick up the bag and go, zipping it back up on the move or at the gate.

The new Checkthrough Roller works the same way as the backpack, with a hinged laptop compartment and preview window. It glides on urethane skate wheels mounted to aluminum wheel guard brackets, pulled along by a heavy-duty retractable handle. Skooba says that the roller is among the lightest rolling cases in its category, capacity and feature-set, and that it fits in all major airline storage spaces. Yet the case has room for a large stack of files and papers, or even an overnight’s worth of clothing and travel necessities.

Both the backpack and roller feature durable, weather-repellant ballistic exterior fabric, nickel-finished hardware, Doc Pocket™ organizers for airline tickets and passport, clear zippered pouches for allowable liquids, and many other travel-friendly features. Plenty of pockets—20 in the backpack and 18 in the Roller—organize gadgets, accessories and other small items.

The new Checkthrough Backpack and Roller are in stock now and available for immediate delivery, at suggested retail prices of $129.95 and $189.95, respectively. For more information, visit www.Tenba.com.

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Epson America unveiled the Epson Perfection V600 Photo scanner, a new mid-range scanning solution offering advanced performance for photos, film, slides, and everyday documents. Delivering outstanding resolution and extensive versatility, the Perfection V600 scanner features 6400 x 9600 dpi resolution1 and 3.4 Dmax for creating beautiful high-quality enlargements up to 17” x 22”. It also includes powerful photo restoration tools for both film and prints to bring faded and damaged photos back to life, as well as productivity enhancing Epson ReadyScan LED technology.

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Direct Source Marketing (DSM), the sole U.S. distributor of Horseman photo products for professionals and high-end consumers, today announced unique multi-coated conversion lenses for DSLR cameras.

Among the numerous models is the Horseman 0.7 Wide, which is designed exclusively for 18-55mm zoom lenses. The 0.7x wide conversion lens is thin, lightweight and can be attached in front of the taking lens of your camera, quickly and easily. Another is the Horseman 0.6 Wide/Macro, a 0.6x wide conversion lens that also serves as a macro lens. The lens delivers crisp images without chromatic aberration in the periphery of images, enabling you to enjoy wide-angle photography over the entire focal length range of your DSLR zoom lens.

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FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. announced the availability of the Instax Mini 7S Instant Camera and Instax Mini Instant Color Film to the U.S. market.

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Schneider Optic’s renowned Classic Soft, HD Classic Soft, Black Frost, and Hollywood Black Magic diffusion filters are now available in popular round sizes specifically for today’s leading SLR, digital SLR and DV cameras.

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