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Posts Tagged ‘Update’

Alien Skin offers Exposure X3 update

20 Mar

Alien Skin has released a significant update for its Exposure X3 image editor, adding greater precision to adjustment tools and more printing capabilities, among other improvements.

Called the Exposure X3 Complete Workflow Update, this software version introduces hue, luminance and saturation controls for individual colors. New white balance presets and adjustment in Kelvin values is now available, and workflow when copying images from a card to a collection has been improved. Along with new watermark adjustment options and added keyword functions, the update expands camera support and adds pre-sets to match Fujifilm’s film simulation modes.

Exposure X3 Complete Workflow Update is available now; current owners of Exposure X3 can download the update for free. Exposure X2 and earlier customers can upgrade for $ 99, while new customers will pay $ 149.

We’ve been given an early look at the update – take a look at our Exposure X3 review.

Alien Skin Software Announces Exposure X3 Complete Workflow Update for Photographers

Update for Exposure X3 includes hue and luminance color controls – Kelvin-based temperature and tint controls – printing – enhanced watermarks, keywords, and side-by-side view – expanded camera support

Raleigh, NC (March 20, 2018) – Alien Skin Software today announced the release of the Exposure X3 Complete Workflow Update, the latest version of their non-destructive RAW photo editor. The award-winning Exposure combines powerful organizational tools and accurate photo processing into a single intuitive solution. Enhancements to this latest version make Exposure the ideal solution for handling the full photography workflow.

Photographers can easily organize, edit, retouch, export, and print their photos using Exposure’s efficient workflow. Exposure’s intuitive design streamlines image management and backups. Its support of cloud-based storage enables multi-computer and collaborative workflows.

The Exposure X3 Complete Workflow Update introduces numerous creative and organizing enhancements.

“This latest update to Exposure X3 provides photographers with additional creative and organizational control, and handles their printing needs as well,” said Alien Skin CEO Finley Lee. “Exposure’s speed, stability, and power makes it the fastest way for photographers to bring their vision to life.”

Improvements to the color controls enable photographers to adjust hue, luminance, and saturation for specific colors. In addition, users can can easily target specific colors in their image for detailed adjustments.

For RAW images that record white balance data, photographers can now specify precise Kelvin values to correct for lighting conditions and unwanted color casts. New white balance presets provide a quick way to set the Kelvin temperature for a specific type of light.

Photographers can now print their photos directly from Exposure. New print capabilities include numerous preview and margin options, output sharpening, integrated watermarks, grid capability for printing contact sheets, and more.

Collections see several refinements. New images copied from a photo card are now placed in a Last Copy From Card collection. Optionally, when copying images from their camera card, photographers can choose to add images to any existing collections. Also, when creating a collection, it’s possible to add any images that are currently selected.

Keywords have been improved with the ability to remove all keywords from a photo and to add and remove keywords from a set. It’s also now possible to import keyword sets from other applications like Lightroom.

Exposure’s watermarks now have new metadata options, a watermark preview in the Export dialog, and improved control when moving and rotating a watermark.

A number of miscellaneous improvements include expanded camera support, the ability to backup photos to a second location when copying images from a card, a six image side-by-side layout, a new uninstaller, 15 new presets that mimic Fujifilm in-camera film simulations, and more.

About Exposure

Exposure is a RAW photo editor that provides photographers with all the tools they need to complete their workflow: from first copying images to their computer, culling and organizing, creative edits and retouching, and finally exporting and printing.

Exposure’s beating heart is its advanced rendering engine, which handles the demanding task of accurate film emulation and provides exceptional processing quality and performance. Exposure handles the most sophisticated edits. Its extensive library of customizable presets makes hundreds of iconic film looks and other styles available to photographers. Extensive editing, layering, and retouching tools make it easy to refine images, as well as to blend subtle or bold creative looks.

Powerful organizing tools enable photographers to manage even the largest photo collections.

All of Exposure’s tools work together in a carefully designed, customizable user interface, resulting in a seamless workflow for a wide range of photographers.

Exposure also works as a creative editing plug-in with other editors, such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.

Pricing and Availability

The Exposure X3 Complete Workflow Update is available now from www.alienskin.com for $ 149. The update is free for current owners of Exposure X3. Upgrade pricing is available to owners of Exposure X2 and earlier versions for $ 99.

The Exposure X3 Complete Workflow Update is also the centerpiece in the Exposure X3 Bundle. This integrated collection bundles Exposure with Alien Skin’s award-winning Blow Up and Snap Art tools to add high-quality upsizing and natural media special effects. It is available for $ 199. Owners of one or more of the current apps in the Exposure X3 Bundle can purchase for $ 119. It is free for current owners of the Exposure X3 Bundle.

A 30-day fully-featured free trial of Exposure is available. Visit www.alienskin.com/exposure to learn more and download the trial.

Host Requirements

The Exposure X3 Complete Workflow Update may be used as a standalone program or as a set of plug-ins. When used as a set of plug-ins, it requires one of the following host applications:

  • Adobe Photoshop CS6 or Adobe Photoshop CC 2015 or newer
  • Adobe Lightroom 6 or Adobe Lightroom CC 2015 or newer

System Requirements

  • Apple Mac: OS X 10.10 Yosemite or newer
  • Microsoft Windows: Windows 7 64-bit or newer
  • An Intel Core 2 processor or compatible
  • A monitor with 1280 × 768 resolution or greater

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm GFX 50S firmware update adds Focus Bracketing and 35mm Format Mode

14 Mar

Earlier today, Fujifilm released firmware version 3.0 for its GFX 50S medium-format camera. And with the update come two new features: Focus Bracketing and 35mm Format Mode.

Focus Bracketing enables focus distance bracketing for up to 999 frames, shifting the focal location with each shutter activation at a scale from 1 to 10. The new 35mm Format Mode, meanwhile, results in the camera using the central 36 x 24mm portion of the sensor, producing 30.5MP Raw and JPEG images.

“When using 35mm format adapters,” the company explains in its changelog, “it will be easier to adjust the image size to 35mm format image circle lenses by changing the setting.”

The GFX 50S v3.0 firmware update can be downloaded now from Fujifilm’s website. Additionally, Fujifilm has also released a compatibility update for the H Mount Adapter G accessory.

Update Notes

GFX 50S Camera Body Firmware Update Ver.3.00

Addition of “Focus Bracketing”

The update will enable the photographer to shoot focus distance bracketing up to 999 frames. When the photographer start shooting, the focal location is shifted with each activation of the shutter by the step of focus shift set from 1 to 10.

Addition of “35mm Format Mode”

The update will enable the photographer to shoot central 36.0mm x 24.0mm (30.5M) cropped images as both JPEG and RAW files. When using 35mm format adapters, it will be easier to adjust the image size to 35mm format image circle lenses by changing the setting.

H MOUNT ADAPTER G” new firmware

The firmware update will expand the compatibility for the “H MOUNT ADAPTER G” accessory. Regarding the compatibility of lenses and accessories with H MOUNT ADAPTER G, refer to this URL.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Major ON1 Photo RAW update adds tethered shooting, better noise reduction and more

10 Mar

ON1 just released a major update to its photo editing software ON1 Photo RAW. The update, version 2018.1, brings with it a host of feature upgrades, including: better auto-alignment for the HDR mode, improved high ISO noise reduction, and more detailed image sharpening. The update also includes a new tethered shooting function for certain Nikon and Canon DSLRs, as well as a new import utility that allows metadata to be added as images are sucked in from the camera.

Video files can now be seen in the browser, and new sort features allows user to browse imported images in a number of ways, such as by file type, date, file name or rating. Users can also batch rename groups of images, and a date-and-time editing function lets you adjust the recorded moment an image was shot.

Finally, the company has also made some changes to the way images are debayered to improve the amount of micro detail preserved in the final render.

ON1 says its priorities are image quality and processing/handling performance:

“Version 2018.1 isn’t just about the new features, although there are many powerful new additions,” says ON1 Director of Product Dan Harlacher. “Image quality and performance are the top priorities in every update, and we are very excited for our customers to experience these improvements for themselves in this update.”

New users can take advantage of a free trial, or purchase the software in its entirely (usually $ 120) for a special limited-time price of $ 80. If you’re already using Photo Raw 2018, the new version is free.

For more information, visit the ON1 website.

Press Release

ON1 Photo RAW 2018.1 – New Update Available

Portland, OR – March 1, 2018 – ON1, Inc. is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the new ON1 Photo RAW 2018.1, the first major free update to Photo RAW 2018. Version 2018.1 includes image quality enhancements, performance improvements, and key features to optimize the photographer’s workflow.

“Version 2018.1 isn’t just about the new features, although there are many powerful new additions. We’ve been very focused on image quality and the results customers get from using ON1 Photo RAW. Image quality and performance are the top priorities in every update, and we are very excited for our customers to experience these improvements for themselves in this update,” says Dan Harlacher, Director of Product at ON1.

New Improvements

  • Debayering – The algorithms have been improved to increase the amount of micro detail while reducing aliasing, yielding photos that are noticeably crisper with less color artifacts.
  • HDR – HDR alignment and deghosting have improved, yielding sharper results with less ghosting, noise, and color fringe. Users now have the ability to select which frame is used for deghosting and can also adjust the amount of motion visible in water and clouds.
  • Faster Cataloging – The thumbnail and preview generation of images is now faster. Searching photos has also been improved.
  • Noise Reduction – Improvements to reduce large noise from very high ISOs. Automatic hot-pixel removal has been added, and green and purple color aberration reduction has improved.
  • Sharpening – The sharpening algorithms have been improved to enhance micro details and provide sharper initial results.
  • Panorama – The panorama merge dialog now does a better job with vertical panoramas as well as really large ones. It can now stitch together up to 25 photos at a time. Blending of photos to compensate for differences in exposure and white balance have been improved.
  • Preview Quality – The preview window has been improved to more accurately reflect the details and sharpness in photos at different zoom levels.

New Features

  • Import – Get photos from your camera to your computer, choose where you want the photos to go, assign metadata, and more.
  • Tethered Shooting – Get your photos to your computer instantly and apply import settings. Currently supports Canon and Nikon.
  • Soft Proofing – Simulate what your photo will look like when it’s printed.
  • Metadata Templates – Add metadata to a group of photos using presets. This allows you to choose and save only the information you want applied to your photos.
  • Video Browsing & Organizing – Now supports viewing video files so you can organize those as well. Copy, move, name, add metadata, and more.
  • Custom Sorting – This option in Browse allows you to put your photos in any order you choose.
  • Batch Rename – Rename all of your photos in a batch to add unique information to filenames.
  • Edit Capture Date – Adjust date and time on your photos so they match the actual date and time they were taken.
  • Auto Advance – Automatically switch to the next photo during the culling process when rating or tagging photos.
  • Additional Camera & Lens Support — Added support for several new cameras and many new lenses. See the full list here.

About ON1 Photo RAW

ON1 Photo RAW 2018.1 is the only photo editor designed by photographers for photographers. ON1’s unique community-driven development approach via The Photo RAW Project gives customers a voice in how it’s designed, allowing users to submit ideas and vote on new features. With fast photo management, hundreds of customizable photo effects, powerful masking tools, HDR, panos, layers, and other Lightroom and Photoshop-like features, Photo RAW 2018.1 is the ultimate all-in-one photo editor and raw processor with no subscription.

Craig Keudell, CEO of ON1 says “Our vision for Photo RAW has always been that it would the fastest, most flexible, and easiest-to-use raw processor and photo editor on the market. A single photography centric photo editor with powerful Lightroom® and Photoshop®-like features photographers can own and enjoy for many years. Photo RAW has come a long way in a short time and we are both excited and very busy building new exciting technologies for our next update.”

ON1 Photo RAW 2018.1 isn’t just for raw files. Supported file formats include JPEG, TIF, PSD, PSB, PNG, and DNG are supported and benefit from the speed, performance, and abundance of editing tools in the app. Photo RAW 2018.1 continues to work seamlessly within current photography workflows. The app integrates as a plug-in for Adobe® Lightroom® Classic CC and Photoshop® CC and further builds its case as a complete standalone photo editor or alternative to the Adobe Photography Plan. Version 2018.1 also integrates with the major cloud services to allow for uploading, managing, and editing photos across multiple computers. This allows users to sync photos and their edits across multiple computers or in a studio setting.

Price and Availability

ON1 Photo RAW 2018.1 is available now for an introductory price of $ 79.99 for a limited time (Reg: $ 119.99). A free and fully functional 30-day trial is also available on the ON1 website. A single purchase of ON1 Photo RAW 2018.1 will include both Mac and Windows installers and activation for up to five computers. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, world-class customer support, hundreds of free video tutorials, and free ON1 Loyalty Rewards every month.

For More Information

* ON1 Photo RAW 2018.1 Introductory Special
* Free 30-Day Trial
* The Photo RAW Project
* About ON1

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Halide update adds ‘blazing fast portrait mode,’ depth maps and more to the iOS app

10 Mar

Halide—the feature-rich third-party camera app for the iPhone—just released version 1.7 which adds support for the dual-camera setups of the iPhones 7 Plus, 8 Plus, and X, using the two lenses to “see” in three dimensions.

When shooting a photo, you can now apply a background-blurring portrait effect or darken the background, similar to Apple’s ‘Portrait Lighting’ effect. But this isn’t just Apple’s portrait mode pasted into Halide, the app allegedly does it better:

In an App Store first, Halide’s Portrait mode uses a combination of smart facial detection and point-of-interest detection to allow Portrait mode with zero waiting; users can snap a shot at any time to get beautiful background blur effects on a subject.

Additionally, the app is capable of storing the actual depth map as a separate .png-file for later fine-tuning of the results in an image processor, and a new ‘Augmented Reality Depth Photo Viewer allows you to “place Depth-Enabled captures like images shot with Portrait Mode in AR.”

Once placed into 3D space, you can walk around and through the captured scene and ‘explore’ your depth map. It’s gimmicky… but actually really cool:

Halide 1.7 is already available to purchase on iTunes for $ 3. To learn more about the app’s new depth mapping feature set, head over to the Halide blog. And if you’re curious about Halide in general, you can read our hands-on of the app’s launch version here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Olympus offers major firmware update for OM-D E-M1 II, E-M5 II and Pen-F

28 Feb

Olympus has announced updates for its OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark II and Pen-F cameras in the lead up to CP+ 2018. All three cameras get a new Bleach Bypass Art Filter and added support for the Panasonic Leica 200mm F2.8 Power OIS lens, but the improvements go beyond that for the individual camera models.

The E-M1 II’s list of updates is the longest. Firmware 3.0 brings improvements to Pro Capture Mode, increasing the pre-shutter buffer depth from 14 to 35 frames. Pro Capture Mode H can also now be used with any Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds lens. Focus Stacking mode now works with the 12-100mm F4 Pro, and the camera will now provide in-body distortion correction for the 8mm F1.8 Fisheye Pro.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II firmware 4.0 adds the focus stacking feature found on the
TG-5 and E-M1 II

Other E-M1 II improvements include the ability to set smaller AF target points in S-AF and C-AF, a 100% magnification option in image playback and a Flicker Scan feature to help choose a shutter speed that avoids flickering from problematic light sources. Olympus also says that C-AF performance has been improved overall, as has stabilization in video shooting, among other minor feature updates.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II firmware 4.0 adds the focus stacking feature found on the TG-5 and E-M1 II. In this mode, eight images are captured as focus is shifted to create a composite final image with greater depth of field.

Firmware 3.0 for the Pen-F adds the ability to save Monochrome and Color Profile Control settings to the camera by way of a computer. Shading effects are also added to Color Profile Control and Color Creator.

For the full list of improvements, see the press release below or head to Olympus’ website.

YOUR UPGRADE AWAITS: OLYMPUS UNLEASHES POWERFUL NEW FIRMWARE FOR ITS OM-D AND PEN CAMERAS

New Functions and Improved Performance Are Delivered Through Firmware Version 2.0 for OM-D E-M1® Mark II, Version 3.0 for PEN-F®, and Version 4.0 for OM-D E-M5 Mark II

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 28, 2018—Today Olympus announces a series of new firmware updates that are available immediately for several of its latest interchangeable lens cameras. The firmware upgrades include Version 2.0 for the flagship Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Version 3.0 for the Olympus PEN-F, and Version 4.0 for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II.

Olympus is dedicated to providing ongoing product functionality and performance improvements to deliver cameras that users can depend on long after their initial purchase. The latest firmware updates are designed to bolster Olympus’s interchangeable lens cameras with the latest functionality, improved performance, and expanded creative options. Many of the firmware updates were implemented in response to users’ requests.

For example, Firmware Version 3.0 for the PEN-F adds the ability to save the settings of the Monochrome and Color Profile Control from the user’s computer onto the camera. Firmware Version 4.0 for the OM-D E-M5 Mark II adds the Focus Stacking function available on the OM-D E-M1 and E-M1 Mark II. In addition to these upgrades, videographers will now have access to the Look Up Table (LUT) file for the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and the OM-D E-M5 Mark II, allowing for advanced control and optimal color grading using DaVinci Resolve®.

Other new features include improved Pro Capture Mode functionality in the OM-D E-M1 Mark II’s Firmware Version 2.0, while the PEN-F’s Firmware Version 3.0 includes shading effects that were previously only available in Monochrome Profile Control and are now available in Color Profile Control and Color Creator.

Main Features

OM-D E-M1 Mark II Firmware Version 2.0 Details

1. Improved Pro Capture Mode functionality
Pro Capture Mode provides lag-free shooting so users can capture high-quality, full-resolution images at precise moments without compromise. Pro Capture buffers a running series of JPEG and RAW images when users press the shutter release halfway. With Firmware Version 2.0, the maximum number of pre-shutter frames that can be recorded once the shutter button is fully pressed has increased from 14 to 35.

Additionally, a new display icon shows users that they have initiated Pro Capture Mode and the camera is currently buffering frames.

All attachable lenses are now compatible with Pro Capture H (focus locks after first image is buffered).

Lens Pro Capture L Pro Capture H
Olympus Micro Four Thirds System standard lenses Yes Yes
Other Micro Four Thirds System standard lenses No Yes
Four Thirds System standard lenses No Yes
Lenses without electrical contacts (MF only) Yes Yes

2. Focus Stacking now supports the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12–100mm F4.0 IS PRO
Firmware Version 2.0 now allows the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12–100mm F4.0 IS PRO to support in-camera focus stacking. Additionally, seven other lenses support focus stacking, including the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO, ED 30mm F3.5 Macro, ED 60mm F2.8 Macro, ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO, ED 7–14mm F2.8 PRO, ED 12–40mm F2.8 PRO, and ED 40–150mm F2.8 PRO.

3. Small AF Target setting added to S-AF and C-AF
In response to feedback from Olympus users looking for a greater level of precision when choosing a specific AF target, Small AF Targets have been added to the single target (1-point) AF area.

4. In-body Fisheye Correction when using M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO
Fisheye Distortion Correction is now available in-camera so that the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO can be used as a wide-angle lens without the fisheye effect. Fisheye Correction effects can be viewed by the user in real time on the rear monitor or EVF before shooting.

5. The magnify setting now offers a 100-percent enlargement ratio for use during image playback
Due to Olympus user feedback, pixel size display has been added to the magnification ratio options, making it possible to review images at a 1:1 pixel ratio.

6. New Flicker Scan function removes flickering when using the electronic shutter
The Flicker Scan function allows users to preview the scene and choose the proper shutter speed to avoid flickering, a phenomenon that is common when using the camera’s electronic shutter under fluorescent or LED light sources.

Other Improvements

  • Continuous AF (C-AF) performance has been improved.
  • AF response has been improved when using back-button focus AF settings with the AEL/AFL button.
  • IS performance has been improved when shooting video, enabling more natural camera work (IS-equipped lenses require simultaneously released firmware update).
  • Tethered shooting responsiveness and stability using Olympus Capture has been improved, providing an easier shooting workflow.
  • The remaining battery level icon has been fine-tuned.

PEN-F Firmware Version 3.0 Details

1. Monochrome and Color Profile Control settings can be saved onto camera via computer
It is now possible to save Monochrome and Color Profile Control settings in images recorded on the PEN-F to the camera via a computer. Using the latest Olympus Digital Camera Updater (Ver. 2.1), simply select the image with the profile you want to use and save the settings to the camera.

2. Shading effects in Monochrome Profile Control are available in Color Profile Control and Color Creator
Due to popular demand, shading effects have been added to Color Profile Control and Color Creator for a wider range of photographic expression.

OM-D E-M5 Mark II Firmware Version 4.0 Details

1. In-Camera Focus Stacking function
The Focus Stacking function available on the Tough TG-5 and OM-D E-M1 Mark II is now available on the OM-D E-M5 Mark II. The focus is shifted in half-pixel increments while capturing eight images, which are then composited to form a single image that is in focus from the foreground to the background. A total of eight lenses are supported (the same lenses supported by OM-D E-M1 Mark II Firmware Version 2.0).

Common Features for OM-D E-M1 Mark II, PEN-F, and OM-D E-M5 Mark II

1. New Bleach Bypass Art Filter option
The Bleach Bypass Art Filter included in the OM-D E-M10 Mark III (released in September 2017) is now available with these firmware updates. This option replicates the bleach bypass effect used to develop film creating images with a beautiful metallic sheen.

2. Support for Panasonic LEICA® DG ELMARIT 200mm/F2.8/POWER O.I.S. interchangeable lens
This firmware update improves the compatibility with the Panasonic LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm/F2.8/POWER O.I.S. (H-ES200) interchangeable lens.

Please visit the following URL for more details on the firmware updates: getolympus.com/firmware

Movie-exclusive picture mode: “Flat” LUT file release
An LUT file is released for movies recorded in the movie-exclusive picture mode “Flat” with the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and E-M5 Mark II. This file converts recorded videos to BT.709 in DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design Pty. Ltd. for color grading.

Please visit the following URL for more details: getolympus.com/firmware

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ricoh will let Pentax K-1 owners update their cameras to a Mark II for $550

22 Feb

For a limited time this summer, current Pentax K-1 owners will be able to send their cameras in for service, essentially upgrading them to a Mark II. The service will include a main circuit board swap, and the ‘SR’ logo on the front of the camera will be replaced with a Mark II logo. The upgraded circuit board will add all of the features introduced in the Mark II, such as shooting at up to ISO 819,200 and an updated Pixel Shift mode.

The K-1 upgrade service will cost $ 550 US / $ 690 CAD and will be offered from May 21, 2018 to September 30, 2018.

We do not yet have details of the price or timeframe for upgrading in other regions but we’re told it should be available and we’ll post detailed when we have them.

Ricoh announces an upgrade service for current PENTAX K-1 camera owners

WEST CALDWELL, NJ, February 21, 2018?In conjunction with the announcement of the new PENTAX K-1 Mark II 35mm full-frame digital SLR (DSLR) camera, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced an upgrade service for current PENTAX K-1 owners.

The program allows current PENTAX K-1 owners to upgrade their current camera to receive the advanced functions of the new PENTAX K-1 Mark II.

Here is an overview of the upgrade service:

– The upgrade service will be available for a limited time, from May 21, 2018 – September 30, 2018- Upgrade cost: $ 550USD / $ 690 CAD- Cameras will need to be shipped to Precision Camera (US) and Sun Camera (Canada)

The upgrade entails replacing the PENTAX K-1’s main circuit board to add new functions featured in the new PENTAX K-1 Mark II camera. Additionally, the current “SR” logo on the PENTAX K-1 will be replaced with the new PENTAX K-1 Mark II logo.

More details on the program will be released in the upcoming weeks. Please go to www.us.ricoh-imaging.com or email us at conact@us.ricoh-imaging.com for more information.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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*Updated* Adobe is preparing a major Lightroom Classic performance update, and we got to try it

30 Jan

This article has been updated to include results from a 2015 quad-core Apple MacBook Pro.

Adobe Lightroom Classic users have been pining for a serious performance update for ages—even Adobe admitted that Lightroom performance was lackluster, and improving it was ‘top priority.’ Well, it looks like ‘top priority’ is going to pay off very soon.

Late last week, Adobe told DPReview that it has a significant Lightroom Classic performance update in the works. The update—which is “coming soon”—is supposed to improve performance across the board for anybody using a multi-core machine with at least 12GB of RAM. Or, in Adobe’s own words:

In this upcoming Lightroom Classic 7.2 release, we were able to make significant strides with our partners at Intel on addressing key performance issues. We have optimized CPU and memory usage so that performance will scale better across multiple cores on computers with at least 12 GB of RAM.

Adobe claims the update will result in:

  • Faster import and preview generation
  • Faster walking of images in the Loupe View
  • Faster rendering of adjustments in Develop
  • Faster batch merge operations of HDR/Panos
  • Faster export

The company’s own benchmarks back up this claim in a big way. Adobe shared these results with DPReview, revealing substantially improved export times between the current v7.1 and the upcoming v7.2.

Adobe Export Test

Adobe tested the new build on three machines:

  1. A 10-core iMac Pro with 32GB of 2666MHz DDR4 RAM, a 3GHz Intel Xeon W processor, AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64 graphics card with 16GB of RAM.
  2. An 8-core Windows 10 PC with 64GB of 2400MHz DDR4 RAM, a 3.2GHz Intel Xeon E5-1660 processor, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card with 8GB of RAM.
  3. A 10-core Windows 10 PC with 64GB of 2400MHz DDR4 RAM, a 2.9GHz Intel Core i9 7960X processor, and an Nvidia Quodro P2000 graphics card

Each of the three showed significant speed improvements when exporting 100 heavily edited Raw files as either full-resolution JPEGs or full-resolution DNGs:

  • The 10-core iMac Pro exported JPEGs 29.5% faster and DNGs 43.7% faster
  • The 8-core Windows 10 PC exported JPEGs 32.5% faster and DNGs 32.4% faster
  • The 10-core Windows 10 PC exported JPEGs 48.3% faster and DNGs 64.7% faster

Additionally, while subsequent tests of the current version got slower and slower on the Windows, version 7.2 fixes this problem. In other words: Lightroom Classic will no longer slow down over the course of a long editing session on Windows machines.

Our own tests also showed a noticeable speed boost when it came to exporting files, and a massive increase in performance on import. Adobe gave us early access to the new build, and we tested it alongside the current version of Lightroom Classic CC twice. We ran an initial export test on a 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro, with 16GB Ram and a 3.3GHz dual-core i7 processor running macOS 10.12.6, and found a modest but still significant speed improvement of around 11%.

After speaking to Adobe’s technical experts, we then conducted a follow-up import and export test on a Mid-2015 15-inch MacBook Pro. Specifically, a Retina model with a 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, and Intel Iris 5200 Pro graphics card. It’s not exactly in the same class as the 8+ core powerhouses that Adobe seems to have lying around, but it’s arguably closer to the average setup for an enthusiast or semi-professional photographer. Also, despite being an older machine, we knew that according to Adobe, more cores would give us a better chance of seeing some serious performance gains.

As such, these results replace our earlier published figures.

DPReview Import Test (2015 Quad-core MacBook Pro)

When importing 130 Raw files from the Fujifilm X-T2 (7.6GB in total), we saw a major performance boost in LR Classic CC 7.2, on our quad-core 2015 MacBook Pro. Roughly 80%, in fact.

  • LR 7.1 – 4:05 (245 seconds)
  • LR 7.2 – 50 seconds

DPReview Export Test (2015 Quad-core MacBook Pro)

When exporting the same 130 Raw files as JPEGs (quality level 80, Adobe RGB), after heavy edits (including exposure, shadow/highlight adjustment, lens corrections and luminance noise reduction) we saw a modest performance improvement in LR Classic CC 7.2 compared to 7.1. Roughly 10% when averaged out – very similar to the 11% performance increase we saw when we ran the earlier test on our dual-core 2013 Mac.

  • LR 7.1 – 11:08 (668 seconds)
  • LR 7.2 – 10:16 (616 seconds)

Adobe was adamant that this update is just the beginning. The company is “pleased with these performance improvements” and believes Lightroom Classic users will be please as well, but Adobe also told us it is “far from done.” The company promises continued performance optimizations and improvements in future releases of Lightroom Classic CC.

For now, we’re just happy to see the first fruits of that “top priority” promise Adobe made last year.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Photoshop CC update adds AI-powered subject selection tool and more

24 Jan

The AI-powered Select Subject feature that Adobe demoed back in November has finally arrived in Photoshop CC! The feature was officially released just minutes ago in Photoshop CC version 19.1, which also includes the addition of a Decontamination slider to the Select and Mask workspace and some significant compatibility updates for Windows users.

The major update is, obviously, the arrival of Select Subject to Photoshop CC. When it was first demoed in November, the Photoshop team touted the tool—which is powered by Adobe Sensei AI technology—as a way to “select prominent subjects in an image with one click.” That’s what they hope to deliver today.

A single click of the Select Subject button in the Quick Select tool should easily isolate your subject in images like the one below:

Of course, more difficult scenarios where the subject isn’t so obviously delineated against the background will give Select Subject more trouble—the original demo video, embedded below, showed that—but it promises to “let you get started with your selections faster than ever before.”

In addition to Select Subject, Adobe also added a Decontamination slider to the Select and Mask workspace that allows you to select the amount of color decontamination applied to an image:

For Windows users, version 19.1 brings much-requested support for Windows High Density Monitors—allowing you to switch between displays of varying resolutions and sizes seamlessly. Jerry Harris, principal scientist on the Photoshop team and himself a Windows user, explains what this means in the Adobe blog post:

With this release, Photoshop on Windows 10 Creator’s Edition now offers a full range of choices for UI scale factors from 100% through 400%, in 25% increments. This means that the Photoshop user interface will look crisp, beautiful, and the right size no matter the density of your monitor. Photoshop will now automatically adjust itself based on your Windows settings, making it simple to set up.

[…]

In addition, we worked very closely with Microsoft to provide per-monitor scaling across monitors with different scale factors. This means that a high resolution (HiDPI) laptop now works seamlessly alongside a lower resolution desktop monitor (or vice versa). One monitor can have a scale factor of 175% and another a scale factor of 400%.

And finally, Windows users also get advanced support for the Windows dial, which can now adjust brush settings while you paint. Before this, you could only adjust settings between brush strokes, but you can now adjust brush size, opacity, and other settings as you draw:

As of publication, this update should be live and ready to download if you’re already a Creative Cloud subscriber. If you want to learn more about any of the features above, or dive into bug fixes and other minutia, head over to the Adobe blog. Otherwise, just update your copy through the Creative Cloud app and you’re ready to go.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Gallery Update: Panasonic Lumix DC-G9

14 Jan

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Since initially publishing our G9 sample gallery late in 2017, we’ve had the chance to spend substantially more time shooting with it. Now that the full G9 review is live, we wanted to revisit that gallery and update it with additional ACR conversions, out of camera JPEGs, and high-res mode samples. Without further adieu, the updated G9 sample gallery…

See our Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Major Update: Adobe adds tone curve, split toning and more to Lightroom CC

13 Dec
The tone curve, one of the most important features missing from Lightroom CC 1.0, is finally being added. Photo: Adobe

Adobe has launched a major update to the entirely Lightroom CC ecosystem today, releasing major updates for Lightroom CC on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and the web, in addition to a few updates for Lightroom Classic CC and Adobe Camera Raw. If you’re a Creative Cloud subscriber, you’ll want to update ASAP.

Here’s what Adobe has in store for you with this latest Lightroom update.

Tone Curve and Split Toning

Two of the most useful and conspicuously absent features in Lightroom CC 1.0 were the Tone Curve and Split Toning. Well, there’s no longer any reason to hop back into Lightroom Classic CC to take advantage of these: they’re coming to Lightroom CC.

You’ll find the Tone Curve next to the Auto button in the Light panel, where you can choose between Parametric Curve or Point Curve modes, as well as the Red, Green, and Blue channels.

Split Toning lives in the Effects panel, where you can … well … split tone.

Adobe Sensei Auto Mode

Another major feature improvement coming with the December update is Auto mode, which is now much more intelligent thanks to Adobe Sensei artificial intelligence platform. From Adobe’s blog post about the update:

Using an advanced neural network powered by Adobe Sensei, our artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning platform, the new Auto Settings creates a better photo by analyzing your photo and comparing to tens of thousands of professionally edited photos to create a beautiful, pleasing image.

This new Auto mode is launching ecosystem wide—you’ll find it in Lightroom CC, Lightroom CC for iOS, Lightroom CC for Android, Lightroom CC on the web, Lightroom Classic, and Adobe Camera Raw (ACR).

Everything Else

The three updates above are the most impactful, but the December update comes with a bit more to enjoy.

  • Lightroom CC now lets you change the capture time of an image or batch of images (“providing relief for those times that you forgot to change your camera’s time or time zone settings.”).
  • Lightroom CC for Android received several bug fixes and the ability to launch directly into popular modes from the home screen by pressing and holding the app icon.
  • Lightroom CC for iOS now lets you create and customize a text based watermark for your images on export, and HDR capture has been improved.
  • Lightroom Classic CC and Adobe Camera RAW are seeing some ‘refinements’ to the Color Range Masking tool.
  • And, finally, Adobe has added support for new cameras and lenses, including the Sony a7R III, Leica CL, iPhone X, and Google Pixel 2 among others.

You can read more about the December update on Adobe’s blog. CC subscribers just have to update their copy to the latest version to take advantage of all the features described above.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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