Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

 

Magic Lantern Update Version 2.3 Now Available for Free

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Magic Lantern Version 2.3

Magic Lantern’s latest firmware release version 2.3 is now available for free download from the Magic Lantern website.

By all reports, this version looks to be the most stable, ambitious and feature-packed version yet.  Magic Lantern 2.3 works on the Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 50D, Canon 60D, Canon Rebel T1i / 500D,Canon Rebel T2i / 550D and Canon Rebel T3i / 600D.

Magic Lantern 2.3 Key Features

  • Fast zebras
  • Customizable menu and shortcut keys
  • Automatic HDR bracketing
  • A powerful timelapse tool
  • Advanced FPS control
  • Advanced ISO control
  • Contrast and saturation adjustments for LiveView
  • Image analysis tools in photo mode
  • Very fast playback zoom

 

New Samyang Cinema Lenses

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Samyang Cine Lenses

Samyang Optics has launched three new cinema lenses for Nikon and Canon mount HDSLRs.

  • 14mm T3.1 ED AS UMC
  • 24mm T1.5 ED AS UMC
  • 35mm T1.5 ED AS UMC

These new cine lenses accompany the existing Samyang 8mm T3.8 Fisheye cine lens and feature “follow-focus gearing on focus and decoupled aperture. Such alterations allow the user to smoothly and quietly change focus and aperture / depth of field whist filming. Another feature is the visibility of the aperture and focus scale on the side of the lens.”

The new lenses should be available in August/September 2012.

‘Camera Warfare’ Sends DSLRs to War!

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYZmFo3_F1g&w=640&h=360]

In this fun video, Devin Graham puts DSLRs in the middle of a WWII firefight . . . and the DSLRs are the weapons.

After watching all the Canons go to war, check out the BTS video below for a peek into the making of this epic battle.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlGX1qsY8BE&w=640&h=360]

[via PetaPixel]

Callouts 1.2 for Final Cut Pro X

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Callouts for Final Cut Pro X

Noise Industries has released Callouts 1.2 for Final Cut Pro X.  Available as an FX Factory plugin, Callouts 1.2 “allows you to add arrows, shapes, magnifiers, animated map trajectories, speech and thought bubbles, checklists and much more to your next video project.  Callouts 1.2 adds two new effects and it is a free update for existing customers.”  New users can buy it fo $49 here at Ripple Training.

Check out the demo video below for an idea of what you can do with Callouts 1.2. [Read more…]

SOLOSHOT Robotic Tripod Head Lets You Shoot Yourself

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SOLOSHOT is a new tripod-mounted automatic pan head that tracks subjects using a remote wristband.  It was built with capturing surfing in mind; however, it works for a ton of different types of moving subjects.

SOLOSHOT Key Features

  • Tracks at distances up to 2000 feet (half a kilometer).
  • The maximum pan speed is over 40 degrees per second.
  • The fastest object tested so far was a race car going 143 mph.
  • Batteries last 5+ hours.
  • A super bright tracking LED lets you know SOLOSHOT is pointing at you.
  • A security feature gives you an access point to lock your camera to the Base, and the tripod can be locked to stationary objects (the same as you would lock up a bicycle).
  • The pairing process allows multiple people to each use their own SOLOSHOT near each other.  Each Base will only follow the Armband that it is paired to.

Check out the demo video below that pretty well explains how SOLOSHOT works. [Read more…]

Magic Lantern v2.3 is Out and It’s No Longer Being Called a “Hack”

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Magic Lantern

The Magic Lantern team has released version 2.3 of its impressive Canon HDSLR enhanced firmware.  It’s reportedly more stable and more feature-packed than ever.

Magic Lantern v2.3 represents an important milestone – professionals from all around the world are already trusting it for their paid work. We can safely say it’s no longer a hack, but it’s strongly heading towards a solid piece of engineering that you can trust.

We have worked a lot on bug-fixing and usability improvements and we sincerely hope you will find it a great companion for all your shooting sessions – from hobbyist to professional.

Currently, Magic Lantern is available to those users who are willing to make a donation of $10 or more.  Beginning on August 13, 2012, it will be free for everyone to download. [Read more…]

Panasonic Lumix G5 Announced

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Panasonic Lumix G5

The Panasonic Lumix G5 is the latest Micro Four Thirds camera and it sports a 16MP image sensor with full time live view and a 3-inch touch screen LCD.  In addition to 16MP RAW image files, the new G5 also captures 1080/60p HD video with 150 minutes max clip time when shooting AVCHD video.

The G5 is packaged with a 14-42mm kit lens for $799 and is available here at B&H Photo.

Alongside the G5, Panasonic also announced a new 45-150mm HD zoom lens, priced at $299 and available in both black and silver. [Read more…]