Tag: appeal

  • Users can now appeal Instagram’s post blocking decisions

    Earlier this week Instagram announced it will take fact-checking more seriously and remove or reduce the visibility of posts that include misinformation. However, if a post does get removed for misinformation, or any other kind of violation of Instagram terms and conditions, users have now the opportunity to appeal that decision.

    A new app interface that is being rolled out starting today will let you get your post reviewed by a second moderator. If they disagree with the original moderator’s decision your post will be reinstated into your profile.

    The company also says it will begin blocking vaccine-related hashtag pages when those pages contain a proportion of verifiably false content above a certain threshold. If false information is posted but remains under the threshold, Instagram will reduce visibility by not showing recent posts. The company says now that health agencies like the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization have confirmed that vaccines do not cause autism in children it is comfortable taking these measures.

    Instagram is using the vaccine subject to test this approach. If it is successful the methodology might be applied to other problem topics in the future. The automated system scans new posts and checks them against problematic elements of posts that have previously been banned. Optical character recognition is used to find text in images and the company is working on the same function for video content.

    If the system is confident it has identified a violation, the offending post is removed and counted as a strike against any hashtag included. If a hashtag reaches a certain proportion of violating content it will be blocked.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Zillow and VHT appeal $4 million copyright infringement ruling

    Real estate listing firm Zillow Group and photography firm VHT have been locked in a huge copyright lawsuit over Zillow’s alleged infringement of thousands of VHT’s real estate images for years now, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end any time soon.

    VHT originally filed the suit against Zillow Group in 2015, alleging that tens of thousands of its images were used without permission on both the Zillow.com website and Zillow Digs. Though the claims regarding Zillow.com were dismissed last year, the legal matter has persisted over alleged infringement on Zillow Digs.

    This past February, VHT was awarded $ 8.24 million in statutory damages and $ 79,875 in actual damages by a jury over copyrighted images that appeared without authorization on Zillow Digs. The matter took another turn last month, however, when a judge slashed that figure in half, citing lack of evidence to prove that most of the 28,000+ images were ever viewed by users.

    Following that, both VHT and Zillow Group petitioned the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week in an effort to have the lower court’s ruling overturned. The case remains ongoing.

    This isn’t the first legal row Zillow has been involved in over image copyright issues. The company was recently in the news over legal threats it issued against blogger Kate Wagner of ‘McMansion Hell’ over her use of photos reportedly sourced in part from Zillow’s website. It was soon revealed that Zillow did not own the copyrights to those images, but was instead attempting to enforce third-party contracts to which Wagner was not a party. The company publicly stated that it would not pursue legal actions against Wagner over what her attorneys called fair use of the images.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Canon EOS M5 elevates enthusiast appeal with 24MP Dual Pixel AF sensor and built-in EVF

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    The Canon EOS M5 takes the company’s mirrorless line a big step forward with a 24.2MP CMOS sensor using Dual Pixel technology, a DIGIC 7 image processor and a built-in 2.36M-dot EVF. It jumps ahead of the M3 as the most enthusiast-focused camera in the lineup with added control points, burst shooting at 7fps and 1080/60p video that combines in-lens and digital IS for 5-axis stabilization for movie recording.

    The M5’s 3.” 1.62M-dot touchscreen tilts up by 85° and downward by 180°, and supports touch-focusing even when using the EVF. Wi-Fi and NFC are offered along with low energy Bluetooth that provides a continuous connection. 

    The Canon EOS M5 will go on sale in November 2016. It will sell for $ 979 body-only, with the EF-M 15-45mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM for $ 1099 or with the just-announced EF-M 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM for $ 1479 (that kit goes on sale in December). 

    Read our Canon EOS M5 First Impressions Review

    Press release

    CANON U.S.A INTRODUCES THE LATEST MEMBERS OF THE EOS FAMILY THE EOS M5 DIGITAL CAMERA AND ITS FIRST EF-M HIGH POWER ZOOM LENS

    EOS M5 Camera Provides The Fastest Autofocus (AF) speed of EOS M-Series and a built-in Electronic Viewfinder

    MELVILLE, N.Y., September 15, 2016 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the latest additions to its EOS M series system – the new Canon EOS M5 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera and compact EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens. The EOS M5 camera features a 24.2 Megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor, DIGIC 7 Image Processor and the fastest AF speed in the EOS M-series , enabling photographers to capture clear, sharp, high-resolution images and Full HD videos. It is also the first in the EOS camera line to include the low energy Bluetooth® Smart feature that can maintain a constant connection with your compatible smartphone or tablet when you use the Canon camera connect application and both applications are active. The versatile EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens is compatible with all Canon EOS M series digital cameras, and is a great option for photographers looking to capture scenic landscapes while traveling to close-up shots from afar.

    “The new capabilities found in the Canon EOS M5 Camera and EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens set a new standard for our EOS M series of cameras and lenses, showing that Canon is constantly incorporating performance enhancements desired by our customers,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “When paired together, the new EOS M5 camera and EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens provide image-makers of all levels with powerful tools that enable them to capture a variety of remarkable images and videos.”

    In addition, advanced photographers will appreciate the improved operability of the EOS M5 camera. It has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) and Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF for capturing stills and shooting video with smooth and precise autofocus. This allows for Touch and Drag AF so users can easily switch the subject of their focus by dragging the AF frame directly on the LCD panel, even while looking through the camera’s EVF. Focus peaking allows users to highlight the area of the image that is in focus from within the EVF or LCD monitor. In addition to its touchscreen operability, the EOS M5 camera also has easily accessible dials that allow you to quickly adjust your settings on-the-go.

    Key Features of the Canon EOS M5 Camera Include:

    • 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor, ISO 100–25600.
    • Fast and smooth Dual Pixel CMOS AF helps you capture stills and shoot video with quick and precise autofocus.
    • High-speed continuous shooting at up to 7.0 fps (up to 9.0 fps with AF Lock) and new DIGIC 7 Image Processor with improved AF tracking performance.
    • Full HD 60p helps capture fast-moving subjects and brilliant results in MP4 format.
    • Digital IS with 5-axis image stabilization when shooting movies plus increased image stabilization with both lens optical IS and in-camera digital IS when shooting with an IS lens.
    • Built-in high-resolution EVF (approx. 2,360,000 dots) with new Touch and Drag AF lets you manually move the AF frame displayed for more precise focusing in different shooting situations.
    • Intuitive touch screen 3.2 tilt-type (85° up/180° down) LCD monitor (approx. 1,620,000 dots) enables flexible positioning and clear viewing.
    • Easily customize functions while shooting using the Main Dial, Quick Control Dial, Dial Function Button and Exposure Compensation Dial.
    • Built-in Wi-Fi® and NFC allows for easy sharing and transferring of images and videos.
    • Equipped with Bluetooth®iii Smart for smooth pairing with a compatible smartphone by powering on both devices for easy photo sharing and remote control possibilities.
    • Shorter camera startup time and interval time between each image capture for a more efficient shooting experience.
    • Compatible with EF-M lenses as well as the full line of EF and EF-Sviii lenses and Speedlites for expanded creativity.

    The Canon EOS M5 also features Combination IS with in-camera 5-axis image stabilization, while capturing video, a first in the Canon EOS series. With a compatible lens attachediv, Combination IS leverages optical IS and in-camera digital IS to help create tremendously smooth videos. The DIGIC 7 Image Processor makes the 5-axis IS possible even with lenses that do not contain IS, because the in-camera image stabilization functions independently to help reduce camera shake when shooting videos.

    Additionally, the EOS M5 camera shoots impressive time-lapse videos. The EOS M5 camera also allows for easy panning by setting the optimal shutter speed after analyzing the camera’s panning speed and how fast the subject is moving.

    The new Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens offers a high-zoom ratio, expanding the range of photographic possibilities for EOS M digital cameras. Its image stabilizer helps with reducing image blur and making image and video shooting easier at longer focal lengths. Along with the enhanced performance, the EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens is compact and lightweight, making it a versatile and convenient lens to carry.

    Key Features of the Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Include:

    • Canon’s first EF-M high-zoom power lens covering a broad range of shooting scenes with a high-zoom ratio of up to 8.3x (29–240mm equivalent).
    • Compact and lightweight design allows for easy portability.
    • Optical design helps provide excellent image quality across a broad zoom range comparable to the EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM lens.
    • Maximum magnification of 0.31x at focal length 150mm.
    • Image Stabilizer effect at up to 4 stops of shake correction helps capture sharp images.

    Pricing and Availability

    The new Canon EOS M5 camera is scheduled to be available through authorized Canon dealers or through the Canon Online store at http://shop.usa.canon.com/ in November 2016, for an estimated retail price of $ 979.99 for the body only. It will also be sold as part of body-and-lens kits with EF-M 15-45mm/F3.5-6.3 IS STM zoom kit lens (estimated retail price of $ 1,099.00, scheduled to be available early November 2016 ), and with the new EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens for an (estimated retail price of $ 1,479.00x, scheduled to be available early December 2016x)

    In addition, the new Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens, available in graphite and silver colors, is scheduled to be available in December 2016 for an estimated retail price of $ 499.99x.

    Additional optional EOS accessories include a Body Jacket (EM-E2) and Neck Strap (EH29-CJ) that come in black or brown. For more information please visit: http://mseriescameras.usa.canon.com

    Canon EOS M5 specifications

    Price
    MSRP $ 979 (body), $ 1099 (w/15-45mm lens), $ 1479 (w/15-150mm lens)
    Body type
    Body type SLR-style mirrorless
    Body material Metal
    Sensor
    Max resolution 6000 x 4000
    Other resolutions 3:2 (6000 x 3368, 3984 x 2656, 2976 x 1984, 2400 x 1600), 16:9 (6000 x 3368, 3984 x 2240, 2976 x 1680, 2400 x 1344), 4:3 (5328 x 4000, 3552 x 2664, 2656 x 1992, 2112 x 1600), 1:1 (4000 x 4000, 2656 x 2656, 1984 x 1984, 1600 x 1600)
    Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
    Effective pixels 24 megapixels
    Sensor photo detectors 26 megapixels
    Sensor size APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
    Sensor type CMOS
    Processor Digic 7
    Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
    Color filter array Primary color filter
    Image
    ISO Auto, 100-25600
    White balance presets 6
    Custom white balance Yes
    Image stabilization No
    Image stabilization notes 5-axis for video only
    Uncompressed format RAW
    JPEG quality levels Fine, standard
    File format
    • JPEG (Exif v2.3)
    • Raw (Canon CR2, 14-bit)
    Optics & Focus
    Autofocus
    • Contrast Detect (sensor)
    • Phase Detect
    • 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 49
    Lens mount Canon EF-M
    Focal length multiplier 1.6×
    Screen / viewfinder
    Articulated LCD Tilting
    Screen size 3.2
    Screen dots 1,620,000
    Touch screen Yes
    Screen type TFT LCD
    Live view Yes
    Viewfinder type Electronic
    Viewfinder coverage 100%
    Viewfinder resolution 2,360,000
    Photography features
    Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
    Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
    Exposure modes
    • Program
    • Shutter priority
    • Aperture priority
    • Manual
    Built-in flash Yes
    Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100)
    External flash Yes
    Flash X sync speed 1/200 sec
    Continuous drive 9.0 fps
    Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom, remote)
    Metering modes
    • Multi
    • Center-weighted
    • Spot
    • Partial
    Exposure compensation ±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
    AE Bracketing ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV steps)
    WB Bracketing No
    Videography features
    Modes
    • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 35 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
    • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 24 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
    • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 24 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
    • 1280 x 720 @ 60p / 16 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
    Microphone Stereo
    Speaker Mono
    Storage
    Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC card
    Connectivity
    USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    HDMI Yes (micro-HDMI)
    Microphone port Yes
    Headphone port No
    Wireless Built-In
    Wireless notes 802.11/b/g/n with Bluetooth and NFC
    Remote control Yes (Via smartphone or wireless remote)
    Physical
    Environmentally sealed No
    Battery Battery Pack
    Battery description LP-E17 lithium-ion battery & charger
    Battery Life (CIPA) 295
    Weight (inc. batteries) 427 g (0.94 lb / 15.06 oz)
    Dimensions 116 x 89 x 61 mm (4.57 x 3.5 x 2.4)
    Other features
    Orientation sensor Yes
    GPS None

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 22 October, 2013 – An Appeal for Divergence and Simplicity

    Mark Dubovoy’s latest essay is an appeal for DIVERGENCE instead of CONVERGENCE for those photographers not interested in video. It is also an appeal for badly needed and apparently forgotten simplicity in Pro cameras of all kinds.


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    The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

  • Flickr responds to ‘Dear Marissa Mayer’ appeal with an appeal of its own

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    When Marissa Mayer was named new CEO of Yahoo recently, Los Angeles-based journalist Sean Bonner posted an appeal for her to ‘please make Flickr awesome again’, signing it ‘the Internet’. On his blog, Bonner commented that Flickr, which was acquired by Yahoo in 2005, needs someone to ‘put some support behind it, bring it up to date, give it an actually functional mobile app and commit to keeping it alive’. That appeal went viral, and today Flickr posted a response. Click through to read Bonner’s appeal and Flickr’s humorous reply. (via wired.com)

    News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)