Lightroom CC 2015.5 & Lightroom 6.5 now available

Adobe has just released an update for Lightroom. This new version fixes numerous bugs and adds support for additional cameras and lenses.
Use the appropriate update mechanism (e.g., the creative cloud application) to retrieve the update. A direct download is also available: Win / Mac.

Bugs Fixed in Lightroom CC 2015.5 / 6.5

Adobe Camera Raw 9.5 now available

Adobe has released an update for Camera Raw. Apart from a host of bug fixes and support for additional lenses and cameras (see below), the biggest change is the revamped GUI look. Which is now (finally) in line with the rest of Photoshop and Bridge. (image: Adobe)

Camera Raw 9.5 is only available for users of Adobe Photoshop CC or later, use the Creative Cloud update mechanism to gain access to the update. Users of older versions of Photoshop can make use of the Adobe DNG converter to add support for newer cameras to their version of Photoshop. The DNG converter can be downloaded from the Adobe website (win | mac) for free.

Bugs Fixed in Camera Raw 9.5

Canon 80D announced

Canon recently announced a new APS-C camera, the Canon EOS 80D DSLR.

The new 80D will be available in March 2016 at a price of around $1,199.

Some of the more pronounced product specifications:

• 24.2 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS sensor
• Maximum frame rate: 7fps.
• 45-point all cross-type AF system
• Viewfinder with approximately 100% viewfinder coverage
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF for smooth, fast and accurate autofocus with video and stills
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC capability
• 1080/60p Full HD video
• Vari-angle Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD II monitor

The new Canon EOS-1D X Mark II

Canon has just announced its new flagship camera, the EOS-1D X Mark II. Like Nikon's recently announced D5, this camera is full of exciting new and improved features.

Here are some of the more pronounced specs (with some comment as to how they compare to Nikon's D5).

• 20.2 megapixel Full Frame sensor (similar to the 20.9 of the D5).
• Continuous shooting speeds of up-to-14 frames per second (fps) with Auto Exposure (AE) and predictive AF for viewfinder shooting and up to 16 fps in Live View mode (faster than the Nikon D5).
• Continuous shooting of up-to 170 consecutive RAW images at 14 fps (slightly less than the D5, but still plenty for even the most demanding action shooter).
• Improved 61-point viewfinder AF with expanded coverage and all AF-points selectable and supported to a maximum aperture of f/8 (sure, not the 153 – all cross sensor – AF points of the D5, but these are all f/8 and 61 is still more than enough, if they're good).
• Improved AI Servo III+ predictive AF algorithm for better accuracy.
• Continuous red illumination of all AF points within the viewfinder (Nikon has offered this for years, quite surprised this wasn't offered on the Canons before).
• 4K video at 60P (!) and Full HD at 120P (much better than the D5, but then Canon has usually been better at video anyway).
• Enhanced wireless functionality with the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E8 (probably similar to Nikon's).
• Digital Lens Optimizer to help correct aberrations in-camera (you previously needed to do this in post processing, Nikon has offered this for quite some time on its cameras and works quite well).
• Compatibility with both CF and CFast memory cards for optimal performance and versatility (so now we have two competing fast memory cards: XQD (Nikon, Sony) and CFast, not sure which which is better…).

Mac users beware: bug in the latest Nikon Capture NX-D deletes files after renaming a folder

Important notice to Mac users of Capture NX-D: The latest version will delete all files in a folder (in the root) after you change its name in NX-D.

Update: Nikon has released an update to NX-D that solves this issue. You can download it from the Nikon website.

This is Nikon's official warning:

It has recently come to our attention that the following may occur with Nikon Capture NX-D RAW processing software for Macintosh.
When the user attempts to change name of a folder saved in root directory (the top-most directory in startup disk's hierarchy) on a Macintosh running a compatible version of OS X using the folder palette of Capture NX-D, all files (still images, movies, texts, etc.) saved in that folder will be deleted. Files deleted with the above operation will permanently be deleted and cannot be restored.
We are currently working to resolve this, and plan to release an updated version of Capture NX-D. Until that time, we ask that users do not use Capture NX-D's folder palette to modify name of a folder saved in root directory on a Macintosh computer. Should you need to save your image and/or movie files, save them in a home folder (Desktop, Pictures, Movies, Documents, etc.) located in the Users directory, or in an external hard disk drive.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Nikon remains committed to providing only the highest quality products and services, and we hope that you will continue to choose Nikon for your photographic needs.

The new D500: the long awaited professional crop body from Nikon!

I nearly missed it in all the D5 news (in fact, the info I initially received from Nikon only mentioned it in a link; the news was too fresh to get included), but Nikon yesterday also announced a new professional breed DX (APS-C crop sensor) DSLR. Not the D400 everyone was hoping for, but something even better: a D500.

The specifications for this camera are quite astonishing, and truly make it a professional grade camera: 20.9 MP sensor, ISO 100 – 51,200 (extendable to 50 – 1,638,400), 4K Video, 153 AF points (same as D5), 10fps, 200 image buffer etc.

Suggested retail price: € 2369 (NL, inc. 21% VAT), $2000 (US, ex VAT)
Availability: March 2016

Here are some more specs: