Table of contents for V72 #1 in Pro Photo

The irony here, though, is that while Samsung did indeed initially treat cameras like any other of its (many) CE lines, there had been a dramatic turnaround with its last NX Series models, particularly the exceptional NX1. Here was a camera designed by somebody who really understood the requirements of today’s market while also incorporating plenty of forward thinking. The NX1 proved that Samsung did indeed know about cameras, but it seems to have just been a little too late, the brand never quite gaining traction in the enthusiast and professional end of the market. Pity really… it was arguably close to being the best SLR-style ‘APS-C’ mirrorless camera on the market. It’s been suggested that Samsung failed here because it didn’t have a ‘photographic heritage’, but neither do either…

If you’re a dedicated user of Nikon’s D300S top-end ‘APS-C’ D-SLR, you’ll know there hasn’t really been a direct replacement for this long-running model (launched back in 2009) despite the best efforts of the D7200. The D500 finally fills the gap, offering a ‘DX’ format (‘APS-C’ sensor format) model with a number of upgraded systems launched in the new D5, including the latest-generation ‘Expeed 5’ processor, 153-point autofocusing, 180,000 pixels RGB metering and 4K video recording. To achieve a more compact design, Nikon has adopted a monocoque design – similar to the D5500 – to integrate the body covers and chassis in one component which employs a combination of magnesium alloy and reinforced carbonfibre composites. Extensive weather sealing is provided and the D500 has a full glass prism optical viewfinder…

They’ve been a busy bunch over at Leica recently and the latest new product announcement is version of the digital M rangefinder camera which, the company says, “stands for the M-Philosophy in its purest form”. The new M Typ 262 is built around Leica’s philosophy of “Das Wesentliche” which translates as “the essential” and means, in this case, a camera stripped of a number of features; mostly notably video recording and live view. The idea of removing live view is that you have to use the Typ 262’s optical viewfinder which is, after all, the essence of a classic rangefinder camera. The elimination of these features allows for a simpler menu – now comprising just two pages – and what was the live view button now provides direct access to…

The much-anticipated successor to Fujifilm’s X-Pro1 has finally arrived and the good news is that the basic formula of an RF-style camera with a hybrid optical/ electronic viewfinder remains unchanged. However, the new X-Pro2 incorporates revisions to just about every element of its design, including its control layout. At a press preview of the X-Pro2, a Fujifilm representative commented, “It looks the same, but basically we’ve changed everything”. Quite a number of the updated or new features are carried over from the current X-T1 and X-E2 models while some are exclusive to Fujifilm’s new professional-level model. On the inside, the X-Pro2 has a new version of Fujifilm’s proprietary filter-patterned ‘APSC’ format sensor called the ‘X-Trans CMOS III’ which has an effective resolution of 24.3 megapixels and a sensitivity range equivalent…

Current to 16 February: Exhibition. The Enclave. An immersive, six-screen video art installation by Irish contemporary artist Richard Mosse filmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo using 16mm colour infrared movie film. At Level 3, the NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3000. Gallery hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm daily. For more information telephone (03) 8620 2222 or visit the website on www.ngv.vic.gov.au Current to 13 March: Exhibition. Bailey’s Stardust. A retrospective exhibition of photographs from London’s National Portrait Gallery covering the long career of legendary fashion photographer David Bailey. At the National Portrait Gallery (NPG), King Edward Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600. Gallery hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm daily. For more information telephone (02) 6102 7000 or visit www.portrait.gov.au Current to 22 May: Exhibition. Imprint: Photography And The…

“The romantic vision of being able to go into a village and take photos of beautiful village people… well, it doesn’t really work like that.” Growing up in Kenya, Louisa Seton has become passionate about tribal cultures. She recently returned from a “heart felt” journey, photographing tribal groups of the remote Omo Valley in the south west corner of Ethiopia. The driving force behind this project is the Gibe III dam that is expected to be completely filled in the next two years and create vast amounts of hydro-electrical power for Ethiopia. However, the project will also profoundly affect the lives of over 500,000 indigenous tribal people who are living in the Omo Valley. The social and environmental impact is a subject of huge controversy. Louisa heard about the hydro-electric…

It’s been promoting lenses capable of handling 100 megapixels sensors for a while, but now Phase One has given them something to work with. The XF 100MP finally hits the magic 100 megapixels mark with a CMOS-type sensor which has an imaging area of 40.4x53.7 mm (i.e. ‘645’ format) and delivers a maximum image size of 11,608x8708 pixels (101 megapixels). This translates into an output image size at 300 dpi of 73.2x96.3 centimetres. The pixel size is 4.6x4.6 microns. Furthermore, colour is processed at 16-bits per RGB channel and Phase One says that the result is a CMOS system which is able to deliver a colour fidelity comparable to the best medium format CCD sensors. Files are captured in a new RAW format called 11Q L 16-bit, but files can…

Let’s face it, if you have the budget for Leica’s top-of-the-line digital rangefinder camera, you might want to spend a bit more and create a personalised finish. Leica has now added the M Typ 240 to its á la carte program which allows you to select the finish used on the metal parts, the badging design and the leather trim. The body colour options are black, chrome or matte black while you can have a classic script ‘Leica’ logo on the top plate or elect not to have the red dot badge on the front panel. The leather trim options include a selection of colours and a choice of textures, including lizard or ostrich. Matching straps are available. The á la carte version of the M Typ 240 comes with…

If you’re looking for something a bit different to carry around your camera gear, the Italian-designed and made Barber Shop range of premium-quality bags may be just what you’re looking for. There’s a choice of 11 styles and these bags are all hand-crafted from selected Italian leather and fabrics in the small Italian town of Bassano del Grappa. It’s in the province of Vicenza in north-eastern Italy which is particularly known for its fine leather. Importantly, the Barber Shop bags are designed to look more like everyday bags rather than purpose-built camera bags so they provide some anonymity as well as protecting your valuable gear. The range extends from the ‘Pageboy’ which is a small messenger-style bag up to the ‘Quiff’ which is a larger, traveller-style bag (you’ll note the…

Any Website that collects personal data is required by law to have a Privacy Policy? Additionally, a ‘Terms and Conditions’ section is also strongly recommended. Consequently, Zenfolio has announced that it will be implementing a combined User Agreement/Privacy Policy for all its photographers’ sites. Zenfolio is the only service in the industry offering this to its users and this will help every Zenfolio photographer be compliant with the law, limiting any exposure for their business without having to pay for an attorney. Along with the User Agreement/Privacy Policy, Zenfolio will also be adding a ‘Powered By Zenfolio’ notice. Both of these will be added to the lower section of all Websites. While the ‘Powered By Zenfolio’ notice can be disabled, Zenfolio says this isn’t recommended as it helps deflect most…

Today a Web presence is an integral part of magazine and newspaper publishing so you’ll find ProPhoto – or, at least, some of it – at www.avhub.com.au Here you can also visit the other titles in the stable of Next Media AudioVisual Group magazines, including sister publication Camera. Have a look at these because you might find another magazine that you’d like to buy from your newsagent or subscribe to. If you’re interested in hi-fi, video, home theatre, ‘smart home’ technologies or car audio, check out Sound & Image, Australian Hi-Fi or Australian InCar Entertainment (just follow the links from the AVHub home page). The Website carries the latest news plus selected articles from both the current and past issues of ProPhoto, including a selection of test reports. Of course,…

While the X-Pro2 has grabbed the main headlines, Fujifilm has re-issued its enthusiast-level RFstyle mirrorless, now designated the E-2s. The revised model has an upgraded autofocusing system – now employing 77 points in the continuous Wide/ Tracking mode – and a sensor-based shutter which allows for a top speed of 1/32,000 second and enables a silent shooting mode. As before, autofocusing is via a hybrid phase-difference/contrast detection system. The sensitivity range now extends an extra stop to the equivalent of ISO 51,200. The Classic Chrome preset is added to the choice of ‘Film Simulation’ modes. X-E2 owners will be offered a firmware upgrade with most of thse features later in the year. Retained from the previous model is the 2.36 megadots OLEDtype EVF, the 16.7 megapixels ‘X-Trans CMOS II’ sensor,…

It’s grown into the world’s biggest international competition for sports and action photography, attracting a huge variety of truly remarkable images. Held every three years, the Red Bull Illume Image Quest is on again and you have until 31 March to submit your entries. The 2013 competition attracted a total of 28,257 images from 6417 photographers representing 124 countries and was won by German photographer, Lorenz Holder, for his remarkable picture of snowboarder Xaver Hoffmann photographed next to a giant satellite dish. In 2016 entries are invited in 11 categories – titled Close Up, Energy, Enhance, Lifestyle, Masterpiece by Yodobashi, New Creativity, Playground, Sequence by Sony, Spirit, Wings and Mobile. The Mobile category is new for this year and recognises the rise in the use of smart-phone and tablet photography…

How often have you looked at an image and not been happy with the focusing? It could be you or it could be the AF system, but either way, something important isn’t in focus. With Panasonic’s new ‘Post Focus’ mode you’ll be able to fix the problem by selecting a different focus point after a shot has been taken. You can’t actually alter the focus of an individual frame, but in the ‘Post Focus’ mode, all the possible focus points – as determined by the AF system – from foreground to background are captured in a high-speed sequence of frames and you can subsequently select the one with the desired plane of focus. In fact, you simply touch – on the monitor screen – the subject matter in the image…

THERE ARE PLENTY OF EXPERIENCES in imaging which make it hard to go back, and once of them is undoubtedly seeing a 4K resolution display for the first time. After this, 2K simply doesn’t cut the mustard. And moving up to 4K for imaging professionals is becoming more of an imperative as the number of 4K video recording devices increases as well as, of course, ultra-high resolution still cameras in the range of 30 to 50 megapixels. With its new 27-inch 4K (or Ultra HD) resolution LED backlit monitor, ViewSonic throws comparative affordability into the mix – if the VP2780-4K isn’t exactly cheap, it delivers a lot of imaging performance for the money. It’s a smart-looking device with a matte-black finish, and is supplied with a stylish, three-legged stand which…