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The Fujifilm XA-7 is a light and compact mirrorless camera and with a price of £699 it looks like a steal Fujifilmadds X-A7 to X Series line-up
Profoto targets smartphone photographers
AF for movie shooting. The A9 II can shoot silently up to 20fps with AE/AF tracking without the distraction of blackout and up to 239 compressed Raw shots. New algorithms also enhance subject tracking and the fastest continuous shooting rate with the mechanical shutter is now up to 10fps. A redesigned shutter mechanism helps to suppress movement and avoid image blur and the shutter is said to withstand over 500,000 cycles. For a faster workflow the camera body has an Ethernet terminal, tethered shooting speed is improved as is wireless functionality. A new Voice Memo feature allows spoken information to be attached to images and this can be replayed when images are viewed. Voice tags with the images can also be Leading lighting brand Profoto launches the C1 range to support image creators – regardless of what cameras they’re using. The Profoto C1 range is aimed at all image creators whether they are using cameras or smartphones. The C1 range features two models, the C1 and C1 Plus, and there’s the Profoto Camera app for iPhone 7 and later, running iOS 11 and later. The app lets you adjust colour temperature wirelessly via Bluetooth, and in automode can calculate exposure based on the conditions, making the C1 and C1 Plus very easy to use. The C1 has four warm and three cool LEDs, giving a controllable colour temperature range of 3000-6500K; power can be adjusted up to its maximum 1600 lumens in flashmode and 280 lumens in continuous mode. It also
features Bluetooth and the integral rechargeable battery gives up to 2000 full-power flash bursts or 30 minutes of continuous light. The C1 Plus is like the C1 in that it is palm-sized, but offers greater output, with ten warm and ten cool LEDs giving an output of up to 4300 lumens in flashmode and 280 in continuous light, and an adjustable range of 3000-6500K. A click-onmagnetic feature enables you to attach light shaping tools such as Profoto Clic’s gels and grids, and there’s a ¼in screw thread to allow for standmounting. Bluetooth gives connectivity with the camera app, but the C1 Plus also features ProfotoAir 2.4GHz, so can be used up to 300mwith a ProfotoAir Remote trigger. Its rechargeable battery gives up to 2000 full-power flashes. profoto.com/uk
› 24.2-megapixel resolution › 3.5in 16:9 vari-angle touchscreen › New smart menu › Improved image quality at high ISO › Portrait enhancer mode › Up to 440 pictures per full battery › 4K video at 30fps with no crop › New creative shooting modes including Bright and Light Trail › Enhanced connectivity FEATURES AT A GLANCE: FUJIFILMX-A7
The Fujifilm X-A7 is a compact and lightweight entry-level addition to the X Series. The body weighs in at just 320g making it a promising option for photographers on the go and content creators of all varieties. The X-A7 carries a newly developed 24.2-megapixel APS-C image sensor, which uses copper wiring for fast data readout and a reduction of digital noise. The sensor promises not only good image quality but advanced AF performance with a massive 8.5 times more phase detection pixels across its surface than the X-A5. This gives an improved face/detection AF performance especially with moving Rotolight introduces TitanX2 The Rotolight Titan X2 features several industry firsts in addition to its impressive power. It gives excellent performance from 3000K to 10,000K and flicker-free lighting at any shutter angle or intensity. One impressive feature is Rotolight’s SmartSoft technology, which allows users to adjust the Titan X2’s diffusion, focus and spread. When it comes to colour, the Titan X2 has over 1300 gel colours. There are five lighting modes in total: CCT, HSI, RGBW, XY and Filter. Going deeper into usability, the Titan X2 features a full-colour
subjects and in low light. In addition to still shooting, the X-A7 possesses promising video capabilities. The camera will be able to shoot 4K video at 30fps with no crop, thanks once again to its new sensor. When it comes to user interface, the X-A7 doesn’t seem to be lacking. A vari-angle 3.5in 16:9 touchscreen offers brightness equivalent to most smartphones as well as a new Smart Menu, which offers access to a host of still and video settings with just a tap on the screen. The Fujifilm X-A7 will be available from the end of October at £699. fujifilm.eu/uk/
New flagship for Sony
The Sony A9 proved a big hit, especially with action shooters, for its rapid and precise AF and blackout- free continuous shooting. The A9 II builds on this and offers an even better performance. Sony’s A9 II offers a host of improvements to speed up the workflow of professional news and sports photographers. So although the A9 II has the same full-frame imaging sensor as its predecessor, the A9, it offers better performance in key areas. There’s a faster BIONZ-X image processor which improves AF speed and accuracy. The hybrid AF system uses 693 phase detect and 425 contrast detect AF points covering 93% of the image area, and extra focusing features include face and eye (animal as well as human) detection. A new algorithm gives Real-Time Eye
touchscreen display with an easy-to-use interface as well as quick-start icons and up to ten customisable presets. When it comes to rigging, the new light can be positioned at any angle via a variety of mounting options. Another noteworthy feature is the Titan X2’s award-winning suite of CineSFX, including fire, lightning, TV, gunshot and paparazzi effects and more. The Titan X2 also features 1/8000sec high-speed sync flash or still photographers. The Titan X2 will begin shipping in November. rotolight.com/titan
transferred to an app on a mobile device and these memos can be converted to text and added to JPEGs in the form of IPTC metadata. The Sony A9 II body costs £4799 and stocks are due this November. sony.co.uk
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