Nikon ViewNX 2.8.0 released

Nikon has released an update to their free ViewNX2 image browsing and editing suite. Version 2.8.0 has the following enhancements and fixes:

Windows and Macintosh version

• Support for the COOLPIX S6600 and COOLPIX L620 has been added.
• GeoTag in the toolbar has been changed to Map. In addition, "GPS data" and "GPS information" have been renamed "location data".
• The following support has been added for Motion Snapshots.
  - Slideshow function
  - When Short Movie Creator or Movie Editor is selected from the Open With option in the File menu, users can now choose Movies (MOV) and JPEG images or Movies (MOV).
  However, to choose one of the above, Short Movie Creator or Movie Editor must be registered in Open With > Register... > Open with Application beforehand.
• An Add/Edit Directional option has been added to the Map toolbar.
• A Merge Altitude Log with Track Log... option has been added to the Log Matching item.
  A location log saved with a camera, mobile phone, or other commercially available satellite navigation system receiver capable of acquiring location data can now be merged with an altitude (barometer) and depth log* saved using a Nikon digital camera.
  * Altitude (barometer) and depth logs are recorded by Nikon digital cameras equipped with barometers or depth gauges.

Windows version only

• Installation of QuickTime is no longer required.
• Frame rate options of 50 fps and 60 fps are now available for movies created using the Create Movie... item in the Nikon Movie Editor File menu and output at a size of 1280 x 720 (16:9) and 1920 x 1080 (16:9).
  However, the following two requirements apply when 50 fps or 60 fps is selected for Frame rate:
  - Only movies have been added to the storyboard (no still images)
  - An option other than MOV (MotionJPEG/Linear PCM) is selected for File type:

Macintosh version only

• Image display with the slideshow function is now compatible with Retina Display.

New Nikon 18-140/3.5-5.6 DX VR lens and SB-300 speedlight

Nikon has just announced a new 18-140 DX VR lens and a small SB-300 speedlight.

The NIKKOR AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens is an all rounder lens for Nikon's DX cameras. Given its versatility, it could very well end up becoming the new kit lens.

The new SB-300 speedlight is a very small flash, meant as a starter's flash, or when you want to travel light but still want to be able to use flash every now and then. The SB-300 is compatible with Nikon's i-TTL flash technology and can be used with all Nikon D-SLR cameras as well as COOLPIX cameras equipped with an accessory-shoe.

Specifications of the NIKKOR AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens:

Focal length	18-140 mm
Maximum aperture	f/3.5-5.6
Minimum aperture	f/22-38
Lens construction	17 elements in 12 groups (including one ED glass and one aspherical lens elements)
Angle of view	76° - 11°30'
Minimum focus distance	0.45 m/1.48 ft from focal plane
Maximum reproduction ratio	0.23x
No. of diaphragm blades	7 (rounded)
Filter-attachment size	67mm
Diameter x length	Approximately 78 x 97 mm/3.1 x 3.8 in.
Weight	Approximately 490 g/17.3 oz
Accessories	67 mm snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-67, Rear Lens Cap LF-4, Bayonet Hood HB-32 (optional), Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1018 (optional)

Specifications of the SB-300 speedlight:

Electronic construction	Automatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
Guide number (20°C/68°F)	18/59 (ISO 100, m/ft)
Angle of coverage	Covers angle of view of 27 mm lens (FX format) or 18 mm lens (DX format)
Effective flash range (i-TTL)	0.6 m to 20 m (2 ft to 66 ft); varies with ISO sensitivity, bounce angle, and aperture
Options available using camera controls	Flash control mode: i-TTL, manual Flash mode: Fill flash (front-curtain sync), front-curtain with slow sync, rear- curtain sync, and rear-curtain with slow sync
Bounce angle	Flash rotates vertically up to 120° with stops where the flash is pointing directly ahead and at 60°, 75°, 90°, and 120°
Device on/off	Power switch used to turn SB-300 on and off
Power source	Two AAA alkaline or NiMH batteries
Flash-ready light	Charging complete: Lights Warning: Blinks
Flash duration	Lights for about 1/1650 s when fired at full power
Battery endurance and flash recycling time*1	Battery type	Minimum recycling time*2	Endurance*3/recycling time*2
	Alkaline	Approx. 4.0 s	70 or more uses/4.0-30 s
	NiMH	Approx. 3.5 s	110 or more uses/3.5-30 s
Mounting foot lock lever	Locking pin prevents accidental detachment
Other options	Thermal cut-out, firmware update*4
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 57.4 x 65.4 x 62.3 mm (2.3 x 2.6 x 2.5 in.)
Weight	Approx. 120 g (4.2 oz), including two AAA alkaline batteries Approx. 97 g (3.4 oz), body only
Supplied accessories	Soft Case SS-DC1

^*1 Figures are for fresh batteries; actual results may vary with performance and other factors even among batteries of identical ages and makes.
^*2 Time between flash firing at full power and flash-ready light illuminating when flash is fired once every 30 s.
^*3 Number of times flash can be fired at full power with flash-ready light illuminating within 30 s.
^*4 Firmware can be updated from camera.

Sigma announces Mount Conversion Service and 4 years warranty

Sigma today announced a revolutionary new service that will enable owners of Sigma “Global Vision lenses” to change their lens mounts for use on different camera systems. The mount change will costs between $80 and $250 (plus shipping) depending on the lens in question.

The Mount Conversion Service will be operational as of 2 September this year. All current Sport, Contemporary or Art DSLR lenses are applicable for service and can be refitted to either a Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Nikon or Canon mount. Global Vision category lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras can be updated to either a micro four thirds (MFT) or Sony E-mount.

This service is really good news for people who invested heavily in Sigma lenses but are now facing a camera system change (e.g., from Canon to Nikon or vice versa); the fee for the service will be likely (much) lower than the the loss incurred when selling the lens with the old mount and re-buying it with the new mount!

In the same message, Sigma also announced they increased the warranty period of all Sigma products (including cameras, lenses, accessories, etc.) bought after 1 July 2013 to 4 whole years.

Firmware updates for Canon EOS-1D Mark III & IV and EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon just posted a firmware update for their EOS-1D Mark III, EOS-1D Mark IV, and EOS-1Ds Mark III DSLR cameras.

The new firmware addresses the following two issues:

1. Resolves the following phenomenon: when the camera is not attached to a lens, power consumption may be higher than usual, causing premature battery drain.
2. Resolves a phenomenon in which "Err 70" ("Err 02" on the 1D Mark IV) may be displayed when the shutter is released without a lens attached.

You can download the new firmwares from the Canon USA website:

• EOS-1D Mark III v1.3.2
• EOS-1D Mark IV v1.1.4
• EOS-1Ds Mark III v1.2.3

Nikon posts distortion control data firmware update L1.009

Nikon has released an update of the distortion control data. Distortion control data are used to correct barrel and pincushion distortion during shooting and editing in-camera. The following Nikon cameras make use of distortion control data:

• D90
• D3100 / D3200
• D5000 / D5100 / D5200
• D7000 / D7100
• D600
• D800 / D800E
• D4

You can download the L1.009 firmware update from Nikon here: Mac OS X / Windows.
Installation instructions can be found here: Mac OS X / Windows.

While there is no changelog from the previous (L1.006) version, this new L1.009 version seems to at least have added support for the new AF-S 800mm f/5.6 and its specific TC800-1.25E ED teleconverter.

Canon unveils new EOS 70D camera with dual pixel sensor

Canon today unveiled their newest camera, the EOS 70D. Perhaps the most exciting feature of this new camera is the sensor. Making use of the dual pixel technology allows much faster autofocusing when using live-view as in addition to the relatively slow contrast-detect AF, it can now also make use of the much faster phase-detect AF.

The rest of the specifications of the new Canon EOS 70D are pretty good too. Here are some of the key features:

• 20.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5+
• 19 point cross-type AF System and 7 fps shooting^*
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF^**
• Instant sharing and remote control with Wi-Fi
• ISO 12800 (H:25600)
• Vari-angle 7.7cm ClearView II LCD touch screen
• Intelligent viewfinder (98%coverage, 0.95 magnification)
• Full-HD movies (30/25/24fps 1080p, 60/50/30/25/24fps 720p)

^*UHS-I card required for maximum burst duration
^**Dual Pixel CMOS AF is possible over 80 per cent of the width and height of the Live View frame