Adobe posts updates to Photoshop Lightroom and the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in

I just received this news and I’m especially interested in seeing the new Raw conversions using the updates. According to Adobe, Lightroom 1.2 and the new Camera Raw 4.2 plug-in include “improved noise reduction for Bayer patterned sensors.” Leaf Aptus 17, 54s and 75s users should also be happy that those cameras are now supported.

Full press release text from Adobe follows:
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 popular Canon EOS 40D.

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. Photoshop Lightroom can be purchased in the United States and Canada through the Adobe Store at www.adobe.com/store and at major photo and software retailers for a price of US $299.

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 CS3 Extended, 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. The Adobe DNG Converter is available as a free download at www.adobe.com/dng.