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Images leak of two Nikon Nikkor Z MC lenses: 105mm F2.8 VR S and 50mm F2.8
Images have leaked of two, as yet un-announced, Nikkor “MC” lenses; the full-frame Nikkor MC 105mm F2.8 VR S, and what’s now confirmed as another full-frame model, the Nikkor MC 50mm F2.8. The “MC” designation has not been used by Nikon previously, but speculatively, it’s most likely a true macro (1:1) and without any de-focus image control DC function, like the Canon version or as per the older AF-Nikkor DC 105mm F2.0 D and 135mm F2.0 D models. Neither of those were macro lenses but it’s common for the 100mm macro lenses to double for portraiture due to their close focus capabilities. At least, that’s the current view based on…
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Capture One promises performance enhancements with native support for Apple M1 chip
Capture One has added native support for the new Apple M1 chip. Besides being a chance to rewrite the code entirely, there should also be some real performance enhancements. According to Capture One, adopters running an M1-powered Mac should see the following benefits: Importing photos with the new Advanced Importer up to 2x faster Managing assets in Catalogs and Albums is now 50% quicker Brushing edits on with Style Brushes is smoother than ever Edit with key tools like Crop and Rotate at twice the speed. Importing, generating previews, editing and processing will be up to 100% faster If you have yet to experience the benefits of Capture One Pro for…
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Images leak of the Canon EOS R3 showing fold out screen
Images have leaked of the Canon EOS R3 showing the front and, more importantly, the rear of the camera. If these images are genuine, the EOS R3 has a fully-articulated screen, and possibly a touch-sensitive AF-On button that can be used for focus point selection, like the EOS-1DX Mark III. Although I can’t be sure from this, it also looks as if the memory card door isn’t lockable, like the EOS-1D series. Built-in LAN looks like a possibility and a voice memo feature also seems to be part of the feature set. One further feature that’s apparent, besides the sharing of the EOS-1 battery, is the enormous viewfinder. Let’s hope…
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Leica M/M-P Protector review
Leica M/M-P ‘Protector’ review While I typically prefer to use cameras without cases or half cases, believing that a camera should be unencumbered, the sleek profile of the Leica M camera does require a bit more to hold onto securely. The grips appeal, but the half case also offers a lot of protection to the body. The black half case or ‘Protector’, as Leica calls it, appears to be no longer available, leaving only the brown in some stores. It’s described as ‘cognac’ coloured – a little too light for my liking (and a little lighter than pictured, I would say). It’s not as discreet, but, in fairness, out on…
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Hidden Features of Capture One Pro: Redeploy as a Fast Browser
Why use Capture One Pro as a fast browser? In theory, Capture One can’t be used to browse until images are imported into either a Catalog or a Session. And, in my opinion, it’s this design that makes Capture One Pro a little daunting for new users, as you’re immediately asked to make a choice between them before you can use it. However, in practice, there is an (unofficial and therefore unsupported) “third” way to use it, and that is as a fast browser. One of the downsides of RAW converters like this is that you have to import images through a “gatekeeper” (the import, or ‘importer’) app. Once files…
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DXOMark benchmarks Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F1.8 S lens on the Nikon Z 7
DXOMark has tested the Nikon Nikkor Z F1.8 S on the Nikon Z 7. It performs very well. The results can be read here. Bear in mind the results are all based on the Nikon Z 7, with which it was tested. The camera has a lot to do with the overall performance. Sharpness is just one, perhaps the most obvious, example and it’s not widely known that it affects other aspects, such as vignetting and even lateral chromatic aberration. If it is tested on the Nikon Z 6 at any time in the future, you will see different results including a lower overall DXOMark score. People put so…
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Sony to launch Xperia PRO smartphone in the UK
Sony is on a roll with the Sony A1 and then adding, the Xperia PRO smartphone, to the range. Pity we’re not likely to see this type of functionality from Apple – though an HDMI adaptor is available for the iPhone. Looks like it will work with other cameras besides the Sony Alphas. Note, links may go to affiliates – thank you for your support. UK press release: New Xperia PRO launches in Europe as the world’s first smartphone with dedicated HDMI[i] input offering 5G speed and efficient workflow for content creators 6th May 2021, Sony Europe today announced the launch of Xperia PRO, a new professional 5G communication device that…
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OWC USB-C Travel Dock review: Great addition for MacBook Pro power users
If you’re a photographer and perhaps an occasional videographer, using a modern MacBook Pro with USB-C ports, you’re likely in the market for a compatible SD card reader or a dock, such as the OWC USB-C Travel Dock. Few photographers will not have heard of OWC’s multi-port docks; they are well known, but these are desktop models, and while excellent, they’re relatively pricey. I have this model, which is outstanding, as well as the Travel Dock, and it greatly simplifies my desktop. Fortunately, as a forward-looking company, OWC introduced a small Travel Dock version, which is not only purposefully small but also relatively affordable. There are now two versions, the…
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Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm F1.8 S announced
Nikon has announced the Nikkor Z 85mm F1.8 S, a short fixed focal length prime lens for its full-frame mirrorless Z system. Nikon claims that the new fast portrait lens stands out for its “edge-to-edge sharpness” and “natural-looking bokeh”. Focus breathing “is all but eliminated,” Nikon add. Compared to the existing AF-S Nikkor 85mm F1.8G the new lens has the same minimum focus, and filter thread size, and weighs 70g more. The new lens is also 19mm longer, though it’s smaller in diameter by 2mm. Nikon currently advertises the AF-S lens with a list of £499. The new lens will go on sale in September 2019 at a list price…
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DXOMark compares Dynamic Range between Nikon Z7 II, Sony A7R IV and Canon EOS R5
DXOMark has just published the results for the Nikon Z7 II and compared them with the Canon EOS R5 and the Sony A7R IV, which are all fine cameras with excellent image quality. Most readers will be interested in the dynamic range, as it has a more meaningful effect on image quality at all ISOs than noise levels, especially low ISOs. However, as DR is reported at the measured ISO by DXOMark it can be difficult to decipher from the graphs what it is at the manufacturer settings – they are after all what you set on the camera. That said, using the measured ISO to present the sensor data…
