Cheaper than ever before: Hot-embossed optical lenses

One of the more important components in a compact digicam is the lens element. It's pricey, too.

So when we heard the news that researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM had come up with a way to lower the manufacturing cost of glass lenses, we could feel our wallets wiggling in excitement.

Previously, lens manufacturing was all about precision molding. In layman speak, the lens was made by placing superheated glass within a metal die and held till it cooled. "Virtues" of this process include a lengthier manufacturing time and pricier costing.

With hot embossing, the glass is heated to even higher temperatures than during precision molding. But with the tweaking of the mold's material and temperature, a lens can be made in one-tenth of the time taken for precision molding and all for a cost that's 70 percent cheaper.

Fill your glasses, everyone. Let's drink to that.

Via DCviews

HD Photo to become JPEG XR

A new attempt to provide a higher-end sequel to the ubiquitous JPEG image standard is officially under way.

The multiple countries participating in the Joint Photographic Experts Group, which created the JPEG standard, have approved an effort to make Microsoft's HD Photo format a standard called JPEG XR, said Bill Crow, who has led Microsoft's HD Photo effort and who just took over the company's Microsoft Live Labs Seadragon imaging project. XR stands for "extended range", a reference to the format's ability to show a wider and finer range of tonal gradations and a richer color palette.
Read more »

Jenis battery grip adds more than just power

For Jenis, a Hong Kong-based manufacturer of camera accessories, the name "battery grip" is a misnomer. Its latest Super Model battery grip has a card reader function. That's right. There are two CF card slots on the back and side of the grip, so you can spend more time shooting and less time swapping cards.

A Jenis spokesperson claims that the company already has prototypes for six camera models, but was unable to furnish us with retail availability dates or prices.

The list of supported cameras:
Nikon D80
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D200
Canon EOS 400D
Canon EOS 20D
Canon EOS 30D.

       

When was the last time you saw a Yashica camera?

Probably the same time you went down to the shop to pick up a roll of film.

So imagine our surprise when we saw a couple of new Yashicas lying around at the Imaging Expo Singapore. And these were not relics either. The star of the pile is the yet-to-be-announced 14-megapixel Yashica AV1400-HD. Yep, 14 megapixels. The largest we've yet seen on a compact camera.

According to the Singapore distributor, the AV1400-HD is expected to be available in the island Republic by end December. No pricing details as of press time.
Read more »

Wacom Cintiq 12UX sighted

That fancy new tablet we reported on previously has surfaced at the Imaging Expo Singapore.

As claimed, it has a 1,280 x 800-pixels resolution with a 24-bit color depth and it looks spiffy in classic black. But while it sounds small on paper, the real article (504 x 270 x 17mm) is a little larger than we expected. But the width is meant to accommodate the 10 programmable custom keys (five on each side of the screen).

The display comes with a stand and can be tilted to both a 25- or 65-degree angle.

The Cintiq 12WX will be available in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China, Hong Kong and Japan) by end December at a retail price of S$1,999. A software bundle comprising Corel Painter Essentials 3 and Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 will be included as well.

     

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