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Posts Tagged ‘unveils’

Venus Optics unveils Laowa 15mm F4.5 ‘Zero-D’ Shift lens for full-frame cameras

30 Oct

Venus Optics has announced the release of the Laowa 15mm F4.5 Zero-D Shift, a new lens that takes the crown as the widest shift lens for full-frame camera systems.

The lens is constructed of 17 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements and a new lens coating. It has a 110-degree angle of view, offers a 65mm image circle and can shift +/-11mm on full-frame camera systems (+/-8mm when adapted for medium format cameras, such as Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad X1D cameras).

Other specifications include a five-blade aperture diaphragm, a 20cm (7.8”) minimum focusing distance and a 360-degree rotation function with clicks every 15-degrees to offer more flexibility when adjusting the shift of the lens. Venus Optics has also developed a specialized lens support that holds the lens towards the front of the barrel so you can keep the lens’ optical axis stable when making your shift adjustments.

Below are a collection of sample shots, provided by Venus Optics:

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The Laowa 15mm F4.5 Zero-D Shift is available to pre-order today for Canon EF, RF, Nikon F, Nikon Z and full-frame Sony E-mount camera systems for $ 1,199 on Venus Optics’ website. The Canon EF and Nikon F mount versions will be available in late November 2020, while the Canon RF, Nikon Z and full-frame Sony E-mount versions won’t be available until February 2021.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Apple unveils 5G iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max devices with larger screens, better cameras and more

14 Oct

Moments after revealing its iPhone 12 devices at today’s virtual event, Apple showed off the next-generation of its flagship mobile devices, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The two new models are constructed of surgical-grade steel and use advanced physical vapor deposition (VPD) technology that results in a ’spectacular luster.’ Despite having effectively the same physical dimensions of their predecessors, the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max feature larger screens, 6.1” and 6.7”, respectively, as Apple has managed to further shrink the bezel.

The new iPhone 12 Pro models are based on Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which was first seen its the company’s iPad Air refresh last month. The 5nm process chipset features a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU that Apple claims is up to 50% faster than any other phone on the market.

As with the iPhone 12, both the Pro and Pro Max receive sub—6GHz and mmWave 5G connectivity, ensuring the devices should work with the array of various 5G networks major carriers around the world are supporting. Apple has also included its new ‘Ceramic Shield’ technology to its flagship devices, which should help reduce the likeliness of cracked screens.

As has been the case for most of Apple’s ‘Pro’ devices, the company put a huge emphasis on the camera capabilities of its latest flagship devices. The iPhone 12 Pro features a 12MP (13mm equivalent) ultrawide module, a 12MP F1.6 wide module and a 12MP (52mm equivalent) telephoto module. Apple says the wide module captures 27% more light than previous-generations, aided by the larger aperture and seven-element lens. The optical image stabilization has also been improved, as well as autofocus thanks to the improved LiDAR capabilities.

Apple further pushed the photography boundaries with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, putting in a 47% larger sensor that offers an 87% improvement in low-light photos thanks to its larger 1.7um pixels. Apple also added swapped out the telephoto on the 12 Pro for a 5x (65mm equivalent) telephoto lens.

Apple has also added the ability to record HDR video, including the ability to shoot and in Dobly Vision HDR directly within the Photos app.

The iPhone 12 Pro will be available to pre-order on October 16, starting at $ 999. iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders will open on November 6 and pricing starts at $ 1,099. Both models are available in blue, gold, graphite and silver.

Apple ProRAW

In addition to the new hardware, Apple also revealed it will bring Apple ProRAW to its latest iPhone devices later this year. Apple says the new format will combine the benefits of its Deep Fusion and Smart HDR technology with the flexibility of a Raw file format when editing. The format will be able to be captured with all the onboard cameras.

To ensure third-party apps will also be able to make the most of the new format, Apple will be launching an API for both desktop and mobile apps for third-party developers to use. There’s no mention on when exactly we’ll see this update get pushed to devices.

This story is developing. Refresh the page for the latest information.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Google unveils its budget-friendly Pixel 4a 5G and flagship Pixel 5 smartphones

01 Oct

Today, at its ‘Launch Night In’ event, Google unveiled the details of its new Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 devices.

Pixel 4a 5G

The Pixel 4a 5G is, as its name suggests, a 5G variant of the budget-friendly phone released last autumn. But it’s not just an improved cellular modem that’s been added to the 5G variant.

The Pixel 4A now has a larger OLED screen — 6.2” over the 5.8” on the 4a — as well as a slightly faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor (compared to the 730g found in the 4a). All of these upgrades together have increased the starting price of the 5G variant to $ 499, $ 150 more expensive than the base Pixel 4a at launch.

Pixel 5

Compared to the improvements the Pixel 4 brought over the Pixel 3, the Pixel 5 feels like a much smaller update. While the specifications haven’t improved dramatically, Google has added a number of new and improved features, particularly in regards to the camera software.

Starting with internals, the Pixel 5 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with an X52 5G modem that supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G. This is a bit of an interesting move as more flagship devices are beginning to use the Snapdragon 865 or 865 Plus, but using a slightly older chipset means the price of the Pixel can keep it below more top-tier Android devices.

The Pixel 5 features 8GB of RAM, starts with 128GB of internal storage, uses a 4080mAh battery. Other notable details include reverse wireless charging, IPX8 water-resistance and the newest version of Corning Gorilla Glass.

The 6” screen is a 2340 x 1080 OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Although it retains the 8MP hole-punch front-facing camera, the lack of the Motion Sense array means the screen now stretches the full width of the device.

As for cameras, the Pixel 5 has an optically-stabilized 12.2MP main camera with a 77-degree field-of-view (FOV) as well as a 16MP ultrawide that covers a 107-degree FOV. To make the most of the humble hardware, Google is, as it has for years, relying on its software to get the best image quality possible.

New shooting modes include the inclusion of a Night Sight Portrait mode, improved HDR+ capture and a new AI-powered Portrait Lighting mode that will automatically adjust the lighting on subjects captured in Portrait mode. Also new are three new image stabilization modes: Locked, Active and Cinematic Pan. The new Cinematic Pan setting is designed specifically for capturing gimbal-like footage, complete with slow-motion capture.

The Pixel 5 will be available on October 15 through Google Fi, Verizon and unlocked starting at $ 699 for the 128GB version — a $ 100 drop from the $ 799 the Pixel 4 retailed for at launch. AT&T will also offer the Pixel 5 later this autumn. Pre-orders are available starting today.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Moment unveils CineBloom, its new line of cinematic diffusion filters

23 Sep

Photography accessory company Moment has released CineBloom, its new lineup of diffusion filters meant to ‘take the edge’ off your digital photos.

Inspired by cinema, the new CineBloom filters can be used with both stills and video, and ‘capture dreamy, film-like vibes straight out of a camera,’ not unlike the ‘Pro-Mist’ diffusion filters Tiffen produces.

The filters are constructed of ‘aerospace grade aluminum’ and ‘Japanese optical glass’ and come in seven sizes: 37mm, 58mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm and 82mm. They’re available in two densities — 10% and 20% — so you can choose exactly how much diffusion you’d like. Moment has designed the filters in such a way that they can also be paired with the company’s variable neutral density filters for further creative control right in camera.

The filters are available for purchase through Moment’s online store. Prices start at $ 50 for the 37mm filter and go up to $ 80 for the 82mm filter; the density you choose doesn’t affect the price.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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ON1 unveils ON1 Portrait AI, new ON1 Photo Mobile features and ON1 Photo RAW 2021

23 Sep

ON1 has unveiled new updates for its suite of software, including major upgrades to ON1 Photo RAW and new features in ON1 Photo Mobile. ON1 has also announced the all-new ON1 Portrait AI, which is available as a standalone application and as a plug-in for Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, Affinity Photo, Corel Paintshop Pro, Apple Photos and Capture One (at a later date).

ON1 Portrait AI uses machine learning to locate and evaluate each face in portrait photos to retouch and process them without the need for manual adjustments. Dan Harlacher, VP of Product for ON1, describes ON1 Portrait AI as follows, ‘This product was created to solve the main problem portrait photographers face, spending way too much time editing individual portraits or entire shoots.’ Harlacher continues, ‘…ON1 Portrait AI is incredibly fast at getting through an entire shoot…’

The new software classifies individual faces in the frame, adds ‘realistic retouching’ to the skin, eyes and mouth without the use of global retouching. The software also includes other tools for manual skin retouching. Tools include frequency separation, skin shine reduction, blemish removal, face shape sculpting, eye and teeth whitening and more.

ON1 Photo RAW Mobile for iOS, iPadOS and Android devices includes new masking features, allowing users to make specific localized adjustments and effects. As part of the new masking functionality, ON1 Photo RAW Mobile includes ON1’s Perfect Brush. The brush includes edge detection features and allows the user to create a precise mask with just their finger. The new masking tools also support the Apple Pencil and Android Stylus. Further, local adjustments in ON1 Photo RAW Mobile utilize ON1’s proprietary raw processing engine.

The mobile version of ON1 Photo RAW includes new effects and filters, such as the Dynamic Contrast filter, which ON1 states is the ‘gold standard for amazing clarity and detail.’ Additional new filters include Curves, Glow and HDR Look. Organization and workflow are improved with the new update as well thanks to new built-in ways to search and sort photos within the app.

ON1 Photo RAW for mobile is available on the App Store and Google Play. Image credit: ON1

ON1’s president, Craig Keudell, says, ‘ON1 Photo RAW Mobile has been significantly enhanced in a short amount of time and there is more on the way. The addition of creative masking tools and filters helps make it a photography tool everyone will want to use.’

ON1’s autumn lineup is rounded out by ON1 Photo RAW 2021, ON1’s flagship raw photo editor. ON1 Photo RAW 2021 is available for macOS and Windows and includes pro-grade photo organization, raw processing, nondestructive editing, a layers-based workflow and more.

A key new feature in ON1 Photo RAW 2021 is the integration of ON1 Portrait AI. In addition to the new portrait retouching functionality, ON1 Photo RAW 2021 makes it easier for users to organize their images with a new Smart Organize mode. This feature makes it easier than ever before to identify image duplicates, locate groups of photos from the same day or location and the mode can even identify similar images. ON1 states that it is the ‘perfect solution for those who want to speed up their culling, improve organization, or even save on storage space.’

In terms of performing localized editing, ON1 Photo RAW Mobile is not the only new ON1 software with new features. ON1 Photo RAW 2021 includes a color range selection tool that integrates edge detection from ON1’s Perfect Brush to create flexible gradient masks. You can create color-sensitive gradient masks, which should allow for easier local editing when working with skies behind subjects such as trees and buildings.

Photo RAW 2021 also includes new custom brush shapes. You can select between hard-edge shapes, making it simpler to paint straight edges or opt for more organic brush shapes and textures, which will allow you to paint on something like snow or grass. Further, a new non-destructive healing brush has been added to help remove distracting elements from your images such as dust spots, cables and people from the scene. The new healing brush includes a content-aware mode and a clone stamp mode.

A new full-screen preview mode has been added to the software, allowing the user to view an image without any distracting user interface elements on the screen. When in the full-screen mode, you can still utilize some tools, such as brush tools. There is also a new Quick Slideshow mode so you can show off your images in a full-screen display.

When ingesting images, ON1 Photo RAW 2021 includes new camera-based presets. This means you can set specific editing presets for individual camera models and even individual serial numbers. ON1 says this feature is helpful for users with custom camera profiles or with cameras that have been converted to infrared.

ON1 Photo RAW 2021 includes new local and global adjustment features. Image credit: ON1

In terms of global photo editing tools, ON1 Photo RAW 2021 includes a new Color Replacement filter. It is precisely what it sounds like, meaning that you can select a color in your image and adjust it. For example, you can select the color of a subject’s eyes to change them, change the color of flowers in a scene and much more.

When it launches this October, ON1 Photo RAW 2021 will also add a new method to batch process HDR and panoramic photos, introduce color fill layers, present a refined user interface and add new camera and lens support.

ON1 Portrait AI is available now at a special introductory price of $ 59.99 (regularly $ 79.99). A free trial download of Portrait AI is available. When ON1 Photo RAW 2021 launches in October, ON1 Portrait AI will be integrated into the new software. For existing ON1 Photo RAW owners, you can preorder ON1 Photo RAW 2021 for $ 79.99. When you preorder, you will also receive the standalone and plug-in versions of ON1 Portrait AI. New users must pay $ 129.99 for ON1 Photo RAW 2021. Earlier this year, ON1 introduced a subscription service as well, ON1 Photo RAW 360, which includes all the new products mentioned in this article and is available as low as $ 7.99 per month. For more information, head to ON1’s website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics unveils Laowa 14mm F4 ‘Zero-D’ lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras

18 Sep

Venus Optics has announced the release of its latest lens, the Laowa 14mm F4 FF RL ‘Zero-D’ lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems.

The compact ultra-wide-angle lens is constructed of 13 elements in 9 groups, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements. The lens features a 114º angle of view on a full-frame sensor while maintaining near-zero distortion as the ‘Zero-D’ moniker alludes to.

The lens features an aperture range of F4-F22, uses a five-blade aperture diaphragm, has a minimum focusing distance of 27cm (10.6″) and uses a 52mm front filter thread. It measures in at 58mm in diameter, 59mm long and weighs just 228g (8oz).

Below is a gallery of sample images provided by Venus Optics:

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The Loawa 14mm F4 ‘Zero-D’ lens is available in Leica M, Leica L, Sony FE, Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts on Venus Optics’ website. All versions retail for $ 549, with the exception of the Leica M mount, which retails for $ 649. Shipping will start in late September for all but the Leica M and Canon RF mount versions, which will see the first shipments go out in late October.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Venus Optics unveils Loawa 14mm F4 ‘Zero-D’ lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras

18 Sep

Venus Optics has announced the release of its latest lens, the Laowa 14mm F4 FF RL ‘Zero-D’ lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems.

The compact ultra-wide-angle lens is constructed of 13 elements in 9 groups, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements. The lens features a 114º angle of view on a full-frame sensor while maintaining near-zero distortion as the ‘Zero-D’ moniker alludes to.

The lens features an aperture range of F4-F22, uses a five-blade aperture diaphragm, has a minimum focusing distance of 27cm (10.6″) and uses a 52mm front filter thread. It measures in at 58mm in diameter, 59mm long and weighs just 228g (8oz).

Below is a gallery of sample images provided by Venus Optics:

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The Loawa 14mm F4 ‘Zero-D’ lens is available in Leica M, Leica L, Sony FE, Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts on Venus Optics’ website. All versions retail for $ 549, with the exception of the Leica M mount, which retails for $ 649. Shipping will start in late September for all but the Leica M and Canon RF mount versions, which will see the first shipments go out in late October.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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ZY Optics unveils $399 17mm F0.95 ‘Speedmaster’ lens for MFT cameras

17 Sep

ZY Optics has announced the release of its latest lens, the Mitakon Speedmaster 17mm F0.95 for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera systems.

The 17mm manual focus lens is constructed of 12 elements in 9 groups and offers a 34mm full-frame equivalent focal length when attached to a MFT camera (63º angle of view). It features an aperture range of F0.95-F16, uses a nine-blade aperture diaphragm, has a 58mm front filter thread and has a minimum focusing distance of 30cm (11.8”). The aperture ring is stepless for quiet adjustment during video shooting.

Below are a selection of sample photos provided by ZY Optics:

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The lens measures in at 72mm (2.95”) diameter, 65.4mm (2.57”) long and weighs 461g (.92lbs).

The Mitakon Speedmaster 17mm F0.95 for MFT camera systems is available to purchase now on the ZY Optics website for $ 399.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Panasonic unveils new 24, 35, 50 and 85mm F1.8 L-mount primes

05 Sep

The S5 is at the center of the Panasonic’s announcements today, but the company has also revealed plans to release a handful of F1.8 prime lenses. Details are thin at the moment, but we know that S-series 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm F1.8 lenses are on the way, and that the 85mm will be available in November.

Panasonic showed renderings of its forthcoming lenses in a presentation surrounding the S5 launch.

A YouTube presentation by Panasonic shows all four primes as being the same size, each of them smaller (and presumably less expensive) than the existing F1.4 L-mount options at these focal lengths, which will bring some added variety to the growing lens system.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft unveils a new AI-powered tool for spotting deepfaked images and videos

03 Sep

On Tuesday, Microsoft introduced Video Authenticator, a new AI-powered tool that analyzes still images and videos to determine the likelihood that they feature digital manipulation. The tool is designed to address the growing problem of ‘deepfakes,’ a type of highly realistic manipulated content generated or modified by artificial intelligence systems.

Deepfake refers to images, videos and audio modified using AI tools. Though this technology can be used creatively, it is most associated with manipulating media to present something that didn’t happen in real life. This could include, for example, a video of a politician saying something they never said or doing something they never did.

Because these deepfakes are created using machine learning algorithms, the resulting content is typically very high quality and difficult (or impossible) for someone to discern from authentic media just by looking at it or listening to it. The solution to AI manipulation is another AI trained to spot the changes.

Microsoft has introduced Video Authenticator under its Defending Democracy Program, pointing out that dozens of ‘foreign influence campaigns’ targeting countries around the world have been identified in the past several years. These campaigns are intended to manipulate the public into certain beliefs or ideologies; others attempt to stir up debate and further polarize groups against each other.

Of 96 different campaigns identified (PDF) in part with support from Microsoft, 93% of them involved original content, which can be particularly difficult to detect. Microsoft explains that while ‘no single technology will solve the challenge of helping people decipher what is true and accurate,’ its Video Authenticator is an important tool that will help counteract disinformation by detecting subtle evidence of AI involvement in its creation.

Though Video Authenticator isn’t a long-term solution to what is inevitably an evolving technology, Microsoft explains that ‘in the short run, such as the upcoming U.S. election, advanced detection technologies can be a useful tool to help discerning users identify deepfakes.’

Video Authenticator works by analyzing every frame in a video, as well as still images, and assigning them a ‘percentage chance,’ also called a confidence score, that indicates its likelihood of having been manipulated. When analyzing videos, Video Authenticator presents users with a realtime percentage for each frame.

In a sample provided by Microsoft, the tool isn’t able to detect evidence of manipulation in every frame; some pass without triggering the system, while others may have enough greyscale elements, blending boundaries, subtle fading or other aspects to trigger the detection system.

Ultimately, Video Authenticator is just the start. Microsoft explains:

We expect that methods for generating synthetic media will continue to grow in sophistication. As all AI detection methods have rates of failure, we have to understand and be ready to respond to deepfakes that slip through detection methods. Thus, in the longer term, we must seek stronger methods for maintaining and certifying the authenticity of news articles and other media. There are few tools today to help assure readers that the media they’re seeing online came from a trusted source and that it wasn’t altered.

Microsoft isn’t making Video Authenticator available to the public in order to protect it against manipulation that may hamper the effort.

Video Authenticator is the latest example of a deep learning algorithm designed to counter the negative use of other AI algorithms. Last year, for example, Adobe Research and UC Berkeley introduced a method for detecting subtle face manipulations made using the Face Aware Liquify tool in Photoshop.

Conversely, we’ve also seen AI-based technologies that empower users to better protect themselves in this new digital landscape. Most recently, researchers with the University of Chicago SAND Lab released a free tool that uses AI to subtly ‘cloak’ images of one’s own face in order to poison facial recognition algorithms trained to recognize them.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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