Rangefinder Magazine
Departments, August 2001

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.

Fotopillows has recently introduced the Pillow Talk line of 12x12-inch keepsake pillows. Photos are scanned, printed onto heat-transfer paper and then pressed onto a cotton/poly blend of material. The “frames” are made of poplin and come in a variety of colors. The white fabric used for wedding photos is made of actual wedding gown material. Photos can be sent via e-mail or by normal shipping methods. The company has targeted the wedding and baby portrait market and early next year will release a product line of 16x16-inch “Huggables.” Information: fotopillows, 1141 E. San Madele, Fresno, CA 93710; (559) 227-4757, fotopillows@mediaone.net.

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.

Gossen’s new Starlite All-In-One digital meter combines an ambient/flash exposure meter; a cine meter; and a photometric meter all in one compact water-resistant unit. Controls are ergonomically positioned for easy one-handed operation, and all data is clearly displayed on a large, self-illuminating, LCD panel. A unique 270° swivel head with built-in viewfinder and multi-position diffuser allows you to instantly select any of four different measuring modes: 1° reflected light through the viewfinder; 5° reflected light through the viewfinder; incident light with raised diffuser—spherical; incident light with lowered diffuser—flat plane; and any of six different measuring methods, including shutter-priority, aperture- priority, exposure value (EV), contrast, averaging and Zone System. Information: Bogen Photo Corp., 565 East Crescent Ave., Ramsey, NJ 07446-0506; (201) 818-9500, fax (201) 818-9177; www.bogenphoto.com; info@bogenphoto.com.

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.

Nikon has introduced the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D ED-IF II, a high-performance, compact and lightweight telephoto lens. Weighing only 5.6 pounds, the lens is one pound lighter than its predecessor, making it the lightest 300mm f/2.8 lens available. Also, its minimum focusing distance of 7.5 feet is 2.5 feet closer than the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D ED-IF. Information: Nikon USA, www.nikonusa.com, (631) 547-4200.

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. [PSS.EXP.tif]

Lowepro has introduced the expanded Digital Resolution Series (D-Res), a line of protective cases designed especially for digital still or video cameras. The newest seven products include the D-Res 25 AW pouch, designed to carry the taller, thicker generation of digital cameras, including Nikon’s Coolpix 990 and peripherals. Information: (707) 575-4363, www.lowepro.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.

Fuji Photo Film USA, Inc. has introduced a new generation of its portrait paper, Fujicolor Crystal Archive Professional Portrait Paper Type P III. Designed specifically for portraits, the paper features improved gradation balance and slightly enhanced contrast, while ensuring reproduction of smooth and natural skin tones and accurate, true-to-life colors. In other Fuji news, the company has introduced a new premium color film for portrait applications, Fujicolor Portrait Film NPX 800 Professional. Delivering high-speed performance and versatility, NPZ 800 achieves excellent skin tone reproduction at a level previously unattainable with ISO 800 portrait films, and produces neutral whites, grays and blacks while delivering accurate colors and smooth, fine-textured grain. Information: (914) 789-8147, www.fujifilm.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.

Schneider Optics has announced the availability of B+W’s new 95mm Slim-Line circular polarizing filter for use with medium and large format lenses, or any other lens with a 95mm threaded barrel. The filters feature mounting rings that will not vignette images photographed with wide-angle lenses, but will provide polarization as effective as any of the B+W filters with standard size mounting rings. In other company news, Schneider now distributes Horseman View Cameras, including the Horseman 45FA technical camera, new L Series monorail cameras, view camera converter, digiflex 24x36mm SLR and SW612 ultra-wide angle panoramic camera. Information: (931) 761-5000, tech@schneideroptics.com, www.schneideroptics.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.

Sony Electronics announced recently that a new Cyber-shot digital still camera (model DSC-P20), with such exclusive features as MPEG motion video, ClipMotion animation and compatibility with an optional InfoLithium battery, will be available this month for about $250. The new Cyber-shot model produces 1.3 megapixel images and has a 3X precision digital zoom and a playback mode that enables the user to enlarge and trim images in-camera, and save them as new photos. A powerful 12-bit A/D converter provides for more accurate capture of detail—particularly in highlights and shadows. In addition to still images, the Cyber-shot camera also captures MPEG EX (extended) video clips up to the capacity of the Memory Stick media in use (up to 90 minutes of video using a 128MB Memory Stick card). During playback, MPEG EX enables the user to move forward or backward in the clip and edit portions of the video. These MPEG “mini-movies” support ideal video resolutions (160x112 and 320x240) for attaching to e-mails and inserting them into web pages. Information: (888) 222-SONY, www.sony.com/di.


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 1/2000 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.

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.

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.

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.