Metabones Speed Booster Ships Via Metabones’ Site

[shoplink 9995 ebay]Metabones Speed Booster Ships[/shoplink]

Finally the Metabones Speed Booster ships via the Metabones website and also on [shoplink 9995 ebay]eBay (via HK)[/shoplink] for the regular price. Get notified when more adapters are in Stock saving the following search on Slidoo eBay (login and change your root country if required).

GetDPI user Brianc discovered that the Speed Bosster and “Tilt Shift combo optical axis decoupling results in some unexpected results.“. And another test is available at Japanese DC.watch (translation here).

Check our previous coverage of the Speed Booster adapter here, here, and here.

[via sonyalpharumors]

 

Canon EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM DxOmarked (a Peerless Performer)

[shoplink 2160]Canon EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM DxOmarked[/shoplink] The [shoplink 2160]Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM (price & specs)[/shoplink] has been analyzed by DxOMark. And it scores really really good, they call the lens a «peerless performer». If it wasn’t for the price (it’s $2500), this would be a dream lens, even without IS (my take)! DxOMark writes in the conclusion (emphasis mine):

With an DxOMark score of 26, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 MkII is the highest scoring professional fixed-aperture mid-range kit zoom of any brand in the DxO Mark database and comfortably outperforms rivals as well as the firm’s earlier Mark I version, particularly with regard to the sharpness levels across the frame. We’re used to seeing a noticeable deterioration in performance in the outer fields at longer focal lengths even with high-quality optics from the big-name marques but the new Canon bucks that trend. As for distortion and vignetting, it manages to hold its own against rivals even if it hasn’t quite managed to improve on those over the outgoing Mk I version.  In spite of the complex optical construction, some chromatic aberration is visible in the corners that may require additional removal in post-production software but levels remain in line with the best of rival offerings. The main downside, however, is the very high price. At $2,500 the lens is far less accessible than the model it replaces, but the reduction in weight and size coupled with the boost in optical performance looks set to satisfy future demands from as yet unannounced high-resolution cameras.

Interesting, and plausible: the EF 24-70mm has been designed with future DSLRs in mind. Please Canon let us know what is in your labs.

The pros and cons of the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM seconding DxOMark:

Pros

  • Good sharpness (16P-Mpix), only equalled by the Sony Zeiss equivalent.
  • Distortion well controlled
  • Transmission improved
  • 805g total weight (145g lighter than predecessor).
  • Compact design.

Cons:

  • CA noticeable in corners.
  • Large (82mm) filter diameter (though front/rear element are protected with a fluorine coating)
  • Very high price

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM price check: [shopcountry 2160]

Canon EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM DxOmarked

[via DxOMark]

Raw Converter Showdown By DPreview (LR4, Capture One Pro 7, DxO Optics Pro 8)

Raw Converter Showdown By DPreview

DPreview posted an exhaustive review comparing three of the most used RAW conversion softwares: [shoplink 2813]Adobe Lightroom 4[/shoplink], [shoplink 9923]Capture One Pro 7[/shoplink] and [shoplink 9924]DxO Optics Pro 8[/shoplink]. The following features are tested and reviewed:

  • Speed
  • Image quality and editing tools
  • Imaging workflow
  • Output options
  • Asset management
  • Additional features

The review is thoroughgoing and touches a lot of aspects. Check it out. A sort of final verdict by DPreview:

[…] the choice of which of these raw converters to use comes down to how you work. Shoot primarily in the studio and need robust tethering capability? Then you’ll be very happy with Capture One Pro 7. If you work on a relatively small number of images and/or already have an existing asset management system in place, DxO Optics Pro 8 offers perhaps the best starting point for your edits. And if you’re all about workflow efficiency, need tight integration with Adobe Bridge or Photoshop and want the most feature-rich cross-platform app on the market, Lightroom 4 can fit the bill. As raw-shooting photographers we’ve really got an embarrassment of riches at our disposal right now. You can create some great images no matter which one you choose.

Adobe Lightroom 4 price check: [shopcountry 2813] Capture One Pro 7 price check: [shopcountry 9923] DxO Optics Pro 8 price check: [shopcountry 9924] [via dpreview]

Big Savings On Selected Canon DSLR Bundles and Lenses/Speedlites

Big Savings On Selected Canon DSLR Bundles

Big savings on selected Canon DSLR bundles and lenses/Speedlites.

First, there are concrete savings on Canon EOS 60D bundles (click here, expires 1/26, that’s tomorrow).

Next, B&H has concrete and tangible savings on selected Canon DSLRs and lens bundles. Click here to access the page for the DSLR and lens bundles. The offer expires 2/2. Select a lens, then select a Canon DSLR, and then see how much you can save! Savings go up to $450 for the EOS 7D and 60D, up tp $400 for the EOS 5D Mark III and Mark II.

Big Savings On Selected Canon DSLR Bundles

 

And that’s not all. There are more savings on selected lenses and Speedlites (click here). There are more lenses than are showed in the picture below.

Big Savings On Selected Canon DSLR Bundles

 

 

Update – Quickstart Lightroom 4 iPad App Temporarily Free

Quickstart Lightroom 4 iPad App Temporarily Free

 

Update: no longer free, was a limited time offer.

Good news for all [shoplink 2813]Adobe Lightroom 4[/shoplink] users.

Quickstart Lightroom 4 is an iOS app that usually is sold for $5.99, It’s free today so grasp it while it lasts clicking here.

A few user reviews:

  • Excellent overview – a real help. I wish I had this program earlier.
  • Another wonderful app from Serge Ramelli. Worth every penny. It’s to the point hands on training. App includes the raw files so you can practice. Knowledgable, funny and charming teacher. I’ve paid over $100.00 for training and learned more from these apps. Keep up the great work.
  • This is great. A tutorial made by someone that actually uses the software and doesn’t assume other end users are not complete idiots.

Adobe Lightroom 4 price check: [shopcountry 2813]

Apple iPad price check: [shopcountry 9918] [via theappwhisperer]