Rangefinder Magazine
July 2002

New Products

Specifications in these listings are condensed from information provided by manufacturers and suppliers. For more information about these new products or processes, use the Direct Response Cards provided elsewhere in this issue. When contacting the companies direct, please mention Rangefinder.

Tallyn's Professional Photographic

Tallyn’s Professional Photographic has announced its new Digital Image Recovery for Compact Flash Cards and IBM Microdrives, which recovers accidentally reformatted, erased media and data. The Digital Data Recovery includes scanning of media to analyze and assess possible structural damage, and corrupted and irreparable files, as well as a full data scan to retrieve all data previously saved on card even if the card has been reformatted. A full data report, which lists all files found and individual file sizes will be provided. A full diagnostics test on the card and testing for potential hardware problems will also be performed, along with a reformatting, a thorough scandisk and errors fix, and a defragmentation of the digital media. All data retrieved will be transferred to CDs and shipped via UPS ground. Contact Tallyn’s Professional Photographic, 1609 W. Detweiler Dr., Peoria, IL 61615; (800) 433-8685, fax: (309) 692-8346; web: www.tallyns.com/datarecovery.htm; e-mail: pros@tallyns.com.

Amherst Media

Norman Phillips’ new book for Amherst Media is called Lighting Techniques for High Key Portrait Photography and it is perhaps the best collection of methods for producing high key that we’ve seen. Loaded with lighting diagrams and descriptive text, the book not only describes how to create the lighting effect, but also explains why the technique works and is effective. Norman Phillips is a master photographer who is the recipient of more than 150 awards, including WPPI’s Accolade of Outstanding Photographic Excellence (AOPE). The book retails for $29.95 and is available from Amherst Media, 155 Rano St., Ste. 300, Buffalo, NY 14207; (800) 622-3278, www.amherst
media.com.

American Photographic Resources announces the addition of their beautiful, new Regal Furniture. The Regal line consists of an Adult and Child Regal Arm Chair, Adult and Child Regal Bench, Regal Side Chair, and an Adult and Child Regal Fainting Sofa. These priceless pieces will enhance any photo session from executive shoots to seniors to children. For information or a catalog call (800) 657-5213 or e-mail aprnow@aprprops.com.

	Panasonic

Panasonic has introduced high-performance, long-lasting, AA-size batteries developed specifically for power-hungry digital cameras. An unfortunate side-effect of the digital camera’s advanced electronics technology is an unforgiving demand for battery power. The newly developed, AA-size, nickel-zinc battery is the first of its kind to be introduced in the U.S. consumer marketplace. It is designed to provide longer-lasting power than high-drain alkaline batteries, addressing the needs of the rapidly growing U.S. digital-still camera market. The battery is called PowerEdge, will be available in July 2002 and is priced between $5.49 and $5.99 for a AA four-pack.

Kodak ProShots Studio Software Suite v5.0, introduced by Kodak Professional, allows photographers to work with both film-based and digitally captured images, and offers a more intuitive, easy-to-use graphical user interface for delivering image files to processing labs. Enhancements include more automated features to save production time and more presentation options. Information: (800) 235-6325; www.kodak.com/go/professional.

La-vie Birdal Albums

La-vie Bridal Albums were developed as the most stylish and high-end bridal album in the world. The company’s own album designers use their expertise to design and edit each La-vie Bridal Album, giving this album its uniqueness and, therefore, making it one of a kind. The album is 100% hand-crafted. The concept and style of the album is completely different from any other. No more standard posing style pictures, instead beautiful photos that tell the story of the entire wedding day. In the past few years, La-vie Bridal Album has revolutionized the wedding album industry in Japan, becoming the most requested and top-selling wedding album in that country. These beautiful albums are now available in the U.S. for the first time. Information: La-vie Bridal, 900 Wilshire Blvd, #936, Los Angeles, CA 90017; (800) 509-7008. (213) 689-9100, fax (213) 689-9120; e-mail: gardenchapel@aol.com



Adobe Photoshop 7.0 now features expanded support for Wacom graphics tablet tools, including tilt-and pressure-sensitive pens as well as a digital airbrush with a rotating fingerwheel. Brush shape and size, intensity, opacity and texture depth can now be naturally controlled to dynamically change stokes and effects as they are applied including the new Healing Brush. A built-in Wacom eraser allows you to undo effects lightly or heavily according to the pressure applied. Information: (360) 896-9833; xt. 161; web: www.wacom.com.

Image captured with Foveon® X3™ technology

Foveon, Inc. has introduced its new line of Foveon X3 image sensors, full-color sensors that capture red, green and blue light at each pixel. This technology innovation, available for all classes of digital cameras, results in sharper images, better color, and freedom from color artifacts common in present digital cameras. Information: (877) 436-8366; www.foveon.com.

Phase One has announced the availability of the Phase One H5 camera back aimed at medium-format commercial photographers who want the advantages of direct digital imaging. Among the benefits provided by H5 is the ability for portrait photographers to shorten the buying cycle and add more opportunities to “up sell” during portrait sessions. Information: (631) 757-0400; www.phaseone.com.

ToCAD America has introduced Surroundphoto from Sunpak 360 VR for quickly and easily creating 360 VR scenes for publishing to the web or as panoramic still images, in minutes and with just a single exposure. Surroundphoto from Sunpak works with select digital camera models from Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Fuji, Casio, HP and Sony as well as many conventional camera systems. Information: (973) 428-9800; www.tocad.com.

Tamron USA, Inc.

Tamron USA, Inc. has released its Zenzanon PS50–100mm f/4–5.6 zoom lens for the Bronica SQ-Ai (6x6) camera system. The lens covers a wide range of focal lengths frequently used in landscape and event photography, and is a versatile standard lens for the Bronica 6x6 format system due to its compact size and focal range. Information: (631) 858-8409; www.@tamron.com.



Photo Control Corp. has introduced its ZDS digital series of camera equipment. Both the Camerz ZDS-DC digital camera, designed specifically for the requirements of volume portrait photography, and Camerz ZDS-DB digital back offer a 1600x2000 CCD array totaling 3.2 million pixels for 9.5 MB file size. Images can be saved in TIFF, JPEG, Targa or Bitmap file formats and are connected to a PC via FireWire. Information: (800) 787-8078; www.photo-control.com.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., has introduced three six-color bubble jet printers focused at the photo imaging segment of the market and two four-color printers for the SOHO market. Additionally, the S820D direct connect photo printer, is now on sale at retail outlets. Six-color photo printers added to the line include the S9000 13x19" wide format printer, the S900 and S820. New four-color printers include the S750 and S520. Information: (516) 328-5095; e-mail: rlebron@
cusa.canon.com.

Pentax Corporation expands its line of autofocus lenses for use with its 645n and 645nii medium-format cameras with the introduction of the SMCP-FA 645 Zoom 33–55mm f/4.5 AL ultra-wide-angle zoom lens and the SMCP-FA 645 Zoom 55–110mm f/5.6 standard zoom lens. The addition of these two lenses brings the count of 645 autofocus lenses to 13. Both the SMCP-FA 645 Zoom 33–55mm f/4.5 AL and the SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 55–110mm f/5.6 lenses can also be used with the PENTAX 645 camera in manual-focus operation. Information: www.pentax
usa.com.

Olympus has just introduced the Camedia C-720 Ultra Zoom, the “world’s smallest” 3MP, 8X optical zoom digital camera. The new highly compact camera is easy to use, weighing only 11 ounces and measuring 3.1x4.2 in. The list price of the new camera is $599. Information: Olympus America Inc., Consumer Products Group, Two Corporate Center Dr., Melville, NY 11747-3157, (631) 844-5000, (800) 622-6372, Fax: (631) 844-5262; web: www.
olympusamerica.com.

Videoptics, has introduced the new Pro Digix Film Proofing System. Using a Digix, a Wedding or Portrait Photographer can eliminate costly paper proofs while presenting images in an attractive, yet non-reproducible form. The Digix produces a positive video image directly from 35mm or medium format film, which can be: 1) projected on a TV screen for presenting images to clients, 2) recorded on any VCR to create video proof tapes, or 3) used with a video capture card to create computer image files which can be posted on the Internet or burned to a CD-ROM Film can be color-shifted depending on lighting conditions, exposure, film type and development procedure. The system has a 10X zoom for viewing up to a 6x7cm negative full frame, or zooming in to blow up specific details, and the camera head flips easily between detented positions for viewing horizontal or vertical negatives. The Pro Digix, model DXP and Videoptics’ complete line of film previewing and projection systems can be seen at www.videoptics.com, or call 888-265-4725 to request a catalog.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. has introduced the EOS D60 digital SLR. Developed with the needs of studio and catalog photographers in mind, the new D60, with its 6.3 megapixel (effective) resolution, replaces the EOS D30 digital SLR model with such new features as: a three-point AF system; three illuminated viewfinder focusing points; and the ability to capture images simultaneously in RAW and JPEG. Information: www.usa.canon.com.

Hasselblad has introduced three new CFE lenses, the Macro-Planar T 4/120mm (top-of-the-line macro lens), Sonar T 4/180mm (portrait lens) and Sonnar Superschromat 5.6/250mm (highest resolution lens). The CFE design simplifies the light metering function together with 200 series cameras. Information: www.hasselblad.com/news.
Panasonic has created the Lumix digital camera line combining digital and optical technologies. Incorporating Leica lenses, the new Lumex digital cameras, including models DMC-LC5 and DMC-LC40 incorporating the DC Vario-Summicron lens—”see” beyond the surface, capturing the nuances of shadows and light. Other Lumix cameras incorporate the DMC-F7 2X and the DMC-LC20 3X zoom lenses. Information: (201) 348-7184; e-mail: camerlengom@panasonic.com.

Kristin Elliott Inc. has released six non-printed die-cut photo cards. The new photo cards feature textured felt-weave stocks in six colors, a debossed rule surrounding the die-cut opening and an open-ended pocket for easy use. The die-cut opening is 3-1/2x5-1/”, ideal for 4x6” photo presentation in either a vertical or horizontal format. Information: (800) 922-1899.

For the first time, the new Taprell Loomis catalog is offering “Packaging Coordinates,” a new concept that allows studio photographers to select matching folios, folders, easels, mounts and other items to create presentations. TAP’s new 64-page catalog also offers reduced “special value” prices for popular Theme and Sports Memory Mates, and many new products, colors and sizes in its 2002 packaging. Information: (440) 234-3470; e-mail: hancy2@earthlink.net.

Luminos Photo Corp. has introduced Lumijet Monochrome Plus for the black and white print maker. Formulated specifically for the 1270/1280/870/890 LumiFlo Fluidic Ink Delivery System, the Monochrome Plus set of six black inks enables printmakers to use their installed OEM color management system to control tonality from highlights to shadows. Printmakers can utilize the tools in their photo editing software to vary the tone of the image. Information: (914) 965-4800; www.luminos.com.

The Flush-Mount Kingston Album from Albums Unlimited is designed for displaying your digital prints. Provide Albums Unlimited with your digital or traditional prints to mount for you. Panoramic prints can easily be included. If you do your own digital imaging and printing, make sure your images are printed on photo paper with a non-glossy clear-coat finish to prevent fingerprints. The Kingston flush-mount album is great for traditional prints too. Just give Albums Unlimited your finished photos for mounting. Information: Albums Unlimited, 1080 Martin Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050; (800) 625-2867); e-mail: albumsunlm@aol.com.

Kodak Professional recently introduced its newest medium-format digital camera backs. These 645 digital backs—featuring the 16mp CCD sensor, LCD display and image management capabilities—are compatible with the Contax 645AF and Mamiya 645AF camera systems and deliver hand-held portability for wedding, portrait, on-location commercial and outdoor photography. Information: (800) 235-6325; www.kodak.com/go/professional.

Kodak Professional has introduced its new Extended Range Imaging Technology, a proprietary image format that represents a major advance in digital imaging. It provides photographers ease-of-use JPEG files with the image quality and color/exposure control of Kodak’s highly DCR format raw camera files. Information: (800) 235-6325; www.kodak.com/go/professional.