Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Wednesday, July 1, 2015

The Digital Photography Review Newsletter The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 400,000 subscribers Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Welcome to the 567th Digital Photography Review newsletter. We've been having fun with lenses this week, specifically the incredibly heavy, beautifully black and luxuriously shiny Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4. Some of you were upset that we used much less expensive primes for our previously published studio work on the Canon EOS 5DSR and Nikon D810, so we decided to throw caution - and an awful lot of money - to the wind. You might be surprised at just how good those 'cheap' lenses look compared to the Otus, once you stop them down a little, anyway. While Sam was playing with thousands of dollars of lenses, our intrepid tripod reviewer Mark has been rounding up tabletop tripods, and our man in London, Damien Demolder interviewed Perry Oosting - CEO of Hasselblad. Check out the links below. Otus Readings: the Zeiss 85 F1.4 Otus Comparison When the Zeiss 85mm F1.4 Otus rolled into our office in both Canon and Nikon mounts, we knew what had to be done. We proudly present to you the 85mm F1.4 Otus, one of the nicest things we've ever held, mounted on the 5DS R and the Nikon D810 for your peeping pleasure. You can even see how it compares with an old Canon EF 85mm F1.8... Click here to take a look at how the Zeiss Otus 85mm lens compares Beyond the table top: 5 mini tripods reviewed As capable cameras get smaller, photographers and camera bags have adapted to hold these systems. Camera supports have evolved as well - enter the mini tripod, a class of legs and head that can hold up tiny cameras and flashes, but is also strong enough to support full-sized gear. In this group test we look at five such tripods. Which one should you take on your next hike? Read our group test of tabletop tripods Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV real-world sample gallery posted Announced earlier this month, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV is the latest in that manufacturer's line of popular enthusiast compacts. It ushers into the lineup a new sensor design, offering a stacked 1" type 20MP CMOS sensor, and carries over from its predecessor a 24-70mm equivalent F1.8-2.8 lens. See what the camera's capable of in the real world. Click here to view our gallery of samples from the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV Studio and real-world shots from Canon EOS 5DS /R We've updated our Canon EOS 5DS/5DS R First Impressions to include studio test samples from final production versions of the cameras. We've also added some real-world shots from a final production EOS 5DSR to our gallery of samples. View our new studio and real-world samples from the Canon EOS 5DS/R Readers' Showcase: Raiatea Arcuri The PowerShot G3 X sits above the G7 X in Canon's lineup of compact cameras, offering a much longer zoom range, tilting LCD screen and a hot shoe. We've been poring over the specification sheet for a while, and have prepared a quick run-down of its key features. Take a look and learn about the new camera. Click to see more of Raiatea Arcuri's images and read our Q&A Interview: Hasselblad to re-visit core values and aim for a wider market, says CEO Perry Oosting The PowerShot G3 X sits above the G7 X in Canon's lineup of compact cameras, offering a much longer zoom range, tilting LCD screen and a hot shoe. We've been poring over the specification sheet for a while, and have prepared a quick run-down of its key features. Take a look and learn about the new camera. Read our interview with Perry Oosting What else is coming up? Plenty, including more from the mighty Zeiss Otus, Sony RX100 IV and Fujifilm X-T10. And don't forget, despite the busy few weeks we've just had, the year isn't over yet. We're expecting some new hardware to be released in the coming weeks, too. Barney

News updates DxOMark Mobile report: Sony Xperia Z3+ Published Tuesday, June 30, 2015 7:15:01 PM GMT The Xperia Z3+ is the international version of the Japan-only Xperia Z4. On paper, it's only a minor upgrade over the predecessor Xperia Z3. The 1/2.3-inch 20.7MP Sony Exmor sensor and F2.0 25mm equiv. lens are shared with the previous model. Despite having the same specs, camera performance is improved and nabs the Z3+ DxOMark's third place ranking. Read more Olympus brings its Air lens-style connected camera to US Published Tuesday, June 30, 2015 5:00:00 PM GMT Olympus is bringing its connected 'Air' camera to the US. Announced in Japan earlier this year and shown off previously in concept form, the Air consists of a 16MP Four Thirds sensor and Micro Four Thirds lens mount and uses your smartphone or tablet screen as its display. It's similar in spirit to the Sony Alpha QX1 but with a smaller body, Bluetooth connectivity and several unique shooting modes. Read more Beyond the table top: 5 mini tripods reviewed Published Tuesday, June 30, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT As capable cameras get smaller, photographers and camera bags have adapted to hold these systems. Camera supports have evolved as well - enter the mini tripod, a class of legs and head that can hold up tiny cameras and flashes, but is also strong enough to support full-sized gear. In this group test we look at five such tripods. Which one should you take on your next hike? Read more Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV added to studio test scene comparison Published Tuesday, June 30, 2015 12:11:00 AM GMT UPDATED: We've added low light results to our studio test for the RX100 IV. Sony's latest RX100, the Cyber-shot RX100 IV, brings the manufacturer's stacked CMOS sensor design to the 1"-type sensor size for the first time. The 20MP chip, also in the Cyber-shot RX10 II, pushes all the pixel circuitry onto a separate layer, creating room for high-speed processing within the chip. See how it performs in our studio test scene. Read more Moon video recorded with 83x zoom Nikon Coolpix P900 shows Earth's rotation Published Monday, June 29, 2015 10:22:40 PM GMT With a 2000mm equivalent zoom range, the Nikon Coolpix P900 leads the current ultrazoom class in terms of reach. While there's no question that the camera has an impressive zoom range, a nature photographer based in Germany has made it ever-so-obvious just how powerful this little ultrazoom is. His YouTube video of the moon shows that at 83x optical zoom the magnification is so powerful, the rotation of the Earth is easily seen as the subject drifts through the frame. Read more Meyer Optik to bring back soap-bubble-bokeh Trioplan lens via Kickstarter Published Monday, June 29, 2015 9:25:31 PM GMT Following a successful Kickstar campaign, German optical manufacturer Meyer Optik is set to reintroduce a lens from 1916 that was famous for its unique 'soap-bubble' bokeh. The company hoped to raise $50,000 to fund production of a new Trioplan 100mm F2.8 lens, but at the time of writing pledges have reached $124,000 with the best part of a month still to go. Read more Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV real-world sample gallery posted Published Monday, June 29, 2015 8:57:00 PM GMT Announced earlier this month, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV is the latest in that manufacturer's line of popular enthusiast compacts. It ushers into the lineup a new sensor design, offering a stacked 1" type 20MP CMOS sensor, and carries over from its predecessor a 24-70mm equivalent F1.8-2.8 lens. See what the camera's capable of in the real world. See gallery Apple's dual-camera technology rumored to be nearing completion Published Monday, June 29, 2015 7:29:11 PM GMT According to a report from BusinessWeekly Taiwan, Apple's rumored dual camera technology for an upcoming iPhone is getting closer to becoming a reality. The article states that Apple has been working on the dual-lens technology for three years, but until recently has been hindered by a number of issues, including image blur and supplier inadequacies. Read more Fujifilm X-T1 users to get significant boost in autofocus performance and function Published Monday, June 29, 2015 2:31:00 PM GMT UPDATE: Fujifilm's new firmware for the X-T1 is now available. It promises to overhaul autofocusing performance and 'introduces a new AF system' to this X-series flagship body. Firmware 4.00 aims to take significant steps towards solving issues with moving subjects and focusing in low contrast conditions. Read more Otus Readings: the Zeiss 85 F1.4 Otus Comparison Published Monday, June 29, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT When the Zeiss 85mm F1.4 Otus rolled into our office in both Canon and Nikon mounts, we knew what had to be done. We proudly present to you the 85mm F1.4 Otus, one of the nicest things we've ever held, mounted on the 5DS R and the Nikon D810 for your peeping pleasure. You can even see how it compares with an old Canon EF 85mm F1.8... Read on Readers' Showcase: Raiatea Arcuri Published Sunday, June 28, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT Raiatea Arcuri is an avid landscape photographer who maintains a website, a blog of tutorials and gear reviews, and is constantly expanding his online portfolio. His work will soon be on display at a gallery on the Big Island of Hawaii, where he calls home. Did we mention he's only 17? Take a look at his work and read more about his journey into photography. See gallery Vantage Point: The aviation photography of Jon Pece Published Saturday, June 27, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT 'Some people use a tripod,' laughs Jon Pece, 'I used a KC-135 as a camera support.' The photographer has been afforded a unique perspective thanks to a long career as a military and commercial pilot. With his camera at his side and an eye for graphic elements and repeating patterns, Pece has produced a stunning portfolio of meticulous scenics. Read our Q&A and check out his work. See gallery Polaroid Cube+ adds Wi-Fi and two bright new color options Published Friday, June 26, 2015 6:18:24 PM GMT Polaroid has added a new member to its Cube camera family: the Cube+. Introduced at CE Week 2015 in New York, the Cube+ includes Wi-Fi, which is not included in the original model. As with the first generation, the Cube+ can record 1080p video and uses a single-button design. Read more Week in review: Lights in the sky Published Friday, June 26, 2015 1:00:00 PM GMT Mother Nature put on a show for us this week when the Northern Lights dipped down into our part of the country. But around here it's been fireworks for the past couple of weeks, with plenty of new product introductions and exciting review samples rolling in the door. Let's reflect, shall we? Read more Tamron and Sigma offer firmware update service for Canon EOS 5DS/5DS R live view issues Published Thursday, June 25, 2015 9:59:55 PM GMT Tamron and Sigma have both announced updates for their lenses to provide full compatibility with Canon's EOS 5DS and 5DS R models. Both firmware updates refer to behavior in live view shooting, something that has also caused problems in the Rebel T6s and T6i. This suggests that Canon's latest models feature a change in the way they drive lenses. Read more Manfrotto launches XPRO Ball Head Published Thursday, June 25, 2015 7:13:00 PM GMT *Updated with US availability and pricing* Manfrotto has launched the XPRO Ball Head in the UK, joining existing fluid and geared heads in the XPRO lineup. It is offered with Arca-Swiss compatible Top Lock and 200PL camera plates and features a spherical locking mechanism alongside a Triple Locking System, the latter of which stabilizes the camera's position and keeps it from drifting via a trio of wedges. Read more Interview: Hasselblad to re-visit core values and aim for a wider market, says CEO Perry Oosting Published Thursday, June 25, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT At Photokina 2012, it felt as though Hasselblad was having a very public identity crisis. The company's foray into new product categories, via a relationship with Sony and an Italian design house, was not universally well received. We spoke with Hasselblad's new CEO, Perry Oosting, who assures us that the company will concentrate on re-connecting with the core values of the brand. Read more Samsung NX500 firmware upgrade improves autofocus and enhances video features Published Thursday, June 25, 2015 2:00:00 AM GMT Samsung has released a firmware update for its NX500 mirrorless camera. Among other things, the update enhances autofocus performance in several areas, increases the 4K video bit rate to 70Mbps, and reads out a larger areas of the sensor for improved 1080/60p video quality. More details Adobe renews free trials of Creative Cloud 2015 to preview new features Published Wednesday, June 24, 2015 9:58:00 PM GMT Adobe recently updated its Creative Cloud suite of software, and to give users a chance to test the new features it has reset its product trials. This includes trial versions of Illustrator CC, InDesign CC, and Photoshop CC. Users, even those who have previously taken advantage of Adobe's 30-day free trial, can start a new trial by opening the software application and clicking 'Update'. Read more A commerical photographer accuses Taylor Swift of being a hypocrite, Swift's management company responds Published Wednesday, June 24, 2015 7:05:00 PM GMT In case you missed it, Taylor Swift, one of the most successful commercial pop stars of all time, recently penned an angry Tumblr post aimed at the soon-to-be-launched streaming service Apple Music. She called for Apple to respect the rights of creatives. However, commercial photographer Jason Sheldon found this statement to be more than a little hypocritical. Read more Instagram updates Explore page and search Published Wednesday, June 24, 2015 3:02:12 PM GMT Instagram has launched a major update to its mobile app that offers a redesigned Explore page and search function. The former will offer trending tags and places, the latter makes it easier to find people, places, and tags. Read more Production Canon EOS 5DS and 5DS R added to studio test scene Published Wednesday, June 24, 2015 12:00:00 PM GMT We've updated our Canon EOS 5DS/5DS R First Impressions to include studio test samples from final production versions of the cameras. The 5DS and 5DS R share a 50MP full-frame CMOS sensor and are identical in every way except for one: the 5DS contains an anti-aliasing filter, while the 5DS R has a self-canceling filter. While we've previously tested a beta version of the 5DS R, we've finally been able to put final production versions of the two cameras through our studio. Read more

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