360Photography

Category: Uncategorized

  • The Voigtländer Nokton classic 35mm F1.4 for E-Mount ships in February, will cost $750

    The Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm F1.4 FE at CP+ last February. Photo by Barney Britton

    Sony shooters will have a new manual-focus lens to play with soon. After announcing the lens as ‘in-development’ way back in February, Cosina Japan has revealed pricing and availability for the E-Mount Voigtlander Nokton classic 35mm F1.4 lens. According to the translated webpage, the lens is scheduled to ship in February of 2018, at a price of ¥ 85,000, or approximately $ 750 USD.

    This, just a couple of weeks after announcing pricing and availability for another E-Mount Nokton that was “in-development” in February: the Nokton 40mm F1.2.

    The Nokton classic 35mm F1.4 is an E-mount version of the M-mount Nokton that Voigtländer has been selling for many years, and we actually got to see this lens in person at CP+ last February. Unfortunately, the 35mm was the only lens under glass that day, so we couldn’t get a true ‘hands-on,’ but we expect it to be built to the same high standard as the older M-mount version.

    Another photo from our through-the-glass ‘hands on’ at CP+. Photo by Barney Britton

    To learn more about this lens, head over to the Cosina website, read the translated Cosina Japan page, or check out our ‘hands-on’ impressions from last February.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • FAA bans drones from flying near 7 nuclear facilities

    The Federal Aviation Administration has officially designated seven Department of Energy (DOE) facilities as drone no-fly zones, restricting UAVs from being operated within 122m / 400ft of any of the following sites:

    • Hanford Site, Franklin County, WA
    • Pantex Site, Panhandle, TX
    • Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
    • Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
    • Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC
    • Y-12 National Security Site, Oak Ridge, TN
    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN

    All seven sites are nuclear facilities (though not all of them are active), including multiple research facilities. The FAA has established the no-drone designation at the DOE’s request, doing so under its Title 14 authority. The FAA refers to these new bans as UAS National Security restrictions, and they’ll become effective on Friday, December 29. The agency will soon update its B4UFLY app to show the new restricted airspace.

    According to the FAA, there will be select instances in which a drone operator could get a permit to fly within one of these restricted regions, though the operator will need to get permission from the FAA and/or the facility itself. The cases in which these permits may be granted weren’t specified. These new restrictions follow similar ones applied to Department of Interior facilities and military bases.

    Via: Engadget

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Annie Leibovitz teaches photography in new MasterClass

    MasterClass has announced the launch of a new course from master photographer Annie Leibovitz. The course is composed of 14 video lessons from Leibovitz herself, as well as a workbook with things like lesson recaps, resources and assignments. As part of the MasterClass, Leibovitz will offer office hours via video and participate in Q&A with students.

    This is the first time Leibovitz has offered an online course, which is priced at $ 90 for just the course itself or under an all-access pass for all MasterClass courses at $ 180/year. Class lessons include topics like “Working With Light,” “Portrait Photography,” “Working With Your Subject,” and “Creating Concepts,” among others.

    The MasterClass introductory lesson will introduce students to Leibovitz and her more than 40 years as a photographer. Over the course of her career, Leibovitz has established herself as one of the world’s most iconic photographers, her work having appeared in many notable publications, including Rolling Stone and Vanity. She has received numerous honors throughout her career, including a Library of Congress “Living Legend” designation, an International Center of Photography Lifetime Achievement Award, and more.

    More information about the Annie Leibovitz MasterClass is available here.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 2017 Buying Guide: Best cameras for students

    If you’re looking to learn more about photography there are some great cameras available. We’ve chosen a handful of models that offer an affordable way into photography, but give you plenty of scope to grow as you develop your skills.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Hasselblad adds X-Pan mode and EVF preview to X1D, plus AF to H lenses on the X system adapter

    The X-Pan crop mode with the XCD 30mm F3.5

    Hasselblad has released new firmware for its X1D mirrorless medium format camera that brings it as close to a digital X-Pan (you can read Hamish Gill’s writeup of the 35mm X-Pan II here) as we can sensibly hope for. Firmware v1.20 adds a series of crop modes that includes the 65:24 X-Pan ratio, as well as classic 1:1 square and other well-known medium format proportions.

    The update also brings the much needed instant image preview mode to the camera’s EVF as well as the ability to review captured pictures via the viewfinder. And now autofocus can be used with certain H system lenses when they are fitted to the X1D via the XH adapter.

    $ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_0590489974″,”galleryId”:”0590489974″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

    During a recent trip to Hasselblad’s factory I was able to shoot with a camera loaded with the new firmware to try out the new features. I have to say I was disproportionally excited to use the X-Pan crop mode, and once I’d set it I had trouble switching it off because it makes everything look so good.

    The camera had been set so the different crops could be cycled through using the front custom button, and with 50 million pixels on hand on the sensor I wasn’t too worried about a heavy crop leaving me with no resolution. Even with the dramatic crop that the X-Pan mode makes we are still left with an image area of 8272×3062 pixels – or 25.3MP.

    Only the Raw files show the crop, and the crop isn’t permanent – at can be shifted, altered and undone entirely so the full image can be used.

    While we get to see the crop in the viewfinder and on the rear screen of the camera, even the JPEG files are captured as whole 4:3 images. The crop only appears on the Raw files when they are displayed in Hasselblad’s Phocus software – and even the crop can be adjusted, shifted around or switched off.

    Of course, you can crop any image you want to 65×24 using any software, but the fun here is in seeing the letter-box in the viewfinder and in the atmosphere composing with this anamorphic-style format creates. The unused area of the viewfinder is blacked out, but users can adjust the density of the mask so the whole scene can be viewed to make composition easier.

    The new crop modes:

    • X-Pan Ratio (65:24),
    • 1:1
    • 7:6
    • 5:4
    • 3:2
    • 16:9
    • 2:1
    • A4
    • US Letter

    The new preview mode in the viewfinder is nothing special, but shows Hasselblad catching up with a feature offered by every other mirrorless camera. The new option to back-up images from one SD card to the other in slot two is hardly revolutionary either, but very useful all the same.

    Ove Bengtsson, Hasselblad product manager, explains that the HC lenses are designed for a phase detection system, but that they can now be used with AF on the X1D

    What will be interesting to existing H system users is the ability to use contrast detect AF with certain HC lenses with the XH adapter. Ove Bengtsson, Hasselblad’s product manager, explained that while the AF would be fast enough for a hand-held portrait it won’t be quick enough to shoot sport or action.

    ‘Our AF system is designed to be accurate rather than quick’ he told me. ‘These are lenses designed for phase detection systems, and we have to move a lot of glass. We don’t use internal focusing systems with small AF groups as these will, at some focus positions, compromise image quality. We often have to move the whole lens construction during focusing, so when working with a contrast-detection system the most difficult thing is to stop the lens after it has passed the peak and bring it back to the correct position. But as I said, image quality is our priority – not AF speed.’

    The X1D can now provide contrast detection AF with certain H system lenses when they are mounted via the XH adapter.

    To bring AF to the HC series the lens needs its firmware updates as well as the camera. The following lenses will be compatible:

    • HCD 4/28mm
    • HC 3,5/35mm
    • HC 3,5/50 mm
    • HC 3,5/50 mm II
    • HC 2,8/80 mm
    • HC 2,2/100mm

    New v1.20.0 firmware for the H6D brings many of the updates that the X1D received, including the crop modes in Live View, dual card back-up and the lens data inserted into image EXIF information. Both cameras also have a new display mode when the spirit level is active that includes basic exposure information instead of just showing a blank screen.
    For more information see the Hasselblad website, where you can download the X1D firmware and the H6D firmware.

    Press release

    HASSELBLAD FIRMWARE UPDATE 1.20 FOR X AND H SYSTEMS

    Hasselblad continues to push the development of their systems further with new features in the 1.20 Firmware update.

    Hasselblad continues to expand on the capabilities of its highly unique and renowned camera systems with the latest firmware update. The 1.20 Firmware brings exciting new updates and functionality to the X and H Systems that allow photographers and artists help capture their creative vision.

    These new features include Instant Preview and Imaging Browsing through the X1D EVF, a beneficial utility that many photographers rely on. Firmware 1.20 also offers creative Selectable Crop Modes including the popular X-Pan Ratio (65:24), 1:1, 7:6, 5:4, 3:2, 16:9, 2:1, A4, US Letter and more.

    “Hasselblad is a company that designs and creates tools for photographers. We have released many firmware updates in the past year. It shows our dedication to our customers and that we are listening to their feedback on how to improve.” said Ove Bengtsson, Product Manager.

    Hasselblad is pleased to also announce contrast autofocus compatibility using the XH lens adapter with a select group of HC/HCD lenses. A full list of updates for the X and H Systems can be found below along with compatible lenses for the XH lens adapter.

    https://www.hasselblad.com/x1d/firmware/
    https://www.hasselblad.com/h6d/firmware/

    X1D: v1.20.0

    • Instant preview and image browsing in EVF
    • Selectable crop modes
    • Back-up to secondary card
    • Added EXIF tag: Lens Model
    • Spirit level overlay: More info added (Exposure time, Aperture value, ISO)
    • Touchpad: Pan in zoomed-in EVF live view
    • Touchpad; Move focus point with HDMI attached screen
    • Contrast auto focus with XH adapter*
      *works now with following lenses:
      HCD 4/28mm
      HC 3,5/35mm
      HC 3,5/50 mm
      HC 3,5/50 mm II
      HC 2,8/80 mm
      HC 2,2/100mm

    The lenses need to be upgraded to lens firmware version 19.0.2
    More info here: https://www.hasselblad.com/x1d/firmware/

    H6D: v1.20.0

    • Selectable crop modes in Live View
    • Back-up to secondary card
    • Added EXIF tag: Lens Model
    • Spirit level overlay: More info added (Exposure time, Aperture value, ISO

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Inrigo is a waterproof camera backpack with bluetooth humidity monitor

    If you do a lot of your photography in wet or humid conditions, a new crowdfunding project on Kickstarter will definitely pique your interest: The Inrigo is a waterproof camera backpack that comes with an integrated Bluetooth humidity monitor that alerts users via smartphone alert if moisture is detected inside.

    Here’s an intro to this ‘intelligent’ backpack and everything it can do for you and your gear:

    The pack features double-sided TPU material and a re-sealable-bag style zipper which allows for an IP78 rating, keeping your equipment dry in heavy rain or even with the pack floating on water. According to the makers of the Inrigo, the zipper design allows for very quick opening in less than a second through a hard yank, giving the Inrigo a distinct advantage over roll-top bags or other waterproof zipper systems that typically take considerably longer to open.

    But even if humidity somehow makes it inside the bag, at least you’ll get a warning on your smartphone, thanks to a Bluetooth humidity monitor. This should give you enough time to deal with the problem before any equipment is damaged. Plus, that same monitor will let you know if you walk too far away from your equipment (or your bag decides to do the walking…) so there’s some added security benefits.

    On Kickstarter, you can currently pledge for two different packages: the Inrigo Litepak is available for $ 160 and targeted at photographers who want to insert their favorite carrying case in the Inrigo. The Inrigo Propack includes camera bags that are specially designed to fit the Inrigo pack, and will set you back $ 180. There is also an early-bird offer that saves you a few bucks.

    Press Release:

    The Inrigo: Intelligently Waterproof

    Tuesday, December 12, 2017

    Humidity alerts to your phone and a re-sealable-style ‘zipper’ combine to make the ultimate waterproof camera backpack.

    Main points

    • Kickstarter-project Inrigo is a waterproof camera backpack with a Bluetooth humidity monitor
    • Users receive smartphone alerts if moisture is detected
    • The re-sealable-bag style zipper opens in less than a second with a hard yank
    • Inrigo launched on Kickstarter in December

    Overview

    Moisture kills lenses and camera gear. To battle moisture and humidity, photographers turn to dry boxes – often large, safe-like containers – but storing and removing camera gear for each trip is a hassle. That’s why we invented Inrigo, a mobile dry box with novel features not on the market yet.

    Double-sided TPU and a watertight zipping system (think a resealable bag on steroids) push Inrigo up to IP78, almost the highest waterproof rating. Through the rain or even floating on water, Inrigo will protect your gear.

    The better ‘zipper’

    Let’s look at the Dryzone 200. It sports a waterproof zipper, which is, according to multiple reviews, very hard to open. In the time spent opening the bag you might miss a shot.

    Inrigo avoids that with a seal similar to a re-sealable bag, closing in about a second and opening immediately when folded and given a hard yank.

    Other brands have you roll the top of the bag to create an airtight seal – yes, it works, but it’s also time consuming.

    Humidity monitor

    But simply closing your camera bag isn’t the end of the battle against moisture. Even the top watertight camera bags on the market struggle with internal humidity. Inrigo avoids this problem by keeping you informed.

    Inrigo’s Bluetooth monitor sends alerts to your phone before your gear is exposed to high levels of humidity. This warning allows you to air out the bag or adjust your moisture absorber.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • CopyTrans brings native HEIC support to Windows with free plugin

    CopyTrans has launched a free piece of software that brings High Efficiency Image Format (HEIC / HEIF) image support to Windows, enabling PC owners to view the popular new image format that has replaced JPEGs in iOS 11.

    Windows doesn’t natively support HEIC images at this time, instead receiving JPEG versions of HEIC images when they’re transferred from an iOS 11 device. And while we’ve seen other programs build HEIC support into their own Windows versions, CopyTrans’ program is the first to bring native support.

    In other words, as CopyTrans software developer Niki Minkov explained to us over email:

    That is, when you browse your files with Windows, HEIC files will display thumbnails just as JPEGs, double clicking will display them full size with Windows Picture Viewer, and the right-click-on-file context menu will now include a “Convert to JPEG” feature.

    In fact, our plugin is using the same integration technology that Nikon and Canon used to make Windows compatible with their respective RAW formats.

    CopyTrans HEIC for Windows also supports Microsoft Office, and it retains the images’ original EXIF data.

    The HEIC format allows for much smaller file sizes than their JPEG counterparts, enabling a greater number of photos to be saved to a device’s built-in storage. Other advantages of the format include the ability to store burst photos, focal stacks, and exposure stacks in a single file, the ability to store image editing operations, and more. Thanks to CopyTrans HEIC, you don’t have to give those advantages up just because you own a PC.

    To learn more or download the software for yourself, head over to the CopyTrans website.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Canada’s ‘The Camera Store’ robbed of $27,200 in high-end camera gear

    Photo by The Camera Store

    Calgary camera shop The Camera Store—known for their fun YouTube reviews of various camera gear—was robbed over the weekend. In what the owners are calling a “very targeted” break-in, thieves made away with $ 35,000 CAD (~$ 27,200 USD) worth of high-end camera kit, including a limited edition Leica M-P Edition Safari.

    The owners are offering a $ 5,000 CAD (~$ 3,880 USD) reward to anyone who can help catch thieves or recover any of the stolen equipment, which includes:

    Hasselblad X1D camera body silver #UQ27014288

    Hasselblad XC 30mm F3.5 lens #2WV10784

    Hasselblad XC 45mm F3.5 lens #2UVT10447

    Hasselblad XC 90mm F3.5 lens #2VVT10265

    Leica MP Safari Edition #09008593

    It’s thought the thieves forced the stores shutters apart in the early hours of Saturday morning, December 16th, and smashed a window to gain entry. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment was ignored by the thieves, who went directly to display cabinets to take very specific models.

    The limited edition Leica stolen in the heist.

    Canada’s CBC news service reports that store owner Julian Ferreira said it is the first time he has suffered a break-in during the 21 years The Camera Store has been open. Ferreira has offered a $ 5,000 shopping spree in the store to anyone who comes forward with information that leads to a conviction.

    Please call police at 403-266-1234 or if you wish to remain anonymous call crime stoppers at 1-800-222-8477


    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Struggling owl takes home top prize in 2017 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

    $ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_9371092915″,”galleryId”:”9371092915″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

    After showing off 40 chuckle-inducing finalists early last week, the 2017 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have revealed their overall winners in each category. The results were unveiled last Thursday, but a Monday evening seems like the best possible time to share some photos that’ll make you smile.

    The overall winner is a photo of an owl struggling to stay on a branch, part of a sequence of four shots by photographer Tibor Kercz that he aptly titled “Help.” Meanwhile, the category prizes—On the Land, In the Air, and Under the Sea—went to Andrea Zampatti, John Threlfall, and Troy Mayne, respectively. You can see all 7 winning photos in the gallery above.

    Of course, these 7 are far from the only images worth a laugh. So in addition to naming its winners, the CWPAs also named 10 Highly Commended images, which we’ve included in the gallery below. You’re welcome…

    $ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_6267236120″,”galleryId”:”6267236120″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

    In addition to making us smile once a year, The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards also works with The Born Free Foundation, which “works locally, nationally and internationally to end wild animal cruelty and suffering, and protect threatened wildlife.” To that end, they’ve put together a photo book of comical photos submitted to the CWPAs over the years, which helps to raise funds for the Foundation.

    If you like what you see above, consider purchasing the book and supporting the Foundation. And if you want to learn more about the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards head over to the CWPA website where you’ll find all of the finalists and winners from the past three years—a little inspiration for your entry to next year’s competition, perhaps?

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • KUVRD Universal Lens Cap protects any lens from dust and water

    $ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_8206056277″,”galleryId”:”8206056277″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

    KUVRD has launched a one-size-fits-all Universal Lens Cap (ULC) designed to protect lenses from hazardous elements, including dirt and water, as well as minor drops. Simply called the KUVRD Universal Lens Cap, this ULC is made with silicone that can stretch to accommodate various lens shapes and sizes, including both the front and rear of the lens.

    Here’s a quick intro, not that the concept isn’t pretty self-explanatory…

    In addition to being water- and dust-proof, KUVRD explains that its ULC “never falls off” and helps absorb shocks.

    One cap will absorb a little bit of a drop, but photographers who desire a greater degree of bump/drop protection can layer several KUVRD ULCs, placing one lens cover over another until you have several very snug layers of rubber between your lens and the elements. When not in use, KUVRD can be folded and stored in a compact area, such as a pocket or wallet.

    KUVRD is seeking funding for its Universal Lens Cover on Kickstarter, where it has very quickly exceeded its $ 2,500 funding goal with about $ 72,000 in pledges. Backers who pledge at least $ 30 and share the campaign on social media are offered two Universal Lens Covers. Shipments will be available globally and are expected to start in March 2018.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)