Luminar 4.2 Released With New Blending Tool

By Louis Ferreira | Published: March 19, 2020

I personally use Luminar to polish the majority of my photos, because a lot of their AI tools are getting good for the kinds of photos I like to take. Readers interested in giving Luminar 4.2 a try can save $10 with our sister sites affiliate code FUJIADDICT at check out if you’re interested in giving it a try.

I personally have been getting away from Adobe tools, but I still prefer their library organization to others so I used Luminar like a plugin today, but I hope someday to move more fully to a Luminar workflow in the future. Below is the press release and an example video along with some demo images.

Luminar 4.2 opens up the doors to creativity with sky-based composite photography opportunities
With new AI Augmented Sky capabilities, photographers can create unique, one-of-a-kind digital art pieces.

NEW YORK, NY – March 19, 2020 — Today, Skylum announced the latest update for its flagship product, Luminar, version 4.2. This free update for all Luminar 4 users contains important enhancements across the application, plus a brand-new feature — AI Augmented Sky — to help photographers create incredible digital art.

While Luminar remains dedicated to being an award-winning photo editor, it also expands into being a creative powerhouse, allowing artists to express themselves through new, fun and unconventional ways of editing images.

The new AI Augmented Sky tool lets photographers transform their photographs to the new heights, by helping create unique digital art creations. The tool lets photographers place different objects directly on the sky, enabling creatives to make either a realistic landscape or transform it into something straight out of a fairy tale. Read More »

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Photokina 2020 is Canceled

By Louis Ferreira | Published: March 18, 2020


Photokina 2020 is canceled
After intensive consultation, Koelnmesse GmbH has decided to cancel photokina 2020, originally planned to be held 27 to 30 May 2020. The next instalment of the leading international trade fair for photography, video and imaging will be presented from 18 to 21 May 2022. The Imaging Innovation Conference will not be celebrating its première in 2020 as originally planned; a new date will be coordinated.

In general the management team of Koelnmesse has decided not to organise any own events on the part of Koelnmesse until the end of June 2020. This decision is supported by the crisis management team of the City of Cologne, which also recommended in its meeting on 18.03.2020 to cancel the trade fairs during this period. Read More »

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DPRTV: Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Hands-on Review

By Louis Ferreira | Published: March 18, 2020

DPRTV tested the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 and found it to be a good value with some middling flaws that fit its price point. You can find details about the short video below or watch it above.

  • Weather sealed
  • Very lightweight
  • 67mm filter thread
  • 1:2 Macro close up capability
  • Very sharp at 2.8 and even better at 5.6
  • The lense is software corrected for distortion
  • LoCA has cyan and magenta fringing
  • Mechanical vignetting even into the center
  • Busy Bokeh
  • Polygonal shape highlights
  • You can get so close that you have to take the lens hood off
  • Soft bokeh when shooting very close
  • Focusing speed is a little slow but not critical on an ultra-wide lens
  • Manual focus throw is huge
  • Has a lot of focus breathing that makes it not great for video
  • Ok sun stars but not great
  • Good for an environmental portrait if you keep your subject in the center
  • It is convenient and lightweight at a low price
  • Lots of fair to middling aspects, but still an interesting lens
  • If you want to do astrophotography you might want a faster lens
  • The Sony 20mm f/1.8 is almost optically perfect but much heavier at a much higher price tag

Tamron 20mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2（Model F050):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Tamron 24mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2（Model F051):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Tamron 35mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2（Model F053):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Laowa Venus Optics 9mm Full-Frame Lens f5.6 Dreamer First Look

By Louis Ferreira | Published: March 17, 2020


We first told you about the Laowa 9mm f/5.6 here and now diyphotography is giving us a first look at the lens, which will be rectilinear and cover full frame. It looks like they beat the hell out of it from the photo above and I am looking forward to the release of this lens. DIYPhotography gave some of their impressions here in their exclusive coverage, but this lens is looking really good.

Laowa lenses are available directly and at from B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Small Camera LEE85 Filter System Coming Spring 2020

By Louis Ferreira | Published: March 17, 2020


The LEE85 filter system is designed for landscape and cityscape photographers using CSCs, allowing them to travel light without compromising on quality or versatility.

The LEE85 filter holder can be easily attached, adjusted, and locked to the lens with just a finger and thumb; the locking dial can be set to neutral, half-lock or full-lock to offer full flexibility when rotating and adjusting filters. Available with one-, two-, or three-slot filter guides, the LEE85 system can be used with up to three filters plus a rapid-fitting clip-on Polariser.

“The LEE85 Filter System’s simple and intuitive design allows photographers to stamp their own creativity on their work and bring their vision to the frame,” says Paul Mason, Managing Director, LEE Filters. “Whether you’re shooting a beautiful landscape or a gritty urban scene, the LEE85 System enables photographers to enjoy all the benefits of LEE’s filter products on a very compact system.”

  • The LEE85 system is compatible with a full range of filters, including re-imagined LEE85 ND Graduated and Standard filters, which feature a grip tab that increases the visible area and keeps fingerprints off the filter zone.
  • The LEE85 Little Stopper and Big Stopper—neutral-density filters that cut six and 10 stops of light, respectively—also feature useful thumb guides to easily position them squarely within the holder.

The LEE85 Filter System will be available in a range of four kits: Discover, Develop, Aspire, and Deluxe. Included with each LEE85 Kit is the LEE85 System Pouch, which holds a LEE85 Filter Holder, Polariser, and filters; the Pouch features a concertina design with one slot per filter, and it comes with strap options for over-the-shoulder, belt-loop, and tripod configurations. Additionally, marking a first for LEE Filters, each kit will include three adaptor rings (72mm, 67mm, and 58mm) so that the system can be used straight out of the box. Adaptor rings will also be available for purchase in a range of other lens-thread sizes to support lenses from 37mm up to 72mm.

The LEE85 Filter System will be available to purchase beginning in late Spring 2020 through LEE Filters’ global dealer networks and, for UK-based customers, also through LEE Direct, LEE Filters’ new e-commerce website. The LEE85 will replace the existing Seven5 Filter System, which will be discontinued at the same time.

LEE Filters can be found at B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

via LEE Filters, ephotozine

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Atmos 10 Year Anniversary Offer

By Louis Ferreira | Published: March 16, 2020


Atomos Shogun 7: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Atomos Shogun 7
10 Years Special Offer*
To celebrate our 10-year anniversary we’re offering with an amazing promotion that you can’t afford to miss. For a limited time only, when you purchase a new Shogun 7 HDR monitor-recorder-switcher you can claim EITHER:

5” Shinobi SDI HDR Pro Monitor OR Angelbird AtomX SSDmini 500GB + Shogun 7 Sunhood
Don’t miss your chance to own the world’s best 7” HDR monitor and ProRes RAW/ProRes recorder, capable of capturing up to 5.7K RAW and 2Kp240 high-framerate recording from selected cameras. Shogun 7’s colour accurate 3000nit display allows perfect HDR display on-set – perfect as an on-camera monitor, or client/directors’ monitor.

Shogun 7 is also the first portable 7” monitor-recorder to offer live switching and quad-ISO recording, making multi-camera live event shooting a breeze. Record up to four live HD streams plus the switched output as a fifth stream.

To add to your already amazing purchase, you’ll get to choose from the two great Shogun 7 Special Offer options

OFFER ONE: Shinobi SDI can act as a preview monitor for the live output whilst switching, or as the camera operators view finder when the Shogun 7 is mounted on the side or rear of a larger cinema camera set-up (a common configuration when a producer/directors also need to see what is going on).

OFFER 2: Angelbird AtomX SSDmini 500GB + Shogun 7 Sunhood Claim a free Angelbird AtomX SSDmini 500GB which allows up 5.7Kp30 or 4Kp60 ProRes RAW HQ recording, as well as a free Shogun 7 Sunhood that allows for optimal viewing in almost any environment.

No matter whether you’re looking to up your monitoring game or to enable more flexible multicamera switching and live event production, there has never been a better time to upgrade. Don’t miss out on your chance to participate in this time limited offer.

To claim your free gift you will need to complete the redemption form
Offer valid from March 13, 2020 until April 17, 2020.
Claims must be submitted by May 5, 2020
* Conditions apply. To read the full terms and conditions click here

If you have already purchased a Shogun 7 between the dates above and would like to claim the special offer, please complete the Shogun 7 Special Offer redemption form >

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