Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Tuesday, 20 January 2015

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Tuesday, 20 January 2015 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 544th Digital Photography Review newsletter. I've spent much of the past few days being very envious of my colleague Scott's recent vacation in Hawaii (see our updated Sony Alpha 7 II samples gallery, below) as the weather here in Seattle has been cloudy and cold. I did escape for a couple of days last week to central California though to film the latest in our series of real-world video tests. Without giving too much away, things got pretty 'gnarly' for a while, but everything turned out alright in the end. Hopeful we'll have that video online for you very soon. Ok - let's look at some recent content highlights! New GF: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 flips for selfies The GF7 is the newest member of Panasonic's entry-level line of compact mirrorless cameras, this time with a heavy emphasis on social media. It takes many of its design cues from the Panasonic's stylish GM camera bodies, bringing fresh lines for a look that will appeal to photo purists. How does the new design influence the GF user experience? Click here to read more about the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 Real-world samples: Sony Alpha 7 II in Kauai Our initial samples gallery from the Sony a7 II saw the camera tested in a variety of real-world conditions, and now we've followed it up with even more samples from the mirrorless full-frame camera. Better yet, we tested it out in what is arguably one of the most photogenic places on Earth. And while it's nothing compared to actually taking a Hawaiian vacation, browsing through these samples is at least a small reprieve from the winter blues. View our gallery of samples from the Sony Alpha 7 II Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III real-world sample gallery The Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III is a superzoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. It offers a 28-300mm equivalent range and uses a stepper motor for silent autofocus (including during video recording). Because it does not include any form of image stabilization, we used it on an Olympus camera, specifically the OM-D E-M1, which has 5-axis sensor-based IS. Click here to take a look at our sample images from the Tamron 14-150mm Nikon provides instructions for flare-affected D750 owners Nikon has just provided detailed instructions for D750 owners seeking to repairs to correct an issue related to flare. The company had previously announced plans to service affected cameras for free, and has just issued information that will help camera owners identify whether their unit is included under the advisory. Click here to read more What else is coming up? Reviews of the Samsung NX1 (now complete with the latest firmware) and Nikon D810 are ongoing, and we're getting ready to publish a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5, as well. Sam and Rishi have been busy in the studio, too and we'll be posting a lot of new content over the coming months including a detailed look at the so-called 'flaregate' issue which has affected Nikon's D750. Keep an eye on our homepage for that piece very shortly. Oh! And we're also collating the results of our 2014 readers' polls, so we'll have the results online before the end of this week. Thanks to everyone that voted. See you next week, Barney
News updates Manfrotto launches Off Road camera gear Published on Monday, January 19, 2015 10:37:14 PM GMT Manfrotto has introduced a new lineup of backpacks in its Off Road collection designed for outdoor photographers. The backpacks allow for both personal items and camera gear to be toted around, including the new walking sticks and tripods the company has also launched. Read more Read full story → The Wild Southwest: Jory Vander Galien's landscapes Published on Saturday, January 17, 2015 1:00:00 PM GMT Like many fine-art-nature photographers, Jory Vander Galien says that his passion for landscapes was ignited at a young age through National Geographic and Ansel Adams. How, he often finds himself at a location before dawn, ready to fight lightning and dust storms in order to capture the vast and volatile Southwest landscape. See his work and find out more in our Q&A. See gallery Read full story → Apple overtakes Nikon for 2nd spot in most-owned camera rankings of Flickr users Published on Friday, January 16, 2015 10:41:00 PM GMT Photo sharing website Flickr has published tables of its members' most used cameras and brands, in which Apple has overtaken Nikon for the first time. Canon remains the most popular brand used, according to Flickr's calculations, but in 2014 Apple knocked Nikon into third place, with Samsung moving ahead of Sony to take fourth. Read more Read full story → Canon US advises PowerShot owners of potential battery problem Published on Friday, January 16, 2015 7:34:27 PM GMT Canon has released an advisory note informing select PowerShot owners that their cameras might be affected by an issue with poor contact between the battery and battery terminal. Affected cameras include some PowerShot SX280 HS and S120 units among others, and owners are directed to check their serial numbers to see if their camera is included in the advisory. Read more Read full story → Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III real-world sample gallery Published on Friday, January 16, 2015 1:00:00 PM GMT The Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III is a superzoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. It offers a 28-300mm equivalent range and uses a stepper motor for silent autofocus (including during video recording). Because it does not include any form of image stabilization, we used it on an Olympus camera, specifically the OM-D E-M1, which has 5-axis sensor-based IS. See gallery Read full story → Olympus Stylus 1 firmware update adds wide angle converter compatibility and interval shooting Published on Thursday, January 15, 2015 10:18:54 PM GMT Olympus has released v2.0 firmware for its OM-D styled premium compact camera, the Stylus 1, which will enable users to fit a wide angle converter to the lens. The update also introduces useful features like focus peaking, 35mm equiv. step zoom, interval shooting and time lapse modes. Read more Read full story → Budget X: Hands-on with Fujifilm's new X-A2 Published on Thursday, January 15, 2015 3:52:46 PM GMT Fujifilm has announced the X-A2, a new version of its X-A1 budget X-series mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, which incorporates mostly minor changes compared to its predecessor. Like the X-A1, the X-A2 uses a conventional Bayer-pattern CMOS sensor and offers virtually identical ergonomics but now comes with an LCD screen which tilts upwards to 175-degrees for selfies. Other improvements include the addition of Fujifilm's new 'Classic Chrome' film simulation mode. Click through for some images Read full story → Nikon USA addresses disappearance of D750 from retailers Published on Thursday, January 15, 2015 3:25:01 PM GMT Nikon USA has released a statement regarding the sudden disappearance of its D750 DSLR from US retailers. Just last week the company offered to repair D750's that have flare issues caused by the position of their AF sensors. The statement reads 'Nikon is working with retailers to replenish stock with cameras to which measures to address this issue have been applied. In late January, Nikon will announce details to service cameras from users, free of charge'. Read full story → Fujifilm announces X-A2 with selfie-friendly LCD Published on Thursday, January 15, 2015 5:00:00 AM GMT Fujifilm has announced the X-A2, a mostly minor update to the X-A1. The X-A2 offers a 175-degree tilting LCD that flips upward for easier self-portrait capture. Like its predecessor the X-A2 provides a 16MP APS-C CMOS Bayer-pattern sensor, unlike its unconventional X-Trans siblings. Read more Read full story → Fujifilm unveils Fujinon XC16-50mm II and XC50-230mm II kit lenses for X-A2 Published on Thursday, January 15, 2015 5:00:00 AM GMT Fujifilm has announced two zoom lenses which will be bundled with the new X-A2. The Fujinon XC16-50mm II F3.5-5.6 offers a 24-76mm equivalent range and has a closer minimum focusing distance than its predecessor. The XC50-230mm II F4.5-6.7 OIS provides a 76-350mm equivalent range on APS-C and improved image stabilization. Read more. Read full story → Fujifilm releases XQ2 premium compact Published on Thursday, January 15, 2015 5:00:00 AM GMT Fujifilm has announced the XQ2 premium compact camera which is the same as the XQ1, save for the addition of the Classic Chrome film simulation mode. As with its predecessor, the XQ2 features a 12 megapixel 2/3" X-Trans CMOS sensor, 25-100mm equiv. F1.8-4.9 lens, 1080/60p video, and built-in Wi-Fi. The XQ2 also has a customizable control ring around the lens for quickly adjusting your favorite settings. Read more. Read full story → Fujifilm announces new rugged and long zoom compacts Published on Thursday, January 15, 2015 5:00:00 AM GMT Fujifilm has announced several new fixed lens compacts including the FinePix S9900W, S9800 and the rugged XP80. The S9900W and S9800 both offer 24-1200mm equivalent zoom lenses and 5-axis image stabilization (for video only), though only the S9900W offers built-in Wi-Fi. The XP80 dives deeper than its XP70 predecessor, improving on its 10m/33ft maximum depth up to 15m/50ft. Read more. Read full story → Gary Fong launches virtual camera tutorial service Published on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 11:15:52 PM GMT Gary Fong has launched a new online instructional service, giving photographers a way to become proficient with select camera models in a unique way. Rather than providing a rote list of video tutorials, users are presented with a virtual version of a camera model that is fully interactive: buttons can be pressed, switches can be toggled, and menus can be explored. Read more Read full story → Nikon announces L- and S-series Coolpix compacts outside North America Published on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 10:18:00 PM GMT Nikon has announced new Coolpix compacts outside North America. The beginner-friendly models include the Coolpix S3700, Coolpix S2900, Coolpix L31 and Coolpix L32. The S3700 provides Wi-Fi and NFC, while the L32 and L31 use AA batteries. Read more Read full story → Venus Optics 60mm macro 2x lens promises high magnification on a budget Published on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 7:02:15 PM GMT Anhui ChangGeng Optical Technology Company Limited, a new Chinese lens manufacturer, has introduced a 60mm lens under the Venus Optics brand name that it says can deliver 2x magnification macro photography. The f/2.8 manual focus lens is designed to cover both full frame and APS-C sensors for macro work, but will introduce vignetting when used at normal focus distances with the larger format. Read more Read full story → Promote Control extends support to Pentax 645Z Published on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 1:29:46 AM GMT Thanks to a beta firmware version, Promote Control adds support for the Pentax 645Z. The remote shutter control connects to compatible cameras via USB and offers a variety of shooting features including HDR bracketing of up to 45 images, timelapse and long exposure shooting. Read more Read full story → Metz launches Mecablitz 26 AF-1, a pocket-sized flash for hotshoe compacts and CSCs Published on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 10:31:44 PM GMT Lighting manufacturer Metz is to introduce a new miniature flash unit designed for use with small cameras, such as premium hotshoe-equipped compacts and compact system bodies. With a maximum guide number of 26m/85 ft at ISO 100, the Mecablitz 26 AF-1 is many times more powerful than the flash units that come bundled with, or built-in to, this sort of camera - and indeed many don’t come equipped with a flash at all. Learn more Read full story → CES 2015 Samsung Interview: Mirrorless to outsell DSLRs 'in three years' Published on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 8:11:00 PM GMT Since releasing the NX1 late last year, Samsung has been gathering feedback from users, and is preparing a major firmware update before the end of this month. We made time at CES in Las Vegas to sit down with Byungdeok Nam, Senior Vice President of Samsung's R&D team in the company's Mobile (formerly Digital Imaging) division, to speak about the NX1, the new firmware, and the mirrorless camera market in general. Click through to read our interview Read full story → Samsung promises extensive NX1 improvements with firmware v1.2 Published on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 7:18:41 PM GMT Samsung has announced a major firmware update for the NX1, which is claimed to bring a host of improvements. Firmware v1.2 - available later this month - will bring additional features, increased customization and several menu refinements. DPReview was one of the organizations that provided Samsung with feedback on the camera and shooting with it over the past few days has shown a selection of the requests we made have been incorporated. Read more Read full story → Samyang launches 135mm f/2.2 lens for stills and video Published on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 12:15:00 AM GMT Korean lens brand Samyang has released details of a 135mm lens it will bring to market with versions for stills and video photographers. The Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC stills lens will be accompanied by the Samyang 135mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR for cine and videographers. Read more Read full story →
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