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Posts Tagged ‘unveils’

LG unveils 2020 UltraFine, UltraWide 32″ and 38″ 4K monitors for professionals

20 Dec

Ahead of their CES 2020 debut, LG Electronics has taken the wraps off its latest monitor lineup, including the 2020 UltraFine and 2020 UltraWide 4K models. Both monitors, as well as a new UltraGear line designed specifically for gamers, are part of the ‘premium’ market segment, according to LG.

Most notable among LG’s new models is the 2020 LG UltraWide 38WN95C 38in QHD+ 3840 x 1600 21:9 monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms Nano IPS display. This model, which is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified, offers what LG calls ‘professional-level performance, picture quality and speed.’

The 2020 LG UltraFine monitor also features 98% DCI P3 color space, Thunderbolt 3, NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, 450 nits brightness and an adjustable tilt stand.

Joining the UltraWide model is the new 2020 LG UltraFine Ergo 32in 4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 32UN880 monitor featuring an IPS display, 60Hz refresh rate, 5ms response time, HDR10 support, AMD Radeon FreeSync, and 350 nits brightness. This model does not feature Thunderbolt 3.

The UltraFine’s USB-C One Cable solution is joined by an ergonomic design with an ‘arm’ style stand capable of being adjusted in a number of ways and placed very close to a wall. LG says it designed this monitor specifically for professionals who spend ‘a significant amount of time’ working at a desk.

LG hasn’t provided pricing information for any of its new monitors at this time, but we’ll likely get the price and availability details during CES 2020 in early January.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon unveils the EOS Ra, a full-frame mirrorless astrophotography camera

06 Nov

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Canon very quietly today released a dedicated astrophotography version of its EOS R camera, the EOS Ra.

Much like the Nikon D810a and Canon’s own 60Da, the EOS Ra has been modified to better capture celestial objects in the night sky, but aside from that remains unchanged from its more conventional counterpart. Specifically, Canon has modified the IR filter in front of the full-frame sensor, to allow the Ra to capture as much as four times the amount of hydrogen alpha rays (656nm wavelength) compared to the standard EOS R camera. This alteration will make it easier to capture the deep red infrared rays given off by objects in space.

The EOS Ra also offers a 30x magnification option in the EVF and in Live View, a dramatic increase from the 10x magnification found in the standard EOS R. This increase should make it easier to focus on celestial bodies to get focus just right.

Aside from those two alterations, the EOS Ra is effectively identical to the EOS R, complete with the 30MP sensor, 3.69M-dot OLED EVF, dot-matrix LED panel and magnesium-alloy body.

The Canon EOS Ra is currently available to pre-order for $ 2,500. No estimated shipping timeframe has been given at this time.

Update: As of 5pm PT, the EOS Ra product page on Adorama.com has been removed. We have asked Canon for clarification and will update this article accordingly.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm unveils the Instax Mini Link, its latest compact instant photo printer

02 Oct

Fujifilm has launched the Instax Mini Link, its latest photo printer designed to turn digital photos into analog Instax prints.

The handheld device works hand-in-hand with Fujifilm’s new Instax Mini Link app to share and print images wirelessly. Fujifilm says the device can transfer prints in ‘about 12 seconds’ and can print up to 100 Instax prints per charge.

The Instax Mini Link has special printing modes including called ‘Video Print’ and ‘Party Print.’ ‘Video Print’ lets you scrub through a video to capture a still to print with the devices, while ‘Party Print’ allows up to five different smartphones to pair together to create a collage of images in a single print. An additional ‘Surprise Mode’ within the ‘Party Print’ option will randomly scramble the images, ensuring the final print remains a mystery until it’s revealed.

Basic edits can be made to photos within the Instax Mini Link app and a collection of border options are available to for further customization. Fujifilm’s X Series and GFX System cameras can also be paired with the Instax Mini Link via the Fujifilm Camera Remote app—because who doesn’t want an instant print from a $ 4,499 51.4-megapixel camera body?

The Instax Mini Link printer will be available in blue, pink and white versions and is expected to retail for $ 99.95 when it becomes available to purchase on October 4, 2019. For more information, check out the Instax Mini Link website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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PNY unveils two ultra-compact portable SSDs and MOBEE mobile gimbal

07 Sep

Flash storage and accessories company PNY has introduced the MOBEE gimbal 3-axis stabilizer for smartphones, as well as its new Elite Portable SSD and PRO Elite SSD.

Despite PNY’s claimes, they’re not the fastest portable SSDs on the market, but the new PNY models make up for their slightly slower speeds by offering very compact sizes. The Elite Portable SSD model measures 6 x 3.6 x 0.9cm (2.3 x 1.4 x 0.3in) and the PRO Elite is slightly larger at 13.3 x 10.2 x 5.7cm (5.2 x 4 x 2.2in).

The PNY Elite model is offered in 240GB and 480GB capacities with up to 430MB/s read and 400MB/s write speeds. The PRO Elite model is offered in 250GB, 500GB, and 1TB capacities with up to 890MB/s write and 900MB/s read speeds. The Elite Portable SSD 450GB costs $ 125 USD; the PRO Elite model ranges from $ 70 USD to $ 162 USD.

The new PNY MOBEE gimbal, meanwhile, is compact at 10.8 x 28.9 x 7cm (4.2 x 11.3 x 2.7in) with a weight of 1.4kg (3lbs). The 3-axis stabilizer features a rechargeable Li-ion battery offering up to 12 hours of operation per charge, as well as a USB port for charging a smartphone while shooting.

A companion mobile app offers access to different shooting modes, including object and face tracking, slow motion and time-lapse. The gimbal is only listed on Amazon.uk at this time with a price of £87.13 ($ 107.14 USD).

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Samsung officially unveils 108MP ISOCELL Bright HMX mobile camera sensor

13 Aug

Samsung has officially announced the 108-megapixel camera sensor first teased by Chinese company Xiaomi last week. The new Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX is the first mobile camera sensor that offers more than 100 megapixels, exceeding the company’s recently announced 64MP sensor. Samsung says the ISOCELL Bright HMX is the fruit of a ’close collaboration’ with Xiaomi.

The ISOCELL Bright HMX is the first mobile sensor to feature a 1/1.33″ size, according to Samsung, which says its Tetracell tech enables the HMX to ‘imitate big-pixel sensors’ for better quality 27MP images.

The 1/1.33″ format equates to around 9.6 x 7.2mm, which is around 40% smaller than a 1″-type sensor, but nearly 3 times larger than the 1/2.5″-type chips in the many of smartphones. The Tetracell design, much like Sony’s ‘Quad Bayer’ technology, places four pixels under each color of its color filter, making it easy to combine pixels to give better performance at 1/4 resolution, but also means additional processing needs to be done to attempt to replicate what a standard Bayer sensor would capture, if it had 108 megapixels.

Samsung’s ‘Tetracell’ tech makes low light (and, potentially, HDR) images easier to produce, but means processing is required to attempt to recreate what a standard Bayer sensor would have produced.

The sensor will be paired with what Samsung calls its Smart-ISO ‘mechanism,’ which it says toggles between a high ISO in darker environments and a low ISO in bright settings. This sounds like it may be describing a chip with more than one gain mode. Samsung claims this increases pixel saturation and the promise of ‘vivid photographs.’ The new HMX supports recording video at up to 6K 6016 x 3384 at 30fps.

Talking about the new product is Xiaomi President Lin Bin, who said:

‘We are very pleased that picture resolutions previously available only in a few top-tier DSLR cameras can now be designed into smartphones. As we continue our partnership, we anticipate bringing not only new mobile camera experiences but also a platform through which our users can create unique content.’

The company hasn’t yet revealed what those ‘new mobile camera experiences’ will be. Samsung plans to start mass-producing the ISOCELL Bright HMX in August.

Samsung Takes Mobile Photography to the Next Level with Industry’s First 108Mp Image Sensor for Smartphones

Samsung’s partnership with Xiaomi brings innovation to mobile cameras with new ISOCELL Bright HMX

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced 108 megapixel (Mp) Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX, the first mobile image sensor in the industry to go beyond 100 million pixels. With the latest addition, Samsung will expand its 0.8?m image sensor offerings from its recently announced ultra-high 64Mp to 108Mp, a resolution equivalent to that of a high-end DSLR camera. Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX is a one-of-a-kind mobile image sensor and is the result of close collaboration between Xiaomi Corp. and Samsung.

With over 100 million effective pixels enabling extremely sharp photographs rich in detail, the ISOCELL Bright HMX also produces exceptional photos even in extreme lighting conditions. Being the first mobile image sensor to adopt a large 1/1.33-inch size, the HMX can absorb more light in low-lit settings than smaller sensors and its pixel-merging Tetracell technology allows the sensor to imitate big-pixel sensors, producing brighter 27Mp images. In bright environments, the Smart-ISO, a mechanism that intelligently selects the level of amplifier gains according to the illumination of the environment for optimal light-to-electric signal conversion, switches to a low ISO to improve pixel saturation and produce vivid photographs. The mechanism uses a high ISO in darker settings that helps reduce noise, resulting in clearer pictures. For advanced filming, the HMX supports video recording without losses in field-of-view at resolutions up to 6K (6016 x 3384) 30-frames-per-second (fps).

“For ISOCELL Bright HMX, Xiaomi and Samsung have worked closely together from the early conceptual stage to production that has resulted in a groundbreaking 108Mp image sensor. We are very pleased that picture resolutions previously available only in a few top-tier DSLR cameras can now be designed into smartphones,” said Lin Bin, co-founder and president of Xiaomi. “As we continue our partnership, we anticipate bringing not only new mobile camera experiences but also a platform through which our users can create unique content.”

“Samsung is continuously pushing for innovations in pixel and logic technologies to engineer our ISOCELL image sensors to capture the world as close to how our eyes perceive them,” said Yongin Park, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics. “Through close collaboration with Xiaomi, ISOCELL Bright HMX is the first mobile image sensor to pack over 100 million pixels and delivers unparalleled color reproduction and stunning detail with advanced Tetracell and ISOCELL Plus technology.”

Mass production for Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX will begin later this month.

* Samsung first announced its ISOCELL technology in 2013, which reduces color-cross talk between pixels by placing a physical barrier, allowing small-sized pixels to achieve higher color fidelity. Based on this technology, Samsung introduced the industry’s first 1.0um-pixel image sensor in 2015 and 0.9-pixel sensor in 2017. In June 2018, Samsung introduced an upgraded pixel isolation technology, the ISOCELL Plus

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Blackmagic Design unveils the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K

11 Aug

Blackmagic Design has unveiled the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BMPCC6K), an EF-mount cinema camera with a 6K Super 35 (S35) sensor, a step up from the Four Thirds sensor found inside Blackmagic Design’s Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K).

At the core of the camera is a 23.10 x 12.99mm Super 35 sensor with Dual Native ISO (400 and 3200), 6144 x 3456 pixel resolution and 13 stops of dynamic range. It can shoot in 10-bit ProRes or 12-bit Blackmagic RAW formats.

The S35 sensor will shoot up to 50 fps at 6144 x 3456 16:9 or 60 fps at 6144 x 2560 2.4:1 and 60 fps at 5744 x 3024 1.9:1. There is also a high frame rate option that shoots 120 fps at 2.8K 2868 x 1512 1.9:1 as well as a true anamorphic 6:5 mode that shoots in 3.7K 60 fps (3728 x 3104).

A comparison from the BMPCC6K product page highlighting the difference in the depth of field between the Four Thirds sensor inside the BMPCC4K and the roughly APS-C ‘Super 35’ sensor inside the BMPCC6K.

The EF mount on the BMPCC6K will feature full electronics so Canon’s EF lens lineup can communicate with the camera for focus and aperture control, as well as Image Stabilization support. In addition to using Canon’s EF mount, the BMPCC6K also uses the same Canon-style LP-E6 battery as its predecessor. Blackmagic rates this for 45 minutes of runtime and can be charged via external battery packs through the onboard USB-C connection.

Recordings can be captured as 10-bit Apple ProRes files in all formats up to 4K or 12-bit Blackmagic RAW in all formats up to 6K. The BMPCC6K features both a CFast and SD UHS-II slots, as well as a USB-C port for storing to external media. Blackmagic Design says ‘Customers can use regular SD cards for HD or higher performance UHS-II and CFast cards for native 4K or 6K when using Blackmagic RAW. Imagine capturing over an hour of full resolution 6K images on a single 256GB SD UHS-II card.’

Notably, though, the manual recommends CFast or USB-C-connected SSD storage for the camera’s high res, high frame rate output, as most of the compression options exceed the 90MB/s guaranteed speeds of the latest V90 UHS-II cards.

A full-size HDMI connection is included for monitoring footage and outputting 10-bit video, including HDR. Other connections include a mini XLR connection with 48 volt phantom power, a 3.5mm microphone input, a 3.5mm headphone output and a locking DC power connection.

On the rear of the BMPCC6K is the same five-inch touchscreen found on the BMPCC4K, which displays the Blackmagic OS, a proprietary operating system designed specifically for Blackmagic Design’s cameras.

The BMPCC6K utilizes Blackmagic Design’s Generation 4 Color Science, first introduced on the URSA Mini Pro G2. In Blackmagic Design’s own words, ‘Blackmagic Generation 4 Color Science uses a complex dynamic 12-bit gamma curve designed to capture more color data in the highlights and shadows, so they get better looking images.’

Other features include still frame capture up to 21.2-megapixels, remote camera control via Bluetooth, localization for 11 languages and a built-in timecode generator for synced multi-camera shoots.

The BMPCC6K is available now for $ 2,495 from resellers around the globe.

Press release:

Blackmagic Design Announces New Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K

Fremont, CA, USA – Thursday, 8 August 2019 – Blackmagic Design today announced the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K, a new handheld digital film camera with a full Super 35 size 6K HDR image sensor, 13 stops of dynamic range, an EF lens mount and dual native ISO up to 25,600 for incredible low light performance. This new model builds on the popularity of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K but has a larger Super 35 sensor size with 6K resolution, allowing higher image quality. The EF lens mount model works with a wide range of lenses from companies such as Canon, Zeiss, Sigma and Schneider.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is available immediately from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for US$ 2,495.

The elegant design of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera packs an incredible number of high end digital film features into a miniaturized, handheld design. Made from lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite, the camera features a multifunction handgrip with all controls for recording, ISO, WB and shutter angle right at their fingertips. Because it’s an advanced digital film camera, the sensor is designed to reduce thermal noise allowing cleaner shadows and higher ISO. Plus the large 5 inch LCD makes it possible to get perfect focus at 4K and 6K resolutions.

Featuring a larger 6144 x 3456 Super 35 sensor and EF lens mount, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K lets customers use larger EF photographic lenses to create cinematic images with shallower depth of field, allowing creative defocussed backgrounds and gorgeous bokeh effects. This means that customers can shoot in 6K and then in post production zoom and re-frame to allow wide shots and close ups to be created, all from a single camera and without losing image quality.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 6K both have an incredible 13 stops of dynamic range which means they preserve more detail in the lightest and darkest areas of an image than simple video cameras can. This allows customers to set exposure for an indoor scene such as a cafe and still retain the details of bright outdoor light coming through a window. Customers even get more colors than the standard DCI-P3 colorspace used for feature films.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features dual gain ISO up to 25,600, which means both the 4K and 6K models are optimized to minimize grain or noise in images, while maintaining the full dynamic range of the sensor. The native ISO of 400 is ideal for scenes with on-set lighting. The gain is set automatically as they adjust the ISO setting on the camera, so it’s easy to capture great images when they don’t have time to set up lights.

The new 6K model will shoot up to 50 fps at 6144 x 3456 16:9 or 60 fps at 6144 x 2560 2.4:1 and 60 fps at 5744 x 3024 17:9. For higher frame rates they can window the sensor and shoot up to 120 fps at 2.8K 2868 x 1512 17:9. Customers can even work in true anamorphic 6:5 using anamorphic lenses in 3.7K 60 fps at 3728 x 3104.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera records using standard open file formats so customers don’t have to waste time transcoding media. Recording works in industry standard 10-bit Apple ProRes files in all formats up to 4K or 12-bit Blackmagic RAW in all formats up to 6K. Best of all media files work on all operating systems plus customers can format media cards and disks in HFS+ for Mac and ExFAT for Windows.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features built in CFast and SD UHS-II card recorders, and a USB-C expansion port for recording direct to an external media disk. Customers can use regular SD cards for HD or higher performance UHS-II and CFast cards for native 4K or 6K when using Blackmagic RAW. Imagine capturing over an hour of full resolution 6K images on a single 256GB SD UHS-II card.

Blackmagic RAW is a revolutionary new format designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from their camera. Video formats such as H.264 are highly compressed, plus add noise and weird artifacts, causing original sensor detail to be lost forever. Blackmagic RAW eliminates this problem and gives them stunning images with incredible detail and color throughout the production pipeline from camera to edit, color and mastering. It also saves camera settings as metadata so customers can set ISO, white balance and exposure in camera or override them later while editing, all without any loss of quality. Blackmagic RAW files are also small and fast to use making them easy to work with.

The rear of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features a large, bright 5 inch touchscreen that makes it easy for customers to frame shots and accurately focus. It’s like getting a built in Blackmagic Video Assist with their camera. The touchscreen displays critical information while shooting, as well as menus for setting up the camera and intuitive touch to focus controls. On screen overlays show status, a histogram, focus and peaking indicators, levels, frame guides, playback controls and more.

With the advanced Blackmagic OS, customers get an intuitive and user friendly camera operating system based on the latest technology. The interface uses simple tap and swipe gestures to adjust settings, add metadata and view recording status. Customers also get full control over advanced camera features such as on screen focus and exposure tools, 3D LUTs, HDR, metadata entry, timecode, Blackmagic RAW settings and more.

Featuring the same Generation 4 Color Science as the high end URSA Mini Pro G2, the Pocket Cinema Camera delivers stunning, accurate skin tones and faithful color in every shot. Blackmagic Generation 4 Color Science uses a complex dynamic 12-bit gamma curve designed to capture more color data in the highlights and shadows, so they get better looking images. The color science also handles some of the complex Blackmagic RAW image processing, so color and dynamic range data from the sensor is preserved via metadata which customers can use in post production.

The camera includes a full size HDMI connector for monitoring with support for HDR and clean 10-bit output. There’s also a mini XLR connection with 48 volt phantom power for attaching professional microphones, a 3.5 mm video camera style microphone input, headphone connection and a professional locking DC power connector.

Digital film cameras shoot logarithmic colorspace to preserve the dynamic range, which is great for later post production, however when these files are viewed on a monitor they can look flat and washed out. 3D LUTs solve this problem because they allow customers to apply a “look” to the monitor so customers get an idea of how the finished images will look like when editing. The Pocket Cinema Camera works with industry standard 17 and 33 point 3D LUT files, or customers can work with the built in LUTs such as Extended Video, Film to Video, Film to Rec.2020 and more.

Professional cameras include professional features and customers also get a built in timecode generator, allowing shooting with more than one camera while keeping perfect sync. Simply plug in an external timecode generator such as Tentacle Sync into the 3.5 mm audio jack and the camera will automatically detect timecode and lock the internal generator. Now each camera can start and stop recording and all the shots from all cameras will have the same matched timecode. Imagine shooting a music festival with multiple roving cameras. Best of all the new DaVinci Resolve 16.1 will automatically find and sync the shots from all cameras so they don’t need to waste time sorting through thousands of shots.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera uses standard removable LP-E6 type batteries and also features a locking DC power connector so they never have to worry about losing power in the middle of a shoot. The included AC plug pack can power the camera and charge the battery at the same time. The USB-C expansion port can also be used to charge the battery from portable battery packs, mobile phone chargers or a laptop computer. Customers can even add an optional Blackmagic Pocket Battery Grip that lets customers use 2 batteries to dramatically extend the power of the camera.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 6K models include a full version of DaVinci Resolve Studio, which is the same software used in Hollywood for creating high end feature films, episodic television shows, commercials and more. DaVinci Resolve features a revolutionary new cut page with intelligent editing tools and innovative new features designed to help customers quickly find the footage customers want, edit it together and output it fast. In addition to the new cut page, customers also get DaVinci’s legendary professional editing, advanced color correction, audio post and visual effects tools, all in a single software application.

“The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K features incredible new 6K imaging and EF lens support that customers have asked for,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “It has all of the great features customers love from the 4K model, but now adds an EF lens, increased 6K resolution for even higher quality images and more. Plus, with the built in Video Assist features, customers don’t have to purchase and carry around extra equipment. DaVinci Resolve Studio is also included, making it an incredible all in one solution that enables anyone to be creative and tell a story.”

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Features

  • Use for independent films, documentaries, blogs and more.
  • Designed from carbon fiber polycarbonate composite.
  • Multifunction grip allows single hand operation.
  • 2 models with 6K at 6144 x 3456 and 4K at 4096 x 2160.
  • Compatible with MFT or EF lens mounts.
  • Wide 13 stops of dynamic range for film looks.
  • Up to 25600 ISO for incredible low light performance.
  • Records full resolution up to 60 fps or 120 fps windowed.
  • Standard open file formats compatible with popular software.
  • Built in SD, UHS-II and CFast card recorders.
  • Features incredible quality Blackmagic RAW recording.
  • Built in 5″ touchscreen allows accurate focus when shooting 6K.
  • Blackmagic OS as used in URSA Mini and URSA Broadcast cameras.
  • Includes Blackmagic Generation 4 Color Science.
  • Features full size HDMI for monitoring with status overlay.
  • Professional mini XLR input with 48 volt phantom power.
  • 3D LUTs can be applied for both monitoring and recording.
  • USB-C port allows recording directly to external disk.
  • Built in timecode generator for sync muli-camera shoots.
  • Supports still frame capture up to 21.2 megapixel.
  • Localized for 11 popular languages.
  • Supports remote camera control via Bluetooth.
  • Powers via 12V DC input and can recharge via USB-C.
  • Includes full DaVinci Resolve Studio for post production.

Availability and Price

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is available now for US$ 2,495, excluding duties, from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Kodak Moments unveils M1 Order Station, scalable photo kiosks with smartphone support

07 Aug

Kodak Moments (a division of Kodak Alaris) has introduced the M1 Order Station, a scalable photo-printing kiosk designed to enable the average consumer to easily print photos from their phone, a USB drive, or an SD card. As demonstrated by Kodak in the video above, the M1 Order Station can be scaled from a small desktop station to a full standing kiosk to meet the needs of different retailers.

Though photo-printing kiosks used to be commonly found in big box and convenience stores, these machines have become scarce amid the rise of digital photography and online printing services. Kodak is aiming to change that with its printing kiosks.

The new M1 Order Station is described as a ‘seamless’ solution featuring the Kodak Moments retail software version 9.0, which presents users with printing options via a 13″ touchscreen. Retailers can pair the station with the Kodak 305 printer countertop enclosure, the 305 print station cabinet, or the 305 printer booster with a print catcher.

In addition to memory cards and USB drives, customers can download the Kodak Moments app to directly print images from a smartphone using WiFi, Bluetooth, or a physical connection cable. The system supports printing 4×6, 5×7, and 6×8 prints, as well as photo cards, collages, and ‘DIY products.’ A brochure fully detailing the M1 Order Station is available here [PDF].

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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MS Optics unveils new Vario Prasma 50mm F1.5 and ISM 50mm F1.0 Leica M lenses

13 Jun
MS Optics Vario Prasma 50mm F1.5 lens

MS Optics, the niche lens manufacturer based in Japan, has released two new lenses for Leica M-mount cameras: the Vario Prasma 50mm F1.5 and the ISM 50mm F1.0. The new Vario Prasma lens is described as ‘a modern interpretation’ of the Kino-Plasmat, whereas the ISM 50mm F1.0 is an ultra-fast lens that’s also exceedingly small and light.

The MS Optics Vario Prasma 50mm F1.5 lens is based on the Plasmat lenses designed in 1918 by Paul Rudolph. In what is referred to as a modern interpretation, Miyazaki san’s rendition includes ‘unique improvements,’ including improved focus dampening, separate aperture, and the inclusion of an adjustable spherical aberration ring.

Below are a few sample images captured with the MS Optics Vario Prasma 50mm F1.5 lens:

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The lens features 6 elements in 4 groups, 0.8m to infinity focus, multi-coating on all surfaces, a 52mm focal length, and both Silver Chrome and Black Chrome finishes. According to Japan Camera Hunter, the lenses are currently in production with anticipated shipping in ‘weeks.’ The model can be pre-ordered now for $ 1,200 USD.

MS Optics ISM 50mm F1.0 lens

‘Miyazaki wanted to challenge himself to make an ultra fast lens in the same range as the greats such as the Noct, Xenon and Angenieux,’ Japan Camera Hunter explains. The result is the new ISM 50mm F1.0 lens for Leica M-mount, the creator’s fastest lens to date.

The ISM 50mm F1.0 lens is small and lightweight with a length of 40mm, diameter of 50mm, and a 178g (6.2oz) weight. The lens features 7 elements in 5 groups, 16 rounded aperture blades, 55mm filter size, and a reversible hood with an O-ring for storage.

Below are a few sample images captured with the ISM 50mm F1.0 lens:

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In describing the lens’ performance, JCH explains:

At full aperture there is a drop in contrast due to flare, but resolution is high. At f1.25 flare in the center goes away, and at f1.4 contrast out to midframe increases dramatically. At f2-f2.8 coma flare quickly decreases, and apart from the corners you can expect high imaging performance with sufficient contrast. While spherical aberration of 0.15 is a bit high, the S-M astigmatic planes line up perfectly resulting in very good image quality. From f4 onward both contrast and sharpness need no excuses.

The MS Optics ISM 50mm F1.0 M-mount lens can be ordered in Black Chrome and Silver Chrome for $ 1,700 USD.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Zeiss officially unveils Otus 1.4/100 lens for full-frame Nikon, Canon cameras

25 Apr

The rumored Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4 lens for full-frame Canon and Nikon cameras has been officially announced, joining the existing Otus 28mm, 55mm, and 85mm models. The new Otus 1.4/100 lens features a full-metal housing, high-precision manual focusing, and the company’s T* anti-reflective coating for minimizing stray light and maximizing contrast.

The Otus 100mm lens features an F1.4 to F16 aperture range, 14 elements in 11 groups, and an 86mm filter diameter, as well as a ‘consistent center of gravity’ and ‘optimum balance.’ That, in conjunction with the full-metal housing, makes the 100mm lens ‘well-suited for the rough conditions a professional photographer faces,’ according to Zeiss Camera Lenses Product Manager Björn Pados.

The company says that despite being designed for 35mm full-frame cameras, its new Otus 1.4/100 lens offers ‘the look and quality’ of medium-format cameras. The product’s apochromatic design eliminates ‘almost all conceivable aberrations,’ says Zeiss, which promises ‘practically no color fringing’ and bright-dark transitions that are ‘almost completely free of color artifacts.’

Below is a gallery of images taken with the images and provided by Zeiss:

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Global delivery of the new Otus 1.4/100 has started. The lens will be available for €4,500 EUR / $ 4,500 USD with included protective caps and a lens shade when it hits retailers’ shelves.

Press release:

New ZEISS Otus 1.4/100 DSLR Lens for the Most Demanding Applications

ZEISS adds a tele focal length to its line of lenses for full-frame DSLR cameras from Canon or Nikon

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 2019-04-24 — With the ZEISS Otus 1.4/100, ZEISS is expanding its lens family for Canon1)– and Nikon1)-photographers who do not want to make any compromises concerning image and build quality. Whether in the studio or on-the-go, for portrait or product photography, the tele focal length delivers high resolution and outstanding definition in any situation – even at maximum aperture. This high-speed lens clearly sets the subject apart from the background. The exceptional level of detail and harmonic bokeh ensure the “3D pop effect”, ZEISS lenses are known for.

Achieving the outstanding image quality of medium format cameras

“The extremely high imaging performance and reliable production quality set the ZEISS Otus 1.4/100 apart in this class of lenses,” says Björn Pados, Product Manager for ZEISS Camera Lenses. “ZEISS’ comprehensive expertise and many years of experience went into developing the lens. The images captured with a ZEISS Otus lens in combination with a high-resolution, full-frame DSLR camera are on par with those created using a medium format system.”

The lens design, with aspheric lenses and special glass materials keeps chromatic aberrations and distortion to a minimum. Even when shooting against the light, the T* anti-reflective coating developed by ZEISS allows for extremely high contrast and minimizes stray light.

Robust and reliable

The ZEISS Otus 1.4/100 also features impressive production quality and ergonomics: the extended rotation angle and smooth operation of mechanical components enable highly precise manual focusing. The stable full-metal housing with internal focusing ensures a consistent center of gravity and optimum balance when taking photographs. “This makes the ZEISS Otus 1.4/100 well-suited for the rough conditions a professional photographer faces, and its high-quality mechanical design ensures it will last for a long time,” adds Pados.

The ZEISS Otus lens series

The ZEISS Otus lens series was developed for professional photographers who expect unrestricted edge-to-edge image quality that extends across the entire aperture range. ZEISS launched its high-end SLR lens family back in 2013 with the release of the ZEISS Otus 1.4/55. This series continued with the addition of a short tele lens, the ZEISS Otus 1.4/85, in 2014. The ZEISS Otus 1.4/28 wide-angle lens followed in 2015.

Price and availability

Global delivery for the ZEISS Otus 1.4/100 will begin immediately, with a sales price of 4,500 Euros (incl. German VAT) or 4,500 US$ (excl. local taxes). A lens shade and protective caps for the front and back lenses are included.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Blackmagic Design unveils the DaVinci Resolve Editor Keyboard for easier video post-processing

13 Apr

Blackmagic has announced the DaVinci Resolve Editor Keyboard, a new console-inspired keyboard designed specifically to improve video editing workflows inside DaVinci Resolve.

The keyboard is constructed of a metal frame with a revised QWERTY layout that’s pre-programmed to speed up the most-used tools and features inside DaVinci Resolve. The keys are tiered and set on top of mechanical switches for a more tactile feel and although the keys and switches are rated for millions of clicks, each switch and key is user-replaceable in the event something breaks over time.

A single USB-C port on the back of the board is used to connect it to its accompanying hardware, but Blackmagic Design has also included two additional USB 3.0 ports on the rear of the keyboard for additional accessories.

The DaVinci Resolve Editor Keyboard also includes a search control dial that accurately scrubs through footage. When paired with the oversized in/out and source/timeline keys, the control dial makes it easy to cull through footage and get it its place faster than ever. Blackmagic has also included a dedicated numpad section for direct timecode entry.

Blackmagic Design says the DaVinci Resolve Editor Keyboard is set to ship in August for $ 995 USD through authorized retailers. B&H currently has it available for pre-order, but it’s priced at $ 1,025.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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