DPRTV: The Recent Improvement and Benefits of ProResRAW

By Louis Ferreira | Published: September 5, 2020

We previously covered how Finalcut Pro was making ProRes RAW even better here, but above DPRTV provides us with a video showing off these improvements. Unfortunately, Fujifilm and Sony cameras do not have the ability to adjust white balance yet so hopefully, there is an update that adds support later. Below is a summary of the above video.

  • ProRes Raw recently became more RAW like in Finalcut Pro adding ISO/Color Temperature/Exposure adjustment to the inspector
  • Other video RAW formats already allowed for white balance and ISO adjustment in post so ProRes RAW is catching up
  • In the past if you did heavy exposure pushes or white balance adjustments the video would fall apart
  • Now with the update, ProRes RAW performs as expected
  • Setting ISO after the fact is something photographers might not be familiar with, but it is common with video
  • Generally, you shoot at your base ISO and then bring the video up which preserves your highlights
  • This is more complicated with Dual ISO sensors where your camera has a clean ISO for well-lit situations and a clean ISO for low light
  • Since this isn’t advertised you can record ProRes RAW and start at your base ISO but then push up through the range until you see the noise drop off, which will tell you the second base ISO of your camera
  • So you treat your camera as if it has two sensitivities and then edit from there
  • Many manufacturers are choosing ProRes RAW as their standard
  • Fujifilm and Sony cameras do not have the ability to adjust white balance yet so hopefully, there is an update that adds support later

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Sony a6600 Firmware 1.10 Released With LA-EA5 Support

By Louis Ferreira | Published: September 4, 2020


The Sony a6600 receives LA-EA5 support with firmware 1.10 which you can download here.

Benefits and Improvements

  • Adds support for the LA-EA5 A-Mount Adapter (sold separately)
    • LA-EA5 A-Mount Adapter supports all A-mount lenses
    • Full support is provided for focal plane phase-detection AF, and the AF and high-speed continuous shooting features
    • Wide-area focal plane phase-detection AF coverage
    • AF features based on subject recognition, including Real-time Eye AF(human, animal) and Real-time Tracking
    • AF/AE tracking during continuous shooting at up to 11fps

    Notes:

    • STF lenses are manual focus only
    • Teleconverters are not supported for use with any A-Mount Adapters
    • Autofocus is not available during movie recording when using the LA-EA5 A-Mount Adapter
    • For AE tracking, the aperture is fixed for the first frame while shutter speed and ISO are used for exposure adjustment
  • Improves the overall stability of the camera

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Sony a6600: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony LA-EA5: B&H Photo / Amazon

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Skylum Luminar AI Announced

By Louis Ferreira | Published: September 3, 2020


Skylum aims to reinvent traditional photo editing, announces LuminarAI
LuminarAI empowers visual communicators to make great photos with unique AI.
Everyone can create amazing images faster while having fun.

Pricing
Early bird pricing will be available for the first 30,000 artists worldwide to preorder LuminarAI. Once these copies are sold, the price will go up.

  • LuminarAI is just US$69 with the loyalty discount (for those who have purchased Luminar 4, Aurora HDR 2019, or Aurora HDR) and includes access to the LuminarAI Insiders community.
  • LuminarAI is just US$79 for new customers and includes access to the LuminarAI Insiders community.

NEW YORK, NY – September 3, 2020 — This morning, Skylum unveiled a revolutionary approach to photo editing, LuminarAI.  Unlike other photo editors that take a time-consuming approach based on tools, LuminarAI focuses on results. This revolutionary application and plug-in will be released this holiday season.

LuminarAI makes complex editing easier than ever before thanks to unique AI-powered tools. LuminarAI removes boring and complex tasks without sacrificing professional quality. Artificial intelligence lets the visual artist focus on results and not the process. Everyone can make amazing photos free of complexity, yet full of creativity, thanks to artificial intelligence.

“LuminarAI will bring an entirely new, non-conventional approach to the world of photo editing, focusing on the results instead of the process,” said Dima Sytnik, CPO of Skylum. “We’ve designed LuminarAI from the ground up to change how people interact with their images. We’re really excited to see what LuminarAI can do for creatives everywhere.”

LuminarAI is designed for visual communicators, everyday people and professional photographers alike. It’s made for those who rely on pictures to communicate their important messages and grow their opportunities or reputation: Bloggers, entrepreneurs, educators, marketers, small and medium-sized businesses, and many others. It lets everyone tell their story with rich and expressive images like never before. With LuminarAI everyone can make amazing images in an efficient way.

Artificial intelligence is the core of LuminarAI
Compared to traditional image editors, LuminarAI offers a completely different approach. Built from the ground up to leverage artificial intelligence, LuminarAI simplifies complex tasks and removes boring manual work.

Portraits take on new life.

  • Use BodyAI and FaceAI to gently sculpt and refine a portrait.
  • Create eyes that are rich and expressive with IrisAI.
  • Remove blemishes and imperfections naturally with SkinAI.

Landscape photography has never looked better.

  • Add depth and detail to skies with AtmosphereAI and Sky Enhancer.
  • Transform a photo and add an all-new sky in seconds with SkyAI.
  • Bring warmth with Golden Hour or even enhance the sun with Sunrays.

Professional finishing with less hassle.

  • Looking for more detail and texture? Then StructureAI is the perfect addition.
  • Get the perfect crop with CompositionAI and fix crooked images.
  • With AccentAI, a photo has perfect exposure and color.

With LuminarAI, amazing photos are just two clicks away.
Templates are at the very core of the new LuminarAI. LuminarAI recognizes the contents of a photo, suggesting the best templates to speed up the editing process. Each template collection helps tell a story. These edits can be applied and refined instantly. While artificial intelligence guides the way, throughout the entire editing process, artists retain complete control over the edits they make, the tools they choose and how they interact with their photos.

Great photography is for everyone, and with the brand-new LuminarAI, digital artists across the globe can tell their story through photography. LuminarAI simplifies photo editing without sacrificing quality and creativity.

“LuminarAI will help make image editing easier for everyone. We’ve removed the boring and difficult parts of photo editing without sacrificing creativity. LuminarAI will be a great tool in a creator’s workflow. They can focus on great results — not on the process of editing,” said Alex Tsepko, CEO of Skylum.

LuminarAI will be available as a stand-alone application and plug-in for macOS and Windows. To learn more about LuminarAI and to sign up for updates, visit skylum.com. Early-bird pricing is available here and the product includes a 30-day money-back guarantee from the time of shipping.

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Sony Cinema Line-up Growing With Sony FX6

By Louis Ferreira | Published: September 2, 2020


Introducing Sony Cinema Line: Expanding the camera line-up for content creators with the technology cultivated for digital cinema production.
Sony today announced the launch of Cinema Line, a series of new camera products for content creators which will bring together Sony’s expertise in image quality, attention to detail, technology and passion in digital cinema.

Cinema Line will deliver not only the coveted cinematographic look cultivated through extensive experience in digital cinema production, but also the enhanced operability and reliability that meet discerning creators’ various needs. The new series will extend beyond basic cinema camera and professional camcorder form factors.

In 2000, Sony released the ground-breaking HDW-F900. The HDW-F900 marked the beginning of digital cinema history as the world’s first 24p digital cinema camera. VENICE and other products followed in response to countless dialogues with cinematographers and image creators.

Existing products in the Sony range will form part of the Cinema Line including VENICE and FX9. VENICE has become a first choice for digital movie production, and the FX9 has an outstanding track record in documentary production. The next step is a new model that will appeal to a wide spectrum of visual creators. Sony will be releasing and shipping this next addition to the range, the FX6 camera by the end of 2020.

Each of the Cinema Line cameras will evolve with user feedback: The FX9 Version 3 upgrade, available in 2021, will see the addition of the S700PTP* allowing Remote Control of Sony’s camera, a Center Scan mode for Super 16mm lens and B4 Lens support with its adaptor as well as other features. In parallel, as of November 2020, the VENICE camera will see a couple of additional features in its V6.0 version which will improve its operability in broadcast and live environments.

“At Sony, we celebrate and have the deepest respect for filmmakers, cinematographers, and storytellers. With Cinema Line, we’re tapping into our DNA from both the film industry and digital imaging prosumer market and combining it to develop new creative tools. This line of products will enable creators to push their creative boundaries further and capture the emotion in each and every frame.” says Claus Pfeifer, Head of Connected Content Acquisition, Media Solutions, Sony Professional Europe.

Notes

* S700PTP is a protocol that realizes S700P over TCP/IP

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New Sennheiser MKE 200 Ultracompact Camera-Mount Directional Microphone

By Louis Ferreira | Published: September 1, 2020


Sennheiser released a new compact mic for mirrorless cameras the Sennheiser MKE 200.

New MKE 200 microphone enhances audio for cameras and mobile devices

Old Lyme, Connecticut, September 1, 2020 – Audio specialist Sennheiser adds the new MKE 200 to its portfolio of audio-for-video microphones. The mini-microphone is designed for easy on-camera use with DSLRs and mirrorless cameras as well as mobile devices, where it ensures clean and crisp audio and gives that professional touch to video clips.
“With the MKE 200, we are offering creators the first step to upgrading their sound,” said Tobias von Allwörden, Head of Portfolio Management – Audio for Video at Sennheiser. “Improved audio significantly increases the overall quality of your content. The MKE 200 makes this possible with its unique design which minimizes handling and wind noise. Simply attach it to the shoe mount, select the appropriate cable for your device and you’re good to go!”Directional, clean audio
The MKE 200 features a directional design which captures the sound of your subject while rejecting unwanted background noise. To minimize any handling noise, the microphone is fitted with a clever internal shock-mount which acoustically decouples the capsule from the housing. To protect from wind noise, Sennheiser engineers designed the MKE 200 with an integrated layer of protective mesh inside the housing. This protection is further enhanced by using the included furry windshield when filming outdoors.

A compact companion
The MKE 200 features a compact, sleek design with a stylish finish thanks to a fully integrated shock-mount and built-in windscreen. Battery-free operation and a lightweight design allow for optimal gimbal performance.

The MKE 200 comes complete with a furry windshield, two locking connection cables for DSLRs or mirrorless cameras (3.5 mm TRS cable) and mobile devices (3.5 mm TRRS cable) plus a draw-string pouch for storage.

Sennheiser MKE 200: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXYTJPTwbTY

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New Sony LA-EA5 A-Mount to E-Mount Adapter

By Louis Ferreira | Published: September 1, 2020


Sony announced a new updated Sony LA-EA5 A-Mount to E-Mount Adapter today that uses E-mount cameras PDAF pixels for autofocus instead of a translucent mirror.

Sony Electronics Announces New LA-EA5 Lens Adaptor for A-Mount Lenses
New Adaptor Enables Advanced Autofocus Capabilities When Attaching A-mount Lenses to Latest E-mount Bodies
SAN DIEGO – September 1, 2020 – Today, Sony Electronics Inc. announced the new LA-EA5, a 35mm Full-frame A-mount lens adaptor that allows users to easily pair advanced E-mount camera bodiesi with A-mount lensesi.

Using the new LA-EA5 A-mount adaptor, users can now access the acclaimed autofocus and high-speed shooting capabilities found in Sony’s latest E-mount camera bodiesi with A-mount SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) and SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) lensesii, as well as A-mount lenses that do not have internal focus motors.Full support is provided for focal plane phase-detection AFiii, wide-area focal phase-detection AFiii coverage, Real-time Eye AF for both humans and animals, Real-time Tracking and AF/AEiv (auto exposure) tracking for SSM/SAM lenses on nine most recently introduced E-mount camerasi at up to 11fpsv depending on the camera model. When used with the Alpha 7R IVvi or Alpha 6600vi, for the first time, these capabilities are possible with lenses that do not have internal focus motors, such as the Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA and Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA.The LA-EA5 combines a compact design, featuring an aperture drive unit and a newly developed compact AF drive unit. To ensure comfortable operation when used on an E-mount camera body, the new adaptor’s diameter matches that of the A-mount, perfectly aligning with the edges of the mount. The LA-EA5 allows easy operation on full-frame E-mount bodies, even when a vertical grip is attached to the camera body.

Pricing and Availability
The LA-EA5 is available in October 2020 for a suggested retail price of $249.99 USD and $329.99 CAD.

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new lens and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony’s α – Alpha brand.

Notes
i. As of Sept. 2020, focal plane phase-detection AF is supported for SSM/SAM lenses on the Alpha 7 III, Alpha 7R III, Alpha 7R IV, Alpha 6100, Alpha 6400, Alpha 6600, Alpha 9, Alpha 9 II, and Alpha 7S III. Focal plane phase-detection is supported for lenses that do not have internal focus motors on the Alpha 7R IV and Alpha 6600.
ii. STF lenses are manual focus only. Teleconverters are not supported.
iii. Autofocus is not available during movie recording.
iv. For AE tracking, the aperture is fixed for the first frame while shutter speed and ISO are used for exposure adjustment.
v. Maximum continuous shooting speed is 10 fps with the Alpha 7R IV, Alpha 9, and Alpha 9 II, and 11 fps with the Alpha 6600. Continuous shooting speed may change depending on the attached lens.
vi. The Alpha 7R IV must be updated to software V1.20 or later, and the Alpha 6600 must be updated to software V1.10 or later.

Sony LA-EA5: B&H Photo / Amazon

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