Microtek(R) Extends Renowned Line of High-Value
Scanners with the ArtixScan(R) M1 - Featuring Exclusive
EMULSION DIRECT IMAGING TECHNOLOGY
Microtek ArtixScan M1 follows the Microtek
ScanMaker(r) i900 as the next-generation film/flatbed scanner
featuring E.D.I.T. for scanning film Carson, CA (October
24, 2006) -- Microtek, a world-leading manufacturer of digital
imaging products, announced today that it is developing
the ArtixScan M1, a combined flatbed and film scanner for
35mm, 6cm, and 4x5-inch film formats that also offers additional
functionality to scan reflective art or prints as large
as 8.5 by 14 inches. Microtek will preview the ArtixScan
M1 at the PHOTO PLUS EXPO at the Jacob Javits Convention
Center in New York on November 2, 3 & 4. Equipped with
Microtek's patented Emulsion Direct Imaging Technology(TM)
(E.D.I.T.), 4800-dpi optical resolution, 16-bit digital
output per channel, auto focus, and new film holders with
tension technology, the Microtek ArtixScan M1 offers extraordinary
value to photographers, photo enthusiasts, and graphic designers
in need of high-quality scans.
"The Microtek ArtixScan M1 is
first and foremost a film scanner that offers outstanding
image quality to photographers who want to breathe new life
into old images shot on film," said Parker Plaisted,
Product Brand Manager for Microtek Lab, Inc. "With
our patented glassless scanning architecture called E.D.I.T.,
the Microtek ArtixScan M1 matches or exceeds the performance
specifications of dedicated film scanners, while offering
better value and additional functionality."
New Emphasis on Film Scanning
The Microtek ArtixScan M1 is the first in a new line of
flatbed scanners from Microtek that will deliver outstanding
images from both film scans and reflective scans. The reflective
scanning capability of flatbed scanners has been outstanding
for several years, but the film scanning capabilities of
flatbed scanners lagged behind the dedicated film scanners.
By advancing the optical resolution to 4800 dpi with the
E.D.I.T. scanning architecture, the film scanning capability
of the new flatbed scanners from Microtek will surpass the
film scanning capability of dedicated film scanners while
maintaining outstanding reflective scanning capability.
Excelling at both film and reflective scanning, these new
flatbed scanners will offer greater versatility and value
to photographers, photo enthusiasts, and graphic designers.
Emulsion Direct Imaging Technology
(E.D.I.T.)
Like its predecessor the Microtek ScanMaker i900 - a CNET
Editors' Choice award winner - the ArtixScan M1 features
Microtek's patented E.D.I.T. architecture. E.D.I.T. is a
unique technology exclusive to Microtek that allows the
optical system to scan the film emulsion without looking
through the glass plate that supports reflective materials
on the flatbed scanner. With E.D.I.T., the film is supported
in a tray inside the scanner below the glass plate. The
glassless scanning enables clearer scans of the film because
it avoids the optical distortions, aberrations, and dirt
that can appear in a scan that passes through the glass
plate of a typical flatbed scanner.
High-performance Scanning Capabilities
With 4800 dpi optical resolution and 48 bits per pixel,
a scan of 35mm film on the Microtek ArtixScan M1 will produce
an image file that is equivalent to an image file from a
34-megapixel digital SLR camera. The resulting detail in
the scan of 35mm film will enable prints up to 16 by 24
inches while still holding 300 pixels per inch at that print
size. Large-format prints from 35mm scans can be made up
to 24 by 36 inches while still holding 200 pixels per inch
at that print size. Professional photographers and photo
enthusiasts will be able to fully utilize the printable
area offered by their photo printers from scans of 35mm
film and larger film sizes.
Software and Color Management
Continuing a strong partnership with LaserSoft Imaging(R),
the Microtek ArtixScan M1 will include the popular SilverFast(R)
software offering an intuitive user interface and professional
controls over the scanning parameters. One of the many outstanding
features of the SilverFast software is fully-integrated
color management based on ICC standards for positive film
and prints and the excellent NegaFix(TM) technology for
negative film.
Pricing and Availability
The Microtek ArtixScan M1 is expected to be available in
February 2007 for a suggested retail price of $699 through
distribution, mail order, specialty camera stores, selected
retail stores, and Microtek's retail Web site (www.store.microtek.com.
New Software Bundle from Nik Software, Inc.
and
iView Multimedia Enhances Digital Image Workflow
Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 Select and iView MediaPro
3.0 now available together San Diego, CA – October
25, 2006 – Digital imaging software developer Nik
Software, Inc., today announced an arrangement with digital
asset management pioneer iView Multimedia Ltd., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp., to offer a software
bundle of Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 Select Edition and iView
MediaPro 3.0. This bundle combines two leading software
solutions for improving digital imaging workflow to provide
solutions for busy professional photographers.
The Nik Color Efex 2.0 Select and iView MediaPro
3.0 software bundle is available for purchase beginning
today for $229.00. This is a $119.00 savings if each application
were purchased separately.
“Today’s professional photographer
is busier than ever and trying to manage and edit all their
digital image files can be quite a daunting task,”
said Michael J. Slater, Nik Software, Inc.’s president
& CEO. “By combining these two software products
into one convenient software bundle we are able to provide
our customers with a way to process and edit their digital
image files quickly and efficiently while also providing
them with a great value.”
PhotoAcute Studio 2.0
to enhance the quality of digital images beyond the camera
capabilities
Almalence Incorporated announces PhotoAcute
Studio 2.0 - the breakthrough software product that dramatically
enhances digital photos quality. PhotoAcute Studio processes
sets of images taken in continuous mode. It utilizes superresolution
algorithms to convert a sequence of photos into a single
high-resolution and low-noise picture that could only be
taken with much better camera.
PhotoAcute Studio improves all major image quality factors.
The features at a glance are:
- Spatial resolution increase
- Noise reduction without losing image details
- Dynamic range expansion
- Geometry distortions and vignetting correction
- Chromatic aberrations correction
PhotoAcute Studio operates for various camera and image
types - from mobile cameras to DSLR cameras supporting RAW
format and 16-bit color. The greatest leap in quality is
achieved on RAW photos taken with DSLR cameras that gives
the professional photographers an essential use.
The spatial resolution is one of the most important factors
of digital image quality. It is limited by camera's matrix
and lens, but this limit can be exceeded by means of superresolution
- the method of enhancing the resolution of an image or
of an optical system. This can be done by either acquiring
more graphic information (e.g. taking and merging several
images of the same object) or by reconstructing the details
lost due to the faultiness of the optical system (applying
the knowledge of the optical system properties). PhotoAcute
Studio uses both ways to achieve the maximum image quality.
The laboratory measurements of the widely accepted MTF50
parameter, performed with Canon 300D camera, show the doubling
of the effective resolution.
The superresolution technology is used in supercomputer
data processing in the industries such as satellite imaging
and astronomy. Almalence engineers developed new mathematical
methods of superresolution processing and implemented them
within the software application for personal computers,
making this powerful technology available for photographers.
The noise is the most undesirable factor that degrades image
quality. The main problem of the noise reduction is the
loss of image details. This becomes mostly apparent in the
low light areas of the image, where the noise reduction
removes both the noise and the details. PhotoAcute Studio
combines several photos of the same scene, separating the
useful signal and the noise, thus providing strong noise
reduction without losing the image details.
Besides resolution enhancement and noise reduction, PhotoAcute
Studio corrects common image artifacts: geometry distortions,
chromatic aberrations and vignetting. By merging several
images taken at different exposures, PhotoAcute Studio expands
the dynamic range of the resultant image, revealing the
details usually clipped in the highlights and the shadows.
All these features virtually improve the whole camera from
matrix to lens, providing the possibility of taking better
images even for those who use advanced and professional
cameras.
PhotoAcute Studio is useful for wide range of photographers,
who are interested in taking high quality images. Professional
photographers, for whom the image quality is essential,
will find it a good tool for achieving the best results
in their work. For amateur photographers this product will
be an add-on to their cameras, providing better images without
changing the camera itself.
PhotoAcute Studio is Windows based application. The version
for Macintosh is to be released in 2007Q1.
Detailed description of PhotoAcute Studio features, online
help and examples gallery are available at http://www.photoacute.com
PhotoAcute Studio 2.0 is available for free in trial mode.
The price of the full version varies depending on supported
camera types: from $19 for mobile phone cameras to $119
for DSLR cameras with the support of RAW format and 16-bit
color. Users can get free licenses by contributing to PhotoAcute
Studio development.
PhotoAcute Studio 2.0 can be downloaded at: http://www.photoacute.com/studio/download.html
About Almalence Incorporated
Almalence Incorporated focuses on developing the cutting-edge
methods of digital image processing and innovative software
products for enhancing digital images. Our mission is to
provide the photographers with the software tools that will
help them to achieve the best image quality. The company
was founded in 2005 by the group of professionals with strong
background in computer science, software engineering and
management.
The Plugin Site Released B/W Styler
B/W Styler simulates the whole work flow of
B/W photography from shooting a photo to processing it in
the lab and framing the end result. It recreates the look
of films, lens filters, lab effects and photo papers that
are popular in traditional B/W photography, but even goes
beyond that. Starting with a color photo B/W Styler lets
you produce stunning B/W images that are not possible with
B/W film. B/W Styler uses the whole contrast range of color
photos to achieve dramatic B/W images. B/W Styler transforms
dull color photos into interesting B/W pictures. Additionally
you can enrich the B/W images by colorizing them, manipulating
brightness and contrast, masking certain image areas, adding
soft focus and glow effects, simulating film grain, adding
special effects and framing the image.
For Beginners as well as Experts
B/W Styler contains modes for inexperienced,
intermediate and advanced users. All modes of B/W Styler
are connected and work together, so you can gradually add
more effects and style your B/W image by switching from
one mode to the other.
As a start Photographer's Mode lets you choose
between a lot of presets in one compact dialog, e.g. B/W
film type, ISO rating, lens filters, lab development strategy,
paper type, color toner, special lab effects and more. These
effects can then be adjusted in ten simple modes, each of
which concentrates only on one aspect. Additionally there
are five special effect modes for doing special B/W conversions,
selective B/W, split color, vignette blur and mist effects.
More advanced users can also use the B/W Quick
Mode for doing sophisticated B/W conversions with the help
of 16 different controls. Finally, you can fine-tune your
image in Expert Mode with the help of dozens of effect features,
more than one hundred controls and almost two hundred local
presets.
Why B/W Styler Is Different
B/W Styler offers the whole range of B/W tools
and related effects in a single plugin. So you don't need
to waste your time switching between different filters all
the time. B/W Styler provides six different techniques for
B/W conversion while most other tools offer only one or
two. One of these B/W conversion methods (Split B/ W) is
not available with any other tool.
Additionally B/W Styler uses the color contrast
of photos effectively to achieve more distinctive B/W photos.
Other tools try to simulate the look of B/W films with only
a few color sliders whereas B/W Styler gives you detailed
control over the whole color spectrum. Additionally if you
switch your 24bit color image to 16bit per channel before
running B/W Styler, it will produce higher quality B/W conversions,
which will be retained even after you switch back to 8bit
per channel.
Unlike other tools B/W Styler also supplies
a wide range of masking features for selectively addressing
certain parts of an image. It features three different types
of modes for beginners, advanced people and experts, so
users can become more experienced without the need to switch
to another tool. Best of all, B/W Styler is available at
an affordable price. It offers more features and possibilities
than other tools in the same price range and beyond.
Availability & System Requirements
B/W Styler is available for Windows. A Macintosh
version is planned for next year. B/W Styler sells at $49.95
(Regular License) or $29.95 (Academic/Educational License).
It can be purchased at http://www.thepluginsite.com/products/photowiz/.
A demo version can be downloaded at the same URL.
Lexar Increases Performance of
High-Capacity CompactFlash to 133X
Large Capacity and High-Speed
Data Transfer Rate Benefits Professionals and Advanced
Amateurs Shooting in RAW Format
Fremont, Ca., July 18, 2006 –
Lexar Media, Inc., a leader in advanced digital media
and accessories, today announced that it has increased
the performance of its popular Professional 8GB CompactFlash®
memory card to 133X. This performance improves the digital
imaging workflow for both professional and advanced amateur
photographers working with and managing large files. Lexar’s
new card is capable of a minimum sustained data write
speed of 20MB per second and is currently available in
CompactFlash Type I flash memory card format, the most
popular format for today’s digital SLR cameras.
“Lexar has encouraged photographers to ‘keep
shooting’ while consistently introducing products
that improve digital imaging workflow once images are
stored on their flash memory cards,” said John Omvik,
director of professional product marketing, Lexar.
“Those who shoot in RAW format require a vast amount
of storage capacity, but also need reliable high-speed
performance at all steps in the digital imaging process.
Our new 133X 8GB cards directly address and satisfy both
needs and, as a result, are ideal for photographers shooting
in all situations,” he added.
Well-known professional photographer Howard
Schatz has incorporated Lexar’s high-capacity CompactFlash
cards into his digital imaging workflow, which often begins
when he shoots with his Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II in an underwater
housing. Howard chose Lexar cards because of their reliability
and vast storage capacity, which can hold a large number
of images on each card. As a result, the cards are ideal
for this and other shooting situations where the photographer
has less time to change cards or where changing cards
is inconvenient.
"Shooting below the water's surface requires the
most reliable, high-capacity flash card that can store
an enormous number of images," said professional
photographer Howard Schatz. "I'm underwater and it's
inconvenient to have to stop shooting to open the housing
and change memory cards. The high-capacity card
means that I have to stop less frequently. The reliability
of Lexar's cards is key in my work and the high-speed
performance allows me to work relatively uninterrupted,"
he added.
Like all Lexar Professional flash memory cards, the new
8GB CompactFlash includes the full version of Lexar Image
Rescue™ 2.0, the company’s award-winning image
recovery software, and Paint Shop Pro®
9, the image editing and management software program from
Corel.
Lexar’s new 133X 8GB CompactFlash will be available
in August for the suggested price of $424.99.
Additional information regarding Lexar’s new 133X
8GB CompactFlash cards can be found on www.lexar.com.
Information on Howard Schatz and the many ways he uses
Lexar’s Professional flash memory cards during his
photo shoots can be found on the company’s digital
photography website, located at www.lexar.com/dp. Lexar’s
digital photography website includes valuable information
and tutorials to help photographers fully utilize the
unique features Lexar products offer and achieve a more
rewarding experience shooting and working with digital
images. Additionally, this popular site provides detailed
information about new photography techniques, products
and services, as well as interesting feature stories,
a pro blog and background information about the many professionals
who count on Lexar’s flash memory cards and accessories
to help them succeed.
About Lexar Media, Inc.
Lexar, a subsidiary of Micron Technology, Inc., is a leading
marketer and manufacturer of NAND flash memory products
including memory cards, USB flash drives, card readers
and ATA controller technology for the digital photography,
consumer electronics, industrial and communications markets.
Lexar also sells memory cards under the Kodak brand.
About Micron Technology, Inc.
Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading
providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through
its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets
DRAM, Flash memory, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor
components and memory modules for use in leading-edge
computing, consumer, networking and mobile products. Micron's
common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron
Technology, Inc., visit its Web site at www.micron.com.
