Canon and Sony News for Dec 2018 (Page 3)

You can pre-order Luminar 3 with Libraries for a reduced price along with additional bonuses during this pre-order offer, December 6- 19, 2018. Those who purchase Luminar during this campaign will instantly receive Luminar 2018 + bonuses and then a free upgrade to Luminar 3 with Libraries after its release on December 18.

Pricing

• New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for US$59 ( US$49 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
• Current users of Luminar 2018 will be able to update for free .
• Current users of Luminar 2017 can upgrade for US$49 ( US$39 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
• Current users of a Luminar 2018 trial (those who have downloaded it before November 1) can purchase Luminar 2018 for US$49 ( US$39 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
• Owners of Skylum legacy products (Creative Kit, Noiseless, Intensify, Tonality, FX Photo Studio, Focus, Snapheal, Filters for Photos) can purchase Luminar for US$49 ( US$39 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE).
• Current users of Aurora HDR (2016–2019) can purchase Luminar for US$49 ( US$39 with your coupon code).
• Current users of Photolemur can purchase Luminar for US$49 ( US$39 with coupon code THEDIGITALPICTURE

Note that the price after the Luminar 3 with Libraries release will be US$69.

Bonuses

• ViewBug: 3-Month Pro Membership (US$42 value)
• KelbyOne: 2-Month Pro Membership (US$40 value)
• Rocky Nook: Choice of ANY e-book (US$40 value)
• Daniel Kordan: Awesome Landscapes Tutorial (US$80 value)
• Manfrotto & Gitzo: US$20 Gift card with US$120 purchase (US$20 value)

Preorder: Luminar 3 with Libraries

It is time to put some to-be-anticipated events on the calendar. Consider this a personal invitation to join me for one or all of the following instructional photo tours. Photographers at all skill levels are welcome!

"Bull Elk in Rut and Much More", Rocky Mountain National Park

1 opening: Sun, September 15 to Sat, September 21, 2019
Filled: Sun, September 22 to Sat, September 28, 2019
Wait List or Sign Up for 2020.

"Whitetail Buck in Rut and Much More", Shenandoah National Park

Sun, November 10 to Wed, November 13, 2019 and/or Wed, November 13 - Sat, November 16, 2019

Fall Landscape in Acadia National Park Instructional Photography Tour

Tue, Oct 15 through Sun, Oct 20, 2019

Feel free to contact me with your destination request.

I have the Nikon Z 6 and Nikon Z 7 in my hands and it is time to set up the cameras for use. Following are the 31 steps I took to make an out-of-the-box Nikon Z 6/7 ready for use.

1. Charge battery
2. Install neck strap
3. Mount a lens
4. Insert charged battery and power on the camera
5. While looking at an in-focus subject through the viewfinder, adjust the viewfinder diopter until the view is sharp. To do this, pull out on the adjustment knob beside the viewfinder and turn it until the view is sharp. Then press it back in to lock in the setting.
6. Download and install any Nikon software you want to have available.
7. Insert memory card
8. Scroll through all of the menu tabs to configure the camera as follows:
9. Playback Menu: Display Options: Highlights, RGB Histogram
10. Playback Menu: Image review: On
11. Photo Shooting Menu: Image Quality: NEF (RAW)
12. Photo Shooting Menu: Set Picture Control: Neutral with Sharpening = +1, all other parameters set to 0 (this option provides a low contrast view and better shows available dynamic in the histogram)
13. Photo Shooting Menu: High ISO NR: OFF (Low is also a good option)
14. Photo Shooting Menu: Vignette control: OFF
15. Photo Shooting Menu: Diffraction compensation: OFF
16. Photo Shooting Menu: Auto distortion control: OFF (* I'm not able to turn this setting off with the Z 24-70 f/4 S Lens mounted)
17. Movie Shooting Menu: Frame size/frame rate: 3840x2160; 30p
18. Movie Shooting Menu: Set Picture Control: Standard with Sharpening = +2, Mid-range sharpness = +1, Clarity = +1, all other parameters set to 0
19. Movie Shooting Menu: High ISO NR: Low
20. Custom Setting Menu: Auto Focus: AF-C priority selection: Focus
21. Custom Setting Menu: Auto Focus: AF-S priority selection: Focus
22. Custom Setting Menu: Auto Focus: Store by orientation: Yes
23. Custom Setting Menu: Shooting/display: Framing grid display: On
24. Custom Setting Menu: Bracketing/flash: Bracketing order: Under > MTR > over (having my bracketed shots in brightness sequence makes post processing visually easier)
25. Custom Setting Menu: Controls: Custom control assignment: Sub-selector: Same as multi selector; Sub-selector center: RESET Select center focus point, Fn1 button: AF lock only
26. Setup Menu: Format memory card
27. Setup Menu: Time zone and date: <use current>
28. Setup Menu: Copyright information: <set as desired>, Attach copyright information: selected
29. Setup Menu: Airplane mode: ON
30. Setup Menu: Slot empty release lock: Lock (I want the camera to prevent me from taking a picture if a memory card is not installed)
31. My Menu: Add items: Shooting/display: d4 Exposure delay mode (great for tripod use); Setup menu: Format memory card, Shooting menu: Vibration reduction, Long exposure noise reduction, Flicker reduction, Silent photography, Focus shift shooting

To copy this configuration would mean that you intend to shoot similar to how I shoot - including shooting in RAW-only format (highly recommended). While my setup works great for me, your best use of this list may be for tweaking your own setup.

If you can't remember your own menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a good idea. Anytime your camera goes in for a service visit, the camera will likely be returned in a reset-to-factory state (unless you request otherwise). If your camera ever needs reset to factory settings any reason (or you purchase a second model), having your list available means you will be ready to restore your setup quickly while ensuring that you do not miss an important setting when putting the camera into service.

More Information

Nikon Z 6 | Nikon Z 7

The Nikon Z 6 is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.

Rent the Nikon Z 6 from Lensrentals.

The Nikon Z 7 is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.

Rent the Nikon Z 7 from Lensrentals.

From Genustech:

New headquarters in New York supports expanding media and vlogger teleprompting business

Bohemia, NY – December 4, 2018 – Genustech, a global leader in camera accessories technology including matte boxes, filters and more, has officially moved its corporate headquarters to Bohemia, New York. All Genustech operations, including R&D, customer service and support, and manufacturing, have been transitioned to the United States from Hong Kong to allow the company to continue to innovate and grow its product line while maintaining superb customer support.

The move in operations puts Genustech at the intersection of media production and technology, enabling the company to meet increased product demands through accelerated manufacturing and shipping. “With the launch of Genustech ScriptShade, we have seen an increase in business in non-traditional broadcast markets, in particular with the online vloggers,” comments Kevin Reilly, president, Genustech. “While traditional broadcast and TV operations remain a cornerstone of our customer base, we have a rapidly growing business across YouTube influencers who have enhanced the quality of their programming as well as efficiency with professional gear like ScriptShade.” Reilly adds, “With the potential growth opportunity in front of us, establishing headquarters in New York puts us in the hub of media activity with tremendous access to talent to expand design, sales, service and manufacturing personnel.”

Crafted for the changing media landscape, ScriptShade is a multifunctional, high-quality Matte Box - Teleprompter combination that is lightweight, portable and easy to use. ScriptShade brings professional camera and prompting capabilities in a form factor that is ideal for smaller and remote productions.

According to videographer Keith White, “Genustech ScriptShade is a one-of-a-kind handheld teleprompter, with nothing like it on the market. It’s an ideal solution for on-the-go production crews who need a portable kit to enhance the production value and control the narrative at the same time. It’s incredibly cost-effective, self-contained and nicely packaged with an easy and quick setup.”

Genustech On-Demand Design and Manufacturing

With the Genustech product design and manufacturing teams located in New York in one facility, engineering can incorporate customer feedback into the product design on the spot, with manufacturing building the latest product design to order. Reilly elaborates, “Our core product design philosophy is anchored around customer feedback. With our finger on the pulse of what the customer wants and needs, Genustech can anticipate where the market will grow and thus innovate with new designs and functionality. With such a strong customer support system in place in New York, we are able to always design, build and enhance products on demand.”

In addition to Genustech ScriptShade, the company offers other matte boxes & accessories, filters, adapter rings, camera cages, brackets, plates, arms, jibs, cranes, monitors and much more.

B&H carries Genustech products including the ScriptShade.

From Nikon:

Changes from Version 1.0.0 to 1.1.0

• The application no longer uses Microsoft Silverlight and consequently a network connection is no longer required.
• Added support for Russian and Turkish and ended support for Swedish.
• IPTC categories are now listed both in the selected language and in English.
• Added support for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
• Ended support for Windows Vista and Windows XP.

Download: Nikon IPTC Preset Manager v.1.1.0

In this video, photographer David Bergman explains how to create images with custom shapes in your bokeh. This technique can be a lot of fun and can help you produce some very creative imagery. [Sean]

From photokina:

Imaging industry and Koelnmesse decide on new starting point for the new annual cycle

Following a successful photokina 2018, the German Photo Industry Association (PIV), as conceptual sponsor of the trade fair, and the event's organiser Koelnmesse have agreed not to organise the next leading global trade fair in May 2019, as initially planned, but in May 2020. From Wednesday 27 May 2020 to Saturday 30 May 2020, all the market leaders in the imaging industry are expected once again in Cologne. The decision to postpone the start of the announced annual cycle by one year is intended to give all participants the opportunity to further develop the new concept for photokina and to tap into new target groups among exhibitors and visitors in order to heighten the status of the trade fair as a global platform for the photography and imaging industry.

Just posted: UniqBall IQuick3Pod 40.4 Carbon Fiber Tripod Review

What if the tripod spider became a ball housing and the top plate became the ball? Great idea!

The UniqBall IQuick3Pod 40.4 Carbon Fiber Tripod is in stock at B&H and Adorama

From the Adobe Photoshop YouTube Channel:

Meredith Stotzner uses Curves in Photoshop to add a ‘pop’ to her images. Find out how the Targeted Adjustment Tool helps her achieve the tones she wants.

B&H carries Adobe Photography Plan subscriptions.