Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Highkey 2

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Instagram Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_highkey2

With the start to fall it’s senior portrait time here in Michigan so we had you shooting high key photos! You were not stuck with portraits this week and it’s nice to see some out of the box entries. Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_facelessFind out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtv.You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:

Clean, sharp with a smart depth of field.

Bright and beautiful look at this baby with perfect depth of field and the requisite amount of baby drool.

"That feeling you get when..." . #prtv #prtv_highkey2

A post shared by 🐼🌈 (@winstonpix) on

Roy’s Features:

The brown and green is a nice bit of color contrast against that white background!

The orchids make for a great subject and the little bits of yellow really stand out.

White on white can be tricky, you did good!

Free $10 for Amazon

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Amazon Music10 minutes of time for $10 to use on Amazon. Sign up to Amazon Music's free 30 day trial for a free $10 promotional code (expires 10/31, can cancel right after). Easy peasy. As for some ideas you can get a Sandisk SD card, Reflector, or Eneloop batteries (for flash).

SanDisk Extreme 32GB SD Card
Neewer 43-inch Reflector
Eneloop AA Rechargeable Batteries
  1. Go to http://amzn.to/2xFWoK0
  2. Enter Code MUSIC1
  3. Click the link to sign up to Amazon Music
  4. You can cancel the trial at https://www.amazon.com/music/settings (so you don't get charged)

Once you sign up with the code you'll get a free 30 day trial of Amazon Music and the $10 promo code will be good in your account until 10/31. The $10 is good for anything sold by Amazon.com but it won't work on 3rd party sellers.

Fuji Vs the Competition (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic)

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Scroll down for recommended lenses and comparisons against the competitors

https://youtu.be/OKew22eOUQIDownload Fuji X-T2 Raw files - Sign up for my occasional and non-spammy newsletter

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 [gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="16055,16056,16057,16058,16059,16060,16061"] The Fuji X-T2 is one of the most well-rounded, mirrorless, camera on the market today. You can even drop the mirrorless qualifier and I feel the statement still holds true. But, this camera isn't for everyone and there are a host of fantastic cameras to choose from. In this post, I share some thoughts on worthy Fuji Competitors and how they match up.I mentioned in the video

The Canon 6D Mark II (Full Frame DSLR) vs Fuji X-T2 (APS-C Mirrorless)

Canon EOS 6D Mark II DSLR Camera (Body Only) $1,999.00Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens $1,899.00Canon wins with low light performance and a huge lens selectionCanon loses on size, weight, video features and lack of dedicated AF joystick and single card slotThe Canon is larger, heavier and uses larger and heavier full frame lenses - making the entire package a good bit more serious to carry around BUT the 6D Mark II does better in low light and offers a HUGE selection of Canon and 3rd party lenses, many of which are quite affordable and some help with the portability (pancake primes like the 40mm f/2.8). The Canon also has a fully articulating touch screen which makes recording yourself easy though you are limited to 1080p at just 60fps and the quality while decent isn't exciting.  The Fuji provides 4K at 30fps, better AF coverage, much faster burst rate and a dedicated joystick for AF control along with dual card slots. Travel photographers and landscape photographers that are hiking to destinations, I think you will find the smaller size and weight of the Fuji and associated lenses to be a serious advantage along with the ability to charge on the go. 

The Sony a6300/a6500 (APS-C Mirrorless) vs Fuji X-T2 (APS-C Mirrorless)

Sony wins on price, weight and video performance (especially a6500 stabilized)Sony loses when you compare ergonomics, aps-c lens(selection and quality) and lack of dual card slots.Sony Alpha a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens & Free Kit $998.00Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens $1,899.00While the Sony a6xxx series is more traditional in the sense of a mode dial and layout, the Fuji is a far more physical camera with well-marked buttons and dials for just about everything a photographer could need.  The Sony weighs less - offers similar image and video quality and offers nicely portable lenses like the Fuji but- there are only a handful of APS-C lenses for sony that are really exciting and very little is weather sealed. For the sharpest glass, you will likely buy full frame Sony- expensive and heavy. Also in a battle of the kit lenses - Fuji kills Sony's little 16-50 lens which is exceptionally travel-friendly but not the highest quality. Note - the a6500 offers a stabilized sensor.

The Panasonic G85/GH5 (Micro 4/3rds Mirrorless) vs Fuji X-T2 (APS-C Mirrorless)

The Panasonic wins on video features, battery life and massive selection of micro 4/3rd lenses along with a FULLY articulating touchscreenThe Panasonic loses on AF and AF tracking.The Panasonic G85 and GH5 are amazing video focused cameras. While the GH5 is a serious video tool, offering dual stabilized 4k footage up to 60fps it also takes great photos but this is one of the easiest matchups on the page - if you are serious about video the Gh5 or the smaller, cheaper lighter G85 offers lots to love. If you are serious about photos and videos is secondary - the Fuji X-T2 does very well.Note- the G85 is a much cheaper version of the Gh5 and while it lacks some of the pro level video features it offers a great value. My Full Review of the G85Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Body Only) $1997.00 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 12-60mm Lens $997.99Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens $1,899.00

Sony a7ii (Full Frame Mirrorless) vs Fuji X-T2 (APS-C Mirrorless)

Sony wins in low light performance, stabilized sensor and priceSony loses in ergonomics, dual card slots and lack of 4k videoSony Alpha a7 II Mirrorless Digital Camera with 28-70mm Lens and Accessory Kit $1698.00Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens $1,899.00The Sony weighs about the same as the Fuji X-T2 but requires full frame lenses and quickly gets heavier. However, the Sony does do better in low light, offers a stabilized sensor and decent ergonomics but not as nice as the very physical feeling Fuji. What else would you like to see matched up against the Fuji X-T2?

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Food2

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Instagram Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_food2

Pre top picks warning! You will probably have the munchies after this! Great photos this week guys, and we might do this again soon with the schedule I’m working on atm. Toby even pitched in this week with a dinner shot https://www.instagram.com/p/BZg0v3RntdR/. Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_highkey2Find out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtv.You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:

It’s busy but it’s real and the shot is composed tight and thoughtfully!

#prtv_food2 #prtv

A post shared by Tony Lawrence (@tony_lawrence.sa) on

Roy’s Features:

Drinks counted too this week! It’s a nicely done photo, connecting elements in a process like these beans & coffee can work great.

We like to keep this challenge a bit open and what's better than a portrait with food! On the plus side it looks like a fridge works as a decent light source.

Food, glorious food! Canon 5d3 + Samyang 14mm 2.8 This lens is a fully manual lens and as someone who has less than perfect vision, it is hard for me to get my subject perfectly focused as I have to rely on my aging eyes rather than the camera. If anyone has any tips on how to manually focus with poor vision I'd love to hear them! - - - Went a little outside of the box for this week's "food" photo challenge and thought I'd give it a go with this refrigerator shot of my little boy sneaking something yummy. #prtv I know I've been away for a while! - - - - #cameramama #clickinmoms #momswithcameras #our_everyday_moments #momtogs #letthembelittle #candidchildhood #childhoodunplugged #letthekids #littleandbrave #dearphotographer #livethelittlethings #snapmaven #enchantedchildhood #prtv #thesincerestoryteller #celebrate_childhood #adventuresofchildren #pocket_sweetness #mom_hub #honestlyparents #ourcandidlife #kidsforreal #prtv_food2

A post shared by Jane Glover (@angry_runner) on

Food doesn’t just sit on a plate, we interact with it. This is a nice shot putting focus on an element vs trying to shoot an entire plate of food.

The Best Lenses for Photographing the Stars & Milkyway

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Star Photography

Full Frame Prime Lens Options

★ Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Watch my video review - $1599.00 (autofocus)

Good
  • Widest aperture lens at this focal length (allows for shorter exposures and or exposures with low ISO shooting the stars, Milky Way and Aurora Borealis
  • Sharp, minimal distortion
  • Autofocus (versatile during the daytime)

Bad

  • Expensive
  • Some Coma on brighter stars, wide open
  • Heavy with bulbous front end

Despite some Coma wide open, this is the BEST lens you can buy for shooting the stars - nothing else is this sharp, this fast. Watch my video review for more information and sample images. 

★ Irix Firefly 15mm f/2.4Watch my video review - $400 (manual focus)

  • Sharp, minimal distortion
  • Locking focus ring
  • Glowing Lens markings for night time shooting
  • Focus click at infinity
  • Customizable focus

Bad

  • Uses 95mm filters

I struggle to come up with anything bad to say about this lens. Sure it uses 95mm Filters and all but the thinnest filters will add some vignetting but it is one of the only lenses on this list that even takes screw on filters. It is very easy to work with in the dark, the locking focus ring and the click stop at infinity focus are helpful when shooting the stars. It is as sharp as the Sigma too! All of this for just $400!

★ Rokinon 24mm f/1.4$429 (Manual Focus) 

Good
  • Faster Aperture
  • Full Frame compatible
  • Takes Filters
  • Lovely walk around focal length for general photography

Bad

  • On crop 24 = 36mm, less exciting for wide starry skies
  • Manual focus only

On a full frame, 24mm is often plenty wide enough for a nice starry sky or milky way shot. At f/1.4 this is a fast lens, is useful for daytime landscape shots with a normal filter size of 77mm but manual focus only does limit the versatility of this lens and it isn't the sharpest option here.

★ Samyang 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS Lens$429 (Best Option for Crop DSLRs)

Good
  • 16mm on Crop - nice and wide

Bad

  • Crop Only
  • No filter threads - Costly filter system for daytime use

The widest & best option for crop users on the list (I don't love the fisheye look for stars or milky way photos) This small, light and affordable lens is hard to beat but the slightly faster IRIX firefly is sharper and offer some nice features that make it worth the sacrifice of a few mm.

★ Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens with Removable Hood$232 - $299

Good
  • This lens is VERY wide with the typical fisheye look
  • Very affordable.

Bad

  • Crop Only
  • No filters
  • f/3.5
  • Fisheye even more limited in use.

I don't love the look from a fisheye lens for the stars or milky way shots but if you do this would be the lens to grab.  The good news, it is super affordable!

★ Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS$299 - $399 (Best for Mirrorless APS-C or smaller)

Good
  • Very portable
  • Takes filters
  • Fast f/2.0

Bad

  • …

This tiny lens is great for mirrorless crop sensor photographers shooting Sony, Fuji, Panasonic or Olympus. It takes filters, is very affordable and lightweight, not quite as sharp and offers a little more distortion than the IRIX or Sigma but excellent still.

Ultra Wide Angle Zooms

(see linked video below)

★ Tokina 11-16 f/2.8$430 Best value ultra wide angle zoom for crop sensors

Good
  • Versatile lens
  • Excellent Value
  • Accepts 77mm Filters

Bad

  • Some distortion and Chromatic abberation
  • Not as sharp as the primes listed

The Tokina 11-16 for Canon and Nikon is one of the best value lenses on this list. It's not the sharpest and certainly has more distortion than the primes but it is a versatile lens with a good range and offer autofocus along with filter use making it possible to tackle a variety of situations.

Additional Lenses to Consider - 

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM Lens - Sharp, fast and relatively little distortion for an ultra-wide zoom lens and accepts regular filters AND is travel-friendly. - B&H Photo for $1,999.00Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD - One of the few ultra wide full frame lenses that offer stabilization. If you are careful you can handhold this at almost a second exposure. Not really helpful for stars/Milkyway but still useful. More distortion and not as sharp as the Canon listed above or the Nikon listed below but still a versatile lens . though be aware it's HEAVY - B&H Photo for $1,099.00Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED Lens - The gold standard for ultra wide angle zooms.Incredibly sharp and useful though it is big and heavy - B&H Photo for $1,896.95

 

Related Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8An3dzcgCWE

Affordable Ultra Wide Angle Zooms for Crop Cameras

Canon 10-18 vs Canon 10-22 vs Tokina 11-16Learn more about the Tokina 11-16 vs the Canon 10-18 and Canon 10-22

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Retro

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Instagram Challenge

This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_retro

We went old school this week with Retro. Whether it was an old item, one with a nod to the past, a throwback portrait, or just a creative edit it was up to you.Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_food2(Check out Rose's Food Photography Tips)Find out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtv.You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:

Huge props for the camera! The nice tight crop is great with the focus on the camera.

My first SLR camera 📸 #praktica #mtl3 #35mmfilm #oldskool #prtv #prtv_retro #seventies #stiffupperlens

A post shared by Erwin Hollmann (@erwin_hollmann) on

It’s a nice black and white with a simple scene. Look at this cute couple.

Roy’s Features:

Look at this little guy! The nice low angle works well getting the face of the moped and the edit matches the paint job.

Haven’t seen one of these in awhile, I like that your editing went a bit on the cool side to match the water.

Photo challenge: #prtv_retro #sonya7ii

A post shared by Eileen K (@ektull21) on

Wide Angle Prime Lenses for Canon & Nikon

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https://youtu.be/8An3dzcgCWE Download Full Raw Images from All three lenses. Sigma 14mm ART Samples, Irix 15mm Blackstone Samples and Rokinon/Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Sample RAW Images. (images for personal comparison only)Buy the IRIX 15mm LensBuy the SIgma 14mm LensBuy the Rokinon/Samyang 14mm LensEdited Sample Images[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Sigma 14mm Sample Images" ids="15953,15954,15955,15956"]Additional Sigma 14mm Samples Shot by Steve Scurich Photography[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="15959,15960,15961,15962,15963,15964,15965,15966"]IRIX Blackstone 15mm Sample Shots[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="15967,15968,15969,15970"]

 

10 Steps to Improve Your Food Photography

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 10 Steps to Improve Your Food Photography | http://photorec.tvFood photography is all the rage these days, with thousands of Instagram users posting their drool-worthy kitchen creations and restaurant meals everyday. It's easy to assume these photographers are using high-end equipment or are blessed with amazing natural light in their kitchens. While a DSLR camera and gorgeous lighting will help you take better photos, there is a lot more that goes into making stellar food images. The following steps will get you on your way to improving your food photography.

Baked Potato Soup with Colby-Jack Cheese and Bacon | http://photorec.tvFind the best natural light in your house 

The best lighting in the house often isn't in the kitchen. When you do have beautiful light in the kitchen, you may need to move your food away from the stove or counters and over to the window to create crisp, bright images. When you don't have beautiful light in the kitchen, set up your food shoots in a different area of your home that lends itself better to photography.

Buttery Crescent Dinner Rolls | http://photorec.tvAlternatively, use artificial lighting 

When you're struggling to shoot in the available natural light in your house or don't want the daylight hours to restrict your shooting, consider an artificial lighting setup. When executed properly, artificial lighting produces consistent, bright shots. Typically, I use two desk lamps with daylight bulbs and two DIY Lowel EGO lights for my artificial lighting setup.

Coffee Nut M&Ms | http://photorec.tvMinimize clutter in your shooting space 

Getting rid of unnecessary items and other distractions in your food photography is critical for creating clean, focused images that allow the food to shine. When you begin a food photography session, clear your shooting surface of miscellaneous cooking gear and other household items. If you aren't shooting against a neutral background, such as a white wall, create your own backdrop with a wood board, patterned paper, or even poster board.

Cannellini Bean Hummus | http://photorec.tvAdd a garnish or other finishing touch to your dish 

A garnish or other finishing touch will take any food photography shoot up a notch, boosting your results from casual, amateur shots to polished, professional images. For example, if you're photographing hummus, add a drizzle of olive oil and maybe a few sprigs of parsley. If you're photographing a bowl of soup, top it with a sprinkling of cheese.

Buttery Crescent Dinner Rolls | http://photorec.tvStyle your food with nice dishes and a couple of props 

Choosing dishes and other props specifically for your recipe makes your images more intentional, creating a more powerful visual story. Start with items you already own. Taking the time to style a sandwich on a plate with a napkin and glass of water makes the whole meal together. If you want to expand your prop collection, scout thrift stores and rummage or estate sales for interesting pieces on the cheap. Etsy and eBay are also great options for affordable, unique, vintage items.

Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts | http://photorec.tvClean up any drops and splatters 

You'll complete the polished, professional aesthetic for your images by taking an extra few seconds to wipe up any drips on the plate or pan. If the pot is really dirty or the bowl has more splatters than you can easily wipe up with a single paper towel, plate your food with clean dishes.

Convey interaction with the food 

Set up a tripod or enlist a family member or friend to help you with your food photography shoot, so you can create a few interactive shots. Pouring the dressing over the salad or getting ready to lift the soup spoon up to your mouth further adds to the narrative. It will take some trial and error to perfect these shots, but it's well worth the effort.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps | http://photorec.tvExperiment with different angles 

When you're preparing for a food photography shoot, allow time to take ample shots, photographing the dish from at least three or four different angles. You may be really happy with your initial idea for the shoot, but it may take a little while to nail the best angle for a particular dish. To get the classic overhead shot you see so frequently on Instagram these days, grab a chair or stepstool, so you can get above your food (safely!).

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies | http://photorec.tvConsider “in progress” shots for recipes and other food-related blog posts 

In progress shots, such as the cookie dough mixed in the bowl or the meat cooking on the stove, further add to the story you're telling. As you're preparing for your food photography shoot, jot down a short list of ideas, so you won't forget to take a few in progress shots as you make your dish. Sneak peek or behind the scene shots also make great teaser content on social media. If you’re planning to publish a new recipe later in the week, publish a shot of your ingredient spread in the kitchen or the empty cookie mixing bowl a few days before the recipe goes live.

Cannellini Bean Hummus | http://photorec.tvShoot with a prime lens 

Many food photographers shoot extensively, or even exclusively, with prime lenses. While you may want a zoom lens to capture a few wide angle shots of your spread, most likely you'll want to shoot the majority of your images with a 50mm, 85mm, or even 100mm lens. Getting up close with your food brings people right into your kitchen, which is key for making food enticing when someone can't actually be there smelling and tasting it. Personally, I shoot most of my food photography with a 50mm lens, using a 100mm lens selectively for a few really tight images, such as the hummus image above.

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies | http://photorec.tvPick up a diffuser or reflector to minimize shadows

Harsh shadows often leave sections of an image underexposed. For certain types of photography, you may want to create this sort of aesthetic. However, for most food photography, harsh shadows are less than desirable. A diffuser or reflector is a simple, affordable way to minimize the shadows in your food shoot. The easiest, cheapest way to create an effective reflector is to fold a piece of white foam board in half. 

Adjust your aperture manually to ensure proper depth of field and focus

Ideally, you want to shoot in manual mode, so you have full control over the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed for your food images. If manual mode is too overwhelming right now (and that's okay!) or you prefer to work with your camera's priority mode, choose aperture priority mode. Take care to shoot with an aperture wide enough to keep the image in proper focus. A few images with a narrow focus to highlight certain aspects of the dish will add to your story. But you don't want all of your shots to have a narrow focus. It's rare I shoot wider than 3.2 for food photography. The 9/21 Photorec.tv Instagram challenge is food. Submit your best food photography images by tagging them #PRTV_food2 and #PRTV. The challenge closes at noon EDT on 9/27. Limit two entries. Recent photos only. Check out the full list of PRTV challenges to participate in future challenges. 

Do you have any tips to improve your food photography? 

Leave your best advice in the comments! 

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Bug 3 $130 drone vs DJI Spark $500 drone vs DJI Mavic $999 drone

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Bug 3 $130 drone vs DJI Spark $500 drone vs DJI Mavic $999 drone. Which one would you want?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwB2rRnvHeA

Go Cheap for a First Drone?

I was curious. The DJI Spark at $500 ($699 for the recommended Fly More Combo) is still pretty pricey for someone considering their first drone and I wondered how these much more affordable drones on Amazon compared. So I picked up the Drocon Bug3 on Amazon - $130 bucks, throw in a cheap action camera that does 1080 or even 4K for $60 and you have some significant savings versus the DJI Options - is it worth it?  There is a common misconception that ALL drones are hard to fly and you should practice with something cheaper so crashes aren't as costly. It isn't a bad idea BUT most of the time the cheaper drones ARE much harder to fly. With DJI drones like the Spark and the Mavic you press a button and the drone takes off and hovers at 3 feet, waiting for further instructions. You don't need to do anything. Then press the stick up it goes up. Stop pressing the stick up it stops and hovers. Move it forward toward an obstacle and it will warn you before stopping short of running into the tree/wall etc. Yes, DJI still makes drones you can crash, it's just that they are easy to fly carefully as you practice.The Drocon Bug3 is not like this. The $130 drone does not provide one button take off, altitude hold, GPS, a gimbal for stabilized footage, no way to see what the camera is capturing, no way to control the camera. It does provide a touchy, racing style drone that is fun and challenging to fly. Just know that I crashed it more times on the first day of flying than all the other drones I have ever flown combined!  I do not recommend it as a first drone or a drone to buy if you desire good photos/videos from the air. For aerial photography/videography, the DJI drones have a big advantage AND are much easier to fly.

DJI Spark vs DJI Mavic

I love the portability of both. The Mavic folds small and fits nicely in my camera bag where my 70-200 lens usually sits.  The Spark doesn’t fold up, but still easily fits in my camera bag though it feels a little more awkward. Spark and Mavic Drones in a camera bagThe Spark is lighter, the batteries are smaller and it can charge via USB making it extremely portable. When you sit it next to an unfolded Mavic you realize just how much smaller it is- and that makes the flying fun - I found myself launching this indoors and outdoors in environments that the Mavic just felt too large to comfortably fly in - and that’s pretty cool.Spark vs Mavic Drone Size Comparison You trade off some features for the smaller size of the Spark. While the Mavic is capable of 24 minutes flight time, closer to 30 with the new Platinum. The Spark offers just 16 minutes in ideal conditions and in flying both of these - I am almost always done with getting the shots I need with the Mavic and have plenty of battery left. With the Spark, it feels fairly urgent to get the shots I need in that shorter timeframe. The Mavic is faster and while you can switch the Spark into sports mode I have struggled to get very cinematic looking shots when it that mode, the Mavic in normal mode is fast enough and remains smoothly controllable. You also sacrifice range - the Mavic can be flown nearly 4 miles away, the Spark just over a mile when using the controllers for each- honestly here in the United States, you need to keep them both in sight at all times so the difference doesn’t bother me much. And it’s important to mention that the spark at $500 does not come with a controller - you control with the DJI app on your phone - that range is much more limited, just 100 meters and while the Mavic is capable of this too it’s really not something I recommend. The lack of tactile feedback and trying to keep your eyes on the drone plus the screen that your fingers are partially obscuring just make it awkward.Wifi control of the DI Spark and DJI MavicDifference in the external controllers too with the Mavic providing an LCD screen with some basic info (though everything important is also displayed through the app so you don’t really miss out on info but I find it nice to have my altitude and distance in a dedicated spot), you also have a 5 way configurable stick that is replaced by a simple button on the Spark controller and a few additional customizable buttons on the Mavic controller.Spark vs Mavic ControllersBut of course the Spark can be flown without any controller at all via gesture mode and not something available on the Mavic - it feels a bit gimmicky and at times I struggled to get it to do much other than take off and land on my palm but when it works it is fun to use and certainly impresses your friends.Gesture Control on the DJI SparkBoth cameras share the same sensor though the mavic is capable of shooting RAW stills that gives you more editing capabilities, offers a slightly wider fixed aperture f/2.2 vs f/2.6 in the spark and, shooting 4k video with 3 axis gimbal support vs just 1080 and 2 axis gimbal in the Spark at a lower bit rate. I my testing I certainly see an advantage with the Mavic in stills and video quality, especially in lower light. The spark isn’t bad - it just feels a touch behind what the Mavic provides in quality. I haven’t really noticed a difference between the 2 axis and 3 axis gimbals - the spark video looks just as stable smooth.Spark vs Mavic GimbalsYou do see a noticeable difference in control options for both photos and video in the app - Not only does the Mavic provide the RAW shooting you have color profiles for video and you can customize the speed of the gimbal for very controlled, cinematic looking shots - not possible on the Spark.The Spark is cheaper, lighter, smaller and in some ways more fun to fly but does not provide 4k and its image quality/video quality is decent but not quite as good as the Mavic.The Mavic costs more but offers image and video quality that I love using in my travel videos along with the extended flight time and faster speed while remaining cinematic and still being portable enough to bring along just about everywhere.I think the Spark makes a great first drone but the Mavic has those additional advantages that make it worthwhile for the serious content creators that need to travel.I recommend the Fly More Combo for both drones - the extra batteries are useful and having the multi-charger for both drones makes a big difference in how quickly you can get flying again.  I recommend buying from B&H Photo - no sales tax outside of NY state. 

 

Specifications
DJI Spark
DJI Mavic Pro Platinum
Flight Time
16 minutes (no wind at a consistent 12.4 mph (20 km/h)15 minutes (no wind) Hovering
30 minutes (no wind at a consistent 15.5 mph (25 kph)27 minutes (no wind) Hovering
Range
1.2 miles (2 km) (unobstructed, free of interference)
4.3 mi (7 km) (unobstructed, free of interference)
Gimbal
2-axis (pitch, roll)
3-axis (pitch, roll, yaw)
Sensor
Type: 1.2/3" CMOSEffective Pixels: 12 MP
1/2.3” (CMOS)Effective pixels:12.35 MP
Lens
FOV 81.9°Focal Length: 25 mm (35 mm-format equivalent)Aperture: f/2.6Focusing Distance: 6.6' (2 m) to ∞
FOV 78.8°Focal Length: 28 mm (35 mm format equivalent)Aperture: f/2.2Distortion < 1.5% Focus from 0.5 m to ∞
Photo
JPEG only
JPEG, DNG
Video
1920 x 1080 (Full HD) at 30p
C4K: 4096×2160 24p4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30p2.7K: 2720x1530 24/25/30pFHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/96pHD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p
Size
143 x 143 x 55 mm
Folded: 83 x 83 x 198mmExtended: 335 x 335mm
Cost
$499
$1099
Cost with Fly More Bundle
$699
$1399

Shop all the DJI Spark colors at B&H Photo

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Sidelight

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This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_sidelightSide lighting your subject this week was a bit more of a technical challenge but you guys came up with some neat shots. It's something that seems simple but gets a bit tricky knowing where shadows will fall, how light plays with your subject, and adding a lot of contrast / drama to a shot. Nice job and see you all next week for #PRTV_retro.Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_retroFind out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtv.You can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:

Clean, sharp and perfectly side lit

A post shared by Justin Lai (@justlai87) on

A nicely balanced exposure with some tension as the viewer gazes out of the frame

A post shared by Laurie W (@lauriew100) on

Harsh shadows done well!

Roy’s Features:

Plenty of contrast with this B&W. Important for side lit portraits, you can still see the tiny catchlight in the eye to give it a nice depth.

A post shared by Tyler Manzella (@manfella) on

Lighting is important with macro shots, your subject is so tiny, and I love the bokeh in this shot by Cara.

A post shared by Cara (@cara_devtog) on

The lighting works great with architecture giving them a nice depth with the strong shadows on the features of this building.

Sony announces the new RX10m4

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The RX10 line is Sony's point and shoot series with a HUGE zoom range. The New RX10mIV adds speed - faster AF, with a better spread and up to 24 frames per second bursts. There is no other camera this size that offers this sensor size and this focal range.I have been impressed by Sony's super zoom offerings - they use their excellent 1" sensor that is in the much loved and more pocketable RX100 series. And while I am usually not a fan of do it all lenses or cameras, the RX10 series offers some of the best quality in a super zoom P&S on the market.  Below you will find a few more specs and slides from this morning's presentation.

  • 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS1.0 STACKED CMOS Sensor with DRAMM
  • Hybrid AF system w/ 315 points on-sensor Phase Detect
  • BIONZ X Image Processor
  • Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/2.4-4 Zoom Lens (25x zoom lens)
  • Continuous shooting up to 24fps with AF
  • Anti-Distortion shooting up to 1/32000 sec
  • Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
  • 2.36m-Dot OLED Tru-Finder EVF
  • 3.0" 1.228m-Dot Tilting Xtra Fine LCD
  • 4K video 24/30p, Full HD 1080p at 960 fps with phase detection for better AF
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
  • ISO 12800 and 14 fps Continuous Shooting

Shipping in October 2017 - Price $1699.99 PREORDER FROM B&H PHOTO A few additional highlights from the press releaseThe new RX10 IV features Sony’s latest 3.0-type 1.44M dot tiltable LCD screen with Touch Focus and Touch Pad function – another first for the Cyber-shot RX series – for quick and smooth focusing operation, and WhiteMagic™ technology, ensuring that LCD viewing is bright and clear in even the harshest outdoor lighting conditions.“My Menu” functionality has been added, allowing up to 30 frequently used menu items to be custom registered. Menus are color coded for easier recognition and navigation, and a new Movie Settings menu has been introduced to improve the overall video shooting experience.'The RX10M4 is dust and moisture resistantShipping in October 2017 - Price $1699.99 PREORDER FROM B&H PHOTO   

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Shape

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This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_shape   Shape was the challenge and you guys had some great out of the box shots. There’s a lot of meaning and imagry behind a photo but sometimes it’s best to just focus on shape. It’s one of the most basic tools in your handbag to focus on the shapes of an object making for a great abstract photo, still life, or even a nature shot. Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_sidelightFind out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtvYou can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:

Love the repetition here and high contrast the emphasizes the texture of the shapes

Simply done, really like the shadow/reflection for reinforcing the shapes

#shapes #PRTV #naperville #prtv_shape #gears #canont5i

A post shared by Gary Bahnick (@gw.bahnick) on

Off center view is an excellent alternative to the common straight on and centered shot. Really nicely exposed

Roy’s Features:

This is a neat building and I like the color blocks separating the dorm rooms

Dorm at the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands. #prtv #prtv_shape

A post shared by Fabio vR (@simpilot787) on

Tons of shapes in life, like I said in the opening notes for this week, going to black and white puts that focus on the shapes more

Polaroid Pop: Instant Prints with a Digital Twist

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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.

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Community

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This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_communityOur top picks from #PRTV_community! Not very many entries this week but thanks to those that entered. With community being the focus this week you could do street shooting, events, candids, gatherings, and even city architecture. You guys had some nice street shots and family photos that worked out great!Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_shapeFind out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtvYou can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:

Simple portrait of two older men watching the world go by

I was visiting the old town of Salt, Jordan, when these two old men saw me with my camera and asked me to to take their picture. 😄

A post shared by Nadya Sabawi Photography (@nadyasabawiphotography) on

Roy’s Features:

Mini photographers count, and it’s a nice shot, even if I want his lens.

My 8 year old photographer son taking some pics. He is using my T2i with the 100-400 lens. #prtv_community

A post shared by Terry Howard (@terry_howard169) on

This week was not limited to people and I like the bright colors of this apartment against that white paint.

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

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[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

New Stuff - LG v30, RX0, EM10 Mark III

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LG has made official the LG v30Headline features LG v30-

  • 16-MP camera has an aperture of f/1.6
  • 13-MP 120 degree view camera
  • Cine Effects for recording video
  • Lossless audio recording
  • 6-inch, 18:9 Quad HD OLED screen
  • IP68 water and dust resistant and supports wireless charging
  • 600 MHz - Supporting T-mobiles new -faster/broader bandwidth

Available Soon on B&H Photo - View Here

Sony has announced the tiny RX0

It might look like a GoPro competitor but it is that and MUCH more -

Headline features RX0-

  • Outputs 4:2:2 UHD 4K Video via HDMI (records 1080p60 internally)
  • Ultra-Compact, waterproof (10-meter depth) and shockproof body
  • 20MP 1" Stacked CMOS Sensor (double the size of a GoPro sensor)
  • Zeiss 24mm-Equivalent Lens, f/4 Aperture
  • Manual focus, auto focus and pre focus setting
  • 40x Super Slow motion recording, Picture Profile (S-Log2)
  • Continuous recording until card is full (NOT limited at 29:59)
  • XAVC-S, AVCHD and .MP4 Recording
  • Timecode-Sync Multiple Cameras
  • Control via App or VP1K Remote
  • Preorders start September 5th - $699 from B&H Photo

Sure it looks like a GoPro and comes in a rugged, waterproof housing - additional housing available for deeper than 10-meters, but the 4K out via HDMI, the Timecode-Sync and control of multiple units through the app or Remote means this is really focused on VR and multi camera setups in a variety of conditions. Maybe under a drone or mounted to multiple points on a rally car, or on your scuba mask… the options are endless and with that larger sensor and a higher quality lens - we should see some beautiful footage out of this camera.

Olympus OM-D E-M10 MK III

Headline Features Olympus OM-D E-M10 MK III

  • 16.1MP Four Thirds Live MOS Sensor (same sensor as MK II)
  • Dual Quad-Core TruePic VIII Processor
  • UHD 4K30 Recording
  • 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • In-Body 5-Axis Image Stabilization
  • 121-Point Contrast-Detect AF System
  • Up to 8.6 fps Shooting and ISO 25600

Just a minor and mild refresh of the existing E-M10 MK II. The new version upgrades the processor and now supports 4k video, updates to the AF system and a bump to 121 AF points vs 80 in the Mark II.   Slight change to the mode dial as well. The M10 offers a very compact interchangeable lens system at an affordable cost. Nearest competitor - the Panasonic G85 (see my full review of the G85).Shipping later this year. Preorder on B&H Photo now $699 Body Only | $799 w. 14-42 kit Silver and Black bodies available.Which new announcement are you most excited about.

Nikon D850 Announced

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Nikon D850 DSLR Nikon D850 DSLR Nikon D850 DSLR Nikon D850 DSLR

Nikon has announced the D850 with release date and price!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h539j9JJbt0Early leaks were accurate and Nikon’s latest DSLR looks like an excellent offering combining serious resolution and decent speed - making the D850 suited for everything from portraiture to sports. The Nikon D850 offers a 45.7 MP BSI CMOS sensor. Sony has been using these Backside Illuminated (BSI) sensors and it allows for much better low light performance. Capable of 7fps, 9fps when you attach the MD-18 a/b battery grip. The focusing system is identical to the flagship Nikon D5, 153 AF points with 99 cross-type sensors. With video, the D850 offers full frame (no crop) 4K at 24, 25 and 30fps. Borrowing from mirrorless we have focus peaking but only at 1080p and highlight warnings in video.The body looks like a grown up D500 - offering a 3.2” tilting TOUCH screen. Dual card slots- an XQD and a standard SD slot. Updated Snapbrige for control and sharing of images. Nikon also offers a more robust Wifi adapter for faster transfer - useful for serious sports photographers sharing images immediately from events. The D850 also offers illuminated buttons, like the D500. As someone that has just returned from teaching an astrophotography workshop in Joshua Tree - I love the softly lit buttons, it just makes the camera that much easier to operate in low light conditions.Pre-Order Nikon D850

Nikon D850 DSLR

Pre-Order Nikon MB-D18 Battery Grip

Nikon MB-D18 Battery Grip

Specs

Nikon D850 Nikon D810
Nikon D850 DSLR Nikon D810
Lens Mount Nikon F bayonet mount Nikon F bayonet mount
Max Resolution 45.4 MP: 8256 x 5504 36.3 million: 7360 x 4912
Image Sensor Format FX (Full-Frame) CMOS, 35.9 x 24.0 mm FX (Full-Frame) CMOS, 35.9 x 23.9 mm
Bit Depth 14-Bit 14-Bit
Lens Compatibility at a Glance AF-S or AF lenses fully compatible Metering with AI lenses AF-S or AF lenses fully compatible Metering with AI lenses
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution 7 frames per second, 9 with battery grip. 5 frames per second
Shutter Type: Electronic & MechanicalSpeed: 30 - 1/8000 Seconds , Bulb Mode 30 - 1/8000 Second , Bulb Mode
Autofocus Points Phase Detection: 153 (99 Cross-Type) 51 (15 Cross-Type)
Dynamic AF Mode Number of AF points: 9, 25, 72, or 153 point dynamic-area AF, 3D-tracking, group-area AF Number of AF points: 9, 21, 51 and 51 (3D-tracking)
ISO Sensitivity ISO 64 -  25,600Can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 32 equivalent) below ISO 64 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 102,400 equivalent) above ISO 25,600; auto ISO sensitivity control available ISO 64 -  12,800Lo-1 (ISO 32)Hi-1 (ISO 25,600)Hi-2 (ISO 51,200)
File Format Still Images JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx 1:4), normal (approx 1:8), or basic (approx 1:16) compression (Size priority); Optimal quality compression availableNEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single Photograph Recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG FormatsNEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; large, medium, and small available (medium and small images are recorded at a bit depth of 12 bits using lossless compression)TIFF (RGB) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant; can be selected from Size Priority and Optimal QualityJPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant with Fine (approx 1:4), Normal (approx 1:8) or Basic (approx 1:16) CompressionNEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; small size available (12-bit uncompressed only)NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single Photograph Recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG FormatsTIFF (RGB)
Video 4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 30 fps4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 25 fps4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 24 fpsFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 60 fpsFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 50 fpsFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fpsFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 25 fpsFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 24 fpsHD 1,280x720 / 60 fpsHD 1,280x720 / 50 fpsSlow-motion: Full HD 1,920x1,080 30p (x4)Slow-motion: Full HD 1,920x1,080 25p (x4)Slow-motion: Full HD 1,920x1,080 24p (x5)Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectivelyQuality selection available at all sizes except 3,840 x 2,160 (when quality is fixed at high) and 1,920 x 1,080 slow-motion (when quality is fixed at normal) Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 60 fpsFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 50 fpsFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fpsFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 25 fpsFull HD 1,920x1,080 / 24 fpsHD 1,280x720 / 60 fpsHD 1,280x720 / 50 fps
Playback Functions Auto Image RotationFull-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images)HighlightsHistogram DisplayLocation DisplayMovie PlaybackMovie SlideshowPhoto InformationPhoto SlideshowPicture RatingPlayback with ZoomPlayback Zoom Cropping Auto Image RotationFull-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images)HighlightsHistogram DisplayImage CommentMovie PlaybackMovie SlideshowPlayback with ZoomSlideshow
Live View Shooting Photography Live View ModeMovie Live View Mode Photography Live View ModeMovie Live View Mode
Built-in Flash -- Yes
Flash Bracketing 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV
Max Sync Speed 1 / 250 Second 1 / 250 Second
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) CLS Supported CLS Supported
Exposure Bracketing 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
White Balance Bracketing 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3 EV 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3 EV
Monitor 3.2 in. diagonal TFT LCD. 2,359,000 Resolution. 3.2 in. diagonal TFT LCD. 1,229,000 Resolution.
Touchscreen Yes --
Tilting Screen Yes --
Storage Media 1 XQD card and 1 Secure Digital (SD) cardSDSDHC (UHS-II compliant)SDXC (UHS-II compliant)XQD Type Memory CompactFlash© (CF) (Type I, compliant with UDMA)SDSDHCSDXC
Card Slot 1  XQD card and 1 Secure Digital (SD) card 1 CompactFlash© (CF) card and 1 Secure Digital (SD) card
Viewfinder Type Pentaprism Pentaprism
Viewfinder Frame Coverage FX (36x24):100% horizontal and 100% vertical(Approx.)1.2x (30x20):97% horizontal and 97% vertical(Approx.)DX (24x16):97% horizontal and 97% vertical(Approx.)5:4 (30x24):97% horizontal and 100% vertical(Approx.)1:1 (24x24):97% horizontal and 100% vertical(Approx.) FX (36x24):100% horizontal and 100% vertical(Approx.)1.2x (30x20):97% horizontal and 97% vertical(Approx.)DX (24x16):97% horizontal and 97% vertical(Approx.)5:4 (30x24):97% horizontal and 100% vertical(Approx.)
Viewfinder Magnification 0.75x (50 mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, –1.0 m–1)(Approx.) 0.70x(Approx.)
Dust Reduction System Yes Yes
Wi-Fi Capable Yes Yes (with Optional Transmitter)
Operating/Storage Temperature Operating32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)Humidity: 0 - 85% Operating32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)Humidity: 0 - 85%
Battery EN-EL15a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery.Battery Life: 1,840 shots (CIPA) / Approx. 70 minutes of HD footage EN-EL15 Lithium-ion BatteryBattery Life: 1,200shots (CIPA)
Approx. Dimensions(Width x Height x Depth) 5.8 in. ( 146 mm) x 4.9 in.( 124 mm) x 3.1 in. ( 78.5mm) 5.8 in. ( 146 mm) x 4.9 in.( 123 mm) x 3.3 in. ( 81.5mm)
Approx. Weight Body only: 32.3 oz. ( 915 g) Body only: 31.1 oz. ( 880 g)

Videohttps://youtu.be/bxWFUEmTH68Press release

August 24, 2017

Full-Frame, Extreme Speed & Epic Resolution: The New Nikon D850 DSLR Defines Professional VersatilityNew Nikon DSLR Offers Incredible Combination of Performance, Image Quality and Thoughtful Features

MELVILLE, NY – Today, Nikon announced the new Nikon D850, a powerful full-frame DSLR camera that provides professional photographers and multimedia creators with an impressive combination of resolution and high-speed performance. The 45.7-megapixel D850 is Nikon’s first DSLR with an FX-format, back-side Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor for image quality that is nothing short of majestic, allowing professionals to create stunning, high resolution still images and full-frame 4K UHD video. Despite its monumental resolution, the D850 is capable of an astoundingly fast capture rate of up to 7 frames-per-second (fps) or 9-fps with the optional battery grip and EN-EL18a/b battery, while offering a range of new user-friendly features requested by Nikon shooters around the world.

The Nikon D850 is a serious tool that expertly enables every kind of photographer. Whether capturing for client work or personal projects, the camera delivers intense clarity and accurate skin tones for portraits, with the added benefit of low-light ability for weddings and events. It is versatile enough to be used for landscapes and fine art where broad dynamic range is critical, for sports that require a high frame rate and decisive AF, or for video creators who want 4K UHD flexibility. Whether in the studio or on-location, from the catwalk or the scenic overlook, to a wedding ceremony or night sky, the Nikon D850 is the tool that can capture it all, with astounding resolution and speed.

“The Nikon D850 is much more than a camera, rather it’s a statement that Nikon is continuing to listen to customer needs, to innovate for the next 100 years, and bring to market a full-frame DSLR that exceeds the expectations of the professionals that rely on this caliber of camera to make a living,” said Kosuke Kawaura, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc.

“I have had the pleasure of putting this camera through its paces, and there is nothing like it. The Nikon D850 introduces a whole new generation of photographers to medium format quality; the resolution is out of this world, and the tonality and range are at a level I never thought possible from a DSLR,” said Nikon Ambassador and award-winning wedding photographer Jerry Ghionis.

The Ultimate Combination of Resolution and SpeedThe Nikon D850 is the new benchmark in DSLR image quality, with an unprecedented combination of resolution, dynamic range, ISO and processing power. The 45.7-megapixel CMOS sensor approaches medium format-level resolution and forgoes an optical low pass filter (OLPF) to harness the maximum sharpness of NIKKOR lenses, with fantastic fidelity, tonality and clarity. This is also Nikon’s first DSLR to incorporate a BSI CMOS sensor, which captures light more efficiently, resulting in a wider dynamic range and low-noise image capture. Beyond the immense resolution, the Nikon D850 offers photographers superior performance:High-Speed Capture: The D850 is capable of shooting up to 7 fps at full resolution, with full AF/AE or 9 fps at full resolution with the addition of an optional battery grip (MB-D18) and EN-EL18a/b battery (Buffer approximately 51 frames of 14-bit lossless RAW capture / 170 frames of 12-bit lossless).Wide ISO Range: The D850 offers a wide ISO range from 64-25,600 (Expandable down to ISO 32, up to 102,400).Flagship Focus System: The D850 uses the Nikon D5’s 153-point, Multi-Cam 20K AF system, which features 99 cross type sensors, 15 of which are sensitive to f/8.EXPEED 5: Behind every great sensor is a great image-processing engine. EXPEED 5 is Nikon’s most powerful engine yet, allowing for fast data readout and swift image processing, improved low light performance, high speed shooting, full-frame 4K UHD video capture and greater power efficiency for longer battery life.

Innovation Built for the Needs of Professional CreatorsIn addition to its phenomenal performance, the Nikon D850 hosts a range of innovative and thoughtful new features that enhance workflow, and will leave every photographer or content creator wondering how they ever lived without them:Tilting LCD Touchscreen: The 3.2-in., high resolution (2359k-dot) LCD monitor offers Nikon’s most extensive touch functionality ever.Silent Shooter: The D850 offers the ability to operate with an electronic shutter in Live View. When in this mode, users can shoot in complete silence, which is ideal for weddings, ceremonies and events where the shutter sound is discouraged. The electronic shutter operates at up to 6 fps (AF/AE locked) at full resolution, while an additional mode enables 8.6-megapixel capture in DX image area mode at up to 30 fps.Radio Flash Control: Like the D5 and D500, the D850 also supports Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting with the optional SB-5000 Speedlight and WR-A10 and WR-R10 accessories.RAW Processing Power: Users can choose from 3 sizes of RAW files to enhance workflow, including Large (45.4-MP), Medium (25.6-MP) and Small (11.4-MP). Additionally, the D850 lets users batch process RAW files in camera, saving time in post-production.Phenomenal Battery Performance: Shoot all day and well into the night with up to 1,840 shots at full resolution or approximately 70 minutes of video on a single charge. Users who opt for the additional control and handling benefits of the optional battery grip can expect up to 5140 shots (CIPA standard).Focus Stacking: Ideal for macro, product and landscape photographers, the Focus Shift Photography feature of the D850 is high resolution meets high magnification. This feature lets the user automatically shoot up to 300 shots at adjustable focus step intervals to infinity which can be easily assembled into a focus-stacked image using third party software.Negative/Positive Scanning: With the optional ES-2 Film Digitizing Adapter and compatible Micro-NIKKOR lens, the camera enables super high-resolution digitizing of 35mm slides or negatives and converts them in-camera to positivesDurable Construction: Ready for any field assignment or production environment, the rugged and weather-sealed magnesium alloy body lets users work with confidence in a wide range of tough environments.Square shooter: Photographers can choose from five formats, including FX-format, 1.2x, DX, 5:4, or 1:1 square with viewfinder shading for easy composition.Built-in Wi-Fi1 & Bluetooth2 Connectivity: Users can seamlessly send images to their compatible smart devices through an always-on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection or through Wi-Fi. Nikon SnapBridge3 also gives the ability for remote capture and preview.Nikon’s Widest and Brightest Optical viewfinder: The 0.75x viewfinder magnification is the highest ever for a Nikon DSLR, and offers a wide and bright view of the frame to easily track and compose subjects.Dual Card Slots: The D850 features dual memory card slots -- XQD for high-speed capture and transfer, as well as readily available SD media.Illuminated Buttons: Buttons that light up at the turn of a dial increase visibility and allow easy shooting at night or in low-light scenarios.

Multimedia Production ReadyMultimedia content creators and filmmakers alike will appreciate a wide range of considerate, industry-leading new features that can help to elevate any production:Full-frame 4K UHD at 24/30 fps: The D850’s FX BSI CMOS sensor allows 4K UHD output at a full-frame width at 16:9, to increase lensing options and provide a true field of view.Slow Motion: Creators can also capture Full HD 1080p at up to 120 fps (4x or 5x) for dramatic slow-motion video capture.Focus Peaking: When shooting Full HD or in Live View for stills, focus peaking can be enabled which highlights in-focus subjects in the frame to ensure sharpness.8K / 4K Time-lapse: Users can create 4K UHD time-lapse videos easily in-camera, or can use the built in intervalometer to capture images for an ultra-high resolution 8K time lapse that can be assembled in post for those who want the ultimate in video quality.Zebra stripes: The D850’s highlight display mode uses zebra patterns to quickly spot overblown highlights. What’s more, the zebra patterns come in two varieties, selectable according to the patterns and textures of the subjects.HDMI output: Using HDMI, users can record uncompressed, broadcast quality 4:2:2 8-bit 4K UHD footage, directly to an external digital recorder while simultaneously recording to a card.Audio Control: The D850 features an onboard stereo microphone, as well as inputs for headphones and microphone. The camera also features a new audio attenuator to regulate sound levels.

THE FX-Format advantageThe amazing performance and image quality of the Nikon D850 is best coupled with the wide variety of NIKKOR lenses, heralded for their unmatched image quality, color reproduction and optical characteristics. For maximum fidelity, Nikon’s Gold Ring Series of lenses provide the highest caliber of optical performance needed for such immense resolution applications.

Price and AvailabilityThe Nikon D850 will have a suggested retail price (SRP) of $3,299.95*, and will be available in September 2017. The MB-D18 Multi Power Battery Pack will have an SRP of $399.95*, while the ES-2 film digitalizing adapter will have an SRP of $149.95*. For more information on the latest Nikon products, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Exclusive Livestream EventWant to learn more about the new Nikon D850? Nikon will conduct a livestream discussion for the new camera, which will take place on August 29 at 6:00 p.m. EDT. Please visit nikonusa.com/live to tune in.

Featured Photos Weekly Challenge - Night

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This Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_nightShooting the night (or eclipse) this week made things a bit more interesting on the technical side. For the eclipse, you had to use filters, at night longer and faster exposures were key. That said we’ve got some really nice shots this week and thanks again for taking the challenge. Next Week’s Challenge: #PRTV_communityFind out more about upcoming challenges and past winners at photorec.tv/prtvYou can follow Photorec.TV on Instagram at @Photorec.tv and the team:

Team FeatureTeam FeatureTeam Feature
Toby’s Features:
Roy’s Features:

Like with Toby’s flashlight shot something people tend not to think about is lighting, or using lit, foreground subjects. I like this milky way shot and the yellow from the statue works well against all that blue.