Month: October 2013

Fujifilm X-M1 Review

It’s been nearly two years since Fujifilm launched its pioneer X-system mirrorless camera to a surprised market.

That model, the awkwardly named X-Pro1, has been succeeded by a run of other models. So now we have the X-M1, missing a few niceties from the launch model, but undeniably an X-system camera. And, in some ways, it’s very much a ‘camera’ sort of camera. By that, I mean it looks slightly retro with satin chrome trim and a black leather-like surface and has a control interface which you should easily fall into step with.

And in one respect, more models in an interchangeable lens camera range suggests the likelihood of more lens choices. A good thing!

Many will notice the absence of an optical viewfinder, however it does have a vertically articulated rear LCD screen, so photographers working in bright sunlight will have a sporting chance of viewing their shot pre-shoot!

Fujifilm X-M1 Features

The 16.3 megapixel CMOS can capture a maximum image size of 4896×3264 pixels: 41x28cm as a print.

Fujifilm is long a believer in a different colour filter array than the norm to minimise moiré and chromatic aberration without the need for an optical low pass filter. This is claimed to boost resolving power.

Video: capture in Full HD 1920×1080 pixel video. And no, you can’t shoot stills mid video recording.

The ISO speed runs from 200 to 6400 and further to 12800 and ISO25600 with expansion.

The wireless image transfer function uses a free Fujifilm camera app (free download) for transfer of shots to a smart device or computer.

The review camera was supplied with the Fujinon XC f3.5/16-50mm OIS kit lens, giving a 35 SLR equivalent of 24mm–76mm.

Fujifilm X-M1 Handling

You might be able to pack the X-M1 with lens attached into a jacket pocket, but it will be a tight fit!

The camera is well-balanced and the textured leatherette assures a firm grip.

Fujifilm X-M1 Controls

Top deck: the flash pop up trigger kicks the cell up and forward, siting the light source a healthy, red eye defeating 7cm from the lens.

The mode dial has positions for auto, PASM, a custom setting, three scene positions (sport, landscape, portrait), the SR setting which automatically optimises settings to suit the scene plus a notch (Advanced) which gives access to even more (high and low key, partial colour — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple filter effects etc).

Then there’s an advanced setting which can handle situations such as beach/snow, moving objects, night shots etc.

If you think there’s an avalanche of shooter aids you’d be right! This gives you an inkling of the likely market: the keen, but skill-deprived enthusiast.

At the edge we find the on/off lever and shutter button; the nearby prominent main command dial can set exposure compensation, shutter speed or trawl through images in replay. And a word of warning about the latter: it would be very easy to bump this dial and accidentally set an unwanted plus or minus exposure setting!

Just ahead is a function button that takes you directly into image size and quality, metering and AF options etc.

Rear: a second command dial is at the top, then to the right of the screen is the replay button, info display options, trash. And the video record button, usefully placed at the camera’s extreme right edge.

The jog dial has positions for single and continuous shooting, AF options, macro and white balance plus a centrally located main menu button.

Bottom and to the right is found the Q button which gives immediate access to the main menu options such as ISO, image size, focus and flash modes etc. A useful short cut.

The menu display is easily accessed.

ISO Tests

Definition starts to fall off at ISO 3200. No noise at ISO 6400 but sharpness falls further. Noise up at ISO 12800 equivalent but still useable. ISO 25600 equivalent? Not useable IMHO.

Fujifilm X-M1 Review Verdict

Quality: above average.
Why you’d buy the Fujifilm X-M1: good quality, small form factor.
Why you wouldn’t buy the Fujifilm X-M1: no panorama mode.

An excellent camera for the ambitious beginner. Available in black, silver and brown.

Fujifilm X-M1 Specifications

Image Sensor: 16.3 million effective pixels.
Sensor: 23.6×15.6mm CMOS.
Metering: Multi segment, averaging, spot.
Lens Mount: Fujifilm X.
Lens Factor: 1.5x.
Exposure Modes: Auto, Program AE, shutter and aperture priority, manual.
Shutter Speed: 60 mins (Bulb); 30 sec to 1/4000 second. Flash X-sync at 1/180 sec.
Memory: SD/SDHC/SDXC.
Continuous Shooting: 5.6 fps.
Image Sizes (pixels): Stills: 4896×3264 to 1664×1664.
Movies: 1920×1080, 1280×720.
Viewfinder: 7.6cm LCD screen (920,000).
File Formats: JPEG, RAW, JPEG+RAW, MPEG4.
Colour Space: sRGB, Adobe RGB.
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 25600.
Interface: USB 2.0, HDMI mini.
Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery.
Dimensions: 117x67x39 WHDmm.
Weight: 330 g (inc battery, card).
Price: Get a price on the Fujifilm X-M1 with 16-50mm Lens or ;Fujifilm X-M1 Body Only.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Fujifilm X-M1 Review

The post Fujifilm X-M1 Review by Barrie Smith appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

October 13, 2013
12. Oktober 2013

Ein Beitrag von: Charlotte Clara

kwerfeldein – Fotografie Magazin

October 13, 2013
DxOMark Mobile Report added to our Nokia Lumia 1020 review

We have added DxOMark’s Mobile Report to our camera review of the Nokia Lumia 1020. The report includes DxO Lab’s usual industry-standard scientific measurements and analyzes 14 aspects of mobile imaging including detailed image quality assessment, flash performance, autofocus reliability and more to calculate a final score. Click through to go to page 8 of our Nokia Lumia 1020 review for the DxO Mark mobile report.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 13, 2013
Unbelievable Illusions: Adding a 3rd Dimension to 2D Surface

[ By Delana in Art & Installation & Sound. ]

This mesmerizing performance piece from Bot & Dolly blends reality and a technological fantasy world. Using 3D projection mapping, two large white surfaces and two talented robots, the artistic duo created a kind of dance that incorporates high technology and a helping human hand.

The piece is called simply “Box,” and it shows how current technology can be used to manipulate our perceptions of space. The projections create mind-bending optical illusions that look so amazingly real it’s hard to believe there has been no digital trickery involved.

As the making-of video above shows, however, it wasn’t trickery. It was simply amazing technology applied to a graceful and artistic purpose.

[ By Delana in Art & Installation & Sound. ]

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WebUrbanist

October 12, 2013
Bodybilder

Ein Beitrag von: Heiko Neubert

Mallorca. Sommer 2013. Urlaub. Hotel All inclusive. Was habe ich da so gemacht? Natürlich war ich mit der Familie am Strand zum Baden. Aber mir fiel schon am ersten Tag der weit ins Mittelmeer reichende Anlegesteg auf. Und die Leute darauf, welche entweder zum Ausflugsschiff wollten, von dort kamen oder sich aus Langeweile dort herumtrieben.

Durch das Gegenlicht der Vormittagssonne sah man aber nur die interessante Grafik ihrer Silhouetten. Langweilige Urlaubsbilder, die keinen interessieren, habe ich natürlich auch fotografiert. Hier wollte ich aber etwas anderes machen.

Also ging ich an jedem Strandtag vormittags ein Stück ins hüfthohe Wasser und fotografierte die Leute auf dem Steg. Fototechnisch war es nichts Besonderes. Die kleine Nikon Coolpix P 7100, Zeitautomatik, JPG und etwas unterbelichten. Für speziell dieses Projekt hätte wahrscheinlich aber auch eine 100€-Knipse gereicht.

Die Spiegelreflex hatte ich dieses Mal nicht mit und sie wäre mir am Strand auch zu auffällig gewesen. Wichtig waren mir kurze Belichtungszeiten, weil ich ständig von den Wellen durchgeschüttelt wurde.

Eigentlich bin ich nicht der Typ, der einfach so ungefragt fremde Menschen fotografiert. Aber ich dachte mir, unter den vielen Badegästen mit Knipsen und Fotohandys falle ich sowieso nicht auf und es wird sich wohl kaum jemand auf den Fotos wiedererkennen.

Wenn dem so wäre, würde ich die Fotos hier auch nicht zeigen. Nur ein etwas älterer Herr schien mich vielleicht bemerkt zu haben, weil er auf einem Foto zu sehen ist, wie er mit erhobener Hand jemandem winkt.

Im Laufe des Urlaubs sammelten sich viele Szenen von Menschen, so wie sie sind und sich geben, wenn sie sich unbeobachtet fühlen. Dicke, dünne, große, kleine, alte, junge, Pärchen, Familien.

Ständig neue, spannende Körperformen und Begebenheiten. Leider verpasste ich die Szene, als jemand ein Fahrrad auf dem Steg schob, aber ich musste mich auch auf die Feuerquallen (?) im Wasser dicht neben mir konzentrieren.

Obwohl ich das ewig hätte machen können, bin ich wegen der ziemlich heißen Sonne immer nach knapp einer Stunde aus dem Wasser raus. Fortsetzen werde ich das Projekt vermutlich nicht, außer ich bin noch mal am gleichen Strand auf Mallorca. Derweil widme ich mich wieder fotografisch anderen Menschen: Frauen in weißen Kleidern und Männer in schwarzen Anzügen.

Mein Fazit aus diesem Projekt? Es muss nicht immer die Vollformat-SLR sein. Für mich persönlich finde ich es irgendwie cool, wenn die Technik in den Hintergrund tritt und mehr über die Bildinhalte gesprochen wird.

Und ich bin ein wenig vom Stil meiner üblichen Fotos abgekommen. Hätte ich eine Serie von zehn Sonnenuntergängen vom gleichen Platz aus am Mittelmeer fotografiert, wären diese wahrscheinlich hier nicht aufgetaucht. Mhm… oder doch?

kwerfeldein – Fotografie Magazin

October 12, 2013
DxOMark Mobile Report added to our Nokia Lumia 1020 review

We have added DxOMark’s Mobile Report to our camera review of the Nokia Lumia 1020. The report includes DxO Lab’s usual industry-standard scientific measurements and analyzes 14 aspects of mobile imaging including detailed image quality assessment, flash performance, autofocus reliability and more to calculate a final score. Click through to go to page 8 of our Nokia Lumia 1020 review for the DxO Mark mobile report.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 12, 2013
Der Fremde in mir

Ein Beitrag von: Marius Vieth

Jeden Tag irre ich durch die Straßen meiner Stadt auf der Suche nach wundervollen Charakteren und einzigartigen Momenten. Man mag es Straßenfotografie nennen. Für mich fühlt es sich seit einiger Zeit wie ein Goldrausch nach seltenen Millisekunden an. Doch wenn ich ganz ehrlich bin, suche ich nach etwas ganz anderem: Mir selbst.

Ich habe mich lange Zeit unsicher gefühlt, weil ich in der Fotografie zwar eine Heimat gefunden habe, aber kein echtes Zuhause. Portraitfotografie war für mich die wünschenswerte Vorstadtvilla mit Garten, Landschaftsfotografie das rustikale Fachwerkhaus zwischen Wald und Wiese, Architekturfotografie der bewundernswerte Wolkenkratzer und Tierfotografie der idyllische Bauernhof.

All das müsste sich doch so unglaublich richtig anfühlen – aber leider nicht für mich. Ich gehöre auf die Straße, so beunruhigend diese Einsicht auch erst war.

Ich nahm all meinen Mut zusammen und begann Anfang des Jahres einfach, Menschen auf der Straße zu fotografieren. Meine anfänglichen Ängste sorgten dafür, dass ich mich der Thematik ganz sanft näherte. Mit dem klassischen „35mm schwarzweiß mittendrauf“ hatte das nicht im Ansatz zu tun.

Auch, wenn es mich am Anfang verunsicherte, beschloss ich nach kurzer Zeit, einfach so zu shooten, wie ich das Genre interpretiere. Ich probiere alle möglichen Facetten und Strömungen der Straßenfotografie aus. Dabei ist jeder Tag ein weiteres Puzzlestück auf dem Weg zu meiner ganz eigenen Vorstellung von Straßenfotografie.

Manche passen, manche weniger. Wenn ich meinen Stil beschreiben müsste, würde ich ihn als farbenfroh, aufgeräumt und sanft beschreiben. Ich spüre, dass ich meiner Idee von Straßenfotografie täglich näher komme, allerdings noch längst nicht da bin.

Straßenfotografie polarisiert. Für die einen ist es eine einzigartige, gar magische Dokumentation zeitgenössischen Seins, für die anderen Rumgeknipse aus Hipsterhausen. Was auch immer man in ihr sieht, ich sehe in ihr eine der größten Lehrstunden meines Lebens.

Selten habe ich mich persönlich so sehr mit dem Leben und Sein anderer Menschen auseinandergesetzt. All diese unterschiedlichen Charaktere, Lebensweisen und Sinngebungen halfen mir nicht nur, zu verstehen, wer ich überhaupt bin, sondern wie essentiell es ist, leben zu lassen.

Ich möchte ganz ehrlich sein: Wie ich am Ende des Tages zu 100 Mal X in Lightroom oder einer goldenen Millisekunde komme, unterscheidet sich nicht groß von anderen Straßenfotografen. Das hat Martin in diesem Magazin bereits in wundervoller Weise erläutert.

Auch, wenn mich diese riesige Flut von unglaublich talentierten Fotografen auf der ganzen Welt noch immer sehr einschüchtert, ist mir eines mittlerweile bewusst geworden: Mein Herz, meine Gefühle und meine Gedanken gibt es wirklich nur einmal.

Jeder dieser Menschen wird durch meine Fotografie ein Teil von mir, der mich mein Leben begleiten wird. Am liebsten würde ich ihnen sagen, wie viel sie mir bedeuten und warum sich mein Herz an diesem Tag für sie entschieden hat. Warum eigentlich nicht?

kwerfeldein – Fotografie Magazin

October 12, 2013
I’d Plus One That! Why I Think Google’s Shared Endorsements Are a Good Thing for Social Media, Influencers and Consumers

There’s been a lot of talk today online about the upcoming change in Google’s TOS that will allow them to begin selling ads with your endorsement of various products and services on the web. I’ve seen different reactions from some people who dislike this idea and others who are largely apathetic about it.

Because Google gives everyone an opportunity to opt out of shared endorsements, it’s easy to dismiss a lot of the criticism by simply pointing folks to how easy opting out is. Some people are very anti-advertising though and certainly this new advertising channel will naturally be met by some with healthy skepticism. It’s also worth noting that these ads are not going to appear on Google+. Google+ will remain ad free. The new ads simply will use Google+ data to advertise in places where Google is already advertising, like search.

Personally speaking, for myself, I embrace change. In general I’d rather see more change, than less. I think change represents innovation (usually) and I probably tend to look for the positive in change rather than the negative. I’m a glass half full sort of guy when it comes to change.

I think most of us see how today’s announced change in the TOS is good for businesses who advertise. Personal endorsements by our friends are incredibly powerful motivators. Ads which feature personal endorsements by people we know, trust and respect, will be far more effective than other ads that an advertiser might come up with.

I think we can also see where this new product would be good for Google. Google gets paid by the click. If they can run ads that produce way more clicks and are more effective, it would seem to stand that they can make more money selling ads. The more clickable an ad the more revenue per page view it represents.

The last part of this equation though is the user, and I think a lot of people are trying to figure out if this is a good, bad, or indifferent thing for the user.

My opinion is that this is a good thing for the user and here’s why.

1. I believe that this change will push brands, products, services, businesses, etc. to allocate more of their marketing budgets towards social media and social media influencers than in the past. It’s ridiculous to me how much money companies like Canon and Nikon and other old brands, that just don’t get it, spend on things like tired old photography magazines and traditional print media vs. social media.

Social media is the future. By increasing the value of our possible endorsements through advertising buys, companies will spend more time, effort and money to court social influencers.

My favorite lens is the Canon 135 f/2. I love that lens so much. By allowing Canon the opportunity to buy that love in the form of a Google ad and promote it, that gives Canon a more powerful incentive to work with me to be more public about my love for this lens. I love lots of other things too. I’m not shy about telling folks when I like something. I had dinner last night at A 16 in Oakland, and it rocked. I like to spread the good word.

I predict that individuals with large followings on G+ will increasingly be seen as potential partners for brands whose products they use. If you consider yourself a social media type, this will be one more important reason why you’ll want to devote time to building out your presence on G+.

There will be a risk of course that some influencers will be bought off by brands for positive endorsements, but I think most of the time this stuff is pretty easy to sniff out. It’s the true, authentic, natural posts (available for purchase after the fact as ads) that will be most valuable. I bet brands spend more time showing us their cool new tech and products as the value of these ads become apparent and more of their budgets are spent on promoting products to G+ users.

2. When a company buys an ad with your endorsement, this is one more place that your social media footprint is shared on the web. I’m not sure if the endorsements will actually link back to your profile or the actual product review itself, but as I’ve seen it, it will at least include your name and your avatar.

One of the reasons why I never change my avatar is that I believe having a strong avatar that is consistent over the years with your brand helps you build recognition. When I see Robert Scoble’s avatar, I immediately know that it is him — I’m biased of course because I took the photo Robert uses for his avatar.

Even faster than I can read Robert’s name, I know it’s him.

When Facebook first started showing brands that your friends liked, Robert jumped right on that bandwagon. For about 2 months every time I logged into Facebook, I was seeing another brand that Robert liked. Were the brands paying Facebook for that? Probably. But it also constantly reminded me of a good friend and also linked back to him in the like. I have to admit that I ended up liking a lot of the same brands Robert did, when it was something I really liked.

3. Knowing that one of my friend’s has endorsed a product helps *me* make buying decisions. Let’s say I’m in the market to buy a new filter for my camera. Wouldn’t it be a positive for me to know that another photographer I respect (like Joe Azure) seems to like his Lee Big Stop Filter? Isn’t that a lot better than just a generic ad? Especially if I see a lot of my friends endorsing one product, this may be a good signal to me that this product is worth checking out more than others.

I saw a report earlier today that said that by 2014 10-15% of online reviews will be fakes. With all the fake reviews and astroturfing out there, I’m more inclined to trust the word of a friend on a product or service, than a stranger.

This is why I don’t really use yelp anymore. Every time I go to yelp I wonder if the review I’m reading is legit or whether or not someone from India or China has been paid to write it up and give it a five star rating. When I was recently in New York City, rather than rely on a service like Yelp to figure out where to eat, I instead relied on my good friend Daniel Krieger, whose opinion I respect and know I can trust. Would a five star dinner recommendation for a new restaurant in the form of a Daniel Krieger advert get my attention? You bet it would. As a consumer, this is a win for me.

Certainly there may be things that go wrong with the implementation of all of this. What if I’m not really endorsing something but my endorsement is slapped on it? Some of this will likely have to be worked though. As far as the general idea of shared endorsement goes though, I think I like it.

Oh, and by the way, if you were wondering whether or not those sea salt and vinegar chips in the dark blue bag by Kettle Chips were the BEST CHIPS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD? Yep, they pretty much are — and if Kettle Chips wants to send a few bags of those over to our place, my daughters and I would totally be down with that.

Thomas Hawk Digital Connection

October 12, 2013
7 Lifestyle Photography Tips

By Annie Tao.

Lifestyle Photography has been around for as long as there were cameras, but it was called Photojournalism and was mostly seen only in the newspapers. During those times, most Portrait Photographers captured their subjects posed and “perfect”.

Once DSLRs infiltrated the market at lower price points, everyone and their grandmas (okay, maybe not all grandmas) had one. Digital photography allowed the birth of this new form of portraiture – Lifestyle Photography – by allowing people to shoot freely without the worry of film and film development costs. Now with smart phones and other electronics that piggyback a convenient camera, snapping photos about your life has become mainstream.

True Lifestyle Photography, however, is more than taking candid shots. It is about capturing images that reveal a story. A personality. A relationship. A feeling.

7 Lifestyle Photography Tips:

1. Anticipate what’s going to happen

Don’t wait to take the shot until you see something happening because some things last only one second and you can miss it. Be ready.

2. Capture the second before and second after an anticipated moment

3. Know your light at all times

When capturing Lifestyle, it’s often best to not disturb what is unfolding naturally. So if your subject is not in the best light, then it is up to you to make it work. It may be changing your shooting position, your camera angle or quickly grabbing a reflector.

4. Help create the mood

Just because the photo shoot started doesn’t mean your couple will instantly jump into a romantic moment or a family will burst into a fit of laughter. Help create an environment for those scenes to happen. Talk to them, play music, be silly, etc.

5. Don’t forget the details

Get a close-up of the lace on a dress, the way someone stands or the way a baby grips a parent’s finger with his entire hand. These shots are pieces of information that help tell a cherished story.

6. Pay attention to the environment

I carry a wide angle lens with me to all my Lifestyle shoots because I like getting a shot that includes the environment. Often we think of close-up shots when we photograph people, but step back and look at the environment too. Those are just as important.

7. Give your subjects something to do

Lifestyle Photography is the opposite of look-at-me-and-say-cheese type of portraiture. If your subjects have something to do, then you are setting the stage for their personalities to show and they will have natural expressions.

If you have an example of a Lifestyle image, feel free to share it in the comments below. I’d love to see it!

Annie Tao is a Professional Lifestyle Photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area who is best known for capturing genuine smiles, emotions and stories of her subjects. You can visit annietaophotography.com for more tips or inspiration and stay connected with her on Facebook.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

7 Lifestyle Photography Tips

The post 7 Lifestyle Photography Tips by Guest Contributor appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

October 12, 2013
Pink: Weekly Photography Challenge

This week your photographic challenge is to take and share a photo that fits into the theme of ‘Pink’.

It has been a while since we’ve done a colour theme so we thought this week we’d get you to keep your eye open for pink objects and settings – it might sound a slightly obscure colour choice but when you start looking for shots I’m sure you’ll find them!

Once you’ve taken your ‘Pink’ shots we’d love to see them in comments below. Simply upload your shot into the comments (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section as pictured below) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see or if you’d prefer upload them to your favourite photo sharing site and leave the link to them.

If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites with Tagging tag them as #DPSPINK to help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.

Also – don’t forget to check out some of the great shots posted in last weeks Kids challenge – there were some great shots submitted.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Pink: Weekly Photography Challenge

The post Pink: Weekly Photography Challenge by Darren Rowse appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

October 12, 2013