The Japanese company, Nikon, have been producing high quality cameras since 1917, and their reputation is still very high. Two of their latest models include the entry level D40, and the professional quality D80. Although they both take photos incredibly well, there are several differences that better suit them to specific scenarios.

The Nikon D40 is the cheapest camera in their digital SLR range, has a large 2.5 inch high definition screen but is lighter and more compact than similar models. It has 6.1 Mega Pixels, and is very user friendly with simple point-and-shoot controls.

The in-camera editing features allow you to correct red-eye, add filter effects, and monochrome settings. According to Nikon’s own specifications a single charge of the D40’s Li-ion battery can take up to 470 images. I’m sure you all realize how much time and money these kind of characteristic could save you, especially with a price tag of only US$600.

The D80 on the other hand is much more professional. It has 10.2 Mega Pixels and can take 3 frames per second. It also has the same 2.5 inch screen as the D40, but is more than 100 grams more in weight.

At nearly US$1000, the D80 is not cheap, but it does not seem to have the features needed to make it such an expensive model. The main difference is in the quality of the photos due to the vast difference in Mega Pixels. Naturally, all the features are improved in the D80, but the D40 is still a quality camera for a reasonable price.

If you are debating between the D40 and the D80, then there is a simple question you have to ask yourself: Do you really need the high quality images the D80 will guarantee, or will you feel better knowing you have saved a lot of money, and have still bought a great camera?

Although there has been a lot of speculation about Adobe’s new digital editing software, Lightroom, it has already begun to delight some and annoy others. The reason for this is that it is specifically designed to benefit professional photographers rather than graphic designers.

It does not have the complex features that can be used to create complicated images with a single click. This has made it the scorn of the graphics world, but Adobe do not really care. The reason for this is that they have no interest in selling Lightroom to them. They are not part of the demographic that is being targeted.

Photographers on the other hand have been delighted with their new toy. Anything that needs to be done to create a photographic masterpiece has been included, and can be easily accessed.

Lightroom is still an extremely powerful tool, and can do almost anything that you need of it in your work, but it is definitely worth trying the free 30 day trial before you buy it. This can be downloaded from the Adobe Website.

This website also contains a lot of video tutorials, tips, community forums, and data sheets that are an ideal way to research the product before you do go and buy it.

It is recommended that Lightroom is used in conjunction with Photoshop, because each program has its own strengths and weaknesses that compliment each other. Lightroom can be used to store and edit huge numbers of images, while Photoshop can precisely edit individual photos. Then Lightroom can be used again to create sophisticated slide show presentations and online galleries. Perfect for the experienced photographer.

Lightroom truly is a photographer’s best friend.

Adobe’s latest photography software, Lightroom, has created quite a buzz recently due to its remarkable features and benefits. Unfortunately there are still some bugs appearing, and several flaws that are keeping it from taking off. They are minimal at most, but are still worth mentioning.

Lightroom has eliminated many of the features that made Photoshop so popular, and has instead focused on post-production displays, file management, and output tools. Although this makes it much more user friendly for its biggest customers - professional photographers - it lacks some of the advanced tools that sometimes come in handy.

The big question is whether Adobe plans to eliminate all the other programs with Lightroom, or try and complement them. It easily allows you to add keywords, and captions to large volumes of images, as well as show, print and edit them.

Although it contains many features, Lightroom works in a completely different way to previous digital imagery programs. It has four essential steps, making it very easy to follow. These are: Library, Develop, Slideshow and Print. Each section is dedicated to its own purpose - storing, editing, previewing and printing.

Lightroom is designed for the serious photographer; not the graphics designer. Because of this many people feel that it is a bit light on features. However, I believe that Adobe have cut down their system to only include the important essentials. It seamlessly fits its four steps together, creating a type of software that is proving to be the future of digital imagery.

Part 3 of Zymmetrical’s Lightroom preview will be up soon, so stick around and find out my final thoughts on the subject.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is already being considered as the future of photographical and digital imagery, and it has only just come out of Beta! This new program could be just what every professional photographer is looking for. According to Adobe’s website, it allows users to manage, adjust, and present large volumes of photographs in one easy and essential toolbox.

Lightroom is available for both Windows and Macs, and has an introductory price of US $199. There is also a free 30 day trial version for anyone interested in this revolutionary piece of software. There will be thousands of photographers taking advantage of this offer.

The huge range of features offered by Lightroom carry over into great benefits for each user. Simple things like the support for more than 150 file formats allow you to work in both high quality and low, as well as every sector in between.

All the loved tools of other programs have been included - Red eye removal, crop and straighten, black & white conversion, and before/after comparison. There have also been many handy new controls included to quickly improve your photo’s. The tone curve editor allows you to modify images by focusing on individual highlights, shadows, and tones.

The Dust Buster allows you to remove annoying dust marks from your shots with a single click.

This ease of use for both the technologically advanced, and the beginner, is what really makes Lightroom stand out. It can be used by everyone, from the professional photographer, to the hobby artist.

Naturally there are some issues that are bound to pop up, but that will have to wait until Part 2. Until then, try it on your Zymmetrical portfolio, and see the drastic results.