Nikon Z 30 Announced Focusing on Vloggers

Nikon quietly announced a new mirrorless camera aimed at the vloggers of the world. This new Z 30 is an APS-C mirrorless capable of 20MP images at 11 frames per second capture as well as video up to 4K (UHD) up to 30 frames per second. Adorama has the camera available for preorder*. Get the body and kit lens for $846.95. More on the new camera in the video below.

*Affiliate link used. Affiliate links allow me to earn a small commission as a content creator if you purchase items using the affiliate link. Thank you for your support.

Sony's "Imagine and Create Week" Deals

Beginning June 13th through June 19th, Adorama* and Sony have partnered up to give photographers and creators deals on select Sony products. This also includes a trade-in option towards select Sony Full-Frame mirroless cameras and lenses. In addition to the sales, Adorama is offering FREE Sony Sensor cleanings at the store on June 15th.

Image: Adorama

Below are some of the deals for “Imagine & Create Week”

Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body (V2) with Accessories Kit* - $2,998 (Instant Rebate: $500)

 

Be sure to check out other deals at Adorama* all while helping support me and my content by using my affiliate link here and above.


*Affiliate link used. Affiliate links allow me to earn a small commission as a content creator if you purchase items using the affiliate link. Thank you for your support.

Adobe Lightroom Adds Video "Editing" And More AI

Adobe has announced new updates for its Lightroom photo editing software. It’s the time of year where the children are out of school, vacation and travel time is picking up and more images will be snapped with your favorite camera of choice. Perfect time to get the most out of your photos and videos with updated editing tools. Here’s a quick look at some of the Lightroom updates announced.

Image: Adobe

Video Processing

You’ve been able to add video files to Lightroom for a handful of years now. Granted, I didn’t see much use for it, personally, but the capability was there. You couldn’t really do an “edit” to the video file if you needed to. Even something as simple as shorten the video. Makes sense considering Adobe offers several other video editing options with its Premiere Pro,* Premiere Rush* and After Effects* software. Now you can import video files to do some very light retouching as well as trim the video. You can’t create video with multiple clips are anything like that, but if you’re trying to retouch a single file, you can do so. This of it how you’d use the native photos app on your iPhone or Android device. There’s usually a simple video touch up option in it. This is the same as that, just with Adobe tools and AI included. This update is available for Lightroom, Lightroom on mobile and also Lightroom Classic.

AI Mask Controls

Adobe’s Sensei AI has continued to get better over the years to help speed up the post-processing workflow. The mask tool in Lightroom is useful for doing selective adjustments. Now you can create a mask in a photo and apply the same type of selection as well as the parameters to another photo in your group. So if you’re trying to do a selective adjustment on a person to, but would like to apply the same processing to a product shot, you can with copy and paste. The AI will recognize the subject of each image and process accordingly without you needing to adjust your selection.

Image: Adobe

GPU EXPORT!!!!

Also in this update, Lightroom Classic has been rewritten to export utilizing the GPU on your system where applicable. This is BIG and should give a boost in performance.

More information about the updates such as adaptive presets, red-eye removal and more can be found on the official Adobe blog post. Get the Adobe Photography package for just $9.99 a month* with my affiliate link to step up your photography processing game as well as help support me and my efforts.



*Affiliate link used. Affiliate links allow me to earn a small commission as a content creator if you purchase items using the affiliate link. Thank you for your support.

New Platypod Extreme On Deck

The squad at Platypod has announced a new product for photographers and content creators. The Platypod Extreme is the next iteration in the Platypod ecosystem as it offers some updates to be more portable, versatile and even easier to use.

Image: Platypod

I’ve used the Platypod and Platypod Ultra (the smaller one) quite regularly in my workflow. Whether for mounting my camera against a tree to capture hummingbird photography, to shoot low-angle landscapes, or mount a floor light for a photoshoot, the Platypod product line has been ridiculously useful. The new Extreme has me interested as it now has the pegs integrated with the platform. No more of me carrying a pouch with the pegs in it for a field shoot. Good thought, team.

You can find out more about the product and see the successful campaign on Kickstarter. Yes, they’ve already met their crowd-funding goal. There’s a reason for that.

Canon Announces the EOS R5 C (Hybrid) Cinema Camera

Canon has announced its new cinema camera. Actually, it’s more of a hybrid camera. It’s the EOS R5 C.* It was rumored a handful of times previously and I gotta tell ya, I’m excited and also a bit confused about this. But then again, maybe this is Canon’s way of continuing to add SOMETHING to its RF mount system. Anyway, some quick tech specs.

Cine Features in a Mirrorless Body

The R5 C boasts a 45-megapixel full-frame sensor capable of shooting up to 8K RAW cinematic video at 60 frames per second. Woah. This also includes Canon’s magical dual pixel autofocus system that’s nothing short of amazing when it comes to tracking and eye detection for portraiture and action shots. You’ll also get 20 frames per second image capture if needed.

Those are the basics, but the finer points on the spec sheet include:

  • 4K 120 frames per second for slow motion in 4:2:2 10-bit

  • Ability to record audio while shooting high frame rate (slow mo) footage

  • C-Log3 picture profile for more flexibility in color grading and maximizing the dynamic range

  • Internal cooling fan for non-stop 8K recording (this was a big problem on the R5)

  • Two card slots for recording (Qty 1 CFExpress Type B, qty 1 UHS-II SD)

  • Internal RAW 8K recording up to over 800Mbps at 23.98 fps

But why?

These specs sound REALLY good. But one has to ask “why” on this. Canon’s R5* is a highly capable camera for stills and video at a hybrid level. Especially after the firmware updates. No, you’re not getting all of the RAW video capabilities, but you’re able to get RAW video on another cine camera from Canon - the C70.* I absolutely loved the C70, but it’s strictly a cinema camera. No photography involved. Maybe Canon is trying to offer something slightly more portable than the C70 all while including high quality video and photo capabilities? I’m not sure. Wil the C70 have more firmware updates for the super 35 senor’s capability?

You can preorder the R5 C here today over at Adorama. Let me know your thoughts and if you plan on grabbing one. I think the $4500 price point is fair.

*Affiliate link used. Affiliate links allow me to earn a small commission as a content creator if you purchase items using the affiliate link. Thank you for your support.

Balmy Alley Murals and Photo Walk with Jefferson Graham

I had the honor and pleasure to do a bit of street photography in the Mission area of San Francisco with Mr. Jefferson Graham. I’ve had him on my show previously to talk about getting the most out of your smartphone’s camera. Phone cameras are really powerful today, but it does take a bit of know-how to harness that power. Check out that episode here.

But yeah, we met in Balmy Alley to check out the beautiful murals and shoot some photography. I even brought the #hardhead along as he enjoys getting into fashion and photography. Check out the show below by clicking on the image. There’s also a Flipboard magazine you can check out and even contribute to with some of your photography. Just e-mail photowalkstv@gmail.com for an invite to share your photos, and get a critique and shoutout from Mr Graham and I. He’s also scheduling another walk for folks to join.

Image: Ant Pruitt all rights reserved

Nikon Z9 Mirrorless Camera Announced

Nikon has announced it’s latest pro camera body in the form of a full-frame mirroless Z9. This company has been (unfairly) negatively mentioned quite a bit in the photography community regarding its history with the mirrorless line of cameras. I recently chatted with Seth Miranda on my show about these grumbles and gripes from the community. But anyway, the Z9 is looking to be a bold statement from Nikon.

Image: Adorama

Tech specs of note

The camera is a mirrorless body, but a “shutter-less” body as well. Well, a mechanical shutter, that is. There is an enclosure over the sensor, but this isn’t a mechanism used during capturing images. Does this mean an improvement in sensor readout and rolling shutter? In addition to 45 megapixels, you’ll get:

  • 8K/30p capture and 4K-from-8K, with ProRes 422 HQ

  • 8K/60p, 12-bit 8K N-Raw and 4K ProRes RAW (coming soon with a software update)

  • Dual CFExpress type B card slots

  • 30 frames per second capture

  • 120 frames per second capture (at a 11 megapixels)

  • Improved autofocus and tracking

  • Tilting rear LCD. It’s interesting looking. . . .

Image: Adorama

All of these specs look great and pretty much expected for a flagship device. I appreciate the fact that the dual card slots are identical. Not just an “ultra fast” slot and a “fast” slot the way other manufacturers are doing it. The squad Chris and Jordan at DP Review did a great video checking out a pre-production Z9 out and about in Seattle. I’m putting there video below. Be sure you click like and subscribe on their channel. You can pre-order the Z9 for $5496 over on Adorama.* Again, this seems like everything you’d expect in a pro body, but with really competitive pricing.

**Affiliate link used. Affiliate links allow me to earn a small commission as a content creator if you purchase items using the affiliate link. Thank you for your support.




Sony's "Basic" A7 Isn't So "Basic" Now: Sony A7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera

The rumored Sony A7 IV is now here for pre-order. Sony has kicked up the standards when it comes to what a “base model” full-frame camera can offer its consumers. Really great specs announced with the A7 IV.

Tech Specs

With this new camera body you’re getting a full-frame 33 megapixel sensor with Sony’s updated BIONZ XR image processor. You’re also getting:

  • 4K 60 frames per second 10-bit 4:2:2 video with full pixel readout

  • 7K oversampling full-frame 4K 30p 4:2:2

  • Eye auto focus for humans, animals and birds

  • S-Cinetone, S-Log3, HLG and other video profiles to record your footage

  • Up to 15 stops of dynamic range

  • Dual SD card slots (1 for UHS-I/II cards, 1 for both UHS-I/II cards and CFExpress Type A cards)

  • 10 frames person second shooting still

  • Flip-out touch screen on the back

  • 5-axis in-body stabilization

Image by Sony

This body is available for $2499 on pre-order*. That price point seems fair considering the massive spec bump shown in this body compared to previous models. Compact, light weight which makes it great for portability. Of course I’ve reached out to see if I can get my hands on one. I’m curious to see how this body will feel in my hands. The A7C did NOT feel good in my hands, but the A7R-IV and A1 felt great in my hands. What are your thoughts on the Sony A7 IV?

**Affiliate link used. Affiliate links allow me to earn a small commission as a content creator if you purchase items using the affiliate link. Thank you for your support.

ProRAW and More Coming to Photoshop for iPad

Photoshop on iPad has been a DREAM for many photographers and creative artists for years, now. It’s now available on iPad, but it’s not quite everything you’d have on an actual laptop or desktop computer. Adobe knows this and has been working at getting the experience closer to the laptop or desktop experience. Adobe shared a sneak peak of another feature coming to the Photoshop for iPad app in the video below. If you’re interested in getting these great photography tools for yourself, I have an affiliate link here for pricing starting at $10/month.

Better Masking and Selections Coming to Adobe Lightroom and ACR

Adobe Lightroom Classic is part of my photography workflow for post-processing as well as organizing and cataloging my files. The tools in post-processing have become second nature for me these days. Now Adobe is adding more capability to Lightroom Classic, Lightroom (Cloud) and Camera Raw apps with it’s precise masking tool.

The tool is going to offer more flexibility when using the adjustment brush to do selective adjustments in your image. Depending on what you’re trying to achieve, some selective adjustments can be quite tedious in Lightroom. Which is why I usually switch to Photoshop for that part of my post-processing. But it’s nice to see that this may save me a few minutes of work by keeping me in Lightroom.

More details about the update can be found here on the Adobe blog. Check out this quick video showing off forth-coming tool.