dSLR Dad

Adobe has upgraded Photoshop Lightroom to version 2.2.  You can download the free updates for both Windows and Macintosh versions from Adobe.com.  Support for the following cameras has been added from Lightroom 2.1 to 2.2:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• Canon Powershot G10
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1**
• Panasonic DMC FX-150K
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28K
• Panasonic DMC-LX3S
• Leica D-LUX 4

Further Windows and Macintosh software enhancements in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.2 include:

• Camera profiles are now available in the Calibration panel in the Develop module. These profiles are designed to provide different interpretations of raw capture.

Please download the Lightroom 2.2 ReadMe file (pdf link) for additional details on the 14 listed bug fixes.  You can also learn more at the dSLR Dad Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Resource Guide.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Canon and has recently released the version 1.4 update to their RAW-format Codec plug-in for Windows Vista and XP. This software plug-in will allow you to view and work with Canon RAW (*.CR2 files) images just like JPEG files. Changes and corrections made from Canon RAW Codec 1.3 include:

1. Added supported models.  EOS 50D, EOS 5D Mark II, and PowerShot G10.
2. Changes made in the RAW image processing of the EOS DIGITAL products. RAW processing results are now the same as those of Digital Photo Professional.
3. Supports Microsoft Pro Photo Tools.

You can download the Canon RAW Codec version 1.4 at Canon USA.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Amazon.com says Merry Christmas with a $139.99 Lightroom 2 Deal

Full disclosure, I’m placing my order as I write this post.  Amazon.com is selling the full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 for just $139.99! I’m not sure how long this deal will last, but a little twitter birdie told me that it may be all weekend. As a dSLR Dad who shoots lots of RAW image files, Lightroom 2 is the perfect tool at managing vast amounts of images, both RAW and JPEG, and intuitively edit single photos or batches of images. It also makes it incredibly easy to create an html or flash slideshow for email or the web. Finally, if you subscribe to Ansel Adam’s view that it’s not a photograph until it is a print, Adobe’s Lightroom 2 has the best print engine in the business (well, at least under $1,000).

You can find Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 on sale this weekend at Amazon.com.  If you have never used Lightroom 2 before, may I recommend you pick up Scott Kelby’s The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers and/or Mikkel Aaland’s Photoshop Lightroom 2 Adventure: Mastering Adobe’s Next-Generation Tool for Digital Photographers.  Two of my favorite authors that will help you develop a solid workflow with good techniques.

As always, you can learn more at the dSLR Dad Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Resource Guide.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Adobe has released downloads of Camera RAW version 5.2 (Mac, Windows) and DNG Converter 5.2.  Support for the following cameras has been added from Camera Raw 5.1 to 5.2:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• Canon Powershot G10
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
• Panasonic DMC FX-150K
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28K
• Panasonic DMC-LX3S
• Leica D-LUX 4

As always, you can visit the Adobe Camera RAW file support page for a complete list of supported cameras.  Please note that Adobe Photoshop Lightroom has not been updated with the new camera support listed below. Lightroom will be updated in December to Lightroom 2.2 with new camera support.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Apple has released version 2.0 of the Digital Camera RAW Compatibility (download here).  This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2.0 and iPhoto ’08 for the following cameras:

• Canon EOS 50D
• Nikon D90
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
• Nikon Coolpix P6000

It also addresses issues related to specific cameras and overall stability according to Apple, whatever that means.  You can download the Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 2.3 here.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Nikon has the latest NEF RAW Codec, version 1.5, available here for download.  This codec is for Windows only (XP and Vista) and supports NEF (RAW) images captured with the recently released Nikon D90 dSLR Camera. After installing this Codec, you will be able to easily view and work with Nikon’s NEF RAW images as you do JPEGs.

This Codec supports the following cameras:

• D3, D2Xs, D2X, D2Hs, D2H, D1X, D1H, D1, D700, D300, D200, D100, D90, D80, D70S, D70, D60, D50, D40X, D40
• COOLPIX 8800, COOLPIX 8700, COOLPIX 8400, COOLPIX 5700, COOLPIX 5400, COOLPIX 5000

You can also find out more about the Nikon D90 in the dSLR Dad Resource Guide.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Nikon has just released an upgrade to their NEF Codec for Windows.  This module makes Nikon RAW (.NEF) image files as easy to work with as JPEG and TIFF images.  Changes include:

• Supports NEF (RAW) images taken with the D700.
• Reflects the effects of optional Picture Controls.
• Reflects the effects ISO sensitivity settings below ISO 200 (LO 0.3–LO 1.0).
• Reflects the effects of the TN-A2 NEF (RAW) color filter in Capture NX.
• Supports preinstalled versions of Windows Vista 32-bit Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Enterprise / Ultimate editions (Service Pack 1) or Windows XP Home Edition / Professional (Service Pack 2/Service Pack 3)

You can download the update here.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Apple has released version 2.0 of the Digital Camera RAW Compatibility (download here). This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2.0 and iPhoto ’08 for the following cameras:

• Hasselblad CFV-16
• Hasselblad H3D-31
• Hasselblad H3D-31II
• Leaf Aptus 54S and 65S
• Nikon D60
• Olympus Evolt E-3
• Pentax *ist DL2,*ist DS2, and K100D
• Sony Alpha A200, and Alpha A350

Apple also fixed the following Security Issue:

A stack based buffer overflow exists in the handling of Adobe Digital Negative (DNG) image files. By enticing a user to open a maliciously crafted image file, an attacker may cause an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through improved validation of DNG image files.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Was it Apple’s Own Hubris that Prevented this Announcement Last Week at PMA?

Today, Apple has announced that Version 2.0 of Aperture has been released. The following are some of the 100+ new features:

• Optimized database and a streamlined, more responsive user interface
• New RAW image processing in Mac OS X Leopard
• Tethered shooting support
• New Camera RAW support for Canon G9, Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, Nikon D300, Nikon D3, Hasselblad CF-22, Hasselblad CF-39, Leaf Aptus 75s, and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
• Recovery and Vibrancy control (thanks Adobe)
• Repair brush lets you copy texture from a source area and maintain the color and shading in the destination area you want to repair.
• Clone brush (also part of the Retouch tool) to eliminate imperfections in one area of your photograph by copying pixels from an area with similar visual elements and cloning them into the area you want to retouch.
• Supports 16-bit print drivers for Epson and Canon printers
• Apply sharpening in the Print dialog, using both the Amount and Radius controls. These settings (which can be saved as a preset) do not affect sharpening adjustments you make in the Adjustments pane.
• Sync your Aperture library to an iPhone or iPod. Or enjoy your photos on an HDTV using Apple TV

Rob Galbraith has notes posted here from his interview with both Apple’s Kirk Paulsen, Senior Director of Applications Product Marketing, and Joe Schorr, Senior Product Line Manager for Photo Application.

Inside Aperture has an article on Getting Started with Aperture 2.0.

You can purchase Aperture 2 now for US$199 at the Apple Store or for US$189 at Amazon. Yes, that is US$100 less than the previous version (and also Adobe Photoshop Lightroom). The upgrade from version 1 is only US$99 (US$89 from Amazon). If you purchased Aperture 1.5 between January 1, 2008, and March 14, 2008, you are apparently eligible to upgrade to Aperture 2 for US$9.95 to cover shipping and handling.

The dSLR Dad just has one question: Why wasn’t this announced last week? It’s not like Apple is dominating the photo management software space and can afford to miss the buzz generated by PMA. Any thoughts?

Popularity: 12% [?]

Microsoft has posted a complete version of the HD Photo plug-in for Photoshop CS3 and CS2.  Here are the separate downloads for Windows and OSX.  The same features are supported on both Windows and OSX.  The files created with either version are fully compatible with Windows Vista, Windows Live Photo Gallery, the HD Photo Device Porting Kit, and several other applications that support HD Photo.

Thanks to Bill Crow at Microsoft for the update.  You can listen to the This Week in Media Episode 51 in which he discussed the genesis of HD Photo and image compression.  Just absolutely fabulous stuff.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom has now been updated to version 1.3.1 [Downloads available here: Mac, Win]. The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.3.1 update includes these enhancements:
• Additional camera support for the Canon 1Ds Mark III, Nikon D3, Nikon D300, Olympus E-3, and more
• Updated Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard support

Lightroom 1.3.1 includes additional corrections for the following issues: (more…)

Popularity: 9% [?]

Tags: Adobe, Camera RAW, download, Leopard, Lightroom, mac, OSX, Photoshop, plug in, review, SDK.update, slide show, slideshow pro, slideshowpro, Software, win, windows

Both Canon and Nikon have recently released updates to their RAW-format Codec plug-in’s for Windows Vista. This codec will allow you to view and work with RAW files just like JPEG files. The details from each manufacturer are listed below. (more…)

Popularity: 13% [?]

Nikon USA has released an update to it’s Capture NX software. You can download it here.

Content Description / Modifications: (more…)

Popularity: 8% [?]

Tags: AF-s, APS-C, camera, Camera Lens, capture NX, captureNX, D2X, D40, D40x, D50, D70, D70s, D80, ISO, Lens, nikon, NX, photo, photograph, Software, update, vibration reduction, vr

Man, talk about getting all of your ducks in a row before the Holidays. Adobe has announced updates to Photoshop CS3 (download 10.0.1 for Mac, Win), Bridge CS3 (2.1.1 for Mac, Win), Camera Raw (4.3 for Mac, Win), and Lightroom (1.3 for Mac, Win). Each download page contains more details about the corresponding update. Thanks to John Nack at Adobe for the summary:

Photoshop 10.0.1 update mainly addresses the many issues with the print module and preserving XMP metadata (including copyright) via Save For Web. This update does not have a fix for Mac OS X Leopard.

Bridge 2.1.1 adds a new preference to enable High Quality Preview.

Lightroom 1.3 improves compatibility with Mac OS X Leopard, adds a 1:1 preview render option when importing, and numerous bug fixes. LightroomNews aptly named it an ‘iceberg update’, not so much on the surface, but look out below. New cameras supported in Lightroom, Camera Raw, and the DNG Converter include: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, Canon PowerShot G9, Nikon D3, Nikon D300, Olympus E-3, Olympus SP-560 UZ, and Panasonic DMC-L10. The applications also now support the sRAW format produced by the Canon 1D Mk III, 1Ds Mk III, and 40D.

There is also a preview available of the Lightroom Export SDK for developers on Adobe Labs. They can find out more details at the Lightroom Journal.

Popularity: 7% [?]

And at 131MB, it’s not a small update.

Apple’s announcement as follows:

Aperture customers can now install the Aperture 1.5.6 Update, either by running Software Update or by visiting the Aperture Download page. Recommended for all those using Aperture, the Aperture 1.5.6 Update addresses issues related to performance, improves overall stability, and supports compatibility with Mac OS X v10.5. The update should be installed before first use of Aperture with Mac OS X Leopard.

Popularity: 2% [?]