Welcome to issue 88 of Photography News. Warmer weather, the longer days and, of course, the easing situatiuon of the pandemic means that getting out with the camera is very much back on the agenda so let’s make the most of the summer photo opportunities. Enjoy the issue and eee you again next month Will
ISSUE 88 11 May-14 June 2021 photographynews.co.uk
Big test: Canon EOS M50 Mark II / Our verdict on Canon’s gently tweaked update
Buying the right light / In-depth advice for your next purchase
Prize word search / Win a Samsung 256GB microSDmemory card
Canon confirms the EOS R3 is on theway
ARRIVING LATER THIS year, the Canon EOS R3 will sit at the top of the brand’s mirrorless camera range – at least until the EOS R1 arrives! The EOS R3 boasts a hybrid stills/ video feature set, aimed at professional photographers who need an ultra-fast, responsive camera to keep up with fast-developing scenarios. At its heart, the camera is expected to have a new, Canon-developed, back-side illuminated, full-frame CMOS sensor, working with a Digic X image processor. It enables focus detection for eyes, faces and heads, as well as a shooting rate of 30fps with AF/AE tracking, employing electronic andminimal rolling shutters. There’s no detail yet of the shooting rate enabled by the mechanical shutter, flash sync speed with the electronic shutter, or the sensor’s resolution. Autofocusing will be handled by a next-generation Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, providing advanced eye, head and body tracking, even when the subject is moving at speed. Intriguingly, Canon reports a new subject trackingmode is also set to be added. Targeting press and sport photographers, the Canon EOS R3 is in development. But availability, complete feature set and pricing remain a mystery
Photography’s dream teamon air – every fortnight New episodes of The Photography News Podcast come out every fortnight, so join the team for your regular fix of photo chat, inspiration, gossip and advice on what to shoot. Also, we answer listeners’ questions, making the podcast essential for every keen camera user. Each episode of The PN Podcast is available on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
A throwback to technology instigated by the EOS 5 SLR film camera released in 1992, the EOS R3 will have an eye control AF function, enabling you to select and move the AF point by looking through the viewfinder. EOS 5 owners probably recall that eye-controlled focusing was not overly reliable, so howCanon’s updated feature operates will be fascinating. As you would expect, the EOS R3 will be built to withstand the rigours of pro shooting, with high levels of dust and water resistance.
Plus, its integrated vertical grip will make it intuitive to use, whether shooting horizontal or vertical format. Canon drip-fed the world details of its EOS R5 last year, so perhaps more juicy morsels will emerge in the coming weeks. However, with the Tokyo Summer Olympics hopefully starting on 23 July, you would think the camera will be on sale reasonably soon. See page 4 for details of Canon’s three new lenses. canon.co.uk
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Sigma has completely renovated its first Art lens – the 35mm f/1.4, launched nine years ago – to suit mirrorless cameras The Art classic reborn
WHAT A STRANGEmonth it has been. Strange, because it felt almost normal. I’ve been out with the camera. I’ve booked some photo shoots, too – a steam railway event, an afternoon in a fox hide and a portrait session. Taking a greater leap of faith, I have even committed to a week away – in this country, of course, and refundable if there’s any problem. I did umand ah about booking an overseas trip, but decided against it. I’mgoing to wait until 2022 and hopemy credit with the airline ( from last year’s cancelled flights) will still be valid. I don’t want to put a curse on things, but as I said, it’s almost normal. The aims for my photography this year are not that ambitious, and I feel baby steps are the way forward. First and foremost, I want to finish a couple of my long-termprojects – on the LondonDocklands Light Railway and the country’s surviving piers. Both projects I started five years ago. They should have been done and dusted by now, but the pandemic came along. As a prelude to concluding these projects, I thought I would take a closer look at my efforts to date and, with lockdown, I had plenty of time. It was interesting. I amhappy with the DLRmaterial, although I haven’t finalised how I’mgoing to process my shots, but I am in a quandary over my pier pictures. I don’t want a painting-the-Forth-Road-Bridge scenario – you know, a never-ending task – but my pictorial approach with the piers has evolved over time, so there’s a big difference between my earlier andmore recent pictures. Annoying and a tad frustrating.
EDITOR’SLETTER WILLCHEUNG
Not only that, but piers have changed in themeantime. Asmy guide, I have been using the National Piers Society website and signed up for its newsletter. I’d decided to concentrate on surviving piers and, when I started, there were 59. Last week, according to the NPS, it was 64. This project was for my own pleasure and, of course, I knew it wouldmean a lot of petrol and hotel bills, but it gaveme a reason to get out and take pictures, with the added benefit of visiting areas of this country I’d never been to. Well, after looking at the thousands of shots, perhaps it’s time to be brutally honest withmyself. I might have to revisit some piers to get a better level of consistency across the project. Well, I trust your life is getting back to some sort of normality, and please let me knowwhat you are planning with your camera. We could give you a shout-out on The PNPodcast! The address is podcast@photographynews.co.uk. See you next month.
SIGMA’S 35MM f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens has been redesigned for L-Mount and Sony E-mount mirrorless systems. Optically, the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens features an advanced construction with 15 elements, including two special low dispersion (SLD) elements and an extraordinary low dispersion (ELD) element in 11 groups. The diaphragm comprises 11 rounded blades to give smooth, round bokeh, and the aperture can be controlled from the body or on the lens. The aperture ring can also be de-clicked. Autofocusing uses a stepping motor and focus is internal, with a focusing lens group of just one element, so autofocusing is swift and very quiet. Manual focusing is smooth and precise, too, and the lens features an AF Lock button as well – this can be customised via the camera menu.
› Five elements in 11 groups. One FLD, one ELD, two SLDs and two aspherical elements › AF stepping motor › Internal focusing › Front element has water- and oil-repellent coating › Super Multi-Layer Coating › AFL button › Supports DMF, AF+MF FEATURES ATAGLANCE
Despite its advanced optics and features set, which includes dust and splash resistance, this lens weighs in at 645g, focuses to just 30cm and accepts 67mm filters. This new lens retails at £749, and the price includes a petal-shaped, locking lens hood. sigma-imaging-uk.com
› Focus mode switch › Aperture de-clicking › 11 diaphragm blades › Brass mount › Made in Japan
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What’s inside 03 News Catch up with the latest gear releases, and there’s the chance to win a Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB carbon-fibre travel tripod and ball head worth £330 09 Word search Solve our puzzle in this free-to-enter contest and you could win a Samsung 256GB microSD card! 10 Club news Camera clubs usually start to wind down for the summer holidays about now, but this year is certainly a little different. Members are still active – but in the virtual space
12 Make the Switch: Bill Allsopp Bill Allsopp realised he needed a lighter camera outfit after a significant hill-walk, so he invested in a Fujifilm X Series camera – and the rest is history 17 Buyers’ guide to lighting gear Getting your lighting right, whether in the home studio or on location, is a challenge, but a great start is having the best kit for the job. Check out our recommendations 21 Buyers’ guide to printing There’s nothing more satisfying than showing off your images with beautiful prints and stylish presentation
29 Big test: Canon EOS M50 Mark II Canon’s popular APS-C mirrorless camera enjoyed a tweak, giving it extra appeal to content creators. This new model is user-friendly, but what are the other updates, are they worthwhile – and should you get out your credit card? 32 First tests Our monthly look at some of the latest kit to reach the shelves: l Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB l Lowepro Flipside BP 300 AW III & BP 400 AW III l Irix 45mm f/1.4 GFX l Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD l Fujifilm GF80mm f/1.7 R WR
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Fast and wide from Fujifilm
Fujifilm’s X Series continues to grow, so say hello to the XF18mm f/1.4 R LM WR – a fast aperture version of a popular focal length, ideal for street and scenics
Canon’s triple treat Alongside developing the EOS R3, the camera maker also unveiled three new lenses for its growing RF mirrorless system Aberration Control ring. Aimed at portrait workers, it adjusts foreground and background. Most effective at f/2.8, with a subject 1m from the lens, it can be set to zero.
The Fujinon XF18mm f/2 R was one of the original three lenses unveiled with the system in 2012, and it’s still a lovely, compact performer. However, welcome. It brings the benefits of an even faster maximum aperture to this popular focal length, equivalent to 27mm in 35mm format. The latest optical and focusing technologies are also present. The new optical design features 15 elements in nine groups, including three aspherical and one ED element. These give exceptional performance across the frame at every aperture. It’s also compact, weighing just 370g, but it’s no lightweight when it comes to handling the introduction of the Fujinon XF18mm f/1.4 R LM WR is very challenging conditions. There are weather-resistant seals at eight
key locations. Other points of interest include an aperture ring click-stopped in 0.3EV steps, an A position lock, minimum focus of just 20cm and a filter size of 62mm. The Fujifilm XF18mm f/1.4 R LM WR is priced at £879, going on sale in late May. Finally, Fujifilm offers news of updated firmware this month. The GFX100 will receive v4.00, with advantages including an improved AF system and coordinated control of IBIS, as well as lens OIS. Plus, the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation mode has been added. Meanwhile, Pixel Shift Combiner, a free software merging pictures shot using the Pixel Shift Multishot mode on the GFX100/GFX100S, has been updated to v1.2.0. fujifilm.eu/uk
Mechanically, the lens offers optical image stabilisation up to 5EV, while using the EOS R5/R6 boosts this to 8EV. Dual Nano USMAF provides fast, accurate and almost silent AF, while focus breathing is suppressed. The RF100mm f/2.8LMacro IS USM is available fromMay. canon.co.uk
Two of the three new Canon lenses are certainly aimed at professionals. The RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM and RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM are set to retail for £12,449.99 and £13,409, respectively – and are available from June. Both lenses are optically and mechanically similar to their EF counterparts – you can expect exceptional performance. But the RF optics will also benefit from an even faster connection with the camera body and more effective optical image stabilisation, boasting a 5.5EV benefit. They also support what Canon calls a dual power focus drive for faster AF with future bodies. No precise details about this technology are currently available.
Some other notable features of these lenses – aside from fluorite and Super UD glass for exceptional optical quality – include full-time manual focus override, two focus presets for pulling focus, as well as a focus ring that functions as a control ring on some EOS R bodies. At £1479, the third lens is more accessible. The RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM is a macro lens with a difference. First, minimum focus is about 8cm from the front of this internally focusing lens, providing a 1:4.1 magnification. That’s greater than the usual 1:1 – and it’s achieved
without extra accessories. Next, there’s an adjustable Spherical A head for the top
Tamron goes super long The brand’s latest lens is its first ultra telephoto for full-frame mirrorless
The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is equipped for Sony E-mount cameras and blessed with a range of great features. Tamron’s own VC (Vibration Compensation) stabiliser system offers shake-free shooting, while the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive)
that is flourine-coated and a tripod foot compatible with Arca-Swiss, this lens is appealing. It’s also portable, weighing just 1880g. Available from 10 June, the new lens costs £1379. transcontinenta.co.uk
Aimed at pro wildlife image makers, Gitzo’s new head is rugged, has a strong payload rating and is great to use
Renowned for its camera supports, Gitzo has introduced a new head, the Ball Head Series 4. This is a heavy-duty tripod head, ideal for long telephoto lenses. Even though the head weighs less than 1kg, it has a payload rating of 30kg. Usability rates highly, completing smooth horizontal panning, thanks to a
dedicated thermo-stable pan and fluid cartridge. The hollow sphere enables fluid movement, while rapid friction control facilitates precise adjustment. Gitzo’s Ball Head Series 4 is a perfect partner for Series 4 and 5 tripods. It’s available to pre-order at £459.99. gitzo.com/uk-en
linear motor provides fast, super-quiet autofocusing. Close-up shooting is also possible, with the lens’ 60cm minimum focus at 150mm giving a magnification ratio of 1:3.1. With a moisture-resistant construction, BBAR-G2 coating, a front element
Editorial team Editorial director Roger Payne Editor Will Cheung FRPS 01223 499469 willcheung@bright-publishing.com Features writer Lee Renwick leerenwick@bright-publishing.com
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Design team Design director Andy Jennings Senior designer Laura Bryant Design & ad production Man-Wai Wong and Emma Di’luorio Distribution Distribution and subscriptionmanager Phil Gray philipgray@bright-publishing.com Publishing team Managing directors Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck As well as your local camera club, you can pick up Photography News in-store from: Cameraworld, Castle Cameras, Jessops, London Camera Exchange, Park Cameras, Wex Photo Video, Wilkinson Cameras
Photography News is published 11 times a year by Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3HJ. No part of this magazine can be used without prior written permission of Bright Publishing Ltd. Photography News is a registered trademark of Bright Publishing Ltd. The advertisements published in Photography News that have been written, designed or produced by employees of Bright Publishing Ltd remain the copyright of Bright Publishing Ltd and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. While Bright Publishing makes every effort to ensure accuracy, it can’t be guaranteed. Street pricing at the time of writing is quoted for products.
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Be part of the PN teamevery
fortnight The PN Podcast is essential listening for every photographer with reader questions, kit chat, techniques to try and exclusive interviews
INCASE YOUMISSEDTHEM... All episodes of The Photography News Podcast are available online at photographynews.co.uk, or on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Here are highlights from previous episodes: EPISODE 8 You have only eight bits of photo kit to take to a desert island, so what would you go for and why? It’s not as easy as you might think, as the PN team testifies EPISODE 10 The lens world is dominated by zooms, but fixed focal length primes are resurgent. We’re now seeing some fab optics for those photographers who prefer to zoom with their feet EPISODE 13 How you light portrait pictures determines their mood – it can be a real challenge to get it right. But perfection is within reach, thanks to the PN team. Check out this episode for top advice
Samyang’s AF 12mm f/2 E is its first autofocus wide-angle prime for APS-C format cameras. Priced at £360, this lens comes in E-mount fit. It is said to deliver exceptional resolution with its advanced optical construction, Wide on Samyang adds two Sony E-mount wide-angles to its range wide-angle is the AF 24mm f/1.8 E. The model is also suitable for Sony E-mount, but is compatible with full-frame cameras. Weighing 213g, it measures 71mm in length. Optically, the design has 11 elements in eight groups, while the lens uses a linear motor for autofocusing. This lens costs £459. intro2020.uk including five special lens elements. It’s also compact, weighing just 213g. The company’s second
Spring is very much in the air and it’s time for the PN team to get out into the wilderness. In episode 24, they discuss lens choices for scenic photography and how far they are prepared to walk to get a great shot. Plus, the trio delve into the technique of shooting and painlessly stitching panorama images. There are plenty of handy tips for you to try out on your next adventure with the camera. The podcast is your chance to get involved. If you have a thought, a question, or need some advice on what to buy next, please email us on podcast@photographynews.co.uk photographynews.co.uk/ podcast-library
Kingsley Singleton, Contributing Editor
Will Cheung, Editor
Roger Payne, Editorial Director
Sound out Sennheiser Sennheiser recently added the MKE 400 on-camera shotgun and XS Lav Clip mics to its range. These products are now available in kits, aimed at vloggers and content creators using their smartphones. The MKE 400 Mobile Kit is £199, the MKE 200 Mobile Kit costs £109. while the XS Lav USB-C Mobile Kit is £87. If you prefer wireless, the XSW-D Portable Lav Mobile Kit is £249. sennheiser.com
Leading audio expert assembles products into neat kits
Make prints and save cash with Epson
WhiteWall’s latest innovation is RoomView, an online process that lets you see how your masterpiece looks on your own wall before pressing the order button. Just upload the image, a picture of your wall and some measurements, before following the simple process. You don’t even have to clear existing images off your wall. Read more on page 21. whitewall.com WhiteWall’s room with a view
Epson has announced two cartridge-free premium printers aimed at enthusiast photographers The A4 EcoTank ET-8500 and A3+ ET-8550 EcoTank use Epson’s Claria ET premium inks for top-quality photo prints and documents. The new photo black and photo grey inks help deliver richly detailed mono prints, too.
Both printers have five paper feeds, including a straight-through path for media up to 1.3mm thick, as well as a rear tray for craft papers and card. Plus, they have the ability to print on DVDs/CDs. With wireless connection, a 10.9cm colour touchscreen and the option of Epson’s Smart Panel app, transforming your mobile device into a remote printer control, these are user-friendly printers with low running costs. The EcoTank cartridge-free concept means the
printers can easily be refilled with mess-free bottles, and one set of ink bottles provides up to 2300 photo-quality prints at high speed. In ideal storage conditions, Claria ET ink prints last up to 300 years. The EcoTank ET-8500 and ET-8550 are available now, priced £649 and £779, respectively. epson.co.uk
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News
L I E C N U O B L J M N V L F T H O L D E R M E M O R Y N L A D I A H S U N B U R N G M M J I A W A R D S A U O M E N U J D P E D L D M Z I X K E R A G T E Y A D I L O H L E I E Q O R B D D B S T P R M L K A U Q E R S L F S T E K C O P E R E G E U S R H N O N F B H T S F E U V H N R V Z D U F M W S F I O Z N I N I M N E O W W S L A S L U Y B K P U Y P L E C S R G Y K X L D E T X U B R E A K E Capture life’s magical moments across all devices using the Samsung Evo Plus 256GB microSDXC memory card with SD adapter, offering read speeds of up to 100MB/s and write speeds of up to 90MB/s. Samsung’s latest cards are also ultra-reliable and water, temperature, X-ray and magnet proof, so shooting in the most challenging conditions isn’t an issue. We have one 256GB Samsung Evo Plus microSDXC card with SD adapter, worth £51.99, for the eagle-eyed winner. Complete the word search below, and you’ll find one word in the list that’s not in the grid. Email us at puzzle@photographynews.co.uk with that word in the subject box by 13 June. The correct answer to PN86’s word search was ‘eraser’, and the Samsung 256GB Evo Plus card was won by M Cheeseman, Herts. Congratulations! • samsung.com/uk/memory-cards A Samsung memory card! WIN!
Win Vanguard’s newest andmost versatile travel tripod
WIN A TRIPOD WORTH £330
Recently launched, the Vanguard VEO 3T+ is a remarkably capable and flexible travel tripod. Here’s a chance to win one, complete with ball head, in this free and simple-to-enter contest. The VEO 3T+ is available in aluminium or carbon fibre, with a choice of sizes and ball heads. Please visit Vanguard’s website for details and stockists. For this contest, we’re offering the carbon-fibre VEO 3T+ 264CB, complete with VEO BH-160S dual-axis ball head, a package worth £330. This tripod folds down to just 46cm and extends to 156cm. Plus, there’s the freedom offered by Vanguard’s MACC head, meaning you can securely fix the camera at almost any angle – even as low as 1cm off the ground. The prize comes with the MA-1 adapter, making it possible to fit an extra light, monitor or another camera. To be in with a chance of winning this ultra-versatile, high-spec tripod, just answer the following question.
To enter, go to photographynews. co.uk and follow the link. The closing date for entries is 14 June 2021 – the first correct answer drawn at random after that date wins the Vanguard tripod. There’s a full review of this new tripod on page 32. Good luck! vanguardworld.co.uk The VEO 3T+ 264CB features Vanguard’s innovative MACC feature. To be in with the chance of winnng this stunning prize, what does MACC stand for? A) Many-Andy Camera Column B) More-Angled Collapsing Centre C) Multi-Angle Centre Column
Improve your exposure skills The latest edition of the 52 Assignments book collection from Ammonite Press is all about controlling and using light
Nikon partners up with CIWEM andWaterbear for this year’s Environmental Photographer of the Year contest Focus on the environment There’s more to exposure than meets the eye. How you control the amount of light reaching your sensor has a fundamental impact on the mood and success of your pictures. With its workshop-style approach, that’s what 52 Assignments Photographic Exposure is all about. Author and award-winning photographer Antony Zacharias is your expert guide through a series of assignments, designed to fine-tune your skills and enhance your understanding of photographic light. The book is small enough to fit in your camera bag as a handy reference and inspiration point. This book is out in June, costing £12.99. • ammonitepress.com
ABOVE A year’s worth of weekly exposure assignments is sure to improve your photography
Entries are open for this year’s Environmental POTY contest – and it’s well worth entering! The overall winner scoops a £10k cash prize, while the winner of Young POTY wins a Nikon Z camera and three lenses. Now in its 14th year, the contest is a collaboration between Nikon, Waterbear and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), providing an international platform to raise awareness of issues impacting our planet. Open to amateur and pro photographers, the winning pictures will form part of an exhibition at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November. The closing date is 31 July, with the results announced at COP26. • bit.ly/2PrcZi5
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SUCCESS + EXHIBITIONS + PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS + OUTINGS News Camera club
The club has plenty of plans for upcoming exhibitions, featuring inspirational pictures from new and aspiring members, plus it’s all online to view digitally On showat Chichester
We want your contributions If your camera club has news to share with PN readers, please send it in. We welcome all manner of news stories. It could be details of an annual exhibition, a recent or upcoming competition (local, national or international) or an individual member’s personal achievement – such as gaining an award, distinction or victory in a contest. Please read the following submission guidelines before sending in your submission: l Write your story in 250 words or fewer in a Word/Pages document. Please include the club’s website, meeting times, what the event is all about, opening times and entrance fees – any detail relevant to your story is helpful. l Every story should be accompanied by at least one image. JPEGs should be at least 1500 pixels on the longest dimension (bigger is fine), any colour space and, ideally, the photographer’s name should be in the file name. If not, the photographer’s name should appear in the Word document, Send your contribution to clubnews@photography-news. co.uk with the text document and image attached. Deadlines of the next few issues of Photography News ISSUE 89: out from 15 June, deadline for contributions 5 June ISSUE 90: out from 13 July, deadline for contributions 3 July ISSUE 91: out from 17 August, deadline for contributions 6 August so we can credit them. l We do not use posters.
More fromThanet
CHICHESTER CC’S SPRING show uses Kunstmatrix’s virtual exhibition software, enabling viewers to enjoy the images at their leisure. “The spring show is perfect for new and aspiring photographers. Members could choose what they wanted to show off – whether that was several individual images or a collage of related pictures,” explains club chair Mike Harris. “A summer exhibition also takes place in the assembly rooms in Chichester, allowing all members to present at least one image, while our
advanced photographers’ exhibition takes place in North Mundham.” The exhibition pages on the club’s website have all the details. Chichester CC is a vibrant club with a full programme of events and exhibitions. Its 137 members boast a broad range of photographic ability, plus there are six special interest groups. Meetings normally take place at the Tangmere Village Hall in West Sussex, on Thursday evenings, from September to May. chichestercameraclub.org.uk
ABOVE Debbie Ludgate is one of Thanet CC’s newer members, but achieved success with this image, winning the intermediate category
Thanet CC continues to meet online via Zoom, including to host a number of the club’s contests. “Competitions have been judged by a number of new faces to the camera club scene, but recently we were delighted to welcome one of Kent’s premier judges, Andy Smith, to cast his critical eye over entries for our spring competition,” says publicity officer, Rod Giddins. “We were treated to some excellent images. One of our newer members,
Debbie Ludgate, won first and second places in the intermediate group. Her winning image, Majorcan Hellebore, highlighted many different shades of green, but with a hint of pink along the edge of petals. Debbie was thrilled.” Thanet CC’s annual print exhibition is set to take place at the York Street Gallery in Ramsgate from 6 to 16 June, subject to Covid-19 regulations. For more information on the exhibition, visit the club’s website. isleofthanetphotographicsociety.co.uk
North Fylde PS
The club is set to pause for its summer break. “We will continue our Tuesday Zoom meetings, staying in touch and talking about our photography, as well as welcoming new photographers,” says club press officer, Wayne Paulo. North Fylde PS managed to hold plenty of contests throughout the year. Above is an image by Angela Carr, winner of three trophies. northfylde-ps.co.uk
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WhiteWall
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Get your vision framed up WhiteWall is taking the decision-making and creative process behind wall art to the next level. The groundbreakingWhiteWall RoomViewmakes it possible to visualise photographs in your own spaces, combining the best possible visualisationwith competent, tailored online advice from WhiteWall experts. It all makes for a perfect fit and personalised results
At whitewall.com , you can now see exactly how a photograph will look at home or in the office. WhiteWall RoomView has been fully integrated on the website – and no additional software is required. You simply need two photos: an image of the room or the wall, plus the photo
CREATINGWALL ART with your own photography involves a challenging decision-making process full of unknowns. The variety of options – including formats and frames – need to match the picture perfectly, as well as the room and the available space. Howwould
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you wish to turn into wall art. The image of the room can be uploaded either by a computer or smartphone – easily and intuitively via QR code. “Our newWhiteWall RoomView, projecting individual pieces of photography on to your walls from the right perspective, combines the
best visualisations withWhiteWall expertise. This leads to optimum results each time,” says WhiteWall founder and CEO, Alexander Nieswandt. “WhiteWall RoomView, developed in-house, provides sensational support for professionals, as well as private users.”
The WhiteWall RoomView Process
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STEP 2 Upload your image using a computer or smartphone via a QR code. A three-dimensional preview will appear
Once uploaded, the prospective wall art image is automatically converted into a three-dimensional preview. This contains all product attributes and additional features, such as glass and frame. In the next step, you can upload a photo of your own room or wall – or you can use the existing sample room. To ensure the wall art fits the size and perspective of the room, simply enter the width and height dimensions of the wall, or alternatively, a picture already hanging in your room. In addition to measuring your room, another function is used to empty the wall area. This helps make the visualisation even more realistic, removing the pictures already hanging on the wall. Finally, a function setting the white point completes the perfect preview – a simple click takes your room’s lighting conditions into account.
The results are an impressive preview of every WhiteWall product – whether aluminium Dibond, acrylic or framed fine-art prints. And it’s all based on the principle that ‘what you see is what you get’. Now, you can be more confident than ever that you are ordering a perfectly unique wall art product. A personal and contactless online consultation process with WhiteWall stores can be booked via the website. The store consultants, possessing high-level photography expertise, are able to guide you seamlessly through WhiteWall RoomView. “We are proud to be an industry pioneer with the introduction of WhiteWall RoomView,” says WhiteWall founder and CEO, Thomas Alscheid. “Our primary concern is customer satisfaction. We are already working on even more features to dazzle our customers and inspire them with our products.”
STEP 3 Next, upload a picture of your room or wall, entering its dimensions. Or, use WhiteWall’s example room
STEP 4 The ‘clear wall’ functionality makes visualisation easier – existing wall art magically disappears
STEP 5 To accurately display room lighting, another function sets the white point
STEP 6 Finish by placing your picture and choosing size as well as paper type. WhiteWall experts are ready to assist
whitewall.com
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Fujifilm
Make the Switch ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Looking to save weight, the choice to swap his DSLR outfit for mirrorless was a no-brainer for Bill Allsopp, but he took a slightly unusual route before finding the perfect kit combination with Fujifilm
able to keep your finger halfway down on the shutter button so the camera is taking shots all the time, but isn’t recording anything until the shutter button is pushed all the way down. Then you get the last ten, 20 or 30 shots, depending what you’ve set. It ABOVE Bill Allsopp’s latest addition to his Fujifilm lens collection is the recently launched XF70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR, which he bought with the X1.4x teleconverter. He used that lens for this shot of a nesting blackbird. Camera Fujifilm X-T3, lens XF70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR, exposure 1/150sec at f/5.6, ISO 400
I USED TO own a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and a ton of L-series glass. Then, one day, I walked up Mam Tor [in the Peak District] and, honestly, it nearly killed me – and I started from the top car park, so it wasn’t too much of a climb! I thought, ‘I must get a lighter camera’, and that’s when I bought a Leica M9. I loved it. I was used to shooting with rangefinders and it was no bother at all using a manual camera. It was small, very light, but I had a prime lens, so had to zoom with my feet. That’s great, unless you’re standing at the edge of the sea or the edge of the riverbank, so I shot wider and cropped in. However, it only had 18 megapixels, so
that wasn’t the answer, and I continued using it alongside the Canon kit – by now I’d bought an EOS 7D – because I had a good lens range. Eventually, I stumbled across Fujifilm and bought the X-Pro1. The camera was great, so then I bought the X-T1 and sold off my Canon gear. I worked with the Fujifilm X-T1, then bought a couple of X-T2s and, a few months ago, purchased the X-T3. It’s a fantastic machine and has all the features I need. As for lenses, I have an XF10-24mm f/4 R OIS, the superb XF16-55mm f/2.8 R LMWR and the XF50-140mm f/2.8 WR OIS, which I love for the bokeh and shallow depth-of-field. I also recently
purchased the new XF70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR, which I am absolutely delighted with. And in case I need bit more focal length, I bought the XF1.4x teleconverter, too. I’m very happy with the lens and have done quite a bit with it. My daughter rides horses, so I take pictures of her in action – and I’ve been fortunate that some blackbirds are nesting directly opposite the bedroom window. I’ve used the XF70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens to photograph them on the nest. In addition, I found the X-T3’s Pre-Shot feature really useful for this subject. Obviously, it uses a lot of memory space, but it means being
BILL ALLSOPP Keen landscape and travel photographer billallsopp.co.uk
12 Photography News | Issue 88
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Fujifilm
THE KIT BILLOWNS
FUJIFILM X-T3 With a back-side illuminated 26.1-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, coupled with the powerful X-Processor 4 image processing engine, the Fujifilm X-T3 is a great value camera that’s very capable and excellent to use. It has a native ISO range of 160-12,800, responsive AF and two SD card slots. The X-T3 also has a Pre-Shot mode, which uses the camera’s electronic shutter and works at 10, 20 or 30fps.
ABOVE Overwintering geese, north Norfolk. Fujifilm X-T2 with XF16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR at 16mm. Exposure 1/600sec at f/6.4, ISO 200
means you don’t have to worry if you’re a fraction of a second late – a fantastic feature. I shoot in manual exposure mode most of the time and love the EVF, because, with the live histogram, I can see if I am clipping the highlights or blocking up the shadows. I had no problems transitioning to an EVF from an optical finder – I’d probably have a bigger struggle going to an optical viewfinder now! I like the weight of the Fujifilm kit and its handling, plus the glass is excellent and the Raw files process very nicely in Lightroom. I love the tilting screen for people pictures, but also because I like to shoot from different angles. With the zooms, I now have (in full- frame terms) a lens range from 15mm to 450mm in a small, light outfit. I often take the X-T3 and an X-T2 when I go out, with the XF16-55mm f/2.8 R LMWR on one, and the XF70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR on the other, so I don’t miss a shot changing lenses. For me, I think the handling is my favourite aspect of Fujifilm cameras. It is so good. If you don’t feel comfortable with a camera, it is not going to be much use to you. It’s absolutely vital you feel at home with it – and that’s how I feel about the X-T3. FREE 48-HOUR FUJIFILMLOANS The Fujifilm Connect loan service means you can try specific Fujifilm cameras and lenses in your own home, free of charge for up to two days (including delivery). Loans can be extended, and if you decide to purchase, Fujifilm will refund your loan fee. For full details of this special loan scheme, go to: fujifilm-connect. hireacamera.com/en-gb
XF16-55MM F/2.8 R LM WR With its focal length coverage (24-84mm in 35mm format) and fast f/2.8 aperture throughout the range, this high-performing standard zoom makes it perfect for general shooting. Its linear motor delivers extremely quiet autofocusing, while its rugged, weather-resistant build means you can rely on dependable performance, regardless of the circumstances.
ABOVE Cromer Pier in the evening, Norfolk. Fujifilm X-T2 with XF10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR at 17mm. Exposure 1/2sec at f/10, ISO 200
XF70-300MM F/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR This new telezoom offers remarkable telephoto power without the bulk. Its focal length range gives the full-frame equivalent of 107-457mm, so this is a powerful optic in a very compact body form that weighs just 580g. Its minimum focus is 83cm, which applies across the zoom range, so this lens has great potential for close-up shooting, too. Plus, its built-in optical image stabiliser has a 5.5EV benefit to assist sharp shooting when light conditions are less than perfect.
ABOVE Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Fujifilm X-T3, lens XF10-24mm f/4 R OIS at 20mm, exposure 1/90sec at f/7.1, ISO 200
Issue 88 | Photography News 13
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Hähnel
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Module Creative Lantern Kit £59.99 Module Effects Light Kit £49.99 Module Softbox £39.99 Module 360 clamp £9.99 Module 600 clamp £9.99
Hit the high lifewith Hähnel Hähnel has a long-established reputation as a leading supplier of quality imaging accessories that are innovative, genuinely useful and competitively priced. Its current line-up comprises cutting-edge speedlights, image-improving light modifiers, remote triggers and themost versatile battery chargers money can buy. Come in andmeet the Hähnel accessory family
Accessorise your speedlight
The speedlight is one of the most powerful creative tools in your camera bag – but to release its full potential, it needs help. Hähnel’s Module range features nicely priced modifiers that do just that. While designed specifically for its Modus flashguns, they perform very successfully on the majority of speedlights. Module accessories attach to the flash head using magnetism via a Module Clamp, a strong spring-loaded clip available in two sizes: the 360 (max width 64mm) and the 600 (max width 80mm). The clamp intuitively fits the speedlight head, quickly attaching or detaching and holding the modifier or accessory in position – without the need for anything extra. It’s a clever, practical design. And while these clamps are sold separately, they only cost £9.99 each. For softer lighting and less harsh shadows, the fantastic Module Softbox folds flat, storing easily in a camera bag.
Two accessory kits offer the potential for more creative shooting with your speedlight. The Module Light Effects Kit comprises a honeycomb grid, bounce card, filter adapter and six colour gels. Whether shooting with the flash on- or off-camera, the accessories supplied with this kit guarantee plenty of opportunity to innovate your photography. The most recent addition to Hähnel’s family of speedlight accessories is the Module Creative Lantern Kit. This outfit includes a filter adapter, six gel filters, a carrying wallet and an innovative modifier called the Lantern Diffuser. It folds up concertina-style for convenient carriage and simply opens up and fits on the front to use. It was designed by director of Hong Kong-based Hähnel Innovations Ltd, Michael Hähnel. “The inspiration for the design of the Module Lantern Diffuser came about during Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong,
ORIGINALLY FOUNDED IN Germany, Hähnel Industries is now based in Ireland. Initially, Hähnel’s emphasis was placed firmly on its own branded products. In more recent times, it has expanded its horizons, becoming a leading distributor of top-quality imaging brands in the UK and Ireland. Its product portfolio boasts Leofoto tripods, Litra LED lighting, Tokina lenses and Zhiyun gimbals. Nonetheless, the brand’s own range continues to flourish alongside this line-up of renowned names. Its collection of high-quality imaging
accessories have discerning, demanding and creative image makers in mind. There’s plenty of product innovation on offer. For example, its Modus 360RT and 600RT flashguns outperform camera-brand competitors, with high-capacity, rechargeable Extreme Li-ion batteries providing a very high number of flash bursts, coupled with superfast recharging times. In this feature, we take an in-depth look at the endless
where people display lanterns in all shapes, sizes and colours. They were really intriguing and gave off some interesting and colourful light,” says Michael. “The idea was to design a product that was creative and user-friendly. The concertina shape produced good, even light, but we also had to consider keeping the product as compact as possible. The Lantern Diffuser folds flat when not in use and, even though it is small, the diffusion white surface spans out much larger due to its concertina-fan shape.”
creative opportunities powered by Hähnel’s diverse product range. hahnel.ie
14 Photography News | Issue 88
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Hähnel
Energisewith the ProCube2
ProCube2 (Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony) £69.99 HL-PLC12 twin pack (DMW-BLC12) £69.99 HL-PLG10HP twin pack (DMW-BLG10EHP) £59.99 HL-X1 twin pack (NP-BX1) £49.99 HL-W235 twin pack (NP-W235) £89.99
No power means no photography – that renders battery welfare an important facet of modern imaging life. Fortunately, Hähnel’s family of ProCube2 chargers is ideally suited to keep you powered up. Buying the charger that matches your camera’s battery type, two cells can be charged simultaneously with intelligent, fast IC charge control and battery health check. Meanwhile, a mAh readout shares how much shooting capacity has been added
during charging. As a guide, 300mAh is enough for around 150 shots. If you need to get shooting in a hurry, it’s an invaluable aid. The main party trick, however, is an additional tray supplied in the kit that fits over the camera battery charging sockets. This enables you to charge four AA cells. There’s also a built-in 2.4A USB charging port for your tablet, powerbank or smartphone. To complete the ProCube2’s impressive versatility, there is a 12V
car lead and plugs for the UK, Europe and the US in the box. This makes the ProCube2 one of the most practical accessories you’ll ever buy! On the subject of camera batteries, if you need a replacement or more cells, Hähnel offers an extensive collection of high-capacity, reliable Li-ion batteries for most cameras. The range includes money-saving twin packs for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic and Sony cameras, starting from £49.99 per pack.
Capture it right
Hähnel’s Captur range is all about wireless remote camera/flash triggering. It’s the perfect place to look if you’re looking to shoot time-lapse sequences, long exposures, or just want simple hands-free shutter release. The Captur Remote Control is available for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus/Panasonic and Sony. You can expand your shooting opportunities by adding the Captur Module Pro. This versatile unit has built-in sensors, enabling the camera or flash to be triggered by motion, light or sound. There’s an auxiliary socket for third-party sensors, such as pressure plates and temperature sensors. Combining the Module Pro and Captur Receiver, the door opens to a whole new world of exciting picture-taking opportunities. The sound sensor enables incredible shots of breaking glass and bursting balloons; the
laser sensor fires the shutter if the beam is broken, making water droplet and remote wildlife photography possible; and, with the supplied Module IR, you can set up an infrared beam that trips the camera shutter when broken – ideal for action and wildlife shooting. The Module Pro offers fully programmable timed sequences, setting interval timing, delays, the number of exposures and exposure length, while DCM (Digital Channel Matching) renders set-up a simple process.
Get flashingwithHähnel Hähnel Modus 360RT and 600RT Mk II speedlights offer plenty of power, the convenience of through-the-lens (TTL) flash and full dedication with cameras from Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony. The 360RT is an ultra-compact speedlight, ideal for smaller system cameras such as the Canon EOS R and Sony A series. It is 36GN at ISO 100 and 105mm, plus it features a and multiflash modes, full wireless connectivity with an 2.4GHz wireless receiver and transmitter, integrated USB port for firmware updates, and wide-ranging zoom/bounce head. A major selling point is that the speedlights are powered by an Extreme Li-ion rechargeable battery. This not only provides rapid recycling – about 1.5 secs at full power – but also great shooting capacity. A fully charged
Viper TTL receiver to run multiple flash set-ups. For ultimate versatility, and even better value, the 600RT Mark II is available in a Pro Kit, including two flashguns, two Extreme Li-ion cells, USB ultra-compact recharger and a Viper TTL Transmitter.
Captur Module Pro Captur Remote Control & Flash Trigger Captur Receiver Captur Cable Pack
£99.99
£59.99 £39.99
Modus 360RT
£169.99 £249.99
£9.99
Modus 600RT Mk II Modus 600RT Mk Wireless Kit
high-power, built-in LED video light. Meanwhile, the 600RT Mk II packs power into a form factor more suited to larger mirrorless, DSLR and medium format cameras. For this product, the guide number at ISO 100 is 60. Both models share familiar feature sets, including TTL, manual
360RT gives around 400 full-power flash bursts, while the 600RT Mk II provides 600 full-power bursts. In auto mode, the number of bursts is much higher at typical shooting distances. For off-camera shooting, an optional Viper TTL transmitter is available. Meanwhile, there’s also a
£299.99 Modus 600RT Mk II Pro Kit £499.99 Viper TTL transmitter £89.99 Viper TTL receiver £59.99
hahnel.ie
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16 Photography News | Issue 88
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Lighting
Light fantastic Buyers’ guide
Whether you’re an experienced photographer looking to upgrade existing equipment, or a beginner starting a journey with flash and continuous lights, here’s some top kit to improve your pictures, wherever you’re shooting
£379
transcontinenta.co.uk
Godox AD200 Pro Weighing only 590g and measuring 17.2x5.4x7.5cm, the AD200 Pro is a compact and portable flash. At under £400, it’s pretty wallet friendly, too. It has a maximum power of 200Ws, adjustable from full to 1/256 power, and its rechargeable battery pack gives around 500 full-powered shots. Recycle times range from 0.01 to 1.8secs. The AD200’s modular design gives users a choice of a bare bulb head (for use within compatible softboxes) or a fresnel head, where a more focused beam of light can be achieved. On top of that, there’s an accessory mount that lets you fit a wide range of modifiers, including gels and beauty dishes. Easy to
BEGINNER OR EXPERT, the benefits of lighting are the same. In full control of the illumination, you can improve whatever available light you’re faced with – while cooking up creative effects that are only limited by the imagination. What’s more, if the complexities of lighting seem intimidating, remember that a digital camera makes the process relatively straightforward, allowing you to concentrate on the creative benefits, rather than the technical side. When using LEDs, it’s easy to see exactly how the picture will look, through the camera’s viewfinder, while better quality at high ISOs means you can now do a lot more with less light output.
With flash, the instant playback on screen helps you see whether you’re getting the desired visuals, while you can also enjoy the benefits of flash well beyond the traditional limits of the camera’s sync speed in HSSmode. Many modern flash systems also allow automatic exposure control of power through TTLmetering, so there’s no worrying about light meters any more. However, you need the right kit to do it. The latest flash and continuous lighting systems offer great advances in features, price and usability, whether you’re in the studio or on location. And we’ve got everything you need, right here.
use, with clear and simple inputs, its screen helpfully shows the flash duration if you’re trying to freeze movement, while a built-in 2.4GHz receiver makes for easy wireless triggering with suitable options. It offers both HSS and TTL modes, with triggers available for most camera brands.
£1341
£149
manfrotto.co.uk/broncolor
lastolite.com
Broncolor Siros 400 S
Lastolite makes a huge range of lighting accessories, modifiers and adapters, all of which can help you create better images. One of its most adaptable is the Ezybox II softbox range, designed to work with a wide selection of different lights. It fits regular studio heads, portable flashes and even speedlights, so you don’t need a softbox for each model. To do this, it has a wider than normal rear mount, into which a bracket can be used to point speedlights. For regular heads, you just need to attach the corresponding speedring adapter. The Ezybox II Switch also converts from a regular square shape to a rectangular format. For instance, the Large version Lastolite Ezybox II Switch Large
If you’re looking for a mains flash head that combines top quality with outstanding features, then check out the Broncolor Siros 400 S. Winner of the Best Mains Flash category in the Photography News 2020 Awards, it has a power range of 2-400Ws, dialled in via a simple rotary controller. That’s plenty of power, even when working at smaller apertures, but with the output controlled over nine stops in full or 0.1-stop increments, this flash is capable of great subtlety, too. And if it’s flash speed you need, the Siros 400 S has that in abundance, with an action- freezing 1/5500sec at the minimum power, and recycle times from 0.02 to 1.4secs. It can also fire a burst of 50 flashes in a sequence,
all with complete colour consistency that professionals rely on. The Siros 400 S features built-in wireless control and can be set up using Broncolor’s free app. At 32x13x18cm and weighing 3.2kg, it’s built to last. It also benefits from a huge and varied range of light modifiers – the simple bayonet design allows easy fitting and use on any light in the range.
can be switched between 89x89cm to 89x44cm in seconds. It weighs
1650g when set up, and though you have to buy the adapters on top, it comes with inner and outer diffusers and a carry bag.
£199
rotolight.com
Rotolight Neo 2 LED Rotolight’s Neo 2 is a powerful LED light that bridges the gap between flash and continuous lighting. Like all continuous lights, it has the appeal of giving you exactly what you see with your eye, but also has a high-speed sync flash mode, with an output rated at f/8, ISO 200 at 1m. And it can be triggered at up to 200m away, thanks to its integrated 2.4GHz receiver. So, if you’re a portrait photographer – or someone who needs to mix stills and video – it’s well worth a look. The Neo 2 comes
with several modifiers, including two diffusion disks, and two gels that slip easily into the front of the unit for colour effects. But if you just need to match the look of the available lighting, the bicolour LEDs can be set between 3150K and 6300K. It can run off mains power, six AA batteries or a D-Tap cell, while at 354g and 14.5x5cm, it’s also easily transportable, has tripod mounts built in and it can be hotshoe mounted. It is also sold on its own, as well as in kits.
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