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Archive for April, 2018

1969 US Geological Survey photo of a massive lava ‘bubble’ goes viral

07 Apr
Photo by JB Judd/USGS

A photograph captured by US Geological Survey (USGS) photographer JB Judd in 1969 is ‘going viral’ online this week. The photo shows a massive, symmetrical lava dome fountain that was captured during a 5-year-long eruption of the Kilauea volcano’s Mauna Ulu cone between 1969 and 1974.

The so-called lava “bubble” measured approximately 65ft / 20m in height, and it owes its Internet fame to this “Throwback Thursday” tweet by the USGS:

After a bit of digging, the internet managed to unearth Judd’s original photograph of the lava bubble, which seems to have been flipped horizontally, straightened, and edited to produce the image shared on Twitter. The USGS photo page lists the estimated height of the bubble as 50 to 75 meters, or approximately 164 to 246 feet, and describes symmetrical dome fountains such as these as “rare.”

The image is one of many public domain photos in the USGS photo archive. To see more, head over to the USGS website where you can browse the full collection.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Video: The story behind Canon’s crazy 50-1000mm CINE-SERVO lens

06 Apr

This short video released by Canon USA just a couple of days ago tells the story behind one of Canon’s most impressive optical achievements: the $ 78,000 Canon CINE-SERVO 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9 CN20x 50 IAS H/P1 lens introduced in 2014. We don’t cover much broadcast equipment here on DPReview, but even we couldn’t help taking note of this impressive lens when it was first announced.

As Canon USA Senior Fellow Larry Thorpe explains in the video, this lens was the result of a challenge posed to Canon by wildlife filmmaker Ivo Nörenberg in 2010. Nörenberg asked Canon to produce a long zoom 4K Super 35mm lens that would allow him to capture a seemingly impossible zoom range.

Zoomed all the way in, Nörenberg needed this lens to be able to “fully frame a subject of 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters) in height from a distance of 300-350 feet.” Then, without changing lenses, he wanted to zoom back out and capture “great outdoor vistas.” And as if that’s not difficult enough, Nörenberg also asked Canon to keep the lens size manageable: no more than 15lbs (~6.8Kg) and no longer than 16 inches (~40cm).

It took four years, but this is what Canon came up with:

Credit: Canon

It wasn’t easy. Thorpe calls this lens “the most challenging project ever undertaken by the Canon optical design team.” But in the end, Nörenberg says Canon delivered 100% of his specifications and ideas. Not only that, Canon also built a 1.5x teleconverter right into the lens, giving the CINE-SERVO lens an extended range of 50-1500mm.

Check out the full video above to hear the story from Thorpe and see the lens in action capturing footage of wolves in arctic Canada, only 1,000Km (~620 miles) away from the North Pole.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ricoh interview: “The development of the K-series is our first priority”

06 Apr
Pictured is Mr. Takashi Arai, one of several Ricoh executives we sat down with. Mr. Arai represents the Product Planning Department, within the Product Development Center of Ricoh’s Smart Vision Business Group.

Recently we visited the 2018 CP+ show in Yokohama, Japan and booked an in-depth interview with several executives from Ricoh. Among the topics covered were the company’s new K-1 Mark II, as well as the future of both the GR series and 360 imaging with the Theta line.

The following interview has been edited slightly for clarity and flow.

What is your ILC strategy for your next generation of products?

We have lots of requests for lenses, especially from K-1 users. They want more lenses that match the higher resolution of the K-1, so that’s one objective which we would like to implement.

The K-1 Mark II, pictured here with the not-yet-released D FA* 50mm F1.4.

As you may know, we will be releasing the 50mm F1.4 SDM AW this Spring, although we cannot specify the exact date. We also have the new 11-18mm F2.8 lens for APS-C, so we’re not only focusing on full-frame. We want to enlarge [the lens selection for] both formats.

What kind of customers are buying the K1/II and KP?

Especially for the K-1, customers who are looking for higher resolution in the field of landscape photography and [appreciate] our tough body construction and weather and dust resistance. Lots of customers who really use this camera in the field are very fond of the new K-1 series.

Will we ever see another Ricoh / Pentax mirrorless camera, such as the K-01?

The Pentax K-01 was a mirrorless camera that used the full-depth Pentax K-mount, allowing full compatibility with existing Pentax lenses. While image quality was great, the camera was bulky, and there were some performance and autofocus shortcomings.

Our resources for research and development are limited and we are more focused on the development of K-series bodies and lenses. That is our first priority, and why we are currently not too involved in the development of other smaller cameras.

Speaking of smaller cameras, our readers really want a GR III – is this something you’re working on?

Good question. Although we don’t know whether it will be called ‘GR III’ or not, the study for the development of the next GR is already ongoing. We cannot say when, and how exactly it will be, but the next GR will come someday.

What is your strategy for medium-format? How has the market changed since Hasselblad and Fujifilm entered at the consumer end?

Our strategy has not really changed. The 645Z is a DSLR, a reflex camera, and the advantage of a reflex camera is that what you see is what you get [through the optical viewfinder]. On top of that, the 645Z can use Live View, so it has the advantage of having both options. We think that it’s a strong point that our competitors don’t have, and we’ll continue to develop the possibilities of what we can do with reflex cameras.

We welcome competitors like Fujifilm and Hasselblad. Together with competitors, we can expand the total medium-format market

We actually welcome competitors like Fujifilm and Hasselblad. Together with competitors, we can expand the total medium-format market. People can be made more aware of medium-format’s advantages, and we believe in the superiority of medium-format compared to full-frame.

How do you think 360-degree imaging will evolve in the coming years?

In terms of resolution, we think that it’s not yet enough and should be better. The market is expanding, but still, the current user of the Theta 360 camera is more of a ‘gadget lover.’ We want to expand the customer profile from that specific type of user to more generic users.

Do you see any development in, say, the Theta’s form factor as a way to reach other users?

Ricoh’s Theta V uses the same sensors and lenses as the older Theta S, but offers improved image quality thanks to an updated processor.

This form factor is iconic for the Theta. We think it’s important. On the other hand, if there is demand, we would like flexibly to think about any other possibilities, even for other form factors.

What else are Theta users asking for?

They’re asking for better quality of stitching, and since the camera has internal memory, there have been requests to have expandable memory. In order to respond to that kind of request, we have just released a firmware that allows the Theta V to connect to external memory using the USB port.

Photographers are interested in creating pictures [using techniques] such as composition, and [with the total 360-degree image], there is no creativity from this perspective.

From a marketing point of view, I don’t think many photo enthusiasts who are reading your articles have much interest in 360 cameras like the Theta, unfortunately. That’s because with this camera, we can take an image of all 360 degrees. But photographers are interested in creating pictures [using techniques] such as composition, and [with the total 360-degree image], there is no creativity from this perspective.

But if we capture whole [360-degree] images, we can edit those images with photo applications such as Theta+. And with that application software, photo enthusiasts can [selectively] create their own images and reflect their own sensibility. So we have to do more promotion to photo enthusiasts that use various types of editing applications.

Will we see an updated APS-C flagship camera in the future?

For the flagship APS-C model, we have just started to develop that. It’ll be the successor of the K-3 II and will be an evolution of the K-3 series.

The Pentax K-3 II was released in 2015, and now that Pentax has brought the full-frame K-1 II to market, they are beginning development on the next APS-C flagship.

How did feedback from K-1 owners feed into the planning for the K-1 II?

Feedback, especially from K-1 owners, is more focused on the upgrade services.

Existing K-1 users will be able to update their cameras for a fee – will there be any functional differences remaining between the two models after this service?

Once a user upgrades the K-1 to K-1 II, there will be no difference. Perhaps some K-1 users think it’s more prestigious to have the ‘II’ on the front.

Editor’s Note:

Pentax has a reputation for building affordable, capable and rugged DSLRs, and judging from our conversation with Mr. Arai and his colleagues, it appears as though parent company Ricoh is planning on staying the course in this regard. And while the renewed focus on updating their K-Mount lens lineup is encouraging, it must be said that the continued evolution of competitors’ mirrorless camera offerings has Pentax’s DSLR-only lineup looking a little staid.

But perhaps that’s just to be expected. After all, Ricoh is a smaller camera company, and must be highly strategic in where it invests its R&D money. This prioritization is clear in the discussion of the 645Z compared to newer mirrorless options. Since the 645Z has an optical viewfinder while still offering competitive image quality, it remains appreciably distinct from Fujifilm’s and Hasselblad’s offerings. Therefore the company is choosing to narrow its development focus to a new flagship APS-C DSLR, which is likely what more users are asking for anyway.

The confirmation that a new Ricoh GR is coming is downright exciting

Thankfully though, lenses and DSLRs aren’t all that’s in the works at Ricoh-Pentax. The confirmation that a new Ricoh GR is coming – even if all we know is that it’s coming someday – is exciting. In the age of ever-more-capable smartphones whose lenses are of a similar focal length, Ricoh’s continued development of the photographer-focused GR series shows an admirable commitment to their users and fans.

Last but not least is the Theta series. Ricoh’s newest Theta V is an impressive evolution of the previous ‘S’ model, improving image quality and features through better processing and software. The company still feels it has room to grow, not only in terms of image quality, but also mass-market appeal. It’s interesting hearing the executives’ take on the creativity (or lack thereof) of using 360 cameras, and it’ll be even more interesting to see how they continue to evolve the platform and editing software to get more Thetas into the hands of more photographers, and not just ‘gadget lovers.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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HP unveils powerful new ZBook laptops for creative professionals

06 Apr
The new ZBook Studio G5 family are tailor-made for creative professionals | Credit: HP

HP has refreshed its entire ZBook workstation lineup, packing a ton of power and ‘cutting-edge design’ into five new laptops: two for creative professionals, and three for the technical community. The new “G5” laptops are: the ZBook Studio, ZBook Studio x360, ZBook 17, ZBook 15, and ZBook 15v.

For our purposes, we’re going to focus on the two mobile workstations designed specifically for creative professionals: the versatile ZBook Studio x360 G5 and the next generation HP ZBook Studio G5.

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HP ZBook Studio x360 G5

The new ZBook Studio x360 G5 is being hailed as “the world’s most powerful convertible PC.” It combines a convertible design with professional-grade specs so you can “run multiple apps with speed and responsiveness” and “edit high-resolution images without delay.”

The chassis features a 360° hinge so you can use the laptop in five different configurations—laptop, tablet, stand, tent, and dock—and the anti-glare DreamColor touch display covers 100% of Adobe RGB, supports the Wacom AES pen, and boasts an impressive 600 nits max brightness. According to HP, that last spec makes this the world’s brightest 4K laptop display.

Inside, it can be configured with 8th Gen Intel quad-core Core i5 or six-core Core i7 and Xeon E3 processors, and you have a choice between the integrated Intel graphics that come with your chip or a discreet NVIDIA Quadro P1000 card with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 RAM. Speaking of RAM, the laptop can handle up to 32GB of DDR4-2667 RAM (or ECC SDRAM if you’re using an Intel Xeon processor), and the laptop’s hard drive slots support up to 5TB of total storage or 4TB of local PCIe NVMe solid state storage.

The ZBook Studio x360 G2 is scheduled to ship in the beginning of May, starting at $ 1,500 for the base model. To learn more about this computer, head over to the HP website.

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HP ZBook Studio G5

The ZBook Studio G5 is essentially the same as the x360, minus the 360° hinge and with a little bit more space for configuration on the inside. If you’re not married to the multiple configurations the x360 offers—which are, we’ll admit, better for photo editing using the Wacom pen—you can get a bit more bang for your buck with the regular ZBook Studio G5.

The same 4K DreamColor ‘world’s brightest’ touch display found on the Studio x360 has been installed on the standard Studio laptop as well. Again, you get 100% Adobe RGB coverage, 600 nits max brightness, and an anti-glare design with an ambient light sensor built in.

You can configure the ZBook Studio G5 with the same 8th Generation Intel CPUs mentioned above, the same max of 32GB of DDR4 2667 MHz or ECC memory, and once again you have a choice between integrated graphics or a discreet NVIDIA P1000 with 4GB dedicated GDDR5 RAM. The only real differentiator here is that you can now support up to 6TB of total storage, although you still max out at 4TB of local PCIe NVMe solid state storage.

The ZBook Studio G5 will also be available in early May, starting at $ 1,300. Basically, you get a couple hundred dollars in savings to sacrifice that 360° hinge. To learn more about this laptop or dive into the data sheet, head over to the HP website.

Press Release

HP’s New High-Performance Workstations Push Creative and Technical Workflows to the Limit

World’s most powerful convertible PC and brightest 4K laptop display set new standards for creative and technical professionals

News highlights:

  • HP ZBook lineup features iconic design with precision-crafted machined aluminum and diamond-cut touchpads.
  • HP ZBook Studio x360 G5 – the world’s most powerful convertible PC1 with the world’s brightest 4K laptop display2 – provides premium user experiences for uninterrupted creativity.
  • HP Z Book 17 G5 – the world’s most powerful mobile workstation3 – delivers unparalleled power for users demanding accelerated performance.

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 5, 2018 — HP Inc. today unveiled a range of new, fifth-generation HP ZBook Mobile Workstations designed for creative and technical professionals, executives and students who demand high- performance computing and premium experiences. The new lineup features cutting-edge design, innovative collaboration tools and superb security features to help elevate the creative process.

“Today’s mobile users are looking for premium products with outstanding performance, differentiated design, resilient security and practical collaboration tools to create anytime, anywhere, without limits,” said Xavier Garcia, vice president and general manager, HP Z Workstations, HP Inc. “Whether it’s the game-changing design of the world’s most powerful convertible PC, the world’s most powerful mobile workstation or the world’s most secure mobile workstations, HP is delivering the products that creative and technical workers crave.”

Purposeful Innovation to Excite

By constantly monitoring market trends and customer insights, HP understands that today’s mobile workers surround themselves with a collection of products that speak to their personal design philosophy. They require products that don’t just enable the creative process, but elevate it. HP ZBooks were created with forward- thinking design and versatility, precision inking experiences, the brightest displays, tool-less access and distinct eye-pleasing finishes. This generation of HP ZBook’s tout precision-crafted machined aluminum for enhanced structural integrity, durability and weight-savings, and streamlined narrow border displays allow for more screen real estate in a smaller chassis.

Today, technical workstation users demand accelerated performance to dramatically improve workflows. As boundaries around traditional workplaces are erased, security becomes even more important. Nearly 70 percent of organizations have reported compromised laptops in the past 24 months4, highlighting the need for robust security features that provide constant protection and resiliency in the event of an attack. Therefore, HP designs its HP ZBooks to be the world’s most secure and manageable mobile workstations5.

At the same time, as workplaces become more collaborative, the need for innovative tools is on the rise. The mobile user is at the center of this shift, with laptops/mobile workstations as the most frequently used devices for meetings and collaboration. HP ZBook Mobile Workstation users can collaborate naturally with the world- facing microphone and the HP Premium Collaboration Keyboard. This generation of HP ZBooks also have even richer sound over the previous generation – louder, bigger speakers with a lower bass roll-off.

Premium HP ZBooks Delight Creative Professionals

Today, HP revealed the HP ZBook Studio x360 G5, the world’s most powerful convertible PC1. This versatile laptop gives users the latest convertible design with professional-grade performance needed to run multiple apps with speed and responsiveness. Users can edit high-resolution images without delay, with NVIDIA® graphics and Intel® Xeon® processors. HP’s innovative 360-degree hinge delivers the comfort of a laptop, the convenience of a tablet and the luxury of additional modes to help showcase work. Precision inking with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity are realized on the anti-glare HP DreamColor display – the world’s brightest, 4K laptop display2.

Creative professionals will experience the ultimate blend of design and performance in the next generation HP ZBook Studio G5. This premium model is smaller, faster and brighter than ever. Users can bring ideas to life on the world’s brightest 4K laptop display2. The HP DreamColor anti-glare display supports 100 percent Adobe RGB, has 600 nits of brightness, is 20 percent brighter than the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina display and 50 percent brighter than the Dell XPS UltraSharp 4K display6. The HP ZBook Studio supports up to 6 TB7 of storage, with certified NVIDIA® Quadro® graphics and ultra-fast 6-core Intel® Xeon® processors, with 35 percent higher processing performance than the Apple MacBook Pro8.

Last fall, HP announced the HP ZBook x2, the world’s most powerful detachable PC, to unleash the power of Adobe Creative Cloud with remarkable performance and versatility. This product now includes Intel’s 8th generation of quad core processors that deliver 73 percent higher graphics performance compared to the Surface Pro9.

Performance HP ZBooks Thrill Technical Community

HP ZBook17 G5 delivers the performance of a desktop with the freedom of a laptop. Users will revel over the relentless performance when editing multiple streams of content, manipulating data and developing in VR. The HP ZBook 17 G5, the world’s most powerful mobile workstation3, is packed with 50 percent more cores generation over generation, up to 10 TB storage7, 64 GB memory, NVIDIA® Quadro® P5200 graphics and 20 percent better thermals generation over generation to stay cool and quiet. With up to 50 million different configurations, the HP ZBook 17 G5 can be customized to meet any demand and can be upgraded in seconds without tools.

HP ZBook 15 G5, the number one mobile workstation in the world10, provides extraordinary performance with industry-leading security and is designed to thrive with heavy rendering, engineering and simulation workflows. With 30 percent better thermal performance generation over generation, it stays quiet and cool running at maximum performance workloads. Users can bring projects to life with one billion colors on the stunning 600 nits 4K HP DreamColor display11. Users can also increase productivity with up to 6 TB of storage and 3 drives and up to 4 TB local PCIe TLC storage.7 Engineered for the future, upgrading is made easy with tool-less access. In 2016, NASA purchased 1,200 HP ZBook 15 mobile workstations for use on the ISS and to support ground development and flight support.

HP ZBook 15v G5 is a high-performance laptop, aimed at engineering students and SMBs, with high speed processors and graphics certified for peak performance – all at a low cost. This model has fast response times with 6-core Intel® Xeon® processors12 and 32 GB memory, even when running multiple apps at once. Users can access large 4K files quickly with up to 4 TB of high-speed storage7 and tackle complex 2D and 3D models with certified NVIDIA® Quadro® graphics. The HP ZBook 15v is optimized for stability and peak performance with professional software applications from leading software providers like Autodesk, Revit and SOLIDWORKS. This model features up to 2 TB local PCIe TLC storage.

Visionary Display for Visionary Creators

The HP DreamColor Z27x G2 Studio Display delivers consistent accurate color, features a wide color gamut, high performance IPS Panel and workflow management tools with breakthrough HP DreamColor technology. This 27-inch diagonal display uses an integrated pop-up sensor that calibrates on demand or on a regular schedule. HP worked with leading visual effects studios to create customized solutions for an optimal design process, including onscreen markers, remote management and the world’s first integrated keyboard-based input switching KVM13 to easily switch between devices. Users will experience a broad range of vividly accurate colors from 99 percent DCI P3 coverage, 98 percent Adobe RGB and a 1500:1 contrast ratio. The new HP Z27x joins the HP Z31x DreamColor Studio Display to make a family of the most advanced color-critical displays in the world14.

Pricing and Availability

  • The HP ZBook Studio x360 is expected to be available beginning in May for a starting price of $ 1,499.

  • The HP ZBook Studio is expected to be available beginning in May for a starting price of $ 1,299.
  • The HP ZBook 17 is expected to be available beginning in May. Price not yet available.
  • The HP ZBook 15 is expected to be available beginning in May. Price not yet available.
  • The HP ZBook 15v is expected to be available beginning in May for a starting price of $ 949.
  • The HP DreamColor Z27x G2 Display is available beginning in April for a starting price of $ 1,999.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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HP’s DreamColor Z27x G2 is the ‘world’s most advanced color critical display’

06 Apr

Credit: HP

In addition to the new lineup of powerful HP ZBook laptops for power users and creative professionals, HP also revealed a gorgeous new 27-inch DreamColor display that photo and video editors will want to seriously consider purchasing. Why? Because HP claims this display—officially named the HP DreamColor Z27x G2—is the “world’s most advanced color critical display.”

That might sound like hyperbole, and it’s definitely PR speak, but the specs back up the claim. The display was supposedly designed in conjunction with “leading visual effects studios” to make sure all of the most important specs and features were onboard.

Spec-wise, the 27-inch Quad HD 2560 ×1440 16:9 aspect ratio IPS panel covers 98% of Adobe RGB, 99% of DCI-P3 and 100% of sRGB (duh) at a respectable static contrast ratio of 1500:1. So far, so good; but what really makes it stand out are the features. The Z27x G2 comes equipped with an integrated pop-up sensor that calibrates your display on demand or on a regular schedule, and features “the world’s first integrated keyboard-based input switching KVM to easily switch between devices.”

Here’s a closer look at the DreamColor Z27x G2:

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The Z27x G2 will be officially released at NAB 2018, where it will join the 24-inch DreamColor Z24x and 31-inch DreamColor Z31x to round out the DreamColor display lineup.

To learn more about the whole lineup or dive into the datasheet for the HP DreamColor Z27x G2 Studio Display, head over to the HP website. The Z27x G2 will be available to purchase this month for $ 2,000.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Lomography adds ultra-wide Naiad 15mm F3.8 front lens to the Neptune system

06 Apr

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Following its successful campaign for the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System, Lomography has added the new ultra-wide 15mm F3.8 front lens to the lineup. The so-called Naiad 15mm Art Lens has a 135° FOV and is designed to capture sharp images up to 1cm away from the subject. It also features a lens hood that doubles as a filter mount.

The Naiad 15mm front lens features 9 elements in 7 groups, 100mm filter compatibility, a multi-colored lens coating, and support for Canon EF, Nikon F, and Pentax K mounts via the Lens Base. Though Naiad was made for full-frame systems, Lomography says the lens is suitable for crop sensors as well, with a 24mm equivalent focal length on APS-C cameras and 30mm on M43 systems.

Images captured with Naiad feature bright, highly saturated colors and “punchy contrast,” according Lomography. And the integrated lens hood—which can rotate 360-degrees—supports rectangular filters with thickness up to 2mm so you can further customize your results.

Here are a few sample images captured with the Naiad 15mm:

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The Naiad 15mm can be purchased from Lomography’s website now for $ 450 USD by itself, $ 700 USD with the Lens Base, and $ 800 USD with a full filter set. Lomography is also offering the full Neptune Convertible Art Lens system, with Naiad, for $ 1,140; of you can buy the full set, plus Naiad, plus the full range of Naiad filters, for $ 1,250.

Press Release

Naiad 3.8/15 Art Lens: A 15mm Front Lens for the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System

Open Up Your World — Capture Ultra-Wide Shots Steeped in Saturated Colors and Punchy Contrasts

  • A Brand New, Ultra-Wide 15mm Front Lens – After the success of the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System on Kickstarter just nine months ago, Lomography got to work on a ultra-wide 15mm front lens: Naiad.
  • With a 135° Field of View to Fill with Punchy, Saturated Colors – Stretching your field of view, Naiad pushes you to shoot fuller frames steeped in the saturated colors and punchy color contrasts that define the Lomo look.
  • Shoot Super Sharp Shots from as Close as 1cm – Get outstandingly near to your subject and use Naiad to dramatize the crispest details up close.
  • Finetune Your Shots with a Range of Fantastic Filters – Naiad’s lens hood doubles as a filter holder so you can balance your shading and stop stray light from entering your shots.
  • An Expandable System to Grow With Your Creativity – The latest front lens to be added to the Neptune Convertible Art Lens System, Naiad is now available in the Lomography Online Shop and Gallery Stores worldwide. Pick up up yours with a Lens Base for as little as $ 699 USD.

A Brand New, Ultra-Wide 15mm Front Lens

The Neptune Convertible Art Lens System offers unlimited stylistic possibilities to a whole new generation of photographers. Lomography is proud to present a new star in the system: Naiad. Built for ultra-wide eyed explorers, this brand new 15mm lens will jolt you on a journey of extraordinary angles. Simply attach it onto the Lens Base and you’re ready to jump into a world of sensational, sweeping vistas. Designed for full frame shots but suitable for crop sensor cameras too, Naiad works with Canon EF and Nikon F mount and is available now in the Lomography Online Shop and Gallery Stores worldwide.

With a 135° Field of View to Fill with Punchy, Saturated Colors

Exemplifying the very best of mind-bending modern optics, Naiad’s panoramic capability lets light enter and curve. Straight lines appear to bend, and the further away they are from the optical centre, the greater the barrel-like distortion—ideal for street scenes as well as pronounce portraits. Filling each and every frame with strong, saturated colors and punchy contrasts that define Lomography’s signature look, Naiad will drive your shots to ever-more epic proportions.

Shoot Super Sharp Shots from as Close as 1cm

Using its impressive closest focusing distance of 0.01m, Naiad invites you to take a step closer towards your subject, blur the background and plunge into the foreground. Play around and magnify portraits, exaggerate tiny features and puff up personalities. Watch the foreground dilate and the background contract as you amplify the world around you.

Finetune Your Shots with a Range of Fantastic Filters

Naiad’s integrated lens hood doubles as a filter holder so that you can master the shading in your shot. Compatible with rectilinear filters with a maximum thickness of 2mm, Naiad’s lens hood rotates a full 360° to give you complete creative freedom. Control the amount of light that falls onto your raw images with a Neutral Density Filter, bring out the subtleties in skies with a Neutral Density Graduated Filter, and use orange and blue Temperature Filter Set to give shots a light, sunny glow or a cool, cinematic feel.

An Expandable System to Grow With Your Creativity

The Neptune Convertible Art Lens System is comprised of three interchangeable lenses, each of which can be attached to the Lens Base to shoot at a fixed focal length of 3.5/35mm for Thalassa, 2.8/50mm for Despina, or 4/80mm for Proteus. And now, Naiad promises to be yet another portal to an even more powerful wide-angle perspective with a fixed focal length of 3.8/15mm. Now available in the Lomography Online Shop and Gallery Stores worldwide.

Price List

  • Naiad with Lens Base for just $ 699 USD.
  • Naiad with full range of filters for $ 799 USD.
  • Complete Neptune Convertible Art Lens System (including Naiad) for $ 1139 USD.
  • Neptune Convertible Art Lens System (including Naiad) with full range of Naiad filters for $ 1249 USD.

Technical Information

Naiad

  • Focal Length: 15mm
  • Aperture Range: f/3.8 – f/22
  • Closest Focusing Distance: 0.01m, or 0.4 inches
  • Field of View: 135°
  • Convertible Lens Base Mounts: Canon EF, Nikon F or Pentax K
  • Multi-Scaled Diaphragm Aperture: f/3.8 – f/22
  • Lens Construction: 9 elements in 7 groups
  • Filter Compatibility: 100mm (width) x ?10mm (length) x 2mm (depth) rectangular filters
  • Lens Coating: Multi-coated
  • Electronic Contacts: No

Designed for full frame but suitable for crop sensors.
Equivalent focal length on APS-C: 24mm
Equivalent focal length on M43: 30mm

Neptune Convertible Art Lens System

  • Focal Length: 35mm, 50mm, 80mm, front element group convertible
  • Aperture: Dual aperture system
    Multi-scaled diaphragm aperture: 35mm: extended, f/3.5 – f/22 , 50mm: f/2.8 – f/22, 80mm: extended, f/4 – f/22
    Drop-in aperture plates
  • Field of View: 35mm: 63°, 50mm: 46°, 80mm: 30°
  • Lens Mounting Profile: Canon EF, Nikon F or Pentax K
  • Closest Focusing Distance: 35mm: 0.25m , 50mm: 0.4m, 80mm: 0.8m
  • Lens Construction:
    Front Lens: 4 elements in 4 groups for each focal length
    Lens Base: 3 elements in 3 groups
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Lens Coating: Multi-coated
  • Electronic Contacts: No
  • Focusing Mechanism: Helicoid

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Olympus PEN E-PL9 headed to the US and Canada

06 Apr

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The Olympus PEN E-PL9, the company’s entry-level mirrorless camera, is coming to North America two months after launching everywhere else. The E-PL9 features a 16MP Four Thirds sensor, 3-axis image stabilization, a tilting LCD, 4K/30p video capture and Bluetooth support.

The camera is available immediately for $ 599 USD / $ 699 CAD body only and $ 699 USD / $ 899 CAD with a 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ lens, custom bag and strap and a 16GB memory card. It will initially ship in three colors: Pearl White, Onyx Black and Honey Brown. A limited edition blue model is expected in early summer.

View our E-PL9 sample gallery

Press Release

IMAGING MADE SIMPLE: THE EYE-CATCHING OLYMPUS PEN E-PL9

New PEN Is a Compact, Lightweight Interchangeable Lens Camera That Delivers Outstanding Image Quality and Creativity for the Trendy Shooter

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., April 5, 2018 — Olympus introduces the Olympus PEN® E-PL9, a compact, lightweight interchangeable lens camera packed with features to enhance your photography with stunning image quality and sophisticated design. The PEN E-PL9 is the newest model in the award-winning PEN lineup and combines Olympus’ latest touchscreen controls with an array of interchangeable lens options to go beyond smartphone photography, perfect for those looking to capture and share their lifestyle in attention-grabbing detail with friends and followers.

The Olympus PEN E-PL9’s sophisticated design is bolstered by aluminum accents, metal dials, and leather grain that perfectly complements each color option to match your personal style — Pearl White, Onyx Black, and Honey Brown. The 180-degree flip-touch LCD monitor simplifies selfie stills and videos with an easy-to-use interface that automatically switches the camera to Selfie Mode when the monitor is flipped downward to its front-facing position.

In-body image stabilization delivers sharp images and smooth 4K video even in low light environments or when using a telephoto lens. The latest Olympus TruePicTM VIII Image Processor, the same processor included on the Olympus flagship OM-D™ E-M1 Mark II, improves image quality and responsiveness. Built-in Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi™ allow you to easily connect your PEN E-PL9 to your smartphone to wirelessly transfer images and upload to social channels.

With the PEN E-PL9’s Auto Mode, the camera instantly detects a scene and chooses the best settings. Scene Modes let you choose from preset scenarios like People, Motion, Indoors, Nightscapes, Scenery, or Close-ups for easy setting customization. Advanced Photo Modes are readily available using the touch LCD monitor and facilitate high-end photo techniques such as nighttime Live Composite and multi-exposure shooting, so anyone can capture stunning images without worrying about difficult settings.

U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Olympus PEN E-PL9 will be available in Pearl White, Onyx Black, and Honey Brown beginning on April 5, 2018 for a street price of $ 599.99 USD / $ 699.99 CAD for the camera body and $ 699.99 USD / $ 899.99 CAD for the one lens kit. The one lens kit includes the PEN E-PL9 camera body, M.Zuiko 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ lens, custom camera bag, custom camera strap, 16GB memory card, Quick Tip Card, and Quick Start Guide.

For a complete list of specifications, visit the Olympus website: http://www.getolympus.com/digitalcameras/pen/e-pl9.html

Olympus PEN E-PL9 specifications

Price
MSRP £579/€549 (body only), £679/€699 (with 14-42mm EZ lens)
Body type
Body type Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Body material Composite
Sensor
Max resolution 4608 x 3456
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 16 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 17 megapixels
Sensor size Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Processor TruePic VIII
Color space sRGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 200-6400 (expandable to 100-25600)
Boosted ISO (minimum) 100
Boosted ISO (maximum) 25600
White balance presets 6
Custom white balance Yes (4 slots)
Image stabilization Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes 3-axis
CIPA image stabilization rating 3.5 stop(s)
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Super fine, fine, normal
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.3)
  • Raw (Olympus 12-bit ORF)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 121
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds
Focal length multiplier 2×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Tilting
Screen size 3″
Screen dots 1,040,000
Touch screen Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type None
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 60 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic) 1/16000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Auto
  • Program
  • Aperture priority
  • Shutter priority
  • Manual
Scene modes
  • Portrait
  • e-Portrait
  • Landscape with Portrait
  • Night Scene with portrait
  • Children
  • Hand-held Starlight
  • Night Scene
  • Fireworks
  • Light trails
  • Sports
  • Panning
  • Landscape
  • Sunset
  • Beach and Snow
  • Backlight HDR
  • Panorama
  • Candle
  • Silent mode
  • Macro
  • Nature Macro
  • Documents
  • Multi Focus
Built-in flash Yes
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
External flash Yes
Flash modes Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
Flash X sync speed 1/250 sec
Drive modes
  • Single
  • Sequential
  • Self-timer
  • Bracketing
Continuous drive 8.6 fps
Self-timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Highlight-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±5 (3, 5 frames at 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing No
Videography features
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Modes
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 52 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1280 x 720 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB charging No
HDMI Yes (micro HDMI)
Microphone port No
Headphone port No
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.0 LE
Remote control Yes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description BLS-50 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350
Weight (inc. batteries) 380 g (0.84 lb / 13.40 oz)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39 mm (4.61 x 2.68 x 1.54″)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes (Video up to 4K)
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Apple introduces new ProRes RAW video format with Final Cut Pro X update

06 Apr
Credit: Apple

In a surprise update ahead of NAB, Apple has introduced a brand new video format called ProRes RAW. The format was introduced alongside an update to Final Cut Pro X, which also added advanced closed captioning tools for professional filmmakers.

The captioning tools are neat—they allow video editors to more easily create, view, edit, and deliver captions, with support for both the CEA-608 and iTT formats—but this feature will no doubt be overshadowed by the much bigger news: the introduction of ProRes RAW.

As the name suggests, ProRes RAW is an evolution of the Apple ProRes video codec. Apple claims that ProRes RAW “combines the visual and workflow benefits of RAW video with the stunning performance of ProRes.” By pulling RAW data from the sensor, video editors will have a lot more dynamic range flexibility—important as more and more displays, including Apple’s own iPhone X, become capable of displaying true HDR—all while taking advantage of the space and performance benefits of a compressed ProRes file.

In fact, Apple claims that ProRes RAW files take up less space than ProRes 4444. And since it’s Apple’s format, it has been performance optimized for macOS so that you can play full-quality 4K ProRes RAW files on your current MacBook Pro or iMac in real time without rendering.

Credit: Apple

The format drops today, and already Apple has made inroads into the professional community with Atomos and DJI. ProRes RAW compatibility will be made available as a free update for Atomos Shogun Inferno and Sumo19 users, and as “a free update for users with the RAW activation package” for the DJI Inspire 2 Drone and Zenmuse X7 camera.

Once updated, Final Cut Pro users will be able to work natively with ProRes RAW and the ProRes RAW HQ files created by the two Atomos external recorders mentioned above.

To learn more, check out the full press release below; or, if you’re feeling exceptionally brave and nerdy, you can read Apple’s full white paper on the new format here. Final Cut Pro X version 10.4.1 will be available as a free update to current users ($ 300 USD for new users) starting April 9th.

Press Release

Final Cut Pro X update introduces ProRes RAW and advanced closed captioning

Apple is introducing a new update to Final Cut Pro X, the most popular version of its professional video editing software, with more than 2.5 million seats. Final Cut Pro 10.4.1 introduces a groundbreaking format from Apple, ProRes RAW, which combines the visual and workflow benefits of RAW video with the performance of ProRes. The update also adds advanced closed captioning tools that allow video editors to easily view, edit and deliver captions from right within the app. Apple is also adding complementary new features to Final Cut Pro companion apps, Motion and Compressor.

ProRes RAW

ProRes RAW is a new format from Apple that offers the quality and workflow advantages of RAW with the stunning performance of ProRes. With ProRes RAW, editors can import, edit and grade pristine footage with RAW data from the camera sensor, providing ultimate flexibility when adjusting highlights and shadows — ideal for HDR workflows. And with performance optimized for macOS, editors can play full-quality 4K ProRes RAW files on MacBook Pro and iMac systems in real time without rendering. ProRes RAW files are even smaller than ProRes 4444 files, allowing editors to make better use of storage while providing an excellent format for archiving.

Final Cut Pro editors can work natively with ProRes RAW and ProRes RAW HQ files created by Atomos recorders. The format will be available as a free update for owners of Atomos Sumo 19 and Shogun Inferno devices. The format will also be available as part of a forthcoming upgrade package to users of the DJI Inspire 2 drone and Zenmuse X7 Super 35mm camera system designed for aerial cinematography.

Closed Captioning Tools

As closed captioning becomes increasingly important around the world, Final Cut Pro now includes powerful closed captioning tools for professional filmmakers, YouTubers and students looking to add captions to their projects without the need for expensive third-party software or services. Users can import closed caption files directly into their project or create them from scratch. Captions appear in the viewer during playback and can be attached to video or audio clips in the timeline, so they automatically move with the clips to which they’re connected. An all-new captions inspector makes it simple to adjust caption text, color, alignment, location and more. Users can even create captions in multiple languages within the same timeline and easily share captioned videos to YouTube and Vimeo. And in the share window, a new Roles tab displays titles, video and audio roles in a single consolidated interface, making it easy to configure roles and closed captions when sharing.

Motion 5.4.1 and ProRes RAW enable motion graphics artists to take full advantage of RAW image quality with superb performance and flexibility when designing graphics and effects. Compressor 4.4.1 gains support for closed captioning with comprehensive controls to view, adjust and deliver captions as part of a batch or iTunes Store package.

Pricing and Availability

Final Cut Pro 10.4.1 will be available on April 9 as a free update for existing users, and for $ 299.99 (US) for new users on the Mac App Store. Motion 5.4.1 and Compressor 4.4.1 will also be available on April 9 as free updates for existing users, and for $ 49.99 (US) each for new users on the Mac App Store. Education customers can purchase the Pro Apps Bundle for Education for $ 199.99 (US). For more information, please visit: apple.com/final-cut-pro.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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How Slow Photography Can Help You Improve Your Images

06 Apr

So often we are caught up in hectic schedules and checking completed items off our to-do lists that we don’t make time to truly enjoy our photographic experience. I believe slow photography can be a fabulously enjoyable, and even therapeutic experience, especially when you give yourself time to indulge.

Woman making giant soap bubbles in a park. - How Slow Photography Can Help You Improve Your Images

When you have a camera in hand you can set your mind and emotions free from the troubles of the day and step into another world, one of inspiration and creative expression. But you must be mindful and make time for yourself to achieve this.

Man with his tricycle taxi in Chiang Mai, Thailand - How Slow Photography Can Help You Improve Your Images

Being Patient

Patience is a virtue and should not be exclusive to bird and wildlife photographers. Maybe these genres require somewhat more patience, but street photography, sports, landscape and most other kinds of photography require you to slow down and take time to obtain the best possible images from most situations.

Some of the very best street photography is not brought about by spontaneity alone, but by careful planning, anticipation and patience. Finding a great location on the streets is one thing, but often you’ll have to wait for the best light and the most interesting action to present itself in your chosen location to capture the most impressive photographs.

Street with activity in Muang Mai Market, Chiang Mai, Thailand. - How Slow Photography Can Help You Improve Your Images

Even the best sports photographers take time with their photography. The time they invest may be in studying the game more or getting to know the players and coaches of the teams they photograph the most.

Doing this will give them the knowledge and relationships which will enable them ultimately to capture more dynamic pictures in the spur of the moment. They will more easily anticipate the flow of the game than someone who’s inexperienced and knows little or nothing of the character of the team.

Thai man working as a porter at the fresh market in Chiang Mai - How Slow Photography Can Help You Improve Your Images

Observe

Taking time to observe the environment in which you are photographing will help include more sense of feeling into your photos. Rather than rushing in to get some photos as soon as you arrive at your location, leave your camera in its bag or case and just observe what’s there and what’s happening.

Use your other senses too, not just your eyes. Listen, feel, smell and even taste (when it’s appropriate) to become more aware of the environment where you want to take photos.

Lots of frogs - Slow Down and Take Your Time – Don’t Rush Your Photography

Give yourself space to slow down, to take a step back and observe what’s going around you. You will often discover interesting and photogenic subjects that you may not notice if you move in too quickly and start taking photos immediately.

Incorporate Photography into Your Schedule

Take your camera with you wherever you go. To work, school or university, when you exercise, when you go shopping, and when you walk the dog. By doing so you will learn to see your regular environment in different ways.

Thai woman outdoors - Slow Down and Take Your Time – Don’t Rush Your Photography

Making time to use your camera each day is one of the best ways to improve your skill and technique and to develop your own unique style. Giving yourself time within the regular context of your day might seem hard or a little strange at first. But as you commit yourself to doing this you can begin to find ways you hadn’t thought of to make interesting photos.

Think outside the box as you go about your regular routine. Make the ordinary things in your life look extraordinary in pictures.

Thai woman selling mangos at the fresh market in Chiang Mai - Slow Down and Take Your Time – Don’t Rush Your Photography

Revisit Locations and Subjects

Visiting the same locations multiple times and photographing the same subjects more than once is often worth taking the time to do. If you go someplace just once you will never really know if you’ve gotten the best photos possible.

Reviewing the images from your first or subsequent visits to a location will help you build a more critical eye. Then when you return to that place and subject you will have a more experienced perspective than at first go around.

Female butcher are a Chiang Mai market - Slow Down and Take Your Time – Don’t Rush Your Photography

By making time to do this you will most likely enjoy the experience more and produce better photographs.

Be careful to opt for places you really enjoy and feel good about as this will help compel you to return and seek to make better photographs than you have done previously.

Kayaw girl blowing bubbles in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

In Conclusion

By allowing yourself time to slow down and enjoy using your camera you will begin to see a progressive improvement in the quality of your images. Continuing to delve into techniques you’ve not previously mastered and experimenting with new subjects will help maintain a freshness in your pictures and you will enjoy your photography time even more.

Maybe we can make slow photography the next popular craze!

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Samsung explains the sensor tech behind the Galaxy S9’s super-slow-motion mode

05 Apr

Samsung published a couple of technical blog posts today, providing some detail on the stacked sensor technology used in the new Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus smartphones, and specifically how this tech is used to power the devices’ super-slow-motion mode.

This mode can record 960 frames per second at HD resolution for a duration of 0.2 seconds, which translates into 6 seconds playback time at 30 fps—32 times slower than standard video. The resulting videos can be reversed, exported as GIFs and edited in other ways.

To achieve the blistering fast frame rates, Samsung has adopted similar imaging technology to what we’ve previously seen on some Sony devices. The S9 sensor offers faster sensor readout-times, bandwidth and video processing of the application sensor than on previous Galaxy generations by using a three-layer stacked sensor design that consists of the CMOS image sensor itself, a 4x faster readout circuit, and a dedicated DRAM memory chip for buffering:

In addition to slow-motion, the stacked sensor helps reduce rolling shutter effects in video mode, and counter camera shake through frame-stacking methodologies.

“We were able to achieve a readout speed that is four times faster than conventional cameras thanks to a three-layer stacked image sensor that includes the CMOS image sensor itself, a fast readout circuit, and a dedicated dynamic random-access (DRAM) memory chip, which previously was not added to image sensors,” explained Dongsoo Kim. “Integrating DRAM allowed us to overcome obstacles such as speed limits between the sensor and application processor (AP) in a high-speed camera with 960fps features.”

You can see some of the Samsung super-slow-motion video results in the video below. Samsung’s article on the technology is available on its blog, where you’ll also find an interview with the team behind the new sensor.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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