The specification for the Adobe DNG RAW file format has just been updated. Version 1.2.0.0 includes the formalization of the concept of a “camera profile” and a metadata tag to validate your image data.

Website: LightRoom Journal - DNG Specification and Vista DNG Codec

Adobe have released a DNG codec for Windows Vista, allowing DNG files to be viewed within the operating system. The DNG Codec provides a method for Windows Vista users to view DNG files in the Windows Explorer and Photo Gallery. Available as a free download from Adobe Labs, this is a nearly complete Release Candidate version.

Website: DNG Codec for Windows Vista

The PT-E05 is an underwater case for the new Olympus E-520 DSLR camera. Waterproof up to a water pressure equivalent to a depth of 40 metres, flash connectors allow optional use of up to two UFL-2 underwater flash units. Five interchangeable lens ports allow the optional use of the 14-42mm, 14-45mm, 11-22mm, 14-54mm, 7-14mm, 8mm Fisheye, 35mm and 50mm Macro lenses.

Gitzo Center Ball Heads are a completely new and innovative range of center ball heads. The Center Ball Heads offer smoothness, light weight, low gravity center, greater tilt angles, ergonomics, and minimized drift angle. The quick release plate features a new lever operated locking for increased safety and compactness. Gitzo Center Ball Heads are available now, pricing starts from $210.53.

PhotoZone have reviewed the Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA, a wide angle 24-70mm zoom lens with a large f/2.8 aperture.

“The Zeiss ZA Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 SSM will surely find many fans. In terms of resolution is may well be the hottest cake around in this class and neither distortions nor vignetting are problems to worry about (all within the APS-C scope). Lateral CAs may be visible at times in wide-angle images but it’s a non-issue in the middle to upper zoom range. The only sour aspect of the lens is the quality of the bokeh (character of the out-of-focus blur) which could be better @ 70mm f/2.8 - this may cause headaches for some users.”

Website: PhotoZone - Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA Review

Buy-n-Shoot have reviewed the Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera, which has a 10 megapixel sensor, focal factor of 1.33x and an ISO range of 160-2500.

“The Leica M8 is a precision photographic tool that provides professional results. SLR shooters may take a little while getting accustom to shooting with a range finder. However, the Leica M-series camera is very easy to use. Experienced photographers will have no problem getting the most from the M8. In fact the only problem you are going to have is deciding if you want the silver or black model.”

Website: Buy-n-Shoot - Leica M8 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD770 IS Review, a 10 megapixel cameras with 3x zoom lens and optical image stabilizer.

“Canon has created another successful ultra-compact digicam with the release of the PowerShot Digital ELPH SD770 IS. It features a 2.5” PureColor II LCD screen, optical image stabilization and motion detection technology. This combined with all the usual features that you have come to expect from an ELPH like face detection, VGA movie mode, full auto and various pre-programmed scene modes make this camera incredibly easy- to-use for anyone.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon PowerShot SD770 IS Review

The Olympus E-520 is a new DSLR camera with built-in image stabilisation for razor-sharp results. The E-520 is the successor to the E-510 and incorporates a built-in image stabiliser, full contrast AF performance in Live View, 3.5fps continuous shooting, 10 megapixels, wireless flash control, and a 2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD. The Olympus E-520 will be available from June 2008 and costs £479.99 body-only, £529.99 with the 14-42mm lens, £629.99 with the 14-42mm and 40-150mm lenses, and £759.99 with the 14-42mm and 70-300mm lenses.

The ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm 1:4.0-5.6 is a new extreme wide angle lens equivalent to 18-36mm. The super-compact and light-weight 9-18mm lens is ideal for anything from sweeping desert landscapes to broad shots. The ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm 1:4.0-5.6 (18-36mm)* lens will be available from September 2008, price to be confirmed.

Microsoft and Hoya Pentax have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement to further the development of each company’s current and future product lines. The agreement covers digital cameras made by Pentax and a broad range of other consumer products from each company. “We believe that this contract will further solidify the alliance between the two companies,” said Ko Torigoe, general manager of HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division. “We also expect that it will bring considerable benefits to consumers in the near future, as we should be able to shorten the time required for product development because of technological advancement by both companies, and therefore deliver higher-quality products to the market.”

Sigma have announced the UK price of the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lens. This new large aperture, standard prime lens will cost £379.99. In the UK, the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM will be available from June 2008.

Ridata has introduced a 32GB model to its 233x Lightning Series of CompactFlash cards. “Mobile digital products continue to get more and more sophisticated,” commented Harvey Liu, president of Advanced Media, Inc. “To that end, they require more data storage and faster read times. Our new 32GB 233x Lightning Series CompactFlash card delivers both. In today’s digital flash media world, size matters. And Ridata has it.” The Ridata 32GB 233x Lightning Series CompactFlash card is available now for $199.

TrustedReviews have reviewed the GE E840s, a slim 8 megapixel camera with 4x optical zoom and 2.7 inch LCD.

“Perhaps the most surprising thing about the E840s is the image quality, which is much better than I had anticipated. It’s not really in the same league as some of the other compacts we’ve looked at lately, but then it costs half as much, and for a cheap camera it is really quite good. The lens produces some barrel distortion at wide-angle, but no worse than the £220 Nikon S600 I reviewed earlier this week, and while the overall image lacks a certain sharpness it is at least consistent from corner to corner. There is a little chromatic aberration towards the edges of the frame, but not enough to cause a problem in most circumstances.”

Website: TrustedReviews - GE E840s Review

Eye-Fi are introducing three new wireless SD memory cards - the Eye-Fi Explore, Share and Home. Eye-Fi Explore ($129) automatically adds geographic location tags to each photo, and allows users to upload from Wi-Fi hotspots. Eye-Fi Share ($99) is the new name for the original Eye-Fi card. Eye-Fi Home ($79) is aimed at users who want to simply and wirelessly upload photos to their home computer. “We understand that each photographer has his or her own way of sharing memories,” said Jef Holove, chief executive officer of Eye-Fi. “Some users are thrilled to easily upload photos from camera to computer, while others want a much richer photo sharing experience, even when away from home. By offering three different Eye-Fi Cards and new features, our goal is to give consumers exactly what delights them.”

The Eye-Fi Explore is a new wireless SD memory card that automatically tags photos with information about where the image was captured. It also allows you to automatically upload photos from more than 10,000 wi-fi hotspots. “The Eye-Fi Explore delivers the two enhancements most requested by our users,” said Jef Holove, CEO for Eye-Fi. “Our geotagging service automates what is today a compelling, though time-consuming and manual, experience. And, our hotspot access will allow travelers, bloggers, and anyone on the go to upload, share and save their pictures before they even get home.” The 2GB Eye-Fi Explore includes unlimited Web uploads, unlimited geotagging and one year of hotspot access at Wayport locations. The Eye-Fi Explore ($129.00) will be available beginning June 6th 2008.

Bibble Pro 4.10 adds support for eight of the newest digital SLR cameras and 14 new lenses. Version 4.10 adds support for: Nikon D60, Canon Digital Rebel XSi (450D), Sony a200, a300, and a350, Pentax K20D and K200D, and Olympus E-420. Version 4.10 is the last planned update to Bibble Lite and Bibble Pro before the launch of Bibble 5. Bibble 4.10 is available in both “Pro” ($129.95) and “Lite” ($69.95) versions for Windows, Macintosh (PPC/Intel as a Universal Binary) and Linux.

Essentials 2 for iPhoto is a collection of four software tools to correct color, blur a photo, add creative borders and resize digital images. “These tools are designed to allow amateur and advanced amateur photographers to quickly and easily correct color, creatively add blur effects to images, add realistic frame and borders and enlarge digital images to transform even ordinary snapshots into extraordinary images without having to spend hours in front of a computer.” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. Essentials 2 for iPhoto costs $59.95.

The new Transcend Extreme Speed 300x CompactFlash cards can achieve read/write speeds of up to 45MB per second. Operating in dual-channel Ultra DMA mode 5, the fastest speed available for CF cards, Transcend’s 300X CompactFlash uses only brand name, top-tier SLC NAND Flash chips and premium quality components and has a Lifetime Warranty.

FocalPoint is now available as a software plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. onOne Software’s FocalPoint is a selective focus and vignetting plug-in designed to help photographers easily blur and/or vignette areas of an image. “It’s just like having a lens inside of Photoshop. Users set the location of their ‘sweet spot’ of focus directly on their image and then control the amount, kind of blur used and even lighten or darken the edges quickly and easily.” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. The FocalPoint plug-in is available now for $159.95.

All of the assets of Realviz, best known for Stitcher panorama software, have been bought by Autodesk. “REALVIZ’s technology is complementary to Autodesk’s modeling, visual effects and animation products. It will enable us to increase the use of 3D technology across many industries, including architecture, film, broadcast and game development.” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk Platform Solutions and Emerging Business. Stitcher Unlimited, Stitcher Express, ImageModeler and Movimento will continue to be available as standalone products. Matchmover, Retimer and VTour, Stitcher Pro, Stitcher Unlimited DS, StoryViz, and hardware and software product bundles are all discontinued.