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Posts Tagged ‘Brand’

Sony reveals camera strategy: aims to be the top camera brand by 2021

25 May

In a recent presentation at its investors relations day in Tokyo, Sony was not shy about its ambitions in the photography market. According to the presentation, Sony intends to occupy the top slot in the overall camera market by the end of 2020 by boosting its interchangeable lens systems to beat back Canon and Nikon.

Already doing quite a good job of grabbing market share, the company has told investors that it plans to expand its lens business and push towards the professional market while ‘strengthening products’ in the interchangeable lens camera segment.

Despite predicting only very modest growth in 2018 and acknowledging that competitors are becoming more aggressive, the company told investors that it will “win in an increasingly competitive market and continue to generate high profit” in the mid-term. Citing its crop of awards from TIPA, EISA and Camera GP Japan to back up the claims, Sony stated that it intends to broaden the range of lenses it offers and to expand its professional support services worldwide.

According to figures shown at the event, Sony achieved a 20% share of the still camera market in 2017 by value, and managed to rank third behind Canon and Nikon. It says it was the number one brand in the mirrorless market, and was number one in the premium compact business.

To learn more about Sony’s plans, check out the whole Sony Imaging Products and Solutions Segment presentation here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Why brand market share shouldn’t matter to you

11 Mar
The best-selling camera with 8 buttons, in the western Tri-state area, last Tuesday between 11:47 and 11:49.

“We’re #1 in full frame*,” scream the press releases from the three big full frame camera makers. And, given the price and apparent appeal of the Sony a7 III, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more screaming once it hits the shelves.

The precise wording changes, as does the length of the list of caveats that follows that all-important asterisk but, I’d argue: what doesn’t change is that it’s simple boosterism. And you should pretty much ignore it.

There are a couple of reasons I say this. The first is that, even if you take all the footnotes (in this month, in that territory…) into account, the numbers don’t really tell you very much.

These announcements mainly tell you whose turn it is to be king for the day

Part of this is because you’re cherry-picking data from a small sample: there are only three big brands in the sector and very few products being launched. This means the launch of a new model inevitably causes a sales spike and this can see one brand jump in front of the others in the sales chart. A new model will sell more through pre-orders than an existing competitor that, post launch spike, has been selling steadily for 23 months. So, rather than saying which camera is king, these announcements mainly tell you whose turn it is to be king for the day.

Existing commitments

It’s interesting, of course, when similar models, such as Nikon’s D850 and Sony’s a7R III get launched around the same time. But even though they are targeted at pretty similar customers, the winner of the sales race doesn’t tell you much about the cameras because there’s already a degree of brand loyalty baked into the market.

Investment in lenses and accessories means that anyone already shooting full frame is very unlikely to switch systems. So, if we assume a good proportion of new full frame sales are being made to exactly these photographers, you realize much of the current popularity was defined years ago.

And this doesn’t just apply to people who’re already shooting full frame. The manufacturer-promoted (though arguably mythical) concept of the upgrade path can lead to people feeling committed, or to commit themselves to a system, even if they aren’t shooting full frame.

There’s tremendous inertia to overcome before any brand can make headway in the pro sector. Even once Sony’s 400mm F2.8 becomes available, it’s not going to displace all those Canon ‘L’ lenses overnight.

All these issues are amplified at the high/pro-end of the market. Not only are many pro-orientated lenses much more expensive, thereby increasing the financial commitment to a system, but there’s also a chance that some of your kit belongs to your employer or that you’re already a member of one brand’s pro support network.

So a lot of sales figures are more about whether a brand has convinced its existing user-base to modernize/upgrade, rather than about stealing customers away from other systems.

Further inertia

To cause any significant amount of brand switching a camera would have to be compellingly better. And people have to recognize it.

Canon stole a huge march over Nikon in the early days of autofocus and the sea of white lenses that flanks the sidelines of sports games are a testament to that, as much as anything else. Canon could release a stinker (or, in the case of the EOS-1D III, a camera that develops the reputation as one), but that’s not going to drive customers away unless they release a series of duds and the competition is doing something noticeably better. Again, this counts double for professionals.

To cause any significant amount of brand switching a camera would have to be compellingly better. And people have to recognize it.

Even if one brand does fall behind, its users may not notice. For a while Canon lagged behind in dynamic range, but that didn’t see any mass exodus because many Canon shooters, having not experienced the difference and having adapted to the capabilities of their existing cameras, simply didn’t notice. After all, you can’t miss what you’ve never had. So it’s unlikely many Canon photographers felt any impetus to switch, even though there was a real-world photographic benefit to doing so. Now that Canon has essentially closed that gap and opened up a new front with the development of Dual Pixel AF, the moment has passed.

So while we felt the EOS 6D II was a bit disappointing, compared with its rivals it’s still good enough that existing Canon buyers will stick with ‘their’ system and perhaps never be aware that the grass might be greener just one field over.

Until the fog clears, it’s all bluster

Which is to say: these numbers don’t tell you anything at all about how good the respective brands’ cameras are.

They might tell you something interesting about whether a new technology is finding a foothold in the market, but without a lot more context, it’s hard to meaningfully interpret even that. For instance, no matter what Sony proclaims, it’ll probably take a few more years to establish whether mirrorless is making inroads into DSLR sales or to what extent it’s simply expanding the market.

These numbers don’t tell you anything at all about how good the respective brands’
cameras are

I can see that sales success of the system you’ve bought into can give some reassurance that it has a future, but should you care about how one brand is performing relative to another? Since the numbers tell you next-to-nothing about camera quality or even much about what’s happening in the market, I’d argue most discussion of sales rankings are simply fanboyism. And the canny stirring of it by marketing departments.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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So you got a brand new camera? Here’s what you need next

26 Dec

If you’re the proud owner of your first camera, congratulations! Now the fun starts. We’ve got some ideas to help you get started and get the most out of your new gift.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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MeFOTO launches MeVIDEO brand with new GlobeTrotter travel video tripod

17 Oct

Manufacturer of colorful travel tripods MeFOTO is launching its first video tripod via a Kickstarter campaign, and there’s a new brand name to along with it. The MeVIDEO GlobeTrotter will be the first of this ‘new’ company’s tripods, and will feature a new leveling head design and a choice of aluminum or carbon fibre legs.

With a maximum payload of 8.8lbs/4kg, this travel tripod is aimed at the serious video market, including those using large DSLRs and lower end dedicated professional video cameras.

The MeVIDEO GlobeTrotter comes with an aluminum ball and socket-style leveling platform, and a head that offers a long panning handle. The handle can be switched for left or right-handed users, and the four-section legs spread to three positions as well as reverse folding for storage.

For low angled shooting, the center column can be split in two so the shoulders can be dropped close to the ground, and the top half of the column can be attached to one of the tripod legs to create a monopod. MeVIDEO also allows the head to be completely removed from the shoulders and leveling platform, so it can be used on other accessories such as a slider or crane.

The GlobeTrotter will have a maximum height of 65.7in/166.8cm and packs away to 21.9in/55.7cm. It will weigh 6.06lb/2.75kg in carbon fibre and 6.64lb/3.01kg in aluminum.

Users will have a choice of black or ‘titanium’ finishes, both of which are expected to cost $ 500 for the aluminum version, and $ 700 for the carbon fibre version although there are, of course, special deals for those pledging support for the campaign at an early stage. The company expects to ship in January 2018.

For more information or if you’d like to put down a pledge of your own, visit the MeVIDEO Kickstarter page.

Press Release

MeFOTO Announces Launch of MeVIDEO Offering First-Of-Its-Kind Travel Video Tripod

MeVIDEO’s sleek design and unmatched usability provides on-the-go filmmakers with an exceptional video tripod experience.

MeFOTO, the innovative tripod manufacturer, today announced the launch of MeVIDEO, a new sister company focusing on the film and video market with a travel video tripod available now on Kickstarter. Incredibly durable, lightweight, thoughtful and intuitive, MeVIDEO is the ultimate high-quality and full-featured travel video tripod.

“We created MeVIDEO with one simple goal: to create the best compact, travel-friendly, user-friendly video tripod ever for today’s on-the-go filmmakers and videographers. We wanted to create a tripod that makes sense from the moment you put your hands on it; something detailed, yet approachable – and then, to make it incredibly beautiful”
Brian Hynes, MeFOTO + MeVIDEO Brand Marketing Manager.

MeVIDEO GlobeTrotter features include:

  • Reverse folding legs to allow for a more compact folded form that makes it perfect for traveling
  • Integrated Leveling Platform for precise, intuitive positioning of your camera on the center column without needing to adjust legs.
  • Removable Flat Base Head featuring ratchet-style metal adjustment knobs for leveling.
  • Head can be used on other flat surfaces such as certain sliders, jibs, half ball adapters and more.
  • Split/center column allows for maximum flexibility as well as providing the ability to get very low to the ground.
  • Support for multiple cameras ranging from the Sony A6500, Panasonic GH5, Sony A7SII, Canon 5D Mark IV to the Canon C100.
  • Independent locking positions for the legs allow for easy setup on any terrain.
  • Integrated, stainless steel spikes can be expanded or retracted into the rubber feet for stability on any surface.
  • Converts to a monopod. Simply unscrew the center column and combine with the padded leg.
  • Available in anodized aluminum or carbon fiber in black or titanium and comes with a padded canvas carrying case for additional protection when traveling.

Kickstarter

MeVIDEO launched their Kickstarter campaign today, with the goal of raising $ 50,000. Kickstarter contributors will receive a discounted rate of $ 349 for the aluminum and $ 499 for the carbon fiber model. When MeVIDEO publicly launches in early 2018, the retail price is expected to be $ 499 for the aluminum and $ 699 for the carbon fiber model.

About MeFOTO:

MeFOTO offers two styles and multiple sizes of strategically designed travel tripods in both aluminum and carbon fiber in a variety of colors. They are ideal for on-the-go photographers, and now filmmakers, at every experience level. www.mefoto.com and www.mevideo.co

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Now with More Minimalism: Brandless Brand Trademarks Bland White Boxes

28 Jul

[ By WebUrbanist in Design & Products & Packaging. ]

Viral Silicon Valley controversies like those revolving around Juicero (a device that squeezed out juice) and Lyft (which seems to be reinventing the bus) are often held us as examples of how innovators are out of touch, which leads us to Brandless, a brand that is apparently reinventing minimalist packaging — the kind of thing that companies like Target have been doing for ages.

To be fair, the Brandless boxes don’t look all that bad, and color-coding products make some sense. Plus, the idea of making everything the same price (three dollars) is fascinating if a bit difficult to scale. They are trying to take things a step further, too, by putting more information on the box (including the Brandless name) and less on the product, which could in theory be a nice way to visually declutter one’s home.

But of course, reality and regulations don’t always play nice with packaging design — for starters, the smooth look is interrupted by a black-printed net weight stamp toward the bottom and other essential labels of that sort. And, really strangely, a white trademark stands out from the colored portion of the product. Naturally, if one wants to order the flat-priced products, a shipping charge also interrupts the otherwise consistent pricing scheme.

None of this is meant to knock the conceptual underpinnings or commercial viability too much — entrepreneurs Tina Sharkey and Ido Leffler are clearly tapping into the West Coast demographic that has money and craves simplicity. But their claim to be making something “completely fresh and new” is a bit much — grocery and convenience store chains have been selling products in simplified and distinctive brand-free packages for a long time, with the same mission in mind (to reduce the “brand tax” people pay to get a name-branded version of something).

For now, the company is rolling out around 200 initial products. And, at least for the time being, they are all at the same price point. But one has to wonder: does that flat rate idea really make sense for a growing consumer brand? Surely some things are best bought in bulk to save money, or simply too expensive to sell for a few dollars. And consumers who want one-stop shopping may find their offerings a bit thin. In the struggle for minimalist simplicity, Brandless just may be making things harder on themselves than they have to.

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[ By WebUrbanist in Design & Products & Packaging. ]

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Panono buyer saves the brand, will continue making its 360° ball camera

07 Jul
Panono’s high-res 360° camera lives to shoot another day.

That didn’t take long. Just a few days after announcing that the company would be bought, ending an ‘amazing but also exhausting journey,’ the Panono brand has been well and truly saved. In fact, the Swiss private equity investor who bought the company intends to continue ‘all services […] without any disruption.’

All of this happened with the last few days, marking (hopefully) the end of a tumultuous journey that began with a successful Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign and seemingly ended when Panono declared bankruptcy after delivering only about 400 cameras to backers, leaving many supporters angry and out of luck. Until Wednesday of this week, that is.

Enter Swiss-based private equity investor Bryanston Group AG, the new owner of all Panono’s assets, trademarks, patents and employees.

In a press release published Wednesday, July 5th and sent to DPReview yesterday, the investor announced that Panono GmbH will restart its business operations as Professional360 GmbH in Berlin. The company will continue all of Panono’s current services ‘without disruption,’ and is even planning to release new products and software services.

If all goes according to plan, Professional360 will establish itself as, ‘a global leader in the professional 360-degree camera market.’

Which, of course, leaves us with one very pressing question: what about all of those Panono backers left in the lurch by the company’s bankruptcy? According to a company spokesperson, Bryanston Group is actively working on a solution to that pesky problem.

“While all legal liabilities remain with the old Panono GmbH and its management,” reads the statement. “We as Professional360 GmbH feel morally obliged to find a solution that all early supporters of the Panono technology will be able to enjoy the camera as soon as possible after so many years of waiting. We are working on this and will release new information on this topic shortly.”

So it would seem Panono has been saved, and all of the backers who first supported the ‘world’s highest resolution 360° camera’ may still get a chance to vent their frustration by throwing their very own ball camera at a wall.

Press Release

Swiss private equity investor saves Panono brand, platform and product by taking over all assets and employees – all services continue without any disruption

Panono’s high-resolution 360-degree camera and services will be provided by Professional360 GmbH in the future

BERLIN, JULY 05, 2017. The Berlin-based technology company Panono GmbH, the manufacturer of 360-degree cameras and software, is insolvent as of 1 July 2017. All legal and commercial matters, obligation and disputes will be managed by Prof. Dr Torsten Martini of Leonhardt Rattunde who has been appointed as the company’s Insolvency Administrator.

Bryanston Group AG, a Swiss-based private equity investor has acquired the assets, trademarks and patents of Panono GmbH and will restart its business operations under the new holding company Professional360 GmbH in Berlin.

Professional360 GmbH will continue Panono’s technological leadership by offering the world’s highest resolution 360-degree camera under the Panono brand.

A spokesperson for the company said, “As the new management, we place great confidence in Panono’s groundbreaking technology. Our vision is to be a global leader in the professional 360- degree camera market. We will continue creating and innovating the best 360-degree cameras together with a state-of-the-art platform for our users.

In fact, we are planning to release new products and software services within the next months already. The transition from Panono GmbH to Professional360 GmbH will not be affecting the current users, as the brand and the website will not change, and we will continue to operate the existing platform. Finally, while all legal liabilities remain with the old Panono GmbH and its management, we as Professional360 GmbH feel morally obliged to find a solution that all early supporters of the Panono technology will be able to enjoy the camera as soon as possible after so many years of waiting. We are working on this and will release new information on this topic shortly.”

About Professional360 GmbH

Professional360 GmbH was founded in 2017 and is a holding company for the Panono brand, web shop, assets and employees, headquartered in Berlin. For further information please visit https://www.panono.com/en or send an email to info@panono.com.

About Panono GmbH

Panono GmbH was founded in 2012 and gained public attention in its early years, especially through its successful crowdfunding campaigns and the eye-catching spherical design of its cameras. The core business of the company was the development and distribution of high-resolution 360-degree cameras, which produce a high-resolution panorama of their surroundings using their own software solutions.

About Leonhardt Rattunde

Leonhardt Rattunde is one of the leading law firms specialised in Insolvency law in Germany. Besides its services in Insolvency Proceedings, the firm also offers turnaround management, court services, contract law and Notary Public services Berlin, Erfurt, Kiel and Cologne. Leonhardt Rattunde employs around 30 lawyers in Germany, 10 of which are Insolvency Administrators and 5 are Public Notaries.

About Bryanston Group AG

Bryanston Group is a Swiss-based global management consulting, technology and investment company. The firm’s investment angle combines an active approach with specific sector focuses where they are able to add value. Bryanston deploys its capital mainly along three verticals, which are Industrial Technology, Clean-tech and Emerging Markets middle-class. For further information please visit http://www.bryanston.ch

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Samsung launches ISOCELL image sensor brand

28 Jun

Samsung Electronics has introduced its image sensor brand ISOCELL at the 2017 Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai. Samsung originally launched the ISOCELL technology, which reduces crosstalk between pixels through physical barriers, in 2013 and has now decided to use the moniker as a brand name.

“Samsung ISOCELL is a brand that represents the essence of our leading pixel technologies. We expect the ISOCELL brand to help consumers easily acknowledge and confide in camera performance as well as overall quality of the device,” said Ben Hur, Vice President of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics. “With our advanced image sensor technologies, Samsung will continue to bring innovation to cameras used in smartphones and other applications.”

ISOCELL sensors comprises four sub-brands: Bright, Fast, Slim and Dual which are tailored to specific mobile device market demands:

  • ISOCELL Bright sensors deliver bright and sharp images with high color fidelity and reduced noise in low light environments
  • ISOCELL Fast sensors provide fast autofocus onto still or moving objects even when dark
  • ISOCELL Slim sensors adopt the smallest pixel sizes available in the market at 0.9-1.0um, yet produce high quality images for the slimmest devices
  • ISOCELL Dual sensors can be mixed and matched in various combinations on consumer devices to bring about features demanded in the latest dual camera trend

The latter works in a similar way to the dual-camera modules in more recent Huawei high-end phones. combining an RGB with a monochrome sensor. If the rumors are true we will see the ISOCELL Dual sensors for the first time in the upcoming Samsung Note 8 which is likely to be launched around the IFA trade show in Berlin at the beginning of September.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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So you got a brand new camera? Here’s what you need next

27 Dec

So you got a camera for Christmas?

If you’re an experienced shooter with more gear than you know what to do with, then this article isn’t for you. But if you just got your first camera, then welcome!

Getting your first camera is an exciting experience, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. This helpful starter guide will answer some of your questions and give you a pretty good idea of what accessories you should buy next to make the most of your new kit.

Cards

Most cameras don’t ship with a memory card, but even if you have one it’s a good idea to get an extra as a backup, or to store more photos. SD cards, which are about the size of a postage stamp, are the most common variety. Some higher end cameras may use CF cards, so verify what type your camera uses. How much space do you need? 16GB or 32GB cards are normally a safe bet, though 64GB might be better if you plan to shoot a lot of video.

Speaking of video…. Video recording generally requires faster cards than shooting still photos. In most cases an SD card with a UHS Class 3 rating should be sufficient, though some newer cards also include a ‘V’ rating for video, such as V30 or V60. Your camera’s manual should tell you what speed you need.

Finally, stick with a reputable company such as SanDisk, Lexar, Kingston, PNY, or Transcend. Every photographer has a had a card fail at some point, and it’s a bit scary, but you can minimize the risk by sticking with companies that have a reputation for producing excellent quality cards.

Batteries

Most cameras only come with one battery and some don’t even come with a wall charger, so we recommend investing in an extra battery or two. USB charging is handy sometimes, but the addition of a spare battery and a wall charger lets you charge two batteries at once. This is a smart purchase if one is available for your camera as an accessory. 

Tripod

You’ll definitely want a tripod if you want to create long exposures, star photography or time-lapses. They’re also great for that family self-portrait in front of the Christmas tree!

Tripods are generally constructed of composite plastic, aluminum, carbon fiber or a combination of those materials. Carbon fiber tripods are the lightest option, but they’re also the most expensive, so an aluminum tripod is an excellent option. 

Tripod legs normally collapse down in two different ways; lever locks and screw locks. Lever locks tend to stay the cleanest and are the easiest to use, so we would recommend sticking with that option. The most common tripod heads (the point where your camera connects to the tripod) are ball-heads, pistol grip and pan-and-tilt heads. Ball-heads are our go-to choice because they allow for a great deal of flexibility with respect to positioning the camera in a number of different orientations.

A tripod we like for all-around use and travel is the MeFoto Classic series. If you want to go super lightweight and flexible, check out Joby’s line of GorillaPods, or read our comparison of tabletop-sized tripods.  

Phone app

Almost every new camera now includes Wi-Fi, so make sure to download the mobile app that works with yours. Mobile apps make it easy to transfer JPEG files to your phone for easy sharing on Facebook, Instagram or your favorite social media outlet. Some apps even allow you to control your camera’s settings and to take photos remotely. Keep in mind that turning on these features could impact your camera’s battery life. Many cameras have a dedicated button to activate Wi-Fi, but if not, your manual will tell you how.

Remote control or cable release

Many modern cameras offer nearly full control wirelessly through a mobile app, but you can also purchase a remote control or cable release to take photos. A remote control gives you a wireless way to snap the shutter and take an image, something that will come in handy for those who love to take selfies, family portraits or photograph events.

A cable release is connected to your camera via a cord. It’s an excellent option if you plan to shoot landscapes or long exposures (like stars) because it gives you the freedom to take your hands off of your camera to reduce the risk of vibration during slow shutter speeds. It will also give you the option to use the camera’s ‘Bulb’ mode which will allow for exposures that are longer than 30 seconds to be taken with ease. 

Card reader

Although most cameras today offer file transfer via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or a USB connection to a computer, we still recommend picking up an external card reader. Technology like Wi-Fi is great when you’re just transferring a few photos to your phone, but a card reader is much faster when it comes time to transfer photos of your entire vacation to the computer. Using a card reader will also allow you to keep using your camera while you copy photos.

The majority of card readers on the market offer both CF and SD compatibility in one unit, and you can even find some readers that offer three or even four card format options in one compact unit. Another option is to get a card reader that attaches directly to your tablet or smartphone, making it easy to share pictures with your friends quickly.

Strap

This may sound like a small upgrade, but it can make your shooting experience a lot more comfortable. Most cameras include a basic neck strap, but you can buy straps made from more comfortable materials, such as neoprene or leather, as well as straps that go beyond hanging around your neck, such as shoulder or wrist straps.  

A comfortable camera strap can make all of the difference in the world when you’re carrying around your camera for long periods of time, and gives you the opportunity to customize your kit and make it your own. Peak design and Black Rapid are two companies that make quality, versatile straps, and the Cecilia strap pictured here is a great option for comfort and style.

Camera bag

Need to carry your camera around? You’ll probably want a bag. But don’t just choose any bag; you’ll want one that’s specifically designed to provide padding for cameras and lenses.

Bags come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from backpacks and messenger bags, to bags specifically designed to not look like camera bags. Figure out what type of bag will best meet your needs and go from there. Some of our favorites include, Mindshift, Crumpler, Peak Design, Kelly Moore, Lowepro and Tamrac. 

Maintenance items

The list of accessories that you can buy for your camera is a mile long, but there are a handful of items that will be really useful for maintaining your camera:

  • A blower is great for removing dust particles and for drying your lens in wet or rainy conditions
  • A lens brush can help you to remove fine particulate such as dust from the front of your lens without leaving residue 
  • Microfiber cloths can be a life-saver if you happen to leave a finger print on your lens or viewfinder while you’re out shooting
  • A small bottle of lens cleaner is a great item to have on hand if your lens should happen to get dirty
  • Q-tips can also be useful for cleaning your camera and/or lens should they get dirty

A microphone

Are you planning to use your camera for video in addition to still images? If so, you may want to pick up an accessory microphone. All cameras that shoot video have built-in microphones, but in most cases sound quality is average at best (and likely won’t measure up to the quality of your camera’s video). Models such as the Røde Video Mic GO or the Sennheiser MKE 400 fit into your camera’s flash mount for easy use while shooting.

Editing and organization software

How will you store your photos? You’ll probably want some software on your computer to do things like organize your photos, do some basic editing, or even create fun projects such as collages. The good news is that the built in Photos apps on both Windows and Mac computers can do most of this already. If you want to get a bit more adventurous, consider either Adobe Photoshop Elements or Adobe Lightroom, which provide much more advanced photo editing tools. Don’t feel like you need the full version of Adobe Photoshop, however. It has great name recognition, but you really only need it for very advanced editing.

Another option is to sign up for a cloud storage account, such as Amazon Prime Photos, Google Photos, Apple iCloud or Dropbox. Cloud storage gives you a safe way to store all your photos in one place, accessible from anywhere, and you won’t lose them if your computer crashes. Some services, like Google Photos, also make it very easy to share your photos across social media. 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nokia brand rumored to return with camera-centric smartphone

20 Dec

HMD Global, a Finnish company that has acquired patents and the rights to manufacture Nokia-branded smartphones from Microsoft for the next 10 years, is expected to launch a couple of high-end Android devices at the Mobile World Congress in February and one of them looks like a serious weapon for mobile photographers.

The rumored Nokia C1 is expected to feature a dual camera with 16MP and 12MP modules, a triple-LED flash, laser-assisted AF and, like some famous Nokia smartphones from the past, a real xenon flash. With a Snapdragon 835 chipset, 4GB of RAM, a 3,210 mAh battery and 32, 64, and 128GB storage options, the non-camera-related part of the specification sounds pretty good as well.

A second device is expected to also come with the Snapdragon 835 chipset, 6GB of RAM and a 23MP camera with Zeiss-branded lens, all wrapped up in a metal body. Both devices look appealing but from a photography point of view the C1 is arguably more interesting. 

With the 808 and Lumia 1020, Nokia was responsible for two of the best camera smartphones ever made. If the rumors are true the new owners of the brand might be on a good path to making Nokia a favorite of the mobile photography community’s favorites again. We’ll keep our eyes open for the new devices at Mobile World Congress in February.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Brand Name Versus Third-Party Photography Gear: Which is better?

07 Jun

Not long ago, there were two types of camera accessories to buy: brand items designed by known manufacturers such as Canon and Nikon, OR third-party items of questionable quality that you’d likely buy only if you were on a tight budget. Today, this situation has changed, with third-party manufacturers such as Sigma and Tamron stepping up their game and producing alternatives that even serious professionals have begun using.

Still, the question remains: does the brand name truly matter when it comes to camera accessories?

Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of each side. Keep in mind that this is a highly debatable topic, and this is just a short list of general pros and cons for using brand name and third-party items. If you have any other points to add, please mention them in the comments below.

third party camera lenses

Why brand names matter

Brand name items are almost always going to be more expensive than third-party ones, but as most photographers say, “you get what you pay for.” Some reasons for the premium pricing on brand name items include:

Better build quality and dependability

This can be extremely important if you belong to any professional organizations such as Canon or Nikon Pro Services, as cleaning and repair of brand name gear is generally included in your membership. While most third-party manufacturers have begun adding their own repair services, they’re not known to be as fast and consistent as name brands, and guaranteed compatibility with your brand name camera of choice.

third party camera lenses

Guaranteed compatibility

Third-party vendors thrive on the ability to produce accessories and items that are compatible with many major brand name cameras. If you buy say a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens, there will be both a Nikon and Canon mount option. This means you have to be ultra diligent to make sure a third-party item will work with your camera model. However, if you buy a 35mm f/1.4 lens from Nikon (for example), you know for sure that lens will work your Nikon camera.

Respect from other photographers

When you shoot with a brand name accessory, you’re more likely to get nods of respect from other photographers who recognize the value of that authentic, name brand lens (the coveted red ringed lenses from Canon and gold ring on Nikon lenses). This is becoming more of a debatable point lately with the rise of high-quality third-party gear options, but there’s still something to be said about acknowledging the real deal over a third-party brand.

Why third-party brands are coming up

Unique innovations

third party camera lenses

As mentioned earlier, the scene for third-party brands has shifted to the point where Sigma and Tamron are no longer necessarily viewed as compromises, just for the budget-minded photographer. Instead, these brands are focusing not only on improving old designs perfected by established name-brands, but they’re innovating alternatives that even Canon and Nikon haven’t come up with. Consider the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8, which is already in its third incarnation, or the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens, the first zoom lens for DSLRs that holds a consistent f/1.8 aperture throughout its entire zoom range. These are lenses with features that even Canon and Nikon have yet to offer. Quality and consistency of these Sigma lenses might be questionable depending on your photography standards, but the fact that a third-party brand is innovating and selling unique lenses speaks to how third-party brands are shifting in the overall industry. (Read this to see why one dPS writer uses the Sigma 150-600mm for wildlife photography.)

The price is right

Every photographer knows that camera gear isn’t cheap, and while brand name items may be ideal, sometimes they just aren’t realistic price points for what is affordable. This is where third-party items can help beginners, or photographers on a budget, can get their hands on some quality equipment. If the gear is kept in good shape, resale value should still be pretty decent, if and when they decide to upgrade to a brand name alternative down the road.

third party camera lenses

One item you probably shouldn’t buy third-party

When it comes to third-party accessories, there’s one in particular that you may want to make sure is brand name authentic: your camera batteries. Personally, I’ve had mixed experiences using third-party batteries on both my DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Most of the time they work, but every once and a while, there’s a battery that just won’t hold a charge, or fails for some mysterious reason. That battery is always from a third-party brand. A simple way to work around this would be to stock your camera battery arsenal with some brand name batteries, and some third-party ones to make sure you’re covered. There’s nothing worse than having a battery fail when you need it the most.

Over to you

What has been your experience using brand names and third-party brands? Are you partial to one over the other? Do you go for brand name camera bodies and lenses, and opt for third-party accessories like filters, tripods, and batteries?

What has your experience been, let us know in the comments below.

Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of articles this week that are Open for Discussion. We want to get the conversation going, hear your voice and opinions, and talk about some possibly controversial topics in photography.

Give us your thoughts below on the article above and watch for more discussion topics.

See all the recent discussion topics here:

  • 7 Commonly Accepted Photography Beliefs Debunked
  • Is HDR dead? Some dPS Writer’s Thoughts on this Controversial Topic
  • How to Find your Personal Photographic Style
  • Why You May be Failing to Reach Your Potential as a Photographer
  • To Process or Not To Process? Let’s Discuss
  • How much do you process your images? – a dPS POLL
  • Does the Camera Matter? SLR versus Mirrorless versus Smartphone
  • Natural Light Versus Artificial Light: Which is Better?
  • How Limitations Can Help You Grow as a Photographer

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The post Brand Name Versus Third-Party Photography Gear: Which is better? by Suzi Pratt appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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