Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master Lens Announced – First Look and Sample Footage
Jul092020
Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master zoom lens has just been announced. It offers an ultra-wide focal length with constant aperture while covering full-frame sensors. Weighing 847 grams (29.88 oz), the lens features minimum focusing distance of 28cm (11″), 9-blade aperture, and rear filter holder system for sheet-type NDs. The lens is available for around €3,300. Take a look at our short video with test footage.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on 8 Things About the New Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 That You May Have Missed
Jul092020
Today’s Canon announcements came fast and furious, with two full-frame cameras, four RF mount lenses, two teleconverters, and a printer all being announced at the same time. Fortunately, our friends at DPReview TV have put together a helpful video that goes over 8 things you might have missed about the new EOS R5 and EOS R6 while you were trying to process all the news.
In a rush to share all of the most headline-grabbing specs baked into its new full-frame mirrorless cameras, Canon glossed over some important features and quirks that you should know about. That’s why Chris and Jordan put together this video based on a deeper dive into the spec sheet, and their own experience with a pre-production EOS R5 and full production EOS R6.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Hands-On First Impression of the Fujinon GF 30mm f/3.5
Jul022020
Fujifilm’s newest lens for the G mount is coming soon and it offers a mid-range prime between its two current options.
The go-to wider primes for Fuji’s G mount are the Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR and the Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR. This left a reasonably sized gap between the two which could be filled by the Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR, but that would be giving up a prime for a zoom. If you’re like me and you gravitate towards primes wherever possible, that wouldn’t be an option.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Hands On with the Sigma 100-400mm DG DN: A Budget Superzoom For Sony
Jul022020
Wildlife photographers who shoot with Sony have been limited when it comes to lens choice. The Sony 100-400mm GM was released in early 2017, but the price ($2,500) was out of reach for many. Last year, Sony released the 200-600mm G, which was a bit more budget friendly ($2,000) but is a pretty large lens to carry around on wildlife hikes.
Fortunately, Sigma recently announced their new 100-400mm Contemporary lens for Sony E-Mount and Leica/Panasonic/Sigma L-Mount. We had the chance to test out an E-Mount 100-400 for a few days – read on to see what we thought.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on FUJIFILM X-A7 and X-T200 – Firmware Update Enables USB WEBCAM Capabilities
Jun232020
FUJIFILM released a new firmware update for the X-T200 and X-A7 mirrorless cameras. The update brings USB WEBCAM capabilities via USB-C connector and is available for download free of charge. The company further announced that the macOS version of its FUJIFILM X Webcamwill come in mid-July 2020.
FUJIFILM X Webcam now for X-A7 and X-T200 as well. Source: FUJIFILM
In previous months we have seen many camera manufacturers releasing firmware updates and special software to make it easier to use their camera models as webcams without the need for any third-party devices. Canon, FUJIFILM, and Panasonic are at the forefront of these efforts.
Roughly a month ago, FUJIFILM X Webcam app enabled selected GFX medium format cameras and X-Mount cameras to act as a webcam only via connecting it to the computer via USB. FUJIFILM, however, initially only included its top X-Mount cameras (X-Pro2 & X-Pro3, X-T2, X-T3 & X-T4) to be compatible with the X Webcam. Now, there is a new firmware update that adds this functionality to the X-T200 and X-A7 “entry-level” cameras.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on FUJIFILM Firmware Updates for XC/XF Lenses
Jun142020
FUJIFILM has released several minor firmware updates for seven of its XC/XF lenses. These lenses include the popular FUJIFILM XF10-24mm F/4 R OIS, XC16-50mm F/3.5-5.6 OIS II, and XF80mm F/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro, for example. Let’s take a closer look at it!
FUJIFILM Firmware Updates for XC/XF Lenses
FUJIFILM is continuously improving their products by releasing firmware updates, and they just released seven firmware updates for XC/XF lenses. These firmware are pretty “minor,” and FUJIFILM is staying vague by just saying that these FW updates contain “fixes of minor bugs.”
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on The Best APS-C Camera Ever Made? A Review of the Fujifilm X-T4
Jun102020
Fujifilm’s X-T4 has been seen by some as an incremental progression over its predecessor, the X-T3, and if you’re a stills shooter that doesn’t need advanced autofocus performance, that might well be true. This excellent review runs through the features and explains why it might be a worthy upgrade.
Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake of DPReview bring a wealth of experience to their review of the X-T4 and, suffice to say, they’re impressed. As the video makes clear, this is definitely not a turkey.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Should I Use a Crop Sensor or Crop an Image From a Full Frame Sensor?
Jun082020
If a crop sensor is used, it will look like the focal length is much longer. Photographers that need long telephoto lenses can benefit from this. But instead of using a crop sensor, it is also possible to crop a full frame sensor to have the same field of view. Let’s take a look at the differences.
It isn’t really that difficult. A small sensor will record only a part of the projected image of the lens you are using. A bigger sensor will record a larger part of that same projected image. A full frame sensor with the dimensions of 24 x 36 mm will have a larger area compared to a 1.5x crop sensor that measures 23 x 15 mm. But when the recorded image is viewed at the same size on a screen, the image of the crop sensor will result in a magnification of 1.5 times that of the full frame sensor.
This is why a lens on a camera with a sensor that is smaller than a full frame sensor will act as if it has a longer focal length. A 24mm the lens will act like a 36mm lens, a 50mm lens will become a 75mm lens, and a 400mm lens will imitate a 600mm lens. This is when the sensor has a 1.5x crop. If a micro 4/3 sensor is used, with a crop factor of 2x, the focal lengths will be 50mm, 100mm, and 800mm compared to its full frame cousin.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Canon 1D X Mark III Review and Sample Footage
Jun072020
The Canon 1D X Mark III has been shipping for quite some time and with its capability to record up to 5.5k RAW video internally, it promises to be a leader in its class. Together with the upcoming EOS R5, Canon is showing muscle flexing and an explosion of technical generosity. To me, it looks like a true come back for the creator of the VDSLR segment and a former leader of that field.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Canon Will Launch the EOS R5 and R6 ‘On or Around July 2nd’: Report
Jun072020
Canon’s upcoming full-frame mirrorless cameras will be here very soon. According to the most recent reports, both the heavily previewed Canon EOS R5 and the rumored Canon EOS R6 will be announced together “on or around July 2nd.”
This news comes from the ever-reliable Canon Rumors, who has been on a tear in terms of predicting Canon’s moves with the EOS R-series of cameras. Initial reports of an EOS R with 20fps continuous shooting and 8K video capability were scoffed at, only to be confirmed by Canon shortly thereafter. Since then, just about every spec they’ve reported has been officially confirmed.
Now, CR is reporting that both the EOS R5 and its lower-resolution little brother, the 20MP EOS R6, will be officially announced in less than a month.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on In Praise of the Mamiya 645, the Perfect Compact Medium Format SLR Camera
May202020
When it comes to shooting on medium format, you’d be forgiven for thinking that starting out involves a heavy investment. The Mamiya 645 Pro, by contrast, is refreshingly affordable and the modular design means you can tweak your setup to your heart’s content.
Shane Taylor of Framelines has put together this short video explaining why he chose the Mamiya 645 Pro for his latest street photography project,t which resulted in a printed zine. As Fstoppers’ own James Madison will testify, the Mamiya 645 Pro offers medium format quality in a very compact body and, as Taylor mentions, it even shoots 35mm film. And if that’s not enough to get you tempted, be sure to check out the thoughts of photographer Nick Carver, who was looking for something smaller than his Mamiya RB67 but that wasn’t a rangefinder.
Sony today unveiled the world’s very first image sensors that have artificial intelligence capabilities built-in. The sensors are capable of processing captured images and extracting intelligent metadata at high speeds.
The upcoming IMX500 and IMX501 intelligent vision sensors can be paired with cloud services, and having built-in AI “reduces data transmission latency, minimizes any privacy concerns, and reduces power consumption and communication costs,” Sony says.
The IMX500 and IMX501 are backside-illuminated 1/2.3-inch sensors that have resolutions of approximately 12.3 megapixels and 4K/60fps video capabilities, and they’re expected to be priced at ¥10,000 and ¥20,000 ($93 and $187), respectively.
Cinematography, Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Canon EOS-1D X Mark III Firmware Update – Bug Fix & 23.98p Added
Apr082020
Canon has just released a firmware update version 1.1.0 for its flagship EOS-1D X Mark III camera that fixes an issue that would cause the camera to freeze. For filmmakers, this firmware update adds 23.98P frame rate in 4K UHD and FullHD recording modes. Let’s take a closer look.
Image credit: Canon
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III Firmware Update Version 1.1.0
Canon just released a firmware update version 1.1.0 for its Canon EOS-1D X Mark III that fixes an issue users started to report in March 2020. Indeed, the camera could freeze when the electronic level was set to “Show” in the viewfinder display, and you pressed the shutter button or the AF-ON button. The 1D X Mark III is a high-end (and expensive) camera, and the last thing you want to see is a bug that locks it up. Below is a video that explains the issue.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Sony a7III vs Fuji X-T4 vs Nikon Z6: IBIS and Video Comparison
Mar042020
YouTuber Max Yuryev recently went out on the streets of New York with the Sony a7 III, Nikon Z6, and the brand new Fuji X-T4 to compare the video quality and—of particular interest to stills shooters—the IBIS performance of all three cameras side-by-side.
It’s really worth watching the comparison in its entirety above, especially if you have a 4K display and can crank the video’s resolution for the video comparison, but even without that it’s immediately obvious that Fujifilm did a lot of things right with this new flagship.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Would You Buy an Olympus O-MD E-M1 Mark III Instead of a Sony a7 III?
Mar022020
The launch of the new Olympus O-MD E-M1 Mark III has reminded the world that micro four-thirds is not dead, and right now, it’s almost exactly the same price as the Sony a7 III. If you were in the market, which would you buy?
Over on B&H Photo right now, there’s a dollar difference in price between these two cameras, though if you opt for the Olympus, you are buying a camera with a much, much longer name. That said, in a world when full-frame offers so much, why would you ever want the smaller sensor? This entertaining video from Vistek makes a compelling case for the Olympus, and clearly it’s a tool that definitely fits well under certain circumstances.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on FUJIFILM X-T4 Hands-on Review – The Good Has Just Become Much Better
Mar022020
The new FUJIFILM X-T4 has just been released, promising to be one of the more interesting cameras to be delivered during 2020. If you are like me, an owner of the FUJIFILM X-T3 who wished for a little extra, then the wait is over. Enhanced performance, combining the advantage of the now discontinued X-1H (stabilised sensor) and articulating LCD screen, can now be found within this newcomer camera. Prepared to be impressed by what seems to be the best all around small and lightweight APS-C sensor camera that can shoot video, currently in the market?
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Hands On with the Fuji X-T4: Trying the IBIS, 240fps Slow Motion, and More
Feb282020
I didn’t have a terribly long time with Fujifilm’s latest hybrid shooterbefore it was released—it was only about a week for what you see shot below—but thankfully, not too much has changed since the previous X-T3, and what has is obvious and easy to evaluate.
Compared to the X-T3, the X-T4 is still weather resistant, still shoots 10-bit 4k internal F-Log at 60p, and maintains much of what made its predecessor great. Fuji has simply added a few things that make it an even better tool for the hybrid creators like myself.
These additions are what I’d like to discuss. Furthermore, given my rather limited experience with the new gear, I want to keep these initial thoughts succinct.
Cinematography, MirrorlessComments Off on FUJIFILM X-T4 Hands-on Review – The Good Has Just Become Much Better
Feb262020
The new FUJIFILM X-T4 has just been released, promising to be one of the more interesting cameras to be delivered during 2020. If you are like me, an owner of the FUJIFILM X-T3 who wished for a little extra, then the wait is over. Enhanced performance, combining the advantage of the now discontinued X-1H (stabilised sensor) and articulating LCD screen, can now be found within this newcomer camera. Prepared to be impressed by what seems to be the best all around small and lightweight APS-C sensor camera that can shoot video, currently in the market?
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on The Three Main Advantages of Sony Cameras Over Fujifilm
Feb242020
Last year, Usman Dawood of Sonder Creative decided to switch systems from Sony to Fujifilm for both his stills and video work, but he didn’t end up doing it. In this video, he shares the three main reasons why the switch never happened—in other words: the three “major” advantages of Sony cameras over Fuji.
The point of this video, says Dawood, is not to trash on Fujifilm or turn people off from the system. His goal is to inspire change in a company he respects a great deal.
Gear, MirrorlessComments Off on Sony Axes Mirrorless Camera Features Due to Parts Shortage: Report
Feb202020
Sony has reportedly canceled features that were set to be released in an upcoming mirrorless camera due to a scarcity of parts that its other businesses are competing for.
In an article titled “Sony Is Struggling With PlayStation 5 Price Due to Costly Parts,” Bloomberg reports that there isn’t enough flash memory to go around between Sony’s video game, smartphone, and camera products.
“The company’s biggest headache is ensuring a reliable supply of DRAM and NAND flash memory, with both in high demand as smartphone makers gear up for fifth-generation devices, according to people familiar with Sony’s operations,” Bloomberg states.