Camera news updates
The latest photographic information:
digital cameras, film cameras
September, 2009
Pentax launches K-x DSLR
An entry level digital SLR has been announced by Pentax. It features a 12.4 MP CMOS sensor, 11-point autofocus, live view and HD video. Available in October.
Firmware updates for
Panasonic G1 and GH1
Updates to the firmware for G1 and GH1 Panasonic cameras have been posted.
Firmware v1.2 for Lumix DMC-GH1
Firmware v1.4 for Lumix DMC-G1
Firmware update for
Panasonic 45-200mm lens
Updates for the Panasonic 45-200mm Lumix G Vario micro four thirds lens has been posted. Version 1.1 improves autofocus and image stabilisation.
Adobe Lightroom 2.5 and
Camera Raw 5.5 released
Final versions of the updates are now available. Raw support includes the following cameras: Nikon D300S, Nikon D3000, Panasonic DMC-GF1, Olympus E-P1
Lightroom v2.5 (Windows)
Lightroom v2.5 (Mac)
Camera Raw v5.5 (Windows)
Camera Raw v5.5 (Mac)
Firmware updates for Olympus E-P1
Olympus has released a firmware update for the E-P1, digital Pen, Micro Four Thirds camera. There are also updates for the Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm and 17mm pancake lenses.
Updates can be downloaded via the Olympus Master/Studio software.
New Canon lens from Carl Zeiss
CZ has launched an 18mm F3.5 for Canon mount cameras.
September 9, 2009
Leica reveals M9 and X1
The new M9, a full-frame M-mount rangefinder (24 x 36mm) with an 18 megapixel sensor has been finally unveiled by Leica. At last, the CCD sensor developed by Kodak means that Leica M-mount lenses maintain their original field of view.
The new X1 is a compact camera with a large 12MP CMOS sensor witn ISO range of 100 to 3200
Leica factory tour from Dpreview
Dpreview, the superb camera website, went on a Leica factory tour.
News Archives
AUGUST 21, 2009
Adobe DNG release v5.5 'release candidate'
Adobe has announced release candidates of v5.5 DNG and ACR raw converter.
It is available for immediate download from Adobe Labs. The update is tested but the version is not yet finalised.
There is support for more cameras: Olympus E-P1 digital Pen; Nikon D300s; Nikon D3000; Panasonic DMC-FZ35
AUGUST 19, 2009
Canon launches PowerShot G11
top of range digital compact
Canon has unveiled the G11 high-end compact camera to replace the G10. The 14.7mp sensor has been changed to a high-sensitivity 10MP CCD sensor.
The lens remains at the 28-140mm equivalent, but the new camera gains a tilt and swivel LCD and reduces in size by 2.8 inches.
There is also an dual anti-noise system plus the Digic 4 processor.
Canon site
AUGUST 17, 2009
Leica S System specs announced
Leica has revealed the specifications of its medium-format digital camera. The S2 will have Kodak CCD sensor at a massive 37.5 megapixels.
A basic camera with one lens is expected to cost a whopping $30,000 and be available in October.
JULY 20, 2009
Olympus Stylus Tough 6010
Olympus has launched a new rugged camera in its tough series. Called the Stylus Tough 6010, it is waterproof up to three metres. It has a 12MP sensor and 3.6x zoom from 28mm.
Olympus site
JULY 14, 2009
F & K adapter for Micro Four Thirds
Cosina has launched an adapter to connect F and K mount lenses to the Micro Four Thirds body. This will allow Voigtlander and Car Zeiss lenses with the Nikon F or Pentax K mounts to connect to cameras such as the new Olympus digital Pen or the Panasonic DMC GH1. The adapters are Voigtlander branded
Cosina
JULY 13, 2009
M-mount prime reviews
The British Journal of Photography has lens tests on two M-mount prime lens, the Voigtlander 15mm and the Zeiss ZM 85mm click here
JULY 12, 2009
Panasonic DMC-GH1 Review
Panasonic DMC-GH1 in-depth review available at dpreview.com
JULY 12, 2009
Olympus E620 Review
Olympus E620 in depth review available at dpreview.com
JUNE 25, 2009
Adobe updates
Adobe has updated DNG to allow for corrections to raw. The company has also release Lightroom 2.4 and Camera Raw 5.4. The new raw update now supports the Canon EOS 500D, Nikon D5000 and 18 Hasselblad cameras.
Go to the Adobe downloads site
JUNE 24, 2009
Sigma DP2 firmware update
Version 1.02 update for the Sigma DP2 compact camera is now available. It improves autofocusing and allows access to a magnified live view using one button in manual focus mode.
Go to the update site
JUNE 23, 2009
Farewell Kodachrome
Kodak retires its colour film
The British Journal of Photography reports that Kodak has decided to discontinue Kodachrome, which was first launched 74 years ago.
The company says in a statement: "Sales of Kodachrome film have declined dramatically in recent years as photographers turned to other, newer Kodak films or to the digital imaging technologies that Kodak pioneered,' says the statement. 'Today, Kodachrome film represents just a fraction of one percent of Kodak’s total sales of still-picture films."
Go to the BJP site
JUNE 17, 2009
Olympus launches the Pen E-P1
Return of a legend?
Olympus has launched a revamp of its Pen cameras with the introduction of the digital Pen E-P1.
The company says the new digital Pen, a Micro Four Thirds camera, is a compact camera with digital SLR performance.
The Pen E-P1 has interchangeable lenses and is a bit smaller than the E-620 DSLR. It has a 12.3 million pixel sensor and comes in two colours, white and silver.
The camera is expected to cost about £700 with a 14-42mm lens.
'Battery safety' firmware
Panasonic has developed new firmware updates that identify genuine Panasonic batteries and prevents the use of third-party packs. The firmware is available for cameras such as the GH1, G1, ZS3 and TS1.
The company says the firmware ensures the safety of its users against possible injuries because of overcharging, internal heating or short circuit in third-party batteries.
Apple update MacBook Pro laptops
A cheaper, smaller, faster MacBook Pro with a longer-lasting battery. What more do you want? Apple has upgraded the MacBook Pro to included a 13-inch model. Oh, and the iPhone has had a makeover, too. It can now shoot video and had a new 3-Megapixel camera.
The MacBook Pro high performance models now come in three sizes: 13in, 15in and 17in.
JUNE 8, 2009
Camera RAW update for Apple Aperture 2
Apple has launched a RAW compatibility update for Aperture 2, iPhoto 08 and iPhoto 09. Version 2.6 includes five more digital cameras:
JUNE 5, 2009
Carla Bruni nude sells for £11,500
A nude photograph of Carla Bruni by Pamela Hanson has been sold at auction for £11,500, three times the reserve price and four times its estimate price.
The picture of France's first lady was taken in 1994 and there are only 10 copies of the 50x60cm print.
- Villa Grisebach Auktionen spring auctions of modern and contemporary photography details
JUNE 4, 2009
Adobe to raise UK prices
BJP: link
JUNE 3, 2009
New Canon 1-Ds this year?
Rumours abound that Canon is about to announce an updated 1-Ds Mark III, with a higher pixel count and further changes to appeal to medium format users.
There is also talk of an updated 1D (probably 1D Mark IV) with a 24x36mm full frame sensor and even faster shooting.
Reported in a Spanish magazine: translation
JUNE, 2009
Free Panasonic G1 training
Park Cameras is offering free training on the Panasonic DMC G1.Go to Park Cameras site: LINK
New Olympus Pen portrait video
Olympus has released another video in the series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Pen half-frame camera. The next update is expected on June 9, 2009.
Go to the video site: LINK
Police stop and search request rejected
Amateur Photographer magazine reports that the Metropolitan Police in London, UK, has rejected its request for information about the number of people stopped under anti-terrorism laws after being spotted taking photographs.
The magazine had asked for the information under the Freedom of Information Act after concerns about the stop and search of photographers.
The Met said it could not comply because the cost of the request would "exceed the appropriate limit", which is apparently £450.
Go to the AP site: LINK
May, 2009
Panasonic: DMC LX3 new firmware
New firmware is now available for the DMC LX3 compact digital camera.
1. Improved auto white balance performance.
2. Improved auto white balance performance in sunset mode.
3. Improved recovery operation from unremoved lens cap.
4. Improved operation of MF ASSIST/AF area selection.
5. Improved display of Manual Exposure Assistance.
It can be downloaded from today (June 1) at this link
Go to the Panasonic site: LINK