[Steve]

Canon Makes a 'BIG' Move in Fine Art Photography Printing with the Introduction of the imagePROGRAF 60 & 44 Inch Printers

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leading provider of office imaging systems, ink-jet technology and digital photography equipment, today unveiled two new imagePROGRAF 12-color pigment ink large format printers, the imagePROGRAF iPF9100 and imagePROGRAF iPF8100.

These latest additions to the Company's imagePROGRAF line of large format printers will replace the imagePROGRAF iPF9000 and iPF8000 models, and incorporate an 80 GB hard drive, and the newly reformulated Gray, Photo Gray, Black and Matte Black LUCIA inks for enhanced monochrome prints. Canon will have both imagePROGRAF models on display at the Canon booth (#318) during the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City, October 18-20.

The new imagePROGRAF iPF9100 and iPF8100 printers utilize the Company's latest twelve-color ink system featuring Canon's proprietary LUCIA pigment inks including the four enhanced monochrome inks. The reformulated inks help the iPF9100 and iPF8100 reduce the occurrence of "bronzing," a phenomenon in which printed colors take on a metallic hue depending on the angle at which they are viewed. Canon's LUCIA inks help the imagePROGRAF printers achieve smooth natural image expression with minimal graininess, and better ink adhesion for improved scratch resistance.

Both the imagePROGRAF iPF9100 and iPF8100 printers, capable of 60-inch wide and 44-inch wide prints respectively, support next generation "Kyuanos" color management technology for Windows, to deliver output color suitable for different viewing conditions such as fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, or sunlight. Each model also includes easy-to-use color calibration to help ensure output color consistency and accuracy. The combination of Kyuanos and Canon's color calibration provides users with an easy solution to achieve consistent and accurate color output from print to print, and machine to machine, and also for various lighting conditions.

"We are proud of the imaging technology achievements engineered into our latest generation of imagePROGRAF large format printers. The reformulated monochrome inks, new print heads, and a large hard drive will help our customers achieve excellent print and workflow results," said Jim Rosetta, vice president and general manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A.

These new additions to Canon's large format portfolio provide one of the industry's largest color gamuts with Canon's new 12-color inkset featuring LUCIA pigmented inks with Red, Blue, Green, Cyan, Photo Cyan, Magenta, Photo Magenta, Yellow, and reformulated Black, Matte Black, Gray and Photo Gray. The brand's proprietary L-COA controller processes high resolution files quickly and accurately. For the iPF9100 and iPF8100 models, L-COA's new intelligent screen dot pattern and precise ink drop control eliminate visible dot graininess to an even higher level than their predecessor's.

Both imagePROGRAF models use the Company's proprietary FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print-head technology and dual print head design incorporating a total of 30,720 ink nozzles, (2,560 nozzles per color). The new print heads help the imagePROGRAF iPF9100 and iPF8100 achieve a maximum resolution of up to 2400 x 1200 dpi, while the new print head design includes an improved dithering pattern and uniform four picoliter droplet size. Each printer features automatic clogged nozzle detection to help reduce wear-and-tear on the print heads, and ensure excellent print quality throughout their long life.

The new iPF9100 and iPF8100 models feature the new imagePROGRAF Printer Driver 2007 with user-friendly features for both Windows and Macintosh operating systems. The driver also includes Digital Photo Front-Access, which is a software application that allows users to view and arrange multiple images from a digital camera and import them into multiple image editing software applications such as PosterArtist or Adobe Photoshop. The imagePROGRAF Printer Driver 2007 even includes a new Portrait Mode setting to provide the user with an easy and automatic adjustment with the contrast setting to provide a professional studio effect.

With Canon's portfolio of fine art and photographic media, the iPF9100 and iPF8100 printers will be key players in the realm of large format photographic printing for professional photographers and digital artists providing a total Canon-to-Canon capture to output solution. PosterArtist 2007 – sold separately – is also available for use with the new imagePROGRAF models to help make possible the easy creation of professional-quality posters and design layouts.

The imagePROGRAF iPF9100 and iPF8100 printers will be available through authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers in November 2007 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $14,995 and $5,995 respectively. PosterArtist 2007 is available through authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $799.

[stepheno]

One can dream I suppose