Godox V860II-S Review and Specifications

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4we8QQVNecIs this a good, and much more affordable option, than the Sony flashes for your Sony camera? Check out Scott's review in the video above and the technical specs below!Godox have released an impressive speedlight for Sony Cameras with the V860II-S. Featuring TTL and Godox 2.4GHz X radio it's a great option that can communicate with a variety of products as master or slave. Using the additional X-T1 flash trigger (linked below) you have access to 2.4GHz wireless to fire the V860II-S wherever needed, even through walls.Versus traditional AA batteries you find in most speedlights the V860II-S uses Lithium-ion batteries for a 1.5 second recycle time for use up to 650 flashes. Despite it's lower price versus Sony it's a fully featured speedlight with functions including manual flash, 1/8000 high speed sync, flash exposure compensation, flash exposure lock, second curtain sync, modeling flash, and more. The Godox has great build quality, good features, works smoothly, and can save a few quid versus the more expensive Sony branded flash making it an easy buy. 

Available now! Pickup the V860II-S or plan ahead and get a remote trigger package on a discount.

V860II-S

V860II-S Packaged with an X1T Transmitter, Eachshot color filter, and Eachshot softbox. 

SanDisk 1TB SDXC Card Announcement From Photokina

Announced 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.

 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. 

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

photokina coverage

All our coverage of Photokina 2016...

Underwater Photography - with Mermaids!

A photo posted by J.Berendt Photography (@jberendtphotography) on Sep 20, 2016 at 9:50am PDT

Back in July on the DC Photowalk (which was excellent by the way), @photorectoby of @photorec.tv asked me to share a bit about our underwater gear and how we process the images we make. I've been thinking about a quick way to communicate the basics of what we do and this is what I've come up with:

Underwater Photography Gear:

Nikon D750 - Chosen for its excellent low light sensitivity since we shoot with available light (which is typically in short supply underwater)Nauticam Housing - Chosen because it allows access to 99.99% of the camera's functionality underwater and it has been a dream to work with.

Our Basic Image Processing:

Shoot Raw - This allows for maximum color control in post. This is CRITICAL to getting the WB too look right Dehaze tool - water is not as clear as air. Even the crystal water of Hawaii needs a touch of Dehaze at times and it is a CRUCIAL when we shoot in our local quarry lake. Then - once those two things are taken care of we get into regular edits like clarity, shadows etc.We chose these sample images because they show what WB, Dehaze and a touch of clarity can do in about 5 seconds of editing. If you have questions/comments we'd love to start a conversation so let us know! And thank you once again, Toby for your interest in our work and methods! Follow @jberendtphotography for more underwater photos and maybe even a mermaid or two :)

Lightroom 2015.7 Update- Canon 5D Mark IV RAW Files

Lightroom was JUST updated. If you are a creative cloud user go to the little Creative Cloud App > Gear Icon > Check for Updates.    Within each program you should also be able to click Help > Check for Updates (though that didn't work for me)  The Change I care most about - Lightroom can now read 5D Mark IV RAW files - but cannot do anything with DualPixel raw - that is canon only DPP feature at this point (and probably won't change anytime soon)Additional changes worth mentioning -Updates to “All Synced Photos”We’ve made it easier to access your Lightroom CC images on the go with Lightroom for mobile and Lightroom for web.You can now drag images directly to the “All Synced Photographs” collection in the Catalog panel.  By doing so, the image syncs with the Creative Cloud, and ensures that you’ll be able to edit, organize, or share the photo on the go with Lightroom across your devices.Smart Previews for Faster PerformanceYou’ve always been able to use Smart Previews in the Develop Module as a way to edit photos without having access to the original images on disk.  Astute customers reported faster performance in the Develop Module when using Smart Previews and keeping their original images disconnected from their computer.  Now, you can set a Preference in the Performance tab so that Lightroom will always use Smart Previews in the Develop Module, if they are available, even when the original files are also available.To do so,

1. Choose Edit > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog, select the Performance tab.
3. In the Develop section, select Use Smart Previews Instead Of Originals For Image Editing.
4. Click OK and then restart Lightroom.

 Read the complete Adobe doc hereBuy Lightroom Creative Cloud from B&H Photo Get your Lightroom Training - Everything you need to know to get up and running FAST with Lightroom.

Yi M1 Mirrorless Camera Just Announced

 

 An entry level camera from China is making the rounds at Photokina this week. The Yi M1 has the design of a Leica camera with a 20.16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor from Sony for only $330. Young Innovators, or YI Technologies in the US, was in the news recently for their move into the action camera market. The YI 4k Action Camera 2 had decent review while undercutting the GoPro by $200. Considering this mirrorless is using tech from Sony it has a good chance of doing okay as an entry level option. Aimed at the entry level crowd the camera itself only has two buttons and no viewfinder, opting for the three inch touchscreen to handle the workload. As for options it’s a Micro Four Thirds with a Sony Sensor allowing for plenty of non YI MFT lenses available. Coming with the camera is a 12-40mm F/2.5-5.6 zoom lens or a combo with a 42.5mm F/1.8 macro prime. As a kit it’s $330, the dual lens set will sell for $450. The Yi M1 uses the 20.16MP Sony IMX269, actually the same sensor in the Olympus Pen-F giving it 4K (30fps), fast continuous shooting, and RAW image capability. This allows it a speed of five frames per second and a 81 point focus system which is good for a entry level camera. As for RAW it saves in Adobe DNG making it work perfectly with Lightroom. Bluetooth and Wifi are included for fast mobile sharing and remote control of the camera. Other accessories such as a backpack (costs $60), filters, and etc. have been announced by name but no details as of yet. The Y1 M1 will be out Sept. 23rd in China and later for the US. As their first real go at the mirrorless market it’s hard not to say it’s a decent try at a entry level option.Specifications:

Mount	Micro Four Thirds
Sensor	Sony IMX269 CMOS
Crop Factor	2.0x
Resolution	20MP (5184px*3888px)
Format	Raw, Jpeg
Aspect Ratio	4: 3, 3: 2, 16: 9, 1: 1
Focus	Contrast Detection
AF	Multi-area, Center, Face Detection, Single AF, Continuous AF, Touch AF, Face Detection, & Touch Shooting
Manual Focus	Focus Peaking & Zoom Manual Focus
Focus Points	81 Points
Screen	3 inch 720 x 480 RGB + Touchscreen
Shutter Speed	1 / 4000s ~ 60s
Exposure Modes	Exposure Modes: Automatic, Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual Exposure, B Door, T Door
Metering Mode	Spot Metering, Evaluative Metering, Center-weighted Metering
ISO	Auto, 100 - 25,600
Bracketing	Yes, Up to 3 Shots
HDR	Yes
Time-Lapse	Yes
Panorama	Yes
Flash	Supports External (Not Available as of Announcement)
Video	4K 3840 × 2160 30fps, 2K 2048 × 1536 30fps FULL HD 1920 × 1080 60fps, 30fps, 24fpsHD 1280 × 720 60fps, 30fps, 24fpsVGA 640 × 480 240fps
Video Format	MPEG-4 / H.264
Audio Format	AAC
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
USB	2.0
HDMI	Micro HDMI Connection
WiFi	Yes
Bluetooth	4.1
Remote Shooting	Yes, via Smartphone
Storage Media	SD / SDHC / SDXC (max 512G)
Battery Life	~450 Photos
Color	Silver, Black
Dimensions	113.5mm (W) x 64.3mm (H) x 33.6mm (D) excluding protrusions
Weight	280g
Cost	$330 for Camera + Kit Lens. $450 for Dual Lens Kit.

Samples12-40mm F/3.5-5.6 Lens

42.5mm F/1.8 lens

Fuji brings it’s beautiful sensors to a medium format camera – should the mere mortals get excited?

Since June Fujifilm’s been rumored to have a “medium format killer” in the works set to change the game and now we’ve finally got a look in their Photokina announcement. The new Fuji GFX 50S is a sub $10,000 camera that will bring great image quality on a budget comparatively to other medium format options available at the moment. The first in a new GFX line of medium format camera’s with the GFX 50S slated for early next year.  Using a new Fujifilm G sensor that’s sized up to 43.8×32.9mm in 51.4 megapixel resolution you’ll be needing more hard drives to store your photos. Defaults for the sensor will be a 4:3 aspect ratio but can be set to other formats. Being mirrorless another option for shooters is a removable viewfinder allowing the user to choose to use the viewfinder when needed or the back screen. The GFX 50S will be weather and dust sealed, to what degree they did not specify, giving it the durability for outdoor shots. As Fuji the camera should deliver great image quality for professionals shooting commercial, fashion, or landscapes.

For the new G Mount system Fuji has released a new set of lenses to go with the camera. As follows we’ve got a set of 5 primes covering the field, one being macro, and a standard zoom so far. The Fuji GFX 50S is expected to ship 2017 alongside their 63mm, 120mm, and 32-64mm lenses.

• Ultra-wide “GF23mmF4 R LM WR” (equivalent to 18mm in 35mm format) Coming mid 2017
• Wide “GF45mmF2.8 R WR” (equivalent to 35mm in 35mm format) Coming late 2017
• Standard prime “GF63mmF2.8 R WR” (equivalent to 50mm in the 35mm format) Coming early 2017
• Fast aperture mid-telephoto “GF110mmF2 R LM WR” (equivalent to 87mm in 35mm format) Coming mid 2017
• Mid-telephoto macro 1:0.5 “GF120mmF4 Macro R LM OIS WR” (equivalent to 95mm in 35mm format) Coming early 2017
• Wide-angle standard zoom “GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR” (equivalent to 25-51mm in 35mm format) Coming early 2017

As for those pixel peepers out there they’ve released a sample image showing how much detail the sensorcan pull from an image. With the new CMOS sensor putting out 51.4MP files it’s hard to complain looking at the photo zoomed in this far.

With the announcement of the FX 50S Fuji released a few videos of development and testing to watch. Development of Professional-use Mirrorless Camera System “GFX”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggikv6m8FNsGFX challenges with Hiroshi Nonamihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHhAkirFH-QGFX challenges with Satoshi Minakawahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4wvnA4iO6s

OM-D E-M1 Mark II - Most Advanced Micro 4/3

In some ways writing "the most advanced" is a given.. right? This is afterall a new camera, a new flagship camera from Olympus - shouldn't it offer the most advanced set of features to date?  Anyway olympus continues to offer high quality cameras with a huge lenses selection (micro 4/3 standard can use anything by olympus, panasonic and many 3rd party manufacturers)   The latest announcement - not a release yet continues this trend.OM-D E-M1 Mark II Specs

• 20MP sensor
• 5-axis IS
• Lightweight and Weatherproof body
• 15FPS (60fps in electronic shooting) - yes stills!
• 1/80000 max shutter speed
• 4K video
• Fully articulating 3.0" touchscreen
• Focus bracketing and stacking
• Wifi (do I need to list this as a feature in late 2016?) it should be a given)

I few days ago I was having a discussion about the benefits mirrorless cameras offered - one of my points was mirrors are mechanical contraptions that slow a camera down - you have to flip it out of the way to take a photo and if you want to take several photos in a row AND use autofocus between those shots - the mirror must flip up and down and this mechanical process is time consuming.  This new Olympus is an excellent example of what is possible without the mirror - 18 FPS with continuous autofocus turned on.    And the Olympus cameras have offered some of the best AF in mirrorless cameras and the M1 Mark II is likely to continue. And then you have a few more cool features like

• Silent Shutter Mode which completely eliminates shutter noise and all electronic sounds, perfect for wildlife, concert halls, or other quiet environments.
• Live Composite and Live Bulb Modes- watch the image build up on the monitor, allowing exposure adjustment during the shoot.
• Focus Bracketing and Stacking lets you take several photos of a subject and then stack them into a single image with edge-to-edge clarity for For incredible macro shots.

Sigma announces the 85mm f/1.4 ART

Sigma's ART series lenses offer excellent quality at affordable prices - great values when compared to the Canon and Nikon pro level lenses.  Adding to their sweet prime line up of 35mm and 50mm is now the 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens for Canon EF, Nikon F and Sigma SA mounts! Availability Late October - Preorder from B&H Photo $1,199.00The Canon 85mm f/1.2 L lens cost $1,899 and Scott recently reviewed the Tamron 85mm f/1.8 for $749.00 (see his review here)Sigma is saying  - Sigma looked to create a peak portrait prime with the 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens, and they delivered an optic with high performance, a large f/1.4 aperture, and a variety of technologies. Available here with a Canon EF mount, this lens offers a super-fast f/1.4 aperture that is great for getting images with an exceptionally shallow depth of field and smooth bokeh. It also uses two FLD elements and one anomalous partial dispersion/high-refractive index element that minimize aberrations and ensures a crisp, clear image. A Super Multi-Layer coating helps by suppressing flare and ghosting. Additional lenses announced -Sigma 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art Ultra-Wide Angle ZoomThe Sigma 12-24mm F4 Art lens will be available in late October $1599.00 USD.  Preorder from B&H PhotoSigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport Lens The Sigma 500mm F4 Sport lens, in Canon and Sigma mounts, will be available in late October. The Nikon mount will be available in late November. The 500mm F4 will retail for a recommended street price of $5999.00 USD. Preorder from B&H Photo

New Panasonic Cameras -

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera

• 16MP Live MOS Sensor Micro Four Thirds System
• 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
• 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Swivel LCD Touchscreen
• UHD 4K Video Recording at 30/24 fps
• Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity
• DFD AF System, 4K PHOTO Modes
• 5-Axis Image Stabilization, Dual I.S.
• ISO 25600 and 10 fps Shooting with AF-S

Those looking for a robust, affordable 4K capable system - this looks VERY appealing.Available end of October - Preorder from B&H Photo $897.99 With Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for $997.99 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 Digital Camera

• 20.1MP 1" High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
• Leica DC Vario-Summilux f/1.4-2.8 Lens
• 24-72mm (35mm Equivalent)
• 3.0" 180° Tilting Touchscreen LCD
• UHD 4K Video at 30/24 fps in MP4
• 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+, 49-Area AF System
• Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity
• Extended ISO 25600 and 10 fps Shooting
• Lens Control Ring; USB Mobile Charging
• 4K PHOTO; Post Focus & Focus Stacking

An extremely strong competitor to Sony's popular RX100 series but the LX10 provides a faster lens and the Post focus and focus stacking features.Available in Mid November for $697.99 - Preorder from B&H Photo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 Digital Camera

A true hybrid photo/video machine - equally capable of shooting either while providing some pro level video features.

• 20.1MP 1" High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
• Leica DC Vario-Elmarit f/2.8-4.5 Lens
• 24-480mm (35mm Equivalent)
• 0.74x 2.36m-Dot OLED Live View EVF
• 3" 1.04m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen LCD
• DCI 4K Recording at 24.00 fps & 100 Mbps
• CINELIKE Profiles; 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Out
• Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity; 4K PHOTO
• ISO 25600 and 12 fps Continuous Shooting
• Manual Control Ring & Built-In ND Filter

With that 1" sensor this isn't going to be amazing in low light BUT the fact that you can get a 20x zoom, 4K cine profile (it will look great straight out of camera) AND pro level quality via HDMI out all for less than $1200 WITH A BUILT IN ND FILTER - this looks like a sweet rig for someone that wants to produce some serious travel videos - everything you need in one package.Available Mid December for $1,197.99 Preorder from B&H Photo Which of these three cameras are you most interested in?  

Panasonic GH5 - 6k Video... Linkbait?

The Panasonic GH5 has been announced - The 6K video that is being passed about as a spec isn't quite true.  Even without true 6K video this looks like a serious step forward for videographers with 4k at 60p and the ability to record 10-bit 4:2:2 (more data is better)The specs we have

• 6K/30p 18mp
• 8mp/60fps burst photo
• 10-bit 4:2.2
• 4K/60p

Body style looks very similar to the GH4.Panasonic also announced further collaboration with Leica together they will be releasing three new lenses8-18mm, 12-60mm, and 50-200mm- all offering f2.8-4.0. Camera and lenses will be available in the first half of 2017Panasonic Press ReleasePanasonic Announces the Development of the World’s First 4K 60p/50p Video Recording CSC Featuring 6K PHOTOIntroducing the LUMIX GH5Panasonic today announces the LUMIX GH5, the world’s first Compact System (CSC) interchangeable lens camera capable of recording high-precision smooth 4K 60p/50p and faithfully reproductive 4:2:2 10-bit 4K video. This premium camera will offer exceptional performance for professional photographers, videographers and emerging photo/video-hybrid creators.The new LUMIX GH5 is scheduled to enter the market in the first half of 2017 and will feature Panasonic’s new ‘6K PHOTO’ offering – an approximately 18-megapixel-equivalent still image extraction from an ultra-high quality video with approximately 9x higher resolution than Full HD. Furthermore, an approximately 8-megapixel equivalent ‘4K PHOTO’ can be extracted from a video shot at 60 fps.Panasonic also announces the new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 lens series. These announcements demonstrate Panasonic’s dedication to continually deliver outstanding customer value and new culture in photography and film production by developing premium, new-era products and functions.Commitment to innovationThe LUMIX GH5 will allow creative minds to capture their vision with ease and style, and further confirms Panasonic’s commitment to develop incomparable products and functions to address the new demands in photography and film production.Panasonic is committed to the development of innovative digital cameras under the theme “create a new photo culture in the digital era”. The company brought the world’s first CSC, the DMC-G1, to market in 2008 and the succeeding DMC-GH1 achieved the world’s first Full HD video recording in 2009.Professional, versatile 4K videography with freedom and easeThe LUMIX DMC-GH4 has received much critical acclaim since its launch in 2014 and was the first camera to realise 4K 30p/25p video recording. Building on its predecessor’s success, the LUMIX GH5 will offer a new world first: 4K 60p/50p and 4K 30p with 4:2:2 10-bit.Exceptional 4K video recording will be packed into a compact, lightweight design created for videographers to take the camera anywhere and shoot in any location. With the unprecedented video recording performance of the LUMIX GH5, Panasonic aims to elevate its status in the film production industry.Elevating outstanding photography to new heightsThe LUMIX GH5 will dramatically advance the conventional ‘4K PHOTO’ function with ‘6K PHOTO’ that will cut a still image out of ultra-high definition video (4:3 or 3:2 video footage) with approximately 9x higher resolution than Full HD.Silent and unobtrusive with quick focus to capture the moment, the LUMIX GH5 will allow photographers to take advantage of high-speed, long-time high frame rate shooting capability. Unmissable moments can also be saved as beautiful photographs in a higher resolution that complies with larger size of printing by substantially increasing the resolution from 8-megapixel (4K PHOTO) to 18-megapixel (6K PHOTO) equivalent resolution.New LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 lens seriesThe LUMIX GH5 will be featured at Photokina 2016 alongside a new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 lens series. Achieving both high optical performance and compact size, the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 lens series will include a new 12-60mm standard zoom lens, an 8-18mm wide zoom lens and a 50-200mm telephoto zoom lens. All lenses will be showcased as reference exhibits at the Panasonic booth.

GoPro Karma Drone - $799 DJI Killer? & New GoPro Hero5

GoPro has finally announced the much teased and anticipated drone - Called the Karma it offers a very portable system that includes a drone and a handheld stabilizer all in a very portable package.GoPro Promotional Video for Karmahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjNjcrQZtd8Here is what GoPro is saying about the Karma -Karma is so much more than a drone. It captures amazingly smooth GoPro footage in the air, handheld, and mounted to your favorite gear. Compact and ultra portable, the Karma Drone folds to fit into its own lightweight case. The game-style controller with an integrated touch display makes Karma easy and fun to fly. The included camera stabilizer can be removed from the drone and attached to the included Karma Grip for ultra steady professional-looking handheld and gear-mounted footage. Hollywood-caliber stabilization in a backpack you can wear during almost any activity...for $799.Preorder GoPro Karma with GoPro Hero4 Black $???Preorder GoPro Karm with GoPro Hero5 Black $1099.00 GoPro has also announced the new Hero5 GoPro model -The big changes. . .

• The cameras themselves are rugged/waterproof. No more need for the cases
• Voice activated and controlled "GoPro take a photo" GoPro start video" - understands 7 languages.
• Touchscreen
• Shoot RAW and WDR (wide dynamic range)
• Built in GPS
• Automatic Cloud backup
• Stabilization built in
• Compatible with existing cases/mounts
• Price drop!!

Excited?  $399 available in early October.Preorder from B&H Photo Sun, Oct 2 3pmAlso a new GoPro Hero Session - the little square GoPro

• Supports 4K, 2.7K, 1440p, 1080p Video
• Capture 10MP Photos at 30 fps
• Ultra Wide Angle Glass Lens
• Waterproof to 33'

Preorder the new GoPro Hero Session $299.99The GoPro Hero5 Promo videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FR4NB7_viU 

New Sony Camera a99 II 42MP SLT Camera

And I thought the a-mount was dead!?!? Sony's a mount cameras are a blend of mirrorless and traditional DSLR technology - the mirror is still there - just translucent, letting some light through to hit the sensor - this provides an EVF and phase detection autofocus.

Sony a99 II Brief Specs

• Sony a99II,
• full-frame A-mount camera (yes I was surprised).
• 42 MP
• 5-axis stabilization (4 stops)
• 12 FPS with AF
• 4K video - full sensor and super 35mm

Sony a99II Price - $3,199 - B&H Product page, Preorder soonOn paper this camera looks to match and possibly beat the TOP end cameras from Nikon and Canon - the ones that cost $5000 and more.   This could be a very interesting matchup.The a mount has a decent lens collection, including the longer telephoto lenses I would love to see brought to the full frame E mount.  Honestly I was really hoping for a more serious high end e-mount, maybe an a9 that has been rumoured announced today. This camera - while I am sure will be excellent is sitting at what is now a pretty small market share.  Sony's a mount series sold well initially, especially outside the US, but they let it languish and many serious photographers have moved on.    What do you think?

Canon 5D Mark IV vs Sony A7R2 with 24-70 f/2.8 Lens

Watch the video and share your opinion in the poll below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qheMX75GpKcWhich camera & lens would you rather travel with? Why - answer the poll and leave a comment.[yop_poll id="9"]

Sony vs Canon

Camera	Canon	Sony
MP	30 (Dimensions - 6720 x 4480)	42 (Dimensions - 7952 x 5304)
FPS	7.0	5.0
Video	4K with 1.7x crop / JPEG Codec	4K Full Frame / XAVC Codec
Storage	Dual Card - SD and CF	Single SD Card
LCD	Fixed 3.2" Touch enabled	Tilting 3.0"
Viewfinder;	Optical 100% Coverage	Electronic 100% Coverage;
FPS	7.0	5.0
Battery Life	900 Shots	290 Shots
Weight	890 g (1.96 lbs)	625 g (1.38 lb)
Body Only Price	$3500 (buy from BH Photo)	$3200 (buy from BH Photo)
24-70 Lens Weight	805 g (1.77 lb)	866 g (1.95 lb)
24-70 Lens Cost	$1750 (buy from BH Photo)	$2198 (buy from BH Photo)
TOTAL COST & WEIGHT	1695 g 3.74 lbs | $5250	1491 g 3.33 lbs | $5398

Instagram Winners - Scale

Scale is an interesting concept as it's an effect of you telling a story. Controlling perspective, and therein scale, it effects how we view the overall subject and it's environment. From toy's and Minnie Mouse to tilt shifts and forced perspectives we had a bit of everything this week. You guys did great!

Winners this week were chosen by Toby and Scott for the challenge.

You can find all the past challenges on the PRTV page along with next week’s Instagram challenge #prtv_abstract. Usually we look for the subject and details then shoot to capture the object. Abstract photography is the opposite in that you don't have a clear objective and it's somewhat up to the viewer to decide the meaning of the photo. It's a different way of thinking for those technical and detail oriented, playing to the more artistic side of things. To enter post your photos on Instagram before noon next Friday with the tags #prtv and #prtv_abstract.

You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram here: Photorec.tv

And the team!Toby – Photorectoby Scott – photoscott88 Roy – RoyMcKeeIII

Toby's Winner:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKb16vujuiF/I do wish the hiker was up higher - framed inside the brown, but still alovely image and a great use of scale

Toby's Honorable Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKOFrAUhAmk/The little people make it work - what is that thing on the left side though? https://www.instagram.com/p/BKbH5m8hUPT/FUN! And great framing

Scott's Winner:

https://instagram.com/p/BKNqneQD6j4/Scale in every meaning! Creative and beautifully executed, well done!

Scott's Honorable Mentions:

https://instagram.com/p/BKYgOQ9BTOw/I like the depth of field and the framing with Minnie Mouse off centre - nice work!https://instagram.com/p/BKUh1qkDShK/Two clear points of interest well framed. This one caught the eye scrolling through the feed, the colours especially are great.

Just Announced! The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens

 In a bit of Pre-Photokina news Canon announces an update to the aged Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. The 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 IS II USM is a nice addition as it’s predecessor came out in 2005. It’s needed a bit of an update comparatively to the newer EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM and a full frame option to fill a mid range selection in the lens ecosystem. Featuring:

• High-speed autofocus with new Nano USM technology
• 4 stop image stabilization
• New lens information display
• Ultra Low Dispersion element for reducing chromatic aberration   
• 9 blade aperture construction for better bokeh

Following the new 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM kit lens this is the second lens from Canon using the technology. Nano USM is Canon’s blend of STM technology for quiet operation and smooth autofocus with USM Technology for high-speed autofocus. The best of both worlds and like STM technology you still gain full time manual focus. Like the Zeiss Batis Lenses announced in April it will include an led display. The LCD will display focusing distance, focal length, and shake amount information. A display mode button lets you switch between these features and background color for visibility. The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens will be released November 30th, 2016 for $549.99. Available for pre-order today at Amazon and B&H. As Scott Fautley will be visiting Photokina we will have a bit of hands on video coming soon. Full Specifications:

Lens Mount	Canon EF
Focal Length	70-300mm
Lens Construction	17 elements in 12 groups with a UD element
Motor Type	Nano Ultrasonic
Focus Adjustment	AF with full-time manual
Image Stabilization	4 Stops
Maximum Aperture	F/4-5.6
Minimum Aperture	F/32-45
Number of Blades	9
Diagonal Angle of View	34° - 8° 15' (with full-frame camera)
Closest Focusing Distance	3.94 ft. / 1.2 m
Maximum Magnification	0.25x
Filter Size	2.6 in. / 67mm diameter
Max. Diameter x Length,Weight	Φ3.15 x 5.73 in., approx. 25.04 oz.Φ80 x 145.5mm, approx. 710g
Price	$549.99

Pre-order today at Amazon or B&H

Photo Safari Video #2 - Croc Kill

https://youtu.be/abWRJCy3IPAContinuing our journey across the northern Serengeti where I continue to be amazed at the huge number of animals we see- Zebras and Wildebeests fill the plains. AND we round out our BIG 5 (learn more - http://photorec.tv/2016/09/big-5-safari/) The Thomson Camp or Nyumba in the Northern Serengeti continues to be paradise- we eat ice cream for dessert... IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SERENGETI And another Wildebeest crossing - this time with a dramatic Nile Crocodile Attack plus a trip across the border into Kenya, no passport required.Learn more about Mckay Photography Academy Learn more about Thomson Safaris Stabilized Shots from the Crane Buy at AmazonSafari and Wildlife Photo Gear recommendations

Big 5 on Safari

In Africa, the big five game animals are the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and rhinoceros. (Why are they they Big Five?)  We were incredibly lucky and in just a few short days had awesome and multiple photo opportunities with all of these species.  Watch my Tanzania Safari Adventure Video with Thomson Safari and McKay Photography Academy. 

Drones aren't allowed in the Serengeti - So how did I get this shot? Check out my facebook page for the answer in 360 degrees http://photorec.tv/fb

A photo posted by Toby (@photorectoby) on Aug 26, 2016 at 8:22am PDT

African Elephant - Watching this guy pick up a fallen log like it was nothing a few minutes later #thetrunkisstrong was super cool.

A photo posted by Toby (@photorectoby) on Sep 14, 2016 at 5:54am PDT

Cape Buffalo - These dudes are mean #MOFOS One guide had a story about when he was a child and one chased him into his house and got stuck in the door - He saw the buffalo crying tears and decided he was sad because it didn't get him. 📷 Captured with the #Sony #a7r2 and #Sigma 150-600 C

A photo posted by Toby (@photorectoby) on Aug 30, 2016 at 12:24pm PDT

…And then he looked into my soul. Seriously! A moment of the @thomsonsafari #mckaylive trip that will remain etched in my brain forever. The evening light across his back, just lounging on a rock on one of our last nights in the #Serengeti 📷 Captured with the #sonyalpha #Sony #a6300 and @sigmaphoto 150-600 C Lens. You can learn more about the gear I brought including the a6300 and Sigma 150-600 performance at http://photorec.tv/safarigear/

A photo posted by Toby (@photorectoby) on Sep 12, 2016 at 5:44pm PDT

Black Rhino - This was a dreamy, amazing moment - one minute we were headed back to camp after a long day of shooting and the next we are flying across a burned area of the Serengeti to catch a glimpse of an animal that is so rare some of the guides haven't seen it in two years!! . Captured with the #sony #a7rII and @Sigmausa #150to600C

A photo posted by Toby (@photorectoby) on Aug 15, 2016 at 7:10pm PDT

Canon EOS-M5

Canon finally goes seriously mirrorless?  

Preorder from Amazon or B&H Photo

Body Only $979.99 (Available Nov 30, 2016)  B&H Photo | AmazonM5 with 15-45 Lens $1099 (Available Nov 30, 2016) B&H Photo | AmazonM5 with 18-150 Lens $1479 (available later in December 2016) B&H Photo | AmazonCanon's mirrorless line uses the EF-M mount but offers APS-C sensors, the same size as the 80D and Canon is promising better image quality and low light performance from this camera compared to the 80D.  The AF system is also the same as used by live view in the 80D and borrows the same touch screen but tilt only, not fully articulating like the 80D.  If you want to use EF or EF-S lens you will need their EOS-M to EF/EF-S Adapter which sells for $123.54 - Buy from AmazonThe first camera that comes to mind to compare is Sony a6300 - Selling for $1148 (buy from Amazon) I strongly suspect the a6300 will still offer better low light performance and provides 4K video (EOS M5 offers 1080 at 60P) BUT useability of the Sony is not great, Canon often does a good job with useability and with the touchscreen Canon could offer a very attractive camera that may not provide the BEST image quality but will still provide good enough quality in a very friendly package.  Are you interested? How do you think it will stack up against the a6300?  Scroll down for my little comparison chart

Canon EOS M5 Features

• 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor, ISO 100 25600.
• Fast and smooth Dual Pixel CMOS AF helps you capture stills and shoot video with quick and precise autofocus.
• High-speed continuous shooting at up to 7.0 fps (up to 9.0 fps with AF Lock) and new DIGIC 7 Image Processor with improved AF tracking performance.
• Full HD 60p/50p helps capture fast-moving subjects and brilliant results in MP4 format.
• Digital IS with 5-axis image stabilization* when shooting videos plus increased image stabilization with both lens optical IS and in-camera digital IS when shooting with an IS lens.
• Built-in high-resolution EVF (approx. 2,360,000 dots) with new Touch and Drag AF lets you manually move the AF frame displayed for more precise focusing in different shooting situations.
• Intuitive touch screen 3.2 tilt-type (85° up/180° down) LCD monitor (approx. 1,620,000 dots) enables flexible positioning and clear viewing.
• Easily customize functions while shooting using the Front Dial, Quick Control Dial, Dial Function Button and Exposure Compensation Dial.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allows for easy sharing and transferring of images and videos.
• Equipped with Bluetooth Smart for smooth pairing with a compatible smartphone by powering on both devices for easy photo sharing and remote control possibilities.
• Shorter camera startup time and interval time between each image capture for a more efficient shooting experience.
• Compatible with EF-M lenses as well as the full line of EF and EF-S lenses and Speedlites for expanded creativity.
• Mount Adapter EF-EOS M is required when using EF/EF-S lenses for EOS M series digital cameras.

Sony a6300 vs Canon EOS-M5 (Specs Compared)

Spec	Canon EOS M5	Sony a6300
MP	24	24
ISO	100-25,600	100-25,600 +51,200
LCD	3.2" Tilting (180 Down) Touchscreen	3" Tilting
FPS	9fps	11 fps
Video	1080 @ 60p	4K at 30p
Mic Jack	Yes	Yes
Lens Mount	EF-M (browse lenses on B&H)	Sony E Mount (browse lenses on B&H)
Price	$979 Body Only | $1099 w/ 15-45 Lens	$998 Body Only | $1148 w/ 16-50 Lens
Weight	427g | 0.94lb	404g | 0.89lb

New Commuter Jet Roller & 3DR Solo Drone Backpack

Our friends at Think Tank have just released a new rolling camera bag and a drone backpack.

Jet Roller

Designed for traveling on commuter or regional jets, the new Airport Advantage rolling camera bag’s customized interior holds the maximum amount of gear that will fit in overhead bins or under seats. In addition, its ultralight design lets you pack more gear while staying under airlines’ increasingly vigilant weight restrictions.WHAT FITS

• Gripped DSLR with lens attached, one standard size DSLR with lens attached, plus three to four additional lenses, and 15” laptop
• Or, two gripped DSLRs with lenses detached plus three to four lenses
• Or, two Mirrorless bodies with lots of lenses

Learn More/Purchase from Thinktank (receive free gear with your orders and free shipping.)

Airport Helipak for 3DR Solo

You can now carry your 3DR Solo, 15” laptop, controller, GoPros, charger, spare rotors, extra batteries, jacket, tools, and more in a robust and yet lightweight new backpack, the Airport Helipak for 3DR Solo.  Unlike rigid hard cases that lack extra carrying capacity and comfort, this new backpack is designed for 3DR drone enthusiasts who want to be able to carry all of their gear with them all the time.  As always, with my special partnership with Think Tank you will receive free gear with your orders and free shipping.https://www.thinktankphoto.com/collections/airport-series-backpacks/products/airport-helipak-for-3dr-solo?rfsn=140333.2f0f8