Rangefinder Magazine
December 2005
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Focus
Industry News
• Art of Photography Contest
The Art of Photography
Show 2006, an international
exhibition of photographic
art, April 20–June 4, 2006,
at the Lyceum Theatre, San
Diego, is calling for entries
to the photography contest.
All images will be accepted
for consideration (i.e. those
images shot on film or shot
digitally, unaltered shots, alternative
process, mixed media, digital manipulations, montages,
etc.) as long as part of the image is photographically created. Entries,
which must be submitted as digital files in the JPEG format,
must be at least 1200 pixels wide and submitted via the web site,
emailed to entries@artofphotographyshow.com, or mailed on a
CD to: Art Of Photography Show, 3830 Valley Centre Drive, Suite
705-833, San Diego, CA 92130 USA. The deadline for entries is
February 10, 2006. Additional details and entry forms are at www.
artofphotographyshow.com.
• Julia Dean Photo Workshops Contest
The Julia Dean Photo Workshops (Marina del Rey, CA,
310/821-0909, juliadean.com) is offering the Berenice Abbott
Prize for an Emerging Photographer. To be eligible, contestants
must never have had a one-person show in a gallery, not make
more than 50 percent of their income from photography, not be
represented by a gallery outside of the state where they reside,
and not be full-time photography instructors at the college level.
Although no specific themes are required, the eventual winning entry will probably fall into the commercial,
fine art or photojournalism fields.
First prize is a Canon 20D digital camera
and a one-person exhibition at the Julia
Dean Gallery in Los Angeles (located
on the beach at the Venice Pier). Entries
must be submitted by December 9. Additional
details are available at juliadean.
com/emergingcontest.html. Contest sponsors
include: Samy’s Camera, Universal
Art Gallery and Canon USA.
• Bronica Medium Format Business Terminated
Tamron USA announced that it has discontinued
the production of the Bronica
RF645 rangefinder camera, along with its
interchangeable lenses and accessories.
The discontinuation of this last Bronica
model marks the termination of the Bronica
brand business after 47 years. The Zenza
Bronica D, the first model Bronica,
was introduced in 1959. The company
cited the rapid shift to digital SLRs by
Bronica’s core customer base as the reason
for the termination.
• Michele Gauger’s Yucatan Experience
Michele Gauger, along with guest instructors
Monte Zucker and Robert Lino,
will offer an unforgettable learning session
called the Yucatan Experience. Merida
Mexico, the home of the workshops,
is in the heart of the Yucatan. Imagine
the locale—a 1200-year-old town square,
Mayan ruins, haciendas and the beautiful
Gulf of Mexico. Different locations each
day provide for stunning photography and
cultural siteseeing. Professional models
and volunteers will be available each day.
This is not just a photography class, it’s
hands-on training with the best photographers
in the U.S. Stay in the heart of Merida
at a four-star hotel, complete with three
meals a day at an extremely reasonable
cost. Email Michele at michele@michele
studio.com or call her for details (262) 728-
9707. Schedule: Robert Lino and Michele
advanced class: Jan. 9–12, 2006 (this class
is available only by special invitation); Michelle
Gauger, Jan. 23–26, 2006; Michele
and Monte Zucker, Feb. 20–24.
Information: www.michelestudio.com/pages/Schools.html.
• Eventpix Promotes Wedding Photo Competition
Eventpix.com (Santa Monica, CA, www.
Eventpix.com), the imaging industry’s
most comprehensive online image hosting
and e-commerce site, is sponsoring
the second annual “Best of Weddings” Photographic
Competition. Images, which
can be submitted in four categories (romance,
humor, best dressed, and best
portrait), must be uploaded (as digital
files) through the Eventpix.com/Bestof
Weddings web site, where complete contest
rules are available. Links to this site
appear on wppionline.com, rangefindermag.
com, albumsinc.com, and fujifilmpronet.
com—all major sponsors of the
Best of Weddings competition.
• Dan Burrell Joins ExpressDigital
ExpressDigital (Englewood, CO), a provider
of digital workflow software, Internet
storefronts, and lab solutions, has appointed
Dan Burrell as the sales manager
for the company’s Labtricity products.
Burrell’s 25 years in the professional lab
business include working as a regional
manager with Burrell Professional Labs,
and helping to start D&M Imaging in
Indiana. He has extensive experience
training photographers on ExpressDigital
Darkroom software.
• Duncan Is ASPP’s Picture Professional of the Year
The American Society of Picture Professionals
(ASPP) (www.aspp.com) presented
its third annual Picture Professional of
the Year award to Anita Duncan at this
year’s Picturehouse in New York City. The
award is given to a member who has made
significant contributions to photography,
a single outstanding achievement, or a long-time service to the association or its
members. Duncan, who graduated from
Indiana University with a degree in Fine
Arts, has worked with Hearthside Press,
John Wiley and Sons, and Prentice Hall.
She’s also worked at Marvel Comics and
at Photo Researchers. Duncan was instrumental
in starting the ASPP.
• Digital Tech Training From Leaf
Leaf America (Elmsford, NY) and New
York City-based digital training firm, 127
Productions (www.127productions.com/
workshops.htm) are offering a new Digital
Tech Training Program to keep professional
digital techs and assistants up-todate
with the latest in Leaf hardware and
software. The all-day, hands-on training
sessions explain Leaf workflows, using
computers and the new Leaf Aptus Back.
All aspects of the workflow will be taught
methodically to ensure that everything has
been covered. Training takes place at Noho
Productions, 636 Broadway in New York
City on the second Tuesday of each month.
Classes are scheduled for December 13,
2005, and on January 10, February 14,
March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13 and July
11 in 2006. Registration costs $175 and will
be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• New Kodak Sensors Top 39 Megapixels
Eastman Kodak (Rochester, NY, www.
kodak.com/go/imagers) recently introduced
two imaging sensors that redefine
the meaning of high-resolution imaging.
Designed for professional-level cameras,
the new Blue Plus image sensors are the
first commercially available products that
support resolutions up to 39 megapixels.
The KAF-39000 has 39 million pixels
(7216x5412); the KAF-31600 has 31.6 million
(7215x5412). Kodak’s new sensors use
the Blue Plus process and an integral Bayer
RBG color filter array to deliver enhanced
sensitivity, excellent color fidelity, low dark
current and high dynamic range. They will
initially appear in Phase One’s upcoming
P45 and P30 digital camera backs.
• Packard Shutter Moves to California
The Packard Ideal Shutter Company
(209/245-5719, www.packardshutter.com)
of Kalamazoo, MI, has moved to Fiddletown,
CA, about 40 miles east of Sacramento.
Packard shutters, which have been
manufactured for the last 30 years at
Professional Photographic Products in
Hammonton, NJ, range in size from 1.5–
7 inches. They can be purchased at the
company’s new location: Packard Shutter
Co., P.O. Box 1, 19580 American Flat Side
Rd., Fiddletown, CA 95629-0001.
New Products:
• New Full-frame DSLR From Canon
The new full-frame EOS 5D digital
SLR from Canon USA (Lake Success,
NY, www.canonusa.com) lists for $3299,
yet features a new 12.8-megapixel CMOS
sensor, a 28.6-oz. magnesium alloy body
and the company’s proprietary DIGIC II
Image Processor. The camera’s full-size
CMOS sensor uses 8.2 megapixels to reduce
shadow noise while its optimized
photodiode construction increases sensitivity
and dynamic range. It can capture
up to 60 full-resolution JPEGs in a single
burst. The 5D accepts Canon’s EF lenses
and has a nine-point autofocus system
with six supplemental AF points, a new
AF algorithm and new AF circuitry. It includes
a high-speed, vertical travel shutter
and automatic noise reduction function,
yet is easy to use. Its Picture Styles
function combines processing parameters
and color matrix adjustments into
easily understood settings.
• Delkin Introduces New Imaging Products
Delkin Devices, Inc. (Poway, CA,
800/637-8087, www.delkin.com) recently
introduced two new products. The first new product is
Archival Gold, a
line of archivalquality
DVD-R
discs. As part of
the eFilm line,
Delkin’s new 100-
year discs resist deterioration because
they include gold in their reflective layers.
Gold is one of the most inert, reflective elements
on earth, so its use in DVD discs
prevents oxidation, which is a common
cause of failure in most CD-Rs. A 10-pack
of Archival Gold lists for $29.99, a 25-
pack for $72.99, and a 100-count pack for
$279.99.
Delkin’s other new product is a LCD
screen protective
cover that doubles
as a glare guard.
Pop-up Shades are
sturdy, lightweight
covers that protect
a digital camera’s
expensive LCD
screen, while providing easier viewing of
the display in bright sunlight. The first shipments
of Pop-Up Shade models covered
the most popular Digital SLR and point and
shoot cameras, however, Delkin intends to
introduce over 100 additional models, including
Pop-Up Shades for new cameras
within 30 days of the camera’s introduction.
Professional camera Pop-Up Shades
have a MSRP of $44.99. Popup Shades for
consumer-level DSLRs range in price from
$29.99 to $34.99. Pop-Up Shades for pointand-
shoot cameras cost $24.99.
• Fine Art Inkjet From Epson
Epson’s (Carson, CA, www.epson.com)
Stylus Photo R2400 delivers gallery-quality
color and black-and-white output using
the company’s UltraChrome K3 ink
sets. Its superior output is directly attributable
to K3 inks, which use higher density
pigments to generate wider gamut
output. Available in cyan, magenta, yellow,
light cyan and light magenta colors,
UltraChrome K3 inks eliminate crossover
and color-casts. The new inks also include
Photo Black cartridges for glossy media,
and Matte Black cartridges for matte and
fine art media. The R2400 features the
company’s Microcrystal Encapsulation
technology, which produces scratch-, water- and smudge-resistant glossy prints. Its
Advanced Micro Piezo inkjet technology
generates ink droplets as small as 3.5 picoliters
and resolutions up to 5760x1440 dpi.
The R2400 accepts cut media in sizes up
to 13x19 in. and 13-inch-wide roll media.
It is compatible with Macs and Windows
computers and has a list price of $849.
• Capri Album Enhances Catalog and Web Site
Capri Album (Mt. Vernon, NY, 800/
666-6653, www.caprialbum.com) celebrates
almost 50 years of creating beautifully
crafted products by redesigning its
catalog and web site. The new catalog features
cutting-edge options while offering
the company’s classic styles and traditional
favorites in a new way. Over 300 Reversible
Album mat layouts in both traditional
and non-traditional sizes are included.
The new web site is also easy to navigate
while still offering links to information
professional photographers need.
• Red River Inkjet Greeting Cards
Red River Paper (Dallas, TX, www.
inkjetgreetings.com) is marketing inkjet
paper that is suitable for creating custom
greeting cards. The new inkjet papers
are available in three popular sizes and
four surfaces: glossy, matte, watercolor
and two-sided paper. Each sheet is prescored
for easy folding. Red River also offers
matching envelopes, translucent inserts and
clear-top card boxes to produce a full greeting
card package. A Card Shop Sample Kit
sells for $7.99 plus shipping, however, the
cost of the kit will be applied to any future
paper orders until December 31, 2005.
• Automatic Disc Creation With Primera Bravo Pro
Primera Technology’s (Plymouth, MN,
www.primera.com, 800/797-2772) Bravo-
Pro Disc Publisher automatically creates
CDs and DVDs. It includes two disc drives, a 4800 dpi printer, and a robotic arm that automatically moves the
discs during the burning and printing process. The BravoPro can
be configured with either 52X CD-R drives or two DVD±R/CDR
combination drives. Professional photographers use the burner/
printer to archive and distribute images for weddings, portfolios,
models, actors and corporate clients. It starts at $3495.
• Advanced Image Editing Application From Apple
Apple Computer (Cupertino,
CA, www.apple.com/aperture)
recently introduced a revolutionary
image-editing program
that handles RAW files without
using an intermediate RAW
conversion application.
It’s
called Aperture, and it features
a number of new advanced
technologies, such as non-destructive
editing and colormanaged
printing.
Aperture’s non-destructive
editing is especially useful to photographers because it doesn’t alter
the original image data. Once an editing session is completed,
the original image and the modified versions are stored in a single
file, saving valuable disk space. Its Compare and Select tools easily
handle large photo libraries by automatically grouping sequences
of photos into Stacks based on the time interval between exposures.
Its new browser supports displays across multiple monitors
and a new Loupe magnifier is easier to use than the standard
zoom tool. Aperture has numerous image-editing features, yet it
is designed to work side-by-wide with Photoshop. It has a suggested
list price of $499 and supports Mac computers.
• First Studio Lighting From Photoflex
Photoflex (Watsonville, CA,
www.photoflex.com) is marketing
a consumer-level line of lighting
kits that are suitable for both digital
imaging and traditional photography.
The First Studio product line
includes the new FirstStar reflector
light and the First Studio Portrait
and Product kits. The FirstStar kit
is an all-aluminum, 8-inch diameter,
parabolic-shaped reflector light
that has a twist-grip and removable
swivel for one-handed operation.
Its 250-watt, double-envelope
tungsten lamps, with E26 base, easily
screw into the reflector’s socket and perform substantially longer
than traditional photoflood bulbs that are very fragile. First
Studio Portrait Kits include two 8-inch-diameter FirstStar reflector
lights, two 250-watt tungsten lamps, two Photoflex LS-2205
LiteStands, and two Photoflex 45-in. diameter umbrellas. They
list for $324.95. First Studio Product Kits include two 8-inch diameter
FirstStar reflector lights, two 250-watt tungsten lamps,
two Photoflex LS-2205 LiteStands, and a medium-size Photoflex
LiteIgloo tent (20x20x20 inches). The pop-open, cube-style
LiteIgloo offers nearly shadow-free lighting, with white diffusion
fabric and soft, translucent exterior walls. First Studio Product
Kits list for $349.95; LiteIgloo tents, which are sold separately,
range in price from $66.95 to $129.95.
• Epson’s Storage Viewer Gets Bigger
Epson’s (Long Beach, CA, 562981-3840, www.epson.com)
popular line of storage viewers now includes the P-4000
Multimedia Storage Viewer. Unlike previous versions, the
new P-4000 features an 80GB hard drive and a large, 3.8-inch
LCD screen. The new LCD screen uses proprietary Photo
Fine Technology to deliver bright, colorful displays. The P-
4000 accepts CompactFlash Type I and II cards, Secure Digital
memory cards as well as other memory cards with an optional
third-party adapter. It also accepts and displays digital
camera images and it is compatible with television sets, for
viewing images, and computers, for storing images. The P-
4000 works with Mac and Windows computers and carries a
list price of $699.
• New Museo II Papers From Crane
Crane & Company (Dalton, MA, 877/306-8736, www.crane.
com/museo), the world leader in 100 percent cotton rag papers,
is marketing Museo II, a fine art matte, double-sided inkjet paper.
The “felt” side of Museo II papers has a subtle Velina finish. The
“wire” or smooth side has an even, smooth surface. Museo II papers
are available in 250 gsm and 365 gsm weights and are 100
percent acid-free and buffered with pure calcium carbonate; they
contain no fluorescent brightening agents.
Museo II papers have a brightness rating of 91 and a Dmax of
1.65 using Epson Ultrachrome inks. They produce the purest
blacks and whitest whites of any available inkjet paper without
optical brighteners, and they are less subject to color shift or fade.
They are archival. Compatible with most desktop and wide-format
inkjet printers, Museo II papers are especially designed for
use with the Epson 9600, 7600, 4000, 2200, R800 and R1800 pigment
printers. They are available in 8.5x11-, 13x19-, and 17x22-
inch sheets, as well as other sizes and rolls.
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