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  • Sigma updates lens compatibility notice for Canon EOS R after further testing

    Sigma has made a number of amendments to its lens compatibility notice for Sigma lenses when used on Canon’s EOS R mirrorless camera.

    After further testing, Sigma has concluded both autofocus and optical image stabilization (for applicable lenses) work ‘without any issues’ on the following lenses when used with Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras via the EF-EOS R mount adapter or Control Ring EF-EOS R mount adapter:

    DG Lens
    – SIGMA 12-24mm F4 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 24-35mm F2 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports
    – SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports
    – SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary
    – SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports
    – SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary
    – SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports
    – SIGMA APO 200-500mm F2.8/400-1000mm5.6 EX DG
    – SIGMA APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM
    – SIGMA 8mm F3.5 EX DG CIRCULAR FISHEYE
    – SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 15mm F2.8 EX DG DIAGONAL FISHEYE
    – SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 28mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 40mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art
    – SIGMA 500mm F4 DG OS HSM | Sports
    – SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO | Art
    – SIGMA MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM ?
    – SIGMA APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM ?
    – SIGMA APO MACRO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM ?

    DC Lens
    – SIGMA 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM ?
    – SIGMA 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM ?
    – SIGMA 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM ?
    – SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary ?
    – SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art ?
    – SIGMA 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary ?
    – SIGMA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM ?
    – SIGMA 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM | Contemporary ?
    – SIGMA 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art ?
    – SIGMA 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC CIRCULAR FISHEYE HSM ?
    – SIGMA 10mm F2.8 EX DC FISHEYE HSM ?
    – SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC HSM | Art ?

    *Camera’s “Scene Intelligent Auto mode” cannot be used.

    Sigma notes when Digital Lens Optimizer, located within the EOS R settings menu, is switched to ‘OFF’ but peripheral illumination correction, chromatic aberration correction and distortion correction are turned on, those corrections will be made for each lens, specific to their optical characteristics. ‘This is applicable to DG and DC lenses from Contemporary, Art and Sports line listed below which were released after March, 2018, or those of which firmware has been updated to Ver.2.0 or later,’ says Sigma in the press release.

    Sigma also clarifies that any DC lenses where the image circle is made to match APS-C sensors is used, the EOS R won’t automatically switch to its built-in 1.6x crop shooting mode, meaning it will have to be set manually. A future firmware update, expected to be ‘announced at a later date,’ will make this switch automatic and add support for the EOS R’s Scene Intelligent Auto mode.

    Testing also confirmed three lenses had the potential to show ‘some phenomena’ that required special handling. The Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM, 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM and 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM all experienced a problem wherein on particular occasions the camera battery needed to be taken out and put back in place if the lens was removed while the optical stabilization is running.

    Likewise, the 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM and 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM experienced an issue where autofocus would stop working from infinity to closer focus distance while shooting video.

    Upcoming firmware updates to address these issues for these three lenses are expected ‘at a later date.’

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Sony a6400 first impressions video

    Our intrepid team is in San Diego, for the launch of the new Sony a6400. In this short overview video, Carey, Chris and Jordan talk through the main specifications of the new camera, and what they might mean for photographers and videographers.

    Get new episodes of DPReview TV every week by subscribing to our YouTube channel!

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Olympus teases upcoming sports-oriented camera once more

    Olympus has released teaser number three for the sports-oriented camera the company is releasing in a week. The previous teasers only gave a quick glimpse of the camera, instead focusing on what it can do: sports.

    In this latest episode, the camera is seen out in nature (including the rain). We’ll have a lot more on this intriguing new camera when it launches on the 24th!

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Fujifilm announces 100-200mm F5.6 lens for GFX system

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    Fujifilm has announced its new GF 100-200mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR tele-zoom lens, for medium format. When attached to a GFX body, the lens covers an equivalent focal length range of 79-158mm (the GF 1.4x teleconverter is supported if you need extra reach). The lens is stabilized, with Fujifilm claiming 5 stops of shake reduction. Optical construction comprises 20 elements in 13 groups, including one aspherical and two super ED elements.

    The 100-200 uses a linear motor for ‘silent and high-speed autofocus’ which locks in place when the camera is powered down. The minimum focus distance is 0.6m at wide-angle and 1.6m at telephoto, with a max magnification of 0.2x. The lens is weather-sealed and weighs just over a kilogram (2.3 pounds).

    The GF 100-200mm F5.6 will be available in late February for $ 2000.

    Press release:

    FUJIFILM INTRODUCES NEW TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS FOR THE GFX MEDIUM FORMAT MIRRORLESS SYSTEM

    The FUJINON GF100-200mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR lens is a welcome addition for outdoor photographers

    Valhalla, New York, January 17, 2019 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced that it will release the FUJINON GF100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens for the GFX Medium Format mirrorless digital camera system on February 14th, 2019. Designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind, the camera has a durable, lightweight design paired with Fujifilm’s excellent image quality and five stop image stabilization features.

    “Outdoor photographers need to consider a plethora of challenges including lighting, environment and timing – all while battling the natural elements,” said Yuji Igarashi, General Manager, Electronic Imaging Division & Optical Devices Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “As the first GF telephoto zoom lens that has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 79-158mm in a compact, weather-resistant design, this lens will meet the needs of outdoor and landscape photographers.”

    Ideal to shoot landscape, travel and nature photography, the new telephoto zoom lens is resilient with its ability to operate in extreme temperatures (down to 14 °F) and sealed lens to resist dust and moisture –all without sacrificing image quality.

    Key features of the FUJINON GF100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens:

    Ultra-High Image Quality: The lens is made up of 20 elements in 13 groups including two super Extra Low Dispersion Glass lenses and one aspherical lens to reduce chromatic and field curvature aberrations.

    Powerful Image Stabilization: Equipped with an excellent five stop image stabilization (CIPA guidelines), the lens allows photographers to make the most of the GFX’s high image resolution performance even without the use of a tripod.

    Silent and High-Speed Autofocus: The linear motor which drives the focus is accurate, quiet and fast. The lens also includes an enhanced mechanism for fixing the linear motor position when turning the power off or using playback mode to avoid any additional vibration.

    Robust Durable Design, Appropriate for Tough Shooting Environments: The lens is sealed across 10 areas for dust and weather resistance allowing photographers to shoot with stability in tough environments.

    GF1.4X TC WR Compatible: The 1.4x teleconverter (GF1.4X TC WR) extends the telephoto shooting range to 140-280mm (equivalent to 111-221mm in 35mm format) while maintaining superior image quality.

    The GF100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens complements the FUJIFILM GFX 50S and FUJIFILM GFX 50R as well as the full lineup of GF lenses for the Fujifilm GFX mirrorless digital camera system. GF lenses are known for top image quality using the finest optical design and production technologies to achieve high-resolution and rich tonal reproduction, making them popular among professional photographers and photo enthusiasts.

    The GF100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens will be available in late February 2019 in the U.S. and Canada for USD $ 1,999.95 and CAD $ 2,599.99.

    Fujifilm GF 100-200mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR specifications

    Principal specifications
    Lens type Zoom lens
    Max Format size Medium Format (44x33mm)
    Focal length 100–200 mm
    Image stabilization Yes
    CIPA Image stabilization rating 5 stop(s)
    Lens mount Fujifilm G
    Aperture
    Maximum aperture F5.6
    Minimum aperture F32
    Aperture ring Yes
    Number of diaphragm blades 9
    Optics
    Elements 20
    Groups 13
    Special elements / coatings 1 aspherical + 2 super ED elements
    Focus
    Minimum focus 0.60 m (23.62″)
    Maximum magnification 0.2×
    Autofocus Yes
    Motor type Linear Motor
    Full time manual Yes
    Focus method Internal
    Distance scale No
    DoF scale No
    Focus distance limiter Yes
    Physical
    Weight 1050 g (2.31 lb)
    Diameter 90 mm (3.52″)
    Length 183 mm (7.2″)
    Materials Magnesium alloy
    Sealing Yes
    Colour Black
    Zoom method Rotary (extending)
    Power zoom No
    Zoom lock No
    Filter thread 67 mm
    Hood supplied Yes
    Tripod collar Yes

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Adobe gives Behance a facelift with improved profile and project pages

    To kick off the new year on the right foot, Adobe has announced an update to its Behance social creative platform. The update includes a redesigned profile page, customizable banners and an updated project page.

    The updated profile now includes a larger cover image to highlight prominent work, a cleaner layout and an improved sidebar that better features various statistics, links to other social networks and an accompanying bio. When a visitor hovers over the individual projects important information is displayed on top of the thumbnail.

    The new banner image takes a design element seen on other social networks including Facebook and Twitter. The process is as simple as selecting an image as the banner and positioning it so it’s framed as it’s intended to be seen. Behance has a full guide on banner images, but the TL;DR is the optimal size is 3200 x 410 pixels — not exactly a common ratio.

    The updated project pages now show images fullscreen and provide a Lightbox-style effect that keeps the media front and center. Project and creator information is displayed at the top of the page while sharing, following and the ‘Appreciate’ button are displayed to the right of the image.

    Adobe acquired Behance in December 2012 and has since integrated it into its various Creative Cloud applications.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Sony announces new Imaging Edge mobile app, updates desktop software

    Sony has announced the ‘Imaging Edge’ mobile application that replaces the PlayMemories Mobile app. It offers remote control capability and geolocation. Users of recent Sony cameras (RX10 IV, RX100 V(A) and VI, a7 III, a7R III and a9) will be able to transfer 4K video in addition to full-resolution images (by selecting media on-camera). a9 owners will also be able to auto-transfer 2MP images.

    Transfer & Tagging add-on

    A pro workflow ‘Transfer & Tagging add-on’ will be available for the a9, a7R III and a7 III. This allows metadata tags to be added to images, including voice-input for quick captioning.

    In addition, a9 users will be able to use the camera’s background FTP capability to quickly transfer full-res photos automatically to the smartphone or a remote server. Users will be able to do so wirelessly via a Wi-Fi access point or via direct tethering to a mobile phone (if the phone supports it), or via wired USB connection to the mobile device. Both the Imaging Edge app and the Transfer & Tagging add-on will be available this spring.

    Later this month, version 1.4 of Sony’s desktop applications will be updated. The Remote, View and Edit apps will support time-lapse movie creation along with improved usability.

    A bit more info can be found on Sony’s website.

    Press Release:

    New Imaging Edge Software Enhances Mobile Connectivity and Expands the Creative Capabilities of Sony Cameras

    Sony Announces New Imaging Edge Mobile Applications, Plus Several Updates to Existing Desktop Applications

    SAN DIEGO — Jan. 15, 2019 — Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the release of new Imaging Edge™ mobile applications plus several updates to the ‘Remote,’ ‘Viewer’ and ‘Edit’ desktop applications that will bring exciting new features to all Sony imaging customers ranging from casual hobbyists to working professionals.

    New Imaging Edge Mobile Applications

    The newly introduced mobile application named Imaging Edge Mobile is the successor to Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile™ app and will offer instant transfer of images from camera to a connected mobile devices while shooting. Images can be transferred when utilizing the new “Auto background transfer to Smartphone” functionality, allowing users to easily share content direct from their phone to social media platforms. The mobile application also supports 4K movie transfer and remote control functionality.

    For professional photographers, Sony will be releasing a new mobile application ‘Transfer & Tagging add-on’ that will support instant delivery workflow by allowing users to transfer content to their mobile devices via the camera’s FTP background transfer functionality, without distraction from their shooting. It also enables voice input for text captioning to help streamline communication and overall workflow between photographers and other team members. There is also an online function that will allow you to sync a Caption Glossary between multiple devices.

    Sony’s new Imaging Edge mobile application and ‘Transfer & Tagging add-on’ will be available in March 2019.

    Enhancements of ‘Remote’ ‘Viewer’ ‘Edit’ Desktop Applications

    The desktop version of Sony’s Imaging Edge application will be updated as well, with workflow support of time-lapse movie creation, making it an ideal match for Sony’s newest interchangeable lens cameras with built-in interval recording. Other new features to maximize usability have been added as well, such as comparison display and collection functions, as well as a new and improved user interface.

    The latest Version 1.4 of Desktop Applications ‘Remote’ ‘Viewer’ ‘Edit’ will be available later this month.

    For more information on the new application updates, please visit the Imaging Edge website at https://imagingedge.sony.net.

    A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content related to all of Sony’s exciting announcements can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site built to educate and inspire all fans and customers of the Sony ? brand. The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Camera Channel on YouTube.

    1. A successor application of PlayMemories Mobile. Existing PlayMemories Mobile users can use this by updating PlayMemories Mobile

    2. Compatible with ILCE-9 with software update Ver.5.0 or later. Files are imported in 2MP size when using this function

    3. Compatible with ILCE-9 with software update Ver.5.0 or later, ILCE-7RM3, ILCE-7M3, ILCE-6400, DSC-RX10M4, DSC-RX100M6, DSC-RX100M5A. Availability of video transfer and playback varies depending on smartphone in use

    4. Add-on mobile application for ‘Imaging Edge Mobile’. Available countries: US/Canada/UK/France/Germany/Hong Kong/China/Australia/Japan. User registration is required to use this application. Compatible with ILCE-9 with software update Ver.5.0 or later, ILCE-7RM3, ILCE-7M3

    5. Compatible with ILCE-9 with software update Ver.5.0 or later

    6. The voice input of this application uses the service provided by Google. If Google services are not available, you cannot use the voice input. Please use the keyboard input

    7. RAW processing adjustments by batch, adding music/texts, outputting 4K movie are also available

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Sony a6400 sample gallery

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    Yesterday Sony unveiled the a6400, an APS-C mirrorless camera that wraps up a 24MP sensor, impressive autofocus capabilities and a vlogging-friendly flip-up touchscreen in a compact package. We’ve been putting it to work on environmental portraits and some fast-moving subjects – check out our initial sample gallery.

    See our Sony a6400 sample gallery

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • LIVE from Sony launch event in San Diego

    We’re live at Sony’s launch event in San Diego, CA, bringing you news as it happens. Reload this page frequently to see the latest updates from our team at the event.

    All times are Pacific.

    10:37AM: And they’re done. Stay tuned for more details.

    10:35AM: New ‘Transfer and Tagging’ app for a9 via voice. Another app transfers images automatically in the background.

    10:35AM: Ships next month for $ 900 body-only or $ 1000 with the 16-50mm Power Zoom lens in the US.

    10:33AM: 24MP sensor with ISO range of 100-3200. 180° flip-up touchscreen screen for vlogging. Interval recording!

    10:32AM: a6400 has the a9’s Bionz X processor and has all of the real-time AF tracking that the a9 will receive in its firmware upgrade. The top burst rate with continuous AF is 11 fps.

    10:32AM: Sony has frequently mentioned Speed x AI.

    10:30AM: Back to full-frame. Sony now has 31% of the total full-frame market and grows 97% year-over-year. 54% of cameras sold are now mirrorless. Sony is the #1 camera brand in the US for full-frame.

    10:26AM: The rumored a6400 is here.

    10:24AM: a7 III and a7R III will get Eye AF for animals and interval mode in April.

    10:22AM: Works in video, too. Eye AF always on. You can select left/right or automatic Eye AF.

    10:20AM: Improvements in image quality and usability. Releases in March and summer of 2019.

    10:19AM: Real-time tracking for fast-moving subjects. Uses pattern and face/eye detection to maintain focus. Sony says it’s the world’s fastest AF.

    10:18AM: New real-time Eye AF for animals.

    10:17AM: Sony is announcing an a9 firmware upgrade (v5.0) in the Spring.
    Sony was #1 in sales for full-frame mirrorless cameras in 2018

    10:15AM: Kenji Tanaka, VP Sony Corp. has taken the stage.

    10:12AM: There will be three announcements at the event.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Sony promises firmware updates for a7 III, a7R III and a9, improving AF

    Sony has announced two major firmware updates for the a9 alongside updates for the a7R III and a7 III. The a9 updates adds a range of features, including improved tracking in both stills and video, as well as extending Eye AF to animals, something Sony teased at Photokina back in September. The a7R III and a7 III will also gain the improved Eye-AF and animal Eye AF, as well as time-lapse capabilities.

    The a9 firmware will be coming in two waves: version 5.0 will be available in March while version 6.0 is slated for ‘summer.’ Firmware version 3.0 for the a7 III and a7R III will arrive in April.

    Sony a9 improvements

    The nitty gritty of the the a9 updates center on autofocus and usability improvements. Interestingly, there’s no mention of adding Log capability to the a9’s video, which is a shame, given it has such fast readout and minimal rolling shutter.

    Firmware version 5.0 will bring about a new ‘Real-time Tracking mode,’ which uses Sony’s latest subject recognition algorithm.

    The updated ‘Real-time Tracking’ mode adds consideration of eye detection and pattern recognition to the color, distance and and face detection that was previously being used.

    The tracking mode lets you specify a subject and it’ll prioritize their eye, switching to face detection if it loses the eye and treating them as a generic subject to track if they, for instance, turn their head away from the camera. This is likely to be especially useful in video mode, whether previous iterations of face detection could jump to a different face if your intended subject turned away.

    Real-time Eye-AF

    A real-time Eye AF mode, which will come to the a9, a7 III and a7R III, lets you focus on eyes without pressing a second button and lets you specify in advance which eye (left, right or closest) you want the camera to focus on.

    Animal Eye AF

    The Eye AF feature has been expanded to be able to recognize animals’ eyes, which Sony says will help both wildlife shooters and photographers taking images of their own pets. Knowing that the camera will focus on eyes means the photographer can concentrate on composition, rather than focus.

    Sony says both this mode and the subject recognition aspect of full-time tracking are based on ‘AI,’ which we’re taking to mean they’re based on machine learning (training an algorithm to recognize a subject by showing it lots of images). The company branded the capability ‘Speed x AI.’

    You’ll have to wait until firmware version 6.0 for the animal Eye AF mode, on the a9, though

    The full list of changes to the a9’s firmware

    As well as the AF improvements, the two a9 firmware updates promise more than 20 updates. These include the addition of a screen allowing you to see which buttons are mapped to offer which function.

    Press Release

    Sony Announces ?9 Camera Upgrade Through Major Firmware Updates

    New Firmware Releases will Deliver Enhanced Autofocus Performance and New Functionality for Sony’s Acclaimed Full-frame Camera

    SAN DIEGO — Jan. 15, 2019 — Sony Electronics Inc. today announced a major upgrade to its ?9 mirrorless camera that will be available via a firmware updates.

    Sony’s revolutionary ?9 camera will receive several major enhancements to its award-winning autofocus (AF) performance and image quality, as well as receive a variety of new features that are designed to improve the overall workflow for professional photographers. In addition, new firmware updates for ?7R III and ?7 III will be available that update these cameras with the latest enhancements including Real-time Eye AF performance and add interval recording capacities.

    “These new firmware upgrades demonstrate the strong commitment that Sony has to our customers,” said Neal Manowitz, vice president of Imaging Solutions at Sony Electronics. “Their voice is critical to everything we do, and being able to provide our customers with new capabilities is a source of great pride for Sony.”

    Firmware Ver. 5.0 and Ver. 6.0 for ?9

    The upcoming firmware version 5.0 for ?9 adds Sony’s newly developed Real-time Tracking mode for object tracking. This mode utilizes Sony’s latest algorithm—including Artificial Intelligence-based object recognition—and processes color, subject distance (depth), pattern (brightness) as well as spatial (distance) information to ensure that all subjects can be captured with extreme accuracy and precision. When photographing or videographing humans or animals, face and eye position information is recognized by AI and the subject’s eye is monitored in real time with extremely high tracking precision. In addition, “Tracking On” helps initiate real-time tracking at any time by simply pressing a custom-assigned button and “Touch Tracking,” which quickly activates through the touch screenii.

    With this new firmware version 5.0, Sony’s acclaimed ?9 camera will receive advanced “Real-time Eye AF,” the latest version of Sony’s acclaimed Eye AF technology. This exciting new capability employs AI-based object recognition to detect and process eye location data in real time, resulting in improved accuracy, speed and tracking performance of Eye AF. In all autofocus modes, the camera can automatically detect the eyes of the subject and activate Eye AF with a half press of the shutter button, and the camera will seamlessly track the eyes at all times when in AF-C mode. The new firmware will also enable photographers to select the preferred eye (left or right) of their subject as the focus point.

    Other focusing capabilities that will be available with the new firmware include Touch Pad, Touch Tracking, an extended phase-detection AF aperture range that has been increased from F11 to F16, and Fast Hybrid AF for movie shooting that provides smooth, automated focusing for movies.

    Image quality will also be enhanced with the new ?9 firmware version 5.0, specifically in the areas of color reproduction. The camera will more accurately account for subtle changes in light for smoother, more natural tonal gradations in elements like the sky. There is a new auto white balance algorithm that gets added as well, which produces more consistently balanced images while burst shooting. Other new functions for efficient controls and data management include My Dial and Dual Slot media menu improvement, rating and protect functions.

    In addition to the several new capabilities, the firmware also adds compatibility with Sony’s new Imaging Edge Mobile application – the successor to the PlayMemories Mobile™ application. The new Imaging Edge Mobile application features a ‘Transfer & Tagging add-on’ function to assist professional workflow. This allows photographers to transfer images from their camera to their smartphone during capture using the FTP transfer functionality,and adds support for including IPTC metadata on transferred images.

    Version 6.0 firmware for the ?9 camera will add Eye AF for animal eyesi, an exciting new feature for wildlife photographers that will enable interval shooting functionality for creating time-lapse movies.

    The new system firmware update version 5.0 is scheduled for launch in March 2019, and version 6.0 is scheduled for Summer 2019.

    Firmware Ver. 3.0 for ?7R III and ?7 III

    Sony’s popular ?7R III and ?7 III full-frame cameras will both receive enhanced Real-time Eye AF performance with the upcoming firmware version 3.0. This will be available in AF-C mode with a simple half-press of the shutter button. Real-Time Eye AF for animals will also be available.

    The cameras will also receive interval recording functionality that will allow for simple creation of time-lapse moviesvii. The new feature can be set for anywhere between 1 and 60 seconds, with a total number of shots from 1 to 9999. AE tracking sensitivity can also be adjusted to “High”, “Mid” or “Low” during interval recording, allowing for reduced changes in exposure over the shooting interval.

    The new system firmware update version 3.0 is scheduled in April 2019.

    A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content related to all of Sony’s exciting announcements can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site built to educate and inspire all fans and customers of the Sony ? brand. The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery and the Sony Camera Channel on YouTube.

    1. Accurate focus may not be achieved with certain subjects in certain situations
    2. Function must be set via the menu beforehand
    3. A successor application of PlayMemories Mobile. Existing PlayMemories Mobile users can use this by updating PlayMemories Mobile
    4. Add-on mobile application for ‘Imaging Edge Mobile’. Available countries: US/Canada/UK/France/Germany/Hong Kong/China/Australia/Japan. User registration is required to use this application. Compatible with ILCE-9 with firmware update Ver.5.0 or later, ILCE-7RM3, ILCE-7M3
    5. Compatible with ILCE-9 with firmware update Ver.5.0 or later
    6. IPTC metadata for digital image metadata is a standard created by the IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council)
    7. The latest version of “Imaging Edge” ‘Viewer’ and PlayMemories Home desktop applications is required

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Adorama releases non-TTL Flashpoint XPLOR 600 Pro HSS studio flash head

    Adorama has announced the availability of a new studio flash head from its own Flashpoint range. Designed for photographers who don’t want TTL control, the XPLOR 600 Pro HSS offers 600WS of power with wireless triggering.

    With the standard reflector fitted the head has a guide number of 87m / 285ft @ ISO 100. Users can expect 360 full power bursts from a single charge of the head’s 2.6Ah lithium ion battery pack. An optional AC adapter is available, but even when powered by the battery recycle-times are between 0.01 and 0.9 seconds. The head uses a 2.4GHz wireless system making the XPLOR 600 Pro HHS compatible with the Godox X radio triggers, which are available for all the main camera brands.

    Wireless control works across 32 channels and x-compatible flashes can be separated into five groups. Two optical slave modes are offered, with all settings dealt with on the large side-mounted LCD panel. The HSS in the name refers to the head’s ability to sync with shutter speeds of up to 1/8000sec, and the output can be varied across 9 stops to 1/256th in 25 steps. A battery and charger are included in the kit, along with a standard reflector in the Bowens S mount.

    The head is the non-TTL version of the XPLOR 600 Pro TTL, and is priced $ 749 against the $ 899 charged for the TTL model. It is also a version of the Godox AD600 Pro head that has TTL. For more information see the Adorama website.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)