Category: Product News

Velvia 50 to be reintroduced in US

Nicolai Grossman 1 Comment

On the heels Fujifilm UK’s announcement last week that Velvia 50 slide film would be reintroduced to the UK [see previous post], Fujifilm USA today announced that the same would happen in the US:

Fujifilm press release:

FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. is pleased to announce plans to re-introduce an ISO 50 Fujichrome Velvia professional film, tentatively named Velvia II. Fujichrome Velvia (RVP 50) was the first high color saturation, high contrast transparency E-6 compatible film when it was introduced in 1990 and was a favorite among photographers. Its discontinuation was announced last year due to difficulties in procuring some of the raw materials used to produce the emulsion.

"Since we announced the discontinuation of Velvia 50, we have been inundated with requests from photographers worldwide to continue production,” said Christian Fridholm, Director of Marketing, Picture Taking, Imaging Division, Fujifilm USA. “They had used Velvia for many years and consider it unmatched in terms of quality and character. One of Fujifilm’s main priorities is to nurture the culture of photography, so we took those requests very seriously."

As a result, Fujifilm research and development teams have developed substitute raw materials and new manufacturing technologies that enable the company to restart production. The new film is expected to be available in late spring 2007. The characteristics of the new emulsion will mirror that of the previous product.

"We are pleased to, once again, demonstrate our commitment to photographic film and to our photographer customers," concluded Fridholm. Specific details, including naming, pricing and shipment dates will be announced when they become available.

[corporate spew removed]

For more information on FUJIFILM U.S.A. products, customers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the FUJIFILM U.S.A. Web site at www.fujifilmusa.com.

Velvia 50 to be reintroduced!

Nicolai Grossman 1 Comment

Aw yeah! Velvia 50, a very saturated, fine-grained slide film loved by landscape photographers, will return! It’s also really nice to cross process in C-41 chemistry, just shoot at EI 25 for a nice density range.

Fujifilm press release:

Fujifilm Professional is delighted to announce that the company is planning to re-launch Fujichrome Velvia 50 into the UK market.

Production of Velvia 50 was halted at the beginning of 2005 when vital raw materials used in the production of the emulsion became unavailable. The re-launch of Velvia 50 is a further illustration of Fujifilm’s continued commitment to the production and promotion of professional film.

Russ Gunn, Fujifilm Professional Product Manager, made this comment: "We have received many requests from photographers to restart manufacturing, as they had used Velvia 50 for many years and consider it unmatched in terms of quality and character. One of Fujifilm’s main priorities is to nurture the culture of photography, so we have been reviewing the possibility of restarting production."

Gunn continued: "In response to these requests our research and development teams have been working hard to develop substitute raw materials and new manufacturing technologies that enable us to restart production of this famous emulsion. We are planning to re-introduce the new Velvia 50 in the spring of 2007. The characteristics of the new emulsion will mirror that of the previous product. Many photographers were understandably upset when we were forced to withdraw Velvia 50, and we are delighted to be able to announce its re-introduction."

An announcement of specific details, including price, formats and availability schedule will be made as soon as they are available. The existing range of Fujifilm Professional films will remain unaltered.

For further information, please visit www.fujifilm.co.uk/professional

Free digital coding upgrade on new Leica lenses in US & CA

Nicolai Grossman 4 Comments

As I posted previously, Leica have a new digital coding system for their M lenses so their digital bodies can automatically detect which lens is mounted. The coding consists of six painted dots on the mount, and normally costs a characteristically extortionate $120. Now, for a limited time only, US and Canadian customers can get it for FREE when they buy a new Leica lens. And then wait only 6-8 weeks!

Leica press release

10/12/2006 – Purchase any new M lens from an authorized USA/Canadian Leica dealer between October 1 and December 31, 2006, and you will receive 2 free vouchers – worth $125 each entitling you to upgrade your existing Leica M lenses by adding the 6-bit code. Lens conversion for customers will begin on Nov. 1, 2006. To take advantage of this exciting, limited-time program, you must register your new Lieca M lens and submit any rebate claims within 30 days of purchase. Kindly return a copy of the original dated sales receipt and completed Leica USA warranty card along with the completed forms. After registration is completed, 2 vouchers for 6-bit coding will be sent to you. Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing. Lens conversion for customers will begin in November, 2006. Please contact Customer Serivce at (201) 995-0051 ext 236 for more information. This promotion is only in the United States of America and Canada.

This is cool and all, but, in my opinion, also bullshit. New Leica lenses are fucking expensive, with a capital EXPENSIVE. They should already come coded. Un-coded lenses still in the supply chain? Exchange coded lenses with the dealers for uncoded, code them, and ship them as you normally would.

Some update fee for older lenses is reasonable, but $120 is insane. It’s paint, for fuck’s sake. Why not abandon that paint—which must be made from some pretty spectacular shit to charge $20 per dot—and just sell stickers for each lens that people can put on themselves?

Lastly, let’s say I do drop 2 grand on a new lens and another 5 on an M8 body. What the fuck makes Leica think that I want to wait 6-8 weeks to use it? I can’t work out if Leica just don’t understand their customers or if the majority of their customers are simply insane. This is the kind of thing that makes me think thrice about investing in an M8. Sort yourselves out!

3rd generation Lensbaby locks into position

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3rd generation Lensbaby

Lensbabies press release:

3rd Generation Selective Focus SLR Lens Locks in Bent Position, Allows Precision Focusing

Cologne, Germany; Photokina Hall 5.2, Booth D028 (September 26, 2006) – Today Lensbabies, LLC launched its 3rd generation selective focus Single Lens-Reflex (SLR) lens, Lensbaby 3G, introducing new features that dramatically expand the Lensbaby product family’s capabilities.

The Lensbaby 3G SLR lens allows photographers to lock the Lensbaby in a desired bent position simply by pressing a button. Then, using a traditional barrel focus mechanism, photographers can do fine focusing and precisely place the sweet spot of sharp focus before pressing the shutter release. The Original Lensbaby lens and the Lensbaby 2.0 lens require the photographer to manually hold the Lensbaby in a bent position while pressing the shutter release.

Lensbaby selective focus SLR camera lenses take photos with one area in sharp focus, with that ‘sweet spot’ surrounded by graduated blur. Photographers can move the sweet spot of sharp focus anywhere in the photo by bending the flexible lens tubing.

"Response to the Original Lensbaby and Lensbaby 2.0 has been great," said Craig Strong, the inventor of the Lensbaby and Co-Founder of Lensbabies, LLC. "But we asked our customers what new features they wanted. Studio photographers told us they want to repeat Lensbaby photos exactly the same each time, whether they are shooting food, fine art nudes, or Chanel shoes. Studio portrait photographers told us they want greater confidence in the sweet spot’s sharpness and placement. Outdoor and location photographers said they are interested in shooting longer exposures than are possible with the Original Lensbaby and Lensbaby 2.0."

Lensbaby 3G features the same low dispersion, high refractive index, multi-coated optical glass doublet and the same flexible tubing as Lensbaby 2.0, but adds three focusing rails that emerge from the camera mount and pass through the focusing collar. A trigger button on the focusing collar releases three pins that engage the focusing rails and lock Lensbaby 3G in a bent position.

"The process of shooting with Lensbaby 3G is quite different than with Lensbaby 2.0, and the two lenses are optimized for different types of photography. While Lensbaby 2.0 is great for intuitive, fluid, photojournalistic shots, Lensbaby 3G is a workhorse for pros that require precise focusing, complete control, and repeatability," said Strong.

Once Lensbaby 3G is locked into place, additional fine focus can be achieved by turning the barrel focusing ring, which moves the optic in and out like a normal manual focus lens. Also, in the locked position, a photographer can make small adjustments to the placement of the sweet spot of focus by turning any combination of the three focusing rails.

"We think Lensbaby 3G is the logical next step in the evolution of selective focus photography, allowing complete control and repeatability," said Strong. "We hope Lensbaby 3G will meet photographers’ needs for precision while stimulating their creative vision."

Lensbaby 3G SLR lenses will be available starting in mid-October from www.Lensbabies.com, by calling 877-536-7222 / 971-223-5662, and from select specialty photo stores. Lensbaby 3G is initially available in mounts for Canon EF and Nikon F camera bodies. Versions of the Lensbaby 3G for Olympus 4/3rds/Panasonic, Pentax K/Samsung GX, and Sony Alpha/Minolta Maxxum digital and film SLR camera bodies are scheduled to ship in mid-November. Optional accessories include the Lensbaby Macro Kit™. Photographers can also mount a variety of 37mm threaded accessories, such as wide angle and telephoto conversion lenses, onto the front of their Lensbaby.

New Think Tank Photo camera bags

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Think Tank Photo has unveiled eight new photo bags and bag accessories aimed at the working shooter and serious weekend photographer. Like previous Think Tank offerings, they feature some of the nicest product design we’ve seen coupled with the company’s usual flair for product naming. Here’s a rundown of what’s new…

Continue reading the complete run-down, with photos, at robgalbraith.com

Via the Open Photography Forums

New Lomo LC-A+

Nicolai Grossman 12 Comments

As much as I hate to give any publicity whatsoever to the monopolistic rip-off marketing goons at the Lomographic Society, they have come out with something cool. Like everything else they sell, it’s embarassingly overpriced, and I recommend that you not buy anything from them unless it’s unavailable anywhere else—for example, don’t pay $70 for a $15 Holga, get it from holgamods or Amazon—but this is such a product: the Lomo LC-A+.

Take your standard small, cute, horribly-built, awesomely Minitar-lensed Lomo LC-A 35mm camera, and add a double exposure button, metering up to ISO1600 (why the fuck didn’t they go to 3200 as long as they were in there??), and a standard threaded cable release socket. Take away manual exposure; this is auto-only.

The cheapest way to get this camera from them is the Standard Package, which consists of the camera, Colorsplash flash (just want the camera? too bad), cable release (just want the camera? too bad), "Lomographiere" hardcover book (don’t want to pay them for their own marketing materials? the materials where they use their customer’s photos and don’t pay them? too bad), two rolls of film (just want the camera? too bad!), and a set of batteries (OK, that’s actually useful). All yours for the modest price of US $250.

They’re accepting pre-orders now and say the first batch will ship 2 October, 2006.

Immense shitload of new Zeiss F, M, and CF lenses

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Zeiss are blasting out a huge range of new manual focus lenses:

Leica M mount

  • Distagon T* 18mm f/4
  • C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5

Nikon F mount

  • ZF Distagon T* 35mm f/2
  • ZF Makro-Planar 50mm f/2
  • ZF Makro-Planar 100mm f/2
  • ZF Distagon T* 25mm f/2.8

Hasselblad CF mount (appear to be vintage-look versions of the currently available equivalents)

  • Makro-Planar T* 120mm f/4
  • Distagon T* 50mm f/4
  • Sonnar T* 180mm f/4

Check out Photos and commentary at The Online Photographer or Zeiss’ rundown (minus the Hasselblads).

Via Auspicious Dragon’s photostream blog

Lensbaby wide-angle conversion lenses

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Lensbabies launches the new Lensbaby accessory lenses, a Lensbaby Wide Angle/Macro Conversion Lens and a Lensbaby Wide Angle/Telephoto Lens kit. Most notable about the new wide angle accessory lens is that it is optimized for use with the Lensbaby – no other wide angle accessory on the market preserves the size of the sweet spot of focus the way the Lensbaby wide angle lens does. When a photographer uses an industry standard wide angle conversion lens with a Lensbaby it shrinks the size of the Sweet Spot. The shrinking Sweet Spot makes it harder to shoot wide open at f/2.0 or f/2.8, because the Sweet Spot reduces to quite a small percentage of the photo. Our new Lensbaby wide angle conversion lenses solve the problem of the shrinking Sweet Spot…

Continue reading at the Photonika Show Web site

Kodak Portra films enhanced

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Kodak UK Press Release:

Kodak Introduces Enhanced PORTRA Colour Negative Films with Finer Grain, Spectacular Skin Tones, Vivid Colour and Ideal Scanning Performance – Continued Innovation Gives Pro Photographers High Quality Films to Achieve Impactful Images

London, September 11 – In a move that underscores its ongoing support of the professional photography market, Eastman Kodak Company today introduced enhanced versions of its iconic KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA colour negative film family, comprising 160 VC, 160 NC, 400 VC and 400 NC film. These films help professional photographers create stunning images with finer grain, spectacular skin tones, and improved scanning performance for greater enlargement capability. Plus, PORTRA 160VC and PORTRA 400VC films now provide a more ideal combination of higher colour saturation and lower contrast for optimal performance in high-colour applications.

"More than two-thirds of professional photographers today mix film and digital when shooting, depending on the job at hand and the desired end result they want to achieve," said Julian Baust UK Country Manager "Our commitment is to make sure they have the best tools for the job. The innovations we are introducing in our new PORTRA films help ensure that photographers, whether shooting at a wedding, in the studio, on a fashion shoot, or for nature and landscapes, achieve the most truthful, impactful result."

Features of the new PORTRA Film include:

  • Finer Grain: New Micro-Structure Optimized T-GRAIN® Emulsions now enable PORTRA Films to deliver finer grain than ever before.
  • Outstanding Scanning Results: With finer grain and an emulsion overcoat specially designed for scanners, PORTRA Films reproduce beautifully, be it optical or digital output.
  • Spectacular Skin Tones: Reengineered PORTRA Films deliver smooth, natural reproduction of skin tones, with a choice of Natural or Vivid colour saturation.
  • Superb Colour in Mixed Light: PORTRA films deliver beautiful, natural colour regardless of the lighting conditions, even under fluorescent light.
  • Best In Class Underexposure Latitude: PORTRA films provide the greatest latitude among professional colour films (-2 to+3 stops), enabling photographers to shoot with confidence even under challenging lighting conditions.
  • True-To-Speed ISO Ratings: There‘s no need to test or compensate. Set the meter to the box speed and start shooting.
  • Matched Prints: Single Channel Printing Technology delivers beautifully matched prints across all speeds and formats.

To ensure that this new film would meet the needs of professionals, Kodak had a number of photographers and professional labs test the product during its final stages of development.

"I am thrilled with this new film," said Jock McDonald, an internationally acclaimed professional photographer, based in San Francisco, California. "It brings so much to the dance – the way it handles contrast, keeping shadow detail is incredible. And its fine grain detail and colour palate are wonderful. It’s magical."

"Due to the superior grain and latitude of the new PORTRA films, I am able to use available light in more extreme situations without compromising the quality my clients and I demand," said Chris Usher, a renowned internationally published photojournalist whose documentation of behind the scenes moments at the White House, "Behind the Velvet Rope," is currently touring as an exhibition. "Whether shooting at a small county fair in the middle of the day, a rodeo at night, the majestic splendor of Niagara Falls through the mist or everyday people going about their lives, I can rely on PORTRA Film with confidence. The images, in detail and colour, are the next best thing to being there."

McDonald and Usher will join professional photographers Renate Forster and Frederic Lagrange at a panel at Photokina, to discuss their experiences with PORTRA Film, as well as how film fits into their work and photography. Photokina is the largest imaging exposition and trade show in Europe, which opens September 26 in Cologne, Germany. Visitors to Photokina can join these panels, to be held:

  • Wednesday, September 27: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.; Kristallsaal room, section 3: Entrance West, 3rd floor
  • Thursday, September 28: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.; Salon Barcarole: Entrance West, 3rd floor

In addition to the discussion, Kodak will showcase images that these photographers have captured using the PORTRA films at its booth, 5.2 – Stand A002 / C031 and during the panel presentations.

The new KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA films will be available worldwide on a stock-turnover basis beginning in the fourth quarter of 2006.

About Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak is the world’s foremost imaging innovator, providing leading products and services to the photographic, graphic communications and healthcare markets. With sales of $14.3 billion in 2005, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak’s system of digital and traditional image capture products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; creative professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images; and leading healthcare organizations rely on Kodak’s innovative products, services and customized workflow solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and information sharing within and across their enterprise. More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.co.uk.

Kodak, Kodak Professional and Portra are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.