Adobe announces Photoshop CS6 beta

Adobe has today announced Photoshop CS6 beta, which is available as a free download from Adobe Labs. Although you can download the beta, it's hoped you'll provide feedback to the product team.
 
Photoshop CS6 beta is available for the Mac OS and Microsoft Windows platforms. The final release is expected in the first half of 2012.

Press release

Photoshop CS6 Beta Now Available on Adobe Labs
First Major Release since April 2010 Packed with New Features and Huge Performance Enhancements

LONDON, UK. — March 22, 2012 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe® Photoshop® CS6 beta, a preview of what’s to come in the next release of the industry standard in digital imaging, is available as a free download from Adobe Labs. Customers can download the beta, try out the experience and provide feedback to the product team. Packed with groundbreaking new innovations, features and incredible performance enhancements, Photoshop CS6 beta is available for the Mac OS and Microsoft® Windows® platforms. The final release is expected in the first half of 2012.

“Photoshop CS6 will be a milestone release that pushes the boundaries of imaging innovation with incredible speed and performance,” said Winston Hendrickson, vice president products, Creative Media Solutions, Adobe. “We couldn’t wait to share this beta of Photoshop CS6 with our customers and are looking forward to hearing from them and seeing the ways they are incorporating the beta into their daily creative workflows.”

New Features in Photoshop CS6 Beta
Photoshop CS6 beta demonstrates Adobe’s focus on huge performance enhancements, imaging magic and creativity tools that offer customers a new experience in digital imaging. Key features include new additions to the Content-Aware tools: Content-Aware Patch allows greater control by letting users select and duplicate an area of an image to fill in or “patch” another, and Content-Aware Move lets users select and magically move an object to a new place in the image.
Customers will experience incredible performance, powered by the new Adobe Mercury Graphics Engine*, enabling near-instant results from popular editing tools including Liquify, Puppet Warp, Transform and Lighting Effects; and a refined, modern interface featuring dark UI options to make images pop. New and re-engineered design tools make creating designs faster and more efficient. Vector layers allow users to apply dashed lines and gradient strokes, searchable layers quickly zero in on any layer, and new type styles let designers swiftly apply type treatments to their designs.
 
In addition, the Photoshop CS6 beta offers all the features of Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended, such as new 3D editing features and quantitative imaging analysis capabilities. These features will be included in the shipping version of Photoshop CS6 Extended when it becomes available.

Pricing and Availability
The Photoshop CS6 beta is available immediately as a free download in English and Japanese. At installation, users will be required to provide an Adobe ID to complete a one-time login and online product activation. For information on how to install Photoshop CS6 beta, visit www.adobe.com/go/photoshopcs6. Customers can submit feedback via the Photoshop CS6 beta forum. Users can also connect with the Photoshop team via the community-powered site; on Facebook; YouTube; Photoshop.com blog; or via Twitter

Adorama special on Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro

Adorama has a special currently on the Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 Pro FX zoom. The regular price is $849 but the sale price is $699 after the retailer's discount and $50 mail-in rebate (from Tokina).

Please follow the links to buy:

Canon fit
Nikon fit

Related Posts

Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 Pro FX review

SanDisk reposition pricing in the UK

After the price reductions of SanDisk and Lexar memory cards in the US, SanDisk has repositioned their SD range in the UK (expect Lexar to follow suit shortly). The fastest currently available are the 95MB/s* (633x speed rated equivalent) cards under the Extreme Pro branding (note there are some slower variants around, but this maybe older stock.) These cards are UHS-1 (class 1) UDMA-6 compatible but use a different controller - the same as the CF Exteme Pro series. Previously available at £79, the 16GB card, for instance, can now be had from Amazon UK at just £43.50.

UPDATE

Wex are retailing the 16GB Extreme Pro card at £59

Jessops are still retailing the same card at £71.96 (was £90).

Related Posts

SanDisk and Adorama start Extreme promotion

Fujifilm X-Pro1 in stock at Jessops

UK dealer, Jessops, has the eagerly awaited Fujifilm X-Pro1 in stock at £1,429.95 body only. We'll update this page with links to the lenses as soon as we have the details.

UPDATE: Jessops are now displaying the lenses in stock:

XF 18mm f/2R at £549.95
XF 35mm f/1.4R at £549.95
XF 60mm f/2.4R Macro at £599.95

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Rare Finds on eBay

UPDATE: The lens has been, inexplicably, removed from sale.

One of Nikon's most esoteric and desireable lenses, the 13mm f/5.6, can be found on eBay currently. Designed by Ikuo Mori and boasting an angle of view of 118-degrees it was, at the time of introduction (1976), the widest rectilinear lens made for 35mm camera and an ideal lens for architecture. It was also one of Nikon's most expensive lenses, built to order only less than 400 were made in total. The lens for sale looks like the first version which has been factory modified for the AI mount. The second version starting at 175501 was made with a AI mount and the third version from serial number 175901 was modified for AIS.

Nikon D4 in stock at retailers

UPDATE: The links are back to pre-orders only.

Nikon's eagerly awaited top-of-the-range Nikon D4 is in stock in several UK retailers. Please follow the links to buy (not pre-order!)

Jessops £4,799.95 (with free EN-EL8 battery worth £130)

Wex Photographic £4,799

Amazon UK are not showing the D4 in stock, but we'll update this post as soon as it is.

Amazon US are still showing pre-orders (at USD $5,999).

Canon EOS 5D Mk III in stock at UK retailers Jessops, Wex

Warehouse Express have the Canon EOS 5D Mk III in stock at £3689 (with the 24-105mm f4L - not body only). Please click here to buy.

As we reported Thursday, Jessops has the 5D Mk III and 24-105mm lens in stock at £3690. Please click here to buy.

Please note, buying through links may benefit this site.

Canon EOS-1 DX available to pre-order at Amazon

Amazon US has started pre-orders on the EOS 1-DX at $6,799. Please follow the link below:

Canon EOS-1D X 18.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera

Thank you for buying through this site's links.

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Canon EOS-1 DX available to pre-order at B&H Photo (and Adorama)

Phase One lowers price of Capture One, launches new site

Phase One Makes Superior Image Quality More Accessible

Company Launches New Web Site; Lowers Price of Capture One and Increases Its Trial Period to 60 days

COPENHAGEN, March 17, 2012 — Phase One, the world’s leading pro photography equipment provider, today launched a new web site dedicated to the user experience of its customers and new visitors. The site’s greatly improved usability offers easier access to information and tools to help professionals and other discerning photographers achieve the highest image quality results.

As part of this new user-experience focus, Phase One has extended the trial period for its Capture One 6 raw converter and photo editing software from 30 to 60 days and reduced its price. This gives more people the opportunity to experience the distinctive image quality available only with Capture One -- including its renowned raw rendering engine that produces photographs with the feel of film, superior control, true skin tones and robust support for very large files.

Capture One comes in three versions. Capture One Pro supports virtually every professional DSLR and most popular camera models and includes powerful tools to enhance the capture and editing processes. Capture One Express features the same high quality processing engine as Capture One Pro, but is without some of the more advanced tools. Capture One DB ships with all Phase One medium format camera systems, including the powerful IQ180 systems.

Capture One Pro supports the Capture Pilot iPad app that allows an iOS device to remotely view, zoom, rate, tag, and pan high resolution images during a shoot. An available 'Camera Control' in-app  purchase adds a virtual camera display to an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to remotely fire your camera and control the most important capture settings.

Availability and pricing
Capture One Pro is available for USD299 and EUR229; Capture One Express is now priced at USD99 and EUR69. The software is available for purchase at: http://www.phaseone.com/store. The software is available for download at: www.phaseone.com/downloads. More information is available at: http://www.phaseone.com/capture-one

NPG, BT announce BT Road to 2012: Aiming High

Beth Tweddle b.1985 Beth Tweddle (third from left), Hannah Whelan (left), Jenni Pinches (second left) Rebecca Tunney (right). Photographed by Anderson & Low, 17th November 2011, Liverpool. © Anderson & Low - National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012 project

Press release:

The National Portrait Gallery in collaboration with BT, a premier partner of London 2012, is proud to present BT Road to 2012: Aiming High, a major summer exhibition of London Olympic photographs. 

BT Road to 2012: Aiming High is the extraordinary final culmination of a three year exhibition project, National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012. 

As part of a major gallery commission of over 100 works, around forty new portraits by the highly acclaimed and newly commissioned photographers were announced today: Anderson & Low, Nadav Kander and Jillian Edelstein. The new photographs will go on show at the National Portrait Gallery on 19 July.

The first three portraits, released today, are of champion gymnast Beth Tweddle by Anderson & Low, rising track and field star Jodie Williams by Nadav Kander and Jan Matthews, the lady responsible for the world's largest peacetime catering operation, by Jillian Edelstein. New sitters are to be confirmed and released in due course.

These new portraits will be shown alongside the key works from the previous two exhibitions by photographers Brian Griffin, Bettina von Zwehl, Finlay McKay and Emma Hardy. These could include some well known faces such as Seb Coe, Stella McCartney, Danny Boyle, Philips Idowu and Pippa Funnell, amongst others.

In addition, thanks to BT funding, highlights from the previous two exhibitions, Setting Out (2010) and Changing Pace (2011) as well as a selection of the new photographs, will go on a free regional outdoor UK tour. Launching in Cardiff on 30 March, moving to Edinburgh on 1 June and on to Birmingham on 13 July.

ROAD TO 2012: AIMING HIGH
19 July - 23 September 2012, National Portrait Gallery www.npg.org.uk/roadto2012
- Made possible by BT, Premier Partner of the London 2012 Festival
- Part of the London 2012 Festival

Jan Matthews b.1961 Photographed by Jillian Edelstein, 8th November 2011, Smithfield Market, London. © Jillian Edelstein - National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012 Project

Jodie Williams b.1993 Photographed by Nadav Kander, 15th December 2011, London. © Nadav Kander - National Portrait Gallery/BT Road to 2012 project

Photojournalist, light mod maker David Honl to host UK seminars

David Honl, the photojournalist behind the popular light modifiers of the same name will be in the UK appearing at several events to talk about his work as a photographer and demonstrate his unique range of light-shaping products for portable, battery operated flash units or speedlites.

Schedule of events:

Thursday 29 March:  Calumet Drummond Street 

Friday 30 March:  special event for Nikon Owners Club members in Kensington, contact Mike Eleftheriades of the NOC 

Tuesday 3 April:  meet 11 am at The Flash Centre London 

Wednesday 4 April:  Phototraining 4 U Cardiff,  or email news@phototraining4u.com

Thursday 5 April:  Robert White Photographic  Poole, or email info@robertwhite.co.uk
 

Sales

Buy Honl Photo gear from Amazon (USA), or Amazon UK. Please note, buying through these links may benefit this site.

Zeiss announces new Distagon T* 2,8/15

As expected, Carl Zeiss has today announced the new Distagon T* 2,8/15 or in more common parlance, a 15mm f/2.8 ultra-wide lens with a 110 degree angle of view. The lens features anomalous partial dispersion glass (to reduce chromatic aberration) and is the first in the Zeiss range to feature aspherical lens surfaces. The new manual focus lens will be available in May in both Nikon and Canon mounts and will have a retail price of US$2,948 or 2,148 euros, £1786 (excluding VAT)*

Pre-order from:

B&H Photo ($2,950)
Adorama ($2,950)

Press release

Carl Zeiss presents the new Distagon T* 2,8/15 super wide angle lens

Carl Zeiss brings out a new super wide angle lens in May 2012. The super wide angle Distagon T* 2,8/15 will be available with an EF (ZE) or F bayonet (ZF.2). With an extra-large angle of view of 110  degrees in combination with a fast f/2.8 aperture, the lens enables the features for dramatic perspectives and performance demanded by the most ambitious landscape and architectural photographers. With a unique ability to capture events in a natural and extraordinary manner, it is also an ideal companion for advertising, journalism and commercial photography.

For more information, please visit www.zeiss.com, or visit the Zeiss US blog.

Please help support the DJP by visiting our affiliates; Jessops, Warehouse Express, B&H Photo, Adorama Camera and Amazon. Note; sales through these links may benefit this site.

Canon EOS 5D Mk III arriving tomorrow say Jessops

UK retailer, Jessops, are saying on their site that the first stock of the new Canon EOS 5D Mk III (complete with 24-105mm L lens) is arriving tomorrow (March 16). That's almost a week ahead of the March 22 the retailer quoted earlier. However, they're still saying to pre-order to secure.

Please follow the link here to buy.

Canon EOS-1 DX available to pre-order at B&H Photo

Although the EOS-1 DX has been available to pre-order in the UK, that's not been the case in the US as dealers have had to wait for the pricing. However, the delay is over at least for customers of B&H Photo. Adorama and Amazon are sure to follow, and we'll update this post when that happens.

Pre-order the EOS 1DX body at B&H Photo ($6,799.00)

UPDATE: Adorama has been taking pre-orders for the EOS-1 DX from before Christmas, so they tell me (thanks, Helen). Please follow the link here ($6,799).

Test Drive a Think Tank Photo Modular Rotation System

Test Drive one of Think Tank Photo’s new Modular Rotation Systems free for 28 days.  If you like it, keep it and your credit card will be charged.  If not, return it to Think Tank no charge. The Modular Rotation System is the choice of working professionals who shoot sports, weddings, nature or any situation where the need to stay mobile and rapid gear changes are essential.

The Modular Component Set™ V2.0 consists of two individual lens changer pouches, a flash pouch and an accessory pouch that lock to or slide around any Think Tank Photo belt. Since the pouches are modular, the carrying system can be reconfigured to match any assignment, under any condition.
 
The Modular Skin Set V2.0 consists of two individual lens changer pouches, a flash pouch and an accessory pouch that lock to or slide around a Think Tank Photo belt. Components are lightweight, compressible and easily collapsible. Perfect for traveling.The "Sound Silencer" feature adds stealth by eliminating hook-and-loop tearing noises.
 
This offer ends on March 31, 2012 or when100 of each modular set has been reserved for the Test Drive program.

* This offer is only available within the United States because of the shipping costs of delivering the product from and to the U.S.

To participate, please click here.

Sony Alpha SLT-A57 available to pre-order

For pre-orders, please follow the links below to Adorama Camera:

Sony A57 body only $699.99
Sony A57 c/w 18-55mm kit $799.99

B&H Photo:
Sony A57 body only $699.99
Sony A57 c/w 18-55mm kit $799.99

UK readers can pre-order via Jessops:

Sony A57 c/w 18-55mm kit £699.95 (£100 less than Wex)

Please follow the links below for Warehouse Express (UK):

Sony A57 body only £699.99
Sony A57 c/w 18-55mm kit £799.99
Sony A57 c/w 18-55mm & 55-200mm £979

Thank you for buying through this site's links.

Related Posts

Sony announces Alpha SLT-A57 DSLR UPDATED

Sony announces Alpha SLT-A57 DSLR UPDATED

Sony has introduced the SLT-A57, the much rumored replacement for the "translucent" (pellicle)-mirror A55. The A57 features the same 16-megapixel resolution sensor, EVF and translucent mirror technology but adopts the body of the A65 along with the latest iteration of Sony's Bionz processor. The A57 will be available in early April and have a MSRP of $799 complete with the 18-55mm kit lens.

For pre-orders, please follow the links below to Adorama Camera:

Sony A57 body only $699.99
Sony A57 c/w 18-55mm kit $799.99

UK readers can pre-order via Jessops:

Sony A57 c/w 18-55mm kit £699.95 (£100 less than Wex)

Please follow the links below for Warehouse Express (UK):

Sony A57 body only £699.99
Sony A57 c/w 18-55mm kit £799.99
Sony A57 c/w 18-55mm & 55-200mm £979

Thank you for buying through this site's links.

Press Release

 

α57 camera from Sony with Translucent Mirror Technology lets everyone grab the action at 12fps

13 March 2012

Power-packed camera with unique features including Full HD progressive recording and new Auto Portrait Framing at an accessible price

High speed 12 fps shooting with full-time continuous autofocus (in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode)
Full HD 50p video with full P/A/S/M control
World’s first* Auto Portrait Framing
Clear Image Zoom for detail-packed close-ups
New high-resolution Tru-Finder™ with 100% coverage
16.1 effective megapixels Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor plus latest BIONZ processor
Extended sensitivity range ISO 100 - 16000
15-point AF system with 3 cross sensors

* As of December 2011. Among interchangeable lens digital cameras.

Limitless creative options are made even more accessible with a brand-new addition to the range of cameras by Sony employing Translucent Mirror Technology. This innovative design directs incoming light to the CMOS image sensor and the AF sensor at the same time, allowing full-time continuous AF during both still and video shooting. Framing, focusing and real-time preview can be achieved on the high-resolution Tru-Finder™ that offers a wide viewing angle and 100% field of view. This allows photographers to capture exactly what they see on the screen.

A natural successor to the acclaimed α55, the α57 is priced to appeal strongly to a wide audience of DSLR users. It shares many of the premium features – plus sophisticated styling and ergonomics – found on the enthusiast-focused α65. For the first time, entry-level photographers can shoot stills and Full HD video with razor-sharp responses and creative flexibility you’d expect from a camera in the class above.

Ensuring detail-packed images, the 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor is teamed with a latest-generation BIONZ engine. Refined by Sony during development of the flagship α77 and α65, this powerful processor effortlessly handles large amounts of image data for flawless, low-noise stills and Full HD video.

The α57 allows incredible shooting speeds of up to 12 frames per second in new Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode. Magnifying the central portion of the sensor’s image by 1.4x, it’s perfect for capturing split-second action close-ups with a burst of sharply-focused images, even when your subject’s moving.

Shared with the α65, the 15-point AF system with 3 cross sensors assures fast, accurate TTL phase detection autofocus. Newly-enhanced Object Tracking AF keeps faces or other selected objects in sharp focus – even if your target’s obscured momentarily by another passing object.

The α57 also lets you create powerfully expressive Full HD movies. Responsive full-time continuous phase detection AF ensures that moving subjects stay sharply focused, just like with still shooting. AVCHD (Ver. 2.0) Progressive compatibility means that Full HD resolution movies can be captured at up to high 50p (progressive) frame rate: ideal for capturing silk-smooth, blur-free action. 25p shooting is also selectable for giving your footage that rich, cinematic look. Movie-making options are enhanced further with full control over P/A/S/M shooting modes for virtually limitless creative expression.

Even beginners can effortlessly create pro-style portraits with the α57. In a world first, Sony introduces new Auto Portrait Framing. Using face detection and the compositional ‘rule of thirds’, the camera identifies your subject’s position, trimming the scene to create tightly-framed, professional looking pictures in vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) orientation. By Pixel Super Resolution Technology by Sony ensures that cropped, zoomed images retain a full pixel count. The original photo is saved together with the optimally-trimmed image. This allows easy comparison between the two versions, offering photographers inspiration to refine their own portrait skills.

If you want to get closer to your subject, 2x Clear Image Zoom doubles the effective magnification of your lens. Unique to Sony, By Pixel Super Resolution Technology maintains superb image detail, even with super-zoom shots. It’s a highly practical alternative to travelling with a bigger, bulkier telephoto lens.

Framing, focusing and real-time preview of exposure adjustments are a pleasure with the new Tru-Finder™ electronic viewfinder. With ultra-detailed 1440k dot resolution and a 100% field of view, it rivals quality optical viewfinders. There’s a choice of selectable high-resolution information displays with a wide viewing-angle to help you shoot with confidence, including a digital level gauge and framing grid. Information can be displayed either in the Tru-Finder™ or on the angle-adjustable 7.5 cm (3.0-type) Xtra Fine LCD.

Thanks to the BIONZ processor, creative shooting opportunities are boosted by an outstanding sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000. You’ll experience consistently natural, low-noise images – whether you’re using fast shutter speeds to freeze dynamic action or shooting handheld without flash in low light.

Already popular with creative photographers, the range of in-camera Picture Effects includes 11 effect types and 15 variations – offering a generous palette of ‘PC-free’ artistic treatments. Results can be previewed in live view mode on the LCD screen on in the Tru-Finder™, whether you’re shooting Full HD video or stills.

A range of optional accessories makes an ideal match for the α57. The battery-powered HVL-LE1 LED video light broadens options for recording video indoors or in low light. Ideal for active shooters, the ACC-FM1A accessory kit bundles a spare NP-FM500H rechargeable battery with the compact, versatile LCS-AMB travel case that protectively cradles the camera while offering quick access.

The new SLT-A57 Translucent Mirror camera by Sony is available in Europe from early April 2012.

Open to Interpretation deadline extended

Open to Interpretation have extended the deadline to submit entries to their latest theme Fading Light' from March 15 to June 26, 2012.

Readers can download a sneak peak the current themed publication, Water's Edge here. The book is available from the OtI site here ($55).

Related Posts

Call for entries in Open to Interpretation: Fading Light

Carl Zeiss to add 15mm f/2.8 prime to DSLR range?

Carl Zeiss are rumored to be launching a new ultra-wide in ZE / ZF DSLR mounts, and have started a teaser campaign on Facebook. Our guess is a Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8, or maybe f/3.5 with a price of around $4,000.

Nikon D4 available to pre-order via Amazon

Amazon in the US are taking pre-orders for the new Nikon D4 at $5,999, please click here to pre-order. Amazon are saying the D4 will be released March 20, 2012, alongside the Nikon D800 ($2,999) and D800E ($3,299).

UK retailer Jessops is taking pre-orders for the new D4 at £4,799.95 (inc VAT), please follow the link here.

Wex Photographic (Warehouse Express) are also taking pre-orders at £4,799.00.

US readers can also pre-order from Adorama ($5,999.5) here.

Thank you for buying through this site's links.

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Nikon announces new flagship Nikon D4