Capture NX 2 is the latest version of Nikon’s popular image-editing software. Capture NX2 now offers Selection Control Point, allowing you to apply enhancements such as Unsharp Mask and D-Lighting to a specific area. A new Auto Retouch Brush, which clears away specks caused by dust on the sensor. Highlight and Shadow Protection is similar to the Fill Light and Recovery adjustments in Adobe Lightroom and Camera Raw. Nikon Capture NX 2 is compatible with both Windows Vista and XP and Macintosh OS X and costs £129.99 / $179 / €199. Jon Canfield discovers if Capture NX 2 is worthwhile for both Nikon and non-Nikon users alike.

Website: Nikon Capture NX 2 Review

Olympus are offering both a lucky customer and salesperson the chance to win a VIP trip for two to a European Grand Prix during the 2009 season. Just ask a salesperson in the UK to demonstrate any of the E-System cameras in-store, and you could be in with a chance to win this fantastic prize as part of the Olympus Test Drive promotion. The package will include overnight accommodation, a close-up view of the team in action and the best view of the race from the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes VIP Club suite. The Olympus Test Drive promotion will run throughout the summer with the cut off date for entries being 12th September 2008.

The second generation Drobo data storage product features two FireWire 800 ports, improved USB 2.0 performance and an upgraded core processor. Our customers have been asking for a high-performance FireWire connection since we launched Drobo last year, and this new release is the next logical step in providing users with what they need – and have come to expect – in the Drobo product,” said Geoff Barrall, CEO and founder of Data Robotics. This release addresses the needs of any user seeking a reliable method of managing vast amounts of data without sacrificing performance; from video editors, to heavy down-loaders, to photographers who shoot raw images. The second generation Drobo is priced at $499 MSRP and also comes in a 2TB version for $899, and a 4TB version for $1,299.

The sixth edition of the free PhotographyBB Online Magazine is now available. This month’s issue features a look at landscape and panoramic photography, black & white photography, a photographic trip to Australia, and a handful of useful tutorials. There’s also a continuing series on High Dynamic Range (HDR) photographic techniques. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for free download at: http://www.photographyBB.com/magazine

Getty Images are inviting Flickr members to participate in a Flickr branded stock image collection. The Flickr collection will feature photography selected by Getty Images editors based on their expertise in licensing digital content and insights into customers’ needs “We are excited and proud to be partnering with Flickr to offer our customers even more choice for their projects. Our customers will be able to select and use the best imagery from a fresh collection of high-quality images chosen by us from Flickr’s diverse and prolific community,” said Jonathan Klein, co-founder and CEO of Getty Images. Getty Images will be the exclusive commercial rights manager of the photos selected to become part of the collection.

Canon USA have announced the Canon EOS Rebel XS, which was first unveiled in other markets last month as the EOS 1000D. “We are proud to introduce the new EOS Rebel XS camera at a very exciting time in digital imaging. As consumers have fully embraced digital photography, with many consumers purchasing their second or third digital camera models, we see the Rebel XS as the bridge to help photographers cross over from the world of point-and-shoot cameras to digital SLR technology,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. Expected to ship in August 2008, the black or silver Canon Rebel XS camera is only available in a zoom lens kit version, which includes the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens. The Canon Rebel XS’s estimated retail price is $699.99.

Kodak has introduced the world’s first 50 million pixel CCD image sensor for professional photography. With an 8176 x 6132 pixel array, the KAF-50100 sensor provides the highest resolution available in the popular 48 mm x 36 mm optical format used in medium format photography. The new Kodak KAF-50100 sensor is the first to utilise the new KODAK TRUESENSE 6.0 micron Full Frame CCD Technology Platform, which increases both the resolution and camera performance available to photographers. In an aerial photo of a field 1-½ miles across, you could detect an object about the size of a small notebook computer (1 foot by 1 foot). The KAF-50100 is first being used in the new Hasselblad H3DII-50 camera.

Colour Confidence has updated its free Guidance to Digital Photography. This 60-page PDF document has been downloaded by over 15,000 users since its introduction. New areas covered include Colour management in a camera RAW workflow, Adobe RGB vs. sRGB, LCD monitors and Viewing conditions. The Guidance to Digital Photography addendum and the original download are both available free of charge from www.colourconfidence.com

Hasselblad are now offering the H3DII-31 kit, featuring the HC80mm lens, at the new price of $17,995. “Hasselblad’s commitment to Medium Format DSLR cameras, and to our H system platform, has now enabled us to lower the price barrier that may have kept some photographers from acquiring a true high-end DSLR camera,” explains Christian Poulsen, Chief Executive Officer of Hasselblad. Based on the same technical foundation as the other H-system cameras and using the same superior HC/HCD lens program, the H3DII-31 provides a serious but affordable Medium Format alternative to high-end 35mm users.

The new HTS 1.5 adapter adds tilt, shift and rotation to the Hasselblad HCD28mm, HC35mm, HC50mm and HC80mm lenses. “Thanks to its extreme portability, the HTS 1.5 will not only bring creative image control to demanding applications such as architecture and landscape photography, but opens the doors to a wide range of exciting new creative application areas.” commented Christian Poulsen, Hasselblad Chief Executive Officer. The Hasselblad HTS 1.5 adapter is priced at $5,395 excluding tax and will be available from Q1, 2009.

DxO Optics Pro 5.2 features a new RAW converter that dramatically improves noise reduction in ultra-high ISO images, plus support for three new camera bodies. The Pentax K20D, Sony-A350 and Sony-A700 DSLRs are now supported, and it also inlcudes the DxO Optics Pro Import plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. New lens correction modules have also been added for the Samsung GX20 and the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi. To celebrate the release of DxO Optics Pro v5.2, DxO Labs is extending the special DxO FilmPack free license offer until July 31, 2008.

The Hasselblad H3DII-50 is a new 50 megapixel DSLR camera system. The H3DII-50 uses Kodak’s 50 megapixel 36x48mm CCD sensor, which is twice the size of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors. The H3DII50 also provides improved controls and functionality, better sensor cooling, a new and more intuitive user interface, and a bright, 3 inch LCD display. Hasselblad has also announced the HTS 1.5 tilt/shift lens adapter, which by enlarging the image circle makes room for +/- 18mm shift and +/-10 degrees of tilt. The H3DII-50 camera will be available from October 2008 at a price of $39,995 excluding tax.

Sony has released an 8GB version of its Memory Stick Micro (M2) card. Upgrading a Sony Ericsson mobile with the new 8GB M2 card will allow you to store over 5,000 fine quality 5 megapixel photos. In addition, the new, ultra-compact M2 USB adaptor included with 2GB, 4GB and 8GB Memory Stick Micro cards allows easy communication with a PC.

The winners of the 5th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest have been announced. In the July issue of Smithsonian magazine and on the Web at Smithsonian.com, six photographs in five categories were chosen by Smithsonian editors, with one Readers’ Choice selected by Smithsonian.com visitors. Abhijit Dey from Barrackpore, India, received the Grand Prize (a Smithsonian Journeys trip for two) for the photograph, A tribal birth in India. Smithsonian received nearly 7,000 entries in six categories.

Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl inkjet paper is now available in 60 inch rolls. Smooth Pearl is the most popular surface in the Galerie range. “Artists, graphic designers and other imaging professionals are now able to use ILFORD GALERIE Smooth Pearl rolls to create storyboards or life size images, without relying on a studio or laboratory to do so. With the new 60” rolls, these artists are finally able to control their large-format creative process every step of the way,” commented Tom Poudrier, Director of Marketing, Oji ILFORD USA.

TrustedReviews have reviewed the entry-level Canon A470 camera, which has a 7 megapixel sensor and 3.4x optical zoom.

“The PowerShot A470 is the latest camera to hold the distinction of being Canon’s bottom-of-the-range model. Despite its extremely low price it is a well made camera, simple to use and easy to hold, with and surprisingly good performance and reasonable image quality.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Canon PowerShot A470 Review

Canon has announced plans to build a new DSLR and compact camera factory in Nagasaki, Japan. Construction of the new plant is scheduled to begin in January 2009 with operations expected to commence in December 2009. Around 1,000 employees will make approximately 4 million cameras every year. Canon have cited “continued growth of the global digital camera market and expected increase in future demand” as the principal reason for the new Nagasaki manufacturing base.

The new JOBO Photo Display PDJ152 is a 15 inch digital picture frame with 3 interchangeable frame colors and 1GB of internal memory. “The state-of-the-art new JOBO PDJ152 Photo Display was created to help consumers keep their memories alive and visible whether positioned on a tabletop or desk or conveniently mounted to a wall. And now with the option for the user to easily change the color of the frame’s trim, this 15-inch model is sure to blend perfectly into any environment.” said Johannes Bockemuehl-Simon, JOBO’s CEO. The PDJ152 digital picture frame features a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution with a contrast ratio of 400:1. The JOBO Photo Display PDJ152 is available now for €319 / $299.

Shutterstock’s royalty-free image bank has surpassed 4 million images, making it the World’s largest microstock photo agency. Shutterstock adds more than 40,000 stock photos, vectors and illustrations per week and has added over 1.2 million stock images so far in 2008 alone. “We’re growing exponentially thanks to our global community of top-notch submitters who upload their images to our library and supply our subscribers with a steady pipeline of fresh, creative content,” said Jon Oringer, Shutterstock founder and CEO.

Picstop are giving away a Canon EOS 450D, a new 12 megapixel compact DSLR camera, complete with Canon EF-s 18-55mm lens. You just have to answer the question “The Canon 450D can use the SanDisk Extreme III SDHC memory cards, what is the write speed of this card?” The competition closes on 31st August 2008.

Website: Picstop - Canon EOS 450D Giveaway