Category: Product News

It’s official: Hasselblad XPan panoramic rangefinder discontinued

Nicolai Grossman 2 Comments

Well, the rumour that I’ve written about previously is true: Hasselblad are discontinuing the XPan panoramic rangefinder camera.

According to this article in the British Journal of Photography,

The decision follows new EU regulations—known as ROHS approvals—which come into effect on 01 July, designed to cut back on hazardous waste.

The approvals state that new electrical equipment cannot contain lead, cadmium or many other hazardous materials.

This means that lead soldering can no longer be used in the cameras’ circuit boards. The use of non-lead designs are more complex and would necessitate a total redesign of the cameras.

…

He [Hasselblad CEO Christian Poulsen] predicted supplies would run out in the next two months, but promised that support would continue for another 10 years.

While I won’t say that their reason for pulling it is outright bullshit, I will say that it certainly smells like it. I could be wrong, but I fail to see why a solder change would necessitate a redesign at all: simply put lead-free solder in the wave solderer that assembles the circuit boards and that’s that. We’re talking about solder. It carries electricity between points A and B. We’re not talking about the banning of resistors here.

The article does go on to say that Hasselblad are working on a "tilt-shift solution" and that more information will be available at the Photonika trade show this September, so maybe it’s not all crap news after all.

Read article at the British Journal of Photography’s Web site

Dremel introduce Workstation drill press/holder mount

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Dremem 220 Workstation

Hot on the heels of their well-received Stylus rotary tool announcement, Dremel have just announced a new 220 Workstation mounting kit that can be used as a drill press, tool holder, and flex shaft holder.

Check it out at Dremel or Amazon

I’ve been wanting a drill press mount for camera building and modifying, and for $45, I’m sold. With this puppy’s help, I’ll finally be able to drill a Holga shutter plate out to get it faster than f/8. Bring on the options for low-light shooting and shallower depth of field!

Via MAKE Blog

JPG Magazine issue #5 now available

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JPG writes:

"Issue 5 is now available! Our ‘Photography is Not a Crime’ issue is a celebration of the freedom to photograph.

"Inside you’ll find 31 photographer’s takes and stories on the theme, NYC subway photography by Edmund Leveckis, Shane Lavalette‘s Family Portrait Project, an interview with attorney Bert Krages about your rights when shooting, and a special clip-out Photographer’s Right Bust Card."

I follow Edmund Leveckis’ and Shane Lavalette’s work and they’re both insanely talented photographers. On the basis of that alone, this may be a don’t-miss issue.

More info and order from jpgmag.com

Submissions for the next issue open 1 April, 2006. The theme? "Oops!"

Dremel introduce Stylus cordless rotary tool for precision modding

Nicolai Grossman 2 Comments

Dremel have just come out with a really sweet-looking rotary tool called the Stylus. The Dremel has long been a favorite of makers and modders, but this takes it a step further to a lithium ion rechargeable battery-powered, pencil-grip tool for precision work. This looks perfect for camera hacking!

Their press release says:

"The Stylus is intended to be held like a pencil, but for added comfort and versatility the user can hold it in several different positions: reverse grip (the handle is inverted), the side grip (the handle is pushed to the side) and the stable grip (the handle is rested on a solid surface). With this increased adaptability, the Stylus is more than a tool – it is a literal extension of the hand that is perfect for quick fixes and comfortable, extended use.

"The Dremel Stylus is ideal for intricate projects, including detailed drilling, carving, cleaning, detailed sanding, engraving, cutting and polishing. It is also perfect in a pinch for projects such as fixing furniture spindles, polishing cabinet hardware and slotting a stripped screw making it the perfect solution for your at-home needs. Complete with 25 genuine Dremel accessories, the Dremel Stylus retails for $69.99. It is available at most hardware and home improvement centers nationwide."

Check it out at Amazon or Dremel.

Via MAKE Blog via Extreme Tech

Ilford announce new selenium toner

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Ilford Photo press release:

Extending darkroom options on printing black-and-white images to further levels of artistry is a new selenium toner from ILFORD Photo.

One of the major benefits of using silver photography, and processing prints in chemistry baths, is the degree of control which can be exerted on the finished product. This is never more obvious than when extending the purity of tone and line inherent in black-and-white photography with the use of toners. Not surprisingly, therefore, it is a field into which ILFORD Photo has put a great deal of research and development. Due for availability in summer 2006 is the first of what will be a full range of colour toners from ILFORD Photo – ILFORD HARMAN selenium toner – which takes the artistry of a monochrome print to perfection. This high quality formula is straightforward in use and has several advantages in addition to emphasising the versatile tonal range of black-and-white prints.

The degree of effect which any toner will have on a print depends on, firstly, the dilution of the solution; secondly, the time the print is immersed; and thirdly, the type of paper being used.

The ILFORD HARMAN selenium toner will be supplied as a ready prepared liquid, so there are no particular toxic concerns, and is recommended to be used at 1+10 dilution for optimum results. The time required will depend on the tonal quality of the print, but around 5 minutes is a general guide.

This mix will enhance the maximum density (Dmax) of the blacks, and change the image tone. The toner absorbs any olive hue present, and pushes shadows towards a purplish black finish with no discernable effect on the highlights. The effects will be most noticeable when using MULTIGRADE WARMTONE papers, but more subtle on harder papers such as MULTIGRADE IV.

The reaction of the selenium on the silver halide (AgX) of the print hardens the adherence of the image to the paper, thereby improving its stability, permanence and archival properties as well as defining its appearance.

Altogether, ILFORD HARMAN selenium toner will provide the finishing touch which turns an excellent black-and-white picture into a photographic masterpiece.

Further information on ILFORD Photo toners can be found on the new ILFORD Photo website: ilfordphoto.com.

Via PhotographyBLOG

Last chance to order Fujichrome Velvia 50

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Fujifilm press release:

Fujifilm Professional has announced that the final shipment of Fujichrome Velvia 50 has now been received.

This means that once the stock held in the company’s warehouse has been sold there will be no more of the film available.

Fujifilm has been forced into ceasing production of Velvia 50 due to vital raw materials used in the production of the emulsion becoming unavailable.

Despite the withdrawal of Velvia 50, Fujifilm Professional remains committed to the continued production and promotion of professional film. This commitment is illustrated by the launch of three new professional films last year (Fujicolor Pro 160S, Pro 160C and Fujichrome Velvia 100) and there are already plans to launch a further two new professional films in 2006.

While Velvia 50 has traditionally been the favoured film for many photographers there has always been the demand for a film that offers high colour saturation but with higher speed and finer grain – Velvia 100 provides this.

Epson V700 Photo scanner review at photo-i

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photo-i have begun an interactive review of the Epson V700 Photo scanner that was just announced at PMA. (An explanation of their [excellent] interactive review process is at the top of the page.)

If you’re wondering why I’m posting scanner news on a film/pinhole/toy/alt process/experimental blog, it’s because most of us need to scan our film if we want to make backups or color prints. While I don’t post anything that relates only to mass-market digital—not because I have some dogmatic beef against it, but because sources for that sort of news are good and plentiful—I will continue to post about items like this that may have relevance for those of the mad scientist-photographer bent.

Via PhotographyBLOG

Review and samples of Ilford’s new Harman Cool- and Warmtone print developers

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Silverprint have done a quick review of Ilford‘s new Harman Cooltone and Warmtone B&W paper developers.

According to Silverprint, "Having now had a chance to lab test the new Ilford Warmtone and Coldtone developers, we can state categorically they are the most effective specialised print developers ever placed on the market."

Continue reading and see samples at Silverprint News.

Agfa chemistry, including Rodinal, is back!

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From Silverprint News:

"As they promised, the German company a&o, who aquired Agfa’s chemical range after the dissolution of AgfaPhoto, have lost no time in relaunching the range onto the market . All products are available apart from one or two of the more esoteric ones, Viradon toner and Sistan image stabiliser, and these are unlikely to be made again. However all the favourites are there, including Rodinal neg. developer and the Neutol print developers, and we are expecting the first big delivery on 1st March."