Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Wednesday, 15 January 2014

	Digital Photography Review Newsletter Wednesday, 15 January 2014 The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 300,000 subscribers
Hello! And welcome to the 492nd Digital Photography Review newsletter. So, we're safely back from CES, ensconced again inside the Tupperware box that is Seattle in the wintertime. In case you missed it, we produced a lot of content from the show which you can find links to below. Show reports, roundups and hands-on with some new gear as well as all of the usual product news that accompanies any major trade show. We also got our hands on the new Panasonic Leica 42.5mm F1.2 lens for Micro Four Thirds and produced a gallery of samples which we think prove that this new fast portrait prime is something rather special... Without further ado, let's take a look at some recent content highlights! CES 2014: New releases, show reports, roundups and more Last week we were at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, having meetings, eating bad food, being briefed on upcoming products, eating more bad food and getting our hands on the gear that was announced at the show. Click the links below to take a look at all of our coverage from this year's CES (minus the curved TV screens). Click here to read our CES show coverage Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 samples gallery We got our hands on the recently announced Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 ASPH OIS at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. It's an ultra-fast portrait prime for Micro Four Thirds that offers an 85mm equivalent field of view. We shot some samples mounted on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 and Olympus OM-D E-M5, including an aperture progression series. Click here to view our gallery of samples from the Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 Battle of the titans: Top ball heads tested There is no denying the advantages of a tripod for improving your images in the studio or in the field, but a tripod is only three legs. It's the tripod ball head that lets you point it wherever you'd like. Too many are content to stick with the head that comes with their tripod, but there are a variety of head types that can improve your experience with the best set of tripod legs. We've reviewed 10 similar ball heads in an effort to find out their relative strengths and weaknesses. Follow the links to read our conclusions. Click here to read our roundup of ball heads Fast and portable: Using the Apple MacBook Air in a pro workflow Photographers often need to find the most powerful solutions possible and cram them into the smallest places. While the Apple MacBook Air once satisfied only the size part of the equation, the newest member of the family makes it a compelling choice for photographers. The Apple MacBook Air provides a professional level of power in a diminutive package without sacrificing functionality. Click here to read our article 'Using the Apple MacBook Air in a pro workflow' What's coming up? Our review of the Sony a7 and a7R is in the very final stages of preparation, and we're also starting work on reviews of Nikon's D5300, the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 and continuing work on the Pentax K-3 with a fresh set of Pentax 'Limited' lenses including the recently-announced 20-40mm. Also remember that although 2013 already seems like a distant dream voting remains open in our poll to find your favorite product of last year. Thanks for reading - see you next week! Barney GearShop update - a message from Laura GearShop update - a message from Laura My feet are still a bit sore from walking the floor at CES last week, looking for cool new products to work into the GearShop selection. I'm very excited about the new line of redesigned Domke bags, a staple for enthusiasts and pros, now with better functionality and customization. Keep an eye out for new stuff in the coming months, and as always, feel free to make suggestions directly to me. This week's best deals: Looking for a great deal on a pocket camera? Fujifilm's XF1 premium enthusiast camera is a steal at only $199! Save $200 on some of our favorite Olympus lenses when you purchase one or more with an OM-D EM-1, OM-D E-M5, or E-P5 mirrorless camera. Save up to $300 on Sony Alpha APS-C SLTs, plus get additional discounts on lenses. Get a free battery grip when you buy an SLT-A77! Now shipping: If you've been waiting for a bright, standard prime for your new Sony a7 or a7R, the Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 lens is now in stock with free two-day delivery. Until next week - Laura and the GearShop Team
News updates GearShop videos: Advice and recommendations on camera technology Published on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 1:24:02 AM GMT We’ve added four new clips to our series of informative videos hosted by professional photographer Ryan Phillips. In this installment, he explores how sensor size can help you decide on your next camera, the benefits of shooting video on mirrorless cameras, Fujifilm’s unique technologies, and if image stabilization really makes a difference in your photos. See videos Read full story → CES 2014: What we experienced at Pepcom Digital Experience Published on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 2:36:16 AM GMT CES 2014: Every year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Pepcom holds a 'Digital Experience' showcase event before the main show opens, to showcase the best of the technology that is being exhibited. It's also a good opportunity for informal meetings, networking and general gawking at cool new things before the noise and fury of the main event in Las Vegas Convention Center. And did we mention it's also really strange? This year's theme was the Wizard of Oz. Our intrepid editorial team were there.  Read full story → CES 2014: Nikon Stand Report Published on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 5:12:38 PM GMT CES 2014: Nikon's booth, near the back of the Central Hall, showed off their latest products, and also had a live demo of their 'HD SLR' cameras, replete with models. We've already had some hands-on time with the new D3300, 35mm F1.8G lens and a behind-glass D4S, and we spent our time at the booth checking out the new Coolpix lineup. Tour Nikon's CES 2014 booth Read full story → Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 samples gallery Published on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 9:53:11 PM GMT CES 2014: We got our hands on the recently announced Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 ASPH OIS at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. It's an ultra-fast portrait prime for Micro Four Thirds that offers an 85mm equivalent field of view. We shot some quick samples mounted on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3, including an aperture progression series. See gallery Read full story → CES 2014: Panasonic Stand Report Published on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 9:56:54 PM GMT CES 2014: Panasonic typically has a truly large presence at CES, and this year is no exception. Just beyond the acres of curvy 4K displays are some of the most interesting photo-related announcements at the show - the Leica Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 with Power O.I.S., for example, along with some prototype lenses on display with the diminutive Lumix GM1. We also got some hands-on time with Lumix compacts announced for the show. Take a look at what's new for Panasonic at CES 2014 Read full story → CES 2014: Fujifilm Stand Report Published on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 10:30:51 PM GMT CES 2014: Fujifilm's stand was bustling, with most of the attention centered around their X-series lineup. While most of the new products were compact cameras - such as the world's first rugged superzoom - we also spent some quality time with the new 56mm F1.2 and 10-24mm F4 lenses. Join us for a virtual tour of the Fujifilm booth Read full story → CES 2014: Samsung Stand Report Published on Thursday, January 9, 2014 12:17:20 AM GMT CES 2014: Samsung's biggest announcement thus far this year (okay, we're only a handful of days in) came the week before CES with the NX30. That didn't stop them from announcing a few more compacts for the show, continuing the theme of connectivity by including Wi-Fi in all of them. We checked out the always-impressive Samsung booth and got a first look at the latest fleet of smart cameras.  Read full story → CES 2014: Sigma Stand Report Published on Thursday, January 9, 2014 1:00:00 AM GMT CES 2014: Sigma Photo had a good-sized booth and were showing off their latest lenses, as well as some old favorites. The new lenses are a budget-friendly 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 superzoom, as well as a 50mm F1.4 Prime. Click to see them in action. Read full story → JK Imaging updates Kodak line with superzooms and 'Smart Lenses' Published on Thursday, January 9, 2014 12:21:20 PM GMT CES 2014: JK Imaging has announced an array of Kodak-branded cameras, including a superzoom compact with a 65x optical zoom and a couple of 'Smart Lenses' designed to clip onto smartphones (very much like Sony's QX cameras). It's also given more details about its long-in-development Pixpro S-1 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera. Click through to learn more. Read full story → CES 2014: Canon Stand Report Published on Thursday, January 9, 2014 9:21:26 PM GMT CES 2014: We already snagged a little quality time earlier in the week with Canon's latest PowerShots at Digital Experience, but a visit to the booth was still in order. If nothing else, we wanted to see some really nice lenses chopped in half. Take a look at what Canon has in store for CES attendees this year. Read full story → CES 2014: Hands-on with Kodak's M43 Pixpro S-1 and 'Smart Lenses' Published on Thursday, January 9, 2014 9:28:52 PM GMT CES 2014: Among the cameras launched at this year's CES were a handful from JK Imaging, a worldwide licensee for Kodak 'PIXPRO' digital cameras and lenses. JK doesn't have a booth at the show, but we visited them in a hotel suite for a briefing and some hands-on time with the new S1 Micro Four Thirds camera, and the company's two new 'Smart Lens' camera modules. Click through to read more, and see some pictures of the new cameras.  Read full story → UPDATED: Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 samples gallery Published on Friday, January 10, 2014 1:37:05 AM GMT CES 2014: We got our hands on the recently announced Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 ASPH OIS at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. It's an ultra-fast portrait prime for Micro Four Thirds that offers an 85mm equivalent field of view. We shot some quick samples mounted on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3, including an aperture progression series. We've just added 16 more images to our previously-published gallery, taken with the new lens attached to an Olympus OM-D E-M5. See gallery Read full story → Canon updates firmware for EOS-1D X Published on Friday, January 10, 2014 5:03:15 PM GMT Canon has released firmware version 2.0.3 for its flagship EOS-1D X full-frame DSLR. The update improves accuracy and versatility to AF and exposure systems, as well as adding significant customization options. Some of the new features include: AF point switching according to camera orientation, improved low-light performance, and expanded minimum shutter speed in auto ISO. Get the update Read full story → CES 2014: Best of the show (minus the bendy TVs) Published on Saturday, January 11, 2014 5:38:03 AM GMT The DPReview team has returned from the annual Consumer Electronics Show in las Vegas, Nevada, back to the gloriously cloudy, wet skies of Seattle (and we're not being sarcastic when we say that it's a welcome contrast). CES is mostly about home audio, communication and apparently drones, but there were plenty of new photography-related products launched this year, and the show gave us an interesting insight into the future of some key developing technologies. Click through for a look at our show highlights. Read full story → Things we found stuffed down the back of CES 2014 Published on Sunday, January 12, 2014 10:17:54 PM GMT CES 2014: After all of the meetings, hands-ons and reports were done, we spent a little time wandering the CES 2014 show floor, as we always do when time allows, and found a few interesting products on the side streets between the towering booths of major manufacturers. Many photo-focused products this year related to mobile in some way, standing beside an endless array of iCases, iKeyboards and iEverything else. Click through to see what we found when we left the beaten path... Read full story → Battle of the titans: Top ball heads tested Published on Monday, January 13, 2014 6:00:00 AM GMT There is no denying the advantages of a tripod for improving your images in the studio or in the field, but a tripod is only three legs. It's the tripod ball head that lets you point it wherever you'd like. There are a variety of head types that can improve your experience with the best set of tripod legs. We reviewed 10 similar ball heads. Find out which one best fits your needs. Learn more Read full story → Mount St. Helens images found decades later Published on Monday, January 13, 2014 8:00:00 AM GMT New images of Washington's Mount St. Helens have been recently discovered. Reid Blackburn, a staff photographer for the The Columbian newspaper, took photographs in a flight over the volcano in April 1980. When he got back to the paper's studio his roll was set aside and never developed. Until now. Learn more Read full story → DxOMark recommends lenses for the Pentax K-3 Published on Monday, January 13, 2014 7:31:34 PM GMT The Pentax K-3 was a justified winner in our reader poll for the Best DSLR of 2013, and now our friends and collaborators over at DxOMark have been looking into how various lenses score on it. In the process, they've also reviewed many of Pentax's lovely 'Limited' primes in their latest 'HD' incarnations. See DxOMark's latest reviews Read full story → Sakar shows QX-style, Vivitar-branded modular smart camera Published on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 12:41:51 AM GMT One of the stands we didn't get a chance to visit at CES 2014 was that of Sakar International. Its Vivicam IU680 (as seen by digitalcamera.jp) at first looks like a competitor to Sony's QX models and JK Imaging's Kodak Smart Lenses. However, a closer look reveals that the lens module is interchangeable. We say lens module, rather than lens because it appears to be the same 10-30mm lens/sensor combination shown by Sakar at last year's CES under the Polaroid brand. Read full story → Fast and portable: Using the Apple MacBook Air in a pro workflow Published on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 6:00:00 AM GMT Photographers often need to find the most powerful solutions possible and cram them into the smallest places. While the MacBook Air once satisfied only the size part of the equation, the newest member of the family makes it a compelling choice for photographers. The MacBook Air provides a professional level of power in a diminutive package without sacrificing functionality. Learn more Read full story → Fujifilm launches updated grips for X-E and X-Pro cameras Published on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 9:08:47 PM GMT In amongst the product releases of the past few months, Fujifilm announced a pair of accessory grips for its X-E and X-Pro cameras. The MHG-Xpro and MHG-XE improve on the original HG designs by providing continued access to the cameras' battery/card compartments. In addition they reposition the tripod mount so that it's in line with the optical axis. The MHG-XPro and HMG-XE are available now priced at $150 and $130 respectively. Read full story →
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