Samsung Announces NX Series Camera Firmware Upgrade

Upgrades for NX100 and NX10 cameras bring added fun and convenience

to consumers

SEOUL, Korea – April 17, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced firmware upgrades for two products within Samsung’s NX compact system camera range – the NX100 and NX10. The upgrade will give a unified user experience for the full NX range and provide enhanced features for existing customers.

Following the availability of the innovative i-Function lens feature on both models, the latest upgrades are set to make the cameras even more convenient for the photographer to use, bringing added value to Samsung’s NX range customers and putting the perfect picture at their fingertips.

Users of the NX100 and NX10 cameras can now benefit from the availability of the Panorama Shot in Scene Mode, using the camera’s wide angle lens to capture even more within their landscape images.

A Visual Look at the Age of DSLRs and iLC/Mirrorless Cameras

Anxiously awaiting the announcement of the next camera upgrade? Wondering how long your current camera model has been out? Wonder no more. 1001 Noisy Cameras has it all laid out for readers to see exactly how long it's been since the announcement of each DSLR and mirrorless body available. And what's more, each chart is self-updating so the information will stay current as time progresses. Check it out!

http://www.1001noisycameras.com/2011/03/a-visual-look-at-the-age-of-dslrs-and-mirrorless-.html

Vail Film Festival video Content via Olympus

Starting last week Olympus has been rolling out this great new Vail Film Festival video content and will continue to do so each Tuesday (on Video Tuesday) until the end of June on www.getolympus.com and all of their Olympus social channels including: www.YouTube.com/getolympus, http://twitter.com/getolympus, www.facebook.com/getolympus and www.flickr.com/getolympus.  This promotion is also in addition to some of media coverage this contest has garnered in a number of outlets already and some posts they have received on www.VailFilmFest.com and the Festival’s social channels.

·         4/4 – Running Colors – Winning Short - http://bit.ly/PENshort
·         4/12 –The Behind the Scenes Video -  http://bit.ly/hJE71u
·         4/19 – Running Colors – With Behind the Scenes footage and winner interview
·         4/26 – Der Burgermeister – Honorable Mention Short - With behind the scenes footage
·         5/3 – Ancient Rituals of the Odaroloc Tribe – With behind the scenes footage
·         5/10 – The Getaway – With Behind the Scenes footage
·         5/17 – Exit the Snow Dragon – With Behind the Scenes footage
·         5/24 – Baboon Knuckles –  With Behind the Scenes footage
·         5/31 – Different Slopes – With Behind the Scenes footage
·         6/7 – Lost Glove – With Behind the Scenes footage
·         6/14 – Freezing Point – With Behind the Scenes footage
·         6/21 – Warren Miller’s Avant Guard Ski Film – With Behind the Scenes footage
·         6/28 – Outtakes/Highlights from all films

1 GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive the NEW 64GB Apple iPad 2 and $500 gift certificate from Adorama.
A FIRST PLACE WINNER will be selected for each category.
3 FIRST PLACE WINNERS will receive a $100 gift certificate from Adorama.
ALL FIRST PLACE WINNERS will each receive a digital camera,
a PhotoServe portfolio (worth $860), a PDN PhotoPlus International
Gold Expo Pass, A one-year subscription to PDN, A two-year subscription to
Rangefinder and a two-year membership in WPPI, and a Crumpler bag.
THE WINNERS WILL BE
PRINTED IN THE AUGUST 2011
ISSUE OF PDN AND IN AN
ONLINE GALLERY
PDN has expanded our distribution to include over 5,000 creatives!
Winning work will be seen by industry photo editors, art directors
and art buyers!

• CELEBRITY/EDITORIAL PORTRAITS(STUDIO) • ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE • SELF-PORTRAITS • ANIMAL PORTRAITS

or

go to facesphotocontest.com

Olympus Firmware Update for XZ-1

Today Olympus announces the release of a firmware update for the XZ-1.  Version 1.2 adds picture orientation: Horizontal/Vertical, to the camera menu. The camera will record which way the image was oriented when captured, so in playback, the orientation of an image can be rotated by using the control ring. The desired orientation is then saved in the Exif portion of the image file. Photographers can choose to turn this function on or leave it off.

To download and install this firmware update, simply launch Olympus [ib] software and connect the camera via USB cable to an internet connected computer.  Choose the Update function from the Camera menu in the software and the update will be applied.

Think Tank's New Bag for DSLR's: the Retrospective® 5,

Think Tank Photo to Release New Bag for DSLR, Micro Four Thirds and Rangefinder Cameras

Santa Rosa, Calif. – Think Tank Photo announces that in May it will release the Retrospective® 5, a soft-sided shoulder bag designed for DSLR, Micro Four Thirds, and rangefinder camera equipment. Like the other bags in Think Tank’s Retrospective series, the Retrospective 5 was created as an homage to classic photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Frank.


Designed for the professional photographer who wants to remain inconspicuous in any situation, its "old-school" look mixes with "new-school" features giving tribute to the days when bags were visually simple but highly functional. It is available in two colors, black and Pinestone.

FUJIFILM showcases INNOVATION AND QUALITY at 2011 NAB

New Optical Lenses, Storage Solutions, Motion Picture Products

And FinePix Real 3D W3 Digital Camera Highlight Annual Show

In order to meet the ever-changing needs of the broadcasting industry, FUJIFILM today announced that for the first time, the company will present several different products – including new lenses, storage solutions, motion picture film and the FinePix REAL 3D W3 digital camera – at the 2011 NAB Show, held April 11-14 in Las Vegas under the FUJIFILM brand.

“This is the first time that products from several FUJIFILM companies will appear under the FUJIFILM brand name at NAB,” said Ray Hosoda, president, FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation. “By offering a wide range of advanced products and services, Fujifilm continues to raise the bar on its industry-leading line of lenses, storage solutions, motion picture film and 3D digital cameras.”

New USB3 Card Reader from Delkin

Memory Card Reader Moves Files Twelve Times Faster with Universal Compatibility across Brands & Formats

Poway, CA. April 7th, 2011 - Delkin Devices, a technology manufacturer with over 25 years of experience in innovative digital design, today announced their highly anticipated USB 3.0 Universal Memory Card Reader boasting transfer speeds over 12 times that of current USB 2.0 readers.  Since USB 3.0 technology was publicly announced in November of 2008, computer and accessory manufacturers have been slow to incorporate the new format despite its impressive 5Mbps data transfer speed capability.  The first USB 3.0 equipped devices began to appear in the market in January of 2010 with very little portable accessory availability even into the beginning of 2011.

New Delkin 633X UHS-I SDHC card

633X UHS-I SDHC Memory Card Boasts Fastest Transfer Speeds to Date with 80MBps Write Capability for HD and 3D Video

Poway, CA. April 7th, 2011– Today Delkin announces the fastest SD memory card built to Secure Digital format specifications, with transfer speeds up to 95MB/s read, 80MB/s write and an impressive 633X speed rating that more than triples previous Class 10 capabilities.  The new card, dubbed Elite 633X for its superb performance, utilizes an Ultra High Speed Bus Interface to achieve unprecedented transfer speeds.
“With DSLRs shooting RAW in continuous bursts that exceed 10 frames per second and pro video cameras regularly shooting streaming HD and 3D video, imaging professionals need a card that won’t slow them down,” explains CEO Martin Wood.  “The Elite 633 card is the first Secure Digital card that promises to keep up with the most advanced imaging equipment in the market.”

Oliver P. Kuhrt to leave Koelnmesse

CEO Gerald Böse to assume Kuhrt’s responsibilities until further notice

Oliver P. Kuhrt, the Executive Vice President of Koelnmesse responsible
for marketing, today informed the Chairman of the Group’s Supervisory
Board, Mayor Jürgen Roters, that he would like to formally resign from his
position at the Supervisory Board meeting to be held tomorrow, April 5,
2011, in order to take on a new professional challenge. The
responsibilities of Mr. Kuhrt’s management division will be taken over
immediately and until further notice by Gerald Böse, Chief Executive
Officer of Koelnmesse.

X-Rite has developed a new training seminar

Going Beyond Density - Optimal Process Control for Printing
May 17, 2011 - New York, NY
As the world leader in color instrumentation and software for the Printing market, X-Rite has developed a new training seminar to meet the ongoing needs of this competitive industry. This seminar consists of two components - a morning session from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm focused on process color for offset and an afternoon session from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on flexographic press process control with an emphasis on packaging and spot color, including Pantone. The core focus of each session will be on the importance of measurement based process control versus visual and how to better manage various aspects of your workflow from screen to print.

Learn More
For more information, please visit xrite.com/processcontrol
or call Kellie Castillo at (888) 439-4403 or email seminars@xrite.com.

Editors Note: We have always been a fan of x-rite's color control products finding them to always be user friendly and very accurate for our needs. I would highly recommend going to any workshop they or others put on if you want to learn about controlling color, the Internet is a good place to start but in the classroom you will always learn more and faster.

SIX ways to help you shoot smarter instead of harder from ShootSmarter.com

It's week two of the NEW Shoot Smarter site and things keep getting better.
This week we have some new articles including updated monitor
recommendations, and our big highlight this week is the new Blog featuring Will Crockett. Read every update below this week and don't miss a thing, you'll thank us!

Here are SIX ways to help you shoot smarter instead of harder...

New FujiFilm FINEPIX Z900 EXR

FUJIFILM BLENDS STYLE WITH SUBSTANCE IN THE NEW FINEPIX Z900 EXR

"Set Your Pictures Free With Advanced Technology, Widescreen LCD AND Multi Touch Input"

Valhalla, N.Y., April 5, 2011 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the FinePix Z900 EXR digital camera, the latest addition to the fashion-forward line of Z-series compact cameras. The FinePix Z900 EXR delivers a powerful new 16-MegaPixel EXR CMOS sensor, a FUJINON 5x wide angle refractive optical zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent) and a large widescreen (16:9) 3.5” High Resolution Touch screen LCD with an easy-to-use Multi Touch user interface.
The FinePix Z900 EXR also offers a series of impressive features that include a new EXR Auto mode that recognizes 27 scenes, one-touch access to full 1080p HD movie capture, an intuitive Dual Direction GUI with beautiful vector font that allows for smooth and easy navigation with an improved Flash animation user interface with “tap and shoot” capabilities and fast image tagging with automatic upload functions to YouTube and Facebook.

Nikon D5100 D-SLR and the ME-1 stereo microphone.

Today, Nikon has announced the new Nikon D5100 D-SLR and the ME-1 stereo microphone. The Nikon D5100 is designed for the user who is looking for an advanced camera that can keep pace creatively and features the new “effects mode” to let the user create fun effects that can be applied to both photos and videos.

Below, please find a selection of highlights about the Nikon D5100 and ME-1 microphone as well as the full press release and links to high-resolution images.

Nikon D5100 D-SLR:

·         A large 3.0-inch, high resolution 921,000-dot swivel type vari-angle LCD monitor
·         Effects Mode incorporates an array of special effects for use when taking still pictures or recording D-Movies

·         Night vision

·         Color sketch

·         Miniature effect

·         Selective color

·         16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor
·         D-Movie with Full HD (1080p, 24/30p) with Full-Time AF and stereo sound
·         11-point AF system including a cross-type sensor
·         Live View with Auto Scene Selector
·         Built-in HDR that produces images with wider dynamic range by combining consecutive shots
·         ISO sensitivity 100-6400 for clean and clear images, even in low-light
·         4 frames per second (fps) high-speed continuous shooting
·         Available in mid-April for $799.95 for body only and $899.95 for outfit (inc. 18-55mm VR lens)

ME-1 Stereo Microphone:

·         Engineered specifically for a D-SLR, and powered directly through the camera
·         Attaches to the hot shoe and has noise dampening components designed to minimize noise resulting from AF operation
·         Incorporates a low-cut filter to reduce wind and other noise not already blocked by the wind screen
·         Utilizing a standard 3.5mm stereo jack, the ME-1 is ideal for the D5100 and other Nikon HD movie capable D-SLR’s such as the D3s, D300s, D7000, as well as the COOLPIX P7000
·         Available in April for $179.95

Full Release after the Jump

Lensbaby Announces The Composer Pro : a New SLR Lens

The Composer Pro delivers ultra-smooth creative control for the most discerning professional photographers and videographers

 

Portland, OR – April 4, 2011 - Lensbaby announces its newest SLR creative effects camera lens, the Composer Pro.  The Composer Pro refines and enhances the popular and award winning Lensbaby Composer by upgrading the swivel ball and focus mechanism to provide professional performance.  The Composer Pro’s metal swivel ball design and refined focus mechanism deliver ultra-smooth focus and tilt control.  The updated focus mechanism features a fluid and accurate dampened focus ring comparable to the focus mechanisms of the highest quality professional manual focus lenses.  This smooth, fluid operation makes the Composer Pro the perfect choice for discerning professional photographers and videographers who want to create ground-breaking creative imagery.  

“RINGO” MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR POPULAR TABLETS

VOGEL’S ANNOUNCES “RINGO” MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR IPAD 2, GALAXY TAB & OTHER POPULAR TABLETS

RingO’s Modular Design Lets You Quickly Mount Your iPad 2

Onto Any Surface: Wall, Car, Tile, Boat, & More

March 28, 2011, Eindhoven, Netherlands – Vogel’s^® www.vogels.com www.ipadonthewall.com/usa, the European market leader in Audio/Video & TV mounting solutions, announced today the world-wide launch of the new patented RingO^® universal tablet mounting system for iPad 2, iPad, and Galaxy Tab, with new versions for additional tablets available at a later date.  The RingO system allows users to mount their tablet onto virtually any surface: wall, car, tile, boat, to enjoy watching movies, reading the latest news, or using any app, hands free.

Snap On & Off to Quickly Move iPad 2 from One Location to Next

RingO’s key feature is its simplicity – its modular design lets users quickly snap the RingO Cover onto a tablet, which then can be clicked securely onto a variety of  RingO mounts:  Wall Mount, Car Mount, Flexible Mount and others.  Just quickly squeeze the mount clips to release the iPad from the mount, click quickly onto the next Mount, and your tablet is ready to use wherever it’s needed.

Sigma Announces Upcoming Partnering Relationships for Giveaways/Promotions

Sigma is pleased and excited to have relationships with so many of the leaders in the photography industry, whether they be the magazines that capture the essence of photography and speak to those passionate about it or individuals who represent photography and give voice to their imagination and depth to their emotions with their outstanding photographs. They work together to further photography and establish Sigma as dedicated, involved and yes, passionate photo equipment manufacturer.

1001 Noisy Cameras bought and renamed by AOL

 

As part of the AOL money-burning spree they have started to buy up tech-based web-news/blog sites of which www.1001noisycameras.com is one of them. In a shocking revelation Huffington Post owner now editor of all AOL publications hopes to improve their dominance over the net ti include us Photo nerds too apparently. Full details and more after the Jump...

Tamron Launches "My Photo Exhibits":

Dynamic 3D Virtual Exhibit Space Offers Photo Enthusiasts An Innovative Way To Showcase Photos
Site Launch Complemented By On-The-Go iPhone App and Travel Photo Contest

March 31, 2011, Commack, NY — Tamron USA, Inc., has announced the launch of MyPhotoExhibits (MPE), an innovative way for photographers looking to showcase their favorite images in a unique, free online venue. Unlike traditional static online galleries, Tamron's SoHo-like MyPhotoExhibits interface, available at  http://myphotoexhibits.com, allows users to create customizable 3D exhibits with a vibrant interactive experience.
Read attached press release for more details and information about Tamron's photo contest.

Digitial Camera Market to Experience Shake-up with New Entry into the Full-Frame Category by Pentax

Photo of old MZsD 6mp ff that never was produced

A new entry into the professional level full-frame DSLR category by the camera manufacturer that as of yet does offer a product in the category, is about to shake up the market with their new rumored offering.

The rumored Pentax "K-1" is to be accompanied by a new line of lenses created expressly for a full-frame digital format, many will be digitally-optimized version of the famous FA* lenses.
Brief specs are to be a 18MP FF sensor, Optimized SAFOX IX af an over-sized "uni-body" similar to the D3 or 1D series but smaller/lighter, Lenses rumored to be released with it are (all SDM and weather sealed) a 28-70mm F2.8, 80-200mm F2.8, 300mm F2.8 and 600mm F4to be the first lenses to be introduced with others like the 24 F2, 50 F1.4 and a new 400mm F2.8 to be released over the following 12 months. Lenses will work on the current bodies but with a "crop factor" New Flash, GPS and Wi-Fi adapters to be announced too.
Line up to be a FF "Pro" the K-5 "semi-pro" the K-x "entry level" and the soon to be announced Pentax Mirror-less system for hobbyists.


The expected release date, full specs and more after the Jump...

Update on the impact by the Major Earthquake in Northeastern Japan

The following is the latest Update on the disaster in Japan from Nikon:

March 31, 2011 The Nikon Group would express our deepest condolences to the victims of the earthquake and extend our profound sympathy and heartfelt concern to those individuals and families suffering from the disaster. The following is an update regarding Nikon Corporation and its group manufacturing facilities. Safety of the employees As have previously informed, to our deepest regret, death of one employee of Sendai Nikon Corporation has been confirmed and safety of three employees is not yet confirmed in the area of Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture. Reopen of operation at the manufacturing facilities and outlook on the future production One of our own plants and seven of our manufacturing subsidiaries are located in the disastrous region of Miyagi Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture *. All of these facilities have resumed their operation now with reopen by yesterday, March 30 of Sendai Nikon Corporation and Miyagi Nikon Precision Co., Ltd. It has been becoming clearer that we will be able to secure parts/components including their replacements through our investigation of the current conditions and possible measures to secure the procurement in our collaboration with our business partners. However, we have a concern that the situation may continue where our production cannot fully satisfy our customers’ requirement due to inability of full swing production worsened by the planned blackouts of electricity. While we will do our utmost effort to overcome such expected difficulties, we will be most grateful if our customers could understand such circumstances. Forecast of effect by the damage to our business performances We are continuing our endeavor to evaluate how the immediate damage by the disaster and planned blackouts of electricity will result in our group companies and business performances. We will announce our findings immediately when it is judged that there will be important change in our forecast. * Locations of each plant and manufacturing subsidiaries Mito Plant, Nikon Corporation : Mito, Ibaraki Pref. Sendai Nikon Corporation : Natori, Miyagi Pref. Miyagi Nikon Precision Co., Ltd. : Zao-machi, Katta-gun, Miyagi Pref. Zao factory, Nikon-Trimble Co., Ltd. : Zao-machi, Katta-gun, Miyagi Pref. Tochigi Nikon Corporation : Otawara, Tochigi Pref. Tochigi Nikon Precision Co., Ltd. : Otawara, Tochigi Pref. Kurobane Nikon Co., Ltd. : Otawara, Tochigi Pref. Nasu Nikon Co., Ltd. : Nasukarasuyama, Tochigi Pref. Note: Nikon-Trimble Co., Ltd. is an equity-method company. Nasu Nikon Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Nikon-Essilor Co., Ltd. which is an equity-method company.

PANASONIC TO LAUNCH 15-MARKET “EXPERIENCE AMAZING” TOUR

Major-Market Tour Will Showcase Panasonic’s 2011 Line of Cutting-Edge Home Entertainment Products

Visitors Will Have the Opportunity to Experience Award-Winning VIERA Full HD 3D and VIERA Connect IPTVs and Get Hands on with the Latest in 3D Cameras and Camcorders

SECAUCUS, NJ (March 31, 2011) – Panasonic, a worldwide leader in Full HD 3D and Connected TV technologies, announced today the launch of the Panasonic Experience Amazing Tour – a six-week, 15-market tour designed to give consumers a chance to experience Panasonic’s 2011 line-up of home entertainment products including the latest Full HD 3D VIERA TVs and Panasonic VIERA Connect IPTVs featuring a vastly expanded range of interactive apps including gaming, fitness, live sports, video streaming and much more.

The first leg of the Panasonic Experience Amazing Tour will kick off across the nation the week of April 4 with events at New York’s Grand Central Terminal (April 4-5) and Roosevelt Field (April 7-10), Chicago’s Union Station (April 4-8), and Los Angeles’ Culver City Shopping Center (April 4-10).

The tour will then appear in major markets including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC over the next five weeks, through May 15.  (See specific locations and dates below).