Last month the cool looking, but very expensive DSLR body cap from LockCircle surfaced for about $100. The thing was meant to replace the cap all DSLRs come with made from cheap plastic that locks onto the lens area to keep dirt and debris from getting inside the camera body. The LockCircle is certainly aimed at the pro or serious amateur shooter that wants all the protection they can get.
If you thought, the price of the cap was ridiculous and wondered what justified the price, check out the video below that shows the LockCircle cap being made. The video follows the creation of one of the caps from its start as a round disc of solid billet aluminum. The thing spins in a computer controlled lathing machine and little slivers of aluminum fly as the cap takes shape.
Some of the parts of the video you can’t see well thanks to the cooling fluid being sprayed on the cap. The coolest part to me is the end when the laser is zapping the knurled handgrip and marking it with the letters. I always wondered what laser etching looked like when it was being applied and now I know. This is a really cool video so check it out.
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Phase One, the Danish longtime medium format cameras manufacturer, unveiled its new generation of medium format digital back, the IQ80 (80 megapixels), IQ160 (60.5 megapixels) and the IQ40 (40 megapixels). All three backs get CCD sensors. The IQ180 and IQ160 get a 53.7 x 40.4 mm size sensor when the IQ140 gets a much smaller one. They offer a native sensibility of ISO 50-800 but they also get the new "sensor+" function which extends the maximum ISO value while combining pixels to avoid noisy images. Therefore, they all can reach ISO 3200 at 20 megapixels for the IQ180, 15 megapixels for the IQ160 and 10 megapixels for the IQ140. They get a 1 GB buffer which allows to shoot in burst frame (at 0.7 fps) until the memory card is full. They offer fast connexions with both USB 3.0 and FireWire slots. Their compatibility with the 645DF camera body has been improved allowing the user to check the status of the batery of the back directy on the camera.
Phase One IQ180 digital back, 80 megapixels....
If the traditionnal and said to be intuitive 4-button operation of Phase One's backs remain on the new range, the Danish manufacturer is bringing a major ergonomical improvement to the segment : a nice 3.2" / 1.15 million dots multitouch LCD screen. The screen can be used to zoom in photos like we do on any iphone, in order to check the focus. A one touch/one finger zoom-in function is also available. A 4:3 VGA view of the images can be displayed with a set of histograms on the side. In preview mode, the Focus Mask function is now available to keep an eye on the depth of filed which becomes visually appreciable.
Phase One, the world's leading pro photography equipment provider, today announced a bold new generation of medium format digital camera backs. The Phase One IQ180, IQ160 and IQ140 digital camera backs feature maximum resolutions of 80, 60.5 and 40 high quality megapixels respectively. This series sets new standards for medium format camera system handling and performance.
The Phase One IQ180 captures at full-frame 80 megapixel resolution, with a dynamic range of 12.5 f-stops. It is the first product of its kind to feature a USB3 connection, facilitating faster image transfers in the future. The IQ180 also features a FireWire 800 connection, ensuring the fastest tethered capture speeds possible today. For untethered shooting, the IQ180 digital back’s new memory card interface is so fast that it eliminates buffering delays, supporting continuous shooting until a card is filled.
"I am amazed by the image quality I’ve gotten ‘out of the box’ with the Phase One IQ180 on the Phase One 645DF camera. I can create images with more detail and unique looks than with any other camera out there. It helps me develop styles unique to me," said lifestyle photographer Jens Honoré. (http://www.jenshonore.com/)
A newly-designed 3.2 inch retina type, multi touch screen features 1.15 megapixel resolution, providing the highest resolution and largest display of any SLR type camera available today. This means that very fine details can be checked instantly during a photo shoot (for instance using Phase One's unique Focus Mask and the instant zoom function). The automatic adjustment of brightness and contrast ensures that the display is visible under various light conditions.
Context-sensitive controls, such as the instant zoom function, allow a photographer to zoom into an image using one finger only. Small histograms and highlight warnings can be enlarged to full screen view by a simple touch. The new Focus Mask available during preview helps validate depth-of-field and image focus. The wide format display allows for a full 4:3 aspect ratio VGA resolution image next to histogram, highlight warning, focus mask, EXIF data, and touch controls. This touch screen display is complemented by Phase One’s intuitive 4-button navigation.
"The new high-resolution multi touch screen with its intuitive controls is a perfect tool for checking image quality right at the moment of capture. With this display quality, I can leave my laptop at home, and ultimately this makes my work easier," said architectural photographer, Eugeni Pons. (http://www.eugeni-pons.com/)
Phase One's patent-pending Sensor+ technology, built into the Phase One IQ180, supports a variety of shooting conditions. One can capture images with full 80 megapixels resolution or, using Sensor+ mode, switch instantly to capture images with 20 megapixels resolution at 4 times higher sensitivity, up to ISO 3200. This flexibility is very useful under low light conditions; there is no need to slow down to change cameras, and there's no crop or lens factor. One gets the maximum wide-angle performance from the existing lens, higher ISO levels, and a faster workflow.
According to fashion photographer Stefan Kapfer, "The new IQ180 suits my work very well. I can use the full 80 megapixel resolution for my high end fashion shots, and the 20 megapixel images I get from the Sensor+ technology give me a faster workflow when I do work for catalogue production. It’s really two perfect solutions in one system." (http://www.stefankapfer.de/)
Compatibility is improved between the IQ digital backs and the Phase One 645DF camera body. The power state of the digital back can now be controlled directly from the 645DF camera. An integrated battery charger ensures that the battery is charged while one is shooting tethered, offering more shooting versatility.
Capture One 6
Capture One 6 has been optimized for shooting with Phase One IQ digital backs. Together with the IQ series backs this professional RAW converter and image editing software will deliver the world’s highest image quality with excellent color and detail. The software comprises all the tools required to capture, organize, edit, share and print images for an efficient workflow.
Reliability and Service
Pro photographers can rely on Phase One IQ digital backs to get their jobs done. Their highly durable build quality is designed and tested to work in the toughest environments, including extreme heat, cold and humidity.
All Phase One products represent long-term investment value with superior service. For professionals, this protection is priceless, especially when shooting in unfamiliar situations and locations around the world.
Various service levels are available for Phase One IQ digital backs. For example, a value-added option includes a life-time (5 year) warranty, a free loaner unit during repair and other options. Phase One offers 365 days round the clock support delivered on-line and backed up by dedicated partners and a global support team.
For a complete list of all the new Phase One IQ digital back features, including supported camera bodies, please see www.phaseone.com/iq
Availability and Pricing
The Phase One IQ180 is expected to be available end of April 2011. The Phase One IQ160 and IQ140 are expected to be available end of May 2011. The products may be ordered now through Phase One professional photography partners worldwide: www.phaseone.com/partners
Prices for new digital backs start at € 16.990 / $ 21.990 . Attractive upgrade offers are available for all existing Phase One photographers.
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LensAlign MkII is a precision reference tool that enables photographers to accurately measure and then adjust the Auto Focusing accuracy of their DSLRs. It also reveals the performance of the camera’s manual focus system.
A few years ago, photographers started to notice front/back focusing problems with their DSLRs. For example, when their camera’s AF system was locked on a person’s eye, the person’s nose or ear was actually the sharpest part of the captured image. In order to allow hundreds of lenses and bodies to be interchangeable, the tolerances within the manufacturing process can cause any specific body/lens combination to potentionaly exhibit these front/back focus anomalies. To compensate for this condition, most new professional and enthusiast DSLRs have an Auto Focus Adjustment within their menu system. LensAlign was created as a focus system measurement standard by which photographers can accurately measure and improve the performance of their cameras’ focus systems.
Like its industry standard LensAlign PRO predecessor, the LensAlign MkII features our exclusive and patent pending True Parallel Alignment™ (TPA™). TPA verifies perfect parallel alignment between the camera sensor plane and the target surface of LensAlign, a requirement for consistent and precise Auto Focus adjustment.
LensAlign MkII comes standard with a 10.5” Focus Display Ruler containing 2 alternate display patterns, one on each side. A 24” Long Ruler add-on option will be available in early February. LensAlign MkII is shipped flat in a Priority Mail postal envelope to reduce shipping costs. The MkII can also also be disassembled for travel or storage.
LensAlign MkII Pricing
- LensAlign MkII is $79.95 and currently includes a free GENUINE WhiBal G7 White Balance Keychain Card. The WhiBal sells for $18.95 by itself. (Shipping is $5 US or $13 INT via Priority Mail).
- In appreciation of your support, current LensAlign owners can purchase MkII at special LensAlign owners pricing.
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In Japan, Sekonic announced a new ligh meter, highly versatile, operating exposure metering and light metering for photography, videography and cinema. The DigiCineMate L-308DC offers three different light measurement modes:
- HD Cine Mode for DSLR video recording
- Cine Mode : for cinema and theatrical light measures
- Photo Mode : for still shooting
It works for ambient light but can also be used as a flash-meter. It may display measures in EV, LUX of Foot Candle (fc).
Sekonic Corporation today announced the launch of the DigiCineMate L-308DC, the simple and easy-to-use light meter that can be customized to display only specific functions used by today’s DSLR videographers, cinematographers, and still photographers.
“The versatility of today’s cameras is expanding at an amazing rate. DSLR cameras are being used to record moving images and digital video cameras used to capture still frames for printing,” Mr. Hiroshi Arai, President of Sekonic Corporation stated in a recent interview. “Sekonic is a recognized leader in light control for the motion picture industry. We have applied this experience to create the perfect entry-level light meter for this new and growing group of electronic cinematographers,” he added.
The scheduled release is January 2011.
Features
Three Ways to Meter
Display only the specific functions you need for fast, easy operation.
HD Cine Mode: Perfect for today’s DSLR videographers. Make exposure readings and control light using shutter speeds and frame rates and get aperture settings with one-tenth stop accuracy.
Cine Mode: Designed for digital cinematography. Select from the most useful frame rates and shutter angles for exposure control with one-tenth stop accuracy. Lux and foot-candle readout enables quick set up of lights.
Photo Mode: Full control for traditional still-image photographers. Shutter-priority display of a full range of ambient and flash functions including Cord and Cordless flash measurement as well as ambient EV measurement.
Three Ways to Measure Light
The Lumisphere provides incident light readings for nearly foolproof exposure readings and enables lighting that scene before the talent arrives.
The Lumidisc is perfect for lighting green screens, adjusting ratios and taking lux and foot-candle measurements.
Reflected light readings enable measuring the brightness of subject tones, gray cards, light sources or window light.
Calibration Compensation
Adjust the L-308DC to film or digital camera sensors or matching the L-308DC to other handheld meters.
Custom Setting
Three custom settings tune meter operations and displays to fit your camera and metering requirements.
Illuminance Measurement
Lux (lx) and foot-candle (fc) display is especially useful for cinematography, theatrical and other applications that require precise control of light source brightness. Use custom settings to select lux, foot-candle or no display.
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