Nikon Blog
Google used a 360º, 64-camera ‘Light Stage’ to create the dataset for its Portrait Light mode on Pixel devices
Google has published an overview on its AI Blog that details how it developed the technology that powers the Portrait Light feature found on its newer Pixel smartphones. While the entire process is performed on the device using machine learning, not everything about the process is artificial. Google explains how it used real-world examples to create two machine learning algorithms that ‘help create attractive lighting at any moment for every portrait — all on your mobile device.’ The first is Automatic Light Placement. This machine...
read moreFujifilm X-S10 sample gallery
Published Dec 14, 2020 | dpreview staff Fujifilm’s X-S10 is a compact, well-priced mirrorless camera with built-in image stabilization and the best sensor the company has available for its X-mount system. As we’ve been working through our full review, we’ve taken advantage of some of the breaks in the wintry Seattle weather to see what this powerful little APS-C camera can do. For more photos from the X-S10, visit our pre-production sample gallery. Gear in this story Fujifilm’s latest X-S10 is a likeable,...
read moreHands-on: What you need to know about the Leica SL2-S
Leica’s third full-frame L-mount camera, the SL2-S, has just landed. Based on the SL2 which launched just over a year ago, the SL2-S has a 24MP sensor and it’s a bit more video-focused than its higher-resolution forebear. If you’re familiar with the SL2, there frankly isn’t much that’ll surprise you about the SL2-S. But if you’ve overlooked the SL2 previously or are just new to the Leica SL-series in general, then follow along for a closer look at the newest model in the...
read moreCanon patent details a variable-magnification 1.0-2.0x teleconverter with image stabilization, variable ND filter
An illustration from the patent application that shows the 1.0x, 1.5x and 2.0x adjustment options on the concept teleconverter. A recently-filed patent application from Canon shows the company has conceptualized a variable magnification teleconverter adapter. In addition to offering 1x-2x magnification ratio for attached lenses, Canon also states the unit could include built-in optical stabilization and a variable ND filter. Japanese patent application 2020–197580 was published on December 10. In the overview, Canon describes the the...
read moreDPReview TV: Nikon Z6 II review
Published Dec 12, 2020 | dpreview staff [embedded content] The Nikon Z6 II looks a lot like its predecessor, but Nikon has made some significant updates to its current midrange full-frame interchangeable lens camera. These include more processing power, a bigger buffer, faster shooting and better low-light autofocus performance. Oh, yeah – and dual card slots! Chris and Jordan have been shooting with the Z6 II for a little while up in the frozen wastes of Alberta. Watch their video review to find out how they got on. Subscribe to our...
read moreNikon Z6 II real-world samples (DPRTV)
Published Dec 12, 2020 | dpreview staff The Nikon Z6 II is a solid update to the original Z6, offering more versatility, and more speed (and twin card slots!) DPReview TV’s Chris and Jordan have been shooting with one for a little while, and have created a gallery of samples alongside their full review. Take a look to see how the Z6 II performs! Gear in this story As we continue to test Nikon’s update of its multimedia full-framer, we’ve added more of our findings so far on image quality, dynamic range and video quality....
read moreLitchi app’s latest update adds new features, including subject-tracking, to your Mavic Mini
Litchi is an autonomous flight app that is compatible with most DJI drones including the Mavic 2 series, Inspire 2, and Phantom 4 Pro. It is well known for being the first app to allow users to pre-plan waypoint missions from a desktop or Mac/PC laptop. Recently, the developers behind the app announced an update for iOS and Android. All modes except for Waypoint, which is expected to be available in the near future, are available to Mavic Mini users. This means you can track a subject or have the Mini drone follow your movements. Keep in mind...
read moreGoogle Photos now syncs ‘liked’ images with Apple’s iOS Camera Roll
Apple and Google haven’t always gotten along, but there are times when the two work together to make life easier for end-users, regardless of what mobile operating system they’re using. One of the latest examples of this is a new feature baked into Google Photos that makes it possible to sync ‘liked’ and ‘favorited’ images between Google Photos and the iOS Camera Roll app. Screenshots of the new settings in the Google Photos iOS app. Click to enlarge. As visible in the below demonstration from Android Police, who first reported on...
read moreVideo: CIA spy-camera secrets revealed by former Chief of Disguise
[embedded content] Spy cameras aren’t just the stuff of James Bond movies it seems, as agents have used a whole range of cleverly disguised models down the ages, according to the former Chief of Disguise at the US Central Intelligence Agency. In an interview with Wired Jonna Mendez talks us through some of her favourites from her time at the agency and throughout its history. Examples she shows include a pre-drone pigeon camera used for aerial surveillance, the classic fountain pen camera, cameras hidden in matchboxes and of course the old...
read moreVideo: Capturing video and portraits with a Canon 65mm F0.75 x-ray lens
[embedded content] French photographer Mathieu Stern has built a large following on YouTube adapting distinct, vintage lenses to his mirrorless Sony cameras. He has used many wild lenses, including optics from night vision cameras, security cameras, early 20th century camera systems and even a lens he constructed himself using ice. You may also recall an article we published earlier this year in which Stern taught viewers how to create ‘anthotype’ prints using beet juice. This week, Stern is back to his weird lens ways with a...
read moreFilm Fridays: Nikkor 20mm F3.5 – taming the ultra-wide and defining a style
Published Dec 11, 2020 | dpreview staff Can a single piece of gear define one’s photographic style? For Fernando Martins, the answer is ‘yes.’ A born-again film shooter, Fernando picked the hobby back up in 2011 and immediately began documenting his then-hometown of Lisbon, Portugal. Fernando primarily works with a Nikon 20mm F3.5 lens, which is wider than the focal lengths employed by most street shooters. But he leans into the lens’ unique characteristics brilliantly, producing beautiful and haunting images. Follow...
read moreThe Luma Labs Offset Ti Plate is a 13g titanium tripod plate that costs $95
Meet the Offset Ti Plate, a ‘state of the art’ reimagination of the standard tripod plate from Luma Labs that costs $95. In the event a standard tripod plate isn’t enough for your needs, Luma Labs has created what may very well be the most expensive tripod plate to date. In Luma’s own words, the ‘Luma Offset Ti Plate elegantly challenges the notion that using a tripod requires bolting a big ugly dovetail to the bottom of your camera.’ The Offset Ti Plate next to a standard Arca-style tripod plate. The plate, which should fit all...
read moreBuying Trash helps creativity, says VSCO
The owner of mobile imaging app VSCO has bought the mobile video app Trash and intends to integrate the AI movie editing features into its own offering. VSCO CEO Joel Flory says his team has been concentrating on video a lot this year and by acquiring Trash, it will be able to improved VSCO’s video features using technology the Trash team has developed. Trash uses artificial intelligence to identify crucial moments in video footage and can automatically make cuts to help those with little editing skills produce a polished result. The...
read moreLeica releases ‘Henri’ Cinematographer’s Viewfinder for pairing its new SL2-S camera system with PL, LPL lenses
Optics manufacturer Ernst Leitz Wetzler has announced an interesting new cinematographer’s viewfinder that features an integrated lens adapter and foldaway handle that offers built-in record button. Designed to pair specifically with Leica’s SL2 camera systems, including the new SL2-S announced today, the ‘Henri’ Cinematographer’s Viewfinder features a built-in adapter that comes in two versions: L-PL and L-LPL. Regardless of which adapter you choose, the ‘Henri’ includes a rail system for supporting the attached lens, as well...
read moreHow to Properly Resize Images in Lightroom
If you like sharing your photographs online, whether on Facebook or on your own blog, you should learn how to properly resize your images in Lightroom. While your camera can take very high-resolution photographs, you might sometimes need to down-size or “down-sample†those images, not only because most websites won’t accept large images, but also because making those images smaller might actually make them look better, if done correctly. In other cases, you might need to up-size your image resolution, say for printing purposes. In this...
read moreViltrox announces $399 85mm F1.8 lens for Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras
Viltrox has released its new 85mm F1.8 STM autofocus prime lens for Nikon Z-mount mirrorless camera systems. The autofocus lens is constructed of 10 elements in 7 groups, including five ‘short wave length and high transparency’ elements and one low-dispersion element. Viltrox claims the lens, which uses a stepping motor (STM) to drive the autofocus elements, features full autofocus support, including compatibility with Nikon’s Eye-AF technology. Other features include an aperture range of F1.8–16, a nine-blade aperture diaphragm, an...
read moreLeica SL2-S initial review
Introduction Studio product photography by Dan Bracaglia The Leica SL2-S is what the company is calling its entry into a different segment of the camera market, targeting the hybrid stills/video shooter. At launch it’s very much a less expensive, lower resolution version of the $6000, 47MP SL2, but the SL2-S will be stronger than its big brother in the video department after a 2021 firmware update. The rest of the SL2 remains intact, including a well-built body with ‘Made in Germany’ engraved on the back, in-body image...
read moreLeica SL2-S real-world samples (pre-production)
Published Dec 10, 2020 | dpreview staff The Leica SL2-S is a lower-resolution, less costly companion to the flagship SL2, but one that packs some impressive video specifications – with more coming in a planned firmware update next year. We’ve been shooting with a pre-production Leica SL2-S for a few days, to see what it can do. Check out our gallery of samples to see how it performs. Gear in this story As a neat little diffuser that has a gigantic impact on the quality of the light from a hotshoe flash unit, the Hähnel Lantern...
read moreNew Leica SL2-S is a more accessible, video-focused SL2
Published Dec 10, 2020 | dpreview staff The new Leica SL2-S is the company’s third full-frame L-mount camera, and is the most video-focused yet. Using a 24MP sensor, the SL2-S offers oversampled (meaning, very detailed) 4K/30p capture with no limit on recording time, along with the option to capture 10-bit footage to either an internal SD card or externally to a recorder. In essence, 10-bit footage means you have far more ability to tweak your video files in post-production if you don’t nail the exposure or white balance at the...
read moreWPPI 2021 gets moved from March to August amidst COVID-19 concerns
It’s been announced the 2021 Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Trade Show (WPPI), which was set to take place in mid-March, is being moved back to August in 2021 ‘out of concern for everyone’s safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.’ In a notice on its website, Rangefinder says the event, which ‘attracts thousands photographers and creatives from all over the world,’ will take place from August 15 through August 19 in 2021 at the Mirage Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Out of concern for everyone’s safety...
read moreDxO PhotoLab version 4.1 released, now optimized for Apple M1 support and more
DxO has released DxO PhotoLab version 4.1. The free update for DxO PhotoLab 4 owners includes Apple M1 silicon support, an improved DxO Colorwheel, a more informative user interface, additional camera support and minor bug fixes. DxO PhotoLab 4.0 was announced in October and includes DxO’s new DeepPRIME technology. This tech utilizes artificial intelligence to perform improved demosaicing and denoising in a single step. The DeepPRIME algorithm has been trained on millions of images and DxO promises that the new tech will deliver image...
read moreSlideshow: Shortlisted images for the 2021 British Photography Awards
The British Photography Awards (BPA) recently announced their shortlist of 380 images for 2021, spanning 19 categories. The competition, which received over 11,000 submissions, is open to photographers of any nationality that hold British citizenship. Furthermore, 20 UK-based charities will benefit from the money raised by BPA through entry fees and other related events. ‘Photography encourages us to look around and see, it encourages us to notice and appreciate the fine details of life often overlooked. Taking photographs is like an...
read moreLenses for mirrorless: how Canon, Nikon, Panasonic and Sony full-frame options compare
The move to mirrorless by some of the industry’s biggest players put the focus on their new lens lineups. Originally published April 30th, 2020 | Updated December 8th, 2020 In our recent look at ~$2000 full frame mirrorless cameras, we said that choosing between them is as much about buying into a lens system as anything else. In this article, we’re going to have a look at the four full-frame mirrorless systems to see what they offer and where they might yet go. This article isn’t a question of ‘which range is...
read moreDPReview TV: What is focus breathing? (And why should you care?)
Published Dec 9, 2020 | dpreview staff [embedded content] You’ve probably heard of lens, or focus, breathing. Videographers love to talk about it, but it can be important to still photographers as well. So what is it? In this video we explain what ‘breathing’ is and why it matters. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week. As a neat little diffuser that has a gigantic impact on the quality of the light from a hotshoe flash unit, the Hähnel Lantern creates a dramatically wide spread of...
read moreCP+2021 going online-only amidst rising COVID-19 cases
The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has announced CP+2021 will be an online-only even, due to global COVID-19 cases ‘soaring once again.’ The event, which was originally set to take place in a hybrid on-site and online experience, will now be confined to a digital-only experience dubbed CP+2021 Online. In a press release shared with DPReview, CIPA says it ‘will ensure that CP+2021 Online can be participated in by the maximum number of exhibitors.’ The event will take place starting Thursday, February 25 and wrap up on...
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Started out doing photography at the age of 6 using an uncle's old 1940 kodak brownie box camera. At 15 years of age, I decided to buy my very own 1975 Praktica SLR camera. I now shoot with a Nikon D850. I do unpaid TFP and commercial paid work.