ZEISS Supreme Primes announced, a new high-end Cinema lens line-up

ZEISS Supreme Primes

Zeiss announced the development of a new lens line-up, “Supreme Prime”. The first ZEISS Supreme Primes lenses with focal lengths of 25, 29, 35, 50, and 85 millimeters will be available starting on August 1, 2018. The ZEISS Supreme Prime 100 millimeter will be available in December 2018. The set of six lenses, consisting of the focal lengths mentioned above, is available from ZEISS Cinema lens dealers for 108,000 USD. The remaining focal lengths will be released successively until 2020.

The ZEISS Supreme Primes will be presented to the general public for the first time at the CineGear expo in Los Angeles on June 1, 2018.

Zeiss press release:

New High-End Cinema Lens Family ZEISS Supreme Primes

With its 13 high-speed, full-frame, prime lenses for high-quality film productions, ZEISS is focusing on maximum quality, low weight, and significant versatility when it comes to creating superb visual imagery.

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 2018-05-24.

ZEISS has introduced a new family of high-speed lenses for high-end film production: The ZEISS Supreme Prime family consists of 13 lenses with fixed focal lengths between 15 and 200 millimeters, the majority with a maximum aperture of T1.5. “The lenses are designed for film productions of an extremely high quality,” says Christophe Casenave from ZEISS. “They are perfect for high-budget advertising or feature films, for example.” ZEISS Supreme Primes are designed to cover cinematic large format camera sensors and are compatible with all of the latest camera models, such as the Sony Venice, ARRI Alexa LF, and RED Monstro. According to Casenave, the versatility of the Supreme Prime lenses to create different visual looks is due to the gentle sharpness, the aesthetic focus fall-off and elegant bokeh. The lenses are extremely flexible and can be used equally well for science fiction thrillers as well as for dramas.

Compact and Lightweight

“Weighing an average of 1600 grams (3.5 pounds), ZEISS Supreme Primes are significantly lighter and smaller than comparable lenses on the market,” says Casenave. With these compact and lightweight lenses, ZEISS is responding to many camera operators’ desire for compact equipment that stills meets the highest standards of quality. “ZEISS Supreme Primes are unbelievably rugged and reliable. Regardless of whether filming in the desert or in the Arctic, the lenses perform flawlessly. And in the event that something should ever break, our worldwide service network provides fast and professional help.”

ZEISS eXtended Data Metadata Technology

The ZEISS Supreme Primes are equipped with the ZEISS eXtended Data metadata technology. Introduced in 2017, ZEISS eXtended Data provides frame by frame data on lens vignetting and distortion in addition to the standard lens metadata provided using Cooke’s /i technology1 protocol. This greatly speeds up the entire film production’s workflow. When using visual effects for example, with only a few clicks, the lens properties can be removed so that computer-generated effects imagery can be accurately applied to the captured imagery. The lens properties can then be reapplied with the same click of a button and combined with the film material to create a realistic image. Previously, all of the data had to be measured manually so that it could be corrected in post-production. But ZEISS eXtended Data eliminates this time-consuming job.

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Off Brand: Fujifilm X-T100 announced, a beginners camera at an affordable price

Fujifilm X-T100

Fujifilm X-T100 at a glance:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • 0.62x-Mag. Electronic Viewfinder
  • Three-Way Tilting LCD Screen
  • Phase-Detection Autofocus
  • Bluetooth Low Energy
  • SR+ Auto Mode
  • Film Simulation & Advanced Filter Modes

Today Fujifilm announced what in my opinion will become a huge success for the company. The Fujifilm X-T100 is an interchangeable lens camera, made for beginners and people who want to step up from smartphone photography, and it has a budget friendly price (it’s $599 for body only).

Pre-order: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Press release:

Introducing the stylish FUJIFILM X-T100, a new addition to the X Series mirrorless digital cameras

-Featuring retro and luxury look with the stylish center finder style
-Realizing outstanding image quality by combining 24.2 megapixel sensor with Fujifilm’s proprietary color reproduction technology
-Featuring fast and precise AF, the phase detection AF system, and three way tilting touch screen

April 24, 2018

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) is delighted to announce the launch of the FUJIFILM X-T100, the latest exciting addition to the X Series of the mirrorless digital cameras. The X-T100 is the entry model that realizes high image quality in various scenes with comfortable operation thanks to the enhancement of photo-shooting functions.

The X-T100, featuring a stylish design with the center-finder style, has the compact body weighing just 448g*with an anodized coated aluminum top cover delivering a retro and luxury look. Combined with the powerful 24.2 megapixel APS-C size sensor and Fujifilm’s proprietary color reproduction technology, The X-T100 realizes high image quality.

The camera is equipped with a phase detection autofocus system and a newly developed autofocus algorithm which offers faster and more precise focusing. In addition, a horizontal tilting rear LCD screen makes it easy to shoot a self portrait. Also, a high magnification electronic view finder (EVF) and an extended battery life of up to 430 frames** support comfortable shooting.

The latest built-in Bluetooth®*** technology makes image transfer quick and easy for sharing with friends. It is the ideal companion for smartphone users who want to shoot high quality images in their daily life or while traveling, in addition to photo enthusiasts.

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This is what happens to your camera if you get too close to a rocket launch pad

Bill Ingalls

The picture above was shared by Peter King on Twitter, and it shows what the heat coming from a rocket launch pad can do to your camera.

Writes Peter King in his tweet:

photographer Bill Ingalls is one of the best. He tries to get his remote cameras as close to the launch pad as possible for great results. This would illustrate the unfortunate result of an attempt at an extreme closeup. Not sure this is covered by warranty.

Well, no, it’s unlikely Canon will honour any warranty on a damage like this. The Canon EOS 5Ds in the image is gone and destroyed.

So, the lesson is: if you shoot a rocket launch be sure to have your camera at a safe distance :-)

Deal: Canon EOS 80D – 679.99 (reg. $999, import model)

Canon Eos 80d

Canon EOS 80D at a glance:

  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • 45-Point All Cross-Type AF System
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF
  • Expanded ISO 25600, Up to 7 fps Shooting
  • Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
  • RGB+IR 7560-Pixel Metering Sensor

Top Rated Plus seller redtagcamera (100% positive ratings) has the Canon EOS 80D on sale at $679.99 by using code PMEMDAY at checkout (should work also for other purchases). Compare at $999. Please note: this is an import model, 1 year US seller warranty applies. Import models are legally imported from another country through channels other than the maker’s official distribution system. Limited time offer.

Today’s Gold Box and one day only deals at Amazon USAmazon DEAmazon UKB&H Photo, eBayAdorama, and refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store.

Skylum creates new Skylum AI Lab and joins forces with leading AI-based image editor, Photolemur

Skylum AI Lab

We are still offering exclusive discounts on Skylum Luminar and Aurora HDR:

Skylum Press release:

Skylum creates new Skylum AI Lab and joins forces with leading AI-based image editor, Photolemur

Skylum also hires Alex Savsunenko, former CEO of Let’s Enhance, to lead AI-based photo technologies to the next level.

May 22, 2018 — Bellevue, WA — Today, Skylum Software announced the formation of a new research and development division dedicated to the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies in image processing. The Skylum AI Lab leverages the company’s prior work developing smart filters in its award-winning Luminar software, as well as technology from its “sister company” Photolemur, which was founded in 2016 by Dima Sytnik and Alex Tsepko, co-founder and CEO of Skylum respectively.

“Clearly, AI can simplify our lives. By using AI-based technologies in our products, our customers save time vs. manual editing, and can often get better results,” said Alex Tsepko, CEO at Skylum. “Our neural networks are being trained on millions of images taken by cameras from Fujifilm, Sony, Olympus, Nikon, Canon and many others, which means outstanding results for all photographers, regardless of what style they shoot and what gear they are using.”

To spearhead the new Skylum AI Lab, the company has hired Alex Savsunenko, former CEO of Let’s Enhance, a leader in machine learning for visual content. Savsunenko will manage all research and development for technologies based on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural networks. Promising results will ultimately be implemented in Skylum products and solutions for image and video enhancement, with the aim to help users make their workflow faster, smarter and more efficient.

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Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art pre-orders start Friday 5/25/2018

Sigma 105mm F/1.4

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Three FLD Elements, Two SLD Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Weather-Sealed, Protective Front Coating
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Removable Rotating Arca-Type Tripod Foot
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

According to Nokishita, pre-orders for the new Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens will start on Friday 5/25/2018. B&H Photo and Adorama still have the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art listed without any price tag. B&H Photo has you notified when pre-orders are available.