Topaz Labs Released Brand New Photo AI 2.4

Topaz Photo AI
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A new version of the popular Topaz Photo AI software has been released. You can learn about the new version here. What’s new at a glance:

All-new UI – All-new Control

We’ve overhauled Photo AI’s user interface and added more features to make your favorite photo enhancement and upscaling tool your go-to editor. New workflow. Better results.

Say hello to stacked enhancements

Control the processing steps. The right panel displays the order so you get the best results. Every time.

All-new edit capabilities

Edit any photo by adding just the enhancements you want–or run autopilot to analyze your image and start with our recommendations.  Selectively clean, sharpen, brighten/darken, and color correct different parts of your photos.

Faster and customizable interface

More responsive and customized. Drag panels out and place them where they work best for you. Preview updates faster when new edits are added. Switching between your current edit and previous edits is now faster than ever.

Remove it

Remove can also be easily edited or deleted. Giving you greater control. Use it however you want. You choose the workflow that’s best for you.

Straighten. Simple.

Change the angle of your image. Just like that. It’s a simple tool that every every photo editor needs access to.

Learn more and order Topaz Photo AI here.

Interview With Canon Execs At CP+ 2024 (R1 at Olympics?)

Nab 2023 Canon Eos R5 Mark Ii Canon Eos R8 CP+ 2024 Mark Ii Canon EOS Rf 24-50mm R6 Mark Ii Rf Mount Eos R6 Mark Ii Rf 300mm Rf 35mm Canon Eos R100 Rf 24mm F/1.8 Rf-s Canon Eos R7 Eos R100 Canon High Resolution Eos R R10 Eos C5 Canon Canon Eos R1 Eos R5c Canon Rf 16mm Rf 35mm F/1.2L EF Lenses Tilt-shift Lenses Rumor
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French site Phototrend sat down with a bunch of Canon executives for an interview at CP+ 2024.

While the interview is in French, you can get all the content with a machine translation. Here are some of the discussed topics:

  • Canon plans to feature artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies in future cameras
  • Canon claims to have a 48% share in the global market of interchangeable lens cameras
  • There will be more RF-S lenses
  • Canon does not have any real plan to open the RF mount specifications to other manufacturers but there are non-disclosure agreements with other manufacturers regarding certain types of lenses and their positioning in the market
  • Third party lens manufacturer do not have the same access to camera functions as Canon lenses have, ergo: Canon lenses do perform better than third party lenses
  • Artificial Intelligence will come, and has the primary function to improve autofocus, to assist with subject recognition and with in-camera image processing (low light, noise, aberration corrections)
  • Global shutter doesn’t seem to come to consumer cameras any time soon
  • Canon has been asked many times about the EOS R1, the execs say, but they can not say when it will be released. However, this is the year of the Olympics and from what I got from the machine translated interview, some select photographers might testing the EOS R1 during the games.

For more head over to Phototrend.

Canon Patent: RF 24-105mm f/2.8 Z And RF 15-60mm f/2.8 Z Lenses

Canon Patent
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A new Canon patent application for two lenses featuring Canon’s new silent USM zoom technology (hence the “Z”).

Canon patent application 2024025100 (Japan, published 02/26/2024) discusses optical formulas and methods for two zoom lenses:

  • RF 24-105mm f/2.8 Z
  • RF 15-60mm f/2.8 Z

From the patent literature:

  • The present invention provides a zoom lens that is compact, has a high zoom ratio, and a large aperture ratio, yet achieves high image quality and high-speed zoom operation.
  • BACKGROUND ART: As a zoom lens used in an imaging device, there is a demand for a zoom lens that is small and lightweight, and has high optical performance that can satisfactorily correct various aberrations such as chromatic aberration. Additionally, there is a demand for a zoom lens that has a short focal length at the wide-angle end, a large zoom ratio, a small F number, a large aperture ratio, and is easy to manufacture. Additionally, there is a demand for a zoom lens that allows high-speed zoom operations. Patent Document 1 discloses a zoom lens that includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a lens group with positive refractive power, a lens group with negative refractive power, and a rear group having a plurality of lens groups. .
  • Although the zoom lens disclosed in Patent Document 1 is small, has a high zoom ratio, and a large aperture ratio, it is difficult to achieve high image quality and high-speed zoom operation.
  • Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens that is compact, has a high zoom ratio, and a large aperture ratio, yet achieves high image quality and high-speed zoom operation.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 24.72-101.86
  • F value: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 41.19-11.99
  • Image height:
  • Total length: 212.40
  • Back focus: 11.98-21.74

Example 2

  • Focal length: 15.45-58.20
  • F value: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 41.48-13.21
  • Image height:
  • Total length: 143.99
  • Back focus: 11.90

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Artificial Intelligence Coming To The Canon EOS R5 Mark II?

Nab 2023 Canon Eos R5 Mark Ii Canon Eos R8 CP+ 2024 Mark Ii Canon EOS Rf 24-50mm R6 Mark Ii Rf Mount Eos R6 Mark Ii Rf 300mm Rf 35mm Canon Eos R100 Rf 24mm F/1.8 Rf-s Canon Eos R7 Eos R100 Canon High Resolution Eos R R10 Eos C5 Canon Canon Eos R1 Eos R5c Canon Rf 16mm Rf 35mm F/1.2L EF Lenses Tilt-shift Lenses Rumor
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A well known rumors mill came up with an interesting rumor. AI coming to be featured on the Canon EOS R5 Mark II. But is it reliable?

The long rumored Canon EOS R5 Mark II is now said to feature artificial intelligence (AI). While there are no suggestions about what AI might do on the EOS R5 Mark II, it is likely it will regard autofocus. AI could be helpful in tracking faces and/or people, even specific faces or people. But it might also be used for in-camera processing, scene settings. If the AI rumor is true, you might expect it to be featured on the EOS R1 too.

The EOS R5 Mark II is now rumored to have 45MP (60MP in the past). Moreover, both the EOS R5 Mark II and “white unicorn”-EOS R1 are said to be announced around May 2024.

Please be aware that rumors are nothing but rumors, and that there is people relying on them to pay the bills at month’s end. So, do not take anything too serious. Even better, forget rumors and go out to snap pictures.

Stay tuned for more, if you want.

Source: Canon Rumors

Canon Patent: 10-20mm f/4, 10-20mm f/2.8-4 And 9-18mm f/4 Lenses

Canon Patent
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A new Canon patent application. Canon patent 2024023099 (Japan, published 2/21/2024) discusses optical formulas for three wide angle zoom lenses.

  • 10-20mm f/4
  • 10-20mm f/2.8-4
  • 9-18mm f/4

From the patent literature:

  • An object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens that is small and has good optical characteristics, and an imaging device and an imaging system including the zoom lens.
  • BACKGROUND ART: Zoom lenses used in imaging devices are required to have a wide angle of view, be compact, and have good optical characteristics. As a wide-angle zoom lens, a so-called negative lead type zoom lens in which a lens group with a negative refractive power is arranged closest to the object side is known.
  • A negative lead type zoom lens has the characteristics that it is relatively easy to widen the angle of view and easily obtain a long back focus. However, negative lead type zoom lenses tend to have an asymmetrical lens configuration with respect to the aperture stop. Therefore, it is difficult to correct various aberrations, for example, it is difficult to suppress aberration fluctuations during focusing, and it is very difficult to obtain high optical performance.
  • In particular, in the inner focus type, in which focusing is performed using a small and lightweight lens group located closer to the image side than the first lens group in order to perform high-speed focusing, aberration fluctuations during focusing tend to increase.
  • The present invention provides a zoom lens that is compact and has good optical characteristics, and an imaging device and an imaging system having the zoom lens.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 10.33-19.39
  • F value: 4.08-4.12
  • Half angle of view: 61.36-48.13
  • Image height: 18.92-21.64
  • Total length: 128.82-123.27
  • Back focus: 12.13

Example 2

  • Focal length: 9.20-17.90
  • F value: 4.08-4.12
  • Half angle of view: 64.04-50.40
  • Image height: 18.90-21.64
  • Total length: 125.26-119.35
  • Back focus: 10.50

Example 3

  • Focal length: 11.30-23.90
  • F value: 4.08-4.12
  • Half angle of view: 59.29-42.15
  • Image height: 19.02-21.64
  • Total length: 129.79-129.33
  • Back focus: 14.54-10.54

Example 4

  • Focal length: 10.30-19.80
  • F value: 2.89-4.12
  • Half angle of view: 61.76-47.54
  • Image height: 19.18-21.64
  • Total length: 132.94-127.01
  • Back focus: 11.35

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Fujifilm X100VI Mirrorless Camera Announced

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Fujifilm announced a new, cute looking little camera, the Fujifilm X100VI. Pre-order it at B&H Photo.

At a glance:

  • 40.2MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR Sensor
  • X-Processor 5 Image Processor
  • Fujinon 23mm f/2 Lens
  • 35mm Full-Frame Equivalent
  • 6-Stop In-Body Image Stabilization
  • 425-Point Intelligent Hybrid AF System
  • Hybrid 0.66x OVF with 3.69m-Dot OLED EVF
  • 3.0″ 1.62m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • 20 Film Simulation Modes with REALA ACE

Fujifilm press release:

Fujifilm Debuts X100VI Mirrorless Digital Camera

X100VI’s iconic dial-based design and advanced technology includes new features for content creators of all types; special limited edition also announced in celebration of Fujifilm’s 90th anniversary

VALHALLA, N.Y., – FUJIFILM North America Corporation is pleased to officially announce the highly anticipated launch of FUJIFILM X100VI digital camera (“X100VI”, pronounced X100 Six), the newest model in the popular X100 Series. X100VI offers outstanding image quality in a compact, lightweight body, and features Fujifilm’s legendary color reproduction technology, which is best experienced through its revered Film Simulation modes, a feature, users have come to expect from all Fujifilm digital cameras, along with In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) and enhanced video capabilities.

“The viral popularity of our X100 Series cameras has shown us time and time again that making images is as tactile as it is technical,” said Victor Ha, vice president, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Electronic Imaging Division. “X100VI continues this tradition by bringing our most advanced imaging technology to an image-making experience that feels organic and familiar to creatives of all levels.”

Product Features 

•    X-Trans™ CMOS 5 HR and X-Processor 5 deliver high image quality and high performance
X100VI is equipped with the back-illuminated X-Trans™ CMOS 5 HR sensor1 with approximately 40.2 megapixels. The sensor has an impressive pixel structure that allows light to be efficiently captured compared to prior X100 Series cameras. Additionally, ISO 125, which on the previous X100V model was only an extended sensitivity option, is now available natively on the X100VI. With its fixed, 23mmF2.0 lens, X100VI delivers sharp, high-resolution images.

X100VI comes with 20 of Fujifilm’s popular Film Simulation modes, including the new REALA ACE mode, which applies a diverse range of distinctive tones to the user’s images. REALA ACE mode offers faithful color reproduction and high-contrast tonality, making it suitable for a wide variety of subjects and situations.

The camera incorporates an impressive autofocus (AF) prediction algorithm for reliable focusing, even when recording continuously-moving subjects. X100VI uses the subject detection AF X-Processor 5 to accurately track a range of subjects. Built using deep-learning AI technology, it can detect animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones2. 

•    Enhanced high performance to maximize X100VI’s range
X100VI is the first camera in the X100 Series to incorporate a 5-axis, in-body image stabilization function with up to 6.0 stops3, while generally maintaining the X100 Series’ characteristic compact size and lightweight, only having increased in weight by 1.52 ounces over the previous model.

The “Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder” allows the user to switch freely between the optical viewfinder (OVF) and the electronic viewfinder (EVF), pursuing the rangefinder style of photography that has been a hallmark of the X100 Series. The EVF is equipped with a high-resolution OLED panel with approximately 3.69 million dots, optimizing the immersive shooting experience.

The “Electronic Range Finder” (ERF) function allows a small EVF to be simultaneously displayed on the OVF. Using this feature, the photographer can view either the entire frame or the area of critical focus, increasing the capabilities of a standard optical viewfinder. The ERF function is highly convenient, especially for street photography.

X100VI is capable of 6.2K/30P movie recording, a first for the X100 Series. The camera is also equipped with a tracking AF function during movie recording to ensure high-quality content creation.

X100VI offers an accessory-free, native Camera to Cloud integration for Adobe’s Frame.io, which allows users to wirelessly connect any X100VI to an active internet connection, authenticate it to Frame.io, and automatically upload photos and videos just moments after they are created. This can drastically reduce the amount of time needed to reach the end of any post-production workflow. X100VI is the latest in Fujifilm‘s digital camera portfolio to integrate Frame.io’s Camera to Cloud technology, joining X-H2, X-H2S, and GFX100 II in offering the capability. 

•    Sophisticated, functional product design 
As with the prior model, aluminum is used for the top and bottom surfaces of the X100VI body. Aluminum, which features a high degree of malleability, is pressed and machined for crisp, clean edges, and the surface is finely blasted for a smooth texture. In addition, anodized aluminum is used on the camera surface to produce a high-quality finish.

X100VI’s ultra-thin tilt LCD monitor can be stored in a fully flat position, a design leveraged from the X100V. The stylish, integrated body design allows for a variety of shooting styles, from high to low angles. The shape of the grip has been fine-tuned to ensure a secure yet comfortable feel. The positions of the buttons on the back of X100VI have been designed to maximize ease of operation with the right hand, enabling extremely comfortable shooting while utilizing the viewfinder.

•    Wide variety of compatible accessories enhance X100VI’s capabilities 
Weather resistance is available for X100VI when the optional AR-X100 adapter ring (MSRP $49.99 USD/$50.00 CAD, available in silver and black) and the PRF-49 protection filter (MSRP $55.99 USD/$70.00 CAD) are used in conjunction with X100VI’s lens. This allows the user to continue making images in challenging weather conditions.

Fujifilm’s optional LH-X100 lens hood (MSRP $139.99 USD/$100.00 CAD, available in black and silver) is also compatible with X100VI. In addition to being lightweight and precisely crafted from machined metal, the hood is cleverly designed not to obstruct the field of view when looking through the viewfinder, thus achieving light-shielding performance.

Two separately offered FUJIFILM conversion lenses allow the user to change the focal length without changing the optical performance of X100VI, thereby enhancing the photographic field. WCL-X100 II (MSRP $349.95 USD/$450.00 CAD, available in silver and black) is a dedicated wide conversion lens that multiplies the fixed focal length by approximately 0.8x, converting it to 28mm (35mm format equivalent), while the TCL-X100 II (MSRP $349.95 USD/$450.00 CAD, available in silver and black) is a dedicated teleconversion lens for narrowing the field of view by multiplying the fixed focal length by approximately 1.4x, converting it to 50mm (35mm format equivalent).

Adding the separately offered, LC-X100V genuine leather case (MSRP $79.99 USD/$100.00 CAD) ensures the X100VI can be carried in style. The battery and the user’s memory card can be inserted and removed from the camera without the need to remove the camera from this case.

Limited Edition X100VI Units Also Announced
 
To celebrate Fujifilm’s 90th anniversary year in 2024, a special Limited Edition of 1,934 X100VI cameras will be made available by Fujifilm, worldwide. The Limited Edition camera body is engraved with the corporate brand logo from Fujifilm’s founding in 1934, and each unit bears a unique serial number. These numbered X100VI units are packaged in a special, soft-release box that includes a special strap and Fujifilm history cards. The Limited Edition X100VI units will be available in extremely limited quantities and vary depending geographical location. Please contact your local Fujifilm sales and marketing company to explore the opportunity to purchase the item in your area.

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