Photo District News (PDN) recently released its annual list of 30, ‘new and emerging photographers to watch’. The portfolios of these commercial, fashion and editorial photographers from around the world were selected from more than 300 submissions made by industry professionals. Their work will be published in the magazine’s April issue, providing valuable exposure in the US for these photographers as they seek to establish careers in print and online media.
Users looking for their Picasa Web Albums are now redirected to Google+ Photos. This change comes on the heels of Google’s announcement in December 2012 saying the company’s social media channel ‘Google+ is the new home for your photos.’ Two updates to Picasa’s desktop app also promoted Google+ integration, encouraging users to tag photos with Google+ contacts and Circles. Click through for more information and to find out how to still access your pictures on Picasa.
Sekonic’s Lightmaster Pro L-478D and L-478DR touch-enabled lightmeters are now available as part a $ 512 special edition bundle that also includes X-Rite’s ColorChecker Passport and White Balance Target. This offer is currently only available for US customers, who will save $ 50 compared to buying everything individually. The bundle also includes software to calibrate the meters and create exposure profiles for cameras. Current L-478D/DR owners can purchase the ColorChecker Passport and gray card for $ 49.
A dispute between Canadian pro photographer, Barbara Ann and Ottawa radio station HOT 89.9 illustrates the problematic climate in which companies often turn to the Internet for free photographic images. Someone at the radio station found, via a Google search, a wedding photo that was then used as part of a Keynote slide presentation made to potential advertisers. When contacted by the photographer, the station removed the image but the two parties remain far apart on an agreement over compensation. (via PetaPixel)
Panasonic has announced firmware updates for its Lumix DMC-GH3 high-end movie-focused mirrorless camera, the 14-42mm and 45-175mm power zooms and the 45-150mm lens. The update for the GH3 will allow users to connect to a computer via Wi-Fi by entering the computer name (NetBIOS names for Mac). It also adds a 1080 60p, 28Mbps mode to video recording. Meanwhile the firmware updates for the lenses promise improved autofocus performance in AF Continuous mode when mounted on the GH3. The updates will be available at the end of this month.
Just posted: Our review of Canon’s top-end standard zoom, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. Launched a year ago to replace its 10-year old predecessor, it’s designed as a workhorse for professional photographers, and features a completely new optical design and improved, weathersealed build. In the latest of our lens reviews produced in collaboration with DxOMark, we take a look both lab and real-world performance. As usual, you can also compare it to a wide range of similar lenses using our unique lens data widget. Click through to see what we thought.
Fujifilm UK has given more details of the upcoming XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS telephoto zoom for its X system cameras. Full specifications include an inner focusing system driven by no fewer than four linear stepper motors, and a promise of class-leading OIS with four to five stops correction, to go alongside the maximum aperture that’s half a stop faster than typical SLR lenses covering the same range. The company says the lens will be available in May 2013. Meanwhile the promised XF 23mm F1.4 R and XF 27mm F2.8 R pancake are expected to appear in the middle of the year, and the XF 56mm F1.4 R and XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS at the end of 2013.
US photographic trade body PMA and dpreview.com are conducting a survey looking for the views of dedicated amateur photographers. The survey asks about your photographic habits, the features you’d like to see in cameras and your use and experience of photo sharing sites and printing services. We’re aiming to get a clearer understanding of what committed non-professional photographers want from their cameras and related services and your answers may even result in those things getting a bit better – including dpreview.com. Responses will be discussed at this year’s 6Sight conference. As an incentive, one lucky respondent will be sent a shiny new Apple iPad with Retina Display.
Last week Microsoft released the Windows Phone 8 version of its Photosynth 360 degree panorama app, making it compatible with latest generation smartphones such as the Nokia Lumia 920, HTC 8X or Samsung Ativ Odyssey. We installed the app on Samsung’s first Windows Phone 8 device, the Ativ Odyssey, and had a closer look at what it can do. Click though for our hands-on article.
Nikon has posted a gallery of ten images and a video of the new Coolpix A DX-format compact camera. The camera features a 16MP APS-C sensor with no optical low-pass filter and a 28mm equivalent F2.8 prime lens. The images that Nikon has posted are taken by documentary photographer Doug Menuez in JPEG Fine (8-bit) mode. Click through for some images and a link to the full gallery.