One of the most talked about new features of the HTC’s latest flagship smartphone, the One M8, is the Duo Camera. Using the primary camera and a second sensor to create a shallow depth-of-field effect, the Duo Cam produced less-than-perfect results in our testing. But thanks to an update to the Gallery app, the effect can now be adjusted. Learn more
Leica has updated the firmware for its T (Typ 701) mirrorless camera to Version 1.1. In one of the stranger descriptions we’ve seen, Leica hasn’t given any specific details of what’s changed, saying instead that “you will get the complete scope of functions and performance as described in the manual of your camera”. The firmware is available to download now – click through for the link.
Nikon has announced updated versions of its 400mm F2.8 telephoto lens and 1.4x teleconverter. The AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR promises improved autofocus, exposure accuracy and speed, while being 816g (nearly 2lb) lighter than its predecessor. Meanwhile the AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III features revised optics, and a redesigned barrel for increased moisture and dust resistance. Both will be available in August 2014, with RRPs of $ 11,999.95 and $ 499.95 respectively. Learn more
No one will deny that Leica cameras are expensive. But there’s more to the cost than just that red dot on the front. Each of the company’s new ‘T’ mirrorless cameras are built by hand in Germany with incredible precision. View the transformation from aluminum brick to finished product. We’ve just updated this slideshow with some insights from Leica’s head of product management, Stefan Daniel. Click through to see (and read) more.
The D610 is the exact same as the D600 but with a new shutter mechanism that boosts continuous shooting and adds a ‘Quiet Continuous’ mode. The only other upgrade is an improved auto white balance system. Although the D610 lacks some of the frills, like built-in Wi-Fi, GPS or an articulated LCD, it’s a lot of camera for the money. Do the slight updates still make the D610 a compelling option in a growing full-frame market? Find out in our review
In amongst the product releases of the past few months, Fujifilm announced a pair of accessory grips for its X-E and X-Pro cameras. The MHG-Xpro and MHG-XE improve on the original HG designs by providing continued access to the cameras’ battery/card compartments. In addition they reposition the tripod mount so that it’s in line with the optical axis. The MHG-XPro and HMG-XE are available now priced at $ 150 and $ 130 respectively.
CES 2014: Sigma has announced the 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM | C, a superzoom lens for APS-C / DX format SLRs. With a 28-300mm equivalent zoom range, it’s smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and has a shorter minimum focus distance. It will be available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, and Sony mounts; as usual the Pentax and Sony versions won’t have optical stabilisation. Availability is still to be confirmed but Sigma USA has set a recommended price of $ 399.
CES 2014: We got our hands on the recently announced Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 ASPH OIS at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. It’s an ultra-fast portrait prime for Micro Four Thirds that offers an 85mm equivalent field of view. We shot some quick samples mounted on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3, including an aperture progression series. We’ve just added 16 more images to our previously-published gallery, taken with the new lens attached to an Olympus OM-D E-M5. See gallery
Now more than ever, it is a wonderful time to be a lighting photographer. I have long maintained a book list on Strobist, but it has gotten out of date. Today I am correcting that with a tight, "without reservation" list of books that I can absolutely recommend for photographers who want to learn.
The list includes just four books on lighting, a book on the interpersonal aspects of photography and a massive, magnum opus that is not even out yet. (But I've seen it!)
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We’ve updated our first impressions review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 with our studio test scene showing image quality for both JPEG and Raw files. The new scene also offers downloadable Raw samples of both daylight and low light scenes. As always, you can compare the GM1 to a number of other cameras.
