Canon and Nikon News for 2010/04 Report News & Deals

The Canon Refurbished inventory at Adorama has been updated. Though a significant number of PowerShot models are included, there are 124 items showing as available right now and most ship for free.
 
The PowerShot Point & Shoot cameras are front-loaded in the results, so work your way deeper into the results to find many Canon DSLR cameras (including the EOS 5D II and the EOS 7D) and lenses available - from the 18-200 up to the 800 L.
 
Expect like-new gear with a 1 year warranty.

Apple has released Aperture 3.0.3.
 
"This update improves overall stability and fixes issues in a number of areas in Aperture 3." Visit the link above for the full list of changes (about 47 of them).

Canon has introduced a new Canon EOS 7D Instant Rebate.
 
The rebate amount for the 7D is $100 (body only or with a with the EF 28-135mm or EF-S 18-135mm IS lens) or $250 if the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens is purchased at the same time. The rebate is in effect from Apr 29th through Jun 5th, 2010.
 
The Canon EOS 7D Instant Rebate Form is available for download.
 
Here is the 7D at B&H.

Canon has introduced new Canon EOS Rebel T2i instant rebates.
 
The rebate amount is $50.00 for the body with the EF-S 18-55mm IS lens and $150.00 if the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lens is purchased at the same time. Swap the 70-300mm lens for the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens and the instant rebate increases to $200.00.
 
The rebate period is from April 29th through June 5th, 2010. The Canon EOS Rebel T2i Spring 2010 Instant Rebate Form is available for download.
 
Here are the Rebels at B&H. Update: B&H is OOS - here is the T2i at Adorama.

Updated: Digital Workflow - Using Canon Digital Photo Professional
 
This article is all text at this point. I'll try to add some example images later.

Canon USA has made Digital Photo Professional 3.8.1 Updater available for download.
 
"Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.8.1 Updater for Windows:
 
Fixes a malfunction wherein RAW images and development results are displayed abnormally when the distortion correction function is enabled."

As seen in Adobe Photoshop CS5, lens correction is coming to Adobe Camera Raw 6 and Lightroom 3.
 
Lightroom Journal has posted a short description along with a video preview:
 

Canon has introduced new EOS Rebel XS and T1i instant rebates.
 
The rebate amount is $50.00 for the body with the EF-S 18-55mm IS lens and $150.00 if the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lens is purchased at the same time. Swap the 70-300mm lens for the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens and the instant rebate increases to $200.00.
 
The rebate period is from April 25th through June 5th, 2010. The Canon EOS Rebel Spring 2010 Instant Rebate Form is available for download.
 
Here are the Rebels at B&H.

B&H continues to make their website more international-friendly with a new currency conversion feature. You will find this option at the bottom center of each page under the "International" section.
 
Visit B&H to see if your currency is available yet.

Canon China has announced the EOS 550D DSLR Jackie Chan Limited Special Edition.
 
There will be 2,010 JC 550D units produced and these will be available only in China - and priced at 10,000 Chinese Yuan ($1,465 USD). The gold Dragon logo of Jackie Chan (Canon China’s spokesperson) will be placed in front of the flash hot shoe and a special case, strap and manual cover will be included. The JC 550D will come with an off-the shelf Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens.
 
For product pics, visit itechnews.net

What are you doing this weekend? Want to learn HDDSLR?
 
createLIVE is streaming the 3-day HDDSLR Cinema with Vincent Laforet course free on Friday, April 30, Saturday May 1 and Sunday, May 2 from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM PST.
 
The course can alternatively be purchased for download - for $79.00 through April 30th.
 
"In this course, first-time filmmakers and photographers making the transition into video will be introduced to many of the core building blocks necessary to make their first short films."
 
"Vincent will provide an introduction to cinema theory and present information about gear designed to provide consistent results when using the latest HDDSL cameras."
 
"We will explore the use of a variety of lenses, fluid heads, external monitors, follow focus units, JIBs and Sliders. Students will come away from this online workshop with a good understanding of what tools they need for their productions, and when and how to best use them."

Canon has posted 1Q 2010 results.

Adorama has the Canon EOS 5D Mark II refurbished for $2,199.00.

Canon Tripod Mount Ring D Review
 
The Tripod Mount Ring D is a very useful accessory for the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens.

Datacolor has released Spyder3 Elite 4.0 (press release).
 
For more information or to order, visit Datacolor.com

LPA Design has released PocketWizard MultiMAX Firmware v7.50
 
New features include: Long Range Mode, Close Range Mode, Noise Sniffer, Signal Strength Indicator, Custom ID Move, Radio Relay (Repeater) Mode.
 
Much more information is available in the press release.

Apple has made Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.2 available.
 
This update extends RAW image format compatibility to Aperture 3 and iPhoto ’09 for the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D and a handful of other cameras.
 
It also addresses RAW processing issues for the Canon EOS 30D and two other Pentax DSLRs.
 
For more information on supported RAW formats, see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3825

B&H just started taking preorders for Adobe Photoshop CS5.

That's my perspective at least. :)
 

 
Join BMW Blog for the "The Making of the 12 Hours of Sebring Commercial" showing the behind-the-scenes story of this 5D Mark II-shot commercial - including the tale of a 5D II and lens destruction.

Win the humongous Think Tank Photo Airport Logistics rolling equipment case and all of the cases you can stack inside of it. To enter the contest and view a creative video, visit Think Tank Photo's Facebook Page.

Nice Adobe Elements deals at Amazon.com:
 
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for $49.99 delivered after $20 MIR
 
Adobe Premier Elements 8 for $66.09 delivered after $20 MIR
 
Or get both for only $73.98 after $30 MIR
 
 
You get a lot of functionality for the price with Adobe's Elements software versions.

Camera Raw 5.7 update
 
This new version of the Camera Raw plug-in replaces the original one that was installed with Adobe® Photoshop® CS4, Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Adobe Premiere® Elements 8 software. Visit the Camera Raw page for a complete list of supported cameras (includes support for the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D).
 
Windows | Macintosh
 
 
Lightroom 2.7 update
 
The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom® 2.7 update includes these enhancements:
 
Additional camera support for several new camera models including the Canon EOS 550D, Panasonic G2 and Sony A450
 
Includes corrections for issues introduced by previous Lightroom 2 releases
 
Windows | Macintosh

Canon Canada has introduced their revamped CPS program to include Gold and Platinum paid levels.

I know that some of you have been looking for a pocket camera - Canon USA has just announced a new PowerShot Spring Instant Rebate promotion effective from April 18 – May 01, 2010.
 
Rebate amounts range from $10 - $50 as follows (links are to B&H's product listing.
 
PowerShot SX20 IS ($30.00)
PowerShot SX120 IS ($30.00)
PowerShot SD980 IS ($50.00)
PowerShot SD940 IS ($20.00)
PowerShot A3100 IS ($20.00)
PowerShot A495 ($10.00)

Canon EOS 7D Firmware Version 1.2.1 is now available.
 
Firmware Version 1.2.1 incorporates the following improvements and fixes.
 
1. Extends the timing at which the high temperature warning indicator is displayed and the timing of automatic shut down of the camera due to a rise in internal temperature during Live View or EOS Movie functions.
 
2. Optimizes program shift when the ISO setting of the camera is set to AUTO.
 
3. Corrects a misspelling in the French-language menu.
 
4. Corrects a phenomenon in which vertical magenta-colored banding appears in still images taken in movie-shooting mode. (This only occurs when in Manual exposure mode and when the ISO speed is set to "H". Note that this phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.0)

Need more memory cards? OK, who doesn't. The Sandisk Spring 2010 Rebates (.8MB PDF) might be for you.
 
Check out the great 2-Pack deals at B&H and Adorama.
 
I especially like the SanDisk 32 GB Extreme Compact Flash 2-Pack at Adorama for $300. Jeff likes the SanDisk Extreme III 30MBs CF Card on special for $24.95 (reg $34.95).

Carl Zeiss has announced new HDSLR lenses:
 
Carl Zeiss Lightweight Zoom LWZ.2 Lens
 
Carl Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 Lenses

B&H has the just-announced Apple MacBook Pro Notebook Computers available for preorder.

With the NAB show going on, it is appropriate to learn that Greg Yaitanes has confirmed that Fox's House Season Finale was shot entirely with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II (thanks Jason).

Adobe Creative Suite 5 products are available for preorder at Amazon.com.

Canon USA has issued a 2010 NAB Show Press Release.
 
No new EOS products are announced.

The Canon USA Explorers of Light Program has been expanded to include world-renowned cinematographers.

 
As expected, Adobe has today introduced Creative Suite 5. Here are the announcements:
 
Adobe Unveils Creative Suite 5 Product Family
Adobe Unveils Creative Suite 5 Product Family (Multimedia)
Adobe Delivers Creative Suite 5 Design Premium
Adobe Announces Creative Suite 5 Web Premium
Adobe Debuts Creative Suite 5 Production Premium
Adobe Launches Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended
InDesign CS5 Powers the Transition to Digital Publishing
Adobe Introduces Flash Catalyst CS5
Adobe Releases Illustrator CS5
Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 Redefines Nonlinear Editing
Adobe Helps Prepare the 21st Century Workforce with Creative Suite 5
 

 
Rob Galbraith provides a concise photographer's summary.

The Canon USA Professional Services (CPS) Program (Press Release) has been expanded to include pro videographers, cinematographers and filmmakers.

The newly revamped Canon Europe Professional Services (CPS) (Press Release) program has been introduced.

Just announced: HOYA HRT Circular Polarizer Filter (Press Release)

Adobe has posted Camera RAW 5.7 Release Candidate and Photoshop Lightroom 2.7 Release Candidate.

Canon USA has posted the 2010 Live Learning Workshops Schedule.

Canon has introduced a new EOS 50D Instant Rebate.
 
The rebate amount is $100 for the body (or the body with the EF 28-135mm IS lens) or $250 if the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens is purchased at the same time. The rebate is in effect from Apr 4 through Jun 5, 2010.
 
The Canon EOS 50D Instant Rebate Form is available for download.
 
Here is the 50D at: B&H, Adorama, J&R and Amazon.com.

Have you seen the Canon EOS 5D Mark II + EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens Kit Cake?
 
This is definitely my new favorite cake. :)