WHAT'S NEW!
Video v Film!
According to reports Electronic and film imagery should be equal by the end of the century and both should run side by side for some while. However electronic imagery still requires a lot of development. Silver-imaging is ahead with 3000 ASA and great colour improvements, though, having reached 400,000 pixels electronic technology is making rapid progress.
The future for electronic imagery is heading towards digitalization and the doubling of TV lines. Many of you will have seen the 1400 line system demonstrated on BBC's Tomorrow's World, last year. In a more recent programme they showed yet another system that may greatly improve screen quality without the need for more lines.
The question as to when electronic imagery could take over from film is that there isn't strong enough pressure in the consumer field, though there are rumblings in the profession-al field and both systems will develop towards the other.
And More
A Company dealing in wedding photography claims that video photography hasn't affected them financially. This is because video and still records are totally different aspects and while video makes for amusing records, as yet, there aren't enough qualified video operators to make the best of the system and newly weds are still willing to pay for the best high quality photograph albums which will always be considered as the 'official' record. However. Video will continue to feature at weddings and will improve with technology and as operators gain confidence and experience.
Polaroid Progress
Polaroid UK Ltd have moved into a new factory in the Vale of Leven. Scotland. The factory will concentrate on manufacturing Instant Image Systems.Polaroid also give news of new developments. New proofing films for medium and large formats which closely match the tonal range and speed of transparency films as use for the final shot.
A . new camera for the medical and scientific photographers for taking pictures off screens using film that develops on its own outside the camera. For video and computer imagery two new products: freeze-frame, a video recorder that delivers instant 35mm slides or prints. And. Palette Plus,
that records a hard copy image from computer generated information either as slides or prints.
Flash News
From Jessop of Leicester, two new flash guns. For E10.95 an easy to use model, the 160A, which has a guide number of 16 (meters/asa). It has both hot shoe and PC connection and is powered by two AA batteries.
The 270 TBZ is more sophisticated and will dedicate with most makes of camera. For just E29.99 it has bounce or zoom for 35mm, 50mm and 85mm lenses and a diffuser will increase the range to 28mm. There are two auto ranges and a guide number of 27 (meters/asa l00) and the thyristor circuitry gives a recycling time of 0.5 to O.B seconds. The battery life should give between 100 and 800 flashes depending on the distance set. It will set shutter synchronization speeds with a flash ready light. On Canon programme models it will set the aperture automatically. Sounds like a great buy.
Kodachrome 64
Kodak has announced that Kodachrome 64 professional film is now available in the 120 format size. The film will be available in 'Five-packs' at
L31.25, which includes processing which is carried out through the Kodachrome Professional Services.