If you've not already tried out Lightroom 3 beta then now is a great time to jump on board. Beta 2 has just been released and it's available from labs.adobe.com to try for free. It's a limited time beta and I don't recommend using it as your main photo repository since the database files likely will not be forward compatible with the final version. But it's a great way to get to grips with Lightroom, see what it can do for you, see what's new and give Adobe feedback on how you'd like to see it improved.
Here's the headlining new features:
New in Lightroom 3 Beta 2
- Improved performance throughout the application for faster importing and loading of images
- Native tethered shooting support for select Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras
- Luminance noise reduction has been added to the previous color noise reduction improvements available in the first public beta for outstanding overall high ISO quality
- Support for importing and managing video files from DSLR cameras for better overall photographic workflow control
- Improvements to the import experience in the first beta to reflect public feedback
- Improved watermarking functionality from the first beta to reflect public feedback
Lightroom 3 beta 2 builds on the enhancements introduced in the first Lightroom 3 beta release:
- Brand new performance architecture, building for the future of growing image libraries
- State-of-the-art noise reduction to help you perfect your high ISO shots
- Watermarking tool that helps you customize and protect your images with ease
- Portable sharable slideshows with audio—designed to give you more flexibility and impact on how you choose to share your images, you can now save and export your slideshows as videos and include audio
- Flexible customizable print package creation so your print package layouts are all your own
- Film grain simulation tool for enhancing your images to look as gritty as you want
- New import handling designed to make importing streamlined and easy
- More flexible online publishing options so you can post your images online to certain online photo sharing sites directly from inside Lightroom 3 beta (may require third-party plug-ins)