360Photography

Category: Uncategorized

  • Video: Using a $50 lens on a $12,500 5K RED cinema camera

    YouTuber Potato Jet recently had a ridiculous idea (not out of character…): what would happen if you slapped a super-cheap 50mm photography lens onto an ultra-expensive cinema camera? That’s how we ended up with this video, in which he pairs a beautiful 5K RED cinema camera with Yongnuo’s 50mm F1.8 knockoff of Canon’s already-cheap nifty fifty.

    As best we can tell—Potato Jet doesn’t reveal what camera he’s actually using—the cinema camera in question is the Scarlet-W RED Dragon 5K. That camera body alone retails for $ 12,500 on the RED store. On the other end of the spectrum, the Yongnuo nifty fifty knockoff retails for under $ 50, and even if you go for the official Canon version, you can usually find it for around $ 100 (or $ 125 brand new without any discounts).

    So, can the RED camera redeem what is pretty widely accepted as a lackluster lens? Or does the lens ‘ruin’ what is otherwise a glorious camera body?

    You can watch the video above—starting at around 0:46—to see the sample footage for yourself, but Potato Jet’s conclusion is surprisingly positive. Sure, the Yongnuo falls far short of almost any other 50mm F1.8 lens you could adapt, and getting focus with so little focus ring travel was a nightmare, but it turns out RED’s ultra-high quality sensor can still capture good quality footage in a variety of challenging situations, even behind such mediocre glass.

    So, did we learn anything? No, not really. But if you’re like us, you’re still curious what that final footage looks like. Go ahead, hit play… we won’t tell anyone.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Structure: Moving 4K close-ups shot at up to 1000x magnification

    District 7 Media owner Drew Geraci recently published a short film titled “Structure” that takes viewers on an up-close journey inside everyday objects. The video was shot with a Sony A9 camera, as well as an AmScope Microscope with a camera attachment, Kessler Second Shooter control unit with a Stepper Motor, and Manfrotto Lykos Lights.

    Geraci uploaded the video to Vimeo, where he explains that “Structure” presents organic objects magnified up to 1000x. Those objects include a variety of fruit, bell pepper seeds, mushrooms, carbonated water, soap bubbles, beet leaf, and more.

    Everything was shot in 4K using the Sony A9, according to Geraci’s video description, where he explains that the process took place over 30 days, after which the shots were edited into the two minute video using Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2018 and After Effects CC 2018. In describing the inspiration for “Structure,” Geraci said:

    It all started with a single shot—a small frozen snowflake I captured using a 100mm macro lens. I’ve shot plenty of macro photography in the past, but for some reason this image ignited my imagination and passion to shoot. So I did what any sane person would do—bought a microscope with camera capabilities and started to shoot everyday objects at 1000x+ magnifications.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 2018 Japan BCN camera rankings: Canon dominates DSLRs, tops Sony in mirrorless

    Photo by Mario Calvo

    The 2018 Japan BCN camera rankings are in, and they show that (surprise, surprise) Canon is still veritably dominating the DSLR space with 61.1% marketshare, only a slight drop from its previous 63.3% share. More impressive is Canon’s performance in the mirrorless category where Canon took the number 2 position, hitting 21.3% versus Sony’s 20.2%. Olympus beat both to take top slot in mirrorless at 27.7%, though, a small increase over its previous 26.8% marketshare.

    According to BCN, Canon also topped the “digital camera with integrated lens” category, holding 27.9% of marketshare over Nikon’s 25.5% and Casio’s 17.2%. The BCN rankings also look at action cameras, which saw GoPro take top slot with 67.2% marketshare (not that this has helped the company’s outlook lately…), as well as digital video cameras, which has Panasonic on top with a 42% marketshare.

    When looking at previous figures, the rankings show Nikon growing in DSLR sales while Canon and Ricoh both saw decreases. Olympus, Canon, and Sony all experienced growth in the mirrorless category, while Canon and Nikon both experienced growth in the integrated lens digital camera market.

    Notably, Canon continues to show strong growth in Japan’s mirrorless market despite Sony’s recovery from the disruption caused by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.

    That earthquake had impacted Sony’s nearby image sensors facility, which supplied sensors for both Nikon and Olympus, among others. In its early 2017 fiscal quarterly results, Olympus had noted that the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake had a negative impact on its Imaging Business sales. Likewise, Nikon had revealed its own Imaging Products Business impact during the same time, resulting in downwardly revised forecasts.

    However, despite Sony’s facility restoring operations in the many months since the earthquake, Canon is still outpacing Sony in the mirrorless segment.

    Though Nikon saw DSLR marketshare growth in 2017, whereas Canon saw a slight decrease, the latter company still trounces its closest competitor at 61.1% versus Nikon’s 34.4%. Whether Canon’s biggest competitors will see any significant 2018 gains on the company in their respective categories is anyone’s guess.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Fujifilm XF 80mm F2.8 OIS WR Macro sample gallery

    $ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_4627096713″,”galleryId”:”4627096713″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

    Announced in September last year, the Fujifilm XF 80mm F2.8 Macro is the first X-series lens to give full 1:1 reproduction. It’s a 122mm equivalent on Fuji’s camera bodies, and provides weather and dust resistance. The lens is a tempting option for Fuji shooters looking for a portrait-friendly prime; see how it performs with the X-T2.

    See our Fujifilm XF 80mm F2.8 Macro sample gallery

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • The Hasselblad H6D-400c multi-shot captures insane 400MP images

    Swedish medium format manufacturer Hasselblad has introduced its next-generation multi-shot body, building a monster that outputs 400MP images.

    Following in the footsteps of the company’s H6D-100c, the H6D-400c MS uses sensor-shift technology to combine up to six exposures into a single monster image measuring 23200 x 17400 pixels. If you work to the principle that 300ppi is ‘”photo-quality”, that means you can create a print of over 77x58in.

    The final image from the 6-shot process is a 16-bit TIFF that weighs 2.3GB.

    The camera is aimed at the art digitizing market and other industries that require super-resolution and accurate color.

    The H6D-400c MS gathers color information by shifting the sensor by a pixel at a time in a four-by-four grid, and recording four images with the red, green and blue filters over-lapping to produce RGBG at every pixel. The sensor is then returned to the normal position before being shifted half a pixel horizontally and then half a pixel vertically to record extra resolution via these two extra images.

    The GIF below shows the whole process from start to finish:

    The system is similar to that used by companies like Olympus and Panasonic, except that these manufacturers use their ‘floating’ 5-axis sensor image stabilization technology to manipulate the sensor into position. Hasselblad’s system uses a machined metal block with a track milled into it that the sensor is shifted along.

    This creates a system that’s more rigid, to ensure the sensor movements are absolutely parallel and precise every single time. When not being used in multi-shot mode, the camera acts just like a H6D-100c, so it can be used normally too.

    The H6D-400c MS will begin shipping in March, but pre-orders are being accepted immediately. The price of the camera will be $ 47,995 (€39,999 / £36,250 / RMB 319,999 / JPY 5,391,380 excluding VAT). If that’s a little out of your budget, you will be able to rent it directly from Hasselblad for about $ 480 (€400 / £360) per day, with discounts available for longer-term agreements.

    For more information visit the Hasselblad website.

    Press Release:

    Hasselblad Introduces the H6D-400c MS, a 400 Megapixel Multi-Shot Camera

    Building on a vast experience of developing exceptional, high-quality single and multi-shot cameras, Hasselblad once again has raised the bar for image quality captured with medium format system.

    Multi-Shot capture has become an industry standard in the field of art reproduction and cultural heritage for the documentation of paintings, sculptures, and artwork. As the only professional medium format system to feature multi-shot technology, Hasselblad continues to be the leading choice for institutions, organizations, and museums worldwide to record historic treasures in the highest image quality possible.

    With over 10 years of digital imaging expertise, the latest Multi-Shot digital camera combines the H6D’s unrivalled ease of use with a completely new frontier of image quality and detail. This new camera encompasses all of the technological functions of Hasselblad’s H6D single shot camera, and adds to that the resolution and colour fidelity leaps that only Multi-Shot photography can bring to image capture.

    With an effective resolution of 400MP via 6 shot image capture, or 100MP resolution in either 4 shot Multi-Shot capture or single shot mode, the Multi-Shot capture requires the sensor and its mount to be moved at a high-precision of 1 or ½ a pixel at a time via a piezo unit. To capture Multi-Shot images the camera must be tethered to a PC or MAC.

    In 400MP Multi-Shot mode, 6 images are captured, the first 4 involve moving the sensor by one pixel at a time to achieve real colour data (GRGB- see 4 shot diagrams below), this cycle then returns the sensor to its starting point. A further two exposures are made moving the sensor by ½ a pixel horizontally and then ½ a pixel vertically (see 6 shot diagram on next page). These 6 captures are then merged to give the equivalent of a single 400MP image, delivered as a 2.3GB 16-bit TIFF (23200 x 17400 pixels), for those seeking the utmost in image quality and resolving power.

    The H6D-400c MS encompasses all the features and functionality of Hasselblad’s standard single shot cameras:

    • USB 3.0 type c connection for tethered shooting, high speed data transfers & 30FPS live view
    • Dual media card slots: CFast 2.0 and SD card
    • 3.0-inch touch rear display
    • Smartphone style user interface
    • HD & UHD video
    • Modular system with improved back removal process
    • Technical camera connectivity (single shot)
    • Wi-Fi
    • HDMI & Audio I/O
    • True Focus II

    The H6D-400c MS will begin shipping March 2018 with a MSRP of € 39,999 / $ 47,995 / £ 36,250 / RMB 319,999 / JPY 5,391,380 excl. VAT.
    Pre-orders can start to be taken January 16th

    The H6D-400c MS will also be available to rent through your local Hasselblad sales representative. The rental fee is approx. €399/day for short term loans, but you can save up to 50% of that cost if you rent for a longer period.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Buying guides updated with Panasonic DC-G9

    Now that we’ve completed our review of Panasonic’s Lumix DC-G9, we’ve updated its entry in our Best Cameras Under $ 2000 and Best Cameras for Sports & Action buying guides. The G9 is Panasonic’s flagship stills camera, and earned a Silver Award with impressive stabilization, burst shooting, and solid image quality.

    Head to our buying guide hub for help finding the right camera by both price and use case.

    Read our Best Cameras Under $ 2000 buying guide

    Read our Best Cameras for Sports & Action buying guide

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Kodak Super 8 camera footage showcased in newly published sample reel

    During CES 2016, Kodak announced plans to resurrect its Super 8 format via the launch of a new Kodak Super 8 camera, one that will blend analog and digital technologies. Following that announcement was a hands-on look at the new Super 8 camera during CES 2017, but an actual product launch is still forthcoming. Getting us closer to that point is Kodak’s latest update on the project: it’s showcasing footage recorded with the Super 8 camera during CES 2018.

    The new Kodak Super 8 camera is a hybrid of sorts, pairing a 3.5″ LCD “viewfinder” with an 8mm film cartridge for a simultaneous digital and analog experience. A control wheel is paired with the display for controlling the camera in lieu of touchscreen functionality or manual controls. This is joined by a Ricoh 6mm F1.2 prime lens and C-mount compatible with additional lenses.

    True to its hybrid nature, the new Kodak Super 8 camera also features an integrated SD card slot; audio is recorded to the media card, whereas the film cartridge is mailed to Kodak after recording is finished. After developing the film, Kodak mails it back to the customer, and also uploads the content to the cloud where the customer can download a digitized version.

    As noted by Cinema5D, Kodak also released a podcast about a month ago with an update on the Super 8 project. A firm launch date and price haven’t yet been provided, but the Kodak Super 8 camera is expected to launch this year at a price between $ 2,500 and $ 3,000 USD.

    Via: Cinema5D

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • AT&T decision to drop Huawei Mate 10 Pro reportedly made under pressure from US Congress

    According to a report by Reuters AT&T’s decision to not sell the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, currently one of the best camera smartphones, in the US might have been made under pressure from the US Congress.

    According to the report, lawmakers did pressure the communications company to drop its plans to offer Huawei’s devices to customers. AT&T is also being urged by Senators and House members to put an end to its collaboration with the Chinese manufacturer on standards for its 5G network.

    The report claims that companies are being told that doing business with Huawei, China Mobile and other Chinese companies could reduce the chances of procuring government contracts. “The next wave of wireless communication has enormous economic and national security implications,” said Michael Wessel of a US-Chain security review commission. “China’s participation in setting the standards and selling the equipment raises many national security issues that demand strict and prompt attention.”

    According to US intelligence information, Huawei has shared sensitive information with the Chinese government

    In addition, Congress has proposed a bill that would prevent any government agencies from working with the Chinese company. The proposal says that, according to US intelligence information, Huawei has shared sensitive information with the Chinese government, and that Chinese security agencies can make use of Huawei equipment to spy on US businesses.

    As one would expect, Huawei insists that its technology does not come with any built-in tools for access to US communications infrastructure. The company also told Reuters that its equipment is used by 45 of the world’s top 50 carriers, for all of whom security is a priority.

    The good news is that If you are based in the US and did like the Mate 10 Pro’s camera performance in our full review, you’ll still be able to purchase the device, just not through a carrier. Instead you can buy the unlocked version on Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS sample gallery

    $ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_3207546459″,”galleryId”:”3207546459″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

    Sony hosted us for a few days in Hawaii to shoot with the company’s newest E-mount lens, the 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS. It’s been more than four years since Sony introduced an E-mount APS-C lens, emphasizing that its design maximizes corner-to-corner sharpness. We put it to work capturing Honolulu’s vibrant Chinatown and the spectacular landscapes that the Aloha State is known for.

    See our Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS sample gallery

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • HTC U11 Eyes smartphone features a dual selfie camera with live bokeh

    HTC has launched a new variant of its U11 smartphone called the HTC U11 Eyes, and it’s built specifically for selfie takers (cue eye roll). The name “Eyes” refers to the handset’s chief feature: dual front-facing cameras, which resemble a pair of eyes and bring features like live bokeh and post-focusing to selfies.

    HTC packs some other premium features into the model, including an 18:9 ratio Full HD+ 6″ Super LCD 3 screen and a “flagship camera” on the rear, but other than the front-facing camera, the handset is more-or-less the same as the regular HTC U11.

    The front-facing camera is comprised of dual 5MP BSI sensors behind F2.2 aperture lenses, which support Full HD 1080p video capture in addition to stills. The selfie cameras produce “studio-quality portraits,” claims HTC, with Bokeh Mode being the most notable feature. In that mode, selfie backgrounds are blurred in real time, though users also have the option of adjusting it manually after the fact.

    The model’s front camera also supports Screen Flash, HDR Boost, Voice Selfie, Auto “Beautification,” Auto Selfie, and Selfie Panorama. The rear camera, meanwhile, features a 12MP HTC UltraPixel 3 with 1.4?m pixel, BSI sensor, OIS, F1.7 aperture, an LED flash, and UltraSpeed Autofocus. HTC has included a “Pro Mode” with manual control for its rear camera, including 32-second long exposures, Raw support, and manual control.

    Cameras aside, the HTC U11 Eyes has a high-capacity 3930mAh battery that supports up to 28.8 hours of talk time (depending on the network) as well as Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, IP67 water- and dust-resistance, Edge Sense squeezing support, HTC USonic audio tech, active noise cancellation, and Face Unlock.

    Availability outside of China and pricing isn’t clear. Engadget reports that its “local sources” put the price potentially at HK$ 3,200, which is equivalent to about $ 410 USD and 334 EUR.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)