Canon, Nikon, and Sony News for Aug 2011

Apple has posted Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 3.8.
 
No Canon or Nikons listed this round.
 
This update adds RAW image compatibility for the following cameras to Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11:
 
• Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200
• Olympus PEN E-P3
• Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G3
• Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF3
• Samsung NX11
• Samsung NX100
• Sony Alpha NEX-C3
• Sony Alpha SLT-A35
 
For more information on supported RAW formats, see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4757.

Ritz Interactive has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
 
"Until as recently as 2007, Ritz Interactive, No. 171 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, was putting up annual web sales of as much as $111 million and operated more than a dozen niche e-commerce sites.
 
"But a sour economy, problems with inventory and other factors have caused Ritz Interactive to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. Ritz Interactive, which owns and operates RitzCamera.com and other sites, isn’t talking publically about its bankruptcy filing. It’s also unclear how Ritz Interactive intends to restructure."

DxO Labs has added 30 new lens / camera combinations to the DxO Optics Modules library, providing supports for Canon, Nikkor, Sigma, Sony, Tamron, and Tokina lenses, for numerous Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras.
 
Visit this page to see the new combinations.
 
DxO Optics Pro is available at B&H.

Canon USA has announced that it will be attending 2012 International CES.
 
CES 2012 will be held Tue, Jan 10 - Fri, Jan 13, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV. Free registration for this event ends August 31, 2011 (today).

PhotoPlus Expo 2011 announces keynotes and seminar schedule including full-day WPPI NYC wedding/portrait seminars on October 26.

Jill-e Designs press release:
 
New Carry Bags From Jill-e® Designs Offer Panache With a Purpose
 
The new Jill-e® Designs E-GO™ collection of carry bags makes it easy for female professionals to accessorize for success.
 
(Orlando, Florida)-August 29, 2011-Accessorizing for success just became easier. Jill-e® Designs, the leading maker of sophisticated camera and carry bags for today’s technology-rich lifestyle, announced the availability of E-GO™, an exciting new line of bags created specifically to meet the needs of the contemporary, fast-paced and cutting-edge woman.
 
Balancing fashion, form and function, the new E-GO line offers a professional, stylish solution for everyone, from the career woman rushing to board a plane without getting caught up in a gadget bag barrage to the working mother trying to keep her multiple electronic devices organized alongside her lifestyle essentials. The E-GO line of carry bags provides women with a convenient, one-bag option to help them protect and organize the tools of their trade without compromising on style.
 
“Most everything we do today is technology-driven. No matter where we go, we tend to be most comfortable when our cell phone is in hand and our other devices like iPods, cameras and laptops are in reach,” said Jill-e president and co-founder, Gail Backal. “The bags in the new E-GO collection give women a stylish, secure option to help hold it all, keep it safe—and look good at the same time.”
 
Offering strategic protection within a stylish silhouette, the versatile E-GO bags provide a chic, feminine alternative to traditional carry bags, which are primarily designed with the male executive in mind. The new collection offers six high-quality carry bags featuring smart and sassy plaid designs in black or tan, each with durable leather trim. All bags are weather resistant and include padded compartments for electronics as well as zippered pockets for personal items.
 
E-GO Bags include:
 
E-GO Laptop Valise: An extra-large “shopper” that fits up to a 14” laptop and a camera with zippered pockets and other compartments for daily essentials
 
E-GO Laptop Satchel: A stylish gadget bag to accommodate a 12” laptop, a camera and personal items with a top zipper closure for extra security
 
E-GO Tablet Messenger: Convenient cross-body styling that holds up to a 10” tablet, e-reader or netbook with room for other daily essentials, and includes two roomy front pockets for a smartphone, keys and other need-it-now items
 
E-GO Laptop Tote: A north/south tote to hold a 15” laptop, notebook, camera and everyday necessities
 
E-GO Essential Camera Bag: Offers full protection with adjustable padded dividers for today’s compact system cameras and personal items
 
E-GO Wristlet: Great for a day or night out on the town, offering full protection for a smartphone, point-and-shoot camera or MP3 player and personal items
 
“Jill-e has become the leader in fashionable carry bags for anyone who’s carrying electronic devices that they don’t want rattling around unprotected—for those who care a little more about taking care of these fragile instruments,” Backal commented. “You can take it with you, and Jill-e’s new E-GO line allows busy working women to do it with style and class while safeguarding these valuable devices.”
 
Jill-e Designs expects to introduce the first of the E-GO line to the public this fall through the Jill-e website and at select retail outlets such as Adorama, Amazon, B&H and eBags.
 
For more information on this line of classy and robust carry bags, as well as other collections of fantastic and fashionable camera bags, visit http://www.jill-e.com/.
 
B&H carries Jill-e Designs bags.

X-rite Press Release:
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 23, 2011 – X-Rite, Incorporated (NASDAQ: XRIT), the world leader in color management, measurement and communication technologies, and its wholly owned subsidiary Pantone, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced a $150 cash back promotion for X-Rite customers who want to upgrade their i1Match, ProfileMaker or MonacoPROFILER software to i1Publish which contains the next generation i1Profiler color management software. i1Profiler delivers an entirely new, flexible user defined experience to generate the highest quality ICC profiles for unrivaled color accuracy.
 
Fully supporting the new Mac OS X 10.7 Lion operating system, the latest version of i1Publish is a fully-featured ICC profiling solution that includes i1Profiler software, ColorChecker Camera Calibration software, PANTONE Color Manager software and two ColorChecker targets – ColorChecker Classic and ColorChecker Proof. i1Publish quickly and easily creates custom profiles for cameras, monitors, digital projectors, and RGB, CMYK and CMYK+4 printers, ensuring color accuracy from capture to output. It also features new assurance validation and verification functions using digital standards.
 
Users of i1Match, ProfileMaker and MonacoPROFILER users will see improved color quality thanks to a new engine that creates highly accurate profiles for the truest color all the way from capture to output. A new user interface features both basic and advanced modes to give users the flexibility they need. It’s easily customized and enables users to save and share workflows or workflow components.
 
The following enhancements are what users who upgrade to the new i1Publish can expect:
 
Improved color quality - new color engine creates highly accurate profiles for the truest color from capture to output
 
New user interface – basic and advanced modes provide the ultimate flexibility; easily customize, save and share workflows or workflow components
 
Accurately capture colors every time with included ColorChecker Camera Calibration software and target
 
Accurately view colors every time on your monitors and projectors
 
Accurately print colors every time on RGB, CMYK and CMYK+ printers
 
New Quality Assurance Tools
 
Fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 Lion operating system
 
Through Sept. 30, 2011, X-Rite is offering customers a $150 cash back rebate on the upgrade for US and Canadian customers who have i1XTreme, i1Proof, i1XT, i1Pro OEM, i1Photo Pro, i1Photo LT, i1Photo, i1Photo SG, i1Design LT, i1Basic, i1 Basic Pro, ProfileMaker 5, MonacoPROFILER 4.
 
For more information about the i1Publish upgrade and rebate, please visit http://www.xrite.com or http://www.xritephoto.com.

Tamron has announced the grand opening of "The Vision of 60 Photographers".
 
On this special site, 60 photographers share their views of the world using the Tamron 18-270mm lens.

Lowepro Press Release:
 
Petaluma, CA – DayMen Group, manufacturer and leading distributor of high-quality imaging, laptop and other electronic protective accessory brands, is pleased to announce it has reached an agreement to acquire Joby.
 
Joby is the San Francisco-based manufacturer of iconic photo, mobile and lighting products that inspire the creative and active lifestyle, including the award-winning GorillaPod line of flexible tripods.
 
"DayMen will bring its extensive distribution network and our history of building great brands to the Joby line of products," said Gil Roberts, DayMen CEO. "DayMen and Joby are built on a shared passion for creativity, superior functionality and constant innovation. Together, we can accelerate the growth of our business and build the global presence of our Lowepro, Acme Made and Joby brands, as well as the many outstanding third-party brands we distribute around the world."
 
DayMen has been distributing Joby in Canada since 2007 and Australia since 2008. Since it was founded over six years ago, Joby has grown from a start-up to a company with distribution in over 65 countries.
 
Forrest Baringer-Jones, Joby CEO said, "When we introduced our best-selling GorillaPod for sale in 2006 we were able to redefine the way photographers capture images. Since then, we’ve developed a number of great products to thrill our customers including new lines related to lighting and mobile accessories. The acquisition by DayMen gives Joby a great opportunity to expand both our distribution network and our product line."
 
"I am incredibly proud of the team we have built, the products we have developed, and the customer and distributor relationships we have forged," said JoeBen Bevirt, Joby’s founder. "I am excited for the tremendous opportunity DayMen has provided for Joby to continue to grow."
 
Read more at the Joby blog.

Canon CPN has posted an article from Frits van Eldik on shooting F1 racing action using the new Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens.

Canon has posted: Notice Regarding Market Purchase of Own Shares and Completion of Acquisition

I have just added a large number of items to the site's Used DSLR Cameras, Lenses and Accessories for Sale page.
 
This is gear I personally own. Lots of good stuff is available - including a Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Photoshelter has made a Guide to Crowdfunding available for for free email delivery.
 
"Crowdfunding is a new and powerful opportunity to reach an expansive audience and gain financial support for your next photo project."

Delkin press release:
 
Delkin Ships Fastest CF Memory Card in the World.
 
Poway, CA. August 24, 2011 – Today Delkin Devices, Inc. announced their much anticipated ruggedized waterproof CF memory cards boasting the fastest read and write speeds in the world. The new cards are available in capacities ranging from 8GB up to 64GB and are capable of transferring pictures, video, music and more at speeds up to 685X, or 103MB/s. In addition to impressive speed performance, the cards are fully compatible with advanced HD and 3D video recording modes including slow motion recording.
 
“Since we launched our initial CombatFlash lineup of CF cards in 2010 we’ve had fantastic success among professional photographers and videographers,” explains Marketing Manager, Anna Lopez. “Unlike a traditional CF memory card, the CombatFlash PCB is protected with a Tekta infusion process that enables the card to achieve phenomenal reliability and performance in environments where a normal CF card would typically fail. The card is protected from underwater submersion, solid impact, corrosion, rust & more. That reliability equals a day of production that doesn’t need to be reshot, or a climb up Mount Everest that is captured reliably. It equals invaluable peace of mind.”
 
The new CombatFlash685 card includes the same ruggedized qualities as it’s 625X predecessor, but adds more than 10MB/s in speed performance and the ability to shoot in over cranking mode (or slow motion recording) with Canon’s XF series HD camcorders, including the trending XF305, XF300, XF105 and XF100 models.
 
Lopez states, “Sophisticated cinema recording applications like Slow & Fast Motion and HD infrared capabilities are increasingly being utilized on a regular basis. Delkin’s US engineering staff is consistently heightening their standards to not only keep up with the evolving equipment, but to also anticipate future breakthroughs that will require exceedingly fast and high quality memory.”
 
Delkin’s CombatFlash memory remains the only consumer flash storage brand built to comply with MIL-STD-810 specification. Extreme environmental testing has rated the CombatFlash CF line to remain fully operable anywhere between 0°C to 70°C, while soldered and sealed internal components and advanced wear leveling & error correction features manage data continuously to ensure data integrity and card longevity.
 
CombatFlash685 CF memory is supported by Delkin’s trusted lifetime warranty and U.S. based support center, available by phone on working days between 8am-5pm PST. This innovative product, along with Delkin’s complete lineup of imaging accessories, can be found at digital camera retailers worldwide, as well as direct from www.delkin.com for retail prices ranging from $149.99 for an 8GB card to $899.99 for a 64GB card. CombatFlash 625X memory is also available for purchase for a limited time, with 4-16GB capacities retailing from $79.99–$229.99.
 
B&H carries Delkin products.

DxO Labs has added 29 new lens / camera combinations to the DxO Optics Modules library, providing supports for Canon, Nikkor, and Tamron lenses, for numerous Canon, Fuji, and Nikon cameras.
 
Visit this page to see the new combinations.
 
DxO Optics Pro is available at B&H.

Canon USA CPS has sent the following notice regarding the free "Silver" CPS membership level.
 
Dear CPS Member,
 
This is an important announcement concerning CPS Silver Membership.
 
Effective October 1, 2011 CPS will no longer offer the 20% service discount currently being applied to CPS Silver Member repairs.
 
As a professional photographer, CPS understands that extended down time due to equipment repairs can be detrimental to good business. Therefore, we will continue to offer CPS Silver Members pro standard turn around times on repairs and access to the CPS Member Only 24/7 contact phone number and email, along with access to content on the CPS website including posted CPS supported Events, Shows and Workshops in your area.
 
Further, we encourage CPS Silver Members to explore the expanded support a CPS Gold Membership offers. CPS Gold Membership includes 3-day expedited repairs at a 30% discount along with many other benefits. Also, during the month of October we are offering a promotion when upgrading to a CPS Gold Membership that will include one (1) additional Free Clean & Check coupon. This coupon would be included along with the other items in your CPS Gold Membership Welcome Kit. Please visit the CPS website for a complete list of member benefits.
 
For more information:
 
Contact us at cpsmember@cusa.canon.com or call our general CPS support line 1-888-CPS-4540.
 
You can find the Canon Professional Services USA website at http://www.usa.canon.com/cps.

Nikon has today introduced a long list of compact digital cameras. Here is that list along with links to the Nikon USA press releases.
 
Nikon COOLPIX P7100
Nikon COOLPIX S8200
Nikon COOLPIX S6200
Nikon COOLPIX S100
Nikon COOLPIX S1200pj
Nikon COOLPIX AW100/AW100s
 
The I Am Nikon Blog has more information.
 
Amazon.com is accepting preorders on most of these cameras.

Adobe has made release candidates available for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.5 and Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw 6.5
 
Lightroom Journal has the details.

Breaking News: I'm sitting at my desk in central Pennsylvania with 6" of concrete under me. The concrete just rippled enough to very noticeably shake my heavy glass and steel desk. Fortunately there appears to be no damage here.
 
I was on the phone with my Adorama rep at the time and conveyed to him what was happening. He was in disbelief until moments later it hit New York City also. Twitter is alive with the news.

The new Arch Rig (press release) offers an innovative new way to follow focus:
 

Rob asked me to share his Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye Lens Cap modifcation with you:
 

 
" ... I modified the lens cap of the 8-15 4.0L fisheye lens with two small pieces of Velcro (only the soft part). The result is very satisfying! The lens cap won’t fall of anymore even when one presses one or both clips." (thanks Rob)
 
Rob modified his original Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens cap in a similar way - using much more velcro for that mod.
 
 
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye Lens Review

That's what I'm hearing. I look for the next new DSLR camera and lens announcements to happen later this year - perhaps October.

Canon has also today announced the PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 Wireless Photo All-In-One Printers (Canon press release).

Canon has today introduced the PowerShot SX150 IS, PowerShot ELPH 510 HS and PowerShot ELPH 310 HS along with a PowerShot Flash.

Some of you have expressed the desire to have the complete site index shown at the bottom of all pages as it had been. This feature is now optional.
 
I added a small on/off icon () beside the "Site Index" menu option on the navigation bar at the bottom of each page. Clicking on this icon toggles the bottom-of-the-page site index on and off. The sample image just shown is live - it will enable the index.
 
The site should then remember your choice on all pages except the home page, which does not include this feature (due to technical difficulties).