Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Monday, 28 November 2011

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Monday, 28 November 2011 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 462nd Digital Photography Review newsletter. Little Olympus put to the test The PEN Mini is the least expensive and one of the smallest mirrorless cameras we've yet seen. As with many such cameras, it's targeted at compact camera upgraders but, as has become something of an Olympus tradition, it features astounding levels of customization. The result is a camera that works well as a point-and-shoot but offers a lot of camera to grow into. However, despite the inclusion of the latest (very impressive) autofocus system, many of the E-PM1's internals have a lot in common with the original PEN E-P1. So does this result in a camera that offers something for everyone or an awkward combination of components with no coherent character? Read our full review to see what we thought. Compact camera comparison coming Alongside the PEN Mini review, we've prepared the studio shots for the Nikon P7100 and Canon S100, which can now be compared in existing reviews or our standalone tool. As you might reasonably assume, this work comes as a prelude to a roundup of the Raw-capable enthusiast compacts, many of which have been updated since we last looked at them. This will be one of a series of roundup reviews and articles that we'll publish in the run-up to Christmas. Richard
News updates Nikon updates firmware for Nikkor 1 zoom lenses Published on Monday, November 21, 2011 6:29:28 PM GMT Nikon has released firmware updates for its Nikkor 1 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, 30-100mm f/3.8-5.6 and 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses. The 10-30mm and 30-100mm lenses are upgraded to firmware v1.02, which corrects a bug which causes an incorrect aperture value to be recorded. Meanwhile the 10-100mm power zoom firmware moves to v1.01 that, like the 1.01 upgrades for the other two lenses, addresses a problem by which images could 'be blurred when shot immediately after the camera was shaken or moved quickly'. Read full story → Complete our survey for the chance to win an iPad 2 Published on Monday, November 21, 2011 8:13:31 PM GMT US photographic trade body PMA and dpreview.com are conducting a survey looking for the views of dedicated amateur photographers. The ten minute survey asks about your photographic use, the features you'd like to see in cameras and your use and experience of photo sharing sites and printing services (as well as helping us make dpreview a better place). It aims to get a clearer understanding of what committed non-professional photographers want from their cameras and related services and may even result in those things getting a bit better. Responses will be discussed at the forthcoming 6Sight conference. As a reward one lucky respondent will be sent a shiny new Apple iPad 2. Read full story → Digital Outback Photo publishes The Art and Craft of HDR Photography Published on Monday, November 21, 2011 8:54:18 PM GMT Digital Outback Photo has published 'The Art and Craft of HDR Photography' by Uwe and Bettina Steinmueller. The 100 page e-book, written and published by the authors of dpreview.com's 'The Art of HDR' series of guides, can be downloaded as a printable pdf. It is available for an introductory price of $15.95, rather than the usual $19.95. Read full story → Book review: The Photographer's Mind Published on Monday, November 21, 2011 10:15:31 PM GMT Adam Koplan takes a closer look at Michael Freeman's 'The Photographer's Mind'. In this follow-up to his widely regarded book, 'The Photographer's Eye', documentary photographer Freeman has published a fascinating text that aims to help photographers to be more thoughtful in their picture-making. Read full story → Just Posted: Nikon Coolpix P7100 studio comparison samples Published on Monday, November 21, 2011 10:43:00 PM GMT Just posted: JPEG and raw studio samples from the Nikon Coolpix P7100. In preparation for a forthcoming review, we have shot our standard studio test scene with the Nikon Coolpix P7100. To allow easy comparison with its peers, we have now added these shots to our comparison database. As such the P7100 can now be selected from the pull-down list within both our standalone studio comparison tool and the comparison pages in any review. Read full story → Adobe faces criticism for change of upgrade policy Published on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 9:53:00 PM GMT Photoshop trainer and author Scott Kelby has published an ‘open letter’ to Adobe requesting it re-thinks its product upgrade policy. The company, in a recent blog post about its ‘Creative Cloud’ online computing service, revealed that it will only allow owners of the most recent versions of Photoshop and Creative Suite to upgrade to the CS6 versions, when they become available. This moves away from its traditional position of allowing owners of the previous three versions a discounted upgrade. The company is offering a 20% discount for these owners to bring themselves up-to-date in time for the policy change. Read full story → DxO Labs announces Optics Pro 7 with faster performance Published on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 2:00:00 PM GMT DxO Labs has announced that Optics Pro 7, the latest version of its Raw processing and optical correction software, will be available from November 30th. The company says version 7 has been extensively re-written to make it faster - up to four times faster in the case of batch processing. Version 7 also includes support for popular enthusiast cameras, such as Fujifilm's X100 and Sony's A77, as well as more than 300 additional camera/lens Optics Modules. Refinements include an improved lens softness tool that attempts to correct for inherent lens softness without interfering with bokeh in out-of-focus regions. DxO Optics Pro 7 will be available with a 33% discount until December 24th (and free to users who bought version 6 after September 1st). Read full story → Article: Gearing up for an African safari Published on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 6:46:13 PM GMT Wildlife photographer and tour operator Dallas Dahms explains how to choose the most appropriate photo gear when embarking on an African safari. His article shares camera lens and accessory combinations best suited to particular modes of transport and specific types of photo opportunities. He also supplies a handy tip for safely carrying your gear aboard in-country flights. Read full story → Just Posted: Olympus PEN Mini review Published on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 8:46:00 PM GMT We've just published our review of the Olympus E-PM1: the PEN Mini. The Mini is the least expensive, and most compact-camera-user orientated, Micro Four Thirds model yet released. It's built around the long-serving 12MP sensor but includes the latest, impressively fast AF system from the most recent PENS. In keeping with its point-and-shoot ethos, the PEN Mini features few external controls, yet has extensive customization if you want a camera to grow into. Does this result in a model with broad appeal or a camera with an identity crisis? Read our review to find out. Read full story → Site updates & Tamron Challenge Winners Published on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 11:32:27 PM GMT We've successfully migrated dpreview.com to its new web servers. And, now that most of the teething problems have been ironed out, we're confident that the errors and degraded performance that some users have been experiencing over the last few weeks are well behind us. We've also got a couple of minor feature updates to tell you about - and the winners of the Tamron Prize challenge are revealed after the link. Read full story → Fujifilm releases X-S1 premium EXR 26X superzoom Published on Thursday, November 24, 2011 5:00:00 AM GMT Fujifilm has announced the X-S1, a premium-grade superzoom compact. The X-S1 is part of the company's high-end 'X Series' and is built around the same 12MP 2/3" CMOS sensor as the X10 compact. Despite the comparatively large sensor, it manages to include a 26X 24-624mm equivalent F2.8-5.6 zoom lens. It also features Raw shooting, a 1.44M dot electronic viewfinder and 460,000 dot rear LCD along with a rubberized coating and metal dials to emphasize its premium 'Made in Japan' status. Read full story → Samyang updates 8mm F3.5 fisheye with CPU for Nikon Published on Friday, November 25, 2011 4:25:00 PM GMT Samyang has updated its 8mm F3.5 fisheye lens in Nikon mount, adding a CPU to allow better-integrated operation in auto exposure modes. The Samyang AE 8mm 1:3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye CS allows for full control over exposure from the camera, enables i-TTL flash exposure control, and records lens-related data into image EXIF data. Like its predecessor, the optical design includes 10 elements in 7 groups, with one hybrid aspheric element. The lens is manual focus only, and is designed for use on DX format SLRs. It will be priced at €325 (approx $430 / £280). Read full story → Roger Cicala looks at lens variation and getting a 'good copy' Published on Friday, November 25, 2011 7:29:39 PM GMT Roger Cicala of LensRentals has written an article about why 'soft' lenses occur and how you'll know if you have one. The article summarises his experience and testing of the phenomenon and explains how the pursuit of a 'perfect' lens is a fool's errand. Read full story →

Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Thursday, 17 November 2011

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Thursday, 17 November 2011 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 462nd Digital Photography Review newsletter. Sony SLTs reviewed It's been a quiet year for the DSLR market, with a series of natural disasters combining with unfavourable economic conditions to reduce the likelihood of major releases. This has left Sony hogging the limelight, with the release of its A65 and A77 SLT cameras. They may not be conventional DSLRs but their DSLR-like capabilities and behavior reduce any distinction to a technicality - they're certainly aimed at the same market. We've spent some time with both cameras and, while we were impressed with the top-of-the-bill A77, we don't think this should relegate the A65 to a supporting role. Click here to read our review of the Sony SLT-A77, and click here to see what we thought of the Rebel-challenging SLT-A65. Enthusiast choices emerge And, while the DSLR market has been quiet, that's not to say there hasn't been plenty to interest the enthusiast photographer. The past two weeks have seen the launch both of Fujifilm's X10 and Panasonic's GX1. The X10 is a high-end compact with a comparatively large (for a compact camera) sensor and a built-in 28-112mm F2-2.8 lens. It features Fujifilm's EXR technology to offer the option to maximise resolution, minimise noise or optimise dynamic range. We've written a hands-on preview with preview video and added a samples gallery showing off those different EXR modes. Meanwhile, Panasonic's GX1 represents the long-awaited spiritual successor to its well-respected GF1 rangefinder-style enthusiast mirrorless camera. The GX1 combines a good level of external control with the company's likeable touch-screen interface and the competitive 16MP sensor featured in the G3. Again we've prepared a full preview article including hands-on video demonstration. We hope you find something to enjoy there. Movements behind the silver screen The arrival of movie shooting in DSLRs has caused some excitement in the photography field but that's nothing compared to the impact they've had in the movie and broadcast industries. This has provided opportunities for companies such as Canon and relative newcomers RED to make greater headway in the market. Last week both companies showed their latest models, with Canon showing a Super 35mm (essentially APS-C) movie-dedicated EOS camera, the EOS C300 and announcing its plans to make a 4K full-frame DSLR (which will use an APS-H-sized crop to record 24p movies). Meanwhile RED announced the Scarlet-X, a 4K camera that can shoot at 1-30fps and even capture 5K at up to 12 fps. Canon also announced a series of movie-optimised manual-focus lenses that can be used with its own cameras or the Canon-mount version of the Scarlet. PhotoPlus Expo An intrepid dpreview team set of to New York to report from the PhotoPlus Expo show in New York at the end of last month. There weren't any new products being announced at the show but it was the first public demonstration of a handful of recently announced models, including the Canon EOS-1D X and Nikon's 1 System so as well as reporting from the stands, we highlighted these products and prepared video interviews with various industry figures. Click here to get a feel for the show. All the usual stuff And it's not just been high-profile reviews, previews, news, videos and show reporting. We've also reviewed Sony's HX100V superzoom, shot studio test shots with Samsung's NX200 mirrorless camera and published a roundup of some of the most interesting photography and video apps for iOS and Android. Just to give you something interesting to while away your time. Richard
News updates Canon EOS-1D X professional DSLR announcement and overview Published on 18 October 2011 05:00:57 GMT Canon has announced the launch of the EOS-1D X, its latest flagship professional DSLR. The 18MP camera is built around a full-frame sensor capable of shooting at up to 14 frames per second (12fps with AF), allowing it to replace both the 1D Mark IV and 1DS Mark III in Canon's lineup. Despite looking like previous 1D cameras, it's been extensively reworked (it includes more professional video features than any other Canon DSLR), so we took the opportunity to talk to Canon USA's Technical Advisor, Chuck Westfall about the camera and its features. Read full story → Canon launches Pixma MG4120, MG3120 and MG2120 all-in-one printers Published on 18 October 2011 17:57:19 GMT Canon has unveiled the Pixma MG4120, MG3120 and MG2120 photo printers. The wireless MG4120 and MG3120 printers offer 4800 x 1200dpi 4-ink printing at rates of up to 9ipm for black and white text documents, and 6 and 5ipm for color documents respectively. Both can be operated wirelessly with the latest version of the company's Easy-PhotoPrint App for iOS or Android smartphones and feature Auto Duplex (double-sided) printing capabilities. The MG2120 leaves out Wi-Fi and prints documents at 4ipm color (8ipm mono). All three printers will be available at an estimated retail price of $129.99, $79.99 and $69.99 respectively. Read full story → Olympus shares suffer as former CEO goes on the attack Published on 18 October 2011 20:44:37 GMT Former Olympus CEO Michael Woodford has launched a scathing attack on the company, following his removal from his post. Olympus had said Woodford was removed from his post over a difference in strategic direction between him and the rest of the Board of Directors. In a frank interview with the Financial Times, Woodford calls this 'utter nonsense' and states his belief that his removal relates to an investigation he had commissioned, into unusual payments and his suggestion that the board's Chairman and Vice Chairman should stand down over the issue. In response to suggestions that Olympus may try to prosecute him for disclosing this information, Woodford says: 'Bring it on.' Read full story → Adobe admits using 'synthetic blur' image in deblur demo Published on 18 October 2011 22:00:44 GMT Adobe has admitted an image used in its 'image deblur' presentation was artificially blurred for the purposes of the demonstration. The company said the blur on the image was 'more complicated than anything we can simulate using Photoshop's blur capabilities.' It described the move as 'common practice in research' and defended the use of the image because 'we wanted it to be entertaining and relevant to the audience.' The other images shown were the result of camera shake, it said. Read full story → Samsung and Google unveil Galaxy Nexus with Android 4.0 Published on 19 October 2011 16:38:41 GMT Google and Samsung have announced the Galaxy Nexus smartphone - the first to use the latest version of the Android operating system. Android 4.0 (also known as Ice Cream Sandwich) features a series of enhancements for photographers, including support for what the companies are claiming is a 'zero shutter lag exposure.' The camera app included in the software also supports digitally stabilized zoom, single-motion panorama shooting and the ability to take HD snapshots as video is being shot. Ice Cream Sandwich also features a redesigned album layout and a photo editor, allowing cropping, rotation and simple image corrections. The Galaxy Nexus handset has a 1280x720 screen and 5MP camera capable of using Android 4.0's 'zero shutter lag' feature. Read full story → Lytro announces Light Field Camera Published on 19 October 2011 18:54:25 GMT Plenoptic camera maker Lytro has unveiled its first product - the Lytro Light Field Camera. Available in early 2012, the camera will come in 8Gb and 16Gb versions, costing $399 and $499, and capable of storing 350 and 750 images respectively in their internal memory. The cameras feature a 35-280mm equivalent, constant F2 lens with what the company is calling an 11 megaray sensor, that captures photos that can be refocused after shooting. Company Founder and CEO Ren Ng showed us the camera and talked us through the shooting experience. Read full story → Lytro camera overview and discussion with CEO Ren Ng Published on 19 October 2011 21:15:21 GMT Lytro Founder and CEO Ren Ng showed us the Light Field Camera and talked us through some of what it can do. Having played with the camera, we've written an overview in which he discusses the shooting and sharing experience, gives some more details about using Light Field images and tells us about 'Camera 3.0.' Read full story → Article: Macro shooting - point-of-view and capturing the moment Published on 19 October 2011 21:34:26 GMT In Part Four of his series on creating compelling macro photographs, Erez Marom talks about composition and timing. Taking photographs from a similar point-of-view to that of the subject gives a more natural image, he argues. He also considers the importance of capturing not just an interesting subject, but an interesting moment, to create a captivating image. Read full story → Sony USA: too soon to know impact of Thai flooding on SLT-A65 and NEX-7 Published on 20 October 2011 22:58:24 GMT Sony USA says it is too soon to know what effect the floods in Thailand will have on A65 and NEX-7 shipments. In response to reports from Japan that the launches will be delayed, a spokesman said: 'In Japan, a press announcement was made on October 20th regarding launch delays to the Japanese market. This does not apply to the US market, as the impact of the flood on US product shipping is still under investigation.' He also said that, as a: '"temporary emergency operation", Sony is planning to move production of Alpha / NEX to another factory facility in Thailand that was unaffected by the flood.' Nikon, meanwhile, has made no further comment, beyond confirming that its sole factory making APS-C DSLRs is currently out of action. So far the company's Chinese-made 1 Series mirrorless models and lenses appear unaffected. Updated: Nikon issues revised statement. Read full story → Article: It's all about the details Published on 20 October 2011 22:58:24 GMT Photography/software author Ellen Anon takes a look at some of the best software techniques for getting the excellent detail out of your shots. From Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom to Topaz Labs and Nik, there is no shortage of software tools that can be used to enhance detail in an image, so Ellen walks us through the most efficient ways to use these applications, and where they each excel. Read full story → Adobe Carousel - Senior Product Marketing Manager Chris Quek explains Published on 21 October 2011 16:38:02 GMT Adobe Senior Product Marketing Manager Chris Quek explains the company's cloud-based Carousel image sharing and editing service. When Adobe Carousel was announced, back in September 2011, the initial responses were that it looked like an expensive cloud storage service. But it's a little more ambitious than that. Quek talked us through what Adobe Carousel offers and where it might go next. Read full story → Rihanna settles copyright case with photographer LaChapelle Published on 21 October 2011 16:38:02 GMT Pop singer Rihanna has settled the copyright dispute with photographer David LaChapelle. LaChapelle had claimed the music video for the singer's single 'S&M' contained elements similar enough to his photos for it to infringe his copyright. In July a New York judge rejected Rihanna's lawyer's attempts to have the case dismissed on the basis of 'fair use.' Terms of the settlement were not made public. Read full story → Just Posted: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V review Published on 21 October 2011 23:13:31 GMT We've just posted our review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V. This Sony superzoom features a 16MP 'Exmor' back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 10fps burst capability, a 30x (27-810mm equiv.) optical zoom and the ability to output 1080p60 HD video. This latest model also includes some very useful scenes modes including Backlight Correction HDR for capturing scenes with a wide dynamic range, and Hand-held Twilight mode for cleaner low-light images. How does this camera stack up against the competition? To find out, we've taken this opportunity to publish studio comparison samples for both the Nikon Coolpix P500 and the Olympus SP810 UZ. Read full story → Book Review: Figures and Fictions: Contemporary South African Photography Published on 22 October 2011 20:33:16 GMT Adam Koplan reviews 'Figures and Fictions: Contemporary South African Photography.' Edited by curator and art historian Tamar Garb to accompany an exhibition at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, the book looks at the work of 17 photographers who have been pushing forward the country's burgeoning post-apartheid photographic scene. Read full story → Just Posted: Preview and first impressions of using the Nikon V1 Published on 23 October 2011 00:00:20 GMT Just Posted: Hands-on preview and real-world shooting experience with the Nikon 1 system. Launched last month, the Nikon J1 and V1 small-sensor mirrorless cameras have created a lot of discussion among our readers. We've been using both the Nikon J1 and V1 for some time, and ahead of our usual full review treatment we have prepared a brief hands-on preview, preview video and a 3-page article about using the higher-end V1 model. Read full story → Canon announces Pixma Pro-1: 12-ink A3+ printer Published on 24 October 2011 17:48:21 GMT Canon has announced the Pixma Pro-1, the first A3+ (13") printer to use 12 separate inks. The Pro-1 uses remote, tube-fed ink tanks to provide 12 inks plus a 'Chroma Optimizer' that coats the print to give an even finish and improved black density. The printer features a new, 12,288 nozzle print head (up from the 7,680 used on the 5200 II), and can produce an A3+ print (11x14") in 2 minutes, 55 seconds at standard quality. The 'Pro' designation indicates it is the first Canon printer whose purchase counts towards Canon Professional Service (CPS) membership. The MSRP is £799/€899. Read full story → Fujifilm offers X100 firmware v1.11 and Japanese company offers custom covers Published on 24 October 2011 21:45:22 GMT Fujifilm has released updated firmware for its X100 premium large-sensor compact camera. Firmware v1.11 improves autofocus performance at close range and corrects a couple of bugs with the camera's operation. Meanwhile, Japanese company Aki-Asahi has begun offering custom coverings for the camera, including wood and leather covers in a variety of colors and textures. (Via PetaPixel) Read full story → GoPro launches HD Hero2 and WiFi accessory allowing video streaming Published on 24 October 2011 22:38:14 GMT GoPro has launched the HD Hero2, an updated version of its sports video camera. The latest version features an 11MP sensor (up from 5MP) and can now shoot 1080p30 video at a choice of 170deg, 127deg or 90deg angles-of-view (the original Hero could only shoot 1080 at 127deg or lower resolutions at 170deg). The redesigned lens is claimed to be twice as sharp as its predecessor. It also gains an external mic port and Mini HDMI socket. The company has also launched the WiFi BacPac accessory allowing live streaming from the camera from the Hero2. It can also be used to control either HD Hero via the included remote or using an App on a smartphone or tablet. Read full story → Olympus issues firmware v1.1 for PEN E-P3, fixing minor bugs Published on 25 October 2011 19:57:23 GMT Olympus has updated the firmware for its range-topping PEN E-P3 mirrorless camera. Firmware v1.1 corrects a bug that stopped the buttons working if the touch screen was contacted when an optional electronic viewfinder is used. It also corrects the fault by which the AF points were not shown when the camera is used with an Eye-Fi card. Users must download the Olympus Digital Camera Updater software to apply the update. Read full story → Photographer turns himself into living, fully-functional DSLR Published on 25 October 2011 22:12:27 GMT Michigan photographer Tyler Card has turned himself into a DSLR for Halloween. Not content with building a wearable DSLR costume, Card proceeded to install his real Nikon DSLR, a Speedlight and a laptop into the design to allow himself to shoot the event. He had the foresight to shoot a video of the process, which we thought was too good to not share. (via PopPhoto) Read full story → Just Posted: In-depth Sony SLT-A77 review Published on 25 October 2011 22:16:06 GMT Just Posted: our in-depth review of the Sony SLT-A77. Sony's latest flagship APS-C camera is the long-awaited replacement for the well-respected A700 DSLR and the most sophisticated camera to use the company's SLT design. We've paid particular attention to the benefits offered by its two key features: its 24MP CMOS sensor and its autofocus system that continues to operate at the camera's maximum 12fps shooting speed. We also had a look around for signs of the infamous 'ghosting' glitch that put some people off previous SLT models. Click here to see what we found. Read full story → Nokia launches Lumia 800 with F2.2 Carl Zeiss-branded lens Published on 26 October 2011 18:39:13 GMT Phone maker Nokia has launched a range of Windows Phone-based models, including the Lumia 800 with Carl Zeiss-branded lens. The range-topping Lumia 800 includes an 8MP sensor that sits behind a 28mm equivalent lens with F2.2 maximum aperture. The phone's camera features include manual exposure and white balance control as well as continuous AF and dual LED flash. Video recording is only 720p30, however. Read full story → Mirrorless suffers first UK sales drop but market researchers still positive Published on 26 October 2011 18:48:21 GMT The market for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras in the UK fell for the first time in September according to research from GfK Retail and Technology. The number of units sold fell 1% while price competition saw the value of those sales reduced by 17%, compared to the same time in 2010. DSLR sales, by comparison, rose 6%, though value fell 1%. The picture across Europe was mixed, though. Click here to read more. Read full story → Book review: The Photofile series Published on 26 October 2011 21:48:23 GMT Adam Koplan takes a closer look at Thames & Hudson’s Photofile series - a sort of Reader’s Digest of coffee table books. The volumes in this series are well-produced paperbacks containing approximately 60 decent reproductions each and provide a strong sense of an artist's vision. Currently the series comprises 22 books. Read full story → Canon USA announces Pixma Pro-1 12-ink A3+ printer Published on 26 October 2011 22:27:14 GMT Canon USA has announced the Pixma Pro-1 printer, first unveiled by Canon Europe earlier this week. The 12-ink A3+ printer can produce a 13" x 19" standard quality print in 4 minutes, 20 seconds. The Pixma Pro-1 will sell for around the company's estimated selling price of $999.99. (Canon Europe's MSRP is £799/€899) Read full story → Leica launches Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH fast wide-angle lens for S system Published on 27 October 2011 17:18:20 GMT Leica has announced the Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH fast wide-angle lens for its S-system medium format DSLR. The lens, which offers a 24mm equivalent field of view, can focus down to 0.5m. The company suggests the lens is likely to find use for interior, architectural and landscape photography and that its fast maximum aperture also enables 'available light' shooting. Read full story → Carl Zeiss announces Distagon T* 2/25 for Canon and Nikon Published on 27 October 2011 18:24:25 GMT Carl Zeiss has announces the Distagon T* 2/25 fast wide-angle lens in ZE (Canon) and ZF.2 (Nikon) versions. The manual focus lens will cost around €1217 excluding VAT and is the first Zeiss 25mm for the Canon EF format. The ZF.2 version for Nikon includes a CPU to provide aperture information to the camera, allowing the use of automatic exposure modes and the recording of EXIF data. The company says the existing Distagon 2.8/25 ZF.2 for Nikon will continue to be available. The lens design, featuring 11 elements in 10 groups is more complex than the 9 element, 7 group design of the Sony/Zeiss 24mm F2 announced in July 2010. Read full story → CMOS sensor inventor Eric Fossum discusses digital image sensors Published on 28 October 2011 22:52:21 GMT Image sensor engineer and primary inventor of the CMOS sensor, Eric Fossum, has given the second annual Victor M. Tyler Distinguished Lectureship in Engineering at Yale University. Fossum's talk: 'Photons to Bits and Beyond: The Science & Technology of Digital Image Sensors' covers a wide range of subjects, from the basis of the way sensors work to the potential risks to society of the ways technology can be used. He touches on noise, demosaicing and how 'the force of marketing is greater than the force of engineering.' Yale has put a video of the presentation on YouTube and it's well worth watching if you have any interest at all in the physics and engineering that make your camera work. (via Image Sensors World) Read full story → Just posted: Fujifilm X10 hands-on preview and video Published on 29 October 2011 00:40:38 GMT Just Posted: Our Fujiflm X10 Hands on preview and video. We've been using Fujifilm's enthusiast level compact camera for a couple of days and have prepared a hands-on preview article and video. The X10 combines a bright 4x stabilized zoom lens with extensive direct control and the attractive rangefinder-esque styling of its big brother, the X100. We take a closer look at the camera and what it offers and we'll supplement the article with a samples gallery next week. Read full story → Ichikawa Soft Laboratory updates Silkypix Developer Studio Published on 31 October 2011 14:15:46 GMT Ichikawa Soft Laboratory has released updated versions of its Silkypix raw conversion software, for both Windows and Mac users. The latest versions, Silkypix Developer Studio Pro Ver 4.1.5.2 and Silkypix Developer Studio Ver 4.0.5.2, add raw support for the Sony Alpha SLT-A77 and the Sony Alpha NEX-5N. Read full story → Dpreview is hiring - mobile developer Published on 31 October 2011 18:53:50 GMT Take the lead in designing highly usable and aesthetically beautiful mobile applications for the world's #1 photography website, Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com). dpreview is looking for a software developer to not only make our site accessible on mobile devices, but to be the premier destination for all things photography on phones and tablets. To find out more - and to apply - visit the Amazon careers page here. Read full story → Fujifilm releases FinePix REAL 3D V3 viewer Published on 01 November 2011 12:03:38 GMT Fujifilm has released the FinePix REAL 3D V3 viewer for still images and movies. In a first for Fujifilm, it uses a lenticular system for glasses-free 3D viewing, and includes an HDMI input for connection to 3D-enabled devices such as Fujifilm's own FinePix REAL 3D W3 camera, as well as an SDHC card slot. The company also claims that 7.2" 2.88 million dot screen is substantially brighter than its predecessor. The unit can also function as a conventional 2D display, includes built-in stereo speakers, and comes with a remote control. Read full story → Vimeo announces 'Vimeo Perks' Program for PRO and Plus members Published on 01 November 2011 16:02:27 GMT Vimeo has launched a program for its PRO and Plus members that provides discounts from partnered providers including B&H, Red Giant Software, Letus Direct, Kessler Crane, and GarageCUBE. The program will be available to both new and pre-existing members, and will offer 5% - 25% discount off the listed prices for a wide range of photo- and video-related products. Read full story → Article: Stock or assignment - what's right for me? Published on 01 November 2011 22:24:09 GMT Richard Weisgrau explains the pros and cons of creating images for stock or assignments. Whether to shoot stock, assignments or a mixture of both is a decision that every professional photographer has to make at some point. Read this article to get an understanding of the effective differences between stock and assignment photography and find out what works best for you. Read full story → Just Posted: Samsung NX200 Studio Comparison for JPEG Published on 01 November 2011 22:47:31 GMT Just posted: our JPEG studio test samples from the Samsung NX200. In preparation for our forthcoming review of the NX200, we have shot our standard studio test scene. To allow easy comparison with its peers, we have now added these shots to our comparison tool, found in our existing reviews. The NX200 can now be selected from the pull-down list within any review or our standalone comparison tool. Only JPEG comparison is available at the moment, as we are waiting on ACR Raw support for the camera. Read full story → Fujifilm updates firmware for X10 compact Published on 02 November 2011 12:45:17 GMT Fujifilm has updated the firmware for its X10 premium zoom compact. Version 1.02 resolves a bug relating to the aperture value display when zooming, and improves AF tracking performance. It can be downloaded immediately from the company's website. Read full story → ArcSoft releases Perfect365 photo makeover app Published on 02 November 2011 13:00:09 GMT ArcSoft has released a 'Photo Makeover' application called Perfect365, that allows users to manipulate their pictures and portraits with a single button click. It offers cleanup options such as blemish removal and skin softening, alongside makeover features such as 'smile enhance' and 'cheek lift'. There's also built-in support for sharing via social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Perfect365 is available immediately as a free download for PC users, with iPhone/iPad, Mac and Facebook versions to follow. Read full story → Pentax Ricoh updates firmware for Q and lenses Published on 02 November 2011 13:09:09 GMT Pentax Ricoh has released firmware updates for the Q mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and two of its lenses. Firmware v1.01 for the Q improves operational stability and increases resolution at the 'Fine' sharpness setting. Meanwhile Firmware v1.01 for the 01 Standard Prime lens and the 02 Standard Zoom also improves operation stability. All three can be downloaded now from the company's website. Read full story → Video Interview: Vincent Laforet Published on 02 November 2011 21:24:10 GMT Just Posted: Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Vincent Laforet took some time to talk with us last week at PhotoPlus Expo. Vincent talks about the state of DSLR film-making in the three years since the launch of his Canon 5DMKII short film Reverie, the first of its kind to be shot in 1080p, and the changes he's seen in the photography industry and his own career as a result of the increasing quality in HD video capture. Read full story → PPE Video Interview: Cristina Mittermeier Published on 02 November 2011 22:04:19 GMT Just Posted: President of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Marine Biologist, Mother, and SONY Artisan of Imagery are just some of the roles photographer Cristina Mittermeier manages to fit into her busy schedule. Cristina took some time at the PDN Photoplus Expo last week to discuss her career, approach to her work, and recent projects. Read full story → Canon unveils Cinema EOS C300 interchangeable-lens video camera Published on 04 November 2011 00:00:09 GMT Canon has unveiled the EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera interchangeable-lens video camera at a press event in Los Angeles. Available in in two models, the EOS C300 comes with an EF mount, while the EOS C300 PL features a PL mount. Both models feature an 8.3MP Super 35mm-equivalent CMOS sensor developed specially for the system, a modular design and a new range of dedicated video lenses. The C300 is scheduled to be available in late January 2012 for an estimated list price of $20,000. Read full story → Canon announces seven EF Cinema lenses Published on 04 November 2011 01:47:02 GMT Alongside the EOS C300, Canon has launched seven EF Cinema lens series, all of which carry a new 'CN-E' designation. Two zooms, a 14.5-60mm T2.6 L and 30-300mm T2.95-3. 7 L, will each be available in EF and PL mounts and be compatible with both Super 35mm-equivalent and APS-C cameras. Meanwhile the 24mm T1.5L, 50mm T1.3L and 85mm T1.3L primes will come in EF mount and be compatible with all sensor sizes up to 35mm full frame. All of the lenses feature manual focus and aperture control, and include an 11-blade aperture diaphragm for attractive defocus effects. Read full story → Canon to develop EOS DSLR with 4K video recording capability Published on 04 November 2011 02:00:09 GMT Canon has announced it is developing a full frame EOS digital SLR that will incorporate enhanced movie recording capability. It will be able to record 4K video at a frame rate of 24P, with Motion-JPEG compression, using the central APS-H region of the sensor. No other details are yet available. Read full story → Canon EOS C300 launch: Interview with Larry Thorpe Published on 04 November 2011 04:49:22 GMT Dpreview was at the Hollywood launch of the new Canon EOS C300, the first in Canon's new 'C' system interchangeable lens video cameras. During a packed evening we made some time to sit down with Larry Thorpe of Canon U.S.A. and asked him about the new camera, and what it means for videographers. Click here to jump directly to the article. Read full story → Red Digital Cinema releases Scarlet-X Published on 04 November 2011 18:30:10 GMT Red Digital Cinema has released the Scarlet-X professional video camera with Canon EF or PL mount. With 4K video from 1-30 fps and burst modes up to 12 fps at 5K resolution, it enables users to capture motion footage and still content simultaneously. Available for pre-orders, the basic kit (which is primarily the body, or as Red calls it "The Brain") is priced at $9750 while the Scarlet-X AL Canon Mount Package is priced at $14,015 and includes such essentials as a power adaptor, 5" touch LCD, and hand grip. Read full story → Book review: Speedliter's Handbook Published on 06 November 2011 13:03:28 GMT Adam Koplan takes a closer look at Syl Arena's 'Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light with Canon Speedlites'. This handbook explains and demonstrates techniques for the use of small flashes with particular attention paid to the Canon system of Speedlites. Read full story → Just Posted: Panasonic Lumix DMC GX1 hands-on preview and video Published on 07 November 2011 05:03:13 GMT Just Posted: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 hands-on preview and video. We've spent a few days with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, the long-awaited successor to the popular GF1. The enthusiast-oriented GX1 features a 16MP sensor, touchscreen interface and an abundance of external buttons and dials. We take a closer look at Panasonic's newest Micro Four Thirds camera, including a hands-on video highlighting some of the main features. Read full story → GX1: Interview with Panasonic US's Darin Pepple Published on 07 November 2011 05:03:13 GMT In advance of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 announcement, we conducted a brief video interview at the PhotoPlus Expo with Darin Pepple, Sr. Product Manager for Imaging at Panasonic who showed off a pre-production version of this much anticipated camera. Read full story → Panasonic unveils DMC-GX1 Micro Four Thirds camera Published on 07 November 2011 05:03:13 GMT Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-GX1, an enthusiast-oriented model that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Lumix DMC-GF1. The GX1 sports a 16MP 'Live MOS' sensor, a maximum ISO sensitivity setting of 12,800, a touchscreen interface and a revamped AF system. The GX1 is also the first camera compatible with Panasonic's brand new high-resolution LVF2 viewfinder, sold separately. The GX1 is available in a black or silver body with MSRP starting at $699.99 / £499.99 / €599.99 without lens. Read full story → Panasonic launches DMC-3D1 compact camera for 3D and 2D images Published on 07 November 2011 05:03:13 GMT Panasonic announces the Lumix 3D1, a twin lens 4x optical zoom compact camera that records 3D and 2D still images as well as 1080i HD video. The camera's dual 12MP 'High Sensitivity MOS' sensors are powered by a Venus Engine processor and allow the user to capture both 2D stills and HD video simultaneously, with each lens able to focus and zoom independently of one another. The 3D1 captures up to 8fps and features a 3.5" touchscreen. The MSRP is $499.99. Read full story → Panasonic announces upcoming firmware update for DMC-GH2 Published on 07 November 2011 14:00:12 GMT Panasonic has announced a firmware update for its Lumix DMC-GH2 video-orientated interchangeable lens camera that will offer a range of improvements and new features. First and foremost is a high bitrate (24Mbps) movie mode that's designed for video editing purposes. Extended compatibility with the company's latest 'X' series powerzoom lenses is also included, as is the ability to turn all touchscreen features completely off. An update to the PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 software will also be available to handle the GH2's new video mode. Both updates will be available at the beginning of December. Read full story → Olympus executive dismissed amidst loss revelations Published on 08 November 2011 10:12:19 GMT Olympus has dismissed its executive vice president after admitting concealing losses on investments. In the most serious revelation since the departure of former chief executive Michael Woodford, the company said that funds from previous acquisitions had been used to hide losses on securities investments since the 1990s. The news saw Olympus shares fall in value by up to 30% during Tuesday's trading. Read full story → Kodak sells Image Sensor Solutions business Published on 08 November 2011 10:57:12 GMT Kodak has sold its Image Sensor Solutions business to Platinum Equity in a bid to strengthen its financial position. The company, which has struggled to manage the shift in the consumer photographic market from film to digital, also recently revealed that it may have to raise cash by the sale of more than 1100 patents to survive the coming year. Image Sensor Solutions provides sensors for the Leica M9 and S2 and a number of medium format backs, as well as a wide range of specialist imaging applications. Read full story → Just Posted: Updated Samsung NX200 Studio Comparison (Raw & JPEG) Published on 08 November 2011 22:03:09 GMT UPDATE: Following the provision of Beta raw support from Adobe, we've updated our previously published studio samples from the Samsung NX200 to include Raw files. Also, we've recently got our hands on Samsung's new NX 60mm F2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA and we've taken the opportunity to replace our existing samples with a completely new set, taken on the newer lens. In future, the 60mm macro will become our standard studio lens for the Samsung NX system. Read full story → Article: Android and iOS App Tools For Photographers Published on 09 November 2011 00:00:03 GMT Mobile photography and app blogger Joanne Carter takes a look at the growing number of iOS and Android apps that are designed as photography tools. Whether you need to plan a sunset shoot, manage legal forms for your models, calculate flash exposure, or transfer files to your mobile device while you are shooting wirelessly, this article looks at some of the best apps currently available for both enthusiast and professional photographers. Read full story → Adobe issues Lightroom 3.6 and ACR 6.6 release candidates Published on 09 November 2011 09:44:57 GMT Adobe has released 'Release Candidates' of its Camera Raw 6.6 and Lightroom 3.6 raw processing software. The updates cover 5 additional cameras, namely the Canon Powershot S100, Nikon 1 J1, Nikon 1 V1, Panasonic Lumix DMX-GX1 and Samsung NX5. Also included are lens profiles for a number of recent Sigma and Nikon lenses, along with several medium format optics and the Sigma DP2x. Both updates are available from the Adobe Labs site. The company uses the term 'Release Candidate' to denote software that is well tested but not yet the final version. Read full story → Tokyo Stock Exchange places Olympus shares 'under supervision' Published on 10 November 2011 11:54:00 GMT Olympus's woes have deepened after the Tokyo Stock Exchange placed its shares 'under supervision' and warned of possible delisting. The news follows the admission that senior executives colluded for decades to hide investment losses from the market, and a subsequent statement from Olympus that it would not be able to submit its quarterly earnings report on schedule. The TSE has warned that the company will be delisted if the report is not submitted by 14th December, prompting a further fall in its shares which have now lost almost two-thirds of their value over the past month. Read full story → SLR Magic launches HyperPrime 12mm F1.6 for Micro Four Thirds Published on 10 November 2011 17:06:00 GMT Hong Kong-based SLR Magic has formally announced its HyperPrime 12mm F1.6, a manual focus lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. This fast wideangle prime, which has been doing the rounds of testers and reviewers for the past few months, features a traditional aperture control ring and metal-bodied construction. Its optics include three Tantalum glass elements for 'superior cinematic performance'. It will be on sale from the end of November. Read full story → Video Interview: Samsung at PPE 2011 Published on 11 November 2011 01:30:10 GMT At the recent Photo Plus Expo show in New York we spoke to Jay Kelbley, Senior Marketing Manager of the Imaging Division at Samsung U.S.A. We asked Jay about the 20MP APS-C format NX200, and Samsung's new NX range of prime and zoom lenses. Jay took us through the new products, and explained why consumers should be excited by the high-resolution, 'premium'-styled NX200, and what makes Samsung's NX system unique. Read full story → Apple releases Raw compatibility update Published on 11 November 2011 10:45:24 GMT Apple has released a Digital Camera RAW compatibility update for Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11. Update 3.9 extends raw support to eleven additional cameras, including the Canon Powershot S100, Olympus PEN E-PL3 and E-PM1, and Sony Alpha NEX-5N, SLT-A65 and SLT-A77. The update is available for immediate download from Apple's website. Read full story → Google Launches Student Photography Competition via Google+ Published on 11 November 2011 21:54:13 GMT Google has launched a worldwide photography competition for student photographers. The 'Google Photography Prize' will be hosted on Google+ - the search giant's social networking service. Prizes will be awarded by a jury of photography professionals, including curators at London's Saatchi gallery. Read full story → Video Interview: Chuck Westfall of Canon at PPE 2011 Published on 11 November 2011 21:54:21 GMT At the recent Photo Plus Expo show in New York we spoke to Chuck Westfall, Technical Adviser at Canon U.S.A's Pro Engineering and Technical Solutions division about the future of DSLRs and the recently-announced EOS-1DX in particular. The full-frame EOS-1DX is intended to satisfy the needs of photographer that want high speed, high resolution, and HD video. During our interview Chuck went into more detail about how the requirements of professional photographers are evolving, and what Canon is doing to address their needs. Read full story → Book review: Walker Evans - Cuba Published on 12 November 2011 13:00:00 GMT Adam Koplan takes a close look at 'Walker Evans: Cuba' -  a striking collection of photographs taken during a visit by the young photographer in 1933. Although not as polished as Evans' later work, the images in this collection provide a fascinating insight into a unique moment in time and a nascent photographic genius. Read full story → Panasonic updates firmware for X 14-42mm and 45-175mm lenses Published on 14 November 2011 08:00:00 GMT Panasonic has announced upcoming firmware updates for its Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. pancake and Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm F4.0-5.6 Power O.I.S. Micro Four Thirds lenses. The latest firmware versions for both lenses enhance Touch Zoom operation with the recently released Lumix DMC-GX1, and improve AF performance while recording stills and videos. The update for the 45-175mm lens also improves its image stabilization function. Both will be available for download from Panasonic's website from 06:00 GMT on November 17th. Read full story → Richard Franiec offers accessory grip for Canon S100 Published on 14 November 2011 19:53:49 GMT Accessory grip maker Richard Franiec has announced an add-on grip for the Canon PowerShot S100. The grip differs from his existing wrap-around designs to avoid blocking the port door on the side of the camera. Instead the raised, textured design mounts on the front plate of the camera, over its existing hand-grip. The accessory will be available from late November at a cost of $29.95, plus shipping. Read full story → Fujifilm X10 Preview Samples Gallery Published on 14 November 2011 20:14:05 GMT We've published a gallery of 32 JPEG images shot with the 12MP Fujifilm X10. The X10 is Fujifilm's first foray into the luxury end of the enthusiast compact camera market, and takes many of its styling cues from the APS-C format X100. Key features include a 28-112mm (equivalent) f/2-2.8 zoom lens and Fujifilm's unique 'EXR' sensor technology. Our samples were taken in a range of different environments and in a range of different modes, including the 6MP noise and dynamic-range optimized 'SN' and 'DR' EXR modes. Read full story → NASA captures the earth at night with Nikon D3S Published on 14 November 2011 20:14:43 GMT German videographer Michael König has compiled a breathtaking HD video from footage shot from the International Space Station. The original video clips, that König has processed and set to music, were created from a series of time-lapse stills of the Earth at night and include footage of Aurora Borealis and Australis. Viewing the original still images on NASA's 'The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth' website reveals they were shot with a Nikon D3S with 17-35mm F2.8 and 14-24mm F2.8 lenses (via Daily Mail). Read full story → DxO Labs announces FilmPack 3.1 film simulation software Published on 15 November 2011 14:00:00 GMT DxO Labs has announced FilmPack v3.1 Essentials and Expert, the latest versions of its film simulation software. The biggests changes are to the more expensive, Expert edition with the addition of 25 'Creative Renderings' that offer stylized effects rather than just simulating film. These preset renderings can be user-adjusted, exported and imported so that they can be shared, or packages of presets from DxO added. The interface has also been improved in both versions, including the addition of a full screen view and a resizable filmstrip view, as well as a handful of minor updates. Read full story → Ricoh announces CX6 CMOS compact superzoom Published on 15 November 2011 18:46:11 GMT Ricoh has announced the CX6, the latest in its line of compact superzoom cameras. It features a 10MP back-lit CMOS sensor and the familiar 10.7x 28-300mm equivalent image stabilized zoom lens. The latest model features improved processing and hardware to offer faster focusing (with claimed AF times as fast as 0.1 sec), as well as a dedicated movie shooting button. It also gains Aperture and Shutter Priority exposure modes and the Sony WhiteMagic 1.23M dot VGA LCD screen. Read full story → Sony confirms resumption of SLT and NEX manufacture Published on 15 November 2011 23:08:47 GMT Sony USA has confirmed reports that production of its SLT and NEX cameras has resumed, following the devastating flooding in Thailand, last month. Production has been moved from its affected Ayuthaya site to the Chonburi plant, further south in the country. A spokesman said there was no further information about the effect on product shipments, as this was still being determined. Read full story → Just Posted: Sony SLT-A65 review Published on 16 November 2011 01:03:51 GMT Just Posted: our review of the Sony SLT-A65. When the SLT-A65 was launched it risked being overshadowed by the flagship A77 model. However, the A65 could prove to be the more significant camera in the SLT line-up as it offers many of the A77's features at a more attainable price point. Offering 24MP capture, a 10fps continuous shooting rate, full-time live view with phase-detection AF as well as a raft of other innovative features, the A65 is unique in its market segment. On paper, it appears significantly more capable in some respects than peers such as the Canon EOS 600D / Rebel T3i and Nikon D5100. Click here to jump straight to the the review and see if it lives up to this promise. Read full story → Casio Japan announces Exilim EX-ZR200 CMOS compact superzoom Published on 16 November 2011 19:08:14 GMT Casio Japan has announced the Exilim EX-ZR200, a 16MP compact superzoom with a back-lit CMOS sensor. No details of a US or European launch have yet been given but, with its 24-300mm equivalent zoom lens and 30fps full resolution shooting and PASM modes, it's extremely likely it will replace the EX-ZR100. Like the ZR100, it can shoot 1080p30 movies with H.264 compression. It also features multi-image modes to capture ultra-wide angle shots and create background blur. (from DCWatch) Read full story → Canon updates EOS 5D Mark II firmware to v2.1.1 Published on 16 November 2011 20:11:46 GMT Canon has released updated firmware for its EOS 5D Mark II full-frame DSLR. Firmware v2.1.1 corrects a bug that meant only a single image was captured in continuous shooting mode or AE bracketing continuous mode. It also corrects some menu errors for Dutch language users. Click here to find out more and download the firmware. Read full story → Just published - a quick Pentax 645D sample gallery Published on 16 November 2011 20:33:40 GMT Just Posted: A few weeks back we spent a little time with the Pentax 645D - just long enough to grab a small gallery of 'real world' samples using the FA 645 55mm F2.8 standard lens. The 40 megapixel 645D, which took an unprecedented 5 years to progress from announcement to production, is the company's first digital medium format camera. We wanted to see how practical it was to use the 645D 'in the field' as a replacement for a smaller sensor SLR, and - aside from an aching shoulder after a day of lugging it around - we were pretty impressed with what we saw. Until we get the 645D back into the studio to complete our testing, check out our quick 24-shot gallery after the link (or click here to jump straight to the gallery page). Read full story → Roundup: Third-party Lenses for Enthusiasts Published on 16 November 2011 22:52:53 GMT We've published our roundup of the ten most interesting third-party lenses for enthusiast photographers. There are a huge number of lenses available from third-party manufacturers that at least match, and sometimes exceed the quality of more expensive models from camera manufacturers. In this four-page roundup, Matt Golowczynski highlights ten stand-out lenses by category.