Canon and Sony News for Jun 2018 (Page 2)

Image quality test results have been added to the Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens page.

Like the Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens, the Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens has strong geometric distortion and current Sony cameras have the distortion correction menu option grayed-out. Distortion correction is always enabled when this lens is mounted and this means that the corrected image is seen in the electronic viewfinder and we are not able to determine the required precise test chart framing for the uncorrected view. So, understand that the image quality results for the Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens include distortion correction and that this lens has strong distortion at the longer and shorter focal lengths.

Here are some comparisons to get you started:

Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS compared to Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Lens
Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS compared to Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens
Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS compared to Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens

This lens currently has a $300 instant rebate available. The Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.

B&H also has a 9+-rated used 24-70mm f/4 ZA in stock for only $729.95!

From the Adorama YouTube Channel:

Photographing sparklers is great fun and can create a wide variety of images. In this video Gavin Hoey shares his tips for creating simple but beautiful sparkler shots by placing a light bulb in front of the sparkler.

Gavin also shows you how to light the front of the bulb and then dives in to Photoshop for a quick tip on how the merge the two shots together.

This is a great technique to use around 4th of July, Guy Fawkes night, Diwali or new year celebrations but always keep safety in mind. Never touch a lit sparkler and place spent sparklers in water.

Amazon sells antique light bulbs.

From Adorama:

Whether you’re shooting photo or video, it’s tough to capture high-quality shots without a good source of light — that’s why most industry professionals rely on top-quality lighting equipment. Yes, sometimes you’re lucky enough to have natural light (a photographer’s — and videographer’s — dream!) but if you’re filming commercial work or weddings, you’ll undoubtedly be faced with poor lighting situations like dim reception halls or office buildings.

To help photographers and videographers light their shots effectively, Adorama is unveiling a new line of affordable and diverse lighting equipment and accessories. The new CLAR collection offers something for just about every visual professional — from documentary filmmakers to high-fashion photographers. Here’s a quick breakdown of the collection so you can see which product line is best for you!

Slim Series

Created with videographers in mind, the CLAR Slim Series lights attach easily to DSLR shoe mounts and have a wireless remote — the CLAR Remote for the Slim Series ($19) — that’s good for up to 100 feet (perfect when you’re managing multiple cameras at once!). As the name indicates, this product line is slim and lightweight — a must when you’re “running and gunning” for documentaries or wedding videos.

The line’s color temperature range is 3200K to 5600K (in increments of 100K), meaning you have optimal and precise control over the look and feel of your footage. As any wedding videographer knows, finding white balance in a reception hall can be super tricky, so this on-camera light (which also attaches to most lighting stands) can save you loads of time in post.

The CLAR Slim Series line includes three variations of new lights:

• CLAR Slim Series Bi-Color 144 SMD LED On-Camera Light ($69.95)
• CLAR Slim Series Bi-Color 288 SMD LED On-Camera Light ($119)
• CLAR Slim Series 360B Bi-Color 36W SMD LED Studio Light ($190)

Surface Series

The CLAR Surface Series lights offer tremendous value and usability for videographers and photographers covering all types of work environments: press and documentaries, interviews, studio stills, location work, and weddings. The slim, lightweight lights can attach to the top of the camera or a stand, and they’re designed to supply a soft, glowing natural-looking light on the subject for a clean look.

Similar to the Slim Series, the Surface Series lights have a slender remote control for convenience and ease of use. Equally important — particularly for the news and documentary industry — is the tough plastic frame that protects these lights during activities like travel.

The Surface Series has two products:

• CLAR Surface Series 24B Bi-Color On Camera and Studio LED Light ($49.95)
• CLAR Surface Series 36B Bi-Color On Camera LED Light ($99)

Wand/Ring Light

Next in the new CLAR collection is the Wand and Ring Light Series, both favorites among fashion, glamour, and children photographers, and news reporters. These two products — the CLAR Luminous Pro 19? Bi-Color Ringlight Plus ($199) and the CLAR WandLux Pro and Ring Light Kit ($159) — produce soft, high-beauty light (but low heat) to keep the subject looking great and feeling comfortable throughout the full session. The ring light is also a hit for macro photographers, given its gentle yet targeted illumination finds its way into the nooks and crevices of all sorts of objects.

Like the previous two collections, wireless remotes give photographers the opportunity to balance and adjust luminance and white balance from afar. Additionally, the precise MultiTemp color range of 3,200 to 5,500 ensures photographers have full control over the look and the feel of their shots.

The CLAR Collection’s WandLux Pro and Ring Light Kit comes with the dimmable Ring Light as well as an LED handheld wand that ensures accurate colors, skin tones and hues — and lasts for at least 2.5 hours.

Luxpando

The CLAR Collection’s Luxpando series is one of the highest quality light sources you can buy. The three products across this series provide turbo-charged lighting that mimics sunlight, no matter where you are. Additionally, the Luxpando series was built for precision and power, with brightness controls from 1 to 100% and the “Dynamic TURBO Mode” that provides an extra 30% of light.

Perfect for media production sets, this unique series of LED lights is designed for fast movement and mega action — which is why the strong aluminum alloy housing is extra important for safekeeping. The series also has a console controller and optional wireless control for ease of use.

For a daytime look, try the Blackbezt Luxpando Series 5600K Daylight Studio panel ($600). For a warmer look, you’ll need the Blackbezt Luxpando Series 3000K Tungsten Studio Panel ($600). And, if you can’t decide — or know you’ll need both — CLAR has the Blackbezt Luxpando Series 3000-5600K Bi-Color LED Panel ($690), a must for major studios or production teams). All bundles come with $159.95 worth of free accessories — plus free shipping!

Accessories

To round out that new lighting arsenal, the CLAR collection features a handful of must-have accessories, including:

• CLAR Honeycomb Grid ($49.95): This powerful grid helps the photographer gain more control over their light source, and helps feather unwanted hard light to avoid too much contrast or an unnatural look. The Honeycomb attaches to the CLAR Slim 500 barndoor frame, and is great for spotlight glows or, more creatively, cast shadows, sharp color projection and edge light.
• CLAR Grid Softbox ($49.95): This accessory is designed for quick and easy use (a must for most photographers – especially on wedding days!). The Softbox comes with an Eggcrate grid that creates beautiful light feathering and attractive shadows that help the subject really “pop.” This is a must for portrait and fashion photographers, as the Eggcrate emphasizes facial structure and features in a glowing, attractive way.

Ready to take the plunge with a new lighting kit? Your future self will thank you! Here’s the full CLAR collection so you can amp up your gear arsenal today.

According to B&H, the retailer expects the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM Lens to hit its shelves in less than a week – or more specifically, Thursday, June 28.

Want your lens as soon as possible? Preorder it now!

From Sony:

This utility updates the SELP18110G lens system software to version 02 and provides the following changes and benefits:

• Improves rare cases where the focus does not fit in FullMF mode
• Improves focus tracking accuracy and stability

IMPORTANT: The lens must be attached to an E-mount body camera to perform this update.

Note: The NEX-5, NEX-3, NEX-C3, NEX-VG10, and PXW-FS7 model cameras cannot be used for this update.

Determine if you need this update

1. Attach the lens to the camera.
2. Note: Please make sure the camera is off before you attach the lens.
3. Turn on the camera.
4. Press the Menu button.
5. At the Menu screen, select Setup.
6. At the Setup screen, select Version.
7. The System Software version is displayed on the LCD screen.
8. If the current version is Ver.02 or higher, the camera lens doesn't need this update.

From the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom YouTube Channel:

Learn how to create a preset based on edited settings, quickly import and sync profiles and presets, and manage profiles and presets on individual devices.

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

Image quality, vignetting, flare and distortion test results along with specs, measurements and standard product images have been added to the Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens page.

Before going any further, we need to talk. Most cameras today have built-in lens abberation correction that can optionally be enabled/disabled. Sony's a7R III and similar cameras are included in this group.

When testing lenses, we disable all lens abberation correction. We want to see how well the lens performs without any software enhancements. Software enhancements can be applied to the results from any lens, but some of this processing can be destructive – especially distortion correction.

Any processing made before the raw file is created cannot be controlled and some have accused Sony of this tactic. Addressing these accusations is not he point of this tangent, but I can tell you that the distortion correction menu option is grayed-out and distortion correction is always enabled when this lens is mounted. This lens has extremely strong barrel distortion that Sony apparently doesn't want anyone to see.

With distortion correction enabled, the corrected image is seen in the electronic viewfinder and we are not able to determine the required precise test chart framing for the uncorrected view. So, understand that the image quality results for the Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens include distortion correction and that this lens has very strong barrel distortion.

Capture One permits the distortion correction to be turned off and this is what the final ISO chart framing looks like:

Here are some comparisons you might find interesting.

Sony FE 28mm f/2 compared to Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens
Sony FE 28mm f/2 compared to Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS Lens
Sony FE 28mm f/2 compared to Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens
Sony FE 28mm f/2 compared to Nikon 28mm f/1.8G AF-S Nikkor Lens
Sony FE 28mm f/2 compared to Tamron 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD Lens

The Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.

From Shutterstock:

Product shots are among the most purely creative projects in visual production. You can throw on some music, take your time, pay close attention to detail, and hone your craft. There are no actors or models to wrangle and, typically, no strict timelines to contend with.

Whether you’re working on photos or video commercials, shooting product shots is pure imagination. You can dream up pretty much any solution to the problems you encounter, and you can create whatever visual world for your product that you want.

In the above video, we cover three vastly different setups for three entirely different products, and we do all of it for under $200.

From Sirui USA:

Verona, NJ—The joining of forces between Sirui USA and Guangdong Sirui Optical Co., Ltd., was announced. Effective immediately, Sirui USA, LLC, is a direct subsidiary of the Guangdong Sirui Optical Company. The parent company is located in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China.

Guangdong Sirui Optical is the design, development as well as manufacturing headquarters for all Sirui imaging products worldwide. Moreover, this acquisition brings the two companies together to strengthen the capabilities of Sirui USA to support and service its retailers as well as consumers.

“I am very pleased to welcome the Sirui USA team to the Guangdong Sirui Optical Family,” said J. Li, president of Guangdong Sirui Optical Co., Ltd. “We look forward to much success and to continue to expand our strong business in the USA.”

In addition, Sirui USA is led by photo industry veteran Louie Lu as general manager for all USA operations and John Mascis as vice president of Sales. Furthermore, all operations will continue out of the current Verona, New Jersey, headquarters. This includes including Sales, Marketing, Service, Customer Service and Distribution.

“The Sirui USA team is very happy to become part of the Guangdong Sirui Optical Family,” added Louie Lu. “We look forward to working closely with our new headquarters to maximize our abilities to serve our valuable USA retailers and consumers.”

Sirui USA will continue to represent all of the Sirui photo-imaging product lines. These include photo/video tripods and heads, photo/video monopods, broadcast video tripods and heads as well as filters. Moreover, the company provides mobile phone accessories. It also offers humidity and security photography equipment cabinets.

Guangdong Sirui Optical Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2001, Sirui manufactures a full range of professional photographic and video support equipment. It provides a seamless system of camera tripods, video tripods, camera monopods, specialty tripod heads, mobile phone accessories, lenses, filters and camera humidity control and safety cabinets.

Moreover, stringent quality control standards are incorporated into every segment of the manufacturing process. As a result, the company provides a six-year warranty on most products and worldwide customer support.

B&H carries Sirui products.

In this video, Julieanne Kost demonstrates several techniques for findind, filtering, and isolating layers in Photoshop.

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

From Skylum:

Aurora HDR 2018 now up to 2x and 4x faster on MacOS and Windows computers, respectively, and compatible with the brand-new Loupedeck+ photo editing console

Skylum Software has released the latest update to its award-winning photo editing software, Aurora HDR, bringing improved performance, new features, and updated tools to both MacOS and Windows versions.

What's New and Improved in Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0:

Here are the most essential changes:

• Speed boost for editing and adjusting. We’ve dramatically increased performance across all areas of Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 on Windows and Mac.
• Fast single-file opening. With an improved image processing engine, Aurora HDR is now much faster when opening single files.
• Loupedeck integration (for Mac & Windows). Now, users can quickly process photos in Aurora HDR using physical dials, knobs, and keys.
• Batch processing (for Windows). Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 will allow Windows users to edit a large number of photos simultaneously.
• Better memory management. Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 is also optimized to make better use of memory, with more intelligent memory management and improved stability.
• Windows version catches up to Mac version. Windows users will receive a flip/rotate tool, bringing Aurora HDR for Windows more in line with its macOS counterpart.
• Aurora HDR now supports more cameras than before. The full list across both Windows and MacOS includes: Canon EOS 3000D / Rebel T100 / 4000D, FujiFilm X-H1, FujiFilm X-A20, FujiFilm X-A5, FujiFilm X-E3, Olympus E-PL9, Panasonic DC-GF10 / Panasonic DC-GF90, Panasonic DC-GX9 / DC-GX7MK3, Panasonic DC-TZ200 / DC-ZS200 / DC-TZ202 / DC-TZ220 / DC-ZS220 / DC-TX2, PhaseOne IQ3 100MP Trichromatic, Sony A7 III.

Here’s a full list of the new features and improvements:

MAC:

• Performance boost when editing and opening single files
• Faster export
• Loupedeck integration
• Better brackets sorting during Batch processing
• Better memory management
• Plugin stability improved
• New camera support
• Better export performance
• Fixed brush drawing
• Improved opening of .DNG image

WINDOWS:

• Performance boost when editing and adjusting
• Faster export
• Better stability and memory management
• Batch processing added
• Added layers menu and layer options menu
• Ability to rename layers
• UX improvements
• Quick loading of single RAW files
• Hover on blends
• Added white balance color picker
• Localisation fixes
• Changed order of preset categories
• UI fixes and improvements
• Added histogram to tone curve filter
• Improved stability of Dodge & Burn filter
• Added context menu in the filters menu
• New camera support
• Better Windows document support
• Added flip/rotate
• Exif saving to document fixed
• Loupedeck integration
• Improved opening of .DNG image

Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 Offer Information:

Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade for $59 ($49 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 for $99 ($89 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).

Bonuses included in the offer:

• 119 Dramatic & Romantic Sky overlays ($29 value) – The ultimate collection of 119 dramatic high-res sky overlays to turn photos with boring skies into eye-catching works of art.
• Complete HDR Tutorial by Trey Ratcliff ($99 value) – This entirely new HDR tutorial is perfect for beginners to mega-advanced professionals who want to see all of the latest post-processing techniques. Lisa and Trey discuss their artistic inspirations and challenges, how they compose a shot, their camera settings, and much more. You’re then transported back to Trey’s studio where he slowly takes you step-by-step through his latest techniques.
• Deep Dive into Aurora HDR 2018 video by Trey Ratcliff ($20 value) – Trey Ratcliff, the most famous HDR photographer, shares his editing process in the new Aurora HDR 2018.

Download: Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0

From Tokina:

Thank you for Your constant support to Tokina brand. We here by announce the availability of a firmware update for Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF lens.

Benefits of this firmware update

With this firmware update the auto-focus performance of Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF in AF-C mode at high-speed shooting (Hi+/Hi/Mid) when used with Sony a7III, Sony a7RIII, Sony a9 cameras will be improved (when used with Sony a9 auto-focus tracking will work only in Mechanical Shutter type AF-C mode).

Product

Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF for Sony E-mount (EAN code: 4961607634509)

For the firmware update procedures and further instructions please contact the shop where the lens has been purchased. For more information please contact your local official Tokina Distributor or contact us.

From Westcott:

Make the Switch to Westcott’s new Switch light modifier series! These ingenious modifiers give photographers the ability to quickly interchange off-camera flashes while maintaining the original Rapid Box’s convenient collapsible design. The quick-release thumb-lock on these softboxes ensures that the modifier stays securely affixed to the light while allowing users to quickly switch mounting inserts without additional tools or accessories.

Built with durable framework, long-lasting construction, and color-accurate fabrics, these modifiers are designed to withstand years of use on location or in the studio. The Rapid Box Switch’s taut silver interior provides maximum light output for working in any environment and the Beauty Dish Switch’s white interior provides ultra-soft lighting for portraits. Understanding that output and color accuracy are important to professionals, Westcott has vigorously tested their diffusion panels to create the most color-accurate fabrics in the industry.

Each Rapid Box Switch and Beauty Dish Switch includes a softbox, diffusion panel(s), and durable carry case for convenience and storage. The Rapid Box Switch is available in three octogonal, two rectangular, and three strip variations. The Beauty Dish Switch, a 24-inch collapsible beauty dish, includes a deflector plate and was designed in conjunction with professional photographer, Joel Grimes.

A total of 13 Switch Inserts (sold separately) are available for the industry’s most popular brands, including Balcar/Paul C Buff, Bowens, Broncolor, Dynalite, Elinchrom, Hensel, Norman, Photogenic, and Profoto. Speedlite and Profoto A1 inserts are also available. For precise light control, newly-designed 40-degree egg-crate grids are also available for each and every Switch modifier. All Switch items are backed by a 1-year limited warranty.

B&H carries the Westcott Rapid Box Switch lineup.

Today Only: Adorama has the Gitzo Mountaineer Series 3 GT3532 Carbon Fiber Tripod with GH3382QD Center Ball Head available for $999.88 with free shipping. Compare at $1,249.99.

Product Highlights

• Maximum Height: 68.9" / 175.01cm
• Minimum Height: 11.4" / 28.96cm
• Maximum Height (with center column down): 134cm / 52.76"
• Closed length: 76.5cm / 30.12"
• Tripod Material: Carbon fiber
• Tripod Load Capacity: 46.3lbs / 21.00kg
• Tripod Maximum Height: 63.4" / 161.04cm
• Tripod Height without Column Extended: Max. 52.4" / 133.10cm
• Tripod Minimum Height: 6.3" / 16.00cm
• Tripod Folded Length: 25.2" / 64.01cm
• Tripod Leg Sections: 3
• Tripod Leg Lock Type: Twist
• Tripod Feet: Rubber, removable
• Tripod Head Mount Thread Size: 3/8"-16
• Tripod Leg Tube Diameters: 32.9, 29, 25.3mm
• Head Height: 5" / 12.70cm
• Head Quick Release: Yes
• Head Bubble Level: Yes, bull's eye
• Head Friction Control: Yes
• Head Separate Panning Lock: Yes
• Head Tripod Mount Thread Size: 3/8"-16
• Head Camera Mount Thread Size: 1/4"-20
• Kit Weight: 2.650kg / 5.84lbs
• Tripod: 4.1lbs / 1.86kg
• Head: 1.7lbs / 0.77kg

From Loupedeck:

Next Generation Includes Skylum Aurora HDR Compatibility, Upgraded Build and More Customization Options, All Based on the Photography Community’s Feedback

HELSINKI, Finland – June 20, 2018 – Loupedeck, the custom photo editing console built with an intuitive design that makes editing faster and more creative, has announced the next evolution, Loupedeck+. While the Loupedeck was the only device on the market custom-built to improve the Adobe Lightroom experience, the Loupedeck+ is now also compatible with popular photo editing software Skylum Aurora HDR (in addition to Adobe Lightroom Classic CC), and is designed with more functionalities, control and increased customization options. Following a year of overwhelming success and customer feedback, the Loupedeck+ was designed in Loupedeck’s headquarters in Finland, with all updates solely based on feedback from the invested photography community.

• Mechanical keys with a more precise and sturdy feel
• Improved build quality
• Two dedicated customizable dials and seventeen buttons
• “Custom Mode” that allows full user control of all dials
• Configuration software built from scratch for an even better, faster and more stable photo editing experience

“We know how dedicated both the professional and amateur photography communities are in their work, and we’re committed to making their lives easier and more productive,” said Mikko Kesti, Founder and CEO of Loupedeck. “There’s no better way to create the next evolution of our flagship product than by going straight to the source and taking their feedback to heart. By adding even more control, efficiency and customization options to the editing process, we’re able to help photographers be more successful by increasing their output and artistry, and look forward to continue supporting them in their work.”

Following Loupedeck’s new partnership with Skylum, the Loupedeck+ will include future integrations with Skylum’s other professional photo editing products, including Skylum Luminar. It is also currently in beta integration with Capture One, with full integration on the way, as well as additional software integrations to follow later this year. These options will provide photographers with a more diverse, intuitive experience, helping to expedite the editing process and maximize the photo editing experience.

“Skylum and Loupedeck share the same vision. We want to help photographers create great photos, differently,” said Alex Tsepko, CEO of Sklyum. “When I discovered that the new version of Loupedeck keyboard is coming out, I knew Skylum software should be the first to support it. This is the kind of innovation modern photographers really need.”

The Loupedeck+ is available for purchase at B&H Photo and Amazon.com for $229. Loupedeck is also offering a cashback opportunity of $50 for current Loupedeck owners.