RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Smartphone’

Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers

20 Sep

The post Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers

If you’re a smartphone photographer, then you’ve probably struggled to deal with indoor lighting. After all, smartphones don’t come with a high-quality flash; it’s easy to get noisy images when shooting indoors.

Until now.

Because Profoto has just released two lights made specifically for the smartphone: The Profoto C1 and the Profoto C1 Plus.

What are the C1 and C1 Plus?

The two items are billed as Profoto’s “very first studio lights for smartphones.” They’re small, orb-shaped lights, and they’re compact enough that you can take them anywhere without much hassle.

According to Profoto:

The light the C1 product range delivers is natural looking and beautiful with a soft, gentle fall-off…[F]rom now on you will always have natural-looking, beautiful light with you.

Note that the C1 Plus is both more expensive and more advanced than the C1. The C1 Plus includes a greater power output (4300 lumens versus 1600 lumens). The C1 Plus also includes a thread mount, so you can screw the light onto a stand and shoot with both hands. And the C1 Plus features better battery life than the C1.

Both the C1 and the C1 Plus offer rechargeable batteries. They also include multiple modes for increased flexibility: a continuous shooting mode and a flash mode. To use the Profoto lights, you can pair them with your smartphone via the special Profoto Camera app. Then you can take photos that are synced with the Profoto flash.

The Profoto C1 costs $ 299, while the Profoto C1 Plus costs $ 499.

But just who are these lights for?

If you like to use your smartphone on the fly, without any preparation, then I’d recommend against the Profoto C1. Despite its small size, you probably don’t want to carry the flash with you constantly. But if you’re the type of shooter who often shoots in low-light situations or prefers to capture more carefully considered shots, then the Profoto C1 could be exactly what you need.

If the Profoto C1 captures your attention, then you should also check out another product: The Godox R1, which was announced a few hours after the C1/C1 Plus announcement. The Godox light is similar to the C1 and C1 Plus, though it offers slightly different lighting options. For those hoping to purchase the Godox R1, keep an eye out for a release date!

Would you use either of these lights? what are your thoughts? Share with us in the comments!

The post Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers

Posted in Photography

 

The Polaroid Lab turns your digital smartphone photos into analog instant prints

10 Sep

Polaroid Originals has introduced the Polaroid Lab, a new instant printer that will turn your digital smartphone photos into instant prints.

The Polaroid Lab appears to be a rebranded version of Impossible Project’s Instant Lab released back in 2013, but offers a few new features and brings a retro-inspired design.

Like the Instant Lab, the Polaroid Lab uses your smartphone’s screen as a projector of sorts to capture the image on an instant photo. The process requires you to download the Polaroid Originals app on your Android or iOS smartphone. Once downloaded, images can be selected and edited before prepping them for their analog conversion.

Three lenses and multiple mirrors inside the Polaroid Lab take the image on the screen and focus them on any Polaroid i-Type film. When the red button on the base of the Polaroid Lab is pressed, the image is transferred to the instant film and ejected from the device.

The Polaroid Lab features an internal battery that’s rechargeable via Micro USB. Polaroid Originals says it supports iOS devices running iOS 11 or newer going back to the iPhone 6S and Android devices running Android 7 or newer for the current devices from major manufacturers.

The Polaroid Lab will retail for $ 129.99 / EUR €129,99 / GBP £119 when it ships. Polaroid Originals says the Polaroid Lab is ‘coming soon’ but fails to provide specifics beyond that. For more information, visit the Polaroid Originals’ website and sign up to receive more information on the Polaroid Lab as it’s released.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on The Polaroid Lab turns your digital smartphone photos into analog instant prints

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Zhiyun’s new SMOOTH-Q2 is yet another compact smartphone gimbal

31 Aug

Zhiyun Tech has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its new SMOOTH-Q2, a pocket-sized gimbal designed for smartphones. Zhiyun boasts that its latest gimbal is smaller than the DJI Osmo 2 and Osmo 3, packing a 4500mAh battery for up to 17 hours of usage, as well as a number of features including object tracking, time-lapse and 360-degree POV modes.

The SMOOTH-Q2 Mobile Gimbal is made from CNC-machined aluminum alloy and is very compact, able to fit entirely within a pants pocket. The device features a five-way joystick and support for shooting in landscape and portrait modes. Users can directly control their phone’s native camera app over Bluetooth.

The gimbal uses a quick-release clip for rapidly attaching and removing a smartphone. In addition to the five-way joystick, the SMOOTH-Q2 sports a button for manually toggling between the photo and video modes, LED indicators for mode and battery status, a power button and USB-C charging port.

The SMOOTH-Q2 can be used with an accessory via a 1/4″ threaded screw hole on the bottom of the handle. Zhiyun claims the gimbal’s motor is durable with a maximum payload capacity up to 260g (9oz) and longevity ranging up to 3,000 hours of continuous work. Users can use SMOOTH-Q2 to shoot in motion-lapse, time-lapse, POV, vortex, multimode and object-tracking modes.

Zhiyun is seeking funds for SMOOTH-Q2 on Kickstarter, where it is offering a ‘Standard Package’ kit for pledges of at least $ 109 USD. In addition to the Standard Package, which includes the gimbal, phone holder, strap and cable. There’s also a Premium Package option that also includes a bag, phone charging cable and mini tripod for pledges of $ 119 USD.

Assuming the campaign is successful, the company plans to start shipping products in October.


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

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Zhiyun’s new SMOOTH-Q2 is yet another compact smartphone gimbal

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Sandmarc launches hybrid ND/polarization filters for smartphone cameras

31 Aug

On smartphones, the effects of many photographic filters can be fairly easily simulated by apps but if you are more of an old-school photographer who also likes to shoot with a phone, Sandmarc’s new premium line of polarized ND filters for smartphone photography and video recording might just be what you have been waiting for.

The accessory maker’s new models combine neutral density and polarizing functionality in one hybrid filter and are manufactured using multi-coated and anti-reflective glass for accurate color transmission. An aluminum frame should provide toughness.

The filters can be attached to Sandmarc’s iPhone lenses or directly to the smartphone using the included clip. They are compatible with most recent high-end models from Apple, Samsung, Huawei and other manufacturers and come with an inner diameter of 40.6mm and an outer diameter of 55mm.

The set includes polarized ND16, ND32 and ND64 filters and be pre-ordered now for $ 129.99 on the Sandmarc website where you’ll also find more information including a full list of compatible devices.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Sandmarc launches hybrid ND/polarization filters for smartphone cameras

Posted in Uncategorized

 

The Redmi Note 8 Pro is the first officially-announced smartphone with a 64MP camera

30 Aug

Samsung announced its 64MP Isocell GW1 Quad-Bayer smartphone image sensor in May this year. Now Xiaomi has announced the first device featuring the new sensor in the shape of the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

The Isocell sensor is deployed in the primary camera of the Note 8 Pro’s four-camera setup. It is a 1/1.7″ sensor and coupled with an F1.8 aperture lens and PDAF autofocus system. Like with other Quad-Bayer sensors, it is not primarily designed to output 64MP files but to combines four pixels into one, for better detail, lower noise levels and increased dynamic range, resulting in a 16MP default image size.

The primary camera is accompanied by an 8MP super-wide-angle, a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth-camera for a simulated bokeh effect. The front camera is located in a notch and offers a 20MP resolution plus several AI features and scene recognition modes.

Camera aside, the new phone’s specifications are distinctly mid-range. The IPS display measures 6.53 inches and comes with an FHD+ resolution. The Android 9 OS is powered by a Mediatek’s Helio G90T chipset and 6 or 8GB of RAM. In terms of storage you can choose between 64 or 128 GB. The 4,500 mAh battery offers quick-charging.

The Note 8 Pro will be available in September in China and set you back CNY1,399 ($ 195) for the 6/64GB version and CNY1,799 ($ 250) for the 8/128GB option. Pricing and availability for other regions have not been revealed yet.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on The Redmi Note 8 Pro is the first officially-announced smartphone with a 64MP camera

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Moment launches 37mm Cine filters and mount for use with smartphone cameras

22 Aug

Mobile photography company Moment has launched a new 37mm Cine filter set for smartphones, including a compatible mount. Though Moment already offered a series of filters, those products were designed for the company’s mobile lenses. The new 37mm Cine filter set, however, is made for use with a phone’s camera using its native lenses.

The new filter mount is designed for use with Moment’s existing smartphone cases for iPhone, Pixel, OnePlus, and Galaxy models. Users who don’t already have a Moment phone case can order the new 37mm Cine filters and mount in a bundle that features a phone case, 37mm ND filter and 37mm CPL filter. This bundle costs $ 99.96 USD.

The new 37mm Cine CPL phone filter set is available with the mount and CPL filter for $ 49.98 USD, plus there’s a 37mm Cine ND filter set with the mount and ND filter for $ 39.98 USD. Both new filters are scratch-resistant and feature hydrophobic, anti-static, anti-reflective, color-corrective coatings.

The filter mount will work with any 37mm filters and the filters with any lenses with a 37mm filter thread, according to the company. The entire 37mm Cine filters and mount line is available now from Moment.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Moment launches 37mm Cine filters and mount for use with smartphone cameras

Posted in Uncategorized

 

DJI announces cheaper, more compact Osmo Mobile 3 smartphone gimbal

14 Aug

Chinese drone, camera and gimbal manufacturer DJI has announced the Osmo Mobile 3, a third-generation gimbal designed to be more capable and compact than ever.

Available today for $ 119, the Osmo Mobile 3 features a similar design to its predecessors, but folds down into a much smaller package, making it easier to pack away in bags, backpacks and purses. Specifically, the device measures 285 × 125 × 103 mm (11.2 x 4.92 x 4.06in) when unfolded, 157 × 130 × 46 mm (6.18 x 5.12 x 1.81in) when folded down and weighs 405g (14.29oz).

It also features a more streamlined interface so one-handed operation is easier, including the ability to flip the phone’s orientation from portrait to landscape (or vice versa) with three taps of the ‘mode’ button, a much requested feature not found on its predecessors.

On the user-facing side of the Osmo Mobile 3, there is a joystick, a record button (also serves as the shutter button), the mode button (also serves as the power button) and a battery life indicator. On the left and right sides are a T/W zoom toggle and a USB-C port, respectively. DJI has also brought back the popular trigger option found on the original Osmo Mobile and DJI’s higher-end gimbals.

In addition to being used to charge the 2450 man Li-ion battery that’s rated for 15 hours of use, the USB-C port also serves as a means of connecting attachments, such as a 3.5mm audio jack for recording audio via an external microphone.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_9364859723″,”galleryId”:”9364859723″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

As is to be expected, DJI has brought some of its AI-powered drone technology and other shooting modes to the Osmo Mobile 3 via the DJI Mimo app. This includes DJI’s Active Track feature, ‘story mode’ which automatically edits footage together and other shooting options such as gesture controlled shooting, panorama, timelapse and hyperlapse.

The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is currently available to purchase for $ 119 at authorized retailers, including Adorama and B&H. DJI is also selling a combo pack with the Osmo Carrying Case and Osmo Grip Tripod for $ 139.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on DJI announces cheaper, more compact Osmo Mobile 3 smartphone gimbal

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Google reportedly ‘DSLR-like’ attachment for Pixel 4 smartphone

08 Aug

The upcoming Pixel 4 smartphone introduced by Google in June will reportedly be offered with a ‘DSLR-like attachment,’ according to 9to5Google, which recently leaked details about the model and its larger variant, the Pixel 4 XL.

The report claims Google is developing this attachment for the new Pixel 4 and that it will possibly be offered as an accessory for the handset. No other details about the attachment were provided, however. Google is expected to launch the Pixel 4 in October and will likely introduce this alleged accessory at the same time.

The Pixel 4 is expected to feature two rear cameras, a 12MP offering with phase-detect autofocus and a 16MP camera with a telephoto lens. Google confirmed in its June tweet that the Pixel 4 will be the first Pixel model to feature two rear cameras.

The Pixel 4 is expected to feature two rear cameras, a 12MP offering with phase-detect autofocus and a 16MP camera with a telephoto lens.

Until now, the Pixel line has featured only a single rear camera (though the Pixel 3 and 3a have dual front cameras), with Google electing to focus on computational photography utilizing artificial intelligence to produce the Pixel’s notable image quality. The inclusion of two front cameras on the Pixel 3 was largely viewed as writing on the wall for the eventual inclusion of two rear cameras on a Pixel phone.

Despite the company’s substantial AI capabilities, Google’s computational photography faced issues that only hardware could overcome. The inclusion of dual front cameras on the Pixel 3 enables the phone to capture wide-angle selfies. Google will overcome AI limitations surrounding focal length by adding a second rear camera to the Pixel 4.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Google reportedly ‘DSLR-like’ attachment for Pixel 4 smartphone

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Xiaomi teases future Mi smartphone with 108MP Samsung camera sensor

07 Aug

Xiaomi, the company often called the ‘Apple of China,’ has announced plans to pack a 108MP Samsung ISOCELL camera sensor into an upcoming Mi series smartphone model. The plan was teased by the company during the Xiaomi Future Image Technology Communication Conference in Beijing earlier today.

Xiaomi’s conference largely revolved around the Samsung ISOCELL GW1, a 64MP camera sensor that, based on Xiaomi’s past teases, is expected to launch in a future Redmi smartphone. The GW1 sensor is viewed as the next step up from the 48MP sensor found in a number of existing phone models, including the Redmi Note 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro.

In addition to detailing the 64MP sensor, Xiaomi announced that it will be the first company to use a Samsung 108MP ISOCELL 12032 x 9024 image sensor in a smartphone. The company didn’t reveal which model will pack the camera, but Ice Universe, a credible leaker on Twitter, claims the 108MP sensor will be available in the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 model.

Samsung hasn’t released any information about this 108MP camera sensor at this time.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Xiaomi teases future Mi smartphone with 108MP Samsung camera sensor

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Kodak Moments unveils M1 Order Station, scalable photo kiosks with smartphone support

07 Aug

Kodak Moments (a division of Kodak Alaris) has introduced the M1 Order Station, a scalable photo-printing kiosk designed to enable the average consumer to easily print photos from their phone, a USB drive, or an SD card. As demonstrated by Kodak in the video above, the M1 Order Station can be scaled from a small desktop station to a full standing kiosk to meet the needs of different retailers.

Though photo-printing kiosks used to be commonly found in big box and convenience stores, these machines have become scarce amid the rise of digital photography and online printing services. Kodak is aiming to change that with its printing kiosks.

The new M1 Order Station is described as a ‘seamless’ solution featuring the Kodak Moments retail software version 9.0, which presents users with printing options via a 13″ touchscreen. Retailers can pair the station with the Kodak 305 printer countertop enclosure, the 305 print station cabinet, or the 305 printer booster with a print catcher.

In addition to memory cards and USB drives, customers can download the Kodak Moments app to directly print images from a smartphone using WiFi, Bluetooth, or a physical connection cable. The system supports printing 4×6, 5×7, and 6×8 prints, as well as photo cards, collages, and ‘DIY products.’ A brochure fully detailing the M1 Order Station is available here [PDF].

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Kodak Moments unveils M1 Order Station, scalable photo kiosks with smartphone support

Posted in Uncategorized