Apple Releases Aperture 2.1 with Powerful Image Editing Plug-In Architecture

CUPERTINO, California—March 28, 2008— Apple today released Aperture 2.1, which introduces an open plug-in architecture that makes it easy for photographers to use specialized third party imaging software right from within Aperture. Available today as a free software update, Aperture 2.1 includes the Apple-developed plug-in, Dodge & Burn, which adds brush-based tools for dodge (lighten), burn (darken), contrast, saturation, sharpen and blur. Over the coming months, third party software developers will deliver image editing plug-ins for localized editing, filters and effects, noise analysis and reduction, fisheye lens correction and more.

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Free Online Software Brings Photoshop Technology to Anyone Taking Digital Photos

SAN JOSE, Calif. — March 27 , 2008 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe Photoshop Express public beta, a free Rich Internet Application (RIA) available to anyone who wants to store, sort and show off digital photos with eye-catching effects. During the public beta period, Adobe will solicit Photoshop Express user feedback on product features and functionality, which will continue to evolve over time. As the newest addition to the Photoshop family line, Photoshop Express has taken much of Adobe’s best image editing technology and made it simple and accessible to a new online audience. Photoshop Express allows users to store up to 2 gigabytes of images online for free, make edits to their photos, and share them online in creative ways, including downloading and uploading photos from popular social networking sites like Facebook.

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I typically don’t post news items, but this is pretty big. Today Apple has released an update to Aperture that brings it up to v2.1. Besides many bug fixes it has some significant added functionality. Namely, official support for third-party plug-ins and a sample plug-in: Dodge and Burn.

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The Nikon D300 is a 12.3 megapixel high-end digital SLR designed to meet the needs of the advanced amateur and professional photographer. Nikon has positioned the D300 as both the class-leading DX body and a smaller companion body to the new D3 full-frame digital SLR. In the tradition of the F-series film camera bodies that made Nikon a household name, the D300 offers all of the features of a professional body at a fantastic price.

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Nikon D300 Studio Test Images
	ISO 100 Sample >> ISO 200 Sample >> ISO 400 Sample >> ISO 800 Sample >> ISO 1600 Sample >> ISO 3200 Sample >> ISO 6400 Sample >>

Pros Class leading image quality Highly innovative and advanced 51-point auto focus system Six frames-per-second continuous shooting; up to eight with MB-D10 battery grip 14-bit RAW modes Best-yet Auto ISO implementation 3D Color Matrix Metering II Renowned Nikon ergonomics, build quality and feel Weather-sealing Crisp 3.0-inch 922,000-dot VGA LCD Live View with two auto focus modes Compatibility with nearly every Nikon lens made in the last 30 years; full metering with manual-focus lenses

Cons 14-bit RAW slows shooting speed to 2.5 fps Grip must be removed to replace camera battery Live view does not display histogram or aperture changes Top status LCD shows only the dynamic mode, not the active focus point Multi-selector does not have dedicated center button Rubber covers on the 10-pin remote and PC sync ports are on the thin side MB-D10 joystick has a different method of operation than multi-selector No locking USB cable attachment for tethered shooting

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Nik Software & Vertus Team Up to Offer Color Efex Pro 3.0 and Fluid Mask 3 at Significant Savings
New limited time bundle provides photographers and other creative professionals with award-winning tools for image extraction and enhancements

San Diego, CA & London, England, March 26, 2008 –Nik Software, Inc. and Vertus announced, today, a new software bundle which offers photographers and creative professionals superior solutions for image extractions and creative enhancements. By combining the features and capabilities of Color Efex Pro 3.0 Complete Edition from Nik Software and Vertus’ Fluid Mask 3, the leading tools in their respective categories, photographers, graphic designers, and image editors receive increased creative flexibility at a significant cost savings.

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Panasonic continues to support the largest ever World Heritage photographic project by UNESCO, “OUR PLACE”
Holding a 6-day shooting tour in Kyoto (March 24-29)

Osaka, Japan - Panasonic, the leading brand by which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is best known, today announced its continual support for the UNESCO partnered World Heritage photographic project, OUR PLACE – The World’s Heritage, by renewing a 3-year sponsorship contract starting from April 1, 2008.

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NEW 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new large aperture 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM standard lens. Large aperture, standard prime lens has superior peripheral brightness and corrects sagittal coma flare.

• Standard lens with large maximum aperture of F1.4
• Creates sharp images with high contrast and ensures superior peripheral brightness
• Incorporates molded glass aspherical lens, perfectly correcting coma aberration and creating superior image quality
• Super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting
• Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensuring silent, high-speed AF

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Panasonic LUMIX FX35 - Real Wide-Angle Point-and-Shoot

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