Issue 12 is all about the compact! Our reviews are, anyway. We put four more compacts to the test to see how they measure up in part 2 of our compact system cameras big test. There are some fantastic images on display across our two interviews and our Camera class teaches you about focusing modes.
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Pro-spec compact system camera promises record-breaking speed and image quality
THIS PAGE Externally, the NX1 has a DSLR look about it. The top-plate LCD is a first for a compact system camera, while the large handgrip and knurled dials should ensure confident handling. Like the 16-50mm S lens shown, the body is both dust- and splash-resistant for all-weather shooting.
daily professional use. Alongside the camera, Samsung also introduced a new premium lens – the 50-150mm F2.8 S ED OIS – a vertical grip to further improve handling and a powerful flashgun, all of which serve to underline the NX1’s professional credentials. Regardless of which part of the camera’s specification you look at, the new model is sure to impress. Perhaps most impressive of all, however, is its speedy performance. From an advanced autofocusing system that zips into focus in just 55 milliseconds to 15 frames-per-second maximum image capture rate, the NX1 delivers a performance that’s likely to leave the opposition breathless. Central to this speed is a new
Samsung used the recent Photokina show in Cologne to pull the covers off a stunning new compact system camera that will leapfrog other models and sit proudly atop the company’s interchangeable lens range. The aptly-named NX1 is Samsung’s most technologically advanced model to date and offers specifications that makes it the world’s fastest and most accurate interchangeable lens camera. The NX1 joins the NX3000, NX300, NX30, Galaxy NX and NX Mini in Samsung’s interchangeable lens camera range and ensures there’s now a model to suit every type of photographer, whether they’re moving up from a compact camera or subjecting their kit to the rigours of
image processing engine – DRIMeV – that is 2.8x faster than its predecessor thanks to four powerful cores and a unique architecture that processes data so much quicker. Turn the page to find out more about the NX1’s impressive range of features, plus get the latest information on the 50-150mm lens and new accessories. TheNX1 delivers a performance that’s likely to leave the opposition breathless
Look inside this coverwrap for the latest issue of PhotographyNews
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SamsungNX1: indetail As the world’s most advanced interchangeable lens camera, the NX1 has a number of groundbreaking features. We round up the best of them and explain what they mean to your picture taking
n Groundbreaking AF system The camera’s NX AF System III covers an impressive 90% of the sensor area making it far superior to those in digital SLRs, which typically have fewer focusing points concentrated in a more central area on the sensor. Effective in light levels as low as -4EV, it uses 205 phase-detection points and 209 contrast-detection points, 153 of which are cross- type, giving the camera the ability to track moving subjects, regardless of where they are within the frame. The AF system is fast, faster than any other current compact system camera, in fact. It takes just 0.055sec (55 milliseconds) to lock on to a subject. Unlike digital SLRs with video capabilities, the NX1’s phase-detection AF also works on movie capture, which makes a big difference, cutting down on unnecessary refocusing and ensuring that focus is maintained on the subject. n 15 frames-per-secondat full resolution Up to 70 full resolution images can be captured by the NX1 at a rate of up to 15 frames-per-second, so there’s no danger of even the fastest moving action getting away from you. This impressive rate is made possible by Samsung’s most powerful image processing engine ever – DRIMeV – which is 2.8x faster than its predecessor. Not only does this mean that data is processed through at impressive rates, DRIMeV also boosts the performance of the electronic
viewfinder. Lag time has been substantially reduced so that it looks and behaves far more like a conventional optical viewfinder. n 28-megapixel APS-C sized sensor The NX1 features a newly-developed 28-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor with a Back-Side Illuminated (BSI) design. This helps to reduce digital noise by placing wiring behind the light-capturing photodiodes rather than in front of them. As a result, more light gets straight to the sensor, which means improved image quality. Often by squeezing more pixels on to a sensor, its light gathering ability is reduced as the pixels are smaller. The NX1’s 28 megapixels, however, still offer the same lighting gathering performance as a 20-megapixel sensor. This is a result of new semiconductor technology, which also improves image sharpness. n Great low-light performance The NX1’s ISO range runs from 100 to 25,600 and can be expanded to 51,200. At the higher ISOs, the camera uses Adaptive Noise Reduction (ANR) to cut down on the side effects of pushing the sensitivity higher. The ANR system works by analysing the image, then selectively applies noise reduction for a more natural-looking result. Raw files are also recorded in 14-bit depth meaning the NX1 can distinguish 16,384 levels of brightness – 4x more than 12-bit Raw images.
THIS PAGE The sensor on the NX1 features 28 megapixels for impressive definition. It also utilises a Back-Side Illuminated (BSI) design, which places essential wiring behind the photodiodes rather than in front of them to deliver a superior performance, particularly in low-light conditions.
The sensor designhelps to reduce digital noise by placingwiring behind the photodiodes rather than in front of them. As a result, more light gets straight to the sensor, whichmeans improved image quality
Photography News | Issue 12
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23September – 20October 2014
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Rumours confirmed, launches announced Great cameras from Canon, Fuji,Nikon andSamsung. Read all about theminside
Last week, the photo industry descended on the German city of Cologne for the biennial Photokina show. As usual the six-day event delivered a deluge of announcements and launches, as well as confirming some of the rumours that have been circulating on the Internet. With the show filling seven halls at Cologne’s huge international exhibition venue, there was plenty for photo fanatics to see, admire and get their hands-on. Among the more than 1100 exhibitors were camera kit manufacturers, lab service providers, lighting gear makers and home printing exponents, from well-known names such as Canon, Epson and Nikon to less familiar brands, such as action camera maker Braun and photo book producer CEWE. There’s a plethora of kit to interest the enthusiastic photographer, but the real headline grabbing news stories are the release of a top-end CSC from Samsung, the new D750 from Nikon and Canon’s EOS 7D Mark II launch. Turn over for more details on the top stories. Launches, announcements and first looks from the photo industry’s biennial show
Plus Hoya filters, Manfrotto bag & Permajet media Top-endOlympus andPanasonic CSCs go head to head We’ve got thewhole world in our prints – 11 years of TPOTY TPOTY founders look forward to another decade
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Photography News | Issue 12
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Latest photography news 2014 special Best-in-class technology for SamsungNX1
NEWS INBRIEF
NEWCOMPACT
ON THE BLOCK FROMNIKON Nikon’s latest compact is the COOLPIX S6900. Its most unique feature is its vari-angle LCD screen and in-built stand for more flexible hands- free shooting. The COOLPIX S6900 also has a 16-megapixel sensor and built-in Wi-Fi for swift image transferring. www.nikon.co.uk FRESH ’BLAD Hasselblad’s latest H5X medium-format body is compatible with digital backs from the H system and accepts third-party backs, too. Key new features include True Focus, eight memory settings for quick access, and programmable button options with an H5D sensor unit. The H5X with rechargeable grip retails at £5154 without viewfinder and £6474 with viewfinder. www.hasselblad.com
Samsung takes onDSLRs for quality and speed with its newCSC, the NX1
Samsung has released what it claims to be “a completely new type of elite CSC”. Aimed at pro photographers, the NX1 pits itself firmly against DSLRs for image quality, thanks to its 28-megapixel APS-C sensor and DRIMe V image processor. It features a super-fast Auto Focus System III with 205 Phase Detection AF points and is capable of continuous shooting at speeds up to 15fps. The NX1’s wide-area phase detection can track subjects throughout almost the entire frame and to add to its action credentials, it includes the new Samsung Auto Shot (SAS) feature which predicts when to capture the shot. The NX1 is said to really shine in low-light conditions, too. Its sensor incorporates Back Side Illumination (BSI), exposing it to even more light, and its high ISO range of 100- 25,600 minimises noise, enabling sharp image capture in dark settings. Its video capabilities aren’t too shabby either, supporting both 4K and Ultra HD video recording. In addition, Samsung has introduced a new NX lens: the 50-150mm S ED OIS lens. This pro telephoto has an ultra-fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 and has been designed for use with the NX1. Prices for both are yet to be released.
π To find out more, go to www.samsung.com.
Fujifilm frenzy
as a highly advanced hybrid viewfinder. Fujifilm has also made operation even easier with a new 1/3 stop aperture ring, command dial, four-way controller and seven function buttons. In other Fuji news, the popular X-T1 is now available as a Graphite Silver Edition. Boasting a new finish and an improved top electronic shutter speed of an amazing 1/32,000sec, it will be in shops in November priced at £1200. All three products include the new Classic Chrome Film Simulation Mode, with elegant, distinctive muted tones. Finally, there are two new lenses, the 50-140mm f/2.8 at £1250 and the 56mm f/1.2 R APD for £1100. The latter features an ‘apodising filter’ for pin-sharp, highly detailed images with beautiful bokeh.
Fujifilm has launched its new compact digital camera, the X30. Building on the success of its predecessor, the X20, it features new functions and improved performance. Its biggest boast is the newly developed Real Time Viewfinder which Fujifilm claims is the largest, fastest and highest resolution viewfinder in its class. There’s also a large X-Trans CMOS II sensor and an EXR Processor II, whilst its impressive battery power will keep you going for approximately 470 shots per charge (that’s approximately 1.8 times more than previous models). The X30 will set you back £479.99. Another premium compact, the X100T, joins the line-up too. Priced at £999, it uses an APS-C size X-Trans CMOS II sensor and has a 23mm f/2 lens as well
π To find out more, go to www.fujifilm.eu.
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Latest photography news 2014 special
Nikon’s new full-frame DSLR: the D750
NEWS INBRIEF
85MMNOWPART
OF OTUS RANGE Zeiss has added
another lens to its fold: the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4. Naturally this short telephoto lens’s forte lies in shooting portraits, but ZEISS is also marketing its new model as a fast all- rounder. Natural bokeh backgrounds are said to be easy to achieve with the 85mm and it’s claimed to be almost entirely consistent in terms of imaging quality throughout the aperture range. Prices for the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 are only estimated at the moment, but it looks like you’ll need around £2,800 to be able to call one your own. JOBY’S NOT STRAPPED FOR IDEAS The innovative company behind the much-loved GorillaPod, Joby, has launched a string of new products. The Pro String Strap (£57) keeps your DSLR close and easily accessible whilst the UltraFit Hand Strap with UltraPlate (£41) facilitates easy transfer from handheld to tripod. The GorillaPod Focus and Ballhead X (£140) is the strongest and largest ’Pod on offer whilst a Flash Clamp and Locking Arm (£35) transform everyday objects into lighting assistants. www.joby.com
– it’s sensitive down to an impressive -3EV. Broadening the range of possibilities, Nikon has incorporated a new Group Area AF mode, as seen in the D810, which is evenmore efficient at focusing on subjects against busy backgrounds. The weather- sealed body protects from the elements and it weighs in at just 750g (body only). It’s the first of Nikon’s FX-format cameras to include a tilting LCD screen and it also has built-in Wi-Fi. In addition, a new ultra-wide AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED FX-format prime lens has been released priced at £679.99. The D750 is available now and prices start at £1799.99 body only.
After much hype, Nikon finally made the announcement we’d been waiting for. The D750 is here. The new FX-format DSLR sits in between the D610 and D810 whilst borrowing features from the revered D4s. Like the D610, it includes a 24.3-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor although it has been redesigned to deliver what Nikon promises will be “even cleaner results than ever before at high ISOs”. The ISO range of 100-12,800 itself is impressive and an EXPEED 4 image processor boosts the overall performance. Fast-moving subjects will have a hard time escaping the D750 thanks to its high-end, newly developed Multi-CAM 3500II FX 51-point AF system
π To find out more, go to www.nikon.co.uk.
Panasonic keeps it compact
processor that’s said to offer advanced noise reduction. The LX100 is Panasonic’s new flagship premium compact; like the GM5, it has a Four Thirds sensor, so its image quality should be comparable to that of a CSC. With a full suite of manual controls, its zoom lens covers an equivalent of 24-75mm and offers a maximum aperture of f/1.7-2.8, and it’s also capable of 4K video recording.
A compact, the LUMIX DMC-LX100, and an interchangeable lens camera, the LUMIX DMC-GM5, are the newest releases from Panasonic announced at this year’s Photokina. An upgrade to the GM1, one of the major additions to the GM5 is a 1,166-dot equivalent live viewfinder with 100% field-of- view. There’s also a 16-megapixel Four Thirds sensor on board for improved resolution and a new Venus Engine
π To find out more, go to www.panasonic.co.uk.
Sigma’s storm of accessories
an all-in-one optic and features improved rendering at the telephoto end as well as a newly-developed Optical Stabilizer system. Two teleconverters (TC- 1401, £259.99 & TC-2001, £329.99) have also been announced. The TC-1401’s magnification is 1.4x and the TC-2001 offers 2x. Sigma also revealed a new compact camera, the dp1 Quattro. It features a newly developed Foveon X3 direct image sensor and has a 19mm f/2.8 lens for wide-angle shots. Rounding off Sigma’s releases is a line of filters optimised specifically for Sigma lenses: the WR Protector, Protector, WR UV Filter and the WR Circular PL Filter (from £18.99 each).
Sigma has released a glut of new products this month, including a number of lenses and filters. The 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens has been launched for both the Sports and Contemporary ranges. The Sports version retails at £1599.99 and has been designed to achieve the best optical results as well as offering greater durability for demanding sports environments. The Contemporary equivalent (price and availability TBC) is lighter in weight and more compact for the enthusiast market. Both will be available in Sigma, Nikon and Canon mounts. Another Contemporary lens, the 18-300mm f/3.5- 6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM lens (£499.99) is billed as
π To find out more, go to www.sigma-imaging-uk.com.
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Latest photography news 2014 special Canon’s EOS 7DMark II breaks cover
“Handed a camera capable of 10fps, there was only one thing to do – I rattled away as many shots as I could, capturing the trampolinist subject provided by Canon. Shoot JPEGs and the 7D Mark II will keep going until the card fills. With Raws and you’ll get 31 full-res frames before the buffer starts wheezing. Either way, it’s an impressive rate and the dampened shutter action is lovely. The camera feels solid in the hand, and focusing is quick, accurate and assured, partly thanks to the new quick-access focusing function that enables you to quickly change AF points. Although the model used was a pre-production sample, initial impressions are good.” Roger Payne First impressions of the 7DMark II
In possibly Canon’s least surprising but most warmly received news of recent times, the EOS 7D Mark II DSLR made its bow at Photokina 2014. The 7D Mark II is the first EOS body to feature Dual DIGIC 6 image processors and continuous shooting has improved to 10 frames-per-second (from 8fps). Serious stuff, but it doesn’t end there with Canon’s first all- cross-type 65-Point AF system (previously 19 point) also on board (although the number of points available depends on the lens used). This is coupled with the company’s new Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, first seen on the EOS 70D, in which effective pixels are used for both imaging and phase- detection focus at the same time – a process which is said to improve AF performance in video and Live View modes. The 7D Mark II also features an enhanced version of the EOS-1D X’s iTR (Intelligent Tracking and Recognition) AF mode, which picks out subjects based on colour and shape, and tracks them across its full 65 AF points. Resolution has increased only slightly from 18 to 20.2 megapixels, while the ... and it looks like it’s beenworth thewait for the 7D’s successor For photographers wanting plenty of reach along with top-quality results, Canon has unleashed the compact and lightweight EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM super telephoto lens. The lens weighs in at just over 2kg, which sounds a lot, but that’s roughly half the heft of the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM version. The new design includes gapless dual-layered diffractive optical elements (the ‘DO’ bit) positioned deeper in the lens’s build and this Lighter Canon telephoto 400mm takes the weight off π To find out more, go to www.canon.co.uk.
ISO range has been expanded to 16,000 (from 6400) at the top end (an additional H:51,600 setting is also available). In terms of build quality, the 7D Mark II should prove rugged with a magnesium-alloy body, dust- and weather-resistant seals and a shutter that’s rated to 200,000 cycles. The 7D Mark II should be available in November and early listings put the camera at £1600 body only, or around £1950 with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.
One-inch punch Sitting at the pinnacle of its G series of enthusiast compacts, the Canon G7 X’s headline feature is its bumper one-inch CMOS sensor. A first for Canon, the sensor is physically much larger than
normally found in compacts and has a 20.2-megapixel resolution. ISO range spans 125-12,800 and Canon’s DIGIC 6 Image Processor comes along for the ride; together these represent Canon’s HS (high-sensitivity) system, which
is claimed to deliver excellent low-light performance. The G7 X includes a 4.2x optical zoom lens (equivalent 24-100mm), with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 at the wide end and also has a flip-over screen for selfie shooting.
is said to improve optical performance while reducing flare. The EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM should hit shelves in November, but you’ll need deep pockets – it has an estimated price of just under £7000.
π To find out more, go to www.canon.co.uk.
π To find out more, go to www.canon.co.uk.
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Latest photography news 2014 special
There’s a new A3+ desktop printer on the market courtesy of industry giants Epson. The SureColor SC-P600 has been designed with amateur and semi-pro photographers in mind, and benefits from Epson’s new UltraChrome HD and Vivid Magenta ink. With a nine-colour ink set it’s claimed to reproduce a wide colour gamut featuring what Epson says is the industry’s highest black density for rich, deep blacks and smooth tonal gradations. Wireless connectivity means printing direct from smartphones and devices is possible and timings are fast with a stated 153secs for a 11x14in print. It has twin paper paths so can handle a variety of photo and fine art paper, canvas and thick media. Photokina attendees were able to catch a first glimpse of Epson’s newest model in action as pro photographer Gary Wornell printed his portraits on Japanese Kozo Thin translucent paper. Top-of-the- range printer announced
Revamp for Lowepro bags
NEWS INBRIEF OFF-CAMERA UPDATE FOR NIKON Following Profoto’s B1 off-camera flash, comes the Air Remote TTL-N. Initially only available for Canon users, Nikon shooters can now get TTL metering with the B1 flash by attaching the Air Remote to their camera’s hotshoe. It’s retailing at £220. www.profoto.com/uk 50MP MEDIUM FORMAT SYSTEM Mamiya Leaf has announced the Credo 50 back which features a Sony 50-megapixel sensor with an ISO range of 100-6400 and 1.2fps shooting. Long exposures up to an hour are possible and it has a new live view touchscreen. www.mamiyaleaf.com SONY EXPANDS SHOOTING OPTIONS Sony has added four new accessories: the HVL-F32M Flash (£250, available November); the XLR-K2M Adaptor Kit (£514, available now); the LCS-PSC7 Soft Carrying Case (£137, available now); and the RMT-VP1K Remote Commander and IR Receiver (£57, available December). www.sony.co.uk
harness as standard as well as a quick- release buckle for faster access. In other releases, Lowepro has teamed up with Underwater Kinetics to offer extreme protection through a new Hardside Series of camera cases. Keeping kit safe from dust and sand, Hardside claims to be watertight for at least 30 minutes in up to 1m of water. The new cases feature a tough outer shell, a removable soft-sided insert and tuck- away back straps and there are three in the range: the Hardside 400 Photo (£215); the 300 Photo (£170) for DSLR kits; and the 200 Video (£145) for action cam kits.
Lowepro has refreshed one of its most iconic ranges, the Pro Trekker Series. The range has the largest capacity out of all Lowepro’s bags and the redesign includes the company’s new ActivLift System harness which is designed to transfer more weight from the waist to the hips and also includes airflow channels for breathability. Alterations also include ten adjustment points, claimed to make it easier to fine-tune the fit of the bag. Another of Lowepro’s most popular ranges has also been updated. The Toploader Pro Series features a refreshed design and also includes a four-way
π To find out more, go to www.epson.co.uk.
Lenses near and far
π To find out more, go to www.lowepro.com.
New from Olympus, the ultra-high zoom M.ZUIKO Digital ED 40-150mm 1:2.8 PRO is set to cost £1299.99 and is more compact and lightweight than its typical full-frame equivalents, making it a standout pro zoom for photographers wanting to travel light. Like the E-M1, it’s resistant to dust and is both splash proof and freeze proof. Engineered for quick focusing, it’s claimed to be quiet too and has a minimum focus distance of just 70cm at all focal lengths. For even more reach, the 40-150mm can be combined with the 1.4x Teleconverter (£299.99). Both will be available from early November. At the other end of the scale, the wide-angle M.ZUIKO Digital Ed 12mm 1:2.0 is also now available with a black metal finish, priced at £739.99.
π To find out more, go to www.olympus.co.uk.
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Latest photography news 2014 special In associationwith Samsung, we’re giving you the chance to see your image on the front of Advanced Photographermagazine Shoot the cover!
NEWS INBRIEF SONY’S SMALLEST ACTION CAM Two-thirds smaller than its predecessor and weighing in at a super light 63g, the HDR-AZ1 VR is Sony’s latest action cam. It has an 11.9-megapixel Exmor R sensor and a BIONZ X processor combined with a wide-angle and shoots Full HD video. With a splash-proof design and supplied waterproof casing, it also comes with a wrist-mounted live- view remote letting you view shots, adjust wirelessly. Available to buy from October, the HDR-AZ1 VR will retail at £329. www.sony.co.uk settings, playback and delete footage CARBONMODEL ADDS TO BEFREE TRIPOD RANGE Manfrotto’s Befree range now includes the Befree Carbon. It’s still incredibly quick to set up but is now lighter than ever, weighing just 1.1kg, meaning it should be ideal for travel. Folding to a length of 40cm, it’s also the perfect size for hand luggage or backpacks, and comes with an extra cushioned carry bag. It’s available now and is priced at £279.95. www.manfrotto.co.uk WITH NEWVIDEO MONOPOD An ergonomic pan handle gives the new Benro monopod a smooth panning and tilting action whilst its aluminium alloy construction provides a stable base and fast set-up. It’s fitted with an S4 video head, comes with a five year limited guarantee and retails at £203.40. www.kenro.co.uk FAST TRANSFERS FROMNEWDRIVE Both micro USB and USB 3.0 connectors feature on Lexar’s new JumpDrive M20. Having two connectors means easy transfer of files to a range of devices and it boasts read speeds of up to 120MB/s. On sale in October, it’ll be available in a range of sizes: 16GB (£25.99); 32GB (£39.99); and SMOOTH PANNING
and Advanced Photographer , will be on hand to offer technical advice, too. As well as seeing their image used on the magazine’s front cover, the winning photographer will also receive a Samsung NX camera outfit. Make sure you pick up issue 49 of Advanced Photographer , out on 25 September, to find out how to enter this superb competition.
Samsung and Advanced Photographer are offering you the opportunity to join them for a special photo shoot and get your picture on the front cover of the magazine. On the day of the shoot, the six selected photographers will use Samsung cameras and lenses and the supplied lighting to photograph two professional models at a wonderful stately home. Will Cheung, editor of PN
Royal Photographic Society awardwinners
the film Gravity, for which he won an Oscar. Steve McCurry Hon FRPS took home the Centenary Medal for his significant contribution to the art of photography whilst Terence Pepper Hon FRPS received the Outstanding Service award having initiated and co-organised over 150 photographic displays and major exhibitions over almost 40 years. Well done to all.
Early September saw the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) hold its much anticipated annual awards ceremony where the names of the 2014 winners were announced. Amongst the winners were Tim Webber who scooped the Progress Medal in recognition of his filmic inventions including his gigantic cube of LED lights developed for
π To find out more, go to www.rps.org.
Four new multifunction inkjet printers (the MG2950, MG5650, MG6650 and MG7550) and a portable printer (the iP110) make up part of Canon’s refresh of its PIXMA home printer range. Built with connectivity at their core, the printers have integrated NFC technology enabling easy printing from smartphones and other devices. An update has also been made to the PIXMA Cloud Link to provide improved access to photos and documents stored in the cloud, including access to Google Drive and One Drive as well as to Facebook and Dropbox. The PIXMA MG5650, MG6650 and MG7550 also allow users to scan documents and images and send them directly from the printer as an email attachment. The MG6650, MG5650 and MG2950 are available now and the MG7550 and iP110 will be available from October. Prices start from £69.99. Printer rangeupdated
π To find out more, go to www.canon.co.uk.
Keeping your camera going
Both APS-C and full-frame DSLRs can use Tamron’s 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD. As well as a constant f/2.8 aperture, optical image stabilisation and whisper-quiet focusing, the lens, which is available in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts, is also water and dirt repellent, offers a smooth bokeh thanks to its nine-blade aperture design and benefits from eXpanded Glass Moulded Aspherical and low- dispersion elements. Price and availability are yet to be announced. Ultra-wide angle fromTamron
Two new chargers have been unveiled by Solar Technology International, the company behind the FreeLoader range of advanced chargers. The CamCaddy2 (£19.99) is an upgrade to the original, featuring new contact sliders enabling universal charging for a range of batteries. The voltage is automatically modified to avoid overcharging and it comes supplied with a USB cable facilitating charging from a laptop or USB mains. The SuperCharger 5W (£49.99) can be used as a stand-alone charger for smartphones, tablets and other devices. Both are available to purchase now.
64GB (£79.99). www.lexar.com
π To find out more, go to www.solartechnology.co.uk.
π To find out more, go to www.intro2020.co.uk.
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Latest photography news 2014 special Memories of Photokina Photokina is amassive event where theworld’s imaging industry gathers every two years, giving visitors the chance to enjoy images, try out newkit and to catch upwith the latest technological developments. Here are ourmemories from this year’s show
Nikon’s innovative ‘I am’ campaign has enhanced the brand’s already high profile.
4K video was a big feature of the show. Here’s Samsung’s NX1 in a rig.
The many colours of Pentax DSLRs.
The Nikon stand was busy all day long, with photographers clamouring to get their hands on its D750.
Sigma’s new lens offerings pulled in the crowds.
The Lytro Illum shoots every picture at f/2 but varies focusing effects in software – very interesting.
Fancy going next time? Dates for your diary are 20-25 September 2016.
Samsung took a more photogenic approach to showing the effect of different focal lengths.
Canon users really enjoyed trying exotic glass.
Photography News | Issue 12
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Latest photography news 2014 special
An innovative camera system that lets the user vary depth-of-field after the picture is taken Lytro Illum: aworldfirst
it focuses to 0mm from the lens front without any mode changing – and then take the picture. It’s in the dedicated software where the magic happens because the captured image can be rendered as if an aperture of f/16 was used, or if you want a very shallow depth-of-field you can choose f/1. You can view the effect in real time on the computer. The image can then be output as a still image with a resolution of around eight megapixels or as a Light Field Picture File. The UK price is expected to be £1300 and the distributor is Intro2020, intro2020.co.uk. PN will be previewing the Illum as soon as samples permit.
Lytro’s first camera came out two years ago and it was a bit of a novelty rather than a serious imaging device. With the Illum, that has changed, and this innovative, well specified camera offers amazing potential to creative image-makers. Conventional cameras capture light and colour, but the Illum is different because it also captures light direction with its 40-megaray light field sensor. The built-in zoom lens has an 8x optical zoom range, from 30mm to 250mm in 35mm terms, and every image is captured at an aperture of f/2. Using its touchscreen monitor you can select where you want the main point of focus to be – and
π To find out more, go to www.lytro.com.
Amongst Hähnel’s new releases is its Captur range of remote controls, available late 2014/early 2015. For Canon, Nikon, Sony and Olympus owners, there’s the Transmitter and Receiver (£60 for the pair) for wireless triggering of camera and flash. Designed as an add on, the innovative Pro Module (£69.99) features a built-in motion, light and sound sensor as well as a socket to connect third- party motion sensors. The Timer Module is retailing at £49.99 while the IR Module which fires when its IR beam is tripped is priced at £15. Hähnel’s new range of flash accessories includes the Universal Flash 60x60cm Softbox for Speedlites (£59.99) and the Universal Flash Accessory Kit (£49.99). On the battery charging front, there’s a new ProCube dual charger (£59.99) for Sony and Olympus users and the UniPal Extra (£34.99), a universal charger with a built-in power bank and a USB to micro USB cable. String of releases fromHähnel
Storage market leaders SanDisk launched a raft of products but we only have space for a couple of highlights here. For productive photographers or those shooting 4K video, SanDisk has released the world’s largest capacity SD card, the 512GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I SD card, with a transfer speed of up to 95MB/s. If a super fast transfer speed is a greater priority than capacity, then you can turn to SanDisk’s Extreme PRO SDHC/SDXC UHS-II SD card – the first camera to use the UHS-II standard was the Fujifilm X-T1. With capacities from 16GB to 64GB, this card can transfer data at speeds up to 250MB/s and SanDisk has also introduced a card reader/writer to allow you to exploit this amazing performance. A SanDisk surge
π To find out more, go to www.hahnel.ie.
π To find out more, go to www.sandisk.co.uk.
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Issue 12 | Photography News
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Latest photography news 2014 special
Samyang expands line-up
version which is to follow in the near future. The full-frame fisheye lens is bright and super wide, offering a 180° angle of view. It consists of 12 lens elements in eight groups, including three elements made of low dispersion ED glass and two aspherical elements designed to improve sharpness and to minimise chromatic aberrations. The release date and retail price of the 12mm fisheye are yet to be announced.
Photokina 2014 marked the official release of the latest lenses in the Samyang range: the new V-DSLR 50mm T1.5 AS UMC cine lens and the 12mm 1:2.8 ED AS NCS fisheye. The cine lens is designed for cameras and camcorders with a full-frame or smaller sensor and bridges the gap between the current 35mm and 85mm lenses available from Samyang. It will retail at £479.99 and predates the release of a stills photography
Hands-free creative control
E-PL7’s flip-down touchscreen and it even comes with a pancake lens. Olympus has also revealed an updated OM-D E-M1. The most obvious change is a new silver casing but the E-M1 has also had a firmware upgrade which is pre- installed on the new edition. This delivers tethered shooting, Digital Shift (which allows in-camera correction of distortion) and includes a Live Composite mode. The upgrade can be downloaded now by all E-M1 users. The silver E-M1 is available from early October for £1099.99 body only.
Remotely releasing the shutter from your smartphone is nothing new, but Olympus has taken remote capabilities even further with its new PEN E-PL7. Zooming in and adjusting aperture and shutter speed are all possible from a smartphone, you’ll even be able to see a real-time preview. At the heart of the E-PL7 is a 16.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor and a TruePic VII processor supported by three-axis image stabilisation for sharper shots. Available in white, silver or black from October, priced at £499, you can focus and shoot in one touch on the
π To find out more, go to www.samyang.co.uk.
Lens launches fromSony
π To find out more, go to www.olympus.co.uk.
There were two big lens launches from Sony at this year’s Photokina, the first of which marks the company’s debut of a 35mm full-frame lens with power zoom capabilities. As you’d expect, the FE PZ 28-135mm f/4 G OSS is aimed squarely at videographers, and features a smooth and silent drive as well as in-lens image stabilisation. It also features separate focus, iris and zoom rings as well as resistance to dust and moisture. The second release was Sony’s ZEISS 16-35mm f/4, a full-frame lens for E-mount cameras. With a wide- angle zoom range and in-built image stabilisation, this model is designed to offer a compact and portable solution for everyday shooting. Both lenses are available to preorder now.
Sony has hailed the A5100 as the world’s smallest interchangeable lens camera, but there’s more to this latest release than its compact size. At its heart is a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor and a powerful BIONZ X processor, and the A5100 is also capable of fast hybrid autofocus. Featuring 179 focal plane phase-detection points, the AF system should take all manner of subjects in its stride and its hybrid AF capabilities are also on hand when shooting Full HD movies. Focusing and releasing the shutter is made even easier with the addition of Touch Focus on the LCD screen, which also tilts through 180°. Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity facilitate remote shooting and make one-touch image or video transfer possible to your smartphone, tablet or TV. It’s available now and is priced from £420, body only. Faster, smaller, sharper
π To find out more, go to www.sony.co.uk.
π To find out more, go to www.sony.co.uk.
Photography News | Issue 12
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Issue 12 | Photography News
Photography News | Issue 12
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Latest photography news 2014 special
A chameleon of a DSLR
Innovative tripod manufacturer 3 Legged Thing wasn’t one to miss out on the exciting launches at this year’s Photokina, revealing its new 3LT PUNKS range. PUNKS is a series aimed at a more accessible price point, without scrimping on design or functionality and, following a competition on social media to name some of the new products, the first two have been christened RICK and VYV, inspired by comedy legends Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson. Made from lightweight carbon fibre, 3LT RICK has a kit weight of 1.2kg but an impressive load capacity of 10kg. VYV is a non-carbon version of RICK and features leg tubing made from aircraft-grade magnesium alloy. Both come with a detachable monopod leg and offer low shooting heights for more creative freedom in your shots. Extending the range
NEWS INBRIEF LATEST STORAGE FROM TOSHIBA Canvio Alu is Toshiba’s newest series of portable hard drives and includes automatic back up of your data via a USB 3.0 connection and a shock sensor to protect against accidental drops. With capacities from 500GB to 2TB and a transfer rate of up to 5GB/sec, it comes with a two-year warranty. Prices start at £43.00. www.toshiba.eu/storage YOSEMITE ‘FIREFALLS’ This coming February, top landscape photographer John Gravett will host a photography holiday in America’s spectacular Yosemite National Park. The Yosemite Firefalls Workshop runs from 13 until 23 February, costs from £3495 per person and includes flights, accommodation, all breakfasts and eight lunches. lakelandphotohols.com SHOOT THE
which indicates the status of camera operation (green for still shooting and red for video recording). It’s available in 12 different colour variations from standard black to the more adventurous ‘cotton beige’ and ‘dawn purple’ versions. This eye-catching camera is out now and priced from £549.99, body only.
The recently announced Pentax K-S1 DSLR packs in plenty of high-end features, including a newly developed 20-megapixel CMOS sensor, a super- sensitive top ISO setting of 51,200 and a maximum shutter speed of 1/6000sec. It can also shoot continuously at a speed of 5.4fps. Alongside all this imaging power, the K-S1 has an illuminated body
π To find out more, go to www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk.
Ricoh gets rugged
to depths of up to 10m, shock resistant to drops from up to 2m and cold resistant to as low as -10°C, this hardy cam also features an ultra wide-angle lens to capture all the action. The WG- M1 retails at £199.99 and is available in black or orange.
dust and chemicals which should make it ideal for use in harsh environments. The rugged WG-M1 comes with a 14-megapixel CMOS sensor and has been designed to capture high-quality stills and Full HD video in outdoor and underwater environments. Waterproof
Ricoh has announced the release of two cameras: the G800 and the WG-M1. The G800 is available now for £599.99, and that buys you a back-illuminated 16-megapixel sensor, waterproof capabilities to 5m and shock resistance for drops up to 2m. It’s also resistant to
π To find out more, go to www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk.
Leica Camera AG has released the Leica M-P; it might look similar to its predecessor, but this model features an enlarged buffer of 2GB (twice that of the Leica M) allowing up to 24 shots at 3fps. The LCD’s sapphire crystal cover is said to offer a high level of resistance to scratches and its anti-reflective coating has been improved for clear viewing even in difficult lighting. There’s also a new frame selection lever which sets bright-line guides for six different focal lengths, helping frame the subject via the viewfinder, and also allowing you to assess composition without changing lenses. The Leica M-P is available now in either a black or silver chrome finish, priced £5650. Leica adds toMseries
These images are of prototypes and are not indicative of the final model.
π To find out more, go to www.3leggedthing.com.
π To find out more, go to www.uk.leica-camera.com.
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Issue 12 | Photography News
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Competition Be aPentaxHot Shot PENTAX
Entries close on 28 Setpember so apply now to join PN and Ricoh Imaging for a unique opportunity to shoot with the sensational medium-format Pentax 645Z
locations. Each photographer will have access to a Pentax 645Z and a selection of lenses to use throughout the day. Getting to Keswick will be at your own expense but once there you will be the guests of Ricoh Imaging. Food and refreshments will be provided on 18 October and hotel accommodation will be booked for the night of 17 October – you will also be invited to join Will Cheung, editor of our sister publication AdvancedPhotographer magazine, and experts from Ricoh Imaging for dinner. This will give you the chance to get hands-on with the Pentax 645Z, plus you’ll receive all the advice you need to get familiar with it ready for the following day’s busy shoot. Photography News will be running a major feature on the event in a subsequent issue, so this competition also offers you a chance to see your images from the shoot in print in a national magazine.
It’s been a given ever since the invention of photography that the larger the format you use, the better the quality of the picture you can produce. It’s a formula that still rings true even in these digital times, but up until nowmedium-format has been out of the reach of many due to its cost. However, all that is set to change in the wake of the launch of the sensational Pentax 645Z, which offers discerning photographers a very exciting, hugely capable and much more affordable option, and we’re offering five photographers the chance to try one out for themselves. We have a special location shoot planned for Saturday 18 October this year and you can join us. We will be based in the market town of Keswick in the northern Lakes and while the exact shooting timetable will be revealed to the five winners in due course the aim is to shoot from dawn to dusk at various Lakeland
About the Pentax 645Z
The sensational 645Z medium-format camera boasts an effective resolution of 51.4-megapixels,
super fast AF, a top ISO of 204,800 and all in a dust-proof, weather-proof body. The camera offers brilliantly slick handling, whether on location or in the studio, and the 76 dust- and weather-proof seals mean it will also work perfectly in challenging outdoor conditions, down to temperatures as low as -10°C. The innovative CMOS sensor measures 43.8x32.8mm, so approximately 1.7x larger than a full-frame 35mm sensor, and it works with Pentax’s PRIME III imaging engine to produce images of outstanding accuracy and colour fidelity. With the exceptional quality of Pentax lenses, this anti-alias filter- free sensor can resolve the finest details. Until now, medium-format digital cameras suffered from limited battery capacity, slow continuous shooting speed and limited high ISOs. The 645Z has features and handling equal to a top-end APS-C or 35mm format DSLR, with a battery that can deliver up to 650 shots per charge, continuous shooting at 3fps with a large buffer and a top IS0 speed of 204,800. Of course, there is much more: live view, Full HD video, tiltable 3.2in monitor, twin SD card slots and the option of 14-bit Pentax or Adobe DNG Raw files. And you get all this performance at a competitive price: body only the 645Z is £6800; with the 55mm lens, it’s £7700.
LAST CHANCE TOENTER
To be in with a chance of joining us for this amazing photographic opportunity all you have to do is submit your best landscape photograph. Images should be low-res JPEGs 1000 pixels along the longest dimension (max. file size 10MB), and you must have the high-resolution files available in case the judges from Photography News and Ricoh Imaging want a closer inspection. Entry images should be submitted via the Howtoenter
online form at www.pentaxcomp.co.uk. Closingdate:midnight, 28September.
If you enter this competition you must be available to be in the Lakes on the evening on 17 October and all day on 18 October. These dates are fixed and cannot be changed.
TERMS & CONDITIONS Entries must be received by midnight, 28 September 2014, and the winners will be notified by 1 October 2014. This competition is open to UK residents only, aged 18 and over. Employees of Bright Publishing and Ricoh Imaging and their immediate family and agents may not enter. Entries not in accordance with these rules will be disqualified; by entering, competitors will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by these rules. The prize must be taken as offered; there is no alternative. In the event that the prize cannot be supplied no liability will be attached to Bright Publishing. For full t&cs visit www.pentaxcomp.co.uk/terms.
π To find out more about the 645Z, go to www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk.
Photography News | Issue 12
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Advertisement feature
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Let’smake movies! MANFROTTOACCESSORIES Fancy dabbling with your digital SLR’s video mode? Manfrotto has got just the thing to give your footage the professional touch
mobile, but you can’t beat a tripod for absolute solidity. Manfrotto’s recently revamped 190X tripod is a versatile all- round model that will let you manoeuvre your camera into all sorts of positions for exciting footage. Available in a kit with the MHXPRO-2W two-way video head (£249.95 for the pair) it makes the perfect outfit for budding videographers.
Video functionality is a vital part of any new camera’s specification and if you’ve been compelled to give it a try you’ll know how tough it can be to get steadymovie footage that doesn’t give the viewer motion sickness! Having some form of support is essential to create smooth, watchable movies and any number of devices will enable you to stay
MHXPRO-2W head features Offering smooth and well- dampened pan and tilting
How to get rock solid support from ground level right up to head height 190X feature highlights
actions, the MHXPRO two-way head (£119.95) is a great head for shooting video with a digital SLR or compact system camera outfit. Despite weighing just 0.7kg, the head can support up to 4kg. The weight of the head has been kept low thanks to its aluminium and polymer construction. It features the same black, red and silver styling of the 190X legs and offers a quick-release (QR) plate for easy camera attachment. An extra locking mechanism is provided on the QR to avoid accidental removal and the plate is the standard 200PL item found on many Manfrotto heads. Once attached, both movements are easy to control using the knobs. Panning and tilting can be independently locked off, plus there’s also a fluid setting selector dial, which slows down (or speeds up) movement depending on the type of lens you’re using. Slower for long lenses, faster for shorter optics. Thehead can alsobe completely removed should you want to fit a dedicated stills head at a later date.
Featuring three-section aluminium legs, the 190X tripod (£149.95) is great for video or stills photography use. The legs feature Manfrotto’s Quick Power Lock levers, which speed up operation and provide a firmer grip than conventional leg locks for impressive stability and rigidity. The lock design also makes it easier to alter leg length with one hand so you’ll be able to get the tripod into position more quickly and effectively. If it’s creative framing options you’re after, the 190X’s centre column design is sure to appeal. A special vertical-horizontal mechanism is incorporated into the tripod’s top casting, which only comes into use when required. In one swift, simple movement the column can be moved through 90° from upright to horizontal. Add this versatility to the fact that the legs can be independently angled into four preset positions and you’ll appreciate that it’s simple to get a sturdy base whether you want to shoot at near ground level with the 190X or at its 170cm maximum height. The top casting also features Manfrotto’s Easy Link connector, which makes it simple to attach or support an accessory. If you’re working on a close-up subject, for example, you can use Easy Link for an LED video light or to attach an arm to hold a reflector or flashgun.
π To find out more, go to www. manfrotto.co.uk.
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Issue 12 | Photography News
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