Category Archives: news

Fujifilm brings a water resistant 2X teleconverter for the X-Series

Fujifilm X-Series users will soon be able to purchase a 2x teleconverter compatible with two of the company’s telephoto zoom lenses, delivering a maximum equivalent focal length of 1219mm for its interchangeable lens compact system. The XF2X TC WR teleconverter will be weather and dust-resistant when used with the X-T1 and X-Pro2 camera bodies combined with the XF50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR and XF100-400mm F4.5-5.6R LM OIS WR lenses.

The converter consists of nine elements in five groups and adds 30.2mm to the physical length of the camera/lens set-up. With the 2-stop light loss, the AF system of the X-cameras will revert to contrast detection with the 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 lens, but phase detection will still work with the 50-140mm F2.8. Both lenses will need a firmware update in order to operate with the new teleconverter so that adjusted aperture and focal length values can be recorded in the EXIF data and displayed on-screen.

Fuji suggests that the converter will be compatible with other lenses in the X-Series range, and has set up a website on which it promises to post information about future lens compatibility.

The Fujifilm XF2X TC WR teleconverter will be available in June priced $449

Canon India appoints C Sukumaran as the Assistant Director of Consumer Systems Products Division

Canon India announced the appointment of C Sukumaran to the designation of Assistant Director of Consumer Systems Products (CSP) division at Canon India.
 
According to the company the CSP division offers printers for consumers as well as enterprise across different verticals. Canon has a vast range of all-purpose printers, both inkjet and laser, catering to the printing requirements of home segment, students, SOHOs, SMEs as well as dedicated offices.
 
Canon India reported that in his new role as the Assistant Director, C Sukumaran will be leading CSP division’s Laser and Inkjet printer business in India and will be accountable to take the marketing and sales of the products to the next level. He will be reporting to Mr. Andrew Koh, Vice President, CII Group, Canon India. With a special focus on driving growth, market share and profitability for inkjet and laser printing products, he is looking forward to working closely with the partners to create the required reach. 
 
Sukumaran has been associated with Canon for over 15 years. Prior to joining the CSP division, he was working as the Assistant Director of the Business Imaging Solutions (BIS) division. His key responsibilities included driving the sales for BIS division’s multifunctional devices and solutions. He was actively involved in managing all channels-direct, distribution, government and handling global accounts for copiers, DR Scanners and the software solutions along with supporting sales of projectors and NVS products. 
 
The company also stated that with his two decades of experience in B2B space, he will bring with him a deep insight of Enterprise sales, channel set-up and operations, sales planning and execution. He is a strong believer in utilizing technology to create efficiency and capability across the teams. His key organizational strengths, according to Canon, include sales, enterprise knowledge, people leadership, business leadership, general management, new market entry and penetration, and strategy and execution.
 
C Sukumaran is a graduate in Science from University of Bangalore. He has a keen interest in following news and research in business, economic and political arena. Reportedly, being a sports enthusiast, he also loves to play cricket, table tennis and volleyball. Besides that, he is reportedly also deeply interested in developing leaders and driving change in a seamless manner and hence, he actively pursues coaching and mentoring as a practice. According to the company reports, his predecessor, Gautam Paul will be looking after the projection, surveillance cameras and CBS business in Canon India.

RICOH Announced the 2nd RICOH THETA Developers Contest

RICOH Imaging Europe S.A.S recently announced their second annual developers contest. The competition, reportedly looks out for new applications and gadgets that utilize the RICOH THETA camera which takes 360-degree, fully spherical images or videos in one capture. Once registered, applicants will have time till 31st August 2016 to submit their final version of their app and gadget designs. 


As a part of RICOH’s 80th anniversary celebrations this year, the contest challenges developers to create innovative apps and gadgets that work in synchronization with the RICOH THETA. According to the company, the winners of the contest will receive a trip to Tokyo, Japan, for the awards ceremony and the first prize winner will be awarded a cash prize of one million Yen.


Applicants will also gain early access to an exciting new platform which has been optimized for cloud-based applications leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT). The new IoT platform makes it possible for developers to efficiently and cost-effectively build cloud-based applications, which typically require significant expertise in cloud services and servers and a longer development time. It will be interesting to see what the company comes up with since 360 degree videos and photos seem to be the future of the industry. 

Canon EOS 1300D Entry-Level DSLR Launched Starting Rs. 29995

Canon India yesterday launched the EOS 1300D, an entry-level DSLR priced at an accessible level, to help beginners and photo hobbyists discover greater possibilities in photography. Equipped with an 18.0 megapixel CMOS sensor and ISO speed expandable up to 12,800, the new EOS 1300D is reportedly capable of capturing high quality images and Full HD movies and easily share them on the go through its connectivity features. According to media reports, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC support are also included in the EOS 1300D as an all-inclusive package to address the needs of ever increasing social media savvy users.

 Mr. Andrew Koh, Vice President of Consumer Imaging and Information Centre, Canon India said, “Photography as a hobby and sporting a DSLR camera is quite the rage in India presently. So is social media, and everybody wants to share their images online with their friends immediately. With this a precursor, we are thrilled to launch the EOS 1300D – a DSLR camera with inbuilt Wi-Fi & NFC. The EOS 1300D creates great looking images and allows instantaneously sharing them as well – thus meeting the requirements of first time users, social media junkies and hobbyists alike.”


According to the company, the EOS 1300D facilitates image transfer to smart devices through the Canon Camera Connect app (via Wi-Fi), or a tap between the camera and the compatible smart device to establish a connection for file transfer (via Near Field Communication, NFC).

 Through the Camera Connect app, users will be able to shoot remotely. Upon connecting the EOS 1300D with a smart device, users can adjust camera settings such as shutter speed, aperture, and ISO speed, and then capture the shot on their smart device. Reportedly, the EOS 1300D comes with five creative filters to deliver different creative expressions – soft focus, grainy black and white, toy camera effect, fish-eye effect, and miniature effect. Apart from filters, strength level, colour tones and focal points are also customisable for some of the filters.


 For users accustomed to using cameras on smart devices and are beginning their foray into DSLR photography, the EOS 1300D is said to provide new avenues to explore on their photography journey. Powered by a DIGIC 4+ dedicated image processor and an 18.0 megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor (approximately 25 times larger than a standard smartphone), the EOS 1300D is said to render higher resolution images with lesser noise, even under low-light conditions.

 The EOS 1300D is also said to come with a high performance optical viewfinder, which enables faster framing and higher focusing precision, essential factors to capturing fleeting moments. The optical viewfinder also reportedly, provides a more accurate representation of what the camera sensor sees, for a better idea of the final image. With an enhanced 920,000-dot LCD monitor, Canon hopes the users will find it easier to check on the focus during Live View shooting.


 The EOS 1300D is equipped with a 9-point Auto-focusing system that aims to allow fast and accurate auto-focusing on the subject. The camera’s AI Servo AF constantly tracks and focuses on moving subjects such as pets and children, even as the subject moves towards or away from the camera. With this AF system, every moment will be captured in picture-perfect clarity.

The company also stated that as a part of Canon’s range of DSLR cameras, the EOS 1300D will provide full access to Canon’s extensive range of EF/EF-S lenses to suit a variety of occasions. Canon’s EF/EF-S lenses range from macro lenses for extreme close-up details, telephoto lenses to shoot long-distance subjects like animals in a zoo, and ultra-wide-angle lenses to capture dramatic landscapes or small enclosed environments. Over 70 lenses in Canon’s EF/EF-S range can be used with the EOS 1300D to achieve the optimum composition.



 Dimensions: Approx. 129.0 x 101.3 x 77.6mm

Weight: Approx. 440g (body only)

Image sensor: 18.0-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor

Imaging processor: DIGIC 4+

ISO speed: 100-6,400 (expandable to 12,800)

Continuous shooting speed: 3 fps

Maximum video quality: Full HD 1080p (30fps)

AF: 9 AF points

Wi-Fi: Yes

NFC: Yes

LCD: 3-inch (920,000 dots)


 The EOS 1300D will be available at a price point of INR 29,995/- inclusive of the EF-S 18-55 IS II kit lens, while the double zoom variant (including EF-S 18-55 IS II & EF-S 55-250 IS II lenses) is priced at INR 38,995/-. Both variants will be available from April 2016 onwards.

 

 

 

 

Exclusive hands-on with a prototype of the new Canon flagship, EOS-1D X Mark II

We are barely a month into the new year, and Canon has announced the new EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR camera. The new flagship camera has a 20.2 megapixel 35mm Full Frame Canon CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors. The camera can capture images at up to 14 frames per second, and HD video up-to-4K 60P, with Canon’s proprietary Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus (AF) technology. We had an exclusive chance to get our hands on a prototype of the latest canon flagship, and here’s the lowdown.

At first look, the camera seems to have quite a similar body-layout to its predecessor the Canon 1DX. The camera feels strong in hand with its rugged and weather resistant construction, and there are subtle grip changes that Canon has done to improve the hold. While the camera features continuous shooting speeds of up-to-14 frames per second (fps) with Auto Exposure (AE) and predictive AF for viewfinder shooting and up to 16 fps in Live View mode. Its Dual DIGIC 6+ Image Processors are said to help in transferring image data at high speed for extended bursts during continuous shooting of up-to-170 consecutive RAW images at 14 fps. The camera can shoot 4K 60P and Full HD 120P video with Dual Pixel CMOS AF.

Canon informed that the camera has a Digital Lens Optimizer to help correct aberrations in-camera, and this previously required post-processing on an external computer. The camera’s has an improved 61-point viewfinder AF with expanded coverage and all AF-points selectable and supported to a maximum aperture of f/8. There is a central area expansion of approximately 8.6% vertical and peripheral area expansion of approximately 24% vertical.

There are other changes like continuous red illumination of all AF points within the camera’s Intelligent Viewfinder II, and compatibility with both CF and CFast memory cards for better performance with faster transfer rates and buffer speeds.

Canon informed that the camera will cost around Rs. 4.5lac body only, and will be available to buy by April 2016.

Sony finalizes buyout of Toshiba’s sensor business

After a series of negotiations, Sony has announced buying Toshiba’s image sensor division. It will be operated by Sony’s recently announced independent image sensor division. The parties also are planning to make arrangements to offer the employees of Toshiba and its affiliates, employed at the manufacturing facilities to be transferred, as well as those involved in areas such as CMOS image sensor engineering and design (approximately 1,100 employees in total), employment within the Sony Group, upon the completion of the transfer.

Image sensors are important to Sony. This acquisition will enable Sony to increase its production capabilities in the area of CMOS image sensors, where further market growth is anticipated. According to reports, 40% of the new image sensors in the smartphone market were manufactured by Sony. The recent acquisition will definitely be an added advantage to Sony. Toshiba aims to execute legally binding definitive agreements by the end of calendar year 2015. Thereafter, Toshiba and Sony aim to complete the transfer within the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, subject to any required regulatory approvals.

Reuters issues a worldwide ban on RAW photos Adds a new spin to the on-going processing debate

In an unprecedented move, one of the largest news agencies in the world changed their policy on shooting and supplying RAW to them. Reuters announced that it has implemented a new worldwide policy for freelance photographers which bans them from sending photos that are processed from RAW files. Ideally it means that photographers/contributors/freelancers will now only send photos that have been originally saved to their
cameras as JPEGs.

According to Petapixel the announcement was made to freelance photographers this week via this short email from a Reuters pictures editor and a Reuters spokesperson has confirmed this policy change. The decision
comes in line increase both ethics and speed. Does this also put an end to long on-going debate of whether photo-journalistic pictures shouldn’t be processed? For a while now there are always discussions on the topics of post-processing of pictures. While many seem to agree that most genres can do finishing, photo-journalism shouldn’t be privy to these applications. The spokes person added that “As photojournalists working for the world’s largest
international multimedia news provider, Reuters Pictures photographers work in line with our Photographer’s Handbook and the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles,” Reuters says. “As eyewitness accounts of events covered by dedicated and responsible journalists, Reuters Pictures must reflect reality. While we aim for photography of the highest aesthetic quality, our goal is not to artistically interpret the news,” Reuters added. Restricting photographers to original JPEGs will also reduce the time it takes for photos to go from camera to client, Reuters says. “Speed is also very important to us. We have therefore asked our photographers to skip labour and time consuming processes to get our pictures to our clients faster.” RAW photos do allow for a greater degree of post-processing flexibility, so based on the new policy, it appears that Reuters found that photos processed from RAWs are more likely
to distort the truth.
 

Bhutan Photo Campaign: Win holiday trips to the Kingdom of Bhutan

A small Kingdom in the Himalayas called Bhutan has inspired many around the world by placing the happiness of its people ahead of economic wealth. This is the principal idea behind Gross National Happiness (GNH), Bhutan’s development philosophy which the King refers as ‘development with values’. His Majesty adds that GNH is the ‘national conscience guiding us towards making wise decisions for a better future’. 
Taking pride in the idea of HAPPINESS, the tourism industry of Bhutan promotes Bhutan with the tagline “Happiness is a place”. This is to simply assure that happiness can be found in simple things and these simple things can be found anywhere and in anything.
In an effort to allow everyone from across the globe to share what HAPPINESS means to him or her, the Tourism Council of Bhutan has introduced the Bhutan Photo Campaign. The Bhutan Photo campaign is a simple way of sharing what HAPPINESS means to everyone with photographs on www.HappinessIsaPlace.com.
The campaign is dedicated to the selfless Kings of Bhutan for introducing and promoting the Philosophy of GNH. The Honourable Prime Minister of Bhutan, His Excellency Tshering Tobgay launched the Bhutan Photo Campaign on 30th July2015.
To promote the campaign, attractive prizes will be given away for the photographs with highest LIKES and SHARES from the campaign page. The campaign will end in December 2015.

Artistique: Photography and the ‘Artform’

As we have reiterated time and again that at Asian Photography ‘innovation’ is the key to everything that the magazine does. And one such innovation that we are proud of in recent years is Artistique. An initiative that was started to celebrate the ‘World Photography Day’ and promote ‘Photography as an Artform’ has quickly turned into a platform that allows new and upcoming talent to showcase their work to the industry, apart from push the messages mentioned earlier. We are particularly proud of this since it has not only given us the opportunity to innovate but also give back to the industry that has given us so much. 
 
What is Artistique about?
 
Artistique is divided into 2 segments, the Exhibit and the Contest. The exhibit involves bringing together a number of photographers from the fraternity under one roof to exhibit their pictures under a common theme. While the contest gives the opportunity to the amateurs, hobbyists, enthusiasts among other the chance to show their talent to the great and have their pictures exhibited at the same platform as these greats. 

Furthermore it is a complete non-profit and non-commercial activity where some of the industry partners come together and lend their services as part of their contribution to the industry and overall objective. The objective is very simple. It’s simple, celebrate the World Photography Day and promote the culture of picture-taking by bringing together a number of photographers under one platform and exhibit their images.

It is a combination of images brought together by photographers from various genres promoting a single message for the industry. But while in its inception the message was to achieve all of these objectives, over the past two editions, it has quickly encapsulated a lot more than this. 
 
Who are the photographers that have exhibited?

At AP we do everything in style and when we put our minds and hearts to something then we don’t resist from pulling all the stops. So in order to make the initiative a success and take it to new levels we have had some of the best photographers exhibit their work in the past few editions. Some of these include:

Kakubhai
Ali Rangoonwala
Jatin Kampani
Arko Datta
Martin Prihoda
Sudhir Shivaram, to name a few

Apart from this we have also given the opportunity to new and upcoming talents to exhibit their work at the same platform as these greats.

The Jury

Each year a new jury presides over the selection of the winners and the pictures of the exhibit. And some of the jury members from the past include:

Jatin Kampani
Vikram Bawa
Arko Datta
Girish Mistry
Adeel Halim
Mukesh Parpiani
Ali Rangoonwala, 
Bhavya Desai, to name a few


How has Artistique evolved?

While the need to create something new has been in our DNA, we have ensured that the creativity doesn’t stop there. Since its inception, Artistique has continuously evolved year after year to encompass a bigger value and objective in mind. From the toddling steps in 2013 to encompassing a bigger reach in 2014, the platform has grown enormously in just two editions. 

2013

The 1st edition brought together four renowned photographers under one roof to promote the industry in a four-day exhibition held at the prestigious Piramal Art Gallery, Mumbai from 16th-19th August 2013. The exhibition witnessed everyone from budding students of photography and teachers to amateur photographers, enthusiasts and industry veterans from the photo-fraternity gathering to celebrate the art of photography with Artistique.

We brought together a pool of famous Indian photographers like Kakubhai, Jatin Kampani, Ali Rangoonwala and Arko Datta to exhibit their pictures under one roof under the theme of ‘Black and White’. But what was important was that the images showcased by these photographers were never before seen work.
 
2014

For the 2014 edition the exhibition saw a combination of professionals as well as upcoming talents exhibit their work together. Apart from noted photographers the idea was to provide upcoming and talented photographers a platform to push their talent. In the professional sphere the internationally acclaimed Canadian photographer Martin Prihoda and India’s famous Wildlife Photographer Sudhir Shivaram exhibited their exquisite work.

Due to the popular demand after the inaugural edition, the 2nd edition was a 10-day exhibition, which witnessed a footfall of approximately 1000 people. The exhibition also included a small space that was dedicated to the amateurs and readers of the magazine. These pictures were carefully handpicked by the jury of Vikram Bawa, Arko Datta, Jatin Kampani and Bhavya Desai.
 
What’s new for the 2015 edition?

We at AP have always ensured that we push the envelope on a continuous basis. So for this year we are envisaging to make ‘Artistique’ a travelling ART exhibit in Bangalore, Delhi and Kolkata, apart from Mumbai.

The idea this year is to invite an internationally renowned photographer and an upcoming Indian photographer for this edition. In order to encompass and promote our message we will take the same exhibit to the other cities so that all the enthusiasts, hobbyists and art lovers from across the country get a chance to see the exhibit and its message.

We would also be having interactive sessions with noted photographers in order to impart their knowledge and experience to our audience.

Artistique this year is set to be bigger and better than ever. The team at Asian photography is more excited than ever, as we will be travelling across the four corners of the country. We will have chance to not just promote the art of photography, but also interact with our readers from North, East, West and South of India, who will visit the exhibition. So, get ready, as Artistique is coming to your neighbourhood soon!

Bhavya Desai

Nikon India Announces the High-Definition D-SLR D810A for Astrophotographers

Nikon India has introduced the Nikon D810A, a D-SLR built specifically for the astrophotography. 
The manufacturer informed that the chief among the D810A’s strength is its ability to capture astronomical subjects that emit the H-alpha wavelengths of light such as nebulae and other distant galaxies in red, allowing astrophotographers to see them just as imagined. The 36.3 megapixels camera has features such as longer exposures in low-light conditions with minimal noise, and a live view preview function. 
On the announcement, Mr. Hiroshi Takashina, Managing Director, Nikon India said, “Nikon is always up for a challenge and empowering astrophotographers with a dedicated camera of unprecedented image quality was one intriguing task. We are thrilled to announce the launch of Nikon D810A, a class-leading, high-definition D-SLR that will bring astrophotographers one step closer to capturing the majestic vastness and beauty of space while offering them a new perspective in stunning detail.”
 “The Nikon D810A has been designed keeping in mind the obstacles that astrophotographers face; it is a result of an amalgamation of advanced imaging technology and suite of outstanding features. Nikon D810A is a 36.3 megapixels camera crafted with unique ability to capture subjects with H-alpha wavelengths, ensuring rich vibrant capture for images of the cosmos that are true to the eye,” said Mr. Sajjan Kumar, Vice President – Imaging Division, Nikon India.