Rangefinder Magazine
August 2002

Industry News


•nik Multimedia Goes OS X
nik Multimedia today announced recently the availability of Mac OS X versions of the company’s award-winning nik Sharpener Pro and nik Color Efex Pro plug-in software for Adobe Photoshop. Demo versions of the company’s nik Color Efex Pro digital photographic filters are included on the Adobe Photoshop 7.0 CD for all versions, including Mac OS X. The company’s latest Adobe Photoshop plug-in release, penPalette, is also available in a native OS X version. Information: nik multimedia, Inc., (619) 735-3150, Fax: (619) 735-3151; web: www.nikmultimedia.com

• Digital Camera Sales Rising
According to an EIA/Panasonic release, sales of digital still cameras are estimated to reach 8,274,000 units in 2002, an increase of 29% over last year.

• ASF Digital ICE Now in Microtek Scanners
Microtek International and Applied Science Fiction have announced the availability of the Microtek ScanMaker 6800 with Integrated Digital ICE technology for photo prints. The ScanMaker 6800 is the first flatbed scanner to integrate ASF’s Digital ICE technology for photo prints, transforming the traditional photo restoration process into one that is automatic, fast and economical. The hardware and software integration allows users to scan a damaged photo print and apply Digital ICE for photo correction. In seconds, the combined technology removes dust and lint while also correcting most scratches and cracks commonly found on photo print surfaces. More information can be found on ASF’s Web site at www.asf.com.

• Kodak Professional Reduces Price of DCS 720x
Kodak Professional recently announced a dramatic reduction in the suggested U.S. list price of its Kodak Professional DCS 720x Digital Camera—from $6995 to $4995. The price change on this popular model, designed for action photography and the most challenging shooting situations, is effective immediately. The DCS 720x digital camera combines the highest ISO settings available in Kodak Professional’s DCS family—400 to 6400. Based on the rugged Nikon F5 camera body, the DCS 720x camera features a rapid burst rate of 4.3 fps and a burst depth of 25 images. Information: (800) 235-6325, or visit the Kodak Professional web site: www.kodak.com/go/professional.

• Taprell Loomis and Topflight Are Latest IPHF Sponsors
Executives for The Chilcote Company recently announced their support as a Corporate Member of the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. The Ohio-based company is the parent company of Taprell Loomis (TAP) and Topflight. The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, headquartered in Oklahoma City, is home to one of the world’s largest photographic archives. Information: IPHF, 2100 NE 52nd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, (405) 424-4055.

• ImageWare Systems Goes British
ImageWare Systems, Inc. (AMEX: IW) announced that its Digital Photography Division signed an agreement naming the Sangers Group as the exclusive dealer of ImageWare professional photography products in the United Kingdom. This agreement encompasses all of ImageWare’s professional photography products including: PC Pro, PC Event, PDI School Days+, PDI Green Screen and the soon to be released PDI Studio. Information: ImageWare Systems, Inc., 858-673-8600.

• Fuji Announces S2 Price
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., announced the suggested list price of $2699 for the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Professional Digital SLR camera—the widely anticipated successor to the acclaimed FinePix S1 Pro. Fujifilm estimates the street price for the S2 Pro will be $2399. With 6.17 million effective pixels, the FinePix S2 Pro is capable of producing an image file with 4256 x 2848 (12.1 million) recorded pixels to produce accurate color and detail, while providing dual-storage media options. A limited number of units will be available in July 2002 for media review. The FinePix S2 Pro will begin shipping to professional dealers in Summer 2002.

• Nikon Opens Plant in China
Nikon Corp., the parent company of Nikon Inc. (www.nikonusa.com), recently announced that it will establish a new facility in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China to increase production of digital cameras and imaging products. According to Jack Abrams, president and CEO of Nikon Inc., “The new production facility is indicative of Nikon’s commitment to strengthen and grow the digital photography market and to continue to develop advanced digital imaging products as an integral part of our core business. Information: www.nikoncoolpix.com.

• National Geographic Announces Photographers in Residence
Five of the world’s top journalists have been appointed as the National Geographic Society’s first contributing photographers-in-residence. They are Sam Abell, David Doubilet, Karen Kasmauski, Emory Kristof and Frans Lanting. The Society established the program to showcase and support the work of preeminent freelance journalists who have contributed outstanding work to the Society over the years. The photographers will work at the Society’s Washington headquarters for a number of weeks each year, developing projects and programs in tandem with special initiatives, including the Society’s conservation initiative. Information: (202) 828-6635; www.nationalgeographic.com.

• DiMAGE 7 Wins Product of Year Award
Minolta Corporation has announced that the Minolta DiMAGE 7 digital camera has won the 2001 SID/Information Display Magazine Display Product of the Year Gold Award. Last summer, the DiMAGE 7 also received the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) Awards for “Best Digital Prosumer Camera” for 2001-2002. Information: (800) 528-4767; www.minolta.com.

• Drytac Purchases Interlam
Having recently completed the acquisition of InterLam, Inc. U.S.A., Drytac has announced the purchase of InterLam Canada, Inc. As was the case with its U.S. counterpart, InterLam Canada is a well regarded supplier of mounting and laminating products to photolabs, reprographics companies, wide-format service bureaus, sign shops and other graphics providers. Information: Drytac, (888) 622-3236 or www.drytac.com.

• Kodak Professional’s Drummond Promoted
Lance Drummond, currently Chief Operating Officer of Kodak Professional and vice president of Kodak to Regional Business General Manager of the U.S. andCanada region for Kodak Professional and vice president of Kodak. Drummond, 47, joined Kodak in 1976 and has held positions in Consumer and Professional Finishing, Government Systems, and Consumer Imaging. Drummond will replace Regina Pizzoli, who was appointed CEO of Encad, Inc., a manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers Kodak recently acquired. Information: www.kodak.com.

• Leica Posts Guiliani Photo on eBay
Leica Camera has posted a photograph of the World Trade Center taken by former mayor Rudy Guiliani in 1997 on the eBay website, “Auction for America… $100 Million in 100 Days.” This portion of the eBay website is designed and devoted to filtering out and tearing down all the postings from sellers intent to accrue some personal fortune from the Sept. 11 attacks. “New York Twins” was one in a series of photographs taken by Mayor Guiliani with a Leica R7 camera and presented in an exhibit entitled “View from the Capital of the World” at the Leica Gallery in New York City in the spring of 1998. The exhibit was a benefit for the charity, New Yorkers for Children. Information: (201) 767-7500.

• New Buckeye Director
Buckeye Color Lab has announced the addition of Martin F. Plummer as the company’s new Business Development director. Plummer will be a major influence in the lab’s new service initiative dedicated solely to helping studios increase profits and grow their business in new and existing areas. To further enhance the lab’s resolution, a comprehensive identity campaign will be launched driven by the message, “Developing Stronger Images.” Most recently, Plummer worked in sales management for a multi-million dollar imaging firm in Kansas City. Information: (800) 433-1292, ext. 114.

• Fuji Appoints VP of Corp. Communications
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. has appointed Camilla Jenkins to the newly created position of vice president of Corporation Communications. Jenkins will be responsible for directing the design and implementation of Fujifilm’s internal and external communications programs and oversee several functions including public relations, corporate contributions and community relations, financial relations, and environmental and safety affairs. Information: (212) 704-8147, www.fujifilm.com.

• New Legion Papers
Legion Paper has added Legion Photo Silk to its Digital Art Paper collection, a line of seven premium papers that enables digital artists and photographers to achieve true art quality output. The papers include: Legion Photo Silk; Somerset Photo Enhanced/Velvet (acid-free and 100% cotton); Somerset Photo Enhanced/Textured (acid free and 100% cotton); Concorde Rag (acid-free and 100% cotton); Legion Photo Gloss; Legion Photo Matte; and Legion Photo Canvas Cover. Information: e-mail: info@legionpaper.com, www.legionpaper.com.

• Giant Pandas Celebrate Anniversary
Giant pandas Tian Tian and Mei Xiang recently celebrated the first anniversary of their arrival at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. The giant panda exhibit, named the Fujifilm Giant Panda Conservation Habitat, will soon be expanded to include a large, new yard for the pandas designed specifically to meet their preferences and to highlight the Zoo’s giant panda research and education program. The yard will also be the anchor of a major renovation at the zoo called Asia Trail. Information: (202) 673-0209.

• Tamron Promotions
Tamron USA, Inc., announced that Patricia Gregitis will handle sales of Tamron and Bronica products in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Gregitis most recently covered the New Jersey, New York and Connecticut territories for Nikon’s Total Imaging Group. Information: (631) 858-8409; e-mail: evans@tamron.com.

• Fuji Promotions
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. has appointed Paul D’Andrea to Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning and Susan Schaffer to Director of Marketing, Consumer Hardware, both in the Consumer Markets Division of the Photo Imaging Group. In addition, Matt Knickerbocker is now Vice President, Field Sales, and Tony Sorice has been appointed Director of Sales, Hardware. Information: www.fujifilm.com.

• Big Digital Push for Parks
The National Park Foundation (NPF) has announced that it will send more than $500,000 worth of digital imaging and other traditional photography equipment to 140 National Parks across the country. The NPF’s Digital Imaging Product Foundation is made possible by the support of Kodak, a proud partner of America’s National Parks that will help establish a variety of park programs. Information: (202) 238-4200; www.kodak.com/go/hse.

• Junior Journalists
More than 150 third grade students from Highview Elementary School in Hartsdale, New York, interviewed Congressman Benjamin Gilman (R-20th) as part of the Junior Journalist Press Conference hosted by Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. The students presented Gilman with a package of photos and letters written by the students to be delivered to the troops overseas. Information: www.fujifilm.com.

• ProColor Promotions
ProColor has named John Gorski its President and CEO. Gorski brings 26 years of advertising, graphics and broadcast management experience with Minneapolis companies including Meyers Printing, Tele Edit, Juntunen Media Group and WCCO television. Information: e-mail: info@procolor.com; www.procolor.com.

• New Lumiquest site
Lumiquest.com has been redesigned with the “How Lumiquest Products Work” section at the core of the site. In this website section, animated illustrations demonstrate the lighting principal as it is affected by the various Lumiquest products. Users can also click on Product Guide for detailed information on the complete product line. Information: (830) 438-4646.

• EPIC Award
Lakewood photographer and document examiner Charla Janney recently received the 2001 Evidence Photographers International Council R. C. Hakanson Award for her contributions to the advancement of evidence photography. Janney is the first woman to receive the prestigious award, which honors recipients who help promote the continuous education in the evidence photography field. Information: (570) 253-5450.

• Eyelike Backs
Jenoptik has introduced its new “Eyelike Precision” line of camera backs. The M6 with 6m pixel CD, the M11 with the new Philips 10.7 pixel sensor and the M16 with Kodak’s 16m pixel CCD all come with two-level active cooling that reduces noise and produces superior image quality, as well as Jenoptik’s microscan technology. Their FireWire connection also enables them to be plugged into a laptop. Information: (914) 478-2082; e-mail: vogt_com.

• Digital Output Center
Digital Output Center (D.O.C.) has announced its range of film and digital services including: digital file proofing; film process and proof services; candid and package printing; volume package printing services; digital templates for wedding albums and senior portraits; VIP sports program, e-mail reordering, prints and enlargements from slides; canvas mounting and brush texturing; and Internet image posting services. Information: (888) 539-1644.

• Inter-State Studio Appoints New District Manager for Texas
Inter-State Studio & Publishing of Sedalia, Missouri has appointed Fred Hightower as District Manager for San Antonio, Texas and the surrounding counties. He will be managing the sales and delivery of the company’s full line of photographic services to elementary and secondary schools in the region

.• Masters of American Photography (Classic Collection)
To be released on June 1, is a series of U.S. stamps featuring photographs made by 20 of America’s most influential photographers. Arranged in chronological order, they offer a visual sampling of the history and development of photography in the U.S. and illustrate the changes in American culture and society. The work of the following photographers is depicted: The firm of Albert Sands Southworth and Josiah Johnson Hawes; Timothy H. O’Sullivan; Carleton E. Watkins; Gertrude Kasebier; Lewis W. Hine; Alvin Langdon Coburn; Edward Steichen; Alfred Stieglitz; Man Ray; Edward Weston; James VanDerZee; Dorothea Lange; Walker Evans; W. Eugene Smith; Paul Strand; Ansel Adams; Imogen Cunningham; Andre Kertesz; Garry Winogrand; and Minor White. Visit the Postal Store at http://shop.usps.com.

• Philip Hyde: A Retrospective Exhibition
The International Photography Hall of Fame recently announced an exhibition featuring the images of nature photographer and environmentalist, Philip Hyde. The exhibit will highlight the five-decade career of one of the most influential photographers of our time. Hyde’s photographs have not only inspired other photographers but have shaped federal laws promoting the preservation of Dinosaur National Monument, Point Reyes Seashore, the Grand Canyon, Big Sur, the California Redwoods as well as many other national parks and areas. The exhibit will run from July 6–Sept. 30. For more information, visit the IPHF web site: www.iphf.org.