DENVER, CO February 2, 2012…When is a camera more than a photographer’s tool? The answer is when it’s an object designed by Marc Newson, one of the most acclaimed and influential contemporary designers.

PENTAX RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION introduces the Marc Newson designed PENTAX K-01 interchangeable lens camera (ILC). The new PENTAX K-01 is another bold effort from the manufacturer that is known for pushing camera size, color, durability, and now, design, to the limit. Widely known for designing a wide range of objects from furniture and household products to bicycles, cars, aircraft and yachts, Marc Newson has had collected works displayed in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and many other major museums.
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January 10, 2012 – FUJIFILM Corporation (President and CEO: Shigetaka Komori) is proud to announce the FUJIFILM X-Pro1, an all-new premium interchangeable lens camera. The X-Pro1 features a 16 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor™, a brand new X lens mount, Hybrid Multi Viewfinder and three prime lenses.

FUJIFILM X-Pro1 — The Main Features

1. Setting new standards in image resolution

• Fujifilm has developed a new CMOS sensor called the X-Trans CMOS™. The X-Trans CMOS™ sensor is capable of delivering resolution that is parallel, if not superior, to a full frame sensor
• The new color filter array paves the way for an ideal sensor that does not need an optical low-pass filter. While the optical low-pass filter is indispensable for the reduction of moiré and false color generated by conventional sensors, it also degrades resolution. Fujifilm has developed a new color filter array that is inspired by the random arrangement of fine film grain, removing the need for an optical low-pass filter to solve moiré and false color issues. In the array, RGB pixels are arranged in 6 × 6 pixel sets with high aperiodicity (randomness). Increasing the degree of randomness eliminates the fundamental cause of moiré and false colors — a problem that occurs in conventional arrays when shooting stripes and other repeating patterns. The presence of an R, G and B pixel in every vertical and horizontal pixel series minimizes the generation of false colors and delivers higher color reproduction
• EXR Processor Pro — As a result of using a film-inspired array, a more powerful processor is required to process the image signal data. So Fujifilm has created the EXR Processor Pro. This development will maximize the full potential of the X-Trans CMOS™ sensor and deliver high speed and high precision image processing.

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Ronkonkoma, NY, Jan. 9, 2012 – Sigma Corporation, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce the Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, the world’s first 180mm macro lens that offers a magnification ratio of 1:1 and a large maximum aperture of F2.8.

As the successor to Sigma’s earlier 180mm F3.5 EX DG macro lens, the new APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens now boasts the company’s proprietary Optical Stabilizer (OS) technology and a wide F2.8 aperture to allow faster shutter speeds for narrow depth of field. With the OS feature, this lens offers the use of shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than would otherwise be possible, enabling handheld close-up photography. Three “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass elements, which have a performance equal to fluorite glass, are included to provide correction for color aberrations, and an inner focusing system minimizes aberrations that occur as shooting distances change.
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LAS VEGAS, NV, Jan. 9, 2012 – Sigma Corporation of America today announced the launch of its new line of Micro Four Thirds system and E-mount lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012 in Las Vegas, NV.

The leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses,cameras and flashes,hasmade its entrée into the mirrorless interchangeable lens category with the introduction of its Digital Neo (DN) line, which will first include the 30mm F2.8 EX DN and the 19mm F2.8 EX DN lenses in Micro Four Thirds mounts for Olympus and Panasonic, and E-mount for Sony NEX-series cameras. Pricing and availability are pending.
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MELVILLE, N.Y. (January 5, 2012) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the addition of the new AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G FX-format lens to its legendary line of NIKKOR lenses. The new 85mm is a fast, fixed focal-length lens with medium telephoto capabilities and a large maximum aperture of f/1.8 that is capable of performing a wide variety of imaging tasks with amazing sharpness and clarity.

“Whether a professional photographer who needs extreme sharpness or a photo enthusiast looking for an affordable, lightweight lens with amazing clarity, Nikon photographers appreciate and rely on the vast selection and dependability of NIKKOR lenses for their imaging needs,” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of marketing at Nikon Inc. “The new 85mm f/1.8 is fully optimized for capturing amazing photos and videos, while providing the ability to utilize background blur to compliment the subject of their photo.”
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