In this version ProStockMaster starts working with CanStockPhoto via our proprietary PSM API. Thus, from now on you will be able to track your sales and download stats on per-image base for any image uploaded to CSP with PSM.
All the data is transferred over HTTPS, which significantly improves the communication security.

Many thanks to Duncan Enman, CEO of CanStockPhoto and his great team for making this possible.

PSM gets a new Windows installer which works smoother on Vista and Windows 7 machines.
During the installation, the new installer will need administrative permissions (will ask for an admin password, if the user is not an administrator).
This solves this Vista issue.

In this release:

• iStock login fixed again.
• Statistics for 123rf & Fotolia fixed. Note that 123rf stats show up quite slow due to their server speed.
• Fixed: “99% upload – read timeout” error while uploading large files to Panthermedia.
• Removed some internal limitations from the free version.
• Mac: system / hidden folders will not show up in the file tree.
• Mac: some customers reported they could not run PSM 1.7 on their Macs, typically Leopard & Snow Leopard OS. This was caused by improper application packaging for Mac. Get v1.7.1 - it should run OK now.
• Linux releases & Linux support is discontinued from this release on. We prefer to focus on Mac and Win OS only.
• Shutterstock & Dreamstime FTP uploads: large / long batches interrupts fixed

...once again.
So v1.7 can not upload to iStock anymore. We'll fix it in upcoming 1.7.1 as well as a few statistics-related things.

For a couple of days people trying to upload images to Panthermedia got "PSM session error" error message and the upload stopped. This issue is fixed now and the upload is available again.

Link: http://bit.ly/3eCREj

This is interesting: a new mid-format camera by an independent vendor. More than that, they say "every camera system is supported".

The price tag of 4985 € looks like a serious barrier for many prospective buyers. I guess the explanation for the high price is in Hartblei' FAQ:

Which camera systems are supported?
Very simple - ALL of them! Canon and Nikon mounts are on stock. But on a built to order base we can do about any other custom mount according to customers needs. We have all the mounts on stock and after order they are assembled to the lens. Further on a later date You can of course change your lenses mount, but for this you have to send in the lens to us for service.

They build the camera on demand, so you get a custom-made body. Probably that's why it costs a lot.
I am not sure where is their manufacturing though. Hartblei calls themselves "a German-Ukrainian company", "Munich-Kiev". I guess they utilize the facilities of the famous "Arsenal" factory located in Kiev, Ukraine. "Arsenal" is the manufacturer of all Russian/Ukrainian-made "Kiev" cameras since late 40-x. These cameras where typically copies of German-made IIWW-period models, and their quality and the quality of Arsenal-made optics widely varied.

When I first saw this announcement I was sure that the whole idea was to provide a medium camera body for existing 35mm lenses. This is a great idea. Many of us have a nice set of Canon/Nikon/Pentax/Minolta-Sony lenses and will be happy to go medium format with no additional investment in the pricey optics.
However, reviewing Hartblei offer I discovered that they also offer Carl Zeiss designed tilt shift lenses:
Hartblei - Macro 4/120 TS - Superrotator SR120M 3249 €
Hartblei - 4/40 IF TS IF - Superrotator SR40IF 4589 €
Hartblei - 2,8/80 TS - Superrotator SR80PL 1989 €

If I read it correctly, their prices are higher than for most Canon's TS. While I like the idea of a medium format body accepting 35 mm lenses, I am in doubt I will be willing to pay for these TS, even if they indeed provide 200 lpm resolution, like Hartblei site states.

Stock agency Pixamba adds a new users forum where members can share their thoughts.

I am happy to announce the release of new PSM v1.7.0!
In this version:

1.New stock agency added! Integrated upload, total stats and per-image statuses, downloads and earnings info for our new stock agency Pixamba. Expand your sales now!

2.iStock login fixed [again] due to further changes on their web.

3.Various EXIF interpretation fixes, ISO speed is now showing correctly in EXIF tab

-- UPDATE August 23 2009 ----------------------
iStock rolled back their login procedure, removing the new 'pop-up' web interface.
So PSM should be updated with the new release 1.6.5 which will also 'rollback' iStock login. We'll release the software update this week.

In fact, I never understood why the new login GUI was claimed on iStock forums to be 'more secure'.
Both the old login (which is back now) and the new (rolled back) login are the simple sequences of HTTPS POSTs and GETs and they both have exactly the same SSL-based level of security. Making some more GET or POST calls with a 'pop-up'-like 'div' element or adding some AJAX calls to the new iStock login procedure does not make iStock web application more secure. Obviously, iStock guys have their own view on this matter.

-- August 22 2009 ---------------------------
It seems that again there is an issue with iStock login.
Probably the changes that iStock made some time ago were not final and they keep changing their login procedure.
We are checking the issue.

I am a Canon guy and I always was. However, when Nikon comes with an in-camera projector creating up to 40" on-the-wall images & movies straight out of the camera, I applaud to Nikon engineers and their drive for innovation. Truly amazing idea and must be a state-of-the art technology, which packs all the great features in a pocket size P&S box.

If you are trying to run ProStockMaster on a Vista machine and it fails to start it might be a simple Vista security-related issue, which can be fixed in seconds

Fixes iStock and Alamy login and hopefully makes Alamy bulk upload work

... and ProStockMaster v1.6.4 follows these changes. This release also fixes Alamy login, and, hopefully, also fixes the upload of multiple files to Alamy in a single batch.

The new version will be released on this weekend. If you see any weird problem after the auto-upgrade - re-install by downloading the full archive from our web.

It seems that once a three year we create the next thing, helping you to get some more sales online

Visit Pixamba web site and take a look what we did this time.
Build on an advanced cloud computing infrastructure, Pixamba is probably the world-fastest online stock photography agency today. Utilizing our technological advantage, we plan to add more features and media services soon.

We start with 255,000 midstock collection and we welcome microstock contributors.
At the moment the business model is credit-based and your commissions are $0.40/credit for any non-exclusive submission, which is effectively 40%-53% (depending on the credits package price) of the sale price.

Register now, take a tour and tell us what you think and how we can make things better and more convenient for you.

>>> July 27 2009 - UPDATE: Hurry, just a few days left! <<<

We have started in June 2006 and this month ProStockMaster celebrates 3 years online.
We invite you to celebrate with us and we are happy to offer you a special limited-time discount: 15% off for PRO license. Hurry, this offer ends on July 31.
Redeem coupon 3YEARS here

Did you know that if you do not work with Shutterstock in PSM you can use "Shutterstock FTP" credentials uploading to any FTP-enabled agency? Just keep in mind that what is shown as "Shutterstock" in PSM is in fact your trusted "ABC-stock" agency.

How to do that: go to "Upload->Stock Agencies->Shutterstock" and replace Shutterstock FTP server name with the name of the FTP server for "ABC-stock", adding your FTP credentials for "ABC-stock".

From now on, each time you upload to "Shutterstock" the file actually goes to "ABC-stock". Since Shutterstock keeps blocking their submitters login with the image captcha you can't see your Shutterstock stats in PSM anyway, so it can be used as a placeholder for any other FTP-enabled agency you prefer to work with.

If you did not see it yet somewhere else, worth watching:
a virtual tour in Yuri Arcurs studio, guided by Yuri.
Impressive.

How to fix:

1. Read the post below

2. Make sure you have restarted PSM after the auto upgrade

3. If this did not help, get and install the full archive.
Mac users: be sure to connect to your previous DB with your new PSM copy (more...)

New in this release:

1. Shutterstock uploads switched to FTP. Go to "Upload->Stock Agencies" to change your credentials.

The FTP server name is already filled in for you by the app. Your FTP user name is your email address, which is on file with Shutterstock and the password is your regular Shutterstock web site password.
Since the connection to Shutterstock is now via FTP only your stats for this site can not be displayed anymore.
Here is why...

2. “Export Metadata” dialog added in “File->Export Metadata” menu. It creates a CSV file with JPG IPTC metadata and a few more file parameters for all JPGs in a specified folder. Optionally, it works recursively on all the subfolders of the specified folder. You probably remember this free JPG IPTC metadata dump utility? Now it is an integral part of PSM, available for free with any license. Just open "File->Export Metadata" menu and select a folder to be exported.

3. Fixed an annoying bug causing thumbnails not to be displayed in many cases.
I am sure you faced it at least once - you start PSM, open a folder and there are no thumbnails, just the file names with '...' are displayed. Well, not anymore.
The app still needs some time to draw the thumbnails at the first access, but once the initial processing is done you get all the graphics instantly.

4. EXIF reading is back.
EXIF decided to leave PSM for a few weeks. Now it is back at its full.

5. Manage metadata – copying data between images: verified & OK. Also the dialog will close now when a user press OK in the “applied” confirmation message.

6. Alamy uploads: only one image can be uploaded. The issue is still there.
A quick check shows that the same is correct for Alamay uploads from their web either with their Java applet or with Alamy ActiveX control. Seems to be a problem with their web server. More info...

7. Minor fixes & updates for performance and graphics, here and there

Alamy uploads in PSM are capable to deliver 1 file only, all the rest of Alamy uploads is dropped by their server.
A small investigation shows that the same problem persists if you upload more than 1 file on Alamy web.
This way it looks with Alamy's ActiveX control (MS IE)

And this way it looks when using Alamy Java applet uploader (FireFox and others):

Not too much difference though. The connection is just fine and we can upload tons of images to to other agencies without any problem, so it seems to be a pure server issue at Alamy.
(Well, who else but Alamy uses Microsoft IIS? )
Once they'll fix their web-based multi-file uploads PSM batch uploads to Alamy should also start working again.