Nikon News (Page 3) Report News & Deals

• Financial Results for the Year Ended March 31, 2013 (PDF:377KB)
• Estimation for the Year Ending March 31, 2014 (PDF:313KB)
• Reference Data (PDF:187KB)

• Drawing Tools Revisited: The opening keynote introduced a hardware project named “Mighty” (and a related short ruler project named “Napoleon”) which aims to marry traditional drawing tools with the mobility and flexibility of tablet devices. Innovative next generation hardware like these need new yet familiar software.
• Responsive Design with Edge Code (Edge Code): Edge Reflow is the perfect tool for creatives who want to build modern, responsive websites. But what about developers whose workflow is highly code based? Here’s an Edge Reflow-inspired experience available right inside of Edge Code.
• Creative Cloud™ as a Service (Photoshop): As mentioned in the opening keynote, Creative Cloud makes it possible to host that "Adobe magic" as a service to power all sorts of apps and more. This sneak is an example of just that, a Photoshop feature running in the crowd, and made better over time thanks to crowdsourcing.
• Playing with Lighting (After Effects® & Photoshop): Photographers will often tell you that “It’s all about the lighting.” This sneak lets you experiment and play with lighting after the fact. Tweak image lighting based on a selected sample and turn your home movies into blockbuster hits (or at least make them look the part) by adjusting lighting modeled on any movie you choose.
• Code Free Website Special Effects (Muse™): Muse is a proven platform for building powerful and great looking websites without having to write any code, and we’re just getting started. Next up, code-free color transformations, 3D motion, and more!
• Navigating and Debugging Asynchronous JavaScript in Brackets (Edge Code): Developers, never again find yourself asking "What code runs when I click this button," "What code caused this callback to be called," or "Why didn't this code ever run?" This Edge Code plugin reveals all.
• “Painting with Bob”: Create a masterpiece painting without, well, painting! These special brushes allow you to paint by copying a picture using a variety of special strokes and textures.
• Digital Publication Special Effects (DPS): Digital publications shouldn’t merely be copies of their print counterparts. After all, tablets and devices can do so much more. This sneak will wow you with just how easy it can be to add animation, special effects and even accelerometer-based movement to your digital publications.
• Liquid Search: Stop searching using words to describe what you want. Instead, use a silhouette, then draw it, resize it, drag it, reshape it … and Liquid Search will do the rest.
• PSD Lens (Edge Code): Most websites start off as Photoshop comps which designers then turn into Web pages (which is why Photoshop includes features that assist creative professionals in quickly and easily converting their creations for Web use). But what about developers who are more comfortable in code and use a very different workflow? This sneak allows Edge Code users to open PSD files right inside their editor, exposing all that Photoshop goodness in real-time as they type.
• Audio Layers: Separating desired audio from background noise is a painful process. Or rather, it was. Use a visual editor to paint the sounds you want while identifying those you don’t, and this tool will do the rest.
• Perspective Warp (Photoshop): Ever wished you had gotten closer to take a picture? Perhaps you were not right in front of your subject or took the picture from too high or low? This Photoshop sneak lets you adjust the perspective for parts of your shot while still keeping the rest of the image intact.

B&H carries Adobe software products.

"Our XD team revealed a few projects they're working on at Adobe MAX 2013. The team has been exploring how new form factor displays, new interactions (like touch and gesture), cloud connections and even new hardware might change how you all create and in turn how it might impact what software we need to build. Watch the video to get the full overview."

• Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm VR Lens
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm G Lens
• 16GB Secure Digital SD Memory Card
• Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 11 - MAC/PC
• NXT UV 52MM Multi Coated Slim Frame Glass Filter

• A loupe allows you to easily review the images on your LCD by eliminating the sun's glare from the screen. The image is displayed in a dark environment, so a constant brightness can be used on the LCD screen. This consistency allows you to get a better idea of what your images will look like without necessarily having to check the histogram for a questionably exposed image (although that's always a good idea).
• Some loupes (like the XIT) show a magnified view of your LCD. This allows you to more easily check for critical focus.
• A viewfinder loupe is great for DSLR video. The loupe not only helps you with focus, but it also helps you gain another point of contact with the camera aiding in stabilization.

Drawbacks of using a loupe:

• Generally, a viewfinder loupe is either affixed to the camera (via a strap or bracket) or is simply worn by the photographer and placed over the LCD screen when needed (like the well-known Hoodman's HoodLoupes). Many people find it difficult to position the loupe perfectly over the LCD and hold it there for optimal viewing. When using semi-permanently affixed loupe for still photography, you either have to use Live View for shooting or you must remove the loupe until you're ready to review the images. Neither of the scenerios seem ideal to me.
• The optics can become scratched without careful storage.

The XIT Professional LCD Viewfinder Loupe solves the complexity of positioning, attaching and releasing the loupe by using a thin magnetic mounting plate glued to your camera that allows you to quickly and conveniently attach and release the loupe.
 
That said, neither Bryan nor I like the idea of gluing something to our cameras – it makes us both cringe just a bit. Bryan doesn't even like to use screen protectors. However, I like having something on my screen to protect it from scratches. That's why I already had a GGS 3rd Generation Optical Glass Screen Protector on my 5D Mark II. The GGS screen protector isn't glued to your screen. Instead, it fits over the eyepiece and extends downward to cover both the eyepiece and the LCD screen. The fit and finish are so good that it looks like a part of the camera; I rarely notice that it's there.
 
So why is the screen protector important? It allows you to attach the XIT Viewfinder Loup's mounting plate to the screen protector instead of the camera, thus keeping your camera glue-free.

The only downside I have experienced with using the screen protector + mounting plate combo is that if you inadvertently pull on the loupe while it's attached, stray light can get under the screen protector when viewing the LCD. Applying a small amount of pressure (pushing the loupe toward the camera) easily solves this problem.
 
I love having a loupe when shooting under the bright sun. The inexpensive XIT Professional 3" LCD Viewfinder Loupe has earned a permanent place in my camera bag. I don't have any experience with other viewfinder loupes, but there are others you may want to consider (like the Hoodman Hoodloupe). Keep in mind you'll need to find a viewfinder loupe that is the appropriate size for your camera's LCD screen.

• When RAW images captured with a D600 running C firmware Ver. 1.01 at an Image area setting of DX (24×16) 1.5x and any Active D-Lighting setting other than Off were opened in Capture NX 2, a bright (whitish) diagonal line was visible. This issue has been resolved.

Downloads
 
Capture NX 2.4.2 - Windows | Macintosh
ViewNX 2.7.5 - Windows (64bit / 32bit) | Macintosh
 
B&H carries Nikon Capture NX 2 photo editing software.

• A fleet of new tools introduce the most advanced deblurring and sharpening technologies to date. The new Camera Shake Reduction tool analyzes and corrects for blur from camera movement to produce a better image. The all-new Smart Sharpen tool uses adaptive sharpening algorithms to minimize noise and halo effects while producing high-quality results. With intelligent upsampling users can increase the size of an image – large enough for a billboard – without pixelating the image.
• Adobe Camera Raw 8 brings three new photo-editing capabilities to Photoshop CC. The Advanced Healing brush allows photographers to “heal” or “patch” images with a brush stroke instead of a circular area. The new Radial Gradient offers powerful controls to draw attention to the focus of an image without applying a standard vignette, and the Upright tool automatically straightens horizons and applies perspective corrections without distorting the image. Camera Raw edits can also be made to any layer or file within Photoshop CC.
• For designers, improvements to rounded rectangles add the ability to adjust corner radii at any time. Users can also now select multiple paths, shapes and vectors at once, providing a faster, easier workflow for working with multiple objects.
• In previous releases, Adobe Photoshop Extended was released as a separate application comprising all Photoshop features as well as 3D and image analysis capabilities. Beginning with Photoshop CC, all Photoshop Extended features will be integrated within one application, providing all users with advanced capabilities for 3D image editing and image analysis.
• Photoshop CC is the first Adobe desktop app to include the ability to post files directly to Behance from within the application, showcasing work immediately and integrating peer feedback into the creative process. Behance is the world’s leading online creative community, with over 1.4 million members.
• Photoshop CC includes all the Photoshop feature innovation delivered exclusively to Creative Cloud members over the last year, including: Smart Object support for Blur Gallery and Liquify effects, Conditional Actions, and CSS support for faster web design.
• Adobe is also previewing a new workflow from Photoshop CC to Edge Reflow CC that will enable creatives to build web designs in Photoshop that can easily be turned into responsive websites, viewable across devices. Adobe expects to update Photoshop CC with this new capability this summer, underscoring the constant steam of innovation delivered to Creative Cloud members.

"I capture thousands of images for my 'Day to Night' projects and am always looking to improve my creative process," said Stephen Wilkes, an award-winning photographer, whose work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Sports Illustrated, Time, Life Magazine, and The New York Times Magazine. "With Photoshop as part of Adobe's Creative Cloud, I don't have to wait every year for a new set of tools and features, like Smart Sharpen and the new upsampling capabilities, to help achieve my vision. I'm also excited about the integration with Behance. As a photographer, the ability to connect to a global community of artists, art directors, and designers is very inspiring."
 
To find out more about Photoshop CC, users can connect with the Photoshop team on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Photoshop; YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/photoshop; Photoshop.com blog: http://blogs.adobe.com/photoshopdotcom/; or via Twitter: http://twitter.com/photoshop.
 
Membership Plans and Availability
 
By signing up for Creative Cloud today, creatives will be set up to immediately download and use these latest cloud-enabled innovations from Adobe, when they are available next month. Creative Cloud membership for individuals is US$49.99 per month based on annual membership; existing customers who own CS3 to CS5.5 get their first year of Creative Cloud at the discounted rate of US $29.99 per month. Students and teachers can get Creative Cloud for $29.99 per month.
 
Single application membership plans for customers, who require only Photoshop CC, are available for $19.99 per month. Special promotional pricing is available for some customers, including CS6 users.
 
A team version of Creative Cloud includes everything individual members receive plus 100GB of storage and centralized deployment and administration capabilities. Creative Cloud for teams is priced at US $69.99 per month per seat. Existing customers, who own a volume license of CS3 or later, get their first year of Creative Cloud for teams at the discounted rate of US $39.99 per month per seat if they sign up before the end of August 2013.
 
For more details, visit: https://creative.adobe.com/plans.

• Desktop, Web and Mobile Access. Creative Cloud allows users to stay connected with workgroups and the creativecommunity via their desktop, website, or mobile device. With Creative Cloud, your entire creative world gets its own centralized hub whereideas, files, fonts, settings, notifications, and team members are connected and organized. Join group folders to work collaboratively; track updates and comments to shared files; stay connected to work on Behance; get notified when app updates are available and download the latest updates; and access favorite colors, fonts and settings, wherever you are.
• Integration With The World’s Leading Creative Community. With Behance now integrated with Creative Cloud, members will be able to publish their own portfolios, follow other creatives, publish work-in-progress from within a growing number of CC apps and solicit feedback from the worldwide creative community. Over 1.4 million creatives globally are part of the Behance network.
• Synchronize, Store, Share and Collaborate. All files and assets will be automatically synchronized between the desktop, cloud and mobile devices. A designer can take a photo on their iPad, use Photoshop® Touch to refine the photo while on the go, then access that file, via the cloud, and use Photoshop CC on their Mac or Windows PC to further enhance the image. Designers can designate shared folders and invite others to collaborate on files. Edits are stored with version history so users can share their files with confidence. Individual members receive 20GB of storage.
• Seamless Publishing. Creative Cloud members have access to the services necessary to publish highly personalized portfolio websites using Behance ProSite, high-impact digital magazines for iPad using Digital Publishing Suite (DPS) Single Edition, and PhoneGap™ Build to create and publish mobile apps for any device. Adobe Typekit features an unmatched library of old-classic to new-favorite fonts for use on websites – and, with this update, creatives can use many of these same fonts directly in their desktop applications.

New Family of CC Desktop Applications Available Exclusively to Creative Cloud MembersThis update to Creative Cloud includes the next generation of Adobe desktop applications -- including Adobe Photoshop CC, InDesign® CC, Illustrator® CC, Dreamweaver® CC and Premiere® Pro CC. Adobe’s desktop tools, previously known as Creative Suite® (CS), are now branded CC to reflect that they are an integral part of Creative Cloud and have been reinvented to support a more intuitive, connected way of creating. Adobe Creative Cloud includes more than 30 tools and services that enable professional-grade content creation and delivery across print, web, mobile apps, video and photography.
 
Hundreds of new features are included in these latest versions of Adobe’s industry-defining desktop tools. Innovations include:

• Photoshop CC will ship with new sharpening technologies and designer workflow enhancements. Camera Shake Reduction deblurs images that would have otherwise been lost due tocamera movement. All-newSmart Sharpen makes texture and detail pop, and Adobe Camera Raw 8 adds even more powerful photographic controls to straighten and perfect images. Photoshop CC is the first Adobe desktop application to include the ability to post files directly to Behance fromwithin the application, showcasing work immediately and integrating peer feedback into the creative process.
• For designers, the Touch Type tool in Illustrator CC offers a new level of creativity with type. Move, scale, and rotate text characters knowing that it remains editable. This feature works with a mouse, stylus or multi-touch device. Illustrator also enables painting with a brush made from a photo. Art, Pattern, and Scatter brushes can contain raster images, so designers can create complex organic designs quickly, with simple brush strokes. A new, modern architecture for InDesign CC turbocharges performance, and in-browser editing in Adobe Muse™ CC -- a tool for designers to create and publish HTML websites without writing code -- allows clients to make edits to a published website, which can then be reviewed, approved, and updated by the designer.
• For video customers Adobe Premiere Pro CCincludes dramatic new editing features, customizations and improvements to help editors work efficiently. Premiere Pro CC integrates powerful color workflows, with the addition of the Lumetri™ Deep Color Engine to easily apply rich color grading looks. A high-impact version of Adobe After Effects® CC brings motion graphics and visual effects artists more creative possibilities and allows them to work more easily in 3D with the new Live 3D Pipeline with Maxon Cinema4D integration. There are also all-new versions of Adobe SpeedGrade CC, Audition® CC, Prelude™ CC and Adobe Story CC Plus.
• Web designers and developers can look forward to significant advances in Adobe’s family of Edge tools and services. The latest Edge Animate CC lets web designers create animated and interactive content with amazing ease and precision, using native HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Adobe is also previewing a new workflow from Photoshop CC to Edge Reflow CC that will enable creatives to build web designs in Photoshop that can easily be turned into responsive web sites. Dreamweaver users can look forward to the most up-to-date CSS and properties via the intuitive visual editing tool, CSS Designer. And Adobe Flash® Pro CC features a modern, modular 64-bit architecture rebuilt from the ground up to be fast and reliable.

Membership Plans and Availability
 
This major update to Creative Cloud is available in June. By signing up for Creative Cloud today, creatives will be set up to download and use these latest cloud-enabled innovations from Adobe, when they are available next month. Creative Cloud membership for individuals is US$49.99 per month based on annual membership; existing customers who own CS3 to CS5.5 get their first year of Creative Cloud at the discounted rate of US $29.99 per month. Students and teachers can get Creative Cloud for $29.99 per month. Promotional pricing is available for some customers, including CS6 users.
 
A team version of Creative Cloud includes everything individual members receive plus 100GB of storage and centralized deployment and administration capabilities. Creative Cloud for teams is priced at US $69.99 per month per seat. Existing customers, who own a volume license of CS3 or later, get their first year of Creative Cloud for teams at the discounted rate of US $39.99 per month per seat if they sign up before the end of August 2013.
 
Adobe also announced Creative Cloud for enterprise today and special licensing programs for educational institutions and government. For more details, visit: https://creative.adobe.com/plans.

This is The-Digital-Picture.com's Weekend Recap for the week ending May 4th, 2013
 
In the news...
 
On Tuesday, Canon released a long anticipated firmware update for the Canon 5D Mark III. Along with various bug fixes, firmware version 1.2.1 enables uncompressed HDMI output and center-point autofocus with lens + extender combinations with an f/8 maximum aperture.
 
On Friday, Adorama began shipping the 24mm Tilt-Shift lens from Samyang. We have one headed our way and will be running it through our standardized testing in the not-so-distant future – so, stay tuned.
 
Also on Friday, we posted a news article about photographer William Bennett’s step-by-step guide for creating an inexpensive wireless tethering solution for the Canon 1D X. If you already own an external power source like William, you can enable wireless tethering for substantially less than $100.00. Also check out our tip for possibly avoiding the costly external power source.
 
In site news and reviews...
 
Bryan posted a pair of 70-200mm f/2.8 lens reviews this week.
 
On Monday, Bryan posted his review of the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 SP Di VC USD Lens. Bryan praised the Tamron for having overall great image quality at a moderate price.
 
On Wednesday, Bryan posted his review of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens. Bryan was less enthusiastic about the Sigma’s image quality – especially at f/2.8 – where it trails the Canon and Tamron lenses in sharpness and contrast.
 
Check Bryan’s reviews for full details on these lenses.
 
And, for our deal of the week…
 
On Monday, we posted a deal on from Adorama where you could get a Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for $439.00 with free shipping and 6% rewards. That’s a $140.00 savings compared to the normal going rate.
 
This has been the The-Digital-Picture.com’s Weekend Recap. Thanks for listening, and as always, happy shooting!