Firmware updates for the Nikon D300, D300S, and D700

One and a half months after the Nikon D3200, D7000, D600, D800(E), D3(S, X), and D4 got their update (see previous post), the D300(S) and D700 finally get their update to fix some compatibility issues with the new 800mm f/5.6 lens.

D300 Firmware Update A 1.11, B 1.11

• Support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR has been added.

Download: EU

D300S Firmware Update A 1.02, B 1.02

• Support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR has been added.

Download: EU

D700 Firmware Update A 1.04, B 1.03

• Support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR has been added.

Download: EU

New: 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2 lens for Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras

Nikon just announced a new lens for their Nikon 1 mirrorless system cameras: The 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2.
With a 35mm format equivalent of ±86mm, this ultra wide max aperture lens could be the ideal portrait lens (for the Nikon 1 system), able to provide a very shallow depth of field.

The 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2 will be available in June in black and silver, and will cost around $896/€859

Finally: The Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x

The lens Canon shooters have been waiting for is finally here! At the end of May the Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x should be available at the stores.

The new lens, which was seen in action during the 2012 Olympics already, promises to be a very  special lens indeed. Potentially better than Nikon's counterpart. For one, the built-in 1.4x teleconvertor (which can be enabled without having to remove the lens from the camera) means the versatility and flexibility of the lens is bigger. But perhaps optically it is better too (Nikon's 200-400 has one weakness: sharpness at greater distances).

All in all a very interesting lens. The price for this fine piece of technology is a bit on the steep side though; with €/$12,000 it is going to be twice the price of the Nikon counterpart (even including a 1.4x TC). Whether or not the lens is really worth it, or if it would perhaps even be better/cheaper to buy a separate Nikon body and the Nikon 200-400 instead, remains to be seen…

Fun: Hitler learns about Adobe's new Creative Cloud model

Adobe's plans for the Creative Cloud (where you are locked into paying a monthly fee to be able to use the software) has created quite a stir amongst their customers. Here's what happens when Hitler learns about the model…

(please note that the video contains coarse language)

Nikon releases Capture NX 2.4.2 and View NX 2.7.5

Nikon today released an update for their Capture NX2 and View NX2 applications.

Both updates address an issue with D600 raw images:

• When RAW images captured with a D600 running C firmware Ver. 1.01 at an Image area setting of DX (24×16) 1.5× and any Active D-Lighting setting other than Off were opened in Capture NX 2, a bright (whitish) diagonal line was visible. This issue has been resolved.

You can find the updates at the Nikon support sites:
Capture NX 2.4.2: EU / USA
View NX 2.7.5: EU / USA

Bad move from Adobe: Future releases of Photoshop and the rest of the Creative Suite subscription only

Adobe has announced the next version of their Creative Suite applications (e.g., Photoshop, Indesign, Dreamweaver, etc.) will be solely available as a cloud based subscription service with a monthly fee.

While this makes the creative suite available to new users at what seems to be quite a good price (full suite is available at $49.99/€61.49/£46.88 a month), the new scheme is much more expensive over time, especially for existing users. Sure Adobe gives you a discount as existing user of CS3 and over, but this is only valid the first year and only when you subscribe before 31 July of this year.

There's been a lot of discussion on the internet about this already and many people seem to share the same sentiment that this is an extremely bad move from Adobe… While so far I have bought every update to Photoshop available since I started using it, I don't think I will be subscribing to the Creative Cloud version of the software soon. I will sure be looking at alternatives though (hmm, Aperture is starting to look real good now).

Pricing options:

• Full suite (new user): $49.99/€61.49/£46.88
• Full suite (owner of a CS3 – CS5 application, first year only): $29.99/€36.89/£27.34
• Full suite (owner of a CS6 application, first year only): $19.99/€24.59/£17.58
• Single application (new user): $19.99/€24.59/£17.58
• Single application (owner of a CS3 – CS6 application, first year only): $9.99/€12.29/£8.78

For more information on Photoshop CC and the other Creative Cloud applications, have a look at the Adobe website.