The Sony a7III - Sony's 4k Update to Entry Level Full Frame

https://youtu.be/rdZaqXd6hMsSony has just announced the a7iii. A followup to their entry level full frame mirrorless a7ii.The Sony a7iii Specs:

  • Redesigned 24MP Sensor

  • 693 AF Points with A9s Eye-AF system (Better than a7Riii)

  • 15 stop Dynamic Range

  • 5 axis IBIS

  • 10fps with 14 bit raw (also 14 bit raw while silent)

  • 4k HDR, 6k full readout, Slog 2 & 3 and HLG

  • Uses Z Battery Rated at 710 shots longest battery life of any mirrorless camera ever

  • Dual SDcard slots, joystick, touchscreen, USB-C,

  • Available in April for $2,000 - Preorders start Wed

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Sony a7III Video

Sony a7III Video

At $2,000 for the a7III you get a NEW BSI 24.2 MP sensor offering- 10 FPS (silent or mechanical shutter), 15 stops of range and 4k Video. Combine that with 425 contrast Autofocus points, 693 phase detection autofocus points, eye AF,  5-axis in-body stabilization and a redesigned body that offers a bigger grip, a focus point joystick and a touchscreen. Not to mention the longest battery life of any mirrorless camera.With a lot of tech being brought in from the a7RIII and a9 it's fast. You can capture up to 177 JPEG images, 89 compressed RAW, or 40 uncompressed RAW images before filling the buffer. As with the other models, there is a partial lockout of camera functions while the data saves to the memory card. AF is about twice as fast as the A7II and significantly improved low light capabilities. The Eye-AF system is BETTER than the a7RIII! And it's REALLY good in the A7RIII!Offering 4K video with HLG(HDR) and S-Log2 and S-Log3. The 4k file is downsampled from 6k which when working off a 24mp sensor should give excellent low light results.  Full HD at 120fps to round it out.The design mirrors the a9, a7Riii batteries with dual SD card slots, slot one is SDXC II compatible. Same battery as a9/a7riii, the NP-FZ100 battery provides 710 shots per charge, that is actually the highest rating of any mirrorless on the market battery, the a7RIII is rated at 650 shots. USB-C for fast transfer of photos and video, tethered shooting and doubling as a power supply. There is also a micro USB port.My full review from Vegas will be released soon, don't forget to follow on Instagram at @photorectoby or subscribe to Youtube to be notified of the Sony a7iii review release

Preorders start 11 am ET, Feb 28th at B&H

Sony a7III Body Only

Sony a7III Body Only

Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera with 28-70mm Lens

Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera with 28-70mm Lens

Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera with 28-70mm Lens

My Sony a7III Photos from Sony Launch Event

[gallery ids="17740,17741,17742,17743,17744,17745,17746,17747,17748"]

Sample Images from Sony

[gallery ids="17715,17716,17717,17718,17719,17720,17721,17722,17723,17724,17725"]

Specs

Sony a7 III

Sony a7 II

Lens Mount

Sony E-Mount

Sony E-Mount

Camera Format

Full-Frame

Full-Frame

Pixels

24 MP: 6000 x 4000 (new BSI Sensor)

24 MP: 6000 x 4000

File Formats

Still Images: JPEG, RAWMovies: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, XAVC SAudio: AC3, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM (Stereo)

Still Images: JPEG, RAWMovies: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MPEG-4, XAVC SAudio: AAC LC, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM (Stereo)

Bit Depth

14-Bit

14-Bit

Memory Card Type

SDSDHCSDXCMemory Stick Pro DuoMemory Stick PRO HG-Duo

SDXCSDHCSDMemory Stick PRO Duo (High Speed)Memory Stick PRO HG-DuoMemory Stick XC-HG Duo

Image Stabilization

Sensor-Shift, 5-Way

Sensor-Shift, 5-Way

Video Format

3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 25, 29.97 fps (100 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264)3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 25, 29.97 fps (60 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264)1920 x 1080p at 100, 120 fps (100 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264)1920 x 1080p at 100, 120 fps (60 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264)1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps (50 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264)1920 x 1080p at 50, 59.94 fps (25 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264)1920 x 1080p at 25, 29.97 fps (16 Mb/s XAVC S via H.264)1920 x 1080i at 50, 59.94 fps (24 Mb/s AVCHD via H.264)1920 x 1080i at 50, 59.94 fps (17 Mb/s AVCHD via H.264)

1920 x 1080p at 24, 30, 60 fps (50 Mb/s XAVC S)1920 x 1080p at 60 fps (28 Mb/s AVCHD)1920 x 1080i at 60 fps (24 Mb/s AVCHD)1920 x 1080i at 60 fps (17 Mb/s AVCHD)1920 x 1080p at 24 fps (24 Mb/s AVCHD)1920 x 1080p at 24 fps (17 Mb/s AVCHD)1440 x 1080 at 30 fps (12 Mb/s MP4)640 x 480 at 30 fps (3 Mb/s MP4)

Video Clip Length

Up to 29 Minutes

Up to 29 Minutes

Autofocus

Phase Detection: 693Contrast Detection: 425Automatic (A), Continuous-Servo AF (C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (M), Single-servo AF (S)

Phase Detection: 117Contrast Detection: 25Continuous-Servo AF (C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (M), Single-servo AF (S)

Viewfinder Type

Electronic, 100% Coverage

Electronic, 100% Coverage

Buffer/Continuous Shooting

Up to 10 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 89 Frames in Raw FormatUp to 10 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 177 Frames in JPEG FormatUp to 8 fps at 24.2 MP

Up to 5 fps at 24 MP for up to 50 Frames

Built-in Flash

No

No

Connectivity

HDMI D (Micro), USB 2.0 Micro-B, USB 3.0, USB Type-C, Wi-Fi

1/8″ Headphone, 1/8″ Microphone, HDMI D (Micro), Micro-USB, Multi Interface Terminal, Wi-Fi

Dimensions (W x H x D)

5.0 x 3.9 x 3.0" / 127.0 x 99.1 x 76.2 mm

5.0 x 3.8 x 2.4″ / 126.9 x 95.7 x 59.7 mm

Weight

1.4375 lb / 652 g

1.223 lb / 556 g

NEW SONY FLASH - F60RM with wireless

Sony Brings Radio to Flagship HVL-F60RM FlashThe HVL-F60RM External Flash from Sony is the new top of the line flash. similar to F45RM, the F60RM offers several improvements in operability, performance, and build quality that make it a worthy upgrade. The most significant upgrade is the implementation of Sony's 2.4GHz Radio System, which allows it to function as either a controller or remote flash from up to 98' away with full TTL support, including high-speed sync. It is also fully compatible with all existing Sony flash components, including the F45RM External Flash and WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander.Sony continues to fill out the accessories and lenses that professionals require. In my opinion, the ecosystem is on par with Sony and Nikon for any studio and/or portraiture work.Full Specs of the F60RM Flash

  • 2.4 GHz Radio Transceiver with 98' Range
  • Compatible with Sony ADI / P-TTL
  • Guide Number: 197' at ISO 100 and 105mm
  • Zoom Range: 20-200mm (14mm with Panel)
  • Quick Shift Bounce for 90° L/R Pivot
  • Tilts from -8 to 150°
  • Wireless TTL Ratio Controller/Remote
  • LED Light and AF Illuminator
  • Quick Navi Interface with Dot Matrix LCD
  • Recycle Time: 0.1-1.7 Seconds
  • Price: $599.00

B&H Preorders are not live yet - sign up for notificationAdditional Battery pack available Compatible Cameras:

  • a9
  • a7R III
  • a7R II
  • a7S II
  • a99 II
  • a6500

Fujifilm X-H1 Mirrorless Camera - Serious Video Specs!

Screenshot-2018-02-15-16.26.51-650x263.png
Screenshot-2018-02-15-16.27.46-387x400.png

Fuji has announced the X-H1 - similar and size and shape to the much loved Fuji X-T2 series (you can see my review of the X-T2 here) this camera is aimed squarely at videographers. Yes, it can still take great photos like the X-T2 but the feature set packed inside is really all about video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AofDYo-tw8The standout features - In body stabilization 5 stops, 4k at 200Mbps with boosted dynamic range possible, internal DCI 4k and 120fps at 1080.While the body looks like a slightly larger Fuji X-T2 it has a top LCD that always remains on.Based on the quality of video I saw when I shot with the Fuji X-T2, I expect this camera to perform really well.  I hope to pair this against a Sony a6500, on paper the two are quite similar but the internal 4k log format is a benefit for Fuji shooters AND Fuji has some fantastic native lenses - Sony has a few but most video shooters choose to adapt which can be a little clunky at times.  The other competitor is the Panasonic GH5 and GH5s. Competition is good and I look forward to shooting with the X-H1 soon and making some comparisons against the competitors.One item to note- like the Fuji X-T2, the X-H1 is limited to just 15 minutes of 4k footage unless you are using the battery grip - purchased separately.  The X-H1 will be available Starting March 1st for $1899 body only and $2199 bundled with the VPB-XH1 vertical grip.

Preorder from B&H Photo

Sample Images

[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="17627,17628,17629,17630,17631,17632"]

Specifications

Camera Format

APS-C

Effective Pixels

24.3 MP

Sensor

23.5mm x 15.6mm(APS-C) X-Trans CMOS III with primary color filter.

Storage media

SD Card (-2G) / SDHC Card (-32G) / SDXC Card (-512G) UHS-I / UHS-II

File format

Still image

JPEG (Exif Ver.2.3)*2, RAW : 14bit RAW(RAF original format), RAW+JPEG

Movie

MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264, Audio: Linear PCM / Stereo sound 24bit / 48KHz sampling)

Number of recorded pixels

L: (3:2) 6000 x 4000 / (16:9) 6000 x 3376 / (1:1) 4000 x 4000M: (3:2) 4240 x 2832 / (16:9) 4240 x 2384 / (1:1) 2832 x 2832S: (3:2) 3008 x 2000 / (16:9) 3008 x 1688 / (1:1) 2000 x 2000

Lens mount

FUJIFILM X mount

Sensitivity

Standard Output Sensitivity : AUTO1 / AUTO2 / AUTO3(up to ISO12800) / ISO200 to 12800(1/3 step)Extended output sensitivity : ISO100 / 125 / 160 /25600 / 51200

Exposure control

TTL 256-zone metering, Multi / Spot / Average / Center Weighted

Exposure mode

P (Program AE) / A (Aperture Priority AE) / S (Shutter Speed Priority AE) / M (Manual Exposure)

Exposure compensation

-5.0EV - +5.0EV, 1/3EV step(Movie : -2.0EV - +2.0EV)

Image Stabilizer

Mechanism

Image sensor shift mechanism with 5-axis compensation

Compensation Effect

5.5 stops (based on CIPA standard. Pitch/yaw shake only. With XF35mmF1.4 R lens mounted.

Shutter type

Focal Plane Shutter

Shutter speed

Mechanical Shutter

P mode: 4sec. to 1/8000sec. A mode: 30sec. to 1/8000sec.S/M mode: 15min. to 1/8000sec. Bulb mode: up to 60min.

Electronic Shutter

*3P mode: 4sec. to 1/32000sec. A mode: 30sec. to 1/32000sec.S/M mode: 15min. to 1/32000sec. Bulb mode: 1sec. FixedElectronic front curtain shutterP mode: 4sec. to 1/8000sec. A mode: 30sec. to 1/8000sec.S/M mode: 15min. to 1/8000sec. Bulb mode: up to 60min.Mechanical + Electronic shutterP mode: 4sec. to 1/32000sec. A mode: 30sec. to 1/32000sec.S/M mode: 15min. to 1/32000sec. Bulb mode: up to 60min.E-front + Mechanical shutterP mode: 4sec. to 1/8000sec. A mode: 30sec. to 1/8000sec.S/M mode: 15min. to 1/8000sec. Bulb mode: up to 60min.*Electronic front curtain shutter works until 1/2000sec.E-front + Mechanical + Electronic shutterP mode: 4sec. to 1/32000sec. A mode: 30sec. to 1/32000sec.S/M mode: 15min. to 1/32000sec. Bulb mode: up to 60min.*Electronic front curtain shutter works until 1/2000sec.Synchronized shutter speed for flash1/250sec. or slower

Continuous shooting

Approx. 14fps [Only electronic shutter ](JPEG: 40 frames Lossless compression RAW: 27 frames Uncompressed RAW: 23 frames)Approx. 11fps [with VPB-XH1](JPEG: 70 frames Lossless compression RAW: 28 frames Uncompressed RAW: 24frames)Approx. 8fps (JPEG: 80 frames Lossless compression RAW: 31 frames Uncompressed RAW: 26 frames)Approx. 6fps [Only electronic front curtain shutter ](JPEG: endless Lossless compression RAW: 35 frames Uncompressed RAW: 28 frames)Approx. 5fps (JPEG: endless Lossless Compression RAW: 37 frames Uncompressed RAW: 29 frames)* Recordable frames depends on recording media* Speed of continuous shooting depends on shooting environment and shooting frames

Auto bracketing

AE Bracketing (±3EV,±8/3EV,±7/3EV,±2EV, ±5/3EV, ±4/3EV, ±1EV, ±2/3EV, ±1/3EV)Filmsimulation bracketing (Any 3 types of film simulation selectable)Dynamic Range Bracketing (100%, 200%, 400%)ISO sensitivity Bracketing (±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV)White Balance Bracketing (±1, ±2, ±3)

Focus

Mode

Single AF / Continuous AF / MF

Type

Intelligent Hybrid AF (TTL contrast AF / TTL phase detection AF)AF frame selectionSingle point AF: EVF / LCD: 13 x 7 / 25 x 13 (Changeable size of AF frame among 6 types)Zone AF: 3 x 3 / 5 x 5 / 7 x 7 from 91 areas on 13 x 7 gridWide/Tracking AF: (up to 18 area)* AF-S : Wide* AF-C : TrackingAll

White balance

Automatic Scene recognition / Custom1-3 / Color temperature selection (2500K-10000K) / Preset: Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, Underwater

Self-timer

10sec. / 2sec.

Interval timer shooting

Yes (Setting : Interval, Number of shots, Starting time)

Flash modes

SYNC. MODE1ST CURTAIN / 2ND CURTAIN / AUTO FP(HSS)FLASH MODETTL (FLASH AUTO / STANDARD / SLOW SYNC.) / MANUAL / COMMANDER / OFF (When EF-X8 is set)

Hot shoe

Yes (Dedicated TTL Flash compatible)

Viewfinder

0.5 inch approx. 3.69 millions dots OLED Color ViewfinderCoverage of viewing area vs. capturing area: approx. 100%Eyepoint: approx. 23mm (from the rear end of the camera’s eyepiece) Diopter adjustment: -4-+2m

-1

Magnification: 0.75x with 50mm lens (35mm equivalent) at infinity and diopter set to -1.0m

-1

Diagonal angle of view: approx. 38° (Horizontal angle of view: approx. 30° )Built-in eye sensor

LCD monitor

3.0 inch, aspect ratio 3:2, approx. 1.04 millions dots touch screen color LCD monitor(approx. 100% coverage)

Movie recording

[4K (4096 x 2160)] 24p / 23.98p 200Mbps / 100Mbps / 50Mbps up to approx. 15min.[4K (3840 x 2160)] 29.97p / 25p / 24p / 23.98p 200Mbps / 100Mbps / 50Mbps up to approx. 15min.[Full HD (2048 x 1080)] 59.94p / 50p / 29.97p / 25p / 24p / 23.98p 100Mbps / 50Mbps up to approx. 20min.[Full HD (1920 x 1080)] 59.94p / 50p / 29.97p / 25p / 24p / 23.98p 100Mbps / 50Mbps up to approx. 20min.[Full HD (1920 x 1080) High speed rec.] 59.94p / 50p / 29.97p / 25p / 24p / 23.98p 200Mbps up to approx. 6min.[HD (1280 x 720)] 59.94p / 50p / 29.97p / 25p / 24p / 23.98p 50Mbps up to approx. 30min.* For recording movies, use a card with UHS Speed Class 3 or higher.* With Vertical Power Booster Grip attached, individual movie recording time is extended up to approx. 30min. on both 4K and Full HD mode.* Although movie recording will continue without interruption when the file size reaches 4GB, subsequent footage will be recorded to a separate file which must be viewed separately.

Film Simulation mode

16 modes (PROVIA/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, ASTIA/Soft, Classic Chrome, PRO Neg.Hi, PRO Neg.Std, Black & White, Black & White+Ye Filter, Black & White+R Filter, Black & White+G Filter, Sepia, ACROS, ACROS+Ye Filter, ACROS+R Filter, ACROS+G Filter, ETERNA/Cinema)

Grain effect

STRONG, WEAK, OFF

Dynamic range setting

AUTO, 100%, 200%, 400%ISO restriction (DR100%: No limit, DR200%: ISO400 or more, DR400%: ISO800 or more)

Advanced filter

Toy camera, Miniature, Pop color, High-key, Low-key, Dynamic tone, Soft focus, Partial color (Red / Orange / Yellow / Green / Blue / Purple)

Wireless transmitter

StandardIEEE 802.11b / g / n (standard wireless protocol)EncryptionWEP / WPA / WPA2 mixed modeAccess modeInfrastructure

Bluetooth®

StandardsBluetooth Ver. 4.0 (Bluetooth low energy)Operating frequency[Center frequency]2402 - 2480MHz

Terminal

Digital interfaceUSB3.0 (High-Speed) / micro USB terminal* connectable with Remote Release RR-90 (sold separately)HDMI outputHDMI micro connector (Type D)Othersø3.5mm, stereo mini connector (Microphone) / ø2.5mm, Remote Release ConnectorHot shoe, Syncronized terninal

Power supply

NP-W126S Li-ion battery (included)Battery life for still images*4Approx. 310frams (Normal Mode) When XF35mmF1.4 R is set.Actual battery life of movie capture*4*Face detection is set to OFF4K: approx. 35 min., FULL HD: approx. 45 min.Continuance battery life of movie capture*4*Face detection is set to OFF4K: approx. 45 min., FULL HD: approx. 75 min.

Dimensions

(W) 139.8mm x (H) 97.3mm x (D) 85.5mm (minimum depth 39.5mm)

Weight

Approx 673g(including battery and memory card)Approx 623g(excluding battery and memory card)

Operating Temperature

-10°C - +40°C

Operating Humidity

10 - 80% (no condensation)

Starting up period

Approx 0.4sec.* Fujifilm research

Accessories included

Li-ion battery NP-W126SBattery charger BC-W126Shoe-mount flash unit EF-X8Shoulder strapBody capStrap clipProtective coverClip attaching toolHot shoe coverVertical Power Booster Grip connector coverSync terminal coverCable protectorOwner's manual

Sigma Announces 14-24mm F/2.8 Art Full-frame Lens

SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM ArtWe're 2/3rds of the way through the lens trinity with Sigma announcing the new Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art Lens. A full-frame design, this should be an excellent lens for shooting landscapes, interiors, and stars. Designed to work with 50MP cameras. Near zero distortion (less than 1%) and minimal chromatic aberration is the claim. The Sigma ART line has impressed photographers for several years now and I expect this lens to be a serious winner.With the recently released 24-70 Art, we're just waiting on a 70-200mm lens at this point. The 14-24mm lens currently only available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma SA mounts, Sony owners must use an adapter like the Sigma MC-11 adapter for now.  There are strong rumors that in just a few months Sigma will announce FE mount versions of many of their lenses.SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM ArtThe Sigma 14-24 Art features Sigma's Sports line of dust and splash proofing with a seal at the mount. Build for high-speed, high accuracy autofocus. This should be a great option for those wanting to capture close up sports and action shots.Another exciting announcement is the introduction of the front mount conversion service for the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 which allows the lens to be used in multicam productions, e.g., VR rigs. The exclusive front round component minimizes the risk of interfering with other cameras and eliminates undesired shadows in the content.We're one step closer to the lens trinity from the Sigma Art line and this likely represents an excellent option for Canon photographers and Nikon user looking to save over the current Nikon 14-24 f/2.8 that costs nearly $1900.

Preorder Coming Soon at B&H

Canon Mount | Nikon Mount

Sample Images

[gallery ids="17506,17507,17508"]

Specifications

Lens Construction
17 Elements in 11 Groups
Angle of View
114.2°-84.1°
Number of Diaphragm Blades
9 (rounded diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture
F/22
Minimum Focusing Distance
26 - 28 cm10.2-11.0 in
Maximum Magnifications
1:5.4
Dimensions (Diameter x Length)
ø96.4mm x 135.1mm3.8in. x 5.3in.
Weight
1,150g/40.6oz.
Mounts
Canon, Nikon, Sigma
Price
TBA

DJI Mavic Air Announced

DJI Mavic Air - NOW IN STOCK AT B&H PHOTO

Unlimited stories, straight from your pocket!

DJI Mavic Air Gimbal

DJI Mavic Air Gimbal

DJI Mavic Air Active Track

DJI Mavic Air Active Track

DJI Mavic Air Remote

DJI Mavic Air Remote

Essentially, the new DJI Air is a fix for every single issue we had with the DJI Spark. We get 4K video at 30fps and RAW stills in the smallest package yet. With foldable rotors like the Mavic Pro, it crunches down to half the size of a Mavic Pro and weighs 40% less. Even including 8GB of internal storage if you happen to forget your Micro SD card or just need a little bit more room. Sitting between the Mavic Pro and Spark if you haven't picked up a drone yet this might be the one you've been waiting for all this time.The Mavic Air uses a new 1/2.3" CMOS Sensor with a 24mm (35mm equivalent) F/2.8 lens that's stabilized with a recessed 3-axis gimbal. Capturing 12 MP stills or Stabilized 4K Video at 30fps and Full HD at 120fps. Including a new 32MP spherical panorama mode generated on camera and HDR mode.It's smarter with Flight Autonomy 2.0 using 7 cameras to sense and avoid objects. That means it's better sensing the environment and a safer return to home. Using Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS), with obstacles in the way, the DJI Air will automatically fly around objects to keep moving. A big upgrade from previous models which would just stop when encountering an object.Same intelligent smart modes as the DJI Spark. Active Track and Quick Shot have new updates and improvements. The hand controls like the DJI Spark uses are included, but now with much more responsive and accurate controls. A new asteroid quick shot mode starts with a spherical panorama that falls down towards the subject. Also a new boomerang quick shot is great for sweeping around a subject for a big reveal (like a boomerang).With a 21 minute flight time, it puts the Mavic Air dead between the Spark and Mavic Pro (16 and 27 minutes for those). That said while it might burn the battery faster the 42.5 MPH sport mode will be more than a bit of fun if you don't crash it. It can operate in 22mph winds, and a flight ceiling of 16,404, so the Mavic Air is certainly up for anything. DJI has even redesigned the remote with a 2.5 mile range, removable antennas, and still foldable to pack up small (262 ft range with a smartphone).Overall this fixes pretty much every issue we had with the spark being more of a consumer drone, lacking things like RAW stills and 4K video. At $799 for the standard package and $999 for the Fly More Package it sits right in the middle. We'll have a review from Toby coming up soon so keep an eye out! This is that sweet spot for ultra portability vs features, so small you can put it in your pocket, but still has what you need to get the job done.

The Dji Mavic Air Is Available for Pre-order Today!We Recommend the Fly More Combo to get you going.

DJI Air Black

DJI Air Black

DJI Air Red

DJI Air Red

DJI Air White

DJI Air White

Standard

|

Fly More Combo

Sample Video / Images

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slTxM9eCDq4[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="17389,17390,17391,17392,17393,17394,17395"]

Specifications

Aircraft

Takeoff Weight

430 g

Dimensions

Folded:168×83×49 mm (L×W×H)Unfolded:168×184×64 mm (L×W×H)

Diagonal Distance

213 mm

Max Ascent Speed

3 m/s (S - mode

[1]

)2 m/s (P - mode)2 m/s (Wi-Fi mode)

Max Descent Speed

2 m/s (S - mode

[1]

)1.5 m/s (P - mode)1 m/s (Wi-Fi mode)

Max Speed (near sea level, no wind)

68.4 kph (S - mode

[1]

)28.8 kph (P - mode)28.8 kph (Wi-Fi mode)

Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level

5000 m

Max Flight Time (no wind)

21 minutes (at a consistent 25 kph)

Max Hovering Time (no wind)

20 minutes

Max Flight Distance (no wind)

10 km (at a consistent 25 kph)

Max Wind Speed Resistance

29 - 38 kph

Max Tilt Angle

35° (S - mode

[1]

)25° (P - mode)

Max Angular Velocity

250°/s (S - mode

[1]

)250°/s (P - mode)

Operating Temperature Range

0°C - 40°C

Operating Frequency

2.400 - 2.4835 GHz5.725 - 5.850 GHz

Transmission Power (EIRP)

 2.400 - 2.4835 GHzFCC: ≤28 dBmCE: ≤19 dBmSRRC: ≤19 dBmMIC: ≤19 dBm5.725 - 5.850 GHzFCC: ≤31 dBmCE: ≤14 dBmSRRC: ≤27 dBm

GNSS

GPS + GLONASS

Hovering Accuracy Range

Vertical:±0.1 m (with Vision Positioning)±0.5 m (with GPS Positioning)Horizontal:±0.1 m (with Vision Positioning)±1.5 m (with GPS Positioning)

Internal Storage

8 GB

Gimbal

Mechanical Range

Tilt: -100° to 22°Roll: -30° to 30°Pan: -12° to 12°

Controllable Range

Tilt: -90° to 0° (default setting)-90° to +17° (extended)

Stabilization

3-axis (tilt, roll, pan)

Max Control Speed (tilt)

120°/s

Angular Vibration Range

±0.005°

Camera

Sensor

1/2.3” CMOSEffective Pixels: 12 MP

Lens

FOV: 85°35 mm Format Equivalent: 24 mmAperture: f/2.8Shooting Range: 0.5 m to ∞

ISO Range

Video:100 - 1600 (auto)100 - 1600 (manual)Photo:100 - 1600 (auto)100 - 3200 (manual)

Shutter Speed

Electronic Shutter: 8 - 1/8000s

Still Image Size

4:3: 4056×304016:9: 4056×2280

Still Photography Modes

Single shotHDRBurst shooting: 3/5/7 framesAuto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7EV BiasInterval: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s

Video Resolution

4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 24/25/30p2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30/48/50/60pFHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/120pHD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p

Max Video Bitrate

100Mbps

Supported File System

FAT32

Photo Format

JPEG/DNG (RAW)

Video Format

MP4/MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC)

Sensing System

Forward

Precision Measurement Range: 0.5 - 12 mDetectable Range: 0.5 - 24 mEffective Sensing Speed: ≤ 8 m/sField of View (FOV): Horizontal 50°, Vertical ±19°

Backward

Precision Measurement Range: 0.5 - 10 mDetectable Range: 0.5 - 20 mEffective Sensing Speed: ≤ 8 m/sField of View (FOV): Horizontal 50°, Vertical ±19°

Downward

Altitude Range: 0.1 - 8 mOperating Range: 0.5 - 30 m

Operating Environment

Forward:Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15)Backward:Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15)Downward:Detects clearly patterned surfaces with adequate lighting (lux>15) and diffuse reflectivity (>20%)

Mobile Device Control

Operating Frequency

2.400 - 2.4835 GHz5.725 - 5.850 GHz

Max Transmission Distance (unobstructed, free of interference)

Distance: 80 mHeight: 50 m

Intelligent Flight Battery

Capacity

2375 mAh

Voltage

11.55 V

Max Charging Voltage

13.2 V

Battery Type

LiCoO₂ 3S

Energy

27.43 Wh

Net Weight

140 g

Charging Temperature Range

5℃ - 40℃

Max Charging Power

60 W

Remote Controller

Operating Frequency

2.400 - 2.4835 GHz5.725 - 5.850 GHz

Max Transmission Distance (unobstructed, free of interference)

2.400 - 2.4835 GHz:FCC: 4000 mCE: 2000 mSRRC: 2000 mMIC: 2000 m5.725 - 5.850 GHz:FCC: 4000 mCE: 500 mSRRC: 2500 m

Operating Temperature Range

0℃ - 40℃

Transmission Power (EIRP)

2.400 - 2.4835 GHz:FCC:≤26 dBmCE: ≤18 dBmSRRC: ≤18 dBmMIC:≤18 dBm5.725 - 5.850 GHz:FCC: ≤30 dBmCE: ≤14 dBmSRRC: ≤26 dBm

Battery

2970 mAh

Operating Current/Voltage

1400 mA ⎓ 3.7 V (Android)750 mA ⎓ 3.7 V (iOS)

Supported Mobile Device Size

Max length: 160 mmSupported Thickness: 6.5-8.5 mm

Supported USB Port Types

Lightning, Micro USB (Type-B), USB-C

Supported SD Cards

Supported SD Cards

microSDClass 10 or UHS-1 rating required

Recommended microSD Cards

16GSandisk ExtremeKingston 16GB SDHC-I SDCAC/16GB32GSandisk Extreme V30Sandisk Extreme V30 A1Sandisk Extreme V30 Pro A164GSandisk Extreme V30 A1Sandisk Extreme Pro V30 A1128GSandisk Extreme V30 A1Sandisk Extreme Plus V30 A1

Charger

Input

100 - 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 1.4 A

Output

Main: 13.2 V ⎓ 3.79 AUSB: 5 V ⎓ 2 A

Voltage

13.2 V

Rated Power

50 W

App

Video Transmission System

Enhanced Wi-Fi

Name

DJI GO 4

Live View Quality

Remote Controller:720p@30fpsSmart Device:720p@30fpsDJI Goggles:720p@30fps

Latency (depending on environmental conditions and mobile device)

170 - 240 ms

Required Operating System

iOS v9.0 or laterAndroid v4.4 or later

Polaroid Pop: Instant Prints with a Digital Twist

The classic Polaroid photos of the past have returned with the Polaroid Pop. A 20MP digital camera with 1080P video and an instant mobile printer. Including a 3.97-inch touchscreen with the option to fix photos and use filters before printing. The ZINK printer like the Polaroid Snap uses heat to activate ink on the prints making your standard looking Polaroid in under a minute.As a bonus, it also connects via WiFi or Bluetooth to act as a mobile printer for your smartphone. If you wanted, technically using your DSLR's mobile connection you could print from your camera to this one on the go!The Polaroid Pop will be available around Christmas time in a variety of colors for $200, 10 Zink prints will be $10.

Press Release:

Polaroid Introduces the New Polaroid Pop Instant Digital Camera andPolaroid Hoop Wireless Home Camera

On Display at IFA 2017, Polaroid’s Newest Innovations Offer a Modern Take on the PolaroidInstant Digital Camera and Peace-of-Mind for Simplified Home Security

NEW YORK, August 30, 2017 – The Polaroid brand today announced the release of its newestinnovations in photo and home security taking over the holiday season - the Polaroid Popinstant digital camera and Polaroid Hoop wireless home camera. The Polaroid Pop combines asleek, modern design and digital technology with 3.5x4.25” border prints. The Polaroid Hoophome security camera stays true to the Polaroid brand DNA elements, including simplicity,elegant design and the mission to make new and exciting technologies accessible to theeveryday consumer.

“The Polaroid Pop instant digital camera and Polaroid Hoop home security camera initiallydebuted at CES 2017 to much fanfare,” said Scott W. Hardy, President and CEO of Polaroid.“We’re excited to have these products on display at IFA and showcase them to the Europeanmarket. For 80 years, Polaroid has been committed to providing consumers with the latestimaging technology that enables them to easily share their lives. The Polaroid Pop and PolaroidHoop offer modern takes on this idea for every aspect of consumers’ lives.”

Polaroid Pop Instant Digital CameraAs the all-in-one solution for capturing and sharing images on-the-go, the Polaroid Pop instantdigital camera enables users to shoot and instantly print full color photos as 3.5x4.25” Polaroidborder prints. Edit and enhance photos before printing with creative filters, digital stickers and adraw feature that gives the ability to write or draw at the bottom of the photo. The Polaroid Popquickly and easily connects to a mobile device using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing users to savephotos taken with the camera as well as print photos saved on a mobile device.

The Polaroid Pop instant digital camera will have a MSRP of $199.99; a 10-pack paper will havea MSRP of $9.99. Additional features include:

● MicroSD card slot to support up to 128GB of storage● 3.97-inch touchscreen LCD for framing shots and navigating the camera’s menu● 20-megapixel CMOS sensor● Built-in dual LED flash for high quality images, image stabilization● 1080p full HD video recording capability

The Polaroid Pop instant digital camera uses the revolutionary ink-free Zero Ink® Printingtechnology developed by ZINK. The ZINK-enabled printer uses heat to activate and colorizecyan, yellow and magenta dye crystals embedded in the paper. The result is full-color, highquality, long-lasting and smudge-proof images without ink cartridges, ribbons or toner. The3.5x4.25” photo prints in just under a minute so consumers can instantly share the photo withfriends and family.

Polaroid Hoop Home Security CameraThe Polaroid Hoop home security camera offers 1080p high-definition video resolution and a140-degree lens with a wide-angle view to maximize coverage. The Polaroid Hoop is simple toset up with an easy-to-use app available for Android and iOS. The Polaroid Hoop will have aMSRP of $179.99 for the indoor camera and $199.99 for the outdoor camera.

● Stylish and Sleek - The affixed base of the Polaroid Hoop home security camera can beplaced on a shelf or table or be easily mounted to a wall or ceiling.● Indoor or Outdoor - The camera is available in two models, indoor and outdoor, with aweatherproof construction on the outdoor version to withstand the elements.● Grouping - Users can install several throughout their home and monitor and accessfootage from one app. Cameras are grouped together and labelled to easily capture andidentify events in specific areas of the home, or schedule recordings in a particular area.The primary account holder can assign, manage and share access to specific cameraswith friends and family.● Intelligent Monitoring and Alerts - The Polaroid Hoop offers advanced monitoringcapabilities that detect events and automatically alert the user via the app and pushnotifications. Users can set specific zones and only trigger an alert should anythingchange within that area of the frame. The Polaroid Hoop also leverages a proprietaryalgorithm that over time can learn to distinguish between normal daily events and thosethat occur unplanned.● Storage - When the camera detects an event, it automatically records the footage for theduration of the event and sends a push notification to the user’s smartphone to view thefile locally on an optional microSD card or store in the cloud for up to seven days for free.

The Polaroid Pop instant digital camera and Polaroid Hoop home security camera weredesigned in partnership with renowned design firm, Ammunition, the studio that was also behindthe Polaroid Zip instant photoprinter, Polaroid Snap line of instant digital cameras and PolaroidCube and Polaroid Cube+ lifestyle action cameras. Led by industrial designer Robert Brunner,Ammunition has partnered with award-winning consumer brands including Adobe, Beats by Dre,Square, Lyft and Williams-Sonoma.

Offered by C+A Global, an authorized Polaroid licensee, the Polaroid Pop instant digital cameraand Polaroid Hoop home security camera will be available at retailers throughout the UnitedStates starting in October 2017. Both products will also be on display at IFA 2017 in Berlin,Germany, September 1-6 in hall 11.1 booth #130. To learn more, please visit polaroid.com

About PolaroidPolaroid is one of the world’s most trusted, respected and recognizable brands, with a rich80-year history built primarily on Polaroid instant cameras and film. The company’s completerange of products was designed to deliver the fun, instant gratification and creative freedom forwhich the brand has long stood. Today, the Polaroid Classic Border Logo, rooted in the instantphoto sharing that Polaroid pioneered, is the mark of genuine Polaroid branded products. Formore information, visit Polaroid.com.

Polaroid, Polaroid & Pixel, Polaroid Color Spectrum, Polaroid Pop, Polaroid Hoop, PolaroidCube, Polaroid Zip, Polaroid Snap and Polaroid Classic Border Logo are trademarks of PLR IPHoldings, LLC, used under license.

DJI Announces Mavic Pro Platinum, Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian and Firmware for Spark

[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" size="medium" ids="15668,15667,15666"] 

Mavic Pro Platinum!

Minor updates but significant for some

  • Eleven percent longer flight time (up to 30 minutes)
  • Sixty percent reduction in propeller noise (4db decrease)
  • Platinum paint job

I am in the middle of testing the Spark and comparing it to the Mavic Pro, overall I have been fairly impressed with the noise level, or lack of, from both - but a 60% reduction in noise!! That's amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on one and test. The noise reduction comes from new propellors and updated motors. Yes, you can use the new propellors on the original Mavic, though you won't get the full 60% noise decrease.No word on the increased flight time being a result of updated batteries or updated electronics in the Platinum Pro.Preorder the new Mavic Pro Platinum from DJI

Phantom 4 Obsidian

Mostly cosmetic differences with "a sleek matte-gray Obsidian color shell featuring a magnesium, electroplated and anti-fingerprint coated gimbal which requires a higher standard manufacturing technique."

Spark - Updated Firmware

Not to be left out of the update - via an upcoming firmware DJI will add a new mode -"Sphere" shooting, located under Panorama options, which will add a fisheye effect and an option to post directly to social media.As mentioned above I am working on a Spark vs Mavic review video and overall I am very impressed with the Spark. It's fun to fly, incredibly maneuverable and capable of creating some excellent footage.  Yes, the Mavic offers some advantages, double the flight time, raw photo capture and much greater speed and customizability but not everyone needs that and not everyone wants to pay double the cost.  Subscribe to my Youtube channel to be notified when the full review/comparison is released.Buy the DJI Spark

PhotoPills Available as Open Beta on Android Devices

Introduced in 2013, PhotoPills is the swiss army knife of photography tools, with programs and calculators to get all the information you need conveniently in a phone app. For us using Android we've been using The Photographer's Ephemeris (TPE) due to the fact PhotoPills was designed for IOS only. While TPE is a good program, and fairly straightforward with a desktop version, PhotoPills has always had a bit of an edge on ease of use and the amount of available features. As a project starting last year they've finally ported PhotoPills to run on Android giving us non-iPhone users the chance to use this nice tool.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lr8-8duawgDesigned virtually the same as the popular IOS app the Android version of PhotoPills gives you the same location scouting with points of interest, timing the moon and sun, depth of field, hyperfocal distance calculator, and more. You even have the option of using augmented reality, with the device's camera, to see what your planning live. PhotoPills even has contests, you can upload your photos online for chances to win prizes.photopillsPhotopills is $5 more in comparison to TPE but it's a bit easier to use with a few more available tools. That said it is in open beta, at least until the end of the month, so you may run into a few bugs at first. As they've said on their android development page "One year later, we're now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.". If you're an android user this will be a nice addition to your tools, great for learning, and gives you the ability to plan a lot of your photos in advance.Google Play 

Canon T7i (800D) vs 77D (9000D)

Canon T7i vs 77DA new year and new Canons to match with the newly announced Canon T7i (800D) and 77D (9000D). Odd's are you're wondering a bit where the 77D fits in, both Toby and I have been asked a lot this week. On paper, it's a replacement to the T6S as a bridge camera between the entry level T7i and 80D.  While making the product line and obscure Canon naming just slightly harder it makes things a bit more drawn out with the bare bones budget T6, the new entry level T7i for beginners, the 77D making a step up with video, then going to the 80D as a truly semi-pro platform.

What's New?

While not a massive update we do get a few new tricks in these models as nice improvements brought down from the higher end models. While that might not sound impressive what is on the menu will make for a notable improvement. Maybe not enough to jump only one generation but if your camera is getting a little long in the tooth, such as a T4i, there is a good bit to be gained by an upgrade to say the 77D.Upgrades and New FeaturesT7i 45-point all cross-type AF

  • Going with the biggest improvement first, !!!DUAL PIXEL AF!!! for both cameras. Brought down from the higher tier cameras this allows for smoother autofocus during live view
  • Improved low light focusing, and a faster lock on time using 45 cross-type AF points.  Upgraded from 19 to 45 AF points is a serious boost in performance!
  • Digic 7 processors which should provide slightly better low light/high ISO performance
  • Bluetooth along with Wifi and NFC and also remote control using the BR-E1 Remote
  • Video time-lapse mode
  • And this is all in a slightly smaller, slightly lighter, camera bodies

https://youtu.be/bpERpJG7VDY

What's Different?

In the T7i (800D) you get the basics and just that, while in the 77D (9000D) you get body improvements in line with the higher end cameras for a more professional and easier manual control. So what is different? Like the T6i/T6s cameras, the difference is mostly in the body with the 77D offering a very slightly larger body that offers a top LCD screen, a rear dial, lock switch and an eye sensor used to turn off the LCD when you bring your eye up to the viewfinder. When shooting side to side there is no difference in photo or video quality.

The Canon 77D (9000D) offers the same performance and sensor as the T7i (800D)

T7i

77D

  • Top LCD screen
  • Rear Dial
  • Lock Switch
  • Eye Sensor
  • AI Focus
  • 5-axis digital image stabilization during video
Specifications
Spec CanonT7i Canon77D
MP 24 24
ISO 100-25600 (expands to 51200) 100-25600 (expands to 51200)
Processor Digic 7 Digic 7
Number of AF pts 45 (all cross type) 45 (all cross type)
Viewfinder Canon T7i Canon 77D
Live View AF speed Excellent Excellent
Top Shutter Speed 1/4000 1/4000
Flash Sync Speed 1/200 1/200
FPS 6 6
Low Light focusing -3 EV (very good) -3 EV (very good)
Video 1080p60 1080p60
Headphone Jack No No
Mic Jack Yes Yes
Connectivity WIFI/NFC/Bluetooth LE WIFI/NFC/Bluetooth LE
Battery Life 600 Shots 600 shots
Weight 532 g (1.17 lb / 18.77 oz) 540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz)
Current Price $1299 with 18-135 | $749 Body $1499 with 18-135 | $899 Body
 Pre-order Today!
Canon EOS Rebel T7i

Canon EOS T7i Line

amazon

Canon EOS 77D

Canon EOS 77D Line

amazon

Photo Comparison
Canon T7i vs 77D
Canon T7i vs 77D
Canon T7i vs 77D
Canon T7i vs 77D
Canon T7i vs 77D
Sample Images
 

Just Announced! Canon Rebel T7i (800D), 77D (9000D), M6, and 18-55mm IS STM Kit Lens

Canon has announced new DSLRS - with Dual Pixel AF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpERpJG7VDYAnd an updated mirrorless camera!  SO Canon just announced - a Canon T7i (800D), a 77D (9000D) and the M6 (mirrorless camera) - If you are trying to figure out where the new 77D fits in the line up you are not alone - I have had a handful of confused readers write in over the last week, based on our post about the leaked specs, asking what the Canon 77D offers vs the Canon 80D.   I have a quick comparison below but briefly the 77D is the successor to the T6s and the T7i is the successor to the Canon T6i.  Canon will continue to offer the T6i making their line of Rebels quite large with a T5, T6, Sl1, T5i, T6i, T6s, T7i, 70D, 77D, 80D ALL still being offered/sold.. That's quite the lineup.  The big headline - DUAL PIXEL AF is in the new cameras!! That is the fast and smooth AF during live view - immensely helpful for video and makes using live view a much more pleasant experience.  Additionally Canon has shrunk the T7i a bit more, this makes me think we will not see a SL2 anytime soon.A quick comparison of the two new DSLRS the T7i and the 77D with the older T6i/T6s and the 80D. below the chart I have a few more differences between the 77D and the T7i and some recommendations about which you might want to buy.

Spec Canon 80D Canon T6s/T6i (750/760D) Canon T7i (800D) Canon 77D (9000D)
MP 24 24 24 24
ISO 100-16,000 100-12,800 100-25600 (expands to 51200) 100-25600 (expands to 51200)
Processor Digic 6 Digic 6 Digic 7 Digic 7
Number of AF pts 45 (all cross type) 19(all cross type) 45 (all cross type) 45 (all cross type)
Viewfinder 100% pentaprism 95% pentamirror 95% pentamirror 95% pentamirror
Live View AF speed Excellent Good Excellent Excellent
Top Shutter Speed 1/8000 1/4000 1/4000 1/4000
Flash Sync Speed 1/250 1/200 1/200 1/200
FPS 7 (live view 5 with AF) 5 (live ~1 with AF) 6 6
Low Light focusing -3 EV (very good) -0.5 (ok) -3 EV (very good) -3 EV (very good)
Video 1080p60 1080p30 1080p60 1080p60
Headphone Jack Yes No No No
Mic Jack Yes Yes Yes Yes
Connectivity WIFI/NFC WIFI/NFC WIFI/NFC/Bluetooth WIFI/NFC/Bluetooth
Battery Life 960 shots 440 shots 600 Shots 600 shots
Weight 730g (1.61 lb / 25.75 oz) 565 g (1.25 lb / 19.93 oz) 532 g (1.17 lb / 18.77 oz) 540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz)
Current Price $1499 with 18-135 | $1099 Body $1049 T6s with 18-135 | $849 Body $1299 with 18-135 |$749 Body $1499 with 18-135 | $899 Body

What's new?

The T7i/77D now offer Dual Pixel AF, much improved low light AF performance and 45 cross-type AF points, Digic 7 processors which should provide slightly better low light/high ISO performance, Bluetooth and a new battery providing better battery life over the T6s/T6i models. And a video time-lapse mode.  And this is all in a slightly smaller, slightly lighter body.

The Canon 77D offers the same performance and sensor as the T7i

So what is different? Like the T6i/T6s cameras the difference is mostly in the body with the 77D offering a very slightly larger body that offers a top LCD screen, a rear dial, lock switch and an eye sensor used to turn off the LCD when you bring your eye up to the viewfinder.  They both use the same NEW battery.Canon t7i vs Canon 77DCanon 77D(left) vs Canon T7i(right) top view

Canon T7i (800D) vs Canon 77D (9000D)

This is easy - If you are considering these cameras I expect you want to shoot manually and the 77D with the rear dial and top LCD screen make this a more manual friendly camera.  I talk more about this in my T6s review  If you are on a strict budget the T7i saves you some money that you could use to buy the 50mm f/1.8 STM lens 

Canon 77D vs 80D

This is a tougher decision. The real strengths of the 80D - bigger battery providing almost 1,000 shots per charge, weather sealing and a significantly faster top shutter speed at 1/8000 of a second along with a headphone jack make this a more professionally capable camera for photographers and videographers.  If you are a casual photographer the 77D offers savings and a camera the will provide more than enough power for you. If you plan to become more serious about your photography or videography the 80D offers just that much more room to grow that I do recommend purchasing.

About that Mirrorless Camera the M6

it is NOT replacing the M5, this will be an additional model alongside the M5. The improvement between the two will be the M6 includes stabilization for video and they have removed the EVF - providing an optional EVF you can attach in the hotshoe. This makes the camera a little more compact but in my opinion a lot less desirable. I want an EVF on ALL my cameras - otherwise bright sunny conditions make it very hard to see what's happening on the back of the LCD. (more soon)

Other interesting bits-

These new cameras now offer Bluetooth LE for additional connectivity options and Canon is releasing a Bluetooth wireless remote. The BR-E1, price $50, is capable of triggering the camera up to 16 feet. It can also control that lens zoom, PZ-E1, that was released with the 80D.

T7i

Available to pre-order through 

Canon EOS Rebel T7i
77D

Available to pre-order through 

Canon EOS 77D
M6

Available to pre-order through 

Canon EOS M6 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 15-45mm Lens (Black) Canon EVF-DC2 Electronic Viewfinder
18-55mm F/4-5.6IS STM lens

Available to pre-order through 

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens
BR-E1 WirelessRemote Control

Available to pre-order through 

Canon BR-E1
 

100mm F2.8 STF G Master with Highest Ever Quality Bokeh for an α Lens

Sony has just announced a new lens - The 100mm F2.8 STF G Master with Highest Ever Quality Bokeh for an α Lens - It's a bit of a mouthful and bokeh quality is subjective in my opinion BUT it's nice to see Sony continue to offer high quality lenses at various focal lengths.  I'd love to see a serious telephoto 300+ and a few more slightly more affordable options like the $600 85mm f/1.8 that is coming soon.[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="13657,13658,13659"] Preorder - More InfoB&H Photo Sony 100mm f/2.8 STF G Master Lens $1498.00B&H Photo Sony 85mm f/1.8 Lens $598.00

PRESS RELEASE

Sony Introduces 100mm F2.8 STF G Master™ with Highest Ever Quality Bokeh for an α LensNew Full-frame 85mm F1.8 Mid-telephoto prime lens and Compact Radio-Controlled Flash announced as wellLAS VEGAS, Feb. 7, 2017 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced two new lenses for their popular line of E-mount interchangeable lens cameras.Sony’s new lenses include one of their flagship G Master Series – an FE 100mm F2.81 STF GM OSS mid- telephoto prime lens (model SEL100F28GM) built to deliver breathtaking bokeh with a unique STF™ (Smooth Trans Focus) design, and a new compact, lightweight FE 85mm F1.8 mid-telephoto prime lens (model SEL85F18) that is a welcome addition to the bag of any hobbyist or enthusiast photographer looking to create amazing portraits.They have also introduced a new powerful, compact flash (model HVL-F45RM) with radio-controlled wireless communication that is ideal for professional shooting with Sony’s lineup of α7 full-frame cameras.FE 100mm F2.81 STF GM OSS Telephoto Prime LensA specially designed mid-telephoto, full-frame prime lens, the new 100mm STF is built to produce truly unique, magnificent and beautiful bokeh while maintaining the exceptional standard of resolution that is showcased by Sony’s entire line of flagship G Master series lenses, making it a powerful photographic tool for any portrait, fashion, nature or wedding photographer.These impressive defocus capabilities are made possible by the lens’ advanced optical structure, as it features a newly designed 11-bladed aperture and a unique optical apodization lens element. Similar to a neutral density filter that increases in density towards the edges, the apodization element creates beautiful transitions of in-focus to out-of-focus areas within an image, making for exceptionally soft, smooth bokeh that adds depth and dimensionality. This allows the subjects to stand out against beautifully defocused elements in both the foreground and background, producing an image that is naturally pleasing to the eye. The design of the lens also ensures that vignetting is kept to an absolute minimum, ensuring optimum image quality.Additionally, the new 100mm lens supports both contrast AF and focal-plane phase detection AF2, and has a high-precision, quiet direct drive SSM (Super Sonic Motor) system that ensures exceptionally fast and accurate AF performance. The SEL100F28GM also offers up to 0.25x close-up capabilities with a built-in macro switching ring, built-in Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization, a customizable focus hold button, AF/MF switch, aperture ring and more. It is dust and moisture resistant as well3.FE 85mm F1.8 Telephoto Prime LensThe new 85mm F1.8 mid-telephoto prime lens offers an extremely versatile, lightweight and compact telephoto prime lens solution for a variety of Sony camera owners ranging from working professionals to emerging enthusiasts that have stepped up to full-frame or APS-C cameras for the first time. With its wide F1.8 aperture, it can produce impressive, exceptionally sharp portraits with soft background defocus that take advantage of its 85mm focal length and wide F1.8 maximum aperture.The new prime lens features a 9-bladed circular aperture mechanism that ensures smooth, natural looking bokeh, and a double linear motor system to allow for fast, precise and quiet focusing. It also has a focus hold button that can be customized and assigned together with functions in the camera body like the popular Eye AF feature. There is a smooth, responsive focus ring and AF/MF switch as well, and the lens is also dust and moisture resistant 3.New Compact Radio-controlled FlashSony’s new HVL-F45RM flash enhances the radio-controlled lighting system capabilities of their growing system, offering a compact professional shooting solution when combined with the currently available wireless remote controller FA-WRC1M and receiver FA-WRR1.The new flash, which is designed to complement the compact bodies of Sony’s E-mount camera lineup including full-frame α7 models, produces a maximum lighting output as expansive as GN45 4. This ensures sufficient illumination even when shooting with bounce lighting or high-speed-sync (HSS) flash. The radio capabilities of the HVL-F45RM allow it to be used as a transmitter or a receiver at up to 30m (approx. 98 feet5), making it an ideal fit for creative lighting with multiple flashes. Additionally, unlike optical flash systems, radio-control flashes do not require a direct line-of-sight between components to function properly, while also minimizing any impact that bright sunlight has on signal transmission and control.The HVL-F45RM flash has an impressive battery life of up to 210 bursts, and can tilt up to 150o vertically, a complete 360o horizontally and up to 8o downward to maximize versatility. Usability has been maximized with a new large, bright and highly visible LCD display, an LED light, dust and moisture resistant design3 and a revamped menu system that mimics those of Sony’s newest camera systems.Pricing and AvailabilityBoth of the new lenses and the new flash unit will ship to authorized dealers throughout North America.The new FE 100mm F2.8 STF OSS GM Telephoto Prime Lens will ship this March for about $1,500 US and $2,050 CA.The new FE 85mm F1.8 Mid-Telephoto Prime Lens will ship this March for about $600 US and $800 CA.Replacement lens hoods for each of the new models will also be available for purchase as well.The new HVL-F45RM flash will ship this May for about $400 US and $550 CA.

Panasonic GH5 fully Announced

What you need to know: The Panasonic GH4 is a mirrorless camera that looks like a small DSLR. Capable of shooting photos and video the GH4 was one of the first truly affordable 4K capable cameras that provides a host of features professional videographers love. The GH5 shipping in late March 2017 offers some noteable improvements that look to continue to place it at the top of 4K capable cameras BUT the now more expensive $1999 price certainly provides room for competitors.

My Current Recommended cameras for primarily videoSerious video work - Panasonic GH4 / Sony a6300 or a6500Best vlogging camera - Panasonic G85Smallest 4k video capable I can recommend - Sony RX100 Mark IV

I own and use the Panasonic GH4 daily - it is the camera I use to shoot all of my videos including my travel vlogs (except the recent Alaska trip where I tried the Olympus EM1 Mark II)  The GH4 shoots beautiful 4K video, has a battery that lasts for hours and hours of shooting and it's nicely portable with a fully articulating screen- I could go on but you are here because the successor to the GH4 has just been completely announced- I say completely because we had an official announcement from panasonic about the GH5 last September.  That announcement wasn't complete with some information missing. We now have the complete picture.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPxKZ2MWgdI

Panasonic GH5 Specs

  • 20.3MP Four Thirds sensor with no low pass filter.
  • 4K Video: Internal recording at 4K60/50p (4:2:0 8bit) & 4K30/25p/24p (4:2:2 10bit).
  • Variable Video Frame Rates 4K: Max. 60fps & FHD: Max. 180fps.
  • No additional crop factor when shooting 4K
  • 5-Axis Photo/Video Dual I.S. 2.0 up to 5 stops with compatible LUMIX MFT lenses, plus in-body stabilization support for classic non-O.I.S lenses.
  • Fast and accurate focusing utilizing LUMIX 480 fps DFD focusing system and Venus Engine 10
  • Full size (Type A) HDMI terminal with cable lock included & twin SD Card slots (UHS-II U3 Compatible).
  • 3.5mm mic & headphone terminals - optional DMW-XLR1 microphone adaptor.
  • Eye viewfinder 3680k-dot OLED, 21mm, 0.76x.
  • V-LogL recording with (Optional) DMW-SFU1 paid upgrade

Body style looks very similar to the GH4 with a few differences

  • Dual SD Card Slots
  • Full-sized HDMI port
  • USB-C for data transfer
  • Joystick button for focus point selection & menu navigation (You can also use the touch screen)

Additional firmware updates planned in April and later in 2017 will provide additional bit rates.Price $1,999 an increase over the GH4 and $600 more over the Sony a6500Pre Order the GH5 from B&H Photo

GH5 vs the a6500/a6300

Benefits of the GH5

  • Better Battery Life
  • 4k at 60FPS
  • Better slow mo
  • Higher bitrate files
  • Fully articulated touchscreen
  • Touchscreen works well for ALL camera options
  • Large photo burst rate
  • no overheating. We don't know for sure yet but the a6500 can in some warmer/hotter conditions shut down do to high internal temps.
  • Better lens selection
  • Stabilized sensor vs the a6300.

Benefits of Sony a6500

  • Better low light performance
  • Faster AF
  • Better photos (greater resolution and cleaner high ISO)
  • Cheaper and the a6300 is almost 1/2 the price.

The list certainly looks good for the GH5 but if you need better low light performance or want a more capable photo camera the a6500 or a6300 would probably be my pick. The GH5 wins in usability and offers that fully articulating screen if you need to vlog.Buy the a6500 from B&H Photo  $1,398.00Buy the a6300 from B&H Photo $998.00Pre Order the GH5 from B&H Photo $1,999.00  

Made for Creators, Microsoft's New Line of Surface Products

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jurc3SxztGwThe Microsoft Surface line just got a bit of an upgrade with a new Surface Studio desktop and an update to the Surface Pro series laptop. Oddly we've noticed the demo shows Lightroom mobile but we're bound to find out more as they are shipping relatively soon in November. If you've been looking for an upgrade to your aging system on paper both are expected to be great choices.

Surface Studio Surface Dial surface book

The big show stopper for this announcement is the Microsoft Surface Studio all-in-one desktop. First off, yes they basically copied an iMac, the design works why re-invent the wheel. What's different is this desktop shifts down to a 20 degree angle for better access to use it's touch screen, draw, or edit photos. A 28" 4.5K touchscreen makes for a heck of an editor but looking under the hood you can't dismiss the i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 2GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M graphics card, and 1TB SSHD. Then with more expensive models hosting an i7 with twice as much ram, 2TB SSHD, and even better graphics.As a companion peripheral to the Surface Studio we get the Surface Dial. Working with Windows 10 as a new way to scroll, zoom, and navigate. Setting it on the screen opens up an immersive environment with tools and options for the dial specific to the app your using. Using Photoshop? Set the dial on screen for tool and color options without having to get your mouse.Big brother is back with an update to the Surface Book. A powerful option last year, due to it's small size and strong processing power ratio it became the go to laptop for a ton of photographers. While the outside hasn't changed much since last year the biggest improvement is a 30% boost in battery life for up to 16 hours of use on one charge. With a new i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M you get even more speed in a small package outpacing the popular 13" MacBook Pro.Playing devils advocate overall the one thing that kills these is the price. If you can afford three grand for the studio or the surface book at $2,400 these are great options to up your editing game. In terms of processing specs a gaming laptop or 5K iMac ($1,799 vs $2,999... ouch) would beat these on paper for a fraction of the price. Being made for us the ergonomics of a tilting screen, surface pen, and immersive dial in a small format are the key selling points. For quality hardware in a seamless setup without having to pickup something like the Wacom Cintiq for touch input it's a good option... if you can afford them. As they just have released this new product it's expected future generations will benefit from a price drop as production advances.Microsoft SurfaceFor photographers, artists, and the like it's another step forward after the Surface Pro made a giant leap into the market. Turn your desk into a studio, with a dial to boost your workflow, or on the go with a laptop that lasts forever on one charge and can do anything you need. When it comes to this new line of surface products they may be a bit pricey but you get your fair share of power, speed, and function to make your editing workflow seamless.Surface Studio - MicrosoftStore.com. Starts at $2,999 and available for pre-order today.Surface Dial - MicrosoftStore.com.  $99 on pre-order or available bundled with the Studio.Surface Book - MicrosoftStore.com. Pre-order today starting at $2,399. 

Sony a6500 Announced: Speed, Stabilization, and a Touchscreen

 a6500Sony steps up with the new a6500, serious speed in a very small mirrorless package. The a6500 comes with 5-axis in-camera image stabilization and touchscreen capability; the two major points everyone asked for after the a6300 was released in February. Considering Canon and Nikon’s release schedules are yearly it seems a bit early for a new model but with a 24.2MP sensor, 11 frames per second, and 4k video it’s the little camera that can make a mark.a6500 frames per secondSharing the same 4D FOCUS as the a6300 you get fast autofocus times in as little as 0.05 seconds. Not too unexpected considering the a6500 has 425 phase detection AF points and a 169-area contrast detection system. The highest number of AF points on any interchangeable lens camera. Even while tracking fast subjects in continuous autofocus the 11 frame per second speed can capture up to 307 photos. A large part of the boost thanks to using a new front-end LSI chip like the A99 II announced during Photokina.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKVIHtPmszwYou also get 4k Super 35mm format video and 1080p 120fps with the a6500. Touch focusing and adjustable focus transitions for video make recording a breeze. Grab any shot you need while recording with 8MP stills available from recording in 4K. A S&Q (Slow & Quick) Motion setting allows full HD video from 1-120fps to control speed and pace your shot for slow motion for faster action. S-Gamut and S-Log shooting allow for post production color grading with a wide dynamic range for better editing for the advanced videographer. With a new magnesium body design to fit ibis hopefully the overheating and rolling shutter issues found in the a5300 were fixed as well in the update.a6500 ibisThe first Sony APS-C sensor camera to get Sony’s great in-body stabilization. The a6500 gets a step closer to it’s higher end counterparts while barely increasing the camera’s size. With approximately five steps of stabilization, it can handle any lens you can get to fit on the camera. A feature sure to be a major selling point with adapters such as metabones as it allows a giant lens ecosystem of third party lenses to choose from that ibis can provide stabilization.  a6500 TouchscreenOne major complaint of the a6300 has always been that people get the camera then come to realize that it does not have a touch screen. Something available both on Nikon and Canon entry level DSLR’s making it a bit of the odd man out with the competition. Sony's updated the a6500 with this in mind adding a 3” OLED tilting touchscreen that should fit that bill fine. Touch focus is available even when using the viewfinder, swipe while shooting to move the focus point where needed without looking at the screen. Unfortunately while it is touch to focus for photo and video it cannot be used to select menu settings. a6500 menuThe a6300 to a6500 upgrade has gotten a few other tweaks. The menu system is now rearranged and colored for quick access when you need to find a setting. With the body redesign you gain another custom button, improved grip, better eyepiece, and updated weather sealing (but not listed to what degree). It's slightly larger to fit everything in as well, making it a bit less pocketable while adding a bit more balance with larger lenses (a6300 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.9 in vs a6500 4.75 x 2.75 x 2.125 in).

Time to sell the a6300 to upgrade for that touch screen and stabilization you always wanted? Despite sharing names the a6500 has enough going on that it's another camera almost. At least on paper with 5-axis stabilization, 11fps shooting, a 300+ shot buffer, 4k video, and weather sealing you can't complain that the specifications are not impressive. The a6500 will be available in November starting at $1,400 body only with pre-orders starting soon.

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Link to Specifications 

DJI Mavic Pro Announced

DJI Mavic Pro anglesOver the course of Photokina the thing that really stole the show was the GoPro Karma Drone to kill DJI'smarket. The $799 small folding drone was perfect for the everyday consumer that wanted something small to get footage without getting overly complicated. DJI's answer to GoPro is the new DJI Mavic Pro Drone, and they just killed GoPro's dream... with a sledgehammer.DJI Mavic ProSmall enough to throw in a bag and take with you to launch quickly for a shot the Mavic Pro will fit the bill. Just barely bigger than a water bottle you can almost carry it in a pocket vs it's larger predecessors which required a large bag to carry all the pieces to assemble in the field. It can be flown just with a smartphone making it a nice quick setup to take with you on the go.It might be the drone for everyone but don't count it out for having lower specs. The Mavic Pro hosts a 4K 12MP camera that sits on a 3-axis gimbal giving you crystal clear photos and video. They also managed to pack 27 minutes of battery life into one charge giving you plenty of time in the air. Additional batteries are $89 although if you order the Fly More Combo you'll have three total for almost an hour and a half of flight time.Albeit the one thing GoPro won out on here is the ability to steal it's gimbal for use without the drone it's a bit of a gimmick. In terms of price they are about equal, the Mavic pro is slightly cheaper at $50 less sans controller as you can use your phone. In full compared to the Karma drone with it's GoPro Hero 5 the Mavic Pro will cost you $999 vs the Karma at $1099. Not to mention if your looking for portability technically the Mavic is a smaller package making it the better deal all around for your first drone.Flying Mavic ProThe big point where the DJI Mavic wins out against the Karma is intelligence. It's also a smart drone giving a few nice tricks compared to the competition which may be the selling difference depending on what you'd like to use it to shoot. Easy to use, the Mavic Pro can be flown using a touchscreen, TapFly can direct the drone on a touch waypoint even avoiding obstacles automatically along the way. In Gesture mode you can use the force! Kidding aside using gesture recognition to direct the drone to follow or take a selfie even. While using Active track it can recognize common subjects such as people, bicyclists, cars, boats, and animals follow behind, lead in front, circle above or track alongside the subject, keeping the camera focused on the subject while you concentrate on flight maneuvers.As for additional modes you can flip the Mavic into a Sport Mode like a car. This allows the Mavic Pro to reach speeds of 40mph to follow a fast subject while being stable and responsive at the cost of battery life. Alternatively Tripod Mode will do the opposite capping speed out at 2.2 mph for dead still footage for video or somewhat safe indoor flying. Terrain Follow mode means that you can race up a slope behind a subject while remaining at a constant height between 1 ft (0.3 m) and 33 ft (10 m).You can pre-order the DJI Mavic Pro or the DJI Mavic Pro Fly More Combo at the links below, shipping starts October 15th. The Mavic Pro will sell for $999 with remote controller included or $749 without.  The combo pack includes two extra batteries, extra propellers, a charging hub, adapter, car charger, and shoulder bag for $1,299. DJI care refresh, their protection plan, is also available for $99 if your the accident prone type who may accidentally damage your new drone.mavic

DJI Mavic Pro

DJI Mavic Proamazon-logo_transparent-1untitled-1dji-store

DJI Mavic Pro Fly More Combo

DJI Mavic PRO FLY MORE COMBOamazon-logo_transparent-1untitled-1dji-store

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B80E9GdqvwE&feature=youtu.be&app=desktopSpecifications:

Aircraft
Weight(including battery and propellers) 1.62 lbs (734 g) (exclude gimbal cover)1.64 lbs (743 g) (include gimbal cover)
Max Ascent Speed 16.4 ft/s (5 m/s) in Sport mode
Max Descent Speed 9.8 ft/s (3 m/s)
Max Speed 40 mph (65 kph) in Sport mode without wind
Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level 16404 feet (5000 m)
Max Flight Time 27 minutes (0 wind at a consistent 15.5 mph (25 kph))
Max Hovering Time 24 minutes (0 wind)
Overall Flight Time 21 munites ( In normal flight, 15% remaining battery level )
Max Flight Distance 8 mi (13 km, 0 wind)
Operating Temperature 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C)
GPS Mode GPS/GLONASS
Camera
Sensor 1/2.3” (CMOS), Effective pixels:12.35 M (Total pixels:12.71M)
Lens FOV 78.8° 28 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.2Distortion < 1.5% Focus from 0.5 m to ∞
ISO Range 100-3200 (video)100-1600 (photo)
Shutter Speed 8s -1/8000s
Image Max Size 4000×3000
Still Photography Modes Single shotBurst shooting: 3/5/7 framesAuto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV BiasInterval
Video Recording Modes C4K: 4096×2160 24p4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30p2.7K: 2704×1520 24/25/30pFHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/96pHD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120
Max Video Bitrate 60 Mbps
Supported File Formats FAT32 ( ≤ 32 GB ); exFAT ( > 32 GB )
Photo JPEG, DNG
Video MP4, MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)
Supported SD Card Types Micro SD™Max capacity: 64 GB. Class 10 or UHS-1 rating required
Operating Temperature 32° to 104° F ( 0° to 40° C )
Remote Controller
Operating Frequency 2.4 GHz to 2.483 GHz
Max Transmission Distance FCC Compliant: 4.3 mi (7 km);CE Compliant: 2.5 mi (4 km) (Unobstructed, free of interference)
Operating Temperature 32° to 104° F ( 0° to 40° C )
Battery 2970mAh
Transmitter Power (EIRP) FCC:≤26 dBmCE:≤20 dBm
Operating Voltage 950mA @ 3.7V
Supported Mobile Device Size Thickness Supported:6.5-8.5mmMax length: 160mmSupported USB port types: Lightning, Micro USB(Type-B),USB(Type-C)™
Gimbal
Controllable Range Pitch: -90° to +30°Roll: 0° or 90° (Horizontally and vertically)
Stabilization 3-axis (pitch, roll, yaw)
Obstacle Sensing System
Obstacle Sensory Range Precision measurement range: 2 ft (0.7 m) to 49 ft (15 m)Detectable range: 49 ft (15 m) to 98 ft (30 m)
Operating Environment Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15)
Vision Positioning
Velocity Range ≤22.4 mph (36 kph) at 6.6 ft (2 m) above ground
Altitude Range 1 - 43 feet (0.3 - 13 m)
Operating Range 1 - 43 feet (0.3 - 13 m)
Operating Environment Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15)
Charger
Voltage 13.05 V
Rated Power 50 W
Intelligent Flight Battery
Capacity 3830 mAh
Voltage 11.4 V
Battery Type LiPo 3S
Energy 43.6 Wh
Net Weight Approx.0.5 lbs(240 g)
Operating Temperature 41° to 104° F ( 5° to 40° C )

 

Redesigned BlackRapid Breathe Series

BlackRapid ShooterBeing one of the industry leaders in Camera Straps BlackRapid has had a bit of experience in what's worked and what hasn't in the market.  Seven years of development, innovation, and customer interaction have resulted in the new BlackRapid Breathe line of camera straps. Getting away from the neckstrap you get with your camera allows for more flexibility, comfort, and airflow. Especially during long periods of shooting. BlackRapid Breathe is designed to be lighter, more comfortable, easier to use, and most importantly more secure.So what do you get in this next generation?black-rapid-mount

  • A new shoulder pad design for better weight and position
  • Airmesh grip layer to fix the strap to your shoulder and provide ventilation
  • Straps now come with the Brad underarm stabilizing strap(instead of paying another $15)
  • Better Duraflex buckles, one of the higher end suppliers
  • Springloaded bumper locks secure the camera's range on the strap
  • Hypalon hook up points, the rubber they use to make durable inflatable boats for increased strength
  • New connectors with the CR3 (Connect R) and FR5 (Fasten R) as seen right which lock into BlackRapid's lockstar for a more secure hold on the camera

blackrapid_362008_tether_kit_1474170877000_1278410As for the one complaint most have is the fact that there is only one point of failure in the strap. Meaning if that lock comes loose, that is now secured even more with a bracket finally, your camera will fall. For years I've suggested OP/TECH uni-loop and system connectors as a way to connect to the top of the camera from the strap but now BlackRapid offers a tether accessory kit. As my solution is four times cheaper than the $35 tether kit and has buckles if your interested in a backup our recommendation stays the same.

Buy a strap today from B&H:B & H Photo Video

 

Curve BreatheCurve Breathe Street BreatheStreet Breathe
Sport BreatheSport Breathe Sport Breathe LeftSport Left Breathe
Cross Shot BreatheCross Shot Breathe  Backpack BreatheBackpack Breathe
Hybrid Breathe Hybrid Breathe Double Slim Breathe Double Breathe
Hand Strap BreatheHand Strap Breathe Wrist Strap BreatheWrist Strap Breathe

 

MeFOTO Air Collection

MeFOTO AirIf you remember Toby’s review of the MeFOTO Backpacker he was quite the fan of the lightweight travel tripod. This week MeFOTO has announced a new version of their popular line of travel tripods that are lighter, faster, and easier-to-use. The biggest new change, MeFOTO switched from the previous monopod alternative setup to a new capability of turning into a selfie stick.MeFOTO HyperLock Setup and breakdown times have been significantly reduced with a new HyperLock Design. HyperLock reduces weight, size, ease of use, and setup time with a new twist to lock foot setup to extend the legs. In total almost a 30% reduction in weight compared to the previous models MeFOTO Air is a great choice for a travel or hiking photographer. With the switch to HyperLock specs have changed a bit since last year. Out of the line on average their load capacity is 25% less but still plenty to hold anything you would need. A bit less rugged as well as they’ve also removed the spiked feet; in the case of the WalkAbout it has lost its weather and dust resistance. In terms of packed size the WalkAbout is 5 inches smaller while for the most part tripods receive a small size reduction, the best being the BackPacker at 2.2 inches. With the redesign the minimum and maximum heights have been nicely improved giving the tripods a bit more range for height or getting low to the ground. A better Intuitive design, with the change Mefoto has added icons on the legs for ease of use to those not familiar with the HyperLock design. Keeping the setup from the previous generation ball heads are arca-type compatible for the industry standard quick release plate.MeFOTO BluetoothOne feature missing from the tripods for this generation is the ability to be used as a monopod. In it’s place you now have the option to pull the central column out for use as a extending selfie stick. With the central column out you can connect a cell phone adapter plate to attach your phone (see video). MeFoto has even added a Bluetooth remote that stays with the tripod to fire the phone. As with Toby traveling with McKay Photography, having a selfie stick on hand during a trip to use is a nice touch without having to carry any extra gear.You can pre-order through the links below, the MeFOTO air line will start to ship November, 1st of this year. https://vimeo.com/182870823

untitled-1Pre-order your tripod or monopod in a variety of colors from B&H. The MeFOTO Air line will be available and start shipping November 1st, 2016.

MeFOTO WalkAbout Air Aluminum Monopod $65MeFOTO WalkAbout Air

Load Capacity: 22.1 lb Max Height: 59.1" Closed Length: 13.4"
Sections: 6 Weight: 0.9 lb Translucent Silicon Hand Grip
1/4"-20 Mounting Screw Adjustable Wrist Strap Anodized-Aluminum Finish

MeFOTO BackPacker Air MeFOTO BackPacker Air Travel Tripod $125

Load Capacity: 8.8 lb Max Height: 59.5" Min Height: 11.2"
Folded Length: 14.4" Leg Sections: 5 Weight: 1.98 lb
Carrying Case Included Built-In Selfie Stick Smartphone Adapter & Bluetooth Remote

MeFOTO RoadTrip Air MeFOTO RoadTrip Air Travel Tripod $175

Load Capacity: 13.2 lb Max Height: 61" Min Height: 11.4"
Folded Length: 15" Leg Sections: 5 Weight: 2.5 lb
Carrying Case Included Built-In Selfie Stick Smartphone Adapter & Bluetooth Remote

MeFOTO GlobeTrotter AirMeFOTO GlobeTrotter Air Travel Tripod $225

Load Capacity: 17.6 lb Max Height: 68.1" Min Height: 12"
Folded Length: 16.7" Leg Sections: 5 Weight: 3.2 lb
Carrying Case Included Built-In Selfie Stick Smartphone Adapter & Bluetooth Remote

 

Amazon Prints, Amazon's Now in the Photo Printing Business

hero_desktop_v2Amazon Prints, www.amazonprinting.com, your new source for the cheapest prints available. After the announcement Shutterfly stock fell 14%, Ouch… So far there’s not too much in terms of product offerings but it’s just starting in a limited capacity at this point. Available currently you can order photos in 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10 prints with matte, glossy, pearl, or signature matte finish. Larger one's will be coming soon. Books come in 8x11 glossy hardcover binded either standard or layflat.

For a short time only, 50 free 4x6 prints with code BABY50FREEPRINTS for Amazon Cloud Drive or Prime members.

Price Comparison(Not counting shipping, Bayphoto with/without color correction)

Amazon Prints

Shutterfly

Snapfish

Walgreens

Mpix

Adoramapix

Bayphoto

4x6 $.09 $.15 $.09 $.29 $.29 $.27 $.49/.29
5x7 $.58 $.99 $.69 $2.49 $1.09 $.69 $1.99/1.15
8x10 $1.79 $3.99 $2.99 $3.99 $1.99 $1.59 $3.50/1.79
8x11 Book $19.99 $39.99 $34.99 $29.99 $34.99 N/A $49.50
8x11 Book(layflat) $44.99 $79.99 $69.99 $69.99 $54.99 $45.99 $59.50

 prints_5x7_470x470_07192016The Service will be Prime and Amazon Cloud Drive only. With the change to photo printing Amazon is also killing off the $12 per year Amazon Unlimited Photos plan. Users are getting a three or 12 month trial of unlimited storage after their paid plans expire as recompense from Amazon. This was a nice backup solution for photographers but with the move to printing it makes sense to bundle the service driving more users to upgrade plans. As for cost that means just to access this service it is $60 for the cloud service, $100 for Amazon prime, or $49 for Amazon Prime for students. You’ll have to wait for a proper review by Toby but odds are the quality will be lower end equal to Shutterfly at this price comparatively to other brands. Typically Photorec.tv’s current recommendation for good quality prints has been Adoramapix for their superior prints and sales. Alternatively for small orders Bayphoto is a nice option as through their professional order system small orders of prints 11x14 or smaller ship free through the mail. Bayphoto just isn’t cost effective for large orders due to the price difference between their service and Adoramapix. Just like Shutterfly it's not that it's necessarily bad, but for top quality it's recommended to go to a lab for photos. For family shots and prints to pass out to friends, family, and the sort it's a cheap option that might serve that purpose well. untitled-1For a limited time, free standard shipping. Free expedited shipping on orders over $15. It’ll take 167 4x6 prints to get free shipping if you're curious. Compared to Adoramapix or Shutterfly it’s actually a pretty decent rate.

Shipping Method  

Creation to Doorstep  

Per Shipment

Standard 3-7 business days Free on all orders.
Expedited 3-5 business days Orders over $15 Free / Under $15 is $7.00 per shipment.
Overnight 2-3 business days $13.00 per shipment.

 As for saving money I’ve got a few tricks to get your print price under Amazon’s:

  • Six cent 4x6 prints from Shutterfly are possible during 101 print sales by ordering 99. This lowers the shipping and makes 99 prints cost 6 cents each versus 101 for 8 cents a piece.  
  • My Coke Rewards through collecting cap and box codes allows promotional coupons making prints, books, and other items free but you have to pay shipping. Similar to the method above in that you still pay shipping but you don’t have to wait for a sale or can combine these with one.
  • Swagbucks is an ad and survey site that gives out Shutterfly gift cards for doing tasks. They also do Paypal and other stores so technically you can use this one on any site's I've listed above in this post.

 

Nikon's New KeyMission Action Camera Line

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5MM1I5o8FwYou might remember during CES the KeyMission 360 was the big hit in the news from Nikon as strong competition for GoPro. Albeit this week GoPro stole the news headlines with their Karma Drone. The Nikon KeyMission since then has become a series of action cams with the 360 showcased during the original announcement, a 170 GoPro equivalent, and 80 wearable camera. As for the model numbers the names imply the degree of field of view the cameras can see. 

KeyMission 800-hero

Smaller than your average GoPro, the KeyMission 80 is a rugged wearable camera for the person on the go. The small clip-on camera can record 1080p video, shoot 12MP photos, and 5MP selfies with a rear facing camera. Using SnapBridge it can automatically upload to your phone via Bluetooth and WiFi on the go. At a compact size of 1.8” x 3.5” it’s a convenient option for those wanting to have a camera right there when needed. KeyMission 80 goes where the action is. It's waterproof down to 3.4-feet, freezeproof to 14°F, and shockproof from drops up to 4.9-feet.Watch the KeyMission 80: Product Tourhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_fEmGTWP90

KeyMission 1700-hero-1

The main GoPro clone of this lineup, the KeyMission 170 is built for just that role and that's about it honestly. Built with a F/2.8 8.3MP camera the KeyMission 170 is made for rugged 4K footage. It’s main highlight is Electronic Vibration Reduction for crystal clear video, bar while shooting at 4K. It also has SnapBridge included for sending data to your phone but the 170 and 360 have a special smartphone app for additional features. With a included remote you have control from a distance and the option of tagging highlights to make editing a breeze.  With no additional housing, it's waterproof down to 33-feet, freezeproof to 14°F, shockproof up to a drop of 6.6-feet, and resistant to dust and grit.Watch the KeyMission 170: Product Tourhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv9m_DSIUSo

KeyMission 3600-hero-2

The original product of the line announced in January, the KeyMission 360 makes it's mark for 360° 4K video. Two 20MP sensors with F/2.0 lenses each shoot 180° and stitch together to make this possible. The KeyMission 360 wants to be your all in one action camera with 23.9MP 360° stills , 4K video, 360° video, timelapses, and more. With 360° photo and video being something Toby’s had an eye on lately the KeyMission 360 makes for an immersive experience, especially in VR as it comes with an included head mounted smartphone display. Compared to the others while it has included SnapBridge for sending data it also can be used to watch live while recording. With no additional housing, KeyMission 360 is waterproof down to 98-feet*, freezeproof down to 14°F and shockproof up to a drop of 6.6-feet.Watch the KeyMission 360: Product Tourhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUlEtzH6llk

 Specifications

KeyMission 80$279.95

224_26502_km80_front

KeyMission 170$399.95224_26514_km170_front

KeyMission 360$499.95

224_26513_km360_front

ISO Sensitivity ISO 100 -1,600 ISO 100 -1,600 ISO 100 -1,600
Megapixels Front: 12.4 MPRear: 4.9 MP 8.3 MP 23.9 MPImage processing may reduce the number of effective pixels
Screen Size 1.75 in. diagonal 1.5 in. diagonal N/A
Screen Type 1.75-in. (4.4 cm) approx. 230,000-dot, TFT LCD (touchscreen) with 5-level brightness adjustment 1.5-in. (3.7 cm) TFT LCD monitor, approx. 345,000-dot N/A
Video Movie: 1,920x1,080/ 30p (max.) When NTSC/PAL is set to NTSC3840x2160/ 30p1920x1080/ 120p1920x1080/ 60pWhen NTSC/PAL is set to PAL3840x2160/ 25p1920x1080/ 100p1920x1080/ 50pHigh Speed movie options:HS 1080/ 4xHS 720/ 8x When NTSC/PAL is set to NTSC3840x2160/ 24p1920x1080/ 24p1440x960/ 30p480x640/ 120p240x320/ 240pWhen NTSC/PAL is set to PAL3840x2160/ 24p1920x1080/ 24p1440x960/ 25p480x640/ 100p240x320/ 200p
HDMI N/A HDMI micro connector (type D) HDMI micro connector (type D)
VR Lens-Shift VRFront: Lens shift (still images)Combination of lens shift and electronic VR (movies)Rear: Electronic VR (movies) Movie: Electronic VR function (4K UHD is not supported) Movie: Electronic VR function (4K UHD is not supported)
Focus Approx. Front: 4 in. (10 cm.) to infinity from the center of the front surface of the lensRear: 1 ft. 2 in. (35 cm) to infinity from the center of the front surface of the lens Approx. 1 ft. 4 in. (40 cm.) to infinity from the center of the front surface of the lens Approx. 1 ft. (30 cm.) to infinity from center of front surface of lens (wide-angle position)
Storage MicroSD cardSDHC memory cardSDXC memory card MicroSD cardSDHC memory cardSDXC memory card MicroSD cardSDHC memory cardSDXC memory card
Battery Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (built-in) One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12 One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12
Dimensions 1.8 in. (44.8 mm) x 3.5 in. (86.5 mm) x 0.6 in. (15 mm) 2.7 in. (66.4 mm) x 1.9 in. (46.8 mm) x 1.7 in. (42.7 mm) 2.6 in. (61.1 mm) x 2.5 in. (65.7 mm) x 2.4 in. (60.1 mm)
Weight 2.7 oz. (74 g) 4.8 oz. (134.5 g) 7 oz. (198 g)

 Buy a KeyMission Today! Pre-orders of the 360 and 170 come with a FREE $149.95 accessory pack! Includes a system case, tripod, extension arm, and extra battery.

 KeyMission 80224_26502_km80_front KeyMission 170224_26514_km170_front KeyMission 360224_26513_km360_front
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SanDisk 1TB SDXC Card Announcement From Photokina

sandiskAnnounced at Photokina, Western Digital developed a SanDisk 1TB SDXC card prototype, because the 512GB model unveiled at Photokina 2014 clearly wasn’t big enough. Western Digital being the current owners of Sandisk after the buyout in May of this year. If the 512GB card is any indication it cost $800 at the time of it’s release and the 1TB card should be even more expensive.  So what is the one card to rule them all good for? Beyond just storing photos we’re in a world now with 4K video, video surveillance, and 360 video. Not to mention large Megapixel cameras like the 50MP's coming out lately or the 250MP CMOS sensor Canon has in development. This expands options for videographers and photographers while not needing to change out cards as often.gh52phpmf7cxn

 As for us mere mortals shooting with more affordable cameras on paper a 1TB card is a great option if you could afford the price tag. As an example the Canon 80D has RAW files about 34mb on average which would be just under 30,000 photos. As for 4k video it would be just shy of 15 hours of footage before the card filled up finally. Great for someone in Toby’s case going to Tanzania as while shooting photo and video he came back with 1.7TB of files, almost filling two of these cards.
 

So that said, in practice vs paper, you ARE putting all your eggs in one basket. Having worked in the automotive industry using thousands of these there is a failure rate and you will see it working with that many cards. Not to mention between dust and wear the card goes through in it’s life cycle they do get worn out. It’s recommended when shooting to exchange 32GB or 64GB cards so not all your photos are in one place. Even personally I’ve had a card die while shooting and managed to save half an event as it was on another card. Compared to previous years they are quite cheap, you can pick up 32GB cards in the $20 range, cheaper during sales.  Playing devil’s advocate the failure rate of SD cards is mostly in the first month or two of ownership with a 25% drop off after this period. Also overall your higher end cameras have dual card slots protecting you from data loss if you were doing 4K video professionally. Even with Sony cameras you can pull the card while it is writing. Because it creates a database every time you stick the card in Toby’s never lost a single image, even ones writing to the card when removed. Having a large card does have it’s benefits but you have to weigh that with the risk and importance of what your shooting.                    In the meantime no price or release date as of yet for the 1TB card but based on the 512GB it’ll be pricey for sure. You can use the links below to pick up a slightly less expensive 32GB or 64GB SD card from Amazon or B&H. 

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Fun fact: Sixteen years ago Sandisk created a 64MB SD card. Today’s 1TB card could store over 15,000 of them.