Adobe Camera Raw 5.2 for CS4 only

As expected, Adobe has again ‘broken’ the continuity of support for users of earlier versions of their Photoshop CS and Elements programs; the new ACR release to handle the forthcoming EOS 5D Mark II (which Canon tell us is not likely to be on sale in the UK before January) will require an upgrade to CS4 (minimum £300 in the UK) or Elements (no upgrade path offered, just buy a new copy every time they do this). Lightroom users, as has happened before, must wait for their own update.

Adobe Camera Raw 5.2 extends raw file support to an additional seven camera models, including the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Panasonic DMC LX3. This update provides several new enhancements including the Targeted Adjustment Tool for on-image refinements and output sharpening for print or screen output. Also, users now have the ability to create a snapshot of all adjustments made to an image as a bookmark for future reference.

In addition, Adobe has updated Camera Profiles, which are now available natively within Camera Raw 5.2 and DNG Converter 5.2. Camera profiles provide the visual starting-point for photographers using a raw processing workflow. Adobe supplies different styles of profiles while also providing the ability for customization.

The new Camera Raw 5.2 plug-in supports the following additional seven camera models: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon PowerShot G10, Panasonic DMC-G1, Panasonic DMC-FX150, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Panasonic DMC LX3 and Leica D-LUX 4. Photoshop Lightroom, leveraging Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw technology, will add support for the cameras listed above in a future update.

Pricing and Availability

The Photoshop Camera Raw 5.2 plug-in is available as a free download for existing customers of Photoshop CS4, Photoshop Elements 7, and Premiere Elements 7. Follow this link to download the update:  http://www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/. The Adobe DNG Converter 5.2 is also available today as a free download at www.adobe.com/dng.