Nikon has released firmware upgrades for the D3 and the D300.

The new firmware provides some new features such as button customization and a virtual horizon in live mode, and addresses battery level indication problems.

Download sites:

 

D3:  Mac   Windows

D300:  Mac    Windows

 Nikon has announced a new DSLR, the D700 to ship in July at a suggested retail of $2999.

The D700 combines features of the D3 and the D300 and puts them into a form factor near the size of the D300.

Main features include:

• 12 megapixel full frame sensor presently in the D#
• Live View
• Self-cleaning sensor
• Weather sealed body
• Pop-up flash
• 3" LCD
• 5 fps

 You can access Nikon's brochure here.

 In addition, Nikon announced a new upgraded flash, the SB-900, with faster recycling times and a new control layout.

 

 

Adobe Exchange is a great resource for actions, plugins, presets etc. for most Adobe programs, and now Adobe has added Lightroom to the mix.

Most of the items for programs are free.

You can go to Adobe Exchange with this link:  Adobe Exchange

We received this email from Arca-Swiss today, countering Wimberley's warning on the Z-1 ballhead:

 

Monoball Z1 Warning

Besancon,15.6.2008

ARCA-SWISS, manufacturer of Monoball Z series, has learned only recently through representatives
of the Wimberley “Sidekick” that there might be a very limited number of Monoball Z tripod heads,
manufactured before June 15th 2008 with an assembly error. This assembly error has presently
touched only 0.2% of all ball heads sold worldwide.

Concerns are not correct that the quickset device, which is located on the ball, turns freely and the
equipment can drop immediately. When the stem loosens from the ball, a considerable force is still
required to separate the two pieces.

The increased holding power of the ARCA-SWISS Monoball heads is the reason this problem has
shown up, which made the assembly error visible. In each manufacturing process an individual error
can have consequences, this is why ARCA-SWISS has implemented additional control mechanisms
to resolve such incidents and rule them out.

The customers of an ARCA-SWISS Monoball Z1 enjoy a 5-year warranty and can ship them either
to ARCA-SWISS Int. / France or to Precision Camera Works in the USA for a free inspection if they
feel their Monoball is unsafe.

 

ARCA-SWISS International S.A.R.L Precision Camera Works
29, Quartier de l'europe, 8004 W. Oakton Street
Espace Valentin, 60714 Niles (IL)
FR-25048 Besançon USA
France
Ph: ++33 (381) 85 40 60 Ph: ++1 (847) 470 33 50
Fax: ++33 (381) 85 40 69 Fax: ++1 (847) 470 33 51
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.precisioncameraworks.com

Canon announces two new products: the EOS 1000D entry level DSLR and the Speedlite 430EX II flash.

Highlights of the EOS 1000D:

• 10.1 megapixel CMOS
• 7 point AFS
• Sensor cleaning system
• DIGIC III

A more detailed preview is at dpreview.

 

Highlights of the Speedlite 430EX II:

• Auto-adjusts for your camera's sensor size
• Metal shoe and locking similar to 580EX II
• 1/3 stop increments
• 20% faster recycling

The exact availability and ship dates for both products will be announce by Canon on July 8.