Nikon Capture NX 2.4.4 released

Nikon has released an update for their Capture NX2 image editing application.

Version 2.4.4 contains the following bugfixes and enhancements.

As always you can download the software from the Nikon support sites (EU, USA, or go to your local Nikon support site).

Windows and Macintosh versions

• Support for RAW images captured with the COOLPIX P7800 has been added.
• An Automatic (Underwater) option has been added to the Auto Distortion pull-down menu under Camera & Lens Corrections in the Adjust section of the Edit List.
  However, the Automatic (Underwater) option is only displayed when all of the following conditions are met.
  
  • The image was captured with an advanced camera with interchangeable lenses that supports underwater automatic distortion control, and a lens that also supports the function.
  • The image was captured in RAW format or in JPEG format with the camera's Auto distortion control function disabled.
• The following issues have been resolved.
  
  • When the slider bar was manipulated while applying settings such as Gaussian Blur, High Pass, or Colorize, flicker in the form of random blocks was sometimes displayed.

Windows version only

• When OK in the Page Setup dialogue opened from the Print layout dialogue was clicked after changing printers using the Print button in the Print layout dialogue, only the default printer (that normally used) was named in the Printer section at top left in the Print layout dialogue.
• "aaa..." was displayed for Artist in the File & Camera Information section of the Metadata palette. (Language versions other than the English version).
• When a date was entered in the Date Created text box in the XMP/IPTC Information section of the Metadata palette, and the user attempted to save the image, an error was displayed and the image could not be saved. (German language version only).
• When an image was edited using the LCH tool in the Adjust section of the Edit List, a message prompting the user to restart the application was sometimes displayed.

Adobe releases Lightroom 5.2

Together with the Camera Raw update, Adobe also updated Lightroom.

Lightroom 5.2 contains the following enhancements and bug fixes.

New Features in Lightroom 5.2

• A Smoothness adjustment slider has been added to the Detail Panel under Color Noise Reduction. This helps to reduce low-frequency color mottling artifacts
• Refinements to the Spot Healing Tool:
  • New Feather control
  • Auto find source method now works better for images with textured areas like rocks, bark, and foliage
  • Auto find source method now prefers source areas within the crop rectangle
• Auto Exposure has been improved to be more consistent across images and across different image sizes.
• Smart Preview size has been updated to 2560 pixels on the long edge.
• Refinements to the Local Adjustment Brush:
  • Right Click (PC) / Control-click (Mac) on a brush adjustment pin to bring up a context menu to duplicate or delete
  • Control+Alt+Drag (PC) / Command+Option+Drag (Mac) on a brush adjustment pin to clone (duplicate) that adjustment

Newly added support for Tethered Capture in Lightroom 5.2

• Canon EOS 6D
• Canon EOS Rebel T5i / EOS 700D / EOS Kiss X7i
• Canon EOS Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D / EOS Kiss X7
• Nikon D7100

New Camera Support in Lightroom 5.2

• Canon EOS 70D
• Canon PowerShot G16
• Canon PowerShot S120*
• Casio Exilim EX-ZR800
• Fujifilm FinePix HS22EXR
• Fujifilm FinePix HS35EXR
• Fujifilm FinePix S205EXR
• Fujifilm X-A1
• Fujifilm X-M1
• Leica C (Typ 112)
• Olympus OM-D E-M1*
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ72
• Pentax Q7
• Pentax K-50
• Pentax K-500
• Sony DSC-RX100 II
• Sony A3000 (ILCE-3000)
• Sony NEX-5T

* denotes preliminary support

New Lens Profile Support in Lightroom 5.2

Mount	Name
Sony	Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS
Hasselblad	Hasselblad LF16mm F2.8
Hasselblad	Hasselblad LF18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Hasselblad	Hasselblad LF18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS
GoPro	GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition
GoPro	GoPro Hero 3 Silver Edition
GoPro	GoPro Hero 3 White Edition
Leica	Leica TRI-ELMAR-M 16-18-21 mm f/4 ASPH.
Canon	SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A013
Canon, Nikon, Sigma	SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM S013
Nikon	SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC HSM A013
Olympus, Sony	SIGMA 60mm F2.8 DN A013
Pentax, Sony	SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C013
Pentax, Sony	SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM A012
Nikon	Nikon 1 NIKKOR 32mm f/1.2
Sony	Sony DSC-RX1R

Bugs Corrected in Lightroom 5.2

• Output Sharpening and Noise Reduction were not applied to exported images that were resized to less than 1/3 of the original image size.
• Slideshow Exporting process fails for time-lapse sequences.
• Unable to export a Book.  This only occurred after a customer deleted a background photo.
• Catalog containing images processed with PV2003 were adding a post-crop vignette when catalog upgraded to Lightroom 5.
• JPEG decoding produced a red colorcast.
• Unable to scroll through photos when in Full screen mode. This only occurs when more than 1 photo is selected.
• “Store presets with this catalog” preference is not preserved when upgrading catalog from previous versions of Lightroom.
• Crash when scrubbing Size slider with existing spot selected.
• Landscape crop not maintained on portrait oriented photos
• Pressing the Reset button while holding the Shift key results in an internal error.
• Crash when attempting to move brush spots.
• Gray area is shown when zooming in/out after cropping image.
• A row of vertical artifacts appears along bottom edge of photo when applying Grain.
• Defringe Color Sampler is inaccurate on photos that have Upright applied.
• All of the images on a Compact Flash card did not appear in the Import Dialogue.
• Metadata panel displayed incorrect information after modifying published photo. Please note that this only occurred when metadata was changed after the photo was published.
• Soundtrack does not fade at the end of a slideshow.
• The Esc key did not exit the slideshow after right clicking screen with mouse during slideshow playing.
• Import dialog remained blank for folders that contain PNG files with XMP sidecars.

Installation

Either use Lightroom's own update mechanism or download directly from Adobe: Windows | Mac.

Software developers can download the Lightroom 5.2 SDK from Adobe as well: SDK

Adobe releases Camera Raw & DNG converter 8.2

Adobe has released an update for both Adobe Camera Raw and the DNG converter.

Version 8.2 of Camera Raw (for Photoshop CS6 and CC) and the DNG convertor contain the following enhancements and bug fixes (from the release notes).

New Features in Camera Raw 8.2:

• The Histogram is now interactive. This enables the ability to click and drag on the Histogram to adjust the Blacks, Shadows, Exposure, Highlights, and Whites sliders.
• A Color Smoothness adjustment slider has been added to the Detail Panel. This helps to reduce low-frequency color mottling artifacts.
• Added new “rectangle mode” to white balance eyedropper tool. Click-and-drag with the eyedropper tool to define a rectangular pixel area.  Upon releasing mouse, Camera Raw will use all the pixels within the marked rectangle to set the global White Balance.
• Workflow presets are now available and can be selected by context-clicking the workflow link.
• Presets have been added to the Save dialog box.
• Auto Exposure has been improved to be more consistent across images and across different image sizes.
• Refinements to the Spot Healing Tool:
  • New Feather control
  • Auto find source method now works better for images with textured areas like rocks, bark, and foliage
  • Auto find source method now prefers source areas within the crop rectangle
• Refinements to the Local Adjustment Brush:
  • Move brush adjustments by clicking and dragging on brush adjustment pins
  • Right Click (PC) / Control-click (Mac) on a brush adjustment pin to bring up a context menu to duplicate or delete
  • Control+Alt+Drag (PC) / Command+Option+Drag (Mac) on a brush adjustment pin to clone (duplicate) that adjustment o Alt+Click (PC) / Option+Click (Mac) on a brush adjustment pin to delete the adjustment

New Camera Support in Camera Raw 8.2

• Canon EOS 70D
• Canon PowerShot G16
• Canon PowerShot S120*
• Casio Exilim EX-ZR800
• Fujifilm FinePix HS22EXR
• Fujifilm FinePix HS35EXR
• Fujifilm FinePix S205EXR
• Fujifilm X-M1
• Leica C (Typ 112)
• Olympus E-M1*
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ72
• Pentax Q7
• Pentax K-50
• Pentax K-500
• Sony DSC-RX100 II
• Sony A3000 (ILCE-3000)
• Sony NEX-5T

New Lens Profile Support in Camera Raw 8.2

Mount	Name
Sony	Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS
Hasselblad	Hasselblad LF16mm F2.8
Hasselblad	Hasselblad LF18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Hasselblad	Hasselblad LF18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS
GoPro	GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition
GoPro	GoPro Hero 3 Silver Edition
GoPro	GoPro Hero 3 White Edition
Leica	Leica TRI-ELMAR-M 16-18-21 mm f/4 ASPH.
Canon	SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A013
Canon, Nikon, Sigma	SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM S013
Nikon	SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC HSM A013
Olympus, Sony	SIGMA 60mm F2.8 DN A013
Pentax, Sony	SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C013
Pentax, Sony	SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM A012
Nikon	Nikon 1 NIKKOR 32mm f/1.2
Sony	Sony DSC-RX1R

Bugs Corrected in Camera Raw 8.2

• JPEG decoding produced a red color cast.
• Bridge always recomputed cropped image thumbnails when lens profile corrections are enabled rather than when necessary.
• Feathering for healing brush operations were not the same strength as feathering for circular spot removals.
• When selecting and adjusting multiple images, the Crop adjustment was not applied to the most selected image.
• Local adjustment brush pin were not redrawing properly after moving from one location to another.
• When using Camera Raw as a Filter in Photoshop CC, pressing the “Cancel” button on a Smart Object would rest the Smart Object to default settings.
• There was no visual for the Heads-Up Display when control-dragging to resize a healing brush.  This only occurred when the “Show Overlay” option is turned off.

Installation instructions

You install the Camera Raw 8.2 update using the Update Mechanism found in Photoshop CC and Photoshop CS6.

DNG converter 8.2 can be downloaded from the adobe website: Windows | Mac

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.