Lightroom and Camera Raw Updated

Adobe sends word that they've updated their most useful Lightroom 2 to version 2.4 and Camera Raw to version 5.4 in the latest round of product updates. "Both updates bring additional raw file support to 31 camera and camera back models including the Canon EOS 500D, Nikon D5000 and 18 Hasselblad models."

The updates are free and available at: www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/

In addition, Adobe released an update to its Digital Negative specification (DNG), the public archival format for digital camera raw data. DNG addresses the lack of an open standard for raw files created by individual camera models, helping to ensure that photographers will be able to access their files in the future.

DNG 1.3 now includes opcodes, a defined list of operations and their parameters for performing complex activities in the raw file conversion process. These activities include corrections and enhancements that are beneficial when performed prior to the demosaic process but are difficult due to a camera's limited processing power. They also include corrections and enhancements that can only be performed after the demosaic process such as lens correction. By utilizing opcodes, photographers can maintain the advantages of raw mosaic data, giving them increased opportunity to improve their photographs with the maximum amount of image data preserved. The DNG SDK has also been updated to reflect the changes to the specification.

The full list of added cameras is:

• Canon EOS 500D (Digital Rebel T1i /Kiss X3 Digital)
  
• Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
  
• Epson R-D1x
  
• Hasselblad (3FR files only) CF-22, CF-22MS, CF-39, CF-39MS, CFH-22, CFH-39, CFV, 503CWD, H2D-22, H2D-39, H3D-22, H3D-31, H3D-39, H3DII-22, H3DII-31, H3DII-39, H3DII-39MS, H3DII-50
  
• Kodak EasyShare Z980
  
• Nikon D5000
  
• Olympus E-450
  
• Olympus E-620
  
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
  
• Pentax K-7
  
• Sigma DP2
  
• Sony A230
  
• Sony A330
  
• Sony A380