More New Stuff...

E-mazing?

With sinking hearts, we learned that Kodak has given the boot to its popular, sweeeeetly saturated pro slide films, Ektachrome E100S and E100SW. Our funk lasted only a moment, though, because we then heard that Kodak is replacing them with E100G and E100GX, E-6 films of similar color dispositions (G=saturated, GX=saturated and warm), but finer grain. With an RMS granularity rating of 8, Kodak claims the new color reversal films have visibly finer grain than S and SW (RMS: 10). Available in most popular sizes (35mm, 120, 220, and cut sheets), the newcomers join extra-vivid E100VS and the push-ready E200 in Kodak's E-6 pro lineup. The "G"? It stands for "grain."

Didactic DVDs

New to digital photography? Want to get the most out of your digital ZLR or SLR? Check out the instructional DVDs from www.ShootSmarter.com. Distributed by Mamiya America, the most recent are titled "Digital Portrait Basics, Level 1" and "Pro Digital Basics." Produced by Chicago commercial photographer Will Crockett, the videos will help newbies and established shooters make their way across the digital frontier. "Portrait Basics" ($45) talks about effective lighting, metering, and exposure, and is the first in a planned series. "Pro Basics" ($45) teaches you to interpret a histogram and establish a white balance, among other digital challenges. Additional ShootSmarter DVDs explore color management and flash meter calibration. For additional info, contact Mamiya America at 914-347-3300 or visit www.shootsmarter.com on the web.

Get organized!

Of the image-management software packages we've tested, ACDSee is consistently among the top, so we have high hopes for its latest incarnation, ACDSee 5.0. Chief among its new tools: a Calendar view that displays photos chronologically in a calendar-like grid; newly streamlined ways to assign multiple, customized categories and key words to photos and groups of photos; faster processing speeds; and more easily customized interfaces. The best part? Like ACDSee 4.0, the new program accepts numerous modular plug-ins to enhance printing, image editing, and presentation abilities. The price? Still under $50. For more, visit their web site at www.acdsystems.com.