Sometimes just goofing around can lead you in some interesting directions. I was in my backyard trying to photograph these asters with a Lensbaby 3G and a +10 and +4 macro diopter stacked on it. While I was working around the edges of the flower, I noticed one particular angle had this big moon in [...]
If you listen to a variety of photography podcasts like I do, you will hear some instructors talk about being “in the zone” when you are in the field. The period of time where you feel very connected to your environment and the photographs just seem to flow one by one. You feel creative [...]
Apple recently updated their iTunes software to include a new Genius feature. This smart playlist maker analyzes your music collection and makes playlists of songs that ‘go together.’ It also suggests songs that you don’t have in your library that you may like. It is all very similar to one of my favorite music services [...]
I am currently catching up with family around the world. My main purpose is to enjoy being with family. The added bonus is a few good photographic opportunities though I am not spending as much on this as I might otherwise do if my family weren’t more of a priority. However you can enjoy some of my experiences here at SilverSpikes Photography. Check out Canalling in Wallingford.
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I’ve gathered up all the 16 articles, that make up the Microstock Photographer’s Guide, and turned them into one pdf-file. I did this after having looked the list over, and realized how long it would take to sit and read it all here on my blog. Not being a big fan of reading page after page on screen myself, I figured most of you probably feel the same way. Now, it’s easy to print it all out and read it on paper.
Now, I’ve said all along that I might very well turn the series into an actual book. Of course, the articles would only serve as a starting point. I would have to add many more examples, post-processing tips and so on. On that note, anyone who have read the series are welcome to give me their suggestions. Previously, people have suggested adding more interviews with successful photographers as well as a chapter on legal issues one might encounter in the world of microstock.
Always on the leading edge of camera functionality, Canon again raises the bar by outfitting the EOS 5D Mark II with Full High Definition (HD) movie recording and playback functionality — a first for a DSLR camera*1. The smooth 30fps frame rate assures natural-looking movies in both Full HD at 1,920 x 1080 pixels and 4:3 Standard Definition (SD) at 640 x 480 pixels. Whichever you choose, you’ll appreciate the expanded visual possibilities thanks to compatibility with Picture Styles and the full lineup of Canon EF*2 lenses, including super telephoto, micro, fisheye, TS-E, and soft focus lenses.
These movies were taken with the EOS 5D Mark II, then converted to Flash format for viewing on the web. The image size and quality of the original movie may differ from that shown here.
www.DigitalPixels.net
PHOTOKINA 2008—Phase One today introduces pioneering advances in medium format digital photography that offer professional photographers more opportunity to perfect the moment of image capture, and reduce post processing work.
Phase One is demonstrating the following products that will ship in volume during Q4 2008—Booth B1, Hall 4.2.
– Advanced digital image capture. Sensor+ technology establishes a new paradigm for medium format camera systems. For the first time, photographers can choose to shoot at either 15 or 60.5 megapixels at full frame, with no change in sensor coverage. In addition Sensor+ will add higher light sensitivity.
– Capture One 4 PRO workflow software. Achieves the highest level of image quality possible in RAW processing.
– Extended lens range for Phase One 645 camera system. Successful alliances with Leica Camera, Mamiya and Hartblei are yielding high-quality optics with a growing range of available lenses. Now includes Phase One Classic one year or Value Added 3-year warranty.
SENSOR+ TECHNOLOGY
The Phase One P 65+ operates at a capture rate of up to 1 frame per second with a resolution of 60.5 MP resolution and the industry’s largest live capture area (53.9mm x 40.4). It offers a sensitivity range from 50 to 1600 ISO. Intelligent image compression technology (IIQ) produces choice of small 40 MB or large 60 MB RAW files.
Built into the P 65+, Sensor+ technology offers a capture mode by which photographers can “dial down” to 15 MP resolution (pixel size 12 x 12 microns) and gain an ISO range of 100 to 1600 with smaller file sizes (ranging from small 10 MB to large 15 MB RAW files) for faster post processing.
CAPTURE ONE 4 PRO puts the photographer in control
Newly architected Capture One 4 PRO allows photographers to enhance and develop RAW digital files with excellent color and detail reproduction.
Unlike other imaging software, Capture One PRO does not enforce an arbitrary workflow. Rather, this application enables you to customize your menu, building the interface and custom palettes that best suit your work style or situation.
New or enhanced features include:
- Lens enhancement tools solve distortion, sharpness falloff, light falloff and can produce customizable vignetting for creative effects.
- Selective Color provides an intuitive toolset for customizing image colors to perfection.
- With the all-new Skin Tone tool photographers can easily set and reproduce skin tones shot under a variety of light conditions even without using a gray card.
- A redesigned Styles feature enables photographers to explore and create unique “looks” and to reproduce them consistently with ease.
Capture One and Expression Media software are being demonstrated together at the Microsoft booth Hall 04.1 Stand H049 G031.
NEW LENS RANGE
In addition to the Phase One 3.5/45 mm Tilt-Shift lens introduced earlier this month, Phase One is announcing a new lineup of high-quality lenses optimized for high resolution digital capture, including: 28mm f4.5, 45mm f2.8, 80mm f2.8, 120mm f4.0, 150mm f2.8, 75-150mm f4.5 zoom. These lenses are supported by the industry’s most comprehensive, advanced warranty and support program.
Phase One is also demonstrating a new 80 mm leafshutter lens, vertical grip, and additional accessories for the Phase One 645 camera system, that will be available Q109.
Pricing and Availability
Phase One P 65+ digital camera systems are expected in Q4 2008. The P 65+ digital back starts at 39,900 USD, 29.990 EUR; the P 65+ camera system starts at 41,990 USD, 31.990 EUR.
Capture One PRO customers can upgrade to Capture One 4 PRO at no extra cost. For new customers, it is 399 USD and 299 EUR through Phase One’s e-shop. Capture One PRO release is planned for October 15, 2008.
Volume shipments of lenses will begin Q4 2008. The 80mm leafshutter lens will begin shipping Q109.
About Phase One
Phase One is a leading provider of digital image capture and work flow management technology. Phase One P+ Series digital backs and camera systems open new possibilities, putting the focus back on the moment of capture. Phase One Capture One software helps streamline the capture and post-production process. Supporting DSLR, medium- and large-format photographic equipment, Phase One products are renowned for their superior quality, flexibility and speed—enabling pro photographers to realize their most subtle and most complex visions without compromise.
Phase One is an employee-owned company based in Copenhagen with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, Cologne and Shanghai.
For more information about the products, visit the Phase One web site on http://www.phaseone.com.
All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Lensbaby, LLC (formerly known as Lensbabies, LLC) is launching an entire new system of selective focus lenses at the Photokina tradeshow in Cologne, Germany (Hall 5.2 C021).
Three new Lensbaby lenses – The Composer™, The Muse™ and The Control Freak™, – make up the new line of products. Each features the new Lensbaby Optic Swap system. The new Muse and the new Control Freak replace the current Original, Lensbaby 2.0, and Lensbaby 3G lenses, which will be phased out immediately. With the Composer, Lensbaby introduces a completely new lens, based on a ball and socket configuration that delivers smooth selective focus photography with unparalleled ease of use and greater precision.
All Lensbaby lenses provide photographers with a new way to control depth of field by bringing one area of a photo into sharpest focus with that Sweet Spot™ surrounded by graduated blur. By bending the Lensbaby lens, the photographer moves the sharp area around the photo for customized creative effects.
The new Composer retains its position after being bent and is easy to use even with one hand. Photographers do not squeeze the lens to focus, but can simply tilt the lens to a desired angle and then focus with a barrel focusing ring. The Composer stays in the desired bent position without requiring a locking mechanism and features the new Lensbaby Optic Swap System. The Composer’s barrel focusing ring has a unique design that becomes more sensitive (requiring greater rotation to move the optic in and out) as you approach infinity, making it easer to focus on subjects from 10 feet to infinity.
“The Composer introduces a new level of ease and precision to selective focus photography,” said Craig Strong, Lensbaby president and co-founder. “We developed the Composer because our photographers are interested above all in creating powerful, interesting photos. With its greatly enhanced ease of use and more reliable results, the Composer will make it more intuitive for photographers to realize their personal creative visions.”
The Muse replaces the Original Lensbaby and Lensbaby 2.0 lenses while being very similar in appearance and functionality. Photographers will still focus by compressing the lens and move the sweet spot by bending the flexible lens tubing. The key update for the Muse is its new Lensbaby Optic Swap System.
The Control Freak updates the Lensbaby 3G by adding the Lensbaby Optic Swap System. With The Control Freak, photographers compress to focus, bend to move the sweet spot, and then push a button to lock the lens in place. Once locked, photographers can adjust the fine focus with a barrel focusing ring and fine tune the tilt by rotating its three metal posts.
“While we expect the new Composer, with its smooth and precise operation, to be our most popular lens, we continue to offer the Muse and the Control Freak because each photographer has their own shooting style. The Muse is for photographers who shoot fast and loose and The Control Freak is best for shooters who have a step-by-step approach,” said Strong.
All three lenses - the Composer, Muse, and Control Freak – feature the Lensbaby Optic Swap System and will ship with one optic installed. Additional optics are available as optional accessories. When a photographer wants to change the optic in their Lensbaby, they will simply pop the optic out and drop in a different optic using an Optic Swap Tool supplied with the new optic. Each optic has different features and image qualities, allowing photographers to choose the look that fits their creative style.
At launch, the Lensbaby Optic Swap System will include four interchangeable optic options:
1) Double Glass: A 50mm multi-coated optical glass doublet that is the same optic that was in the Lensbaby 2.0 and Lensbaby 3G lenses. Retail price: US$85.00
2) Single Glass: a 50 mm, updated, uncoated optical glass singlet similar to the optic that was used in the Original Lensbaby. At f/2, the Single Glass Optic is one full stop brighter (2x as bright) than the previous Original Lensbaby Optic. Retail price: US$35.00
3) Plastic: a 50 mm f/2 plastic singlet that maximizes blur and diffusion in a dreamy way that Holga™ and Diana™ camera lovers will especially appreciate. Retail price: US$35.00
4) The Pinhole/Zone plate: an optic cup with an f/177 aperture hole to allow for pinhole photography and an f/19 Zone plate opening. Users can slide a toggle inside the optic to change to back and forth between Pinhole and Zone plate mode, allowing further artistic exploration. Retail price: US$35.00
The first three optics listed above are all 50mm fixed focal length. They all feature magnetically levitating interchangeable aperture disks that allow aperture settings from f/2 to f/22.
The Single Glass, Plastic, and Pinhole/Zone plate optics will be sold individually as well as in an Optic Boxed Set to retail for $95.00.
Lensbaby President and Co-Founder, Craig Strong, stated, “Lensbaby photographers tend to be very creative. The new Lensbaby Optic Swap system will give photographers greater freedom to take photos that reflect their unique visions.”
Strong continued, “With the new Composer lens and the Lensbaby Optic Swap System, photographers will be able to choose a lens body that fits their bending style: fast and loose, smooth and precise, or step by step. Then photographers can choose an optic that expresses their individual artistic vision.”
Product Pricing and Specs
The Composer – Smooth and Precise
• Priced at US$270
• Ships with the Double Glass optic installed (a multi-coated optical glass doublet)
• Features the Lensbaby Optic Swap system
• Focal Length: 50mm
• Focus Type: Manual
• Features a unique barrel focusing ring that becomes more sensitive (requiring greater rotation to move the optic in and out) as you approach infinity, making it easier to focus on subjects from 10 feet to infinity.
• Aperture Type: Interchangeable levitating aperture disks
• Apertures: f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22
• Minimum Focus: about 18” (46cm) / Maximum Focus: Infinity
• Size/Weight: 2.5” (6.35cm) high x 2.5” (6.35cm) wide / 5.5 oz (155.9g)
The Muse – Fast and loose
• Priced at US $150 with the Double Glass optic installed; US $100 with the Plastic optic installed
• Ships with either the Double Glass optic installed or the Plastic optic installed.
• Features the Lensbaby Optic Swap system
• Focal Length: right around 50mm
• Focus Type: Manual…Fingertip, actually
• Aperture Type: Interchangeable levitating aperture disks
• Aperture: f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8
• Minimum Focus: approximately 12” (30 cm) / Maximum Focus: Infinity and beyond
• Size/Weight: 2” (5.08cm) high x 2.5” (6.35cm) wide / 3.7 oz. (104.9g)
The Control Freak – Step-by-step
• Priced at US$270
• Ships with the Double Glass Optic installed
• Features the Lensbaby Optic Swap system
• Focal Length: 50mm
• Focus Type: Manual/Fingertip, with barrel fine focus
• Aperture Type: Interchangeable levitating aperture disks
• Aperture: f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22
• Minimum Focus: approximately 12” (30 cm) / Maximum Focus: Infinity
• Size/Weight: 3” (7.62cm) high x 3” (7.62cm) wide / 5.7 oz. (161.6 grams)
About Lensbaby
Lensbaby, LLC (formerly Lensbabies, LLC) is a Portland, Oregon based manufacturer and marketer of award-winning selective focus SLR camera lenses. Lensbaby was launched in February 2004 by Craig Strong, a professional photographer and the inventor of the patented Lensbaby selective focus SLR lens. Lensbaby sells to photographers all over the world through its website, http://www.lensbaby.com, by calling 877-536-7222 / 971-223-5662, at tradeshows, in leading photo retailers and through a growing global network of international distributors.
