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Issue 139 of Digital Camera magazine now on sale!

jmeyer — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:47:45 +0000

Issue 139 of Digital Camera, Britain’s best-selling photography magazine, goes on sale today!

This issue’s main feature is about making cash with your camera, something that’s bound to appeal in these lean times.

Learn how to sell to galleries, stock libraries, shoot weddings and more; as well as inspirational real-life stories, we’ve also got some invaluable tips from Alamy’s chief picture buyer.

Another big highlight of this issue is an easy guide to exposure, which is essential reading for anyone who’s suffering from shots that are too light or too dark.

Hardware-wise, we review the exciting new Panasonic GH3, one of the best compact system cameras to date, and check out the latest power compacts. If you’re looking for a handy SLR back-up, this is all you need!

We’ve also got FOUR great free gifts this issue, including a fully working version of CyberLink PhotoDirector 3 for Windows. This is a fully featured photo editor that rivals more expensive programs, and there’s a full guide inside the magazine.

We’re also giving away a handy guide to family portraits, a mini-mag on portrait retouching and a packed video disc with all-new camera technique, Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials.

Pick up issue 139 now and discover why we’re Britain’s best!

Get cash back on the Vanguard ABEO 283AV & Quovio 41 (Advertising Feature)

jmeyer — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:13:22 +0000

As HD video recording capability has become standard in digital cameras, budding ‘HDSLR’ photographers increasingly need a solid, trustworthy video kit that will help them achieve the highest-quality video.

Thankfully, Vanguard, a global leader in high-quality photo and video accessories, has a solution.

Vanguard’s versatile ABEO 283AV tripod kit offers incredible stability, supporting up to 4kg (8.8lbs) of camcorders, cameras, and even spotting scopes for shooting videos or still images.

The ABEO 283AV owes its security to its premium magnesium die-cast construction and anti-twist central column.

Meanwhile, Vanguard’s PH-114V two-way pan head comes with the ABEO 283AV and moves fluidly while you frame and shoot your scene, allowing you to securely tilt from +60° to -90° angles to give your compositions more creative possibilities.

The ABEO 283AV’s legs bring even more versatility to photographers. The tripod’s legs each have quick-flip leg locks to enable a fast set-up and are able to individually adjust to 25°, 50°, and 80° angles, allowing photographers and videographers to shoot from eye- down to ground-level.

It also comes with rubber feet to keep your set-up secure in rough terrain, and thick foam on its legs helps you to not lose your grip in case of wet weather.

But you won’t have to worry about gripping the tripod for too long anyway if you’ve also got a Vanguard bag to carry it for you.

Vanguard’s Quovio 41 shoulder bag, which won the TIPA Award for best photo bag in 2013, is perfect for the photographer or videographer on the go.

There are two different ways to attach your tripod to your free Quovio 41 shoulder bag. Attach your tripod to the front of the bag so it’s ready for action when you use the Quick Access opening to take photos.

Alternatively, if you have a heavy-duty video tripod you can simply strap it to the top of the bag where it will remain stable during transport.

Along with boasting multiple options for how to carry it, the Quovio 41 offers an attachment for your trolley or you can even attach it to an ICS Harness.

Inside the Quovio 41 is a roomy interior lined with thick padding and a divider system that can easily be rearranged to fit your pro DSLR body or semi-pro camcorder gear.

What’s more, the Quovio 41 incorporates two mesh pockets that are perfect for accessories, a memory card wallet and a 14in compartment for storing your laptop.

And what if it happens to be raining or you have to set your bag down in the snow? Don’t worry – the bottom of the Quovio 41 is water-resistant and comes with a rain cover.

YOU CAN GET CASH BACK ON ABEO 283AV AND QUOVIO 41 PURCHASES

For a limited time you can claim cash back on purchases of the Vanguard ABEO 283AV and Quovio 41, as well as a number of other exciting Vanguard products.

Digital Camera World readers can claim up to £35 cash back on purchases of ABEO video kits, or £15 cash back on the Quovio 41 bag (as well as the Quovio 44 and 49T models).

Vanguard’s exclusive cash-back deal runs until 31 July 2013. For more information on the offers, the eligible products and to download cash-back forms, visit Vanguard’s cashback site.

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Win a trip to Nepal! Go on assignment with sight-saving charity ORBIS

jmeyer — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:36 +0000

There are lots of photography competitions out there, but few are as special as the opportunity we’re offering Digital Camera World readers.

We’ve partnered with the international sight-saving charity ORBIS to offer one lucky Digital Camera World reader the opportunity to put everything you’ve learned in our popular Shoot Like A Pro series to the test and do something truly meaningful with your photography.

For more details on the prize and how to enter this exclusive photo competition, see below.

THE PRIZE

The international blindness prevention charity ORBIS is offering Digital Camera World readers the opportunity of a lifetime to give something back with their photography.

The winning photographer from this photo competition will travel with a delegation from ORBIS to Geta Eye Hospital, in Dhangadhi, Nepal, where the photographer will be on assignment with the charity, tasked with documenting ORBIS’ work. From Dhangadhi, the winner will then travel with ORBIS for an additional two days documenting its work at Pokhara Hospital, Kathmandu.

The resulting images will then be used by the charity to increase awareness of issues relating to blindness and deliver help to those who need it most.

HOW TO ENTER

To win this fantastic opportunity, photographers are asked to submit a small portfolio of three images along the theme of Outdoor Portraits. This can be done via the entry form on the competition page at the link below.

Images must be 72dpi and no bigger than 800 pixels along their longest edge. Entries will be accepted until 12 July 2013, after which our judges will select a shortlist of five photographers.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Our judges will conduct a short interview with each shortlisted photographer about his or her portfolio, and a winner will be announced in August 2013.
The winning photographer will leave London with ORBIS for the assignment, which will take place from 22 to 27 October 2013.
Your flight, accommodation and transfers will be covered, but all other in-country expenses such as food and drink will be your responsibility.
This competition is open to UK residents only.
Entrants will be informed of the winner following judging via ORBIS’s newsletter
Full terms and conditions from ORBIS and Digital Camera World can be found on the competition entry page at the link below.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER YOUR IMAGES

Olympus E-P5: price, release date, official specs revealed

jmeyer — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:00:35 +0000

The new 16-megapixel Olympus E-P5 offers a quality retro body design with a 1/8000sec shutter speed, a built-in WiFi and the same sensor as the OM-D. The Olympus E-P5 price tag will be €999 body only

Olympus has unveiled its latest flagship camera, introducing the 16-megapixel Olympus E-P5 compact system camera.

Boasting a sleek, minimalist retro body design “with no visible screws in normal use,” the Olympus E-P5 incorporates the same 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor as the award-winning Olympus OM-D, as well as built-in WiFi and in a world first for compact system cameras, a 1/8000sec shutter speed.

The Olympus E-P5 price tag will start at €999 for the E-P5 body only, and kits start at €1099 for the 14-42mm lens and the 17mm 1:1.8 kit will sell for for €1449 (including the VF-4).

An Olympus E-P5 release date is slated for end of June 2013.

Among its new features, the Olympus E-P5 is the first compact system camera with a mechanical shutter capable of shooting at 1/8000sec, the company says. Photographers can also freeze fast-moving subjects with its 1:1.8 aperture.

A 2×2 Dial Control system incorporates two dials and a switch mounted on the back and top of the camera. According to Olympus, when shooting manually, the switch on the back of the E-P5 body can be moved to one of two positions.

In the first position, moving the dial on the front of the camera adjusts aperture while the dial on the back affects exposure time. With the second setting, the dials change the ISO value and white balance respectively. Alternatively, you can use the switch on the back of the camera to assign other functions.

Other features onboard the Olympus E-P5 include 5-axis IS, 9fps continuous shootingFocus Peaking on MF Assist, 12 Art Filters, FAST AF with Super Spot AF and Touch Shutter AF and a tillable LCD screen.

Olympus claims the E-P5 provides the best-ever image quality achieved by a PEN.

For more about this camera, see our testing team’s Olympus PEN E-P5 hands-on review.

Photoshop CC: 10 things every photographer should know

jmeyer — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:16:12 +0000

Adobe quietly announced some major changes to its Photoshop platform yesterday, chief among them re-branding the software as Photoshop CC to reinforce its commitment to its Creative Cloud service (which has also been updated with 15 new apps)

But what does this mean for you, the user? Along with new tools and technologies, as well as some key workflow enhancements, the shift to Photoshop CC also brings some long-term benefits like never having software that’s out of date. Below is our list of 10 things every photographer should know about Photoshop CC.

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 01

Photoshop CC combines Photoshop Standard and Photoshop Extended. So all Photoshop Extended features, including 3D tools, are included in Photoshop CC.

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 02

Photoshop CC introduces the sneak-peaked ‘deblur’ filter that’s been talked about since 2011, which is now revealed as: Camera Shake Reduction.

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 03

Camera Raw 8 will include the new features being showcased in the Photohsop Lightroom 5 public beta, ie Advanced Healing brush, Radial Gradient tool and the Upright tool.

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 04

Photoshop CC offers integration with Behance, the online portfolio sharing website for creative professional. This integration offers the ability to post directly into your Behance gallery from Photoshop.

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 05

Along with the integration mentioned above, Photoshop CC subscribers get free access to the Behance Pro-site.

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 06

Intelligent upsampling – in Photoshop CC you will be able to make big prints without compromising edge detail or introducing noise.

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 07

Adobe is offering a special subscriber deal of $9.99 for Photoshop CS3 users and above – for the first year.

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 08

It looks there’ll be no Photoshop CS7, and Photoshop CC will evolve with constant updates to subscribers. What this means is that there is no longer any need to wait 18 months to two years for an upgrade!

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 09

A perpetual license of Lightroom will still be available as will Photoshop CS6.

What you need to know about Photoshop CC: 10

You do not need to be connected to the internet to use Photoshop CC. This is a very common misconception. The Photoshop CC software is installed on your computer. However, Adobe will need to periodically check your subscription is current so you’ll need to log on once a month.

PAGE 1: 10 things you need to know about Photoshop CC
PAGE 2: Official Photoshop CC press release from Adobe

Don’t Miss!
Our guide to the 10 most important features in Photoshop CC

Photographers’ copyright under threat by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill?

jmeyer — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:00:46 +0000

If you upload any of your photography anywhere – and we’re going to assume you do since you’re reading a photography website – you’ll no doubt have heard about the recent changes to UK law which could have a profound impact on every photographer.

The new Enterprise and Regulatory Reform bill has somehow managed to arrive without too much uproar from the photographic community – until now.

Amy Davies, of our testing team, takes a look at some of the issues around the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform bill that should be of particular concern to photographers.

What it states is that anybody can use “orphan works” – or photographs and other artworks whose author isn’t obvious after a “diligent” search. Quite what constitutes a diligent search isn’t yet known, but, it sounds like something which could be pretty damn hard to prove either way in court.

If the metadata from your image has been stripped and somehow ended up floating about the internet without your name attached to it – then somebody could end up using that for commercial gain.

Let’s face it, the chances of an individual photographer having the time, energy or funds to chase after huge corporations is pretty slim – could this open the door for photographers to be ripped off, leaving the rest of us in less demand as “free” artwork becomes easily accessible.

Of course it’s also true that the vast majority of people may never know they’ve had work effectively stolen and used for this purpose, but the knock on effects for the rest of the industry could be pretty severe.

It would seem the best way to protect your photography is to attach a watermark – something which many photographers are against since it can distract the overall image, or to register the work as your own… something which costs time and money.

With the speed at which uploads are made to Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and the like, it’s a pretty unrealistic scenario for the majority of ordinary photographers.

Although it’s been over 30 years since the government has done a U-turn on legislation such as this, the photographic community certainly isn’t taking this lying down.

A new e-petition attempting to force a rethink of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill has so far garnered over 14,000 signatures (at the time of writing).

Who knows what the outcome of the petition will be, but if you care about your copyright, then we suggest you attach your name to the ever growing list.

We’ll keep you updated with any progress that’s made – but in the meantime, let us know what you think about the new legislation over on our Facebook page.

Take Our Poll

Sony HX50: new Cyber-shot is world’s smallest camera with 30x zoom

jmeyer — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:00:54 +0000

Sony has unveiled the world’s smallest and lightest ever camera with 30x zoom, launching the Sony HX50.

The new Sony Cyber-shot camera boasts an equivalent focal length of 24-720mm and offer image stabilisation that’s twice as effective as its predecessor, the Sony Cyber-shot HX200V, according to Sony.

Onboard the Sony HX50 is a 20.4-megapixel3 Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor, with high-speed autofocus that works at more than twice the speed of the Cyber-shot HX200V4, Sony says.

Among the camera’s other key features are a dedicated Exposure Compensation dial on the Sony Cyber-shot camera’s top plate and integrated Wi-Fi that allows photographers to share photos instantly or use their smartphone as a remote control for the camera.

A Multi Interface Shoe allows photographers to incorporate accessories such as an electronic viewfinder, flash or microphone for better video sound quality, and the camera boasts a Multi Terminal for using a remote controller.

Other features on the Sony HX50 include a Memory Recall mode, which allows photographers to store three favourite camera settings, a battery life of 400 images and a range of creative effects modes.

The Sony HX50 price tag will be £350, with a release date set for the first week of May 2013.

Official Sony HX50 Specs

Effective Pixels (approx.)
20.4 megapixels

Image Sensor
1/2.3 type (7.82mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor

Processor
BIONZ

Lens
Sony G, 24-720mm, f/3.5 (W) – 6.3 (T), 11 elements in 10 groups (including 5 aspheric elements)

Zoom
30x

ISO (still image)
Auto/80/100/125/160/200/250/320/400/500/640/800/1000/1250/1600/2000/2500/3200/
4000*/5000*/6400*/8000*/10000*/12800*
* Achieved using “By Pixel Super Resolution” technology and overlay burst shooting.

Display
7.5cm (3.0type) (4:3) / 921,600 dots / Xtra Fine / TFT LCD

Wi-Fi
Yes

Battery
NP-BX1 and USB Charge/USB Power Supply

Battery Life / still image shooting (approx.)
400 images / 200 minutes

Approx. dimensions W x H x D
108.1mm x 63.6mm x 38.3mm

Weight (body only, excluding media and battery)
Approx. 272g (Battery and Memory Stick DUO are included) Approx. 246g (Body Only)

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8: first-ever zoom lens with f/1.8 constant aperture unveiled

jmeyer — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:22:54 +0000

The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM announced today is the first ever zoom lens to achieve a wide constant aperture of f/1.8 throughout the zoom range. Find out all the key specs of this new Sigma lens.

A Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 price and release date were not available at the time of writing.

Sigma has revealed a new 18-35mm zoom lens with a constant aperture of f/1.8.

The new Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM is the first ever zoom lens to achieve a maximum aperture of f/1.8 throughout the zoom range, according to Sigma.

The previous widest aperture a zoom lens has been able to achieve throughout the zoom range has been f/2.8.

Designed for DSLRs with APS-C size sensors, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 offers a focal range equivalent to 27-52.5mm in 35mm format.

Sigma says the new 18-35mm lens has been designed as a standard lens which is capable of shooting landscapes, portraits, still life photography, even studio photography.

The faster aperture throughout the zoom range will eliminate the need for photographers to keep fixed focal length lenses in their camera bags for brighter images, Sigma says.

The new Sigma 18-35mm lens also incorporates a wide glass-moulded aspheric lens and Special Low Dispersion glass, the latter which compensates for various aberrations as well as field curvature at the widest angle.

The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 also features Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting, and boost contrast, while a supplied petal type hood provides extra protection.

A Hyper Sonic Motor provides a silent AF function, Sigma says, while the 18-35mm f/1.8 offers a minimum focusing distance of 28cm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.3.

Other features include a 9-blade rounded diaphragm, brass bayonet mount and a newly developed USB Dock that plugs into your computer and attaches to your lens, allowing you to update the lens firmware and adjust parameters such as focus.

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Key Specifications

Adobe Lightroom 5: the 6 new features you need to know about

jmeyer — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:22:45 +0000

Ahead of the release of Adobe Lightroom 5, announced today, a beta version of the new Adobe Lightroom is now available to download from adobelabs.com for free. Here’s a quick rundown of the best new features in Lightroom 5 and what Adobe says they can do for your images…

NOTE: click each image to see a larger version of the Adobe Lightroom 5 interface

Adobe Lightroom 5 New Features: Improved Spot Removal

Previously the Spot Removal tool has only let you make circular heal points with the tool, but in Adobe Lightroom 5 you can now paint with it like a brush (just like using the Spot Healing Brush tool in Photoshop), which is great news for retouchers.

And if you’re plagued by sensor marks, there’s also a handy new feature called ‘Visualise Spots’ which places a mask over your image that highlights those pesky marks, making them easier to remove.

Adobe Lightroom 5 New Features: Better Lens Correction

The Lens Correction panel now sports automated options that allow you to fix perspective, correct converging verticals and put wonky horizons right. There are three modes that offer different levels of correction, ‘Full’ being the most aggressive.

Adobe Lightroom 5 New Features: New Radial Gradients

A new Radial Filter tool allows you to position circular gradients over your images to focus attention on the subject, which means vignettes can be placed wherever you want, rather than just in the corners of the frame. There are all the usual options to alter exposure, colour and clarity, as well as the softness of the circle.

Adobe Lightroom 5 New Features: New Smart Previews

In Adobe Lightroom 5 you can create ‘Smart Previews’ of your images as proxy versions for making adjustments. This means you don’t have to be connected to the Hard Drive containing the image to alter it. Which will no doubt prove very handy for photographers who need to work on-the-go.

Adobe Lightroom 5 New Features: Book Module changes

The book module now makes it easy to add page numbers and text into your templates. You can also save custom templates with a right-click and quickly make other pages.

Adobe Lightroom 5 New Features: Improved functionality

Alongside these improvements, Adobe have also listened to feedback from users and made over 50 minor improvements to functionality (which it calls ‘Just Do It’ improvements, or JDI’s) in Lightroom 5. These include Full Screen mode by hitting F, the ability to import PNGs, and LAB support for the Histogram.

Win a Sony NEX-3N + a place at the Sony World Photography Awards Workshops

jmeyer — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:30:58 +0000

With the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards taking place later this month the World Photography Organisation has partnered with Sony to give 10 Digital Camera World readers the opportunity to attend a series of workshops taking place at Somerset House, London from 26th April – 28th April 2013.

One winner will also receive a NEX-3N compact system camera to test out their new skills.

Featuring the same image sensor that you’d expect from a DSLR camera, the NEX allows you to take professional standard pictures, providing the best results and picture quality on the market.

With a selection of 15 e-mount lenses available you’ll discover the ideal lens to bring your vision to life.

What’s on at the Sony World Photography Awards Workshops

The workshops will cover a variety of topics suitable for camera enthusiasts from beginners to budding professionals, and will coincide with the opening of the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition on 26th April.

There are three separate workshops covering a range of topics. From showing beginners how to improve picture quality, providing an understanding of commercial photography and turning a hobby into a career, or looking at the developments in full-frame photograph over time, there will be something for any photography enthusiast.

Speakers will include Michael Wayne Plant, who specialises in work around identities and social landscape, and Magdi Fernandes who works across fashion, music and sports.

All attendees will be entered into a prize draw each day for one lucky winner to receive the Sony NEX-3N.

Click here to enter for your chance to attend the workshops and win a Sony NEX-3N.

Should you miss out on the prize, don’t worry! You can still book yourself a ticket to attend one of the workshops. Click here to find out more about tickets and times.