Since the D90, Nikon DSLR cameras have the ability to correct lens distortions (i.e., barrel and pincushion) in-camera. Nikon has now released an update of the Distortion Control file for its cameras.
So, if you have a camera that supports in-camera distortion correction (e.g., a D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100, D7000, D90, D800, D800E, or D4), you can download the new 1.006 version of the “L” firmware from Nikon: Mac OS X platform, Windows platform. Here you will also find the installation instructions (basically the same as with any firmware update) as well as the complete (long!) list of supported lenses.
30 June 2012
Firmware update for Canon 7D adds functionality
Canon has announced a firmware update for its EOS 7D camera adding a couple of very nice features to existing cameras.The new features include:
- An increase of the maximum number of burst images taken in the RAW file format from 15 to 25 frames. When shooting in RAW+JPG, the maximum is now 17 and with JPG-only, 125.
- The ability to process RAW image files directly in the camera. This includes adjustment of exposure compensation, white balance, picture style, noise reduction at high ISO speeds, distortion correction, and other processing parameters. The thus processed RAW files will be saved as a separate JPG file, keeping the original intact.
- Ability to rate images in-camera.
- Ability to resize JPG files in-camera.
- Faster scrolling of zoomed-in images.
- An option to set a maximum ISO setting in ISO Auto mode.
- Fine adjustment of the audio level (up to 64 levels) prior to video recording.
- Support for the new optional GPS Receiver GP-E2.
- Customisation of the first four characters of the image file name, useful to e.g., store your initials.
20 June 2012
Canon updates Digital Photo Professional (DPP) to v3.11.31
Canon has released an update for their Digital Photo Professional (DPP) image editing software.Version 3.11.31 contains the following enhancements/fixes:
- Supports images taken with EOS Kiss X6i / EOS REBEL T4i / EOS 650D, EOS 60Da.
- Supports new lens (EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM).
- Fixed a phenomenon where the camera's serial number that is displayed in the shooting information of the image is not displayed correctly for some of the EOS 60D.
- Fixed a phenomenon where the buttons for HDR tool cannot be displayed under specific settings of the display.
- Fixed a phenomenon where check mark or rating that is set using Quick Check Tool may not be displayed correctly.
Version 3.11.31 can be downloaded from the Canon USA website (as always, choose platform, OS version, and the software category to access the update).
19 June 2012
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Firmware 1.1.3
Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III.Firmware v1.1.3 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:
- Supports the single focal length EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens that is to be released at the end of June, 2012.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which an image may become underexposed when using the Auto Lighting Optimizer for continuous Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) shooting.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which the backlight of the LCD monitor may not turn off depending on the camera settings and timing.
- Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera’s power may not turn on when a super-telephoto lens (1) is mounted to the camera with an extender (2).
- EF 300mm F2.8L IS II USM / EF 400mm F2.8L IS II USM
- Extender EF 1.4X III / Extender EF 2X III
- Corrects mistakes in the Dutch, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, and Swedish menu screens
14 June 2012
New Nikon 24-85 and 18-300 zoom
Nikon today officially announced two new zooms in their line-up. The AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5–4.5G ED VR and the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR super zoom.
The new 24–85mm f/3.5-4.5 falls nicely between the 24-70 f/2.8 and 24-120 f/4 and makes for a nice and light alternative for both.
The 24-85 has 16 elements in eleven groups of which three elements are aspherical and one is an ED. Unlike the two other options, the lens does not have the special nano coating, it has VR, however (which the 24-70 doesn't have). It measures only 78x82mm en weighs just 465 gram so a pretty compact design. The lens should be available from the end of this month at a price of €619.
With the new 18-300 f/3.5-5.6, Nikon bests the current super zoom champion Tamron who's super zoom “only” goes from 18 to 270mm. The lens is designed for DX crop bodies only where it's zoom range becomes a whopping 27-450mm!
The 18-300 naturally has VR (VRII), allowing for hand-held shooting even when the light is failing. With the built-in Silent Wave Motor, autofocus response should be quick and accurate and allows the lens to be used on bodies that do not have a mechanical focus (e.g., the D3100, D5100, etc.). Three ED elements keep chromatic aberrations to a minimum. Unzoomed, the lens measures 83x120mm at 830 gram. Like the new 24-85, the 18-300 is expected to be available at the end of the month. It will be priced €999. So not the lightest nor cheapest lens; this much versatility does come with a price…
The new 24–85mm f/3.5-4.5 falls nicely between the 24-70 f/2.8 and 24-120 f/4 and makes for a nice and light alternative for both.The 24-85 has 16 elements in eleven groups of which three elements are aspherical and one is an ED. Unlike the two other options, the lens does not have the special nano coating, it has VR, however (which the 24-70 doesn't have). It measures only 78x82mm en weighs just 465 gram so a pretty compact design. The lens should be available from the end of this month at a price of €619.
With the new 18-300 f/3.5-5.6, Nikon bests the current super zoom champion Tamron who's super zoom “only” goes from 18 to 270mm. The lens is designed for DX crop bodies only where it's zoom range becomes a whopping 27-450mm!The 18-300 naturally has VR (VRII), allowing for hand-held shooting even when the light is failing. With the built-in Silent Wave Motor, autofocus response should be quick and accurate and allows the lens to be used on bodies that do not have a mechanical focus (e.g., the D3100, D5100, etc.). Three ED elements keep chromatic aberrations to a minimum. Unzoomed, the lens measures 83x120mm at 830 gram. Like the new 24-85, the 18-300 is expected to be available at the end of the month. It will be priced €999. So not the lightest nor cheapest lens; this much versatility does come with a price…
12 June 2012
Apple updates: Retina display MacBooks and much more
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is always an event to watch for exciting new product announcements. And this time, again, they have not let us down at all and revealed a number of great product updates.
Amongst others there will be a new MacBook Pro with a super high resolution Retina Display and USB 3.0. They also showed off the upcoming OS X Mountain Lion operating system for Mac as well as the next OS version for iOS devices, iOS6. An update to the Airport Express wireless router was announced too, together with a new iPad Smart Case, one that now covers both the front and back of the iPad.
This will be the lightest and thinnest MacBook Pro ever produced. It weighs just 2kg and features an ultra-high resolution 2880 by 1800 pixel, 220ppi, 15.4-inch Retina Display. Photographers will appreciate the fact that the screen should be much less reflective than the older models with glossy screens!
For connectivity the new MacBook hosts 2 x USB 3.0, HDMI, 2 x Thunderbolt and a headphone port and it supports 802.11n Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth 4.0. Notably absent are an Ethernet and Firewire800 port. If you need those you can use the (new) adapters that connect these interfaces to the MacBook using the Thunderbolt port. An SD/SDHC/SDXC slot on the other hand is still present.
The new model can hold up to 16GB storage with up to a quad-core Intel i7 processor running at up to 2.7GHz. SSD storage option of up to 768GB can be ordered as well.
More information on Apple's website.
More information on Apple's website.
The new MacBook Air models also get USB 3.0, and now feature a dual-core Intel i7 processor running at up to 2GHz as well as faster Graphics. Storage options are now up to 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.
More information on Apple's website.
More information on Apple's website.
More information on Apple's website.
The new AirPort Express supports simultaneous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, transmitting at both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. Meaning that no matter which band your wireless devices use, they’ll automatically use the best available band for the fastest possible connection.
More information on Apple's website.
Amongst others there will be a new MacBook Pro with a super high resolution Retina Display and USB 3.0. They also showed off the upcoming OS X Mountain Lion operating system for Mac as well as the next OS version for iOS devices, iOS6. An update to the Airport Express wireless router was announced too, together with a new iPad Smart Case, one that now covers both the front and back of the iPad.
New: MacBook Pro with Retina Display
This will be the lightest and thinnest MacBook Pro ever produced. It weighs just 2kg and features an ultra-high resolution 2880 by 1800 pixel, 220ppi, 15.4-inch Retina Display. Photographers will appreciate the fact that the screen should be much less reflective than the older models with glossy screens!For connectivity the new MacBook hosts 2 x USB 3.0, HDMI, 2 x Thunderbolt and a headphone port and it supports 802.11n Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth 4.0. Notably absent are an Ethernet and Firewire800 port. If you need those you can use the (new) adapters that connect these interfaces to the MacBook using the Thunderbolt port. An SD/SDHC/SDXC slot on the other hand is still present.
The new model can hold up to 16GB storage with up to a quad-core Intel i7 processor running at up to 2.7GHz. SSD storage option of up to 768GB can be ordered as well.
More information on Apple's website.
Updated: MacBook Pro 13-inch and MacBook Pro 15-inch
The 13 and 15 inch MacBook Pros have been refreshed and also include USB 3.0 as well as other improvements. Interestingly, the MacBook Pro 17-inch seems to have been discontinued.More information on Apple's website.
Updated: MacBook Air 11-inch and MacBook Air 13-inch
The new MacBook Air models also get USB 3.0, and now feature a dual-core Intel i7 processor running at up to 2GHz as well as faster Graphics. Storage options are now up to 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.More information on Apple's website.
New: OS X Mountain Lion
Apple's next major version of the OS X operation system, Mountain Lion, is to ship in July as an App Store download for $19.99 (or the equivalent in your local App Store). New features include voice dictation in any application and better social media and iCloud integration.More information on Apple's website.
New: iOS 6
Coming fall will see the next major update for Apples operating system for mobile devices. iOS6 will have improvements to Siri voice recognition and dictation, a new Maps app (not using googlemaps any longer), Facebook integration, and much more.More information on Apple's website.
Updated: Airport Express
The new AirPort Express supports simultaneous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, transmitting at both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. Meaning that no matter which band your wireless devices use, they’ll automatically use the best available band for the fastest possible connection.More information on Apple's website.
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