Olympus E-3 Preview Part I >>

Earlier in October we attended the Olympus E-3 digital SLR introduction party in New York City. A few days later I had a more detailed tech briefing on the new E-3 at the PhotoPlus Expo tradeshow. I met with Sally Smith Clemens and Toshiyuki Terada, Manager of DSLR Planning from Olympus Tokyo.  At the meeting I got to see some of the guts of the E-3, including the image-stabilized Live MOS sensor assembly, the new auto focus drive system, and the specially formed magnesium camera chassis.

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Gitzo Celebrates 90 Years of Innovation with
Limited Edition Titanium Traveler Tripod
New Titanium Traveler is the most unique and state-of-the-art tripod in Gitzo’s history

Ramsey, NJ (October 18, 2007) – At Gitzo, performance and quality is a way of life. Since 1917, unfailing standards have maintained the company’s worldwide reputation for excellence in the photographic industry, and to celebrate 90 years of innovation, Gitzo is proud to offer the world a once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the most exclusive, state of the-art, professional tripods ever made - the 90th Anniversary Gitzo Titanium Traveler. Only 390 will be manufactured, each individually numbered and with the owner’s name laser engraved into one of the carbon fiber legs. To add the finishing touch, the Titanium Traveler will ship in an Italian crafted fine leather case and include a special leaflet outlining the technology and engineering that went into the design and manufacture of this unique tripod.

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Sky’s the Limit With Elinchrom’s New Remote Triggering System
The EL Skyport Adds a Fresh Perspective to the Wireless World of Flash Photography.

Ramsey, NJ (October 18, 2007) – The radio slave world has a new kid on the block- Skyport, Elinchrom’s new wireless flash triggering system. One of the most compact, versatile and highest-performing wireless triggering systems on the market today, the much anticipated EL Skyport brings world renowned Swiss-designed Elinchrom electronics and precision to the wireless world of flash photography. This market has been dominated by either large expensive products and overcrowded by cheap and unreliable knock-off imitators.

At PhotoPlus 2007, Bogen Imaging, distributor of Elinchrom products in the United States, will be giving away two Skyport Universal Triggering Systems each day at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM in a random drawing at the Bogen Imaging booth, #542. Attendees need to scan their ID badges, complete an entry form and be present at during the drawing.

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Kata Launches New Line of Protective Backpacks, Cases and Pouches
Stylish Digital Photo Series Features the Ideal Blend of Protection and Weight.

Ramsey, NJ (October 18, 2007) – With the launch of the new Digital Photo Series (DPS), Kata is bringing its world renowned level of protection to every-day photography. This complete line of backpacks, cases and pouches offers a variety of stylish options to protect, store and transport photographic gear.

The DPS combines a number of technologies found in other Kata product lines to create a lightweight, ergonomic and protective line of carrying solutions. Whether new to photography or a professional shooter, the DPS offers protective, light-weight options that make sure you’ll never miss the shot of a lifetime.  Protective technologies integrated into the DPS collection include Thermo Shield Technology (TST) and Yelloop. TST, discreetly integrated into DPS models, is an advanced technology designed to provide superior impact protection for your camera and accessories.  Besides allowing shooters to easily see accessories in their DPS bag, Yelloop provides scratch and static protection that is required with today’s sensitive digital cameras. Kata has also focused a significant amount of attention on various construction elements such as Steel Buckles, Reinforced Nycore grid fabric, Elasto Guard, Hypalon® zipper-head quiet pockets, DURAFLEX ® and KATA ® Nylon buckles, all which add to the sleek and elegant designs of the DPS.

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Lastolite Introduces Larger Sized EzyBox Hotshoe
Ultra-portable softbox effortlessly converts battery operated flash into a soft light

Ramsey, NJ (October 18, 2007) – At PhotoPlus 2007, Lastolite, a leading manufacturer of lighting solutions, will be showcasing the latest addition to its EzyBox Hotshoe series of portable softboxes. A larger 24” x 24” model extends the range of the EzyBox Hotshoe and gives those looking for a simple and portable softbox even more flexibility for on location shooting.

Designed to open in a matter of seconds, the EzyBox Hotshoe gives photographers the ability to convert a battery powered flash from a harsh directional light into a soft light. The EzyBox Hotshoe is also manufactured to the highest standards, including a triple reinforced stitch line with over 30 stitches per inch. Additionally, unlike a standard softbox, there are no rods or screws to lose or struggle to insert - the EzyBox Hotshoe pops open like a reflector. 

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Metz Launches New USB Upgradeable Wireless Flash
New Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital follows in footsteps of award-winning 58 AF-1

Ramsey, NJ (October 18, 2007) – Metz has done it again! Hot off the heels of its award winning Mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital, the world leading manufacturer of high performance flash technology is proud to launch its second USB upgradeable wireless flash - the Mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital. Packed with many of the same, impressive features as its big brother, the 48 AF 1 will be showcased at this year’s 2007 PhotoPlus Expo and sets the bar even higher for innovation and quality among the competition. Also launching at PhotoPlus 2007 are the 58 AF-1OP for Olympus/Panasonic and the 58 AF-1PS for Pentax/Samsung, which extend the range for the 58 AF-1 family.

State-of-the-art, the 48 AF-1 allows photographers to stay current and effortlessly make firmware updates via the Internet. Previously, flash units needed to be packaged and sent away for servicing in order to be updated with the latest software from camera manufacturers. With the Metz USB interface, shooters can now make such updates from their own PCs, ensuring that they will have the most up to date and highest performing flash for each shot and that they will never have to be without a flash.

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Manfrotto Targets Booming Consumer Camcorder Market With New 585 MODOSTEADY Three-in One Stabilization System
Stabilizer is the Latest Addition to Manfrotto’s Popular MODO Family of Consumer Supports

Ramsey, NJ (October 18, 2007) – The digital revolution has given consumers the ability to expand their creativity in ways never before possible. Whether it’s a family video, a child’s winning goal at a soccer game or budding videographer experimenting with creating his or her own movies, consumers of all skill levels and ages have fully embraced digital imaging. To enhance their imaging experience and improve the look and feel of their videos, consumers can turn to Manfrotto, a world leading manufacturer of support products, and its new, versatile stabilization system – the 585 MODOSTEADY. A three-in-one, hybrid camera stabilizer, MODOSTEADY is the latest addition to the popular Manfrotto MODO family of support products for compact point and shoot digital cameras and camcorders.

Featuring a unique, patented design, MODOSTEADY is compact and folds flat for effortless portability, ensuring that it will fit in any bag or case. Essentially a hybrid support accessory MODOSTEADY offers three different methods of stabilization. Thanks to its innovative design concept, MODOSTEADY can serve as a counterbalance stabilizer, provide shoulder support, and double as a table top tripod.

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 Leica Summarit-M Lenses Offer a Lower Pricepoint And Increased Lens Availability

An unexpected result of the new Leica M8 digital rangefinder is that M rangefinder lenses are becoming hard to get. Not only are new lenses backordered, M rangefinder lenses are even becoming scarce on the used market. The M8 has attracted a lot of photographers to Leica and probably reinvigorated many long-term Leica users’ passion for shooting with their Leica gear. More Leica rangefinders in use means more lenses are needed. Leica’s answer to the lens shortage is a new line of four Summarit-M rangefinder lenses, which they showed at the 2007 PhotoPlus Expo in New York City. The Leica Summarit-M 35mm f2.5, Summarit-M 50mm f2.5, Summarit-M 75mm f2.5, and Summarit-M 90mm f2.5 all have a maximum aperture of f/2.5 and 6-bit coding for complete M8 compatibility. The new lenses offer a lower price point and increased lens availability for Leica M rangefinder owners. In order to speed production, Leica has increased the number of optical production workers and created a separate production line for the new lenses.  Leica Summarit-M lenses should be available from authorized Leica dealers in November.

Related Content:

Leica Summarit-M Lens Press Release >>
Leica Lens Reviews >>
Leica M8 Digital Rangefinder Pro Review >>
Leica 35mm Rangefinder Reviews >>
All Leica Reviews >>
Leica Web Site >>