What's New And Notable In
Photography And Computing
New Nikon Digital SLR
Nikon has announced the development of a new digital SLR that will sell for less than $1000.
Though complete specifications are not yet available, Nikon promises that this interchangeable-lens camera will include an exclusive selection of new features while delivering superior image quality.
The camera which is scheduled to be available in the Spring of 2004 will be compatible with a wide-selection of AF Nikkor and DX Nikkor lenses. It will employ a Nikon DX format sensor, similar to those used in other Nikon SLRS including the D100 and D1H.
For more information visit Nikon's website at www.nikonusa.com or call 1-800-NIKON-UX.
New Photoshop
Now apply filters and effects to your 16-bit files using
Adobe Photoshop CS. This latest version of the popular
photo-editing application includes new features to facilitate
a smoother, more efficient workflow—the software
allows you to use layers, brushes and much more with
high-bit digital files. Designed to work seamlessly
with other Adobe applications, Photoshop CS also offers
built-in RAW editing and an improved file browser. List
Price: $649 (full); $169 (upgrade). Contact:
Adobe, (800) 833-6687, www.adobe.com.
Affordable Color Calibration
Ensure that your monitor is providing you with the best
image possible. SpyderPro from ColorVision offers everything
you need to calibrate your CRT or LCD monitor at a very
affordable price. Complete with the Spyder color meter
and OptiCal software, the system makes sure your display
delivers optimal color accuracy for all your critical
work in the digital darkroom. List Price: $249. Contact:
ColorVision, (800) 554-8688, www.colorvision.com.
Digital Photo Edges
Enhance the look of your photos by adding unique edges
or frames. Photo/Graphic Edges 6.0 from Auto FX features
14 user-customizable effects that can be applied individually
or in combination. The simple-to-use interface features
layering controls, brush effects and unlimited undoes.
List Price: $179. Contact:
Auto FX Software, (205) 980-0056, www.autofx.com.
Digital Camera Filters
Improve the quality of your digital photos using Sunpak
PicturePlus Quick-Mount Filters. The Skylight, Ultra-Violet,
81A Warming Filter and Circular Polarizer use a unique
snap-on/snap-off design, allowing them to be attached
to almost any digital camera with or without a filter
thread. The UV and Skylight filters protect your lens’
front element while the 81A warms the tonality of an
image and the polarizer reduces the impact of glare
on an image. List Price: $39.99 (Skylight, 81A, UV);
$69.95 (Circular Polarizer). Contact:
Tocad, (973) 428-9800, www.tocad.com.
Scanner-Printer In One
Scan and create prints from a single unit using the
Epson Stylus CX5400. Featuring a 1200 x 2400 scanner,
the device is also a printer supporting a resolution
of up to 5760 x 1440. The four-color printer delivers
ink droplets as small as three picoliters for fine detail
and superior color. Its scanner features Epson’s
Easy Photo Fix technology for auto-correction of faded
or damaged prints. List Price: $149. Contact:
Epson, (800) GO-EPSON, www.epson.com.
FireWire Card Reader
Download your digital images in less time using the
Delkin FireWire Reader. With a sustainable data transfer
rate of 400 Mbps, this CompactFlash card reader transfers
files faster than a standard USB 1.1 interface. The
rugged device accepts CompactFlash Type I and II, as
well as Microdrives. List Price: $79. Contact:
Delkin, (800) 637-8087, www.delkin.com.
Edit Your Digital Images
Use PhotoImpact XL to edit your digital images and add
special effects, including a rising moon, among many
others. Improve your shadow and highlight detail with
the program’s High Dynamic Range feature. The software
includes a 45-minute tutorial and seven step-by-step
projects to help you master the digital darkroom. List
Price: $89.95. Contact:
Ulead, (877) 226-6766, www.ulead.com.
Tech-Friendly Camera Bag
Get the best in accessibility and protection with the
Tenba Pro Digital DC-15C camera bag. Designed to accommodate
a pair of digital SLRs, five lenses and a 15-inch laptop,
the bag features a shock-dispersion wall to reduce damage
to your computer from impact. It includes a four-way
opening top, a Quick-Access panel for ready access to
gear and a stowable rain cover. List Price: $298. Contact:
Tenba, (914) 347-3300, www.TenbaGear.com.
Digital Workflow CD
Discover how professionals work with digital technology.
The EOS Digital Workflow CD is a multimedia presentation
that features interviews with 11 digital photographers,
plus 50 video clips, step-by-step workflow explanations
and image galleries. Photographers interviewed include
Greg Gorman, Michel Tcherevkoff, Barbara Bordnick and
Seth Resnick. List Price: Free. Contact:
Canon, (800) OK-CANON, www.usa.canon.com/eosdigitalworkflowcd.
Hard Copy
Mac Digital Photography
by Dennis R. Cohen and Erica Sadun (SYBEX, 2003;
ISBN: 0-7821-4272-9). Inside you’ll find
advice for refining your photo-taking techniques,
editing, repairing your images, using your photos
for fun craft projects and sharing your creations
on a Mac.
Photoshop
CS: Down & Dirty Tricks
by Scott Kelby (New Riders Publishing, 2003; ISBN:
0-7357-1353-7). Not just an update to the previous
edition, this book has more than 300 pages of
all-new special effects and tips used by professional
photographers and leading experts.
The Business Of
Portrait Photography, Revised Edition
by Tom McDonald (Amphoto Books, 2002; ISBN: 0-8174-3615-4).
The comprehensive sections on business, photographic
techniques and types of portraiture are complemented
by 30 profiles of talented and successful photographers
working in the field.
Memory Card Holder
Have quick access to your CompactFlash memory cards
while traveling. Secured safely on your belt, the Hoodman
H-FP4 case holds up to four CF cards. The zippered case
is padded to provide added protection for your digital
images. List Price: $14.95. Contact:
Hoodman, (800) 818-3946, www.hoodmanusa.com.
USB 2.0 Multi-Card Reader
Speedily download images from a variety of memory cards using
Crucial Technology’s Hi-Speed 7-in-1 card reader. The
compact device accepts CompactFlash I and II, Microdrive,
SmartMedia, Secure Digital, Memory Stick and Memory Stick
Pro. It weighs less than three ounces. List Price: $25.99.
Contact: Crucial Technology,
(800) 336-8915, www.crucial.com.
Fast Color Photo Printer
Create high-quality photo prints from 4x6- to 8.5x11-inches
in less time with the Canon i860 photo printer. The printer
can output a borderless 4x6 print in less than one minute
with its photo-quality setting. It supports a resolution of
4800 x 1200 dpi and utilizes a five-ink system, including
photo black for superior color and contrast. Prints can be
made directly from a camera featuring BubbleJet Direct or
PictBridge technology. List Price: $149. Contact:
Canon, (800) OK-CANON, www.usa.canon.com.
Color Optimizing Filter
Ensure better color for your film or digital camera using
the Singh-Ray Hi-Lux filter. Optimized for both film and digital,
it serves as a UV filter. The Hi-Lux improves flesh tones,
especially when using flash and provides a slight warm tone
to all your photographs. List Price: $120 (standard sizes
52-77mm). Contact: Singh-Ray,
(800) 486-5501, www.singh-ray.com/hilux2.html.
Photo Recovery Software
Recover lost images, data and sound files from your flash
memory cards with the help of ImageRecall 2.0. New advanced
features include the option to save recovered photos directly
to CD, plus Card Check, which tests memory cards for errors.
The professional-grade photo recovery program works with more
digital formats than any other software of its kind. List
Price: $39.95. Contact:
FlashFixers, (888) 834-9377, www.flashfixers.com.
Create Virtual Photo Albums
Organize your digital images into libraries and make virtual
photo albums with E-Book Systems’ FlipAlbum 5 Suite.
The program creates themed albums with pages that seem to
flip on-screen. You then can burn them onto CDs that can be
played on a family’s or friend’s computer. List
Price: $59.95 (boxed version); $54.95 (downloadable version).
Contact: E-Book Systems,
(408) 625-8080, www.flipalbum.com.
Make Slideshows For Your
Friends
PhotoShow Deluxe software makes it simple to create
musical slideshows with your favorite music. Use your
digital images to create screensavers and albums in
addition to slideshows. List Price: $49.99. Contact:
SimpleStar, www.simplestar.com.
Open Your Own Print Shop
Print greeting cards, calendars, business cards and
more with Broderbund’s The Print Shop Deluxe software.
The latest version adds animated greetings, the ability
to burn CDs and other improvements to its long list
of features. List Price: $49.99. Contact:
Broderbund, (800) 395-0277, www.broderbund.com.
Burn CDs And DVDs In Mac
OS X
Record your files in all CD and DVD formats, including
DVD-RW and DVD+RW, with Dragon Burn 3.0 for users of
Mac OS X. The software supports multi-session DVD burning,
so you can add data to your DVDs (and CDs) as you go
along. The program allows you to use more than one CD
or DVD drive to burn multiple disks simultaneously.
List Price: $49.95. Contact:
New Tech Infosystems, (949) 421-0720, www.ntius.com.
Transfer VHS Tapes To
DVD
Use ADS Tech’s DVD Xpress to capture the data from
your old VHS tapes and transfer the material to your
hard drive and, ultimately, to DVD. The device comes
with Ulead’s VideoStudio 7SE, so you can edit your
movies before burning them to DVDs. List Price: $129.99.
Contact: ADS Tech,
(562) 926-1928, www.adstech.com.
Ultra-Fast-Charging Batteries
Change your batteries in only 15 minutes. The Rayovac
IC-3 batteries achieve a full charge in a fraction of
the time of other NiMh batteries when used with a compatible
charger. Available in both AA and AAA sizes, these batteries
deliver great performance in digital cameras and other
electronics. List Price: $25 (2-unit charger); $35 (4-unit
charger); $15 (4-pack AA). Contact:
Rayovac, 800-237-7000, www.rayovac.com.
Pocket Card Reader With
Memory
Transfer images from your CompactFlash cards to your
computer with a petite Kanguru Micro CF. The size of
a small cigarette lighter, the drive has its own built-in
memory as well, so it can transfer data from computer
to computer by simply using their respective USB ports.
List Price: $59.95 (with 128 MB). Contact:
Kanguru Solutions, (888) 526-4878, www.kanguru.com.
