Innholdsfortegnelse for 04-Apr-2020 i Amateur Photographer

THE WORLD is currently in the grip of a pandemic that will have a devastating effect not only on our health, but on the global economy too. Our readers often tell us how important their weekly fix of AP is to them, and now that most of us are confined to our homes for the foreseeable future, in some cases alone, keeping our minds occupied and our spirits up will be one of our greatest challenges. At AP we are fortunate that, thanks to modern technology, the majority of the team already work from home most of the time. Indeed some of us only go into the office once a month. So we are already fully equipped to produce AP remotely and will continue to do so for as long…

AP What were the most important aspects of the X-T range you wanted to retain when designing the X-T4? JW Keeping the size and weight down while upgrading performance was a challenge. The IBIS (in-body stabilisation unit) is physically smaller than its predecessor, but 8x times more accurate. So it was a technical feat to pull off. AP Can you elaborate? JW We unified the magnetic devices; previously spring hooks were used for some parts. When it comes to the devices for position sensing and the actuator, there are only three in the X-T4 while the X-H1 had six. At the same time, this high-performance IBIS unit is 30% smaller and 20% lighter. We would like to expand the IBIS function to all our models. When using shorter focal-length lenses…

Having first picked up an SLR camera aged around14 years old there are few genres of photography that I haven't tried at some point. Writing for this very magazine opened up many more opportunities to try new kit and new styles, and to write technique articles about the skills I had and the skills I had learnt. Naturally there were things that came very easily, and others that were hard work. Studio lighting I am good at; directing a subject to get the shot, not so good at. Taking macro shots of flowers = good. Macro shots of bugs with a bellows and focus stacking software = not so good, and not much fun either. But what I love about photography is the challenge of trying something new. Learning a…

Peter Müller says, ‘In the top left hand corner this ball of light is a 2000W HMI light and then you see the window light. The sun is out and the HMI light goes on her shoulder and into the top of her hair. So this is where all these reflections in the picture come from. To go against all of this light I used three Rotolights – two Anova PRO 2s and one NEO 2. I just wanted a flat light, so I put one on one metre, the second was on 120 and the next one was on 140 like they were square, very close together. She was more or less looking in one Anova but on a face level. The second one was beside her on a…

When was the club founded? The market town of Ross-on-Wye is located in the magnificent Wye valley in rural Herefordshire. Bordered by the picturesque woodlands of the Forest of Dean and the castles of the Welsh Marches it offers the members of the local Ross Photographic Society rich opportunities for image making. The Society celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2020 and currently boasts some 42 members. Wider affiliation is with the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) via the Midland Counties Photographic Federation (MCPF). What does your club offer to new members? New members are always welcomed into the club; those interested can peruse our website for up-to-date details of the club's programme of weekly meetings, outings, in-house and external competitions, and exhibitions. Of particular interest is our instructional Project…

Our cameras and lenses are tested using the industry-standard Image Engineering IQ-Analyser software. Visit www.image-engineering.de for more details The D780 plays a similar role to the Nikon Z 6 in the way it's out to attract serious amateurs, enthusiasts, semi-pros and professionals who don't require the same high-resolution output as Nikon's D850 and Z 7 models that both boast a 45.7MP sensor. Testing confirms the D780's sensor behaves identically to the Nikon Z 6 and with virtually untraceable noise up to ISO 1600, while users will find they can push high into the ISO range when challenged in low light. Resolution The D780’s sensor puts in a comparable performance to the Nikon Z 6, with its 24.5MP sensor resolving a level of detail that we’d expect to see from a…

● £365 ● vari.com IF YOUR workflow involves a lot of editing on the computer, or if you're one of those for whom the digital darkroom is where all the magic takes place, then the chances are you spend a lot of time sitting down. Probably on a non-orthopaedic office chair. Too much sitting, we are now constantly being told, is a Bad Thing, and can cause lower back pain, as I have discovered from experience. So when the opportunity came to try one of the new generation of standing desks, I decided to do my health a favour and give it a go. The VariDesk Pro Plus 36 sits on top of your regular desk and comprises a two-tier design, with a low front shelf for your keyboard and…

Is there a way to monitor wildlife locations? Q I've recently moved into a house where I've seen signs that perhaps some of the local wildlife has been visiting our back garden after crawling under a section of fencing. As a passionate hobbyist wildlife photographer, I'd love to know a bit more. Are there any little cameras which I might be able to set up and record the visitors? Toby Harris A How exciting to have such great potential subjects on your doorstep. There are indeed products on the market to help wildlife photographers monitor what’s visiting a location – we’d probably start by setting up a trail camera. These sturdy, waterproof devices can be affixed and left outside facing a promising location, automatically triggering when motion is detected to…

We also liked… The Barge Graveyard by Mark Kench Nikon D5500, 20mm, 1/50sec at f/4.5, ISO 100 ‘I have had an interest in photography from a fairly early age, but after a long break from it I only renewed my interest about three years ago having been introduced to Instagram by my kids. I posted a few photos (@markkench) and found that people actually liked them! This was shot at the barge graveyard in Maldon, Essex and I used a polarising filter to remove glare from the water.' Mark uploaded this shot using the hashtag #appicoftheweek. Chosen by Andy Westlake, Technical Editor SEC Centre, Glasgow by Simon McKee Canon EOS 750D, 21mm, 2sec at f/4, ISO 100 Simon loves nothing more than escaping into the peace and solitude of the…

Anova PRO 2 An LED light and High Speed Sync (HSS) flash unit that combines continuous light with HSS wireless flash. It offers a 10,7000m lux output at 3 feet with a 72W power consumption. AEOS Offers both powerful constant LED illumination and HSS flash with up to two hours’ runtime on a 95w/h battery. Ideal as a location light, it weighs just 1.4kg and has integrated handles. NEO 2 Offers a combination of bright, constant LED illumination and High Speed Sync (HSS) flash. It comes in at under £200 and with no recycling time you never miss a shot. Nikon D5 This pro DSLR incorporates a 153-point AF system and an FX-format CMOS image sensor and a 180K-pixel RGB metering system to aid accurate subject recognition and image detail.…

Feed the Birds by Paul Nash Fujifilm X-Pro2, 18mm, 1/250sec at f/7.1, ISO 200 Paul is based in Truro in Cornwall. He has always loved landscape photography and Cornwall provides excellent opportunities with its fantastic coastline. But as he says, ‘I have also been drawn to street photography as it documents everyday life. Last year I went on a street photography workshop in London, which provided me with an improved skill set. The challenge now is to take street images in small communities, I like to experiment and look for anything out of the ordinary.' This shot was taken in the centre of Truro on a bright day. Paul knew the birds gathered there and that the location was a busy thoroughfare. After a 30-minute wait this image presented itself.…

Never too old What a wonderful piece by Boyd Wild (Viewpoint, 29 February). I couldn't agree with him more! At 58 I gave up 35 years in the same profession and became a student again at the wonderful Plymouth College of Art. I started a photography degree – the most enjoyable three years of my life. Our group ranged in age from 17 to 60+ (I wasn't even the oldest person in the class) and was a really friendly, helpful and supportive bunch. The opportunities to try new things – different cameras, lenses, studio facilities, lighting rigs, holding exhibitions and so on – as well as study the history and development of photography, learn Photoshop from a professional and meet practising photographers was simply fabulous, as was being taught by…

Peter Müller Peter Müller is a photographer and co-owner of NOIRStudio in Frankfurt, Germany, in partnership with Jean Noir. He is known for his emotive black & white portraits that are shot in-camera and require little retouching. He holds workshops around the world that explain how he conveys emotion and tells stories in his images. You can discover more of his work at www.500px.com/petermuller. The powerful black & white portraits shot by Peter Müller combine a sense of emotion with conveying the essence of his subjects. What is almost unique about Peter’s work is that he likes to get it right in-camera, first time, without any need to retouch his images later on. Peter has built a reputation as one of Europe’s finest portrait photographers and cites his main influences…

Know your camera well The moment anyone is in front of my camera they are the most important person in my life; not my wife, not my son, no one else. To make you feel that you are the most important person means that you have 100% of my concentration and attention. If, after every second shot, you're looking at the back of your camera to find out if the model's eye is sharp or whatever you can imagine that the model doesn't trust you and will think, ‘does the guy know what he's doing? He's always checking the camera'. Most people don't even talk to the models; they just look at the camera. The model doesn't know if it's good, bad or that you like what they're doing. So,…

Sensor 24.5MP CMOS, 35.9 x 23.9mm Output size 6048x4024 pixels Focal length mag 1x Lens mount Nikon F Shutter speeds 30sec-1/8000sec (extendable to 900s in Manual) Sensitivity ISO 100-51,200 standard ISO 50-204,800 extended Exposure modes PASM, Auto, Special Effects Exposure comp +/-5EV (+/-3EV movie recording) Drive Mode 7fps via OVF (12fps in live view) Screen 3.2in, 2.36m-dot tilting LCD Viewfinder 0.7x magnification, 100% coverage AF points 51 via OVF, 273 in Live View Video 4K (30/25/24p), Full HD up to 120fps External mic 3.5mm stereo Memory card 2x SD, SDHC, SDXC (both UHS-II compatible) Power EN-EL15b (2060 shots) Dimensions 143.5x115.5x76mm Weight 840g (with battery and card)…

NIKON'S D700-series has been a staple part of the full-frame DSLR market for more than a decade. The D780 may have arrived a bit late for those who've already moved to Nikon's excellent Z-series, or other full-frame mirrorless systems, but this doesn't take anything away from what is a sensational camera that's built to a professional standard and is a sheer delight to use. It will provide top-level service to photographers who aren't fully enamoured by the thought of switching to mirrorless, especially those who want to continue using their F-mount lenses and still swear by using an optical viewfinder. Merging two AF systems into one camera to improve the live view performance has been superbly executed. Saying that, it does take time to familiarise yourself with the pros and…

Laowa Magic Shift Converter ● £299 ● www.laowalens.co.uk THIS unique accessory is an excellent choice for architectural photographers shooting with Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. Available in versions to accept Nikon F or Canon EF-mount lenses, it's a 1.4x teleconverter that's designed to work with wideangle SLR primes, converting them into E-mount optics with +/- 10mm shift. It's particularly well matched to the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D, which becomes a 17mm f/4 shift lens. But in principle it'll work with any wide prime that offers manual focus and aperture control, just as long as it's sharp into the corners and well corrected for distortion. Of course it's a distinctly niche product, but it's really well made and works brilliantly. Andy Westlake, originally reviewed 10 February 2018 Lowepro PhotoStream RL 150 ●…

Sony Alpha 7 III At the core of the Sony A7 III is a 24.2MP backside-illuminated sensor that delivers great results under testing conditions with 14-bit raw capture. Up to 10fps burst shooting is possible with both auto exposure and autofocus tracking, while its 4D focus system features an amazing 693 phase-detection points that cover 93% of the frame. There's 4K video shooting at 30fps with HDR recording options available and effective 5-stop inbuilt stabilisation on offer. The camera's 2,359K-dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder faithfully depicts images with clear corner-to-corner visibility. £1,749 • 10fps burst mode with tracking • Brilliant hybrid autofocus system • 5-axis 5-stop inbuilt stabilisation Nikon D780 Nikon's 24.5MP D780 is arguably its most well-rounded full-frame DSLR, offering plenty to help you capture professional motorsports images. There's responsive…

AF Nikon AF lenses driven from camera AF-S Nikon lenses with Silent Wave Motor AF-P Nikon lenses with stepper motors AL Pentax lenses with aspheric elements APD Fujifilm lenses with apodisation elements APO Sigma Apochromatic lenses ASPH Aspherical elements AW Pentax all-weather lenses CS Samyang lenses for APS-C cropped sensors D Nikon lenses that communicate distance info DA Pentax lenses optimised for APS-C-sized sensors DC Nikon defocus-control portrait lenses DC Sigma’s lenses for APS-C digital DG Sigma’s designation for full-frame lenses Di Tamron lenses for full-frame sensors Di-II Tamron lenses designed for APS-C DSLRs Di-III Tamron lenses for mirrorless cameras DN Sigma’s lenses for mirrorless cameras DO Canon diffractive optical element lenses DT Sony lenses for APS-C-sized sensors DX Nikon’s lenses for DX-format digital DS Canon’s Defocus Smoothing technology E…

I took a Mamiya 7 rangefinder camera to my grandad’s funeral. I was shooting a reportage on Britain’s bad weather and it happened to be raining. I didn’t think anyone would mind. I was wrong. When I raised the camera to my eye as the coffin was pulled from the hearse, there was audible disapproval. Cameras at Dench family gatherings are for capturing fun, for photographing the living not documenting the dead. The morbid Victorians didn’t have such reservations. They died young, quickly and from a plethora of biblical epidemics. Infant mortality rates were high. With the invention of the daguerreotype in 1839, bringing a more affordable and instant method of portraiture to the masses, the popularity of death portraits increased. The photographs helped soften the bludgeon of grief –…