June 2024

dig the time capsule
Automatically back up images, text files and programs on your Mac with Apple’s Time Capsule. It’s a high-speed 802.11n wireless router with an internal server-grade hard drive that works seamlessly with multiple Macs running the OS X Leopard operating system. It’s a perfect companion for Time Machine, the backup program included with Leopard that continually updates and saves changed files in the background. Time Capsule’s 802.11n wireless technology gives roughly five times the speed and twice the range of 802.11g. It comes in capacities of 500 GB and 1 TB. Estimated Street Price: $299 (500 GB); $499 (1 TB). Contact: Apple, (800) MY-APPLE, www.apple.com.

monster capacity
Forget about space constraints when you shoot with the Panasonic 32 GB SDHC Class 6 memory card. The card’s Class 6 rating means it can transfer images and other media, like video, at 20 MBps, making it one of the fastest cards with this capacity. And if you’re working with a flash-based camcorder that shoots in the AVCHD format, you can store about four hours of full 1920 x 1080i high-definition video. List: $699. Contact: Panasonic, (800) 211-PANA, www.panasonic.com.



tame your color
Achieve consistent color throughout your entire workflow, from screen to print, with ColorMunki Photo, a new color-management suite from X-Rite. An all-in-one spectrophotometer calibrates monitor, projector and printer profiles. Based on your experience level, you can use presets or manually set white point, ambient light and other measurements. New printer profiling technology optimizes specific colors, black-and-white and flesh tones based on your photos. List Price: $499. Contact: X-Rite, (914) 347-3300, www.xritephoto.com.


small pod
Support your compact camera on the Manfrotto ModoPocket. The tiny tripod can fit anywhere and is a nice solution if you’re the type who always has a camera in hand. The support will help you take sharper, clearer images that are free from blur, especially when taking longer exposures. The ModoPocket also allows you to tilt the camera forward or backward for greater perspective versatility. List Price: $34. Contact: Bogen Imaging, (201) 818-9500, www.bogenimaging.us.



STEADY ZOOM
Take sharp shots with the Sigma 18-125mm ƒ/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM lens featuring Optical Stabilizer technology. Using two sensors, the system picks up on any camera movement and shifts an optical image-stabilizing lens group to compensate for that camera shake. This allows you to use shutter speeds up to four stops slower. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 13.8 inches at all focus lengths and a maximum magnification of 1:3.8. List Price: TBA. Contact: Sigma, (800) 896-6858, www.sigmaphoto.com.



pentax glass
A trio of new D-SLR lenses from Pentax includes something for everyone. The DA 55-300mm ƒ/4-5.8 ED is an economy-priced tele-zoom, equivalent to 82.5-450mm on a 35mm SLR. The DA* 200mm ƒ/2.8 and 300mm ƒ/4 ED (IF) SDM pro lenses feature Pentax’s new smooth and quiet supersonic focusing motor along with a weather- and dust-resistant body to match those of the K10D and K20D cameras. A Quick-Shift Focus System instantly switches from auto to manual focus. All three lenses were developed for Pentax D-SLRs with SP coating to protect the exposed front elements. Estimated Street Price: $399 (55-300mm); $1,099 (200mm); $1,299 (300mm). Contact: Pentax, (800) 877-0155, www.pentaximaging.com.