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Posts Tagged ‘designed’

Rare Zeiss Planar 50mm F0.7 lens designed for NASA could fetch $150,000 at auction

08 Jun

If you think Nikon’s Nikkor Z 58mm F0.95 S Noct lens is impressive, set your sights on a rare Zeiss Planar 50mm F0.7 lens from 1966. The lens was designed for NASA to photograph the moon’s far side during Apollo missions. There were only 10 copies of the lens ever made, six of which went to NASA. One of these lenses is currently up for auction by Leitz Photographica Auction.

Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F0.7 lens. Image courtesy of Leitz Photographica Auction.

Granted, if you want the super-fast prime, you’ll have to pay a steep cost. At the time of writing, the highest bid is €55,000 (about $ 67,000 USD), which is €5,000 higher than the starting bid, although the auction doesn’t officially kick off until June 12. Organizers estimate that the hammer price could reach up to €120,000 (roughly $ 146,000).

Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F0.7 lens. Image courtesy of Leitz Photographica Auction.

The copy up for auction has serial number 2594563 and is listed as being in beautiful condition with clean optics. Leitz Photographica Auction rates the lens as A/B condition. The lens is mounted to a modified Nikon F body (serial number 6477895), and the lens includes a removable tripod mount. According to an interview with Insider, Andreas Schwieger of Leitz Photographica Auction believes the lens for sale is one of the half-dozen lenses that were supplied to NASA.

Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F0.7 lens. Image courtesy of Leitz Photographica Auction.

It’s a fascinating lens. Of the four copies that weren’t sent to NASA for use in space, three were sent to filmmaker Stanley Kubrick for the film ‘Barry Lyndon.’ Some of the film’s scenes were lit only by candlelight, necessitating the use of an F0.7 lens, which was mounted on a modified Michell camera. The film went on to win the 1976 Oscar for its cinematography. Zeiss kept the final lens for its Carl Zeiss factory museum.

Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F0.7 lens. Image courtesy of Leitz Photographica Auction.

The Zeiss 50mm F0.7 lens up for auction is part of the 38th Leitz Photographica Auction and is lot 329 of 469 total lots. There are many interesting pieces of photographic history in the auction catalog, including some beautiful Leica cameras and lenses.

Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F0.7 lens. Image courtesy of Leitz Photographica Auction.

Some other unique items up for sale include a ‘Luxus’ model gold-plated Leica wrapped in lizard skin, a Leica MP2 with Electric Motor and a Leica from 1924 that was owned by Ernst Leitz II, the man who manufactured the first Leica cameras. There are some other items owned by important figures in photography, including three Rolleiflex cameras owned by Walker Evans and a couple of Leica cameras used by Italian paparazzo, Felice Quinto.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Sony’s new Visual Story iOS app is designed for wedding and event photographers

02 Dec

Sony has announced Visual Story, a new iOS application for Sony camera users. The app has been designed with wedding and event photographers in mind and provides users with simplified gallery creation, cloud storage, and web delivery solutions.

Visual Story offers automated image transfer from compatible Sony Alpha cameras to the cloud. From there, users can edit and deliver curated digital albums directly to their clients. To speed up image selection and organization, the app also utilizes AI and reads the metadata of your images.

‘The voice of our customer is at the center of everything we do. Today’s professional photographers constantly challenge themselves to deliver higher quality content faster than ever to their clients,’ said Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Sony Imaging Products and Solutions Americas. ‘Visual Story allows them to streamline their workflow, ultimately giving them the ability to edit, select and send photo galleries to their clients on the day of the ceremony or event. Sony continues developing innovative hardware and software solutions empowering content creators to capture, communicate and share in ways never before possible.’

With Visual Story, photographers can quickly and easily create, edit, curate and deliver a photo gallery. When your camera is connected to the app, images are automatically transferred from the camera to the connected smartphone or tablet in addition to Sony’s cloud service. Images are automatically organized using AI and can be sorted based on metadata, star ratings, shooting timeframe, focus position and additional parameters.

AI can also sort based on different types of images from an event. For example, AI can detect cake and ring ceremony images from a wedding, identify photos of speeches and dances, and more. The app can also detect when a subject’s eyes are shut, reducing the number of images you must choose from when creating a gallery.

Visual Story includes auto presets as well. Photographers can automatically apply custom edit presets or utilize built-in fixed presets. You can register an edit preset prior to shooting, such that all transferred images are automatically applied as the images are transferred, ensuring a consistent look across all photos. Additionally, the app includes a variety of editing functions, including controls over exposure, white balance, contrast, hue, saturation, and luminance.

By utilizing cloud storage, images can be synchronized across multiple devices. Further, ‘Visual Story also allows wedding photographers to automatically create an online gallery for their clients, which can be delivered instantly on site. This can be offered to their client as an additional service, or complimentary and included in their wedding or event package.’ You can also embed a selected logo and social media information directly into the images in the photo gallery, making it easier to market your business when clients share images online.

When creating a photo gallery in the app, your ratings and selections can be saved as an XMP file as well, meaning you can transfer your ratings/selections to your computer for easier processing later.

Visual Story is available now for iOS in the Apple App Store. It is a free download. Your iOS device must be running iOS 13 or newer. Visual Story is compatible with select Sony cameras, including A7C, A7R IV, A7S III, A9, and A9 II. The Sony A7 III will be supported in a planned firmware update in Spring 2021.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Skylum announces LuminarAI, an AI-powered app designed to change how you edit photos

04 Sep

Skylum Software has increasingly utilized artificial intelligence in its editing software, including its flagship raw photo editing software, Luminar. Skylum has used AI for tasks such as automatically adjusting the color and exposure of an image and even replacing the entire sky in an image. With the newly-announced version of Luminar, aptly dubbed LuminarAI, Skylum has taken the implementation of AI even further.

Skylum has designed LuminarAI to automate as much of the photo editing process as possible while never removing the user from making creative decisions with their images. The idea is to streamline the process and make photo editing more accessible for beginners while offering even more powerful editing tools for experienced users. As Skylum puts it, LuminarAI uses artificial intelligence to remove ‘boring and complex tasks without sacrificing professional quality.’

Image credit: Skylum Software

Of LuminarAI, Skylum CPO Dima Sytnik says, ‘LuminarAI will bring an entirely new, non-conventional approach to the world of photo editing, focusing on the results instead of the process. We’ve designed LuminarAI from the ground up to change how people interact with their images. We’re really excited to see what LuminarAI can do for creatives everywhere.’

Artificial intelligence begins operating as soon as you select an image in LuminarAI. The software analyzes your image and recommends certain templates to help improve a specific image. Although AI is present throughout the entire process, you retain complete control over which edits are made and how they are applied.

LuminarAI can automatically crop and straighten your images via CompositionAI and automatically adjusts exposure and color via AccentAI, a feature longtime Luminar users will recognize. To add detail and texture to your image, LuminarAI includes StructureAI.

LuminarAI includes SkinAI to easily retouch skin and remove blemishes. There is also IrisAI, allowing the user to quickly enhance a subject’s eyes. Image credit: Skylum Software

The portrait retouching process includes numerous new AI-powered tools for photographers. If you’d like to change the shape or relative size of parts of the subject, you can utilize BodyAI and FaceAI to gently sculpt. If eyes are truly the window to the soul, you’ll want to use IrisAI to enhance a subject’s eyes. Skin retouching is often a time-consuming process in software such as Photoshop, but in LuminarAI, Skylum includes SkinAI to quickly remove imperfections and blemishes in the skin without making the subject look fake or unnatural.

Image credit: Skylum Software

Landscape photographers will be able to enhance the sky in their image with the existing Sky Enhancer feature, but there’s a new AtmosphereAI tool as well to add additional details to the sky. Of course, you will still be able to entirely replace the sky in your photo using SkyAI in LuminarAI. Within SkyAI, you can add warmth to the scene and even add rays of light.

LuminarAI includes numerous features aimed at enhancing landscape images. You can replace the sky, add rays of light, add warmth to the scene, enhance the sky and more. Image credit: Skylum Software

LuminarAI is releasing this holiday for macOS and Windows. The software will be available as both a standalone application and as a plug-in. To learn more about LuminarAI and to preorder via early-bird pricing, visit Skylum’s new LuminarAI page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Sony ZV-1 Is a Powerful New Camera Designed for Vloggers

22 May

The post The Sony ZV-1 Is a Powerful New Camera Designed for Vloggers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

New compact camera announcement teaser

Sony is preparing to launch a new camera, designed specifically for vloggers:

The Sony ZV-1, a small camera that will pack a large punch.

News of the ZV-1 has been leaking for weeks, but as we approach the likely announcement date (May 26th), information has appeared at a frenzied pace, including leaked product photos, leaked press announcements, and even a teaser from Sony.

What can you expect from this compact camera?

While nothing has been officially confirmed, Sony’s teaser shows a small camera with a full-articulating rear LCD. This is fully in line with the leaked press text, which suggests that the new ZV-1 will offer:

  • An articulating screen
  • A 1-inch, 20.1-megapixel sensor
  • A 24-70mm lens
  • Excellent AF (including Real-time Eye AF)
  • A soft skin effect “to reduce skin wrinkles and marks while ensuring you preserve skin-tones and the sharpness of eyes and mouths”

(And more!)

If all this information is accurate, vloggers will be in for a treat; the combination of an articulating screen, a 24-70mm focal length, and Sony autofocus capabilities (described in the leaked press text as “super-fast AF”) will be too good to pass up for plenty of content creators. The press text also promises “high-quality sound capturing performance and noise reduction in full stereo,” in addition to “a wind screen” and a “3.5mm input jack” for increased flexibility.

The camera will also likely appeal to still photographers looking for a compact, walkaround option. Twenty megapixels is just enough to satisfy beginners looking to enter the realm of higher-resolution photography, plus the 24-70mm lens offers a great range of focal lengths for street photography, landscape photography, architectural photography, portrait photography, and more.

So if you’re a vlogger or a still photographer looking for a camera that’s small, mighty, and tailored to the needs of content creators, the ZV-1 is certainly worth a look. Keep your eye out for news of the ZV-1’s official announcement on May 26th.

Now over to you:

What do you think of the ZV-1? Is it a camera you’d be interested in? Is it missing any features that you’d like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post The Sony ZV-1 Is a Powerful New Camera Designed for Vloggers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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LEE Filters’ new LEE85 Filter System is designed specifically for mirrorless camera systems

20 Mar

LEE Filters has revealed its upcoming LEE85 Filter System designed for smaller cameras and lenses. The system features a Holder component with a locking dial for use with the related Adaptor Ring, which will be available in sizes from 37mm to 72mm, according to the company. The Holder is made from aluminum and works with the LEE85 ND Graduated and Standard filters and a clip-on Polariser.

LEE Filters presents the new LEE85 Filter System as lightweight and ideal for photographers who use small cameras and who want a compact, easily deployed filter system. The Locking Ring makes it possible to lock the Holder at a specific angle or allow it to freely rotate, depending on shooting needs. As with the larger LEE100 system before it, the LEE85 Holder can be configured with 1 – 3 filter slots using modular guide blocks.

The compatible ND filters have been designed with large tabs on the top; these feature clear labels and make it easier to insert and remove the filters from the Holder without leaving fingerprints. The LEE85 Polarizer, meanwhile, clicks directly onto the Holder and can be rotated. The entire system, including the Polarizer and up to four filters, can be stored in the included System Pouch with strap and belt loop options.

The company will offer the LEE85 Filter System in multiple bundle options: Discover Kit, Develop Kit, Aspire Kit and Deluxe Kit. All four options include the 58mm, 67mm and 72mm adaptor rings, as well as the LEE85 Holder, System Pouch and 0.6 Medium ND Graduated filter. Depending on the kit selected, buyers will also get things like the ‘Big Stopper,’ the LEE85 Polarizer, a 0.9 Medium ND Graduated filter and a cleaning cloth.

Buyers who need adaptor rings in other sizes will be able to purchase them separately. It’s unclear how much each LEE85 kit will cost at this time; the company says that its new filter system is due for release in the second quarter of this year.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Anduril’s Anvil is a drone-bashing machine designed to take out UAVs mid-flight

08 Oct

Palmer Luckey has moved on after being ousted from Facebook. His second act as a founder is California-based manufacturer, Anduril. Based in Irvine, the upstart has raised over $ 41 million since 2014. They’ve developed the Anvil, a quadcopter designed for short, fast flights up to 100 mph. The Anvil is equipped with sensors to identify, track, and intercept targets.

According to Luckey, the best way to respond to the threat of a drone illegally entering unauthorized airspace, especially military bases, is to physically smash into and disable it. ‘All the soft kill systems are a waste of time,’ Luckey told Bloomberg in an interview, referring to a spate of anti-drone technologies that have recently surfaced.

Equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors, that are effective both in daylight and at nighttime, rotors on the bottom, and strategically-placed flight-critical parts, the Anvil takes out hostile drones from below. An operator can authorize an attack through a handheld remote while viewing a live feed. One main issue is the damage sustained to the Anvil as a result of a high-speed impact. Luckey believes in their durability and is not too concerned.

Anduril is already working on larger, faster versions of the Anvil that will target a small aircraft, helicopters, and even cruise missiles. It remains to be seen if crashing into rogue unmanned vehicles will be an effective solution to securing airspace. Said Luckey, via Twitter, ‘the best way to kill fast drones piloted by hostile humans is with even faster drones piloted by AI. The United States cannot allow the skies of the world to turn into the Wild West, our ability to take out aerial threats in a matter of seconds is part of the solution.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Rock Bar is a sleek and slim weighting system designed to replace sandbags

24 Sep

California company Rock Bar has introduced a much tidier solution to weighing down tripods and light stands with a new weight case that straps securely to legs and center columns to provide extra stability.

The Rock Bar system comprises a nylon zip-up tube that comes filled with seven pounds of recycled steel and which uses straps at either end of its body to attach to legs without swaying in windy conditions.

The number of weights in the body can be adjusted by the user depending on the conditions and the equipment being supported, and the slim-line pouch is designed not to get in the way or to catch the wind itself. Rock Bar is aimed at tripod users, and those hanging lights on high stands and boom arms, and is intended to replace sandbags and other types of hanging ballast.

The case measures 31.75×6.35×6.98cm (12.5×2.5×2.75in) and costs $ 45. For more information see the Rock Bar website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Wundershine’s Reframe is designed for easy image-swapping and app-controlled curation

19 Apr

Back in 2015 Dutch start-up Wundershine announced the Makerframe, a wooden picture frame that could print your images with a built-in inkless thermal printer and swap them out using a built-in framing mechanism. Old prints were stored inside the frame for “re-framing” at a later stage. System control and image curation were performed via a mobile app and a web interface was in planning as well.

Unfortunately the Makerframe never made it to market. The company says that since the initial announcement it has learned that “for most consumers simplicity, affordability and easy refresh are more important than instant refresh.”

This is why only a simpler version of the Makerframe, the Reframe, has now been launched and made available for purchase. The Reframe system consists of wall-mounted, wooden picture frames with a slide-in and clamping mechanism. Compatible prints can be ordered via a mobile app and are delivered by mail.

The frame comes with a hidden slot at the bottom for easy image-swapping and Wundershine says your photos are delivered to your home in the shape of “gallery quality prints on heavy card stock.”

The mobile app lets you curate an image queue from multiple cloud services and order new prints. The Reframe is available now in solid natural oak and walnut and white and black for 79 Euros ($ 89). A pack of three will set you back 199 Euros ($ 223). All frame purchases include a voucher for a photo pack. Head over to the Wundershine website for more information.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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7Artisans shows off new 35mm F/5.6 FE lens designed specifically for drone photography

09 Nov

Chinese lens manufacturer 7Artisans has introduced a new 35mm F5.6 FE lens designed specifically for drone photography.

The unusual-looking lens features an FE mount for full-frame Sony cameras and weighs just 49 grams. Its optical construction is specifically designed to reduce perspective distortion and minimize any vignetting around the edge of the image frame.

7Artisans also notes that the lens can be locked to infinity focus by using three screws to lock the lens into place. The below image is the only sample image 7Artisans has supplied.

7Artisan lenses can be purchased through B&H, but the 35mm F5.6 FE lens isn’t yet posted on B&H and 7Artisans doesn’t mention pricing or availability on its website (translated). We have contacted 7Artisans regarding these details and will update accordingly when and if we hear back.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Blackrapid develops strap designed for women photographers

27 Sep

Accessories manufacturer Blackrapid has introduced a new version of its shoulder sling camera strap that is designed to be especially comfortable for female photographers. The Nicole Elliot by Blackrapid uses wide pad to hug the shoulder and take the pressure away from the neck and distribute weight more evenly. The company says the design is based on the way ‘women have been carrying their babies for centuries’, and promises the camera will feel virtually weightless.

The black shoulder pad is reversible to display a black and white pattern, and it contains pockets for memory cards and for accessories needed close at hand. The strap measures 63in and costs $ 69.95. For more information see the Blackrapid website.

Manufacturer’s description

Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID

Introducing a brand-new camera strap designed by women for women – Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID. With its innovative functionality, maximum comfort and unique style this strap will change the way you photograph life.

Your camera should be an extension of you, not an annoyance to carry. Your camera gear should add to your creative energy – not inhibit it. Taking its cue from the way women have been carrying their babies for centuries, Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID takes the pressure points away from your neck and shoulders by “hugging” your shoulder to evenly distribute the weight. Allowing you to have full mobility and making your camera feel virtually weightless. Shoot for hours without feeling fatigue, discomfort or pain!

The strap is reversible – black on one side, black and white pattern on the other – business and party in one unique design. The shoulder strap has two pockets for lens caps and two zippered pockets for memory cards, batteries and whatever other small accessories you want to keep close. The strap has a release trigger snap hook that locks in place when hooked to the 1/4″ screw that attaches securely to the bottom of your camera. And the strap adjusts to up to 63” in total length, ensuring a perfect fit for any body type.

Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID – #LiveTheMoment in Comfort and Style!

Features:

  • Ergonomically Correct. Even weight distribution takes the pressure off your neck and shoulders, making your camera feel weightless.
  • Durable, water resistant fabric.
  • Reversible – Pattern on one side, black on the other.
  • Reversible front or back adjustment for left or right handed users.
  • 2 zippered pockets, 2 lens cap pockets.
  • Extendable up to 63” in circumference.
  • Swivel ConnectR (CR-3) and FastenR (FR-5) connection system. LockStar Breathe cover to secure carabiner. Camera Safety Tether included for extra security.
  • Front and back spring-loaded cam locks.

Product Specs

  • Reversible for Right- or Left-handed wear
  • Shoulder Piece – Removable, Reversible and Washable*
  • Strap length with shoulder piece – 63” (160cm) fully extended total circumference
  • Shoulder piece – approximately 7.5”x 23.5”
  • 2 zippered pockets 4”x4.5”
  • 2 lens cap pockets 4”x4.5”
  • 2 front and back cam locks
  • Quick adjustment
  • Webbing 100% nylon
  • Webbing width 1”
  • Product weight 6.35oz
  • LockStar Breathe
  • 2 Gate Keeper attachments for reversibility

*Laundering: Detach Shoulder Strap from nylon strap and rings. Wash by hand with mild soap. Lay flat to dry.”

The heart behind Nicole Elliott by BLACKRAPID:
“We are mothers, we are daughters, we are wives and friends…
We love deeply and live passionately.
We are surrounded by a world of wonder and amazement, from little laughs and giggles, to the beautiful people that surround us and the everyday moments that steal our hearts.
Life is a journey…. A bunch of little moments that together make up one big beautiful life.
My hope is that the Elliott strap helps you capture the life around you Confidently, Creatively, Passionately…without borders.
Here’s to a beautiful life captured one shot at a time – one moment at a time.
Every moment, #LiveTheMoment. In comfort and style.”
~ Nicole Elliott

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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