Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Thursday, 21 March 2013

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Thursday, 21 March 2013 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 459th Digital Photography Review newsletter. Canon EOS 100D / Rebel SL1 previewed Canon has long said that it thinks a smaller DSLR might suit some users just as effectively as a mirrorless camera would, which perfectly explains the logic behind the 100D / Rebel SL1. It's a significantly scaled-down DSLR that continues to fit familiar EOS technology into the smallest, lightest APS-C body we've ever seen (we'd need to go to Archimedean lengths to assess whether it's smaller than the Olympus E-420 - the last claimant of the smallest DSLR title). So, while we haven't been dunking Canon's latest model in the bath, we've gone to extremes to understand the magnitude of the little Rebel's capabilities. Click here to read our preview and see what we found. Fujifilm X100S real-world samples We loved Fujifilm's brand-repositioning large-sensor, fixed lens X100, despite its initial collection of maddening quirks and glitches, so we were really keen to get our hands on the its successor - the X100S. Not only has the company continued to rectify the problems it couldn't correct with firmware (such as the vague manual focus), it has also introduced a series of improvements, not least of which is the 16MP X-Trans sensor we've seen in company's interchangeable lens X-series cameras. To show how this performs in the X100S, we've shot a sample gallery showing how the camera performs in a range of conditions. Click here to see how it got on. Canon tinkers to create EOS 700D / Rebel T5i Canon has also refreshed its main Rebel model, with the launch of the EOS 700D (known as the T5i in North America). However, the differences are so subtle that we were almost tempted to list the change of name badge in our list of new features. However, while the body itself hasn't seen many changes, the 700D will most commonly be bundled with a new, internal focus, stepper-motor-powered kit lens, that could represent a significant improvement in a number of ways. Click here to read our preview of the Canon EOS 700D and its 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 STM IS lens. Richard
News updates Confessions of a camera snob: DPR reviewer explores mobile photography Published on Thursday, March 14, 2013 4:25:06 PM GMT When Dpreview.com camera reviewer Amadou Diallo found himself assessing a smartphone camera for our mobile photography site, Dpreview Connect, he had his doubts about what the hardware could accomplish. But his review of the HTC X One (published late last year) challenged his preconceptions about camera phone photography and inspired him to embrace both the limitations and the possibilities of shooting with a mobile device. Read more about his experience on connect.dpreview.com. Read full story → Google pulls plug on desktop version of Snapseed Published on Thursday, March 14, 2013 4:49:49 PM GMT Google has announced it will no longer sell the desktop version of its Snapseed image editing application for both Windows and Mac. Existing customers will continue receive support and updates. The company will continue to offer the Snapseed mobile app on iOS and Android. In a blog post, the company has announced, as a part of its 'spring cleaning' it has decided to shut down Snapseed and Google Reader, among other products. Click through for Google's full statement and a link to our review of Snapseed for Mac, published last year.  Read full story → DxOMark investigates lenses for the Nikon D800 Published on Thursday, March 14, 2013 6:04:17 PM GMT DxOMark has tested 61 lenses on the Nikon D800, and drawn some conclusions about the results. So far it has published two sections of an eventual four-part article: the first discusses how much benefit the D800's 36MP sensor really offers over the 24MP chips in cameras such as the D3X and D600, while the second looks at which lenses in the 50-100mm range come out with the best DxOMark scores. Further parts later this month will look at telephoto and wideangle lenses. Click through for the link. Read full story → Panasonic GH3 hands-on preview updated with test data and samples Published on Thursday, March 14, 2013 11:41:59 PM GMT We've just added more pages of content to our hands-on preview of the 16MP Panasonic GH3, Panasonic's flagship GH-series Micro Four Thirds camera. These pages represent our progress so far towards the completion of a full review. We've added our full complement of studio tests, including resolution, noise and dynamic range, a small gallery of 'real world' samples and updated first impressions. Click through for a link to the 12-page preview. Read full story → Equinox modular and Leica X3 concept cameras Published on Thursday, March 14, 2013 11:51:44 PM GMT What is an ideal camera for today's smartphone generation? Designers Vincent Sall, Dae jin Ahn and Chun hyun Park have created designs to explore the question. Inspired by the Leica X2, Vincent Sall envisions a Leica X3 that is an extremely mobile version of the high-end compact that folds up and communicates with a smartphone to share its images. Korean designers Dae jin Ahn and Chun hyun Park have put together a modular camera design calling it the Equinox. Click through for pictures and more information about the concepts.  Read full story → Samsung looks to elevate smartphone camera game with S4 Published on Friday, March 15, 2013 1:38:52 AM GMT Samsung follows its best-selling Galaxy S3 with the launch of a new flagship phone: the Galaxy S4. The device holds much promise for mobile photography enthusiasts with a 13MP camera, unique photocentric features like a 'dual camera' function, eye-tracking technology and a 5-inch display. We went to the New York launch and are sharing our first impressions on connect.dpreview.com. Read full story → Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone Published on Friday, March 15, 2013 5:34:23 PM GMT We had a close look at the the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone at the New York launch event and have put together a hands-on report detailing the device's overall design and software features. Update: We've added information about the S4's 13MP camera and unique photographic features. Read about our first impressions at connect.dpreview.com (Updated) Read full story → Tokina to ship AT-X 12-28 F4 PRO DX lens for Nikon from April 2013 Published on Friday, March 15, 2013 6:15:06 PM GMT Tokina has announced it will be shipping the AT-X 12-28 F4 PRO DX lens from April 2013 in Nikon mount, and June 2013 for the Canon version. Announced at the CP+ tradeshow, the lens is a replacement for the company's existing 12-24mm F4 wideangle zoom for APS-C cameras. But rather than making the lens wider to match its competitors, Tokina has chosen to extend it further into the 'normal' range, to give an 18-42mm equivalent zoom. The Japanese RRP of ¥90,000 is the same as that for the existing AT-X Pro DX 12-24mm F4 II lens. (via DCWatch) Read full story → Using a perspective control lens for wedding photography Published on Friday, March 15, 2013 9:26:03 PM GMT Arizona-based wedding photographer, Trevor Dayley, is taking a unique approach to his portraiture by using a perspective control lens, the Canon TS-E 90mm F2.8. In an article he wrote for FStoppers, he explains why it has become his favorite lens and discusses the challenges and rewards of adding a tilt-shift lens to his arsenal. (via FStoppers) Read full story → Seawater-damaged Nikon lens fixed by boiling at Taiwan service center Published on Monday, March 18, 2013 12:47:02 AM GMT A service center in Taiwan has repaired a seawater-damaged Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED lens by boiling it. According to a post by Nikon Rumors, after investigating the damage, staff established that the AF motor of the lens needed to be replaced and some internal parts were 'rusted' due to salt water damage. To remove this 'rust', they boiled them in water. The lens was apparently fixed in three days. (via Nikon Rumors) Read full story → ACD Systems releases ACDSee Photo Editor 6 with new Raw functionality Published on Monday, March 18, 2013 5:00:33 PM GMT ACD Systems has released ACDSee Photo Editor 6, the company's photo editing software for enthusiasts. Among the highlights in version 6 are support for Raw files as non-destructive object layers and Lighting and Contrast Enhancement (LCE) technology that promises to improve the quality of poorly lit photos. Selective color editing tools have also been added. The software is available at a retail price of $49.99. Read full story → Photographer Greg Heisler and the story behind an ESPN cover photo Published on Monday, March 18, 2013 6:43:02 PM GMT In a 'Master Series' video posted by lighting maker Profoto USA, celebrated photographer Greg Heisler shares a behind the scenes tale of how he created a unique on-location portrait of then-NBA star Alonzo Mourning. In explaining a lighting setup that even most other pros would struggle to pull off, Heisler breaks down his lighting diagram for a shot that he conceived, 'just because I think it looks cool'. (via Strobist) Read full story → Filmmaker shoots with fifteen GoPros for a Matrix-like bullet time effect Published on Monday, March 18, 2013 6:51:52 PM GMT Amateur filmmaker Marc Donahue of Permagrin Films recently shot a video with an array of fifteen GoPro action cameras to achieve Matrix-like bullet time special effects. The arc-shaped rig allowed him to shoot simultaneously from all cameras. In post, Donahue added the freeze frame and slow motion effects. Click through to watch the video. (via Mashable) Read full story → Aviary debuts desktop app and photo-editing SDK for Windows 8 Published on Monday, March 18, 2013 9:23:21 PM GMT Photo-editing service Aviary has announced its desktop app and Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows 8. Aviary's technology which can currently be found in numerous popular Android and iOS photo editing apps, and on the Flickr photo sharing site will be available for download in the Windows Store this week. Click through for more information at connect.dpreview.com Read full story → Fujifilm X100S Real-world Samples Published on Monday, March 18, 2013 9:59:00 PM GMT We've just added a 39-image sample gallery to our preview of the Fujifilm X100S. The X100S is the sucessor to the X100, one of our favorite cameras of the past couple of years, but one that was not without its share of quirks. The X100S features a new 16MP X-Trans sensor, a hybrid AF system with on-sensor phase-detection autofocus and numerous operational improvements. We previewed the new camera earlier this year and we'll be adding more content to that as we work towards a full review but for now, click through for a link to our gallery of real-world samples.  Read full story → Pre-Photoshop tricks and the apps you can use today Published on Monday, March 18, 2013 10:13:32 PM GMT The Metropolitan Museum's 'Faking It: Manipulated Photography Before Photoshop' exhibit includes some heavily manipulated imagery created long before the days of digital. We look at a selection of these photo illustrations and suggest how they might be easily created today using mobile image editing apps available for mobile devices. Check out the five apps that could be used to make similar photographic illustrations today at connect.dpreview.com Read full story → First winners announced in Sony World Photography Awards 2013 Published on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 5:57:18 PM GMT The World Photography Organisation has announced the winners for the Open, Youth and 3D categories of the 2013 Sony-sponsored World Photography Awards. The organization announced a shortlist for all the categories last month, and will be announcing the professional category winners at Somerset House in London on April 25th. Click through to read more about the winners and see their winning images. Read full story → Wacom releases Cintiq 13HD 13-inch compact pen display for $999 Published on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 6:45:57 PM GMT Graphics tablet maker Wacom has announced the Cintiq 13HD, a 13-inch compact interactive graphics tablet that features a 1920 x 1080 LED monitor capable of displaying 16.7 million colors. Combined with the company's latest Pro Pen the Cintiq 13HD offers 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity for graphic design and retouching. The Cintiq 13HD is the smallest model in the Cintiq lineup and the most affordable, too. It will start shipping from April 2013, at a cost of $999.99/ £749.99. Click through for more details.  Read full story → Minox announces tiny, retro-styled DCC 14.0 camera Published on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 7:33:59 PM GMT Minox has released the latest generation of their 'Digital Classic Camera', whose miniature rangefinder body harkens back to the 1950's. The DCC 14.0 features a 14 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 41mm-equivalent fixed lens, optical viewfinder, 2" LCD display, and VGA video recording. The camera will be available soon in your choice of black or silver for $239.  Read full story → DxOMark Mobile Report: Blackberry Z10 Published on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 10:28:42 PM GMT We just published the DxOMark Mobile Report for the Blackberry Z10 on connect.dpreview.com. The report includes the usual industrial-quality scientific measurements. DxO's imaging experts have analyzed 14 aspects of mobile imaging including detailed image quality assessment, flash performance, autofocus reliability and more to calculate a final score. This report will be integrated into our full review once it is finished but for now click through to find out how the Blackberry Z10's camera performed in the DxO lab tests. Read full story → Behind the scenes of the Hasselblad H5D advertising campaign Published on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 4:58:40 PM GMT Photographer Henrik Sorensen has uploaded an interesting behind-the-scenes YouTube video of his recent 'submerged fairy' shoot for the advertising campaign for Hasselblad's H5D digital medium format camera. Taking inspiration from Danish folklore and its royal history he opted to use a submerged castle interior as the backdrop. Click through to watch the video (via FStoppers) Read full story → Photographer's copyright suit lists his subject as defendant Published on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 7:23:24 PM GMT US photographer Brian Masck has filed suit against several parties over unauthorized and unpaid use of a photograph he shot 22 years ago that has since become an iconic image recognizable to almost any US sport fan. Among the defendants is the subject of the photo himself, Desmond Howard, who used the image on his own website. Read full story →
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