Extensis ships Portfolio 8 November 30, 2005 - Extensis is now shipping both the standard and Server versions of Portfolio 8, as well as the companion NetPublish 8 module. Click here for the Extensis site for both the full version and the upgrade.
Konica Minolta updates for A1 and A2 Tuesday, 22 November 2005 - Konica Minolta announces firmware updates for the Dimage A1 and A2 cameras. Version 1.1.3 is the new update for the A1 and Version 1.1.4 is for the A2. The update increases the writing speed of the memory card and USB transfer speed. Click here to go to the download page.
Adobe Bridge updated to v1.0.3 Friday, November 18, 2005 - Adobe has posted a version update to Adobe Bridge for both the Windows and Macintosh editions. As per Adobe this new version delivers improved reliability. Click on the appropriate Operating system name for the download: Windows Mac
Digital Domain Inc. is proud to announce Qimage v2006.200. Our latest version paves new roads for photographic printing with features that make batch printing and processing easier than ever before. With this latest version, you'll immediately be able to put these innovative new features to use. There's something for everyone in this important upgrade whether you use Qimage to print and send snapshots to friends and family or you use Qimage professionally for your photography business. You'll be able to use the "Instaview" feature to instantly preview thumbnails from the new 3D thumbnail grid, preview prints on the preview page, or even preview file names listed in the queue. Professional photographers will appreciate the new "Print Proofs" feature that allows printing of watermarked photos for client review. Everyone will appreciate the new simplified "Send via E-mail" command: just select a few thumbnails, right click and select "Send via E-mail", and choose a size/resolution. We've even enhanced legacy features like cutouts so that it is possible to fade to any color, allowing more robust photo effects that add a professional edge to your photos. Click here for more info.
Montreal, Canada, November 8, 2005 - Matrox Graphics, Inc., the leading manufacturer of graphics solutions for professionals, today unveiled the revolutionary new Matrox DualHead2Go, the world's first external upgrade capable of adding multiple monitor support to compatible laptop and integrated graphics-based desktop PCs that were previously limited to single screen output. DualHead2Go is a palm-sized box that connects to the existing single monitor output (i.e. external VGA output) of a computer and appears to the system as a single ultra-widescreen monitor with native support for resolutions up to 2560 x 1024*, which are twice as wide as standard resolutions. Using Matrox patent-pending technology, DualHead2Go splits the 2560 x 1024 Microsoft® Windows® desktop into a right and left half, each of which is then sent to two separate analog monitors allowing users to easily upgrade their workspace setups to experience the productivity benefits of a DualHead® desktop. Using DualHead2Go in conjunction with the built-in display of your laptop, you actually benefit from 3 displays at a time. Click here for more information
November 15, 2005 - OnOne Software releases version 4.1 Genuine Fractals and a free upgrade for users of Version 4.0. Genuine Fractals 4.1 is now available with an improved workflow, support for batch processing and preset image sizes. Using Genuine Fractals 4.1 to increase image resolution no longer requires saving files with the .STN file extension first. Genuine Fractals Print Pro Registered users of Genuine Fractals Print Pro 4.0 can download this free update to Genuine Fractals Print Pro 4.1. This update includes Windows XP and Photoshop CS2 compatiblity as well as the new features for version 4.1 Download Now. Registered users of Genuine Fractals Print Pro 4.0 can download this free update to Genuine Fractals Print Pro 4.1. This update includes Mac OS X and Photoshop CS2 compatiblity as well as the new features for version 4.1. Download Now. Genuine Fractals Registered users of Genuine Fractals 4.0 for Windows can download this free update to version 4.1 which includes new features as well as compatibility with Windows XP and Photoshop CS2. Download Now. Registered users of Genuine Fractals 4.0 for Mac OS X can download this free update to version 4.1 which includes new features as well as compatibility with Mac OS X and Photoshop CS2. Download Now.
Friday Noveber 11, 2005 - Adobe releases Camera Raw 3.3 Beta update This new version of the Camera Raw plug-in replaces the original Camera Raw plug-in that was installed with Adobe® Photoshop® CS2 and Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 and 4.0 software. The new DNG is also supported in Camera Raw. Support for the following cameras has been added in this update. • Canon EOS 5D • Canon EOS 1D Mark II N • Olympus E-500 • Olympus SP-310 • Olympus SP-350 • Olympus SP-500UZ • Pentax *ist DL • Pentax *ist DS2 • Sony DSC-R1 NOTE: This is a beta release not the FINAL - use it with caution - there may be some software bugs. But if you have one of the new cameras listed then this is still a good choice. Click here for the download and more details from Adobe
Nikon Service Advisory for Batteries Nov 8, 2005 - Nikon Inc. is asking your cooperation in connection with a voluntary recall of certain lot numbers of its Nikon Model EN-EL3 rechargeable lithium ion battery packs. The battery pack can experience a short circuit causing it to overheat and possibly melt, posing a potential hazard to consumers. There have only been four confirmed reports of incidents of the problem worldwide, and while no injuries have taken place, Nikon Inc. has initiated this recall of the affected lot numbers as a reflection of its commitment to safety and product quality. We are asking that owners of the affected battery packs return them to Nikon Inc. for a free replacement. The Nikon EN-EL3 battery pack is provided as a supplied accessory with the purchase of Nikon's digital SLR D100, D70, and D50 cameras. It is also sold separately at retail under Nikon's model number 26265. The EN-EL3 battery pack involved in this recall was first distributed by Nikon in May 2004 and is still being sold at retail. Click here for details
D2X and D2Hs Firmware updates November 8, 2005 - Nikon has today released new firmware for the D2X and D2Hs digital SLRs. Firmware version 1.01 includes improvements to autofocus performance, resolves an issue with the AF-assist illuminator on certain Speedlights, resolves a flash sync issue with the SB-800 Speedlight, improves preset white balance and corrects errors in menus for certain languages. Click here for D2X Firmware 1.01 (Windows) (Mac) Click here for D2Hs Firmware 1.01 (Windows) (Mac)
Wacom® Presents World’s First Wide-Format Pen Tablet New Intuos®3 6x11 is Designed for Use with Widescreen Displays and Dual Monitors Vancouver, WA, Nov. 1, 2005 – Wacom Technology Corporation’s new Intuos3 6x11 pen tablet is specifically designed for photographers, designers and artists who are using multiple monitors or a widescreen display like the 23” Apple® Cinema HD display. The Intuos3 6x11 features an active area with an aspect ratio (height-towidth) that is a great match to the screen aspect ratio of either a widescreen display or two standard displays used together. This provides optimal pen control and efficient use of the entire tablet. “With as much as 50% of the creative community soon using either widescreens or dual monitors, we’re confident that the Intuos3 6x11 is going to be very popular,” said Michael Marcum, Wacom’s Director of Product Management. “The Intuos3 6x11 is really a demonstration of the importance we place on identifying emerging customer needs and providing products in a timely way to meet those needs.” Click here for the press release
Nikon Announces three new products - A new DSLR the D200, the AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, a compact, lightweight 11.1x zoom lens and a wireless Remote Speedlight SB-R200, a portable wireless remote flash unit Tokyo November 1, 2005 — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the D200. Combining newly developed Nikon technologies with advanced features, the D200 is a precision-engineered, high-performance digital SLR designed to satisfy the requirements of passionate and demanding photographers. Employing a newly developed 10.2 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor, and featuring Nikon's exclusive image processing engine and image optimizing functionality, the D200 captures images with sharp detail and faithful color to deliver extraordinary resolution that supports significant image enlargement while enabling greater freedom for creative cropping. This image sensor also incorporates high-speed 4-channel data output and features a new Optical Low Pass Filter, allowing photographers to benefit from a significant reduction in the incidence of moiré as well as color fringing and shifting. Furthermore, 4-channel output allows the D200 to adopt the advanced image-processing engine of the D2x that combines color-independent preconditioning prior to A/D conversion with advanced digital image processing algorithms to deliver fine color gradations with satisfyingly smooth, consistent transitions. Click here for more info Tokyo — November 1, 2005 - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, a compact, lightweight 11.1x zoom lens that is ideal for everyday photography and incorporates advanced features such as Nikon ED glass, SWM (Silent Wave Motor) and enhanced VR (Vibration Reduction), as well as featuring optics optimized for use with Nikon digital SLRs. The lens offers users the remarkable 18-200mm focal length range, which conveniently covers everything from wide landscapes to tight portrait shots. (The picture angle is equivalent to a 27-300mm lens in 35mm format.) Advanced Nikon engineering has given rise to a compact lightweight design that offers excellent handling characteristics. Click here for more info
Tokyo — November 1, 2005 - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the Wireless Remote Speedlight SB-R200, a portable wireless remote flash unit for Nikon Advanced Wireless Lighting system, and the Wireless Speedlight Commander SU-800, a commander to control up to 3 groups of i-TTL compatible wireless flash units. Click here for more info