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  • Raw video output for Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H now available

    Panasonic has announced firmware version 2.1 for the Lumix DC-S1H. Originally slated for a May launch, this firmware adds support for Raw video output to Atomos Ninja V external recorders, which in turn can save the footage as ProRes Raw. The maximum output resolutions are 5.9K/29.97p from the full sensor region and 4K/59.94p from a Super 35 crop. A LUT will be made available for the Ninja V to match V-Log and V-Gamut on the S1H and other Panasonic video cameras.

    In addition to Raw export, the firmware update also gives the S1H the ability to capture 3.5K anamorphic from a Super 35 4:3 region.

    The update is available free of charge and can be downloaded from Panasonic’s website.

    Panasonic Releases Firmware Version 2.1 for LUMIX S1H Supporting RAW Video Data Output

    Newark, NJ (July 28, 2020) – Panasonic is pleased to announce the LUMIX S1H firmware update program Version 2.1 that supports RAW video data output. Working together with Atomos, a global company that creates video equipment for professional film creators, the new firmware enables the output of maximum 5.9K/29.97p and 59.94p 4K* RAW video data over HDMI to save it as Apple ProRes RAW on the Atomos Ninja V 4K HDR monitor-recorder. In addition, it further complies with 3.5K Anamorphic 4:3. Panasonic commits to provide innovative solutions for professional film creation by enabling all S1H users to receive this firmware free of charge.

    The program will be available at LUMIX Global Customer Support website https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/ at 2:00 A.M.EDT on July 28, 2020.

    * 4128×2176(17:9), announced as “C4K” at IBC2019. Corresponding to C4K (4096×2160) as defined by Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI).

    LUMIX S1H Firmware Version 2.1

    RAW video data output over HDMI

    • [5.9K] / [4K] / [Anamorphic (4:3) 3.5K] 12-bit RAW video data can be output over HDMI.

    The Apple ProRes RAW can be recorded on Atomos Ninja V.[1]

    Area

    Resolution

    Frame Rate

    Aspect

    HDMI Output

    Full-Frame

    5.9K (5888×3312)

    29.97p/25p/23.98p

    16:9

    12-bit

    Super 35mm

    4K (4128×2176)

    59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/23.98p

    17:9

    12-bit

    Super 35mm Anamorphic

    3.5K (3536×2656)

    50p/29.97p/25p/23.98p

    4:3

    12-bit
    • V-Log or Rec.709 is selectable on Live View monitor during RAW output.
    • Shooting assist functions including WFM (Wave Form Monitor), Vector Scope, Luminance Spot Meter, Zebra Pattern can be used during RAW output.
    • A LUT (Lookup table) exclusively designed for RAW video recorded on NINJA V is available on the following customer support website to make the same color grading as V-Log/V-Gamut[2]. It is easy to match colors between the footages recorded with Panasonic Varicam, EVA1 and GH5 series cameras to combine them. https://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/lut/s1h_raw_lut/index.html

    [1] Selectable recording mode depends on the version of ATOMOS NINJA V.
    All functions may not be available depending on the situation.

    [2] Software that supports Apple ProRes RAW is required to edit RAW video recorded with NINJA V.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Meike’s new 50mm F1.2 lens for mirrorless (and EF) mounts costs just $350

    Are you looking for fast glass on a budget? If so, Meike’s new 50mm F1.2 might satiate your needs without burning a hole in your wallet.

    The ultra-fast lens will come in Canon EF, Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony E mount when it ships mid-August. The lens is constructed of 12 elements in 7 groups, including an undisclosed number of multi-coated elements. It features an aperture range of F1.2-F22, has a minimum focusing distance of 60cm (24”) and uses a 67mm front filter thread.

    The manual-focus lens measures in at 72mm (2.83”) long and weighs 620g (1.37lbs). For comparison, Canon’s RF 50mm F1.2 weighs 950g (2.09lbs). Below is a video overview of the lens from Arthur R:

    The Meike 50mm F1.2 lens is currently available to pre-order for Canon EF, Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony E mount camera systems for $ 350. The first units are expected to start shipping on August 15.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 10,000 Headshots initiative saw 200 photographers give free headshots to unemployed workers

    Photographers from across the United States joined together on July 22 to participate in the ‘10,000 Headshots’ initiative, a group effort that involved offering free professional headshots to unemployed workers with the goal of helping them secure new jobs. The initiative was coordinated by Headshot Booker, which explains on its website that these sessions were offered to anyone who was unemployed as of July 22 when the sessions took place.

    The initiative was a success, according to Headshot Booker. Participants interested in getting headshots were required to pre-register for a 10-minute session and each location was limited to 50 total appointments. More than 200 photographers participated across 50 states and used Brookfield Properties retail locations with pop-ups as their studios.

    The agency notes that every location used proper social distancing and safety measures to keep everyone safe, including contactless delivery of images and having photographers wear masks.

    Headshots are an important aspect of finding work, the agency points out. Career-centric social platform LinkedIn claims that profiles featuring professional headshots are nine times as likely as other accounts to receive connection requests. Paying for a headshot while unemployed is particularly difficult, however, making it harder for those in need of a job to find one.

    Professional photographer and Headshot Booker co-founder Peter Hurley explained:

    Unfortunately, many job seekers underestimate the value of a professional headshot, instead opting for a snapshot taken by a friend or even worse a selfie. The headshot has become the cornerstone of one’s digital brand identity and we want to empower people as they go through the process of procuring a new job and getting back into the workforce.

    The initiative was launched in partnership with Canon, MySpotPhotos and several other companies. Ultimately, every registered participant left the pop-up studios with a professional headshot for their resumes. Headshot Booker says this was the ‘largest, single-day photo initiative’ of its kind, one that comes amid widespread unemployment caused by the pandemic.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Adobe updates Photoshop for iPad with Refine Edge Brush, Rotate Canvas feature

    Adobe has announced an update to Photoshop for iPad that adds the popular Refine Edge Brush and Rotate Canvas feature.

    The new Refine Edge Brush in Photoshop for iPad makes it easier to precisely select parts of an image, particularly those involving fine fabrics, hair or fur. Underneath, the technology is the same as used in its Desktop feature, but Adobe tweaked the interface a bit to make it more intuitive for the iPad’s touch-first design.

    Below are a few of the examples Adobe has shared in its announcement blog post. Keep in mind these are specifically-chosen images, so your results may vary.

    Adobe has an entire user guide on how to use the new Refine Edge Brush in Photoshop for iPad to help get you up and running if you aren’t familiar with the feature.

    Another much-requested feature Adobe has added is the Rotate Canvas tool. Now, using a two-finger gesture, you can rotate the canvas you’re working on, making it easier to precisely edit and make changes to your work.

    The feature works in conjunction with the zoom gesture, so you can quickly pinch in and out while also rotating the canvas. Rotation can snap at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees, and resetting the rotation and zoom is as simple as quickly pinching out on the canvas.

    Adobe has created a user guide for the Rotate Canvas function as well.

    The update should be live in the App Store to download today. If it isn’t, turn off and turn on your iPad before revisiting the App Store.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III review

    Introduction

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    Silver Award

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    The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is the third iteration of the company’s sports and action-oriented Micro Four Thirds model. It uses a 20MP Four Thirds sensor and inherits many of the capabilities of the larger E-M1X, including its multi-shot handheld High Res mode.

    Olympus says the Mark III is designed with portability and agile shooting prioritized over the better handling and operability of the larger ‘X’ model. And, while it doesn’t offer the E-M1X’s plane / train / motor vehicle-recognition AF modes, the E-M1 III has the latest TruePic IX processor, which brings a couple of features of its own.

    Key Specifications

    • 20MP Four Thirds sensor
    • 121-point autofocus system with deep learning-based subject recognition
    • Handheld high-res shot mode
    • Up to 60 fps Raw + JPEG capture (up to 18 fps with autofocus)
    • Pro Capture mode records frames before you hit the shutter
    • Image stabilization rated at 7.0 (CIPA standard), up to 7.5EV with ‘Sync IS’ lenses
    • ‘Live ND’ multi-shot mode simulates ND filters
    • Large 2.36M-dot LCD viewfinder able to work at up to 120 fps
    • 420 shots per charge (CIPA) battery life rating
    • Dual SD card slots (1x UHS-I, 1x UHS-II)
    • Extensive direct control, AF joystick, articulating touchscreen
    • UHD 4K/30p video and DCI 24p at up to 237Mbps
    • Extensive, IPX1-rated weather sealing
    • USB charging (using USB PD standard)

    The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is available now for a body-only MSRP of $ 1800 ($ 2400 CAD). It’s also sold with the 12-40mm F2.8 Pro lens for $ 2500 ($ 3300 CAD) or the 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro for $ 2900 ($ 3800 CAD).

    What’s new and how it compares

    The E-M1 Mark III gains a series of features from the E-M1X as well as improved eye-detection AF. We look at what’s been updated.

    Read more

    Body and controls

    There’s an AF joystick and some interface updates on the Mark III, but we were most stuck by the flexible way the camera’s Custom modes now work.

    Read more

    Initial impressions

    The E-M1 Mark III sits more comfortably alongside the E-M5 III than its predecessor did. And we think the balance of features and capabilities remains competitive.

    Read more

    Image quality

    The E-M1 III’s 20MP sensor is familiar from previous models. Expect lovely JPEG colors and and good dynamic range considering its format. Also check out the 80MP High-res mode!

    Read more

    Autofocus

    Autofocus performance is good when used in a traditional manner, but subject tracking lags behind the competition. Still, face and eye-detect work well.

    Read more

    Video

    The EM1 III is capable of good-looking 4K footage and offers some of the best in-body video stabilization you’ll find anywhere.

    Read more

    Conclusion

    This is a well-rounded camera and easily our favorite Micro Four Thirds body for stills-oriented shooters. Still, there are more capable cameras for the cash.

    Read more

    Sample gallery

    The DPR editorial staff and the DPRTV team have been shooting with the E-M1 III for a while and we’ve created a gallery that gives you a taste of what it can do.

    View the gallery

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Canon EOS R6 sample gallery updated with Raw conversions

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    We got our hands on a beta build of the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw with support for Canon EOS R6 Raw files and we’ve added a selection of of Raw conversions to our previously-published sample images. Take a look and get a sense of what this new full-framer is capable of in terms of Raw image quality.

    See our updated Canon EOS R6 sample gallery with Raw conversions

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Nikon Announces the Full-Frame Z5 With a Sub-$1500 Price

    The post Nikon Announces the Full-Frame Z5 With a Sub-$ 1500 Price appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

    Nikon Z5 announcement

    Last week, Nikon officially unveiled the Z5, an addition to the full-frame Z-mount mirrorless lineup that had previously only included the Z6 and the Z7.

    While the Z5 doesn’t offer any groundbreaking features on par with Canon’s EOS R5/R6 announcement, the camera offers plenty to love, and will likely fall into place as an affordable full-frame option for those looking to move up from Nikon APS-C bodies.

    So what does the Z5 include?

    First, a full-frame, 24.3 MP sensor. This resolution is standard for entry-level APS-C and full-frame cameras, but it’s more than enough for all but the most megapixel-hungry of photographers, and generally offers a nice balance between detailed images and low-light capabilities.

    Nikon Z5

    Nikon promises a spectacular high-ISO performance, claiming that the Z5 will “excel in low-light situations, making it ideal for shooting everything from low-light events to an all-nighter under the Milky Way.”

    As with the Z6 and Z7, you’ll also get in-body image stabilization, which ensures the Z5 is handholdable even in more difficult low-light scenarios or when shooting video, and allows the camera to deliver high-quality landscapes and travel photos even when there’s no tripod at hand.

    You also get a 3.6M-dot electronic viewfinder, which should be enough to impress even more demanding shooters, as well as a 3.2-inch rear-LCD with tilting and touchscreen capabilities. Interestingly (and perhaps in response to complaints from Z6/Z7 users), the Z5 will offer dual SD card slots, which provide a level of redundancy required by many professional shooters.

    As for autofocus, Nikon promises 273 AF points, which “cover nearly the entire frame,” as well as human and animal eye-detection technology for easy tracking of pet, portrait, and wildlife subjects. This appears identical to the highly-regarded AF system on the Z6, and should provide Z5 shooters with fast focusing and tracking, even in trickier conditions.

    Unfortunately, while the Z5 boasts a maximum shutter speed of 1/800s, a significant drawback is the continuous shooting speed, which tops out at 4.5 fps, and makes the Z5 immediately unsuitable for more serious sports and wildlife photographers.

    And while the Z5 is compatible with a slew of excellent lenses via the FTZ adapter, the number of native Z lenses is still limited compared to mirrorless competitors such as Sony and Fujifilm.

    Nikon Z5 announcement

    On the other hand, the Z5 features a weather-sealed body, which is (surprisingly) on the same level as the Z6 and Z7. And regarding video: The Z5 does offer 4K/30p recording, but this comes with a pretty substantial (1.7x) crop, which will undoubtedly make the Z5 less compelling for more serious video shooters.

    Bottom line:

    The Z5 will be an appealing option for photographers looking to transition to mirrorless, especially given a relatively reasonable ($ 1400 USD) body-only price. But the slow continuous shooting speeds will force fast-paced photographers (e.g., wildlife, sports, and street) to look elsewhere, while the presence of the Z6 (at around $ 1800 USD) will be a compelling alternative for photographers desiring faster (12 fps) shooting speeds.

    The Z5 will begin shipping in late August, and is currently available for pre-order here.

    Now over to you:

    What do you think of the Nikon Z5? What is your favorite and least favorite feature? And is it a model you’d be interested in purchasing? Share your thoughts in the comments!

    The post Nikon Announces the Full-Frame Z5 With a Sub-$ 1500 Price appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


    Digital Photography School

  • Canon EOS R5 added to studio test scene

    The Canon EOS R5 comes with a newly designed 45MP sensor that we were excited to get in front of our studio test. Here, we’ve put it up against some other high-megapixel heavyweights, but feel free to select the comparison camera of your choice and explore.

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    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Astronomers capture first-ever image of two exoplanets orbiting a 17M year-old Sun-like star

    The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO VLT) has captured the first-ever image that captures two exoplanets orbiting a Sun-like star.

    As the ESO explains in its blog post on the impressive feat, observing systems with multiple exoplanets is ‘extremely rare’ and, until this image, astronomers had never ‘directly observed’ multiple planets orbiting a young star.

    Credit: ESO/Bohn et al.

    In this groundbreaking image, captured by the SPHERE instrument onboard the ESO VLT, two ‘giant’ exoplanets are shown orbiting the star TYV 8998–760–1, which is estimated to be 17 million years old. Scientists captured the image by using a coronagraph to block the light from the young star, allowing for the light bouncing off the fainter planets to be seen.

    The two gas giants are approximately 160 and 320 times as far away from their host star as the Earth is to the Sun. ‘This places these planets much further away from their star than Jupiter or Saturn, also two gas giants, are from the Sun; they lie at only 5 and 10 times the Earth-Sun distance, respectively,’ reads the blog post.

    This chart shows the location of the TYC 8998-760-1 system. This map shows most of the stars visible to the unaided eye under good conditions and the system itself is marked with a red circle.

    You can find information on this image and future findings by heading over the the ESO website.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Tested: Four travel tripods for every budget

    From left to right, the MeFoto BackPacker S, Manfrotto BeFree Advanced, Peak Design Travel Tripod and Gitzo Traveler Series 1.

    Although image stabilization technology has come along in leaps and bounds over the past few years, there are few things you can do to improve your low-light or telephoto images more than mounting your camera on a tripod. But many tripods are heavy and bulky, making them inconvenient to bring along on longer hikes or when traveling by air. That’s where the humble travel tripod comes to the rescue.

    In this review we compare the following travel tripods:

    • MeFoto BackPacker S – $ 159.95 list / ~$ 120 street
    • Manfrotto BeFree Advanced – $ 324.99 list / ~$ 280 street
    • Peak Design Travel Tripod – $ 599.95 list / ~$ 600 street
    • Gitzo Traveler Series 1 – $ 1014.99 list / ~$ 600 street

    Travel tripods are available across a very wide price range, from consumer models that cost not much more than $ 100 to professional-grade ones that can run into the high hundreds of dollars or more. But is it worth spending that extra cash, and can you expect a significantly better experience from a more expensive tripod? To find out, we rounded up a selection of name-brand carbon-fiber travel tripods spanning the pricing gamut for an in-depth, side-by-side comparison.

    In many respects, all four tripods have a lot in common. They all come with quick-release plates that you can leave attached to your camera for quicker setup, for example. And they all have reversible center columns which also let you shoot straight downwards, something that can be handy for macro shooting in particular.

    They also share locks and/or safety pins to help prevent your camera accidentally being disconnected, and sandbag hooks either at the end of the center column or on the side of the spider, from which you can hang some weight for extra stability. (Just remember to include this weight along with that of your chosen camera and lens when determining your required payload!)

    In this review, we’ll focus mostly on how these four tripods differ from each other, and their advantages and disadvantages in real-world shooting. Read on to find out how they performed, and which was our favorite.
    MeFoto BackPacker S Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Peak Design Travel Tripod Gitzo Traveler Series 1
    MSRP $ 159.95 $ 324.99 $ 599.95 $ 1014.99
    Street price ~$ 120 ~$ 280 ~$ 600 ~$ 600
    Length and diameter (folded)* 33.5 x 9.5cm 41.0 x 10.5 cm 39.1 x 7.9 cm 42.5 x 1 cm
    Max. height (with center column)* 140.0cm 151.0cm 153.5cm 164.5cm
    Max. height (no center column)* 108.0cm 127.0cm 131.0cm 141.0cm
    Min. height (standard center column)* 33.5cm 40.5cm 34.5cm 42.5cm
    Min. height (short center column)* N/A 19cm (optional extra) 15.5cm (included) 33.0cm (included)
    Weight with accessories* 1017g** 1268g*** 1342g**** 1489g*****
    Load limit 6kg 8kg 9.1kg 10kg
    Number of leg angles 3 3 2 2
    Converts to monopod? Yes (143.0cm max.)* No No No
    Bubble level? Yes No Yes Yes
    Panorama control? Yes, with degree scale Yes, lacks degree scale No Yes, with degree scale
    Swappable head / feet? Head only Head only Both (with optional head adapter kit) Both
    QR plate type ARCA Manfrotto RC2 ARCA ARCA
    Special features N/A EasyLink attachment Smartphone holder N/A
    Warranty (with registration) 5 years 10 years Lifetime 7 years

    * All sizes and weights based on in-house measurements.
    ** Includes ball head, QR plate with safety pins, center-column hook and hex key
    *** Includes ball head, QR plate, EasyLink / center-column caps and hex key
    **** Includes ball head with safety pins, QR plate, full center column with hook and phone holder, hex tool and tool holder
    ***** Includes ball head with safety pin, QR plate, long and short center columns and three hex/Torx keys

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)