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Posts Tagged ‘Available’

Samyang announces its AF 85mm F1.4 lens is now available for Canon RF mount

29 May

Last year, Samyang1 released the AF 85mm F1.4 FE prime lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. Now, the lens has been updated with a Canon RF mount to work with Canon’s line of full-frame mirrorless cameras, too.

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Aside from the new mount, the lens remains unchanged from its Sony FE predecessor. The lens is constructed of 11 elements in 8 groups, including one Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) element and four High Refractive Index (HRI) elements to help minimize chromatic aberration. The optical elements also use Samyang’s Ultra Multi Coating (UMC) to keep flares and ghosting under control.

Autofocus is driven by Samyang’s Dual Linear Sonic Motor (DLSM) and the sole button on the lens is the AF/MF button for switching between auto and manual focus. The lens features weather-sealing, a nine-blade aperture diaphragm and a 77mm front filter thread. Below is a sample photo, provided by Samyang:

The Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 RF is expected to ship in June for $ 800, with pre-orders opening up before then. The RF version comes in at $ 100 more than the Sony FE version was launched at and $ 200 more than what the Sony FE is currently selling for. We will update this page when pre-orders become available.

1 Samyang is also sold under the Rokinon and Bowens brand names, depending on your region and the retailer you purchase from.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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RAW Power 3 available for Mac and iOS, includes workflow improvements and new editing tools

17 Apr

Gentlemen Coders LLC, the creator of RAW Power for macOS and iOS, has released RAW Power 3.0. The latest version introduces more integration with native macOS and iOS Photos applications and delivers an improved workflow.

RAW Power 3 is the first, and currently only, third-party application to include full support for Apple Photos libraries on macOS and iOS. With this integration, photographers can rate and edit their images on their Mac or iOS devices with full iCloud synchronization.

The software was developed by Nik Bhatt, a former Apple engineer. While at Apple, Bhatt led the iPhone and Aperture teams. Of RAW Power 3, Bhatt says, “RAW Power has gained a strong following among serious photographers for its unique control over Apple’s RAW engine, combined with its robust and easy-to-use editing tools.”

RAW Power 3 includes a variety of improvements to its integration with Apple Photos and its overall workspace. Users can utilize tabs to view multiple albums in the library at the same time. Users can also rate, flag and filter albums, with ratings and flags automatically syncing through iCloud Photos. Click to enlarge the image. Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

From its first release, RAW Power has been designed to build upon the existing Apple Photos native application and add additional functionality and editing capabilities. RAW Power allows the user to keep their files organized at the system level while also performing more advanced edits to their photos. By leveraging Apple Photos, users can also avoid committing to a proprietary photo library or subscription-based software.

Considering the Mac version of RAW Power 3.0, the software works directly with your Photos library while adding additional editing and organizational tools. You can browse and create albums and folders, which are then instantly applied to the system’s photo library and changes are synced over iCloud when using iCloud Photos. RAW Power 3 specifically adds rating and flagging functionality to the software, something not available in Apple Photos. In the case of a flag, this will instantly appear on the image file in the Finder as well.

RAW Power 3 introduces a variety of user-requested features, including hot and cold pixel indicators, integration of LUTs and reordering of default adjustments within your customized workspace. Click to enlarge the image. Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

Additionally, RAW Power 3 includes a new section for recently viewed items. There’s a threshold for what counts as “viewed,” meaning that only images you spent more than a few seconds looking at will be included. To make it easier to view and work on multiple images or albums at once, RAW Power 3 includes tabs.

RAW Power 3 introduces a variety of new image adjustments, including: Auto Enhance with Face Balancing, Auto White Balance, LUTs with film simulations, Levels and a Channel Mixer. With the new adjustment tools, the total now available to users is 15. With so many adjustments now built into the software, RAW Power 3 includes a refreshed editing interface and new workflow functionality. Users can reorder and select the default adjustments, to ensure that adjustments they use less frequently do not clog up their workspace.

RAW Power 3 introduces two new Auto adjustment features, including Auto Enhance and Auto White Balance (shown here). Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

RAW Power 3 also adds LUTs. The software ships with 20 of them, including Bhatt’s own film simulation LUTS. Users can add their own LUTs as well. When using LUTs, users can adjust the strength of the effect using an intensity slider. With respect to existing image adjustments, there have also been tweaks. For example, there are now hot pixel indicators in the software.

Considering the new Auto Enhance image adjustment, this works by analyzing the image on a variety of criteria before applying varying levels of different RAW Power adjustments. Auto Enhance can adjust highlights and shadows, change the exposure, adjust white balance and more.

RAW Power 3 for iOS includes many of the same improvements as RAW Power 3 for macOS, including the new image editing tools, including LUT integration. RAW Power 3 for iOS also includes the ability to reorder and organize your workspace, which is even more important when working on the smaller display of an iPhone or iPad.

The iOS version of RAW Power 3 for iPhone and iPad (shown above) includes a nearly identical feature set as the Mac version, including batch editing. For example, you can batch process and apply Auto Enhance to selected images, as shown in this screenshot. Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

With the latest version of RAW Power, users can now manage their images either in the native Photos application or in the iOS Files app. You can switch seamlessly between Photos and Files, although some iOS limitations result in edits, ratings, flags and filters not syncing over iCloud when working in Files.

The same new rating workflow from the Mac version carries over to iOS, representing a first for iCloud photographers on iOS. By utilizing ratings and flags, you can easily sort and filter your image library to quickly find specific images.

RAW Power 3 also includes new one-tap integration with the popular Halide camera application and Halide has added RAW Power to its quick-launch integration within the app’s photo reviewer.

If you use Portrait mode on your iOS device, RAW Power 3, like prior versions, can access the depth data in your image files. By utilizing this data, users can selectively adjust different areas of the image depending on how close or far the subject was from the lens. For example, you can adjust the highlights and shadows in the background and foreground independently while also adjusting the depth mask threshold. You can see the mask created using depth data in this screenshot from the iPad version of RAW Power 3. Image credit: Gentlemen Coders

For users of Apple’s Portrait mode on their iOS devices, RAW Power 3 can access the depth data in the image file and allow users to create depth maps for selective edits. You can access and edit using the depth data on both iOS and Mac versions of RAW Power.

RAW Power 3 for macOS and iOS is available today from the App Store. For existing owners of RAW Power 2, the update is free on both platforms. For new users, RAW Power 3 for macOS is $ 39.99 and RAW Power 3 for iOS is $ 9.99. RAW Power 3 for macOS runs on macOS Catalina and Mojave. On iOS, RAW Power 3 runs on iOS 12 and iOS 13, although the app does not support iPhone 5s, 6 or 6 Plus or iPad mini 3 or earlier.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Affinity Photo is Available for a Three Month Free Trial

28 Mar

The post Affinity Photo is Available for a Three Month Free Trial appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Affinity Photo is Available for a Three Month Free Trial featured image

As coronavirus continues to take its toll on artists and designers everywhere, Serif has decided to act.

The company announced that their software, including Affinity Photo, will sell with a steep 50% discount, taking the normally inexpensive programs down to bargain-cheap levels:

$ 24.99 USD for Affinity Photo on desktop (either Mac or Windows), and just $ 9.99 USD for Affinity Photo on iPad.

And that’s not all:

Serif has also announced a 90 day free trial on all Affinity software. This means that anyone struggling to afford editing software during the coronavirus pandemic can use Affinity Photo for free. There’s no catch; you can try the software, with all features included, for the next three months.

Affinity Photo is currently on sale

As the Serif Managing Director explained, “[H]opefully these things will make life a little easier for people who rely on creative software to make a living but may be stuck at home without access to their usual tools, or for students who might suddenly be without access to their Affinity apps on their personal devices.”

For those of you unfamiliar with Affinity Photo, it’s one of the most popular Photoshop alternatives around. It’s known for its full-featured, layer-based software, sleek interface, and excellent price.

In fact, plenty of creatives have abandoned Adobe for Serif, given that the Serif program is comparable in its features and noticeably cheaper.

In some ways, the standard Affinity price (and the current, even lower, price) is unbelievable, because Affinity Photo just offers so much. The software comes with basic adjustment capabilities, but you also get advanced features such as focus stacking and HDR merging, plus a useful in-built RAW editor.

So if you’re someone who’s struggling to pay for your current software, or you’re looking for a way out of Adobe’s subscription model, or you just want to take advantage of a tremendous deal, then I recommend you head over to the Affinity website now.

Chances are that you’ll love Affinity Photo.

Now over to you:

Are there any other Photoshop alternatives that you’d recommend? If you’ve already started using Affinity Photo, what do you think of it?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post Affinity Photo is Available for a Three Month Free Trial appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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Leica’s 64MP S3 medium-format camera is now available to pre-order for $18,995

07 Mar

Almost a year and a half after first teasing it, Leica has announced its S3 medium-format camera is now available to pre-order.

The Leica S3 was originally set for a Spring 2019 release when we first had a hands-on at Photokina 2018, but it was continually delayed for unspecified reasons. Now, it’s alive and well, ready to pre-order for those who have deep wallets.

At the heart of the relatively compact Leica S3 is a 64MP (45 x 30mm) Leica ProFormat CMOS medium-format sensor that features a 2:3 ratio, up to 15 stops of dynamic range and a sensitivity range of ISO 100–50,000. It can capture up to three still frames per second and records DCI 4K (4096 x 2160 pixel) 4:2:2 8-bit internal video at 24 frames per second using the full width of the sensor. All of this is powered by Leica’s Maestro II processor, which offers 2GB buffer memory.

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In addition to a Live View mode with a refresh rate up to 60 fps, the S3 also features an optical viewfinder with 0.87x magnification and approximately 98-percent coverage.

The outside of the camera remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, the Leica S (Typ 007), and looks similar to the more recent Leica SL. The back of the camera features a 3” LCD with four programmable buttons, arranged with two on each side.

Also similar to the Leica S (Typ 007) is the S3’s two shutters that can be controlled with a switch on the rear of the camera. The ‘FPS’ mode stands for focal plane shutter, while the ‘CS’ mode stands for center shutter (leaf shutter), which will work with compatible S-Lenses. In our hands-on, the leaf shutter, which has a maximum shutter speed of 1/1000s, did sound noticeably quieter than the focal plane shutter.

As was expected, the Leica S3 doesn’t come cheap. The body-only version is available to pre-order for $ 18,995 (Adorama, B&H), with the first units expected to ship at the end of March 2020.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Filmmaker Mode TV setting will be available on select Philips, Samsung and other TV models

14 Jan

Motion smoothing, the controversial TV setting that uses interpolation to reduce motion blur, will be addressed with a previously announced television feature called Filmmaker Mode. During CES 2020, the UHD Alliance offered an update about this setting, revealing that Samsung, Kaleidescape and Philips/TP Vision will offer Filmmaker Mode on some of their 2020 television models.

Filmmaker Mode was first announced by the UHD Alliance in August 2019 with support from directors like Martin Scorses, Christopher Nolan and Rian Johnson. The goal of this setting is to present movies in the way they were intended by the filmmaker, including with the original frame rates, aspect ratios and colors.

Below is a brief video explainer of motion smoothing, provided by Vulture:

Motion smoothing has proven controversial among consumers and filmmakers alike. Though the technology is effective at reducing motion blurs, many viewers complain that it adds an unwanted visual effect that makes the content less enjoyable to watch. Most modern TVs, including many budget models, now offer motion smoothing as a standard feature, though some manufacturers make it possible to disable the setting.

In addition to the manufacturers announced at CES, Vizio, Panasonic and LG were previously revealed as companies that will also offer Filmmaker Mode on select television models starting in 2020.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Shiftcam add-on lens cases are now available for Apple’s iPhone 11 models

08 Jan

Most current high-end smartphones come with ultra-wide and/or dedicated tele lenses, offering wider focal length ranges than older devices. However, add-on lenses are still a popular way to expand the creative potential of smartphone cameras even further.

ShiftCam has been supplying its add-on lens cases since the iPhone 7 generation. Now the company has announced the latest versions for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The Shiftcam model for the iPhone 11 model adds a 180-degree fisheye lens, 10x macro, and a circular polarizer to your arsenal. The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max models get four lenses in addition to a circular polarizer:

  • 180-degree fisheye
  • 4x telephoto
  • 10x macro
  • 20x macro
  • Circular Polarizer

Like for previous Shiftcam cases, operation is easy. You move the required lens into place on a slider and select the corresponding lens of the built-in camera in the Apple camera app. This also means all your add-lenses are always with you and on the phone, so you don’t have to carry spare lenses in a bag like for more conventional add-on systems.

On the downside, your phone is bulkier than usual and you cannot use any other cases.

The new Shiftcam cases are available now. The iPhone 11 version is $ 64.99, while the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max cases will each set you back $ 74.99. More information is available on the Shiftcam website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon Z6/Z7 Raw video upgrade available starting today for $200; new firmware adds CFexpress support

17 Dec

Nikon has some much-anticipated news for Z-series videographers: starting today, Z6 and Z7 owners can send their cameras to a Nikon Service Center for a paid upgrade to add Raw video output. The company has also released firmware v.2.20 for the Z6/Z7 today, adding support for CFexpress memory cards.

First announced earlier this year, the paid upgrade brings 12-bit 4K or Full HD ProRes Raw video recording with the Atomos Ninja V recorder to both the Z6 and Z7, which were previously limited to 10-bit Log over HDMI. While 12 months is a fairly long time to wait, it’s probably no coincidence that this announcement comes after the recent settling of a long-running dispute between Apple and RED over the patent to Raw video. This may also explain why the update is paid, rather than available for free.

However, those who purchased the Z6 as part of the Filmmaker’s kit can receive the update at no charge; all other Z6 and Z7 owners must pay $ 200 for the service. Nikon USA has published a dedicated Raw video page explaining the requirements and instructions for obtaining the upgrade.

Nikon Z6 Filmmaker kit

Additionally, firmware v.2.20 for the Z6 and Z7 arrives today, enabling use of more robust (and more costly) CFexpress memory cards. Since the cards are physically the same dimensions as XQD, there’s no need to physically modify the cameras to make them compatible with the new format. The company also says it will add CFexpress support to the Nikon D5 (XQD-type), D850 and D500 at a later date.

Nikon Z6 and Z7 firmware version 2.20 is available starting today free of charge – visit Nikon’s firmware page to learn more.

NIKON Z SERIES EVOLVES TO BECOME EVEN MORE POWERFUL: FIRMWARE VER. 2.20 RELEASED, ADDS SUPPORT FOR CFexpress MEMORY CARDS;
PAID SERVICE TO INSTALL RAW VIDEO OUTPUT FUNCTION ALSO BEGINS

MELVILLE, NY (December 16, 2019 at 11:00 P.M. EST) – Nikon Inc. is pleased to announce the release of firmware Ver. 2.20 for the Nikon Z 7 and Z 6 full-frame mirrorless cameras. This firmware update offers several improvements that make these cameras even more powerful, including the addition of support for the next generation memory card, CFexpress. Additionally, Nikon has announced that beginning today, service to install RAW video output functionality will be available for those wishing to add enhanced professional video capabilities.

Support for CFexpress, the New Standard for Speed and Durability
Updating Z 7 and Z 6 firmware to Ver. 2.20 enables the use*1 of CFexpress*2 cards. CFexpress cards are robust and reliable, and support even faster data transfer than XQD cards for a smoother and more efficient photographic workflow.

CFexpress cards use a similar form factor to XQD, eliminating the need to physically modify the camera’s memory card slot. After upgrading, users will be able to use CFexpress as well as XQD cards in their camera interchangeably. In addition to the Z 7 and Z 6, CFexpress memory card support will be added to the Nikon D5 (XQD-Type), Nikon D850 and Nikon D500 digital SLR cameras in the future.

Initially, only limited CFexpress card types are fully supported and the number of supported cards will continue to expand as additional cards are tested and certified (Type B CFexpress cards manufactured only by Sony Corp. Availability date for the cards may vary by market).

RAW video output function (4K UHD and Full HD)
Developed in conjunction with Atomos, this capability enables recording of RAW video, which has greater flexibility for color grading compared to other video formats.

With this upgrade, 12-bit 4K UHD or full-HD RAW video can be recorded*3 to select models of Atomos video recorders*4 connected to a Z 7 or Z 6 camera via a HDMI connector. As RAW video is not subjected to in-camera processing, all information that is outputted from the image sensor is preserved. This abundance of information can later be used in post-production.

The RAW video output capability upgrade can be installed at a Nikon service center and will incur a fee but will be included free of charge as part of Nikon Z 6 Filmmaker’s kit bundles. Those customers in the United States who have already purchased a Nikon Z 6 Filmmaker’s kit (Product #13545) will be eligible to have the fee waived (proof of purchase required). For more details about the Nikon Z 6 Filmmaker’s kit, please visit here.

For additional technical information, equipment requirements and instructions on requesting the RAW video output upgrade, please visit: www.nikonusa.com/RAWvideo.

Price and Availability
The firmware update Ver. 2.20 which enables CFexpress functionality is available now, free of charge. Please visit The Nikon Z series Firmware update page to download and find more information.

The RAW video output upgrade is available starting today and will require installation by a Nikon Service Center. A $ 199.95* fee will apply.

For more information on the latest Nikon products, including the Nikon Z mount system, please visit www.nikonusa.com.?

*1 Type B CFexpress cards manufactured by Sony Corp. only. Operation is not guaranteed with cards from other manufacturers (as of December 2019).
*2 CFexpress is a trademark of the CompactFlash Association.
*3 With the Z 7, full-HD RAW video can be recorded using the FX-based movie format, and 4K UHD RAW video can be recorded using the DX-based movie format.
When the Z 6 is used, recording of either 4K UHD or full-HD RAW video is possible with both FX- and DX-based movie formats.
See the cameras’ Technical Guide, available from the Download Center, for details on differences between Z 7 and Z 6 specifications.
Nikon Download Center (https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/index.html)
*4 The Atomos Ninja V supports Nikon RAW video output, and records videos in ProRes RAW format. Operation is not guaranteed with recorders other than the Ninja V (as of December 2019). RAW video output from a Nikon camera is supported by Ninja V firmware Ver. 10.2 and later.
See the Ninja V firmware download site (https://www.atomos.com/firmware/ninja-v).
*5 See our website for instructions on requesting the RAW output options activation service (www.nikonusa.com/RAWvideo).
*Pricing and availability of the service will vary by region

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Astronomik’s Clip-Filter system is now available for the Canon EOS R and RP

13 Dec

Astronomik has announced the release of its Clip-Filter system filters for the Canon EOS R and RP full-frame cameras. As with the company’s other Clip-Filter products, users can install the new model using their fingers, making it a simple task that can be performed quickly when needed.

Astronomik’s Clip-Filter system filters are made from laser-cut black anodized aluminum. Each filter is designed to fit within the camera body where it acts as a dust shield. Unlike with filter holders that are sandwiched between the camera body and lens, Astronomik says its Clip-Filters allow photographers to use all of the lens functions.

Additionally, the company points out that this type of filter design is cheaper than the larger filters that would otherwise be used on large camera lenses. The entire range of Clip-Filters can now be purchased for the EOS R and RP cameras in addition to the large list of other Canon camera models compatible with the filter system.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Kodak Ektachrome E100 film will be available in 120, 4×5 formats ‘within the next 10 days’

11 Dec

Kodak Alaris has announced that its Ektachrome E100 film stock will be released in 120 and 4×5 sheet film packs ‘within the next ten days.’

In a tweet shared earlier this morning on the Kodak Professional account, Kodak Alaris confirmed new 5-roll 120 ‘propacks’ and 10-sheet 4×5 boxes will be available to order worldwide within the next ten days. Kodak Alaris Japan also published a press release sharing the news.

No pricing information has been given, but we’ll find out soon enough when orders go live.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Apple confirms its new Mac Pro, Pro Display XDR monitor will be available to order tomorrow

09 Dec

Apple has announced it’s opening up pre-orders for its new Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR monitor tomorrow, December 10.

It’s been six months since Apple first showed off the redesigned Mac Pro and accompanying Pro Display XDR monitor at WWDC. At that time, no definitive timeframe was given for its release, aside from vague hints it’d arrive autumn 2019.

The new emails sent out to customers confirmed the devices will be ‘Available to order December 10’ with an included ‘Save the date’ calendar reminder.

The Mac Pro starts at $ 5,999 and the Pro Display XDR monitor starts at $ 4,999 (and requires either the $ 999 stand or a $ 199 VESA mount). As Apple noted back in September, the new Mac Pro will be built in the United States, similar to its cylindrical Mac Pro predecessor. You can order the devices tomorrow at Apple.com.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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