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Archive for February, 2017

WPO releases short listed winners for Sony World Photography Awards

28 Feb

2017 Sony World Photography Awards shortlist announced

Alex Andriesi, Romania,

Shortlist, Open, Enhanced, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

The World Photography Organisation has announced the shortlisted photographers for what it claims is the world’s largest photography competition – the Sony World Photography Awards. The WPO says that it received 227,596 images in total across categories for amateurs, professionals and students. Photographers from 60 countries are represented among the shortlisted and commended photographs, while entries from 183 countries were submitted.

Professional photographers are competing for the top prize of $ 25,000 plus Sony digital camera equipment, while the best amateur entry will win $ 5000 plus Sony kit and the best student will collect €30,000 of Sony equipment for his or her educational establishment.
The overall and category winners will be announced at a ceremony in London in the 20th April and an exhibition of the winning images will be displayed at London’s Somerset House. Martin Parr has been announced as the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography Prize and will be exhibiting alongside the winners, as well as holding a talk.
For more information, and to see a gallery of all the shortlisted and commended images, visit the World Photography Organisation website.

Press Release

Shortlist revealed for 2017 Sony World Photography Awards, the world’s largest photography competition 

  • Shortlists for Professional, Open, Youth and Student Focus competitions revealed
  • Awards’ 10th anniversary sees record number of participating photographers
  • Photographers competing for cash prizes and Sony digital imaging equipment
  • Overall winners revealed April 20, 2017
  • Winning and shortlisted images to be exhibited in London April 21 – May 7, 2017

Celebrating its 10th year anniversary, the Sony World Photography Awards is the world’s largest photography competition. The awards recognize and reward the finest contemporary photography from the last year entered into any of the awards’ four competitions.

“There was a truly global reach to the Sony World Photography Awards judging this year- the images were more diverse and broad ranging than I have ever seen before. In its tenth year, I can confidently say that the Sony World Photography Awards and the fine art of photography are doing extremely well.” Zelda Cheatle, Chair of the Professional jury / Curator (UK)

February 28, 2017: The shortlisted (top 10) and commended (top 50) photographers for all categories of the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards, the world’s largest photography competition, are announced today. Photographers entered 227,596 images across the awards’ Professional, Open and Youth competitions – shining a spotlight on the medium of photography and the beauty of its art.

Produced by the World Photography Organisation, 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the awards and a decade-long partnership with its headline sponsor, Sony.

The Sony World Photography Awards’ shortlist represents the world’s finest contemporary photography captured over the last year, and displays a huge diversity of extraordinary images in terms of genres, styles and subject matter. Forty-nine countries are represented on the shortlist, reinforcing the awards’ international appeal and unique ability to present the greatest images taken by photographers from all corners of the world on a truly global scale. Photographers from a further 11 countries are seen within the commended list.

The shortlisted photographers across the Professional, Open, Youth and Student Focus competitions impressed the judges with solid narratives and strong visual language complementing the subject matters. Within the shortlist are stunning architectural images and subtle landscapes alongside extraordinary series depicting the dominating world events of the last year. Stand out subject matters include a touching insight into the domestic life of women in Saudi Arabia, heartfelt confessions of Chinese school children, Russian body builders preparing to flex muscle on stage and an intimate series of a private battle with a rare medical condition.

Key shortlists facts and stats

  • Strong increase in entries on 2016 from Asian and South East Asian countries including; China (90 %); Myanmar (183 %) Vietnam (108 %); The Philippines (71 %); and
  • Hong Kong (73 %).
  • Youth competition saw a 56 % increase in entries on 2016.
  • Entries to the Open competition increased 11 % on 2016.
  • Professional competition saw a 13 % increase in the number of photographers entering their work.
  • 183 countries were represented in the submissions – with the most entries coming from (in descending order): China, United Kingdom, Italy, United States, Germany, Russia, India, Spain, France and Poland.
  • 49 countries are represented on the shortlist, with the most shortlisted photographers coming from Italy (22), Germany (17), UK (15), China (14) and Russia (11)
  • Armenia, Cuba, Iceland and Saudi Arabia represented for the first time on the shortlist.

To view the commended photographers of the Open competition please go to www.worldphoto.org/winners-galleries

Commenting about this year’s shortlist, Scott Gray, CEO, World Photography Organisation, notes: “This year, more than any other, the entries to the Sony World Photography Awards have shown great integrity and are characterized by their considered approach. Beautiful works of photographic art, not snapshots, have been presented to the judges and I am delighted to see that our esteemed juries have chosen to reward the pure skill, artistic interpretation and thoughtfulness of the photographer, rather than simply the subject matter the photographer has captured.

He continues: “The Sony World Photography Awards has celebrated photographers and photography throughout its ten-year history, we now look forward to ensuring that photography has a global platform and is recognised as the dynamic, exciting and accessible medium it is.”

The Sony World Photography Awards are judged anonymously by internationally acclaimed industry professionals, carefully selected by the World Photography Organisation.

The 2017 Professional competition was judged by Zelda Cheatle (Chair of the Judges), Curator (UK); Aida Muluneh, Founder/Director, Addis Foto Fest (Ethiopia); Allegra Cordero di Montezemolo, Curator & Head of Exhibitions, Centro de la Imagen (Mexico); Denis Curti, Curator and Journalist (Italy); Russ O’Connell, Picture Editor The Sunday Times Magazine (UK) and Françoise Callier, Program Director at Angkor Photo Festival & Workshops (France). The Open and Youth competitions were chaired by Damien Demolder, Photographer and Journalist (UK), and Student Focus was judged by Andrea Kurland, Editor-in-Chief of Huck (UK); Dan Rubin, Photographer & Artistic Director (UK) and Jennifer Shaw, Founder and Creative Director, PhotoNOLA (USA).

Commenting on the Open and Youth shortlists, Damien Demolder said: “It has been a pleasure and an inspiration to be exposed to such a volume of great work, and a privilege too that I could share in the personal moments, the joys, tears, life and losses of photographers from all around the globe who recorded their experiences through their pictures. The Youth competition was a special delight to judge and I was touched on many occasions by the openness and fearless expression of the entries.”

Student Focus judge Andrea Kurland adds: “This year’s shortlist helps cement why awards like these are more important than ever. The work submitted was original, thoughtful and brave – a healthy reminder that talent will always win out and rise above the noise.”

The shortlisted photographers now compete for the latest Sony digital imaging equipment and inclusion in the 2017 awards’ book plus cash prizes of $ 25,000 (USD) for the Photographer of the Year, $ 5,000 (USD) for the overall Open winner and €30,000 (Euros) of equipment for the university of the Student Focus winner. All winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on April 20, 2017.

The winning, shortlisted and commended images will all be exhibited as part of the Sony World Photography Awards & Martin Parr – 2017 Exhibition at Somerset House, London. The large-scale exhibition will open April 21 and will feature rarely seen work by Martin Parr, recipient of the awards’ Outstanding Contribution to Photography prize. The exhibition will run in London until May 7 and will then go on a worldwide tour. Exhibition tickets are available via www.worldphoto.org/2017exhibition

NOTES

  • 227,596 images were submitted to the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards across all competitions
  • Professional competition: 110,270 entries
  • Open competition: 105,692 entries
  • Youth: 11,634 entries

Sony World Photography Awards forthcoming announcements
March 28, 2017 – Open and National Award winners announced
April 20, 2017 – Photographer of the Year plus Professional category winners and Open, Youth and Student Focus Photographers of the Year revealed at ceremony held in London
April 21 – May 7, 2017 – Sony World Photography Awards & Martin Parr – 2017 Exhibition at Somerset House, London

SHORTLISTED PHOTOGRAPHERS

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES
Rewarding the best body of work across 10 categories. Up to 10 photographers shortlisted in each category. Category winners will be announced April 20, alongside the Photographer of the Year chosen from the ten category winners.

Architecture
Adi Bulboaca, Romania
Alessandro Piredda, Italy
Alissa Everett, US
Diego Mayon, Italy
Dongni, China
Julien Chatelin, France
Marvin Systermans, Germany
Zsolt Hlinka, Hungary

Conceptual
Alexander Anufriev, Russia
Carla Sutera Sardo, Italy
Jeroen De Wandel, Belgium
Joa?o San, Brazil
Sabine Cattaneo, Switzerland
Gao Peng, China

Contemporary Issues
Amber Bracken, Canada
Andrea Foligni, Italy
Danial Khodaie, Iran
Javier Arcenillas, Spain
Li Song, China
Lorenzo Maccotta, Italy
Tasneem Alsultan, Saudi Arabia

Current Affairs & News
Alessio Romenzi, Italy
Asger Ladefoged, Denmark
Ivor Prickett, Ireland
Javier Arcenillas, Spain
Joe Raedle, US
Karl Mancini, Italy
Pas?a I?mrek, Turkey
Sebastian Castan?eda, Peru

Daily Life
Alice Cannara Malan, Italy
Asger Ladefoged, Denmark
Christina Simons, Iceland
Ioana Moldovan, Romania
Majlend Bramo, Italy
Michael Tummings, UK
Nader Saadallah, Egypt
Sandra Hoyn, Germany
Toby Binder, Argentina
Yulia Grigoryants, Armenia

Landscape
Dino Kuznik, Slovenia
Frederik Buyckx, Belgium
Jayanta Roy, India
Kurt Tong, UK
Peter Franck, Germany
Tom Jacobi, Germany

Natural World
Ami Vitale, US
Christian Vizl, Mexico
Esther Whyatt, UK
Felicity McCabe, UK
Mariusz Prusaczyk, Poland
Tommaso Rada, Italy
Will Burrard-Lucas, UK

Portraiture
Craig Easton, UK
Dario Mitidieri, Italy
George Mayer, Russia
Giulia Piermartiri & Edoardo Delille, Italy
Mahesh Shantaram, India
Romina Ressia, Argentina
Ren shi Chen, China
Snezhana Von Buedingen, Russia

Sport
Andrea Rossato, Italy
Eduard Korniyenko, Russia
Jason O’brien, Australia
Mark Gong, US
Yuan Peng, China
Luo Pin Xi, China

Still Life
Ansgar Sollmann, Germany
Julien CAÏDOS, France
Christoffer Askman, Denmark
Grant Hegedus, UK
Henry Agudelo, Colombia
Paul Sanders, UK
Shinya Masuda, Japan

OPEN CATEGORIES
Rewarding the best single images across 10 categories. Up to 10 photographers shortlisted in each category. Category winners will be announced March 28, and Open Photographer of the Year revealed April 20.

Shortlist
Architecture
Barry Tweedy-Rycroft, UK
Claudio Cantonetti, Italy
Frank Machalowski, Germany
Franklin Neto, Portugal
Lester Koh Meng Hua, Singapore
Nick Frank, Germany
Oscar Lopez, Germany
Robert Walker, UK
Tim Cornbill, UK
Ute-Christa Scherhag, Germany

Culture
Beniamino Pisati, Italy
Emrah Karakoç, Turkey
Jianguo Gong, China
Mark Languido Vicente, the Philippines (based in Kuwait)
Michal Plachta, Poland
Pawe? J?drusik, Poland
foley hits, Malaysia
Radu Dumitrescu, Romania
Salvatore Mazzeo, Italy
Vito Leone, Italy

Enhanced
Alex Andriesi, Romania
Andrea Torres Balaguer, Spain
Chun Kin Tong, China
Gil Josquin, Brazil
Harry Botley,UK
John Chen, China
Julian Schievelkamp, Germany
Lise Johansson, Denmark
Sergey Dibtsev, Russia
Yong Lin Tan, Malaysia

Motion
Jimmy Reid, Scotland
Olga Sinenko, Russia
K. W. Hon (OqWing), China
Argus Paul Estabrook, US (based in South Korea)
Gül Y?ld?z, Turkey
Stacy Anguiano Cain, Mexico (based in the US)
Mariusz Stanosz, Poland
Oktay Suba?i, Turkey
Camilo Diaz, Colombia
Luigi Panico, Italy

Nature
Francesco Russo, Italy
Miyono Okamoto, Japan
Hiroshi Tanita, Japan
Christina Roemmelt, German (based in Austria)
Ann Ric Lau, Malaysia
Sorin Rechitan, Romania
Josselin Cornou, France (based in Australia)
Sakuma Masayasu, Japan
Elzbieta Kurowska, Canada
Maximilian Conrad, Germany

Portraits
Dalibor Tomic, Serbia
Carl Jeffers, UK
Saeid Moridi, Iran
Alexey Munich, Russia
Carloman Macidiano Céspedes Riojas, Peru (based in Argentina)
Anisleidy Martínez Fonseca, Cuba (based in the Netherlands)
Alexander Vinogradov, Russia
Tim Topple, UK
Fajar Kristianto, Indonesia
Tadas Kazakevicius, Lithuania

Still Life
Nick Pershai, Belarus
Gijs van den Berg, the Netherlands
Zani Arkadina, Ukraine (based in Germany)
Sergey Dibtsev, Russia
Iwona Czubek, Poland
Maxim Korotchenko, Russia
Wilson Lee, Hong Kong
Esthaem, Austria
Andres Gallardo Albajar, Spain (based in Estonia)
Massimiliano Balo’, Italian (based in the UK)

Street Photography
Caio Vita, Brazil (based in the Netherlands)
Jelena Jankovic Serbia
Jian Seng Soh, Malaysia
Gimmi Corvaro, Italy
Konstantinos Sofikitis, Greece
Ge Wang, China
Dina Alfasi, Istrael
Hendra Permana, Indonesia
Ash, Japan
Tavepong Pratoomwong, Thailand

Travel
Jose Maria Perez Nuñez, Argentina
Stephane Couture, Canada (based in the US)
Rob Wilson, Canada
Placido Faranda, Italy (based in Switzerland)
Zhu Jianxing, China
Vladimir Zhoga, Russia
Ralph Gräf, Germany
Swapnil Deshpande, India
Achim Thomae, Germany
Fanjing Lu, Chinese

Wildlife
Andreas Hemb, Sweden
Alessandra Meniconzi, Switzerland
Jan Ryser, Switzerland
Eugene Kitsios, The Netherlands (shortlisted twice)
Fan Chen, China
Bar Kaufman, Israel
Natsumi Handa, Japan
Nigel Hodson, UK

Commended
For the full list of commended photographers in the Open competition (up to 40 per category) please go to www.worldphoto.org/winners-galleries

YOUTH COMPETITION
Photographers aged 12-19 were asked to respond to a theme of ‘beauty’ with a single image. The Youth Photographer of the Year will be announced April 20.

Helen Kiparissa, Greece
Bella Wong, China (based in the UK)
Andrej Kiripolský, Slovenia
Taciu Rares, Romania
Katelyn Wang, US
Iryna Sylinnyk, Ukraine
Yujia Dou, China
Tanya Chinareva, Russia
Frederik Marks, Germany
Johnathan Chen, US

STUDENT FOCUS
Open to all students worldwide studying photography. The Student Photographer of the Year will be announced April 20.

Shravya Kag, School of Visual Arts, US, (Indian nationality)
Tatsuki Katayama, Kyoto University of Art and Design, Japan
Stewart Main, Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland
Ruby Gaunt, Nottingham Trent University, UK
Cole Ndelu, Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography, South Africa
Nursyafiqah Azlan, Multimedia University, Malaysia
Nadine Hackemer, Nuremberg Institute of Technology Georg-Simon-Ohm Faculty of Design, Germany
Sarah Schrimpf, Academy of Fine Arts Munich, Germany
Michelle Daiana Gentile, Motivarte, Argentina
Tayla Martin, Charles Sturt University, Australia

FURTHER NOTES
The Professional competition of the Sony World Photography Awards is judged by an independent panel of industry experts selected by the World Photography Organisation. The headline sponsor of the awards, Sony, is not involved in the image selection of judging of this competition.

2017 Sony World Photography Awards shortlist announced

Anisleidy Martínez Fonseca, Cuba,

Shortlist, Open, Portraits, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

2017 Sony World Photography Awards shortlist announced

Carloman Macidiano Céspedes Riojas, Peru,

Shortlist, Open, Portraits, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

2017 Sony World Photography Awards shortlist announced

Christian Vizl, Mexico,

Shortlist, Professional, Natural World, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

2017 Sony World Photography Awards shortlist announced

Emrah Karakoç, Turkey,

Shortlist, Open, Culture, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

2017 Sony World Photography Awards shortlist announced

Masayasu Sakuma, Japan,

Shortlist, Open, Nature, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

2017 Sony World Photography Awards shortlist announced

Tim Topple, United Kingdom,

Shortlist, Open, Portraits, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

2017 Sony World Photography Awards shortlist announced

Vito Leone, Italy,

Shortlist, Open, Culture, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Porsche Design Book One is a MacBook Pro competitor in a convertible form factor

28 Feb

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German company Porsche Design has teamed up with industry giants Intel, Microsoft and Quanta Computer to launch the first product in its new Porsche Computing product line, the Porsche Design Book One. 

The Book One is a high-end 2-in-1 convertible device. The screen can be detached from the keyboard section and used as a tablet, or rotated up to 360 degrees using a hinge with stainless steel cog wheels that are inspired by the transmission of a sports car. The milled aluminum housing features a matte anodized surface finish and the minimalist design the brand is known for.

In the interior, the Book One comes with high-end components all around. The Windows 10 Pro operating system is powered by a 7th-generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor and 16GB of RAM. An Intel SSD provides 512 GB of storage via the PCIe slot and the 13.3” QHD+ IPS display offers a resolution of 3200 x 1800 pixels.

For easy expansion and connection of accessories a variety of ports is provided, including two multifunctional USB Type-C ports, two full-size USB 3.0 ports, and one USB 3.1 Type-C/Thunderbolt 3 port which allows for wired image transmission in accordance with the DisplayPort standard. In addition, the 5MP front camera with infrared sensor enables biometric authentication using the Windows Hello facial recognition software.

In terms of input, Book One users can choose from the touch display, a precision touchpad, the detachable keyboard with backlit keys and a Wacom-made digital stylus that attaches magnetically to the housing. With its versatile design and powerful hardware the Porsche Design Book One looks like a great machine for image editing at home or on the road. It will be available in the US in April 2017 at a retail price of $ 2,495.

Press Release:

Porsche Design Adds Exclusive Laptop to Its Product Portfolio

Porsche Design BOOK ONE: The Multifunctional 2in1 Running Windows 10 Pro

Stuttgart, Germany. With the new Porsche Design BOOK ONE, the world’s first convertible and detachable 2in1, Porsche Design adds the category of Porsche Design Computing to its expanding product portfolio. The move sees the premium-lifestyle-brand playing to its strengths, merging form and function to yield a high-performance, multifunctional 2in1.

The Porsche Design BOOK ONE underlines the brand’s focus on technology and innovation, making new strides in the mobile computing segment. The silhouette of the BOOK ONE uses a milled aluminum housing with a matte anodized surface finish and features subtle Porsche Design branding on the top of the tablet and the bottom edge of the screen. The patented hinge, designed entirely by Studio F. A. Porsche, allows the tablet unit of the 2in1 not only to detach, but also rotate 360°.

In keeping with the traditional design philosophy of Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the well-crafted hinge and its stainless steel cog wheels are inspired by the transmission of a sports car. This approach, which combines superior engineering with modern design, allows Porsche Design to implement the latest in state-of-the-art technology.

The features of the Porsche Design BOOK ONE include:
Versatile functionality: High performance components and cutting-edge technology give the 2in1 its versatile functionality. The device comes with Windows 10 Pro, Microsoft’s most up-to-date, cutting edge OS.

High performance: The powerful 7th-generation Intel® Core™ i7-7500U processor, which clocks in at up to 3.5 GHz, is able to max-imize its potential thanks to the computer’s 16 GB of RAM.

Fast data storage: The noiseless Intel®, SSD with a storage capac-ity of 512 GB, guarantees fast data storage via the PCIe slot.

Eye-popping resolution: With a resolution of 3200 x 1800 pixels, the 13.3” QHD+ IPS display is built to impress, whether working, surfing the web, or simply watching the latest movie.

Convenient connections: The variety of available ports offered includes two multifunctional USB Type-C™ ports, two full-size USB 3.0 ports, and USB 3.1 Type-C™/Thunderbolt 3 port, which not only powers a variety of USB peripherals with just a single cable. It also guarantees fast, hassle-free data exchange, and allows wired image transmission in accordance with the DisplayPort standard. The 2in1 communicates wirelessly via dual-band WiFi and Blue-tooth®.

Biometric authentication: A more secure and simplified login pro-cedure is enabled thanks to the 5-MP camera with infrared sensor, which is seamlessly integrated into the front of the housing and allows biometric authentication using Windows Hello facial recognition software.

The themes of versatility and ease are further emphasized by the laptop’s cutting-edge input capabilities. Both the touch display and the Precision Touchpad for Windows 10 use high-precision, multi-gesture control interfaces. The keyboard, complete with dimming backlit keys, enables endless use in a variety of settings. And the digital stylus, developed by Studio F. A. Porsche to ensure ideal handling, is optimized for use with Windows Ink, providing a natural writing experience with all the benefits of digital connectivity. In order to prevent loss of the stylus, a magnetic holder is integrated into the right side of the tablet.

“The Porsche Design BOOK ONE embodies the DNA of our brand down to the tiniest detail and, as our first 2in1 unit, has expanded our product portfolio by adding a new category: Porsche Design Computing. In Microsoft and Intel, we have two renowned partners who were a great help in implementing this strategically important project,” said Jan Becker, CEO of the Porsche Design Group.

“We’re thrilled to work with Porsche Design – a world renowned premium-lifestyle-brand – that introduces for the first time a finely crafted 2in1 – the Porsche Design BOOK ONE,” said Peter Han, Vice President, Partner Devices and Solutions, Microsoft Corp. “Porsche Design’s first Windows PC combines a well-constructed hardware and functional design with popular Windows 10 features, including Windows Hello and Windows Ink, enabling a rich pen and touchscreen experience.”

The Porsche Design BOOK ONE will be available in the US in April 2017 and available in other countries at Porsche Design Stores and specialty retailers. RRP in the US is $ 2,495 USD.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Amazing Macros from Photojojo-ers Around the World

28 Feb

For your viewing pleasure, we have gathered a ton of photos taken by YOU, our Photojojo pals, using our macro lenses and their phones.

Yup. telephones. What a talented bunch you are!

Take a look, then grab your own phone lenses in the shop.
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Posted in Equipment

 

CamFi wireless camera controller now supports Sony digital cameras

28 Feb

Wireless camera controller CamFi now supports Sony digital cameras, the company announced recently. With CamFi 3.0, the latest version of the app, Sony camera owners can attach the CamFi wireless controller to their camera via a USB cable, then access and control the camera remotely using a laptop or tablet over Wi-Fi.

CamFi supports live view from Sony digital cameras, as well as Nikon and Canon cameras, and also enables photographers to change camera settings and capture shots using a laptop or tablet. The controller supports multi-camera setups, and also adds support for the latest DNP wireless printer server. The company says CamFi 3.0 also supports both Raw and JPEG image formats.

According to the CamFi Sony support page, the product presently supports the Sony a7R, a7R II, a7S, a7 II, a7, a6300, a6000, and a5100 models. Both MTP and PC Remote modes are supported; users can select their preferred mode in the camera’s ‘USB Connection’ menu. Check out the support page for full details on how to set up and use CamFi with Sony cameras.

Press release:

CamFi 3.0 Adds Wireless Tether Support for Sony Cameras

GUANGDONG, CHINA. – February 23, 2017 – CamFi Limited, maker of wireless controllers for digital cameras, announced today that the new version of its app, CamFi 3.0, adds wireless tether support for Sony cameras. This feature allows the photographer to transmit photos from a Sony camera to a laptop or tablet via Wi-Fi automatically during a photo shoot. 

“CamFi is the only wireless camera controller which can support Canon, Nikon and Sony currently. The support for other camera brands will be added in the future,” Said Mark Ma, CEO of CamFi, “We hope we can bring something new for the photography industry.” 

CamFi 3.0 supports both raw and jpeg image file formats. It also supports live view for Sony cameras. That way, a photographer can see the live view of the camera, change the ISO, shutter speed and aperture and shoot remotely. Furthermore, the new version added support for the newest DNP wireless printer server. This allows the user to print the photo via Wi-Fi immediately after shooting. CamFi supports multiple camera control, which can be used to create a bullet time effect. 

There are many advantages to using wireless remote capture. For one thing, the technology enables the photographer to see the preview image on a large screen, such as that of a tablet, versus the small viewfinder of the camera. The tether also makes it possible for the camera to be in a position that gets the right shot, but which is not necessary comfortable or safe for the photographer. For instance, the camera can be mounted on a high railing while the photographer can see the preview while standing on the floor below. Wireless tethers are helpful for time-lapse photography and self-portraits as well. 

For more information and the full list of product specifications, please visit
http://cam-fi.com

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Extreme(ly Comfortable) Camping: 13 Rugged Off-Road Trailers

28 Feb

[ By SA Rogers in Technology & Vehicles & Mods. ]

camper trailer main

If the standard camping trailer just isn’t extreme enough for you, maybe a compact ‘bug out trailer’ with monster wheels, a full kitchen and a pop-up roof tent will satisfy your survivalist impulses. Designed for adventurous off-roading types, these trailers are designed to facilitate max comfort no matter how far out into the wilderness you may wander.

Schutt Xventure

xventure

xventure 2

xventure 3

From the same company building trailer platforms for the armed forces comes the ‘Xventure,’ a severe-duty trailer packed with military-grade gear. It’s got an all-aluminum weldless construction, electric brakes, a removable tailgate offering a heavy-duty work surface and a large front utility cabinet holding jerry cans, tools, lighting equipment and more.

Turtleback Weekender

turtleback weekender

turtleback weekender 2

turtleback weekender 3

Made in Phoenix, Arizona, the Turtleback Weekender is a lightweight aluminum trailer with marine-grade electrical components, Lockable exterior compartments, cargo rack, kitchen, shower and more. It has a small frame to fit standard family vehicles, so you don’t need a huge beefy truck to transport it. Use the roof rack to carry items like kayaks, and as an elevated tent platform.

Tigermoth Trailer

tigermoth trailer 2

tigermoth trailer 3

tigermoth trailer 4

This compact trailer is a workhorse, taking you off-grid in comfort while weighing just 900 pounds so it can be towed just about anywhere. The Tigermoth camping trailer boasts a side-hatch entrance, built-in LED lights, running water, power outlets, USB ports, a mounted toolbox, roof racks, cargo decks in the front and the back, and optional solar panels.

Moab Fort by Bivouac Camping Trailer

bivouac 1

bivouac 2

bivouac 3

moab

“Designed to go beyond pavement where camp sites are declared, not rented,” the Moab Fort by Bivouac Camping Trailer makes off-grid exploration more comfortable without requiring a huge, bulky setup. It’s a small utility trailer packed with cargo space for bikes, canoes, tents, propane tanks and any other gear you want to bring along. Various parts extend outward, like tables and sun shades.

OPUS Self-Inflating Camper Trailer

opus trailer 1

opus trailer 2

opus trailer 3

opus trailer 4

The inside of this camper trailer is surprisingly swanky given its low profile, and unlike traditional pop-up camper trailers, the OPUS self-inflates within 90 seconds into a well-ventilated multi-room space. The full setup includes a kitchen with a stove, sink and refrigerator and a seating area that converts into a bed.

Next Page – Click Below to Read More:
Extremely Comfortable Camping 13 Rugged Off Road Trailers

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If your camping style is somewhere in between sleeping under the stars and ‘glamping’ with all the comforts of home, Track Trailer’s MK4 ‘Tvan’ camper has your number. Designed to be …

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Dangle thousands of feet above the bottom of a canyon, take in the Pacific Ocean from a human nest, view the Northern Lights from a transparent igloo or spend the night in a giant purple sperm. …

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Is there anything better than hitting the open road and going wherever the feeling takes you? It’s so much easier to pick up and set off on a spontaneous camping trip when you’ve got a camper or …

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[ By SA Rogers in Technology & Vehicles & Mods. ]

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OPPO announces dual-cam 5x optical zoom technology for smartphones

27 Feb

OPPO is not showing any new smartphone models at the Mobile World Congress but, as teased last week, the Chinese company has announced 5x Dual Camera Zoom system for smartphones. The system uses a periscope-style design and fits into a module that is only 5.7mm tall. Light is diverted through a prism and into the dual-camera’s telephoto lens which is arranged at  a 90-degree angle to the accompanying wide-angle. By shifting the path of the entering light Oppo is able to achieve a 3x optical zoom which is combined with a proprietary image fusion technology for digital zoom. The end results is a total 5x lossless zoom factor. 

At longer focal lengths camera shake becomes more of a limiting factor which is why OPPO has also integrated optical image stabilization into the system. Both the prism and tele lens can sense vibrations and compensate for them in real time. The mechanism dynamically adjusts its angle at increments of 0.0025 degree and OPPO promises 40 percent better performance than previous OIS generations for stable shots even at the 5x zoom setting. 

OPPO has not provided any information on sensor sizes and apertures, which would be critical to the image quality of the system, but nonetheless the technology looks like a very innovative approach to zooming on smartphones and we are looking forward to seeing it implemented in a device.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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CP+ 2017 – Sigma interview: ‘We’ve learned that some customers require exceptional lens performance’

27 Feb
Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma Corporation, pictured at CP+ 2017, with Sigma’s new 14mm F1.8.

Sigma released four lenses at this year’s CP+ show in Yokohama – the 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art, 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Art, 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art and 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM. We’re at the show, where we made time to sit down with Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma, to find our more about the new lenses. 

You’ve told me previously that you really want Sigma to make more wideangle lenses. Do you think you’re achieving that goal with the 12-24mm and new 14mm?

Yes, but I’m still not satisfied. I think we need to make more wide-angle lenses. A fast 14mm was one of the lenses that our customers were asking for. Most existing 14mm lenses are F2.8, so F1.8 was a challenge.

The new Sigma 14mm F1.8 is the fastest lens of its kind, and according to Sigma, should outperform competitive, slower designs from other manufacturers.

What have you learned, from making the Art series?

We’ve learned that some customers require exceptional lens performance. We believe that our mission is to make products that other manufacturers don’t have. If we just released similarly-specified lenses to existing models, we wouldn’t be contributing to the industry, or benefiting customers. So our Art series is meant to provide the best performance.

They’re bulky and heavy, it’s true, but our customers like them because of the performance. That’s what we learned.

Hands-on with Sigma MC-11 (CP+ 2016)

You now make a mount adapter for Sony E-mount, but are you planning native support for the Sony E-mount in the future?

Yes, that’s our plan. Our plan is to develop full-frame lenses for Sony E mount, and in the future we will have more E mount lenses. But it takes time. Normally it takes about two years to develop one lens, sometimes three. So even if I start the process now, the lens might come out in two years time.

Sigma’s new Art-series lenses have a degree of weather-sealing – why now?

It’s based on customer demand. Some of our customers said that rain and snow sometimes got into the lens mount, so they wanted sealing. And the other reason is that it’s becoming a trend. Other manufacturers are offering sealed mounts.

Does that make the design process more complex?

No, not really. The only seal is around the lens mount. It’s not a perfect weather-proofing like our Sports series. The 150-600mm for instance has sealing everywhere, on the focus ring and zoom ring.

Of the lenses in the Global Vision line, which were the most complex to bring to market?

Our 12-24mm zoom. Because that lenses uses a very large aspherical element, and at the time, no other company was producing an element of this kind, and there were no machines capable of producing it. So we designed a custom machine to make that element. But as a result of developing that technology, we were able to create this new 14mm F1.8.

The Sigma 12-24mm ultra-wide zoom is a complex design, containing a very large aspherical (front) element.

The Global Vision line is almost five years old. What are you most proud of?

Firstly, I’m still not satisfied. We need to do more. But these days, I’m pretty happy that people regard Sigma as a high-quality company. In the past, some people regarded Sigma as just another third-party lens manufacturer, and maybe even as a cheap, low-quality lens supplier. But people’s perception has been changing, gradually, and I’m very happy about that.

One of the things that professional Canon and Nikon photographers rely on is the support networks for service, like CPS and NPS. Is a professional service support system something that Sigma is interested in creating?

I think we’ll have to. In Japan we’ve already started a pro support project, and I hope we can create a global professional support system very soon.

In the past you’ve expressed concern that you don’t want Sigma to grow too much, too quickly, because this might threaten some the magic of being a small company. Is this something that you’re still worried about?

Growing too fast is not good. We need to grow, but we should grow gradually. We need to develop our capability to produce higher-quality products. That’s the priority. Then turnover, and sales, and profit will follow. We do not prioritize making the company bigger. We focus on product quality, and technology.

Over the past five years, we’ve actually been making fewer lenses, because we decreased the number of cheaper lenses we were producing. But we’ve expanded our manufacturing capacity, because the higher-end lenses use more glass. Cheaper lenses might use 10-15 elements, but these higher quality lenses use 15-20, sometimes even more elements. So more capacity is needed to make a single lens. We’ve actually invested massively in the past five years.

Sigma and Fujifilm have recently introduced lineups of cine lenses. How much growth do you see in this segment?

We don’t know. Even before I decided to get into the cine lens market, I tried to collect market data, but there’s no data out there. It’s not available. It’s only anecdotal. But we guessed that this segment will grow in the future.

Video has lower resolution demands than stills, but we’ve been designing lenses for 36+ megapixel sensors for several years. That is equivalent to 8K, in video terms. A lot of traditional cine lenses aren’t that high resolution. Our lenses might be more affordable, but they’re top quality.

The Sigma Cine lens range includes a geared version of the company’s 18-35mm F1.8, now known as the 18-35mm T2. The lens covers the Super 35 format and requires a roughly 350 degree rotation to zoom from 18-35mm, allowing very precise control.

Do you have a market share target for your cine lenses?

No, we’re waiting to see how the market develops. We can dream, but it’s not the same thing!

Editors’ note:

We always enjoy speaking to Mr Yamaki, partly because on the occasions when we get the opportunity to do so, it’s usually because he’s just unveiled something really interesting. Mostly though, we enjoy speaking to Sigma’s CEO because he’s a nice guy. Open, honest, and candid about Sigma’s plans and ambitions, Mr Yamaki is well-liked in the photography industry, even by his competitors.

Speaking of competitors, I get the feeling that Mr Yamaki was compelled to deliver the new 14mm F1.8 partly out of a general disappointment with the available options for photographers. Sigma has a strong history of innovating in the wide and ultra-wide market, and the new 14mm, alongside the previously-released 12-24mm certainly look like a confident statement of intent. If the 14mm is as good as Mr Yamaki claims (and we are rarely disappointed by the optical performance of Sigma’s Art series) it looks set to be a reference lens for landscape, architectural and astrophotographers. We’re hoping to be able to post a gallery of samples very soon – watch this space.

Also interesting, is another statement of intent – Sigma’s move into affordable cine lenses. While the company is not competing (yet) with the Arris of this world, or with Canon’s Cinema EOS optics, Sigma (like Fujifilm) sees an opportunity to cater to a newer generation of videographers who are working with mirrorless systems. Optically, Sigma’s cine lenses should be top notch, although being based on existing stills lens designs, we’re told that some qualities, such as focus breathing, might cause issues for professional broadcast and film cinematographers. There is a reason, after all, that high-end professional cine lenses can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

So what next for Sigma? We wouldn’t be surprised if Mr Yamaki is working on more wideangle lenses, and following the new 24-70mm F2.8, it seems likely that the company will refresh its 70-200mm F2.8 in the near future, too. More Sony E-mount optics are also on the way, we’re told, which will be welcome news to Sony a7-series users.  

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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LG G6 comes with dual-cam and 18:9 FullVision display

27 Feb

LG has today announced its latest flagship smartphone, the LG G6 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. For the new model LG has abandoned the G5’s modular concept and focused on usability and durability instead. The G6 comes with an elegant looking metal frame with chamfered edges and a brushed metal back plate. The body is now also water and dust proof. On the front you’ll find a 5.7″ QHD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio that LG calls FullVision.

The unusual format allows for a device design that offers a large display but can still easily be held in one hand. It also makes the phone ideal for split-screen applications and movie-watching in cinematic formats. In the new camera UI it allows you to see a previously captured image in square format while already framing the next one. LG says that many apps are currently being optimized for the new format and streaming video providers are offering more and more content in 18:9 aspect ratio. The G6 is also the first mobile device to support Dolby Labs’ Dolby Vision high dynamic range video technology.  The display is framed by very thin bezels and LG says it is easier to view in bright sunlight than previous versions.

Due to the waterproofing the battery is now non-removable but comes with an increased 3300 mAh capacity. Unlike some of its competitors the G6 still offers a 3.5mm headphone jack as well. Android 7.0 is powered by last year’s top-end chipset Snapdragon 821 and 4GB of RAM. 32 or 64GB of internal storage are expandable via a microSD slot.

In the camera department LG sticks with the G5’s dual-camera concept but both sensors now offer the same 13MP resolution. The wideangle lens comes with a 71 degree angle of view and F1.8 aperture while the super-wideangle offers 125 degrees and a slower F2.4 aperture. Only the wideangle is OIS-equipped. In the camera app you can switch lenses at the press of a button and LG says it has improved the transition when zooming between the two. 4K video capture with stereo sound recording and a laser-assisted AF system are on board as well. The front camera comes with a 5MP resolution.

With improved camera specs, the interesting new display format and the attractive and waterproof body, the LG G6 looks like an appealing option for mobile photographers in 2017. We are hoping to get our hands on a review unit soon. No information on pricing and availability has been released yet.

Key specifications:

  • Dual-camera with two 1/3″ 13MP sensors
  • Wideangle, 71 degree angle of view, 3-axis OIS
  • Super-wideangle, 125 degree angle of view, F2.4
  • laser-assisted autofocus
  • 4K video with stereo sound recording
  • 5MP front camera with 100 degree angle of view, F2.2
  • Android 7.0
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset
  • 4GB RAM, 32/64GB storage
  • microSD support up to 256GB
  • 5.7″ 18:9 QHD+ IPS display, 2880 x 1440 resolution, 564 ppi
  • IP68 certified, water and dust resistant
  • Fingerprint reader
  • Google Assistant
  • 3300 battery with Quick Charge 3.0

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Samsung Galaxy Book takes on Microsoft Surface and Huawei Matebook

27 Feb

Samsung has announced the Galaxy Book, a competitor to the Microsoft Surface and Huawei Matebook 2-in-1 devices. The Galaxy Book comes in 10.6″ and 12″ screen sizes and with its Intel-powered Windows 10 operating system offers full PC functionality in a tablet form factor.

Both Galaxy Book models offer a metal body with a thin design for optimized portability. The included keyboard cover comes with a large touchpad and the curved, island-style keys feature an adjustable backlight. The cover also allows for adjusting the tablet at different angles. 

The Windows 10 operating system in both Galaxy Book model is powered by seventh-generation Intel Core processors. The 10.6″ version comes equipped with an Intel Core m3 dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. The larger 12″ model features an Intel Core i5 dual-core processor and is available with either 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. All models feature a microSD slot for storage expansion.  

The 12″ display offers a 2160 x 1440 resolution and AMOLED technology. The smaller 10.6″ model comes with a TFT-display that features a 1080p Full-HD resolution. The batteries provide up to 10 hours of power for the 10.6″ model and up to 10.5 hours for the larger version.

Both models include Samsung’s S Pen stylus which offers improved accuracy over previous versions and comes with a 0.7mm tip and 4,096 levels of pressure. When drawing, the thickness of its strokes can be varied by tilting the pen. On the Galaxy Book the S Pen is fully supported by Adobe Photoshop, making it an appealing option for image editing on the go. The Galaxy Book models are also available as LTE-compatible versions for full connectivity on the go and come with a host of security features for business use. No information on pricing has been released yet.

Samsung Galaxy Book 10.6 key specifications:

  • 10.6″ TFT FHD display with 1920×1280 resolution
  • 7th Gen Intel® CoreTM m3 processor, Dual Core 2.6GHz
  • 4GB RAM, 64GB/128GB storage, microSD up to 256GB
  • 5MP front camera

Samsung Galaxy Book 12 key specifications:

  • 12″ Super AMOLED display with 2160×1440 resolution
  • 7th Gen Intel® CoreTM i5 processor, Dual Core 3.1GHz
  • 4GB RAM, 128GB storage / 8GB RAM, 256GB storage
  • microSD up to 256GB
  • 5MP front camera, 13MP rear camera with AF

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Lenovo Moto G5 Plus camera first impressions review

27 Feb

Lenovo has launched the latest model of its Moto sub-brand at the Mobile World Congress. The Moto G5 Plus is the successor to last year’s Moto G4 Plus and, like its predecessor, an upper mid-range device that puts a lot of emphasis on camera performance. For the new model’s camera resolution has been reduced from 16MP to 12MP and, with a 1.4µm pixel size, on-sensor phase detection and very fast F1.7 aperture, the main camera specifications look very similar to the Samsung Galaxy S7’s minus the optical image stabilization.

On the video side of things the camera is capable of recording clips with 1080p Full-HD resolution and front camera specification remains unchanged with a 5MP sensor and F2.2 aperture. Compared to the predecessor the size of the IPS display has been reduced from 5.5″ to 5.2″, making the G5 Plus a little more compact, but the 1080p Full-HD resolution remains unchanged. The metal frame is a little more sturdy and gives the entire device more of a premium touch than its predecessor.

The fingerprint sensor at the front now also serves as a touchpad, replacing the Android function buttons. Android 7.0 is powered by a Snapdragon 625 chipset and 2GB of RAM. 32 or 64GB of onboard-storage can be expanded via a microSD slot. The non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery supports fast charging and, unlike Lenovo’s high-end Moto Z models, the G5 Plus still features a 3.5mm headphone-jack.

  • 12MP CMOS sensor with 1.4µm pixel size
  • F1.7 aperture
  • On-sensor phase detection
  • 1080p video
  • 5MP / F2.2 front camera
  • Manual control over shutter speed
  • 5.2″ 1080p IPS display
  • Android 7.0
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset
  • 2GB RAM
  • 32/64GB storage
  • 3000 mAh battery with fast charging

We have had the chance to use the Moto 5G Plus for a few days before launch and were impressed by the speedy general operation and how solid the new model feels in the hand. We have also shot a good number of sample images with the camera in a variety of situations. 

Image Quality

In our brief test we found the Moto G5 Plus to capture good detail, especially in lower light, good exposures and pleasant colors across the ISO range. In the ISO 50 image below some slight smearing of fine detail is noticeable at a 100% view but overall fine textures are rendered nicely and luminance noise in the blue sky is very well under control. Some highlight clipping is visible in bright areas of the frame but it’s well within acceptable limits for this class of device.  

 ISO 50, 1/1622 sec

In sunlight colors are pleasant with a slightly warm touch. At close subject distance, like in the image below, the combination of a 1/2.5″ sensor with a very fast F1.7 aperture allows for some blurring of the background.  

 ISO 50, 1/2240 sec

Thanks to its fast aperture the Moto G5 Plus can keep the ISO low in indoor scenes like the one below. That said, in low light the camera is slightly more prone to camera shake than models equipped with optical image stabilization.

 ISO 160, 1/30 sec

The camera’s white balance system deals well with artificial indoor lighting. In the ISO 250 image below fine detail is starting to suffer a little bit but both luminance and chroma noise are very well under control. 

 ISO 250, 1/30 sec

The indoor portrait below shows good detail and natural skin tones. The 1/30 sec shutter speed usually still gets you shake-free images.

 ISO 400, 1/30 sec

For low-light shots like the one below, shutter speed is reduced to 1/15 sec and the camera engages a multi-frame night mode. There is now noticeably more noise in the image, especially the shadow areas, but the overall tonality is very pleasant and edge detail is still very well defined. The Moto G5 Plus is performing well in these light conditions.

 ISO 500, 1/15 sec

The night shot below shows very good exposure, color and detail, considering the low light levels. Edges are very well defined and fine textures are still visible as well. Noise is noticeable when the image is viewed at a 100% magnification but finely grained and overall very well controlled. 

 ISO 640, 1/15 sec

Special modes

Panorama mode remains a bit of a weakness in the Moto camera app. The images tend to show good exposure and color but, compared to some competitors, are pretty small. In scenes with several moving subjects ghosting artifacts are almost unavoidable.

Panorama 2704 x 920 pixels

As you can see in the samples below, HDR mode is capable of maintaining better highlight detail than standard exposures. It also slightly lifts the shadows, making for a more balanced overall exposure in high-contrast scenes.

 ISO 50, 1/3763 sec, HDR off
  ISO 50, 1/3618 sec, HDR on

First impressions

We are hoping to spend more time with the Moto G5 Plus soon, but after our first brief test the new model looks, like its predecessor, like a great option for mobile photographers who don’t want to spend iPhone or Galaxy S money. The Moto G5 Plus offers responsive operation in all situations and very decent image quality across the ISO range. We especially liked the textures and low noise levels in low light scenes. 

In terms of build quality the new model is a step up from last years G4 Plus as well and the touchpad-style fingerprint reader is an interesting touch. At its retail price point of $ 299 the Lenovo Moto G5 Plus looks like a great package for mobile photographers and general users alike. 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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