Canon and Sony News for Oct 2017 (Page 2)

I must admit – Simon Roy's technique of building a custom perch with a hole drilled out for placing seed is absolutely brilliant, easy to do and provides great results. [Sean]

From the CreativeLive YouTube Channel:

To spark your creativity, try a new (totally doable) challenge every other week to help you discover and harness new techniques. We’ll send you an email with a video (about five minutes long) outlining simple steps and ideas for a unique portrait. Take a moment to think about your point of view and deliver something outside of your norm.

From Nikon USA:

Nikon Continues 100th Year Anniversary Celebration at Upcoming Tradeshow with Product Displays, Ambassador Presentations, Panel Discussion and More

NEW YORK, NY – Nikon will once again return to the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City, offering attendees a compelling booth experience while providing educational presentations from respected Nikon photographers and Ambassadors at the Nikon Theater. Show attendees will also be able to experience Nikon’s latest products and view a dedicated display marking Nikon’s 100th year anniversary.

Throughout the show Nikon will highlight its extensive product line, headlined by the recently announced full-frame Nikon D850 DSLR. Attendees will have the opportunity to get hands-on time with the camera as well as speak directly with Nikon product experts. A variety of NIKKOR lenses will also be on display, including the new ultra-wide zoom AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR, the AF-S FISHEYE NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED, the wide-angle AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED and the compact telephoto AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR. Also on display will be the popular AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lenses, which is paired up with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens as part of the new Landscape & Macro 2 Lens Kit. Show attendees will also be able to go hands-on with the Nikon D7500, Nikon D5600, COOLPIX W300 cameras and a variety of other Nikon imaging products.

What’s more, to commemorate Nikon’s 100th anniversary, the Nikon booth will feature an exclusive collection of prized Nikon cameras spanning the last century.

Throughout the show, the Nikon Theater will host a variety of live presentations, plus Nikon will be sponsoring educational class sessions taught by various Nikon Photographers and Ambassadors. The presentations held at the booth will cover various topics including landscape photography, filmmaking, night photography and more. A full schedule of Nikon presentations at the Nikon Theater can be found below. Additionally, all presentations on Thursday, October 26, and Friday, October 27, will be livestreamed. Interested individuals should visit nikonusa.com/live to tune in.

Geared toward photography students and educators attending the show, Nikon and PDNedu will co-sponsor a panel discussion titled, “Creating a Sustainable Career” on Thursday, October 26 on the showroom floor from 2:00-3:30 p.m. EDT. Nikon Ambassadors Dixie Dixon, Deanne Fitzmaurice and Matthew Jordan Smith will discuss how to pursue careers in digital and photo imaging, and best practices for advancing and developing within an everchanging industry. The panel will include a Q&A session moderated by PDN Editor-in-Chief Holly Hughes, followed by a networking reception at the conclusion of the discussion.

Nikon at PhotoPlus Expo 2017

Booth #519 at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center - 11th Ave. (between 34th & 35th St)
Thursday, October 26, 2017: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, October 27, 2017: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT
Saturday, October 28, 2016: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT

Schedule of Presentations at the Nikon Theater

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017 (also livestreaming at nikonusa.com/live)

10:15am – 10:45am: Doug Gordon – The Posing Project
11:00am – 11:30am: Matthew Jordan Smith – Commercial Portrait Photography – It’s All In The Details
11:45am – 12:15pm: Mandy Lea – Shedding Light on Landscapes: Doing What It Takes to Get the Shot
12:30pm – 1:00pm: Joe McNally – The Power of Portable Lighting
1:15pm – 1:45pm: Corey Rich – Shooting Powerful Video: A Filmmaker’s Personal Project
2:00pm – 2:30pm: Tamara Lackey – Photographing the Style, Soul & Laughter of Children
2:45pm – 3:15pm: Andrew Hancock – Editorial to Commercial: Versatile Storytelling in the World of Sports
3:30pm – 4:00pm: Bambi Cantrell – The Language of Light and Shadows for Impact
4:15pm – 4:45pm: Lucas Gilman – Extreme Landscapes: Discovering the Art of Time-Lapse Movies

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017 (also livestreaming at nikonusa.com/live)

10:15am – 10:45am: Doug Gordon – The Posing Project
11:00am – 11:30am: Josh Cripps – Lenses of Landscape: Breaking the Rules
11:45am – 12:15pm: Andrew Hancock – Editorial to Commercial: Versatile Storytelling in the World of Sports
12:30pm – 1:00pm: Dixie Dixon – The Best Kept Secrets of a Fashion Photographer
1:15pm – 1:45pm: Jerry Ghionis – Wedding and Fashion Photography: Extreme Versatility
2:00pm – 2:30pm: Joe McNally – The Power of Portable Lighting
2:45pm – 3:15pm: Mandy Lea – Shedding Light on Landscapes: Doing What It Takes to Get the Shot
3:30pm – 4:00pm: Adam Woodworth – Alone in The Dark: Tales of A Night Photographer
4:15pm – 4:45pm: Deanne Fitzmaurice – The Heart of The Story

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017

10:15am – 10:45am: Steve Simon – Master the Street and Raise Your Game
11:00am – 11:30am: Adam Woodworth – Alone in The Dark: Tales of A Night Photographer
11:45am – 12:15pm: Tamara Lackey – Photographing the Style, Soul & Laughter of Children
12:30pm – 1:00pm: Jerry Ghionis – Wedding and Fashion Photography: Extreme Versatility
1:15pm – 1:45pm: Corey Rich – Shooting Powerful Video: A Filmmaker’s Personal Project
2:00pm – 2:30pm: Dixie Dixon – The Best Kept Secrets of a Fashion Photographer
2:45pm – 3:15pm: Lucas Gilman -- Extreme Landscapes: Discovering the Art of Time-Lapse Movies
3:30pm – 4:00pm: Josh Cripps – Lenses of Landscape: Breaking the Rules

Be sure to visit nikonusa.com/live to view the livestream feed of presentations at the Nikon booth from PhotoPlus on both Thursday, October 26 and Friday, October 27.

Nikon 100 Year Anniversary

Since the company was established in 1917, Nikon has cultivated its status as a pioneer of optical technologies around the world. Guided by a corporate philosophy of “Trustworthiness and Creativity”, Nikon provides a wide range of products and services globally by harnessing advanced opto-electronics and precision technologies. Nikon is proud to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2017. For more information about Nikon’s 100th Anniversary, please visit www.nikonusa.com/100th.

Canon has released their finanicial results for 3Q 2017 and has also announced a special 80th Anniversary Commemorative Dividend for its shareholders. See below for more information.

• Presentation Material for 3Q 2017 (PDF)
• Speech Summary (PDF)
• Results for 3Q 2017 (PDF)
• Notice Regarding Projected Dividend – Including 80th Anniversary Commemorative Dividend – for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2017 (PDF)

Related Articles

• Canon hikes profit outlook on demand for surveillance cameras, OLED production gear (Reuters)

In the above video, photographer David Flores explains how to capture multiple exposure images using Fuji, Canon and Sony cameras. Note that while Flores explains that previewing your multiple exposure before capture is a benefit of mirrorless cameras, Canon DSLRs offer the same benefit through the use of Live View during multiple exposure capture.

If you own a camera with the ability to capture multiple exposures, you should definitely give the feature a try. You can create multiple exposures with the following Canon cameras:

• EOS 1D X Mark II
• EOS 1D X
• EOS 5D Mark IV
• EOS 5Ds / 5Ds R
• EOS 5D Mark III
• EOS 6D Mark II
• EOS 6D
• EOS 7D Mark II
• EOS 80D
• EOS 70D

Below is an image of my former neighbor I created using the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. [Sean]

Baar, Switzerland, October 20th, 2017 – The TH Swiss company would like to announce the expansion of its range of Irix accessories with the Edge 100 series filter system. Among new products, there will be a versatile holder – the IFH-100 - with dedicated adapters and a wide choice of 100x100mm and 100x150mm filters.

The Irix Edge IFH-100 filter holder
The Irix IFH-100 is a universal filter holder designed for size 100mm filters. Its lightweight compact construction and bayonet adapter are created especially for the Irix 15mm f/2.4 lens, allowing the use of two filters at the same time without any vignetting effect. The construction of the filter holder base on the removable adapters allows for quick and easily attachment to the lens, along with free rotation around the optical axis when using the graduated or polarizing filters.

The ability to use removable adapters with thread diameters from 67mm to 82mm means that the holder can be used with lenses produced by Irix in the future, along with other brands. Each adapter has an additional thread for attaching the cap to the lens.

The filter holder is made of an aluminium alloy, which guarantees the high strength and stiffness of its structure. This has enabled to get an extremely compact size while keeping wide functionality, along with an aesthetic design together with the whole Irix product line. It is worth mentioning that the IFH- 100 is the lightest holder of its class. The front surface of the filter holder is covered with a lightabsorbing velvet fabric that blocks access to the side light, what is especially important when using high density optical ND filters.

The Irix Edge 100 filters
With the introduction of the IFH-100 filter holder, the Edge 100 series filters will also be available in two formats. The first, size 100x150, will contain gradual filters with a soft and hard transition, and also a reversed gradual filter dedicated to taking pictures of sunrises and sunsets. These rectangular filters will be available in ND4, ND8 and ND16 versions. In the square format, Neutral Density filters with densities ND32, ND128, ND1000, ND1000K will be available for the 100x100mm, along with a polarizing filter. There are future plans by the manufacturer to introduce filters which reduce light pollution.

Edge 100 series filters have a thickness of 2mm and are made from high quality optical glass which is also used in the production of the optical elements in lenses. Filters are coated on both sides with an anti-reflective nano-coating to keep high contrast and natural colours in pictures. The additional water and oil repellent coating also ensures easy cleaning of the surface.

The premiere at Photo Plus Expo 2017
The Edge series will be available at the Irix booth (No.929) during the Photo Plus Expo in New York City on October 26-28, 2017.

The full range of new Irix Edge accessories, along with pricing and availability information, will be published in the near future.

LEE has developed a range of reverse-graduated ND filters which are scheduled for release in the very near future. Watch as landscape photographer Mark Bauer demonstrates the usefulness of such filters.

B&H has the LEE Reverse-Graduated ND filters available for preorder.

by Sean Setters

In September of 2008, Canon announced a DSLR that would have a major impact on the photography and videography industry. The first full-frame camera to record video at 1080p – the EOS 5D Mark II – was a huge success, and it was a catalyst for the industry's focus on including the advanced video features in our cameras that we enjoy today.

Fast forwad almost a decade later, and now we have features such as great autofocus in video mode (via Dual Pixel CMOS sensors), 4K recording with individual frame grabs, high framerate recording, lenses with smooth and quiet AF, touchscreen focus and in-camera timelapse video creation. And while not every recently released camera has all of the features just mentioned, creating high quality 1080p videos – even with consumer grade DSLRs – is well within reach of most digital photographers.

The deluge of video features readily available in our DSLRs and mirrorless cameras undoubtly spurs a few questions for us photographers, such as:

• Is it possible to do photography and videography and be good at both?
• Can videography support my photography efforts, or vice versa?
• Should I be shooting video as well as stills in order to stay competitive in my desired markets, or is photography enough?
• What additional equipment and/or software will I need to create documentary video, short films or commercials?

Can I do both?

If your camera can capture high quality video, can you rationalize neglecting to fully utilize the capability? I can see arguments going both ways on this dilemma.

For instance, if a family member gifted you a piano in their will, you might be inclined to invest some (or, more likely, a substantial amount of) time and energy learning to play the piano so that the instrument's capabilities would not be wasted. On the other hand, you may want to devote that same time and energy to a previously explored, thoroughly enjoyed endeavor in order to become a master at that specific skill. For the sake of the hypothetical situation, let's say it is playing the guitar.

Could you do both? Sure. But doing so would mean splitting your time – a limited, non-renewable resource – between the two skills. Focusing on both skills simultaneously lengthens the time it takes to master each skill, and the time-investment-to-reward trade-off that may not prove to be worthwhile (that's assuming you're not already a master at playing the guitar). Then again, simultaneous practice of both skills may engender perpetual creativity and prevent burnout.

When it comes to photography and videography, the fields are related in that they both involve storytelling with imagery, and the same camera can be used to capture both. But aside from that, the two disciplines are vastly different. In photography, you need everything to fall in place for only a fraction of a second (or possibly several seconds in the case of long exposures) in order to capture a compelling story-telling image. But in videography, you have the flexibility to tell a story over time, but the entire sequence needs to be fluid, well composed and compelling. Lighting, composition and audio needs have to be considered on a second-by-second basis as the camera continues to record. For those of us who think who are used to thinking in "moments," videography can be exhausting as it requires constant attention to significantly more variables. And while the same camera can be used for both disciplines, the rest of the equipment required to perform each to a professional level varies greatly, although there is some overlap (more on this later).

Can video support my photography, or vice versa?

With many photographers owning multiple DSLRs, it's important to note that videos can help bolster one's photography business (of course, owning at least two cameras is ideal as you'd likely want to be using a camera in the frame while promoting your own photography). Great examples of this would be short promotional films (possibly added to the front page of one's photography website) and behind the scenes videos. Both are easily shared by happy clients and followers on social media platforms and can help generate more business.

Photography can also help support one's filmmaking goals, as printed media is often more easily disseminated to potential film audiences and can serve as an easily recognizable symbol for the film (movie posters would be a good example). In smaller productions, a good photograph used as the title card for a YouTube video can aid in giving that video a polished and professional look.

Will offering video services be required to stay competitive in my regional market?

The fact that most cameras can shoot video is not lost on modern-day consumers. If a bride and groom inquire about your wedding photography, they'll often ask "Do you shoot video too?" Of course, it's very difficult to shoot video and still imagery of the same event simultaneously and provide sufficient coverage, but most consumers don't realize that. So you're more likely going to provide one service or the other for a specific event (although you may also have someone else on your team providing the additional service).

So, assuming you've already invested the time, energy and equipment into becoming proficient at videography, offering videography services makes a lot of sense as it increases your potential client base. You could even give try to partner with other photographers/videographers in your area with the agreement that they recommend you as a videographer when potential clients inquire about wedding photography services, or otherwise recommend you as a photographer if they are approached for wedding videography services (with you recommending them for the other service when you are alternately approached by clients).

Of course, becoming proficient in a separate skill and offering an additional service is only necessary if you need to expand your business. If you're already having trouble finding free hours in the day while offering only photography services, it doesn't make sense to expand into a new market. But if you have the time and could use additional income, branching out into videography could certainly make sense from an economic perspective, especially if you already have sufficient video production tools at your disposal.

What extra equipment will I need to create high quality videos?

If you didn't read the last part of the previous sentence carefully, please read it again. Just because your camera shoots 1080p video does not mean you have everything you need to create high quality videos. Although anyone can push the shutter button on a camera and take a picture, it takes education, persistence and oftentimes special equipment to produce a captivating photograph. As far as photography is concerned, "special equipment" might include neutral density or polarizing filters, tripods, special triggering devices, shoe-mount flashes and/or studio lights, radio triggers, etc. You also likely use special software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom for post processing needs. Videography is no different, and thankfully, some of the previously mentioned photography products can help in videography as well (filters, tripods, lights).

If pursuing videography, you may need to invest in such things as LED lighting, audio recording devices/microphones/headphones/booms, gimbal stabilizers, shoulder mount rigs, sliders/jib cranes, etc. Of course, not every project is going to require all of those items, but... some of those items will be essential on just about any film project. And on top of that, you'll need some type of professional video software – such as Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve or MAGIX Vegas Pro – to turn your raw clips into a polished video.

Summary

While photography and videography share many similarities, including a subset of shared equipment, they are very different creative disciplines and each requires a vast amount of resources – in time, education, equipment and experience – to master. Whether or not it is wise to pursue both disciplines will depend heavily on one's personal drive and available resources. For those who do choose to pursue photography and videography, it can be a long, but likely fruitful adventure.

Macphun, makers of Aurora HDR 2018, are teasing a Digital Asset Management module that will eventually be included in Luminar 2018. For those who are uneasy about the direction Adobe is heading with cloud-focused software, Macphun's Luminar 2018 may prove to be a viable alternative.

Below, Tom Hogarty (director of product management for all things photography at Adobe) answers a few questions about Photoshop CC and Photoshop Classic CC.

From the Adobe Lightroom Journal:

How does this update affect my old Photography/Creative Cloud Plan?
TH: Within the Creative Cloud Photography plan we’ve updated the Lightroom you know and love to include performance and editing enhancements in a new version called Lightroom Classic. We added new Lightroom CC and a small amount of storage for you to experiment and try out the new cloud-based Lightroom offering. The Creative Cloud Photography plan – Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC, and now the new Lightroom CC plus Adobe Spark – is still $9.99 per month. There is also a new Lightroom CC plan that is $9.99 per month that does not include Lightroom Classic or Photoshop CC but does include 1TB of cloud storage for your photography library.

Is Lightroom Classic being phased out? How long will it be until Adobe kills Lightroom Classic?
TH: No, we’re not phasing out Lightroom Classic and remain committed to investing in Lightroom Classic in the future. We know that for many of you, Lightroom Classic, is a tool you know and love and so it has an exciting roadmap of improvements well into the future. But please hold us accountable as we make updates in the following months and years to let us know if we’re meeting your expectations.

Does everything have to be synced to Lightroom CC or can users pick and choose what content syncs with the cloud?
TH: For this 1.0 release, everything imported is intended to upload to Creative Cloud. We clearly understand that there are situations where a customer would not want all of their images uploaded to Creative Cloud so let’s talk about those situations and how we can address them. In the case where a customer doesn’t want any images in the Creative Cloud, Lightroom Classic is and will continue to be an excellent workflow choice.

Some users have about 8TB worth of photos. How do they fit that into 1TB of space?
TH: We have plans available for 1TB, 2TB, 5TB and 10TB right now at $9.99 per TB per month. Let us know if you want more.

What if you don’t have superfast, unlimited Internet to sync everything? Won’t it likely take days to upload a full shoot of raw files to a cloud server?
TH: Upload times depend on your bandwidth but you can still start working on your images immediately. If your bandwidth is not going to support your current volume of photography, Lightroom Classic is and will continue to be an excellent workflow choice.

In regards to Lightroom 6, why did you abandon the Lightroom standalone version?
TH: Customers are overwhelmingly choosing the Creative Cloud Photography plan as the preferred way to get access to Lightroom. We’re aligning our investment with the direction our customers have signaled over the last several years.

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

From the Joe McNally YouTube Channel:

A true test of the radio capabilities of the SB-5000. At night, helicopter to helicopter, exceeding the triggering distance I thought possible. This short video is technical in nature, and shows the placement and progress of lighting the helicopter. We used four SB-5000 Speedlights to get the interior lit before taking off over the NYC skyline.

The Shot

A post shared by joe mcnally (@joemcnallyphoto) on Oct 17, 2017 at 7:03am PDT

B&H carries the Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight Flash.

From Canon USA:

Canon U.S.A. Launches Bold New Expedited Service at PhotoPlus EXPO 2017

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 19, 2017 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, continues its mission to deliver industry-leading speed and quality of service offered through Canon Professional Services (CPS), its award-winning service and support program for professional photographers. CPS Platinum members will now enjoy next-day service, with equipment serviced and shipped the business day after an estimate is approved. For repairs that will take longer, Canon will offer next-day loaner equipment. In addition, CPS Gold members' benefits will now be enhanced with two-day service turnaround.

“For professional photographers, sending equipment in for service can mean lost income while their gear is being repaired, and we are committed to do everything in our power to minimize their downtime,” noted Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon has long been delivering fast, high-quality service and customer satisfaction, and this bold new level of performance sends a clear message to photographers that we remain dedicated to providing professional-level service and support.”

This next-day service will officially launch at PhotoPlus Expo 2017 in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, Oct. 26-28, 2017, where Canon U.S.A. is showcasing its latest in digital imaging products for photographers of all skill levels, in addition to hosting educational seminars from booth #121. At the Expo, Canon Professional Services will once again host its always-popular CPS Lounge where Platinum, Gold, and Cinema CPS members can have their Canon equipment (up-to-two current Professional DSLR bodies or lenses)2 cleaned and checked during Expo hours from Thursday, Oct. 26, through Saturday, Oct. 28, in Room 2D12.

CPS Lounge Hours during PhotoPlus Expo 2017:

Oct. 26: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
Oct. 27: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
Oct. 28: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM (equipment pickup only, no new items accepted)

In the Canon booth, attendees can observe factory-trained technicians performing Canon maintenance service, highlighting Canon’s commitment to providing world-class service and support for professionals. For more information on the Canon CPS program, including the new service times, please visit the CPS web page at: www.cps.usa.canon.com. For more information on Canon maintenance service, including a list of eligible products, visit usa.canon.com/maintenance.

Canon Products at the PhotoPlus EXPO

Also at the booth, will be the tradeshow debut of the brand-new Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III, Canon’s first PowerShot Digital Camera to feature an APS-C CMOS Sensor and Canon’s revolutionary Dual-Pixel CMOS Auto Focus. As always, PhotoPlus Expo attendees will have the opportunity to touch and try Canon’s wide array of digital imaging solutions, including the recently announced EOS 6D Mark II DSLR Camera, EOS M100 Digital Camera and EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens. The booth will also feature the full line of Canon EOS and PowerShot Digital Cameras, EF Lenses, imagePROGRAF PRO, PIXMA PRO, PIXMA and SELPHY printers and REALiS projectors.

Officially Licensed Merchandise from Canon

Canon will also showcase its line of “Canon Gear,” available for purchase to visitors of the Canon booth. This line will feature a collection of officially licensed Canon merchandise, including miniature Canon model cameras, Canon-branded thermal water bottles and backpacks, collectible photographer teddy bears and much more. The full line of Canon Gear is scheduled to be available for purchase on October 26 at shop.usa.canon.com.

Canon Education and Galleries at PhotoPlus EXPO

The main stage in the booth will feature presentations from several Canon Explorers of Light (schedule subject to change), including one of the newest members of the program, Barbara Davidson, who will make her debut as a Canon Explorer of Light at PhotoPlus Expo. For the complete speaking schedule, please see below.

The booth will also feature a curated gallery of photographs by Explorers of Light, showcasing the skill and talent that earned them a place in this elite program. Included is a special collection of images from a campaign for the Too Young to Wed organization with Canon Explorer of Light Stephanie Sinclair telling the true story of young women across the globe—many still children—who are forced into marriage.

Follow Canon throughout the PhotoPlus Expo show @CanonUSApro. To see the full details of Canon’s presence at PhotoPlus Expo, please visit: usa.canon.com/photoplus2017.

In the video above, Julieanne Kost, Principal Digital Imaging Evangelist for Adobe, explains the primary differences between the new Lightroom CC and the older Lightroom Classic CC (the program we're all familiar with), and which type of user may benefit from using each program.

In the video, we learn that the following features are not yet found in the new Lightroom CC:

Lightroom Classic CC Features Not Available In Lightroom CC

• Tone Curve and Split Tone Panels
• Camera profiles and soft proofing
• Snapshots or a History Panel
• Hierarchical keywords
• Extended metadata support
• PhotoMerge
• Smart Collections, custom sort orders
• Survey, compare, or reference view
• Robust batch processing
• Support for 3rd party plug-ins
• Print, Book, Slideshow and Map creations
• Color and Luminance Range Masking

If any of the above features are necessary for your workflow, the program formerly known as Lightroom CC – now called Lightroom Classic CC – is still there for you. And the really good news is that the newest iteration of the desktop-centric program has been upgraded for faster performance (in my limited tests so far, the difference was noticeable). If you need to have access to your full resolution files across multiple platforms (desktop/laptop, especially), then using the new Lightroom CC will make a lot of sense. And keep in mind, this is the first version of the cloud-centric Lightroom CC. The list of unavailable features will likely diminish over time as the new program is updated.

Thoughts on Repurposing the "Lightroom CC" Name

I've been a big proponent of Adobe's Creative Cloud subscription model since the early days of its existence because, from a consumer's standpoint, I think the Photography Plan (Photoshop + Lightroom) makes a lot of sense. It's easily the most productive $9.99 I spend each month.

But I must admit to being completely baffled by Adobe's decision to take the name of a well known program, give it to a new (very similar) program, and then rename the old program. It's very confusing (to put it mildly).

Let's say you want to start using the new Lightroom CC but its new interface seems a bit confusing for you, especially as you're used to the Lightroom Classic CC. Try typing in "Adobe Lightroom CC Tutorial" into YouTube and you will undoubtedly be presented with a hundred videos with similar titles. However, determining which of the instructional videos will be providing information relating to the "new" Lightroom CC will be, at best, challenging.

As Shakespeare penned, "That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." That may be true, but there are expectations that come with a well known name. If florists started calling carnations "roses" and roses "classic roses" tomorrow, we'd all be just as bewildered. [Sean]

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

Really Right Stuff Ground Level Tripod Review.

This tripod has generated more emails to us than any other product on the site.

The Really Right Stuff Ground Level Tripod is in stock at B&H.

From Adobe:

Camera Raw 10 is now available as a final release available in the Adobe Create Cloud desktop app.

Range Mask

Range Mask works within the structure of the existing local adjustment tools to give you more precision with your local adjustments. One way to think of it is that Range Mask is a modifier that can be applied to a local adjustment, allowing you to create more precise selections with less hassle. Range Mask is designed to be easy to use, and the resulting mask can be further refined by nudging the sliders.

Range Mask has two different modes to address two different types of color/tone-based masks: Color Range Mask and Luminance Range Mask.

Usage Instructions:

1. Open an image into the Camera Raw plugin
2. Select one of the local adjustment tools (Local Adjustment Brush, Graduated Filter, Radial Filter) and make an initial mask of your intended selection area.
3. From the Range Mask option, select either Color or Luminance.
• Color: Use the Eyedropper to select the colors you’d like to include in your selection. You can select up to 5 different colors using the Shift + click method with the eyedropper. Alternatively, you can sample a range of colors, even completely different colors, by dragging out an area with the eyedropper. Once selected, you can further refine your selection using the Amount slider.
• Luminance: Use the Range and Smoothness sliders to adjust your mask and fine tune.
4. Use the local adjustment sliders to make the desired edits to your images.

New Camera Support in Camera Raw 10

• Canon EOS M100*
• Casio EX-ZR4100
• Casio EX-ZR5100
• Fujifilm X-E3
• Olympus OM-D EM-10 Mark III
• Samsung Galaxy S8
• Samsung Galaxy S8+
• Sony RX0 (DSC-RX0)**
• Sony RX10 IV (DSC-RX10M4)*

* Denotes preliminary support.
** Only the Adobe Standard color profile included.

New Lens Profiles in Camera Raw 10

Camera Raw 10 – Please use the Adobe Creative Cloud app to download and install Camera Raw 10.

DNG Converter 10: Mac | Win

Please note – If you have trouble updating to the latest ACR update via the Creative Cloud application, please refer to the following plugin installation:

http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/multi/camera-raw-plug-in-installer.html

Thank you!

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

From Canon USA:

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 4.7.20:

• Supports PowerShot G1 X Mark III, PowerShot G12, PowerShot G11, PowerShot G10, PowerShot G9, PowerShot S95, PowerShot S90, PowerShot SX50 HS, PowerShot SX1 IS.
• Supports EF85mm f/1.4L IS USM, EF-S35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM.
• Supports Chromatic aberration correction, Peripheral illumination correction, Distortion correction, and Digital Lens Optimizer for images captures with a combination of EOS 6D Mark II and TS-E50mm f/2.8L Macro, TS-E90mm f/2.8L Macro, TS-E135mm f/4L Macro, TS-E17mm f/4L, or TS-E24mm f/3.5L II.
• Enhances operability of the Filter/Sort function.
• Supports customization on the Preview Properties Display.

Changes for Picture Style Editor 1.19.10

• Supports PowerShot G1 X Mark III.

Download: Digital Photo Professional 4.7.20 & Picture Style Editor 1.19.10

B&H has the Zeiss Milvus 25mm f/1.4 available for preorder with free expedited shipping.

From Canon USA:

Company Welcomes Barbara Davidson and Terrell Lloyd into its Revered Program

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 18, 2017 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce the addition of photographers Barbara Davidson and Terrell Lloyd to its renowned Explorers of Light program. These new members add to the already impressive ranks of Canon's program, expanding its wide range of talented professionals that impact imaging culture and influence the way their audiences see the world. Both Barbara Davidson and Terrell Lloyd will be on hand at the Canon Booth (#121) at PhotoPlus Expo 2017, October 26-28 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. In addition, Barbara will be a member of a keynote panel at the Expo on Thursday, Oct 26 and will be presenting at the Canon booth on both Thursday, October 26 and Saturday, October 28th. At the Canon booth, she will share her work and experience of shooting with the EOS M5 camera as well as capturing emotional images of conflicts and tragedies. For a full schedule of PhotoPlus Expo events in the Canon booth, please visit usa.canon.com/photoplus2017.

Barbara Davidson is a three-time Pulitzer Prize and Emmy-award winning photojournalist best known for her work on victims of gang abuse in Los Angeles. As a long-time photographer at the Los Angeles Times, Barbara spent much of the past decade photographing women and children trapped in a culture of poverty and guns. “I am excited to be a part of this great program and look forward to sharing my years of experience with Canon users all over the world,” said Davidson.

Terrell Lloyd is known for his experience shooting professional and college sports. He is currently employed by the San Francisco 49ers as their full-time lead team photographer and managing all of the organization’s photography services. Over the past 25 years, Lloyd has diversified his business by photographing a multitude of events. “Being an Explorer of Light gives me the opportunity to help educate and inspire the next generation of image creators,” said Lloyd.

"Canon’s Explorer of Light program has enabled us to connect with and showcase the works of many amazing professional photographers and we are so pleased to welcome Barbara Davidson and Terrell Lloyd into this exclusive family,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “It’s a privilege to have our Explorers of Light share their photographic passions and technical expertise with eager audiences of photo professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts to further inspire them to reach their creative potential."

Since the creation of the program in 1995, Canon's Explorers of Light have been leaders in their respective fields, and have garnered awards and accolades for their work. These individuals work with Canon extensively as representatives, ambassadors, educators, and role models for aspiring creative artists. They participate in workshops, seminars, gallery showings and personal appearances throughout the United States.

For more information about the Explorers of Light program, visit: usa.canon.com/canonexplorersoflight.

The October 2017 update for Adobe Photoshop CC includes the following:

Better brush organization
Organize and save your brushes in the order you want. Drag and drop to reorder, create folders and sub-folders, scale the brush stroke preview, toggle new view modes, and save brush presets with opacity, flow, blend mode, and color.

Brush performance improvements
Don't be slowed down by lagging brushes. New, faster reaction time is especially noticeable when working on large documents with large brushes.

Access Lightroom Photos
Get your photos from Lightroom Cloud Services right inside Photoshop via Search or the Start Screen. With deeper integration between all the Creative Cloud photography desktop and mobile apps, all your photos are synced and accessible everywhere.

Brush stroke smoothing
Get a more polished look faster with a new smoothing algorithm. Vary the amount of smoothing for cleaner lines, even when using a mouse. Available in the Tool Options bar, along with Flow and Opacity.

Exclusive brushes from Kyle T. Webster
Access over 1,000 digital brushes from award-winning illustrator Kyle T. Webster, now available exclusively inside Photoshop.

Variable fonts
With new font technology from Adobe, Apple, Google, and Microsoft, you can define variations within each supported font for weight, height, slant, and more.

Quick Share menu
Share a flattened copy of your work via email, text, social networks, and more. This feature uses native OS sharing mechanisms, including already authenticated services.

Curvature Pen tool
Create paths more quickly, intuitively, and precisely. Push and pull segments directly instead of having to modify Bezier handles, similar to the Curvature tool in Illustrator. Simply double-click to switch between point types.

Path improvements
Improve the look and feel of your paths. Choose the color and line thickness to make them easier to see.

Copy and paste layers
Copy and paste multiple layers in groups, keeping the same order and location instead of having to drag them to reorder. Copy layers onto your clipboard and paste them at the desired specific spot in your panel, within and between documents in Photoshop.

Enhanced tooltips
Learn about the different tools in Photoshop without leaving the app. With enhanced tooltips, dynamic information surfaces when you hover over a tool.

360 panorama workflow
Edit and export 360 panoramas. Photoshop will maintain important metadata to work with third-party viewers. You can also pan and zoom around your image inside a spherical workspace for a realistic preview experience.

Properties panel improvements
Keep better track of details for Adobe Stock assets by viewing title and license state. View an image and find similar images on the Adobe Stock site. Edit type properties with multiple layers selected, change the leading, and more.

Support for Microsoft Dial
Native support for Microsoft Dial gives you quick access to important controls without having to use your mouse. Control brush parameters including size, hardness, opacity, flow, and smoothing.

Paste as plain text
Now you can paste text without the styling. No need to spend the time reformatting text after pasting.

Support for HEIF
Photoshop now supports High Efficiency Image File (HEIF) format, promoted by Apple in macOS 10.13 and iOS 11.0. With depth information provided by the iPhone 7 Plus and future devices, you can create a depth-of-field effect using the Lens Blur filter.

Select and Mask improvements
Get more accurate and realistic results with algorithm and performance improvements, especially in cases where the foreground and background color are similar. Other usability and performance improvements include faster Quick Mask and more intuitive view mode settings.

And so much more
Also includes: Performance and stability improvements, ability to save large files faster, better face detection for Face-Aware Liquify, better Content-Aware Crop and Content-Aware Fill on edges, and more.

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

From Adobe:

Integrated Cloud-Based Service Enables Easy Editing, Organizing, Storing and Sharing of Photography From Anywhere

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 9:00 am EDT – LAS VEGAS – Adobe today announced the all-new Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC cloud-based photography service. Launched over a decade ago, Lightroom became the industry’s leading desktop application for editing and organizing photography. Now in an increasingly mobile-centric world, and with major improvements in smartphone cameras, Lightroom is transforming digital photography again. Built for professionals and enthusiasts, the new Lightroom CC fulfills the demands of today’s photographers for a more accessible, cloud-based photography service for editing, organizing, storing and sharing their photos from wherever they are.

Featuring a streamlined user interface, Lightroom CC enables powerful editing in full resolution across mobile, desktop and the web. With Lightroom CC, photographers can make edits on one device and automatically synchronize their changes everywhere. Lightroom CC makes organizing photography collections easier with features like searchable keywords that are automatically applied without the hassle of tagging. And Lightroom CC makes it simple to share photos on social media.

“As the leader in digital photography, today Adobe is unveiling Lightroom CC, our next generation photography service,” said Bryan Lamkin, executive vice president and general manager, Digital Media at Adobe. “Lightroom CC answers photographers’ demand for a deeply integrated, intelligent, cloud-based photography solution.” Key Lightroom CC capabilities include:

• The most powerful image editing technology: Built on the same imaging technology that powers Photoshop and Lightroom, Lightroom CC offers a new streamlined interface with easy-to-use sliders, presets and quick adjustment tools.
• Edit anywhere: Lightroom CC allows photographers to edit full-resolution photos anywhere – on mobile devices, desktop or the web. Edits made on one device are automatically synced across devices for anywhere access.
• Worry free back-up, cloud storage: Lightroom CC has scalable storage options for safe and secure back up of full-resolution photos – including raw files.
• Powered by Adobe Sensei: Adobe Sensei’s machine learning technology automatically applies searchable keywords to objects in photographs – making organization in Lightroom CC effortless.
• Built-in sharing tools: Lightroom CC makes it easy to share photos directly via social media and to create custom Lightroom web galleries that can be shared via link. Photographers can also share their work through new Adobe Portfolio integration with Lightroom CC.
• Updated award-winning mobile and web experiences:
• Lightroom CC for mobile on iOS: Built-in search functionality powered by Adobe Sensei, keyword support, hierarchical album support, an enhanced iPad app layout and iOS 11 files support.
• Lightroom CC for mobile on Android: Tablet support and a local adjustments brush, along with the same built-in search functionality, keyword support and hierarchical album support as seen in the iOS app.
• Lightroom CC for web: Ability to create and manage a public gallery page, as well as enhanced integration with Adobe Portfolio, which enables subscribers to easily import collections and publish their best shots to a customized Portfolio website in just a few clicks.

Updates to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC

Major updates to Lightroom Classic CC, previously known as Lightroom CC, include an enhanced Embedded Preview workflow that enables users to scroll through large sets of photos to select a subset of images significantly faster than before. Lightroom Classic CC also features new editing capabilities, including a new Color Range and Luminance Masking functionality that enables users to apply precise edits. As contrasted with the cloud-centric, anywhere workflows of Lightroom CC, the new Lightroom Classic CC continues to focus on a more traditional desktop-first workflow with local storage and file and folder control.

Availability, Plans and Pricing

The all-new Lightroom CC is available across three photography plans:

• For photographers that want an all-in-one plan that offers the full benefits of the Lightroom CC service plus the transformative power of Photoshop, the Creative Cloud Photography plan with 1 TB includes Lightroom CC, Lightroom for mobile and web, Photoshop CC, Adobe Spark with premium features, Adobe Portfolio, and 1 TB of cloud storage ($19.99/month, but available at $14.99/month for the first year for existing Creative Cloud Photography customers).
• Lightroom CC has also been added to the existing Creative Cloud Photography plan with an additional 20 GB of storage to help users get started on the new service. This plan remains at $9.99/month and includes Lightroom CC, Lightroom for mobile and web, Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC, Adobe Spark with premium features, Adobe Portfolio, and 20 GB of cloud storage. Creative Cloud All Apps members also have access to the new Lightroom CC service.
• The all-new Lightroom CC plan addresses the needs of photographers who want a cloud-based photography service for editing, organizing, storing and sharing their photos from wherever they are, and includes Lightroom CC, Lightroom for mobile and web, Adobe Spark with premium features, Adobe Portfolio, and 1 TB of cloud storage ($9.99/month).

For those who are truly mobile and don’t require a desktop photography solution, the Lightroom Mobile plan for iOS and Android is available with 100 GB ($4.99/month).

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

Just posted: Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC G2 Lens Review.

This lens is most-directly competing against the just-reviewed Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art Lens. Read the review to learn how it fared.

The Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC G2 Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama.

From ZEISS:

With its new wide-angle focal length, the ZEISS Milvus family now boasts eleven lenses for single-lens reflex cameras, including four focal lengths with a maximum aperture of 1.4, which are perfect for videographers too.

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 2017-10-18 – The ZEISS Milvus 1.4/25 is the latest focal length to be added to ZEISS’s largest range of lenses for full-frame single-lens reflex cameras. The lens, which was developed for the DSLR systems from Canon1 is a trademark or registered trademark of Canon Inc. and/or other members of the Canon Group. and Nikon2 is a registered trademark of Nikon Corporation., is suitable primarily for landscape and architecture photography, and for journalistic shots and videos. “The completely new optical design ensures superior performance across the entire image field,” says Christophe Casenave, Product Manager at ZEISS. “This results in high-contrast photos and a harmonious bokeh.”

Thanks to a maximum aperture of 1.4, this lens can even capture exceptional images in poor light. “Even at full aperture, there are hardly any color fringes,” says Casenave. “The finest details can be reproduced in high definition and contrast all the way into the corners.” The metal housing is what makes the lens robust, and its dirt and dust protection even makes the ZEISS Milvus 1.4/25 ready for action in adverse weather. The large 172-degree focus rotation angle enables precise manual focusing for adding creative touches to photos and videos.

The largest ZEISS lens family yet

Featuring eleven focal lengths ranging from 15 to 135 millimeters, including two macros, the ZEISS Milvus family covers a host of applications, such as portrait, landscape, architecture and street photography. “We can offer every photographer just the right lens,” says Casenave.

Perfect for videographers too

The four ZEISS Milvus focal lengths 25, 35, 50 and 85 millimeters with an aperture of 1.4 are just perfect for filming. Thanks to their high speed, they are suitable primarily for interviews and documentaries where the videographer can utilize natural light. Thanks to the de-click function in the version for the Nikon-Mount the aperture can be adjusted continuously. ZEISS Lens Gears in a range of sizes permit the use of follow-focus systems.

Price and availability

The ZEISS Milvus 1.4/25 retails for 2,399 euros incl. 19 percent sales tax (RRP) or $2,399USD and will be available starting 2 November 2017.

B&H has the Zeiss Milvus 25mm f/1.4 available for preorder.

This year's hurricane season has been disasterous for thousands of people, but one lens company has stepped up to do what it can for victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Until December 31, Sigma is offering complimentary service repairs to get your still-under-warranty lenses operating again or trade-in options "...for a special price" (according to an email from Sigma's Public Relations firm that we received).

The full details for Sigma's hurricane relief program can be found below:

Sigma hereby extends the warranty coverage of Sigma products still under warranty for damages incurred as a result of Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria. If your equipment is under warranty, Sigma will provide either (a) complimentary service to get your equipment running, or (b) a trade-in option. Just ship your damaged equipment to Sigma, and we will ship the equipment back to you without charge. All terms of your Sigma warranty coverage still apply, so when sending in your Sigma product, please be sure to include a copy of the original sales receipt as proof of purchase date. If you do not have appropriate documentation as a result of the Hurricanes, please contact us. Eligibility for this offer is subject to Sigma’s sole discretion. This offer is open through December 31, 2017 (we must receive your damaged equipment by that date).