Apple has just updated their imaging software which addresses a number of issues related to reliability and performance. It also delivers improved image export quality and metadata handling. Some improvements are including white balance adjustment accuracy and performance, image export quality, book and print ordering reliability, auto-stacking performance, and custom paper size handling

Download Apple Aperture Version 1.0.1

This time potatobear.com has done some tests comparing images from Nikon D200 and Canon EOS 5D

Please click on the image above to see the images.

Press Release: Notice to end users of Sigma’s HSM equipped lenses with the Nikon D200 Camera

To our valued customers,

Sigma HSM equipped lenses do not operate when the “AF operation button” on the back of the body of Nikon “D200″ digital SLR camera (recently introduced to the market by Nikon) is used. We have determined that this problem is caused by a firmware “bug” in our HSM equipped lenses.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers who own D200 cameras and we are committed to correcting this situation. We will start updating the firmware of these lenses free of charge in the near future.

Read more »

Matt just uploaded a series of comparison shots of Nikon D70s and D200 ISO. He did the test by shooting in compressed RAW, with Nikkor 50mm 1.4 at f8 on both cameras, in A mode. Both set to Normal sharpening and tone. Converted in Nikon Capture. White balance set off the white area of the Whibal card in the picture.

Here’s 100% crop samples of ISO 1600 from both Nikon D200 and D70:

More sample shots of Nikon D200 & Nikon D70s ISO Comparison are available at Matt’s gallery.

Ken did a little (but, very good) test comparing both UV filter and Polarizer filter from Hoya S-HMC and Tiffen. The purpose of this test is to answer questions such as “UV filter to protect lens?”, “Should I get a multicoated filter?”, and “Which polarizer should I buy?”.

Canon 70-200mm F/4 without UV filter and with Tiffen UV filter:

In conclusion he wrote:

“Uncoated filters are really bad and drastically reduce contrast. Multicoated filters are *very* close to no filter at all. And yes, you really do need multicoated polarizers.”

Go to UV and Polarizer Filter Test @ Ken & Christine’s Gallery

Judhi Prasetyo, fotografer.net forum member, has posted some sample photos of the legendary Canon EF 200mm F/1.8L USM, which was marketed at November 1988 for 456,000 yen. The lens was the world’s fastest 200mm telephoto lens at the time. Three UD-glass elements eliminate secondary spectrum for sharp images at all apertures. The optics have been designed to give excellent background blur. Try it with the maximum aperture’s shallow depth of field.

Sample shots of Canon EF 200mm F/1.8L USM taken with Canon EOS 20D:

More samples of Canon EF 200mm F/1.8L

Canon has announced the new firmware version 1.0.2 for Canon EOS 1D Mark II N which will fix file-numbering error that occurred during Bulb shooting, improving the brightness of the LCD monitor, and fixing mistakes in the Russian-language MENU displays.

Download Canon EOS-1D Mark II N firmware version 1.02

This time a Japaneese website (digitalcamera.impress.co.jp) has recently posted a test comparing the image quality from the two hottest cameras; Nikon D200 and Canon EOS 5D.

Please click on the image above to visit the website..

Canon has just released a firmware update for the Canon EOS 5D. The new firmware version 1.0.3 will Fixes the phenomenon of large image files (1.7GB) being created, Improves the brightness of the LCD monitor, Fixes an operational abnormality in the AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) shootin, Fixes the mistakes in the Swedish-language MENU displays.

Download Canon EOS 5D firmware version 1.0.3

Windows XP users can now see thumbnail of their Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn, Canon EOS 5D, Nikon D2H, Nikon D50 and Nikon D70 RAW images. The new RAW image thumbnailer and viewer also fixes other bugs relating to the TIFF file locking issue and problems with RAW files produced by the 5D

Download Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer firmware version 1.0