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Posts Tagged ‘Mark’

The Pentax K-3 Mark III Will Not Launch Next Week

20 Feb

The post The Pentax K-3 Mark III Will Not Launch Next Week appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Pentax K-3 Mark III delay

The Pentax K-3 Mark III will not launch at next week’s CP+ imaging show as was initially promised, but will instead be delayed for the foreseeable future.

Back in October 2020, Pentax officially announced its long-awaited APS-C DSLR, the K-3 Mark III. The company released a camera spec list, and stated that “the launch target is around the period of the CP+ camera exhibition, which will be held from February 25 to 28 in 2021.”

But now, just days before the CP+ exhibition, Pentax released a statement acknowledging a hold-up; specifically, “some of the product parts are delayed, and [Pentax has] determined that development will require a greater amount of time for [the company] to achieve the exceptional performance and finest quality that is the hallmark of next [sic] APS-C flagship model.”

Pentax did not offer a new expected launch date, but promised to “inform [consumers] again in the near future.”

According to the original announcement, the K-3 Mark III will pack 26 MP of resolution, a sensor that can shoot up to an astonishing ISO 1,600,000, plus in-body image stabilization, 12 frames per second continuous shooting, dual card slots, and more.

Fans who have waited for the K-3 Mark III will no doubt be aggravated by this delay, especially because Pentax had originally teased a K-3 Mark III launch for the end of 2020. And the announcement comes at an unfortunate time; the mirrorless market seems to solidify further with every passing day, and the relative success of mirrorless threatens to leave Pentax, a DSLR-focused brand, in the dust. 

In other words:

Pentax needs a win, and this delay suggests they won’t get it.

So if you were anticipating the release of the K-3 Mark III, you’ll have to hunker down yet again. While the camera will likely debut eventually, there’s no telling when that day will come.

Now over to you:

What do you think of this Pentax delay? Are you interested in the K-3 Mark III? Do you think the camera will ever come out? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post The Pentax K-3 Mark III Will Not Launch Next Week appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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Iconic scenes in The Mandalorian were filmed using a Canon 5D Mark III and Nikon lens

31 Oct

The second season of the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian premiered today and there is fascinating photography associated with the production of the Star Wars spinoff show. For starters, some scenes in the show were shot using the Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR camera.

As Digital Camera World points out, not only were scenes shot using the Canon 5D Mark III, but an adapted Nikon 28mm lens was used and the camera operator was John Knoll, co-creator of Photoshop and current effects supervisor and chief creative officer at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM).

If you watched the first season of The Mandalorian and felt like scenes were reminiscent in overall appearance to the original trilogy of Star Wars movies, there’s a good reason for that. While modern technology and computer-generated imagery plays a large role in the production of The Mandalorian, showrunner and series creator Jon Favreau wanted to retain the look and feel of classic Star Wars films. As fans of the franchise are likely aware, the original Star Wars trilogy relied heavily upon physical models to film many of its iconic scenes.

Here you can see the Canon 5D Mark III camera mounted on a rail toward the right edge of the frame. The model of the Razor Crest ship is surrounded by foam board and desert imagery is being projected onto the board.

To recapture the spirit of the older Star Wars movies with The Mandalorian, Industrial Light and Magic created the titular character’s spacecraft, the Razor Crest, in its studio. John Goodson, a longtime ILM model maker created the ship using a 3D printer and tinfoil and Knoll built a 50-foot motion control rig.

In the video above, you can follow along with the team at ILM as they created the Razor Crest ship. This includes its beginnings as concept art to it being physically built and filmed as a practical miniature. We also see Knoll at work filming the first motion control shots at ILM in 15 years. It’s a fascinating look at how iconic objects, such as a protagonist’s ship in a Star Wars series, are created and brought to life.

Of creating the Razor Crest model for filming as a practical miniature, Knoll says that it’s important to strike a balance with the size of the model. You want it large enough that its details hold up when close to the camera, but not so large that it’s difficult to create a dynamic motion shot when running it along a rigged track. Ultimately, the team settled on a model around 24″ long.

The team used a Nikon 28mm lens on the Canon camera. And the man behind the controls? The creator of Photoshop. The production is a blend of photographic history.

Goodson remarked that one of the biggest differences between scenes shot using computer generated graphics versus a scene shot using miniatures is that when using a physical model, you are limited by the availability of mounting points for objects. There are certain angles and shots you simply can’t achieve when using models. However, that look and certain types of motion are also ingrained in people’s memories of older Star Wars movies. The team at ILM worked very hard to make sure that shots of the Razor Crest model evoked that same look as old shots. From the perspective of this Star Wars fan, they nailed it.

(Via Digital Camera World)

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Halide Mark II is a redesigned Raw camera app for iPhones with over 40 new and improved features

22 Oct

Lux Optics, the company behind the popular iOS camera app Halide, has announced the release of Halide Mark II, a second-generation camera app for iOS that’s the culmination of more than 18 months of work.

Halide Mark II is an entirely new app with a revamped interface designed from the ground up to make a more a user experience that is simple to use, but rich in professional-level features for those who want to get the most out of their iPhone photography.

Halide Mark II has the same exposure control and focus gestures as before, but has further refined the experience with additional interface elements. Now, when manually adjusting focus, a new Focus Loupe will appear in the center of the screen that zooms in to help ensure you get focus just where you want it. When you let go, the Focus Loupe will disappear and show the usual overlay so you can compose your shot.

The manual exposure controls, including ISO and shutter speed, have also been moved and are now accessible with a quick swipe from the right-hand side of the screen. The app keeps its interface minimal, but when tapping on an icon, a text description of the tool or setting you’re adjusting, as you can see in the below GIF:

With Halide 1.0, you were given the option to see both Color and Luminance histograms to ensure you achieved just the right exposure. Well, as with most things in Halide Mark II, both of these have been updated with option to make the overlays smaller on the screen. Also new is the ‘Color Zebras’ feature, which breaks down three separate color channels — red, blue and green — into individual waveforms with zebra stripes that will appear if certain colors are clipped in either the highlights or the shadows. This ensures that no matter what color the scene you’re composing is, you can ensure you’re not clipping the highlights or shadows for any three of these channels.

If you’re using the histogram, waveform or zebra tools while in fully-manual mode, where you adjust the ISO and shutter speed, things get even more powerful thanks to a new feature Lux Optics calls XDR Analysis. Rather than using the post-processed 8-bit data other camera apps do to display the waveform and histogram data, Halide Mark II uses the full 14-bit Raw data, in real time, to calculate the exposure. Although Lux Optics says it has a more in-depth post in the works on the technology behind XDR Analysis, it sums it up like this in its blog post:

’Consider that video of the Golden Gate Bridge from earlier. Your histogram, analyzing 8-bit data, might think the sky is clipped. If you saw that in your zebra stripes, you’d say, “It’s over exposed, I should go down turn things down a bit.” In fact, the cloud are not over exposed in the RAW, and there’s no need to turn down your exposure. By under exposing, you’re now going to lose details in the shadows!’

The redesigned image reviewer now shows more accurate metadata information and allows you to view both the Raw and JPEG/HEIC image with a toggle between the two buttons.

Halide Mark II also features ‘Coverage,’ a new capture mode that takes two photos — one with Smart HDR 2/3 and Deep Fusion, and one in RAW. This gives you the benefit of having a more robust Raw file to work with in an editor as well as an instantly sharable JPEG or HEIC file to share with family and friends. Also new is ‘Instant Raw,’ a feature within Halide Mark II’s image reviewer that uses a 17-step process powered by onboard machine learning to instantly create a sharable image from an iPhone Raw file.

If all of these new features, settings and modes seem confusing, don’t worry. To complement the new app is a built-in 10-day course that will not only show off the features of Halide Mark II, but also teach a number of photography concepts along the way through examples.

As Lux Optics explains at the conclusion of its introduction blog post, it’s decided to make Halide Mark II an entirely separate app from Halide 1.0; one that’s free-to-download with a one-week trial and two options for continuing to use the app after the one-week trial is up.

After spending time talking with current users of Halide, as well as beta testers of Halide Mark II, the Lux Optics team decided to offer both a one-time purchase option in addition to an annual subscription option, both prices of which were based on the suggestions of users. A one-time purchase, which will include all future updates and features, costs $ 30 at launch and will go up to $ 36 after the introductory offer. Subscriptions will start at $ 12/month with a limited $ 10/month introductory offer that will lock you in at $ 10 for the life of the app.

Users who have already purchased Halide 1.0 will get Halide Mark II for free and have a year’s membership comped to their account.

You can download Halide Mark II in the iOS App Store and find out more information on the Halide website. For a full run-down of all the new features and updates, check out Lux Optics’ thorough introduction blog post.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The new Canon EOS M50 Mark II brings autofocus and video refinements

14 Oct

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Canon has just announced the EOS M50 Mark II, a relatively minor update to one of its most popular mirrorless models. The M50 Mark II shares the same 24MP APS-C sensor with its predecessor, and the same Digic 8 image processor. The Dual Pixel autofocus system has been updated to allow for eye tracking in both stills and video, and users can now capture vertical video and stream to YouTube Live over a smartphone internet connection.

The rest of the camera’s specs are largely unchanged. Video tops out at 4K/24p with a heavy 1.5x crop, and autofocus in 4K is contrast-detect only. Full HD comes with Dual Pixel autofocus, and you can capture slow-motion up to 120p. On the stills side, a new electronic shutter option is available and burst speeds top out at 7.4fps with continuous autofocus. The camera is CIPA-rated to capture 305 images on a charge, but of course, you can expect much more in general use.

The EOS M50 Mark II will be available in late November 2020 for $ 599 USD body-only, $ 699 USD as a kit with the 15-45mm F3.5-6.3, and $ 929 USD as a kit with the 15-45mm and 55-200mm F4.5-6.3 lenses.

Press release:

Improved eye autofocus paired with new video and streaming functions make the new Canon EOS M50 Mark II camera a strong imaging tool for content creators and imaging storytellers

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 14, 2020 –– Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the EOS M50 Mark II Interchangeable Lens Camera, the successor to the #1 selling mirrorless camera in the U.S. market – the EOS M50*. An all-in-one product for content creators with improved video features and autofocus capabilities, the EOS M50 Mark II is the latest, high-quality digital imaging camera in the notable EOS lineup.

“Our customer base includes future content creators and imaging storytellers; it’s in our best interest to continuously provide high-quality products that are easy to use in the creative world of photography and video content creation, as well as streaming,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of the Canon U.S.A., Inc. Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “The EOS M50 Mark II continues to pave the way for photography and video enthusiasts to experience a lightweight interchangeable lens camera with many similar features as our full-frame professional mirrorless cameras.”

For the family who strives for high-quality output when capturing their precious moments or for the budding social media creator, the added and improved capabilities of the EOS M50 Mark II camera make the upgrade to an ILC extremely appealing. The new features include:

  • Improved autofocus including eye autofocus for stills and video
  • Vertical video shooting support
  • Vari-angle touchscreen LCD with newly added tap video record button and movie self-timer for better vlogging experience
  • High quality webcam capability, when used with compatible services, with the free EOS Webcam Utility software or Clean HDMI output
  • Wireless YouTube Live streaming capability**
  • The ability to tap the screen to auto focus on your subject while looking through the EVF, helping to control who the main focus of the image is

The EOS M50 Mark II camera is inclusive of many of the beloved features of its predecessor. Overall, the EOS M50 Mark II is a well-balanced package deal for those interested in both still photography and videography – including those with sparks of social media content creation, thanks to the 4K UHD 24p. Providing a 24.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 8 image processor and built in Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® technology, as well as access to image.canon cloud service for better workflow, the EOS M50 Mark II camera remains compact and a lightweight addition to your carry bag.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS M50 Mark II camera is scheduled to be available in Late November 2020 at an estimated retail price of $ 599.99 – body only, $ 699.99 for the camera body plus EF-M 15-45mm lens kit and $ 929.99 for the camera body plus EF-M 15-45mm and EF-M55-200mm double zoom lens kit.

* Source: The NPD Group, Inc. U.S. Retail Tracking Service, Mirrorless Detachable Lens Cameras, Based on camera family unit sales, Jan. 2020 – Aug. 2020 combined.

** The live streaming service available with this product is for live streaming on YouTube only. To use live streaming, you need to have an active YouTube account and an image.canon account. Please be aware that YouTube may change, stop, or terminate its services, including live streaming, at any time without notice. In accordance with YouTube’s “Restrictions on live streaming” users must have a minimum of 1,000 channel subscribers in order to live stream from a mobile device (including camera products with live streaming capability). For up-to-date information from YouTube on restrictions, please visit https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853834?hl=en. Canon makes no representations or warranties with respect to any third party product or service, including live streaming.

Canon EOS M50 II specifications

Price
MSRP $ 599 (body only), $ 699 (w/15-45mm lens), $ 929 (w/15-45 and 55-200mm lenses)
Body type
Body type SLR-style mirrorless
Body material Composite
Sensor
Max resolution 6000 x 4000
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 26 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor Digic 8
Color space sRGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200)
Boosted ISO (maximum) 51200
White balance presets 7
Custom white balance Yes
Image stabilization No
Uncompressed format RAW
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.31)
  • Raw (Canon CR3 14-bit)
  • C-Raw (Canon .CR3)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 143
Lens mount Canon EF-M
Focal length multiplier 1.6×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fully articulated
Screen size 3″
Screen dots 1,040,000
Touch screen Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100%
Viewfinder resolution 2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Shutter priority
  • Aperture priority
  • Manual
Built-in flash Yes
Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flash Yes
Flash modes Evaluative (face priority), Evaluative, Average
Flash X sync speed 1/200 sec
Drive modes
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Self-timer
Continuous drive 10.0 fps
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation ±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Modes
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 120 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 60 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1280 x 720 @ 120p / 52 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1280 x 720 @ 60p / 26 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC slot (UHS-I compatible)
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB charging No
HDMI Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port Yes
Headphone port No
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth
Remote control Yes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description LP-E12 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 305
Weight (inc. batteries) 387 g (0.85 lb / 13.65 oz)
Dimensions 116 x 88 x 59 mm (4.57 x 3.46 x 2.32″)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon to Announce the EOS M50 Mark II With 32.5 MP, 14 FPS

05 Oct

The post Canon to Announce the EOS M50 Mark II With 32.5 MP, 14 FPS appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Canon to announce EOS M50 Mark II

2020 is Canon’s year.

First we get the EOS R5 and R6, two powerhouse cameras that have revolutionized Canon’s mirrorless lineup (and, in some ways, the world of mirrorless more generally).

And now it looks like we’ll be seeing another impressive mirrorless model before the year is out, this time as an addition to Canon’s APS-C mirrorless arsenal:

The EOS M50 Mark II, the successor to the fantastic EOS M50.

While the EOS M50 Mark II’s release isn’t yet official, camera product listings have prompted Canon Rumors to declare that the new mirrorless body is “confirmed.”

And according to Canon Rumors, the EOS M50 Mark II will include a 32.5 MP sensor (up from 24 MP on the EOS M50), as well as improved autofocus, 14 frames-per-second continuous shooting (compared to 10 fps on the EOS M50), 4K/60p capabilities without a crop, one SD card slot, and a 3.69M-dot electronic viewfinder (up from the 2.36M-dot EVF on the EOS M50). You can also expect compatibility (via an adapter) with Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses, though Canon also offers a decent range of EF-M glass.

In other words, the EOS M50 Mark II will be impressive indeed. Photographers will be able to harness the detail of a 30+ megapixel sensor while maintaining the speed of an action camera. And while we don’t know if the 14 fps specification only applies when using AF-S autofocus, worst-case scenario puts the EOS M50 Mark II at around 10 fps when set to AF-C, which is not bad at all for serious action shooters.

Personally, I’m most looking forward to the electronic viewfinder. I find EVFs below 3.69M-dot tough to use, and it’s hard to overstate the value of a good electronic viewfinder. After all, it’s what defines your entire shooting experience, especially if you’re the type that shoots frequently through the viewfinder rather than working with Live View on the rear LCD.

Overall, the EOS M50 Mark II appears to be something of an all-around camera for beginners and intermediate photographers (while still perfectly capable of professional-quality shots). And the 4K/60p video is a nice addition for hybrid shooters and vloggers, especially given the limitations of the EOS M50’s 4K/24p video (it comes with a frustrating 1.7x crop).

So if you’re looking for a powerful camera that offers a lot of resolution, impressive speed, and a (likely) reasonable price tag, then keep an eye out for the official EOS M50 Mark II announcement over the next few months.

Now over to you:

What do you think about these EOS M50 Mark II features? Are you impressed? Disappointed? Do you plan to purchase the EOS M50 Mark II?

The post Canon to Announce the EOS M50 Mark II With 32.5 MP, 14 FPS appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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Atomos, Olympus working to bring ProRes RAW to E-M1X, E-M1 Mark III by end of year

15 Sep

Atomos and Olympus have teamed up to announce the duo is co-developing firmware updates that will enable ProRes RAW footage to be captured on the OM-D E-M1X and OM-D E-M1 Mark III mirrorless cameras when paired with the Atomos Ninja V over HDMI.

This partnership is the latest in many that have seen numerous cameras gain ProRes RAW output over HDMI when recording to an Atomos Ninja V recorder, including the Sigma fp, Fujifilm GFX100 and many others. The announcement doesn’t lay out the video specifications that will be able to be captured, nor a date we can expect the firmware updates to go live, but the press release says we can expect them before the end of 2020.

We’ll be sure to share an update article when the firmware updates go live later this year.

Press release:

Atomos announces ProRes RAW support for Olympus OM-D E-M1X and OM-D E-M1 Mark III mirrorless cameras

September 15, Melbourne, Australia: Atomos is excited to announce co-development with Olympus of RAW recording over HDMI with the OM-D E-M1X and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III mirrorless cameras. Together these powerful Olympus cameras and the Atomos Ninja V will record Apple ProRes RAW directly from the camera’s sensor.

Olympus users who love the OM-D family for its portability and in-body 5-axis image stabilization will get all the benefits of a ProRes RAW workflow – creative control to adjust the color and look of the video in post-production while extending brightness and shadow detail.

The Ninja V allows users to accurately monitor the RAW signal on its daylight-viewable 5” 1000nit brightness HDR screen. Setup is simple with perfectly tuned color settings applied automatically. Users can then view the image in HDR quality with a choice of HLG and PQ (HDR10) formats. The Ninja V offers touchscreen access to tools like waveforms, 1-1 magnification and focus peaking, allowing users to perfect their shot setup. The Ninja V then records the ProRes RAW data onto a removable AtomX SSDmini or other SSD drive. When shooting is complete the drive is removed and connected to a computer via USB for immediate offload and editing.

Jeromy Young, Atomos CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to work with Olympus and their stunning mirrorless cameras to bring the power of Apple’s ProRes RAW to OM-D users. We can’t wait to see the creativity that results from this partnership”.

ProRes RAW the new standard:

ProRes RAW is now firmly established as the new standard for RAW video capture, with Olympus being the eighth brand to support the format with the OM-D E-M1X and OM-D E-M1 Mark III mirrorless cameras. ProRes RAW combines the visual and workflow benefits of RAW video with the incredible real-time performance of ProRes. The format gives filmmakers enormous latitude when adjusting the look of their images and extending brightness and shadow detail, making it ideal for HDR workflows. Both ProRes RAW, and the higher bandwidth, less compressed ProRes RAW HQ are supported. Manageable file sizes speed up and simplify file transfer, media management, and archiving. ProRes RAW is fully supported in Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro along with a collection of other apps including ASSIMILATE SCRATCH, Colorfront, FilmLight Baselight and Grass Valley Edius.

The firmware update to enable these features is scheduled for winter 2020.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Understanding Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X High Res Shot modes

31 Aug

Olympus has introduced several groundbreaking technologies in its cameras over the years, including high-performance multi-axis stabilization, and high-resolution shot modes, which combined multiple exposures to create a single, much larger final image.

The technology is complex, but the idea behind the classic tripod high res shot mode (introduced in the OM-D E-M5 Mark II) is simple: the camera’s sensor is shifted in minute increments across multiple exposures, so that the scene is ‘covered’ by more pixels. Those images are then combined in-camera to create a single, higher resolution photograph.

The Olympus E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X offer two high-res shot modes, ‘Tripod’ and ‘Handheld’

Today’s flagship OM-D E-M1X and E-M1 Mark III include the latest iteration of this feature, alongside a new mode: ‘Handheld high Res Shot’. Handheld High Res Shot mode enables ultra high-resolution images to be captured without the need for a tripod.

In Handheld High Res Shot mode, blur from camera shake is avoided thanks to a powerful in-camera stabilization system, which compensates for any accidental camera movement during this process.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X feature a powerful inbuilt stabilization system. This system is also used in the cameras High Res Shot modes.

Choosing the right High Res Shot mode

The E-M1 Mark III’s high-res shot modes are available for those times when you want more than the camera’s normal resolution of 20MP. Which of the two modes you choose will depend on the kind of subject you want to capture.

With both the OM-D E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X, the maximum output resolution of 80MP is available in ‘Tripod’ mode, while in ‘Handheld’ it is possible to capture images of up to 50MP.

Tripod mode (max 80MP)
  • Download Tripod High res shot mode (80MP) sample
  • Download conventional (20MP) sample

This is a great mode for architecture, interiors and still life or reproduction work – basically, any scene where nothing in your subject is moving. With your camera steady on a tripod, and a stationary scene, you’ll be able to get the maximum resolution out of the system.

In ‘Tripod’ High Res Shot mode, the E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X’s sensor is shifted in tiny increments across multiple exposures. These exposures are automatically combined in-camera to create an 80MP file.

In this mode, your camera shifts the sensor eight times, in increments of one micron, capturing one exposure per adjustment. These images are then combined automatically to create a single 80MP photograph in either JPEG and / or Raw file format.

Use for:

  • Architecture
  • Landscape (on a still day)
  • Interiors
  • Still life
  • Macro
  • Night sky

Handheld mode (max 50MP)
  • Download Handheld High res shot mode (50MP) sample
  • Download conventional (20MP) sample

Handheld mode is great for situations where you want more resolution, but you either don’t have a tripod handy, or you want to shoot something where slight movement in your image is unavoidable, like a posed portrait, or landscapes.

In ‘Handheld’ High Res Shot mode, the E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X capture 16 images in quick succession, and combine them to create a 50MP file. The cameras’ powerful inbuilt stabilization system is employed to reduce the risk of shake.

In this mode, the E-M1 Mark III captures 16 exposures very rapidly, totaling 320MP of data, and combines them to create a single 50MP image. The sensor-based stabilization system does double-duty, turning on and off throughout the sequence of exposures, helping to prevent excessive movement due to motion blur, and analyzing the amount of camera movement that occurs during the sequence. The camera uses this information to automatically align the images for the final image and clone out any blurred areas.

If too much motion is detected, the camera will flash a warning to let you know.

Use for:

  • Landscapes
  • Portraits (static)
  • General photography at wide / medium focal lengths
  • Any situation where a tripod isn’t practical / allowed

Tips for using High Res Shot modes

  • With the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X it is possible to hand-hold exposures down to four seconds*. Used in combination with Handheld High Res Shot mode, this makes it possible to capture long exposure nighttime photographs.
  • For best results with Handheld High Res Shot mode, shoot at wide and medium focal lengths, where the image stabilization system of the OM-D E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X is most effective.
  • Because it combines 16 exposures, Handheld High Res Shot mode also cancels out a lot of noise. Try switching to handheld High Res mode in low light situations for better image quality at high ISO settings.
  • When shooting in High Res Shot mode, avoid shooting at very wide apertures, especially for scenes with out of focus objects in the foreground. You’ll get best results at smaller apertures, where more of your scene is in focus.

* Exact performance is dependent on lens and focal length

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon releases 1.2 firmware update for 1DX Mark III, bringing improved AF, connectivity and more

28 Aug

In addition to the EOS R5 1.1 firmware update, Canon has also released firmware version 1.2 for the Canon 1D X Mark III. The new firmware improves a number of features and addresses a handful of bug fixes for Canon’s flagship DSLR.

Specifically, Canon says firmware version 1.2 improves face and eye recognition autofocus (AF) at greater distances, improves FTP connectivity during transmission and improves Wi-Fi connectivity when using the Canon EFT-E9 Wireless File Transmitter.

Canon has also improved the experience when using the Browser Remote and addressed a number of ‘phenomenons’ — AKA bugs — that can occur during viewfinder shooting when specific settings are selected. You can see a full list of the bug fixes in the changelog below.

Firmware version 1.2.0 for the Canon 1DX Mark III is available to download from Canon’s product page.

Changelog:

Firmware Version 1.2.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes:

  • Enhancements when using Browser Remote:
    • The image list displayed will be refreshed automatically on the browser.
    • On the shooting screen of the browser, you can set the movie resolution and a high frame rate.
    • On the shooting screen of the browser, you can change the movie shooting mode.
    • On the shooting screen of the browser, Live View will be displayed as soon as you select the movie shooting button.
  • Enhances Auto Focus (AF) for improved face and eye recognition at greater distances.
  • Fixes a phenomenon that may occur during viewfinder shooting, in which the shutter may not be released or the camera may not operate in the following settings:
    • In One-Shot AF mode, when the AF Area Selection Mode is set as Zone AF, Large Zone AF or Automatic Selection AF.
    • In AI Servo AF, when direct AF point selection is made using the smart controller.
    • When the Register/Recall Shooting Function is assigned to the AE Lock button, in the Custom Controls.
  • Connectivity during FTP transmission has been improved.
  • Improves Wi-Fi connectivity when using the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E9.
  • Fixes a phenomenon, in which the card access time may take longer when using certain CFexpress cards.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ricoh releases Silver Edition version of its Pentax K-1 Mark II DSLR, three D FA* lenses

27 Aug

Ricoh has announced the limited release of a Silver edition of its Pentax K-1 Mark II DSLR as well as, for the first time ever, silver versions of its D FA* lenses.

The limited-edition camera is identical to its black counterpart, complete with a 36MP full-frame CMOS sensor, Safox 12 autofocus system with 33 AF points and a maximum ISO of 819,200. The only difference is the paint scheme, which is silver with contrasting parts, including a black shutter release and hot shoe.

In addition to the camera, Ricoh is also releasing Silver edition versions of three lenses: the HD Pentax-D FA* 70–200mm F2.8, 50mm F1.4 and 85mm F1.4. Like the camera, these lenses are identical to their black counterparts, but unlike the camera, just 600 units for each model will be produced.

This isn’t the first time Ricoh has released Silver editions of their gear. In March 2010, the Pentax K-7 Limited Silver camera was released and, more recently, the Pentax K-1 Limited Silver was released in September 2017.

The Pentax K-1 Mark II Silver Edition camera body will be available in September for $ 2100. The lenses will also be released in September with prices ranging from $ 1200–2100. All Silver Edition cameras and lenses will come with specially designed product boxes.

Press release:

Ricoh announces Silver Edition of PENTAX K-1 Mark II, plus three HD PENTAX-D FA? Silver Edition lenses

PARSIPPANY, NJ, August 26, 2020 – Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the PENTAX K-1 Mark II Silver Edition, a special silver-colored version of its digital single-lens reflex (SLR) flagship model. Ricoh is also releasing for the first time silver versions of its D FA? series lenses, with high-grade silver coating that is especially well suited to the top-of-the-line PENTAX optics.

The camera will be available in a limited quantity of 1,000 units worldwide, and the three lenses— HD PENTAX-D FA? 70-200mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4—will be available worldwide in limited quantities of 600 units for each model. These lenses join the silver-edition PENTAX full-frame lenses currently available: SMC PENTAX FA 31mm F1.8 LTD, SMC PENTAX FA 43mm F1.9 LTD and SMC PENTAX FA 77mm F1.8 LTD.

The limited-edition silver models of the camera and lenses are coveted by PENTAX photographers worldwide. The PENTAX K-1 Mark II Silver Edition camera sports contrasting black parts–a shutter release button and hot shoe—to provide a handsome complementary color and enable it to be color coordinated whether used with traditional black or the special silver-colored lenses.

Previously issued limited-edition cameras include the PENTAX K-7 Limited Silver (March 2010) and the PENTAX K-1 Limited Silver (September 2017).

Pricing and Availability

The PENTAX K-1 Mark II Silver Edition camera body will be available in September for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $ 2099.95. The HD PENTAX-D FA? Silver Edition lenses will be available in September with prices ranging from $ 1199.95 – $ 2099.95. Both the camera and lenses can be purchased at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com and at select Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets.

Main features of the PENTAX K-1 Mark II Silver Edition

  • ? The camera body and detachable battery grip feature a high-grade, fine-textured silver coating, with an exclusive silver SR badge placed on the front of the body.

  • ? The camera’s shutter release button and hot shoe, as well as the battery grip’s shutter release button, feature black parts, so the camera is coordinated with either black or silver lenses.

  • ? Each camera has been given a unique serial number, from 0000001 to 0001000, to further support its exclusivity.

  • ? Two exclusive batteries are included in a product package to simultaneously power both the camera body and the battery grip.

  • This special camera and its accessories come in a specially-designed product box.

  • The camera body comes with the latest firmware version pre-installed.

Main features of the HD PENTAX-D FA? Silver Edition lenses

  • The lenses’ high-grade silver coating complements their use with silver-edition camera bodies.
  • Each lens has been given a unique serial number, from 0000001 to 0000600, to further support its exclusivity.
  • The lenses come in a specially-designed product box.

NOTE: The features and specifications of this camera body and lenses are identical to those of standard models, except for the camera firmware

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Olympus Announces the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, With 20 MP and an AF Boost

10 Aug

The post Olympus Announces the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, With 20 MP and an AF Boost appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV announcement

Earlier this year, Olympus made news with the reveal that it will be selling off its camera division, yet it seems that the company plans to go full steam ahead (at least for now).

Because Olympus has just unveiled its latest Micro Four Thirds camera model, the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, a compact, low-cost, travel-ready option for entry-level photographers and successor to the well-received OM-D E-M10 Mark III.

Olympus cameras are known for their small size and limited weight, thanks to the compact dimensions of a Four Thirds sensor. This makes Olympus models a favorite of travel and street photographers, especially when you factor in the size of the lenses (which are some of the most compact options on the market, and will feel positively dainty in your hands).

But the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV takes portability to a new level, coming in at just 0.85 lbs (0.385 kg), which is the lightest of any Olympus mirrorless model to date. It’s perfect for anyone looking to shave off weight from their camera bag, and stays featherlight even when combined with some of Olympus’s longer zoom lenses.

The main drawback to a Micro Four Thirds system is limited resolution, which is why the OM-D E-M10 Mark III only offered a 16 MP sensor. But Olympus has finally decided to give the Mark IV a megapixel boost, up to 20 MP for added detail, which increases both cropping capabilities and printing possibilities, though you should also expect a potential hit to high ISO performance and dynamic range.

Personally, I’d like to see a 24 MP MFT sensor, but this still isn’t a spec offered by Olympus’s higher-end models, so I doubt we’ll see it on a camera like the OM-D E-M10 anytime soon. Plus, 20 MP really is enough for most purposes, including relatively large prints, so there’s not really much worth complaining about.

Moving along, Olympus offers the best in-body image stabilization in the business, which is why you can expect up to 4.5 stops of IBIS on an entry-level model like the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. This will allow for tack-sharp images at shutter speeds far beyond what would normally be considered possible, as well as smooth video recording (and did I mention that the camera offers 4K?).

As for additional noteworthy specs, the OM-D E-M10 promises improved autofocus over the E-M10 Mark III, thanks to upgraded tracking algorithms, as well as 8.7 fps continuous shooting speeds; also relevant is an interesting flip-down LCD design, which allows you to see previews of images and footage from in front of the camera, but by tilting the LCD below the camera.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

Oh, and you get Olympus’s now-standard electronic viewfinder resolution, at 2.36M dots. I didn’t expect anything better (there are only so many upgrades you can make to a camera at a sub-$ 1000 USD price), but Olympus’s EVF game is frustratingly limited, even on its higher-end models, and I’d ideally like to see a resolution boost here.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV will debut in late September, for a relatively cheap MSRP of $ 699.99 (body only). It is available for preorder here.

Now over to you:

What do you think of Olympus’s latest mirrorless model? Are you impressed? Disappointed? Are there any features that the E-M10 Mark IV is lacking but that you’d like to have seen? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post Olympus Announces the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, With 20 MP and an AF Boost appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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