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Macphun, creators of Aurora HDR 2018, are offering preorder customers a discount ahead of the software's September 28 release date.
 
Pricing
 

• Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade at a special pre-order price of $49 ($59 MSRP)
• New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2018 at a special pre-order price of $89 ($99 MSRP)
• A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.

Preorder Bonuses
 

• Trey Ratcliff Deep Dive video (HDR Training by Trey Ratcliff)
• Travel Photography Tutorials by Matt Granger (2 hours of tips, tricks and techniques to capture the best travel photos)
• Source Brackets (5 sets of HDR brackets)
• 3-month Zenfolio Pro website, including a complementary design consultation. $60 value.

While the software will retail for $99.00 after Sept. 28, the total value of the software and bonuses when preordering is $249.00, making the $89.00 preorder price an especially good deal.
 
Preorder Aurora HDR 2018

Just posted: Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens Review.
 
This is the Sony go-to lens for a large range of needs.
 
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.

 
We mentioned yesterday that B&H had several camera plates for the Canon EOS 6D Mark II available for purchase (although most are on backorder at the moment). However, I forgot to mention a clever design feature of the Kirk L-bracket which allows full functionality of the 6D II's vari-angle LCD screen.
 
The L-bracket's side port features a pivoting mechanism which enables the side plate to swing out of the way of the LCD (shown in the video above).
 
B&H has the Kirk L-Bracket for Canon 6D Mark II available for purchase with expected availability in 7-14 days. Note that if you plan on using the BG-E21 battery grip with your 6D Mark II, you'll need to purchase the Really Right Stuff BG-E21 Base and L-Plate Component. In the RRS design, the L-plate can be removed entirely for full access to the LCD.

From Adobe:
 
Strong Cash Flow and Earnings Highlight Third Quarter Results
 
SAN JOSE, Calif.--Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today reported financial results for its third quarter fiscal year 2017 ended Sept. 1, 2017.
 
Financial Highlights
 

• Adobe achieved record quarterly revenue of $1.84 billion in its third quarter of fiscal year 2017, which represents 26 percent year-over-year revenue growth.
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.84 on a GAAP-basis, and $1.10 on a non-GAAP basis.
• Digital Media segment revenue was $1.27 billion, with Creative revenue growing to $1.06 billion.
• Digital Media Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) grew to $4.87 billion exiting the quarter, a quarter-over-quarter increase of $308 million.
• Adobe Experience Cloud achieved revenue of $508 million, which represents 26 percent year-over-year growth.
• Operating income grew 48 percent and net income grew 55 percent year-over-year on a GAAP-basis; operating income grew 43 percent and net income grew 46 percent year-over-year on a non-GAAP basis.
• Cash flow from operations was $704 million, and deferred revenue grew to approximately $2.20 billion.
• The company repurchased approximately 2.1 million shares during the quarter, returning $298 million of cash to stockholders.

A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided at the end of this press release and on Adobe’s website.
 
Executive Quotes
 
“Adobe delivered another record quarter with stellar year-over-year revenue growth of 26 percent,” said Shantanu Narayen, president and CEO, Adobe. “The imperative to deliver intelligent, intuitive and effective customer experiences is key to the C-suite agenda of digital transformation, and Adobe’s cloud offerings are critical to that business mandate.”
 
“Our results in Q3 once again reflect the leverage of our financial model, with record revenue driven by our cloud-based subscription offerings, strong earnings and cash flow from operations," said Mark Garrett, executive vice president and CFO, Adobe.
 
B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

 
From the Adorama YouTube Channel:
 
Daniel Rueda and Anna Devís are both visionary photographers, currently living in Valencia Spain. These two photographers both have a unique style that features story telling, precision, humor, creativity and an amazing aesthetic.
 
Both Daniel and Anna are inspired by architecture, clean lines, and shapes. Mostly, the two just love to have fun while they are working.
 
See more Through The Lens: Season 4 videos here.

Through this weekend, B&H has the Manfrotto MK290LTA3-BHUS 290 Light Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head available for $99.88 with free shipping. Regularly $149.88.
 
Product Highlights
 

• Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
• Max Height: 56.7"
• Min Height: 16.4"
• Folded Length: 23.2"
• Leg Sections: 3
• Weight: 3.6 lb
• Tension-Adjustable Flip Locks
• Rubber Leg Grip
• Friction Control Ball Head with QR Plate

 
The team at LensRentals has produced a humorous series of videos explaining why Lens Rentals is different than their competition. One such example can be seen above.
 
If you're looking to rent gear in the near future, LensRentals is an excellent choice. To support this site, navigate to the appropriate product review and click the button.

B&H has the Lensbaby Composer Pro II with Sweet 80 Optic available for preorder.
 
The Lensbaby Sweet 80 Optic (without Composer Pro II) is also available for preorder.

B&H has select Westcott Light Modifying Products, including a few from their popular Apollo series, nicely discounted for a limited time.

 
From the SmugMug Films YouTube Channel:
 
The roar of the engine. The curves of the body. The power behind the wheel. Easton Chang captures the heart, soul, and beauty of automobiles through his photography. Get an eyeful of gorgeous cars through his lens, but buckle up tight first.

 
From Profoto:
 
The Profoto A1 might be the smallest flash we’ve ever made, but it’s still built to the same impossibly high standards we’ve set ourselves over the last fifty years.
 
Our focus with the A1 was to create a flash that delivers a truly high quality of light, which is why it features a round head which delivers light that's both natural and beautiful with a pleasing soft-smooth fall-off, that blends seamlessly with the ambient light.
 
Thanks to a smart magnetic mount built into the head, light shaping tools and modifiers can be clicked on and off quickly and easily. Within seconds you're being creative with light, shaping it. It also has a zoom function that allows you to make fine adjustments to the spread of light by simply twisting the zoom ring on the head, and for accuracy it has a modeling light built-in to the head – so you can see what you're going to get before you press the shutter.
 
We made it our mission to make A1 the first on-camera flash that's easy to use from the box. The user interface is simple and intuitive with a large high-contrast display at its center. The less time you spend learning and fiddling, the more time you'll spend shooting. And that's ultimately what counts. Despite its size, or lack of it, the A1 punches above its weight in a good number of key areas.
 
Battery life is key when a photographer is right in the thick of the action, because the last thing they need to have to stop mid flow to change the batteries. The A1 has its own Li-ion high capacity battery built-in which lasts up to four times longer than AA batteries with no performance fade. So, you can shoot for longer with confidence.
 
And this is a flash that can keep up with you because it recycles four times faster than other on-camera solutions – that's every 1.2 seconds at full power. Put simply, you'll never miss a shot.
 
And while it's true to say the Profoto A1 is our very first on-camera solution it's also just as effective off-camera as a standalone unit, and integrated into a larger system of lights. That level of versatility is possible because Air Remote is built-in, which means the A1 offers seamless connectivity with freestanding lights like another A1 or bigger Profoto lights like the B1X.
 
And with AirTTL you'll get a perfect exposure super-fast. Better still, you can lock the exposure with a single 'click' while still being free to fine tune that exposure in manual, giving you even greater control.
 
So, this is so much more than our smallest flash yet. This is shooting on the move, shooting with confidence and shooting with light shaping excellence. This is shooting off-camera and for the first time with Profoto, on-camera. This is the Profoto A1 – the world's smallest studio light.
 
Features A1
 

• Round head with soft, smooth and natural fall off.
• AirTTL and HSS for a beautiful professional image fast.
• Smart magnetic click-on mount for A1 Light Shaping Tools.
• 5 dedicated A1 Light Shaping Tools available.
• LED modeling light integrated to the head.
• Air Remote built-in.
• Rechargeable and exchangeable Li-Ion battery.
• 1.2s recycling time.
• TTL/MAN switch.
• Built in motor-zoom with hand control.
• Auto focus (AF) assist.
• Large Hi-Res display
• Support for Canon, Nikon and later for Sony

Specifications
 

B&H has the Profoto A1 Flash available for preorder.

Through midnight tonight Eastern Time, B&H has the Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density Filter available for $69.95 with free shipping after $20.00 mail-in rebate. Regularly $129.95.
 
Product Highlights
 

• Provides 2 to 8 Stops of Light Control
• Rotating Ring to Choose Degree of ND
• Eliminates Buying Many ND Filters
• Use to Create Blurs/Special Effects
• Use With Film or Digital
• Wide Outer Ring Reduces Vignetting
• Black Aluminum Filter Ring
• ColorCore Glass
• Made in the USA
• 10-Year Warranty

B&H will be closing for the upcoming Rosh Hashanah holiday. If you need something soon, order it now to avoid a delayed shipment.
 
SuperStore & Offices
B&H will be closed starting at 1pm ET on Wed Sep 20 through Sat Sep 23.
We will reopen at 9:30am on Sun Sep 24
 
Online Orders
Online checkout will be available until 6:45pm Wed Sep 20.
Regular checkout will resume at 8:15pm Sat Sep 23.
 
Shipping
Orders placed before 11am Wed Sep 20 will be processed prior to the holiday closing.
Orders placed after this time will be processed when we reopen on Sun Sep 24.

B&H has the MindShift Gear UltraLight Dual 36L Photo Daypack available for $159.99 with free expedited shipping. Regularly $199.99.
 
Product Highlights
 

• Holds DSLR, up to 3 Lenses & Accessories
• Stores 15" Laptop or 3L Hydration
• Removable Camera Compartment
• Trap Door for Full Daypack Conversion
• Variety of Storage Pockets
• Front Tripod/Monopod Mounting System
• Breathable Padded Airflow Harness
• Compression and Sternum Straps
• Daisy Chain Attachment Points
• Seam-Sealed Rain Cover Included

For several years I've been looking for a program or plugin that was able to convert my photos into a realistic looking pieces of painted artwork. A few months ago, I finally found a solution that gave me the results I was hoping for.
 
The solution – called Topaz Impression – is software that can be used as a standalone program (accessed via Topaz Studio) or as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop and/or Lightroom.
 
With tons of presets and the ability to personalize those presets for your own unique look, Impression gives you another tool to improve sales conversions with your clients. Take your shot, process with Impression, then have your converted image printed on canvas for an impressive result.
 
You can see a before/after example of a shot I took recently atop this post with additional processed examples shown below.
 



While the retail cost of the software may seem a bit steep, I think it is well priced considering the convincing quality of the images I've processed with the software. Fortunately, for a short time you can save 40% (through Sept. 29, 2017) on the software making it a really great deal. [Sean]
 
Purchase Topaz Impression