News

Thursday, May 26, 2016

The new Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera refines the innovative Dual-Pixel CMOS AF system of its predecessor whilst upgrading the processor, sensor, auto-focusing and metering systems. Read our in-depth Canon EOS 80D review to find out if it can still compete in 2016...

Adobe are offering a sneak peek into a new feature called Content-Aware Crop, coming to Photoshop CC later this year. With Content-Aware Crop, Photoshop looks at all the pixels around the edges of your photo and automatically, seamlessly fills in the blank space with content when you expand or rotate that image. This enables users to straighten images without having to give up any of their pixels. Click through / scroll down for a video demonstration.

Adobe are offering a sneak peek into a new feature called Content-Aware Crop, coming to Photoshop CC later this year. With Content-Aware Crop, Photoshop looks at all the pixels around the edges of your photo and automatically, seamlessly fills in the blank space with content when you expand or rotate…

Magix have released a new version of Video easy HD, a beginner-level application for editing video footage. The software's native 64-bit architecture and H.264 support lets you import, edit and export videos faster than ever before, and the latest version of Video easy HD lets you edit video footage in resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD. Using the automatic image optimisation and backlight correction features, users can enhance colour, brightness and contrast and make one-click adjustments to lighting. You can burn videos to DVD or Blu-ray Disc, upload directly to YouTube and Facebook from within the program or save them on your hard drive. The new version of Video easy HD is now available in stores and online, priced at £29.99.

Magix have released a new version of Video easy HD, a beginner-level application for editing video footage. The software's native 64-bit architecture and H.264 support lets you import, edit and export videos faster than ever before, and the latest version of Video easy HD lets you edit video footage in…

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is a new flagship standard zoom lens for professional photographers. Read our in-depth Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM review to find out if it's worth the $2199 / £2249 asking price...

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

PolarPro, a manufacturer of professional-grade accessories for action cameras, drones and smartphones; has announced a partnership with OtterBox to offer 7 accessory modules as part of the new OtterBox uniVERSE Case System. Designed for the latest iPhone 6 models, the protective OtterBox case offers the ability to expand the iPhone’s features with swappable modules, each of which attach seamlessly to the case using a slotted rail. One of the seven accessory modules offered by PolarPro is a multi-coated clip-on fish-eye conversion lens ($29.99) compatible with both front- and rear-facing cameras, which attaches directly to the OtterBox uniVERSE case. A snap-on lens cap safeguards the lens when not in use.

PolarPro, a manufacturer of professional-grade accessories for action cameras, drones and smartphones; has announced a partnership with OtterBox to offer 7 accessory modules as part of the new OtterBox uniVERSE Case System. Designed for the latest iPhone 6 models, the protective OtterBox case offers the ability to expand the iPhone’s…

Xara has released Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 365, which comes with a new Update Guarantee that provides regular updates during the year. Additionally, the new release provides a number of new photo tools and SmartShapes, and significant text enhancements. Charles Moir, Managing Director said “Xara Photo & Graphic Designer has evolved into being a supremely capable non-destructive photo editor... Photo editing now includes the ability to paint enhancements or effects onto images, new pre-set filter effects, new ways of cutting images out of backgrounds and more. This really is the greatest version of Xara Photo & Graphic Designer we've ever released.” Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 365 is available for £49.99. Upgrades from v11 to Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 365 cost £24.99.

Xara has released Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 365, which comes with a new Update Guarantee that provides regular updates during the year. Additionally, the new release provides a number of new photo tools and SmartShapes, and significant text enhancements. Charles Moir, Managing Director said “Xara Photo & Graphic Designer…

Leica has revealed that the presentation of the Leica Oscar Barnack Award 2016 will take place in Berlin, Germany, on 28th September. The Award's return to Germany brings the competition back to the birthplace of its namesake - Oskar Barnack, the inventor of the ‘Ur-Leica.’ Approximately 3,200 photographers from a total of 108 countries submitted entries to the 2016 Award - almost twice as many entrants as in the previous year, with a record number of submissions. The portfolios of the twelve finalists in the categories ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Award’ and ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award’ will be publicly announced on 15 June 2016 on the Award's website.

Leica has revealed that the presentation of the Leica Oscar Barnack Award 2016 will take place in Berlin, Germany, on 28th September. The Award's return to Germany brings the competition back to the birthplace of its namesake - Oskar Barnack, the inventor of the ‘Ur-Leica.’ Approximately 3,200 photographers from a…

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Macphun has launched a new Creative XXL Kit – a bundle of 6 powerful photo editing applications: Noiseless, Intensify, Tonality, Snapheal, Focus and FX Photo Studio, combined with more than 40 various e-books, training materials and photo-related apps. The standard value of all the contents in the package stands around £1715/$2000 but you can now purchase them all for only £110/$129. Do note that this is a time-limited offer, expiring on 31st May.

Macphun has launched a new Creative XXL Kit – a bundle of 6 powerful photo editing applications: Noiseless, Intensify, Tonality, Snapheal, Focus and FX Photo Studio, combined with more than 40 various e-books, training materials and photo-related apps. The standard value of all the contents in the package stands around…

Phase One has released an update to Capture One Pro 9. Version 9.1.2, which is free to all Capture One Pro 9 license owners and Capture One Pro subscribers, adds support for the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II, EOS 1300D and EOS 80D, the Nikon D5 and the Panasonic G70 cameras; as well as the Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 8mm Fisheye 1:3.5 and M.Zuiko ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO, the Zeiss Loxia 2/35, Loxia 2/50, Loxia 2.8/21, Touit 2.8/12, Touit 1.8/32, Touit 2.8/50 and Batis 2.8/18, the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS, the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f3.5-5.6, and the Rodenstock HR Digaron-SW 5.6/90 mm/Aerial and ALPA HR Alpagon 5.6/90mm lenses.

Phase One has released an update to Capture One Pro 9. Version 9.1.2, which is free to all Capture One Pro 9 license owners and Capture One Pro subscribers, adds support for the Canon EOS-1DX Mark II, EOS 1300D and EOS 80D, the Nikon D5 and the Panasonic G70 cameras…

Macphun have announced an update to Aurora HDR Pro, their latest Macintosh software co-developed with Trey Ratcliff. The features of Version 1.2.2 include added support for raw files generated by the Canon 80D, 1300D and 1DX Mk II, the Leica M (Typ 262), the Nikon D5, the Olympus SH3 and Pen F, the Panasonic GX80/85, TZ80/81/85/ZS60 and TZ100/101/ZS100, the Samsung Galaxy S7, the Sony A68, ILCE6300, RX1R II and RX10 III, the DxO ONE Digital Camera and the Fuji X-Pro2. The update also bringsa number of performance improvements. Aurora HDR Pro is available for $99.99.

Macphun have announced an update to Aurora HDR Pro, their latest Macintosh software co-developed with Trey Ratcliff. The features of Version 1.2.2 include added support for raw files generated by the Canon 80D, 1300D and 1DX Mk II, the Leica M (Typ 262), the Nikon D5, the Olympus SH3 and…

Lensbaby today announced limited early availability of the Circular 180+ lens for use with GoPro Hero cameras through Kickstarter. Attaching to the current waterproof housing on GoPro Hero cameras, the Circular 180+ captures a 185 degree field of view, wider than the human eye can see. “I wanted a lens that would give me the perspective of our Circular Fisheye lens for DSLRs in a small, rugged package so I wouldn’t have to worry about my gear when I’m in the wild,” said Craig Strong, Lensbaby Co-Founder and CCO. “A good circular fisheye, and this is a great one, makes adventures more adventurous. GoPro shooters are all about exploration, making this the perfect Go-Pro add-on.” Lensbaby’s goal is to raise at least $30,000 through this campaign to help fund lens production and to guarantee availability by this August.

Lensbaby today announced limited early availability of the Circular 180+ lens for use with GoPro Hero cameras through Kickstarter. Attaching to the current waterproof housing on GoPro Hero cameras, the Circular 180+ captures a 185 degree field of view, wider than the human eye can see. “I wanted a lens…

Olympus have unveiled a new rugged action camera that adds tracking data to help improve your performance. The new Olympus TG-Tracker has a 1/2.3"-type 7.2-megapixel imager capable to record 4K footage, a detachable grip, a 14mm (eq.) f/2 ultra-wide-angle lens, 5-axis image stabilisation and a 1.5" flip-out LCD monitor. It is shockproof to a height of 2.1 metres, crushproof to a weight of 100kg, dustproof, freezeproof down to -10°C and waterproof down to a depth of 30 metres. Underwater, the camera automatically adjusts white balance and other settings, and there is an up to 60-lumen spotlight for shooting when it would otherwise be too dark. And unlike products with regular geotagging, the TG-Tracker can sense acceleration, altitude or depth and temperature as well as direction of movement – in addition to latitude and longitude. This gives extreme sports enthusiasts a much fuller picture of where they were, what was happening and how they were performing at the moment any given image was captured. The Olympus Tough TG-Tracker will become available next month, priced at £279.99/$349.99/€349.00.

Olympus have unveiled a new rugged action camera that adds tracking data to help improve your performance. The new Olympus TG-Tracker has a 1/2.3"-type 7.2-megapixel imager capable to record 4K footage, a detachable grip, a 14mm (eq.) f/2 ultra-wide-angle lens, 5-axis image stabilisation and a 1.5" flip-out LCD monitor. It…

Monday, May 23, 2016

On Thursday, 9th June, ravel and cultural documentary photographer, Jacob James will host a free webinar delivering advice on how to take your travel portraits to the next level. From capture to post processing, learning how to use light, contrast, composition and colour will help you create powerful and impactful portraits. “All too often photographers get caught up in capturing interesting people and forget complementing that with what they know about light, backgrounds, and colour,” says Jacob. “This webinar is perfect for people who want to learn how to use all the skills a photographer has at his/her disposal to create powerful portraits that complement or contrast their subject to help tell a story”. Sponsored by Wilkinson Cameras, the webinar is free to attend but advance registration is required.

On Thursday, 9th June, ravel and cultural documentary photographer, Jacob James will host a free webinar delivering advice on how to take your travel portraits to the next level. From capture to post processing, learning how to use light, contrast, composition and colour will help you create powerful and impactful…

Ten recently graduated photographers have been announced as the winners of the Graduate Photographers Award 2016. The award provides a new opportunity for photographers, acknowledging the best emerging practitioners providing them with exposure to both a public and highly professional audience. The ten winners include Nicholas Constant, Emma Gruner, Tom Heatley, Sean Padraic Birnie, Sara Sandri, Vincenzo Sassu, Charan Singh, Erin Solomons, Peter Watkins and Feiyi Wen. Each winning photographer has won mentoring from a Magnum photographer, a portfolio review event with the nomination panel and a slideshow of their work at Photo London.

Ten recently graduated photographers have been announced as the winners of the Graduate Photographers Award 2016. The award provides a new opportunity for photographers, acknowledging the best emerging practitioners providing them with exposure to both a public and highly professional audience. The ten winners include Nicholas Constant, Emma Gruner, Tom…

The new Broncolor Siros L is a highly mobile, battery-powered monolight offering up to 440 full-power flashes, constant colour temperature over the entire control range and very short flash durations. From the sales launch, Siros L will be available in two power levels, 400 Joules and 800 Joules. The 400 J version (pictured) has a t0.1 flash duration of 1/400 s and a t0.5 flash duration of 1/1200 s when used at maximum energy (1/6200 s and 1/11,300 s, respectively, when fired at its minimum energy setting), with recycle times ranging from 0.03 s to 1.9 s. The 800 J version has a somewhat longer flash duration (t0.1=1/250 s at full power) and a longer maximum recycle time, but its higher output allows you to use an aperture setting as small as f/45 at a distance of 2m when the Broncolor P70 reflector is attached. The 25-Watt LED modules offer a bright modelling ligt with a colour temperature of 3000 K. The 400Ws Siros L will be available for $2095, while the 800Ws version can be had for $2395. Both prices include a carrying bag. The Broncolor Siros L (both versions) will also be available in an outdoor kit, priced at $4195 and $4795, respectively.

The new Broncolor Siros L is a highly mobile, battery-powered monolight offering up to 440 full-power flashes, constant colour temperature over the entire control range and very short flash durations. From the sales launch, Siros L will be available in two power levels, 400 Joules and 800 Joules. The 40…

Friday, May 20, 2016

Ricoh have posted a firmware update for the Pentax K-1 full-frame digital SLR camera. Version 1.10 adds compatibility with the Pentax Tethered Capture Plug-in for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Image Transmitter 2.2.0, and improves stability and general performance. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Ricoh Japan Support

Ricoh have posted a firmware update for the Pentax K-1 full-frame digital SLR camera. Version 1.10 adds compatibility with the Pentax Tethered Capture Plug-in for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Image Transmitter 2.2.0, and improves stability and general performance. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below. Website: Ricoh Japan Support

Hasselblad has announced a H6D-50c Trade-Up promotion. "The H6D has become an instant success with orders received worldwide and has far exceeded our expectations," the company said in a statement. "Unfortunately due to the recent devastating earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, the suppliers of some components, including the 100MP sensor, have been affected." Under the terms of the promotion, customers can purchase the Hasselblad H6D-50c at the standard price and retain the option to trade-up that camera to the H6D-100c for the difference in the recommended sales price. The offer is valid through 31 October 2016.

Hasselblad has announced a H6D-50c Trade-Up promotion. "The H6D has become an instant success with orders received worldwide and has far exceeded our expectations," the company said in a statement. "Unfortunately due to the recent devastating earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, the suppliers of some components, including the 100MP sensor, have…

Canon are offering up to £50/€70 cashback on selected items in the UK and Ireland, plus the chance to win a three-night break in Dubai for two people. Eligible products include digital SLR cameras such as the EOS 760D (pictured), EOS 750D, EOS 700D and EOS 100D, CSCs (EOS M3 & M10), digital compact cameras, camcorders, printers, lenses and the Speedlite 430EX III-RT flash. The offer runs to 31 August 2016.

Canon are offering up to £50/€70 cashback on selected items in the UK and Ireland, plus the chance to win a three-night break in Dubai for two people. Eligible products include digital SLR cameras such as the EOS 760D (pictured), EOS 750D, EOS 700D and EOS 100D, CSCs (EOS M…

Ahead of our full review, here are sample JPEG and Raw images taken with the new Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera and the equally new EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens. The Canon EOS 80D is a 35mm APS-C digital SLR camera with a 24 megapixel sensor.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Anthropics Technology has launched LandscapePro, an intelligent landscape photo editing application, available in standalone and Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements plug-in editions. The new software includes landscape relighting, sky replacement, 3D depth estimation, a depth of field simulator, distance controls, intelligent selection tools, and photo-adaptive controls among other features. It assumes no prior knowledge or technical skills, and photographers can create unique, dramatic effects quickly. “Inspired by the success of Anthropics’s PortraitPro software, we are delighted to introduce a new product to help photographers expand their creativity and take landscape retouching to the next level,” said Andrew Berend, CEO, Anthropics. “LandscapePro offers an innovative and easy way to create stunning landscape photography, and can be used by novices or experienced photographers alike. As its intelligent controls uniquely adapt to the features of each photo, it enables photographers to do incredible things with their outdoor photos simply by using sliders.” Pricing starts at £29.95/$39.95/€39.95.

Anthropics Technology has launched LandscapePro, an intelligent landscape photo editing application, available in standalone and Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements plug-in editions. The new software includes landscape relighting, sky replacement, 3D depth estimation, a depth of field simulator, distance controls, intelligent selection tools, and photo-adaptive controls among other features. It…