Here's a full list of the video interviews and demos we shot while at PhotoPlus 2008.

Bowens Gemini monolights are "entry-lovable"

Epson Stylus Pro 7900 and 9900 shown in US for first time

Calumet hands out CalumetFocus bags

Jill-E introduces pink cases and new Jack men's line

Gary Fong overviews Gary Fong diffusers

Leaf AFi-II offers new features like revolving sensor

Tony Corbell, lighting expert, speaks on digital transition

Mamiya's new DL28 system integrates with an iPhone

Nikon D90 up close and personal

Canon 5D Mark II "cinema-style" with Vincent LaForet

Bibble 5 photographic workflow software in action

Canon Powershot G10 up-close demonstration

Hasselblad H3DII low prices and camera overview

Arctic photographer, Daniel Cox speaks on his work and the HP Z3200 printer

Douglas Kirkland discusses his photos at Calumet NY

Lite Panels LED lights on camera and lighting the scene

The Future of Contemporary Photography film discussed with director David Weinstock

Canon's 5D Mark II is, of course, just as big a hit here as it was overseas, but Canon is giving it the deluxe treatment here.

Here's a live shooting demo with the 5D Mark II. In the background center, you can see a mini studio setup with a suspended rail system and a pair of models. On the screens in the forefront, there's a video feed from the camera and the editing computer, plus video footage from the studio area. A live demo with this kind of full coverage only became possible recently. And it's impressive how smoothly the 5D Mark II operates even with every aspect of its shooting being fully exposed in a live session.

Cameras are getting to the point where just about anything you could want them to do is possible. (Don't miss the like-a-dream 5D Mark II cinema-shooting rig Vincent LaForet had with him.)

There's really no better way to say it than that. This photo is from a Lightroom 2 demonstration. As you can see, it's standing room only.

Adobe has really been pushing their updates: speeding up the software while adding features that expand what your computer is able to do with images. There are a lot of new things to do in Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2. We're particularly excited/impressed with CS4's Content-Aware Scaling. And local adjustment brushes in Lightroom 2 revolutionize that program.

Obviously, lots of photographers agree that these are big updates with a lot to learn.

Last month's photokina was a trade show of product announcements. In contrast, PhotoPlus Expo is a show of hands-on opportunities. As we've mentioned here, every booth is filled with demo sessions and equipment that's begging to be handled.

Another instance: Wacom has Cintiq tablet displays in full use, giving attendees a feel for how this innovative control device works. It's fun to see people witnessing these devices for the first time. The technology that's out there (and readily available) right now is really incredible... but photographers rarely get to see how it can work for them.

Incidentally, many of our stores have a Wacom Cintiq set up in an active environment, so stop by if you haven't seen it in action. And yeah, to plug Calumet a little more, we do our best to give personal interaction with equipment at all our retail locations. If you haven't visited us yet, come soon!

Our collection of videos covering highlights from PhotoPlus is ever-growing. Gerry and Richard are covering the gamut of products and events at this year's Expo and Conference. Here's a list of what's been shot as of Friday afternoon (still more to come!) with links to large versions of each:

Canon 5D Mark II "cinema-style" with Vincent LaForet

Bibble 5 photographic workflow software in action

Canon Powershot G10 up-close demonstration

Hasselblad H3DII low prices and camera overview

Arctic photographer, Daniel Cox speaks on his work and the HP Z3200 printer

Douglas Kirkland discusses his photos at Calumet NY

Lite Panels LED lights on camera and lighting the scene

The Future of Contemporary Photography film discussed with director David Weinstock

We managed to snap a shot of our booth early this morning that shows off all its features. We're displaying Calumet products and a representation of the many other brands we carry. A couple of PhotoPlus Conference speakers have done educational DVDs for Calumet Imagemakers, and we're selling those on site.

All three of our purchasing options are also open directly from the show floor: Free cab fare to our New York store, new iMacs with website access, and a phone line to 1-800-CALUMET. Basically, most anything you see at the show is available for order at our booth.

We're also giving away heavy duty Calumet tote bags for carrying all the flyers and swag picked up around the show.

A nice touch at the Nikon booth is its collection of galleries showcasing gorgeous shots from Nikon cameras. It gives the environment a very user-focused feel, even though the equipment is the big draw. Plus, it's a reason for folks who'd never shoot Nikon to roam through and see what's going on.

Nikon, like many companies, is emphasizing getting gear in the hands of PhotoPlus attendees. At Nikon's big-lens, pro-camera shooting range (pictured to the left), Nikon is making a strong defense for its resurgent popularity among sports and action photographers.

Here's Richard on his interview with Douglas Kirkland:

"Douglas Kirkland is one of THE major photographic talents of our time, his images are iconic. The man has worked with every major star; his movie credits are a book of dreams. The BEST thing about this show for me is being able to reconnect with photographers who have become friends over the years of my career; they are all here; this is the place.

After we finished taping our interview with Douglas, we were talking and on the side he said, "People ask me what I think my best picture is, all that I know to tell them is my best picture is ahead of me." He's 74 years old and still totally in love with the art of making images. I have been blessed to be able to rub elbows with such a great image maker."

Here's one of the interesting sights at the show. This rock and roll display appears in the Hasselblad booth. Seems out of place here, but seems just right at PhotoPlus.

Rock star photographers and independent amateurs are mingling around the latest technology and their favorite brands. The show has been a forum for all things photographic. We've seen many instances of influential photographers walking by, people noticing the names on their badges, and whispering to each other "Whoa. That's..."

Epson just announced some monster mail-in rebates on the Stylus Photo R1900 and R2880 printers. $150 off the R1900; $200 on the R2880. These desktop models get amazing results and are ideal for light workloads. The catch is that these rebates are around for a very limited time. Next Friday, Halloween, October 31, 2008: that's the cut-off.

Big crowds inside the Expo this year, reflecting the excitement over all the new products being shown. Here's a view of the show floor (click for a larger version). The booths are like modern museums... hands-on opportunities, photo galleries, videos, and company reps to help everyone get the most of their time at the show.

And our booth is right in the middle of it all. It's like a metaphor for our entire company! (I know it sounds cheesy.)

Richard and Gerry are talking to Hasselblad right now. Exciting stuff. Watch for that update soon.

On the urban backdrop of PhotoPlus, here's Richard Newman, Calumet's Director of Education:

"I lived in New York City in 1979 and the city is not the same place. I've also been here over 30 times since I moved from here. I was here 4 weeks after 9/11; hardly anything has changed at the WTC site. And now everyone is hooked up with headphones or ear pieces. Maybe it's to keep out the noise, but I don't know. I think you have to have some time to think.

What I do love is the fact that everyone in this city is a star and some are pretty crazy."

Richard was around the city snapping shots for the Photo News team's first PhotoPlus video. While this may be the last we see of the Naked Cowboy, stay tuned for revealing coverage of the latest photo equipment.

Our New York store will act as an extension of PhotoPlus, with countless products and a variety of show specials on hand. Visit the store, and you'll also get to see Freeze Frame, a gallery of over 50 photographs from the seminal Hollywood photographer, Douglas Kirkland. Five decades of Kirkland's work are on exhibit, featuring iconic images of Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne, Jack Nicholson and Judy Garland to name just a few.

To Learn More About Freeze Frame, Click Here »