Adobe have released updates for Photoshop Lightroom Camera Raw which provide RAW file support for 14 additional camera models, including the Canon EOS 40D and Sony A700 DSLRs. The Lightroom update also includes corrections to Microsoft Windows Vista grid display errors and XMP auto-write performance. The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.2 update is available as a free download for existing customers. The Adobe Camera Raw 4.2 plug-in is available as a free download for users of Photoshop CS3, Photoshop Elements 4.0 (Mac) and Photoshop Elements 5.0 (Windows).

The Colour Confidence Profiler colour management package now includes step by step in-system help and full Windows Vista compatiblility. In addition the the award-winning Eye-One Match software is now supplied for use with the included Eye-One Pro measuring device. “A key aim when developing the product was to make high-end printer profiling both affordable and accessible, and part of that is making sure we take notice of what users want. Colour Confidence Profiler is a comprehensive solution, so it makes sense for it to be accompanied by a comprehensive user guide”. commented Geoffrey Clements, Managing Director of Colour Confidence. Colour Confidence Profiler costs 502/€749 ex. VAT, or £425/€635 to eligible academic institutions.

The new PocketPal Camera Straps from epic photo gear have two pockets, one for a cell phone and the other for camera batteries or memory cards. The larger pocket measures 3” x 1” x 1.5” and was designed to hold a cell phone. The elastic band on both sides of the pocket allows it to accommodate a wide variety of cell phones. The smaller pocket measures 2.5” x 1”, and will hold two AA batteries, memory cards a key or change. The contents for each pocket are kept secure with Velcro tabbed flaps. The PocketPal Camera Straps are avialble in three differenct finishes and priced at $13.95 / $15.95.

The latest Inside Digital Photo radio show interviews Chuck Westfall from Canon USA about their their newest line of professional digital cameras. Host Scott Sheppard and Westfall discuss the finer points of the Canon EOS-1Ds MARK III, EOS-1D MARK III and EOS 40D cameras.

Website: Inside Digital Photo - Chuck Westfall Interview

Win thousands of pounds worth of cash and prizes in the Garden Photographer of the Year 2008 competition. In addition, the winners will have their photos exhibited for four months at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London. There are five different categories - My Garden, Garden Views, Plant portraits, Life in the Garden and Trees - and you can enter single images or themed portfolios. The closing date for submissions is 31st January 2008.

PhotoTune 2.2 is an easy-to-use colour-correction Adobe Photoshop plugin. Comprised of two plugins, ColorTune and SkinTune, PhotoTune 2.2 is available now for $129.95. “PhotoTune 2.2, available for the first time, includes ColorTune technology (formerly known as 20/20 Color MD) with its patented color correction process and SkinTune technology, developed after more than two years of in-depth skin color research.” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. ColorTune works like an eye exam to figure out precisely what is wrong with a digital image. SkinTune instantly finds the nearest acceptable skin color from a library of skin samples and automatically corrects the image.

Nikon has partnered with T-Mobile USA to provide Coolpix S51c customers with a six month subscription to T-Mobile’s HotSpot Wi-Fi service for digital cameras. With nearly 8,500 T-Mobile HotSpot locations available in the USA, owner’s can use Nikon’s new “my Picturetown” sharing and setorage service from nearly anywhere. “Nikon’s all-new ‘my Picturetown’ service allows S51c users to email their images to family and friends across the globe or upload them to Nikon’s photo archiving service. The partnership with T-Mobile USA provides customers with the opportunity to share their images easily and seamlessly from a variety of locations.” said Bill Giordano, General Manager, Marketing, COOLPIX, Nikon Inc. This special offer expires on August 31, 2008.

Duracell Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries provide the ultimate in convenience - NiMH batteries that are ready to use straight out of the pack. Duracell Pre-Charged Rechargeables retain power for up to 365 days while not in use and can be recharged hundreds of times in any NiMH battery charger. Available in September 2007, Duracell Pre-Charged Rechargeables will have a suggested retail price of $12.99 for a four-pack.

The Panasonic DMC-L10 is a new 10.1 megapixel DSLR camera with a unique 2.5 inch free angle LCD screen complete with full time live view. The successor to the L1, the Panasonic L10 is a Four Thirds System camera that’s available either body only or in a kit with the new Leica 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 lens. Other standout features offered by the Panasonic DMC-L10 include Face Detection (up to 15 human faces can be detected simultaneously), Intelligent ISO Control, nine film modes which replicate analog film styles, and the Supersonic Wave Filter system to remove dust from the sensor. The Panasonic L10 will be available from October 2007.

I’m attending the Panasonic press conference at the IFA show in Berlin, Germany right now. Plus I’ve been given the unique opportunity to use the DMC-L10 on a shooting tour later today, so expect some exclusive product shots and a hands-on report to follow.

Update 1 - The L10 uses a newly developed Panasonic sensor, not the Olympus E-410 sensor that has been mistakenly reported elsewhere (source: Panasonic spokesperson, IFA press conference).

Update 2 - The UK price of the Panasonic L10 with the Leica 14-50mm kit lens has now been confirmed as £899.99. The US price is $1300.

The winners of the Nikon Photo Contest International 2006-2007 have just been announced, chosen from more than 47,000 photographs. The theme for the 31st contest was “At the heart of the image”. A total of 53 prize winners were selected from 16,000 participants from 135 countries. The contest is held since 1969 and currently staged once every other year.

Nikon Transfer and Nikon ViewNX are now available to download for free from the Nikon UK website. Nikon Transfer is a download utility which allows images to be simultaneously downloaded to two locations. Nikon ViewNX is a file browser which ensures quick access to images for instant viewing. To access the new software downloads, you must have an account with the European support centre and have registered a valid digital product.

ePhotoZine have reviewed the 8 megapixel Panasonic DMC-FX33 digital camera, which offers a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC lens (28-100mm), 2.5 inch monitor, optical image stabiliser, face detection and Intelligent Auto mode.

“The FX33 nails its colours to the mast early on. This is a camera for those who want the best results with the least effort. This means that there’s a standard program mode, with exposure compensation and ISO control available, a choice of Scene modes, and the Intelligent Auto function that does everything for you bar wiping noses and picking up litter. In fact the FX33 shares many similar traits to the higher-resolution FX100 such as the 28mm wide angle lens and the way the mode dial sits half under the top plate. Where it stops is that the FX100 is rather more sexily designed, though this isn’t an ugly camera to look at itself.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Panasonic DMC-FX33 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the HP Photosmart R837 digital camera, which can remove blemishes from faces, such as a spot, mole or scar, and includes pet-eye fix, which removes the glowing effect caused by pets’ eyes.

“The R837’s image quality was OK for an 8-megapixel model. Our outdoor samples had very vivid colors and had very good exposures, however, there a bit noisy. The indoor test shots turned out to have good exposure and the flash was more than adequate from 8 feet away. HP claims that the flash range for this model is 13.5 feet, which is average for a camera is this class and will perform well when trying to illuminate a small to medium sized room. Again, there was a little more noise than we would have liked to see, and the flash might be a little too strong at times, causing skin tones to be a little washed out if you are too close to your subject”

Website: Steves Digicams - HP Photosmart R837 Review

Website: Read our HP Photosmart R837 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the HP M437, an entry-level 5 megapixel compact digital camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2 inch LCD screen.

“This is a well designed camera, with few, but very easy to use controls that are well placed on the body. The menu system is simple to use and doesn’t offer a lot of options, perfect for the novice user that is not looking for complicated manual controls. The 2-inch screen was a pleasure to use, self adjusts (gains up) well in marginal lighting.”

Website: Steves Digicams - HP M437 Review

ACDSee Pro 2 features next-generation workflow management and RAW processing functionality. The upgrade was developed with input from more than 2,500 photographers worldwide. “The ability to work directly with our customers has allowed us to develop a product release that will bring unprecedented efficiency to the photographic community, freeing them to focus on what they do best—producing quality images.” said Mark Franklin, executive vice president of ACD Systems. ACDSee Pro 2 is available now for $129.99. Current ACDSee customers are eligible for a 30-percent customer discount.

FotoNation’s Red-Eye and FaceTracker imaging technologies are built-in to more than one out of every two digital cameras. 21 out of 48 new compact digital camera models introduced in the first half of 2007 used the FaceTracker face detection system, which can track up to 10 human faces in an image. FotoNation Red-Eye instantly finds and corrects red-eye artifacts in digital images with no software required. FotoNation holds more than 180 pending and granted patents worldwide related to embedded imaging technology.

The Lacie Golden Disk is a new external hard drive designed by famed industrial designer Ora-Ïto. The Golden Disk features a unique jewel style while the outside finish actually contains a small percentage of real gold. “The Golden drive encompasses all that is glamour while having the guts to perform flawlessly with glowing performance,” said Lise Manteau, LaCie Desktop Solutions Product Manager. Thankfully the Lacie Golden Disk isn’t as expensive as its name suggests, with prices starting at $189, available late October.

LaCie has introduced its 2big family of professional RAID hard drives, comprised of the 2big Dual, 2big Triple and the 2big Network. With capacities from from 1 to 2 terabytes, the LaCie 2big family features a new natural cooling, heat sink metal design with a thermoregulated progressive smart fan.  “We listened to industry demand and created a product that is not only stylish, but allows for massive capacity, high speed and security on demand.  The two hot-swappable bays requires no configuration and assure that information will always be there when needed.” said Marie Renouard, LaCie Product Manager. The LaCie 2big Network and Triple are expected to ship in September followed by the 2big Dual in October, with prices starting at $399.

The Photodex ProShow Workshop Seminar Tour covers the most important features in ProShow Gold and ProShow Producer. The next Seminar takes place this weekend on September 15, 2007 in Chicago. Course attendees receive hands-on instruction, training materials and a Training DVD. Registration for a full-day workshop is $250.00.

CNET have reviewed the Canon G9, a 12.1 megapixel update of the G7 compact camera, with a 6x zoom lens, 3 inch LCD screen and the return of RAW mode.

“And though we all welcome back raw-format support, I was a bit put out by the raw+JPEG implementation. The camera doesn’t store a separate JPEG on the card: it gets extracted from the raw file during the download process using Canon’s image downloader utility. So it’s not really raw+JPEG shooting, and it’s close to useless.”

Website: CNET - Canon G9 Review

Website: Read our Canon Powershot G9 Review