Imaging recource: Firmware Friday: 12 new updates from Fujifilm, Sigma and Sony

It's time for our regular Firmware Friday roundup once more, and this week we have news to report from Fuji, Sigma and Sony. In all, there are a total of 12 updates in this roundup, although a couple are just slightly older updates from earlier in the month which have only just come to our attention. Without any further ado, let's get right down to it! Fuji X-A3, X-A10, X-T1, X-T2, X-Pro2 and EF-X500 Fujifilm has updated four of its interchangeable-lens cameras and one flash strobe over the last week, and if that wasn't...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2oqLoLv
via IFTTT

Have Camera Will Travel: Shooting Macro Photos with the iPhone 7 and OlloClip Macro Pro Lens Set

David Coleman: If you're looking to get in even closer than the iPhone 7's camera can do, a snap-on lens like those in the OlloClip Macro Pro Lens Set can help.

from Have Camera Will Travel – Reviews & Tips http://ift.tt/2nF6aXJ
via IFTTT

The best Australian Chromecast deals in April 2017

Techradar:

The Google Chromecast is not only one of the most useful and innovative gadgets of the last few years, it's also dazzlingly cheap. And if you're looking to pick one up for the cheapest possible price, you've come to the right place!

Chromecast is a Wi-Fi HDMI dongle that you plug directly into your TV. From there you can use your smartphone or tablet to 'throw' video at your TV over Wi-Fi – whether it be Netflix movies, live football matches from the major broadcasters or simply just a funny YouTube video. On this page we'll find you the best prices for the Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast 2 (or just Chromecast now) and Chromecast Audio and explain how they differ.

What is a good Chromecast deal?

This one's easy. The standard price for a Chromecast 2 is $54. You should never, ever pay more than that because you can always find one for that price.

Chromecast 2 deals

The Chromecast 2, or 'new Chromecast' as it's also known, is very similar to the now discontinued 2013 Chromecast. Sure, it looks a little different. And it's got slightly faster network performance and a few other tweaks such as coming with a dangly cable instead of as a rigid stick. But essentially the same product in a different shape.

Chromecast Audio deals

While it doesn't offer true multi-room streaming at the moment (fingers crossed that comes soon), this easy-to-use and affordable device modernises any trusty set of wired speakers you already own with wireless capabilities. In doing so, it also opens them up to features that will grow and get even better over time. Got an old set of speakers or an ancient iPod dock? Turn it into a wireless speaker with Chromecast Audio!

Chromecast Ultra deals

The 4K Chromecast Ultra is the newest member of the Chromecast family. If you have a 4K TV or are planning on getting one, it's certainly worth picking one of these up. The Chromecast Ultra is a cheaper alternative to Amazon's Fire TV or the US-only Roku 4 for getting 4K content on your TV. Chromecast Ultra deals are usually around $88, so anything cheaper is an added bonus.

from TechRadar: Photography & video capture news http://ift.tt/2oHSAlH
via IFTTT

Lomo Instant Automat Camera - Review

via TrustedReviews - Camera Reviews feed http://ift.tt/2nDS0pS

Imaging recource: The lessons learned over an illustrious career: Chase Jarvis interviews Joe McNally

Joe McNally has had an illustrious and diverse photographic career, including excellent work in commercial photography and photojournalism. He’s worked with massive clients such as Adidas, Epson, GE and Sony and he has also worked for Newsweek, Sports Illustrated and Time among many others. McNally is also an excellent educator, frequently producing tutorials and having authored a trio of books on photography. Chase Jarvis, a very well-known photographer himself, recently sat down with McNally for an interview as part of Jarvis’...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nmn9wa
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Eliminate your ultra-wide neutral density filter woes by clipping an ND filter inside your camera

Ultra-wide lenses such as the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM and Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G are great landscape photography options, but their bulbous front elements are problematic when shooting with filters. You have typically needed special filter holder systems, such as the Lee SW150 Mark II, which while functional, can be cumbersome and requires large filters to use, which quickly increases the overall cost of the filter solution. STC Optical and Chemical has an alternative solution, clip on neutral density filters. Their 6-stop ND...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nErzlA
via IFTTT

2017 Sony World Photography Awards announces Open winners

Techradar:

The World Photography Awards is celebrating a decade-long partnership with headline sponsor, Sony, with the aim of the awards being to recognize and reward the very best contemporary photography captured over the last year.

The awards incorporate four competitions – Professional, Open, Youth and Student Focus – with the overall winners of the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards announced on April 20.

In the build-up to the awards next month, the winners of the Open (amateur) categories have been announced.

Whittling the winners down from more than 105,000 entries, the expert panel of judges looking for the best single photographs across 10 categories picked the following winners:

• Architecture - Tim Cornbill (UK)
• Culture - Jianguo Gong (China)
• Enhanced - Lise Johansson (Denmark)
• Motion - Camilo Diaz (Colombia)
• Nature - Hiroshi Tanita (Japan)
• Portraits - Alexander Vinogradov (Russia)
• Still Life - Sergey Dibtsev (Russia)
• Street Photography - Constantinos Sofikitis (Greece)
• Travel - Ralph Gräf (Germany)
• Wildlife - Alessandra Meniconzi (Switzerland)

Each winning photographer will receive a Sony Alpha A7 II kit, and will now compete to win the title of Sony World Photography Awards’ Open Photographer of the Year title.

The winner will also earn a trip to the winners' awards ceremony in London in April and $5,000 prize. You can see more images and learn more about the competition at the World Photography Organisation website.

Exhibition

The winners of the Open categories will be shown at the Sony World Photography Awards 2017 Exhibition, held at Somerset House, London. 

The show opens on April 21 and runs until the May 7, with the exhibition showcasing all the winning, shortlisted (top 10) and commended (top 50) images drawn from more than 227,000 entries that have been entered from 183 countries. 

It will also feature a special dedication to British photographer Martin Parr, recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography prize.

• Photography competitions to enter in 2017

from TechRadar: Photography & video capture news http://ift.tt/2ocfbKt
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Maximizing shallow depth of field: Steps you can take in the studio to add depth to your portraits

Beautiful portraits come in all varieties, but commonly they are shot with a shallow depth of field, that’s why many of the standard “portrait lenses” have fast maximum apertures, such as the recent Nikon 105mm f/1.4E. As professional photographer, educator and frequent contributor to Adorama TV Gavin Hoey says, there’s more to shallow depth of field portraits than shooting with a wide aperture. First, let's take a look at the gear Gavin uses for the shoot in the video below. His camera is an Olympus E-M1 Mark II and the lens of...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2olbVtI
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: YI Technology brings world’s fastest 4K action camera to the market for under US$350

YI Technology has released a new 4K action camera, the 4K+, which according to YI is currently the world’s highest-spec action camera. They also state that it is the first virtual reality-grade action camera to record 4K video at 60 frames per second. This product was initially announced at CES 2017. What makes the YI 4K+ particularly attractive is its price point, which comes in at just under US$340. This is very impressive considering its specifications. Sean Da, CEO of YI Technology says of the 4K+, “Following the success of...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2njegU2
via IFTTT

Have Camera Will Travel: Photos Taken with the Sony RX100 V Compact Camera

David Coleman: I've been shooting with the newest version in Sony's RX100 compact camera line, the Sony RX100 V. Here's a collection of high-resolution sample images to go along with my detailed review.

from Have Camera Will Travel – Reviews & Tips http://ift.tt/2o9hI8m
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Lensrentals tests recording times and battery life for a wide array of video cameras

Lensrentals.com has over 100,000 pieces of gear, which means they have the ability to test gear in unique ways. Their latest testing involved testing the battery life and recording times of their video cameras. They went through their entire stock and logged recording time (per gigabyte) and battery life for each camera. Their charts include information for the camera, battery, memory card and video codec and extensions used and show how much record time you can get (in minutes) per GB. It appears that the Canon 1DX Mark II when...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2ohGCA5
via IFTTT

Samsung Gear 360 livestreamer shoots 4K video and won't shun iPhone users, either

Techradar:

It's not all phones at today's Samsung Galaxy showcase – alongside the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, the company also showed off its new Gear 360 livestreaming camera.

As the name suggests, the pistol-grip shaped camera lets you livestream 360-degree video – perfect for sharing with a Gear VR headset. If you're shooting a standard flat video, it'll capture it in 4K resolution (a step up from the 3840 x 1920 resolution of last year's model), while 360 video is captured in 2K.

These are captured with a pair of 8.4 megapixel fish eye cameras, combining for 15MP stills – an admitted step down from the 30MP shots of the original Gear 360 camera.

iPhone love

Straight out of the box though, the new Gear 360 camera will work with iOS devices. If you've an Apple device running iOS 10 or above, it'll happily pair with the Gear 360 for instant feedback on your livestreamed video.

The pistol-grip shape is also a change from last year's tripod-like model. Though it's easier to hold, it does mean battery life drops down to 1160mAh against last year's 1350mAh.

Set for release "this Spring", there's no pricing details to share yet, though Samsung has teased that it may come in cheaper than the $349 you were expected to cough up for last year's model.

• Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy S8 review

from TechRadar: Photography & video capture news http://ift.tt/2oyTZLy
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Panasonic FZ2500 Review Conclusion: All-in-one enthusiast zoom captures great photos and 4K videos

Click here to read our Panasonic FZ2500 Review Conclusion The Panasonic FZ2500 may look similar to its predecessor, the FZ1000, and uses the same sensor, but there is a lot new here. We have just wrapped up our Panasonic FZ2500 review, so read on to find out how the FZ2500 compares to its predecessor and what we thought of the new camera. The 20MP 1"-type sensor found in the FZ2500 is a common sensor that is found in many cameras, including the FZ1000 and the Sony RX10 III, so it delivers similarly solid performance that we...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nh9cQ9
via IFTTT

Samsung Gear 360 Camera - First Look

via TrustedReviews - Camera Reviews feed http://ift.tt/1Oo5qKH

Imaging recource: Alien Skin updates Exposure X2 RAW editor with advanced layering tools and more

Users of Alien Skin’s Exposure X2 RAW photo editor have a brand new update to try out. The Advanced Layers update introduces advanced layering tools to the software which allow for the stacking of effects and creative flexibility. Each layer can be turned on and off, copied and pasted, applied to multiple images and more. The Advanced Layers update can be used as a plug-in for Photoshop and Lightroom or as a standalone program. The latest update includes additional features, such as: vintage presets; bright presets with...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2ogFJrc
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Fujifilm adds Instax Mini 9 to Instant Film camera lineup, featuring “selfie mirror” and close-up lens

Fujifilm has announced the Instax Mini 9 to its lineup of instant film cameras. To start, the Mini 9 will be available in April in three colors: Flamingo Pink, Ice Blue and Lime Green. Two additional colors, Cobalt Blue and Smokey White, will then follow in June. Like the other cameras in the Instax line, the Mini 9 instantly prints credit-card-sized photos that are meant to be shared and passed around. What the Mini 9 brings different to this are a few new enhancements: a selfie mirror, an attachable close-up lens, and a high...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2ng9Q0g
via IFTTT

Fujifilm's new Instax camera comes with a selfie mirror and party-ready colors

Techradar:

A common sight at weddings, outdoor BBQs, and house parties, Fujifilm's Instax Mini instant cameras are insanely popular, and the line of portable, print-as-you-shoot snappers are getting a refresh next month.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 sports a few new features and colors that should help the camera fit right in at any exciting get-together. The new shades include Flamingo Pink, Ice Blue, and Lime Green, while Cobalt Blue and Smoky White variants launch later this summer.

In addition to keeping the tradition of instant film alive, the Mini 9 adds a selfie mirror near the iris to help you get the perfect angle, as well as a closeup-ready lens and a high-key mode for brighter photos — ensuring you spend more of that precious, finite film on good memories than wasted, botched shots.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 hits the US and Canada in April to the tune of US$70/CAD$100. The Mini 9 is compatible with all Fujifilm Instax Mini film refills, to include the company's newly released monochrome instant film.

Though digital photography has understandably put physical picture-taking in doubt, there's still plenty of demand for instant film. Fujifilm's Instax Mini cameras dominate Amazon's best-selling camera list, with refills for the portable cameras' film even taking the #1 and #2 slot at the time of writing.

• These are the best instant cameras around

from TechRadar: Photography & video capture news http://ift.tt/2nsQ2IY
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Video showing how to build your own lens calibration tool and a second covering top tips for travel

DIY Photography has shared a pair of excellent videos. The first is about lens calibration and how to make your own DIY lens calibration solution. There are professional solutions you can purchase, such as Datacolor’s SpyderLensCal, which while highly regarded costs about $60 and could be overkill for someone who just needs to calibrate a few lenses once and be done with it. If you’d rather save your hard-earned money, Crafty Cams shows us how to make our own lens calibration tool. You don’t need much, just a cardboard box and a...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2odIs4I
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: From over 105,000 images, 10 stand alone in Sony World Photography Awards Open competition

Ten photographers from around the world have been announced as the winners of the “Open” categories. The Sony World Photography Awards includes Professional, Open, Youth, National Awards and Student Focus categories. The Open competition alone saw more than 105,000 entries across its ten categories. The winners are as follows, and you can see their work here. Tim Cornbill (United Kingdom) Architecture Jianguo Gong (China) Culture Lise Johansson...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2ndLbJR
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Add color and pop to your gray background with this quick tip in Photoshop

If you shoot portraits with a gray background, it is very easy to change the background color in Photoshop. Jeff Rojas shows us how in a new video tutorial. The first step is to create a clean selection of the background. Head up to "Select" in the menu bar and then choose “Color Range.” After doing so, you will focus on the neutral gray background using the eyedropper tool. Hold the Shift key and click on additional areas that weren’t correctly selected using the eyedropper tool. Hold “Option” and click on areas to remove them...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2ocfN08
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Panasonic GH5 Live Stream @ B&H: Panel discussion, user questions and more on the new Lumix flagship

If you’ve read our first Field Test of the Panasonic GH5 and want to learn even more about the flagship successor to the GH4, then you should mark your calendars. B&H will be hosting a special live stream on Wednesday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. EDT, and we will be live streaming the B&H GH5 event on our Panasonic GH5 overview page. The livestream panel includes filmmakers Jacki Huntington and Griffin Hammond in addition to photographer and filmmaker David Flores and popular photographer and YouTube personality Lok Cheung, formerly of...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2oacEO6
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Mechanical versus electronic shutters: Pros and cons and when to use each shutter type

Mechanical shutters, which come in focal plane and leaf varieties, were the only option for a long time. However, many modern digital cameras now have electronic shutter options, either in the form of electronic first curtain shutters or fully electronic shutters. Both mechanical and electronic shutters come with their own pros and cons. A new article at SLR Lounge does an excellent job of breaking them down if you’re curious about the differences between the types of shutters and how these differences can affect your work, both in...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2orbkWn
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Speed up your Lightroom workflow by improving performance and learning useful shortcuts

Lightroom is a very popular tool for photographers to both manage and edit their photo libraries. It is a powerful RAW editor, but many users have found that with each update, Lightroom seems to get slower. We have recently seen a couple of resources that will help users speed up their Lightroom workflow. First up is a video from photographer Anthony Morganti. Morganti gives seven tips for optimizing Lightroom’s performance. The first thing he talks about is Lightroom’s previews. Particularly in the Develop module, you might find...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2onsoww
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Sony Thailand factory tour Q&A: Mapping out the future of the interchangeable-lens camera (updated)

Shortly after the conclusion of the annual CP+ tradeshow in Japan, Imaging Resource founder and publisher Dave Etchells headed to Bangkok, Thailand for a tour of Sony's nearby camera factory. As well as a very interesting tour of the factory during his visit to Sony Technology (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Dave was also fortunate to be able to sit down with the Sony executive responsible for their entire interchangeable-lens camera business, to discuss the company's impressive position in the interchangeable camera market, and to hear...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mGbEEp
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Lens selection, light and weather, patience and much more covered in this wildlife photography tutorial

Photographer Robert Andersen has compiled information from a wide range of tutorials that he and others have written for Photography Life and published an excellent, in-depth wildlife photography tutorial. The tutorial covers a massive range of topics in very good detail, including light and weather, lens selection, weather, choice of camera and lens support, telling a story and more. While we implore you to check out the full article, it’s worth digging into the tutorial here a bit. Looking at the lens selection section,...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nSTRJQ
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Creating dimension and texture using light and a behind-the-scenes look at portrait photography

Jay P. Morgan of The Slanted Lens has been making a “Laws of Light” video series, which you can see more of here. He has published the latest video in the series and the focus this time is on creating dimension and texture using light. After all, an image isn’t three dimensional, but we want to make it look like it has depth. Looking at texture and dimension requires that we understand camera view, the perspective of the camera to the subject. When you have lights closer to camera view, there is less dimension and depth. In other...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nQocZO
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Guide to buying and selling used gear online: Getting great deals while staying safe

Photography is an expensive hobby, but you can save a lot of money by purchasing used gear. However, for those unfamiliar with the various photo gear marketplaces online, it can be a daunting experience. You want to save money, of course, but you don’t want to purchase faulty gear or not have any sort of buyer protection. There are certainly more risks associated with buying used gear than there is compared to purchasing brand-new equipment from authorized resellers. What about selling gear online? You want to sell your gear for...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2og3nnc
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Firmware Friday catchup: Loads of updates from Cactus, Fuji and Nikon

With a heavy workload surrounding the CP+ tradeshow in Japan, it's been a little while since we had a moment to put together our regular Firmware Friday roundup. Today, though, we make up for it with a roundup of all the firmware news we're aware of going back to around the start of the month! In all, we have a total of 14 updates to cover, predominantly from Nikon. (Although Fuji does have news of two upcoming updates, while there are also two Cactus flash trigger updates.) Without any further ado, let's get right down to...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2n1wPMl
via IFTTT

Have Camera Will Travel: Polarizing Filter Shootout: Tiffen vs Hoya vs B+W vs Nikon

David Coleman: I've been putting some of the most popular circular polarizing filters to the test. Here are some side-by-side results.

from Have Camera Will Travel – Reviews & Tips http://ift.tt/2o0piPH
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: How to reduce noise in a single night sky exposure without losing star detail

As we have seen before, stacking night sky images is the best method for reducing noise. However, this assumes that you are shooting stars or the Milky Way rather than something like aurorae, where stacking multiple exposures would wash out certain definition or colors. So what if you have a single exposure but still want to reduce noise, what is the best method? Greg Benz has just published an excellent tutorial where he relies on the plug-in Nik Dfine (which is available for free here) and luminosity masks. But before we get...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nwdOpp
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: $150 lighting kit for video plus a cool “bokeh wall” for product shots and still life

You may recall our post in February about an affordable video lighting kit. All that gear cost less than $500, which while certainly a great deal considering all you could get, might be a bit too expensive for some. No problem, as Caleb Pike from DSLR Video Shooter is back with a complete video light kit for only $150! The kit includes a pair of lights, a battery kit, light stand kit, umbrella, umbrella stand mount and some extra diffusion. If you want to dip your toes in video and need lighting, it’ll be hard to get equipped for...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mYADhu
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Making masking easy: New Adobe Research paper showcases impressive neural network technology

While there are plenty of ways to make selections in Photoshop, including a variety of automatic and semi-automatic methods, complex selections remain tricky and time-consuming. Wouldn’t it be great if Adobe’s automatic tools could make traditionally difficult selections simple and easy? If Adobe Research’s latest work is any indication, the future of simple selections might very well be neural networks. The team fed nearly 50,000 images into neural networks and their algorithm certainly learned a thing or two. Check out the two...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mXY5eK
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Sony A99 II Review: Full-frame A-mount camera delivers great images, impressive speed

Click here to read our Sony A99 II Review Conclusion The Sony A99 II is the company’s latest full-frame SLT camera, and the first since the original A99 in 2012. We have now wrapped up our Sony A99 II review, so read on to find out what we thought of the new flagship A-mount camera. The A99 II's 42.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor provides excellent image quality across a wide range of ISOs, and its updated processor and front-end LSI offer some seriously impressive continuous shooting speeds, despite its high resolving...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mxGYVX
via IFTTT

Have Camera Will Travel: Your Family in Pictures, by Me Ra Koh | Review

David Coleman: Photos of your kids are likely to be some of your most precious photos. This book aims to help you create better family keepsakes.

from Have Camera Will Travel – Reviews & Tips http://ift.tt/2nWaPUP
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Try these super-useful Photoshop techniques to make your work stand out

These two post-production techniques are examples of techniques that are easy to learn, yet bring considerably more "value" to your images. Firstly, have you ever wondered how graphic artists make text appear as though it was written on objects in Photoshop? The key to this is not just placing text over an object, but actually making that text interact with the object so that it appears to be part of it. The process in Photoshop involves using what is known as a "displacement map." I personally thought this technique was a lot...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nVS7wU
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Thrifty Thursday: Panasonic GH5 with gift card, lots of Canon deals and much more

Thrifty Thursday is back to save you money! Let’s get right into it as we have a wide variety of deals to share with you. Panasonic GH5 filmmaking kit with free $100 gift card You can preorder the brand-new Panasonic GH5 as part of a camera filmmaking kit with a free $100 B&H gift card. The filmmaking kit comes with the camera body, a DMW-XLR1 microphone adapter, DMW-BGGH5 battery grip, DMW-AC10 AC adapter and DMW-DCC12 DC coupler. As a bonus, if you order your camera before March 31, you can extend the free 1-year warranty to...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nrIFn0
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Wear your loyalty on your sleeve: Canon launches new line of official merchandise

Are you a crazed Canon fan? Canon UK (and presumably Canon USA at some point) has just the merchandise for you. The new line of accessories includes a wide variety of items, including a windbreaker, camera bags, t-shirts, sweatshirts and more. Have you ever wanted to rep Canon’s vintage Camera Kwanon logo? Now you can! The old-school – and cool – logo is emblazoned on an array of items, including an olive green sweater, gray t-shirt, white t-shirt, black cap, navy blue hoodie and gray zip-up...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nr29Iw
via IFTTT

Fujifilm brings a host of updates to the X-T2 and X-Pro2

Techradar:

The Fujifilm X-T2 is one of our favourite cameras at the moment, but Fujifilm thinks it can be even better. As we've seen with previous models, the company regularly updates the firmware of its cameras to improve operability and add new functions.

To that end, Fujifilm is announcing a total of 30 updates for the X-T2 and 19 for the X-Pro2. The first round of updates will be made available in the next few days, with the second batch due to arrive in late May.

X-T2 version 2.00 and X-Pro2 version 3.00

1. Shooting raw in Bracketing and Advanced Filter modes

The update enables you to use the raw format when shooting not only in AE Bracketing but also in other Bracketing modes (ISO, Dynamic Range, White Balance, Film Simulations) and also in Advanced Filter modes.

2. Extended ISO125 and 160 selectable

The update adds ISO125 and ISO160 to extended ISO levels available.

3. Programmable long exposure of up to 15 minutes

Long exposure in the T mode currently goes only up to 30 seconds. The update will allow users to extend it up to 15 minutes.

4. ON/OFF for 1/3-step shutter speed adjustment (X-T2 only – already in X-Pro2)

The update allows you to turn off the Command Dial's function to adjust shutter speed by 1/3 steps in order to prevent unintended adjustments.

5. Full-range ISO adjustments with the Command Dial (X-T2 only)

With the update, set the ISO 'A' position to Command to adjust ISO sensitivity across the full range, including extended ISOs, with the Front Command Dial.

6. AUTO setting added for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting 

The update adds an AUTO option for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting, which allows the camera to automatically define the minimum shutter speed according to the focal length of the lens attached.

7. Faster Face Detection AF

The update enables the use of Phase Detection AF for faster performance in Face Detection AF.

8. Improved in-focus indication in the AF-C mode

The update reduces focus hunting in the AF-C mode, making it easier to track a subject.

9. Addition of a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF

The update adds a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF, bringing the total number of available sizes to six. The new smallest size facilitates pin-point focusing.

10. Addition of AF Point Display (X-Pro2 only – already on X-T2)

With the update, you can choose to have AF Points constantly displayed in Zone AF and Wide / Tracking AF, making it easier to track a subject.

11. Addition of AF-C Custom Setting (X-Pro2 only – already on X-T2)

The update adds AF-C Custom Setting for specifying focus-tracking characteristics. Choose from five presets according to your subject's type of movements.

12. Addition of Portrait / Landscape AF Mode Switching (X-T2 only)

The update allows you to specify separate AF mode and AF point settings for portrait orientation and landscape orientation.

13. Change of focus frame position while enlarging it

The update allows you to move the position of focus frame while enlarging it in Single Point in the AF-S mode, or in the Manual Focus mode.

14. Activation of the Eye Sensor in video recording (X-T2 only)

The update allows you to use the Eye Sensor during video recording to automatically switch between EVF and LCD.

15. Change of ISO sensitivity during video recording (X-T2 only)

The update allows you to change ISO setting during video recording.

16. Re-autofocusing in video recording

With the update, half-press the Shutter Release button or press the button assigned to AF-ON function during video recording to re-initiate autofocusing.

17. Display live histogram during video recording (X-T2 only)

The update allows you to display a live histogram during video recording.

18. Optimization of external microphone's input level (X-T2 only)

The update optimizes the external microphone's input level (lower limit revised from -12dB to 20dB) to reduce white noise when an external microphone with preamp is connected.

19. Addition of Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display in the View Mode

The update adds the Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display option in the View Mode that allows you to shoot through the viewfinder and check images on the LCD, just as you would with a DSLR.

20. Shorter EVF display time-lag (X-Pro2 only – already in X-T2)

The update shortens EVF's display time-lag in the AF-C mode.

21. Constant Dual mode display (X-T2 only)

With the update, the small window in the Dual mode stays on even when you half-press the shutter release button.

22. Automatic vertical GUI for LCD (X-T2 only)

With the update, when you hold the camera in the portrait orientation, the camera will automatically display the GUI on the LCD in the same orientation. 

23. Name Custom Settings

The update allows you to assign a specific name to Custom Settings 1-7.

24. Copyright information in EXIF data

The update allows you to register the photographer's name and the copyright holder's name in advance, so that the camera automatically adds the information to EXIF data for each image.

25. Voice Memo function

The update enable you to record 30-second voice memo clips in the Playback mode.

26. Extended AE Bracketing

The update extends AE Bracketing from the current three frames +/-2EV to up to nine frames +/-3EV.

27. Addition of Shoot Without Card mode

You can set the Shoot Without Card mode to off so the camera can't shoot if an SD card isn't inserted.

X-T2 version 2.10 and X-Pro2 version 3.10 (late May) 

28. Support for computer tethering via Wi-Fi (X-T2 only)

The update adds support for computer tethering via Wi-Fi.

29. Addition of 'All' AF mode (X-T2 only)

With the update, select All in the AF mode so that you can select the AF mode and Focus Area size by only using the Command Dial.

30. Function extension for Shutter AF and Shutter AE (X-T2 only)

With the update, you can specify different settings for AF-S and AF-C in Shutter AF and for AF-S / MF and AF-C in Shutter AE.

31. Addition of -6 and -7 to EVF's brightness setting

Additional options of -6 and -7 to the EVF Brightness setting so that, even in extremely low-light conditions, the brightness of the EVF doesn't distract you from shooting.

32. Switchover of the main and sub displays in the Dual Display mode (X-T2 only)

The update allows you to switch between the main and sub displays in the Dual Display mode.

33. Function assignment to the Rear Command Dial

With the update, you can assign a specific function to be activated when the Rear Command Dial is pressed.

• The 10 best mirrorless cameras you can buy right now

from TechRadar: Photography & video capture news http://ift.tt/2ngdWsz
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: For a two-time combat veteran, photography is an outlet and a way to give a face to PTSD

    Michael McCoy served two tours in Iraq. He returned home with a photography hobby and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “On my first trip to Iraq, I would take tons of pictures to keep up the morale and to send back to friends and family,” McCoy told TIME. All the photos he captured had been backed up to a hard drive and McCoy lost that hard drive, which proved devastating. “I had pictures of family members that are deceased. I realized the only thing I could do was document life in the present.” A Baltimore native, McCoy...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nKryxJ
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Leica launches stealthy, limited camera and lens; Meyer-Optik adds colorful options to Kickstarter

    Leica "Blue Stain" MP and Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH To celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Leica Store in Berlin, the legendary company is releasing a special series of the Leica M, dubbed “Blue Stain.” This is a particularly limited edition as the special MP will be produced in a series of ten cameras. Less limited is the accompanying Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH lens, which will be produced in 20 pieces. Despite its name, the camera and lens aren’t blue, but are rather very dark gray. Blue stain is actually an...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2ndXJEr
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Canon EOS M6 First Shots: See what the EOS M3 successor sports under the hood for image quality

    It sure seems like it's "Canon Week" here at IR! After serving up a heaping helping our Canon lens factory tour and subsequent interview as well as First Shots from two other recent Canon DSLRs, we're now set to deliver the third set of First Shots lab images to you, this time from the new Canon EOS M6 mirrorless camera. Successor to the EOS M3, the M6 sports a similar resolution APS-C sensor (though this time around we get Dual Pixel CMOS AF), yet pairs it up with the newer DIGIC 7 processor and boasts a higher native ISO range...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mQ9dKw
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Marvelous Mars: Finnish photographer’s labor of love brings Martian surface to life

    Finnish photographer and videographer Jan Fröjdman has a wide array of interests including nature, design, hot-air ballooning, but he also enjoys astronomy and space. Enter NASA’s High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and it’s a match made in heaven. NASA produced high-resolution stereo images of the Martian surface over the past 12 years, capturing a total of 50,000 images, which can be viewed by anyone with special glasses in 3D. Fröjdman transformed the HiRISE images into a dynamic 3D view of Mars that does not...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nQYpOg
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Canon 77D First Shots: Lab images from Canon’s new sub-$1000 intermediate-level DSLR

    Simultaneously announced alongside the T7i last month ahead of CP+, the new Canon 77D features an altogether similar imaging pipeline as its Rebel-series sibling, housing a high-res 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and the latest-generation DIGIC 7 image processor. Where the 77D differs from the T7i is mostly down to body design and ergonomics, with the 77D featuring more enthusiast-level DSLR styling such as a top-deck LCD and locking mode dial. We'll get into all the details about the 77D's handling and performance once it hits...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2n4AU49
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: How is your color vision? Take these quizzes to find out

    Unless you exclusively photograph black and white images – which don’t get me wrong, I love black and white photography and find it to offer its own unique set of challenges – color plays an important role in your photography. We spend a lot of time searching out beautiful color and finding ways to process our images to either showcase “natural” color as best as possible or enrich color in images. If light is the most important aspect of an image, then for many color is in a close second place. What makes color particularly...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nxsK6V
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Lomography goes wide with new Instant Automat Glass Magellan, first wide angle instant camera

    Using Fujifilm Instax Mini Film, the new Lomography Lomo’Instant Automat Glass Magellan is the first wide-angle instant camera. Equipped with a 21mm-equivalent lens (actual focal length is 38mm) with a maximum aperture of f/4.5, “the Lomo’Instant Automat Glass has everything you need to capture the world in crystal-clear, razor-sharp definition.” Taking a look at the specs for the new Lomo instant camera, we find that it has a shutter speed range of 8 seconds to 1/250s in its automatic shooting mode, but the shutter can be held...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2o0ddsT
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Canon T7i First Shots: Canon’s first DIGIC 7 Rebel-series DSLR makes its way to our testing lab

    The latest Rebel-series camera, the Canon T7i (aka the EOS 800D for Europe or the Kiss X9i for Japan) is the first EOS DSLR model, along with simultaneously-announced EOS 77D, to feature the latest DIGIC 7 image processor. We now have our review unit in our hands and are ready to share our signature First Shots series of lab test images for your discerning eyes. Although the T7i gets an upgrade in the processing horsepower department, it's nevertheless paired to a similar 24.2-megapixel APS-C image sensor as housed in the earlier...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mLm7JR
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Canon G9X II First Shots: The smallest 1-inch sensored compact hits our test lab

    With a new and improved processor, the Canon G9X Mark II seeks to build upon the popularity of the Canon G9X launched in 2015. That camera redefined how small a 1-inch sensored camera could be, and was awarded a Dave's Pick from us at IR for its small size paired with good image quality. The G9X Mark II has just completed its initial run through our test lab, which means we're now ready to unveil our signature laboratory First Shots. The biggest questions likely on readers' minds are: 1) Given a similar size and lens, has the...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mNkaNP
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Up to Utsunomiya: An extremely rare look at Canon’s primary lens factory

(by William Brawley and Dave Etchells) It was still nighttime when we awoke in Yokohama, Japan the Monday following the CP+ expo. No time for any breakfast, but the hotel wasn't serving it yet anyway. We had to dash to the lobby to meet the group. So why wake up before the crack of dawn? IR publisher Dave Etchells and I had the extremely fortunate opportunity to get a very unique and exclusive tour of Canon's Utsunomiya Office, home to one of the company's primary manufacturing plants, and the birthplace of all L-series lenses, Cinema EOS lenses as well as...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mMuN3o
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Nikon shares its love for New York City and historic N line with new “Love Letters” campaign

    Do you love New York City, the city so nice they named it twice? Nikon does and they’re showing it with their new “Love Letters” campaign. The campaign starts with “Love Letters from the N Line,” which focuses on the well-known N Line that traverses three of New York City’s boroughs and carries nine million passengers each month to 45 stations, including stops at Times Square, Union Square and Coney Island. Nikon not only wants to showcase images captured with Nikon digital cameras and NIKKOR lenses, but wants New Yorkers to...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2n6tuz0
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Canon Japan factory tour Q&A: Why automated assembly will allow better, more affordable lenses

    Shortly after the completion of this year's installment of the annual CP+ tradeshow in Yokohama, Japan, IR founder and publisher Dave Etchells and Senior Editor William Brawley headed a couple of hours north to Utsunomiya, the capital of the Tochigi Prefecture, and home to Canon's primary lens factory. The reason: Both gents were fortunate to be able to tour the facility for a behind-the-scenes look at how Canon lenses are designed and manufactured. But that wasn't all -- the cherry on top of the visit was an opportunity to...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2n6uPWN
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Fuji GFX Extended Gallery: Delving into portraits, higher ISO’s and more

    One of the most exciting cameras to grace the halls of our headquarters in some time, we've all been eager to get out into the field with the Fujifilm GFX. Our first gallery series came to you live from Japan courtesy of our senior editor William Brawley, who then handed this huge-sensored camera with the reasonably trim body off to yours truly for round two. Delightedly to find that it would fit comfortably in my everyday over-the-shoulder camera bag, I headed out and about in search of portrait situations and higher ISO...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nlhISv
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: New algorithm from Google reduces JPEG file size while also increasing perceived quality

    Compressing JPEGs to retain as much quality as possible while also reducing their file size is nothing new. In fact, such compression is used by many to keep the size of images on websites down in order to increase performance. But compression to this point has always resulted in either at best mostly retaining visual quality or degrading it in some way, even if it is only a very small amount. Google has changed the game however, with a new open source algorithm that will not only reduce a file's size, but also increase the...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nyc5AL
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Sony Thailand factory tour Q&A: Mapping out the future of the interchangeable-lens camera!

    Shortly after the conclusion of the annual CP+ tradeshow in Japan, Imaging Resource founder and publisher Dave Etchells headed to Bangkok, Thailand for a tour of Sony's nearby camera factory. As well as a very interesting tour of the factory during his visit to Sony Technology (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Dave was also fortunate to be able to sit down with senior Sony executives to discuss the company's impressive position in the interchangeable camera market, and to hear their thoughts on what the future of ILC cameras looks...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2n7flSz
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Nikon D5600 Field Test: Compact DSLR offers great image quality and Nikon SnapBridge compatibility

    We've just published our Field Test of the new, compact Nikon D5600 DSLR. The D5600 follows very closely in the footsteps of its excellent predecessor, the D5500. The latest model uses the same 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and processor, resulting in a camera, that while great, doesn’t give existing D5500 owners a very compelling reason to upgrade. New buyers, however, should certainly consider the D5600 and its new AF-P kit lenses an an excellent DSLR option. The most notable addition to the D5600 is its new Bluetooth Low Energy...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2niok3M
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: How to find the optimal ISO for astrophotography: Understanding ISO, noise and dynamic range

    As part of their free “Astrophotography 101” series focused on photographing the Milky Way, Lonely Speck has written an incredibly in-depth article about finding the best ISO for astrophotography. Finding the best exposure settings – shutter speed, aperture and ISO – for astrophotography can be tricky, especially for beginners. Lonely Speck has a useful tool to help called the Milky Way Exposure Calculator, but this is recommended only as a starting point and you need to know more about how your digital camera operates to...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nzGI5v
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: New photography grants aim to help women photojournalists tell visual, impactful stories

    Women Photograph has established four grants aimed at increasing the amount of women in photojournalism. The primary grant, which is supported by the Pulitzer Center, offers $5,000 for established photographers. Three other grants, worth $2,500 and financed by bag-maker ONA, are aimed at emerging photojournalists. Founder of Women Photograph, Daniella Zalcman, who is herself a photographer, told TIME “These grants are meant to in some small way help elevate the voices of female (and non-binary) visual journalists. The main grant...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2m95AE9
via IFTTT

Have Camera Will Travel: Silicone Skin Sleeve Case for the Ricoh Theta S and Theta SC

David Coleman: The distinctive design of the Ricoh Theta S and Theta SC has its benefits, but a silicone skin case improves the camera's grippiness and adds some protection.

from Have Camera Will Travel – Reviews & Tips http://ift.tt/2mxClq9
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: GoPro is cutting 270 more jobs in their attempt to retain company value

    GoPro is planning on cutting 270 more jobs this quarter, this in addition to the 100 cut a year ago and the 200 back in November. This news came in addition to a pre-announcement of first quarter earnings released yesterday, which shows GoPro meeting their goal of hitting the "upper end of its previously announced $190-210 million range" in profitability. The job cuts are said to be part of the company's desire to reach "full-year non-GAAP profitability for 2017." That statement was given by GoPro’s founder and CEO Nick Woodman in...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2ns3xeu
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: The black plastic Holga 120N medium format film camera is coming back from the dead this summer

    In 1981, the original Holga camera was introduced in China, offering an inexpensive 120 film format camera for a market clamoring for more affordable photography. Only a few years later, however, 35mm film took over the Chinese market and Holga was in trouble. Fortunately, Holga took hold in western markets where people were demanding the all-plastic “toy” camera. In 2001, Holga passed the million cameras sold mark. A decade later, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary. But the Holga 120N camera, a successor to the original...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nrHVPK
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: ZEISS Photography Awards: Belgian takes home prize with beautiful look at desolate Faroe Islands

    Started in 2016 with the World Photography Organization, the international ZEISS Photography Awards offers professional and amateur photographers a chance to win great prizes and showcase their work to a large audience. The winner of the 2017 edition of the contest has just been announced. The distinguished photographer is Belgian Kevin Faingnaert. He beat out 4,676 other photographers from a total of 132 countries. Over 31,000 images were submitted to the jury of experts. Faingnaert won with his series of photographs titled...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mtSPjF
via IFTTT

PopPhoto.com: Mentor Series: Louisiana 2017

Mentor Series

Best of Louisiana, thank you to everyone who submitted their images. Please enjoy this wonderful photo gallery filled with images taken by the attendees.

from Popular Photography http://ift.tt/2mOlP8e
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: A complete mobile workflow: Photographer takes his Fuji gear to Iceland, leaves laptop at home

    Armed with a Fujifilm X-T2 and a trio of Fuji XF lenses: XF 16-55mm f/2.8, XF 50-140mm f/2.8 OIS and XF 14mm f/2.8, landscape photographer Dan Cook headed to Iceland. What made Cook’s trip unique is that he was editing and sharing his fantastic images directly from the field using his iPhone. Cook notes that "In order to show your work at it's best, you need a fast and easy setup for editing camera shots on your mobile that doesn't compress your files too much. I feel I have found this ideal balance with the Fujifilm X-T2, an...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2no0p3n
via IFTTT

Get your hands on the latest kit at The Photography Show

Imaging recource: The Four Thirds system is no more: long live Micro Four Thirds

    In a product catalog showcasing the lineup of current Olympus lenses, a simple sentence on page 23 announced the fate of the Four Thirds system: Production of all ZUIKO DIGITAL Four Thirds lenses has been discontinued. With that simple stroke of a pen, Olympus moved on from the Four Thirds system to concentrate completely on the Micro Four Thirds system. Arguably, this was a foregone conclusion, as none of the members of the Four Thirds alliance (Olympus, Panasonic, and a handful of smaller manufacturers) has produced a new...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2msN19Y
via IFTTT

Sony unveils an in-camera graduated filter app

Techradar:

Sometimes overlooked when we talk about Sony cameras are the range of PlayMemories Camera Apps that can be downloaded and installed, but the new Digital Filter app has caught our eye.

It enables you to divide a scene you're shooting into two or three areas. It's then possible to set the exposure and white balance for each of these zones, so it's ideal when you're presented with a high-contrast scene. 

You could use it like a built-in graduated neutral density filter if you wish, but the Digital filter app also has options for Reverse Graduated ND, Color Stripe, Blue Sky, Sunset, and two Custom options as well.

Here's how it works…

It may look a little bit of a faff to use initially – we could be a bit harsh and say that by the time you've set up in camera and merged your shots, you might as well have screwed in a filter on the front of your lens – but there's certainly potential here for those who want to get the shot they want out in the field. 

The Digital Filter app is available to download from the PlayMemories app store for a pretty steep $30/£26, where you'll also find a full list of supported cameras.

• 5 essential filters you can't live without

from TechRadar: Photography & video capture news http://ift.tt/2nE4X1O
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Lens manufacturer’s headquarters infiltrated, over 200 lenses stolen in heist

    Mirrorless camera filmmakers have been relying on Veydra Mini Prime lenses since the company’s successful Kickstarter campaign in December, 2014. Their selection of Veydra Mini Prime lenses includes focal lengths from 12mm to 85mm for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E mounts with prices ranging from around $900 to $1,250. Unfortunately, the company’s California headquarters was broken into during the evening of March 13 or perhaps early March 14. The thief or thieves stole over 200 Veydra Mini Prime lenses, whose total market value...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mKbkTo
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Use a custom graduated neutral density filter in your Sony camera with new Digital Filter camera app

    Sony has released a new camera application called “Digital Filter.” This PlayMemories application “allows you to divide the scene into two or three areas and optimize the exposure and white balance for each area, helping you to shoot the best image.” The applications are most obvious for landscape scenes where there is a large variation in brightness levels, such as at sunrise or sunset, allowing you to expose for the sky and for the foreground, creating a final image with a wider dynamic range. This replicates the effects of a...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2moJIQE
via IFTTT

The 10 best GoPro accessories in 2017

Techradar:

First sold in 2004 as a waterproof 25mm film camera for shooting action sports, the GoPro has gone on to become the world’s best-selling action camera. Current models like the Hero5 Black are small, lightweight and offer up to 4K video recording alongside a host of advanced stills and video recording features. GoPro cameras can be taken anywhere, and attached to almost anything. 

Whether you’re a professional videographer, photographer or simply someone enjoying the convenience of a small camera, GoPros have opened up new possibilities thanks to the help of innovative accessories. This means the market for accessories is huge, and the options available potentially more diverse than any other camera system. From camera mounts to lights to microphones to filters to 360° time-lapse and more, there are almost infinite ways to pimp your GoPro.

The Manfrotto PIXI Xtreme is a version of the popular mini tripod designed for use with GoPros thanks to the addition of a GoPro tripod mount adaptor. The PIXI Xtreme weights just 197g so you won’t even know you’re carrying it, and with a folded length of 21.5cm it will fit into almost any bag or even a pocket. The extended height of the tripod is 16.5cm, with simple ball head offering 360° rotation for positioning the camera. To get the height you need in some situations the PIXI Xtreme will need to be positioned on a wall or table.

The PolarPro Hero 5 Black Venture Filter 3-Pack provides three extremely useful filters for shooting both video and stills with your GoPro Hero5 Black. In the pack there’s a polarising filter, ND filter and a graduated ND filter. The polariser saturates skies and colours in the scene, and also helps to reduce glare and reflections from shiny surfaces. The ND8 filter reduces light enter the lens by three stops so you can shoot video with a slower shutter speed for more fluid results. The ND grad reduces light at the top of the filter and graduates to no effect at the bottom to help maintain sky detail. The filters simply attach to the front of the Hero 5 and come in a handy carry case to protect them when not in use. 

With the fantastic options shooting timelapse stills and video with GoPro cameras, a simple way to create dynamic results is to make the camera rotate during shooting. The GoPole Scenelapse allows you to do just that, offering a rotation of 360° over the course of 60 minutes. Simply set up your GoPro, wind the unit and let it do its thing. The GoPole Scenelapse is fully mechanical so no batteries are required, and it features a standard tripod screw on the bottom allowing you to attach it to a mini or full size tripod. On the top is a removable GoPro mount with a high torque thumb screw, so you can attach your GoPro or even a small DSLR or mirrorless camera. The small and easy to use unit weighs just 85g/3oz and is compatible with all GoPro cameras.

The Tenba Shootout 14L ActionPack is designed to allow you to comfortably carry a large GoPro system while you’re participating in an action sport or simply exploring the city or countryside. At just 1.4kg the bag is lightweight and the padded straps with waist belt make it comfortable and secure. Inside the bag are four removable pods, and two wallets, so you can organise your kit and gain quick and easy access to exactly what you need. The capacity of the bag allows you to carry up to four GoPros, mounts, batteries, cables and other accessories etc. Plus there’s enough room to carry a small hydration pouch and food. There’s even a tripod attachment at the bottom of the bag large enough to accommodate a travel tripod.

The Knog Qudos Action Light is a rugged light with three XB-D CREE LEDs offering brightness levels between 70 and 400 lumens with a colour temperature of 5000k. There are also three light modes providing six beam settings, allowing you to select the perfect spread and of course intensity of light to suit your needs. This tough light source is waterproof up to a depth of 60m, making it ideal for both action sports and less adventurous shooting. Alongside the Knog Qudos Action Light you also get an Action Camera Mount Bracket to connect the light and your GoPro together, a Cold Shoe/Tripod Adaptor, rechargeable battery and a USB cable for charging. At just 150g this small and highly versatile LED light can be taken anywhere and everywhere you go.

The GoPro Remo is a waterproof (up to 5m/16ft) voice controlled remote for the Hero 5 Black and Hero 5 Session cameras. This means that while both cameras offer built-in voice activation, the Remo is said to improve voice activation in noisy conditions and allows you to activate the cameras from a short distance, or works as a one button remote from up to 10m/33ft away. The Remo comes with a strap allowing it to be worn on your wrist for convenience. It can also be clipped to clothing. With 13 commands available the Remo certainly adds convenience to shooting but it’s not cheap for what it is. And unlike the older GoPro WiFi remote there’s no screen so you rely on voice commands and scrolling through functions.

One of the problems of travelling with a GoPro is that battery life is obviously finite. You can of course buy an extra battery or two, but if you’re out in the field and away from a power outlet, charging can be difficult. Plus, if you’re shooting a long time-lapse you can’t change batteries part way through. While GoPro does manufacture its own portable power pack, the Anker Powercore 20100 provides a much higher capacity at a seriously low price in comparison. Anker claim the pack can charge smartphones up to seven times, and can even charge a MacBook using USB-C, so plenty of juice for GoPro cameras and you can even charge up to three devices at once! To ensure the safety of your devices the Powercore features smart-charging PowerIQ and current-stabilising VoltageBoost providing the fastest possible safe charge up to 2.4 A. Then there’s surge protection and short circuit prevention.

The GoPro Pro 3.5mm Microphone Adapter allows you to connect professional microphones with a 3.5mm jack to your Hero5 Black or Hero5 Session camera. This allows you to drastically improve sound compared to the camera’s built-in microphone. So whether you want to use a lapel, condenser or shotgun mic etc. this is an essential accessory. The adaptor connects to GoPros via, and is powered by USB-C, allowing for stereo sound to be recorded. It also features a 106dB stereo analogue to digital converter. With the GoPro Pro 3.5mm Microphone Adapter in use the GoPro side door will be open so the camera will no longer be waterproof, but this accessory is geared more towards vlogging than capturing great action sound.

An ultra solid GoPro mount makes a huge difference to the quality of video when shooting from a bike, and the K-Edge couldn't be more secure. The all metal design is as simple as they come and clamps directly to the rails under your seat where it bolts on tight. The only issue is that the GoPro once attached sits upside down so all footage needs flipping when it comes to editing.

Whether you're skiing, mountain biking, white water rafting, or any other activity, GoPro's chest mount is a great piece of kit to not only capture the action. Fully adjustable to fit a wide range of adult sizes, the placement's great for getting some unique angled shots, though you will have to move your whole body to change the framing.

• Best GoPro and action cameras
• What camera should I buy?
• How to use the techradar camera channel

from TechRadar: Photography & video capture news http://ift.tt/1chDQ08
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Interiors photographer explains the extreme retouching detail of a professional shoot

    High-end interiors photographers spend as much, if not more, time and effort on post production as they do taking the baseline photo. Much of what makes a great photo comes in removing what can distract from one. Samuel Zeller, in a detailed article on DIY Photography, comprehensively explains what he looks for in an image and what his steps are to improve a photo before its final send-off to a client. Here is what Zeller started with, straight out of camera:     Zeller...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mW6iDR
via IFTTT

Have Camera Will Travel: Photos Taken with the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art Lens

David Coleman: A collection of sample images taken with Sigma's 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens.

from Have Camera Will Travel – Reviews & Tips http://ift.tt/2mmU9VG
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Panasonic Q&A @ CP+ 2017: The GH5 dev story, why no on-chip PDAF and how’d they make 4K affordable?

    Continuing our interview series from the recent 2017 CP+ tradeshow in Japan, Imaging Resource founder and publisher Dave Etchells was fortunate to be able to meet with no less than eight executives at Panasonic for a wide-ranging discussion on the company's camera lineup and strategy. For this particular interview, we've had to forgo our usual practice of identifying each participant individually, as there were simply too many people present to distinguish and identify the speakers' identities from our audio recordings. Instead,...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mmSJtX
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: The confusing world of color: What it’s like to be a colorblind photographer

    As photographers, a lot of what we focus on is light and color. While some of you reading this are certainly affected by color blindness, photographer Jason Futrill experiences a significant level of color blindness that limits his ability to see a “normal” spectrum of color. He has “strong protan” color blindness, which means that he can see “anywhere from 5% to 10% of the shades that can be seen by those that have no form of color vision deficiency.” How this affects Futrill’s ability to see and decipher scenes is best said by...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2n1VeFX
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Preparing for the worst: A four-step photography backup workflow

    You surely have heard about the importance of backing up your images before. After all, data loss is a harsh reality that many of us will face at one point or another. It’s important to prepare for it before it happens because if you wait until you lose files, you’ve waited too long. Dylan Goldby has written about his four-step photography backup workflow for Fstoppers and it does a great job of simplifying the backup process. He typically shoots between 5,000 and 10,000 images per month, so he has opted for a manual backup...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mCAMZD
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Panasonic GH5 Field Test Part I: The new Lumix flagship’s photographic capabilities explored

    The Panasonic GH5 was announced earlier this year to much applause from fans of the series, myself included, and I've begun our testing of this camera starting with its still imaging capabilities. I took a look at what it could do on its own, and then compared it to how the GH4 handled in the same situations. In this field test, along with image quality, I also take a look at the camera's build, ergonomics, its new peripherals and more.  I have nothing but praise to shower on the GH5's body updates and changes. The new battery...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2nqkeDf
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Smarter selections in Photoshop: How to make clean selections and improve your photo editing

    As Fstoppers’ Alex Cooke puts it, “The better you are at selecting things, the better you are at Photoshop. It's one of the most fundamental skills.” He hits the nail on the head there. While Lightroom and other similar software is amazing for making a wide range of edits to your images, for making complex selections, Photoshop cannot be beat. However, it is not always easy to make good selections and Photoshop’s built-in tools can be a bit daunting for new users. Nathaniel Dodson of Tutvid, a maker of many great tutorials, such...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mMlaoq
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Reaffirming First Amendment: Photojournalist awarded settlement in case against police, county

    A veteran photojournalist based in Washington D.C. has been awarded a settlement of $45,000 in a lawsuit against Maryland police. Mannie Garcia was arrested in 2011 in Montgomery County, Maryland for recording what he perceived to be an instance of excessive force being used by police against two men. Garcia, his wife and a friend were leaving a restaurant and saw two men being arrested and Garcia began capturing photos and videos of the incident. Police approached Garcia, questioning him, at which point Garcia identified himself...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2n8hldZ
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Women in photography: A look at female creators and the challenges overcome by women in the industry

    March is Women’s History Month and what better way to celebrate than looking at B&H’s new video series, “Women of Influence.” The series is “an inspirational look at the talent, drive, and perseverance that forged some remarkable photographic and filmmaking careers.” The series focuses on ten women as they explain their personal stories, careers and the challenges they faced and overcame. The first two videos were released on March 8, which was International Women’s Day 2017, and center around Cristina Mittermeier and Barbara...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2lLavLf
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Think Tank Signature shoulder bag review: Think Tank’s stylish shoulder bag is comfortable, versatile

    In February, Think Tank unveiled a trio of bags, including the Think Tank Signature 13 shoulder bag, which I have been using for the last couple of weeks. Let’s get right into it. Aesthetics and Design   The wool-like blend proves to be both rugged and stylish. While the Think Tank Signature 13 proved to be a very user-friendly bag (more on that later), its main draw for me was its look. Its modern wool-like fabric looks phenomenal and its full-grain leather bottom and...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2lKeFTz
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Immortalizing the Apollo missions: More than 225 timeless images from the manned missions to space

    While astronauts are rarely considered for their photographic skills, these multi-talented people have captured some of the most iconic images in human history. In a new book, Dutch designer Simon Phillipson wants to celebrate the astronauts of the Apollo program for their photographic contributions. They broke barriers and delivered images back to earth unlike anything we had ever seen before. In the new book, “Apollo VII – XVII,” Phillipson and fellow designers Floris Heyne, Joel Meter and Delano Steenmeijer compiled 225 photos...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mLE532
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Vimeo finally adds support for 360 video, bolstered by a wide range of tools

    Vimeo has added support for 360 video content, allowing users to upload in extemely high quality. Further, Vimeo has created 360 Video School lessons, and have even set up a curated 360 channel to encourage the format. Vimeo has not been first to market in the last two major steps in video broadcasting (4K resolution and 360 content), but this time it looks like they are taking 360 a lot more seriously than anyone else, offering unique services and tools specifically to support the burgeoning format. Vimeo lists their 360...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2mn9PJl
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Immersive journalism: CNN launches CNNVR, new virtual reality platform

    Journalism is changing quickly. News stalwart CNN has joined the virtual reality fray in full force with the official launch of CNNVR, their new immersive journalism unit and virtual reality platform. CNN’s global team will cover events in 360 video from their news outlets in New York, Atlanta, London, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Dubai, Johannesburg, Tokyo and Beijing. There will be VR live streams and weekly VR content. The first VR content is available now and gives you a 360-degree perspective of the running of the bulls in...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2n2Ehv8
via IFTTT

Imaging recource: Panasonic LX10 Review: Our final word on the fast, full-featured premium compact with 1-inch sensor

    The Panasonic LX10 joined the premium compact camera market this past November, and we have just wrapped up our review of this new 1-inch-type sensor camera. The LX10 pairs a 20.1-megapixel 1"-type CMOS sensor with a built-in 24-72mm equivalent lens that has a very fast f/1.4 maximum aperture at 24mm. During our Field Test of this premium compact camera, we found that the LX10 not only looked good on paper but also performed well in the field. Its image quality proved to be better than its Canon counterparts and very similar to...
(read more)

from Imaging Resource News Page http://ift.tt/2m3OX8L
via IFTTT

Have Camera Will Travel: Photos Taken with the OlloClip Macro Pro Lens Set

David Coleman: OlloClip has released a set of macro lenses for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. It includes lenses with 7x, 14x, and 21x magnification. Here are some sample images.

from Have Camera Will Travel – Reviews & Tips http://ift.tt/2m2fOlH
via IFTTT