Lab Product News from PMA '99
Kodak Digital Front End System Paired With Noritsu
We expected to see a digital minilab system in the Kodak booth. And we all knew what it
would be, the Gretag/Kodak system shown at Photokina. We were all wrong.
The thrust of Kodak's announcement was a DLS operating system software supplied with
the Noritsu Qss-2711 digital/RA printer/processor. The actual work station doesn't even
need to be near the printer processor. Negatives are quickly scanned and in the most
automatic mode the image files are printed as on a normal printer/processor. But even in
the most automatic mode there are certain advantages to hybrid systems, and the Kodak DLS
software features automatic contrast normalization, automatic grain-sensitive sharpening,
automatic deep under-exposure correction, automatic scene balance, automatic single
channel printing. Those are features that more closely correspond to features of Adobe
PhotoShop than to features in minilabs.
As they say in TV infomercials, "but wait -there's more!" Digital input means
prints can be made from slides, red eyes can be removed. dust and scratches can be
removed. The harsh contrast of flash overexposure can be rebalanced. There's zooming and
cropping, up to 50X zoom.
One nice feature for remakes is that the system keeps the last 15 orders in an internal
work-in-progress buffer, so images can be retrieved without rescanning the negatives.
Software options promised include specialty D&P formats such as Friendship Prints -
a 3R or 4R print with two sub-wallets on the same sheet; Note-able Prints with a white
strip at the bottom; and Large-Format Index Prints
The Noritsu QSS-2711 is capable of making prints up to 12" x 18" and can run
more than one strip of paper at a time. It sorts small prints automatically and pushes the
big ones onto a different pile. Work orders from several stations (including upgraded
Kodak Image Magic stations) can be queued and run in sequences selected by the operator or
on a space-available basis selected by the system.
Price and availability? TBA. Probably by the end of the year, maybe around the $140,000
mark - maybe not.
Fujifilm showed two more accessible (i.e.,
cheaper) Frontier Laboratories.
 DIGITAL MINILAB FRONTIER
350: Compact version that offers full minilab capabilities as well as connectivity to
the Fujifilm Aladdin Digital Picture Center and Fujifilm.Net to deliver a full
range of photographic, digital and online services. Prints from traditional silver halide
sources as well as from a wide range of digital sources including digital still cameras
and digital files saved on CD-Roms, PC Cards, Zip disks and other removable storage media.
Capacity is 1,300 3R prints or 1,050 4R prints per hour. Comprised of Fujifilm's
SP-1500 high-resolution scanner/image processor and LP-1500 laser
printer/paper processor. Utilizes three high-speed high-resolution CCD scanners
to instantly convert images into digital data while a solid-state laser exposure system
provides revolutionary print quality at high speeds. The LP-1500 laser printer/paper
processor minimizes flare and maintains optimum sharpness, even on large prints, and
virtually eliminates color contamination to ensure smooth and accurate color gradation.
Hyper-Tone image processing performs advanced custom printing functions, while
Hyper-Sharpness image processing compensates for film grain. New
simplified,environmentally friendly chemical system CP-485 combines cartridges for several
chemicals into one easy-to-change package with "one-touch" replenishment.
Available Spring 1999
DIGITAL MINILAB FRONTIER 370 - is a new
high-capacity digital minilab designed to interconnect with the Fujifilm Aladdin Digital
Picture Center and Fujifilm.Net to provide a totally seamless and integrated
imaging system that offers a full range of photographic, digital and online services. The
incredibly fast Frontier 370 can deliver 1,550 3R prints and 1,450 prints per hour in 4R
size. Delivers exceptional levels of print quality, convenience and speed, and provides
the full range of services for traditional silver halide photographic prints, as well as
accepting a wide range of digital sources, including prints from digital still cameras and
digital files saved on CD-ROMs, PC cards, Zip disks and other removable storage media.
Features the higher-capacity SP-2000 scanner/image processor that combines three
high-resolution CCDs to accurately scan negative and reversal films in a wide range of
film sizes and formats. The Frontier 370 utilizes a solid-state laser exposure system to
provide revolutionary print quality at high speeds. The LP-2000 laser printer/paper
processor minimizes flare and maintains optimum sharpness, even on large prints. It
virtually eliminates color contamination to ensure smooth and accurate color gradations
for fast, optimized prints from virtually any roll of film. Hyper-Tone image processing
performs advanced custom printing functions, while Hyper-Sharpness image processing
compensates for film grain. New simplified,environmentally friendly chemical system CP-48S
combines cartridges for several chemicals into one easy-to-change package with
"one-touch" replenishment. Available Spring 1999.
These are part of a new fully integrated,
seamless system of connectivity that offers retailers the means with which to build
business and profitability and consumers, new levels of convenience, creativity and
connectivity. At the core of this custom-designed system is state-of-the-art software
created by Fujifilm specifically to tie-in and connect the totality of Fujifllm's
picture-making and imaging options. Comprised of the Fujifilm Aladdin Digital Picture
Center, Fujifum Digital Minilabs Frontier 350 and 370 and Fujifilm.Net, Fujifilm Total
Imagihg Solution offers a full range of photographic, digital and online services.
THE ALADDIN DIGITAL PICTURE
CENTER: New and improved digital imaging workstation offering simple operation and
increased profit-making opportunities. An integral component of the Fujifum Total Imaging
Solution, the Aladdin Digital Picture Center features new software for expanded
capabilities and is available in two kiosk configurations - one full size with built-in
Fujifilm Pictrography 3000 printer and the other, a space saving countertop version with
connectivity to the Frontier Digital Minilab 350 or 370, Fujifilm's newest high
performance, high speed digital minilab systems that produce extraordinarily sharp rich,
color accurate photographic prints. The Aladdin's integrated software suite additionally
allows users to customize the system using the Touch Screen to perform a full menu of
imaging services including removing red-eye and creating, enhancing, or duplicating images
from practically any source including digital media such as CD-Rom and PC cards as well as
from film and photographic prints. For added versatility the Aladdin interconnects with
Fujifilm.Net, an online Internet service that allows consumers to email images to friends
or relatives, order reprints, enlargements and photo gifts and store images long-term -
all at the click of a mouse.
New external PC for Konica QD-21 lets retailers market more
high-margin print services
The new Konica Terminal Q Station, the dedicated external PC for the company's QD-2 1
Digital Photo Express Minilab system, is the company's latest innovation expressly
designed to help retailers build profits with a wider range of high-margin, value-added
print service offerings.
With the addition of the Konica Terminal Q Station, retailers now have the opportunity
to offer customers an even wider range of print services, such as albums, calendars,
greeting cards, business and fun cards and more, from a variety of digital and non-digital
sources. With the Konica Terminal Q Station, customers can even transmit image data to and
from retailers, from their own home PCs, via the Internet.
The components of the Konica Terminal Q Station include a Pentium II 350 MHz computer
with 128 megabytes of RAM, 17-inch color monitor and CD-R writer, which can be connected
to a flatbed scanner, 120 film scanner and other media drives through SCSI interface. The
dedicated system pre-installs easy4o-use software and can be operated by shop employees
and customers.
The Konica Terminal Q Station is directly connected to the QD-21 by network system, so
the digital image data scanned through the QD-21, such as developed negative films in 135,
110 or APS formats -- as well as prints-- can be instantaneously transmitted.
The pre-installed image editing software of the Konica Terminal Q Station makes it easy
to enlarge, crop, zoom, correct colors and create special effects. With optional CDROM
templates -- regularly updated for enhanced consumer appeal -- retailers can offer a wide
variety of formats for business cards, calendars, Q-File prints, greeting cards and more.
According to Konica's Paul Gordon, active participation in the electronic management
and manipulation of photo images hold tremendous appeal for today's computer-literate
consumers. This becomes easier than ever with Konica CD-R Q Album service.
Now, minilabs that offer Konica QD-21 service can record photographic images on CD-R
discs. The capacity of one CD-R disc file is approximately 1,000 frames, or 40 rolls of
25-exposure APS film.
With Konica's versatile album filing software both DP print and digital still camera
customers can open a personal "Album Filing Box" for convenient storage and
classification of images. For heightened convenience and customer relations, photos
written on the CD-R can be easily viewed on home-use personal computers via World Wide Web
browsers such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
Through this technology, consumers can order reprints directly from CD-Rs, as well as
participate in the creation and edit of original photo albums, greeting cards or calendars
using photos written on the disc.
Konica Digital Still Camera Print Order System
 A portable, consumer self-serve, touch screen color LCD tablet-style device,
the Konica Digital Still Camera Print Order System allows consumers to easily view and
order prints from a digital still camera memory card. The system provides new revenue and
profit opportunities and helps the retailer bolster digital camera output.
The Konica Digital Still Camera Print Order System output automatically prints to QD-21
for quick, high quality prints.
The QD-21 was a hit a last February's PMA show and has started to come on line across
the United States.
Konica also showed pre-production samples of Monochrome Paper Type M1.
An RA paper, it's designed to give black and white prints easily, from either color or
black and white negative film. The samples I saw looked great, with none of the slight
color cast seen in competitors' papers. The decision as to whether it will be marketed
hasn't been made yet. I vote for yes…
More details to come… |
