Apple Aperture 3.2.3 can now be downloaded.
What's New in Aperture 3.2.3
Included in Aperture 3.2
The update is recommended for all users of Aperture 3.
From Toshiba:
Toshiba to Launch the World-Fastest Class SDHC Memory Cards
Starting new brand of SDXC and SDHC memory cards compliant with UHS-I
14 Mar, 2012
TOKYO—Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced that it will launch a new line of high performance SDXC and SDHC memory cards under a new brand name, EXCERIA™[1], that will bring to market SD memory cards offering the highest performance levels available.
EXCERIA, a combination of "excellent" and "experience" offers cards compliant with the SD Memory Card Standard Ver.3.0 UHS-I[2], and includes versions offering the world-fastest class[3] data transfer speed[4]. The new products will be launched from April in Japan, with distinctive labeling.
The SD memory card has emerged as the data storage card of choice in all kinds of personal digital equipment. As the performance of digital equipment has advanced, SD memory cards offering faster data transfer speeds are necessary to support such functions as recording HD movies, continuous image shooting with digital camera and short transfer times when copying data to other devices.
Toshiba's EXCERIA SDXC and SDHC memory cards will offer fast data read and write speeds and full compliance with the SD Memory Card Standard Ver.3.0 UHS-I. The minimum recording speed is compliant with UHS speed class 1[5] and SD speed class 10[6]. Products will be launched in three series, EXCERIA Type 1, Type 2 and Type HD, each offering three versions with different capacities.
The Type 1 series products integrate new controllers that realize the world-fastest class of data transfers, with a maximum read speed of 95MB per sec and a write speed of 90MB per sec. Type 2 series products offer a maximum read speed of 95MB per sec and a write speed of 60MB per sec, while Type HD products have a maximum read speed of 90 MB per sec and a write speed of 30 MB per sec.
Toshiba, a world leader in the NAND flash memory business, will continue to meet market demands by enhancing its line-up of high performance SD memory cards.
Get more product information at Toshiba's website.
Reuters is reporting that:
"Canon Inc aims to cut at least 400 billion yen ($4.84 billion) in costs over four years to soften the likely impact of a strong yen and an economic slowdown in Europe, the Nikkei reported.
Canon estimates that the yen's firmness will depress its operating profit by a little more than 100 billion yen from a year earlier, the business daily said.
The company plans to use industrial robots to achieve these goals. In addition to increasing the use of industrial robots in toner production, Canon will consider introducing them in the production of interchangeable lenses for single-lens-reflex cameras, the daily reported.
In fiscal 2015, Canon hopes to lift its sales to 5 trillion yen or higher, up 41 percent from the year-ended December 2011, Nikkei said.
($1 = 82.6700 Japanese yen)"
Very refreshing news in light of Canon's recent DSLR and lens introductions:
A reliable source tells me that the new Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR (both bodies and kits) are in the Canon warehouse waiting to be shipped to retailers perhaps on Friday (3/16). Also, it sounds like the day-1 volume is going to be strong.
LensRentals.com is now accepting Canon EOS 5D Mark III rental reservations. Roger expects April 22nd to be the availability date and that meshes with the date I am hearing from others. Hit the Canon EOS 5D Mark III review placeholder page for preorder opportunities.
The Canon PowerShot G1 X is now available for rent. Though it will never replace my DSLRs, I'm really liking this camera.
Firmware update v0554 for Windows has been released for the Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader.
The new firmware adds support for UDMA 7. This is a great card reader - it is the one I use.
From Corel:
Corel Breaks New Ground in Video Editing with Corel® VideoStudio® Pro X5
HTML5 Capabilities, Screen Capture, Advanced Performance & Effects Make X5 the Most Comprehensive Version Yet
Ottawa, ON - March 7, 2012
Today Corel announced the release of Corel® VideoStudio® Pro X5, the most comprehensive version of the company’s award-winning video editing software. VideoStudio Pro X5 breaks new ground with the introduction of screen recording and HTML5 authoring capabilities, multi-core acceleration, and advanced video compositing while still maintaining the key elements that users have come to know and love. With outstanding speed, a robust collection of creative tools, and its user-friendly approach, Corel VideoStudio Pro X5 continues to break down the barriers to video editing, opening the door to truly inspired and diverse productions.
“Consumers have come to appreciate VideoStudio Pro for its uncomplicated approach to movie making, speed and impressive creative effects,” said Jan Piros, Senior Product Manager, Digital Media at Corel. “With VideoStudio Pro X5, we’ve furthered our commitment to overall performance and innovation by offering powerful new features and category-crossing tools like screen recording and HTML5. From YouTubers and home video editors, to small business owners and educators, VideoStudio Pro X5 enables a wide range of possibilities in video.”
VideoStudio Pro X5 is the first video editor to support HTML5, the innovative web technology that’s revolutionizing online video distribution and consumption. Users can generate hyperlinked on-screen cue and chapter points, graphics and titles, perfect for anyone looking to create a complete interactive on-line video experience.
“HTML5 offers a lot of possibilities for consumers who aspire to see their videos integrated onto web sites. Since HTML5 video can be played natively within any browser, it offers a much more robust, flexible solution for developers who have been constrained by funneling content through plug-ins,” said Rob Enderle, President and Principal Analyst of the Enderle Group. “VideoStudio Pro X5 is a pioneer in its category because it marks the first time we’re seeing HTML5 video creation placed in the hands of consumers. This vastly broadens the number of people capable of generating low cost interactive HTML5 multimedia content. This in turn should increase dramatically the rich user generated content integrated into cutting edge web sites.”
Corel VideoStudio Pro X5 Offers New Tools for More Dynamic and Interactive Video
Corel® VideoStudio® Pro X5 Ultimate
Also today, Corel announced the release of VideoStudio Pro X5 Ultimate. For editors looking to take their productions to the next level, this premium version offers a range of high-end plug-ins from proDAD, Boris and NewBlue®, providing users with over $500 in additional value. Thanks to these additions users can add broadcast-quality effects, 2D and 3D titling, apply animated pen effects, and fix even the shakiest video with image correction and video stabilization. VideoStudio Pro X5 Ultimate gives users even more ways to create content-rich and professional looking movies.
Availability and Pricing
Corel VideoStudio Pro X5 is available immediately as an electronic download (ESD) from www.corel.com in English, Japanese, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Box versions will be available from Corel's global resellers after March 21, 2012. North American suggested retail pricing (SRP) is $79.99 (US and CDN). Users of VideoStudio Pro X3 or higher are eligible for upgrade pricing of $59.99. Commercial and education volume licenses are also available.
VideoStudio Pro X5 Ultimate is also available at www.corel.com and at resellers including Best Buy for SRP $99.99 or $79.99 (US and CDN) for an upgrade. Resellers may sell for less.
To download a free fully-functional trial version or for more information about Corel VideoStudio Pro X5, please visit www.corel.com/videostudio.
Canon has sent an invitation to an event to be held during the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show in Las Vegas. Will the promised new Canon Cinema EOS camera be announced?
Canon France has released a Canon EOS 5D Mark III demo video entitled "Eye of the Mind":
Lightroom Journal has posted a list of Lightroom 4 Hot Issues.
B&H has Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 in stock ($149.00 shipped) and is taking preorders for the upgrade version (only $79.00 shipped).
The Canon Professional Network has posted a new Canon EOS-1D X article: Frits van Eldik on shooting an F1 weekend with the EOS-1D X (thanks Scott).
From Reddit's gynoceros:
"FYI- if you attempt to fly with a Giottos Rocket Blower (you know, rubber bulb you squeeze to force air down a nozzle to blow dust off your sensor- no metal, no moving parts), TSA may confiscate it because it "looks like a bomb", no questions asked."
Gynoceros' Giottos Rocket Air Blower was confiscated by Newark's TSA. I'm feeling safer already.
The good news is that I made it through Orlando, FL and Washington/Dulles TSA with my blower, so this may be a regional issue. (thanks Chris)
I'm back from photo-exploring southern Florida - including the Florida Keys, the Everglades, Big Cypress NWR, Corkscrew Swamp Refuge, Sanibel Island, Captiva, Ding Darling NWR, Cayo Costa, Venice Rookery, Caspersen Beach and other great locations in the area.
It was a great trip - but exhausting. I'm home and digging into the large email backlog. Thanks for your patience.
Canon has relased ImageBrowser EX 1.0.1 software.
From Canon:
"ImageBrowser EX is a new image management software program for Canon’s digital cameras and digital camcorders. This software makes managing and searching for images shot with cameras and camcorders very easy. Please utilize the software for editing, printing and sharing images. ImageBrowser EX can be installed simultaneously with ZoomBrowser EX/ImageBrowser. (Even if ImageBrowser EX is installed, ZoomBrowser EX/ImageBrowser will not be uninstalled.) It is required to connect your Canon Camera to the computer, which is connected to the Internet, using a USB cable.
Major Functions of ImageBrowser EX
(The following functions are available with ImageBrowser EX).
- Importing images from a camera* or a memory card. (* Using CameraWindow DC / EOS Utility)
- Displaying images by folder
- Displaying images by shooting date/month/year.
- Displaying shooting information of images
- Editing still images
- Editing movies
- Printing still images
- Uploading images to CANON iMAGE GATEWAY
- Uploading images to Facebook
- Uploading images to YouTube
- Attaching images to e-mail
Target images
- Images (still/movie) shot with Canon cameras (except for AVCHD movie files).
Differences from ZoomBrowser EX/ImageBrowser
(Please note that the following functions available with ZoomBrowser EX/ImageBrowser are not available with ImageBrowser EX).
- Displaying images in a viewer window
- Backing up images on a CD-ROM
- Exporting images (resizing, wallpaper, screen saver, etc.)
- Changing all file names at once
Also newly available at the same URL are:
ZoomBrowser EX 6.9.0 Updater
CameraWindow DC 8.8
PhotoStitch 3.2.6 Updater for Mac OS X
(thanks Sean & Johnny)
Update: As of 3/11/2012 at 12:00 PM EDT, the software links are broken. I have notified Canon USA and expect them to be corrected - but possibly not until Monday.
Abe's of Maine is now accepting Canon EOS 5D Mark III Body and Canon EOS 5D Mark III with EF 24-105mm f/4 IS USM Lens preorders.