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Rule of Thirds in Video: The Essential Guide

05 Oct

The post Rule of Thirds in Video: The Essential Guide appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

The rule of thirds is a simple composition technique that can instantly enhance your videography, but how does it work? And how can you use it to improve your videos in post-production?

In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the rule of thirds, from the basics – what it is and how to follow it – to more advanced techniques, such as how to apply the rule to real estate footage, landscape footage, wedding footage, and more.

I’ll also explain how to adjust your compositions in VideoProc Vlogger, the just-launched, beginner-friendly video editing software from the company behind the popular VideoProc program. (Bonus: It’s completely free!)

So if you’d like to improve your videos in the field and in the editing room, then let’s dive right in, starting with the essentials:

What is the rule of thirds in videography?

The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline designed to make your visuals more balanced and dynamic.

Specifically, the rule states that the best compositions position key elements a third of the way into the frame. It comes with helpful gridlines:

The idea is simple, at least in theory. When faced with a scene, you – the videographer – should position key elements somewhere along the gridlines, and when possible, at the intersection of two gridlines.

(These intersections are known as power points, because they improve your compositions even further.)

So if you’re shooting a mountain at sunset, you might position the horizon line along the lower horizontal gridline, then make sure that the camera pans until the main mountain peak falls across a power point. Make sense?

The rule of thirds isn’t really a rule – just a guideline. But it is a great way to make your videos look professionally composed, and it’s a technique used all the time in movies, TV, commercials, and more.

In other words: You don’t need to follow the rule of thirds religiously. But if you can learn to incorporate it into your shooting – if you can learn to think in terms of the rule of thirds gridlines as needed – then your footage will improve dramatically.

Now, you can apply the rule in two basic ways:

You can plan out your shots using the rule of thirds, then keep your subjects aligned with the gridlines while recording.
You can record, then crop to satisfy the rule of thirds (when editing).

If possible, it’s best to nail the composition in camera; that way, you don’t lose resolution during post-production. However, if you’re shooting at high resolutions and exporting at low resolutions, or you aren’t too obsessed with pixel-perfect quality, you can always adjust your footage to use the rule of thirds after your shoot is over, as I discuss in the next section:

Applying the rule of thirds in VideoProc Vlogger: step by step

VideoProc Vlogger is a powerful new program designed to make video post-production quick, easy, and intuitive, plus it costs nothing. You can download the software here.

And in VideoProc Vlogger, literally anyone can use the rule of thirds to enhance their photos; all it takes is a few simple clicks. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Prepare your footage for editing

Once you’ve launched VideoProc Vlogger and started a new project, you’ll need to bring your clips into the Media Library.

Simply drag and drop the relevant files onto the Library panel:

Or tap Add Video and browse through your files for the relevant footage:

Then drag the clips down to the Timeline:

And you’re ready to go.

Step 2: Add horizontal and vertical guides to approximate the rule of thirds

VideoProc Vlogger allows you to easily create guides on your preview screen. Our goal is to recreate the rule of thirds gridlines, like this:

First, you’ll need to identify the dimensions of your frame. For this example, I’m working with a 1920 x 1080 (HD) video. (If you’re not sure, you can always check the desktop file, or you can click the little i Info button on the clip thumbnail in VideoProc.)

Second, take the width and divide it by 3. Do the same for the height.

To use my example, 1920 divided by 3 equals 640, and 1080 divided by 3 equals 360.

Next, make sure the Show Rulers button is selected:

Tap the Horizontal Guide button:

Then place two horizontal guides: one at around 640 pixels, and the other at around 640 x 2 (1280) pixels.

Finally, tap the Vertical Guide button and place two vertical guides: one at around 360 pixels and the other at around 360 x 2 (720) pixels.

And there you have it: a rule of thirds grid, right in your Preview panel.

If you’re worried about accidentally adjusting your guides, you can always hit the Lock Guide button:

Step 3: Use the rule of thirds to evaluate (and crop) your footage

Once you have your rule of thirds gridlines in place, I recommend playing through your footage, paying careful attention to key elements, including:

Horizon lines
People
Bright, eye-catching objects
Any other main subjects

Ask yourself: Are these key elements frequently aligned with the rule of thirds gridlines? If the answer is “Yes,” then you’re doing great – but if you come across a clip where the answer is “No,” you can simply select the Crop tool:

Then adjust your footage until it’s rule-of-thirds compliant.

Pro tip: If possible, ensure the aspect ratio of the crop matches the original aspect ratio of the footage; otherwise, you’ll need to scale the footage (and you’ll lose parts of the frame in the process).

When should you apply the rule of thirds in VideoProc Vlogger?

While you can technically use the rule of thirds at any stage in your editing process, I highly recommend you add the gridlines and evaluate your composition at the very beginning of your workflow.

Compositional arrangement tends to affect everything about a recording, from its mood to its ideal color grade to its ideal speed, so it pays to determine exactly how your composition will look before proceeding with any other edits.

Case studies: how to apply the rule of thirds in real-life situations

Up until this point, I’ve explained how to use the rule of thirds, but I haven’t talked much about common situations you’ll run into when filming and how you can use the rule of thirds to enhance your footage.

Let’s take a look at a few likely scenarios:

Real estate videography

In real estate filming, you’ll want to pay careful attention to a few features, including major appliances, eye-catching furniture, wall lines (i.e., the point where one wall ends or intersects with another), and floor lines (i.e., the point where the floor intersects with the wall).

Aim to position wall lines along vertical gridlines and floor lines along horizontal gridlines:

real estate videography with rule of thirds

You can also position appliance and furniture edges along the gridlines and (ideally) at power points, like the kitchen island in the example above.

By the way, it’s generally better to pan than to capture static shots, but make sure you move into the final composition. In other words, pan until the scene meets the rule of thirds, then cut.

Night videography

Shooting at night can go many different ways, but I do recommend you think about the horizon line; as I discuss in the next section, you’ll want to position it along the top or bottom horizontal gridline.

This clip could use a bit of rule-of-thirds adjusting:

For instance, I might crop at the top to emphasize the foreground (and get rid of the boring sky).

I can also align interesting subjects with the horizontal gridlines, like the busy road on the left-hand side.

Landscape videography

When filming landscapes, always check the horizon line. In rare cases, it can work to place this dead-center – but in general, I recommend positioning it along the top or bottom horizontal gridline.

Which option is better? That depends on the scene. If your footage includes a lot of foreground interest, such as a river, rocks, or even a rustic cabin, then you’ll want to minimize focus on the sky by positioning the horizon along the top gridline:

mountain landscape scene with rule of thirds

But if your footage contains very little foreground interest and/or a beautiful sky, the reverse is the way to go.

Food videography

In general, your food compositions should feature a main dish or main food item, often surrounded by other supporting dishes, food items, or utensils.

You’ll want to position your main subject along a gridline or at an intersection point. You’ll also want to pay attention to the table edge; if it’s present in your composition, it may sit most naturally along a horizontal gridline.

Here, you can see the pitcher of syrup, which sits along the top gridline, positioned above the dessert, which sits along the bottom gridline:

Wedding videography

While wedding scenes include a lot of variation and can be somewhat unpredictable, you might aim to put the happy couple along the two vertical gridlines. Check out this clip, where the bride and groom start in the center of the screen…

…but eventually align perfectly with the rule of thirds gridlines:

Starry sky videography

As with landscape videography, you’ll need to check your horizon lines. You’ll likely want to position the horizon along the lower horizontal gridline; that way, you can emphasize the beautiful sky:

However, in situations with especially interesting foreground elements, you might position the horizon along the upper horizontal gridline instead.

Rule of thirds in video: final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you are well equipped to use the rule of thirds in your own videography.

Just remember my tips on composition, and be sure to download VideoProc Vlogger so you can evaluate (and adjust) your compositions after shooting!

Digiarty, the creator of VideoProc, is a paid partner of dPS.

The post Rule of Thirds in Video: The Essential Guide appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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The Weekly Photography Challenge – Rule of Thirds

05 Jun

The post The Weekly Photography Challenge – Rule of Thirds appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Join in our weekly photography challenge! This week your challenge theme is ‘Rule of Thirds’ – read on, have fun!

We haven’t explored the rule of thirds in over a year, and sometimes its good to get back to your roots. If you don’t know what the rule of thirds is, you can read all about it over here on THIS article on our blog.

When you post your photo, make sure you include a hashtag #dPSThirds

The Weekly Photography Challenge – Rule of Thirds

“The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline that breaks an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so you have nine pieces and four gridlines. According to the rule, by positioning key elements along the gridlines, you’ll end up with better compositions.” – Read the full article

Here’s my personal exploration o the rule of thirds! I got a gig as the staff photographer for one of the Red Bull Air Race series in London (Sure, my name tag had someone else’s name on, but it’s all good!) Peter Besenyei’s Edge 540 slicing the third.

Here’s a great article with a shed-load of examples for you, well worth a read and afterwards, explore what’s around you and share your own photograph that explores the ‘rule of thirds’ – that article (click!)

But how do I upload my photos?

Upload your photo into the comments field below this post (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section below this post) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see. Or, if you’d prefer, upload them to your favourite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them.

Weekly Photography Challenge – Looking Up

The post The Weekly Photography Challenge – Rule of Thirds appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

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Rule of Thirds in Photography: The Essential Guide

02 Jun

The post Rule of Thirds in Photography: The Essential Guide appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.

The rule of thirds is perhaps the most well-known “rule” of photographic composition. Use it carefully, and you’ll take some truly stunning images.

But what actually is the rule of thirds? Is it really that helpful? And when can you break the rule for a great result?

In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the rule of thirds. And by the time you leave, you’ll know how to use it like a pro.

Let’s dive right in.

What is the rule of thirds?

The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline that breaks an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so you have nine pieces and four gridlines. According to the rule, by positioning key elements along the gridlines, you’ll end up with better compositions.

Here is a visualization of the rule of thirds:

And to follow the rule, simply use the gridlines to position essential compositional elements.

So when shooting a flower, you would place its stem along the right or left vertical gridline:

And when shooting a sunset, you would place the horizon line along the top or bottom horizontal gridline.

(Note that your camera may actually offer a grid overlay, which you can activate in the menu; that way, you don’t have to imagine the rule of thirds. Instead, you can see it as you look through the viewfinder!)

The rule of thirds also identifies four power points at the center of each gridline intersection:

Here, you can position points of interest, such as a head (when shooting a portrait), a flower (when shooting a still life), or the eye of a pet, as shown in the image below:

As you can see, using the rule of thirds isn’t actually complicated. That’s what makes it so powerful – it’s a simple way to improve your compositions, and it requires literally zero art training or photographic experience.

I will say right up front, though:

Rules are meant to be broken, and just because you ignore the rule of thirds doesn’t mean that your composition is uninteresting or bland or otherwise bad. Despite its name, the rule of thirds is a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule. You can absolutely create beautiful compositions without using the rule of thirds.

Also keep in mind that it’s just one composition technique among many. There are plenty other “rules” and guidelines worth considering, such as symmetry, the rule of odds, triangular compositions, and more.

At the same time, the rule of thirds is an excellent way to get started with composition. It consistently produces great results, and even professional photographers use it all the time in their work. Plus, as a wise person once told me: if you intend to break a rule, you should always learn it first. That way, you can make sure you break it as effectively as possible.

Why is the rule of thirds useful?

Now that you know how to follow the rule of thirds, it’s important to understand why it matters and what exactly it can do for your photos.

Really, the rule of thirds is about two things:

Balance
Dynamism (movement)

First, by positioning key elements at rule of thirds intersections or gridlines, your photo becomes more balanced. Your key elements create visual interest in a third of the composition, while also balancing out the empty space in the remaining two-thirds. This looks great and feels right to the viewer.

Second, compositions that include key elements smack-dab in the center of the frame often feel very static and boring. There’s nowhere for the viewer’s eye to wander; instead, the viewer looks at the shot, sees the subject at its center, then leaves.

But the rule of thirds encourages dynamism, where the viewer sees a key element off to the side, then takes a visual journey throughout the rest of the image.

In other words:

A rule of thirds composition provides a more engaging photographic experience.

Also, the rule of thirds draws on the way humans naturally view images. Studies show that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points rather than the center of the shot – so the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image.

When to use the rule (with examples)

By now, you should know that the rule of thirds is useful pretty much all of the time. As long as you have distinct compositional elements to work with, you should consider applying the rule.

For instance, in landscape photography, you can position the horizon along the top horizontal gridline:

Also note how another key compositional element – the structure on stilts – is positioned at the upper-right power point of the frame. Thanks to this, the whole shot feels balanced and dynamic.

In portrait photography, you generally want to position the subject’s body along a rule of thirds gridline:

And it’s also a good idea to place the head of your subject at one of the intersection points (and the eyes, which are a natural point of focus for a portrait). In the photo below, the tie and flower also offer a secondary area of interest, and they’re aligned with a second intersection point:

man with microphone following the rule of thirds

In wildlife photography, you can align the subject’s head (and eye) with a power point:

And in flower photography, subjects look great when the stem follows a rule of thirds gridline and the petals sit atop a power point:

Quick tips for working with the rule of thirds

While it’s easy to use the rule of thirds in your compositions, it may take a little time and practice for the rule to become second nature.

Try to get in the habit of asking two questions for every photo you take:

What are your points of interest (i.e., the areas of the photo that stand out and that you want to emphasize)?
Where are you intentionally placing those points?

That way, you can determine your points of interest, then you can immediately place them along a rule of thirds gridline or power point.

And your composition ends up beautifully balanced.

Make sense?

Also, if you fail to use the rule of thirds in a shot, it’s not the end of the world. After all, you can always crop your photos later on! (Just make sure to keep the gridlines in mind when editing.)

By the way, if you want to start practicing the rule of thirds immediately, you can always pull up old photos and do some test cropping. See what impact it has on your photos; you might be impressed by the results.

Breaking the rules: should you do it?

As I explained above, it is possible to break the rule of thirds and end up with beautiful photos.

In fact, sometimes you can end up with an even stronger composition by ignoring the rule. So while I encourage you to learn the rule of thirds, once it’s ingrained, experiment with breaking it.

One of my favorite times to break the rule of thirds is when photographing symmetrical subjects. If you’re photographing a succulent or flower from above, the symmetry looks even more striking when perfectly centered in the frame:

This shot of a corridor is also roughly symmetrical, which increases the composition’s intensity:

man in corridor with cello breaking the rule of thirds

And note that an image can both break and follow the rule of thirds at the same time. For instance, while the image above is mostly symmetrical, a key element (the man playing his cello) is positioned at an intersection point.

Bottom line:

Learn the rule of thirds. Then break it. And above all, have fun!

Final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you know all about the rule of thirds, when to use it, and when to think about breaking it.

So start practicing! And watch as your compositions improve.

The post Rule of Thirds in Photography: The Essential Guide appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.

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15 Rule of Thirds Examples (to Improve Your Compositions)

27 Apr

The post 15 Rule of Thirds Examples (to Improve Your Compositions) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

In this article, we share 15 rule of thirds examples – so you can see this helpful compositional rule in action.

If you’ve been struggling to understand the rule of thirds, or if you’re simply looking for rule of thirds inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s get started!

1. Focus

The rule of thirds was designed to simplify artistic composition. The rule suggests that you break down scenes into nine equal parts separated by two evenly spaced horizontal and vertical lines, like this:

Rule of thirds examples - a macro photograph of a fern in black and white — The grid overlay allows you to easily visualize the rule of thirds.
Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | f/2.5 | 1/80s | ISO 100

Important compositional elements can then be positioned along the lines of the grid, in the off-center rectangles, or at the grid’s intersections.

In this photograph of a native fern (above), the sharpest point aligns with the top-left intersection of the rule of thirds grid. This composition generates more interest and depth than a centered subject, engaging the viewer and guiding the eye.

2. Lines

people with rope rule of thirds example — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/4 | 1/160s | ISO 125

In this street scene, the majority of the subjects are positioned in off-center rectangles. Additionally, the two white road lines roughly align with the two horizontal gridlines. This distribution of subjects activates the edges of the photograph, adding a sense of expansion and narrative.

3. Pattern

rule of thirds example pattern in window — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/4 | 1/100 | ISO 250

The pattern in this decorative window suggests an overall uniformity. However, the clearest pattern elements are only visible in the upper-left corner of the rule of thirds grid.

This invites the viewer’s eye to explore the various intricate perspectives that make up the scene.

4. Insects

Rule of thirds example - a bee on a flower — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | f/4.5 | 1/1000s | ISO 400

Here’s a fun rule of thirds example with an insect!

Insects can be tricky to photograph, but applying the rule of thirds can help create a more dynamic composition. If you compose with an insect off-center, you’ll capture a more natural image that alludes to the movement and life of a living creature.

5. Motion

Rule of thirds examples - a Boeing 737 on approach to land at Sydney International Airport — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | f/16 | 1/400s | ISO 200

One of the main reasons for observing the rule of thirds is to discourage photographers from placing a subject at the center of a photograph. With the help of the rule of thirds, you can create more engaging interactions between the image and the viewer.

We know the standard trajectory of an aircraft. But in the example above, by framing the subject off-center, I was able to generate a clear sense of motion.

6. Depth

Rule of thirds example - flowers in black and white — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/4 | 1/250s | ISO 100

There are many ways to increase the sense of depth in a photograph. By offsetting the sharply focused main subject (i.e., by following the rule of thirds!), you can achieve a sense of spaciousness and three-dimensionality throughout your image.

7. Narrative

car wash window rule of thirds — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/7.1 | 1/100s | ISO 100

A lot is happening in the center of this image. However, the driving figure behind the central feature is positioned off to the left, creating a shadowy clue to the story behind the photograph.

8. It doesn’t have to be perfect

Rule of thirds example - ducks fly ahead of a large storm cloud — Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | f/11 | 1/500s | ISO 100

Despite its name, the rule of thirds is more like a guide than an unbreakable law. In the image above, three ducks make their way across a thunderous cloudscape. However, while one of the ducks is precisely aligned with the right vertical of the grid, the other two ducks are positioned independently on either side.

Nevertheless, the offset position of the ducks counterbalances the weight of the storm clouds, creating a dramatic juxtaposition. It just goes to show that the rule of thirds can be a flexible guide rather than a rigid rule.

9. Directing the eye

rule of thirds flowers — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | f/2.2 | 1/800s | ISO 200

In this image, the emphasis is placed squarely on select areas of the flower. By positioning the subject away from the image center, you can draw the viewer’s eye toward the frame’s corners.

10. Weight

grassy landscape — Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/7.1 | 1/100s | ISO 100

Every element in a composition has a weight, one that’s based on perceptions and real-life experience.

Darker, denser subject matter feels heavier than lighter, airier subject matter. Using the rule of thirds to group darker or lighter subject matter together in one area of an image can emphasize this weight. In the image above, lighter areas toward the bottom contrast with a dense area of shadow in the top third of the frame.

11. Balance

Rule of thirds examples - a canopy of tree branches and leaves — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/6.3 | 1/125s | ISO 100

The canopy of leaves creates an engaging pattern, punctuated by the dark branches of trees – the heaviest of which are positioned toward the edges of the image.

With the help of the rule of thirds, this balance of lightness and heaviness creates an interesting and harmonious composition.

12. Less can be more

Rule of thirds examples - a black an white photograph of an empty carpark — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/6.3 | 1/250s | ISO 100

These rule of thirds examples can be a handy reminder that less is often more. By organizing subjects in accordance with the rule of thirds grid, you can give an image room to generate its own visual momentum.

13. Adding detail

a black and white macro photograph of a white lily. — Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | f/1.8 | 1/640s | ISO 100

This macro image of a lily contains plenty of information around the central area of the composition. However, additional off-center details make the most of the image space, adding a sense of expansive detail to the photograph.

14. Abstraction

Rule of thirds examples - an abstracted image of a leaf — Canon 5D Mark II | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II with extension tubes | f/1.8 | 1/40s | ISO 320

Even abstract photography can benefit from the rule of thirds. Here, I’ve positioned an out-of-focus leaf so it intersects with the rule of thirds gridline.

15. Space

Rule of thirds examples a grassy field in black and white. — Canon 5D Mark IV | Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM | f/8 | 1/160s | ISO 100

When a scene is full of information, incorporating an area of reduced activity can add more depth.

So rather than aligning a subject with the rule of thirds grid, try aligning the grid with an emptier portion of the scene. This allows the viewer to visually digest the image and better grasp the scene’s context and behavior.

Rule of thirds examples: final words

As these 15 rule of thirds examples have demonstrated, having a good grounding in compositional theory can be highly useful!

So while the rule of thirds is more like a guide than a strict rule, use it to help you arrange the various elements of your photos.

Now over to you:

Do you use the rule of thirds in your photography? Share some of your own rule of thirds examples in the comments below!

The post 15 Rule of Thirds Examples (to Improve Your Compositions) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

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DPReview TV: Panasonic G9 vs. Olympus E-M1 Mark III – who’s the king of Micro Four Thirds?

23 May

Title fight! In one corner we have the new Olympus E-M1 Mark III. In the other is the Panasonic G9 – two years old, but sporting an impressive mid-life firmware update. Find out who wins the battle for Micro Four Thirds supremacy!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

Introduction
Handling
Displays
Stabilization
Intermission: bunny rabbits
Video features
Image quality
Autofocus and burst shooting
Bells and whistles
Which one is right for you?

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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DPReview TV: Shoot Pentax 110 lenses on Micro Four Thirds!

29 Feb

Between 1978 and 1985 Pentax sold the Pentax Auto 110 (and later, the Auto 110 Super), a miniature SLR system built around Kodak’s small-format 110 film cartridges. The 110 system is no longer with us, but thanks to an almost identical frame size, its lenses are a perfect match for the Micro Four Thirds system. Join us as we discover the joy of using vintage Pentax 110 lenses on a modern digital camera.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

Introduction
Brief intro to the Pentax 110 system
Which lenses do we have?
Aperture
Sample images
Frame size and lens coverage
Sharpness
Should Pentax join Micro Four Thirds?
Conclusion

Sample gallery from this episode

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Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Laowa and Yongnuo to Support Micro Four Thirds Standard

25 Feb

The post Laowa and Yongnuo to Support Micro Four Thirds Standard appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

The Micro Four Thirds standard will see official support from three additional companies.

Last Thursday, Panasonic and Olympus declared that several manufacturers would be joining them in the production of Micro Four Thirds equipment, including Yongnuo and Venus Optics.

You may be familiar with Yongnuo already; in addition to products such as their popular budget flashes (e.g., the YN560 IV) Yongnuo is working on a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds camera, one that sports Android software and features a Canon EF compatible lens mount.

Venus Optics is another company that already produces Micro Four Thirds products, though under the brand name Laowa. You can grab several Laowa MFT lenses, including a budget 17mm f/1.8 prime.

But the announcement from Olympus and Panasonic suggests that we should see a number of additional Micro Four Thirds products coming from both Yongnuo and Venus Optics, potentially bolstering both the MFT lens and camera lineup.

The Micro Four Thirds standard was first unveiled in 2008 when Olympus and Panasonic jointly declared their interest in working “toward commercial production of significantly lighter and more compact interchangeable lens type digital camera systems.”

Since then, we’ve seen the steady production of Micro Four Thirds bodies and lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, including the well-regarded Olympus OM-D series, as well as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G line. Various other manufacturers have also engaged in MFT production, though in recent years the Micro Four Thirds system has been overshadowed by the rise of ultra-portable smartphone cameras, as well as compact APS-C and full-frame mirrorless bodies.

That said, smartphone manufacturers still have a lot of work to do if they’re ever going to match the quality of an MFT camera. And while mirrorless producers do offer MFT-sized cameras, their lenses struggle to compete with the small sizes and weights of MFT offerings. That’s where the Micro Four Thirds system shines; it includes high-quality camera-lens setups that are more compact than anything offered by the competition.

And given this announcement from Olympus and Panasonic, it’s clear that the Micro Four Thirds standard is alive and well, at least for now.

How do you feel about the expansion of the Micro Four Thirds lineup? Would you consider using a Yongnuo or Laowa camera/lens? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post Laowa and Yongnuo to Support Micro Four Thirds Standard appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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Yongnuo, Mediaedge and Venus Optics join Micro Four Thirds System standard

20 Feb

Olympus and Panasonic have teamed up to announce that three more companies have joined the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System standard. According to the joint press release, Yongnuo, Mediaedge and Venus Optics have joined the standard to make products for MFT camera systems.

For those not familiar with each of the brands, here’s a quick rundown of each. Yongnuo manufactures and sells various lenses, lighting gear and accessories; Mediaedge creates and promotes various video streaming and display systems; and Venus Optics is the parent company behind the Laowa brand, which makes price-conscious lenses and accessories for digital camera systems.

Both Yongnuo and Venus Optics have developed various MFT products in the past, including lenses and even a dedicated MFT smartphone camera add-on in the case of the Yongnuo YN43, so the two companies aren’t exactly new to the system. That said, this partnership will likely streamline the production of future MTF products now that the pair have the support of Olympus and Panasonic backing them.

Press release:

YONGNUO, MEDIAEDGE, and Venus Optics Join the Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group

Olympus Corporation and Panasonic Corporation jointly announced the Micro Four Thirds System standard in 2008 and have since been working together to promote the standard. We are pleased to announce that three more companies have recently declared their support for the Micro Four Thirds System standard and will be introducing products compliant with the standard.

The following companies are joining the Micro Four Thirds System standard group: YONGNUO which develops, produces and sells digital camera switching lenses, performance lighting, video lighting, etc., MEDIAEDGE Corporation, which has been an advocate of video streaming and display system concepts for over 17 years, aiming to produce products that inspire customers, and Venus Optics, the company behind the development and production of LAOWA brand, which produces incredibly practical, cost-effective, and unique products. The possibilities unique to a joint standard are sure to push the enjoyment of imaging ever further.

As the company responsible for initiating both the Four Thirds System and the Micro Four Thirds System standards, Olympus will continue to develop and enhance the product line-up to meet the diverse needs of our customers.

About YONGNUO

YONGNUO regards “reflecting the beauty of the world and writing into a happy life” as the mission of the company. In the field of image in the information society, YONGNUO is a company that integrates the strength of all employees to develop and produce excellent products and make contributions to the society.

YONGNUO Website: http://www.hkyongnuo.com/e-index.php

About MEDIAEDGE Corporation

MEDIAEDGE Corporation has been involved in developing imaging systems for over 17 years, with a track record of sales to various industries and business categories, the support of many loyal customers, and a long history in Japan and around the world. With collaborative development of both software and hardware, the company continues to produce imaging systems that customers can feel safe and sound using.

MEDIAEDGE Corporation Website: https://www.mediaedge.co.jp/

About Anhui ChangGeng Optics Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics)

Anhui ChangGeng Optics Technology Co., Ltd (Venus Optics) was established in 2013. With headquarters in China, we are a leading manufacturer of premium lenses, formed by a group of photography enthusiasts and industry experts. Our mission is to design and create our own portfolio of photographic lenses that are truly unique, practical and affordable.

Venus Optics Website: https://www.venuslens.net/

Micro Four Thirds standard

The outlines of the standard can be found on the following website. http://www.four-thirds.org/en/

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Cosina announces new Voigtlander Nokton 60mm F0.95 lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras

19 Feb

Cosina Japan has lifted the veil on its latest lens for Micro Four Thirds camera systems, the Voigtlander Nokton 60mm F0.95.

The manual focus lens, which is set for an April 2020 release in the Japan market for ¥145,000, is constructed of 11 elements in 8 groups, features an aperture range of F.095 through F16 and features a ten-blade aperture diaphragm. The minimum focusing distance is 34cm (13.4in) and it features a 77mm front filter thread.

Below are a few low-res sample images provided by Cosina:

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Cosina has also added a new aperture switching mechanism that will de-click the aperture ring for times when you don’t want the tactile and auditory feedback. The lens measures in at 82.5mm (3.25in) diameter and 87.7mm (3.45in) long, and weighs in at 860g (1.9lbs).

No pricing or availability information has been given for regions outside of Japan.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Vazen announces new 28mm T2.2 1.8x anamorphic lens for Micro Four Thirds mount

17 Feb

Chinese cinema lens manufacturer Vazen has announced its latest anamorphic lens for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras and teased another one that’s due out ‘in a few months.’

Vazen’s new 28mm T2.2 1.8x anamorphic lens for MFT camera systems is the second lens in its MFT anamorphic lineup, following up on its 40mm T2, an impressive anamorphic lens we had a little fun with on DPRTV. The new 28mm T2.2 features a lightweight design that Vazen claims makes it the ‘World’s Lightest 1.8x Anamorphic Lens for Panasonic GH5, Z-Cam E2 & Blackmagic Pocket 4k.’

It weighs just 720g (1.59lbs) and measures 80mm (3.15in) diameter and 107mm (4.2in) long. Its T-stop range is T2.2 through T16, it features a 72-degree angle of view and it has a minimum focusing distance of 82cm (2.7ft). Below is a sample video of footage captured with the lens on a ZcamE2(Vazen also shared this slightly NSFW music video captured with the lens):

In addition to the new 28mm T2.2 lens, Vazen also confirmed it’s adding a third lens to this lineup, a 65mm anamorphic lens. No details are given on the specs, but Vazen does not the 65mm lens ‘is expected to have the strongest anamorphic “character.”’

The Vazen 28mm T2.2 1.8x anamorphic lens for MFT camera systems is currently available to purchase through Vazen’s website for $ 3,250. If you purchase both the 28mm T2.2 and the 40mm T2 as a kit, Vazen drops the price for the pair by $ 400.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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