Canon and Sony News for Sep 2012 (Page 5)

Unless you very recently purchased your Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens, the answer to this question is probably "Yes". But, Canon Japan has published a serial number key to reliably determine that your EF 40m STM Lens needs the v1.2.0 Firmware Update.

If the third digit in the serial number is a 0, 1 or 2, the firmware update is needed:

xx0xxxxxxx, xx1xxxxxxx, xx2xxxxxxx

Otherwise, firmware version 1.2.0 or later has already been installed in the lens.

Nikon NEF Codec Version 1.15.0 is now available for download.

This update: "Supports NEF (RAW) images taken with the Nikon 1 J2."

The Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Distagon T* Lens, to be available in both Canon and Nikon mounts, "is the first model of a new product family designed for demanding users."

From Zeiss:

photokina 2012: Preview

Carl Zeiss at photokina 2012

OBERKOCHEN, 06.09.2012.

During photokina 2012 in Cologne (September 18-23), Carl Zeiss will present attractive new products as well as its well-known classics, all of the highest technical quality. Among them will be a new moderate telephoto lens for SLR cameras which will celebrate its world premiere at photokina and be available in stores from the end of 2012. Carl Zeiss will also unveil two new product families to the public. Carl Zeiss’s new stand concept integrates product presentations, possibilities to apply and test Carl Zeiss products, and the company’s global social media community with the hashtag #zeissphk12.

Carl Zeiss will present its entire range of camera and cine lenses, binoculars and spotting scopes during photokina. The latest Nokia smartphone models with built-in ZEISS optics will again be shown at Carl Zeiss’s stand. Visitors will be able to try out all the exhibits right on the spot, from high-quality SLR lenses, Sony cameras with ZEISS optics, ZEISS lenses for Sony system cameras to the new Nokia 808 PureView smartphone with 41-megapixel camera sensor. The VICTORY HT binoculars can also be tested. An innovative optics concept from Carl Zeiss in connection with HT glasses from SCHOTT makes VICTORY binoculars with transmission values of more than 95 percent very fast.

A must-see attraction is a high-performance, full-format SLR camera lens with manual focus. With a focal length of 55 mm and aperture of f/1.4, this lens is the first model of a new product family designed for demanding users. Thanks to a newly developed optical design, this lens is superior to conventional full-frame lenses, and it achieves with powerful full-frame, full-format cameras an image performance that until now has only been seen with medium-format systems. The first prototype of this new range will celebrate its world debut at photokina. The family of lenses is expected to be on the market in the second half of 2013 for EF bayonet (ZE) and F bayonet (ZF.2).

Another highlight will be the presentation of a design study, with which Carl Zeiss will offer a sneak preview of a new family of autofocus lenses for mirrorless system cameras (CSC) that will most likely be available in mid-2013. Due to their performance and high speed, these new lenses will be ideal for deliberate photo composition, making them perfect for more sophisticated photographers as well. Carl Zeiss plans to initially offer fixed focal lengths in the wide angle and standard range as well as a macro. „The trend toward mirrorless system cameras has accelerated since 2010 and we notice growing interest for them among ambitious photographers. We are convinced that as a result of the new and very high-quality cameras and lenses that are coming onto the scene, this market will become even more important. We see lots of potential, which is why we will offer more products for this target group in the future,” said Dr. Winfried Scherle, Vice President and General Manager of the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG.

For fans of the Carl Zeiss family of ZM systems for rangefinder cameras, Carl Zeiss has a special surprise in store. In 2013, at least one fast lens with M bayonet will go on sale. Using lenses from the ZM series with adapters is also very popular on mirrorless system cameras.

“The market is extremely dynamic at the moment with numerous innovations across all areas. Our broad range of high-quality products and our successful partnerships with Sony, Nokia, Logitech and ARRI make us very well positioned in the market,” says Scherle. “As the world’s leading trade fair for photography approaches, we are full of optimism, especially considering the many new features and products we will present. We hope that both the public and visitors to our stand will be excited about them too.”

The “walk-in lens”, which first appeared at photokina in 2008, makes a comeback this year and promises to be the main optical eye-catcher at Carl Zeiss’s stand. Visitors are welcome to take a stroll through the oversized lens and experience the fascinating development of a ZEISS lens. Moreover, there will be an extensive applications ‘island’ at the Carl Zeiss stand where visitors can take as much time as they like to test and experiment with Carl Zeiss’s entire portfolio of lenses on different cameras and to talk to experts.

Carl Zeiss has created a special section on its website about photokina (www.zeiss.com/photo/phk12). Photography enthusiasts from around the world can use the site to get the latest news each day about the trade fair and to ask Carl Zeiss any question they want about all topics related to photokina. The website is available in various languages. Carl Zeiss will also report live from photokina on its social media channels and invites its social media community to likewise share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions about products from Carl Zeiss using the hashtag #zeissphk12.

Adorama carries Zeiss Lenses.

From Corel:

New PaintShop Pro X5 Combines Photo Editing & Design Tools for a Powerful All-in-One Solution

Expertly organize, edit, and share artistic vision with ease

Ottawa, ON - Sept. 5, 2012

Today Corel announced the release of PaintShop® Pro X5, the most robust consumer photo editing and creative design solution on the market. PaintShop Pro X5 delivers all the powerful editing and digital design tools needed to produce stunning images and professional works of art. With easy-to-use, pro-quality tools and built-in learning resources, every level of user, from aspiring amateur to seasoned professional, will be able to expertly organize, edit, and share their photographic and artistic visions with ease.

The latest release includes updates and refinements to PaintShop's most popular features like layer styles, brushes and High Dynamic Range (HDR) tools. PaintShop Pro X5 also boasts new creative tools including Retro Lab, an Instant Effects palette and a Graduated Filter effect. Also new to X5 are the innovative social media integration and organizational tools like face recognition and Share My Trip which gives users the ability to share map based interactive slideshows.

"Consumer needs have always been the driving force behind enhancements included in new releases of PaintShop Pro and X5 is the perfect example," said Matt DiMaria, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media at Corel. "Our customers come from a wide variety of professions and creative backgrounds, so we've listened to their feedback and tailored and refined the new tools and updates in X5 to fit their specific needs. Thanks to the community's involvement and support, we are confident that this release delivers a depth and range of features that make PaintShop Pro X5 a valuable and beneficial upgrade."

Highlights of New and Enhanced Tools:

• NEW! Instant Effects palette: Includes a variety of preset effects and styles such as Artistic, Film, Black & White, and Landscape, plus users can create their own!
• NEW! Retro Lab: Create and apply old-school color and contrast effects to photos to achieve a distinctive look inspired by early or toy cameras
• Enhanced! High Dynamic Range tools: Create intense B&W contrast, easier photo alignment, and the application of presets to HDR batch processing
• NEW! Single RAW Photo: Allows users to create HDR results using a single RAW photo
• NEW! Graduated Filter effect: Semi-transparent color gradients that simulate the effect of using different on camera filters
• Enhanced! Layer Styles: Includes the ability to apply styles such as drop shadow, glow and reflections directly from the Layers palette
• NEW & Enhanced! Paint Brush: New Watercolor brush plus enhanced ability to import Adobe Photoshop brushes
• NEW & Enhanced! Corel Guide: Built-in instructional videos, easy-to-follow tutorials and free downloadable content such as PictureTubes™, picture frames, brushes, presets and more
• NEW! Places: Maps photos to specific real-world locations that enable users to quickly view and search photos based on their geographical info
• NEW! Share My Trip: Share your travel photos online with a slideshow that links photos directly to an interactive map
• NEW! People: Face recognition technology that helps users identify and tag individuals for easier photo management and social sharing

Also introducing PaintShop Pro X5 Ultimate

Also available today is PaintShop Pro X5 Ultimate. This release combines all the powerful photo-editing and design tools of PaintShop Pro X5 with over $200 of creative extras. Users can explore their creativity with award-winning Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0 photographic filters, and REALLUSION FaceFilter Studio 2.0 portrait-enhancement tools. Also included is a collection of over 100 unique brushes, textures and royalty-free backgrounds, making this product an exceptional value.

Also introducing Photo & Video Suite X5

Corel also announces the release of Photo & Video Suite X5, the economical, yet comprehensive software package for producing high quality multimedia projects for both business and pleasure. With the combined power and creativity of PaintShop Pro X5 and VideoStudio® Pro X5, this new editing suite is the supreme content creation engine for photography, design and video enthusiasts.

Pricing and Availability

PaintShop Pro X5 can be purchased immediately as an electronic download (ESD) from www.corel.com or from Corel's global resellers. North American suggested retail pricing (SRP) is $79.99 (US and CDN). Users of PaintShop Pro X3 or higher are eligible for upgrade pricing of $59.99. Commercial and education volume licenses are also available.

PaintShop Pro X5 Ultimate is also available at www.corel.com and at resellers for SRP $99.99 or $79.99 for an upgrade.

For more information about Paintshop Pro X5, or to download a free fully-functional trial version please visit www.corel.com/paintshoppro.

Photo & Video Suite X5 is available in English, German and Bilingual (English/French) for Canada. North American pricing is $129 (US and CDN) for the full version of the software. Please visit www.corel.com/photovideosuite.

Adorama carries Corel Paintshop.

Fred Miranda recently spent some time with the Canon EOS-1D X, some big lenses - and a big cat. Check out Fred's review and results here.

Nikon has made Capture NX 2.3.4 Updater available for download.

Modifications enabled in this version

Modifications that apply to both the Windows and Macintosh versions

• Support for RAW images captured with the Nikon 1 J2 and COOLPIX P7700 has been added.
• When RAW images captured with a camera’s Auto distortion control function enabled were opened or edited, Capture NX 2 sometimes quit unexpectedly. This issue has been resolved

Additional modifications to the Macintosh version

• Support for Mac OS X version 10.5 has been removed.

From DxO Labs:

DxO ViewPoint restores the natural proportions in your photos

DxO ViewPoint, DxO Labs’ new software solution for Mac and Windows entirely dedicated to correcting distorted elements on photo edges, and to redressing keystoning and other problems with perspective, will be available during the course of September 2012.

Based on DxO Labs’ exclusive geometric correction technology, DxO ViewPoint allows you to easily and efficiently restore the natural proportions of the subjects in your images as an integral part of your workflow.

CHANGING THE POINT OF VIEW

The deformation of subjects located on the edges of photos is due to the use of wide-angle lenses, and affects numerous situations, particularly social photography (e.g., events, marriages) and photo reportage. Thanks to its dedicated tool, DxO ViewPoint easily fixes this flaw, automatically restoring the natural proportions to distorted faces and bodies to make them look as normal as those in the center of the image.

Problems with perspective such as keystoning have a big impact on urban, interior, and architectural photography, and are most frequently tied to the photographer’s vantage point when shooting the scene. DxO ViewPoint eliminates unsightly vanishing points and convergent lines, and corrects the most complex perspective problems without having to resort to expensive shift lenses or to a view camera.

Each of these features comes with advanced controls for fine-tuning settings and for obtaining optimal precision when producing larger prints. For example, some tools offer the possibility of virtually changing the shooting position of the photographer so as to perfectly align the vertical lines along the edges of the image.

A CLEAR AND INTUITIVE INTERFACE

DxO ViewPoint has a workspace composed of a large viewing area along with simple and intuitive toolbars and control palettes. Thanks to the software’s explicit icons, photographers can readily identify the rights tools for applying their corrections in just a few clicks.

The corrections palettes are detachable so as to enable working in multi-screen mode and displaying the full image. A visualization palette and a composition grid allow for precise placement of anchor points for fine-tuning adjustments.

Two display modes are available: single image for making corrections with a maximum of accuracy, or side-by-side for manipulating the original image while viewing real-time corrections.

POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE

Based on DxO Labs’ renowned expertise in geometric corrections, DxO ViewPoint automatically applies corrections while taking into account such shooting parameters as focal length and sensor size, and while respecting the image proportions, for a more natural rendering.

Thanks to its automatic cropping feature, DxO ViewPoint maximizes the field of view for optimal results.

ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

DxO ViewPoint is available as a standalone application for Mac and Windows, and also as a plugin for Adobe® Photoshop® CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, and Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 3 and 4.

AVAILABILITY

DxO ViewPoint will be available for Windows and Mac during the course of September 2012 in DxO Labs’ online store and at photo resellers at a price of 79 € (suggested retail price, tax included).

Nikon ViewNX 2.5.1 is now available for download.

Modifications enabled with Ver. 2.5.1

An issue that caused horizontal lines to appear in images printed at paper sizes of A3+ (329 x 483 mm) or larger without margins has been resolved.

Nikon Camera Control Pro 2.11.1 Updater for Macintosh is now available for download.

Modifications enabled in this version

An issue that prevented Camera Control Pro 2 recognising the D4 on Macintosh computers equipped with a PowerPC processor has been resolved.

From Redrock Micro:

Redrock Micro Delivers Another First: The New ultraCage | blue for Canon EOS C100

First Support Cage for C100 Builds on Canon/ Redrock EOS Cinema Heritage

Hollywood, CA and Dallas, TX - Redrock Micro, the recognized leader in affordable professional-level cinema accessories, announced today the new ultraCage | blue for the Canon EOS C100. Built in partnership with Canon for the premiere at IBC 2012, the ultraCage C100's form-fitting design matches the ergonomics and size of the C100, adds needed support and mounting features, and minimizes bulk and weight.

Canon and Redrock Do It Again

When the revolutionary EOS C300 was introduced in November 2011, Canon selected Redrock as the exclusive rig provider for the launch including featured films from Vincent Laforet DGA, Sam Nicholson ASC, Richard Crudo ASC and Felix Alcala/Larry Carroll.

Building on this success and Redrock's recognized heritage of innovation and design, Canon has again tapped Redrock to deliver a support cage uniquely created for the C100 for the camera's worldwide preview at IBC 2012.

"Recognizing the integral role of support equipment and Redrock for the C300 launch, Canon approached us to create a support system that would match the form, style and pricing level of the EOS C100," said James Hurd, Chief Revolutionary of Redrock Micro. "We felt it was important to mirror the C100's beautiful design without increasing the camera's footprint. The ultraCage C100 retains the camera's feel and ergonomics, and adds the support, stability and features customers want for this phenomenal camera. Redrock's revolutionary prices are also a great match to the C100's new entry level price for Canon EOS Cinema."

The Redrock ultraCage | blue: The Essential Accessory for the Canon EOS C100

The ultraCage C100 delivers the features you need and the options you want in a camera support and rig system.

Key features and benefits include:

• 360 degrees of protection and mounting points - The ultraCage C100 mirrors the sleek, compact design of the Canon C100 and closely wraps the camera to maintain its beautiful natural form factor while providing 360 degree camera casing for maximum security and support with minimal bulk and size.
• Complete camera access - The ultraCage C100 is designed to ensure all buttons, functions and doors on the camera are completely accessible. The C100's removable hand grip can be attached and used or detached - all without removing the ultraCage.
• Unparalleled flexibility - The ultraCage C100 delivers mounting points on all four sides as well as at top and bottom to place camera-top accessories wherever you choose. Top and bottom rails deliver flexibility for placing accessories such as a follow focus and matte box.
• Powered Cage - The optional powerPack attaches to the cage and delivers centralized power for the C100 and all your camera-top accessories including monitors, external recorders and focus units.
• Affordability - Redrock continues to offer professional-level cinema accessories at revolutionary prices so that anyone can afford to own great gear and get more value for their money.

The Right Rig For You

In addition to the standalone cage, the ultraCage C100 is offered as part of four ergonomic, complete rigs. You can jump right into production or use them as a starting point to create your own perfect rig:

• ultraEvent - A balanced, compact handheld rig.
• ultra Field Cinema Bundle - A comfortable shouldermount rig for all-day shooting.
• ultraCage Studio Bundle - The ultimate rig for shooting on tripods, dollies, jibs and cranes.

Alternatively, pros and enthusiasts alike can build their dream rig from the ground up w/Redrock's huge arsenal of pro-level cinema accessories that solve common problems and speed production, including:

• Rear chassis - Cage extension delivers more rail space and mounting points for all your camera-top accessories.
• backPack - Rear mounting plate for attaching an external battery, recorder or other large accessories while keeping your rig balanced.
• microFollowFocus - A brilliant performer for precise and repeatable focus control.
• microRemote - Remote focus control with both wireless and fingerwheel operator controls. Fits all lenses and cameras.

Works With Existing Redrock Gear and New Redrock ultra Series™

With the new ultraCage, the C100 is compatible with the ultra Series—Redrock's professional-grade rig components and accessories - and can share accessories and parts with other cameras compatible w/the ultra Series, including the Canon C300 and DSLRs.

The ultra Series maintains industry standards for maximum compatibility with third-party accessories, allowing gear migration from one camera to another to completely maximize return on investment.

For More Information

Additional details on the ultraCage C100 can be found on the ultraCage page: http://store.redrockmicro.com/Canon-cinema-eos-c100-c300

Pricing and Availability

Pricing for the ultraCage | blue C100 starts at $550 and is available now for pre-order (shipping end of October 2012). As with all Redrock products, customers can purchase direct from Redrock Micro's website at store.redrockmicro.com, or from any of Redrock's worldwide authorized resellers.

Adorama carries Redrock Micro ultraCages.

Finally, I am hearing reports that the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens is shipping (with deliveries occurring in certain parts of the world).

According to dc.watch.impress.co.jp, Canon will be releasing this lens on Sep 6th.

Canon Japan is warning of expected initial shortages of this lens. (thanks Kaz)

Adorama is accepting preorders.