The final versions of Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5.3 are now available. Adobe Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5.3 provide raw file support for the Nikon D3X and Olympus E-30 cameras, and Lightroom 2.3 addresses several issues including a solution to a memory leak. Adobe Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5.3 are both available now as free updates for eligible customers.

Leica have released a new firmware update, 2.004, for the M8 and M8.2 cameras. It adds support for new lenses and also a discrete mode / delayed shutter-cocking action to the M8 model.

Website: Leica M8 Firmware Update 2.004

Apple have just released the Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.5 for Mac OS X 10.4.11 or Mac OS X 10.5.3 or later. This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2, iPhoto ‘08, and iPhoto ‘09 for the Nikon D3X and Epson R-D1x cameras. It also addresses issues related to specific cameras and overall stability.

Website: Apple Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.5

The second annual Photography.Book.Now competition is now open for entries. The contest celebrates self-published photography books and the photographers behind them, with a grand prize of $25,000 on offer. Entries will be accepted in three categories – Fine Art, Editorial, and Commercial. “Photography.Book.Now offers photographers of all backgrounds a wonderful opportunity to showcase compelling work in book form. The three categories celebrate the photography book as an experience that is more than just the sum of its parts.” commented Darius Himes, lead judge. The closing date is 16:00pm BST on the 16th July, 2009.

The Magnum Expression Photography Award is a new international competition which aims to emphasise the value of storytelling through the use of imagery. The theme of this year’s Expression Photography Award is “communities”. From March 16th to September 30th 2009, participants will be able to submit eight to 15 images, a biography and statement about their project via Magnum’s website. The winner of the Magnum Expression Photography Award will receive an HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer and supplies and a $10,000 grant. The 19 finalists and overall winner will be announced later in the year.

M-ROCK has introduced its new Adventure line of bags for outdoor photographers.The M-ROCK Adventure series includes laptop compatible backpacks and gadget bags with detachable roller trolleys; sling bags-turn-backpacks, several DSLR Gadget and top load holster bags; point-and-shoot digital camera bags; and attachable lens pouches for additional carrying capacity. In addition, M-ROCK is introducing a series of full-featured Modular System bags. Consisting of five bags and a support belt of varying sizes and shapes, M-ROCK’s modular bags give users the freedom and flexibility to create a modular system that is specific to their shooting style.

The JOBO PDJ120 is a new limited edition 12 inch digital photo frame. The PDJ120 features a stylish snow-white acrylic border, internal memory capable of storing up to 800 pictures and convenient remote control access. The JOBO Photo Display PDJ120 will be available this month for $259.

Delkin’s Fat Gecko is a new accessory that mounts a camera to almost any surface. The Fat Gecko is a dual suction cup mount with three attachment options - the suction cup mount, clamp-style handlebar mount, and strap bicycle mount. Fat Gecko’s suction cups are so strong they can hold more than a five pound camera, or the equivalent of a full size SLR with a standard lens. The double knuckle design and 2” extender allow for 360° tilt, 360° turn and 360° rotation to capture all of the best filming angles in any activity. Fat Gecko will be available for sale in March 2009 for $89.99.

The new Lensbaby 0.42x Super Wide Lens converts Lensbaby optics from a 50mm focal length to an ultra-wide 21mm focal length. Compatible with all Lensbaby lenses, the Lensbaby 0.42x Super Wide Lens simply screws onto the front of any Lensbaby lens via its standard 37mm screw thread. “Many Lensbaby users are shooting with cropped-sensor digital cameras, and are looking for a wider angle of view. With this new 0.42x Super Wide Lens, we are offering the widest angle-of-view yet for selective focus lenses in one of the lightest, most compact 0.42x conversion lenses available.” commented Lensbaby President and Co-Founder, Craig Strong. The Lensbaby 0.42x Super Wide Lens is available now for $79.95.

Canon has released a new firmware update, v1.1.4, for the 1Ds Mark III DSLR camera. This firmware update (Version 1.1.4) incorporates the following fixes.

  1. Corrects a phenomenon in which a displayed image becomes pitch-black if it is zoomed in on during Live View shooting.
  2. Corrects a phenomenon in which “busy” may continue to appear on the camera if the USB cable is disconnected during USB communication.
  3. Changes the error indications that are displayed on the camera. The error indications are further clarified to make the causes of errors easier to identify, and so that adequate support can be provided to our customers.

Website: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Firmware Update 1.1.4

Canon has released a new firmware update, version 1.2.5, for the EOS-1D Mark III DSLR camera. This firmware update (Version 1.2.5) incorporates the following fixes.

  1. Corrects a phenomenon in which a displayed image becomes pitch-black if it is zoomed in on during Live View shooting.
  2. Corrects a phenomenon in which “busy” may continue to appear on the camera if the USB cable is disconnected during USB communication.
  3. Changes the error indications that are displayed on the camera. The error indications are further clarified to make the causes of errors easier to identify, and so that adequate support can be provided to our customers.

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark III Version 1.2.5 Firmware Update

The 4Gb Eye-Fi Share and Explore Video wireless memory cards will upload videos directly from a digital camera to a computer and the Web. The new cards automatically geotag photos and videos and can upload them directly to one of more than 25 online photo sharing and social networking sites. The 4GB Eye-Fi Share Video will cost $79 and the 4GB Eye-Fi Explore Video $99. In addition, Eye-Fi’s current cards have been reduced in price, to $49 for the 2GB Eye-Fi Home and $59 for the 2GB Eye-Fi Share. Finally, tomorrow Eye-Fi will release a free iPhone application that allows Eye-Fi users to store and share all their photos.

Nikon have released a new firmware update for the Coolpix P6000 compact camera. The following improvements have been made in version 1.2.

- When shooting in a user setting mode at an image quality setting of NRW (RAW) + Fine, NRW (RAW) + Normal, or NRW (RAW) + Basic and Distortion control enabled, some JPEG images were corrupted. This issue has been resolved. 
- As distortion control cannot be used in conjunction with interval timer shooting, settings have now been modified so that they cannot be enabled simultaneously.
- Electric current consumption has been reduced.
- When shooting in “P”, “S”, “A”, or “M” mode at an image size setting other than 13M 4224 ×3168 and an image quality setting of NRW (RAW) + Fine, NRW (RAW) + Normal, or NRW (RAW) + Basic, the image size setting switched to 13M 4224 ×3168 when the camera was turned off and then turned on again. This issue has been resolved.

Website: Nikon Coolpix P6000 Firmware Update 1.2 (Windows)

Website: Nikon Coolpix P6000 Firmware Update 1.2 (Mac)

The 5 lucky winners of our fantastic February 2009 Newsletter contest have been randomly selected from the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter subscriber list.

Steve Pritchard, Patrick Stroobach, Dawn Clutterbuck, John Pring and Jim Davies each win a copy of 99 Digital Photo Art Ideas, worth £19.99 each.

The winners of the February 2009 PhotographyBLOG Competition have been selected by a panel of judges. The theme for February was “Temptation” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
I must, I must, I must deny my lust by catonic

Prize: Photobird.com one-year subscription with 500Mb of storage space
Kindly donated by Photobird.com.
http://www.photobird.com

GPS-Photo Link Express is a new consumer edition of GeoSpatial Experts’ photo-mapping software. “Anyone who knows how to use a digital camera and GPS receiver can learn how to use the GPS-Photo Link Express software in about 15 minutes,” said Rick Bobbitt, GeoSpatial Experts CEO. The software is compatible with any handheld GPS receiver and digital camera, including some cell phone cameras like the iPhone 3G. The Express Edition also works with the recently introduced models of GPS-enabled digital cameras from Ricoh and Nikon. GPS-Photo Link Express is available now for $149.

The Datacolor SpyderCube is a new all-in-one RAW calibration device. SpyderCube provides fast and accurate whitepoint correction as well as bracketed adjustments for highlights and blacks. The White face of SpyderCube helps define highlights in relation to the catch-light; the Gray face measures color temperature and mid-tone response; the Black face defines shadows in relations to the Black Trap; and the Black Trap defines absolute black. Datacolor’s SpyderCube will cost $59 and be available beginning in March, 2009.

The Samsung NX Series offers the performance and image quality of a DSLR and the portability and convenience of a compact point-and-shoot. The NX Series utilizes an APS-C sized image sensor and replaces the mirror box of a DSLR with an Electronic Viewfinder. The size and weight of the Samsung NX Series is reduced by approximately 60% compared to traditional DSLRs. “With the release of the NX Series, a digital camera that combines the strengths of a DSLR and compact digital camera, Samsung Digital Imaging will become a global leader in the new hybrid digital camera market and achieve the company’s goal to become the global leader in the digital camera market by 2012.” said Sang-jin Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. The first model in the Samsung NX Series will be available in the second-half of 2009.

The new AgfaPhoto DV-5580Z digital camera combines video, photo and sound recording. It records video in high definition, with a maximum of 1440 x 1080 pixels and 30 frames per second. The AgfaPhoto DV-5580Z also offers an 8 megapixel CMOS sensor, 5x optical zoom, digital image stabilizer and 2.5 inch TFT LCD display. The AgfaPhoto DV-5580Z will be available for $249.95.

The AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 830UW is a new digital camera aimed at nature and sports fans. The AgfaPhoto 830UW can be used for diving up to a depth of 10 meters, is frost-proof up to a temperature of -5°C, and shockproof for a fall from a height of 1 meter. The AgfaPhoto 830UW also offers a 2.5 inch wide TFT display, 3x optical zoom, 8 megapixel resolution, ISO 1600, and 21 scene mode programs. The AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 830UW is available immediately for $349.95.