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Posts Tagged ‘System’

The Insta360 One R is a super-versatile action/360 camera system

08 Jan

After teasing a modular action/360 camera system last week Insta360 has officially launched the ONE R at CES in Las Vegas today.

The One R consists of a ‘CPU’ with built-in miniature touchscreen and a battery pack which can be combined with one of three camera/lens units:

  • A 360-degree camera that records at 5.7K resolution
  • A GoPro style action camera with 16.4mm equivalent focal length that can record 4K footage at 60fps and 1080p video at up to 200 fps.
  • A wide-angle module with 1-inch sensor and 14.4mm equivalent focal length that records 5.3K footage at 30fps , 4K at 60fps or 1080p at 120fps. This module was developed with the help of camera company Leica.

All three modules can record in Raw format and make use of Insta360’s FlowState stabilization, which has been improved for use in low light, as well as H.265 video encoding. They are attached to the CPU and battery ‘lego-style’ via connector pins. Depending on use case the touchscreen can face forward or backwards and installed in the included mounting bracket any of the combos is fully waterproof down to 5m.

The 360-degree module can be used with lens protection filters which are, like we’ve already seen with selfie-sticks in previous Insta360 models, automatically removed from the footage by software.

The touchscreen can be used for framing or image/video review and alternatively lets you adjust a range of settings including manual exposure parameters. Most special features are provided through the mobile app or desktop application, however.

One R users have the choice of letting the app create shareable clips automatically, or dive deep into the controls and edit footage manually.

The Auto Frame feature automatically frames 360 content using AI-powered image recognition and tracking technology. It lets you pick from a selection of pre-framed shots and all you need to do is trim and export the clips you like best.

In addition you can create automatically reframed hyperlapses which works best with video of a few minutes in length walking outside in a varied environment. You can choose the landmarks you want to include from a menu or let the app decide for you.

A new AI-powered tracking algorithm lets track a subject in your 360-degree video either in the app when editing, or in real time by locking onto a target at the start of recording.

In addition Insta360 has improved the app over previous versions by implementing editing via WiFi without downloading footage to your mobile device, and background downloading which lets you continue working in the app while video files are being transferred.

First impressions

We’ve had a chance to play with the new hardware and app before launch and the package looks pretty impressive, especially when considering we were using a pre-production unit.

Video output quality is not quite there yet (which is why Insta360 has asked us to not post any samples) but the build quality of the hardware looks excellent and gives the system a premium look and feel. Swapping camera modules is easy and fast and despite the small size of the built-in display it allows for easy modification of settings and changing of modes, thanks to a responsive touchscreen.

The updated mobile app comes with an abundance of features and modes and should cater to anyone, from casual users who want automatically generated highlight-clips delivered to their phone, to advanced videographers who know how to reframe their 360-degree and edit action cam footage manually.

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If the Insta 360 One R will be able to deliver on image quality it’s an extremely attractive option for any creative video maker. It offers the resolution of a high-end action camera and the versatility and ability to reframe clips after shooting that you can only get from a 360-degree camera at a price point that is very close to high-end action cameras.

Those who want the dynamic range and low light performance of a 1-inch sensor have the option to further expand the system with the optionally available 1-inch module, offering one of the currently most versatile consumer video solutions available.

The Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition includes the Dual-Lens 360 Mod and 4K Wide Angle Mod and will set you back $ 479.99. The Insta360 ONE R 1-Inch Edition comes standard with the premium 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod and retails for $ 549.99. The Insta360 ONE R 4K Edition comes with CPU, battery and 4K action cam and is $ 299.99. More information is available at Insta360.com.

Press Release:

Insta360 ONE R Is an Adaptive Action Cam Co-Engineered with Leica

AI-powered Auto Frame makes editing 360 video easy.

Innovative camera maker Insta360 today announced ONE R, an adaptive action cam whose unique interchangeable-lens design enables 360-degree capture, standard 4K wide-angle capture, and use of a groundbreaking 5.3K 1-inch sensor — all with a single device.

The concept is simple — one battery, one processor and a selection of quick-swapping lens Mods. In an instant, ONE R transforms from a dual-lens 360 shooter to a standard action cam. ONE R currently offers three ways to shoot with three available lens Mods — the Dual-Lens 360 Mod, the 4K Wide-Angle Mod and the 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod co-engineered with Leica.

The 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod achieves the best performance ever in an action camera, combining a 1-inch sensor with the legendary optical expertise of Leica and 5.3K resolution — in a compact, rugged body backed by Insta360’s signature FlowState stabilization.

ONE R is available to order today via Insta360.com and select retailers worldwide, including Best Buy.

The right tool for every job.

ONE R is designed to give creators, athletes and adventurers a single tool that can adapt to any shoot.

In terms of creative freedom, nothing beats a dual-lens 360 camera. It unlocks the ability to reframe shots after the fact, ensures that users never miss the action, and enables unique techniques such as drone-like aerial angles. But for scenes in which action is concentrated in one direction, a reframed shot from a 360 camera still doesn’t achieve the same level of quality and resolution as a specialized single-lens shooter.

These two camera formats have unique strengths and tradeoffs — just as telephoto and wide-angle setups on an SLR camera have equal but opposite strengths. The only way to take advantage of both formats is with an easy, efficient way to switch from one to the other on the fly. ONE R is just that.

Best quality ever in an action cam.

ONE R redefines what’s possible with an action cam. Each of its three available Mods unlock breakthrough imaging and quality.

Dual-Lens 360 Mod: This Mod supports 5.7K capture on two lenses that cover every direction at once. It enables a real-time 360-degree preview on ONE R’s touchscreen, while innovations like Color Plus, HDR video and Night Shot achieve the best color accuracy and low-light performance in any consumer 360 camera.

4K Wide Angle Mod: Ready for 4K@60fps, this Mod captures crisp, vibrant, stabilized action and supports up to 8x slow mo. Its reversible design lets you flip the touchscreen from back to front in a snap — perfect for getting real-time feedback when filming yourself.

1-Inch Wide Angle Mod co-engineered with Leica: This Mod achieves a level of quality never before seen in an action cam. The 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod uses a best-in-class 1-inch sensor to capture brilliant 5.3K video and 19MP photos even in complex lighting conditions. Premium performance in a device that’s ready to go anywhere — the 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod is a game-changer.

Leica worked closely with Insta360 on the optical engineering and industrial design of the 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod, and contributed its unmatched expertise in image quality and color reproduction.

Smooth moves. Even in the dark.

The ONE R uses a fully upgraded FlowState stabilization algorithm to achieve gimbal-like stabilization whether you’re shooting in 360 or with a standard wide angle. Using a smart scene-detection algorithm, ONE R outclasses the competition with stabilization that holds steady even in low-light scenes.

Waterproof whenever.

ONE R is IPX8 waterproof to depths of 5 meters (16.4 feet) straight out of the box. For those who want to go deeper, a Dive Case enables descents of up to 60 meters (197 feet).

Voice control.

Voice control lets you control ONE R with a few simple commands. If ONE R is mounted on a helmet or out of reach, just give it a shout.

Auto Frame changes the game.

The best thing about shooting 360 video is that you capture an infinite number of possible angles and edits. The worst thing about shooting 360 video is that you capture an infinite number of possible angles and edits. If only there were some kind of artificial intelligence that could analyze a scene in every direction at once to find the most interesting moments and angles.

Enter Auto Frame. Insta360 has developed its own computer vision algorithm to identify the best parts of any 360 video and recommend them to creators. There’s still plenty of choice, but the ONE R app’s Auto Frame feature helps you quickly narrow down the shots worth considering and does the reframing for you.

Deep Track.

AI-powered computer vision also enables ONE R’s mind-blowing tracking capabilities. When editing 360 video, creators can simply select a subject to follow with a tap. The ONE R app will automatically keep it locked in center-frame. Even if a subject is obscured by an obstacle, ONE R’s algorithm will remember it and start tracking again as soon as it reappears.

And if you don’t want to wait for post-production to choose your subject, you can also use Deep Track in real time. ONE R’s unique “Point to Track” feature lets you lock onto a subject with the voice prompt “Mark that!”. The next time you connect to your camera, you’ll get an automatically reframed shot that follows your chosen subject — it’s like having a cameraman with you wherever you go.

No drone. No problem.

ONE R brings back Insta360’s endlessly fun and versatile Invisible Selfie Stick feature. Easily capture aerial angles and video-game-style third-person views by making your camera grip invisible. Invisible Selfie Stick is only supported when using the Dual-Lens 360 Mod.

Low light. Done right.

ONE R offers a range of both hardware and software upgrades to achieve best-in-class low-light performance. New Night Shot mode captures low-light photos that pop, while automatic de-noising preserves detail in low-light video.

ONE R also supports HDR modes for both photos and video, and creators can take advantage of Color Plus to do an automatic, one-touch color grade that brings out brighter, more vibrant hues.

When it comes to color reproduction and low-light performance, the 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod co-engineered with Leica is in a class of its own. Its 1-Inch sensor brings out highlights and shadows in vivid detail. Vloggers will be tempted to leave the rest of their kit at home.

Sounds good.

Every ONE R build comes standard with two onboard mics and an automatic wind-reduction algorithm that achieves great sound straight off the camera. However, its USB Type-C port and top-mounted Accessory Shoe also allow for easy third-party 3.5mm mic connection.

Infinite possibilities.

The ONE R app comes with a range of new editing features designed to help creators take advantage of all its capabilities. The TimeShift hyperlapse effect popularized by ONE X can now be completed with a couple taps, and a new pose-detection algorithm lets creators instantly identify and extract every frame of a clip in which they strike a similar posture — enabling mind-bending stop-motion effects that used to take hours of work.

New Starlapse mode automatically calibrates exposure settings to capture stunning time-lapses of the night sky — creators just pick a time and a place and hit record. The ONE series’ signature Bullet Time effect has also been upgraded with a smart horizon-leveling algorithm.

FlashCut auto-editing.

FlashCut is the ONE R app’s content-aware editing algorithm. First, it finds shots based on a theme set by the creator — like food, travel or pets. Then it combines them on beat into a stylish edit. FlashCut can filter and combine footage captured by any ONE R build — 360 or standard.

More Mods.

ONE R doesn’t stop at three Mods. Its unique design enables a huge range of efficient add-ons and upgrades. The standard Battery Base can be swapped for a double-size Boosted Battery Base for extended shooting.

Meanwhile, Insta360 today also announced the groundbreaking Insta360 ONE R Aerial Edition, which offers a specialized mounting system to make supported drones completely invisible and captures an unobstructed, airborne 360-degree view.

An Edition for every mission.

ONE R is all about choice. Creators can purchase exactly the combination of gear that suits their needs. However, Insta360 also offers a range of prepackaged Editions that give creators everything they need to get started with some of the most powerful combinations of Mods.

Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition brings together two great ways to shoot — the Dual-Lens 360 Mod and 4K Wide Angle Mod — in one convenient package for $ 479.99 USD; Insta360 ONE R 1-Inch Edition comes standard with the premium 1-Inch Wide Angle Mod co-engineered with Leica, and retails for $ 549.99 USD; and Insta360 ONE R 4K Edition offers creators all they need to enjoy the versatile 4K Wide Angle Mod for $ 299.99 USD.

More details on ONE R can be found at Insta360.com.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Review: Lensbaby OMNI Color Expansion Pack for the OMNI Filter System

23 Dec

The post Review: Lensbaby OMNI Color Expansion Pack for the OMNI Filter System appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Anabel DFlux.

lensbaby-omni-expansion-pack

What’s the best way to stand out from the crowd and exhibit some eye-catching colors? By applying some colored gels to a Lensbaby Omni effects system, of course!

Home to some of the most unique lenses in the world (fondly called “art” lenses), Lensbaby pride themselves on developing equipment that gives you a slew of unusual in-camera effects. Their newest mind-boggling contraption, the Lensbaby OMNI Filter System, now has an expansion pack for the color enthusiast in us all.

Review: Lensbaby OMNI Color Expansion Pack for the OMNI Filter System

What is the Lensbaby Omni Filter System?

If you’re an out-of-the-box photographer who hasn’t heard of the OMNI yet, you’re missing out.

In simple terms, the Omni Creative Filter System is a metal ring that holds various effect wands in front of the glass to produce an effect. And it works by using the power of magnets. These effect wands come in the form of crystals, panels, and other doohickeys that opens a world of possibilities when used.

The awesome thing about this product is that you can sort-of ‘make a Lensbaby’ out of any existing lens that you own.

As you can imagine, there is a lot of room for growth with this system. This is where the brand new Color Expansion Kit comes into play.

What does the Color Expansion Pack add to the mix?

lensbaby-omni-color-expansion-pack

The main original OMNI kit only includes three Effect Wands, a long arm to hold the Effect Wand, a short arm to hold the Effect Wand, two magnetic mounts (each mount holds up to two Effect Wands), and a small carrying case to tie it all together. While this is absolutely awesome, and the effect wands are great, they have the downside of, well… not having color. They are all clear wands.

So how does one fill the gap if they have a bit of an inclination towards color and rainbows?

Boom – the Color Expansion Kit.

Color quickly seeps into your work via two multicolored crystals, a rainbow diffraction film, and a variety of luminescent and textured films and gels (that are held up conveniently by the Effect Wands).

The gels and films come in a variety of colors, and depending upon your positioning of them can be very vibrant and intense or just provide a subtle light leak.

Practical, real-life use

Review: Lensbaby OMNI Color Expansion Pack for the OMNI Filter System

Much like the main OMNI system, this expansion pack is self-explanatory and quite easy to use.

There is a large-ringed, donut-shaped disc that holds the magnetic arms that, in turn, hold the effects wands. This disc, depending on your lens filter thread, can either be screwed on directly or use a step-down/step-up ring to attach to your lenses’ glass element.

The filters and microgels are just thin strips that slide into the same effects holder as the diffraction film. This holder is solid and sturdy and ensures that your films don’t slide around. The wind picking up could not cause these to budge!

Shallow depths of field tend to work very nicely with this particular expansion pack, and the filters turn into a part of the bokeh and spread across the frame rather than showcase their rectangular shape.

The wider the focal length you use, the more room you have to play with each of the new components. For example, the crystals work better with 35mm frames than, say, 85mm, as the effect becomes more prominent.

This filter set works best in bright, good lighting as opposed to low light as the filters do darken the frame quite a bit.

Review: Lensbaby OMNI Color Expansion Pack for the OMNI Filter System

Pros

  • A myriad of possible effects.
  • Great color range.
  • Easy to use and simple to learn.
  • Comes with a carrying case.

Cons

  • The individual pieces are small and easy to lose? I’m grasping at straws here for a con. This expansion pack is marvelous.

Final thoughts

Review: Lensbaby OMNI Color Expansion Pack for the OMNI Filter System

The Lensbaby OMNI gets your creative juices flowing, pushes you to try new things, and adds a brand new spark of life to your images. Offer your subjects something different! The addition of color only expands your horizons further.

Can you achieve the same with a do-it-yourself method? Probably. But there is so much room for error or frustration there, versus a system that is already tried and true! I love playing with this system, and I have no doubt whoever nabs it next will too.

They also have a Crystal Expansion Pack, and you can read a review about them here, along with the main filter system.

Have you used any of the Lensbaby OMNI filter systems? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

The post Review: Lensbaby OMNI Color Expansion Pack for the OMNI Filter System appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Anabel DFlux.


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DJI patents land-based vehicle with built-in camera and new gimbal system

21 Dec

Newly discovered Chinese patents hint at the upcoming launch of two new DJI products, including a gimbal or sorts that looks like a smaller version of the Ronin 2, as well as a motorized vehicle with a built-in camera. The latter product may be a land-based alternative to the company’s expansive drone lineup, giving users a way to surveil an area from the ground and capture new types of action shots.

The camera car, which DroneDJ says is listed with the term ‘vehicle’ in the patents, resembles a mechanical rover with a camera attached to the top. Based on the patent illustration, the vehicle appears to have large rugged wheels, hinting at a design that may accommodate off-road use, as well as a series of shocks and dampeners to reduce vibrations.

According to DroneDJ, the patent reveals that the DJI camera car’s wheels can rotate 360-degrees and that the camera’s height can be adjusted.

Joining the camera car patent is another patent detailing a handheld device that looks like a gimbal similar to the company’s existing Ronin 2 product. The patent refers to this product as a ‘stabilizing device’ that includes a ‘handheld gimbal device.’ The product may feature a removable cage that makes it possible to attach the gimbal to different devices, potentially including the camera car detailed in the other DJI patent.

Based on the patent, this stabilizer features two handles, a removable camera, as well as physical controls that include a focus wheel and buttons.

As with any patent, it is possible that DJI will never actually bring either of these products to the market. However, the existence of both indicates the company is exploring an expansion of its product line that’ll appeal to filmmakers and that it may move beyond aerial vehicles to also offer land-based vehicles capable of transporting camera equipment.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Instagram expands anti-bullying system, starts issuing alerts over offensive captions

17 Dec

Instagram has announced that its platform will start warning users when it detects that they’re about to post a potentially offensive caption on a photo or video. This new feature marks the expansion of the anti-bullying system Instagram introduced earlier this year.

In July, Instagram rolled out an AI-powered system that warns users when they attempt to publish a ‘harmful’ comment. This same technology is now being used to monitor for potentially offensive content captions, as well, Instagram announced on Monday.

The system works by identifying captions that are similar to ones previously reported by users. When the system is triggered, a prompt will appear within the Instagram app that reads, ‘This caption looks similar to others that have been reported.’ Users have the option of either sharing the caption regardless or editing it before publishing.

The feature is rolling out to ‘select’ countries at this time, but will be available globally in ‘coming months.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Astronomik’s Clip-Filter system is now available for the Canon EOS R and RP

13 Dec

Astronomik has announced the release of its Clip-Filter system filters for the Canon EOS R and RP full-frame cameras. As with the company’s other Clip-Filter products, users can install the new model using their fingers, making it a simple task that can be performed quickly when needed.

Astronomik’s Clip-Filter system filters are made from laser-cut black anodized aluminum. Each filter is designed to fit within the camera body where it acts as a dust shield. Unlike with filter holders that are sandwiched between the camera body and lens, Astronomik says its Clip-Filters allow photographers to use all of the lens functions.

Additionally, the company points out that this type of filter design is cheaper than the larger filters that would otherwise be used on large camera lenses. The entire range of Clip-Filters can now be purchased for the EOS R and RP cameras in addition to the large list of other Canon camera models compatible with the filter system.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Video: Canon RF vs EF Lenses on the Canon Mirrorless System

23 Nov

The post Video: Canon RF vs EF Lenses on the Canon Mirrorless System appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

In this comparison video of Canon RF vs EF Lenses on the Canon Mirrorless System by BorrowLenses, Tom looks at Canon’s new RF lenses and how they perform when compared to their older EF counterparts.

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The lenses he uses for the comparison are:

  • Canon RF 50mm 1.2 L
  • Canon EF 50mm 1.2 L
  • Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L
  • Canon EF 24-105mm f4 L

All tests were done with the Canon EOS R Mirrorless system and used the converter for the EF DSLR lenses.

Comparisons

Firstly, Tom discusses “flange difference.” Flange difference is the measurement of the space between the sensor plane and the lens mount.

In the case of mirrorless, the rear element of the lens is even closer to the sensor. This means eliminating a retro focal element group. This means less extreme image correction, fewer lens elements and often a sharper image.

For the comparison, Tom looks at autofocus, sharpness, color rendition, weight and price.

Canon RF 50mm 1.2 L

  • The lens is heavier, weighing just over 2 pounds, with 15 elements in 9 groups with a 10-bladed aperture.
  • The RF has a minimum focusing distance of 40cm.
  • It has a razor-sharp focus when wide open.
  • More contrast than the EF 50mm

Canon EF 50mm 1.2 L

  • Is nearly half the weight of the RF equivalent, with 8 elements in 6 groups and an 8-bladed aperture.
  • The EF has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm.
  • Focus isn’t razor-sharp until around f/4.

Winner

On just the specs, the RF 50mm has the leg up.

The autofocus on both lenses is snappy and accurate.

The RF, while a heavier lens, is vastly superior in terms of image quality.

However, where the RF 50mm f1.2 lens falls short is in its price. It’s an expensive lens, especially compared to the price of the EF 50mm F1.2 (even pared with the adapter).

Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L

  • Weighs 2 pounds, has 18 elements in 14 groups and a 9-bladed aperture.
  • Image stabilization
  • Minimum focusing distance of 45cm

Canon EF 24-105mm f4 L

  • Slightly heavier than the RF equivalent, and has 17 elements in 12 groups, with a 10-bladed aperture.
  • Image stabilization
  • Minimum focusing distance of 45cm

Winner

Both lenses are similar in price (only a few hundred dollars difference).

While the RF 24-105 is sharper than the EF, the disparity is not as severe as in the case of the 50mm lenses.

When it comes to contrast, the RF slightly outperforms the EF.

In terms of autofocus, both lenses perform very well, however, the RF focusing motor is whisper-quiet.

While both lenses are fairly evenly-matched, Tom declares the RF the winner due to its great images, quiet autofocus, and weight.

The only downside to the EF lens that Tom points out is that the entire package, when mounted to the EOS R using an adapter, becomes heavier and “unwieldy,” which may not suit people shooting for long hours or hiking with the setup.

Conclusion

If you already own EF lenses, you may as well adapt them as they still work incredibly well on the Canon mirrorless systems. However, the RF lens line-up is somewhat better.

 

Do you think this is a fair comparison? Or should they have tested the EF lenses on a dSLR vs the RF lenses on the mirrorless?

Or perhaps, like me, you are just interested to know how well your L-series EF glass will work with an adapter on the Canon EOS R or EOS RP? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

You may also like:

  • Canon EOS RP Full-frame Camera – Why Some People Won’t be Buying this Camera
  • Canon Announces 24P Video in 90D, EOS RP Via Firmware Update
  • Canon Announces the EOS Ra, Its First Mirrorless Astrophotography Camera
  • Canon Reveals the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L and the RF 85mm f/1.2L DS Lenses
  • Canon Announces Two New RF Lenses: The 15-35mm and the 24-70mm

 

The post Video: Canon RF vs EF Lenses on the Canon Mirrorless System appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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Olloclip releases new lens and clip system with iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S10 support

20 Nov

Mobile photography company Olloclip has released a new lens and clip system that includes support for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S10 and S10e smartphone models.

Olloclip is offering its new system with the Olloclip StartPack, MacroProPack and ElitePack, a trio of kits offering various lens bundles with the customer’s choice of clip. As well, the company has launched a new Pocket Telephoto 2X Essential lens, relaunched the Macro 10X Essential lens, and updated its Starter Kit to include the Pivot Grip stabilizer, an ultra-light tripod and the BSR Bluetooth Shutter Release.

With this new lens system, according to Olloclip, any of the lenses can be used with any clip, including a new one that’ll be released in December for the iPhone 7 through the iPhone 8 Plus models.

The Olloclip ElitePack retails for $ 129.99; it includes the applicable clip for the Samsung Galaxy S10 or iPhone 11 model, as well as the Pocket Telephoto 2X Essential lens and the two-in-one Fisheye / 15X Macro Essential lens. The Olloclip StartPack, meanwhile, retails for $ 79.99 and the MacroProPack starts at $ 199.99, each respectively offering Start lens models and various macro lenses.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Set Up Your Own Cloud System and Avoid Using Commercial Services

30 Oct

The post Set Up Your Own Cloud System and Avoid Using Commercial Services appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Herb Paynter.

set-up-your-own-cloud-system

If you’re anything like me, you have taken way more photos than you can access at any given time, especially if you’re away from your home system. In this article, I’ll show you why you should set up your own cloud system so you can access your image files all the time, and avoid monthly fees with commercial providers.

Image storage

set-up-your-own-cloud-system

For most of us, home is where we maintain massive drives full of images, both edited and unedited. Most of which are only loosely cataloged or organized too. When I need to find a particular photo, I perform a pretty detailed metadata-based search spread over my multi-drive setup.

The operation is neither efficient nor pretty.

Particularly when the photo I’m looking for was taken years ago and could be anywhere on my system. It’s far from the tidy professional setup I would like it to be. I’ve been adding to this collection daily since the mid-1980s.

Now multiply this dilemma by being away from home much of my life, armed only with a laptop and maybe a thumb drive or small USB pocket drive. If I haven’t uploaded all my images to one of several cloud storage systems I use, this exercise is over before it starts.

Even if I can access my desktop system, the chances are slim that all those pesky permissions doorstops will let me search all my drives remotely.

Set Up Your Own Cloud System and Avoid Using Commercial Services

Hard-drive mania. Repaving the parking lot

Recently, I counted more than a dozen hard drive carcasses stacked on shelves in my home office.

They have served as photo and file storage depots over the years. Some contain images taken twenty years ago that I didn’t transfer to my newest, latest, largest storage device.

There are some great images that I simply haven’t had the time to weed through and sort out. It’s all pretty discouraging.

For those files I have stored online, many times I have to “qualify” them with a password often deemed incorrect (aargh!). Perhaps I’m simply getting older, but there are too many passwords for too many storage sources for this to be fun anymore.

Frustration and anxiety sets in every time I leave the house with my laptop in hand. I know I’ll need to get to something that I won’t be able to access.

Two months ago, I faced the recurring problem of needing more file storage space. What to do? Yet another even larger hard drive? More online parking space? Where does this cycle end?

set-up-your-own-cloud-system

Flying the friendly skies

This time I took the time to seriously investigate the commercial cloud systems available.

If you think you’re not using cloud storage, think again.

If you have an Adobe account, you are a member of the Creative Cloud. If you are a Mac user, you have an iCloud account. If you are on Google, you probably are a member of Google cloud. Most likely, you use Dropbox – yet another cloud system.

All these systems provide file access from remote locations, but you certainly don’t have all your files on a single cloud.

While these clouds are wonderful, to some extent, there’s a significant downside to each. There’s also a lot of common problems with each. The restrictions, privacy, cost, access, limitations, and vulnerability involved with each is significant when all the facts are in.

Enter the personal cloud system

set-up-your-own-cloud-system

What I have discovered is the surprise upside of installing my own personal NAS (network-attached storage) system, which is basically a full access file server.

A NAS is a standalone Linux or Windows processor (computer operating system) acting as a full-service librarian attached to host one or more hefty hard drives and providing a significant variety of server services. Each server is available only those to whom the server’s owner (typically known as Admin) gives permission, and accessible from virtually everywhere around the globe.

You can configure each personal multi-drive cloud server as either a single massive drive system or as one of several RAID configurations. RAID stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Drives and consists of two identical hard drives recording mirrored copies of your files. Each drive stores identical backups for near-bulletproof security.

These NAS RAID arrays provide from two to twelve terabytes of online storage and backup.

Cloudy skies and bumpy rides

Set Up Your Own Cloud System and Avoid Using Commercial Services

But you should take great care to investigate ALL customer reviews of the various private cloud systems available.

Read beyond the marketing talking points and glitzy advertising and read the comments of current users.

The technology is proven, but not all products are quite as user-friendly as they seem. Lower-priced units sometimes indicate entry-level and basic features. Also, sometimes, the lower price indicates a lesser-quality product.

You can’t judge either books or NAS systems by their appearance OR brand popularity.

The system I originally purchased was manufactured by a highly-rated and respected hard drive company. It consisted of two four-terabyte drives set up as a RAID type 1 system that provided immediate access to virtually all my photos, videos, music, and files.

The server worked wonderfully, as long as I was on my home WiFi network. However, when I attempted to set up access away from home, some air escaped from the balloon. This lack of remote access led to me renaming my server “Fogbank” in protest.

After re-reading, reinstalling, and re-configuring the system as best as I could understand the ambiguous installation instructions, I first contacted customer support via email. Detailed explanations of my failed attempts were responded to by references to endless generic PDF documents in their “knowledge base” and forum discussions.

Unfortunately, my phone calls were handled by friendly technicians whose English was so challenged that I simply could not get a direct answer to my questions.

Multiple attempts to put this Humpty-Dumpty server back together failed over and over. Further reading on the company’s forums revealed hundreds of other frustrated users who had given up on the hardware. I will not name the product or the manufacturer. Instead, I’ll just encourage you to do your diligence and read the reviews of actual users before you buy.

Clear skies ahead

Set Up Your Own Cloud System and Avoid Using Commercial Services

I believe totally in both the concept and the technology of NAS personal cloud servers and have since purchased a quality, value-based product. I’ve spent a bit more than I did for my initial system, but I am rewarded with the amazing freedom and power behind this amazing technology.

I now enjoy speedy access to all files in my vast image library. My personal cloud server system provides file sharing and syncing, and personal multimedia services for streaming video and TV shows. It has a bulletproof backup, home security system monitoring, and many more amazing features.

I can even upload images directly from a photo session (through the camera’s WiFi) to my personal server – no waiting to get home!

set-up-your-own-cloud-system

And best of all, this secure server system is fee-free. Once you own the equipment, your only cost is Internet access. If you have an Internet account, you’re good to go. Monthly fees and service restrictions are only distant memories.

You no longer have to rent the rare air on someone else’s cloud. You can collaborate with other users and photo club members, share and download huge files via FTP, all while being entertained. And they actually call this work!

Check into these devices, ask a lot of questions, and open up a whole new communications experience for as little as a $ 500 investment.

Have you set up your own personal cloud system? Share your thoughts on the process with us below!

The post Set Up Your Own Cloud System and Avoid Using Commercial Services appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Herb Paynter.


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London researchers develop plant-powered camera system for conservation efforts

19 Oct

ZSL London Zoo has detailed the results of a new scientific trial that successfully powered a tiny camera using plants. At the core of the system are microbial fuel cells designed to harness the energy produced by bacteria in the soil, which works to breakdown biomatter produced by plants. The end result, according to ZSL, may one day be plant-powered cameras that can be used as part of conservation efforts.

The microbial fuel cells were installed in the London Zoo’s Rainforest Life exhibit for use with a maidenhair fern named Pete. Unlike batteries, which need to be regularly recharged using sunlight or an external power source, plant-based fuel cells can be used to power many low-energy sensors, cameras, and other devices in a variety of environments.

‘We’ve quite literally plugged into nature to help protect the world’s wildlife: Pete has surpassed our expectations and is currently taking a photo every 20 seconds,’ said ZSL Conservation Technology Specialist Al Davies. ‘He’s been working so well we’ve even accidentally photobombed him a few times!’ Below are a few photos captured with the system:

By utilizing this technology, conservationists may be able to monitor plant growth, temperature, and other data using remote hardware without relying on solar panels and batteries. Following additional refinement, the team plans to test the technology in the wild.


Image credits: Photos shared with kind permission from ZSL London Zoo.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ricoh releases firmware version 1.30 for its GR III camera system

14 Oct

Ricoh has released a firmware update for its GR III camera that brings new and improved features to the compact camera.

Below is the changelog provided by Ricoh:

Add the following enhanced features

    • [Cross Processing] has been added to [Image control] of the??6?[Image Process Setting] menu in the [Still Image Settings].
    • [Cross Processing] has been added to [Image control] of the??6?[Image Process Setting] menu in the [Movie Settings].
    • [Crop] and [Touch AF] can be registered to [ADJ Mode Setting] of the?C?2?[Customize Control] menu in the [Customize Settings].
    • [Touch AF] can be registered to [Fn Button Setting] of the?C?2? [Customize Control] menu in the [Customize Settings].
  • For more details click here.

Improved Contents

  • Improved the AF performance of [Macro Mode] in dark places and low contrast.
  • Changed to take over as the initial value after the next time when developing with [JPEG Recorded Pixels] setting changed in RAW development.
  • When preparing to shoot with the shutter button, change the point that the electronic level is hidden by the guide display.
  • Improved stability for general performance.

You can download firmware version 1.30 via Ricoh’s support page for the GR III. To ensure the update goes well, format the SD card in-camera and use a fully-charged battery before applying the firmware.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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