Canon and Sony News for Jan 2017 (Page 3)

From Profoto:

Good news, Nikon users! We can now offer TTL and HSS support for Nikon D5 and Nikon D500. Both cameras are fully compatible with this upgrade installed in the Air Remote TTL-N.

How to download the new TTL-N and Pro-10 firmware

All Registered users can download the new Air Remote TTL-N firmware from the My Profoto webpage.

B&H carries the Profoto Air Remote.

Harvard has published their Digital Photography course on Alison, a free certified learning website.

Here's the course description:

Digital photography technology is continually changing, however, the principles behind good photography don't. ALISON's free online photo course gives you the opportunity to gain extensive knowledge and understanding of digital photography including topics such as exposure settings, how to read and use the histogram, how light affects a photograph, how the camera sensor and lenses work, and how to process a photograph using computer software. You will also learn tips and techniques on what not to do when taking a photograph.

ALISON's free online course is ideal for those who wish to increase their understanding of digital photography and want to know how to process and produce photographs digitally.

From the CBS Sunday Morning YouTube Channel:

President Obama is leaving behind a huge photo album of his time in the White House - about two million images - all thanks to the man our Bill Plante has been talking to: Chief White House Photographer Pete Souza.

From the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom YouTube Channel:

Lightroom tips and tricks in 60 seconds or less from longtime Lightroom team member Benjamin Warde.

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

Ever since I became enthralled with photography, I've enjoyed sifting through inspirational images and breaking them down so that I could understand how just the photographer created that specific look.

Earlier this week I ran across a profile image where the subject was wearing sunglasses. The portrait had a strong rim light but there was very little fill light on the face, yet there was a strong reflection that encompassed nearly the entire area of the sunglasses' lens.

Typically speaking, the eye is the most important element in a portrait. However, the prominence of the sunglasses (along with an eye which was deeply shadowed) replaced the importance of the eye in the image. I thought it would be a fun exercise to try and recreate the lighting used for the profile portrait. Note: If I could remember where I saw the image, I would link to it here. Unfortunately, I cannot remember where I found it. Hopefully the image's description and my attempts to recreate it will be sufficiently illustrative.

My approach to dissecting an image usually mirrors the scientific method:

1. Ask a question.
2. Do background research.
3. Construct a hypothesis.
4. Test with an experiment.
5. Does the procedure work?

I thought I had a good guess as to how the image was lit, but upon testing my hypothesis, I realized I was very likely incorrect. After quickly going back to the drawing board, I came up with a result that achieved exactly the look I was going for:

However, after it was all said and done I wasn't entirely happy with the image. For my next attempt I used a looser framing, a different pair of sunglasses and a sweater to remove the emphasis from my Adam's apple. Although all the lighting tools were the same, the positions of the light modifiers were not identical (although they were very close), different camera settings were used and (as is likely obvious) the images were also post-processed in slightly different ways. The second image also has more fill light than what I was originally going for, but I liked the result anyway.

So here's the challenge:

1. Analyze the image atop this post and try to figure out exactly how it was lit.
2. Try to recreate the lighting in the image as closely as possible.
3. Share your image, gear and camera settings and describe how it was lit.

Update: It looks like I forgot to update this on Monday, but... better late than never! The setup was as follows:

• (1) Canon 580EX diffused by a 16x16" foldable softbox behind me
• (1) 20x30" white foam core board handheld in front of my face and angled to catch the light from the softbox

With the softbox positioned behind me (camera left), it produced a clearly defined rim light without wrapping around my face with its relatively high output. The white reflective board positioned just out of the frame produced a large reflection in the sunglasses while also creating a small amount of fill light on the front of my face.

I liked seeing the guesses and attempts. I hope the exercise proved beneficial.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

Author: Rick Sammon

Photography is more than just taking, or as I say, making, a picture. It’s about the entire photographic process (image capture and image processing) and the personal experience.

In this article I’ll share with you some of my favorite photographs and experiences from my recent trip to Sri Lanka – a magical destination – documented with my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

B&H carries the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

Have you ever wondered how this site's product images are created? If so, you'll want to check out our most recent addition to the Photography Tips page:

The Ideal, Simple, General Purpose Product Photography Setup (How this Site's Product Images are Captured)

From Canon:

TOKYO, January 12, 2017—Canon Inc. again ranked first among Japanese companies and third overall for the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2016, according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services.

Canon actively promotes the globalization of its business and places great value on obtaining patents overseas, carefully adhering to a patent-filing strategy that pursues patents in essential countries and regions while taking into consideration the business strategies and technology and product trends unique to each location. Among these, the United States, with its many high-tech companies and large market scale, represents a particularly important region in terms of business expansion and technology alliances.

Canon U.S. patent rankings among Japanese companies 2005–2016

From the Great Big Story YouTube Channel:

During the dark winter months in Finland, one man fills the night with light. Hannu Huhtamo is a light painter. The artist takes long exposure photographs and uses flashlights and other simple tools to transform dark and sometimes forgotten places into magical new worlds—no Photoshop required.

MotoCrane is scheduled to launch a universal automotive camera crane system this year with the following specifications:

Max Speed: 80 MPH
Max Acceleration: 1g lateral, longitudinal
Lens Height from Roof: 3' above, 3' below
Boom Length: 6' from center, 9' total
Max Controlled Speeds: ARMA: 4 sec 360º Swing | ACRO: 1 sec 360º Pan
Operating Temp: MIN: -30ºF, MAX: 120ºF *Over-heat protection
Weather: Water resistant

Unfortunately, there's no word yet on pricing or expected availability, but it's bound to be less expensive than the widely used Russian Arms.

From the Canon Professional Network:

Canon has released a new update to its popular Digital Photo Professional 4 (DPP4) software. Version 4.5.20 adds support for older cameras including EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS 5D, EOS 40D, EOS 30D, EOS 20Da, EOS 20D, EOS 400D DIGITAL (EOS Kiss Digital X / EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi), EOS 350D DIGITAL (EOS Kiss Digital N / EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT), PowerShot G15, PowerShot S110, PowerShot S100, and PowerShot S100V along with support for the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM lens

Since its launch in 2014, Digital Photo Professional 4 has grown to support over 50 DSLR and PowerShot cameras. As well as supporting all the current professional full-frame DSLRs in the Canon range, this latest update now supports a wider range of older models and addresses a few other issues such as:

• Improved accuracy of the lens data of Digital Lens Optimizer for EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro, EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lenses.
• Fixed the problem where it takes time to display a preview image on the high resolution display.
• Fixed the phenomenon on the Mac OS in which RAW images imported via remote shooting are not displayed for preview in some cases.

Commenting on this latest DPP4 update, Mike Burnhill, Canon Europe’s Professional Imaging Technical Support Programme manager, told CPN: “DPP continues to prove itself as a popular workflow tool for those photographers dedicated to maintaining an all-Canon workflow from capture to print. Canon developed DPP to work seamlessly with Canon cameras and we are delighted more and more users are discovering its workflow benefits. We have been listening to customers and expanding support for new and existing models within DPP.”

Download: Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.5.20

Changes for Picture Style Editor 1.17.20:

• Supports PowerShot G9 X Mark II

Download: Canon Picture Style Editor 1.17.20

ISO noise test results have been added to the Canon EOS M5 Review.

The word was that the M5 would have identical image quality to the Canon EOS 80D. Looking at the EOS M5 vs. 80D comparison, I see some slight differences. When I first loaded and compared the M5 results, I thought that I miss-focused the lens. Five tests later, I concluded that the M5 was turning in very slightly softer results than the 80D. However, it is likely the RAW processing is what is different. In DPP's Quick Check window, the M5 results are slightly sharper than the 80D results. In DPP's Edit window and in the processed TIFF files, it is the 80D that appears sharper.

What I think I like better is the EOS M5's reduced high ISO noise grain.

B&H has the Canon EOS M5 in stock.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

Richard Curtis, Adobe Systems UK Principal Solution Consultant in Digital Imaging, writes exclusively for CPN on how to get the best from Adobe’s Lightroom for mobile app.

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.

From the Canon Digital Learning Center:

The Canon Par Excellence Award recognizes imaging excellence through cooperation between Canon USA, Inc, and the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Announced in 2008 at Imaging USA in Tampa, FL, this award represents the pinnacle of achievement at the PPA regional level.

Canon USA is committed to recognizing and supporting the photographic efforts of the Professional Photographers of America. The criterion for this award set it well above awards initiated by other corporate sponsors, and make it highly sought after. It serves as both an inspiration and an honor to participating members of the PPA.

The following cameras have been added to the site's Camera Comparison Images:

• Canon EOS M5
• Canon EOS M3
• Canon EOS M10
• Sony a7R II

B&H carries the Canon EOS M3 / M5 / M10 and Sony a7R II mirrorless cameras.