Huawei has once again been caught using an image captured with a DSLR to promote its mobile cameras. This issue was discovered on Chinese social media website Weibo, where Huawei published a video that contained multiple images allegedly snapped using its smartphones. According to the South China Morning Post, some of the images were traced back to a 500px user.
The issue was first spotted by photographer Huapeng Zhao, who recognized some of the images and traced them back to a 500px user named Su Tie. Rather than having been captured with a Huawei smartphone as the company’s promotional video claimed, Su Tie’s 500px account indicates the images were captured with a Nikon D850.
In a post on the matter published on Weibo, Huawei said that a ‘negligent editor’ had ‘incorrectly marked that [the DSLR images] were taken with a Huawei smartphone.’ The company thanked Huapeng for spotting the issue and apologized to the community. An updated version of the video without the DSLR images has been posted on Weibo.
This is not, however, the first time Huawei has been caught passing DSLR content off as images captured with its mobile phones.
In early 2019, for example, Huawei used stock images of a volcano captured with a DSLR to promote the zoom lens capabilities of its P30 Pro smartphone. Before that in 2018, the company was caught using an image captured with a DSLR to promote its Nova 3 smartphone. Sadly, this practice isn’t limited to Huawei — Samsung has also been caught passing off DSLR images as mobile images.
In 2018, Samsung Malaysia was caught using an image captured with a DSLR on the website for its Galaxy A8 Star handset, failing to state on the page that the image was not captured using its mobile camera and software. Before that, Samsung Brazil was caught using selfies captured with a DSLR to promote its Galaxy A8 model.
At this point in time, it’s unclear whether Huawei had received permission from Su Tie to use the images in its promotional video. The discovery highlights the importance of taking manufacturer promotional images with a grain of salt, particularly ones that look too good to be true. Though mobile camera technology, including both hardware and software, have improved considerably over recent years, they’re still no match for expensive professional camera systems.
We think that the Nikon 50mm F1.4G and 85mm F1.4G are great all-around picks for APS-C and full-frame Nikon DSLR portrait shooters, respectively. Read on for more recommendations and all of our top lens picks for these systems.
We think the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 STM and Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art are the best all-around picks for APS-C and full-frame Canon DSLRs, respectively, but we’ve got more recommendations to meet a range of budgets.
We invited a professional audio engineer to test the microphone pre-amps in cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm and Olympus. Find out which ones deliver the best sound.
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The post Leica S3 Announced, a Medium Format DSLR With 64 MP appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
Last week, Leica announced the S3, a medium-format DSLR that packs a whopping 64 megapixels and replaces the Leica S2.
This update is a long-time coming – the Leica S2 debuted way back in 2008 – and the new Leica S3 is looking to be a powerhouse of a camera.
But what does this new high-end DSLR include?
First, you get rugged build-quality and weather sealing, all packed into a DSLR-type form factor. If you’re never used a Leica camera before, you’ll be impressed by how sleek the S3 appears; rather than the usual “brick” you get from Canon and Nikon DSLRs, the S3 is a combination of stylish curves and lines.
You also get a Leica Pro Format sensor, sporting 64 megapixels (up from a 37.5-megapixel sensor in the S2). Of course, 64 megapixels is an exciting specification on its own, offering a resolution beyond anything currently available in the 35mm DSLR world. But when combined with Leica’s 30x45mm Pro Format sensor, the S3 is bound to offer sumptuous image quality, even in low light and at high ISOs.
Another bonus:
Leica offers an excellent lens selection. This includes 16 native Leica lenses, as well as a number of adaptable lenses from the likes of Hasselblad and more.
And let’s not forget about the Cinema 4K at 24 fps, in case you’re looking to bring that incredible image quality over to the video arena.
The main drawbacks to a medium format camera like the S3 are image size and shooting speed. As expected, the Leica S3 struggles in both of these areas; the 64 MP images produced are going to be huge, and will limit burst shooting to just 3 frames per second.
You also have to contend with a ridiculously high price, one that’s far out of the average photographer’s (and the average professional’s) price range. In this case, it’s just under $ 19,000 USD, and that’s for the body only. If you want a compatible lens, you’ll need to shell out another $ 5000+ USD.
For those who can afford it, the Leica S3 will likely come available in late March.
What do you think of the Leica S3? Do you wish you could use it? Or are you content with the 35mm camera market? Let me know in the comments!
The post Leica S3 Announced, a Medium Format DSLR With 64 MP appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
Nikon has released an N-Log 3D lookup table (LUT) for use when color grading footage captured with N-Log gamma on its D780 DSLR.
The updated download is version 1.01, an update from version 1.00, which only offered the N-Log 3D LUT for Nikon’s Z6 and Z7 mirrorless camera systems. Version 1.01 includes the original Z6 and Z7 3D LUT files as well as the new cube-format 3D LUT file for the Nikon D780.
Nikon says it’s tested the 3D LUT files in Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Apple Final Cut Pro X and Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve 16, but compatibility isn’t limited to those editing programs.
You can find out more information and download the file for macOS and Windows computers on Nikon’s download page.
Nikon USA has announced it is delaying the release of its new D6 DSLR due to issues caused by COVID-19.
In a short announcement on its website, embedded below, Nikon USA says the D6 has been delayed ‘As a result of delays in the procurement of parts and components from a third-party cooperating company due to measures implemented in response to the spread of COVID-19.’ Nikon says the new release timeframe is May 2020 and notes it ‘announce the new release date once it has been determined.’
This delay will further push the release date closer to the 2020 Olympics, which is set to take place in Tokyo from July 24 through August 9. However, as coronavirus cases and mortalities due to the virus ramp up, the likelihood of the Olympics being delayed or downright canceled increases as well.
Apology and Notice of Delay in the Release of the Nikon D6 Digital SLR Camera
MELVILLE, NY– Thank you for choosing Nikon for your photographic needs.
As a result of delays in the procurement of parts and components from a third-party cooperating company due to measures implemented in response to the spread of COVID-19, the release of the new Nikon D6 digital SLR camera, originally planned for March 2020, will be delayed. We sincerely apologize to our customers and all those concerned for any inconvenience this may cause.
We are now planning to release the Nikon D6 in May 2020 and will announce the new release date once it has been determined.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and do our utmost to deliver this new camera as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and patience in this matter.
About Nikon?
Nikon Inc. is a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo and video capture technologies; globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for an award-winning array of equipment that enable visual storytelling and content creation. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories, Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras and Nikon software products, as well as the revolutionary Nikon Z series of mirrorless cameras and NIKKOR Z lenses, which achieve a new dimension in optical performance. In 2018, Nikon Corporation, the parent company of Nikon Inc., announced the production of 110 million NIKKOR lenses, creating a new milestone in Nikon’s heritage of superior optics. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers and visual storytellers to the Web’s most comprehensive learning and sharing communities. Connect with Nikon on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Vimeo and Flickr.
Tokina, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary and had planned to reveal this information at CP+, has announced its latest 2020 lens development roadmap, showing a number of new lenses it plans to release in 2020 for DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
The announcement, seen above, is split into four different sections, based on the lens mounts the forthcoming lenses are destined for. First up is the atx-i lineup for Canon EF- and Nikon F-mount camera systems. In addition to the previously-announced 11–16mm F2.8 CF and 100mm F2.8 CF Macro lenses, Tokina also teases an upcoming 11–20mm F2.8 CF lens due out in Summer 2020 for Canon and Nikon APS-C DSLR camera.
Moving onto Tokina’s atx-m series, the updated roadmap shows off three new APS-C lenses for Sony E-mount and Fujifilm X-mount camera systems: a 23mm F1.4, 33mm F1.4 and 56mm F1.4. The E-mount version of these lenses (denoted by an ‘E’ after the lens name) are set for a Summer 2020 release, while the X-mount versions (denoted by an ‘X’ after the lens name) aren’t due out until Autumn 2020.
Tokina also highlights three atx-m series lenses for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. In addition to the 85mm F1.8 FE, which is currently available for $ 499 (Adorama, B&H), Tokina also highlights a 35mm F1.8 FE and 50mm F1.8 FE lens, both of which are due out in Autumn 2020.
It’s unconfirmed at this time, but it’s worth noting these lenses do bear a striking resemblance in looks and specs to a number of Viltrox lenses that have already been announced (and delayed).
The post 5 Reasons You Should Still Use a DSLR in 2020 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
In recent years, mirrorless cameras have come to dominate much of the photography market. So much so that, if you’re a DSLR shooter, you may feel like you’re lagging behind. You may feel like you’re using old, antiquated equipment. You may start saving up for that brand-new mirrorless kit. But should you still use a DSLR in 2020?
Here’s the thing:
While mirrorless cameras may be all the rage these days, there’s a lot to be said for DSLRs.
And while there are a lot of benefits to going mirrorless, for some photographers, mirrorless bodies and lenses would be an unnecessary step sideways.
Or, even worse, a step backward.
That’s what this article is all about. I’m going to give you five reasons why you might want to still use a DSLR in 2020.
And you’ll come away knowing whether a DSLR still makes sense for your shooting needs, even in this increasingly mirrorless age.
1. DSLRs are much easier to work with in low light
If you’ve spent some time reading about DSLRs versus mirrorless cameras, then you’ll be familiar with the optical viewfinder and electronic viewfinder comparisons.
On the one hand, optical viewfinders are much clearer than electronic viewfinders, and they feel more real.
This Nikon DSLR features an optical viewfinder, which gives you a crisp and lifelike view through the lens.
On the other hand, electronic viewfinders give you a live preview of your image before you even take it, one that allows you to assess exposure from the moment you put the camera up to your eye. You also get other cool benefits, such as focus peaking (where you can see in-focus areas through the viewfinder), as well as the ability to “see” in black and white.
But there’s another key optical viewfinder benefit:
They look way better in low light.
When you’re shooting in darker situations, looking through an optical viewfinder is very similar to looking with your naked eye.
But looking through an electronic viewfinder is like looking through an old, poor-quality display. There’s noise everywhere, and this makes it tough to tell whether you’ve nailed focus and exposure.
Of course, it’s possible to look past these flaws, and you can still shoot mirrorless in low light. But it’s frustrating to look through a viewfinder and see a poor-quality image, so if you’re a frequent low-light shooter, you might want to consider sticking with a DSLR instead.
Now, EVFs are improving all the time, and there may reach a point in the future where the quality in low light comes close to that of OVFs. But right now, OVFs are dominating EVFs in the low-light arena.
2. You can shoot all day with a DSLR on a single battery
Another reason to still use a DSLR in 2020 is that DSLRs have much longer-lasting batteries compared to mirrorless cameras.
And if you’re the type of photographer who likes to shoot all day without stopping, or someone who goes into areas without access to electricity for days on end, you’re going to struggle with a mirrorless body.
Most mirrorless bodies are rated at around 250-400 shots, though you can get a substantial amount of additional life out of them if you make an effort to conserve battery. Even so, mirrorless battery life pales in comparison to DSLRs, which frequently feature capabilities from around 800 shots to 1500 shots and beyond.
This Nikon D850 has a battery life of 1840 high-resolution shots, which is much more than that of mirrorless competitors.
When I got my first mirrorless camera, I thought I was ready to handle the limited battery life. In a sense, I was: I had three original batteries, plus two chargers.
But even if you have the batteries to last a day or two, it’s frustrating to have to remember to charge them after every shoot. It’s also frustrating to change batteries during shoots, especially when working in the freezing cold or in bad weather.
So if battery life is a big deal to you, then you may want to stick with your DSLR.
3. DSLRs feel much better in your hand
I’ve used a number of mirrorless cameras, and I’ve also used a number of DSLRs.
And the DSLRs are far, far better when it comes to ergonomics.
You see, mirrorless cameras are much more compact than DSLRs on average. But in order to achieve the smaller form-factor, manufacturers have flattened body grips.
Sure, there are some mirrorless cameras that retain a DSLR-like feel, but many of the mid-level options from Sony and Fujifilm, not to mention the entry-level, no-viewfinder cameras from most manufacturers, have very limited grips.
And this makes them very tough to use for street photographers (who often shoot one-handed), as well as casual walkaround photographers. Plus, anyone who holds a camera for hours on end wants it to feel comfortable, not just usable.
In a lot of cases, mirrorless bodies just…aren’t.
Check out this DSLR, which shows the extent to which a deep body grip defines its shape:
While a Nikon D6 has a more obvious battery grip than many DSLRs, it’s still a fair example of the DSLR mold.
So before you grab a new mirrorless body, make sure to head into your local camera shop and actually try it out. Hold it in your hand.
And ask yourself:
How would I feel after hours in the field?
If the answer is something along the lines of “Not good,” then you may want to still use your DSLR in 2020.
4. DSLRs allow you to comfortably view the scene with both eyes open
I’ve already talked about the difference between electronic viewfinders and optical viewfinders.
But there’s a practical consequence that comes with using an electronic viewfinder that I haven’t mentioned:
It’s tough to shoot with both eyes open.
Now, if you’re a landscape or portrait photographer, you may think this is silly. Why would you ever need to use both eyes while shooting?
But if you’re an action photographer, someone who shoots sports or even street photos, then you may like to shoot with both eyes open. This allows you to anticipate movement. It allows you to see what’s going to move into the frame before it happens.
And it can really take your images to the next level.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to use both eyes when shooting mirrorless. This is because there’s a feeling of disconnect between the electronic viewfinder and the optical viewfinder. Plus, even the best EVFs have some kind of lag; while this may be irrelevant if using one eye to shoot, it creates a level of disjointedness when working with both eyes.
This is one of the reasons why, by the way, plenty of sports photographers are still opting for a camera like the Nikon D5/6 or the Canon 1D X Mark II/III over mirrorless options like the Sony a9 II or the Olympus OM-D E-M1X. While the latter two cameras offer incredible specs, it’s just too difficult to use them with both eyes open.
The Canon 1D X Mark III is a sought-after sports camera by professionals.
5. DSLRs offer a better lens selection
Here’s your final reason to still use a DSLR in 2020 over mirrorless:
The lens selection.
Now, there are plenty of great lenses for mirrorless systems. But the range just isn’t as expansive as the DSLR lens lineup that’s offered by Canon or Nikon.
Fortunately, there are adapters that allow you to use DSLR lenses on mirrorless bodies. But these can cost a substantial amount of money, and for some lineups, they’re just not ideal.
Some shooters won’t care about the limited lens offerings; if you’re a portrait photographer, for instance, you’ll probably be just fine with the lens lineup offered by any of the major mirrorless manufacturers. This is because portrait-type lenses are often developed first, as part of a “standard” prime and zoom series.
But if you photograph with more specialized equipment – a set of super-telephoto lenses, for instance, or a long macro lens – you’ll struggle to get the glass you need to really capture your images.
The selection of super-telephoto lenses is limited in mirrorless lineups.
Note, also that switching from a Canon DSLR to a mirrorless system like Fujifilm, will cost a significant sum of money. You’ll need to buy a mirrorless camera, yes, but you’ll also need to replace your entire lens lineup. And while you can sell your DSLR lenses on the used market, they likely won’t get you close to the cash you need for a well-rounded Fuji system.
So make sure you keep this in mind before switching to mirrorless.
5 Reasons you should still use a DSLR in 2020: Conclusion
Now that you’ve finished this article, you know all about the five key reasons you should still use a DSLR in 2020 over a mirrorless camera.
And you should have a sense of whether a DSLR makes sense for your needs.
Now I’d like to know:
Do you shoot mirrorless or with a DSLR? And why? Share your reasons in the comments below!
The post 5 Reasons You Should Still Use a DSLR in 2020 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
The post How to Conserve your DSLR Battery When You are Running Low on Power appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.
Cameras are amazing tools. However, without battery power, they aren’t particularly useful for image making. If you find yourself low on power, there are a number of ways to conserve your DSLR battery. In this article, we’ll look at a few options for stretching out the battery life of your camera when you are running low on juice.
1/15 sec, f/8, ISO 800
Lower LCD brightness
If you’re worried about trying to conserve your DSLR battery, the first thing to do is to turn down the brightness on the camera’s LCD screen. Although dimming the LCD screen can make it more difficult to review images, cutting down on LCD brightness can make a big difference in terms of battery life.
Turn off image preview
Image preview is a quick way to make sure your photographs are turning out. However, Image Preview also consumes a lot of battery power. When you need to conserve your DSLR battery, you can turn the Image Preview function off altogether. Of course, this means that Live View mode is a no-go on a low battery too.
Turn off your camera
1/60th of a second at f/1.8, ISO 1600
One of the most obvious ways to conserve your DSLR battery is to switch the camera off altogether! This won’t be of much use if you are in the midst of a shoot, but if you have a few minutes between subjects, turning your camera off can save a lot of battery.
Don’t delete photos on the fly
Going through and deleting images in-camera can put a significant strain on battery life. Deleting images in-camera can even increase the chances of corrupting the data on your memory card. Rather than trawling through and deleting your photographs to free up space, invest in a few extra memory cards instead.
Switch off sensor cleaning
Sensor cleaning is a mechanism that cleans the sensor whenever the camera is turned on or off. When activated, the camera uses ultrasonic vibrations to try and shake loose any pesky traces of dust on the sensor. While useful, sensor cleaning uses up a considerable amount of battery life each time it enters cleaning mode. So, if you are low on battery, turn this function off via the settings menu in your camera.
Avoid cold conditions
Batteries in cooler environments tend to drain quicker than those in warmer conditions. If you can’t avoid shooting in a chilly environment, many photographers make use of hand warmers and the like to maintain battery life.
Turn off image stabilization
1/250th of a second, f 3.2 ISO 800
Image stabilization (or IS) is a mechanism that is used to stabilize an image when hand-holding a camera. By counteracting camera movement, IS reduces the likelihood of unwanted blur in your photographs.
However…(you guessed it), image stabilization soaks up a lot of power.
Sometimes IS is crucial, but in circumstances where the camera is mounted on a tripod or a steady surface, or you are shooting at a fast shutter speed, make sure you switch the IS function off to conserve your DSLR battery.
Check up on battery health
Camera batteries have a limited life, meaning that they do eventually need to be replaced. Keep track of battery health by consulting the battery info in-camera. Keeping an eye on trends in a batteries’ life can help you determine in advance when it might be time for a new battery.
Consider getting a battery grip
A battery grip is an accessory that attaches to the base of a camera. It provides room for an extra battery, doubling your time between charges. Battery grips also provide an additional grip for portrait-orientated shooting and can ease the strain of hand-holding longer lenses.
A battery grip aids in hand-holding the camera in a portrait orientation. 1/200 f/6.3 ISO 100
If you are finding that you are constantly pressured by a lack of battery power, or you want to ensure you won’t be caught short, you may want to invest in a battery grip.
Conclusion
Camera batteries are a key ingredient in DSLR photography. By lowering LCD brightness and switching off image preview, sensor cleaning and IS or turning off your camera between subjects, it can be a little easier to conserve your DSLR battery in a pinch.
Refraining from deleting photos on the fly, avoiding cold conditions and keeping an eye on battery health can also help to stretch the longevity of a batteries’ life between charges.
Do you have a great tip for conserving battery life in a pinch? Go ahead and post in the comments!
The post How to Conserve your DSLR Battery When You are Running Low on Power appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.
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