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Posts Tagged ‘improvements’

DaVinci Resolve 17 announced, includes over 300 new features and improvements

10 Nov

Blackmagic Design has announced DaVinci Resolve 17, the latest major release of its flagship video and audio editing software. DaVinci Resolve is ‘the world’s only solution that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics and audio post-production all in one software tool.’

DaVinci Resolve 17’s primary new features include HDR grading tools, redesigned primary color controls, an AI-based magic mask, a next-generation Fairlight audio engine and much more. Blackmagic states that in total there are over 100 new features and 200 improvements to existing features.

The new HDR grading feature is accessible within the software’s color page. Users can create new color wheels with ‘custom roll-off for specific tonal ranges,’ resulting in additional creative control when making fine adjustments. The new wheels include control over exposure and saturation within each zone and are color space aware, allowing for uniform results.

Additional improvements to colorwork include mesh-based warping tools. You can adjust hue and saturation or chroma and luma. Adjustments are performed by dragging control points and Blackmagic Design promises ‘clean, natural-looking adjustments.’ Primary color controls have also been redesigned in the software. With respect to color space, DaVinci wide gamut and DaVinci intermediate are new timeline color space and gamma settings which deliver a universal working color space. Blackmagic states that ‘it’s larger than what cameras can capture’ and that ‘customers will never lose image data, no matter where it comes from.’

DaVinci Resolve 17 includes numerous improvements to color work, such as HDR Color Wheels, Custom Curves and more. Image credit: Blackmagic Design. Click to enlarge.

The Fairlight Audio Core in DaVinci Resolve 17 has undergone major changes. Blackmagic says it is ‘the world’s fastest and highest quality solution for audio post-production.’ Fairlight Audio Core is a low latency, next-gen audio engine that intelligently manages CPU cores and threads in your computer. With the new Fairlight Audio Core, you can work with up to 2,000 tracks at a time with fully supported real-time effects, EQ and dynamics processing. DaVinci Resolve 17 promises ‘sample-accurate editing tools’, ADR, Foley and Fairlight FX (like reverb, de-esser, hum remover and more). You can mix and master stereo audio, 5.1, 7.1 and 3D audio formats. For improved performance, you can also utilize an optional Fairlight Audio Accelerator Card. Further, with the software’s multiple user collaboration feature, multiple sound editors can work on the entire project at the same time.

A new transient analysis tool has been added. This tool automatically detects individual words, beats or sound effects. Transient markers are displayed in the waveform as vertical lines and can be navigated by users via the arrow keys. Blackmagic states that these markers make it easier to identify specific parts of a sound when editing audio. You can also now see larger audio waveforms while trimming.

Image credit: Blackmagic Design. Click to enlarge.

The DaVinci Neural Engine allows for automatic mask creation for an entire person or for specific features such as a face or arms. Further, ‘customers get matte finesse tools, the ability to add and remove strokes and automatic tracking.’ When editing in 16:9 HD or Ultra HD, you can now quickly create square or vertical versions for publishing to platforms such as Instagram. The Neural Engine helps here as well by automatically identifying faces and repositioning them inside the new frame, thus saving time.

Additional time-saving features include the new multi-column view for viewing effects, transitions and titles. The new workspace includes description icons, plus you can cover the cursor over an item to see a live preview in the viewer. The edit page includes ‘dozens’ of time-saving new features as well. These include the ability to manage independent proxy media, more easily synchronize multicam clips, create a sync map, generate render files for any portion of the timeline, make source side adjustments and much more.

Doubling back to multi-user collaboration, this feature is now included in the free version of DaVinci Resolve 17. This means that multiple free users can collaborate on the same project, across multiple devices, simultaneously. Of course, the free version doesn’t include all new features, but it includes a lot. A quick note that it appears that a much-requested feature, ProRes RAW support, doesn’t appear to be coming in DaVinci Resolve 17.

Image credit: Blackmagic Design. Click to enlarge.

Of DaVinci Resolve 17, Blackmagic Design CEO, Grant Petty, said, ‘This is a massive update and it has amazing new technology and features for colorists, audio engineers, editors and visual effects artists. While the new color science, HDR grading and improvements and Fairlight usability are the most noticeable features, what I am most proud of are the thousands of small improvements that customers will notice every day!’

There are many features and improvements in DaVinci Resolve 17 that are beyond the scope of this article, so let’s quickly summarize the primary features of DaVinci Resolve 17:

  • Next generation HDR color correction with customizable wheels and tonal zones.
  • Mesh and grid based color warper delivers an entirely new way to transform color.
  • Magic mask automatic object isolation powered by the DaVinci Neural Engine.
  • Improved color management with tone mapping and color space aware tools.
  • Massive DaVinci wide gamut color space for higher quality image processing.
  • High speed audio editing with new keyboard and mouse context-sensitive tools.
  • Fairlight Audio Core engine with auto load balancing and support for 2,000 tracks.
  • Revolutionary FlexBus architecture for audio routing without limitations.
  • Automatic transient detection for beats, words, and sound effects.
  • Support for massive audio projects with thousands of tracks on a single system.
  • Metadata based card view in media pool on cut page.
  • Precision audio trimming on the cut page timeline and graphical trimmer.
  • Smart reframe powered by the DaVinci Neural Engine on cut and edit pages.
  • Live effect, title, and transition previews on cut and edit pages.
  • Import and edit projects from ATEM Mini Pro ISO.
  • Proxy media workflows up to 1/16th resolution in H.264, H.265, ProRes or DNxHR.
  • Timeline based clip syncing to create multicam and compound clips.
  • Alpha support for keying and compositing on cut and edit pages.
  • Render in place command for effects heavy clips on cut and edit timelines.
  • Make source side adjustments before editing clips into the timeline.
  • Portable timeline and bin files for easy sharing.
  • Native interlace processing and realtime 3:2 pulldown removal.
  • Node tree bookmarks, customizable Fusion toolbar, and vertical node layouts.
  • Support for growing files in media pool.
  • Support for frame based metadata for BRAW, ARRI, RED, Sony and EXR.
  • Workflow integration API and third party encoder API.
Image credit: Blackmagic Design

DaVinci Resolve 17 is available now as a public beta. You can download the software by clicking here. DaVinci Resolve is available as a free download. For all the new features, including the DaVinci Neural Engine, stereoscopic 3D tools, additional Resove FX filters, Fairlight FX audio plugins, HDR grading and more, you must purchase DaVinci Resolve Studio. When the public release of DaVinci Resolve 17 Studio is available, it will cost $ 299 USD.

In addition to DaVinci Resolve 17, Blackmagic Design has also announced additional products. The DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor, $ 295 USD, is a new keyboard for DaVinci Resolve’s cut page and ‘allows a new and dramatically faster editing solution that’s a combination of integrated hardware and software.’ For a limited time, every customer who purchases DaVinci Resolve Studio from a Blackmagic Design reseller will get the Speed Editor free of charge.

DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor. Image credit: Blackmagic Design.

On the Fairlight side of things, a new Fairlight Desktop Console will be available this December for $ 3,495. This is a complete audio mixing control surface for mixing multiple tracks at once, automating various parameters and plug-in settings and more. Blackmagic has also announced the Fairlight HDMI Monitor Interface. This allows customers to use any HDMI or SDI television or monitor with large Fairlight Studio Consoles. This product will cost $ 259 and you can learn more about it here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm releases major 4.00 firmware update for X-T3, bringing dramatic autofocus improvements

29 Oct

As it said it would at the beginning of October, Fujifilm has released a firmware update for its XT3 camera that it claims will dramatically improve autofocus performance.

Firmware version 4.00 for the XT-3 claims to triple the autofocus speed from 0.06 seconds down to 0.02 seconds, bringing it in line with the autofocus speed of the newer X-T4. The algorithm that predicts the location of subjects has also been improved, according tot he changelog.

Overall autofocus tracking performance has been doubled (compared to firmware version 3.30), with faster and more accurate subject acquisition. Both Eye AF and Face Tracking have also been given a performance boost with this firmware, doubling the tracking speed according to Fujifilm.

As noted in its initial announcement, this firmware also allows for autofocus performance down to -7 EV when using the new Fujifilm XF 50mm F1 and adds a focus limited option for pre-determining specific focus ranges.

Although much less exciting, the Fujifilm X-H1 has also received a firmware update (version 2.11) that addresses minor bugs.

You can download and find out more information about firmware version 4.00 for the Fujifilm X-T3 and firmware version 2.11 for the Fujifilm X-H1 on Fujifilm’s website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon releases FW 1.1 for EOS R5, with bug fixes and improvements to video shooting time

27 Aug

Canon has released firmware 1.1 for the EOS R5. Alongside a flurry of minor bug fixes, the new firmware also promises to improve video shooting times. We’ve had the new firmware for a few days, and prepared a test.

Check out Jordan’s take on the new firmware in the video, above, and see below for Canon’s official description of the changes in FW 1.1 and a link to download it.

Download firmware 1.1.0 for the Canon EOS R5 (Canon USA)

Press release:

Firmware Version 1.1.0 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

  • Useful messaging is now displayed when [HDMI display?Camera+External monitor] and [Overheat control: on] settings are enabled.
  • When using certain RF lenses for movie shooting, the in-lens image stabilization mechanism has been improved.
  • Fixes a phenomenon in which the “Slow Synchro” setting screen is not accurately displayed, when the language is set to English.
  • Fixes a typo displayed on the communication setting screen, when the language is set to Korean.
  • Connectivity during FTP transmission has been improved.
  • Fixes a phenomenon, in which the card access time may take longer, when using certain CF express cards.
  • Temperature detection and shooting time control in video shooting have been improved. In addition, the total shooting time when the short-time recording and power-on/off are performed repeatedly at room temperature is improved.
  • The phenomenon in which the movie recording time available is not correctly displayed when the Date/Time/Zone is not set has been corrected.

*The firmware scheduled for release in early September will incorporate the following improvements for the RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM.
-Supports 6-stop image stabilization. (CIPA-compliant)
-Improves IS capabilities when performing continuous shooting under specific conditions.

Firmware Version 1.1.0 is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.0.0. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon Z50 gets Animal Detection AF, Z6 and Z7 get minor improvements via firmware updates

22 Jul

In addition to a new camera, a pair of teleconverters and a compact zoom lens, Nikon has also released firmware updates for its Z50, Z6, Z7 cameras and FTZ adapter.

Nikon Z50 firmware version 2.00

The most substantial firmware update is firmware version 2.00 for the Nikon Z50. In addition to support for the new Z-mount teleconverters and the ability to update older F-mount lenses via the FTZ adapter, firmware version 2.00 brings Nikon’s Animal detection autofocus (AF) as a custom AF mode. Nikon says this mode can detect the eyes and faces of dogs and cats when shooting stills (only faces will be detected when shooting video).

Additional improvements, taken from the changelog, are listed below:

  • Changed some of the f/-number values displayed when exposure is adjusted in steps of 1/3 EV (f/1.2 is now displayed as f/1.3). As of July 21, 2020, this applies to NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lenses.
  • The bracketing increment is now properly applied to photos taken with exposure locked during AE bracketing in Continuous H (extended) release mode.
  • Release-priority is now enabled if AF-S Single AF is selected for Focus mode when AF-ON is assigned to the AE-L/AF-L button.
  • The following improvements have been made to subject tracking:
    • Users can now switch between the auto-area AF and target selection displays using a custom control such as the Fn1 button.
    • The behavior of subject tracking when AF-C is selected during still photography now more closely resembles that for 3D-tracking on digital SLR cameras.
  • The conditions for displaying the prompt suggesting the use of the flash have been reviewed and the prompt is now displayed under more appropriate conditions.
  • Fixed the following issues:
    • The crop selected for “tall” (portrait-orientation) pictures using PictBridge would not be accurately reflected in the printed image.
    • In rare circumstances, autofocus would not engage if a NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR lens was extended at the same time the camera was turned on.

You can download firmware version 2.00 and find installation information on Nikon’s support page.

Nikon Z6, Z7 firmware version 3.10

Firmware version 3.10 for the both the Nikon Z6 and Z7 adds support for Nikon’s new teleconverters, as well as the ability to update Nikon F-mount lenses when attached to the cameras via Nikon’s FTZ mount adapter. Other updates for the cameras, taken from the changelog, are listed below:

  • Changed some of the f/-number values displayed when exposure is adjusted in steps of 1/3 EV (f/1.2 is now displayed as f/1.3). As of July 21, 2020, this applies to NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lenses.
  • The bracketing increment is now properly applied to photos taken with exposure locked during AE bracketing in Continuous H (extended) release mode.
  • When an external recorder compliant with Atomos Open protocol is connected, movie recording can now be started and stopped using camera controls if all the following conditions are met:
    • The camera is in movie mode and the recorder is connected via HDMI.
    • A memory card is inserted.
    • The following are selected for HDMI > Advanced in the SETUP MENU:
      • External recording control > On
      • Output data depth > 10 bit
      • N-log setting > Off
    • 3840×2160; 30p/25p/24p is selected for Frame size/frame rate in the MOVIE SHOOTING MENU.
  • Fixed the following issues:
    • The camera monitor would exhibit a green cast when the camera was connected to an external display via HDMI if:
      • Adobe RGB was selected for Color space in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU,
      • Shutter-release button > Record movies was selected for Custom Setting g2 (Custom control assignment) in Group “g” (Movie) of the CUSTOM SETTING MENU,
      • 10 bit was selected for HDMI > Advanced > Output data depth in the SETUP MENU,
      • On (cannot record to card) was selected for HDMI > Advanced > N-Log setting in the SETUP MENU,
      • On was selected for HDMI > Advanced > View assist in the SETUP MENU, and
      • movie mode was selected with the photo/movie selector.
    • The crop selected for “tall” (portrait-orientation) pictures using PictBridge would not be accurately reflected in the printed image.
    • In rare circumstances, autofocus would not engage if a NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR lens was extended at the same time the camera was turned on.

You can download firmware version 3.10 for both the Z6 and Z7 on Nikon’s support pages.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Adobe’s June Creative Cloud update brings improvements, updates to Lightroom, Photoshop and more

17 Jun

Adobe has released its June Creative Cloud updates, bringing with it a number of new features for its cloud-based product suite, including Photoshop, Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw.

Adobe Photoshop

First on the agenda is Photoshop for desktop. Adobe has updated its Select Subject tool with new algorithms to help it better recognize what’s being selected and alter its selection accordingly. Specifically, Adobe has worked on portrait selection, which will recognize when a person is being selected and more accurately select the subject’s hair and other details using its Sensei AI machine learning technology.

Adobe has also added rotatable patterns, Adobe Fonts auto-activation (no more messages about missing fonts) and an updated Match Font feature that can detect fonts in an image and suggest similar-looking fonts within your library to use in the image.

You can find a detailed post explaining all of the new Photoshop features in depth on Adobe’s announcement blog post.

Adobe Lightroom

Moving on to Lightroom, Adobe has added a new Local Hue adjustment (ACR, Lightroom Classic, Lightroom CC macOS/Windows, iOS and Android), Versions (Lightroom CC macOS/Windows, iOS and Android), Raw defaults (Lightroom CC macOS/Windows, iOS and Android) and ISO Adaptive Presets (ACR and Lightroom Classic).

The new Centered Crop Overlay makes it easier to center a subject in an image.

The Local Hue adjustment makes it possible to edit the color in select areas of an image, the new Versions feature makes it possible to create and edit multiple versions of the same image without needing to duplicate it, Raw defaults makes it so you can apply specific default settings to Raw photographs to make the images reflect the internal picture profile you’ve set in-camera and the ISO Adaptive Presets makes it possible to change how a specific preset looks based on what ISO the image was captured at.

One of the new features in Lightroom CC for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android is ‘Versions,’ which lets you make multiple edits of the same image without having to duplicate the file.

Other new features include Centered Crop Overlay, Watermarks and Lightroom for iPad finally has an Edit in Photoshop’ option for immediately editing the image in Photoshop for iPad (with a reverse option to ‘Send to Lightroom’ when you’re done with your edits).

The ability to export an image from Lightroom for iPad to Photoshop for iPad and back is a very welcomed addition that’s been requested by users for quite some time now.

Lightroom Classic has also received performance improvements. GPU acceleration for image editing came about last year, but these new improvements focus on a smoother experience while scrolling through your library, searching and filtering collections and scrubbing sliders in the Develop module. Adobe says ‘you’ll experience faster scrolling and less stuttering especially while navigating up and down larger catalogs and sifting through longer lists of collections.’

You can see a detailed breakdown of each of the new features and updates in Lightroom on Adobe’s announcement blog post.

Adobe Camera Raw

The new ACR interface more closely resembles that of Adobe’s more recent Lightroom and Photoshop updates.

Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) has also received an update that brings its interface and feature set more in line with Lightroom. In addition to the Local Hue adjustment, ISO Adaptive Presets and center crop overlay, ACR has also moved many of its local tools to the right-hand side of the interface and put its various adjustment in stackable panels, similar to what’s found in Lightroom’s Develop module. You can also choose whether the Filmstrip (image thumbnails) appears on the left-hand side of the interface or on the bottom, underneath the images.

You can find a rundown of all of the new features on Adobe’s ‘What’s new in ACR’ announcement post.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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RAW Power 3 available for Mac and iOS, includes workflow improvements and new editing tools

17 Apr

Gentlemen Coders LLC, the creator of RAW Power for macOS and iOS, has released RAW Power 3.0. The latest version introduces more integration with native macOS and iOS Photos applications and delivers an improved workflow.

RAW Power 3 is the first, and currently only, third-party application to include full support for Apple Photos libraries on macOS and iOS. With this integration, photographers can rate and edit their images on their Mac or iOS devices with full iCloud synchronization.

The software was developed by Nik Bhatt, a former Apple engineer. While at Apple, Bhatt led the iPhone and Aperture teams. Of RAW Power 3, Bhatt says, “RAW Power has gained a strong following among serious photographers for its unique control over Apple’s RAW engine, combined with its robust and easy-to-use editing tools.”

RAW Power 3 includes a variety of improvements to its integration with Apple Photos and its overall workspace. Users can utilize tabs to view multiple albums in the library at the same time. Users can also rate, flag and filter albums, with ratings and flags automatically syncing through iCloud Photos. Click to enlarge the image. Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

From its first release, RAW Power has been designed to build upon the existing Apple Photos native application and add additional functionality and editing capabilities. RAW Power allows the user to keep their files organized at the system level while also performing more advanced edits to their photos. By leveraging Apple Photos, users can also avoid committing to a proprietary photo library or subscription-based software.

Considering the Mac version of RAW Power 3.0, the software works directly with your Photos library while adding additional editing and organizational tools. You can browse and create albums and folders, which are then instantly applied to the system’s photo library and changes are synced over iCloud when using iCloud Photos. RAW Power 3 specifically adds rating and flagging functionality to the software, something not available in Apple Photos. In the case of a flag, this will instantly appear on the image file in the Finder as well.

RAW Power 3 introduces a variety of user-requested features, including hot and cold pixel indicators, integration of LUTs and reordering of default adjustments within your customized workspace. Click to enlarge the image. Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

Additionally, RAW Power 3 includes a new section for recently viewed items. There’s a threshold for what counts as “viewed,” meaning that only images you spent more than a few seconds looking at will be included. To make it easier to view and work on multiple images or albums at once, RAW Power 3 includes tabs.

RAW Power 3 introduces a variety of new image adjustments, including: Auto Enhance with Face Balancing, Auto White Balance, LUTs with film simulations, Levels and a Channel Mixer. With the new adjustment tools, the total now available to users is 15. With so many adjustments now built into the software, RAW Power 3 includes a refreshed editing interface and new workflow functionality. Users can reorder and select the default adjustments, to ensure that adjustments they use less frequently do not clog up their workspace.

RAW Power 3 introduces two new Auto adjustment features, including Auto Enhance and Auto White Balance (shown here). Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

RAW Power 3 also adds LUTs. The software ships with 20 of them, including Bhatt’s own film simulation LUTS. Users can add their own LUTs as well. When using LUTs, users can adjust the strength of the effect using an intensity slider. With respect to existing image adjustments, there have also been tweaks. For example, there are now hot pixel indicators in the software.

Considering the new Auto Enhance image adjustment, this works by analyzing the image on a variety of criteria before applying varying levels of different RAW Power adjustments. Auto Enhance can adjust highlights and shadows, change the exposure, adjust white balance and more.

RAW Power 3 for iOS includes many of the same improvements as RAW Power 3 for macOS, including the new image editing tools, including LUT integration. RAW Power 3 for iOS also includes the ability to reorder and organize your workspace, which is even more important when working on the smaller display of an iPhone or iPad.

The iOS version of RAW Power 3 for iPhone and iPad (shown above) includes a nearly identical feature set as the Mac version, including batch editing. For example, you can batch process and apply Auto Enhance to selected images, as shown in this screenshot. Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

With the latest version of RAW Power, users can now manage their images either in the native Photos application or in the iOS Files app. You can switch seamlessly between Photos and Files, although some iOS limitations result in edits, ratings, flags and filters not syncing over iCloud when working in Files.

The same new rating workflow from the Mac version carries over to iOS, representing a first for iCloud photographers on iOS. By utilizing ratings and flags, you can easily sort and filter your image library to quickly find specific images.

RAW Power 3 also includes new one-tap integration with the popular Halide camera application and Halide has added RAW Power to its quick-launch integration within the app’s photo reviewer.

If you use Portrait mode on your iOS device, RAW Power 3, like prior versions, can access the depth data in your image files. By utilizing this data, users can selectively adjust different areas of the image depending on how close or far the subject was from the lens. For example, you can adjust the highlights and shadows in the background and foreground independently while also adjusting the depth mask threshold. You can see the mask created using depth data in this screenshot from the iPad version of RAW Power 3. Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

For users of Apple’s Portrait mode on their iOS devices, RAW Power 3 can access the depth data in the image file and allow users to create depth maps for selective edits. You can access and edit using the depth data on both iOS and Mac versions of RAW Power.

RAW Power 3 for macOS and iOS is available today from the App Store. For existing owners of RAW Power 2, the update is free on both platforms. For new users, RAW Power 3 for macOS is $ 39.99 and RAW Power 3 for iOS is $ 9.99. RAW Power 3 for macOS runs on macOS Catalina and Mojave. On iOS, RAW Power 3 runs on iOS 12 and iOS 13, although the app does not support iPhone 5s, 6 or 6 Plus or iPad mini 3 or earlier.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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OnePlus promises major video improvements on its future smartphones

28 Jan

Earlier this month smartphone manufacturer OnePlus hosted on Open Ears Forum, an event designed to gather user feedback, in New York City. This time around the focus was on smartphone videography and attendees included OnePlus users with varying degrees of video experience, from casual users to video shooters that use smartphones as a work tool.

Now OnePlus has published its own comments from the Q&A sessions held at the event and committed to improving video quality and features on its existing products as well as upcoming models. The most important points include exposure and color consistency across all camera modules, LUT options in editing and a video night mode. You can see the full list below:

  • Exposure / color / white balance shift and consistency across all cameras
    Tuning all the cameras to have the identical exposure, white balance is our first priority and main goal.
  • Auto focus consistency
    We weren’t be able to reproduce the issue reported by the OEF attendees in our lab, but an upgrade both on hardware and software for auto focus will come in 2020.
  • Skin tone consistency
    Skin tone improvement is one of our top priorities. It will improve via future system updates.
  • Sharpness: Sharpness needs improvement across all scenarios
    We are trying to find the new balance between sharpness and noise.
  • Super stabilization: Support for 4K recording; Reducing noise and improving low light quality.
    There are hardware limitations, but 4K super stabilization will be supported in some of our future devices.
  • Dynamic range: Subject is lit but background is too dark
    We have been working on video HDR, which will solve these dynamic range problems.
  • Light flickering
    We’ve heard a lot of feedback about this, and we are working on de-flickering solutions to reduce this issue.
  • Panning shots are not smooth: Improve panning shots stabilization and smoothness
    So far, we weren’t be able to reproduce this issue in our lab, but smoothness and video are part of our key improvement points for 2020.
  • Faster camera
    Again, this is one of our main goals in 2020. Faster shutter requires updates from system, application, as well as the animation. It will constantly be improved via future updates.
  • Lens feature-parity: 1080P and 4K should be supported in all three lenses, allowing to switch between lenses while recording
    This is due to a hardware limitation in current devices, but we’re exploring ways to make it possible for future devices.
  • Limited 4K record length
    Having considered overall performance and temperature, we will not change current limit, but will keep working on optimizing this in the future.
  • Single handed use: Difficult to reach the top bar for features; Single hand zooming
    This is very important feedback for us, and we’ve already been discussing solutions with the design team.
  • Video editing
    We plan on completely updating our Gallery app’s video tools, so many of the features requested during the OEF will be supported. For color grading or LUT options, we will have news soon.
  • Pro video mode
    Pro video mode will be put into backlog, since our high priority is improving default video quality and use experience across the board.
  • Depth of field for tele camera recording (optical)
    We have already been researching and working on this feature, and the current quality has not reached our standard to release.
  • Zoom-in time-lapse
    We have some similar ideas for time-lapse as well, they are already in future product plan.
  • Reverse recording video
    Less frequent user scenario, so we’ve put into backlog. Our main focus in video is basic quality and user experience for all users.
  • Night mode for night video
    This is something we believe to be very interesting, we have already been researching and working on it.
  • AR emoji and stickers recording
    We still haven’t found a killer scenario for AR in video. There are some third-party apps that already offer interesting sticker features, so this isn’t a big priority for now.
  • Social media mode: Directly to twitter, crop ratio for Instagram, etc.
    We believe the image quality in third-party apps is of high importance and has a higher priority. We have been working on this, these features are planned after image quality improvement.
  • Light painting mode
    We decide not to follow on light painting effect due to a narrow user scenario.
  • 2 cameras recording at the same time: Wide and ultra-wide; rear and front
    This is already supported by current platform and cameras, but we are looking for user scene to fully take advantage of this feature.

It’s a long list and we’ll have to see if the OnePlus engineers will manage to implement all of the features and improvements in it. In any case it’s good to see manufacturers interact this closely with its customers and vowing to make improvements that users are asking for.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Skylum Luminar 3.1.1 update brings speed improvements and new features

12 Jun

Skylum has updated its photo editing software Luminar to version 3.1.1, bringing improvements and new features to both the Windows and Mac versions of the application. The company says the new version of its software improves navigation on Windows and Mac by enabling users to right-click on an image and go straight to the folder in which it is stored.

For Windows users, right-clicking on an image also now presents the option to view other images that were taken on the same day. Skylum presents these two features as a way to easily find other content that may be related to a current project, such as other images taken during the same photo shoot.

For Mac users, Luminar version 3.1.1 can create albums faster and now supports changing the software’s language independent of the operating system’s settings. Both the Windows and Mac versions of the software have received launch time improvements, as well, drastically reducing the software’s startup time.

Luminar version 3.1.1 is available now. Windows users can find the update by clicking ‘Help > Check for update’ in the top toolbar; Mac users can update by clicking ‘Check for updates’ in the Luminar 3 menu option in the system’s top bar.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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AirSelfie2 pocket-sized camera drone launches with slight improvements

09 Aug

AirSelfie2, an update to the original AirSelfie drone launched in late 2016, is now available for purchase. The new model, which was introduced during CES 2018, improves upon the original AirSelfie by increasing the camera resolution from 5MP to 12MP, including a 16GB integrated microSD card versus the original’s 4GB capacity, and increasing flight time by two minutes.

The AirSelfie2 features an anodized aluminum casing with overall dimensions slightly larger than a smartphone at 3.8″ x 2.8″ x 0.5″ / 9.7cm x 7cm / 1.3cm. The internal 400mAh battery provides up to five minutes of flight time per charge, with four turbo brushless fans providing lift. Users wirelessly control the miniature drone using a mobile app available on iOS and Android; range is vaguely stated as “over 60ft.”

The drone’s camera captures still images and Full HD videos with an 85-degree FOV. The company behind the device, AirSelfie Holdings, promises new features and “experiences” delivered to AirSelfie2 drone owners via future updates. The drone is available from AirSelfie and select online retailers in gold, rose gold, black, and silver colors for $ 200.

Via: Android Police

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Skylum Luminar 2018 1.3.0 update brings many improvements, new camera support

15 Jul

Skylum, the company previously known as Macphun, has released Luminar 2018 update 1.3.0. The Lightroom alternative has received numerous changes across both its Mac and Windows versions, primarily improvements to existing features, as well as support for additional cameras from Fujifilm, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Canon, and Pentax.

Luminar 2018 is the latest evolution to Skylum’s image editor for Mac and Windows. The 2018 version added a variety of features, improvements, support for Photoshop plugins, and UI changes. Update 1.3.0 builds upon this, adding additional plugin support for Mac, DNG Camera Profiles (DCP) and new features for Windows, and more than a dozen improvements that vary based on operating system.

The Windows version of Luminar 2018 can open Raw files faster post-update due to Raw engine improvements. This version also brings a new White Balance feature with eyedropper to Develop, Raw Develop, and the Color Temperature filters, better filter performance, simplified blending mode selection, and more.

The Mac 1.3.0 version, meanwhile, brings improvements across eight features in addition to support for plugins from the following software: Imagenomic Noiseware 5, Imagenomic Portraiture 3, Imagenomic Realgrain 2, and DxO FilmPack 5. Luminar 2018 for Mac also now has improved support for eight languages, additional file format export options for batch processing, better filter and JPEG controls, and more.

In addition, Luminar update 1.3.0 adds support for the following cameras:

  • Canon EOS 3000D / Rebel T100 / 4000D
  • FujiFilm X-H1
  • FujiFilm X-A20
  • FujiFilm X-A5
  • FujiFilm X-E3
  • Olympus E-PL9
  • Pentax K-1 II
  • Panasonic DC-GF10 / Panasonic DC-GF90
  • Panasonic DC-GX9 / DC-GX7MK3
  • Panasonic DC-TZ200 / DC-ZS200 / DC-TZ202 / DC-TZ220 / DC-ZS220 / DC-TX2
  • Sony A7 III

The full changelogs for the Mac and Windows update are available here. Existing Luminar 2018 users can update from within the software by choosing the “Check for updates” option, which is found under the “Help” menu on Windows and the “Luminar 2018” menu on Mac. Luminar 2018 is available from Skylum for $ 69 USD.

Via: PhotoRumors

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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