Asia’s biggest event in the photo imaging industry, “Photo Imaging Expo 2007″ (PIE2007), is to be held at ‘Tokyo Big Sight’ March 22-25, 2007.

PIE2007, the 3rd PIE, is under the theme of “Experience It Yourself! Power of Photos, Future of Imaging - the Biggest Event Ever in Asia”. It will convey the development of photo culture and the excitement of imaging life to world’s users and offer information on state of the art products and technologies which predict future trends and expansion of the photo imaging industry to business locations throughout the world.

It is Asia’s largest photo trade show. Opening hours: 10:00 － 17:00 (till 16:00 on last day). Admission 1,000 yen. There will be a display of the prizewinning works of the PIE 2007 Photo Contest, held in conjunction with PIE 2007, at exhibition hall level 4. The contest was divided into three categories: nature and human and free. There is a wide range of photographs on display, from those displaying fine detail to more dynamic works. Take your time and have a look at them all. They also have Idel Photo Sessiosn at the Expo!

Website : Photo Imaging Expo 2007 in Japan March 22-25 2007

The Speedlite 580EX II improves on many of the specifications of its predecessor. Recycling is silent and up to 20% faster. Weather seals ensure that when attached to the EOS-1D Mark III, the [Canon Speedlite 580EX II] achieves the same level of dust and moisture resistance as the camera itself. A redesigned metal flash foot plate and connector pins allow more stable communication between the camera and flash, while a quick release mechanism minimises wear and tear on both units. The flash head zoom covers the range 24mm to 105mm and an integrated diffusion panel allows extended wide-angle coverage to 14mm.

The new Off Camera Shoe Cord OC-E3, Compact Battery Pack CP-E4 and Speedlite Bracket SB-E2 also allow sealing against dust and moisture, giving photographers a complete system to achieve off-camera lighting effects in difficult weather conditions.

Website :  Canon New Speedlite 580EX II Available Spring 2007

Canon’s engineers have completely redesigned the optics on the EF 16 35mm f/2.8L II USM to deliver higher contrast levels and improved resolving power. To ensure corner-to-corner sharpness and contrast throughout the focal range, the lens includes three types of aspherical lens elements (ground, replicated and glass moulded). Two UD lens elements virtually eliminate chromatic aberration, while Super Spectra lens coatings suppress flare and ghosting.

Rapid auto focus is driven by a virtually silent Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) incorporating Canon’s latest auto focus algorithms. Full-time mechanical manual focus override is also provided. As with all L-series lenses, the EF 16 35mm f/2.8L II USM is weather sealed to protect against dust and moisture.

A new 82mm Protect filter for the EF 16 35mm f/2.8L II USM has been released to coincide with the launch.

Website :  Canon New EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens Available in April

Here’s the conclusion of the review by Imaging Resource: “The Pentax K100D is a capable digital SLR, perfect for consumers interested in stepping up from a basic consumer digital camera and into a world of better image quality. It’s also a smart choice for owners of Pentax film SLRs and lenses who want to go digital. With its full range of manual and preset automatic exposure modes, the Pentax K100D is suitable for the full range of experience levels, including anyone already owning a digital point-and-shoot, and it offers enough customization to keep more advanced users happy. The Pentax K100D has no trouble with exposure in low lighting, and produces only slightly high contrast under harsh lighting conditions (such as bright outdoor sunlight). Autofocus in low light is among the slowest we’ve seen, however. On the positive side, though the K100D more often makes a decision where other digital SLRs just give up. Color is quite good, though sometimes on the warm side, but both the built-in flash and accessory bounce flash eliminate this problem. The camera’s ISO setting only goes as low as 200, but noise levels are still quite good, and prints from the Pentax K100D are very impressive even at the highest ISO levels.

We were impressed with the Pentax K100D, as well as its widening array of accessories and lenses. It’s a small, well-conceived SLR design with solid image performance. Even the kit lens is good quality, and accessory lenses are worthy of serious photographic work. After all that, the Pentax K100D’s in-camera Shake Reduction is a welcome bonus in this surprisingly low-priced camera. Perhaps the best news is that it works better than most other in-body anti-shake systems on the market. Despite its shortcomings, the Pentax K100D offers more bang for the buck than competing systems in this range, and the money you save on the kit leaves room to pick up an accessory flash to make indoor photography a dream. Overall, the K100D is Pentax’s strongest offering to date. It’s a camera I’ve really enjoyed, and worthy of a Dave’s Pick.”

Website :  Pentax K100D Reviewed by ImagingResource

Olympus has posted a teaser on their English European website in preparation for the announcement of new digital SLR cameras, on March 5th, just prior to the PMA 2007. The teaser reveals dark images of two (or three?) new digital SLR cameras. According to the grapevine, Olympus is getting ready for the launch of a follow-on to the professional Olympus E-1, an updated world-wide version of the Olympus E-400 (which has not been released in the North-American market), and probably a follow-on to the E-500.

Website : Olympus teaser on new DSLR - probably follow-on to E-500

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Canon updated its 1D series with the launch of the 10-megapixel EOS 1D Mark III, tagging it as the “world’s fastest DSLR” and marking the 20th anniversary of its EOS system. DCI interviewed with Canon’s director of media and consumer relations Chuck Westfall and discuss the new camera, its design, and some of its more experimental features. Here are some of his interesting comments:

DCI: The press materials mention that the camera includes a 14-bit analog-to-digital converter that should significantly reduce digital and shadow noise. How much less noise should potential users expect, compared to the 1Ds Mark II or the 5D?
Westfall: What we have seen as far as the spec is concerned is only a comparison to the 1D Mark II N. It didn’t compare to the 5D or 30D. Compared to the 1D Mark II N, they are stating that it is 50 percent less shadow noise.

DCI: This is the first EOS DSLR to include live preview. Why introduce it on this camera as opposed to a more affordable or accessible DSLR?
Westfall: We didn’t decide to pick a particular price point. What it really comes down to is the technology that we developed to be able to get the live video feed off the CMOS sensor. It’s somewhat related to what we’ve been able to do with the video-camcorder side products like the HV10 and the HV20. It just turned out that due to the timing of our release schedule, it was better to put it into the 1D at this particular time.

DCI: You mentioned a live video feed. Was there any intention to include video capture on this model?
Westfall: They didn’t have any plan of doing that one way or the other. That’s certainly a legitimate question. At this moment, we don’t know that answer.

DCI: There is drastic reduction of battery size on this model as opposed to the previous 1D-series cameras. How were you able to reduce the battery size so significantly and still supply ample power with dual processors?
Westfall: First, we changed the chemistry of the battery away from the Ni-MH and into Li-ion…the Li-ion has a greater storage capacity than the Ni-MH…stores 2300 milliamps of power compared to only 1600 in the previous. That’s where we were really able to see the improvements in shooting capacity.

DCI: Can you discuss the difference between the dust reduction system on the 1D Mark III and the Digital Rebel XTi?
Westfall: The first physical difference is that instead of having one piezoelectric vibrator located above the cover glass, you now have two, one on the left and one on the right…On the 1D Mark III, the vibrating part is the IR filter. On the XTi, it was the anti-aliasing filter. The difference is between the IR and the anti-aliasing filter.

DCI: What price point will the EOS-1D Mark III be introduced at and when can we expect to see it on the market?
Westfall: We are expecting it during the month of April. The pricing will be finalized once we get close to shipping. The White Papers price is subject to change without notice.

Canon today launches the EOS-1D Mark III. Delivering 10 frames per second at 10.1 Megapixels for a maximum burst of 110 Large JPEG images (30 in RAW), the EOS-1D Mark III replaces the EOS-1D Mark II N as the world’s fastest digital SLR. Dual “DIGIC III” processors drive the camera’s high speed, high resolution performance, and bring 14-bit image processing to the EOS series for the first time.

A host of new features including a 3.0” LCD with Live View mode, EOS Integrated Cleaning System, new auto focus system with 19 cross-type sensors, and 63-zone exposure metering. The camera’s APS-H size (28.1 x 18.7 mm) CMOS sensor enables a wider 100-3200 ISO range as standard, expandable to L:50 and H:6400.

“The EOS-1D Mark III represents a complete reappraisal of everything Canon has learned over the past 20 years of EOS development,” said Tsunemasa Ohara, Senior General Manager, Camera Development Center, Canon Inc. “In building this camera, we started with a blank canvas. Every facet of the photographic process has been refined, every design decision re-evaluated to bring us to this point: a camera that combines familiar EOS ergonomics with a vastly enhanced specification. Our engineers are overjoyed with the result.”

Key features

• 10.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor
• 10 fps continuous shooting for up to 110 frames
• Dual “DIGIC III” processors
• New auto focus system with 19 cross type sensors
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• ISO 3200 (expandable to H:6400)
• 3.0” LCD with Live View mode
• Wider, brighter viewfinder
• Picture Style1

Website : Canon EOS-1D Mark III - Specifications

Website : Canon EOS-1D Mark III - Sample Images

The Tiffen Company announced the introduction of its Digital Pro SLR Kit for the professional photographer and photo enthusiast. The Digital Pro SLR Kit contains the following items:

• Digital Ultra Clear™ protection filter - This filter is made from ultra quality glass for ultimate protection and clarity. It may be kept on the lens at all times.
• Pro-Mist® diffusion filter - This popular, exclusive Tiffen multi-use filter creates a special “atmosphere” by softening excess sharpness and contrast while maintaining focus. It is ideal for both landscape photography as well as portrait and wedding photography.
• Color-Grad ND.6 - Part clear, part neutral density, this color graduated filter balances the sky to the foreground for improved landscape photography
• A microfiber cleaning cloth and 4 pocket filter pouch complete the kit.

Tiffen filters offer special effects that can be previewed when it matters most - behind the camera. This saves time and frustration in post production because the effect can be seen immediately at the time of image capture. Multiple filter kits are more economical than individual filter purchases and provide a wide range of artistic possibilities for almost every application and budget. The Digital Pro SLR Kit is available in 52-82mm screw in sizes for digital, video and photo applications.