Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5

Tamron’s new ultra wide angle zoom for APS-C/DX is getting a bit of a blasting from reviewers. Now, when I see this happen, I get curious. Lens testing is often badly designed for such zooms, involving test chart targets at distances which are extremely close and result in very bad figures caused mainly by a strong curvature of field (dished, ‘cap’ shape relative to the camera) when gets worse in effect the closer you focus.

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Photoshop CS4 bug fix

Adobe has released an update to its Photoshop software, available immediately for existing Photoshop CS4 users. The Photoshop 11.0.1 update addresses key issues reported by customers that may impact performance. The update also includes the following enhancements: the ability to correctly recognise 3D textures edited by plug-ins; improved quality of Auto-Blend Layers (Stack Images); and fixes for issues that can be caused by corrupt fonts or when pasting formatted text.

The Photoshop 11.0.1 update is available as a free download for existing Photoshop CS4 customers at http://www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/ or through the Adobe updater via the application itself.

Nikon UK price increase March 1st

Nikon UK will be introducing a second price increase on the 1st March 2009 which will affect Nikon’s Imaging and Optics products. The price increase is due to the relative weakness of Sterling and the continued strength of the Yen. A range of product groups will be affected however the COOLPIX series and selected digital SLRs will not see an increase. An updated Recommended Retail Price (RRP) list will be available to view at www.nikon.co.uk from 1st March 2009. Nikon will continue to review its pricing structures.

Canon adds raw format to SX1 IS compact

Canon has announced a firmware update for the PowerShot SX1 IS – the first Canon digital compact camera to feature Full HD 1080i movie recording and fast 4fps JPEG continuous shooting – that allows users to capture images in RAW format.

Owners will be able to download a free copy of Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software updated to handle the SX1 IS files.

The firmware will be available for download from mid-March. PowerShot SX1 IS owners should check http://web.canon.jp/imaging/BeBit-e.html for information and availability. Digital Photo Professional will be also available to download from the BeBit website.

Sony Alpha at Focus on Imaging 2009

SONY has a stand at Focus on Imaging in the UK after an absence of three years for the Alpha brand from this major annual photo fair, said to the be largest national show in Europe with the exception of photokina. On Stand L28 – right next to the Canon exhibit – the UK’s technical sales executive Paul Genge has lined up a nonstop programme of speakers and demonstrations.
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