Photo News Roundup, 10/1/11

Race ya!

A slow news week this week, at least photo-wise. More seemed to be going on with software than with bodies or lenses. As usual, links go to sources’ full articles.

Might Canon be bringing aperture rings back to its lenses? What’s up with the October 26 press event? And what might Canon’s roadmap to the 2012 Photokina look like? (Canon Rumors)

Yahoo informs everyone that they haven’t forgotten… what was the name of their photo sharing site? Oh, yeah. Flickr. There’s a real-time “Photo Session” feature now, and an Android app has also been introduced. Adobe introduces Lightroom 3.5 and ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) 6.5. And Nikon refreshes its Capture NX software with version 2.2.8, which includes support for the new V1, J1 P7100 (dpreview.com)

Nikon V1 and J1 tested head-to-head against a number of other cameras, including the NEX-5, X100, G3 and G12. It fares poorly at high ISO’s (no surprise given the smaller sensor), but also isn’t much to write home about at base ISO either (EOSHD)

Test lab/photo geeks DxO Mark have declared the sensors in the Nikon 1 series to be as good as Micro 4/3. As my training is not in gear geekery and I’m going with naked eye comparisons of image samples I’ve seen thus far, all I can say is that maybe they’re seeing something I’m not. As a side note, it’s possible that a firmware update could solve some of the noise issues at higher ISO’s, but it would likely come with a loss of detail. (Mirrorless Rumors)

Nikon updates its ViewNX image management software. And as if they didn’t have enough trouble with the tepid response to the 1 system, someone in their marketing department stepped in it big time with an ill-timed and poorly worded Facebook post: “A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses, and a good lens is essential to taking good pictures! Do any of our facebook fans use any of the NIKKOR lenses? Which is your favorite and what types of situations do you use it for?” After getting verbally spanked on their Facebook page, they issued an apology the next day: “We know some of you took offense to the last post, and we apologize, as it was not our aim to insult any of our friends. Our statement was meant to be interpreted that the right equipment can help you capture amazing images. We appreciate the passion you have for photography and your gear, and know that a great picture is possible anytime and anywhere.” (NikonRumors)

Kodak tries to defend its still-slumping stock prices and market share, saying, “Our cameras are innovative. We even have the “share” button.” Look, I loved my Kodak camera, and would still be using it if it was still working, but telling me your cameras are great because of the “share” button is about as reassuring as walking into a hospital and having them tell you you’re in good hands because they have the machine that goes “Ping!” In other developments: Good news: You can get a free poster-sized print. Bad news: You’ll have to go to Wal-Mart to get it (PetaPixel)

Sony and Fuji release firmware updates (the former, for their A65 and A77 SLRs; the latter for their X100). I’ve lost count of the X100 firmware updates, and hope that Fuji puts a bit more thought into getting the firmware right the first time out with the upcoming X10. Sigma’s 50-150mm f/2.8, announced nearly eight months ago, is finally due to start shipping. (PhotoRumors)

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