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Analog gems: 10 additional film cameras worth buying right now

08 Jun

Analog gems part 2

Back in 2017 we shared our list of 10 excellent, affordable film cameras worth considering. Jump to today, in 2019, and public interest in analog photography has only continued to grow. So much so that we thought it was high time to revisit our original list and call out ten more film cameras worthy of your time and money.

These cameras were selected based on reader feedback, research and the staff’s collective analog lust. All of them can be found pretty easily on the second-hand market in good working order, most for a relative bargain. So get ready to hunt through your freezer for a long-expired roll of film, it’s time for Analog Gems Part 2.

Read Analog Gems part 1Note: cameras are arranged from least to most expensive.

Nikon EM

History: The Nikon EM was by all measures, a commercial flop for the brand. Yet decades later it has endured as Nikon’s smallest, lightest and best-looking (opinion) film SLR. Launched in 1979, this Aperture Priority-only camera was reportedly built with female shooters in mind – the stylish good looks are courtesy of famed auto designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. It’s anyone’s guess why the camera sold poorly; manufacturing stopped by 1982, but the theory is most women at the time preferred the EM’s fully-manual siblings to what is essentially a simplified, fashion-forward, budget model. Still, despite its entry-level status, the EM is as reliable as its pricier siblings from the same era.

If you’re after a small, handsome little camera that’s super simple to use, look no further

Why we like it: If you’re after a small, handsome little camera that’s super simple to use, look no further. The EM features a very accurate center-weighted meter that’s powered by two S76 or A76 batteries. A small button below the film rewind acts as a negative two stop exposure compensation when pressed. The camera is fully electronic in operation but can function on no juice with limited shutter speeds – an ‘M90’ mode locks the shutter speed at 1/90 sec, the camera’s standard ‘Auto’ mode sets the shutter speed to 1/1000 sec. The body is mostly built of a copper and aluminum alloy, though the top and bottom covers are polycarbonate.

Find one: These cameras are incredibly easy to come across in new, or like-new condition for between $ 20 and $ 75. They only come in black. The EM’s arrival on the scene also brought with it the introduction of Nikon’s budget E line of glass. Of this line, the 50mm F1.8 E and the 100mm F2.8 E are both impressive performers and quite compact in size. It’s very easy to find the former kitted with the EM on places like Ebay.

Also consider: The Nikon FM was a step up from the EM – they’re a little pricier and chunkier but come with full manual controls.

Konica C35 EF

History: The C35 EF is a compact rangefinder camera that debuted in 1975. It sports a very sharp 38mm F2.8 lens and the World’s first pop-up flash. Other than choosing to activate the flash or not, the camera is fully automatic in nature. A small red light on the back illuminates if the exposure is too dark and the flash is needed. Focus is set by choosing one of four zones.

Why we like it: A personal favorite of Andy Warhol, there’s something oh-so-appealing about these boxy little cameras. They’re fairly well-built, easy to use and an eye-catcher for sure. Perhaps most importantly, the lens is very sharp and metering/flash output tends to be accurate. The flash is powered by standard AA batteries. The meter uses a discontinued 1.35v mercury cell battery, however the MR-44 battery adapter will allow you to use a common silver oxide battery (392 or SR41) instead without any issues.

A personal favorite of Andy Warhol, there’s something oh so appealing about these boxy little cameras

Find one: You can find a C35 EF used, in good condition for between $ 20 and $ 75. They come in two varieties, the later version has a self timer (and a greater range of shutter speeds for the camera to choose from).

Also consider: The C35 EF3 debuted several years after the original C35 and sports a redesigned 35mm F2.8 lens. It’s also got a lighter body and has an even greater range of shutter speeds for the camera to select from. Available in 7 colors, including a cherry red variety, these can be a little trickier and pricier to track down than the original C35 EF.

Note: The C35 EF3 is shown above

Fujifilm Instant Mini 70

History: Launched in 2011, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 is one of the brand’s most-stylish and affordable instant cameras. As its name suggests, it uses the Fujifilm’s Instax Mini format, which comes in packs of 10. The Instax brand itself was actually first introduced back in 1998 and has grown extremely popular, especially in recent years.

Why we like it: Of all the instant cameras currently on the market, we picked the Mini 70 as our favorite thanks to its balance of price to features. It’s lightweight, looks cool and is very easy to operate. The camera’s powered by two lithium CR2 batteries which provide ample power for many packs of film. It’s also fairly well-built and offers some very basic manual controls (+2/3rd EV and flash on/off).

It’s light-weight, looks cool and is easy to operate

Find one: These cameras are still being made and can be purchased new in a wide variety of fun colors for around $ 50-75. We like Island Blue.

Also consider: The Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 uses the brand’s largest format instant film and is both easy to operate and well-built. It’s certainly a chunky beast of a camera, but that’s par for the course in this format.

Olympus OM-1/N

History: The Olympus OM-1 is a small, lightweight SLR that debuted in the early 1970’s at Photokina. It was originally called the M-1, which didn’t make Leica too happy (given their existing M-series rangefinder line), so the name was later changed to OM-1. Purely mechanical in nature, the OM-1 offers only manual controls. The OM-1N was a slightly updated model offering a redesigned wind lever, and some improvements designed to make it easier to work with a flash.

Why we like it: The OM-1 features a large viewfinder packed into a small, light SLR. It’s an attractive little camera that has some unusual design elements, like its shutter speed dial around the lens barrel. These cameras are very well-built and only need batteries to operate the meter, which takes a now-discontinued 1.35v mercury cell battery. But not to worry, there’s an adapter for that too – the MR-9 battery adapter will allow you to use a common silver oxide battery (386).

It’s an attractive little camera that has some unique design elements

Find one: These cameras can easily be found in good condition for between $ 50 and $ 150 in the two-tone silver-and-black variety. An all-black version is also available but for a good bit more cash. The OM-1 often sells with the original kitted 50mm F1.8 lens.

Also consider: The Olympus OM-2 can be purchased for just a little more than the original OM-1 and gives you automatic exposure controls as well as manual controls. There’s also no mercury battery to worry about . However the camera is fully electronically controlled, so power is needed to use most shutter speeds.

Photo by Alan Drummond

Pentax MX

History: The Pentax MX was released as a professional-level camera in 1976 during a time when competition in the SLR market was stiff and SLRs were getting ever smaller. The MX remained Pentax’s flagship until the 1980s. Externally similar to the Pentax ME, the MX is purely mechanical and offers only manual controls. The ME on the other hand is electronically-controlled with both manual and auto functions. The former was geared toward professionals, the latter toward enthusiasts.

Why we like it: The Pentax MX is a handsome camera – it’s among the smallest and lightest SLRs on our list (second to the Nikon EM) and very well constructed. Operation is fully-mechanical, so if the battery dies (two LR44 batteries) you only lose the lightmeter. Controls are simple and direct – the viewfinder is impressively large.

The Pentax MX is among the smallest and lightest SLRs in our list

Find one: The Pentax MX can be found in good condition for between $ 75 and $ 200, often with the original kitted Pentax 50mm F2 included (splurge on the much nicer 50mm F1.7 if you can find it). The two-tone silver-and-black models are far easier to find than the all-black finish.

Also consider: The Pentax ME is similar in size and weight to the MX and can be found for considerably less cash. It doesn’t have the same reputation for reliability as the MX and requires batteries to operate (except at 1/100 sec), but it is still a very good bang for your buck.

Photo by Pierre-Jean Parra

Canon T90

History: Introduced as Canon’s flagship camera in 1986, the T90 is also arguably the most advanced FD-mount camera ever made. The year after its debut Canon unveiled the all-electronic EF-mount on EOS cameras with support for autofocusing lenses, effectively nailing the coffin shut on future FD development. Still, the T90 offers a ton of modern features – like a top plate display, multi-function control dial and incredibly sophisticated ambient and flash metering modes, plus 4.5 fps burst shooting – in a tough, beautiful body. Its release also ushered in a more curvaceous era of Canon SLR design, one we’re still very much in. The Current EOS-1D X Mark II owes a lot to the T90, after more than 30 years.

Why we like it: It’s almost impossible to hold the T90 and not think about modern Canon DSLRs – so much of their ergonomic excellence is rooted in this camera. From a usability standpoint, the T90 is a pleasure to shoot with – it’s powered by 4 AA batteries. Nicknamed ‘The Tank,’ these cameras can take a lot of abuse. Did we mention 4.5 fps continuous shooting?

The T90 offers a ton of modern features like 4.5 fps burst shooting

Find one: There are some common T90 problems to keep an eye out for, like sticky shutters and faded top plate LCDs, but it’s not hard to find one in great working order. Good condition models can be had for between $ 150 and $ 250, body-only. And because the FD mount was discontinued, lenses for the T90 are often a bargain. Just be aware, almost every second-hand T90 will be missing its original eyecup.

Also consider: The Canon T70 is the boxy, more 80s-looking predecessor to the T90. It offers a top plate LCD, continuous shooting (a lackluster 0.7 fps) and multiple metering modes. Unlike the T90 it is a fully-automatic camera. You can find them for around $ 50.

Nikon FE2

History: We wavered back and forth between recommending the FE2 and the FM2 and ultimately chose the former as they’re easier to find in good condition, for a decent price. These two mid-range cameras are very similar both in design and in terms of their reliability – both are also relatively light and compact for an SLR. The FM2 was released in 1982 and only has manual controls, while the FE2 was released in 1983 and has both manual and automatic controls. The ‘M’ in FM2 refers to it’s purely mechanical design, the ‘E’ in FE2 refers to its electronically-controlled design.

Why we like it: The FE2 can be operated in a fully manual capacity or in an aperture priority mode. Conveniently, you can adjust exposure compensation by + / – 2 stops (available in third stop increments) when shooting in aperture priority. Metering is center-weighted and accurate. The camera is powered by two S76 or A76 batteries and will still work with no batteries, albeit in a limited capability (only 1/250 sec and bulb). These cameras are very well built and easy to come across in good working order.

These cameras are very well-built and easy to come across in good working order

Find one: You can expect to pay between $ 150 and $ 250 for an FE2 in nice condition, though that price seems to slowly be creeping upwards. They come in both all-black as well as two-tone black and silver. If you score a particularly minty one you can likely expect it to serve you for many years to come.

Also consider: The original Nikon FE can be had for a bit less money than the FE2, and you don’t sacrifice much (slower top shutter speed, flash sync speed, no TTL flash). On the other hand, for more cash you can get yourself the purists’ camera in a Nikon FM2.

Photo by Paul Chin

Konica Big Mini BM-200 or 300-series

History: There are a few different varieties of the Konica Big Mini that came out in the early 90’s – including several with zoom lenses. For simplicity’s sake we will focus on the non-zooming BM-200 and 300-series (which are quite similar). These lightweight point-and-shoots sport the same sharp 35mm F3.5 lens and are fully-automatic in nature. Two LEDs in the viewfinder let users know whether autofocus can be achieved and whether the flash will fire.

The flash output is well-balanced and the lens is impressively sharp

Why we like it: Big Minis are simple to use and provide excellent results – the flash output is well-balanced and the lens is impressively sharp. There’s also something to be said for their understated rectangular design. They can, however, be a tad fragile due to their mostly plastic construction. But treat a Big Mini with a little TLC and it’ll likely keep on snapping for years. One more note of caution: Be careful not to open the rear door too far when loading/unloading a roll as doing so can tear a crucial bit of electric ribbon. This is the primary failure point on these cameras. The Big Mini is powered by a CR123 battery.

Find one: These cameras can be found in good condition for between $ 150 and $ 250. They come in both silver and dark grey.

Also consider: The Big Mini F sports an even faster 35mm F2.8 lens and same boxy form-factor but tends to cost a fair bit more than its slower siblings.

Nikon F100

History: The Nikon F100 is a modern film SLR released in 1999, the same year as the Nikon D1. Slated right below the flagship Nikon F5 (and later F6) in the company’s film SLR lineup, it sports many pro-level features like Nikon’s excellent Matrix metering (as well as spot and center-weighted), 4.5 fps shooting, automatic bracketing and a variety of autofocus modes.

The F100 operates and handles a lot like a modern Nikon DSLR

Why we like it: The F100 operates and handles a lot like a modern Nikon DSLR – it looks like one too. It’s these familiar controls and use of the F-mount make it the perfect camera if you’ve got Nikon glass and are curious about trying your hands at film shooting. The F100 is also well-constructed, though a tad hefty for a film SLR – power comes from 4 AA batteries or an optional MB-15 battery pack. One word of caution: The rubber covering on the back of these cameras has a tendency to get sticky with age – this can be rectified with some careful (and time-consuming) scraping.

Find one: Because the F100 came out toward the end of the film era, these feature-packed cameras can be found for relatively little cash. Pick one up in good condition for $ 150-250. They only come in black.

Also consider: The Nikon F90 series debuted a few years prior to the F100 and offers many of the same features, but with only a single autofocus point. They can be found pretty easily for less than $ 50.

Photo by Ángeles Andrade

Fujifilm GS645S

History: Fujifilm made some wacky-looking medium format cameras in the 80’s and this one is no exception – just look at that bumper. The GS645S belongs to the greater GS645 family of compact, fixed lens medium format cameras, all of which shoot a 4.5 x 6 image. The ’S’ model offers a 60mm F4 lens that produces a 35mm (35mm-equiv.) field of view. Focusing and exposure controls are all located around the lens. There are no auto settings.

Because it shoots 4.5 x 6, you get 15 shots per roll

Why we like it: The GS645S is an excellent small and lightweight medium format option for street or travel photography. The lens is sharp and the camera is well-built. Power comes from two LR44 batteries. Because it shoots 4.5 x 6, users get 15 shots per roll. And though the default vertical orientation takes some getting use to, the camera can easily be operated vertically (for a horizontal field of view).

Find one: These cameras are slowly creeping up in price but can usually be found in good condition for between $ 300 and $ 450.

Also consider: The GS645S’ siblings are also worth your consideration. The original GS645 features a collapsible 75mm F3.4 lens and the GS645W features a 45mm F5.6 lens. You’ll pay around the same price for these models.

The wrap

There you have it, 10 cameras ranging from 70’s SLR classics to odd-ball 80’s compacts. As always, feel free to suggest other great analog camera buys in our comment section below. And for more analog fun, jump back to our original list: Analog gems: 10 excellent, affordable film cameras. Feel free to leave suggestions for Part 3 in the comments.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Facebook will reconsider nudity policies following large nude photo shoot near NYC HQ

08 Jun

The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) has announced that Facebook will ‘reconsider’ its policies related to ‘artistic nudity’ following a large nude photo shoot that took place in front of the company’s NYC headquarters. In April, the NCAC launched the #WeTheNipple campaign that called out Facebook and Instagram over its nudity policies.

‘Social media has dramatically increased artists’ ability to reach–and build–their audiences,’ the NCAC said as part of its campaign. ‘Unless their medium is photography and their subject is the body.’

On its current policy page detailing the subject matter, Facebook states, ‘Our nudity policies have become more nuanced over time.’ In providing an example of this ‘more nuanced’ approach, the company explains:

For example, while we restrict some images of female breasts that include the nipple, we allow other images, including those depicting acts of protest, women actively engaged in breast-feeding, and photos of post-mastectomy scarring. We also allow photographs of paintings, sculptures, and other art that depicts nude figures.

At this time, Facebook explicitly bans images that feature ‘real nude adults’ across a variety of categories. An exception is made for images that feature nude figures in ‘paintings, sculptures, and other art,’ but critics point out that the social network has repeatedly removed artistic images depicting nudity in the past.

On June 2, American photographer Spencer Tunick, who has a long history of organizing large nude photo shoots, captured artistic images of 125 people posed nude in front of Facebook’s New York City headquarters. The images, which have been shared on Instagram (probably NSFW), feature nude participants using ‘male nipple stickers’ and prints to cover the parts of their bodies prohibited from display by Facebook’s nudity policy.

According to NCAC, Facebook’s policy team will convene a group of its employees and stakeholders, among them being artists, museum curators, and activists, and explore ‘how to better serve’ the artists on its platform. The NCAC says it will be collaborating with Facebook on convening this group in order to make sure its policy ‘is well-formed by external experts and perspectives.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Kodak plans coating trials for 120 format Ektachrome E100 film next month

07 Jun

Kodak Alaris has given a boost to those waiting for newly resurrected Ektachrome E100 to be introduced in formats larger than 35mm with an announcement that it will be testing a new coating process at the end of next month to make roll film. The company has said in the past that the process for coating 35mm film and 120 roll and sheet films is different and that the method used to make the initial reintroduced format isn’t the same as that needed for wider formats.

Kodak Alaris said directly then that it was very likely that medium format and sheet film sizes of the color transparency film would be made available, and has since confirmed that 120 and sheet films will be made this year.

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We know you’re anxiously awaiting the arrival of larger format Ektachrome E100 Films. We are diligently working on bringing them to market, with a wide coating trial of the 120 format film planned for late July! Photo of Pei Ketron @pketron Photo by @jonblack___ #ektachrome #e100 #kodakprofessional #believeinfilm

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In recent posts on its Kodak Professional social media accounts, Kodak Alaris has said directly that it will be testing coating processes for 120 roll film, saying ‘We know you’re anxiously awaiting the arrival of larger format Ektachrome E100 Films. We are diligently working on bringing them to market, with a wide coating trial of the 120 format film planned for late July.’

The posts are accompanied by a picture of a girl holding a Pentax 67 medium format camera, but which was shot as part of an early trial of the 35mm format version of the film. The side of the picture is marked ‘Ektachrome 100 in 120?’

We shall have to wait and see. The company’s T-Max, Portra and Ektar emulsions are already available in sheet formats, but to special order. For more information on Kodak films see the Kodak website and the Kodak Professional Ektachrome E100 technical data sheet.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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FRAMES Chapter 2: What it’s like to shoot the Queen’s Cup steeplechase horse race

07 Jun

From horsepower to horse power, ‘FRAMES Chapter 2’ shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to go from the streets and courses of Formula 1 and World Endurance Championship racing to the first type of racing photographer Jamey Price fell in love with—horse racing.

Unlike the ‘FRAMES Chapter 1,’ which showed what it took to cover a 24-hour endurance race, ‘FRAMES Chapter 2 ‘follows Price as he covers the 23rd Queen’s Cup in Charlotte, North Carolina. As Price narrates throughout the video, the steeplechase horse race presents a unique challenge, both similar and different to motorsports races.

Throughout the six-minute video, we see what it takes to capture the various races throughout the day and, spoiler: it involves a lot of remote cameras (both DSLRs and GoPros), a day of planning, plenty of patience and sacrifice in terms of deciding what shots you capture and what ones you have to hold onto until next year.

Price was kind enough to share a few behind the scenes photos with DPReview:

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The video was filmed and produced by Austin Gager. You can find more of Jamey’s work on his website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DxO launches Nik Collection 2 with Raw processing and 40 new presets

07 Jun

DxO has released the latest version of its presets application and has added the ability to work with Raw files. The company says it discovered most of its users shoot in Raw and want to be able to work with these files in its programs, so DxO has included PhotoLab 2.3 Essential edition in the package. The software features a direct button that converts and sends processed Raw files directly to Nik Collection 2.

The Nik Collection interface sitting over the PhotoLab 2.3 window, using the Super Punch preset from the new En Vogue effects in Color Efex Pro

Previously, Nik Collection was available only as a plug-in for Adobe products, but with this new update, users will also be able to remain completely in the DxO environment without having to use Lightroom or Photoshop.

There are 40 new presets in the Nik Collection 2, which have been labelled ‘En Vogue’ to reflect their modern and fashionable looks. The styles are spread across the Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro and Analog Efex Pro modules, and bring the total number of presets to 196. The included PhotoLab 2.3 application adds Raw support for a range of new cameras, including the Canon EOS RP and Olympus OM-D E-M1 X, and has 500 new lens modules. In total there are 47,500 camera/lens combinations to work with.

The Nik Collection 2 is available now with special prices of $ 99.99 for new users and $ 59.99 for those upgrading until the end of June. From then new users will pay $ 149.99, and those upgrading will pay $ 79.99. For more information see the DxO website.

Press release:

New Nik Collection 2 by DxO Offers Unmatched Creative Possibilities and RAW File Compatibility

DxO, one of the most innovative companies in the photography and image editing industry, has announced the release of the Nik Collection 2 by DxO, a major upgrade to the famous plugin suite for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Elements. After bringing the Nik Collection back to the market with the software’s first stable version with customer support in June 2018, DxO is expanding the plugin suite with over 40 new creative presets and high-resolution monitor support for Windows. In addition, the Nik Collection 2 now comes with DxO PhotoLab 2.3 ESSENTIAL Edition, DxO’s recently released advanced RAW photo editing software.

Choose from more than 40 new “En Vogue” styles to create unique images with a single click.

The Nik Collection 2, which has gained a significant following for its high-quality, creative filters, has added 42 new “En Vogue” presets to its original set of 156: 10 new recipes for Color Efex Pro, 10 new black and white presets to Silver Efex Pro, 12 new HDR presets to HDR Efex Pro, and 10 new tool combinations to Analog Efex Pro.

The latest filters in the Nik Collection 2 will take your photos’ emotional impact to the next level. For example, “Blue Monday,” which is available in Color Efex Pro, combines the fresh look of subtle Varitone coloring, the visual interest of cross processing, and the softness of slightly desaturated effect. “More Silver,” which is available in Silver Efex Pro, pairs the crispness of silver toning with a fine grain, resulting in black and white photographs that feature a level of balanced contrast typically achieved through darkroom techniques. Photographers who would like to add a bit of nostalgia to their images can turn to “Burned Edges,” in Analog Efex Pro to reproduce the burned-edge, vignetting, toning, and framing effects typical of old-fashioned analog cameras.

The “En Vogue” series was created in collaboration with Dan Hughes, a highly respected lecturer of photography at Rochester Institute of Technology and a former instructor with Nik Software. “I was honored to be a part of the expansion of the Nik Collection by DxO,” he said. “The plugin suite has helped promote the art of photography, and the addition of new effects has significantly increased its potential by offering all photographers new creative opportunities.”

Improved high resolution display with Windows

To better meet users’ needs, the Nik Collection 2 now supports high-resolution monitors (HiDPI) with Windows. The graphic elements of the Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro, and Analog Efex Pro plugin interface have been improved to ensure flawless readability when viewed through high-resolution monitors—just like with the macOS version.

All the potential of RAW files within an optimized workflow

DxO’s recent surveys of Nik Collection customers revealed that nearly all users work in RAW. To help them harness the full power of this file format, the Nik Collection 2 by DxO now comes with DxO PhotoLab 2.3 ESSENTIAL Edition, DxO’s advanced and multiple award-winning photo editing software. The software has been adapted to offer users direct access to the plugins from their workspace via a dedicated button and drop-down menu. After the image is edited in DxO PhotoLab 2, it can be quickly converted and sent to one of the Nik Collection plugins, where the photo can be further altered and enhanced with creative effects.

“By offering our advanced photo editing solution along with the Nik Collection 2, we are giving users access to DxO’s powerful and high-quality RAW treatment technology as well as its unparalleled optical corrections, which were developed over fifteen years of measurements and analyses conducted in its laboratory,” said Jean-Marc Alexia, VP Product Strategy and Marketing with DxO. “DxO also offers high-quality de-noising capabilities, smart exposure optimization with DxO Smart Lighting, and U Point local adjustment technology, which is now available for use with RAW images.”

DxO PhotoLab 2.3: support for new cameras

On top of providing access to Nik plugins directly from the software’s workspace, DxO PhotoLab 2 continues to support new equipment. In addition to adding support for Leica M 10-D and M 10-P, Nikon D3500, Panasonic Lumix DC-S1, DC-S1R, LX100 II, Sony A6400, and DSC-RX100 VA, DxO PhotoLab 2.3 can now process files from Canon EOS RP and Olympus OM-D E-M1 X. It has also added more than 500 new optical modules to its library, bringing its total number of camera/lens combinations to 47,500.

To read the full list of all devices supported by DxO PhotoLab 2.3, visit: https://www.dxo.com/en/dxo-photolab/supported-cameras/

Price and availability

The Nik Collection 2 is now available for download on the DxO website (https://shop.dxo.com/en/photo-software/dxo-nikcollection) for $ 99.99 instead of $ 149, and $ 59.99 instead of $ 79 for the upgrade until June 30, 2019.

The ESSENTIAL and ELITE editions from DxO PhotoLab 2.3 are now available for download on the DxO website (https://shop.dxo.com/en/photo-software/dxo-photolab) for $ 129 and $ 199, respectively. DxO PhotoLab 2 users can download this upgrade for free.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Affinity Photo 1.7 brings hardware acceleration, HDR support and more

07 Jun

Software company Serif has released version 1.7 of its Affinity Photo editing application and the update brings a performance boost, HDR support and a range of new tools.

On Mac computers end-to-end Metal compute acceleration takes advantage of Apple’s discrete GPU, resulting in a 10x speed increase for all raster layer and brush operations. In addition the software now also supports multiple GPUs, both internal and external variants, allowing for even better performance.

Serif says hardware acceleration will soon be available for PC users as well but the Windows version already benefits from the app’s rewritten memory management system, which provides 3x or 4x speed improvements for many tasks on Windows computers. Dial and Pen support for Microsoft Surface devices has also been upgraded, offering new ways to interact with the apps.

Support for HDR / EDR displays is another important update in version 1.7, allowing photographers to see more detail in raw files.

There are also an improved iPad UI, a rewritten brush engine with new multi-brushes, a faster raw processing engine with better noise reduction, a new demosaicing algorithm and an updated batch processing system.

If you want to try the software yourself Affinity Photo can be downloaded for $ 39.99 for the desktop version and $ 15.99 for the iPad version. Existing users can install the update free of charge.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon’s new PIXMA G5020, G6020 MegaTank printers are faster, now available to pre-order

07 Jun

Canon has unveiled two new printer models in the PIXMA G-series MegaTank product line: the PIXMA G5020 MegaTank Single-Function Printer and the PIXMA G6020 All-In-One Printer. Both models feature the line’s continuous ink supply system, as well as support for automatic two-sided printing, faster printing speeds, and more.

Both the PIXMA G6020 and G5020 printers feature a combined 350-page front and rear paper tray capacity, as well as support for faster printing at 13 black and white impressions and 6.8 color impressions per minute. A single black ink bottle can produce up to 6,000 pages, and the color inks can produce up to a combined 7,000 pages. Both printer models likewise feature WiFi.

The new PIXMA printers can be used with the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app for accessing PIXMA Cloud Link and select popular platforms, including Photobucket, Flickr, and Google Drive. Only the PIXMA G6020 model supports Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPrint, however.

Canon starting selling both models on June 6 both models are currently available to pre-order; the PIXMA G5020 retails for $ 249.99 USD (B&H) and the G6020 for $ 299.99 USD (B&H).

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Profoto’s B10 Plus flash with twice the power—and half the battery life—of its predecessor

06 Jun

Lighting manufacturer Profoto has launched a new version of its B10 miniature flash head that offers twice the output of the original model. The Profoto B10 Plus weighs only a pound more than the original and is just over two inches longer, but it provides a maximum output of 500Ws compared to the 250Ws of the B10.

The new head runs off the same lithium ion battery and accepts the same accessories as the B10, and has the same 2500 lumen modeling light with adjustable color to suit videographers working in a range of lighting conditions. In fact, all the features are the same including wireless radio control, TTL exposure and high speed sync with shutter speeds as short as 1/8000sec. The only other difference, of course, is the number of full power bursts achievable per charge – which drops from 400 in the B10 to 200 in the B10 Plus.

The Profoto B10 Plus weighs 1.9kg (4.2lbs), measures 10 x 23.5cm (3.9 x 9.3in) and costs $ 2095 / £1795. For more information see the Profoto website.

Specification
Flash power 500Ws
Flash recycling 0.05-2.5 sec
Continuous light 2500 lumens
Battery capacity 200 full power flashes
75 minutes continuous light
Total weight 1.9 kg / 4.2 lbs
Diameter 10cm / 3.9″
Length 23.5cm / 9.3

Press release:

Profoto B10 Plus – More power of small

With the B10 Plus, shooting on location isn’t about problems, it’s about opportunities.

Because shooting on location forces you to make choices.

For the most part, those choices inevitably come down to how much gear to bring and how much gear to leave behind.

Because if you’re shooting a wedding, for example, you can’t afford for your gear to slow you down. And if the location is remote there’s only so much you can realistically carry. Ultimately, there’s always a compromise.

Here at Profoto, we’re not big on compromise. That’s what drove us to create the Profoto B10 and now, it’s ever so slightly bigger brother, the Profoto B10 Plus.

“Like the Profoto B10, the B10 Plus is a seriously small flash.” Commented Göran Marén, Product Manager at Profoto.

“It’s around the size of a large lens. That means you can fit it in your bag with the rest of your gear and because it’s cordless and lightweight, it’s easy to bring and set up anywhere.”

Despite its small and lightweight appearance, the Profoto B10 Plus packs a considerable punch. Twice as powerful as the B10 the B10 Plus gives you ten times more light than a speedlight. And the quality of that light is exactly what you’d expect from a Profoto flash; completely natural with a beautifully soft fall off.

The B10 Plus is also a powerful light that you can use for both stills and video. And lt’s easy to use. A separate dial on the sleek B10 interface allows you to adjust both brightness and color temperature until it blends perfectly with the ambient light.

“The B10 Plus uses the same stand adapter and battery as the B10” Göran adds, “the stand adapter can be quickly removed allowing you to mount the B10 Plus on any camera tripod. The battery too is just as swiftly replaced, and you can charge it while you’re using it.”

The ‘no compromise’ approach continues with the huge range of compatible Profoto light-shaping tools. Profoto´s compact and lightweight OCF series is the perfect choice for light shaping on location. If they´re not enough, there are 120 more to choose from in the full Profoto range.

Controlling the B10 Plus off-camera is, again, easy. You can trigger and control the B10 Plus from any Profoto Air Remote, or from the Profoto A1 or A1X. Remotes are available for all major camera brands.

And you’ll also benefit from smart connectivity with the Profoto app. With the B10 Plus connected to the Profoto app you can view and control all the settings from your smartphone screen, experience creative capture with your smartphone, and download all the latest updates.

Ultimately, like it’s slightly smaller brother the B10, the B10 Plus is a big light in a small package. And the extra power means the possibilities are enormous.

Göran concluded. “we call it ‘more power of small.’ Because there are more possibilities to be creative with light in so many more ways. The opportunity to let your imagination run riot on any location.”

The Profoto B10 Plus; now, there’s no need to compromise.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Tamron says its new SP 35mm F1.4 is ‘its finest lens ever’

06 Jun

Tamron has released details of a new lens it claims is the finest it has ever produced. Made to celebrate 40 years of the SP range, the SP 35mm F1.4 Di USD will be the ‘embodiment of all the optical technology and manufacturing know-how Tamron has developed to date,’ a sentiment Tamron shared with us in an interview back in April.

The lens will use 14 elements in 10 groups, including four LD (Low Dispersion) and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements. Tamron notes this combination will limit chromatic aberration and will produce high-resolution across the frame as well as ‘beautiful, appealing background bokeh’.

The lens will also feature a new coating called BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2). Tamron says this reduces reflections, minimizes flare and allows it to achieve better levels of contrast. Powering the focus mechanism inside the lens is Tamron’s Ultrasonic Silent Drive, and a new Dynamic Rolling-cam mechanism has been added to reduce the drive load on the main focusing group to allow the large elements to move more quickly in all operating conditions.

The lens will be available in Nikon F mount first at the end of June, and then for Canon EF at the end of July. It will cost $ 899 / £929.99. it’s available to pre-order from both Adorama and B&H.

Press release:

The “ultimate” lens to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Tamron SP Series lenses

Fast fixed focal SP 35mm F/1.4 Di USD (Model F045) that boldly demonstrates
Tamron’s lens-making expertise.

Tamron launches the finest lens in its history with the new fixed focal lens, the SP 35mm F/1.4 Di USD (Model F045), for full-frame DSLR cameras.

Tamron’s SP (Superior Performance) lens series was born in 1979, based on the concept of delivering lenses for taking the perfect picture for those who love photography. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the series. In celebration, Tamron has developed the 35mm F/1.4 (Model F045), the distillation of Tamron’s accumulated lens-making expertise and craftsmanship. This orthodox fixed focal lens, which some consider the most desirable of all interchangeable lenses, is the embodiment of all the optical technology and manufacturing knowhow Tamron has developed to date.

The 35mm F1.4’s (Model F045) unprecedented high-resolution image quality and beautiful, appealing background bokeh let photographers capture any scene down to the finest details. The external lens barrel was developed through tireless pursuit of operability and durability, focusing constantly on the needs of photographers. This lens is equipped with a large F/1.4 aperture and high-speed, high-precision AF functionality offering exceptional reliability, plus various other features for increased convenience, making it the perfect everyday lens for your creative pursuits. It is ideally suited for nearly every photographic genre, including photojournalism, landscape, sports, street life, wedding groups and family snapshots.

Product Development Background

“To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Tamron’s renowned SP series lenses that are designed and constructed to deliver the highest levels of performance, we drew upon our accumulated expertise and technologies to create the ‘ultimate lens’ — the Model F045,” said the person responsible for product planning. “Our goal was to achieve high resolution, fidelity of point light source and beautiful bokeh,” he continued. “We deployed existing skills, like our highly regarded knowhow for producing bokeh, and combined them with new innovations like BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) Coating for anti-reflection performance. Today we announce with sincere pride that the Model F045 embodies Tamron’s philosophy for manufacturing and is the finest lens in Tamron’s history.”

PRODUCT HIGLIGHTS

1. Consummate image quality across the entire frame from edge-to-edge
The optical construction (14 elements in 10 groups) leverages the best of Tamron technology and features a generous arrangement of special glass materials including four LD (Low Dispersion) and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements. This combination of components successfully eliminates the effects of chromatic aberrations (which are particularly perilous for high-speed lenses) as well as other optical aberrations to the greatest extent possible. Even at its maximum aperture of F/1.4, high resolution performance is achieved from the center of the frame to the edges, providing superior aberration correction to maintain perfect fidelity of point shapes. The result is ultimate ultra-high image quality. This exceptional optical performance extends to the quality of defocused bokeh areas. With this lens, photographers can capture dramatic images that neatly sculpt their subjects against large and beautifully appealing background bokeh.

2. Next-generation BBAR-G2 Coating
To maximize the optical performance and ultra-high image quality of this lens, special measures are in place for optimal correction against ghosting and flare. Tamron has developed BBAR-G2 Coating through continued research into the coating technologies they have developed over many years. This new BBAR-G2 Coating vastly exceeds the performance of the original BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating that enjoys a long and well-established reputation in its own right. In addition to minimizing ghosting and flare, BBAR-G2 Coating enables clear images with stunning, unprecedented contrast.

3. Exceptionally reliable, fast and accurate AF
The AF drive is equipped with Tamron’s proprietary USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). This technology affords an autofocusing system with high speed, precision and quiet operation—even in a large aperture lens, which is typically bigger and heavier. Additionally, thanks to the Dynamic Rolling-cam mechanism that has been newly developed specifically for this lens, Tamron has succeeded in minimizing the drive load placed on the focus lens component. This breakthrough ensures stable AF operating performance and improves reliability even under the harsh shooting conditions of professional use, including high and low temperature extremes. This exceptional lens is also equipped with a Full-Time Manual Focus override system so photographers can instantly make fine adjustments to the point of focus, even when using the AF mode.

4. Vastly improved highly durable Fluorine Coating
The front surface of the lens element is coated with a Fluorine Coating based on a newly developed fluorine compound with high water- and oil-repellent properties. The lens surface is easier to wipe clean and is less vulnerable to the damaging effects of dirt, dust, moisture, and fingerprints, and enabling your important lenses to be continually protected on a long-term basis.

5. Moisture-Resistant Construction
Seals are located at the lens mount area and other critical locations to prevent infiltration of moisture and/or rain to provide Moisture-Resistant Construction. This feature affords an additional layer of protection when shooting outdoors under adverse weather conditions.

6. Compatible with TAMRON TAP-in ConsoleTM, an optional accessory
The Model F045 is compatible with the TAMRON TAP-in Console, an optional accessory product that provides a USB connection to a personal computer, enabling users to easily update a lens’s firmware as well as customize features including fine adjustments to the AF.

7. Locking lens hood for precise positioning
The included lens hood is equipped with a locking mechanism. Being able to reliably attach the hood prevents it from unintentionally shifting position or coming off at the wrong time.

8. Consistent with Tamron’s sophisticated design concepts
The smoothly contoured body and the texture of fine details reinforce simple operation and ensure intuitive use. The shape boasts a high-grade feel worthy of a next-generation model that’s packed with advanced technologies. The form snugly houses the internal components, while the carefully finished Luminous Gold brand ring and painstakingly precise construction speak loudly of the extreme high quality of the lens. Combined with the ergonomic switch box shape, highly legible distance-scale window and sturdy metal mount, the lens boasts a finely-finished rugged and functional design.

Price and Availability
The SP 35mm F1.4Di USD lens will be available in both Canon and Nikon mounts with a UK Suggested retail price of £929.99.

It is expected to be available in the UK as follows:
Nikon mount: End of June 2019
Canon Mount End of July 2019

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Best fixed prime lens buying guide updated with Ricoh GR III, Leica Q2 and Fujifilm XF10

06 Jun

We’ve updated our ‘best fixed prime lens camera’ buying guide, adding the Leica Q2, Fujifilm XF10 and Ricoh GR III. Despite some solid competition, the Fujifilm X100F remains as our top choices in this category.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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