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Posts Tagged ‘lets’

Huawei P30 Pro video teardown lets us peek inside the 5x periscope-style tele lens

22 Apr

We have already seen reports on the components used in the Huawei P30 Pro’s innovative multi-camera setup. Thanks to a new video-teardown by Youtuber JerryRigEverything we are now getting a very detailed look at the camera and especially the periscope-style 5x tele lens and its internal components.

Looking at the video it is quite impressive how Huawei has managed to squeeze this much technology into the P30 Pro’s thin smartphone body, particularly considering that the huge 4200 mAh is taking up a large proportion of the available space.

The only way to achieve a 5x optical zoom factor was to install the tele-module sideways inside the phone, using a 90-degree mirror to divert incoming light into the lens and onto the sensor. The Huawei is the first phone to use this technology but most certainly not the last. Unfortunately the tele-lens is being sacrificed in the process of recording the video but given the close looks we are getting at the internals it’s all worth it.

Fast forward to 5:36 in the video if you want to jump directly to the section about the camera module.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Shutterstock AR feature lets customers preview stock images as wall artwork

18 Apr

Shutterstock has announced the launch of its first augmented reality feature. The new tool ‘View in Room’ has been added to the company’s iOS app; customers can use it to preview stock images as virtual artwork on their office or home walls before deciding whether to make the purchase.

The ‘View in Room’ feature can be used with any of the millions of images available on Shutterstock, according to the company, which powers the tool with its own computer vision technology and the iOS ARKit framework. The feature first arrived as a hack to the future employee hackathon project.

According to Shutterstock, a growing number of its customers are purchasing images to use as artwork or decor. The augmented reality feature enables them to preview exactly what the final product would look like on their wall, eliminating the need to visualize it using less precise methods.

The Shutterstock iOS app can be downloaded from the App Store here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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CP+ 2019: Zeiss interview – ‘Let’s do something new’

31 Mar
Elliot Shih, Senior Product Manager of Zeiss, holding the ZX1 at the CP+ 2019 show in Yokohama, Japan.

Zeiss is preparing to launch its first camera for more than a decade, in the form of the ZX1 – a high-end, Android-powered compact, with a full-frame 37MP sensor and premium lens. We caught up with Senior Product Manager Elliot Shih at CP+ recently to learn more.

The following interview has been edited for clarity and flow.


When did the concept for this camera come about?

We started about four years ago, but we have always been interested in thinking about where and when to return to the camera market, because the last time Zeiss made a camera was the Ikon film rangefinder, in around 2004. Ever since then we’ve been thinking about how and when is the tight time to return to the camera market.

Also a lot has happened in the industry – as background we’re seeing higher penetration of smartphones with more capable cameras, and people are adapting to use the cameras in their phones. On the other hand we saw there is a demand among photographers for more serious photography tools.

If we’re going to make a new kind of camera, it doesn’t make sense to copy something that’s already on the market

The rise of the smartphone has had an impact on the point and shoot market, but there are a lot of benefits and things we can learn from such a different world. So the thought that came into my mind was – well, if we’re going to make a new kind of camera, it doesn’t make sense to copy something that’s already on the market – let’s do something new.

The development of this camera wasn’t quite linear, compared to other consumer electronics products. In the beginning we went quite slowly, but now we’re at the materialization phase, and things are moving quite fast. Now every component we need is working, and we’re starting to see that this is becoming a camera that could work quite well.

The ZX1 isn’t the first Android-powered camera, but it is the first aimed at enthusiast and professional photographers with money to spend on a premium full-frame sensor and lens.

This is not the first time that someone has loaded a mobile operating system into a camera – what makes the ZX1 different?

With regard to earlier products, I think the mobile platform itself, as a technology enabler, is capable of also being the backbone for an imaging system.

The fundamental difference is that instead of trying to make a smartphone in the form of a camera, we’ve tried to make the ZX1 work as a camera, and be positioned as a camera, and as a tool for photography. So, for example, when you first turn it on you should see the live view, not the launcher screen with all its icons. It should be a camera from inside out. That’s why we took open-source android and used it as a technology enabler, but in terms of interaction and user experience, we completely wrote everything and developed everything from scratch by ourselves.

Read about what the Zeiss ZX1 is like to operate

The camera operates using what we call a ‘vertical logic’. You’ll see there’s a slight bend on the rear cover glass, which provides a natural separation between the live view area and the toolbar area, to the right. You can [vertically] swipe on the toolbar area to select different tools, while on the left you can swipe to switch between different modes, like image review, where you can use all the familiar gestures you’re used to from smartphones.

What are your goals for the camera, in the marketplace?

As you can see, the ZX1 is a different kind of product. We’re focused on addressing the target group, and offering something different to today’s digital photographers. So we’re aiming at photographers that need a fast workflow but at the same time superb image quality, which our sensor and lens can deliver.

This is our first attempt, and most of the focus is to build up our competence in terms of image processing. We’re still on the learning curve, for example when it comes to the autofocus system and the image processing pipeline. For a 37.4MP sensor its more than 70MB for each DNG file, so we have a lot of data to handle.

Have you partnered with any other companies on the ZX1 or is this an entirely in-house project?

The design and development are completely in-house. We’re using some external partners to support certain functions, for example the realization of the industrial design, and the design of the user experience.

The square panel on the upper left of the ZX1’s top plate is a plastic cover for the WiFi antenna – not a flash, as we originally thought when we picked the camera up.

Previous attempts at this kind of product failed for a lot of reasons – how have you addressed the weaknesses of those earlier cameras?

Well first let’s talk about optimization around Android. There’s a fundamental difference to how this system works compared to a proprietary system [that you might find in a smartphone]. There’s a different architecture and we made a lot of effort to take out some of the elements of Android that we didn’t need. Most of the algorithms are designed for smartphone usage and not all of those are capable of running inside a device with a larger camera sensor, and much more information to handle in the imaging pipeline. That’s the part that we’ve spent substantial effort on, to optimize in order to make the camera more responsive.

We also made a lot of effort also to maintain Wi-Fi performance. There is a lot of data to transfer with this camera, so if we want the feature to be really functional we have to make sure that the Wi-Fi performance doesn’t struggle. That’s why we have a plastic cover above the Wi-Fi antenna on the [metal] top plate.

We’re very conscious of battery consumption [and] a lot of photographers are very sensitive about battery usage

In terms of boot up time, the ZX1 works the same way as a smartphone. But we’re very conscious of battery consumption. A lot of photographers are very sensitive about battery usage so a lot of the time when they’re not shooting they simply turn the camera off.

The very first boot up sequence takes a while, but when the camera is up and running, a single push of the dial sleeps the camera, but doesn’t turn it off. So the sensor is not running, the screen is off, and very little power is being used. But when you want to take a picture you just nudge the switch again and it wakes up. You can also use the switch to toggle between stills and movie mode.

What kind of battery drain should people expect when the camera is in sleep mode?

I think in sleep mode, during a whole day you can expect something like 10% battery drain. We do have a large battery in the camera, it’s 3190mAh, which is very substantial. In this camera a fully charged battery should last about 250 shots.

Is that a CIPA figure?

No, but we’d expect that to be accurate by CIPA test standards.

Do you have an idea yet of how much the ZX1 will cost?

Pricing is not yet decided but I think given the performance of the lens and the sensor, plus the solid build of the body and the built-in 500GB SSD, I think it will occupy a more premium price band. It will be in the same range as [the Leica Q, Sony RX1R II].

What was the logic behind deciding to give the ZX1 aperture, shutter speed and ISO dials but no exposure compensation dial?

That’s one of the most frequent questions we’ve been getting. One thing we learned is that photographers are more and more conscious of stripping away features that they don’t need. So we wanted to keep the purity of the design, while still making sure this is a serious photography tool.

One of the things that characterizes serious cameras are dials which provide the opportunity to control exposure directly. So we decided OK, we’ll keep the three – shutter speed, aperture and ISO as the only hardware controls. Everything else is built into the digital interface. If a photographer is manually controlling shutter speed and aperture, then the only way they have of further affecting exposure is ISO. So they can use the ISO dial as exposure compensation, effectively.

Does this camera use a leaf shutter?

Yes, it’s mechanically controlled up to 1/1000, and electronic will let you go to higher shutter speeds, using the toolbar [on the rear screen].

Because it’s powered by a full mobile operating system, the ZX1 is a ‘one stop shop’ for the photographer. From image capture, review, rating, editing and uploading, everything can be done on the camera, if you wish.

You really seem to want photographers to do everything on the camera itself – shooting, reviewing, editing and uploading. Is that correct?

For this concept, yes. A photographer might still carry a more capable DSLR for an assignment, but when they are going out for a weekend trip, this is one camera that you can do everything with.

Maybe it doesn’t always make sense to connect the camera to your phone using a hotspot and try to synchronize let’s say 300 Raw files on the road, but let’s give people the choice. We’ve spoken to a lot of photojournalists and they told us that sometimes they just have to rely on what they have. Sometimes they only have a phone, and with this camera they can bring everything they need.

What’s the quickest way of getting images off the ZX1 to a computer or to a harddrive?

In terms of transfer speed, the fastest way is the USB-C connection. With a speed of 5GB/s you’ll be able to export pictures pretty fast. What’s a bit different is that because we’re using Android, the system works like a mini computer, so we can use both master and slave mode for the USB connection.

Whereas other cameras, when you connect over USB, the camera is seen as a drive: it’s in slave mode. But with the ZX1 if you plug in a USB C drive or a memory stick the camera recognizes the storage and you can select the images you want to transfer straight from the camera. The USB C connector is the only interface, so to connect to a TV, or plug in a microphone for example you’d need adapters.

Can users download their own apps or extensions to the ZX1?

At the moment, no. For security reasons its a closed system. We will only support selected applications that we’re working on with partners like Adobe.


Editors’ note: Barnaby Britton

Well; it’s real, and it works. The Zeiss ZX1 is a fascinating camera, and even from our brief time with a prototype model I’d be fairly confident in saying it’s the most convincing Android-powered camera we’ve seen yet. Of course it’s also likely to be the most expensive, by far. If Mr Shih’s estimate of a price comparable with full-frame compacts from Sony and Leica turns out to be true, you can expect the ZX1 to cost somewhere in the region of (at least) $ 4,000, which unlike Samsung’s Galaxy Cameras, will put it well outside of the impulse-buy range for most photographers.

But that’s the future. For now, the ZX1 looks really nice. We don’t know how well the sensor or lens will perform, but it’s a safe bet that image quality will far exceed the abilities of even the best smartphones and likely also popular sub full-frame compact cameras such as Fujifilm’s X100-Series and Ricoh’s GR line.

It will also work differently – very differently – to those cameras, thanks to its integrated Android operating system, which essentially makes the camera into a mini computer. Do you need half a terabyte of built-in storage? Probably not, most of the time, but assuming you can keep the battery charged, this kind of storage capacity could be appealing to photographers working remotely or on long assignments away from home. In some areas of the world, where cellphones provide the only reliable access to the Web, the ZX1 might end up being right in its element.

A shot of the ZX1’s unique ‘swooping’ rear display, and its large-capacity Li-Ion battery which – unlike the camera’s storage – is removable.

If you’re interested in the ZX1 solely as a camera, and you don’t need the ability to run processing apps, you’ll have a harder decision to make. The ZX1 definitely presents an unusual handling experience, but it’s not completely alien. The decision to omit an exposure compensation dial strikes us as a bit odd, but Mr Shih is correct to note that for manual exposure work, the ISO dial does just as well. For A / S-priority shooters things might be a bit confusing at first, but the ZX1 is likely to be perfectly usable, notwithstanding a moderate learning curve.

Speaking of curves (sorry) the swooping rear display is quite something. The ZX1 employs what Mr Shih calls a ‘vertical logic’ to separate access to features and controls from the live view display, and it seems to work. We didn’t get to try full-on image editing on the ZX1 that we saw in Japan, but I can envisage Lightroom Mobile running perfectly well, for those who need to edit ‘on the go’.

When the ZX1 was first announced, a lot of commenters dismissed it preemptively as ‘vaporware’ – a flashy distraction that would never make it to market. It seems that the naysayers were wrong (it’s nice when that happens, isn’t it?) but whether the ZX1 will be a success – or lead to more Zeiss camera development in future – remains to be seen.

In one sense, given how long it’s been since the company last made a camera, it could be said that Zeiss has nothing to lose. But in real terms, the ZX1 represents a substantial R&D investment, and one which Zeiss will be keen to recoup. For now, Mr Shih and his team deserve credit for doing something bold and unusual.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Godox S-R1 adapter lets you fit round magnetic modifiers and filters to regular hotshoe flashes

27 Jan

Chinese flash manufacturer Godox has launched a new adapter that allows users to attach the company’s round magnetic accessories to regular speedlight-style flash units. The S-R1 adapter uses a clamping mechanism to secure itself around the rectangular head of the flash unit, and then accepts the circular accessories from the AK-R1 range.

Godox round magnetic accessories include diffusers, a snoot, honeycomb grid as well as barndoors and a collection of coloured gels. These were originally designed for the Godox AD200 and H200R flash units, but with this S-R1 adapter they can now also be used on the V860ll, V850ll, TT685 and TT600 hotshoe-style flash guns as well.

Although Godox has specified which of its own flash units this adapter will work with, there is no reason it won’t work with flash guns from other manufacturers that share similar dimensions.

Godox says that the S-R1 is available to buy now, but there is no sign of it in the usual dealers yet and no price has been announced. For more information see the Godox website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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iPhone X bug lets hackers steal deleted photos

16 Nov

If you have any particularly embarrassing or otherwise compromising photos on your iPhone you might want to think twice about how to keep them from being discovered by someone else. Simply deleting them might not be enough.

A vulnerability allowing hackers to access deleted photos and other files on the iPhone X was discovered by two researchers this week at the Pwn2Own hacking contest for finding iOS and Android bugs.

Richard Zhu and Amat Cama demoed the issue by connecting the iPhone X with iOS 12.1 to a malicious Wi-Fi network and exploiting a vulnerability in a so-called just-in-time (JIT) compiler which is designed to help iPhones to perform certain tasks faster.

The couple could then retrieve a photo from the Photo app’s Recently Deleted album where images are stored for 30 days after you delete them from the camera roll. This feature allows users to recover deleted photos should they have a change of mind. Through the same method other files processed by the JIT compiler could be accessed as well.

Zhu and Cama received a $ 50,000 reward for their findings and Apple has been informed of the bug. According to Forbes, the issue has yet to be fixed, though.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon FTZ adapter lets you use over 360 F-mount lenses on Z-series bodies

26 Aug

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One question many people have when a new camera system is announced is ‘but will my old lenses work?’ In the case of the Nikon Z system, the answer is ‘yes’ in the vast majority of cases, with no reduction of image quality or performance, according to the company.

With the optional FTZ adapter over 90 AF-S lenses will be fully compatible with the Z 7 and Z 6. They can take advantage of the camera’s in-body image stabilization and, if you’re using a VR-equipped lens, it will have 5-axis stabilization. (Non-VR lenses will now have 3-axis VR.)

Take an in-depth look at the FTZ’s functionality and our initial performance impressions

The adapter supports the silent shooting and focus peaking functions of the Z-series cameras and, like the Z 7 and Z 6, it’s also weather-sealed.

The FTZ adapter will ship at the end of September for $ 249. When purchased with a Nikon Z 6 or Z 7 through December 31 2018, Nikon will offer a $ 100 discount.

Press Release

NIKON RELEASES THE NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S, NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S, AND THE MOUNT ADAPTER FTZ, AND DEVELOPS THE NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S NOCT

Designed Exclusively for the Nikon Z Mount System, Featuring a New, Larger-Diameter Mount

MELVILLE, NY (AUGUST 23, 2018 AT 1:01 A.M. EDT) – Nikon Inc. is pleased to announce the release of three new lenses designed for the next-generation Nikon Z mount system’s full-frame (Nikon FX format) mirrorless cameras, for which a new larger-diameter mount has been adopted. The three new lenses are the standard zoom NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, the wide-angle prime NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S, and the standard prime NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S. Nikon has also announced the Mount Adapter FTZ for Z System compatibility with existing NIKKOR F mount lenses and development of the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens1.

NIKKOR Z lenses pursue a new dimension in optical performance, by taking advantage of the superior design flexibility made possible by the combination of the larger Z mount with its inner diameter of 55mm, and a short flange focal distance of 16mm. The lenses offer sharp resolution with both still-image and video recording, and are equipped with functions that include: compensation for focus breathing (the shifting of the angle of view when focus is adjusted), quiet operation, smooth exposure control, a control ring and performance that is well suited for video capture.

The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S, and NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S are S-Line interchangeable lenses. The S-Line is a newly designated grade of NIKKOR Z lenses that adhere to a new benchmark in optical performance, realizing rendering performance that surpasses that of conventional f/4 standard zoom lenses and f/1.8 wide-angle or standard prime lenses. From maximum aperture, clear and sharp resolution can be achieved as well as beautiful bokeh characteristics.

Additionally, the Mount Adapter FTZ has been designed to allow users of Nikon SLR cameras to utilize their existing NIKKOR F mount lenses with the Z mount system and enjoy taking advantage of an even wider variety of lens characteristics with their photography.

Development of the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

Nikon is currently developing the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, a standard prime manual focus lens and the fastest lens in Nikon’s history. The design of the Noct lens exemplifies Nikon’s mission to pursue the ultimate optical performance in the mirrorless category. As the result, the Noct is positioned at the top of the S-Line. In addition, Nikon is planning on releasing a variety of new lenses that will continue to expand its line of attractive, high-performance NIKKOR Z lenses that further extend photographers’ creative expressions.

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S Primary Features

  • Standard focal-length range from wide-angle 24mm to medium-telephoto 70mm can effectively cover a wide variety of scenes and subjects with rendering performance that will change the perception of what is possible with zoom lenses with a maximum aperture of f/4
  • Optical design that suppresses variations in aberrations from shooting distances of close-up to infinity, demonstrating sharp resolution even in the peripheral areas of the frame from the maximum aperture, as well as fine point-image reproduction
  • Achieved a minimum focus distance of just 0.3 m across the zoom range
  • Adoption of an ED glass element, an aspherical ED lens element, and three aspherical lens elements
  • Nano Crystal Coat adopted to suppress ghosting and flare
  • Has the size needed to deliver an extremely high standard of optical performance, yet provides outstanding portability; employs a retracting mechanism that can be set on/off without pressing a button and reduces total length for a compact lens that can easily be taken anywhere
  • In consideration to a dust- and drip-resistance, the entire lens, including moving parts, has been sealed
  • Fluorine coat applied to front lens surface

NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S Primary Features

  • Rendering performance that redefines perceptions of what a 35 mm f/1.8 lens can do
  • Sharp resolution even in the peripheral areas of the frame from the maximum aperture, effective suppression of sagittal coma flare that enables superb point-image reproduction when capturing point light sources in night landscapes, and the soft and natural bokeh characteristics expected of a fast (bright) lens
  • Adoption of a new multi-focusing system featuring two AF drive units providing driving power at high speed and with high accuracy that achieves quiet, fast, and accurate AF control, as well as high image-forming performance at any focus distance
  • Adoption of two ED glass elements, and three aspherical lens elements
  • Nano Crystal Coat adopted to suppress ghosting and flare
  • In consideration to a dust- and drip-resistance, the entire lens, including moving parts, has been sealed

NIKKOR Z 50 mm f/1.8 S Primary Features

  • Superior rendering ignites creativity, and redefines perceptions of what a 50mm f/1.8 lens can do
  • Thorough suppression of axial chromatic aberration ensures superior resolution with faithful reproduction of the fine textures in subjects, even from maximum aperture
  • Sharp and clear rendering of details from the center of the frame to the peripheral edges, regardless of the shooting distance
  • The soft and beautiful bokeh characteristics at any shooting distance possible only with a fast (bright) lens
  • Adoption of two ED glass, and two aspherical lens elements
  • Nano Crystal Coat adopted to suppress ghosting and flare
  • Adoption of a new, powerful stepping motor (STM) enables quiet and accurate AF control during both still-image capture and video recording
  • In consideration to a dust- and drip-resistance, the entire lens, including moving parts, has been sealed

Mount Adapter FTZ Primary Features

  • Full compatibility with more than 90 lenses and functionality with approximately 360 existing NIKKOR F lenses from AI type onwards2
  • The unique characteristics of NIKKOR F mount lenses can be applied to Z mount system image quality
  • In-camera VR (Vibration Reduction) with three-axis VR is available when attaching a NIKKOR F lens without built-in VR; in-camera VR also performs well with stills and video recording
  • When attaching a NIKKOR F lens with built-in VR, lens VR and in-camera VR effectively work together to compensate for camera shake by enabling three-axis VR.
  • Various sections of the adapter are effectively sealed to ensure dust- and drip-resistant performance equivalent to that of NIKKOR F lenses
  • Designed to be lightweight yet tough with consideration for superior operability as a part of a complete system

Development of the New NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens that Pursues Ultimate Optical Performance

The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct that Nikon is currently developing will be a large aperture, standard 58mm prime focal-length, the fastest lens in Nikon’s history3, manual-focus lens positioned at the very top of the S-Line. It will stand to symbolize the Nikon Z mount system’s new dimension in optical performance.

It has inherited the design concept behind the original AI Noct-NIKKOR 58mm f/1.2, a standard prime lens released in 1977, named for “Nocturne” (a musical composition inspired by or evocative of the night), and was popular for its ability to finely reproduce point light sources as point images. This new Noct lens that is currently in development will take advantage of the advanced design flexibility afforded by the Z mount, pursuing ultimate optical performance. Development continues with the goals of achieving an extremely fast maximum aperture of f/0.95, offering the ultimate in NIKKOR rendering performance with superior detail and sharpness. Additionally, the goal is to achieve beautiful blur characteristics, or bokeh, with good continuity, and ensure outstanding point-image reproduction capabilities for more compelling, three-dimensional imaging.

The NIKKOR Z Lens Roadmap

Information in the roadmap, including release dates, are subject to change. Product names after the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct are not yet finalized.

Price and Availability

The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S and NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S will be available September 27 for the suggested retail prices (SRP) of $ 999.95* and $ 849.95*, respectively. The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S lens will be available in late October for the SRP of $ 599.95*. The Mount Adapter FTZ will be available September 27 for $ 249.95* SRP (Additional $ 100 savings when purchased together with a Z 7 or Z 6, through 12/31/2018). For more information on these and other Nikon products, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Alpa’s HXD adapter lets you mount Alpa lenses on Hasselblad’s 50MP X1D camera

02 Jul

Swiss camera and lens manufacturer Alpa has launched ALPA HXD, a new adapter for mounting Alpa lenses on Hasselblad X-mount cameras.

An interesting feature of the adapter is that in addition to mounting individual Alpa lenses onto Hasselblad X1D camera bodies, you can also mount an X1D directly onto the back of an entire Alpa camera module, effectively turning the X1D into a digital back for Alpa camera systems.

The adapter works with Alpa and Rodenstock SB17 and SB34 lenses with focal lengths between 32mm and 180mm. Longer focal length SB34 lenses can also be used if you stitch multiple photos together in post-production, but Alpa says to check the online compatibility guide.

Alpa notes ‘lenses for Hasselblad V, Pentax 67 and those with PL mount can be attached via the respective ALPA lens modules’ as well. Below is a gallery of images captured with various Alpa/Rodenstock lenses and camera modules attached to a Hasselblad X1D via the adapter:

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Shooting can be done in full manual mode, as expected, but Alpa specifically mentions the ability to use the Hasselblad X1D’s aperture priority mode for ‘comfortable and easy’ shooting. Alpa also emphasizes how the electronic viewfinder on the Hasselblad X1D makes it easy to focus with its focus peaking function.

The Alpa HXD is priced at CHF 759.00, which comes out to roughly USD $ 762 at the current exchange rate. You can find more information and order an adapter on Alpa’s website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Instagram now lets you share other people’s photos in your Stories

21 May

Another day, another new Instagram feature. Now the makers of the popular mobile image sharing platform have announced a new way to share posts from people you are following to one of your Instagram Stories—if you see a post in your feed that you consider share-worthy, you can now share it as a sticker in a Story where your friends and followers will be able to see it.

The process is easy. You simply have to tap on the paper airplane button below the post. You’ll then get a button that allows you to create a Story. If you tap this button you will see the post you want to share as a sticker with customized background. As usual, this sticker can be moved around, scaled and rotated. If you tap on it again you can pick different style options.

The viewers of your Story will see the original poster’s username and can click through to the original post and see the creators other posts. Also, you can only share posts from public accounts and, if you want to prevent your own posts from being shared in stories, you can do so by opting out in the settings.

The new and expanded sharing function takes Instagram one step closer to its parent platform Facebook, increasing the potential for Instagram content to go “viral” inside its own platform. The feature is already available in the Instagram Android app and will be migrated to iOS in the coming days.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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New Instagram tool lets you download a copy of all your data

26 Apr

Instagram announced plans to offer a data download tool a while ago, and today the Facebook-owned image sharing network delivered.

The driving force behind the project has been the requirement to comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) privacy law, which requires organizations to let individuals download any data that’s been gathered on them. The tool is now available on the Instagram website, ahead of the May 25th deadline.

To use the tool, simply enter your email and Instagram password, and Instagram will send you a “link to a file with your photos, comments, profile information and more.” The page says the process may take up to 48 hours, but I received the download link almost instantaneously when trying the feature.

Data is provided in a zip-file that includes all your photos and videos, neatly sorted into folders by upload month. Comments, settings, messages and other non-image information is packed in the JavaScript Object Notation (json) format, so you’ll need a suitable app for viewing.

According to the Instagram help pages, you should also be able able to download your data file through the “Account Data” option in the app settings but, at least in the case of my Android app, the required update has not made it through to my device yet at this point.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Photo Studio AR app lets you ‘simulate’ a photo shoot with 3D models

20 Apr

Have you ever been at a beautiful location and wondered what a photo might look like if you had a model and some lighting equipment on hand? Well, you no longer need to wonder. Los Angeles-baased visual effects studio Surpuba AR has released Photo Studio AR, an app for Android and iOS devices that uses augmented reality (AR) to project a model into any real-world scene you can imagine.

The app features a collection of 3D-rendered models, all based off real people. You can pose them in multiple animated positions, change their location in the AR environment, resize them to fit the scene and even switch their outfits (and purchase other 3D models) via in-app purchases.

As for lighting, you can add multiple lights and props to the scene to emulate what a particular setup would look like. You can even alter where the artificial sunlight is in the app so that it reflects the Sun’s current position in the sky.

Finally, there’s also a built-in recording function so you can save your AR location scouting trip for reference down the road.

A collection of screenshots showing off the props and light modifiers available in Photo Studio AR.

You can purchase Photo Studio AR for both Android and iOS devices for $ 10. In-app purchases start at one dollar a piece. To learn more, head over to the company’s website by clicking here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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