360Photography

Tag: Camera

  • Rhino Arc II 4-axis robotic camera system supports 15lb camera payloads

    Rhino has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its new Rhino Arc II, a “robotic camera assistant” designed to replace a fluid head. The Arc II features a 4-axis motorized head with support for both tripods and the Rhino Slider, as well as up to 6.8kg/15lbs of camera equipment. Users have both joystick and mobile control options.

    Rhino Arc II supports LightLapse, Interview, Keyframe, and Rack modes for smooth camera movements in a variety of filming scenarios. The robotic assistant supports Rhino Focus and the High Torque & High Speed Motor as optional tools for expanded capabilities.

    The system is also backwards compatible with the Rhino EVO Motor and Slider EVO. When used with an optional Rhino Power dummy battery, Arc II offers integrated power output for mirrorless and DSRL cameras. Other features include an integrated 501 plate receiver, an OLED screen, and a pan motor for motorized mounting.

    Rhino is offering the Arc II to Kickstarter backers who pledge at least $ 960 USD, a $ 240 discount over the anticipated retail price. The campaign also offers other rewards for backers, including the Rhino Slider Carbon, Slider Pro, and Rhino Arc II + Slider bundles. Shipping is expected to start in May 2019. To dine out more information and to make a pledge, head over to the Kickstarter campaign.

    Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Gear Offer is an online marketplace for buying and selling used camera gear

    When it comes to buying used photography gear, there are plenty of options around the web: eBay, Amazon, KEH, B&H, and Adorama. Now, there’s a new option — Gear Offer, a photography-specific marketplace for selling and buying used camera equipment.

    Based out of Scottsdale, Arizona, United States, Gear Offer is a self-proclaimed “marketplace just for photographers that’s hassle free, priced fairly and continually improving” founded in March 2017.

    Trusting a new online marketplace isn’t always easy, but Gear Offer clearly lays out its terms of service and guidelines on how selling and buying items works.

    Listing items on Gear Offer is free. There’s even a built-in pricing tool that uses recent sales of identical products as a guideline for what price you should set your item(s) at. Once the gear is listed, it’s a matter of waiting for someone to click the “buy now” button on the product page or make an offer that’s accepted.

    Once an item is purchased, the funds from the buyer will be transferred to their Gear Offer account. The seller then packs up the item, ships it off, and adds the tracking number to the purchase on Gear Offer. The buyer will then receive updates until the item (hopefully) safely arrives on their doorstep. After the payment has cleared, which Gear Offer claims is “typically in 2 business days” the seller will receive their funds. Below is a chart provided by Gear Offer that illustrates the timeline of the buying and selling process.

    To protect against fraudulent accounts and activity, Gear Offer says it uses machine learning to continually evaluate the risk of certain sales and transactions. It also relies on reviews from buyers and sellers to help build trust between frequent users. In the event something does go wrong, Gear Offers says customer service is provided by “real live humans,” and not ones in offshore call centers.

    To confirm this claim DPReview tested the Gear Offer contact line by calling at roughly 4pm ET on a Saturday and after stating its name via a Google Voice operator service, DPReview was connected to a line that was eventually directed to a voicemail that said we would hear back “as soon as possible” regarding its inquiry. DPReview called again five minutes later in a secondary effort to contact the Gear Offer team and was immediately connected with a representative from the company.

    Gear Offer makes its money is through a 6.9% processing fee when an item is sold, similar to how eBay and Amazon works, although at a lower rate — Gear Offer notes that eBay charges 12.9% (plus a standard $ .30 fixed processing fee).1 The 6.9% fee comes from the income of the seller of the item.

    Head over to Gear Offer to find out more and browse around the current listings. To list or purchase photography gear sign up for an account.

    1 The eBay processing fee is 10% and the PayPal processing fee is 2.9%, which makes for the 12.9% total fee.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Video: 5 tongue-in-cheek camera tricks for cheapskate photographers

    There are very likely more hours of video in the form of camera tips on YouTube than a person could ever watch in their lifetime. But few, if any, of these videos will make you laugh (or cringe) as hard as the most recent video from I Did A Thing.

    In his latest video, titled 5 Camera Tricks for Cheapskates, Alex spends four-and-a-half minutes sharing a collection of satirical camera tricks you can use to make the most of your camera equipment.

    From butter sliders to a beer goggle filter, the video covers some of the most ridiculous tricks you could possibly think of. The absurd thing is, some of these tricks actually produce impressive results, as you can see from the buttery-smooth slider shot above.

    We very much suggest you don’t try these at home for the sake of your floors, countertops, and camera equipment. But you’re free to live your life as you see fit.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Video: DIY Hasselblad XPan camera combines Hasselblad 500cm and anamorphic lens

    Cinematographer Casey Cavanaugh of GxAce has published a video detailing the creation of his own Hasselblad XPan, a DIY camera he calls the GX-Pan. “I always wanted an XPan, the anamorphic dream,” Cavanaugh narrates in his video. “But it has always been out of my reach, so I built my own.”

    The DIY GX-Pan features a custom machined adapter design to mount an anamorphic lens onto a Hasselblad 500cm camera. “What makes this better than an XPan, in my opinion, is that it gives a true anamorphic widescreen image,” Cavanaugh explains. Viewers are given both technical details and brief looks at the creation process.

    View this post on Instagram

    X-Pans are too damn expensive. So I built my own. Link to the video is up in the bio. #hasselbladxpan #xpan #anamorphiclens • • • • • • #anamorphic #anamorphiles #hasselblad #hasselblad500cm #fujiframez #fujixt3 #500cm #mediumformat #mediumformatfilm #cinematic #cinematography #cinebible #photocinematica #filmisnotdead @japancamerahunter @emulsivefilm @petapixel @phoblographer @35mmcblog @camerafilmphoto #panoramic #fujitx2 @hawkanamorphic @hasselblad @hasselbladfeatures @hasselbladculture

    A post shared by Casey Cavanaugh (@gxace) on

    Cavanaugh’s work can be found on his personal website, Flickr, and Instagram.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Video: Shooting a portrait on a 20×24 instant(ish) camera in Vienna

    Marco Krenn of YouTube channel Analog Things has shared a video showcasing a 20×24 Wisner camera, including the process of capturing and developing a photo with it.

    The camera, which is located at Supersense in Vienna, Austria, is presented in great detail throughout the ten minute video, with Krenn taking a look at the ground glass and paper holder, as well as the lens, inside the bellows, and the final portrait.

    Supersense offers an online tour of its large format instant cameras, including an 8×10 Vienna Vintage Wood camera and the 20×24 camera featured in the video. The company allows visitors to schedule an appointment to have their own 20×24 or 8×10 instant portrait taken, and also sells instant film packs. In addition to its YouTube channel, Analog Things shares images related to analog photography on its Instagram account.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Escura Instant 60s is a retro-inspired instant camera that doesn’t need batteries

    Battery-free instant cameras and printers appear to be all the rage right now. So, naturally, another company is tossing its hat in the ring. Hong Kong-based CARBON, a brand under the Graphic Guides Design Company, has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Escura Instant 60s, a hand-crank Instant camera that uses the ubiquitous Instax film.

    The camera, which is built with a retro 60s-inspired design, features a 60mm equivalent lens, two aperture options — F8 and F11 — and a shutter speed of roughly 1/100th of a second. There’s also a bulb shutter mode when using the optional spring shutter release cable. It’s also possible to capture multiple exposures on a single Instax print.

    As with past battery-free cameras and printers we’ve seen, the process is as simple as turning the winding mechanism after capturing a shot. As you turn it, the print runs through the rollers and is fed out the top, ready to sit and be developed over the course of 90 seconds or so.

    CARBON has also developed an external flash designed to be used with the Escura Instant 60s. It features the same retro design and is automatically synchronized with the shutter release.

    The Escura Instant 60s is expected to ship in February 2019. Pledges start at roughly $ 55 (converted from HK$ ) for a single camera and go up as more cameras and add-ons are included. To find out more information and to secure your pledge, head on over to the Kickstarter campaign.

    Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Yongnuo teases YN450 mirrorless camera with Android, 4G connectivity

    Chinese company Yongnuo has revealed plans to launch an Android-based mirrorless camera. The model is being referred to as “YN450,” but Yongnuo is soliciting name suggestions in a new contest on its Facebook Page. The public has until January 2019 to submit their name ideas.

    The Yongnuo mirrorless interchangeable lens camera features 4G connectivity and runs on the Android operating system, which is accessible via a touchscreen display that covers the entire back of the camera. PhotoRumors elaborates on the Facebook post, claiming the YN450 camera will feature a memory card, headphone jack, 4000mAh battery, 4K/30fps video recording, support for RAW files, and built-in GPS.

    Yongnuo will reveal the model’s final name in January 2019 and send contest winners a YN50mm F1.8C/N YONGNUO lens. As noted by MirrorlessRumors, the January date hints at a possible CES 2019 unveiling, though the company hasn’t confirmed the rumor.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Lens Rentals calls the Z7 the ‘best built mirrorless full-frame camera we’ve taken apart’

    In case you were wondering what’s packed inside the Nikon Z7 and how well constructed it is, Lens Rentals has kindly cracked one open so you don’t have to, as promised in its EOS R teardown.

    The camera equipment rental and repair business, famous for its camera teardowns, has documented the process of taking the Z7 apart, showing pictures of the weather sealing, electronic design, internal structure, and component layout of Nikon’s flagship full-frame mirrorless camera.

    Roger Cicala, the man behind the teardown and founder of Lens Rentals, praises the extensive weathersealing protection from ingress of dust and moisture in the camera’s construction, and says the joints in the body are overlapped, screwed together and then covered by adhesive and rubber. He’s also impressed with the neatness of the electronics and the way the boards are packed into the body without leaving much space between them, especially with the in-body image stabilization.

    “[The IBIS] noticeably more compact, has less travel than the Sony system, and seems more robust,” says Cicala. “From our focus on repair, we see this as a good thing – early Sony IBIS systems would sometimes move enough to jam and/or break. (To be clear, that’s not an issue with newer Sony cameras. I point this out just to show that the manufacturers have been watching each other.)”

    Cicala’s only concerns seem to be that the diopter adjustment knob might not stand being pulled out and pushed in multiple times in rental models, and that the tripod screw isn’t as deep as some, so runs the slight risk of a long thread busting through it.

    In conclusion Cicala says “I’m impressed by the very solid construction of the chassis and IBIS unit. I’m impressed with the neat, modern engineering of the electrical connections […] I’m not here to tell you which camera is best to use or has the best performance. I’m just here to say this is a damn well-built camera, the best built mirrorless full-frame camera we’ve taken apart.”

    Go to the full teardown on Lens Rental’s website to see more photos and a more thorough take with all his comments. And remember, don’t try this at home!

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Panasonic announces first 8K camera with its organic image sensor inside

    Panasonic has announced its first camera to use the organic film sensor it announced in February. This comes five years after announcing a collaboration with Fujifilm and seven years after the technology was patented. The AK-SHB810 uses the technology to offer 8K resolution at 60p and ‘global’ shutter.

    The camera comes in the form of a ‘head unit’ that attaches via fiber-optical cable to an offboard processing unit. It should be available in 2019 with the Japanese press release talking about providing an 8K broadcast system in time for 2020, when Tokyo will host the Olympic Games. Panasonic also mentions feature film production, which explains the use of the industry-standard ‘PL’ mount.

    In a conventional CMOS sensor, the silicon acts as the light-sensitive medium, charge storage and readout circuitry: reading out the pixel ends the exposure, so the shutter behavior is determined by the readout rate. In the organic film/CMOS chip, the two processes are independent, so the exposure can be stopped for the whole sensor to give a global shutter, with readout occuring in the background.

    As well as avoiding any ‘rolling shutter’ skewing effect, Panasonic highlights that a global shutter means that flashguns fired while recording won’t cause partial bright bands across the image (something that could be distracting in broadcasts of indoor sporting events).

    In addition, the sensor design allows the sensitivity of the capture medium to be varied to give a continuously variable virtual ‘ND Filter’ effect. The company also promises wide dynamic range capture, though puts no figures on this.

    This figure shows the stepless, electronically-controlled ‘ND filter’ effect of the Panasonic sensor.

    All these features stem from a fundamental aspect of the new sensor: the separation of the light gathering function of the sensor from the readout process and its circuitry.

    The global shutter can be achieved because the light sensitive layer can be turned on and off (or its sensitivity varied) by varying the charge applied to it. This means that the whole film layer can capture a frame and then be made inactive while the CMOS circuitry underneath reads-out. In turn, this means the capture pattern doesn’t have to be defined by the sensor’s readout rate: progressively working down the frame.

    The ability to vary the sensitivity of the organic film layer by adjusting the charge applied to it provides the virtual ‘ND filter’ affect, which can mimic ‘whole stop’ NDs or be continuously variable.

    Pricing is not mentioned in the press release.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 5 Tips For Keeping Your Camera Safe And In Working Order

    Besides the obvious cost of camera equipment, they are also a key part of photography. A damaged camera, especially when away in remote places, can mean no photos. Those missed photos might be something that you can’t replicate. So to keep your camera equipment safe and in working order is an essential part of photography. Here are 5 tips for keeping your camera safe and in working order.

    5 Tips To Keep Your Camera Safe And In Working Order - Kav Dadfar Photography

    1. Clean, repair, service

    There’s an age-old saying ‘prevention is better than the cure.’ So your first step in ensuring that your camera is in good working condition is to keep it that way. Get into the habit of regularly cleaning your camera. There are plenty of camera cleaning products out there, and it only takes a few minutes. Wipe your camera clean of dust and any other build up of dirt. Carefully clean your lenses using the relevant material. It’s best to avoid touching or cleaning your sensor unless you are confident in what you are doing.

    Even if your camera is working, if there is a minor fault with it, get it fixed rather than leaving. It’s also worth getting your camera serviced professionally every now and again. Yes, it might be an annoying expense to have to pay, but it is a small price to pay to ensure that your camera is in perfect working condition.

    5 Tips To Keep Your Camera Safe And In Working Order - Kav Dadfar Photography

    2. Be aware of the elements

    Water and sand are two of the biggest dangers to cameras. Anyone who has a scratched lens glass or sensor due to sand knows the cost involved in fixing these things. However, there are ways to protect your camera equipment to ensure you minimize the risk. The first thing you need to know is how well sealed your camera is. For example, high-end DSLR cameras often specify that they are ‘weather sealed.’ While weather-sealing offers good protection from things getting into your camera, you should still be cautious.

    • Start by always carrying a plastic bag with you. They are great for protecting your camera from rain and water.
    • It’s also worth carrying a small towel at all times to wipe your camera clean. It is especially vital near the coast where the salt in seawater can be corrosive.
    • Avoid changing lenses, especially when windy. Dust, sand, and water can all get into your sensor. If you must change lenses, do it quickly and make sure you protect your camera from the wind.
    • Remember to wipe and clean your camera after you finish your shoot at these places as there may still be sand or water on your camera.

    5 Tips To Keep Your Camera Safe And In Working Order - Kav Dadfar Photography

    3. Know your surroundings

    One of the dangers to your camera equipment is theft. With a little bit of common sense and caution, you can avoid being a victim. The key is to know your surroundings and take action accordingly. For example, if you are walking on a busy sidewalk, keep away from the curb and keep your camera away from the roadside where snatch and grabs on motorbikes happen. Alternatively, if you are sitting on an outside table in a restaurant, put your camera away in your bag or have the strap around your arm.

    Even in quite countryside car parks, it’s important to take precautions. Don’t leave cameras or valuables on display. Hide them away, or better still take them with you. As long as you use common sense and know what it is happening around you, you shouldn’t have any problems.

    5 Tips To Keep Your Camera Safe And In Working Order - Kav Dadfar Photography

    4. Use your tripod wisely

    My only ever accident with my camera was when I was using a tripod. As I rushed to put my camera on, I didn’t clip it in, and the camera fell straight into a muddy puddle. Luckily the mud stopped my camera bouncing off into the river that I was photographing, and it also avoided the rock that I was standing on. With a bit of cleaning up, I was able to use it straight away. I was fortunate on this occasion.

    I am always astonished when I see people setting up tripods, and they don’t evenly distribute the weight, causing it to fall over, or people putting expensive DSLRs on cheap tripods that are not secure enough to take the weight.

    Whenever you are using a tripod, the key is to take your time. Make sure your tripod is secure, and the legs are taking the weight evenly. When you put your camera on the tripod, hold on to the strap for a few seconds to ensure it’s not going to topple over. Only when confident it’s not going to fall should you let go. Be especially careful when there are high winds as a sudden gust can easily knock over your tripod and camera.

    5 Tips To Keep Your Camera Safe And In Working Order - Kav Dadfar Photography

    5. Store your equipment safely

    Depending on how much photography you do, there are always periods when your camera is not in use. So, where you store your camera is also essential in keeping it safe. Avoid storing your camera in places where there is high humidity like laundry rooms. You should also avoid leaving it in direct sunlight. Try to store it in a cupboard rather than just leaving it out to gather dust. A great tip is to keep your camera equipment in your camera bag and place your bag in a cupboard. Not only does it protect against dust but also ensures everything is one place and out of sight.

    5 Tips To Keep Your Camera Safe And In Working Order - Kav Dadfar Photography

    Additional tip for keeping your camera safe

    While you hope you never have to use it, it’s always best to ensure that you have appropriate insurance in place for your camera equipment. Make sure that it covers you for things like damage at home, in transit and even in cars. It’s also worth noting the details of their claims policy, so you are aware of things such as whether they pay for or replace damaged or stolen equipment. It is also important to know these details, in case you may have to wait six months for your equipment to get replaced. So always make sure you have insurance to cover your equipment.

    5 Tips To Keep Your Camera Safe And In Working Order - Kav Dadfar Photography

    There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing an amazing photo opportunity in front of you and having no camera. However, with a little bit of care, forward planning, and common sense, you can avoid this happening to you by keeping your camera safe and in working order.

    Anything else that you can think of? Let us know below.

    Want more? Check out the latest photography tips on our blog.

    The post 5 Tips For Keeping Your Camera Safe And In Working Order appeared first on Digital Photography School.


    Digital Photography School