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Posts Tagged ‘Ones’

Opinion: Stop worrying about new cameras and love the one(s) you’ve got

13 Mar

I’ve recently found myself in the following situation: Over the course of just a couple months, the two main digital cameras I shoot with have both been replaced by new models. This includes my everyday, ‘personal’ camera in the Fujifilm X100F and my ‘gig’ camera in the Nikon D750.

With the announcement of the X100V and D780, in the blink of an eye my kit suddenly went from feeling fresh to feeling like last night’s leftovers. But the more I dig into the differences between these modern generations of cameras and the generation which I own, the more I feel relieved. If you’re in a similar situation, let me assure you, it gets easier. Here’s why.

Pixel counts are leveling out

The megapixel wars have largely wound down and most brands aren’t fixating on increasing the number of pixels in a camera with each subsequent generation, as they have in the past. This is a trend we’re starting to see across the board from multiple brands. Case in point: my D750 has the same number of pixels as the D780, and the X100V offers only a modest 2MP gain over my X100F.

This is not to say neither brand has improved the image quality in these updated models. Indeed the D780 has far nicer JPEGs than the D750. That’s an important improvement, but not one that necessarily matters to me as a Raw shooter.

With the Fujifilm, I tend to stick to JPEG shooting and there’s no real difference between the two cameras there. The only real image quality difference comes down to the lenses: the X100V’s updated lens should provide better corner sharpness and close focus. I certainly can appreciate both of those improvements, the latter especially for portraiture. But then again doesn’t that just mean my X100F’s lens has more ‘character’ by comparison? I can live with that.

Double exposure shot in-camera on the Fujifilm X100F and edited in Adobe Photoshop.
ISO 2000 |1/125 sec | F2

New features are nice but perhaps not necessary

So if camera companies aren’t making huge strides in image quality with the current generations coming out, where are they concentrating their efforts? The answers lie in usability refinements, autofocus improvements and video/feature additions. These are nice-to-haves, but for me, not need-to-haves.

Both my cameras have signs of a life well-lived. But they’re still as capable as ever – in fact more thanks to firmware updates – even if they’re not as beautiful as they once were. Just like me.

Sure, a tilting touchscreen would be a nice addition to my X100 camera, especially for street candids. But then again, I’ve already trained myself to shoot from the hip, while zone focusing with my X100F, so do I really need a tilting screen? The same goes for touch capability; yes, a touchscreen is handy for quick point placement, but the AF joystick on the X100F is also rather speedy.

Similarly, am I tempted by the D780’s excellent live view mode? Heck yes I am. But is it enough to make me want to replace my D750? No. The same goes for video. As a primarily stills shooter who dabbles, I’d definitely appreciate the D780’s movie-making features. But not enough to trade up.

Shot on the Nikon D750 and edited in Adobe Camera Raw.
ISO 12,800 | 1/250 sec | F2.2 | Nikon 20mm F1.8G

Simpler can sometimes be better

I’m not trying to get all philosophical here, but when it comes to getting creative, simplicity can often be refreshing. Because even though my D750 and X100F offer limited usability compared to their updated counterparts, specifically when shooting with the rear LCD, those limiting factors streamline how I use these cameras.

Moreover, other comparative limitations just mean I’ll have to come up with creative workarounds, not unlike learning to shoot from the hip blindly due to the lack of a flip-out LCD. And creative workarounds spawn even more creative thinking – the secret sauce of good photography.

‘Shiny and new’ is overrated

We’ve all brought home a shiny new gadget, whether it be a camera, a smartphone or some other device, and babied it like we’d birthed it ourselves. But shiny new things aren’t meant to stay shiny and new forever – a fact that can take a while to sink in.

On the other hand, there’s something to be said for the comfort of time-tested, worn-out gear. Both my cameras show signs of a life well lived, complete with love and some hard knocks. But they’re still as capable as ever – in fact more so thanks to firmware updates – even if they’re not as beautiful as they once were. Just like me. Which means I don’t hesitate to grab my X100F to tag along for a night on the town, out of fear it may sustain some sort damage. But with a brand new X100V, I might be more cautious.

Shot on the X100F and edited in Adobe Lightroom.
ISO 400 | 1/1600 sec | F5.6

Happiness is accepting the inevitable

Aging is inevitable: just as a new car loses its value once driven off the lot and your camera’s shutter starts to wear after the first shot, we too begin to age the moment we are born. That may sound depressing, but it’s not! Here’s a lyric by the folk singer Jeffrey Lewis to explain why…

‘Time is going to take so much away, but there’s a way that you can offer time a trade. Because your looks are gonna leave you. And your city’s gonna change too. And your shoes are gonna wear through. So you gotta do something that you can get smarter at, you gotta do something you might just be a starter at. You better do something that you can get better at, because that’s the thing that time will leave you with.’

So don’t worry about having last generation’s model, instead invest that energy in your own photographic passion and betterment. Because just as your camera will inevitably fall out of vogue, your time behind it too will one day come to an end. Get out there and shoot!

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm X-T3 vs X-Pro3: Which one’s right for me?

03 Feb

Fujifilm X-Pro3 vs X-T3: a look at the differences (and what they mean)

At a fundamental level, the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-Pro3 have a lot of hardware in common but, unlike their predecessors, they’re radically different cameras to use. We’re going to have a look at the differences and what it means when you’re out taking photos with them.

At heart, both are 26MP X-Trans cameras that can shoot at up to 11fps with their mechanical shutters and 30fps in a cropped e-shutter mode. But the hardware differences between the models quickly add up to mean that they’d appeal to very different people and very different styles of shooting. Which one are you?

Viewfinder

The most obvious distinction between the two models is their viewfinders. Both have 3.69M dot OLED viewfinder panels, with the X-T3 able to offer a higher, 0.75x magnification (vs 0.66x on the Pro3).

But the X-Pro series’ defining feature is its hybrid viewfinder that can be also has an optical mode. This is one of the defining features of the X-Pro range: a viewfinder that can be used as a fully electronic finder or an optical finder with an electronic display of shooting parameters and frame guides projected into it.

Viewfinder (optical)

Some people find that optical finders let you feel a more immediate connection to the scene you’re shooting, and the electronic mode means it can also operate essentially like an X-T3 (albeit with lower magnification, presumably as a result of the more complex optics).

For those users who do want the optical viewfinder, it’s worth noting that it’s not as flexible as the one in the previous X-Pro models. Those included a magnifying lens that slid into place when you mounts a longer lens, meaning it could accommodate both wide and moderately long lenses, whereas the Pro3 optical finder can’t show framing guides any wider than 35mm equiv, and ends up using a very small area of the finder with lenses beyond 75mm equiv.

Screen

Having said that the hybrid viewfinder was one of the defining features of the X-Pro series, the rear screen arrangement has become a similarly distinctive feature for the X-Pro3.

Its main rear screen tilts up so that it faces in towards the camera. This means it can’t be used for composing photos with the camera held out in front of you, forcing you to either use the viewfinder or to fold it out to shoot from waist level (something you couldn’t do with the older X-Pros). This very much encourages you to shoot one way or the other, strong arming you into using the features that make the camera different to its peers.

The X-T3 plays with a straight bat: it has a rear LCD that tilts up for waist-level shooting, down for overhead shooting and has a second hinge that lets you shoot portrait orientation images at low angles, too. The viewfinder eyecup obscures the tilted-up screen a little more than occurs on the X-Pro3 but overall, the X-T3 approach is certainly the more practical. But then, practicality (and whether ‘practical’ is always the paramount consideration) is the underlying story of the relationship between these two cameras.

Sub-monitor

While we’re on the subject of rear screens, we’re also going to look at one of the things you’re likely to have noticed first: the X-Pro 3’s rear ‘sub-monitor’ display. We put it last partly because it arguably adds the least functional benefit to the X-Pro3, but it’s also perhaps emblematic of the camera’s entire philosophy and potential appeal.

Yes, it can be used to display the camera’s current shooting settings but, unless you’ve pushed all the dial functions from their dedicated controls to the fiddly command dials, you can see most settings just by glancing at the dial positions. Equally, how often do you scrutinize a small panel on the back of a camera you’re mainly shooting through the viewfinder of?

That film-carton display is kinda cool, isn’t it? Your response to that question probably answers whether the X-Pro3 is right for you

Instead, the rear panel’s primary role is to show which film simulation you’re using, in the style of the flap of a film carton, slotted onto the back of a film camera. From a functional point of view it’s almost entirely pointless. But if you aren’t Mr Spock, you’ll recognize that dispassionate analysis is meaningless when it comes to human reactions.

A camera is a creative tool and, as a result, is an emotional purchase as much as a rational one. Sure, that film-carton display doesn’t really do much, but it’s kinda cool, isn’t it? Your response to that question is probably the answer to whether the X-Pro3 is right for you.

All the latest processing

The X-Pro3 has a series of image processing options that aren’t available on the X-T3. The Classic Neg Film Simulation mode, variable grain size and Color Chrome Effect Blue are all currently exclusive to the X-Pro3 and are not listed in the announcements of forthcoming X-T3 updates. It’s the same story with the X-Pro3’s multi-shot HDR mode.

The latest Autofocus

With the recent release of Firmware V2.30 for the X-T3, it gains the latest Face/Eye performance and user interface implementation we first saw on the X-Pro3.

Now, when Face Detection find a face in your scene, you can push the joystick in to over-ride it and toggles between face detection and your previously chosen AF point. If you set a button to engage Face Selection mode, you can use the joystick choose which face to focus on (or press to toggle to your previously chosen point). We’re not sure why ‘Face Selection’ isn’t the standard behavior, but this newer approach is a huge improvement because you can leave face detection turned on, with an easy way to opt-out, when you want.

This implementation still isn’t quite as slick as it could be (we can’t see a reason why the ‘Face Selection’ mode isn’t the full-time behavior of the camera’s Face/Eye AF system, but it’s a big step forward compared to the way the X-T3 previously functioned.

Autofocus

For the most part there’s little to choose between the X-T3 and X-Pro3 in terms of autofocus: they have similar underlying hardware and the X-T3 is supposed to be getting an update to the latest AF behavior in a firmware update.

The difference when you use the cameras is simply a knock-on effect of how the screens and viewfinders work. As mentioned on the previous slide, the both cameras now have better integration of their Eye-AF features, but the X-Pro3 can only use Face and Eye detection in EVF mode or when you’ve got the rear screen folded out: it’s not available through the optical finder.

The optical finder can also make it a little difficult to know where the camera is going to focus. Parallax error between the viewfinder and lens positions mean you sometimes have to estimate where your chosen AF point is, relative to the thing you can see through the optical finder. The tools provided to help you with this estimation are arguably a little less helpful than on previous X-Pro models. But this ambiguity and need to estimate are may, to some people, be part of the appeal of the X-Pro3 experience.

Video features

The X-T3 is by far the better video camera of the pair. But that’s not much of a surprise, since it’s one of the best-specced stills/video cameras on the market at present and probably the best for the money.

Both cameras will happily shoot both DCI and UHD 4K video at up to 30p, but the X-T3 goes way beyond this. It can shoot 4K/60p footage at up to 400Mbps for up to 20 minutes, and its 30p capture will typically record for 30 minutes (as compared to around 15 on the Pro3).

The X-T3 also has 10-bit internal capture, meaning that its F-Log footage is much more malleable than the 8-bit capture of the X-Pro3. And, if you don’t want to have to process F-Log footage – something that’s not a particular chore, given Fujifilm’s provision of a series of LUTs to convert the footage to something more finished – the X-T3 can shoot Hybrid Log Gamma, the industry-standard ready-to-view HDR format.

Fujifilm has also said developed a USB control protocol for the X-T3, specifically so that the camera can be operated from the controls on popular brands of gimbals.

The X-Pro3 is a remarkable competent video camera but most of its appeal is likely to be to stills photographers. If you’ve any real interest in video, the X-T3 is the clear choice.

Build and appearance

Both cameras are well built, with weather-sealed, primarily metal construction. The dials on both cameras aren’t perhaps as solid-feeling as their body construction, but they both end up feeling like premium products.

They’re both good-looking cameras, too. Some people will, no doubt, see the dedicated shutter speed and ISO dials as a throwback design aesthetic gone too far (and there are time using the combined shutter/ISO dial on the X-Pro3 that we feel that ourselves), but a lot of people will see them as classically stylish and functional.

A sense of style

Of course the X-Pro3 works a little harder on both aspects of its classic chic looks. Its design is unmistakably rangefinder-esque and, particularly in its ‘Dura’ coated finishes, its titanium construction is pretty swish.

And, just like film carton display, there are some people who will find an emotional resonance in seeing the words ‘Made in Japan’ on the base of the camera. The X-T3 doesn’t make the same claim, but it seems every bit as well built as the Japan-made X-T2. So again, it’s perhaps more of an emotional pull than an objective benefit.

Conclusion

Does the X-Pro3 speak to you? The answer to that question is probably more valuable than any analysis we can offer.

We nearly wrote a use-case based assessment but concluded the X-T3 is more practical in just about every respect, for most kinds of photography. But that’s probably just an indication that you’re using the wrong analytical tool. Sure, the X-T3 is objectively better suited to most types of photography than the X-Pro3 (with the possible exception of street shooting), but that’s not the point.

This is a head versus heart decision, and the heart wants what the heart wants

If the X-Pro3 feels distinctive, individual or special to you, then it’ll end up meaning more to you, and may prompt you to go out shooting with it more often. Ultimately, this is a head versus heart decision, and the heart wants what the heart wants.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Urban Legend: Why Are European Cities so Much Denser than American Ones?

22 Mar

[ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

densities

At a glance, it seems obvious New York City would be more densely populated than Paris, but in fact the reverse is true: New York has only half the population density of its French competitor. In Europe, too, rich people tend to live in the hearts of cities, not in their suburbs as they often do in the United States. This fantastic short video will take you through the reasons for these differentials in just ten minutes:

Most people attribute this to the age differential — young American cities are much younger. Europeans walking to work preferred and paid a premium for proximity (and to live on lower floors before the advent of elevators). A similar effect can be found in small towns: villagers would walk to work in fields. And this is part of the story, but per the video above (and text below) there are other forces at work in the modern age.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., railroads took time to get up to speed, making it easy to build suburbs further out and not just adjacent to cities. Streetcars in turn created upper-middle-class suburbs closer into town. Finally, the automobile filled in the gaps between railroad and streetcar lines.

But why didn’t European cities experience a similar trend? In part, ones that were damaged during in world wars generally rebuilt the way they had been, and the rest kept their legacies of density throughout.

There is also the history of crime: violent urban crime drove those who could afford it out of the hearts of cities. Rural land is also cheaper in the U.S. thanks for fewer farm subsidies, making it easier for developers to buy and build remotely.

Cheaper energy costs also drive car ownership state-side, reducing motivation to locate homes close to work. Energy prices also mean that heating huge suburban homes in America is much more affordable. But these commutes are linked to higher anxiety and the trend is reversing, bringing the rich back into cities.

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[ By WebUrbanist in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

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Phase One’s Capture One Pro 8.2 software now available

25 Mar

Phase One has released its new Capture One Pro 8.2 software, and with the update comes a new Color Balance Tool making it easier to produce color graded images, as well as additional ways to find images and support for higher resolution displays, including 4K. In addition, support for a few new cameras and nearly a dozen lenses is in place. The update is available now for existing Capture One Pro users and new customers. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Phase One’s new photo contest rewards winner with IQ250 loan

06 Dec

Phase One has announced a new photo contest offering photographers a chance to win the use of a Phase One IQ250 medium format camera system for a month. The contest seeks submissions demonstrating the contest’s theme “What the world’s best __ is made of”, and will run through the rest of the month. Learn more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Capturing Busy Little Ones: Forget the Perfect Pose and Get Photos You Truly Love

29 Jul

PHOTO 1

If you have ever tried to get a three year old to sit still for longer than a nanosecond you know what a challenge it can be to get that “perfect” photo. Well, I’m going to be real here, who wants that perfect photo anyway? Okay, I know you may, but maybe I can convince you to let that go. My favorite photos are always the true ones; the ones that make you smile when you look at them, or maybe even cry a tear or two. Sure, it’s nice to get that beautiful portrait, but which photo is going to help you truly remember the fiery three year old who gave you model-in-the-making poses one minute, and wiped her muddy hands on her white shirt the next?

The first thing you have to do, if you want this experience to be fun for both you and the little one, is to let go of expectations. If you have a certain Pinterest pose in mind, and are determined not to be happy until you’ve forced your little tot into it, you’re both going to be miserable. Sure, use those ideas as a starting point, but then go with what is happening in the moment. You’ll be surprised where your wee subject might take you, and you might like the results much better than what you had in mind in the first place.

PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3

Make sure your cute little one knows that you are on the same team. Most kids have no problem being obstinate, just for fun. If she senses that you really want something from her, she may quickly decide that she wants the exact opposite. I try to take the child by the hand often, even if it’s the first time we’ve met (they usually love this) and let them feel that they are part of where we are going, and what we are doing. If she decides that she wants to put on the pretty dress shoes next, then that’s what we capture next.

PHOTO 4

Bring something for her to do. I prefer not to use props generally, but a few well-chosen, meaningful props can work wonders. This keeps her attention, plus you have the added benefit of capturing those hobbies that she is into at the moment. Let her share her passion with you. Instead of trying to pose her just so, and telling her how to hold the fishing pole, and where to look – ask her to show you “how she fishes with daddy”. Let her be the expert, and you just have your camera ready. Favorite dress-up clothes can bring out the model in lots of kids. Chairs or boxes to climb on, sit on, stand on, and peek through, can be great fun.

PHOTO 5

Try not to give too much direction or commands. Kids start to tune you out pretty quickly if all they hear are orders barked at them: “Sit here, look there, smile, smile, smile!!!”. When I can tell that my little subject is about done, I’ll just let her totally do her thing, and have my camera ready for when the moment is right. If she wants to take her shoes off and splash in the water, throwing rocks, I see a perfect opportunity to capture her in her element. This is where you might get the most genuine joy shining through.

PHOTO 6

When your mini-model is done – you are done. Quit before the meltdown, before she decides that this is the worst form of torture an adult ever created. If you didn’t get everything you hoped to get, don’t sweat it. Sometimes when I look through the photos later, I find gems that I didn’t even remember capturing. You may be pleasantly surprised by how many great images you were able to get, even with truly “busy” little tots. You’re not going to get much worth keeping if you try to force more photos. When little ones are done, they are DONE. Try to keep your photo sessions short, even if you have an agreeable little model. I usually spend less than half an hour shooting if they are under five years old.

PHOTO 7

So, next time you are lucky enough to have an adorable, energetic, little one in front of your camera, remember to relax, breathe, and have some fun. You’ll find that those real photos will be your favorites in the end, and you won’t even miss that perfectly posed portrait with every hair in place.

PHOTO 8

For more tips on photographing kids check out these:

  • Photography Hunting: Play the Waiting Game Photographing Kids
  • Cut the Cheese: 5 Tips for Photographing Kids
  • CLICK! How to Take Gorgeous Photos of Your Kids – a dPS ebook
  • How to Photograph Shy Children

The post Capturing Busy Little Ones: Forget the Perfect Pose and Get Photos You Truly Love by Melinda Smith appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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8 March, 2014 – Phase One’s Future

10 Mar

On February 18, 2014 Silverfleet Capital announced their plans to invest in Phase One.  As happens in the photography industry this announcement sent the rumor mills into high gear.  Loyal Phase One customers were worried that Phase One may be following the path of its competitor which is now run by a VC firm.  Talk of changes and layoffs also were making the rounds.  So, we felt what better way to get the right story than to go to the source.  Kevin Raber caught up with Henrik Håkonsson CEO of Phase One, in Las Vegas last week at the WPPI show and had a chat with him on what this new investor means for Phase One.


You can win an all-expenses paid photographic expedition to Antarctica, along with air fare from anywhere in the world. The value of this prize is $ 15,000.

The Luminous Landscape wants you to try any of our more than 60 training or travel videos and our new free video player. Each purchase is an entry, and an annual subscription that includes all previous as well as new videos counts as six entries. The winner of a free lifetime subscription is also chosen from each month’s entries.

 

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Photography Courses: Which Ones Rock and Which Ones Don’t

25 Oct

As a photographer, you work hard for your money, so you don’t want to shell out cash for photography courses that are sub-par or a rip-off. We totally understand where you’re coming from because photographers frequently work as freelancers, which means that every penny you spend counts. So we’ve assembled some of the better photography courses for you…just in case Continue Reading

The post Photography Courses: Which Ones Rock and Which Ones Don’t appeared first on Photodoto.


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We put the HTC One’s ultrapixels to the test

30 Mar

Untitled-3.jpg

With its new flagship smartphone, the HTC One, the Taiwanese manufacturer is aiming to improve image quality over its rivals by using using fewer but larger pixels on a sensor that’s the same size as the higher-resolution competition. However, the HTC One’s advantages are not all about pixels — the phone’s camera also features optical image stabilization and a fast F2.0 lens. We have shot a range of samples in varying conditions and are having a closer look at the HTC’s image quality on connect.dpreview.com.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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21 March, 2013 – Three Free Streaming Videos about Phase One’s New Backs

21 Mar

Following a visit with Phase One executives last week, I have produced three new short streaming videos.

The first is a long exposure field test with the IQ260 back, the second is a look at wireless tethering with the new IQ200 series, and the third is an interview with Jacob Frost, team leader for the Capture One software development group.

We hope that you enjoy these, along with the interview with Phase One‘s CEO published a few days ago.

   

 

 "Every time I go back to a module I had already seen, I learn additional things.  I have never seen tutorials that have the excellent mix of what the features are, 
how to use them, enough of the under-the-hood information 
and concepts so that I can utilize the features creatively and efficiently, 
and just enough humor to keep the motivation level high.  Wow!" 


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