Ritz Camera Heading Towards Auction
July 18, 2009
Ritz Camera, the largest US chain of photography stores has revealed that it will be auctioning approximately 400 of its stores by the end of this month. This company initially owned 800 stores and had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the beginning of this year.
Since declaring bankruptcy, Ritz Camera is reported to have closed down half of its 800 stores and shuttered 130 Boater's World Marine Centres. This was done to reduce the expenses as well as bring in funds to pay off the debts and continue operations of the remaining stores. However, it has reportedly stated that it no longer has the funds to purchase inventory or continue its operations, thereby being forced to sell the remaining stores.
Currently, it is in talks with two potential buyers with the auction being scheduled for July 20. If the effort to sell the assets turns out to be unsuccessful, Ritz plans to seek permission to liquidate and close by July 24, just four days after the auction, in order to avoid paying $3 million in rent going into September.
Fujifilm Introducing 3D Camera
July 17, 2009
With the television companies attempting to bring 3D display technology, Fujifilm got its inspiration to add this functionality to the still photographs. This gave birth to their latest prototype digital camera that is in fact a point-and-shoot camera with two lenses. Labelled as the Finepix Real 3D System, Fujifilm hopes to create an entirely new market for digital cameras whilst carving out a better market share.
Fujifilm has reported that the new 10 mega-pixel camera makes use of two lenses to create simultaneous images of a single scene. This camera is about the same size as any other point-and-shoot digital camera, the main difference being in the dual-lenses space. The company plans to release 3-D digital picture frames for viewing these 3-D images.
Priced at $600, this one is expected to start shipping this September in the United States and Europe.
Sony Reveals 32GB Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX
July 16, 2009
Sony has announced the largest capacity Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX recently. The high capacity Sony Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX is equipped with a 32GB of storage space. It is considered to be the perfect component for Sony's Alpha DSLRs and high definition camcorders. Sony has also introduced 16GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Mark2 memory card.
The 32GB Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX is believed to hold up to 3.75 hours of full high definition footage. Also Sony has bundled a USB adapter that is expected to offer a reading speed of 20Mbps and writing speed of 15Mbps. This Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX range is reported to also include 4GB, a 8GB as well as a 16GB models, with all the versions bringing along a free USB adapter for optimised performance and easy connection with hardware.
The pricing and release date is yet to be released.
Samsung Unveils SL720 and SL502 Ultra Compact Digital Cameras
July 15, 2009
Samsung has announced two user friendly digital cameras, the SL720 and SL502 (or PL70 and PL55 in Europe). Both the compact digital cameras are reported to feature Samsung's famous Perfect Portrait System, a 12.2 mega-pixels resolution and 5x of optical zoom. The SL720 is equipped with a 3-inch LCD monitor and a 28mm wide-angle lens system along with Optical as well as Digital Image Stabilisation techniques. On the other hand the SL502 is said to feature a 2.7-inch LCD monitor and a 35mm standard lens system and Digital Image Stabilisation technique, it does not provide optical image stabilisation.
Both of these new additions are said to feature Smart Album and Auto Shooting mode options. Also they are reported to be the first cameras in the SL-series to feature Face Recognition technology that can store 20 preferred faces in the camera's internal memory to identity and prioritise them while shooting.
Expected to start shipping in August, the SL720 is priced at $229.99 while the SL502 carries a price tag of $149.99.
Night Vision Module for Canon Full Frame DSLRs
July 14, 2009
A company named Electrophysics has announced a novel high performance night vision module compatible with Canon Full Frame DSLR cameras such as EOS-1Ds Mark III and EOS 5D Mark II DLSR cameras. When these DSLRs are used with this new AstroScope 9350EOS-FF, these digital SLR cameras help deliver bright and high resolution green coloured photos of the night time scenes. They are believed to portray full image format with perfect edge-to-edge sharpness.
| This night vision module connects between the camera body and the DSLR lens system. As a result, all the important lens function such as optical image stabilisation remain fully functional in the night vision mode, thereby providing photographers with the ability to obtain good low-light performance.
The AstroScope night vision module is reportedly features variable gain control that enables a night photographer to increase the brightness of the images. A Central Intensification Unit (CIU) is located at the heart of this module that works towards transforming dark and moonlit night images into bright scenes. Corresponding night vision modules are said to be available for many camcorder models as well as Nikon AF type cameras. |
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