360Photography

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  • Traveling light: M.Zuiko 12?100mm F4 Real-world Samples

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    The new M.Zuiko Digital Ed 12?100mm F4 IS PRO is a 24-200mm equivalent zoom for the Micro Four Thirds system. On paper, it’s the ideal travel lens, and we were lucky enough to bring one back from Photokina last week to try out. 

    So how does it stack up? That’s what we wanted to know, so we spent a jet-lagged morning back in Seattle trying it out with the OM-D E-M1. And we have the pictures to prove it.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Creative Live’s Photo Week starts tomorrow

    Now that Photokina is over and we are impatiently waiting for the latest cameras and gear to ship, it’s a perfect time to hone up on our photography skills. Luckily, our friends at Creative Live are hosting their annual Photo Week this week, September 26 – 29.

    Photo Week 2016 is four days of photo education, brought to you through 24 live classes taught by top photographers and educators. It is geared toward people who are comfortable with the basics of photography and are looking to expand their knowledge base into more advanced techniques.

    Some of the classes we are really looking forward to include Brandon Stanton (the photographer behind the popular photo blog Humans of New York) discussing how his experiences have shaped his work as a storyteller, Vincent Laforet sharing ideas for how to move your business from stills to video, Jared Platt giving tips on a whole range of post-processing topics, and Chase Jarvis opening up about his experiences in the photo industry.

    As with all Creative Live classes, you can watch the live classes online for free. If watching the live class won’t fit into your schedule, you can purchase on-demand access so that you can watch it on your own time. The price for the entire week (including all 24 classes) is normally US $ 499, but they are offering it for US $ 199 for a limited time.

    But there’s more! DPReview readers can use the discount code ‘DPR10‘ to receive 10% off of any Creative Live class through December 31, 2016.

    Check out the Photo Week schedule to see what’s available. What looks interesting to you?

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • MIOPS displays its MIOPS Mobile smart camera remote

    The makers of the MIOPS smart trigger have returned to Kickstarter looking to fund their latest project, the MIOPS Mobile and are showing a prototype at their Photokina booth. The Mobile connects your DSLR and smartphone via a Bluetooth LE connection and uses your mobile device’s built-in sensors to offer a range of creative capture modes. The camera can be triggered by vibration, sound, motion, a predefined travel distance or a combination of all those events. Advanced timelapse modes are included as well and all parameters and modes are controlled via an iOS or Android smartphone app. 

    Remote shutter control is on board as well – functions include Cable Release, Press&Hold, Press&Lock, Timed Release, Self Timer and Timed Release with Self Timer. The system is compatible with 350 camera models from most major manufacturers and the battery provides power for approximately 24 hours of use with one charge. Firmware is updated automatically over the air. More information including a video can be found on the MIOPS Mobile Kickstarter page. The funding goal has already been reached but you can still secure a unit with a $ 79 pledge. Shipping is planned for April 2017.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 2017 Sony World Photography Awards accepting entries

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    The Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural festival in Iloio City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January

    © Raniel Jose Castan?eda, Philippines, Entry, Open, Culture, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    The 2017 Sony World Photography Awards are open for business and accepting entries in four main competitions: Professional, Open, Youth and Student Focus. The Open competition includes 10 separate categories including Architecture, Street Photography and Wildlife, and Open competition entries are automatically submitted to an applicable National award.

    If you’re looking for some inspiration, you can find how one DPR regular took home a World Photo National prize last year, and flip through a selection of early entries here. Submissions will be accepted for the Open and National competitions until January 5, 2017.

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    Bear Apartment Six. © Alexandra Cearns, Australia, Entry, Open, Enhanced, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    Little bears can be very busy and the cub residents of Free the Bears Fund’s enclosure number six in Cambodia are no exception. ‘Bear Apartment Six’ is a composite print made up of 16 photographs taken by photographer Alex Cearns. The single images have been meticulously pieced together to form a visually enthralling scene of bustling bear activity, indicative of an apartment building. Photographed over 90 consecutive minutes in June 2016, three sun bear cubs are the stars of the show as they climb in and out of their den entrance. Cheeky, joyful and adorable, sometimes they’re solo and sometimes they’re with their bear buddies. Each bear was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade when they were only a few months old, and will now be in the care of Free The Bears for the rest of their lives.

    We have 2 year old Bearzilla, seized from people keeping him as a pet in Phnom Penh; Pooh, aged just under 2 years, surrendered by developers building a hydro dam in the Stung Treng Provence; and 15 month old Soriya Sundance, handed over by a Government Official who obtained her from ethnic minority hunters in the Mondulkiri Province.

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    Manta. © Daniel Hunter, UK, Entry, Open, Wildlife, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    A manta ray swimming in the Indian ocean, Indonesia.

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    The Midnight Blossom. © Ellie Victoria Gale, UK, Entry, Open, Enhanced, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    Part of the series ‘The Flower Keepers’, a personal series exploring my imagination and thoughts, creating whimsical characters in a world filled with flowers.

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    Paper Mill. © Jassen Todorov, US, Entry, Open, Architecture, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    Waste from a paper mill is agitated by aerators, producing steam and foam, which are pushed by the wind. Clearwater Paper Reservoire, Lewiston, Idaho. Aerial Image (shot from a plane at 1,500 feet).

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    The Majestic Dance. © Satvik Bhatt, India, Entry, Open, Wildlife, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    This picture was taken in the forest area of Jaipur, Rajasthan (India). Rajasthan has a huge population of the National Bird and they are found in most areas (both urban and rural). This picture was taken during rain season, in which it’s a common sight to see the Peacocks dancing.

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    Equilibrium. © Jose? Mari?a Pe?rez, Argentina, Entry, Open, Enhanced, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    Digital edition

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    Politechnika Warszawska. © Lorenzo Linthout, Italy, Entry, Open, Architecture, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    The Warsaw University of Technology (Polish: Politechnika Warszawska; literally, “Warsaw Polytechnic”) is one of the leading institutes of technology in Poland and one of the largest in Central Europe.

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    Soar in the blue. © Zuorong Li, China, Entry, Open, Motion, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    There was a diving practice, after that, the swimming coach was swimming in the pool, and I was standing in the 5m diving platform, waiting for the right moment, although the light was quiet dim, I still managed to get this shot.

    2017 Sony World Photography Award entries

    Disciplinant. © ?? ?, China, Entry, Open, Culture, 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

    On 8.23.2016, I was traveling to Sertar County (a county of Sichuan Province, China), and visited the Serthar Buddhist Institute here, Lamaism’s piety and the grand scene shocked me. I have never before feel my heart be so pure. When I wanted to take a photo there was a Lamaism walking by – so I got this photo.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    The star of Hasselblad’s booth at Photokina is the X1D – a compact, mirrorless medium-format camera with a 50MP sensor. Announced earlier this year, the X1D has yet to to start shipping, and the Swedish company’s booth was thronged with photographers eager to get their hands on the new camera.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Weighing just 750g without a lens, one of the main selling points of the X1D is its small size and weight compared to traditional medium-format digital products. The X1D (and Fujifilm’s just-announced GFX 50S) dispenses with a conventional mirror box, which allows the camera to be slimmer, and much lighter than DSLRs with equivalent-sized sensors.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    The X1D is beautifully designed, with relatively few external controls. It’s a bit strange to see a mid-range DSLR-style exposure mode dial on a $ 10,000 camera, but in use, it’s very convenient. A neat ‘pop up to use, pop down to lock’ design means that the dial can be kept flush with the camera’s top-plate until you need to change exposure mode. 

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    We’re seeing more and more cameras being designed with a smartphone style ‘app tile’ interface, and the X1D makes good use of its large, 920k-dot rear touch-screen. The screen is nice and responsive, but this kind of resolution is low compared to the screens found on (for example) the Nikon D5 and D500, which boast 2.3 million dots and look sharper.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    The X1D’s relatively low-resolution rear screen is partially mitigated by its excellent 2.36-million dot electronic viewfinder. This view also gives you a good idea of just how slim the X1D is, despite its large sensor. The hotshoe is compatible with Nikon flashguns. 

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Here’s that large 50MP sensor, in all its glory. Hasselblad is calling this new lens-mount ‘XCD’ and as well as a new range of XCD lenses, the company is also offering an H lens adapter, which extends support to Hasselblad’s existing H lens system with full autofocus operation.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    The X1D is a luxurious, pricey piece of equipment but as we’d expect from Hasselblad, its standard of construction and finish is exemplary. We’re looking forward to testing a shipping sample as soon as one becomes available. 

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Hasselblad is also showing off an upcoming lens. The XCD 30mm F3.5 offers the same field of view as a 24mm on full-frame, and can focus down to 0.4M. No pricing or availability information has yet been given. 

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    If there’s one thing Hasselblad likes to do, it’s make special limited editions. This is the 4116 edition of the X1D, in matte black. We actually prefer the way this one looks, compared to the more traditional two-tone finish but at $ 12,995 with a 45mm lens, it’s a bit rich for our blood.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    It does look nice though…

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    As well as the X1D, Hasselblad is also showing off a concept camera – the 75MP V1D 4116 Concept. There’s no word on whether or not this concept will ever become a reality, but it’s certainly a very attractive mockup.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    The V1D 4116 Concept is built around a (presumably hypothetical) 75MP square-format sensor, and like the classic Hasselblad SLRs of old, it features a modular design.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Photokina 2016: 360 and VR Capture Roundup Video

    In hall nine, which encompasses Photokina 2016’s ‘Futurezone,’ there are dozens of 360 and VR capture devices on display for attendees to ogle. There’s also plenty of people wearing VR headsets and appearing vaguely zombified to ogle, as well. So whether you think VR and 360 capture represent a future that’s dazzlingly bright or frighteningly dim, companies all over the world are jumping in with their own capture solutions. Heck, even Nikon’s joining the VR race. 

    Thankfully, DPReview contributor Lars Rehm has been making the rounds and has selected a handful of the most interesting devices on display in the Futurezone. Check them out in our roundup video.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    Venus Optics is showing off two brand new lenses at Photokina – the Laowa 15mm F2 FE for Sony E-mount and 7.5mm F2 MFT for Micro Four Thirds.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    The 15mm F2 is being billed as the world’s widest F2 lens, and Venus Optics claims that it is virtually distortion-free. Designed for Sony’s full-frame FE-mount A7-series, the new 15mm could prove very attractive to videographers, as well as stills photographers.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    The mount is fully mechanical, so don’t expect to get automatic aperture indexing or focal length reporting. As such, metering is limited to the stop-down method. Videographers will be used to this way of working.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    Here’s the 15mm F2 attached to a Sony A7R II. As you can see, it’s not a small lens, but actually balances very nicely with the camera. At 500g in weight (~1.1lb) it is substantial without being too heavy, in normal use. 

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    The minimum focusing distance of the 15mm F2 is around 6 inches, which equates to a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.25X. Pricing has yet to be announced but the lens should become available in early 2017.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    Next up is the 7.5mm F2 MFT, for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. Designed to appeal especially to drone photographers this lens is absolutely tiny. Offering an equivalent focal length of 15mm, it weighs 170g (~0.4lb).

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    Again, this is a fully mechanical mount with no electrical contact between camera and lens. 

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    Interestingly, despite its ultra-wide focal length, the 7.5mm F2 can be used with screw-in filters (49mm) which could prove very handy to videographers who want to work with ND filters.

    Photokina 2016: Hands-on with Laowa 15mm F2 FE and 7.5mm F2 MFT

    As with the 15mm F2, the 7.5mm F2 will be available in early 2017, and no pricing information has yet been released.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Leica and Huawei to create joint R&D center

    Leica’s Dr. Andreas Kaufmann with Ren Zhengfei, founder of HUAWEI

    Camera manufacturer Leica and telecom brand Huawei have announced they are to create a research and development center so they can jointly work on optical and software systems. The Max Berek Innovation Lab will be established at Leica’s headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, and will build on the relationship the two companies formed while producing the Huawei P9 and P9 Plus smartphones. There was some doubt about the level of Leica’s involvement in the P9 project, but Huawei clarified the extent of the German brand’s contribution in a statement in April.

    This next step of the partnership intends to push forward lens and software technology, according to Leica, with the aim of improving the image quality it’s possible to obtain from the tiny cameras that phones and other mobile devices use. The pair also state that they will work together on solutions for virtual reality, augmented reality and computer-based imaging, and that they will involve universities and other research establishments in their projects.

    The new research lab is named after optical engineer Max Berek, the man who developed the first lens for the Leica 35mm camera system. He joined Leitz the year after Oskar Barnack came to the company from Zeiss, and designed the 50mm F3.5 lens that was coupled with the Leica 1. The lens was named Elmax – E rnst L eitz Max and the 50mm focal length became the standard for the 135 format. The Elmax developed into the Elmar, a lens that Leica still uses today.

    For more information see the Leica and Huawei websites.

    Press release

    Leica Camera and HUAWEI Establish New R&D Centre

    ‘Max Berek Innovation Lab’ will conduct R&D in the fields of new optical systems, computational imaging, virtual reality and augmented reality

    HUAWEI and Leica Camera AG today announced that they have expanded their strategic collaboration with the establishment of a jointly operated research and innovation centre, the Max Berek Innovation Lab. The launch comes seven months after the public announcement of their long-term technology partnership in the field of optical engineering, and five months after the launch of the globally successful, multi-award winning HUAWEI P9 and P9 Plus smartphones.

    The new lab, located at Leica’s global HQ in Wetzlar, Germany, will drive further development of optical systems and software-based technologies to improve imaging quality in a wide range of photographic and mobile device applications. Additional outcomes will include the creation of computational imaging, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions. In addition to R&D resources from both companies, HUAWEI and Leica plan to collaborate with German and international universities and research institutions.

    The Lab’s establishment is the result of the vision and support of Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, majority shareholder and chairman of the advisory board of Leica Camera AG, and Ren Zhengfei, founder of HUAWEI.

    “With the founding of the Max Berek Innovation Lab, HUAWEI and Leica Camera AG are expanding the scope of their successful strategic relationship and are laying the foundation for close collaboration in research and development of ground-breaking technologies in the imaging segment,” emphasised Dr. Andreas Kaufmann.

    “In the future, over 90 per cent of the data traffic will be images and videos,” said Ren Zhengfei, founder of HUAWEI. “The Max Berek Innovation Lab provides the capacity to establish an even closer partnership with Leica, leading to continuous improvements in image and video quality. As a result, we will deliver the most advanced innovations in the smartphone camera market and bring greater value to consumers.”

    “HUAWEI and Leica share not only enormous innovation power and years of research experience, but also their dedication to providing the highest quality standards. The Max Berek Innovation Lab offers us a historic opportunity to unite the resources and extensive expertise of both companies to pioneer game-changing technologies,” confirmed Markus Limberger, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Leica Camera AG and director of the Max Berek Innovation Lab.

    The R&D centre is named in memory of Max Berek (1886 – 1949), the German pioneer of microscopy and creator of the first Leica lenses. Berek was also responsible for the optical design of more than 20 lenses for the legendary 35mm camera, invented and built by Oskar Barnack. Thanks to the exceptional imaging performance and perfect harmonisation of the lenses, coupled with Barnack’s ingenious construction, Leica achieved worldwide success in 35mm photography.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Kúla Bebe is a 3D lens attachment for your smartphone

    Icelandic company Kúla is showing a pre-production version of its Bebe smartphone lens attachment at its Photokina booth. The Kúla Bebe allows for the capture of stereoscopic 3D images with any smartphone camera. It attaches to the device via a plastic clip and uses high-quality mirrors the capture the right and left eye view of your 3D image at the same time. Output images can be viewed on an included paper 3D stereoviewer that works with most smartphones or through the also included anaglyph glasses. 

    Kúla’s free app and the Kúlacode desktop application can convert the captured image to any 3D format for viewing on other devices. Kúla Bebe is the smaller sibling of the already available Kúla Deeper DSLR version of the device. The Bebe can currently be preordered for $ 79 on the Kula website and delivery is expected in spring 2017.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Flickr Marketplace image licensing program shuttered

    Flickr Marketplace, the property’s image licensing service, is being shuttered, with the company citing feedback about subpar service as the reason. Per the email being sent to existing Marketplace licensing program users, the full shutdown will take place over the next few months, with appropriate royalties still being paid out to contributors during that time. 

    Flickr confirmed to TechCrunch that the email is legitimate. In it, the company encourages users to complete an included survey that ‘could help shape possible decisions for any licensing opportunities in the future.’ However, no future plans have been stated, and Flickr Marketplace is effectively closed.

    Via: TechCrunch

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)