Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Tuesday, 13 August 2013

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Tuesday, 13 August 2013 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Hello! And welcome to the 470th Digital Photography Review newsletter. There's lots going on at dpreview at the moment, and Kelcey, our studio manager has been kept particularly busy as we put the finishing touches to an all-new studio comparison scene. We've teased a couple of iterations on the site already but the final version is now done, and we're hoping to formally switch over to using it full-time very soon. As well as a new test scene, we're also introducing new ways of displaying the sample images, which we're hoping will be very useful. In addition to the 'back-end' work we've also been adding a lot of content to the site over the past week, including a full review of the diminutive Pentax Q7, Sigma's innovative and interesting USB dock, and the final 'wrap up' of this year's tough waterproof compacts. Plus the usual industry news, articles and other front page pieces that we publish every day. Let's take a look at some recent highlights! Pentax Q7 In-depth Review The Q7 is the latest miniature interchangeable lens camera in Pentax's Q line, and the first to use a larger 12MP 1/1.7 inch BSI CMOS sensor. Despite a larger sensor than its predecessors, the Q7 is fully compatible with all seven of Pentax's existing Q-mount lenses, and offers a range of fun and useful features designed to appeal to enthusiasts and novices alike. But is it any good? Click through and read our full review to find out. Click here to read our review of the Pentax Q7 Waterproof Camera Group Test: Final Wrap-up Over the past few weeks we've been reviewing this year's collection of weatherproof tough cameras, and in this article we're rounding them up, comparing their relative strengths and weaknesses and taking a more detailed look at how their image quality and feature sets stack up. Even if you've read the full reviews, we recommend clicking through and reading our final, definitive roundup of this year's class of waterproof rugged compacts. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you don't need to worry about the saltwater doing any damage. Click here to read our Waterproof Camera Group Test: Final Wrap-up Sigma USB Dock Review Sigma has been doing lots of good things recently, and one of its most interesting recent products is the USB Dock. This device connects a lens to a computer and, in concert with Sigma's Optimization Pro software, allows the user to do such things as update the firmware and configure detailed autofocus microadjustment settings. In our quick review we take a close look at how it works and what it can do. Click the links below to find out more. Click here to read our review of the Sigma USB Dock Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 Real-world Samples Gallery We've just posted a 39-image gallery of real-world samples shot on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 zoom compact. Spanning the equivalent of 20-1200mm the FZ70's lens is the largest zoom available in a consumer compact, and we've spent a few days testing it out in a variety of situations, to see what this new superzoom can do. Short answer: It's nice at the wide end, not so great towards 1200mm. Click to view our gallery of real-world samples. Click here to view our Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 Real-world Samples Gallery Behind the Shot: Nautilus In the latest of his series of 'Behind the Shot' articles, landscape photographer Erez Marom shows us how he got his stunning shot inside an ice cave in Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Iceland. As well as setup and equipment choice, Marom also gives us a detailed look at the post-processing required to achieve the final result. Click the link below to read the full article. Click here to read 'Behind the Shot: Nautilus' What's coming up? We're currently working on additional real-world experience content on the Canon EOS 70D (which should be online by the time you read this) and also full reviews of the Olympus E-P5, Sigma's impressive new 18-35mm F1.8 standard zoom, Sony's Cyber-shot RX100 II and the Fujifilm X-M1. I've been putting a gallery of sample images together from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7, and they should be on the site in the next couple of days - I've really enjoyed shooting with it and we're also working on some preliminary studio work now that we've got our hands on a 'final' shipping-sample of the camera. As always, remember that you can leave feedback, share images and ask questions in our forums, and if there's something you really want to write about, you can also submit your own articles for consideration. We'd love to hear from you. Thanks for reading! Barney WTD #1429 Check out What The Duck in our Link Directory GearShop update - a message from Laura Have you been thinking about picking up a Nikon DSLR? Start with the camera you're interested in, then check out the rebates currently available to maximize your bundled savings. From the D3100 to the D4, every Nikon DSLR has bundle discounts. See what's on sale! (Many models come with your choice of a free accessory too!) Speaking of bundles, Sony's offering a huge discount on their gorgeous Zeiss T* 24-70mm F2.8 lens when you buy it with the gold award winning Alpha SLT-A99. Save $700 instantly! New additions to the shop this week: Eye-Fi Mobi and X2 cards, a handful of Pentax Q lenses for the recently reviewed Q7, and plenty more to come. You can always make suggestions through the forums or by emailing GearShop directly. Thanks! See you next week. Laura and the GearShop Team
News updates Kubrick's f/0.7 lenses now available for rent (but start saving up) Published on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 12:26:17 AM GMT Legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick pushed the boundaries of moviemaking in many ways, and was responsible for some of the most enduring visuals in cinema. When he made Barry Lyndon in 1975, Kubrick shot with two ultra-rare Carl Zeiss primes, originally created for NASA. Using the 50mm and 35mm f/0.7 lenses, Kubrick was able to film some scenes purely by candlelight. Now, Germany-based company P+S Technik has announced that they've modified a PS-Cam X35 HD camera to be able to accept Kubrick's primes, and the whole package is available to rent. Click through for more details.  Read full story → Nikkor 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR hints at mid-range DSLR Published on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 4:01:00 AM GMT Nikon has announced the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR, a mid-level standard zoom that looks a lot like a kit lens waiting for a camera. The 7.8x lens, designed for APS-C DSLRs, covers a 27-210mm equivalent range and includes the latest VR image stabilization system, rated as offering four stops of stabilization, according to CIPA standard tests. It will sell for around $600 / £580 / €620 and will not be bundled with any current Nikon DSLRs. We're not convinced many users will spend so much money to gain a little reach over their existing kit lens, leading us to suspect there may be a body on its way that will match its enthusiast-friendly ambitions. Read full story → Nikon adds Speedlight SB-300 flashgun to its arsenal Published on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 4:01:00 AM GMT Nikon has added an entry-level Speedlight to its external flash lineup. The company says the SB-300 can 'fit comfortably in a shirt pocket' and weighs 120g (4.2oz) with its two AAA batteries installed. It has a guide number of 18 meters and can tilt upwards by as much as 120 degrees. The SB-300 covers 18mm with a DX-format camera, and 27mm with FX-format. You'll be able to pick one up for yourself later this month for around $150. Read full story → Nikon launches budget-friendly Coolpix L620 ultra zoom Published on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 4:01:00 AM GMT Nikon has unveiled the Coolpix L620, an ultra zoom camera in its budget-friendly L-series. It sports an F3.3-5.9, 25-350mm equivalent lens coupled to an 18.1 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor. Other features include lens-shift Vibration Reduction, a 3", 480k dot LCD, 1080p video recording, and use of AA batteries. You'll be able to pick up the Coolpix L620 in your choice of black and red in September for around $250/£199/€239. Read full story → Nikon announces Coolpix S6600 'connected compact' Published on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 2:49:48 PM GMT Nikon has announced the Coolpix S6600 - a Wi-Fi equipped 'connected compact' with an articulated screen and 'gesture control'. When the screen is facing forward in 'self portrait mode', a photographer in front of the camera can use hand gestures to zoom the lens and record stills or movies. The camera sports a 12x, 25-300mm equivalent optical zoom and 16MP backlit CMOS sensor, and will be available in a choice of black, silver, pink, purple and red. It will go on sale in early September for £200 / €229. Read full story → White House photographer on presidential Instagramming Published on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 7:01:33 PM GMT As the official White House photographer, Pete Souza gets more access to the President than any other professional photographer. Souza is no stranger to photographic social media, either. His images are regularly posted on the White House's Flickr stream, where the Obama administration has been giving insight into the daily lives of the first family since the inauguration in 2009, and he recently joined Instagram. Time recently interviewed Souza about his work, and you can read more at our sister site, connect.dpreview.com. Read full story → Build your own point-and-shoot camera with Bigshot Published on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 7:03:53 PM GMT Budding young photographers (and curious adults) can put together their own camera with Bigshot, a DIY point-and-shoot aimed at teaching kids tech hardware basics. Developed partially with funding from Google, the kit includes everything needed to construct the camera including a 3 megapixel image sensor, LED flash, 1.4 inch LCD and a wheel with three built in lens options. Bigshot's website also contains an impressive learning section packed with information about the technology behind digital photography. Click through for more details and pricing. Read full story → Canon EOS 70D preview updated with studio & real-world samples Published on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 1:16:44 AM GMT One of the hottest cameras of the year so far, the Canon EOS 70D won't be in stores for a few more weeks but we've got hold of an early beta sample, and Canon has let us post pictures from it. Not wanting to waste any time, we've been busily shooting with it for the past few days both in the studio and out in the real world, and we've added a lot to our previously-published preview. Click through for a link to the expanded preview, now including studio comparison pages and a large gallery of sample images. Read full story → No compromise? Zeiss blogs about its new lens line and the 55mm F1.4 Published on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 8:20:00 AM GMT Zeiss has posted a blog article that talks about the inception and development of its latest line of lenses, led by the 55mm F1.4 that was first shown at Photokina last year. Titled 'No Compromise', it explains how the company is aiming to meet the demands of the latest high resolution sensors, to satisfy the needs of both professional photographers and ambitious hobbyists. Click through to read more, and the link to the original article. Read full story → Photo collages record passage of time in 'slices' Published on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 6:13:50 PM GMT In his series 'Time is a Dimension,' photographer Fong Qi Wei stretches the boundaries of still photography to produce images that convey the passage of time. Rather than using time-lapse, he has created a series of photo collages, each composed of many 'slices' taken in a 2 to 4 hour timespan. The resulting images capture the changing colors of sunrise and sunset in a way a single still or video clip can't match. Click through and take a look at some of his work. Read full story → Is 'Leonardo' a Photoshop alternative for mobile? Published on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 6:37:13 PM GMT The recently-launched Leonardo is a full-featured image-editing app for iOS that offers tools you won't find on too many other comparable apps. Containing options familiar from high-end PC applications like Photoshop, Leonardo allows you to make selections using lasso and 'magic wand' tools, and create layer masks, gradients and much more. For more details head over to our sister site connect.dpreview.com.  Read full story → Steady on! Casio Exilim EX-ZR800 18x zoom gains 'five-axis stabilization' Published on Thursday, August 8, 2013 1:00:58 AM GMT Casio Europe has announced the Exilim EX-ZR800 - a Raw-shooting compact with multi-shot-based 'five-axis image stabilization.' The 16MP BSI-CMOS camera shares many features with the existing EX-ZR700, including the 18x, 25-400mm equivalent lens and ability to capture DNG files. The ZR800 gains the ability to shoot time-lapse sequences, along with a stabilization system that can be used for both stills and movies, on top of the usual multi-shot and high speed modes that Casio has developed over recent years. Read full story → Photographs offer look into the life of a Phone thief Published on Thursday, August 8, 2013 5:54:52 PM GMT A woman who had her phone stolen has been keeping an eye on the thief, using Dropbox. Apparently unaware that the phone was set to automatically sync its camera roll, the phone's new 'owner' has been merrily posting pictures of himself and his surroundings, which now form the basis of an amusing Tumblr account, 'Life of a Stranger who Stole my Phone'. Click through for some pictures and a link over at connect.dpreview.com. Read full story → Lomography raises more than $1M for production of New Petzval lenses Published on Thursday, August 8, 2013 6:49:58 PM GMT Lomography's campaign to raise funds to bring the centuries-old Petzval lens back into production via Kickstarter has now raised more than $1 million - ten times the original target. The 'New Petzval' lens looks and functions much like the originals, with a brass exterior, and the aim is to produce it in both Canon EF- and Nikon F- mounts. The lens is expected to be available next spring.  Read full story → Ricoh issues fifth feature-enhancing upgrade for GR Digital IV Published on Thursday, August 8, 2013 7:43:26 PM GMT Ricoh has released firmware v2.30 for its GR Digital IV enthusiast compact. The latest update is the fifth for the GRD IV, and adds a couple of features, slightly modifies the camera's behavior and fixes some minor bugs. The latest update brings the white balance options of the GRD IV into line with the more recent, large sensor, GR model, for which Ricoh has also said it will provide function-enhancing firmware. Read full story → Nikon rethinks 1 System and cuts 2013 forecast citing poor sales Published on Thursday, August 8, 2013 8:27:05 PM GMT Nikon has lowered its sales and revenue estimates for this year, prompting a rethink of its 1 Series mirrorless cameras. Nikon cites poor market conditions, a large drop in compact camera sales and, most interestingly, a 'deceleration' in mirrorless camera sales growth. Nikon's measures against these changing conditions include accelerating production of entry-level DSLRs and 'reconsider[ing] product planning' of their Nikon 1 mirrorless camera system. Follow the link for additional details. Read full story → Join the Q: In-depth Pentax Q7 review Published on Thursday, August 8, 2013 9:34:22 PM GMT We've just published our review of the Pentax Q7. The Q7 is of course the latest miniature interchangeable lens camera in Pentax's Q line, and the first to use a larger 12MP 1/1.7 inch BSI CMOS sensor. Despite a larger sensor than its predecessors, the Q7 is fully compatible with all seven of Pentax's existing Q-mount lenses, and offers a range of fun and useful features designed to appeal to enthusiasts and novices alike. But is it any good? Click through and read our full review to find out.  Read full story → What The Duck #1429 Published on Friday, August 9, 2013 1:00:45 AM GMT We've been fans of Aaron Johnson's comic strip 'What the Duck' for years. 'WTD' is one of the best satirical comic strips in the world, and it's published here every week, as well as being included in our weekly newsletter. Barbed, topical and always amusing, we hope you enjoy WTD as much as we do.  Read full story → Behind the Shot: Nautilus Published on Friday, August 9, 2013 5:39:48 PM GMT In the latest of his series of 'Behind the Shot' articles, landscape photographer Erez Marom shows us how he got his stunning shot inside an icecave in Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Iceland. As well as setup and equipment choice, Marom also gives us a detailed look at the post-processing required to achieve the final result. Click through for a link to the full article.  Read full story → Hand-painted Olympus E-P5 comes with bonus... Vespa? Published on Friday, August 9, 2013 6:30:32 PM GMT Money may not buy happiness, but it can buy you some pretty weird things. Luxury London store Harrods has a long history of catering to the 1%, and its exclusive 'Olympus Pen Art Edition' kit includes two Olympus E-P5 camera bodies - one hand-painted - with an assortment of lenses and accessories, all bundled together with a customized Vespa scooter. We presume this must have made sense to someone. Just how much will it set you back? Click through for more details. Read full story → Olympus stems losses but PEN sales disappoint Published on Friday, August 9, 2013 8:30:24 PM GMT Olympus has announced reduction in its camera business's losses but PEN sales have fallen behind expectations. The predominantly medical company said PEN sales had fallen 12% in the first quarter, but that it expected the year's income from mirrorless models to be consistent with last year's figure of ¥9bn ($90m). The company blamed the fall on its delay in releasing the E-P5 and said the camera business is on track to break even this financial year. Read full story → Tough Decision? We round up the best rugged cameras of 2013 Published on Saturday, August 10, 2013 2:01:15 AM GMT Over the past few weeks we've been reviewing this year's collection of weatherproof tough cameras, and in this article we're rounding them up, comparing their relative strengths and weaknesses and taking a more detailed look at how their image quality and feature sets stack up. Even if you've read the full reviews, we recommend clicking through and reading our final, definitive roundup of this year's class of waterproof rugged compacts. Click through for a link.  Read full story → National Geographic drones help capture Serengeti wildlife close up Published on Sunday, August 11, 2013 12:18:16 AM GMT What's the safest way to get close up photos of lions on the Serengeti? Send in a robot. And an aerial drone. That's what photographer Michael Nichols and his team did, producing incredible images for a National Geographic feature. From a nearby car, Nichols and crew directed a small remote-controlled robot outfitted with a Canon camera toward lion prides as they hunted, slept and well, do everything lions do. And we do mean everything. Read full story → Walker Evans' iconic 'American Photographs' turns 75 Published on Sunday, August 11, 2013 12:00:28 PM GMT Walker Evans' iconic images of American life in the early 20th century helped elevate photography to the status of fine art. His 1938 book 'Walker Evans: American Photographs' celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and the Museum of Modern Art is commemorating this milestone by bringing it back into print with an accompanying exhibition of his work. Click through and take a look at some of Walker's captivating images of American society in last century. Read full story → Nokia ad takes us inside the new Lumia 1020 Published on Sunday, August 11, 2013 3:00:04 PM GMT Nokia's new Lumia 1020 smartphone packs some impressive features, most notably a 41MP imaging sensor capable of high-resolution stills and video. A new Nokia advert goes deep (literally) into this aspect of the phone's hardware with a virtual look inside the imaging pipeline of the 1020, showing the entire process of image capture from the shutter opening and light coming through the lens to the creation of a digital image. The result is pretty stunning. Click through to see for yourself. Read full story → AFP sports photographer captures double 'lightning' bolt Published on Monday, August 12, 2013 6:13:16 PM GMT Olivier Morin, photographer for Agence France-Presse (AFP) managed to capture champion runner Usain 'lightning' Bolt approaching the finishing line at the same time as an actual lightning bolt lit up the sky behind him. The image, captured at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, was taken using a remote-controlled camera, one of five that Morin had set up by the side of the track to cover the finishing line. Click through for more details, and a closer look at the 'double lightning' shot.  Read full story → Cardboard printers? Samsung concepts look to cheaper, sustainable future Published on Monday, August 12, 2013 6:19:12 PM GMT New printer concepts from Samsung look to lower-cost and sustainable materials as a way to reduce prices and environmental impact. Receiving recognition at the 2013 International Design Excellence Awards, these three designs take a page from Ikea's flat-pack, assemble-it-yourself playbook, using materials like corrugated cardboard and Polyethylene plastic to create printers with exteriors that are easier to manufacture. Will your next printer come with a cardboard shell? Click through and take a look at the concepts. Read full story → This just in: Camera enthusiasts are 'intense' (who knew?) Published on Monday, August 12, 2013 6:23:39 PM GMT New York Times writer Nick Bilton recently wrote an article about his experience with Leica cameras and lenses, and was surprised when this was met by an aggressive influx of 'vehement messages from all kinds of photographers and camera fans'. Not only did Canon and Nikon fans attack him for not writing a similar piece about their favorite brands, but according to Bilton many Leica fans were also critical of his article, as well as his selection of 'experts'. Click through for more on this surprising development. Read full story → What's up, dock? Sigma USB Dock review Published on Monday, August 12, 2013 7:17:00 PM GMT Sigma has been doing lots of good things recently, and one of its most interesting recent products is the USB Dock. This device connects a lens to a computer and, in concert with Sigma's Optimization Pro software, allows the user to do such things as update the firmware and configure detailed autofocus microadjustment settings. In our quick review we take a close look at how it works and what it can do. Click through to find out more.   Read full story → Lytro CEO admits layoffs, promises 'breakthrough' products in 2014 Published on Monday, August 12, 2013 7:34:14 PM GMT Lytro CEO Jason Rosenthal has acknowledged that the company made a 'small number' of layoffs earlier this year and that there are some 'kinks' to be worked out with its unique 'light field' camera. Meanwhile, according to an article by tech blog SFGate, industry sources report that the Lytro camera 'isn't selling well so far', due to its price and lack of appeal to professional photographers. Rosenthal is, however, bullish on the future of the company, promising 'multiple [...] breakthrough products' in 2014. More details are available after the link. Read full story → Pictures purport to show rumored Sony smartphone lens/sensor module Published on Monday, August 12, 2013 9:52:19 PM GMT Rumors continue to fly about a Sony lens/sensor combo in the works for Android and iOS devices. Now, more images have emerged of the rumored accessories, apparently designed to attach magnetically to your existing smartphone. It's speculated that one of these models bears the same 1-inch sensor as the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II, and both models reportedly boast NFC and WiFi connectivity. Click through for the most recent images and details at connect.dpreview.com. Read full story →
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