Canon and Sony News for May 2012

Camera Raw 7.1 Update

This new version of the Camera Raw plug-in replaces the original one that was installed with Adobe Photoshop CS6. Visit the Camera Raw page for a complete list of supported cameras.

English: Windows | Macintosh

Lightroom 4.1 update

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.1 update includes these enhancements:

• The ability to process HDR TIFF files. (16, 24 or 32-bit TIFF files)
• Additional Color Fringing corrections to help address chromatic aberration.
• Save photobooks created in the Book Module to JPEG.
• Publishing photos to Adobe Revel is now accessible via a Publish plugin.
• Additional camera support for several new cameras including the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Fujifilm X-Pro1, Nikon D800, and Olympus OM-D E-M5.
• Corrections for issues introduced in previous versions of Lightroom.

English: Windows | Macintosh

Lightroom Journal has more information.

Firmware version 1.0.5.1.00 is now available for the Canon EOS C300 and Canon EOS C300 PL Cinema EOS Cameras.

Firmware Version 1.0.5.1.00 incorporates the following features:

• Genlock synchronization can now be used to synchronize the camera’s 24.00P, 24.00PsF, 23.98P, and 23.98PsF input signals.
• Adds the Korean language to the camera’s menu.

B&H just started accepting preorders for the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens and Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens

"Expected availability: June 17 2012".

Nikon has made D4, D800 and D800E firmware update version 1.0.1 available for download.

D4: USA | Europe
D800: USA | Europe
D800E: USA | Europe

Modifications enabled with this upgrade of Nikon D4 firmware

• When a still image was captured while viewing existing images in playback mode, the monitor turned off, the memory card access lamp glowed steadily, and, in some rare cases, the camera ceased to respond to operations. This issue has been resolved.
• When network functions were used with certain settings applied, RAW images were also transferred when Network > Send file as was set to JPEG only. This issue has been resolved.
• When an option that utilized the main command dial was selected for Custom Setting f15: Playback zoom, and an image was zoomed in or out with playback with certain settings applied, shooting shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation settings were sometimes changed. This issue has been resolved.

Modifications enabled with this upgrade of Nikon D800/D800E firmware

• When a still image was captured while viewing existing images in playback mode, the monitor turned off, the memory card access lamp glowed steadily, and, in some rare cases, the camera ceased to respond to operations. This issue has been resolved.
• When the Wireless Transmitter WT-4 was used with certain settings applied, RAW images were also transferred when Wireless transmitter > Transfer settings > Send file as was set to JPEG only. This issue has been resolved.
• A dark shadow sometimes appeared at the bottom edge of images captured with Active D-Lighting set to any option other than Off with Image area set to 5:4 (30x24). This issue has been resolved.

CPN has posted and interview with Jeff Ascough, getting his thoughts on the Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

From PocketWizard:

Special 2012 Summer Olympics MultiMAX Upgrade

Special 2012 London Summer Olympics Upgrade Offer for Custom ID owners with older MultiMAX radios

So. Burlington, VT - LPA Design, manufacturer of PocketWizard Photo Accessories, is announcing a special MULTIMAX UPGRADE offer exclusively to Custom ID owners.

Special London Olympics Offer:

If you own an older PocketWizard radio with a Custom ID in it, you should take advantage of this special offer to upgrade to the latest MultiMAX. A modern MultiMAX has the following benefits for the Olympics:

• A USB port for firmware upgrades – we are working on a new firmware to help in multi-user Olympic environments
• The ability to move your Custom ID to a different frequency. Older radios had the Custom ID pinned to one frequency - if the frequency was crowded you might miss triggers. The latest MultiMAX allows you to move among the available frequencies in your MultiMAX to move away from interference.
• An ACC port for controlling the “half press” of your remote camera
• And more!

From now until July 31st, you can upgrade your older Custom ID radio to a modern MultiMAX for $195. Just send your Custom ID radio to LPA Design and we will take care of the rest.

How do you know if you have an older MultiMAX? Hold down “A” on power-up – if your MultiMAX displays version 6.xx or earlier, you could benefit from an upgrade!

This offer is only available for MultiMAX or MAX radios with Custom IDs already installed. It is not for Plus, Plus II, Plus III, etc. This offer is only available directly from LPA Design.

To learn more, visit www.pocketwizard.com/news_events/news/multimax_upgrade/

Apple Aperture 3.2.4 is now available for download.

What's New in Aperture 3.2.4

• Improves stability on Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
• Addresses an issue that could prevent the Viewer from updating correctly after editing a photo using an external editor.

B&H *JUST* opened their Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens and Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens preorder lines.

Great news: According to CPN, "Two new Canon L-series super telephoto lenses – the EF500mm f/4L IS II USM and the EF600mm f/4L IS II USM – are now shipping."

Preorder the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens at Adorama.

Preorder the Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens at Adorama.

This is going to sound familiar, but I repeat, photographing the damage as it is being inflicted can be helpful for an insurance claim.

Scroll down this Reuters blog post to see a Canon 400mm f/2.8 Lens being thrown from the stands at a soccer match in Turkey.

I'll leave comparison of the soccer fan to the grizzly up to you. (thanks Jordan)

From DxO:

DxO Optics Pro v7.5: support for the D800 and increased performance

Substantially revised to function as a native 64-bit application, DxO Optics Pro v7.5 offers much faster previews and processing, and handles much larger files, for increased productivity.

DxO Optics Pro v7.5 is now faster overall, including quicker processing, and can handle much larger files, among them those of the Nikon D800 and its 36-megapixel full-frame sensor*.

*Given the file sizes of the D800, this camera is supported only by the 64-bit version of DxO Optics Pro v7.5. (Requires a 64-bit system.)

Numerous improvements to the interface

The interface of the Windows version of DxO Optics Pro v7.5 has been enhanced with numerous features to make it even more pleasant to use.

The Move/Zoom palette has been optimized and aligned with that of the Mac version to permit better image visibility.

New for Windows:

The image filter menu has been improved to allow easier and quicker photo selection.

With Windows 7, it is possible to see the processing progress in the task bar.

Many other small improvments, notably additional keyboard shortcuts.

Visit DxO for more information.

Visit B&H to purchase DxO Optics Pro.

Apple Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 3.13 is now available for download.

This update adds RAW image compatibility for the following cameras to Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11:

• Canon EOS-1D X
• Nikon D800E
• Nikon D3200
• Olympus OM-D E-M5
• Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF5
• Sony Alpha SLT-A57

Nikon ViewNX Version 2.3.2 is now available for download.

Modifications enabled with version 2.3.2:

When printing images with Print As: in the Printer Setup dialog set to Full Page and the Print Information box checked, images were printed with excessive margins, regardless of the options selected for printing in the Advanced Print Information Settings dialog. This issue has been resolved.

Nikon D700 Firmware Update A 1.03, B 1.02 is now available for download: USA | Europe.

Modifications enabled in this version:

An issue that, in some very rare cases, caused images to be extremely under-exposed has been resolved.

For insurance purposes, it is always best to have photos of the damage being claimed. Better yet, photograph the damage being inflicted (LensRentals.com).

When you are renting thousands of cameras and lenses, great stories are sure to follow. (thanks Sean)

The CDLC has posted a Canon EOS-1D X sample film entitled "Shattered" by Tyler Stableford.

BTS (Behind the Scenes) videos are also available.

If you purchased Adobe CS5.5 during the CS6 upgrade promotion between March 25th and May 6th, you are now eligible to receive your free upgrade to CS6.

You should have received a one-time use code that allows redemption for your free CS6 upgrade in an Adobe email newsletter sent to qualifying customers on May 15th. If you qualify for the free upgrade and have not received your coupon code, contact Adobe (or check your spam folder).

From Induro:

Induro Announces Extended Warranty and Bonus Warranty Program

New 10 year warranty program now available on all Induro purchases

North White Plains, NY – (May 18, 2012) – Induro www.indurogear.com, makers of the finest tripods, heads and accessories, announces today it has extended its standard warranty and added a new bonus warranty program to help protect photographer’s and videographer’s investments in Induro support gear.

This new warranty bonus extends the newly increased 5-year limited warranty from the date of any Induro product purchase another 5 years for a total of 10 years. This new extended warranty policy and bonus warranty, open to all U.S. customers, is available immediately when customers register their Induro purchase online. For more information please visit: http://www.indurogear.com/support/registr.asp

B&H carries Induro Products.

A friend has reported that his just-received Canon EOS 5D Mark III shipped with Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.11.27.0 in the box. Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.11.26.0 is the latest version I can find on Canon USA's website.

Hopefully this release fixes the Canon PowerShot G1 X RAW conversion problem (producing soft images) - and hopefully it becomes available for download very soon.

From Canon UK:

Canon adds new functionality to the EOS C300 and EOS C300 PL

United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, 18 May 2012 – Canon today announces the availability of a new firmware update for the ground-breaking EOS C300 and the EOS C300 PL. The update, version 1.0.5.1.00, will add Genlock synchronisation for 24.00P, 24.00PsF, 23.98P and 23.98PsF signal inputs. In addition, the new firmware will add support for Korean language to the menus.

The new firmware will be available from the end of May 2012 from http://software.canon-europe.com/

For your email address, PhotoShelter will send you their latest guide: What Buyers Want from Photographers: 2012 Survey.

The CDLC has posted a menu simulator for the Canon Cinema EOS C300.

"Designed for prospective users of the EOS C300, the CDLC has developed a fully interactive menu simulator to allow users to familiarize themselves with the camera's Main Menu and Custom Picture Menu."

"With this innovative training tool, users can navigate and master the menu system of the EOS C300 camera with a mouse, keyboard arrow or your fingers (when using a device with a touch screen) This system has been optimized for use on personal computers and tablet devices."

Better yet, use the real thing - B&H has the Canon Cinema EOS C300 PL Camera in stock. $15,999.00 shipped.

RackSpace will be performing maintenance on the site's database server tonight (Thu, May 17). Due to this maintenance, the site will be mostly unavailable between the hours of 10:00 and 11:00 CDT (approximately). The forums should remain unaffected.

I complained about the near-peak hours of site use being chosen for this process, but I'm apparently not important enough to have any impact on the RackSpace-chosen times. They will give consideration to my request for the next planned maintenance downtime.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

Adorama has released a nice new, clean-looking search results page design.

It only took me 8 months to process and post pictures from my September 2011 Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Park photo trip. Better late than never. I had more time in Glacier and the Glacier gallery reflects this.

Images were selected because I liked them - or wanted to share something about these incredible parks. Many images have tips and information shared below them.

The first Glacier image is my favorite:

Glacier National Park Image Gallery

Waterton Lakes National Park Image Gallery