Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Wednesday, 29 April 2015

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Wednesday, 29 April 2015 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 558th Digital Photography Review newsletter. Following March and April's flurry of camera reviews, we're conducting tests and putting in the hours with the next batch of models to keep you informed about the latest models. We've also been writing some articles to address some of the core concepts of digital photography, spoken to Canon about its compact, semi-pro all-in-one video camera, the XC10. Oh, and we found time to get out and shoot some images with Panasonic's CM1 large-sensor smartphone. It's been a pretty busy week, all told. Here are some other highlights from our homepage over the past few days: What's that noise? Or why it's not the ISO you should worry about Noise is one of the limiting factors of image quality in photography, yet it's often poorly understood, as are the means of minimising it. In the first of a multi-part article, we explain that most of the noise you encounter doesn't come from your camera at all and what you can do to minimise it. Read Part One of our look at the sources of noise Hands on with the Pentax K-3 II Ricoh has made clear its commitment to the Pentax brand with the public confirmation that a full frame model is in the works. In the meantime it's given its range-topping K-3 a mid-life refresh. The latest iteration of the DPR Gold-winning DSLR gains a four-shot sensor shift mode that promises to improve colour resolution and lower noise, it also gains built-in GPS, giving access to its Astrotracer mode. We got our hands on a pre-production camera and had a look at what else is new. Find out what's going on inside the Pentax K-3 II NAB 2015 Interview: Canon's Chuck Westfall on the XC10 We met up with Canon's Chuck Westfall at NAB to discuss the design choices that underpin its XC10 compact video camera. We touched on the camera's unusual still/video hybrid ergonomics, its advanced features, such as its 300MB/s video codec and why they chose to go down the 1"-type sensor and built-in lens route. Click here to read our interview with Chuck Panasonic CM1 sample gallery There are times when even the most committed photographer doesn't have their camera with them, but smartphones don't always provide the necessary quality. Panasonic's CM1 smartphone tries to bridge this gap by including the same 1"-type sensor as its FZ1000 super-superzoom. The prospect of a nice, big sensor and 28mm equivalent F2.8 lens generated a lot of interest in the office, so we've tried to put together an appropriately varied sample gallery, including Raw conversions and a handful of its DNG files, to show whether it justified that interest. Click here to explore our Panasonic CM1 samples gallery What else is coming up? We're still waiting for the new Canon Rebels and a couple of other forthcoming cameras of interest but, in the meantime, we've been gathering superzooms and wrangling photons with Nikon's D7200. You'll be able to read about these and more over the coming weeks. Richard
News updates Massive $33,500 2450mm f/8 NASA lens surfaces on eBay Published on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 8:57:00 PM GMT If $180,000 seems a bit steep for the Canon 1200mm f/5.6L lens B&H is currently offering in its used department, then perhaps this $33,500 NASA 2540mm f/8 lens on eBay sounds a bit more reasonable. That's twice the focal length for a fifth of the price! Read more Read full story → US photographer takes top prize in World Photography Awards Published on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 1:00:00 PM GMT American photographer John Moore has won the L'Iris d'Or Photographer of the Year prize in the World Photography Organization's annual competition. The Getty Images photographer submitted a dramatic and emotional series of pictures telling the story of the Ebola crisis in Liberia's capital Monrovia – a series that was credited with being the first to expose the scale of the problem that country faced and the severity of the epidemic. Read more Read full story → DxOMark Mobile report: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge tops rankings Published on Monday, April 27, 2015 7:48:26 PM GMT DxOMark has just released test results for Samsung's latest flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S6 Edge and, by extension, the Galaxy S6. Both phones share the same hardware and specifications, including a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor, F1.9 lens and optical image stabilization. The S6 Edge's camera performance puts it at the top of DxOMark's mobile rankings - find out why. Read more Read full story → DxOMark Mobile report added to our Samsung Galaxy Note 4 review Published on Monday, April 27, 2015 7:48:04 PM GMT DxOMark has just released its test results for the Galaxy Note 4, putting it just behind Samsung's Galaxy S6 but above Apple's flagship iPhone 6 Plus. Our comprehensive review of the Note 4 and its 16MP BSI CMOS sensor, F2.2 lens and optical image stabilization has been updated with DxOMark's findings. See how it stacks up against the competition. Read more Read full story → What's that noise? Shedding some light on the sources of noise Published on Monday, April 27, 2015 4:00:00 PM GMT How would you react if you were told that the aperture and shutter speed you choose make more difference to image noise than the ISO setting? You might be surprised to discover that a lot of the noise in your images doesn't come from your camera at all: it comes from the light you're capturing. Our own Richard Butler explains. Read more Read full story → Winds of Change: Shooting changing landscapes Published on Sunday, April 26, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT There are more people taking pictures now than ever before, and as a consequence, some of the world's most beautiful views have been photographed to death. In this article, nature and landscape photographer Erez Marom explains the value of shooting 'changing' landscapes, which offer different perspectives every time you visit - or even from day to day, or minute to minute. Click through to read his article Read full story → Readers' Showcase: Janne Voutilainen Published on Saturday, April 25, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT Janne Voutilainen is a man of relatively few words. In that context, the minimalism of some of his photos makes perfect sense. He's based in Finland and finds himself drawn to landscape photography, as well as astrophotography, which is how we discovered his work. He offered a few insights into his images in our Q&A. His otherworldly images speak volumes too - take a look. See gallery Read full story → Sony introduces touchless shutter app and we go hands-on (off?) Published on Saturday, April 25, 2015 11:00:00 AM GMT Sony has released a beta version of its Touchless Shutter app, immediately available for download through the PlayMemories app store. The app makes use of the eyepiece sensor as a shutter release mechanism and brings all the advantages of a traditional cable release without needing any extra camera gear. All that is needed is a hand wave near the eyepiece and the shutter will release. Read more Read full story → Panasonic Lumix DMC-CM1 real-world sample gallery posted Published on Friday, April 24, 2015 9:16:00 PM GMT Panasonic's Lumix CM1 has the potential to break new ground in the territory between smartphones and cameras. It offers a 1-inch 20MP sensor, much larger than the typical smartphone camera chip. It also provides an F2.8 Leica-branded lens encircled by a control ring that can be used to adjust various exposure settings. We got out and about with it to see what its images look like. See gallery  Read full story → Manfrotto adds compact and lightweight 190Go! to the 190 tripod series Published on Friday, April 24, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT Italian accessories brand Manfrotto has announced a new model in the 190 range of tripods that is lighter and more compact than others in the series. The Manfrotto 190Go! is designed for traveling photographers and those working on location who require an eye-height tripod that packs away to take up as little space as possible. Read more Read full story → Free Download: VSCO Film Pack 00 includes Tri-X and Kodak Gold Film presets Published on Thursday, April 23, 2015 8:55:00 PM GMT Who doesn't love free stuff? Visual Supply Co has been churning out Photoshop and Lightroom-compatible film presets for some time now. To date, they've released seven different 'Film Packs' each containing presets that mimic both classic and contemporary film stocks. Now, they're offering one for free. Read more Read full story → Yongnuo creates near-clone of Canon 35mm f/2 Published on Thursday, April 23, 2015 8:39:00 PM GMT China-based manufacturer Yongnuo has produced what looks like a near-clone of Canon's well-liked EF 35mm f/2, a lens that dates back to 1990. With a couple of minor exceptions (one of which being the brand name on the front of the lens) the Yongnuo lens looks very similar to Canon's 25-year-old prime, but at an attractive price of ~$115. Read more Read full story → Interview: Canon's Chuck Westfall on the new XC10 Published on Thursday, April 23, 2015 7:26:00 PM GMT DPReview attended the NAB 2015 show in Las Vegas recently, where we had an opportunity to sit down with Chuck Westfall, Technical Advisor for Canon U.S.A.'s Professional Engineering and Solutions Division. The main topic of conversation was Canon's new XC10 hybrid video/stills camera, which made its first public appearance at the show. Read more Read full story → Apple patent hints at super resolution camera mode Published on Thursday, April 23, 2015 5:00:48 PM GMT Olympus and Pentax have introduced cameras with sensor-shift-driven resolution modes designed to maximize the amount of information collected by their sensors. Apple has also patented a similar system, using an optical image stabilization system to create and combine multiple exposures into a higher resolution image. Read more Read full story → Sony updates 24-70 and 16-35mm A-mount Zeiss lenses with improved AF and image quality Published on Thursday, April 23, 2015 3:00:00 PM GMT As promised last November, Sony has announced two new full-frame A-mount lenses. Compared to their 2008-vintage predecessors the Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II and 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II feature improved image quality, less ghosting and flare, and a four-fold improvement in subject tracking speed, according to Sony. Another addition are seals that should make these lenses dust and water resistant. More details Read full story → Hands-on with the Pentax K-3 II Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 10:00:00 PM GMT The Pentax K-3 II is a modest update to its predecessor, but that doesn't mean that its new features are insignificant. While faster autofocus and more shake reduction is great, we're most excited about the Pixel Shift Resolution feature. While we can't share any samples photographs yet, we can give you an overview of what's new with the K-3 II. Read more Read full story → Ricoh unveils Pentax K-3 II with Pixel Shift Resolution mode Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 10:00:00 PM GMT Ricoh has just launched the Pentax K-3 II semi-pro DSLR with an improved image stabilization system that drives a new Pixel Shift Resolution feature. Retaining its predecessor's 24MP sensor, 27-point AF system, and durable construction, the K-3 II now offers sensor-shift IS with a claimed 4.5 stops of shake reduction. Read more Read full story → Kipon adapter to allow AF with Canon lenses on Micro Four Thirds bodies Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 9:54:08 PM GMT Chinese lens adapter manufacturer Kipon has announced plans to introduce the first adapter that allows AF operation when a Canon EF or EF-S lens is attached to a Micro Four Thirds camera body. Previous adapters have either been entirely manual or, more lately, offered aperture control, but the Shanghai-based company has said that its next model will allow full frame and APS-C EOS system lenses to focus automatically too. Read more Read full story → Sigma service notice advises of Canon 750D and 760D Live View issue Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 7:39:00 PM GMT Sigma has issued a service notice advising that some of its Canon mount interchangeable lenses cannot be used with Live Mode on the Canon EOS Rebel T6s (760D) and the Canon EOS Rebel T6i (750D). Lens owners will receive a free firmware update to fix the problem, though the company has not provided a timeframe for when the update is expected. Both current and discontinued lens models are affected by this issue. Read more Read full story → Adobe Camera Raw 9 released with Merge to HDR and Panorama features Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 7:15:53 PM GMT With the launch of Lightroom 6 and Lightroom CC, Adobe has released Camera Raw 9 with some of the some added features. Merge to HDR and Panorama are now available in ACR, using Raw image data to automatically assemble HDR and panoramic images, which are output as DNG files. This eliminates the need to edit files before merging them in Photoshop. Read more Read full story → Zeiss offers full-frame E-mount 'Batis' 25mm F2 and 85mm F1.8 lenses Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 6:33:00 PM GMT Zeiss has revealed two new full-frame lenses for Sony's E-mount system, the Batis 2/25 and 1.8/85. They offer autofocus, and are the first Zeiss-produced FE-style lenses to do so. Each lens barrel contains an OLED displaying focus distance and depth of field. A linear motor AF drive keeps operation quiet, and both lenses are sealed against dust and moisture. Read more Read full story → Speed boost: Sony SLT-A77 II review posted Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 4:26:55 PM GMT The Sony SLT-A77 II uses that company's translucent mirror technology in combination with an AF system that Sony claims is dramatically improved over its predecessor. It boasts 12fps continuous shooting with AF, not to mention a 24MP sensor, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, 2.4M dot OLED viewfinder and a tiliting/swiveling LCD. We put its impressive AF claims to the test. Read review Read full story →
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Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Thursday, 23 April 2015

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Thursday, 23 April 2015 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 557th Digital Photography Review newsletter. It's been another busy few days here at DPReview. Dale returned from NAB at the end of last week, and we published a roundup of show highlights on Friday. It's worth checking out - especially if you like drones. Fujifilm released a new lens, the very nice-looking XF 16mm F1.4 R WR - a 24mm equivalent fast prime that we've been admiring on the company's roadmap for a while, and it looks like Sony might have some fun new sensors on the way soon, too. Here are some other highlights from our homepage over the past few days: Speed Boost: Sony SLT-A77 II Review The Sony SLT-A77 II uses that company's translucent mirror technology in combination with an AF system that Sony claims is dramatically improved over its predecessor. It boasts 12fps continuous shooting with AF, not to mention a 24MP sensor, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, 2.4M dot OLED viewfinder and a tilting/swiveling LCD. We put its impressive AF claims to the test. Read our review of the Sony A77 II Art Wolfe: In search of Emperor Penguins in Antarctica Renowned nature and landscape photographer Art Wolfe has been all over the world during his 40+ year career. In this article he describes his first visit to Antarctica in late 1992, where he went in search of emperor penguins. Braving freezing conditions and dangerous under-maintained airplanes, Art spent $25,000 to take the trip - as it turned out, the first of many. Read about Art Wolfe's adventures in Antarctica Scientifantastic - The Time-lapse and Landscape Work of Joe Capra Photographer Joe Capra got started shooting landscapes but in recent years he's been making a name for himself with high-resolution timelapse videos, shot on dedicated stills cameras and painstakingly put together using specialist software. Click through to view some of his stunning imagery and to learn more about his process in our detailed Q&A Take a look at Joe Capra's inspiring timelapse and landscape photography Readers' Showcase: Rodger Kingston Regular DPR readers know that the comment section on a camera review can be, shall we say, a bit heated at times. Recently, something a bit different caught our attention in the Fujifilm X30 review's comments. Rodger Kingston, a happy X10 and X20 user demonstrated that the baby X-series offered everything he needed to finish a self-published book of photography. Click here to view Rodger Kingston's portfolio Accessory Review: Western Digital My Passport Wireless Western Digital's Wi-Fi enabled My Passport Wireless is a hard drive that features a built-in SD card reader. Alongside the drive, it offers a My Cloud app, allowing photo, video and audio files on the drive to be viewed wirelessly from a phone or tablet. With Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities it could be a very tempting device for roaming photographers who want photo backup without the burden of a laptop. Is it a travel photographer's new best friend? Click here to read our review of the Western Digital My Passport Wireless Opinion: Can an Aperture user be happy with Apple's new 'Photos' software? One of the most talked about subjects for photographers using Macs to process and archive their photos is the loss of Apple Aperture and its replacement, simply known as Photos. This new software strongly resembles the iOS software of the same name and while it still offers some of the features from the enthusiast-grade Aperture, quite a few things are missing. Learn more about Photos - both what it offers and doesn't - in this opinion piece from senior writer Jeff Keller. Click here to read more about Apple's new 'Photos' app What else is coming up? After the excitement of the Sony A77 II review we're going to be moving full steam ahead with our reviews of Nikon's D810 and D7200, as well as a roundup of this year's crop of superzoom compact cameras. We're also hoping to receive reviewable samples of Canon's new EOS 5DS/R and Rebel T6s and T6i at some point, too. Fingers crossed we'll get hold of them before they start shipping! Barney
News updates Hands-on with the Pentax K-3 II Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 10:00:00 PM GMT The Pentax K-3 II is a modest update to its predecessor, but that doesn't mean that its new features are insignificant. While faster autofocus and more shake reduction is great, we're most excited about the Pixel Shift Resolution feature. While we can't share any samples photographs yet, we can give you an overview of what's new with the K-3 II. Read more Read full story → Ricoh unveils Pentax K-3 II with Pixel Shift Resolution mode Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 10:00:00 PM GMT Ricoh has just launched the Pentax K-3 II semi-pro DSLR with an improved image stabilization system that drives a new Pixel Shift Resolution feature. Retaining its predecessor's 24MP sensor, 27-point AF system, and durable construction, the K-3 II now offers sensor-shift IS with a claimed 4.5 stops of shake reduction. Read more Read full story → Kipon adapter to allow AF with Canon lenses on Micro Four Thirds bodies Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 9:54:08 PM GMT Chinese lens adapter manufacturer Kipon has announced plans to introduce the first adapter that allows AF operation when a Canon EF or EF-S lens is attached to a Micro Four Thirds camera body. Previous adapters have either been entirely manual or, more lately, offered aperture control, but the Shanghai-based company has said that its next model will allow full frame and APS-C EOS system lenses to focus automatically too. Read more Read full story → Sigma service notice advises of Canon 750D and 760D Live View issue Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 7:39:00 PM GMT Sigma has issued a service notice advising that some of its Canon mount interchangeable lenses cannot be used with Live Mode on the Canon EOS Rebel T6s (760D) and the Canon EOS Rebel T6i (750D). Lens owners will receive a free firmware update to fix the problem, though the company has not provided a timeframe for when the update is expected. Both current and discontinued lens models are affected by this issue. Read more Read full story → Adobe Camera Raw 9 released with Merge to HDR and Panorama features Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 7:15:53 PM GMT With the launch of Lightroom 6 and Lightroom CC, Adobe has released Camera Raw 9 with some of the some added features. Merge to HDR and Panorama are now available in ACR, using Raw image data to automatically assemble HDR and panoramic images, which are output as DNG files. This eliminates the need to edit files before merging them in Photoshop. Read more Read full story → Zeiss offers full-frame E-mount 'Batis' 25mm F2 and 85mm F1.8 lenses Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 6:33:00 PM GMT Zeiss has revealed two new full-frame lenses for Sony's E-mount system, the Batis 2/25 and 1.8/85. They offer autofocus, and are the first Zeiss-produced FE-style lenses to do so. Each lens barrel contains an OLED displaying focus distance and depth of field. A linear motor AF drive keeps operation quiet, and both lenses are sealed against dust and moisture. Read more Read full story → Speed boost: Sony SLT-A77 II review posted Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 4:26:55 PM GMT The Sony SLT-A77 II uses that company's translucent mirror technology in combination with an AF system that Sony claims is dramatically improved over its predecessor. It boasts 12fps continuous shooting with AF, not to mention a 24MP sensor, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, 2.4M dot OLED viewfinder and a tiliting/swiveling LCD. We put its impressive AF claims to the test. Read review Read full story → Firmware update enhances Nikon D4s features, including unlimited continuous shooting Published on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 7:18:00 PM GMT Nikon has issued updated firmware for its D4s professional DSLR, altering the way numerous features operate on the camera. Changes include removing the limitation on the number of images that can be captured in a single continuous burst in the manual and shutter priority exposure modes. Firmware version 1.20 replaces versions 1.00 and 1.10, and appears to fix quite a range of glitches as well as adding functionality to the camera's operation. Read more Read full story → Adobe rolls out Lightroom CC and Lightroom 6 with HDR and panorama tools Published on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 4:01:00 PM GMT Adobe has announced standalone and Creative Cloud versions of its image management and Raw conversion software, Lightroom. Among other new features the latest versions gain simple HDR and Panorama merging tools that create 16-bit DNG files from the merged results.  Read more Read full story → St. Louis Post-Dispatch photo staff and Daniel Berehulak nab 2015 photography Pulitzers Published on Monday, April 20, 2015 9:06:00 PM GMT Photographers capturing the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and turmoil in Ferguson, Missouri. took home this year's Pulitzer prizes for Feature and Breaking News Photography. Daniel Berehulak, a freelancer shooting for the New York Times, was honored for his images from West Africa where he spent four months in the Ebola zone. The Saint Louis Post-Dispatch photography staff was recognized for its coverage of the protests that began there last August following the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Read more Read full story → Epson launches A2 SureColor SC-P800 printer with UltraChrome HD inks Published on Monday, April 20, 2015 5:58:27 PM GMT Printer manufacturer Epson has announced it will introduce an A2 printer that uses its new extended-life UltraChrome ink-set and will accept roll-fed paper via an optional roll holder. The professional photo printer will be able to produce prints of up to 17in high in panoramic formats as long as 1.1m/43.3in, as well as printing on thick art paper via a front media loader. Read more Read full story → Accessory Review: Western Digital My Passport Wireless Published on Monday, April 20, 2015 3:00:00 PM GMT Western Digital's Wi-Fi enabled My Passport Wireless is a hard drive that features a built-in SD card reader. Alongside the drive, it offers a My Cloud app, allowing photo, video and audio files on the drive to be viewed wirelessly from a phone or tablet. With Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities it could be a very tempting device for roaming photographers who want photo backup without the burden of a laptop. Is it a travel photographer's new best friend? Read review Read full story → Art Wolfe: In search of Emperor Penguins in Antarctica Published on Monday, April 20, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT Renowned nature and landscape photographer Art Wolfe has been all over the world during his 40+ year career. In this article he describes his first visit to Antarctica in late 1992, where he went in search of emperor penguins. Braving freezing conditions and dangerous under-maintained airplanes, Art spent $25,000 to take the trip - as it turned out, the first of many. Click through for the full story Read full story → Scientifantastic - The Time-lapse and Landscape Work of Joe Capra Published on Sunday, April 19, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT Photographer Joe Capra got started shooting landscapes but in recent years he's been making a name for himself with high-resolution timelapse videos, shot on dedicated stills cameras and painstakingly put together using specialist software. Click through to view some of his stunning imagery and to learn more about his process in our detailed Q&A Read full story → Readers' Showcase: Rodger Kingston Published on Saturday, April 18, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT Regular DPR readers know that the comment section on a camera review can be, shall we say, a bit heated at times. Recently, something a bit different caught our attention in the Fujifilm X30 review's comments. Rodger Kingston, a happy X10 and X20 user demonstrated that the baby X-series offered everything he needed to finish a self-published book of photography. See gallery Read full story → Sony Semiconductor site gives glimpse of next-generation sensors Published on Saturday, April 18, 2015 11:00:00 AM GMT A 20MP Four Thirds sensor, a high-speed APS-C sensor, and a Stacked CMOS design for enthusiast compacts are likely to be just three of the sensors we can expect to see in cameras over the coming months. Sony's semiconductor division has made these products public with the creation of a new website, which lists some of the chips it offers to potential buyers. Alongside many familiar-sounding sensors are examples we've yet to see in any cameras. Read more Read full story → Mitakon Speedmaster 85mm f/1.2 'dream' portrait lens announced Published on Friday, April 17, 2015 8:33:47 PM GMT Zhong Yi Optics has released information about an 85mm f/1.2 lens it intends to make available in May. The Mitakon Speedmaster 85mm f/1.2, which the company is calling ‘The Dream’, is aimed at still photographers as well as videographers, and has a covering circle suitable for full frame sensors. Click through for more information Read full story → NAB 2015 Highlights Published on Friday, April 17, 2015 8:32:00 PM GMT With over 100,000 attendees, the NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters) can be a dizzying experience of cutting edge technology mixed with valuable information and practical tools. Though mainly focused on the broadcast and motion picture industries, the emergence of still cameras that shoot high quality video has driven the development of products and tools aimed specifically at DSLR/mirrorless filmmakers and video shooters, many of which were on display. Read more Read full story → Opinion: Can an Aperture user be happy with Apple's new 'Photos' software? Published on Friday, April 17, 2015 3:44:00 PM GMT One of the most talked about subjects for photographers using Macs to process and archive their photos is the loss of Apple Aperture and its replacement, simply known as Photos. This new software strongly resembles the iOS software of the same name and while it still offers some of the features from the enthusiast-grade Aperture, quite a few things are missing. Learn more about Photos - both what it offers and doesn't - in this opinion piece from senior writer Jeff Keller. Read more Read full story → Apple buys camera-technology company LinX Published on Thursday, April 16, 2015 10:52:40 PM GMT Apple has reportedly acquired camera technology company LinX Computational Imaging Ltd., for approximately $20 million. LinX is a small company based in Israel and specializes in very small camera modules that are suitable for implementation in smartphone cameras. According to LinX, its multi-lens camera modules are capable of a range of special effects such as the ability to refocus an image after it has been captured, measurement of the true dimensions of objects, 3D object modeling and real time background replacement for video calls. Click through for more information Read full story → [UPDATED] Nikon announces new firmware for 300mm F4 VR to fix blur at certain shutter speeds Published on Thursday, April 16, 2015 8:48:00 PM GMT Nikon has announced a firmware update for its new AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, to fix an issue where at certain shutter speeds on D800-series cameras, images can exhibit 'noticeable blur'. According to Nikon, the problem can occur at around 1/125sec with the lens's VR function enabled in either 'Normal' or 'Sport' modes. Users of affected units are encouraged to return their lenses to Nikon where the update will be applied free of charge. Click through for more details Read full story → Canon adds new Selphy CP1000 to its dye-sub mini-printer line-up Published on Thursday, April 16, 2015 8:38:10 PM GMT Canon has announced it will introduce a new dye-sublimation thermal transfer printer to its Selphy range of compact photo printers this summer. The Selphy CP1000 will have features very similar to the current products, but will additionally offer the ability to print twin ID photos on the same sheet of paper using the new Dual ID mode. The new model features a USB socket for printing from USB Flash storage as well as from a computer. The printer will also have memory card slots that will accept CF and SD type memory cards, and mini/micro SD cards via adapters. Read more Read full story → Columbia University researchers create self-powered video camera Published on Thursday, April 16, 2015 6:30:00 PM GMT Columbia University researchers have created a self-powered video camera featuring a sensor that both captures images and powers the device. Although it can only record low-resolution 30x40 pixel images at 1fps, the photodiodes on the camera's sensor can switch between being photoconductive, and photovoltaic. In the latter mode - given enough light - the photodiodes supply enough power to a built-in supercapacitor to keep the camera operating indefinitely. Click through for more information Read full story → Fujifilm XF 16mm F1.4 moves from roadmap to retailers Published on Thursday, April 16, 2015 5:00:00 AM GMT Another lens from Fujifilm's roadmap is making its way to retailers, and that's the XF 16mm F1.4 R WR wide prime. This lens, equivalent to 24mm, has a nine-blade aperture, flare-reducing Nano-GI coating, and a minimum focusing distance of 15cm/6 in. It's also sealed against weather and dust and can function at temperatures as low as -10C/+14F. More details Read full story →
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Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Wednesday, 15 April 2015

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Wednesday, 15 April 2015 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Welcome to the 556th Digital Photography Review newsletter. As promised, late last week we published our review of the Samsung NX1 - a product which has really shaken up the market - and not just for mirrorless cameras. We've also been covering news from the NAB show in Last Vegas, and we'll follow-up with a roundup of the most important announcements at the end of the week. OK, let's take a look at some recently-published content! In a class of its own: Samsung NX1 review Samsung's NX1 seemed to offer pretty much every feature possible when we were first briefed about it last year. Its 28.2MP APS-C BSI sensor, hybrid AF system, 4K video and 15 fps continuous shooting with AF have continued to impress us throughout our extensive testing. Can such an innovative on-paper feature set make it a serious competitor to well-established brands in the DSLR and mirrorless worlds? Read our review of the Samsung NX1 Video Field Test: Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD Tamron claims that its new SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD offers prime lens quality across its focal length range, paired with a fast maximum aperture and - uniquely in its class - an optical vibration compensation system. We've been impressed by how this wideangle zoom performs in our studio, but that's only half the story. Our latest video field test follows DPReview technical editor Rishi Sanyal as he uses the Tamron 15-30mm to shoot architecture, cityscapes and waterfalls. Watch our video field test of Tamron's new SP 15-30mm F2.8 zoom Samsung Galaxy Note 4 camera review The Note 4 is the latest iteration of Samsung's top-end line of so-called 'phablets'. In terms of design the new model is very close to its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3, but under the hood, things have been upgraded significantly. A 1/2.6-inch 16MP BSI CMOS image sensor and F2.2 maximum aperture are shared with the Galaxy S5 but the Note 4 has gained an optical image stabilization system which makes it the first Samsung smartphone with this feature. Read our review of the Samsung Galaxy Note's camera Jet Set: The travel photography and photojournalism of Mark Edward Harris With nearly thirty years of photography as well as almost ninety countries under his belt, travel, editorial and reportage photographer Mark Edward Harris has dedicated his eye to capturing life. His career in photography began as a still shooter for the Merv Griffin Show, but it was a four month trek through Asia when the show ended that first ignited his true love; travel photography. Read more about Harris' photography as well as his tips on traveling light in our Q+A. Click here to view Mark Edward Harris's portfolio CP+ 2015: Nikon Interview - 'We learned from the D600 episode' When we attended CP+ earlier this year in Yokohama, Japan we sat down with senior executives from several major camera and lens manufacturers. We were lucky enough to sit down with a number of Nikon engineers to ask them about their overall strategy with respect to FX vs DX, and DSLR vs mirrorless. We were also able to ask pointed technical questions regarding innovative technologies in Nikon cameras, and the answers were very enlightening. Click here to read our interview with senior Nikon executives and engineers What else is coming up? With the Samsung NX1 out of the way we're focused on adding the final pieces to our review of the Sony SLT-A77 II. Work continues on our review of Nikon's latest high-end DX format DSLR, the D7200, too, and after that we're hoping to (finally) hammer the long-awaited Nikon D810 review into shape. Also expect some more updates from the NAB show in Las Vegas, which is taking place this week. Barney
News updates Video Field Test: Tamron SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD Published on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 10:57:00 PM GMT Tamron claims that its new SP 15-30mm F2.8 Di VC USD offers prime lens quality across its focal length range, paired with a fast maximum aperture and - uniquely in its class - an optical vibration compensation system. We've been impressed by how this wideangle zoom performs in our studio, but that's only half the story. Our latest video field test follows DPReview technical editor Rishi Sanyal as he uses the Tamron 15-30mm to shoot architecture, cityscapes and waterfalls. Watch the video  Read full story → Pentax K-S2 added to studio scene Published on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 6:43:00 PM GMT Historically, Pentax's entry- and mid-range DSLRs have managed to offer a number of features usually reserved for higher-end models, and the K-S2 is no exception. Omitting the blinking lights and unconventional mode dial placement of its K-S1 sibling, the K-S2 provides a 20MP APS-C sensor, fully articulated 3" 921k-dot LCD, 100% coverage optical viewfinder, and built-in Wi-Fi with NFC. Take a look at how it performs against other cameras in its class. Read more Read full story → Sony announces Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 and EVF-equipped DSC-HX90V compact superzooms Published on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 1:00:00 AM GMT Sony has announced the Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V and DSC-WX500, two travel zooms which the company claims are the world's smallest. Both cameras boast an 18.2MP BSI-CMOS sensor plus a 30x, 24-720mm equiv. lens with optical image stabilization, 3" LCD that tilts upward, a control ring around the lens, 1080/60p video using the XAVC S codec, and Wi-Fi with NFC. The HX90V adds a pop-up OLED viewfinder similar to the one in the RX100 III, as well as built-in GPS. Read more Read full story → Manfrotto unveils Digital Director for iPad Air Published on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 12:18:25 AM GMT Manfrotto has used the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show as launching pad for the Digital Director, a bracket designed to turn an iPad Air into an external monitor for Canon and Nikon DSLRs. By connecting the Digital Director to a camera via USB and opening the app of the same name, a Live View feed is provided and exposure settings can be controlled by the iPad. Read more Read full story → Meet the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera, a Super 16 action camera with a Micro Four Thirds mount Published on Monday, April 13, 2015 11:22:00 PM GMT Blackmagic revealed the Micro Cinema Camera today, a lightweight professional-grade action camera with a Micro Four Thirds lens mount and a Super 16 sensor. GoPros may be good enough for your extreme family vacation and your cousin Jeremy's POV skateboard videos, but Blackmagic is counting on pro filmmakers needing more. Read on Read full story → Red introduces 'Weapon' camera with 8K sensor option Published on Monday, April 13, 2015 7:49:00 PM GMT Red has unveiled its latest camera body and announced its next-generation 8K sensor. The Weapon body will be produced in magnesium alloy or carbon fiber and is available as an upgrade for users with the 6K 'Dragon' sensor. Anyone making the upgrade to the Carbon Fiber version will then be able to pay extra to get the forthcoming 8K sensor. Read more Read full story → Tiffen adds more filters, looks and faster processing with version 4 of its Dfx software Published on Monday, April 13, 2015 7:25:11 PM GMT Tiffen has announced an updated version of its Dfx photo and video editing software that adds new filters, historic process simulations and extra tools, as well as wider compatibility with movie editing programs. Tiffen Dfx produces effects like those created by the company’s optical glass filters, with the latest version 4 adding 12 extra 'filters' to the menu system, including the company’s new Pearlescent and Satin diffusers. Read more Read full story → Samsung Galaxy Note 4 camera review Published on Monday, April 13, 2015 6:51:02 PM GMT The Note 4 is the latest iteration of Samsung's top-end line of so-called 'phablets'. In terms of design the new model is very close to its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3, but under the hood, things have been upgraded significantly. A 1/2.6-inch 16MP BSI CMOS image sensor and F2.2 maximum aperture are shared with the Galaxy S5 but the Note 4 has gained an optical image stabilization system which makes it the first Samsung smartphone with this feature. Read our full review at connect.dpreview.com Read full story → DPReview recommends: Best smartphone cameras [UPDATED] Published on Monday, April 13, 2015 6:47:00 PM GMT In many users' pockets consumer-level digital compact cameras have been replaced by smartphones. The cameras of the latter don't usually have zoom lenses or xenon flashes but image sensor technology has been rapidly improving, making smartphones important photographic tools for many. We've made a list in no particular order our current favorite smartphone cameras for those who are looking to buy their first smartphone or upgrade their current device. UPDATED TO INCLUDE SAMSUNG NOTE 4 Read more Read full story → Panasonic DMC-GH4 firmware v2.2 brings 4:3 shooting for anamorphic shooters Published on Monday, April 13, 2015 5:01:00 PM GMT Panasonic has announced firmware v2.2 for the GH4 to make it easier to use anamorphic lenses with the camera. The new anamorphic mode allows the camera to capture video from a 4:3 aspect ratio chunk from the middle of the sensor to match the projection of specialist lenses, allowing genuine anamorphic capture, rather than digital simulation of the look. Read full story → Canon USA drops prices on 31 high-end L lenses Published on Monday, April 13, 2015 4:52:00 PM GMT Canon USA has dropped the price of 31 of its high-end L-series prime and zoom lenses, by between $30 and $800. Several popular zooms like the EF 24-70mm F2.8 II USM and EF 70-200mm F2.8 IS II USM have been discounted by $100 and very high-end primes like the 400mm + F2.8 sports lenses have dropped in price by $500. Meanwhile the Extender EF 1.4x III and Extender EF 2x III have been reduced by $20. Click through for a full list Read full story → Olympus brings Stylus 1s enthusiast super zoom to the US Published on Monday, April 13, 2015 5:00:00 AM GMT Olympus has announced the Stylus 1s in the US, a camera it had previously announced in Japan last year. This enthusiast compact features much of the same hardware as its predecessor, the Olympus Stylus 1, including a 12MP 1/1.7" BSI CMOS sensor, 28-300mm equivalent F2.8 lens, and integrated Wi-Fi. Added features include a redesigned grip, higher-capacity BLS-50 battery, Small AF target mode, and Step Zoom with nine preset zoom positions. Read more Read full story → Olympus Stylus Tough TG-4 to offer Raw capture Published on Monday, April 13, 2015 5:00:00 AM GMT Olympus has announced a new flagship rugged compact, the Stylus Tough TG-4. It offers modest improvements over its TG-3 predecessor, namely Raw shooting capability. It offers the same 16MP BSI CMOS sensor as the previous model, a 25-100mm equivalent f/2.0-4.9 zoom lens, Wi-Fi, and a built-in GPS. Read more Read full story → Jet Set: The travel photography and photojournalism of Mark Edward Harris Published on Sunday, April 12, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT With nearly thirty years of photography as well as almost ninety countries under his belt, travel, editorial and reportage photographer Mark Edward Harris has dedicated his eye to capturing life. His career in photography began as a still shooter for the Merv Griffin Show, but it was a four month trek through Asia when the show ended that first ignited his true love; travel photography. Read more about Harris' photography as well as his tips on traveling light in our Q+A. See gallery Read full story → Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 real-world sample gallery posted Published on Saturday, April 11, 2015 7:19:00 PM GMT The latest from Lensbaby, the Velvet 56mm f/1.6, is designed to bring soft, dream-like effects to portraiture. It also provides a minimum focus distance of 5 inches for macro work. It's by no means cheap for what it offers at $499.95, but for some photographers will offer the ability to capture soft focus effects in-camera rather than through processing. We took the Velvet 56 out for a spin. See gallery Read full story → CP+ 2015: Nikon Interview - 'We learned from the D600 episode' Published on Friday, April 10, 2015 8:39:00 PM GMT When we attended CP+ earlier this year in Yokohama, Japan we sat down with senior executives from several major camera and lens manufacturers. We were lucky enough to sit down with a number of Nikon engineers to ask them about their overall strategy with respect to FX vs DX, and DSLR vs mirrorless. We were also able to ask pointed technical questions regarding innovative technologies in Nikon cameras, and the answers were very enlightening. Click through to read the interview Read full story → Nikon firmware update to allow improved communication with Atomos recording devices Published on Friday, April 10, 2015 6:09:09 PM GMT Nikon has announced that it will release new firmware for three of its DSLRs, improving their ability to communicate with the Atomos Shogun and Ninja-2 external video recording devices. The cameras concerned are the Nikon D4S, the D810 and the D750 and the update is slated to arrive this summer. Read more Read full story → Fotodiox pays 'homage' to Hasselblad Stellar with wooden grip for Sony RX100 series Published on Thursday, April 9, 2015 9:37:00 PM GMT Accessories brand Fotodiox has introduced a cherry wood hand grip for the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III that it says is 'inspired' by the Hasselblad Stellar special edition cameras first launched in 2013. At $59.95 it makes a somewhat more affordable solution, even when you add the price of the camera, than the $1650 Hasselblad wanted for last year's Stellar II. Read more Read full story → Linkedin announces lynda.com acquisition Published on Thursday, April 9, 2015 8:00:05 PM GMT Linkedin has announced plans to acquire lynda.com, home to extensive online photography classes. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2015, bringing lynda.com's library of educational content to Linkedin's professional networking site, all for approximately $1.5 billion. Read more  Read full story → Apple releases OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 update with Photos app Published on Thursday, April 9, 2015 6:27:49 PM GMT Apple has released the OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 update, and among its features is the new Photos app that has been available to developers since February. Photos replaces Aperture and iPhoto, and is designed to work better with the company's mobile products. Read more Read full story → In a class of its own: Samsung NX1 review Published on Thursday, April 9, 2015 5:36:00 PM GMT Samsung's NX1 seemed to offer pretty much every feature possible when we were first briefed about it last year. Its 28.2MP APS-C BSI sensor, hybrid AF system, 4K video and 15 fps continuous shooting with AF have continued to impress us throughout our extensive testing. Can such an innovative on-paper feature set make it a serious competitor to well-established brands in the DSLR and mirrorless worlds? Read review Read full story → DJI Phantom 3 introduced in 4K and 1080p-only variations Published on Thursday, April 9, 2015 1:24:43 AM GMT DJI has announced the Phantom 3 in two versions: the Professional, capable of 4K video, and the Advanced, which shoots 1080p. Both capture 12MP stills thanks to a 1/2.3" Sony EXMOR sensor and offer an f/2.8 lens with a 20mm equiv. angle of view. A 3-axis gimbal keeps the camera unit steady in flight. Read more Read full story → Venus Optics offers hotshoe Macro Twin Flash KX-800 with guide number of 190ft/58m Published on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 6:49:00 PM GMT Chinese flash manufacturer Venus Optics has launched a double headed macro flash unit, claiming that it has the highest guide number in the world for such a device. The Kuangren Macro Twin Flash KX-800 uses a pair of flash heads on extending flexible arms that can be positioned in front of the lens for extreme close-up work. Another arm houses an LED light to help with focusing. Read more Read full story → LaCie updates Rugged Thunderbolt lineup with 1TB SSD option Published on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 6:04:29 PM GMT LaCie has introduced a new Rugged Thunderbolt external drive, updating its lineup with a 1TB SSD. This is double the previous Rugged drive's 500GB capacity, and is coupled with a rugged external housing able to withstand water exposure, shock, and dust. The inclusion of a Thunderbolt connection, meanwhile, enables fast transfer speeds compared to typical external hard drive speeds. Read more Read full story → Opinion: Why the Canon XC10 is a big deal Published on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 4:35:00 PM GMT Today Canon released the XC10, a camera that for all practical purposes is equal part a stills and a video camera. It promises to deliver not only both types of media, but an appropriate user experience for either type of shooting. It may be the first true 'convergence' camera. Learn more about this camera and why it's a significant milestone of technology. Read more Read full story → Canon XC10: What you need to know Published on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 1:00:00 PM GMT Canon's new XC10 is the first product we've seen which is neither a stills camera with a video feature or a video camera that can capture stills. In terms of both specification and ergonomics it is a true 'convergence' product with the potential to shake up more than one market segment. We've been poring over the specifications for a while now - here's what you need to know  Read full story → Canon XC10 digital camcorder brings 4K video and stills together Published on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 1:00:00 PM GMT Canon has released its XC10 digital camcorder which combines advanced 4K video recording with capable still shooting features. The core features are a 12MP 1" CMOS sensor and a fixed F2.8-5.6 image stabilized lens equivalent to 27-270mm for videos and 24-240mm for stills. 4K UHD video is captured using the XF-AVC Intra codec (which offers bit rates up to 305MBps) and 8MP stills can be grabbed from 4K video. Other notable features include a rotating grip, tilting LCD, and built-in Wi-Fi. Read more. Read full story → Canon C300 Mark II announced with new 8.85MP 35mm sensor and 4K recording Published on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 1:00:00 PM GMT Canon has announced the EOS C300 Mark II Cinema EOS camera, updating its predecessor with a new 8.85 megapixel 35mm sensor allowing 4K shooting. Also new are Dual DIGIC DV5 processors bringing the ability to record 10-bit 4:2:2 4K (UHD or DCI) video internally thanks using the new XF-AVC Codec. Read more Read full story → Datacolor offers Spyder5 with redesigned calibrator Published on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 12:27:00 AM GMT Color management company Datacolor has announced a new version of its Spyder monitor calibrating tool that it claims offers up to 55% improvement in tonal response, leading to 'more accurate shadow detail and smoother gradients.' The body of the new Spyder5 calibrator has been redesigned, somewhat losing the spider legs that got the series it name. Read more Read full story →
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