» Polaroid film set for international rescue
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 Polaroid chiefs are in talks with the maker of Ilford film over the possibility of producing Polaroid black and white instant film at Ilford's base in Cheshire, UK.
In February, Polaroid announced plans to axe film production, blaming competition from digital cameras, 61 years after it hailed the birth of 'instant photography'.
A spokesman for Harman technology Ltd, which trades as Ilford Photo, told us that Ilford Photo and Polaroid are 'talking' but added that 'it's very early days'.
He said discussions are focusing on Ilford Photo 'taking on production of Polaroid monochrome instant film'. Read the whole article here. Many thanks to SteliosKa for the heads up.
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» New Kodak 35mm SLR Rumors
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 A news story appeared a few days ago (March 6th - Amateur Photographer UK ) about a deal between Vivitar and Kodak to make new Kodak-branded 35mm cameras, including a 35mm SLR. A couple days later, Kodak’s UK communications people denied the story, which was based on a Vivitar press release. Regardless of whether Kodak and Vivitar have a partnership to build and sell new cameras, the story brings up some interesting questions. Kodak has recently been actively promoting and adding to their professional film line, spreading the message that they are in the film business for the long haul. And interest in film is on the rise. No one expects film to come back and replace digital cameras. But many pro photographers prefer film for certain types of work. And I’m actually seeing younger photographers, who learned with digital cameras, discovering the magic of film and the darkroom. So it doesn’t surprise me that there would be some interest in a new 35mm SLR camera. Read the whole article here
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» ILFOSOL 3 Developer
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 ILFOSOL 3 is a new developer for black and white film photography. The new developer is particularly suited for use with medium and slow speed films, ensuring a fine grain and optimal sharpness at full film speed. “At a time when many leading manufacturers of photo-imaging products are pulling out of the black and white market, we remain as staunchly committed to it as ever. The introduction of ILFOSOL 3 should serve as proof - and reassurance - of this.” said HARMAN technology Marketing Director, Howard Hopwood. ILFOSOL 3 costs around GBP7.00 (inc VAT) per 500ml bottle. Read the whole article here
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» AF-H: A New Focusing Mode for Hyperfocal Distance
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In his first article for PhotographyBLOG, Zoltan Arva-Toth takes the bold step of proposing an entirely new auto-focus mode for digital cameras…
Update 1: As this has created a lot of interest, we’ll be contacting the camera manufacturers soon to ask for their input.
Update 2: Kodak, Carl Zeiss, Olympus and DxO Labs have now provided their feedback - see the end of the article.
It is no secret to anyone with a basic knowledge of photography that most modern cameras offer two main focusing modes, manual focus (MF) and autofocus (AF). Autofocus may come in several flavours, including AF-S (called one-shot AF by Canon) for stationary subjects, AF-C (AI Servo) for moving ones – especially useful if your subject is moving toward or away from you – and an intelligent AF-A (AI Focus) mode, which detects if the subject is in motion or not, and acts accordingly. Read the whole article here
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» Canon interview
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Despite a very busy schedule Bas de Meijer has interviewed some of the exhibitors during the PMA 2008 show in Las Vegas. One of the interviewees was Richard Trestain, Digital camera product specialist of Canon. Before the Photo Marketing Association 2008 kicked off, Canon introduced a number of new digital compact camera models and one new digital SLR camera for the upcoming season. Canon have been a leading brand for years in relation to worldwide sales of digital cameras. This is not something to take for granted. To apply high technical innovations or to integrate novelties into a product at the right moment is the key to successfully sell products. Richard Trestain answers a number of questions. Read the whole article here
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» Polaroid Technology Fades Out
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When Polaroid users pulled a picture out of their cameras, an image would slowly appear before their eyes. Now, like the process in reverse, the image of the Polaroid instant camera -- dimming for years -- has finally gone black.
Polaroid, based in Waltham, Mass., is shutting down factories in the United States and abroad as the company abandons the technology that made the instant photo possible, the Boston Globe reported yesterday. The company will cease production of its film by next year.
The artsy, instantly gratifying Polaroid images, reeking of processing chemicals, have finally been done in by endless Flickr Web pages full of digital images, flawlessly produced by cameras that do not require film, emulsion or anything bigger than a shirt pocket to carry them around. Read the whole article here
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» New Kodak Professional T-MAX 400 Black-and-White Film
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November 15, 2007 — Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) enhances its black-and-white professional film portfolio with the introduction of an improved Kodak Professional T-MAX 400 Film. The new film, utilizing Kodak’s patented T-GRAIN emulsions, delivers finer grain and higher sharpness. T-MAX 400 is said by the company to be the world’s finest grained and the world’s sharpest 400-speed black-and-white film, offering photographers a level of clarity normally only available from a 100-speed film. Read the whole article here
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» World’s Oldest Camera Sold
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May 29, 2007 – What would the world’s oldest camera be worth? The answer: over three-quarters of a million dollars. An 1839 daguerreotype camera was sold for a reported $792,333 at a photography auction house in Austria this weekend, according to the AP.
An anonymous online bidder beat out other interested parties from around the globe. The camera, made by the French company Susse Freres, is a singular sliding box camera that professor Wolfgang Haase discovered in an attic in Germany.
Experts date the camera back to 1839, making it not only the oldest commercially manufactured camera but now the most expensive camera in the world, according to a statement by the WestLicht auction house. via digitalcamerainfo.com
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» Protective cases for digital SLR cameras
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 Made Products announces the Camera Armor, a line of silicone cases for digital SLR cameras that keep cameras fully protected and instantly ready for action, with access to all features of the camera right out of the case. "The unique thing about Camera Armor is the fact that it protects your camera wherever you go, regardless of what you are doing. You put it on, and leave it on, so no matter what bumps life throws at you, your camera is protected,” says Graeme Esarey, CEO. “Unlike other cases, you don’t sacrifice much in the way of function. I can still change a memory card with one hand, the battery with the other, and be ready for the next shot. But my camera is protected the whole time.” Read the whole article here
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» World's first camera
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 The World's first camera is currently on display in Capital Museum, Beijing, for an exhibition that presents the history of photography through Nicephore Niepce museum collections. via www.makezine.com
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» A tiny camera inside a watch is set to fetch up to GBP15,000 at Bonhams.
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 The Lancaster Ladies Watch Camera was brought into Bonhams by a gentleman whose grandfather had owned it originally. He was a cabinetmaker at the Birmingham-based firm J. Lancaster & Son, probably working on the many wooden cameras sold by the company. The vendor, consigning several watches to one of Bonhams’ sales, noticed that among his collection was what looked like an ordinary nickel-plated pocket watch case when closed – but when he opened it he discovered that it actually contained a tiny camera inside. Lionel Hughes, Bonhams’ Camera Specialist, was delighted to come across the piece: Read on here
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» Kodak ScanVan to Digitize Photos on the Go
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 February 28, 2007 – Kodak will launch a scanning service on wheels tomorrow. Called the ScanVan, the Kodak service allows customers in the cities of Southern California and South Florida to submit up to 200 photos to be scanned within minutes for a flat rate of $24.99.
“Instead of having to spend hours to scan photos at home, customers will have the opportunity to digitize up to 200 photos in minutes at a special promotional price,” stated the ScanVan website.
Interested customers must register online through the Kodak ScanVan site at http://scanvan.kodakgallery.com/socal/index for a scheduled appointment. After scanning and uploading to the Kodak online Gallery, Kodak returns the photos to users on the spot, according to the site. The ScanVan, equipped with Kodak scanners, will accept photo size from 2 x 2.5 inches to 8 x 10 inches. Additional scans after 200 pictures will be priced at 10 cents per image. Read the whole article here
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» Sony Announces 15x Optical Zoom H9 and H7
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 Las Vegas- February 27, 2007- Responding to the growing demand for super zoom digital cameras, Sony is introducing its new 8-megapixel DSC-H9 and DSC-H7 models. Designed to appeal to families with budding athletes in their broods, the cameras debut Sony’s new advanced sports shooting mode.
This mode combines high shutter speed shooting and intelligent continuous auto-focusing. The cameras can quickly focus on fast-moving subjects by predicting where those subjects will be in the frame. This predictive technology also helps to reduce shutter lag, the time it takes for the camera to focus and shoot. Read the whole press release inside
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» Leica Extends M Lens Promotion
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 February 23, 2007 – German manufacturer Leica announced yesterday that the company is extending their 6-Bit Coding Promotion until June 30, 2007, allowing M lens owners to save up to $125 on their purchase of the newly coded lenses.
Compatible with Leica digital and analog camera bodies dating back until 1954, the new M lenses feature a 6-bit coded bayonet ring. For users who opt to make the upgrade, Leica will provide customers with two free vouchers that are worth $125 cash back.
Leica customers must submit a registration form 30 days after purchase for any lenses bought between Oct. 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. Leica customers can find more information about the 6-Bit Coding Promotion at http://www.leica-camera.us/news/news/1/4772.html. via digitalcamerainfo.com
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» Popabrella Protection System
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January 8, 2007 — Popabrella is a uniquely designed umbrella and mount system that connects directly to the tripod socket of any compact point and shoot digital or digital video camera. Popabrella can be adjusted to just about any position because of its patented 360 degrees ball-socket and slide system. It not only helps to protect your camera from the elements but it can also be used as an excellent tool for reducing lens flare. Popabrella can also easily mount to any standard tripod and will fold up into a convenient size that will tuck neatly away into your camera bag.Read the full article here
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» Lowepro Slingshot AW Camera Bags For Pro DSLRs
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 January 4, 2007 — Lowepro is adding a new model to its line of SlingShot AW sling camera bags. The new SlingShot 300 AW is designed to hold professional digital SLR camera bodies with an attached zoom lens, plus five to six additional lenses, flash units, memory cards and personal accessories. The Lowepro SlingShot 300 AW will be available in early 2007 with a suggested list price of $124.99.
Just like the SlingShot 100 AW and 200 AW camera bags, designed for sports photographers and photojournalists who need quick access to gear, the new 300 AW allows photographers to go from “carry mode” to “ready mode” in seconds. Without removing the bag, simply rotate or “sling” the bag toward the front of the body. The SlingShot 300 AW then provides complete access to cameras, lenses, memory cards and other accessories. With its larger size and capacity to handle more gear, the SlingShot 300 AW boasts a built-in waist belt designed to efficiently distribute the weight to reduce back strain. The 300 AW also features a quick pull handle to allow for easier rotation. Read the full article here
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» New HYBRID Batteries from Rayovac Deliver Best of Both Worlds
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 MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Each year, consumers spend more than USD3.5 billion on batteries for everything from digital cameras to flashlights. But despite the obvious benefits of rechargeable batteries, including less environmental waste and costs savings over time, less than 5% of all the batteries sold in the U.S. are rechargeable. A new product from Rayovac promises to change all that. HYBRID Batteries, featuring a breakthrough technology, deliver the benefits of rechargeable batteries, but eliminate common user frustrations to provide the world’s most user-friendly rechargeable battery to date.
Rayovac, one of the nation’s top battery brands, has identified two main reasons why consumers have not been purchasing rechargeable batteries at a high rate since their introduction to the marketplace in 1996. One, all rechargeable batteries on the U.S. market today need to be charged, sometimes as long as a full day, prior to initial use. This makes them rather inconvenient for the consumers who recognize a need to use rechargeable batteries immediately, right out of the package. Read the full press release here
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» Kodak's "gonna turn the schmaltz back up to 11"
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It's been a sad tale that Kodak, the first name in consumer photography, has seen continuous downsizing and restructuring as it clings to a no longer extremely profitable analog business model. Its digital offerings to date have been, well, generally pretty awful compared to many of the major Japanese and European brands, offering superior devices, optics, and images. But Kodak's not taking it lying down -- oh no. This corporate internal-commercial-gone-YouTube-fodder, which was apparently so popular on the inside they decided to release it to the public, starts up the old hot air machine to pump out some business about next-gen Kodak cameras featuring GPS, integrated narrative ordering, facial recognition, and intelligent color metering, all of which will apparently result in memories so outstanding "Celine Dion will sing the theme song while riding along on a unicorn through a field of baby animals under a big blue sky! And there's not a damned thing you can do to stop it. You were a Kodak moment once, and BY GOD, you will be one again!" Guess we can't argue with that. Alright Kodak, your move. CES is next week, let's see whatcha got. via engadget.com
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» ibidexpress.com : New Photo Auction Site Launched
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Warehouse Express, the Internet based imaging warehouse with probably the best reputation in the UK have launched a new auction site exclusively for Photographic and Imaging equipment.
The site is now up and ready for trials with a planned expansion of the abilities towards the end of February 2007.
CEO of Warehouse Express, Colin McCarthy, said "We are trying to get it off the ground and iron out any bugs"
Listing an auction is free until 31 January 2007 when the standard rates become active but even then a base fee of just GBP1.40 is all it will cost to list an item for sale.
As an opening offer there will be no closing fees, so if you have some excess equipment to get rid of after the frenzy of new gear that will undoubtedly appear in your kit bags over the festive season, this could be the ideal way of disposing of it.
Alternately, if you didn't get that item you desperately need to complete your outfit, it will be well worth taking a look at this new site as it builds to see if someone else has the item you want! With content restricted to just that used for photography, Imaging, birdwatching, printing, AV and accessories, the audience will be just your target group rather than the scammers etc. you get on e-bay, and an alternative is needed! Find the site here at ibidexpress.com via sigmauser.eu
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» Do the best Tripods have to cost an arm and a leg?
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 It's not often that you can say you have three leggy models in the studio but that's what I've got - a trio of Giottos - three tempting tripods.
The VT-802 (GBP19.99 inc VAT) is what you'd call a basic model it's sleek, appears durable but not exactly robust, the IY-232 (GBP34.99 inc VAT) namely a pro video/photography tripod is a larger version of the 802 but with the addition of a long lever for panning and a rather groovy handle. Finally but by no means least we have the daddy which is the Giotto MT9170 (GBP119.99 inc VAT) this looks very promising it's got padded legs and a rather dinky toolbox complete with dinky tools. Read the full review here
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