Adobe has posted updates to Photoshop, Lightroom, and the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in, both available immediately for download on Adobe.com. The updates provide raw file support for 14 additional camera models and camera backs within Lightroom and Camera Raw, including the Sony Alpha 700. Links here.
We have now downloaded and tested both and the results are excellent, with significant improvements to the conversion of earlier .MRW and .ARW files (see their claimed improvements below – the claims are justified).
The camera raw functionality in the Adobe Photoshop software, including Photoshop Lightroom, Photoshop CS3 and Photoshop Elements, provides fast and easy access to the raw image formats produced by many leading professional and midrange digital cameras. Working with these digital negatives allows greater artistic control and flexibility while still maintaining the original raw files. Lightroom and the Camera Raw plug-in also support the same functionality for TIFF and JPEG files. Professional photographers can now quickly and easily import and manipulate raw data from the latest DSLR cameras, producing the highest quality results while saving time.
Lightroom 1.2 and the new Camera Raw 4.2 plug-in support 14 additional digital cameras including the Canon EOS 40D; Fuji FinePix IS-1; Leaf Aptus 17, 54s and 75s; Olympus EVOLT E-510; Panasonic DMC-FZ18; Pentax K100D Super; Phase One P 20+, P 21+, P 25+, P 30+ and P 45+; and Sony A700. Both updates also include improved noise reduction for Bayer patterned sensors, providing better image detail at default noise reduction values. The Lightroom update includes corrections to Microsoft Windows Vista grid display errors and XMP auto-write performance.
Availability
The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.2 update is available as a free download for existing customers on www.adobe.com.
The Adobe Camera Raw 4.2 plug-in is available with the purchase of Photoshop CS3 and as a free download for users of Photoshop CS3, Photoshop Elements 4.0 (Macintosh) and Photoshop Elements 5.0 (Windows) by going to the Adobe Web site at www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/cameraraw.html (editor’s note – this link also provides access to Lightroom). The Adobe DNG Converter is available as a free download at www.adobe.com/dng.
