Here's the new product and update announcements that occurred while I was out on a mental break:
- Nikon introduced new versions of all their software to work with the D300s and D3000 (plus bug fixes and some performance improvements): Capture NX 2.2.2, Camera Control Pro 2.6.0, ViewNX 1.4.0, and Transfer. Unfortunately, they didn't work on Snow Leopard compatibility (the new Mac OS version). Nikon has posted a short note indicating that Capture NX2, ViewNX, and Scan all have known problems with the new OS and not to update to the new OS. Nikon's official stance is that they are an ISO 9000 software shop and can't perform tests until an OS is released. Perhaps they ought to note that other companies don't seem to have that problem. As someone who ran one of the leading Macintosh software company engineering efforts in the 90's, I don't accept Nikon's answer.
- DSLR Camera Remote 1.1, a nifty iPhone application that allows you to control your DSLR remotely, was approved and started shipping. Meanwhile, Epson produced a firmware update (2.05) for the P-6000 and P-7000 that allows them to be used as tethered storage. Makes you wonder why the camera makers aren't thinking of these things.
- Aperture 2.1.4 appeared, mostly bug fixes and performance improvements.
- Photomatix 3.2.2 added Snow Leopard support for the Mac.
- Adobe introduced a Photoshop Raw 5.5 release candidate that supports the D300s, D3000, and Olympus E-P1.
- Horseman announced the VCC Pro, a technical movement platform that allows you to mount a Nikon DSLR to it. You can use the bellows for tilt/shift, and an up to four frame pano stitch is directly supported.
- Nikon introduced a new FSA-L2 DSLR fieldscope attachment, which coupled with an EDG Fieldscope provides you focal length choices from 400 to 1750 (at apertures from f/5.9 to f/22 depending upon scope and focal length). It's a relatively inexpensive, though slightly cumbersome, way to get to very long focal lengths. A full EDG 65 kit will set you back almost US$3000, but it'll also get you a usable manual focus 400-1400mm f/6.2-22 lens that can be used in Aperture priority or Manual exposure mode.
- Tamron introduced a redesigned 17-50mm f/2.8 lens, this time with VC (vibration control, Tamron's equivalent of VR).
- Sigma introduced a redesigned 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens, this time with optical stabilization.