Macphun announced that for the first time their new Aurora HDR 2018 will be available for Windows too. Pre-orders will open on September 12^nd, and downloads released on September 28^th. You can sign up here to be notified when the pre-order and launch begin. Full info at aurorahdr.com/2018

Press text:

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About Aurora HDR:

Aurora HDR is not just a tool for merging bracketed images, it also provides numerous tools and countless options to create perfect HDR photos for every taste – from one-click presets and advanced tone-mapping, to layers, noise reduction and powerful luminosity masking controls.

Aurora HDR’s Key Features:

• Total HDR editing experience with the most complete set of tools available.
• Fast, powerful RAW processing engine.
• Tone-mapping algorithm to achieve both realistic and dramatic HDR images.
• Over 70 presets that give photos an amazing HDR look in just one click.
• Luminosity masking that automatically makes advanced selections within HDR images based on the Zone System.
• Unique layer system that supports blend modes, custom textures and using original exposures as source images.
• Image Radiance, brushes, masks, lighting, vignettes and much more help users achieve their artistic vision
• Highly versatile batch processing
• Works as a standalone app, or a plug-in to Photoshop and Lightroom

A sneak peek into what’s new in Aurora HDR 2018:

• Lens Correction Tool – The new Lens correction filter easily fixes all kinds of lens distortion, from barrel to pincushion, to chromatic aberration and vignetting.
• New User Interface – Redesigned from scratch, the modern and responsive user interface brings a powerful, yet joyful experience to HDR photo editing.
• Cross-platform version – Aurora HDR 2018 will be available both for Mac and PC users. Files are interchangeable and mixed-computer households can share the same product key.
• Speed Improvements – Up to 4x improvement in RAW image processing, and up to 200% faster merging and masking performance means that Aurora HDR 2018 is dramatically faster than the last version.

Availability:

Aurora HDR 2018 will be availabe for pre-order on September 12, and released on September 28.

Pricing:

Mixed-computer households can share the same product key for Mac and PC that can be activated on 5 devices.

Pre-order:

• Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade at a special pre-order price of $49
• New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2018 at a special pre-order price of $89
• A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.

Retail price:

• $59 for current Aurora HDR users
• $99 for new users

Shooting in S-Log

Wedding Photography Pricing: How Not to be a Starving Artist (ALC).
Comparing lenses: Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8 and Sony Zeiss FE 16-35mm f/4 (Scattered Light).
Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6 (Fred Miranda).
The horrifying truth about radioactive Camera Lenses (Mirrorlessrumors).
New Gear from Tiffen: More than Just Filters (Explora).
Aputure COB 300d LED Fresnel Light (Personal View).

Dru: “video shot on a6300 and a7ii https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPABwvZnCi8“

We have our own Facebook camera groups and pages you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony A9 group and Sony A9 page.
Sony A7rIII group and Sony A7rIII page
Sony A7sIII group and Sony A7sIII page
Sony A7III group and Sony A7III page
Note: In groups you can post your own stuff like images, news and questions. While on pages you will read the specific camera news from SAR.

Exactly three years ago (August 18) Sony announced their to date last entry-level E-mount camera, the A5100. There may be a 5300 coming but this kind of “budget” system cameras could soon be dead. Dpreview writes that “Smartphones killed the compact and now they’re coming for entry-level ILCs“:

Once smartphones can do a reasonably good imitation of things like bokeh and optical zoom, those who never wanted to pick up a dedicated camera won’t have to. Lots of people who do want the image quality benefits traditionally associated with a DSLR actually want nothing to do with a DSLR. They’re big, confusing and come with a significant learning curve. 

I think they are spot on with that “prediction”. The entry-level system camera market is shrinking and the profit margin on those kind of cameras is very small. I see it likely that in 3-4 years from now we will only have a market for high-end APS-C or FF cameras. And their price will keep climbing to offset the declining entry-level business. Still, I do not think Smartphone will ever kill the High End Camera Market. Or maybe I am just being naive?

NiSi announced a new Filter Holder for the new Sony FE 12-24mm lens. You can buy it now at Amazon US and Amazon DE. And Fred Miranda found a even cheaper way to be able to use filters on your Sony 12-24mm lens:

I just tested a way to use regular filters (77mm) on the Sony FE 12-24/4 G ultra wide. It won’t vignette from 14mm until 24mm making this lens even more versatile now. It’s possible it will work with polarizers as well. That will save many photographers from carrying huge 150mm filters and adapters to use with this lens! ;)
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G with 77mm regular filters!
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1503152

Sony 12-24mm store links to [shopcountry 60621].

Do Sony Mirrorless cameras and lenses hold their resale value?

What’s In My Bag: Chris Orwig’s Gear When Traveling Light (Alphauniverse).
Good news and Bad news on latest June camera shipment report…(Mirrorlessrumors).
Aputure Tri-8 Professional Led Panel Light (Personal View).
Best Action Cameras for Every Budget (Adorama Learning Center).
Warning! Avoid Eyelead Gel-Sticks for Sony A7 Cameras – Part 1 (Talkingtree).
Real-Time HDR Resolving with Atomos (Explora).

Raven: “I have a cool tutorial on jow to shoot milkyway on flight, I am using A7Rii, with the samyang 12mm f2, using Apsc mode, here is the video link with tbe english sub, take a look
facebook.com/story.php“

Bernie: “Just finished my 2017 Directors Reel. 2 years of full-time shooting and it’s been quite the journey. 90% of this real was filmed with the a6500 w/Zhiyun Crane. A few a7s and drone shots sprinkled in lol. https://youtu.be/JmDpHzXIBHU“

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