Hasselblad also released an all new on-camera strobe, the D-Flash 40, for camera models that have built-in TTL/OTF flash metering. It is based entirely on TTL metering for ultra simple and fast operation with a very accurate approach to shooting flash. Both of these products add fuel to the speculation here that many of Hasselblad's recent introductions are intended to significantly increase the working speed of their SLRs and we haven't seen the last of this effort, by any means.

Other new Hasselblad products of note include a 1.4x teleconverter and two other finders, the HM2 and RMfx viewfinders which both have 3.3x magnification factors and an extra-large and bright viewing screen which should be especially useful when used with the 903SWC camera, or the unique Flexbody.

New films are here, but not in great numbers.

Among the notables are three from Kodak.

PRT is the designation for Kodak's Pro 100T, a new tungsten version of Vericolor II Type L, which is said to have improved sharpness, higher color saturation, better color accuracy, and increased shadow detail.

Also listed in the upgrade column is Kodak Pro 100 PRN film with "brighter, higher contrast, and more accurate color results." And there is an improved version of the Ektapress 100, designated PJA, which has better under-exposure latitude.

Kodak's Ektapress multispeed film with an EI range of 100-1000 is now available, after an initial preview at the Summer Olympic games, during which more than 65,000 rolls were shot. I tested some of this remarkable film earlier and found it to be one of the most versatile color negative films I have ever used in terms of EI ratings and exposure latitude, as well as for what kind of lighting, both ariticificial and natural, it performs under.

Kodak also has a new, two part black and white film developer called Xtol, which is based on ascorbic acid versus hydroquinone. It's said to hold a film's speed rating with excellent shadow detail, enhanced sharpness, and long term keeping properties.

Kodak is also using this year's Photokina to kick off their new reorganization of professional services, which were previously divided into several different Kodak groups. Now you will be dealing with Kodak's Professional Division's "declaration of a single-mindedness of purpose which will bring Kodak closer than ever to its professional photography, graphics, and printing customers." There is also a new professional World Wide Web site at http://www.kodak.com/go/professional, described as "a one stop resource for information on products and processes," complete with QandA sections and various categories of specialization.

Other new films include the Agfacolor Optima 400, a professional emulsion said to have a newly developed sensitization in the green-red range for more precise color seperation, as well as emulsion technology that will prevent "clogging in the shadows." Agfa also released a new black and white paper developer without hydroquinone, called Neutol Plus. New world wide labs for the proprietary processing of Scala, Agfa's recently introduced black and white transparency film, were also announced. Their Web site also has additional information at http://www.agfaphoto.com.

Fuji is showing a new version of Fujicolor Reala which "incorporates a newly develope, hexagonally shaped, silver halide grain, merely one-third the size of the grain in previous Reala," and a completely brand new Astia 100 Professional, an ISO 100 film which is designed to "capture the full subtlety and nuance of every hue," with its most outstanding quality being the rendering of skin tones.

AMONG THE MISSING

The international press room here is the shy and irrepressible photo writer, Bob Schwalberg, who has been at every Photokina since the late 1950s. Colleague George Schaub fondly points out that he misses Bob's way of entering our quarters and getting everybody's attention by declaring "Gentlemen! You cannot cover a photo show from the press room!"

So with Bob's declaration ringing in my ears, I pick up and head out to the floor to gather up the next report on Photokina.