Category: Uncategorized

  • Profoto launches collapsible OCF Beauty Dish

    Profoto has launched the OCF Beauty Dish, a collapsible, lightweight, fabric version of its Softlight Reflector. Unlike the Softlight Reflector, the OCF Beauty Dish can be collapsed and stored in a carrying case when not in use, making it a more attractive option for photographers on the move.

    The OCF Beauty Dish is available in silver and white versions, and includes a diffuser, deflector plate, and carrying bag. Including the deflector plate and speedring (the latter of which is sold separately), the entire beauty dish weighs 1.1lbs/.48kg and measures 56 x 56 x 22 cm/22 x 22 x 8.7 in. This model can only be used with Profoto’s B1 and B2 flashes, however.

    The OCF Beauty Dish is available now from Profoto’s website for $ 179.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • CP+ 2016: DPReview behind-the-scenes

    Between all of our hands-on features, video stand reports, Instagraming, press-room snacking and bemused wandering, we shot a lot of extra footage this year at CP+ 2016 in Yokohama.

    Sure, much of it is a little shaky (hot cans of coffee from a vending machine will change your life). And the sensor might have been a bit dusty. And most of it was just silly, fueled by jet-lag induced delirium. But we assembled some clips anyway and figured it’d give you a little more insight to all of the chaos associated with covering a trade show like this. Enjoy!

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • ‘Details matter’: Ian Goode on visual storytelling

    Ian Goode has over 12 years of experience working in advertising, and until recently owned a production company that specialized in photo illustration and compositing. He has a keen eye for the subtle influences that details can have on an image as a whole, and on the story that it tells. In his PIX 2015 talk, he brings his perspective from advertising to the creation of any imagery, stressing the importance of storytelling in photography and the elements of a photo that can contribute to a strong narrative. 

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • What a view: Aukey Super Wide Angle lens quick review

    Aukey is a mobile device accessory maker that has been in the clip-on lens business for quite some time. We’ve had a chance to try out one of the company’s latest models, the ‘Super Wide Angle’ lens which at 238 degrees offers quite an extreme angle of view. Read more

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Lee introduces 15-stop Super Stopper neutral density filter

    Lee Filters has announced it is to offer a neutral density filter that converts what would normally be a two-second exposure into one that lasts 17 hours and 4 minutes. The new Super Stopper reduces the amount of light entering the lens by a massive 15 stops, to enable especially long shutter speeds in normal daylight conditions.

    Available for the 100mm, SW150 and Sev5n ranges, the filter is made from what Lee describes as ‘high-quality optical glass’. It comes packaged in a protective tin case and has a lifetime warranty. The company says the filter induces only a slight color cast that it claims is easy to remove in post-production. It joins the 10-stop Big Stopper and the 6-stop Little Stopper in the company’s range of ND filters.

    The filter factor of the Super Stopper is 3200 and it has a density of 4.5. It will be available soon, and the version for the SW150 series will cost $ 175. For more information on the company see the Lee Filters website – though the company hasn’t posted any details of the Super Stopper yet. There is more information though on the website of UK distributor, Linhof Studio.


    Press release:

    LEE Filters NEW Super Stopper Available for 100mm, SW150 and Sev5n.

    With its 15 stops of light-reducing power, the Super Stopper sits at the top of the Stopper family, joining the Big and Little Stoppers in the long-exposure photography revolution.

    The Super Stopper is designed for use in bright conditions, during the middle of the day – a time that’s traditionally considered unsuitable for photography because of the harsh, contrasty nature of the light.
    However, with the Super Stopper filter fitted, the softness that arises from any movement contrasts pleasingly with any areas of bright light, creating an effect rarely seen in photography before now.

    Like all the filters in the Stopper family, the Super Stopper is constructed from the high-quality optical glass and is supplied in a metal case for protection. It has only a minimal colour cast that is easily corrected in postproduction.

    The exposure guide chart below allows you to find out the extremes to which photographers can now take their long exposures.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Samsung Galaxy S7 teardown reveals Sony IMX260 Dual-pixel sensor

    At the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge the Korean manufacturer did not provide any official information about the makers of the the new devices’ camera module. However, now a teardown from Chipworks has confirmed rumors that the S7 captures its images on a Sony IMX260 sensor with 12MP resolution, 1.4um pixel size and dual pixel AF across the entire sensor. Read more

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 / TZ80 real-world samples and studio comparison

    Panasonic’s ZS60 puts a lot of enticing features in a very small package. It’s an iteration on a tried-and-true travel zoom formula that combines a 24-720mm equivalent zoom, 18MP sensor, 3″ touchscreen and a built-in electronic viewfinder. The ZS60 also offers 4K/UHD video at 30p as well as Wi-Fi. We spent some time outside with the ZS60, even managing to catch a few breaks in the late winter clouds, and have a real-world sample gallery to show for it. Take a look at how it fares out and about and in the studio.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Polaroid-branded BrightSaber Pro wand packs 298 LEDs

    A Polaroid-branded ‘BrightSaber Pro’ handheld light wand is now available, packing 289 LED lights into a frosted tubular diffuser with a built-in, secondary tungsten filter. Like the recently-announced Yongnuo YN360 light wand, the Brightsaber takes on the popular IceLight at a much lower price point.

    The Polaroid BrightSaber weighs 624g/22oz and supports operation from either batteries or a wall outlet. The integrated LEDs output 5600k light and have a lifespan rating of more than 50,000 hours. Twisting the BrightSaber engages the tungsten filter sleeve, changing the light’s color temperature to 3200K. Photographers can choose from a few different light modes as well, including an SOS distress strobe, slow flashing and rapid flashing.

    Polaroid includes an infrared remote with the BrightSaber; it serves as a portable control for the light wand and as a remote shutter release for nearly all Pentax, Canon and Nikon camera models. BrightSaber is available via Amazon starting at $ 149.99.


    Press release:

    Polaroid Brightsaber Pro Handheld/Mountable LED Lighting Wand Now Available

    Perfect for photographers, videographers and more, the Polaroid brightsaber pro LED lighting wand with integrated rotating tungsten filter provides outstanding lighting for stunning results

    RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ – March 1, 2016 – The Polaroid brightsaber pro LED lighting wand is the easiest and most affordable way to get a perfectly lit shot, whether on set, in the field, or anywhere in between. The highly portable lighting solution can be comfortably handheld or mounted to a tripod for studio setups, and comes with an integrated rotating tungsten filter to give photographers, videographers, event planners, set decorators and more the light they need to create a beautiful look.

    Polaroid Brightsaber Key Features

    • Includes infrared lamp and camera shutter remote; rechargeable battery pack
    • Professional-grade LED lamp driver chip enhances consistency and lighting stability
    • Ergonomically designed, the 1.7” diameter multi-purpose grip provides maximum comfort during handheld use, while a built-in threaded tripod mount enables studio setups
    • Intelligently integrated, freely rotating, tubular tungsten filter in wrap-around design ensures perfect lighting balance
    • Array of 298 powerful, efficient, low-heat 5600k LED bulbs rated at >50,000 Hours

    Your Work in a Different Light…and Lots of It

    The Polaroid brightsaber’s 298-piece LED bulbs deliver true daylight color 5800K, and have been engineered to be in optimal proximity to the gently frosted light diffuser, resulting in a soft yet powerfully projected and evenly dispersed shine. Photographers can easily set the light to a rapid or slow flash with the press of a button. Offering the pros extra versatility, the Polaroid brightsaber features a tungsten color temperature filter in the form of a 3200k sleeve, giving users the ability to add dramatic lighting effects without the need for additional devices.

    Video or Still, Pro or Prosumer, It’s All the Lighting You Need

    Getting a well-lit shot is easy with the Polaroid brightsaber, eliminating the need for lighting umbrellas, stands, mounts and sweat-inducing spotlights. At just 22 ounces, the Polaroid brightsaber is super lightweight, portable and overall refreshingly manageable. Even so, it provides a full range of powerful and sophisticated “studio-level” features professionals will appreciate in the studio and on location.

    Infrared Remote

    Helping photographers stay focused on set, the Polaroid brightsaber comes with an innovative multi-function IR remote. This handy device gives users full control over the lighting, while doubling as a remote shutter release for virtually any Canon, Nikon or Pentax camera.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Polaroid brightsaber pro is available now on Amazon for 162.29 USD and ships with a lamp, filter, remote control, battery, AC power adapter, case and manual.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 6 Powerful Reasons Why All Photographers Need Facebook Pages

    Why Photographers Need A Facebook PageHi there everyone,

     

    It’s Ed a.k.a Edrenalin here, editor of FashionPhotographyBlog.com, bringing you insights from the inside.

     

    I’m constantly intrigued when I discover that out of the numerous photography businesses I’ve helped, the majority of them do not have a Facebook page for their business. Sure, these photographers had a personal Facebook profile, however, when it came to having a dedicated page for their photography, this was non-existent. I see this over and over again, and I can tell you that they are missing out on a great marketing tool in their business tool belts.

     

    However, I have to insert a disclaimer here, in that not every business will benefit from having a Facebook page for their business. It really depends on what kind of clients you are after for your business. For those of you who are looking for clients to make contact with you to book you then a Facebook page would be an ideal platform for you. If not, you can still create a Facebook page but there may be other social media platforms that may be more relevant to your market.

     

    Top 6 reasons why you need a Facebook Page for your business (even if you don’t have a photography business yet).

     

    1. It’s free as long as you are connected on Facebook with a personal account. It won’t cost you anything to create a Facebook business page and it’s pretty quick and easy to set up so give it a go, you have nothing to lose.

     

    2. Having a recognisable authority website such a Facebook, talking about your website provides bonus points for SEO. Not all social media accounts pass on “SEO link juice” these days (the reason for this is to prevent online scammers from abusing these social media platforms) however having a Facebook page is a great way to increase the visibility of your photography business, on Facebook and Google searches.

     

    3. Not only can people see friends that they know like and interact with your page, they can read the reviews and the feedback that people leave in the comments, to work out if you are a reputable photography business or not. People trust what their friends say more than what what you say. It’s one thing for you to talk about how great you are with your photography business, but it’s another when they hear it (or read it) from people they know, trust or relate to.  

     

    4. Potential clients who want to send a message to you on your website for an enquiry or booking might want to first know how quickly will you reply back to them (and whether you are still in business or on holiday). They may check out your Facebook page, since Facebook is one of the largest social media platforms in the world, and see what you are currently up to, and check up on your most recent posts.

     

    5. It allows your target audience to discover your photography business outside your website. By having a Facebook page you have another web property with a sizeable audience that potential clients can find out about you and your photography, even if they don’t know what the web address of your photography website is (or even if you don’t have one yet).

     

    6. And here is one of the most important reasons – If you don’t have a Facebook page yet, you can guarantee that your competitors already do and they are communicating with your potential clients before you get the chance to. This is the reality in today’s competitive marketplace and a lot of photographers are losing potential business because they haven’t jumped on board Facebook yet and join the conversation.

     

    So if you are hesitating or been thinking about starting a Facebook page for a long time but haven’t done so yet, I recommend that you do so right away for the reasons stated in this article. Do not worry if it doesn’t look perfect the first time. Remember that progress is better than perfection, and you can always close the page down or make edits to it later if it’s not to your satisfaction.

     

    Do you like this article? Want to read more articles like this? Then please SHARE this article on social media. If you have any comments or questions please feel free to put them in the comment section below. 


    Fashion Photography Blog

  • End of an era: Fujifilm to discontinue FP-100C instant film

    Fujifilm Japan has announced that it is to stop production of its FP-100C instant film that enthusiasts use in old Polaroid-type cameras. The film has only been available in the 3.25×4.25in size recently, since the 5x4in version was discontinued, but it has been keeping vintage cameras clicking since Polaroid stopped production itself.

    The company says that it will halt production in spring this year, but that stocks will continue to be available for some time after that. Falling demand and sales are cited as the reasons for the ending of the product line, which also spells the end of the working life of Type 100 cameras. The company used to produce a black and white version too, but that was stopped in 2014.

    The Fujifilm FP-100 films are particularly popular with enthusiasts and professionals because they produce very good quality images, but also because a negative can be recovered, cleared and used for making prints. The film comes in a peel-apart format, and the section most people discard contains a negative that is difficult to see because it has a black coating on the outside – to prevent light getting into the pack. This can be removed with domestic bleach, and when thoroughly washed and dried a very serviceable negative can be had.

    There is a Japanese notice on the Fujifilm Global website, and the film’s data sheet is available in PDF format.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)