Digital Imaging News for December 10th 2005

*istDS Firmware Upgrade
Pentax have announced a firmware upgrade for the *istDS that adds a number of new features. Version 2.00 will add a Continuous AF mode to the AF settings in the Record Mode menu, Auto ISO has also been added to the sensitivity menu and the AE-L button on M has been added to the Custom Function menu. Dutch and Swedish users have also been catered to with the addition of menus in these two languages. Download the upgrade here.

Adobe and Macromedia Aquisition is Finalized
With the Aquisition of Macromedia, Adobe have firmly placed themselves in pole position in the digital imaging and design industry. With this aquisition Adobe has also announced three new product bundles for design, video and web solutions. The Adobe Design Bundle which includes Creative Suite 2 Premium with Flash Professional 8 software; the Adobe Web Bundle which contains CS 2 Premium and Studio 8; and the Adobe Video Bundle which will offer video solutions and also include Flash Professional 8. The Adobe Design Bundle and Web Bundle are available immediately and are priced £1381 and £1656 respectively. The Adobe Video Bundle should ship sometime in early 2006.

Scott Kelby's book receives top honours.
The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby, receives top honours from consumers and industry alike. Professional Photographer magazine, Amazon editors and Amazon readers rated this excellent book one of the hottest computer books this year. It received a “Hot1 Award” by Professional Photographer magazine and was rated a “Top 10 Pick” by Amazon editors for computer books as well as the “#1 Photoshop” book in the Amazon Top 10 Pick category, and ranked as the #3 Amazon “Readers Choice” for all computer books based on sales. Congrats Scott...

ExpressDigital's Darkroom Professional is Enhanced
ExpressDigital, a leading provider of digital workflow software, internet storefronts, and lab solutions, have released an enhanced version of their Darkroom Professional Edition. Enhancements include a retro color tool, professional red eye removal and new hardware support for the Nikon D2X, D2Hs, D70s, D50, Canon Rebel XT and Fuji S3 digital cameras. It also features direct support for printers like the Mitsubishi CP-3020DU, CP-9550DW, Kodak 9810, Shinko S9045, S1245 and the Fujimoto SHP5080 digital mini-lab.
Version 8.5 is available immediately at the ExpressDigital website.