PhotoShop 6.0 now in Beta Testing

AppleInsider.com, the Apple newsletter, has a detailed story on the latest upgrade to the high-end Adobe image editor that's the industry standard. Adobe's code-name for the latest version is Venus in Furs!.

Dye-Sub Printer Trade-In Program

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 30--Owners of Kodak Professional 8600, 8400 PS, 8657 thermal printers or Kodak Digital Science 8650 or 8650 PS color printers can upgrade their digital output and receive $1,000 to boot when they trade in their current models towards the purchase of a new Kodak Professional 8660 or 8670 PS thermal printer. full story

Kodak Professional Expands Distribution to Computer Channel; Digital Products Offered by Computer Direct Marketer PC Connection 

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 25--Kodak Professional, a division of Eastman Kodak Company, has expanded its distribution to the direct computer channel by offering high-end digital imaging products through PC Connection.

In addition to making Kodak Professional products available through its web sites and catalogs, PC Connection has a special online Kodak showcase www.pcconnection.com/kodak that features the entire range of Kodak Professional products available through the popular computer direct retailer.

Editor's note: PC Connection listed 88 Kodak items as of 5/26/2000. Among them is the DCS 315, the interchangeable lens digital SLR based on the Nikon Pronea 6xi chassis. It's tagged at $2,995. They call it an "exclusive product" and we haven't seen it through other vendors yet.

PC Connection will carry Kodak Professional photo printers, thermal printers and large-format inkjet printers; film scanners; high-end digital single lens reflex (SLR) cameras for both professional and applied photography; and related products.

Vectis 3000 is Minolta's newest APS entry; also new 35mm compact is introduced

Minolta Corp. (www.minoltausa.com), Ramsey, N.J., USA, added the new Minolta Freedom Zoom 125, a 3.3x zoom lens-shutter model, to its line of 35mm point-and-shoot zoom cameras. This lightweight, compact camera has a minimum focus distance of 2 feet. The new Freedom Zoom 125 camera also features a 900-step passive autofocusing system for clear, sharp photos and a Film Chamber Lock originally featured in Minolta’s Advanced Photo System cameras, to prevent accidental exposure of film in the camera.
     Also new is the Vectis 3000, which Minolta says is the smallest full 3x zoom APS lens-shutter camera. The new Minolta Vectis 3000 includes a built-in 22mm-66mm zoom lens. The camera features a portable and full-capsule design with an extendible and durable metal casing. The multi-beam autofocusing system provides accurate and sharp focus. It also features close-up capability of subjects as near as 15.7 inches. A smart close-framing guide LCD automatically brackets the image seen in the viewfinder to properly adjust the view. 

Also new is the Vectis 260 APS. The camera features a built-in wide angle-to-telephoto (25mm - 65mm) lens with 2.6x zoom range, and a compact, design with metallic-silver finish.

The Vectis 300L is said to be the world's lightest APS 3X zoom, weighing only 5.1 oz.


Sony offers photo-quality printer direct to digital users

Sony is betting that digital camera owners really want paper prints after all.

That's why they've created the UP-DP10 home photo lab. This sleek new printer creates 4x6-inch prints of outstanding quality and detail. The prints are laminated for a smooth finish and outstanding durability. And the prints eliminate the white border around the picture -- making them look just like the pictures you're accustomed to picking up at the photo lab.

There's no need to pay for prints of ``mistake'' shots that were out of focus or improperly exposed. With a home photo lab, you print only the pictures you want and make as many copies as you want. It takes just 85 seconds per print. 

The Sony UP-DP10 home photo lab has a suggested retail price of $389. The UP-DP10 uses "Sony Digital Photography" paper, listing at $14.95 for 25 pictures (about 60 cents a print). There's a choice of matte, glossy or textured media.

Connection is by either a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or parallel port. Software for both Macintosh and Windows-based and computers and features automatic correction for the contrast, tone, color, balance and/or sharpness of the image.

CANON INTRODUCES THE EOS D30: WORLD'S SMALLEST AND LIGHEST 3-MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL CAMERA WITH INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES

New Camera Combines EOS System Features and Functions with Advanced Digital Imaging Technology

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. – May 17, 2000 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., announces the EOS D30 -- the world’s smallest and lightest digital SLR camera with interchangeable lenses.

At a size of 5.9 x 4.2 x 3.0 inches and a weight of just 1.6 lb., the new, affordably-priced ($3,500 list), digital camera retains the proven operability of the company’s best-selling EOS 35mm SLR system.

The EOS D30 features a large-area CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) imaging sensor newly developed by Canon, with outstanding image quality sufficient for producing richly detailed color prints up to 11x14-inches. The new digital camera also accommodates all Canon EF lenses plus a wide range of EOS system accessories, giving photographers greater creative flexibility and providing current EOS System users an economical way to make the transition to digital imaging.

Canon’s previously released professional digital SLR cameras -- the EOS D2000 and EOS DCS 1 – are based on the company’s autofocus SLR EOS-series flagship-model EOS-1N, are widely used in journalism, medicine and publishing. Demand among general EOS users, however, has been on the rise for an affordably priced digital SLR camera offering high cost performance that can be used for leisure photo taking as well as in the workplace. The new Canon EOS D30, developed to satisfy a wide range of uses from advanced amateur photographers to business use, represents the standard in next-generation digital SLR cameras.

*As of May 8, 2000 **According to NPD Intelect market research.

The EOS D30’s high resolution and outstanding color reproduction is made possible by a proprietary 3.25 megapixel large-area CMOS sensor, an RGB color filter and a newly-designed digital imaging processing LSI. The camera also incorporates the same mode settings and dial operations found in existing EOS System cameras, making it easy for current EOS users to quickly acquaint themselves with the camera.

Functions specific to the digital camera have been added to the LCD panel, including recording format (Large/Fine, Large/Normal, Small/Fine, Small/Normal and Raw) and white balance. The 1.8-inch LCD color monitor on the back panel provides a display for viewing and confirming images, as well as screens for 13 types of Custom Functions and a variety of camera settings including shutter speeds, aperture and exposure. The menu screen simplifies display settings by using color codes for the imaging system (red), playback system (blue) and set-up system (yellow).

The new camera offers a range of camera features including fully automatic operation with 11 shooting modes; a high-speed, high-performance 3-point autofocusing system; a 35-zone evaluative metering sensor linked to each focusing point; 13 Custom Functions; 7 white balance modes for optimum color renditions; a built-in USB interface; a PC socket for studio-type strobes; and a built-in E-TTL flash system – a first in an EOS System camera. The camera also allows high-speed shooting at a speed of approximately 3 frames per second for up to 8 continuous images at the default image quality setting.

Image data is stored on CompactFlash cards, permitting the storage of up to approximately 12 pictures on a 16MB card when shooting in the “Large/Normal” mode. The camera is also compatible with the CompactFlash Type II card, enabling users to take advantage of the IBM Microdrive and other high-capacity storage media. The lithium ion Battery Pack BP-511, which is included with the camera, provides enough power to take approximately 540 images while in the Large/Fine mode.

The EOS D30 is bundled with a variety of image management, editing, compositing and printing software including Canon’s exclusive TWAIN driver software; ZoomBrowser for acquiring, viewing, filing and printing captured images; PhotoStitch for creating panoramas; and PhotoShop LE retouching software. All packaged software will run on Windows (95/98/2000/NT 4.0) and Macintosh (Mac OS 7.5.3 or higher, QuickTime 2.1 or higher).

The chip size means effective focal lengths will be 1.6X their 35mm sizes, so the 50mm lens has the field of view of an 80mm. The 22-55mm IX-lite lens becomes an ideal partner, giving the same field of view as a 35-88mm. 

CANON ELPH GOES DIGITAL WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW POWERSHOT S100

--World’s Smallest And Lightest 2 Megapixel Digital Camera with Zoom Lens and Flash*-- --Design Based on Award-Winning ELPH 2 Advanced Photo System Camera--

Lake Success, N.Y., May 17, 2000 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., the company whose imaging solutions give people Know How, once again demonstrates its ability to design and market exclusive Canon technology in unique imaging products, with the introduction of the PowerShot S100 “Digital ELPH” camera. The camera’s ultra-compact size and elegant stainless steel exterior is based on the Canon ELPH 2, the company’s best-selling Advanced Photo System camera, and it combines the benefits of digital imaging with features and functions traditionally found only in conventional film cameras. Weighing only 6.7 ounces and measuring a scant 3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 inches, the new camera is the world’s smallest and lightest 2.1 megapixel digital camera with a zoom lens*. The PowerShot S100 joins Canon’s current lineup of PowerShot-series cameras including the S10 (2.1 megapixel) and S20 (3.3 megapixel) models.

The PowerShot S100 Digital ELPH incorporates a number of features that simplify and improve overall operation including a high-quality 35-70mm (35mm equivalent) 2x optical zoom lens; a new Light Guide flash for even illumination; a high-speed, plug-and-play USB computer interface; a high-brightness 1.5-inch LCD monitor with 100 percent image coverage; an easy-to-read and simplified GUI; three-point AiAF autofocus system; and a comprehensive software bundle featuring Adobe PhotoDeluxe.

“The new PowerShot S100 is a perfect example of how Canon is combining its expertise in camera design with our advanced digital imaging technology,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group, Canon, U.S.A., Inc.

*As of May 17, 2000

“We believe that the combination of high-quality digital images and ultra-compact design of the new Digital ELPH will have widespread appeal.”

Canon’s Unique “Downsizing Technologies”
The one feature that will differentiate the Canon PowerShot S100 Digital ELPH from all other digital cameras in its class is its ultra-compact size. Through advanced “downsizing technologies” including a new chip and lens design, Canon was able to create the smallest and lightest 2 megapixel camera with a zoom lens.

The Digital ELPH uses a narrow-pitch CSP (Chip Size package) which allowed Canon engineers to integrate three circuit boards typically found in other digital cameras, into one main circuit board.

The camera’s lens was completely reconfigured to provide the high-resolution, low distortion optics needed for a 2-megapixel CCD. Despite the camera’s 2x zoom lens, the retractable lens design keeps the size of the optics within a coin-size, 20mm diameter. Additionally, the retractable lens enables the LCD monitor and lens to be positioned back-to-back at the center without making the body too thick.

Prior to the PowerShot S100, digital cameras typically used a flat fluorescent tube for the LCD backlight. Due to the high voltage required, an inverter circuit had to be added, thus further increasing the overall size of the camera. The PowerShot S100 uses a white LED for the backlight. With its low power consumption, the white LED does not require an inverter circuit or a large battery, enabling the camera to be thinner. Additionally, by using energy-saving technologies such as the LED backlight for the LCD and an improved power supply system, the camera can now be powered by a small Li-Ion battery, further reducing size and weight. Despite these changes, the PowerShot S100’s LCD monitor is noticeably brighter and easier to view in all lighting conditions compared to earlier PowerShot models.

The PowerShot S100 Digital ELPH uses a light guide flash which has a proven record in film cameras for its compactness, high efficiency, and uniform light distribution. The new flash unit is compact because it does not need a fresnel lens or a large reflector, making the overall depth of the unit shorter. The light guide flash also provides a more focused and uniform illumination to match the desired area.

PowerShot S100 Features
The PowerShot S100 features an elegant, stainless steel (SUS316) body equipped with a number of advanced camera features including a 35-70mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8-4.0 all-glass aspherical lens to help minimize image distortion. A 4x digital converter extends the zoom range of the lens to 8x when used in conjunction with its 2x optical zoom capabilities.

In addition, the camera is equipped with a three-point AiAF autofocus system that permits the camera to automatically select the primary subject, even if the subject is off-center.

To further simplify overall operation, the Digital ELPH displays most camera settings on the LCD monitor. While using the control buttons at the base of the monitor, users can confirm desired camera functions identified on the LCD monitor with easy-to-understand icons or minimal text.

The Digital ELPH features a 0.37-inch, 2.1 megapixel CCD sensor that creates full color or black-and-white images up to 1600x1200 pixels when set to the camera’s Large resolution mode. The camera also offers an additional resolution setting of 640x480 when set in the Small mode, which is ideal for on-screen applications, such as Web sites and CD-ROMs and allows more images to be recorded on a single CompactFlash memory card. The new camera is compatible with Type I CompactFlash Cards and will be shipped with an 8MB CF card.

In order to maximize the capabilities of the 2.1 megapixel CCD, the PowerShot S100 is equipped with a dedicated digital signal processing integrated circuit (IC) to achieve high-speed and complete processing of image detail. All images are recorded as JPEG files and a built-in buffer memory allows continuous burst-mode shooting of up to 2 frames per second when set to its maximum resolution of 1600x1200. The interval between shots in single frame mode is only 1.7 seconds. In addition, basic operations such as camera start-up, high-speed search mode during playback, image enlargement and image scrolling can now be executed swiftly, due to the digital signal processing IC’s high-speed compression and decompression operations.

Image Management Software
Bundled with a suite of programs enabling image management, editing, compositing and printing, the PowerShot S100 comes with Adobe* PhotoDeluxe* and PhotoStitch for both Macintosh and Windows, as well as with ZoomBrowser EX for Windows and ImageBrowser for the Mac. Features integrated in both ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser include TimeTunnel and SlideShowMaker. When using ZoomBrowser EX or ImageBrowser, users can take advantage of new and improved features for auto layout printing, self-running full-screen slide shows, and automated preparation of images for use as e-mail attachments. ZoomBrowser EX and Image Browser simplifies the process of emailing photos by automatically compressing the image and starting the email program.

Streamlining the process of tagging images with print ordering instructions, the PowerShot S100 supports the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF). This newly-developed standardized method allows the camera’s built-in LCD monitor to be used for tagging individual images with printing instructions, such as quantity and size.

This feature, which Canon co-developed with Eastman Kodak Company, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., and Panasonic, has now been licensed to more than 70 camera, printer and photofinishing equipment manufacturers worldwide and is rapidly becoming more popular.

Accessories and Availability
The new PowerShot S100 is supplied with the following standard accessories: Lithium Battery Pack NB-1L, Battery Charger CB-2L, an 8MB CompactFlash Card (FC-8M), Interface Cable for USB (IFC-200PCU), Video Cable (VC-200), Wrist Strap (WS-110), PowerShot Solutions Software CD-ROM, and Adobe PhotoDeluxe CD-ROM.

Optional accessories include AC Adapter Kit ACK300 (which contains Compact Power Adapter CA-PS300, DC Coupler DR-300, and an AC Power Cord) and Soft Compact Case PSC 100 (with space for and extra battery and CF card) as well as spare batteries, CF cards and interface cables.

The PowerShot S100 digital camera will be available in June and have a suggested retail price of $699.

Kodak Japan & Mitsubishi Paper Mills Announce Photo Industry Joint Venture

TOKYO, May 9--Kodak Japan Ltd., a subsidiary of Eastman Kodak Company, and Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd. today announced plans to form a joint venture to serve the market for photographic goods and photoprocessing in Japan.

According to Yoshikazu Hori, president of Kodak Japan and Yoshihiro Onda, president of Mitsubishi Paper Mills, the combined entity will have the number two share position for color photographic paper in Japan, the world's second largest market for photographic products.

"The joining together of these two well-known brands in Japan will bring significant benefits to consumers and the Japan photographic market," Hori and Onda said in a joint statement. "Each partner also expects to achieve improved operating efficiencies as well as strategic and financial benefits through the JV." The move accelerates Kodak's growing position in Japan and enables Mitsubishi to concentrate on its core business.

Under terms of the agreement:

• Kodak Japan will contribute to the joint venture from its Consumer Imaging business, including Kodak Imagex Ltd., its photofinishing and sales service subsidiary in Japan.
  
  
• Mitsubishi will contribute the photographic product segment of its Diamic sales subsidiary to the joint venture.
  
  

Kodak will have majority equity share and the joint venture will initially source products from both parent companies. It is also anticipated that the companies will cooperate in areas other than sales, such as procurement of raw materials and the supply of intermediate goods.

Board representation and management structures will be announced in the future. The joint venture should be operational by year-end.

Will Kodak E-Commerce help the specialty retailer?

May 3, 2000. East Hanover, NJ - Photofair Stores of New Jersey hosted representatives of the Professional Products Division of Eastman Kodak regarding Kodak’s new e-commerce program of selling direct to the end user.

Dealers came from as far as Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is important - here's Jerry Harmen's complete report.

Olympus reveals lower-priced 3-meg digicam

Olympus America Inc. announced the C-3000 ZOOM 3.34 Megapixel (2048 x 1536 pixel resolution) -- with a price of only $799.

Strip away the 3.5 fps burst capacity from the C-3030 (it's still a respectable 1.4 fps rate) and you've pretty much got the new model.

The C-3000 ZOOM will be available the end of May, 2000 for $799. It includes a 8MB Olympus brand panorama SmartMedia card, remote control, 2 CR-3V Lithium batteries, lens cap, strap, USB and serial cable for PC and Mac, video connection cable for TV or VCR, new Olympus Camedia Master 2.0 Utility Software for downloading images from the camera, and instruction manuals. All software supports both Windows and Macintosh computer systems.

Sky is no limit now that Kodak pairs up with Space.com

Eastman Kodak Co. (www.kodak.com), Rochester, N.Y., USA, and SPACE.com (www.space.com) announced a strategic Internet marketing alliance between their companies, with the launch of two space-themed digital photo applications. The alliance furthers Kodak's Internet strategy to connect the Kodak brand to online pictures, the company said. The new aps, Kodak Picture This Space Puzzle and Kodak Picture This Space Postcards, are available free to all visitors to SPACE.com. Space Puzzles provide a chance to piece together online space pictures and send the completed products to friends via email. Space Postcards offer people a way to send an email postcard of a picture from space. In the coming months, kodak.com and SPACE.com will offer additional photo applications to SPACE.com visitors, including the capability to print NASA-generated photos directly from the website.

Kodak Announces New Digital Projector: Brighter, Better, Ultraportable

Notebook Projector Offers Increased Brightness, Clarity and Connectivity

ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 18--Eastman Kodak Company today announced the newest member of its family of digital projectors, the Kodak DP2900 digital projector. This new product combines excellent brightness with increased picture clarity and enhanced video in a lightweight, compact package.

The DP2900 packs 1000 ANSI lumens and true XGA (1,024 x 768 pixel) resolution into a sleek package, weighing just 4.8 pounds (2.2 kgs.) Using advanced Digital Light Processing™ (DLP) technology from Texas Instruments, the projector delivers brilliant colors, crisp text and smooth, film-like video playback even in a well-lit room.

Several other features also contribute to the projector's exceptional video quality and resolution. The new M1-DA DVI (Digital Video Interface) offers users the benefits of digital, analog and USB connectivity through one connector. Digital connectivity eliminates the need for resizing and offers superb image quality without noise or artifacts. The DP2900 is also HDTV-compatible, which can further enhance the resolution.

Availability

The DP2900 Digital Projector will be available in May through Kodak's established A/V dealer channel; the company will also provide the opportunity for customers to buy on the Internet. Additional information is available on the Kodak Web site at www.kodak.com/go/projectors

About all those on-line photo printing services

As the barriers between digital imaging and "conventional" photography continue to blur, everybody is getting into the act of making prints from digital files. Want to know the best of the bunch? ShortCourses' Dennis Curtin has just put together a Comparative review of Photo Printing Sites. While you're at that site, take a look around.

Kodak's First Quarter 2000 Operational Net Earnings Per Share Up 19%

Company reports operational net earnings of $.95 per share; Sales of $3.1 billion, up 5% excluding portfolio adjustments and currency

ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 17, 2000 - Eastman Kodak Company today reported first quarter sales of $3.095 billion, essentially level with the $3.100 billion posted for the first quarter of 1999. When adjusted for portfolio changes, sales were up 3% over a year ago. In addition, sales were adversely impacted by currency exchange, due primarily to the effect of the Euro. Adjusting for portfolio changes and currency impacts, sales were up 5% from a year ago. Complete story

More business news from the Photo Marketing Association International Newsline.

More digital news from Steve's Digicam News.