The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers details the features of the newly released Lightroom 2 software. Author Martin Evening shows readers how to work with images shot in the raw or JPEG format, create and manage a personal image library, apply tonal adjustments to multiple images, and more. The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers is now available, priced at $49.99.

PhotoReview have reviewed the Nikon SB-900, the brand new top-of-the-range Speedlight flash gun.

“We were only able to test the SB-900’s capabilities as a single flash unit and in conjunction with the D700’s built-in flash. And, not having reviewed the SB-800, we were unable to compare the performance of the two flash units. Suffice it to say we found the test sample to be an excellent performer that delivered an evenly-exposed set of test shots with different camera-to-subject distances and focal length settings. In use, we found recycling to be almost silent and very fast with NiMH rechargeables matching the 2.3-second recycle times claimed in the SB-900’s specifications.”

Website: PhotoReview - Nikon SB-900 Review

Photography Bay have reviewed the new ColorRight, which takes less than 15 seconds to take a proper color reading.

“I cannot express the simplicity and accuracy of this device enough. For those of you who never use custom white balance, the “wow” factor you get out of your first image will blow you away. For those of you that use a white card or try to snap your white balance off some guy’s white t-shirt, I’m sure that you can see the potential that ColorRight could have in your shooting.”

Website: Photography Bay - ColorRight Review

DCResource have reviewed the new Canon PowerShot SD890 IS, a 10 megapixel camera which features a 5x optical zoom lens and enhanced optical Image Stabilizer.

“Canon’s PowerShot SD890 IS Digital ELPH is a good choice for those who want a little extra zoom power from a compact camera. It offers very good photo quality (in good light), a 5X zoom lens, optical image stabilization, good performance, and plenty of point-and-shoot features—all in a stylish package.”

Website: DCResource - Canon PowerShot SD890 IS Review

Capture One 4.1.2 adds lens correction support for Phase One digital back owners with Hasselblad H, Hasselblad V and Contax mounts. “Sometimes nature doesn’t give you a choice, so it’s good that Phase One does,” said fine art landscape photographer Tim Wolcott (www.galleryoftheamericanlandscape.com). “Purple fringing occurs most often in high-contrast scenes. These lens correction tools let you get the shot you want and can save hours of post-production.” Capture One 4 is priced at $129 or 99 euros. Capture One 4.1.2 is a service release—free to all existing Capture One owners.

Eye-Fi and SmugMug have teamed up to provide free geotagging and hotspot access for SmugMug members using an Eye-Fi memory card. For a limited time, Eye-Fi Share and Eye-Fi Card users who choose SmugMug for photo sharing will receive one year of free hotspot access and geotagging. “Our photo map has become extremely popular and sets us apart from other online sharing sites,” said Chris MacAskill, president and co-founder of SmugMug.  “This opportunity makes it even easier for people to spend more time enjoying their photos, and less time uploading and tagging their images.” SmugMug are also offerring new and existing members a 20% discount on their membership plans until the end of 2008.

We don’t usually feature unsubstantiated rumours, but when one of the best known Nikon-related authors decides to publish the key specs and a release date, it’s pretty clear that the Nikon D90 is on its way. David Busch, creator of the popular Nikon Digital Field Guides series, has revealed that the D90 will offer a 12 megapixel sensor, Live View shooting mode, “larger” LCD screen than the D80’s (pictured) 2.5 inch model, 4.5fps continuous shooting, HDMI connectivity, video recording (!) and GPS compatibility. Busch states that the price of the Nikon D90 with a new 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR kit lens will be $1299, something that’s also verified by recent stock listings at Best Buy and Circuit City. Finally, August 27th will apparently be the launch day according to Busch.

Website: Nikon Guides - D90

Nik Software have released an update for Silver Efex Pro. Version 1.001 resolves some stability and other minor issues for Photoshop on both Macintosh and Windows platforms, as well as in Aperture.

Website: Nik Silver Efex Pro 1.001

TrustedReviews have reviewed the Samsung i8 camera, which features a 2.7 inch touch-screen LCD and PMP (Personal Multimedia Player) with integrated MP3 player.

“Image quality is also surprisingly good. The lens is the weakest link, but even this performs reasonably well, with good centre and edge sharpness awith only a small amount of barrel distortion, although it does suffer from noticeable chromatic aberration in the corners of the frame at wide angle. Colour reproduction is very good, and captures highlights in bright colours better than some cameras I’ve seen recently. The exposure system does tend to sacrifice highlight detail in favour of shadow detail, resulting in some burned out highlights, but on the whole it copes well with a wide range of conditions.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Samsung i8 Review

Buy-n-Shoot have reviewed the 14 megapixel Samsung GX-20 DSLR camera.

“In summation, it is fair to suggest the GX-20 is not an entry level unit. It has clearly been designed with the intermediate to advanced user in mind who is familiar with the general controlling, functions and handling of a DSLR. The lack of scene modes and the detailed menu/function information help to define the target customer as an experienced camera user capable of fully controlling the GX-20 as opposed to it automatically controlling the look of images with point-and-shoot operation.”

Website: Buy-n-Shoot - Samsung GX-20 Review

Website: Read our Samsung GX-20 Review

The new Canon MP480 and MP190 all-in-one printers offer a sleeker design and enhanced performance. The Pixma MP480 Photo All-In-One combines elegant design with easy operation, fetauring a a 1.8-inch TFT color LCD display and easily navigated control panel. The Canon MP480 Photo All-In-One costs $99.99. The Pixma MP190 Photo All-In-One features a maximum of 4800 x 1200 dpi color resolution and delivers 4 x 6 inch borderless photo quality prints in approximately 70 seconds. The Canon MP190 Photo All-In-One costs $69.99.

The new CanoScan 5600F, LiDE200 and LiDE100 scanners provide an easy-to-use and affordable way to archive photos. The new Auto Scan Mode has been included on all 3 models, which reduces the scanning process from eight steps down to two. Dual Color Gamut Processing Technology matches the color tones between the original and scanned images for a more accurate reproduction. The CanoScan 5600F can scan up to six frames of a 35mm filmstrip or four 35mm slides at a maximum optical resolution of 4800 x 9600 dots-per-inch, and costs $149.99. The CanoScan LiDE 200 has a maximum optical resolution of 4800 x 4800 dpi while the CanoScan LiDE 100 has a maximum optical resolution of 2400 x 4800 dpi. They cost $89.99 and $59.99 respectively.

Kingston is now shipping a 32GB Elite Pro SDHC Flash memory card. The 32GB Elite Pro SDHC card can store more than 6,000 still images (with a 10 megapixel camera). The 32GB SDHC card has a suggested price of $308.00. Kingston’s line of SDHC memory cards are backed by a lifetime warranty and 24/7 live technical support.

The Lenovo ThinkPad W700 is the first laptop to feature a built-in graphics tablet and color calibrator. The Lenovo W700 can display up to the 72 percent wide color gamut of the Adobe RGB colour-space and offers a 7-in-1 multicard reader and five USB ports. It can be configured with up to 8 GB of memory with an additional 2 GB of Intel Turbo Memory, which should help keep Photoshop happy. The ThinkPad W700 mobile workstation will be available beginning in September with models starting at $2,978.

ContrastMaster is a new plugin for contrast enhancement, dramatic contrast looks, photorealistic paintings and HDR-like effects. ContrastMaster offers three local and four global contrast adjustment methods as well as various masking, saturation and brightness options. It offers more options for fine-tuning and controlling image contrast than any other tool. Additionally, the Adaptive Contrast method is not available in any other software. ContrastMaster is available now for Windows, priced at $69.95. A Macintosh version is planned for the end of the year.

Shutterfly Share Sites is a new service that combines the best of photo sites, blogs, and social networking. Within minutes, customers can create a professional-looking website and add photos, share photo books, write journal entries and post comments. Shutterfly customers have created more than 55,000 individual Share Sites since the beta test was opened earlier this summer.

The BP935 and the BP1500 are two new camera backpacks from Calumet. They feature innovative materials and construction techniques that allow rapid access to and and maximum protection for your digital SLR camera system and laptop computer. The BP935 and the BP1500 are built with a durable exterior of 100-percent ballistic pattern nylon and offer a fully adjustable suspension system. The Calumet BP935 costs $169.99 and the Calumet BP1500 $199.99, both with a limited 10-year warranty.

The new LED8 Macro Ring Light from Marumi has been specifically designed for macro photography. It’s ideal for use with compact cameras, with eight LEDs that position in front of the lens using a flexible cord, providing shadow-free illumination. Paul Kench, Kenro’s Managing Director says “At such a low price point, this is a cost-effective and flexible way to light your close-up images, allowing you to take full advantage of the closest focus setting on your camera.” The LED8 Macro Ring Light is available now in the UK for £65.80.

Gitzo have launched a new series of backpacks, bags and tripod straps. The new Gitzo range includes a Gitzo Traveler Back Pack and Traveler Bag designed specifically to carry your Traveler tripod, the Gitzo Tripod Strap, and two Gitzo Holster models is dedicated to carrying your Gitzo tripod and monopods. Prices start at £19.95 for the Gitzo GC5330 monopod holster, up to £64.95 for the Gitzo GC2240T traveler back pack.

The Benro B Series Ball Head has been redesigned to incorporate real damper adjustment and greater locking force whilst improving the smoothness of operation. The B-Series ball heads also incorporate a new design of adjustment knobs that feature graduated torque with a visible reference for simple re-setting. There is also a new, improved universal quick release clamp that is now capable of taking all Arca-Swiss style plates as well as the older Benro style quick release plates. To compliment the new range of heads, Benro have also announced a series of Camera/Lens plates. The Benro B-Series Ball Heads and PU-Series quick release plates are available in the UK from The Wildlife Studio. Prices start from £13.99 for the plates, while the ball heads start at £45.