Adobe Releases Lightroom and Camera RAW Updates

Apologizing "for any inconveniences caused by the issues presented in the initial updates," Lightroom Product Manager Tom Hogarty announced the release of updates to the Photoshop Lightroom, Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in and DNG Converter to correct problems found in Lightroom 1.4 and Camera Raw 4.4.

Highlights of the revisions follow:

Lightroom

• Lightroom 1.4 incorrectly modified the EXIF time date field of images that had a metadata update applied. This incorrect modification does not appear in Lightroom or Bridge and is only viewable through third party EXIF tools. This error has been corrected in Lightroom 1.4.1 and all files in a Lightroom catalog that have been incorrectly modified will be corrected on their next metadata update. (Metadata can be updated by selecting the files in the Library grid view and choosing Command or Control+S to save and update the metadata.)

• Olympus JPEG files could render incorrectly in Lightroom 1.4, displaying an artifact in the exported file.

• Any conversion to DNG in Lightroom 1.4 (Windows Only) would cause the DNG file to become unreadable by Lightroom's Develop Module or Camera Raw 4.4 in Photoshop. The issue has been corrected and files can be converted to DNG again in order to resolve the issue for existing files. Returning to the original native raw files is not necessary. The affected DNG files can be selected and converted again using the DNG Converter 4.4.1 available at www.adobe.com/dng/. This process is not required but recommended to ensure that a correct validation value is stored within the DNG files.

• Lightroom 1.4 provided degraded import performance relative to Lightroom 1.3.

Camera Raw

• Camera Raw 4.4 incorrectly modified the EXIF time date field of images that were saved as TIFF or JPEG files from the Camera Raw dialog. This has been corrected in Camera Raw 4.4.1

• Olympus JPEG files could render incorrectly in Camera Raw 4.4, displaying an artifact in the exported file.

Downloads

The Lightroom 1.4.1 and Camera Raw 4.4.1 updates are available
immediately as free downloads at http://www.adobe.com/downloads.

PENTAX Student Photography Program

PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a PENTAX Student Photography Program to support budding photographers and photography educators with camera bodies, lenses and flashes at significant savings. Known for producing photography equipment that offers value, quality, ease-of-use, durability, and affordability, PENTAX takes great pride in the commitment to countless users who have learned and taught the art of photography with a PENTAX camera.

The PENTAX Student Photography discounts are offered exclusively to full-time students at accredited institutions (high schools, colleges and universities) as well as full-time photography educators. Students and educators must observe the following conditions to qualify for these significant savings:

Purchase the PENTAX equipment from an authorized PENTAX dealer between April 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008. Complete a PENTAX Student Program form (available for download at www.pentaxslr.com or www.pentaximaging.com.) Students must provide photography class enrollment certification (class schedule or copy of registration) and a copy of a valid student identification. Educators must submit a copy of course curriculum for their photography class and a copy of a valid faculty identification.

Due to the significant discounts offered, all requirements listed must be met and approved by PENTAX Imaging Company and may not be combined with any other offers including consumer promotions and rebates. This program is valid to students and educators in the United States for purchases made in the United States.

For more information, qualified photographers may e-mail customer.followup@pentax.com or call 1-800-877-0155 (press “0” and ask to speak to the PENTAX STUDENT PROGRAM).

Nikon Announces New D60 DSLR

Yet another new Nikon DSLR. The D60 has been added to the lineup expanding consumer choices even further. Here is the official Nikon press release...

Nikon, Inc., has introduced the new D60 digital SLR camera, which provides consumers with stunning picture quality and versatility in an easy-to-use, compact camera design. The D60 joins Nikon’s award-winning line of D-series digital SLR cameras and shares a form factor similar to the D40 – Nikon’s smallest D-SLR camera ever. With 10.2 effective megapixels and a wealth of innovative and user-friendly features, the D60 enables both photo enthusiasts and those new to digital SLR photography to capture incredible images like never before.

“The Nikon D60 makes stepping up to digital SLR photography easy for anyone, but is also a wonderful choice for photo enthusiasts looking for remarkable performance in a compact package,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon, Inc. “This model, like the wildly popular Nikon D40, greatly simplifies use and builds confidence in the user. With a host of innovative features, such as a visually intuitive LCD information display, Nikon’s highly regarded EXPEED image processing concept, new dual dust reduction countermeasures, in-camera editing tools and exciting creative options, the D60 enhances the picture-taking experience for picture-takers of all skill levels.”

Users will immediately appreciate the D60’s fast 0.18-second start-up time and split-second shutter response, which combine to eliminate the frustration of shooting lag – a common issue with many point-and-shoot digital cameras. With a fast and accurate autofocus and the ability to shoot continuously at up to three pictures-per-second, the D60 faithfully captures pictures that other cameras often miss. The D60 does all this while delivering extraordinarily vivid and detailed pictures, ensuring that fleeting expressions, special moments and memorable events are captured beautifully.

Packaged with Nikon’s new AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens, the D60 camera and lens outfit delivers striking image sharpness. What’s more, Nikon’s proprietary VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization technology also dramatically reduces blur caused when shooting handheld pictures, especially in low light.

The camera’s 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor delivers crisp, high-resolution images with astounding color and clarity, while Nikon’s advanced 3-D Color Matrix Metering II ensures that images are exposed beautifully and automatically, even in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, Nikon’s new digital image processing concept, EXPEED, delivers smooth tones and accurate color for vibrant pictures and flattering portraits.

The D60 also offers consumers comprehensive in-camera functionality, such as Active D-lighting. Through this innovative Nikon feature, the camera can, with the option selected, further optimize shadow and highlight detail—as pictures are taken. Shots that once required adjustment with photo editing software can now go straight to the printer, bypassing the computer altogether.

For added fun and creativity while reducing or helping to eliminate time spent manipulating pictures later, the D60’s In-camera Retouch Menu enables users to accomplish a wide variety of tasks without a computer. The D60 offers new in-camera editing capabilities, including adjustable cross-screen star effects, color-intensifying filters as well as D-lighting, Red-eye correction, Image Trim and more. The D60’s Stop-Motion Movie mode is a D-SLR first that enables users to create stop-animation movie clips from a series of as many as 100 consecutive JPEG picture files. More experienced photographers will also enjoy shooting in the lossless NEF (RAW) format, and then adjusting image parameters, such as size, format, and white balance, all within the camera.

While many cameras now feature a dust cleaning function, the D60 takes this idea one step further. In addition to offering an Image Sensor Cleaning function that quickly and silently shakes off specks of image degrading dust, the camera also minimizes the dust that can come into contact with the sensor through a unique Airflow Control System. This design works to channel particles away from the sensor with every click of the shutter, resulting in even further reduction of dust particles and the spots they can leave on pictures.

Ergonomically designed with intuitively placed controls, the D60 is a camera that’s compact and ready to go wherever life leads. It also features a new power conserving Eye Sensor that turns the big 2.5-inch color LCD monitor on and off automatically when the user alternates between taking pictures and reviewing camera settings.

A customizable LCD monitor user interface rounds out the D60’s convenient features, as users can create their own wallpapers and adjust color settings to adapt to their preferences. The D60’s design also supports Eye-Fi memory card functionality, enabling the convenient wireless transfer of images from the D60 to a computer, when using Eye-Fi memory cards.* Additionally, photos can be securely written to readily available SD cards, high-capacity SDHC cards and Eye-Fi memory cards, offering users a range of data storage options.

The D60 will be packaged with the 3x zoom AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens and will be available throughout the United States beginning in February 2008. Pricing information will be available approximately 30 days prior to sales availability. For more information, please visit the Nikon website.

Fujifilm Reduces Prices On Select Digicams

Fujifilm reduces the price of the FinePix F50fd digital camera to $249.95, and the price of the Z10fd to $149.95, effective February 3rd.

With 12 megapixel power, a 3x Optical Zoom and an extra-large 2.7" high resolution LCD, the F50fd also includes Fujifilm's signature Face Detection 2.0 with Automatic Red-Eye Removal.

With the Z10fd, you can Face It, Beam It, Blog It and Roll It with 7.2 MegaPixel power, a 3x Optical Zoom and an extra-large 2.5” LCD at an extremely affordable price.

Please click here for more information.

Sony Confirms FF 24.6MP CMOS Model By Year End

Sony confirms at PMA '08 that the long rumored Full Frame DSLR flagship model will be a reality.

It's going to be a Full Frame, 24.6MP CMOS model with Super Steady Shot stabilization, and should be available by year's end.

Sony Announces New A300 & A350 DSLR Models

Finally expanding its current Alpha DSLR camera line and lenses even further, Sony has announced two new additions to its Alpha line of DSLR digital cameras, the 10.2 megapixel A300 and the 14.2 megapixel A350. The cameras are aimed at serious photographers as well as consumers looking to get beyond the constraints of typical point-and-shoot digital cameras. Both cameras feature Sony's new "Quick AF Life View," a two-sensor system that enables users to frame images on the cameras' built-in LCD displays without sacrificing auto-focus speed.

"Mainstream users stepping up to DSLRs are looking for a similar experience to their point and shoot cameras, but without compromise in speed or performance" said Sony Electronics' director for digital camera marketing Phil Lubell, in s a statement. "Quick AF Live View gives these new models a familiar shooting style without compromising speed—ideal for the growing market of first-time SLR users."

Both cameras feature 2.7-inch LCD displays that flip out from the camera bodies, Sony's Bionz image processing engine, image stabilization, and sensitivity down to ISO 3,200. The A300 can shoot at three frames per second, while the A350 can manage about 2.5 frames per second (using the optical viewfinder, not the LCD); both store images to CompactFlash cards. Sony is touting the new slimmer bodies on the cameras as friendlier than the typical DSLR, but both are still compatible with a wide range of lenses and accessories, including vertical grips.

The A300 will ship with 18–70mm lens for about $800, with the A350 will be available in an $800 lens-free edition, or a $900 for a kit with lenses. Both should be available in April. Sony has also announced a new series of lenses for use with its Alpha DSLR line.

How Bad Do You Want It? Maui Photo Contest

Cold weather, work, responsibility -- how bad do you want to escape? If you're dreaming of relaxing and exploring a true photographer's paradise, five nights in the luxurious Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on the Hawaiian island of Maui probably sounds like music to your ears.

The trip, including airfare for two from a North American gateway in the continental U.S., and a rental car to explore black- or white-sand beaches, take the drive to Hana, whale-watch on the Expedition Ferry, climb Haleakala Mountain and/or visit the nearby islands of Lana'i and Moloka'i, could be yours if you win Pop Photo's Maui: How Bad Do You Want It? Photo Contest.

Read more information on popphoto.com.
image © Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

Adobe Discontinues Adobe Stock Photos Service

Official notice from Adobe...

As of April 1, 2008, the Adobe® Stock Photos royalty-free image service will be discontinued. We made this decision in order to focus our efforts in other areas, and we want to share this news with you and let you know how it affects you.

Over the next few months we will be making changes to Adobe Stock Photos. On March 4, 2008, search functionality will be disabled. You will be able to purchase images through our service until March 31, 2008.

To finalize your transactions with us, please follow these steps:

1. Complete your image searches by March 4, 2008.

2. Make final image purchases by March 31, 2008.

3. If necessary, re-download past purchases and print your purchase history by March 31, 2008.

4. When you're ready, uninstall Adobe Stock Photos from Adobe® Bridge in your Creative Suite® applications.

Download the Windows Uninstaller now.
Download the Mac Uninstaller now.

Thanks for your support of Adobe and the Adobe Stock Photos service.

Sincerely,
The Adobe Stock Photos Team