30 May 2013

Firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D X

On top of the two updates for the older 1Ds III and 1D IV, I mentioned yesterday, Canon also updated the firmware for their flagship EOS-1D X camera.

Canon EOS-1D X v1.2.4

Firmware Version 1.2.4 incorporates the following functional improvements and fixes:
  1. Improves the speed of the camera's acquisition of focus when using a Canon Speedlite's AF-assist beam.
  2. Reduces the time it takes to display the metering result on the LCD or Viewfinder when the meter has been activated.
  3. Fixes a phenomenon in which a "Caution 02" message is unnecessarily recorded in the camera status log.
  4. Fixes a phenomenon in which continuous shooting pauses when using a Canon Speedlite.
  5. Fixes a phenomenon, when the Canon GP-E1 is attached, in which the GPS device settings are reset to default settings when the camera has been powered off.
Note:
* This phenomenon occurs only with firmware Version 1.2.1.
* After changing the GPS device settings, please be sure to power off the camera before removing the battery. This will ensure that the camera's GPS device settings will be saved.

Download from Canon website

29 May 2013

Firmware updates for the Canon 1Ds III and 1D IV

Canon recently released a firmware update for the EOS 1-Ds Mark III and Canon EOS 1D Mark IV cameras.

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III v 1.2.2

Firmware Version 1.2.2 for the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III camera incorporates the following functional improvement:
  1. Enables the center AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X lens and an Extender, whose combined maximum aperture is f/8.
Download from the canon website.

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV v1.1.3

Firmware Version 1.1.3 for the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera incorporates the following functional improvements and fix:
  1. Enables the center AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lens and an Extender, whose combined maximum aperture is f/8.
  2. Fixes a phenomenon in which abnormal images may result when continuous shooting mode is enabled and the image size is set to "RAW" or "RAW+JPEG".
Download from the canon website.

21 May 2013

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

14 May 2013

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…

11 May 2013

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)

7 May 2013

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.

6 May 2013

TIPA Awards 2013

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) just announced the winners of their annual awards. Each year TIPA chooses the best products of the last twelve months in 40 photography related categories.

Here's the list of the winners in each category. More information as well as on all winning products can be found on the TIPA website.
  • Best Digital SLR Entry Level – Canon EOS 100D (EOS Rebel SL1)
  • Best Digital SLR Advanced – Nikon D7100
  • Best Digital SLR Expert – Canon EOS 6D
  • Best Professional Camera – Leica M
  • Best CSC Entry Level – Olympus PEN E-PL5
  • Best CSC Advanced – Samsung Smart Camera NX300
  • Best CSC Expert – Fujifilm XE-1
  • Best CSC Professional – Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
  • Best Easy Compact Camera – Nikon COOLPIX S01
  • Best Expert Compact Camera – Fujifilm X20
  • Best Superzoom Camera – Nikon Coolpix P520
  • Best Rugged Compact Camera – Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FT5 (DMC-TS5)
  • Best Premium Camera – Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
  • Best CSC Entry Level Lens – Nikon 1 Nikkor 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF
  • Best CSC Expert Lens – Sony E-mount 10-18mm f/4 OSS
  • Best CSC Prime Lens – Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R
  • Best Entry Level DSLR Lens – Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM
  • Best Expert DSLR Lens – Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM
  • Best Professional DSLR Lens – Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
  • Best Expert Photo Printer – Canon PIXMA PRO-10
  • Best Multifunctional Photo Printer – Epson Expression Photo XP series
  • Best Inkjet Photo Paper – ILFORD GALERIE Prestige Mono Silk
  • Best Photo TV – Samsung F8000 Smart LED 2D/3D TV
  • Best Photo Software – DxO Optics Pro 8
  • Best Mobile Photo App – Tiffen Photo fx Ultra
  • Best Photo Accessory – Metabones Speed Booster
  • Best Digital Accessory – CamRanger
  • Best Tripod – Vanguard ABEO PRO Kit 283CGH (with GH300T Pistol Grip Head)
  • Best Imaging Storing Media – Panasonic SDHC Gold, Silver and Blue series memory cards
  • Best Video DSLR – Canon EOS-1D C
  • Best Videocamera – Sony NEX-VG900
  • Best Mobile Imaging Device – Samsung Galaxy Camera
  • Best Professional Lighting System – Profoto Pro-B4 1000 Air
  • Best Portable Lighting System – Nissin MG8000 Extreme
  • Best Photo Monitor – LG IPS ColorPrime 27EA83
  • Best Photo Bag – Vanguard Quovio 41
  • Best Photo Service – WhiteWall
  • Best Action Cam – GoPro Hero3
  • Best Imaging Innovation – Samsung 45mm f1.8 (2D/3D) lens
  • Best Design – Giottos Silk Road YLT Series Tripods