Ricoh has announced the release of their latest firmware updates for Ricoh Caplio R3 and Ricoh GR Digital. The new firmware version 1.09 will improve the exposure level when using Sigma external flashes with Ricoh GR Digital. While the new Ricoh Caplio R3 firmaware version 1.29 will improve the stability at turning on the camera.

>> Ricoh GR Digital Firmware Update: Windows | Mac
>> Ricoh Caplio R3 Firmware Update: Windows | Mac

Nikon USA and Europe has officially published a FAQs regarding Nikon D200 banding issues that have been found by several Nikon D200 users. Here’s our previous post regarding Nikon D200 banding issues.

Question 1: Why do I occasionally see vertical lines in my images?

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Samsung has announced the new 1 GB MMCmicro, which they claim is the fastest micro memory card at 7.12 MBs per second. The 1 GB MMCmicro measuring only 12mmx14mmx1.1mm and it will be used in small cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players and it would be available in the third quarter of 2006

PRESS RELEASE

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Pentax has announced the expansion of its production capacity with the construction of a second plant based in Vietnam. The move is made to anticipate the expected increase demand for interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras.

PRESS RELEASE

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce that it will expand the production capacity of PENTAX VN Co., Ltd., the company’s overseas subsidiary based in Vietnam, with the construction of a second plant. PENTAX VN specializes in the manufacture of optical instruments and components. This move is made to prepare for the expected increase in demand for interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras, as well as to respond to intensifying price competition in both the domestic and international markets.

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THORNTON, COLO., 31 January 2006 – GeoSpatial Experts today unveiled a new GPS photo mapping product bundle that includes a Pentax digital camera, Garmin handheld GPS receiver and the GeoSpatial Experts GPS-Photo Link software. GeoSpatial Experts will be demonstrating all three products January 31-February 2 at the ESRI Federal Users Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Pentax-Garmin package is the third GPS-Photo Link mapping product bundle offered by GeoSpatial Experts, the one-stop shop for photographic mapping needs. Due to relatively low cost of the camera and GPS receiver, GeoSpatial Experts views this as the perfect hardware/software combination for first-time photo mapping users.

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TheDigitalPicture.com has added a new section on their website where you can see and compare vignetting from Canon lenses on a full frame body.

Click to view

There’s also been a rumor that Canon is considering introducing yet another line of lenses that are aimed to be placed above the L series lens. The new series will meet the resolving demand of the upcoming generation of sensors which will have even higher resolution.

PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a significant price adjustment on the *ist DL digital SLR camera with 18-55 DA lens kit. The price reduction from $799.95 US to $599.95 US takes effect February 1, 2006.

“Digital single lens reflex cameras with interchangeable lenses are gaining in popularity as products have become easier-to-use and prices have fallen,” said Ed Lee, Director, Consumer Services and Digital Photography Trends Service InfoTrends, Inc. “Consumers wavering between a higher-end compact digital and a digital SLR will take note of this new PENTAX pricing as will consumers who have been considering an upgrade to a digital SLR,” added Lee.

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Pentax has recently announced the latest firmware update version 1.01 for the Pentax Optio SV/SVi point-and-shoot digital cameras. The latest firmware which is available for both windows and macs system will improve the metering performance when using interval shooting.

- Download Optio SV firmware version 1.01 for Windows or Mac
- Download Optio SVi firmware version 1.01 for Windows or Mac
- Read Firmware version 1.01 Manual

Bloomberg reported that Fujifilm will eliminate 5,000 jobs and shift some production to China from Japan.

“Fuji Photo’s plan symbolizes an end to the film camera era,” said Hiroshi Chano, who helps oversee $6.7 billion at Yasuda Asset Management Co. in Tokyo. “The digitalization of the camera industry occurred at much faster pace than I expected. Reorganization will be a painful process for Fuji Photo.”

By taking these restructuring steps, we hope to reduce fixed costs and secure stabile profits in our imaging solutions division,” the Tokyo-based company said in the statement. “

American Scientist Online has recently posted an article with cool images of high-speed imaging of shock waves, explosions and gunshots.

This full-scale schlieren image shows the discharge of a .44 Magnum revolver. Two spherical shock waves are seen, one centered about the gun’s muzzle (the muzzle blast) and a second centered on the cylinder. The supersonic bullet is visible at the far left. This weapon produces a bright muzzle flash and a cloud of products of gunpowder combustion that envelops the hands of the shooter. Such high-speed images help forensics experts understand the transfer of gunpowder traces to the hands when firing a gun.