News aggregator

Panasonic has issued a firmware update for its Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS fast standard zoom for Micro Four Thirds cameras (H-HS12035). Version 1.2 improves the stability of the optical image stabilisation during movie recording. It's available to download now from the LUMIX customer support site - click through for the link.

You might remember (well, if you've been around here a while) my post "Great Photographers on the Internet," the first post that went viral and helped establish TOP. It's been translated into a number of different languages over the years,... Michael Johnston

DxO Labs has released version 8.1.6 of its DxO Optics Pro software. Both the Elite and Standard versions gain support for the Canon EOS 700D / Rebel T5i, Nikon Coolpix A and Coolpix P330, Pentax MX-1, and Sony NEX-3N. The Elite version also gains support for the Leica M. The update also adds 267 lens and cameras combinations to its library, with a list of over 12,000 combinations now available. Click through for the download link.

BlackBerry is offering up the first major update to its new operating system. The update brings a more restrictive work-only setting, better visualization of device information and an HDR camera mode for users of the Z10 handset. The smartphone maker also debuted a new phone today: the Q5 includes a Qwerty keyboard as well as two BlackBerry capture features, TimeShift and StoryMaker. Read more at connect.dpreview.com.

While the Lumia 925 Nokia announced today may not offer the stunning specs of the 808's PureView technology, the device does hold promise for mobile photography fans. Its six-element lens design promises improved detail in good light and better quality in low light, and the sensitivity includes a new ISO 3200 setting. An aluminum-edge body with polycarbonate back, integrated antenna and wireless charging are also new, along with the Nokia Smart Camera app which offers some interesting shooting modes, including the unique Motion Focus. See sample images on connect.dpreview.com.

Our friend Gordon Lewis, who used to write for this site but now writes for his own, has posted a set of impressions of a 5-day rental experience with the Canon 6D. I must say that the more I find... Michael Johnston

Nikon has introduced the 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2 portrait lens for its 1 System of mirrorless cameras. It will provide the angle of view and depth of field control of an 86mm F3.2 lens for a full-frame system, making it the most enthusiast-friendly optic yet released for the 1 System. The lens, whose development was announced in October 2012, is also the first to use a silent wave motor for focus and to incorporate the company's 'nano crystal coat.' Consistent with these loftier ambitions, Nikon will ask around $900 for the 32mm f/1.2 when it becomes available in June.

Canon has introduced the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x - a top-end telephoto zoom with a built-in switchable teleconverter, whose development was first announced back in February 2011. Simply flicking a lever at the rear of the barrel converts it to a 280-560mm f/5.6 lens. Designed for professional sports and wildlife photographers, it includes an array of top-end features such as Power Focus for movie shooting, and IS 'mode 3' that only applies stabilisation at the point of exposure, aiding panning. It also offers weathersealed construction, 4-stop image stabilisation, and a minimum focus distance of 2m. It will go on sale on 29th May, at an RRP of £11999.99 / €11800.

Canon has created a 'Video Camera X-series look' Picture Style for its EOS cameras, specifically designed for movie work. As its name suggests, it's designed to match the colour look of the company's X-series professional camcorders. It produces low contrast, low saturation footage that's better suited to post-production grading processes than the cameras' existing options. It's downloadable now from Canon's website and can be installed on almost any Canon EOS model, from the movie-optimized EOS-1D C to the mirrorless EOS M.   

Developer Duka Istvan has created a release candidate of digiCamControl - free, open-source software that allows Nikon DSLRs (and a small but growing number from other brands) to be remotely controlled via computer. digiCamControl is Windows PC software and allows you to see your camera's live view image on your computer screen, as well as trigger a tethered DSLR remotely, either directly or using a programmable timer. Multiple cameras can be connected at the same time. Click through for more details on connect.dpreview.com.

...An OM-D within a different form-factor? Let me just throw a very scant 2¢ out into the ring, one small comment, regarding the just-announced Olympus E-P5 that everyone's talking about, latest in that long and successful line: the best reason... Michael Johnston

Following on to the vintage audio post: it's disappointing, but here is really all you need for quite good reproduced sound in a small to medium-sized room, assuming you a) are willing to forego nostalgia, b) are not a nut... Michael Johnston

Camera feature modifier Magic Lantern has developed a version of its software enabling 24fps Raw video output from the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. This news has grabbed videographers' attention as it allows for individual frames of 14 bit output, yielding a much wider dynamic range than you'd get from standard 8 bit video files. EOSHD's Andrew Reid has had his hands on the latest version and discusses its implications. Click through for his accounts of this potentially game-changing capability.

Looks like TOP is going to be reviewing a Leica S this year after all. Knew you'd want to know. Mike Original contents copyright 2013 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post... Michael Johnston

Between today and June 28th, ultra large format (ULF) aficionados are special-ordering their year's supply of black-and-white film from Ilford Photo, for delivery by September. Standard sizes of large format film are basically 4x5" and 8x10", with 5x7" sporadically available.... Michael Johnston

My Audio Adventures Part I My Audio Adventures Part II This is Part III Nice, but seriously? Well, "Open Mike" is back. Last week I tried to write about climate change. That's why there was no "Open Mike" last week.... Michael Johnston

The 2013 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest is accepting submissions. Now in its 25th year, this photo contest offers a top prize that includes a 10-day expedition to the Galapagos Islands and publication of the winning image in the upcoming December/January edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine. The entry fee is $15 per image and contestants can submit as many images as they wish. Submissions must be received by June 30. Click through for more entry information and a look at some of the current submissions.

Photo by Dimitris Makrygiannakis Dimitris Makrygiannakis is "ngravity" on flickr—check out his Photostream, which features lots of good things to look at. His profile says he's a medical doctor from Heraklion, Crete, Greece, now living in Stockholm, Sweden. You might... Michael Johnston

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has no doubt been one of the most high-profile smartphone launches of the year. We're digging into its camera capabilities for our full review of Samsung's newest flagship phone, first playing with some of the more innovative capture features from its Dual Shot to Drama mode. We offer our first thoughts on the S4's camera today on connect.dpreview.com.

Nokia surprised everyone today by announcing its new Lumia 928 in advance of next week's big launch event in London. The Lumia 928 comes equipped with an 8.7-megapixel camera on a 1/3.2" sensor, xenon flash, optical image stabilization and a f/2.0, 26mm-equivalent Carl Zeiss lens. These specs mean it's only a relatively minor upgrade to the current Nokia flagship Windows Phone but still good news for mobile photographers: see why on connect.dpreview.com.