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  • DPReview TV: Atomos Ninja V review

    Almost all new cameras include impressive video features, but for the best results you’ll often need an off-camera recorder. Chris and Jordan take a look at the brand new Ninja V from Atomos, and explain why it might just be one of the most useful tools you can add to your camera.

    For even more information, read our article titled Why would I want an external monitor/recorder?

    Article: Why would I want an external monitor/recorder?

    Get new episodes of DPReview TV every week by subscribing to our YouTube channel!

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • TourBox is a portable controller that speeds up Photoshop and Lightroom photo editing

    A new Kickstarter campaign is seeking funding for TourBox, a controller designed for image processing software, including Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. The device features a knob, wheel, scroller, and multiple buttons, and is designed for use alongside a tablet or mouse.

    TourBox’s controls are said to be precisely calibrated for ideal speed, accuracy, and acceleration, each button customizable for the creation of personal presets. With this controller, users are able to rapidly adjust brush size, hardness, flow, and opacity, as well as perform actions like zooming in and out and dragging an image.

    The controller has a small, portable plug-and-play design that enables photographers to work on their content while away from the office. The device is compatible with both Windows and macOS.

    The team behind TourBox is seeking funding on Kickstarter, where the campaign has exceeded its funding goal with more than a month remaining. Backers are offered the Early Bird TourBox for pledges of at least $ 89 USD. Shipping to backers is estimated to start in December 2018.

    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)

  • The Collect app brings 360-degree editing to your mobile device

    With 360-degree video capture becoming more popular and affordable there is also an increased demand for 360-degree video editing applications. The Collect app is now a new option that aims to make editing 360-degree videos as easy as possible.

    The app allows you to transform 360-degree into a more easily digestible format by transforming it into directed traditional videos and guiding the viewer’s attention through smooth cinematic camera transitions. This is done by adding points of interest and sharing the final videos to social media where they can be watched just like any normal clip.

    The app can frame 360-degree footage into different aspect ratios and export clips with up to 4k resolution. The app is also capable of creating so-called “tiny planet” effects and blurring away a selfie-stick that might have been used during capture.

    In addition you can combine and trim clips and and create slow/fast motion video as well as add music, filters and stickers. Specific 360-degree specific editing features include horizon-fix and point of view modification.

    For more information watch the video below or visit the Collect website. A beta version of the app is now available to download free from Google Play. iPhone users can sign up on the Collect website to be included in the list of alpha users.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Weekly Challenge – Rainbows and Prisms

    Your photographic challenge this week is to take and share a photo incorporating a rainbow or prism effect.

    Photograph Rainbow over Kirkufell by Peter Hammer on 500px

    Rainbow over Kirkufell by Peter Hammer on 500px

    Now, we don’t expect to send you all out chasing rainbows without any help! Whilst they can be elusive, this post will give you some tips on how to find and photograph them.

    How to Photograph a Rainbow

     

    Photograph Light Show by Mark Metternich on 500px

    Light Show by Mark Metternich on 500px

    But, if you can’t find one, you could try creating one. Here are a couple of articles for inspiration:

    How to Make and Photograph Rainbow Water Droplets on a CD

    Copper, Prisms, and Orbs, Oh My! – 3 Creative Techniques for People Photography

    Weekly Photography Challenge – Rainbows and Prisms

    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 #DPSRAINBOWS 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 Challenge – Rainbows and Prisms appeared first on Digital Photography School.


    Digital Photography School

  • Hex releases new camera backpack and sling as part of its 2018 Ranger Collection

    Bag and accessory manufacturer Hex has shared its latest pair of bags as part of its 2018 lineup, the Ranger Collection. The collection consists of a clamshell backpack and a sling backpack that are “designed to be discrete and street-ready for the modern photographer.”

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    The Clamshell Backpack is constructed of water-resistant 500D Cordura nylon and uses what Hex says is a patent-pending clamshell design. It features a typical internal foam divider system that can be arranged to fit your equipment and uses YKK zippers with metal pulls to access the compartments.

    According to Hex, you can expect to fit one or two DSLRs and a few lenses, ranging from small primes to telephoto zoom lenses. There are also dedicated pockets for your phone and laptops up to 15 inches. A hidden rain cover is also included for when the weather takes a turn for the worst.

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    Like the Clamshell Backpack, the DSLR Sling is constructed of water-resistant 500D Cordura nylon and YKK zippers with custom metal pulls. One of the most interesting details about the DSLR Sling is its ability to pack down flat when the bottom panel is removed, making it easier to travel with as an auxiliary bag.

    The DSLR Sling can carry a non-gripped camera body and a lens or two, depending on what glass you’re using. It’s not large enough to fit a laptop, but there are dedicated faux-fur lined pockets for smartphones and even smaller tablets.

    The Hex Clamshell Backpack and DSLR Sling are available through Hex’s online shop. They retail for $ 199.95 and $ 99.95, respectively. Both bags come in black and camo colorways.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Holga launches hand-crank instant printer that doesn’t require batteries

    Holga Digital has launched a new hand-cranked instant photo printer that works with smartphones. The device is being funded on Kickstarter, where the company presents an Instax printer that “looks like a Holga 120 without the lens.” It’s crafted with molded polymer and works with any smartphone camera.

    The Holga Printer has a relatively unique design, requiring the user to unfold components into an elevated platform upon which a smartphone is placed. Printing requires the user to press the shutter, then hand-crank a knob to print the Fuji Instax instant photo. The device doesn’t require batteries or wireless connectivity.

    Holga Digital is offering backers a Super Early Bird Holga Printer for pledges of $ 51 ($ 398 HK). The device is estimated to start shipping to backers in March 2019 with global availability. Holga plans to release a mobile app for Android and iOS that’ll launch alongside the printer. This app will allow users to apply Holga filters to digital images, as well as add text and icons. Supported effects include a color mode, black & white, double exposure, and Holga effect.

    For more information and to secure your pledge, head over to the Kickstarter campaign.

    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)

  • How to Make a DIY Lens Hood to Eliminate Lens Flare

    Not all lenses come with lens hoods, and that can mean you can suffer the effects of lens flare. This occurs when light is scattered across the glass elements of a lens, often caused by bright sunlight at a particular angle, and it produces coloured spots around your image. Lens hoods shade the lens, almost entirely stopping lens flare in the majority of situations.

    Sometimes this can be used to creative effect, but for the majority of the time you’re going to want to get rid of it. Building your own DIY lens hood is a way around this problem, and this 2-minute tutorial from COOPH shows you how to do just that.

    By recycling an old plastic bottle, whilst using some black spray paint, you can create your own “foldable” lens hood to work with whatever lens you need.

    For more tips about handling lens flare, check out some of our tutorials:

    • How to use Lens Flare to Your Advantage
    • 5 Tips for Achieving Artistic Lens Flare: How To
    • How to Prevent Lens Flare
    • How to Eliminate Lens Flare

    The post How to Make a DIY Lens Hood to Eliminate Lens Flare appeared first on Digital Photography School.


    Digital Photography School

  • Photokina 2018: hands-on with the Leica S3

    Hands-on: Leica S3 medium format camera

    With all the excitement surrounding full-frame system announcements at Photokina recently, it’s easy to forget the new arrivals in the medium format digital arena. While Fujifilm announced the GFX 50R – the second medium format digital camera in the GFX line – Leica unveiled the S3, an update to the Leica S2 launched in 2008.

    A full spec sheet has yet to be released, but we do know the S3 will launch in Spring 2019 and have a 64MP sensor, 3 fps burst rate and 4K video capture using the full width of the sensor. And if its predecessor’s pricing is an indication, it will likely cost somewhere in the vicinity of $ 20k.

    Despite the lack of specification details, we did get our hands on an early working version of the camera. Here’s how it handled.

    Hands-on: Leica S3 medium format camera

    The first thing I noticed when picking up the S3 is that for a medium format digital camera, it really isn’t that large. In fact it feels similar in hand to a Nikon D5 or Canon EOS 1DX II – I had to remind myself it has a larger sensor than both.

    It is also quite pleasant to hold. The shutter release is located on the front of the camera and is easy to access. An indentation below the shutter release provides a comfortable place for your other fingers, and also makes the camera feel secure in hand.

    As you might expect for a five-figure-camera, the S3 handles like it’s built to last – the magnesium alloy body feels like it could be used to drive a spike into the earth. The rubber material covering much of the exterior is thick and grippy, giving the whole camera a rugged quality.

    Hands-on: Leica S3 medium format camera

    The second thing I noticed about the S3 is the big beautiful optical finder, among the loveliest I can ever recall looking through. For reference, the S2’s finder has .86x magnification and the S3’s is likely similar.

    The back of the camera looks essentially identical to the original Leica S2 as well as the more recent Leica SL. The four buttons surrounding the 3″ LCD are programmable. There’s also a programmable button on the front of the camera near the mount.

    Like the S2, the S3 has two different shutters which can be engaged via a three-way controller on the back of the camera: ‘FPS’ stands for focal plane shutter and ‘CS’ stands for center shutter or leaf shutter (available with compatible lenses). I tried both and the leaf shutter is a good bit quieter.

    Hands-on: Leica S3 medium format camera

    Operationally, the camera felt fast. It was quick to start up and load menus. I also found the idea of dual top plate info LCDs to be kind of cool and definitely unique.

    I didn’t get to shoot much with the S3 but I did get to spend a little bit of time focusing around the room with my eye to the finder. Overall, despite being a non-final product, AF acquisition speeds felt surprisingly quick. On the other hand, using the 5-way AF joystick to actually move points felt a tad sluggish.

    Hands-on: Leica S3 medium format camera

    I mentioned that the S3 will be able to do 4K video with full-sensor readout. To further expand video capabilities the S3 offers audio in/out and HDMI as well as LEMO style ports for USB and remote trigger/flash connectivity. All these connection points have thick rubber covers to protect them from the elements and grime.

    Hands-on: Leica S3 medium format camera

    Overall, the Leica S3 feels like a utilitarian tool, built for working professionals. It may have the price tag of an expensive museum piece, but it does not handle like one.

    Of course, this is a camera that will most likely be purchased by agencies, studios and perhaps some very high-end pros – not every day shooters – making the high price tag seem less cringe-worthy. More importantly, my brief time with the Leica S3 has raised the bar for just how much I can lust over a new digital camera. Nice work, Leica.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • FAA issues warning to drone pilots in hurricane areas

    The FAA, the agency that regulates airspace in the United States, has issued a warning to drone operators as a reminder not to interfere with emergency operations in areas affected by Hurricane Michael.

    Drones are frequently used during disasters for tasks such as search and rescue or damage assessment, but this work is performed by trained professionals and volunteers, and is tightly coordinated by emergency agencies to avoid possible interference with low flying aircraft involved in the disaster response.

    Fines for interfering with emergency operations may exceed $ 20,000, but more importantly, flying a drone in an affected area could impact emergency operations at a critical time. Pilots who wish to contribute to recovery efforts are encouraged to do so through volunteer organizations that work directly with the local incident commander.

    Although most drone pilots will know to avoid interference with emergency operations, this is a friendly reminder not to be that person who inevitably ends up on the evening news for flying their drone directly into a disaster zone.

    Here’s the official warning from the FAA for those who want details:

    Hurricane Michael: Information for Drone Operators

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is warning drone owners and operators that they will be subject to significant fines that may exceed $ 20,000 if they interfere with emergency response operations in the areas affected by Hurricane Michael.

    Many aircraft that are conducting life-saving missions and other critical response and recovery efforts are likely to be flying at low altitudes over areas affected by the storm. Flying a drone without authorization in or near the disaster area may unintentionally disrupt rescue operations and violate federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, even if a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is not in place. Allow first responders to save lives and property without interference.

    Government agencies with an FAA Certificate of Authorization (COA) or flying under Part 107, as well as private sector Part 107 drone operators who want to support response and recovery operations, are strongly encouraged to coordinate their activities with the local incident commander responsible for the area in which they want to operate.

    If drone operators need to fly in controlled airspace or a disaster TFR to support the response and recovery, operators must contact the FAA’s System Operations Support Center (SOSC) by emailing 9-ATOR-HQ-SOSC@faa.gov the information they need to authorize access to the airspace. Coordination with the SOSC may also include a requirement that a drone operator obtain support from the appropriate incident commander.

    Here’s the information the FAA may require:

    • the unmanned aircraft type
    • a PDF copy of a current FAA COA
    • the pilot’s Part 107 certificate number
    • details about the proposed flight (date, time, location, altitude, direction and distance to the nearest airport, and latitude/longitude)
    • nature of the event (fire, law enforcement, local/national disaster, missing person) and the pilot’s qualification information.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • The Samsung Galaxy A9 is the first quad-cam smartphone

    It looked like Lenovo was going to be the first smartphone manufacturer to launch a quad-camera model but Samsung has outpaced its rival on the final straight. Today, the Korean company launched the Galaxy A9, the world’s first smartphone with a quad-camera setup.

    The device’s main camera offers 24MP resolution and F1.7 aperture. There is a 2x 10MP tele with F2.4 aperture and an 8MP super-wide-angle with 120 degree field-of-view and F2.4 aperture. The fourth camera is a 5MP depth sensor used to create a simulated bokeh effect.

    There is no mention of optical image stabilization but the phone features AI-powered scene recognition for optimized exposure and other image parameters. The front camera comes with a 24MP resolution and F2 aperture.

    Images can be composed and viewed on a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED screen with 1,080 x 2,220 pixel resolution and stored on 128GB of internal memory or microSD card. The Android 8.0 OS is powered by an octa-core processor and 6 or 8GB of RAM.

    Power is provided by a 3,800mAh battery and a fingerprint reader is on board as well. The new phone will be available in a range of colors from November and set you back $ 695 (599 EUR) in the Euro Zone. Unfortunately no US pricing information has been released yet.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)