unveils « 360Photography

RSS

Posts Tagged ‘unveils’

Intel unveils Core i9 laptop CPU, promises ‘ultimate’ content creation experience

04 Apr

Intel just revealed its 8th Generation laptop CPUs, and sitting at the top of the heap is a behemoth. Behold the Core i9-8950HK, a chip the company is calling “the highest-performance laptop processor Intel has ever built.” Equipped with 6 cores/12 threads, this unlocked chip boasts single-core Turbo Boost speeds of up to 4.8 GHz and promises “the ultimate content creation experience.”

Of course, that’s just marketing speak, which is why Intel came to this press release armed with some benchmarks. According to the company, the 8th Generation Core i9-8950HK can edit 4K video up to 59 percent faster than a machine sporting the 7th Generation Core i7 with same discrete graphics (in Adobe Premiere Pro).

It’s also 29 percent faster in general performance, and 41 percent faster for gaming.

Of course, you don’t have to go all the way up to the Core i9 to get great photo and video editing performance out of your laptop. All of the 8th Gen Intel Core mobile processors revealed today pack some punch, with 6 cores and 12 threads available in both the 2.6GHz Core i7-8750H and 2.2GHz Core i7-8850H. According to Dell, these deliver 68 percent faster photo editing compared to a 3-year-old system.

This 8th Gen Core i9 CPU has already made an appearance in the Dell and MSI laptops revealed this week, and more high-performance and gaming laptops will surely follow suit. To learn more about the new 8th generation mobile chips, check out the full press release below or check out this product overview presentation.

Press Release

Intel Core i9 Processor Comes to Mobile: The Best Gaming and Creation Laptop Processor Intel Has Ever Built

Today at a global event in Beijing, Intel unveiled the first ever Intel® Core™ i9 processor for laptops. Part of the new lineup of high-performance mobile products unveiled, the powerful 8^th Gen Intel Core i9 processor is the highest-performance laptop processor Intel has ever built to deliver the best gaming and content creation experience on the go.

Building on the arrival of the new Intel Core i9 processor for mobile, Intel also announced a new Intel Core platform extension that brings together the benefits of 8^th Gen Intel Core processors with Intel® Optane™ memory, rounded out its family of high-performance desktop CPUs and chipsets that deliver modern standby and ambient computing capabilities, and shared new details on the 8^th Gen Intel® Core™ vPro™ platform.

Delivering the ultimate gaming and content creation experience

The new 8^th Gen Intel Core i9, i7 and i5 processors for laptops are based on the Coffee Lake platform and leverage the 14nm++ process technology enabling them to deliver up to 41 percent more frames per second in gameplay¹ or edit 4K video up to 59 percent faster than the previous generation with same discrete graphics.²

At the top of the stack, the 8^th Gen Intel Core i9-8950HK processor is optimized to push the limits of performance. It is the first mobile Intel processor with six cores and 12 threads. It comes fully unlocked and features the new Intel Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB), which opportunistically and automatically increases clock frequency up to 200 MHz if the processor temperature is low enough and turbo power budget is available. This translates to a turbo frequency of up to 4.8 GHz.

As the PC gaming industry rapidly grows, Intel has seen increasing demand for incredibly fast laptops that can provide desktop-like performance for an immersive and responsive experience, including the ability to stream and record without compromising gameplay while still enabling portability.

But, performance goes beyond gaming. Thanks to the rapid pace of technology innovation, the industry has broadened the access to all types of content and how people create it. It has radically redefined what creativity means, and as content has become richer and more immersive, the level of performance needed to both consume and create that content has also increased. This 8^th Gen Intel Core processor family provides a powerful mobile platform for creators. In addition, the new highest-performance 8^th Gen Intel Core mobile processors’ single- and multi-threaded performance allows users to enjoy the smoothest and highest-quality mobile VR and new Windows* Mixed Reality Ultra experiences.

The highest-performance 8^th Gen Intel Core mobile processor family also adds a new Intel® 300 Series Chipset, which adds integrated Gigabit Wi-Fi for a blazing-fast connection that is capable of being up to 2 times faster than standard 2×2 802.11AC 80 MHz (867 Mbps).³

Intel Optane memory: now on 8^th Gen Intel Core mobile and desktop platforms

Intel Optane memory is a smart and adaptable system accelerator for desktop and mobile platforms, increasing the performance and responsiveness of SATA-based storage technology without compromising storage capacity.

Now, Intel Optane memory is available across both 8^th Gen Intel Core mobile and desktop platforms. Additionally, Intel has released a new Data Drive Acceleration feature that delivers a boost to a large secondary HDD data drive. This powerful combination provides up to 4.7 times the game loading⁴ and 1.7 times faster media loading.⁵ See more on Data Drive Acceleration.

Consumers will also begin to see a new platform extension with Intel Core i5+, i7+ and i9+ badges on select systems, starting with today’s high-performance 8^th Gen Intel Core mobile processors and desktop processors. This indicates they are purchasing a device that has the combination of Intel Core performance with the acceleration of Intel Optane memory.

¹As measured by Total War: WARHAMMER II Workload comparing 8^th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-8950HK vs. 8^th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7820HK

²As measured by Adobe Premiere Pro Video Editing Workload comparing 8^th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-8950HK vs. 8^thGen Intel® Core™ i7-7820HK

³802.11ac 2×2 160 MHz enables 1733 Mbps maximum theoretical data rates, 2x faster than standard 802.11ac 2×2 80 MHz (867 Mbps) and nearly 12x faster than baseline 1×1 BGN (150 Mbps) Wi-Fi as documented in IEEE 802.11 wireless standard specifications, and requires the use of similarly configured 802.11ac wireless network routers or better. To achieve Gigabit wireless speeds, the network requires a wireless router/access point that supports 160 MHz channels.

⁴As measured by Game Level Load Workload comparing 8^th Gen Intel® Core™ i7+ 8750H (32GB Intel® Optane™ memory module) + 256GB PCIe SSD + 1TB HDD vs. 8^th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8750H + 256GB PCIe SSD + 1TB HDD

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Meyer Optik unveils Nocturnus III 50mm F0.95 with new mechanics and Leica M mount

03 Apr

German lens manufacturer Meyer Optik Gorlitz has redesigned its super-fast 50mm F0.95 lens both inside and out, and has added a Leica M mount option to the existing Fuji X and Sony E Mount fittings.

The Nocturnus lll has a new mechanical construction, according to the company, that makes manual focusing and adjusting the aperture almost silent. This new version is somewhat lighter than the Mark ll model, and there is also a slight design change to the outer barrel of the lens that now sees a cut-away in the metal to show the aperture value in use.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_4157050046″,”galleryId”:”4157050046″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

The manual focus lens features a 15-bladed iris that closes down from F0.95 to F11, and the stepless aperture construction and ‘nearly silent’ focus control make it suitable for use in video. Inside you’ll find 10 lens elements in 7 groups, which gives the Nocturnus III a close-focus distance of 0.50m and total weight of 790g.

The new version of the lens is due to ship in August this year, and will cost $ 3,000 in either black or silver. Pre-orders made before the middle of April, however, can be made at a discount of up to 60%. For more information, visit the Meyer Optik Gorlitz website.

Press Release

Meyer-Optik-Görlitz launches new Nocturnus III 50 F0.95 with mounts for Sony-E, Fuji-X and Leica M

The third edition of the Meyer-Optik-Görlitz Nocturnus 50mm F0.95, which is known for its exceptional light intensity comes in a new design and features now mounts for Sony-E, Fuji and Leica M. The lens is currently available through a pre-sale campaign on the manufacture’s website.

Meyer-Optik has just announced the launch of the Nocturnus 50 F0.95. The super-fast manual-focus lens is optimized for use with full-frame sensors, but also works with APS-C cameras. The third edition comes in a new design and now features mounts for Sony-E, Fuji-X and Leica M. Within the next 14 days, the lens in offered in a pre-order sale, where it is available for less than 60% of its future MSRP.

Like its predecessor, the new Nocturnus comes with a focal length of 50mm and an aperture range from F0.95 to F11. Thus, the lens features a lot of versatility both when shooting in available light conditions and in terms of depth-of-field. Its 15 aperture blades with anti-reflective coating, make the new Nocturnus III 50 F0.95 a unique tool to create a pleasant bokeh with circular highlights whilst creating great sharpness in the focused areas.

The Nocturnus has a minimum focus distance of 50cm and weighs 790 grams. The new mechanical design of the Nocturnus III makes the Nocturnus also an interesting option for videography: Manual focus control and the stepless aperture ring operate almost silently.

Technical Specifications:

Focal length. 50 mm
Aperture: f0.95-11
Angle of view: 23°
Minimum focusing distance: 50 cm
Filter diameter: 67mm
Optical design: 10 elements in 7 groups
Aperture blades: 15, steel, special anti-reflex coating
Weight: 790 g
Color: Black or Silver

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

GoPro unveils entry-level GoPro HERO action cam that costs just $199

29 Mar

Photo: GoPro

It seems the rumors and leaks from earlier this week were spot on, and right on schedule (a day early, actually) GoPro has revealed its new, entry-level action camera: the $ 200 GoPro HERO.

The HERO is the cheapest action camera GoPro has ever announced, coming in at the same price tag as the HERO5 Session while boasting several features that are reserved for the company’s regular line (read: not the Session lineup) of action cams. If you’re keeping track, the HERO lineup of action cams now goes: GoPro HERO ($ 200), GoPro HERO5 ($ 300), and GoPro HERO6 ($ 400).

As GoPro SVP of Product, Meghan Laffey, explains, GoPro is hoping that the lower price-of-admission into the GoPro action cam family will entice first-time users who would otherwise pick up a third-party option or just keep using their phone. “HERO is a great first GoPro for people looking to share experiences beyond what a phone can capture,” says Laffey. “HERO makes it easy to share ‘wow’ moments at a price that’s perfect for first-time users.”

Photo: GoPro

There’s not much to say about the GoPro HERO that wasn’t already revealed in Monday’s leak, but here goes. The main features are exactly what we expected.

The camera captures 1440/60p and 1080/60p video and 10MP stills, features a 2-inch display, voice control, electronic video stabilization, waterproof to 10M (30-feet) out of the box, and compatibility with all of the current GoPro HERO mounting accessories on the market (30+ from GoPro itself).

Finally, the camera also features compatibility with the GoPro and Quik Stories mobile apps, the latter of which can automatically edit your captured footage into ready-to-share highlight videos.

Photo: GoPro

The entry-level GoPro HERO action camera is available starting now from the GoPro store and online retailers alike for $ 200. To learn more about the GoPro HERO or pick one up for yourself, click here.

Press Release

GoPro Launches Entry-Level HERO Camera 2018

$ 199 HERO Joins $ 299 HERO5 and $ 399 HERO6, Making GoPro Accessible to All

GoPro, Inc. has added a new HERO camera to the family. On sale now, HERO is a $ 199, go-anywhere, capture-anything camera that makes it easy to share experiences that would be difficult to capture with a phone.

HERO features a 2-inch touch display, is waterproof to 30 feet and is extremely durable, making it the perfect GoPro for kids, adventurous social sharers and travelers.

“HERO is a great first GoPro for people looking to share experiences beyond what a phone can capture,” says Meghan Laffey, GoPro’s SVP of Product. “HERO makes it easy to share ‘wow’ moments at a price that’s perfect for first-time users.”

Sharing cool experiences with HERO is simple. It offloads your photos and videos to the GoPro app which creates fun, shareable videos for you, automatically. No more fumbling with your SD card or plugging your camera into a computer. HERO makes it simple.

Those looking for the ultimate GoPro-experience can subscribe to GoPro’s PLUS subscription service. Cloud backup, damaged camera replacement, 20-percent off accessory discounts and more are included with a PLUS subscription for just $ 4.99 a month, cancellable anytime.

HERO is available today at retailers around the world and on GoPro.com. Key features include:

Award-Winning Image Quality: HD Video (1440p60 and 1080p60) and 10MP photo performance
2-Inch Touch Display: Using HERO is as easy as using your phone thanks to its touch display
Voice Control: Tell HERO to start and stop recording, take a photo, turn off and more
Waterproof + Extremely Durable: Waterproof up to 30’ (10M) and designed go everywhere your smartphone can’t
Video Stabilization: HERO features video stabilization that helps smooth out the shakes
Smartphone Compatible: HERO offloads your photos and videos to the GoPro app which creates fun, shareable videos for you, automatically
Body and Gear Mountable: compatible with 30+ GoPro mounting accessories

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Huawei unveils the P20 Pro with triple camera and large 1/1.7-inch image sensor

27 Mar

Huawei has just unveiled its latest flagship smartphone: the P20 Pro. And just as the rumors and leaks that have been floating around the Web for weeks predicted, the new model is the first smartphone to feature a triple camera setup.

Like in previous Huawei models, the camera has been developed in cooperation with Leica, and a main RGB sensor is accompanied by a high-resolution monochrome imager that serves several purposes: it provides depth estimation for the simulated bokeh effect, improves detail and noise levels by merging multiple shots, and helps with digital zooming. New on the P20 Pro is a third, dedicated tele-camera.

That said, Huawei hasn’t just stuck a third sensor and lens onto its existing dual-camera system, the P20 Pro is more innovative than that in several ways:

The main camera comes with an unusually large 1/1.7-inch sensor, which is approximately twice the size of the smaller sensors in most direct competitors. At F1.8 the aperture is not the largest, but thanks to the increase in sensor surface the P20 Pro’s main sensor is still capable of capturing around 20 percent more light than most rivals.
The main camera sensor also features a Quad Bayer structure with a total pixel count of 40MP. It outputs data binned in 2 × 2 pixel units, resulting in 10MP image output with better detail and lower noise levels.
The P20 Pro’s optically-stabilized tele-camera offers 3x zoom factor—approximately a 80mm equivalent focal length—significantly longer reach than the 2x tele-modules in the iPhone X, Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, or similar high-end devices. Huawei has been able to implement this longer reach while the 20MP monochrome is already contributing to decent zoom quality at 2x, allowing the tele to focus on 3x and larger magnifications.

The Huawei P20 Pro triple camera: Main camera at the center, monochrome camera on the left, tele module on the right.

Huawei claims significantly better low-light capabilities of the large main sensor, with ISO values up to 102400 allowing for usable exposures in very dim conditions. Other imaging features include phase detection and laser assistance in the AF system, predictive focus, motion detection, and a zero shutter lag for minimal delay before capture.

The rest of the specifications are worthy of a high-end device as well. The P20 Pro is powered by Huawei’s Kirin 970 chipset and 6GB of RAM, it offers a 4,000 mAh battery with quick-charge, and features 128GB of internal storage. Images can be viewed and composed on a 6.1-inch Full View display with minimal bezels.

The P20 Pro will be available in Europe from April for 900 Euros (approximately $ 1120 USD)—no information on availability in other regions has been released yet. In addition to the P20 Pro, Huawei has also launched the P20 smartphone, which is powered by the same chipset but comes with a smaller 5.8-inch screen and a more conventional dual-camera module. It will retail for 650 Euros (approximately $ 800 USD).

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Venus Optics unveils Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D lens for mirrorless APS-C cameras

23 Mar

Venus Optics has officially announced the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D lens: the “world’s widest F2.8 lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras.” Featuring a 113° angle of view, fast F2.8 aperture, and a Zero-D design that promises “close to zero” distortion, the 9mm (13mm equivalent) lens promises to deliver ‘extreme’ specs in a portable package that weighs just 215g.

The Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D is the third lens in Laowa’s Zero-D lineup, and like the others it promises “close to zero” distortion despite its ultra-wide angle focal length. This is achieved using an optical design of 15 lens elements in 10 groups, including 2 aspherical elements and 3 extra-low dispersion elements.

From the press release:

The Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D is designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras, and will ship in Fuji X, Sony E, and Canon EOS-M mounts starting in “early April,” at a suggested retail price of $ 500 USD. Scroll through the gallery below to see a few official sample photos from Venus Optics, then head over to the Venus Optics website to learn more or pre-order one for yourself.

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_7264657238″,”galleryId”:”7264657238″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

Press Release

Venus Optics announces the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D, the World’s Widest f/2.8 Lens for APS-C Mirrorless Cameras

Featuring a 113° Angle of View, Ultra-fast f/2.8 aperture, close-to-zero distortion, 49mm filter thread & less than 0.5 pounds in weight, this is a perfect ultra-wide option for still & videographers.

Anhui China, Mar 21, 2018 – Venus Optics, the camera lenses manufacturer who had previously launched a number of unique Laowa camera lenses, is proud to announce the world’s widest rectilinear f/2.8 lens for mirrorless APS-C cameras, Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero- D.

Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D is the third member of the Laowa ‘Zero-D’ line-up and they all feature an excellent control of the optical distortion which is commonly appeared in ultra- wide angle lenses. This new lens is an ultra-wide & ultra-fast prime lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length of around 13mm. Despite the extreme specifications, Venus Optics has successfully minimized the weight of the lens to less than 0.5 pounds (215g) and 2-inch (53mm) long. This compact and light lens comprises of 15 elements in 10 groups with 2 pcs of aspherical elements and 3 pcs of Extra-low dispersion elements. This optical design successfully minimizes the distortion and chromatic aberrations to its lowest but at the same time, delivers a superb optical performance from corners to corners.

The extreme 113° angle of view and ultra-fast f/2.8 aperture allows photographers to create impressive astro-photography shots with ease. It also gives photographers a fast and wide-angle option for landscape photography and low-light shooting. For videographers, the compact size of this lens is friendly to the use of gimbals or even handheld shooting without much of shaking. The lens is designed with a 49mm filter thread which gives additional portability for screw-in filters. It comes with both Sony E, Fuji X & EOS-M mounts.

Availability

The Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D is currently available to pre-order in the official website of Venus Optics (http://www.venuslens.net/) and their authorized resellers. Recommended Retail Price in US (without tax) is USD 499/pc. Pricing may vary in different countries. The first 100 orders will get a set of Laowa 49mm filters for FREE (CPL + UV + ND1000). Shipping is expected to start from early April.

Specifications

Focal Length: 9mm

Max Aperture: F2.8

Angle of View: 113°

Format Compatibility: APS-C

Lens Structure: 15 elements in 10 groups

Aperture Blades: 7

Min. Focusing Distance: 12cm

Max Magnification: 1:7.5

Filter Thread: 49mm

Dimensions: 60 x 53mm

Weight: ~215g

Mounts: Fuij X, Sony E, Canon EF-M

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Atech unveils Blackjet VX-1C CFast 2.0 media reader

07 Mar

Atech Flash Technology, a manufacturer of digital storage solutions aimed at professionals, has launched a new premium line of products under the ‘Blackjet’ brand, starting with the VX-1C CFast 2.0 card reader.

The new model plugs into desktop or laptop computers via a USB 3.1 Gen 2 connection, allowing for a 1,000 MB/s bandwidth and data transfer from even very fast cards at maximum speed. And thanks to that connector, the Blackjet VX-1C is compatible with current Mac and Windows Thunderbolt 3 machines.

The unit features a metal enclosure for durability and a number of vent holes for improved heat dissipation. Thanks to its support for fast transfer rates, the Blackjet VX-1C looks like a particularly interesting option for videographers. It is shipping now and retails at $ 100.

More information is available on the Atech Flash website.

Press Release

BLACKJET VX-1C: USB 3.1 GEN 2 CFAST 2.0 MEDIA READER

Fremont, CA – February 28, 2018 – Atech Flash Technology (AFT) manufacturers of industrial and professional media card readers and storage solutions will be launching their new premium line of products under the Blackjet brand. Their latest CFast 2.0 media reader named the Blackjet™ VX-1C.

Blackjet VX-1C utilizes the larger bandwidth 1,000 MB/s of USB 3.1 Gen 2, which allows you to ingest, edit and archive your creative content from your media cards at their maximum speeds. Blackjet VX-1C utilizes the USB-C interface which allows it to be compatible with existing Mac® and Windows® Thunderbolt™ 3 computers.?

Pricing and Availability

The Blackjet VX-1C will have a suggested MSRP of $ 99 USD and is currently shipping.

Key Features

Media Reader for CFast 2.0 media cards
USB 3.1 Gen 2 provides speeds up to 10Gbps
Reversible USB Type-C connector makes connections
much easier and quicker
Ingest footage with speeds up to 525 MB/s*
Rugged metal enclosure to ensure durability and longevity
Vent holes to increase heat dissipation
Compatible with Thunderbolt™ 3

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Tokina unveils ‘top premium’ Opera 50mm F1.4 FF lens for Canon and Nikon

01 Mar

Tokina has officially announced the Opera 50mm F1.4 FF lens for Canon EF and Nikon F mounts that was leaked last week. The lens—part of Tokina’s new ‘Opera’ series designed for ‘high-spec full-frame DSLR cameras’—will arrive on store shelves in Summer of 2018, and a prototype is being shown off this week at CP+ in Japan.

This lens, and the Opera series in general, are being billed as Tokina’s ‘premium’ line—sort of like the Sigma Art series. In fact, Tokina goes out of its way to connect the term Opera with ‘Art’ in its press release. But marketing word choice aside, Tokina promises that Opera branded lenses will be “designed to perfectly match recent high-spec full-frame DSLR cameras, which keep requiring high quality optics.”

The Opera 50mm F1.4 FF is the first in this lineup, and already Tokina has put more tech into the lens than you’re probably used to from the third-party manufacturer. The lens boasts a ring-shaped ultrasonic AF motor, weather sealing to protect internals from dust and moisture, an electric diaphragm mechanism for the Nikon version (a first for Tokina), and a focus ring that turns the same direction as your native Nikon and Canon glass.

Unfortunately, Tokina hasn’t revealed one of the most important details yet: price. But with the official release scheduled for summer 2018, it won’t be long before we find out if (or by how much) Tokina has undercut Nikon and Canon’s 50mm F1.4 options.

Press Release

Kenko Tokina Co., LTD. is Proud to Announce the New Tokina Opera 50mm F1.4 FF, a Premium Full-Frame Lens for High-End DSLR Cameras

February 28, 2018

About opera series

With the debut of opera 50mm F1.4 FF we are launching a new series of next generation premium full-frame lenses for high-end DSLR cameras called “opera” series.

Opera series is designed to perfectly match recent high-spec full-frame DSLR cameras, which keep requiring high quality optics to be used with. In addition to originally high-valued Tokina AT-X series, this new opera series is positioned as top premium series of full-frame size lenses and will be further expanded with other lenses of related specifications and performance.

In modern society the word “opera” is commonly used to express general genres of stage art. In Italian it means work or work of art. As an omitted art genre definition opera comes from “opera musicale” that means a piece of music work. In Latin opera comes from “opus” and in contemporary language “magnum opus”, “opera magna” still has a meaning of “great literary, artistic or intellectual work”. We chose the name “opera” for a new premium full-frame DSLR lens series thinking of a lens that will help photographer in creating real “work of art”.

About the product

The debuting premium full-frame lens for high-end DSLR cameras in opera series is 50mm F1.4 FF (FF – Full-Frame). Designed for full-frame format DSLR cameras, opera 50mm F1.4 FF adopts a ring-shaped ultrasonic motor for autofocus drive module. Weather sealing prevents from dust and moisture to come inside the lens body. For the first time in Tokina line up Nikon mount model incorporates an electric diaphragm mechanism. The direction of the focus ring rotation fits the genuine Nikon and Canon lens.

Mounts: Nikon F, Canon EF

Sensor size: full frame format

About sales release

Sales release: summer 2018

A prototype of Tokina opera 50mm F1.4 FF will be displayed at CP+2018 Kenko Tokina booth location: Exhibition Hall(1F), booth # G-57

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Asus unveils ZenFone 5Z with wide-angle dual-cam and AI camera

28 Feb

Asus has been one of the last manufacturers to unveil their new devices at this year’s Mobile World Congress, but looking at the newly announced Zenfone 5Z, it seems the wait has been worthwhile.

The Taiwanese manufacturer’s new flagship model comes with premium specs all around, including Qualcomm’s latest and greatest chipset Snapdragon 845 and an iPhone X-style almost bezel-less 6.2″ display with “camera notch” and FHD+ resolution. 8GB RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, and a 3,300 mAh battery complete an impressive spec sheet.

But the ZenFone 5Z is not only about processing power and big screens, it’s also got a lot to offer in the camera department. The main camera features a 12MP 1/2.55″ Sony IMX363 Sensor and a lens with 25mm equivalent focal length and fast F1.8 aperture.

3-axis optical image stabilization and Dual-Pixel AF are on board as well. In video mode, the Zenfone 5Z can record 4K footage at 30 frames per second, and the secondary camera comes with a 120-degree super-wide-angle lens and 8MP pixel count—similar to what we’ve seen on recent LG models such as the G6 or V30.

On the software side of things, the 5Z camera offers an HDR night mode and an AI-powered automatic scene mode selector that is capable of learning user preferences.

All of the aforementioned components are wrapped up in a sleek-looking glass-covered body, and if the ZenFone 5Z performs as well as it looks, it could be one of the most compelling smartphone options in 2018.

That’s especially true when considering its price point. In Europe, the Asus ZenFone 5Z will retail at 600 Euros (approximately $ 735 USD) which is a good chunk less expensive than similarly specced models from the more established competition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Sigma unveils 105mm F1.4 Art ‘bokeh master’

27 Feb

The Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM is the longest F1.4 lens in the Art series to date, comprising 17 elements in 12 groups. It is, of course, dust- and splash-resistant, and includes an Arca-Swiss tripod collar. Sigma boasts that the 105mm delivers ‘unsurpassed F1.4 performance’ and ‘exceptional peripheral brightness.’ No pricing or availability is given at announcement.

SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM

Introducing the “bokeh master”—featuring incredible resolution and designed for full-frame sensors, this is the longest focal length of the Art line’s F1.4 lenses

1. Optical system delivering unsurpassed F1.4 performance

2. Exceptional peripheral brightness

3. Professional specifications

4. Ease-of-use specifications

5. Compatible with full-frame Sony E-mount cameras

6. Compatible with Canon Lens Aberration Correction Launch: TBD Accessory: Case, Cover Hood (LH1113-01), tripod socket (TS-111), protective cover (PT-21) Available AF mounts: SIGMA, Nikon, Canon, and Sony E-mount Note: Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Leading the way in F1.4 brightness
Since introducing its first SIGMA Global Vision F1.4 lens in 2012, the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art, SIGMA has been adding wide-aperture F1.4 options to the lineup. Now, with the introduction of the new 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art, SIGMA offers a total of nine lenses with F1.4 brightness, including six for full-frame cameras and three for APS-C cameras. SIGMA has designed all of these lenses to offer minimal optical aberration and deliver incredible resolution and stunning contrast. Boasting the longest focal length of the F1.4 Art line lenses, the new lens combines outstanding resolution with a beautiful bokeh effect. Designed with great care to ensure that both the in-focus and out-of-focus areas of the photograph are equally satisfying to the eye, this lens is truly a “bokeh master.” The SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art has earned its place as the flagship of the F1.4 Art line lenses, prioritizing image quality above all to fulfill the promise of the line, delivering truly amazing optical performance.

Key features

1. Optical system delivering unsurpassed F1.4 performance
In order to combine outstanding wide-aperture, mid-telephoto performance with F1.4 brightness at maximum aperture, this lens incorporates 17 optical elements in 12 groups—an uncommonly large number of elements for a prime lens. By including three FLD glass elements, two SLD glass elements, and one aspherical lens element, the optical system minimizes axial chromatic aberration to deliver extremely high resolution along with ample peripheral light volume. The area in focus is extremely sharp, while the area out of focus features a beautiful bokeh effect with highly natural colors, making this lens a powerful choice for portrait photography. The optical system also minimizes sagittal coma flare, making this lens excellent for capturing starry skies.

2. Exceptional peripheral brightness
The most effective method of ensuring ample light is to maximize the diameter of the first element of the optical system. With its large filter diameter of 105mm, the SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art delivers a significantly greater volume of peripheral light than other lenses in its class. Minimizing vignetting while offering a beautiful bokeh effect, this lens is ideal for portrait photography.

3. Professional specifications
Like SIGMA’s Sports line lenses, the 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art features a highly effective dust- and splash-proof structure with special sealing at the mount connection*, manual focus ring, cover connection, and other areas, allowing photographers to work in all types of weather. In addition, the front of the lens is protected by a water- and oil-repellent coating that makes cleaning easy. The high-speed, high-accuracy autofocus helps photographers react in an instant to get those special shots.
*SIGMA mount lens does not include sealing, since sealing is present on compatible SIGMA cameras.

4. Ease-of-use specifications
Instead of conventional ABS plastic, the exclusive lens hood features CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), a light but strong material used in the interior and exterior fittings of aircraft, among many other applications. The removable Arca-Swiss tripod socket is compatible with Arca-Swiss platforms and clamps, and its exclusive protective cover makes the lens easier to carry and use when shooting hand-held.

5. Compatible with full-frame Sony E-mount cameras The Sony E-mount version of this lens is compatible with Sony mirrorless cameras and contains the same optical system as the versions for other mounts. SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-11 is not required, as the lens performs the same functions as the converter, including in-camera image stabilization and in-camera lens aberration correction. In addition, the lens is compatible with Sony’s Continuous AF, which is not available via MOUNT CONVERTER MC-11. SIGMA plans eventually to offer Sony E-mount versions of every full-frame prime lens currently available in the Art line, from 14mm to 135mm.
Note: This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation.

6. Compatible with Canon Lens Aberration Correction
The Canon mount version of this lens is compatible with the Canon Lens Aberration Correction function.* Matching the optical characteristics of the lens, this function performs in-camera corrections of peripheral illumination, chromatic aberrations, distortion, and more, to further enhance image quality.
*Function not available on all Canon cameras. Available corrections may vary depending on the Canon camera model.

Other features

Rounded diaphragm
Fast AF with full-time manual override*
*The operation of full-time MF may vary based on mount type.
Compatible with SIGMA Mount Converter MC-11 Note: SIGMA and Canon mount lens
Available SIGMA USB DOCK makes customization and flexible adjustment possible* *Not available for Sony E-mount lens
Available Mount Conversion Service
Brass bayonet mount
Evaluation with SIGMA’s own MTF measuring system: A1
“Made in Japan” with outstanding craftsmanship

For more information about the SIGMA GLOBAL VISION lineup of fine products, please visit the official SIGMA global website: SIGMA GLOBAL VISION: http://www.sigma-global.com

Specifications All figures calculated for SIGMA

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Venus Optics unveils Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D and 25mm F2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro lenses

26 Feb

Venus Optics, the company behind the Laowa line of lenses, has announced two new lenses through Japanese parent company Sightron. The first is the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D, a ‘zero distortion’ wide-angle prime for mirrorless APS-C cameras. The second is another strange full-frame macro lens: the Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro.

Neither of these lenses have appeared on Venus Optics’ English language website just yet, but we expect them to pop up soon. In the meantime, here’s what we know about the new glass.

Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_2253990199″,”galleryId”:”2253990199″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

The long-rumored Venus Optics Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D is an wide-angle prime designed for mirrorless APS-C cameras—specifically, the Sony E, Fuji X, and Canon EF-M mounts. With its 113° angle of view, Venus Optics claims this lens is the widest angle F2.8 lens currently available for APS-C cameras.

Inside, you’ll find 15 lens elements in 10 groups—including three low dispersion elements and two aspherical elements—that attempt to reduce distortion to ‘zero’ (or as close to it as Venus Optics could manage). You’ve also got a 7-blade aperture and a metal construction that promises “excellent robustness and luxury.”

The lens is scheduled to arrive in April, but price for this one is still TBD.

Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_8242421169″,”galleryId”:”8242421169″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”isMobile”:false}) });

Slightly more defined—and lots more weird—is the Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro lens for full-frame cameras. Specifically, you’ll find this one in the Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony FE mounts when it, too, ships in April.

At its closest, the lens offers 5x magnification, using an optical design of 8 elements in 6 groups—including an ultra low dispersion lens and multilayer coating on each element—to deliver a working distance of just 40mm at 5x.

Here’s a full review of the newly announce lens by YouTuber Photos by Richard (sample photos available on his website).

Like the 9mm F2.8 Zero-D, the 25mm F2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro also ‘adopts a metal enclosure,’ and is scheduled to ship in April. Venus Optics hasn’t announced pricing yet, but according to Photo Rumors, the lens will cost $ 400 in the US.

To learn more about either of these lenses, check out both Google Translated press releases below.

Press Release

LAOWA 9mm F2.8 Zero-D

SiteLong Japan Co., Ltd. announces the new product “LAOWA 9mm F2.8 Zero-D” of LAOWA (Venus Optics).

Product Overview

Product name LAOWA 9mm F2.8 Zero-D
Suggested retail price Open price
Expected market price TBD
Scheduled release date around early April 2018

Main Product Features

This product is the best lens for photographing landscape photographs, architectural photographs, interior photographs, star photographs and so on.
Use 3 special low dispersion lens (ED lens) and 2 glass aspheric lenses luxuriously. By adopting an optical design with extremely reduced distortion to zero, it is possible to capture landscape photographs and architectural photographs without the influence of distortion.
It is the widest angle lens (113 °) lens among the wide-angle lenses for APS-C cameras of the open F 2.8 which are on sale now.*
It adopts metal enclosure with excellent robustness and luxury. Effective flower type hood is attached.
This product is the brightest, the most compact and lightweight lens among the same class products. Because it is very convenient to carry, it is also ideal for daily snapshot.

*As of February 1, 2018 VenusOptics examined

Main Specifications

Focal length: 9mm
Maximum F value: F2.8
Viewing angle: 113 degrees (corresponding format: APS-C)
Lens construction: 10 groups of 15
Number of diaphragm blades: 7
Shortest shooting distance: 12 cm
Maximum magnification: 0.13 times
Filter diameter: ? 49 mm
Weight: ~ 215g* Variable depending on mount
Corresponding mount: FUJIFILM X, Canon EF-M, Sony E

*Product specifications are subject to change without notice due to improvements etc.

LAOWA 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X ULTRA MACRO

SiteLong Japan Co., Ltd. announces the new product “LAOWA 25 mm F 2.8 2.5-5 X ULTRA MACRO” of LAOWA (Venus Optics). LAOWA 25mm F2.8 2.5-5x ULTRA MACRO is a macro exclusive lens with a magnification of 2.5x to 5x.

Product Overview

Product name LAOWA 25mm F2.8 2.5-5x ULTRA MACRO
Suggested retail price Open price
Expected market price TBD
Scheduled release date around early April 2018

Main Product Features

It is a macro lens for full size of manual focus.
The shortest shooting distance is 173 to 223.5mm and shooting magnification 2.5 to 5 times is available.
It is possible to secure a working distance of 40mm (5 times) to 45mm (2.5 times) by optical design with a special configuration. It can correspond to various lighting to obtain better shooting result.
By adopting ultra low dispersion lens (UD lens), by appropriately suppressing chromatic aberration and color fringe, it is possible to capture images with high sharpness and high color reproducibility.
Each lens is coated with multilayer coating, minimizing ghost and flare. Therefore, under a strong light source, it is possible to take pictures with a very high contrast and neutral color.
Adopting a metal enclosure with excellent robustness.
It is compact, lightweight and excellent in portability.

Main specifications

Focal length: 25mm
Open F value: F2.8
Field of View: 10.3 degrees
Lens construction: 6 groups 8 pieces
Minimum aperture: F16
Maximum aperture: F2.8
Minimum photographing distance: 173 mm to 223.5mm
Working Distance: 40mm – 45mm
Shooting magnification: 2.5 times to 5 times
Number of diaphragm blade: 8
Weight: 400g
Corresponding mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony FE

*Product specifications are subject to change without notice due to improvements etc.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

360Photography

Posts Tagged ‘unveils’

Intel unveils Core i9 laptop CPU, promises ‘ultimate’ content creation experience

Intel Core i9 Processor Comes to Mobile: The Best Gaming and Creation Laptop Processor Intel Has Ever Built

Meyer Optik unveils Nocturnus III 50mm F0.95 with new mechanics and Leica M mount

Meyer-Optik-Görlitz launches new Nocturnus III 50 F0.95 with mounts for Sony-E, Fuji-X and Leica M

GoPro unveils entry-level GoPro HERO action cam that costs just $199

GoPro Launches Entry-Level HERO Camera 2018

Huawei unveils the P20 Pro with triple camera and large 1/1.7-inch image sensor

Venus Optics unveils Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D lens for mirrorless APS-C cameras

Venus Optics announces the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D, the World’s Widest f/2.8 Lens for APS-C Mirrorless Cameras

Atech unveils Blackjet VX-1C CFast 2.0 media reader

BLACKJET VX-1C: USB 3.1 GEN 2 CFAST 2.0 MEDIA READER

Tokina unveils ‘top premium’ Opera 50mm F1.4 FF lens for Canon and Nikon

Kenko Tokina Co., LTD. is Proud to Announce the New Tokina Opera 50mm F1.4 FF, a Premium Full-Frame Lens for High-End DSLR Cameras

Asus unveils ZenFone 5Z with wide-angle dual-cam and AI camera

Sigma unveils 105mm F1.4 Art ‘bokeh master’

SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM

Venus Optics unveils Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D and 25mm F2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro lenses

Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D

Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro

LAOWA 9mm F2.8 Zero-D

Product Overview

Main Product Features

Main Specifications

LAOWA 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X ULTRA MACRO

Product Overview

Main Product Features

Main specifications

Pages

Archives

Categories