Apple announced Aperture 1.0 in October 2005. According to MacWorld, Apple is showing an updated and faster version of its professional photography tool, Aperture 1.1, at the Photography Marketing Association (PMA) trade show.

The updated software is a Universal application - it will run on both Intel and PowerPC Macs. It’s also significantly faster than before, the report explains, twice as fast in some operations.

Images in the new version benefit from improved RAW decode algorithms, which make for better image quality. The results of the new algorithms can be seen in noise reduction, sharpening and highlight recovery.

“What we did was invite pro photographers to submit their images to Apple,” said Apple senior director, market development professional applications Kirk Paulsen. “We wanted problem images so we could really fine-tune the RAW performance. Now, there is a completely new RAW pipeline in Aperture.”

Dozens of additional improvements also appear in this release, including a new colour metre tool, better export tools and automatic optimisation of images. The new version of the software is scheduled to ship in March.

Website : PMA: Apple shows Intel native Aperture 1.1

Created by award-winning photographer Kevin Gilbert and award-winning producer Alexander Stevens, JustShowMeHowTo.com is a new video-on-demand Web site that delivers digital photography instruction through easy-to-follow, downloadable videos.

Starting at $1.99, videos cover a wide range of topics including how to take better pictures of people, pets and nature, how to take business photos and simple photography basics. JustShowMeHowTo.com also features videos that help people get the most out of their specific camera model, from simple point-and-shoot cameras to the latest digital SLRs. All videos are available for PC, Mac and a wide variety of mobile devices such as iPod Video, PlayStation Portable (PSP) and Treo mobile phones.

“Taking a great picture creates a timeless, emotional connection to a moment in life that you want to remember, such as your child’s first step,” said Kevin Gilbert, a 24-year veteran photographer and co-founder of JustShowMeHowTo.com. “With JustShowMeHowTo.com, people can watch easy-to-follow, conversational videos that free them to put away their camera manuals, get past the technology and truly enjoy taking great pictures.”

Website : Digital Photography Video On Demand Training at JustShowMeHowTo.com

Bibble Labs, Inc. announced today the immediate availability of version 4.6 of its popular Raw Workflow software. Bibble 4.6 offers a major breakthrough via the direct integration of Noise Ninja Technology from Picture Code, LLC. High ISO noise and digital artifacts are one of the more challenging aspects of today’s digital workflow. Historically photographers have had to use 3rd party tools and extra post processing steps to deal with this noise “After the fact”. By directly merging Noise Ninja technology into Bibble’s already blazing fast workflow, better results can now be achieved in shorter amounts of time.

Version 4.6 now runs natively on Intel based Macintoshs. Bibble’s inherent speed advantage coupled with the new machine’s boosted speed makes for unmatched performance when converting raw files. Users of Canon cameras will also be please to find that while Bibble is already the fastest way to convert their files, it now is 1-2 seconds faster per file. Batches that might take hours using other software can be done in minutes with Bibble.

Website : Bibble Labs product features information

Download : Bibble Labs trial software and PDF documentation download

While 6 megapixels looks to be the most popular megapixel mark for many camera makers, there are many 7-, 8- and even a few 10-megapixel camera models are being introduced at PMA 2006.

Cameras offering more than 6 megapixels and models that include customizable capabilities aimed at general consumers may be a bridge into the advanced amateur market of digital SLRs. Some of these cameras also include lens accessories, more typical of digital or film SLRs.

On these above 6-megapixel models, new adjustments and additions in flash systems, ISO settings, and new image stabilization technology are being featured in order to reduce noise and image blur. These features, similiar to what advanced amateurs look for in digital SLR capabilites, aim to execute more accurate camera exposures, especially in dimly lighted situations, meaning more naturally lighted photos with fewer washed out images. These cameras also offer consumers the opportunity to customize more settings for increased creative control, as well as simplified menus and even resolution guides to help consumers determine the best print size for an image.

Patrick Singleton has a first impression review of the new Canon 30D camera. His conclusion is that “Canon’s EOS 30D is numbered as if it were a major upgrade to the popular and excellent EOS 20D, and Canon marketing plumps it up even higher than that – the line is that it really has more in common with the 5D than the 20D. Really? With the same 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, the same DIGIC II image processor, the same 9-point autofocus system and the same 5 fps burst rate as the 20D, the 30D seems more like a respectable update of the 20D than anything else. When Canon put a bigger LCD and picture styles on the 1D Mark II, they changed the name to the 1D Mark II n. This new camera shows comparable improvements. We’d call it the “20D n,” if it were up to us.

Likes

• Excellent image quality
• 5 fps burst speed at 8 MP resolution
• 2.5-inch, 230,00 pixel LCD is marked improvement
• Built-in flash for fill
• Spot metering

Dislikes

• No substantial improvements to imaging system
• Lacks 5D’s autofocus improvements
• Mirror lockup is clumsy“

Website : Canon 30D Review at DigitalCameraInfo

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM lens. This large aperture telephoto zoom lens has a minimum focusing distance of 100cm (39.4”) throughout the entire zoom range. It is very convenient for close-up photography.

This lens uses two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glasses and two SLD（Special Low Dispersion）glasses for utmost correction against chromatic aberrations. This lens’ super multi layer lens coating reduce flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF. The lens design incorporates an inner focusing and inner zooming systems. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing and zooming, ensuring convenient handling. A removable long tripod collar (TS-41) is included as a standard component. When this lens is used with the 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 98-280mm F4 AF telephoto zoom lens or a 140-400mm F5.6 AF telephoto zoom lens respectively.

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Panasonic has proudly developed the new Live MOS sensor using its original Maicovicon technology. The 4/3 type Live MOS sensor with 7.5 million pixels helps capture the beautiful images of a CCD sensor with delicate gradation and a wide dynamic range, whilst suppressing energy consumption as only a CMOS sensor can do. Noise is also minimised thanks to a special processing technology that runs on voltage as low as 5V.

The DMC-L1 benefits from a new LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 lens, equipped with an aperture ring, focus ring and zoom ring, for easy, direct aperture setting.

The Venus Engine III is an image processing LSI, newly developed to maximise the performance of the Live MOS sensor. Offering high resolution, superior colour reproduction and detailed gradation, the Venus Engine III also reduces noise to the level expected from a digital SLR, thus achieving stunning picture quality. The Venus Engine III also improves camera responsiveness supporting high-performance consecutive shooting and a short shutter interval. Despite offering superior performance, the Venus Engine III consumes only 80% as much power as its predecessor, the Venus Engine II. This combines with the Live MOS sensor’s low energy consumption to provide longer battery life.

The heart of a digital SLR is the mirror box unit, which integrates a quick-return mirror, viewfinder, and AE sensor. This, combined with the full-time image output function of the Live MOS sensor, achieves a full-time Live View function that displays the image on the LCD directly from the sensor signal. This incredibly useful function can be selected in both Auto Focus and Manual Focus modes. In Manual Focus, photographers can enlarge an image within the frame and then select the area focusing, making it easier to check the focusing condition on the large 2.5inch, high resolution, 207,000 pixel LCD. It is also possible to check the depth of field by pressing the Aperture button.

Consistent with all Panasonic Lumix cameras, the DMC-L1 is compatible with the SD memory card. It is also compatible with mass-storage SD standard based on FAT32, including the upcoming super-high-capacity SD Memory Cards of more than 2GB (SDHC).

Website : Panasonic announces development of the DMC-L1 DSLR

Olympus Corporation (Olympus) and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic) have been engaged in joint development of cameras that comply with the Four Thirds System standard for interchangeable-lens-type digital SLR cameras, and will display the fruit of their labors at the PMA 2006 International Convention and Trade Show that starts today, February 26, in Orlando, Florida. Olympus will exhibit the E-330, a recently introduced product that incorporates jointly developed technologies, and Panasonic will announce development of the DMC-L1, its first digital SLR camera. A prototype of the DMC-L1 will also be exhibited.

The mirror box unit integrates a quick-return mirror, viewfinder, and AE sensor, and effectively functions as the heart of the SLR camera. It was specifically designed and developed so that it could be used in both Olympus and Panasonic products.

The Live MOS sensor is a new-generation sensor that offers the high image quality of a CCD sensor and the low power consumption of a CMOS sensor, thereby making it possible to display Live View images on a digital SLR camera for an extended period of time. In addition, because the sensor features simplified circuitry, the distance from the microlenses to the photodiodes is short, ensuring improved response and higher image quality when light strikes the sensor at an angle.

As its first digital SLR camera, Panasonic has developed the DMC-L1, which combines the operating feel of an analog camera with Live View shooting and other ease-of-use features that are unique to digital cameras. By using the Live MOS sensor and proprietary Venus Engine III image-processing LSI, Panasonic has maximized the performance potential of both devices and successfully achieved the high image quality and high processing speeds that are critical to SLR camera performance. Following additional development efforts, Panasonic plans to introduce the DMC-L1 later this year. By teaming Olympus’s industry-leading SLR camera technology with Panasonic’s advanced digital AV technology to offer Four Thirds System digital SLR cameras and a wide lens lineup, the two companies plan to offer camera enthusiasts a level of creativity and satisfaction have never experienced before.

Website : Olympus and Panasonic Announce Four Thirds System Digital SLR Cameras at PMA