Installing Lightroom, Leave the CD in the Box

When a new operating system arrives like Snow Leopard or Windows 7 the opportunity to start fresh can be irresistible. The slightly more tech-oriented among us can wipe a drive clean and install only the essentials from scratch eliminating all of the detritus that accrues on our computers over time in a virtual spring cleaning. Over the weekend a number of our friends in the photography community did just that with Snow Leopard. Apparently, the overwhelming behavior was to reach for the box of Lightroom 2 on the shelf and insert that shiny hybrid CD-ROM into the drive and start fresh. Unfortunately, due to an issue with our Lightroom 2.0 installer the installation fails to complete on Mac OS X 10.6, Snow Leopard. We caught and fixed this problem with a little help from Apple in our Lightroom 2.1 update. (We also updated the CD-ROM in the box to Lightroom 2.3 when it was released in March of this year)

The basic lesson is that whenever you’re performing a “clean install” of Lightroom on a new system the only reason to reach for the box is to retrieve your serial number. It’s typically faster to download our latest update from Adobe.com.(http://www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/) Each version of Lightroom we provide(2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc) is a complete version of the product updated with the latest bug fixes and camera support. We’ve tried to keep these installation files small for quick downloads. The Mac version weighs in at ~69MB and the Windows at ~135MB. Some products may require you to install the “dot-O” version before patching it repeatedly with updates but Lightroom is *not* that kind of application.

Good luck with your fresh start on Snow Leopard or Windows 7.

Camera Raw 5.5 Available on Adobe Labs

The Camera Raw 5.5 and DNG Converter 5.5 Release Candidates are now available on Adobe Labs. The release includes new camera support for the following models:

  • Nikon D300s
  • Nikon D3000
  • Olympus E-P1
  • Panasonic DMC-FZ35

Of course you’ll also be able to read raw files from the new Ricoh GR Digital III but because they’re DNG files you didn’t need to wait for this update.

This release also includes a correction to the demosaic algorithms for Bayer sensor cameras with unequal green response.

Please provide feedback on your experience with the Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in and the DNG Converter on the Camera Raw User to User forum.

Adobe Walks

As part of Scott Kelby’s second-annual worldwide photowalk Adobe is leading the charge with four walks of our own, hosted and joined by members of the Photoshop, Lightroom, Bridge or Camera Raw teams.  Space is limited so sign up quickly to walk and shoot with Adobe’s digital imaging team:

Enjoy!

Lightroom 2.4 and Camera Raw 5.4 Now Available

Lightroom 2.4 and Camera Raw 5.4 are now available as final releases on Adobe.com and through the update mechanisms available in Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2.  These updates include camera support for the following models:

  • Canon           EOS 500D (Digital Rebel T1i/EOS Kiss X3 Digital)
  • Canon          PowerShot SX1 IS
  • Epson           R-D1x
  • Hasselblad    CF-22
  • Hasselblad    CF-22MS
  • Hasselblad    CF-39
  • Hasselblad    CF-39MS
  • Hasselblad    CFH-22
  • Hasselblad    CFH-39
  • Hasselblad    CFV
  • Hasselblad    503CWD
  • Hasselblad    H2D-22
  • Hasselblad    H2D-39
  • Hasselblad    H3D-22
  • Hasselblad    H3D-31
  • Hasselblad    H3D-39
  • Hasselblad    H3DII-22
  • Hasselblad    H3DII-31
  • Hasselblad    H3DII-39
  • Hasselblad    H3DII-39MS
  • Hasselblad    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

Note: Hasselblad support is for the 3FR file format only.  The Hasselblad FFF file format is not currently supported.

Lightroom 2.4 Bug Fixes

The Lightroom 2.4 update includes several bug fixes.  The following is a list of items FIXED in this release.

  • Web galleries with a Collection Title of six characters would not export or upload
  • The crop aspect ratio could revert to the last selected ratio even when reset to original
  • The crop aspect ratio in Quick Develop could be lost after a crop adjustment
  • The crop aspect ratio lock could be lost after an orientation switch
  •  Images could preview incorrectly when imported using the MTP/PTP USB protocol
  • Sony .ARW files may not have been recognized by Lightroom’s import dialog
  • The Japanese language configuration of Lightroom on Mac OS X 10.5 could fail to switch to the print module if the HP B9180 was set as the default printer
  • Metadata options that are intended for use were dimmed incorrectly when exporting DNG files
  • The Japanese language configuration of Lightroom on Mac OS X was missing a shortcut for “Zoom Out”
  • Several translation and shortcut corrections were made for the eight additional languages introduced with Lightroom 2.3

New Lightroom 2.4 and Camera Raw 5.4 DNG Options

This release includes new DNG Compatibility conversion options. These choices help address the additional options available with the new DNG 1.3 Specification (http://www.adobe.com/dng):

  • Camera Raw 2.4 and later: The DNG file will be readable by Camera Raw 2.4 (Photoshop CS) and later, and Lightroom 1.0 and later
  • Camera Raw 4.1 and later: The DNG file will be readable by Camera Raw 4.1 (Photoshop CS3) and later, and Lightroom 1.1 and later. The DNG file will often be readable by earlier versions, depending on the camera model
  • Camera Raw 4.6 and later: The DNG file will be readable by Camera Raw 4.6 (Photoshop CS3) and later, and Lightroom 2.1 and later. The DNG file will often be readable by earlier versions, depending on the camera model
  • Camera Raw 5.4 and later: The DNG file will be readable by Camera Raw 5.4 (Photoshop CS4) and later, and Lightroom 2.4 and later. The DNG file will often be readable by earlier versions, depending on the camera model
  • Custom: (Not available in Lightroom 2.4)
    • Backward Version Option: DNG 1.1, DNG 1.3 (default 1.3)
    • Checkbox: Linear (demosaiced) (default unchecked)
    • Checkbox: Uncompressed (default unchecked)

DNG 1.3 Specification Update

The DNG specification has been updated to version 1.3.[LINK] The update includes the following changes:

  • In Chapter 2, “DNG Format Overview”, the section on Defective Pixels has been updated
  • The section on Opcode Lists has been added to Chapter 2, “DNG Format Overview”
  • The CFALayout tag has been updated in Chapter 4, “DNG Tags”.
  • Additional Tags for Version 1.3.0.0 were added to Chapter 4, “DNG Tags”
  • Chapter 7, “Opcode List Processing” was added.
  • “Appendix A: Compatibility with Previous Versions” was updated.

The additional "Opcode Lists" allow complex processing to be moved off the camera hardware, which can have limited processing power, and into the DNG reader, which is often running on more powerful hardware. This also allows processing steps to be specified, such as lens corrections, which ideally should be performed on the image data after it has been demosaiced, while still retaining the advantages of a raw mosaic data format.

Camera Raw 5.4 Available on Adobe Labs

The Camera Raw 5.4 Release Candidate is now available on Adobe Labs. The release includes new camera support for the following models:

* Canon EOS 500D (EOS Rebel T1i)
* Epson R-D1x
* Hasselblad CF-22
* Hasselblad CF-22MS
* Hasselblad CF-39
* Hasselblad CF-39MS
* Hasselblad CFH-22
* Hasselblad CFH-39
* Hasselblad CFV503
* Hasselblad CWD
* Hasselblad H2D-22
* Hasselblad H2D-39
* Hasselblad H3D-22
* Hasselblad H3D-31
* Hasselblad H3D-39
* Hasselblad H3DII-22
* Hasselblad H3DII-31
* Hasselblad H3DII-39
* Hasselblad H3DII-39MS
* Hasselblad H3DII-50
* Kodak EasyShare Z980
* Nikon D5000
* Olympus E-450
* Olympus E-620
* Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
* Sigma DP2

This release also includes new DNG Compatibility conversion options. These choices are explained on the Adobe Labs web site and help address the additional options available with an upcoming revision of the DNG Specification.

If you have feedback on this release please post a descriptive topic on the Adobe User to User forums.

A Lightroom 2.4 Release Candidate is not currently available.

May/June User Group Events

The Twin Cities Lightroom User Group will meet Wednesday, May 13, 2009, from 7-9PM.

Topics and speakers include:

Rick Spaulding will talk about the latest in digital SLR equipment – everything from camera bodies, to lenses and flashes.

Rikk Flohr, professional photographer and trainer, will discuss his Lightroom HDR worklow and using external editors in Lightroom – including Enfuse and the Photomatix LR Plugin.

Craig Marble, Senior Lightroom QE Lead, will give out some insider tips about presets in Lightroom.

More information on the group’s website and Facebook page.

The Indianapolis Lightroom User Group will meet June 3, 2009 from 12:00pm – 2:00pm. More information on the group’s website and Adobe Group page.