I’m a bit late in announcing this since I was busy last week with my creativeLIVE Lightroom workshop, but late last week Adobe announced the release of a Lightroom 4.1 “release candidate.”  With a release candidate, Adobe has tested the product internally, but is looking for the broader Lightroom community to further kick the tires before considering it “done”, at which time it will officially release 4.1.

According to the website, this release adds support for the new Canon 5D Mark III, and fixes the following bugs in 4.0:

• Lightroom 4 did not properly open external applications when using the “Edit In” functionality.
• Point Curve adjustments made in Lightroom 3 have been restored.P
• Performance issues in Lightroom 4, particularly when loading GPS track logs, using a secondary monitor, and the controls within the Develop module.
• Ability to update DNG previews and metadata for more than 100 photos has been restored.
• This update allows for improved viewing of subfolders and stacks in folders with a large number of photos.

You can download the Lightroom 4.1 release candidate at Adobe Labs by clicking here.

While of course for some people who have experienced these bugs in 4.0 it has been a painful wait, I personally am impressed with how quickly the Adobe Lightroom team has gotten this release out.

I generally recommend that if you are not experiencing issues with 4.0 and don’t have a Mark III, that you wait for the official release of 4.1.  It will be a free update.