On the Pentax Japan website, Pentax apologize for running out of stock for the newly released smc PENTAX-DA 50-135mmF2.8ED [IF] SDM lens. Pentax has received large order of lens that far exceeds the original expectation of the company and the production of the lens cannot meet demand.

Pentax promise to increase production to meet the high demand of the lens from the consumers.

This smc PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF]SDM telephoto zoom lens is a new high performance lens that was previously announced in February 2007. The new 50-135mm lens is designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras. The PENTAX-DA* series lens features a tightly sealed, weather-resistant and dust-resistant construction to enhance durability for use in rain or dusty conditions making each a perfect companion for the weather-sealed PENTAX K10D digital SLR.

This new lens also features the PENTAX KAF2 mount, which incorporates additional electrical contacts to drive a built-in supersonic motor used in autofocusing operation.

Website : Pentax apologize for the lack of stock with the new 50-135mm Zoom lens

Canon Inc., Tokyo, Japan, reported consolidated net sales for the first half ended June 30, 2007 increased by 11 percent from the year-ago period to ¥2,166.7 billion (US$17,616 million), boosted by a solid rise in sales of digital cameras, color network MFDs, and laser beam printers, along with the positive effect of favorable currency exchange rates. Net income for the first half was ¥255.18 billion (US$2.07 billion), up 19 percent from ¥214.17 billion in the same last year.

Within the camera segment, demand for DSLR cameras and compact digital cameras continued to realize healthy growth during the term, says the company. Unit sales of digital cameras for the first half expanded nearly 20 percent compared with the year-ago period. As a result, overall camera sales for the first half increased by 12.9 percent from the year-ago period to ¥519.6 billion (US$4,224 million). The gross profit ratio for the camera segment also rose substantially, boosted by such factors as strong sales of newly introduced products, which served to suppress declines in prices, along with cost-reduction efforts realized through production-reform and procurement-reform activities. As a result, operating profit for the camera segment increased by 26.3 percent year-on-year to ¥137.3 billion (US$1,116 million).

Canon has revised upward its consolidated net sales forecast for the 2007 fiscal year to ¥4,580.0 billion (US$37,236 million), while revising downward its forecasts for consolidated income before income taxes and minority interests to ¥788.0 billion (US$6,407 million), and consolidated net income to ¥500.0 billion (US$4,065 million). These revisions assume an increase in depreciation expense of around ¥67.0 billion (US$545 million) as a result of the change in the accounting method used to estimate depreciation of fixed assets that was implemented from the second quarter of 2007.

Website :  Canon first-half unit sales of digital cameras expanded 20 percent

Sigma has introduced new versions of two of its macro zoom lenses that are compatible with all Nikon digital SLRs. The 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM and 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro HSM are identical to two existing Sigma lenses, with the addition of a built-in hypersonic motor (HSM). HSM makes the lenses fully compatible with Nikon cameras that do not use body-driven autofocus motors, such as the D40 and D40x digital SLRs. The lenses are designed to be used with those cameras and other models that use APS-C-size sensors. The 17-70mm lens incorporates a Special Low Dispersion element and an aspherical element to minimize optical distortions. It offers a 79.7-22.9-degree angle of view (equivalent to a 25.5-105mm lens on a 35mm camera) and a minimum focusing distance of 7.9 inches. Its maximum magnification is 1:2.3. The 17.3-ounce lens takes a 72mm filter.

The 18-50mm incorporates Special Low Dispersion, Extraordinary Low Dispersion, and aspherical elements, as well as Sigma’s Super Multi Layer Coating for reducing flare and ghosting. It provides a 76.5-31.7-degree angle of view (equivalent to a 27-75mm lens on a 35mm camera) and a minimum focusing distance of 7.9 inches. Its maximum magnification is 1:3. The 18.9-ounce lens takes a 72mm filter.

The MSRP price of 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM lens is $590.

Website :  Sigma Introduces Macro Lenses for Nikon Cameras

Eastman Kodak Co., the world’s largest photography company, sued Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., claiming infringement of four U.S. patents on digital-camera technology.Matsushita, the world’s biggest maker of consumer electronics, is using Kodak’s inventions without permission, Kodak said in a complaint filed yesterday in federal court in Tyler, Texas. Also sued were Panasonic Corp., Victor Co., and JVC Americas Corp. Matsushita owns all of Panasonic and a majority stake in Victor, which makes the JVC brand.

Kodak, based in Rochester, New York, claims that digital cameras made by the companies are using Kodak inventions patented between 1991 and 2001 for image compression, storage, color sensors and previews. The patents are among those Kodak used against Sony Corp. in a suit that was settled in January.

Kodak, which popularized film cameras, licenses technology to camera makers, such as Olympus Corp. and Sanyo Electric Co. It gets royalties from Sony as part of the patent settlement.

The case is Eastman-Kodak Co. v. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., 07cv352, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas (Tyler). To review the disputed patents through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Web site, search for patent numbers 5,016,107; 5,164,831; 5,493,335; and 6,292,218 at http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/srchnum.htm .

Website :  Kodak Sues Matsushita Over Digital Camera Patents

Portrait Professional works in a completely different way to ordinary airbrushing and photo editing software such as Photoshop. This portrait enhancement software has been trained with hundred of examples of human beauty, and as a result you can add as much or as little photo enhancement as required - by simply moving sliders.

Face Shaping

Portrait Professional is the only photo editing software that gives you the ability to subtly reshape and beautify facial features, simply by moving sliders.

We have found this unique feature of Portrait Professional to be the most contentious, since some regard actually changing the shape of the face as going to far when enhancing an image. For those people, the shape sliders can of course be left at 0 and Portrait Professional will not change the shape. However, before dismissing this effect as “cheating”, we urge you to try it - you will be amazed that sometimes a very subtle change to the shape can lead to a dramatic improvement to the subject!

Website : Portrait Professional’s intelligent photo enhancement

Anyone interested in the Four Thirds digital SLR camera system, which comprises cameras, lenses and system accessories manufactured by Olympus, Panasonic Lumix, Sigma and Leica (Digilux) has a new online resource at their disposal from today. It’s Four Thirds User (fourthirds-user.com) featuring news, in-depth reviews, tutorials, a wiki-style interactive knowledge base and an integrated discussion forum and user photo gallery.

To celebrate the launch of the new site, Four Thirds User running a prize draw to give away an Olympus E-510 DSLR camera, the most recently introduced Four Thirds camera model.

Being a specialist site catering for an audience with a particular common interest FTU can routinely produce targeted content that more general publications can only justify publishing from time-to-time, if at all. “We’ve received a lot of behind-the-scenes support and encouragement from the companies that form the Four Thirds consortium. I doubt we could have embarked on this project without that encouragement. It’s going to be a lot of fun running FTU,” says Ian, though he’s keen to emphasise that FTU is complementary to DPNow, which will continue to be independent and impartial in its coverage of the general digital photography scene.

Website : Community Site Targets Four Thirds Standard Interest

Nikon last week announced that its Nikon School of Photography is now offering two instructional DVDs for consumers. The educational products, geared for beginner digital SLR users, feature Nikon camera body demonstrations.

Both Nikon DVDs are hosted by National Geographic Traveler photographer Bob Krist. The “Fast, Fun & Easy: Great Digital Pictures” DVD is a 35-minute educational tool that demonstrates shooting in various conditions using the Nikon D40 and D40x. The tutorial also includes instructions for image transfer and printing.

The second DVD, “Understanding Digital Photography,” includes instructions for low light shooting, portraits, and sports photography. The 45-minute DVD features the Nikon D40, D40x, D80, and D200 cameras, but the techniques demonstrated can be applied to any digital SLR.

The Nikon School “Fast, Fun & Easy: Great Digital Pictures” has a retail price of $9.95 and “Understanding Digital Photography” is priced at $14.95. The Nikon DVDs are available at the online Nikon Mall and at U.S. retailers.

Website :  Nikon Offers DVD Tutorials for DSLR Photographers

According to the figures released by GfK Marketing Services, British consumers snapped up 32% more digital SLRs in the three months to 30 June - compared to the same quarter last year - triggering a 37% rise in lens sales

Around 101,000 digital SLRs were sold from April-June 2007, generating £48m. Though overall digital camera unit sales grew by 12% - including 11% more compact cameras - the total value of the market fell by 3%.

Lens sales increased by 37% in volume and 25% in value terms, when comparing April-June 2007 to the same three months last year.

Also booming are tripod sales which pulled in £2m in value over the quarter. The figure also reveals a 19% rise in unit sales of compacts at ‘Mass Merchandisers’ - a market that includes supermarkets, department stores, mail order and internet sales.
Website :  Britain’s digital SLR camera sales rise 32%