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Posts Tagged ‘Jack’

Opinion: Fujifilm’s decision to omit the headphone jack on the X-T4 is a mistake

28 Feb
Want to monitor audio while shooting video on the Fujifilm X-T4? You’ll need a dongle.

Just a quick warning: I’m going to clobber Fujifilm a bit in this column. But not until I praise Fujifilm.

A few short years ago, Fujifilm was the last camera company I associated with great video. At a time when competitors’ cameras were capturing serviceable 1080p footage, Fujifilm’s models slotted in somewhere between the Fisher Price Elmo video camera and the iPhone 4 in terms of video quality.

A ‘worst to first’ story?

My, how times have changed.

Today, Fujifilm is a shining example of what’s possible when a traditional camera company decides to tackle the challenge of video. There’s no complacency here, and in recent years the company has not only caught up with, but surpassed, many of its competitors in key areas. Recent models deliver beautiful 4K video, 10-bit color and support the H.265 codec up to 400 Mbps. F-Log gamma provides post-processing flexibility, and the gorgeous Eterna film simulation delivers beautiful cinematic footage.

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Fujifilm’s early efforts at video were less than spectacular. In recent years, however, the company stepped up its game and is a top contender in the mirrorless arena.

With the X-T4, Fujifilm dials it up a few more notches. In-body image stabilization, separate menus for stills and video, F-Log view assist for visualizing a LUT in-camera, 240 fps recording, a dedicated Q-menu for video and much more show that Fujifilm is serious about appealing to video shooters.

That’s why its decision to omit a headphone jack from the X-T4 is simply mind boggling, especially considering that the X-T3 includes one. Here’s the problem: being serious about adding features that people want and recognizing how customers actually use your product are two different things.

Being serious about adding features that people want and recognizing how customers actually use your product are two different things

For all the great improvements – and they are great – the X-T4’s design overlooks one of the most basic principles a video shooter cares about in the field: a reliable workflow with as few points of failure as possible. Every time you introduce something like an adapter between connectors you increase the risk of something going wrong. Some things will always go wrong in the field, but there are certain key things that just can’t go wrong, and the ability to monitor audio is one of them.

I’ve been here before

I was an early adopter of mirrorless cameras for video work and embraced models like the Panasonic GH2. There was a LOT of room for improvement in that camera, but I found reasonable workarounds for most things.

However, it had a big Achilles heel, and it’s almost the same one as the X-T4: it used a non-standard 2.5mm microphone jack that was incompatible with the standard 3.5mm plug on most hot shoe microphones (like the Rode VideoMic series).

I ordered a couple adapters and threw them into my bag, but adapters and dongles have a habit of disappearing or failing without warning. As a result, I subsequently ran into several situations where I couldn’t connect a microphone due to a missing or, in at least one case, a defective adapter. Was it the end of the world? No, but it was very disruptive and frustrating, particularly since the camera included a jack – just a non-standard one.

Requiring an adapter to monitor audio on the X-T4 is reminiscent of Panasonic’s decision to use a non-standard 2.5mm microphone jack on the GH1 (above) and GH2 – something that wasn’t popular among videographers.

When this happened, it didn’t matter how capable the GH2 was when it came to video quality. The fact that it introduced a point of failure to one of the most fundamental parts of my workflow did. Where will you be when you discover you’re missing the USB adapter for the X-T4? I don’t know, but the things I do know are 1) it’ll be precisely when you most need it, and 2) USB to 3.5mm adapters aren’t the easiest thing to replace quickly, unless you’re lucky enough to be close to a big box or electronics store.

If fairness to Fujifilm, there’s one way to get a headphone jack on the X-T4: you can use the battery grip. This may appeal to some people, but unless you need the grip it’s basically a really big dongle. The headphone jack should really be an integral part of the camera.

Why Fujifilm needs to get this right

Some may argue that the X-T4 isn’t a ‘real’ video camera, and therefore omitting a headphone jack isn’t a big deal. You’re right: it’s not a C200 or an FS7 or anything else in that class. It doesn’t have XLR inputs, SDI connectors or any number of other things. Also, one could fairly argue that the Fujifilm X-H1—a camera we praised for its video capabilities—had the same limitation, so why complain?

Because the basic definition of what a video camera is has evolved, particularly in the prosumer market; whether for size, budget or just familiarity, many creators—including enthusiasts exploring the world of video—are now using mirrorless cameras to produce content that would have required a pro video camera in the past.

Fujifilm, if you want to appeal to videographers please don’t introduce a potential point of failure to a critical part of the workflow.

I’m convinced that Fujifilm is trying to appeal to these users, and it’s certainly getting their attention with a product like the X-T4. Not only can it shoot beautiful video, but it’s a pretty self-contained, stand-alone solution thanks to all the tech packed into it.

Which is why removing a feature that’s so critical to the video production workflow, and which was included on the camera’s predecessor, is simply baffling. It suggests that while Fujifilm has done an amazing job of adding features that videographers will love, it still doesn’t quite understand how they work.

Despite what I’ve written here, I’m really looking forward to using the Fujifilm X-T4 to shoot video. It’s an exciting camera and I already know I’m going to love it, but I’ll have several USB to 3.5mm adapters in my possession before I commit to using it for anything serious.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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‘White Stripes’ Jack White opens film lab in Nashville

25 Oct

Jack White, the lead singer of the band The White Stripes, has opened a lab in his Nashville recording studio to process and print film. The building that houses Third Man Records, White’s record label, now has the facilities to process black and white, color negative and transparency film, as well as hand-printing services.

According to the price list, Third Man Photo handles 35mm, 120 and 220 roll film as well as 110 cassettes. Photographic prints are also available in sizes up to 20x24in. The lab also makes negatives from digital files, scans film, and offers cross-processing.

Customers can drop off film in person or mail it to the lab. Workshops can be booked for customers who are feeling a little more adventurous and fancy processing their own film.

For more information see the Third Man Photo website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Pulitzer-prize winning photographer Jack Dykinga reflects on his career

29 Jan
A collection of Jack Dykinga’s Press Passes from his years in Photojournalism.
Photo by Jack Dykinga

Jack Dykinga’s career started in photojournalism during the Civil Rights Movement in the US during the 1960’s and 70’s. Despite winning a Pulitzer Prize during his tenure at the Chicago Sun-Times, he’s never allowed himself to get too comfortable with one style. He later shifted his focus to fine art and landscape photography, a career move that’s not too common among photojournalists.

Arizona State Trust land near Redrock, AZ with summer monsoon storm, flashes of lightning and a partial rainbow over the saguaro cacti in the Sonoran Desert Arizona. Photo by Jack Dykinga

He’s now offering a retrospective on his unique career in his book ‘A Photographer’s Life’. His recent interview with Resource Travel also reveals some interesting insights. He has this to say about finding success in any field of photography:

‘I’m a tried and true pro and I know exactly what buttons to push and what I need to do to capture the story, but it still boils down to your impression, your curiosity, what it is that piques your interest. That varies from photographer to photographer. From that, you apply your set of skills and your style artistically — so you’re doing both journalism and art at the same time. That’s the most successful type of photography.’

Yosemite National Park, CAL/Bridalveil Falls pours into Yosemite Valley’s coniferous forest under shroud of fog. California, 1987 Photo by Jack Dykinga

The full interview over at Resource Travel is well worth your time. Do Dykinga’s words ring true for you? Let us know in the comments.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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HP Pavillion DV5000 series laptop dc / ac power jack replaced

26 Oct

I will be replacing the dc power jack cable and case in fast motion on my HP Pavillion DV5000 series laptop. This video was made just for fun. h10032.www1.hp.com Brand: HP Model: Pavillion dv5035nr Music by: BES Song: #270 www.besbeats.com www.myspace.com/playarythmns.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

read description: im using a windows vista 64 bit Sites I use in video: First to buy a easy cap Any model (I have the dc60) easycapexpertti.mybisi.com Second the drivers for the easy cap dc60 Its meant for the windows 7 but it works on VISTA 64 bit www.sabrent.com Watch the video listen to the tutorial, and you should get great video and audio, no more do you have to buy a or more capture card!!!!! “””DISCLAIMER””” this is how i fixed my issue if you want to try it do it on your own risk 🙂 READ description, rate, comment and subscribe to me as well as: www.youtube.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

 
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Photoshop Smart Dodging and Burning by Jack Davis

23 Apr

Color Management, Camera RAW, Bridge, important Preferences, Smart features, Masking secrets, Filters and more. From his program ‘How to Wow – Workflow & Optimizing CS3’.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Photoshop Lightroom 2 non-destructive dodge & burn, skin softening, targeted sharpening, vignettes, retouching, enhancing. From his program ‘PS Lightroom 2 – Enhancing Indepth & Unleashed’.

 

Photoshop Texture and Artistic Noise Overlays by Jack Davis

06 Mar

Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop CS3, and the process of going beyond what was captured to what you want your audience to experience. From his program ‘How to Wow – Enhancing & Creative Effects CS3 ‘.