We’ve been puting the beta of Microsoft Office 2010 through its paces. Not all the forthcoming functions are operative but, so far, we like what we see. The ribbon is uniform across the apps, more customizable, and everything geared to smoother workflow and collaboration. You can download the beta here.
We’ll be publishing a full review on Zoom Street as soon as the suite ships. End of January?
Stay tuned.
Is it worth stepping up from XP to Windows 7?
Should Vista users make the upgrade?
Read our feature review here.
Adobe has announced the Photoshop Camera Raw 5.6, Lightroom 2.6 and DNG Converter 5.6 Release Candidates, available for immediate download on Adobe Labs. The term ‘release candidate’ means this update is well tested but would benefit from additional community testing to provide the highest quality experience for customers working on a variety of hardware and software configurations.
The updates add raw file support for 19 new popular camera models, including the Canon EOS 7D and Nikon D3s, with additional DNG support added for the Leica M9 camera model. A full list of the newly supported cameras is below. The Release Candidates also provide a fix for an issue affecting PowerPC customers using the final Lightroom 2.5 and Camera Raw 5.5 updates on the Mac. The issue, introduced in the demosaic change to address sensors with unequal green response, has the potential to create artifacts in the highlight area while using the Highlight Recovery tool in raw files from Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and various medium format digital camera backs.
Photoshop Lightroom 2 software is today’s digital photography workflow solution, allowing photographers to quickly import, process, manage and showcase images. The Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in provides fast and easy access within Photoshop to the raw image formats produced by many leading digital cameras, and Adobe’s Digital Negative (DNG) format is a publicly available archival format for the raw files generated by digital cameras.
Newly Supported Camera Models
Canon EOS 7D
Canon PowerShot G11
Canon PowerShot S90
Leaf Aptus II 5
Mamiya DM22, DM28, DM33, DM56, M18, M22, M31
Nikon D3s
Olympus E-P2
Pentax K-x
Panasonic FZ38
Sigma DP1s
Sony A500
Sony A550
Sony A850
We’re gearing up to present our BEST OF THE YEAR awards in the December issue. While we can’t reveal the ten winning products, here is a list of the manufacturers we’re honoring:
Epson
Flip
HP
Kino Flo
Nikon
Redrock Micro
Sigma
Tiffen
Wiebetech
Zacuto
Don’t miss next month’s issue!
Redrock Micro Updates Video DSLR Rigs with Carbon Fiber, Adds 20 New Accessories and Enhancements New gear delivers ultra-light weight, new rig for weddings/events, and retains affordability Hollywood, CA (September 17, 2009) – Redrock Micro, the leading provider of cinema accessories for digital filmmakers, today announced a wide range of new accessories to enhance video DSLRs. Collectively these new accessories significantly reduce weight and increase the options available to exactly match customers’ desired features and configuration.
Highlights of products include:
Carbon Fiber rods that cut weight a dramatic 66% – Redrock’s second-generation carbon fiber rods deliver state-of-the-art precision and strength, and are 66% lighter than comparable stainless steel rods. All Redrock DSLR rigs are now shipping with carbon fiber rods. theEvent DSLR rig for weddings/events and photojournalism – a new DSLR rig that incorporates the microBrace body pad is an affordable quality solution for handheld with maximum stability.
Remote start/stop holder for Canon video DSLRs – a convenient accessory to mount the Canon IR remote for start/stop video recording on Canon DSLRs.
Support for DSLR battery grips – the new microLink4 better positions the DSLR body in front of the eye for comfortable viewfinder use. The microLink4 “flat” delivers this support for DSLRs with battery grips or other under-camera accessory.
Improved viewfinder positioning for shouldermount rigs – updates to the popular eyeSpy shouldermount DLSR rigs now position the viewfinder more comfortably for run-and-gun style shooting.
“The response to video DSLRs and the companion Redrock rigs have been tremendous,” said James Hurd, Chief Revolutionary of Redrock Micro. “Now in our third generation of cinema accessories, we continue to answer our customers’ call for ultra lightweight, and even more options to configure rigs exactly to their specifications.”
Redrock video DSLR rigs and accessories are the only products to win the Best of Show Black Diamond Awards handed out at the 2009 NAB Show by DV Magazine. Redrock DSLR support rigs and accessories enhance video DSLRs (such as the Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 7D, Nikon D90, and Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH1) with the stability, strength, and features for cinema-style shooting, while maintaining the ultra lightweight, small footprint, and rapid setup of still photography. Redrock’s DSLR hybrid support rigs are perfectly designed for the demands of today’s digital still and motion photographers. Vanguard DSLR filmmakers using Redrock rigs include Vincent Laforet, Rodney Charters, and most recently Shane Hurlbut (Director of Photography for “Terminator: Salvation”).
Availability and Pricing
The new Redrock Micro DSLR accessories are available for immediate ordering direct from Redrock and from select Redrock resellers, and are expected to ship in September. Redrock accessories are always affordably priced for personal ownership: specific pricing depends on configuration and options. The new accessories are on display at HD Expo in New York September 17th. About Redrock Micro Redrock Microsystems delivers high quality cinema accessories for digital filmmakers at revolutionary prices. Redrock Micro’s products are designed to enhance DV, HD and video DSLR cameras including Panasonic, Sony, Canon, and JVC for true cinema-style shooting. At the heart of the Redrock family is the award-winning Redrock M2 Encore Cinema Lens adapter, which creates the shallow depth of field, angle of view, and focus techniques typically only found in 35mm motion pictures. Additional cinema accessories include the video DSLR cinema rigs, microFollowFocus, microMattebox, microSupport system, and microShoulderMount. Redrock’s mission is to deliver high quality cinema accessories at revolutionary prices normal human beings can afford. Through a unique business approach of build-to-order and agile manufacturing, Redrock delivers the quality and features of premium solutions at a fraction of the price. This approach is ideal for independent filmmakers, owners/operators, film educators and students, and budget-conscious moviemakers. Redrock Micro has offices in Dallas, Texas, and Hollywood, California. www.redrockmicro.com.
DSLR remote holder.
Today Adobe Labs released an early beta of Lightroom 3. The final version has no scheduled date for release, but is expected in 2010. The purpose of putting this version out there is to get feedback from photographers. Adobe listens to its user base which is one of the reasons it’s so successful.
We like what we see so far. In addition to improved functionality, new features include more intuitive importing, unparalleled noise reduction and sharpening tools, flexible watermarking, enhanced slideshow capabilities and direct publishing to online photo sharing sites like Flickr. As you can see from the screen shots below, the interface remains the same (why mess with success?)…
You can begin playing with the app by downloading it from here.
We’re excited to have Steve Thornton as our featured photographer in next month’s issue. Among the world’s international fashion, beauty, lifestyle, cowboy, aircraft photographers, the Atlanta, Georgia native began his illustrious career as a self taught and progressive 12 year old shutterbug with a keen and razor sharp eye to detail. As a professional, he has photographed numerous national and international ads, along with feature editorials for celebrated magazines in the Unites States, Milan, Italy and Paris, France, where he has also lived. These respected magazines include Vogue, Zeffrio, Marie France, Teen, Seventeen, Modern Bride, Your Prom, Bride’s, Cowboys and Indians, American Cowboy, Western and English and Western Horsemen.
In addition to Steve’s revered editorial features, his work has been prominently showcased in the advertising photography arena and corporate settings for respected companies such as General Motors, Hallmark, Citizens, Hyatt and American Express.
Be sure to zoom in on the November issue.
Horst/Staley-Wise Gallery
Irving Penn, Fashion Photographer, Is Dead at 92 – Obituary (Obit) – NYTimes.com
