New Fuji system

[newsguy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Forgive the length of this posting, but I thought it would interest many of
us. Yesterday I came across the following press release from Fuji in our
wire services. I selected the Fuji release because Kodak's was even more
full of idiotic publicity babble. As it is, I have eliminated most of the
silly PR blather and kept the facts:

    ELMSFORD, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 1996--Fuji Photo Film
U.S.A. Inc. today announced its full line of Smart Film, cameras,
photofinishing equipment and supplies, and electronic imaging
equipment for the revolutionary new Advanced Photo System.
--------------- blah blah blah -----------------------------------
    Fujicolor SMARTFILM(TM)
    At the heart of the system is Fujifilm's new lineup of Fujicolor
SMARTFILM(TM) color print films, available in ISO 100, 200 and 400 speeds.
Fujicolor SMARTFILM(TM) possesses a magnetic layer that is the center of
Information Exchange-- the ability of cameras, film and photofinishing
equipment to communicate with one another.  In addition to recording
photographic images, SMARTFILM(TM) has magnetic and optical data tracks
that record a host of critical and useful information including the user's
choice of format for each shot, date and time, and comprehensive shooting
information such as flash data and lighting conditions.
Through a process called Information Exchange (IX), this data is
automatically read by photofinishing equipment and used for optimizing
image quality and ensuring consistent reprints, as well as allowing for
backprinting.
    The unique cartridge for the new Advanced Photo System has no
protruding film leader and is smaller than a conventional 35mm film
cartridge.  In essence,the Advanced Photo System film cartridge is a
self-contained imaging medium, similar in use to the floppy disk.
This unique design means that the SMARTFILM(TM) always remains sealed
inside the cartridge, even after the film is processed.
--------- blah blah blah -----------------------------------
    In addition to this new line of Fujicolor SMARTFILMs(TM) for the
Advanced Photo System, Fujifilm is also announcing the QuickSnap Super Slim
and QuickSnap Super Slim Flash one-time use cameras that are pre-loaded
with Fujicolor SMARTFILM(TM) Hi-speed 400.  Fujifilm has designed these new
cameras to be among the smallest of their type in the world, ---- blah
blah.
    Fujifilm Smart Cameras
    Fujifilm is also premiering five new camera models for the Advanced
Photo System.  The top-of-the-line is the Endeavor 4000SL, equipped with a
4x zoom lens, (25mm - 100mm), a true SLR viewfinder, and TTL phase
detection autofocus.  The Endeavor 300 features a 3x zoom lens and a host
of high-tech features to take advantage of the full range of Advanced Photo
System capabilities.  The ultra-slim Endeavor 250 has a 2.2x zoom lens, and
a compact body for excellent
portability.  The autofocus Endeavor 100 is Fujifilm's basic Advanced Photo
System model, while the Endeavor 10, with its fixed-focus lens,is ideal for
beginners and first-time photographers.  All of Fujifilm's Advanced Photo
System cameras feature the Drop-In Loading system --- blah blah.
    Fujifilm Smart Display Devices
---- blah blah ---   Lab equipment includes the Digital Image Workstation
AL-1000 - the center of Fujifilm's new digitial PICTURE PLUS services - and
the Film Scanner FE-550, Print Scanner PE-550, and Thermo-Autochrome TA
Digital Color Printer NC-550 AL.  Fujifilm is also bringing digital imaging
into the home with its Photo Player AP-1, which displays photos on TV, and
the Image Scanner AS-1, which lets users input images into personal
computers.
    Fujifilm Smart Minilabs and Photofinishing Equipment
    Fujifilm's line of photofinishing equipment for the Advanced Photo
System comprises two film detacher/reattacher systems including the
Detacher DT200 and the Reattacher AT200, as well as the Film Processor
FP922 AL and two other film processors.  Also in this lineup are the
Printer Processor SFA-298 and three other printer processors, along with
various minilab equipment such as the IX Edit Tool Kit IE240 and Fujicolor
paper optimized for printing from Fujicolor SMARTFILM(TM)
-----blah blah-----

How about twinning two Endeavor 100s for stereo? Just a thought.

AD



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