Tuesday 25 February 2014

Review Digital Camera World 02-25-2014

Blogtrottr
Digital Camera World
 
Ready to move beyond the basics?

Enroll in this advanced DSLR course to explore more creative scenarios, image editing, and videography.
From our sponsors
Nikon D4s: price, release date and official specs confirmed
Feb 25th 2014, 08:42, by jmeyer

Nikon has officially announced the Nikon D4s, its new flagship FX-format DSLR. The Nikon D4s price tag will be £5,199.99 / €6,199.00 with a release date of 6 March 2014.

Nikon D4s: price, release date and official specs confirmed

Summary of the Nikon D4s’ Key Features

Revamped 16.2-MP FX-format sensor: offers the ultimate in image quality and excellent cropping flexibility.
Phenomenal light sensitivity: ISO range of 100–25600 is extendable up to an industry-leading 409600 (equivalent).

11 FPS with AF: 11 fps in FX format with AE/AF superior to the D4.

EXPEED 4: boosts the camera's overall performance to a whole new level.

Multi-CAM3500FX 51-point AF system configurable in 9-point, 21-point and 51-point coverage settings and sensitive down to -2 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F).

AF advances: improved lock-on, new options for AF mode restrictions, plus the new Group Area AF mode.

Multi-area D-Movie: Full HD (1080p) movies in FX- and DX-format at 60p/50p/30p/ 25p/24p frame rates. Offers three sensor crop formats FX, DX and native crop (approximately 2.7x) and clean HDMI-out. Access the ISO range from ISO 200 up and control shutter speed, aperture and audio levels while filming. Nikon's 3D noise reduction reduces random noise, and the camera offers sophisticated options for audio control.

Tough in the field: weather-sealed full metal body.

Fast track: Gigabit 100/1000TX Ethernet port and RAW Size S file format for accelerated image transfer. Compatible with Nikon's WT-5 Wireless Transmitter.

Colour adjustable monitor: anti-reflective 8 cm (3.2-in.), 921k-dot LCD monitor that lets you push the colour balance and brightness in any direction.

Fast durable shutter: Kevlar/carbon fibre-composite shutter unit with 42 ms shutter lag, standard life cycle rating of 400,000 releases and a shutter speed of 1/8000 to 30s, with flash synchronization at up to 1/250 sec. A new shutter and mirror mechanism delivers a stable viewfinder image with minimal blackout during high-speed shooting.

Spot White Balance metering: easily acquire manual, pre-set White Balance data based on the selected area within the frame: the size of the area acquired can be retained even when the image is enlarged, and consecutive data acquisition is possible.

High-capacity EL-18a battery: ultra-compact and lightweight lithium-Ion rechargeable battery with a capacity of 2500 mAh (10.8V).

Storage media: two card slots—one for high-speed CF (UDMA 7) cards, and one for high-speed, high-capacity XQD cards.

Official Nikon D4s Announcement

Nikon today announces the D4S, a new 16.2 megapixel FX-format flagship camera built to keep professionals ahead of the game.

The ultimate imaging machine has advanced: as the successor to Nikon's acclaimed D4, everything about the D4S powers exceptional images at exceptional speed. An expanded ISO range and EXPEED 4 image processing take low light photography to another level, making the D4S a master of the dark as well as the light. Advances to AF performance offer improved acquisition and tracking at 11 fps, plus much finer control over the AF area with the new Group Area AF mode. Nikon's RAW Size S file format accelerates image transfer onto networks and a Gigabit 100/1000TX Ethernet port enables ultra-fast connection.

Hiro Sebata, Professional Product Manager at Nikon UK, comments: The Nikon D4S follows the success of the D4 and brings with it a new level of performance designed to meet the needs of the most demanding photographers."

He adds: "Nikon engineers have taken on board valuable feedback from professional users in order to implement a wealth of improvements that will make all the difference to professionals working in the intensely competitive fields of sports, press, and nature photography. Equipped to power ahead in the most challenging environments, the D4S ensures serious photographers stay ahead of the game."

Built upon success
Moving beyond the limits its predecessor was built to push, the D4S blazes a new trail for high-speed professional image making. The camera's revamped sensor offers the ultimate image quality, and the expanded ISO range of 100–25600 is extendable up to an industry-leading 409600 (equivalent). Nikon's new EXPEED 4 image processing engine boosts the camera's overall performance to a whole new level, vastly improving image rendering and ISO performance. A true master of the dark as well as of the light, sophisticated localised noise reduction, edge sharpening and tone control ensure the D4S delivers outstanding results in the kind of 'dirty' low light conditions many sports and news photographers are confronted with. The burst rate of 11 fps is not compromised by ISO settings or lens choice, and details are rendered sharp and exceptionally well defined even when Noise Reduction filtering is applied.  As with the D4, the D4S is built to sustain peak performance in the most demanding environmental conditions imaginable. The camera is protected by a tough weather-sealed full metal body and features subtle details that make all the difference to handling: changes to button layout and re-shaped control buttons improve operation in damp conditions whilst the re-contoured design and smoother grip make it easier to hold out in the field…

Full throttle: stop at nothing
Everything about the D4S is built around the need for speed. In a world where the speed of transmission and networking has become as important as megapixels and ISO settings, the D4S delivers on every count. The frame-per-second with autofocus tracking has increased from 10 fps to 11 fps, making the D4S the fastest autofocus D-SLR-camera in Nikon's history. The camera implements a Gigabit 100/1000TX Ethernet port and offers a new RAW Size S option for accelerated image transfer. When milliseconds matter, the shutter's 42 ms lag can gain you the critical edge, taking pictures in less than the blink of an eye; and a completely new shutter and mirror mechanism reduces mirror bounce, delivering a stable viewfinder image with minimal viewfinder blackout when shooting at high speed.

Bettering the best: AF advances
The D4S takes the class-leading accuracy and usability of Nikon's renowned 51-point AF system and advances it further. In addition to improved lock-on, expanded 'Store by orientation', and new options for AF mode restrictions, the D4S boasts a brand new Group Area AF mode. Designed to allow much finer control over the size of the autofocus area, Group Area AF constantly monitors five different AF fields, which can be shifted across the 51-point array as composition demands. Shooting in this mode enables fast moving subjects to be tracked with phenomenal precision over long distances, and greatly improves acquisition and background isolation when shooting subjects that are comparatively small and close to a high-contrast or distracting background. As with the D4, the AF system inside the D4S is configurable in 9-point, 21-point and 51-point coverage settings and sensitive down to -2 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F).

Multi-area D-Movie evolves
For moviemaking in diverse conditions, the D4S offers broadcast-quality video in multiple frame formats and boasts a range of operational enhancements that allow more control over footage while filming and improve sound recording. D-movies are now possible at 50p/60p, and photographers can set sensitivity and select maximum ISO in M mode, plus select the sensor crop format, control power aperture, and fix shutter speed. In addition, Nikon's 3D noise reduction reduces random noise and noise flicker when filming at high sensitivities. As with the D4, the D4S offers three sensor crop formats, FX, DX, and native crop (approximately 2.7x) and uncompressed full-resolution HDMI output to external devices. You can simultaneously record full resolution HD movies in-camera and with an external recorder via HDMI (an HDMI cable clip is provided with the camera for a secure connection). Sound recording has improved thanks to more options for audio control, including the option to select the sound range (wide/voice), and reduce wind noise when recording with the built-in microphone.

Best monitor calibrator for photographers: 6 top models tested and rated
Feb 25th 2014, 00:01, by jmeyer

Don’t let a deceptive display fool you. Calibrating your computer monitor lets your photos’ true colours shine through. Here we’ve rounded up six of the best monitor calibrators on the market and tested them to see which offers the best capability.

 

You'd have thought all monitors would come pre-set to display at their best. To be fair, an average user viewing holiday snaps will be usually be happy with default display settings.

However, imaging enthusiasts demand more – any colour casts or contrast bias just won't do.  At the very least, you want other people to have the best chance of seeing the same colours as you see.

This is where monitor calibration comes in. By sticking an 'electronic eye' (a colorimeter) on your screen and firing a selection of colours at it, any colour discrepancies can be detected and your computer programmed to compensate its colour output for the traits of your monitor.

You can then edit your pictures knowing others will see what you see. What's more, it needn't cost big bucks to get great colour accuracy.

SEE MORE: Best monitor for photo editing – 4 top models tested and rated

Best monitor calibrator for photographers: 01 X-Rite ColorMunki Smile

Best monitor calibrator for photographers: 6 top models tested and rated

Price:  £67, $90
It may be named like a toy for a pre-school child, but the ColorMunki Smile is also child's play to use thanks to software that trades advanced options for excellent clarity.

A couple of oversized buttons stand between you and the calibration process, then kick back as the gizmo does its thing.

In a shade over four minutes you'll have a fully-calibrated monitor without needing to know your white point from your gamma.

There's no scope to measure ambient light, but the ColorMunki Smile does nail the basics as it performed well beyond its budget price tag and generated the most accurate colour profile of all the colorimeters on test.

Calibration time: 
4 minutes 15 seconds
Colour accuracy after calibration (Delta-E, lower scores better): 0.58

Verdict
Pros… Simple, amazingly effective and well-priced.
Cons… Doesn't measure ambient light, limited customisation.
WE say… Great performance at a reasonable price.

Score: 5/5

PAGE 1 – Best monitor calibrator: 01 X-Rite ColorMunki Smile
PAGE 2 – Best monitor calibrator: 02 Kodak Color Management Check-Up Kit
PAGE 3 – Best monitor calibrator: 03 Datacolor Spyder4Elite
PAGE 4 – Best monitor calibrator: 04 X-Rite i1 Display Pro
PAGE 5 – Best monitor calibrator: 05 X-Rite ColorMunki Display
PAGE 6 – Best monitor calibrator: 06 Color Confidence Studio Photo
PAGE 7 – Five things to look for in a monitor calibrator

READ MORE

Best photo editing software: 7 Photoshop alternatives tested and rated
Color Theory: best color combinations for photography (and how to take it further)
Color Management: fine tune your kit for the most accurate colors possible
10 common camera mistakes every photographer makes
Adobe Lightroom: everything you need to know about the ‘alternative Photoshop’

Photoshop shortcuts: 14 ways to work more efficiently (free cheat sheet)
Feb 24th 2014, 13:10, by jmeyer

Want to dramatically speed up your photo editing time? Try these 14 Photoshop shortcuts for the keyboard that will massively improve your speed and efficiency.

Click on the cheat sheet to see the larger version of the file, or drag and drop the image to your desktop to keep these Photoshop shortcuts as a handy reference.

Where relevant we’ve provided versions of these Photoshop shortcuts for both Mac and PC keyboards.

14 Essential Photoshop Shortcuts: free cheat sheet

Photoshop shortcuts: 14 ways to work more efficiently (free cheat sheet)

D
Reset the foreground and background colours to black and white

Alt+[scroll wheel]
Zoom in or out of the image

Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Alt+E
Create a merged copy of all the layers in the layer stack

Space bar
Temporarily switch the current tool to the Hand tool, for moving around the image while zoomed in

Alt+[eye icon]
Switch off the visibility of all other layers in the layer stack, for before-and-after comparisons

Cmd/Ctrl+I
Invert the colour of a layer mask to black

Shift+[layer mask]
Disable the effects of a layer mask

x
Switch the foreground and background colour swatches

[ or ]
Resize the brush tip

shift+[ or ]
Cycle backwards or forwards through the layer blend modes

Cmd/Ctrl+alt+Z
Undo the last change made to the document. Works multiple times

Cmd/Ctrl+[layer mask]
Load the currently active layer mask as a new selection

Cmd/Ctrl+T
Activate the Free Transform tool

Cmd/Ctrl+J
Duplicate the current layer

READ MORE

Photoshop for beginners: master your photo editing workflow in 24 hours
Adobe Lightroom Basics: 6 things you need to know getting started
Photoshop Levels Tool: 6 tricks all the pros use
How to process raw images the right way
100 free Photoshop textures to download now

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com.

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions

No comments:

Post a Comment