What To Look For At PMA?

Dear Rec.Photo.Digital,

I'm covering PMA next week for Byte.com and TechRevu and though I have my
own ideas, I was hoping to get some input on what to make sure I take a look
at.

Our focus is on new technology, though I admit that teeny little cameras are
fun to look at too.

Ernest Lilley
Columinst - Byte.com
Editor - TechRevu.com

 

Then make sure you can have access to the Sneak Peak at PMA from 12 to 2
at the LV Hilton on the 11th. There you will find all of the new
products in a small room and lunch. Open to press only

 

Yes, I'm registered for Sneak Peek, as well as Digital Focus that evening.

Is the D70 the most anticipated release of the show?

Ern

 

Do they cover printers and lenses?
If so, any new A3+ with good B+W, and any EF-S lenses.

 

Minolta DSLR

Gr, Hans

 

It sort of depends on where you are coming from what is the most anticipated
release. Of the cameras announced so far, the D70 is most likely to appeal to
the advanced users who might have gone for the Canon digital rebel/300D/KISS.
I think the Canon 1D-II and new L lenses is of more interest to the working
photojournalist. The so called 'cheap 6' announced yesterday might be more
interesting for people entering the digicam market. A lot of Minolta SLR users
are hoping for at least a mockup of the Minolta DSLR. There is a rumor of a
new fixed lens, long zoom camera with stabalization that people who bought the
Olympus C-2100UZ during the great firesale are anticipating. There is the
"Super Stuff" announcement tomorrow that has people curious.

 

Maybe. Of the cameras annouced so far; that's probably the biggest
news for the prosumer sector, while Canon's new EOS-1D Mark II is
carrying the higher end plaudits before you get into the *really*
exclusive (and expensive) stuff. Other things I'd say to watch for
are, in no particular order:

The current state of play of the "digital vs film" issue has to be on
your list already.

Foveon's X3 sensor finding it's way into a non-Sigma and preferably
mass market camera (even if on a PDA/phone). While the technology is
not without its issues it is a new and interesting approach with a lot
of promise if it can be perfected.

In a similar vein, Sony's F828 uses an evolutionary rather than
revolutionary approach to sensor design, again not without its issues
(specifically noise), but worth a look.

Minolta's new DSLR - they've promised something special, but whether
it can retake the digital ground lost to Canon/Nikon remains to be
seen.

And last but *certainly* not least, the only thing I can see taking
the wind out of Nikon's sails is if the rumours of Canon having a
"EOS-10D Mark II" waiting in the wings are true. In the pre-PMA run
up around here this was without a doubt the rumoured camera most
people were expecting to see.

And most importantly of all have fun - I sooo wish I was going too!

Andy

 

Great suggestions. I've got meetings with most of those companies already.
Foveon has nice receptions, and their three layer cake is always a hoot. I'm
especially excited about the Canon 10D upgrade, as I might be able to afford
one (to go with my Digital Rebel and S400).

I'll try and post to the newsgroup from the press room on a daily basis to
hit some of the highlights.

Thanks for the input, more is welcome.

Ernest Lilley
Byte.com / TechRevu.com

 

re: Our focus is on new technology
I would suggest as thorough as possible review of the different 'image
capture' technologies, both current and in development.

I would like everyone to know more about the current design / manufacturing
processes ... an improvement in public understanding of the differences
would be very helpful to most consumers and retailers, AND any expert
insights into the comparative benefits (and limitations) of each of the
different image sensor devices available now and within the near future. Is
there a potential 'betamax Vs VHS' type of issue brewing?

An overview of which companies / countries have what kind of stake in each
of the technologies would be a good idea too. e.g. Who holds the patents?
What are the economic implications to Canon / Nikon / Sony (Japan) , Kodak
(USA), if one type of technology becomes dominant?

 

I bet any money that Oly will be revealing one very nice oyster gem soon.

I'd be surprised if Minolta doesn't decide to stay in pro-sumer and under
grade digicams, but start developing generic mount lenses.

Time will tell.

I think as a jounalist covering a imaging technology show that the top 3 in
each division of imaging should be covered to reach the widest possible
reading audience for sales of the mag. There is a heck of a lot more than
just digicams to cover.

Linda.

 

Be sure to take a look at the Epson 4000 printer. Its on my radar.

 

If you look at the Foveon booth, be SURE to take along a calculator!!
-They have a "fuzzy math" thing going on in terms of the claims they make in
their marketing of the Foveon chip.

 

No.
That's the camera everyone already knows about.
More interesting will be those which have not been previously
detailed...like Canon's huge list of new digicams--not yet revealed.

Any DSLR from Minolta will be big news...for Minolta users.

Any full-frame sensors in DSLRs (from any manufacturer) will be big news.

 

No, it's the other way around: Foveon's math is only a response to the
fuzzy math of Bayer chip vendors. The Bayers count *fake* megapixels,
and people are easily fooled by this hoax!

But you should definitely look at the Foveon both. They have something
new coming up, and that's the *only* news of PMA beside all the obsolete
Bayer junk!

Regards
Guido

 

I met with Epson to find out what the delay was with shipping the 4000, and
the only thing they'd fess up to was that the pre0rder demand was so high
that they wanted to hold off until they could meet it, rather than have a
few people get them and others turn green with envy.

I did hear rumors of a banding problem in some of the production units that
had them go back to work it out, but that's not confirmed, and if they did
catch something like that...hurrah for quality control.

The current estimate I got for shipping was April.

The thing I like about the 4000 is that it uses the same ink set
(ultrachrome) as the 2200, so if you don't have the space for it you can buy
the smaller printer and be confident about larger output if you job out the
output.

My full PMA report will be on Byte.com next monday.

Ernest

 

Hans,

I'll have more stuff in my Byte.com report next monday, but I did get to
meet with Minolta about their DLSR, which includes their anti-shake
technology. Besides the late fall 2004 delivery, there's not a lot I can say
about it.

Ernest

 

Michael,

I'll have more next monday in my Byte.com report, but yes, the D70 was about
the biggest thing at the show, despite the fact that there were 8 MP cameras
from all the major players, including the Canon 1DII, of course.

The new Nikon does have a great feel, and the dynamic buffer allows it to
shoot at a zippy pace, and the lower res your images the zippier it gets.

I hate getting torn back and forth between camera companies, but even though
I haven't seen actual pictures for the camera, I think it's time to become a
nikon fan again. Unless you'd like to buy my Digital Rebel off me.

Ernest

 

I'm not in the market for a new camera at the moment (just got off of a 6 month
layoff), but the D70 looks real nice, fixing a lot of problems with the Canon.
My only real complaint is that I am a IS lens fan, and Canon seems to be all
over the place with IS lenses, both consumer grade and L glass, while there are
only 3 Nikon VR lenses.