Kodak Launch New Film - Professional Portra 160

Today Kodak introduced the new Kodak professional Portra 160 film, featuring a significantly finer grain structure in a 160-speed colour negative film.  The new Kodak professional Portra 160 film incorporates Kodak's advanced cubic emulsions to achieve this finer grain. Like the new Kodak professional Portra 400 film, Kodak professional Portra 160 film also employs Kodak vision film technology and antenna dye sensitisation in the magenta emulsion layers. photographers can trust the new Kodak professional Portra 160 film to deliver exceptional skin tones, the hallmark of the Kodak professional Portra film family.  Kodak showcased the new film today at the annual WPPI trade show in Las Vegas.

“as film making technology evolves, we continue to seek ways to improve our films to better serve the professional film shooter,” said Dennis Olbrich, general manager, film, paper and output systems, and vice president, film, photofinishing and entertainment group, Kodak. “Kodak is leading the way, delivering innovative product improvements designed to optimise scanning and enlargement in today’s workflow.” 
 

With the new Kodak professional Portra 160 film, photographers looking for ultimate quality now have an unmatched portfolio from which to select, including the recently announced Kodak professional Portra 400 film and the award winning Kodak professional Ektar 100 film. together, this new family of Kodak colour negative films offers an extraordinary palette of colour, speed, latitude and unmatched fine grain for superior performance in every shooting situation.
 
“I found the versatility of the new Portra 160 film simply astounding. so many elements of it make my job easier. the latitude has freed me up to approach each shoot uniquely,” Ryan Muirhead, a professional photographer based in the United States.  “the new Portra 160 is also a dream to scan. Everything I love about photography takes place behind a camera; everything I hate about photography takes place behind a computer. With this new film, using the proper exposure, I often find myself cutting Photoshop out of my workflow. As a result, I spend more time shooting and less time editing - priceless.”
 
The new Kodak professional Portra 160 film will be available in 35 mm, 120/220, 4x5 and 8x10 sheet format, beginning march 2011. it replaces the existing Kodak professional Portra 160nc and 160vc film offerings on a stock turnover basis.

Kodak Announce New Easyshare Max Camera with 30x Optical Zoom

We didn't see this one coming, Kodak have surprised us with a new EASYSHARE MAX Camera. It comes jammed full of features including 30x optical zoom, 12 megapixel backside illuminated sensor, 3 inch HGVLA LCD and EVF plus 1080p video recording.

And thanks to Kodak’s Share button and the world’s only digital cameras with 3-step sharing[1], sharing those shots is simple. Just press Share to e-mail to friends and to KODAK PULSE Display or upload to KODAK Gallery[2], FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YouTube, FLICKR, ORKUT, YANDEX, and KAIXIN001 sites[3].

Product Specifications

Standard features

12 MP BSI CMOS

30X SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON Optical Zoom Lens

3.0 in. HVGA high-resolution LCD

Face Recognition

Smart Capture

 

Expected Availability

March 9, 2011

Lens

The 30X SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON Optical Zoom Lens (35 mm equivalent: 28–676 mm) zooms in faster and closer than ever to deliver crisp, steady shots for extraordinary creative performance.

Fast f/2.8 28 mm wide-angle lens

Capture dramatic shots in tight quarters or in front of spectacular landscapes.

Optical image stabilization

    •    Capture sharp, steady shots when shooting at long zoom ranges
    •    Image stabilization automatically minimizes camera shake to deliver crisp pictures

Get in on the action without delay

Capture that challenging action shot with fast, click-to-capture speed and auto focus.

High ISO mode

    •    Capture the details in low-light conditions and fast-action situations with a powerful, high ISO (up to 12,800[11])
    •    Faster shutter speeds mean you can capture scenes in low light and fast action

Expected price: $329.95

Kodak rolls out Professional Portra 400 colour neg

Remember film? No, well maybe not. Kodak hasn't quite let go though, if this press release is anything to go by. They're claiming their new Professional Portra 400 is the world's finest grain 400 speed colour negative film out there. Available from November in 35 mm, 120/220, and 4x5 sheet format, Portra 400 is intended for wedding, portrait and fashion photographers, in case you couldn't guess from the name. There's no word on pricing, but it makes feel like dusting off my quaint F5 and maybe trying out that new AF-S 85mm f/1.4G. I'll have to see if Nikon (and Kodak) are feeling generous.

Kodak announces ESP 7250

Kodak has today announced the latest all-in-one printer to their rapidly expanding range of affordable inkjets - the ESP 7250. As well as the expected scan and print options, the new ESP7250 adds WiFi connectivity for printing directly from smartphones - the iPhone - in particular, as well as a built-in duplexer (for printing on both sides).

Press release:

Kodak’s New All-In-One Inkjet Printer Provides the Connectivity and Value

To Print and Share Your Mobile Life For Less

Easy Wi-Fi Set Up and the Latest Wi-Fi Technology Enables

Direct Printing from Smartphones1

London, UK, June 10th, 2010 — Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK) invites consumers to unlock the photos and documents stored in their Smartphones1 with its new KODAK ESP 7250 All-in-One (AiO) Printer. Featuring easy-to-use wireless capabilities, an intuitive control panel and the lowest total ink replacement cost in the industry2, the new KODAK ESP 7250 helps you share and print your mobile life for less, saving consumers up to £75 a year on ink based on as few as four pages per day3.

Kodak knows that on-the-go lifestyles need easy solutions, such as the ability to print and share without turning on a computer. The ESP 7250 can print documents and photos directly from Wi-Fi enabled Smartphones1, offering the world’s first direct WiFi printing solution for those devices. In addition, users of iPod Touch devices can print photos directly to the ESP 7250 through the new Kodak Pic Flick application.

“Kodak is proud to offer consumers innovative high-quality printing solutions that give them the flexibility to easily connect, print and share,” said Bob Ohlweiler, Kodak’s Director and Vice President of Inkjet Systems, Europe. “Sharing images is key to preserving memories. The new ESP 7250 enables consumers to do that easily from their Smartphone1 and share prints that not only have incredible quality but an incredible value.”

The ESP 7250 joins Kodak’s award-winning line of printers that allow consumers to print vivid colour documents and KODAK lab-quality photos4 for less, saving on average up to £75 a year on ink based on as few as four pages per day3. Kodak prints have achieved best-in-class permanence ratings from the leading independent testing laboratory, Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR).

Value does not come with compromises on the ESP 7250. In addition to saving on ink, the ESP 7250 combines the latest in KODACOLOR printing technology with affordable, premium-quality pigment ink cartridges to deliver brilliant documents and KODAK Lab-Quality photos4 that dry instantly, are water and fade resistant5 and last a lifetime6.

KODAK AiO Printers use Kodak’s premium pigmented inks that come in a simple two-cartridge set-up. Kodak Black Ink Cartridge 10B cartridges retail for £6.99 rrp, and a five-ink colour cartridge, Kodak Colour Ink Cartridge 10C, which offers 10% more pages than the previous #10 colour cartridge 8 , retails at £11.99 rrp. In addition, Kodak have recently announced a new Kodak Black Ink Cartridge 10XL £11.49rrp which yields 70% more pages than the standard Kodak Black Ink Cartridge 10B 9, providing greater convenience for consumers who print more frequently and want to change their ink cartridges less often.



The KODAK ESP 7250 offers:

Latest Wi-Fi technology and extremely easy wireless set-up;
Direct printing from Smartphones1
Built-in duplexer, intelligent paper sensor and auto-engaging photo trays saving time and money;
Affordable, premium-quality pigmented inks and porous papers that dry instantly, and are water and fade resistant5;
2.4 inch colour LCD display screen and memory card slots;
Print speeds of up to 32 pages per minute in black and 30 pages per minute in color8;

Available in June 2010, the KODAK ESP 7250 retails for £169.99 Kodak Black Ink Cartridge 10XL and Kodak Colour Ink Cartridge10C are now available Learn more about Kodak’s inkjet portfolio and see how much you’re overpaying for ink at www.printandprosper.com.

1Compatible with iPhone (with OS 2.2 or later) and iPod Touch (2nd generation).

2As compared to leading consumer inkjet printers total ink load replacement costs using manufacturers recommended ink cartridges; excludes printers that use only one cartridge. Based on independent third party cartridge pricing survey data obtained Sept 2009.

3 Results based on average ink costs of leading consumer inkjet printers using average annual print volumes of 150 4x6 colour photos, 800 text pages and 550 mixed colour graphic pages using standard cartridges available in single quantity pricing .Actual results may vary, for more information visit www.kodak.com/go/inkdata

4 Using KODAK Ultra Premium and KODAK Premium Photo Papers.
5 Based on testing by Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR) and Kodak internal testing on Kodak photo and Ultimate plain papers. Under all common consumer display and storage environments.

6 Under all common consumer display and storage environments. Based on testing by Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR) on Kodak papers.

7 Based on fastest document print mode using WINDOWS OS-based PCs that meet recommended system requirements. Actual results may vary.
8) Page yield comparison to No. 10 colour cartridge based on ISO/IEC 24711 using ISO/IEC 24712 test target of Kodak testing methodology, utilising KODAK All-in-One Printers. Actual results may vary. See kodak.com/go/inkdata for details.

9 Page yield comparison based on ISO/IEC 24711 using ISO/IEC 19752 test target or Kodak testing methodology, utilizing KODAK All-in-One Printers. Actual results may vary. See kodak.co.uk/go/inkdata for details.

Leaf Imaging enter new phase

Phase One, makers of medium-format digital backs, announced today the intention to purchase specific assets of rival back maker, Leaf , while forming a new company: Leaf Imaging Ltd.

Leaf Systems Inc of Massachusetts USA, was formed in 1984, but was subsequently acquired by Scitex in 1997 while operations moved to Tel Aviv. Shortly after, in 2000, Leaf changed ownership again when Creo Inc acquired Scitex. However that wasn't to last when Eastman Kodak acquired Creo Inc during 2005.

In the same week that Kodak announced the end of Kodachrome, the latest announcement sees the imaging giant shedding certain assets of Leaf, while entering into a intellectual property license with Phase One.

However as Kodak are the main, if not sole, manufacturer of image sensors for Phase One as well as Leaf, this acquisition was not entirely unexpected. As the number of rival digital camera back makers contract, Phase One are emerging as the dominant player in the medium format market.

Press release:

Leaf Imaging -- a new Phase One company

COPENHAGEN and TEL AVIV, June 25, 2009 -- Phase One A/S, in
conjunction with senior management employees of Leaf, today announced that they have created a new entity, Leaf Imaging Ltd., to purchase certain assets of the Leaf camera business. The assets include the “Leaf” brand product names, engineering design and production tools. The new entity will also enter into an intellectual property license with Eastman Kodak Company
that is royalty-bearing to Kodak. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In collaboration with Phase One, high end Leaf digital camera equipment will continue to be developed in Israel and marketed under the “Leaf” brand through a global network of specialized and dedicated value added resellers.

Leaf high quality digital camera backs with up to 56 Mega pixels and superior resolution and image quality can interface to all leading medium and large format cameras.

“We are committed to exciting future developments for the Leaf brand of products through innovative engineering, worldwide marketing and customer service, said Henrik O. Håkonsson President and CEO, Phase One. “Leaf customers will benefit from the many synergies with Phase One.”

“Since introducing the world’s first digital camera back in 1992, Leaf has been recognized as a worldwide leader in the professional photography market. Our extensive digital imaging and color management knowledge, combined with Phase One’s software and hardware capabilities creates a unique opportunity for the world’s leading photographers,” said Dov Kalinski, General Manager, Leaf.

Kodak pulls plug on Kodachrome

This isn't going to lie down, I suspect. And it's a sad day for me (and I suspect a lot of others too), for sure. I have to say, I feel like I've just been given the news of the death of a relative or close friend.

Kevin

Kodak Retires KODACHROME Film;

Celebrates Life of Oldest Film Icon in its Portfolio

Newer KODAK Films and Digital Cameras are Preferred Choice for Today’s Photographers

LONDON UK, June 22, 2009 – Eastman Kodak Company announced today that it will retire KODACHROME colour film this year, concluding its 74-year run as a photography icon.

Sales of KODACHROME Film, which became the world’s first commercially successful colour film in 1935, have declined dramatically in recent years as photographers turned to other, newer KODAK films or to the digital imaging technologies that Kodak pioneered. Today, KODACHROME Film represents just a fraction of one percent of Kodak’s total sales of still-picture films.

“KODACHROME Film is an iconic product and a testament to Kodak’s long and continuing leadership in imaging technology,” said Mary Jane Hellyar, President of Kodak’s Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group. "It was certainly a difficult decision to retire it, given its rich history. However, the majority of today's photographers have voiced their preference to capture images with newer technology – both film and digital. Kodak remains committed to providing the highest-performing products – both film and digital – to meet those needs."

While Kodak now derives about 70% of its revenues from commercial and consumer digital businesses, it is the global leader in the film business. Kodak has continued to bring innovative new film products to market, including seven new professional still films and several new VISION2 and VISION3 motion picture films in the last three years. These new still film products are among those that have become the dominant choice for those professional and advanced amateur photographers who use KODAK Films.

Among the well-known professional photographers who used KODACHROME Film is Steve McCurry, whose picture of a young Afghan girl captured the hearts of millions of people around the world as she peered hauntingly from the cover of National Geographic Magazine in 1985.

As part of a tribute to KODACHROME Film, Kodak will donate the last rolls of the film to George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in Rochester, N.Y., which houses the world’s largest collection of cameras and related artefacts. McCurry will shoot one of those last rolls and the images will be donated to Eastman House.

“The early part of my career was dominated by KODACHROME Film, and I reached for that film to shoot some of my most memorable images,” said McCurry. “While KODACHROME Film was very good to me, I have since moved on to other films and digital to create my images. In fact, when I returned to shoot the ‘Afghan Girl’ 17 years later, I used KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTACHROME Film E100VS to create that image, rather than KODACHROME Film as with the original.”

For all of its magic, KODACHROME is a complex film to manufacture and an even more complex film to process. There is only one remaining photofinishing lab in the world – Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas – that processes KODACHROME Film, precisely because of the difficulty of processing. This lack of widespread processing availability, as well as the features of newer films introduced by Kodak over the years, has accelerated the decline of demand for KODACHROME Film.

During its run, KODACHROME Film filled a special niche in the annals of the imaging world. It was used to capture some of the best-known photographs in history, while also being the film of choice for family slide shows of the Baby Boom generation.

To celebrate the film’s storied history, Kodak has created a gallery of iconic images, including the Afghan girl and other McCurry photos, as well as others from professional photographers Eric Meola and Peter Guttman on its website: www.kodak.com/go/kodachrometribute. Special podcasts featuring McCurry and Guttman will also be featured on the website.

Kodak estimates that current supplies of KODACHROME Film will last until early this autumn at the current sales pace. Dwayne’s Photo has indicated it will continue to offer processing for the film through 2010. Current KODACHROME Film users are encouraged to try other KODAK Films, such as KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTACHROME E100G and EKTAR 100 Film. These films both feature extremely fine grain. For more information, please visit www.kodak.com/go/professional.

Kodak now offers its new EKTAR 100 --World’s finest-grain colour negative film -- in 120 format

LONDON, February 17 – Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) continues to expand the options available to photographers by offering its new KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTAR 100 Film in 120 format. Announced at Photokina in October 2008 and currently available in 35mm format, EKTAR 100 Film offers the finest, smoothest grain of any colour negative film available today.

“The response to the introduction of EKTAR 100 Film has been amazing, with many requests to make the new film available in medium format. 120-size roll film is widely used for a broad range of photographic applications including ultra high-resolution photography” said Carolyn Walsh, Product Sales Director, CDG, FPG, UK & Ireland, Eastman Kodak Company. “Whether you’re a professional photographer or an advanced amateur, the pursuit of the perfect picture is a never-ending quest. By offering the world’s finest-grain colour negative film in 120 format, Kodak continues its long-standing history of providing the tools and selection for photographers who want images with the best quality and highest detail.”

EKTAR 100 Film is the ideal choice for commercial photographers and advanced amateurs for applications such as nature, travel, fashion and product photography, where the emphasis is often on colour. The ISO 100 speed film features high saturation and ultra-vivid colour, incorporating KODAK VISION Motion Picture Film technology to achieve its unparalleled fine grain. It is ideal for photographers who want the superior resolution of medium-format film and look for extraordinary enlargement capability when scanning and printing.

The new KODAK EKTAR Film in 120 format will be available in the UK from April 2009.