Tag: Camera

The Adonit Photogrip is a multi-use camera grip for smartphones

Stylus maker Adonit has launched a new product for mobile photographers, the Adonit Photogrip. As its name suggests, the Adonit Photogrip is a grip that attaches to smartphones, allowing for more camera-like operation and ergonomics of your smart device.

Additionally the Photogrip can be converted into a mini tripod and a detachable Bluetooth shutter remote can be used at a distance of up to 10 meters. In self-standing mode the Photogrip positions the smartphone in portrait orientation for comfortable video chatting or live-streaming.

The internal battery provides power for 20 hours of continuous use or 72,000 photos. A full charge from completely dead takes approximately 40 minutes.

The Adonit Photogrip is compatible with Apple iPhones running iOS 5.0 or newer, and Android devices with version 4.3 or newer of the Google OS. The remote shutter requires Bluetooth version 3.0 and the Photogrip can be attached to any smartphone with a 4.5-inch or larger display. It comes with a carry pouch and neck strap in the box.

The Adonit Photogrip is available now for $ 39.99. More info is available on the Adonit website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 10, 2018
New study reveals insights of first-time interchangeable lens camera owners

Kobe Subramaniam/Unsplash

KeyPoint Intelligence — InfoTrends has released its 2018 US Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera (DILC) Market Study.

The study, which “started as a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) market has now evolved into two segments: DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras (MILCs),” says KeyPoint Intelligence — InfoTrends in its synopsis. Some of the data presented in the study seems obvious, while other tidbits stand out.

Starting off, the study revealed 72 percent of consumers looking to purchase a DILC in the next year currently don’t own one. The study says most of those potential first-time buyers are making the jump from smartphones and point-and-shoot cameras, with 33 percent of smartphone users and 42 percent of point-and-shoot users saying they’re considering a mirrorless camera.

The study also discovered that 30 percent of all camera and/or smartphone owners planned on taking photography more seriously in the next five years. Of the 30 percent, 80 percent plan on labelling themselves as a hobbyist photographer or higher.

KeyPoint Intelligence — InfoTrends says the “study is designed to equip companies that are interested in the DILC market with critical business planning information.” As such, the entire study is available for purchase, but it won’t come cheap. The study costs $ 20,000 and includes a 158 slide PDF presentation, demographic and digital camera banners and tabulations, and Excel pivot tables.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 8, 2018
These 3D-printed hotshoe covers remind you what speed film you have inside your camera

Before the days of LCD displays, the only way you could keep track of what speed film you had in your camera was to remember it, select a dial on the camera, or cut out a piece of the film box and place it in a designated area on the back of the camera.

However, not all cameras have ISO dials or places to put a note; and even if they do, some have a limited range of ISO labels to choose from. To remedy this problem, photographer Guy Sie customized a set of 3D-printed hotshoe covers with common ISO ratings on the top so you can easily check what speed film you have inside your camera.

“On my fully manual ’50s Leica M3 rangefinder camera, the ISO film speed indicator dial on the back only goes up to 200 – the fastest speed available at the time. With film speeds going up to ISO 3200 now the dial is basically useless so I don’t bother with it, but then I have to remember what film I loaded last time I used the camera – which might be weeks ago,” says Sie in the project summary. “After screwing this up a few times too many, I modified gcardinal’s hotshoe covers by adding ISO speed numbers to the top. Load your camera, swap out the cover for the right ISO, and never forget what film is loaded again!”

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The set consists of covers for ISO 100, 125, 160, 200, 320, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 film stocks. As is, the numbers on the covers are raised, but if you really want to make them pop, you can give them a little coat of paint or black them out with a permanent marker, as Sie has done with the set he made for his Leica M3.

The files for Sie’s hotshoe covers are free to download through Thingaverse. You can print out at home if you have a 3D printer on hand or pay a few dollars to have some made through online print shops like Shapeways or Sculpteo.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 6, 2018
Camera app developer says there’s no ‘beauty filter’ being applied on the iPhone XS, XS Max

Yesterday we learned that at least a handful of iPhone XS and XS Max users are unhappy with their new devices’ front camera image quality, with some early adopters reporting over-excessive skin smoothening and beautification effects when taking self-portraits.

Software developer Sebastiaan de With, the man behind the Halide camera app, has had a closer look at the new iPhone models’ camera processing and says there isn’t any beautification applied to the front camera images. Instead, he says, it’s Apple’s new approach to image processing that can result in soft textures and smoothening.

Both the front and rear cameras in the iPhone XS and XS Max are applying computational photography methods, merging multiple frames into one to optimize image quality across the image. Frames are captured at different exposures, with the image processor picking the best elements of each frame and combining them into the final image output.

In his blog post de Wit says that this method results in a “whole new look” that’s quite different from previous iPhone cameras. The frame merging reduces the brightness of the bright areas and the darkness of the shadow areas, resulting in textures with lower levels of contrast. All the detail is still there but the viewer perceives those areas as softer and less sharp. This is also why the skin in selfie images looks softer.

Additionally, the new iPhone models are applying more aggressive noise reduction — something Apple was already known for going heavy on in the past. This is necessary because the iPhone XS tends to user faster shutter speeds and higher ISO values than previous versions, presumably to keep motion blur to a minimum. Getting rid of the noise inevitably also eliminates some fine detail.

The reduction in detail is particularly true for the front camera where a smaller image sensor comes with higher noise levels to start with. On the plus side, dynamic range is increased which is particularly useful for high-contrast scenes, where highlight-clipping is reduced and more shadow detail visible.

De With also says all these software parameters can be tweaked by Apple. So, if it turns out the “new look” isn’t too popular with consumers the Apple engineers could pretty easily revert to a more “traditional” look via a software update.

De With’s Halide app will soon receive a new Smart RAW feature that “deactivates” Apple’s Smart HDR algorithm to reduce noise reduction and reveal more image detail and fine textures. For more information head over to Sebastiaan’s complete article on the Halide blog.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 3, 2018
NYA-EVO launches Kickstarter for its new Fjord 60-C expandable camera backpack

Photography bag manufacturer NYA-EVO has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its new camera backpack, the Fjord 60-C.

Designed to be a larger version of NYA-EVO’s Fjord 36, the Fjord 60-C is an expandable backpack that fits 60 liters worth of gear in full ‘Expedition mode’ while packing up to a more manageable carry-on size of 44 liters (the ‘C’ in Fjord 60-C stands for carry-on).

Specifically, the Fjord 60-C features three different size configurations that can be adjusted using zippers and the expandable top compartment: Carry-on, Adventure mode and Expedition mode. They offer 44 liters, 52 liters and 60 liters of storage space, respectively.

Like the Fjord 36 backpack, the Fjord 60-C will use NYA-EVO’s removable camera inserts that come in small, medium, and large. The Fjord 60-C will also come in the same colors as the Fjord 36: Midnight Blue, Powder White, Pine Green and Graphite Black.

The backpack is constructed of nylon 210 denier fabric with a water-repellant coating, features YKK aqua guard zippers and has an aluminum internal frame to help keep its shape. The shoulder straps have three adjustable configurations for a more precise fit and there’s a new waist belt to help distribute the weight when the pack is full.

The Kickstarter campaign started today, so there’s plenty of time to secure your pledge. €280 (approximately $ 324) will get you a single Fjord 60-C without any removable camera unites, while a €350 (approximately $ 405) pledge will secure you a single Fjord 60-C with all three removable camera unites.

To find out more and make a pledge, head on over to the Kickstarter campaign. As with all crowdfunded campaigns, proceed with caution. Although NYA-EVO has proven in the past that it’s capable of shipping a Kickstarter project, there’s always the risk of unforeseen circumstances from happening.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 2, 2018
Over $200K in Leica gear stolen from Scottish camera store Ffordes

Image of the Leica cabinets the equipment was stolen from, provided by Ffordes

Ffordes, a camera store in northern Scotland, was the target of what’s believed to be a professional burglary that’s left the store more than $ 200,000 in missing Leica equipment.

On Wednesday, September 26th, the alarm at Ffordes went off. Both the police and a member of the Fforde team alerted management, who quickly arrived on scene. Upon arriving at the shop, it was clear there had been a break-in. One of the front windows had been broken into and a secondary protection window was also removed. Once inside, it was discovered just how much was stolen.

‘From the CCTV footage, the thieves were very well prepared, not just for removing the safety window units but timing,’ said Fforde manager Alister Bowie, in an email to DPReview. ‘They were in and out in under 10 minutes. They went directly to the cabinets with the most expensive equipment inside [passing two other cabinets], broke the doors down and started filling the bags that they had taken in with them. [They were] all suited up and covered [but some] made mistakes and Police are looking over this at the moment. Out of the 12 shelves they only took from 9 of them — the most expensive items and the easiest to sell — they knew what they were looking for.’

Not only was the burglary quick, it was also meticulously planned. According to Bowie, the burglars had been scoping out the location for week and even went so far as to dismantle the street lights and flood lights outside the building. The vehicle believed to be used as a spotter and getaway car was parked 250 yards down the road. Ffordes says authorities are currently combing through both internal and external security footage in an attempt to find out more information.

Bowie says Ffordes has already submitted all of the information it has to the appropriate authorities and will soon release more details, pictures and videos of the burglary in hopes of catching the perpetrators.

Leica Germany has been notified and currently has all of the items re-registered as stolen. Leica dealers around the globe have also been notified and will be keeping en eye out for the stolen gear.

Ffordes has also started a massive social media campaign in an effort to track down the missing gear. Ffordes ‘honestly believes the equipment would be shipped abroad within 12 hours of it being stolen,’ but still has hope the gear will be recovered. Below is a full list of equipment that was taken, complete with serial numbers for verification.

If there’s a shred of good news in this, it’s that the gear was insured. Bowie says the insurance company is currently working on its own investigation and is expected to settle, albeit for far less than what Ffordes paid for the equipment.

If you have any information about the burglary or come across gear on the list, Ffordes asks that you connect with them via email or phone using information found on its contact page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 2, 2018
Review of the SKOUT Handsfree Camera Carrying System by Cotton Carrier

If you want an alternative to using the regular camera strap for hiking or walking around town type of activities, then this review is just the thing for you! Read on to find out about the SKOUT Handsfree Camera Carrying System and whether it will suit your needs.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to review the SKOUT handsfree camera carrying system by Cotton Carrier during a backcountry camping family trip in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park over a period of five days.

To say I was impressed with the performance and comfort of the SKOUT would really be an understatement. I was super impressed with the way Cotton Carrier’s handsfree system worked. It actually held up really well over 30 miles of hard terrain for the duration of the entire trip.

If you have ever been hiking in the mountains, especially the backcountry, you know that total weight and back comfort are very high on the list of priorities for any hiker. I have broken down my review of the Cotton Carrier in terms of the following factors.

The first day of the hike was without the SKOUT carrier and just using the camera strap around my neck. I was uncomfortable and the strap was so annoying to hold especially after 2-3 hours of a tough incline hike.

A much happier me with the SKOUT sling on a day hike. Being handsfree was the best part.

#1 – Ease of use

The SKOUT design is a one-size fit all solution for almost any camera and lens attachment. I used it with my Canon 5D MKIII and 16-35mm L lens as well as the 24-70mm L lens. The first setup with the 16-35mm lens was definitely lighter than with the 24-70mm lens. But with both lenses, the sling held up really well.

The side-strap provided the support needed and balanced the weight effectively. Since I was already carrying a heavy camping pack on both my shoulders, the side strap ensured the camera was well balanced on my back. I was really impressed with the SKOUT’s patented “Twist & Lock” mount that attaches and detaches the camera from the anodized aluminum hub with a simple twist.

I have to admit I was a little nervous the first few minutes after attaching the camera to the SKOUT, being completely handsfree. But my body and my back quickly adjusted to the freedom and I loved not having to constantly pull up the camera strap from my shoulders while walking and hiking in the rough terrain.

Hidden inside the system is an internal stash pocket that fits a phone or a few credit cards. There’s also a rain cover/ weather guard so the gear stays safe and dry in less than ideal environments. I actually ended up using this a couple of times during my hike when we got caught is a mild downpour in the moutnains.

#2 Comfort

Attaching the SKOUT was fairly simple. After wrapping it over one shoulder, there is a single strap that wraps around the torso and snaps into place on the front, securing the entire system. The shoulder strap is really padded well, so even heavier camera systems don’t put too much stress on the body.

The bracket attaches right where you would attach your tripod insert.

The bracket then connects to the sling body with a twist and turn and it is quite secure.

The crossbody sling with the camera attached to it along with the rain cover.

The cotton fabric is very breathable. I was hiking for almost 5-6 hours every day on some pretty rough terrain. Yet the shoulder and body straps were soft and did not rub against my back. The padding on the shoulder straps is thick and really does support the camera weight across your shoulder nicely.

#3 Durability

Like I mentioned earlier, I used the SKOUT camera sling system over a span of 10 days in the mountains of Colorado. I used it on backcountry hiking days as well as day hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.

After the first few minutes of figuring out how to attach the camera and secure the system in place, I really forgot it was even on my body. I absolutely enjoyed being handsfree and having the camera readily available to snap a photo when I saw a beautiful landscape or wildlife.

No more taking the camera out of the daypack and risking missing the moment. The straps, the clasp, and even the camera attachment held up really well to some rough use during my trip.

Here is a video of the SKOUT handsfree camera system in use during my trip.

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Conclusion

All in all, I would definitely rate this product a 9/10 and highly recommend it for anyone looking to do photography on a trail or during a backcountry hiking/camping trip.

It is easy to use, comfortable to wear for extended periods of time and seems reliable even after some rough use in the outdoors.

The post Review of the SKOUT Handsfree Camera Carrying System by Cotton Carrier appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

October 1, 2018
Report: Apple working to fix aggressive iPhone Xs, Xs Max front camera “beautification”

Apple’s new iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max have only been available to buy for a short period of time but it seems some users are not particularly happy with the image quality of the front camera, specifically when shooting self-portraits.

According to multiple threads on Reddit, Apple’s front camera image processing creates images that looks like “really poor Photoshopping,” or as if a Snapchat filter had been applied. In some of the posted samples users have also seen the subject’s skin color rendered in a quite unnatural colors. Vlogger Unbox Therapy has even produced a video on the issue, shared below.

Image: Reddit / user chemicalsam

The good news is that, according to reports, Apple is already on the case. AppleInsider has confirmed with sources who are not authorized to speak on behalf of the company that the problem is being investigated. Reddit user chemicalsam, who posted the first message about the problem, also says Apple has been in touch and is “working on this issue actively.”

It also seems that the over-aggressive “beautification” or skin-smoothing effect is not applied across all shipped devices. AppleInsider says it is not noticeable on any of the iPhone Xs or Xs Max devices that its staff has purchased for review or personal use.

Some degree of “beautification” is being applied to front camera images from almost all manufacturers and in many cases is user-adjustable. In any case, the problem should only be a software issue and therefore easily fixable via an update.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 1, 2018
Best Camera Settings for Portrait Photography

In this article and video, you will discover the best camera settings for portrait photography for taking photos in natural light and for flash photography. Whether you are brand new to portrait photography or a seasoned pro, you will benefit from these helpful photo tips.

If you prefer watching videos to reading, I have also included a video that will walk you through these photo tips for taking photographs in both natural light and for using fill flash.

Taking photos in natural light is the most common so we will start with those camera settings first.

#1 Best Camera Settings for Portrait Photography

I suggest you set your camera to manual mode to give yourself more creative control of your exposure. Sure, it will take a little extra time to capture your images but you are a much better judge of how you want the final image to look than your camera.

ISO

First choose your ISO, which is usually the lowest setting in natural light, ISO 100 on most cameras. Some Nikon cameras have a lower ISO and allow you to you choose a native ISO of 64. Set your ISO as low as possible to avoid extra noise and that grainy look you will get if you use higher ISO settings.

Aperture

Step two, decide which aperture you would like to use. For an out of focus background use an aperture like f/1.4. If you would like more of the background in focus or a sharper image, in most cases using an aperture that is two to three stops higher than the minimum aperture will be the sharpest point of the lens.

For example, an f/2.8 lens will be at its sharpest point at around f/5.6 to f/8. If you are a little confused by that, feel free to post your questions in the comment box below this article.

Read more here: How To Find Your Lens’s Sweet Spot: A Beginner’s Guide to Sharper Images

Shutter Speed

Once you have set your ISO and decided on your aperture your next step is to refer to your in-camera meter and adjust your shutter speed until you get a center reading. Then take a test shot and have a look at your camera’s LCD screen and histogram.

Make sure your histogram is as far to the right as possible without blowing out the highlights in your image. Refer to the video above for some examples of how the histogram should look on your LCD screen.

A general rule is to set your shutter speed two times the focal length of your lens. For example, if you were using a 100mm prime lens then you would set a minimum shutter speed of 1/200th to avoid camera shake and image blur.

There are exceptions to this rule. If you are using a tripod or you have in-camera stabilization, like some mirrorless cameras have, or you are using a lens that has built-in image stabilization, then you can photograph at lower shutter speeds.

Step #2 Best Camera Settings for Portrait Photography Using Flash

When it comes to using flash photography there are a couple of different strobes that are in common use today. There are smaller speedlights that fit on your camera’s hotshoe mount and there are larger studio strobes.

There are also strobe units that function differently. Some strobe systems do not allow you to shoot at a shutter speed faster than 1/200th (the camera’s sync speed). Other strobe setups will allow you to use something called (high-speed sync mode) to shoot with flash up to a shutter speed of 1/8000th.

If a majority of your portrait photography is going to take place outdoors, then I would consider a strobe like the Godox AD600 Pro which is what I used to take a majority of the images in this article. The Godox AD600 Pro allows you to use high-speed sync and flash at shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th.

If your current strobe does not allow you to take photos at above 1/200th, you can use a filter like a B+W 3-stop ND filter which will allow you to shoot at a shutter speed of 1/200th but also at an aperture 3-stops larger than you could without it.

For example, with a 3-stop ND filter, you can shoot at f/2.8 instead of f/8 for the same exposure.

Another important thing to keep in mind if you are shooting outdoors is that you will achieve better results if you shoot closer to sunrise or sunset when the sun is less harsh.

The image above was taken one hour before sunset in the shade and provides a nice even light on the subject’s face. If you would like softer light, then avoid shooting in the middle of the day or move to the shade if you do not have the luxury of shooting just before sunset.

Step #3 Practice These Tips and Explore Your Creativity

One last tip I have for you is to set your camera’s LCD screen brightness level to 4 or 5 and to leave it there. Make sure your LCD screen brightness is not set to auto. That is because it will be difficult for you to gauge your exposure level if your LCD screen brightness is constantly changing.

Check your camera’s settings and set your LCD screen brightness level manually and keep it at the same setting for future photo outings.

Conclusion

If you are new to shooting in manual mode it may seem a little difficult at first. But with a little practice, you will be shooting like a pro.

If you have any questions about the best camera settings for portrait photography that were covered in this article, feel free to ask in the comment box below this article. I look forward to hearing from you.

The post Best Camera Settings for Portrait Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

October 1, 2018
ONA and Japan Camera Hunter team up to release camera bag for film photographers

Camera bag manufacturer ONA has partnered with Bellamy Hunt, founder of Japan Camera Hunter, to release a limited-edition camera bag designed specifically for film photographers.

Officially named the ONA x Japan Camera Hunter Bowery camera bag, the messenger-style bag was ‘developed closely with Bellamy Hunt […] This edition of the Bowery bag features a number of modifications to ONA’s best-selling style worldwide, with the film street photographer in mind.’

Specifically, the bag now features matte black solid brass hardware ‘that will wear-in overtime to reveal the brass underneath, similar to the contact points of a vintage camera.’ Also new is a trio of elastic bandolier looks to hold 35mm film canisters directly on the shoulder strip.

Inside, the rebranded bag is entirely black and now has two pockets dedicated for film, batteries and other accessories, while a zippered pocket on the back of the bag offers a little more security.

‘This bag is the result of over a year of working out the finer details with ONA,’ says Hunt in the press release. ‘I wanted a shoulder bag, as I only carry one camera and a few items. But one that is simple, strong and geared towards the film shooter. The ONA Bowery was a great platform to start off with, but it needed some changes to suit my style.’

Only 230 of these bags will be made. Each will be hand-numbered and available exclusively through ONA’s online store and a few select retailers in Europe and Australia.

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The ONA x Japan Camera Hunter Bowery camera bag will officially launch on October 2nd, 2018 and is currently available for pre-order for $ 199.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

September 30, 2018