Adobe and Macromedia Merger Gets Vote Go Ahead

Stockholders of Adobe and Macromedia have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the proposed merger betweeen the two creative software giants. The move should reshape much of the landscape for the creative industries and also create some areas of contention. GoLive and Dreamweaver being 2 of them. I'll be watching this closely...

Hasselblad Launches Four New Products

Hasselblad have announced two new Medium format cameras and two digital backs based on a new digital platform that builds on the success of the H1. The new cameras are the cross-platform H2 and the digital H2D, both of which look to be the perfect solution for Studio and field photographers craving for medium format support. The digital backs are the Ixpress CF and Ixpress CFH which offer 22 megapixel capabilities and optimal storage and handling features. Visit Hasselblad for more info.

Canon Announces New Products...

Last week Canon made announcements regarding a range of new products. Amongst these were the New Canon Eos-1D MKII N, two new EF lenses, Canon Speedlite 430EX flash, Canon PowerShot S80, Canon PowerShot SD450 & SD550, Canon PowerShot SD30 / IXUS i Zoom, Canon PowerShot A610 & A620 and the Canon PowerShot A410. It seems that every year Canon do this and the news continues to be well received. The best news by far was the announcement of the new EOS 5D DSLR.

Canon Announce EOS 5D

Early last week Canon announced several new cameras, amongst them were the EOS 5D, a full frame 12 Megapixel camera aimed at Pros and Semi-Pros. This is one development, for which I have waited a long time ... a full frame based D-SLR which is priced at a level which makes it a reasonable purchase for someone like myself. Whilst I don't make my living with photography, it is a big part of my toolkit and also one of my passions.

AS per usual DPReview have produced an excellent hands-on Preview of the Camera and its features. The preview features a side by side comparison with the EOS 20D and also covers the cameras features, specifications, design and operation. I hope to get one for review when they are available.

Focal Press publishes Photoshop CS2 A-Z Book

Focal Press, an imprint of Elsevier Books has published the Photoshop CS2 A-Z, a book which comprehensively covers key features and tools found in Adobes' flagship product. Whilst I havent seen the book yet, knowing the quality of other productions from Focal Press, I expect it to be very good.

Colour Gremlins Tutorial

The Luminous Landscape has published an excellent tutorial on removing digital colour artifacts from images which have been shot using a High ISO setting. The article, written by Christopher Smith, describes a simple technique which makes use of Photoshop’s filters and layer blend mode. The technique is simple to use but very effective and also a good example of why I visit Luminous Landscape often.

Dixons To Stop Selling Film Cameras

UK high street retailer has announced that it plans to stop selling film based cameras at its high street stores. Dixons reported that its' sales of digital cameras have surpassed the sales of 35mm cameras by a factor 15 to 1. The company sees film as a 'niche market' in the words of one of their directors "digital cameras are now the rule, rather than the exception".

PTLens v6.2.1 Released

Version 6.2.1 of ePaperPress' PTLens software for correcting optical abnormalities in digital camera images, was released earlier this month. PTLens, is based on Panorama Tools and is available for Windows-only (2000/XP) as both a standalone application and Photoshop plug-in. It is free, although the software's author, Thomas Niemann does accept donations to support its' ongoing development. Version 6.2.1 of the plug-in now correctly processes 16-bit per plane photos, while the standalone version now preserves ICC profiles, EXIF data and IPTC text information when saving a new version of a picture file.

Bibble 4.3 Adds Lens Correction, New Camera Support and a whole lot more...

Bibble 4.3 for Windows, Mac and Linux has added lens correction (based on the excellent PTLens), support for RAW files from Nikon's D50 and D70s as well as Epson's R-D1, faster processing in the Windows version, a straightening tool and a number of other minor tweaks and bug fixes. Visit the Bibble Labs Website for a complete list of changes and downloads for all supported platforms.

Jodie Coston Provides Free Online Photography Course

Freelance photographer Jodie Coston, has created an online course tutorial which is being hosted by the Morguefile website. The free online photography course, has a comprehensive curriculum and is accompanied by a decent Q&A session and also with feedback on student work.

The course is excellent and well worth taking the time to explore. Only ten lessons are currently archived but this should provide plenty of food for thought. Give yourself a treat and take the time.

Fred Miranda releases SI Pro 2

Fred Mirandas has updated the SI Pro 2 plugin. This interpolation tool replaces the popular SI Pro plugin. This new version features improved algorithms, options to choose from pre-set and custom paper sizes, pixel dimension, margins, printer resolution and it even allows you to interpolate your images by scale. Fred has also added a very useful downsampling option. Please visit Freds site for more information.

Plug-in Commander 1.6 released

The Plugin Site has released Version 1.60 of Plugin Commander. Plugin Commander is a tool for managing your Photoshop and Paintshop Pro plug-ins, tubes and add-ons. The There is commercial Pro Edition as well as a feature-limited Light Edition of Plugin Commander, which is freeware. There is a Picture Editor which has been improved from preview releases. The Pro Edition of Plugin Commander 1.60 now displays PSP tubes, PSP frames and PSP images and in Plugin View the Photoshop Mode check box now simulates the Filter menu structure of Photoshop 6, 7, CS and CS2. There is support for more than 30 different plug-in types and other effect files, you can also disable plug-ins, PSP tubes and materials with the utility and it's also possible to create your own plug-ins with the Filter Factory Editor. Plugin Commander sells for $49.95 and can be purchased from the Plugin Site. There is a free update for registered users and also a free feature-limited Light Edition of Plugin Commander.

Kodak EasyShare P880 and P850

Kodak has announced several new camera models loosely modeled around the DSLR concept. The EasyShare P880, which is the flagship of the range, offers a 24 mm wide angle lens, 8 megapixels, a manual zoom ring and full manual control. The EasyShare P850, features an image stabilized Schneider-Kreuznach lens, 36-432mm (35mm equiv) with a 12x zoom. Both cameras can record RAW files and include a hot shoe. The EasyShare P880 will be available beginning this September priced $599, while the EasyShare P850 is available at the beginning of this month, priced $499. Visit Kodak for more info...

HP quits selling digital cameras in Asia

ZDNet report that HP has announced that it plans to stop selling digital cameras in the Asian market. HP apparently wants to focus on products that will offer more financial rewards. This announcement will most likely mean a portion of its workforce will be made redundant. Visit ZDNet for more info...

Version 3.5 of "The 123 of digital imaging" released.

Vincent Bockaert announced the latest version of the excellent 'The 123 of digital imaging Interactive Learning Suite'. Version 3.5 features several updates and revisions and includes extensive coverage of Adobe Photoshop CS2 (including Adobe Bridge and Camera RAW 3.1). Visit 123DI.com for more info...

Sony slashes forecast earnings.

The Times has reported that Sony has been forced to slash its earnings forecast following a first quarter operating loss. The problems are apparently a result of poor performance in the TV division, as well as increasing competition in the digital camera market. Visit the Times Online for more info...

Sony announces the Cyber-shot DSC-T5

Sony has announced the ultra-slim DSC-T series of digital cameras. The DSC-T5 features internal folded-optics with a three times zoom lens, a five megapixel CCD sensor, a 2.5" Hybrid LCD monitor and also has a sliding cover/power switch. The DSC-T will be available in four colors - red, champagne gold, silver and black. Visit Steves Digicams for more information.