The Inkling is a digital ink pen and receiver clip combination that allows you to draw or sketch anywhere and digitize those sketches. Simply clip the receiver to your notebook or sketchpad and you’re ready to rock! The receiver captures all of the information from the pen. Push the button on the receiver to add new layers and set up the drawing for export to Photoshop, Illustrator, or Sketchbook Pro. This alone is cool enough but it does have some drawbacks, even on the sketching side. The UI takes some getting used to and it’s hard to get really good results with shading using a pen, but with repetition that may work itself out. While not necessarily a new concept (Digital Scribe is a good example), Wacom does focus more on the artistic side than text recognition, so don’t expect to take perfect notes with it. This may be just a bit annoying but it’s a trade-off that I can live with for now.

The portability of the Inkling is amazing. Compare carrying a pen and receiver that come in a small case to busting out your laptop and a tablet and you get the idea. The pen will feel somewhat familiar to all of you Wacom tablet users, as it’s similar in shape and feel.

I really like the Inkling and have used it in many client meetings to sketch out storyboards, concept ideas, and even take rough notes. For this alone, I’ve saved a ton of time not having to re-create these by scanning and redrawing. This is a great tool that has some growing to do, but for anyone who sketches, it’s a step in the right direction to get your concepts into your digital world.

Company: Wacom
Price: $199
Web: www.wacom.com
Rating: 4
Hot: Export to Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchbook; familiar pen
Not: Cumbersome software; no text recognition

I’ve been a huge fan of the Wacom Cintiq 21UX, so when I heard that the new 24HD was coming out, I couldn’t wait to try it. The only downside of the 21UX is that after using it for an extended period of time, my back becomes tight due to the way it sits on the stand. My remedy is to take it off of the stand and use it in my lap to get into a more natural drawing position, but it’s heavy, hot, and that darn cord running out of the center of it always gets in the way. This new Cintiq promised to take care of that with its great new stand. Plus, it has an even larger, widescreen HD surface to work with at 24.1″.

My first impression? It’s big! This thing weighs in at just more than 60 lbs, so you won’t be setting it in your lap, but your desk will look great with this monster sitting on it. The stand and screen flow so well together it simply invites you to work on it. The larger screen and extra workspace around the edges allow you to be really hands-on and not worry about running out of room.

The new stand is a big leap forward, allowing you to tilt the screen over the edge of the desk. This means I can lean over the screen and draw as if I were using a pad of paper or a drafting table. The screen itself can swivel to just about any angle I want and this makes my back much happier. My only caveat is that I wish it had more intermediate positions besides all the way up and all the way down.

The next thing I noticed were lots of buttons. There are plenty of programmable buttons (ExpressKeys), as well as a scroll wheel (Touch Ring) on each side of the screen. Programing the ExpressKeys and Touch Ring for each program takes a bit of time on the front end, but you’ll be rewarded with speed and efficiency. Wacom has even added some productivity-boosting shortcuts that give you a quick view of the pen and tablet settings, a virtual keyboard, and a jump button to the Wacom System Preferences for easy changes on the fly.

There’s a single USB port on the upper-left side of the screen so you can plug in a peripheral, such as a keyboard. I really wish there were at least two ports and they were in the middle or at the bottom, but that’s just me being nitpicky.

Putting it through its paces, the performance was great. Wacom has the market cornered on how to do these tablets right. The 24HD has 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity and 40° of tilt—that means precise control no matter what I’m drawing or what program I’m using. It really does feel like drawing on a pad of paper, so much so I still find myself trying to brush away crumbs after I use the eraser. Oftentimes, when I’m drawing on paper, I wish I were using the Cintiq so that I can have access to layers and, most importantly, multiple undos. This beast of a machine is a dream to work with.

Some folks out there may scoff at the $2,599 price tag; however, I feel the Cintiq 24HD is one of the greatest creative tools that I’ve used and I have no desire to use anything else. When I can’t use the Cintiq, I feel like I’ve been asked to work with my left hand. Nothing feels right and I have to work more slowly and less precisely. I’ve been a huge advocate for folks who are serious about their work looking into the Cintiq as an investment into their time and their craft. Photographers know the value of quality lenses, and as a person involved in the creative arena, you should strive to use the best tools available to you. The Cintiq 24HD is definitely worth the investment.

Company: Wacom
Price: $2,599
Web: www.wacom.com
Rating: 5
Hot: Pressure sensitivity; tilting screen; big, beautiful, and excellent
Not:

From time to time, polarizing, neutral density (ND), or other filters all need to be screwed onto a lens barrel. One common trait of the screw threads on lenses is that they are a pain to work with, making it difficult to avoid cross-threads. Additionally, ND and polarizing filters pose their own positioning problems.

All these troubles may be solved by the Xume Quick-Release Adapters and exchange system. Xume’s brilliant idea is based on magnetic lens adapter rings and filter holders. The Xume system requires the user to only go through the threading nightmare once for every filter. When the lens adapter ring is in place, each filter can be attached by simply placing it onto the lens adapter ring. This way, Xume also solves the problem with ND or polarizing filters, as you can rotate filters easily without loosening them.

I tested with a 24–105mm and a 16–70mm lens (77mm thread, currently the only one available). The magnetic force was strong enough to keep my filters firmly attached to the lens adapter ring, even when I accidentally bumped the camera into a pile of user guides on my table. The only disadvantage I found to the Xume system was that it will create vignetting with wide-angle lenses below 24mm. You also need to mount your lens cap on a filter or a filter holder, as the lens adapters are slightly larger than conventional holders.

A single filter holder costs $11.95 and a lens adapter ring costs $32.95. A Starter Kit with one lens adapter and two filter holders is available for $53.95, and a Pro Kit with two lens adapter rings and four filter holders is available for $104.95.

Company: Xume
Price: $104.95 (Pro Kit)
Web: http://xumeadapters1.gostorego.com
Rating: 4.5
Hot: No more cross-threading; mounts fast
Not: Wide-angles below 24mm suffer from vignetting

In addition to calibrating displays, X-Rite’s i1Display Pro also calibrates projectors, measures ambient light, and corrects for glare (for displays lacking a hood). The i1Display Pro comes with X-Rite’s new i1Profiler software.

The i1Display Pro instrument is faster and with better quality than the i1Display 2 or any other colorimeter in the same price range. It has a lens sitting in front of the sensor (like X-Rite’s multi-thousand dollar Hubble system) and a moveable arm that holds the ambient diffuser. The bottom reveals a tripod thread for calibrating projectors. When measuring, a blue LED flashes.

The i1Profiler software auto-detects any type of LCD screen or projector in Basic mode. The user can overrule the software’s choice in Advanced mode, which also enables more features, such as quality control, automatic ambient light adjustment, and testing uniformity of your display.

Our test in Basic mode resulted in calibration settings that were too bright. (Apparently, this is done to open up shadows but happens at the cost of overexposing bright areas.) Using the largest patch number in Advanced mode, the calibration and profile were much better—delta-E of less than 4 (in Basic it was less than 6); however, it took more time (10 minutes instead of 4) to finish calibration. The software erroneously detected Automatic Display Control (ADC) support on my system.

With i1Profiler software, the user enjoys automatic correction (or notification) of luminance levels to changing ambient light at three different time intervals. The ADC support and compensation for glare can be enabled during calibration. For quality checks, you can use a color target, an image, or a Pantone color swatch.

Company: X-Rite, Inc.
Price: $269
Web: www.xrite.com
Rating: 4
Hot: Ease-of-use; speed; flexibility; accuracy
Not: Not terribly accurate in Basic mode

There are many flash modifiers to choose from these days, giving the end user a variety of options with which to customize their flash photography and match their style. With the bigger-is-better mantra when it comes to light, getting that big light source from a small flash provides a challenge that Graslon, Inc. has tackled head on and done a fine job in the process. The Graslon Insight (and Prodigy, its big brother) Dome Flash Diffuser Model 4300D incorporates highly reflective silver baffles inside the base to help intensify the light before it passes through the domed diffuser onto your subject. This design helps you gain back the loss of light caused by shooting through a diffuser. The result is similar to that of a larger light source with a diffused, soft quality in a lightweight, portable package.

I found the setup to be very easy, with four moveable rubberized grips and an adjustable strap—one size fits all and very nicely, I might add, with no sticky Velcro pieces on the flash head.

Also available to fit the Insight is a flat diffuser lens for more directional light as well as Amber lenses in both flat and dome for shooting in tungsten light (the additional lenses cost $19.95 each). An oversize stand ($14.95) allows you to set up your flash remotely using your camera’s TTL system.

I found the Graslon Insight Dome Flash Diffuser very easy to use and was very impressed with the wraparound quality of light it produced. Its light weight makes it a no-brainer as an addition to a travel photographer’s bag.

Company: Graslon, Inc.
Price: $69.95
Web: http://graslon.com
Rating: 4
Hot: Fits most hot shoe flashes without additional adapters
Not: A bit bulky for travel

X-Rite’s i1PhotoPro is a comprehensive package that calibrates and profiles your camera, display, printer, and projector. It’s aimed at professionals whose work demands accurate and consistent colors, from camera to print.

The heart of the package is its spectrophotometer and new i1 Profiler software, which has basic and advanced modes for monitor profiling/calibration and paper profiling. The workflow for both is guided and each step is accompanied by excellent onscreen Help. And, you can save all essential settings and measured data.

Creating custom paper profiles is straightforward. The software generates a printed target of color and black-and-white patches (the user determines the number of patches and I found 400 patches built excellent profiles). The spectrophotometer, which scans and reads the patches to build the profile, sits on a device that smoothly glides over the patches. X-Rite provides a backboard to hold the printed target. The process is quick and easy and the software notifies you if you make a mistake. The glossy and matte prints I made with the X-Rite profiles were spot on, matching the display that I calibrated and profiled with the spectrophotometer. Colors were accurate, with smooth transitions, and full of detail in both shadow and highlights.

Included with the i1PhotoPro package is an effective way to create a custom camera profile: a 24-patch color checker that fits in a shirt pocket—perfect for location work. Photograph the checker in the same light as your subject, drop the file into X-Rite’s color-checker software, and it builds the profile and automatically places it under camera calibration in Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom. It works beautifully. For those who demand complete critical color management of their work, i1PhotoPro won’t disappoint.

Company: X-Rite, Incorporated
Price: $1,399
Web: www.xrite.com
Rating: 5
Hot: Comprehensive precision package; good tech support
Not:

X-Rite’s new version of the ColorMunki Display not only calibrates your display, but it will also calibrate projectors, measure ambient light, and correct for display surface glare. Designed for simplicity, the ColorMunki Display comes with its own wizard-driven software or presets.

Except for the color of the unit, the ColorMunki Display looks identical to the new i1Display Pro. Just like the i1Display Pro, it has a lens sitting in front of the sensor, with a movable arm holding the ambient diffuser. The bottom has a tripod thread for calibrating projectors, and a blue LED flashes when the instrument is measuring. Although the ColorMunki Display looks identical to the i1Display Pro, it’s about five times slower.

The ColorMunki Display software auto-detects any type of LCD screen or projector, and it lets users match display settings on multiple displays connected to the same computer; however, ColorMunki Display lacks extensive quality control and it doesn’t test the uniformity of your display. The software gives users only basic control over profile settings, but it can measure both standard and wide-gamut displays equipped with either fluorescent (CCFL) or LED backlights. ColorMunki Display creates profiles through an iterative measurement process.

At three different time intervals, the ColorMunki Display software automatically corrects for or notifies the user of luminance levels when ambient light changes—but this comes at the expense of accuracy. This can be enabled during calibration, as well as compensation for screen glare.

Calibration results were identical to those created with the more professional i1Profiler Basic mode. Iterative measurement somewhat improved on these, but not by much. The software is easy to use, and makes most difficult decisions by itself.

Company: X-Rite, Incorporated
Price: $169
Web: www.xritephoto.com
Rating: 3.5
Hot: Ease-of-use; accuracy
Not: No extensive quality control

A big difference between the digital and traditional darkroom is the wider variety of paper surfaces available for the digital darkroom and the probability you’ll find a paper that best matches your vision. Epson just released three new inkjet canvas papers from their high-end Signature Worthy paper collection. They come in three different finishes: satin, matte, and gloss.

If you’re a wedding or fine arts photographer and selling prints is part of your income, the distinct canvas surface might be a perfect fit. The surface texture is like traditional painter’s canvas with its distinct tactile feel, and by convention, meant to be stretched, framed, and displayed without glass. All three contain elastic polymers to provide flexibility and to resist cracking when stretched. All three papers are also water resistant and made from an acid-free, lignin-free cotton-polyester blend. The white point is quite bright, especially on the Exhibition Canvas Gloss, and I was able to confirm with Epson that optical brightener agents (OBAs) are used on the papers. The issue is that OBAs deteriorate with time, resulting in a change in the appearance of the original print.

I printed using Epson’s UltraChrome HDR ink set. Dye inks aren’t recommended. Epson says that either matte or photo black ink can be used on canvas, but that matte black ink gives a higher Dmax. Epson posted ICC profiles for all three papers on their website. All three showed a surprisingly wide color gamut, contrast, and the ability to reproduce rich colors with accuracy. Gloss and Satin worked particularly well printing black-and-white images with good tonal gradation and deep blacks. (I don’t know how other manufacturers’ inks would work with these papers.) All three papers are available in roll widths of 13, 17, 24, 36, 44, and 60″ with limited availability of 17×22″ cut sheets.

Choosing the right paper is highly personal. These papers might change the way you see your work and serve as a welcomed addition to your paper arsenal.

Company: Epson America, Inc.

Price: Varies with stock and size

Web: www.proimaging.epson.com

Rating: 4.5

Matte: 4

Hot: Wide color gamut; Dmax

Not: Use of OBAs

With airline travel getting harder and harder these days, I needed an alternative for my camera gear in the event I was forced to gate check it—something I don’t like doing unless absolutely necessary. I decided that a case that would still fit in the overhead of the larger planes was important, so I only had to gate check on the smaller commuter planes.

Enter Porter Case with their line of hard-sided, injection-molded polypropylene, wheeled cases. I chose the PCi Deluxe Camera Divider Case with CART, as it looked like it would carry everything I needed, while providing protection when the bag was taken out of my control, and the wheels would take the stress off my back. Plus, the case configures to work as a dolly allowing me to stack other cases on top of it while wheeling my luggage to and from the car—a very cool feature for us overburdened travelers.

I have to admit to some trepidation on giving up my equipment for the first time, but the Porter Case came through with flying colors! The hard-sided case protected my gear from the impact of loading and unloading it from the cargo hold. The divider system allows me to adjust the slots to accommodate my equipment, with padded dividers between each item further protecting my precious equipment. The oversized wheels work smoothly on smooth, flat surfaces, as well as over rougher terrain making it a good location case, as well. The case has three latches with one built-in TSA lock giving me added insurance that my gear will not be tampered with while out of my control, and it has a gasket to seal against dust and moisture.

With the TSA lock, divider system, and an expandable accordion portfolio in the lid for miscellaneous items, the Porter Case is my case of choice when traveling these days.

Company: Porter Case
Price: $347
Web: www.portercase.com
Rating: 5
Hot: Great alternative for gate checking precious equipment
Not:

Pantone also added two new tools to the swatch books. At the end of each book is an index of colors by number that tells you the page and row where you’ll find each color. Also at the back is a swatch of color that lets you know if your current lighting conditions are suitable for judging color—if the top half isn’t identical to the bottom half, then the lighting is skewing the perception of color.

The swatch books are printed using current standards on coated and uncoated stock. Registering your swatch book online lets you download PANTONE COLOR MANAGER software, which automatically updates your design software with the newest Pantone colors and provides unique tools to work with colors. The COLOR MANAGER works with the Adobe Creative Suite applications, QuarkXPress, and Corel software. (The PLUS colors are already included with current versions of these apps so you can begin using them right away.)

The PLUS Series replaces the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM but uses the same 14 Basic Color Inks. It complements Pantone’s Goe System and uses a new set of base inks.

Swatch books and chip books are available individually and in sets. If your work involves specifying colors, both you and your clients will enjoy the new colors in the PLUS Series.

Company: Pantone LLC
Price: $69 and up
Web: www.pantone.com
Rating: 5
Hot: Hot new colors; logical color arrangement; ColorChecker
Not: Detracts attention from Pantone’s superior Goe System