Hasselblad X1D II 50C camera and XCD 35-75mm F3.5-4.5 zoom announced (Updated)
Hasselblad has announced an update to its cropped medium format mirrorless camera, in the form of the new X1D II 50C. Although it shares the same 50MP cropped (essentially 44 x 33mm) MF CMOS sensor as the original, it has some improved features and a new processor to speed up operation. This includes quicker start-up (now just under 4 seconds, from my time with the camera at the London launch) and continuous shooting now at 2.7fps, while black-out times between shots have also been reduced, claims the company. Other improvements include a new, larger 3.6-in 2.36-million-dot touchscreen at the rear with some menu and UI changes. The viewfinder display has…
Capture One 12.1 Announced with New tools and Profile Support for Nikkor Z mount Lenses
Phase One, the company behind Capture One and Capture One Pro RAW processing software has announced 12.1, the first feature release of version 12.0. New features include a Grid tool that groups the options together from what was previously found under the global Preferences into a separate tool brick. This important compositional aid features a dedicated short-cut and is now separate from the Guides feature. As standalone the Grid tool is both simpler and more logical in use. It’s located under the Lens Inspector, but like the majority of tools in Capture One Pro it can be added to any to the Tool Inspectors or ‘Tool Tabs’. Guides are accessible from…
Panasonic Announces Development of 6K Capable Lumix S1H
Following the development announcement of the Lumix S1H, last week at Cine Gear Expo, Los Angeles, Panasonic has followed mirrorless leader Sony’s strategy with three full-frame mirrorless cameras sharing a similar body (although the S1H is slightly larger) and mount of course, each model appealing to a different audience. According the press release, below, the 6K capable S1H is specifically targeting film production (pro-video), as a differentiator to the already video-cable 4K S1 and S1R. Although Panasonic hasn’t disclosed the sensor resolution it’s likely to be 24MP, like the S1. Highlights include 6K/24p (3:2 aspect ratio) or 5,9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio) 4K/C4K capture up to 10-Bit 60p V-Log/V-Gamut with a wide…
Capture One Pro adds support for Fujifilm GFX 100
Phase One, the company behind Capture One Pro RAW processing software has added support for the recently announced, 100MP cropped medium format Fujifilm GFX 100. Although the camera is not officially available, it is expected later in the month. The new update 12.0.4 is free to both license holders and subscribers of Capture One Pro 12, and is available to download via the app’s preferences or from the Phase One site. A free 30-day trial is available for those who would like to give it a try before committing to buy. Fujifilm users updating from Capture One for Fujifilm to the Pro version for Fujifilm can currently save 50%…
Initial Thoughts on the Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 and Nikon Z 7 (Updated)
Firstly, I still don’t feel like I’ve had enough time to fully come to terms with the Nikon Z 7. I’ve used it often but it takes months to be accustomed to working with a new camera, even as a camera reviewer with nearly 20 years’ experience (first in print and then online). Plusses include build and viewfinder quality even for my aging eyesight. It also has enough modes to accommodate a wide range of shooting scenarios including the new Eye-detection AF option which allows you to easily switch between left and right eyes using the joystick (or sub-selector, as Nikon call it). That’s a nice feature but it…
B&H $125 Instant Savings on 27-inch NEC PA271Q Monitor with SVII Colour Calibration Kit
One of my recommended monitors for professional users and advanced amateurs, the NEC PA271Q complete with the NEC colour calibration kit (see my review here), is being sold at B&H Photo currently with $125 instant savings. One of the most important advances of this monitor is one of the least talked about; the new anti reflection coating. Previous iterations had an aggressive coating which softened the image, but the new model’s coating is far superior and helps deliver one of the clearest and sharpest looking images of its type (2560 x 1440 res). I still prefer checking sharpness using a monitor like this than using a 5K monitor.
Top 10 Features of Capture One Pro now on YouTube
We’ve recently published the Top 10 Features of Capture One Pro to YouTube. The original text for this video can be read here. Download a free trial of Capture One Pro. Support this site If you found this feature useful, please consider buying a license or subscription through our links. Sales through these links may earn commission, which helps the running of this site. When buying through the official Phase One store, please click on Enter Promotional Code add the code ‘DJP’ in the dialog that opens. Please also be sure to check the code has been registered before proceeding with the purchase. Please note this code will not trigger an extra…
Canon announces pricing and availability of RF 85mm F1.2L USM
Canon has announced the price and availability of the RF 85mm F1.2L USM. Designed for the mirrorless RF mount cameras, the new lens features a new optical design with aspherical and UD elements and is only the second lens, after the EF 35mm F1.4L II USM to feature Canon’s proprietary BR (Blue Spectrum optics) optics. Canon is rightfully cagey about the BR technology but it is thought to be a balsam-type material sandwiched between two elements. It is meant to reduce longitudinal (axial) chromatic aberration, which appears in front of and behind the imaging plane in high-speed lenses like this and is thus difficult to remove post-capture. Intriguingly, Canon makes no…
DxOMark returns to lens testing
After a break of several months DxOMark has returned to testing lenses. The first model to have the data published is the new Z-mount Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S for the mirrorless Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 cameras. For the time being data is only available when mounted on the higher resolution Nikon Z 7 but as that is the highest resolution body of the two it will stress the sensor more and deliver a higher sharpness score and contribute to a higher overall score. As always though, it pays to look beyond the overall score which is useful as a means to rank the lens against others…
Zeiss adds 100mm F1.4 Otus to range
After the widely reported leaks, Zeiss has today announced the latest addition to the high-end Otus range for Canon and Nikon DSLRs. The new lens is a 100mm F1.4 model which is available now at around $4500 or 4500 Euros. Check prices and availability: WEX Photo (UK) B&H Photo (USA) Press Release: ZEISS Otus 1.4/100 New ZEISS Otus 1.4/100 DSLR Lens for the Most Demanding Applications ZEISS adds a tele focal length to its line of lenses for full-frame DSLR cameras from Canon or Nikon OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 2019-04-24. With the ZEISS Otus 1.4/100, ZEISS is expanding its lens family for Canon1)- and Nikon1)-photographers who do not want to make any…
