Skylum Luminar 2018 and Aurora HDR 2018 get updated, get faster, and still have an exclusive discount

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Skylum (former Macphun) released updates for their Luminar 2018 and Aurora HDR 2018 software (both Mac & Win).

Updates to Skylum Luminar 2018 and Aurora HDR 2018 are triggered from inside the application. After the break you can see what’s new and what changed.

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

For more information about the Luminar 2018 update see here, for Aurora HDR 2018 see here. It’s also listed after the break.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Canon fires another small rocket into space

canon rumorsNext episode of Canon’s space saga. Previous episodes can be seen here.

As Nikkei Asian Review reports, Canon was set to launch another mini-rocket into space on February 2nd.

TOKYO — A number of Japanese companies have been trying, so far unsuccessfully, to get commercial launches of small rockets off the ground. But they have not given up.

Canon Electronics and Interstellar Technologies both failed in their first attempt to launch a small rocket. Having learned from the missteps, they are set to try again soon. If they succeed before the full enactment in November of a law governing the commercial use of space in Japan, their chances of turning their launch businesses into moneymakers will improve significantly.

Canon Electronics is set to fire off its SS-520 minirocket, possibly as soon as Feb. 3. The rocket, which is a little bigger than a utility pole, was developed by Japan’s space agency, JAXA, and has a control system made by Canon Electronics and others. It will take off from JAXA’s Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, in southwestern Japan.

The company’s first launch, in January 2017, was a near miss. The rocket successfully lifted off the launch pad, but ground controllers soon lost contact. Fearing that it might fly out of control, JAXA shut down the engine, plunging the rocket into the sea. The satellite and control system that were scheduled to be tested during the flight sank beneath the waves.

Read the report at Nikkei Asian Review.

Meike set to announce new 50mm f/1.8, 25mm f/2, and 25mm T2.2 Cine lenses for mirrorless cameras

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Hong Kong based manufacturer Meike is set to announce very soon three new lenses for mirrorless camera systems (Sony FE, Canon EF-M, Nikon 1, Fujifilm X and Micro Four Thirds cameras)

Meike will announce a 50mm f/1.7 lens, a 25mm f/2, and a 25mm T2.2. Cine lens.

According to ePhotozine, the Meike 50mm f/1.7 is “comprised of 12 diaphragm blades and has a 0.11x magnification ratio“.

All new Meike lenses are manual focus, and will be available for pre-order on Amazon soon.

Super Bowl: An Army of Canon Lenses Help NBC Capture the Big Game

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Thanks EdinaMN Guy.

Canon seems to still be the preferred lens manufacturer for professionals shooting sports.

From SVG Blog:

Live From Super Bowl LII: An Army of Canon Lenses Help NBC Capture the Big Game

The vendor’s onsite support team aims to ensure that they’re all ready for any shot

At Super Bowl LII, Canon lenses will be ubiquitous throughout NBC Sports’ game production. NBC is deploying almost exclusively Canon lenses — more than 60 in all — the only exceptions being for the specialty camera systems: the pylon cams at both end zones, four Sony HDC-4800 4K cameras, and a pair of SkyCam systems. However, it’s not just gear that Canon is providing in Minneapolis; it’s also a high level of onsite technical support.

“This one of the biggest shows of the year — or even multiple years — for a lot of people out here,” says Richard Eilers, national accounts sales director, ITCG Professional Products Sales Engineering Division, Canon USA. “And then you have a lot of them heading over to Korea on Monday [for the Olympics], so there is definitely a lot of stress surrounding these shows. It’s our job to take away the stress point from a technology standpoint. We just want to make sure that the lenses are well-dressed and ready to do any shot that might be asked of them.”

[…]

CPS on Hand Supporting Pro Clients in the Twin Cities

Canon Professional Services is also on-site in full force with CPS Director Elizabeth Pratt leading the way. CPS has deployed a massive amount of equipment in Minneapolis, stocking and loaning out anything from DSLR bodies and lenses to cinema EOS bodies and cinema lenses to pro clients in attendance at the game.

Canon also provides free loans of gear to the pro market base, as well as full photographic and cinema service and support. In addition, two techs are on hand to support sports clients utilizing Canon DSLR’s.

Read the report at SVG Blog.

CIPA 2017 statistics released, overall camera sales increased by 4%

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The Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) published statistical data for the business year 2017.

It seems camera market sales value increased again, at least by 4%. DSLR sales decreased by 10% compared to 2016 but mirrorless camera sales went up 40%. If Nikon and Canon are eventually going “serious” with their mirrorless products, this figures may well change in favour of mirrorless.

[via Mirrorless Rumors]