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Sony a9 II announced with new improved body design and enhanced connectivity features
Introduced today, the new Sony a9 II follows a familiar body design to its predecessor but includes some design cues from the Sony a7R IV, including a larger grip and improved button design, refined (larger) joystick design and a lock button for the exposure compensation dial. Other refinements include an upgraded Bionz x processor, improved IBIS up to 5.5-stops (from 5-stops), upgraded weatherproofing, a shutter mechanism tested in excess of 500k cycles (in line with Nikon and Canon pro-models) and an improvement in the burst rate to 10 fps when used mechanically, up from around 5 fps. Continuous shooting with the electronic shutter remains at 20 fps, however, the dual…
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New Editorial Style Packs Announced for Capture One Pro
If you’re looking to improve the workflow for your editing in Capture One Pro, then I’m pleased to announce that our new Editorial Styles collection (available for instant download from this site) are perfect for saving time and recreate that cinematic effect with the popular matte look to the shadows. Available in a complete set for $79.99 reduced to $49.99 (plus sales tax, if applicable) the Editorial Style Pack consists of 24 individual Styles which have six different colour grades – Orange/Blue, Sage, Stone, Magenta, Tan and Cool Blue, each available in four density and contrast variations. Each Style adopts the stated colour grade with a matte look for the shadows…
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Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4S lens review: Compact and capable performer
This is what you’ll get if you buy one of the mirrorless Nikon Z 6 or Z 7 cameras as part of a kit, but as one of Nikon’s S series of primes it’s meant as a ‘premium’ model. While we’ve yet to see what one of the ‘standard’ models is like build-wise, this sober-looking lens is a step or two above the DX equivalent zooms in the company’s range. It’s nicely made but it’s not quite up to the pro-oriented build of the Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S (reviewed here). Still, with a part-plastic part-metal outer, this is intended as lightweight and compact design. It even has a retractable…
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Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens review: Nikon’s best tele-zoom
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR is an updated version of the AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm F4G ED VR – one of the first lenses Nikon added stabilisation (VR) to (the other being the AF-S Nikkor 200mm F2.0, effectively a 300mm on the DX only bodies back then) and the favourite of animal safari photographers everywhere. Not surprisingly, it’s also a popular choice with those who cover sports. This new model, though, is much more than just an update – it’s a redesigned lens complete with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter that’s meant to counter the Canon EF 200-400mm F4L IS USM Extender 1.4x, itself a showcase model…
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How to easily install and organise Styles in Capture One Pro
Capture One Styles are an important feature in Capture One and Capture One Pro. Styles are perhaps the single most important aid to your branding, and can save you both time and money when re-creating your unique creative vision. In addition to the Built-in Styles that are supplied with Capture One Pro, which you can use as a starting point to edit your images, you can also buy additional Styles or “Style Packs” from the official Capture One site [official link*] or from our Store. While Styles can greatly improve your workflow and reduce the time you spend editing, they’re not an instant fix for problem images. It’s…
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Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens review: Great rendering and build quality
Sigma’s range of ‘Contemporary’ series lenses, such as the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary, are all about maintaining a balance between size, performance and price. They’re not smaller versions of the Art series lenses, which are meant to deliver the best possible image quality, regardless of size. With a 55mm filter thread, and weighing 215g ( 7.58 oz), its diminutive size in E-mount nicely complements the Sony a7/9 series and in the L-mount version, maybe also the larger Leica SL and Lumix S1 models, which it has also been designed for. At around £549 / $549 [advertiser links], this all-metal lens is beautifully made. It even comes with…
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MindShift Gear Backlight 26L review: Versatile and comfortable
The MindShift Gear Backlight 26L is a medium-sized backpack for photographers made by the same company that makes the ThinkTankPhoto range. It’s priced at $249.99 (around £200 ex VAT). For me, like a lot of photographers, I imagine, finding the right carrying solution for your gear is a tricky proposition. And of course, it’s dictated by the gear you’re carrying and the location you’re working in. Rollers are great for working from out of a car when you get to the location easily, but as soon as you have to move away from it (which is often the case), then a backpack is the most appealing solution. However, most backpacks…
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LEE100 Filter Holder review
Lee100 Filter Holder – What is it? The Lee100 Filter Holder is a completely redesigned version of the popular and versatile 100mm filter holder for square (and rectangular filters). Like its predecessor, the Foundation holder which I have, the Lee100 Filter Holder also stands out for being one of the few that accepts a polariser – it fits to the front of the holder to allow the use of older, more affordable polyester filters, or ‘gels’ which would otherwise interfere optically. The holder attaches to the lens using a specific adapter ring, so you need only buy a ring for each different size diameter thread, instead of multiple filters of…
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Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm F2 ASPH lens announced
Leica has announced the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm F2 ASPH lens, an L-mount lens that’s not only compatible with the Leica SL currently, but as a part of the L-Mount alliance, the lens is compatible with the Lumix S1 series made by Panasonic, as well as the Sigma fp. The lens features 12 elements with three aspherical surfaces and an unknown number – Leica claim the “majority” of elements being made of anomalous partial dispersion glass for apochromatic correction. As with other lenses in the Summicron-SL series, the 50mm F2 ASPH features a Dual Syncro Drive (DSD) stepping motor for fast autofocus, which allows for the lens to be driven over its…
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Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm F2 ASPH
Technical data: Lens APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. Angle of view (diagonal, horizontal, vertical) 47.2° / 40.0° / 27.3° Optical design Number of elements/groups 12/10 Number of aspherical elements 3 Position of entrance pupil in front of the bayonet flange 63.2 mm Focusing Working range 0.35 m to infinity Smallest object field 120 × 180 mm Largest reproduction ratio 1:5 Aperture Settings/functions Electronically controlled iris, setting with the camera setting dial, half- or one-third stop settings possible Aperture setting range 2 – 22 Smallest aperture 22 Bayonet/sensor format Leica L-bayonet, full-frame 35 mm format Filter thread E67 Dimensions and weight Length to bayonet flange 102 mm…
