Communities can be public or hidden. Public communities are included in a portal for browsing the existing communities and may be indexed by search engines. Hidden communities are designed for photo sharing in the private scope. More, KoffeePhoto Communities can be easily embedded to any web site.

“KoffeePhoto Communities is a tremendous opportunity for groups and associations to enable their web sites with dedicated photo sharing capabilities.” comments Gilles Pommereuil, President of KoffeeWare, editor of KoffeePhoto.

Release is planned for October 6th.

About KoffeePhoto

KoffeePhoto is a photo suite consisting of a desktop photo manager associated to a web based photo sharing service. Optional KoffeePhoto Premium provides for secure online backup of pictures. KoffeePhoto already partners with several major printing companies worldwide.

About KoffeeWare

Founded in October 2005 and privately held, KoffeeWare provides customized online photo services. Targeted at online businesses, the KoffeeWare solutions are available online and run on both desktop computers and handheld devices or mobile phones.

KoffeePhoto and KoffeeWare are registered trademarks of KoffeeWare.
Visit KoffeeWare at the Photokina, hall 4.1, booth A26a.

With lower dollar per GB costs than even the most affordable memory cards, HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA presents an attractive alternative to buying additional memory cards to meet the massive storage demands of high definition RAW image and video files.

While similar devices exist, HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA is undoubtedly the most well featured and specified storage device. Michael Reichmann of The Luminous Landscape said, “I have surveyed just about all of the devices currently available and spoke with quite a few photographers who own different ones, and to my mind the HyperDrive is the current king of the hill.”

The HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA is currently the fastest image storage device in the world, doubling the download speed of its predecessor. It is capable of UDMA 40MB/s transfer speed, backing up 2GB in 1 minute with full data verification. The faster speed coupled with a new higher capacity rechargeable lithium ion battery now allows up to 250GB of backups per battery charge. It is also the only image storage device in the world that can display true RAW images from virtually any digital camera, even medium format digital backs on its built-in high resolution QVGA color screen.

Data integrity and security is of utmost importance in the HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA. Real-time CRC copy verification ensures data integrity of the backup without increasing the download time. S.M.A.R.T. monitors the hard drive status and look out for potential problems. Built-in data recovery tools recover formatted, deleted, lost or corrupted files from the memory card.

As tiny as any external USB hard drive, the HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA is packed with features like JPEG and RAW image playback on its built-in high-resolution 3.2″ QVGA color screen, which orientates automatically to portrait or landscape mode depending on how it is held. New features like data synchronization allows HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA to mirror its data with another HyperDrive device or external hard drive via USB OTG host technology. Incremental Backup allows the download of only new data on the card or USB device, skipping previously saved data. It is also the smallest and lightest image storage device to accept 14 different types of memory cards without the need for additional card adaptors.

Previously the domain of computers and specialized software, HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA now has the ability to perform advanced file management and speed benchmarks on memory cards and hard drives. For the first time, users are also able to write their own programming scripts to customize device operations.

HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA is the latest model from a line of successful HyperDrive products that have won consecutive Photoforum Product of the Year awards in 2007/2008 as well as prestigious international awards from the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) and Photo Marketing Association (PMA).

“Never has such a powerful mass storage device come in such a tiny and compact package,” said Lu Kang, Product Manager, Sanho Corporation. “Hyper fast transfer speed, ultra long battery life, true RAW picture playback, CRC copy verification and data recovery functions. Digital photographers have a portable storage device that would allow them to leave their laptops at home and make it unnecessary to own extra memory cards. With capacities up to 500GB, digital photographers have an enormous storage in their hands to capture as many photos without worrying about running out of space.”

Features and Benefits

- World’s fastest UDMA 40MB/s download speed – backup & verify 2GB memory card in 1 minute

- World’s largest 500GB high capacity SATA hard drive with built-in multiple partition format support. User upgradeable hard drive.

- World’s longest lasting rechargeable lithium-ion battery performance – up to 250GB of downloads per battery charge. Rechargeable via AC adapter, USB and 12V car charger

- Large 3.2″ hi-res color LCD with auto orientation feature to allow screen to be viewed in portrait or landscape mode

- Fast real RAW image decoder/viewer capable of supporting any RAW image format including medium format cameras

- Zoom image in stages up to 100% pixel level to confirm image focus and fine detail

- R/G/B/L histogram, slideshow, EXIF information display and search photos by EXIF date

- Real time CRC data verification during the backup process with zero overhead on copy speed and time.

- S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) monitors internal hard drive for potential problems

- Memory card data recovery /unformat / undelete

- Supports incremental backup – backup only new data on memory card, skipping data that was copied previously

- High-speed USB 2.0 interface with OTG host support for fast (32MB/s) connectivity to computer or another USB device

- Programmable – user can write their own scripts to customize functions e.g. Backup RAW/JPEG to separate folders

- Advanced file manager with copy/cut/paste/delete, create new folder and sort file directory by name/date/type.

- Hard drive and memory card speed benchmark tools

- 2 slots supporting 14 of the most popular memory card types (CF Type I/II, MD, SD, SDHC, MMC, MS, MS MagicGate, MS Select, MS PRO, MS PRO MagicGate, xD, xD Type-M/H)

- Tiny and compact at just 5.25″ x 2.95″ x 1″ (133 x 75 x 26 mm) and weighing only 10.5 ounce (298g)

The HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA internal hard drive (up to 500GB) provides an enormous amount of space to backup from memory cards on the go, without the need for computers. Hyper fast UDMA 40MB/s backup speed ensures short waits between transfers. Ultra long battery performance allows 250GB of backups before require recharging, useful for extended photo shoots. 3.2″ QVGA color screen allows you to playback JPEG and true RAW images for confirmation. Built-in memory card data recovery tools recovers deleted, lost, formatted or corrupted data which is exceptionally useful especially when out in the field and without a computer. Host of data security and advanced tools give you independence from your computer. When connected to a computer’s USB 2.0 port, the HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA operates like a normal hard drive. Transfer photos and any data files between the HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA and the host computer.

Price and Availability

The HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA will be available from October at the following manufacturer’s suggested retail price (80GB:$339, 120GB:$379, 160GB:$399, 250GB:$499, 320GB:$539, 500GB:$599). It will be available at all fine photo retail stores and http://www.hyperdrive.com.

Phocus 1.1 for Mac offers users a number of other additional capabilities:

- Free rotation tool, allowing users to correct any imbalance in the level of the horizon in an image;

- Overlay functionality in main viewer and live video mode enabling greater precision in setting up creative shots;

- Custom white calibration tool, ensuring a perfect neutral balance over the whole image and eliminating color casts;

- H3D camera firmware upgrade functionality, so that once customers have downloaded the latest firmware from the Hasselblad web site, Phocus will make sure that the firmware is correctly uploaded to the camera system;

- Series of workflow support functions, introduced at the specific request of customers and incorporating shortcuts to make Phocus even easier to use.

Christian Poulsen, Hasselblad’s Chief Executive Officer, says, “By modelling it on popular workflow, such as Aperture or Lightroom, we tried to ensure that the first version of Phocus was as familiar and appealing as possible. The great reception it received proved that this was the correct approach and so we’re now extending the powerful software toolbox, which provides seamless integration between the H3D camera and the computer system, to our growing customer base of Windows users, while increasing the functionality in the Mac version of the software to enable professional photographers to get more from both their images and their photography in general.”

While Phocus has been enhanced and its performance optimised, the fundamental attributes of the software remain the same:

- Uncompromising Image Quality and Moiré Removal Technology

Phocus RAW processor delivers perfect colors through the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution, and includes digital lens corrections for color aberration, distortion and vignetting (DAC I, II and III). Designed to save hours of post-production work, Phocus’s leading edge moiré removal technology also allows image detail to be preserved, even on extremely high resolution images.

- Camera controls

Phocus provides extended controls for the operation of Hasselblad cameras, including live video for easier shot set-up and workflow, and the ability to control the lens drive for focusing when the camera is in a remote position or when the digital capture unit is mounted on a view camera.

- Flexible Workflow

The Phocus GUI allows photographers to benefit from the ability to customise their set-up to suit their workflow and work with multiple high resolution images simultaneously.

-Additional Metadata

Phocus extends the metadata included in all Hasselblad images and facilitates accurate and detailed cataloguing and indexing as well as the easy management of images. Also included is GPS data functionality, allowing a host of new functions, such as linking GPS data directly to Google Earth for simple geographic reference, making image storage and retrieval much easier.

- Perfect Viewing Quality

The Phocus Viewer allows users to enjoy image viewing quality equal to that found in Photoshop and provides photographers with the capability to customise layout and composition to suit their current or desired workflow.

Hasselblad Phocus 1.1 for Mac and Phocus 1.0 for Windows are immediately available for registered users to download from www.hasselblad.com and includes a comprehensive user manual and training tutorial video in QuickTime format. Phocus comes free of charge with all Hasselblad digital camera products.

To achieve its compact form, the light projection of the lens has been designed for the 48mm full format’ sensor of the H3DII-39 and H3DII-50. At the wide-angle setting, in particular, Hasselblad’s designers have balanced improvements in lens performance with a slightly greater distortion and vignetting as these are eliminated by Hasselblad’s Digital APO Correction (DAC) without any compromise on quality. The outcome is a powerful tool that zooms from an impressive 83 degree, wide-angle to just beyond the fringes of a normal lens.

Christian Poulsen, Hasselblad’s Chief Executive Officer, comments, “As well as providing existing customers with the finest photographic instruments to create the finest digital photographs, we’re also obviously eager to help new customers, who feel they are reaching the limit of the image quality of 35mm DSLRs, to move up to a Hasselblad and experience the full range of additional benefits provided by the medium format DSLR. We’ve therefore significantly reduced the prices of our H3DII camera systems to make them more attractive and financially viable propositions and are introducing accessories, such as the new zoom lens, to appeal to the high-end 35mm user.”

“Like all HC/HCD lenses,” he continues, “the new HCD 4-5.6/35-90mm Aspherical zoom lens has been designed to generate the highest optical quality, but the use of aspherically surfaced glass elements has, for the first time, also allowed us to design a lighter and more compact lens. The zoom range of the lens also lends itself to universal usage to such an extent that photographers may well find that it covers all their needs – we like to think of it as the Swiss Army knife of zoom lenses!”

The Hasselblad HCD 4-5.6/35-90mm Aspherical zoom lens is priced at €4,990/$6996/£4,050 excluding tax and will be available from January 2009.

Hasselblad’s new H3DII-50 is the first camera on the market to feature Kodak’s 50 megapixel sensor, measuring 36×48mm and twice the physical size of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors. The H3DII-50 provides full 48mm coverage and has been designed to provide an ideal solution for commercial shooters, who demand the highest image resolution, and for any photographer who demands both creative flexibility and ultimate image quality.

Christian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad, says, “The H3DII-50 features the largest sensor currently available in the 48 mm segment and takes its place as the flagship of our H3DII line. Nevertheless, to show that we’re not going to rest on our laurels, we’re also announcing the forthcoming H3DII-60, an even higher end camera that we’ll launch in 2009. The H3DII-60 will feature a 60 megapixel sensor that provides 94% full-frame, 645 coverage. We feel that it’s important to emphasize the 94% coverage, because, although we hear the phrase ‘full-frame’ being used quite frequently, no manufacturer has yet achieved true medium format full-frame.”

Hasselblad HC/HCD lens line expands its leading market position

Hasselblad is also launching a new versatile zoom lens, the HCD 4.0-5.6/35-90mm, to join its expanding HC/HCD lens line. The HC/HCD lenses equal or outperform even the legendary Hasselblad/Zeiss lenses, including the iconic CF 3.5/100mm and CF 5.6/250mm SA, considered by most experts to be the finest lenses ever made for professional photographers.

“As part of our constant efforts to produce the world’s best lenses, our engineers have combined our advanced optical design models and the H System’s unique ability to digitally compensate for any aberrations with a new aspheric lens element design. The result is what we think will prove to be the highest performing zoom lens on the market today,” says Poulsen.

New HTS 1.5 Tilt and Shift Adapter brings new control and creative possibilities

A revolutionary new tilt and shift adapter, the Hasselblad HTS 1.5, is also joining the Hasselblad line-up. The HTS 1.5 allows photographers to use tilt and shift functionality with most of their existing or new HC/HCD lenses. “The result,” says Poulsen, “is the ability to be more creative and flexible with your photography and a level of image quality that is unmatched by any other product currently available. The addition of digital sensors that read and record all movements and Hasselblad’s proprietary digital lens correction mean that we can offer photographers both a unique level of quality and maximum ease of use.”

Revitalizing the medium format industry

Following the launch of the H3D camera line at the last photokina, Hasselblad has continued to drive the medium format industry towards a more integrated and complete camera solution.

“We’re very pleased with all the new products,” says Poulsen, “and with the general direction the photographic industry is taking. Four years ago, we paved the way for the medium format industry’s move towards truly integrated DSLRs. At the time, we were criticized for this move and even accused of killing off the medium format segment. We knew, however, that this move was key not only to the further advancement of high-end image quality, but also to the survival of the medium format industry itself.”

Poulsen sees the developments of the last four years as proof that Hasselblad’s strategy has been a sound one: “Now, four years down the road, all our competitors have followed our lead. Every one of them is hurrying to launch their own integrated solutions, which, for us, is a clear indication of a revitalized and evolving medium format segment. Hasselblad will continue to lead this segment, just as we’ll continue to drive the future development of high-end photography, as I’m confident our offering at this year’s photokina will show. We’ve been very busy over the past four years, developing new technologies and new products, further refining our existing product range, and addressing some of the issues that have kept a number of photographers from adopting the Hasselblad system.”

Hasselblad launches a new price model for all digital products

“Hasselblad’s success with our classic film based cameras was partly due to pricing true professional products at a level that was high, but still affordable, for both serious pros and enthusiasts,” explains Poulsen. “In these early days of large sensor DSLRs, our initial high pricing has been one of the main barriers to entry, keeping many high-end 35mm photographers from making the leap to the superior quality of a Hasselblad system.”

Therefore, in addition to the range of new products, Hasselblad is also announcing a significant price reduction for all of its camera products, enabled by the increased production volume of Hasselblad’s fifth generation DSLR series, combined with streamlined manufacturing costs and production synergies, and by following a long-established business model taken from the 35mm camera market.

“Two years ago at photokina, Hasselblad launched the H3D,” explains Poulsen, “bringing the advantages of 35mm system integration to the medium format segment. Now we are doing the same with regards to lower pricing. Most new high-tech products begin with a high price point and then, over time, increased volume and improved production techniques allow price reductions and more accessible products. Consumers are seeing this everywhere in technology, from flat panel televisions to 35mm digital cameras. Now this is happening in our industry too, although we are at a more mature, technical level than two years ago, which allows both increased system integration and a different pricing approach.”

Until now, Poulsen states, there has been no serious medium format entry-level product at an affordable price. The new, lower price for the Hasselblad H3DII-31, along with the new products, will provide such an entry point, he claims: “In the H3DII-31, 35mm users finally have access to a serious, high-end system. The H3DII-31, combined with the complete line of HC lenses, the new, versatile HCD 35-90mm zoom lens, the HCD 28mm lens and our new HTS 1.5 tilt and shift adapter, provides a complete high-end package that can cover the needs of any serious photographer as well as providing access to all the advanced features and benefits of the H3DII system. Naturally, we’re very pleased to be able to lower the entry point to our system and to be able to bring Hasselblad quality to a wider range of photographers.”

The new pricing strategy will also entail other changes in Hasselblad’s business model, so that most of the upgrade and trade-up programs of the past will become unnecessary.

“Our new pricing will mean that photographers can actually purchase a new camera for more or less the same amount that they would have previously spent on an upgrade,” Poulsen comments. “This has two primary effects: it removes the need for complex trade-up programs and it enables photographers to keep their previous camera as a back-up when upgrading to a newer model – a common practice among 35mm users.”

The H3DII-39 (including HC 80mm lens) has a new price of €14,995 (H3DII-39 Multi Shot excluding lens, €19,995) and the H3DII-31 (including HC 80mm lens) a new price of €11,995. All three cameras are available for immediate delivery. Priced at €17,995, the H3DII-50 (excluding lens) is also available for immediate delivery and the H3DII-60, which will be priced at €22,995 (excluding lens), will be available in April 2009.

“It’s long been understood,” concludes Poulsen, “that for most discerning photographers the only reason not to have a Hasselblad was that you couldn’t afford one. But now, with our new pricing, we’re bringing the Hasselblad world a little more within reach, enabling a whole new generation of photographers to use our products.”

The executive vice president of Koelnmesse, Oliver P. Kuhrt, was present to honour former TIPA Chairman Juan Manuel Varela for his 17 years of being at the helm of TIPA with the distinguished photokina-Obelisk award.

In addition, TIPA announced the launching of a new edition of its website at http://www.tipa.com. The new website was designed to provide complete information about the non-profit association.

Storage Appliance Corp.’s new Clickfree HD801 portable backup introduces an entirely new level of simplicity and security to the crucial – but often confusing – task of backing up digital files. Now, for the first time, saving digital content is as easy as connecting your computer via USB cable to the HD801, which automatically searches, organises and backs up all of your PC data and digital files. The system does not require software installation or configuration and is truly ?click-free’.

The HD801 is a breakthrough in backup products that does it all and lets you forget about the fear of losing your precious content, which will no doubt come as good news to the majority of PC users today who view backing up content as a hassle they would rather avoid, says Storage Appliance Corp. CEO, Bryan McLeod.

“Creating and sharing digital content is getting easier by the day but the backup process, as important as it is, has never been simple or intuitive – until now,” said McLeod. “Backing up data is something people typically either ignore or forget to do. We’ve taken the backup process to an entirely new level of automation, ease and simplicity. The HD801 automatically starts backing up your PC right out of the box without any confusing software installation or configuration. Backing up your PC content just got easier than using your toaster or microwave and along the way we’ve essentially eliminated the risk forever of losing digital content that in many cases is irreplaceable.”

McLeod added that Clickfree’s entire line-up of portable hard drives and DVDs are designed for the 85 to 90 percent of computer users who, research shows, fail to regularly backup content on their PCs because they do not have the time, desire or skill to install, set up and use what – up until now – has been based on complex software and hardware products.

Breakthrough products like the HD801 that manage backup processes automatically should eliminate a traditional and very real “fear factor” that is common among most computer users, said analyst Kurt Scherf.

“The market for backup products has been largely dominated by complicated devices requiring a fairly sophisticated understanding of technology,” said Scherf, vice president, Parks Associates. “That’s why the vast majority of consumers have chosen to take their chances and do nothing to safeguard their data. Eliminating the fear factor by making the process fully automatic will hopefully encourage more people to backup, ultimately eliminating the needless heartache that comes from data loss.”

The Clickfree Portable Backup HD801 with 160 GB capacity has a recommended retail price of €129 in Germany and will be available directly from the Storage Appliance Corporation’s website at www.goclickfree.com and from QVC in Germany. Clickfree products can also be found at http://www.amazon.co.uk, http://www.play.com , http://www.expansys.co.uk and http://www.pcworld.co.uk in addition to QVC- with additional major retailers coming soon across Europe.

“Aptina CMOS technology is advancing rapidly, enabling us to create high performance camera products for our global customers,” says Sandor Barna, Vice President of Marketing at Aptina. “Our new 10MP image sensor incorporates a unique 1.67-micron pixel format and a four-lane HiSPi(TM) serial data interface to achieve results unmatched by CCD technology such as 60 fps HD video capture at 1080p.”

HiSPi(TM) is the High Speed Serial Pixel Interface developed and owned by Aptina Imaging. The open access, scalable technology enables 1080p/60 fps performance (and beyond) and has been adopted by many of Aptina’s business partners to meet the challenges of high speed, low power consumption data transfer. HiSPi(TM) technology provides distinct benefits for users including open access to a performance focused interface, the ability to support 1080p/60fps today–4X the data rate of standard broadcast (DI)–and the scalability to accommodate higher data rates for the future. The MT9J001 10MP image sensor extends Aptina’s portfolio of higher resolution products, providing increased image quality and HD video capture like the 5MP (MT9P001), 8MP (MT9E001), and 9MP (MT9N001). Samples will be available in 4Q08 and limited production begins in 1Q09.

Besides the regular Digital Photo Frames Compositor will introduce a great new 20″ Digital Multi Frame new to the European market, that contains multiple screens to show as much as 8 images at the same time in different sizes. This top of the line Digital Multi Frame even handles images up to 12 mega pixels! Besides the conventional photo files this display will play most every video file as well. With a whopping 1 Gb of internal memory you can easily compose your own slide shows.

How about using this frame as an advertising display in shops! The endless combination of images and sound will provide all that.

Thomas Gerwers, Chairman of the TIPA Board commented on the Cintiq 12WX: “The TIPA judging panel was particularly impressed with the Cintiq 12WX’s combination of cordless and battery-free pen technology and high resolution LCD monitor that allows images to be manipulated directly on the display, enabling a more intuitive workflow when retouching and drawing. The Cintiq also provides high quality features for working within photographic applications, offering advanced control and realistic results. We therefore believe that it is an important tool for the digital market including both enthusiasts and professionals alike.”

Key to the Cintiq 12WX is its portable size and stylish design. Its sleek dimensions and weight of just 2,000g make it extremely flexible. Combining a high quality, 12.1″ TFT display with the pressure sensitive pen means that users can work directly on the high quality screen, enabling a more intuitive and faster workflow. The screen provides a WXGA resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels with 24-bit colour depth and a wide viewing angle of 170 degrees.

The Cintiq 12WX shares the technological basis of Wacom’s professional product range, which includes ExpressKeys and Touch Strips. The former are two freely programmable, five-button keypads that are preconfigured with frequently used modifier keys, such as CTRL, ALT, SHIFT, SPACE or to initiate functions such as the Display Toggle function. The Touch Strip acts like a scroll bar with presets to allow zooming and scrolling in photographic applications.

The ergonomically designed, cordless and battery-free Grip Pen is precise and provides advanced control and realistic results due to the 5,080lpi resolution and 1,024 pressure levels in both the pen tip and eraser. Tilt functionality is supported, with angles of up to 60 degrees recognised.

The Cintiq 12WX is bundled with Corel Painter Essentials and is priced at € 1,189.90 including VAT.

Information on Wacom Europe’s range of products and services can be found at http://www.wacom.eu.