Skylum Luminar 3.1.2 Released, Limited Time Discount ($50 for Luminar + Signature)

Skylum Luminar
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Skylum Software released Luminar 3.1.2, our preferred Lightroom alternative.

The good news: Skylum has a promotion for the 4th of July going on. You get Luminar 3 and Signature at a reduced price. And it gets better: you get additional $10 discount by using code WATCH at checkout. So, Skylum Luminar 3 and Signature are yours for just $50 instead of $85. Don’t forget to use code WATCH at checkout.

Skylum Luminar 3.1.2 introduces a new feature called “On This Day.” Photographs are all about memories. To walk down memory lane with Luminar, simply click the “On this day” button in the menu.

skylum luminar

Other changes include:

Improved Import from flash card. Luminar 3 now brings you the fastest importing from your flash card ever. Less time waiting and more time for creativity.

Support for Nik Collection plugins. Now you can easily add plugins from the Nik Collection to your workflow and fully enjoy what they offer alongside all the tools in Luminar 3.

Overall performance and stability improvements. Improving Luminar’s performance is one of our team’s top priorities. With every new update, we try our best to make Luminar faster and more seamless so you can have amazing potential to express your creativity.

Skylum press text after the break.

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Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L Sample Photos (jaw-dropping performance, DPReview)

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L review
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Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L at a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
  • Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics Element
  • One UD Element, One Aspherical Element
  • Air Sphere Coating
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

DPReview posted a set of sample pictures shot with the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L lens for the EOS R system. It doesn’t happen every day to read a description like:

Shaped like a can of Campbell’s Chunky soup, it’s a tad large and awkward affixed to the the EOS R. Nonetheless, what it lacks in grace it makes up for with jaw-dropping performance.

Click here to see the Canon RF 85mm f1.2L sample photo gallery.

Here is a very interesting interview with the developers of the Canon RF 85mm. More Canon RF 85mm f1.2L coverage is listed here.

Canon RF 85mm f1.2L: [shoplist 56632]

Canon EOS R full frame mirrorless system: [shoplist 52287]

Deal: Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG ART Macro Lens – $399 (reg. $469)

Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG ART
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Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG ART at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Two FLD Elements, Two SLD Elements
  • Low Dispersion and Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • 1:1 Magnification, 10.2″ Min. Focus
  • Coreless DC AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Weather-Sealed, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Adorama has the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG ART Macro Lens on sale at $399. Use code JULY4TH19 at checkout to get the final price. Compare at $469. Free shipping.

Noteworthy Kickstarter projects:

  1. DUO Daypack, quick access camera bag with lifetime warranty
  2. Kamlan 50mm f/1.1 lens for $199
  3. Peak Design super light travel tripod

Selected deals:

More hand-picked deals are listed here.

Authorised Canon retailer B&H Photo has discounted EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS 6D Mark II bundles on offer for the holidays.

We offer 10% discount to subscriptions to Pixpa all-in-one platform for photographers.

Today’s Gold Box and one day only deals at Amazon US, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, B&H Photo, eBay, Adorama.

Canon Europe stores have a cash back promotions going on:

Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals to be found here)

Save $10 on Luminar 4 and/or Aurora HDR 2019 using our code “WATCH” at checkout.

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM MACRO Review

Canon RF 35mm F/1.8 review Macro IS STM RF 70-400mm
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Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM at a glance;

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
  • Super Spectra Coating
  • STM Stepping AF Motor
  • 1:2 Max. Magnification, 6.7″ Min. Focus
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

The Phoblographer reviewed of the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro lens for the Canon EOS R full frame mirrorless system. They gave the lens a rating of 4/5.

About the autofocus they say:

During […] tests with the Canon 35mm f1.8 USM IS RF on the Canon EOS RP, [the reviewer] was quite surprised at just how well the two worked together. While on a tour of the Penumbra facilities in NYC, [the reviewer] decided to approach the visit in a documentary fashion. For photojournalistic reasons and purposes, the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 USM IS did a great job. The focusing was always accurate, fast enough for documentary work, and reliable. In fact, it never missed its mark. 

The Phoblographer’s conclusion:

The Canon RF 35mm f1.8 USM IS is a lens that photographers will pick up if they’re looking for a good 35mm lens for the Canon system that has image stabilization. In addition to that the image quality is also very sharp for what it is. Then consider the bokeh and the fact that you can not only get this from a 35mm lens, but the f1.8 aperture lets you really blow your backgrounds out. I can’t really complain about the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 USM IS except, you know, I wish it was built better.

Read the review…

More Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IS STM coverage is listed here.

Canon RF 35mm f1.8 MACRO IS STM ($449): [shoplist 53576]

Canon EOS R full frame mirrorless system: [shoplist 52287]

Canon Working On Triple Image Stabilisation System, Canon Patent Suggests

canon patent
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We already know that most likely Canon will feature IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation) on future Canon mirrorless cameras (and maybe on DSLRs too). Canon execs confirmed it.

It seems Canon wants to do things right, as we are used to. Canon patent application 2019-0199930 (US) describes technology and methods to make three image stabilisation systems work together. The patent discusses how to combine lens image stabilisation, IBIS, and digital image stabilisation.

Another Canon patent application discusses how to make IBIS and lens IS work together smoothly.

canon patent

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these: