There's yet another update to LR Classic - to version 15.3.

According to the Adobe website, this includes background Al feature processing, performance improvements, a new Al culling model, PSB file sync support, film-inspired presets, support for opening images in Firefly Boards, support for newly released cameras and lenses, bug fixes, and more.

Hard to keep up with all the updates!

Nikon announced on 31 March a firmware update to v5.32 for the Z9.

Nikon's Download Centre explains the update does the following:

• • Changed the way the aperture was adjusted on a lens when the standby timer expired.

• • Fixed an issue where the camera would sometimes stop responding if a picture was zoomed in during filtered playback while FTP upload was in progress.

A link to the firmware is here:

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/589/Z_9.html

An update to LR Classic was made available today. This is to v15.2.1.

According to the usual blurb, this update includes "critical fixes".

This has loaded without a problem on my Mac system

Not sure if this truly a landmark or not, but thanks to all the activities of members, the 23,000th Waterpixels post was recorded today.

Yet more updates to Lightroom were released on 20 February.

LR Classic to v15.2, Desktop to v9.2 and Mobile to v11.2

Brief highlights (courtesy of The Lightroom Queen)

Assisted Culling (Classic & Desktop) - improvements for Group shots
Send/Share to Firefly (Classic & Desktop) - you can add a prompt to edit the photo using a variety of AI models.
Topaz Gigapixel / Generative Upscale (Desktop) - an alternative method to using Super Resolution.

Crop (iPhone and Android) - there are new pop-ups for social media aspect ratios.

Oxnard, California – February 17, 2025 – Ultralight Camera Solutions (ULCS) has released three new accessories designed to solve recurring challenges in underwater photography: the Camera Dome Weight Trim Kit, the Stabilizing Plate for Video and Still Photography, and the AC-AQD04 Quick-Release Adapter.

All three products were developed in direct response to requests from dealers and photographers who identified specific gaps in the underwater camera accessory market.

"We had dealers asking for these solutions," says Ken Kollwitz, Owner of ULCS. "These products exist because people kept running into the same problems, and there weren't good options available, or the existing options had significant drawbacks."

Camera Dome Weight Trim Kit: Adjustable Trim for Any Dome Port

The Camera Dome Weight Trim Kit addresses a fundamental challenge in underwater photography: achieving proper balance when using dome ports of different sizes and materials.

Acrylic dome ports create upward buoyancy, causing the front of the camera housing to rise underwater. Glass dome ports, particularly larger ones, add significant weight to the front of the housing. Both conditions affect a photographer's ability to maintain proper trim and control.

The ULCS kit mounts to the bottom of a camera housing and allows photographers to add adjustable weight where needed. The design accommodates different dome sizes and materials without damaging the protective rubber pad on the camera housing base, a problem that occurs with similar products from other manufacturers.

"Only one other brand offers a comparable solution, but it destroys the rubber pad on the bottom of their housings," Kollwitz explains. "We wanted to give photographers using different camera systems an option that works without causing damage."

The adjustable design allows photographers to customize the weight configuration for their specific dome port setup. Price: $129.95 USD.

Stabilizing Plate: Keeping Camera Systems Steady During Deployment

The Stabilizing Plate for Video and Still Photography provides stability for camera systems during staging and deployment, particularly on boats in rough conditions.

Heavily rigged underwater camera systems, with multiple strobes, arms, and accessories attached, tend to tilt and rock when placed on deck, increasing the risk of equipment damage and complicating pre-dive preparation.

Kollwitz identified the need for this product after observing the challenge repeatedly in the field. While other manufacturers offer similar stabilizing solutions, the ULCS plate is designed to be more universal in application and priced lower than competing products. The plate works with both video and still photography configurations and accommodates a range of camera housing sizes. Price: $177.95.

AC-AQD04 Quick-Release Adapter: Simplified Equipment Changes

The AC-AQD04 is a 4-inch quick-disconnect arm designed for fast, one-handed attachment of underwater lights, strobes, snoots, and other equipment.

The adapter features a push-button release mechanism and compact design that streamlines underwater photo and video setups. Built with fewer moving parts than competing quick-release systems, it can be operated with one hand and is fully serviceable for field maintenance and repair. "There are other brands making similar products, but ours has fewer moving parts, can be used with one hand, and photographers can service it themselves," says Kollwitz. "We also plan to use this as a starting point for other quick-disconnect products."

While designed primarily for underwater photography, the AC-AQD04's simple, reliable mechanism makes it potentially suitable for applications beyond diving. ULCS has provided samples to professionals in the cinema industry for evaluation. Price: $44.95.

Field-Tested by Underwater Photography Professionals Andrea Michelutti, underwater photographer and ULCS Brand Ambassador, has been testing the new accessories in real-world shooting conditions to validate their performance and functionality.

All three products are now available through authorized ULCS dealers and at ulcs.com.

Retra have made a firmware update available through the usual download App channels including now the Google Play Store for Android users. This is for the Pro Max II. The update primarily allows the new App to connect to the Maxi strobe.

The update also adds a Pilot Light Toggle Function.

The firmware update includes v2.17 for the Pro Max, v2.4 for the Prime+ and v2.4 for the Pure.

It also includes v4.2 for the ProX/PrimeX (renamed 3.13) and firmware 4.5 (renamed 4.3) for PRO/Prime 2nd generation.

Nikon have announced a firmware update to the Z9.

Version 5.31 now available from the usual Nikon Download Centre.

There's an update to Adobe Lightroom Classic to from v15.1 to v15.1.1

As far as I can tell, the update only contains bug fixes.

INON INC. releases the ZD Front Mask for Osmo Action 6, made specifically for the official Osmo Action 60m Waterproof Case (OA6J12) on December 26, 2025.

Also, the ZD Front Mask for Osmo Action 6 Grip Set has been released, enabling use of the DJI Osmo Action 6 with an optional underwater light.

Attaching the INON ZD Front Mask allows the use of the underwater semi-fisheye conversion lens UFL-GR140 ZD (*1) which can deliver wide and quality view with its large-aperture optics across more wide-angle FOV settings on Osmo Action 6.*

Also, the wide variety of INON close-up lenses (UCL-G165ll ZD, UCL-G100 ZD, UCL-G55 ZD) now allows Osmo Action 6 users to enjoy macro imaging that wouldn’t be possible with the camera alone.

(*1) The UFL-G140 ZD is not compatible as it causes vignetting at most FOV settings.

ZD Front Mask for Osmo Action 6

-- Release date:      December 26, 2025

--JAN/EAN:             4570018121296

ZD Front Mask for Osmo Action 6 Grip Set

-- Release date:      December 26, 2025

--JAN/EAN:             4570018121302

*For information on the Front Mask and lens vignetting, please refer to the attached PDF.
Please note that vigorous camera movement may still cause the lens hood or Focus Stick to appear in the frame, even when marked as “usable.”