From DxO:
DxO PureRAW 3, the groundbreaking RAW photo enhancement software, gives photographers incredible image quality thanks to DeepPRIME XD
Together with innovative DeepPRIME XD — eXtreme Detail — denoising technology, this major new version of DxO’s award-winning RAW processing software delivers greater control without reducing the‘one-click’ functionality that users love. It also features pivotal upgrades to the user interface, making workflow even smoother.
Paris (France): DxO Labs, the company which kick-started modern RAW processing and lens correction, today announces the immediate availability of DxO PureRAW 3, its revolutionary RAW enhancement software. PureRAW 3 optimizes the quality of any RAW image by eliminating noise, improving color, enhancing detail and correcting lens flaws. DxO PureRAW 3 now features DxO’s latest artificial intelligence technology, DeepPRIME XD, delivering industry-leading noise reduction and RAW image enhancement; greater control over which corrections are applied through DxO’s renowned Optics Modules; and user interface modifications that offer improved integration with every photographer’s workflow.
DxO DeepPRIME technology gets even better — and for Fujifilm photographers, too! DxO PureRAW set the standard for noise reduction and image improvements – but the introduction of DeepPRIME XD pushes performance even further. By using a larger neural network than regular DeepPRIME, DeepPRIME XD delivers greater levels of detail, improved color accuracy, and smoother, noise-free bokeh when shooting at even the highest ISO levels.
With DeepPRIME XD, photographers report improvements of more than 2.5 stops in noise performance. For example, images shot at ISO 4000 more closely resemble those captured at ISO 500 in terms of noise, color, and clarity.
Because noise reduction is performed as part of the RAW conversion process, DeepPRIME XD can also improve the dynamic range of an image, giving photographers greater flexibility when shooting in challenging situations where light is limited. The original DeepPRIME mode remains part of DxO PureRAW 3 for images that demand less enhancement or where faster performance is required.
“DeepPRIME almost surprised us when we first saw the results,” explains DxO’s VP of Marketing and Product Strategy, Jean-Marc Alexia. “We quickly realized that a larger neural network could boost performance, and that’s what we’ve delivered with DeepPRIME XD. This technology pushes the boundaries even further, and DxO PureRAW 3 will revolutionize any photographer’s images — and without disrupting their existing workflow.”
Until today, DeepPRIME XD did not process RAW files from cameras with an X-Trans sensor. However, with DxO PureRAW 3, Fujifilm X Series photographers will be delighted to learn that their cameras are supported, a development reflected in DxO PhotoLab 6.4, also released today. As a result, X-Trans images can undergo incredible noise reduction, remarkable detail enhancement, and the restoration of accurate colors, especially when shooting at high ISO levels.
Power is nothing without control
As well as greater performance, DxO PureRAW 3 gives photographers a new level of control. The software’s updated interface now offers options for levels of lens softness correction, as well as the ability to toggle vignetting and chromatic aberration corrections. Furthermore, photographers can access the whole image area captured by the sensor, avoiding the crop enforced by other software when correcting deformations.
Interface improvements for a smoother workflow
DxO PureRAW 3 also introduces a number of improvements when it comes to workflow. Users can create multiple queues when batch processing large numbers of files, with the option to edit, re-order, and prioritize both images and queue lists while processing is underway. In addition, photographers can now choose to export files in TIFF format, alongside the existing JPEG and Linear DNG options.
Try DxO PureRAW 3 for free at DxO Software.
Sometimes, 24mm is not wide enough. With a bus parked immediately behind me, the 20mm focal length was the key to this Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church composition.
Most full-frame general-purpose lenses start at 24mm, but the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G Lens is a game-changer in that regard.
With the 20mm focal length affording the angle of view needed to comfortably frame the three doorways (love the red doors), positioning the camera perfectly leveled and centered in the middle door was the next task. This vertical angle was selected to split the height of the bottom visible step and comfortably contain the doorway roof peaks.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Just posted: Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G Lens Review
Is this lens right for your kit?
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Support this site by ordering the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G Lens from B&H | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX
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I recently shared Rock Cut in the last light. I didn't go home after the sun set, and instead tolerated high winds and very cold temperatures for a couple more hours. It seemed that the rock formations here would make a good foreground for a Milky Way photo.
Getting the rock formations to rise above the other landscape meant climbing down to the edge of the cliff, and low-level lighting was used to bring out the rock color. The foreground lighting in this Rocky Mountain National Park Milky Way image is from a pair of Simorr Vibe P96L RGB Video LED Lights on Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Tripods.
Once the lights and camera were set up, waiting (did I mention that it was really cold?) for the Milky Way to rotate into the desired position was the remaining task.
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens is an outstanding Milky Way lens. The difference that f/1.4 makes in Milky Way image quality over an f/2.8 lens is dramatic.
Join me in RMNP this September. I have an opening or two for the Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park Instructional Photo Tour.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Check out the new Stash Master Camera Cubes at Think Tank Photo.
"Turn any backpack, roller, or duffel into a camera bag — or use as a photo storage cube that’s ready to go at any time!"
When the sky is clear, focusing on what the last light of the day is hitting is often the optimal plan. Last light typically falls on high-elevation features, and Rock Cut in Rocky Mountain National Park has that qualification.
A Colorado 14er, Longs Peak, also captures the day's last light. Framing this mountain between the Rock Cut features results in what you see here.
The Sony Alpha 1 and Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens are an outstanding combination. Three manually focus bracketed images were combined for this image.
Join me in RMNP this September. I have an opening or two for the Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park Instructional Photo Tour.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Just posted: Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens Review.
Is this the next lens for your kit?
Please share!
Support this site by ordering the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens from B&H | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX
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Image quality test results are now available on the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G Lens page.
This is a sharp lens. Check out these comparisons:
Compared to the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens
Compared to the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G Lens
Build your own comparisons.
Support this site by ordering the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G Lens from B&H | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX
Rent the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G Lens from Lensrentals.
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Adding close focusing capabilities to an otherwise useful focal length and max aperture combination adds versatility — and fun. The Canon RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Lens is one such lens.
Here, the RF 28 gets close to a honeybee, with a bright cloudy sky creating a high key background.
From a composition perspective, besides getting close, an overall balance was the goal for this (and most) images. The sunflower was itself worthy of being photographed, but the honeybee added another point of interest to the composition.
Bees will often work their way around the flower. Figure out their plan and make yours accordingly. While the bee was farther back on the flower, I positioned the lens for what seemed the optimal composition and timed the shot when the bee arrived.
For a long time, I have been sharing my camera setup guides and including a link to them at the bottom of each relevant review page. These pages have become quite popular, so now a "Setup Guide" link is included in the top navigation for these camera reviews.
The guides are free, but please remember to support this site.
Here is the complete list of setup guides (as of this post):
Image quality test results have been added to the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens page.
Check out how Sigma's latest entry into the beloved, affordable 50mm f/1.4 lens category performs.
Compared to the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM Lens
Compared to the Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM Lens
Support this site by ordering the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX
Rent the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens from Lensrentals.
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This bull was protecting a herd of cows during the rut in Rocky Mountain National Park. While he appears to be looking directly at me, he didn't care that I was there. The shot was timed as he was watching distance competitors.
One of the reasons I prefer high-resolution cameras is that their images can be cropped significantly and still have sufficient resolution for many uses. In this case, a vertical crop was created from a horizontally oriented Canon EOS R5 image. Despite that heavy cropping, the image is still 17 MP.
Join me in RMNP this September. I have a couple of openings for the Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park Instructional Photo Tour.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Just posted: initial Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Review.
It's time to share some initial impressions from this tiny, lightweight, affordable lens.
The RF 24-50's estimated ship date is Tue, Apr 18 per B&H and Canon.
Support this site by ordering the Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX
Rent the Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens from Lensrentals.
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Just posted: Sony Alpha 7R V Review.
This camera is impressive.
Order the Sony Alpha 7R V at B&H (10-rated used available for $3,507.95) | Adorama | Amazon | WEX.
Rent the Sony Alpha 7R V from Lensrentals.
From Lowepro:
"While it takes a number of years and a lot of adventures to wear out a Lowepro bag, our Workshop Tips will guide you on how to take care of, repair, and refresh your camera bag and extend its life!"
Get your Lowepro bag at B&H.
This big bull, prancing and showing off his antlers, was heading back to his herd of cows after fending off an adversary.
Where is the best place to be in mid to late September? Rocky Mountain National Park is high on my list of answers. Elk are one of my favorite animals, and the rut behavior makes this time of year optimal for photographing them.
So, why don't you join me in RMNP this September? I have a couple of openings for the Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park Instructional Photo Tour.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Always look for new camera locations while working a scene. That process at The Charleston Place's zero edge pool determined that the camera practically in the water produced my favorite image.
Seldom do water reflections let us down, and in this case, they add intrigue. The Canon EOS R5's vari-angle LCD made the precise alignment of this handheld composition possible.
General purpose focal lengths in a compact, lightweight package make the Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens a great option for travel and other portable needs. This lens's low price is a highly attractive feature, and initial image quality impressions are good.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Just posted: Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens Review.
Was image quality sacrificed for the awesome focal length range?
Support this site by ordering the Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens from B&H | Adorama | WEX
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When I learned that the shooting opportunities were models in an old house, I grabbed three lenses.
The first two, the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM Lens and RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM Lens, are frequently associated with portrait photography and obvious choices.
My third chosen lens may not seem like an optimal indoor portrait lens, but the Canon RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM Lens was selected to take in the old house in addition to the people — environmental portraits. The models were still, and the in-lens optical image stabilization made up for the not-so-wide f/4 aperture (and f/4 provided a nice depth of field).
All handheld images from this scene were sharp, but there was a bigger challenge.
When composing an image with straight lines running along all frame borders, a perfectly centered and leveled camera is often the best choice. Gaining that perfect alignment for this picture was a challenge.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Be the first through checkout when B&H reopens tonight at 6:45 PM ET to snag this just-arriving used gear:
A used R5 C and used R6 and R kits are available in the Canon EOS mirrorless camera inventory.
Used 50mm F1.2 L, 24-240mm, 100-400mm, 85mm F2, 35mm F1.8 lenses were just added to the Canon RF lens inventory.
A used EF 600mm F4L IS II Lens is available in the Canon EF lens inventory. This is an outstanding lens for only $6,998.95.
Multiple used Canon a7R V cameras are available in the Sony Alpha camera inventory.
Used FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II and FE 50mm F1.2 Lenses were just added to the Sony FE lens inventory.
My favorite tripod, the Really Right Stuff TVC-24L Versa Series 2 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod (Long), is available in the used Really Right Stuff inventory. A TFC-33 MK2 Series3 Ultralight Carbon Fiber Tripod (58.3"), PG-02 LR Pano-Gimbal Head with B2-LR II Lever-Release Clamp, MC-34 Series 3 Carbon Fiber Monopod (1/4"-20), and PC-LR Round Panning Clamp with Lever-Release Release are also available.