Panasonic is announcing a firmware update service for the DMC-LX3, Ver1.1. This new firmware includes a compatibility update for the optional FL220 flash unit, and improves auto white balance performance under different color temperatures and lighting.

Panasonic invites all users of DMC-LX3 to apply the updated firmware. The new firmware will be available worldwide on 15th of December, 2008 at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/.

From Tamron:

Industrial Optics Business Unit of Tamron Co., Ltd. announces that it will exhibit their High Resolution Machine Vision / FA Lenses at ‘08 INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL EXHIBITION ON IMAGE TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT scheduled on December 3(Wed) - 5(Fri), 2008.
At Tamron booth, we will exhibit our full line up of High Resolution Machine Vision / FA Lenses which are designed to suite today’s high spec cameras.

‘08 INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL EXHIBITION ON IMAGE TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

Period December 3(Wed) - 5(Fri) 2008 [3 days]
10:00 - 17:00
Venue PACIFICO YOKOHAMA
Booth Number 150
Official Web Site http://www.adcom-media.co.jp/ite/eng/

Press Release:

Tamron Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Saitama City; President: Morio Ono) today announced the development and launch of three new high-resolution lenses that are compatible with high performance surveillance cameras to meet the growing demand in the security industry.

High Zoom Ratio Built-in Vari-Focal IR Lens Compatible with 1/3″-format CCDs

2.8-10.5mm F/1.2 (Model DF005) (more…)

From Leica:

Leica Camera AG honored Woody Allen, director, comedian, actor, photographer and musician, with a special LEICA M8.2 camera bearing the serial number of 3,555,555. The camera was presented by Leica Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, to Mr. Allen at a private reception in New York City on November 3rd, 2008.

“Woody Allen represents the highest caliber of artist - one who is skilled in all aspects of the creative world - and we have the utmost respect for him and his work,” said Dr. Kaufmann. “By presenting him with this special LEICA M8.2, we hope it will accompany him in saving his memories in pictures with one of the best, and newest, cameras in the world. A Leica camera is always a tool in the hand of an artist.”

“Thank you to Dr. Kaufmann and Leica Camera for bestowing this special camera to me. It is a true pleasure and honor be a member of this group of personalities,” Mr. Allen added when receiving the camera and lens from Leica CEO Dr. Kaufmann.

Mr. Allen was the first recipient of this rare Leica honor in the category of moving pictures, selected because of his reputation and contributions to the film and art industries. In addition to being an avid photographer and Leica fan, Mr. Allen has used the brand in several of his movies, most recently, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, released in the summer of 2008.

Since 1925, Leica’s honor of awarding cameras with special serial numbers has been reserved for outstanding individuals from the worlds of photography, scientific research, politics and society. Additionally, notable world figures have received these special edition cameras, such as Queen Elizabeth in 1958 and 1965, whose camera was engraved with her initials, and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960, whose camera bears the serial number 980,000. (more…)

From Epson:

TOKYO, Japan November 6, 2008 –

Seiko Epson Corporation (”Epson”) has announced that it has selected the winners of this year’s Color Imaging Contest, an annual award that seeks to support the development of a new era in the culture of digital expression. A total of 64 photographic and graphic works were selected (53 from Japan and 11 from other countries and territories) from among 10,956 entries (9,416 in the photography category; 1,540 in graphics). (more…)

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce that firmware Ver.2.00 for the DP1 is now available for download.
SIGMA DP1 firmware [Ver.2.00]
Benefits of the firmware update

• It is possible to allocate different functions to each of the Digital Zoom buttons.
• When the image is magnified in the review display, the magnification ratio will appear.

SIGMA DP1 Firmware Ver.2.00 download

Press Release:

Olympus Imaging Corp. (President: Masaharu Okubo) today announced the launch of the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II. The lens complies with the Four Thirds System standard, and is scheduled to go on sale in Japan on December 20, 2008. (more…)

Press Release:

Four Thirds System compliant intermediate-level model with Art Filter function for creative photographic expression

Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo) today announced the launch of the E-30, the latest addition to the Olympus E-System series of interchangeable lens type digital SLR cameras. Positioned as a mid-level model, the E-30 is intended for anyone who wants to express their creativity through photography, whether they are an amateur just starting out or a profession with years of experience behind them. The E-30 complies with the Four Thirds System standard, and is scheduled to go on sale in the first quarter of the year 2009. (more…)