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Rangefinder
Magazine
September 2001/Departments
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.
VRS Marking, a manufacturer of fast drying, self-inked
inspection stamps, has announced the introduction of the Identifier Series,
a fast dry, self-inked handheld stamp. The specially designed ink formula
will dry to the touch in less then 15 seconds. It will stamp on any non-porous
surface including photographs, CD’s, albums, brochures, as well as
metal and plastic. The Identifier is pre-inked for thousands of impressions
and then is easily re-inked for thousands more. The product is available
in three sizes and two colors. Information: VRS Marking, 2053-D Preisker
Lane, Santa Maria, CA 93454; (800) 782-6790.
Quantum Instruments has designed a special edition
Qflash T2 & X2 with a transparent case. These clear case Qflash
T2 and X2 models display the technology and inner workings of the unique
Qflash design. They function exactly as their standard models, powered
by either Turbo, Turbo Z, or Qpaq-X portable packs. Not only are they
unique looking, the Clear Qflash are actually less intrusive (and less
intimidating) for sensitive shots of children, and in weddings and portraits.
Originally designed for display only, many photographers have asked to
buy them. For you who have asked, a limited number of Clear Qflash T2’s
and X2’s will be reserved for dealers. Ask your dealer to order models
QFT2C or QFX2C. Information: Quantum Instruments (516) 222-0611; www.qtm.com.
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| Sekonic L-608 Cine Super Zoom Master exposure meter |
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The Sekonic Division of Mamiya America has announced
immediate availability of the Sekonic L-608 Cine Super Zoom Master
exposure meter. This Cine version of the L-608 Super Zoom Master exposure
meter has added features and capabilities for the cinematographers and
the videographers, while still retaining all of the features useful to
still photographers. The new meter offers a parallax-free zoom spot viewfinder
with a rectangular field-of-view, and features an EL (Electro-Luminescent)
digital display inside the viewfinder as well as on the main LCD panel.
The 1° to 4° zooming viewfinder offers precise selection of an
area in the scene from which the meter reading is taken. This allows great
precision in selection of the important areas in the scene for making
multiple light measurements for comparison and light adjustment. In addition
to the zoom viewfinder, the meter also has a large retractable Lumisphere
for incident light readings with an adjustable angle of acceptance. Incident
light measurements can be metered in a hemispherical (wide-angle) position
or in the retracted narrow-angle position. For still photographers, the
L-608 Cine offers ambient and flash metering modes, flash/ambient analyzing
and aperture priority memory capability. Information: Sekonic Professional
Division, Mamiya America Corporation, 8 Westchester Plaza, Elmsford, NY
10523; (914) 347-3300, fax: (914) 347-3309; info@sekonic.com, www.sekonic.com.
The Profoto Division of Mamiya America announces
the introduction of a new range of Profoto Professional Soft Boxes.
Profoto has added new Professional Soft Boxes to their extensive line
of light-shaping accessories. What makes Profoto Professional Soft Boxes
different from the competition is completely even illumination from the
center to the edges and a narrow profile which takes up less room in the
studio. Durable, heat resistant materials are used throughout for long
life. The new Profoto Professional Soft Boxes are available in a variety
of shapes including square, rectangular, striplite, and octagon. All sizes
and shapes feature a removable internal baffle/diffuser for even greater
control of the light. With the baffle in place, the light is completely
uniform across the front surface of the soft box. When the baffle is removed,
the light is brighter at the center of the soft box with gradation out
to the edges. The recessed front diffusion panel can be removed quickly
to increase contrast, make the light more specular, and produce a center-weighted
semi-spot effect. The entire front rim has a Velcro (TM) strip for easy
attachment of accessories such as grids, louvers and barn doors. Information:
www.profoto-usa.com.
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| Photo by Sandy Puc, C.P.P. |
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Double up your print sales for Christmas with the new
Starlight set from Off The Wall Productions Ltd. Designed
with children in mind, the set includes full-size walls for posing adults
too. A new split-door feature increases posing possibilities and complements
standard window and wood shutter inserts. For a stunning nativity look,
use the side that mirrors the stable scene of Jesus’ birth. Full
of visual appeal, the walls are textured with aged wood on the top half
and weathered mudstone on the bottom half. Add prop accessories like our
two-piece manger for tilting baby, detachable feeder, rustic fence, shepherd’s
staff, and pail to complete the stable setting. Once Christmas portraits
are complete, replace nativity decor with wooden crate, barrel, milk can,
and barn post accessories to create your own Spaghetti Westerns. Turn
the set around and utilize the log cabin motif to design storybook portraits
of The Little Woodsman or Christmas at the Cottage. Complement the honey
brown color of the logs with dark brown accessories: log bench, split
log, barn post, and pail. Attach the traditional, terrace-stone fireplace
with aged wood mantle and bundle of burnt logs to either the aged-wood
or log cabin sides for completely different scenes. Information: www.otwp.com
or call (800) 792-5568.
Pro Studio Supply offers its newest set of Adobe
Photoshop templates to enhance all types of portrait photography. Pro
Studio’s newest Digital FX Templates contains a series of
35 watercolor edge FX on a CD-ROM. Simple to use, just import your image
into a selected template using Photoshop or other image manipulation software.
Then it’s up to you. Use multiple overlays in one image to create
multiple layouts. Change the size of any overlay in Photoshop to suit
your needs. The price is $99.
Pro Studio is also the exclusive distributor of a new CD, Creative Image
Backgrounds by Buivid Photo Design. This CD offers 90 high-quality background
images that let your creative juices flow. Each disk contains 90 files
designed by Buivid PhotoDesign in a variety of 3D rendering programs.
You can easily make prints up to 20x24 in. All images are saved as psd
(Photoshop document) files and exist as a Photoshop layer. The disk costs
$99. Information: (800) 350-5329, www.prostudiousa.com, info@prostudiousa.com.
The Tiffen Company has added three new filter effects to its “Thin
Ring” line, made specifically for wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle
lenses.
The new filters are the 812 Warming Filter, a Color-Grad Neutral Density
0.6 and a Color-Grad Sunrise. The filters solve the common problem of
black vignetting at the edges of a frame when a normal filter is used
on a wide angle lens, and are recommended for use on any lens with a focal
length less than 28mm. Information: (716) 328-7800, www.tiffen.com.
Nikon recently introduced two new AF-S Tele-converter lenses. The
two tele-converters incorporate Nikon’s Integrated Coating to reduce
flare and ghosting as well as a new cosmetic design that matches the latest
AF-S Nikkor lenses. The TC-14E II (1.4X) and TC-20E II (2X) retain the
optical design, quality and compact dimensions of the existing TC-14E
and TC-20E to offer more value at a lower price. Designed for use with
Nikon AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses, both new tele-converter lenses allow
photographers to increase focal length without reducing optical quality.
The lenses offer full aperture metering with compatible cameras and also
allow for autofocusing when used with Nikon D1, D1H, D1X, F5, F100, N80
and N65 AF SLR Cameras. In addition, the lenses come with a new Front
Cap BF-3A, which can also be used as a body cap. Information: (800) NIKON-US
or visit www.nikonusa.com.
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. has introduced the
U.S. market to the FinePix 6900 Zoom, which features Fujifilm’s
second generation 3.3 million-sensor Super CCD that generates a 6-megapixel
picture file. This new Super CCD, along with Fujifilm’s High Definition
Color processing technology and 6X Super EBC Fujinon lens, helps the FinePix
6900 Zoom set a new standard in color and overall picture quality for
the serious photo enthusiast. The camera features manual focus and shutter
controls, six shooting modes and 13 f-stop aperture control settings,
as well as a multiple exposure mode and histogram display like the ones
found on Fujifilm’s advanced digital SLR camera, the FinePix S1 Pro.
The FinePix 6900 Zoom features a 6X Super EBC Fujinon aspherical zoom
lens (f/2.8– f/11) with a focal length equivalent to 35–210mm
on a 35mm camera and a quick frame rate of 0.2 sec/frame for up to five
frames. Shutter speeds of the FinePix 6900 Zoom range from 3 to 1ž2000
with an ISO sensitivity of 100/200/400. Information: (800) 800-FUJI, www.fujifilm.com.
Primera Technology, Inc. has announced its newest professional-grade
CD printer, the SignaturePro CD Color Printer. Any business or
organization that performs in-house duplication of CD-Rs or DVD-Rs for
data, software distribution, audio, video and archival purposes will benefit
from the printer’s fast print speeds and high quality output. Utilizing
advanced inkjet technology, Signature Pro delivers the world’s highest
resolution–2400 x 1200 dpi, producing 2,880,000 pixels per square
inch and opening up new possibilities for disc design. Information: (763)
475-6676, ext. 210, www.primeratechnology.com.
Photographers can now tackle challenging action, variable-condition and
low-light photography situations with the new Kodak Professional DCS
720x digital camera. The DCS 720x combines the highest ISO settings
available—400 to 6400 (calibrated to 4000) with two-stop push for
exposures at up to 25,600—with a variety of functional improvements.
Based on the Nikon F5 camera body, the 2-megapixel DCS 720x features a
faster burst rate—4.3 fps—and a greater burst depth—25
images. Shutter response speed has also been improved so that it now rivals
that of conventional film cameras. Information: (716) 724-2785, www.kodak.com.
The EPSON PhotoPC™ 3100Z is Epson’s first digital camera
to include the recently announced PRINT Image Matching™ technology.
The camera is the successor to the PhotoPC 3000Z and includes several
advanced features as well a convenient way to mark pictures for printing
with a print button on the back of the camera. It also includes Epson’s
HyPict™ image enhancement technology, which provides customers with
2544 x 1904 pixel resolution or 4.8 megapixels. Information: (562) 290-4026,
www.epson.com.
SnapShare™, a complete digital photo studio-in-a-box that
allows consumers to shoot and share their photos over the Internet, has
been launched by Konica Photo Imaging. SnapShare includes a full
complement of easy-to-use, state-of-the-art components, such as a versatile
Konica digital camera with MP3 player, audio recorder and PC cam capability,
Hewlett-Packard scanner, Corel software, SanDisk memory card, Konica inkjet
paper—plus one free month of Internet access from AT&T WorldNet
Service. SnapShare is available through the Konica Online Store, www.konicaonlinestore.com.
Information: (718) 398-4009, www.konica.com.
Tamron Co. has developed a fourth-generation 28–200mm zoom
lens, AO3, that is the most compact, lightweight lens in its class.
With a filter size of 62mm, a maximum diameter of 71mm, an overall length
of 75.2mm and weight of only 12.5 oz., it’s the world’s smallest
and lightest 28-200mm zoom lens available. In addition, the AO3 features:
a new optical system employing XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass and complex
aspherical elements; a moving triple cam to enable a more compact barrel
to accommodate more complex mechanisms; a minimum shooting distance of
49cm and a zoom lock feature for enhanced portability. Information: (631)
858-8409, www.tamron.com. [color slide]
The new Wobble Wedge Prop Shims are versatile shims for making
precise prop adjustments quickly and easily. The shims can be used to
level, tilt, lift or stabilize props of any shape or weight to achieve
the perfect photo layout or capture the perfect lighting. They can also
be used to make quick positioning adjustments of lighting equipment, to
slant a table surface or to instantly tighten clamps. The shims are available
in black or clear from Calumet (www.calumetphoto.com). Information:
(800) 635-4494, www.wobblewedge.com.
TDK has introduced an advanced line of inkjet photo paper with
excellent color purity, razor-sharp image detail and superior stability
and durability. The paper utilizes a new multi-layer coating technology
atop a durable resin-coated backing stock. Key to the paper’s superior
image-producing capability is a special Inkset Micro-Porous Coating Layer
that ensures maximum ink absorption and minimal paper swelling. The paper
is available in two grades: heavyweight Reference (11.8 mil, 305 g/m)
and Professional (10.2 mil, 260 g/m). Information: (212) 388-1400, www.tdk.com.
Backdrop Outlet has introduced a new value line of solid color
muslin backgrounds in an assortment of colors: jet black, gray, white,
red, blue, orange, green, tan, pink, wine, lilac, eggplant and many others.
The backgrounds are available in two sizes, 8x16-foot seamless ($69) or
16x16-foot ($139), and include a carry bag and sewn rod pocket for easy
hanging. Information: (312) 842-6550, www.backdropoutlet.com.
Epson America has announced the EPSON Stylus Photo 785EPX inkjet
printer. Developed for digital camera owners, the printer delivers
convenient photo printing with and without a computer, compatibility with
popular digital camera memory cards and Epson’s BorderFree™
photo printing. The 785EPX features up to 2880 x 720 dpi and Epson’s
Advanced Micro Piezo™ inkjet technology, a six-color photo ink system,
an ultra-wide color range and four-picoliter droplets for continuous skin
tone. Information: (562) 290-4026, www.epson.com.
PhotoStamps, from Special Delivery Gifts, offers photographers
the opportunity to see their clients’ favorite image turned into
postage-size, self-adhesive stamps. Sold in multiples of 50, decorative
PhotoStamps add a personal touch to wedding invitations, thank you cards,
birth announcements and greeting cards, and sell for $19.95 for a set
of 50 stamps and $29.95 for a set of 100 stamps. Optional printed message
is $2.95 extra. Information: (800) 225-1545, www.photostamps.com.
Porter Case has announced a smaller airline carry-on size designed
to roll under the seat. The new 1504 ELITE has softer 4” ball
bearing wheels, padded 43” triple extension handle, combination lock,
the patented rolling tote to cart feature and more. The case is initially
available in four models: a Standard ELITE, Computer ELITE, LCD/AV Elite
and Foam Elite. Information: (219) 289-2616, www.portercase.com.
MultiDisc 5’nl™ has been introduced by Photoflex
as a reflector system offering translucent and reflective surfaces for
studio and on-location photography. Aimed at traditional and digital photography
as well as video, the MultiDisc uses Photoflex’s proprietary double-laminated
fabric. Reflectors come in gold, soft gold, white, silver and translucent
surfaces housed in an easy-to-use zippered and handled carry bag. The
new system comes in three sizes: small (22-inch); medium (32-inch) and
large (42-inch). Information: (800) 486-2674, (831) 786-1370, www.photoflex.com.
Sinar AG’s Sinarback System is being expanded with the addition
of the Sinarback HR. Utilizing the patented double piezo chip that
advances the sensor in half-pixel steps with reproducible precision, the
resolution of the image is increased for additional sharpness. In combination
with the Sinar Macroscan, it can even achieve a resolution of more than
75 million pixels—the highest resolution of a camera with an area
sensor. Sinar also introduced its Sinaron Digital HR lenses for greater
brilliance and detail rendition. Information: +41 (0)52/647 07 56, www.sinarcameras.com.
Saunders/LPL, distributed solely in the U.S. by the Tiffen Company,
has added the VC6700 Variable Contrast/Constant Exposure (VCCE) Enlarger
to its 6000 Series, designed mainly for school and college darkroom. The
VC6700, calibrated for Ilford Multigrade III RC, Kodak Polymax II RC and
compatible papers, delivers the desired level of contrast at any setting
without changing exposure time. Tiffen has also developed a series of
wide-angle, telephoto and close-up lenses specifically for the newer megapixel
digital cameras. The nine new MegaPlus lenses are available in 30mm, 37mm
and 43mm. Information: (716) 328-7800, www.tiffen.com.
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