Rangefinder Magazine
November 2001/Departments

Suppliers News

Fujifilm Donates $1 Million
Fujifilm announced it is donating $1 million to assist the victims and help in relief efforts in the wake of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks of September 11. The $1 million is being committed to several organizations, including the American Red Cross and The September 11 Fund, which is jointly administered by the United Way and The New York Community Trust.

“In this time of great national and personal tragedy, all of us at Fujifilm want to do whatever we can to help those in need and support those agencies that are at the forefront of the rescue, recovery and healing efforts,” said Yasuo “George” Tanaka, President of Fujifilm America, Inc. “All of the Fujifilm companies have joined together to make this contribution to support the disaster relief efforts and give aid and comfort to the many innocent victims of this tragedy. We are particularly proud of our employees, who have gone above and beyond this donation by contributing their own time and money to the relief efforts.”

Lisa Fenn Gordenstein Killed in Trade Center Crash
Lisa Fenn Gordenstein, 41 of Needham, Massachusetts, was killed on September 11 when the American Airlines plane on which she was traveling crashed into the World Trade Center at 8:45 a.m. Lisa is survived by her husband, David Gordenstein of Zeff Photo Supply, and her daughters Samantha and Carly. Lisa was an employee of TJX Co. and was enroute to L.A. along with seven other employees of TJX. Remembrances may be made to the National Alliance for Autism Research, P.O. Box 225, Topsfield, MA 01983 or a charity of your choice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lisa’s family.

Nikon Ends Production Nikonos V
The Nikonos V autoexposure 35mm underwater camera debuted in 1984 and quickly became a favorite among underwater photography professionals and enthusiasts. Today, after a long and very successful history, the underwater photo market has substantially diminished, resulting in unfavorable market conditions. The customer demand for Nikonos V is too small to justify future production costs, according to Nikon. Repair service for the Nikonos V will be available without interruption and is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. To further enhance their existing Nikonos V cameras, customers can continue to buy accessories such as interchangeable lenses, speedlights, close-up accessories and other small accessories, through 2002.

IPHF Free Newsletter
The Photography Hall of Fame is now signing up people to receive the IPHF E-Newsletter! Go to the web site: www.
iphf.org or www.photographyhalloffame.org. Enter enter your e-mail address and you will be registered for IPHF’s free monthly Internet newsletter. The IPHF E-Newsletter will feature interviews with top photographers, event listings, specials on equipment and much more information. Go to www.iphf.org today and get on the list!

Epson Unveils Archival Inks
From Los Angeles’ Museum of Contemporary Art to the Gallery of the Midwest Photo Exchange, museums and galleries are increasingly showcasing inkjet prints created with Epson America’s archival inks. Epson’s Archival Ink technology is a lasting solution for portrait studio photography, fine art and museum prints or heirloom portraits. The process uses MicroCrystal Encapsulation technology, which bridges the gap between pigment ink longevity and silver-halide color quality. It outperforms Lightjet and Pegasus prints in lightfastness and media options, and Iris prints in lightfastness and color gamut. Information: (562) 290-5683, www.epson.com.

New Olympus Business Solutions Site
Olympus America has launched its new business solutions web site, www.olympusamerica.com/business_solutions, devoted to the specific digital imaging needs and applications for vertical markets including medical, insurance, law enforcement and real estate. The web site provides industry-specific applications, educational content, case studies and testimonials, as well as information on relevant trade shows. It will also serve as a “cyber community” for professionals who will be able to share ideas and imaging techniques, as well as communicate with Olympus. Information: (631) 844-5700, www.olympus.com.

Minolta Student Photography Awards
Minolta Corporation has awarded Fuquay-Varina High School student Marcy Teague with the First Prize for its second annual “Show Us Your World” student photography contest. Co-sponsored by National Geographic, the contest generated more than 5,500 entries from high school students across the United States. An exhibit of the winning entries in Washington, D.C. is planned for later this year. Information: (201) 818-3512, www.minolta.com.

AIAP Formed
AIAP spokesman Alan Blakely stated that the association was created by a group of American architectural photographers who felt a need for a unified voice and trade-specific resources for both established and aspiring architectural photographers.

“Architectural photographers have always been a minority in the commercial photographic community,” explained Blakely. “The AIAP was created to serve the unique needs of independent architectural photographers.”

The association’s purpose is to “promote the education and professional success of architectural photographers worldwide.” The AIAP exists solely as an online entity with worldwide access and membership. One of the key features of the AIAP website is the “Find a Photographer” search utility.

Epson Takes Equity Position With ASF
Epson America Inc. and Applied Science Fiction announced today that Epson has taken an equity position in ASF, and the companies have executed a strategic alliance agreement to cooperate in the development of digital imaging technologies. Epson is the creator of high-quality, award-winning digital imaging products, and Applied Science Fiction is the creator of the award-winning Digital ICE™ technology, the leader of automatic photo restoration applications and the inventor of the cutting-edge digital dry film processing (Digital PIC™) system.

“Our relationship with Epson further strengthens ASF’s position in the imaging landscape,” said Dan Sullivan, president and CEO of Applied Science Fiction. “We’re especially delighted that a market leader such as Epson has chosen to invest in ASF and our technologies. This strategic alliance agreement will enable ASF to offer the finest photofinishing solution incorporating our revolutionary Digital PIC dry film processing system for consumers and businesses alike.”

New President of ASMP
Baltimore photographer Dave Harp has been elected president of the American Society of Media Photographers, ASMP. Harp, who operates a commercial and editorial photography business, has a newspaper, magazine and commercial photography background. He brings to the ASMP leadership position a well-honed understanding of ASMP matters and chapter and national levels, and concern that photographers need to make a united effort to become a force in the marketplace. A former photographer for The Baltimore Sun Magazine, Harp was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1984. Information: (360) 293-7959, www.asmp.org.

Hasselblad Introduces Colored Cameras
For the first time, Hasselblad, www.hasselblad.com, introduces a standard camera model, the 503CW, in optional colors. The camera, together with the film magazine and standard focusing hood in chrome finish, is available in four colors; Ruby Red, Cobalt Blue, Forest Green and Sun Yellow.

Based on overwhelmingly positive market research, the colored cameras were created for the photographer who wants to make a bold statement. The four new distinctive colors range from audacious to subtle and complement a variety of tastes and lifestyles. The colored cameras apply to professional and amateur photographers.

The 503CW is the workhorse model of the Hasselblad line, equipped with the Acute-Matte D split-image focusing screen, TTL/ OTF flash metering and the optional Winder CW and Carl Zeiss CFi/CFE lenses.

The new Hasselblad colored cameras will be available on a special order basis through any authorized Hasselblad USA dealer and are offered at the same price as the standard models.

New Konica Online Store
Stocked with entertaining, innovative and easy-to-use photo imaging products, the new Konica Online Store, www.konicaonlinestore.com, gives consumers a fun and convenient way to rediscover the brand. Also accessed through the company’s corporate web site, www.konica.com, the new online store allows photographers to purchase Konica digital, 35mm and APS cameras, films, inkjet paper and more. Included in the online inventory are the just-released SnapShare™--which offers a digital Internet photo studio-in-a-box—and the Hexar RF, a 35mm rangefinder camera. Information: (718) 398-4009.

New Ernst Wildi Book
Focal Press has announced the upcoming publication of “Medium Format Advantage” by Ernst Wildi. This second edition book provides new material on panoramic format, apochromatic lenses, aspheric lenses, tele extenders, glass and relative illumination and motor drives. It also includes updated information on perspective control, tilt controls, built-in metering systems and use of apertures. Wildi has written several hundred articles on photography and filmmaking and is the author of “The Hasselblad Manual.” Information: (800) 366-2665, www.focalpress.com.

Fuji Donates $300,000
Minoru Ohnishi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (right) and Harry Watanabe, President, Fuji Photo Film, Inc. (left) present a $300,000 contribution toward the establishment of the new Fujifilm Medical Imaging Center for Women of Self Memorial Hospital. Pictured with Ohnishi and Watanabe are Bubba Fennell, Chairman, Self Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees (second from left) and John Heydel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Self Memorial Hospital (second from right).