Photo&Cameras

Samsung today announced its latest multimedia camera – the i85. Following on from previous i-series devices by combining music and video playback alongside its photographic abilities, the i85 has a few new tricks up its sleeve such as an inbuilt travel guide which may be updated online and a generous 450MB of internal storage.

Update: The amount of internal memory available for document storage is 173MB

Press release:

Samsung Cameras unveils quality convergence with the i85

30 July 2007 – Samsung Cameras is pleased to announce the release of the 8.1 mega pixel i85. The i85 is equipped with a 3.0” touch screen LCD, an integrated MP3 player and PMP (Portable Multimedia Player) function. An inbuilt Tour Guide function provides instant access to travel information covering 2,600 regions in 30 countries, so you’ll always know where the action is. Further information can also be downloaded directly from the internet, and with 450 MB of internal memory you won’t need to worry about space for favourite travel tips. The camera is equipped with the Samsung Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR) system and ISO 1600 high sensitivity support so that images remain crisp and detailed even without a flash.

The i85 also features Samsung’s Intelligent Face Recognition Technology, which detects the subject’s face, automatically adjusts auto focus and auto exposure to ensure better composition and image quality in portraits. The AF function instantaneously recognises the faces of subjects and accurately focuses on them before the AE function takes over, setting the appropriate exposure to ensure the highest image quality.

The stunning new Samsung i85 is a must-have camera packed with intelligently integrated multimedia features. The i85 will retail at £229 and will be available from leading high street and online retailers from the end of August 2007. Customers requiring further information should call 00 800 122 637 27 or visit www.samsungcamera.co.uk

Samsung i85 specifications

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The City of New York Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting (MOFTB) will stop accepting public comments on proposed photography and video restrictions on August 3, 2007. As The New York Times recently reported, the new rules have drawn protests from both the New York Civil Liberties Union and Picture New York, a group created to counter the proposal.

The proposed rules would require photographers and videographers shooting or scouting locations on New York City property (which includes the streets and parks that make up most of the city’s public space) to obtain a permit specifying dates, times, and location. This restriction would apply to any party including two or more people in a single site for 30 or more minutes, and any party of five or more with a tripod at a site for 10 or more minutes. The time limit includes all set-up and breakdown activity, and a single site is defined as “any area within 100 feet of where an activity commenced.”

It is notable that while comments on the MOFTB Web site refer to the relevant parties as “crew,” the text of the formal proposal describes them as anyone engaging in “conduct involving a communication … whether verbal or otherwise.” That would seem to include photographic subjects, making outdoor portrait and group photography sessions subject to the rules. Photographers who hold NYPD-issued press passes are exempt from the permit requirement.

Accepting a permit under the new rules would require the holder to agree to “protect all persons and property from damage, loss or injury … and to indemnify and hold harmless the City” in case of any problems attributed to the permit holder. The permit application also requires proof of liability insurance with a limit of at least one million dollars per occurrence, although applicants are invited to make a case for a waiver.

The full text of the new rules is available in a PDF from the MOFTB Web site.

According to the MOFTB Web site, the office “may determine that it is appropriate to revise its proposal” on the basis of public feedback. Comments may be submitted to Julianne Cho, Assistant Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, at jcho@film.nyc.gov or 1697 Broadway, New York NY 10019.

Picture New York has also launched an electronic petition against the proposal.

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The PhotoVu PV1965w is a 19 inch widescreen digital photo frame, featuring 16:10 viewing and wireless connectivity. “Our customers have been asking us for a wide format viewing wireless digital picture frame and we’re proud to offer the PV1965w to satisfy the needs of our most discriminating digital photography enthusiasts,” said Robert Jordan, PhotoVu co-founder and partner. The PhotoVu PV1965w is available now for $1199.

PhotoVuв„ў Announces World’s First High Resolution 19” Widescreen Wireless Digital Picture Frame

The PV1965w joins PhotoVu’s market leading portfolio of wireless digital picture frames for consumers and businesses

Boulder, CO—July 26, 2007—Today PhotoVuв„ў, the leading wireless digital picture frame company, announced announced the availability of the new PhotoVu PV1965wв„ў 19” widescreen wireless digital picture frame, a full-featured wireless digital picture frame that provides an impressive 16:10 wide format viewing experience.

“Our customers have been asking us for a wide format viewing wireless digital picture frame and we’re proud to offer the PV1965w to satisfy the needs of our most discriminating digital photography enthusiasts,” said Robert Jordan, PhotoVu co-founder and partner. “The 1965w again shows PhotoVu as the high-end leader of premium wireless digital picture frames, offering unparalleled features and functionality in comparison to any other digital picture frames in the market today. Our frames are ideal for consumer photo use or as digital signage displays for businesses.”

The PV1965w is available now for $1199. PhotoVu also offers the PV1965 for $999. All PhotoVu frames are available factory direct via their website at http://www.photovu.com where customers can configure and personalize their own PhotoVu wireless digital picture frame with a wide selection of mats and frames to match any dГ©cor.

About the PhotoVu Wireless Digital Picture Frames

Consumers and digital signage business users can display thousands of digital photos or other digital signage advertising content stored on any Windows&rep; or AppleВ® (MacВ®) computer, or from select RSS enabled photo sharing websites such as Picasaв„ў Web Albums or Flickrв„ў. All PhotoVu digital picture frames require no additional image manipulation or software installation. An optional removable USB hard drive or USB flash drive is also available for stand-alone operation. All features and operations, including displaying photo collections organized by Picasaв„ў or AppleВ® iPhotoв„ў photo management software, are controlled remotely from any computer’s web browser on the network.

About PhotoVu
PhotoVuв„ў, is the premium manufacturer of customized wireless digital picture frames for consumers and digital signage displays for businesses. Our innovative products offer the latest technologies and features to allow consumers to display their digital photos on the wall throughout their home, or businesses to display their own in-store digital advertising. Purchased directly from our website at http://www.photovu.com, customers can create and configure their own personalized PhotoVu from a wide selection of mats and frames to match most any dГ©cor. PhotoVu is a privately held and privately financed company, registered in the state of Colorado in 2003

Website: http://www.photovu.com

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The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33 is an 8 megapixel digital camera with a 3.6x optical zoom lens.

The FX33 features intelligent scene selector (which automatically chooses the scene mode for you), face detection technology (both focussing and exposure), image stabilization technologies (mechanical and ISO control) and continuous auto focusing.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33 comes with a2.5 inch LCD screen, 27 megabytes of internal memory and comes in silver, black blue and brown. The DMC-FX33 is compatible with a marine case for underwater shooting

It will be available in shops in September at a recommended retail price of $299.95 USD.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33 News Release PANASONIC INTRODUCES TWO NEW COMPACT LUMIX DIGITAL CAMERAS WITH BRAND-NEW INTELLIGENT AUTO MODES

Stylish DMC-FX55 and DMC-FX33 Boast User-Friendly Features, Such as Face Detection and Intelligent Scene Selector

SECAUCUS, N.J. (July 24, 2007) – Panasonic today introduced the newest additions to its FX-series of compact digital cameras, the LUMIX DMC-FX55 and DMC-FX33. Like the entire 2007 LUMIX line, the two new models incorporate Panasonic’s revolutionary Intelligent Image Stabilization technologies, and are the first Panasonic cameras, along with the newly introduced DMC-FZ18, to offer Intelligent Auto Mode, a system which combines Mega Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S) and Intelligent ISO Control with three new features: Face Detection System, Intelligent Scene Selector and Continuous Auto Focus. Both models combine 8.1-megapixels with a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC lens with 3.6x optical zoom.

The new Intelligent Auto Mode available on both the DMC-FX55 and DMC-FX33, include:

• Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects the appropriate scene mode from the most frequently-used modes such as Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Scenery and Night Portrait;
• Face Detection System, which helps the camera to focus, set auto exposure and detects up to 15 human faces, capturing them clearly and brightly; and
• Continuous Auto-focus, which allows the camera to maintain focus on the subject without having to press the shutter button halfway and allowing for best results of a photo opportunity by minimizing the auto-focus time.

“With our Intelligent Auto Modes, the DMC-FX55 and DMC-FX33 are the perfect combination of performance and style, giving consumers a user-friendly digital camera in a sleek and compact body that makes it easy to carry,” said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Also featuring a 28-mm wide-angle LEICA DC lens and MEGA OIS, these cameras allow the on-the-go consumer to capture high-quality images with incredible features and convenience.”

Intelligent Image Stabilization, a feature across the entire 2007 LUMIX digital camera line, comprises two features – MEGA O.I.S. which helps compensate for the effects of hand-shake; and Intelligent ISO Control, which takes into account the photo subject is moving and adjusts the ISO setting. Combining these two anti-blur features helps allow the DMC-FX33 and DMC-FX55 to photograph clear, crisp images.

In addition, the DMC-FX55 and DMC-FX33 feature the Venus Engine III, which supports a new High Sensitivity mode that allows images to be shot at a setting of up to ISO 6400. This is sensitive enough to capture subjects in low-light conditions without the need for a flash. Also, the high-speed Burst Shooting mode enables up to seven shots to be taken per second.

Other advanced features include:

• The DMC-FX55 has a 3-inch LCD screen and the DMC-FX33 comes with a 2.5-inch LCD screen. • 27 MB of built-in memory, perfect for backing up SDHC/SD Memory Card recording.* • The new Title Edit function allows the inputting of text to provide additional context to images. Additional functions for adding information to photos include the Text Stamp function and the Travel Date function. • Category Playback sorts images into categories, such as portraits, events, baby, etc. to allow for easy playback and creation of slideshows. • Clipboard function allows the user to hold and retrieve certain images that may be useful on a trip, such as a photo of a map or train schedule. • The DMC-FX33 is compatible with a marine case for underwater shooting. • The DMC-FX55 will be available in silver, black and pink, while the DMC-FX33 will come in silver, black, blue and brown. • Both cameras will be available in September 2007. The DMC-FX55 for an MSRP of $349.95 and the DMC-FX33 for an MSRP of $299.95.

1 MB = 1 million bytes. Usable capacity will be less.

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Fujifilm FinePix F50fd

Click photo for images of the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd, A920 and F480.

Fujifilm has introduced three new ultracompact cameras. The advanced 12-megapixel FinePix F50fd and the more basic 9-megapixel FinePix A920 and 8.2-megapixel FinePix F480 all sport 2.7-inch LCDs. The F50fd and F480 provide higher-resolution 230,000-pixel screens, while the A920 gets by with a low 115,000 pixels.

The most advanced model among the new releases, the F50fd uses Fuji’s Super CCD HR sensor, its RP Processor II, and an f/2.8-5.1, 35mm-105mm (35mm camera equivalent) 3x zoom lens. Most notable among its cutting-edge automatic features is Fuji’s second-generation face-detection technology, which the company claims can detect faces even in profile and from high and low angles.

Other functions include IrSimple connectivity for transferring images wirelessly to compatible devices and a new automatic redeye removal feature that works with the camera’s face-detection mode by evaluating every face detected in a shot and automatically removing redeye when it’s found. The F50fd also offers Fuji’s i-Flash flash metering system to adjust flash intensity and reduce blown-out areas in flash photos, as well as a new Portrait Enhancer function minimizes wrinkles and blemishes in-camera. The Dual Shot Mode takes two images in quick succession, one with and one without the flash, then allows the photographer to save the best one.

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Fujifilm adds to its F-series line with the new all-black F480, a wide-angle zoom (28 – 112 mm equiv.) eight megapixel digital camera with a 2.7" LCD monitor, an easy-access mode / scene dial and internal memory as well as support for xD or SD card storage. One noteworthy item on this camera must be the direct access to ‘Baby mode’ from the mode dial which hints at the target market for this camera.

Press Release:

FUJIFILM ADDS TO ITS F-SERIES LINE WITH THE FINEPIX F480

New F480 Model Combines 8-MP, 4x Optical Zoom and 2.7″ LCD

Valhalla, N.Y., July 26, 2007 – FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today announced the launch of the eight-MegaPixel FinePix F480, the latest model in Fujifilm’s F-Series digital camera lineup and successor to the F470.

No bigger than a deck of playing cards, the F480 is aimed at entry level photographers looking for function and form.  It carries an 8.2 MegaPixel CCD sensor along with a digital signal processor for noise reduction.  This CCD and processor combination ensures that pictures taken with the FinePix F480 are colorful, clear and crisp.  A 4.0x wide angle optical zoom lens from world-renowned lens manufacturer, Fujinon, captures large groups or distant subjects with ease thanks to a 28 mm-112mm equivalent on a 35 mm camera.

The FinePix F480 also features Picture Stabilization mode to reduce blurry images that can be caused by camera shake or subject movement.  Automatically choosing the correct light sensitivity and best-matching shutter speed, the F480 produces the highest quality digital pictures without blur and the noise often associated with low light photographs.

Fujifilm’s new F480 model also offers the following attractive features:

• Large LCD:  2.7-inch LCD display.
• Mode Dial:  The camera features a conveniently placed mode dial that provides easy access to the most commonly used shooting modes, including:  Auto, Picture Stabilization, Baby and Movie mode, and allows one-touch access to the pre-programmed scene modes.
  
• Scene modes:  A wide range of 13 pre-programmed scene modes provides top-quality photos in a range of shooting conditions.
  
• Movie Mode:  Capture QVGA quality movie clips at 30 frames per second with sound.  Great for when you’re out and you don’t have your video camera on-hand. 
• Internal memory:  When the memory card (sold separately) is filled with images, users have extra internal storage space on each camera to capture additional pictures.

The stylish, all-black F480 also comes with a Li-ion rechargeable battery.

“We wanted to provide consumers with an easy to use, compact camera, that can be dropped into a pocket, making it easier to never miss a great photo opportunity,” said David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.

The FinePix F480 will debut in September 2007 with a retail price of $179.95.

Fujifilm Finepix F480 specifications

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Fujifilm has introduced an 8-megapixel EVF camera. The FinePix S8000fd features Fuji’s Super CCD HR sensor; an f/2.8-4.5, 27mm-486mm (35mm camera equivalent), 18x zoom lens; and a 230,000-pixel, 2.5-inch LCD. Like the LCD, the 230,000-pixel EVF display has a 60 frame per second refresh rate to maintain a smooth image when the subject or camera is moving.

The S8000fd offers manual, priority, and automatic exposure modes, including 13 scene modes. It has a shutter-speed range of 1/2000 to 4 seconds and a top light-sensitivity setting of ISO 1600 at full resolution or ISO 6400 at 4-megapixel resolution. Although it’s notable that selectable metering modes, autobracketing, and selectable autofocus-point options are not available on the S8000fd, it does provide manual focus.

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In addition to two new ‘pocketable’ compacts Panasonic has revealed the latest FZ series ’super zoom’ model, the eighteen times optical zoom FZ18. This camera mates its (tiny) eight megapixel CCD to a lens which provides the equivalent of 28 to 504 mm on a 35 mm camera, plus it’s optical image stabilization. Just like the compacts the FZ18 gets ‘Intelligent Auto Mode’ and automatic LCD backlight control. The FZ18 is (on paper) a compelling option considering how much glass you’d have to carry around to match it with a digital SLR (ignoring other factors such as high ISO performance, lens quality and focusing speed).

Press Release:

Panasonic’s DMC-FZ18

A Super-Versatile Camera with 28mm Wide-Angle Lens and 18x Optical Zoom

The perfect choice for any photographer with varied photographic needs and high ambitions – Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new DMC-FZ18 8.1-megapixel Lumix camera, featuring a powerful 18x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm film camera), newly developed 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and Panasonic’s new and unique Intelligent Auto Mode. Panasonic’s award winning FZ series of Lumix cameras has been highly praised across the world, for concomitant realisation of both high performance and ease of use, and the FZ18 is no exception.

Bridging the gap between high-end compacts and digital SLRs, Panasonic’s DMC-FZ18 offers a level of control close to that of an SLR, but without the need for interchangeable lenses.  Perfect for photographers on the move and families who want to shoot pictures outdoors for example, the FZ18 offers an easy way to enjoy the fun of capturing beautiful digital pictures. 

Broaden your outlook and get the big picture

Panasonic has packaged a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with f/2.8-4.2 brightness and a powerful 18x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm film camera) plus an 8.1 megapixel CCD into a compact, portable body.

Comprising eleven elements in eight groups, including three aspherical lenses and two ED lenses that notably minimise the chromatic aberration that is likely to occur in telephone lenses, this advanced lens unit passes Leica’s stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance.  The zoom ratio can be extended up to 28.7x in 3-megapixel resolution mode with minimal deterioration thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom.  By using the central part of the CCD, this powerful zooming function allows you to easily capture and magnify distant subjects. 

Intelligent Auto Mode – the camera does the hard work so you don’t have to!

For more simple and more intelligent operation than ever, Lumix is offering the ideal automatic shooting.  Building on the success of Simple Mode and I.ISO Mode, Panasonic’s unique Intelligent Auto Mode is newly incorporated and introduces a new concept to photography – the ultimate auto mode.  With Intelligent Auto Mode, the camera automatically selects the most appropriate setting according to the situation without any user interface.  Designed for ease of use, simply select Intelligent Auto mode from the dial and the camera will automatically detect motion (Intelligent ISO), shake (MEGA O.I.S), face (Face Detection) and scene (Scene Detection) and select the settings accordingly.  These multi-capable functions happen automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change.  Lumix and its powerful Intelligent Auto Mode do all the work for you.  Now anyone at any technical level of photography can take beautiful pictures with ease.

The technologies that Intelligent Auto Mode Covers

Panasonic incorporates both MEGA O.I.S (Optical Image Stabiliser) to compensate for handshake and Intelligent ISO control system to detect and suppress motion blur into all Lumix cameras, which are the industry’s most advanced countermeasures against blurring.

In addition to these two paramount anti-blurring technologies, Intelligent Auto Mode also features face detection and scene detection.  The Scene Selector automatically sets the appropriate scene mode, from the most frequently used modes such as -portrait, scenery, macro, night scenery and night portrait – according to the scene you’re going to take.  With the new scene selector, the camera automatically sets the most appropriate scene mode and adjusts the detailed picture quality setting according to its detecting exposure, metering focus distance, face of the subject and motion of the subject. 

The Face Detection system helps the camera to recognise a human face and adjust AF/AE – allowing portrait photos to be taken effortlessly.  Up to 15 human faces can be recognised simultaneously – perfect for group shots.  The quick AF system allows the camera to start focusing on the subject even without pressing a shutter button halfway, to get the best result out of a shutter chance by minimising the AF time. 

Unique to Panasonic, the new Intelligent Auto Mode does the hard work, so all you need to do is choose the shot you want! 

At the heart of the camera

At the heart of the camera is the Venus Engine III, Panasonic’s advanced image-processing engine that can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1600 with full resolution.  The DMC-FZ18 boasts outstanding response time – for example the burst shooting mode boosts the capability of sequential shots to a rate of 3 frames per second at full resolution.  If this wasn’t enough, you also get unlimited consecutive shooting – which allows you to take photos in succession up to the capacity of the memory card or built in memory.

The Venus Engine III greatly improves noise reduction, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing.  Critical noise is analysed, and chromatic and luminance noise are reduced separately.  The chromatic noise, which has greater effect on picture quality, is then selectively suppressed, resulting in clearer images. 

The Venus Engine III also supports a new High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FZ18 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400 – sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.  This advanced processing engine is also energy efficient – its low power consumption means you can shoot around 400 images on a single charge, for a full day of shooting fun.

Inherently user friendly

The joystick that was so popular in the sister model DMC-FZ8, is employed in the FZ18 – for manual adjustment of focusing and exposure setting.  Panasonic has redesigned the FZ18 to make it more stylish and enhance its operational ease.  For example, the newly incorporated AF/AE lock button maintains the focus and exposure values that were automatically fixed when the lock button was pressed.  This means that there are no more worries about accidently changing a delicate focus point after you’ve worked hard to get it right.  The Custom setting is also incorporated to memorise your frequent setting patterns to be instantly applied by simply selecting this function with the mode dial. 

The DMC-FZ18 features the new Advanced Scene Mode, offering the simple operation the same as the Scene Mode setting, but with some additional adjustments available to users.  The frequently used scene modes (portrait, sports, landscape and night portrait) have been added to the mode dial and within these modes users can select either standard, outdoor, indoor or creative to capture more suitable images.  For example creative changes factors such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO – outdoor changes backlight compensation, and indoor changes the I.S.O. 

As easy as LCD

The new models boast a 207K pixel high resolution, 2.5” large LCD so you can effortlessly capture and playback your pictures.  The camera detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and boosts signals by mixed-pixel readout method when shooting under low-lit situation to secure a clear image in any circumstance.  The High Angle mode, which can be accessed quickly and easily via a dedicated button, makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.

Quick and Smart AF and Easy Manual Focusing

To match the shooting situation and subject’s position, the user can select from six auto-focusing methods: face detection, multi, 3-point high-speed, 1-point high-speed, 1-point normal-speed, and spot.  With the 1-point AF or spot AF method, the auto-focusing area can be chosen from as many as 11 points with the joystick or cursor button.  Various group area patterns can also be selected in the new Multi method.

With the newly added Face Detection system, the detection keeps working on the faces even if subjects are moving so that the time for AF is minimized before you click away the shutter.

Manual focusing, which is a valuable tool for professional-level photography, is also easy thanks to the joystick, and instant switching between AF and MF is available with the independent AF/MF button.  The DMC-FZ18 is also equipped with AF Macro button and it activates One-Shot AF function in MF mode with a single press of the button.  In both AF/MF, the subject just 1cm away can be finely captured sparing no detail of it so you can experience the dynamic close-up of macro shots.

To further add to its appeal the FZ18 can save image data in the RAW film format for your photographic freedom.  For editing and developing in the RAW file format, the FZ18 comes complete with SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE software application.  Approximately 27MB of built-in memory is provided and the camera accommodates large SDHC memory cards for your convenience.

For users who feel that ordinary compact cameras simply do not give them the functions and control they need for full enjoyment, the Lumix DMC-FZ18 serves as a gateway to truly creative photography.

For further information, please visit www.panasonic.co.uk/lumix/

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 specifications

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Carl Zeiss lenses are now available for Pentax and Samsung SLR and DSLR cameras. The Carl Zeiss ZK is a series of manual focus lenses that will fit the K bayonet currently used on Pentax and Samsung cameras. Shutter priority, aperture priority and programmed auto exposure modes will be available on all camera models with these features. The Planar T* 1,4/50 ZK lens will be available in August, with 5 other models following later in the year. 

Carl Zeiss SLR Lenses Now Available for K Bayonet

OBERKOCHEN/Germany – Carl Zeiss now offers its premium lenses for 35 mm SLR (single lens reflex) cameras for an additional camera connector: the K bayonet. This lens series is sold under the ZK name. Until now, the manually focusable SLR lenses were only available for the F bayonet (ZF) and the M42 screw threads (ZS).

SLR lenses from Carl Zeiss are known for their outstanding image quality and precise, long- lasting mechanical parts.

For the design of its lenses, Carl Zeiss draws on more than 100 years of experience in camera optics and current developments from the production of high-quality lenses for cinematography. Cine lenses from Carl Zeiss have been used in numerous major productions such as The Lord of the Rings and Perfume.

Lenses for the K bayonet will initially be available as Distagon T* 2.8/25 and 2/35, Planar T* 1.4/50 and 1.4/85 as well as Makro-Planar T* 2/50 and 2/100. In the future, the SLR line of lenses will be expanded to offer demanding photographers an even larger selection of focal lengths for their work.

The K bayonet has been available since 1975 and is the standard connector on various well-known analog and digital SLR cameras for the 35 mm format. The manually focused ZEISS SLR lenses (with their transmission elements) for the K bayonet fulfill the SMC-A standard and thus permit the utilization of the shutter priority, aperture priority and programmed auto exposure on all camera models with these features.

With the expansion of the line of SLR lenses, Carl Zeiss provides fans of SLR photography with lenses featuring outstanding imaging performance and high durability with which they can further enhance the performance of their camera system.

The first lens will be available for shipping in August 2007:

Planar T* 1,4/50 ZK
503,36 € (without VAT)

All other lenses will be available in Q4 2007:

Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZK
671,43 € (without VAT)

Distagon T* 2/35 ZK
671,43 € (without VAT)

Planar T* 1,4/85 ZK
881,51 € (without VAT)

Makro-Planar T* 2/50 ZK
881,51 € (without VAT)

Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZK
1.343,70 € (without VAT)

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Digital Camera Review has a review of the Olympus Evolt E-510 and writes, “Color rendition is dependably accurate and chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is very well controlled in both lenses. … If I were buying a mid-level dSLR today I would probably purchase the competitively priced, compact, capable, and responsive Olympus E-510. For casual photographers, Canon Powershot S3/S5 owners, and Panasonic FZ7/FZ8 owners looking to move up to a dSLR – the E-510 is the camera you’ve been searching for. For Olympus E-300, E-330, E-400, and E-500 owners looking to upgrade, the E-510 is the camera you hoped Olympus would build.”

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