Reminder: Used pricing sometimes reflects the Deal Zone discount.
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Gigapixel 7 was recently "Rebuilt from the ground up", and now it is on sale at Topaz Labs. Save $20.00 this week only.
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Worth browsing: Deals of the Week at B&H.
From Sony Electronics:
Sony Electronics Delivers Firmware Updates including C2PA Compliancy as a Next Step to Ensure Authenticity of Images
More than 45 Updates for the Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 7 IV will also improve Shooting Functions and Workflow
SAN DIEGO, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Sony Electronics delivers the highly anticipated firmware updates for the Alpha 1 (Ver. 2.00), Alpha 7S III (Ver. 3.00), Alpha 7 IV (Ver. 3.00), and after April 2024, the Alpha 9 III (Ver.2.00). The update contains some of Sony's most impactful technology, including Camera Authenticity Solution, the proprietary in-camera digital signature and C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) format supporti. Together, these tools will make it possible for news agencies to ensure the authenticity of images, contributing to industry efforts to protect creators, and society from fake imagery.
Additionally, the firmware updates include many requested features to improve everyday use. The update evolves shooting functions and post-shooting workflow and brings advanced movie features like breathing compensation. It also includes new remote-control capabilities, new features for professional applications, and expanded access to cloud services applications.
"There is nothing more core to our mission than listening to the voices of the photographers, videographers, and filmmakers who shoot with Sony Alpha cameras. We know this community has been asking for these updates, and we're happy to deliver. Each of these updates are designed to promote ease of use for our creators and allow them to maximize the strengths of their cameras," says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. "We're especially pleased to deliver C2PA compliancy with this update. This compliancy paired with our unique digital signature technology, allows us to offer the most secure and comprehensive solution to protect professional photographers, news agencies, and society from manipulated imagery."
Camera Authenticity Solution
Last year, Sony announced its commitment to developing technology in its cameras to aid in the fight against manipulated imagery and AI-generated fakes. The severity of this issue is only increasing and it's a complex problem that requires the focus and attention of our entire industry.
One critical part of the solution is making more Sony cameras C2PA compliant. C2PA is a Joint Development Foundation project, where Sony is a steering committee member. C2PA aims to develop an end-to-end open technical standard to provide publishers, creators and consumers with opt-in, flexible ways to understand the authenticity, and provenance of different types of media. The C2PA is a standards-setting body that will develop technical specifications on content provenance and authentication by certifying the source and history of media content. With this firmware update, the authenticity information embedded on images from Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 7 IV can be maintained from capture through publication. This provides professional photographers with the ability to preserve their digital signature from the camera, while tracking the editing history throughout revisions.
Another critical component of the solution is Sony's in-camera digital signature technologyii that signs images in real-time. This new feature certifies the authenticity of an image at the point of capture and creates a 'digital birth certificate' that is retained throughout revisions. The signature contains metadata including 3D-depth information captured through the proprietary technology in the image sensor developed by Sony. This depth information can show if the image captured was of an actual 3D object, vs a photograph of an image or video, providing an extra level of protection and even more assurance of the content's authenticity, and making Sony's solution especially unique for photojournalists and news agencies.
Sony's solution also helps protect the authenticity of content by including an Image Validation Site, which verifies the image even after edits have been made by C2PA-compliant editing software. This service confirms the authenticity of the photo was taken by a specific camera and that the object of the photo is 3D. This service will initially be offered to select news media agencies, expanding to other agencies at a later date.
Shooting and Playback Updates
The firmware updates include over 10 new features, as well as improvements to existing features, designed to improve the user's overall shooting experience. These improved capabilities showcase Sony's commitment to continuing to evolve the functionality of Sony's existing camera models. A few highlights of the firmware update functions include:
File Transfer and Network Connectivity
Additional updates aimed to optimize the post-production workflow efficiency include improvements to International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) preset and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) transfer operability. To streamline processes for users, expanded cloud upload and application services will be available. Key updates include:
Many of these updates are applicable to multiple cameras, however for a list of each body's specific update please check the Sony website.
Firmware Downloads
Download the latest firmware from Sony's support pages (not all updates are available at press time):
Notes:
i This feature is available to some news organizations at the press release timing.
ii Both Sony's in-camera digital signature technology and C2PA compliance are currently available through a separate upgrade license.
iii For compatible lens information, please refer to the support page
iv For regional app/service availability, check here. To use this service, it is necessary to download and install the upgrade license.
v Remote Camera Tool Version 4.1.0 is required to activate the function.
vi For compatible lens information, please refer to the support page
vii A dedicated adapter cable, which is sold separately, is required to connect to the timecode source equipment.
viii Availability varies depending on country and region. Available through the Upgrade and License Management Suite.
ix For regional app/service availability, check here. Creators' App Ver.2.3.1 or later is necessary. Settings must be made in the Creators' App in advance. For more information, please visit the Creators' App support website
x When connecting to a device with a USB Type-C port, please use a commercially available USB cable or a conversion adapter.
The Lexar 128GB Professional 1667x V60 UHS-II SDXC Memory Card is on sale for only $24.99 at Adorama.
This bull's herd of cows was split, half on the far side of the ridge with him, and the other half on the near side. Predictable was that he would come back for the rest.
The bull had choices on where to come back over the ridge, but not all were photographically optimal, including significant brush obstructions at some locations. Setting up for the ideal returning elk composition was the logical plan, and this bull hit the opening perfectly.
There is an aspect of this image that I do not like, but I'll start with some of the positive aspects.
The primary subject is a good specimen, with a large rack that includes a substantial and unique drop tine.
The early morning light is soft, avoiding hard shadows and creating a strong catchlight in the eye. The slightly upward shooting angle provides a regal perspective on the animal.
Shooting at 20 fps enabled the capture of this image with the bugling elk and its laid-back antlers precisely framed, without interruption, by pine trees and rocks. The trees and rocks have shape, color, and contrast character, and the distant background consists of an attractive pattern of blurred spruce trees.
Photographing bugling behavior is always a goal, and the front leg, especially the far front leg, bent slightly attractively conveys action and positions the head at a higher level than other positions in its cadence. You can visualize him walking out of the opening.
So, what don't I like about this picture? The elk has three legs. It doesn't really have three legs, but the back right leg is aligned with; and therefore hidden by, the front left leg. Viewed at full size, the larger back leg is visible around the front leg, but at typical web viewing size, only three legs are discernable.
This image is a slight pano. The elk came through fast, and I was holding slightly too far to the left when this pose was struck. The framing a few frames prior included slightly more of the right border that gives the image slightly improved overall balance.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department:
Category | What Just Arrived |
---|---|
Canon EOS Cameras | R6 kit, R10, R50 |
Canon RF Lenses | 18-150, 24-50, 24-70, 70-200 F2.8 |
Sony Alpha Cameras | a1, a7S III, a7C II, a6700 |
Sony FE Lenses | 16-35 II, 70-200 F4, 135, 300 F2.8 |
Really Right Stuff | L-Plate set for R5/R6, MC-LS Universal L-Bracket, Ascend-14 Long Tripod with Integrated Ball Head |
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The refurbished Canon EOS R6 Mark II is on sale for only $1,799.00 at Canon USA!
Image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results, along with specs, measurements, and standard product images, are now available on the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art Lens page.
You are going to like this one – it's a great lens. The full review will be available soon.
Here is a visual comparison of the Sony, Sigma, and Canon 50mm F1.2 lenses:
Here is the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens to the left of the F1.2 lens:
Here are some image quality comparisons:
Compared to the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM Lens
Compared to the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens
Compared to the Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Lens
Compared to the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Lens
Support this site by ordering the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | WEX
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Canon EOS-1D X Mark III firmware update version 1.9.0 is available for download (Canon USA).
Firmware Version 1.9.0 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
Get the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III at B&H.
Canon EOS R6 firmware update version 1.8.4 is available for download (Canon USA).
Firmware Version 1.8.4 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
Get the Canon EOS R6 at B&H.
Canon EOS R5 firmware update version 2.0.0 is available for download (Canon USA).
Firmware Version 2.0.0 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
Get the Canon EOS R5 at B&H.
Canon WFT-R10 firmware update version 1.3.1 is also available for download.
Fix: Enhances security for FTPS (File Transfer Protocol Security) connections.
Canon EOS R3 firmware update version 1.7.1 is available for download (Canon USA).
Firmware Version 1.7.1 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
Get the Canon EOS R3 at B&H.
Sony Alpha 7R V firmware update version 2.02 is available for download (read the precautions on the download page before installing this update).
Sony Alpha 7C R firmware update version 1.02 is available for download.
Sony Alpha 7C II firmware update version 1.02 is available for download.
Sony ZV-E1 firmware update version 1.03 is available for download.
Firmware updates incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
Get your Sony camera at B&H.