Pentax K20D firmware update 1.01 is ready to download. It fixes the previously reported “hot pixel” bug when taking picture with 2 seconds self-timer mode. To download and install this update follow the instructions here.
Samsung Techwin didn’t posted any firmware updates for GX-20 DSLR (Samsung analogue for Pentax K20D) yet as well as didn’t confirmed the same bug.
DxO has updated Optics Pro v5 popular RAW manipulation software. Among the loads of Nikon lenses in the What’s New list there are Samsung GX-20 14.6 megapixel DSLR and some glass:
Adobe has posted updates for its Lightroom 1.4 and Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) 4.4 RAW manipulation software. Now both packages are support Pentax newest K20D and K200D DSLRs’ RAW files as well as RAWs from the recent cameras from Nikon, Canon and Sony.
Here you can download update for Mac or Windows version of Adobe Lightroom. To upgrade you copy of ACR fallow the Mac or Windows links respectively.
Update: DNG troubles
The Lightroom 1.4 update for Mac and Windows has been temporarily removed from the Adobe.com web site. Those Lightroom users who have installed Lightroom 1.4 should uninstall the update and install Lightroom 1.3.1.(Mac, Win) until a further update can be provided. For those not in immediate need of the updated camera support available in Camera Raw 4.4 or the DNG 4.4 Converter, it’s recommended that you also continue working with the 4.3.1 versions. (Mac, Win)
Adobe has removed Lightroom and ACR updates from the website due to some issues including DNG conversion errors.
Updated updates (sorry for tautology) will be available later.
Firmware version 1.30 previously presented in the Pentax AP50 Anniversary camera now available for Pentax K10D. The only new feature is the support for new SDM (Supersonic Drive Motor) lenses. To install this update download archived file for Windows (self-extractor) or Mac (BinHex), unpack it and follow the instructions in the readme.txt file.
Thus all new Pentax digital SLRs are now fully compatible with SDM lenses, but these lenses themselves are still listed as available for preorder only with the shipment date in August 15, 2007.
Pentax have released a Mac version of Remote Assistant for K10D. This software allows you to control your K10D digital SLR (one or several at once) from your computer, to set ISO, WB, flash mode settings, use interval mode, timer release or bulb timer mode. Two installers available - for OSX 10.3 and 10.4. Your K10D’s firmware must be version 1.20 or higher.
More on software, OK1000 Pentax Blog have a short review of the latest version of LightZone - powerful RAW conversion and workflow / postprocessing software:
The “edit” mode, which is akin to adjusting and developing in Lightroom and Aperture, is so nice to use, so well planned, and so simple that it begs the question why Lightcrafts hasn’t been purchased by Adobe or Apple yet. Its “styles” section is used to quickly apply settings, which is fun, but the power in the application is in the exposure adjustment tools that let you really get into the nitty gritty of the tone curve by defining regions with the zone system.
New version 4.2 of the popular photo enhancement software DxO Optics Pro now supports Pentax K10D (RAW and JPEG) and three Pentax lenses: D-FA 50mm F2.8 macro, DA 18-55mm “kit” and DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED. K10D users can remove lens distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberrations quick and easy; adjust image saturation, restore highlight details and remove noise in just a few clicks. Full list of DxO Optics Pro features could be found on the official website. Current update also includes Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and S3 Pro support.
Pentax announced the release of firmware update version 1.20 for Windows and Mac OS. The only new feature is Pentax Remote Assistant 3 software support, which was announced simultaneously. Remote Assistant allows you to control one or more cameras (K10D only) by your computer. You can shoot directly to your hard drive, control interval mode, bulb timer and many other standard camera functions.
Pentax Photo Browser is also updated to version 3.11 to support upcoming DA* lenses. As Pentax Japan website says, “Only K10D users are allowed to download this software,” but it works well with the files produced by the previous models.
Samsung decided to follow the trend in the digital camera world and made their firmware upgrade available for manual download and installation by the end user. As expected, new features are similar to Pentax K10D firmware updates 1.10 and 1.11:
Follow the instructions on the Samsung Camera website to download and install firmware update. Thanks to PentaxLife forum user 1r2R1 for information.
According to AppleInsider, upcoming update of Apple Aperture photo editing/workflow software will add RAW file support for Pentax K10D, K100D, K110D digital SLR camera as well as Samsung GX-1L. Let’s hope they won’t forget the GX-1S either.
A precise date for the release is not yet announced, but Apple rep. Joe Schorr told users they could expect the update “very soon.” AppleInsider supposed, it will be at the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International conference that runs March 24 - 29. Thanks to Marq Riley for the link.
Update: Mac OS X 10.4.9 Update including Pentax and Samsung camera RAW support for Aperture and iPhoto already available for download.
Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) version 3.7 is now available for download for free from the Adobe’s website. This raw manipulation software is tightly integrated with the Adobe Bridge and Photoshop CS2 (previous versions of Photoshop is not supported) and can be useful to convert a load of raw files in batch mode as well as single file fine tuning. ACR 3.7 is now understands Pentax K10D’s PEF file format and Nikon D40’s NEFs. K10D’s and Samsung GX-10’s DNG raws are also supported.
Also Adobe has announced final release of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.0 - powerful photo workflow/manipulation software.
