Firmware update 1.2.1 for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III adds uncompressed HDMI output

Canon just released a firmware update for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. Firmware version 1.2.1 adds, amongst others, uncompressed HDMI out, a much sought after capability which previously was only available on select Nikon cameras (e.g., the D800/D800E and D4).

Here's the complete list of updates:

• Uncompressed HDMI output is now enabled.
• Enables the center AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with Canon EF lens/extender combinations whose combined maximum aperture is f/8.
• Improves the speed of the camera's acquisition of focus when using a Canon Speedlite's AF-assist beam.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the LCD monitor may freeze and display Err 70 or Err 80 when a still photo is taken during Live View or in movie shooting mode.
• Fixes a phenomenon that may occur when the continuous shooting priority setting is enabled for multiple exposures, such that, after the sixth image is taken, there is a slight pause before the remainder of the sequence is completed.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the viewfinder display shows incorrect information during AEB shooting.
• Communication with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter has been improved.
• When images have been successfully transferred with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter through the FTP protocol, an "O" will be displayed. When images have not been successfully transferred with the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter through the FTP protocol, an "X" will be displayed.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera may not function properly when an Eye-Fi card is used.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the focal length value listed in the Exif information is not displayed correctly for images shot with the EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM lens.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the lens firmware cannot be updated properly.
• Corrects errors in the Arabic language menu.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera changes the AF microadjustment value to -8.
• Fixes a phenomenon in which the on-screen guidance cannot be fully displayed when setting the maximum limit value for the "Setting the ISO Speed Range for Auto ISO" option.

You can download the update from the Canon website.

Record breaking: new Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM lens

Sigma just announced the world's first f/1.8 constant aperture zoom lens, the “Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art.”

This extreme wide aperture, standard zoom-lens for DSLR camera's with APS-C (1.5~1.6x crop) sized sensors. On such cameras it has a 35mm format focal range equivalent of 27mm – 52.5mm (depth of field equivalent at f/1.8: ±f/2.7).

The fact that Sigma placed this lens in their “Art” lens series is an indication of the high quality we may expect of the lens. As of now, no exact release date nor indication of price (likely > $/€ 1000) has been given by Sigma.

For more information, see the Sigma product page.

Lightroom 5 Public Beta available

Just getting used to Lightroom 4? Well, the folks of Adobe aren't letting you rest; they have been working on its successor already…

Lots of cool new features for the upcoming version of Lightroom (and most probably Adobe Camera Raw as well). To see for yourself what this new version of Lightroom has to offer, download the free beta from the Adobe labs website.

Some of the new Features in Lightroom 5 Beta

• Advanced Healing Brush – Easily remove objects and fix defects—even those with irregular shapes such as threads or lint—with a single brush stroke. Take precise control over what's being removed as you make unwanted objects just disappear.
• Upright – Straighten tilted images with a single click. Upright analyzes images and detects skewed horizontal or vertical lines. You choose one of four correction methods, and Upright can even straighten images where the horizon is hidden.
• Radial Gradient – Lead your viewer's eye through your images with more flexibility and control. The radial gradient tool lets you create off-center vignette effects, or multiple vignette areas within a single image.
• Offline editing with Smart Previews – Easily work with images without bringing your entire library with you. Just generate smaller stand-in files called Smart Previews. Make adjustments or metadata additions to Smart Previews and your changes will be automatically applied to the full-size originals later.
• Video slideshow sharing – Easily share your work in elegant video slideshows. Combine still images, video clips, and music in creative HD videos that can be viewed on almost any computer or device.
• Improved photo book creation – Create beautiful photo books from your images. Lightroom includes a variety of easy-to-use book templates, and now you can edit them to create a customized look. Upload your book for printing with just a few clicks.

There is already a plethora of videos and other information on the new Lightroom available on the internet, e.g., at the PhotoshopCAFE Lightroom 5 training site.

Firmware update v1.1.3 for the Canon EOS 6D

Canon just released a firmware update for its EOS 6D camera.

The v1.1.3 update addresses only one issue:

• Corrects the phenomenon where date/time settings reset.

You can download the update from the Canon website.

Adobe releases Lightroom 4.4, Camera Raw 7.4, and DNG converter 7.4 updates

Adobe has just released an update to its raw converters. The update provides support for additional cameras and lens profiles as well as fixes to bugs present in previous versions of the converter.

If you're not using the latest version of the software (i.e., Lightroom 4, Photoshop CS6, Photoshop Elements 11), you can make use of the DNG Converter 7.4 application to get raw file support for the newly added cameras.

To update:

• Lightroom 4.4 – Please use the update mechanism of the software
• Photoshop CS6 – Please use the update mechanism of the software
• Photoshop Elements 11 – Please use the update mechanism of the software
• DNG converter 7.4: Download Mac / Windows

Below is the complete list of changes (from Adobe).

Firmware updates for Nikon D3200, D7000, D600, D800(E), D3(S, X), and D4

Nikon today released a firmware update for 9 of its cameras. The D3200, D7000, D600, D800, D800E, D3, D3S, D3X, and the D4 all got an update. Changes for each update are below.

D3200 Firmware Update C 1.01

• The following functions have been changed with shooting using the Wireless Mobile Utility.
• When the camera's shooting mode is set to Auto or Auto (flash off), it now operates in Auto or Auto (flash off) mode. Prior to this upgrade, the camera functioned in [P] (Programmed auto) exposure mode.
• Live view can now be initiated even when the camera is set to "Auto" or "No flash" in GUIDE mode.
• In some very rare cases when certain memory cards were used, movie recording would stop, even when the time remaining display indicated remaining recording time. This issue has been resolved.
• In some very rare cases, colours would change with shooting when white balance was set to a specific colour temperature, as with Preset manual or Incandescent. This issue has been resolved.

Download link (EU)

D7000 Firmware Update A 1.03, B 1.04

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

Download link (EU)

D600 Firmware Update C 1.01

• Support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR has been added.
• Subject tracking performance in AF-C (continuous-servo autofocus) autofocus mode with framing using the viewfinder has been improved.
• Frame output size has been changed from 95% to 100% when movie live view display is changed to "Information off" and an HDMI-compatible device is connected.
• An issue that caused the right edges of images to be somewhat white when captured at an Image area setting of DX (24x16) 1.5x with Active D-Lighting set to Off has been resolved.
• When the camera's shutter-release button was pressed repeatedly for uninterrupted shooting with the "Record to:" option in Camera Control Pro 2's Storage tab set to "PC+CARD", the camera would stop responding with displaying "Err" in its control panel. This issue has been resolved. 
• In some very rare cases, colours would change with shooting when white balance was set to a specific colour temperature, as with Preset manual or Choose color temp. This issue has been resolved.

Download link (EU)

D800 Firmware Update A 1.01, B 1.02

• Support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR has been added.
• Subject tracking performance in AF-C (continuous-servo autofocus) autofocus mode with framing using the viewfinder has been improved.
• Gamut for Adobe RGB images displayed in the camera's monitor has been changed. This enables more vivid display of images.
• With live view photography in [M] (Manual) exposure mode, exposure preview was always on. This issue has been resolved.
• In some very rare cases when certain memory cards were used, movie recording would stop, even when the time remaining display indicated remaining recording time. This issue has been resolved.
• With shooting at an image quality setting of TIFF (RGB) and an image size setting of Small, the right edge of images contained a purple line. This issue has been resolved.
• In some rare cases, images recorded in JPEG format could not be opened by some software applications. This issue has been resolved.
• In some very rare cases, colours would change with shooting when white balance was set to a specific colour temperature, as with Preset manual or Choose color temp. This issue has been resolved.

Download link (EU)

D800E Firmware Update A 1.01, B 1.02

• Support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR has been added.
• Subject tracking performance in AF-C (continuous-servo autofocus) autofocus mode with framing using the viewfinder has been improved.
• Gamut for Adobe RGB images displayed in the camera's monitor has been changed. This enables more vivid display of images.
• With live view photography in [M] (Manual) exposure mode, exposure preview was always on. This issue has been resolved.
• In some very rare cases when certain memory cards were used, movie recording would stop, even when the time remaining display indicated remaining recording time. This issue has been resolved.
• With shooting at an image quality setting of TIFF (RGB) and an image size setting of Small, the right edge of images contained a purple line. This issue has been resolved.
• In some rare cases, images recorded in JPEG format could not be opened by some software applications. This issue has been resolved.
• In some very rare cases, colours would change with shooting when white balance was set to a specific colour temperature, as with Preset manual or Choose color temp. This issue has been resolved.

Download link (EU)

D3 Firmware Update A 2.03, B 2.03

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

Download link (EU)

D3S 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 link (EU)

D3X Firmware Update A 1.01, B 1.02

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

Download link (EU)

D4 Firmware Update A 1.05, B 1.03

• Support for the AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR has been added.
• Auto white balance performance has been improved.
• Images are sharper and appear more three dimensional.
• With live view photography in [M] (Manual) exposure mode, exposure preview was always on. This issue has been resolved.
• With shooting at an image quality setting of TIFF (RGB) and an image size setting of Small, the right edge of images contained a purple line. This issue has been resolved.
• In some rare cases, images recorded in JPEG format could not be opened by some software applications. This issue has been resolved.
• In some very rare cases, colours would change with shooting when white balance was set to a specific colour temperature, as with Preset manual or Choose color temp. This issue has been resolved.

Download link (EU)