Shooting the Fujifilm GFX in the Field

As per yesterday's post, the Fujifilm GFX + 120mm f/4 has some kind of unstable focus problem, which I believe is an electronic glitch (my working theory). It appears to be "safe" to shoot the 120/4 for the initial (single) shot, after that all my aperture series show damage from this glitch. Definitely unsafe to shoot more than one frame in succession (without refocusing) with the 120/4. That is with a 2nd brand-new 120/4 and brand-new GFX; this is no "bad sample" problem but a serious bug.

Accordingly, I am taking the GFX on my trip to the Eastern Sierra along with the 32-64mm f/4 zoom, the 63mm f/2.8, and the 120mm f/4. I am going to be careful in that I will refocus for each of the frames so that I can obtain full image quality (which of course makes stitching all but a non-starter, but oh well).

That is to say: my working theory is that focusing before every shot will bypass the glitch. I don't yet know if the glitch affects the other two lenses, but I don't want to come back with many gigabytes of garbaged aperture series.

Review of Fujifilm GFX system

It's terribly difficult in the field to shoot a system that is unstable when I don't know the root cause, but the GFX sensor is a worthy sensor, and I think I can make things work out to show the best the system has to offer from each of these lenses, even if I cannot reliably do my usual aperture series approach. So I'll just refocus each shot and I should be able to get optimal results for each individual shot.

I think I'll do a fair amount of work at Cerro Gordo, which has lots of interesting stuff for all these lenses (the road is open and free of snow as of today). If by chance a reader wants to meet me for a photo tour, I will be available on April 2/3/4/5 or thereabouts for Cerro Gordo and the Eastern Sierra, White Mountains, and northern Death Valley. One day or more. We can do whatever you prefer: photography in general, stitching, panos, 'post, whatever.

f1.4 @ 1.0 sec, ISO 100; 2016-06-09 20:32:31LEICA SL (Typ 601) + Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon

Source: Shooting the Fujifilm GFX in the Field

Panasonic GX8 Review: a Near-Perfect Travel Camera

I've used the Panasonic GX8 for a few months now, replacing my ageing Rebel Ti DSLR. As a travel blogger I'm on the road often, so I've looked to switch to a more portable mirrorless system—but coming from an SLR, I also wanted an enthusiast-grade system that doesn't skimp on features or ergonomics.

The GX8 isn't perhaps the trendiest mirrorless camera, as Sony's Alpha cameras seem to be the bestsellers at the moment. After testing various mirrorless cameras over the past year, I was initially eying a Sony Alpha 6300 as well, but I ultimately went with the GX8 instead.

While the Sony 6000+ series, Fuji X-T2, Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic GX8 (to name a few close competitors) all have different pros and cons, the GX8 has a few compelling advantages, especially for travel photography.

Specs and features

20 Megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor

4-axis in-body stabilisation

49-point Auto Focus system

2.36M-dot EVF

3″ fully tilting OLED screen

Video resolution of 2160px @ 30fps (4K)

Dimensions: 133 x 78 x 63mm

Weight: 487 g

Price: $1,197.99  view  at amazon view at b&h Ergonomics and ease of use

The GX8 is slightly bigger than other mirrorless cameras such as the GX7, the Sony Alpha 6000 series, or the Olympus PEN series (by about 1 cm or 1/3 of an inch in width and height).

While it's a little stockier, its size gives it a nice grip even for larger hands, and affords more space for manual controls and customisable function buttons. None of the buttons feel fiddly nor are they lumped too closely together, making it feel like… well, an SLR.

I love the manual control for exposure compensation, which I end up using all the time. It lets you increase or decrease exposure in a snap without having to go into a menu.

In fact, you rarely have to go into the menus at all. For instance, you can select autofocus points simply by touching the screen while looking through the EVF. The GX8 is not the only camera to have this feature, though it's a great feature nonetheless, and one that I wouldn't want to be without now that I've gotten used to it. Coming from a camera where I had to select an AF point with the D-pad (forcing me to put the camera down and look at the screen), and then aim roughly for that AF point, it's a real game-changer.

A distinguishing aspect of the GX8 is its fully articulating screen, which is a surprisingly rare feature for a mirrorless camera. Most only let you tilt the screen up by about 30 degrees, but the GX8 lets you flip the screen any way you'd like. This is perfect for taking shots from unusual angles, taking selfies, or monitoring your shots while shooting video.

Fancying myself a 'proper photographer' who 'only uses the viewfinder', I end up using the articulating screen much more than anticipated. It lets me easily take shots that would have been far more challenging without it.

It also lets you be more discreet with street photography or portraits, as looking down at a screen tilted upwards draws far less attention than when you're looking through the viewfinder.

In what is a unique feature to the GX8, you can also tilt the electronic viewfinder. Honestly, I've rarely found a good use for this, though maybe videographers would be more intrigued as they will more commonly shoot from chest-height.

Speaking of the EVF, it's one of the best I've tried. I would compare it to a retina display on a smartphone, in that you won't notice any pixels. This is much better than other electronic viewfinders I've used which clearly show a low-res or rasterized image. In very bright light the screen occasionally isn't so easy to view, but the image is still clear enough that I don't miss having an analog viewfinder.

The only criticism I have on the ergonomics is the placement of two of the customisable function buttons. The quick-menu button is on the exact spot where my thumb rests on the back, so I kept hitting it by accident (this led, for instance, to unintentionally setting a different White Balance). Another button on the front is on the exact spot where my middle finger rests while I hold the grip. In what is otherwise a wonderful camera to use, these two button placements are frankly bizarre.

I solved the issue by assigning a function related to the flash to the front button (since I don't have an external flash, pressing the button does nothing, effectively disabling it), and assigning a similarly non-interfering function to the quickmenu. Now it's perfect, though it's a little silly I had to hack around this issue. I suppose it's a good thing the camera lets you customise so many of the button functions.

Advantages of micro four thirds

The GX8 uses a micro four thirds (MFT) sensor, which is a somewhat smaller sensor than your typical APS-C (used in entry-level SLRs as well as Sony, Fuji, and Canon mirrorless cameras). It's also smaller than full-frame for that matter (used in most professional-grade cameras).

There are some known disadvantages to this smaller format. For instance, you have a longer depth of field, so making photos with a blurry background can be a bit more difficult. It's a point that shouldn't be overstated though, as with a suitably wide aperture lens you can still easily achieve wonderful bokeh on MFT.

The smaller format also affects low-light performance, specifically the level of graininess at higher ISOs. Despite this, I've been very pleased with the low-light performance on the GX8 (more on that later).

12mm, f2.8, using 12-35mm Panasonic lens

I believe these minor disadvantages of micro four thirds are simply dwarfed by the enormous advantage of being able to use lighter, smaller, and often cheaper lenses. Because a smaller sensor simply doesn't need as big of a lens, you can pack some mean kit while still keeping things highly portable.

I paired my GX8 with a 12-35mm lens (24-70mm full frame equivalent) which has a constant aperture of f2.8 and costs around 700 USD or EUR. It weighs just 300 grams, which simply boggles the mind. A similar lens on my Canon SLR would have weighed three times as much and would have had triple the price tag as well. The same lens on a Sony Alpha system would have weighed a kilo and costs more than 2000 Euro.

It seems the minor disadvantages of the MFT format are easily offset by being able to pair it with a better lens at a far lower weight and cost.

Low light performance

I'm used to keeping the max ISO at 3200 or 1600, where the GX8 produces very clear images. It's a struggle to notice any grain at these ISOs, except at full zoom in Adobe Lightroom. At ISO 6400, it's still maybe borderline useable (with some strong noise reduction), but anything higher is definitely super grainy to a degree that I think most will find unusable.

ISO levels aside, the GX8 has two key features that help to enhance its low-light performance.

One is the GX8's 4-axis in-body stabilisation, which significantly increases your ability to take razor-sharp shots even when handheld in low light. Panasonic touts a technology called Dual IS which lets the in-body and in-lens stabilisation (if present) work in concert. How much this improves the IS is impossible for me to say, though the IS works great in practice.

The other impressive aspect is the Auto Focus which can detect subjects within a range of -4 EV. The norm for most cameras is -1 or -2EV, and only Sony's A7S and A7S II also feature -4 EV autofocus (both are high-end cameras specialised in low-light and in a much higher price tier). What this means in practice is that even in low light the GX8's AF usually snaps onto a subject easily.

Lisbon funicular – 1/10 of sec @ f2.8 on 12-45mm Panasonic lens (ISO 800)

Thanks to the Dual IS and great AF, nearly all my pictures are tack sharp in good light. When shooting handheld in low light the success ratio is maybe closer to 70/30, though this is still good enough not to fuss about whether to pack a tripod.

With my old Canon Rebel Ti3 SLR I often struggled in low light, even when using a f1.4 prime lens. Just look at the blurry mess I got from shooting Day of the Dead in Mexico a few years back… ugh! The AF just wouldn't know what to do, and manual focus was too difficult to get right.

With the GX8, I can easily take sharp pictures whether it's night or day, which for me is truly a difference of night and day.

Caving on the Azores – shot at 12mm @ f2.8 using 12-35mm Panasonic lens (ISO 1600)

When pushed to higher ISOs, a micro four thirds camera will always produce grainier images than an APS-C or full-frame. Still, in tests by DPreview the GX8 has been shown capable of outperforming larger-sensor cameras which theoretically should be better, such as the Canon 70D.

Whatever the lab tests say, in real world scenarios I've much enjoyed using the GX8 in low light.  I was recently shooting at f2.8 inside a cave with barely any light and it managed very well.

In large part thanks to the IS and great AF, I don't feel the need to necessarily carry an additional high aperture lens (even though I'll surely end up buying an f.1.7 prime anyway).

GX8 as a travel camera

Since I'm a travel blogger, let me talk a bit about how the GX8 has worked for me as a travel camera.

The GX8 is light to carry, which makes a huge difference for travel. With a 12-35mm lens it's just around 800 grams, and with a pancake or prime lens it's even lighter. This makes me carry the camera around much more often, even in casual situations.

Thanks to weather-sealing it's also no issue taking a GX8 into rainy, misty or dusty environments. I used to think this wasn't so important until my Canon SLR shut down for a week after I took it into the mists of Iguazu Falls in Brazil (vapor got into the system – I'm lucky it dried out). With the GX8, I wouldn't have had this problem.

The GX8 is a versatile tool thanks to the fully articulating screen, good low-light performance, super fast AF, and in-body stabilisation.

1/320 sec @ 30mm, f5

There are also a few things I'm less impressed with…

The battery life is awful. For me, it barely lasts a day on one battery. That's not unusual for mirrorless cameras, but it's still at the lower end of the typical battery life range.

For extended travel activities such as multi-day hikes, multiple batteries are a must. And if you shoot a lot of video, the GX8 eats batteries like it's popcorn. Sadly, the camera won't charge over USB, otherwise a USB battery would have been a wonderful solution. I recommend getting a pair of off-brand spare batteries from Amazon or Ebay. (No need to get the overpriced Panasonic ones.)

Finally, the GX8 doesn't have an internal flash. It's not a deal-breaker for me as I don't ever use flash, but if you need flash you'll have to attach an external one to the hot-shoe.

Video performance

I'm mainly a stills photographer, but a few notes on the video capabilities:

It's well set up for shooting video with great IS, 4K resolution, and an external mic port (but no headphone port). The framerate doesn't go beyond 30 fps for 4K though, and only up to 60 fps for 1080p, making it not so great for getting smooth slow-motion shots.

Annoyingly, the mic input is non-standard. You need a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptor, which isn't provided by Panasonic in the box. It's not a biggie (they cost about a dollar), but still a little odd.

While the GX8 handles video extremely well, the Panasonic GH4 places more emphasis on video-specific features, so you may want to look at this camera if video is your top priority.

1/200 sec @ 12mm, f3.5

GX8 pros and cons

Pros:

Feels and handles well; lots of manual controls

Great lens selection (Olympus lenses also compatible)

Easy WiFi connectivity and remote smartphone control

Weather-sealed

Very fast autofocus

Great low-light performance

Crystal clear EVF

Dual stabilisation (if using Panasonic lenses)

Fully articulating screen

Good value for money

Cons:

Grainier at higher ISOs than APS-C

Short battery life (spare battery recommended)

No charging over USB

Some (solvable) niggles about button placement

No internal flash

Conclusion

On paper, the GX8 seems like a very compelling travel camera. Despite a couple of minor complaints, I've found this to be true in practice as well.

If the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor is keeping you on the fence (as it did for me for some time), I should say that the supposed disadvantages around depth of field control and low-light performance are actually quite subtle. Unless you're doing studio work or high-end professional photography, you might not care about the difference. On the other hand, the advantage of MFT's lighter and cheaper lenses (getting you wider aperture for less) is huge.

The GX8 itself offers good value for money. The specs are close to the Sony a6500 (apart from its sensor), yet it is 400 USD cheaper. The Fujifilm X-T2, another direct competitor, is 600 USD more expensive than the GX8. The MFT format provides further savings with the lenses, as there is a wide range of attractively priced Olympus and Panasonic lenses available.

If you're looking for a highly portable travel camera that still ticks all the boxes of an entry- or midlevel SLR, then the Panasonic GX8 is definitely worth considering.

Price: $1,197.99  view  at amazon view at b&h

Related

Source: Panasonic GX8 Review: a Near-Perfect Travel Camera

Yi M1: $350 for a 20-megapixel and 4K-shooting mirrorless camera

3/28/2017 ISO 1200 Magazine 0 Comments

Kai W‏  has been bashing away the Nintendo Switch a lot recently. But for $350 for console and a game (not many games to choose from) the jury's still out on whether it's a good purchase...but what new camera can you get for that kind of price? Boke Buddies' Channels:

Tim: www.youtube.com/channel/UC2cR...

Lok: www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_m...

PJB: www.youtube.com/user/TheTimes...

Warren: www.youtube.com/channel/UCLkz...

 

You may also like: Nikon D5 + 600mm vs Shotgun Challenge

About Kaiman Wong: Photography Nerd // Bokeh Whore // Gear Addict // Tech Lover // Vlogger. Let's Get Connected: YouTube | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Text, image and video via Kaiman Wong 

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Source: Yi M1: $350 for a 20-megapixel and 4K-shooting mirrorless camera

Speed Demons: 4 Mirrorless Cameras With Fast Autofocus

For a really long time in digital photography's history, you needed to drop major cash on a Canon or Nikon DSLR for the best autofocus. Simply put, smaller and more affordable cameras just couldn't keep up. Then more and more mid-range cameras started getting decent AF, which was great from an affordability standpoint, but still left a lot to be desired for those who wanted to have fast AF and not have to carry around a brick.

Well, times have continued to advance and now even small low profile cameras are starting to have some really impressive and accurate AF performance, to the point that one can actually use one of these camera and not feel like the AF is holding them back at all.

So today we are taking a look at the various low-profile options out there with fast AF. Enjoy!

Sony A6500

Are you at all surprised here? How could we have a listing of low profile cameras with fast AF without mentioning the current king of the category, Sony's A6500. This is one of the more expensive cameras on this listing, but it without a doubt has the best AF performance and is also still really small. If you have the budget for it, this should really be near the top of your list. It's fantastic for concert photographers, street photographers, etc.

Our Review

"The Sony a6500 is a really solid camera. I can't sit here and deny that. But if you're a Sony a7 series camera owner, you'll see just how much better that is.The Sony a6500 is a really solid camera. I can't sit here and deny that. But if you're a Sony a7 series camera owner, you'll see just how much better that is." — Read Our Full Review

A6500 Pricewatch:  $1,398.00

Fujifilm X-T20

Yes, we have the X-T20 on this list ahead of the flagship X-T2 and X-Pro2 cameras, but really this is for one reason – it is smaller than them and the AF is virtually the same. So in the X-T20 you are getting Fujifilm's current smallest camera featuring their newest 24MP sensor and this is honestly the best bang for your buck right now with the X-Series at only $900. Considering it has basically the same autofocus as the higher end models too, it's going to be fantastic.

Our Review

"The Fujifilm X-T20 is quite honestly a fantastic camera. It's small, lightweight, can perform very well, has fast autofocus and really nice image quality, and overall can deliver quite a lot of great images in the hands of the right photographer. But at the same time, there are things holding it back, like the battery life being drained too fast…" — Read Our Full Review

X-T20 Pricewatch:  $899.00

Olympus OM-D E-M1 MK II

Another relatively expensive option, though still cheaper than the A6500, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 II is a great low profile option for those looking to get some incredible performance out of a really small and compact kit. You do need to be okay with the sensor size, but if you are looking to shoot wildlife or action sports from a distance than chances are that the x2 crop factor will actually be something that you like.

Our Review

"The Olympus OMD E-M1 Mk II is a fantastic camera in many regards. But it's expensive. However, I've sat there debating the price point back and forth. In the long run though, you'll be incredibly rewarded with a fantastic camera. And if Olympus keeps up with their promises to provide greater support to professionals, then it all will just make it so much better." — Read Our Full Review

Pricewatch:  $1,999.00

Sony A6000

Yeah, yeah, we already talked about the latest and greatest A6xxx series camera, but we would be remiss if we did not mention the incredible deal that the original A6000 is right now. The camera is still a great performer in many respects, and its AF still holds up really well against even these other new bodies.

Our Review

"The Sony A6000 hands down has what could arguably be called the best autofocusing system out there. While it isn't the fastest, it by far is the smartest and the most responsive–putting some DSLRs to shame in our tests for sure. Granted, Sony did this with an APS-C sensor and have yet to do this with a full frame sensor. If that doesn't bother you, then you'll have an autofocusing beast in the palm of your hand." — Read Our Full Review

Pricewatch:  $548.00

Source: Speed Demons: 4 Mirrorless Cameras With Fast Autofocus

25 Mar Fuji GFX-50S | Hands-on Review

Source: Fujifilm Insider

After stealing the show at Photokina 2016, the Fujifilm GFX-50S Medium Format Mirrorless Camera is now available. Matt got his hands on the latest release from Fuji to put it through it's paces.

Related

Fuji GFX-50S | Hands-on Review posted on Fujifilm Insider on March 25, 2017 2:56 pm.

Read the full article on Fujifilm InsiderHome
Source: 25 Mar Fuji GFX-50S | Hands-on Review

Three Perfect Mirrorless Cameras For The Advanced Amateur

Are you ready to upgrade from that basic mirrorless kit that you bought to learn photography with? Advanced amateurs make a large portion of the photography marketplace, yet most guides and gear roundups seem to favor people in the beginners or professional category. The issue arises because basic cameras are well, too basic for an advanced amateur to do what they want/need, while professional level cameras are often overkill in terms of features and out of reach financially anyway.

So today we are looking at that sweet spot for the advanced amateur, between the $900 and $1900 price point we will be looking at some of the best mirrorless options out there right now to try and help you sort out which may be the best option for you with your next upgrade.

Ready? Great, lets get into it!

Sony A6300

The A6300 is an incredibly powerful, yet compact mirrorless camera that features a sort of modern rangefinder-esq aesthetic. It features some of the fastest mirrorless AF performance around and is capable of capturing images that drop jaws. It also makes a great companion camera to those of you looking to expand your Sony kit without dropping the cheddar on another A7 series body.

In our review we said:

"In many ways the Sony a6300 is an excellent camera. Great image quality, very versatile RAW files, a small size, great autofocus, and more. What more could you possibly ask for? My qualms with it have to do with the fact that the high ISO output is starting to fall behind the competitor and that I genuinely feel like the ergonomics need to take a step up at this point. Otherwise, it's a very solid camera." Read the Review

Pricewatch:  $998.00 Fujifilm X-T20

The X-T20 is right now the best mid-range Fujifilm body you can get your hands on and it features many of the great features that you can find in Fuji's professional X-Pro2 and X-T2 bodies. It's AF is fast and accurate, and the retro design with knobs and dials really makes this camera a joy to use for anyone who holds it. If you are looking to keep your budget reigned in this is a great option in the Fujifilm system.

In our review we said:

"The Fujifilm X-T20 is quite honestly a fantastic camera. It's small, lightweight, can perform very well, has fast autofocus and really nice image quality, and overall can deliver quite a lot of great images in the hands of the right photographer. But at the same time, there are things holding it back, like the battery life being drained too fast and the fact that I genuinely feel like I've been able to get more from the Fujifilm RAW files and the highlights in the past." Read the Review

Pricewatch:  $899.95 Olympus OM-D E-M5 II

If you don't mind the smaller sensor (and lets be real here, for most people this is not a big deal) than the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II is an incredible option for advanced amateurs looking to go mirrorless. This camera packs a ton of features and performance into a small and compact body that is not only easy to use, but easy to take with you virtually anywhere.

In our review we said:

"The sensor in the Olympus OMD EM5 MK II is the single best four thirds sensor that we've tested. It's got a ton of dynamic range, great high ISO abilities, can give you a higher resolution photo if you need, lots of autofocus points that just work, and a heck of a lot going for it. On a personal note, I'm more partial to the simplicity that the Mk I delivers, but we totally see how photographers will relate to this product much more." Read the Review

Pricewatch:  $899.00

—

So there you have it, three really solid mirrorless cameras for you advanced amateurs to consider with your next upgrade. Hopefully this has been helpful.

Source: Three Perfect Mirrorless Cameras For The Advanced Amateur

Electronic Shutter Vs. Mechanical Shutter | Pros & Cons

In the heydays of film, there was only one kind of shutter, the mechanical shutter. They came in two flavors, focal plane and leaf shutter, but both of them served the same purpose; they block light from reaching the film when closed, and move out of the way to let light accumulate on the film while open. Like most things now, the shutter has gone digital, and now includes two more options to control the amount of light: hybrid shutters (electronic first curtain) and fully electronic shutters.

One of the first things that comes to mind when looking at mirrorless cameras is that the sensor should just be able to turn on and off electronically. Why is the shutter even needed? Is it? A few modern digital cameras operate an electronic shutter in a way where the cameras simply power-on the digital sensor for a selected amount of time (think shutter speed); this is called a global electronic shutter.

[REWIND: CANON TO DEBUT NEW 'GLOBAL SHUTTER' TECH INTO UPCOMING DSLR?]

Many more cameras like the DSLR/Mirrorless in your bag, to the phone you may be reading this on, incorporate a different method called a rolling electronic shutter. In a rolling shutter, the camera activates one row of pixels at a time across its width. If your camera has Live View functionality, it has an electronic shutter.

Some cameras only use the electronic shutter for live view and video, while others, like the Fuji X-T2, can use it for still photos along with the mechanic shutter. Realizing that some cameras have all-electronic shutters while others have mechanical shutters, it's obvious that there are pros and cons to both designs. In the video below, Robert Hall talks about some of the advantages and disadvantages of electronic shutters using a Fuji XT-2.

Thoughts

Electronic shutters are usually boasted by still-camera makers as a means to shoot quietly, without the noise of a mechanical shutter. While it might not be the subtle click of a leaf shutter like the one found on cameras like the Fuji X100T, I find it hysterical when people mention the 'loud' noise that the shutter in mirrorless cameras make. For photographers considering that noise as "loud" would the mirror slap of a Hasselblad 500CM would be deafening to them?

One of the first tings I did when I owned a Fuji X-T1 was to disable the electronic shutter. To me, the benefits of a silent shutter and insanely fast 1/32000 shutter speed were out weighed by the fact that I could not use flash. Even on Fuji's spec sheet, it mentions that the electronic shutter is not suitable for fast moving objects, so the fast shutter is a moot point.

If you are a product, macro, or high volume photographer the reduced vibrations and near unlimited shutter lifetime would be beneficial to you, but if you rely on freezing fast moving objects or use flash, it might be best to stick to mechanical shutters – at least for the near future.

      

Source: Electronic Shutter Vs. Mechanical Shutter | Pros & Cons

Metabones PL to Sony E-mount T CINE Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x

Speed Booster ULTRA  for E-Mount and X-mount camerasSharper corners, less distortion, reduced vignettingNew optical design:  advanced 5-element/4-group optical design incorporating ultra-high index tantalum-based optical glass to achieve extraordinary optical performance with improved corner sharpness, distortion and reduced vignetting.

Like the revolutionary original Metabones Speed Booster announced in January 2013, the Speed Booster ULTRA has a magnification of 0.71x, and so it effectively reduces the crop factor of mirrorless cameras with DX-sized sensors and Super35 camcoder, such as Sony E-mount, Fuji X-mount cameras Sony FS7 MARKII, from 1.5x to 1.07x.  However, the new ULTRA design makes very effective use of exotic materials at the furthest limit of glassmaking technology, and as a result is well corrected for use with virtually all fullframe SLR/Prime lenses regardless of exit pupil distance.  (More information can be found in the press release here)

Tested camera/camcorder bodies:

A7S ( in "APS-C Size Capture" mode)

A7R ( in "APS-C Size Capture" mode)

A7  ( in "APS-C Size Capture" mode)

PXW-FS7 MARK II

PXW-FS7

PXW-FS5

NEX-FS700

NEX-FS100

NEX-EA50

NEX-VG900

NEX-VG30

NEX-VG20

NEX-VG10

NEX-7

NEX-6

NEX-5R

NEX-5N

NEX-5

NEX-C3

NEX-3

NEX-A6500

NEX-A6000

Via Metabones

Source: Metabones PL to Sony E-mount T CINE Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x

Sony Might Show off New Fullframe Mirrorless on April

By admin, on March 22nd, 2017

According to latest rumors, Sony will going to announce a new product in the month of April 2017. Take a look of the possible products that may be announced during April 2017 according to SAR

90% chance: New camcorders will be announced at NAB (April 23)80% chance: new 16-35mm f/2.8 GM70% chance: New E-mount FF camera trimmed for speed (Low Megapixel number, fastest autofocus of all Sony cameras, around 20fps, dual SD card, joystick control, unlimited RAW recording).70% chance: New tele E-mount lens (probably 100-400mm FE or/and a 400mm FE)

Basically the list do have all the possible products name that may arrive this year. But unfortunately, we aren't getting any concrete information related to the product announcement.

What Actually Coming ?

It all started when Japanese website Nokoshita Claims that Sony registered our new product on Chinese and MIT agency for bluetooth and WiFi certification on February 15 2017. And the same website also claimed that Sony will going to announce the registered camera after 2 months from its date of registration, that is from February Sony will going to take roughly 2 months to announce the registered product.

Sony A7 Series Product Codes – WW 32xxxx

After looking at the product code name carefully, we have found that the registered product code name patterns matches to the Sony A7 series cameras and hence, It increases the possibility that Sony will going to announce a new A7 series mirrorless camera in near future.

Also check out some other latest rumors

Stay with us and we will going to update you soon as we get any new information related to upcoming Sony products and its announcements.  

Join our Sony Camera users Group

We will update you soon as we get any new information, stay with us (FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOOGLE+) If you have time –> see more Sony Rumor

Source: Sony Might Show off New Fullframe Mirrorless on April

Leica Q Review

This is a review of the Leica Q, a 24.2 mega pixel full frame mirrorless camera. The author Adam Riley is a wedding photographer who also dabbles in street photography.

Learn why after years of using Nikon and Canon dSLRs, Adam switched to the mirrorless system, then on to the Leica Q as his camera of choice.

Be sure to leave a comment at the end of this review with your thoughts on the Leica Q, this Leica Q review, or switching to a mirrorless camera in general.

Leica Q Review | Intro

Since the release of the Fuji X100, I have slowly discarded my large cameras and moved into the mirrorless realm, owning and loving each of the Fuji flagship X series cameras. I currently use the Fuji X-T2 and Fuji X-Pro2.

[See the Fuji X-T2 review and Fuji X-Pro2 review here.]

Leica had always been on my wish list, but other than a film M6 for personal and street photography use, I have considered Leica too expensive and lacking in technical features (AF/high ISO) to be my main wedding camera body.

Leica Q | 1/125th, f/3.2, ISO 4000

Leica has a strong heritage, mainly associated with their small Rangefinder cameras. With the release of the Leica Q, they did something unique.

A full frame Rangefinder sized camera, with an EVF and fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens. I had to get one.

I have been using the Leica Q professionally alongside my Fujis for the past 18 months, and it has grown into my main body and something I can't live without.

Leica Q Review | Design & Build

The Leica Q looks gorgeous. It feels lovely in the hand, is small and lightweight but very well-built.

The Leica Q makes my Fuji gear feel a bit cheap (no small feat). I use it with a small Spider Black Widow Camera Holster and the lens hood permanently attached for extra protection.

At my second wedding with the Leica Q, my camera strap (I wasn't using the Spider Holster at the time) worked loose from the thread fitting on the base, and my shiny new camera smashed into the concrete below!

Leica Q with Spider Holster attachment

A testament to the build quality of this little camera that it continued to work perfectly – with no visible marks! 18 months later and it has had its fair share of knocks and scrapes, but it remains as solid as a rock. The pictures of the camera taken for this Leica Q review show how it's still in excellent condition despite my rough handling at times.

In a very Leica-esque design, aperture and shutter speed are quick and simple to change and ISO has its own button on the back of the camera.

Leica does minimalism very well. On other cameras, too many buttons and functions can take away from the photography experience.

However part of me misses the extra dials of the Fuji system, especially the dedicated ISO and viewfinder switcher buttons that enable quick adjustments to be made.

Some customisation of function buttons is available, but generally set up is quick, painless and focused on simplicity.

A tilting screen would have been nice, and it's a shame the Leica Q does not have one. I can see aesthetically why Leica has opted out of this feature, but it's really useful for both street and wedding photography.

Many mirrorless cameras are following the DSLRs and are now equipped with two SD slots. However the Leica Q only has one SD memory card slot.

This is not ideal for a wedding photographer – we've heard lots of horror stories of memory card failures, and are used to the security of dual slots.

To counter this fact I'm sure to capture all the key moments with two cameras, and only use 16GB / 32gb memory cards – reducing the risk in the event of card failure.

The leaf shutter is a dream, and is virtually silent. It makes DSLRs sound like a gun and even the noise from the Fuji X-Pro2 can be very distracting (I don't use the electronic shutter on the X-Pro2 due to banding).

For my discreet style of photography this is a huge advantage. I can literally have the camera pointed over a guest's shoulder and grab a shot without them even noticing.

Leica Q Review | Functions and Features The Leica Q Lens

The Leica Q has a fixed 28mm f/1.7 Summilux ASPH lens with stabilisation. The quality of Summilux Leica glass is world renowned and this is no different – it's pin sharp even when shot wide open.

I'm a prime lens shooter, over the years I've switched between favouring the 24mm and 35mm focal length. I love to get close to the action and give a real human perspective via a wide field of view.

I find the 28mm focal length the perfect balance. 28mm is approximately the field of view of an iPhone for good reason since it's an all-rounder of a focal length which provides such a great field of view for storytelling.

Leica Q | 1/250th, f/10, ISO 2500

You can also set the Leica Q to shoot 35mm or 50mm frames. However, this is just a digitally cropped version of the 28mm lens and I don't really see the point in this feature. You can always crop in the edit if required.

The Leica Q's lens is not a portrait lens, and there are certain points in a wedding day when 28mm is just too wide (and sometimes not wide enough!) This is why I often choose to shoot alongside the Fuji X-T2, using the Fuji 56mm f/1.2 (an 85 mm full frame equivalent lens).

[See the Best Fuji Lenses here.]

If the Leica Q was your only body, there will be shots you would miss due to it being so wide – but you can always zoom with your feet :-)

Leica Q Review | Image quality + Performance

With such great glass on the front of the Leica Q, a 24MP CMOS sensor and a system optimised for the 28mm lens, the image quality is stunning.

The tones in particular are sublime and I absolutely love the look of the files this camera produces.

Leica Q | 1/250th, f/3.2, ISO 1600

It's no fault of the camera at all, but I really struggle to colour match the Leica Q with my Fuji system. With the release of the Leica M10, I may just have to go 100% Leica!

The jpgs are good, but suffer from banding and noise at high ISO's (more so than the RAW files), so I've never really played with them. I always shoot RAW and edit them in Lightroom.

The sensor on the Leica Q was the first of its kind, subsequently used for the Leica SL and modified for the new M10. Although the ISO goes to 50,000 I put a cap on usage at 12,500 ISO like I normally do with all my camera bodies.

Leica Q | 1/250th, f/1.7, ISO 2000

There is noise and some banding (especially if slightly underexposed and recovered in Lightroom), but as a photographer that does not use flash, I prefer a bit of noise to a missed image.

In terms of using the camera, you can switch shooting modes between single shot and continuous using a switch next the shutter. In continuous mode you can choose between low, medium or high (10fps).

One of the main issues I have with the Leica Q is the buffer. Even in low burst continuous mode it just isn't very good. I use high speed Sandisk Extreme Pro 95mb/s memory cards, but the camera freezes up on me regularly when the buffer gets full.

Leica Q | 1/250th, f/1.7, ISO 1250

I always have it set to 'low continuous' (3 fps) mode. During confetti throwing or the bride walking down the aisle where many bursts are taken, the camera freezes for 20 seconds or so before you can start taking images again. I have to really limit the number of frames I take. This won't be a problem for the typical user, but for wedding use it can obviously be an issue.

As with most mirrorless cameras, battery life on the Leica Q is poor. I take 6-7 batteries per wedding – that says it all.

[Check out the dSLR vs Mirrorless Camera Buyer's Guide for a few tips on improving battery life on mirrorless cameras.] Leica Q Review | Focusing

Leica are the ultimate manual focus cameras. Their Rangefinder system has perfected the art of eliminating AF errors and putting the user in control.

I didn't know what to expect from the auto focus when I first thought about writing this Leica Q review, but after 18 months of use, I now expect (and get), extremely accurate and fast focusing.

You have the option of single (AFs) or continuous (AFc) shooting. Switching between the two shooting modes requires digging in the menus, so I'm always set to AFs on 1 focus point.

Even in low light the Leica Q rarely hunts or misses focus. Shooting f/1.7 on a moving subject at 12,500 is always going to be difficult, but the Leica Q doesn't seem to struggle.

Leica Q | 1/125th, f/2.2, ISO 5000

In strongly backlit situations where contrast can be reduced on faces I've had a couple of issues, but no more than any other camera.

I usually back button focus, and the Leica Q allows this via customisation of the rear thumb button. However I find the button placement uncomfortable, so focus using the standard shutter release approach. Instead, I set the rear thumb button to exposure lock.

It's worth mentioning that you can also use the LCD touch screen to focus. In my (very limited) attempts specifically for this Leica Q review, it seemed to work well, but I've never been a fan of touch screen focus / shoot, and so don't really use it.

Switching between autofocus and manual focus is via a small tab on the lens. After a couple of days' use, it becomes quick and natural.

Leica Q | 1/125th, f/3.5, ISO 160

Manually focusing on this camera is the best I have experienced – the smoothness of a typical Leica lens, but with the added advantage of automatic zoom and focus peaking.

In difficult lighting or for stationary subjects during a wedding, manual focusing is the perfect option. For street shooters, zone focusing on the Leica Q is ideal with the lens distance scale.

Leica Q Review | EVF / LCD

The EVF (electronic viewfinder) on the Leica Q is nothing short of amazing. I never thought I'd prefer an electronic viewfinder over an optical one, but over the last couple of years I've grown to rely on it – you can't get the exposure wrong!

However, the eyecup on the Leica Q is a not very substantia, with light leaking in being a problem if you're shooting on a sunny day. Live preview, instant review and low light shooting are perfect.

Leica Q | 1/1600th, f/4, ISO 100

I tend to shoot in 'EVF Only 'mode to conserve battery power and because I prefer a viewfinder over the LCD (most of the time).

When set to EVF/LCD switcher mode, in which the EVF is used when brought to the eye, there is a slight lag in switchover. This is the same as the Fuji system – I find the lag annoying so I don't bother with it.

I set the Leica Q to playback images on the LCD. Reviewing images also sometimes has a slight lag of only milliseconds whereby a fuzzy image turns to a clear one, but I'd prefer it if there was a sharp image for me to review instantly.

Leica Q Review | Exposing

I capture the majority of the day in aperture priority, with auto ISO (set to 6,400 as standard, expanded to 12,500 in very low light), and a minimum shutter speed of 1/250th (reduced to 1/125th in low light).

As with most other mirrorless cameras, you see a real time preview of the exposure in the EVF of the Leica Q, and can quickly alter this using the exposure compensation wheel on the back. It's a very quick way of changing your exposure on a wedding day, especially when the lighting conditions can change in a second.

Unfortunately the compensation only goes from -3 to +3, and this occasionally is not enough.

Leica Q | 1/250th, f/1.8, ISO 6400

If I want to work manually, I set my exposure via aperture, shutter speed + ISO (how I often work with my Fuji) – the EVF/LCD doesn't show the exposure that will be obtained with the current settings, but rather always shows a bright image (even if you are underexposed).

This can be useful when flash will be used, but I'd much prefer to see the actual exposure.

Leica Q Review | Conclusion

I love the Leica Q, but it definitely isn't for everyone. If the 28mm focal length is for you, then the blistering fast (and accurate) AF, stunning image quality, great low light performance coupled with perfect size and weight, makes this a serious contender.

Leica Q Review by Cheshire Wedding Photographer Adam Riley | www.adamrileyphotography.com

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Source: Leica Q Review

Sony may keep best sensors in house and not sell them to other companies

A recent interview with Sony managers discovered that Sony might keep most of their sensors in their own cameras. Mr. Kenji Tanaka and Mr. Yojiro Joe Asai from Sony shared some plans of the company, and among other things, they discovered the future of their sensors.

The interview was originally published on Imaging Resource, but it was removed in the meantime. Still, you can find the original on Google Cache. One segment particularly focuses on the sensors:

Kenji Tanaka: As you know well, our key driver is the image sensor, and we already invested a lot of money for the image sensor development. And the sensor is a custom [design, meaning that] only Sony can use these sensors, and our strength is our in-house technology. So I invested in that and we will keep investing in the in-house technology like image sensors.

[Ed. note from Dave Etchells: This was new information for me; as far as I'd been aware, Sony's camera division would get access to the latest sensor designs as soon as they came through the design and production cycle, while other companies could buy the same sensor a year later. While this might once have been the case, it appears that Sony currently reserves dome level of their sensor technology exclusively for us in their own cameras.]

Another point caught my attention, and it focuses on the market Sony is targeting. They want to concentrate on mirrorless and full-frame market, and they will likely develop their products accordingly:

Kenji Tanaka: I want to show our technology. The technology can change the future. Right now, I think American people still think the DSLR structure with mirror and shutter is best. But the technology can change that kind of way. And I think only Sony can do it. So I want to explain why the future is changing. And the sensor is one aspect, and the lens is another one. Of course, intelligence is another aspect, but there are many technologies we have, so these things I want to tell your users. And of course [by combining] these technologies we create new cameras. So I want to show you the new camera[…] And I think a mirrorless can take a photo that the even professional DSLRs couldn't capture. So we want to give a new experience not only [for] the amateur [but also] the professional.

So, it seems that Sony is planning to invest more in their own line instead of producing the sensors for other companies. It seems that their best sensors will be reserved for their own cameras. They are quite big and respected in the world of mirrorless, so it seems logical that they want to put focus on developing in this area. But considering they have produced a large number of sensors for Nikon, it may give a hard time to this company. They plan to focus more on mirrorless, too, so I'm curious to see how their story will unfold in the future.

[via Sony Alpha Rumors]

Source: Sony may keep best sensors in house and not sell them to other companies

Best mirrorless cameras of 2017

If you're a serious photographer, it's a safe bet the pics from your phone just don't cut it for you.

If you're looking for a higher-end camera that will give you better resolution and more control without the bulk of a digital single-lens reflex camera, one of these four models will take care of your needs.

Sony A7R II

Rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent).

The good: For the most part, the Sony A7R II delivers terrific photo and video quality in a compact, well-designed body.

The bad: Terrible battery life and a mushy shutter mechanism could negatively impact your shooting experience. Also, there's general highlight clipping in still photos and artifacts in some high-ISO-sensitivity shots that we hope Sony can improve via a firmware update.

The cost: $2,549 to $2,899.99.

The bottom line: It needs a little more refinement, but overall the Sony A7R II is a great camera for folks who need a high-resolution full-frame model in a more compact design than a DSLR.

Olympus PEN-F

Rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent).

The good: The Olympus PEN-F is fast, delivers great photos in a streamlined body and offers a nice feature set.

The bad: The camera lacks a grip and video is not one of Olympus' strong suits. Plus, it really should be at least modestly dust- and weather-sealed for the money.

The cost: $1,099 to $1,199 (body only, silver).

The bottom line: Excellent photo quality and performance and a system with tiny, fast prime lenses make the Olympus PEN-F a great camera for street photography.

Sony A6300

Rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent).

The good: The Sony A6300 delivers class-leading photo and video quality, plus good performance and features for shooting action.

The bad: Myriad small annoyances mar the experience and it has the trademark poor battery life of Sony's A series. Plus, it really could use in-body image stabilization.

The cost: $799.99 to $899.99 (body only).

The bottom line: A respectable update to its popular A6000 mirrorless interchangeable-camera model, the Sony A6300 remains great but also retains some of the drawbacks of its predecessor.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7

Rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent).

The good: For the money, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 delivers great photo and video, excellent performance and a broad feature set.

The bad: It's another in a long line of Panasonic cameras with proprietary USB connectors and some people might find it too complicated.

The cost: $697.99 to $797.99 (with 14-42mm lens).

The bottom line: A great mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera for families and travelers, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 is a compelling alternative to similarly priced DSLRs.

Source: Best mirrorless cameras of 2017