Kodak's Planned Acquisition of Lab-Studio Image System Partner Will Lead to Development and Growth of Standardized Digital System

Bremson, as a Kodak Subsidiary, to Create Feature-Rich Common Imaging Platform

ROCHESTER, N.Y., and LENEXA, Kansas, January 19 -- Eastman Kodak Company and Bremson Inc. today announced the planned acquisition of Bremson by the Kodak Professional Division, in order to further the development of a standardized, feature-rich digital image management system linking professional photo labs and studios. Terms were not disclosed.

The transaction, through which Bremson will becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Kodak, follows a long-term working relationship between Kodak and Bremson under which the companies co-developed solutions for the integration of digital imaging into the photo creation and production workflows of labs and studios involved in the multibillion-dollar portrait and wedding photography industry.

The resulting imaging platform relies on imaging and process applications from both companies including Bremson's popular ACCUNETccunet NT Digital System and the KODAK PROFESSIONAL Studio Link as well as KODAK scanners and printers, and has become the leading integrated digital imaging workflow option for linking photo labs and studios.

Upon completion of the transaction, Bremson will be led by new President John Bricklemyer an 18-year Kodak veteran with vast experience in engineering and manufacturing management.

The ACCUNETccunet NT Digital System and KODAK PROFESSIONAL Studio Link, and the systems that will follow it, deliver two main advantages over traditional work processes. First, they dramatically simplify the workflow between the lab and studio for transporting, selecting, cropping and ordering photos.

Labs and studios previously shipped hard-copy proofs back and forth several times, accompanied by instructions for selecting the composition, finish, size and number of photos. Now, film can be scanned to create image files, and those images can be viewed and transmitted with electronically embedded instructions much more quickly and simply.

Second, these digital systems support workflows that enable studios to present photos for purchase to a much larger audience, which increases the opportunity for sales. For example, wedding photo proofs commonly are viewed by the bride, groom and perhaps their parents and wedding party. But the Kodak-Bremson system lets the photographer invite everyone who attended the wedding to visit his or her web site to see the proofs and order photos.

In a related matter, Kodak Professional currently is in discussions with selected third-party web-hosting service providers to offer photo studios alternative web solutions linked to Kodak's imaging workflow solution. The goal is to provide these photographers with options linking features, web site development, payment options and so on and thereby encourage their participation.

In addition to pursuing a standardized lab-studio image management solution, Kodak Professional intends to:

• Review its and Bremson's relevant product portfolios with an eye to the common-sense elimination of redundancies and poor-growth categories.
  
• Invest in selected areas of each company's product and service portfolio that demonstrate growth to the business and value to customers.
  
• Intensify efforts around internet-based products, services and alliances to better serve the professional imaging marketplace under a revenue-sharing pricing model.

Although Bremson is joining Kodak as a wholly owned subsidiary, Bremson will continue to operate much as it has in terms of its pricing, service, staffing, wage and benefits programs, and similar matters and policies.

Canon Powershot Pro 90 features 10X Zoom, Optical Image Stabilization

2.6 Megapixels and 12 EOS System-based Shooting Modes with Manual and Movie Settings 

Canon U.S.A's PowerShot Pro90 IS digital still camera is their first digital camera to incorporate a built-in 10x zoom lens with optical Image Stabilization. In addition to its 10x zoom lens with image stabilization, it incorporates a multitude of advanced features including 12 EOS system-based picture-taking modes; wide exposure sensitivity (equivalent to ISO 50-400); several manual settings; and movie recording and playback with audio. Other advanced features include a highly ergonomic handgrip plus a variable-angle LCD monitor for easier handling and greater shooting flexibility; full compatibility with Type I and II CompactFlash memory cards, including high-capacity IBM® microdrives; optional accessories including supplementary lenses and a hot shoe for EX-series Speedlites; and a comprehensive software bundle for Mac and PC.

Additional camera features include shutter speeds from 8 seconds to 1/1000 second; an iris diaphragm; built-in flash with five control modes; an eye-level electronic viewfinder with dioptric correction; a wireless remote controller; and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery that can be recharged in the camera.

Advanced digital features including a 1/1.8-inch, 3.34 million pixel CCD (2.6 megapixels recorded); high-speed plug-and-play USB data transfer plus optional RS-232C serial interface; switchable video output format (NTSC/PAL); and a wide selection of image quality settings including JPEG and RAW as well as adjustments for contrast, sharpness and color saturation.

10x Super Telephoto Zoom Lens
The PowerShot Pro90 IS camera incorporates a new 10x 7-70mm f/2.8-3.5 lens - equivalent to 37-370mm in 35mm format. This lens was exclusively developed by Canon for high-resolution digital still cameras and is based on new technology announced by the company in May of last year. The all-glass lens consists of 13 elements in 10 groups and includes two aspherical elements to reduce size and weight while correcting aberrations effectively. It also has an iris-type diaphragm that produces better background blur. The zoom function of the Pro90 IS is operated by an adjustable ring strategically placed near the front of the lens. This permits quick and easy access to the zoom feature while allowing users to "cradle" the camera for a more natural feel and support.

When conventional cameras are hand-held and the lens is zoomed towards telephoto, camera shake is likely to occur, resulting in blurry images. The Pro90 IS overcomes this problem by incorporating a shift-type optical Image Stabilizer into the lens, allowing users to get sharp photos at shutter speeds up to two full steps slower than the "1/focal length" limit normally required for hand-held photography. This feature greatly improves camera performance and makes it easy for Pro90 IS users to receive maximum benefit from the extended zoom range of the lens. The shift-type optical Image Stabilizer is based on Canon's own original IS technology that was used first in selected lenses for the company's market-leading EOS line of 35mm SLR cameras. Unlike digital image stabilizers used by other manufacturers, Canon's shift-type optical IS system preserves maximum image quality, without increasing size or weight.

The PowerShot Pro90 IS has the highest resolution of any digital camera in its class. It uses a 1/1.8-inch, 3.34 megapixel CCD sensor with approximately 2.6 million recording pixels to produce high-quality full-color or black-and-white images up to 1856 x 1392 pixels.

The camera also offers two additional resolution settings of 1024 x 768 and 640 x 480 (VGA resolution). VGA 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 Pro90 IS provides users with a selection of 3 JPEG compression settings (Superfine, Fine and Normal) at any resolution. It also features Canon's exclusive RAW file mode which provides maximum control over image attributes such as white balance, contrast, sharpness and saturation. Additionally, all images are captured at 10 bits per channel with automatic noise reduction and output in 24-bit RGB for smooth gradation and lifelike color.

The PowerShot Pro90 IS incorporates improvements similar to the PowerShot G1 in the area of shutter button response time and shot-to-shot intervals. AF and AE are completed within 0.7 seconds after pressing the shutter button halfway, and exposure begins only 0.07 seconds after pressing the shutter button all the way down from the halfway point. In single frame mode, the shot-to-shot lag time is only 2.5 seconds. A built-in buffer memory supports continuous shooting of up to 10 consecutive Large/Fine JPEGs at 0.7 frames per second when the LCD monitor and flash are shut off.

Multiple Manual Settings
Many digital cameras claim to have fully manual features when the reality is the "manual" settings are minor overrides of automatic features. With the Pro90 IS, however, photographers have true manual control over shutter speeds, apertures, focusing and even the camera's metering pattern. In addition, the Pro90 IS provides an Image Zone setting offering a series of pre-programmed exposure modes for specific shooting situations.

Manual settings available with the PowerShot Pro90 IS include:

	Manual Exposure for complete control over shutter speeds and apertures. The Pro90 IS is capable of recording exposures up to 8 seconds when the camera is set to the shutter-priority AE or manual mode.
	Manual Focus for extreme close-ups and low-contrast scenes.
	Exposure Compensation, Flash Exposure Compensation and Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) up to +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments. AEB allows photographers to make three exposures (normal, over, and under according to the camera's meter) with a single release of the shutter.
	Spot Metering for effective exposure control in backlit situations and other adverse shooting conditions.
	AF/AE Lock allows photographers to lock in the focus point and exposure for a specific area of a scene, then recompose and shoot without losing the settings.
	7-mode White Balance, including daylight, flash, overcast, tungsten and fluorescent as well as automatic and custom.
	Five Flash Control Modes including On, Off, Auto, Auto with Red-Eye Reduction and Forced Flash with Red-Eye Reduction

Additional Camera Features
The PowerShot Pro90 IS offers a number of additional features including Movie Mode. While in this mode, the Pro90 IS can record a QVGA (320 x 240 pixel) digital movie clip with audio at 15 frames per second for approximately 30 seconds. Saved as an AVI file, the movie can then be played back on the camera's LCD monitor, a TV monitor using the supplied audio-video cable or on a compatible personal computer.

The PowerShot Pro90 IS also incorporates a series of Programmed Image Control modes that are easily set by using the Mode Dial on the top of the camera. In the Auto mode, the camera sets all the parameters for exposure while the user simply sets the resolution and compression settings. In the Pan Focus mode, the lens is set to its wide-angle focal length and hyperfocal distance to achieve the greatest depth-of-field. The Portrait mode automatically sets a larger aperture to achieve minimum depth-of-field for a blurred background. The Landscape mode sets the optimum aperture for expanded depth-of-field from foreground to background while continuing to focus on the main subject. In the Night Scene mode, the camera properly exposes the foreground subject with flash and sets a slow shutter speed for correct exposure of illuminated backgrounds. The Black-and-White mode allows users to create beautiful black-and-white images. Stitch Assist helps users create seamless panoramas by using the LCD monitor to align images while shooting.

In the Creative Zone of the Mode Dial, users can select between Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority or Manual exposure control. These settings also provide access to a host of other camera features such as single or continuous autofocus, spot metering and AE lock, various forms of exposure compensation, plus manual and custom white balance settings and much more.

Superior Handling and Ease of Use
Digital photographers at any level of skill will find it easy to maneuver around the camera's auto, manual and creative shooting modes. Similar to Canon's EOS System cameras, the User Interface (UI) is clear and concise with graphical icons that are universally understood. The main dial of the camera is used to set the camera for picture-taking, playback and PC download, while the Mode Dial is used to set the camera's 12 EOS-based picture-taking modes such as Auto, Programmed Image Control Zone, and Creative Zone. Popular features such as IS on/off, metering pattern, exposure compensation and flash have their own buttons. A four-position Omni Selector is used to change menu settings and select images during playback.

The PowerShot Pro90 IS is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that has more capacity but less weight than nickel metal-hydride, with no memory effect.

Image Management Software
Bundled with a suite of programs enabling image management, editing compositing and printing, the PowerShot Pro90 IS comes with Adobe PhotoShop 5.0 LE and Apple QuickTime 4.1, ZoomBrowser EX 2.5 (for PC) and ImageBrowser 1.5 (for Mac); PhotoRecord 1.2 (Windows only); and PhotoStitch 3.1. RemoteCapture 1.2 is a newly developed software application for Mac and PC that enables a USB-connected Pro90 IS camera to be controlled by a personal computer. Many camera settings such as focal length, resolution, compression, flash mode, etc., can be adjusted from compatible personal computers and the images can be recorded directly to the PC.

System Accessories
The PowerShot Pro90 IS offers even greater creative flexibility with lens converters and adapters. The WC-DC58 Wide Angle Converter widens the focal length of the camera's lens by approximately 0.8x, giving the camera an effective wide angle of approximately 30mm (35mm format equivalent). Close-Up Lens 500D has a working distance of approximately 14 to 20 inches from the front of the lens. A new LH-DC58 Lens Hood helps to prevent flare. Semi-Hard Case SHC-PS300 is also available to protect the camera from bumps and scratches when not in use.

Users who need flash coverage beyond the camera's built-in flash can add any of Canon's EX-series Speedlites to the camera's hot shoe. Flash units currently available in Canon's line of EX Speedlites include the 220EX, 420EX and 550EX.

The new PowerShot Pro90 IS is supplied with the following standard accessories: USB Interface Cable, AV Cable; Remote Controller; Neck Strap; a 16MB CompactFlash Card; BP-511 rechargeable battery and CA-560 Compact Power Adapter; AC Cable and bundled software.

The Canon PowerShot Pro90 IS will be available in January and have a suggested retail price of $1,299.00

Olympus C-2040, C-3040 Digicams Feature Fast f1.8 Zoom Lens

January 5, 2001, Melville, NY — Olympus America Inc. today announced the CAMEDIA C-3040 ZOOM 3.34 Megapixel (2048 x 1536) super bright 3X zoom compact digital camera. Based on the award-winning Olympus C-3030 digital camera, the C-3040 ZOOM now offers the world’s first super bright F1.8 aperture high-performance digital zoom lens with an extended flash working range and better low-light shooting and new USB Storage Class plug n’ play capability for easy and quick mounting of the camera to a USB computer -- all for only $999.

The C-3040 ZOOM uses a 3.34 Megapixel, 1/1.8 inch CCD matched to the Olympus digital optical zoom. To maximize the performance of this high resolution CCD, the camera features a newly designed super-bright F1.8 multi-element aspherical glass 3X zoom lens. As a result, the resolution and image quality deliver the highest level of picture quality available in a 3 Megapixel camera.

The camera offers the same compact design and features of the best-selling C-3030 ZOOM, such as Auto and Manual White balance and exposure for many light sources or conditions. For easy viewing, the improved Wide-View LCD display and the optical viewfinder are available. Other features include 3.3 frame per second sequence shooting, QuickTime movie, black and white or sepia shooting modes, Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB), and more compression settings.
The C-3040 ZOOM also incorporates the heritage of over 80 years of outstanding photographic technologies such as Aperture-Priority and Shutter-Priority modes, manual exposure, auto bracketing and Slow Synchro flash, as well as a range of quality modes and ISO sensitivity settings that allow the photographer more creativity.

New Super Bright Lens:
From wide-angle to telephoto settings, the new super-bright 7.1-21.3mm 3X zoom (35-105mm equivalency) captures digital images of unrivaled precision. The F1.8-2.6 aperture range allows the photographer greater freedom in low-light photography and extends the flash range. 

Many Metering Modes:
Like the C-3030 ZOOM, the C-3040 ZOOM offers the choice of ESP multi-patterned metering and spot metering for easy accurate exposure or advanced exposure control. The ESP multi-pattern meter looks at a variety of areas in the photo, for accurate automatic exposure. Spot metering allows for fine accurate exposure of the subject using only the very center of the image area. The C-3040 ZOOM also includes the new Multi-Spot metering mode combining up to eight spot readings to be averaged for complete user control over the subject. The combination of the metering systems in the C-3040 ZOOM gives it the distinction of being one of the most advanced in it the growing field of 3 megapixel cameras. 

White Balance: 
New to the C-3040 ZOOM is the one-touch white balance function allowing exact white balance under most light sources for the correct color reproduction. The new iESP multi-pattern white balance system will automatically adjust the light when ease of use is required, or the four manual preset white balance settings. In addition, a new +/-3 step white balance correction function enables minor adjustments in color tones.

Spot AF Function
A newly featured Spot AF function allows focus on points intentionally selected by photographer.

Sharpness and Contrast Settings:
Like many more advanced cameras, the C-3040 ZOOM offers control for both contrast and sharpness. Setting sharpness at soft, normal or hard allows the user to control the sharpening of the image to meet his own uses. Complimenting the sharpness is the Contrast mode which adjust from low to high contrast. With these controls, the photographer now takes control of final output quality, or they can be left in normal mode for the ease of point and shoot. 

QuickTime Movie with Sound:
The C-3040 ZOOM includes the QuickTime movie capture mode with sound allowing up to 5 min with sound. The sound is recorded simultaneously in the QuickTime movie and a 4-second audio attachment can be added to a still image. Ideal for voice memos, notes may be re-recorded over images and are supported in the included Camedia Master software.

Tethered Lens Cap:
The lens cap is now tethered to the camera to avoid the irritation of losing the cap or not knowing where to put it.

Accessories:
Olympus provides a whole line up of new optional accessories for the C-3040 ZOOM: camera case; FL-40 external flash for synchronized shooting with TTL cable and bracket; an assortment of lenses from 28mm equivalent to 152mm; RM-1 remote control; NiMH batteries and charger, and C7AU AC adapter.

The CAMEDIA C-3040 ZOOM will be available in March 2001 with an estimated street price of $999. It ships with an 16MB Olympus SmartMedia™ memory card, USB cable, AV cable, two 3V lithium battery packs (CR-3V), Olympus Camedia Master 2.5 Utility Software for image manipulation and creation, instruction manual, QuickStart Guide, lens cap and strap.

Supposedly to be available in January is the CAMEDIA C-2040 ZOOM 2.11 megapixel (1600 x 1200) bright 3X zoom compact digital camera. It also has a first super bright F1.8 high-performance digital zoom lens. The large F1.8 aperture extends the flash working range and is better for low-light photography. The easy to use features and USB Storage Class plug n’ play capability expand the usefulness of the C-2040 ZOOM -- all for only $699.

The C-2040 ZOOM’s 2.11-megapixel, improved 1/2-inch RGB CCD provides better resolution and image quality for the highest level of picture quality available in a 2 megapixel camera. The newly designed bright multi-element 3X zoom lens has a large F1.8 aperture with extended automatic shutter speeds of 1/800th sec. - 4 sec. The new aspherical zoom lens extends between 7.1 mm – 21.3mm for a 40mm – 120mm equivalency in 35mm format with an increased telephoto range. 

The camera offers the same compact design and features as the award winning C-3030 ZOOM in a 2.11 megapixel camera, such as auto and manual white balance and improved Wide-View LCD display, sequence shooting, QuickTime movie, B&W shooting modes, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Programmed Automatic or Manual Exposure. Other advanced features include Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB), White Balance adjustment +/- 3 steps, built-in flash or TTL flash with the optional FL-40 Flash, and many more compression settings.

The C-2040 ZOOM also offers great expandability with additional accessories for both telephoto and wide angle photography, flash cords for studio flash connectivity, macro and close-up adapters, and cases to meet the needs of the photographer.

New President for BKA

Brandess Kalt Aetna announces the appointment of Daniel C. Callahan as President effective January 1, 2001

Headlines from December 2000