Nikon Blog
What does your ‘crystal ball’ say?
Photos Members Group Since What does your ‘crystal ball’ say? My Photo-stream says: I have enjoyed shooting with the Olympus MFT line of cameras for many years, but by my reading MFT has no future. I am considering buying a Canon SL DSLR. I particularly like its small foot print. But, I’ve heard rumors that the APS-C sensor camera may soon go extinct, too. Do you think Canon will continue its SL APS-C camera much beyond the SL3? I haven’t read anywhere about this so I thought you guys may have heard something. Thanks....
read moreDisk Drill 4 makes it easier to recover Raw image, video files from damaged drives and memory cards
[embedded content] The macOS version of disk recovery software Disk Drill has received a major 4.0 update that adds, amongst other features, a dramatically improved ability to recover RAW image formats from drives and memory cards. Disk Drill for macOS 4.0 is now ready for the latest versions of Apple’s desktop and mobile operating systems, macOS Big Sur and iOS 14. Using ‘state-of-the-art scanning methods and updated recovery algorithms,’ Disk Drill 4 can recover more than 400 different file types from drives with FAT32, NTFS, HFS+,...
read moreLime One is a compact, easy to use light meter you attach to your camera’s shoe mount
German mechatronics engineer Johannes Heberlein has launched a new photo accessory on Kickstarter, the Lime One compact hot shoe light meter. The meter has been designed to be very easy to use, and even updates its readings in real-time. In 2018, Heberlein started using film cameras, and he immediately found his light meter options somewhat lacking. He started using a smartphone-based solution but became frustrated with needing to constantly take his phone out of his pocket, get an exposure value and then put his phone away. In late 2018,...
read moreSamsung details new 65/14nm stacked sensor design for improving power efficiency, density of mobile image sensors
Stacked Architecture of the chipset Samsung details in its new paper. Samsung has published a paper detailing a new stacked CMOS mobile image sensor that uses a 14nm processing layer to deliver high-resolution images while reducing power consumption. The stacked sensor consists of two chips: a 12MP backside-illuminated (BSI) pixel chip on the top that uses 65nm process and a bottom chip for analog and logic circuits that uses 14nm process. By using the super-fine 14nm process on the processing layer, Samsung says it could achieve a 29% drop...
read moreDPReview TV: Sony LA-EA5 A-mount to E-mount adapter review
Published Oct 7, 2020 | dpreview staff [embedded content] Sony just breathed new life into older A-mount lenses thanks to its LA-EA5 adapter for E-mount. Watch our review to find out why it could be a great option for those who still own A-mount glass. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week. Sample photos from this episode For still photographers, we feel the Nikon Z5 represents the best value for the money when it comes to full-frame mirrorless cameras. Which is why it receives our top award. The Sony...
read moreVideo: The impact of hand-colorized photos on photography in 19th century Japan
[embedded content] For many years, photography was strictly a monochromatic medium. While images offered people detailed depictions of people and places, without color, some people found photographs to be incomplete. In a new video, Vox shares the history of colorized photos and the important role Japan played in the colorization of black and white images. Japan’s role in the international economy throughout the 18th and 19th centuries was tumultuous, at best. For over 200 years, Japan had closed itself off from the rest of the world,...
read moreDell announces $5K 31.5-inch UltraSharp HDR display with 2K mini-LED dimming zones, two other monitors
Dell has announced three new monitors, including a new 4K (3840 x 2160, 16:9) 31.5″ UltraSharp HDR PremierColor display with a 2,000-zone mini-LED array and built-in color calibrator. The Dell UP3221Q is the first display with 2,000 mini-LED direct backlit dimming zones, beating out both the Asus ProArt PA32UCX (1,152 zones) and Apple’s Pro XDR Display (576 zones). The IPS display is VESA certified for DisplayHDR 1000, has a maximum brightness of 1,000 cd/m2, a 60Hz refresh rate, a claimed HDR contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 and has a...
read moreNVIDIA Research develops a neural network to replace traditional video compression
[embedded content] NVIDIA researchers have demonstrated a new type of video compression technology that replaces the traditional video codec with a neural network to drastically reduce video bandwidth. The technology is presented as a potential solution for streaming video in situations where Internet availability is limited, such as using a webcam to chat with clients while on a slow Internet connection. The new technology is made possible using NVIDIA Maxine, a cloud-AI video streaming platform for developers. According to the researchers,...
read moreFreefly Systems announces Astro quadcopter, hints at new 4K camera
[embedded content] Freefly Systems recently introduced the Astro, a quadcopter capable of carrying a two-pound payload on a 3-axis gimbal for up to 30 minutes. While the company is following in the footsteps of fellow American manufacturer, Skydio, by primarily marketing its latest offering to the public sector and enterprise, it’s worth noting that the Astro allows you to capture 61MP aerial photos with the Sony a7R IV camera. ‘My priority with my drones is being able to shoot good landscapes and cityscapes. Being able to fly my...
read moreNikon Z 70-200mm F2.8 VR S sample gallery
Published Oct 6, 2020 | dpreview staff We first got our hands on a pre-production Nikkor Z 70-200mm F2.8 at CES 2020, in what we’re calling the Before Time. Nikon had planned to start shipping the lens to customers in February, but then some stuff happened, and production was delayed. Well, the long wait is over, and in-between the toxic smoke and damp fog of recent weeks here in the Pacific Northwest we’ve been able to take this much-anticipated telezoom for a spin. Take a look. Gear in this story For still photographers, we feel...
read moreHubble captures supernova 70M light-years away as it briefly outshines its host galaxy
The Hubble Space Telescope recently captured images of an exploding star 70 million light-years away. The event was recorded as part of an ongoing program to measure the expansion rate of the universe in order to better understand its age. For a moment, the explosion outshined its entire host galaxy and the resulting energy was ‘equal to the radiance of 5 billion Suns.’ NASA has assembled its images from the Hubble Space Telescope to create a new time-lapse sequence, seen below. The supernova explosion took place in the spiral...
read moreThe inspiration behind Canon’s RF 600mm F11 and 800mm F11 super-tele lenses
In July, Canon announced a pair of super-telephoto fixed-aperture lenses for its RF lens mount. The new RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM lenses are distinct among Canon’s modern offerings but are reminiscent in design and philosophy to some of Canon’s R lenses from 1960. Six decades ago, Canon released the R300mm F4, R400mm F5.6, R600mm F5.6, R800mm F8 and R1000mm F11 super-telephoto lenses. While not fixed aperture lenses like the new RF lenses, the vintage bellows-driven lenses were nonetheless the inspiration for...
read moreCosina announces new Voigtlander Nokton Vintage 50mm F1.5 Aspherical II VM lens
Cosina has announced (translated) the release of its new Voigtlander Nokton Vintage Line 50mm F1.5 Aspherical II VM lens, an updated version of its predecessor, which was released back in June 2013. The second-generation lens features an entirely redesigned optics system and a more compact body to match. It’s constructed of eight elements in seven groups, has an aperture range of F1.5-F16, uses a 12-blade aperture diaphragm and has a minimum focusing distance of 70cm (27.5â€). The lens measures in at just 55mm (2.17â€) diameter and 37mm...
read moreExploring Monte Cristo ghost town with Sam Horine and the Canon EOS R5
Published Oct 5, 2020 | This is sponsored content, created with the support of Amazon and Canon [embedded content] The Canon EOS R5 is a powerful stills and video camera, designed for enthusiast and professional users. With a high-resolution full-frame sensor and advanced human and animal face and eye-detection, the EOS R5 is a versatile option for travel and portraiture. As well as stills, the R5 can also capture HD, 4K and 8K video. Join Seattle-based photographer Sam Horine as he uses the EOS R5 to explore the ghost town of Monte Cristo,...
read moreHere’s our wish list for the Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II
Thanks to a process of continued improvement, the Z6 and Z7 are going to be hard acts to follow. Nikon has already started teasing its forthcoming Z6 and Z7 Mark II cameras, so the question is: just what are they going to bring? We’ve collectively put together a list of what we’d like to see on these updated models. It’s not necessarily what we think Nikon will provide, more a list of what we think would be nice. Fixing the things complained about On the hardware side, there are a couple of obvious changes that would...
read moreIt’s alive: Zeiss’ Android-powered ZX1 camera is available to pre-order on B&H for $6K
[embedded content] Surprises in 2020 have proven less than ideal more often than not, but a new bit of information might make one surprise in the photography world an anomaly from the rest. B&H has sent out an email notifying consumers the long-awaited Zeiss ZX1 camera is now available for pre-order for $6,000 and is ‘Coming Soon.’ The fabled ZX1 was announced all the way back in September 2018. At the time, Zeiss detailed the specifications of the Android-powered full-frame camera that features a 37.4MP sensor behind a fixed 35mm...
read moreThis iOS 14 widget adds NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day to your homescreen
With the release of Apple’s iOS 14, users can finally add widgets to their homescreen and subsequent pages, paving the way for unique ways to customize your iOS device. Inspired by a widget from iOS Reddit client Apollo, developer Mark Hambly decided to make his own to show off the beautiful astrophotography of NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) project. A collection of various layouts you can achieve using the new widgets in iOS 14. The aptly named APOD app, which is free to download (and ad-free), will refresh every day with the...
read moreRecommended Nikon Z5 Settings
With the release of the budget-friendly Nikon Z5 full-frame camera, we now have a number of different options to choose from in the Nikon mirrorless line-up. Although the Nikon Z5 is aimed to be a lower-tier camera than the Z6, its image sensor, ergonomics, and the menu system are very similar to those of its bigger brother. This also means that the complexity of the controls and the menu system is fairly similar between the two cameras. In this article, I will provide detailed information on what settings I use on the Nikon Z5 and shortly...
read moreNikon Z5 sample gallery: new samples from DPReview TV
Published Oct 4, 2020 | dpreview staff The Nikon Z5 continues to impress us. Check out this brand new Z5 sample gallery from our team at DPReview TV. If you missed our first Nikon Z5 sample gallery you can find it below. View the new Nikon Z5 sample gallery View the original Nikon Z5 sample gallery Original Nikon Z5 sample gallery Gear in this story While our full Nikon Z5 review is underway, you can now see how the camera stacks up against its peers in our studio test scene, as well as some Raw conversions. Nikon’s entry-level Z-mount...
read moreDPReview TV: Nikon Z5 review
Published Oct 3, 2020 | dpreview staff [embedded content] ‘We have to go fishing to test the Nikon Z5,’ they told us. ‘It’s all about the camera,’ they said. Call us skeptical, but such are the lives of YouTube stars. So join us as we go fishing with the Nikon Z5 Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week. Sample images from this episode Gear in this story While our full Nikon Z5 review is underway, you can now see how the camera stacks up against its peers in our studio test...
read moreEarth from 100,000 feet: Sigma sent the fp mirrorless camera into near space
Sigma UK recently collaborated with the company Sent Into Space to send a pair of Sigma fp full frame mirrorless cameras into the upper atmosphere. Sigma 14mm F1.8 lenses were used on each camera. It’s a notable kit because it combines the world’s smallest and lightest full frame mirrorless camera with the brightest full frame 14mm prime lens available. The Sigma fp cameras and 14mm F1.8 lenses were attached to weather balloons and sent up to an altitude of roughly 19 mi. (about 30.5km). At altitude, the cameras captured...
read moreFunleader’s 18mm F8 ‘cap lens’ gets more lens mount options and is now available to the public
Last October, Funleader started a Kickstarter campaign to help raise funds to produce its ridiculously small 18mm F8 pancake lens for Sony E mount and Leica L mount camera systems. As promised in its campaign, it started shipping to global backers in December 2019 and now, nine months later, the lens is available to purchase by the general public in three additional lens mounts. The pancake lens is constructed of six multi-coated elements in four groups, has a 100º field of view on a full-frame camera and is made of aluminum. The lens...
read moreWhy We Can’t Have Nice Things
I have been in the Southwest part of Colorado for about a week now, waiting for the haze to clear up, and the weather to change a little. While here, I wanted to see how the San Juan mountains look this year, with all the drought and COVID-19 restrictions. Although the drought has surely done its damage to the environment (and temps are still hovering around 80F every day), it seems like all air travel has switched to cars and RVs, as the whole Ridgway / Ouray / Telluride area has been overrun by tourists this year. I have never seen this...
read moreSlideshow: The hilarious finalists for the Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2020
Finalists for the annual Comedy Pet Photo Awards were recently announced. Founded by the creators of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the competition is now in its second year. Over 2,000 images of pets were submitted from 81 countries. The aim is to showcase the impact pets have on our lives and to raise awareness around animal homelessness in the United Kingdom. 10% of all entry fees were donated to national pet charity Blue Cross. ‘The entries this year have been completely and utterly what...
read moreFilm Fridays: Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F Review – a class act
Published Oct 2, 2020 | dpreview staff About 10 years ago, Bob Janes decided it was high time to track down some of the dream cameras of his youth. One of the cameras in particular, the Pentax Spotmatic F, had left an important impression on him, early in his photographic journey. So when one popped up locally on Ebay for a mere £16, he grabbed it, no questions asked. It turned to be in pristine mechanical condition. Now, 41 years after first laying eyes, Bob has finally had the chance to put the Spotmatic F properly through its paces. Read...
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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.