360Photography

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  • Remembering Fan Ho: 1937-2016

    There are few photographers who have documented Hong Kong’s past in the way that Fan Ho did back in the late 40s and early 50s. Dubbed ‘the Henri Cartier-Bresson of the East’, Ho observed the then British Colony through his Roleiflex, producing iconic images that played with shape and form and captured people going about their daily lives.

    Ho was born in Shanghai in 1931 and moved to Hong Kong at the age of 17 As such, while Hong Kong was always the city he called home, he was able to view it as an outsider. His work was predominantly black & white, but while Ho preferred to shoot with Kodak Tri-X and Plus-X, he was by no means a traditionalist. Ho considered film an equally important medium to stills photography, directing 27 films himself, and was always willing to experiment. “I hate to repeat myself. I’m still finding some new ways of seeing. A new approach, a new kind of experimentation,” he said.

     Approaching Shadow 1954. 

    Between 1958 and 1965 he was named one of the top ten photographers of the world by the Photographic Society of America and received over 280 awards over his career.

    I was lucky enough to speak to Fan Ho for an interview for Time Out Hong Kong back in 2014. He had produced a new book and exhibition of his work, images from his archive that had never been printed, digitally overlaid to produce multiple exposures, with sometimes serious and sometimes humorous results. Over an often poor quality internet call to his house in San Francisco, the 83-year-old spoke slowly but clearly in exceptionally good English. He was funny and self-deprecating; “I’m a simple-minded man,” he said. He admitted he had little knowledge of Photoshop and worked rather more as a director to produce his latest work but he clearly still maintained his passion.

    ‘I’m still finding some new ways of seeing. A new approach, a new kind of experimentation’

    In November 2014, Ho made a trip back to Hong Kong to open his new exhibition in the city and I had the opportunity to meet him in person. Though clearly tired by the busy schedule, he was still the sharp and entertaining man I had spoken to a few months earlier. He seemed truly grateful for all the coverage his work had received without an ounce of pomposity.

    It will be his classic images of Hong Kong streets and fisherman for which Fan Ho will be remembered, but his career was full and varied. He was simultaneously a perfectionist and a rule breaker; a passionate photographer and a gentleman.

    Visit www.fanhophotography.com

    Mat Gallagher is the former managing editor of Time Out Hong Kong and deputy editor of Amateur Photographer magazine. He has worked for a range of consumer titles in the UK, China and Hong Kong. He now writes about technology and travel. For more of his work visit www.matgallagher.com

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Rare Nikon 1200mm F11 pops up on eBay

    A seller on eBay is offering up a Nikon 1200mm F11 super telephoto lens, dating back to the 1970s. A separate AU-1 focusing unit attaches to the lens and drives focus, and is included for the seller’s asking price of $ 5,750. Naturally, the lens features a revolving tripod socket, since your chances of getting sharp images while handholding it would be slim-to-none. 

    If $ 5,750 is a little steep but you’re itching to add a super telephoto prime to your vintage lens collection, the seller is currently accepting offers and claims the lens is in ‘nearly mint’ condition. If you do buy it, could you send us some sample photos for fun? 

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    One of the most remarkable things about the Hasselblad X1D is its size. It is smaller than the average DSLR and only just as big as the larger Micro Four Thirds camera bodies – which is quite something for a medium format camera. The general design is sleek and the echoes of Hasselblad’s V system are clear in the square face around the lens mount.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Obviously the star of the show is the 50-million-pixel CMOS sensor. It is the same 43.8×32.9mm sensor that is used in the 50c backs for the H6D, as well as the Pentax 645Z and Phase One’s IQ3 50 backs. In this body it looks gigantic and it really fills the whole of the area behind the mount. Hasselblad says that nothing has been done to the sensor physically, but that internal processing has allowed the top ISO setting to be increased to 25,600.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    The back of the camera is pretty minimalist – the buttons have been kept quite small and they’re arranged down the side of the screen. The EVF boasts XGA resolution and feels large, crisp and detailed – even in the artificially-lit conference room in which these photographs were taken. 

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Hasselblad has adorned the X1D with the same orange shutter release button that the H6D has, which helps to link the two products together. It seems a little jazzy for a medium format product, but the relationship between the X1D and the modular H6D is significant as they share a working platform, a sensor (in the 50c at least) and a similar user interface.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    This main menu screen is just like that used in the H6D. Users can customise the features displayed by pressing the ‘add’ icon and then choosing a function from the menu to keep on the home screen. This is useful not only for setting your general personal preferences, but also for prioritising certain functions and features to suit the nature of a particular job.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Touching an item on the display creates a scrolling drop-down menu that can be navigated either by touching the value you want or by using the physical dials to scroll the options. Activating the main mode dial brings up an icon of the dial so you don’t have to look at the top of the camera. That would just be lazy if you are shooting using the back screen, but it’s very convenient when your eye is to the finder.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    The main mode dial rests in a recessed position. When you want to make an adjustment, a press on the dial makes it pop out of the body so that it can be rotated. It perhaps doesn’t pop out quite far enough as it can be a little tricky to get a grip of. The main on/off button sits behind the mode dial.

    If there is one message that Hasselblad really wants to get across, it is that this camera is hand-made in Sweden. Equally, Hasselblad representatives with whom we spoke were at pains to stress that the X1D was designed and manufactured in-house and that Fujifilm isn’t involved in any way.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Interestingly, Hasselblad has chosen to use a Nikon compatible hotshoe on the X1D, so users have a collection of Nikon branded units to couple with the camera as well as Nikon ‘fit’ models from the independent manufacturers. Metz used to be the company’s flash partner.

    As with the Hasselblad H6D, the X1D has a top flash sync speed of 1/2000sec. The lenses have shutters in them, so every shutter speed offered by the camera can be used with flash without the loss of power that typically comes with high speed flash sync modes.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    The base plate is pretty plain apart from a tripod socket and the lever for the battery release. Although the lens (the 45mm f/3.5 in this case) has a thick barrel, it doesn’t extend beyond the base so the camera can sit flat on a table top with the lens fitted.

    There is no sign of connections for a battery grip, but we suppose that would defeat the object of having a small system.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Hasselblad has used a 3200mAh lithium ion cell, but the company couldn’t say how many shots we should expect from a single charge yet as the power saving modes and consumption controls haven’t been finalised in these early bodies.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    Dual flaps on the left hand side of the camera open to reveal twin SD card slots. It offers a microphone socket and a second socket for audio monitoring as well as Mini HDMI and USB 3 for tethered shooting and image download.

    The flaps are protected with O rings to ensure the ports are splash proof, and the whole camera is sealed against weather and dust.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    The main rear screen looks big in comparison to the camera body, but it’s only the standard 3in size. It is clear and responsive – though the firmware is still very early on the bodies I got to try.
    The shooting display screen is clear and designed in large print – and each item can be activated for adjustment by touching the display.

    The menu screens and displays are controlled via a series of swiping motions, much as we are used to in smartphones. While the live view display is active, as shown here, a swipe down from the top of the screen pulls down the information display that also delivers direct and quick access to exposure controls. It all feels pretty slick and well thought out.

    Hands-on with Hasselblad X1D

    A new range of lenses called XCD has been announced to go with this new body. They are hardly small, but they are a good deal smaller than the company’s H series lenses and considering the decent maximum apertures they’re not too thick across the diameter. In the 45mm (shown here) the rear element is set back into the lens quite a long way to make up for the short distance between the lens mount and the sensor.

    While two new lenses have been announced so far – the 45mm f/3.5 and the 90mm f/3.2 – the company informally announced a 30mm that will be shown in September at Photokina, in Cologne Germany.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Samsung Gear 360 camera costs $350 in US with limited availability at VidCon

    Samsung has announced a limited launch of its Gear 360 camera, which was first revealed earlier this year at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The camera is available in the United States for $ 349.99 at VidCon, an online video convention in Anaheim, California; it will be available on a wider basis ‘later in the year,’ but Samsung did not provide a specific date.

    The Samsung Gear 360 camera features a pair of 15MP cameras with F2.0 lenses housed in a round body. When used together, the cameras record 360-degree videos at 3840 x 1920 pixels, as well as spherical still images. The camera also allows users to record content with only one camera for 180-degree content. For now at least, the Gear 360 camera only works with the latest Samsung mobile devices, including the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, Galaxy S6, S6 edge, and S6 edge+, and the Galaxy Note 5.

    In addition, the company has renamed Samsung Milk VR app for viewing 360-degree content to simply ‘Samsung VR,’ and has opened up the platform to user-generated content. Finally, Samsung has unveiled a new initiative called Samsung Creators. Under the initiative, Samsung is working with indie filmmakers and others to develop 360-degree content for its own virtual reality platform. Samsung Creators has a competition planned for July in which ten winners will be selected for their VR content spanning ten categories: Music, Auto, Science and Tech, Gaming, Travel, Fashion, Culinary, Cause-related, 4D and Sports.

    Press release:

    NEW YORK – June 22, 2016 – Today Samsung Electronics America, Inc. launched Samsung Creators, a new initiative that empowers storytellers, partnering with them to generate content across a variety of audiences and channels to show everyday creators what’s possible with Samsung VR technology.

    “We want to bring the power of VR technology directly to the people,” said Samsung Electronics America’s Chief Marketing Officer Marc Mathieu. “To help creators learn and perfect the art of VR storytelling, we’ve built an entire VR ecosystem that pushes beyond the frame and empowers them to develop unforgettable, immersive stories, and inspires us all to do the same.”

    At VidCon—and, beyond—Samsung Creators will provide seminars and classes, putting VR capabilities in the hands of filmmakers and influencers, further accelerating this new medium. Leading into VidCon, Samsung Creators is working with Casey Neistat to spotlight emerging creators from YouTube and push the creative boundaries of 360 video storytelling. This special curation of content will premiere at VidCon.

    In July, Samsung Creators will launch a competition, challenging aspiring, indie filmmakers and creators to develop VR / 360 content, using Samsung’s VR products. Ten winners will be chosen, one from each of the following ten categories: Music, Auto, Science and tech, Gaming, Travel, Fashion, Culinary, Cause-related, 4D and Sports.

    For more information about Samsung Creators, please visit www.samsungcreators.com.

    Samsung VR and Samsung Gear 360 Updates

    In addition, today Samsung launched Samsung VR– formerly known as Samsung Milk VR – which now supports user generated content. Creators can load their own 360-degree videos to the Samsung VR platform for sharing and for the first time view them in Samsung Gear VR. For more information about uploading content to Samsung VR, please visit https://samsungvr.com.

    Samsung Gear 360 also launched in the U.S. today, an affordable, high-resolution camera developed for storytellers to create their own 360-degree videos for mobile viewing and VR content for Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus. The Gear 360 is priced at $ 349.99 in the United States and will be available for purchase on a limited basis during VidCon in Anaheim, California. Details about additional availability will follow later in the year. For more information about Gear 360, please visit www.samsung.com/gear360.

    With these announcements, Samsung delivers the first end-to-end VR ecosystem that enables creators to shoot, stitch and share like never before.

    About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
    Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and one of America’s fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more of the award-winning products you love with Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com and for the latest Samsung news, please visit news.samsung.com/us and follow on Twitter @SamsungNewsUS.

    About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • The FAA finalizes commerical drone use rules, is fine with your drone photography business

    The FAA has finalized a rule regarding commercial use of drones, and the organization is a-okay with individuals profiting from aerial photography – provided that operators follow some guidelines.

    The update to Federal Regulations has been available for public comment since February 2015, and has now been finalized to provide guidance for commercial UAS (unmanned aircraft system) use. The guidelines are much the same as when they were first proposed, stating that your drone and everything attached to it must weigh less than 55lb/25kg, and the pilot must remain within line of sight of the aircraft.

    Flying over crowds is a no-no, unless everyone in the crowd is participating in the shoot or under a reasonable amount of cover. As initially proposed, drone operators must be at least 16 and have a ‘remote pilot certificate’ or be under direct supervision of someone who has one.

    The rule goes into effect in August 2016, so you’ve got plenty of time to study up and get your certificate.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Medium-format mirrorless: Hasselblad unveils X1D

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    Hasselblad is making good on its promise to launch something big. Today it introduces the X1D, a medium-format mirrorless camera with a 50MP CMOS sensor. With dust and weather-sealing the X1D isn’t afraid to step outside of the studio, and offers a 100-25600 ISO range and is capable of 1080/30p HD video. Its hot shoe is compatible with Nikon Speedlights and the camera can sync with flashes at its maximum shutter speed: 1/2000 sec.

    Not surprisingly, the X1D uses a new lens mount, accepting XCD lenses. Two have been announced at launch: a 45mm F3.5 and a 90mm F4.5, with more to follow ‘shortly’ including a 30mm around Photokina. An H lens adapter will also be offered to extend support to Hasselblad’s existing H lens system.

    The X1D offers a 3″ 920k-dot touch screen and a built-in XGA electronic viewfinder. Wi-Fi and GPS are built-in, and the camera includes dual SD card slots. The X1D and its battery weigh in at 725g, which Hasselblad points out is half the weight of your typical medium-format camera.

    The Hasselblad X1D will be priced at $ 8995/£5990/€7900 body-only. A kit with 45mm F3.5 lens will cost $ 11,290, and bundled with both lenses the X1D will cost $ 13,985. The XCD 45mm F3.5 will cost $ 2,295 separately; the XCD 90mm F4.5 will cost $ 2695. Hasselblad plans to offer demos of the system in July, with delivery to customers in August.

    Press release:

    Hasselblad announces groundbreaking X1D
    The world’s first compact mirrorless digital medium format camera

    Hasselblad is proud to introduce the groundbreaking X1D – weighing less than half that of a conventional digital medium format camera, the mirrorless 50MP camera is a game changer in the world of photography.

    Inspired by the brand’s iconic design heritage, the camera is ergonomic and compact, offering a handling experience unlike any other. Handmade in Sweden, the X1D combines Scandinavian sensibility with beautiful performance.

    Like the iconic V System, the X1D seamlessly combines portability with excellent optical quality for which the brand is renowned. Hasselblad has ingeniously introduced mirrorless technology to digital medium format for the first time ever, creating a precision performance camera that can sit in the palm of your hand. The 50MP CMOS sensor captures the finest details with true natural colours.

    Commenting on the announcement Perry Oosting, Hasselblad CEO noted: “The X1D marks a pivotal point in Hasselblad’s rich 75-year history. This camera makes medium format photography available to a new generation of Hasselblad users, while pushing the existing limits of photography to new heights.”

    A completely new family of dedicated autofocus lenses has been developed to support optical quality and portability, offering a wide range of shutter speeds and full flash synchronisation up to 1/2000th second.

    Weighing just 725g and including HD video, Wi-Fi and built-in GPS, the X1D is a trusted partner and ideal travel companion. The robust exterior is dust and weather proof, providing durability to take with you wherever you go.

    The X1D has been created with passionate photographers in mind, opening up Hasselblad to a new generation of creatives. Ideal for those who want to create the highest quality medium format images with a straightforward and easy to use camera that can fit in the palm of your hand.

    The Hasselblad X1D is priced at 7,900 EUR / 8,995 USD / 5,990 GBP
    Prices stated are exclusive of VAT

    Hasselblad X1D specifications

    Price
    MSRP $ 8995/£5990/€7900
    Body type
    Body type Rangefinder-style mirrorless
    Sensor
    Max resolution 8272 x 6200
    Image ratio w:h 4:3
    Effective pixels 51 megapixels
    Sensor photo detectors 53 megapixels
    Sensor size Medium format (44 x 33 mm)
    Sensor type CMOS
    Color space sRGB, AdobeRGB
    Color filter array Primary color filter
    Image
    Custom white balance Yes
    Image stabilization No
    Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF
    File format
    • JPEG (Exif v2.3)
    • Raw (3FR format)
    • TIFF
    Optics & Focus
    Autofocus
    • Contrast Detect (sensor)
    • Multi-area
    • Center
    • Selective single-point
    • Tracking
    • Single
    • Continuous
    • Touch
    • Face Detection
    • Live View
    Manual focus Yes
    Focal length multiplier 0.8×
    Screen / viewfinder
    Articulated LCD Fixed
    Screen size 3″
    Screen dots 920,000
    Touch screen Yes
    Screen type TFT LCD
    Live view Yes
    Viewfinder type Electronic
    Viewfinder coverage 100%
    Viewfinder resolution 2,360,000
    Photography features
    Minimum shutter speed 60 sec
    Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 sec
    Exposure modes
    • Program
    • Aperture priority
    • Shutter priority
    • Manual
    Built-in flash No
    External flash Yes (Nikon compatible)
    Flash X sync speed 1/2000 sec
    Continuous drive 2.3 fps
    Self-timer Yes
    Metering modes
    • Multi
    • Center-weighted
    • Spot
    Videography features
    Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p)
    Format H.264
    Microphone Stereo
    Speaker Mono
    Storage
    Storage types Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
    Connectivity
    USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
    HDMI Yes (mini-HDMI)
    Microphone port Yes
    Headphone port Yes
    Wireless Built-In
    Wireless notes 802.11b/g/n/ac
    Physical
    Environmentally sealed Yes
    Battery Battery Pack
    Battery description 3200 mAh li-ion battery
    Weight (inc. batteries) 725 g (1.60 lb / 25.57 oz)
    Dimensions 150 x 98 x 71 mm (5.92 x 3.86 x 2.81″)
    Other features
    Orientation sensor Yes
    GPS BuiltIn

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • After 176 years, Indian photography studio closes its doors

    Bourne & Shepherd Studio, Kolkata, India. Photo by Biswarup Ganguly. Used under CC 3.0

    A studio in India, founded by British photographers Charles Shepherd, Samuel Bourne and William Howard in 1840 will close its doors after 176 years in operation. Considered the oldest continuously operating photographic studio, Kolkata-based Bourne & Shepherd’s current owner cites the recent major changes in photographic technology as a reason for the closure.

    The studio was known for its portraiture, producing images of religious figures and government officials, from the British Raj era onward. Speaking to Indian publication The Hindu, a former employee explains that the shift to digital made it difficult for the studio to survive, saying ‘How can you expect that a studio can operate in this generation where everyone is clicking photos from their mobiles and digital cameras?’

    Though the studio will no longer be in operation, the current owner says that he’ll continue to maintain the shop’s collection of historic photos and equipment.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Adobe updates PhotoShop CC with content-aware crop, face-aware liquify

    Photoshop CC 2015.5 introduces a couple of editing tools that have been showcased recently by Adobe, as well as a new selection and masking workspace. 

    Face-aware liquify uses facial recognition to identify facial features, offering slider adjustment tools to change the shape of a nose or a mouth, for instance. Content-aware crop aims to fill in blank canvas space around an image resulting from a horizon adjustment, for example, applying the same logic as the existing content-aware fill tool. In addition to these new retouch tools, users will find a new selection and masking workspace, making it easier to isolate elements of an image with tools like refine edge brush. 

    With this update, Adobe claims that Photoshop CC will open documents faster and performs with better overall responsiveness. Specifically mentioned is content aware fill, which Adobe claims will be ‘up to 3X faster with even better results.’

    Subscribers can update to Photoshop CC 2015.5 starting today.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Sony warns against use of unauthorized third-party apps

    Sony Japan has issued a brief statement about the use of third-party apps, advising camera owners that it cannot guarantee non-authorized software will work as advertised. The statement also seems to suggest that using them will void a camera’s warranty. 

    The advisement refers to unauthorized firmware, camera apps, and scripts made available by websites other than Sony’s. This includes things like the STG Uploader app that enables Sony cameras to upload directly to Google Photos, and a recently publicized hack that removes video recording limits from some Sony cameras. 

    Google’s translation doesn’t make it totally clear whether Sony is saying the whole camera’s warranty will be voided, or rather if any repairs necessitated by third-party firmware will not be covered by the warranty. We’ve reached out to Sony for clarification.

    Via: Photo Rumors

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Plugin allows direct Instagram posting from Lightroom

    Despite its success and millions of users, many people still think of Instagram as an image sharing platform for teenagers to post selfies and pictures of their breakfast. In reality, Instagram is full of inspiring photography as many professional photographers and talented amateurs have discovered the platform as a viable tool for promoting themselves and their work.

    Problem is that, despite more and more ‘serious’ photographers using it, Instagram remains a mobile platform and posting pictures that have been taken with a non-connected camera and edited on a computer typically involves some third-party uploading tool or image transfer to a mobile device for upload. 

    Now a new Lightroom plugin makes things considerably easier, at least for those users who rely on Adobe’s editing and image management software. LR/Instagram lets you post images to Instagram directly from Lightroom. Once installed you can authorize one or more Instagram accounts. Images are uploaded by dragging them into a publish collection and before you do so you can add hashtags or captions or crop your images to an aspect ratio that is supported by Instagram. By default images are auto-padded with a white border.

    The plugin can be downloaded and installed for free from the LR/Instagram website but the developers ask for a $ 10 contribution via registration in the Lightroom Plugin Manager if you like the tool.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)