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Posts Tagged ‘launches’

Tamron Launches Gorgeous 18-300mm Zoom for Fujifilm (and Sony)

23 Jul

The post Tamron Launches Gorgeous 18-300mm Zoom for Fujifilm (and Sony) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Tamron launches 18-300mm zoom for Fujifilm and Sony

Earlier this week, Tamron unveiled the 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD, an all-in-one lens designed for both Sony E-mount and Fujifilm X-mount cameras.

While Tamron has spent several years perfecting mirrorless lenses for the Sony E-mount, the company has not yet launched glass for Fujifilm users. The announcement hints at a new direction for Tamron; assuming the X-mount version is sufficiently popular, you can expect future Fujifilm-compatible lenses, a major win for Fujifilm’s dedicated fanbase.

The lens itself draws on Tamron’s experience with flexible zooms and will sit alongside products such as the 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6. According to Tamron, the 18-300mm “is the world’s first all-in-one zoom lens for Sony and Fujifilm APS-C mirrorless cameras featuring a 16.6x zoom ratio,” and indeed, the zoom range is remarkable. At 18mm, you can capture landscapes, wide street shots, and architectural shots. And at 300mm, you can photograph tight telephoto landscapes and even some birds, thanks to a near-500mm field of view (with the crop factor applied). Then there are the midrange focal lengths, and you can use these for portrait photography, sports photography, and much more.

If you enjoy capturing the occasional close-up shot of insects or flowers, then you’ll love the 18-300mm’s close-focusing capabilities. You can shoot at up to 1:2 magnification, perfect for casual macro photography (and you’ll even be able to capture an abstract close-up or two for variety).

Tamron also promises “extremely fast and precise autofocus – the highest level in its class.” As you can imagine, this is a big deal for fast-paced travel and street shooting, not to mention bird and wildlife photography. Users will need to be content with a relatively narrow maximum aperture (f/6.3 on the long end, f/3.5 on the wide end), but the Vibration Compensation should offset this problem somewhat when shooting in low light.

Of course, when purchasing a lens, a lot hinges on optical quality, and superzooms are notoriously finicky – though Tamron promises “high-resolution performance” and “high image quality that is among the best of all all-in-one zoom lenses.” Bottom line, the 18-300mm is bound to work for photographers aiming to keep their backpack lightweight and minimalistic. For the right shooter, this lens could genuinely replace an entire bag of glass, saving on space, money, and more.

So if you like the sound of a convenient superzoom and you’re a Fujifilm or Sony user, keep an eye out for the 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3. While the price hasn’t yet been revealed, bank on a Fall 2021 release date and prepare for some fun photoshoots!

Now over to you:

What do you think about the Tamron 18-300mm? Is it a lens you’d be interested in? What would you use it for? Share your thoughts (and images) in the comments below!

The post Tamron Launches Gorgeous 18-300mm Zoom for Fujifilm (and Sony) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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Nikon Launches the Z fc, a Film-Inspired Mirrorless Camera

02 Jul

The post Nikon Launches the Z fc, a Film-Inspired Mirrorless Camera appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Nikon launches the Z fc

Nikon has announced its latest mirrorless camera, the Z fc, which combines top-notch APS-C mirrorless technology, Z-mount compatibility, and a beautiful, retro design.

While the Z fc is anchored firmly in the world of digital photography, the “heritage design,” as Nikon calls it, hearkens back to Nikon’s film cameras – specifically the FM2, an “iconic…SLR film camera released in 1982.”

Nikon explains, “The Z fc is the first Z-series camera to adopt a heritage design, while simultaneously supporting various advanced features. In addition to the enjoyment of shooting great stills and videos, it is designed with particular attention paid to delivering the pride and joy of ownership.”

This isn’t a first for Nikon; back in 2013, Nikon launched the Df, a high-end, full-frame DSLR with a film-inspired design. But unlike the Nikon Df, the Z fc isn’t aimed at advanced enthusiasts. Instead, the Z fc will slot into Nikon’s “entry-level” category, despite its impressive capabilities and a near-$ 1000 USD price tag.

In fact, the Nikon Z fc closely mirrors Nikon’s current (and only) entry-level mirrorless camera, the Z50. Like the Z50, the Z fc packs a 21 MP APS-C sensor, which strikes a nice balance between resolution and low-light shooting (the Z fc’s sensor likely comes straight from the Z50). The Z fc also features the Z50’s respectable 11 frames-per-second continuous shooting, a decent 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder, and 4K/30p video.

But the Z fc and the Z50 differ in several important ways. For one, the Z fc includes a fully articulating screen – one that flips out to the side – while the Z50 screen tilts but doesn’t flip. This is a big deal for vloggers; you can mount the Z fc on a tripod, flip out the screen, and monitor the video as you record.

There’s also the retro design, which promises Z fc users an engaged, down-to-earth shooting process. Instead of adjusting shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation via your camera’s LCD screen and back dials, you’ll be able to make adjustments via three dedicated top dials. No, it’s not for everyone, but if you’ve shot film and liked the feeling, or if you’re a fan of Fujifilm mirrorless cameras, then the Z fc is certainly worth a look.

Nikon Z fc viewed from above

The Z fc is remarkably compact, making it a perfect option for travel photography, casual walkaround photography, on-the-go photography, and more. At just 14 oz (390 g), you can carry it in a backpack, camera bag, or around your neck for hours on end – especially when used alongside Nikon’s just-announced kit lenses, the 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR and the 28mm f/2.8.

So while the Z fc isn’t the most conventional camera on the market, it should certainly appeal to many photographers. If you’re after a lightweight, compact camera and you appreciate (or don’t mind) the retro design, check out the Z fc. You can currently preorder the body for around $ 950 USD; expect shipping to begin at the end of July.

Now over to you:

What do you think of the Nikon Z fc? Do you like it? Will you buy it? Were you hoping for a more groundbreaking new camera? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Nikon Launches the Z fc, a Film-Inspired Mirrorless Camera appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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HP launches new ZBook G8 laptops with Intel 11th-gen processors, RTX GPUs

12 May

Amid the launch of Intel’s new 11th-generation processors, many new laptops are hitting the market, including the Razer Blade 15 refresh we wrote about earlier this week. Not to be left out, HP has announced new ZBook G8 laptops, only nine months after its ZBook Firefly models were announced. Updates are fast and furious these days. The new ZBook G8 range includes a trio of models, including 15.6″ and 17.3″ variants.

The ZBook Studio and Power models come only in 15.6″ versions, while the Fury model is also available with a 17.3″ display. Displays come in Full HD and 4K flavors, including brightness up to 1,000 nits, which should be suitable for an HDR workflow. Processor options include Intel Zeon or 11th-gen H-series processors up to the Core i9 CPU. Storage is available up to a whopping 2TB.

Left to right: ZBook Studio G8, ZBook Fury G8 and ZBook Power G8

There are a lot of options, and caveats, too. While a display with 1,000 nits of maximum brightness is available, that’s only true of the 15.6″ model with a Full HD display. If you want 4K, the maximum brightness darkens to 600 nits (or 550 nits in the case of the 17.3″ display). The ZBook Studio has the most GPU options to choose from and is the only model in the new range to include Nvidia RTX 3060 to 3080 graphics cards. The ZBook Fury offers AMD Radeon Pro graphics instead. The maximum RAM varies among the different models, with the Fury offering up to 128GB RAM, whereas the Studio and Power models top out at 32GB and 64GB, respectively.

There’s a lot to keep track of, so let’s refer to HP to learn more about the target audience for each model. HP says that the ZBook Studio G8 offers ‘performance in a transformative size; designed for mobility – at home or on the road.’ The ZBook Fury G8, on the other hand, goes all-out: ‘Content creators get unthrottled performance and full expandability in a more portable design – desktop-level performance in a mobile form factor.’ Rounding out the lineup is the entry-level option, the ZBook Power G8, which is ‘HP’s most affordable mobile workstation’ and ‘makes the power and pro certifications of a ZBook more accessible and ideal for STEAM students.’

‘Professional creators and power users need a curated, personalized software and hardware experience that aligns to the different ways they work and collaborate,’ said Jim Nottingham, general manager and global head, Advanced Compute and Solutions, HP Inc. ‘With the ZBook Studio being the most powerful workstation of its size, and the ZBook Fury offering full expandability in a portable design, HP is giving the professional community access to cutting-edge technology, unthrottled performance, and the versatility to make the next creative breakthrough a reality.’

The HP ZBook Studio G8 has a full RGB keyboard

Looking closer at the HP ZBook G8 Studio, the notebook is designed to ‘free the creative mind.’ To that end, it’s a purpose-built machine aimed to meet the demanding needs of creative applications and workflows. HP’s DreamColor displays cover 100% of DCI-P3 and include Pantone validation. The Studio includes Nvidia RTZ A5000 or GeForce RTX 3080 laptop GPUs and 11th-gen Intel Core i9 vPro processors.

The Fury is the world’s most expandable 15″ and 17″ mobile workstation, per HP. The Fury packs desktop-class performance into a sleek, slim notebook design. The display is a next-gen DreamColor display with Pantone validation. The chassis is constructed using aluminum and includes tool-free expandability plus a wide array of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, USB-A and more. With Intel Core i9 and Xeon processors, Nvidia RTX graphics, and up to 128GB of 3200MHz system memory, the Fury promises high-end performance.

HP’s most affordable mobile workstation, the ZBook Power, is all about delivering performance at lower prices. The aluminum notebook includes various enterprise-level security features, such as ISV certifications, HP Security Suite and Tile device location. It includes 11th-gen Intel processors, up to 64GB of memory, PCIe G4 and Nvidia RTX A2000 laptop graphics.

While we know that the ZBook G8 Power will be the most affordable of the three new HP ZBook models, HP has not published official pricing information. The Power G8 will be available starting next month, while the Studio G8 and Fury G8 will launch in July.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Hähnel launches lantern diffuser speedlite accessory

06 Dec

Lantern Diffuser

$ 99 | Hähnel

Hähnel recently launched the Lantern Diffuser, a new speedlight diffuser that creates an exceptionally wide-angle spread of illumination in a very compact form factor by using a clever folding design. This new lighting accessory is just one part of Hähnel’s modular flash system and is designed to attach to hotshoe flash units via one of the company’s magnetic accessory clamps.

Key features:

  • Compact, folding design
  • Comes with six color gels
  • Works with Hähnel’s other modular magnetic accessories
  • Hähnel magnetic clamp is required and is a separate purchase
  • Compatible with most larger speedlight-style flashes from various manufacturers

The Lantern Diffuser is available now at B&H and other authorized Hähnel retailers for $ 99 USD.


What is it?

The Lantern comes in a kit that includes the diffuser along with a set of six colored gels and a gel holder that gets sandwiched between the magnetic clamp and the diffuser frame. The whole kit comes in a folding wallet that also has room for the magnetic clamp that isn’t part of the kit – but which is essential for its use. The clamp is central to the company’s range of clip-on accessories and needs to be bought separately.

The diffuser is made using a fan of concertinaed white material that both diffuses the light and sends it out over a 180° angle as the flash passes through it, with the idea of producing a very soft light that covers a very wide area.

I was initially concerned about how well the fanned out diffuser would survive lots of use, drops and getting its delicate design dented, but in all the use I made of it I didn’t manage to damage it. I guess if you dropped your flash with it attached and it landed face down the consequences mightn’t be good, but so long as you don’t do that it should be fine.

The kit comes in a roll-up pouch and includes 6 colored gels, a magnetic gel holder and the diffuser itself

When not in use it folds away into itself and is protected by the rigged plastic-covered metal ends. I haven’t used it long enough to know whether it will yellow with time, and the weather has been too good to test it outside in the rain – I’d be nervous to do that with the Lantern, while my softboxes would just dry out.

I’m a big fan of good speedlight accessories that are easy to use, which don’t take up a lot space and which have a dramatic impact on the characteristics of the light produced. And I have quite a collection, from inflatable frosted panels to snoots, softboxes and those yogurt-pot-like tubes the flash fires up into. This Lantern is quite different to anything else I’ve used, so I wanted to give it a try.


How it works

This video from Hähnel shows how the Lantern folds and attaches to a flash of your choice.

I used this diffuser on the Hähnel Modus 600RT flash unit, both on the camera and off using a Viper TTL trigger for Micro Four Thirds cameras and Panasonic full-frame S-series cameras. The Modus 600RT is the more powerful of Hähnel’s speedlights, and offers a guide number of 60m at ISO 100 at the 200mm zoom setting.

To attach the Lantern to the flash, I used the Module 600 clamp which, with its sprung grip, will fit most larger hotshoe style flash guns from all manufacturers. The clamp grips the head of the speedlight with the Hähnel logo facing forwards and the Lantern diffuser sticks to it when the magnets in each item attract. The gel holder can go on first, which offers a more obvious placement for the diffuser, but it doesn’t have to. Take a look at the video above for a clearer picture of how it all works.

Used in the hotshoe the light from the Lantern Diffuser is direct and straight on, but very much softer than you’d expect from such a small accessory.

Overall, the Lantern diffuses light more than you’d expect from such a small flash accessory. With a bare bulb the light would be much harder and highlight on the sun-creamed forehead would be dramatic and distracting. The accessory is small enough to create a definite direction, but the multi-layered diffusion makes that light seem quite gentle.

The Lantern diffuser folds in half, so we attach one half to the magnetic clamp and then unfold the other half to get the full 180° dome effect.


What it looks like

I started by testing the spread and the evenness of the light the diffuser gives by clamping the flash onto a stand using Hähnel’s Bowen’s mount adapter and firing the flash at a blank wall.

The difference in spread is immediately clear when you compare the Lantern-diffused exposure with that of the bare head and even when an 80cm/31in double-diffused square softbox was used instead. The Modus 600RT is a TTL gun, but if you shoot manually expect to lose about 2 stops of light due to the Lantern diffuser – about the same as when using the softbox with the extra internal diffuser sheet – but a much wider spread of illumination.

This is the coverage of the flash with no modifier The flash was left in the same position, but with the Hähnel 80cm softbox attached
Here’s the same arrangement but using the Lantern diffuser And the same again, but with a green gel in the gel holder

What is significant about this little diffuser is that it offers both a diffused and a bounced light effect, so the light is very soft once it reaches the subject. The softness is remarkable considering how small the accessory is and that the flash is still effectively a point source. Shadows are defined but filled at the same time, and lack the hard-edged contrast we get with a bare head.

The Lantern Diffuser avoids that artificial look of a direct burst from an uncovered flash bulb

I found that even when used with the flash mounted on the camera the light is dramatically altered, and still provides a nice softness when used quite close to the subject. It avoids that immediately artificial look of a direct burst from an uncovered bulb, or even that of a light bounced into a kicker reflector.

I tried the Lantern for some single-light still life shots with the flash at a relatively close range and a small subject – things that tend to bring out high contrast when hotshoe flash units are used. You can see though that the Lantern has done very well to produce a soft light that doesn’t display hotspots or reflections on the waxy surface of the avocado skin.

Click or tap-and-drag the arrow to see a soft box and the Lantern Diffuser differ.

The light is as soft as that produced by the 80cm softbox, though the shadow profile is slightly more defined due to the smaller surface area of the source. As the light from the Lantern is thrown around the room we get much more fill in the shadow areas too.

The spread of the light is also very impressive. The Lantern will light a room evenly when we are using a super-wide lens to fit it all in. This means we don’t have to worry about finding a clean white surface to bounce from. Fall off is more dramatic than with a bare bulb or a bounce, so a powerful gun will work best.

To give you an idea of the diffuser’s coverage, this was shot on the full frame Lumix S1R with a 9mm lens – at f/8 and 1/200sec at ISO 400. All the light on the foreground is from the flash. You can see that the post on the right as well as the tree trunk on the left are both lit with the flash. A 9mm lens has an angle of view of 135 degrees.

Conclusion

I’m very impressed with this Hähnel Lantern. It’s small, highly portable and weighs almost nothing, which means you can afford to carry it around in the camera bag even when you don’t actually get to use it without it having been a pain all day. The clamp is simple to fit and the gel holder and diffuser just snap on, so assembly is quick and easy too.

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I don’t often use colored gels with single flash set-ups, but they are handy for second and third guns for rim lighting and coloring a background. Background lights with these diffusers on will be very useful, and the lack of hotspots, and their size, means they are ideal for hiding within the shot without the danger of them producing give-away bright blasted areas.

I have a lot of rubbish accessories, and others that are well thought out but the size of studio modifiers so you can’t carry them around on the off-chance that you might need them. This though sits in a side pocket of a bag ready for that moment you want to soften a burst of flash whenever it happens to occur. I would also actively take this with me to light backgrounds, multiple people facing inwards, for filling in on a sunny day and for using as the main light for a portrait or a still life.

The flash was held just off-camera for this shot. The defined shadow is still there but the light on the subject is soft and attractive. The subject was in the shade and exposure was 1/200sec at f/9, so almost all the light on the subject was provided by the flash.

I love using speedlites for ‘proper’ photography especially on location (I used two Hähnel Modus 600RT units with a softbox and a small dish for the male model shots in the Hasselblad 907X sample gallery) and this will definitely be joining the collection of tools I use – and ousting a few that simply don’t do the job so well.

The Hähnel Module Creative Lantern Kit costs £59.99/$ 99.99. For more information see the Hähnel website.

What we like:

  • Amazingly well diffused soft light
  • Really wide, even spread of light
  • Small and easy to carry all the time
  • Quick to assemble
  • Nice pouch and accessories

Don’t like:

  • Dome feels a bit fragile, though it hasn’t dented yet
  • Gels are strong and for dramatic effects rather than colour correction

Star Rating

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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MIOPS launches Kickstarter campaign for Flex, its featured-packed smart camera gadget

26 Nov

MIOPS, makers of the Smart Trigger and Mobile Remote, is back on Kickstarter with another new product designed to make it easier than ever to capture unique images. The Flex is a ‘smart camera gadget’ photographers can use to create timelapse videos, capture photos of lightning strikes, breaking glass and more.

Flex attaches to your camera’s hot shoe and communicates wirelessly with an accompanying app for iOS and Android. Flex offers many different features and shooting modes, including:

  • Camera control
  • Lightning sensor
  • Sound sensor
  • Laser sensor
  • HDR bracketing
  • Geotagging
  • Live view framing
  • Holy Grail (day to night) timelapse
  • Basic timelapse
  • Long exposure timelapse
  • HDR timelapse
  • Time warper
  • Stormlapse
  • Cable release
  • Press and hold
  • Press and lock
  • Timed release
  • Self timer
  • Timed release with self-timer

As you can see, timelapse is an important aspect of Flex’s feature set. As MIOPS says, ‘Flex is one of the most powerful devices for making timelapse videos.’ A large part of what makes Flex such a promising tool for timelapse creation is that the application shows you a live preview of your timelapse video during the shooting process. When capturing a timelapse in changing conditions, Flex can automatically change your camera’s settings as well, allowing you to capture a ‘holy-grail timelapse,’ which is a timelapse with smooth day-to-night and night-to-day transitions. It’s a notoriously difficult type of timelapse to create.

Flex includes many timelapse features, including a live preview function on the Flex app. Image credit: MIOPS

For high-speed photography, such as capturing lightning strikes or capturing the perfect moment of action, Flex incorporates numerous helpful features. When photographing lightning, Flex automatically captures photos as soon as its sensor detects lightning. For photographing something such as a popping balloon, breaking glass, or a falling object, Flex includes a sound-activated shooting mode and it has a laser sensor that can be tripped to trigger image capture.

When using Flex, you can remotely control your camera, including adjusting settings and capturing images. Image credit: MIOPS

Flex includes new features for more traditional photography applications as well. From the Flex app, you can remotely adjust your camera’s settings and capture images. MIOPS says, ‘Go ahead – put your camera in hard-to-reach places to get that amazing angle.’ With customizable shutter speed control, Flex can also be used to capture very long exposure images, beyond what your camera can capture on its own. Further, you can see what your camera sees via live view from your smartphone.

Flex attaches to your camera’s hot shoe and is compatible with many cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fujifilm. Image credit: MIOPS

Flex is compatible with cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fujifilm, including both DSLR and mirrorless cameras from Canon, Nikon and Sony. For the full list of compatible cameras, click here.

Flex has already eclipsed its $ 50,000 goal with 43 days to go in the Kickstarter campaign. MIOPS expects to ship Flex to backers in June 2021. The Flex is available for $ 199 USD with the ‘Super Early Bird’ backer option, a $ 100 savings compared to the expected MSRP. For full details of the Flex and the various backer options, head to the Flex Kickstarter page. To learn more about MIOPS and its other products, click here.


Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Moment launches series of MagSafe mounting accessories for iPhone 12

03 Nov

iPhone lens and accessory manufacturer Moment has launched a new collection of mounts that make use of the magnet embedded in the Apple iPhone 12 to attach to the phone. The mount include their own magnets to connect with those in the phone’s body, and different fixtures on the other side that allow users to mount to phone on a support or to mount accessories on the phone.

The accessories line up includes a mount for the air vent of a car, a tripod adapter, a cold shoe to fit accessories to the phone as well as a mount that allows you to attach your iPhone to the wall. Moment says it uses a ‘propreitary (M)Force magnet array’ that offers an extra powerful magnetic field to ensure accessories don’t fall off the phone and the phone doesn’t fall off your tripod.

The mounts can be used with or without an iPhone case, and feature a padded connection surface to avoid damage to the phone’s finish.
Prices for the series start at $ 19.99 for the wall mount, and go up to $ 49.99 for the Pro Tripod Mount that also includes a cold shoe for microphones or video lights. These mounts are due to ship in March 2021.

The company also has a new series of cases that include MagSafe. These cost $ 49.99 each. For more information see the Moment website.

Press release:

Reintroducing Moment for iPhone 12.

Apple introduced MagSafe. We’re introducing everything else. New Cases. Tripod Mounts. Cold Shoe Mounts. Stick To Anything Mounts. All compatible with MagSafe.

Starting at $ 19.99. Only at Moment.

Why MagSafe?

We believe it’s the future for how you quickly attach your favorite gear to your phone, and your phone to your favorite gear. Whether you are new to mobile photography or a pro filmmaker, we believe MagSafe will be more accessible than any of the current phone clamp solutions.

Why Moment for MagSafe?

We have engineered a unique magnet array that gives our accessories that extra connective strength. We are calling it (M)Force and it’s in all of our accessory mounts. Patent Pending, each of our mount has a unique use of magnets and mechanical features that make them easier (and stronger) to use. Usable with or without a case, today is just the beginning for what we plan to release.

We are excited for the future of mobile photography and filmmaking with MagSafe. We hope you join us!

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Manfrotto launches its own Canon, Nikon camera batteries and dual-bay charger

23 Oct

Manfrotto has introduced its own-brand camera batteries and a dual-bay charger that will be available exclusively in the USA. The lithium-ion batteries fit Canon and Nikon cameras, and are said to offer enhanced performance over standard batteries.

The HLX-E6N battery for Canon is a replacement for Canon’s LP-E6N, but the Manfrotto version offers 2000mAh over Canon’s 1865mAh. The Nikon alternative has slightly greater capacity than the 1900mAh of Nikon’s EN-EL15A and EN-EL15B batteries, but slightly less than the 2280mAh capacity of the EN-EL-15C.

The ProCube charger can accommodate two batteries of the same type and charge them simultaneously. The charger is compatible with batteries from Sony cameras as well as those from Canon and Nikon. An LCD panel shows charging progress as a percentage as well as in mAh, and also informs users of the health of the cells. The charging bay plate is interchangeable, so those with more than one brand of camera will be able to use the camera charging unit with different plates, and AA batteries can also be charged via a further included plate.

Sharp-eyed readers will note the striking similarity between the Manfrotto ProCube with its new batteries and the ProCube and batteries currently available from Hähnel. Perhaps existing Hähnel charging plates for other brands and battery types will also be compatible with this Manfrotto version. While Manfrotto has no track record in battery technology Hähnel does, and it is a pretty good one at that, so we can assume these will be very good alternatives to those supplied by the camera manufacturers.

Manfrotto Professional Batteries will cost $ 49.99, while the ProCube will cost $ 79.99 including adapters for European and UK plugs. For more information see the Manfrotto website.

Press release

NEW PROFESSIONAL BATTERIES AND CHARGERS FROM MANFROTTO

  • High quality batteries
  • Charge 2 batteries simultaneously, or 4 AA batteries
  • Intelligent fast IC charge control

Vitec Imaging Distribution, world leader in the photography and videography, imaging equipment and accessories industry announces their new range of batteries and chargers – the first they have produced.

High quality batteries
Exclusive to the US, Manfrotto batteries and chargers go above and beyond the standard offerings currently on the market. With faster, more efficient charging and higher quality batteries, the Manfrotto Professional li-ion batteries deliver additional capacity, extra performance and ultimate reliability. The best UL approved cells have been carefully selected to ensure an extended life cycle, performance and safety.

Think all batteries are the same? Think again. The Professional li-ion batteries have been built to withstand tough environments and extreme field conditions – each battery has been injected with silicone giving them a shock absorbing construction, superior circuit protection and additional electrical insulation. They are drop proof up to 9ft, so you know you can rely on them whatever environment you are in.

Simultaneous charging
It isn’t easy to replenish two batteries at the end of the shoot as cameras are only supplied with the means to charge one. The Manfrotto ProCUBE will give you the capability to charge 2 batteries at the same time. It features a sturdy metal shell and interchangeable plates that each accept a pair of batteries as well as a plate for charging four AA batteries. The battery holders simply clip into place, whilst the AA plate fixes magnetically onto the top of the unit. The Manfrotto ProCUBE is an essential piece of kit for professionals who use multiple cameras from the same brand.

The easy to read LCD display shows the charging status of each battery as well as a battery health check, and the USB Power Source and Car Charging Cable means you can charge wherever your shoot takes you. US, Euro and UK plug adapters are also included.

The Professional Batteries are available for Canon and Nikon. MAP $ 49.99

The ProCube Chargers are available for Canon, Nikon and Sony. MAP $ 79.99.

For more information see https://manfrotto.com/us-en/products/batteries-chargers/

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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HP launches eight new monitors for creative professionals at Adobe MAX 2020

22 Oct

During the Adobe MAX conference on Tuesday, HP introduced the newest products added to its HP Create Ecosystem, including the next-generation DreamColor and Z by HP monitors. According to the company, these models were made ‘with the creator in mind,’ offering everything from frameless designs to the promise of ‘seamless color accuracy,’ 4K resolutions and USB-C connectivity.

The HP create Ecosystem was first announced at Adobe MAX 2019, introducing a variety of products and partnerships aimed at supporting the creative community, including photographers and videographers. The new expansion of this ecosystem announced during Adobe’s 2020 conference adds a total of eight displays, all created for visual professionals.

Leading the lineup is HP’s Z25xs G3 and Z27xs G3 DreamColor displays; these models boast more than a billion on-screen colors, PANTONE Validated color gamut and the promise of color accuracy straight out of the box. HP says that these DreamColor models are the world’s first ‘color critical HDR monitors’ to feature a one-touch brightness adjustment feature, enabling users to rapidly increase display brightness.

Users are likewise promised up to HDR 600 and customized workflow color presets, USB-C connectivity and support for both macOS and Windows from the DreamColor monitors.

Those two models are joined by the six new Z Core displays, all of which HP describes as premium and offering creators ‘flawless color accuracy’ straight from the box. The Z Core models are notable for their incredibly thin profiles, nearly bezel-free displays — something HP calls a ‘frameless’ design — and support for all devices with its 100W USB-C power delivery.

HP notes a number of features that come with the Z Core displays, including the integrated HP Display Manager for remotely managing the monitors, as well as HP Eye Ease, a proprietary technology that offers ‘always-on low-blue light’ that HP claims offers ‘ultimate comfort with zero impact on color fidelity.’

The company likewise says that its Z by HP product family was made with a focus on sustainability, noting that, for example, the Z Display lineup uses plastics featuring more than 80% ocean-bound and consumer waste plastics. Likewise, 75% of the aluminum used in these monitors has been ‘upcycled’ and the packaging used to ship the monitors is 100% sustainably sourced.

The inclusion of USB-C connectivity makes these monitors ready for the latest and greatest laptops on the market, but they can also be used with other hardware, as well, due to the inclusion of DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 (DreamColor models). The new product lineup brings a variety of resolutions at various price points ranging from Full HD to Quad HD and $ 239 to $ 749.

HP lists the new monitor availability and pricing as follows:

  • HP Z25xs G3 QHD USB-C DreamColor Display is expected to be available in March 2021 for a starting price of $ 599
  • HP Z27xs G3 4K USB-C DreamColor Display is expected to be available in March 2021 for a starting price of $ 749
  • HP Z24f G3 FHD Display is expected to be available in January 2021 for a starting price of $ 239
  • HP Z24n G3 WUXGA Display is expected to be available in January 2021 for a starting price of $ 299
  • HP Z24u G3 WUXGA Display is expected to be available in May 2021 for a starting price of $ 349
  • HP Z27q G3 QHD Display is expected to be available in January 2021 for a starting price of $ 399
  • HP Z27u G3 QHD Display USB-C is expected to be available in March 2021 for a starting price of $ 449
  • HP Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display is expected to be available in March 2021 for a starting price of $ 599

The new HP DreamColor display models join Dell’s newly announced UltraSharp HDR display, a particularly pricey model at $ 5k launched to directly compete with Apple’s Pro XDR Display, beating it specs-wise by offering a 2,000-zone mini-LED array versus the 576 zones found in Apple’s model.

HP’s new models are quite a bit cheaper, of course, pitting them against Dell’s newly introduced and likewise less expensive UltraSharp 24 USB-C Hub monitor with ComfortView Plus tech and a WUXGA resolution; this model is priced at $ 450. In addition, Dell also released its new UltraSharp 34 Curved USB-C Hub monitor with a massive 21:9 aspect ratio, USB-C with 90W power delivery and an $ 800 price tag.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon Japan launches range of EOS-inspired traditional cut-glass tumblers

13 Oct

To inspire users before a shoot, or to help them unwind after one, Canon Japan has launched a range of traditional ‘Edo Kiriko’ cut glass tumblers with designs based on photography themes. The company has employed the Mitsuwa Glass Crafts studio in Tokyo that uses traditional Edo Kiriko cutting techniques to shape light as it passes through the glass. The studio has come up with a series of designs that either look like a lens, feel like the dials on an EOS camera, actually have a lens designed into the base or which are decorated with the visual expression of the sound of a shutter.

There are two basic shapes of glasses to choose from, each with variations in the design of the cuts and patterns. One has the ribbed pattern of a lens focusing ring cut into the sides and is made from a mixture of black and clear glass, while others have an aperture iris pattern in the base and come in red or blue glass.

The designer said that the idea was to capture the things we can’t see in the lines cut into the glass such as the sound of a shutter tripping, as well as the shapes and patterns of light.

Edo Kiriko is a particular way of cutting glass in Japan and is considered a highly skilled craft. All glasses have to be cut by hand and have to use specific materials, and when colored a very thin layer has to be used – which made creating the jet black especially difficult.

The glasses will be available to order from December but may take up to three months for delivery as they are all handmade. Prices will be from ¥13000 (approx. $ 125). While these glasses are made for Canon users they can be enjoyed by owners of all camera brands without adapters. For more information see the Canon Japan website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Atomos launches Connect, a $79 capture card

29 Sep

Atomos has launched a HDMI-to-USB video capture card that allows any HDMI camera or recorder to be used to live stream or record to a PC or Mac. Connect is a tiny device that plugs directly into a USB port and accepts HDMI input to provide a video feed of up to 1080p at 60fps in up to 12-bit color.

The device can accept 4K at 30p, and needs no additional drivers, software or power supply to work. And best of all, it costs $ 79. Unlike most capture cards, the Connect doesn’t use a USB out cable, so the full weight of the HDMI cable will be borne by the USB port on your computer, making this perhaps a solution when a short cable is in use or when the cable can be supported.

Atomos is promoting Connect to use with its range of video recorders, but it can also work directly with any camera, or device, that can output via HDMI. The company points out though that when used with the Shogun7 users can switch between up to four simultaneously streaming cameras using the Shogun’s multiple-camera recording capabilities.

The Atomos Connect is available now. For more information see the Atomos website.

Press release:

Atomos launch Connect: Professional HDMI to USB conversion for streaming.

Melbourne, Australia – 28th September 2020 – Atomos is today excited to launch Connect, a convenient, reliable, and affordable bridge between professional 4K video capture and high frame rate UVC streaming over USB (up to 1080p60). Connect works with any HDMI device including the entire Atomos range. Simple to use, it has universal support from popular streaming platforms and at only $ 79USD is an affordable way for gamers, vloggers and education facilities to up their streaming game using the professional Atomos monitor-recorder ecosystem.

Convert, Connect, Stream
Connect bridges the Atomos world of professional recording and monitoring with popular streaming platforms such as YouTube, Twitch and OBS. Use your Atomos device for professional shot setup and recording and use Connect to simply convert the HDMI output to USB on the go for streaming on your Mac or PC. Connect accepts up to 4Kp30 video and is capable of up to 1080p60 output over USB – incredible streaming quality for the US$ 79 price point.

Plug and go like a pro
With a slim 0.5-inch profile, Connect is sleek enough to sit directly off your laptop or computer. No drivers are required and no power supply either, meaning it really is a simple matter of connecting your Atomos or HDMI device to your Mac or PC to start producing like a pro.

Shogun7 Connect – tame multicamera streaming
The Atomos Shogun7 allows you to monitor and record up to four 1080p60 streams simultaneously and then cue and switch in real-time with a simple touch of the screen. Additionally, the Shogun7 is able to accept asynchronous feeds (sources don’t need to be locked), allowing the user to use more affordable cameras for multi camera production. Adding in Connect, lets you output the switched feed for live streaming on your Mac or PC. This makes the Shogun7 Connect package one of the easiest and most affordable options for professional switching.

Transforms your Camera to a Pro Webcam
Even without an Atomos monitor-recorder, Connect transforms your HDMI camera to a powerful professional webcam. No drivers required, plug in Connect and go live instantly.

The Atomos Connect is available immediately for $ 79/€79 from the global authorised Atomos dealer network.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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