2005 PMA Tradeshow Coverage!

[Photo-John]

PMA 2005 - Orlando
February 20-23

Another PMA (Photo Marketing Association) tradeshow, done and gone. I spent close to a week in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, having meetings, taking pictures, and carrying around huge bags of catalogues and CDs. I did my very best to meet all of your requests and bring back photos and specs on all the new photo gear. I met with Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Canon, Konica Minolta, Panasonic, Leica, and Fujifilm, among others. Now I'm working on organizing and polishing up a complete report, including photos, more press releases, and an editorial story on standout products and trends. So check back through the next week. I promise there will be more good stuff to see and read, every day.

2005 PMA Photo Gallery >>

Here's a list of links to PMA-related press releases:

• Canon PowerShot A520 Digital Camera
  
• Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR
  
• Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens
  
• Canon PowerShot SD500 and SD400 Digital Cameras
  
• Casio EX-Z750 and EX-Z57 Digital Cameras
  
• Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505 Digital Camera
  
• Fujifilm Imaging Solutions at PMA 2005
  
• Fujichrome Velvia 100 Professional
  
• Fujicolor Crystal Archive Paper Type II
  
• Fujifilm Finepix Z1 Digital Camera
  
• Fujifilm Finepix F10 Digital Camera
  
• Fujifilm Finepix A345 and A350 Digital Cameras
  
• Fujifilm Wireless Camera Phone Printer
  
• New Fujicolor Pro Negative Film
  
• Kodak Easyshare Z7590 and Z730 Digital Cameras
  
• Kodak Easyshare C300 and C340 Digital Cameras
  
• Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 Digital Camera
  
• Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera
  
• Lexar and Digital Railroad ActiveMemory System Partnership
  
• Lexar Platinum Series Memory Cards
  
• Lexar Speed-Rated SD Card and Memory Stick PRO
  
• New Nikon D2Hs Pro Digital SLR
  
• Nikon Coolpix 5900 and 7900 Digital Cameras
  
• Nikon Coolpix 4600, 5600 and 7600 Digital Cameras
  
• Nikon Face-Priority Autofocus
  
• Three New Olympus E-Series Lenses
  
• Olympus D-595 Zoom Digital Camera
  
• Olympus D-545 Zoom Digital Camera
  
• Olympus D-630 Digital Camera
  
• Olympus Stylus Verve S Digital Camera
  
• Olympus One Gigabyte xD-Picture Card
  
• Olympus m:robe Multimedia Device
  
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS1 Digital Camera
  
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 and DMC-FZ4
  
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1 and DMC-LZ2
  
• PNY Offers Faster Flash Memory Cards
  
• Rolleiflex 6008 AF and Digital Cameras
  
• SanDisk Adds to Memory Stick Pro Duo Offerings
  
• Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Lens
  
• Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens
  
• Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC Lens
  
• Wacom 21.3" Cintiq Interactive Pen Display

Official PMA Web site >>

[mtbbrian]

All I want to see is anything and EVERYTHING from Nikon!
I'd love to see some pics of the "Cloud Walker"
I'd also love to see me there too!
Thanks John!
And don't work too hard!
;)
Brian
Nikon Samuari #2!

[Photo-John]

I've got an appointment with Nikon. Sot your first request shouldn't be a problem. But I'm sorry, I have no idea what the "Cloud Walker" is.

[Seb]

Wow John, Last year passed by so fast! 1 year ago, I was asking you to give a look at the Nikon D70 and it feels like it was yesterday.... Oh well, enough rambling.

I have two particular requests this year. I would truly appreciate if you could check the Kodak 1400 Professional printer (assuming that this thing eventually reach the market someday) and the Epson R1800 printer. Actually, I would be especially interested to know how folks at Epson compare the R1800 to the 2200.

best regards

Seb

[Liz]

Hi John,

This is an exciting time of year for all of us at PR!!!!!!!

I'll be waiting to see the new Rebel! Must be coming by this time. The only reason I would upgrade from my (much loved) 300D is if it is lighter weight and affordable.

Thanks and ENJOY YOUR TRIP! Wish I could go!

Liz

I've got an appointment with Nikon. Sot your first request shouldn't be a problem. But I'm sorry, I have no idea what the "Cloud Walker" is.

[mtbbrian]

Maybe it is called a "Cool Walker" then. I can't remember?
It's Nikon's 20 Gig image storage device. It sounds like a huge PDA.
Brian

[paulnj]

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php...roductNr=25305

WE want DETAILS BRO!!!!!!

[Photo-John]

The Nikon storage device. I'll definitely get some photos of it. I already added it to the reviews, in Decemeber: http://www.pcphotoreview.com/Portabl...2_4309crx.aspx

No reviews yet, though.

[paulnj]

Do you want to know why you have no reviews?

Because NOT EVEN B. Moose Peterson can get his hands on one

Oh... we want the revised 70-400 VR , a dedicated 1.4tc for the 200-400VR , a D200(that can compete with the 20D and focus w/ middle sensor at F8) a 500f4VR(what are those bums waiting for... Brian Small just converted his F5's and HUGE collection of NIKKOR long lenses ... 1D mkII 600IS, ........) Canon's $500 12MP DSLR

YES all are pipe dreams, but within reach

Check out the Pentax 100mm spotting scope too.... That thing is HUGE!(no info needed)

Try out the LEICA ultravid 12x50 binos.... you will not believe how amazingly bright, sharp and handholdable they are (just for the fun of it)

[Liz]

I'm always waiting for new Canon lenses. What I don't like are the lenses that only fit some of the DSLR's.......and cost waaaay too much.

Liz

Hi John,

This is an exciting time of year for all of us at PR!!!!!!!

I'll be waiting to see the new Rebel! Must be coming by this time. The only reason I would upgrade from my (much loved) 300D is if it is lighter weight and affordable.

Thanks and ENJOY YOUR TRIP! Wish I could go!

Liz

[paulnj]

TEST SHOTS with the new sigma 10-20 F8 will do ;)

A friend has been pestering me for weeks with questions on EVERY wide lens for a Dreb.....

[Photo-John]

Liz-
I've got an appointment with Canon, early in the show. Plus, I'm sure there will press releases concerning new products from them in the next few days. The big manufacturers are always top of the list!

[Photo-John]

TEST SHOTS with the new sigma 10-20 F8 will do ;)

A friend has been pestering me for weeks with questions on EVERY wide lens for a Dreb.....

I can probably do that. I don't have an appointment with Sigma yet. But I just sent them an e-mail. I don't see why I couldn't do test shots. They'd probably end up being taken with my 10D, though.

[paulnj]

10D , 20D, Dreb.... same sized sensor ;)

[Trevor Ash]

John,

I'm interested in Sigma's new 30mm lens. I'm curious to know who sturdy it feels and how well the focusing ring performs. If you could compare the feel and mechanical performance to canon's 50mm lenses I'd appreciate it. I always disliked the plasticky feel of Canon's non L primes.

A 30 second subjective review is all I ask of you I have no doubts the optical quality reviews will start hitting the net soon enough.

Thanks!

[elsaltamontes]

first off, you rule.

2nd, i wanna see the nikon digital storage. (coolwalker)
3rd, nikon digital point & shoots with hot shoe.
4th, is fuji doing anything after S3 Pro?
5th, when is the Nikon D2X coming out?
6th, High end digital printers. What's next?
7th, Any other manufacturer of DIgital SLR with Nikon mounts? Kodak?
8th, Online photo storage/ printing. Similar business models like Shutterfly...

I think that's it. Thanks you ram.

[Ryguyinlj]

Liz, what is this about a new rebel? Is it a replacement for the 300D?

[Liz]

Here's the link (actually it's listed below in this forum)

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR - Press Release

Here's a conversation about it in Viewfinder

I had to ask!

Here's a virtual demo - new Rebel is on the left to click - this is nice

http://photoworkshop.com/canon/

Enjoy!
Liz

Liz, what is this about a new rebel? Is it a replacement for the 300D?

[Photo-John]

Hell yeah, I took it off some sweet jumps. I crashed off a curb, just last week.

Saw the D2X and D2Hs, tonight. They're sweet. Much lighter than the Canon 1D, 1Ds, and their Mark II brothers. The D2X should start showing up for purchase soon.

I'lll check on the rest of the stuff for you.

I love lumpia!

[Photo-John]

Wasn't someone asking about the Epson 4990 scanner? What happened to that post? Was it somewhere else? I asked about it today and they said it would be available on March 1st. The professional version will cost $599 (I think), and comes with the excellent LaserSoft Imaging SilverFast Ai 6 scanning software.

Took this picture of the 4990 in the Epson booth, today. I have an appointment with them on Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

[Photo-John]

I'm interested in Sigma's new 30mm lens.

Trevor-
Here's proof that I checked it out. They only had a pre-production model available at the booth. They let me put it on my camera (EOS 10D) anyway. The autofocus and aperture control didn't work, though. The lens felt solid and hefty. And the US marketing manager pointed out that it's the only "normal" lens made specificall for digital SLRs. When you do the math, for a 1.5x digital conversion, it comes out to be equivalent to a 45mm f/1.4. That's very close to a 50mm lens on a 35mm film camera.

[ejetter]

John,

I am interested in purchasing the Nikon D70. Has Nikon hinted about introducing a newer model (or upgrade to this one) to compete against the new Canon Rebel XT? Should I hold off or take advantage of the current $200 rebate offer? I would like to upgrade to a digital SLR from my Dimage 7.

Thanks,
Ed

[Photo-John]

Paul-
I don't know how useful these images will be. The conditions weren't what I'd call, "controlled." And the lens was a pre-production version that I don't completely trust. But I did what was asked of me

The photos have been posted, at full resolution, in the gallery:
http://gallery.photographyreview.com...hen=&whenterm=

[Photo-John]

Ed-
I haven't had my appointment with Nikon yet. But unless they snuck something out today, they aren't introducing a new entry-level digital SLR at PMA. I talked to them at a press event last night and they had the two new pro models, the D2X and the D2Hs. But there weren't any other SLRs.

[Photo-John]

Camera phones are big this year. Both Nokia and Sprint are exhbiting at the show. I have an appointment with Nokia tomorrow so they can tell me what's happening with camera phones. This picture was taken last night at the Sprint table at a press event. It's a new Sanyo phone with a 1.3 megapixel camera, including flash and memory card. There are also a bunch of companies featuring services and print technology designed to be used with camera phones.