2006 PMA Tradeshow Discussion

[Photo-John]

PMA Coverage Main Page >>

It's time for the annual PMA (Photo Marketing Association) tradeshow again. The show takes place in Orlando, Florida, from February 26 to March 1. PMA is where camera manufacturers make most of their major product announcements. In the next couple of weeks we'll start seeing press releases for cameras and other photo-related products that will make their first appearance at PMA. I'll be there, taking pictures of all the new toys, and talking to the manufacturers. Anyone who has special photo requests or any photo gear questions, post them here and I'll do my best to fill your orders. I will be your eyes and ears at PMA.

Here's a link to my 2005 PMA report, including links to the gallery and last year's PMA discussion: 2005 PMA Report Wrap-Up

Check back because this page will be evolving as product announcements are made and PMA-related news comes in.

[Photo-John]

PMA camera and photo accessory announcements will be posted on the News and Rumors forum and we'll keep a current list here. Check back to see what's been added.

• American Recorder Technologies Photo Studio in a Box-Supersized
  
• Canon EOS 30D Digital SLR
  
• Canon DC100 DVD Camcorder
  
• Canon PowerShot A700, A540, A530, and A430 Digital Cameras
  
• Canon PowerShot SD700 IS, SD630, and SD600 Digital Cameras
  
• Canon PowerShot S3 IS Digital Camera
  
• Canon PIXMA MP800R and MP830 Printers
  
• Canon PIXMA Pro9500 and PIXMA Pro9000 Printers
  
• Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lenses
  
• Casio Exilim EX-Z60 Digital Camera
  
• Casio Exilim EX-Z600 Digital Camera
  
• Casio Exilim EX-Z850 Digital Camera
  
• New ColorVision Spyder2 Color Management Products
  
• Corel Paint Shop Pro X and Photo Album 6 Software for Lexar's AMS
  
• Delkin Archival Gold CD-R and DVD-R
  
• Epson Perfection V700 Photo and V750-M Pro Scanners
  
• Fujichrome Provia 400X Professional Slide Film
  
• Fujichrome T64 Professional Slide Film
  
• Fujicolor Crystal Archive Super Type P
  
• Fujifilm FinePix F30 Digital Camera
  
• Fujifilm FinePix F650 Digital Camera
  
• Fujifilm FinePix A600 Digital Camera
  
• Gitzo 6X Traveler Monopod
  
• Imagelink Printing System
  
• Kodak Portra 800 Film and Single Use Cameras
  
• Kodak EasyShare C643 and C533 Digital Cameras
  
• Kodak EasyShare V603 Digital Camera
  
• Kodak EasyShare Z612 Digital Camera
  
• Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm Four Thirds Lens
  
• Lexar Smart Download Plug-in for Adobe CS2
  
• Lexar LockTight System Memory Cards
  
• Lexar 8GB CompactFlash Memory Card
  
• Nikon Coolpix L2, L3, and L4 Digital Cameras
  
• Nikon Coolpix S5 and S6 Digital Cameras
  
• Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4 Digital Cameras
  
• Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens
  
• New Nikon View Pro Software
  
• Nikon Capture NX Software
  
• Nikon and Nik Software Collaboration
  
• Olympus Evolt E-330 Digital SLR
  
• Olympus Stylus 720 SW Digital Camera
  
• Olympus Stylus 710 Digital Camera
  
• Olympus Stylus 810 Digital Camera
  
• Olympus SP-320 Digital Camera
  
• Olympus FE-130 and FE-140 Digital Cameras
  
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Four Thirds Digital SLR
  
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Digital Camera
  
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 Digital Camera
  
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 Digital Camera
  
• Pentax Optio W10 Waterproof Digital Camera
  
• Pentax Optio M10 Digital Camera
  
• Pentax Optio T10 Digital Camera
  
• Ricoh Caplio R4 Digital Camera
  
• Ricoh Caplio R30 Digital Camera
  
• Ricoh Caplio RR630 Digital Camera
  
• Rollei 6008 AF, X-ACT 2, Horseman SW-D, LD, and 3D Cameras/Products
  
• Samsung GX-1S Digital SLR
  
• Samsung GX-1L Digital SLR
  
• Samsung Digimax L85 Digital Camera
  
• Samsung Digimax L60 Digital Camera
  
• SanDisk 2GB Ultra II SD Plus Card
  
• SanDisk 4GB Ultra II Memory Stick PRO Duo Card
  
• SanDisk Extreme III 8GB CF, 2GB SD, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Cards
  
• Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM Lens
  
• Sigma APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM for Four Thirds Mount Lens
  
• Sigma APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM for Four Thirds Mount Lens
  
• Sigma MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG for Four Thirds Mount Lens
  
• Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC for Four Thirds Mount Lens
  
• Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM for Four Thirds Mount Lens
  
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 and DSC-H5 Digital Cameras
  
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W70 and DSC-W100 Digital Cameras
  
• Sony HDPS-L1 Photo Storage Drive
  
• Sony DSC-W50 and W30 Digital Cameras
  
• Spitfire Photo Pro Online Image Management
  
• Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] Lens
  
• Tamron AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical [IF] Macro Lens
  
• Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 Lens
  
• Vivitar ViviCam X60 Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam X30 Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 8600s Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 8400 Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 6380u Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 6330s Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 6320 Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 6150s Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 5388 Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 5386 Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 5350s Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 5150s Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 3105s Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 2010 Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar ViviCam 55 Digital Camera
  
• Vivitar DVR510 Digital Video Recorder
  

PMA Tradeshow Coverage Main Page >>

[payn817]

SONY!! If you find out anything about the new DSLR it would be awesome!!

[Photo-John]

SONY!! If you find out anything about the new DSLR it would be awesome!!

But, of course. I'll be visiting with the Sony people and checking out everything they have to show. I also want to ask them some questions about what's going to happen with the Konica Minolta technology they've acquired.

And I'll also be taking a look at the Samsung digital SLR. I think it's interesting that two 100% consumer electronics manufacturers are coming out with digital SLRs. That shows how the market is changing.

[another view]

Really, for me the Olympus 720SW looks very cool. How accurate is the AF in fairly dim light (say, for instance, trade-show lighting...). Also interested in higher ISO's with noise performance. It looks like the ideal kayaking camera. Thanks!

[Photo-John]

Really, for me the Olympus 720SW looks very cool. How accurate is the AF in fairly dim light (say, for instance, trade-show lighting...). Also interested in higher ISO's with noise performance. It looks like the ideal kayaking camera. Thanks!

I'm very interested in that camera, too. And I have an appointment with Olympus. I'll make sure to take a good look at it and I'll be asking for one for review. Because you know it will make a great all-weather mountain bike camera, too

[paulnj]

You know we all want a full report ASAP on the 30D

Suggest to them that your favorite nature and wildlife Mod who volunteers at a charitable foundation would love a long term test drive to see if that shutter really makes the 100k mark

Don't laugh, crazier things have happened ;)

[Photo-John]

This was waiting for me when I checked into my motel last night. It's something that outdoor sports photographers like me have been waiting for for a long, long time - a combo hydration/camera backpack. This looks like it may be a keeper. I was skeptical, but everything looks to be in order. In this photo it's pictured between my main camera bag, a Tamrac 5258 backpack, and my Deuter Superbike hydration pack, which I ride with now. There's no way I can ride with the Tamrac, nor would I want to. It's too big and it's got way too much stuff in it. The Deuter has a huge hydration bladder, lots of space, a great harness system, and it fits great. Right now, when I want to take an SLR riding, I put it in a small Tamrac waist pack and put that inside the Deuter. But the Deuter really can't take that much and the camera doesn't ride that well.

I loaded the Lowepro up with a real pro digital body (Canon EOS 1D) with regular zoom attached, a pro 70-200 f/2.8 lens, a flash, and a fisheye lens. That's way more than I ever ride with now. It all fits and the pack feels great on my back.

That's all I'm going to say for now. I'm excited to try this though. On Thursday, after PMA is over, I'm heading north to a mountain bike park, for some R&R, shooting, and new backpack testing. I'm gonna give this thing a workout like no on else has. I might even crash on it

[mjs1973]

That thing looks pretty sweet PJ! I saw that very same bag featured in the new Outdoor Photographer magazine. You MTBers are the first thing I thought of when I saw it. Happy testing!

[JSPhoto]

Well if I were into backpacks that would probably work for me too, even though I don't ride bikes of any kind.
I think what I am going to look at is a belt system. My back can't take the weight of a backpack. The belt system would need to be able to have a few pouches for things like the following:
1: Card holder - CF and SD cards
2: Spare batteries (2 1D size batteries)
3: Pouch for 580EX flash
4: lens case for Canon 70-200mm (the canon cases just don't work well (both my main lenses fit the same case.
5: One for the odds and ends such as spare flash betteries, lens cloth & cleaner, blower, etc.

JS

[masdog]

Well if I were into backpacks that would probably work for me too, even though I don't ride bikes of any kind.
I think what I am going to look at is a belt system. My back can't take the weight of a backpack. The belt system would need to be able to have a few pouches for things like the following:
1: Card holder - CF and SD cards
2: Spare batteries (2 1D size batteries)
3: Pouch for 580EX flash
4: lens case for Canon 70-200mm (the canon cases just don't work well (both my main lenses fit the same case.
5: One for the odds and ends such as spare flash betteries, lens cloth & cleaner, blower, etc.

JS

I think Batman has a system that will work for you, but it only comes in one color.

[Photo-John]

I think what I am going to look at is a belt system. My back can't take the weight of a backpack.

Have you looked at the Think Tank Photo stuff? They work closely with photojournalists and sports photographers to design their cases. Their belt system looks really nice to me.

[Photo-John]

I started to post in the 2006 PMA gallery. More to come, tomorrow night:

http://gallery.photographyreview.com...allery&x=0&y=0

[Photo-John]

Really, for me the Olympus 720SW looks very cool.

I got a first look at the 720SW, last night. I posted a photo in the PMA gallery: http://gallery.photographyreview.com...cat=all&page=3

I have a meeting with Olympus today and that camera is my main interest. I already told them that I am pretty sure I'm going to buy one. I'll find out some more about it for you, although I don't think I'll be able to check image quality. One of the Olympus people was entertaining herself last night, by handing the camera to people and accidentally dropping it on the floor. The shockproofing is a very impressive feature. And yes - the camera did work after being dropped 4 feet

[bordersandflags]

The Panasonic DMC L-1 SLR looks pretty cool right now. It shares lots of things with the Olympus E-330 (no surprise) like that live view LCD.


http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06...sonicdmcl1.asp

[Photo-John]

Here it is, in the flesh, so to speak - the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 digital SLR. The new camera is the first non-Olympus camera that's part of the Four Thirds standard. It is the result of a partnership between Panasonic, Olympus, and Leica. I think the real big deal with the DMC-L1 is in the Leica lens. It's got Panasonic Mega O.I.S. image stabilization built into the Leica 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 lens. And the new lens, being part of the Four Thirds standard, will also fit other Four Thirds cameras.

More photos of the new camera and lens are available in the 2006 PMA gallery: http://gallery.photographyreview.com...=534&password=

[paulnj]

What about getting sony to release some info on the DSC-W100 ;)

[Clemmie]

SONY!! If you find out anything about the new DSLR it would be awesome!!

I'll second that! What is Sony planning to do with the Minolta lineup - and when can we expect further DSLR developments?

[Photo-John]

I'll second that! What is Sony planning to do with the Minolta lineup - and when can we expect further DSLR developments?

I had a meeting with Sony yesterday. I asked them point-blank about KM technology and their upcoming SLR. They wouldn't say anything about either one. The answer on the SLR is, "Wait until summer." The answer on Konica Minolta is, "We don't know. You'll have to wait and see." Those answers were paraphrased, of course. But basically, they had nothing to say. They do recognize the digital SLR space as growing and important, though. And they definitely want to play. Plus, the R1 is a very nice looking camera. So even without any details, I think we can expect something good. My guess is it will be like an R1 with changeable lenses. And we might reasonably expect a live LCD display, since they did that with the R1.

[deckcadet]

PJ, could you by any chance find out some more about Nikon Capture NX and Nikon View Pro? I'm particularly interested if they will be coming out as or be updated for Universal Binary for the new Intel macs.

[srobb]

Hey, PJ, hope you're having fun down there. ;) I went to my lab the other day to find out my mentor there is on vacation at the PMA show.

Don't suppose there is anything there to interest us lowly film users is there?

[Photo-John]

Don't suppose there is anything there to interest us lowly film users is there?

Fujifilm and Kodak both introduced new pro film emulsions: http://gallery.photographyreview.com...a+film&x=9&y=8

There weren't any new 35mm SLRs, though. And I wouldnt hold my breath for any significant 35mm SLRs in the future. It feels strange to say it, but I think they're done.I can't remember if you are a medium format shooter or not, but Rollei has a couple of new twin lens medium format products that I'll post photos of in a while.

[Photo-John]

PJ, could you by any chance find out some more about Nikon Capture NX and Nikon View Pro? I'm particularly interested if they will be coming out as or be updated for Universal Binary for the new Intel macs.

I didn't have anyone to ask questions, but I'll check into that. I did grab the brochure and under "Requirements," it listed the usual Mac and Windows OS stuff. Honestly, I'm not even sure what you're talking about. Maybe I'll have to do a Google search and get enlightened

Anyway, I'll check with my Nikon contacts and see if I can find out for you. I doubt that Nikon wants to exclude people who plan to buy the new Intel Mac machines.

[berrywise]

PJ,

Good stuff so far! That new LowePro backpack, do they have any safety backups built into it in case you pop your bladder? I've been using a LowePro mini trekker and I just stick a bladder inside a water proof bag in the outer pocket of it. I don't really care for that setup and would love to try something that was more designed for this.

I'm curious whether the NX capture will have continue to allow you to shoot tethered to the computer like you could in older versions of capture.

[srobb]

Fujifilm and Kodak both introduced new pro film emulsions: http://gallery.photographyreview.com...a+film&x=9&y=8

There weren't any new 35mm SLRs, though. And I wouldnt hold my breath for any significant 35mm SLRs in the future. It feels strange to say it, but I think they're done.I can't remember if you are a medium format shooter or not, but Rollei has a couple of new twin lens medium format products that I'll post photos of in a while.

I don't shoot medium format YET, but that is something I want to look into in the future. So any info you can give on new stuff like that would be helpful.