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  • Axibo camera slider system uses AI to track faces and objects

    Axibo Media has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Axibo, an AI-powered camera slider system with tilt and pan functionalities. The company bills Axibo as a more affordable and simplified professional alternative to existing robotic camera systems. The product features an integrated 6 + 1 AI core CPU, powering its ability to learn faces and track ‘just about any object.’

    Axibo is claimed to be the first AI-powered camera slider on the market. The device supports shooting in a variety of modes, including simple to 3-axis multi-point complex time-lapses, face tracking while sliding back and forth, and more.

    The system supports payloads up to 20lbs (slider) to 24lbs (Pan & Tilt unit), speeds up to 1m/s (slide) and 300 deg/s (pan/tilt), and it supports voice control. Features include USB-C compatibility, HDMI-in, power for the mounted camera, and a universal app for controlling the device.

    The 1m (3.2ft) slider is made from carbon fiber, supports angled and vertical motion, and including dual 1/4″-20 mounts on both ends. The Axibo slider can be used without the companion Axibo Z1 Pan & Tilt unit when applicable. The slider is joined by the companion Axibo controller, which includes WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HMDI, axis inputs for camera control, and a Sony NP-F dual battery receiver.

    The aforementioned Pan & Tilt unit features an intreated 4MP camera for 40fps face and object tracking, support for operating in inverted mode, modular mounting options (including support for tripods), and aluminum construction.

    The Axibo camera slider system is being offered through Kickstarter, where backers who pledge at least $ 1,192 CAD are offered the slider, controller, z friction mount and cable package. Other pledge options include the Pan & Tilt unit for pledges of at least $ 1,315 CAD and both the slider and Pan & Tilt unit for pledges of at $ 2,105 CAD. Shipments to backers is estimated to start in April 2020

    Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Weekly Photography Challenge – Circles

    The post Weekly Photography Challenge – Circles appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

    This week’s photography challenge topic is CIRCLES!

    Image: Tyler Lastovich

    Tyler Lastovich

    Circles are all around us. You can see them in bokeh, star trails, light painting, rocks, car and bicycle wheels, swirling staircases, in patterns and shadows, fruit, kitchenware, etc.

    So go out and capture anything that has circles. They can be color, black and white, moody or bright. Just so long as they have circles in them! You get the picture! Have fun, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

    Image: Mel Poole

    Mel Poole

    Image: Michael Hull

    Michael Hull

    Image: Jason Leung

    Jason Leung

    Check out some of the articles below that give you tips on this week’s challenge.

    Tips for Shooting CIRCLES

    Tips for Shooting Out of Focus Cityscape Bokeh Images at Blue Hour

    7 Tips for Shooting and Processing Star Trails

    Tips for Successful Star Trails Photography

    Kinetic Light Painting vs Light Painting

    How to do Light Painting by Rotating the Camera

    Simple Methods for Creating Better Still Life Images

    Photoshop Focus Stacking for Still Life and Product Photography

    Weekly Photography Challenge – CIRCLES

    Simply upload your shot into the comment field (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see or if you’d prefer, upload them to your favorite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them. Show me your best images in this week’s challenge.

    Share in the dPS Facebook Group

    You can also share your images in the dPS Facebook group as the challenge is posted there each week as well.

    If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites – tag them as #DPScircles to help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.

     

    The post Weekly Photography Challenge – Circles appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


    Digital Photography School

  • Fujifilm developing 50mm F1.0 instead of planned 33mm F1.0

    Alongside the announcement of the X-Pro 3, Fujifilm has said it is developing a 50mm F1.0 lens for its X-mount mirrorless cameras and cancelling the promised 33mm F1.0.

    As part of the presentation, Fujifilm’s Head of Product Planning, Takashi Ueno said that the 33mm F1.0 had become too big and heavy as it was being developed. The latest prototype weighed 1300g (45.8oz), included 15 elements and necessitated the addition of a tripod foot.

    Instead the company has said it will build a 50mm F1.0, that can be under 900g (31.7oz).

    The result is a very different lens: a 75mm equivalent, rather than 50mm equiv. people were expecting. The two sponsored ‘X Photographers’ at the event suggested it could be useful for wedding and portrait photographers. One of these professionals, Bert Stephani, expressed a the hope that the company will re-work its XF 35mm F1.4: one of the first lenses in the X system, whose autofocus isn’t up to the same standard as the company’s more recent designs.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Updated: Best cameras over $2000 Buying Guide

    Our guide to the best cameras over $ 2000 has been updated to include overviews of some of the latest contenders.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Ricoh is developing a flagship APS-C DSLR set to be released in 2020

    An image Ricoh shared alongside the press release, presumably showing off a developmental version of its impending Pentax APS-C DSLR.

    Ricoh has announced it’s developing a new flagship Pentax K DSLR camera with an APS-C sensor.

    According to the press release, which is short and to the point, Ricoh will preview the camera at the ‘Pentax Meeting 100th Anniversary Special’ event that will be held in Japan on September 21, 2019. Ricoh says the camera is currently ‘under development for market launch in 2020,’ although no specific timeframe is given.

    It’s been over a year-and-a-half since Ricoh announced the Pentax K-1 Mark II full-frame DSLR and over two-and-a-half years since its Pentax KP APS-C DSLR was announced. Rumors have been making their way through the grapevine that Pentax had something in store for 2019, but it seems we’ll have to wait until 2020 to see the new hardware.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • iPhone 11 vs. iPhone XR: What’s the difference?

    iPhone XR vs. iPhone 11

    Let’s start with the obvious difference between the latest iPhone and the last-generation XR: the XR has a single, standard wide-angle camera. The new iPhone 11, on the other hand, has a dual camera system – one standard wide and one ultra-wide. The 11 gets an updated front-facing camera too: a 12MP sensor compared to the XR’s 7MP, and 4K/60p video versus HD video. And of course, it’s capable of the infamous ‘slofie.’

    How much of a difference that extra camera makes depends on what you like to take pictures of. In our experience, having that ultra-wide lens as an option is very handy.

    All images are courtesy Apple

    Portrait Mode

    The iPhone 11’s additional rear-facing camera also provides an advantage when shooting in Portrait Mode. It uses the slightly different perspectives of the ultra-wide and wide lenses to help create a more accurate depth map than the XR is capable of with its single camera, which only uses depth data generated from its dual pixel sensor combined with machine-learning assisted image segmentation. This should translate to better Portrait Mode images, with improved separation between subjects and their backgrounds.

    Plus, the iPhone 11 is better suited for pet Portrait Mode photos like the one above, and who can resist those eyes?

    Other camera features

    There’s a lot more to a smartphone camera than just hardware these days, and that’s especially true of the camera in the iPhone 11. Apple has included a new Night Mode which is automatically enabled in low light levels, combining data from multiple image captures to produce a brighter more detailed image – very similar to Google’s Night Sight. The 11’s Smart HDR mode has also been improved – it’s able to identify human and pet subjects, and render them appropriately while applying different processing to the rest of the image.

    And later this fall, Apple will add a Deep Fusion mode via software update. While it also uses data from multiple frames, the end result is a larger 24MP file. That’s quite useful if you’d like to make larger prints from phone images. We’ll reserve judgement until we’re able to test this feature of course, but it’s potentially a big step forward for Apple’s camera system and we’re glad to see it in this sub-$ 1000 device in addition to the flagship Pro models.

    These added features are powered by a new A13 Bionic processor, one of the key hardware advantages that the 11 offers over the A12-powered XR.

    Display

    The XR and 11 are identical in size and both offer a 6.1″ ‘Liquid Retina HD’ display, which is Apple-speak for ‘LCD.’ Stepping up to the 11 Pro will of course get you a nicer OLED display with better contrast and brightness, but that’s not a differentiating factor between the XR and iPhone 11. Interestingly, you’ll need to step up to the 5.8″ 11 Pro if you want a smaller phone.

    Weatherproofing

    The XR is rated IP67 and the 11 is IP68, meaning both are fully protected against dust, but the iPhone 11 offers better protection against moisture. Apple states that the phone can withstand up to 30 minutes in depths of up to 2 meters; the XR can safely be submerged for the same amount time in depths up to 1 meter.

    If you plan on taking your phone into the pool that extra waterproofing could make a difference depending on how deep you swim. But if you’re more worried about everyday scenarios like, say, a tumble to the bottom of the toilet, then it’s safe to say both phones would survive just fine.

    Battery life

    The iPhone 11 offers slightly better battery life. According to Apple, it will deliver one hour of extra performance compared to the XR – up to 17 hours of non-streaming video playback vs. 16 hours, for example. If you’re a power user who watches a lot of video on your phone that hour might make a difference, but if you’re just looking for a phone that will get you through a typical day then either will likely suffice.

    Wrap-up

    So who should buy the iPhone 11, and who should save the extra cash and get the XR? If photo-taking is any kind of priority, then we think the 11 is worth the extra money. Its use of more sophisticated photo processing will make a noticeable difference to photo quality, especially in low light, and an additional ultra-wide angle lens could prove a huge benefit when shooting landscapes or group photos, or in tight quarters.

    The iPhone XR is still a perfectly capable camera though, with color rendering that we prefer over the Google Pixel 3. If you aren’t one to push the limits with its capabilities in low light, and you don’t need the ultra-wide lens of the 11, the XR will serve you quite well.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • 9 Ways to use Reflections more Creatively for Stunning Photography

    The post 9 Ways to use Reflections more Creatively for Stunning Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.

    Mirrors or windows, ponds or lakes, it really doesn’t matter where you find them, reflections are eye-catching. In this tutorial, I’ll give you some ideas and inspiration on how to use reflections more creatively for stunning photography.

    Creative use of reflections for stunning photography tutorial

    We’re fascinated by reflections ever since we discover ourselves in a mirror, it’s no wonder we remain captivated by them. If you want to know about the technical aspect of reflections check out Rick Ohnsman’s article Understand Light and Color to Improve your Photography. Here, I’ll tell you nine ways to use them in your photographs.

    1. Avoid a dull sky

    The first tip to use reflections more creatively is to photograph them during bad weather. After the rain we usually find the sky to be grey and dull. Luckily the rain creates puddles, and water is a great reflector. Next time you find yourself shooting during a rainy day try looking down to the ground instead of up to the sky.

    Look for water reflection for bad weather conditions

    If you want to take this idea to the next level, you can add a flash to your photo-shoot. To learn how to do it check this article: Using Rain Puddles to Create Unique Reflection Photos.

    2. Fill empty spaces

    Similar to the dull sky problem, you can have an area that lacks detail or any visual interest. If it’s made of a reflective material the answer is easy, just find the right angle to capture it. What may have been a boring object, is suddenly filled with details that complement your composition.

    Search for the right angle to add reflections

    3. Create texture

    Reflections don’t necessarily have to be mirrored images of reality. The texture of the material or surface will distort the image and you can use that to capture color and shapes. For example, the ripples of water reflecting buildings.

    Reflections create textures

    Remember that you can also zoom-in and photograph the reflection as a texture to use later in other images.

    4. Abstract photography

    Speaking of photographing a texture alone, this can give you some inspiration for doing abstract photography. There are many different angles to approach this subject and reflections are definitely a good one. Here’s an example, but if you feel interested in going deeper into it, check out some Abstract Photos to Inspire You.

    Textures alone are great for abstract photography

    5. Change perspective

    Shooting common places or subjects that are not interesting enough is always a challenge. Photographing its reflection can be a great alternative to capture it creatively. This forces you to move, crouch, and generally change your point of view. Also, you’ll be looking at the subject backward, and sometimes just a little shift can make the difference.

    Look for the reflection to change perspective

    6. Creates symmetric shapes

    Symmetry is beautiful and pleasing. On a subconscious level, it gives us a soothing feeling. I don’t mean just placing your subject in the center and make it identical on both sides. Of course, this is an option, but it’s not the only way. Reflections can create symmetric shapes that can help the overall image become more interesting.

    Symmetry helps your composition

    7. Frame your subject

    You can also use reflections as a way to direct the viewer’s attention to your subject. For example, placing your subject as a reflection in a mirror or a window literally frames it. If you want to get more creative you can also use a pair of eyeglasses or a spoon.

    Frame your subject

    8. Overlapping planes

    One of my favorite qualities of reflections is that they show you two, or more scenes on the same plane. When you look at a mirror you are also seeing what is behind you. With a window, you can even add a third plane when you also add the scene from inside the room, and so on. If you compose the subjects from each scene in a harmonic way you can create a surreal or dream-like image.

    Compose different scenes in one

    9. The reflection IS the subject

    Last but not least, a reflection can be a subject in itself. You can make a project or a series just about reflections, it’s just a matter of finding a concept to build upon. If you need some inspiration, I highly advise you to read this Guide to Creating Unique Conceptual Photography.

    Use reflections as the main subject

    Come up with an idea and just run with it. I hope this article sparked some inspiration so you can use reflections more creatively! Share your reflection photos in the comments section below and, most of all, have fun!

     

    use-reflections-more-creatively

    The post 9 Ways to use Reflections more Creatively for Stunning Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Ana Mireles.


    Digital Photography School

  • Technical readouts reveal faster shutter speeds, improved ISO and more in iPhone 11 Pro

    Like he did last year for the iPhone XS, Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of the iOS camera app Halide, has again made use his app’s technical readout feature to obtain additional camera specifications above and beyond what can be found in the official spec sheet. He’s broken down the data and compared the new iPhone 11 Pro to last year’s XS model. Let’s have a closer look at his findings:

    The 11 Pro main camera comes with a 6-element lens that offers a 26mm equivalent focal length and F1.8 aperture. The chart below details the changes between the XS and the new model. As you can see the base ISO on all of the camera modules has increased by half a stop, the maximum shutter speed has been increased from 1/22,000 sec to a whopping 1/125,000 sec and the maximum ISO has been expanded to ISO 3072 vs the previous ISO 2304 limit, coinciding with the increased base ISO level.

    It’s not quite clear at this point what the blisteringly fast shutter speeds could be used for. The increased maximum ISO doesn’t necessarily mean that the new iPhone will produce lower levels of image noise at a given ISO setting but it should be able to achieve better exposures in very dark settings.

    Apple iPhone XS versus 11 Pro main camera comparison, source: Halide

    As before, the telephoto cameras features a 52mm equivalent focal length but now comes with a faster F2.0 aperture. This should improve low light tele photos and should also produce a more visible ‘natural’ bokeh than on the iPhone XS.

    Apple iPhone XS versus 11 Pro tele camera comparison, source: Halide

    The iPhone XS did not come with an ultra-wide camera, so we can’t compare but the new camera offers a 13mm equivalent field-of-view, an F2.4 aperture lens and phase detection AF.

    Apple iPhone 11 Pro ultra-wide camera specifications, source: Halide

    The front camera has been updated, too. It now features faster shutter speeds, a higher maximum ISO, larger image output size and a wider field-of-view.

    Apple iPhone XS versus 11 Pro front camera comparison, source: Halide

    Overall the hardware changes don’t look too impressive on paper, but they are of course only a (small) part of the whole story as Sebastiaan points out in the blog post:

    ‘It’s kind of unbelievable that even with the glowing reviews out today, Apple has said that there’s more software processing yet to come. We’re told Deep Fusion is a very big leap in post-processing quality, but with the changes to Smart HDR, Semantic Mapping in the imaging pipeline and discrete situational processing like Night Mode, these specs are the furthest from the whole story on the new iPhone cameras yet.’

    The Halide app is available from the iOS App Store for iPhone and Apple Watch and will set you back $ 6.

    Image credits: Charts used with permission from Sebastiaan de With, developer of Halide.

    Updated (September 19, 2019): Edited to clarify the increased ISO ratings and base ISO levels.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers

    The post Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

    Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers

    If you’re a smartphone photographer, then you’ve probably struggled to deal with indoor lighting. After all, smartphones don’t come with a high-quality flash; it’s easy to get noisy images when shooting indoors.

    Until now.

    Because Profoto has just released two lights made specifically for the smartphone: The Profoto C1 and the Profoto C1 Plus.

    What are the C1 and C1 Plus?

    The two items are billed as Profoto’s “very first studio lights for smartphones.” They’re small, orb-shaped lights, and they’re compact enough that you can take them anywhere without much hassle.

    According to Profoto:

    The light the C1 product range delivers is natural looking and beautiful with a soft, gentle fall-off…[F]rom now on you will always have natural-looking, beautiful light with you.

    Note that the C1 Plus is both more expensive and more advanced than the C1. The C1 Plus includes a greater power output (4300 lumens versus 1600 lumens). The C1 Plus also includes a thread mount, so you can screw the light onto a stand and shoot with both hands. And the C1 Plus features better battery life than the C1.

    Both the C1 and the C1 Plus offer rechargeable batteries. They also include multiple modes for increased flexibility: a continuous shooting mode and a flash mode. To use the Profoto lights, you can pair them with your smartphone via the special Profoto Camera app. Then you can take photos that are synced with the Profoto flash.

    The Profoto C1 costs $ 299, while the Profoto C1 Plus costs $ 499.

    But just who are these lights for?

    If you like to use your smartphone on the fly, without any preparation, then I’d recommend against the Profoto C1. Despite its small size, you probably don’t want to carry the flash with you constantly. But if you’re the type of shooter who often shoots in low-light situations or prefers to capture more carefully considered shots, then the Profoto C1 could be exactly what you need.

    If the Profoto C1 captures your attention, then you should also check out another product: The Godox R1, which was announced a few hours after the C1/C1 Plus announcement. The Godox light is similar to the C1 and C1 Plus, though it offers slightly different lighting options. For those hoping to purchase the Godox R1, keep an eye out for a release date!

    Would you use either of these lights? what are your thoughts? Share with us in the comments!

    The post Profoto Launches Two Amazing Lights for Smartphone Photographers appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


    Digital Photography School

  • Huawei’s Mate 30 Pro offers quad-camera array, 4K60 video, cinematic bokeh and more

    Today, Huawei unveiled the Mate 30 Pro at a launch event in Munich, Germany. The device is Huawei’s latest flagship and much like Apple’s presentation last week, there was a strong emphasis on the imaging capabilities of the device.

    Mate 30 Pro

    At the heart of the Mate 30 Pro smartphones is the Kirin 990 processor, a chipset that will come in 4G and 5G versions for various markets. This marks the first time we’ve seen the Kirin 990 in a device and carries on the trend of Huawei putting its latest, most advanced chipset in its Mate series smartphones.

    The screen on the Mate 30 Pro is a 6.53-inch curved OLED ‘Horizon’ display with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,176 pixels. The ‘Horizon’ nickname refers to the wrap-around screen, which covers the edges of the device and serves as a means of changing settings via virtual buttons on the sides of the device.

    On the imaging front, the Mate 30 Pro feature a Leica-branded camera unit on the rear of the devices that features four cameras: a 40-megapixel super-wide-angle camera with an F1.8 aperture and a 1/1.7-inch sensor (17mm 35mm equivalent), a wide-angle image-stabilized 40-megapixel wide-angle camera with an F1.6 aperture and 1/1.7-inch sensor (27mm 35mm equivalent), an image-stabilized 8-megapixel 3x telephoto camera with an F2.4 aperture (80mm 35mm equivalent) as well as a time-of-flight (ToF) camera for improved depth-sensing.

    Considering the image processing capabilities of the Kirin 990 chipset, it shouldn’t come as a surprise the Mate 30 Pro will feature impressive photo and video capabilities. In addition to 4K video at 60 frames per second, the phones can also capture slo-mo 1080p video at up to 960 fps and 720p video at up to 7,680 fps. Huawei also showed off a 4K HDR+ time-lapse function with up to 12-hours of recording as well as a real-time ‘cinematic bokeh’ mode for video.

    The front-facing selfie camera is a whopping 32-megapixels and will work with a number of AR photo and video features within the operating system (OS) and third-party applications, including new gesture-control functionality.

    Speaking of the operating system, the Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro both run on EMUI 10, a Huawei-created OS that takes a great deal of inspiration from Google’s latest mobile operating system Android 10. After being blacklisted by the United States government over security concerns, Huawei announced it was investing $ 1 billion into its operating system and app ecosystem. The Mate 30 Pro (and the Mate 30, which we’ve addressed below) are the first devices to use this new system.

    Tucked inside the device is a 4500mAh battery that supports Huawei SuperCharge up to 40W and wireless charging up to 27W.

    The Mate 30 Pro will come in six colors: silver, green, purple, black and two vegan leather options— green and orange. The device is IP68 water- and dust-resistant.

    Mate 30

    Alongside the flagship Mate 30 Pro, Huawei also announced the more budget-friendly Mate 30. The Mate 30 features a slightly larger display but a decreased resolution of 2,340 x 1,080 pixels. It also swaps out the 40-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera for a 16-megapixel sensor and a slower F2.2 aperture, removes the ToF sensor the Mate 30 Pro offers and shrinks the battery to 4,200mAh.

    Video from the camera modules is also limited in the Mate 30; 4K video can still be shot at 60 fps, but slo-mo is limited to 960 fps in 720p. Interestingly enough, Huawei has included a 3.5mm headphone jack in the Mate 30 while ditching it for the Mate 30 Pro, so if you want wired audio, you’re better off with the Mate 30.

    Pricing and availability

    The Huawei Mate 30 will be available with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage starting at €799. The Mate 30 Pro will feature 8GB of storage as well, but boost internal storage to 256GB starting at €1099 for the 4G model and €1199 for the 5G model. Regional availability was not disclosed as of publishing this article.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)