Gear
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
In Focus: May 2007
PRINTS ON A BUDGET
Kodak EasyShare 5100, 5300 and 5500 All-in-One Printers use affordable, high-quality inks to deliver sharp, colorful photos along with a high-density print head that produces professional-looking results. All three printers make scans, copies and prints that are up to 8.5x11.7 inches. List Price: $149 (EasyShare 5100); $199 (EasyShare 5300); $299 (EasyShare 5500). Contact: Kodak, (800) 235-6325, www.kodak.com.
TRIGGER SHOOTING
Set off your camera from a distance using the Argraph Twin1 Universal Infrared Wireless/Wired Remote Shutter Release System. The transmitter has a central button for firing the camera shutter. The receiver fits into the electronic release socket of your camera, leaving the hot shoe unoccupied for a flash if necessary. It has a wireless operating range of 60 feet. Estimated Street Price: $89. Contact: Argraph, (201) 939-7722, www.argraph.com.
POWER AGENT
Charge your portable digital devices while out on the road with the MFuel Universal Power Bank. The 9200 mAh Li-Ion power supply uses smart Hot Tip technology to charge your devices while using an LCD screen to show charge time, battery level and run time for your electronics. A car charger adapter and Power Puck is included for even more functionality. The Power Puck works as a power and data transfer cable either through USB or Ethernet Hot Tips. Estimated Street Price: $315. Contact: MFuel, (888) 525-7969, http://mfueldirect.com.
PAPER MAKER
Harman Technology is expanding its line of photo inkjet media into the U.S. The Photo Matt FB Mp paper is already on shelves, with more products to come later this year. The instant-dry photo paper has a silica coating for improved archival performance. A Baryta layer gives prints greater detail and definition, an extended tonal range, and the look and feel of traditional photographic paper. Visit the company's Website for downloadable color profiles for the most popular inkjet printers. List Price: Varies by size. Contact: Harman Technology, www.harman-inkjet.com.
SPACE SAVER
Reduce the size of your images by up to 30 percent with no loss in quality using StuffIt Deluxe 11. The compression software lets you build a space-saving archive of your photos by converting them into zip or sitx files. Once they're compressed, you can quickly browse through them without having to expand the images first. The software also features improved integration with Microsoft Office, allowing you to compress, save and send files from Word, Excel or Outlook. List Price: $79. Contact: SmithMicro Software, (831) 761-6200, www.stuffit.com.
FAST OPTICS
The upgraded DxO Optics Pro v.4.1 previews RAW files two to four times faster than before. The software, which automatically eliminates optical defects from your images, features greater fluidity when moving from one tool to the next, and viewing images before and after is more than three times faster. You can also add on the DxO FilmPack, which has more than 20 "film looks" you can apply to your images. List Price: Free (upgrade); $149 (standard). Contact: DxO Labs, www.dxo.com.
ON-DEMAND PRINTS
Produce beautiful prints while still on location using the new Fujifilm ASK-4000 and ASK-2000 printers. The 4000 produces an 8x12-inch print in 49 seconds and the 2000 delivers a 5x7-inch print in 16 seconds. Simply connect the printers to a laptop via a high-speed USB 2.0 interface, and produce beautiful, natural-looking prints with help from Fujifilm's chemical-free dye-sublimation print technology. The 4000 is about 14x14x16 inches and the 2000 is about 12x16x14 inches. List Price: $3,995 (4000); $2,750 (2000). Contact: Fujifilm, (800) 800-FUJI, www.fujifilmusa.com.
COMING TO AMERICA
The Monostat RS Monopod series is more portable than a tripod but still strong enough to support your camera in difficult terrain. The single-stem design allows quick setup for fast shooting, and the unique Swivel Toe Stabilizer design of the RS monopods ensures a steady shot, even at angles of up to 60 degrees. The frame, available in aluminum or carbon fiber, is sturdy while still maintaining a light travel weight, and a reversible 3/8 to ¼ camera mount will fit most camera types. Size, weight and price vary by model. Contact: Accurate Sales, Inc., (718) 302-7063, www.monostat.us.
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