Canon releases new firmware for 1Ds Mark III

Canon has released new firmware, version 1.0.6, for the EOS-1Ds Mark III, the company's US$8,000 21.1-megapixel flagship SLR camera.

The update "improves the reliability of communication with some CompactFlash cards" and "fixes a phenomenon involving color cast and vertical lines appearing in images," the company said on the firmware download Web site.

Via Digital Photography Review

HD Photo plug-ins for Photoshop released from Redmond

Microsoft is really throwing the gauntlet down and by how things are progressing, it's a well-aimed one.

With the announcement of official plug-ins (for Vista, XP and OSX) for Adobe Photoshop CS2 and CS3, arguably the kingpins of image editing software, HD Photo has gained more traction.

HD Photo is Microsoft's supposed gift to the photographic world. It is designed to be used as a new industry standard for compressed image file formats.

According to this blog, while it is not officially supported, older versions of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements have limited compatibility with these plug-ins.

For download information, check this link.

Via Bill Crow's HD Photo Blog

A viewfinder for detached photographers

This is one of those devices that could work equally well whether you're a birder or spy working on a case to air on Cheaters.

The Zigview S2 Digital Viewfinder lets you see what you're shooting and control the shutter from a distance as far away from the camera as you'd like, as long as you have a cable that's long enough. It supposedly works with most digital SLR models. And to make sure you don't miss that crucial shot, according to Dvice, its built-in motion detector will automatically catch that Blue-Footed Booby before it's too late.

Via Crave CNET

Olympus brings wireless flash control to SP-560UZ with firmware update

Olympus just released the latest firmware for its super-zoom EVF (electronic viewfinder) camera, the SP-560UZ. Version 3.1 of the camera's firmware includes a unique feature: Support for Olympus' wireless RC flash system. According to DPReview, this update enables the camera to use its own flash to remotely activate Olympus wireless flash modules through the camera's "RC" flash mode. The camera can activate RC flashes up to 9.7m feet away in a 60-degree arc, or up to 4.8m away in a 100-degree arc.

Some digital SLRs can use wireless flash units, but this is the first time we've seen a non-SLR able to do it. The SP-560UZ is the first EVF camera we've seen to support remote flashes. While you probably won't be using wireless flashes when you're out shooting (authorities frown on suspicious characters placing small boxes in corners and walking away), this feature works nicely for home photography and studio shooting. Multiple flashes can help balance out light and offer much greater control over shadows and reflections than a single, camera-mounted flash can.

Of course, these wireless flashes don't come cheap; flashes like the FL-36R and FL-50R can cost as much as the SP-560UZ itself. You can install the firmware update with Olympus' Master 2 software. Details can be found on Olympus' site.

Via DPreview

Quik Pod now handles SLRs, no less dorky

As camera makers continue to produce relatively affordable SLRs for the mass market, there will be a price to pay of a different kind: Dorky accessories.

First up on the list is the Quik Pod, which now comes in a digital SLR version that looks no less humiliating than the original that apparently touched off an unfortunate trend. This one supposedly extends up to 53 inches, perhaps for those who'd prefer to avoid close-ups while suffering a particularly nasty vacation hangover.

We're not sure if we'd feel comfortable balancing a camera on the end of a stick nearly 4.5ft away. On the other hand, if you use it enough, you might not need to hit the gym as often.

Via CNET Crave

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