PartyPOP.com recently announced free wedding invitations and an RSVP website for any engaged couple in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The company has re-purposed their 2012 marketing budget in hopes of building brand awareness and loyalty. According to reports from within the Southern California based company, its working.

PartyPOP.com features over 2 million highly accomplished and professional companies in the event planning industry. Some of these companies include Green Affairs, In The Mood DJ Entertainment, Ebony Child and Ice Cream Truck Family.

Green Affairs is a division of Tropical Services Inc. and Florida’s premier party and event plant Rental Company. The company is located in Miami and supplies superior plants in South Florida for conventions, corporate meetings, special events, graduations and parties. Popular event services include weddings, birthdays and corporate events. Green Affairs’ designer will recommend plants for customers specific needs. Presentation includes, but is not limited to stone or terracotta pots. Spotlights or white twinkle lights are also available. Selection of plants include a variety of large and small palms, Italian cypress, ficus standards and topiaries, bird of paradise, ferns, bougainvillea and more. More information can be found online at http://www.partypop.com/v/4121437.

In The Mood DJ Entertainment serves Fort Myers, Florida. The companys mission is to provide outstanding entertainment with a focus on personalized service and business values. In The Mood DJ Entertainment has been providing music and entertainment in Southwest Florida since 1996. The company is fully licensed and insured and possesses state of the art equipment, backup equipment and staff. Additionally, clients will enjoy a wide variety of music from The Big Band Era to todays top 40 hits and everything in between including Country, Latin, R&B and Hip Hop. The Mood DJ Entertainment also has a wide variety of different language speaking DJs to serve the needs of various customers.

During a wedding In The Mood DJ Entertainment will interact with guests while never upstaging the bride and groom. Other events include: school functions, anniversaries, corporate events, sweet sixteen and quinceaneras. The company has fully trained MCs and Disc Jockey entertainers that play a wide variety of music from the 1940s to todays hottest hits and everything in between. In The Mood DJ Entertainment customizes the type of entertainment and music according to clients requests. In The Mood DJ Entertainment provides four essential services at most events; music programming, Master of Ceremonies, event coordination and DJ entertainment. Each element is customized, so every client gets the atmosphere and style of performance they want. More information can be found online at http://www.partypop.com/v/4066076.

Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ebony Child offers face painting, freelance photography and balloon twisting for party entertainment. Founded by artist Ebony Anderson to create and enhance fun in the lives and celebrations of children and the young-at-heart, the company has over four years of experience in providing professional services for corporate, residential and non-profit events. Additionally, Ebony child create original fine art and murals for any space needing warmth, fun and color.

Ebony Child uses safe professional quality FDA compliant cosmetic makeup and paints 12-15 faces per hour depending on the design chosen. Ebony creates beautiful butterflies, cute puppies, kitties, exotic animals and perfect princesses to name a few. Customers can also enjoy face and body painting for photo shoots. Ebony Child works with three local photographers to provide fun, memorable, and professional pictures. Other services include adult body painting, belly painting and a variety of party packages for boys, girls and everyone interested. More information can be found online at http://www.partypop.com/v/4387234.

Ice Cream Truck Family serves Atlanta, Georgia. The company brings ice cream to its customers, serving all over Georgia and surrounding states. Patrons can choose form a wide selection of ice creams ranging from Good Humor to Klondike. Categories include Bomb Pops, Snow Cones, Character Faces, Creamy Bars, Ice Cream Sandwiches, Ice Cream Cones, Yummy Cups, Kids Favorites and No Sugar. The company enjoys bringing a truck filled with ice cream to customers of all ages into a subdivision, apartment community, daycare, church or any special event and seeing the smiles on all of their clients faces. Ice Cream Truck Family caters to friends, family and community events, anniversary parties, backyard pool parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthday parties, church picnics and socials as well as country club socials, family reunions, graduation parties and wedding receptions to name a few. More information can be found online at http://www.partypop.com/v/4337044.

About PartyPOP.com: the largest party, wedding and event planning online network:

Before the Internet era, the professionals at PartyPOP.com were successful hands-on party planners and special event producers. For more than a decade PartyPOP has translated 30 years of party planning experience onto the Internet. Millions of vendors are listed on the network consisting of 60+ websites and tens of millions of customers have used the network to plan their parties, weddings and events. PartyPOP.com also provides party and event related tips, themes and ideas, as well as a free full wedding planning software called Seating Arrangement.

About Free Printed Invitations by PartyPOP.com:

PartyPOP provides every bride and groom across the USA, Canada and the U.K. with free beautifully designed wedding invitations, printed on 80lbs card stock paper with matching envelopes and wedding website. Even door to door shipping is included at no cost. There are no hidden fees, no obligations to buy and no strings attached!

Think Tank Photo announces that in May it will release its first four-wheeled rolling camera bag, the Airport 4-Sight. The Airport 4-Sight meets international airline carry-on standards. The rollers weight has been reduced dramatically through innovative design and by a strict focus on the features that photographers find most beneficial.

With professional photography gear not getting any lighter, Think Tank set out to design a more ergonomic roller to reduce fatigue and strain on traveling photographers. Walking a four-wheeler alongside ones self is easier than pulling it behind or carrying it over a shoulder. Putting the bags weight on four-wheels eliminates arm strain and makes rolling effortless.

Four-wheelers are superior on many smooth surfaces. On thick carpet, the Airport 4-Sight leans over to perform as a traditional two-wheel roller. It has the added benefit of rolling sideways on two wheels to easily navigate tight spaces, such as airline aisles.

????Features Include:

????High capacity. Holds Pro DSLRs with four to five lenses.
????Integrated removable Think Tank Cable Management organizer.
????Side hinged lid opens bag completely for quick and unencumbered access to gear.
????Two-position locking handle for comfort and ergonomics.
????Zippered top pocket for boarding pass.
????Lockable zipper sliders on main compartment.
????Reinforced bottom panel for increased durability.
????User replaceable handle and wheels.
????Seam sealed rain cover included.
????YKK RC-fused zippers.

The Airport 4-Sight is in a class by itself, said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photos co-founder and lead designer. It appeals to frequent flyers or anyone who seeks ease in transporting gear. Smart design features like reduced overall weight and increased maneuverability, ergonomics and capacity make this rolling camera bag a breakthrough in the industry.

Specifications

Internal Dimensions: 12.3 W x 16 H x 56.7 D (31.2 x 40.6 x 12.717 cm)

External Dimensions: 14 W x 19.5 H x 8 D (35.6 x 49.5 x 20.3 cm)

Weight: 78.9 lbs (3.24 kg)

About Think Tank Photo

Headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, Think Tank Photo is a group of designers and professional photographers focused on studying how photographers work and developing inventive new carrying solutions that meet their needs. They are dedicated to using only the highest quality materials and design principles, and employing materials that are environmentally benign.

X-Rite, Incorporated (NASDAQ: XRIT), the world leader in color management, measurement and communication technologies, announces that its redesigned new i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer has received the prestigious international 2012 red dot award: product design. The new i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer is featured in X-Rites recently announced portfolio of i1 Professional Color Management Solutions.

Evaluated by an international panel of 30 judges, X-Rites new i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer was selected for this highly sought-after award among 4,515 other product design entries from around the world. Award-winning products were chosen for their innovative design quality and will be on display at the red dot design museum in Germany from July 3 – 29, 2012.

This new award-winning device can be found in X-Rites new i1Basic Pro 2, i1Photo Pro 2, i1Publish Pro 2 and i1Publish products, all featuring groundbreaking new technology and applications. The new i1Pro 2 second-generation spectrophotometer is the most accurate and forward thinking device available today accommodating three measurement modes in one single device. These modes include the most commonly used M0 (Standard Illuminant A), the emerging M1 (illuminant D50) and M2 (known as UV-cut).

X-Rite is honored to be selected for this coveted product design award for our thoughtfully redesigned i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer, said Tobias Rausch, X-Rite Product Manager, i1 Solutions. Recognized for its high quality design, the i1Pro 2 device helps deliver to color professionals around the world the workflow tools they need that incorporate ever important emerging color standards.

Professor Dr. Peter Zec, initiator and CEO of the red dot design award, said, The most distinguished products of the respective branch of industry faced up not only to the tough competition again this year, but also to the critical eye of the jury. The experts thoroughly examined, tested and evaluated each individual entry applying the highest standards. With their performances, the laureates not only demonstrated extraordinary design quality but they also showed that design is an integral part of innovative product solutions.

Built upon the success of X-Rites i1Pro spectrophotometer as the de facto industry standard for more than a decade, the newly enhanced i1Pro 2 device has been redesigned to provide an even higher level of accuracy, versatility, ergonomics, functionality and value. Combined with the recently released i1Profiler software v1.3, which accommodates all levels of proficiency and expertise, the new i1Pro 2 portfolio of four different products is specifically targeted to meet the unique needs of photo, pre-press, digital print and publishing professionals, providing exceptional value at very attractive price points.

New i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer highlights:

New illuminant design allows for 3 standard measurement conditions (ISO 13655 M0: Tungsten; ISO 13655 M1: D50; ISO 13655 M2: UV Cut) plus Optical Brightener Compensation (OBC) without changing filters or needing a second instrument.

Enhanced Optical Brightener Compensation allows for the most accurate profiling (both Tungsten and UV/LED mode) for todays enhanced range of substrates. Now users can predict what colors printed on optically brightened paper will look like under different light conditions using a single hand-held device.

Positioning Detection with Zebra Sensor provides a more robust scanning experience even on special substrates and low-resolution printers. It allows for the measurement of smaller patch sizes (as low as 7mm) in manual mode and enables dual measurement workflows for OBC, M1 and M2.

New Wizard-driven interface with status LED leads users through the profiling and calibration process while providing all the options and control desired, regardless of expertise.

New Design Ergonomics throughout allows for greater usability, flexibility, cleaning, protection, and storage of the precision i1Pro 2 device.

Improved Emissive Measurement allows for better temperature stability and higher brightness levels resulting in the best possible calibration and profiling of monitors ever.

All new diagnostics and self-correction features

Wavelength calibration LED allows for self diagnosis of optical grating in relation to sensor during white calibration (with automatic correction and notifications)

Maintaining and protecting the device (and investment) is easier than ever

Self-cleanable aperture protection glass and calibration white tile cover provides additional built-in protection from dust and dirt.

About the red dot design award

The red dot design award, whose origins reach back to the 1950s, is carried out in three disciplines: the red dot award: product design, the red dot award: communication design and the red dot award: design concept. In 2011 alone, more than 14,000 entries from over 70 countries were registered. The award the red dot has established itself internationally as one of the most appreciated quality seals for outstanding designs. For further information please visit: http://www.red-dot.de/press

Availability and Upgrades

The new i1Pro 2 Professional Color Management Solutions are immediately available from X-Rites online store (North America), and also from the companys worldwide network of resellers. i1Publish Pro 2 will also be offered with two upgrade options based on original solution purchased. For more information, please visit http://www.xrite.com or http://www.XritePhoto.com.

About X-Rite

(NASDAQ: XRIT) X-Rite is the global leader in color science and technology. The company, which now includes design industry color leader Pantone, Inc., develops, manufactures, markets and supports innovative color solutions through measurement systems, software, color standards and services. X-Rites expertise in inspiring, selecting, measuring, formulating, communicating and matching color helps users get color right the first time and every time, which translates to better quality and reduced costs. X-Rite serves a range of industries, including printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles, dental and medical. For further information, please visit http://www.xrite.com or http://www.XritePhoto.com

?2012 X-Rite, Inc. All rights reserved. X-Rite is a registered trademark of X-Rite, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Corporate Contact:

Liz Quinlisk

X-Rite

lquinlisk(at)xrite(dot)com

Tel: +1 845-566-0466

Americas Contact for Photo:

Steven Rosenbaum / Leigh Nofi

S.I.R. Marketing Communications, Inc.

sir(at)sironline(dot)com / leighnofi(at)sironline(dot)com

Tel: + 1 631-757-5665

APAC Contact:

Peggy Yan

X-Rite

pyan(at)xrite(dot)com

Tel: +852 6016 8893

Americas Contact for Print/Prepress:

James Luttrell

X-Rite

jluttrell(at)xrite(dot)com

Tel: +1 978-656-6071

EMEA Contact for Photo/Print/Prepress:

Lutt Willems

Duomedia

lutt(dot)w(at)duomedia(dot)com

Tel: +32 2 560 21 50

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Life is punctuated by special moments worthy of a celebration. Whether it’s a milestone birthday, anniversary, graduation, or reunion of family or friends, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties is ready to make it spectacular with the “Celebration Vacation” package, featuring vacation rentals along the sugar white sand beaches of South Walton and Destin, Fla.

“We’ve always had guests come and stay with us at our Destin Resorts and vacation rentals for special occasions,” said Jeanne Dailey, owner Newman-Dailey Resort Properties. “Now we’ve found a way to make it even more memorable while saving our guests time by bringing together all the elements of a great celebration– an outstanding location, great food and priceless photographs of memories that will last a lifetime.”

With the Celebration Vacation package, those charged with organizing the big event can begin by selecting the perfect vacation rental online or by calling one of the Newman-Dailey vacation specialists. From well-appointed homes and comfortable condos to cozy townhomes and villas, Newman-Dailey’s vast array of beach vacation rentals sleep groups from six to 16.

“We just like the properties,” said Paul Stultz, a 20-year Newman-Dailey guest. ” We’ve stayed at 10 or 12 different Destin vacation rentals over the years and celebrated many special occasions. Kerbi and the team are always really helpful, especially if you need something out of the ordinary.”

No celebration is complete without the feast and Newman-Dailey has teamed up with Table Five to create a celebratory meal in the most relaxed of settings –the vacation home or condo. With a love for freshness and made from scratch dishes, Chef Phillip McDonald believes a dish is best when using top quality ingredients and seasonal produce. Groups have a choice of one of three of Table Five’s custom three-course, family-style menus, ranging from the “Coastal Southern” shrimp and grits to the “If by Land” menu featuring garlic crusted pork tenderloin. The commemorative dining event is topped off with a delectable dessert as well as a special festive dessert for the guest(s) of honor.

To capture the special memories, Newman-Dailey has partnered with Steve Wells Photography, for a special one-hour photography session. The session can be held on the beach or at the vacation rental and the group will receive one DVD with all the images.

“We know that everyone is busy and finding time to get everyone together to reconnect, relax, enjoy and celebrate life’s special moments can be a challenge,” said Dailey. “We’re hopeful that our ‘Celebration Vacation’ makes planning your next celebration a little easier.”

Rates for the “Celebration Vacation” package vary, depending on party size and number of nights. For more information call 1-800-225-7652 or visit http://www.DestinVacation.com.

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Beginning May 4th, visitors to the National Aquarium will find several exciting and innovative changes to enhance their experience and provide them with opportunities to view and interact with the National Aquariums 16,000 animals in new and different ways.

A highlight of the changes includes a redesigned dolphin program. The existing timed, limited-access and separately priced shows will be replaced with an exciting new format that offers every Aquarium guest all day access to the Aquariums dolphins and experts, including during training, play and feeding times. Physical changes will provide greater opportunities for guests to interact with the dolphins, dolphin trainers and Aquarium staff.

We have learned from our guests that their dolphin show is key component of their Aquarium experience, but the current platform is limited, said John Racanelli, National Aquarium CEO. In the past, our shows could serve only 50% of our guests on peak summer days, selling out quickly and inhibiting the rest of our visitors from enjoying all that the Aquarium has to offer. Our new Dolphin Discovery enables every visitor to spend as much time as they want all day, if they chose observing our dolphins and their interactions.

Other changes to the National Aquarium include:

Double the opportunities to interact with animals – scheduled and chance – including animal feedings and encounters, enrichment talks, and learning opportunities.
Aqua.org, a redesigned website for both National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD and Washington, D.C. that provides more intuitive navigation, easy to access ticketing, more beautiful photography, calendars and up-to-the-minute news and intriguing facts about our animals.
A single All-Aquarium Admission ticket that eliminates a supplemental dolphin show fee. New inclusive pricing is as follows: Adult tickets – $ 29.95; Children – $ 20.95.

We have learned from customer feedback that what really inspires guests are interactions with our animals and experts, said Nancy Hotchkiss, Senior Director of Visitor Experience. These changes will improve visitor experiences and help our guests connect with us like never before!

The National Aquarium

The National Aquarium inspires conservation of the worlds aquatic treasures. It champions environmental initiatives by engaging with visitors, volunteers, education groups and schools to actively participate in the preservation of the worlds natural resources and living-systems. National Aquarium, in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, delivers meaningful experiences through its engaging living collections; our science-based education programs and our hands-on experiences in the field from the Chesapeake Bay to Costa Rica; and partnerships and alliances with like-minded organizations around the world.

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Since its launch in 2006, Twitter has become an increasingly effective tool for companies of any size to market themselves say 2U Ltd.

A platform where smaller businesses or sole traders with limited advertising budgets can make their presence felt alongside bigger brands in a way that is simple, instant and inexpensive. And with almost half of Twitters 50 million daily users following brands for discounts and offers, 67% of Tweeters recommending brands to other users and 66% of the 1.6 billion search queries every day being of a commercial nature, the potential for businesses to benefit from sharing their expertise on Twitter is incredible.

Boasting 1 million new users a day, Twitter can help boost brand awareness, increase traffic to a companys own blog or website and improve Google rankings, especially if account holders make their tweets and biography unique and keyword-rich for search engines. However, it is important to remember that Twitter is a social network at heart and is not designed to be a marketplace where companies shout their wares across the airwaves trying to make a sale. It is more a platform where businesses and individuals can maximize their social presence, share expertise, build social relations, interact with customers and gain feedback instantly.

Focusing on sharing good, informative content that builds trust and is of value to the Twitter community is key and is more likely to have a positive knock on effect that gains a following, new customers, new work and sometimes opportunities that are quite unexpected. One Twitter user found himself embarking on a completely new career simply from tweeting a wedding photograph which subsequently led to offers of freelance photography work, a direction that he had never seriously considered before.

But how can companies and sole traders create Twitter accounts and tweets that offer valuable content, generating interest from other Tweeters and the search engines? Here are a few suggestions;

1. Choose a snappy, memorable user name. Make this as simple, short and easy to remember as possible. Include the company name or an abbreviation of it followed by a keyword relative to the nature of the business. For instance 2u.co.uk provides an iPhone and gadget insurance comparison service so the user name is @2UCompare

There are only 15 characters available so ensure it is easily readable with no underscores.

2. Create a diamond Twitter profile glittering with great, keyword-rich content. Not always an easy task in 160 characters but the more unique, interesting and informative a brands profile is, the more likely it is to gain followers and build a trusted reputation. Also, including keywords relative to the businesss field of expertise helps search engine optimization immensely.

3. Pick a perfect image that best represents the business or brand for the Twitter profile and name the Jpeg with two or three keywords to increase SEO.

4. Introduce Tweeters to the company website or blog and increase traffic. Including a business URL on a twitter profile is a great way to encourage more Twitter traffic to visit the companys website. It also inspires more trust from Twitter users when a business is easy to access and learn more about in a click.

5. Tantalise Tweeters with compelling tweets. Tasty nuggets of valuable information that arouse the communitys curiosity, provide interesting insights, point them in the direction of a great brand, offer or deal, or simply offer a titter of amusement, can be real gems in the Twitter sphere. Despite having only 140 characters to work with, Tweets should aim to cover all this and more while also including keywords and hash tags to boost rankings.

6. Add some extra vroom to tweets with a short, snappy video. Embedding videos in tweets can add variety, get the message across in a fast and entertaining way and have more of an impact. The main thing is to think of them like a trailer and keep them short.

7. Be a generator and boost presence by authoring creative content. Despite Twitters increasing user figures, which are estimated to reach around 350 million registered users by the year end, Twitter say only 5% of users are generating 75% of the content. That gives companies and individuals who create original, interesting tweets with links to articles and videos more of an edge and the potential to go viral and gain the most coverage.

8. Rustle up Re-tweets. Re-tweeting is basically when content goes viral as Twitter users spread the word by sending the tweet to other Tweeters. As 92% of users re-tweet in response to content that they think is valuable or unique it is certainly worth writing content that invites a re-tweet. It is possible to ask for one directly but it is better if the content itself inspires users to respond without a prompt. Using hash tags enables more people to view a businesss tweets even if they are not following the brand and keeping tweets short so users can prefix a few words before sending it on can help to encourage re-tweets too. According to statistics released by Twitter, 5pm is the best time to get re-tweeted.

9. Love creating lists or learn to because people follow lists especially on Twitter and search engines are pretty fond of them too. With Twitter Lists a business can create mini directories of Tweeters and tweets on subjects that may be of interest to people following the brand. The company and its followers can easily get a fast overview of whatever Tweeters are talking about in a real-time stream whether they are following those users or not.

10. Keep tweeting regularly. How often though depends very much on the business and the quality of information to tweet. There is little use in bombarding the community with tweets lacking in content just to maintain a presence and users generally dont accept businesses contacting them as easily as friends. Some businesses feel tweeting ten or more times a day is acceptable while others may only tweet once a day or a few times a week. It is really a case of try it and see what feels suitable, but wherever possible, respond to any replies to tweets as soon they come in.

For more tips, information on technology insurance or industry news, visit 2u.co.uk

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The famous NYC-based Photo and Video Super Store, B&H, has announced that it is now offering the new and much-anticipated PocketWizard PLUS III Transceiver!

This amazing new PocketWizard PLUS III Transceiver device has been heralded by niche professional photographers as being the new standard in radio triggering, or radio slaves, as they are referred to in the industry.

Specifically, the excitement surrounding this product isnt just for its technological prowess, but also for its fantastically affordable price point! The low introductory price for the new transceiver is the result of a pro-active decision on the part of the parent company to offer this product to the broadest possible demographic of consumers, professional photographers, and enthusiasts alike.

This development is sure to please serious photographers, who have long recognized PocketWizard to be the industry leader in wireless control and synchronization of cameras, flash lighting and light meters.

B&H Photo is one of a select group of top photographic retailers around the world who are authorized to sell the PocketWizard products.

Important Plus III features include:

32 Standard Channels
Selective Quad Zone Triggering
Auto-Sensing Transciever
Auto Relay Triggering
Camera-Flash Triggering
Extended Range Modes
Side-View Design
Simple Controls-Illuminated LCD
Full PocketWizard compatibility

The versatile PocketWizard Plus III is compatible with every PocketWizard FCC-version radio marketed in the USA, and virtually every popular flash and camera system. It also works with all PocketWizard-enabled studio flash units including select Profoto, Dynalite, Norman and Photogenic flashes as well as Sekonic light meters. And its 32-channel, Quad Zone

operation makes it the perfect, lower-cost remote receiver for the PocketWizard MultiMAX, the most advanced radio trigger available.

B&H Photo is accepting pre-orders for the PocketWizard Plus III at this time.

Read more on features and functionality of the PocketWizard Plus III at BH InDepth

If you have any questions, please contact the photography equipment department at B&H Photo Video.

About B&H Photo Video

As the world’s largest source of photography, video and audio equipment, B&H Photo-Video is known worldwide for their attentive, knowledgeable sales force, and excellent customer service, including fast, reliable shipping. Visitors to the website can access a variety of enlightening articles and educational videos. B&H has been satisfying customers worldwide for close to 40 years.

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B&H Photo is excited to share with photo enthusiasts the release of the latest exciting EF lens from Canonthe EF 24-70MM f/2.8L which features a host of updates and improvements

Canon launched the new and much-anticipated EF 24-70MM f/2.8L professional zoom lens.

Concurrently, B&H announced that it is accepting pre-orders for the hot new professional zoom lens from Canonthe EF 24-70MM f/2.8L.

With this new lens, Canon adds to its already-famous EF lens series, and furthers it reputation as a dominant force in the world of photography. The new Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM professional zoom lens is an update to the popular EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, and provides the highest level of performance while combining premium image quality and user-friendly architecture.

The new EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM features overhauled optics which provide outstanding clarity, image quality and durability. Its compact design makes it ideal for transport, while a range of optical enhancements provide improved performancecapturing greater detail across the frame while reducing distortion throughout the entire zoom range.

The new optical system includes two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) elements and one Super UD aspheric element, to minimize chromatic aberration and color blurring. The lens is sure to be a workhorse in delivering consistently sharp images. Of course, the lens also features Canons Super Spectra coating, which reduces glare and promotes a healthy color balance. Additionally, a fluorine coating effectively reduces traces of dust, dirt and fingerprints that stick to the front and back of the lens, helping to maintain optimal image quality.

The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM will allow photographers to capture their subjects up close, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.38m at all focal lengths throughout the zoom range. An Ultrasonic Motor (USM) works in tandem with a high-performance CPU and advanced AF algorithms to guarantee accurate, silent and super-responsive autofocus. For the photographers who prefer full control of every shot, the built-in manual focusing allows the flexibility for tweaking and modifying the focus at any time.

Structurally, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is the latest lens from the elite L-series to offer Canons high-grade and user-focused design enhancements. The lens has been updated to offer enhanced zoom durability and greater shake- and shock-resistance within the lens barrel.

The size of the lens has also been reduced by 10mm compared to the previous model, providing enhanced portability and mobility for everyday usage. A new Zoom Lock lever also allows photographers to lock the zoom position to prevent damage to the lens in transit. In addition, this lens is constructed to be waterproof and dustproof, which allows the user to shoot in harsh conditions.

Read more about the Canon new EF Lenses at BH InDepth

About B&H Photo Video

As the world’s largest source of photography, video and audio equipment, B&H Photo-Video is known worldwide for their attentive, knowledgeable sales force, and excellent customer service, including fast, reliable shipping. Visitors to the website can access a variety of enlightening articles and educational videos. B&H has been satisfying customers worldwide for over 35 years.

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Photogenic Professional Lighting, a leading manufacturer of photographic lighting equipment and accessories, announces the launch of the PL5R-FRES Fresnel Modifier, a 5-inch vented conical reflector with Fresnel Glass lens and two-panel barn doors.

The PL5R-FRES is designed for glamour and product photography and produces a crisp beam of light with defined soft shadow edges, creating smooth even-coverage. The removable Fresnel Glass is constructed as an optical spotlight with a well-designed circle border that fades outwards from the center, producing a flood-style beam. Additionally, the lens satin-anodized reflective surface allows the light transition to create beautiful skin tones, as well as sharp details.

Several glamour photographers who we work with, came to us and asked for a product that would allow them to expand their creativity and increase the efficiency of their shoots. We designed the PL5R-FRES Fresnel Modifier to work for the modern Hollywood-style photographer, allowing their concept to be created or enhanced on set, said Bob Higgins, Sales and Marketing Manager of PromarkBRANDS. The Fresnel Modifier is compatible with the Photogenic Quick Change and Norman Monolight systems, making these lights ideal for photographers who concentrate in glamour, portrait and product photography.

Versatility

The PL5R-FRES can be used with a variety of Photogenics lighting solutions, adding accents, highlights or drama, for increased versatility on the shoot. When the two-blade Barn Door mount is attached, the PL5R-FRES has increased light control to focus on a particular subject or block light from an area of the shoot, highlighting the subject as desired. The Fresnel Modifier can also be moved into the background of any photo shoot to add a dramatic feel to the set.

Features include:

Vented, Deep Conical Reflector

Satin-anodized Reflective Surface

20? Coverage (without the Fresnel Glass inserted)

2-blade Barn Door mounting attachment for increased light control.

Versatility! The Fresnel Glass is removable to increase your creativeness.

High Quality, Made in the USA

About Promark International, LLC

Promark engineers, designs, manufactures and sells a variety of photographic and video lighting products and light shaping accessories. Promark is located in a new 96,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bartlett, Ill. Brands in the Promark family include Photogenic Professional Lighting (http://www.Photogenic.com), Smith-Victor (http://www.SmithVictor.com), Norman (http://www.Normanlights.com), Cool-Lux (http://www.Cool-Lux.com), Speedotron (http://www.Speedotron.com) and Logan Electric (http://www.LoganElectric.com). For more information, visit http://www.promarkbrands.com.

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Related Photography Press Releases

Supported by an integrated digital marketing campaign featuring exclusive video, online and social media content; the Cyber-shot TX55s launch highlights its profile as the worlds slimmest* compact digital camera at just 12.2mm thin, as well as its range of diverse functions such as the unique Picture Effects feature.

At the heart of the campaign is the 7 Picture Effects Challenge Facebook application, which not only just provides a quick introduction of the exciting new feature, but also showcases how easily accessible it is to anyone. Digital Photos can be instantly uploaded from ones computer or your Facebook albums, allowing for creative enhancement of your most precious memories with just a few simple clicks.

Kicking off with a 3-minute video profiling the creative journey of the brilliant minds behind the trendy handbag label BOYY the 7 Picture Effects Challenge campaign will showcase how this digital cameras 7 cool picture effects similarly inspires and fosters a sense of ingenious creativity.

The Challenge

From now until 18 January 2012, participation in the challenge is open to anyone who simply creates an imaginative work of art with Picture Effects through the Facebook app, shares the app with 7 friends, and garners 7 for the entry. All entries will then be entered for a chance to win a Cyber-shot TX55 digital camera and an exquisite BOYY bag (total worth of up to SGD $ 1,500), with the winner selected by Sony based on the relevance of the photo to the type of picture effects applied, and the accompanying caption submitted.

The campaign will be rolled out in Singapore and Thailand, where it will be promoted via traditional, web, and viral marketing elements across a wide range of digital platforms; as well as display ads on a variety of popular portals such as Yahoo!, MSN and Sanook.

Developed by Inet Channel Co., Ltd, more information about the 7 Picture Effects Challenge can be found on http://www.7pfx.com, and Sonys Facebook pages at http://www.facebook.com/SonySingapore and http://www.facebook.com/SonyThai.

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