Super Bloom

Carrizo Plain National Monument

 

Images: Canon 5D Mk IV, EF 70-200 f4 L IS, EF 24-70 f2.8 L II

Mother nature puts on a show at Carrizo Plain National Monument in Central California. I have never seen this kind of display of flowers in all my years of photography and seeking out this kind of spectacle. Lots of rain last year germinated a lot of seeds and sunshine at the right time made them explode. Entire hillsides completely covered in flowers.  

Bureau of Land Management 

Ross

Images In Light

New EOS RP from Canon

Canon starts to double down on its 'R' system with the EOS RP at $1300

See the EOS RP specs and more here at DPreview
Canon/Imaging Resource interview here

Canon shows new lenses

The system quickly grows, Canon is making sure the Pro lenses are there for users that require the Pro level lenses. This is going to be very interesting. The RF 70-200 f/2.8 shows what the advantage of this system will be like. Having a 70-200 f/2.8 at that size is a great advantage in size and weight over their legacy system.

See DPreview here

Ross

Images In Light

Fuji X-T3

 Fuji announce the X-T3

• 26 MP BSI X-Trans sensor 
• 4K 60p
• MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
• ISO: Auto, 160-12800 (expands to 80-51200)
• Continuous drive 20.0 fps (ES) 11 fps (MS)

The X-T3 may look the same, but under the hood it is improved across the board. Fuji site.

Canon EOS R

Interesting entry level full frame mirror-less, pro version coming soon. I think we can assume the pro version will have the the missing elements that we don't see here. AF point toggle for starters, rear control dial, dual card slots...... The control ring added to the lenses looks very interesting. Canon looks to be on the right track. Now give me a 45mp pro version and I'm in.   : )

Canon RF system

Nikon Z7 and Z6 announced

At long last, Nikon has launched the Z7 and the Z6, the most interesting mirrorless cameras to date and perhaps, with it, the new age of mirrorless cameras.

Nikon Z7 

 

Nikon Z6

The new Z mount is the cornerstone of this system, with an eye towards fast prime lenses in the near future. Canon will follow shortly, however this looks like an amazing camera that I look forward to using. Is this the end of the DSLR? not yet, but its demise may be around the corner.

 The Z mount road map

Perspective correction

Shooting from a boat is never easy, tripods are ruled out pretty much and faster shutter speeds are needed to prevent blurred images. Inevitably you end up with tilted horizons, add that to perspective issues and you have a recipe for bad images.

5D Mk IV, EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II, f/10, 41mm, 1/250 sec
before correction

Same image as above after correction

When shooting tall vertical objects, converging vertical lines can be a problem, as you can see in the top image, the vertical lines converge towards the upper center of the image. I used Lightroom's Transform module to correct this image. When using the Transform module you have to be careful not to over correct, if you do a lot of correction, resolution will be lost. I tend to not use auto correct. For this I used vertical and a small amount of horizontal. I lost some resolution and sharpness, however, the sharpness was brought back with Photo shop, using a mask on just the man made objects and applying a smart sharpen filter.

Its a pretty amazing tool and I will use it for all converging vertical and horizontal lines. This is also an argument for higher resolution sensors, with more resolution, you are able to do more correction, assuming you left enough space around the image that may be removed by correction.

Ross 

Images In Light

New 70-200 f/4 and f/2.8 lenses

Canon releases two new lenses that are sure to delight anyone in the system. I will be getting the f/4 version myself, I use it a lot for landscape and event work. The f/2.8 will be a super nice lens, but weight is a factor for me, if you are doing studio and or portrait work though, the f/2.8 will be a killer solution.

Canon EF 70-200 f/4 IS II

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS III 

With better optics, lens coatings and image stabilization, you can't go wrong getting either of these lenses, its just choosing which best suits your needs.

DPReview 70-200 f/2.8 here

DPReview 70-200 f/4 here

Ross 

Images In Light

Fuji X-H1 announced

 Bigger grip, more robust build

 Better ergonomics

IBIS sensor stabilization

Fuji's newest flagship camera the X-H1, IBIS, a better build and what appears to be better ergonomics makes for a nice addition to the lineup. More video-centric than any other Fuji camera before it, it is targeted at the videographer, but will make an excellent stills camera. The top LCD is welcomed, trickle down from the GFX. 

Not a new battery is very disappointing!

Larger improved grip, with larger and hopefully stiffer buttons and dials along with the top LCD, should make for more intuitive use.

Not much of an upgrade from the X-T2, but the Flagship going forward, I am quite surprised the sensor is not new. I guess we will see that in the X-T3.

Specs:

• 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III Sensor with primary color filter and X-Processor Pro Processor
• 5-axis 5.5 stops in-body image stabilization
• High-precision 0.5 inch, approx. 3.69 million dots OLED Color Viewfinder
• Weather-resistant design; ability to operate in temperatures as low as 14°F/-10°C
• ISO Sensitivity
  o Standard output: AUTO1 / AUTO2 / AUTO3 (up to ISO12800) / ISO200~12800 (1/3 step)
  o Extended output: ISO100/125/160/25600/51200
• LCD Monitor
  o 3.0 inch, aspect ratio 3:2, approx. 1.04 million dots touch screen color LCD monitor(approx. 100% coverage)
• Continuous Shooting 14.0 fps (with the Electronic Shutter), 8.0 fps (with the Mechanical Shutter)o 11.0 fps (with the Mechanical Shutter and when fitted with VPB-XH1)
• Movie Recording (using a card with the UHS Speed Class 3 or higher)
  o [4K (4096×2160)] 24P / 23.98P up to approx. 15min.
  o [4K (3840×2160)] 29.97P / 25P / 24P / 23.98P up to approx. 15min.
  o [Full HD (1920×1080)] 59.94P / 50P / 29.97P / 25P / 24P / 23.98P up to approx. 20min.
  o [HD (1280×720)] 59.94P / 50P / 29.97P / 25P / 24P / 23.98P up to approx. 30min.• Bluetooth® Ver. 4.0 low energy technology
• New ETERNA film simulation mode
  o Simulates cinematic film, understated colors and rich shadow tones
• New Flicker Reduction Mode
  o Provides stable exposure during burst shots even under fluorescent and mercury lighting
• Advanced filters and Film Simulations, including ACROS
• Accessories included:
  o Li-ion battery NP-W126S
  o Battery charger BC-W126
  o Shoe-mount flash unit EF-X8
  o Shoulder strap, Body cap, Strap clip, Protective cover, Clip attaching tool, Hot shoe cover, Vertical Power Booster Grip connector cover, Sync terminal cover, Cable protector, Owner's manual

$1899.00
Fuji site

Reviews:

DPReview first impression's here
Peter Delaney photography here
Jonas Rask photography here
The phoblographer here 
Imaging Resource here

Ross
Images In Light 

The City of Arts and Sciences

Fuji XT-2, XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR



Fuji XT-2, XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS

More on Fuji Black and White

Cádiz, Spain
Fuji XT-2, XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR, f/9, 1/640, 30mm

Vivid blue sky and bright white buildings create a perfect setting for black and white images. Processed in lightroom from RAW, I love the simplicity of images like this, Fuji files allow for pushing the blue almost to black in Post, giving me a super high contrast. 

I tried Acros presets but my standard process in Lightroom worked better here, very little ghosting at edges and deep contrast helped keep a nice clean image.

More images from Fuji here

Ross

Images In light

Cordoba Spain, travel photography with Fuji

The Mezquita

Fuji X-T2, XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR

f/4, 1/35 sec, iso 3200, 47mm

Córdoba, located in south central Spain, about 3 hours south of Madrid, once a Roman city, then a Moorish ruled caliphate and now a beautiful Spanish city. Full of surprises, wonderful architecture, delightful people and with today's ability to use Airbnb, an affordable destination spot on your way to Andalusia. We stayed in a penthouse suite in the old town not far from The Mezquita for $66 per night.

the Historic Center of Córdoba that was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.

1st century BC, Roman Bridge

Fuji X-T2, XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS

f/8, 3 sec, iso 200, 15mm

Built in the 1st century BC, the Roman bridge crosses Guadalquivir river, leading in to the Barrio de la Catedral. A short walk from the Cathedral, the Roman Bridge of Cordoba and its Calahorra tower, which was added by the 16th century.

The Mezquita

Fuji X-T2, XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR

f/5.6, 1/40 sec, iso 3200, 34mm

From Wikipedia:

"The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba(Spanish: Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba), also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba (Spanish: Mezquita de Córdoba) and the Mezquita, whose ecclesiastical name is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (Spanish: Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción), is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Córdoba dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and located in the Spanish region of Andalusia. The structure is regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture."

In 784 Abd al-Rahman I ordered construction of the Great Mosque, which was considerably expanded by later Muslim rulers. Córdoba returned to Christian rule in 1236 during the Reconquista, and the building was converted to a Roman Catholic church, culminating in the insertion of a Renaissance cathedral nave in the 16th century.

Fuji anounce Fuji X-E3, XF 80mm f/2.8 macro, firmware updates and GF 45mm f/2.8

 Fuji X-E3

New Canon Lenses

This is why Canon does so well, they produce top quality lenses that we drool over. the system is what its all about, its not just a camera, or a spec. I shoot Nikon, Canon and Fuji and I prefer Canon and Fuji glass, that's why I'm vested in those systems. Nikon is not far behind and Sony has a ways to go. Its about the system.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Specifications  $1599

• Lens construction: 10 groups 14 elements (1 aspherical lens)
• Coating: ASC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Shortest shooting distance: 85 cm
• Maximum shooting magnification: 0.12 times
• Filter diameter: 77 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ88.6 × 105.4 mm
• Weight: Approximately 950 g
• Image stabilization effect: about 4 steps
• Ring type USM

Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro Specifications $2199

• Lens construction: 7 groups 11 elements (2 UD lenses)
• Coating: SWC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Shortest shooting distance: 48.6 cm
• Maximum magnification: 0.5 times
• Filter diameter: 82 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ88.5 × 139.1 mm
• Weight: Approximately 1,110 g

Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro Specifications $2199

• Lens construction: 9 groups 9 elements (UD lens 1 piece)
• Coating: ASC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Minimum focusing distance: 39 cm
• Maximum magnification: 0.5 times
• Filter diameter: 77 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ86.9 × 116.5 mm
• Weight: Approximately 915 g

Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro Specifications $2199

• Lens construction: 9 groups 12 elements (2 UD lenses)
• Coating: SWC, ASC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Shortest shooting distance: 27.3 cm
• Maximum magnification: 0.5 times
• Filter diameter: 77 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ86.9 × 114.9 mm
• Weight: Approximately 945 g

Ross

Images In Light

Nikon D850

Nikon announce the D850

Key specs

• 46mp BSI sensor, no LP filter
• 7FPS, 9 FPS with grip
• Full-frame 4K 24/25/30p
• 8K time laps
• ISO 64-25,600, expandable to 32-108,400
• MSRP $3300

• High-Speed Capture: The D850 is capable of shooting up to 7 fps at full resolution, with full AF/AE or 9 fps at full resolution with the addition of an optional battery grip (MB-D18) and EN-EL18a/b battery (Buffer approximately 51 frames of 14-bit lossless RAW capture / 170 frames of 12-bit lossless).
• Wide ISO Range: The D850 offers a wide ISO range from 64-25,600 (Expandable down to ISO 32, up to 102,400).
• Flagship Focus System: The D850 uses the Nikon D5’s 153-point, Multi-Cam 20K AF system, which features 99 cross type sensors, 15 of which are sensitive to f/8.
• EXPEED 5: Behind every great sensor is a great image-processing engine. EXPEED 5 is Nikon’s most powerful engine yet, allowing for fast data readout and swift image processing, improved low light performance, high speed shooting, full-frame 4K UHD video capture and greater power efficiency for longer battery life.

I have been considering medium format of late, especially the Fuji GFX, but I think this is now a better option, I am looking forward to getting my hands on this and trying it out.

The addition of a focus toggle is especially nice, I don't understand why it took Nikon so long to implement this, my Canon cameras have had it for years. I am also hoping for a better live view implementation.

This kind of sounds like the ultimate camera, lets see how it performs in the real world.

DPreview here

DPreview first impressions here

Imaging Resource here

Fstoppers here

The Phoblographer here

PetaPixel here 

Pre order here at B and H

Ross

Images In Light

High Key Landscape, Mono Lake

Its not often I come across a landscape scene that works as a high key shot, this one seemed to fit the bill for me. Mono lake Tufa, shortly after sunrise.

 5D Mk IV, EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II, Lee Big stopper 10 stop ND filter,
 f/16, 50mm, 1.6 sec, ISO 100, +2 EV.


 5D Mk IV, EF 16-35 f/4 L IS, Lee Little stopper 6 stop ND filter,
 f/11, 16mm, 10 sec, ISO 100.

Same location, that evening

Part of the fun of being a photographer is experimenting and enjoying my time on locations like this.

We had a great three day shoot in the Eastern Sierra and I have a lot of images to go through. Hope to post some more soon.

Ross 

Images In Light