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Nikon is renowned worldwide for the quality of its cameras and other optical technologies. In May 2008, this reputation was reaffirmed when Japan’s Camera Press Club selected the Nikon D3, the company’s flagship digital SLR* camera, as the CAMERA GRAND PRIX 2008 Camera of the Year.
With its many innovative features, the Nikon D3 successfully faced off competition from another 170 cameras introduced to the market between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008, making it the sixth Nikon camera to win this honor.
As if this wasn’t enough, it also managed to win the CAMERA GRAND PRIX 2008 Readers Award that was |
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established for the 25th anniversary of the Camera Grand Prix. It also won the most Readers Award votes among general users at the Photo Image Expo (PIE) 2008, held in Tokyo on March 19–22, as well as the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA)’s prestigious Best D-SLR Professional in Europe 2008 award.
Launched in November 2007, the Nikon D3 is the first Nikon digital SLR camera to use the full 24x36 mm image area of traditional 35 mm film, a format desired by many photographers in the advanced amateur to professional range.
The camera also features a newly developed CMOS sensor* (12.1 effective megapixels), high-sensitivity ISO 6400, high-density 51-point autofocus and a slew of other advanced functions.
* SLR: SLR means “single-lens reflex,” and refers to the optical light path of SLR cameras, which use a special
mirror system to exactly reproduce the image “seen” by the lens in the viewfinder.
* CMOS sensor: CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) is a type of integrated circuit. The image
sensors at the heart of digital cameras often use CMOS circuits; hence they are sometimes called ?½gCMOS sensors.?½h |
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The Nikon D3 would certainly be a good camera to use in Nikon’s famous photo competition, the Nikon Photo Contest International, which is held once every two years.
However, even if you do not own one, be sure to send your entry to the 32nd Nikon Photo Contest International, which is open for entries between September 1 and November 30, 2008.
This year’s theme is “at the heart of the image,” which has two sub-categories. The first is a free subject category, while the second My Planet category is for scenes from “daily life, or the people and things that stir |
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[the photographer’s] passions.”
A panel of international photographers will award 54 prizes, with the Grand Prize being a Nikon digital SLR camera with two additional NIKKOR lenses, and the chance to have one’s photo posted on the contest website.
Since the start in 1969, this competition for professionals and amateurs alike has attracted more than 1,270,000 images from some 306,000 photographers. The 31st contest alone attracted over 47,000 images from some 16,000 entrants in 135 countries.
For more information about the Nikon Photo Contest International, go to: http://www.nikon-npci.com |
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Biofuels, renewable and environmentally friendly substitutes for fossil fuels, often feature ethanol as a core ingredient. In response to growing interest in biofuels, Kirin Holdings’ Central Laboratories for Frontier Technology, in conjunction with the Graduate School of Tokyo Institute of Technology, has developed a new ethanol origin detection method using stable isotope ratio analysis.
The new method uses a technology known as “Head Space-Solid Phase Micro Extraction (HS-SPME)” to rapidly extract ethanol samples with high efficiency. A gas chromatography column can produce high-purity ethanol from these samples, which can then be used to determine hydrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios. |
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These ratios provide important information about the properties of an ethanol. As a result of these new techniques, analyses now take under an hour with no loss of precision.
This new technology is also capable of distinguishing between bioethanol and synthetic ethanol. It can even measure in µmol (micromol) and nmol (nanomol) units, allowing for applications with other alcohol types and volatile organic acids. Kirin is considering using these abilities in its quality control processes for raw materials and food products. |
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NYK, a global logistics provider with operations across sea, land and air, is known for its commitment to the environment and is continuously exploring ways of minimizing its environmental impact.
In early 2008, the company was again selected for inclusion in the FTSE4Good Global Index, marking the sixth straight year that NYK has been listed on this major yardstick for socially responsible investment.
U.K.-based FTSE Group’s FTSE4Good Global Index is one of two leading indexes referred to by investors concerned with corporate social responsibility criteria in their investment decisions. The other major index is the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.
The companies included in the FTSE4Good Global Index are |
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| selected from among 2,400 listed firms in 23 countries, based on independent international standards of corporate environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Of the approximately 900 enterprises in the FTSE4Good Global Index, 193 are Japanese companies (as of June 2008). |
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The new X-BARRIER™ film is a major breakthrough in material science. Launched by Mitsubishi Plastics on July 1, 2008 in Japan and in overseas markets, the new thin film is certain to cause a stir in advanced technology industries.
X-BARRIER™ is a groundbreaking film that provides a barrier against gases like oxygen, water vapor and carbon dioxide, and offers consistently high performance under high temperatures and humid conditions, as well as great durability and flexibility. Some varieties of the film achieve a water vapor barrier performance of 10-4 g/m2/day, the industry’s highest standard for transparent film.
With its unique properties, X-BARRIER(TM) is expected to find uses in a wide variety of applications. |
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The film is not only ideal for developing flexible products, but also enables cost-efficient ?½groll-to-roll processing*.?½h In the information electronics field, it can potentially be used in semiconductor chips, device boards, organic electroluminescent (EL) displays, organic solar cells and electronic paper; in the medical field, it can be used in catheters, surgical needles and sutures, as well as products like eye drops and contact lenses.
Having set a sales target of ¥5 billion after three years, Mitsubishi Plastics continues to enhance the technology with the aim of achieving even greater water vapor barrier performance.
* Roll-to-roll processing:
This is the process of creating electronic devices on rolls of flexible plastic or metal foil. |
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Global Shipping Consortia Launch Joint Black Sea Shipping Service
The Grand Alliance (GA) is a leading global container shipping consortium, whose members include NYK (Japan), MISC Berhad (Malaysia), Hapag-Lloyd (Germany) and OOCL (Hong Kong).
In mid-June 2008, the GA and the New World Alliance (TNWA), also a global shipping consortium, launched a new jointly operated shipping service between Asia and the Black Sea.
GA and TNWA carriers began cooperating in February 2008 by engaging in a slot exchange on their respective fortnightly services to the Black Sea. The new joint service provides shippers with a weekly frequency to common ports. Eight vessels will be deployed in the service, five from GA member lines and three from TNWA members.
Port rotation for the Black Sea service is as follows: Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Singapore, Suez, Istanbul, Constanza, Odessa, Constanza, Istanbul, Damietta, Suez, Jeddah, Singapore and back to Shanghai.
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Mitsubishi Motors Licenses Powertrain
Technology to Chinese Joint Venture
In June 2008, Mitsubishi Motors signed a technology licensing agreement with its powertrain joint venture in China, Harbin Dongan Automotive Engine Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (DAE), covering production of four- and five-speed automatic transmissions.
The technology transfer will enable DAE to supply core automotive parts not only to its own group companies, but also to other automobile manufacturers in China, thereby contributing to the growth of the Chinese automobile industry.
DAE began constructing a new factory in March 2008 with a view to commencing production in April 2010. The new facility will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 units, and will produce 50,000 units in its first year. |
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Mitsubishi Corporation Enters
Partnership with Brazilian IT Firm Politec
Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) has announced a capital and operational partnership with Politec Technologia da Informacao S.A. (Politec), a leading IT firm in Brazil that will be a strategic partner for MC in the IT field in Latin America. MC invested approximately ¥3 billion in Politec in April 2008.
To develop its global Information Communication Technology (ICT) business, MC has previously invested in businesses in the Americas, China and Southeast Asia and captured major customers in each region, especially Japan-affiliated businesses and local industries. The investment in Politec, a firm that counts several of the region’s largest companies among its customers, will further expand the company’s reach in Latin America, the U.S. and Japan.
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