RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Video’

A photographer’s intro to the world of video

13 Jul

It took me a long time to recognize the appeal of video shooting. Even in a job where I have to use a camera’s video features, it was only fairly recently that I moved beyond just taking short clips (essentially stills with a little bit of movement in them) and started to think in terms of using video and editing to tell stories.

Given that most modern cameras offer at least rudimentary video tools, I wanted to share my experiences and perhaps encourage others to start thinking about shooting at 24 or more frames per second.

The good news is that a lot of the things you learn as a photographer are immediately useful as you take your first steps in video shooting. But, as I discovered, at almost every stage I encountered differences and additional factors to consider. Many of which I wished someone had told me when I started…

Stop shaking the camera, you’re making me feel sick

The first thing that became apparent when shooting video for the first time was the need to keep the camera steady. I remember my Dad teaching me how to keep my camera steady and be aware of my breathing when shooting relatively long exposures, but no amount of good breathing technique or bracing the camera against a pillar is enough to give steady video.

Even if your camera is hand-holdable, don’t expect that to mean you’ll shoot it hand-held.

This makes sense, of course: most stills shooting only requires you to hold your camera steady for fractions of a second whereas video lets the viewer see how steady you’ve been for seconds or minutes at a time.

What I’ve learned is that in-camera stabilization can be enough to stop your footage looking unwatchably juddery, but unless you’re aiming for a ‘run-and-gun’ aesthetic, you’ll need to use a tripod or some sort of stabilization rig.

Exposing some limitations

Exposure is another area where the lessons I’d learned from stills photography are useful but incomplete. You still get to control the same variables, but the range of control you have is somewhat restricted. It’s still a question of managing light, but with a greater risk of finding yourself with too much of the stuff.

For me it’s a question of shutter speed, which has a more obvious impact on the appearance of your footage than is usually the case in stills shooting. A fast shutter speed in stills photography will freeze motion, a slow one will allow the subject to blur but there’s often a large range in between these two extremes. In video, there’s a narrower range before the viewer starts to notice the difference.

The 180 degree shutter ‘rule,’ where you use a shutter speed that’s half the duration of each frame (so 1/48th seconds for 24 fps shooting) isn’t an inviolable law, but the further you stray from it, the more jarring or muddled your footage will look. This can be a creative choice, of course, but only counts as such if you’ve consciously made it.

This made me think back to when I was first experimenting with stills photography, and getting a feel for the boundaries set by the longest shutter speed I could hand-hold, the widest aperture I had available and the highest ISO setting I found acceptable. Once I was familiar with these, one of the first purchases I made was a faster lens (that’s right: a 50mm F1.8) to get more light to extend these capabilities.

With stills shooting, one of the first things you buy is a bright lens to get more light, with video it’s an ND filter, to get rid of it.

With video and the further restriction over the fastest shutter speed I’m willing to use, it’s a decent ND filter I need to buy, to reduce the light level to fit your boundaries.

A neutral density (ND) filter allows you to use use wide apertures and the relatively slow shutter speeds that a lot of videographers favor. An adjustable ND filter provides even more flexibility.

A return to JPEGs

Added to these exposure limitations has been another throw-back to my first days as a photographer: having to revert to an 8-bit, compressed shooting format. Having spent some time learning the distinctions between video file formats, the main lesson has been that none of the ones I’m likely to encounter are anything like Raw.

Once you’ve been spoiled by the seemingly endless dynamic range that can fit in a 14-bit Raw file and the ability to set and adjust the white balance at the ending stage, it’s a shock to go back to having to get exposure and white balance perfect when you shoot.

Flat tone curves and Log profiles provide a means of squeezing a bit more useable DR into those 8-bit files, but this can make it even harder to judge correct exposure. I’d highly recommend shooting some test footage and trying to grade it back into something useful, before committing yourself to the flattest tone curve you can find.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on A photographer’s intro to the world of video

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Now with 4K: Fujifilm X-T2 offers 24MP, improved AF and video specs

07 Jul

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_6056057871″,”galleryId”:”6056057871″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”standalone”:false,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”startInCommentsView”:false,”isMobile”:false}) });

Fujifilm has updated its premium SLR-style X-series lineup with the X-T2, bringing 4K video capture to its lineup for the first time.

The camera uses the 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor first seen in the X-Pro2 and also includes an upgraded hybrid AF system with more focus points, as well as an AF-point selection joystick a la the X-Pro2. There’s also a faster top mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000 sec (1/32,000 sec with the electronic electronic), an improved AF-C algorithm and an overall boost in response times when using the camera. Like the X-T1, this camera is weather-sealed.

The X-T2 offers an unchanged 2.36 million-dot OLED EVF carried over from its predecessor, but the 1.04 million-dot 3″ LCD has an additional hinge for waist-level portrait-orientation shooting. An optional ‘Vertical Power Booster Grip’ is offered. The grip houses two batteries and lives up to its name by ‘boosting’ mechanical shutter burst shooting to 11 fps (from 8 fps), reducing shutter lag and blackout time slightly and allowing for 30 minutes of 4K capture (as opposed to 10). 

An EF-X500 hot shoe flash is also introduced for the system, offering a guide number of 50 with a tilting flash head.

The Fujifilm X-T2 will be available in September for $ 1,599.95 body-only, or bundled with the XF18-55mm for $ 1,899.95. The EF-XF500 flash will also be available in September for $ 449.99.


Press release:

Fujifilm Unveils the New X-T2, the Ultimate Mirrorless Camera with New Autofocus System and 4K Video Shooting

X-T2 gives users cutting-edge performance that delivers premium imaging quality in a classic design that is a joy to use; New FUJIFILM EF-X500 flash arrives

Valhalla, N.Y., July 7, 2016 – As a leader in advanced digital camera technology and outstanding image quality, FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the new FUJIFILM X-T2, a splash-resistant premium interchangeable lens camera with a large OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF). The X-T2 houses the latest generation 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III with an APS-C sensor with no low-pass filter, boasting the highest performance in the history of X Series. The new X-T2 produces crisp image resolution comparable to that of cameras equipped with larger sensors and higher pixel counts, all in a more compact and classically-designed body.

And for the first time, the new FUJIFILM X-T2 now supports 4K video recording that can use each available Film Simulation mode, including ACROS, to easily produce premium-quality footage that is as unique as the photographer behind the viewfinder.

Dramatic improvement to auto focus system The FUJIFILM X-T2 receives a dramatically improved auto focus system (AF) that increases the overall single AF points to 325, and the number of Zone focusing points to 91 (expanded from 49 in previous models). Approximately 40% of the imaging area (center area containing 49 focusing points) is covered with phase detection auto focus pixels to form a fast and precise phase detection auto focus area that can be used in a variety of scenes.

With the high-speed X-Processor Pro and the use of improved algorithms, the X-T2 now refocuses more frequently, enabling predictive AF of advanced accuracy.

The X-T2 also has an enhanced ability to autofocus on small points of light, low-contrast objects and subjects with fine and delicate textures such as bird feathers and animal fur.

The X-T2’s performance of contrast detection AF, enabled for approximately 65% of the imaging area, has also been improved. The data read speed has been doubled compared to previous models to achieve AF performance of higher speed and precision. Photographers will enjoy accurate focusing is all shooting situations, even in low light with a -3EV.

Another area of improvement is the AF-C algorithm that has been significantly enhanced for even higher accuracy when focus-tracking moving subjects in the AF-C mode. According to the type of movement, users can choose individual settings for Subject Retention Characteristic, Acceleration / Deceleration Tracking Characteristic and Focus Zone Characteristic, or select one of five presets or customize specific settings for these three elements.

Image Quality
Fujifilm’s commitment to superior image quality remains a guiding principle, and the FUJIFILM X-T2 is the latest effort to deliver outstanding picture resolution, all from a compact and sophisticated body that is both weather-sealed and easy to travel with in any location. With Fujifilm’s proprietary image design technology, produced through the development of photographic films, the X-T2 reproduces warm skin tones, bright blue skies and rich green foliage in beautiful colors, just as you remember seeing in real life. The X-T2 includes the ACROS Film Simulation for smooth gradation, deep blacks and beautiful textures to create monochrome images that far outperform even the most demanding expectations.

The X-T2 also has the Grain Effect function for reproducing distinctive graininess seen in photographs taken with film cameras. The function is available in Strong and Weak options, and can be combined with any of the Film Simulation modes. You can easily obtain the effect of film-based photos, notable especially when the image is printed out.

Speedy throughout
Basic response specifications, such as startup time, shooting interval and shutter release time lag, have all been improved to the extreme in pursuit of a camera that operates exactly as the photographer demands. The high-speed processing power and the use of improved algorithms have significantly improved the basic autofocus performance, and X-T2 now gives users AF-C Custom Settings for even higher accuracy in focus-tracking moving subjects.

The X-T2’s electronic viewfinder, which is used to continuously track a moving subject, is capable of displaying up to 100 frames per second, while also maintaining the magnification ratio of 0.77x and the display time lag of 0.005 seconds. The duration of the viewfinder blackout, in which the evf blacks out temporarily while the camera reads picture data, has been reduced by more than half, enabling continuous shooting to ensure tracking subject movements.

Body and grip offer ultimate stability
The X-T2’s body is fully made of magnesium alloy making it not only compact and lightweight, but also solid and highly durable. The X-T2 body has weather-proofing at 63 points to achieve a high level of resistance to dust and moisture, and coupled with its ability to operate in temperatures down to 14°F, is ready for full-fledged field photography. Similar ruggedness is applied to the new Vertical Power Booster Grip.

The Vertical Power Booster Grip (optional VPB-XT2) is a dust-resistant grip, rugged and capable of operating at temperatures as low as 14°F that maximizes the performance of the X-T2 beyond expectations. It fits two batteries, bringing the total number of batteries the X-T2 can use to three, including the one in-camera, to increase the maximum number of frames that can be taken per charge to approximately 1,000 (Normal mode). In the Boost mode, multiple batteries can operate at the same time to give a boost to camera performance in continuous shooting, shooting interval, shutter release time lag and blackout time, while also extending the duration of 4K video recording to approximately 30 minutes.

The Vertical Power Booster Grip also features a shutter release button, focus thumbstick, AE-L button, AF-L button, command dials, Q button and Fn button and headphone jack to enable audio monitoring during video recording to provide the same level of excellent operability in vertical shooting as you get in horizontal operation. The grip itself has battery-charging functionality where by using the AC adapter supplied (AC-9VS), users can fully charge two batteries at the same time in about two hours.

FUJIFILM EF-X500 Flash
The new high-end multi-function external FUJIFILM EF-X500 Flash is now official for the lineup of accessories for the X Series of digital cameras. The EF-X500 is a hot-shoe mount flash with a maximum guide number of approximately 50, and includes support for the FP mode (high-speed flash sync) so that the flash can be fired at any shutter speed. Photographers can now concentrate on shooting when a faster shutter speed is required, for example, in order to use a near-maximum aperture to produce beautiful bokeh.

The EF-X500 also supports multi-flash lighting. Users can set up multiple flashes to freely control light on a subject and background for a creative result. Through-the-lens (TTL) lighting control is available with single flash and also in the multi-flash setup, so that users can start shooting without having to make cumbersome adjustments to light output.

EF-X500 Flash key features: 

  • Maximum guide number of approximately 50 (ISO100?m) / 164 (ISO100·ft) • Zooming the illumination angle for the focal lengths of 24mm – 105mm, and covering the illumination angle of approximately 20mm when the wide panel is used
  • Flash head that can be tilted up by 90° degrees, down by 10° degrees, to the left by 135° degrees and to the right by 180° degrees for bouncing light
  • Equipped with LED video light that can also be used as AF assist light and catch light
  • Registers up to ten combinations of various setting to suit specific shooting conditions in advance for quick activation when needed

FUJIFILM X-T2 key features:

  • 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III Sensor
  • Dust and moisture-resistant body with approximately 63 points of weather sealing; Freeze resistance to 14°F
  • X-Processor Pro
    – Fast AF of 0.06 seconds
    – Startup time of 0.3 seconds
    – Shutter time lag of 0.045 seconds
    – Shooting interval of 0.17 seconds
    – Phase detection AF and motion predictive AF for continuous shooting up to 8 frames per second (fps)
    – Up to 11fps using Booster Grip
  • High-precision 0.48-inch, 2.36 million dot OLED viewfinder
    – Viewfinder magnification for digital cameras of 0.77x
    – Wide viewing angle (diagonal 38° and horizontal 31°)
    – Ultra-fast Real Time Viewfinder with a lag-time of 0.005sec (less than 1/10 of existing models)
    – Automatic Brightness Adjustment function
    – EVF refreshes at a rate of 60fps, or as high as 100fps in the Boost mode
    – Continuous shooting of 5fps in Live View
  • Full 4K 3840×2160 30P/25P/24P shooting (Using a card with the UHS Speed Class 3 or higher)
    – Continuous recording: up to approximately 10 minutes
    – Full HD 1920×1080 60P/50P/30P/25P/24P, Continuous recording: up to approximately 15 minutes
    – HD 1280×720 60P/50P/30P/25P/24P, Continuous recording: up to approximately 29 minutes
  • Four different display modes: Full, Normal, Dual and Vertical
    – Full mode: Displays shooting information at the top and bottom of the screen to avoid obstruction of the view
    – Dual mode: Adds a small second screen for checking focus point with Focus Peak Highlight or Digital Split Image
    – Normal mode: Lets you concentrate on framing the shot in Auto Focus mode while keeping you aware of how the shooting conditions are changing, making it the perfect setting for sports and action photography
    – Portrait mode: When in Full or Normal modes, it rotates the shooting information interface when the camera is turned vertically
  • Tempered glass 1.04 million dot high-precision 3” tilting LCD monitor
  • Digital Split Image and Focus Highlight Peaking
  • Wi-Fi and remote camera operation
  • ISO200 – 6400, extended ISO 100, 12800, 25600, Auto(maximum ISO setting from ISO 400 – ISO6400 available) with High ISO 51200 setting
  • Lens Modulation Optimizer technology maximizes each lens’ performance
  • In-camera RAW converter
  • Die-cast magnesium body provides a sturdy and durable, while compact and lightweight design
  • Two command dials and six Function buttons for instant control and customization
  • Interval timer shooting for Time Lapse photography is available with intervals of 1 second to 24 hours and up to “?” frames
  • Advanced filters and Film Simulations, including ACROS

FUJIFILM X-T2 Accessories:

  • Vertical Power Booster Grip (optional VPB-XT2) New
  • X-T2 Metal Hand Grip (MHG-XT2) New
  • X-T2 Bottom Leather Case (BLC-XT2) New
  • X-T2 Cover Kit (CVR-XT2) New
  • NP-W126S Rechargeable Battery New
  • Five dedicated flash models to choose from depending on requirements (EF-X500 New, EF-X8, EF-X20, EF-20, EF-42)
  • Battery Pack EF-BP1, compatible with EF-X500 New
  • Protective Filters (PRF-39, PRF-52, PRF-58, PRF-62 and PRF-72)
  • M Mount Adapter for additional lens compatibility
  • Remote Release (RR-90)
  • Stereo Microphone (MIC-ST1)

Availability and Pricing
The new FUJIFILM X-T2 (body only) will be available in September 2016 in the U.S. for USD $ 1,599.95. The X-T2 and XF18-55mm (27-84mm) kit will be available in September 2016 in the U.S. for USD $ 1,899.95.

The FUJIFILM EF-X500 Flash will be available in September 2016 in the U.S. for USD $ 449.99.

Fujifilm X-T2 specifications

Price
MSRP $ 1599 (body only), $ 1899 (w/18-55mm)
Body type
Body type SLR-style mirrorless
Body material Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution 6000 x 4000
Other resolutions 3:2 (4240 x 2832, 3008 x 2000), 16:9 (6000 x 3376, 4240 x 2384, 3008 x 1688), 1:1 (4000 x 4000, 2832 x 2832, 2000 x 2000)
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 24 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array X-Trans
Image
ISO Auto, 200 -12800 (expands to 100-51200)
Boosted ISO (minimum) 100
Boosted ISO (maximum) 51200
White balance presets 7
Custom white balance Yes (3 slots)
Image stabilization No
Image stabilization notes Lens only
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, normal
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.3)
  • Raw (Fujifilm RAF, 14-bit)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 325
Lens mount Fujifilm X
Focal length multiplier 1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Tilting
Screen size 3
Screen dots 104,000
Touch screen No
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.77×
Viewfinder resolution 2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic) 1/32000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Shutter priority
  • Aperture priority
  • Manual
Built-in flash No (Small external flash included)
External flash Yes
Flash modes Auto, standard, slow sync, manual, commander
Flash X sync speed 1/250 sec
Continuous drive 14.0 fps
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing Yes
Videography features
Resolutions 3840 x 2160 (29.97p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p), 1920 x 1080 (59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS II
Connectivity
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
HDMI Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port Yes
Headphone port No
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11b/g/n
Remote control Yes (via smartphone or wired remote)
Physical
Environmentally sealed Yes
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description NP-W126S lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 340
Dimensions 133 x 92 x 49 mm (5.24 x 3.62 x 1.93)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Now with 4K: Fujifilm X-T2 offers 24MP, improved AF and video specs

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Nikon releases new firmware for D5: Improves video and adds flicker reduction

23 Jun

Nikon has released new firmware for its flagship D5 DSLR. There are four main improvements included in firmware v1.10, which address some of the frustrations that we had with the D5 in our full review.  

Video Recording Upgrades:

  1. Movie maximum recording time extended to 29 minute 59 seconds, including for 4K UHD video
  2. Electronic VR for more stable hand-held Full-HD*1/HD video recording added

Still Photography Upgrades:

  1. Flicker reduction function for still photography added, minimizing exposure variations
  2. 9-point dynamic-area AF added, offering more selective focus on a moving subject 

Press release:

Further advance of Nikon D5 digital SLR camera performance through expanded functions

Tokyo – Nikon Corporation has released new firmware, C: Ver. 1.10, that expands the functions of its flagship Nikon FX-format digital SLR camera, the D5.

The D5 has been extremely well received on all fronts, winning such globally prestigious photo and imaging awards as the TIPA Awards 2016, and the Camera GP (Grand Prix) 2016 Readers Award (sponsored by Japan’s Camera Journal Press Club), which is selected through voting by users.

Nikon has released new firmware for the D5, C: Ver. 1.10, that enhances D5 performance even further. The new firmware offers a major upgrade to the camera’s shooting capabilities, delivering four key improvements. First, the maximum recording time of movies, including for 4K UHD movies, is extended, and three functions — Flicker reduction for still images, 9-point dynamic-area AF AF-area mode, and Electronic VR for movies — are added. In addition to these four major changes, some additional updates* have been applied to the new firmware.

  • *Details regarding “additional updates” are provided on the firmware’s free download page (Nikon Download Center).

Release overview

The new firmware is available for download from June 23, 2016. It can be downloaded free of charge from the following URL.

  • *The camera’s current firmware version can be checked using the Firmware version option in the setup menu.

Four major improvements

1. Maximum movie recording time, including for 4K UHD movies, extended to 29 min. 59 s

Movies up to 29 minutes 59 seconds in length can now be recorded at all Movie quality and Frame size/frame rate settings. The new firmware increases the maximum recording time of even 4K UHD (3840×2160) movies from 3 minutes to 29 minutes 59 seconds. In addition, movies are recorded to up to eight separate files, each of which has a file size of up to 4 GB. Separate movie files can be combined to create a single movie using ViewNX-Movie Editor.

  • The maximum recording time for 4K UHD time-lapse movies is 3 minutes.

2. Flicker reduction for still images added for more stable exposure under lighting that flickers

When shooting under fluorescent and some other types of artificial lighting, flickering may cause uneven exposure in parts of images and/or variations in exposure and color reproduction characteristics between individual images captured continuously or in quick succession. We have equipped the new firmware with a Flicker reduction function for still images*1 that reduces these effects. When Flicker reduction is enabled, the camera detects peak brightness as light flickers and automatically times shutter release with these peaks in brightness for stable exposure and color reproduction characteristics. This function is effective when continuous shooting is used for indoor sporting events or similar situations captured at fast shutter speeds*2.

  • *1Still images captured during viewfinder photography (not available with mirror up mode).
  • *2The continuous shooting rate may decrease.

3. 9-point dynamic-area AF AF-area mode added for focusing on a limited portion of a moving subject

With dynamic-area AF, the camera focuses based on information from surrounding focus points* if the subject briefly leaves the focus point selected by the photographer. The D5 originally supported 25-point, 72-point and 153-point dynamic-area AF. A 9-point dynamic-area AF option has been added with the new firmware. This new option is effective for focusing on a more specific portion of a moving subject.

  • *In dynamic-area AF with 9, 25 or 72 points, the number of focus points actually used may be fewer than 9, 25 or 72, depending on the selected primary focus point.

4. Electronic vibration reduction function, effective with hand-held recording, added (for HD and full-HD*1 movie recording)

The new firmware has been equipped with an Electronic VR function that reduces the effects of camera shake with hand-held recording of movies in the FX- or DX-based movie formats (image areas)*2. The effects of camera shake in three directions — vertical (up and down), horizontal (left and right), and rotational (around the center of the lens) — are reduced. This function is effective when recording movies in places or situations in which use of a tripod is prohibited or inconvenient, or when there simply isn’t time to set one up. In addition, electronic VR can be used in combination with the optical vibration reduction (VR) built into a NIKKOR lens for more effective reduction of the effects of camera shake.

  • *1Not available with 1920 x 1080 crop settings.
  • *2The angle of view will be reduced slightly.
  • The effects of electronic VR are also reflected when photos are captured during movie recording (Live frame grab).
  • When Electronic VR is enabled, the maximum sensitivity allowed is ISO 102400, even if ISO sensitivity is set to Hi 0.3 or higher.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Nikon releases new firmware for D5: Improves video and adds flicker reduction

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Video: Canon EOS 7D versus leaf-cutter ants

08 Jun

Taking pictures of wildlife in the jungle isn’t easy, which is why a lot of photographers set up ‘trap’ cameras. But every now and then, you end up attracting the wrong species altogether. Watch what happened when conservationist and YouTube host Phil Torres set up his Canon EOS 7D near a nest of leaf-cutter ants, in the jungles of Peru.

It’s never pleasant seeing an expensive camera get destroyed but quite honestly we’re more concerned about the health of the ants after eating all of that plastic. Also, sorry Phil, but that’s not how Gorrillapods got their name. 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Video: Canon EOS 7D versus leaf-cutter ants

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Eye-Plug camera dongle enables Android phones to record 3D video

08 Jun

At Computex in Taipei recently, Chinese company Weeview Inc. showcased a USB-C dongle that adds another camera to an Android phone, enabling it to record stereoscopic 3D videos. Called Eye-Plug, this camera dongle records content simultaneously with either the rear or front-facing camera integrated in the handset; because it uses USB-C, the dongle can be inserted in either direction. 

A prototype version of Eye-Plug was demonstrated at Computex, and the company will, according to Engadget, begin production on a commercial version later on this year. Weeview plans to sell Eye-Plug for $ 35 and to eventually produce an iPhone version; it isn’t clear whether a mini USB model will also be produced or if it will remain limited to USB-C devices (which is a pretty small group of phones at this point.)

No information on the dongle camera’s resolution has been provided, though the product video below shows notable differences in quality and white balance between Eye-Plug’s footage and footage recorded with the handset’s own camera. It isn’t clear whether the company’s app will adjust the footage in post-processing to correct this issue. The video below suggests the app offers still image editing tools for selective adjustments made possible by layering two images taken simultaneously.

Availability for Eye-Plug was not provided by the company.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Eye-Plug camera dongle enables Android phones to record 3D video

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Vitrima lens aims to bring low-cost 3D video capture to GoPro action cameras

01 Jun

$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_0450741422″,”galleryId”:”0450741422″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”standalone”:false,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”startInCommentsView”:false,”isMobile”:false}) });

Looking to bring more excitement to your POV snowboarding videos? A new case called Vitrima is in the works, which would enable GoPro action cameras to record 3D video. The lens attachment uses mirrors to deliver two images to the GoPro camera’s own lens. The resulting resulting stereoscopic videos appear to be 3D when viewed through a VR viewer like Google Cardboard or the Gear VR.

The Vitrima lens is waterproof and will ship already attached to a standard GoPro camera housing, and can also be used with various mounts. Because the lens is simply composed of carefully arranged mirrors, it works out of the box without any software. Though the resulting videos won’t feature 3D audio, the lens – which will cost $ 50 when the product launches – presents a low-cost way for someone to record 3D videos without purchasing a dedicated 3D camera like the $ 799 Vuze VR camera.

The website lists Vitrima as ‘launching soon.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Vitrima lens aims to bring low-cost 3D video capture to GoPro action cameras

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Never miss a video: Subscribe to DPReview on YouTube

30 May

We’ve been producing more video content than ever before, including tons of content from our last year’s PIX show, our ongoing series of long-form Field Tests, overviews of the latest cameras and lenses, as well beginners’ technique guides and interviews. We post videos right here on our homepage when they’re first uploaded, but the best way of not missing anything is to subscribe to DPReview’s channel on YouTube.

We’ve organized our content into playlists, so you can head straight for the stuff that most interests you, whether that’s long-form gear reviews or interviews, short overviews of the latest cameras and lenses, or beginners’ technique guides. 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Never miss a video: Subscribe to DPReview on YouTube

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Xiaomi Yi II action camera updates original with 4K video

17 May

Chinese company Xiaomi has updated its Yi action camera with a Sony IMX377 12MP 1/2.3″ sensor, improving its top resolution to 4K compared to the original model’s 1080p maximum. The Yi II Action Camera also features an Ambarella A9SE75 chipset, a 155-degree wide-angle 7-layer optical glass lens and a 2.19″ LCD rear touchscreen display.

According to Xiaomi, the internal 1400mAh battery allows for up to 120 minutes of video recording in 4K. Content is stored on a removable media card, with capacities of up to 64GB supported. Other features include a built-in speaker and microphone, dual-band Wi-Fi, and three color options: Rose Gold, White, and Black.

The international version of the Yi II Action Camera offers the following recording options:

  • WVGA/240fps
  • 720p/240fps
  • 960p/120fps
  • 1080p/120fps
  • 1440p/60fps
  • 2.5K/30fps
  • 4K/30fps

The camera can be pre-ordered from GearBest for $ 249.99.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Xiaomi Yi II action camera updates original with 4K video

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Keeping the faith: Pentax K-1 video overview

10 May

Pentax shooters have waited a long time to join the full frame club, and with the release of the K-1 DSLR that wait is finally over. But thanks to its 36MP sensor, some innovative features, and a very aggressive price point, the K-1 will likely appeal to photographers outside the Pentax sphere as well. We take a look at what makes this camera unique.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Keeping the faith: Pentax K-1 video overview

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Video: Meet the Nikon D500

28 Apr

It’s really here. The wait for the D300’s successor has been a long one, but the Nikon D500 has officially arrived. So what does the D500 bring to the freshly-revived flagship APS-C lineup? We break down just what’s new and notable in our video overview.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Video: Meet the Nikon D500

Posted in Uncategorized