POLAROID Z2300: LATEST GENERATION OF INSTANT CAMERAS

In spite most gadgets going digital,  the appeal of instant film cameras never seem to waiver. Polaroid knows this which is why it is introducing it’s latest camera, the Polaroid Z2300 which allows users to take a picture, edit it and then print a 2×3″ version of it in less than a minute.  The Z2300 uses a technology called ZINK, which eliminates the need for ink and instead utilizes paper made of a composite material that responds to heat.  The camera creates the heat in a very specific way and your picture comes out from there. The Polaroid Z2300 has an affordable $159 price tag which we predict will be a big hit to its target market.

The new camera bears a striking resemblance to the 1977 classic, Polaroid Land Camera 1000. It has. a 10-megapixel sensor and a 3.0 bright color LCD display. The Polaroid Z2300 Instant Digital Camera will be available starting on August 15th or you can pre-order it now on Polaroid’s online store.

For a hands-on review of the Polaroid Z2300 visit Engadget.

Here’s the press release:

“

olaroid Introduces New Z2300 Instant Digital Camera

The Ultimate Social Media Camera Allows Users to Snap, Print, Post, Party!

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Polaroid introduces the Z2300 instant digital camera at the 2012 CEA Line Show taking place June 27-28 at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building in New York City. The newest addition to the Polaroid instant digital camera line, the Z2300 features an integrated printer with ZINK® Technology, enabling users to instantly capture, edit and in less than a minute print full color, 2×3″ prints. Along with the ability to easily upload images to any social media platform, the Z2300 combines a compact form factor with a host of fun, easy-to-use features to create the ultimate social media machine. The camera is available in white and black and houses a 10 megapixel image sensor. The large 3.0″ LCD display makes it easy to frame and review images and capture video in virtually any setting.

“Polaroid invented instant photography, and for the past 75 years the brand has been synonymous with instant gratification, ease-of-use and fun”
Ever since the introduction of the Polaroid Land Camera in 1948, people around the world have enjoyed the magic of Polaroid instant photography. Polaroid continues instant sharing in the 21st century with the Polaroid Z2300 camera which allows the user to take and instantly share pictures digitally and in print.

“Polaroid invented instant photography, and for the past 75 years the brand has been synonymous with instant gratification, ease-of-use and fun,” said Polaroid President Scott W. Hardy. “The Z2300 represents the next step in the evolution of that proud tradition and it was designed to fully integrate the classic Polaroid instant photography experience into today’s digital, social world. Portability, creative expression and the ability to share your most memorable moments in digital or print form all come standard in the Polaroid Z2300 camera’s compact body.”

Printing without Ink

Offered by C&A Licensing, LLC, an authorized Polaroid licensee, the Polaroid Z2300 camera carries on the tradition of its analog predecessors, but with a smaller, more compact form factor that is designed for portability. The Z2300 combines a 10.0 megapixel digital camera with ink-free Zero Ink Printing Technology to deliver a vibrant and highly saturated 2×3″ print. The patented ZINK Paper® is an advanced composite material with cyan, yellow, and magenta dye crystals embedded inside.

Before printing, the embedded dye crystals are clear, so the ZINK Paper looks like regular white photo paper. The Z2300 uses heat to activate and colorize these crystals, delivering clear, vibrant prints in less than a minute. The Polaroid Z2300 camera also allows for customizable printing options, including your choice of the iconic Polaroid Classic Border Logo or full bleed and contemporary 2×3″ photos with sticky back. The ZINK prints emerge fully developed and protected by a smudge-proof, water-resistant coating.

Polaroid. Share Life in an Instant.

Designed to appeal to instant photography enthusiasts both old and new, the Z2300 instant digital camera weighs less than a pound and features a compact body style that fits into your pocket. The simple and intuitive features make image capture and instant printing effortless, while the rechargeable lithium-ion battery enables multiple captures and prints per charge. Images on the Polaroid Z2300 camera’s 3.0″ LCD screen are sharp and vibrant. Record and playback your videos using the built-in speaker to share it with your family and friends before you connect to your PC. Just like a regular digital camera, your images can be automatically saved to the on-board SD card. The Z2300 camera’s on-board editing suite allows you to review and crop your pictures right on the camera without transferring them to your PC. And you can choose to automatically print every picture or wait for the perfect shot to avoid wasted prints. The Polaroid Z2300 camera was designed to reflect the unique personality of all those who use it to capture and share life’s most memorable experiences.

The Polaroid Z2300 instant digital camera has a suggested retail price of $159.99. 50-sheet packs of 2×3″ Premium ZINK Paper retail for $24.99 and 30-sheet packs sell for $14.99. Both are available for pre-order via www.polaroid.com. Beginning on Monday, July 2, 2012 instant photography fans can also enter a giveaway for a chance to win a free Z2300 before it hits store shelves. Three winners will be randomly selected. The sweepstakes ends July 22, 2012. Fans can view full sweepstakes rules and enter via Polaroid’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Polaroid. All entrants will also receive a $50 promotional code good toward the purchase of a Z340 camera via www.polaroid.com.

The Polaroid Brand

Across several generations, people regard Polaroid as one of the most trusted, well-respected and recognizable brands when it comes to technology. The history of Polaroid began 75 years ago, with its roots stemming back to Polaroid instant film, cameras and camera accessories – thus was the introduction of the famous Polaroid Classic Border Logo which is still recognized today as a true landmark of photography.

In recent years, Polaroid has expanded its range of products in consumer electronics and photography, such as 3D TVs, tablets, instant cameras and mobile printers, e-book readers, digital high-definition camcorders, waterproof digital cameras and more. People can expect to see new Polaroid products that will deliver the fun, instant gratification and value that the brand has long stood. For more information, visit www.polaroid.com.

Polaroid, Polaroid & Pixel, Polaroid Color Spectrum and Polaroid Classic Border Logo are trademarks of PLR IP Holdings, LLC.

About ZINK Imaging

ZINK Imaging Inc., a privately held company, was founded to enable millions of customers to enjoy the magic of ZINK® Zero Ink® products. ZINK Imaging invented, manufactures, and is an OEM supplier of the ZINK Printing Technology and the award winning ZINK Paper® to partners that will bring ZINK‐enabled products to market under their respective brands. ZINK Imaging’s headquarters and research and development labs are in Massachusetts, with a state of the art manufacturing facility in Whitsett, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.ZINK.com.

The ZINK® Technology and ZINK® trademarks are owned by ZINK Imaging, Inc.

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Samsung Introduces EX2F, High End Fast Lens Camera

Samsung introduced its latest high-end compact camera, the Samsung EX2F. It uses magnesium-bodied EX2F features a 1/1.7″ 12.4MP BSI CMOS sensor. Samsung taunts this as the fastest lens among all of the compact cameras in the market today. The Samsung EX2F has an ISO sensitivity that can be extended up to ISO 12,800. It has different still image modes the EX2F can also capture full HD 1080/30p video.

The Samsung EX2F cameras have a WiFi capabilities. The high-end compact camera offers all Samsung ‘Smart’ features including Mobile Link, Remote Viewfinder, Email and Auto Backup. The EX2F will be sold at $549 and will be available in August.

Here’s the full press release:

“

SEOUL, Korea – July 3, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, has announced the launch of the EX2F, the latest model in its growing range of Wi-Fi-enabled SMART CAMERAs. Following the success of the EX1 with F1.8 lens, the new model is engineered to deliver super-bright photography thanks to its F1.4 lens, the brightest in any compact camera. The high image and video quality of the EX2F also comes with the advantage of being able to store and share images remotely using Wi-Fi functionality. Encompassing Full Manual Control in a strong but lightweight body, the EX2F is ideal for DSLR-owners looking for more portable equipment to capture images spontaneously and subtly, and for photographers looking for a step-up in quality from their point-and-shoot whilst retaining ease-of-use and portability.

The EX2F combines a number of features to deliver incredible picture quality in all conditions. With the segment-leading advanced F1.4 24mm Lens, the wide range of aperture steps delivers clear images and video even in very low light conditions. These are easily controlled using the professional front wheel key and Dual Dials, which enable switching between parameters and modes quickly for greater manual control. The low-light capabilities of the EX2F are also added to by the 1/1.7” 12 Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, which delivers clear, blur-free images – even when shooting objects in low-light situations.

Fusing quality with creativity, 1080/30p Full HD Movie Recording with stereo sound allows users to capture video in high enough quality to enjoy on a Full HD TV. The EX2F also allows still 12 Megapixel photos and video to be captured simultaneously using the Dual Capture feature, so that any scene can be shot as both photo and video.

The world’s brightest compact camera lens

The EX2F’s F1.4 24mm wide-angle lens is approximately four times as bright as a F2.8 camera lens. A further development is that the lens unit now consists of eleven elements in nine groups, with four aspherical lenses and two high refractive lenses. Combined, these provide a 20% increase in the amount of light on the sensor, a 20% increase in image quality and a 10% increase in zoom ratio.

The lens on the EX2F also incorporates a Neutral Density (ND) filter, giving the user greater control over exposure time in different conditions and making photos appear more neutral in situations of over-exposure. It also allows for shooting at a very shallow depth of field, so users can isolate their subjects from backgrounds to create stunning portraits. To make bright images clearer, the EX2F also includes Dual IS (OIS and DIS) to minimize the effect of shaking – particularly useful in low-light situations.

Complete control

Housed in a sleek yet durable high-intensity magnesium body, more commonly found on DSLR models, the EX2F combines high-end image quality with convenience and speed. For those accustomed to the level of creative control on DSLRs, the EX2F allows for shooting in RAW mode for professional standard pictures. The EX2F also encompasses Full Manual Control as well as Aperture and Shutter Priority modes. The Dual Dial and front wheel keys also allow users to quickly and easily adjust exposure for effortless pro-style control. This is all combined into a body that is compact and light, making it possible to carry the camera anywhere for spontaneous shots without the complication and intrusiveness of a weighty DSLR.

Bright and intuitive display

The 3.0” Swivel AMOLED display is perfect for lining up great shots and viewing them under any light conditions – and does so whilst consuming little battery power. The screen responds swiftly and displays images in high contrast, while the swivel display allows picture-taking from low and high angles – even self-portraits. The screen also incorporates Samsung’s Smart Panel user interface, which integrates all parameters into one display for easy control over the end result.

Shooting and sharing from anywhere

The EX2F is the latest in Samsung’s SMART CAMERA range of Wi-Fi-enabled cameras, which take the combination of high-quality imaging paired with connectivity to a new level. Wi-Fi connectivity enables the secure storage of images through Auto Backup to a PC or saving to the Cloud. In addition, sharing to social networking sites such as Facebook or Picasa is easy – or pictures can be sent via email.

The EX2F’s Mobile Link opens doors for connectivity with smartphones, without even having to resize images or video. Users can also access the Remote Viewfinder to use their smartphone’s screen to frame shots from a variety of angles. Through the SMART LINK button, all these functions can be accessed with one touch for simplified sharing and storage.

“We created the EX2F to show that taking great pictures doesn’t have to involve carrying a heavy and bulky DSLR wherever you go. Because the best shots often arise when you least expect them, the EX2F delivers manual control and stunningly bright image quality in a body that is small and light enough to carry around every day. It’s the perfect compact on-the-road companion for the DLSR user who expects the best image quality with full creative control.” said Mr. Myoung Sup Han, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “The inclusion of Samsung’s pioneering Wi-Fi technology also means that you can share those images straight from the camera, giving you the freedom to shoot and share wherever the journey takes you.”

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YAMAHA SR500 CAFE RACER

YAMAHA SR500 CAFE RACER

A few weeks ago I was in Brighton, on the south coast of England. It’s a spiritual home for the English cafe racer scene, and I was pleased to see the odd custom zipping about—with many riders sporting open-face helmets and goggles. Most of these bikes had a low-key, monochrome look, just like this Yamaha SR500. It’s owned by Brighton man Marc Woodward, and took him nine months to put together.

Marc bought the bike part-finished from the builder Retrograde Mechanica. (It already had light frame mods, the pipes, and the new seat and tank.) Marc wanted to ramp up the dynamics of the bike, so he fitted a shortened supermotard front end and laced a 17″x 4.25″ rim onto the original rear hub. He also fitted 4-pot caliper brakes with a 320mm disc and a Brembo master cylinder.

Other details are neat: Marc refitted the headlight switch and the decompression lever in the holes left in the original top yoke, and has finished the stripped-down loom with cotton braided cable. He reports that the bike is “an absolute joy to ride and will lean and lean—I have already worn a patch in my jeans from dragging my knee!”

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YAMAHA VIRAGO XV750 CUSTOM

This Yamaha Virago XV750 was Eric Meglasson’s first attempt at building a custom motorcycle. By the time he’d finished the bike, the Oregon-based architect was running a small custom motorcycle company—his own.

The chain of circumstances started when Eric bought a lightly-modded but very classy Honda CB450 cafe racer. “The Honda inspired me to attempt my own build,” says Eric. “After lots of EXIF surfing, I settled on a Virago as the donor bike.” Eric liked the idea of a large air cooled V-twin, and particularly loved a XS750 from Classified Moto.

“That bike served as my motivation,” says Eric. “I actually got Classified Moto to perform the fork and triple clamp swap—I couldn’t figure out how to get it done on my own. John Ryland was extremely helpful.”

The forks, calipers and clip-ons are from a 2001 Yamaha R1, but the switchgear and front wheel are from a 2009 R6. Eric powdercoated the frame, swingarm and wheels, and fitted a custom seat frame from Vulture Cycles. The seat pan and pad are from Dime City Cycles, and Eric made his own headlight bracket, air filter mount, tail light and turn signal assembly, and brushed steel fork guards. The two-inch stainless pipes are terminated with modified V&H baffles.

While Eric was building his 1982 Virago, a friend took an interest and bought a Yamaha XS850 triple to customize. “We ended up helping each other quite a bit,” says Eric. “Then more friends started noticing what we were up to, and we were commissioned to build two more bikes!”

“We had no intention of becoming a custom moto company. We just wanted to build ourselves some sweet, unique bikes to ride, and we were heavily inspired by some of the great builders on Bike EXIF.”

Eric and Josh finished all four bikes around the same time, and hosted a small vintage bike show to celebrate. They’ve now formed Spin Cycle Industries, and have a couple more commissions already. “We still have our day jobs, though, as we haven’t managed to make much money!”

Images by Alan Brandt Photography.

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BIMOTA DB1R WORKS RACER

There are few motorcycles more exotic than a Bimota. And this machine, which has just gone up for sale, is one of the most covetable Bimotas of all—the 1986 DB1R racer. Built in conjunction with Ducati, it’s one of the four factory bikes campaigned by Davide Tardozzi, Malcolm Tunstall of Syd’s Cycles, and Dale Quarterley.

Power comes from a Ducati 750F1 motor, fettled by Ferracci and equipped with hotter cams and a boost in displacement to 853cc. Like the wheels, the valve covers are magnesium to save weight. Output is around 90hp, a considerable figure for a tiny 300 lb (136 kg) bike. The clutch is an NCR/Bimota item, with mechanical rather than hydraulic actuation.

This DB1R is the one Quarterley rode to victory at Sears Point, with slightly lower footpegs than the other works racers (Quarterley is 6’4”) and a custom Supertrapp exhaust built for extra clearance around the shifter pedal. Handling is reportedly excellent, with an unusually short wheelbase of just 54”. Then, of course, there are the DB1R’s looks. The all-enveloping fiberglass bodywork was ahead of its time, and is still instantly recognizable today.

The bike is in New York, and owner Gregory Rathe has just put it up for sale. The asking price is $80,000, which compares well with the Tardozzi DB1R, which is listed for $200,000 in Japan. If you’re interested, email Gregory here.

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BMW R75/6 CAFE RACER

1970s-era BMW airheads respond well to the cafe racer treatment. But you don’t often see one with a mono-shock conversion. This 1976 R75/6 is owned by graphic designer Casey Wilkinson of the motorcycle-mad Wilkinson Brothers, and he spotted it at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Despite having 100,000 miles on the clock, Casey bought it, and started drawing up a racy profile for his new acqusition. He mocked up a subframe and swingarm with quarter-inch steel round bar, and shaped a new tailpiece with insulation foam board.

This served as a template and guide for metal fabricator Cliff Meyer of Meyerbuilt Metalworks. Cliff stayed true to the mock-up, but carefully addressed each mounting point and joint, improving the overall strength and fitment. His hand-formed aluminum tailpiece is a work of art.

“The goal of this project was to compensate for a limited budget with elbow grease and creativity,” says Casey. So the foot controls are made from bicycle freestyle pegs and hand-cut aluminum flat stock, finished with plumbing nipples for the toe pegs. The rear shock is from a Suzuki GSX-R750 and the headlight rock guard is an aftermarket MG auto part, fastened to the bucket with springs.

The stock motor chugs away with shorty Dunstall-style mufflers and K&N pod filters. It’s a daily rider with more of a flickable-fun persona than its original touring stance.

For a temporary solution, an old motorcycle jacket serves as the seat cover. The tailpiece houses a teensy lithium ion battery, and the top fork brace was CNC’d by ToasterTan Custom Braces. The logo “Good Spark Garage” comes from the Wilkinson Brothers’ moto-culture blog (which is highly recommended). “If we had more equipment and time, perhaps Wilkinson Bros could evolve into a custom bike shop,” Casey wonders.

He’s off to a good start with this BMW cafe racer; hopefully we’ll see more customs from the Wilkinson Brothers in the future.

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SHAW F1-XLR NIGHTSTER

EXCLUSIVE Harley’s evergreen Sportster is probably the world’s most commonly modified bike. So it’s hard to create anything truly original. But the AMD Championship-winning workshop Shaw Speed & Custom has pushed the boundaries once again with this Nightster-based custom, the F1-XLR.

This time, inspiration comes from 1920s Harley-Davidson board racers—with the classic Shaw recipe of old meets new. And if the smoky grey paintwork looks familiar, that’s because it’s the same paint used by the McLaren Formula One team.

This English-built Nightster is a prototype: the first fruit of an unusual new project that Shaw is working on with an Australian businessman. It’s designed to explore how vintage racing influences can be incorporated into the contemporary Sportster platform.

For the F1-XLR, Shaw has improved the breathing of the Nightster’s 1200 V-twin with a ram-air intake and a one-off set of custom pipes. Extra detailing includes modified Covington rocker covers, bigger pushrod tubes and a shortened cam cover. The oil reservoir has been relocated to the split-design gas tank.

Upside-down forks—from a VRSCF V-Rod Muscle—are matched to clip-on bars, holding an anodized master cylinder and switch housings from Performance Machine.

Shaw has heavily modified the seat area of the original Nightster frame, removing the fender rails and upper rear subframe and installing a small race-style rear fender. An extended swingarm is anchored by WP shocks, and the bike has been converted to chain drive. Tall 21-inch Performance Machine wheels (front and rear) add to the boardtrack feel, with big 13-inch rotors and six-pot calipers on braking duties up front.

The result is lean and classy and with more than a touch of practicality. Could this Nightster be the machine that scoops the AMD Championship for Shaw a second time? I’d like to think so.

PS: Join Bike EXIF on Facebook for a steady flow of the world’s best customs and classics. With over 65,000 fans, it’s the most popular custom motorcycle page by far.

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Suzuki Launches 2013 RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 lighter and faster

• Suzuki Motor Corporation has launched its most technically-advanced, fuel-injected RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 motocross race bikes via its global network of Suzuki Distributors.
  The 2013 RM-Z range represents the Japanese company’s close and direct involvement and on-going development programme with its Factory-supported race teams, including current FIM World MX1 Championship leader Clement Desalle and the Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 team, the Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe MX2 and Rockstar Energy AMA 250cc team in America; along with the Yoshimura-backed AMA squad of Brett Metcalfe, multi-AMA Supercross and Motocross Champion – and now Suzuki development rider – Ricky Carmichael; plus new team signing James Stewart.
  Suzuki’s new 2013-model RM-Zs are a direct spin-off from the machinery leading and winning championships in the hands of Team Suzuki riders worldwide. And, following changes from 2011 to 2012 in the arguably-already class-leading RM-Zs, Suzuki has upped the stakes and put into production what it has developed on the racetrack, with modifications to the engine, gearbox, electronics and suspension.
  New Engine Modifications:
  Both RM-Z450 and RM-Z250s feature redesigned, lighter-weight pistons, manufactured using Finite Element Method (FEM) that saves weight, but without losing strength and overall durability. The connecting rod is reshaped and uses a shorter pin with a Diamond-like Carbon coating which contributes to a better overall throttle response and also more bottom to mid-range power delivery.
  A new Electronic Control Module (ECM) with higher processing performance and a new high-power ignition system is also fitted to both machines to optimise combustion efficiency for increased roll-on performance. Both machines now come with the option to plug-in a new engine-operating self-diagnosis FI indicator into the ECU – a visible red-blinking display to better-manage maintenance intervals – (Part no. 36380-28H00).
  The RM-Z250 gets an all-new 5-speed transmission, while the 450 benefits from a redesign that features a reshaped shift cam, stopper-spring and drive shaft; which result in a more solid shift-feel.
  New Chassis Modifications:
  The main change on both machines is the new, larger 48mm Showa Separate Function Forks (SFF), which separates the damper in the left leg from the spring housed in the right. This saves weight, reduces friction, improves damping; and gives better overall ride control. Spring pre-load is now adjustable and gives a wide-range of adjustment and is easier to set-up.
  Frame construction and the seat rail on both machines are also refined and the overall rigidity improved to optimise traction and rider feedback. And, to make maintenance easier, new redesigned exhaust tailpipes on both machines now come with ‘unbolt-able’ inner ends, rather than the previous models’ riveted units.
  Overall, the 2013 RM-Zs have been designed to offer a more-usable power-surge across an even greater range for all calibres of riders, with more durability, despite saving weight, better overall and user-customisable handling, plus easier maintenance and fine-tuning of the latest evolution of the award-winning and Championship-winning machine from the Suzuki factory.

  2013 Suzuki RM-Z450 Introduction

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