X-rite has introduced the ColorMunki Display and i1Display Pro (X-rite product announcement).
I added a new article to the Photography Tips section: Counterfeit Camera Accessories Warning
You'll love the email I included.
Apple has released Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5 and Compressor 4.
I added more sample pictures to the site. These are primarily macro images taken with a variety of lenses.
Nikon Europe has announced the discontinuation of the D3 Buffer Memory Expansion service.
"Please be aware that the D3 Buffer Memory Expansion service introduced as a payable upgrade option to Nikon D3 owners on 30th July 2008, is now being discontinued. This upgrade option will end on 20th July 2011 and not be available after this date."
Update: Nikon USA has now announced discontinuance of the D3 Buffer Memory Expansion Service.
The Canon Online Store (exclusively) has just introduced the Canon EOS T3 in new colors - including Red, Brown, Black or Metallic Gray.
The rebate is also available on these models.
It is understandable why EOS bodies are not easy to find lately, but ... the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III remains unavailable while all other EOS models come into stock occassionally.
I'm not looking to start a rumor, but ... if the 1Ds III was being imminently replaced, Canon might decide to put its limited resources into production of the replacement model.
I mentioned in my When is the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Going to be Announced? post that the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark IV is overdue based on the replacement schedule the prior 1Ds models followed.
The current lack of 1Ds III bodies along with the model age gives me cause to guess that a 1Ds IV could be announced in August (or perhaps September).
In a press release issued today, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced the implementation of a near real-time photo delivery system utilizing the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV and Canon WFT-E2 II A Wireless File Transmitter:
Fan Experience On U.S. Open Site Enhanced By New Technology
IBM-Powered PicStream on USOPEN.com to Utilize Canon Wireless File Transmitters
By USGA
June 16, 2011
Far Hills, N.J. – The United States Golf Association (USGA) will employ a new digital user experience for U.S. Open fans that will enable viewing of photographic images at near real-time speeds. PicStream, the IBM-powered photo console on www.USOPEN.com, will feature images created and transmitted from the grounds of Congressional Country Club using Canon wireless file transmitters. It marks the first use of such technology on a major scale at a live sporting event.
“Canon’s wireless transmitters will enable our images to be edited, tagged and delivered to audiences faster than ever before,” said John Mummert, the USGA’s manager of creative services and senior staff photographer. “This is the new transmission standard in the world of sports photography.”
The USGA traditionally uses teams of veteran golf photographers to shoot for USOPEN.com, news media and the USGA Museum. According to Mummert, volunteers had to run photographers’ compact flash cards to the USGA Media Center from far-flung locations on the course at previous championships. Images are captioned, processedand distributed to USOPEN.com and the press from the Media Center. This system failed to deliver the transfer speeds that today’s audience demands, especially given the 100-plus acres that comprise a championship golf course.
“Fans want instant content, and we want to provide it,” Mummert said. “Canon stepped forward with the wireless transmitters, and IBM was able to integrate the technology into their PicStream application to enable near real-time publishing capability. These technologies should enhance the overall fan experience significantly.”
The Canon WFT-E2 II A Wireless File Transmitter chosen for the U.S. Open is a camera-powered compact unit that attaches to the side of the EOS-1D Mark IV camera. The WFT-E2 II A transmits camera images over a wireless local area network (LAN) at up to 492 feet (150 meters). Portable USB modems carried by the photographers will relay images to the USGA Media Center’s tent.
“This technology has been available for a while, but only recently has become something that we are able to use to our advantage,” Mummert noted. “We tested it repeatedly at Congressional Country Club and the transmitting times were exceptional.”
PhotoShelter is offering a new guide entitled Starting a Photography Business 2011. The PDF guide, delivered via email, is free.
I added sample pictures to the Zeiss 100mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar T* ZE Lens Review.
Sorry for the delay - I wanted to have these up before my trip, but ... that didn't happen.
CPN (Canon Professional Network) has posted some information about Canon's latest technologies, including Hybrid IS, Fluorine lens element coating, Fisheye zoom lens, Power Focus (PF), IS Mode 3 and Mark III Extenders.
How the Royal Wedding was Shot is another recent CPN article you may find interesting.
Tamron USA has announced a new mobile website (press release).
DxO Labs has released DxO Optics Pro v6.6:
New DxO Optics Pro v6.6 provides additional noise reduction and color controls, supports five new cameras
New features also include compatibility with new DxO FilmPack 3, and more than 100 additional DxO Optics Modules. Exceptional 30 percent launch discount.
DxO Labs is pleased to announce the immediate availability of DxO Optics Pro v6.6 for Mac and Windows, which provides improved image correction, along with RAW support for the following digital cameras:
Nikon D5100 (Standard or Elite edition)
Olympus E-5 (Elite edition)
Panasonic DMC GF1 (Standard or Elite edition)
Panasonic DMC GF2 (Standard or Elite edition)
Pentax K-R (Standard or Elite edition)
Further, more than 100 new DxO Optics Modules are now available to DxO Optics Pro users, covering numerous Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Panasonic, Pentax, and Sony cameras.
With this version, users with cameras supported by DxO Optics Pro will be able to easily command more control over noise in their JPEG images thanks to a newly extended range of the chrominance noise slider. Additionally, noise can be manually reduced from JPEG images taken with any camera. With this new capability, all corrections available for supported equipment are now available in manual mode for any unsupported equipment.
Based on customer feedback, a new color control slider has also been added to preserve the depth and colors of objects with certain saturated colors.
DxO FilmPack 3 plug-in for DxO Optics Pro, made available today from DxO Labs’ e-store, extends the product’s scope by providing up to 60 color and B&W film renderings with unrivaled precision, and powerful B&W conversion controls.
Download:
You can download a fully-functional trial version for free.
If you are already a customer, click here to update via your customer account.
To learn more about this update:
Read the release note.
DxO Optics Pro is available at B&H.
DxO Labs has today announced DxO FilmPack 3 for Mac and Windows:
New DxO FilmPack 3 Provides Unrivaled Film Fidelity and Opens Up Boundless Creativity Opportunities
New features include redesigned User Interface, and extended connectivity with Lightroom, Photoshop and Aperture.
DxO FilmPack 3 is available at launch with a special discount.
DxO Labs today announces DxO FilmPack 3 for Mac and Windows, the latest version of its reference software simulating silver halide film rendition based on DxO Labs’ unique 10 years of recognized expertise in calibration. DxO FilmPack 3 allows photographers, from experts to beginners, to recreate the magic of dozens of black & white or color film stocks in one click, offering limitless creative options for their digital images.
More about what’s new in DxO FilmPack 3
More about DxO FilmPack 3
Exceptional Introductory Discount, Availability and Editions
DxO FilmPack 3 is available in two editions, Essential and Expert (Mac or Windows), which differ in terms of available features.
Each DxO FilmPack 3 license includes
a standalone application
a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS4/CS5
a plug-in for Adobe Lightroom 3
a plug-in DxO Optics Pro v6.6 (and higher)
and for Mac, a plug-in for Apple Aperture 3
Each can all be simultaneously installed on two computers.
DxO FilmPack 3 standalone and DxO FilmPack 3 plug-in for Photoshop/Lightroom/Aperture will be available in the summer of 2011.
DxO FilmPack 3 plug-in for DxO Optics Pro and upgrades to DxO FilmPack 3 plug-in for DxO Optics Pro are available immediately from the DxO Labs e-store at a special introductory discount.
Customers purchasing this plug-in or its upgrade will have free access to DxO FilmPack 3 standalone or Photoshop/Lightroom/Aperture plug-ins when available.
Western Digital has today announced the Nomad Rugged Case for Passport Drives (press release).
I have over a dozen of these drives and use them constantly - the new case looks very useful.