Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

FAA Grants Exemptions for 6 Companies to Fly Drones on Film Sets

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DJI Phantom

The FAA announced that it has issued exemptions for 6 aerial photo and video production companies to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) (aka drones) for commercial use.

The FAA’s authority to regulate the hobby-sized drones was called into question when a judge for the National Transportation Safety Board threw out a $10,000 fine the FAA levied against a commercial filmmaker in Virginia earlier this year.

To date, the FAA has not updated the regulations wherein it is attempting to enforce a ban on hobby-sized drones (e.g., the DJI Phantom) as an “unmanned aircraft system” (the legal term used in the regulations. Yet, the FAA is still exempting certain companies from its (currently unenforceable) regulations. [Read more…]

 

Karl Taylor Live Beauty Shoot at Photokina

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YolTpcceNVg&w=700]

Karl Taylor was at the Broncolor booth at Photokina 2014 doing a live beauty lighting session in only 30 minutes. The video, however, is condensed to 11 minutes. While the audio quality is sketchy throughout, you still get the idea of what he’s doing.

In the session, he also shows off the fast recycle time of the new Broncolor SIROS lights as you can see when he invites numerous photographers up on stage to capture images using the same lights a the same time. The SIROS lights fire repeatedly without missing a beat as several photographers fire at almost the same time. We also get another short refresher on how Broncolor para umbrellas work.

GoPro HERO 4 Leaked; Features 4K Video at 30fps and Touchscreen LCD

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GoPro HERO4 Black

GoPro HERO4 Black

There has been a huge leak of the heavily-rumored GoPro HERO4. The biggest rumors of the 4K video feature in the HERO4 are confirmed in the leak with 30fps available at 4K. (And overall matches closely with previous rumors.)

goprohero4

Another new and much-requested feature in the HERO4 is a built-in display, which will be available on at least one of the new models.

The HERO4 will continue the split of the model line, as was the case with the HERO3+, with a Black and Silver version. [Read more…]

Sony 4D AF Demo Videos

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Sony A5100

The new Sony A5100 uses a technology that Sony calls 4D AF – meaning a four dimension evaluation. The frame coverage, predictive AF and tracking when objects cross the AF subject are all impressive features on Sony’s new AF systems.

Check out the videos below. [Read more…]

Metz Release Mecablitz 44 AF-1 and 52 AF-1 for Sony Cameras

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Metz Mecablitz 44 AF-1 digital Flash

Metz announced Sony versions of the Mecablitz 44 AF-1 and 52 AF-1 speedlights for Sony’s Multi Interface hot shoe. The two new models come equipped with updated feet and no longer require the use of an adapter to work on recent Sony cameras.

The Metz Mecablitz 44 AF-1 digital flash runs $199.99. Check it out here at B&H Photo.

The Metz Mecabliz 52 AF-1 digital flash runs $299.99. Check it out here at B&H Photo.

‘Manual’ Camera App Finally Brings Custom Exposure Control to iPhone

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Manual iPhone App

Manual is a simple new camera app for iOS 8 that allows to manually adjust the three key inputs for exposure control – Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed. Additional controls include adjustments for white balance focus and exposure bracketing.

No longer do you have to tap various regions of the frame in hopes that you can get the autoexposure to meter what you want. The manual exposure controls are up front and easy to scroll through. Photographers have been asking for these basic features on the iPhone for years – and now we’ve got them in a $1.99 app.

You can find the Manual app here in the iTunes App Store.