Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2019 i Smart Photography

As 2019 draws to a close, let us look at some of the new features that have hit the market in the last few quarters. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are now old hat and every manufacturer has been looking for that ‘something new’ with which they can grab the attention of photographers. Clever new autofocus technologies have made an appearance this year and the one that we have been most impressed with is ‘eye AF’. This refers to the ability of the camera’s autofocus system to detect the subject’s eye and, more importantly, keep it in focus. Although Olympus set the ball rolling in this field, Sony has now mastered it. Pretty soon, all new cameras are likely to sport this feature. Olympus has now introduced artificial intelligence based…

Canon has announced that it is developing the EOS-1D X Mark III. Ideal for sports and wildlife, the flagship D-SLR is being engineered and designed using feedback from the worldwide community of EOS-1D X and EOS-1D X Mark II users. Canon states that the EOS-1D X Mark III will offer exceptional precision, reliability, high-performance autofocus and subject tracking. The camera’s new AF algorithm will improve stability and tracking when using the optical viewfinder and in Live View. It uses deep learning and adapting technologies to help facilitate accurate focus tracking for every shot. When using the optical viewfinder, the camera will use a new AF sensor, with approximately 28 times the resolution in the centre of the EOS-1D X Mark II. In Live View mode, users will be able to…

Tamron has announced the launch of three fixed focal length lenses for Sony E-mount full frame mirrorless cameras — the 20 mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2, the 24 mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 and the 35 mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2. It has also announced the development of a high-speed telephoto zoom lens also for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, the 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD. The MOD (Minimum Object Distance) for the 20 mm, 24 mm and 35 mm are 4.3, 4.7 and 5.9 inches, respectively. All three provide a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2. Weighing in at 220 g for the 20 mm, 215 g for the 24 mm and 210 g for the 35 mm, the lenses are exceptionally light, allowing photographers to…

Sony Corporation has announced the establishment of a research centre in India to tap into the country’s sizeable pool of talent, with plans for multiple sites. The first location will be opened in Bangalore in 2020 as one of Sony’s global R&D centres. Sony has been carrying out software development with local talent for over twenty years in the country. This move will augment Sony’s competitive edge in the Indian market and strengthen its R&D capabilities in India. Sony is well-positioned to provide excellent career opportunities for researchers possessing relevant information technology-related skills who are currently living in India or are willing to relocate to India, a company said in a press release. With the establishment of this new research centre in India, Sony seeks to promote research activities and…

Fujifilm Holdings Corporation has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Xerox Corporation under which Fujifilm will acquire the 25% stake in Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd. owned by Xerox. This transaction will bring Fujifilm’s ownership of Fuji Xerox to 100%. The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Fujifilm and Xerox. Fuji Xerox will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujifilm and will continue to supply to Xerox after completion of the transaction. “This transaction is an ideal next step for Fuji Xerox and Fujifilm that we believe serves our stakeholders well and reflects our commitment to create innovative products that contribute to society,” said Shigetaka Komori, Chairman and CEO of Fujifilm. As part of the transaction, Fujifilm has agreed to withdraw the…

Nikon has announced that it is developing the D6 professional D-SLR and the AF-S Nikkor 120-300 mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR telephoto zoom lens compatible with the Nikon FX-format. Incidentally, 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the single-digit D-series. Nikon’s flagship single-digit D-series cameras have continued to evolve with some of the industry’s most advanced technologies and imaging know-how cultivated over Nikon’s long history in camera development, and responding to the strict demands of professional photographers with the ultimate in performance, even in the most severe conditions. With the D6, Nikon is currently developing its most advanced digital Single Lens Reflex camera to date. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Nikon F mount adopted for the D series. The new AF-S NIKKOR 120-300…

Fujifilm has launched the first-ever hybrid instant smart camera, the Instax Mini LiPlay, in India. LiPlay boasts cutting-edge features like LCD display screen and wireless connectivity that enables one to print photos directly from their smartphone. The model is a new addition to the line-up of Instax instant cameras, which allows you to enjoy photo prints on the spot. With LiPlay you can review photos captured on the device via the LCD on the back of the camera and choose images you want to print. The camera comes packed with new features such as Sound Record which can be used to record up to 10 seconds of audio, which can then be printed along with the photo in the form of a QR code. Another exciting feature of Liplay is…

• 2018 Photoblogger of the Year (Gujarat Tourism & ICIT) • Pro Travel Photographer. Photo Jurist. Photo Educator. SPEAKER (Architectural & Travel Photography): • TBEX Europe 2016 (Stockholm) • TBEX Asia 2016 (Manila) • TBEX International 2017 (Jerusalem) • TBEX North America 2017 (Huntsville, AL) • TBEX Europe 2018 (Ostrava, Czech Republic) WINNER: • India’s Biggest Blogging Contest - Cox & Kings’ Grab Your Dream (Season 2) • National Geographic Traveller’s GetOutThere Photo Essay Contest Web: http://travelu.re…

Media Mod The Media Mod offers shotgun-mic directional audio capabilities and features two cold shoe mounts for additional accessories. It also adds USB Type-C, HDMI and 3.5 mm external mic adapter ports. Display Mod The Display Mod is a folding front or rear-facing 1.90-inch display that attaches to the top of the Media Mod. It can be folded down and out of the way when not in use. Light Mod Light Mod is a versatile light that can be mounted on the Media Mod or attached to a GoPro mount. This rechargeable light comes with a diffuser to soften lighting when filming with Hero8 Black. It is waterproof up to 33 feet (10 metres). It is wearable and also gear-mountable for stand-alone use.…

WE ARE GLUED TO THE GLOBAL IMAGING INDUSTRY Our team is updated with all the benchmarks and road blocks that the field of photography and imaging across the globe experiences. This helps us record the changes in the global perspective, thus making us the first to predict which products will be a rage in the Indian markets. WE’RE IMPARTIAL Loyalty towards our readers is a given, and their best interests are always on our mind. Every verdict is honest and not influenced by advertisers or personal favourites. So when we say a product is a ‘BEST BUY’, then, it is just that! OUR TESTS ARE CONDUCTED BY EXPERTS All equipment go through a series of tests at the hands of our experts. Our reviewers are experts in the field of…

Samyang has introduced the world’s first AF 14 mm f/2.8 lens for Canon RF mount. The compact lens design dedicated to mirrorless cameras eliminates the need for adapters, resulting in a shorter flange back. Samyang states that the lens provides a broader angle of view of 113.9 degree with minimum distortion and deep and spacious image. Among 14 elements in 10 groups, six special elements including three aspherical, one high reflective and two extra-low dispersion elements are used to effectively adjust the light flow and reduce the aberrations. The lens provides impressive image quality from corner to corner of image according to the company. The lens is only 9.5 cm long and weighs 484g.…

Panasonic has announced two new interchangeable lenses based on the L-Mount system for the Lumix S Series Full-frame Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Cameras. The Lumix S PRO 70-200 mm f/2.8 O.I.S. is a large-aperture telephoto zoom lens that boasts high descriptive performance across the entire zoom range. The Lumix S PRO 16-35 mm f/4 is a versatile wide zoom lens that provides high resolution images and a beautiful bokeh despite its compact, light-weight profile. Designed and developed for professional field shooting, the Lumix S PRO 70-200 mm f/2.8 O.I.S. uses 22 elements in 17 groups including two UED (Ultra Extra-low Dispersion) and 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements, effectively suppressing both axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification. Astigmatism is also corrected with an aspherical lens, achieving high resolving performance.…

Samsung Electronics has introduced the industry’s first 0.7-micrometer (µm)-pixel image sensor, the 43.7-MP Samsung ISOCELL Slim GH1. By utilising ISOCELL Plus pixel isolation technology that minimises colour crosstalk and optical loss, the tiny 0.7μm pixels are able to absorb sufficient light information to produce bright and vivid photographs. In low-light environments, the GH1 makes use of pixel-merging Tetracell technology (similar to quad pixel) that enables higher light sensitivity equivalent to that of a 1.4μm-pixel image sensor. For video recording at 4K (3,840 x 2,160) resolutions, the ISOCELL Slim GH1, with a high resolution of 7968 x 5480 pixels, is able to produce 4K videos with minimum loss in field of view (FoV), while most high-resolution image sensors crop or scale down full image resolutions that result in a reduced FoV.…

Nikon has revised its consolidated financial forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020. In the imaging products business, although the performance for the second quarter of the fiscal year mostly resulted as planned, further contraction and competition of the market is expected compared to the initial forecast of the fiscal year. As a result, the sales plan for the second half of the fiscal year is reviewed, and revenue is revised downward by 25,000 million yen. Operating profit is also revised downward by 22,000 million yen due to decline in revenue, the posting of restructuring relevant expenses of 5,000 million yen, lower factory operation rates and negative impacts of the exchange rate.…

Fujifilm has announced consolidated financial results for the second quarter of 2019-20. In the first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, the Group recorded 1,132.1 billion yen in consolidated revenue, down 3.5% from the same period of the previous fiscal year. The company has attributed this result to economic slowdown in China, a sales decrease in the Imaging Solutions segment and export to the US and Europe in the document solutions segment, and expansion of Healthcare and Material Solutions segment driven by the medical systems, bio CDMO and regenerative medicine business. The company’s operating income amounted to 92.0 billion yen, up 9.7 percent from the same period of the previous fiscal due to improved profitability in the healthcare field and Document Solutions segment, though operating income decreased…

The 28th edition of Consumer Electronics Imaging Fair (CEIF) 2020, organised by All India Photographic Trade and Industry Association (AIPTIA), will be held from 8 to 10 January 2020 at Hall No.4, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai. CEIF 2020 provides the ideal platform for amateur photographers, serious enthusiasts as well as professionals to interact with traders and company representatives. “While the imaging industry is undergoing exponential changes, it has in many ways seriously impacted CEIF too, given its numero uno position as the Indian photography industry’s leading trade fair. Considering the fact that the camera sales are plummeting – the positive aspect is the demand for the enjoyment with photography and sharing of pictures continues to skyrocket. The growth is accentuated by the contribution of the younger generations fascination with…

Fujifilm India has announced celebrity and fashion photographer Jatin Kampani, as its Brand Ambassador for promoting its X-series range of cameras. As part of this partnership, Fujifilm India will be rolling out various brand-building initiatives with Jatin Kampani for its camera range. Jatin is one of India’s celebrated fashion photographers, and his images have won him accolades at the International Photography Awards, Black, and White Spider Awards and the PX3 Awards, Paris, in advertising, fashion and fine art, consecutively, from 2007 to 2011. Speaking on the association, Haruto Iwata, Managing Director, Fujifilm India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We at Fujifilm have always kept the consumer at the centre for all our decisions. Our association with Jatin Kampani, India’s most renowned fashion and celebrity photographer resonates with our brand values and will…

Amit graduated as a Software Engineer but Photography was always his calling. He started shooting commercially in 2003. The world of Advertising and Fashion Photography soon embraced him for his sharp technical acumen, meticulous planning and execution and down-to-earth personality. Over the years, Amit has worked on various projects with some of the best advertising agencies and clients worldwide. He has been involved in creating images, ranging from automobiles to fashion, concepts to fine art and many things in between. Cherishing his artistic freedom, he loves to experiment, and refuses to be tied to any particular genre or style. He has also shot editorials for Verve, Hello!, Hi Blitz, Asia Spa, Millionaire Asia, Elegant Magazine UK, Feroce Magazine Scotland, Obscurae Magazine US and Elléments Magazine NY. His images have been…

Ashok Kandimalla has been in the photographic field for over three decades and has extensive experience in both film and digital photography. Being an electronics engineer by profession and a photographer, he possesses a unique and deep insight into the technical aspects of digital photography and equipment. He has published more than a 100 articles on photography and some of his writings have also been published in the well-known international magazine Popular Photography . An avid collector of photographic books and vintage cameras, Ashok has a keen interest in the history of photography and a passion for sharing his knowledge on photography through teaching and writing. He is the only Indian photographer to be featured on the Nikon Centenary website. He is presently working as a Management and Engineering consutant.…

There are a few tasks that call for the service of a specialist, and action sports is one area where ordinary cameras will not be an ideal choice. GoPro has dominated this space with versatile and compact action cameras that can be mounted on virtually any surface imaginable. Being rugged and waterproof, these cameras provide perspectives that are never possible with ordinary cameras. The Hero8 Black is GoPro’s latest flagship and comes with some interesting enhancements. Design and Build Quality The Hero8 Black is smaller than its predecessors, though they look similar. The camera has a matte-finished engineering plastic exterior with front and back finished with a lining of rubber. The main differentiator in design is the in-built foldable metal mounting fingers. Earlier models had to be fixed in a…

The iPhone 11 Pro twins are truly a significant improvement over its predecessor in terms of imaging, performance and essentially, battery life. Yes, we have read reports of devices heating up and freezing, but we never encountered any such issue in our month-long use. If you have not been bewitched by the fancy gimmicks on most smartphones, are looking for a no-nonsense device, and have a deep-enough pocket, look no further. We think we understand why Apple has finally decided to use the ‘Pro’ nomenclature. We wouldn’t hesitate a bit before calling this a ‘Best Buy’.…

Write to us at: Smart Photography, Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400 013 E-mail: sp@nextgenpublishing.net Brilliant Cover Dear Editor , The November issue of Smart Photography stood out from other recent issues with the brilliant image on cover. Thanks for the special feature on Top 10 cameras. Hope to see such articles in future too. Regards, Joydeep Das, via email A Traveller’s Delight Dear Editor, The November 2019 issue was a visual treat. As always, the images in the magazine were top of the line. The Mastercraftsman feature had some very inspiring visuals and so did the Venice article. As a travel enthusiast, the feature provided very useful insights about how to navigate…

Sigma has announced that its new 24-70 mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, designed from the ground up for mirrorless cameras, will begin shipping in early December 2019 for $1,099 USD. Following the launch of the critically acclaimed Sigma 14-24 mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, the all new 24-70 mm f/2.8 DG DN Art emerges as an excellent mid-range zoom companion lens to its predecessor. The new lens is a large-aperture standard zoom for full-frame mirrorless camera systems and will be available in Sony E-mount and L-mount. The lens features an 11-blade rounded diaphragm, six “F” low dispersion (FLD) elements and two special low dispersion (SLD) elements, conforming to a new optical formula developed specifically for mirrorless camera systems. Three aspheric lenses prevent aberrations such as axial chromatic aberration and sagittal…

DJI has unveiled Mavic Mini, an ultra-light folding drone, weighing just 249 g. The ultra-light design and high-grade motors provide the device with up to 30 minutes of flight time. Wi-Fi transmission delivers stable control and HD live feed. GPS receivers and downward visual sensors detect the ground below, enabling precise hovering, stable flying and accurate landing both indoors and out. With the Mavic Mini, operators can capture high-quality footage including 2.7K video at 30 fps, 1080p at 60 fps, or 12 MP photographs using the 1/2.3-inch sensor. A three-axis motorised gimbal supports and stabilises the camera, ensuring the footage is smooth and cinematic, making it perfect for sharing on social media. The new DJI Fly app is intuitively designed, simplifying the flying and content capturing experience so that operators…

Canon has announced that Canon-brand equipment comprised an approximately 70 percent share of cameras used by press photographers at match venues during the knock out stage of Rugby World Cup 2019. Professional photographers demand comprehensive assistance from camera makers, including state-of-the-art technology, top-class performance, customised service and a strong support network. At each of the matches held between the 12 tournament venues, Canon has aimed to help realise a successful tournament as an official sponsor by establishing service stations within stadium grounds.…

Sony India has announced the availability of two new Alpha series APS-C mirrorless cameras, the Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100. These new additions to the range integrate Sony’s advanced technologies into compact and lightweight bodies including superior autofocus performance, improved image quality and the latest video technologies. The new Alpha 6600 has been designed to address the needs of the most demanding photographers and videographers with its versatility, making it suitable for multiple types of shooting scenarios and users. The Alpha 6100 is targeted at users who are looking to step-up to shooting with interchangeable lens cameras. Alpha 6600 and Alpha 6100 feature a 24.2 MP Exmor CMOS image sensor, along with the latest BIONZ X image processor and a front-end LSI. This combination delivers all-round enhancements in image quality…

Focus Academy of Art Photography conducted a photo exhibition in name of famous wildlife photographer T N A Perumal. The three day program, held from November 15 to 17, showcased the works of the legendary photographer along with the images of Focus Academy members. The event was inaugurated by wildlife photographer Dinesh Kumble and Bhaskar Rao, Commissioner of Police, Bangalore. The TNA Perumal Memorial Award to renowned wildlife conservator, environmentalist and photographer from Karnataka, Dr. Abdul Samad K S (Dr. Samad Kottur), president of “Society for Wildlife and Nature” Hospete.…

Achraf Baznani is a surrealist artist who uses inspiration from everyday objects to create compelling and gripping images out of mundane necessities such as light bulbs, chess pieces and even teapots. Baznani’s photographs have been met with high praise from critics all around the world, as he has won numerous awards for his contributions to both film and photography, whilst making a massive impact on the surrealist Arab art community. Born in Marrakesh, Morocco, he was a teenager when he first discovered the joys of photography; in fact, Baznani never actually planned to be a photographer. By pure chance, a Kodak Ektra compact 250 camera found its way into his eager hands, igniting his desire to take delightfully intriguing photos. His unique perspective on life and art are heavily reflected…

The lens is lightweight, simplistic in design, and a boon for photographers needing an ultra-wide-angle lens without breaking a bank. Though its cannot stand up in build quality and image quality against more expensive ultra-wide-angle lenses, it must be noted that this lens costs just a fraction of what marquee lenses would cost and hence a good investment for photographers on low budget. The lens is ideal for landscapes, travel, interiors and cramped up spaces as well as astrophotography.…

Processor: GP1 Effective pixels: 12 million HDR: SuperPhoto + Improved HDR Digital lenses: Wide, Linear, Narrow LiveBurst: 8MP, 12MP Output Burst: Auto, 60/10, 30/10, 60/6, 30/6,30/3, 10/3, 30/1, 10/1, 5/1, 3/1 Intervals Night: Auto, 2s, 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 30s Shutter Raw photo: Available Best video quality: 4K, 60 fps, Wide FOV Video format: MP4, (AVC, HEVC) Max video bit rate: 100Mbps (2.7K + 4K) Video stabilisation: HyperSmooth 2.0 + Dimensions: 66.3 x 48.6 x 28.4 mm Weight: 126 g…

Capacity: 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB Display type: Super Retina XDR, 6.5-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED with Multi-touch Resolution: 2688 x 1242 pixels at 458 ppi Camera: Triple 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras Ultra Wide: ƒ/2.4 aperture and 120-degree field of view Wide: ƒ/1.8 aperture Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture Camera features: Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control, Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono), Dual optical image stabilisation (Wide and Telephoto), Six-element lens (Wide and Telephoto), Five-element lens (Ultra Wide), Brighter True Tone flash with Slow Sync, Panorama (up to 63 MP), 100 percent Focus Pixels (Wide), Night mode, Auto Adjustments, Next-generation Smart HDR for photos, Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos, Advanced red-eye correction, Auto image stabilisation, Photo…

Galaxy Note series may have started as an experiment years ago but today, Galaxy Note series is one of the most important series in Samsung’s smartphone line-up. This year, Samsung deviated from its usual Galaxy Note strategy and just like the Galaxy S series, the Galaxy Note range now includes two devices. There’s the top-of-the-line Galaxy Note 10+ and then there’s a smaller and slightly cheaper Galaxy Note 10. This month we take a thorough look at the Galaxy Note 10+. Design and Build Quality The Galaxy Note 10+ looks gorgeous but then it is the case with all Samsung flagship phones in the recent past. However, one thing you will notice with the Note 10+ is that the design looks more refined. The high-polish metal and glass meld beautifully…