Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Tuesday, December 19, 2017

The Digital Photography Review Newsletter for Tuesday, December 19, 2017 [DPReview: Digital Photography Review]( [DPReview on Facebook]( [DPReview on Twitter]( [DPReview on Google Plus]( The Digital Photography Review Newsletter The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 400,000 subscribers Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Welcome to the 691st Digital Photography Review newsletter. I'm tired. Are you tired? Is it Christmas yet? The end of the year is nearly upon us, but as my desk calendar insists on reminding me, we're not there yet. As 2017 wheezes to a close, we're still working hard here at DPReview, finishing up reviews, rounding up our favorite products, and running polls to find out what you - our readers - think of the cameras and lenses released this year. Starting tomorrow we'll also be looking back at 2017 month by month, in a series of short articles. A lot happened this year, it turns out! No wonder I'm tired. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III review Canon's newest PowerShot flagship comes with a large APS-C sized sensor, built-in zoom lens, and yet, is small enough to fit in your pocket. So how does it stack up? Find out in our full review. [Check out our in-depth review of the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III]( 62 How to photograph the northern lights The Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, are one of Earth's great natural wonders. As we head into the dark days of winter, it's a great time to think about photographing them. In this article, we walk you through what you need to know to get your own magical photos of these lights in the sky. [Read our full article about photographing the aurora borealis]( Have your say: DPReview Readers' Choice Awards 2017 We're well into annual roundup territory and that means it's time for you, out there in our community, to have your say. What piece of kit have you been most impressed by this year? We've broken the announcements down into seven categories, in which you can vote for what you think have been the best cameras, lenses and smartphones. Voting closes tomorrow, Wednesday December 20th at 11:59pm! (PT). [Vote in our Readers' Choice Awards]( 2017 Buying Guides and Gift Ideas been updating our comprehensive collection of camera buying guides, arranged both by price, and by use-case. Whatever kind of photography you enjoy, we'll help you find something to suit your needs — and your budget. [Click here to check out our comprehensive series of buying guides]( Barney News updates [Struggling owl takes home top prize in 2017 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards]( Published Monday, December 18, 2017 10:43:00 PM GMT The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have revealed their 2017 winners! Have a laugh and support a good cause at the same time. [KUVRD Universal Lens Cap protects any lens from dust and water]( Published Monday, December 18, 2017 8:40:00 PM GMT The KUVRD Universal Lens Cap might just be a stroke of brilliance. It fits the front or back of any lens, protects your gear from dust and water, and can even be layered on on top of the other to provide some drop protection. [Canada's 'The Camera Store' robbed of $27,200 in high-end camera gear]( Published Monday, December 18, 2017 8:09:00 PM GMT Owners of the Calgary camera shop are offering a $3,800 reward to anyone who can help catch thieves who stole a Hasselblad X1D, three Hasselblad XC lenses, and a limited-edition Leica M-P Edition Safari. [CopyTrans brings native HEIC support to Windows with free plugin]( Published Monday, December 18, 2017 7:40:00 PM GMT CopyTrans HEIC brings native HEIC support to your Windows PC using the same tech Canon and Nikon use to make their Raw files compatible. And best of all, it's free! [Inrigo is a waterproof camera backpack with bluetooth humidity monitor]( Published Monday, December 18, 2017 7:18:00 PM GMT The Inrigo backpack features several unique features for a waterproof backpack, from a resealable-bag-style zipper that can be opened very quickly, to a bluetooth sensor that lets you know when moisture gets inside. [Rumor: Canon to unveil 7D Mark III 'before Summer 2018'. Here's our wishlist]( Published Monday, December 18, 2017 6:26:00 PM GMT Rumor has it Canon is planning to release a successor to its APS-C flagship EOS 7D Mark II in the first half of 2018. After 3 years, it's probably due an upgrade - here's our wishlist for a Mark III. [DPReview Instagram takeover: Barney's photos from Mexico]( Published Monday, December 18, 2017 3:15:00 PM GMT Have you followed us on Instagram yet? Now's a great time to, since over the next three days we'll be turning our account over to Barney, where he'll be sharing photos from a recent trip to central Mexico. [2017 Buying Guide: Best cameras for parents]( Published Monday, December 18, 2017 12:00:00 PM GMT Quick. Unpredictable. Unwilling to sit still. Kids really are the ultimate test for a camera's autofocus system. We've compiled a short list of what we think are the best options for parents trying to keep up with young kids, and narrowed it down to one best all-rounder. [Behind the scenes of Joe McNally's 'High Fashion Heist']( Published Monday, December 18, 2017 9:01:00 AM GMT Fashion and portrait photographer Joe McNally is one of the most recognizable names in photography. We spoke to him recently to talk through the process of creating one of the most arresting images of Nikon's D850 launch campaign. [Rokinon AF 50mm F1.4 FE: sample gallery and impressions]( Published Sunday, December 17, 2017 10:27:00 PM GMT If you're on a budget and want a Sony FE 50mm F1.4 lens that'll autofocus, this one is worth consideration. But as is usually the case, you get what you pay for. [Have your say: Best high-end ILC of 2017]( Published Sunday, December 17, 2017 12:00:00 PM GMT Time is running out to vote for your favorite cameras and lenses in our year-end Readers' Choice Awards! In this category, we've rounded up the seven of the best high-end interchangeable lens cameras for enthusiasts and pros. [Top 5 news stories of the week on DPReview]( Published Saturday, December 16, 2017 5:25:00 PM GMT Each week, we'll help you cut through the noise and share the top 5 photography news stories from the past 7 days. This week's top stories cover a wide range of emotions: from tragedy, to anger, inspiration, and a little bit of sticker shock courtesy of Apple. [Shooting Kīlauea Volcano, Part 2: Grounded]( Published Saturday, December 16, 2017 5:00:00 PM GMT In part two of his series on shooting lava flows in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, landscape photographer Erez Marom tackles the challenges inherent in shooting lava from the ground. [The Olympus TG-5 and Nikon Coolpix W300 go to Puerto Rico]( Published Saturday, December 16, 2017 2:00:00 PM GMT Thinking of getting a rugged or underwater camera for a tropical vacation this winter? Jose Francisco Salgado tested two popular models, the Olympus TG-5 and Nikon W300 on a trip to Puerto Rico this summer. Find out what he thinks of these two cameras. [Have your say: Best mid-range ILC of 2017]( Published Saturday, December 16, 2017 1:00:00 PM GMT This year saw several cameras released in the mid-range ILC class, from full-frame DSLRs to super-compact APS-C mirrorless models. Take a look for a reminder of the key mid-range ILCs released in 2017, and don't forget to vote for your favorites. [Have your say: Best entry-level ILC of 2017]( Published Saturday, December 16, 2017 12:00:00 PM GMT The most important camera you'll ever own is the first one you buy. This year was relatively quiet on the entry-level ILC front, but the quality of the cameras released in this market segment was universally excellent. Vote while you can – polls close Monday! [Disney's 21st Century Fox acquisition means it will now own National Geographic]( Published Friday, December 15, 2017 9:30:00 PM GMT Disney is attempting to buy most of 21st Century Fox in a deal worth a reported $52.4 billion. In the process, Disney will take over Fox's controlling 73% stake in National Geographic. [Leica unveils limited run of 100 red Leica M (Typ 262) bodies]( Published Friday, December 15, 2017 6:16:00 PM GMT Leica has released a series of 100 limited edition M bodies with red anodized top and base plates. The company says the red hue of the cameras makes a bold statement, though some might argue the $7,000 price tag is slightly more daring. [Broncolor releases HSS-capable RFS 2.2 flash trigger for Fujifilm cameras]( Published Friday, December 15, 2017 6:04:00 PM GMT Fuji users have another flash trigger to add to their arsenal. Broncolor's RFS 2.2F flash trigger—formerly only available for Canon, Nikon, and Sony—is now being made for Fujifilm cameras as well. [Canon patents 400mm F5.6 catadioptric 'mirror' lens]( Published Friday, December 15, 2017 4:53:00 PM GMT Canon might be planning to bring catadioptric 'mirror' lenses back from the dead. A new Canon patent spotted in Japan describes a 400mm F5.6 catadioptric lens that would use a variable density ‘electrochromic’ filter to 'stop down' the lens. [DxOMark: The full-frame Leica M10 is 'on par' with the best APS-C sensors]( Published Friday, December 15, 2017 3:20:00 PM GMT DxOMark just finished their review of the Leica M10 sensor, and while it outperforms almost every other digital Leica ever made, it still falls significantly short of the top-of-the-line full-frame sensors out there. [How to photograph the northern lights]( Published Friday, December 15, 2017 2:00:00 PM GMT The aurora borealis, or northern lights, are one of Earth's great natural wonders. As we head into the dark days of winter, it's a great time to think about photographing them. In this article, we walk you through what you need to know to get your own magical photos of these lights in the sky. [Have your say: Best prime lens of 2017]( Published Friday, December 15, 2017 12:00:00 PM GMT The year 2017 was great for prime lens shooters. Based on reader interest and preferences, we've got a whopping twenty lenses for this category of our year-end reader polls. Vote now for your favorite! [Cosina has discontinued the Zeiss SLR Classic series of lenses]( Published Thursday, December 14, 2017 8:58:00 PM GMT It's the end of an era. Two years after releasing the Milvus line, Cosina Japan has announced that it has ceased production of the Zeiss SLR Classic series of lenses. [A fully loaded iMac Pro will cost you $13,200]( Published Thursday, December 14, 2017 8:30:00 PM GMT Now that the iMac Pro is live on the Apple store online, we can finally see how much a fully loaded, 18-core version with 128GB of RAM, a 4TB SSD and Radeon Pro Vega 64 graphics card will cost you. Surprise, surprise... it ain't cheap. [Final Cut Pro X 10.4 adds HDR support, VR video editing, and (finally!) curves]( Published Thursday, December 14, 2017 7:08:00 PM GMT Apple just dropped a major update of video editing program Final Cut Pro X, adding support for HDR, VR and 360° video editing, 8K support, and advanced color grading tools including (FINALLY!) curves. [Famed Chinese rooftopper falls to his death from 62-story skyscraper]( Published Thursday, December 14, 2017 5:42:00 PM GMT 26-year-old Chinese rooftopper Wu Yongning fell to his death from atop the 62-story Huayuan Hua Centre skyscraper when a photo stunt for an unnamed sponsor went horribly wrong. [Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II Review]( Published Thursday, December 14, 2017 3:11:00 PM GMT The PowerShot G9 X Mark II is Canon's latest entry-level 1" sensor compact. With a time-tested sensor, 28-84mm equiv. lens and an intuitive touchscreen interface, the G9 X II appears to be a smart choice for those upgrading from cheap compacts or smartphones. Read our review to see how it performed. [Trump administration reinstates mandatory drone registration]( Published Thursday, December 14, 2017 3:08:00 PM GMT President Trump has signed a bill that reinstates mandatory drone registration in the US, reversing a court ruling from earlier this year that eliminated the requirement. [iPhone X sample gallery]( Published Thursday, December 14, 2017 2:00:00 PM GMT The iPhone X shares the iPhone 8 Plus' camera specs with a notable exception: both of the X's main cameras are stabilized. Take a look at what Apple's newest flagship device can do. [Have your say: Best zoom lens of 2017]( Published Thursday, December 14, 2017 12:00:00 PM GMT This year saw plenty of new lenses released, including several excellent zooms. We've used a lot of them, but we want to hear from you – what were your favorite zoom lenses of 2017? [These are the winners of Nat Geo's Nature Photographer of the Year 2017]( Published Wednesday, December 13, 2017 9:52:00 PM GMT National Geographic has revealed the winners of its annual Nature Photographer of the Year contest, and every shot from the Grand Prize winner down to the Honorable Mentions and People's Choice awards are fantastic. [High Sight launches the Mini portable cable camera system]( Published Wednesday, December 13, 2017 8:10:00 PM GMT The Mini System was designed with portability and ease of use in mind, but builds on High Sight's experience building larger and more complex products. [The Dutch police have shut down their drone-catching eagle program]( Published Wednesday, December 13, 2017 7:56:00 PM GMT Dutch police began training eagles to take down illegal drones all the way back in 2016, but after running into some training issues and a lack of demand for these trained birds, the program is being shut down. [Lomography's 3-in-1 Neptune lens system is officially on sale]( Published Wednesday, December 13, 2017 6:50:00 PM GMT After raising over half a million dollars on Kickstarter earlier this year, Lomography has finally put its Neptune three-in-one lens system on sale for the general public. [Memistore lets you store two extra memory cards right on your camera]( Published Wednesday, December 13, 2017 4:54:00 PM GMT Meet Memistore, a nifty little camera attachment that lets you store two extra SDHC cards either on the bottom of your camera, or attached to the camera's hot shoe. [Apple's new iMac Pro arrives December 14th, and first impressions are good]( Published Wednesday, December 13, 2017 3:49:00 PM GMT The iMac Pro finally has a release date! The 8-core and 10-core models will arrive on December 14th, starting at a whopping $5,000 for the base model. 14- and 18-core models won't be available until 2018. [Portrait mode shootout: iPhone 8 Plus vs Google Pixel 2]( Published Wednesday, December 13, 2017 3:00:00 PM GMT Apple and Google both offer improved Portrait Modes in their latest devices, but the two manufacturers take somewhat different approaches. Take a look at side-by-side shots to see how they square up and learn about the technologies behind them. [Shooting with the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III in Moab]( Published Wednesday, December 13, 2017 2:00:00 PM GMT Moab, Utah is known for its unique desert landscapes as well as a multitude of adventurous outdoor activities. We traveled there recently with Scott Rinckenberger and the Olympus OM-D E-M10 III for an action-packed weekend of rock climbing and mountain biking – with a sunrise helicopter ride for good measure. [Have your say: Best smartphone of 2017]( Published Wednesday, December 13, 2017 12:00:00 PM GMT This year was a busy one for smartphone manufacturers, with major new handsets released from all of the big players. Take a look at some of 2017's noteworthy new phones, and vote for your favorite! [Our favorite finalists from the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017]( Published Tuesday, December 12, 2017 9:44:00 PM GMT The finalist of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 have been announced: 40 wacky photos that are bound to put a smile on your face. Here are our favorites. [Instagram now lets you follow hashtags, is testing 'recommended' posts]( Published Tuesday, December 12, 2017 7:56:00 PM GMT A month after testing the feature with small groups, Instagram has launched the ability to follow hashtags at the same time as they're testing another new feature: a Recommended for You section. [Google launches three mobile photography 'Appsperiments']( Published Tuesday, December 12, 2017 7:03:00 PM GMT Google Research has launched the first three in a series of experimental photography apps based around technologies that are currently under development. [19 inspiring entries from the Sony World Photography Awards]( Published Tuesday, December 12, 2017 6:19:00 PM GMT The Sony World Photography Awards have released 19 of the best entries so far as a teaser, meant to inspire and remind photographers that there's only one month left to submit to the contest. [Toshiba unveils world's first 14TB conventional magnetic hard drive]( Published Tuesday, December 12, 2017 4:56:00 PM GMT Toshiba just fired the latest salvo in the ultra-high capacity hard drive war. Meet the nine-disk, helium sealed, 3.5-inch 14TB MG07ACA, the world's largest Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) Hard Drive (HDD). [Major Update: Adobe adds tone curve, split toning and more to Lightroom CC]( Published Tuesday, December 12, 2017 4:31:00 PM GMT Adobe just launched their Lightroom December update, and it comes with some very important additions to the Lightroom CC ecosystem, including: tone curve, split toning, AI-powered Auto edit, and more. [Olympus 45mm F1.2 Pro sample gallery updated]( Published Tuesday, December 12, 2017 2:00:00 PM GMT The Olympus 45mm F1.2 is one of the company's three F1.2 lenses, promising 'feathered' bokeh wide open, and a portrait-friendly effective focal length of 90mm. Check out our updated sample gallery to see what it can do. [Have your say: Best compact camera of 2017]( Published Tuesday, December 12, 2017 12:00:00 PM GMT It's the most wonderful time of the year: time to vote for your favorite cameras and lenses in our year-end Readers' Choice Awards. It certainly was a good year for compact cameras – cast your vote before the polls close! You received this email because you subscribed to the Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) weekly newsletter. To unsubscribe, [click here](. Alternatively, log into dpreview and visit your user profile settings ([( uncheck the Newsletter Subscription checkbox, then click on Save changes. © 2017 [dpreview.com]( Digital Photography Review, all rights reserved. DPReview, 428 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA