PMA Show Coverage - Day Two

March 11, 2007 -- Day two at PMA 2007 was a long one and the crowds and energy of the show were quite different than on day one, which seemed a bit quite for an opening day of a show. I spent most of today visiting vendors, getting my hands on many new products, and looking for those products that can enhance your photography as a hobby or business.

Print Professional Albums In-House

As I walk around the show I try to keep an eye out for what I think was the focus of the show. Last year, scrapbooking and new camera technologies such as face-detection and higher ISO sensitivities seemed to rule the show. This year it seems that one of the hottest categories was that of professional album printing. There were quite a few album print-making machines available this year that allow retailers to make professional photo books right in-house. These professional books have very thick pages, strong covers, and are the new standard for preserving memories - making your typical photo album seem so passe. Complete systems for creating these photo books seemed to start in the $30,000-$40,000 range - making this a true business venture in every sense of the word.

In Digital Cameras Sony is helping to start the HD trend in digital imaging. While all digital cameras capture higher-than-HD photo resolution, when you hook these cameras up to your TV or HDTV, you'll end up with composite-out (RCA) resolution of only 400 lines (at best). Sony is changing this by introducing a few Cyber-shot models with HD output - providing for 1080i photo viewing on your High-Definition television. Canon has also thrown their hat into the HD digital imaging ring - but instead of just offering HD output for photos, the TX1 actually records HD video and features HD output for play with their new Powershot TX1 - a 7.1-megapixel resolution still camera with 10x optical zoom lens and HD video recording capabilities. Last year Panasonic announced an media player with HD output, allowing you to slide in your camera's memory card for direct playback in High-Defintion.

At the show, JVC was showing off their new 1080i 3-CCD Camcorder with 60GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

Delkin SensorScope
Image Sensor Inspection and Cleaning System

     

DIMA 2007 Innovative Product Award Winner
Purchase at Hunt's Photo and Video

Delkin was showing off their new SensorScope system, which just might be the ultimate in image-sensor dust detection and prevention. SensorScope enables you to check your sensor to see if it needs cleaning since there's nothing safer than not cleaning your sensor. The SensorScope System includes a Delkin exclusive 5x magnification loupe that fits over the lens mount of your DSLR. While looking through the loupe, a button press turns on 4 bright LED lights that illuminate the entire sensor, making it easy to see any dust or debris on the sensor. Under magnification you'll be able to see ANYTHING collected on the image sensor. Sensorscope users then use the USB battery powered mini vacuum (rechargeable battery included) to remove all particles from around the image sensor chamber as well as on the image sensor itself. The sensorScope kit comes in its own portable hard shell carrying case and retails for $189.99. The SensorScope is specifically designed for Nikon and Canon models but will work with any manufacturer's DSLR.

Canon

As is becoming customary at PMA, Canon was offering free lighting demonstrations from some of the best photographers in the industry throughout each day of the show. These demonstrations were provided on a large stage set up as a working studio - and photos from the photographers camera (Canon EOS-1D Mark III) were wirelessly sent back to a computer for instant display on the large LCD panels on each side of the stage. Beautiful models helped to attract crowds to each demonstration, while the knowledge and advice from the photographer hopefully will help to enhance our own work.

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Purchase at Hunt's Photo & Video

All of the new Canon digital cameras, camcorders, and printers were on hand for showgoers to get a first-hand look at models of their choice. Canon introduced eight new digital cameras at the show including their new high-end DSLR, the EOS-1D Mark III, a 10-megapixel model with an incredible capture rate of 10fps in RAW / JPEG mode. This camera also features dual DIGIC III processors for lightning fast operation, sealed body for extra durability out in the field, new Live Preview LCD, Wireless remote option with Live Preview, dual media slots (CF and SD) and the ability to record images on each card simultaneously - even at different resolution.

Powershot TX1

Purchase at Hunt's Photo & Video

The other interesting new product on display was the new Powershot TX1. This 'deck-of-cards' sized digital camera is also an HD camcorder and features a 10x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization. The camera also features the new DIGIC III processor, face-detection technology, 720p HD resoultion video, CD quality stereo sound, and a new scratch-resistant LCD with reflective coating to reduce glare outdoors.

Canon Printers

Canon was once again showing off their new printers - wowing the crowds with beautiful prints from each model. Most, if not all of their new printers, were actually announced last year, though some models such as the PRO9500 and the SELPHY ES1 have not yet shipped here in the U.S.

SELPHY ES1 Compact Photo Printer
The SELPHY Es1 Compact Photo Printer is a portable 4x6-inch dye-sublimation printer with a built-in 2.5-inch LCD screen. Without connecting a computer users can crop/trim, adjust brightness, desaturate, and enhance color - then press PRINT to create a beautiful 4x6" print with a fade-resistancy rating of over 100 years.

PIXMA PRO9500 Wide Format Printer

The PIXMA PRO9500, initially announced last year, is now scheduled to be released in the April/May time frame. This 10-color professional photo printer is able to beautifully reproduce colors including black & white in sizes up to 13x19-inches. The PRO9500 uses a 10-color pigment ink system which includes gray, black and matte black cartridges for producing unrivaled monochrome photographs on both glossy and fine art papers. Pigment ink provides for long-lasting prints that resist fading for up to 100 years (or more). The new PIXMA PRO9500 has an estimated street price of $849.99, making it a model designed for avid and professional photographers.

Dust-Aid Digital SLR Sensor Cleaner

Dust-Aid is a inexpensive DSLR Sensor Cleaner that uses a low tack adhesive foam cleaning pad to remove dust particles from the image sensor. While this method actually makes contact with the sensor, the manufacturer claims that it has been FTIR tested for residue contamination and is completely safe. The kit is packaged in an orange band-aid style box and includes 12 cleaning tapes and should retail for $35.

American Recorder "PRO" Studio-In-A-Box

American Recorder, makers of the hot selling Photo Studio-In-A-Box, was showing a new "PRO" Photo Studio-In-A-Box, model SIB-180. This newly designed "PRO" version features built-in 5500K daylight lamps as an integral part of the carrying case and soft light tent, eliminating the need for free standing lamps usually mounted to stands or tripods. The use of daylight lamps provide for a more natural color temperature.

Quickpod: Extendable Handheld Tripod

This new handheld extendable tripod seems to have bee designed for the millions of teenages that can't seem to take enough pictures of themselves. How many times have you seen kids extending their arm out with the camera aimed toward them - in order to get a self-portrait. Instead of having to extend your arm outwards in a very awkward looking position, use the new "quickpod" and you self-portraits will look natural - as if someone else took the photo for you. The "quickpod" also features a tiny cell-phone like mirror making it eaiser to see where you're aiming. Retail price is around $24.95 and optional tripod legs can be added for about $5-$10 more.

DiCaPac Waterproof Housings

Strange company name - interesting product. DiCaPac, an overseas manufacturer, was showing off a very inexpensive line of underwater pouches for compact digital cameras, camcorders, mobile phones, and even MP3 players According to the representative at the booth, the digital camera pouches have been tested to 100', though he recommends staying within 5 meters (15 feet). The digital camera pouches have a waterproof optical port which unscrews to allow air to escape when sliding your camera into the pouch. Once in, one end of the pouch rolls up tight - helping to push all air out through the lens port - then is sealed with a velcro strip. The lens port is then screwed back on creating a vacuum pouch for your camera. All camera functions can be operated through the pouch.

ZigView S2 Real-Time View for DSLR's

Purchase at Hunt's Photo & Video

The ZigView-S2 is a 2.5-inch LCD screen that connects to your SLR's viewfinder in order to provide live viewing without having to look into the camera's viewfinder. The S2 rotates 300° and flips up and down 180°. Users can also detach the S2 viewfinder from the camera to use it as a tethered remote screen and shutter release. If this hasn't excited you yet then maybe the fact that the ZigView-S2 features a built-in intervalometer and motion detector might. The motion detector breaks the screen into 9 seperate fields and can be set to automatically snap a photo if motion is detected in any one or all of these 9 fields. The Intervalmeter allows precise timed shutter releases - from 0.5 second to 99 day time intervals - great for doing time-lapse photography. The ZigView S2 is compatible with all digital slr models and is priced at $499. Visit Argraph.com for compatibility grid.

Trek-Pod by Trek-Tech

Purchase at Hunt's Photo & Video

Trek-Tech was showing their TrekPod™ Monopod / Tripod / Walking Stick in their booth along with their T*Pod mini table top tripod and monopod, and soon-to-be-released Window mount (Window Pod?). The TrekPod™ is a Walking stick, monopod, and tripod in one and incorporates a quick-release mounting system called MagMount. MagMount is the first magnetic QR mounting system and provides instant attachment of virtually any gear that features a tripod socket. The TrekPod weighs just 1.93 lbs and extends from 47 to 62 1/2 inches in monopod/walking staff mode or from 43 to 57 1/2 inches in tripod mode. The two-piece pod comes apart for easier traveling and has a total length of 35.5 inches when disassembled.

The T*Pod is a table top version of the TrekPod without the Walking Stick functionality (unless you're only 14 inches in height). The T*Pod is an ideal portable solution and like its bigger brother can accept virtually all gear that feature a tripod mount (lights, flash units, cameras, camcorders, binoculars, etc.). Use the optional shotrest for supporting guns.


The Trek-Pod retails for $139.95, the new Trek-Pod II is identical to the original Trek-Pod sans the cork grip, cork top, and adjustable strap but retails for a lower $109.95. The T*Pod retails for $79.99. All models include the special Ball Head with MagMount QR system. Look for our full review of the Trek-Pod by the end of this week.

HOT DEALS

 

Sony DVDirect VRDMC10 Stand Alone DVD Recorder/Player

Canon VIXIA HF20 High-Definition Flash Camcorder

Canon EOS Rebel XSi DSLR with 18-55mm IS Lens

Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V 120GB Hard Drive HD Camcorder

Westcott Micro Apollo - Softbox for On-Camera Hot-Shoe Flash

Velbon El Carmagne 530 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Pan Head & Case

Canon 580EX II Speedlite TTL Shoe Mount Flash

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3K Digital Camera