Adobe releases Lightroom 4.1 and Camera Raw/DNG Converter 7.1 updates

Adobe today released updates for Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw, and the DNG Converter.

The new features in Lightroom 4.1 and Camera Raw 7.1 include the ability to process HDR TIFF files and new de-fringing controls. The new software versions also support raw files from the Nikon D800 and D800E, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (as well as many other new cameras).

The updates can be downloaded directly from the Adobe web site, or by using the update feature in Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CS6.

• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.1
• Adobe Camera Raw 7.1 and DNG Converter 7.1

Firmware updates for Nikon D4 and D800/D800E

Nikon today released firmware updates for the D4, D800 and D800E DSLR cameras.

Firmware fixes

From the release notes, these new firmwares fix the following issues:

Nikon D4, D800, and D800E

• 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.

Nikon D4

• 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.

Nikon D800/D800E

• 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.

Downloading the firmware updates

You can find the firmware updates on the support sites:

• Nikon D4 – Europe / USA
• Nikon D800 – Europa / USA
• Nikon D800E – Europa / USA

(Or, go to your own country's support site)

How to apply the firmware updates

Applying the fix is easy:

• Download the firmware update (Mac or Win file)
• Put the firmware update bin file in the root directory of a memory card
• Insert the memory card in your camera
• Turn the camera on
• Select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu and follow the instructions shown for updating the firmware
• After update has completed, turn the camera off and remove the memory card

To verify you have the latest version of the firmware active, simply select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu. Firmware A should be version 1.00 (1.01 for the Nikon D4!), and Firmware B should be version 1.01.

Firmware update for the Nikon D700

Nikon has released a firmware update for the Nikon D700 DSLR camera. The firmware fixes just one issue: the issue that, in some very rare cases, caused images to be extremely under-exposed.

You can find the firmware updates on the support sites: Europe / USA
(Or, go to your own country's support site)

Applying the fix is easy:

• Download the firmware update (Mac or Win file)
• Put the firmware update bin file in the root directory of a memory card
• Insert the memory card in your camera
• Turn the camera on
• Select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu and follow the instructions shown for updating the firmware
• After update has completed, turn the camera off and remove the memory card

To verify you have the latest version of the firmware active, simply select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu. Firmware A should be version 1.03, and Firmware B should be version 1.02.

More awards for the Nikon D800 as well

Seems like there is a world-wide agreement on what the best cameras and lenses are: like the Canon fisheye lens, the Nikon D800 camera also is awarded both by TIPA and the Camera Grand Prix.

The D800 earlier won the TIPA award for “2012 Best D-SLR Expert camera” and can now add Camera Grand Prix 2012's “Camera of the Year Award” as well as its “Readers Award” to the list!

Canon EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM wins another prize

Canon's EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM interchangeable lens has been honoured in Japan with the prestigious Camera Grand Prix 2012 “Lens of the Year Award.” This is the second award for the Canon fisheye lens, which earlier was also named “Best Professional DSLR Lens in 2012” by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA).

The Camera Grand Prix, considered the most sought-after camera and lens product awards in Japan, is organized by the Camera Journal Press Club, comprising journalists from major domestic photography and camera magazines.

Nikon firmware update for J1 and V1 cameras

Nikon has posted an update for the Nikon 1 J1 and V1 mirror-less system cameras.

According to the release notes, the only fix in this update is for the issue that caused some frames to be duplicated in slow-motion movies recorded at a frame rate setting of 1200 fps.

You can find the firmware updates on the support sites:

• Nikon J1 – Europe / USA
• Nikon V1 – Europa / USA

(Or, go to you own country's support site)

Applying the fix is easy:

• Download the firmware update (Mac or Win file)
• Put the firmware update bin file in the root directory of a memory card
• Insert the memory card in your camera
• Turn the camera on
• Select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu and follow the instructions shown for updating the firmware
• After update has completed, turn the camera off and remove the memory card

To verify you have the latest version of the firmware active, simply select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu. Firmware A should be version 1.12, and Firmware B should be version 1.10.

Ball head maintenance tip

A ball head on a good tripod is a great supporting tool for the photographer. Very flexible and quick to adjust. The better ones you don't even have to loosen when you want to alter them. This can be a boon to the photographer and certainly adds to the precision and ease
of handling.

A good ball head is pretty low maintenance; the very tight space between the different moving parts prevent dirt and other stuff to get in. Just wiping the ball head with a clean (lint free) rag after use is enough to keep it going and operating smoothly for ages. Even when you've used it in adverse weather.

Sometimes, however, you'll notice your ball head isn't operating as smoothly as it should. For instance you'll notice that you need to apply some extra force to start rotate the head on it's base plate. Worse, after you've conquered this initial friction you may even have the head “shoot through” and move further than you intended. This stuttering movement is a real pain when you're using your ball head to precisely follow moving subjects.

In these cases it is likely some dirt (e.g., very fine African dust) has gotten into your ball head anyway and now acts as a small blockage, adding friction where it shouldn't. Luckily there is a solution to this: Just apply a small amount of WD40 to the parts that need smoothing.

Applying WD40 to the rotating base plate

For example, my own ball head (a Markins M20) really didn't move smoothly any longer, making it well nigh impossible to properly follow e.g., birds in flight. This was becoming quite a pain. Even before my ball head troubles, I had always wanted to have a can of WD40, but somehow I had never been able to locate a store that sold it. But now I needed it I searched a bit harder and I actually stumbled across it at a very common place: Halfords… It should be for sale at other shops that sell e.g., parts for car and bike repair too though.

Anyway, when I finally acquired the WD40, I immediately applied it to the base plate of my ball head. I then rotated the base a couple of times to get the WD40 distributed internally and already noticed it moved a lot smoother than before. When I looked at the rim just above the base, I noticed a trail of brown gunk, most likely a mix of fine African dust and other stuff. No wonder it didn't operate as smoothly… After wiping the gunk off and applying a bit more WD40 to be sure, testing confirmed I had a smoothly working rotating base again!

Applying WD40 to the ball

When the ball head itself seems to move less smoothly, applying some WD40 to the ball itself will make it run as smoothly as before too.

When you apply WD40, distribute it by moving the parts you want lubricated (e.g., rotate the base plate and wriggle the ball in every direction). You need to use only very little, one short spray usually does the trick. Wipe off any excess fluid, and dirt that came with it, to keep things nice and clean.

Enjoy your smoothly operating ball head!