360Photography

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  • Lensrentals shares photos of destroyed camera gear they got back after the eclipse

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    Our friends over at Lensrentals shared an entertaining-if-a-bit-depressing post today: rental camera gear destroyed during the solar eclipse of 2017. It seems that, despite plenty of warnings from other websites and Lensrentals itself leading up to the incredible celestial phenomenon, not everybody got the message that you always need to use a solar filter to shoot the eclipse.

    As such, Lenrentals got back everything from melted aperture systems, to burned shutters, to a fried mirror—ostensibly because people were shooting in live view.

    LR is careful to specify that they actually got very few damaged units back given just how much gear they rented ahead of the eclipse, and that this post is meant to entertain not criticize:

    “Please keep in mind, this post is for your entertainment, and not to be critical of our fantastic customer base,” writes Zach Sutton. “With this being the first solar eclipse for Lensrentals, we didn’t know what to expect and were surprised with how little of our gear came back damaged.”

    So, entertain away. You can see a few of the images in the gallery above, or visit the full Lensrentals blog post for more pictures and descriptions of the damage the sun can do to expensive camera gear when you’re not properly equipped to shoot it.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • These drink coasters look like a camera lens when stacked

    Looking for a stylish way to keep condensation from forming unsightly rings on your desk? Are you a huge photography nerd? Fotodiox has a solution that will keep both parts of your psyche nice and happy: cup coasters that, when you stack them together, appear to form a single camera lens.

    Fotodiox calls the quirky product the CraftMaster LenzCoaster, and offers them in three different varieties.

    A careful look at each LenzCoaster ‘lens’ reveals that it is split into five sections, each section a different drink coaster with silicone padding. Magnets embedded in each coaster keep the pieces together when stacked.

    The lens coasters are offered in white and black, the latter of which comes in a variety with black and red ‘caps.’ Fotodiox is offering all three versions now for $ 25.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • The Lily Drone is back: Gets a makeover, better features and a new parent company

    The Ill-fated Lily Drone has returned from the grave courtesy of Mota Group, a company that acquired the Lily Drone assets after its original company, Lily Robotics, announced back in January that it was shutting down and then promptly got sued. The new version of Lily drone sports a different design and several new features versus the original model, including quick charging, 4K video recording, support for geo-fences, and the ability to ‘smart hover.’

    Lily drone’s initial launch under startup Lily Robotics had caught consumer attention due to its autonomous technology, which supposedly enabled it to follow its operator while recording video after being thrown into the air. Though that type of feature is no longer atypical among camera drones (the autonomous following, that is), it was enough of a novelty at the time that it earned the company millions in investment dollars and pre-order sales.

    By the time Lily Robotics closed up shop earlier this year, it was being sued by the San Francisco district attorney over claims that it had faked its promotional video for the drone. The company’s assets were sold off at auction and ultimately acquired by Mota Group for $ 750,000.

    That brings us up to today and the launch of ‘Lily Next-Gen,’ an updated version of the Lily Drone that increases the original’s 1080p recording resolution to 4K, its still picture resolution from 12MP to 13MP, and trims its weight down from more than a kilogram to 385 grams/0.8lbs.

    Some sacrifices were made to the drone, at least in comparison to what the original was purported to offer. It is no longer waterproof, and its flight time is now 18 minutes instead of 20 minutes. However, Lily Next-Gen supports an external battery, making it possible to increase that time to 36 minutes and content is stored on an included 16GB memory card.

    Mota Group is currently offering two different bundles for its Lily drone via its online store: the Standard Package for $ 500 USD and the Fully Loaded Package for $ 800 USD. Shipping is available globally.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • DJI releases Mavic Pro Platinum with better battery life and quieter flight

    Like everybody else today, DJI took advantage of IFA in Berlin to announce a few new products. In addition to an ‘Obsidian’ version of the Phantom 4 Pro and a new shooting mode for the DJI Spark, DJI revealed the Mavic Pro Platinum: a longer-lasting, quieter version of the popular foldable DJI Mavic Pro.

    In DJI’s own words, the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum “takes all of the advanced features of the Mavic Pro which revolutionized personal flight and builds on them.” The drone is targeted at travelers, amateur photographers and outdoor sports enthusiasts who want a little bit more performance than the original Mavic can offer.

    To that end, the new Platinum version improves the battery by 11% for a total per-charge flight time of 30 minutes. It also decreases flying noise by a whopping 60% (4 Decibels), making it a little easier to remain inconspicuous while capturing aerial footage. Plus it looks a bit ‘fancier’ than the original too:

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    To learn more about this drone, click here. And if you’re already interested enough to buy, the drone is available to pre-order on the DJI website for $ 1,100.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Photonicz One is the first ever compact weather-sealed LED strobe light

    Photonicz, a California-based company founded by photographer Alex Munoz, is seeking funding for the new Photonicz One: the first ever compact LED strobe light that is weather-sealed. Due to this weather-sealed design, the Photonicz One can be used outdoors in snow and rain without risking damage… not bad.

    oining that durable construction is a light weight of just 1.5kg / 3.3lbs, and compact size measuring in at just 4.9 x 4.7 x 3.5in (or 124 x 119 x 89mm for you metric types).

    The Photonicz One strobe light offers a maximum power output equivalent of 2500 watts, is capable of speeds as fast as 1/50,000 of a second, and can fire at full power at speeds up to 30fps from battery power. The built-in battery is capable of powering ‘thousands’ of full-power flashes per charge, according to the company.

    Users have two options for controlling the Photonicz One: a built-in touchscreen display, or the remote control with OLED display. The remote control can be paired with an iPhone or Android mobile device for use with an app that lends even more control options. Finally, the Photonicz One can also be wirelessly synced with other lighting devices, or can be triggered individually from distances of up to 0.6 miles / 1km.

    Here’s a quick intro to the new strobe:

    The Photonicz One’s design is still a work-in-progress; the Kickstarter campaign, which is offering backers the chance to get the device at $ 750 USD, offers images of the device prototype. The final design may have a different look.

    Assuming Photonicz is able to successfully fund the strobe, the Photonicz One will begin shipping to backers in March of 2018.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Spekular is a modular LED lighting system you can reshape to suit your needs

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    Spiffy Gear, the company behind the Light Blaster strobe projector, is back with another accessory for photographers and videographers who want a lighting solution that can conform to every shooting situation. It’s called Spekular, and Spiffy is calling it “the Swiss army knife of LED lighting.”

    Spekular consists of four ultra-bright, color-accurate LED strips that can be arranged in whatever configuration suits your shooting needs. Each of the four LED lights boasts a dimmable, flicker-free 14.5 watts of power (~150W halogen) with color accuracy guaranteed (94+ CRI and 96+ TLCI).

    Here’s a quick intro video so you can see the lights in action:

    And here are a few sample shots, all captured with the Spekular arranged in one of its various configurations (Note: the star shape requires an additional four-light ‘expansion kit’ and star adapter):

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    Spiffy is branding the Spekular as ‘the only light you need,’ and while we’re always a bit skeptical of grand claims, the modular design and attention to technical detail certainly make it a unique lighting option.

    You can find out more about Spekular on the Spiffy Gear website, where you can order the standard 4-light kit for $ 650, the 4-light extension for $ 130, a battery adapter (in case the power goes) also for $ 130, and that Star Adapter for, you guessed it, $ 130.

    Press Release

    Spekular from Spiffy Gear is the Swiss army knife of LED lighting for photo and video.

    SUMMARY: Spekular is a modular LED lighting system for videographers and photographers. It is a collection of light bars with high brightness and unparalelled color accuracy. The system drastically reduces the number of accessories needed to create professional lighting setups.

    31 August 2017 – Today, Spiffy Gear launches the $ 650 Spekular, a flexible, modular LED lighting system for videographers and photographers. Spekular adapts into different lighting modifiers, such as light strips, soft boxes or shaped lights for creative effects.. This reduces the amount of gear needed to be carried to shoots. Spekular can be configured as a ring, a square, a strip, a star, a “standard” panel, and many more configurations.

    Using the attachment options in the Spekular kit, discerning lighting artists can configure the light into different shapes to create different looks, adapt to different situations, and add flair to portraits by adding eye-catching catch lights.

    Spekular is extremely bright. Each of the LEDs sections provides 14.5W of light (the equivalent of around 150W of halogen light). And there are four of them. This kit delivers as much power as four “standard” LED panels, so you have to carry less to light more.

    Spekular is fully dimmable for further lighting flexibility, without any of the flickering typically associated with dimmable LED light sources. The LED bars do all of this while maintaining a perfect color rendition to save you time in post-production. (94+ CRI and 96+ TLCI).

    The kit is extremely sturdy and hard-wearing. It can withstand the hard, unrelenting abuse of a typical professional photo or video shoot. Its aluminum sections and tough ABS connectors will keep going, day after grueling day.

    “Spekular will enable photographers and videographers to tell their stories while paying less, carrying less and having more lighting options, says Udi Tirosh, CEO at Spiffy Gear.

    The Spekular Ecosystem

    At launch, Spekular is part of an extendable kit, with accessories to add even more flexibility.

    The Spekular kit is the core kit to get you started with Spekular. It consists of four LED light sections, four hinged connectors and mounting gear, all packed in a handy carrying case. This kit provides more than 5,000 luminous flux of light.

    The optional Spekular Star Adapter enables you to configure the Spekular kit into an eight-section star with a hole in the middle. The hole is big enough to shoot through, making some creative lighting options possible.

    The optional Spekular Extension Kit unlocks even more ways to use Spekular. It enables using one kit as a three points lighting system, create complex lighting schemes, and create long seamless strips.

    The Spekular Battery Adapter makes the Spekular kit usable anywhere in the world. Use any DTAP-enabled battery to power the kit – no need to be plugged into a wall socket. The battery adapter includes a mounting bag that connects to a light stands for easy access.

    Pricing and Availability

    Spekular is available starting today at http://www.spekular.com/ and at selected photography retailers.

    • Spekular kit: $ 650
    • Spekular Star Adapter: $ 130
    • Spekular Extension Kit: $ 130
    • Spekular Battery Adapter: $ 130

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Photographers face three felonies after climbing bridge for cityscape shot

    Benjamin Franklin Bridge at night by Jeffrey Phillips Freeman

    Breaking the law to get the perfect shot can have serious legal consequences, a harsh reality currently facing photographers Martin J. Romero-Clark and Andrew Lillibridge, who were arrested after climbing onto the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia.

    According to local news site Philly.com, police received an alert at 12:50AM on July 25th about a potential jumper on top of the bridge; this prompted a response from the Philadelphia Police marine units, port authority police, and the Philadelphia Fire Department. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities reportedly discovered the two photographers with camera gear. By the time the two were arrested at 1:20AM, the incident had drawn 36 firefighters, eight port authority officers, and seven port authority rescuers.

    Statements from authorities to local news indicate that the photographers’ climb onto the bridge had tripped security alarms and was captured on security cameras. In addition, the bridge had to be shut down for 103 minutes.

    In a statement to Philly.com, Delaware River Port Authority CEO John Hanson said the two had worn black clothing and climbed the bridge on a wet night, putting both themselves and everyone on the ground at risk. “They could have fallen, they could have been injured in the process of apprehending them, and they put the heroic men and women of our police department and the Philadelphia Fire Department at risk,” Hanson said. “We’re going to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. I am not amused, and I am very angry.”

    The pair now face two third-degree felonies, one fourth-degree felony, and their photography equipment has been confiscated.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Motorola Moto X4 brings a dual-cam with super-wide-angle to the mid-range segment

    Lenovo has introduced the Motorola Moto X4 at its IFA 2017 event and closes the gap in its line-up that was created after the Moto X series went into hiatus with the launch of the Moto Z models last year.

    The Moto X4 is an upper-tier mid-ranger that slots in between the Moto Z and Moto G series and aims to offer a comprehensive feature set at an attractive price point. 400 Euros (no US pricing has been revealed yet) get you a 5.2″ 1080p IPS display, a sleek metal body with glass back, IP68 water-resistance, Snapdragon 630 chipset, Amazon Alexa integration and a dual-camera.

    The latter combines a 12MP main camera with an 8MP 120-degree super-wide-angle, a similar concept to what we’ve seen on more recent LG high-end devices. The main cameras features a 12MP sensor with 1.4um pixel size, F2.0 aperture and PDAF. The super-wide angle has a smaller sensor with 1.12um pixels and F2.2 aperture. Bokeh effect and 4K video recording are on board as well.

    The front camera specification looks quite impressive for a device in this class as well: a 16MP sensor is accompanied by a F2.0 lens and a front LED flash. A 4MP low-light mode uses pixel-binning for reduced noise in dim lighting conditions.

    We are having our hands on a test unit and first impressions are promising. The device feels very solidly built and, as always with Moto devices, the lean Android implementation feels smooth and responsive in operation. The super-wide-angle lens looks like a useful addition to the main camera but we’ll have to do some proper testing before commenting on image quality. The Moto X4 will be available in Super Black and Sterling Blue this fall worldwide.

    Motorola #motox4 with dual-cam and glass-back, looks like a contender in the upper mid-range #ifa2017

    A post shared by Lars Rehm (@larsrehm) on

    Key specifications:

    • Dual-camera with 12MP main camera and 8MP 120 degree super-wide-angle
    • 1.4um pixel size, F2.0 aperture and PDAF on main camera
    • 1.12um pixel size and F2.2 aperture on super-wide-angle
    • 4K video
    • 16MP / F2.0 front camera
    • 5.2″ 1080p IPS display with Gorilla Glass
    • Snapdragon 630 chipset
    • 3GB RAM, 32GB storage
    • 3,000 mAh battery

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • DIYer creates ‘Polaroid’ camera that ‘prints’ instant animated GIFs

    It sounds like Harry Potter magic, but it’s not. Industrious DIYer Abhishek Singh recently took to Reddit to show off his own version of an instant camera, one that ‘prints’ animated GIFs instead of photos. Singh built the Instagif Camera himself and based it on the Polaroid OneStep SX-70 camera, though it uses a special hardware cartridge rather than a packet of film.

    Singh detailed the entire build process in an album on Imgur, explaining that it features a Raspberry Pi 3 (camera) and Raspberry Pi Zero W (cartridge), PiTFT display, PowerBoost 1000C charger, momentary switch, and LiPo battery… among other things. After designing a 3D model of the camera, the individual components were 3D printed with a Project 7000 SLA printer, painted, and assembled.

    The GIF, as demonstrated in the video above, fades into view in a way similar to a Polaroid photo, and the cartridge connects to the camera itself directly, no external WiFi network necessary. Singh has provided the software, a parts list, and instructions for anyone to download and build their own Instagif Camera. All the links are available in the Imgur album and the code is available in GitHub.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • The Sandisk iXpand Base is an iPhone dock that backs up your phone while it charges

    Unlike many Android phones, Apple’s iPhones don’t come with microSD slots or other expandable storage. iPhone users who do not trust the cloud can therefore have a hard time backing up photos, videos, contacts and other types of content from the their devices.

    To make local backup easier on iPhone users, Western Digital has introduced a creative solution: The SanDisk iXpand Base. This iPhone dock enables users to automatically back up their files while their phone charges. The device combines a 15W charger with a built-in harddrive and offers up to 250GB capacity.

    Simply plug the iPhone in and leave it on the rubberized surface while charging. Data is backed up automatically and can be restored via a dedicated app. This works with previously set up iPhones, but also brand new devices, making it a useful option for data transfer when you’re upgrading to a new iPhone model.

    Prices start at $ 50 and go as high as $ 200 depending on capacity.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)