Innehållsförteckning för No. 400 från Photography Week

Welcome to the world’s No.1 weekly digital photography magazine. If you’re already a reader, thanks for your continued support and involvement; if you’re new to Photography Week, you’ve come to the right place! In addition to expert advice, brilliant tips and step-by-step tutorials, every issue features interactive galleries of the best new photos, how-to videos on essential shooting and editing techniques, and in-depth reviews of the latest camera kit. But that’s not the whole story. Photography Week is more than a magazine – it’s a community of like-minded people who are passionate about photography. To get involved, just follow any of the links below and share your shots and comments – your photo might even appear on our cover! JOIN THE PHOTOGRAPHY WEEK COMMUNITY AND START SHARING! FACEBOOK http://bit.ly/39py9lg TWITTER…

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1 HOUR Seen in close-up, the world reveals all kinds of hitherto unnoticed details, colours and textures. We can use an array of tricks to enhance these close-up details, and in this project we’ll explore a few of those options. For starters, we’ll experiment with different focal length macro lenses. A typical focal length for macro lenses is around 100mm, but you can also find more unusual lenses out there, like the 15mm wide angle macro used for our snail photo above. It’s a crazy lens that’s a real challenge to use, but it offers a captivating and rewarding perspective for close-up images. As well as altering our perspective, we can also experiment with lighting. On a bright sunny day, like the one we fortunately got, there’s plenty of light…

Some of us get obsessed with the sharpness of lenses, and how much infinitesimally fine detail they can resolve. But for soft and dreamy images, bokeh is more important. Bokeh is a measure of the pictorial quality of defocused areas within an image, but the trouble is, you can’t really measure it, as there’s no scientific test for good bokeh; it’s more a matter of subjective opinion, but there are still some rules. As with most things in photography, however, rules are only there to be broken. For starters, if you’re after good bokeh you’ll need a tight depth of field. When you choose a lens, it’s therefore only natural to pick something with a telephoto focal length and a wide aperture rating, as both of these factors will help…

Tailor-made for Fujifilm’s APS-C format X-mount camera bodies, this lens has an effective focal length of 84mm in full-frame terms, thanks to the 1.5x crop factor. Because depth of field is more dependent on actual rather than ‘effective’ focal length, though, you can still struggle to get really smooth bokeh in images. Aiming to solve the problem, this lens not only has a super-fast f/1.2 aperture rating but also adds an apodisation filter, absent in the more basic edition of the XF56mm. The aim of this is to give so-called bokeh discs from defocused lights a softer edge and make them less obtrusive. Performance A drawback of the apodisation filter is that it reduces the transmission of light through the lens. Bokeh is beautifully smooth, but bokeh discs can still…

For the ultimate in bokeh, look no further than the Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct. Sadly, however, few of us can afford to blow £8,300/$8,000 on a lens, however special it is, and the Z 85mm f/1.8 S is currently the next best thing, with a useful focal length and a more modest aperture rating. This lens has no aspherical elements, but still retains two ED elements plus Nano Crystal Coat. The construction is fairly compact and lightweight, but the build quality is equally good, with the same comprehensive set of weather seals. Performance The quality of the bokeh this lens produces is deliciously soft and creamy. Defocused areas actually look smoother than from Nikon’s older AF-S 85mm f/1.4G for DSLRs, despite the Z-mount lens’s narrower aperture rating. Defocused lights…

In a bid to take bokeh to the max, Sigma has created a 105mm telephoto lens with a superfast f/1.4 aperture. Nikon also makes an AF-S 105mm f/1.4E ED lens, but in our tests we’ve found that the Sigma produces slightly better bokeh. It’s also considerably less expensive than the Nikkor 105mm. The Sigma 105mm is big and heavy, and comes with a tripod mounting ring. Optical refinements include an aspherical element, three top-performance FLD (‘Fluorite’ Low Dispersion) elements and two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements. Performance Both axial and lateral chromatic aberrations are negligible, and the overall quality of bokeh is beautifully soft. If anything, the depth of field produced by the focal length and f/1.4 aperture can be a little too tight, but bokeh remains very good. SHARPNESS…

MORE GREAT MAGAZINES FROM THE MAKERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY WEEK N-PHOTO N-Photo is a monthly magazine for Nikon photographers, and is packed with technique and Photoshop video lessons every month. http://bit.ly/3atHLfO https://apple.co/2TNE26T DIGITAL CAMERA WORLD A monthly magazine that aims to improve your photography with an inspirational mix of amazing images and how-to articles. http://bit.ly/2RER7g6 https://apple.co/2RBrZqG PHOTOPLUS PhotoPlus is a monthly magazine for Canon photographers that features expert advice, tips and video tutorials on all things Canon. http://bit.ly/30FoOlQ https://apple.co/2vaIdzw PRACTICAL PHOTOSHOP Improve your Photoshop skills with the monthly guide to creating stunning images. Each issue comes with expert video lessons. http://bit.ly/2NJASNx https://apple.co/2tGYBam…

Nikon has announced a z 50 Creators Kit for vloggers and movie-makers, built around its APS-C Z 50 mirrorless camera. The kit includes the camera, a Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens, a Rode VideoMicro microphone, a Joby GorillaPod, and a SmallRig Vlogging Mounting Plate. You also get a travel bag, and access to Nikon School’s ‘Creator’s Mindset: Creating Video Content with the Z 50’ online course. Nikon says the kit is designed for anyone who wants to get started making “share-worthy videos”. It’s hoping that the new kit, and an associated marketing campaign, will attract more vloggers and other video hobbyists to switch to its Z-series cameras. The Z 50 Creator’s Kit is available to order now. In the US the kit will cost you $1,150, which offers…

Photography Week has joined up with GuruShots, ‘the world’s greatest photography game’, to showcase the winning images from a series of photo challenges. These are the winning and commended images from the ‘Landscape’ challenge ERIK ERSSON, SWEDEN Top Photographer https://bit.ly/2SJUkfU GURUSHOTS’ ‘LANDSCAPE’ CHALLENGE MARGARIDA AFONSO SILVA, PORTUGAL Top Photo https://bit.ly/3dn7V4I PHILIPP, SWITZERLAND Guru’s Top Pick https://bit.ly/2SGiEPQ ADESLO, CANADA Honourable mention https://bit.ly/2YFzuBW JUKI KORHONEN, FINLAND Honourable mention https://bit.ly/3fpb2L0 WILSON VALVERDE, UNITED STATES Honourable mention https://bit.ly/2W5NT8W VALERIE COZART, UNITED STATES Honourable mention https://bit.ly/2YDhEzv RICK CUTRIGHT, UNITED STATES Honourable mention https://bit.ly/3dkldP7 GURKAN GUNDOGDU, TURKEY Honourable mention https://bit.ly/2yxybui DENIS ZASTANCEANU, GERMANY Honourable mention https://bit.ly/3caTjVM VICTORIA HÖRTNAGL, AUSTRIA Honourable mention https://bit.ly/2W8oXh1 Honourable mentions ADARE, UNITED STATES https://bit.ly/2yxwehq JASON ANSTETT, UNITED STATES https://bit.ly/2ze6HKg KURIENE, NETHERLANDS https://bit.ly/3c8PKiJ FABIO BROCCHI, ITALY https://bit.ly/2WzoHGG ANDY FOWLIE, GERMANY https://bit.ly/2Wboyup SLY BURGERT,…

1 MACRO LENS A macro lens allows you to frame close-up subjects at 1:1 view, meaning the subject can be recorded at its actual size on the image sensor. They come in various focal lengths. At shorter focal lengths, like the 15mm used here, the subject has to be very close to the lens for a true 1:1 capture. 2 FLASHGUN A flashgun helps to lift your subject and bring out the colours. Fired directly, the flash can be too harsh – a small softbox attachment creates more diffuse and softer light. Some photographers like to attach the flash to the camera with a bracket, but if not you can simply hold it, or use a stand. 3 5-IN-1 REFLECTOR A reflector is useful for all kinds of photography, including…

This Canon full-frame compatible 50mm prime is the least expensive lens in the group. Even so, it’s nicely made, and a big improvement over the previous edition of the lens. Enhancements include a more refined autofocus system based on a stepping motor, which gives smooth, ultra-quiet transitions ideal for movie capture. From a bokeh standpoint, the increase in diaphragm blades from five to seven is a more significant upgrade, giving a better-rounded aperture when you stop down a little. Although it produces a natural perspective on full-frame bodies, it gives an effective 80mm focal length on APS-C format Canon cameras, ideal for portraiture. Performance Bokeh is a little lacking in smoothness, on a par with the Nikkor DX 35mm on test, with the latter lens being designed exclusively for APS-C…

This lens is designed for DX (APS-C) format DSLRs, on which it gives a natural viewing perspective, roughly equivalent to using a 50mm standard prime on a full-frame body. The f/1.8 rather than f/1.4 aperture rating, and the fact that the lens only needs to produce a relatively small image circle, to fill an APS-C sized sensor, help to reduce the physical size as well as the cost. The construction is quite simple, with just eight optical elements in the lineup, one of which is aspherical; and while most of the other lenses on test have a nine-blade diaphragm, this one only has seven blades. Performance Bokeh is reasonable for an inexpensive lens, but less smooth than from the pricier lenses in the group, apart from the Olympus. The aperture…

The Micro Four Thirds format really puts the ‘compact’ into compact system cameras and lenses, mostly thanks to them being based around a relatively small image sensor with a 2x crop factor. As such, this small 45mm f/1.8 lens has an effective focal length of 90mm in full-frame terms, delivering portrait-friendly reach. Depth of field is more dependent on the ‘actual’ rather than ‘effective’ focal length, so the modest aperture rating of f/1.8 makes good bokeh a challenge for this lens. The aperture is based on seven diaphragm blades rather than nine, although that makes no difference if you’re shooting wide-open to give bokeh the best chance. Performance Sharpness is pretty good across most of the frame, but bokeh is a bit glitchy and lacking in smoothness. SHARPNESS Sharpness is…

Sony’s G Master lenses have earned a solid reputation for overall performance and image quality, and for beautiful bokeh in particular. Typical of the breed, this 135mm f/1.8 prime utilises XA (eXtreme Aspherical), Super ED and regular ED elements in its optical construction, along with an 11-blade diaphragm that maintains a well-rounded aperture when you stop down a bit. For hands-on aperture control there’s a physical aperture control ring with one-third f/stop click steps, and an easy to operate de-click switch to enable smooth transitions during movie capture. Performance The lens delivers sumptuously smooth bokeh, helped not only by the long focal length but also by the sheer optical quality, although defocused lights near the edges and corners of the frame can take on an elliptical appearance. SHARPNESS Centre sharpness…

A highly-detailed 44.8 gigapixel image of one of the world’s most famous paintings has been released for everyone to enjoy. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is one of the best-known art galleries in the world, and the jewel in its collection is The Night Watch by Rembrandt. The Rijksmuseum’s imaging team made the photograph of the masterpiece from a total of 528 exposures. The 24 rows of 22 pictures were stitched together digitally to create an image made up of 44,804,687,500 pixels, and the distance between each pixel is 20 micrometres (0.02mm). The image will enable art experts, and members of the public, to study the painting in microscopic detail from anywhere in the world. Every brushstroke can be inspected, and particles of pigment can be clearly seen, and the image…

WATCH THE VIDEO https://bit.ly/2KjaBUf DOWNLOAD THE PROJECT FILES https://bit.ly/35R284wONAPCORMAC At first glance, the colours in a photo can sometimes look disappointingly flat, and nothing like how you remember them looking when you took the shot. If you want to give those dull colours a quick boost, one of the easiest edits to make is a simple increase in saturation. This is where Photoshop’s Hue/Saturation command comes in. As you’ll discover in this video tutorial, you can use it to increase saturation, either across the entire image or by targeting specific colour ranges. In our paint image, for example, we can enhance the greens without affecting other colours. The Hue/Saturation command is one of the most useful colour tools on offer in Photoshop. On the face of it, the command looks…

Canon seems to be on a mission to compensate for the relatively slimline bodies of its new mirrorless full-frame cameras by launching big, heavy lenses, and this 85mm f/1.2 is a prime example in every way – its price tag is pretty massive as well. Premium glass includes aspherical and UD (Ultralow Dispersion) elements, along with high-tech Air Sphere Coating and BR (Blue-spectrum Refractive) optics. The construction feels robust, with weather seals and fluorine coatings. The ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system is much faster than in the older EF 85mm f/1.2 lens for DSLRs. Performance The aforementioned BR optics do a great job of minimising axial fringing, virtually eliminating coloured fringes around the outlines of objects that are in front of and behind the point of focus. SHARPNESS Centre sharpness is…

Nikon’s 50mm f/1.8 standard prime has been reinvented for mirrorless full-frame cameras, taking full advantage of the Z mount’s larger diameter and its closer proximity to the image sensor. Despite ‘only’ having an f/1.8 rather than a f/1.4 aperture rating, it’s considerably longer than Nikon’s popular F-mount 50mm f/1.4. The optical path is more complex, featuring 12 rather than eight optical elements, and includes two aspherical and two ED elements. Both lenses have a similar minimum focus distance of around 0.4m, but the newer model features a stepping motor instead of a ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system. Performance Due to its slightly narrower f/1.8 aperture rating, you can’t get quite such a tight depth of field as from the 50mm f/1.4 lens, but defocused areas can actually look a little smoother.…

We’d always considered this Sigma to be abnormally large and weighty for an 85mm f/1.4 optic – but that was before the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 came along. Despite having a narrower aperture rating, the Sigma is still slightly longer than the Canon lens, and nearly as heavy. This full-frame compatible lens is available in Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E and Leica L mounts. The build includes an aspherical element and two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements, in an optical path that comprises 14 elements. Autofocus is courtesy of a ring-type ultrasonic system with the usual full-time manual override. Performance We’ve seen a slight ‘onion ring’ effect in the bokeh of some Sigma lenses, but that’s not really an issue with this lens, which delivers supersmooth and high-quality defocused…

Canon’s RF 85mm f/1.2L USM for its mirrorless EOS R-series cameras makes the very most of its telephoto focal length and super-fast f/1.2 aperture to deliver simply the best bokeh of any lens in the whole group. Bokeh just doesn’t get any better than this – but the lens comes at a high price and, with the lack of sensor-shift stabilisation in current EOS R and RP cameras, camera shake can be a problem even at f/1.2, under dull lighting. Although the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S has an aperture rating that’s a full f/stop slower, it comes pretty close to the mighty Canon in terms of bokeh, and is more compact, lighter and far more affordable. For those of us who still shoot with Canon and Nikon DSLRs, our…